[ARE YOU READY? NO? WE'RE STARTIN' ANYWAYS.]

Class was pretty much devoid of anything exciting on Thursday. Nathan kept his head down, just going to class had probably been a bad idea, the Prescott name was at stake. He had stayed as far away from Warren as he could, too ashamed to face him.

Warren felt like shit. He didn't raise his hand once in class, he barely talked, even to Brooke. He felt bad for her too though. It was so obvious that she liked him and he wanted to return the feelings, oh so desperately but for the moment he had feelings for a certain grumpy Nathan Prescott. He knew that Brooke was perfect for him! They shared so much in common. Max didn't reciprocate his feelings at the beginning of the year so he eventually gave up and accepted the fact that it wasn't going to happen any time soon. Maybe in another universe, but not this one. No, this one had him falling for the boy clad in a letterman jacket that smelled like smoke with a mix of something fruity.

When they had kissed Warren made sure to take in his smell as much as he could without being creepy. He tasted like alcohol but just the right amount. You could say he was intoxicating (I'm so punny >U<~TSG). He could also taste something like dark chocolate and he couldn't help the small whimper that escaped his lips when he thought about that kiss. His blush spread down his neck. The teacher brought him out of his daze though.

"Mr.Graham, is something wrong? You're awfully red. Are you sick? You can go to the nurse or bathroom if need be." Being a teacher's pet had its perks but in situations like this it could be annoying.

"No... I'll b-" He thought differently, "Actually, yes. Um. If i could be excused to the bathroom please?" Ms. Grant gave him a pass and sent him on his way.

He quickly stepped inside the bathroom. He felt sick to his stomach, he braced his hands against the edge of the sink and stared at himself in the mirror. He sighed and looked away, lifting his hands.

He was fine, he just needed to calm down. It was hard to focus on class, on anything really. This past week had been... Strange. There weren't many other words to describe it. So many things had happened. Warren could barely keep track.

Warren went back to class, letting his eyes drawl over the 'Missing Person' posters. Rachel Amber. She had been in almost everything he heard lately. He sighed, pausing in front of the door before pushing it open and entering.

~

The room was dark, and the pool took up most of the space. Victoria was standing at the edge of it, surveying the entire place and making sure it was to her every specification. This party had to be Perfect. Oh and it was going to be perfect. It was well before the party started and most of the vortex club was helping with sound, lighting, and other various things. The vortex club symbol was branded on the wall, a swirling white portal. Posters had already been posted around school and the town advertising it, there were even more on the outside wall and Victoria held one in her hand right now, checking it over one last time.

10-10-13

THURSDAY NIGHT

END OF THE WORLD PARTY!

In the background, there was a graphic of a cartoon Earth exploding. Victoria smiled and then checked the door, Nathan hadn't arrived yet and that was odd, he was never late for a party. She set down the Flyer on the bar's counter and walked over to where Hayden was setting up the sound system. It was a bit close to the water but she was sure it would be fine.

In the back room Logan, Taylor, Juliet, Zachary and the others who had arrived were milling about, talking. Victoria gave a quick glance around, making sure everything was in order before stepping out again.

All they were really waiting on was Nathan. They had the red lighting up and around the large room, the DJ's stand was set up, Alcohol was stockpiled by the bar. The rest of the vortex club had arrived, T minus ten minutes until others started arriving probably. When Victoria turned around, she was greeted by a loud 'SPLOOSH' of a sound, Zachary had already gotten changed and had just jumped into the center of the pool, sending ripples out through it all. Juliet was laughing at him as he surfaced and sputtered for air. Victoria smiled at the group, she had to admit, hanging out with them had ended up being pretty awesome.

~

Frank's trailer was quiet enough. Pompidou wasn't barking at the moment, so that was nice. He finally had a chance to relax after giving Chloe his list. Pompidou was laying on the couch next to him, head resting in Frank's lap. Frank stroked his fur. He could still remember where he got him

-A few years earlier-

Frank only knew about this place because he used to frequent it. He checked the time, 7:43. The match would normally start at eight. He knew which ones were fighting first, so picked the ones about half down the list and up to the end, he knew the owners would be to busy watching the other matches and no one ever guards the dogs.

He snuck into the back just in time. Ready to spring all the cages, he had an animal shelter that he knew would treat the dogs right on speed dial. He sprung the cages and ushered them all towards the door, only able to pray that no one would come into the back room.

