Epilogue

Timeline 1

Max and Chloe Reunited

Many charges were brought against the Prescott family. They were only found guilty of a few. But these few were enough - witness testimonies, email evidence, and other factors were sufficient to prove the Prescotts' role in the near-destruction of Arcadia Bay. This resulted in a lengthy and expensive sentence for Sean Prescott, and all but destroyed his businesses and foundations.

When his sentence was read and he was lead out of the courthouse and be transferred to prison, Max, Joyce, David, and a hooded Chloe - still in her wheelchair - happily watched him dragged away. He made angry threats and struggled against the officer's grips, but when he caught a glimpse of Chloe, he ceased.

Chloe kissed the tips of her fingers, as if to blow him a kiss, then flipped him the bird with an impish grin.

Sean Prescott could only stare, mouth agape as he was pushed inside the police cruiser.

The FBI set Chloe up with a false identity - Chloe Price was dead to the world, so she instead took the name Chloe Williams, in honor of her father. They also set her up with proper education credentials, including her two degrees in Physics and Mechanical Engineering and a complete transcript. She had all of the knowledge, thanks to her contact with Blue Shift. She wouldn't start until the summer term, to allow herself time to heal, but when she did, she would be working alongside Warren and Brooke under their new adviser. Due to the legal and financial issues of the Prescotts, much of the funding was disrupted for Professor Adam Smith, and he relinquished his students to new advisers until he could apply for and obtain new sources of funding.

When Max testified about her poisoning at the hands of FBI Agent Anderson Berry, it further fueled public outrage, which was already at a peak when it became clear how the Prescotts used their wealth to influence the Bureau. Andrews' boss resigned, and she stepped into his role. She opted to keep her connection with her alternate-reality self - though they knew the fate that awaited them, they decided that such an end was worth all of the good they were able to accomplish with the link.

Joyce and David decided to leave Arcadia Bay once and for all. Too many bad memories lingered there for them, and now that her daughter was home after a five year absence, she wanted to be closer. Chloe had her fill of eggs and bacon and Belgian waffles. It didn't take her long to get back to a healthy weight.

Jack had all but disappeared in this timeline. The FBI put out a warrant for his arrest, but he could not be found.

Timeline 2

Max and Chloe

Investigations uncovered how the Prescotts illegally began construction on protected land. It was also revealed how they had hired men and bribed police officers to attempt to murder two young women -Max and Chloe - and how they came damn near close to doing so. This caused all of the Prescott assets to be frozen and destroyed their businesses.

After his sentencing, Sean Prescott scowled at Chloe, Max and her parents, who stood happily together as he was lead away.

Chloe kissed the tips of her fingers and flipped him the bird.

Of those who had also escaped from the broken timeline, a few - mostly Marshians - had been sent to mental institutions. A few of the other Marshians were detained by the FBI as well, and placed under strict observation while the Bureau tried to determine if they could press charges against them. The rest were allowed to return to their families, if they still lived, with some funds to help them settle in, and strict non-disclosure agreements to never speak of the alternate reality or the events of Halloween night. R.J. MacReady was among them.

Max's parents never believed the police when they told them Chloe had kidnapped Max. They were understandably distraught when they discovered how close their daughter was to death when she was shot, and thanked Chloe profusely for the many times she saved Max's life. They were thrilled when Max told them they were engaged, and they immediately told Chloe how excited they were to be officially welcoming her to the family.

Chloe started work under a new adviser in the new year, due to the funding situation with Professor Smith. She was welcomed back as a hero when she returned to martial arts training.

Andrews', as she did in the other timeline, took over for her boss after he resigned. Agent Berry's career advanced as well, since he proved he was a trustworthy agent, much unlike his counterpart in the other reality.

Max and Chloe - with a nice payout from the Prescott case - got a much nicer apartment to live in for the remainder of their time in grad school.

Kate stayed where she was, though they all made it a point to visit more often.

On the first day of the Prescott trial, Jack was found dead in his cell, with a bullet wound to the head. Security footage did not show anyone entering or exiting his cell at the time of death. His death remains unsolved.

Timeline 1

Victoria Chase

With one hand, Victoria drummed her fingers on her back-office desk as she read over the invoice. The fingers of her other hand twirled a pen around.

"The Victoria Chase gallery thanks you for your patronage," she muttered under her breathe. A knock at the door caused her to look up.

"Come in," she called out. A young woman entered.

"Miss Chase, you have a package."

"Oh? Is it the frame shipment?"

"No ma'am," the woman replied. "It's a small thing. Right here." She held up a very small padded yellow envelope. "It's addressed directly to you, ma'am."

Victoria frowned, and ceased twirling her pen and set it down. She held out her now free hand and motioned for the girl to hand the item to her. The young woman obeyed and waited in the doorway as Victoria tore the envelope open.

Nosy girl, she thought. She almost chuckled. Once that would have really bothered her. Not so much anymore. It reminded her of someone she knew years ago - Max Caulfield. She was a bit odd and very nosy, but overall a nice girl. She regretted not being kinder to her before Chloe Price was murdered - the curiosity and nosiness all but stopped after that happened. Victoria had tried to reach out after that, but Max Caulfield was distant from everyone, even her closest friends.

Victoria wondered how Max Caulfield was faring now.

A small tin with a note slid out of the envelope and into her hand. She read the note first.

Your friendship allowed one of us to survive so that we could be reunited today. This is but a small thanks. We are forever grateful.

M & C

M and C? Who could that be?

Victoria puzzled over that question, trying out different names - Mike and Connor, Mitchell and Carson, and so on - but couldn't think of who that could be. And what did that message mean? She turned her attention to the small tin and popped it open.

"No fucking way," she said aloud. She pulled out a small whale-pendant necklace.

"What is it?" her assistant asked.

"Something I lost many, many years ago. I never would have thought I'd see it again."

"And someone found it and mailed it back to you? That's incredible."

"What can I say?" Victoria said with a shrug. "Life is strange."

THE END

Author's note: Wow, I can't believe this is done, now! Writing this has been such a blast. Thank you guys so much for reading my story! I've loved reading all of your comments - they inspired me to keep improving my work! I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it!