The road ahead of them rolled ever forward, its boring lines and signs offering little distraction to Chloe's racing mind. Silence filled the cabin, and Chloe took another nervous glance at her passenger. Max was distraught. Angry. Pensive. She held both hands together in her lap and stared into it as if it were an abyss. Chloe had tried conversation a few times, but Max didn't seem up to the task of an intelligible response. So instead, Chloe stuck her attention to the pavement ahead. Max wanted to get away? Chloe already knew where to go. Worried, her foot depressed further on the accelerator petal, hastening their trip to the light house. The truck's engine roared and they sped closer to their destination.
Fuck, Chloe thought. What the hell went down between her and Vanessa? Whatever it was, it must've been bad. Max's barely spoken a word since we left. Idiot! Just had to run away for a smoke. Now look. What's with the past few weeks anyway? First the bullshit with Max's powers and the play, and then Vanessa just shows up out of the blue?
Chloe chewed her lip, growing ever more uneasy at the silence between them. "You wanna run her down? We hella could, dude. There's only like three motels in town."
Max grunted, slinking further into her seat. Her attention remained fixed out the passenger side's window.
"Listen, Max, I can't help if you don't-"
On a dime, Chloe's words morphed in to a terrified shriek. One moment Max was sitting there-dejected, looking passively at the passing scenery. The next, she was gone. Vanished into thin air. Chloe instinctively slammed the breaks, causing her truck to careen off the road and onto the curb. She swore as she narrowly avoided a drainage ditch, bringing the vehicle to a stop. It took a full minute before her heart stopped pounding loud enough for her to think clearly.
Holy shit. Max has her powers back! Only fucking explanation. But how? Why? Why would she use them like that? Surely she would've known the outcome?
Chloe gulped as the gears in her head turned, and came to the inevitable, logical conclusion.
I died. Again. Fuck.
Chloe slammed her hands onto the wheel, releasing a simmering fit of rage, directed at herself. After a few seconds, she gained some presence of mind.
So. Max got her mojo back. Maybe her powers were never really gone? Maybe she just overused them, or something? Fuck. Point is... wait. Phone!
Chloe whipped out her cell and her eyes widened expectantly while unlocking the screen. There were no new texts. Immediately she fired off a slew of worried, terrified, and confused questions. She waited another full minute for a reply, but none came.
Get a grip! Max could be in trouble. Alright. We were headed to the lighthouse, so that's where she probably is? Maybe she passed out? Oh god, maybe she's in one of those fucked up visions? And I'm not around to pull her out...
The truck's engine roared back to life and Chloe did a quick check in her mirrors for oncoming traffic. Deserted, as usual. Except... about fifty yards away. Chloe's eyes squinted, peering closer at her rear view mirror. In it, she could make out a red truck. There were two occupants, and they appeared to be arguing.
Holy shit. That's Nathan and Jacob. Okay. Let's put this together. Those dipshits are following us. Something happened, and Max busted out her previously-defunct rewind. How close were those jackoffs following us? I was so focused on Max, I didn't even notice them. Did they see her vanish? Should I even try to go to Max, with them on my tail? God, what-
Chloe didn't get a chance to finish the thought. She heard the squeal of rubber on asphalt as Nathan catapulted his flatbed towards hers, pulling up along side her window in under the span of a few seconds. Nathan's passenger window was rolled down, and leaning out of it was Jacob. He was leveling a gun directly at her as their vehicle came to a screeching halt.
Shit shit shit shit!
Without considering the outcome, Chloe slammed her gas pedal, and turned hard to the left. The front of her truck collided with Nathan's, and Jacob's shot went wild, hitting some unseen location in the side of Chloe's vehicle. Immediately, smoke began to rise from her hood, and the engine began to falter.
Seriously? Give me a fucking break!
But Chloe's forward momentum allowed her to travel down the street a few yards, putting some distance between her and Nathan.
Okay. Time to level the playing field.
Ducking low to avoid any further bullets, Chloe searched around underneath the seat, desperately scavenging for an item she purchased shortly after returning to Arcadia Bay. A small handgun, obtained from the only pawn shop in town. Chloe flicked the safety off, and checked that it was loaded.
