Max was freed almost instantly after speaking her estranged best friend's name. Who turned to flee in a sudden panic, sprinting across the parking, trying to ignore the pain it was causing. Her leg hurt like hell, and still hadn't stopped bleeding. Fuck.
Chloe couldn't help but be freaked out by the fact that Max somehow knew it was her. How the fuck did Max recognize me? Does she have some kind of sixth sense or some freaky shit? I do not want to deal with this shit right now.
"Chloe, wait!" Max called after her desperately. Chloe stopped momentarily, glancing back at Max. "Please...don't leave."
Max's words cut deep, and Chloe took in a sharp breath which presented itself as more of a sniffle. After a bit of hesitation and feeling like a terrible fucking person, Chloe turned around and slowly limped back toward Max, ears nervously pulled back. Her eyes remained fixed on Max in a glare. Or, what she tried to make a glare.
She snarled angrily at Max, baring her teeth in a threatening manner. The tears welling up in her eyes said the opposite. She knew that her act was unconvincing, but she still tried her best. But as hard as she tried, Chloe found herself unable to hate Max. She just couldn't, even after all those days that Max had left her for. Had abandoned her, without so much as a text. Deep down, Chloe blamed herself. She had said some stupid shit to Max the day that her family moved away. But she hella just saved my life, and she risked her own to do it.
She was startled as she felt herself being pulled into a warm embrace. Chloe didn't want Max to hug her, or so she told herself. She wanted Max to hate her. Literally anything other than affection. But here she was, being held tightly by a sniffling Max, who just kept whimpering apologies into her now tear soaked shoulder. Just as she was accepting her fate, Max released her.
"S-sorry." Max apologized yet again. "I just really missed you, and I'm really glad you're okay."
What.
"That wound looks pretty bad… I have a first aid kit in my car." Max offered. "I'll be right back, try to keep your weight off it."
Whatever, 'mom.' She rolled her eyes, which went completely unnoticed by Max, but heeded her advice. It wasn't like she wanted to go through unnecessary pain, she had had enough of that already.
She watched as Max approached an ancient black sedan, retrieving a key from her bag and unlocking the trunk. Lifting it up, she pulled out a ridiculously large first aid kit. Max didn't seem to have any trouble hauling the enormous bag to what Chloe assumed to be her motel room. Max opened the door which, in her haste, she hadn't locked, and carried the medical supplies inside. Chloe followed close behind, trying to hide her limp, only succeeding in making it hurt more.
"I'll be right back, I have to get some more stuff." Max announced. "Keep it elevated to prevent too much bleeding." She laid down on the bed as Max left momentarily, holding her leg up by resting it on a pillow. That's gonna be fun to wash out. I probably look like a dumbass, but Max seems to actually know what she's doing for once.
Max returned with two bottles of water and a fresh bar of soap, as well as an oversized pajama shirt. And a clean towel. Chloe watched as Max set the stuff at the end of the bed and slipped on some non latex gloves. I have a feeling that this is going to suck.
"Okay, these are going to have to come off." Max stated, gesturing to Chloe's pants. "I can't clean and bandage the wound with those covering it up."
Wait, what.
This was not how she had fantasized about having Max remove her pants for the first time. Not even close. But it couldn't be treated otherwise, and the jeans were too tight to just roll up. And also soaked in her own blood, which was kinda gross. Just try not to think about it. Do not. She had never been so relieved to be stuck in this form for a while. If not for that (as well as her tight boxers), Max probably would have noticed her out of place excitement.
"Okay." Max yawned, assessing the wound on her lower thigh, which was kind of really awkward. "I think it's stopped bleeding, and it's not too deep. But this is probably going to sting a bit, so try to hold still." After soaking the towel and applying soap, she gently cleansed the wound. It stung not a little bit. It stung a lot. But that only got worse after Max rinsed the soap and then applied hydrogen peroxide, causing her to hiss from the pain.
"Sorry!" Max apologized unnecessarily. "That was just to disinfect it, but it should also help stop any bleeding. Um, you're going to have to change and get dressed so I can bandage it up. I got you a shirt, and I swear I won't peek."
Chloe eyes the shirt. It was a flannel pajama top which was way too big for her or Max. That probably just makes it more comfortable for sleeping, I guess. Aight, let's just get this shit over with.
Changing was never not weird. She could feel her entire body go numb, and then it started. Bones stretched and compacted. What had been claws changed into hands. Hips changed shape, and her shoulders widened. I've done this so many fucking times, but it's still hella trippy.
