"CHLOEEE!"
Max's scream tore through the quiet room as she jolted upright in bed, covered in cold sweat. Her heart raced as if it was trying to escape her chest. The final image of her nightmare still lingered in front of her eyes, and part of her desperately wanted to make sense of it. Was Chloe in her nightmare dead… or just mutilated? The punishing nature of her vision made her fear it was the former.
"Max?" A worried voice came from right beside her and Max flinched as it startled her. She turned sharply and found Chloe, sitting upright and looking at her with concern in her face.
Faint light from the early dawn crept into the room, but it barely softened the shadows. A corner of Max's mind noticed Chloe was half-naked—just like Max herself—but her gaze was focused on Chloe's face instead, searching. With a surge of relief Max noted the light that was reflecting in both of Chloe's eyes.
That realization banished some of her fears. Chloe was safe; she was here with her, and yesterday they showed how much they meant to each other… in more ways than one. Some warmth finally kindled inside her and she distanced herself from that nightmarish vision.
She managed to force a weak smile. "Just a dream, Chloe. It was just a bad dream."
"Just a bad dream, Max?" Chloe repeated with a mix of worry and disbelief. "You're not fooling me, Max. I felt it—I felt your terror like it was mine and it woke me up before you even started screaming. And look at you," she added, running her hand over Max's damp skin, "you're soaked and shaking."
Max wiped her forehead, settled back on her pillow and pulled up her blanket. Chloe smiled softly, laying next to Max and gently placing her hand on Max's shoulder. "You can tell me about it, if you want," she whispered.
Max nodded and placed her hand over Chloe's. For a few moments she savored the touch—a reminder that Chloe was here, not dead or injured in the Dark Room.
"It was… horrible," Max started hesitantly. "It's hard to explain… it was hazy, like most dreams, but it also felt real. I was in another place. In another life—yours."
"Mine?" Chloe asked quietly.
"It was the other you, Chloe," Max clarified. "The one we talked about yesterday… the one who lost me."
Chloe's face softened with recognition while Max shuddered as she remembered the first vision of her nightmare. Chloe, holding her…
"Shhh," Chloe whispered when she noticed Max's distress. "You don't have to talk about it. I'm here either way."
"This is something I won't forget, Chloe," Max said with a bitter voice. "It's like my guilt wants to punish me for what almost happened."
"Whatever you want to tell me, I'm here, Max," Chloe said with a reassuring smile.
Max gazed at her for several long moments, absorbing the comfort of Chloe's smile. Finally she gathered enough courage to face her nightmare.
"You…she was holding me," Max started with a shaky voice. "But I wasn't—Chloe, I wasn't alive. I saw her sobbing and screaming and it was like I could feel everything she felt. The rage, the grief. And then there was my funeral…" her voice caught in her throat as she felt tears suddenly swelling in her eyes. "I saw Kate there, you, my parents—"
Chloe didn't wait for her to finish. She pulled Max into her arms and Max buried her face in Chloe's shoulder, breathing erratically as she tried to find solace in the embrace. Chloe leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss into Max's hair.
[Whatever that was, it's not gonna happen,] Chloe said in Max's head as she felt Chloe's warm breath in her hair. [Not to me, not to you, not to anyone, okay?]
"But…" Max started but her voice failed her. Chloe didn't push, only pulled away from Max's hair and waited patiently until Max found her words again.
"I saw the Dark Room, Chloe." Max shuddered. "But this time, you were there instead of me."
"Me?" Chloe asked and her expression darkened. "Why? I mean, I'm not someone that freak would be interested in."
"I think… he blamed you for my death. He... he hurt you, Chloe. Worse than anything he ever did to me. It was—" She broke off, no longer able to resist the tears.
Chloe didn't hesitate and laid her hand on Max's cheek. "Shh, Max. It's okay. I'm here. That bastard can't touch me—he can't touch either of us."
Max trembled, holding onto Chloe as if letting go might make her nightmare real. "He was hurting you, Chloe. Not just taking pictures. Torturing you, I think. And I—"
Chloe leaned back enough to meet Max's eyes. "Listen to me, Max. Whatever nightmare your brain cooked up? It was just that—a nightmare. It wasn't real. It's over."
Max nodded faintly, but her tears didn't stop.
Chloe gently took her hand. "Look at me, Max. I'm right here, in one piece. You feel that?" she asked as she placed Max's hand over her heart. "This is real."
Max felt the strong and steady heartbeat beneath her palm.
"If you don't trust your head, trust your touch, Max," Chloe continued. "It's me. Whole, breathing, alive—and not going anywhere."
Max looked at Chloe and finally felt that the vivid images of the nightmare began to give in against the warmth and safety of Chloe's presence.
"See? It's already going away," Chloe said softly, wiping tears off Max's cheek. "You're stronger than that crap, Super Max. With me in your corner, we can beat any bad dream. You can close your eyes again, I've got you."
"Will you stay with me?" Max asked softly. "Until I fall asleep again?"
Chloe gave her a soft smile. "Always, Max."
Max rested her head on Chloe's chest, listening to the steady rhythm of her heartbeat. Chloe ran her fingers through Max's hair and Max focused on the sensation. Chloe's fingers, her heart, her breathing—even her scent—were all dulling the memory of the Dark Room nightmare. Max finally felt the sleep taking hold of her…
[Sleep well, my Max.]
Max blinked, squinting as she registered the daylight coming through the curtain. Even the muted light felt sharp, fueling the dull ache in her head. Her hangover wasn't just the wine—it was also the weight of yesterday's emotions. The memories came slowly to her, until she became suddenly aware of the warmth beneath her cheek.
The steady rise and fall beneath her felt soothingly familiar and when Max focused, she realized it was Chloe's chest. Chloe hadn't moved all morning, letting Max use her as a pillow.
"God, Chloe," Max whispered, her voice a mix of guilt and gratitude. "You didn't have to…"
She tilted her head slightly to look at Chloe's face and saw she was still sleeping. Chloe's expression was soft and peaceful, but her hand was protectively wrapped around Max as if to shield her against any bad dreams.
Max shifted her head, resting on Chloe's collarbone and pulled Chloe's blanket higher, to cover more of her exposed skin. Chloe stirred faintly, murmuring something unintelligible in her sleep. Then she settled again and Max heard a faint snore. Max couldn't help but smile. The nightmare was now a distant memory—still disturbing, but harmless, stripped of its power. Instead, fragments of the previous evening came to her, blurry but vivid enough to make her heart race.
Suddenly, she was more aware of the feeling of Chloe's skin against hers and the softness of her arm. Max banished the flicker of excitement that came with that sensation, choosing instead to focus on the serene comfort of the moment. She moved her arm, trying to slip it around Chloe's shoulder. Chloe's arm instinctively tightened in response.
