I blinked the light out of my eyes. Bright as it was, it only lasted a few seconds. I shook my head as the light faded. What the hell was that?
"Someday, Dad'll get one of them newfangled computers." A hauntingly familiar voice spoke, making me freeze.
"Sorry Damon, I hope the flash didn't scare you." Another voice, even more hauntingly familiar.
No… way…
No, fucking, way!
Here I stood, in the Price Household, in front of William, and a fourteen year old Chloe. Chloe had her long strawberry blond hair down, wearing a long sleeved purple shirt with the words 'ARCADIA BAY OREGON' on the chest, grey jeans, and blue sneakers. William wore dark blue jeans, black flats, and plaid long sleeved collared shirt. His short hair was the same shade as Chloe's. And as I looked at myself, I paled even more.
I was 14 again. 19 years old, in my 14 year old body. I was shorter than Chloe at this point. I wore black jeans, which seem to be a consistent since I was 5, a plain white T-shirt with a solid black wolf head shape over the heart, my old digital watch, and a pair of black converse with white soles. I'm not quite sure when the cheery black and white theme turned to a gloomy black and red, but… It was nice being like this again. At least, it would have been if I wasn't panicking on the inside. And my hair! It was short and golden blonde again.
I just jumped back to 2008!
"This, is a keeper." William grinned at the photo as it cleared.
"Not until I see it first!" Chloe suddenly cried out, snatching the photo from him. "You know the rules Dad!" She reminded him. "Damon, tell him…" Chloe's happy smile fell as she turned to me. "Whoa, hey, you look totally pale." She told me.
"Well, paler." William piped in. Chloe ignored him.
"Are you ok?" She asked me in concern.
"Yeah, I'm alright." I spoke in my old mix of an English and American accent. Chloe and William seemed to accept the blatant lie.
"OK Chloe, thumbs up, or thumbs down?" William asked. I remember this… Chloe says she might allow it into the family album.
"Well, I just might allow this one into the family album." She said with a satisfied smirk. There we go…
"You're the boss." William grinned at his daughter.
"But not the cook? Things change Daddy." Chloe said with her own version of adorable cockiness.
"Yes, we can't expect your mother to come rushing home to cook for us slackers…" William responded with dry amusement. "Now, who wants to make crepes?" He asked, grinning.
"You mean pancakes." Chloe corrected him.
"You mean crumpets." I corrected her, earning a fake glare with a pout. I so want to smoosh her face with my hands right now… she looks so cute!
"In France, they call them Crepes." William told us. "And a good French chef needs his assistants." He smirked at us. "If you want breakfast."
"Crepes it is." I responded immediately. Never before have I been so grateful for a photographic memory…
"Oui!" Chloe agreed quickly. "I volunteer to crack the eggs!" She said cheerily, walking up to her father's side. I suddenly got an idea.
"Before that…" i said, picking up the Polaroid camera. "It's my turn to shoot." He said.
"Make me a star!" Chloe whooped, hugging her father's waist with one arm.
"Just make me look young." William quipped as he placed his hand on Chloe's shoulder. They both smiled as I took the photo. I'll consider that my trophy for a successful mission in time. As the photo printed, the reality of the situation truly hit me. Please don't comment on how it didn't earlier.
I just jumped back in time five fucking years, to the very day William died. In about 10 minutes, William is going to get a call from Joyce, requesting a ride from the supermarket. On his way there, William's going to be T-boned by a drunk trucker, and die. Meanwhile, Chloe and I are going to be rummaging around the house trying to find the old time capsule we buried when we were ten. I never let her know that I remembered the exact spot we buried it, and she never let on that she already knew I was leaving for England. Christ, this is heavy… But the implications…
I can save William.
Chloe can have her father back, she won't spiral into an abyss of depression, she'll be able to grow up with a father who loves her, she won't get into trouble with the law! However, what are the consequences that could come along? Joyce won't meet David, so where will he be? Will Chloe still meet Rachel and become friends with her? Will she be happy to see me after five years? Hell, what'll happen to me? Will I become what people call a 'Pommy Biker?' Will I still have the gloomy red and black colour scheme? Will I have the same relationship with Jenny and Mum? Will Mum even meet Genevieve? God, there are so many variables, but…
"So, how many eggs?"
