Chapter 7
End it All
The beach was still and quiet. The sun setting over the bay was haunting, giving long other-worldly looking shadows to the beach. The dune posts in the sand cast the longest shadows. The gulls soaring overhead didn't even make a noise. The entire beach seemed as if it was depressed. Everything was so somber. The bicycle rack was empty. Max was slowly walking along the beach. At her side was Chloe, rolling alongside in her motorized wheelchair. Max was still coming to grips with it, but Chloe was completely paralyzed. The only thing she could move was her head and neck. Everything else was beyond her control. Chloe spoke, her voice softer and quieter than Max remembered. "It's weird hanging out with you again," she said. "I know," said Max, "I'm glad we are though." They continued down the beach. "It was nice that you sent me actual letters," said Chloe, "That's more than my other friends have done. You even wrote on that cool parchment paper." Chloe chuckled, "That's so Max." Max chuckled, "You deserve the best stationary," she said smiling at Chloe. They came up to a bench and Max sat down. "I know it's probably easier to write than to visit me," said Chloe. She sighed, "I don't mean that in a jerky way Max…Not totally. You probably just wanted to avoid awkward conversations like this." Max sighed, not knowing how to reply. The clouds in the sky drifted through the air. "Look," said Chloe, "The worst thing you can do is treat me like a baby. I still want to laugh and talk with my best friend like we used to." She looked over the sky and said, "That really is a beautiful sunset. Bet you could take some amazing shots." She looked at one of the beached whales. "These whales are so sad," Chloe said with a tone of deep sadness, "I know how they feel…At least I'm alive here with you." There was a long pause. "You're a real survivor Chloe," said Max, "I know you have to deal with so much." Chloe shook her head, "I don't want anybody else to feel sorry for me," she said, "I can do that. Along with my parents. My Dad feels so guilty about buying me that car." Max decided to ask, "Are you OK to talk about the accident?" she said. "We never actually have…" Chloe said. She sighed deeply and said, "There's not much to say. Some idiot in an SUV cut me off and I flew into a ditch." "Do you remember anything?" Max asked. Chloe replied, "I saw everything in bullet time. I felt my back snap and…that was the last thing I ever felt in my body. When I woke up in the hospital I literally couldn't move a muscle." Max felt even more awful. "I…I don't know what to say." She said. "Don't say anything," Chloe said, "I'm just so glad to see you again. I could've ended up vanishing into the blue like that girl from Blackwell." Max felt shock. "You mean Rachel Amber?" Max said, "When was the last time you talked to her?" Chloe looked confused, "Uh, never," she said, "I just read about a missing girl in the news. I didn't even know her name. You did?" Max didn't know what to think. "Seems like a different world than it was when we were kids." She said. Chloe replied, "With that snow and eclipse it seems like the end of the world." Chloe chuckled, "It doesn't matter. Hanging out with you makes me feel like a total kid again you don't even know." Max looked at the ground. She was beginning to wonder if she would ever be able to get back to the other timeline. She didn't want Chloe to be in such pain. Max said, "Look Chloe, I'm sorry I haven't been out to see you more. That was wrong. You're my best friend." Chloe looked out over the sky. She didn't reply for a long time. "Max," she said after a while, "thanks for coming out to see me. You're doing awesome." Max didn't think she was at all. After looking on at the sunset for a little bit longer, Chloe said, "Well…I'm getting a little cold. Maybe we could head back to my place?" "Yeah," said Max, "It's pretty cold out here. Let's go." She got up and Chloe turned her chair around. They began taking the path slowly up to Chloe's house once again. The lighthouse up on the cliff began to flash its lights as night slowly descended upon Arcadia Bay.
