"It's no use going back to yesterday,
because I was a different person then."
- Lewis Carroll


The interior of the small building was dimly lit from the half-light that filtered through a few small windows along the top of the wall. The sudden blast of air that accompanied their intrusion sent dried leaves and pine needles lofting into the air. Loose papers piled atop a table on the far wall were likewise swept from it's surface to briefly tumble on the gust.

After a quick glance at the room both girls turned back to the damaged door as the gusty wind blew in behind them. Chloe grabbed the door and began shoving it closed fighting the winds pressure "Max, gimme a hand!"

Max put her back against the door and pushed hard with her legs and what strength she could manage, the effort made her head swim. After a few seconds of struggle the wind relented and they managed to get it closed but the ruined latch would no longer hold it there. Max frowned at it.

"Not sure if opening locked doors is ever going to be your thing, now it won't stay closed."

Chloe rolled her eyes "Everybody's a critic. Besides, aren't you the one who told me during one of your time trips you blew up the Principal's office? So you don't get to rag on my door-opening skills." Max sneered at her.

"Ha. ha. And it was only the door, not the whole office. Anyway, we need to get this to stay closed."

"OK hang tight a sec?" Chloe asked studying her face and at Max's nod she looked around the room.

"We just need something- " her eyes focusing on a six foot tall metal cabinet along the wall "-like that!"

Max could feel the wind bucking against the door as she pressed back against it, grimacing as her soaked hoodie and shirt squished against her skin making the cold metal of the door feel like ice against her back. Chloe grabbed the cabinet and began grunting with effort as she pushed and dragged it over in front of the door. Max turned sideways to help pull and together they managed to slide it into position, completely blocking the door closed. The cabinet was heavy and looked fairly sturdy so while the wind hammered against the door it didn't budge with the cabinet bracing it.

As she stepped back from the door Max's vision swam as a wave of dizziness swept through her. A brief sharp pain shot through her forehead throwing white flashes across her vision and she groaned as she slumped back against the wall with a thump.

Chloe had been busy surveying the room and turned toward her at the sound "Max?"

The brunette's head was hanging down as she held her hand to her forehead answering weakly, "I…I'm fine, I jus… sit a minute."

The punk looked into her face and noticed blood trickling from Max's nose. She caught it with her index finger and held it up so Max could see, her voice soft was still heavy with concern "Max? What did you do?"

Max's eyes focused on it for a moment before she wearily protested "I didn't…Chloe, I didn't do anyth…"

Chloe wiped the remaining blood away with the sleeve of her hoodie and helped Max to the floor, "OK I believe you. Just sit here a minute, let me see if I can figure something out."

Once Max was sitting down Chloe stood up and looked around, squinting to make out details in the dim gloomy room.

With the darkened sky outside very little light shone through the small windows near the top of the wall. With no lights inside to cut the dark gloom Chloe realized moving around half-blind could be hazardous. She reached into her jacket pocket and pulled her cell phone out, it was a little damp but still working.

Heh, no signal though, big surprise.

She tapped the tiny flashlight icon on her screen and her phone's sharp white light scattered the shadows as she scanned the room with it. The light passed over a countertop along the front wall illuminating some consoles and technical-looking equipment sitting along it's surface. She thought she remembered that William had said it was a weather station the last time the two of them had taken a hike up here, when she was younger.

Before everything went wrong…

With an irritated shake she pushed the darker thoughts from her mind.

As she continued to look around she saw a couple of old rolling chairs that were pushed up underneath the counter. Along the wall opposite the door there was a table with several old cardboard file boxes stacked on it. The floor and walls were concrete and the small narrow windows high on the walls had thicker-looking glass panes. The air in the little building seemed colder compared to the air outside.

Well, at least the place looks solid enough, but it's about as cozy as a morgue.

Hoping to lighten the mood she glanced at Max, "Well, whatcha think of our first apartment? I know it lacks the warm cozy ambiance of my room, but it is way cleaner, we have tons of privacy and the rent is hella cheap."

Max let out a barely perceptible, "Mmm hmm" and Chloe had the distinct impression that she was passing out. She was sitting on the floor against the wall with her knees pulled up to her chest, her forehead resting on them. Chloe could see her shaking and she looked utterly drained and pale as a ghost. Chloe knelt down and grasped her shoulders to lightly jostle her, trying to get her to respond, "Max. Max? Maxine Caulfield!"

Max stirred a little and looked up at her, bleary-eyed, her voice having a tiny but weary edge "not…Maxine..."

Chloe smiled back, "There you are. Stay with me Max."

The small girl managed a nod.

Chloe stood back up as her mind began to race thinking about their situation, concerns about Max's worsening condition building anxiety within her.

She looks rough, maybe shock or something. From when she passed out in the parking lot until now I still don't know what the hell happened with her.

Or where she went… Those damn nosebleeds can't be good either.

If something happens or she gets worse it's not like I can just take her to a hospital…fuck.

Goddamn fucking storm!

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

OK. Neither of us are going anywhere right now and you aren't helping her if you loose your shit.

Exhaling, she opened her eyes and looked around focusing first on the heavy cabinet. The metal hinges squeaked slightly as she pulled the doors open to see that it was divided in half down the center. The left side was designed to hold coats and other garments; currently it held a pair of yellow rain coats and a thicker dark blue down-filled jacket.

