A/N: I wasn't satisfied with the second chapter, so I decided to rewrite it and do something else instead. I hope you enjoy.
Chapter Two
All I could see was this intense, burning, white light that flooded my vision, anything else beyond that escaped my sight. It scorched me but I hadn't noticed until I had spoke, beads of sweat collecting on my forehead. "Please, you don't have to do this," I rasped, my throat on fire with what seemed to be an insatiable thirst. "Why are you doing this? Please, stop!"
Click. More bright light. "These are going to need more developing," I heard his voice and shuddered, I had never had a bigger betrayal than this. I trusted you. I trusted him. My teacher. Click. Click. Flash.
The sounds registered instantly in my brain: a camera. Something I had loved, a tool that I had mastered, had become this device for evil, I had never guessed that life was just that until I laid on the cold floor. I could feel barely any clothing stick to my body, the sweat freely ran off of me. "Please, stop!" I had become a victim. "Water, help, stop."
Before I could say anything else, I felt a needle pierce my skin. Heavily medicated, I was theirs and not mine anymore.
I am a kid.
Not a hero, just because of a power I never wanted.
Click. Click. Flash. Click. Print. Computer. Talk. Door. Slam. Gun. Fatigue. Darkness.
Today, I couldn't tell you how many times I had revisited memories physically. There was a rush of staring at a family album and, for a few moments, becoming something other than a girl who could rewind time. I could feel my mothers arms before wrap around my small body after I had a dream, a nightmare, again. I spent my time in that memory a lot after the dark room. Rachel wasn't there as long as I was, he had told me that. "Max, are you alright?"
Although, now more than ever, I have been launched into memories at the smallest similarity between the present and the dark room I had to endure. "Yes," I shake my head and smile, dismissing him. I gaze at the bright screen, the burning light that resembled the one I woke up to. It surrounded me, exposed me. "I'm fine, don't worry about me, Warren."
We were at the movies and for once, I just wanted to enjoy myself. "Do you want to head out? You seem, I don't know, sad and I can be boring and this movie sucks anyway so I wouldn't mind if you wanted me to drive you back to-"
Suddenly, every past event flashed beyond my eyes and I manipulated time. Warren's movements, words, were backwards and here I was, watching him two minutes ago. His eyes weren't on the movie, they were on me. I stopped going back, I need to start looking forward. Past the darkroom. "Warren, didn't you bring me here to watch the movie?"
"How did you know?" Almost instantaneously, his eyes widen and he stares at me in disbelief. "You rewinded with your mad Max ninja power, but why?"
I shrug. "You tried to kiss me but you had nacho breath," I am nonchalant as he waves his arms, exasperated, and tries to sink further down the bumper of his car, onto the floor. "I'm kidding."
"Thank God."
"You smelled more popcorn-y." I laugh and he narrows his eyes. "But I like both popcorn and you, so I think it worked out well."
"I wish I had some of that mad Max ninja power," he mumbles.
As I lean in, his scent pleasantly surrounds me, I gently kiss his cheek and linger. Safe. Secure. For the rest of the movie, we're close together. My legs over his lap, leaning against his car and making fun of the movie (and each other).
Lame. It's real lame of me to go back to this memory but I can't help it; this specific moment in my life is the only time I felt content and happy. The golden sand is beneath my toes, carried away by an ocean of blue, it moves against my soft skin. "Max, when we find Rachel, let's head to Portland for a weekend," Chloe mutters. "Any time away from this shit hole."
"That would be awesome," I breathed but reliving this moment, I have a sinking feeling known that Rachel Amber - the girl in the body bag - is dead.
Sometime, when Chloe feels better, we'll go to Portland. Arcadia Bay is a shit hole, she's right, but it's also our home; the amount of times we have tried to escape, start a new life, have been unsuccessful and that's why. This is where we started and where we'll end, it's been written. Something like fate or some shit, I don't know. "Max, do you ever feel trapped?"
"Yes," I muttered. "This thing - being able to control time - it's scary, Chloe."
For a moment, there is silence and she just stares at me. This is the old Chloe, the emotional one, breaking through her tough exterior, I've seen this look before. Her eyes were soft and sad and her mouth was slightly parted as if she wants to speak, but doesn't know what to say. Her arms wrapped around me and then I hug her for, what could be, the last time that she is ever truly happy. "We're best friends, okay?" She says. "So, we're good if we're around each other."
"Are you high?"
"Can't I go emo for two seconds?" She rolled her eyes but she smiled, which is how I gauged that I hadn't overstepped the mark. "Anyway, you'd know when I was high. I go super mushy."
Before I nodded, my hands grasped the item in my bag I was searching for. A camera. It felt familiar against my skin, I know all the curves and edges of this old thing. Now, when I think about it, I think of him but hopefully, someday, I will be able to reconnect with what I love and forget what I hate. "Best friends forever, right? Then look this way, Chloe."
I made a funny face. "Are you high? What-" Flash. "Max, you didn't tell me! I BLINKED."
Now, I watch myself laughing. Simply an invader in the scene, another me. I was happy because I was with my best friend before the drama began. Before I was taken. Before she died for the millionth time. Now, though, I have to face life again.
A/N: Thanks for all the kind reviews, I take it that you're enjoying it and that's good. If you're a guest, unfortunately I can't reply. However, I do take any helpful advice and any suggestions. Thank you so much! Next chapter up maybe tomorrow or the day after~
(Am I dragging it out or is it still enjoyable?)