Kate Marsh is not the type of girl I'd imagine being friends with Chloe Price.

She's this shy, sweet, modestly dressed blonde girl with an almost heavenly aura around her, nothing like the hooligans and stoners Chloe associates herself with, but… they seem to get along just fine despite their differences.

Needless to say, this is one friend I wholeheartedly approve of.

Kate had invited Chloe out for a cup of tea, something they've apparently done often together but haven't in the last few months since Rachel went missing. It's a nice change of pace, to be honest, going out instead of staying cooped up in Chloe's house for hours at a time… and hopefully talking to another seemingly close friend will be good for her.

"So, how are you holding up, Chloe?" The girl asks softly, rubbing my ears from under the table as they chat idly over their tea, "I… I heard about Rachel going missing, I know she was a good friend of yours,".

She chuckles dryly and sighs, "I'm about as well as I look, Kate. Which is not good in case you can't tell".

"I'm sorry,".

"'s not your fault," Chloe replies, "Shit just… be like that sometimes".

Kate nods solemnly and continues, "Why don't you come back to school, that will give you something to do,".

"Yeah, and be around stepshit all day? No fucking way… besides, I got expelled, no way in hell they'll take me back,".

The other girl sighs and shakes her head, "I wish there was more I could do to help you… I know things can't be easy for you right now,".

"Huh… you don't know the half of it, Kate… I just feel so… useless, you know? Like nothing I do is good enough and my existence just… irritates people,".

Her voice is shaky and unsteady, and I can tell that she's on the verge of tears. It hurts so much hearing her talk like this… sounding so broken and desperate for reassurance that I can't give her. All I can really do is be there for her, and sometimes I feel like that's not enough.

But it's always worth a try.

I get up after Chloe says this, trotting over and placing my head gently in her lap as I whine. You're not useless, Chloe, I woof, You never have been and you never will be… I know it's hard right now, but I'm here… and you have Kate too.

She smiles and sniffles a bit, rubbing her thumbs over my head even though I know she didn't understand a word I said. "Thanks, girl… you always know when I need you," Chloe mutters, dragging her arm across her face to dry the few tears that rolled down her cheeks.

"Blu's really something, huh?" Kate asks with a thoughtful expression, "She really cares about you…I can tell".

"She's probably the only one who truly does," Chloe says, with a breathy laugh, "Call it fate or whatever but… this damn dog was exactly what I needed. I didn't even know I wanted a dog until I found her,".

"Fate does work in mysterious ways so… it's not completely illogical," the blonde girl replies, looking down at me with a warm smile, "Maybe God sent you his finest guardian angel to look over you,".

"Huh… ya think? Are you an angel dog, Blu?" She coos happily, a hint of sarcasm in her tone, "Are you here to watch over me?".

Yes! That's what I am, Chloe… that's why I'm here! I'm your angel dog! I bark excitedly, yapping and jumping around, shaking my tail as hard as I can as both girl laugh. Maybe things aren't so hopeless after all, maybe one day Chloe will find out just who I am and she'll be happy again.

Maybe…

All I can do is hope.

"Alright, settle down, dog," Chloe says, after a moment, trying to get me to sit despite being way too excited, "Come on… Let's show Kate how well trained you are! Sit, Blu, Sit!".

I sit…

Or try to.

My hindquarters struggle to stay on the ground as I try to reign in my excitement, wanting to show Kate what a good dog I am.

"That's a good girl," Chloe says after I sit still long enough, the blue haired girl tossing me a treat she'd snuck in her pocket, "Good girl, Blu,".

I am a good girl! I yap, shaking my head again when I realize that I'm still acting way too much like a dog. Not… not that that's a bad thing, I just don't want to lose myself any more than I already have.

I'm Max, come back as Blu, here to take care of Chloe, I remind myself.

"You know, I've never told anyone this since they might think I'm crazy but… " Chloe begins, pausing for a moment as she looks up at Kate, "Sometimes I feel like Blu can really understand me… like she knows what I'm saying, not just responding to hearing my voice and shit like that. She feels so… human at times… ya know?".

"Does that bother you?".

"No… not really," she continues, "It's… comforting almost… familiar,".

I can feel my heart pounding faster than normal, a small yelp escaping my throat.

You're not crazy, Chloe…

It's me… why don't you see that?

I came back for you…

There's a heavy silence that fills the air for a few moments before the blonde speaks again.

"Do you believe in reincarnation, Chloe?".

The question caught her off guard, and I can tell she's not quite sure how to respond. It's a question that takes me back as well, and I wonder curiously what her point might be.

Does… does she know who I am? I wonder.

"Uh… not really, I don't think. I mean, don't take this the wrong way but most of that religious mumbo jumbo is kinda lost on me. Why?".

"Well… I believe that our guardian angels are people that we've lost along the way… sent back to protect us as we continue out journey. Call me crazy but… maybe Blu was sent to help you… as someone you once knew,".

Chloe looks… gobsmacked, to say the least, her expression taking on a confused yet… startled look. "That's bullshit," she mutters, "If whoever the fuck is up there wanted to send back someone I lost, he wouldn't have taken them in the first place".

