Chapter 20 Reflection
Joanna
July 24th, 2017
7:18 PM
New Exodus, Meridian Prime
New Exodus Tunnels
Elias and I set up our quarters inside Ezra's tunnel network shortly after the skirmish with Max and Chrysalis on New Exodus's end of the island. Now that Chrysalis is on our radar, it will be difficult for Elias's men to continue their operations unscathed. Good thing nothing stands in the way of Ares's will since this whole mission to Meridian Prime began. As Ares himself has been telling himself since.
I sit in front of a desk of mine with a map of Meridian mounted on the wall in front of me and lanterns lighting the room underground. As well as lanterns lighting my workspace on the desk too. Which probably belonged to my Grandfather Ezra Prescott or any of his disciples under my impression. I sit there staring at a picture frame of the Herd of Whales I had lying in the room where the herd had gathered back in Vancouver. The Prescotts, Jeffersons, Crosbys, Ranikovs, and all the families were there. All the families I had taken control over, including my own, in the name of Ares. The war god who had seized influence over the herd for nearly a century after Ezra's chapter in the herd.
I stare at the picture in the reflection of what I had done with them all over the years. Some of the herd has fallen. Others have defected. All because of what I had been ordering them to do over the years. All because of what Ares ordered me to do with them over the years since Max's return to Arcadia bay. Just so Max herself could stay below us. Yet somehow has gifted herself to leaving no stone unturned. I can't decide who's at fault for letting that happen.
First, I look at Jefferson and his family standing on the aisle of the frame. Thinking back on my relationship with him. Starting from the week before the Arcadia Bay storm hit. Days before the twister storm hit. The one Ares ordered us to unleash with Crosby's supervision.
October 8th, 2013
1:18 PM
Blackwell Academy
Arcadia Bay, Oregon
"I want you to be honest," said Jefferson. Speaking to Kate over the viral video.
"Nobody believes me anyway," said Kate.
"Stop acting so brittle."
"Being on a viral video does that."
"Maybe this is your way of getting attention."
"So, you can't help me?"
"I'm trying, but you have to understand my position."
"Why? You don't understand mine. Nobody does. Nobody!"
Kate walked away from Jefferson down the hall and past other students walking to class or preparing for their next period. Covering her face and crying behind her fingers. That's when Max approached Jefferson as soon as Kate left him. Felt even more concerned about Kate's mental state than she did earlier in the morning at her dorm. Max decided to speak with Jefferson before class started.
"Sorry to bother you, Mr. Jefferson," said Max.
"I'm only bothered when you avoid turning in photos," said Jefferson. "But you know this. So, what can I do for you, Max?"
"Just between you and me, I'm worried about Kate Marsh."
"That's no secret. Word on the street is that you and Kate had a little confrontation with our security chief yesterday."
"Not exactly. Never mind, sorry. I have to go and work…on my photo."
"You can talk to me anytime. And Max, can I talk to you about Kate? I assume you know about this viral video?"
"Everybody knows. That's why I wanted to see you. Kate is being humiliated daily."
"What if Kate brought this on herself? She means well, but maybe she doth protest too much. She seems like she's holding back the truth. Have you talked to her?"
"Yes, I talked to her on the phone today. She needs friends and support now. I just don't want Kate Marsh to become the next Rachel Amber."
"Rachel Amber? What does she have to do with Kate?"
"With all her 'Missing Persons' posters around, it's hard not to think of her. I miss Rachel too. But think about yourself, Max. Principal Wells told me about what you said happened in the bathroom."
"That was a private conversation. Not that I wouldn't tell you."
"This is a serious accusation, Max."
"So, you don't believe me? I would never make something like this up."
"I hope so, Max. But it's easy to point fingers. If Mr. Madsen claims you might be a pot dealer as he did, should I believe him?"
"Listen, should I-"
Jefferson's smartphone was suddenly ringing in his pocket. Interrupting the discussion between the teacher and the student. Jefferson didn't think twice before answering.
"Excuse me, Max," he said picking up his phone. Reading Joanna Prescott was calling on his screen. The art teacher pressed the answer button to hear his caller.
"Hello? Yes? Uh…hold on," he said on the phone. Then pulled his phone from his ear for one second. "I have to take this. So, just go into class and I'll be there soon."
Max entered Jefferson's classroom and Jefferson himself walked to somewhere private as the discussion between the two was ended by Joanna's phone call. There was a more important discussion to be had between Mark and Joanna on the phone.
"Yes, Joan?" Mark asked on his cell. "What is it?"