"Mmmm… where d'ya think you're going, Super Max?" Chloe's voice was heavy with sleep.
"Nowhere, I promise," Max whispered with a broad smile and tucked her hand around Chloe's waist instead.
"Good. 'Cause this? This is nice," Chloe murmured. "Not the hangover—the you-being-here part."
Max laughed softly. "Even this?" Max teased and without lifting her head playfully blew a puff of air against Chloe's chest.
Chloe let out a sleepy laugh. "Even this," Chloe confirmed with a smirk and again tightened her arm around Max—this time intentionally. "A little breeze isn't gonna ruin the best morning I've had in... forever."
Max heard the sincerity in Chloe's voice and any remaining trace of guilt over her earlier nightmare vanished. If Chloe could feel this good despite everything, there was no need to bring it up again.
Max felt Chloe shift slightly, likely glancing at her now, but she stayed still. Even without looking back she could feel the happiness radiating from Chloe and it warmed her more than any blanket. It made her realize how unhappy Chloe had had to be before if this simple morning could bring her so much bliss.
Max relaxed and embraced Chloe's happiness. She wasn't ready to fall back asleep, but at least it helped dull the strange, sharp feeling in her head. She felt grounded, anchored to the present moment, and to Chloe.
After a short while Chloe fell asleep again and Max lost track of time. She could think of so many things, but the warm comfort warded off any disturbing thoughts. Now it was just her and Chloe, an unlikely couple, yet so well fitting together.
A couple. After yesterday that word sounded much heavier, more serious, and the more she thought about it, the more lucky she felt to have Chloe. A pang of familiar guilt faintly announced itself, but she quickly dismissed it by focusing on her closeness with Chloe. Then her mind wandered to the previous night. Not the nightmare, but what happened before. Her pulse quickened and she felt a tingling tension building up inside her, like a string of a bow being drawn back. She fidgeted, trying to get rid of that sudden, restless feeling.
[Not now!]
Chloe stirred beneath Max in response, letting out a sleepy groan as she stretched her arms. Max raised her head to look at Chloe and saw her blinking groggily before landing her gaze on Max. A slow, mischievous grin appeared on her lips.
"Well, good morning to you too, pillow pirate," Chloe murmured with a hushed voice, but unmistakably amused. She reached and gently brushed a strand of hair out of Max's eyes. "Been keeping me hostage all morning, huh?"
Max smirked. "Oh, please. You were the one holding me hostage. I couldn't even wiggle without you pulling me closer like some kind of clingy octopus."
Chloe laughed softly. "Guilty as charged then," she admitted with a soft tone. "And why wouldn't I? You're kinda perfect blanket material."
Max blushed and buried her face in Chloe's neck. "You're impossible," she mumbled.
"Impossible? Oh, come one, Max. You were the one full of surprises last night," Chloe teased and her hand slid down to rest on Max's back. "I mean, I always knew there was fire inside you… But damn, Mad Max, you've been holding out on me."
Max groaned in embarrassment. "Chloeee. Don't."
"I'm just saying," Chloe said with a grin evident in her voice. "One minute you're this shy, little nerd and then, with just a small incentive, you're all over me. Clearly you took our sex ed discussion to heart. Particularly…"
Max couldn't bear it any longer and pulled away, giving Chloe an exasperated, but still embarrassed look.
Chloe laughed and continued. "Particularly… I didn't expect you to be a biter."
Max's face turned completely red as she remembered that specific aspect of their passionate night. Chloe chuckled and out of the blue she pinched Max's nipple. "Here's how it feels," she exclaimed with a wry smile.
"Hey," Max jerked upright so quickly that her temples throbbed with a sharp, pounding ache. The hangover echoed in her head, but she quickly got distracted by the sudden heat spreading through her veins. She shot Chloe the most innocent look she could muster. "I don't remember you complaining last night."
Chloe's retort didn't come as her face—to Max's surprise—turned slightly pink. Max decided to enact her revenge, and in return she pinched Chloe's nipple too.
"Ouch! They're still sensitive," Chloe squealed with surprise and a hint of pain, and covered her breasts with her arm. Then she chuckled, not holding it against Max, and spoke in a much softer voice. "Yeah. I didn't mind yesterday and I won't mind next time."
Her expression turned slightly sheepish, which was very unlike Chloe. Then she smirked and shot Max a conspiratorial look. "Just so you know—when I put on my bra, I'm gonna get reminded of you every time I move."
Max laughed and placed her hand on Chloe's arm. "As if you would mind," she remarked and teasingly pressed her hand against Chloe's—and her breasts.
Chloe hissed but smiled nonetheless. "Wow, you're hardcore, Max." Then she gave Max an affectionate look. Her teasing smile softened as she caught Max's hand in her own. "All in all… you were amazing, Max."
Max blushed again. "I… I just wanted to make you feel loved," she murmured. "You deserved that."
"And you gave me that," Chloe replied and her voice was of raw sincerity. "And I gladly gave the same back to you. Look, we didn't even need to push your limits… and still it was everything for me, Max. You… are everything. You don't even know."
Max's chest tightened at Chloe's words. She shyly lowered her gaze, searching for words, but then—instead of saying anything—she embraced Chloe.
Chloe gently placed her hands around Max's back. "Okay, that's enough before I get too sappy," she grinned. "But seriously, Max… last night? Top ten best nights of my life. And this morning. Easily top five."
Max smiled and felt her embarrassment giving way to genuine joy. "You're ranking our nights?"
"And mornings," Chloe added with a smirk. "Gotta keep track of our greatest hits." Then she winked at Max. "And I hope you'll keep adding to the collection."
Like being on a rollercoaster, Max blushed again and her heart started racing with anticipation. Chloe noticed and with soft laughter patted Max on her arm. "I love your enthusiasm, Max, but not right now. Our heads would straight-up murder us."
Max nodded, planted a quick kiss on Chloe's neck and settled back on her pillow—only to feel a dull pressure behind her eyes. She had to admit that Chloe was right. Even so, she wasn't tired and despite her hangover she felt the energy to do something, anything… as long as it didn't involve much movement.
"So, what are we doing then?" she asked, tucking her arm under her head.
"Nothing, I guess," Chloe said, shrugging. "Unless you're down for the ol' hair of the dog," she added with a grin.
Max shot her a look that could kill. "Yeah, no thanks. Hard pass."
Chloe chuckled and her grin widened. "Alright, fair enough. But for a first-timer, you're not doing half bad. Tell me, are you hungry?"
"I don't know, maybe?" Max answered, unsure about the state of her stomach. It definitely felt empty… but it also rebelled against the idea of eating any food.
"That's good enough for me," Chloe said cheerfully and sat up. "I'll whip up something to get you going."
"I can handle it," Max said, rising up from the bed but instantly regretting it as her head started pounding.