"Mom says it depends."
"That is correct!"
"Oh, so now you're the chef?"
"Without your Mom around, yes."
"Please, Damon's a better cook than you!"
"I remember those steaks he made last month…"
"Daddy, you're drooling."
"Oops!"
Seeing Chloe and William smiling and laughing like this, with their playful banter and laughter, tossed all of my doubts aside. I'm giving this a try. If it things turn out worse because of this huge change to the timeline, then I'll find a way to deal with it. Right now, Chloe, like this, happy, is all I want. Say it's dark, selfish, or psychotic if you have to, but I honestly don't care if a couple of people get screwed for that. She's worth it.
With my mind made up, I began devising a plan to prevent William from using his car. Or maybe taking a differing route.
If my photographic memory is correct, which it usually is, William got the call from Joyce, found his keys under the hat on the coffee table. My eyes shifting, I saw that hat was still indeed there. Now to-
"Hi Honey." William greeted into the home phone. Fuck! "Just making a wonderful breakfast with CD." he told her. CD, William's old nickname for the two of us. "I didn't know you were going to get groceries. Of course I can pick you up! I'll be there in 20 minutes." he smiled into the phone. "I now have an excuse to get a mocha. Love you." he said as he hung up. "Sorry kids, gotta go pick up my Queen. She doth have a bag full of delicious grub for us to devour." he told us jokingly. I had to swallow a lump in my throat.
"You're ridiculous!" Chloe laughed.
"You'll be thankful for that someday." William shot back, still grinning. "Shit, where are my keys?" He asked as he searched his pockets.
"That's a dollar for the swear jar!" Chloe whooped.
"You mean your college fund!" William retorted. "Aha!" he said as he found them under the hat. Dammit, I thought he wouldn't find them if I didn't point them out. "I'm headed out. Try not to destroy the house." He told us, heading for the door. He stopped just outside of the kitchen. "And no CD Wine-tasting session." he warned, half serious.
"Daaaad!" Chloe whined. I couldn't resist.
"Her fault." I pointed in Chloe's direction.
"Damon!" She snapped at me, glaring. I grinned cheekily.
"Don't cause too much trouble." William told us with an amused smile. "Joyce is making her not-but-should-be world famous salmon surprise with chocolate cake for dessert." I will deny anyone who tells me I was drooling."You'll be here, right Damon?" He smiled that fatherly smile at me.
"Oh, he's never leaving me!" Chloe said happily. Chloe… Why did you say that? You know I'm leaving. I may not have known she knew back then, but…
"That makes all of us." William smiled at his daughter. God, William, must you twist the knife? I couldn't take it anymore. With the usual clench of my right fist, I rewound.
"I remember those steaks he made…"
"Daddy, you're drooling."
Good. Without wasting a single second, I carefully slipped away from their notice and grabbed the keys. I tried hiding them in the cereal box, because I didn't believe for a second that William would look there, but then he pulled out this little SpyTech thing that set of an alert on one of the key chains. So, I rewound again, and this time, I threw the keys out of the window. It was odd, looking out the window. There was nothing. Literally nothing, except this bright golden light. It was like the house was surrounded by an up close sunset. It seems this little photo-jump only allows me to roam within the confines of the photo. Or rather, a particular perimeter of where the photo was taken.
"Shit, where are my keys?"
"That's a dollar for the swear jar!"
"You mean your college fund!"
"Chloe's going to college?"
"Damon!"
"Yes, she's going to college." William smiled at me in amusement, bringing out his beeper. "Of course… Last time I order from SpyGuy electronics." He declared as the beeper failed.
"Why not take the bus?" I suggested. "The stop is down the street, there's plenty of room for two people and groceries, and it comes by every 15 minutes." I said with a casual shrug.
