The first order of business for the wounded duo was to sneak out of the hospital. Technically this wasn't illegal because neither of them had been detained or arrested, but they knew the police wanted to question them further, and the hospital clearly would make a stink about two people with their injuries sneaking out before they'd been medically cleared. But Max knew that she simply didn't have time to waste, which she thought was fairly ironic given her abilities.
As Max began to gingerly get out of her hospital gown and into actual clothes, she had Warren sneak a peek to see what the police presence looked like. With some difficulty, she slipped her t-shirt over her head with one arm. The large cast that ran the length of her arm was making it difficult to get it through the sleeve, so she had Warren come over and help her manipulate it through. Then she found out how hard putting shoes on with just one arm was as well, so Warren helped her slip them on and tied them for her as well.
"It looked like there was just one officer down the hall. He's distracted by the nurse at the reception desk at the moment, but I'm not sure how long that's going to last," Warren informed her after they were both ready to go.
"Okay," she said, "if anyone catches either of us I'll rewind and we'll find another way."
Max wanted this to go off with as few complications as possible. There just wasn't time to explain to her parents what was going on, and there was no way they'd just let their daughter drive straight for the largest freakiest hurricane in the history of the Northwest. Warren's parents probably wouldn't be happy that they were planning on taking their car to get there either.
They crept to the hospital room door and Warren slowly opened it again. Max peeked out beside him and saw the officer still down the hall chatting with the pretty nurse. The other way there were a few people but it wasn't too congested. It wouldn't be too hard to get to the elevators, and from there the exit was very close.
It only took two rewinds to get to the elevator. Once they got to the lobby there were a lot of people, but they didn't see anyone that would be familiar with their situation. They kept their heads down, crossed to the exit, and stepped out into the cool early morning air. The sun was peeking over the horizon and they'd have to hurry if they were going to get to Warren's house and grab one of his parent's cars before they woke up. Arcadia Bay wasn't huge, but it was still several blocks from the small hospital to the Graham household, and in their condition it was going to take longer than normal.
Half way through the parking lot to the sidewalk, a car suddenly screeched to a stop right in front of them. Max prepared to rewind if she needed to, but lowered her hand when she saw who the occupants of the car were. Kate jumped out of the passenger side and immediately covered her mouth with her hand upon seeing the battered faces of her friends. Max could see Luke in the driver's seat looking just as surprised as his date.
"Oh my gosh you guys! What are you doing out here!?" she screeched. "We were just coming in to see you! We looked for you all night until your mom called and said you were here!"
Max looked at Warren and could tell he had the same idea as she did, "Kate, we need a ride."
Suddenly Victoria stepped out of the backseat of Luke's car, "Oh my gosh, Max! Warren! You two look terrible! Why on earth are you two out here?" There was genuine concern in her voice and on the faces of all three of their friends.
"We really need to go, guys," Warren cut in. "Can we fill you in on the way? We really need a ride."
Their friends seemed to be mulling around both their request and the shock at seeing their injured friends in the parking lot instead of in hospital rooms. Kate looked across the hood of the car at Victoria and Luke and nodded. They all piled in Luke's car; Max, Warren and Victoria in the back.
"Where are we going?" Luke asked.
"Are you guys up for a bit of a road trip?" Max asked. "We need to get to the coast west of Seattle."
"What!? That's like a 5 hour drive! And you do know that there's a massive hurricane heading right for there, right?!" Victoria exclaimed. "Why on earth…"
"Guys I'm going to tell you something that you're probably not going to believe…" Max started as she began to tell them her story.
The car was quiet as Luke pulled off the road and into a small gas station. They'd been driving north for two hours and Max had been talking for most of it. At times nearer to the end of her story Warren was able to give her voice a spell and describe things that had happened to them the night before. Luke got out to pump gas and Victoria got out to get some drinks for everyone after Max had expressed how tired she was and how much her head was hurting. Warren was in pain too. His face was throbbing and he handed her a few dollars and asked her to get some painkillers as well.
Max had told them pretty much everything about her experience several months back. She had softened some details, but was still forthright about Kate's suicide attempt and what had happened with Victoria, Nathan, and Mr. Jefferson. She had revealed her own traumatic experience, and had choked up when she told them about her impossible decision and the heroic sacrifice Chloe had made.
Kate was turned around and looking at her while still trying to process everything she'd said. Max was leaning her head back and had her eyes closed while trying to block out the bright sun that was assaulting her head.
"Max," she finally softly broke the silence, "I really don't know what to say. That was a lot to take in."
"I'm sorry to pile it all on you guys like that," Max replied very softly, "I just needed everyone to understand what's going on. I really appreciate you guys going with us. It's dangerous and I'm not entirely sure what to expect. Thank you for trusting us. I'm not sure we could have made this drive alone in our condition."
Kate smiled, "Max we're friends. There's no way we wouldn't help you out." After a short pause Kate continued, "Even though I don't remember it…thanks for talking me down off that roof."
Max opened her eyes and smiled at Kate, "You already thanked me. Well in that reality. Like you said, we're friends."
"I think you should at least text your parents, Max, and let them know you're okay. They're probably worried sick about you." Max agreed with Kate and accepted her phone and typed a quick message out to her mom telling her not to worry and that she was doing something she had to do, and that she loved her and her dad.
Victoria returned with several drinks and a bottle of Advil. She opened one and handed it to Max and then one to Warren as well. "You guys need to get some fluids in you. It's so ridiculous that you aren't in your hospital beds right now."
"Thanks Victoria," Max said as she popped 3 of the Advil and then handed the bottle to Warren, who popped 4.
"Thank you, Max. For trusting us with this. Whatever we can do to help just let us know."
Max leaned her head back again to rest before having to expend herself to stop a hurricane. I think I have to do this one on my own, Victoria.
As they approached the small coastal town they became keenly aware of how empty it was. They had been one of the few cars actually headed toward the coast, and it was becoming more and more evident by the moment why. Luke pulled the car off the road into a small parking lot. Ahead they could all make out the flashing of emergency lights and saw police trying to guide traffic out of the small town. People who had decided to flee the storm at the last moment were a priority for emergency services.
Max couldn't see the ocean where they had parked. They would have to climb to the top of a nearby bluff with, believe it or not, a lighthouse sitting atop of it. The sky was getting darker by the moment and rain began to patter the top of Luke's car. Bits of litter began to whip up around them. The storm was very close at this point.
"I've got to make it to the top of that bluff guys. I have to see the storm, and then figure out how to stop it," she said pointing toward the lighthouse. "None of you have to go. It's too dangerous and I really shouldn't ask you all to do any more."
Warren grabbed her hand and gave her a sideways smile. She knew he wasn't going to let her go alone, but she really did hope that the rest decided to stay. No one else needed to be in danger because of her time travel faux pas.
"Max, you have to know we're going with you," Kate said.
Victoria put a hand on her shoulder, "There's no way you're going through this alone. Not again."
Luke put up his hand for a high five, and she returned it after a moment. "We're all going, Max."
They all piled out of the car, and Max suddenly realized how strong the wind was getting. The rain began to sting slightly as it hit her face. She could hear the rushing winds in the distance. She shuddered slightly as they approached the base of the bluff and a foreboding feeling began to well up in her gut. Somehow she knew that the end of this story was close. Her mind recalled Chloe's prediction briefly, but she shook her head, determined not to allow selfish concerns deter her from her mission. She was going to stop this storm if it was the last thing she did.