Sorry Max. I hate keeping secrets, but I know you wouldn't've approved.
Moments later Nathan pulled up alongside for another attempt. This time, Chloe was ready. She pointed the weapon straight at Jacob's head, and was rewarded with bewildered panic. Nathan immediately hit the accelerator, and the two of them flew down the road, pulling a small drift as they rounded a corner.
Better run, fuckasses. God, but, now what? The truck is toast. For now, at least. It's not much of a walk to the... god damnit. This road dead ends at the lighthouse trailhead. If that's were Max is, and that's where those two were headed...
Cursing, Chloe flung herself from the seat, and broke into the fastest run she could manage. In one hand she held her gun, in the other, her phone. She clung to both for dear life.
Almost a half a mile remained between Chloe and the trailhead, which gave her plenty of time to mull over the day's events. Chloe knew she wasn't in the best athletic shape or anything, but the adrenaline a vehicle collision, being shot at, and potentially losing Max, all provisioned a nearly infinite well of energy.
I don't even give a fuck. When I find those two shitheads, they're done. Their daddies can fucking bill me. But if they lay one goddamn hand on Max, god fucking help them. How did it even come to this? I should never have encouraged Max to join that stupid play. I knew she just wanted to impress me, and fuck me, I thought it was cute. That it would be good for her. Then I die, again, and everything's gone to shit. Stupid, stupid!
At last, Chloe turned the final corner and the trailhead's parking lot came into view. Her gut turned upon catching sight of Nathan's truck. There were no occupants.
"M-Max?" Chloe cried out, immediately hating the fear she showed in her yell.
"Don't think she can hear you, bitch," Jacob shouted. He was stepping off the path and onto the parking lot. Between him and Nathan hung an unconscious Max, her arms stretched around both their shoulders. Even from the distance, Chloe could see a dribble of blood from Max's nose. Nathan gave Chloe a wide grin, but frowned upon seeing the gun in her hand. Immediately, Chloe raised the weapon.
"Tsk tsk," Jacob chided, stepping slightly behind Max, encouraging Nathan to do the same. "How good of a shot do you think you are? Willing to bet your little fuck toy on it?"
Chloe ground her teeth, but kept the gun pointed at them. But her finger wavered off the trigger.
God damnit. I never really practiced with this thing! Probably have shit for aim. I... I can't risk hurting Max! But I can't just let them walk!
"Listen, bitch. We got what we came for. Back off now, and it'll be over, alright? I mean-" Jacob paused to chuckle-"you can't seriously be into this pale little creep, right? Like, I get that she follows you around like a puppy and all. I do. But let's be real. Taking her off your hands? We're doing you a fucking favor."
Despite the bravado of his words, Chloe could smell fear. She kept the gun raised, though she couldn't prevent the tremble in her arms. The her aim wavered to and fro, earning another worried set of expressions from Nathan and Jacob. In a huddle, they hurried closer to the truck. Keeping Max in front of them as much as possible, Nathan opened the door, and they started to slip into the cabin.
"Stop! Fuckers! I will shoot you! F-fuck!" Chloe spat the words, uncontrolled rage forcing them from her mouth.
But it was too late. Max and Jacob disappeared into the cabin, and the truck went from zero to thirty in moments. And it was headed directly towards her. Cursing, Chloe dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding a collision. She rolled, stopped herself, and scrambled back to her feet. But the truck was gone. Only distant sounds of it speeding down the arterial remained.
Chloe dropped the gun, grabbing her hair with both hands. She feel to her knees, screaming.
"You're not listening. Max has been fucking kidnapped, and you're just sitting there."
"Ms. Price. I understand you're... under a spell... But you must remember to mind your tongue. Lord knows you haven't gone out of your way to make many friends here."
Chloe grumbled, gripping both sides of the receptionist desk with her hands. The officer she was talking to, Danica, her name tag read, seemed only half focused on Chloe's story of mayhem and kidnapping.
"Listen Chloe," Danica continued, "I'm going to call Joyce, alright? It sounds like you got into an accident. Max probably just wandered home. It happens all the time. And the both of you might need to see a doctor."
Chloe sucked in her breath to release another torrent of venomous words, but Officer Danica was already speaking to Joyce on the other end of the line.
