Trigger warning - themes of sexual assault. Words from the author (me) at the end.

* Saturday Afternoon, After the Funeral *

How is she so much faster? Our legs are the same length.

Max needs to sprint the last 20 feet to catch the blonde before she crosses the street. She is a bit winded when Kate finally turns around at the touch of Max's hand. 'Kate, wait. It's me. What's wrong?'

Her light makeup askew and the normally perfect bun coming undone, Kate looks quite a bit messier than usual. The bags under her eyes, as well as the redness, has Max remembering the last time she saw the girl in this state. Last Tuesday. The never-was Tuesday. But, but the roof... Oh, I didn't save her here. She hasn't been getting better yet.

I haven't saved her yet.

'Oh, hi Max.' She sniffs hard, either on the verge of tears or just stopping them. I hate seeing her like this.

'Katie, what's wrong? Was that your dad?'

'Yeah. We just... nothing. It's nothing.' The petite girl looks around, a little lost. 'What are you doing here?'

'Me and Victoria are out to lunch.' Still sounds weird.

'Victoria? Where...'

'She's...' The taller girl has yet to follow them. Standing by the front door and reaching into her purse, she is talking with one of the waiters. At least the staff doesn't think we're going to dine and dash. Though you do have to dine first. 'She's taking care of the bill, see? Front door.'

'Wait, you're out with Victoria, having lunch?'

Yeah, it's weirding me out too.' Max refocuses on Kate. 'But that's not why I'm standing here. What's wrong, and don't tell me nothing.'

'N-not here. If... can I get a ride back to the dorms, I...' Her uncertain tone, with her already tentative nature, makes her seem downright scared. 'Please, help me back to school. I just don't want to be outside right now.'

'Yeah, of-of course. I'll get Vicky.'

A quick giggle and a hand over her mouth. 'Vicky?' Kate smiles, though it doesn't quite break into her eyes.

Max has nowhere to go, though. Victoria is already walking towards them. Her face impassive, except for the eyes, which are locking on the Kate, searching for signs of distress. As she stops in front, in usual Victoria fashion, she takes ahold of the situation. 'Okay, our pizza was almost done anyway. They'll throw it in takeout and we'll be back to school in ten minutes. But whoever's sitting up front better be extra careful holding it. Stains do not end up on my car.' The emphasis of this statement is directed squarely at Max.

Kate chimes in. 'Oh, I don't know if I want the responsibility...'

'Don't worry, I'll take one for the team. But Vicky, how'd you know?'

Narrowed eyes from one blonde are counterbalanced by the amusement from the other. 'Because, Maxine, our girl here just got in a row with her father in public. The only things in the direction she's walking are Blackwell and the bars. Since I assume none of us are day drinkers, I'm taking her home.'

Again a giggle. Thank dog she's laughing. 'What is up with the two of you? The cutsie-frenemy routine.'

'Max and I are working on a feminist translation of the core comedic values of Abbott and Costello. You know, school art show.'

'Wait, really?'

Sigh. 'No. It's a biggish conversation. We'll get into it once Victoria gets us back.'

'Yeah. Looks like the pizza's ready. Grab it Max and I'll see about getting Katie wedged in my back seat.'

The silence of the car ride back prevents any conversation from forming. Twenty minutes later three girls and two paper plates ('No thanks, I ate already.') have formed a rough circle in Max's room. A bit diplomatic. Neutral ground for the two of them.

After everyone settles and the two of them start in on the pizza, Kate jump-starts the conversation. 'So I, uh, don't want to be rude. But, um, why are the two of you hanging out all of a sudden?'

Since Max was mid bite Victoria fields this one. 'We had a long talk last night. I, uh, I... You know. I apologized to Max for the way I've been treating her. Just like I did with you, Katie. And I am sorry! I need you to know that.' It's weird seeing Victoria feel guilty from the outside. She seems... really earnest.

Kate gives the taller girl that beatific smile she's so good at. 'I already told you Victoria. I forgive you. It wouldn't be very Christian if I couldn't accept a sincere apology.'

Oh, never change Kate. 'So, yeah, after Victoria came over we just talked for a while.' Max takes over the conversation, stumbling in her usual fashion. 'We realized that, you know, both of us are pretty messed up right now. And that we, um, we really didn't have any good reasons to be, well, to be mean to each other any more.' Time to plunge. 'And, um, we kinda talked about you too.'

'Oh?'

Victoria, thankfully, takes over. 'Yeah, Katie. I kinda told Max what you told me. About- about the photos. And the rest.' She stares intently at her half-eaten slice, hoping to find her next words hidden in sauce and cheese. 'I'm sorry. Again.'

'...oh...'

All three of them stare at their hands, appetites forgotten and melted cheese cooling.

Max finds her voice first. 'We're both worried. I- I saw your room the other day. You changed it. It was dark. You tore up your drawings. The mirror was covered. I-' When did I get so confident? 'I know what that means. I know the signs.' Max glances up. Kate is stone still, but tears can be seen tracing her cheeks.