["You'll address me as Joanna on the phone, Mark"], said Joanna on the speaker. ["Our spies have uncovered a discovery with one of your students earlier today. One named Maxine Caulfield."]
"Max? Really? What about her?"
["Something about an abnormal ability of hers. Rewinding time, I quote. Would you know anything about this?"]
"No, Joanna, I don't. I was talking to Max just now but she didn't tell me."
["She's not the only person who knows. An acquaintance of hers named Chloe Price has made herself aware of it, too. We'll need our eyes on both."]
"I don't know anyone named Chloe. Except maybe someone Rachel Amber used to hang out with. How do you know this?"
["We've tracked their movements between the Two Whale's Diner to the American Rust Scrapyard to Blackwell Academy. Ranikov overheard most of their banter at the diner. We may have another threat on our heels."]
"I'm sorry to hear that, my lady. If you must know, I think Max is now onto Kate Marsh as well. Anything I can do?"
["Keep a close eye on Ms. Caulfield at all cost. Bad enough she's accused my nephew Nathan of that gun in the school restroom. We don't want her prying on Ms. Marsh either."]
Then the school bell rang. Jefferson needed to not be tardy for his class.
"I gotta class to teach, Joanna. We can discuss more after my period ends."
October 9th, 2013
8:18 PM
Dark Room Bunker (Prescott Homestead)
Arcadia Bay, Oregon
Jefferson and Joanna were sharing kisses on the couch inside Jefferson's bunker/dark room. They stopped kissing one another to sit down and speak their minds.
"I can't believe you were Max's principal once," said Jefferson.
"We go back from her days at Cleveland High in Seattle," said Joanna. "There's a reason she moved back to her original home and it wasn't just for your art program at Blackwell."
"What was it then?"
"It was because she could no longer return to the school after her Sophomore year. Not after her failed break-in back in Seattle. Which was a museum heist she tried to pull with her cousin Alex."
"A museum heist? Her? Never knew she had a cousin either."
"We all have family members we never introduce immediately. Even her. Max's cousin was killed during the heist too."
"Oh, well that's terrible. It's never a good experience losing family like that."
"Listen, Mark. I didn't come this way just to make time and talk history. The herd is deeply concerned with the calamities Ms. Caulfield and Ms. Price are giving to us with their secret investigation of Ms. Marsh and Ms. Amber. And frankly, I don't have the answers they're looking for. Something needs to be done."
"Never thought the herd's leader would say such a thing like 'don't have the answers they are looking for. You're coming to me for advice?"
"The truth is, it was terrible enough covering up Rachel's death and Kate's kidnapping. Even if we're to dispose of Max and Chloe, we're already running out of cover stories."
"You think anyone is taking any guesses that Rachel died because of Nathan's incompetence? Surely, no one will guess what could happen to Caulfield and Price if they're killed incognito."
"That's what I'm afraid of. Should the two ever resolve their detective quest, they'll not only uncover this dark room and Rachel's burial, but they may just uncover the herd's presence in Arcadia Bay as well. Raymond Wells reported to us this morning that money was stolen from his office and his computer was hacked. A telltale sign our two suspects are up to no good."
"Max and friend could never break into an office like Wells' like that in the middle of the night. Maybe the pool in the gym but not the former."
"Let's not underestimate our enemies here. If Ranikov's report of the rewind power is to be believed, we know we can't take their actions lightly. They must be stopped even if it means a bullet to their noggins."
"Then I guess it's as I feared. Nathan had to take the fall for Kate's actions on top of Blackwell's dormitory just from Max's statement in the office. By now he must feel exhausted playing the scapegoat for everything we've done."
"My nephew's actions are another matter. For now, we concentrate on eliminating Caulfield and Price and come up with our version of how their potential deaths or disappearances are to be believed publicly. Nothing else matters but that. Rest assured, we'll no longer need to cover for Nathan as well."
October 10th, 2013
9:09 PM
Arcadia Bay, Oregon
Blackwell Academy
Alexei Ranikov and Joanna Prescott were on a reconnaissance for HOW in response to Max and Chloe's recent discovery and entry into Mark Jefferson's dark room. I parked my car inside a parking space in the middle of Blackwell's parking lot. Where I had my car lights off and Ranikov sitting in the passenger seat next to me. Scanning the sidewalk with the stairs that lead to Blackwell's gym where the End of the World party was ongoing with his binoculars. Some teenagers were strolling near the lot. Drinking alcohol and soda inside plastic cups. Laughing and joking around. All while a strange double moonlight was orbiting over us.
