Life is Troublesome Chapter 2: Homecoming, a life is strange fanfic

Life is Troublesome

Chapter Two: Homecoming

~ 7 Years Ago ~

The sun had begun to dip below the horizon line, painting the sky around beautiful hues of vermilion, gold, and maroon. The colors all seemed to blend together naturally, mixing and swirling as the sun shifted lower and lower until there was little left of the shining sphere. The silver clouds that sporadically dotted the sky all around were now lined with gold as they drifted away due to the gentle autumn air.

The sound of birds chirping through the air resonated across the yard along with the gentle chirping of crickets. The only other sound was the one of gentle laughter as two boys dashed across the backyard, one in hot pursuit of the other.

"Get back here, foul knight!" Cyrus shouted, waving a Styrofoam sword around to try to strike his friend who was running at top speed to try to avoid the younger male. Cyrus' locks were a platinum blond color now, unkempt and flowing in every direction imaginable.

"Thou can eat my dust!" Olyander called over his shoulder as he rounded the tree and faked out Cyrus, pretending to go around but instead doubling-back the other way. Olyander's tresses were a chocolate brown, put into a short ponytail with his bangs pulled back.

Cyrus quickly picked up on the ploy of his friend and locked onto him once more and began to chase. "Give me back Excalibur you dastardly foe!" Olyander stopped in the middle of the yard and pulled out a Styrofoam sword that he had sheathed in his belt loop. "Come then, and take it from me oh brave shining knight!"

Right before anything could happen between the two, there was a sudden laugh as the sliding door of the house peeled open. Both younger males turned their attention towards it, Chloe sauntering out of the house with Max in tow and a plethora of candy in their hands.

Chloe immediately noticed the two sets of eyes on her, and on her candy. She narrowed her eyes and hugged it closer to herself and turned away a bit. Cyrus frowned and dropped his 'sword' and began to walk towards her. "I just want a piece." The younger boy whined. He stood nearly the same height as Chloe despite being a year younger. An epic argument would ensue as both stared defiantly at one another.

Max silently slid away from the eye of the tornado along with Olyander, both ready to watch the argument that would ensue. They both sat down together in the grass as Max offered the older boy a piece of candy that he readily accepted. "Where'd you get it this time?" He asked, popping the butterscotch in his mouth.

"Chloe and I waited in a nearby bush, we were planning something but then some kid walked by with a bunch of candy. Well, Chloe jumped out to scare him. It was only meant to scare him but he dropped the bag of candy and ran for the hills. Chloe said this was our loot for a job well done."

Olyander couldn't help but snicker "She can be scary, it seems like the only one who isn't scared of her is Cy." Olyander observed the loud argument between the two, going back and forth without taking a moment to breath. Max gave a small smile and popped a piece of candy in her own mouth.

"They fight like an old married couple, or at least that is what Joyce says."

Chloe scowled and pushed her brother away. "Max and I earned this; go back to playing Knights and Dragons dork! Us pirates will go about our life with our awesome plunder, and you can go whack each other with Styrofoam swords some more."

"Pirates are dumb! A knight could beat a pirate, I just want a piece you greedy sea witch!"

Chloe looked genuinely offended by both to insult and the general statement of knights being better than pirates are.

"Oh, so knights are better?"

"Yeah!"

"Then where is your candy?" Chloe remarked, brushing past him with a cocky smirk. Round one went to Chloe for that one, but Cyrus wasn't done yet. He whirled around and dove. He coiled his arms around Chloe's leg and scowled. "Give me candy!"

"Let me go! Max and I are going to our fort!"

"Have luck climbing with me as dead weight."

Round two went to Cyrus, while Max and Olyander just observed and munched upon candy and whispered remarks back and forth. Just as round three was about to kick off the sliding door opened once more.

"Cy…Chlo…What are you two arguing about now?" The voice was instantly recognized by both of the Price siblings as their heads turned to see their father standing in the doorway with a bemused expression.

Immediately Cyrus broke away from Chloe and began to run towards him, Chloe in hot pursuit. It was a race to see who could throw whom under the bus faster. William opened up his arms for both children as Cyrus practically dived into his embrace.

