Episode 13

Angles and Demons

The girls walked out onto the campus grounds discussing where to go next when their attention was drawn to a horde of students running and shouting towards the dorms. "What's got everyone so riled up," Chloe said loudly as if asking any passers by. Max felt uneasy, A knotting in her stomach as an image flashed in front of her. "Kate" She mumbled as a sudden look of horror struck her. "Oh shit, we have to get to the dorms now" She virtually shouted at Chloe with sheer desperation in her voice. Chloe looked at her a little taken back by the tone, But seeing the look on her friends face told her all she needed to know. "shit" she muttered as she grabbed Max's arm and the pair tore towards the dorms with Chloe leading the charge shoving several of the lads out of the way. As the dorm came into view Max scanned the rooftops, her heart sank as her eyes fell onto a familiar blond girl standing perched on the roof. "Kate" she screamed. She saw Kate turn to look right at the two running across the grass towards the dorm and put one foot over the edge.

"No," Max screamed as she felt herself stop midstride gripping Chloe's hand tightly bringing the blue haired girl to a sudden stop. It took Max a few seconds to realize it but everything had gone silent. Chloe looked up at the young blond who was now frozen mid-stride clearly overbalanced towards the point of no return, Her mouth fell open. "oh god" She muttered. Max tried to get the image of Kate falling out of her head, "We have to save her, I can't watch her die again," She looked at Chloe pain and urgency carried her voice her face mirroring the emotions. Chloe frowned a little, as a dozen questions rushed tough her mind before she pushed them aside. "Well what are we waiting for," She replied as she pulled Max up the steps into the dorms.

"Argh" Max let out a gasp as a searing pain shot through her skull causing her to double over. Chloe stopped dead in her tracks and spun around to see her doubled over with her free hand holding the side of her head as a small trickle of blood ran down her lip. "Shit, Max what's wrong" There was a plea in her voice. Max felt the pain subside as soon as she stopped moving just as fast as it had come on. "I'm ok" she replied as she took another step and another searing bolt shot through her head, "Fuck" she gasped as she stopped and doubled over again. "Max what is it" Chloe responded the plea in her voice even more desperate as she moved closer to her. Max looked at her removing her hand from her head, The blood running down her lip and over her chin, "Every time I move I..." An oh fuck expression worked its way onto her face as she came to the realization, "It hurts" Chloe finished as she too came to the same conclusion as another thought popped into her head. "What about if I.." As she spoke she took a slow deliberate step backward, Max braced herself for the pain, She felt her eyes bulge a little as she felt a firm tugging in the back of her head. Chloe froze midstep looking at her waiting for some sign. "It..It's not as bad," Max finally said her voice a little shaken. "Ok," Chloe said slowly taking a step towards her as an idea hit her. Without saying a word she turned around in front of Max and knelt down, "Chloe" "Jump on, You focus on your thing and I'll get us to the roof, we are partners after all" Chloe interjected as she turned her head to her with a smiled.

Max clung to Chole's back as she powered her way up the stairs. With each step, Max could feel the tugging at the back of her head getting worse as she rested her head on Chloe's shoulder staining her Jacket with her blood. The pair burst through the rooftop door to see Kate frozen in mid-step, Without even thinking Chloe launched herself forwards across the rooftop, Max jumped off for the last few feet and the pair launched themselves towards Kate, Max felt a surge of pain she lost her focus and dived to grab hold of something as Kate disappeared over the edge.

There was a stomach turning popping sound and multiple screams came from below as well as gasps of shock, Max opened her eyes to find herself hanging over the ledge facing a 3 story drop and a mingle of students and teachers staring up at them, Some having their phones out either taking pictures or recording the event. "Did we?" Max thought to herself the realization struck her as she heard Chloe next to her let out a winded "Gotch,". Max looked down to her outstretched hand to see Kate firmly attached to the other end by her wrist, Chloe had hold of her arm which looked in an awkward position. Max let out a sigh of relief as she rested her thumping head on her outstretched arm. "What the...Max, How did you.." Kate sobbed as she looked up at her saviors cutting herself short, Confusion worked its way onto her face, as she saw a small crimson river of blood running down Max's arm onto hers. "Up ya come," Chloe said as she heaved the small blonde up, Max pulled at the same time but could feel that Chloe was doing the lion's share of the lifting.