Ok, now we're getting somewhere.

The right side consisted of several shelves. On one she found a small toolbox containing various tools, a leather tool belt lay next to it. The other shelves contained nothing but dust except for the bottom shelf which held a large bright orange plastic case. It's weight definitely told that it wasn't empty as she dragged it out onto the floor and popped the cover open. Inside she found basic first aid supplies: bandages and gauze, alcohol wipes, medical tape among other things. In the bottom of the case under a couple CPR masks she found two tightly folded silvery-looking packages. She pulled one of them open enough to see…

These look like… thermal blankets?

"Score!" she said glancing back at Max with a big grin but the brunette seemed to be nodding off again and hadn't noticed Chloe's discovery. Her head had again tipped forward to rest on her knees.

Shit. OK relax and keep going, she'll be fine.

Although the large cabinet seemed to be doing a good job holding the door, gusty winds still slipped through the gaps creating chilling drafts. If both of them had been dry, rested and not stressed beyond reason it wouldn't have been that big a concern. But they were none of those things and adding cold drafts to the mix was not a combination for staying healthy.

She grabbed the first aid box and gave it a firm shove so it slid over to the far corner opposite the door, then she grabbed the two rain coats and tossed them next to it. Turning back she took the down-filled jacket off it's hanger and draped it across Max's front like a blanket. She finished by wrapping the jackets sleeves behind the girl's lowered head so it looked like the jacket was giving her a hug. The brunette groaned a little but stayed still and Chloe watched her for a moment.

Heh, that would actually look cute under better circumstances.

Chloe looked at the corner where she'd tossed the rain coats and then at the concrete floor, frowning in thought. Looking back over the room her eyes stopped at the table along the wall where the cardboard file boxes sat. She smiled in satisfaction as the plan she'd been piecing together finally came to her. Walking over to the table she popped the top off one of the file boxes. It was filled with what looked like printouts of numbers and other data, various files and other paperwork. Checking the other boxes she found more of the same and ripped them all open, dumping their contents onto the floor by the table. She took the empty boxes and carefully broke them down so she had large flat pieces of cardboard which she spread out on the floor in the corner near the first aid box. She had enough to layer them two deep on the floor and up the back of the concrete wall a couple feet. Finally she spread one raincoat over the top of the cardboard.

She went back over to where Max was slumped against the wall, "Max? Hey, c'mon stand up for me."

"Ch-lo-ee?…" Max groaned through chattering teeth as Chloe helped her to her feet, still half-covered with the jacket. She began guiding her over to the corner, having to stop suddenly to catch Max as she stumbled, after a few more steps Chloe helped her sit back down onto the makeshift cardboard bedding.

Suddenly Max scrunched her face, her forehead creasing as if she were in pain. Noticing her reaction Chloe opened her mouth to say something but in the next moment Max's face relaxed to the same dreadful looking calm it had previously as she drew in a slow breath.

Although the weary girl's face looked calm again it did little to quell Chloe's fears.

Damnit Max, you are seriously scaring the shit out of me.

Taking the jacket off of her, Chloe opened the first thermal blanket and placed it behind Max so it was between them both and the cardboard on the wall. She then snapped the second blanket open and sat down next to her, tucking up against the shaking girl. She draped the second blanket over the front of them and then pulled the remaining rain coat and the jacket over the top. Chloe studied her face trying to gauge her condition, her eyelids were closed and she looked deathly pale. She didn't notice any fresh blood which was something at least.

Just then Max opened her eyes and looked up at her briefly, a small smile appearing on her lips. She then leaned over to rest her head against Chloe's chest.

"Max?" Chloe's mood brightened at seeing her a bit more aware but it was short-lived as the small girl was already out cold again. Chloe gently snuck her arm behind her and pulled her closer as they huddled underneath the covers.


Max's vision swam through half-closed eyelids. Utterly exhausted, she felt like she'd gone for a week with no sleep. Trying to think of anything beyond the most basic thoughts was draining and she felt like her very perception had edges that were blurred and out of focus. If she tried to do anything but look straight ahead her vision would slowly narrow into a bubbling, disjointed mess of thought fragments.

Where was she? She felt like she should know but she didn't recognize this place. A constant dull roaring in her ears made it even harder to think clearly. Everything felt surreal and for a horrifying second she feared she was trapped inside another nightmare. Until Chloe's face drifted into view in front of her, her mouth was moving but Max couldn't figure out the words she was saying.

"Ch-lo-ee?…" She tried to ask Chloe what she'd said but the shaking in her body made it difficult to force words through her chattering teeth. Chloe bent down in front of her and with her help Max stood up, teetering a little on legs that weren't responding well as Chloe helped her walk to…somewhere?

As she let herself be guided the room before her swam and faded in and out of focus. Suddenly it felt like the entire room was sliding as the floor tilted and swayed under her feet causing her to stagger and nearly collapse but Chloe held her tightly. When they stopped moving Max slumped back against something solid and started to sit down but it felt more like she was sliding.

She felt Chloe's strong arms holding her and helping her to sit, it felt good not having to stand. She could feel herself shaking, but even that felt like it took so much effort, she wished she could stop, just be still.
Her mind wasn't cooperating either. Each new thought she tried to form collided against fragments of another leaving her to grasp at wispy mental vapors as they dissipated before her mind's eye.

