Max was just finishing her burrito when her phone chimed with a new message. Chloe looked away from the road ahead and gave her a curious glance. Max shrugged and kept chewing.
Chloe was driving them to a place she claimed was too secret to reveal in advance. According to her, it was 'the best place in the world to hide a couple of superpowered girls'. It couldn't have been the junkyard, because they had already left it far behind. Wherever Chloe was taking them, it was remote.
Max crumpled the burrito wrapper and shoved it into her pocket before reaching for her phone. When she saw the sender's name, a small smile spread across her face.
"It's Kate," she said, but then she read the first message. "...actually, no."
"So, who is it? The Holy Spirit?" Chloe quipped.
Max nudged her playfully and read aloud:
Hello, Max. It's Victoria
Thank you for dropping by
And for the cookies
I know you were here for Kate but thanks anyway
If you ever come again I'd welcome the company
Even Chloe
Take care
And take a selfie for me
"Even Chloe," Chloe repeated and scoffed.
Max frowned. "Oh, c'mon. She's trying."
"Yeah, and I'm sorry for her," Chloe said and briefly looked at Max. "I really am… But I can't just bury the hatchet on a whim."
"I know she's not your favorite person, but—"
Chloe smirked unhappily. "That's the understatement of the century. You know what she is to me? It rhymes with 'beach'."
Max inhaled sharply but Chloe continued. "I can't just erase years of her trashing Rachel and badmouthing her every chance she got. Don't think I didn't notice it was her vandalizing my 'missing person' posters, either."
Chloe threw up one hand in frustration. "So, excuse me if I'm not rolling out the red carpet. Yeah, she's been through hell, and I hope it changes her for the better… but it's gonna take a long time before I can ever be glad to see her. If that's even possible."
Max sighed and stashed away her phone. "No one's asking you to become her BFF, Chloe. Just… be nice. She's offering an olive branch—you don't have to burn it. You were really good with her last time."
"Yeah, because I know how crappy it is to lose your folks," Chloe shrugged. "Still won't change my opinion on her. Not until I see that she means it."
"Well, you can't see she has changed if you keep avoiding her," Max pointed out with a faint smile.
Chloe looked at Max and snorted. "Outsmarted by Max Caulfield again. Fine, if you go, I'll go. But don't expect me to visit her solo—not unless you wanna see a catfight," she smirked.
"Duly noted," Max replied with a grin.
Chloe hesitated, then added, "But if she pulls any of her old crap, I'm out. No second chances for that."
Max nodded. "Fair enough. But you might be surprised. People can change, Chloe. Even Victoria."
Chloe gave her a sidelong glance. "We'll see, Max. We'll see."
As they drove further and further away from the town, they exchanged several jokes regarding the neverending woods around them—particularly about bears and about 'bear patrol'.
When they ran out of jokes, they travelled in a comfortable silence. Until Chloe, almost absent-mindedly, started humming a melody.
"If you need music, I can just put my phone on loud," Max suggested.
"Nah, I'm good," Chloe answered, drumming her fingers on the steering wheel. "I was thinking about getting some Bluetooth speakers for this thing, but, you know—broke life."
"Bluetooth?" Max wondered. "Wired is way better."
Chloe grinned. "Of course you'd say that, retro geek. Join the wireless revolution, Max!"
Max smirked. "I've resisted the digital revolution so far. Pretty sure I'll survive skipping this one too."
"Never change, analog queen," Chloe said with a laugh, reaching over and ruffling Max's hair.
"Ugh, stop doing that," Max complained as she brushed her hair back into place. "You're lucky yours is too short to mess up."
Chloe shot her a playful smile. "You've got about five minutes left to think of some revenge before we get there."
"Finally," Max muttered. "I was starting to think you kidnapped me from Arcadia Bay or something."
Chloe chuckled. "Kidnap a time traveller? I'm not that stupid. Besides, this time traveller is already mine," she added with a wink.
Chloe's car came to stop and Max glanced out of the window. They were no longer surrounded by the unending stretches of woodland. This place felt different. The ground beneath them was still rugged and uneven, but it was no longer the untamed forest. It had been shaped by human hands. Old, crumbling structures stood half-erect, and rusted machinery littered the area, all abandoned long ago, left to decay.
Overgrown piles of dirt were scattered across the area, almost swallowed by grass and bushes, as if nature had decided to take back what once belonged to it. Not so far away, a railroad track snaked its way through the yard, barely visible under autumn leaves.
Max opened her door and stepped out. She inhaled deeply and sensed the cool, crisp air. It carried a scent of damp wood and earth. It wasn't quite like the fresh, green smell of the forest—this had an edge of something metallic. It felt both old and alive at the same time. The line 'This forest is old. Very old. Full of memory…' came to her mind. Only there was no anger here, only calm.
The quiet was eerie, almost suffocating, only interrupted by the occasional creak of metal. She slowly exhaled and absorbed the history of this place. For a moment she could almost hear the echoes of the past activity of the place, whatever it was. She looked around again and knew there was something right about this place. With only a small difference, it could have felt depressing, like an post-apocalyptic image, but instead it felt… like healing. Max immediately felt a connection to the place and recognised why Chloe liked it here.
