The room felt wrong. Once again Max woke up covered in cold sweat. When she tried to sit up in her rumpled bed she discovered that she couldn't move. It was like som invisible force pushed her heavily down into the mattress, cold claw like hands clamping down on her arms and legs, fixating her in place. Her head felt like it was nailed in place against the cushion. In the corner of her eye she discerned a sudden movement. A shadowy figure stood watching her, not more than five paces away, yet the figure was no more than a hazy silhouette. It was slender, almost like a child, but taller. Though the scene shouldn't arouse terror in anyone, Max felt her breathing pick up speed as the panic slowly crept from her stomach and out over her rigid body and limbs. Was there really someone else in the room with her, or was her tired mind just playing tricks? Max steeled herself and tried to focus on the dark shape in the corner, which was hard when she couldn't move her neck, but the more she focused on it, the less distinct it became. It was almost as if it became sharper when she let it linger in her peripheral vision.
Max started to relax. She had heard of this phenomenon; it was called sleep paralysis. It could be terrifying not being able to move, and it wasn't unusual that it was accompanied by scary hallucinations, but she just had to wait this out and it would pass. Sometime it took seconds, sometimes minutes, but never longer than that. Max turned her eyes away from the shadow and stared up at the ceiling, still fighting with feelings of heavy discomfort. Slowly, slowly they started to ease.

Then she heard something. It was faint, but unmistakably. A step.

And another one.

And another.

Chills ran up and down her spine as Max desperately tried to turn against the sound, and out of the shadows something came. Her heart almost stopped. It was a human form; it was Max herself, or rather a spitting image of her, stumbling closer over the darkened floor. Stark naked, skin pale as the belly of a fish, the hair plastered against the skull like if the head was drenched in sludge. From empty eye sockets seeped dark putrid fluid down over the cheeks and dripped down on the chest, and between her breasts was a gaping hole. Max could see crude cuts into the flesh around the deep pit of a wound, hints of splintered bone glinted down below in the darker flesh. The heart was missing. Max tried to get away, to scream for help, to do anything. But she was still held firmly in the grip of paralyse.

The pale nightmarish Max towered over her where she lay in bed, still paralysed, the dark unseeing eye-holes bored down at her as the creature that also was Max bowed down over her and closed its icy fingers around Max's shoulders. Then it slowly and with visible effort gaped the mouth wide open, displaying rows upon rows of murky teeth. Up from the darkness of its throat welled a damp and uncompromising stench like from the grave. The creature coughed, a wet squelching sound from deep within. Then it screamed. Max joined in.

The door banged open and the dorm room was suddenly filled with light. Someone rushed to her bedside and began to shake her.

"Max! Max, whats the matter?"

The spell was broken. Max could move again, and the nightmarish apparition that seconds ago had stood hunkered over her was gone. With a heaving sob Max sat up in bed and grabbed at the person at her side. It didn't matter who it was; it was a real, warm, living person. A person who didn't smell like death. She needed to be close to someone real or else she was sure that she would go insane.
A nightmare. It had just been a nightmare, another damn nightmare, but still, just a nightmare.

Max held and was held for what seemed like a long time, until she was no longer sobbing uncontrollably and the tears had stopped flowing. With a deep breath Max released the embrace and opened her eyes. She saw a delicate blue silk fabric, where tears and snot had formed a big ugly stain. Max looked up and whispered. "Victoria?"

Victoria looked down at her with an unreadable expression, but she didn't utter a sound.

"I'm sorry, Vee," Max continued with a small voice, "I think I've ruined your pyjama."

"Yeah, well, don't worry about it, I've got some spares." Victoria said and then sighed. "But what the fuck happened in here? You screamed like an animal brought to slaughter. Scared the living bejesus out of me."

"I… I think I had a nightmare."

"You think?" Victoria shot her an annoyed look. "It must have been the mother of all nightmares the way you sounded. I thought you were being murdered, at the very least."

Victoria rose from the bedside and picked up something from the floor on her way to the open door. It was an alarm clock, a stylish, heavy, square piece of metal. A cord that seemed to be ripped at the socket dangled from it. It looked kind of limp and sad. Victoria glanced down at it then back at Max with a furrowed brow.

