"APE, APE, APE! WHO WANTS TO GO APE?!"
A voice echoed into my ears. The room I was in is very dark. But even without seeing, it was clear who was speaking. It could only belong to one person. The one person who would want to "go ape" with me also total went ape all over that guys face.
I really don't think I'm in the mood to ape. Especially given all the events that just happened this past week.
As my thoughts focus on weird things that went on during the week, another booming voice joins in the conversation.
"MAX! WON'T YOU JUST STAY STILL?!"
Another voice. And not one I wanted to hear. Those straps on that chair still feel tight around my wrists. Just hearing that voice alone sends chills down my spine and infuses me with pure fear.
I still can't believe my 'hero' tried to kill me... It's been a hell of a week. Wait... Why am I even hearing that voice? Don't tell me...
After that thought, the lights finally came on, and I was clearly back in hell. The bright light over me, the sound of a camera clicking with each picture taken. The straps on the chair. No wonder I could feel them just a second ago.
Another camera flash, and suddenly the room was different. I'm surrounded by pictures, all scattered at my feet. Each one of them completely blank. I'm not alone in this dark room either. I can see Kate, Rachel and even Victoria. They're all standing against the back wall. They're so lifeless. They aren't moving one bit. Then again, I can't move either. After some struggles, my right leg is somewhat freed. I can barely move it to bring the photographs to the center of my attention.
I don't think my power will work on these. And even if it did, do I really want to travel down that rabbit hole again? No thanks, Alice! This is clearly another horrible dream. Hopefully I'll wake up soon.
In the meantime, let's see what this picture is...
I focus on one of the pictures to see Victoria. Of course she would come into focus on the first picture I see. That's another reason why this must be hell.
Victoria's voice could be heard
Queen B(itch): "I know, sorry, Mad Max. You're not pissed at me, right? Right? Do you wanna go hit the girls' potty and smoke 'em peace pipe?"
Queen B's Posse: "I think Max is high..." followed another voice, likely Courtney.
I winced and pull back to get out whatever that was. It felt like it was going to suck me in and I'm not going to have any of that.
I know I've heard this conversation before. Was that back in... oh... The other reality. The one I...
I had to stop that train of thought before all my regrets came pouring in. The Price family has suffered enough and my intervention only made things worse. I kick the photo away from me and close my eyes shut to try to hide away. Once I reopen them, I'm back in my dorm room. Face to back with my best friend. I reach out to tap her shoulder...
"Chloe..."
As she turns around, the blue in her hair fades back to her natural colors. I didn't notice at first, or maybe I did but didn't pay close enough attention, but her body was stationary. Inside the small dorm room, the only noise that could be heard was the whirling sound of a chair as it turned to face me, along with the owner of said chair.
This IS my best friend. My friend that I had doomed when trying to fix her life for her...
Chloe: "Hey, hippie" was all that was spoken to break the now silent room. Chloe spoke with such a sincere smile on her face too. It was hard to not smile at her back.
"Chloe, I... I'm so sorry, I..." I struggle to find the words. I never thought I would see this Chloe again.
No amount of sorries can even fix what I did. I thought I was making the right decisions, but how could I? It all led to...this... and even then, I had to make another choice. One with no right answer...
Bluebeard: "Thanks for what you did. You know, having me walk the plank and all that. A shame you couldn't do that for the punk me. Maybe that's just your type?" she had teased as she faded out of focus.
I didn't come to that decision easily, Chloe...
I close my eyes only to blink and find myself in a different room. Looking around, it was pretty clear I was in the Price living room. A figure walks by me. Joyce. Chloe's mom.
Joyce, softly: "My husband. My daughter. Myself. Why do you hate us so much, Maxine? Why do you want to kill us?"
That's not what I want. I never wanted to having bad happen to you, William, or Chloe. I only tried to help!
Joyce vanished before I could even open my lips and I'm left all alone in the room. I expect the room to twist and contort to another room any moment not but it doesn't.
What a mess... This has to be some weirdly fucked up dream again! If only I could just wake up. Maybe if I just close my eyes?
I close my eyes, hoping that when I open them, I'll be awake. Not a chance. The only thing that I see when I open them again is Jefferson. Back in the dark room. Again.
Jefferson: "There there," he speaks softly while getting into different angles with his camera, "hold that pose for me. Beautiful. Your selfies are shit, but you are an exceptional model, Max."
Again. Going through this hell again. Except this time I can definitely feel the effects of that drug again.
"Go to hell, Jefferson" is all I can manage to sputter out.
Mark: "Oh, Max. We're already here."
Jefferson taped my mouth shut so he he could take more 'perfect' shots.
His words chill my spine. A few more shots, a few more angles, a few more positions to pose in. The minutes feel like hours that feel like seconds. Time is all kinds of weird. Seemingly out of the blue, I could feel something hit my stomach. I look down and nothing is there. Nerves? Knots? It has to be that.