Chloe collapsed on her backside with Kate practically on top of her as she panted looking over at Max who was now sitting with her back to the small wall ledge her head resting on the edge. "You ok Max," Chloe called over as she slowly managed to get to her feet. Max just let out a sigh of relief in response, From below they could hear a lot of cheering and rounds of applause as she felt her heart rate return to normal, She looked at Kate with an apologetic look, "Kate," She breathed, "It's not your fault,". Kate looked at her, Her blonde hair framing a very red and blotchy face. "Max I.." She looked at Max, then at Chloe to the ledge and finally back to Max, "You...How did you, I saw you down on the grass" Kate spluttered letting more tears run down her cheeks as she tried to get up before gasping in pain clutching her shoulder, "fuck that hurts," Chloe grabbed Kates good arm helping her steady herself, "Sorry, But I think it might be broken" She said softly as kate found her feet. Kate glanced at the ledge becoming aware of all the raised voices and shouting from below and she took a step towards Max and pointed over the ledge, "Yo..You were down on the grass, How did you," she let her voice trail as she looked at Max, her face covered in blood as she felt a warm sticky presence on her arm, she looked down to see the trail of blood that had run down her arm from Max's. "Let's just say right place right time," Chloe piped up as she walked over to Max digging the tissues out of her pocket and went about cleaning Max up. , "Time took some convincing though" Max replied letting out a weak chuckle as she looked at Kate before continuing. "Look, Kate. Trust me when I say, It's not as bad as you think," She let out a sigh before continuing, "If anything it's just as creepy as all hell, And very soon everyone is going to know the truth," Kate looked at her with a blank expression, "how do you," she began but Max just shook her head, "Besides if ya stick around, I'll let you in on the trick, Belive me it's worth the wait," She said as she got to her feet and glanced over the edge. "That was far too close for comfort," She thought.

"Look kate," Chloe said in a caring voice, Me and you are sorta in the same boat," She took a deep breath before she continued, "Nathan tried the same shit on me, Both he and Jefferson are complete fucking phyco's who like to take pictures of drugged up passed out girls," Max turned to face them hearing her venomous undertone, seeing Chloe standing there with her fists clenched and visibly shaking. "But what if.." Kate started but was simply reduced to tears. "Kate," Max said as she walked towards the two girls, "It didn't happen," She stopped in front of the two girls and put her arms around both, pulling them in for a hug. "Ow fuck" Kate pulled away cradling her shoulder. Max winced a little "Sorry," Kate looked at her and shook her head giving a weak smile, "It's ok, If I'm perfectly honest it's the first time I've felt anything over the last few days"

After countless cheers and many questions, Most of witch received, "Talk about it later" statements from the 3 girls. Max and Chloe were sat in the waiting room at the hospital for Kate to get her shoulder set and cast. "Are you really going to tell her," Chloe asked quietly, Max Just looked at her and shrugged, "I don't know, I mean if she pushes the question then I guess," She stopped for a moment to think. "Put yourself in her shoes, You see two people from where she saw us, and a second later there right there next to you," She finished looking at Chloe with a lost expression. Chloe sighed, "Fair point, Although she is religious, She might just take it as a sign or somin. "I can see the headlines now, Chloe and Max savior of souls" Max announced marking out the headline in the air before the pair burst into laughter. Chloe got up still snickering as a thought crossed her mind she stopped and looked at Max worried, "I'll er, Be back in a few," She said as she tore down the hallway and around the corner before she could catch on. "What" but it was too late before Max could even blink she was gone. "Now what," She thought to herself as she watched the blue haired punk disappear around the corner.

After what seemed like an hour, But was in fact about 15 minutes Chloe came strolling back up the corridor carrying a plastic bag full of stuff. "What an earth" Max thought to herself as Chloe placed the bag next to the seat and began rummaging around in it, "Ok", she said as she rummaged around in the bag pulling out a few chocolate bars and a large bottle of water, "Here you go, eat and drink," She looked up at Max grinning, "Doctors orders, Literally I went and asked a doc what to do after giving blood," Max just smiled. "I figured if this is gonna keep happening we might as well find a way to handle the side effects", Chloe took a deep breath and let out an exaggerated sigh as she looked down the hall, "Shame, though, That doctor was kinda cute," She finished looking at Max with a mischievous grin. Max's mouth fell open, Realizing this she quickly shoved part of the chocolate bar in her mouth as she felt a knot in her stomach. "Is she playing with me?" She thought to herself and she chewed studying Chloe's dorkish grin.