Her exhaustion made her feel like she'd fought with the whole world while at the same time fighting herself. She didn't want to have to fight anymore or think about any more problems or mysteries to solve, no more people to figure out or secrets to discover. She just wanted to sleep. Just climb into her bed under the covers and sleep. Safe in a place where the world couldn't find her.

The dull throbs of pain in her head were like rain drops striking upon the tender surface of her weary mind, sending out ripples that wrecked any semblance of thought. Grimly she wondered if perhaps this was her end. After taxing her mind and body beyond anything it was ever designed for maybe her brain was finally hemorrhaging and she was dying.

Is… that what this is?

The thought didn't scare her, ironically she felt too tired to be afraid and in a macabre way death actually sounded kind of peaceful.
Her mind continued to tumble around thoughts of the town, the storm, her friends and people she'd met. She felt she'd done the best she could and despite the mistakes and setbacks she felt she'd helped a few people too. That was something anyway. With everything she'd learned about the corruption and neglect that had spread from the Prescotts through the land and the town she'd called home, maybe this storm was supposed to be here? Maybe old Samuel was right and it was a warning sign. Or it was a natural eventuality, nature's response to try and wash the ugly stains away.

Just like after thunderstorms how everything seems fresh and clean. Maybe after it's ov-

She winced suddenly as her thoughts were cut short, shattered by a sharp pain that lanced through her forehead. She tried to focus on something other than the pain, something happy and she found her mind drifted to thoughts of Chloe.

She was really alive, Max had saved her. With everything she had seen and learned this week to stay here with Chloe seemed like the only thing that made any real sense to her.

When she listened to her heart, she felt it there too.

She'd abandoned Chloe once before, but not anymore. No more hiding in the past, no more running away from the future.

As she took in a slow breath the pain began to fade and she felt her face relax again as her mind began to float.

She felt something being wrapped around her, something warm snug and cozy that reminded her of her bed.
On cold mornings she would crawl under the blankets, warm and safe, to hide from the cooler air in her room until the sun's warmth made sliding out of bed bearable. Someone pressed up against her side, she looked up through half-lidded eyes and saw Chloe's beautiful face, her deep blue eyes looking at her.

Chloe was here with her, everything would be fine. Max managed a small smile at her.

She felt Chloe's arm around her pulling her close and she leaned into it, finding soft comfort as she lay her head on Chloe's chest. She felt warmth spreading across and through her as the howling wind faded into the background. She heard Chloe say her name then, only once and she felt the sound of it reverberate from Chloe's chest into her mind calming her turbulent thoughts.

No longer trying to think her mind began to quiet. She let her eye lids fall closed as she slipped into the warm darkness there next to Chloe, finally finding peace.


It wasn't long before Chloe began feeling the trapped body heat warming her and she assumed Max, at least the small girl had stopped shivering and seemed to drift off. Chloe set her phone down to her side so the light aimed upwards acting like a tiny lamp. She watched the covers move gently as Max's chest rose and fell with each breath and after a little while the color slowly began to return to her face. Once she felt satisfied the slumbering girl would stay warm Chloe gently leaned back against the wall and sighed heavily.

Fuck I need a smoke.

Occasionally the gusting wind that intruded through gaps around the door made a hollow whistling noise which punctuated the ever-present dull roar of the storm. Papers and bits of dried leaves skittered around the floor pushed by the same gusts that also brought sharp cold air to Chloe's face and arms. Dust motes floated in the dim light reminding Chloe of the fireflies that used to dance on the air in her backyard during warm summer nights.

She pulled the covers up higher, tucking them around herself and Max while outside the storm continued it's relentless assault. Chloe glanced up at the small windows high on the wall but visibility beyond them was poor at best. Occasionally flashes of lightning would illuminate the outside scene briefly highlighting violently swaying trees and debris that flew by the windows. She flinched a couple times when larger pieces of storm-tossed wreckage would slap or crack into the windows or collide the outer wall but the little building stood firm, seemingly unfazed.

Even this little shack isn't taking your shit, fuck off storm.

She thought about trying to dig for her cigarettes but looking down at the small girl next to her she smiled and reconsidered. Max's breathing was now deep and steady and Chloe was afraid too much moving on her part might wake her.

She's finally resting, nicotine fix will have to wait.

Chloe tried to relax as she lay there against the wall and Max, feeling the warmth that soaked through them both. She found her mind drift back to when they were tweens and weekend sleepovers with Max.

The weekends weren't the only days they hung out but they were usually the best, getting to stay up late and no school in the morning. The fun usually Friday night after dinner with snacks, games and movies. They'd bring pillows and blankets down from Chloe's room and dismantle the couch to construct cool fort hideouts, those were good times. Friday nights usually ended with them passing out right there inside the fort, the warm soft snow on the late night TV creating the perfect sleep-inducing white noise. Sometimes she might wake up briefly when one of her parents, usually William, would come in to turn off the TV and kiss her goodnight lightly on the forehead. Now that she thought about it she wondered how he managed to reach her forehead without having to dismantle their fort. Mad dad-ninja skills she guessed. She remembered hearing his voice telling her goodnight and that he loved her. He always said goodnight to Max too, like she was his own daughter, though Chloe doubted Max ever heard it. She always had slept like a rock.
The next morning when Chloe opened her eyes Max's face would usually be the first thing she'd see, accompanied by the smell of bacon cooking in the kitchen.

