Life is Strange: My Unusual Journey
Chapter 27 of my Life is Strange novelization, enjoy.
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Now onto the story.
Disclaimer: I don't own Life is Strange or its characters.
Polarized – There's a Light
When I finally did recover; it was to find myself back where I started, in the Dark Room, strapped to the chair, just as it was when I first regained consciousness.
"Oh fuck." I gasped; realizing.
Everything had been erased, all those rewinds, but how, how was I back in the Dark Room.
'Oh no, what am I doing here, I thought I fixed everything, at least enough to…?' I wondered in dismay.
"What did you say, Max?"
I started and stared in horror at Jefferson, standing right in front of me. 'What, Jefferson should be in prison, not here...'
He shook his head disdainfully. "Honestly, it's like your back in my class, you're still spacing out. You could have won the contest, but you destroyed your beautiful photo...You had a talent Max, too bad you pissed away your gift."
He sighed and then gestured to a small metal tray, with what looked like burnt paper inside it.
"Sorry, I got a little carried away, burning it all, it wasn't like there were any, masterpieces inside anyway." He remarked scornfully.
I stared in dismay, realizing the horrible truth now. 'No, he burned my diary, that's how I ended up back here...'
I couldn't believe this, things had gone from bad to worse, what was I going to do now?
Jefferson however was still talking.
"Now, answer the questions please." He demanded.
I had no idea what he even asked me, but instead of floundering, I was so pissed off with him I leaned forward as much as my bonds allowed and put as much venom into my voice as possible.
"Fuck you."
He laughed lightly and shook his head, stepping back. "Good answer, Max, good answer..."
I stared him down and he simply grinned.
"That shutter of your iris, the pictures you're taking of me just now..." He laughed. "See Max, this is what happens, this is how you capture someone in a moment."
I grit my teeth and looked to my left, suddenly panicking when I saw Victoria wasn't there.
"Oh, I had to let Victoria Chase go..."
In my panic, I didn't think clearly, so my reply really did sound stupid. "You let her..."
He rolled his eyes. "Oh, don't be stupid, it doesn't matter anyway, she was just as bad as all the others, nobody will mourn her passing...But people will care when you die Max. Especially when you've been pretty much more fearless this week than in your entire life. Something strange is going on around you..."
I froze when he said that, he intended to kill me, he had killed Victoria too, I would die here, die and be unable to do anything to save Chloe, to stop the tornado, to save Warren and the others.
My heart rate started racing, I could feel the sweat breaking out on my forehead, perhaps my expression changed, but whatever happened Jefferson smiled wider.
"There's that fear..." He said with glee.
Suddenly there was a loud boom and the room shook. I jumped in fear, it was then I realized that it was thunder, thunder as a side effect of the tornado, I still had to stop it.
"Whoa...have you seen how crazy it is outside?" Jefferson queried before grinning. "Like I said, something...weird."
I tried to suppress a shudder and then felt it, Jefferson noticed too and reacted.
"Hey, your nose is bleeding." He said, trying to grab my face, despite my struggles, which led to me to realize that, for all the good it did, my right leg was still free. "I must have given you too big a dose."
He shook his head, having wiped the blood coming from my nose. "Well, considering you're about to die, a nosebleed is a first world problem."
He shook his head, smiling serenely. "Oh Max, it's been an honor working with you on these last photos. I can hardly wait, I sincerely hope these pictures will be seen for what they truly represent, the loss of...youth."
He paused and then nodded before adding.
"At least, that's the last lecture you'll have to hear from me." He explained.
I couldn't let this happen, I had to stop the tornado, he had to know about the danger.
"Wait, Mr. Jefferson, please..." I pleaded.
He held up his hand and shook his head. "Shhh, Max, that's enough, this ends now."
With that he turned and began walking towards the table where he kept fresh bottles of the drugs, and another syringe.
I was gripped with fear, no, terror. I tugged at my bonds, but apart from my right leg, nothing budged. I had no chance, I desperately pleaded with Jefferson, I needed to get out of here, before the tornado destroyed everything.
I could only watch in dismay as he approached me, the full syringe in hand. I could only watch, feeling the end coming as he grasped my head, tilting it to the side and raised the syringe, about to inject my neck again.
'No...'
Then it happened, Jefferson jumped back, startled, I was startled too, leaning forwards. We just heard the sound of the Dark Room door opening.
I watched in shock as Jefferson put the syringe down on the trolly next to me and grabbed his camera stand, going to take cover against the wall, ready to ambush whoever came through the door.
I was in too much shock to warn whoever it was, which proved fatal, this person was my only chance. As they emerged, Jefferson attacked and I nearly screamed, especially as I recognized the person.
'David!'
It was indeed David Madsen, he had been struck and lost his gun, he tried to stand but was attacked again, and again before hitting the ground.
"No, David, No!" I cried out.
Jefferson laughed. "Well, well, David Madsen..."
I shook my head, David, he was my last chance. I had to do this, I had to ensure David had a chance, it was my only hope for getting out of here. I raised my hand and immediately began to rewind.
