Well I'm back, been off for a bit, I'd like to continue this story. Some events may have changed or been altered.
Previously on The Truth Of Arcadia Bay..
At the Motel..
She reaches out her arm to warn Chloe and Max
"STOP!"
At the diner..
"KBAY 7 News will be investigating the strange weather phenomenon that occured yesterday..."
"Let's talk about your superpower!" Chloe exclaimed
Later..
"10:34am." Sophia said
"Lucky guess fed." Chloe replied
Later...
Sophia received a text from Chloe to go to a place called 'American Rust'
She had just found out some pretty weird shit and she needed to relax. If that ment watching some kids then so be it.
American Rust
9:19am
October 8th, 2013
Sophia had driven in behind Chloe into 'American Rust', as they had called it.
'Fitting name' She thought as she looked around
Long abandoned cars and trucks were all over the metal dump. Everything from that too refrigerators and smaller items of interest.
She parked up to the side of Chloes truck as her phone buzzed inside her pocket.
Sophia turned off her car and hopped out, waving to both Chloe and Max that she would catch up.
She pulled out her phone to see she had a missed call from an unknown phone number and called her voicemail.
"One Missed Call From: 555-0122 OREGON STATE. Now playing new messages."
A robotic voice now filled the phones speakers
"Listen up Agent Barns. Consider this your one and only warning for investigating Rachel Amber's dissappearence. We wouldn't want you dissappearing now would we?"
The line went dead after that.
Mad didn't describe her current feelings. No, she felt furious! No one was going to tell her to drop anything!
She remembered that she was indeed a federal agent who could use resources to find out who called.
A new message was quickly sent with the phone number and a rush order on it to the appropriate people.
She quickly put her phone away to hear several gunshots go off in the distance and with that, she was off.
"Max?... CHLOE!!"
When she got to the scene, she didnt like what she saw. Two girls, one armed with a pistol, were shooting at bottles.
Props for the somewhat safety but still absolutely dangerous.
"Are you two FUCKING INSANE!!" Sophia screeched
"Whats the matter? We're ok." Chloe said
"One I am pretty sure that, that is not your gun." She took the gun from Chloe
"And secondly that was extremely dangerous! You or Max couldve gotten shot!"
"Oh you do care? How thoughtful." Chloe said with dripping sarcasm.
Sophia audibly sighed. "Look just be careful. I'll give some pointers and if you mess up, I mean Max can always reverse."
Both of the girls nodded as she handed the gun back to Chloe.
Some Time Later...
The three of them were laughing their butts off after doing some target practice. With Max and Sophia giving Chloe pointers, they made sure that Chloe didn't miss her shot.
Sophia's phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out.
Keith Palmer is calling...
Sophia looked at her phone and said to the girls, "Sorry. I have to take this. I'll be right back ok?"
"Dont worry about us Sophia, we'll be ok." Chloe said
Sophia walked a few feet off in some direction of the junkyard and clicked the accept button.
S: "Hello, Sir."
K: "Barns, I thought I'd call in regards to the phone number lookup you requested."
S: "Did it turn up anything?"
K: "Unfortunately not. Prepaid cell phone. This person has some balls threatening a federal agent. Nothing we can do about it now."
S: "It comes with the line of work."
K: "True. How's life in the Orgeon woods?"
S: "Going good I suppose. It's nice, away from the big city."
K: "Sounds good. I'll let you get back too whatever your doing. Keep up the good work. I expect results Sophia."
S: "Of Course. Sir."
She hung up the phone and twirled around too see the one person she didn't think would be there. Frank Bowers.
He was attempting to talk to the girls. She hid behind a steel girder as she tried to listen in. She thought whether to intervene or not.
"Heard the firing of guns and the breaking glass. It's cute you girls are playing around with guns. Just like me at my age" Frank said
"We're nothing alike man." Chloe retaliated
"We're both in need in money. In fact you need it so bad, you owe me a shitload. Don't you Chloe?"
'Chloe owed Frank money?...' Sophia thought
"I'll get your money." Chloe said back
"That's what they all say don't they... Being broke and acting tough." Frank said, walking slowly towards Chloe.