Heh, that could explain why I love her.
Or maybe that just explains why I love bacon.

She smiled chuckling softly to herself and closed her eyes as more memories came to the surface. Sounds of clinking dishes and bowls, telltale signs of Joyce's cooking and the way the thick cushion walls of their fort made it sound muffled and far away. Soon the full smells of breakfast wafting to their noses would hit them; bacon and eggs cooking, warm toast, oh man!

If Max's eyes hadn't opened by then they certainly did when Joyce would call out, "Wakey wakey, eggs and bakey!"

Chloe remembered Max's face and how she always looked so cute and peaceful when she was asleep. Then her eyes would open and they'd just look at each other for a few long moments before both cracking big stupid grins and giggling. It was like they were in their own private cozy world, just the two of them and nothing could intrude.

Except if they took too long they'd find the 'roof' of their fort suddenly removed and Joyce standing over them, smirking and shaking her head. After breakfast and cartoons they'd get the usual speech from Joyce about straightening the mess up before they headed outside for a Saturday-long adventure. Gods Chloe missed those days.

Damnit mom, you better be somewhere safe in all this shit.

Chloe took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, allowing her mind drift to other thoughts as she opened her eyes to glance at the girl next to her.
Max had slid down and was half-laying half-leaning against her with her head resting against Chloe's stomach, aside from her steady breathing she made no other movement or sound. Chloe gently reached over with her free hand, as if Max were the most fragile thing that existed and touched the side of her head. Her scalp was still a little damp but felt warm beneath her fingers. She slowly and gently trailed her fingers through the brown hair watching it glide across her fingers and softly fall back against her scalp. Chloe thought she caught the faintest fragrance of shampoo or maybe conditioner that Max must have used last.
The small girl murmured and stirred slightly, prompting Chloe to carefully take her hand away. The faint smell lingered on her fingertips as she brought them up to her face to brush away a small tear of happiness that had formed in the corner of her eye. She smiled and gently lowered her face to brush a soft kiss on Max's hair.

You kissed me back you beautiful little dork. You really meant it too, didn't you.

Making this officially the best and craziest week of my entire life.

Pleasant memories and thoughts of Max helped the week's tensions uncoil within her, being replaced by weariness. Her mind wandered as she thought about all that had happened with Max, Nathan, Frank, her mom, David, Rachel and the town, all of it whirled in her head and compounded her growing exhaustion. She knew she was probably coming down from the stress and adrenaline but hadn't realized how burned-out she felt until she'd sat still long enough to think about it.

At the center of the week had been Max, there with her, supporting her and trying to help pull Chloe's head out of her own ass.

She glanced down at the sleeping girl and softly whispered, "Did you know what you were doing for me? How can I ever explain how much you've done, shit, are still doing for me and how much that means? Or feel worthy of it? And that you did it for me because you wanted to, not because I asked you to."

Maybe I should find the balls to tell her when she's actually awake to hear it.

Max had unconsciously shifted and now rested with her head fully in Chloe's lap. Chloe adjusted the coats to keep the sleeping girl covered and gently bent her head and placed another light kiss on the side of Max's head.

I won't let you down.

Although she seemed to be resting comfortably concerns about what may be wrong with Max still tugged at Chloe's mind. She slowly bent forward a bit trying to look at Max's face and nose without disturbing her. At least it looked like the bleeding hadn't started again.

Thursday night when they'd crashed at Chloe's house Max had tried to explain a little more about how she thought her powers worked. She had said that usually the nosebleeds and blackouts only became a problem when she'd been using her power a lot, maybe pushing herself too much? But that didn't explain earlier when her nose had bled and hadn't used her powers, what did that mean? Something worse?

Fuck Max, what is going on with you?

At least the girl was resting now and Chloe realized she should probably try to do the same. She wasn't sure what they'd face once the storm had passed but she imagined it was going to be a challenge getting out of here and back to town, hopefully her truck hadn't blown away in the storm with everything else.

She sighed as she looked around the small room one last time, satisfied everything was as good as it could be she turned her phone light off and set it to her side. Briefly adjusting the covers around them both she lay back against the wall with her left arm draped across the small girl's shoulders and side.

Her eyelids grew heavy and fluttered closed as the howling wind outside became a dull hum that slowly faded in her ears as sleep took her.


Legs lazily dangled over the edge of the cliff as they slowly swung back and forth. The gentle tapping of the boot heels against the stone was oddly comforting to their owner. Every so often a heel would bump the against the side of the cliff hard enough to dislodge small pebbles and dirt that fell to the churning waters far below. But the steady clacking and scraping noises it caused were barely audible over the symphony of chaos that played on the air. The dislodged pebbles that sank into the waters below mixed with crashing waves and fierce swells that battered against the cliff. All around a storm raged, nature's fury incarnate. Even though the figure sat on a cliff's edge opposite the storm's epicenter, the power and energy from it could be felt everywhere, it's display a thing of legend. Lightning and wind driven rain dominated the view, spoils of the massive vortex's plundering rage flew through the air over and near the figure, slamming into the cliffs and the ground nearby, crashing to the waters below.