At Chloe's house, Max immediately noticed several changed. The biggest one was that what had once been the garage was now a finished room for Chloe. Max's heart broke as she looked over the staggering amount of medical equipment. Beds, medicine, a respirator, oxygen tanks, a heat lamp, a body lifter, and other medical supplies. "You have a pretty high tech lair," said Max smiling weakly. "Feels like a high-tech cell." Chloe replied. "But I'm lucky my parents bust their butts to take care of me. I know it's hard for them." Max leaned forward in her chair. "They're grateful you're here with them," Max said. "Right," said Chloe, "Especially because they can't even take a walk alone. Sometimes I act like a total teenage brat just to give them an excuse to yell at me. Pathetic. I know." Max replied, "Chloe, you're a great daughter. You're kind and sensitive, even when you don't need to be." "Trust me," said Chloe, "I still get my rage on. Like when the doctors flip me around like a science doll. Or the nurse has to help me go to the bathroom." Max put a hand to her head. "I can't even imagine," she said, "But you're still amazing. You have been since we were kids." Chloe smiled, "Thanks again Max," she said, "Uh, can you hand me the glass of water over there beside you?" Max reached over to get the cup of water. She put it to Chloe's lips, and she drank. "Oh man," Chloe said, "No wonder my mouth is so dry. I haven't talked this much in a year." Max looked over at a large computer monitor on the table. Chloe could use it with a mouth controlled joystick to move the mouse. She smiled and looked at the screen. She saw that Chloe had made some other handicapped friends online. Max chuckled, "Ever thought about doing a podcast?" she asked. Chloe chuckled, I wish I could punch your face right now," she said, "A podcast…I'm a pod in a cast. Boring." "I'm sorry," said Max, "I was just kidding." "I know you're just trying to help Max," said Chloe. Max looked at the ground. "It's become a bad habit of mine," she said. "I could've done a podcast while I still had the chance," said Chloe, "It just seems like yesterday we were kids. Destroying the kitchen." Max laughed, "Everything would be covered in flower." "That was still a long time ago," said Chloe, "You're the only person I grew up with who still visits me. As you can see I can't keep all my other friends away." "You have me," said Max, "And I'm not leaving you." Chloe sighed, "I'm not trying to make you feel bad Max but you didn't visit a lot either. I mean I loved the cards and photos but…" Max decided to take the responsibility. She had used sad excuses on Chloe before, and even if they were in an alternate reality, she wouldn't do it again. "I know," said Max, "No excuses. I'm a loser. But I'm trying to make things right." Chloe sighed, "It's OK Max," she said, "I'm not trying to guilt-trip you. That's what my parents are for." "They love you so much," said Max. Chloe chuckled, "My mom and dad are so cute. They always pop in to check on me." "I think Joyce and William are incredible," said Max. "This has been so hard on them," said Chloe, "Our insurance sucks and our medical bills are insane. With all the tech, drugs, nurses, supplies…Mom and dad are almost broke and it's so frustrating. Am I even worth it?" "Chloe," said Max, "don't think like that. You're worth so much!" Chloe smiled. "I'd love to chill out here and watch a movie like when you'd spend the night at my house." Max smiled. She wanted to spend the night here tonight. Max smiled. After picking a movie out of the drawer, Max looked right at Chloe and said, "Now you better not fall asleep on me like you used to." Chloe laughed, "I remember Max," she said, "I won't fall asleep I promise…Not when you're here…Not yet." Max walked over to the DVD player and put the disc in. She shut off the lights as the movie started. As the movie started, Max looked at Chloe and smiled, who looked over and smiled herself.