"Exactly my point," Chloe said with a triumphant grin as she bent down to retrieve her clothes from the floor, pulling them on. "I'm taking care of you and I'm not taking no for an answer, Max. I owe you so goddamn much, that I couldn't even pay it back in ten years… or ten lifetimes."
Max sank back into the bed with a resigned sigh. She really wanted to object, to tell Chloe that she didn't owe her anything. But she was honest with herself enough to know that if their roles were reversed, she would feel exactly the same as Chloe. They were in this together now—a team. A couple. And part of that meant learning when to give and when to accept.
"Fine," she said with a faint smile. "But only because my cooking sucks."
But then Max hesitated. The memory of Joyce and her cooking came flooding back and with it she felt her guilt threatening to resurface. Chloe must have noticed because she shot Max a reassuring smile. But the subtle clench of Chloe's jaw betrayed her own grief. And yet, her eyes showed only determination to push through, and Max relented, deciding not to call her out. She was grateful for Chloe's strength and wished she had even just half of that strength herself.
Max inhaled deeply, resolute to not leave everything on Chloe. "I think I'll go check my email," she said lightly, gesturing toward Chloe's laptop on her desk. "It's time I stop hogging your bed and do something useful."
Chloe looked tempted to protest, but then she shrugged. "Fine, suit yourself. But if you find anything… boring on there, it's your fault for trying to act responsible." She didn't need to say it aloud, but Max heard 'anything that would disturb you' in her tone. Chloe didn't elaborate and instead leaned down to pick Max's discarded T-shirt, throwing it to Max.
"You'll have to find the rest yourself," she said with a crooked smile. "Who knows where you tossed it, Mad Max." Then she left the room with a grin on her face, but Max could see her heavy inhale as she braced herself to face her memories and grief.
Max watched Chloe go and felt an odd mix of love and helplessness. She wanted to race after her, to hold her hand as she faced the memories of her mother. But something in Chloe's quiet determination told her to wait—to trust her strength and resilience.
As expected, she found a number of emails from the Academy, some from yesterday, others from earlier this morning. She opened them one by one.
The first email detailed temporary arrangements for dormitory students. Max skimmed it, knowing it didn't apply to her. She already had an "arrangement" of her own.
[The best one I could have hoped for.]
An almost tangible tug on her thoughts reminded her of Chloe's presence, and she felt her sending her a wave of fondness through their connection.
Returning to the email, she quickly scanned for the information she needed: personal belongings wouldn't be returned for up to a week. Max shrugged to herself. She could always go and buy the basic necessities. Chloe would undoubtedly share anything she had, but Max had her boundaries. The thought of sharing a toothbrush—or underwear—felt downright unnatural to her. She carefully kept these thoughts quiet, knowing Chloe would leap at the chance to tease her about it.
The next email concerned Blackwell's academic situation, and Max felt an overwhelming sense of relief. Classes weren't canceled; instead, the Academy would temporarily relocate to the Adam Prescott Elementary School in Aurora Creek. The timeframe was estimated at 4–8 weeks, during which students would be assigned self-study materials. Proper damage assessments of the Blackwell campus would take several more weeks, but administrators were optimistic that the school could reopen by the next academic year.
Max closed her eyes and deeply exhaled. She wasn't ready to give up on her life in Arcadia Bay—not yet. Preventing the storm remained her top priority (right after Chloe, who would always come first), but she found comfort in knowing her day-to-day life could continue here for now. Chloe would follow her to Seattle if necessary—Max was sure of that—but staying felt like the right call. She wasn't running away. Not this time.
A shadow of yesterday's depression surfaced, but she pushed it aside with surprising ease. Chloe had been right: a real distraction, one that lasted, helped more than she'd expected. And being with Chloe… it felt like being star-struck. The intimacy they had shared deepened her affection and made her feel stronger, more grounded.
Bolstered by that feeling, she steeled herself and opened the local news.
155 dead, 24 missing.
The letters blurred in her vision and she couldn't even read the rest of the text. Just the digits alone felt like a weight dragging her down. She thought she was ready for this, but she wasn't. Faces—real and imagined—flashed before her eyes. People she knew and people she might have met. How many of them had she passed on the streets or even greeted?
Her chest tightened as the weight of it pressed down on her.
[Because of me. Because Chloe lives.]
She sensed disapproval coming to her from Chloe and she drew a shaky breath, which made the pressure ease a bit. Yes, Chloe was alive and that mattered more than anything. Her presence was the anchor Max needed to face the future and fix what had gone so wrong.
She closed the laptop and looked at her hands. To her surprise they weren't trembling. She curled them into fists, then relaxed them again. Still no shaking. She finally felt something like hope. If she could hold herself together, she could work on a solution to stop the storm. But first, one final test.
She raised her hand and reached for her power. She was careful, triggering it cautiously… and the world started to rewind. It wasn't as smooth as it used to be, it felt sluggish, but it worked and the laptop's lid opened again. She stopped and relief flooded her as time resumed its normal flow.
[You need more than that to fix things,] she reminded herself. But she couldn't afford to act hastily again. She knew all too well where that led last time. That memory brought back her doubts. She quickly repressed them, but her feeling of hope remained weakened.
She closed the laptop for the second time and sat on the bed, reflecting on her emotions. Since the storm, her mood swings had become more erratic. The lows were deeper, the highs almost blinding in their intensity. But there was no true balance. She felt like a pendulum, swinging wildly from one extreme to the other, with nothing to center her. Something was missing—something she couldn't quite grasp—to hold her steady.
Chloe's face flashed in her mind, a reminder of what she had gained… of why she couldn't let herself break. Sure, Chloe was chaos wrapped in denim and defiance, a walking contradiction of sharp edges and caring warmth. She had survived storms of her own—she had been kicked down, abandoned and she had still come out swinging… but this storm was too fierce for Chloe to face alone. Chloe needed her strong, hopeful, ready to fight. But that hope felt fragile, like a fraying rope she clung to over an endless abyss.
[What if it snapped?]
[We'll figure this out, Max. Together.] Chloe's voice echoed in her mind, soft and reassuring. Like a lighthouse cutting through the storm in her head and Max held on to that.
But deep down, a small and traitorous part of her wondered if she was lying to herself. Could she bring them all back? Or was she just delaying the moment when she'd have to face the truth?
[No.] She shook her head, ignoring the pain it caused. The only way forward was hope—even if it was as fragile as an old photograph. She just had to hold on tighter, even if it burned her palms.
"No?" repeated Chloe, who was now standing in the doorway and her eyebrow was raised in question.
"I mean…" Max stammered. "It wasn't meant for you. I… I was just fighting off some doubts."
Chloe slowly shook her head in a disapproving gesture. "Déjà vu, much? I felt like I was making the bacon for the second time, and now I see it's just you, stuck on the same thoughts again."