"I hate parties," said Ranikov with his binoculars on his eyes. "These naive Blackwell dogs do nothing but drink and stroll around."
"Focus on Caulfield and Price, Alexei," said Joanna. "Not on partying teenagers, please. They should be arriving at any minute."
"There!"
Alexei pointed out the location of Max and Chloe as he lent me the binoculars for me to see the targets myself. I spotted the two through the lens to see Max taking a selfie with a boy holding a polaroid camera in front of them while Chloe stood by them with her arms folded.
"Just as Jefferson predicted," said Joanna. "Turn on the device, now!"
Alexei switched on the spy gear we brought with us. A listening device to help us overhear discussions that may be of interest to us. The pair of us place earbuds inside our ears for us to listen and I point the sonic listening device in Max and Chloe's direction to eavesdrop in the car. I hold the trigger to turn the volume and audio on.
["We don't got time for this shit," said Chloe. "Come on, Max."]
["Chloe!" Max expressed.]
Out of nowhere, Max sprang to Chloe to hug her like she's never seen her in so long. When they've been with each other this whole time. Already something was amiss.
["Jesus, dude!" Chloe muttered. "What is up with you?"]
["I'm just – glad we're here together," said Max.]
["I guess you need to talk," said the boy. "No worries. It's all good."]
The boy left the two girls behind. Joanna continued listening.
["I'm – glad you're with me too," said Chloe. "What's going on, Max? We have to find Nathan right now! I'll kill him for what he did to Rachel."]
["I'm sorry, Warren," whispered Max. "Chloe, wait! Listen!"]
["I can walk and listen, okay?"]
Max pulled Chloe by the arm to stop her from walking away so she could listen to Max standing still.
["Stop and listen for once!" Max yelled.]
["Fine, Max," said Chloe. Turned around to listen. "I'm listening."]
["Chloe, you can't go to that party. You're gonna…you're gonna die if you do."]
["You used your powers, right? And you fucked around with time and I died."]
["Not like that."]
["You're supposed to back me up. So, there's no way that punk ass bitch Nathan Prescott is taking me down!"]
["You're right. He won't. Mark Jefferson killed you…and others."]
["Jefferson the art teacher? That's bullshit! Nathan is the fucking serial killer! We saw the proof! Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to that party to make sure he never hurts anybody again. Are you coming?"]
["Nathan is dead and you're in danger."]
["That fucker is already dead? How do you know that?"]
Joanna could have asked the same question. She lowered the binoculars in shock at hearing her nephew is dead. Unaware of her boyfriend as the killer.
["Because…I was there," said Max.]
["Will you please tell me exactly what happened, please," said Chloe.]
"No one informed us of your nephew dying," said Ranikov.
Joanna shushed Ranikov to keep listening.
["Chloe…Jefferson drugged and kidnapped me. I was tied up in his bunker. You have no idea what hell I went through to get back here. I couldn't let you die. You brought me back here and I can't lose you again. I won't!"]
["Max – I'm so sorry. I was the one who dragged you into all this shit. Nobody, especially you, should have to go through that. I – now we have to stop Jefferson…with one bullet."]
["No, not this way. Chloe, I can't keep fixing everything if all I'm going to do is break it over and over again. I know how this is gonna turn out and I'm afraid I'm fucking up all these alternate realities."]
["Wait, alternate realities? What do you mean, Max? What did you do?"]
["Chloe, I'm…I'm gonna tell you the truth. No matter what. I – I changed your past. And I – I had to make a terrible choice. I – I…"]
["Max, please tell me. I won't be mad at you."]
["I was able to go back in time…to the last day William was alive. I stopped him from leaving but – but you ended up in a car crash instead."]
["You saw my dad again?"]
["Yeah, you were completely paralyzed. And – you were in pain. You were – slowly dying and – you – you asked me to end your life. I did. For you and…I didn't want you to suffer in any other timeline or any other reality. I couldn't bear the thought of you with any more pain."]
["God, Max. That must've…must've been awful for you. I'm so sorry I had to ask you that."]
["It was worse for you. But I had no idea what would happen and as usual, I messed everything up and…I never want to hurt you…ever. You have to believe me."]
["Of course, I do. Do you think I would even know how to handle that situation? Nobody would. The important thing is that we're together again."]
"What does any of this garbage have to do with the mission?" Ranikov questioned.
"Quiet!" Joanna hissed.
["You're right. That's – that's why you should come with me. So, we can stay together and stay alive."]
["I hear you, Max. But do you think we should let Jefferson get away with torture and murder?"]
