The Town

  Chapter 23: Max's Lucky Night

  Max took Clay back home, and decided to go back to his place at the Mayor's office. When he got there he opened the door and went into his office. He saw a note on the couch and it read, "Hope you haven't forgotten about tonight Max. Meet me on the other side of the town hall. I'm in room number thirty-four, be there around nine." Max looked at his clock and it was already past seven. He had to get home, and fast.

  Racing home, he arrived quickly and darted up the stairs without saying a word to anyone. Max tore off his clothes and hopped in the shower. He made sure he was squeaky clean and got back out. He put on his nicest pair of jeans and a nice sports jacket his mom had gotten him. Max even combed his hair a little bit and put on some deodorant. Right as he was about to walk out the door, his mother knocked on the door.

  "Max! I was wondering if we could eat dinner together tonight!" He tried desperately to think of something to get out of dinner. In a low raspy voice he said, "Mom, I'm sick. I can't even get up, but I took some medicine so I'll feel better by tomorrow." "Good try Max, but you can't get sick, remember? The only thing you can have is a headache."

  "Goddamnit" he said to himself as he opened the door. "Oh Max, you look so fancy tonight what's the big occasion?"

  "I'm going to see that girl Katherine."

  "Oh my God! My little Max is getting older."

  She gave him a big hug and ruffled his hair, smiling, “Have fun tonight son, just make sure you’re back by breakfast tomorrow." He nodded and she left the room quickly. "Oh thank God, guess nothing will stop me tonight." Max went out the door excited and ready for the night.

  Instead of driving himself, Max had decided to get someone to drive him around in George's old cruiser. "Where to Mayor Max?" the driver asked him. "Town Hall, and step on it please." "Very well then sir." He drove very fast and in just a few minutes they reached the Town Hall. "Thank you, I really appreciate it." "My pleasure sir." He walked out of the car and opened Max's door. He even handed Max a breath mint and then drove away.

  Max walked up the steps to the Town Hall entrance, remembering the number thirty-four. As he walked in he saw an old lady at the front desk. "Do you know where room thirty-four is?" He asked. "Go up the floor and to the left,” she snapped back angrily. Max hurried to the stairs and thought to himself, “God, the real nerves of some people!"

  He walked up every stair slowly not missing a step. He turned to the left and saw the room at the end of the hall. Max approached the door calmly. "Shower check, look good check, smell good check, breath check, amazing guy check," he whispered to himself confidently. Max knocked three times as he always did, and heard footsteps come towards the door. The door opened and there stood Katherine, radiating with beauty.

  "Max! You look great,” Katherine said smiling at him, “I didn't even put on anything special I feel so stupid." "Oh, its okay, under this jacket I'm just wearing a t-shirt anyway." She continued to smile and replied, “I just cooked dinner so if you want to just take a seat and I'll be right in."

  Max waited patiently at the table. Katherine's place was small, it had a kitchen, a bedroom and a bathroom. But it was very cozy and welcoming. "I hope you like spaghetti, it’s the best dish I make." She brought in a huge plate of spaghetti and meatballs. She then brought in potatoes, tomato soup, and a huge salad. Max stared at all the food, almost unable to start feasting. "I hope you eat a lot," she laughed. "Oh don't worry, I never get full," he replied jokingly. They ate and had small talk for awhile, and then Katherine decided to ask Max a more serious question. "Max what was it like leaving the town?”

  Max put down his fork and looked at her straight in the face, “It was the most amazing thing I've ever done." "What was it like?" she pressed on. "Everything is exciting, and you never know what will happen next. I'd say that's what’s so amazing about leaving. I saw things people couldn't even imagine here," Max continued. "Well tell me one story of yours Max, one you haven't even told the old mayor." Max took a large gulp of water and decided to tell her the story about the fountain. "Well okay, but I’m warning you, it’s a little bit scary.” She nodded and urged him to carry on. 

  "When I was with the four men who told me everything about my past, I went to a golden fountain with my name engraved on it. They told me in this fountain I would find whatever I was looking for, and that it would bring me peace. I jumped into a three-inch deep fountain, but when I touched the water I instantly was under it. I saw a house at the bottom of this fountain so I swam down to it. When I opened the door, I burst through it. But no water could go inside the house, and when I came in I was completely dry. In the house was a small book called Red Death. I read this book, but after every line I heard my dead sister Betty scream. I read it through and it told me how to defeat the Red Death, and how I was immune to them. As I finished reading the book, there was a knock at the front door. A mysterious voice yelled, ‘Who dare enters my domain?’ The thing came in and it was enormous, but it had no eyes. It told me to stay with it, and live carefree. Then it transformed into a little girl and told me to play. I refused and it got angry so I shot it in the face. After I shot it, its head started to reattach back to its neck. I jumped back outside and swam back up just in time before the thing was able to grab me. And as my fingertips touched the surface I immediately popped back out of the fountain."