"Can't help myself," Max admitted with a shrug. "I'm still sorting through it all. But unlike yesterday, I feel like I can finally face it without it crushing me."
"I can't stop you," Chloe replied with a softer tone, "but I want you to know I'm here. Anytime you need to talk." She held up the tray in her hands with a small smile. "Right now, though, it would be better for you to eat something before you get all introspective again."
The smell of eggs and bacon hit Max, and her stomach rumbled loudly. Chloe grinned and stepped into the room. "I couldn't find any avocado, so we've got eggs and bacon on toast instead. Oh, and I forgot to ask what you want to drink, so I'll just fetch—"
Chloe's words cut off as she stepped on the wine box obscured from her sight by the tray in her hands. Her eyes widened in surprise as her foot slipped, and she tumbled backward.
With a thud Chloe landed on her back; sending the food flying in all directions. Max jumped to her feet and instinctively raised her hand.
"Don't—" Chloe wheezed, her words breaking off as she struggled to pull in air.
Max felt the familiar invisible winds of time reversing and she saw Chloe lifting from the ground, as if pulled by invisible strings. The scattered food reversed its chaotic flight, landing orderly back on the tray. The wine box slid perfectly beneath her foot and regained its original shape. Then Chloe stepped backwards into the doorway, unharmed, and Max stopped the rewind.
"—rewind!" Chloe finished in a normal voice and her eyes widened in sudden realization.
Max froze and stared at her in shock. This wasn't supposed to happen. Chloe should have repeated her original lines.
"Max?" Chloe asked in a voice full of uncertainty and a touch of awe. "You… you just rewound, didn't you? I—holy crap—I did fall, right?"
Max slowly nodded. "How did you…?"
"I have no idea," Chloe exclaimed and then burst into laughter. "But it was amazing! It felt like sticking my head out of a car window, or…" she frowned. "Actually, it was kinda like when you jump through your photos and I follow you there."
Max's face brightened. "Of course! That makes so much sense. If your mind can follow me through time when I use photos, why not through simple rewinds?"
Chloe beamed at her and she crossed—no, she almost danced—to Max and placed the tray on the bed. Then she kissed Max's cheek and pulled her into a hug.
"You're really excited," Max observed with a soft smile.
"It's a big deal for me," Chloe said, pulling back but keeping her hands on Max's shoulders. "I don't mind you rewinding, and I'd never hold it against you, but it always felt like I was missing something. You learned from your mistakes, and I just… heard about them. You saved me, and I only knew because you told me. But now? I can remember it."
Chloe's eyes lit up, like a kid who just discovered a hidden level in their favorite game.
Max hesitated and her smile faded slightly. "Yeah, but… you know this cuts both ways, right? You'll remember the bad stuff too. You could even…" Her voice dropped. "You could remember your own death, Chloe. Remember that time on the train tracks? Imagine having a memory of you getting crushed by a train."
Chloe's expression darkened briefly, but she shrugged. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that. Still, I'd rather know. As they say, knowledge is power."
Max chuckled and sat down. "It totally is, Bacon."
"Yes, bacon," Chloe said with a teasing glint in her eye, handing Max a plate. "With eggs and toast."
Max laughed, but a knot formed in her stomach as a realization struck her. Chloe's mind could follow her through time… but what if it didn't come back with her to the present when the timeline changed? The idea was terrifying.
Max stared at Chloe, who was smiling and settling beside her. Even if she succeeded in saving everyone, the new reality might not include this Chloe. The life they were building together—even the little moments like this—could be lost.
The longer it would take Max to find a solution, the more different the "new" Chloe would be. Unless… Chloe's mind could travel with her back. But how could Max test that? Any experiment could risk losing her Chloe if she was wrong.
"Max?" Chloe's voice pulled her from her thoughts. She must have noticed the shadow on Max's face because she set her plate aside and watched her with concern.
Max forced a smile and shook her head. "I'm fine."
Chloe didn't press her, but the softness in her eyes spoke volumes. She didn't need to know the specifics to sense the weight on Max's mind. For now, she let it slide, giving Max the space she needed… But Max knew her too well. This moment wasn't over. Chloe would circle back to it, sooner or later.
Max reached for her plate and took a bite. Despite her unsettled insides, eating felt surprisingly easy. The flavors were simple and yet comforting, and she found herself chewing thoughtfully.
She glanced at Chloe who was already a few bites in, eating with her usual enthusiasm. Max wondered if Chloe had inherited her mom's talent for cooking. Sure, it wasn't gourmet, but there was something unmistakably satisfying about it. As if Chloe had carried a piece of her mom into the kitchen.
"You're doing that thing again," Chloe teased, breaking Max's train of thoughts.
"What thing?" Max asked with clear confusion in her face.
"That broody, head-in-the-clouds thing," Chloe said, pointing playfully at Max's head. "Not that I mind you thinking, but recently it usually ended up with you upset. Maybe we should get you out of here. Shift those gears for a bit."
Max raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Got something in mind?"
"Hell yeah," Chloe said, settling her toast back on the plate. "I was thinking we could visit Kate. I mean… She'd probably love some company and snacks that don't taste like regret. Hospital food is basically punishment for being sick, right?"
Max hesitated and chewed on a piece of bacon. "I don't know Chloe. I've already visited her once and I don't want to push too much too soon. She's been through a lot."
Chloe nodded slowly. "Yeah, I get that. I don't know Kate much, but… maybe she'd appreciate hearing what happened to Nathan and Jefferson. If she doesn't already know, it could give her some peace of mind. And if she does… I dunno, we could at least thank her for trying to help us with Nathan."
Max's face softened. "You're right. She helped us and the least we can do is to thank her in person. We can always call it quits early if she doesn't want company."
"Like… ninja-style thank-yous," Chloe said with a grin. "Drop the info, toss some good vibes and retreat before we overstay."
Max couldn't help but smile at Chloe's determination. She made it effortlessly sound like it's about Kate, but she was still doing this first and foremost for Max.
"Fine," she agreed. "But let's not overdo the ninja-ing. I want her to know we're there… and if she feels like it, we can stay for a while. In fact, I'd love to."
Chloe smiled at her and took another bite of her toast. Max followed her example and for a few moments they stayed silent, until Max spoke again.
"But we'll need to make some stops first," she said thoughtfully. "Since I can't get to my dorm room, I need some basic stuff—like a toothbrush, deodorant and, you know, actual underwear that isn't Chloe Price-approved."
Chloe snorted, almost choking on her bacon. "Max, I'm offended. Are you implying my boxers wouldn't look totally rad on you?"
Max gave her an unimpressed look. "I'm saying you better not even try to convince me to share."
"Relax, girl," Chloe said, holding her hands in a gesture of innocence. "I'm just keeping you on your toes."
Max rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Just remember: I don't need to rewind to make you pay for your terrible jokes."