"Yes, hi Joyce. Doing fine, you? Sure, of course. Listen, we've got your daughter down here at the station-what? No, no, she came to us this time. I know. Strange days. Listen, I think something might've happened, and we were curious if Max has come home? No? Okay then, thanks. You too. Bye now."
Danica hung up the phone, and gave Chloe a leveled look. She took out a clipboard and a pen, thumbing its top to push out the point. "Okay then. So. You say you were run off the road, and that Max was kidnapped?"
"Yes! Fucking hell, yes!" Chloe asserted, exasperated. Jesus, why did I even come here? Then again, where else could I go? I have to find a way help Max.
"Mmmhmm," the officer mused, writing something down on the form. "Did you see the perpetrators?"
"Yes! Jesus, I already told you! It was Nathan Prescott and Jacob Landhauser."
Officer Danica's hand moved to a stop when Chloe said the name Prescott. Keeping her face pointed at the form, she raised both eyes to meet Chloe's.
"Chloe. Why on God's green earth would a Prescott kidnap, let's see, yes, Maxine Caulfield. You do realize people usually kidnap for a ransom, right? And that Nathan's family is already rich?"
Chloe ran a hand through her hair, taking a moment to calm herself before biting the officer's head off. "Yes, I know how rich the Prescotts are, and how they own everyone and everything. It doesn't change the facts. Nathan fucking took Max."
The officer sighed, folding both arms onto the table. "And have you received any messages? Usually, if it's a kidnapping, the kidnapper wants something."
"N-no," Chloe faltered.
"Chloe. Is it possible, and I'm just playing with ideas here, that it wasn't a kidnapping? That Max actually left with Nathan and Jacob? Aren't they both recent arrivals from Seattle?"
Chloe gasped, taking a few steps back from the counter.
"Listen, honey. I know how hard break ups can be. But this story you're weaving-it can have serious consequences."
"Chloe! Long time no see!"
Chloe's attention jerked away to see another officer-O'Conner, she remembered-waving from across the room. It looked like he was on his way out. Chloe grumbled under her breath. O'Conner's smile waned, looking to Danica for answers.
"She's going through a rough patch," Danica explained. "Chloe. Look at me."
Eyes brimmed with anger, Chloe raised her head, meeting Danica's detached expression.
"Girl, I know how it is. Lord knows I do. Listen, I'll get you a ride home, okay? You just need to sleep this one off. O'Conner, can you give Ms. Price here a ride home? She's been through hell."
That tore it. Chloe huffed, stepping back a few paces. The lobby of the police department felt like it was spinning around her, and she raised a hand to her temple to center herself.
"I-Officer. Thanks. Listen, it doesn't matter. I'm fine, just... forget everything I said, okay?"
Danica's eyebrows furrowed, confused by Chloe's sudden change in demeanor. O'Conner just looked confused. But Chloe kept backing her way to towards the exit, and she quickly stumbled her way out the door.
Well. Fuck me for trying, right? That whole goddamn stye is bought and paid for by the Prescotts. God DAMNIT. It's been over two hours. Where the hell did they take her? They could be half way to fucking Seattle by now.
Frustrated, Chloe stole another look at her phone. Nothing.
I don't even have either of those two fuck head's numbers. Who the hell would have them? I doubt Warren, Brooke or Kate would... fuck. There's gotta be someone at Blackhell who'll cough it up. First things first though. We need some insurance.
"Insurance" found itself in the form of rifling through the mess that had become her and Max's room. Chloe regretted taking the detour, adding a whole hour between her and her next lead, but the uneasy certainty that they would need an ace up their sleeve had grown as time passed.
"Shit," she swore under her breath. "Just took the damn thing yesterday. Where the fuck did she put it?"
"Chloe?!" Joyce was still downstairs, but had apparently heard Chloe storm in. It was the third time Joyce had called her name, and like the first two, Chloe opted not to reply. Her heart was pounding, and one hundred of percent of her attention remained focused on the current objective.
Right. Her journal. God bless that hipster soul.
Max's journal laid hidden under a shirt and coffee mug on top of Chloe's desk. Swatting them aside, Chloe crashed onto the nearby chair and hurriedly looked through the journal's last few entries. She gasped a sigh of relief upon finding a photo she had taken of Max, just yesterday, before leaving for the play. She remembered the moment-they were alone in their room, and Chloe was helping Max into her costume.
