Sneaking out at night was never really something I thought I would be doing, especially here at Blackwell where my place here was already strained. I doubt even me saving Kate today would work in my favour. They always say not to push your luck! If only I listened to that more.

Silently, I step out into the warm night air, feeling its embrace on my cheeks and it light blow through my hair. I slowly close the door but it creaks loudly part of the way and I freeze with clenched teeth and wide eyes, staying still as a statue. Chloe, if you get me kicked out of here, I'll push you off this roof myself!

One second passes … two … well, no searchlights or alarm bells or dogs. I'm in the clear. Slowly, I push the door shut, the creaking having stopped thankfully. Ha! Max the ninja strikes again! Ow to get to Chloe.

As I turn, however, I eye the bench near where I took a picture of the squirrel earlier. Even in the dim light of the lamp a few metres from it, it looked so … inviting. So peaceful, almost like it was some kind of peaceful zone that somehow … I don't know how to describe it, it just felt so much more soothing seeing it at night. Probably because they weren't as many people around. I start to think to myself: Should I go and sit over there?

Screw it! A few minutes more won't hurt Chloe, and the world won't end. Besides, I need to sit down and process my thoughts before going on with this.

I walk over to the bench and sit down on it, feeling a brief feeling of cold run through my body as my bottom hits the wood. I slip my bag off my shoulder onto the bench as I put my hands on my lap and stare at the scene around me.

I've never been that much of a night owl but man, I really wish I was because … it's just so peaceful and tranquil out here! There's no drama or problems and the calmness of the natural scenery just makes you feel like you're in your own little world. Try and beat this, Alice! I internally smirk to myself, wondering how she would react. Brushing aside that mental comment, I think back to the beauty of it all. It would be such a good picture to take!

Oh great, more pictures, Max! Why not just turn yourself into a camera? Though, on the other hand, that wouldn't be such a bad idea. If I'm a camera, I could talk like one of those inanimate objects from Beauty and the Beast. Ha! Imagine if Victoria picked me up and I said: "Excuse me, do you mind!" Oh, her face would be priceless to catch on film. Best thing ever!

Putting my hands out behind me, I lean back a little and turn my head up at the sky, the cloud free blackness welcoming me with an array of stars that shined brightly like little nightlights. I exhale with a smile on my face. I don't know what is it, but it's just the very sight of the stars that makes me feel peaceful, like it's some kind of medicine that just makes your problems so much smaller than they actually are. Oh, if only I was an astronaut. I could fly around them and look down at the world. Or an alien even, yeah! No little green man, but a Little green Max! Ha, imagine that! It would be awesome! Just as long as I don't end up like ET.

As I shift a little on the bench, the hoot of an owl from a nearby tree causes me to look up in its direction. It's too dark to see it, but I think that's a good thing. Not that I'm afraid of owls, I actually love them! It's just that because they nocturnal creatures, there's that air of mystery, and yet benign beauty about them that makes them so cool. I've only ever seen one up close and that was when I was little a long time ago and still lived here in Arcadia Bay. A huge owl was sitting on our fence and it looked at me as I walked outside to take out the trash. We just stared at each other for a good minute or so, our eyes locked in some kind of calm trance. Then, as if it were giving me a show, it spread its wings and flew off into down the road. I wanted to be an owl then and there and went on about it to Chloe for the next week or so.

Oh, Chloe! I go to stand up but decide against it. Two more minutes won't hurt.

I sit back down and gaze up at the stars once more as if they were calling to me and I was listening. I was just so entranced by them that I seemed to forget I was even sitting down for a moment, as if my body was going directly up to them, to be one of them and light up the night sky in all my glory. If they were sending any messages to me, I wonder what they would be? Maybe proof of aliens, oooohhh! Seriously, Max, you and sci-fi!

I wonder if I can see any of the constellations I ask myself and begin searching the sky for them. But after a few moments, I give up. Nope! Ah well, looking at them is good enough.

But as I look up at them again, I do begin to wonder if they had any answers to what was going on. Maybe they did. After all, man had been doing that for so long since the Ancient Greeks were around it was really just a part of our way of finding answers to that one big question; why are we here? Maybe it would be found, or opinions would be.

Philosophy! I mentally groaned to myself. Not a particular point of focus but still … makes you wonder.

It certainly did make me wonder. Would I ever find out why this was happening? Hopefully. This power of time travel was not something that was given out like candy. There just had to be a reason for it. Maybe the stars held the answer, or maybe something down here on earth did. Who knows … maybe I had the answer.

My phone in my pocket vibrates loudly, snapping me out of my thoughts as I grab it and look at the screen. Another of Chloe's messages, wondering where I am.

I sigh and stand up, putting my bag around my shoulder. Well, time to turn into Sherlock Holmes I say to myself. Might as well make a cap and put a pipe in my mouth while I'm at it.