Max makes some noise with the gun which Frank notices.
"What are you hiding behind you girly?"
Chloe then notices the bracelet on Frank's arm.
"Where the fuck did you get that bracelet from?" Chloe says
"None of your business!"
"It's Rachel's isn't it!"
"It was a gift from her."
"No it wasn't! You stole it, now give it back" Chloe said while getting up in Frank's face.
Frank suddenly pulls out a switchblade.
"You better back up! Wouldn't want me to accidentally cut you."
Frank realizes something. "I saw two cars when I parked at the lot. Where the hell is your buddy? I know it ain't your friends.."
Sophia pops out from behind the bushes
"Don't do it Frank!"
Frank takes Chloe hostage "Get back! Or I'll cut her."
"What do you want."
"I want this bitches money, got it?"
A audible click was heard behind her as Max was still holding the gun they used for practice.
"Drop it."
Frank whirled around and Chloe took the opportunity to shove Frank as he was turning around and ran to Sophia. Frank tripped and hit his head on the hood of the car. Immediately knocked him out.
"Max... that was cold. Were you going to actually shoot him?" Chloe asked.
"No but I'd do anything for you Chloe." Max said
They both hugged as Sophia checked on Frank.
"He's just out cold. We better leave before he wakes up. If we're lucky he may have some brain loss." Sophia said
"Way to go Max!" Chloe said
"Dumb luck that's all that was. But good you two for being brave." Sophia replied
"Can we go out for a quick walk before we leave?" Chloe asked
Sophia sighed "I guess? Make it quick though, I'm not sure how long till Frank wakes up."
"Sweet!"
Some more time later
"I can't believe you pulled that gun on Frank!" Chloe said
The two girls were walking side by side on the train tracks.
Sophia had reminded them that it was an active track and to be careful. Again.
Still they did it and were deep in conversation.
They were both sitting on the train tracks chatting.
Some more, more time later
Max was off taking photos and Sophia was watching Chloe as Max suddenly went into another one of her 'mental attacks'
Sophia went off to go help Max but when she moved Chloe yelled out "Sophia! I cant move!"
"Shit!" Sophia moved over to Chloe and tried wrestling the boot away from the track.
"MAX!" Chloe and Sophia both yelled out. Max snapped out of her attack.
"MAX! Chloes stuck!" Sophia said
Max said "Oh shit! What do we do!"
Sophia quickly spotted a nearby train control room
"Over there! Try and find something to get the train to stop!" Sophia said. "I'll keep trying to help Chloe."
Max nodded and raced over to the shack. A distinct sound of a train horn sounded.
"Max! Hurry!" Sophia yelled
Chloe was in an obvious state of panic. Max dove back down to a fuse box next to a train lane switch. Train was quickly getting closer and closer.
With the amount of times that Max reversed time, attempting to save Chloe, Sophia felt dizzier and dizzier.
When Max finally found the right combo and stopped the train a little bit, Sophia put in the last bit of her energy and yanked Chloe from the track, freeing her. The train raced past the both of them.
Chloe instantly hugged Sophia as she regained a bit of her strength. Sophia hugged back but she had to puke, so she rapidly pushed away Chloe and puked to the other side.
"Shit... you ok?" Chloe asked, favoring one side of her body at that moment.
Sophia nodded but puked some more. Max and Chloe hugged in the meantime. The three walked back through the junkyard and on the way, made sure to check on Frank. He was still out cold. Sophia delivered one swift kick to Frank and they returned to their vehicles.
Chloe and Max took the truck back to the school as Max needed to get to her class and Sophia started the drive back to her hotel as she was absolutely spent and needed a nap before her next move. She did learn two invaluable details though during Frank and Chloe's confrontation.
'A) Chloe owes Frank money. A lot of money. Do not know the amount.
and
B) Frank has Rachels bracelet apparently. Further evidence that they knew each other. Maybe they knew each other on a personal level?' she thought.
She shook her head. She would think about all that later.
The Motel
11:04am
October 8th, 2013
She pulled into the parking lot of the motel, as she read off the numbers of the red digital clock.