"Chloe won't share her candy with me when I only wanted a piece! She's being a butthead!"

"Cyrus called me a sea witch and Max and I got this fair and square! And I am not a butthead, you are!"

"I know you are but what am I!" Cyrus countered, sticking out his tongue. William watched for a moment as the two fired back remark after remark and looked about ready to leap at one another. William finally intervened once he heard enough to understand what was happening, smiling gently and hugging them both close to his chest.

Max and Olyander watched with an amused expression as they both flailed around to try and escape, yelling and try to break his grip on them. "Will you behave now?" He asked, smiling down as both siblings agreed, their cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

"Now, Chloe, where did you get the candy?" William inquired, letting her go. Chloe immediately avoided his gaze and stayed silent for some time. William didn't pry, instead looking to Max and arching a brow. Max looked like a doe caught in the head lights as she also avoided his gaze and gave the true reason why.

William sighed, gently patting Chloe on the head once. "He didn't try to get it back, he just left it?" Chloe hastily nodded, frowning now and looking ashamed. "Yeah! Honest! He just ran away, I didn't want it to go to waste!"

William studied her expression for any lies and once he was content he nodded to the bag of it she held. "Then why not give some to Cy? I mean, you don't want it to go to waste right? And you aren't allowed to eat that much or it may spoil your mother's fantastic dinner."

Chloe was defeated by logic as she begrudgingly poured some out and handed it to her ecstatic younger brother before letting out a huff. William brought them in closer together; a large group hug now ensuing.

"First off, don't tell your mother I did this or I might get an earful. Secondly, you two are brother and sister; you don't need to be at each other's throats. You're supposed to love each other and at least try to get along. Now, say you love each other or no candy for either of you."

William let them face each other, Cyrus giving a slight smile. "I love you, big sis."

Chloe tried to look annoyed but failed as she cracked a grin in return and hugged her younger brother. "I love you too, dork."

~ Present Day ~

The ride to Arcadia Bay went by fairly quickly, due partially to the maniac-like driving of Cyrus. He went straight to Blackwell, the spot where his sister had requested they meet. He spared a glance down to the clock on the radio, reading 2:40. The school day was nearly over, he hoped his sister didn't have some poorly constructed plan to try and mug Nathan in broad daylight on campus. He came here to bail her out of the situation she was in, not bail her out of jail.

Regardless he was able to quickly spot her hunk of rust that she called truck in the school parking lot- not that he had much room to talk considering his car was probably just as old but not nearly as rust-covered. He could see her sitting in the driver seat, glancing off to the side and deep in thought. And despite her beanie, he could see the royal blue color her locks of hair now were, no longer the strawberry color they were the last time he had seen her.

Cyrus eagerly placed his car into park near hers, removing the keys as he bounded out of the car. He may have left Arcadia Bay for a better life, but he still loved his older sister. They bickered as all siblings did, but there was a special type of bond between them. They understood each other like a brother and sister should, but also cared about each other like the best of friends. It was a sort of trust that couldn't be broken easily.

Or at least that was how Cyrus felt. He knew that his sister wasn't quite pleased with how he cut off Arcadia Bay and left her here. Family would always be family, so she couldn't stay mad at him but he could always hear the bitterness in her voice over the phone when the subject came up. But none of that mattered during the brief times they got to reunite.

He rounded the front of her truck and approached the driver-side door, smirking faintly as he tapped along the side with his knuckles. "Hey hey hey! Never imagined you'd really go full blue, looks nice." Cyrus' face was etched with a wide smile as he was now at the window, which was rolled down.

Chloe looked a bit startled by the knocking, clearly in deep thought to not even have noticed him pull up or approach. However a smirk quickly took to her expression as her eyes fell onto her brother. "Oh and look at you, full black. You know what they say about going black, little bro." Chloe pushed open the creaking door of her truck and hopped out, slamming it shut with her boot.

Chloe stood taller than Cyrus by a few inches, a fact she loved to silently gloat about by standing right in front of him and looking down at him. Cyrus rolled his eyes at his sister's dig and obvious gloating, combing fingers through his short jet-black locks. "Who would want to? I look much more menacing like this obviously than with that stupid blond."

