Life is Strange: My Unusual Journey

Chapter 8 of my Life is Strange novelization, hope you enjoy it :)

Reviews

Marina Ka-Fai: Thanks, yeah, out of the minor characters I find they seem to have the most background :)
Wolfgirl2013: Thanks :)
Boris Yeltsin: Thanks.

Now onto the story.

I am actually quite amused as I found myself my first flamer in this story, a pathetic 'Guest' who's only real means of trying to put me down is calling me names, swearing and saying I don't know shit, well, jokes on them as I just tune those pathetic trolls out and therefore treat them with the contempt they deserve. I do however wish to take this moment to express my regret that their life is so sad that they need to resort to this to find some meaning in it, yet they don't even have the courage to do so properly, which would lead to me simply blocking them anyway so yeah, no real worry there. I also wonder, if they don't like the story, why are they wasting their time, and mine, by reading it? Well, it's their loss, especially as I know they are alone in this, poor them. But enough of that insignificant little non-entity, let's focus on what matters, the story which I know so many people are enjoying, for which I thank you.

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

Out of Time – Average Day, Yeah Right

Back out in the corridor I bit my lip as I approached Kate's door, uncertain what to expect after what I just witnessed in the shower room. Before I could react I received a text, checking it actually scared me, it was from a private number and was actually threatening me. I immediately thought it was Nathan, but there was no proof of that sadly. I was, well worried would be an understatement, so I carefully knocked on the door and called through.

"Kate it's me, can I come in?"

I heard Kate's voice, she sounded so…defeated, as she replied. "Yes, come in Max."

I carefully opened the door and stepped in. I was not prepared for what I saw. The room was dark, gloomy, everything the Kate Marsh I knew wasn't, the blinds were still shut, no lights were on, there was a small pile of clothes on the floor and I knew Kate could be a neat freak.

Looking around I noticed something else. 'Why did she cover her mirror, she can't…bear to look at herself.'

I walked slowly through the room; I wanted to do what I came here to do, but seeing all this was just too horrifying, it transfixed me. The room seemed to reflect Kate's troubled state, I couldn't help but find messages to Kate from her mother and aunt, messages which seemed to shame her, blaming her for the video.

'Ouch, and Kate is all alone dealing with this…God…'

Looking around the only other things I saw which stirred reactions were Kate's dust covered violin, a copy of the bible that Kate had attached notes too, a picture of the Marsh family and, probably the only three bright spots in the room. A card from Kate's father which was pretty much the reverse of the messages from her mother and aunt and a picture of Kate with her two younger sisters, all of them smiling happily.

The final bright spot was Alice, Kate's pet rabbit, the cutest rabbit I've ever seen. I shook my head, all this was distracting me from the task in hand, but it was also worrying me as it showed just how low Kate had sunk, just how down she must be. This was beyond sadness, or simple bullying, this had worn Kate down, there was no doubt in my mind now Kate was sinking deeper and deeper into severe depression.

'Poor Kate, she does not look good at all, all those tissues in her trash, soaked with tears…But what can I do, what can I say?' I fretted, wishing I could just think of some way to help her.

Slowly I approached Kate, she was sitting at her desk, head in her hands, still in her pyjamas, it was obvious even from where I was standing she was crying. I gently touched her shoulder as I talked, getting her attention.

"Um, hi Kate, I, brought your book."

She looked up at me, tear tracks still visible on her face, her eyes still puffy from crying.

She seemed to hesitate before suddenly asking me. "Max, why did you step in between me and David yesterday?"

I didn't even hesitate when I answered that. "I hate bullies, David Madsen should know better."

"I was hoping he would, but it's nice to see that you care about me." Kate replied sadly.

I smiled reassuringly. "Kate, I actually do care. What did he want with you anyway?"

"He's a total paranoid ass." Kate replied sadly. "He thinks I'm part of Vortex Club, yeah right."

I had to admit, that confused me.

I pondered carefully, choosing my words with care.

"Why would he think that?"

"Because of the video?" Kate burst out in dismay. "How do I get a viral video taken down, I know it's already been watched but still…

I was saddened by how desperate Kate sounded.

I shook my head; I needed more information but this was clearly painful. "I know this sucks Kate, but please, tell me about the video, maybe I can help."

It was just a flicker, but Kate seemed to react to my offer with something, hope maybe.

"It's still fuzzy, I'm still trying to put it together. Basically I went to one Vortex Club party and ended up making out with a bunch of people and I have no memory of it. Do you have any ideas how humiliating this is for me, what if my church sees it?"

I shook my head, worried. "Doesn't sound like you at all Kate, did you…drink at this party?"

Kate actually looked frantic at that. "I swear to God, I had one sip of red wine, then I drank water."

"Not enough to get wasted is it?" I noted.

Kate actually glared at that. "I don't get wasted, ever. I take a sip of red wine at church and don't end up on a viral video, okay?"

I stepped back, not used to this anger from Kate. "Jesus, Kate, I'm sorry, this is so messed up. What happened after that?"

