Life is Strange: My Unusual Journey

Chapter 12 of my Life is Strange story, enjoy.

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Now onto the story.

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

Out of Time – Her Everyday Hero

Being at the tail end of the group; I was the last to arrive. I stopped, uncertain as I saw the large crowd all gathered in the courtyard, I could them all calling and yelling, but most of it was indistinct. They all seemed to be looking in the same direction too, biting my lip I continued onwards, passing the staff building and joining the crowd.

The people continued to talk, many sounded scared, I followed their gazes, up to the roof of the dorm building and my heart stopped.

'Kate!' My thoughts went into overdrive. 'No! Oh God, I have to do something to help her!'

Kate was standing up on the roof, at the very ledge, her intent was obvious I could scarcely believe it. She was going to jump; things had become so bad for Kate that, despite everything, she had reached rock bottom. She planned to kill herself; I couldn't just stand by, I knew I had to help. I tried to push my way through the crowd, but then I heard a loud scream from the crowd and my gaze snapped back up, a choked sound escaping me as Kate plummeted to the ground.

'She can't die, she can't...' My desperation grew and I held out my hand.

I was so desperate I didn't even think, I just rewound, praying I could somehow still get to Kate and save her.

That was when it happened, I could only rewind far enough to get Kate back on the ledge of the roof. Then suddenly my head exploded with pain and I felt blood trickling from my nose again as my rewind faltered and fizzled out.

I cried out in pain, but nobody heard. 'No, not again, not now...I, I have to do something.'

Seeing Kate jump again I rewound again, concentrating harder than ever, despite the fact my headache grew steadily worse as I did so.

'I can't just rewind over and over...'

I was so desperate, focusing so hard on wanting to save Kate that it took me a moment to take stock of what happened. I had rewound again, back to Kate standing on the ledge. But I wasn't rewinding further back; instead, I noticed that everything had gone still. Nobody was moving, making a sound, even the rain had frozen in place.

It then registered with me what had just happened. 'No way, forget rewind...I've just stopped time.'

It was then I noticed that while everything was frozen, I could still move. My head was pounding like a drum, more blood continued to trickle from my nose; but I didn't care, this was my chance. I just prayed it would work, by doing this, I could save Kate. Keeping my arm raised, hand locked in position, I began to move. I could see individuals amongst the crowd, how they were all reacting.

Sickeningly Victoria and Taylor had their phones out, videoing the incident; I could see Logan and Zach looking freaked out, Brooke looking away in fear. Alyssa looking like she was going to pass out, if it wasn't for Warren supporting her. Moving through the crowd towards the front I spotted Dana and Juliet holding each other, panicked, Evan looking shocked, an umbrella frozen halfway to the ground from when he dropped it.

I was soon out of the crowd, glancing back I could see Nathan standing there too, his face blank; I also noticed, just to my right, David Madsen, frozen as he ran towards the door. He had been attempting to save Kate but obviously would have been too late.

'Just...keep...going, Max.' I told myself through the pain.

I pushed on and reached the door; praying that it would work. I tried the door and was relieved to find I could open it. I instantly entered the dorm building and began my slow ascent of the stairs; the pain making any other movement just impossible. My right arm was killing me but I kept it locked in place, knowing the instant I moved it, time would flow again.

It was a relief when I finally reached the rooftop, opening the door and stepping out. I smiled through the pain, this was my chance, if I could rewind from here, I could get some distance between Kate and the roof and try to calm her down.

I lowered my arm and sure enough time flowed again, I was instantly drenched by the rain; I could see Kate just in front of me, even from here I could hear the soft sobs that came from her, she sounded so broken. I quickly wiped the blood away and raised my hand again to rewind; but apart from a brief flare of power, nothing happened, except my headache multiplied tenfold and I groaned.

"What are you doing here, Max?" Kate cried out, having heard me and turned. "Stop, don't come near me!"

I tried again but it didn't work. 'Not now, it won't work, I don't have any power...Now I have to do this, myself...'