Chloe smirked triumphantly. "Joke's on you, Caulfield. Your rewind tricks won't work on me anymore!"
Max blinked, caught off guard for a moment, then she chuckled. "You're way too proud of this, you know that?"
"Damn right I am," Chloe said with a grin. "Now, let's finish this and get moving. Shopping spree, then ninja-mode Kate visit. Best day incoming."
Max nodded and bit into her toast again. Chloe's energy was infectious and Max was in fact looking forward to doing something productive. Even if it was just shopping and visiting friends…
The store was surprisingly calm, given that a tornado had torn through the town barely two days ago. Max had expected a chaotic mess of people stocking up, but instead the atmosphere was oddly subdued.
She was even more surprised at Chloe's behavior—especially when Max was picking out clothes. Max had prepared herself for Chloe's usual snarky comments about her fashion choices or teasing her over underwear options. But instead, Chloe just hovered nearby and cracked only the occasional lighthearted joke that didn't cross any lines. Like when she said "Pick one, Hipster, or we'll be here all day," when Max debated herself for five minutes between two brands of toothpaste.
As they wandered through the snack aisle, Chloe grabbed a pack of Oreos and tossed it into the cart with an easy grin. She then nodded toward a shelf of cookies, and Max picked out a box for Kate, appreciating the thoughtful suggestion. Chloe didn't comment further, but the casual gesture made Max smile. Somehow, even something as simple as picking out snacks felt lighter with Chloe there.
When they reached the register, Chloe pulled out cash and slapped it down before Max could even reach for her wallet. "Chloe, seriously, I can—" Max started, only for Chloe to cut her off.
"Nope, guest rules," Chloe said firmly and folded her arms. "My place, my treat. Just deal with it, Max. You can buy us lunch or something if it really bugs you."
Max sighed and shook her head, but she couldn't help but smile at Chloe's stubborn determination to make their new life together as smooth as possible.
The road to the hospital led them away from the worst-hit parts of town, and Max felt a wave of relief at the sight of intact streets and undisturbed homes. She wasn't ready to face the wreckage yet… not the physical destruction nor the memories it would unearth.
When they arrived, Chloe didn't even hesitate, unlike their first visit where she had confessed her dislike of hospitals. Max didn't bring it up and just added it to the steadily growing list of things Chloe was doing for her. She knew why Chloe was doing it and decided to find ways to pay it back.
Max knew why. Chloe thought she owed her for the impossible choice Max had made, picking her over the town, over everyone else. Max understood that guilt, but it made her uneasy. She didn't want to be someone Chloe felt indebted to. She wanted to feel like an equal partner, not a deity to be worshiped or a cause to be repaid. Chloe's gestures were heartfelt, but Max felt a growing need to balance the scales. She wasn't sure how yet, but she should figure it out. It wasn't just about giving back—it was about reminding Chloe they were in this together, side by side, as they always had been.
[At least she still calls me a dork every five minutes. That's better than being treated like some untouchable deity.]
Chloe shot her a cheeky grin as they walked the hospital hallways. "You're my dork, that's the truth. Worship's way overrated—I'd rather have someone I can actually beat at video games without getting struck by lightning or locusts."
Max smirked. "I don't need locusts. All I have to do is unleash you." Chloe frowned in mock outrage and Max grinned at the reaction. "Don't worry, there's still the frogs and rivers of blood. But I'll save those for someone else."
Chloe shook her head but didn't continue the exchange as they neared Kate's room… only to find it empty. Chloe looked confused, but Max already knew where Kate would be. Without hesitation, she asked for Victoria Chase's room.
Max felt a sudden wave of disapproval radiating from Chloe, but she remained silent. Max knew Chloe's opinion of Victoria was low, but Max couldn't help but wonder if Chloe also disapproved of Kate visiting one of her bullies. The thing was, Chloe didn't know Kate as well as Max did. If Kate trusted herself to visit Victoria, so would Max. After all, Kate was the kind of person who would pay forward the care others had shown her—no matter who it was to.
When they found Victoria's room, Chloe separated from her as if to wait outside.
[C'mon, just come inside with me,] Max thought and frowned at her.
[Not sure I wanna create a powder keg.]
[It'll be fine. Just don't be yourself for five minutes, okay? And I really want you to meet Kate anyway.]
[Alright, alright. But if Chase starts her usual superiority act, I'm out faster than you can say 'Vortex Club'.]
Max nodded and without a word gestured towards the door. She knocked and entered.
The room looked just like Kate's—get-well-soon balloons and cards nearly identical to the ones in her room. Max might have believed they had walked into Kate's room if it weren't for the short-haired girl in the bed, with Kate sitting nearby in the chair.
Kate was the first to notice them and her face lit up. "Max!" she exclaimed with a broad smile.
"Hi, Kate," Max greeted warmly. Then she turned to Victoria. "And hi, Victoria," she added with a smile, trying to ease any tensions. Victoria nodded in acknowledgment with a polite but distant expression. Her usual air of confidence seemed muted, replaced by something raw and uncertain.
Kate glanced at Chloe. "You must be Chloe," she remarked with a friendly smile. "I… I was expecting someone more like Max. You're so… different." She chuckled nervously and for a moment lowered her gaze, as if she was afraid she offended Chloe somehow.
Chloe blinked in surprise but managed to put on a grin. "Hello, Kate. I guess I don't always meet expectations."
Max noticed a subtle shift in Victoria's posture as she looked at Chloe. Victoria's gaze met Chloe's and the air thickened for a moment before she said, "Price."
"Chase," Chloe answered with a cold tone.
Max felt the urge to elbow Chloe in the ribs, but Kate had already stepped in.
"Victoria, please," Kate said, drawing Victoria's attention. "She's here with Max. And also… Chloe is Mr. Madsen's stepdaughter."
Victoria's eyes widened with surprise. And she wasn't the only one, Chloe was clearly caught off guard by the mention of her stepfather. The room seemed to hold its breath in awkward silence until Max decided to cut through it.
"And you don't mind, Kate?" Max asked hesitantly. "I mean… how do you know?"
Kate shuddered and looked to the side. "He visited me when they brought Victoria here. He… apologized to me, for everything. He said he should have seen me as a victim, not just another suspect." Kate looked at Chloe. "He talked about you a lot, too, Chloe. He said he simply doesn't understand girls our age but that… he's trying. And he told me how you two helped him catch Jefferson."
Victoria stiffened, her expression shifting into disbelief as her eyes darted to Max. "What is she talking about?"
"I'm not sure if—" Max said with caution but Victoria cut her off.
"Tell me," Victoria demanded, but then her voice softened. "Please? I need to know."
Max glanced at Kate who nodded in encouragement. Max took a deep breath and began. "Chloe and I were looking into Rachel's disappearance. After a few days, we connected the clues and found the Dark Room ourselves."
