Episode 10
The one that got away
"Ug I soo full" Max exclaimed as she let herself limply bellyflop onto the bed "Your mom's cooking is soo good," She said as she rolled over to see Chloe opening her window and helping herself to a cigarette. Chloe gave a little laugh, "Yeah she knows how to fill a hole alright," She propped herself against the window frame as she looked out the window. "I can't believe that pig Jefferson slipped away, But I guess he's gonna be on the run from now on. I hope he dies in a fucking gutter" Chloe's voice had nothing but venom in it. David had taken the liberty of telling the girls what Nathan had said in his statement while everyone was eating a stack of Joyce's pancakes. "At least Nathan is behind bars and Rachel can be finally be put to rest," Max said with an air of enthusiasm. "Just wish we got that fucker too, Woulda been one less thing to have to deal with this week, Gonna have enough on our plate as it is" She finished propping herself up and staring out the window.
" I hear ya" Chloe sighed as she took a final puff on her cigarette and flicked the stub into the gutter, closed the window and looked at Max. "So do you have a plan on how we're going to handle this storm mega Max" An air of inquiry in her voice. Max looked at Chloe while she pondered the question and then reached for her phone.
Max - Hey warren
Warren - hi its super Max
Warren - You and that other girl ok, News is all over the school, Your a hero.
Max - :/ Great so much for a low profile
Max - Might wanna add I dislocated Nathans shoulder then
Warren - BRUTAL
Warren - Nobody's gonna fuck with ya now
Max - Nobody did anyway
Max - Look I got sommin to tell you, But you won't believe it
Warren - Try me
Max - I'm not 100% but in the next day or two there's going to be an eclipse
Warren - might wanna re-check ya crystal ball, There's nothing on the web about it
Warren - Are you high
Max - Maybe, Chat to you later
Max put her phone back in her pocket and looked at Chloe, "Now we just gotta wait,", "What did you just do" Chloe looked at Max a little puzzled. "Oh you're gonna love this, I just told Warren a nerdy science friend of mine there's going to be an eclipse in the next day or two, He thinks I'm high" She snickered. "Oh god Max he's gonna shit a brick, I'd love to see the expression on his face when it happens" Chloe laughed clutching her sides. Max laughed at the thought then got off the bed and walked around Chloe's bedroom thinking to herself until she stopped in front of the wardrobe, He mind flitted back to when Chloe dared Max to kiss her and she felt herself go a little red. "Focus Max one thing at a time," She shook her head as she continued a rhythmic walk before stopping in front of Chloe. "I can't exactly go around telling everyone to run for the hills because a storm is coming," She said looking at her blue haired friend. Chloe shook her head with a grin "They would have you locked up in a padded cell in a crazy jacket" She wrapped her arms around herself mimicking a straight jacket. Max laughed "Like you would leave me in there," she said amused. "Hmm maybe for a few hours" Chloe replied looking at her with a mischievous Grin. Max let her mouth hang open in shock "your a monster" She shot back. Both girls doubled over laughing.
"Ok on a serious note, We just have to get as many people as we can away from the coast the day of the storm, If I can figure out when it's going to hit," Max said the last part with a frown. "But, shouldn't it be the same as before" Chloe replied looking at her slightly confused. Max thought for a moment and shook her head "Originally when I save you from...ya know, It happened day after day, Snow,eclipse,whales,moons,storm. But when I..." She trailed off as she turned away from her friend to hide her glazing eyes. "Hey it's ok Max," Chloe said jumping off her desk and wrapping her arms around her resting her head on hers. Max took a breath "In the reality, I came back from, The snow was a week late, So until I know the difference I can't be exact" She finished rubbing her forehead, "Damn this is confusing" She added.
"So we have to wait till the eclipse, well, in that case, we may as well go out somewhere common" Chloe waddled with Max still in her grip towards the door. "Sounds good," Max said as she wriggled free and made a dive for the door poking her tongue out at Chloe as she opened it and skirted outside. "Why you little" Chloe chuckled springing after her.
As the two girls got to the bottom of the stairs they heard David calling through to them, "Can I speak to you two," "Fuck," Chloe mumbled as her and Max walked into the dining room. David was stood at the table with a brown handled revolver on the table. Chloe and Max looked at each other then at the gun then to David. "We didn't do it," Chloe said innocently. "Not this time Chloe" Max thought to herself. David chuckled, "You're not in trouble" he sighed, "But after yesterday I," He glanced at Joyce, " We would like to at least know one of you can shoot straight," Chloe and Max looked at each other again, Max's eyes filled with a slight fear.
"I'm not going to force you, But both I and your mother would feel better, considering Jefferson is still on the loose" Max could hear a disdain in Davids' voice as he said the name. "Fuck you, Jefferson, Why didn't they catch you like last time," "You mean you're actually going to let me.." Chloe looked at Max, "Us shoot a gun" Chloe finished turning her gaze back to David. David looked at Chloe with a serious look "I won't be giving you one, But if you find yourself in a position where you have one and need to use it," He took a short breath, "You'll be prepared" The tone of his voice was stern. Picking up the gun he walked out to the back yard.
Chloe turned back to Max who was still was still frozen to the spot. "It's ok, nothing bad's gonna happen, Beside hella beats just driving around," She said with an excited tone as she gently guided Max with her out into the back Yard. David was already standing in the middle of the lawn facing a makeshift target in front of a couple of bags of builders sand. "Ok, you two ready," he said looking at them. Max looked up at Chloe and gripped her hand even tighter and then at David as both of them nodded. David went about explaining the correct way to hold a handgun about the safety and how aiming lower than you think is usually better due to the recoil. And to remember always aim low, "I hope you never have to, but it's better to wound than kill, You kids don't need a death on ya shoulders". With that David turned to face the target took aim and squeezed the trigger. BANG
A whole bunch of exposition, I figured Max would be a bit of a no compromises attitude by now after everything she's been through hence Nathan's little injury.
As usual, Comments and Critique welcome