"If you are okay now I think I want to go back to sleep. Busy day tomorrow and yada yada."

Max stared at the very out of place time piece in Victoria's hand.

"Um, why..?" She began.

"Well," Victoria said and almost seemed a bit embarrassed, "As I said, I though you were being assaulted, and I didn't want to barge in here unarmed, so I grabbed the first thing I saw," She waggled the ragged end of the electric cable back and forth, "The joke's on me I guess."

"Oh, Vee," Max said, "I'll buy you a new one of course, I promise."

Victoria scoffed and shook her head.

"Don't bother. This is a German vintage model, they don't make them any more. And I can probably have it fixed. But, there is one thing you can do for me, Maxine."

"Sure, name it and I'll do it."

"The next time you have a nightmare, put a sock in it, will you?"

Victoria walked out and had almost closed the door behind her when she popped her head back in again.

"And by the way, Max, you really should air out this room and scrounge up a Febreeze or something. It stinks like hell in here."

The door closed and Max lay back down on the bed in darkness. Strangely enough she didn't feel scared any more. Whatever had happened here, whatever had visited her, in her dreams or in reality or whatever, had been chased away by the mere presence of Victoria. She felt like it was a lesson to be learned there somewhere, and was a great comfort having Victoria close, just on the other side of the corridor. Max pulled up the blanket around her and turned her back to the room. Soon she was snoring calmly.

Down on the school parking lot, Chloe stood leaning against her trusted old truck, a cigarette in her hand and blowing smoke into the wind like a chimney. Her face broke up in a grin when Max came walking. She waved her cigarette.

"Ohoy there, matey. Ready to do battle?"

Max felt her heart throb at the sight of the unruly bluenette at her rusty old truck. Of course she had parked over no less than three parking spaces. Yeah. Luckily there wasn't that many cars here this Sunday morning. She waved back at Chloe as she jumped down the short stairs from the Blackwell grounds to the tarmac of the parking and skipped up to the truck with a big smile on her face.

"No battle, Chloe, it's just a picnic. No need to fight the man today."

"Yeah? If you say so." Chloe gave her a warm smile in return. "Then let's go picnic the shit out of this, um, picnic."

Max gave her a worried look. "Chloe…"

Chloe crossed her arms and poked out her tongue at Max in an impish grin.

"I know, I know, that's just who I am. Either I do something, or I don't. There is no in-between."

Max nodded to that because, yeah, she knew that already.

Chloe wiggle her eyes to her, "Will that cutie pie be there by the way? Katie?" Then she turned and walked round the trucks large hood to climb in at the drivers seat.

Max rolled her eyes behind Chloe's back. Was she aiming to make Max jealous or what? Probably not. Which, in a way, was even worse. Max climbed in on the passenger side and slammed the door shut, while Chloe turned the ignition. The truck gave off a coughing noice, then died. Chloe slammed the steering wheel in irritation.

"Oh, what the fuck."

Max looked at her.

"Problems?"

Chloe pulled the choke and started to pump the pedal.

"No problems. So. About Katie…"

"Kate. Yes you know she will as she is the one organising this. And that means no alcohol or drugs, Chloe. Kate is very serious about stuff like that."

"Boo."

Chloe threw the cigarette stump out the window and tried the ignition once more, mumbling under her breath.

"Yeah, Rach mentioned that, so I have a backup plan."

"Good." Max said, relieved, "That reminds me, I need to stop by the store to get something to eat and drink, myself. Never got around to it yesterday."

The truck rattled to life, its engine rumbled violently as Chloe gave it more gas. Soon the world around them were hidden by a cloud of dirty smoke. They started to roll while Chloe grinned and gave her a look.

"Nope, you don't, I have it all taken care of. Well, mom took care of it. She was really happy I could join you on this excursion I think."

"You told Joyce about the picnic? Not that you shouldn't have, I mean, it just a bit out of character."

"Well, I didn't. It was Rachel who spilled the beans, the little snitch. Maybe that was good or else we would had just beer for picnic today. And that would've been awkward."