Victoria flinched at hearing the name and Kate took her hand in a comforting gesture.
"There we discovered photos of Kate, Rachel… and other girls. It led us to Rachel's—" Max stopped herself. Bringing up Rachel's death felt too cruel, especially when Victoria had almost shared the same fate. "We found out what happened to Rachel and who did it."
Victoria's face twisted with disgust as she stared at Max. "I know Rachel's dead. And that Nathan killed her. Jeff— that psychopat told me." Then her expression changed into a conflicted one. "Max, he wanted you. He wouldn't stop raving about you, about how he couldn't get to you. And I…" She faltered, covering her face with her hands. "I was so scared I wished it had been you there instead of me."
Max felt Chloe stiffen beside her. Without thinking, Max reached for her hand, squeezing it tightly.
[It's okay,] she sent a thought to Chloe. Slowly, Chloe relaxed.
Max stepped closer to Victoria's bed. "I don't blame you, Victoria. It must have been awful. I can't even imagine how I would've felt," she said, though she knew it wasn't entirely true.
Victoria lowered her hands and looked at Max with an expression of shame. "No, Max. I'm lying—to you and myself, again. Even in that horrible moment, I was jealous of you. I couldn't stop thinking about how I was just… a substitute. What does that make me, Max?"
Max opened her mouth but struggled to find the right words. Before she could answer, Kate spoke up with a calm voice.
"Remember what we talked about, Victoria," Kate said softly. "It's not wrong to feel ashamed of the things we've done—or even the thoughts we've had. What matters is that you see it now. That you're willing to turn away from it, making you a better person. 'Forgive, and you will be forgiven.' And that includes forgiving yourself, too."
Max moved even closer to Victoria. "If Kate can forgive you, then so can I," she said with an earnest tone. "I know we've had our differences, but I don't hold that against you. Not after everything you've been through."
Victoria looked down, clearly unsure how to process all that support and understanding. To Max, it was obvious that Victoria had always seen life as a battle to stay on top. Opening up wasn't in her nature, it meant exposing her vulnerabilities. And the old Victoria had been someone who preyed on the vulnerabilities of others to maintain her position. Even now, Max suspected that Victoria expected her—or Chloe—to seize the moment and tear into her for what she had just admitted.
In some ways, Victoria reminded Max of Chloe. Both had built tough shells to guard against a world that could hurt them. But while Chloe had been searching for support and connection, Victoria had rejected that completely. For her, control had been the only source of comfort, but staying on top required constant effort to maintain. Now, that illusion was falling apart. For the first time, Victoria wasn't in control, and to her surprise no one in this room saw her as lesser because of it.
Victoria glanced at Max and Kate, then shifted her gaze to Chloe, who stood quietly with her arms crossed but no longer looking hostile. Victoria hesitated before speaking with a trembling voice.
"I'm… sorry. For what happened to Rachel," Victoria said quietly. "And for not seeing who Nathan really was. I was blinded by jealousy and now I'm paying for that." She swallowed hard and she finally met Chloe's eyes. "I know it's late for her, but I'm sorry… Chloe."
Max felt the emotional turmoil inside Chloe, caught off guard by the sincerity in Victoria's tone—and by being addressed by her first name. Max knew the bad blood between them when it came to Rachel, and it was no surprise that Chloe looked shaken by Victoria's apology.
Chloe silently nodded in acknowledgement.
"And Max…" Victorie shifted her gaze back to her. "I was right to envy you. Not just because you're a better photographer. You were actually working to catch a killer while I was just… partying."
"Don't doubt yourself over everything, Victoria," Kate reassured her. "You won the contest."
Victoria flinched at the mention of the contest and blinked, as if to fight back tears. "Only because Max didn't enter her photo."
Max smiled and waved her hand dismissively. "You know me, it was just a stupid selfie."
Victoria stared at her with an odd expression of self-loathing. "But you can make even selfies work. You would have won. And instead of caring about some dumb contest, you two saved my life. Me? I…" her voice cracked and her trembling hands clenched the blanket like it was the only thing holding her together. And to Max's surprise, Victoria started crying. "I just got… my parents killed."
Max's jaw dropped. For a moment, the words didn't even register, so sudden and out of left field they were.
Chloe was the first to react, stepping closer to Max and resting her hands on her shoulders in an unexpected protective gesture. Meanwhile, Victoria buried her face in her hands and started sobbing uncontrollably.
"The storm?" Chloe asked Kate quietly. Kate nodded with a sober expression.
The realization hit Max like a gut punch and her legs grew shaky beneath her. Only Chloe's steadying grip kept her from losing balance. Chloe held her firmly, as if refusing to let Max's guilt show, even though Max felt it flooding her. Not just guilt over adding two more names to the list of people she had sacrificed for Chloe—but guilt over Victoria blaming herself when the fault truly lay with Max.
Max opened her mouth. She wanted to say she was sorry, to tell Victoria to blame her instead. To promise she would do anything to bring Victoria's parents back. But she said nothing. She knew Victoria would see them as nothing more than hollow reassurances, not without learning about Max's powers first. But it was unbearable to watch her struggle with misplaced guilt. At least Chloe understood her mother's death and Max's choice. Victoria didn't know the truth—and she couldn't.
"You can't blame yourself for some fucking storm," Chloe said firmly. Kate's expression betrayed that she had already told Victoria the same before. "Nobody can be blamed for that."
Max flinched. The last part was a lie, but Chloe delivered it with conviction, almost as if she believed it.
"I… I brought them here," Victoria said between her sobs. "I was so sure I would win the contest. I invited them to be here. And they came…"
"Stop, please," Kate said softly and gave Victoria a hug. "You couldn't have known what would happen, Victoria. You invited them because you wanted to share something important with them. That wasn't wrong."
Victoria's sobs quieted for a moment, but then she drew in a shaky breath and continued falling even deeper into her grief. Her cries became rawer, and it was clear she wasn't in a state to hear anything more.
Kate looked up at Max and Chloe with empathy in her expression. "I think it's best if you go for now," she said softly. "She needs time before she can start listening again. I'll stay with her."
Max hesitated, still feeling the guilt, but Chloe gave her arm a gentle tug. Reluctantly, she followed as Kate escorted them out. To her surprise, Kate didn't stay inside but stepped out with them, letting the door close behind her with a soft click.
Chloe dropped into a nearby seat, looking thoughtful, while Max turned to Kate. "Kate… how are you holding up?"
Kate offered a small, tired smile. "I'm okay, Max. Really. I've had time to process everything. It made me question my faith at first, but in the end, it has helped me lean on it even more. And I've realized how much people care about me. That's what I want to focus on now—paying it forward."