"Hi guys," Kates voice come from across the hall, As Max turned to her she saw Kates arm in a sling, "Good new's, It's not broken just dislocated, I have to rest it and they gave some painkillers," She said shaking the bottle in her other hand and grinning. "Sorry about that," Chloe said as she got up and went to hug Kate, who was a little surprised but reciprocated the hug. "Don't be daft, You saved my life, You both did," she added looking at Max as she finished her mouthful. Max nodded at Chloe, "Chloe's orders I'm afraid," she said hinting at the bag of food and water bottle in her hands. "Oh does that happen often," Kate asked as she tilted her head to one side looking at Max. Max let out a grin and looked at Chloe, letting out a mock sigh, "Yeah, shes always bossing me about,". Chloe feigned a hurt look as Kate let out a laugh and shook her head as she spoke, "I meant the nose bleeds," Chloe shot a look at Max, Max just shrugged, "Comes with the territory, along with monster head achs, Buut I'll live," Kate remained silent for a moment before speaking again, "You guys don't have to tell me if you don't want to," "Kate, it's just" Max started to say but as she saw Kates eyes welling up she got up and went over and joined in the hug. "I'm just thankful for you two, It was fate that you were meant to be there to stop me, And I'm not going to argue with that," Kate sobbed as the girls hugged. Max let out a chuckle, "Fate can be stubborn at times, But it does appear to play fair," Max said. "That I can belive, And I'd belive anything you two told me," mumbled kate from somewhere in Max's Hoodie.

"Well in that case then," Chloe took a step back from Kate and took up a pose akin to a sumo wrestler, "Kate Marsh were here to abduct you and take to our home planet," as she said that she started making overly ridiculous footsteps toward Kate, Before all three of them burst into laughter.

After leaving the hospital Kate's parents turned up and after numerous thankyou's and tear's, Kate went home with her parents for a few days and Max and Chloe were sat in her truck, Chloe had her feet hanging out of the window while she was having a smoke leaning on Max who was lost in thought. "Well I guess there's nothing for it, Time to give you ya cape and suit, Your officially a hero Max," Chloe said with a smile, looking up at her friend from her slouched position. Max thought for a moment, "I Can't take all the credit, Your just as much of one as me," She replied giving her friend a gentle shoulder bump. "I can live with that," Chloe replied looking out the window and then looking back to Max, "But your my Hero Max, You saved me so many time's and you've managed to," She paused for a moment taking a breath, "Pull me from a very dark place, It's like your my guardian angle," She finished as she took another drag of her cigarette and flicked the butt out the window and sat up. "Oh Chloe," Max mumbled feeling a tear roll down her cheek. Chloe looked at her, "Max, I mean it, You really saved me," Chloe put her arm around Max rubbing her shoulder reassuringly. Max turned to Chloe another tear rolling down her cheek, "I'm not the only one that's pulled someone out of a dark place," She took a deep breath before continuing, "When I was at my darkest hour, It was you, Just the thought of you that pushed me forwards, It always has been and I can't imagine where I would be now if not for you," She finished biting her lip. Chloe looked at Max feeling her eyes reddening, "Max I.." She didn't know what to say.

"Chloe," Max began and looked at her friend who was still speechless. "There's one more I think you should see," Breathing in continued, "But I warn you, It's," She trailed off thinking twice about it. "Dark," Chloe finished. "Look, Max, I don't think you should push yourself, Back on that roof I saw you, You were at your limit," She looked at Max, She could see the silky trails let by the rogue tears that had escaped her control, "Chloe," Max sighed putting on stronger front than she felt she had, "I'll be ok, Honest, Besides It doesn't involve much walking this time, I promise," Max rested her head on Chloe's arm and looked at her with her puppy dog expression. Chloe looked at her for second "Goddammit, I can't say no to those eyes," She thought to herself and rolled her eyes, " Ok you win," Pulling her arm up around Max and in a quite tone. "Where to," Max took a deep breath and replied,"The Junkyard,".

As they pulled up to the junkyard Max got out and slowly walked around recalling the bottle incident, She let out a chuckle. "Ok in hindsight was kinda goofy," She thought to herself and she watched Chloe getting out of the truck and sprinting to meet her. The two walked around the Junkyard until they came across a freshly dug area, remnants of police tape tied to a few old rusted cars flittered in the breeze. Max held out her hand towards Chloe her eyes began to redden again. Without a word Chloe took Max's outstretched hand in her own firmly. "Last chance to back out," Max sniffed holding back a wave of tears she could feel threatening to break through she turned to Chloe her eyes now so badly watered she could bearly see her blue haired punk. "This is one of my darkest hours Chloe, This is," She took a quick breath as she felt the tears roll down her face, "where I honestly thought it all ended. Chloe looked at her as she felt a very unpleasant knot forming in her stomach, Stepping forwards she embraced Max in her arms, She could feel a lump in her throat forming as she forced the words out. "Already told you, The good and the bad, Your not alone anymore," And with that the sene began to change.

