Thanks to all of you who alerted me to Max’s last post. Or Dylan’s last post. You guys know that I don’t read her blog. I have my reasons.

Now I know that was the biggest mistake of my life. What if it’s too late?

I’ve seen Max live through just about every threat imaginable. I’ve seen her near death. She’s the strongest person I know. But for some reason I just have this feeling that whatever happened to her—it’s the sign of something different.

It’s like there’s something really bad starting, finally, that just isn’t going to stop.

Dylan can’t take care of her. He’s only been alive for a couple of years. He doesn’t know her like I do.

I’m going to find her.

Evidently a day relaxing in New York City wasn’t enough for my team. They wanted a night off, too, and I have to admit, I needed it as much as anyone. So we’ve been sitting around our campsite playing cards and doing impressions of one another.

“Okay, who am I?” Ratchet said, flopping his hair in front of his eyes, frowning, and miming texting with his thumbs.

“FANG!” everyone else shouted instantly.

“Ha-ha. That’s hilarious,” I said, getting up from my seat next to Maya. “I’m gonna go take a walk down the beach.”

Did I mention that we’re camping on a beach? It’s fantastic. What’s even more fantastic is hearing this:

“Fang… you want some company?”

“Sure,” I said with a shrug.

We didn’t talk much. Maya always seems to know when I just want to be quiet and think. Or not think.

“Fang?” she finally said, wading into the water up to her ankles. “You’re doing a great job. I know you think we’ve done nothing, but at least we’re trying. And you’re making that happen.”

See? How did she know that’s exactly what I was thinking about? Only Max used to know me that well.

“Thanks, Maya. I wish the rest of the team was that confident about all this.”

“The rest of the team doesn’t like you as much as I do,” she said. And before I could say anything, she launched a huge splash of water into my face.

I grinned. This meant war. And even though I wasn’t sure of anything else anymore, I was almost positive I could win this.

Who’s the biggest cheerleader in your life?

Today was a day of choices:

• McDonald’s or Burger King?
• The Amazing Spiderman or The Dark Knight Rises?
• Yankees or Mets?
• Plaza Hotel or Central Park?

In case you couldn’t guess, the gang is in New York City. We’re taking a break and doing whatever we want today, which ended up being kind of hard for us to decide. I’m personally a little appalled that we would choose Mickey D’s or BK over some of the amazing places you can eat in NYC, but those were the options the group decided on. And hey—this gang is a democracy. Not a dictatorship like some other gangs I know.

My picks would FOR SURE be McDonald’s, Dark Knight Rises, Yankees, and Plaza Hotel (but we really don’t have an option on the last one—we’re kinda on a budget). Help us out and vote for your faves. And let me know if you have any other ideas for stuff we should do while we’re here.

Thanks guys. Fang out.

Big update, everybody. In my last post I said we were going to investigate this facility that looked like it might be holding a bunch of birdfreaks like me inside. It was impossible to see anything from the outside, so we ended up getting in through the ventilation system. Nothing like crawling through a tiny shaft to make a guy feel incredibly claustrophobic—especially a guy with wings.

But it was worth it, because we finally got to a room where we could see they were unloading big boxes with chains wrapped around them. They opened one up, and I swear this guy in a lab coat was talking to whatever was inside. I saw a few feathers fall to the ground too….

That’s when Ratchet said he heard a faint sound coming from behind us (the kid’s ears are incredible). He said it sounded like snarls. And barks.

“GET OUT NOW!” I roared, not bothering to try to be quiet.

“HERE!” Maya yelled back. She had crawled ahead and pried open a vent that led into total blackness.

I launched myself out, flapping my wings and shooting into the air. We were on the other side of the building, but up at least a couple floors. Maya was out right behind me, and we both circled back to help get the others to the ground.

“Grab my hands,” I shouted, pulling Ratchet into the air. As soon as I got him down, I went back up to see Maya landing on the ground with Star. She immediately joined me as Holden and Kate burst from the opening, dogs snapping right behind them. I caught Kate’s hands just before she hit, lessening the blow with a strong thrust of my wings. Holden was wrapped around Maya’s waist, and she managed to set them down gently.

“Into the woods,” I said, disentangling myself and helping Kate up.

So we ran. And here I am, reporting it all back to you.

What do you guys think could have been in that box? Could it be more birdkids? Could it be a different genetic mutation? I don’t think we can go back again—they probably won’t even be there now that they know we found them. Stay tuned.

The gang got some intel about a possible HQ for the 1 Light, and decided to check it out tonight. So I’m typing this on my phone.

Starting to wonder if we’re actually gonna do anything except watch dark buildings. We’re itching to do something more. Ready to take someone down. The end could be coming any time, but so far we can’t do anything to stop it.

Hold up. Ratchet just called me over.

Guys… this stakeout might not be a bust after all. Ratchet heard something off in the distance. Couple of pickup trucks driving up to the gate.

Whitecoats unloading long metal boxes with chains wrapped around them. Wheeling them inside.

Holy crow.

Just saw a couple of feathers swept out of one of the trucks. (Birdfreak vision gets good use at times like this.)

What if more birdkids are in those boxes?

Gotta run—gonna get closer. If this place is anything like the School, it’s time for a rescue mission.