Her smile vanished as she looked back towards Victoria's door. "But Victoria… she is just starting to face all of this. She almost died, only to find out her parents didn't survive. What I went through doesn't compare to what she's dealing with now. All I can do for her is to give her some space and be there when she's ready."
Max nodded slowly and then—as if she remembered something—reached into her bag. "Speaking of giving Victoria something," she said, pulling out a small box of cookies. "It's not much, but maybe it'll remind her that we're thinking of her—even after everything that happened between us."
Kate smiled and a hint of amusement appeared in her eyes. Max didn't fool her. It was clear Kate had guessed those cookies weren't originally meant for Victoria.
Max shifted her weight and spoke hesitantly. "And Kate… are you really okay staying with Victoria? After everything that has happened between you two?"
Kate nodded with a faint smile. "I don't mind, Max. I've had a lot of time to think about it. All the things Victoria did to me… I see now they came from a hurting soul, from someone under too much pressure. She was trying too hard to hold it all together, and now…" Kate sighed. "Now with her parents gone and her so-called friends turning their backs on her, she has no one."
Max felt another pang of guilt in her chest, but before she could say anything, Kate continued. "You gave me a second chance, Max. You reached out to me when I felt like I had nothing left. Now it's my turn to give Victoria the same chance. I can be there for her when she needs a friend." Kate smiled warmly and tilted her head towards Chloe. "Just like Chloe is there for you… even though she scares me a bit."
Chloe smirked. "Relax, Kate. I'm not some biblical plague or anything, okay? Even if Max did compare me to locusts earlier."
Max was afraid that Chloe pushed the joke too far, but Kate only chuckled softly. "I can see why you like her, Max."
Max smiled with relief, but then her expression sobered. "Why do you think I need Chloe?"
Kate's smile almost disappeared as she looked at Max. "Because I can see there's something weighing on you. I'd offer to talk, but it's obvious I don't need to. You have Chloe, and it's clear she cares about you and loves you."
Max and Chloe blinked and exchanged sideways glances.
[Are we that obvious?] Max heard Chloe in her head.
[Kate is pretty sharp when it comes to feelings. That's why the bullying hit her so hard.]
"You… you know?" Max stammered after a deep inhale.
"Of course," Kate said with a small grin. "I didn't even need to remember you talking about your childhood friend Chloe. One look at you two was enough. She's the kind of friend who would walk through the seven gates of Hell for you."
"Yes, she's an amazing friend," Max said, trying to hide her relief. "I'm just surprised you so quickly approved of someone who looks like she's already been through every gate of Hell."
Chloe scoffed lightly before Kate could respond. "Oh, I've been through Hell, all right. Just not the one in your book, Kate."
Chloe's tone was casual, but her words carried a weight that even a joke couldn't hide. Kate looked at her with compassion. "I'm sorry to hear that. We all face our tests… and not everyone comes through them unscarred." She smiled as she turned to Max. "That's why I'm so glad you two have each other. And I want to be that for Victoria."
Max put her hand gently on Kate's shoulder. "And who will be there for you?" she asked with concern in her voice.
Kate beamed a sincere smile. "You already are. All of you. You've shown me that."
Max nodded. "We'll always be here for you, Kate. Just… don't forget to take care of yourself too, okay?"
Kate smiled gently and briefly rested her hand on Max's. "I won't, I promise. But right now Victoria needs someone and I don't want to leave her alone." She glanced back towards the door. "You two take care of each other too, all right?"
Chloe gave her a crooked grin and spoke before Max could say anything. "Always do."
Kate smiled widely before she turned and quietly stepped back inside.
"See?" Chloe exclaimed when the door closed. "You're not the only one who's stubborn about helping people."
Max kept quiet as they walked through the sterile hallways of the hospital. Chloe made an effort to lighten the mood, tossing out a few sarcastic comments about the hospital's dull decor and joking about stealing a wheelchair for a quick getaway. But Max didn't respond, her silence was like a thick wall that Chloe couldn't crack.
When they finally made it to the car, Max slid into the passenger seat without a word. Her movements were almost mechanical and Chloe shot her a long, worried glance as she started the engine. They pulled out of the parking lot and the hospital began shrinking into the distance behind them. After a few moments of silence, Chloe spoke up.
"Will you talk to me, Max?" she asked quietly, without any edge or humor in her voice.
Max turned her head and met Chloe's eyes with a bleak expression. For a moment it looked like she might say something, but then she turned back to the window and gazed into the distance. She pulled back like a turtle into its shell, leaving everything—even Chloe—on the outside.
Max blocked off any thoughts and focused on the scenery sliding past. Trees, cars, houses, people… it all blurred into a colorful cacophony that rolled by. She didn't look at any particular object, just like her mind refused to confront any particular emotion.
Then the scenery stopped moving as Chloe pulled the car to the curb. Max blinked, momentarily disoriented, and glanced around. There was no reason for them to stop here… except for Max herself.
Chloe leaned back in her seat, one hand on the wheel, and her gaze fixed on Max. "Alright, Max," she began with a calm voice but it carried a hint of firmness. "What's going on in that big brain of yours? Because you're way too quiet, even for you."
Max looked down on her hands in her lap and didn't respond.
Chloe sighed and shifted to face her. "Look. I know what this is about. Victoria's parents and the whole freaking storm. You're blaming yourself for all of it again, aren't you?"
Max flinched and her hands tightening into fists. "Chloe, don't—"
"Don't what? Don't say it out loud? Don't point out the obvious?" Chloe interrupted her with frustration in her voice. "And don't try to tell me you're fine. You're obviously thriving. That's why you look like you're about to crumble into a pile of self-loathing dust any second now. I can see it is eating you alive, and it's gotta stop."
Max lowered her head, but kept silent.
Chloe's frustration finally boiled over. "Damn it, Max! You think I don't notice? You think I don't see how you're tearing yourself up inside? Yeah, the storm happened. Yeah, it wrecked a lot of lives. But it wasn't your fucking fault. You didn't choose to hurt anyone. And for the love of everything unholy, you didn't choose for her parents to be in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Max finally looked at Chloe and her face was pale. "I just… I don't even know where to start. How to start."
Chloe leaned in and gave Max a stern look. "So let's cut the crap. Do you want me dead, Max?"
The words hit like a physical blow. Max flinched and her face froze in shock. "W-what? No! Of course not!"
"Then why are you acting like you made the wrong choice?" Chloe pressed and raised her voice. "I'm here, Max. I'm alive because of you. And yeah, I know there's a price to that. But the alternative is me being six feet under."
"I don't want that!" Max shot back with a trembling voice. "I just don't know… how to stop feeling like this, Chloe. Like I don't deserve to be happy after everything I've done."
Chloe's expression softened, though the frustration didn't entirely leave her. "Max… you're not some evil mastermind who ruined Arcadia Bay with a cackle and a death ray. You didn't choose to do something bad. You chose to save someone you love. And yeah, that's messy, but it's not wrong."