The figure showed no concern.

A dim light shown from behind where it sat comfortably on the edge of the cliff, bathing it's silhouette in a pool of soft white light. It was humming softly to itself and gazing down at it's hands where between slender fingers was woven and intricate cat's cradle of plain white string. The string itself was unremarkable except for the numerous simple knots along it's length who's only purpose one could imagine was to mark a point on the string itself.

The heavy hooded coat it wore kept the rain and wind from a brow that was creased in deep concentration. Fingers moved back and forth with smooth dexterity much like a loom weaving cloth, the string slipping off one finger to catch another in an ever-changing pattern. Occasionally the lone figure would stop and look up at the chaos around it, it's gaze far into the distance as if considering the answer to a question that was known only to itself, moments later resuming the delicate motions. It's calm demeanor was a stark contrast to the weather's fury around it.

Finally after some minutes it stopped and stared at the complex web strung between it's hands, frowning.

"This, should not be."

Sighing with a shake of it's head it reversed the weave, moving back one, two, then three steps, frowning at each point. Then slowly moving the weave forward again as the strings slipped, hooked and intertwined into the same pattern as moments ago. After staring a minute longer the figure's face settled to a mask of firm acceptance. Again speaking aloud seemingly to no one.

"Fine. We will do this your way-"

The figure stood up clasping it's hands together, a moment later they unclasped and the string was gone. It turned to face the wall behind it whereon was inscribed a pattern of glowing runes that cast pale white light before them. The figure stepped forward reaching out to touch them, the glow's intensity increasing as the hand drew near. Slender fingers brushed the top of the inscription and gently dragged down it's surface, playing across the lines and swirls of the characters as the glow increased. As it's fingers reached the bottom the light's extreme intensity faded and the figure took it's hand away. Turning back toward the water and the land beyond it gazed skyward and finished it's thought.

"-but for all the toil and tears I fear this will only yield more of the same."

A brilliant bolt of lightning exploded across the deep black of the angry sky briefly illuminating a single tear on the figure's face. Slowly it ran down a cheek, finally breaking free to join the waters below. Turning from the view the figure glanced back at the ruined lighthouse and the small building, the glowing runes on it's back wall dark once again. After a moment it nodded to itself before pulling the jacket's hood lower and walking off down the hill, into a future now uncertain.


The first thing Chloe was aware of was the smell, it was hard to miss it. An odd mix of grass and fertilizer came to her nose, borne on gusty winds who's cool, damp touch sent a shiver through her body. She heard distant voices, hard to make out at first but as moments passed they seemed to grow closer and clearer, she thought she recognized them.

First she recognized David's gravelly voice, speaking with someone. The other voice sounded familiar but she couldn't place it and they both were difficult to hear over the whistling of the wind. As the sounds around her became clear her vision also came into focus and she saw the source of the second voice, Officer Anderson Berry of Arcadia Bay's police department, who stood facing her.

Great, now what? Ugh! Can't they ever leave me the fuck alone for one goddamned week.

She heard someone make a snorting noise, maybe in response to something David had said? She was trying to figure out the conversation and looked to her right to see two other police officers who's faces she recognized but couldn't remember their names. Everyone seemed tense and on-edge.

Her vision now clear she looked around at her surroundings and felt fresh chills creep up her spine as she realized where they all stood and the source of the smells she'd noticed. The cold wind that carried the odors blew across the farm fields around the old Prescott family barn. It was nighttime though the sky was heavy enough with clouds that she couldn't see the moon. The group stood near the rusted metal gate that opened onto the property. Slightly back from them she saw two parked police cars angled to block the road out of the barn's yard. As she looked around she realized Max was nowhere in sight.

What the hell, why are we out here?

Around her gusty winds tossed the trees and long grasses back and forth. Nearby an old windmill spun violently and the night air was filled with a stormy concert of banging metal and creaking wood being pushed and stressed by the forceful winds. Looking down she saw she was holding a small notepad with various notes written on the page. She felt herself nod as she looked at the notes and noticed Officer Berry was looking at her expectantly. His voice was quiet but firm.

"And your sure that's the right code? If this is what you suspect and someone hears us fumbling around trying to get in things could get pretty ugly."

She felt her head nod again and heard David speak up, "Yeah I'm sure, I trust their info."

One of the two officers that was standing to the side, apparently the same one who'd snorted earlier, chimed in. "Madsen, you dragged us out here and what do we find? An old abandoned farm, no power, no one around. You wanted us to take the word of a couple teenage girls who seem to love attention, good or bad, that this code will unlock a door into some mysterious underground photo studio? A place where young girls are taken against their will and that it's full of evidence that links a respected teacher to several victims, including the Amber girl? Berry, you know how this all sounds right? How do we know this all isn't just some bullshit prank by a couple of bored delinquents?"

Chloe didn't know who this guy was but cop or not she wasn't gonna put up with shit talk about Max, or her. She started to speak but David's voice cut her off. His tone was barbed and he wasn't making any effort to hide the fact the officer's comments had pissed him off too.

"Because they're smart, probably smarter than you. And they've been working on gathering all this evidence and tracking things longer than you. I trust them and you can't ignore that their facts have all been spot-on so far, so how much more cause do you guys need?"