"Where are we?" Max asked when she stopped her mind from wandering.
Chloe smiled. "You've been to the World of Rust," she said and spread her arms wide. "Now welcome to the World of Coal… and Rust."
Max frowned for a moment, then the pieces clicked together. Industrial machinery, piles of something, the tracks… "Oh, this was a coal mine?" she asked with surprise.
"Not exactly a mine. More like something to process coal or maybe a depot," Chloe clarified. "Kind of a skeleton now, though."
Max stared at the remnants of what once was an industrial site. Nature has transformed it into something unrecognizable—the man-made structures and the wild blended together so seamlessly that Max almost forgot this was once a place that processed nature.
"Looks like nature's been working overtime," Max said quietly, her eyes tracing the vines creeping through rusted.
Chloe leaned casually against the hood of the truck, crossed her arms, and watched Max with a crooked grin. When Max looked at her, she tilted her head towards the scene, raising her eyebrows expectantly.
"What?" Max asked, still overwhelmed by the surreal beauty of the place.
Chloe shrugged a little and her grin widened. "Don't tell me you're out of film, Caulfield."
Max's eyes lit up, finally realizing it. "Oh God, I wasn't even thinking!" She reached for her camera and pulled it out of her bag in a hurry. "This place is perfect," she murmured, while already framing her first shot.
Chloe stayed where she was and watched Max dart between objects and scenes. With pride in her face she quietly enjoyed Max's enthusiasm, the way her girlfriend came alive behind the lens of her camera.
"You're such a nerd," Chloe muttered affectionately, too quiet for Max to hear.
Max's last shot was Chloe herself—still leaning on the hood of her truck, a pack of cigarettes in her hand and her expression caught somewhere between thoughtful and conflicted. It was as if she were debating whether lighting up would ruin the serenity of this place.
The click of the camera drew Chloe's attention, and she glanced up with a playful smile. "I'm disappointed you didn't ask me to undress."
"Maybe next time," Max quipped as she carefully stashed her camera away.
"Promise?" Chloe teased and pushed off the truck to follow Max.
"I have to save a few surprises," Max grinned. "Now tell me, how did you even find a place like this?"
Chloe's face darkened for a fleeting moment and Max instantly regretted asking. Chloe waved it off, brushing aside any concern.
"It was after I had my first big fight with David," Chloe explained and her gaze grew distant as she recalled the memory. "Like, the big big fight. The one where he hit me for the first time. I was so angry and scared that I just grabbed my backpack and ran. Didn't even take my phone. Part of me wanted to leave and never come back."
She sighed and continued. "I followed the tracks out of town for hours, just walking. I didn't stop and I didn't care where I ended up. Eventually, I spotted an overgrown side track and thought, why not? It led me here. Back then, more of this place was still standing, but it was already a wreck. The buildings were falling apart—real death traps. But I... I don't know. I liked it here. Enough that I stayed for the night. It was too late to head back anyway."
She looked at Max. "The next morning I decided to go back. It took me half a day to get there, and when I came home, mom was just relieved I wasn't dead. Even David seemed sorry. He apologized for hitting me... though that was the last time he ever did."
She shrugged. "After that, this place became my Fortress of Solitude. Somewhere I could go when I really needed to process my lonely existence."
"And now here I am," Max said with a warm smile. "The first outsider in Chloe's Lost Eden."
Chloe smiled back. "Something tells me I won't need it anymore."
Max tilted her head and her smile softened as she looked at Chloe. "You say that now, but there'll be times when we fight. That's just… life, you know?"
Chloe frowned slightly, then shrugged, stuffing her hands into her pockets. "Yeah, I know. I mean, it's not like I expect us to be a fairy tale. But…" She hesitated, then looked Max in the eyes. "Look, if I ever get worked up, it's not your fault, okay? That's on me. And for the record—" her voice dropped—"I'm not David. I'd never hit you, Max. Not even in my darkest mood. Never."
Max's mind flashed briefly to the patched scratch marks on her side. She reminded herself that Chloe had caused them in grief and pain, not anger.
"I believe you, Chloe," Max said. "But you know it's not just about physical stuff. Even if we would never go there, we could still have bad fights. Like, things that really hurt, even without fists."
Chloe's lips pressed together. Then she sighed and nodded. "Yeah… yeah, I get that. I can't promise I won't say dumb stuff when I'm heated, but I'll do my best to keep it together. And if I ever cross a line—" she looked up, her eyes full of quiet determination, "—just tell me, okay? Call me out, Max. I'll listen."
Max gave her a sincere smile. "Deal. And the same goes for me. If I ever say something that cuts too deep, let me know."
"Got it", Chloe said with a small smirk. "But let's be real, you're gonna be the reasonable one. I'm the one with the baggage." She gave a soft, self-deprecating laugh. "I mean, I can't even picture you lashing out."
Max's expression turned thoughtful. "You'd be surprised. Injustice sets me off faster than you'd think." Her face softened with an almost apologetic look. "So, if you're ever unfair to me, don't be shocked if Pandora's box opens."
Max glanced around the overgrown yard. Something about this place stripped away hesitation and pretenses, making it surprisingly easy to speak truths that might have stayed buried elsewhere.
