Chapter 2 Part 1 Still

Max

April 18th, 2014

2:18 PM

Portland, Oregon

Chrysalis HQ

I return to Chrysalis Headquarters a few hours after my testimony. Even after my grand speech I spoke out for everyone in court, my verdict won't be announced until tomorrow. Hell, even after making a grand speech like Mel Gibson in Brave Heart, Bill Pullman in Independence Day, or Gerard Butler in 300, it's still probably not enough for the jury to stay on my side.

All this time after my girlfriend breaking into the Prescott's residence with her ex-girlfriend, and my girlfriend having a meltdown on the stand, and my epic speech to the court, there's still nothing to justify my false transaction into terrorism. One week of missing school. One week of detainment. One week of a struggle worse than 'that' week. And this is where I'm at. Until now, my entirety of this tribunal has become an insult to Blackwell, an insult to my long-term relationship with Chloe, an insult to Arcadia Bay, and an insult to what I deserve better than what I've put myself into now after six months of being the optimist. What a waste.

The guards take me to a gym-like area in the security wing where I through a few punches at a punching bag. I've never been that much of an athletic to be punching bags, but considering what my powers made me into, I've become a stronger person. A stronger fighter. A stronger warrior. If not for that, I wouldn't have survived the Blackwell shooting as well as that Arcadia Michael Bay chase scene I got into with Chloe and Rachel.

Speaking of Chloe and Rachel, whatever the reason it's taken them this long to invoke my innocence, I would imperatively need proof of that pronto. And I mean pronto. Considering the verdict that's to be heard tomorrow morning, every minute they waste spares the jury even more minutes to shift their consensus towards my prosecution. I don't care if it's the Prescotts or Neo-Chrysalis or whoever the fuck created a tornado, I need my proof now. I couldn't just tell the court I had a nightmare about a Time God lecturing me about the end of time and Nathan orchestrating the storm via ritual. I wondered if Chloe and her ex would somehow figure that out too. If so, I'm saved. If not, I'm fucked. The end.

Crosby walked into the gym room where I was through punches at a punching bag like Rocky. He came in to check on me after another long day in court.

"You know, Max, that was a hell of a speech you gave in front of the whole court," he said. "It even made the front page on the paper."

Crosby tossed a newspaper next to me on the floor and I stopped throwing punches to take a look. I pick of the paper to see myself on the front page. The news headline reads:

Max Caulfield's Grand Testimony: "We tell ourselves life is strange."

"The people of Arcadia will never forget about your speech," said Crosby. "Your parents are even surprised you had the guts to speak out for yourself on the stand. So are your friends at Blackwell. So is Joyce and David. So is Chloe. Even the jury was astonished by your speech too."

I scoff.

"What does the jury care about my epic testimony?" I ask tossing the paper back to Crosby. "What deference do they have for me to make my innocence a last resort?"

"Max, sometimes only you can prove the definition of your innocence. Fancy speeches may not be enough to appeal to your actions, but it's enough to prove to me that what you said on the stand was brave. Very brave."

"What does it matter now? I'm still a criminal. There's still a war on the streets of Arcadia. There's still no proof I'm even responsible for such transaction between the storm and all those riots breaking out in Arcadia Bay to begin with, and I'm still public enemy number one to Chrysalis. With all that said, what hope do I have now of winning my case? Maybe I was better off letting Chloe die if I'd foreseen any of that coming."

"Letting Chloe die in that Blackwell restroom will have nothing to do with your transaction."

"Like hell it wouldn't. Just imagine how many more people would still be living in Arcadia by now. Karen's daughter would be alive. Captain Cage's family would be alive. Even Nathan Prescott might just live too. While Chloe wouldn't. Of course, Nathan would probably be thrown in jail for murdering Chloe and helping Jefferson kidnap Blackwell girls, but who gives a damn? At least the Prescotts would have an heir to the family. Joyce and David would be devastated to see their daughter rest in piece with William, but what does it matter? Maybe Karen was right about me. I really am nothing but a self-centered and spoiled human being who can't learn to live a life of 'oh wells' compared to a life of 'what ifs'. Guarantee."

I throw a few more punches at punching bag before Crosby interrupts me.

"Max," he says intervening my punches I throw at the bag. "You can be mad at yourself all you like, but until you stop insulting yourself about what should've happened and stop lamenting on the past, everything you've done to keep Chloe alive would be in vain. She owes it to you to mean something. And you owe to her to mean something as well. It's that simple."