"Sold." William nodded as Chloe approached. "I'm off to yonder bus stop." He told his daughter. "Joyce is going to love this…" He said under his breath as he left. Chloe waited a few moments before she spoke to me.
"Damon, you are being so fucking strange at the moment." She said, looking at me with concern. "Are you okay?" She asked. I couldn't help the wide, bright grin that split my face.
"Chloe, I don't know if I can describe how amazing I feel right now." I told her, giddy with excitement. William's going to live! Before I heard what Chloe said next, everything around me faded into nothing, as if I was closing my eyes.
An image appears in my mind's eye. It depicts Chloe and Joyce, dressed in funeral garb, standing before a closed casket, their eyes slick with tears. The image shifts into something else; Chloe, William, and Joyce posing for a photo at an amusement park.
A new image appears. It shows a slightly older Chloe, about 16, with short hair, still undyed. She sits in a forest, a large backpack on her back, as she tucks her knees to her chest. Joyce did once mention that she tried to run away. The image shifts into William and Chloe posing for a selfie.
Next is an image of David and Joyce at their wedding. They both look so happy. However, the image changes, depicting Joyce and William at a formal restaurant, no doubt celebrating their anniversary.
A new image shows a younger Chloe, with a single streak of blue hair, leaning over a birthday cake, with a scowl on her face. Across her is David, with a similar expression. They seem to be having an argument. The image shifts into 16 year old Chloe, with long hair still, holding up a set of car keys, a wide, happy smile on her face.
Then… Another bright flash, and nothingness.
My eyes fluttered open again, greeted to the brightness of what looked like the sun shining in through a window. I groaned, and tried to get up, but something was stopping me. As my eyes adjusted to the light, I froze as I saw what was stopping me. Currently, I was laying down in a very familiar bed, in a very familiar dorm; Victoria Chase's. It was still exactly the same. And what's on my chest right now? My naked chest? None other than VICTORIA FUCKING CHASE!
Holy fuck! I'm currently in Victoria's bed, naked as the day I was born, with an equally naked Victoria Chase currently resting her head on my chest as she slept. I've never denied the fact that Victoria was beautiful, and yes, her peaceful expression as she slept on my chest was a sight to behold, but I'm apparently sleeping with Victoria Chase now! Crap! Have I really fucked up that badly?
Gulping, I carefully squeezed out of her grip, gently laying her head down on the pillow and getting up. It was at this point in time that I noticed I didn't have any of my tattoos I'd previously gotten. Shit. Working quickly, I found the clothes that could only belong to me. A pair of blue jeans and black briefs apparently. As I slipped those on, a pair of arms suddenly wrapped around my chest. I almost threw the offender to the other side of the room.
"Dami~" Victoria cooed into my ear, softly kissing my shoulder. "Leaving?" She asked seductively, as if trying to give me a reason to stay. Which she probably is.
"Sorry sweetheart." I said with a smile, playing along. "I have to meet with old friend today." I told her, kissing her cheek. She gave a soft, happy rumbled and nuzzled my shoulder, pushing her breasts into my back harder. Dammit, she's really grinding on my self control right now…
"Must you?" She asked, looking up at me through her eyelashes.
"I must." I told her, feigning regret. "This is my oldest friend I'm talking about." I told her.
"Sucks." She sighed, letting go. She fell back into the bed, getting comfortable on her side. I'd say I'm glad she let go, but a partial lie is still a lie. "Hurry back, ok?" She asked in that cutesy, girlfriend pleading way.
"Fast as I can." I told her with a smile, as sincere as I could make it. I tried not to react when she reached forward and gave me a peck on the lips. Don't shudder, don't shudder! As I sat up, I grabbed a shirt that could also only be mine; a short-sleeved white collared shirt. The plain black men's socks are probably mine too, as well as the white running shoes. And finally… a football jacket. It specifically has my name at the back, and the word 'Quarterback' underneath it. Fuck that shit! I hate football! Why am I Bigfoot Quarterback? Shaking my head, I grabbed the jacket and slipped it on. It is a little nippy.
