"I did it for us"
Max finishes and seeks refugee in Chloe's lap, the blunette wraps her with her long arms and leans her head in Max's shoulders.
Chloe looks for the right words. A million thoughts cross her mind as she tries to asses the situation still not sure if they really have a way out.
"I am at peace with myself now. Being with you is all I ever wanted, what you have been through just because of me, to save me.. I feel loved in a way I can't even describe.
I trust you more than I trust myself, whatever choice you make is my choice also. I am ready to go if it's for the greater good, but If you tell me there is chance for us to live without repentance, I'll cling to it"
Max stiffens up. "Still there are some things that I can't fix. Your father, Rachel...they are too far away in time, I am sorry, I tried but there are too many variables at work. All I seem to control is this week. I kept jumping back and forth changing things and I know how it works.
There is just one timeline, this one. Our timeline.
Once I jump out of any other they just vanish but the effects of me messing with time keep adding up to this timeline. This is how we evolve from some snowflakes to a Tornado".
The smaller girl pauses and entangles her fingers in Chloe's.
"And it has always been about you, even if I didn't recognize you in the bathroom. My vision showed me the price of my ultimate choice. It was all written before it happened, time knew I was going to save you even if it took me that long to decide.
A tornado will storm Arcadia Bay because I am going to save you. Nobody can change that.
Now I understand which was my role from the beginning".
Max frees herself from her friend's arms and strokes her blue hair, advancing Chloe's reaction
"There is one more thing.
For this to work, I need to avoid the bathroom loop...before it happens. All we have been through this week will be lost"
The taller girl jumps at Max's words.
"No, you can't. I have been in constant pain since you left me, hating myself. Meeting you again and finding out that you have always loved me... Don't you dare take that away from me.
I don't want to live not knowing that you love me as much as I do.
You..just.. DON'T.."
Chloe stomps at Max's chest in desperation
"No, please no, don't take that away from me, it's...it's all I have"
Max embraces the blunette until her sobbing spams wear off
"Max please, I am begging you"
The brunette feels a lump in her throat and with a broken voice explains her reasons to Chloe, wishing she understands.
"I have lived too long. I have experienced pain, loss and solitude over and over.
I couldn't be further from the girl in the bathroom.
That's not what I want for us. I am not supposed to be your saviour.
I want to be again an unseasoned 18 year old girl who is madly in love with her friend
We need a fresh start. We can't go from here, it wouldn't be fair for any of us"
"Max I..I understand, it makes total sense but you need to listen to me.
I was in a complete turmoil when we met, Rachel vanishing was too recent, and as I said I never could get over you. All those years, all the pain, I was enraged. I think I might not be the same girl you used to know.
Without you saving my life maybe we are missing a piece of the puzzle and I might not let you into my life. You are sending us back to square one after all we've gone through. Have you considered next time there is a chance we won't end together?
Max takes Chloe's face in her hands and delicately lifts her chin.
"Chloe, You mean everything to me. I grew up being in love with you. You had all my attention from the very moment we met, there is nobody that knows you better than I do.
Under the blue haired punk it's still you. You are going to be hurt and scared and that makes you angry, but it's still you. You will forgive me. No matter how much I fuck up, you will always forgive me"
Chloe diverts her gaze from her freckled friend.
"Promise me in this timeline or in any other we might end, you won't disappear from my life again, not now, not ever. You promise me NOW"
"I promise Chloe"
"I'm terrified Max, I don't want to loose you"
"I will jump to a point before I took the butterfly picture. That picture set everything in motion. I'll tear the one we have and I'll arrange so I won't take a new one. That will break the time loop and I won't have any memories of what happened.
I'll be in Blackwell, close to you, I´ll find you"
"But without the picture you won't be able to jump back" the punk asks in disbelief.
"Except for the butterfly picture that has a pivotal role, pictures were nothing else than a token. They were useful because I could focus on them, remember how I felt exactly at that moment and jump. When I first met you I had been in Arcadia Bay for a month. I spent all that time thinking about you. I couldn't figure out the right way to approach you, so scared I was of your rejection.
Helplessness consumed me.
I remember exactly how I felt., That is also how I managed to jump to this precise moment.
I don't need pictures, not anymore"
Chloe feels her time is over. She is going to forget about how Max has always loved her as much as she did. Max is right, they need to start again, she has lived too much.
Still she is devastated.
There is one last thing Chloe needs to tell Max before she is ready,
"About Rachel..." .
Max looks away from the blunette ashamed.
"I tried, but she is beyond my reach. I know how important she was for you. I'm sorry"
Chloe acknowledges her friend's apologies with a nod.
"I am sorry too, more than I can express with words. But that's not what I meant.
About Rachel and I.."
She pauses unable to find the right way to tell Max without hurting her.
"You never had anybody in your life. I had Rachel.
I...I" she stutters "I mean she was banging Frank behind my back, she didn't reciprocate my feelings but I loved her. She kept me from drowning, you were gone, and I fell for her. If you hadn't left there would have been no Rachel for me, but things worked out that way"
She pauses again, afraid of her next words.