Chloe swiftly grabbed the shirt and pulled it over her head, slipping into it effortlessly. It was quite roomy, but didn't seem to baggy. I wonder if it's possible to wash blood out of jeans, those weren't cheap.
"You didn't have to turn around, you know." Chloe teased. Wow, first thing I've said to Max in five years, and I'm already talking out of my ass. Fantastic. "I mean, nothing you haven't seen before, right?"
"I didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable." Max replied meekly, avoiding eye contact by gathering up the gauze and bandages.
"No fun allowed." Chloe mocked playfully. "Still awkward as fuck, I see."
Max glanced up at her.
"Your hair is blue." Max observed. She's so high. And she looks fucking exhausted. Fuck, I'm probably the one who woke her up, but I guess I would probably be dead if I hadn't.
"You smell like weed." Chloe shot back. "Are you seriously treating me to first aid while you're high?"
"Can't just leave it to get infected, Che." Max answered as she applied the gauze, which had been soaked in the peroxide. Chloe cringed slightly in pain at the contact, but managed to hold her leg still as Max finished bandaging it up.
"It's gonna keep stinging for a while, but it will stop eventually." Max informed her. "And you'll have to replace it if it gets bloody. If it hurts too much, you can use crutches."
"Uh, thanks." Chloe stammered out. "But I gotta ask, how in the fuck did you recognize me earlier?"
"You'll probably think it's stupid." Max protested, breaking eye contact; her cheeks flushed slightly.
"Try me." Chloe pressed, eager for an answer.
"Your eyes." Max murmured, barely audible.
"Wait, really?" Chloe asked in disbelief. "You leave for five years, and then as soon as you see me, you recognize my eyes?"
"I know," Max sighed "it does sound kind of cheesy now that you've said it."
"Actually, I was gonna say that's really impressive." Chloe clarified. "Do my eyes really stay the same?"
"Have you never looked in a mirror?" Max asked incredulously, flopping onto the bed, looking completely exhausted.
"Not really." She admitted. "I guess I've always been afraid to. I'm… I'm a monster, Max. Probably ugly as fuck."
"You're no monster, Chloe." Max assured her. "And you actually look kind of cute."
"Maxine Caulfield, did you just call me cute?" Chloe teased, grinning with excitement. Max just called me cute? Is this even real life? Probably just the pot talking, don't get your hopes up too much.
"So, what's with the pants?" Max inquired, effectively changing the subject.
"What about them?"
"I mean, why were you wearing them?"
"Dude, you don't just go around asking people why they wear pants, do you?" Chloe joked, although it was more of a way of expressing her annoyance. "Not everyone likes to display their junk for the world to see."
"Oh."
"So, five years. Been a while." Chloe stated, a bit bitter about the whole situation. "How was Seattle?"
"Ugh, it sucked. We didn't actually even move to Seattle. It was Portland." Max lamented, burrowing into the sheets. "My mom lied to me just so I would tell you that I was in Seattle, because they didn't want you to try visiting. 'Too dangerous', they said."
"Wait, you were in Portland the whole time?" Chloe realized. She was so close, the whole time. "Dude, why didn't you just call me or something? I totally would have driven out there and rescued you. Like a pirate rescuing a princess."
"Don't you mean a knight?" Max chuckled.
"Nope. Definitely a pirate."
"Whatever you say, Captain Chloe." Max snorted, giving her friend a playful shove before her expression grew somber. "They pulled me out of school to homeschool me, didn't want me to get close to other kids. They didn't want me putting anyone in danger. Total bullshit."
"Wait, what do you mean by danger?" Chloe asked nervously. "You don't, like, eat people or something, right?"
"I can't tell if you're being serious or not right now." Max answered, trying her best to keep herself from breaking into hysterical laughter. Oh no, I fucking played myself. I chose this fate. "I would definitely eat someone. Although I wouldn't classify it as dangerous."
"I brought this upon myself." Chloe groaned. "Anywayyy, how long have you been staying here? Place smells like piss."
"Oh, I just arrived in town about an hour or two ago, I think."
"Pfft, go figure." Chloe huffed. "You look hella tired.", when was the last time you slept?"
"Don't remember." Max mumbled. "Maybe that's why I'm a bit tired."