"Oh yes, the 5'4 menacing munchkin. Fear his wrath; he might kick you in the shin."

"I am 5'6, thank you very much! And don't give me ideas; I might make you have to get a cane."

Their banter was cut short momentarily by Olyander joining them, placing his arm on top of Chloe's shoulder to show that he was the tallest out of the three of them. "I don't know boss, Chlo might be right. I think it's just your shoes, you look 5'4 to me."

Chloe ignored the fact her brother was now fuming and taking off his shoes to prove a point, looking over to Olyander and extended her fist to him. "Oh boy, what have you been eating? Need to start giving it to Cy. Didn't think you'd be along on this little adventure; figured he keep you back in Bayport to watch over your little 'crew'."

Cyrus continued to rave about how he was genuinely 5'6, waving his shoes and pointing that there was no difference. No one paid attention to him. Olyander only shrugged in response, knocking fists with Chloe as he responded. "I felt it necessary, you know how it is. Besides, things are all quiet down in Bayport so it wasn't like I'd be doing anything more entertaining than this. Plus, I did want to visit home again."

Chloe only chuckled, ignoring Cyrus as he gave up and began to put back on his shoes. "Figures, you two were always attached at the hip. I'm not sure what you see in Midget Major but you must be willing to follow him anywhere-" That comment received a brisk kick to the shin.

"I didn't come here to hear more jokes about my height! If I wanted that'd I'd have stayed in Bayport. I came here to help you out, you could be grateful."

"Ow, damn that hurt!" Chloe yelled, rubbing her shin as she reached forward with her other hand and pinched Cyrus by the ear. "Be grateful? If you wouldn't have left then this wouldn't have happened!" The temperature around them dropped a couple degrees as Cyrus' gaze immediately shifted away while he batted away Chloe's hand.

He didn't give a response, he didn't have one to give. She was right about that, and he couldn't bother arguing it. They had before and it only made things worse, and she proved that she was correct. So now, when that was mentioned, Cyrus could only stand there in silence. It was pretty awkward, especially for Olyander who stood there rigidly finding literally anything else to be very interesting.

Chloe knew her words stung, and she instantly regretted speaking them. She was bitter about it, but she knew that it wasn't fair to Cyrus. It just left things to be awkward for some time. Usually, she could leave it be for a while and things would resume as before but right now they didn't have that luxury. She needed to get to the bathrooms and get to meet that rich little creep so she could get her hush money. Then she could pay Frank back, and everything would be hella cool.

"Come on, we can't be late." Chloe stated, walking away towards the back entrance of the school. Cyrus turned off his heel to follow, but stopped and looked over his shoulder at Olyander who was in midstep. He shook his head, silently telling him not to follow. Olyander froze, frowning slightly. However the look in Cyrus' eyes was one of utter seriousness as he just shook his head.

Olyander reached into his waistband and pulled out a 9mm pistol, extending it to male. Cyrus contemplated it for a moment before shaking his head. If they did get caught, explaining why he had a firearm would be a tad bit tricky. He shook his head and continued to walk away after his sister.

Olyander obeyed, staying by Chloe's truck.

The walk into the school was silent, Cyrus falling into step along with Chloe. They entered while some students were stepping out. They seemed to notice them, watching them carefully as they entered the school. It wasn't a big surprise really. Chloe was well known for being a rebel and getting expelled. Cyrus was known for missing more days than any other student at Blackwell and getting into more fights than his sister. So to see them entering the school probably worried some, but no one was going to try and stop them.

Chloe moved briskly through the halls, peering around corners to check for any campus security. Before they knew it, they were moving swiftly to the girls bathroom. Yet again, a few people saw but no one did a single thing to stop them. Everyone who knew them knew it was better to just turn a blind eye and let someone in charge handle the situation.

As soon as the bathroom door was pushed open the first thing Cyrus saw was Nathan bent over a sink and could see him visibly shaking. "So what do you want?" Was all he could drone out, focused intensely on the sink hole. He hadn't noted Cyrus yet.