Morning light started leaking into the room. Max was asleep with her head resting on Chloe's bed, the rest of her still sitting on the chair she had been on all night. Chloe looked down at Max smiling, before coughing. Her cough woke Max up, who smiled at Chloe. She sighed and looked at Chloe. "I cannot believe you fell asleep so fast." Max said, "How dare you." Chloe smiled, "I know you were beat spending the day with me. And that was a pretty dreamy movie to watch at night." Max smiled with half opened eyes. "Sorry," Chloe said, "I know you're not wide awake like me." "No," said Max, "I'm sorry I crashed so hard. You OK?" "I do have a mother and father when you're not falling asleep on me," Chloe said. Max nodded. "Yesterday was such a blast." Chloe said. "It was great seeing you," Max replied after a small yawn. Chloe said, "I know it was different when we were just dorky kids but being with you took me back there like I haven't been in a long time." She sighed and closed her eyes. Max looked at her. Chloe slowly opened her eyes again and said, "Max…stop me if I'm being too emotional, but can you give me that photo album over there? I'd like to relive some childhood memories…like walking and cooking." Max nodded, "Please," she said, "My diary is like emotion ground zero." She got up and went over to one of the dressers, than picked up a photo album. Walking back, she sat down and opened the album. "Can you see?" Max asked. "Perfect." Chloe replied. There was a photo of them by the lighthouse as toddlers. They had gotten a little too close to the edge, and William had tried to give them a time out. She turned the page, and they continued walking down memory lane. Max paused at the photo and Chloe began to talk, slowly, as if she was going to say something terrible, "Listen Max," she said, "My respiratory is failing and it's only getting worse. I heard the doctors talking about it when they thought I was zonked out. I know I'm just putting off the inevitable. While my parents suffer along…and I will too. This isn't how I wanted things to end." Max didn't know what to think. Her heart was pierced. "What?" she said with a huge lump in her throat, "What are you saying?" "Being with you today," Chloe said, "has been so great. I'm so grateful to have been able to spend time with you. I want today to be my last memory. Understand?" A tear came to Max's eye. "Chloe," she said, "I don't want to be here without you. I had another friend, who tried to end it all…and I did everything I could to try and save her life. There has to be another way." "There isn't," said Chloe through nearly closed eyes. "I just want to go to sleep and not have to wake up to see this room, or this horrible bed. Please, just let me go." Tears began falling to the ground. Max looked as Chloe shut her eyes. "Thank you so much Max," she said. "Be strong for me." After a bit, Chloe said in a soft voice, "See you around Max." She slowly laid her head back before letting out a deep breath. It was her last. Max looked at Chloe's lifeless face. She shed one more tear. Chloe was gone.
Sitting straight up in bed, Max was sweating. She breathed heavily and frantically looked around. She was in her dorm, and it looked near morning. Max suddenly realized that the entire thing was a dream. She sighed and put her face in her hands. 'Oh Chloe,' Max thought, 'It's OK…I'm OK…It was just a dream Max.' Max sighed. Was that how it would've gone if William had lived? Would Chloe be the one to die instead? Who could know? Max knew she didn't. Chloe's time had not yet come, but she wondered what would've happened it William had lived. Would it have played out like it did in her dream? Maybe. She looked at the clock. It was 6:48. She sighed and got up. She walked over to her cell phone. No texts, but she knew she would have to call her dad. She knew that he would wake up very early, and 6:48 would be just the right time to call, an hour or two before he would go to work. She dialed. After a few rings, she heard her dad's voice through the receiver, "Hello Maxine! How are you doing darling?" Max smiled and replied, "I'm doing good Pop. How are you and Mom?" Her dad replied, "Proud of you. Max, did I ever tell you that you were special?" Max smiled, "Every night," she said. "Well I meant it," he said, "I'm so proud of you for saving that girl. What was her name?" "Kate," said Max, "She's