"It's was just a suggestion Chloe," Kate replies, "A little faith can go a long way,".

"I… I know, Kate. Just… fuck, I didn't mean to snap like that… touchy subject and what not..,".

The blonde reaches over and places a gentle hand over Chloe's, "You don't need to apologize, okay? I shouldn't have brought it up… it's just something to think about, even if you don't believe in it,".

I look up, expecting her to say in return but… Chloe just stays quiet, lost in thought as if she's trying to comprehend what's going through her mind. Eventually, she looks down at me, her light blue eyes piercing straight into my soul… looking, searching.

"I need to go," she says suddenly blinking a few times as she pulls herself out of the trance-like state, her face slightly pale, "I'm sorry… I- I just-".

"Chloe… calm down, you don't have to leave," Kate says, slightly alarmed as the taller girl staggers to her feet, "We can talk about something else if this makes you uncomfortable…".

But her words go unheard as Chloe quickly grabs my leash and all but starts sprinting down the sidewalk towards her truck.

"I need to go… I need to go," she continues.

"Chloe, wait!" Kate calls after us…

But Chloe doesn't stop until the other girl is out of sight.

I've never seen Chloe like this… it looks like she's seen a ghost.

Maybe because, in a way, she has, I realize.

"That's bullshit… people can't come back like that, right Blu? It's bullshit…".

I debate on whether or not I should even respond to that, or if I'll just freak her out even more, but before I can even do anything, Chloe continues on with her nervous ramblings as she drives.

"Shut the fuck up, Price," she scolds, "You're talking to a dog…".

But I can understand you! I bark, It's me, Max! Kate was right… I came back for you!

Chloe shushes me as she focuses on the road ahead, her hands fidgeting on the steering wheel, and soon enough I start to piece together where we're headed, the only place she goes when she has nowhere else to go.

"I just need a few hours to process this shit," Chloe continues, "First I'll get drunk, call Kate and apologize, then head home… that's it… that's the plan,".

Chloe… please, just try to relax...you're okay, everything is fine, I whine, pawing at her pant leg, genuinely starting to worry that she's having a nervous breakdown or something,

"God… you probably think I'm insane, huh?" she says, giving me a sorry look before shaking her head in realization, "… and I'm still talking to a fucking dog, you've lost it Price… off to the loony bin with you,".

At that point, I just result in whining every so often until we finally, finally pull up to the junkyard, the truck pulling up to an abrupt stop as Chloe heaves a heavy sigh and throws open the door. I tilt my head to the side in confusion, expecting her to get out but… she just gestures for me to go first.

"I need a minute," she mutters, still looking lost, her eyes seeming glazed over somewhat, "I'll be right there, just… do whatever it is dogs do…".

I don't move, just whine and continue to paw at her, Don't do that… don't close yourself off, I need you, Chloe.

"Please, dog… I'm not going to leave you if that's what you're worried about…".

After a moment, I reluctantly obey and hop out of the truck, not wanting to go too far from where she parked since I have to be ready for when Chloe needs me again. So, for the time being, I do my usual rounds around the yard, seeing if anyone (or anything) visited while we were gone, and if I'm lucky, I'll finally find that raccoon that always seems to evade me.

With my nose to the ground, I carefully climb over the discarded debris on the outskirts of the junkyard, pausing suddenly when a strong, rancid stench reaches my snout. In truth, I've never really liked the junkyard… there has always been somewhat dark and sinister energy around the whole place… especially this area. The strong, pungent, rotting odor that emits from the ground lingers in my nostrils for far too long.

Whatever it is… it smells dead.

But, there are a lot of dead things in the junkyard, so I don't think too much of it.

At least I try not too, there's just something about it that feels… wrong.

I sneeze and shake my head, about to continue on with my treck when I hear something moving around in the foliage around me. My hackles immediately rise as I become aware of something else in the junkyard with us… but I don't smell anything or anyone, and it's definitely not Chloe since she's still in the truck doing god knows what.

I let out a low growl or warning, slowing walking towards the source of the sound

Who's there! I bark, hoping to scare the creature away, Show yourself or leave!

In all honesty, I don't really expect whatever's in the bushes to take up my threat, because the next thing I know, the leaves begin to shake as a tall slender figure emerges from it's hiding spot.

It's… a doe?

But it doesn't look like any deer I've seen. The large creature appears almost translucent, a glowing aura surrounding it. She doesn't do much, just stares down and acknowledges my presence with large green eyes.

A small whimper escapes my throat as I take a few timid steps back, keeping my head as low as I can, not wanting to seem threatening. What… are you? I woof softly, watching as the doe begins to walk closer to me, settling herself down on an open patch of dirt.

I don't think she can understand me… just like most animals but, this is just an animal.

I'm drawn to her, almost transfixed. She lets me get close to her, close enough to press my nose against her fur, despite being completely translucent and ghost-like, the doe is solid, real... a physical manifestation.

