Chapter 1 - Warnings

Time blurred and dilated around her mind as the interior of the plane faded to white. Jumbled events ran through her mind, changing constantly as the new timeline began to lock into place. A few moments later time snapped back into focus, and Max found herself stood in the entrance to a gallery, besides Principal Wells. Only one thought was occupying her mind: the tornado. She knew she had succeeded in taking down Jefferson, as her current spot in time and space attested, but simply getting Jefferson arrested wouldn't be enough to change a major meteorological event, would it?

As Principal Wells chatted to the receptionist, Max checked her phone. The time read 5:47pm. Max's eyes widened, the tornado was only a few hours away. I have to warn people! She thought, hastily thumbing through her contacts. She pressed the call button and held the phone to her ear, hands shaking slightly.

Please be there. Please be there. Please be there.

She had almost given up hope of her call being answered when the ringing stopped, and a familiar voice emanated through the headset.

"'Sup Max, how's my own personal superhero?"

"Chloe! Holy shit you have no idea how good it is to hear your voice!"

"Dude, chill. You saw me yesterday, remember? You wouldn't stop talking about how excited you were about going to 'Frisco. I had to use my hella sexy makeouts limit break just to get you to shut up."

"Chloe, I'm really sorry but I don't remember any of that. I don't have any memories of what's happened in this timeline or reality or whatever yet."

"But it was literally just yesterday and – wait, you said timeline and realities and shit. Is this one of your rewind things that you're gonna have to explain to me like five times before I get it?"

"Sorry Chlo, but yeah, it is. And I'm gonna explain all of it to you, I promise, but right now I need you to listen to me, this is hella important."

"Calm your panties, Maxipad. What's so important? did Wells hit on you or something?"

"I'm serious, Chloe. For once in your life I need you to turn the sass off and take this seriously."

At that moment Max could've sworn she managed to hear Chloe raise her eyebrows.

"Alright, Max, I'm listening. What's up?"

"OK, I thought that Jefferson getting arrested would fix everything, but now I'm not so sure. It just doesn't make sense that taking him down would stop the tornado I've been seeing from happening."

"Wait, so you're saying you think it'll still happen?"

"Yes, Chloe. And if I'm right there's only a few hours left.

"... Fuck. Max, what do we do?"

Max thought for a few seconds, mind racing through possibilities.

"Get your Mom and David and everyone else you can think of, and either get the hell out of town or go to the Prescott's bunker. I'm pretty sure that thing could survive a nuke."

"Alright. What about everyone else in the town?"

"I'm gonna contact Warren, Victoria and everyone else I know at Blackwell and get them to spread the word. Hopefully that'll be enough."

"Shit, Max, you sound scared. This is really gonna happen, isn't it?"

"I don't want it to, but I think it will. Please Chloe, just get to safety. I can't lose you again."

"You're not going to. You and me, we're bonded for life. You're not getting rid of me that easy, Caulfield, tornado or no tornado."

"I believe you, Chlo. Keep in contact with me, you got that? I need to know if you're safe, otherwise I think I'll go crazy worrying about you, and Joyce, and everyone else."

"I will, Max. I'll go talk to them now, convince them you know what you're talking about. It shouldn't be hard, you've got like a 100% record for saving my ass this week. See you on the other side of this."

"Wait, Chloe! Don't hang up yet."

"Max?"

"If – if anything happens ... I love you."

"Nothing's gonna happen, Max, I promise. And when I see you we can say all the mushy shit in person."

"I'll hold you to that." Max said, tears filling her eyes and her voice barely climbing above a whisper.

"You better. I suck at goodbyes, so I'm just gonna hang up, okay, Max?"

"Okay, Chloe. I'll see you soon, hopefully"

She pressed the end call button, staring blankly at her phone as she let out several giant panic breaths, until she felt dizzy and had to sit down before she physically collapsed.

Please be enough. She thought. I can't lose her again, and no one in Arcadia Bay deserves to be killed by a fucking tornado. She looked out at the sky, hoping against hope that she'd succeeded.

Please be enough, she thought again, tears rolling softly down her cheeks.

Please.