Chapter 3: Feeling Cold Before Warming Up

Max's POV

"Max... It's time!"

This was the last time I was going to see her. I can feel her needed grip on my arm slip away making my heart break.

"Chloe, please...!" Those words... They were the last thing she has heard. "I don't want you to go.."

"I love you, Max." Her voice was full of heartbreak and determination, certain that this is what she wanted.


"NOOOOO!" I shrieked lunging myself up to find that I was no longer at the lighthouse overlooking that huge tornado and all the darkness, but I was back in my room where the sun's rays were illuminating everything in this warm and welcoming atmosphere. The only problem was I could not feel these amazing feelings. That... nightmare! I can feel my body shaking and shutting down at the same time, and I can feel involuntary slouch of my shoulders. Jesus I don't know if I can take anymore of this... I'm so fucking scared!

With every amount of my waning energy, I curled into a ball and try to calm my nerves with deep breathing taking breaths that must have been up to ten seconds.

Just keep breathing. Relax... Remember what Rachel told you...

Rachel.

The thought of her brought upon some calmness.

Even though I was out of the hospital a day ago, with Rachel around, it felt like an eternity. And despite a few horrible episodes I went through, Rachel being with me made my hospital stay much more enjoyable. We talked, had a few walks, and she was the one who bought me food from the cafeteria, and even though I had more than enough money on my card, I never put it to good use thanks to her insistence of buying for us. I couldn't help but smile at one of those nights where we had dinner in the cafe.

(^)

Flashback

I'm sitting at a table overlooking out into the garden where we took our first walk. I never really thought much of hospitals, but the garden here sure has an arcadia feeling to it, and with Rachel, it added to the pleasantries. Rachel is in the restroom right now, so I had the table for myself for now.

My eyes dilated every detail of the cafeteria we were in. It was fairly packed, but I could make out a few empty seats. The walls had this natural light green coating with the wooden floors having a shine to them. There were a couple of TV's on the walls, but the music drowned out whatever was playing on the screen. Mostly because of it being mute.

My eyes were brought down to the floor where I can see a little white wrap on the floor right by my feet. I stared at it until I decided to bent down and pick it up so I can throw it away. I hopped out of my seat and walked towards the trashcans where I can dispose of the little crumpled paper.

Begone, little fiend!

I grab a few napkins along with some plastic silverware for our food. I lightly jogged back to our tables fearing that some thief would run off with our meals, but thankfully they were still there untouched and ready to be feasted upon.

My meal consisted of some pizza, mash potatoes with cream gravy, and a small scoop of rainbow sherbet ice cream. Rachel tray has a more healthy style with a salad with ranch on it, a yummy slice of apple pie, and two sugar cookies.

Now I feel a little better about having junkfood with me.

My stomach was condemning me for not feasting upon the delicious food bestowed before me, and the desire to eat it only grew stronger when a whiff of the mash potatoes seeped into my nostrils, but in the end, the willpower to wait overpowered that feeling until Rachel got back. Besides, I'm smart enough not to burn off my tongue.

"BOO!" I felt fingers around my waist suddenly tapping me. I couldn't help but jolt up and gasped in alarm as I bolted my body around to see that it was Rachel cackling proudly knowing that she performed a successful and sneaky jump scare.

"For the love of-" I admit, I was initially angry at her for doing that, especially since I almost made a mess with all of my food. But her smile and playful nature evaporated those feeling so rapidly and I couldn't help but laugh along with her. I'm thinking this is one of Rachel's amazing traits she has with people. "You almost made me spill everything!"

Rachel giggles and loops her arms around me locking me in her tight grip. I can tell this was her way of saying sorry, even thought she most likely wasn't, but I obviously forgave her nonetheless. She let's go of me to sit down across from me with two bottles of apple juice. She took her seat and glances at my food seeing that has been untouched.

"You haven't eaten anything yet?" The smile on her face didn't cover up some genuine worry in her tone.

I shook my head. "Nope. Not everyone was at the table yet." I answered chirpily.

Her smile grew larger. "Aww, Max. Sweetie, you didn't have to do that."

"I wanted to though." I said. "Besides I don't usually eat until the whole team is here anyways."

Rachel let out a silent laugh. "Yeah. I'm sorry about that. When I came back, I got us drinks, but the line just went on forever!" She sighed. "Really, Max. That was really sweet of you. Thank you."