Chloe followed Max's gaze. "You feel that too, huh?" she asked softly. "Like no matter what, things will somehow turn out okay. Nature always finds a way to heal... to move on." She hesitated, her voice dropping to a tender murmur. "Actually, I hoped that if you... y'know, chose to let me go, my spirit would guide you here. To help you move on, too."
The raw sincerity in Chloe's voice brought tears to Max's eyes—not of sadness, but something deeper, something more profound. She could almost feel the weight of that alternate scenario, the emotions it would bring: coming here alone, guided by Chloe's memory, and finding the strength to begin again.
"But it didn't come to that, and it won't come to that either," Chloe said firmly, kissing Max on her forehead before pulling her into a warm embrace. "No matter what happens, no matter how bad it gets, I'm not leaving you. Even if I need to cool off or walk it off for a bit… I'll always come back to you, Max. Always."
"I know, Chloe," Max whispered. "Same here."
Chloe pulled away and her grin dispelled the weight of the moment. "Besides, I don't think I could stay mad at your cute, freckled face for too long anyway."
Max rolled her eyes and laughed softly. "I'm gonna hold you to that."
Chloe chuckled, then wrapped her arm around Max's shoulder. "Speaking of that… Got any guesses on what we'll argue about first?"
Max tilted her head thoughtfully before giving Chloe a pointed look. "Your smoking."
Chloe snorted and reached for the pack of cigarettes she had been holding earlier. With a mock-dramatic sigh, she tossed it over her shoulder. "Crisis averted. Look at me, being all cooperative," she said with a smug grin.
Max grinned back. "You're not getting off that easy. What about weed?"
Chloe's expression turned devilish. "Oh, now to take that away from me, we're gonna need an actual fight, missy."
Max smirked. "Shall I book the appointment in advance?"
"Only if you schedule the make-up sex right after," Chloe teased, only to let out a surprised oof as Max's elbow found her ribs.
"I guess…" Chloe started with a grin, rubbing her side. "I guess this means you'll be the violent one in arguments. Don't worry, I can handle a little bit of abuse."
Max narrowed her eyes and laughed. "You're totally impossible."
"And yet, you love me," Chloe said and smirked triumphantly before her expression softened again. "But seriously, Max… No matter what we fight about—smokes, weed, whatever—I'm not going anywhere. I won't need my Fortress of Solitude. Ever."
"Thanks, Chloe," Max said with a soft smile. "It somehow makes sense to hear that in this place."
Chloe nodded. "Just like nature here, we've survived too much to let anything break us now."
Max nodded, her smile widening. "No matter what."
For a moment, the only sound was the wind rustling through the overgrowth and ruins around them. Then Chloe's grin turned sly. "So… now that we've filled our hourly quota of emotions, what's next? Wanna make out, or…?"
Max laughed, but then she stepped closer and kissed her. Before Chloe could process that, Max pulled back again. "How about we test what we came here for instead, dork?"
"How cruel of you," Chloe signed with disappointment that might—or might not—have been faked.
"You brought us here, so we're sticking to your plan," Max grinned and stuck out her tongue at Chloe. "At least I hope you have a plan."
"Of course I do," Chloe exclaimed.
"Then lead the way, Chrono Commander Bluebeard," Max said with a smirk and gestured towards the overgrown yard.
"Ouch, a field demotion?" Chloe laughed. "How did I deserve that, Short Max Silver?"
When they reached the center of the large yard, Chloe turned to face Max.
"Step one: Test our minds," Chloe declared.
"We already know how it works," Max objected.
"Not exactly," Chloe said, shaking her head. "We still don't know what we can actually send each other. Like, what counts as 'strong' enough to push through?"
Max thought about it for a moment. "Well, strong thoughts and strong emotions… right?"
"Sure, but how strong? Let's find out. I'll turn around and you focus on something. Don't overthink it—just look and lock it in your mind."
Max nodded and Chloe turned away. Max scanned the yard for something to focus on and eventually spotted a bird circling above. Its feathers had a grayish hue that looked almost blue in the light—a falcon, she thought.
"I'm ready," Max called out.
"Mmm…" Chloe murmured. "I got nothing. Are you sure you're concentrating?"
"I am," Max insisted, still fixated on the bird.
Several moments passed, but Chloe eventually sighed in defeat. "Still nothing. What was it?"
Max pointed to the falcon.
Chloe shrugged. "Alright, your turn. Let's see if I have better luck sending something."
"I doubt it will be any different," Max said with a frown.
"Maybe not," Chloe admitted with a grin, "but c'mon, Max. Where's your scientific spirit?"
"I left it in my other jeans," Max joked.
"Too bad," Chloe quipped. "And mine aren't your size. Now turn around."
Max obliged. While waiting she watched the distant storm clouds gathering on the horizon. They made her feel a faint chill.
"I'm ready," Chloe announced.
Max focused, searching for some trace of information coming through their connection, but it remained silent. Only faint determination seeped through.
"Nothing. Sorry," Max said after a while.
"Figures," Chloe said with a shrug. "I even looked at the same stupid bird. Guess we'll have to stick to photos if you want to show me something."