I rewound as far as I could and recovered as Jefferson spoke 'again'.
"At least, that's the last lecture you'll have to hear from me."
I wasn't going to let him stop me this time, I needed to buy David time and hopefully set up some way to ensure he had the advantage. "Wait, please, can I, can I please ask for, one last request?"
He laughed and shook his head. "Oh, you got me Max, how can I refuse that face."
I knew exactly what to do; play on his vanity.
"Can I please have, one last picture, I want to be your best subject." I said, trying to sound eager.
"Hmm, I almost don't believe that." Jefferson replied. "But, maybe you have learned from me after all."
With that he collected his camera and took the photo, once he was done I watched as he set it down on a box next to the sofa, near the door.
My heart leapt, if I did this right, I could not only warn David, I had ensured he could have an extra weapon if necessary. I waited nervously, hoping everything would work out right.
Sure enough, everything happened as it had before, but as Jefferson made his way to his ambush point, I did not sit and wait things out.
"David, look out!" I yelled.
Jefferson was stunned. "How, how could you know that?!"
He quickly turned and tried to attack; but this time, David was ready. He was still struck, still had his gun knocked out of his hands, but he did not fall completely to the ground.
Then I saw he was in the perfect position.
"Get the camera next to you!" I yelled.
David reacted at once, grabbing Jefferson's camera and threw it, striking Jefferson and disarming him. The two now stood, facing each other, David in a defensive stance, Jefferson smirked.
Still smirking Jefferson commented.
"No gun, no balls."
David scowled. "Jefferson, it's over!"
"You are not, going to stop me!"
With that he ran across the room, David in pursuit, I jumped and horror gripped me again as Jefferson spun around and fired a gun. I looked around in a panic, and then I saw it, another spark of hope.
I quickly rewound to the part where Jefferson was about to start running and used my free leg to pull the wires of one of the lights
I wasn't able to trip Jefferson sadly but I ended up pulling the light over, breaking it and distracting him. That was all David needed, I watched, relief flooding me as David swiftly punched Jefferson to the ground, then again, knocking him out.
He paused briefly, to catch his breath, before hurrying over to me.
"Oh Lord Max, are you alright, are you hurt?" He asked worriedly, as he quickly undid the straps, freeing me.
I managed to smile, rubbing my wrists as I slowly stood up. "Yes, thank you, David, thank you."
"Don't thank me." He said softly. "You brought me here, remember."
I let out a soft breath and stood up as David quickly retrieved his gun and, after making sure Jefferson was knocked out, restrained him.
Meanwhile, I tried to focus my mind; trying to let the feelings of violation and fear disappear, not easy as I still felt the straps, saw the syringe, those pictures of me, God I wanted to burn them.
"Save Chloe..." I muttered.
Right now, I still had two things to do, save Chloe from being killed by Jefferson and stopping the tornado somehow. At least with Chloe I had an idea what to do and a chance. I'd start with that.
But then I remembered. 'Shit, he burned everything...'
I had no photos to use, I couldn't go back into a focus. I felt helpless, what could I even do now. Everybody was doomed, Chloe, Joyce, me, everyone from Blackwell, Warren.
Then it hit me. 'Warren, that's it, I can use the photo he took of us outside the party. I just need to find him.'
Despite everything going on, just the thought of seeing Warren sent a fluttering through my stomach.
I still had to tell him that too, I'd have to think of something. I quickly grabbed my hoodie and bag and pulled them back on, once I had everything I checked my phone. Sadly there was no signal down here, I'd have to leave.
I then spotted the car keys on the table, I grabbed them, I now had a ticket out of here, walking certainly wasn't an option, the car was dangerous too, but it might be my only chance. I made my way towards the front area of the Dark Room.
Just then however, David called out.
"Just a minute Max, I...I haven't been able to find Chloe anywhere." He said. "Have you seen her?"
I almost choked, shuddering as I found myself, unable to lie. "David, Chloe is...Jefferson..."
I couldn't finish, but David realized what I meant and shook his head, looking devastated.
"No, not her, not Chloe..." He gasped and then, suddenly, his features twisted with rage. "You killed her, asshole!"
I gasped and tried to stop him, but David was too quick. Before I could react, his gun was out and he shot Jefferson through the head.
He slowly calmed down and then sighed. "I'm sorry you had to see that Max; you should go...you've seen enough of this room."
I nodded slowly, feeling horrible, but I had no choice. I could still fix things, it all depended on getting to Warren.
I quickly made my up out of the Dark Room, into the barn. Once there I spotted Jefferson's car, the keys unlocked it, I was in luck. I quickly zipped up my hoodie and, spotting it, pulled a black jacket form the back of the car and pulled that on too, zipping it up.
It was a bit big, but not too much. I quickly opened the doors to the barn and was instantly hit by the wind.
I winced, it was just like it was in my visions, the wind howled, the thunder and lightning blitzed and above it all, the tornado could be seen, the damage it was causing visible even from here. Despite this I had to take my chances. I pulled out my phone and was relieved to see I had a signal.