"Oh! Well if you trust them then…"

The disgruntled officer started his retort before Officer Berry looked at him, holding his hand up indicating the officer should drop it.

"Abraham, it's fine. We've already found the poor Amber girl's body right where they said it would be. They didn't make that up, why would they make this up? If what they say is true about what's under here, then this teacher is going to have a lot of uncomfortable explaining to do."

Chloe heard David's voice again, "Look Anderson. Andy. You know me. Now I know I can fly off the handle and overreact about things at times but not this time. I'm asking you please, trust me on this?"

Andy Berry again looked at Chloe when he spoke holding his hands up in a placating gesture.

"David, as much as I'd prefer something like this were a prank, you've sold me. I don't think they're making this up either, especially after finding that body where they said it was. So this place is probably worth a look too." Chloe felt herself nod in agreement as Andy Berry continued.

"Alright, when we go in, I'll take point. Abraham, Perry, you two flank us and Madsen you're bringing up the rear. No cowboy crap either, the last thing we need is someone innocent getting hurt. If the barn is clear we find the way down to this bunker and David, you'll get to do the honors with the code."

Chloe again felt herself nod but the realization she hadn't thought about nodding fueled a growing anxiety in the pit of her stomach. She also didn't understand why Officer Berry looked at her when clearly talking to David.

The officers began checking their weapons and equipment one last time. Chloe also realized she hadn't actually seen David yet and tried to look around for him. Instead she watched herself adjusting a bulletproof vest she was wearing, then drawing what looked like a .45 caliber handgun and after checking it she held it at a low ready position. It didn't worry her that she knew how to safety check a gun, she'd watched enough online videos to have a good idea of standard handgun techniques. What truly worried her was that again she hadn't thought about doing any of these things.
But what really scared her were the large masculine hands she saw manipulating the weapon, they definitely did not belong to her. Neither did the forearms they were attached to and as they all proceeded quickly toward the barn, Chloe got a good glimpse of the watch being worn around one wrist, the recognition combusted her anxiety into panic.

David?

What…

the fuck is this?!

As the foreboding shape of the barn grew near she tried to stop, to turn around and run but her legs didn't respond. She needed to get out of this fucked-up nightmare, she needed to find Max, she needed to get the hell away from this place!

I'm not going back down there!

Fuck no! NO!

Her legs ignored her mental urging as she struggled to move backwards only to watch herself continue moving forward, her mind screaming in fear that her voice wouldn't utter. All she could hear was the sound of her measured breaths as she quickly moved up to the side of the barn. She was trapped inside…herself? She couldn't even look away, feeling paralyzed and at the mercy of whatever carried her along. She watched the officers quickly and quietly take up positions around the barn's large doors where a sturdy padlock was unlocked and hanging from the hasp.

Officer Berry stood slightly off center of the doors as the other two officers readied themselves to either side. Chloe stood slightly behind Officer Berry and waited as Abraham and Perry slowly pulled the large barn doors open. Berry nodded to them, quickly peeked into the barn, then fully moved in and to one side, followed by the officers and Chloe following them in last.

Scanning high and low they swept the barn interior quickly and the familiar smells of old wood and musty hay greeted her. Aside from what they'd expected to find the only other remarkable thing was a very out-of-place sleek black luxury sedan parked in the center. Checking it they found it empty and again Chloe felt herself nod and point to the back wall of the barn where the large trapdoor stood open. Dim fluorescent light shown up from the opening revealing the concrete stairs to what Chloe knew was the bunker below.

Berry looked at Chloe and nodded a grim confirmation before signaling the other two to move forward. The officer that Berry had called Abraham looked down the stairwell quickly and nodded to signal an 'all clear'. His face looked slightly surprised which Chloe figured was a genuine reaction to the fact that it was looking less and less like "a prank" to him.

As if David had read her thoughts she heard his whispered verbal jab at Abraham "Still look like a 'bullshit prank'?" to which the officer gave him a frown and Andy Berry put his hand up again to silence them both.

They all paused a moment before Berry proceeded forward, quickly and quietly down the steps followed by the two officers. She watched herself look around the barn, take a deep breath and wipe her forehead before following the officers down the bunker stairwell. Descending into a place she had never wanted to return to. The dry smell of concrete and oiled metal greeted her nose as the heels of her boots made muffled scuffling noises on the steps as small bits of hay tumbled to the steps below.

Her feelings of panic still lingered under the surface but they were being superseded by greater feelings of curiosity. It was like being in a first-person video game but someone else had the controls and she was the character, a slave to someone else's whims.

She felt her pulse speed up as she joined the three officers in the short hallway outside the massive vault door. Officer Berry nodded toward Chloe and she watched her hand come up and tap in the code on the keypad that she and Max had told David about earlier. The door made a loud metallic *click* as the vault lock disengaged and Abraham and Perry turned the handle and pulled the huge door open.

Andy Berry moved through the vault door first quickly followed by the other two officers and finally Chloe stepped through after them.

From inside Chloe recognized the sound of Mark Jefferson's voice as he called out in surprise, "What the hell? Who is that? This is private prop-"

He was cut short as the officers rushed inside, yelling commands with weapons trained on the far side of the room.