Crosby leaves the gym room and leaves me behind to stick around more before I'm taken back to my cabin. As soon as Crosby walks out, I continue throwing more hits at the punching bag to finish my exercises. Crosby was right about what he said. Me and Chloe do indeed owe up to each other for what we've been through for our own optimism. Indeed we do. And still will.

Chapter 2 Part 2 Not A Terrorist

Chloe

April 18th, 2014

3:34 PM

Arcadia Bay, Oregon

Arcadia Bay Community Center

It had been another long ass day for me in Arcadia Bay. Mad Max had gone full-on Mel Gibson from Brave Heart on the stand, protest and riots were still roaming the streets, and now there was a Prep Rally being held at the community center for every protester in Arcadia. Whether it'd be for Blackwell students for their school protest or the entire citizenship of Arcadia Bay who has protested against Chrysalis in general. Speaking of Blackwell students, Victoria and Kate were the ones leading the Prep Rally. How inspiring.

Before I made it to the event, I went home and changed myself from my formal clothes back to my punk clothes. I take my truck and drive it over to the community center where the prep rally event was being held for everyone. When I get over there, I find a parking space to park my truck and see the whole parking lot packed with cars and some protesters waving signs around. I even see the news press and a news van standing in front of the building also. May have also caught a glimpse of May Valhalla the Arcadia News journalist talking in front of a camera with a microphone in her hand while finding a parking space too.

Parking lot was so packed, I had to park across the street where some other cars had to park as well. So I parallel park on the side of the street, hop out of my truck, and walk down to the front entrance of the community center. When making my way to the front door, I have to get past the press and the crowd of protesters. When I reach the crowd, I surprisingly catch the press's attention. I never actually had spoken to a bunch of news reporters before. Maybe they wanted a commit about my precious hippy's case.

"Ms. Price? Ms. Price could he get a commit from you?" asked May walking next to me with her camera man.

"Ms. Price, Arcadia Bay wants to know do you feel responsible for Max Caulfield's actions?" asked a man from the press who came harassing me with a mic in his hand too.

"Miss, the people want to know if you thought it was right for your friend to sacrifice the hundreds for your own free will?" asked May before I retreat from the press.

By now I was being swarmed by reporters and I didn't have time to answer their questions about me being saved for I and Max's own absorption. As soon I walk through the front door, I officially escape the press ignoring their questions for the people. Like they ever cared. The only reason they'd want answers from me is only for a quick paycheck. Nothing more.

The rally was being held in the gymnasium inside the building. When I made it inside, the gym was packed with protester from Blackwell and all over town. Half the protesting crowd were some Blackwell students with some faculty and the other were some good citizens of Arcadia Bay. Some were holding signs in the air, others weren't. In the crowd, I could see some of Max's classmates. Brooke, Alyssa, Dana, Juliet, Hayden, Daniel, Stella, Taylor, Courtney, you name 'em. No sign of Warren, however. I also saw some Blackwell staff too. Such as Samuel, Ms Grant, and Principle Wells especially.

Up on the stage, I see Victoria and Kate with microphones in their hands. Prepared to give their speeches to the crowd. There are also pictures of Max and Rachel displayed on stage where the two Blackwell honor students stand before the crowd. The pictures had words written on the bottom that read: #NOT A TERRORIST. A camera man from the Arcadia News team was standing in the middle of the crowd recording footage of the speeches that were about to be spoken. I walk over to where Brooke is standing while Victoria and Kate spoke on stage.

"To all of you who suffer the terror Chrysalis has brought to this town," said Victoria on the mic. "May the good people of Arcadia Bay be obliged. Arcadia Bay is not a place of terrorism and tyranny. It is a place of piece and hospitality. All of that piece and hospitality has been diminished by not only the regime of the Prescotts and the brutality of Chrysalis, but by the two everyday heroes of Blackwell who were wronged by injustice of quantum terrorism. Max Caulfield and Rachel Amber."

Brooke and I spoke to each other during the speech.

"So brings you here, Chloe?" asked Brooke. "Wasn't expecting to see you here."

"Why wouldn't I be here, Brooke?" I answer. "Victoria and Kate are up there to kick Chrysalis's ass for how they wronged Max. Of course I'd be here. Where's Warren?"

"I don't know. He was supposed to be here a few minutes ago. Let's just listen."