"See ya Babe." Victoria smiled at me brightly. Again, I suppressed a shudder. Hot or not, Victoria Chase is still Victoria Chase.
"See you Sweetheart." I smiled back, leaving as fast as I could. At least my phone is still the same.
As soon as I left the dorm, it was clear that much else had changed, besides my apparent relationship with Victoria fucking Chase. I'd bet she's sexting with someone else right now. Probably Zach, if he's still here. Anyway, what's also changed is that Warren apparently hooked up with Stella, Nathan Prescott looks a lot more relaxed and happy, and apparently David Madsen is the school bus driver. He looked so depressed as I walked past him.
Anyways, after going through my texts and other communications, I found that my Mom is still married to Genevieve, but my relationship with Jenny is completely different, borderline antagonistic, I'm apparently best friends with Nathan, hurl, and I sext with Victoria quite often. I'm not going to go into details, especially where the pictures are concerned. Also, I'm apparently cheating on her with Dana and Juliet, neither of whom know I'm with the other as well… Jesus fuck, I'm an ass!
Shaking my head, and setting those thoughts aside for later, I quickly ran to the parking lot. Another change. Instead of a 2011 crimson black Chevrolet Camaro, I somehow convinced my Mum to buy me a convertible Mercedes-Benz, dark blue in color. I know this because I saw the texts with Mum, and the keys in my jacket pocket. I must have been very persuasive. As I got in, my eyes drifted to the rear-view mirror, and I couldn't help but scowl. My hair was golden blonde again, as well as short and spiked with gel. I look like a cliche bad-boy football player from a High School movie!
Shaking my head, I ignited the engine and drove off, my destination clear. I tried not to let the dead birds or beached whales distract me. First the snow, then the eclipse, then the birds and the whales… I'm getting some Pestilence and Plague vibes here… And I'm not even that religious… No! Shut these thoughts out Damon. Chloe is what matters now!
When I stopped at the Price household, I had to gulp. I don't know why, but it was terrifying, seeing that house now completely painted blue, with a front yard full of flowers. As soon as I locked the car, I walked up to the house. As I stopped in front of the front door, I swallowed my fear, and with a grimace, knocked three times. As the door opened, William walked, looking a little older than he did five years, but still somewhat like a young man. Time had been kind to him. Although, there was an uncanny depression in his eyes.
He was surprised to see me.
"Damon Azrail." He said with a giant smile splitting his face. "Taking a break after taking London by storm." He looked me over. "Thought we'd never see you again after you left for your ancestral home." he smiled as we shook hands for the first time in five years.
"I would never do that." I told him seriously, which seemed to make him smile.
"I know Chloe is dying to see you." He told me with a small, warm smile. It didn't hide the depression though. "Give me a minute." He said, walking back in. "Chloe! You have a visitor!" he called out loudly, before looking back at me. "She'll be out in a minute." He informed, getting a nod from me in response.
And, true to his word, Chloe walked out a minute earlier. Except, she didn't walk. My eyes were wide with horror as I saw Chloe. As I said, she didn't walk out of the door. She rolled out on a wheelchair. Both of her legs were fucking gone, right above where the knees should be, her legs were gone. And her left arm was strapped to the wheelchair on the side. Her right arm seemed to be fine though. She wore a pair of blue jean shorts to cover what was left of her legs, and a simple purple T-shirt. Her hair was the same short style it was before I altered the timeline, except it wasn't dyed blue. It was black. And she didn't have her tattoo anymore.
"Damon…" She whispered, a wide, happy smile appearing on her face. I don't know how she can look so happy in her condition.
What have I done?
And so ends Episode Three: Chaos Theory. I must admit, I should have just put the content in this chapter at the end of the previous one. I thought this one would be longer. But, what's done is done. I don't really want to change it up, so I'll just leave it all as is.
Another thank you to anime-death-angel for giving me the idea to change Wheelchair Chloe's disability. She is now a double amputee, missing both of her legs, and her left arm is utterly paralyzed. That last part was my idea. There is also more to his idea, but that'll show itself in the next chapter. We're also getting close to the romancing now.