A/N: This is the final chapter of 'Enter the Storm'! I can't believe we've reached this milestone. It has been such an adventure writing this baby. The plot diverted from what I originally planned and I couldn't be happier. It was a joy writing for you all. I wouldn't have gotten this far had it not been for all the encouraging comments. The response I got was amazing.
This is also by far, the LONGEST chapter I've ever written. Whoooweee a whole 3.9k words. I'm tired but pretty happy.
If you guys are still interested in what'll happen in the future, I will be writing a sequel to this fic. So in case y'all think 'blood must have blood' (clexa anyone?) for a certain scene then the sequel will be there to really tie up everything. There also may be an epilogue for this fic depending on how I feel/how busy I am.
Feel free to yell at me in the comments. I know there'll be one scene where y'all will flip #Rachelrage.
Blackwell hadn't really changed after the incident within the darkroom. The sea of bodies rushed around her. The rumours were starting to fly already. Even though Chloe and Rachel were anonymous on the news, she could hear the whispers.
It wasn't that hard to figure out. Both girls came back to school at the same time with injuries. That was bound to raise a red flag somewhere. Chloe's blackeye was evident, it contrasted sharply on her pale skin. The bandage that covered the wound on her cheekbone was gone, instead the wound was exposed to ear. The dried blood that protected the wound was rough and jagged. Needless to say, she turned a few heads for the past couple of days.
Strangely, Chloe felt more powerful. Her injuries made her look tougher. Whenever someone met her gaze they'd immediately look away.
Rachel was doing slightly better, the bruise on her cheek was starting to yellow and fade. However, she walked with a slight limp. Both Chloe and Rachel were a sight for sore eyes but at least they were happy. Or as close as to happy before the inevitable storm.
No teachers bothered them. They already knew what happened. Talk of Rachel and Chloe had spread fast.
Chloe walked into the science lab. Rachel sat in their shared lab bench, she smiled softly as Chloe approached. Soon Ms. Grant entered and the lesson started.
Halfway into the class, the teacher's voice started to grow softer until it was but a whisper. The class started to dim as well. She tried to focus but her consciousness was failing her. The class gradually blurred and darkened until everything went dark.
When she next opened her eyes, she was greeted to the site of the Two Whales burning amongst the storm. The wind whipped at her face while the sky stayed dark and grey. A flurry of rain and wet snow pelted her. She shivered in the cold. Around her was sheer chaos.
The buildings and house surrounding her were reduced to rubble. The powerlines had broken, the broken wires gave off sparks. The roads were no longer clear, cars either crashed against one another or were broken by the debris. The rubble had managed to block the roads. Despite the rain pouring on the town, the buildings were still engulfed in a fire that continued to grow.
The people of Arcadia Bay were arguably in a worse state of disarray than the actual town. Chloe saw a mother crushed by rubble while her son tried to pull her out. But it was all in vain, his mother didn't move. Bodies were littering the streets, she couldn't even tell them apart. Some were electrocuted by the powerlines, others had been set on fire while the remainder were in the process of dying. There were more people dead than dying.
The people who managed to get away with minor injuries stumbled, lost in the chaos. The roads were blocked, the cars no longer functioned. No one could outrun the storm. No one escaped.
She often joked about Arcadia being a living hell. But now, the joke became a reality.
In the distance, the storm raged on. The massive tornado continued to spin as it drew in anything surrounding it. The tornado ripped apart homes and buildings as it edged closer towards the town.
It was as if time were repeating itself.
It was a different timeline. At least that's what she told herself. In the destruction, her thoughts spun. Where was Rachel? Where was William and Joyce? Were they safe? Did she at least warn her loved ones in time? Were they stuck in the storm?
Where was Max?
She knew the storm was inevitable. The signs were all pointing to the storm. But she never knew when it would happen.
Chloe ran toward a car-repair shop, half of the building had already been destroyed. She took shelter for a moment, at least it provided cover from the rain and wind. Quickly, she pulled out her phone.
