Running • Iggy

Trapped

I landed softly on a tree, gently sliding to the ground to avoid making too much sound on the dead leaves. I could clearly hear my flock talking from where I stood, so I leaned against a tree. It wasn't every day you get to hear your family talking when you're not around after all.

"She wouldn't have just left without telling me, Max!" Iggy protested, voice full of worry.
"Maybe she would have, I mean, she barely talks to any of us anymore. Maybe she just took herself off, decided we weren't good enough to worry about." Max said coldly.
"Maximum Ride." Fang snapped, his tone angrier than I had ever heard it. "Don't you dare speak about your sibling like that."
"Why not? It's not like she cares." Max said, voice full of annoyance.
"It's not like we've been treating her right, either! We've been ignoring her, acting like she doesn't exist, like every delay that's happened so far was because of her." Fang sounded pissed off.
"It has been, look, she's holding us up now." Max's voice was getting louder as she raised it.
"Maybe she wouldn't be if you would just accept she didn't mean to hit you!" Fang snapped back.
"It doesn't matter if she meant to or not, she could do it again!"
"That doesn't mean you treat her like she's not even there and get mad at us when we acknowledge her."
"She's causing so many issues in the flock, maybe it would be better if she just stayed go-"
"Shut the fuck up." Iggy growled. "Don't you DARE say that, Max. Don't finish that fucking sentence. How would you like it if I said that about Fang, huh? Have you ever thought about there's possibly something going on that you don't know about?" Iggy was screaming at this point.

"Enough." I said flatly, stepping into the clearing. "Just, stop it." My voice lacked any real emotions, but it scared my three older flock mates. The two younger lay asleep by a dimly lit campfire, blissfully unaware of the yelling match. "I left on my own accord, okay? I was angry and didn't want to deal with being left out anymore." I said as I walked up to them, hands in my pockets. "You have every right to hate me, Max." I said slowly, staring into her brown eyes, which held an expression I didn't recognize. "I've been terrible, I know I have. You can kick me out if you want, you're leader, aren't you?" I waited for a response, but the others seemed to be stunned into silence. It took at least 30 seconds for anyone to do anything. "You fucking scared me." Iggy growled. He walked forward quickly and wrapped his arms tightly around my shoulders, bringing his head to my chest.

"...You think I hate you?" Max asked, her voice quiet and shocked. I pulled away from Iggy and faced the brunette. "I hit you and I kept doing things you didn't want me to do. Why wouldn't you hate me?" I shot back, crossing my arms over my chest. Max shook her head, rare tears slowly filling her eyes. "I don't hate you, Citrus. You're my little sister god damnit." She spoke in a shaking tone, which surprised all of us. "I'm just frustrated and scared and I keep taking it out on you." She admitted, a tear rolling down one of her dirt-stained cheeks. "God, you really thought I hated you?" She repeated. I stepped forward, bringing my hand up to wipe her tears from her cheeks.

"Come on now, Ride." I said in an exasperated and affectionate tone, watching her expression carefully as I spoke. "No point in crying, is there? It was my fault." She suddenly pulled me into a hug, which made me stiffen awkwardly. I'm not used to hugging anyone but Iggy or Nudge, so it was a bit strange.

"I made you think I hated you." She spoke, pulling away and holding my forearms tightly. "I don't hate you, none of us do, I promise. I'm sorry." She then shifted her expression slightly. "Can I ask you a question, though?" She began, and when I nodded she continued. "Why do you not seem to care that Nudge is gone? I'm not saying you don't care, period, I'm asking why you hide it." She clarified.

"...Habit." I simplified as I shrugged, stepping away from her touch and directly into Fang's arms, where I was practically suffocated by a bear hug. I might be strong, but I'm also fragile. I can hit hard but when I'm hit I'm suddenly a toddler being hit by a 20-year-old man. As long as I'm fast enough to avoid them or I know their physical weaknesses to get out of the situation, I'm always the winner, but when I'm suddenly wrapped by a hug, arms pinned at my sides... I'm helpless.