["Of course not. If we tell David, he'll believe us and we can stop him. Right?"]
["I don't get it. Why do you trust him after you totally reamed him the other day? He's not even at our house anymore."]
["Chloe, David saved me from Jefferson. If he didn't track down the dark room, I'd be dead right now."]
["Max, I had no clue. I should've been the one to save you. I'm so grateful David was there. So what's your plan?"]
["We tell him everything. Including that Victoria is in danger."]
["Okay, you've been through so much. I believe you, Max. After all, I'm still you're faithful companion."]
["Yes, you are. So, listen. In a few minutes, I won't know any of this happened. Nothing. We have to stay in your room and do nothing. Then we explain everything to David. And we finally let him do his job. You'll have to tell me exactly what I did between here and now. Just explain traveled through time using the photo."]
["Will you believe me?"]
["I'll always believe you, Chloe."]
As Max and Chloe ran off to leave the school grounds and alert Chloe's stepfather, Joanna instantly switched off the audio and pull out her buds to call Mark immediately.
"What now?" Ranikov wondered.
Joanna dialed her boyfriend on her smartphone to inform him of the situation that's changed in light of what she heard during the eavesdropping. Joanna was now on her phone with Mark.
["What is it, Joanna?"]
"Mark, get the fuck out of Blackwell and abort the mission now!"
["Right now?! Why?!"]
"Alexei and I just overheard an interesting discussion between Max and Chloe about how Max herself just traveled from tomorrow to tonight to save herself and her friend from you killing them."
["Whoa, whoa, what now?!"]
"There's no time! Just get back to the dark room and torch the evidence! You're going to have the police and Mr. Madsen on your tail at any moment as Caulfield and Price are on their way now to alert them."
["Jesus Christ, Joan. I still got to announce the winner to -"]
"I don't give a fuck about your contest! Just do as you're told and after that, you're gonna tell me how Nathan is dead. Goodbye."
Joanna hangs up and starts the car to regroup with the herd while Mark disposes of the evidence. Hopefully, before the police catch up to him. Or…maybe not.
It made me sad to see she had lost her former lover Mark arrested and eventually executed. All because I didn't fight hard enough to keep Max from traveling back that night she undid everything. If I did fight hard enough to prevent my ex-boyfriend's arrest, maybe he'd still have been around.
Joanna turned her eyes to another former acquaintance of hers in the picture frame that was Derrick Crosby. Another human being of the herd who she too had enabled to find a way to take Max out of the picture. Only to fail utterly as well.
October 12th, 2013
7:08 PM
Arcadia Bay, Oregon
Prescott Estate
"Fuck!" Joanna screamed. As she slammed an alcohol glass on the desk in the study room.
Joanna, Crosby, and Sean Prescott all gathered in a private meeting inside the study of Sean's household. Joanna herself was devastated to hear her nephew had died not only by Jefferson's hand but by Crosby's too. Jefferson before his arrest two nights ago may have been the one to press the trigger on Nathan but it was Crosby who gave the kill order. Joanna was less than pleased and furious at Crosby for costing her boyfriend and family who was like a son to her.
"Lady Joanna," said Crosby. "I'm sorry, I-"
"You're sorry?!" Joanna snapped. "How could you kill my nephew like that, huh?! How could you?!"
"He was going to expose Jefferson and your family for what they had done! What was I supposed to do?!"
"Nathan was more than a herd member! Nathan was my family! Nathan was like a son to me! Whatever he was up to, you should have consulted me and Sean first!"
"Oh, right! You'll kill anyone like Caulfield and Price to keep the herd out of jeopardy but Nathan gets a freebee because he's family."
"Of course, he does! If he were your family, you would have made an exception as well."
"Nathan was like family to me as well, Joan. Any sense of family I had left for him died the moment he was about to blow the whistle on all of us. Exactly what he was about to do minutes before your lover boy ended his life across the barrel of his gun. Just how many people have we killed for the herd for less? Do you ever wonder why your family has such a bad reputation?"
"My family's reputation is for me to lament on. Not you. And thanks to your incompetence, not only is my only nephew in the ground but Jefferson is about to be penalized for a life in prison as well. Congratulations, Derrick! I shall have you executed before the herd!"
"Enough, both of you!" Sean shouted. Interrupting the argument. "Joan, I know how you feel. Nathan's death will cost our family greatly. And you, Derrick. If we were not in this household, I could snap your neck open where you stand! And thanks to you and Mark's idiocy, I now have to spend Nathan's college tuition on his funeral arrangements. I hope you're happy."