"Maybe we'll figure it out someday," Max offered.
"Nah, let's focus on what we can do now," Chloe said, shaking her head. "So, emotions next?"
"That's easier," Max said. "It's not even something we control. It just… happens."
"True," Chloe nodded, "but it seems like there's an off switch. Like when you shut me out completely—when you're really miserable, I can't feel anything from you."
Max hesitated. "You want to test that? I mean, I could probably make myself feel bad, but do we really want to go there?"
"I don't think we need to," Chloe reassured her. "But we could see if we can shut off emotions intentionally. I'll go first."
Max nodded and turned around, letting herself focus. She felt Chloe's hesitation first—a faint unease that quickly warmed into affection.
"You're looking at me and you're in love," Max said with a smirk.
"Ten points for Gryffindor," Chloe laughed. "Now I'll try to turn it off. Let me know if it works."
Max stayed focused as the warm feeling shifted. It flickered between sorrow, anger, and loneliness, but the sensation of love remained constant. Eventually, there was a pang of disappointment.
"You didn't stop it," Max said.
"Big shocker there," Chloe admitted. "Maybe that's a good thing. If cutting the connection means being totally wrecked, let's not force it."
Max turned back to her. "Yeah. It seems like we only shut down when we're really thrown off balance. It's not something we should mess with."
Chloe sat down on a pile of bricks. "And it doesn't bother you? Feeling what I feel?"
Max gave her a soft smile. "Why would it? It's like… total honesty. Besides, it's not hard to tell what's going on in your head from your face anyway."
Chloe chuckled. "Well, your face is more of a mystery. You used to be pretty good at hiding your feelings. Don't you mind being so… exposed?"
Max smirked, waiting for a pun that didn't come. "Not with you. I don't mind being open."
Chloe looked touched, but then she grinned. "Why do I feel like this is gonna backfire one day?"
"If it does, we'll handle it," Max said firmly. "That's what we promised, right?"
"Yeah," Chloe agreed with a small smile. "We can deal with anything." Then her grin widened. "Now, how about we skip the mind-reading and get to the fun part?"
"What happened to that scientific spirit of yours?" Max teased.
"It's still here," Chloe said and tapped her temple with a smirk. "But even science has to make room for fun."
Max laughed. "Naturally."
Chloe was loving the rewinds a little too much. She was like a kid on a swing, begging Max to push her higher and higher. Her joy was infectious, and before Max knew it, she was rewinding just to keep the grin on Chloe's face.
They rewound so much time that barely a few minutes had passed in real time, but Max's head was starting to feel heavier with every rewind. Eventually, she signaled for a break.
"Done already, Super Max?" Chloe teased.
Max shot her an exhausted smile. "You're here just for the ride, Chloe. I'm the one doing all the heavy lifting."
Chloe smirked. "Your nose isn't even bleeding. You're getting better at this. And hey—don't worry, I'm prepared." She grinned and held up a small pack of tissues.
Max narrowed her eyes. "Don't expect me to bleed out for your entertainment."
"Not entertainment. Research, Max," Chloe countered with a sly smile.
Max gave her an exasperated look. "So now it's science again?"
"Yep," Chloe smiled, but her expression quickly sobered. "And science requires sacrifice," she added, pulling out her lighter.
Max stiffened. "Whatever you're planning—don't."
Chloe shook her head. "I'm dead serious, Max. Look, we already know you can't rewind your own injuries. And back before this… connection between us, my injuries always got rewound. But now? We don't know. What if that's changed? What if one day we need to know for sure?"
"That's a dumb idea, Chloe," Max objected. "What if you hurt yourself, and it doesn't rewind? What if it stays?"
Chloe softened and gave Max a reassuring smile. "I can handle a little burn, Max. And if you're right, I'll let you tell me 'I told you so' for an entire day. Deal?"
Max crossed her arms. "I'm not agreeing to this, Chloe. It's reckless, even for you."
Chloe sighed. "Max, I get it, okay? You're scared for me. But think about it—what if we're in a situation where knowing this could save my life? I'm not saying it's fun, or that I want to get hurt. I just… I need to know. We need to know."
Max hesitated, but she felt her resolve faltering under Chloe's gaze.
"And I promise," Chloe added in a gentle voice, "I'll keep it small. A baby burn, like from a candle. I won't set myself on fire or anything." She smirked, trying to lighten the mood.
"That's not funny," Max muttered, but her shoulders relaxed slightly.
"I know," Chloe said and stepped closer. "But seriously, Max. If it works, we'll both feel better knowing. And if it doesn't… well, I'll owe you more than an 'I told you so.' I'll owe you, period."
Max stared at her for a long moment, then she sighed deeply. "Fine. But if anything goes wrong, I swear I'm rewinding until you agree that this was the worst idea ever."
Chloe grinned, holding up the lighter. "That's my partner in time. Trust me, I've got this."
Max groaned. "I already regret this."
Chloe held the lighter steady and flicked it to life with her thumb. The small flame danced in the air and Chloe glanced at Max with a reassuring expression. "I know, just a little. Ready?"
"Chloe, please—" Max's voice wavered, but Chloe didn't wait, preventing Max from changing her mind.