Pause.

'...i've been in a bad place. i was think... i was thinking about. um. hurting myself.' A sound breaks a bit of the tension, originating not from Kate but Victoria. Just a slight shudder and a little whimper of pain. 'after the party i couldn't figure out what happened. i was hurt and i couldn't figure out how or why. and with everyone here hurting me-' She abruptly looks over at Victoria. 'i know you didn't know. i know you were just, you know, being a high schooler. and i know you're sorry. but, you hurt me.'

Victoria is crying hard now, and reaches over, pulling the smaller girl into a fierce embrace. Over and over she chants. 'I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I'm sorry...'

'i already forgave you. can't take it back now.' They break apart, and as crestfallen as she looks, Victoria has stopped crying. 'but that's not the worst.'

No, not her mom...

'i called home tuesday. the police had already talked to me and my parents. they were getting ready to come down and talk in person. but.' A shudder rocks her small frame. 'but i didn't know my aunt was coming too. thought she'd stay and look after my sisters. when they got here, father took us straight to the police. he talked to them alone first. as soon as the three of us were alone in the interview room my aunt started in on me. not, you know, directly. but little things. like how it was a mistake to let me live alone. that boys were corrupting me. that she never thought something like this would happen to her family.' The small girl starts gathering steam, her depression being replaced by anger. 'She blamed Me! I was my fault for acting like a harlot. My fault that sicko took advantage of me! And then, like it's some silver lining, she looks at Mother and says "Well, at least she wasn't raped"!'

The rage Kate feels is mirroring on the other two.

'Like that's the difference! That makes it okay. I wasn't violated that way so this- this thing can't be as bad! And my mother! MY OWN MOTHER! What's she doing? Just sitting there. Like some monk, nodding along and agreeing. My own f-family is sitting there, talking about how I'm some kind of whore who deserved it!'

The three girls break is three separate way. Kate folds herself up, hiding her head between her knees. She can't keep the sobs from coming now. Victoria again embraces her, unable to find words and electing to instead just shush her gently, trying to calm. And Max...

Slowly her right hand raises from her lap. She can barely see her own fingers through her own tear, and the two blondes are indistinct. I can go back. I can stop this. I can stop- She shakes her head. No. It won't erase this. Kate still needs help. I can go back... But when has that helped. Last time I almost... almost killed everyone. No. "The only way out is through." Thanks, Frost.

'Fuck 'em.'

Kate peaks up from under the embrace. Victoria has a look of surprise of her own.

'...wha...'

'Yeah. Fuck 'em. They're family, and I'm sure you still love them. But they aren't helping you. We will. And we'll get others to help you. Katie, we both love you very much. And we won't just abandon you. We'll be your support, your...'

'...sisters.' Yeah, Vicky, exactly.

'Yeah, exactly. Sisters. We're family. And we aren't going to let you go it alone.'

The smile on the petite girls face is aided by the tears now. 'really? that's...'

The old Victoria takes over. 'Yeah, we're amazing.' But she immediately softens. 'And so are you. So. No more bandage-tearing today. Un-unless you want to?' A quick head-shake negative. 'Now, you're going to spend all day watching movies and getting fat on ice cream and pizza. Trust me, getting fat and laughing about it is the ultimate fix for broken hearts.'

* Saturday Afternoon, After the Storm *

'what's your answer Caulfield?'

The question rings in Max's ears. What? How do I answer? She stares intently at Chloe's face. Tiny, subtle shifts show that the bluenette is slowly, slightly, losing her composure. That mask she puts on is slipping. Oh, Chloe, I love you. But... I can't know, can I? I could always rewind... No, I can't. I couldn't do that to her. Grim determination steals over Max. No. I have to know. If I do...

Done hesitating, before her courage leaves her, Max leans in the last six inches and puts her lips to Chloe's.

It's uncomfortable, those first few moments. Chloe, who still doesn't expect this response, is paralyzed. Max, who has had a total of one other kiss in her life (abet with the same person), doesn't know quite what to do, just pressing their closed mouths together, hoping to figure it out soon.

And they do. After both their initial shocks, lips soften. The intensity builds, and lips part. A soft sigh escapes from one of them, but neither can tell which. And neither care. Something flares in Max's chest. Something she realizes was only ever hinted at this past week with Chloe. That is came from Chloe. And it feels right.

Max tries to order her thoughts. I- I guess. I guess that was... alright. Alright? That was amazeballs. Like, totally-

'wowzers...'

Max playfully slaps the tall girl's shoulder. 'That's my line.'

A wide grin splits Chloe's features. The first in days. 'can't help it. you stole my breath away.'

Laughter, real earnest laughter, emits from Max. 'Oh. My. Dog. You're such a dork.'

'i'm your dork.'

Happy tear, plain old happy-to-be-alive tears, threaten to spill. 'Yes. And I'm yours.'

They stay there for a time, holding each other, just needing the closeness that comes from the one you love.