He called the shelter to report a ton of loose dogs, but took off any collars they wore so no one could bring them back. Then he opened the door, hoping all of them were found. They all scampered into the darkness. Well, all but one. A dog with black and brown fur was staring up at him. It made a small whimper. Frank could see it held its fair share of injuries. He crouched down, "Not your first fight, huh boy?" he said to the dog, stroking its ear.

Cheers could be heard from the building, "Shit." the fight must have ended, he scooped up the dog and started running the direction he had come from, "I guess you're coming with me."

~

-Seattle, Washington, by the Fremont Troll-

"Guys, I told you, this is gonna be fun. Just trust me for once!" Kristen said, turning to walk backwards to look at Fernando and Max, they still looked skeptical. "Whoops, we're already here, guess you guys are forced to hang out and have fun now, ohhh the horror." She said, walking under the 18ft tall bridge and up to the sculpture. Kristen turned around again, "I still can't believe you guys have never seen the Troll." She was referring to the giant sculpture in front of them. It's outstretched hands seemed to be grasping at them, but this didn't bother Kristen. In fact, seemingly out of nowhere she produced three bottles, "I brought drriinnnkkksss."

~

The music was blaring loudly through the oversized speakers. DJ Doom was standing at his equipment, green cap pulled tightly on his head, over that a pair of headphones. He donned a black shirt with the silver word 'FATE' inscribed on it. People were dancing both in and out of the water and some boy from the swim team kept on doing complicated dives.

Nathan still wasn't there, which worried Victoria, but everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Stella had started a coat check outside the curtain, red cups and beer bottles were scattered around the room, everything seemed like the typical party, funded by the rich of course.

Some people had started talking about what they had seen outside, the two moons, which had immediately led to everyone screaming, "END OF THE WORLD!" only a few people seemed sober, including Victoria and many from the Vortex club, the rest were probably drivers or something.

DJ Doom was bobbing his head in beat with the music he was playing as almost everyone was dancing. A splash fight had erupted in the pool. Everything was completely normal. Red lights glowed brightly in the background. The party had, so far, been a success.

~

"I just wanted to feel like a normal student after this week's ultra-violence." Warren slurred at Max, "I- I never hit anyone like that. I was always the one getting my ass kicked." Max clapped a hand over Warren's arm, "Hey, we still need your expert help. If you see Nathan, text me immediately, okay?" as an afterthought she said, "And don't let him see you."

Max barely heard Warrens response and ran in after Chloe. She was about to pull back the curtain when a voice popped up next her, "Hey, Max, welcome to the end of the world! Want me to check anything in?" Max turned her head, It was Stella, coats and hats were hung up by her, "No, thanks, Stella. Have you seen Nathan yet?" "No, thank God. That boy creeps me out." Stella responded, "Thanks anyways, I'm going now." Max said, heading for the curtain, "Yeah, bye!"

Max entered the room, 'Got Well Soon' by 'Breton' was playing in the background as she looked around for Chloe. Lights were flashing in swirly patterns all around the room, they made her eyes hurt and the music was giving her a headache already. 

She made her way to the 'members only' section and and had a short argument with the bouncer, "Excuse me... I need to get in." The bouncer looked at her, "You're not a member. In fact, I was specifically told not to let you in." Max gave a short sigh, "Look. I just need to fi-" "No way Max. I'm not even supposed to be here, Courtney ditched her post." Anyone from the Vortex club was obviously not going to listen to her, "Fine."

So. She had to find another way in. Stepping away from the VIP lounge entrance, she turned her head to look around. It looked like there was another way in through to the right, she pushed away a piece of pool equipment to scoot through.

Max made her way around, but the music had stopped abruptly and the sound equipment was floating in the water. The DJ was obviously aggravated. but before anyone could walk over she threw up her hand, rewinding shortly to when everything was fine. Max breathed a sigh of relief, 'That was close.' The music was blaring again and DJ Doom was back at the stand.

She continued on her way, pushing aside the curtain, she reached the lounge quickly. The room was bathed in a purple light and you could look out over the party-goers. People were seated all around the room, as she continued walking she noticed Victoria's outline talking to someone else, she hesitated. 'I know Victoria is next on Nathan's hit list... Should I warn her?'