Chloe pressed the flame to the tip of her little finger and gritted her teeth as the heat bit into her skin. "Ow—shit!" she hissed, jerking her hand back and shaking it instinctively.
Max flinched and she immediately stepped forward. "Chloe!"
Before Chloe could say anything, Max's hand shot up, and the world around them warped with the familiar feel of time rewinding.
Max moved time back only a few seconds, before the moment Chloe lit her lighter.
Chloe blinked in surprise and stared at her unscathed finger. "Whoa," she gaped. "It worked, Max. It worked!"
Max grabbed her wrist and inspected her hand, just to see for herself.
Chloe flexed her fingers and frowned. "Weird. My skin feels fine, but I still feel it… like a ghost burn or something."
Max frowned too. "Does it hurt?"
"It's not bad," Chloe said and shook her hand again. "It's just there… as if the skin had its own memory. Super faint, but super annoying." Her grin returned. "I guess your time voodoo doesn't erase everything, huh?"
Max didn't laugh and stared at her with an uneasy expression. "I don't like it, Chloe. I felt something similar when I got shot and photo-jumped. What if these echoes are more than just memories?"
"Then we won't do it again," Chloe said with determination. "We now know and that's enough." She gave Max a small smile, but her eyes betrayed her excitement. "But I have to admit, it's pretty badass that it worked."
Max sighed. "Badass doesn't mean safe."
"Badass rarely is," Chloe quipped. Then she glanced at her hand and flexed it again. "Still, good to know you can still patch me up… even if my nerves wanna hold a grudge."
Max crossed her arms, but her expression showed more fondness than exasperation. "And if you ever do that again, I'm rewinding until you forget how to even light a fire."
Chloe snorted. "Now, now. Still no scientific spirit in you?"
Max groaned. "I think the rest of it just went up in flames."
"I think we're done with rewinding then," Max said and sat on a large horizontal metal beam, stretching her legs out in front of her. "Or do you have any step three in your plan?"
"I actually do," Chloe admitted and leaned against a nearby concrete block. "I would love to see you freeze time."
Max's eyebrows shot up. "Freeze time?"
"Yeah," Chloe said with a wide smile. "Y'know, like the crazy thing you told me about when you stopped Kate from jumping. You were like Neo from The Matrix, minus the trench coat."
Max blinked and recalled that memory. She remembered the desperation she had felt and the moment when something in reality had changed… and had frozen everything around her.
"Chloe, I didn't exactly plan to do that. It just… happened." She fiddled with her bag strap nervously. "Honestly, I don't even know how I did it. I'm not sure I can do it again."
Chloe smiled at her with understanding. "Hey, I get it, Max. You've already done a ton today. I'm just saying… it would be badass if you could figure it out. But no pressure."
Max smiled faintly, appreciating Chloe's encouragement. "It would be kinda cool to know how to do it," she admitted. She rubbed the back of her neck and added. "But I really need a break first. My head is still a little foggy from all the rewinding."
Chloe nodded and sat down beside her on the beam. "Take your time, Super Max. We've got all the time in the world and this place isn't going anywhere."
Max smiled appreciatively and rested her head on Chloe's shoulder. "Is it weird that I have more faith in the two of us than I do in myself?"
Chloe glanced at her with a soft grin. "Not weird at all, Max. Honestly? Same here. I mean… solo Chloe? Disaster. But Team Pricefield? Unstoppable."
Max pulled back and raised her eyebrow. "Wait, Pricefield? You already came up with a pair nickname for us?"
Chloe smirked, clearly proud of herself. "Hell yeah! You see, the other option was Caulprice, and let's be real, that sounds like a disease you get from bad seafood."
Max laughed. "Okay, fair point. Pricefield it is."
"Damn right," Chloe said and wrapped her hand around Max's shoulder. "But seriously, Max… Having faith in us doesn't mean you're doubting yourself. It just means you understand how much stronger we are together. And we are stronger, Max. Like peanut butter and jelly—messy, but perfect together."
"Got it," Max murmured, resting her head back on Chloe's shoulder with a soft smile. "Thanks, Chloe."
"Anytime, partner," Chloe replied with a playful but sincere tone.
Max leaned more comfortably against Chloe and they settled into a shared silence. Time passed by, slowly and gently. The overgrown yard mirrored their silence, only whispering with an occasional rustling of leaves. Max closed her eyes, letting nature around her absorb her fatigue.
Above them, the sky darkened ever so slightly as the nearing clouds began to deepen in shade. Towards the horizon, darker shapes rolled in slowly, but neither of them noticed—the world outside them felt distant and unimportant.
Chloe shifted slightly to stretch her legs and brushed her knee against Max's. Without opening her eyes, Max smiled faintly and her fingers found Chloe's hand. Their connection resonated with a shared feeling of calm.
A soft gust of wind stirred Max's hair and she reached to straighten it, finally breaking their stillness. Max lifted her head from Chloe's shoulder and stretched her arms. "Alright," she said with a small smile. "I think I'm ready to give it a shot."
Chloe jumped to her feet immediately and grinned with excitement. "Hell yeah! Let's see you break reality, Super Max!" she exclaimed.