At once my heart started hammering and I could feel myself sweating as my anxieties began taking over. I was going to have to talk Kate down, me, the one who could barely hold a simple conversation without stammering at least ten times.

It was then my anxieties reached a new level. I had only ever experienced this twice in my life before. Under a certain level of stress my mind went into some sort of tunnel mode, where all I could see and hear was the object or person of my focus, everything else being drowned out.

Alternatively, my mind became hyper-aware of my surroundings and I ended up taking in everything, becoming at risk of sensory overload. Luckily, under these circumstances, the former was preferable to the latter and that was what happened.

I couldn't hear the rain, the voices of those down below, my entire world shrank to me, Kate and this rooftop. I took a step forwards and Kate cried out.

"Max seriously, don't come near me." She sounded more agitated and desperate than I'd ever heard her before. "I will jump."

I stopped and gently spoke. "Okay, okay, I'm right here...Kate, please."

Kate shook her head, even from this distance I could see how exhausted she looked, the tear-tracks staining her face; she looked...defeated.

"Oh Max, I know you want to help me." She said softly. "I love that you stood up to David, but it doesn't matter now, nothing matters."

Hearing Kate say that was gut-wrenching; I was saddened to see things become so bad she actually believed that.

"You matter." I burst out, shocked that for once, acting without thinking was leading to, well, better answers. "And not just to me."

Kate sighed. "I do want to believe that."

I couldn't deny I was desperate, I knew, one wrong move and Kate would pull away, would go ahead and jump. Worse still, there would be no saving her if she did, my rewind had stopped working.

I had to work hard, to convince Kate there was still something for her to live for.

"Kate, your life is still yours. And we can get through this together..." I pleaded. "Let me help. Like I helped by erasing that crap people wrote on your room slate."

"I'm glad to hear you worry about me...That makes me feel better." Kate replied softly, a brief light glimmering in her eyes when I finally revealed it was me who had done that.

I bit my lip; I hated being this far from Kate; but she might react badly.

Still I took the risk and took a few small steps forwards while I spoke. "Of course I worry, you're my friend Kate."

To my relief, Kate didn't yell at me, or step back, but I didn't push it, I stopped after a few steps.

Kate bowed her head slightly; clearly struggling. "I did feel better talking to you on the phone, I always feel like you really listen."

"Kate, please trust me. Come stand by me, okay? I can help you now, I know I can." I pleaded desperately, again blurting out another revelation. "This morning I erased the weblink to your video...It was written on the shower room mirror."

Kate gasped, her expression actually did brighten at that. "Are you serious!? Thank you so much! The fact that you don't care about that video and would come up here to stop me, means a lot."

I could see it, the glimmer of hope; I just had to keep going, gently but keep going, I knew I had to do this. So close, I didn't want to mess things up now.

I nodded gently; trying hard to sound reassuring.

"Kate, I do care about you and I believe you. I believe you were drugged. We will find out who did this and make them pay."

Kate sighed sadly and shook her head. "You sound so persuasive Max, if only..."

"Kate..." I said softly, taking a few more steps forwards. "I believe you, will you believe me."

I began to feel desperate, terror and despair gripping me as Kate seemed to struggle internally.

"Please, you don't have to do this."

Kate looked at me in utter dismay. "Max, I'm in a nightmare and I can't wake up...unless I put myself to sleep. Then everyone at Blackwell can post pics of my body."

I cringed at that; noting just how damaging these actions had been, now seeing it first hand.

"I'm already on the internet forever." She declared. "No wonder they call it a web, nothing can ever get out, like my video. I wish I could go back in time and erase everything."

I shifted uncomfortably at that. I had to encourage Kate however, I needed her to be strong.

It was the only way I could help her. "Kate, this is our chance to beat the bullies. That's the only way we can win against them."

"Can we really Max?" Kate asked sadly. "I don't believe in miracles anymore either."

I replied at once; without hesitation. "Now I do, you're part of the reason why, if you come with me I can tell you more."

Kate let out a noise somewhere between a sob and a laugh.