a good friend I've made here." She could almost see her dad smiling broadly on the other end of the line. "I'm glad, what happened to her?" Max sighed, "She was…sexually abused by somebody in Arcadia Bay. I still don't know who." "Oh," said her dad, "That's awful! God help her. Be careful Max! I would never want the same thing to happen to you. Just ask for God's protection." Max replied, "Oh don't worry, I already have." "Are you sure you don't want to come home yet?" Max's dad asked. Max shook her head, "I'm sorry," she said, "Now just isn't the time…I…I've met back with Chloe again." There was a pause. "Chloe?" said Max's dad, "Oh Max that's such good news! I know you've missed her. How is she doing?" Max sighed, "Oh dad…She's so much different. You wouldn't even recognize her. She's so sad and bitter about everything. I can't blame her. William died, I bailed on her, she had another best friend named Rachel up here that disappeared. I don't know what to say to her. I love her, I just want her to come back the way I knew her." Max's dad said in his soft, consoling voice, "Max, you could help her. Ask God to tell you what to say. He certainly helped you with Kate. No person is beyond the point of no return. People just make the mistake of thinking that. I hope you'll be able to show her the light. I trust you to make the right choices." Max nodded, feeling much better. "Thanks Pop," she said, "Thanks for the offer again, but I'm sure you understand." Max's dad replied, "I do. I love you sweetheart. Never forget that. I'll talk to you later then. Say hello to Chloe for me." Max nodded, "I will. I love you too." They said their goodbyes and Max sighed from the bottom of her heart. She felt much better. She decided to message Kate. The hospital was allowing visitors now, and Max was more than eager to visit. She opened her phone and texted Kate, "Hey Kate. I know it's a bit early for me to be bugging you, but I would love to pay you a visit here soon. Mind if I swung by today? Love, Max." After a few moments Kate texted back, "You could never bug me Max! Sure you can come by today! I'd love to see you so much! Come by whenever you want." Max smiled and texted, "Alright then, see you later today. XO" Max got up and left her dorm. After her horrible dream, all she wanted to do was go see Chloe. The earliest bus left at 7:00, and she began making for the bus stop.
She had caught the bus, and was right in front of Chloe's house. She opened the door. Joyce was up and brewing coffee. When she saw Max she smiled and said, "Max! How are you doing honey?" Max smiled and said, "Hi Joyce. I'm doing alright. Is Chloe up yet?" Joyce nodded, "Yeah she's been up for an hour or so. She took some big pegboard up to her room a few minutes ago, but I'm not sure what she's doing. Go ahead up. Want some breakfast?" "Uh, no thank you," said Max, "I'm not hungry. Thanks though," Joyce said, "Well come by for a short stack anytime." Max smiled, nodded, and began making her way up the stairs. When she opened the door to Chloe's room, she turned around to see Chloe sitting at her desk. Her hair was once again blue, not her real strawberry blonde color it had been in her dream. Max uttered a sigh of relief and ran over, giving Chloe a big hug. Chloe was caught off guard. "Woah Max!" she said, "What's the problem? You alright?" Max replied, "I'm just so glad you're here!" "You sound high," said Chloe, "But thanks for the morning hug. Since we were up all night playing CSI Arcadia Bay the other night I was still spaced out here trying to put all this info together." Max sat on the bed. Smiling. Chloe looked annoyed…or confused…or both. "Max," she said, "Have you forgotten we've gone over this?" Max replied, "What? Yeah! What's this?" She looked over to a large pegboard, which was covered with all of their "evidence". Chloe said, "Oh, well I took that up out of the backyard a little bit before you got here. I pinned all of our files and crap on it so I can think straight. Hopefully we can make sense out of it somehow." Max got up and looked at their evidence board. They had pinned up all the photos of Rachel, and printouts of what David Madsen had written. They still hadn't uncovered the culprit of all the mysterious disappearances, kidnappings, or really anything else. "So close yet so far away," Max said to herself. She looked at Chloe and said, "We have