"Don't get too hyped just yet," Max warned. "For all we know, I'll just end up rewinding over and over again."
"Still worth a try," Chloe remarked. "We quit whenever you feel like, okay?"
Max nodded and took a breath. "Well, here goes nothing."
She raised her hand but instead of pushing her power, she just lightly touched it. The world jumped back a fraction of a second before resuming its flow. She frowned and tried again, only to see the same result.
Max closed her eyes and concentrated on the part of her mind that controlled her power. It was like an invisible hand pulling the strands of time backward. [But hands can do more than pull] she reminded herself. Taking a leap of faith, she imagined that hand pushing forward, reaching through the intangible curtain of time.
The sensation hit her by surprise, like momentum threatening to throw her off balance. Then, everything stopped. No sound, no pressure, no movement—just an eerie, absolute stillness. Max opened her eyes and saw the world around her, completely frozen in time.
A triumphant smile spread across her face, but as her focus wavered, the world flickered and began moving again. She clenched her fists and concentrated, triggering her powers once more. Time froze again.
[You did it! This is awesomesauce!] Chloe's voice echoed in her mind, vibrant and excited.
Max turned to Chloe, who stood motionless and her unblinking eyes were fixed on Max.
[Do you see me?] Max asked tentatively.
[Not exactly] Chloe replied. [But I can sense you. Like, I know you're there.]
[Do you feel anything?]
[Just you.] Chloe said. [I'm aware of my body, but it's… kinda numb. Weird, but not scary.]
Max walked closer to Chloe, still maintaining her focus. [Can you tell where I am?]
[Yeah, you're moving. I can feel you getting closer. Like a heat I can track.] Chloe paused. [Can you… touch me?]
Max blinked. [Touch you?]
[Pretty please? I wanna know how it feels.] Chloe's mental tone carried its usual playful charm.
Max signed. [Fine.] She reached out and gently pressed her fingers to Chloe's cheek.
[Holy crap!] Chloe's voice practically shouted in Max's head. [That was intense! Are you sure you just touched me?]
[Yeah. Why, what did you feel?] Max asked, confused but intrigued.
The playful edge in Chloe's thoughts was unmistakable. [I don't know—like, fireworks or something. Hey, you know you could do anything to me right now, and I'd be absolutely helpless? Totally anything. No ropes required.]
Even with Chloe's face frozen, Max knew she was grinning. [Max, you seriously need to save this trick for some of our nights.]
Max blushed and a giggle escaped her lips, breaking her focus. The world resumed its pace and Chloe's expression shifted instantly to a wide, unmistakably cheeky grin.
"Don't tell me you don't feel the allure, Mad Max," Chloe teased, waggling her eyebrows.
Max rolled her eyes and touched her upper lip under her nose. Sure enough, she felt the wet smear of blood under her fingers. "I just don't think bleeding all over you would be sexy," she deadpanned.
Chloe's teasing softened into a fond smile as she pulled out the tissues she had brought. "Okay, fair. But maybe, one day, when we've got this power thing figured out—and we know it's not behind the storm—you could… I don't know, get creative with it. Just saying."
"Don't get your hopes up," Max smirked with a voice that was light despite the strain.
"Buzzkill," Chloe snarked with exaggerated disappointment.
Max cleaned the blood off her face and glanced at Chloe. "Are we done then? I think my batteries need some serious recharging."
Chloe softly touched Max's arm. "Even if I had something else in mind—which I don't—I wouldn't push you any further."
"Thank you." Max smiled appreciatively and sat down on her favorite metal beam.
"Do you wanna head home or stay for a while?" Chloe asked.
"I wouldn't mind staying a bit longer," Max answered and looked at the sky. "In fact—" She cut off when she noticed the closing dark clouds. Her breath quickened, and an unsettling feeling crawled up her spine. Chloe noticed the change in her and turned to follow her gaze.
Chloe's frown deepened when she saw the sky. The blackening clouds seemed ominous, but it wasn't just the weather that sent a shiver through her. It was Max's reaction, the way her body stiffened and how life seemed to drain from her face.
Max wasn't just noticing the clouds. She was fearing them.
Chloe's voice was low, almost raw, as she whispered, "Max, we should go. Now!"
The commanding tone in Chloe's voice made Max look back at Chloe and she opened her mouth to say something. But before she could speak, a distant rumble of thunder reached them.
It felt like a blow to her chest, like a sharp, piercing dagger cutting through her soul. Time seemed to warp as the sound vibrated in her bones, and Max's body froze, caught in the icy grip of a storm. Not just the oncoming storm—it was the memory of that storm. The world around her began to blur and the ground beneath her seemed to tilt, as if the earth itself was becoming as unstable as her own mind.
Suddenly, she wasn't here anymore. She wasn't with Chloe. She was on the cliff, watching the storm rage like a nightmare beast, tearing through Arcadia Bay. Her heart slammed against her ribs, out of control, but the blood spreading through her was icy cold. The roar of the storm filled her mind, and the sky seemed to fall down on her, crushing her with its fury.
[Not again... please, not again.]
Her breath was shallow, each inhale feeling like it might be her last. She tried to focus, to banish the memory, but the fear was too much, the memories were too raw. She blinked, trying to block the overwhelming feeling of déjà vu.