"If it means anything to you, Sean," said Derrick. "I regret killing your son dearly. He was like a son to me too. I gave him all the treatments Chrysalis and I had for him to get better despite all efforts gone to waste. But snapping my neck open won't bring him back."
"Sean is right," said Joanna. "And so is Derrick. You're both right about something. But that won't change the fact that Jefferson and Crosby have placed us in a difficult position. Sean, don't bother sending me invites to Nathan's funeral. I know it'll be Rachel Amber's funeral as well. Which Ms. Caulfield and Ms. Price are both likely to attend. It's best if Caulfield doesn't lay eyes on me just yet. As for you Derrick; the next time you try and go behind my back like this again, don't care how powerful your powers have grown, it won't be enough to save you from the penalty I have in store for you. You have been warned."
October 19th, 2013
10:11 AM
Arcadia Bay, Oregon
Arcadia Bay Cemetery
Joanna and Crosby sat inside the backseat of a limousine parked by the curb of a driveway at the cemetery. Where the funeral procession was ongoing for Nathan and Rachel. Both their coffins are displayed above their burial holes with the mourners gathered around them. Crosby took a peek at the mourning crowd with his window rolled down and binoculars in front of his eyes. Men and women all dressed in black and gray. Some Blackwell children who had been friends with Nathan such as Victoria and others were there. The rest of the Prescotts were there. The Amber couple was there for Rachel and so were Max and Chloe.
"Looks to be a cold day for the Prescotts and Ambers over there," said Crosby. "I'd send them my condolences if I could but no one wants the killer of your nephew at his funeral."
Crosby put down his binoculars.
"You sure you don't wanna walk over there?" He asked. "You look dressed enough to do so."
"As I've told you before, Derrick," said Joanna. "I cannot go over there. Max is not ready for either of us yet."
"And when will she be ready, Joanna? It's not like we're going to deliberately expose ourselves to Caulfield about what we're doing."
"No, it isn't. But we must stick to our plan. We take our time to forge enough evidence that'll convince Internal Affairs and the District Attorney's Office that Caulfield is to blame for Arcadia Bay's destruction. It'll take months to prepare, but if it works, then we'll both succeed in the name of the herd and in the name of Ares as well."
"Ares…the man working with Chronos who I've been helping bring out Elysium for? Remind me what's his role in all this?"
"He and Chronos are the ones feeding Caulfield her visions of the storm and Elysium as well. What we're setting up for Max is a distraction for everyone to keep their eyes off of the project your company has been secretly building for Neo-Chrysalis. Something the Prescott Foundation has been secretly funding as well."
"Half the people between my company and your foundation don't even realize what we're constructing Project Elysium for. The best cover I've come up with is Chrysalis's latest product that'll take the world by storm. Great foreshadowing for what's supposed to happen in Portland by the way. Not even people like Caulfield and Price could ever figure that out."
"When and how they figure that out matters even less than when and how we accomplish that. I put you in charge of Project Elysium because A, to abide by the will of the herd. B, abide by the will of Ares and Chronos. C, to allow your dream of the dead and the living co-existing to come true. Assuming you don't slip again this time."
"I promise you, Lady Joanna. I won't."
"Never make promises you can never keep, Derrick. Everything that happens to Project Elysium is on you. Should you succeed, we'll both be rewarded riches in Elysium by Lord Ares and Lord Chronos. Should you fail, then we both pay the price."
April 14th, 2014
7:04 PM
Portland, Oregon
Chrysalis HQ
Back at Chrysalis HQ, Derrick Crosby entered the Project Elysium room. Holding the Elysium Forge in the palm of his hand. The one-piece needed to complete the project thanks to Alvarez at Crosby's request. Crosby stepped inside the chamber of the Elysium Server Regulator and placed the Elysium Forge inside the ESR. And then the machine of Project Elysium lit up like a Christmas tree.
Crosby stepped and took a step backward. Amazed at the work achieved in manipulating Rachel into completing his plan to unleash Elysium when the time came. Then Crosby's burner phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out to see Alexei Ranikov calling. Crosby flipped the burner open and answered.
"Is it ready?" Ranikov asked on the phone.
"We are ready, Alexei," said Crosby. "Alvarez's death will not be in vain. Prepare your men for the next move and be sure Sean Prescott plays his part well."
"Da (Yes), preparations will begin shortly. I'll be on the next chopper to Oregon."
"Do svidaniya (Goodbye)."
Crosby hangs up his burner and breaks it in half. That is when Joanna Prescott walked behind him for her inspection Crosby himself scheduled for her.