"Yay for Rachel. How is she by the way? Won't she come?"

"We'll pick her up on the way. She has moved her stuff to the crows nest. Looks like she will be staying there from now on."

"The crows nest? What's that?"

"It's a place at an old junkyard just north of town. Our special hideaway so to speak."

"Oh, that, I know it," Max said, before she realised that was not in this reality. She cursed herself silently.

"You do?" Chloe gave her a surprised glance. "How come?"

"Well, I know about it, I mean. I think you told me earlier."

"I did?" Chloe looked a bit confused. "Can't remember that. Maybe I should cut down on the weed, makes my brain murky it seems."

Max decided to change the subject.

"What happened yesterday? Did Rachel have a fight with her parents?"

Chloe laughed out loud, though definitely not a friendly, happy laugh.

"Oh, big time, baby. The jerks have frozen her bank account, because they are afraid she will run away. And, I kid you not, they have taken her driver license too. That only makes her even more hellbent on getting the fuck away from this miserable town. So, not a smart move on their behalf, all in all."

"They really did that?" Max said, and Chloe shook her head in dismay.

"Yeah, what a total a dick move, huh? Something David could pull off for sure, it I had any money in the bank, but Rachel was really taken by surprise."

"So that's what the big fight was about then."

"Yup. It's her father mostly I think. Mr high horses district attorney; once an asshole, always an asshole. Rose is pretty chill, once you crack that that polished shell of hers. Though I don't think she really like me very much either."

That was not fair. Chloe was an honest and lovable person. Just because she looked and acted different, or, well, trashy, some might say, people tended to depreciate her. Which was just so wrong. Max felt anger bubble up inside her.

"Then they don't know you. I bet they blame you for all Rachels troubles too, right?"

"They sure do, aaaand not entirely without grounds." Chloe snickered, a mischievous grin spread over her face. She looked so much like the Chloe Max remembered from days of old, though the source of Chloe's affection was new. Max felt an icy hand grasp around her heart. She answered, with maybe a little more heat than she had intended, just to counter that chill.

"It's not your fault, Chloe. Rachel is a big girl, she can rebel against her parents all on her own. You are probably just another way for her to rebel against them."

Chloe looked hurt.

"Is that what you think? Really, Max? You don't know shit about us."

Max instantly regretted taking it too far. It was her own jealousy that had spoken, no doubt about it, but she couldn't really tell Chloe that. Not now, not yet. Not… ever?

"Chloe, I didn't mean…"

"We are this close, Max." Chloe put her hand with two finger crossed right in front of Max's nose, which made her flinch, "And have been ever since we met five years ago."

Chloe gave her another glance, her stare stung like a pair of needles.

"So, where were you five years ago, huh? When my life was totally fucked over?"

Max opened her mouth to retort, or rather to explain, but she couldn't find words. Not good words, not bad words, not any words. In the uncomfortable silence that ensued, only the low rumbling from the old battered truck's engine and the creaking of the springs in the ragged seat was heard. Chloe gave her an icy look, but her cheeks were flaming. Then she turned her gaze back on the road and muttered:

"Yeah, that's right, Maxine. You shut the fuck up."

Max turned her head and stared out on the endless parade of firs and pines that passed by outside the car window, and shut the fuck up.

When they finally pulled up at the junkyard, Chloe let out a long sigh.

"Good-ole American Rust. You won't believe how many hours I've spent here. It's almost more home than home."

The junkyard looked very much like Max remembered it from before, with the rusty dead bodies of cars piled up everywhere, and all kinds of debris and trash, big and small, tucked in between them and strewn about. Bushes and to Max unknown plants and flowers sprouted and grew in an un-orderly fashion everywhere. Though it was literally just a big dumping ground, the place definitely had its strange charm.

Chloe pulled the parking brake with a loud creaking noise and jumped out of the truck. She started to walk, but stopped and turned when Max didn't make a move from the passenger seat. Chloe tilted her head and gestured at her to follow.

"Come on, mad Max, get out from there and I'll show you the nest. It's pretty awesome, if I may say so."