Fang out.

With all the running around the Gang’s being doing lately, I’d kill to sleep in a real bed for just one night instead of stretched across the back seat of a car. I’d even settle for Jeb’s old place—even though I kind of hate the guy. I just never figured out whose side he’s on. Let me know if you’ve got any ideas about that.

But Jeb’s the least of my worries. The gang’s investigations indicate that something big is coming—and soon. We have to keep moving. It feels like somebody is always right on our tails. So lately I’ve been thinking a lot about where I would go if everything ends up going ka-boom.

My gang and I have actually been researching underground bunkers. Did you know there are companies out there who will build those for you? I guess a lot of people feel like something big could be coming—and I hope we’re all wrong.

I don’t think I’m programmed to hide in some bunker, though. I think I would head straight to the cliffs where the hawks taught us how to fly. I always imagine it as this perfect oasis, like it could never be touched by war or bad guys or natural disasters. But maybe I’m just kidding myself.

I know what you’re thinking. I’ve been avoiding the so-called “elephant in the room.” So I’ll just say it: There was a time when being with Max was the only thing that felt safe. No matter where we were. But that time feels like way, way long ago. I might only be a teenager, but I’ve lived through enough to know that nothing lasts forever.

If that breaks your heart—well, get over it. That’s what I’m trying to do, anyway.

So instead of getting on my case about Max, tell me where you’d go if you needed a place to feel safe.

Seriously, I just don’t get you girls sometimes. I was sitting around, reading this awesome new sci-fi book called 172 Hours on the Moon, when Maya stomped into the room and flopped down on the couch. She seemed like she wasn’t in the best mood, so to distract her I said, “Hey Max, you might really like this book.”

Yeah, I know I called her “Max.” But it was just a mistake. I wasn’t thinking. She slowly turned to look at me, her eyes narrowed.

“Whoa—sorry. That just slipped out. I didn’t mean it.”

“Really, Fang? Ever heard of a Freudian slip? Because that’s exactly what that sounded like to me.”

“A… what? Maya, seriously, I know you’re a different person from Max. You just look so much like her.”

“Did you ever stop to think that SHE might look like ME?” Maya roared. “Just because she was FIRST doesn’t mean she’s BETTER.”

“Well… yeah, I guess you could look at it that way, too,” I said lamely.

“Unbelievable! Sometimes I don’t even know why I bother with you,” Maya snarled, and she jumped out the open window. As I watched her soar away, I decided it was probably not a good idea to go after her.

But maybe I should have. I just think she made too big a deal out of it… right?

Ever had somebody just go off on you, probably because they were mad about something else? What did you do to fix things? I could really use some help here.

Thanks friends. Fang out.

Hey team. It’s Fang. The gang and I just got back from a pretty serious recon mission, but we came through okay. We’re going to keep our heads down for awhile to make sure nobody’s looking for us (or the information we… uh… borrowed), so in the meantime, I’m trolling the web to look for any clues I can find about where the One Light might set up camp.

But a guy can only do so much web surfing before he goes a little crazy… know what I mean? I’m thinking it might be time to disconnect for a few hours, and the best way I know how to really unplug is with a good book.

What, you didn’t think I was a bookworm kinda guy? Well, I never used to be. But when you’re in this line of work, sometimes you just need to escape. Holden Squibb actually gave me a copy of The Outsiders, and I found myself reading the first chapter and then I just couldn’t stop. I need more of that in my life.

I’m wondering if maybe a few of you book-lovers out there could suggest some stuff for me to read. What I really need is a story that transports me to another world. Skip the mushy stuff. But friends, adventure, loyalty, survival, that’s all good. And I could use one or two books to make me laugh my butt off. I know I can count on you guys… Thanks, and keep fighting the good fight.

Hey, everybody. It’s Fang.

I know I haven’t been around much these past few months. The gang and I have been all over the world trying to go after the One Light guys. Not a lot of success so far, but we’re not giving up.

I just wanted to do a quick post to ask that you always keep your eyes and ears open. You never know what might be coming, and some of the best intel the gang has ever gotten comes right from our fans—kids who know how to be on the lookout.

I mean, kids are the best asset this world has, you know? You hear the same things I do about how the world is cutting down all its forests, oil spills are destroying whole ocean species, and smog and air pollution can make it pretty scary just to be outside. The adults aren’t doing anything about it, so I guess it’s up to us. We’re the ones that are going to be around later and have to live with their decisions.

The gang and I are going after some big criminals in the next few weeks (wish I could give you the details, but that doesn’t seem like the smartest thing to do before we launch a mission), so I need you guys to go after the smaller, harder-to-catch ones. Write letters to your government officials to tell them what issues are most important to you. Blog about it. Tweet it. Create a viral video—it’s not too hard these days. Ask your teachers and school administrators to do a presentation on conservation or a unit on recycling. Spend some time on freerice.com or thehungersite.com.

If you’re out there doing this stuff like this already, tell everybody reading this blog about it, so I know we’ve got your support. I feel like I’ve already lost so much—it’ll be good to know you guys are listening.

Peace.

I’m away from my laptop, currently beating the living pus out of some Erasers.

Be back in a sec…

…for better or for worse. 

Fly on, 

FANG.