to do three main things." Chloe turned her chair around. "Right," she said, "What things?" "One," Max began, "Decipher Frank's logbook, two, get Nathan's phone and find out where he's really been during the last Vortex Club party…" Chloe finished, "And three, beat step-loser down until he tells us what he knows about Kate, Rachel and the Dark Room." Max sighed, "We have to do this on our own." Chloe shook her head. "You should get into the garage to see what dirt you can dig up there. I'll cyberstalk come names to see if I can get any leads. And be careful of step-jerk. He's not going to be a happy camper after you creamed him yesterday and mom is giving him the boot…" "I'm on it partner," said Max. She sighed as she walked down the steps. When she made it to the bottom, there was David. He was holding a suitcase in one hand, staring at the corkboard with Chloe's pictures. His face wasn't hardened, but saddened. His eyes were almost closed. Max stopped near the door, and stopped. "You won this battle Max," said David, "You broke up my family. I salute you." He turned and went towards the door. "David," said Max, "I didn't try to hurt you. I just…I just don't want anybody to hurt Chloe." David shook his head. He sounded as if he was on the verge of tears, "Too late…" he said, "Isn't it? You just better be careful with her." He paused, and as he walked off he said, "Just don't you wander off into the dark…" Max was confused. What did that mean? She sighed, feeling awful about what she had done, yet still feeling as if David deserved it. Mr. Jefferson's kind words echoed in her mind, 'Because you have a good heart Max.' She walked into the garage. Now that she didn't have to worry about being caught by David she could work more freely. She walked over to the counter where she saw a note. She picked it up and read it, it was from David. "Joyce, you know I'm not good at explaining myself or how I act. I only know that nobody has understood me the way you do. I would never do anything to hurt you or Chloe. Taking care of my family is my number one mission. Yes, I overstepped my bounds regarding surveillance and I am truly sorry and ashamed. But there are dark things going on in Arcadia Bay that I haven't told you. You are my wife and partner and I know we should have no secrets, but I wanted more proof. Indeed a student nearly killed herself on my watch, you kicked me out of my favorite home and my step-daughter hates me. Please let me…" He hadn't finished. Max was beginning to wonder if David was as big of a scumbag as she thought. Maybe he was just a misunderstood man who only wanted to know what was going on…But she needed more proof of that as well. She sighed and looked around a bit more when she saw another note. It read, "Mr. Madsen, thank you for your help with Nathan, it is appreciated. Best, Sean Prescott." Max raised an eyebrow. What had David done for Nathan, and what had David done for his dad? She looked to see a large set of lockers. One of them was protected by a massive padlock. She looked around for a crowbar. When she found one, she pried the lock open. 'Sorry David,' she thought, 'but you'd probably do the same as me.' She looked to see a bunch of photos. Some were of Kate, one showed Nathan beating up Warren. He had the time written on each of the photos, as well as license plates for Nathan's, Warren's and Chloe's vehicles. The most disturbing was a sheet of paper taken up with dates, and coordinates of student behavior, their time habits. Max still had strongly mixed feelings about David. Though she had the suspicion that he wasn't an all the way bad kind of man, she still was quite disturbed of the kind of stuff David was took the photos and papers and went back out, before suddenly remembering. She walked back over and relocked the door. Walking over to the staircase, she yelled, "Chloe! You ready?! I have to get back to my dorm!" After a few seconds Chloe came down the staircase. "Happy?" asked Chloe. Max replied, "Very happy. I hit David's file jackpot. Kate Nathan, even location coordinates. David is like a one man surveillance army. Let's get out of here before we get busted!" They headed out the door when Max looked at Chloe and said, "I have something to do before we get back to Blackwell though." Chloe said, "Sure, what?" Max replied, "I have to go visit Kate in the hospital. I promised her I would."
