Episode 8

A message in time

"Max" Chloe called as she felt her friend turn into dead weight. "And there she goes, You really overdid it, Max," She said softly giving a half laugh as she readjusted her footing and heaved Max's weight onto her shoulders. "Looks like it's my turn to look after you," Chloe thought to herself as she made her way to the truck and managed to get Max into the passenger's seat, climbed in the other side and started the drive home. As she drove she kept glancing over at Max sleeping in the passenger seat, When they first got in the truck at the school all Chloe could think about was how close she had come to getting shot and it turns out that she had been shot at least 3,4 or was it 5 times. "Ugg this is enough to to drive anyone insane how the actual fuck are you still sane Max" Chloe thought as she turned her attention back to the road and pulled into her drive.

Getting out of her truck Chloe closed the door and ran inside the house to find David sat on the sofa. "Oh Hey Chloe, you and Max have a good catch up" He called across the living room. Chloe stopped a little taken aback by her step-dads polite attitude. "Err yeah uh, David could you help me get Max upstairs she's completely wiped," Chloe asked bracing herself for a 3rd degree. "Sure" David replied lifting himself out of the couch and putting his bottle of beer on the table. "She ain't been drinking or doing drugs has she," he enquired. "No she's just not been sleeping well lately and its finally caught up with her" Chloe rushed to the defense of her little time hero. "Ok ok I believe you, Oh and Chloe" He continued in a hushed tone as they walked towards the front door, "I'll be leaving my gun safe unlocked tonight, Don't worry all the ammo is elsewhere" giving Chloe a stern look as they went outside, Chloe opened the truck door and David gently picked up Max in a heavy sleep and took her inside.

In Chloe's room David laid Max on the bed went to leave the room and turned to Chloe "It looks like she's out cold, You keep an eye on her ok" he said in a soft voice. Chloe looked at Max laid on the bed, "Belive me I am not taking my eyes off her" She said defiantly, "And err, David" She added as she walked over to her bed reached under it and pulled out a small brown handled revolver before walking back to David and handed it to him not wanting to meet his gaze. "Thankyou Chloe, I err Kinda get why you wanted it, Hopefully, next time you can just come tell me" David replied as he turned and left the room.

"Glad to be rid of it if I'm honest," Chloe thought to herself as she looked at Max gently snoring. She went over to the bed and as she was about to pull the covers over Max she shifted onto her side and mumbled Chloe's name. Chloe smiled to herself and continued to pull the covers over her little hero as her hand brushed past the white envelope tucked in Max's back pocket, Gently she removed it along with the picture and finished covering Max up. "Sleep well my little time magician" Chloe muttered and walked over to her desk and put the letter and picture down only just noticing the name on the front of the letter and the handwriting. "That's my mum's handwriting," She thought to herself picking up the letter she flipped it over and ran her fingers over the seal. "Hey it's addressed to me, But when did Max meet with my mum," She thought to herself and wracked her brain trying to recall what Max had said, "Of course this is from my mum in the time where I.." She thought to herself "Didn't make it" mumbling the last part and put the letter down on the desk.

"I'm gonna need a little somin before I read that," She thought to herself and set about rolling a joint and perched herself on the window ledge with the window open leaning against the framework and smoked her joint while she watched Max sleep. "Looks like you could have used one of these girly, God knows you've more than earned it," She said quietly as she finished her smoke shut her window and sat at her desk looking at the letter addressed to her in her mother's hand.

"Fuck it lets do this," She thought to herself as she picked up the letter opened it and began to read.

Dear Chloe

If you're reading this then it means that Max's plan worked at least for you and I hope with all my heart that Max is there too.

"Oh she's here mom" Chloe smiled to herself and continued reading

That girl is something else Chloe, Now this is going to be a bit of a shopping list I'm afraid considering the circumstances I think it's best.

If Max has told you about her rewind and everything you two went through then skip the next page, If not read on.

"Oh she told me, And I don't think one letter is going to cover it so skip," Chloe thought to herself as she turned the page.

Now that that is out of the way, Wether you skipped that page or not.

And I'm speaking from this timeline hun, When you died it nearly killed me, And what it did to David. Everything was right under his nose and he just hadn't connected the dots. You are so loved Chloe and I don't know it it's my place. But the weight that girl has had to carry, While it's only been a few days for us, She's had to bare it far longer.

Chloe glanced over at Max and smiled weakly letting a tear roll down her cheek "I know mom" She thought before returning to the letter.

Max would probably never deliver this if she knew what I am about to write. But that girl is so into you Chloe, She's been through hell and fought time itself for no other reason other than you.

Make every day count my baby, I love you no matter what timeline you're in.

Love mum

"I love you too mom and I think I saw David's other side today, I think we'll be ok" Chloe muttered to herself wiping the single tear that had made it's way to her chin.

Ps. Has she told you what happened at the lighthouse, She wouldn't tell us.

"Oh really," Chloe looked at Max again a little puzzled with a subconscious smile "No she avoided it with me too," Chloe thought to herself wondering what Max could possibly be hiding that's worse than what she's been through. She placed the letter back in the envelope and placed it on the desk spotting the picture of the blue butterfly she picked it up and looked at it. "So I guess it's you I have to thank for leading Max back to me, "She thought to herself as she got up from the desk and stuck the picture to her monitor. She smirked to herself, "That gives me an Idea, But it can wait till tomorrow I'm out" She thought with a sigh as she climbed into the small bed next to her own little super hero who was gently snoring. Propping herself up she looked at Max her expression so peaceful. "What can't you tell me, Max"

Ooh what's Max hiding :O. Yes emoji. A few minor changes to try and get rid of overly repetitive word combinations like she said, etc.

Comments and critique welcome