Life is Strange Before the Storm: Star Crossed Paths

Chapter 20 of my Before the Storm novelization, enjoy.

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Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Life is Strange or its characters.

Hell is Empty – Developments

Making it back home I began clambering up the side of the house, basically doing the reverse of my exit during the night of the Firewalk concert. Once I got the window open I clambered inside and looked around my room. I had to be careful, I didn't want to draw too much attention, just get in, do what I needed to do and get out.

The less contact I had with mom and, god forbid, David, the better. First step, I had to call Frank, so, sitting down on my bed I pulled out my phone and called him, waiting for his answer.

"Price." He answered before the first ring even finished.

I smiled at that and played off it. "Whoa, Frank, eager much?"

"Where's the money and don't try any 'I gave it to my mom' bullshit?" He demanded.

Yeah, this was what I was afraid of.

Still, I played it cool. "I have a question to ask you, I mean, a favour."

"You can't be fucking serious."

"I need to find that woman from yesterday, Sera." I told him.

There was a sudden silence on the other which worried me.

"Frank?"

"What the hell for?" He snapped in response.

"Something...important." I replied; hesitant to reveal the truth. "Can you help? I'm trying to help a friend. It would mean a whole lot to her."

"The girl with you at the mill?" He asked, actually sounding curious.

I took that as a sign, if he was curious, I might have a chance.

I replied quickly.

"Yeah."

"I'll meet you in the junk yard in two hours." He said rather quickly, startling me.

"Sweet, thanks man." I replied, relieved. "You're a real-"

He of course hung up at that point. I rolled my eyes, it went well, I guess. So I had two hours to get done everything I needed to do. Flopping back onto my bed I thought for a moment.

'What am I getting myself into?'Sighing I stood up, shaking my head.

Quickly answering Rachel's text, I decided on my next course of action as I began looking around my room again. I decided it was time to take a small risk and try and grab a quick shower, then I'd get a change of clothes and grab my dad's toolbox, I'd need it for the truck, after that I was gone.

'Whoa, okay, guess mom kinda believed me about not coming back?' I noticed as I looked around. 'She would always lecture me about the state of my room, while tidying it up...but now she's, just left it, wow.'

I began looking around, a little worried, as it seemed I had little clean clothes left. But I'd cross that bridge when I came to it. After making a small edit to that class photo I left my bedroom, heading for the bathroom.

When I stepped out into the hall however, I paused for I could music from downstairs, I was a little surprised, mom playing music. Still, I wondered, after exchanging some pointed banter in texts with Victoria, I approached mom's bedroom. The door was open, so I could neither she nor David were inside. Looking around there was sadly undeniable evidence of David moving in, but I spotted something, an old mother's day card I made for mom as a kid.

Suddenly I realized. 'Wait, is today, mother's day...shit...'

I'd been so caught up in all the strange stuff going on that I totally forgot. More good news I noticed mom didn't need to sell her engagement ring. Grinning I turned and, in such a cheerful mood, rather than be pissed off by David's sports car calendar, I added a little artwork to it. Namely some hotrod flames, might as make it more authentic, right. Still smiling lightly I left the room and headed for the bathroom.

I stopped short when I saw something had changed. 'Is that, David's towel?'

A very different towel was hanging from the rail next to the shower, had to be his as I'd never seen it before.

I looked around. 'Where the hell's mine?'

This was going to make my stay here a little longer it seemed. Shaking my head I searched the bathroom.

Sadly my bright mood was slowly disappearing as the sight of so much of David's stuff in the bathroom grated on my nerves. But finally, to my relief, I found my towel. It was in a small tub set under the cabinet by the toilet, I also spotted something else

'Can't believe Max and I were so into this shit when we were kids.' I thought as I looked at some of my old pirate gear. Something else too, a bottle of blue hair dye. 'Wait a minute, captain Bluebeard's hair dye...Max was gonna make me a pirate, but we never got around to it.'

Grinning a thought occurred to me and I set the dye aside for now, putting the tub back where I found it I set my towel down, quickly undressed and hopped into the shower. After everything that happened, the hot water was by far the most amazing thing I'd felt so far and I let myself unwind until I knew I had to get out.

I got out and quickly dried off before tying the towel around myself. Now for the next step, grabbing the nearby comb I got to work and, deciding to start small and see how I liked it, only dyed a blue streak in my hair. I grinned as I check the mirror, perfect.

Returning to my room I encountered my next problem, clothes. I didn't have enough clean clothes in my drawer. So I decided to look around, even searching for stuff in mom's room and salvaging a box of dad's old things, setting it all up I grinned as I finally felt I had enough to put together a suitable wardrobe and get to work.

Looking over my choices I made up my mind and pulled on my new clothes. A simple pair of jeans, a white tank-top; with the all-seeing eye symbol on it, white sneakers a triple bullet necklace and some simple wrist bands around my right wrist. Satisfied I nodded, time to grab the toolbox now.

Leaving my room I knew I had to take the risk now.

'I'll probably run into mom and, or David...But just stay calm, I can do this, bluff my way through it, then I'm gone.'

So, composing myself, I made my descent down the stairs. Sneaking down I carefully peaked through to the kitchen, mom was there, and David, she was, laughing, teaching him how to cook. They were talking too but I wasn't listening to that.

'This could be my chance, let's, let's go.' I thought to myself.

Unfortunately it wasn't to be. Mainly because I couldn't get over the fact they looked so happy, even starting to dance to the music. And this was without we even here, as far as they were aware. Still, I shook myself, had to act. Sadly that delay led to me being caught.