With all the power of her will, she brought herself back to the present. Back to her Chloe in the overgrown yard. But everything was different. Chloe was there, but Max couldn't see her properly. Her vision was hazy, unfocused, not as clear and vivid as the storm in her mind. All that mattered in that moment was escaping—the storm, the fear, the chaos—everything. She just needed to run. Anywhere. Anytime.
Without even thinking about it, Max reached out and felt her power surging. Everything around her reversed for a few seconds. Time, space, reality—it all blurred even more, before she forced herself to stop.
"Max!" Chloe shouted through the fog in Max's mind. "Look at me, I'm here!"
Max stood frozen, barely catching her breath… and then the same thunder she had just tried to escape rumbled in the distance again. It was no louder than before, but it cut through her stronger, deepening the wounds it had caused when she had heard it for the first time. Panic flooded her mind.
[No, not again.]
Her heart was out of control, pounding so loud that it felt deafening. Her hand—already raised from her previous rewind—twitched with the need to push time back once more. Without even thinking she allowed this instinct to prevail and the world around her flickered.
But the thunder was still there. The same thunder, the same horrible roar that stripped her thoughts of anything that wasn't her memory of the storm.
She tried fighting back, but before she could even begin, the world reversed again. Each rewind felt heavier than the last, and yet the thunder persisted, hollowing her soul more and more.
Max's eyes were open, but she stopped seeing anything. Her body was exhausted from the endless cycle. Every time she rewound, the thunder returned. Every time it sounded, she panicked. And every time she panicked, she rewound. It was a vicious loop and she couldn't break free from it,
Darkness began to consume her mind and her body was too tired to keep going… but the instinct to escape was overpowering. The thunder roared again and her mind reached for her powers…
"Max!" Chloe's voice cut through the dark clouds in Max's mind and the panic began to loosen. Chloe's hand, firm on her arm, stopped her from continuing her cycle. The touch felt like a safe haven, like a lighthouse in a storm, like an anchor.
"Max," Chloe repeated, her voice soft but determined. "Look at me. You need to stop."
Max blinked and her focus started slowly coming back. Chloe's touch was grounding her and her presence pulled Max back from the edge. A new thunder echoed in the distance, but it no longer felt suffocating. It was a terrifying sound… but just a sound. Not that storm. She closed her eyes and finally lowered her hand.
"I'm here," Chloe said quietly, her hand still on Max's arm. "You're okay. We're okay. Let's go home."
Max nodded and with a shaky leg tried to make a step. Her knees betrayed her and only Chloe's quick reflexes prevented her from falling helplessly to the ground.
"I got you," Chloe murmured and wrapped her arm tightly around Max's waist to steady her. "One step at a time, okay?"
Max nodded again and pressed closer to Chloe, focusing on the warmth of her presence rather than the world around her.
Chloe guided Max forward, walking slowly but steadily. The overgrown yard felt endless now, making each step heavy. The wind began to pick up and brittle leaves rustled around them, reminding them of the storm behind their backs.
"Almost there," Chloe encouraged. Her voice was as steady as her grip and Max held onto it like a lifeline. Another faint crack of thunder sounded behind them and Chloe gave Max a quick squeeze. "Just Mother Nature showing off. Don't let it scare you."
Max exhaled shakily, focusing on the rhythm of their steps. She felt her pulse quicken at the sound, but she forced herself to keep moving. The sharp edges of her fear lingered in her mind, but she managed to keep them at bay.
Chloe's car came into view and Chloe gently shook Max. Despite her fatigue, Max picked up her pace slightly and Chloe guided Max to the passenger door. She helped her inside and her hand never left Max until she was sure that Max was properly seated.
Chloe ran around to the driver's side just as raindrops began to fall on the windscreen. Max tensed and her fingers curled, gripping the seat. Each drop that splattered against the glass seemed to echo louder in her mind, threatening to pull her back into the memory of the storm.
Finally, Chloe slid into the driver's seat. Without hesitation, she reached for Max's hand, loosening her grip on the car seat. The contact was enough to make Max steady herself and look away from the falling rain. She took a deep breath, then another.
"See?" Chloe said with a gentle smirk. "We made it. Now let's get you home."
Max looked at Chloe with gratitude and vulnerability in her eyes. "I'm… I'm sorry. I didn't know I had this in me."
Chloe leaned closer and pressed her forehead against Max's. "You don't have to apologize for being human, Max," she said quietly. "You're still badass."
Max smiled faintly.
Chloe pulled away to start the car. Max immediately felt it inside her when Chloe let go of her hand. But instead of letting Chloe know, she just clenched her fists and focused all her willpower to keep her mind in the present. Chloe had to drive, she couldn't babysit her the whole time…
Soon, they left the overgrown industrial area behind and merged onto the road leading back to town. Max stared at her hands, worried about her own mind. Could she make it home without her powers going haywire again? The journey was long and she was already starting to lose control again. The rain thickened, hammering against the truck, and the sound that used to be so comforting was now the harbinger of her nightmares.
It wasn't just anxiety—something else felt wrong. It wasn't just like her mind was slipping away… it was as if her very being was being pulled somewhere else,
"Everything alright?"