'Oh joy, he looks more unstable than the last time I saw him…Christ man what the fuck happened to you?'

Chloe instantly began to march through the bathroom, slamming stall doors open and checking inside. "I hope you checked the perimeter- as my step-ass would say." After she was satisfied she turned back to him, glowering. "Now, let's talk bidness-"

"I got nothing for you." Nathan sharply retorted, pausing for a moment as he gazed over to see Cyrus glaring at him. "The fuck is he doing here!?" Nathan raved, standing up straight and marching towards Cyrus. "I thought I'd seen the last of your miserable ass!"

Cyrus narrowed his eyes and stood toe-to-toe with Nathan. "Be lucky I don't crack your skull against that fucking sink, I'm here to protect my sister from you. I know you don't give a shit about hitting a girl, and the last thing I need to hear is that you laid a hand on my sister, because then I would have to put your fuck boy self straight through a window. Now step the fuck back, your breath smells like you used a bottle of vodka as mouthwash." Cyrus stated, pushing Nathan away from him.

"Just like he said, he's here to back me up in case you want to try some shit like you did that night! Now, don't try to play this 'I don't have nothing', you got hella cash."

Nathan was just glaring as he looked between them, finally settling on Chloe. "That's my family, not me." He replied, sounding like he was trying greatly to keep his voice calm.

"Oh boo hoo, poor little rich kid." Chloe snapped, rolling her azure irises. "I know you have been pumping drugs and shit to kids around here…"

"Besides, I doubt this is the first time you've need to pay hush money." Cyrus chimed in, folding his arms and was ready to move at any second. Nathan was once his friend, but that didn't mean if he tried to hit Chloe that his face wasn't going to meet the business-end of his fist.

"Exact-o." Chloe responded, popping the 'o' as Nathan refused to look at either of them. "I bet your respectable family would help me out if I went to them." Chloe let out a faint chuckle. "I can see the headlines now."

"Leave them out of this, bitch." Nathan snapped, looking at Chloe directly. The look in his eyes…He wasn't stable right now, he was right on the edge. Cyrus saw now that this was a horrible idea. If this were Nathan from a few years ago, this may have worked. But now, he was changed…Something was definitely wrong.

"Chloe-" She paid him no heed. "I can tell everybody Nathan Prescott is a punk ass who begs like a little girl and talks to himself-" She shoved him rougher than Cyrus had a minute earlier and now Nathan was reaching for something.

Cyrus instantly recognized it as Nathan spoke. "You don't know who the fuck I am or who the fuck you're messing with." He pointed the barrel of a gun at Chloe, then as Cyrus moved he pointed it at him instantly. "Take a step and my 'vodka' breath won't be the only thing you're smelling!" Cyrus stopped instantly, scowling.

If he had brought a gun, this could be handled better. But of course, that was not the case at all here since Olyander of all people had it.

The tough exterior Chloe had melted away in an instance as she backed up "Where'd you get that? What are you doing? Come on, put that thing down!"

Nathan stepped in closer, Chloe backed against a wall as she tried to keep him away.

"Don't EVER tell me what to do! I am so SICK, of people trying to control me!" Nathan was unhinged as Cyrus tried to move at him.

"Come on Nate, we don't need to do this-" Nathan instantly pointed it at him. "Eat shit you prick! You think you can tell me what to do!? How about I put three in your chest and let's see how tough you are then!"

"You are going to get in hella more trouble for this than drugs-" Cyrus felt dread rise as his stomach clenched tighter than before. Threatening the unstable boy wasn't a good idea Chloe…

"No one would ever even miss your 'punk ass', would they?"

"Get that gun away from me psycho!" Chloe shoved Nate away with full force. Cyrus stepped in, watching the flash of the muzzle and he felt his heart drop. He stopped short of his sister, watching her body slowly slide down from the wall to the ground. Her eyes were fixed on him…Her azure orbs staring deep into him as he watched them slowly begin to lose their light.