Wait, am I going crazy? I think I just heard something. What was that sound?
A knock echoed itself throughout the bunker. Jefferson stops his 'work' to investigate. Slowly creeping around the corner is a shadowy silhouette engages with my prison warden, behind the wall and near the bunker entrance. I can't see who it is and I can even yell to help them. The sounds of the fight seem to get intense. I can hear the voices of the fighters, at least. One is clearly Jefferson's and the other is...female? Wait...
I know that voice! Is that really Chloe?! Did she come to save me?!
Her voice was unmistakable. It could only be her. Had she come to rescue me? Like she had done in a nightmare like this? A few seconds after the fight broke out, a shot was fired. The sound of a body hitting the floor could be heard. Then, silence.
Who fired the shot? I know Chloe likes her guns, for once please let it be her who was armed! Oh, please be okay, Chloe.
A moment later, only one person emerged into my line of sight. Her blue hair brought a smile to my covers lips. It only took her a second to notice me and rush over to free me. Naturally, she was covered in blood and even some scratches and bruises. Looks like Jefferson put up quite a fight but it wasn't enough to stop her from going through him to get to me.
My Savior: "Oh, shit, Max, are you okay?! Shit, shit, shit! Hang on, Max! It's okay, I'm here!"
The restraints gone, the tape removed. I'm finally free but oh, so worn out. Either from the drug, the excitement of the situation, or likely both. Chloe pulls me into her lap as I lay on the floor.
My hero. Even in my dreams.
I gaze upon her beautiful face. My hand jolts up to gently touch her face. Even in a dream- a nightmare, her skin feels so soft and wonderful. My hand drops down and she catches it in her own hand.
"Thanks for the rescue, Bluebeard..." I muttered out softly.
Bluebeard: "Anytime, Long Max Silver. Don't you worry about a thing. I hella got you."
I give her a smile before closing my eyes. I can feel her rocking me back and forth. It doesn't take long for me to fall asleep in the comfort of her arms. I know I can always count on her for shelter. For once, after all this, I finally felt safe, thanks to Chloe. The real Chloe.
* * *
Despite how calmly I feel asleep in my dream, once back in the real world I ended up stirring, tossing and turning in bed before waking up with a gasp and in a sweat. I feel like I had just gone to sleep, but I clearly had been asleep the whole time. Another nightmare. Just like the one I had 4 days ago.
Wowsers...
I glance over in my bed to see a very familiar and very comforting set of tattoos laid across my stomach. She must have shifted around in her sleep, and when her arm rested on my stomach, I must have felt it in the nightmare. Maybe that's when she was able to come into my mind to save me? Either way, I'm grateful she released me from that hell once again. I really owe her. Again.
Okay, Max. You definitely need a moment or three.
As I sit up to check the clock, the bed creaks quite loudly. Must have hit that sweet spot on the bed. Now, of all times, of course. That, combined with all my panicked movements before, seems to be enough to wake up my Sleeping Beauty. Perfect. Exactly what I didn't want. A yawn from her and a cute, little stretch is always a pleasant sight to see, even if I do feel bad for waking her.
She looks around the room a bit, glancing the time before laying back down.
Chloe: "Look, I know you're SuperMax and all, but those of us without powers hella like to sleep at 4 in the morning."
"Sorry to rock the ship, Captain. Just a little trouble sailing through these waters."
Chloe had now turned to look towards me, really looking at me now that her eyes are more awake. She sat straight up.
Chlo': "Trouble sleeping? Oh, shit, Max, you're hella sweating. And not from anything fun it looks like. Unless you messed around with me and rewound? Uh, rewinded? Shit, I'm too tired to actually think." The punk teased as she reached over too grab a tissue.
"Shut up, you know I wouldn't do that." I can't help but to laugh just a bit. Even after all that, having her nearby seems to calm me like nothing else.
It's so embarrassing to feel her wiping my face. At the same time, I wouldn't want to stop her either. There's nobody else I'd rather be cared by at this moment in time.
Chloe looks cute when she just wakes up. Even her pajamas are punk. Who else sleeps in a skull shirt but her? I wouldn't have it any other way. Having her here with me does wonders for me. Just joking with her like this makes that nightmare feel light years away.
My cheeks were starting to feel warm as Chloe scooted in closer to me, one of her arms finds itself wrapped around my waist.
Punk Rocker: "Ahem. Now, Miss Caulfield, tell Professor Price what's wrong? Neither of us are going anywhere, sleep or otherwise, until you talk."
Leave it to Chloe to put me over her need to sleep. Even with her having a long day earlier, she doesn't care. It's so refreshing to see how much she really prioritizes me. But can I really burden her with that nightmare? Or should I just make something up to calm her down?
"Well, well, Professor, you drive a hard bargain. I'll talk."
Chloe: "Damn straight, hippie. You know I'm hella here for you. Anytime. Even before the sun, if needed."