Chloe must have noticed something was wrong too, because she briefly looked at Max with a worried expression. Without a word, her left hand left the steering wheel and she reached for Max's hand, her fingers brushing against Max's. Max immediately felt a push, pressing her back into the seat, and her spiraling thoughts slowed.
Understanding flashed in Chloe's eyes. She gently guided Max's arm, tucking it under her shirt until Max's hand rested on the skin of her back. The warm touch was like a flare, keeping Max's mind—and her presence—in the car with Chloe.
A weak but genuine smile broke through Max's strained expression. No words passed between them, they didn't need any.
As they drove through the storm, Max didn't dare pull her hand away. Her thoughts were already a swirling mess; she couldn't risk losing her fragile grip on control. Each thunderclap was like a pebble thrown into a lake—absorbed, but the ripples still disrupted the surface. And in this case, the lake was her own mind.
No matter how much she tried to hold herself together, her thoughts betrayed her, spiraling into echoes of the past... and fragments of what never came to be.
[Max... it's time…]
[Chloe... I'm so, so sorry... I... I don't want to do this.]
[Max... it's time…]
[Not anymore.]
[Max... it's time…]
[Chloe... I'm so, so sorry... I... I don't want to do this.]
[Now, get out of here, please! Do it before I freak. And Max Caulfield? Don't you forget about me…]
[Now, get out of here, please! Do it before I freak. And Max Caulfield? Don't you forget about me…]
[I won't forget you… and you won't forget me, because I'm going to save you. I'm going to save everyone because I'm not giving up!]
[Because you're mine, Chloe. And I'm yours. I've been alone my whole life, without even realizing it. Sorry I'm five years late, but this time I finally know what I have in you. I don't want to be alone again!]
[Max… ]
"Max?"
Chloe's real voice cut through the echoes and Max looked up to meet Chloe's concerned gaze. She opened her mouth to respond, but a blinding light suddenly appeared on the road ahead. Where there had been nothing moments before, headlights were now closing toward them. Too fast. Too close.
Max's stomach dropped, but before she could scream a warning, the other car collided with theirs. Everything went black.
The first thing Max noticed was the rain. Not the sound of it dropping on the windshield, but the delicate patter of droplets falling around her head.
Then came the pain. Her left arm felt like it was on fire, her fingers couldn't even move. And her head fared no better, because her nose was a searing beacon of agony, while her skull felt as if it had been cracked wide open.
But there was also something else. Not something she felt—something was missing instead. There was a hole inside her where something—someone—was supposed to be.
"CHLOE!"
The scream escaped her lips when she realized what—who—was missing. Max's entire body protested as she twisted in her seat, forcing herself to look to her left. But the physical pain was nothing compared to the horror she now felt.
Chloe lay slumped against the steering wheel, covered in fragments of glass. Her neck was twisted unnaturally, and her empty stare confirmed what Max already knew in her core.
"No. No, no, no," Max babbled. "Wake up, Chloe. Please, wake up!"
There was no response. There couldn't be.
Max reached for her powers and triggered her rewind… resulting only in pain exploding behind her eyes. She didn't care and tried again, and again, and again.
[Work, damn it. Work! Don't fail me now!]
The horrifying realization hit her: her powers weren't responding. Desperation became panic, panic became fury… and Max began to scream into the storm, her voice full of anguish: "It can't end like this! Take me! Leave her! I'm the one who's broken. I'm the one who got her killed... TAKE ME!"
She didn't expect a response, but only a moment later she heard the creaking of metal and a distant voice.
"Is anyone there? Hang on—I'm coming!"
The voice was hauntingly familiar, but she couldn't place it. A figure approached from the rain, limping towards their car. Brown hair framed the stranger's face, their gray hoodie and jeans were shredded in places, and a messenger bag hung at their side.
Then, Max saw the face.
Her own face.
The two Maxes stared at each other, frozen in disbelief. Then the shock on the other Max's face changed as her gaze darted to Chloe's body. Her expression shattered into something raw and agonized.
"NO!" the other Max screamed, collapsing to her knees in the rain. "Chloe? No! What is this? I buried you!"
The anguish of two minds—two Maxes—collided within her, like an unbearable storm of pain, grief, and terror. It wasn't just emotions, it was as if both of their very souls were getting crushed. The weight of that feeling drowned every thought, every other sense, leaving her in a state where even the rain and wind couldn't reach.
It was stronger than anything she had ever felt, stronger than she could withstand. Her mind splintered under the pressure, her very essence getting reduced into something meaningless. And then, at the breaking point, something snapped.
A force emerged from within her, pulling her away from everything—her body, her pain, the world itself. Everything darkened and she fell… Then, suddenly, it stopped. The pull vanished and she landed hard into something solid, something familiar.
Her own body.
Her own body, but without all the physical and mental pain that had consumed her moments ago. There was still a strain in her head, but it was insignificant compared to the torment she had just endured. The crushing weight on her soul had lifted, leaving her light but disoriented.
She drew a shaky breath, trying to steady herself. Finally, all senses returned to her as a voice broke through the haze. A voice she thought she would never hear again.
"Everything alright?"