Kate hesitated and thought for a moment.

Finally she collected herself and continued.

"I remember feeling sick…dizzy."

I paused for a moment before asking. "Were you, drugged?"

Kate bit her lip at that. "Probably, and then, Nathan Prescott offered to take me to the hospital."

I gasped at that. "Nathan Prescott, shit…?"

Kate shook her head vehemently. "He was being nice for a change when he offered to take me."

I bit my lip, recalling the parking lot encounter. "Nathan Prescott is the opposite of nice, what happened then?"

"I remember us driving for a while and then…next thing I knew, I was in a room, I thought it was a hospital because it was so white and bright…A man was talking, gently, I thought it was a doctor until I heard Nathan's voice." She explained; looking more uncomfortable as she spoke. "Then I felt a sharp sting in my neck and…"

"And?" I queried.

She shook her head. "That's it, that's all I remember, I woke up outside my dorm room the next day, I didn't have marks or bruises, but I felt gross."

"Oh Kate…" I sighed softly. "Who, who took the video?"

Kate looked agitated again. "I don't know, maybe Victoria, she was there being her mean self…"

It hurt seeing Kate like this, this wasn't like her at all and it scared me. Especially since it seemed I was the only one trying to do anything about it, which did my Social Anxiety wonders let me tell you.

"This is messed up Kate; but, I do believe you." I told her gently. "We'll figure this out, I'll check back later, okay?"

Kate shifted slightly before nodding slowly.

Finally, after an awkward silence she spoke again, gesturing as she did so.

"Thanks Max, you can leave my book here, by my bag."

I nodded as she turned away again; feeling strangely as if I'd actually let her down somehow. I slowly made my way over to where Kate's bag lay on the table and set the book down next to it. I was startled by Kate's voice as she suddenly spoke up.

"So, Max, can I ask you something?"

I turned quickly, approaching her. "Absolutely Kate, anything."

Kate seemed even more uncomfortable than ever, not that I could blame her. "I need to find out Nathan helped me or…hurt me, after that party…Should I go to the police?"

My heart instantly sped up and I felt a strange tingling all over, an unpleasant sort which left me uneasy. I was surprised Kate was asking me of all people. This was big, this was major, but Kate's story instantly played through my head and I made up my mind, I couldn't leave things standing as they were.

"Yes, you definitely should go to the police." I said seriously. "I believe you."

While still not really smiling, Kate's face brightened as I said that.

She actually looked relieved. "Bless you Max, I will go to the police and also Principal Wells. With you as my backup witness, they'll have to take us seriously now."

That struck me, I hadn't anticipated that and ended up stammering.

"Backup witness?" I gasped, quickly recovering when I saw Kate's expression fall. "I mean, I believe you and everything but…We're still just spoilt punks to the police and faculty here."

Even to my ears it was a limp excuse. I was getting good at them.

I sighed and did my best to calm things down, before they got complicated.

"I just, think we should be very careful here."

Kate narrowed her eyes. "Why, careful of what?"

I shook my head. "Nothing, it's just, the Prescott's are a powerful family…I just hope this won't backfire on us; that's all."

Glaring I then added however. "That rich bastard has certainly earned himself some bad karma however, he'll get it."

Kate just nodded absently and went back to crying. I so wanted to reach out to her, but I felt strongly she wouldn't welcome the intrusion. So I awkwardly made to leave the room, replaying everything in my head, realizing what I had done.

'Whoa, time out Max, you just told Kate to go to the police, after getting a threatening text message?' I realized with a great feeling of unease. 'Now the police will drag you into this for sure but…but if it helps Kate, it's worth it.'

So, deciding to stick by my decision, I left Kate's room, praying she would alright. My phone beeped again, indicated texts from Chloe, wondering where I was. I'd almost forgotten about my breakfast meeting with Chloe, I had to hurry.

So I quickly ran to the exit and made my way out of the dorms. When I finally did exit I paused; looking around I could see very few people about, Samuel was up bright and early as usual, communing with the critters again. Birds and other small animals just seemed to flock to him.

The other person of interest was seated against a tree in one of the small gardens in the courtyard, it was Taylor.

I began to walk over, determined to confront her about the shower room incident, but then stopped. I then noticed it, she was alone, Victoria and Courtney were nowhere to be found; I also recalled how Victoria had treated her after Kate ran from them. Like Victoria after the paint incident, I couldn't help but note Taylor seemed totally different went alone. So with my usual shyness clouding any anger again, I approached in a less confrontational way.

"Hey, Taylor." I began hesitantly.

She looked up at me and rolled her eyes before mockingly mimicking me. "Hey Taylor. Just because Victoria was nice to you, doesn't mean I have to be.

I shook my head; I didn't want this; I needed something to get inside, to figure out the real Taylor Christensen.

"I'm not here to fight." I explained. "Instead of smack-talk, let's just talk."

Taylor shook her head. "You're funny. Well, I'm not doing anything right now, so, talk."