11:04am
It felt like she had just spent an entire day but it was only a few hours. Her head slumped onto the steering wheel. Her head was resting resting on the steering wheel for a few moments until her police radio cackled to life.
"Attention all units. 911 callers indicate a female student at Blackwell Academy is threatening to take her own life at the main courtyard tower. 911 callers now indicate that the girl in question is Kate Marsh. Any units currently in the area, drop what your doing and head to the scene."
She hadn't even waited for the dispatcher to finish as she was already back on the road with her lights flashing.
A few minutes later...
Blackwell Academy
11:10am
October 8th, 2013
She arrived at the school in record time. She had dangerously maneuvered around the local cops, taking their sweet time, she might add.
The dispatcher on her car radio was in the middle of repeating the callout when it was suddenly cutoff.
"Repeat. Any units in the area. A female student named Kate Marsh is threatening to-"
Time slowed down to a stop as Sophia surveyed the scene around her.
Her cars sirens and lights were still, as were the crowd of people that were looking up at the tower.
There she was. Kate Marsh.
She managed to spot Max, just as Max was entering the clocktower access door. Sophia raced after her.
The Roof Of The Tower at Blackwell Academy.
Sophia managed to reach the last step of the tower, a few moments after Max had stepped out onto the roof and time resumed normally. She opened the door too the site of Max attempting get Kate off the ledge.
Max noticed Sophia and shooed her away.
Sophia mouthed and described 'Just use your power?'
Max whispered back "Not working.."
Sophia cursed inwardly. She'd let Max do the talking as she hoped that Max could defuse this.
Kate suddenly heard them and turned around.
"Leave me alone Max. You too. I'm not sure who you are but... I want to do this and no one can stop me!" Kate screamed
Sophia kind of just waved her hands, showing that she was not going to do anything bold.
"I will jump! I swear!" Kate said.
Police cars and an ambulance were just arriving on scene when she said that.
"It's alright, ok? We're just right here Kate. Please don't jump ok?" Max said
Sophia watched from sidelines, calculating Kate's facial expressions.
"I love how you stepped up to David but it doesn't matter now. Nothing matters."
'So Kate was the girl David was ganging up on.' Sophia thought.
"You matter! And not just to me!" Max replied with Sophia nodding her head.
"I would like to believe that so much Max."
"Kate your life is still yours. We can get through it together. Let me help." Max further continued with "I erased all that crap people put on your room slate."
"I'm glad to hear you worry about me.. That makes me feel a bit better."
"Of course I worry Kate! You're my friend. Always Kate." Max said, slowly getting closer and closer to Kate. Sophia trailed behind Max slowly as well.
"I did feel better talking to you on the phone. I always feel like you actually listened to me."
"Come and trust me Kate. Stand by me...okay? I can help you now... I know I can. I even erased the message on the bathroom mirror today."
"Are you serious? Thank you so much." Kate replied "The fact that you don't care about that video and would come up here to stop me, means alot."
"I believe you were drugged Kate! We will find out who did this and make them pay."
Kate nodded and looked at Sophia for reassurance. Sophia nodded back.
"Kate we both believe you. Will you believe in us?" Sophia asked out of the blue.
"I'm in a nightmare and I can't wake up. Unless I put myself to sleep permanently. Then everybody at Blackwell can post pics of my body. I'm already on the internet forever."
"Kate you have to be strong. We can being those who wronged you to justice. Show them you aren't afraid!" Sophia yelled out.
"Your my only friend Max. There isn't anyone else who even remotely cares about me!"
"What about your dad? I saw the card in your room Kate. Your father loves you, no matter what you've done." Max said
"He would be pretty sad if I left." Kate replied shamefully.
Max reached out her hand to Kate and Kate grabbed onto her hand as they both tumbled onto the ground of the rooftop.
David came blasting out the door with the EMS right behind them. EMS immediately went up to Kate, while David brushed up against Max.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING UP HERE?" David shouted in Max's face
Sophia stepped in. "Oh hell no, you aren't going to do that. Max has just been through a truly traumatic experience and just saved a girl from jumping to her death. You really want to grill her now?"
David stepped off a bit and just walked back down the stairs with the EMS.
Sophia grabbed onto Max's arm. "Hey cmon we need to get downstairs. Think you can do that?"
