As the Morning sun rose above the hills, the flock of seagulls without a care in the world had started to roam freely, while making their way to the coastline; scavenging for food. I can already picture them, all gathering around as one big happy family; that in which is something I've been missing my entire life. I knew that sooner or later, will have to make amends to Max. I know for a fact that I had a lot to discuss with her, all the trauma she must have endured after my absence. I know I screwed up, but going on this road trips all on my own, something felt amiss, and no matter where I go I can't stop thinking about her.
Finally awake inside Lyla's vehicle, I've decided to take a stand, and will have to find other methods of transportation that will take me to where Max is. Without thinking much, I carefully slipped out of the vehicle without having to wake Lyla up from her deep sleep. And just by looking at her, I know she's been through a lot, and will have to find other ways to repay her kindness back one way or another. As I precautiously pressed my hand on the door handle, I snuck out with my two duffle bags that I manage to retrieve. With a gentle knob I pressed the door slowly back into place, luckily, she and I were able to exchange numbers during our conversation at the park where we met. I send her an immediate text message, as I made my way into town.
Me:Dear Lyla,
I have decided to go into town on my own,
I notice you were asleep and didn't want to disturb you.
I took it upon myself and decided to go into town all on my own. Therefore, I will say to you….
Farewell, and will promise to stay in touch. Thanks, girlfriend
For the ride, and will promise to repay you someday.
Chloe
P.s. I will try to keep my eyes open for any sign of your
So called friends…. Sean and Daniel, and if I do find
Them, than you will be the first to know….. see ya!
As my hands were carefully typing each letter, I finally was able to finish just before I hit "Send".
I looked around, and began to feel the warmness of nature that's surrounds me. Although we are in middle of the summer seasons, the forest here in Oregon has a way of keeping things cool and moist. As I walked the long and narrow dirt road alongside the highway, I was captivated by the sweet humming sounds that are coming from the birds…. Let along the seagulls that are still heard in the background, and yet here I was back to the place I avoided returning towards.
My boots where scrapping as I journeyed my way into town. No one in sight, not even a passerby vehicle as I carried myself along the way; yet somehow, I decided to cut through the vast and dense forest in order to cut my hours of walking short.
I hummed to myself, while keeping my mind fully occupied from boredom. In spite of all that, I still regret the choices I made, and I guess it was faith that redirected me back to the place of origin. Feeling a bit stressed out of having to walk miles from nowhere, I began scouting my surrounding areas where I stood, and it was then that I had spotted an abandoned picnic area nearby.
"Huh!!! Finally, somewhere for me to rest." I said, feeling a bit relief.
Not a minute to lose, I immediately made my way to one of the park benches, and decided to sit down to catch my breath. Finally, I was able to lay flat on top of the bench like a lazy dog. Forgetting to realize how wonderful nature is around me, the calmness in the air as it flows through my hair. Everything was flowing back to me, stuff from my childhood, and the decisions that I had made. Realizing now that what I had been missing my entire life, and couldn't quite erase this from my mind. My mind, heart and desires are that I want to be with Max, and spend the rest of my life with her till death do us part.
I know I fucked everything up, trying to be a brave woman in a messed up world, but being a coward is what I am best at. Just, as I thought things couldn't get anymore weirder, I felt a strong grumbling sound coming from my stomach,
"Oh, Man….I forgot that I haven't eaten anything at all since yesterday." I said, laughing to myself, realizing now that I may had stashed away some granola bars in one of my old duffle bags.
I carefully placed both my duffle bags down, feeling a bit hungry I decided to unzip one of my old duffle bags for a granola bar that I may have stashed away for emergencies. I scrambled around the bag itself, in order to search for it. Carefully, I felt something smooth and long with a bit of wood texture around the edge of this mysterious object. I slowly, pulled the object out in order for me to examine it, and what I saw had immediately changed me for good.
"My Stepdouches revolver…. I forgot I had this…." I answered to myself as I picked up the old revolver that I stolen from David all those years ago.
Funny how it felt that I had the audacity to keep David's old revolver for quite some time after I left Arcadia Bay with Max. As I examine its contents, I knew for sure that the gun wasn't even loaded; due to me having to have wasted all of the bullets during my practice shot's with Max. Mesmerized by its design, I felt a deep regret of the harsh choices in life I had made. I knew for sure that I can make a difference for once, but chose a wrong path to follow; throwing my life away. Astounding by the well crafted design of this handgun, I was thinking about throwing this old thing down the stream nearby, but chose not to.