She was reaching for him as Cyrus could only stand and watch while time seemed to slow down. "Cy…" Cyrus' mind couldn't register any thought as he watched in silence before his instinct kicked in. Rage and grief fueled his emotions as the mind couldn't begin to comprehend anything or try to perform any actions. He turned off his heel and charged Nathan. Nathan was still trying to register what he had just done and had no time to react as he was assailed by the smaller male who moved like a dart across the bathroom to strike. He threw one solid left cross that connected right with Nathan's cheek bone. It was powerful enough to send Nate staggering back. But as he fell back, he aimed his gun and fired again.

Cyrus froze, there was a sudden ringing in his ears and a feeling of numbness coursing through his body as he blinked a few times. The edges of his vision started to turn dark. His hands slowly reached up to his neck as he felt liquid spill from between his fingers as he dropped instantly on his side. His vision blurred as his mind began to shut down and blood pool around him. There was a throbbing pain in his neck as blood continued to gush out and he felt life quickly fade away.

There was a girl; reaching out from behind a stall…She looked so…so familiar. Cyrus couldn't focus any more than that as his eyes slowly began to shut as he let himself slip away. Darkness enveloped him as he felt his heart beat slow…The only thought on his mind was that of his sister…He had failed to protect her. He abandoned her and now he had let her die…

Some brother he was.

He let the darkness take him away, ready to pass on.

'Dad…I'm coming…I'm so sorry. Please keep a seat for me, I'll be there soon."

Except, he wouldn't be.

Before he could register anything, his mind was slingshot right back into his body and his vision abruptly returned while the feeling of pain and the sound of ringing instantly evaporated. Cyrus couldn't help but blink a few times. Before him stood Chloe who was busy looking away while Olyander was paying attention to literally anything else.

"What…?" Was the only thought he could muster as he frantically looked between them. He tried to speak but only came up with slight sounds. This drew the attention of the two before him who gave a curious expression now.

"I'm alive…"

That threw them for a loop as Olyander just stared while Chloe arched her brow. She spared a glance to Olyander who just shrugged, not sure what was going on.

Cyrus finally regained his wit and spoke frantically now, words spilling from his mouth. He frantically explained what had happened, how they went into the bathroom, then how Nathan had a gun and that they both died. By the end of his rambling Olyander had a hand on his shoulder, concerned for the younger male. Chloe looked beyond lost.

"So you're saying…You had a vision…of the future, where we died?"

"Yes!"

"Are you sure he didn't toke up in the car?" Chloe asked dryly, looking to Olyander. Olyander only frowned as he shook his head. "Maybe he hit his head…"

It was a joke but Cyrus let out an irritated sigh. "I know what I am saying is bizarre but come on! I wouldn't lie about this man! Just…Give me the gun, Olyander." Olyander looked skeptical. "How the hell will that solve anything?" "If I at least have a gun then if shit hits the fan, I will take him out before he can take us out."

Chloe groaned and began to walk off. "You figure this out; I don't care about your little stories Cyrus! I'm going to get my money." Olyander had reluctantly handed over the gun but began to follow Chloe. Cyrus began to protest but was cut off abruptly by Olyander putting up his hand.

"I believe you." He began, looking back to him, worry clouding his eyes. " So, if the case is this then it's best I am there." Olyander said flatly, not stopping to look back. Cyrus felt happy that his best friend at least believed him, but felt that adding another piece to this puzzle would further complicate matters. But knowing Olyander, there was no force short of death that would stop him when his mind was set on something.

He followed, tucking the gun into the waistline of his jeans and put his shirt over it. Everything played out as before. They did get more looks than usual given that Olyander looked to be a full grown adult as he followed right behind Chloe. This time when they entered the bathroom, Nathan quickly picked up on him and Cyrus' appearance. Mainly because last time Cyrus didn't try to make his presence known, but Olyander just marched in boldly.

"The fuck are they doing here!?" Nathan raved, standing at up straight and marching towards Cyrus, paying to no heed as Olyander moved dangerously closer. "I thought I'd seen the last of your miserable asses!"

No gun, no problem. Right?