Max nodded her head and clinged too Sophia's shoulder as they both headed down the stairs of the tower.
Bottom of the Tower at Blackwell Academy
They had both arrived downstairs to see Kate being whisked away to the back of the ambulance and driving away. David was nearby talking to the principal. Students were viewing the scene.
David nodded to the prinicpal and walked over to the pair.
"Principal Wells would to see the both of you in his office. Right now."
Sophia sighed but as she tried to retaliate, David walked off.
"Cmon Max. We need to go to Wells' office."
Max grumbily nodded her head. The two girls walked into the main building.
Principal Wells' Office
Blackwell Academy
Sometime after the incident
The two girls walked straight into Principal Wells' office. There was Mark Jefferson, Principal Wells, David Madesn, Nathan Prescott and Officer Berry.
Sophia nodded to Officer Berry, to which he gave a slight nod back. Sophia then carefully lowered Max into the chair next to Nathan.
Wells turned around to look at the group.
"Now I know today was difficult for everyone, but I am so proud of the way Blackwell pulled together to save a young girls life."
Wells looked around and continued "Of course you two are quite the hero's... Ms Caufield and of course Ms. Barns."
"I didn't do much..." Max muttered
"She's modest... Like a true hero." Mr. Jefferson said
"Yeah 'Real Hero' ". David muttered
Sophia snapped her neck towards him
"What the fuck did you just say? I know that you truly ment that didn't you."
"Ms. Barns." Wells said
"No goddammit Prinicipal Wells! This whole place is an absolute corrupt jungle." Sophia yelled on.
Principal Wells cleared his throat.
"Now as principal of Blackwell Academy, I take my duties seriously."
Sophia resisted scoffing.
Principal Wells continued like nothing happened. "What happened today should never happen in a hall of wisdom and knowledge."
He turned to look at Mr. Madsen "Mr. Madsen, as our head of security here, those roof doors should always be locked. That's just standard operating procedure. They were not. And that indeed is your responsibility."
David shot up "But sir-"
"No but's Mr. Madsen. You had a job to do and you failed. We all need to learn from our mistakes. It's just lucky that nothing further happened. Are we clear?"
David nodded and stayed silent.
Wells looked over at Mr. Jefferson "Mr. Jefferson, I know you can't be expected to know what your students are going through, but Kate has assisted you in class, you should have known that something was amiss."
He finally turned to Nathan "Mr. Prescott, since you are responsible for the Vortex Club parties and since Ms. Marsh attended your last party, you'll have to answer some questions."
Finally, with all the possible lead points on the table, Wells sat down in his chair and looked at Max.
He put his hands together as he asked "Ms. Caulfield.. Ms. Barns.. why exactly were you two on the roof with Kate Marsh? Did she tell you her plan? Or anything at all? Please.. tell us everything."
Sophia was gripping Max's chair more and more tightly. All the suspects were here. David Madsen, while misguided, should not be making this place into a prison. With some new information, she now knew that David had been grilling Kate. Some serious harassment on his part. If anything though, he was just an accelerant to the ever growing fire.
Mark Jefferson. He missed the signs that Kate was showing. Maybe there was something she didn't know about, something he did to Kate. He was most likely another accelerant. Although there was some kind of mysterious auora around him. She couldn't quite place her finger on it.
Nathan Prescott. She knew now he was president of the so called "Vortex Club". He most likely had the largest part leading up to this moment. He's the most likely suspect.
Now with all three choices presented, it was time for them to make a decision. Who would they shift the blame on.
Max, pretty obviously, went with the choice of blaming Nathan, which Sophia totally agreed with. It seemed that Kate Marsh's problems stemmed from this kid.
"All I know is that Kate was at a party and Nathan dosed her. She got wasted and kissed some boys on a viral video without a clue." Max stated prominently
Nathan turned and stared at her like she was crazy. "I dosed her? Without a clue? Have you even seen the video Caulfield? Whatever. Kate was loaded and playing in the field-"
Max cut him off. "You're a liar. You told Kate you took her to the emergency room."
"I said I was going to take her to the ER. She sobered up eventually."