"I'm sure this is Kate's floor," said Max walking through the Arcadia Bay hospital. Chloe said, "Hospitals always freak me out." Max had a flashback of Chloe on her hospital bed in her dream. "I hear you," said Max, "But imagine how Kate feels. I'm so glad I get to see her again. I hope it's not too weird for her." Chloe shook her head, "No," she said, "She'll be stoked to see you. Who wouldn't?" After visiting the nurse's station to ask about Kate's room number they walked over to where the nurse told them. "This be it," said Max, "I'm a little nervous." Chloe smiled and said, "Just go in there and be her friend." She took a seat on a chair outside the room. "I'll take a seat out here so you two can chill by yourselves." Chloe sighed and said, "And, uh, Max? I just wanted to say sorry about the other day. I was a total jerk for blowing a fuse when you answered Kate's call. Good thing you ignored me. I had no idea what she was going through and you saved her. Like me. I'm sorry. Also…I'm sorry for flying off the handle yesterday about…about Rachel. I didn't mean anything I said…I was just so angry." Max was touched, "Thanks Chloe," she said, "Nothing to be sorry for. We're all on the same team." She smiled and took a deep breath before opening the door to the room. When she did, a wonderful sight met her. Kate was sitting on a chair, drawing in a tablet. When she looked up, she smiled warmly. She looked the same, except she looked a bit pale. Max stood in the opening, smiling herself. Kate got up and walked over, "Max!" she said joyfully as they embraced. "Oh Kate," Max said. Kate looked at Max and said, "I thought I'd never see you again. I feel so ridiculous. I'm so sorry." Max looked at Kate and replied, "Kate. You have nothing to be sorry about. Other people do. You don't know how happy I am to see you. You look awesome. Is it a stupid question to ask how you're doing?" Kate smiled, "Now that you're here I'm doing even better," she said, "I'm so grateful that you came up on the roof to talk me down. Max I felt so lost and alone. But when I saw how much you cared, how hard you were trying. You made me realize I wasn't alone. That you and my heavenly Father still had my back." Max smiled, "Kate, there are so many people who love you and want to help you." Kate chuckled, "I know, I've gotten more letters and postcards than my dresser can handle. I gave most of the flowers people have sent to other patients here. They need them more than I do." She laughed, "I'm keeping the balloons though!" she said. She walked over to the drawings she was doing. "One of the nurses here gave me some pen and paper so I could do some drawings." Max looked at her drawings. They were actually very well done, and quite detailed. "I love your drawings," said Max. Kate sat back down in her chair. "I working on an idea for a new children's book about knowing how God is there even when you're being bullied. I'd like to have some photographs in it as well." Max said, "I'm hoping that's a subtle hint that you'll let me take the photos for the book," Max said. Kate laughed, which made Max feel warm inside, "Was that subtle?" she said, "You'd better take the pictures Max!" They paused until Kate said, "I'm going to be here one more day and then I'm going home with my family." "How are they treating you?" Max asked. Kate replied, "Like they need to keep me in a bubble forever." She sighed, "They're so upset, and I know they feel guilty even though they didn't do anything. I was surprised to see how many people from Blackwell wrote me, Daniel, Mr. Jefferson. Even Victoria wrote me a really sweet note, and I believe she was sincere." "I'm glad you believe again Kate," said Max. "I do Max," said Kate, "While I was depressed, I had started blaming God for the video. I didn't think he cared about me anymore. I blamed him for putting me on that roof above school. When you quoted Matthew, I felt like the light came back to me again. As if Satan finally no longer had a hold anymore. You reminded me that Jesus came to earth to comfort and help us." She smiled, "Right now I'm just praying I can get this drawing right." Max looked around the room as Kate began drawing. There was a picture of Kate smiling with her two sisters Lynn and Sarah beside her. She looked and saw a big card from Blackwell Academy signed by almost every student and teacher, including Victoria and Mr. Jefferson as Kate had said. Max didn't, however, see Nathan's name. She frowned. Max would've been even more furious if he would've even had the audacity to write his name on the note. She set the note down and walked back over to Kate. She said, "Kate, it is so good to be able to hang