Life is Strange: The Cruel Hand of Fate

Chapter 4 of my Life is Strange story, enjoy.

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Disclaimer: I don't own Life is Strange or its characters.


Chapter 4

Warren quickly caught Max when she nearly fell over. She inhaled sharply but then nodded, he carefully let her go and she smiled sheepishly.

"Sorry, got a little dizzy." She said.

Warren shook his head. "That's not all, look at you, what happened?"

She bit her lip, managing to catch her reflection in the mirror; she was already forming bruises on her face, her bottom lip was split, a black eye was already forming, there were rips on her clothes too.

"God..." She whispered.

Warren was looking at her worriedly; shaking his head. "I...I'm sorry, I don't, I don't think I have anything that could help..."

She smiled lightly, nodding. "It's fine Warren, thank you."

He bit his lip, still worried. Wincing at the pain, Max moved over to sit down, Warren gestured for her to sit on the bed, she did so and, seeing his face, Max couldn't help but feel guilty, she had left him like this, so frantic and worried about her. All because she wanted to keep the fears she had to herself. She could see how Warren wanted to help her; awkwardly fumbling, trying to do so, she couldn't help but smile, it was sweet.

Finally she made up her mind. 'I was so scared of him, Kate or anyone getting hurt...yet here I am, I'm the one who got hurt.'

She sighed and looked over to Warren.

She quickly spoke up, she needed to say this before she lost her nerve.

"Warren, I, there's something I need to tell you."

He stopped and went from frantic and worried, to confused. "Huh, what, what is it?"

Shifting for a few moments, she explained. "I...You know how you and Kate were talking to me, worried about me. Well, I, I had this strange feeling for the past few weeks...That I was being followed."

Warren gasped at that. "Wait, so, are you saying…?"

"I'm afraid so; I was being followed and it was those people, a group of men, I've no idea who they were, but they just attacked me." She revealed sadly. "I just...I was so afraid, I didn't want to get you or Kate in trouble. But now..."

She shuddered, wincing again. Warren was clearly freaked out.

"Oh my God, Max, that's...just now, you were attacked, where, just outside?"

She nodded again. "Y-yeah...I only just managed to get away and then, then...I don't know what I was thinking, I just came straight here."

She actually felt her face heating up, Warren also felt that and looked away. Unsure exactly what to feel about Max's words; she chose to come to him, even if only subconsciously; apparently feeling as if she would be safe here. Something he realized he wanted to do for her, to help her feel safe, especially after what she had just suffered.

Max shuddered again as she thought worriedly about her attackers; where were they now, would they truly come into the dorms and actively search them. She didn't think so; but she was afraid they were in fact lying in wait for her.

'What if they know which dorm room is mine; what if they're there.' She thought frantically. 'Even if they're not, what if they are just lying in wait, to ambush me again. Would they even care if I was alone or not?'

Shuddering again, exhaling shakily she looked up at Warren. He was worried all over again, no doubt seeing her expression.

"Max, what's wrong, please..." He said quietly. "I get why you kept this to yourself, but I wanna help you. Please."

She bowed her head and finally admitted the truth. "I...I' just scared Warren, what if they're still looking for me, or worse, waiting for me? What if they attack me again? I know I should say something to the security here, or the police but...That's not what I'm worried about right now."

Nodding slowly Warren pondered. "I see what you mean, you're right; that is scary."

"Yeah, um..." She began, feeling awkward and no wonder, given what she said next. "Warren, please, can I stay here tonight?"

He tensed; eyes wide, face scarlet. She was sure she was blushing too.

"I mean, I don't feel safe anywhere else and I, I just..."

He quickly replied. "I get it Max, I do...Uh, sure, of course. Just, let me see if I can fix things up, I should have some spare blankets and that here."

She nodded and couldn't help but smile as Warren got to work, trying to set things up, she offered to help but he gently refused, telling her it was okay.

As Warren worked; his couldn't help but think about Max, his feelings for her and his thoughts about that.

'I...I want to help her. To protect her but, but...I don't want to hurt her or make her feel smothered.' He thought sadly. 'I love her; but I can't just up and tell her, I need to...'

He wasn't sure just what to say, he needed to be respectful about this. Little did he know that Max was thinking the same thing about him.

She too was conflicted. 'Warren, I...I never realized just how I felt about you, until that week...Now I still know how I feel, but, I've not told him, I couldn't.'

She tried to think on that; but tonight, she couldn't focus on that. Warren finally set things up; now both the sofa was set up to be used as a makeshift bed.

"Alright, done Max...Um..." Warren said at last, pausing awkwardly. "Alright, I...you better take the bed."

She started at that. "What, no, Warren, it's your bed; I can take the sofa."

He shook his head. "Max it's cool, I don't mind, go ahead."

She knew that look on his face and sighed; he was insistent about this. She gave in, taking the bed while Warren took the sofa. It still felt wrong to her, but she eventually relaxed and, after a few fitful attempts, she finally managed to get to sleep.


End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.