Late Night Delivery

October 6th, Prescott Dormitory

Shutting down and closing her old laptop, Max slouched back in her chair stretching, having finally finished her homework for the week. Not that she had much else to do with her spare time. Making a note of the time, 9:30 pm, she decided it was a good plan to grab a quick shower.

Getting up, she went to retrieve her shower things. A plethora of random items littered her dorm room floor. Various books and notes were haphazardly tossed around the floor, along with screwed up balls of paper - the aftermath of her English essay. Deciding to leave the clean up till later – so like her procrastinating over everything – she instead located her shower supplies. As she went to leave the room, a firm knock rapped twice at the door.

Wondering who it could be at this hour, or any hour for that matter, she opened the door to see a short man with black hair, a goatee. A pair of brass framed glasses framed his sad, dark eyes. He wore his usual janitorial attire, blue overalls with purple gloves. Various pens stuck out of his breast pocket, a yellow ID card strap hanging from his neck.

Both confused and curious by his visit, Max greeted him. "Oh, hi, Samuel... what can I do for you?"

He gave her a dazed smile, speaking in his usual soft voice. "Good evening, young Max. Samuel hopes he's not disturbing you. He understands it's late."

Max shook her head. "It's ok, I was just about to shower and turn in for the night."

"Oh, good, good, sleep is needed," he added with a distant expression.

"Was there something I could help you with?" Max inquired, seeing Samuel looking just a little distracted.

Her question brought him back from Lalaland. "Oh, yes, sorry. You see, Samuel doesn't really know what to make of this. A few months ago, he came home to find a letter on his table. Inside were two more sealed letters, with a note."

"Ok, sorry but what does that have to do with me?" she prompted, very confused as to why he was telling her all this.

Taking a moment, he finally continued his weird explanation. "Well, you see, young Max, the note said to deliver the two letters at a very specific time and place, to one person and no other."

Again, failing to see what this had to do with her, Max pressed for more detail. "Ok, did you deliver them?"

"Huh, deliver?"

"The letters, at the right time and place," Max reminded him, getting a little frustrated now. Samuel was nice and all, a little creepy at times, but talking to him could be an uphill struggle sometimes.

"Oh, right yes, yes. Samuel has kept them for many months, waiting for the date and time. He thought it was some kind of prank, it wouldn't be the first. That was until a month ago, then Samuel knew." He let the sentence hang unfinished.

Her curiosity getting the better of her, Max prompted him. "Knew what, Samuel? Who were they for?"

"They are for YOU, young Max," Samuel replied, removing two off-white letters from his pocket, handing them to Max.

Frowning she took them and looked at the front. The address made her eyebrows shoot up.

Max Caulfield, Room 219 Prescott Dormitory - October 6th, 2013 21:30, Letter 1

Max Caulfield, Room 219 Prescott Dormitory - October 6th, 2013 21:30, Letter 2

"And you got these months ago, you say?" she asked slightly surprised.

"I did," Samuel confirmed with his usual eerie Zen calmness.

"And you have no idea who they're from?"

"None, young Max. Samuel is curious as to what they say, but he has never peeked. He values privacy, yes."

"You're not the only one," the brunette muttered, turning the letters over in her hands.

"Samuel's job is done, then. Have a good night, young Max. Busy day tomorrow." With that, the janitor turned and walked down the hallway, muttering to himself as he turned the corner.

Resisting the temptation to open the letters there and then, Max placed them on her bedside and proceeded to the showers. Letting the hot water soak into her, she pondered the identity of her mysterious pen-pal. The handwriting didn't seem familiar, and why were they numbered? Something was definitely odd. Finishing up her shower and deducing the only way to find out was to actually read them, she got dressed and headed to her room.

Walking down the mostly quiet corridor this late felt a little eerie. Most students were asleep or at least getting there. One or two could be heard talking. Passing Kate's room, Max thought about checking in on her friend. She had seemed quiet lately, something was definitely up. Not seeing any light under the door, she thought against it. Kate was probably asleep. She'd catch up tomorrow.

Entering her room, Max tossed her shower supplies on the sofa and slumped down on her bed. Her eyes scanned the photos lining her walls, her photo project for the term and her entry for the 'Everyday Heroes' contest she had finished before the weekend, Not that she'd be handing it in, She could hear the other students laughing at her now, Particularly Victoria Chase, what was her deal anyway.