Wrong. Nathan was instantly on him again, assailing him and cocking his fist to strike him. Cyrus had no desire to shoot Nathan and merely held up his arms to guard himself. He'd take a few licks, but he wasn't getting charged with murder. Nathan only got one clean hit in before Olyander violently shoved him right into the stall.

Maybe bringing him along was a good idea. Olyander stepped in and kicked Nathan fiercely in the gut, scowling. Chloe was just staring at the gun, then at Cyrus. He had been right…? He had to have known that's where the gun was, he seemed confident in how he moved to steal it away.

There was no time to discuss the matter as the sound of glass breaking and a piercing alarm cut through the air. Cyrus froze for a moment, biting his lip. Had they been discovered? No, it took only a moment to realize it was the fire alarm. But still, school officials could be anywhere and if they were caught this could be very, very bad. He didn't even want to imagine what David would do if he found him. He instantly ditched Nathan's gun in the trash bin. It didn't help that he already had one gun, running out of the school with a second was asking for hell.

"What are you doing?" Chloe protested, but Cyrus only grabbed her by the arm and tugged her out of the restroom followed by Olyander as they fled the building. While they fled, his thoughts fell back to the last vision he had before he…'died'.

Was she still there…? Or was it just a hallucination…The girl behind the stalls. He wanted to check, but he didn't exactly have time to check.

He'd find out soon enough.

"Another shitty day." Nathan groaned as he stood from the stall he had been shoved into. He ended up slipping a bit on something, gazing down he noted a torn photograph on the ground. He just scowled more and stormed out of the restroom. "Fucking Price shits…"

There was silence for a moment before Max peered out from the end of the stalls. "I saved them…Chloe…Cyrus…Olyander." She murmured as she began to move towards the door. "But…It was different this time. Olyander wasn't here before, and Cyrus didn't get the gun last time…Oh dog this is crazy…" She stated as she exited the girls restroom.

Thankfully, the three had managed to exit the building and not garner the attention of anyone who may give them shit. Or worse, may get the cops to give them shit. They sat in the bed of Chloe's truck, utterly silent. Cyrus was still trying to process what had happened, how he had died but then…didn't? Olyander had believed Cyrus when he told them, but for it to happen right before his eyes was something else. It was…odd.

Chloe was more in shock than the other two. She had written her brother off as just screwing around, but he allegedly saved her life back there. The money still wasn't hers, but at least she was alive to try again for another day. She spared a glance to her brother and frowned.

"I'm sorry. For not believing you and stuff…You totally bailed me out back there."

Cyrus looked up from his feet and blinked a few times before cracking a smile. "What is family for? I don't blame you for doubting me, hell, I am not even sure if I really believe what just happened…The pain, the sense of dread and the ringing in my ears…It felt so real." Cyrus cringed for a moment, his smile washing away. "I can still feel it if I focus on it…"

"You said you saw someone…A brown-haired girl?" Olyander asked, Cyrus giving a brisk nod.

"Yeah, some girl…Or so I assume, since it was a girl's bathroom. I couldn't make much out beside a figure with a blob of brown around her head, so I assume it was hair." It was then an idea seemed to strike Cyrus like a bolt of lightning as he stood up. Olyander and Chloe gave him a strange look, his expression was as if he had a revelation.

"I'm going to go walk around and see if I can find her." Declared Cyrus as he hopped out of the bed of the truck. "Chlo, mind waiting a bit?"

"What? You're staying the night? I figured you'd leave, again." If the words hurt Cyrus he didn't show it as he gave a weak smile. "My job ain't done yet. I still got to help you out. So yeah, I was going to stay the night. I was hoping you'd give me a lift back to the house."

"What about your car?"

Cyrus gave a slight shrug as he began to saunter towards the campus. "Call me a nostalgia fiend but I miss car rides with my big sis. Just give it to me this time; I did save your life after all!" He called over his shoulder, flashing another grin before going across the parking lot.

Olyander began to stand, going to follow. "I'll go make sure he doesn't get into a fight…You don't mind waiting, then?"

Chloe only nodded, leaning back and sighing. "Yeah, after what just happened I'll let the lil' dork have his nostalgia binge. Plus I need to try and figure out what happened myself."