I thought for a moment before asking the first thing that came to mind. "Why do you hang out with Victoria, she's pretty mean to you and Courtney."

"And she's bossy too, but you don't know her like I do." Taylor replied quickly. "She's one of the best friends you could have."

I shifted my feet awkwardly, finally replying. "I guess I've had mean, bossy best friend's too…Sure beats mean bossy parents."

That was a mistake as Taylor's eyes suddenly flashed fire. "I'd love it if my mom was mean or bossy instead of sick, but whatever. We've had our talk."

With that she totally ignored me, leaving me feeling like a total idiot.

Although she did just grant me a way in; so I raised my hand and began to rewind again. Perhaps this was my way in; I rewound back to the beginning of the conversation and greeted her again.

"Hey, Taylor."

She once again replied mockingly. "Hey Taylor. Just because Victoria was nice to you, doesn't mean I have to be.

Time to use my new info; I tried to sound as gentle as possible. "I heard your mother was, I'm really sorry, what happened to her?"

Taylor suddenly looked surprised, and uncomfortable. "Um, well, if you really do care, my mom had back surgery recently, she's still in the hospital…Victoria was there for me, like you are with Kate…I'm not about putting people down Max."

That much I could see through witnessing Taylor like this. "I know, that's why I wanted to talk."

"I'm…glad we did." Taylor replied softly. "Well, see you later."

I nodded and Taylor returned her attention to her phone. I smiled; perhaps things wouldn't be so bad after all, at least there. Hopefully Taylor's mom would recover soon, it certainly was something that seemed to weigh on her.

All the same, I couldn't stop thinking about Kate; that remained niggling at the back of my mind as I walked towards the gates of the courtyard.

I was so lost in thought I almost didn't notice who was waiting by the faculty building until they spoke.

"Yo Max, over here!"

I looked up and smiled. "Warren, what are you doing here?"

He replied, putting his phone back in his pocket. "Nothing really, waiting, for a call…I mean, I already took the call."

I smiled wider; noting how awkward he was being, it's strange that I was the more relaxed between the two of us here. Truthfully I was glad to see him, even if I was getting a fluttering strange feeling in my stomach now.

Warren cleared his throat, regaining his composure. "Anyway, I wanted to rap about that action yesterday."

'Oh now you want to talk about it.' I thought guiltily; observing the purpling bruise around his eyes.

I couldn't help but notice other little things too, like the way his smile pulled slightly more to the right than the left.

'And what the hell am I doing noticing that?' I thought, lowering my gaze to his blue and red shirt with a Schrödinger's cat meme pictured on it.

"By the way, thank you for stepping in." I remarked. "You were pretty badass Warren, I owe you."

Warren grinned. "Oh yes you do, I got knocked on my ass by that dick; I'm some kind of persona superhero."

I laughed. "You're a real 'everyday hero', you stood up to a bully and it was awesome."

"Even though you left me with said bully and ran off with that girl."

I cringed at that, feeling guilty all over again, even though his tone made it clear he was joking around.

"She looked pretty punk rock, who was she?"

I quickly replied. "Chloe Price, an old friend, though I haven't seen her in some time."

Warren laughed. "I bet you were glad to see her blast up in that car like a rock star."

I smiled at that, feeling relaxed again.

I shook my head, grinning.

"Which begs the question, why is Nathan Prescott getting psycho on you?" Warren asked suddenly.

I paused, suddenly afraid again, but if I couldn't trust Warren, who could I trust.

I told him some of the truth. "I busted him in the bathroom yesterday with a gun…I'll give you the full story later.

Warren sighed. "Weird fucking week, like that bizzaro snowfall yesterday. Speaking of dystopia, that drive-in is having a seventies Planet of the Apes Movie Marathon. Let's 'Go Ape'."

I laughed at that, recalling Warren talking about the drive-in yesterday, it actually sounded fun and who knows, maybe I could at last figure things out, where things really stood between me and Warren.

"Yes, that's exactly what I need; I love those old-school ape films." I replied enthusiastically.

Warren grinned, and even seemed surprised. "Wow; that was easier than I thought, I didn't even have to beg. Cool, I'll text you the info."

I grinned and nodded before politely excusing myself, I was so going to be late getting to the diner now, I knew it.

So I quickly left the dorm area and began making my way across the main campus towards the bus stop. As I did I spotted Nathan and saw, of all people, David Madsen approaching him, they seemed to be talking intently about something.

'What is this, Nathan talking to David Madsen, that can't be good?' I wondered, getting suspicious.

Shaking my head I focused instead on getting to my destination. I boarded the bus and made my way to an empty seat, pulling out my iPod I plugged in my earphones again and turned it on, letting the music fill my ears, drowning out my surroundings. I leaned to the side, my head almost touching the window, I could feel myself drifting, almost trying to doze off and catch up on my missed sleep. But I resisted, I didn't want to miss my stop. Two Whales diner here I come.

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