"before you go I would like to know if you have hard feelings about that. Once we go back she will be missing again and I will be looking for her and I won't know how much you love me … you understand what I am trying to tell you "
Max knows how hard it has been for Chloe finding out about Rachel and values the effort she is making to set things right between the two of them.
"Chloe, the mere thought of you loving somebody else sickened me for years, but It's all on me, I left you, alone and hurt.
She helped you ease the pain I caused, for that I am grateful that you found her but I would be lying if I tell you I am glad about Rachel and you.
Once I jump, you finding out about Rachel is gonna happen again. I know I will be by your side no matter how jealous I am. We will make it through"
Max hugs Chloe holding her for a long time before she releases her.
"you won't feel a thing Chloe, you will be back to a time soon before we just met, totally oblivious to all that has happened to us"
The taller girl looks at Max, tears in her eyes "you made a promise Max, you better fulfill it.
I need you in my life"
"I love you Chloe, I will always love you"
"I love you Max"
Max raises her right hand and everything slowly vanishes.
All memories of the past days are lost.
Max awakes, startled from her dream. It felt more like a vision, it was so vivid.
She was on the way to the lighthouse, there was a storm and a gigantic tornado about to engulf Arcadia Bay. Creepy.
"Maybe all the stress is getting to me" she thinks. "I should rest more, falling asleep in class it's not going to help my grades"
Mr. Jefferson is lecturing, Max is not really interested, trying to make sense of her dream.
The former photo star is asking about some photographer, Victoria Chase, as always, knows all the answers, let her take all the credit.
The freckled girl is distracted, she looks at her desk and something surprises her. Her science book is on the desk, shouldn't been there. "I don't recall bringing it to the wrong class, am I getting nuts?" she tells herself "The vision and now this. I'll drop the book on the locker and I'll go to the bathroom to freshen myself, I seriously need to recompose"
Max waits impatiently for the ring to bell. Without serious thinking she grabs her Polaroid and snaps a selfie, another one. Except this time she is in class.
Mr Jefferson jumps at the chance of lecturing about selfies, he asks Max some random question about the subject. The brunette doesn't know the answer besides not really being interested in the matter.
She is still worried about her dream and her inability to recall how the science book made it to her desk even more as she haven't noticed it was there until now. Luckily for her the class finishes soon after.
She heads for the bathroom, being interrupted by Mr. Jefferson before with some complaints about her not submitting a picture to the "everyday's hero" contest.
Max escapes from him with vague excuses. The contest is not one of her top priorities right now.
The brunette makes it to hall, and leans on the wall. She needs to clear her thoughts, she plugs her headphones in the hope some soothing music will ease her.
She stops by her locker to put down the science book, but something captures her attention the moment she opens the locker.
There is an envelope inside.
"Ok, this is getting weirder and weirder" Max mumbles to herself unplugging her headphones.
She examines the envelope. Just a generic envelope with no marks on it. In the front there is just a word "Max", nothing else. "Ok, you've got my attention now"
She opens it to find a short letter and another generic envelope inside. She starts reading the letter, curiosity growing on her.
"Max:
Many lives are at stake and only you can help.
I know this looks strange, but you have to do as requested. It's the only way.
Open an anonymous account and tip the local authorities, tip also federal authorities as the Prescotts own Arcadia's local police.
The missing girl, Rachel Amber, is dead. She was killed 6 months ago by Nathan Prescott, she is buried in a junkie yard in Arcadia, you have the gps coordinates to the exact location on the back of this letter.
Mr. Jefferson is involved in several kidnap and murder cases. He abducts girls and abuses them, Nathan Prescott is his protégée. He killed Rachel trying to mimic what Mr. Jefferson does.
The abuses take place in an underground shelter. I have provided you the coordinates as well.
There is plenty of evidence in that shelter to bring down Mr. Jefferson and Nathan Prescott.
Kate Marsh has been drugged and abused by them. You have to take care of her, right now she is very fragile and she might do something stupid.
It gets more bizarre.
A tornado will destroy Arcadia Bay by the end of the week. There is no way to avoid it.
Tip the authorities about that. but that won't be enough. Spam the tornado warning. Make it viral. Send it to every internet site, news agency, university, whatever may help. You have to get as much attention as possible.
You need to make people aware of the menace
Make sure the people you care the most leave town"
Max finishes the letter and turns it back to find there are some coordinates.
"A tornado, that can't be a coincidence. But the rest of it, what's going on? The missing girl, Nathan Prescott, Mr Jefferson..this just makes no sense" Max thinks.
She reads it again, she can't believe any of this, but there is something about the letter she can't ignore. The letter is handwritten... in her own writing.
She checks it again looking for all the twists and little details she only knows. It's hers, except she can't recall writing it.
She opens the other envelope, not sure if she is going to find answers or more questions.
"Max:
First letter was about what you have to do to help others.
This letter is about you.
You came back to Arcadia Bay for just one reason. You can't hide from yourself anymore.
Go down the hall, to the main lobby. Your future awaits for you there.
Have a precious life, you deserve it" .
Max finishes reading absolutely puzzled.
Without realizing she is already in the main hall.
The brunette looks down the hall, all she can see is familiar faces doing normal stuff, nothing stands out of place "nothing here, weirdest prank ever" disappointment taking over herself.