Max moved up and tapped Victoria on the shoulder, The other girl turned and took a step back to look at her, "Sorry Max, Vortex Club member only." She said, about to turn away before Max could say anything else, "Sorry, I'm on the guest list." Victoria turned back to her with a disapproving scowl, "I'm taking you off."

'What the Hell is wrong with her?'

"Go fuck your selfie Victoria. I don't have time for this bullshit." Max called above the music. Victoria scoffed in response, "Real cute Max. And after I apologized to you the other day..." "Do you even have a clue what's going on at Blackwell?" Max asked, Victoria seemed somehow completely oblivious to everything around her, everything Nathan had done, "Kate Marsh killed herself in front of you and me... Everybody here!"

"That's not my fault, Max. Don't you even try to blame me!" Victoria stated, with another glare. "I blame Nathan. For dosing Kate, but nobody at that party even cared that she was so wasted." Victoria gave a sarcastic laugh, "It's a fucking party, everybody is wasted! What to you want from me?" "Some humanity Victoria." Max couldn't say she was surprised by Victoria's answer. "Well, you got Nathan busted out of Blackwell, so you should be happy. And I'm the only person here who cares what Nathan is going through," she said, matter-of-factly. "This is bigger than a problem child." Victoria really didn't see, did she? "I'm not perfect okay? I'm a teenager at an art school. I'm only here to become a photographer and get famous." 

Max paused, choosing her word carefully, "You have talent Victoria. You don't have to push people out of your way." "You don't understand, my parents own a gallery, I know how this art game has to be played... It's brutal." "No... It's art," Max responded, "You don't have to play their way. Mr. Jefferson doesn't talk that way, and he's famous."

Victoria sighed, "On point Max... Thanks again for admitting again that I have some talent. Not that I think I always do." "I don't either... But that's the choice you make." She paused, "Hard to believe, but I don't always make the best choices." She thought before asking, "Do you think it's like, fate we're not supposed to be friends?" Max smiled softly, "Maybe, but who says we have to be enemies?" "Whoever makes that decision." "... That would be us Victoria."

"Well Max Caulfield, I could always choose to let you in the Vortex Club..." "I don't think that's gonna happen... But not for the reasons you think." Max hesitated, they had gotten off track, "Victoria, Listen to me... Your life is in serious danger. I know Nathan is your friend, but he is truly unstable and dangerous. He did drug Kate at that party so he could take her some place... Dark." "What? Nice try, Max. But I don't believe you. And why would he do that?" Max felt a bit disheartened at her own answer, "That... I don't know yet... But it was enough to make Kate want to die... And I think you're next."

 Victoria rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest, "Max, that is crazy. Nathan is, like, one of my best friends... Yes, he takes serious meds, but that's not his fault! His family treats him like a total freak, just because he had little meltdowns." "They're not little anymore... They're deadly. I don't care if you hate me or not, but you have to believe me." Victoria was silent for a moment, "... You could have been a major bitch to me when I got hit with that paint... And I deserved it. Max, I don't hate you... I actually think you're one of the coolest people at Blackwell... Weird, but cool. You just don't know it yet. Maybe I'm jealous because you don't give a shit what anybody thinks. And I do... To be honest, Nathan has been freaking me out lately... He's not here and I haven't seen him." Max nodded, "Just make sure you stay away from him, and stick close to your friends tonight, okay?" "I'll let you boss me around this one time. And I have other people I can go to for protection. Thanks for telling me this, Max. If what you said is true... Then you be careful too." "I've got my own protection." Max said, diverting her attention to her first priority. Find Chloe.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Chloe walk into the room and lean against the wall. "There you are!" She said, walking over, "Chloe, Nathan isn't here. Nobody has seen him tonight." Chloe nodded in response, "He's definitely not upstairs or in the lockers." "Damn... Maybe he's hiding in his dorm." Chloe immediately started moving, "Then let's bail, Nathan can't hide anymore."

