Prologue

Rain pelted Max's face as she climbed the hill to the lighthouse. She didn't understand, why was she here? It had been a week since Max righted the wrongs of her time traveling, and yet, she was back at the damned lighthouse.

"What do you want?!" Max yelled to no one in particular over the wind and rain. She continued to climb the worn path, avoiding falling trees and debris. As she approached the top, she saw a blurry version of herself holding a polaroid picture, crying as Chloe looked intensely at her. Max choked, realizing this was the moment she decided to go back in time through the picture. Why was she reliving this? Hadn't she been through enough pain and torment? Max looked away, not wanting to see the pained expression on Chloe's face.

Suddenly Max was back in the bathroom, moments before Nathan was about to storm in. The blue butterfly appeared frozen on the bucket. Max waited, counting the seconds. No one came. She peeked around the corner, and noticed two cloaked figures standing in the shadows of one of the empty stalls. Where did they come from, and were they here the entire time? What the hell was going on? Max walked in the direction of the two people, noticing one held a small hourglass, while the other held a long piece of thread. They were talking, and Max determined they were female. She slowly approached, hearing bits and pieces of their conversation.

"…I think she chose to save the town. Look." The one with the hourglass pointed to the thread. It was glowing a bright blue. "No more rainbow thread."

"Guess we got off easy. I really wasn't looking forward to cutting so many pieces." The one holding the hourglass chuckled, picking up something off the ground. Max had to do a double take, because she could have sworn it was a scythe. "You know, I kind of feel sorry for her. I know I shouldn't but she seems like a nice hopper, not like some of the others we've encountered in the past. Maybe a little naive, but I kind of liked her."

"Would you change things? You are fate, after all." The one called "fate" lowered her hood. It was hard to see detailed features in the shadows, but Max could make out dark, wavy hair that fell to her shoulders, and a soft, round face. Max noticed green streaks in her hair.

"I'm not sure. I've never had anyone beg me to change their path. They've always bugged you." Both of the women laughed. "After this week, I use a drink…" Max couldn't believe she was staring at the faces of Fate and Death. Who were they? And could they, or rather, could "Fate" help change Chloe's destiny? Fate held the string, and pulled out a pair of sharp looking golden scissors. Was she going to cut the string? Max gasped, and suddenly stood on her shaky legs. She pushed herself forward to where the two women were, wanting to talk to them before it was too late.

"Wait! Please, stop!" The two women looked over. "Death" had removed her hood, revealing a petite woman with bright red hair, cut in a pixie style. Both women gave max a quizzical look, and almost looked impatient. Max swallowed, mustering all the courage she had. "Fff…fate, can you pl-please help me save my friend? Please?"

Fate glanced at Death, sighing. She pocketed scissors and held up the thread; it was tattered, fraying, and looked like it was about to break. "Why? Why should I extend a life that is so damaged and torn?"

Max suddenly felt a surge of courage, standing tall. "Because she's my best friend! And she's not damaged! She's been through some horrible shit. Can't it be mended?"

Max anxiously stared at the door, waiting for Nathan and Chloe to burst in any moment. Fate gave a small smile, and put the thread back in her pocket. Fate looked at Death, and they seemed to come to some unspoken agreement. Death reached in her cloak, pulling out a picture and holding it up for Max to see. It was Chloe's funeral. The grey headstone's dates were crisp and clear. Fate touched the picture and everything became blurry. The scenery changed, and Max was able to make out the name "Jelina G" on the headstone.

"Find us. You have until the Day of the Dead." Fate turned around to walk out the door. Death winked, following her friend. Max could hear Death say "I do enjoy a fun challenge. Now let's go grab that drink..."

Max stood by the door, confused about what just happened.

*BEEEEEEEEEP*

Max jolted awake, sweat coating her face and body. She was in her bed, the pink blankets tangled in a heap on the floor. Max hastily picked up the phone, still waking up from that strange dream.

"Hello?"

"Max, where the hell are you? I've been waiting here for almost twenty minutes!"

"Wha…what?"

"What do you mean, what? Breakfast. Two Whales. I've been waiting for you to tell me the juicy details of your hot nerd date. You told me you'd be here at 10…"

Max dropped the phone in disbelief.

Chloe was alive.