Suddenly Nathan Prescott bursts in the hall out of himself. He takes a turn and enters the bathroom, the girls bathroom "pervert" Max mumbles "he acts as he owns this place, which is pretty much true".
Immediately after something drags her attention.
A girl has appeared in the hall. She looks out of place. Tall, slender, punk style, her hair is covered with a beanie, under it the hair is dyed blue.
She doesn't belong in Blackwell.
Max stares at her, the stranger girl looks determined, her fierce eyes fixed on the girl's bathroom, She is clearly looking for Nathan Prescott.
There is something familiar about her.
And then Max's heart starts pounding trying to escape her chest.
The blue girl is Chloe.
"You came to Arcadia Bay for just one reason"
Chloe's body language is obvious, the punk is absolutely focused on Nathan's trail. She is going to walk by Max's side without noticing her.
Max is frozen unable to move or say anything.
"You can't hide from yourself anymore"
She steps in Chloe's path.
"Hey, watch out you dumb ass"
"Chloe..." is all she manages to say, her voice full of longing for her long lost friend.
The blunette looks down at the shorter girl and recognizes her almost inmediatly. She opens her eyes in surprise, her look immediately being replaced by anger.
"I don't have time to deal with you right know, I am onto something" she shots and gently pushes her away
Max turns and grabs Chloe's wrist not letting her go away
"Chloe, wait, please"
"Whoa Whoa Max, what do you think you are doing, let me go"
"Please Chloe, just give a minute"
The punk sets herself free "not now" and starts walking away.
"Come on, talk to me"
Chloe stops dead and turns to face Max, rage boiling inside her.
"TALK? TALK?" Chloe shouts "what do you want to talk about?, What is it so important you need to talk exactly now? how you left me? how you haven't called me in 5 fucking years? Your amazing life in Seattle? there is nothing to talk about "
The blunette's shouts have attracted attention, Blackwell students are looking at them whispering.
Chloe stops, realizing everybody is looking at them. She throws her animal look around
"what the fuck are you all looking at, mind your own business you privileged fuckers"
She focus again on Max, gasps and keeps on "It's not like you have arrived just today to Arcadia Bay, classes started a month ago. You had plenty of time to drop by, like you even cared"
The freckled girl mumbles "I am sorry, I am really sorry... I was afraid you would reject me, couldn't find the spine to face you "
The punk ceases her shouting and clenches her fists, looking down on Max.
She tries to speak a few times, but words refuse to come to her mouth.
Finally with a voice full of pain she manages to ask her former friend.
"Max, why?"
Max looks down, ashamed.
"Chloe I know I failed you, I can't undo that… I wish I could go back in time and change what I did .. but I just can't. I honestly thought it was for the best, but I was terribly wrong, we both have been hurt because of what I did.
But now I'm here... and I would like to be part of your life again"
Chloe stares at her, gritting her teeth, both of them remain silent unable to resume.
Max smiles.
"you are a punk
and you are blue..
I like it"
Max feels the anger in the taller girl slightly receding. Chloe takes her time, eyes always fixed on the brunette.
"Hippie" she spats as her only answer.
Chloe smiles back, her smile full of pain.
Tears start flowing from Max's eyes.
"So Chloe please, will you let me be your first mate again?"
"Max, I missed you so much. Still I'm really mad at you. I..I just don't know where to start from or even if it will work at all"
"I don't have a plan, I wanted to do this long time ago but I was terrified of your reaction.
Let's just take it from here, it's you and me, we will find a way. Where were you heading? I'll go with you, classes are over"
Chloe hesitates, she looks at the bathroom door and keeps her gaze there for a while, she turns her head towards Max. "it doesn't matter anymore, I can take care of it any other day".
Max assumes she has to take the lead as Chloe keeps looking at her totally confused. For once in her life she is willing to be in front of the camera.
"Come on Chloe, take this girl for a ride"
The punk nods and starts walking, Max following her. The two girls leave Blackwell main building and jump in Chloe's battered truck.
Max settles on the passenger seat and faces her side window. None of them talks, both are lost on their own thinking.
After some driving Max notices the blunette is heading to the lighthouse, one of their favorite places. Max's heart bumps at Chloe's choice, it's perfect.
Chloe parks and both exit the truck. They climb up the path and sit on the bench overlooking the sea, still in complete silence.
The October light filters through the trees bathing the two girls in golden.
Max is looking towards the horizon absently, for the first time in many years she feels she is in the right place
Chloe turns towards Max and looks at her, no trace of anger in Chloe's eyes anymore. Flocks of blue hair escape under her beanie framing her face.
Slowly, she leans her head in Max's shoulder.
Notes:
So that's it.
That is how I would like the game to end, mostly because I want Max and Chloe to stand a real chance.
Both of the choices given by the game were bitter .
LIS is a total emotional experience, and by the end of the game it's most likely that you do care for the characters.
Last scene pretends to be the image in the loading screen (minus my limited writing skills) except that image is from the first car ride of Chrysalis.
For me it makes sense that the first image you see of the game is also the end of it.
Hope you like it.