"If I've heard right," said Joanna. "The prodigal daughter has slain the mighty Hugo Alvarez and ended the El Eterno Insurgency in Bolivia. Who's now making moves in Arcadia Bay to prove Max's innocence."
"You have heard right, Lady Joanna," replied Crosby. "But you didn't come here to discuss the resurgence of Rachel Amber now, did you? You came here for Project Elysium's inspection per your schedule."
"Perceptive as you are, Derrick, I believe I was wrong to doubt you. Your work has exceeded all expectations for the herd. We just might give you the noble prize yet."
Crosby and Joanna gazed at the machinery of the ESR. Crosby did not fail to impress his Lady one bit.
"Magnificent, isn't it?" Crosby thought. "Soon, Elysium will be within our grasp. Chronos and Ares will be in our debt as our ambitions pay forward. If Project Cyclone can succeed, so can this."
"As your ambitions pay forward," corrected Joanna. "From what I'm told, Max is now in Chrysalis custody while Rachel remains the fugitives at large. How do you plan to take care of both."
"It's complicated but well planned out, Joanna. I'm visiting Max tomorrow at Quantum Prospekt to inform her of the charges against her and how we may or may not get her out of there."
"And why would you try and bail Caulfield out of Quantum when we're supposed to be rid of her?"
"We will, my lady. But first, I must gain her trust in me before we can strike. Chloe aided and abetted Max's escape from the Blackwell but I've informed the government and my company to not press any charges against Ms. Price just yet. I need her in Ms. Caulfield's trial if Caulfield herself pleads not guilty. Should Caulfield plead not guilty, Price can be her key backup witness to persuade the judge and jury for Caulfield to win her case. When that happens, if that happens, then I will find whatever means necessary to execute them both. Ms. Amber as well."
"And what if Caulfield pleads 'guilty' instead of the contrary? What then?"
"Then Caulfield herself will already have been dealt with. She'll stay institutionalized at QP and the judge may even sentence her to the death penalty as well. As for Price and Amber, that's another story for another time."
"There is no another time, Derrick. We're on the verge of victory here and I can't have you delaying me and longer than you have."
"Believe me when I say I bet my life Caulfield will plead not guilty. From my understanding of what that girl is, you can bet your life on it as well. I know you've got a history with Caulfield as her school principal in Seattle. Your consensus of her school record from Cleveland is a match of Wells' from Blackwell."
"Can't truly say Raymond Wells knows her as well as I do, but given your succession in Project Elysium, I just might grant you the benefit of the doubt yet in your so-called plan to manipulate Caulfield's trust. I'm having my brother dispense the evidence of Project Cyclone at the foundry in a matter of days with Ranikov. Assuming neither Amber nor Price gets to it first. I expect your role to come to perfection as well."
"Your brother has that fundraiser with Senator O'Donoghue at his estate in just a couple of days. Which is where I've gotta be too. Have you been invited?"
"I have. But I've told Sean I respectfully decline. It's better that I stick around with the herd for now. Give Sean, Caroline, and Kristine my love for them when you're there. That's if they still love me back."
"As you wish, Lady Joanna."
The was the last time I ever saw Derrick Crosby alive before being defeated by Caulfield, Price, and Amber during the Battle of Portland. As stated in the Caulfield report. Lost a lover, lost my former right hand, all because I enabled them to do the things they didn't have to do. Only because Ares forced me to allow Mark to perform his kidnappings of female students in search of the right girl of innocence potentially chosen to have the time powers Max has. As well as authorizing Project Elysium for Derrick. And now they're both dead because of that. Because of me. But their deaths aren't even the worst part.
Worst of all is the death of my nephew and brother. Nathan and Sean Prescott. I steer my eyes to the place of the picture they're standing. Thinking back to the last times I ever saw them alive as well.
October 7th, 2013
4:45 PM
Arcadia Bay, Oregon
Blackwell Academy
Nathan Prescott sat down on a table bench in the front courtyard of Blackwell's campus. Waiting for his aunt to arrive at the meeting his dad scheduled for them both. A private meeting to discuss the incident he made with Chloe in the restroom earlier this morning. The campus was empty now. Nobody except for the staff inside and the students either in their dorms or at home doing homework and such. As far as Nathan himself knew.
Nathan held a camera in his hand. Observing the photos he took with it. The ones he took with Jefferson in his dark room. The ones he had been taking of girls anesthetized on the white screen of Jefferson's stage. Until Nathan stopped at the ones with Rachel and Kate drugged unconscious. The ones he was the least proud of.