Talking like that is going to make lying to you so much harder. Maybe I should just go with the truth? ...I could always rewind anyways.
"You see, I, uhm, had a bit of a nightmare. Nothing too major, Professor." My eyes looked out of the corner for a split second, while my hands fumble with themselves. It's not a total lie, just not the full truth to burden her with. Knowing Chloe, she'll place the blame on herself.
There's no reason to burden Chloe with the details or the specifics. Just having her here for me is plenty.
Price: "Uh-huh. Go on. What happened in the wild world of Mad Max?"
"Nothing! Nothing too important I mean. Just... Victoria being friendly to me. It was very haunting." I'm hoping I can play this off cool. But I already get the feeling that she doesn't believe me. I'm not the best at lying, but...
Professor: "Max. You're a better photographer than a liar. Whatever it is, you can tell me. Don't you trust me?"
I knew it. She wouldn't buy it. Now I've insulted her by trying to hide it. Time for a quick trip back to fix this. Maybe I can come up with a better lie to get her to believe me.
After a few moments in silence, I slowly start to raise my right hand to rewind. Before the sequence can even begin, my concentration is interrupted by a hand over mine followed by a loud "WAIT!" I turn to look at Chloe. She's looking right into my eyes back. Those eyes are so beautiful. They look concerned. Not insulted at all.
Captain: "I hella don't know how your powers work. Or how you work them. But I do know YOU, Max Caulfield. I know how you roll. You hella were going to rewind just now, weren't you? Please, don't. Don't take this moment away from me."
If anyone can read me like an open book, it would be Chloe. I technically could still rewind but... no. This time, I can't. THAT would be an insult. And I could never do that to Chloe.
Chloe: "Talk to me, Max. What happened in your nightmare? What are you feeling? Tell me everything. Please."
There's no hiding from her. Even without superpowers, she's fiercer and more in control of the situation then I ever could be. I really didn't want to burden her with the whole story but I guess I have no choice now. Not even my rewind can save me from a determined Chloe.
"How can I say no to you? Alright, you win, Chloe. I'll tell you. It started with Warren..."
For the next few moments I talked and talked and talked. Chloe's expressions shifted with each segment of the dream. She was in anguish over her alternate self forcing such a decision on me. She was in shock over Joyce's comments. She was furious with Jefferson, but I think she especially enjoyed the part where she came to my rescue. I could see her trying to hide her smile as I described her heroic actions. After all was said and done, I looked on to Chloe, watching her expressions as she processed all that information.
Chloe: "Max, I... Shit, I had no idea you were having nightmares like that, dude. I didn't know that things were that bad for you. All because you choose me."
There's the guilt I DIDN'T want to see.
"Don't you ever think for a second that I regret that choice. Like I said, Chloe, you are my number one priority."
There we go, a smile and a hint of a blush is much better fitting on your face, Captain.
Price: "Alright, Mad Max. You hella win. And you're my number one priority as well. Just would be nice if I could chase away those damn nightmares for you."
She's so damn cute. I love seeing this softer side of her.
"Don't worry, Bluebeard. The nightmares go away when my hero shows up to save the day."
Partner In Crime: "In that case, maybe I should stay hella close to you. Closer than I've been before."
My cheeks instantly warmed up. My eyes likely widened as well. Without realizing it, Chloe had moved in closer to me- and she was already hella close to begin with. Our foreheads touched and she pulled me in close by her arm around my waist.
She's so unfair to do this so suddenly! But it's not like I'm complaining.
Chloe: "It's like I've told you on the tracks, in the pool, and especially at the lighthouse. I'm not leaving you, Max. Ever."
You couldn't get rid of me, Chloe.
Not after all we've been through.
Not after all we've seen.
"I know, Chloe. And I'm not leaving either. Ever again."
Before I knew it, Chloe had moved in closer, pressing her soft lips against my own. Her soft, yet larger hand gently caresses my cheek as she pulls us down into the bed. The heat in my cheeks intensifies.
I know there's a lot going on right now, but I need... to capture this...
My mind is going to mush in Chloe's arms. All my fears, concerns and doubts slip away when she's near. When we're like this, they all become nonexistent. While some level of thinking still remains, I reach over behind me, on the nightstand on my side of the bed, grabbing William's camera. Chloe could easily tell I'm making odd movements but she also knows me and knows what I'm doing. Her lips stay locked to mine as I snap the shot. Afterward, our lips part briefly.
"For prosperity" I mutter against her lips. I can't see them but I can definitely feel them curl up to a smile against mine.
Chloe: "What better proof than a pic like this to prove you're hella mine?"
She immediately leans in again, our lips locked once more as we settle into the bed. We'll probably be up quite a bit longer now but it's hella worth it.
I'm so happy. This all got resolved better than I could ever imagine.
I didn't need to keep it to myself.
I didn't even need my rewind power.
All I needed, and all I'll continue to need, is her.
Chloe Hella Price.