"Yes, c'mon." I dialed the number and waited and, to my relief, got an answer. "Warren!"
He replied at once. "Max, thank God, you're okay, I..."
I was so glad to hear his voice, but I needed to get to the point. "Listen, Warren, do you still have that photo you took of us yesterday?"
"Huh, yeah, but why…?"
"Where are you?" I asked.
He paused for a moment, confused but then replied. "Um, I'm at the Two Whales, we..."
I quickly replied. "I'll be right there."
"What, are you crazy, you can't come here, in the middle of an E6 tornado..." He cried out, panicked.
I spoke quickly. "Warren, I'll be fine, I'll be right there."
With that I hung up and got in the car and immediately began driving. It wasn't easy, trying to stay focused on simply driving back. I had set my phone on the seat next to me, letting it play out anything it needed to do when I heard something unexpected.
It was my phone, as I tried to drive through the tornado storm when I heard it announce a voice mail, one which shocked me as it was like listening to something from the grave.
"Max, it's Nathan." The panicked voice said. "I...Jefferson is coming for me and I don't have much time. Max I'm sorry, everything, I killed Rachel, it was an accident. You have to be careful, Jefferson is coming for you too..."
I was in shock and saddened by hearing it, I think it was in that moment I truly forgave Nathan, for I could hear it in his voice, the heartbreak, the fear. He was telling the truth, what was more, he tried to warn me.
I had been so blind to the truth. It was just one more thing I'd have to work out once I fixed things. To my horror I soon realized an unfortunate problem, due to the carnage going on, I could no longer drive onwards, I had to stop the car.
Silently cursing I put my phone back in my pocket and got out. I winced against the wind and tried to keep moving, but as I looked I saw things were a lot harder than I thought, there were still people alive out here, who needed help.
I began my slow progress through the streets; the hard part was trying to help people, especially some of them like Evan, who I had to rewind to save from being killed. Once he was safe I spotted the trucker, pinned by his truck, I hurried to help him and once he left I then saw Alyssa.
I hurried to her and, finding a board of wood, I quickly helped her down and soon we were safe.
"Thanks Max, you saved me again." She said.
I smiled lightly; suddenly I yelped as Alyssa pulled me, narrowly helping me escape injury as a sign nearly fell on me.
I let out a sharp breath. "Wow, that was close, thanks."
Alyssa grinned too before leaving, after I told her I still needed to save others.
I quickly began working my way around obstructions, through a building, saving the fisherman on the way, that was a horrific moment which I did little to try and remember. But what mattered was, in the end, I was able to save him.
I soon emerged from the building, mere feet away from the Two Whales. So imagine my devastation when a trail of leaking fuel ignited and blew up, destroying the diner.
'No, no this can't...Need to...'
I quickly rewound again and acted quickly, a fire sand container was thankfully nearby, shoveling enough out to prevent the fuel from spreading to the diner I took a moment to breathe. I needed to hurry, I tried the door only to find it locked.
I had one other option to get in now, this was my last hope. Holding myself against the terrible wind, I pushed onwards and soon reached the back door. Trying it I was relieved to find it open. I was now in a storeroom, I knew right away where I was and hurried to the other door. I opened it and was inside the diner.
"Max!" Warren and Joyce called out together as they approached me.
"Thank God you're alright." Joyce said at last.
I nodded. "I'm glad to see you're alright, both of you."
Joyce nodded and sighed. "I don't know for how long though...I doubt the diner will survive this."
I nodded, praying my plan worked, otherwise I would be joining them as things fell apart. I was surprised to see Frank was here too, injured, Joyce turned to try and help him. I turned to Warren.
I felt my heart speeding up as I saw him again; I quickly calmed myself and prepared to speak.
"I'm so glad you're alright." I said at last. "I...I..."
He just smiled. "It's alright Max, I'm fine. Oh, here, I've got the photo, don't know why you want it..."
I sighed. "I...I don't have much time, I'll just have to give you the fast version, c'mon, let's talk."
He nodded and I finally began telling Warren the truth, regarding my power and what I could do. I explained my strategy too.
"Warren, say something, please. You don't…?"
He shook his head. "No, I believe you Max, but, this is dangerous. Don't you know, Chaos Theory is always in effect and, messing with time can have serious consequences..."
I bowed my head, this did stir something with me. But I had to risk it and said so, Warren nodded.
"I know Max, I know...But, well, I know you'll do the right thing." He said at last.
I sighed but made up my mind. "Warren, before I go, there's something else, I can't say it now, but I want to show you. You won't remember this when I go back, but I will a way to tell you then."
"What is it Max?" He asked, confused.
I smiled and then showed him, pulling him close and kissing him. After a moment of surprise, Warren returned the kiss.
When we parted he smiled and nodded and gave me a hopeful look. I also nodded and then, taking a deep breath again, I focused on the photo, it was time. Focusing and using my power I soon pulled myself back into the past, to what I felt was my last chance to fix things.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.