Her heart stopped when she saw the date. The storm was going to happen in a few hours.
She knew nothing could be done inside this building. But there was still a chance that her friends and family were caught in the storm. She had to at least try and look for them. Maybe she'd make a difference.
Chloe ran out of the building, her eyes scanned the debris as she ran through the town. But she recognized no one. It was almost barren. But she couldn't dwell on these thoughts. From a distance, she heard the scrape of metal against concrete. The sound was getting louder and louder. She turned around only to see a school bus hurtle towards her.
Her muscles tensed, she shielded her face and tried to prepare for the impact. But it never came.
Chloe shot up from her seat with a gasp. The vision had felt real, she could feel the beat of her heart as she looked around the room. Everything was fine. There was no destruction. Not yet at least.
Her head started to pound with a sharp pain. Chloe clutched her head but the pain became near excruciating. A hand started to rub her back in soothing circles. The air no longer smelled like smoke instead it smelled slightly of jasmine. Beside her she saw the concern on Rachel's face. But Chloe didn't have the strength to brush off the worry. She didn't have the strength to speak. It was as if the vision took her strength as it faded.
Distantly she heard Rachel speak. "I don't think she's feeling well, Ms. Grant. I'll take her to the office."
Chloe could feel the eyes on her, but she couldn't find it in her to care. Instead she just leant on Rachel as they walked to wherever the other girl dragged her. Chloe's vision blurred and she felt the slight trickle of blood down her nose.
In the bleariness of her conscious, she recognised they were heading to the washroom. The inside appeared almost blue. When they entered the washroom, Chloe stumbled towards a wall and slid down, her back rested against the wall. Her mind was slowly clearing.
Rachel sat down on the floor beside her, a roll of toilet paper in her hand. Carefully, Rachel turned Chloe's head towards her and dabbed at the blood. "What happened?"
Chloe's voice was hoarse "The storm is happening today. It'll start in a couple of hours."
"A-are you sure?"
"Rachel I saw it… Hell I don't even know where you went.
Rachel's eyes widened "Fuck. We barely have any time."
"You need to get out of here quickly. Warn as many people as you can. Once the storm starts all hell will break loose." Chloe ran a hand in her hair out of frustration.
Chloe got up from the floor, her footsteps were shaky as she got to the door. Her hand outstretched to Rachel "It's time." Rachel took her hand, the tight grip almost made Chloe believe that anything was possible.
They made their way to Chloe's truck. For a moment, Chloe didn't know where to go. There were so many places. So many people that had to know. Eventually, she decided to go to the Two Whales. It was the closest thing and her mother was bound to be there. The sooner her mom got out the better. With Rachel in tow, they sped off into the heart of Arcadia.
Outside, the blue of the sky stayed hidden behind a growing number of clouds. But that's not what caught her eye. The sun's light suddenly went dim. In the sky, the sun seemed to get smaller. No… The sun hadn't gotten smaller. The sun was being covered by the moon. An eclipse was happening.
The wind seemed to pick up as more clouds darkened the sky. Chloe practically ran into the restaurant, Rachel trailing behind her. Inside the Two Whales, people seemed to catch site of the eclipse. No one expected it. It was never forecasted on the news.
Behind the counter, Joyce was pouring a cup of coffee. Her mother looked up, a small smile lit up her face "Fancy seeing you two here. Take a seat honey, I'll be with you shortly."
Joyce turned away and went towards the back of the diner. Before she could walk away, Chloe caught her mom's wrist from across the counter "Mom there's no time. There's going to be a storm coming and it's bad. It doesn't matter where you take shelter. It'll rip through every single building in here. You need to get out of Arcadia Bay" Chloe's voice was desperate.
Joyce studied her for a moment, a frown on her face. "Chloe if this is a joke it's not funny."