"So! You made it Max!" A voice called out as a figure stepped in front of them, "Oh, uh, hey Mr. Jefferson..." Max said to him. Mr. Jefferson chuckled, "Um... Are you both okay? You look like you're on a mission." "Uh, I was just looking for Nathan..." "Aha." The teacher said over the music, "I didn't know you were pals with him. I haven't seen him since this afternoon. He seemed pretty upset. I think he's still quite upset over the whole Kate situation" "Yeah, that makes sense." Max replied, not believing her own words. "Uh, let's talk later Max, I have to announce the winner of the contest. I do wish you would have entered. You have to build up that Resume and portfolio, but I know you will." Max nodded, "Thanks, I hope so." "Okay, excuse me, I'm almost on." He said, moving to the side of them, "Let's get the hell out of here, Max." Chloe said as soon as he left.

They pushed their way out of the curtain as the music stopped and Mr. Jefferson took the stage, mic in hand. "Okay everybody, calm down." Students cheered him as soon as he began speaking, "Thank you, thank you... I appreciate it. I don't want to get in the way of the party, but it's time to announce the winner of the 'Everyday Heroes' contest. Before I do, I want to thank everybody who entered their photograph... And everybody who thought about entering." Max was watching him as he speaked and felt Chloe yanking on her arm to drag her away to find Nathan, she had all the time in the world to spare anyways. "Now, this is the most important step in being an artist, sharing your work with the world. All of you represent Blackwell Academy, and everything our school stands for. As far as I'm concerned, you're all Everyday Heroes! The envelope, please..." Mr. Jefferson was quiet for a moment, "And the winner is... Oh my, what a shocker... Victoria Chase!" Applause sounded throughout the room once more as Mr. Jefferson stepped back to let her onto the stage.

Victoria took the mic as she climbed onto the stage, "Thank you so much, Mr. Jefferson. It was your incredible photography that brought me to Blackwell and I hope I can live up to your name... And fame. I also want to thank all the students for being so dedicated in their pursuit. And I'd like to dedicate this prize to the memory of Kate Marsh... She was the real Everyday Hero of Blackwell... Thank you." She handed the mic back to Mr. Jefferson as someone in the crowd shouted out, "You suck Victoria!"

Max frowned up at the stage, "Victoria won. Big surprise. I can't believe she blackmailed Jefferson... Well, yes... I can." "Who fucking cares? Rachel is still dead. And I want Nathan's punk ass... Now!" Chloe said as she stormed off. 

~

Warren pulled out his phone, not turning it on. He wondered if he should just text her. He hadn't seen Nathan... But if he was in there... Well, let's just say Chloe did did not look happy. He turned it on so the home screen was showing, hesitating and then powering it down and leaving. He didn't need to have a part in this.

~

Glad you got one last look at Rachel

Nobody will ever find her again after I'm done.

Text from Nathan Prescott. 9:43 PM

"Oh Christ, Nathan just texted me... He says there won't be any evidence left after he's done."

Chloe's eyes widened as the screens glow lit up her face in the darkened area. The bastard had already killed her, hadn't he? "Shit... We have to go to the Junkyard right now!" Max cried out, realizing where he was.

~

Chloe's foot smashed into yet another puddle in the dark space around them, "Stop stomping around Chloe." Max hissed at her, "Right," she responded, "just get ready to use your rewind fast if Nathan tries to jump us."

'Mr. Jefferson?'

That was the last thing that went through her  mind before everything faded to black.

~

A ringing pounded aggressively at Max's eardrums as her eyes flickered open. A camera was pointed at her, and the room nearly blinded her. The ringing slowly faded and she saw that she was in the room under the barn, the one she and Chloe had found. A soft box was the first thing that solidified in her vision, followed by a camera. there was a tightness against her wrist and she noticed it was bound to the chair. As her vision finally stabilized, she looked around, 'Chloe...? What? Where...? The dark room?' She thought, looking around franticly.

As she looked down she noticed the curled up form of Victoria. She looked much the same as she had at the party, well, only half conscious, but still. "Is anybody out there? Please, help!" she called out. Max looked down, her feet were fashioned to the chair in the same manner as her hands. She pulled with her right leg and the binding snapped. A silver trolley was gleaming just in reach, she stuck out her foot and hooked it onto the cart, dragging it over. It rolled smoothly over to her. A picture... Of her? It lay on top of the trolley. 'I hate looking at myself like that... You'll pay for this Jefferson.' She leaned forwards to stare into the photo, time to get out of here.

~

Thursday night, Warrens dorm.