We both dug into our food. I attacked my pizza first taking a big chunk out of it with a big amount of the cheese teared off. I can hear Rachel snickering at me with the big flop of greasy cheese dangling from my chin. I quickly grabbed my napkin and yanked the left over cheese and placed my crumpled napkin on my trey. I took a smaller bite of my pizza this time.

Rachel took ahold of an unused napkin giggling. "You missed some on this spot." She applied the napkin to the lower part of my lip rubbing it gently. I rolled my eyes at her, but I couldn't help but smile. In the short time I have known Rachel so far is that she is a very physical given all the hugs, taps on the shoulders, gentle shoves when I'm zoning out, and not to mention that flick she gave me when I told her I ripped my photo. So I guess I shouldn't be surprise that she cleaned my lip for leftover pizza sauce. Although I thought I got every corner of my face.

"Thanks." I opened the bottle of juice she got me and drank one gulp of it. "So what's up? How was your day today?"

It seems Rachel has been waiting for someone to ask her, because she immediately delves in on what has happen.

"Don't ask me why, but it's been really hard to concentrate lately. I don't usually get it this bad." Rachel leans back against her seat lets out a melodramatic groan. "And I swear, if Zach keeps keeps bugging me about him taking me out to the movies, I'm gonna flip."

"Boy drama?" I predicted.

"Oh my god, yes. He wants to take me out to see some lame ass horror movie, and he's not taking no for an answer." She scoffs waving her hand up. "Asshole."

"Jesus..." I don't know why but that made me feel a little uneasy. "I'm sorry, Rachel. You think he would get the hint."

Rachel's smile always makes me feel good. "Don't worry about it, Max. I'm glad I get to come visit you in the hospital. After all, we do have that movie to catch tonight."

Oh right. How could I forget that Rachel and I were going to watch ANOTHER horror movie? Wonder what the mystery film is tonight?

I smirked. "Just to be clear, I'm drawing the line if it's Friday the Thirteenth." I told her in a semi serious manner. "I don't like the idea of some masked serial killer staring at me while I'm sleeping."

"I dunno." Rachel was giving me smile meaning something mischievous or something of that nature. "I always found it hot when he did that. I mean just imagine a big muscular man in a mask watching over you while you sleep."

"Eugh!" I'll admit, I have some weird fetishes, but after being traumatized from that movie, no thank you! "Now you're just being mean!" I couldn't help but laugh on how Rachel was open to tell me about her fantasy with Jason.

"What? Guys in masks are hot!" Rachel just finished her salad and was now moving on to her pie. "Although I think I prefer to not see him unmasked."

"You can have him. Just keep him away from me. Like far away." I took a bite of the my mash potatoes.

Rachel laughed wildly snorting a little courtesy of food in her mouth.

I can't believe I'm going to tell her this, but something about Rachel wants me to confess a life long fetish of mine. And I get the feeling she won't think any less of me. I mean come on, I mean it can't be worse than Jason, right?

"Well..." I can't believe I'm going down this road. "I... have a fantasy too."

This made Rachel laugh more. Not in a taunting way, but she laughed like she was openly curious and eager to hear what it is. "Really? Can I hear it?"

"Well..." My hand gripped my upper arm as I brought my head down letting out an anxious chuckle. Why was I so nervous? I mean it's not Jason.

"Max." Her voice was that of sincerity and gentle assurance. "It's okay, you can tell me. I mean these are weird fetishes after all."

I looked back up at her. "Well... have you ever watch Star Wars?"

Rachel nods. "Not the prequel series though."

I smiled. "Don't worry about that. This is Episode 4-6 related. Do you remember that guy with the green armor and cool looking helmet and jet pack?"

Rachel nods enthusiastically. "Oh yeah! Jango Fett right?"

"Boba Fett." I corrected. "Anyways, I had this thing where..." Oh my god I can't believe I'm saying this. "I had this thing where... he... I'm his bounty and we kinda... make out... while I'm in that Princess Leia slave bikini." I was doing my best to keep it as clean as possible.

Well at least Boba is not Jason!

I knew Rachel would react to this somehow, but for some reason I didn't expect her to cackle like some loud maniac. I looked out to the cafeteria to see if anyone was glaring over at us, but there one none, so I turned my attention back to Rachel.

"Oh Max..." I'm relieved that she doesn't have anything in her mouth this time. "Oh my god.." She just couldn't stop laughing. I couldn't help but laugh along, but I don't see why it's such a big deal! At least it's not Darth Vader!

I let out a sigh taking a small bite of my ice cream looking away. "Oh man, I'm so embarrassed." I mumbled. nibbling on the plastic spoon.