"I'm not joking. Please Mom. I saw it happen. I dreamt about it." Chloe's voice got softer "Just like how I dreamt about the Jefferson incident."
"I know you want to get out of Arcadia but we will when we have the money. We've talked about this."
"It's different this time! You and Dad need to get out of here. Everyone in this town is in danger. Please. I'm not joking. I can't lose you guys too."
"What about you?"
"I have to stay here. Someone has to warn the people in town."
Her mother looked at her, it almost resembled pity. "Chloe… they're not going to believe you."
"I still have to try. Please just take Dad with you and head out."
"You expect me to just leave you here while a storm goes on. Come with us."
"I… can't. Please believe me. I'll be fine—"
Thunder rumbled distantly. The sound seemed to penetrate her thoughts. All too soon, the sky was a familiar dark grey. It was happening soon.
"Mom, it's already happening. Please I need you to leave immediately. Warn Dad and go somewhere far away until the storm clears up. Your lives are in danger."
"I'm not leaving you."
"Trust me." Chloe's tone bore no argument. With that, she quickly walked out with Rachel trailing behind her. The rain was already a steady drizzle.
People ran down the streets already rushing for cover. The closest person made to run past her when she tapped his shoulder. He was a short and slim man with a closely cropped beard. Chloe recognized him as a local fisherman.
"Sir, there's a storm coming and it's dangerous. You need to get out of here. Warn anyone you can." Chloe's voice was desperate but he only shook his head.
"It's only a slight drizzle right now. If anything, I think if we just wait it out it'll be fine. Plus, if there was a storm about to happen, the news would have issued a warning or something. If anything, the only thing dangerous is the recent crime." His tone was gruff.
With that, the fisherman walked away as if nothing happened.
It was a repetitive cycle that led nowhere. It didn't matter how many people they warned, no one would listen. So far, people would either stare at them or walk away faster. It pissed her off. Apparently, no one seemed to value their lives… Then again, 2 teenagers walking in the rain and telling people that a tornado was going to tear through the whole town may not have seemed quite believable.
The rain was already a drizzle, the wind was starting to pick up. A chill ran down her spine at the temperature starting to drop, the cold ached in her bones. It would be here soon. The day had already turned dark and grey.
Chloe turned to Rachel but the other girl seemed to already know. Rachel's clothes were already soaked through and Chloe's own attire wasn't far off. Her black jacket didn't stop her shirt from getting wet, her jeans clung to her legs while her blue hair ended up a dark blue that clung to her forehead. Hazel met teal and in that moment Chloe understood.
"Rachel, you need to get out of here."
The sadness in Rachel's eyes quickly replaced by stubborn anger "I'm not leaving you Chloe. Just come with me. We've already tried to warn everyone and it's hopeless. Look around you." Rachel gestured to empty town that was bathed cold rain "No one listened. They're still treating this as if it's some heavy rain."
Chloe broke the gaze "I know but the storm is getting worse. Please you need to get out of here. Hitch a ride with my Mom. I need you to be safe."
"And tell her what? 'I'm sorry Joyce but your daughter asked me to just leave her in the middle of a tornado'?"
Chloe's grew frustrated with the truth but she had to keep calm. She took a deep breath and exhaled. "Please just trust me. I'll be fine."
"How do you even know you're going to be fine? Chloe the storm is massive."
"Because I saw it in a vision. I'll be alright. I'll survive." The words were said with a strong conviction. A conviction that Chloe wished was real.
It was all a lie. Chloe didn't know what her fate would be. Hell, Max didn't even know. For all Chloe knew, the tornado could have ripped her apart along with everyone in the town. But right now, that didn't matter, Rachel had to survive. One lie became the difference between life and death.
Rachel's gaze flitted back and forth between teal eyes. Her eyes filled with tears, her words came out choked and desperate "What if I never see you again?". It was said in a broken whisper. Rachel's true emotions were starting to come out.
