As it seemed, the pictures were the only way to drastically affect the future, and with it, myself. I wonder what would happen if I end up in a future where I'm not... There. If that happens, I'm sure everything for me will come to an end, and I wouldn't be able to save you at all, in any way, from the cruelty of the universe itself. I guess I had to be optimistic in a world where anything could happen, within the bounds of these photos.

At this moment in time, I find myself within my thirteen year old body again, though even this doesn't feel as familiar as it once did. When I was here during that week, I at least knew how I felt at the time. Perhaps there was something else at play here, that I couldn't hope to solve this huge puzzle surrounding you. All these pieces could fall at any time, and the one arranging them could also be taken away. I was scared, at least, until I saw you again.

Even at this age, you were so pretty. I was like that one friend who constantly lived in the shadow of you, but at least I was able to retain some identity, which would live on, for a while... I have to admit, my days in Seattle before returning were uneventful at best. It was when I realised this was my home, no matter what state it was in currently.

For now, however, I had the task of not jumping all over you at the sight of your mere form. The real you is out there somewhere, and I won't stop until I've found all of you. Though, admittedly, the sad look on your face was something to feared indeed. Did this actually happen in reality? I'm fairly sure I left without another word...

"Why the fuck do you have to leave me now, Max?! Why now?!" Oh, shit. Think Max, what was happening around about this time?! Surely there was something I could say or do to calm her down, but... The memories just don't come back to me. That's it, this is an alternate timeline in itself. Though now, I had to find proof that this was real, and not some fake dream of mine.

"Chloe, please calm down..." I raise my hands, but it's no use. I feel your hand smack hard against my jaw, and I recoil as a result. Holding the place where you hit me, I'm brought to tears.

"Don't give me that shit. You could have at least told me months earlier, not right when you're about to leave..!" Truthfully you aren't angry with me, just really upset, but at the same time you really don't want me around right now. Even so, I have to do something here, because whatever this is, I have to go through with it. That photo wasn't in the swimming centre for no reason, now was it?

"At least I came here to tell you, unlike... Say, is William around?" I had to know. I had to know if this is completely different timeline, or something entirely different. I swear I wouldn't have done this if I knew for sure. Admittedly, the change in her expression makes me feel bad inside.

"Max, what... the fuck. He's dead, you know! Why the fuck would you bring that up at a time like-" Oh, gosh, I might still be in reality. Though, I'm fairly sure I left without another word, but for now, I just had to remove my words there, I had to try and calm you down, somehow. There has to be a way.

"At least I came here to tell you. I know it's difficult, but truly, this isn't my fault! I can't help that Mom and Dad want to move to Seattle... Chloe, please..." I put my hands up in a calming manner, trying to let you see my side of things. Why don't I remember this happening? So many questions just turn into more questions when the answers become known.

"Max, you gotta... You gotta tell them that you don't want to go. Don't just go with it just because they say so; you have your own life!" For a moment, I hesitated, unsure how to react. I guess your words struck home, in an awfully good way. Though, knowing how the last photo experience went... I couldn't take the chance. I had to disagree.

"If I don't go with my parents, where am I going to stay? I can't just stay are your place, not after... I'm so sorry, Chloe, I really am..." I look down, though tears don't form. I'm sure they would have in the past, truly. It's like anything good I try to do with this power of mine just ends in the death of you, or something else majorly fucking up in the universe. I have to say, it certainly brings me down. "I can't stay. I... I have to go."

I couldn't look you in the eye, not in the slightest possible way. Here I was, saying goodbye again, though really, this was probably the first time in my life I've had the chance. Maybe this photo I travelled in to was fake, and it held no real purpose other than to make me sadder than I already was. I just want to save you, not deal with all of this crap.

Everything begins to fade like it did before, though things this time weren't so clear cut. Instead of just appearing the world I came from, it just kinda... Paused. Everything stopped, and it was here that I realise that I'm floating. There was a light right above me, and shadows everywhere else. I couldn't even see my own hand in front of my face, but looking up, I was blinded by the light. Setting my gaze down low, I try to rationalise what this place was.

A dull hum was all that I could hear, along with the sound of birds. They must have been flying about and chirping away, but everywhere I looked, I could not find them. I've seen some fucked up shit, but this? This had to top it all, just the most weird, abstract place I've ever been in. I wondered if there were any clues around here, even if I didn't completely understand the place, though surely this was happening for a reason?

As though my thought had been heard by something, a note appeared right before me, within arm's reach. I quickly take it, and soon notice it's my own handwriting, at least the same kind I had when I was younger. By the feel of it... It is in fact a page of my old notepad, which I used to doodle on, while I waited for the right time of day to take pictures. I'm sure I wasn't a terribly good writer or anything, though I am sure on one thing: this was the clue I was looking for.

Never keeping in touch with you was a rather large mistake I made, it certainly added to your already fucked up life at that point. Sure, I couldn't bring back William and save you the anguish of losing your father, but I could at least be there for you, at least, I hope this was what this meant. Could I truly keep in touch while keeping reality as I know it intact? I guess, there's no time like the present, or something to that effect. If by changing the course of history makes you a happier person, then by all means, I have to try my hardest.

I wasn't even sure if my powers would work in this place of no feeling. The birds were still here, though this was merely a sign that I was on the right track. Follow the birds, get to you, eventually. That's how I saw it, and I couldn't just mope about while you could be out there. I know that maybe I was getting ahead of myself; you did indeed die back then, but I could not let that path be the true one. I could reverse things as permanent as death, I just had to figure out a way to not cause everything else grief and suffering.

And so, I tried. I pushed my hand forward, and felt everything around me begin to go in reverse. The note I had written disappeared, and soon, I crept right back to that world I stumbled upon. I'm certain you're about to burst into tears over me leaving, but now, I knew exactly what to do.

"Chloe, I know I'm leaving, but..." I gulp. If this turns out like anything that happened with the last photo, I swear... "I'll keep in touch. Here's my phone number, and, I'll write you letters as well. Please don't cry, I'll be back before you know it-" I shake my head. I couldn't just give you some kind of false hope, I couldn't afford to. "I'll keep in touch. Here's my phone number, and I'll write you letters as well. You're my best friend, and I won't allow you to be alone completely. Just know that I tried my hardest to stay here." Now, I had to wait for your reaction to my words. Moments like these made me nervous as hell, though I couldn't falter now. This had to be the choice I have to make in order to begin finding you.

You step forward, and wrap your arms around me; I'm quick to return the gesture. "Alright, Max... I'll believe you. We'll rule Arcadia Bay when you come and visit sometime, right?" I couldn't help but nod. "Sweet! I'll miss you, you know. Can't do this ruling shit without my best friend."

"I'll miss you too, Captain. We'll rule this Bay yet." With a smile, you squeeze me before letting go. As I step away, somewhat in awe, I wonder if this was truly going to work.

Everything begins to fade, and...