Life is Strange: My Unusual Journey

Chapter 17 of Life is Strange novelization, enjoy.

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Now onto the story.

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

Chaos Theory – Schemes

We continued to drive to the Two Whales, I was still hesitating, something I saw was bugging me. I didn't know if I should share it with Chloe.

Finally however, I couldn't stay silent any more. "Listen, when I was going through David's laptop, I found pictures of Rachel and Frank...Being, more than friends."

I waited for the explosion, but instead, Chloe simply scoffed. "Right, no way Max. She was just posing to tease Frank."

"If you're not gonna believe me, why don't we check out what Frank has in his RV?" I replied.

I spotted it parked outside the diner; Chloe had told me about it and I realized it had been parked here yesterday too, and the day before that it had been in Blackwell's parking lot.

"What's that gonna prove?"

"Frank has Rachel's bracelet." I pointed out. "What else does he have in there?"

Chloe glared at that. "Motherfucker better not have anything, for his sake."

I bit my lip; we were trying to dig up dirt on Frank, like David and Nathan, but Chloe's temperament made me wonder if it was going to be worth it. Chloe parked her truck and looked over at the RV.

"Let's check the door." She said after a brief pause. "Frank sometimes gets so wasted he forgets to lock it."

I nodded and we got out of the truck and made our way over to the RV. I was suddenly quite twitchy, expecting Frank to appear at any time and start threatening us again.

As we approached I looked at the filthy RV in disgust and shook my head.

"I can't believe you hung out with him." I couldn't help but remark.

Chloe merely shrugged. "Not anymore. We have to be casual ninjas here."

Her last remark came out as we made to check the door.

"Shitballs." She exclaimed as her efforts proved the door was in fact locked. "Okay, here's the plan...I'll go to the diner and distract Frank by telling him I have his money..."

I nodded, trying to keep up, Chloe was talking rather rapidly now.

She continued. "...But he needs to come with me, then come in and rewind so Frank doesn't see me, then you can tell Frank he needs to check out his RV and then you rewind after you get the key and..."

She trailed off, clearly at a loss. It was clearly not a well thought out plan. In all fairness, I felt I might stand a better chance. One plus about having Asperger's is I know how to be organized and that means planning, lots of planning.

"Chloe." I told her softly. "I got this, I'll be right back."

Chloe rolled her eyes. "Don't let my epic plan get in the way of yours. I'll try to scrounge up a Scooby snack to distract his mangy mutt."

I nodded and turned away, heading towards the diner.

As I began to walk towards the diner my phone beeped, I checked it and smiled widely when I saw it was a text from Dad, he was congratulating me on saving Kate and also offered me a chance to come home if I wanted to. I replied quickly, thanking him but explaining I wasn't ready to come home yet.

'Especially not with everything going on, Rachel, the tornado, all that weird stuff...'

Shaking my head I put my phone away and began to approach the diner. I stopped however, remembering the homeless woman I had met last time I was here. I walked around the corner and saw her, sitting in the same spot.

I shook my head. 'She wouldn't laugh, she might even believe me, whatever it takes however, I can't just leave her sitting there, not when danger is coming, when the...tornado is coming.'

I approached her and she looked up and smiled.

"Hi, how are you?"

She smiled warmly when she saw me. "It's good to see you again. You know, I heard about that girl almost jumping off the Blackwell roof."

I shifted awkwardly at that. "Kate Marsh; I was able to actually talk her down from the roof."

Even saying it felt weird, like I still couldn't believe I had actually done that.

"That was you?" The homeless woman replied with a smile. "If I had a bottle, cheers."

I smiled kindly. "Thanks, wish I had a bottle for you. But I need to find out who else is involved in this."

There was a brief pause following this.

Finally the Homeless woman nodded. "Well, I'll bet if anyone can find out, you can. But maybe I can help, I know a lot more than people credit me for, advantage of being invisible."

"Frank Bowers knew Rachel Amber, the girl that went missing. Have you seen him around?" I asked.

Just because Frank's RV was here, didn't necessarily mean he was.

"I heard him bragging that he took a gun from some trespassers." She replied, shaking her head.

"I don't know how he hasn't been arrested yet." I muttered.

The woman raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like you know a lot more than me child."

I sighed. "I just think Arcadia Bay is in trouble."

"Maybe you'd like to tell me what you're hiding?" She remarked.

I knew this was my chance. I just had to be honest.

"I feel like I can trust you as much as Chloe...and you wouldn't think I'm crazy." I said at last.

The woman sighed. "Too late for me to judge anybody and you're not crazy."