"Bullshit! Something happened to her and you know it." Max pointed her finger at him.
"Hey watch where your pointing that finger. You might lose it." Nathan said cooly
"Is that a threat you bastard! Let's talk about you waving a gun around in the girls bathroom-" Max said
"Hey that's total slander! I could sue you and this whole school so fast... I already have a personal lawyer."
Wells kicked it into gear suddenly with him saying to Nathan. "Careful, Mr. Prescott. I have been informed of this alleged gun incident and I have to admit that the video in question was sent to me by multiple sources."
David wasn't afraid to chime in. "Including me."
Wells continued, after shooting a look at David. "And since Mr. Prescott does appear prominently in the video and was responsible for this party, I have no choice but to suspend him until further notice."
"Whatever. See you in court." Nathan stated
'Burn in hell you little shit.' Sophia thought.
It seemed that Mark was about to say something but Sophia beat him to the punch.
"Well. Max has suffered through a truly traumatic event and if your done with your interrogation of her. We would like to go now." Sophia said holding Sophia's shoulder.
She had almost forgotten about Berry being in the room but he had since closed up his notebook.
Wells nodded. "I know this has been a stressful day. I wish I had the power to change it all for the better.. so thank you, all of you, for coming in."
Sophia quickly helped Max up and they both go out of the room before anyone else.
Front of Blackwell Academy
Coldness washed over both of them as soon as they stepped outside. The sun setting and it was getting colder and colder. Nobody was currently by the two as they were, assumedly, in their dorms.
"Kind of chilly out here isn't it?" Sophia said, wringing her hands.
"Max you doing ok?" She asked
Max just nodded her head.
"Hey cheer up Max. We did it! We exposed Nathan and you saved a girl from falling to her death. If that doesn't count as a victory I don't know what does." Sophia said proudly
"Yeah but... don't you feel like something big is going on at Blackwell?" Max asked
"What?"
"You know.. something we don't know about. In the background."
"Ominous?" Sophia said
"Yeah." Max replied
"I guess but we can bring it out to light."
"Look at that!" Max exclaimed.
A seemingly sudden eclipse was happening in front of their eyes.
"Seems to be a weird week of weather huh? With the snow first?"
Max just nodded her head as they both stared out at the eclipse.
About 30 minutes later...
"Should I walk you back to the dorms?"
Max just nodded once more and stood alongside.
"Alright then." She said.
They both started heading to the dorms and soon arrived to the main girl's dorm entrance.
"Hey, I am really proud of you, saving Kate like that. You did a really good job." Sophia said
Max gave a small smile.
"I'm going to head back to my hotel room and review the evidence. I still need to get to the bottom of the dissappearences. You should text Chloe. Let her know your ok."
Max then nodded her head.
"Bye Max!" Sophia said, as she was walking away.
Max kind of just wandered into the entrance.
Back at the Front of the school
Her car was still parked in the same place as before. Luckily, someone had been kind of enough to close her door and not steal it. The sun had been fully blocked due to the eclipse. She hopped into her car and jammed the key into ignition, almost fully succumbing to the exhaustion that was, today's events. She scoured the area, only an empty and quiet road awaited her, back to her hotel.
She also saw an interesting site, Mr. Jefferson and Principal Wells talking to one another. Mr Jefferson was of course in his car. It seemed that they were getting into a heated discussion, it ending with Mr. Jefferson speeding off, leaving Principal Wells in the dust.
Sophia turned on the ignition and slowly pulled put onto the main road. She could feel Principal Wells watch her as she drove past the parking lot. The car made a beeping noise, alerting her that she was almost out of gas. She sighed.
Chevron Arcadia Bay
7:52pm
October 8th, 2013
She pulled into the town's only Gas Station, which was situated along Main Street. The air was chill and the only sound you could hear was the buzzing the gas stations lights.
In only a few minutes, she had pumped her car full of gas and set off again to the motel. In the last few minutes she was going to be in the car, she had decided to turn on the radio.
"Hey folks, your listening to KBAY, has anyone else seen that bizarre solar eclipse? It only lasted about 30 minutes or so but strange nonetheless as the United States Meteorology Board is baffled to the strange weather patterns our small little town is recieveing. More with this story in five after this small commercial break."