"Don't be!" She exclaimed happily. "I actually think it's adorable! You having some alone time with your rough and tumble knight in green armor."

"Ugh... Rachel..." I couldn't help but look away with my cheeks turning red.

She giggles taking a bite of her cookie. "You're just so fun to tease."

We were almost done with all of our food, with only little food remaining, but we were just talking now. I don't know for how long, but definitely long enough for my ice cream to turn into a large color mush puddle.

"How've you been doing, Max?" Her tone was much more mellow, but her smile didn't leave her.

"Well now that you're here, I'm doing much better." It's always awesome to see Rachel. I'm beginning to understand why everyone loves her. "Rachel, thank you again for bringing me some clothes. I know you must be busy almost all the time with school, other people." I don't know how anyone fits into so many different social groups. I began to feel guilty that I'm just only adding more stress into her life. "But if you get so bogged down with other stuff, PLEASE don't let me distract you from things. I totally get it."

She frowned at this. "Don't be silly, Max. I love hanging out with you. So don't try to weasel yourself out of this one."

"I didn't me-" She cut me off so suddenly.

"Abububububup! Besides you owe for last night when you fell asleep during that one movie."

"Argh! Fine!" I began to grumble to myself. "Thank god I fell asleep through that movie."

Rachel raised an eyebrow. "What was that?"

"Nothing!"

She just giggled at that and she looked outside. "Wow it's really beautiful out."

"It is." I concurred staring out into the serene dusk outlook. It looked more like an enchanted twilight forrest than a hospital garden. "I wish I had my camera with me."

"Oh shit!" Rachel cursed aloud. I looked back at her to see what was the matter, and I can see her going through her bag. She pulled a blue analog camera. "Here! I know your birthday was last month. Your old one kinda gave out for some reason."

I couldn't help but smile that she would go out of her way to give this to me. "Oh my god, Rachel! It's so awesome! I- I don't know what to say!"

"Don't say anything." She told me. "I just want you to enjoy your late birthday present."

I just got out of my seat and pulled Rachel in for a long big hug. Not only for the camera, but for so many other things. Even though... no I don't wanna think about it.

I can feel her arms around my waist and I can feel her breath tickling my ear as she began to whisper. "You want capture the moment."

Capture the moment. I shuddered a little from that saying, but why? It's never bothered me before. I quickly pulled away and nodded. "Yeah. C'mon. Then we can watch the movie I owe you."

Her hazel eyes gazed at me carefully as if she was sensing something was off, but she then nodded as we grabbed out treys with all of our junk on it, took out the trash, and exited the cafeteria to the outside for some fresh air. And to take a picture. Although the shot she did made Max feel very unsettled.

(^)

Present Day

No Ones POV

Max didn't know how long she sitting there frozen as a statue on her bed, but long enough for her alarm to start ringing. She didn't even respond to the ongoing beeping and buzzing coming from her phone until she felt the energy and senses needed to turn it off making the whole room dead quiet. Max still couldn't find the will to stand on her two feet. She was a mess.

Max finally obtained the ability to rise to her two feet, but was immobilized by the sudden strike of dizziness plaguing her head forcing her to her knees grunting. Instinctually, she brought her hand to her nose expecting to find blood dripping from her nostrils and onto her fingers, but she found that there was none, which was a welcoming sight, but overall she just didn't have in it her to be overjoyed. Max is still afraid of lifting her hand up fearing of fucking up time yet again.

And she could not go through the same bullshit again.

Max wearily came to the conclusion that she was in a whole new alternate reality where Rachel Amber is alive, and another girl took her place in the junkyard in a shallow grave. How much of this is accurate she cannot say, but in the end it doesn't matter. Max had enough of her powers, and prays that they are gone forever.

Why was I given them in the first fucking place?

The dizziness slowly faded, and Max got to her feet yet again, shaking it violently in an effort to make everything more clear to her.

She grabbed her phone from her nightstand and can see that she had unread messages from her mom and dad. She didn't even look at what they text her, but she did responded with assurances knowing that they were worried sick for their only daughter to be in the hospital after that day.

Max: Hey, pop. Don't worry I'm fine. I was just a little shaken, but I'm out now. We'll talk later okay? I have class soon. Love you :)

Max: Hey mom. I'm fine, a little shaken, but I'm better now. We'll talk later tonight, and don't overwork yourself like last time :P I love you.

Max gently tossed her phone back on her nightstand sighing deeply. The one thing that was on her mind right now was a nice relaxing shower.

