A Strange Path To Walk

A no powers AU where Max is shot in the bathroom instead of Chloe. They're reunited at last, but Max is a wreck afterwards, closing out the world except for her best friend. But Rachel Amber is still missing, and Chloe has her own problems. Can they save each other from their demons and survive the apocalypse?

Quick note: this is my first attempt at something like this, feedback is appreciated. I have no idea how long this will be at the moment. With how I usually write, it could be a long one or I might abandon it at some point. Sorry! I know how it feels to read something and then it just stops. It's unfair but if the creative impulse dies out, it dies out.

Rated M for dark themes, potentially including: really strong language, violence, sex, natural disasters, character death and mental health issues. Possibly more.

I seriously have no intention or interest in pulling punches so to speak. If that or anything above bothers you, don't read it. Fair warning.

Usual disclaimer: I don't own or claim to own anything from Life Is Strange.

Snap!

Max smiled as she waved the developing picture in the air. Not her best shot ever, but it was beautiful nonetheless, a tiny blue butterfly on a bucket. Any opportunity for a picture was one she was willing to take, even in the back of a Blackwell bathroom. That's a photography student for you.

Coming here was a dream come true for her. She'd grown up in the town and always dreamed of going to the school, of learning photography and art. More photography really, but art was nice and shared a lot between the two. Blackwell Academy was elite, hosting only the most promising students and some of the most accomplished teachers and artists in the world. Compared to nearly any other school, Max would have chosen Blackwell out of hand.

It wasn't just the fact that her idol, Mr Jefferson, taught here, or that it basically paved the way to professional success. Blackwell felt special, like it had something to offer her. It wasn't perfect, not hardly, but she loved attending. Her classmates were cool, and super talented, even the stuck up Victoria.

She wasn't so bad when her posse wasn't around, but she was annoying if she thought someone else was watching. Dana and Juliet seemed to follow her every move, like ducklings behind a mother. Well, maybe not that extreme but they always seemed to be present when Victoria was.

Just as she was about to leave the bathroom, still thinking about Blackwell and her future there, the door flew open with a bang, hitting the wall hard. Startled, she ducked back, hiding in the space behind the last stall.

In strode a boy in a varsity jacket, blond hair slicked back and pale complexion even whiter than usual. He had a swagger like he owned the place, which he dropped when the door swung shut, sagging his shoulders and going to the sink to splash water on his face.

Why was Nathan Prescott in the girls bathroom?

He was the richest kid in the school, in the whole town really, and a serious creep, Nathan had never struck her as someone who would hook up in the bathroom, men's or women's. He had a reputation in class as a bad boy, and more than a bit unstable, but barging into a women's bathroom wasn't an expected move.

"Come on, keep it together! Come on, come on! Aarrgh! I hate it! Hate it! Hate it, hate it! They think they're better than me! That's right! Right? I'm fine. No, no, this time is different. This time I'll show them!"

He ranted and raved, locking eyes with himself in the dingy mirror, hands wringing and flailing, clawing at his face. He had a manic look to him, everything amplified and terrible. Nathan's words took on less and less meaning, spittle flying out and lips curling back into a rictus smile.

Max barely dared to breathe. She'd never seen him like this before, or anyone like this really. He was drugged out, or having a mental break or something! She needed help, but she was stuck in the corner, afraid of what might happen if he knew she was there.

Peeking out, she weighed her options. She had her phone, she could call someone or text them. But there wasn't a guarantee they'd show up in time to help her. His movement was erratic, but he'd eventually cover most of the room. Screaming might bring someone to the bathroom, but then Nathan would definitely know she was there and there was no telling what would happen. Plus with all the noise in the hall, the sound might not be noticed. Nothing seemed like a good idea, so she sat, frozen like a deer in headlights.

She could only listen to his rant, flinching when he walked closer or kicked a door. By some miracle he hadn't heard or seen her, but it was just a matter of time. There was a fire alarm button on the wall, but it was protected by a glass case. Breaking it would draw attention for sure. He walked closer to her hiding spot, barely two feet away and closing. She shut her eyes, wishing she could turn invisible or something.

'What I wouldn't give for someone to walk in and help me!' Max thought 'Anyone!'

Just as the thought left her brain, the door to the hall opened, letting in the sound of students moving in the halls and the usual shouts and noise of school life. Too loud and short to call for help.

Nathan whirled around, turning to see who on earth would barge in on his meltdown.

It was a blue haired girl dressed like a punk, complete with military boots, dark and torn jeans, with a black jacket tossed over an edgy looking band shirt. A blue-black beanie completed the look, edgy and cool. She had a harsh look on her face, like she was annoyed at the world for existing. She seemed familiar to Max, something nagging at her brain, but it was lost as Nathan moved towards the now closed door.

She froze for a second, unsure of what was going on. A crazy looking guy in the women's restroom was probably as new an experience for her as it was for Max. Realizing he was coming for her, she backpedaled, cornering herself as she tried to open the door without turning her back.

"Who the fuck are you!?" He screamed at her "Do you know who I am!? Did they send you? Did He send you? Tell m—oof!"

The second he had gotten within arms reach and tried to grab her shoulders, the new girl had reacted, twisting his wrist into a martial arts lock and then expertly turning it into a throw. Nathan landed hard and slid on his back almost to Max's hiding place. The blue haired badass followed, standing nearly on top of the prone maniac.

