Life is Strange - One Shots

Pricefield: When Home Isn't Safe

Max was the kind of girl to wake up peckish during the night. Her favourite midnight snack was a bowl of the same kind of cereal that she'd been eating since she was little. As per usual, she prepared her bowl and sat in the living room, slowly chewing.

Max nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard frantic knocking and banging on the door. She had a small internal debate on whether or not she should answer the door, but in the end she walked over and unlocked it.

"Can I hel-" Max was cut off by a girl dashing past her into the house and hiding behind her sofa.

"Please tell them I'm not here! I'll explain after!" The girl frantically pointed to the police car parking up at the bottom of the street. Police officers began to knock on doors.

"Holy shit!" Max thought. "What have I gotten myself into?"

Max closed the door and stood to the side of it. "You better explain as soon as you possibly can." Max tried to sound threatening, but her cracking voice gave her away.

Knock knock.

Max composed herself and slowly opened the door, revealing a police officer.

"Sorry for bothering you at such a late time." He began. "I was wondering if you had seen a tall girl with blue hair around anywhere? She's wearing a beanie and a dark jacket, too. I think she has a tattoo on one arm."

Max pretended to think about it. "I... don't think so, officer. If I see her I'll make sure to call you right away."

"Thank you." The officer smiled. "Again, sorry for bothering you so late. Goodbye!"

Max slowly closed the door and let out a deep breath. Wowsers. Lying to a cop? That's a first.

She turned to the blue-haired girl. "Okay, spill."

The two sat on the sofa together as the girl explained her story.

"I'm Chloe." She introduced herself. "Where do I start... Basically, my dad died and my mom remarried. Now I have to live with step-ass. He caught me in my room with a joint, and got hella mad. He fucking slapped me, so I grabbed my gun and ran the fuck out of there. The little bitch called the cops on me, saying a crazy armed junkie was running around the streets."

Chloe was spitting with anger, but she also looked on the verge of tears. Life hadn't dealt her a good hand, and Max could see that.

"Shit." Was all Max could say. She got closer to Chloe and slowly rubbed her back. "You can stay here with me tonight. Your home clearly isn't safe."

"I'll leave before you get up." Chloe looked down at her scuffed boots. "I don't want you worrying about me."

"Nonsense." Max pulled her phone from her dressing gown pocket. "If you need to leave early, that's fine. But not before you put your number in my phone. I'll need to check on you."

Chloe smiled at Max, typing her number in and sending a text so she had Max's number.

"Now let's find you some pyjamas and we'll go to bed. You can sleep in with me." Max put her bowl away before she lead Chloe upstairs.

Chloe paused on the stairs. "Thank you so much. How about I buy you breakfast in the morning? My mom works at Two Whales diner - her bacon and eggs are to die for."

Max grinned. "That sounds awesome. But first, sleep."