Max shook her head and tears appeared in her eyes. "It's not that simple. It'll never be that simple. I thought… I thought I could fix it. That if I tried hard enough, rewound far enough, made the right choices, I could stop the storm. Save everyone. But I can't even trust myself to do that. And now that hope that kept me going is… gone."
Chloe leaned back in her seat and frowned. "Hope?" she said bitterly. "Honestly, Max, that wasn't hope. That was just wishful thinking at best. You thought you could outsmart a freaking natural disaster like you were playing a video game. And yeah, I wanted to believe it too, because hell, who wouldn't? But you don't know if you can stop the storm. Maybe you'll never know that. And the sooner you stop living in denial, the better."
Max opened her mouth to respond but faltered. Finally, she whispered, "Without that hope… I can't see a way forward, Chloe. I don't see anything ahead."
Chloe sighed, took off her beanie and ran a hand through her hair. For a moment, the only sound was the faint hum of passing cars. Then she turned back to Max and spoke with a quiet but determined voice. "Okay, then let's stop pretending we can just keep doing this."
Max blinked at her in confusion. "Doing what?"
"This," Chloe said and gestured vaguely. "Staying here while you drown in guilt, waiting for some magical epiphany to pull you out of it. If you can't handle the memories, if Arcadia Bay is too much, then we leave. Right now."
"What?" Max's voice sounded as if Chloe had just said something insane.
Chloe pointed down the road. "There's a traffic light up ahead. We hit it, we turn right, and we get the hell out of here. Just you and me. We don't look back, we don't explain ourselves to anyone. We'll figure it out as we go. If staying here is crushing you, Max, then we don't stay. What do you say?"
Max stared at Chloe as the words sank in. The idea was overwhelming and terrifying—and yet there was something strangely liberating in the way Chloe said it.
Max's eyes moved from Chloe to the road ahead. "Would you really… leave everything behind?" she whispered. "Just for me?"
Chloe's expression softened and she leaned back against her seat. "Max, you're not asking me to leave anything. Everything I care about is sitting right here in this car. The rest? It's just crap. My stuff? Half of it I don't even want because it brings up memories I'd rather forget. This town? It hasn't exactly been a beacon of happiness in my life."
She paused and her grip on the wheel tightened. "There's nothing for me here. The only good thing about Arcadia right now is you. And yeah, I know it's ironic, but you'd be leaving more behind than I would. Your school, your friends, your memories that haven't been tainted like mine… But me?" Chloe shook her head with a bitter laugh. "I'd be leaving a pile of broken dreams. So yeah, I'd go. In a heartbeat. Anywhere, as long as you're with me."
Max looked down, touched by that admission. For a few moments she played with her fingers, until she eventually shook her head. "I don't think I can just run away, Chloe. Not like that."
"Why not?" Chloe asked and tilted her head as she studied Max.
Max refused to meet Chloe's gaze and kept looking at her hands. "I can't leave, Chloe. I want to—god, do I want to start a new life with just you—but I can't. This guilt… yes, it's crushing me, but I fear it won't go away that easily. If I run away, it will just get heavier. It will feel like giving up. Like I'm abandoning everyone here who's trying to piece their lives back together after the storm—my storm."
She glanced out of the window. "Even if I can't stop the storm, there are still people I can help. Not just friends like Kate, but people like Victoria… or David. I feel like they need me. Or maybe I need them, just to feel like I'm doing something good for someone, even if I can't fix anything else. I don't know… Maybe staying is my way of punishing myself. Or maybe it's because I think I can still make a difference. Either way, I just… I can't leave. Not yet."
Max turned back to Chloe and her swollen eyes were pleading for understanding. "And honestly? I'm scared, Chloe. Scared of what's out there waiting for us. I know I should trust you, and I do, but... what if we leave and it just gets worse? What if I don't know who I am without this town, even with all the pain it brings?"
Chloe took Max's hand and put on a reassuring smile. "I understand, Max. It was my suggestion to help you. If staying here feels right to you, I won't argue." She squeezed Max's hand. "But you've gotta work on it. You need to confront your fears and guilt. I'm no shrink, so take this with a grain of salt… but we can't just get frisky every time some of your trauma bubbles up. Not that I'd complain under other circumstances," she added with a cheeky smirk, making Max blush despite herself.
"What I mean is," Chloe continued with a firm tone, "if you want to stay, you've gotta trust me. When I see something's bothering you and I ask, you're gonna talk to me. If I see you slipping into that dark place again, you can't fight me when I try to pull you out. Are we clear?"
Max gazed at her, surprised at the bluntness, and then nodded. "Good," Chloe said with a satisfied smile. "Because you know what keeps me going?"
Max had a clear idea what Chloe was hinting at, but she needed to hear it anyway, so she simply shook her head.
"You, Max," Chloe said and jabbed her index finger gently into Max's chest. "Taking care of you helps me deal with my own guilt. Maybe you see it as me repaying my debt or whatever—doesn't matter. All that matters is you… Because if you crumble, I might crumble too. And I'm scared of what happens if we both hit rock bottom at the same time."
Max conjured a faint smile. "I think I can do that—be more open, I mean. I'm just… not used to talking about my feelings. But I'll try."
"That's what soulmates are for," Chloe said with a wide smile. "So, final decision—are we staying in Bigfootville?"
Max smirked lightly and nodded. "Yeah. I've barely moved in with you anyway. I need to leave my mark before I move away again."
"Totally," Chloe laughed. "But I've got an idea before we just head straight home."
Max raised an eyebrow.
"Lunch first," Chloe explained. "Then, we find a nice, secluded spot to test our powers."
Max opened her mouth to object, but Chloe cut her off with a raised hand. "I know, I know—'not a toy,' yadda yadda. But we're not messing around with your—our—powers this time. We're exploring them. You just said you don't trust yourself anymore. This is your chance to change that. Build some confidence back. And if the storm still worries you, we can snap a quick photo so future-you can stop us if needed."
Max considered it for a moment. "Alright, fine," she said thoughtfully. "You're right—I'm not giving up on stopping the storm, even if it feels impossible right now. So that just leaves one question."
"And that is?" Chloe inquired.
"What's for lunch?" Max said with a sly smirk. "I'm thinking… crab."
"Oh-ho!" Chloe laughed, clearly pleased with Max's lightened mood. "Someone's gotten a taste for fancy food."
Max rolled her eyes, smirking at Chloe's laughter. "Fancy? It's crab, Chloe, not caviar. You know it's a local specialty—totally down-to-earth." She paused and her smile softened. "And, you know… I've got nothing against local and special. Pretty sure my favorite person fits that description perfectly."
"Nice save, Caulfield," Chloe grinned and started the car. "But that doesn't mean I won't talk you into a burrito instead."