"I'm just gonna say this." The words came tumbling out. "I had a vision of Arcadia Bay, being destroyed by a tornado...for real."

The homeless woman shrugged. "Could be, bad mojo is in the air this week. Thanks for the warning Max."

I nodded, hopeful and, finally, turned and made my way to the diner's entrance, once there I paused, briefly before finally entering.

Once inside I looked around, I spotted Frank right away, sitting in the corner, eating away. Further searching found only a few customers here and there, a few workers. Only two other people really stood out, Officer Berry, the police officer who had spoken to me after I talked Kate down from the roof, and Nathan.

'Figures, Nathan would be here, well, you never know...' I thought to myself.

Gearing myself up I made my way over to Frank, deciding to simply try a direct, albeit hopefully, kind approach. As I approached my phone beeped, it was Warren, I laughed at his comments, apparently the drive-in was sold out, although only because it seemed he bought the last tickets and had to force his way out.

'Oh Warren, don't ever change.'

With effort I pushed the thoughts to the back of my mind and focused on Frank. He looked up as I approached and put my hand on his table.

He looked totally wasted but clearly recognized me. "You have serious balls, little girl. But hanging out with Chloe, playing with guns and dressing up like Rachel doesn't make you cool, or tough."

He shook his head and continued, clearly upset I interrupted his dinner. "What the fuck do you want? Take a picture of me and I'll break your fucking camera."

"How do you know these are Rachel's clothes?" I queried, I found that a bit odd.

Frank looked up at me, smiling wistfully. "Because she looks beautiful in them and you look like ass. You're lucky I just took that gun from you..."

Okay, I was going to try kind but screw that, just go with direct. "Grab your keys and let's check out your RV."

No dice, Frank shook his head. "Let's not, you fucking creep me out."

I sighed, no keys, I decided that maybe, just maybe, I could ask for help. Perhaps Officer Berry, or even Nathan, would have useful info.

As unbelievable as it sounded, I went to talk to Nathan first. I couldn't help but notice he seemed zoned out again.

'Okay, is this recreational drug use, or actual medication?' I couldn't help but wonder as I cleared my throat.

Nathan turned to me and his eyes actually lit up.

But it was a case of mistaken identity as he exclaimed. "Rachel!?"

But then he took a good look and glared.

"Whatevathefuck!" He snorted.

I didn't know where to begin. "Um..."

"Oh look." He snarked, sounding like his usual self already. "Max Amber, nice outfit. By the way, thanks for getting me fucking suspended you twee bitch! You're lucky this is a public place."

Remarkable as it sounded, for all his aggression, I felt more threatened by Frank than Nathan here.

"Considering we're in a public diner with a police officer right over there, you shouldn't advertise your rage...Prescott" I commented blandly.

Nathan however flared up again. "Oh yeah, you shouldn't have bitch-snitched on me to that fucked-up Principal."

I didn't have time for this, I had to get answers.

So picking my words carefully I spoke. "Listen Nathan, I'll take back everything I said about you...if you hook me up with Frank. Know what I mean?"

Nathan looked at me incredulous.

He shook his head, almost laughing.

"You look like you've never even taken a hit of baby aspirin." He taunted.

I provided the best excuse I could. "How do you think I stay wired all night studying? So is it a deal or not?"

"Calm down, hard up." He replied, shaking his head. "Deal, you'll get your school supplies. Just go over to Frank and whisper 'Higher Education'. He'll hook your ass up."

Satisfied with that, I made my way back to Frank, maybe if I pretended I was after some of his stash, he'd take me over to the RV, at least unlock it.

"What the fuck now?" He growled when I approached.

I replied instantly. "By the way Frank, I was wondering if you had any, uh...Higher Education?"

Frank burst out laughed at that. "Oh yeah, sure, you want the 'Afterschool Special' to go with that? Jesus…Look, I don't sell anything but bottles to feed me and my dog. I work for a living, not like you spoiled Blackwell punks with too much time on your hands."

"But..."

"But nothing." He snapped. "Don't ever ask me for anything ever again. Ever. Now back off."

I sighed, great, only one option now. I rewound back to before my conversation with Nathan.

This time I approached Officer Berry.

He turned and smiled sardonically. "There she is, Super Maxine, that's your new nickname around the Bay. Sorry but you did earn it. We're all real proud of you for helping Kate down."

"Thanks Officer Berry." I replied. "I was just lucky...and right on time. Kate is who counts."

He nodded. "I'm glad you're representing Blackwell Academy."

I bit my lip and replied. "I thought Nathan Prescott, represents Blackwell?"

"Don't make me backwash this bacon." He replied shaking his head. ""You know what the Prescotts represent."

