I AM IN DENIAL RIGHT NOW!

Thanks to Rolling Guy for the prompt - "Maybe finding Nathan somewhere? Like, make the kids HIS therapy after Jefferson's bullshit?" I thought it fit in quite nicely with this chapter. I'll probably explore this concept more in later chapters too. Again it's another multi-perspective chapter.

Chapter 11 – Future - Treasure Hunt

(Chloe's POV)

'Are you sure you can handle this?'

'Oh sure, it can't be that hard.'

Victoria looks sceptical.

'Well, remember what I told you. Don't give her sugary foods after that time or she won't sleep, and please, feed her something at least partially nutritious.'

I wave my hand dismissively at Victoria.

'Whatever.'

'Price, are you even listening to me?'

'Uh-huh.'

Victoria shakes her head. She turns towards Emily.

'See you tomorrow sweetie.'

She kisses her on the forehead. Kate gives her a hug.

'Have fun and behave yourself.'

Emily smiles.

'I will.'

'Price, you had better behave yourself too.'

I roll my eyes. Kate and Victoria turn around and leave. The door closes.

'Finally, let's have some fun.'

'Chloe, are you trying to piss Victoria off on purpose?'

I look hurt.

'Max, how could you even suggest such a thing?'

'I don't know, it's not like I have any reason whatsoever.'

'Exactly.'

'There is no arguing with you is there?'

'Nope. Because I'm always hella right.'

'If you say so.'

Max bends down to talk to Emily.

'Hey Emily. How are you doing?'

'Great thanks Ms Caulfield.'

Max smiles.

'Please, I keep telling you, call me Max.'

'Ok Max.'

God, she is so cute.

'Lisa, Emily's here.'

I hear footsteps.

'Emily!'

Lisa basically jumps on Emily and hugs her. They nearly fall over. Max manages to steady them.

'Someone is hyper tonight.'

'Just excited.'

'Hey Lisa.'

'Hi.'

I walk over.

'So… who is ready for pizza and ice cream?'

The girls look delighted.

'Me!'

'Do you really want Victoria to kill you?'

I shrug.

'She can't catch me.'

'True. Let's see what flavour ice cream we've got then.'

…

(Max's POV)

'Yargh, let's find us some booty me hearties.'

'Yes Captain Chloe.'

God, Chloe is such a big kid.

'Where be me map you lily-livered scallywags?'

Chloe and I spent all last night setting up a treasure hunt. The girls are so pumped up. We all got dressed up for the occasion.

'X marks the spot. Come on Max the Marauder.'

She gets so into this. It's cute.

'Aye, aye, Captain Chloe.'

The girls inspect the map thoroughly. Lisa grabs Emily's hand and runs over to a cupboard.

'This is it. It's gotta be.'

They open it and find the sweets we hid.

'Ye found me treasure.'

The girls look delighted.

'Ah, ah. No sweets until dinner.'

Lisa turns to me and pouts.

'Come on mum, just one, please.'

How can I resist that face?

'Ok just one.'

…

Lisa and Emily are passed out on the sofa. I definitely need a picture of this. Lisa with an eye patch and Emily with a hat. I grab my camera and take the shot.

'Yo Chloe.' I whisper.

Chloe walks over.

'Look at them. They remind me of you and I when we were pirates running around Arcadia Bay.'

I gently push Chloe.

'Look at you getting all sentimental.'

Chloe kisses me.

'Come on, let's get these two to bed.'

Chloe picks up Emily and I grab Lisa.

Lisa stirs.

'Mmmm… what's going on?'

'Hush now. We're taking you upstairs.'

'Hmm…'

We open the door to Lisa's room and place them on the bed. They automatically cuddle up closer to one another. I can't miss this opportunity. I take a picture.

'I'm going to run out of film if they keep being so cute.'

Chloe comes up behind me.

'I think these should go on my Hope wall.'

'I second that motion.'

'Let's leave them to it.'

We exit the room.

'I hope Kate and Icky Vicky are enjoying their date night.'