This… is really happening I realize, this whole situation feeling very dreamlike… but I know this is real life… whatever this doe is… I'm supposed to see her.

Fate perhaps continues to play a role in this.

After what feels like forever, she turns to me and stands up once again, pressing her own nose against mine.

Take care of her… she says to me, her words soft and quiet, barely above a whisper, do what I couldn't.

I don't really have much of a reaction when she finally walks off, my mind struggling to process the fact that the doe spoke back to me in the first place. But, it's what she said that boggles me the most:

Take Care Of Her.

Take care of who? I wonder, still trying to wrap my head around what just happened, and what did she mean do what she couldn't do?

I'm not really sure how long I stand there, but it's long enough for the doe to disappear into the foliage again and for Chloe to get to come looking for me when I don't respond to her calls. "Blu? What are you doing over here, girl?" she asks, coming up beside me as I stand rigid in the middle of the open lot, "Ugh, and what the hell did you roll in?! Fuck, I think this is worse than that skunk!".

I don't… move, just stare at where the doe was, where patches of earth poke through the freshly grown grass.

"Blu?".

It's like…

"Dog?".

Something was buried here.

"Blu!".

I yelp suddenly when I feel Chloe grab me, shaking my body to snap me out of whatever trance like state I was in. I'm panting hard, whining a little as I look up at the blue-haired punk for reassurance, even though I know she has no idea about what just happened before my eyes.

"Looks like I'm not the only one who dissociates, huh?" she says, rubbing my head as I nuzzle myself into her arms, "It's okay, girl… I'm right here, you're okay,".

I just stay there… letting her hold me as I try to recover from the whole ordeal, but… part of me worries that surreal experience is just the beginning. Of what, I'm not sure… but I get the awful feeling it has to do with whatever is buried here… maybe this is what I'm here for.

"Come on," Chloe mutters, patting my shoulder a few times before standing up, "We've got… *sigh* we've got shit to figure out".

I follow quickly once she starts making her way towards the concrete shack, her emotions still a whirlwind of uncertainty. I keep myself as close to her as humanly possible, both giving and needing reassurance.

Oh, Chloe… if only we could understand each other… things would be so much easier., I think to myself.

She remains silent until we finally enter the small dwelling, giving me a curious look as I sit down in front of her, an equally as curious look dawning on my face. We just stare at each other for a while and after a few minutes pass, Chloe finally sighs and drops her gaze to the ground.

"God, this is so fucking stupid," she hisses softly, running her hands through her fading blue hair, "If what Kate said is true, and you're really some kind of reincarnated being or some shit… prove it. Give me a sign… show me something that… that only they'd know. Prove to me this isn't some fucked up coincidence…".

I blink a few times in shock and confusion… mostly shock though. How on earth am I supposed to prove I'm Max without words? How am I supposed to show her that I'm the little girl that left her behind all those years ago without a proper goodbye? How am - ?

While I continue to lament about unfortunate my situation, Chloe's expression shifts from slightly hopeful look to a skeptical one, before finally, she just looks crushed. "The fuck you expect, Price?" she mumbles to herself, flopping down on the bench and throwing her hands over her face, "It's a dog… just a fucking dog. Now get your head out of the clouds and stop dreaming up nonsense,".

I don't know how to tell you, Chloe I woof, whining softly as I carefully walk up to her, nudging my nose gently into her side, I want to… I really do, I just…

I pause, remembering something that might be my only chance to prove my former humanity. So with a small whimper, I lick Chloe's hand before scampering off into the junkyard, praying to god that the item is still there. At that point, I'm hyperfocused, my nose to the ground again as I dig through the piles of scrap and garbage thrown around, not really caring if I get hurt by any of it.

I know it's here, I'd seen it a hundred times, hell… Chloe even commented on it one time while she was drunk, reminiscing about how life used to be.

I need to find it, I just have to.

Chloe has to know I came back for her.

I can't let her continue to live like this without doing anything about it, I-

Found it!

Quickly, I take the small rectangular device in my mouth and run back to the shack, dropping the thing right in front of Chloe. My breathing is labored from adrenaline and the sheer uncertainty of is this will actually work, I can't even sit still as I whine and yap at her, hoping to get her attention.

"Just leave me alone, Blu," she says, "I know you want to help but-".

I bark and cut her off. No, I need you to see this, Chloe, I need you to know who I am.

"-Blu…".

I bark again, despite knowing that it will only agitate her more.

"I'm not in the mood, Blu… please,".

This time I howl, pawing at the ground beside my gift.

Come on, Chloe… just get up… just get up.

Finally, after a while, Chloe just seems to reach her breaking point and snaps up, anger clear in her eyes. "Leave me the fuck alone!" she yells, her face growing red with each word she spits out, "I don't need you right now, so just… just leave! I don't want you here, I want to… be… alone…".

He voice trails off as she looks down at what I left at her feet.

There's a pause… a long, uncomfortable pause as Chloe just stares at the small, busted up camera before her. I can hear her struggle to repress a gasp, her eyes growing wide as she finally looks up to meet my familiar blue eyes.

"... Max?".