As I stood facing upwards, while handling David's handgun with care. I heard someone humming nearby, a humming sound so familiar that I got curious of wanting to figure out where the source of that humming sound was coming from.
"That humming sound, it sounds so familiar." Curiously enough, I immediately got up to investigate where that humming sound was coming from.
As I made my way down the steep hill towards the stream, I immediately tucked away the handgun. Feeling a bit anxious, I wanted to know who it was that was playing that soothing sound. The distance towards the sounds wasn't too far, as I approached the source of where the sound came from gently, and to my shock I had spotted the one who was making that sweet humming tune.
"Max?" whispering underneath my breath as I spotted her jotting down something in her notebook.
Not minute went by, when she immediately spotted me with those sparkling blue eyes.
"Hello there, can I help you with something?" she asked, with that mysterious look in her eyes.
However, something didn't quite felt right about her, the moment I saw her reaction towards me. I felt odd about this Max, and for a very good reason; you see Max, knows who I am the moment she stares at me. Not to mention how excited she looks when I am in near distance of her direction, most importantly, she would immediately approach me with that worried look in her eyes as she hugs me tight.
"Hello…..Max?" I said, while keeping my distance away from her.
This so called Max didn't hesitate to reply with that slight smirk in her face…. "Uh, yeah….that's me. Or is it?"
"Max do you even know who I am?" I shot back, waiting for her to give me her honest answer.
She hesitated, but tried a different approach as she was answering my question…. "Um, is it Clar…issa….. no! no! no! no! no!.... hold on."
I stood there quiet, and feeling a bit scared as I waited for her response, While keeping my eyes focus on her, I was slowing reaching for the handgun that I kept tucked away; hoping to scare this wanna be Max and see if she is the one who she claims to be.
Looking all jittery, immediately started to recognize me…. "I got it! You are Chloe!? Right?"
I knew it, and for the brief moment I felt something odd about this person. This isn't Max….my Max. This person was an imposter, and not a minute too soon I pulled out the old revolver and carefully aimed it to her.
"Ok! Enough of this!" I shouted, while aiming the gun directly at her, "Who are you? And don't lie to me. I know for a fact that you are not my Max."
"Woo! Chill Chloe…. It's me Max Caulfield." She replied, trying to diffuse the situation. "Put that gun down. Please….let's not jump to conclusion."
She tried to approach me, precautiously, but I held my ground. "Stay the fuck away from me! If you say you are Max, than tell me one simple question that she and I will know." I shot back, feeling a bit nervous. "What is my full name?"
She scoffed as she finally dropped the so-called act of pretending to be Max. To my shock, she started laughing; that low pitch tone as she gave me a smirk.
"Clever little devil…." She said, while finally dropping the Max wanna be act. "I am impressed, and here I thought I would run into Max herself, out here at this amazing little park."
"Who are you?" I asked, demanding an answer from her. "Why are you posing as Max"
This mysterious person that was right in front of me started to glow, while giggling at my question. It was so bright, that I had to shield my eyes for a minute. And in just a matter of seconds she finally showed who she really was. She was different to say the least, with her dark hair tied in a ponytail (leaving two tendrils that framed her face), dark eyes with olive complexion, and was taller in length; almost similar towards my height. Not to mention she comes from an Arabic Culture, and right in front of me she held her hands up carefully as she studied me.
"Ok!? You got me." She said, as she glared at me with those mysterious dark eyes. "So, please put the gun down….let's talk Ms. Chloe"
"Holy Shit! You just transformed right in front of me."
"Well? Yeah! I have a special ability of being able to transform into anyone I desired to be." She answered, in a calm demeanor. "Surprised?"
I was spooked out of my mind, but remained at ease while still aiming my gun at her…. "Actually, I am not surprised at all. I've seen better."
"Oh! ....Really now?" she replied, looking a bit confident and not phased at all; even though I am stilling aiming my gun towards her.
"Enough already answer my Fuckin question. Who the hell are you? And why did you appear as Max?" asking her, while trying to keep my composure calm.
"Well now, someone seems to be a bit rowdy today." She shot back, while strolling around the surrounding area, and looking a bit mesmerized by the wonderful sight of the growing dense forest of Oregon. "Ok, Ms. Chloe Price. Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Safiya Llewellyn-Fayyad….. A.K.A. Safi for short."...…..