Chloe felt tears prickle in her eyes but she wouldn't cry. She had to be strong. Chloe grasped Rachel's shoulders and looked her in the eye. The false strength in her voice even seemed believable to herself. "You will. I'll make sure of it." Even if it was a lie, she'd make it a reality. The future ahead was different but who said she couldn't change it? Chloe would survive. She'd see Max again.
Rachel took a staggered breath and closed her eyes. When Rachel next opened her eyes, the determination within them shocked Chloe. Her hazel eyes carried a newfound strength. But there was no time to dwell on this. Rachel didn't give her enough time before the other girl's hands grasped her black jacket's collar and pulled her down.
Suddenly she felt the press of soft lips against hers. Rachel was kissing her. It lasted as quick as it came, Chloe gently pushed Rachel away, she needed to think. Her thoughts raced from the shock of it all.
Before Chloe could gather her thoughts, Rachel spoke "Come back to me." With that, Rachel turned away and ran towards the Two Whales. Her form seemed to vanish in the torrential rain.
In the past, the very action would have sent her heart aflutter, Chloe would have even felt elation that her feelings were returned. But right now, the kiss felt wrong. Shame clawed at her throat. A feeling of dread coiled low in her gut. A sense of sadness overtook her. Even if she wanted to return Rachel's feelings, she couldn't. Rachel wasn't Max.
The girl she wanted was waiting for her where everything began. Max was at the lighthouse. She couldn't explain how she knew. Chloe just knew deep in her heart.
Thunder crack sharply above. The sky had already turned a dark grey. In the dim light, the town had already looked a bleak grey. The rain continued to pour as the wind started to pick up. Atop the cliff, the ray of light from the lighthouse seemed to shine brighter.
She was soaked to the bone, her clothes weighed down on her as if she were dunked in a pool. Against the force of wind and rain, she struggled down the street towards her truck. With every step, water splashed and coated her legs. Eventually, she caught site of the outline of her truck.
Chloe was breathless by the time she made it inside the truck. For a small moment, she was just grateful for some form of shelter. Outside the storm continued to rage. The sound of rain pelting glass served as a reminder. Beneath her hands, the truck came to life and soon she was racing down the streets of the empty town.
Behind her the crash of a tree resounded even in the roar of the wind. In her rear-view mirror, she saw the tree crash into a powerline. The wooden post had fallen on the road, sharp tendrils of electricity grazed the water on the ground. The storm was already causing destruction.
Even in her truck, she felt resistance of the wind as she drove down the road. It was almost as if the storm tried to keep her in its destruction.
Soon the concrete street was replaced by a dirt path. The buildings of the town faded behind her as the forest came into view. The trees managed to provide her a small form of cover against the rain. As she got closer to the lighthouse, the rain seemed to lesson. She couldn't help the bit of relief she felt. But that moment was short lived when suddenly a tree fell onto the path.
The impact shook the ground beneath. Chloe exited the truck. The wind whipped at her face as the rain continued to pour down on her. Her arm went to cover her eyes from the water. Distantly, the figure of a deer came into view and leapt over the tree. When it landed, the deer stared at Chloe almost as if it beckoned Chloe to follow it. Chloe ran up the same path and jumped over the massive tree trunk that blocked the path.
The ground beneath her was soft and muddy, it almost engulfed her shoe with each step. But she had to push on. Her movements were heavy as she struggled against the elements. But with every step, the ray of light on the cliff seemed to grow brighter. By the time she reached the lighthouse, her legs ached with the exertion. The deer was no where to be found.
She looked out towards the town. The sea crashed against the cliff where she stood, the current seemed to shift and move as if it wanted to engulf whatever entered it. On the beach, the massive tornado began its decent onto Arcadia Bay. She saw the buildings rip apart, the destruction never ceased it only escalated.
Chloe averted her gaze from the storm. She could only hope that her parents and Rachel made it out alive. Hopefully they were some place far from Arcadia Bay.