Then Nathan heard a car stop near the curb of the school. It was Joanna's dark black car driven for her that parked by. Joanna herself stepped out from the back seat from her back door and told the driver to wait. Nathan put away his camera and Joanna approached him. His aunt sat in front of him across the bench table for their meeting to begin.
"Auntie Joan, long time no see," said Nathan. "What did you want?"
"You know what I want, Nathan," said Joann. "I want to know more about this incident your father and Wells reported to me today. A stunt in the school restroom about a gun in your hand and running wild with it. May I ask why?"
"I'm gonna pretend you never asked that."
Joanna slapped her hand onto the surface of the table to make a loud thump. Startling Nathan before he even tried getting off the table and walking away carelessly.
"I don't think you understand the severity of my question, Nathan!" Joanna snapped. "What did you do with a gun today?! I need an answer right now!"
"It's not my fault I got trigger happy," answered Nathan.
"Oh? Then who's fault is it?"
"Some punk ass girl wanted to meet with me today in the bathroom. Something about a debt she needed to pay off for her drug dealer. She threatened to blackmail my ass if I didn't pay her."
"And what would she blackmail you for if you refused her payment request?"
"She knows I've been giving drugs to students. Don't know if it's anything to do with what I've been doing with Mark but I told her I couldn't pay. Then she pushed me. And then I aimed the gun at her when she got up in my face about everything. Starting wish I pulled that trigger now."
"Jesus Christ, Nathan. How does she know you've been passing drugs? What does she know about the drugs?"
"The fuck if I know. I don't think she knows shit by the looks of it. I'm not telling you anything different than I've told Wells."
"What did you tell, Wells?"
"I told him I got crazy. Nothing to do with who I aimed the gun at really. I'm kinda shocked Wells doesn't know about that part himself."
"Who was this girl you aimed the gun at? And who reported to Ray about it?"
"Her name's Chloe. She's the bitch who tried to shut me down. Max is the girl who reported it. Wanted to strangle the life out of her today."
"Max is the one? Max who?"
"Max Call-field. Part of Jefferson's photo groupies. Or students as she puts it. Why? Do you know her?"
Joanna was frozen for a second or two since she knew Max too well from Seattle. But decided not to let Nathan know that she knew.
"No, I don't," lied Joanna. "This Chloe girl. The one who was blackmailing. Description?"
"Blue hair. Blue beanie. Dresses like a bum. Tattoo on the arm. It all screams punk-ass in your face. Next time I see her, it'll be the end of her."
"Listen, the only reason I'm being hard on you right now is that-"
"Is that I'm jeopardizing the herd this and jeopardizing the herd that. Like a broken fucking record!"
"Dammit, Nathan! As long as you keep this up, it'll damn well be a broken record!
"Oh, I'm sorry, Auntie. But in case you forgot, I didn't ask to be your errand boy. I only do it to appease you, Dad, Jefferson, Crosby, and everyone else who's been using me and trying to fucking control me!"
"Quiet! That's enough, Nathan! Do you hear me?! That – is – enough…!"
Nathan settled down and Joanna took a sigh of breath after their blow-up. Joanna tried settling for small talk this time with her nephew and that's what she did. If that's what was going to work on Nathan alone.
"Nathan, look at me," said Joanna as her nephew calmed and looked her in the eye. "I don't like using you nor do I like controlling you. But as a whale in the herd, now is the time to take full responsibility for our herd's clandestine. Even if it means extreme measures. I don't say this because I hate you. I say this because I care about you and love you. Just as I love your father, your mother, and your sister."
"What do you need me to do?" Nathan asked.
"I need you to lay low for me. Get rid of that gun of yours for starters. Let me and your father handle the situation at stake here and you'll never put the herd in harm's way. Let alone yourself in harm's way as well."
"What are you going to do?"
"Your dad and I already spoke to Wells. Told him to deny your gun incident for now. The rest won't be your concern."
"So, we're covering up the truth then? I hate you people lying for me."
"Then don't give us a reason to and we won't have to. We're already running out of cover-ups as it is. So, I expect you to be on your best behavior. Good day, Nathan."
"Aunt Joan, wait."
Joanna paused before she got off the table.
"What about Kate? Rachel? Am I still safe from them too?"
"If you weren't, I would have informed you on that as well. Just don't let me down and you will be."
Joanna stepped inside the backseat of her vehicle and her driver stepped on the gas to depart from Blackwell. Joan received a text on her smartphone on the way back home. One from her brother Sean.