She gave a shadow of a smile; although the sadness was still predominant.

"You're such a good person Max, even if you are full of crap." She remarked before nodding slowly. "But I'll come with you...You're my friend"

Hearing that sent relief through me, but I knew it wasn't over yet and the situation was still volatile.

"Forever." I told her as I stepped even closer. "Can we hug on it?"

There was still something lingering however that made Kate flinch and I froze, fear seizing me again.

"No, nobody cares about me, nobody..." She snapped.

I bit my lip, I only had one last card to play, but it was the most cliched one there was. But I was out of options.

"Kate, I saw that cute photo of you with your sisters, you were all so happy together, especially your youngest sister." I burst out desperately.

It was then, finally, for the first time in a long time, Kate really did smile.

"That's Lynn..." She said softly. "She's only ten, she does have the best smile ever...I would hate to see her sad."

Kate's expression changed, she looked at me, hope and an unspoken plea in her eyes. I reached my hand out, Kate hesitated and then reached out and took my hand, allowing me to pull her away from the ledge, we both collapsed to our knees and Kate burst out sobbing again as she clung to me.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..."

I shook my head, Kate had nothing to be sorry about. I playfully joked, trying to cheer her up, at the very least she did laugh a little.

I was still replaying what happened in my mind, my heart was still pounding while my head was throbbing still, although lesser now than it had been. A quick check told me my rewind power was back, but there was no telling just how far back I could go right now and I didn't want to push it.

It was now early evening, shortly after coming down from the roof, to the initial shock then loud cheers and congratulations of what felt like all of Blackwell, Kate was rushed to hospital. Meanwhile I found myself at the heart of police questioning and I was forced to lie, not like they'd believe the truth if I told them.

Now however, with initial interviews and such all over, things were getting serious. The police were still launching an investigation; they weren't the only ones.

"Now I know this has been a difficult time." Principal Wells stated. "But I am proud of the way Blackwell pulled together to save a young girl's life."

He turned to face us. I was seated in the Principal's office now, along with Nathan, David Madsen and Mr. Jefferson.

Principal Wells smiled and nodded to me. "Of course, most of the credit should go to you, Miss Caulfield, for being the one to talk Miss Marsh down."

"I didn't do much." I muttered, feeling embarrassed on top of everything else.

"She's modest." Mr. Jefferson cut in with a small smile. "Like a real hero."

David shook his head, muttering to himself. "Yeah, real hero."

Principal Wells shook his head however, becoming serious.

He sighed and then explained.

"What happened today should never happen in a hall of knowledge; we all bear some of the responsibility. Mr. Madsen." He said, looking over at David. "As head of security, those roof doors are to be locked at all times, that is part of your job, they were not."

He then turned his gaze to Mr. Jefferson. "Mr. Jefferson; I know you can't be expected to know everything your students are going through. But Miss Marsh has helped you in class on several occasions, you should have seen something was amiss. And you, Mr. Prescott, as head of the Vortex Club, you are also responsible for the parties it holds and Miss Marsh, I understand, her problems began at one of your parties."

There was an uncomfortable silence before he spoke again, this time to me.

"Miss Caulfield; why were you on the roof with Kate Marsh, did she tell you plan, or anything at all, please, talk to me."

I bit my lip; there was so much I could say, there were so many at fault, but the more I thought about it, the more one person stood out. It had been his actions after all that had precipitated all that occurred after.

"All I know; is that Nathan does her at some party." I said at last. "And that she ended up making out with people she didn't want to and someone made a video of it to humiliate her."

Nathan turned to me, scornful. "I dosed her? Didn't want to? Have you seen the video?"

I glared wanting so much to smash his smug face into the desk and pull a quick rewind.

But I restrained myself.

"Kate was loaded and having fun." Nathan continued.

I cut across him. "Liar, you told her to took her to the emergency room."

Nathan waved his hand. "I said I was going to take her to the ER; she got better eventually."

"That's a lie and you know it." I remarked angrily. "Or maybe we should talk about you waving a gun around in school."