I raised an eyebrow. "Taking over Arcadia Bay?"

Officer Berry sighed. "You're not far wrong Max. I heard the Prescotts are working on some big new land deals...Mr. Prescott helped my family out once, a while ago, so I made a deal with him...That I can't seem to get out of. Man if I could get one instant replay in life."

I shook my head, again uncomfortable; all these people wishing to change their pasts, and I'm the one given rewind powers. Officer Berry quickly turned back to his breakfast, but maybe that was my way in to finding answers. I quickly rewound and spoke to him again.

He turned and smiled sardonically. "There she is, Super Maxine, that's your new nickname around the Bay. Sorry but you did earn it. We're all real proud of you for helping Kate down."

"Thanks Officer Berry." I replied. "I was just lucky...and right on time. Kate is who counts."

He nodded. "I'm glad you're representing Blackwell Academy."

I decided to use my new information.

So, gearing myself up, I spoke.

"Well, I heard a rumor you were working for the Prescott family on the side."

He looked exasperated instantly. "Jesus, doesn't this town ever shut up?"

I held up my hands. "I don't blame you for getting extra work."

He sighed and began to explain. "Look, sometimes, I check up on the Prescott family to make sure they are doing alright..Nathan included. Keep this quiet Max."

I nodded and he returned to his breakfast; well, I had another bit of leverage on Nathan now, let's see what he had to say. I walked over to him, ready for the conversation to play out as it had before.

Sure enough his eyes lit up when he saw but then glared when he realized who I was.

""Rachel!?" Whatevathefuck!"

I replied the same as last time "Um..."

"Oh look." He snarked, sounding like his usual self already. "Max Amber, nice outfit. By the way, thanks for getting me fucking suspended you twee bitch! You're lucky this is a public place."

"Considering we're in a public diner with a police officer right over there, you shouldn't advertise your rage...Prescott" I commented blandly.

Nathan however flared up again. "Oh yeah, you shouldn't have bitch-snitched on me to that fucked-up Principal."

Time to use my new information.

I cleared my throat and spoke calmly.

"I heard your dad hired a local cop to keep an eye out on you and Frank Bowers...like a babysitter."

Nathan snorted again. "Bullshit, my dad doesn't hire, he owns. And these pigs know better than to narc on me."

"Do they?" I replied. "I hope that means Frank won't get busted."

"Eventually he will." Nathan shot back; before actually looking a little concerned. "Guys is into some freaky shit. He told me once he took a weird blood oath for Rachel..."

Looking uncomfortable he shook his head. "Uh, forget I told you that. Seriously."

Okay, was it me or was something not exactly right with Nathan here.

But then he returned to his old self. "Now get off my crack, whore, keep your piehole shut."

Well, that was strange, but it gave me another opening; I wondered if I could use it against Nathan. I quickly rewound again and got ready for another repeat conversation. Once it was done and I was ready to start asking again, I brought up the subject.

"Weren't you supposed to keep your mouth shut about the blood oath Frank took for Rachel?" I queried, hoping to make him squirm.

"Blood Oath, who-What the fuck?" He burst out, certainly squirming. "I never told anybody about that freaky shit...Besides, everybody knows Frank is a lair and loser, even Rachel did."

I shook my head and pointed out. "Yet Rachel Amber hung out with him more than you.

"So?" He shot back. "Rachel wanted Frank's stash, she let him take pictures, then he carries around her photo like she posed for love. Dumbass."

Perfect, that had to be just what I needed.

I quickly returned to Frank, enduring his growl of a greeting and pressed on.

"You know, I saw that photo Rachel gave you." I said; maybe the soft touch was best after all.

Frank actually looked uncomfortable, and a little less threatening. "Uh, how d'you know about that, huh? Chloe, right?"

I quickly lied. "She just told me that one of Rachel's favorite pictures was the one she did for you."

"Really?" Frank replied softly, actually letting his guard down. "Yeah, I mean, that's what I thought. She was just a natural beauty y'know."

With that he began rummaging in his pockets, putting objects on the table.

"Wait, wait, let me find it...Here, judge for yourself."

But my eyes weren't on Rachel's photo, they were on Frank's keys. Perfect. I immediately picked them up and stepped back, waving them.

"I'm afraid I'll have to take your keys now, asshole."

"You did not just do that." He burst out furiously. "Give me back my keys bitch!"

But before he could go any further, I rewound back to before I picked them up, they were now in my pocket and Frank none the wiser. Smirking I turned and quickly left the diner, and began to head for the RV.

As I did so I spotted Alyssa up ahead and once more misfortune befell her. This time in the form of a car driving through a puddle and splashing her.