Max obeyed, albeit slowly. As they started to walk between piles of litter Chloe put her long tattooed arm over Max's shoulders.

"I can't believe I have to explain everything to you, Max, but you do know I'm happy that you are back, right? In spite of years past. I promise I'll never mention that again." Chloe held out her left fist to Max. "Cool?"

Max looked up at her tall friend while she wiped away the last tear from the corner of her eye. She hated that she had been crying; she really didn't want Chloe to feel pity for her. Chloe had every right to be angry, for many reasons. But still, it would be nice to not have to talk about those five years anymore, at least not to get into fights over it. Max touched Chloe's outstretched fist lightly with her own.

"Cool," She said, almost in a whisper.

They walked past the old Ford Deluxe where Chloe had shot herself by aiming at the bumper. It made Max stomach churn. What if Chloe did something stupid like that again? Or got herself stuck on the railroad track? Or what else death defying stunts Chloe could come up with just for the fuck of it? Max wouldn't be able to rewind time and save her then. But again, all the times Max had rewound time hadn't helped her in the long run anyway. Chloe had still ended up dead. Rachel too. One could wonder why this latest timeline would end up any different.

Max felt a hand ruffle around in her hair.

"Hey dude, cheer up now and I'll show you something really cool."

Chloe grabbed Max playfully by the shoulders and started to push her towards the little shack at the end of the junkyard. In the sunshine outside, on a big slab of concrete, Rachel sat smoking a cigarette. The rays of the rising fall sun made her hair look like it was made of spun gold, creating a warm halo around her head. Coupled with her thoughtful beautifully sculpted face, she really looked like a goddess thrown down to earth. Max suddenly, on a bodily level, understood why everyone adored Rachel. Rachel raised her hand lazily and waved when they approached.

Chloe let go of Max and waved back, her fingers in a sign-of-the-horns gesture.

"Yo, Rach, you ready to roll?"

"In a minute. Do you have the stuff?"

"Of course. I just want to show Max around first, as she hasn't been here before."

"Sure. I'm ready when you are." Rachel moved her gaze from the horizon and looked straight at Max. "Hello Max, by the way. Are you all right? You look tired."

"Um, yeah, I have these nightmares…" Max began but halted when she didn't know how much to say. The lesser the better, probably.

"Tell me about it." Rachel scoffed and flung a bit of ash into a nearby shrub, "My whole life is a nightmare right now. As you may have heard."

"Yes, I heard what your parents did. I'm really sorry, Rachel."

"Well, not as sorry as they will be. Just waiting for the right moment, then I'm outa here, for good."

"But they've got all your money?"

Rachel gave her a grim smile and shook her head.

"Not all. I still have some cash, and I can get more. There are ways."

Max was about to ask what ways when Chloe stuck out her head from the door behind them.

"Hey Max, come on in. We don't have all day."

The little house was almost exactly as Max remembered it, except there was no goodbye letter from Rachel to Chloe in the trashcan. Chloe threw herself down on the old car seat that served as the room's main seating and stretched out her long jeans clad legs. She switched on the little yellow battery radio that stood on the floor just beside her and rowdy music begun to play. Max had no idea what group or song it was.

"Welcome to the nest." Chloe said and splayed her arms around the little room. "So, what d'ya think?"

Max smiled.

"It's awesome, just the kind of place we dreamed of as kids."

Chloe beamed back and nodded. Then she started to dig in one of her front pockets. Chloe produced a stubby marker pen and threw it to Max, who just barely caught it with both hands.

"Okay, Max, there will be plenty of time for you to hang out with us here," Chloe said and winked at her, "but there's one thing I want you to do before we leave."

Max had a hunch what it was all about. Unable to talk, she thumbed at the rough concrete wall behind her back and raised her eyebrows at Chloe.

"Correct!" Chloe laughed and wiggled her gangly legs, "Add your name to the list and you are official crew."

Max turned and uncorked the pen. The strong scent from the tip almost made her a bit light-headed. On the wall stood:

Chloe was here

Rachel was here

She put the pen to the wall and scribbled underneath;

Max was here