out with you again." Kate shook her head and replied, "Max I owe you so much…and I can tell you want to talk to me about something." Had her face been that obvious? Oh well, "I saw Victoria's letter," she said, "How does that make you feel?" Kate said, "Max I know Victoria can be an…an…Not nice…But I believe in forgiveness and redemption through Christ. I might be naïve but I feel her struggle." "Me too," Max said, "There was a time when I could've taken a picture of her soaked on the dorm steps but I didn't, and we had a genuine moment." "We all have our moments," Kate said, "Why do you think she acts so mean?" "She's insecure." Max replied simply, "If you're confident with yourself you don't have to act superior." Kate huffed, "Well Victoria doesn't look like she has a lot to be insecure about." Max smiled and said, "If anybody could make Victoria see the light it would be Kate Marsh." Kate shook her head, "No," she said, "It would take more than me to help her. By the way, we missed our tea session last week." Max shook her head, "That was so not cool. We need to plan, like a tea shop tour of Portland." Kate nodded and said with a mischievous look in her eye, "That would be great, and you could bring Warren along too." Max gave Kate a look and said, "No boys allowed." Kate chuckled, "You're funny Max, and right. I was just teasing." Another pause began, and Max seized the moment. "I just want you to know," she said, "I'm gathering info in Nathan Prescott. I'm getting this close to finding out what he did to you that night." Kate's smile faded. "He needs to pay for what he did," Kate said, "And we have to stop him from hurting anyone else." Max frowned, "I wish I could've gotten his butt kicked out of Blackwell once and for all." "Me too," said Kate, "But his dad would never let that happen. Talk about a tough family. So what's going on with him now?" Max replied, "I assume he'll show his face at the Vortex Club party tonight like nothing happened." Kate said, "And nobody can do anything to him after what he did." "We're going to stop him!" Max said firmly, "I just have to find Nathan's room number, get inside, and get the clues I need." "Max please let me help!" Kate said, "I can get his dorm number and text it to you OK?" "Of course Kate!" Max said, "I can't do this without you." Kate said, "Now Nathan needs to watch out for us…" Max smiled and said after a bit, "Well I have to get back to our mission. You don't know how much it means for me to see you again." "I do," said Kate, "That's why I love you Max. Thanks for taking care of my bunny. Tell Snowball I'll see her soon." Max smiled and they gave each other a hug before Max began leaving. Just as she left, Kate said, "Oh, and Max?" Max turned, "Yes Kate?" Kate smiled and said after a bit, "I want you to know I believe in miracles again." Max smiled warmly and they said their goodbyes. Chloe stood up when she came out. "So how is she?" Chloe asked. "She's still Kate Marsh," said Max, "Thank God." "I'm glad we came to see her," said Chloe, "Now let's go pay a visit to Nathan Prescott! That little jerk isn't going to be happy when he sees us." Max frowned and they left the hospital.
Blackwell Commons was full of people. The air was warm, but not hot, and everywhere you looked there were people doing things. Mr. Jefferson talking to Principal Wells on one side, a few of the football players tossing a ball around on the other. Brooke was flying her RC helicopter around, and Daniel was sitting against a tree sketching the birds. Max and Chloe entered the Commons just as Mr. Jefferson finished talking to the principal. Mr. Jefferson smiled when he saw her, "Max," he said, "How are you doing?" Max replied, "Oh, hi Mr. Jefferson. I'm OK. This is my friend Chloe." Chloe nodded, and waved. "Chloe," said Mr. Jefferson, "Now why isn't somebody as cool as you going to Blackwell?" Chloe shook her head, "I was way too cool for this school," she said, "It's a long story…in actual files here." "I can imagine," said Mr. Jefferson. He sighed and said, "Max, this is going to be your last chance to give me a picture for the contest. If you don't have one for me in a few hours I'll have to omit you. I'm announcing the winner of the contest at the Vortex Club party tonight. Do you have a photo?" Max shook her head solemnly. "No Mr. Jefferson," she said, "There's been so much going on in my life I haven't had the time. I'm really sorry but I guess you'll have to skip me." Mr. Jefferson looked extremely disappointed. "I understand Max," he said, "Though I would've loved for you to have been able to represent Blackwell at San Francisco. I understand your reasons. You can't force an