The Junkyard came under darkness as they watched themselves walking through the junkyard with other Chloe in the lead. Chloe felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end as a chill went down her spine, She tightened her grip on Max a little. Max turned to face the scene as an image of them digging up Rachel popped into her head, And before she could force it from her mind the scene changed again. "Are you gonna help me dig" Max heard Chloe's voice as a feeling of horror washed over her, "Oh shit, no,no,no, Chloe I'm sorry, Not this one," She whimpered as she tried to pull away from her friend, But Chloe just pulled her closer as she raised a hand to her mouth and a tear ran down her cheek. "Oh god," she muttered as she saw herself recoiling from the grave screaming on the floor.

"Chloe I..You didn't have to see that" Max blubbed as she buried her face in girls jacket, Chloe relaxed her grip around Max a little and spoke softly and gently nodded, not taking her eyes off what was going on, "you know, I think I actually needed to see this, Sorta like closure I guess," She sniffed as she took a breath, "Ok hit me, and remember," Looking down at the Brunette, "I'm right here, I ain't going anywhere,"

Max wiped her eyes on the punk's jacket and searched for the memory she actually wanted and the scene changed again, Again they watched as the Other two walked around the Junkyard with Other Chloe in the lead. Out of the shadows, They watched as Mr. Jefferson injected something onto the back of other Max's neck. Max shuddered as she remembered the feeling. Chloe pulled Max into her a bit tighter. Knowing what was coming Max buried her face back into the punk's jacket and let out a sob as the gunshot went off. Chloe rubbed her hand up and down Max back "It's ok, I'm right here," She muttered as she heard other Max calling out her name and watching her other self's lifeless body fall to the ground, "Oh no," She thought to herself as she felt a painful stab in her chest and another tear made its way down her cheek.

Before she could fully process what she had just seen the scene changed once again to the underground bunker, Other Max was tied up on the floor as Mr. Jefferson walked around flashing his camera giving his exposition, "Max, you don't have to," She whispered looking down at Max, Max's gaze was firmly fixed on what was happening right in front of them. Chloe looked up and watched as the scene kept changing as Other Max jumped between several realities and to San Francisco and back again and as she gave up her dream, She could tell just by looking at the other Max just how exhausted she was and she looked down at the brunette in her arms, "Max," She thought to herself as the realization of just how far she was willing to go". Her attention brought back to the scene as David came to Max's rescue, And once again Max pushing herself repeatedly until finally, Jefferson went down, Then seeing David's reaction to her own death, by shooting Jefferson dead. Chloe felt the tears rolling down her cheeks now, But she didn't care, "He shot him," She mumbled, "For me, Fuck,". Max wiped her cheek with the sleeve of her hoodie, "Of course he did, He care's for you Chloe,"

The scene faded with Other Max leaving the room, And they were back in the Junkyard, A gentle breeze picked up and birds could be heard in the nearby bushes. Chloe released Max from her grip as she went to pull the tissues from her Jacket, She realized Max was just standing there, A dark red trail of blood mixed with tears smeared over her face and down her hoodie as her eye's rolled she began to fall. Before she knew it Chloe already had Max in her arms. "I gotcha," She muttered to herself shaking her head. "Told you not to overdo it," she said trying to not to sound too harsh. "Sorry," Max replied weakly. Taking Max's weight she carefully made her way back to the truck, "Don't sweat it," "Sorr..." Max grumbled as she blanked out. Chloe was already waiting for it adjusting her weight accordingly. "And that's two for two, Only five feet from the truck this time, Maybe tomorrow you will actually get in it," she chuckled as she got her into the passenger seat and set about cleaning her up.

Wow ok that was a long one, I've had this scene tossing around in my head for a few days now, Feels good to get it down and out. I know there's a LOT of red eyes and tears, And I'm afraid there's going to be a couple more yet, But there are happy ones coming I PROMISE. Is it hitting the mark/overdone or missing something, I honestly don't know

As always Comments and critique welcome