"Are you shitting me." She groaned.

I hurried up and quickly rewound before warning her again. "Alyssa, watch out."

She quickly stepped back, as did I and this time the car passed without splashing anyone.

"Quick thinking Max." She remarked with a grin.

I nodded and smiled as I made my back to the RV, there I found Chloe waiting, with an old meat bone in hand.

I held up the key triumphantly and Chloe smirked.

"I should've known, the amazing Spider-Max." She remarked.

I smiled and joked. "I couldn't have done it without Frank, now let's get in and out."

Chloe nodded and handed me the bone. "You'll need this, Max."

She then prepared to open the door, I readied myself, when that door opened, that dog was going to come charging out.

"On your mark, get set...THROW!"

Chloe opened the door and the dog lunged, it's eyes suddenly zeroed in on the bone, just as I threw it to my right, into the parking lot. The dog instantly took off after the bone, leaving us unharmed. I breathed a sigh of relief at that.

"I think we just made that dog our bitch...get it." Chloe joked.

Rolling my eyes I followed her inside the RV. Inside was an utter mess, even worse than I thought it would be, I didn't know how even Frank could live in this place.

"Damn, I thought my room was a shit hole." Chloe remarked.

I shook my head and pointed out. "You're not a creepy drug dealer.

"Frank has issues, but he's not creepy." Chloe retorted, surprisingly defending him, until. "At least I didn't think so, until I saw him with Rachel's bracelet."
Looking around Chloe sat in the RV's front seat and grinned.

"Oh we could cruise everywhere in this bad boy." She said enthusiastically. "Can you see us heading down the coast to Big Sur and beyond?"

I smiled again; Chloe certainly had a vivid imagination.

Caught up in her mood I joined in.

"Yes, we'd be tearing up the highway." I then added; due to the importance. "And you'd dare me to drive it like you dared me to kiss you...Chloe, we're on a schedule. We need clues about Rachel."

Chloe nodded calmly. "I know, just, daydreaming."

Spotting Frank's computer, Chloe instantly made a beeline for it and began to work her hacking skills. That left the physical searching to me.

Looking around I found a few things that stood out, a baseball bat, a kitchen knife on top of an almost empty pizza box, random trash, drugs in small baggies...A lot of things I'd expect from a drug dealers home. As I moved through to the back where the bed was, I overheard Chloe.

"Pretty crappy wi-fi here, must take him days to download porn."

I shook my head. "Yuck."

Further searching turned up a rather nice picture of Frank with his dog and some rather suspicious looking vents. No amount of forcing would open it, I needed to pry it open. Instantly I hurried back through and grabbed the knife.

I headed for the vent next to bed the first. I opened it, at the cost of the knife breaking, for nothing, the vent was empty. With a frustrated sigh I rewound and tried the other vent, this time I hit paydirt.

Inside was a small black scrapbook, I took it out and checked it. In it were several pictures, of Rachel. Certainly not ones that would be expected of just friends. A letter from Rachel was also there, two in fact, but in the end, it was clear. Rachel was more than just a friend to Frank and not only that, I was learning far more than I wanted to know about her.

'Oh, I hate the thought of this but...there's no other way.' I thought in dismay.

I took the book to show Chloe. I awkwardly made my way back to Chloe and showed her the book.

"You...better see this."

Chloe took the book, looking interested at first, but slowly that expression changed to one of disgust and anger, an anger that was now all too familiar to me.

"It makes me ill that Rachel posed like this for Frank...or wrote him love letters." She said through gritted teeth. "I can't believe she was banging Frank, Rachel straight up lied to my face.! Why didn't she say anything?"

I quickly tried to calm things down, staying rational. "Because she knew how you would react.

Chloe shook her head, still angry however. "Then she wasn't much of a friend huh? Just another person who shits all over me! Why does everybody in my life let me down!? My dad gets killed, you bail on me for years, my mother gloms onto Step-fucker..."

I stepped back, shocked by this outburst, I'd seen Chloe angry, but never this angry.

She wasn't done yet either, her tirade continued.

"Now Rachel betrays me..."

I tried to reason with her. "Chloe, Rachel is missing, nobody betrayed you."

But she was clearly beyond that. "Bullshit, who hasn't?! Fuck Everybody!"

With that she stood up and pushed past me.

"Chloe!"

She ignored me and stormed out of the RV. I hurried out after her, just in time to see her launch the keys onto a nearby building's roof. She stormed over to her truck, I followed her, uncertain.

We got in and, ignoring the dog which was now barking at us, Chloe tore out of the parking lot and drove away. Leaving me stuck in the car with her in a very clear and scary rage mode.

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