A salty tear formed in Chloe's eye as she stared into the photo. Max was winking at the camera, holding up her arm with her fingers forming a peace sign. She looked so happy. Wiping her cheek clean, Chloe snatched the photo off the page and stuffed it into a pocket. Halfway down the stairs, Joyce appeared at their base, her position blocking Chloe's exit.
"Chloe Price. Just what in the heck is going on? First that strange call from the police, now you can't even spare me a word?"
Chloe descended the last few steps, trying to push past Joyce. But her mother remained in place, preventing Chloe's passage. She grunted in frustration, but Joyce simply stared her down.
"M-Mom," Chloe faltered. This was not a conversation she wanted right now. "Fuck it. Nathan and Jacob fucking kidnapped Max, alright? Right in fucking front of me."
"What? Chloe, you're not making any sense."
"I swear, Mom. Listen... there's, there's some things about Max. About our time in Seattle a year ago. That you don't know about. Bad shit. I mean, good, it brought us together, but. Consequences." Chloe stopped-she knew she had begun to ramble. What the hell am I doing? I can't talk about this shit with Joyce!
"I think you'd better have a seat, Chloe, and explain all of this." Joyce stepped back, making motions for them to move down the hall.
"Mom, I... I don't have time. Max doesn't have time. This is serious! I even went to the goddamn cops! Fucking waste of effort..."
Joyce looked like she was about to say something, but instead remained quiet. Her expression grew saddened. "Chloe, what on earth are you on about? It doesn't have anything to do with what happened with Vanessa, does it?"
Chloe shut her eyes, drawing in a breath. "Too much of a coincidence not to. Listen, I know you just want to help. Both me and Max. But right now, fuck, every minute counts. I have to go. Now."
Joyce slowly raised her hands, taking another step back. "If what you're saying is true... then Max is in danger?"
"Gee, thanks for catching up," Chloe jibed, moving for the door.
"I can call David. He can help, Chloe. He'll believe you."
Chloe paused. Her gut instinct was a hard no, but over the past year David had proved again and again that he had a whole other side to him. One that actually cared about both her, and Max. Plus, it might not be the worse thing to have back up. David was probably a better shot than her, anyway.
"I'll call him," she replied. "Need to hit up Blackwell anyway."
Chloe hadn't taken two steps out the door before her phone buzzed. Nearly chucking the device from her hands in a panicked effort to check its screen, her heart sank-the text wasn't from Max. Instead, an unknown number. Chloe's eyes furrowed and she came to a complete halt. She opened the texts.
Unknown: bring what you took and come to american rust. it's a junkyard just outside town
Unknown: do NOT bring anyone with you, or you know what happens
Fucker. I know where American Rust is, you piece of shit. And thanks for your number. Saved me a trip. Shit, sorry David. Looks like you're gonna have to sit this one out. But, how the hell am I going to get to American Rust without wheels?
Immediately, her eyes drifted to Joyce's sedan, parked on the street. Feeling guilty, Chloe re-entered the house, quietly this time. She could hear Joyce in the kitchen, washing dishes. Chloe nimbly stepped over a squeaky board in the entryway, and snatched the car's spare key.
Sorry mom. But Max comes first. Wait, though-shit. I should get the money. If this is going to go down like I think, then I might need to buy time. And playing into their little game couldn't hurt.
So Chloe began a quiet ascent to her room, taking care to pause whenever Joyce turned off the kitchen sink faucet.
Stupid. If Max winds up using the photo, then none of this matters, right?
On that thought, she broke out into a run, tearing into her room and pulling the suitcase from its home in the closet.
I think I'm finally starting to agree with Max. This money? Worst idea ever. Way more trouble than it was worth. I... I hope... "other me" can come to the same conclusion.
Chloe gulped, opting to ignore the existential implications of Max's power. It was something she had gotten good at. Within moments she was back downstairs, suitcase in hand, keys in the other. Joyce appeared in the hallway and gave her a surprised look.
"Honey, what happened to calling David?"
