Saving BlackHell Town - A Life is Strange Fanfiction (Pricefield)

Episode 5: Polarized

I stand by the lighthouse at night. Rachel sits on the bench overlooking the cliff, and I walk over to her. I hope that she can explain some things to me.

"Well, hello," Rachel greets me.

"Where are Chloe and Max?" I ask, hoping that last night did not happen.

"That's not why I'm here," Rachel responds. "Listen. Your ability is linked to Max's. I think you know that already. But the thing is, your minds are linked, too. You can enter each other's minds to experience what they do, or communicate from afar like you would with a cell phone. When you're just communicating, you'll only send and receive conscious thoughts. But if you're in Max's head, she'll hear only your conscious thoughts, but you can actually dig through her unconscious mind."

"I do not understand," I tell her.

"That's fine," Rachel replies. "That's because now, you're sleeping. I'm not really here, and neither are you. I'm dead and you're in the junkyard. Your sleeping mind brought us both out here because I needed to tell you this, but you can't comprehend what I'm saying until you wake up. When you wake up, try sending a thought to Max."

Rachel disappears.

***

I jolt awake and hit my head on the roof of Chloe's truck. It is morning already. Getting out of the truck to stretch my limbs, I see Rachel's open burial site and Chloe's unburied corpse. Feeling sick, I return to the truck. Although I never drive, I climb into the driver's seat and hot-wire the engine. Pressing my foot on the gas pedal, I drive away from the junkyard.

I know that I must avoid anywhere where people know Chloe and Max. That means that I cannot go to the Price home, the diner, or Blackwell Academy. The only place I can think of is the lighthouse, so I drive there.

***

When I arrive, I try to contact Max. Because Rachel did not explain how to do so, I create a mental image of Max and attempt to talk to it. Before I can, I receive Max's current thoughts.

Chloe...? she thinks. Jules...? What? Where? The Dark Room...

Although they are only thoughts, Max sounds panicked.

Max, I think, trying to sound calm in my head.

I'm going mad, the hipster thinks. Hearing voices in my head. What did Jefferson drug me with?

Max, listen, I order in my head. It's just me. Jules. You're not going mad. Let me explain.

Oh, alright, Max acquiesces.

Our abilities are linked, I think. And they link us. That is how we can communicate like we are doing now. This is like a phone call, except with no need for reception or a cell phone.

Cool, Max comments.

Additionally, we can enter each other's minds, I add. With permission, of course.

Good, the hipster thinks. I wouldn't want you in my head without permission. That's just creepy.

Yes, mind-reading is uncomfortable, I agree. But that is not why I contacted you.

So why did you? Max sounds suspicious.

Max, I think. My mental voice sounds serious. I will explain, but you need to promise not to interrupt.

I promise, Max replies.

Chloe was supposed to die in the bathroom, I explain. She almost died numerous times this week because you saved her life. She is dead now, as she should be. I know it hurts; you were just reunited with her a few days ago.