'So do I.'

'I can't wait for ours. It's going to be fun.'

Chloe winks at me.

…

(Lisa's POV)

I open my eyes and rub them. I'm in my room.

'How did I get here?'

I see Emily next to me. I gently shake her.

'Hey, Emily.'

She slowly opens her eyes.

'Mmmm…what?'

'Let's go find some more treasure. There has to be some more somewhere.'

'Okay.'

'We have to be quiet though. I don't want my parents finding out.'

'Sure.'

We tiptoe out of the room. I grab the map from the table.

'Come on. I bet there is some outside.'

I slowly open the door. It creaks a bit. I freeze. I don't hear anyone.

'I think we are good. Let's go.'

We run down the street.

'Let's go find us some treasure.'

…

(Nathan's POV)

'Why? Why isn't it helping? Why is nothing helping?'

I throw the bottle to the floor. I've tried everything. Counselling, pills, booze, violence, nothing fucking works to calm the storm inside. Nothing makes me feel like I can function. Maybe I should just take a walk.

The street is dimly lit, the air is crisp and cold.

'What am I even doing?'

How can I even function after all the shit that has happened? No one wants me here. No one needs me here. I can't ever forgive myself for what I've done, what I let that sick fuck do, what I helped him do. Maybe I should just disappear. I'm sure that would be better for everyone. No one would even care.

I hear crying.

(Emily's POV)

'Hey Emily. It's ok.'

'B…but… we're lost.'

'We'll find our way back.'

'Y…you sure?'

'I'm sure. Besides, as long as we are together, nothing can hurt us.'

Lisa hugs me.

'I'll protect you.'

I wipe my eyes.

'I'll protect you too Lisa.'

She smiles.

'I know.'

(Nathan's POV)

What is going on? I walk closer. I see two young girls. They can't be any older than 8 or 9. What are they doing at this time of night? It's not safe.

'I'm sure if we go down here we can find our way back.'

Where are they going? I see a figure out of the corner of my eye. It is looking at the girls. I have to do something. I'm not going to let things happen while I just watch. Not again. I walk out towards the girls.

'Hey, are you lost?'

The crying girl clings onto the other girl. I look over to where the figure is. It backs into the darkness once more. Creepy fuck.

The other girl looks at me.

'No, we are just fine thank you.'

'Lisa, my parents told me not to talk to strangers.'

'It's fine Emily. We aren't.'

'But we don't know where we are.'

At least these kids have some sense. They start whispering to one another. The girl called Lisa speaks up.

'Hey mister, we might need some help. We got a bit lost. Can you help us?'

She is trying to appear brave for her friend.

'Sure, where do you need to go?'

'We need to get home.'

(Victoria's POV)

I knock on the door. It opens, Chloe stands there. At least this time she's not in her bra. I don't think Kate could stand another half-naked display. I turn to her. She has her eyes closed. Bless her. I kiss her on the lips.

'It's safe to look.'

Kate opens her eyes.

'Hey.'

Chloe turns around.

'Max, can you go get Emily?'

'Sure.'

Max goes upstairs. Kate steps forward.

'Has she behaved herself?'

'They've been hella quiet. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. I'll probably find that they have drawn on the walls or something. Did you enjoy your date night?'

'Yes thanks.'

'Oh really. You aren't going to say anything else, huh?'

'Excuse me.'

'It's nothing. I was just hoping for some juicy details.'

Kate blushes.

'I am not afraid to hit you Price.'

'Chloe, are you sure they aren't down there?'

'I'll have a look.'

They do this every time. They hide so they don't have to go home. It kind of sweet really. They really are joined at the hip. It almost feels cruel to tear them apart.

After 5 minutes of unsuccessful searching I start to get worried.

'Emily, honey, this isn't funny anymore. Come out please.'

No answer. I turn to Chloe and Max.

'When did you last see them?'

'They fell asleep on the couch and Max and I took them up to bed, maybe an hour ago.'

Kate looks at me with a worried expression.