"Hey, who's there!" David suddenly called.

Crap, he'd heard my footsteps. I turned quickly, not good.

Turning I saw them emerging from the kitchen and knew the jig was up.

"Hey..." I greeted awkwardly.

"Chloe!" Mom burst out, immediately rushing over to me. "Your hair, when did you-"

Trust mom to spot that right off.

"Was this for the play? I heard you performed last night?" She queried.

"Nope, I mean, I did but this..." I stammered. "This is something different. "

Mom just smiled and moved next to me, putting her arm around me. "None of that matters now oh I am so glad to see you."

"Good to see you, Chloe." David said by way of greeting. "Coming home was a smart decision."

I just nodded, before turning to mom. "Happy mother's day, mom."

"Thank you sweetheart." Mom replied, smiling.

David entered the kitchen again, shaking his head.

"I uh...I didn't get you anything." I admitted sadly.

"Having you back home is present enough." Mom said warmly.

"I'm just here to pick something up." I continued. "Then I...have to go."

We began walking through to the living room.

As we did so, mom asked. "Are you, coming home tonight?"

"Mom..." I began before sighing. "I don't know."

Mom sighed. "I wish you would tell me what you're up to."

I couldn't tell mom, but I couldn't lie to her.

So I told her half the truth at least. "I'm just, hanging out with Rachel."

"Oh, how is Rachel?" Mom asked, gasping surprised. "I was telling David about the play and you being in it..."

I nodded awkwardly. "I...really gotta go."

"Listen, wait." Mom called out. "Before you go, David has something to say to you."

Oh this was the last thing I wanted right now. Not with so much going on.

But, if it helped me make things move quicker. Swallowing I nodded, deciding to get it over with.

"It won't take but a minute." Mom reassured me.

Heading through to the living room properly we found David setting up the table. Mom switched the music off as David and I faced each other.

"Chloe...I, uh..." He began, actually uncertain. When I started to leave he spoke quickly. "Now, hold on a minute. Please, I owe you an apology."

Well, that was new.

"Let's hear it." I said, raising an eyebrow.

With a sigh he spoke. "Chloe, I should not have asked you to empty your pockets yesterday. I was out of line and...I'm sorry."

Ah, that little incident, I had almost forgotten it. Still, despite everything still festering between us, I could tell David meant it, which surprised me.

"Okay." I replied promptly. "Apology accepted."

Normally I'd make some remark of something, but I was really in a hurry.

"Really?"

"Yeah." I replied; then, because it wouldn't do for me not to make some sarcastic comment. "Good job, and good job, mom, for twisting his arm or whatever."

"Chloe..."

I shook my head. "What, it's great he listens to you."

After a pause I sighed.

"Can we be done now?"

But no, it wasn't over.

What happened next, I'll admit, surprised me more than anything else. I was about to make my exit when David suddenly spoke up.

"Wait, one second, don't go Chloe." He said.

By now I had reached the edge of the hallway, with David stepping around the table, I turned to face him again.

"I've been meaning to show you something." He said. "Maybe, maybe now's a good time."

He reached into his pocket and pulled something out, a photo it looked like. Setting down on the kitchen table I was able to get a look at it. It showed David, in his army gear in some desert somewhere. With him was another soldier.

"This, is my friend. Phil Becker." He explained; his voice sounding distant. "We served in the same unit, two tours. Becker was...killed near the end of our deployment, roadside IED."

Okay, I had not expected that, and from the way David spoke, he must have seen it up close and personal. Suddenly I was beginning to see what he was trying to do. I'll admit, I had to give him credit for trying and it was something that certainly struck a cord with me.

"We used to joke, about all the trouble we were going to get into once we got back home." He continued. "But he died, he died and I didn't. And I think about that fact every damn day."

Yes, it was as I thought; suddenly I felt even more awkward than ever.

David then picked the photo up.

"The point is, I've had my share of grief. I know what you're going through." He explained. "So I guess what I'm saying is...I'm here to do whatever I can to help you get over the loss of your dad."

It was, to say the least, a very sobering moment, yet also strangely touching in a way, though I'd never admit it out loud.

"Please, I'm begging you...give David a chance, won't you?"

"Here." He said, holding out the photo. "Why don't you keep this photo for a little while? Think about what I've said."

I was surprised he was offering this to me, considering how much it clearly meant to him. But who knows, after all, he clearly meant what he was saying. While I still wasn't sure I could ever like the guy, maybe it could be tolerable, who knows.

I took the plunge and accepted the photo. 'David looks so young, and this Phil guy, they looks close.'

"Thank you, David." I replied honestly.

"Oh Chloe." Mom smiled coming over and hugging me.

"Mom." I muttered, embarrassed.

"I'm just so proud, of you both." She said as she let go.

Well this was certainly not what I expected.

"Mom, I really need to go." I told her, realizing the amount of time that had passed.

She nodded, as did David.

David then spoke. "Be careful out there Chloe."

I turned and began to walk away.

"I love you sweetheart." Mom then said.

I rolled my eyes. "Alright, alright."

Still, I smiled as I entered the garage.

Once inside I made a beeline for the toolbox, a little surprised by how quickly David's stuff had been moved into the garage. I couldn't help but smirk at the padlock now on David's toolbox, no doubt from when I'd tagged it. Focusing on the task at hand, I grabbed the toolbox and finally made my exit. Heading for the junk yard and the truck, time to start fixing things.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.