artist to work." Max replied, "I feel like a total loser but it's been a really hard week to focus. No pun intended." Mr. Jefferson nodded, "I'm proud of you for caring so much about a troubled friend," he said. "I take hope in the fact that you have plenty of time to refine your skill. Just get in the habit of putting your work out there." Max smiled, "Thanks Mr. Jefferson," she said, "I'll definitely be there tonight." "Me too," said Chloe, "You have to dance with us at least once." Max rolled her eyes. Mr. Jefferson laughed, "Nobody should have to see me dance!" he said, "It's no fun for the old hipster to try and keep up with the kids. I do have my pride. Be seeing you." Max shook her head. "Can't wait for the party…" said Chloe. Max rolled her eyes, and they entered the boy's dorms. "It's so lame they don't have co-ed dorms here," said Chloe. "Yes," said Max, "Because I want Nathan Prescott next door to me…" "Good point," Chloe responded. Chloe was about to follow Max, but Max stopped her at the door and said, "Wait here. Give me the signal if anybody shows up. Especially Nathan." "I won't let you down Spider-Max!" Chloe said as she began carefully looking out the window. Max carefully walked over to the door and texted Kate, "Hey Kate. I need Nathan's room number stat!" After only fifteen seconds Kate sent her reply, "111. Be careful!" Max let out a sigh of relief, and texted back, "Kate you are awesome! Thank u." "I love you bring out the rebel in me." Kate texted. "And please be carefully again. Please!" Max responded, "Of course! I'll keep you posted." She pocketed her phone and ran down the hallway. Nathan's room was at the far end. Max cringed at his slate which read, "The Prescott's RULE this town!" Max frowned and tried the door. Locked. She looked around and saw a fire extinguisher. She snatched it up and began bringing it down hard on the doorknob. The door inside was a dark and strange place. The décor was all modern style, and there were strange band posters on the wall, Max recognizing several bands that she knew were thoroughly Satanic. The art on the wall, if it could be called that, was all dark and shadowy looking. She began looking around for Nathan's cell phone. She opened a drawer to see a picture of Chloe, sprawled out on the floor unconscious. She put a hand to her mouth and said softly to herself, "Chloe…Oh Chloe…" She put the picture back in the drawer. She looked on the ground to see prescription pills on the ground. Some were antidepressants, others were used to treat more than one mental disorder. She looked in horror to see that the pills were right next to bottles of hard liquor, which was strictly prohibited on school grounds. She looked to see his computer. She clicked. Not password protected. She saw an e-mail pop up. It was Nathan writing Victoria a disturbing e-mail. He talked about wanting to match her outfit, and he also talked about bringing some serious "pah-ty" favors, which Max figured were drugs, especially going by his next point. Nathan told Victoria that he had even told his dad to keep Blackwell security away from the party so they could "Get rekt" without anybody knowing. Max was horrified. She saw another e-mail that Sean, Nathan's father, had sent to him. Nathan's dad, in short, was telling his son to quit being an out-of-control idiot while Pan Estates was being developed. She didn't find anything else. Looking over at Nathan's massive DVD and video game shelf, she noticed all of them had a dark pattern. All of the video games were filled with death and demons, and the films weren't much better, almost all rated R, and a few ones rated NC-17. Above the shelf were framed pictures of skulls. She looked over at his couch and saw scuff marks on the ground. At first she thought that they were marks from somebody being dragged, but then realized that it was a pattern from the couch being moved quite frequently. She pulled the couch to see a pocket on the back. Inside was Nathan's phone. Before she exited, she saw a diploma that had been signed by Sean Prescott several years ago. It was a diploma for being the "Best Son in the World," and was dated, "6 of June 2006." Max brushed the date off until she realized with horror that the date was 6/6/6. She gasped. Either it was a freak coincidence or it had been planned. Max was disturbed by all of the dark and evil things in Nathan's room. She quickly left the room and went back to Chloe, "Oh!" she said, "Max, you're here. I was getting worried. What'd you find?" Max shook her head, "His room was clean and creepy," she said before lifting up Nathan's phone. "Check this out!" Max said. Suddenly the door opened. It was Nathan.