Max blinked. It had all happened in a split second, an action movie takedown that nerds and geeks could only dream of! It was fluid and confident enough that she had no doubt the move had been used before, and had more training to back it up.

'Wowser, whoever this chick is, I should get her autograph!'

"I don't know what your problem is dude, but leave me the fuck out of it!" The mystery girl told him, voice shaking but firm. Leaning down, she looked him in the eye. "Freak. Why are you even in here? Get the fuck out before–"

"NO ONE calls me a freak!"

"Arrgh!"

Nathan had leaned up and grabbed her by the front of her jacket, one lapel in each hand, dragging her down to the ground, punching out a few times before rolling away.

They separated just next to Max, neither seeing her hiding in the shadows, Nathan pushing up and away, clawing at his shirt. The blue haired girl looked a bit stunned as she slowly sat back up. Her beanie was loose, almost falling from her hair, and allowed the darker roots to peek out. She glared at the boy, angry and ready to keep fighting.

Standing, Nathan pulled something from his varsity jacket. It was a dull colored pistol, ready to fire. Both girls gasped at the sight, instinctively leaning away from the weapon.

"Yeah, you know what this is! Now who's the boss? Huh bitch?"

"L-look man, just take it easy! Point that thing somewhere else! What do you even want? I don't know you!"

"LIAR! HE sent you didn't he!? I KNOW HE DID! TELL ME!"

"What are you saying dude!? Who?"

Her words set Nathan off again, like the flip of a switch. He was raving like before, waving a presumably loaded gun around like a toy, muzzle sweeping the room. The punk moved back against the wall, scooting on her butt to keep a distance between her and the maniac. She started to stand, reaching for something behind her back.

It was the wrong move. Nathan swung around, gun pointed and finger on the trigger. He shouted something about "him" and waved the gun aggressively. Max could see his finger tighten on the trigger, as if in slow motion.

"NO!"

She didn't even think, some unknown connection pulling her forwards, as she lunged for his arm. Stepping over the other girl, she could already tell she was too slow.

He saw her coming at the last second and twitched his aim her way, finger finally pulling the trigger.

Bam! Bam!

Max felt a tug at her stomach, something weirdly off about her body. She landed hard on top of the girl who she had moved to protect, while Nathan stood frozen and dropped his gun, eyes widening. He blood pounded in her ears as she was jostled by the other girl, who pulled her closer. She felt odd, like she was being disconnected from herself.

"Wha-? Wait Max!? MAX! Why are you here!? Oh god, oh shit, FUCK!" The punked out girl said, holding Max in her lap. If she had looked panicked before, now she was desperate and even more scared. "No, no, no! Not you! Please somebody! Help! Anybody!"

Nathan for his part stood as still as a statue, mouthing words that never made it out. He seemed to have snapped out of it, come back to reality. Too late to do anything but face the music.

Max couldn't tell how in the world this girl knew her. Sure she looked familiar, so close to someone Max had known in the past, but she couldn't put her finger on it. It was like trying to remember a dream, slipping away faster than she could remember.

'I know her. But from where? Never seen her around Blackwell before. But she's so familiar..'

Max tried to move, to get a better look at the girl. It was all she could think about, suddenly, this mysterious badass. Who knew her that she didn't recognize? Probably a stupid question, but it bothered her. Why couldn't she remember? Was it someone from before she moved? It was only five years, how much could have changed? She reached up, to touch the tear stained face above her.

As she did, she realized she didn't have the strength, could barely lift her head. Her arms moved weakly, legs spasming and muscles clenching jerkily. Something was seriously wrong. The air was cold on her skin, sweat breaking out on her brow and body, cooling her even more.

Looking down, she saw red. One spot just starting to show on her shoulder, and another dead center of her stomach. Her eyes felt heavy, drooping and rolling, trying to focus as blackness slowly filled in from the sides. Max was fading, sinking slowly into a darkness she never knew before. It was terrifying.

She forced herself to look, one last time, as her eyes swam. If it was the last thing she did, she would see who held her so tightly. She knew this girl, but from where?

The door flew open yet again, distant to Max's ears. A mustached and intense man holding his own pistol came barging in, taking the scene in at a glance. He was the security guard for Blackwell, David.

"Chloe! What the-? Shit!" He said, lunging for Nathan as he spotted the gun.

'It can't be! It's impossible…but…'

"W-wait...Chloe...you're...Chlo-"

Her head flopped back, as David slammed Nathan to the ground, and help finally arrived.

Woo!

That was fun to write! Sorry to basically rehash the whole opening scene, but hey, setup is setup. Hope you enjoyed it!

Apologies for the really strong language, but looking at the game dialogue, there's a LOT of cussing anyway.

I'll be writing the next chapter after this, so keep an eye out. This is about the only scene taken almost directly from the game that I have planned. Probably.

Other side note: This is quite literally the first story I ever posted online, though I'm writing for other sites and themes. None of the rest are finished and I have no idea if or when this one will update or complete. This story might be ok, I might have tried a little too hard or it might be trash, but that's all ok. It feels good to finally get it out there and post something at least.

if the formatting is off, I'll try to fix it. I'm posting from mobile and it's not the prettiest copy paste I've ever seen