"Yeah, no shit." She looks like an exhausted blanket burrito. Those eye bags are legendary. "You could stay at my place instead, if you want. No offence, but this place is hella shitty, and it's like ass-o-clock in the morning. Plus, you look like you haven't slept in forever."
"I'm fine," Max insisted unconvincingly. "It's not that bad, plus I've already paid for the night."
"Pack your things, Max-o, you're staying at my place tonight." Chloe said. "Hell, I'll kidnap you if I have to."
"Chloe, really, I'm fine." Max mumbled in response, struggling to keep her eyes open. "Don't worry about me."
"Max, you look like you're about to pass out." Chloe asserted, but got no response. "Max?" Still no response. Damn, she really did konk out. No way am I going to leave her here. I'm never letting her out of my sight again, especially not with Nathan on the loose. If he recognizes her, he's gonna be out for her blood. Guess I'll have to carry her after all. And pack all her stuff into the truck.
Chloe looked around the room. It didn't look like Max had really brought a lot of things. Let's see, what do we have here… a gun. Um, okay. It's not even loaded. A sleeping bag? Wait, was she planning on sleeping in the streets when she ran out of funds? And there's the most disgusting toothbrush I've ever seen, definitely going to leave that behind. Better not forget her purse, or whatever this is. A satchel? And the fucking crossbow. If not for Max… Chloe shivered slightly, but decided to pack it into the truck as well. She mentally scolded herself for even thinking that Max would do that. Just in case Nathan shows up at my front door or some shit. This thing works the same as a gun right? Or maybe I could just use the gun, if I can get some ammo.
Chloe was relieved that nobody was around to see her running around in her boxers. She had to run across the street to get her truck. Which, upon reaching it, she found that it had been vandalized by Nathan. The driver's side window was totally shattered, and angry graffiti was sprayed along the side of the vehicle. Shit, that's gonna take forever to wash off. The words gave Chloe a strong sense of unease.
I know where you live, bitch
Trying her best to ignore the damage for now. Her primary focus was Max. Luckily, all the tires were all still intact, and there were no bombs under the seats (Chloe checked, just to be sure). She swept all the bits of safety glass from the seat before climbing in and turning the key in the ignition.
The truck started with a wheeze of protest, but it was running. She pulled out from her spot in the parking lot next to the empty Blockbusters, and across the street into the motel parking lot, parking next to a Mazda which might even rival her truck in age. The car, however, had a fresh coat of black paint, whereas her truck was rusting from exposure to the elements. Seeing that the mazda was the only other vehicle in the lot other than a creepy white van, she figured it must be Max's car. I guess I'm going to have to take Max back here to get her car tomorrow, just hope it doesn't get broken into.
She carefully loaded the belongings from the room into her truck, one item at a time. She would never admit it, but she still felt the need to protect Max. Not that Max needed me in the past five years. Shit, what am I even thinking? She said she couldn't contact me, even if she tried, which implies that she did… That's so fucked up.
After loading all of Max's stuff into her truck, Chloe scooped up Max, who remained asleep. Shit, she got heavier, and she's still scrawny as hell. How does that even work? She carefully placed Max into the passenger seat, sheets and all. Maybe the manager won't notice they were stolen. Or just not care. The hard part was strapping the seat belt on without waking her. Chloe herself couldn't be bothered to use a seatbelt, but she made sure that Max was safely secured into place.
It wasn't a very long drive, only a mile or two. Chloe pulled her truck into the driveway as quietly as possible. Getting out of the truck, Chloe walked around to the passenger side, opening the door and scooping Max into her arms, leaving the passenger side door open. I can just close it later. After unlocking the front door, Chloe moved as quietly as possible, trying to breathe as quietly as possible. Last thing I need right now is Step-douche up my ass about being out past curfew. Not to mention, he would probably freak out if he saw me carrying an unconscious girl he's never even seen before to my room. Ha, that would sure go well. At least Max doesn't snore too loud.
Every time a step so much as creaked at a frequency that normal humans probably couldn't even hear, Chloe was convinced that her step dad was going to jump out the shadows and taze her or something. Eventually, she did reach the top of the stairs, and immediately slipped into her room, locking the door behind her and breathing out slowly.
After laying Max down gently in her bed, Chloe climbed out the window to retrieve Max's things. Well, some of them. Just the crossbow and satchel, both of which she left at the foot of the bed, slumping to the ground beside the two items, a bit sleepy herself.
Guess I'll just have to wait for Max to wake up. She hella owes me an explanation for all this shit when she does.