Luckily, she had just pulled into the hotel and didn't need to listen to any more of it. She turned off her car and headed inside her motel room and she could not believe her eyes.
Someone had gone through her stuff!
Drawers had been pulled out. The table had been flipped over and just the whole room was just in disarray.
She hurriedly pulled out her phone and tapped a number to call.
Calling "Hello?"
"Berry we need to talk. Alone."
"I really can't help you Sophia. There on to me."
"I don't give a shit Berry. We need to talk. Now. This one favor."
Some silence on his end until he said. "Fine. 30 minutes okay?"
"Sure." She hung up and dialed another number
"Palmer."
"Sir."
"Sophia, do you know what time of night it is?"
"Sir, this is important."
"Fine. Explain."
She relayed the details and events that had happened during the day.
"Damn. So you have a girl that can time travel back for a few moments, another girl who almost killed her and someone trashed your room."
"Yes."
"Sophia. Tread carefully. The Prescotts have some big power. I don't know how I didn't see it before but they are making way to see that the investigations stop. As for Maxine Caulfield... Ill see to it that I get her files. Shes close with Chloe who's close with Rachel. Do you have any suspects?"
She told him of her three possible suspects
"So. You have David Madsen, a veteran turned school security guard, a famous photographer, Mark Jefferson and a rich kid from the Prescott family named Nathan."
She heard him physically rubbing his head.
"I don't need to remind you that we are skating on thin ice. If you screw up who's at fault then this whole case is blown. It's time to take the trainee wheels off."
"Yes sir. I understand. The corruption in this town is insane. I believe that Raymond Wells is under the Prescotts thumb. The police department even has some corrupted members."
"Ok again, tread carefully. We are wandering in the dark here. Kate Marsh could have very well been another dissappearence if you two hadn't saved her. While Nathan might be our primary target, we can't go after the family without solid proof."
"Understood sir."
"Also hell, it may even be one of the other two. Keep your options open. Be extremely careful about who you can trust."
"Sir?"
"Yes Sophia?"
"Why didnt you question me about the time traveling girl?"
Keith sighed "We'll come back to that at a later time. Right now you need to get back to your primary objective. Find the proof, then blame the correct suspect. Got it?"
"Yes."
"Good. Goodnight Sophia."
"You to sir." With that she ended the call.
Berry was seen quickly pulling into the driveway, shutting off the engine and quickly making his way to the door of the room
knock, knock, knock*
"Come in." She said
Berry hastily entered and shut the door behind him.
"What did you want me to rush down here for?"
"Look at the state of the room Berry!"
He looked around.
"I told you there were some pressures to this job."
"You didnt say that the Prescotts were this bad. I know for a fact your under there thumb too. You sack of shit."
"They have me for reasons you wouldn't understand." Berry retaliated
"I hope you lose your job after this Berry."
"In someway Sophia, me too." Berry said, exiting the room.
Sophia stomped her foot in anger and collapsed on the bed, which was mostly intact.
Luckily the people who trashed her room didnt get anything too important. All of her most important stuff was in her car.
She pulled out her phone as she was slipping on some pjs.
'Shower can wait till tomorrow...' She thought
She saw all the missed messages from Chloe and responded back that she was ok and to expect a text from her.
After setting her alarm and plugging in her phone, she quickly succumbed to sleep.
The following footage is from a camera outside of a [REDACTED] owned farmhouse in Arcadia Bay on the night of the [REDACTED]. All information has been shared via the Arcadia Bay Police Department and the FBI.
The footage shows a very blurry scene with the weather being very violent and a farmhouse off the main road.
A grey car can be seen driving towards the farmhouse and then the footage quickly changes too a fire that seems to have started very fast at the farmhouse. The footage then cuts to black.
Next Time On Truth Of Arcadia Bay
"Guys we so cannot be caught!"
"Don't worry fed, I know how to get though..."
"Run!" in a whispered tone
A flashlight shines on all three of them
A fade to black
That does it for this chapter. Mention any mistakes I made and I will try to fix them. Sorry for the wait. Hope you enjoyed and until next time!