Chloe released her grip the vinyl strip curtain she had held out of the way for the officers and moved to stand in the open space between the rooms. She glanced behind herself at the shelves of supplies and the bunker door before looking forward into the Dark Room itself.

Standing near the far side of the room was the man Chloe had only spoken with once outside of Max's dorm. But she knew so much more from what Max had told her, how he'd violated Max with the things she used to love most, how he'd hurt her, hurt Rachel. It had broken her heart when Max had told her and now she felt her anger rise as she watched him, feeling it coming to a boil within her.

You smug arrogant asshole piece of shit!

She wanted to shoot him, badly. Just one bullet between the eyes or maybe one to each leg, let him bleed out for awhile and suffer slowly.

Just like you made my friends suffer.

Fuck it!

She raised her weapon, looking down the sight and squeezed the trigger, once, twice.
But the gun never discharged, her finger didn't respond and she realized the gun still pointed down where it was held ready.

What?! No!

God damnit NO! Fire! Shoot his ass!

Her frustration and anger at her body's lack of response only compounded as she watched Mark Jefferson appearing calm as he stood on the other side of a long black sofa, his smooth voice held genuine confusion "Officers, what's this all about?"

Andy Berry spoke, "Mark Jefferson, you are under arrest."

"Arrest?" Jefferson looked amused and nonchalant. Chloe now stood with her weapon trained on him and Jefferson's face seemed to register realization as he looked in Chloe's direction.

"David Madsen! What a shocker. Though honestly I can't say I'm surprised to see you involved with... whatever this is, given your penchant for extreme paranoia. But all you've succeeded in doing here is overreacting on some false information and imaginings. Not to mention wasting the time of these officers, whom I'm sure with this storm moving in had better things to do tonight."

Chloe heard David's angry voice in answer "Jefferson, it's over!"

Mark Jefferson smiled, shaking his head dismissively as he looked toward Berry, Abraham and Perry, "Gentlemen please. It would seem you have been given misinformation. This is obviously someone's idea of a prank and Mr. Madsen here was all too gullible to fall for it which has only wasted both your and my valuable time."

Officer Berry answered with a firm voice "Well sir, if this is all a prank then you won't mind coming with us down to the station. We can get some information from you there and sort everything out."

Jefferson chuckled a little as if realizing an unspoken joke. Relaxed, he turned and began to move towards the right side wall where some cabinets stood, "I'm sure we can clear this all up right here and now if you'll tell me who-"

"Sir, don't move!" Berry barked an order "Now I said you are under arrest. So place your hands behind your head and interlock your fingers, do it now!"

Jefferson's irritation began to show through as he looked indignant, arms spread in frustration "This is ridiculous! Under arrest for what?! Working in my own photo studio! For being a victim of someone's paranoid delusions?"

Chloe then heard David's disgusted voice boom out "For what? For kidnapping and murder you sick son-of-a-bitch!"

Andy Berry glanced back at David for a moment, "It's OK Madsen calm down, we've got him now."

A moment is all it took.

"FUCK YOU!" Jefferson snarled. He dropped down behind the couch for a moment then came up explosively, grunting as he flung the front of the couch up at the officers in a display of surprising strength. The couch was bulky but light and easily flipped over and skidded across the floor crashing into Officers Berry and Abraham, Officer Perry dodged to the side avoiding the couch but lost his footing and stumbled to the floor next to the desk.

Chloe felt her pulse quicken at the shock of Jefferson's outburst and the ensuing chaos as adrenaline dumped into her bloodstream. She looked over at the disoriented officers and then back at Jefferson who was charging right at her!

Chloe's mind raced as she realized David stood in the middle of the only way out of the Dark Room, her mind yelling at David to act as if he could hear her.

The door, David he's running! Damn it stop him! Fuck! DO something!

She tried to act, attempting to will her body, David's body, to move or react with no success. She only felt tense uncertainty and now confusion from David as he stood there apparently uncertain what to do.

Jefferson charged, using his hands to try and shove David to the side as he ducked between him and the vinyl curtain running for freedom beyond.

At the last second Chloe felt David shake his head as though coming out of a daze and watched as he reached out and grabbed Jefferson's hand trying to seize hold of him. Barely pausing Jefferson spun back towards David bringing his fist up and connecting a solid punch to David's face. Chloe felt her head snap back as the sharp pain lanced out from her jaw and cheek. The blow caught David off-guard and he staggered as his weapon hand flailed back trying to catch his balance, losing grip on his gun Chloe watched it clatter to the floor. The pain of the blow collided with Chloe's boiling frustration and anger!

Enough of this fucking marionette bullshit!

She felt a sudden tingling sensation wash over her and finally felt her body respond as she looked back at Jefferson. The man glanced briefly where the gun had fallen and grinned maliciously at her. He seemed to change his mind as he noticed the officers standing back up and instead turned toward the bunker door to make his escape.

Chloe reacted, feeling her body respond with motion and skilled purpose. In one movement she spun quickly at the waist, dropping to one knee as the momentum carried her body around. As she spun she straightened her free leg and it came around in a sweeping motion to connect with the side of Jefferson's knees. The fleeing man reeled sideways from the impact, stumbling as he lost his balance.

