Chapter THIRTY-FIVE: Only the good…
Wowsers, thank you so much for 10,000 views it is so incredible for me! You are all so awesome!
Alfred Hitchcock once referred to photographs as 'little pieces of time'. If somebody took a photo of you at birth and then again at death, the very beginning and end of your life would be captured in two little pieces of time forever, at least until it fades and crumples with age. In-between the first breath at birth and the last at death, life is filled with countless adventures and experiences both good and bad. Some photographers want to capture all of these moments, every single event of trial and triumph for a variety of reasons. Max Caulfield wants to capture these moments so that, at the end of her life, she can prove that there are more good moments than bad and so she can remember the best parts of her existence whilst also acknowledging the bad. She wants to study the contrast of emotions on her face and compare them to the changing of scenery and the wash of vibrant colours on the polaroid. Max often dreamt of visiting an active volcano when it's about to burst and have a photo taken of her standing in front of the eruption so she could investigate the contrast between the probable scared-to-shit look on her face with the bright and angry backdrop. She wished she could take a picture of her soon to be wife, with her beautiful blue hair and eyes, standing bellow the northern lights and compare each beauty to the other, with Chloe Price being the obvious winner.
One day she will get around to doing all of that but for now, she was quite happy with half kneeling on the hard-concrete floor, aiming her trusty camera at the love of her life who was currently attempting a handstand. She was also more than happy to capture the moment Chloe Price fell over and landed with a large thud in a dirty puddle, splashing murky water in ever direction.
"Hey, watch the camera Chloe, it won't work if it gets too wet" Max complained, inspecting her camera for any impact from the dirty water.
Chloe launched herself up and casually strolled over to her fiancé. It was her idea to come to the carpark by the beech, where they had once met her old dealer Frank Bowers to get information about his clients. Chloe wanted to go there on their way back from a shopping trip to just screw around and chill on the actual beach but thanks to the recent rain, that wasn't going to happen unless she wanted to eat wet sand for dinner. Max had insisted they stay so she could land a few photo opportunities and Chloe had amused herself by flirting with Max, graffitiing a sign, performing makeshift stunts such as her failed handstand and…more flirting. Just as Max couldn't pass up a chance to take a photo, Chloe couldn't pass up the chance to make a dirty joke to her fiancé for a guaranteed blush,
"You know what Maxi-pad, that reminds me of someone I know but it takes allot of wetness for her to stop working" winked Chloe. Sure enough, a bright red blush made it's way to the young photographer's face followed by an awkward chuckle and shove that somehow morphed into a huge kiss to Chloe.
"You are such a dork Chloe Price" retaliated Max,
"I know but you totally love it" laughed Chloe, again winking at Max.
It was now mid-February and nearly two months since Max and Chloe's weird encounter with the Homeless Women. The two had attempted to rationalise what had happened but gave after the fourth coffee. Whatever it was, Chloe was so glad it had happened as ever since that strange encounter, Max had become much happier and energetic. She didn't shake as much when looking at the wreckage of Arcadia Bay, although she still looked away and occasionally would tear up but it had gotten so much better. Max now actively left the house to look for photo opportunities and often came back with her bag full of them. It was refreshing for Chloe to see Max like that and made her happier than ever in return.
"I thought us getting married in six months' time was a clear sign that I love you to pieces Chloe" mused Max. The pair had finally got around to planning their actual wedding and although they both nearly fainted with shock at the cost, they knew it was more than worth it!
"I don't know about that, I thought you were only marrying my sorry ass because I look so smokin' hot" joked Chloe,
"Well I can't disagree with you there, anyway we should get back to the house so I can put these photo's up on the wall" explained Max. Chloe nodded and after making one last attempt to dry herself off, she followed Max to her trusty truck and drove off to their home.
The once decimated roads of Arcadia Bay had transformed into something that was actually drivable, although it was difficult still. It had turned from treacherous to traversable thanks to the efforts of the surviving residents of Arcadia Bay as well as outside support and surprise funding from the Prescott's. The town was starting to resemble only a partially destroyed town now and Chloe Price found herself actually glad which was a supreme shock to her considering she wanted to turn it into glass and smash it only four months ago. Everything had changed in the last four months and Chloe knew it was going to change allot more in the future. Max had requested they drive the long war round so they could avoid the wreck of the ruined Two Whales Diner which still made her feel uneasy whenever she saw it and Chloe couldn't blame her, after everything that happened in October.
"Hey Max, do you mind if I turn the radio on?" asked Chloe.
"Sure go ahead, but please no screamo…they sound like zombies in pain" replied Max. Chloe laughed at this and poked around before finding the perfect song to put on and stuck it in the stereo.
Max was surprised when her ears weren't greeted with heavy metal but the soft turns of a country song. Chloe normally hated country songs.
"Didn't you say you wanted to burn every banjo in the world? You hate country" said Max curiously. Chloe smiled as she actually remembered saying that shit and it was true, she hated country normally but this one…this meant something to her,
"Heh, I totally did say that but…this one is kinda important. It's called Midnight Oil, me and my dad used to listen to it a bunch. I found a copy of it and I listen to it sometimes. I…still miss him Max. I feel so shitty when I think that when we get married he won't be there. I'll have my step-father, my father-in-law but…not my actual father there" explained Chloe sadly. Max carefully placed her hand on Chloe's and held it for a moment, letting her know that she was there for her always.
"I'm so sorry Chloe, I wish William could be there too but I do know something Chlo, he would be so proud of you right now like I am and I always will be Chloe I promise" stated Max. Chloe found herself smiling and leant over to kiss Max on the cheek.
It came out of nowhere….
Suddenly….
The first thing Max felt was pressure and she heard a large bang at the front of the truck. Suddenly the entire car was spinning and bumping before coming to a sudden and painful halt onto a broken wooden lamppost. What neither Chloe or Max saw was the four-door red car, who had been speeding down the left turning of the crossroads they had just driven up to and had only just impacted. It had sent the car spinning for a moment before coming to a rest suddenly on a nearby lamppost. Max couldn't feel much but she could feel pain…sharp and dull pain together, performing a duo of torture on her body. She felt her eyes get heavier and heavier…deeper and deeper. She desperately tried to say Chloe's name, desperately trying to find out if she was okay before loosing to the pull of unconsciousness.
The last thing she saw before her eyes shut and her thoughts became distant was Chloe Price, who was slumped over the steering wheel.
Was she okay?
Was she alive?
Unconsciousness finally took over and the image of Chloe was replaced with blackness….