"Rachel Amber was once proud and exemplary student at Blackwell," continued Victoria. "Who went missing over a year ago and was later pronounced dead six months prior. Today, she is being declared alive and well and hiding somewhere out there as fugitive of Chrysalis wanted for conspiracy. As for Max Caulfield, she had been proclaimed responsible for a tornado storm that killed hundreds of good citizens in Arcadia Bay and as a result, Chrysalis hunted her down and started a massacre at Blackwell. Now she is being tried for terrorism in the destruction of our town. We as a people will not abide by terrorism nor will we abide by injustice. From the Blackwell shooting to Max Caulfield's trial is not only an insult to Blackwell, but to Arcadia Bay as a whole."

Brooke spoke to me again in the middle of the speech.

"So how do you think Max's speech went at trial today?" asked Brooke. "It was some speech of hers she spoke on the stand. You think it'll be enough to win her case?"

"I don't know, Brooke. Even now as this rally is going on, Max is still in pretty tenuous situation with herself. I doubt it'll mean anything to the jury."

"Look on the bright side, Chloe. At least some people are supportive enough to stay on her side."

"I know. By the way, Brooke, thanks for being there when Max took the stand. Technically it was my idea. I appreciate it."

Brooke gave me a smirk before our eyes stared back to the two young women on stage.

"We do not need the brutality from Chrysalis that thwarts Arcadia Bay to protect us from terrorist," said Kate on her mic with a bible in her hand. "In fact, there can be no signs of terrorist in Arcadia Bay at all. Brutality is futile. Max Caulfield is a person who once saved my life in the most darkest hour of my life and her unbeknownst time controlling power was her last resort to undo my suicidal actions. Rachel Amber was a legend of Blackwell who brought joy and dignity to every student that surrounded her. And what does Chrysalis do to honor them?"

"They discourage their honor by criminalizing them for their uncertain terrorist activities," Victoria spoke out. "And for what? It doesn't matter what. What matters is that we will not be manipulated by poetic injustice. Bureaucracy and politics from the Prescotts don't have the power to bring balance to this town. Law and order from Chrysalis don't have the capability to find piece in our once proud city. But the power to the people and our great citizenship of Arcadia shall be the only saving grace in our quest for piece. Let them know these young beloved women in our town are not a terrorist. They are our heroes. Our everyday heroes. My everyday hero. Your everyday hero."

"With god as my witness," continued Kate. "In god we trust him to honor our wishes. God shall find us piece once again in Arcadia Bay. We built this city on a bay of hope and serenity. We shall go forth, bring back the hope for every man, woman, and child walking the earth of Arcadia, and tell them...they are not a terrorist!"

The protesting crowd roars into an applause with cheers and whistles. Honoring the inspirational speeches given by the tip of the spear who of the prep rally who were Victoria and Kate themselves. I make myself smile with all the optimistic commotion happening around. Some of the crowd starts bursting out in unison saying, "Not a terrorist! Not a terrorist! Not a terrorist!" as a call sign to this prep rally campaign.

Then my phone rings in my pocket. I pick it up to see it was Warren calling. I answer my phone and plug my one ear to hear what Warren was calling me for in a loud croud.

"What!? What is it Warren?"

"Chloe, is that you!? I need to show you something."

"Can it wait, Warren! I'm in the middle of this prep rally.

"Chloe, you need to come here now! I have to show you something severe!"

"What do you mean severe? If it's about Max, can it at least wait?"

"No, Chloe. It can't! You have to come down here now! I think I might've found the guy who set her up."

"You did? What do you mean? Don't bullshit me, Warren."

"I'm not bullshitting you, Chloe. I legitimately saw him. Meet me down at the Arcadia Docks. I'll be waiting for you there. And please hurry!"

"Alright, I'm coming! I'll get there as quick as I can."

I hang up and quickly exit the building. Making a break for my truck in a hurry to meet up with Warren. Whatever he had on Max, he had better not have been lying about it. I had a gut feeling he wasn't. The verdict was going to be made tomorrow. Now would the most convenient time as any to hurry my ass over to Warren and not have my hopes dashed about Max's innocence. Whatever the cost, I'll be sure Max saving me on that cliff wasn't for nothing. I bust her out of her incarceration no matter what. Even at the stakes of my own life, nothing else matters. She in not a terrorist. And she never will be.

Note: I hope this protesting campaign was worth writing. I'm sure it was. I will promise you this, the shit is about to hit the fan in a few chapters from now. It really is. You shall guarantee that promise as always.

And as always, stay golden.