'you know, that's the first kiss i had that tasted like crying.'

Another slap, this time on the top of her head. 'Chlo, you just love to ruin the moment.' A look of relief crosses her face. 'Though it's good to know they aren't supposed to be so salty or... wet.'

'what do you mean?'

'Well.' Max pauses for dramatic effect, in spite of the blush rising to her face. 'That's technically my first kiss. Or second. Or third, really. But they were all with you.'

The puzzlement is all over Chloe. 'i don't get it...'

No wonder she likes to tease me. 'Well, you dared me last Wednesday. And at first I kissed you. But I was, like, mortified and rewound it before it even ended. But, the next time when I didn't kiss you, you looked so hurt I had to go back and, er, do it again. So, that's what you remember.'

chloe's eyes narrow over the span Max's tale. 'you little minx. using me like that.' But, in contrast to the daggers being stared at Max, the devilish grin tells the brunette what Chloe is really feeling. 'you know i'm going to get you back for this.'

'What ever will I do?' They share a briefer kiss this time, chaste, an affirmation of this new level to their relationship.

They rise, heading back to the truck. Chloe, thankfully, knows the way. Max is still lost. Lost in the woods. Much better without the evil stepmother.

The ride to Arcadia Bay is spent holding hands. No words, everything being said with furtive glances to one another. The trip is over almost before it starts.

The first glimpse of Arcadia Bay steals away every other thought in their heads, but their grips remain tight. The first sights that greet the two girls, even more than a mile out, are enough to send chills throughout.

Even a day later, the sky is crystal clear, the bay a perfect reflection of the blue above. The ocean itself was the stillest either has ever seen, a single pane of glass, seemingly ignorant of even the tides. All of it's normal chop has already been left ashore.

Tracing eyes inland, the first splashes of color greet them on the beach. Black and white and rusted, it seems every ship in the bay is beached, replacing the whales from only days earlier. Where before the houses closest waterside stood, the best of beachside property, either collapsed walls or foundation remains. Smoke still eminates from some spots, alerting emergency workers of unseen fires.

The majority of noticeable movement comes from those workers. For more than half a mile inland, the bulk of the devastation, hundreds of individual points of action can be seen. Some spots have strobing lights, showcasing where search and rescue was being aided by machine.

The sun was more than halfway through it's decent, closer to dusk than noon. It perfectly highlights the change in topography the last 24 hours has brought.

Max can't help herself. A devastated golden hour. The thought snaps her out of the fugue. 'Chloe. Hospital. Drive.'

'On it.'

The final approach to the Bay is slow, the truck weaving in and out of downed trees. As they properly enter town a checkpoint, manned by military types (minus firearms), awaits the girls. It takes Chloe only a few sentences to explain the situation and get them waved through.

It's a slow, stark drive to the hospital. Both girls are in pensive thought. The destruction is... So much. We made so mamy people pay for... Max shook her head once. No. The universe can't tell me what to do. I need, need to help. But sacrificing Chloe... That's murdering her.

She looks at the bluenette. Would I have saved someone else? Would I have sacrificed the Bay for a stranger? I don't know. The storm asked me to kill Chloe. And- and we don't know if it would have even stopped then.

It is a flimsy excuse. Max knows that. But it's also true. She didn't know if Chloe's death stopped the storm. Or if it was even her meddling with time that caused it. The first dream happened before I messed with time. If my powers caused it then- then I still can't change it. I tore up the "Everyday Heroes" photo weeks ago. And William was five years ago. I still changed time. And I can't undo that.

Still staring at Chloe, she realises she couldn't go back now anyway.

Chloe parks in one of the few spaces left outside the hospital, crooked as always. They locate the right room with the help of an orderly and nearly knock over each other running up four floors of stairs. Max, surprisingly, beats Chloe, the taller girl slowing as they near the door.

Max grabs her hand. 'I'm here.' Drawing strength, they open the door together.

David sits slumped over, half in his chair and half over Joyce's left leg. The other hangs suspended, immobile and wrapped in bandages. Joyce herself lays peacefully inn sleep, though leaning right from the weight of layers off gauze.

The sight shocks both into stillness, and grips tighten. '...mom.'

Okay, elephant in the room. I worked in a pretty serious idea, and I intend on dealing with it later more fully. But on the subject, I am thankful Dontnod approached the subject of what Jefferson and Nathan did to women the way they did. As a bystander to the story, I am very thankful it wasn't as graphic as it could have been. As portrayed, though, there isn't really a difference in my eyes, and certainly not in the eyes of a victim. In any case, the characters of Kate, Rachel, and Chloe went through an assault that is the same as what most people think of as sexual violence. All three had their wills taken away and were used. It's a difficult subject to try and portray in media without seeming too crass. It's as difficult for me to write about as it is to learn about. But ignoring it or glossing over it helps no one. Terrible people do terrible things and ignoring these events just empowers more people to perform the same acts depicted in LiS.

If you or someone you know needs help in a similar situation call: 1-800-656-4673 or visit for help.