But all her thoughts seemed to stop when she felt the soft thump of footsteps against the ground.
Chloe turned around sharply. In front of her, Max stood a short distance away. The other girl's clothes clung to her form. The rain turned her hair a dark brown that clung to her forehead. Amongst the chaos of the storm, the other girl's form looked small.
For a moment, they stood apart, just taking in each other's presence. Everything felt like a dream but it wasn't. This was their reality. They had a reality together. The thought alone was enough to bring tears to her eyes.
Chloe's thoughts seemed to cease as her feet carried her closer to Max. What started off as a dazed walk became a full-on run. Her arms wrapped around Max's form as she pulled the girl closer to her. Max melted into the embrace. The other girl's arms slid around her waist. They pulled each other closer as if the world would rip them apart once more.
"God please don't let this be a dream." The words were murmured against the shell of Max's ear.
"We're real." Max let out a breathy chuckle that came out a sob and shook her head against the crook of Chloe's neck. The very words spoke volumes. Time didn't matter anymore. They could spend as much time as they wanted and each second would be theirs. Every memory, every word was real. They could last forever.
For a moment, they just stood there hugging in the rain. Chloe barely even felt it. The only thing she felt was Max against her. The fact alone was surreal. The familiar warmth Max emanated, her scent, it was dizzying.
Max buried herself deeper as if to shield herself further from the rain. Chloe felt the little shudders that ran through the brunette. Max was crying. Chloe pulled away for a moment, her hand came to cup Max's cheek. Her thumb wiped away a stray tear that travelled down the other girl's cheek.
Max's eyes fluttered at the touch, in that moment everything felt peaceful in the chaos of the storm. In that instance, it was only Max and Chloe. The world seemed to fade away as Chloe felt herself enveloped in the calm Max seemed to carry with her. It was grounding.
When those eyes met her own, nothing else mattered. They seemed to trap her in an ocean that she wanted to drown in. It didn't matter for how long. Time wasn't a factor anymore.
Slowly, Chloe lowered her head down. Her mind blanked when she felt the familiar press of Max's lips. The kiss started out tentative but gradually deepened. It was a form of reassurance. It was as if Chloe needed to prove to herself that all this was real.
The Max in front of her wasn't some almost tangible form or an illusion created by a dream. The Max in front of her kissed her back and matched her fervor. The kiss tasted slightly of salt with the taste of tears. Her hand went up to cradle Max's head, her fingers threaded through brown hair. Together they ebbed and flowed naturally. As if the time apart didn't matter. What mattered was their time together.
Max moaned softly into the kiss. It sent a tingle of arousal through her. It was as if a switch flipped inside of Chloe, her tongue softly traced Max's lips. The other girl gasped softly, her lips parted. The world spun as Chloe's tongue glided against her own. The taste of Chloe, her scent, it all made Max's head spin. All she could feel was Chloe's warmth.
But air was a necessity. Chloe gently broke the kiss and laid her forehead against Max's own, her eyes still closed as they both panted. When Chloe opened her eyes, she caught Max staring at her lips, the other girls' blue eyes were glazed as a bright blush covered her cheeks.
Chloe couldn't help but chuckle at the redness, she felt heat creep up her face. The intensity of the kiss sent her heart aflutter. "Your face is red."
Max's eyes widened, she looked up and briefly met Chloe's eyes before she looked away. "S-shut up." The blush darkened.
Chloe smirked, there was something sweet about corrupting the innocent. "What is this? Your third kiss?"
"Chloe I swear to God-"
"It's alright. I wasn't complaining. I liked it."
The sky had already started to clear. The light of the sun slowly peeked out behind the clouds. The wind no longer howled, the rain no longer poured down on them. In that instance, they were just two teenagers in love, surrounded by the sounds of the forest. Ahead of them the tornado no longer tore through the town. It had already faded. For a moment, everything felt at peace.