Max lazily opened the door slightly slouching her shoulders as she stepped into the halls of the drama queens of Blackwell. Most of the stuff she saw was some weird sense of deja vu. Victoria was assigning Courtney to do her homework for her like the good minion she is. Alyssa was looking at thew bulletin board probably of all those missing person flyers of Rach... Megan Weaver. Speaking of Alyssa...

"Hey Alyssa," Max called out more firmly than she anticipated. "Move to the side."

Alyssa looked over at Max confused on what she meant as she remained still.

"Just... trust me!" Max roughly waved her hand to come to her.

Alyssa shrugged. "Ummm... okay, Max." She walked over to Max's direction with the usual roll of toilet paper missing her hitting the bulletin board instead. Alyssa turned back shocked that she managed to evade that evil roll. "Wow. Now that was close. Thank you, Max."

Max smiled and waved at her as she departed into the girls bathroom to see Kate at the sink brushing her teeth while still in her PJ's. She instantly notices Max making her entrance and gave her a big smile at the sight of her.

This was truly a welcoming surprise that warmed Max's spirit. Kate being happy is always a good day, and Max couldn't help but give her a big hug.

Kate giggled at the affection she received. "Hey, Max. How did you sleep?"

"I.. slept good." Max lied putting on the biggest grin for her. "How about you? Slept good too?"

"Wonderful." Kate beamed. "Something incredible happened yesterday."

"Really?" Max couldn't help but let her smile grow.

Kate nodded. "Victoria came by to visit me and... She was crying. Then she just hugged me. Telling me that she was sorry about... everything." Tears streamed down tears face as her smile grew. "I... never thought she would do that."

"Victoria may be a queen bee, but she does have a heart." Max told her. "What... was she sorry about?" She knew it was stupid question, but she needed to hear it from Kate herself.

"About that video of me... at the Vortex Party. She even deleted the video and... we ended up having tea and some parts of a movie."

"Kate Marsh." Max crossed her arms with a smirk across her face. "Did you just commence our tea time without me."

"Max!" Kate laughed. "Don't be like that! We're still due a tea session soon this week."

"I know." Max wrapped her hands behind her back twisting her body. "I can't wait."

"Oh Max, do you still have my copy of the October Club?"

Max remembers this question as if it was yesterday. Only the difference is Kate is happy instead of gloomy.

Max nodded. "Yeah I do. I'll be sure to give it back to you as soon as possible."

"Thanks, Max. I'm so glad you're back." Kate pulled her in for another embrace. One Max dearly savior deeply pulling her in closer so thankful that she was being restored to herself. Max is not much of a believer when it comes to supernatural beings, but in that moment, she felt as if there was some higher being or power watching over her friend and filling her with life and hope. And for that, Max is so thankful.

Bless your gentle soul Kate... Bless you...

"I'm glad to be back, Kate." Max muttered reluctantly pulling away. "I'm gonna get a shower on now. We'll catch up later, okay?"

"Sure! See you later!" Kate was done brushing her teeth anyways, and by the time she turned the water off, Max was already in the showers with the curtains offering her privacy.

The cool water trickled down on Max's body shuddering from the droplets, but relaxed her body when the heat of the water slowly but surely elevated. She closed her eyes taking in deep breaths feeling the steaming water pouring down on her shoulders.

I don't know how much longer I can keep doing this... I feel like... I'm in some kind of sick play. Where the audience just... gets it's kicks out of suffering. God I feel like someone out of a emo drama show.. I just... I guess I need to carry on. And I pray this fucking power is gone for good. But the only way to know... would be to test it. And if I still have my rewind powers... let the tornado or anything take me and only me... I caused all this. I killed her.. I fucked everything up. Leave Victoria, Kate, Dana, Rachel... Oh god Rachel.. Just fucking take me and leave everyone alone! I don't... I don't think I can tell anyone about this... even if I wanted to. They'll all think I'm crazy or just some bullshitter... I can't... I can't tell them... not even Rachel. She wouldn't understand... Nobody would...

"Heeeeellllloooooo!" An annoyed voice called from the other side of the curtains. "Are you done yet?"

Max didn't know how long she was in the shower, but probably long enough to use up a good amount of the hot water.

"S-sorry!" I called back turning off the water and dried myself off wrapping the towel around me and pulling the curtains aside revealing that it was Juliet with her attention to the mirror while doing her makeup. "Hey, Juliet. Sorry about that."