Sean: Did you tell Nathan?
Joan: I did.
Sean: Meet me at the estate to discuss more on the matter.
Joan: On my way.
Then Joanna noticed white specks catching her eye and appearing out her window. When getting a better look, it immediately caught her attention that it was now snowing outdoors in the middle of October when it was eight-two degrees out. Which could only mean one thing. Project Cyclone was a go and ready to frame Max for the coming storm.
June 6th, 2014
3:03 PM
25 Miles From Arcadia Bay
Quantum Prospekt
"You're up, Prescott!" A prison guard shouted. "Make it quick!"
Sean Prescott was lined up in front of other prisoners. Waiting his turn to speak to his visitor at the prison's phone booth. When it was his turn; he stepped inside, sat down in his pod, and placed the phone on his ear. Ready to speak with his visitor through the glass window. His visitor sitting down across from him was none other than his dear sister Joanna Prescott. She picked up her phone to speak to her convicted brother.
"Took you long enough to visit me," said Sean.
"Have you told the girl who she is?" Joanna asked.
"You mean, Max? No, I didn't."
"Did anyone else tell her?"
"If someone else did, no one else told me. Why?"
"Don't worry. If she doesn't know now, she will soon."
"How soon, Joan? Derrick's in the ground, Mark's in the ground, Nathan's in the ground, soon I'll be in the ground too with my death penalty passed. How's Max supposed to know she's a descendant of the herd?"
"Crosby's death was a necessary casualty at best. Jefferson's and Nathan's were the most disheartening at worst. There's so much Ms. Caulfield has yet to learn, Sean. Soon, she'll be in for the rude awakening Ares has planned for her. And when that time comes, I'll be the one to tell her. I'm gonna miss you, big brother. May the herd guide us all."
Joanna laid down her hand on the glass. Sean laid his hand on the same spot his sister's was across from him.
"May the herd guide us all, little sister."
That was the last time I ever saw my nephew and brother alive with my own eyes. The things I said to them, the things I made them do, and now they're both gone because of me? What animal have I become to my own family? Would they still be alive if I fought harder to save them and the Herd of Whales both or has Ares taken the worst influence over me that's truly beyond liberation?
I close my eyes tightly. Holding the picture frame tighter. Ready to break down holding my breath to resist any sobbing down my cheeks. Until a hand touches my shoulder that startles me while I sit down at my desk.
"Joanna," said Elias Alkaline. Touching my shoulder.
I gasp and jerk my head behind me to see the general before me.
"Are you alright?" He asked. "I apologize if I'm disturbing-"
"No, no," I said. "It's fine. Only needed time alone."
"What are you doing here alone anyway? Apollo is about to give his speech to my men for Ares at any minute. You still coming?"
I keep glancing at the picture of my family for a few seconds more. Alkaline himself caught me looking at it and now knows the answer to his question.
"You miss them, don't you?" Elias thought.
"I don't know what to think anymore," I said. "Nathan, Sean, Mark, Derrick, all dead because I took their places in the herd far too lightly. Now Kristine is with Chrysalis and so is her mother Caroline. Ares should have my head by now. Why hasn't he?"
"Joanna, none of what occurred to them is your fault. They all knew the risks of their initiations into the herd and they all gave their lives for it. Kristine and Caroline are the real traitors who should be penalized. Not you. Ares is still giving us time to find that ark while he holds back Chrysalis who's about to launch their assault on the island tomorrow. Let's not disappoint him now. It's not too late to make him proud."
Elias wrapped his hand under my chin and my head turns to his eyes. The man cracks a smile and I smile back. Then we both kiss each other's lips in the name of love and good luck.
"Eon Auternum," said Elias.
"Eon Auternum," I say back.
Note: So, I've written this chapter for three reasons. One, is to flesh out Joanna Prescott. Two, show and don't tell. Three, I wanted my readers to understand what Joanna herself was up to during LIS1's and ATS's events and her role incognito during those events. To show my readers how she was behind everything thrown at Max. Between the Dark Room and the Battle of Portland. Just to clarify this retcon I've made for my stories.
Never thought I'd make it this far but there's now only one more chapter left for me to write down for episode five. Right before I start writing the series finale and epic conclusion to Max's story and Arcadia Saga as I'd like to call it. Stay cool and golden!
P.S. The Arcadia Saga in my head cannon consist of Life Is Strange, Life Is Strange: Before the Storm, Life Is Strange: After the Storm, Life Is Strange: The Lost Daughter, and Life Is Strange: Eternity War. Thank you.