Chloe finished the sweeping kick, standing up fluidly from it just in time to see an off-balanced Jefferson crash head-first into the shelves near the door, cans and other supplies scattered to the floor.
She side-stepped toward the vault door trying to keep herself between it and the fleeing teacher. Jefferson shook his head cursing as he began quickly pushing himself back off the shelves, turning to look at Chloe his face now a mask of rage.

Without thinking she felt her right foot step back as she brought both hands up in a stance to protect either side of her head just as the furious teacher charged her!

Jefferson fired a fast but off-balanced left-jab which met Chloe's right hand as she blocked, swatting it across the man's body causing him to spin slightly to his right.

His expression was feral as he spun back toward Chloe with a wild but powerful haymaker off his right arm. Chloe brought her left arm up to shield the side of her head and leaned into the blow as it connected with her block, her arm absorbing most of the force.

Before the crazed teacher could recover Chloe quickly straightened her left arm snaking it around and back under Jefferson's right arm, trapping it. Without pause she stepped toward him as her right elbow came up in a quick hard strike to Jefferson's jaw followed by her right knee impacting the dazed teacher's solar plexus.

She released her grip and the disoriented man doubled-over coughing as he turned away from her, staggering back into the damaged shelves.

David's angry voice boomed out as Chloe yelled, "Stay down and don't move fucker!"

Jefferson shook his head and let out an enraged yell as he began to straighten up and turn toward her.

Chloe's anger boiled over, exploding into physical rage!

God damn motherfucker!

Before he could finish facing her Chloe came from behind, grabbing his left wrist and bending his arm up behind his back, her right hand grabbed the back of Jefferson's head by the hair.

"They said!" she yelled into Jefferson's ear.

Punctuating each word with a slam she smashed Jefferson's head down into the shelves three times.

"YOU!"

"are UNDER!"

"ARREST!"

Her arms shaking, Chloe released her hold letting the man fall forward.
Stepping back she watched as Mark Jefferson, renowned photo artist, celebrated photography arts teacher and murderer slumped to his knees before tipping forward into the shelves, unconscious before he even reached the floor.

That was for Max! And for Rachel, you psycho asshole!

The odd tingling sensation washed over her briefly as Chloe looked from the unconscious man on the floor to her shaking hands realizing she no longer felt like she was the one moving them.

Abraham and Perry having recovered, swarmed on a prone Jefferson while Andy Berry stood back up with his weapon trained on the former teacher. Berry looked at Chloe, eyes wide.

"Je-sus! Nice job Madsen, you alright?"

Chloe's mind raced as she tried to process what just happened. Everything had begun and was over in seconds, she could feel she had been in control during the fight but had no idea how she did any of it.

"Yeah, I'm fine." She heard David's voice grumble as she rubbed her jaw.

Berry gave her a wry smile, "I don't suppose you read him his rights first?"

David scoffed, "I got as far as explaining his right to remain silent."

They all chuckled as the two officers finished handcuffing Mark Jefferson and hauling him to his feet before half-dragging half-carrying him out of the bunker.

Chloe watched as Officer Berry turned around and began surveying the room, scanning the paintings and photos on the walls.

"My god Madsen, you were right, Chloe and Max were right."

Chloe heard a faint rushing noise and felt the scene growing distant and fuzzy. The voices began fading out much like it started when they had stood outside the barn earlier. She looked around the room and now saw David as he walked towards the desk and file cabinet full of binders, coming to stand next to Andy who was looking at all the girls names written there.

David's voice was a mix of disgust and contempt "Jesus Andy what the hell is all this?"

Andy Berry turned toward him smiling grimly, "Well, I think this is me being very glad I listened to you. I think this is also us owing those two girls one helluva debit."

Chloe felt herself shiver at the remembrance of the cabinet and the graphic content on the desk and the computer. She watched as Andy and David pulled some binders off the shelf and turned to the desk as they began looking through everything.

The rushing noise increased as the edges of her view began to darken and shrink further inward before the scene completely faded away.

Her eyes shot open as she took in a sudden sharp breath. She found herself staring over at the floor near the small table where all the scattered papers she'd dumped earlier still lay. As the fogginess from her dream cleared she remembered where they were.

She looked quickly to her left but Max was still there, still fast asleep with her head in Chloe's lap, outside the wind howled, nothing had changed. Breathing a steady sigh of relief she wiped a little perspiration from her forehead with her free hand and leaned back closing her eyes.

Fuck.

Just a dream, or nightmare. Forget the damn smokes, I need to get hella baked!


A/N: Hello beautiful people!

Wow, so again another chapter bomb! I had intended this chapter to be around the same size as the last but everything I wanted to cover ended up requiring many more words, ah well. I do like the larger\longer style as I feel I can cover as much as I need to without feeling constrained.

So Chloe took most of center stage in this one, with a little help from Max and David ;)
Don't worry though, I have plenty of Max-time coming in the next chapter!
As the story evolves I will be giving both equal shares of screen time as new arcs and the plot develops. I'll try to keep things clear so you guys don't get confused with too much head-hoping.

Finally, I can't say enough how much I appreciate you reading Wonderland!
With so many awesome stories out there I'm honored you chose to take time for mine! If you like what you read and can spare a moment for a review please do!

Until next time, be true to yourself and find joy in what you love!