"S-sorry, Mom," was all Chloe could manage. She left Joyce's confused questions behind her as she threw herself into the front yard, into her mother's car, and down the street, driving towards a place she knew all too well. While in motion, Chloe got a chance to think things through, and imagine how things might go down when she reached Max.
I'm walking into a trap. They don't give two shits about the money-that's just some false hope bullshit. So, what? Try my luck, and kill them both? Only ever saw the one gun. Or, play it cool and get close to Max. The money should help with that. Max just needs the photo within vision. Fuck it, let's go with "both."
With that thought Chloe settled onto a plan of action. A fuzzy notion of how to proceed became concrete thoughts, precipitating into discrete events. By the time her car was pulling up along side Nathan's truck-parked haphazardly at American Rust's entrance-she brimmed with determination and confidence. She didn't need to call, or shout out her presence. She already knew where they would be keeping Max. Chloe swung the suitcase out along side her as she left the car, slamming the its door shut.
Is she still in one of her episodes? What if she's too far gone? If she's out, and I can't bring her back in time... then this might be it. Fuck.
Chloe began a brisk walk to the concrete shack, which held memories from what felt like an entirely different life. I'm so sorry, Rachel. I should've been there for you. These assholes may have taken her, but they are not taking Max!
"Punctual! I like it!" Chloe jumped a little at Jacob's voice. He stood leaning against the shack's entrance. In his fingers he was twirling something. One of Max's bracelets, Chloe realized.
"You better not have laid a god damn hand on-"
"Chloe?"
Chloe's heart somersaulted at hearing Max's voice. Ignoring Jacob, who just stood with a stupid grin as Chloe rushed in, Chloe stopped cold two steps inside. Max was tied to a chair, and behind her, Nathan stood, burying the end of his gun into the back of her head.
"Chloe! It's back! My power! I, fuck, it knocked me out, at the lighthouse! And woke up here! I'm stuck!"
"The hell are you on about, bitch?" Nathan growled, and grabbed a tuft of Max's hair, forcing her neck back.
"Don't you touch her," Chloe screamed, taking a step forward in response.
"Eeeasy, you fucking dyke," Nathan replied. As if to remind her, he twisted the gun into Max's skull, his finger wrapped around the weapon's trigger.
Chloe stopped, gulping, and set the briefcase down on the ground. Her gun remained safely holstered on her waist, hidden from view. Neither boy seemed to notice its presence.
"You got what you wanted," she began, pointing at the money. "Now. Please, just, let's all just walk away."
Chloe heard a laugh from behind. Nathan just smiled, shaking his head.
"We both know you're not that stupid," Jacob answered. "Hell, I'm honestly surprised you even came. Heard you went to the cops. Bad idea." Jacob chuckled, making tsking sounds.
Well, guess it was worth a shot. Didn't really expect that to work.
"A-alright. I get it. Just, please. Before-" Chloe gulped, feigning a nervousness she actually felt-"you do what you have to do... Can we have a last moment?"
Nathan snickered, the sound grating on Chloe's ears. "Let 'em, Jacob. You know I like to see girls get it oooon."
Nathan rolled his eyes, but waved his hands in acquiescence.
Bingo. Sorry fuckers, you lose.
With a careful, even motion, Chloe drew the photo from her pocket, unfolding it, and placing it on the ground at Max's feet. Where she could have a clear look at it. When Chloe raised her head, their eyes met, and for a moment, time seemed to stop. Max wore a forlorn, pleading look. She understood, but wanted any other way than this. Chloe smiled, shaking her head. She moved in for a kiss, while in the same motion drawing her gun. Their lips met. With a grunt, Chloe batted Nathan's gun aside, shoved her own weapon into his chest. Before he could say a word, she pulled the trigger. Nathan's shocked expression was the last he ever made.
"Fuck," Jacob swore.
But Chloe was fast. She broke contact with Max, and twirled around to face Jacob. Her gun leveled at his head, and she heard another loud sound. Immediately, a warm pressure began to fill her chest. Looking down, she saw red. Everywhere. Spreading into her clothes, out her sleeves, onto the ground. Dizziness took control, and her knees hit the ground. A second later, and she was on her side. With her last ounce of strength she rolled, ensuring that the photo remained visible. As the world grew dark, Max screamed.