'Maybe we should…'

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Who could that be at this time of night? I open the door. I feel something grabbing my leg.

'Mommy.'

I scoop Emily up.

'Oh sweetie, where have you been?'

Kate walks over and hugs us both. Kate kisses Emily's cheek.

'Oh, honey, we were so worried.'

'Sorry,'

Emily starts to sniffle.

'Shh, it's ok now. We've got you. Just promise me you won't do anything like that again.'

'I won't.'

Lisa runs over to Chloe and Max. She practically jumps at them.

'Baby, thank dog you're safe.'

'You are as bad as me, my little adventurer. Please don't do that again. I almost had a heart attack. Now I know how Joyce felt when I went AWOL.'

'Where have you been?'

'We got lost, but mister helped us get back.'

'Who…?'

Out of the shadows steps Nathan.

(Nathan's POV)

I shouldn't be here. I should have just left as soon as they got to the door. Damn it Nathan, they won't want to see you after everything you've done to them.

'Uh, I didn't realise they were your kids. I'd better just go.'

I turn around to leave.

'Wait.'

Chloe walks over to me. What is she going to do to me? Whatever it is, I probably deserve it.

'Thank you.'

I was not expecting that.

'Don't mention it. It is the least I could do after everything.'

I feel something on my leg. The girls are hugging them.

'Thank you mister. We were really scared and you helped us.'

I am not sure what to do.

They smile at me. For a moment, my world becomes brighter. All the hate and anger I feel everyday fades.

'No worries. Don't go getting lost again ok?'

'We won't.'

The girls run upstairs. Kate walks forward.

'Why don't you come in? It's pretty cold outside. Besides, we've got a lot of things to talk about.'

'Are you sure?'

She nods. The others look at me expectantly.

'That would be great, thank you.'

I step inside.

'Um, hold up. Price, is that sweet wrappers I see?'

'What sweet wrappers? There are no sweet wrappers here.'

'These ones right here. For fucks sake. I asked you to do one thing and you just can't help but fuck it up. There is no way Emily is going to sleep now.'

Kate laughs.

'I think after her escapade she will be tired now.

(Lisa's POV)

Emily and I are sat on my bed. We are drawing. Now, we are working on this awesome comic about our pirate adventures from today. Emily stops colouring.

'Today was scary.'

Emily looks at me.

'Yeah, but we made it, together.'

She smiles.

'Thank you for protecting me.'

'Don't sweat it. We have to stick together. It's what best friends do.'

I bump my fist against Emily's.

'No matter what.'

I have a lot of ideas for the family chapters, especially really cute interactions between Lisa and Emily, so look forward to that.

I'll give you a sneak peek on what you can expect from the next few family related chapters:

- Lisa/Emily interactions becoming friends/school/developing relationship (I wonder what this means? ;) )etc.

- Chloe/Victoria/Kate/Max parenting skills

- Emily getting bullied – Chloe - "Just punch them" Max – "oh yeah, that worked out so great for you last time" Lisa standing up to bullies similar to Chloe from Chapter 8 – What did you chose? Max "oh you are too similar to your mum."

- Getting a cat - Bongo II find cat roaming streets so adopt

- Interaction with Pompidou (it was so cute in ep 5 when he put his head on Max's lap.)

- Lisa helping Emily recover from the Hunger

- Emily comes to Lisa's rescue for once

So, this is what I start with when writing the chapters. More to be added soon. I think you guys deserve to know after the devastation of episode 5.

I hope that these writings are going to help alleviate the shock of episode 5 Polarised. I'm going to be doing lots of therapeutic writing over the next few days (maybe weeks). Then we can go back to the heart-wrenching stuff I usually write MWA HA HA! I don't think my heart can take it right now. Too many feels.

If you guys have any requests for this or any other stories, feel free to send them. They don't have to necessarily be related to the Life is Warm Bodies story. Preferably stick to f/f pairings/polyamory. It doesn't have to be romance, it can be a friendship thing.

I'll see you next time. Take care.