Warren groaned, face down in a pillow. He had left the vortex club party and had gone back to his dorm. Normally he would have been outside, geeking out over the double moon, but he wasn't up to it. To be honest, the only reason he was at that stupid party was to look for Nathan. But the dick had never shown.

Now there was some bloodthirsty chick hunting Nathan down and Warren had no clue what to do.

~

'I promised I would never go back in time like this again... But this is the only way.'

A murmur sounded against her ear and it was easy to tell that it was Mr. Jefferson's voice. There was a bright flash and then everything dimmed to cool darkness again. Mr. Jefferson was crouched over her with a camera covering his face. "This angle highlights your purity, see?" He purred.

[Okay, so I've been writing for an hour or so, and I'm just gonna skip ahead a bit, because I've been going back and forth from video to document, so if TSG wants to write some of the canon stuff that I'm skipping here, then It shall be here. But I'm gonna skip to around when Max goes back to the lecture to get this moving at least a bit. -Unicorn]

~

"Oh..." Jefferson said, with an air of thinly veiled pity, "Look at your selfies... What a waste of talent. Look at that shot, Max." He said, tossing the journal to her feet, "You can do so much better."

Max breathed a sigh of relief, looking at her book, it was open to the selfie from Mr. Jefferson's class, that seemed so long ago, It couldn't have been less than a week. She bowed her head and focused on the photo.

~

"I could frame any one of you in a dark corner, and capture you in a moment of desperation. Shh shh shh... I believe Max has just taken what you kids call a 'selfie', a dumb word for a wonderful photographic tradition." She was back at the Monday lecture from Mr. Jefferson. Before it had been just another lecture, but now his voice made her skin crawl with every syllable. She didn't listen to most of the words, she had already heard them a thousand times. Instead she looked around the room, everyone was paying attention to Jefferson, so much had happened. It was hard to believe it was just a week.

"Now, Max, Since you've captured our interest and clearly want to join the conversation," Jefferson continued, bracing himself against the table. "can you please tell us the name of the first process that gave birth to  to the first self-portraits?" Max paused for a moment, "The daguerreian proccess." She managed to get out. Jefferson looked suprised, "Oh... Well, that was easy, Max." Max couldn't help herself, she scoffed, "Was it ? Okay." 

"Well, uh, anyways..." Jefferson continued, "So, uh, the Daguerreian Proccess made portraiture hugely popular, mainly because it gave the subjects clear, defined, features.You can learn more when you actually finish reading the assigned chapters, obviously, Max has read them."

[GONNA DO ANOTHER SKIPIROO BECAUSE I WANNA FINISH THIS TODAY.]

~

The photo was the only thing on Max's mind at the moment she climbed up into the truck. Rain was pouring down over the windshield, she was so relieved that Warren still had the photo. She grabbed her phone, checking the voicemail

You have one new message.

The robotic voice said, screen glowing in the dark storm. 

Message received yesterday at nine PM

"Max... It... It's Nathan.... I just wanted to say... I'm sorry... I didn't want to hurt Kate, or Rachel, or.... Didn't want to hurt anybody. Everybody... Used me..." the boy choked out through tears on the grainy phone message, "Mr. Jefferson.... Is coming for me now... All this shit will be over soon. Watch out Max... He wants to hurt you next.  Sorry."

The answering machine cut off.

 ~

[I literally wrote part of this when I was in a closet due to a tornado starting to form a street away from my house. It was fate.]

The storm had gotten bad. The tattooed man, who had introduced himself as Frank, was still on the floor, mumbling something about a dog. Multiple crashes were heard outside and debris was swirling around outside. He couldn't think straight, the storm was so... Unexpected. He would know, he had been studying the weather around arcadia bay, the snow... And now a tornado. It was unheard of.

His hand shook as it lay on the counter, after Max and Chloe had run off at that party, everything had felt weird, and then this storm started. It was loud, wind whipping away right outside. It was hard to hear himself even think. His heart was pounding so hard he felt like his eyeballs were turning to jelly in their sockets. He was going to die here. He was sure of it.

Warren sat down at one of the booths, head in hands, he didn't know what to do, this wasn't how his life was supposed to go, he was supposed to graduate, and live a normal life, maybe with a few super powers. The diner was shaking on it's foundations, a train whistle echoed through the town and darkness descended on Warren's mind.

[YAYYYY! HAPPY ENDINGS FOR EVE- oh...]