She scoffs turning around to face me. "You sure don't seem like it. Now there may not be any hot water left. Thanks for being selfish, Max." She grabbed her towel and brushed past me where I heard the curtains close again.

By what she just said to me, I couldn't move a muscle. That I was selfish. And the way Juliet said it... I felt like she froze me in my spot while I let the aching of my heart take hold my eyes began to sting.

Snap out of it, Max... It was just a mistake. Don't let this bring you down.

Max restored her movements and walked in baby steps out of the restroom already being clumsy by bumping into someone.

"S-sorry!" Max jabbered not even staring at the person trying to move past them back to her dorm but the girl grabbed her hand.

"Hey! woah, woah!" It was Rachel. "What's the rush, Max?"

"My bad, Rachel." Max gave the enigmatic girl her full attention. "I just don't wanna be late on my first day back to class."

Rachel didn't look convinced giving Max a glare. "Maaaax." Her warning sing song tone was that was needed to know that Rachel can see through Max's words. "What happened?"

Max sighed defeated knowing it's pointless to keep on being stubborn and say that she's fine. Something her mom taught her when she was younger. "I took a long shower annnndddd... Juliet's mad that I might have used up all the hot water." She brought her head down a little while eyeing up at Rachel who still didn't look convinced. But why?

"Is that all, Max?" Rachel asked brushing smooth streak of hair with her hand.

"Huh?" Max was starting to feel cornered. But why was she feeling like this? Rachel is the last person that would put her on edge no matter what. "I'm sorry. Y-yes." Max is at a lost for words, and feeling the mental exhaustion did not help her. "I guess... it was just out of the blue. I-I mean, I know Juliet and I don't talk all that much, but... never expected that."

Rachel frowned and gently placed her hand to Max's shoulder. "You get enough sleep last night?"

Max can feel her defenses lower by Rachel's question. It was like she was trying to get to the bottom of what was bothering her instead of providing her with the usual assurances of 'Don't let it bother you.' or 'She's like that with me, too.' And it Max want to comply with her fully and honestly.

"I think around... One or twoish." Max recalled. When she got checked out of the hospital, and now that she was back in her own dorm room, everything became really uneasy. The whole room was so cold and dark for Max to handle that she was sweating in fear that somehow Jefferson or Nathan have escaped prison to kidnap Max, or worse... She had to turn on her lamplight and had a hard time dimming it down, so last night was something of a nightmare waiting to happen.

Seeing Max grow more tense, Rachel reluctantly decides not to question further, but she is not letting this go in the slightest.

"Not enough sleep will do that." She simply says. "Alright, I better get myself ready for the day." She starts to smile. "You still down for dinner down at the Two Whales Diner tonight?"

The name plagued Max's mind. She's going to have to meet Joyce all over again only this time it's going to involve sadness and pain.

"Y-yeah!" Max acted on impulse with her answer and rapidly added more after a short pause. "Tonights on me."

"Max, you don't have to.."

"No please. I insist." She really wanted to repay the favor after Rachel treated her for dinner at the hospital. "Besides I've been meaning to use my debit card for such an occasion."

Rachel gives her a beautiful toothy smile at Max's generosity. "Okay, Max. But only because you're so sweet. But next time, I get to pay." She gave her a wink. "I'll see you after I'm done."

"Sure thing." Max parted ways with Rachel as she made her way back into her room where she looked up at her photo wall.

As Max continued to view her pictures, it only became more and more terrifying for her to handle and she was forced to look away not even looking back at her wall while changing into her clothes.

She went over to her desk to get her bag, but was clumsy enough to let all of her stuff fall to the floor cluttering up a small space. An agitated Max shoved all of her stuff back in until she notices that her journal is open with a filled page already being revealed to her. Max fished it off the floor slamming the pages shut and dropped it on her desk not even giving it notice.

"Fuck it!" She cursed harshly. "Fuck it all!"

She picked up her phone to find that the time was 8:45 AM, 15 minutes before photography class... Max cringed at the thought of being back in the room where that sick bastard gave his lectures. But it's some comfort to know that he is behind bars now. She also got 2 more messages both were from her parents, but she chose not to check them until class was done.

Grabbing her bag, her phone, and her essentials, Max exited her room slamming the door louder than intended.


Rachel and Max having dinner tonight at Two Whales. This is going to end well. Heres a question for all of you: If Max were to tell Rachel about her traumatic experiences without ANY proof or visible scars... would she believe Max, or just think she's insane? The only evidence shown is Max traumatized and damaged.

Hope you guys enjoyed and more is on the way! :D