Sighing, she turned her attention to the two slightly yellowed envelopes on her bedside, picking them up. It was probably a prank, but who would go through the trouble of setting up something like this? No one she could think of. The dates and times were freakily accurate, though. How did someone know she would even be in her room? Not that she had anywhere else to go. Deciding to bite the bullet, she opened the letter with the number one on it and started reading.

Evening Max,

No matter how many times I write that, it just feels weird. But then this whole situation is weird, the only issue is, where do I start? I know the rules, can't break 'em, but I also can't sit back and do nothing. It's not in my nature.

That other letter you're probably eyeing up right now, DON'T OPEN IT YET. You'll know when to open it, or rather I'll tell you when to open it. That's critical. You have NO IDEA how critical it is, but hopefully, you will understand when you do read it. Don't worry, you won't be waiting long. Tomorrow about 4ish, but I'll get to that.

I so wish I could see you and tell you all this in person, but there are rules to this. I've already overstepped them in places, but hopefully, that's fixed now. I have so much I want to say, but it can wait, we will get time, or at least you will, plenty of it.

A few things for you to remember. Now, I need to get this right in the right order, so here goes...

1 - In your photography lesson, remember Louis Daguerre - French painter, created daguerreotypes, a process that gave portraits a sharp reflective style, like a mirror.

2 - Under the bucket

3 – Don't tell Wells

4- Sprinklers then paint can

5 - Comfort the Queen Bee

That's about it, for now, I think. There is SO much more, but let's start small. This is going to be an insane ride. I guess it's kinda cool I get to go on it with you, even if I'm not physically there.

Oh, before I go, that other letter, wait until you've met step-douche, and bailed out of a window. Something that happened earlier will happen again. I know this all sounds REALLY confusing, but by then you will see why I have had to do things this way.

Speak again tomorrow,

REAP

P.S. DON'T OPEN IT YET! You always were terrible at waiting, kinda ironic really, considering.

Reading the letter another half a dozen times, a million questions raced through her head. Who the hell was Reap, and were these... instructions clues for what was another question that just spawned more questions? The first one was obvious. It was an answer to a question, one she already knew, so that wasn't much help. What's under the bucket... what bucket? There must be hundreds on campus, and what was it she shouldn't tell Principle Wells? Something important? Nothing sprung to mind. Sprinklers and paint can: Nope, pass. As for comforting the Queen Bee, that HAD to be Victoria Chase; self-proclaimed Queen of Blackwell, the forerunner of the Vortex club. Max scoffed internally. What could possibly happen to warrant her comforting Victoria Chase of all people? She was more likely to get thrown under a bus for her troubles.

Curiously, she eyed up the other envelope, desperate to rip it open right then and there. Forcing her nosiness back, she picked up the unopened letter jamming both into her schoolbag out of sight. With the temptation partially removed, she turned off the light and lay back on her bed. So many questions ran through her head as she drifted off to sleep.

The bitter wind howled violently, threatening to destroy anything in its wake. Flashes of lightning briefly illuminated the otherwise bleak area. Freezing rain hit the ground from heavy dark clouds that filled the bleak sky. Max winced as the freezing rain pelted her exposed skin and penetrated her clothing.

Letting out a groan, she got to her feet wildly looking around. "Where am I? What's happening?" A wave of fear washing over her like the rain as she took in her surroundings. "I'm trapped in a storm? How did I get here? ...And where is 'here'?"

A flash of lightning caused her to snap her head in its direction. In the distance, she could see the outline of a lighthouse up the muddy path through the trees. "Wait...There's the lighthouse... I'll be safe if I can make it there... I hope... Please let me make it there."

Fighting against the howling wind and rain, she stumbled up the path. Reaching the top she froze, the sight before her sending a jolt of fear down to her very core. "Holy shit!"

Out in the middle of the Bay, there was a swirling vortex of wind, rain, lightning and various other bits of debris. The sheer size made it look like it could swallow the town whole with ease. In total disbelief, she backed away from the cliff edge. A loud crash drew her attention behind her as the violent winds slammed a small boat into the lighthouse, causing the top to topple towards where she was stood. Instinctively, she threw her hands up to protect herself.

"Whoa! NO!" she cried out as everything went black.

And the mystery deepens.

Till next time

Peace out