Principal Wells then cut in, before Nathan could react. "Miss Caulfield, that is a serious accusation, if you are making this up..."

I shook my head desperately. "I'm not, I; was too scared before, but I can't hide it now."

"You watch your mouth; my family owns this school, my lawyers will come down on you so hard..." Nathan growled.

But Principal Wells had clearly heard enough.

"That will do Mr. Prescott. Regardless of this accusation being true or not. You do feature prominently in the video which has been sent to me by many sources." He said tersely. "Therefore I have no option but to suspend you until further notice."

Nathan shook his head. "Whatever, see you in court."

I bit my lip, amazed, Nathan just got suspended. It was then Mr. Jefferson suggested taking a break; only when he said that did I realize how drained I felt, that my limbs were shaking. So, after signing the official statement that Principal Wells handed to me, I was permitted to leave; along with the others, although the investigation was still ongoing.

I let out a slow steady breath; I was seated out in the main campus now, trying hard to calm own. Warren sat next to me grinning; while I was grateful for his company, I found myself being faced with those strange feelings and sensations again.

Doing my best to ignore them just now I spoke. "It was so surreal Warren, it was like everything slowed down..."

Warren's grin widened. "Max, that was the coolest thing I ever saw, you reached out, she reached out, hugs, tears, you were like a real superhero."

"Oh yeah, sure, I was shaking the whole time Warren."

"I'm serious Max." He told me with a softer smile. "I'll bet you earned your wings today."

I actually found myself blushing at that; especially due to it coming from Warren.

'Urgh, there it is again...Should I...' I wondered anxiously before deciding to change the subject.

I bit my lip sadly as I thought about Kate. Classes had been put on hold for the next couple of days, due to this incident.

"I still can't believe Kate tried to kill herself, over a video." I said sadly.

Warren's expression darkened. "Viral is right, like a disease."

I looked over at him; a little surprised. "Did you watch it?"

"Just one...and a half times." He admitted, looking down at his shoes.

I shook my head; at least Warren had the decency to feel guilty about it. Plus one and a half times was a lot less than any of the others who watched it. That wasn't the malicious action of someone watching it to later use against Kate, that was curiosity and then shock and disbelief, of that at least I was certain.

My worries were renewed; everything that happened lately, it had to be connected.

"I'm getting worried Warren; something ominous is going on at Blackwell, I want to find out what but..." I stopped, starting in disbelief. "What the hell is this?"

Warren was also stunned, for there, right before us, an eclipse of the sun was taking place.

"Max...There was no eclipse scheduled for today, I would know." He said in awe. "It's the real deal too. Seriously...feel that temperature drop."

I wrapped my arms around myself, suddenly aware of how cold it was. "I...I do feel cold."

Warren turned to me, worried. "Do you want my jacket?"

"That's sweet." I replied, feeling myself blushing again. "Really, I'm alright...I believe you Warren...After today, I'll believe anything."

Silence reigned after that, although, seeing I was getting colder. Warren moved closer and put his arms around me, trying to warm me up. I didn't mind, although suddenly my heart began to beat faster and finally it clicked.

'Okay, there is no doubt about it, Warren I...I do have the same feelings for him.' I finally realized.

The only problem was, it seemed inappropriate right now to mention it to him, so I remained quiet, wondering if I'd ever find the courage to actually do so.

Back in my dorm room I found a few texts from Chloe, one about our encounter with Frank and another, more recently, about Kate and the eclipse, I had replied to all of these and now I knew, it was time to get serious and start investigating; there was a connection between Nathan, Kate and Rachel Amber, we just had to find it.

So, still struggling with my realized feelings, my worries and hopes for Kate and my anticipation for this upcoming investigation, I sat at my desk. I was waiting for Chloe to get in touch, but truthfully, my sleepless night last night caught up with me and I soon dropped off, right there at my desk.

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

Well, that's the end of Episode 2 and for me, the most nerve racking moment of the game, I was actually sweating buckets when I first played this part and when Kate finally stepped off the roof I had to put the controller down I was shaking that much.