  Katherine sat there stunned. "So you swam to the bottom of a fountain, and tried to kill a big man with no eyes?" "Yup, that basically sums it all up," answered Max.

  She came next to Max and asked him to go over to the couch with her. "Max, what if I told you I was special too. That I had some sort of gift?" she said to him. "Well that would be awesome. If we had kids they'd be like super soldiers."

  "Max, I'm actually from another group of people too. They’re like yours, but a little bit different." "How much different?" he asked bewildered. She grabbed his hand, and suddenly they were in Max's bedroom. Max gasped for air and jumped on his bed. "What the hell was that? How are we here?" he asked as he breathed frantically. "I can teleport Max, I can be in one place and then instantly vanish to the next. The old mayor told me I could never teleport out of the town."

  Now it was Max who was amazed, "So wait just one second. You’re from another elite group of people too?" "I'm afraid so Max. The only person who knows about this is George."

  Max had to lie down and looked up at the ceiling. He heard footsteps and Katherine again grabbed his hand. They instantly vanished and reappeared back in her room.

  "Oh my God Katherine, you’re even more amazing then I thought. I think I'm falling in love with you." "Oh Max, let’s leave this place just me and you. We can go anywhere we want." "Katherine I can't, I have to save the people here." "They’re all going to die eventually Max, were immortal both you and me.” "No I'm not immortal I just can't be killed unless my head is cut off."

  She sighed and looked away. He continued, "I really wish I could just leave all of this, but I can't. It’s my purpose." He grabbed her head and brought her close to him, "I really do like you Katherine." "I really like you too Max, just make sure you don't die tomorrow I'm begging you." "I promise I won't."

  She kissed him and he kissed her back. "That was amazing," he said smiling. "You’re so cute Max, I just can't get over it.” He kissed her again this time grabbing her body. They kissed now a little bit longer. "Max? Do you just like me because of my looks." "No! I think you’re the most amazing girls I've ever met. You can cook, you’re smart, you’re funny, and I love being around you." She blushed and told him he was sweet. He grabbed her again and kissed her lips. Then she unbuttoned her blouse and asked, "Max, do you want to have kids with me?" Max immediately stopped kissing her. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that. It’s way to soon to even be talking about that, I just met you," she said blushing. "No, it’s not that Katherine. The reason why is because I don't think I'd be a very good dad. I always seem to mess things up whatever I do." She grab
bed his hand and stroked it soothingly. Max looked at her, "After the battle, I'd love to start thinking about kids. But right now I'm just not ready."

  She nodded at him, and decided to go make some dessert for Max. "Do you like cookies Max?" "That’s the only thing I like more than pancakes!" He went in the kitchen with her and helped make them. "How many minutes till there ready" Max asked. "About fifteen minutes I think." "There's a lot we can do in fifteen minutes," Max said in a smooth voice. "Well come into my bedroom so we can talk." She teleported out of the kitchen, leaving Max to go and find her in the other room. "Like to play hard to get?" he yelled out. "Come and get me if you want to find out," she responded. He sprinted over to her room and saw her lying down on the bed with her eyes closed. "That's just insane how you can do that, I wonder what our kids will be able to do." She lay still on the bed not saying a word. Max slowly walked over to the bed. "Fine I guess I'll just leave then," he said pretending to be serious. As he turned around to go towards the door Katherine reappeared. "Sorry I thought you were asleep," Max said sheepishly. "You're such a bad liar Max." He smiled and pulled her back over to the bed. They rolled around for a while pretending to wrestle each other. She stopped him and asked, "Are you sure you like me Max? I mean I'm not very normal." "Katherine I like you so much, I'm not very normal myself, that’s why I like you." "Can we just cuddle Max, I'm really tired." He wrapped his arms around her and they fell asleep. 

  Max woke up with Katherine still asleep at his side. "In about fifteen more hours they'll be here," Max whispered to himself. "Max, are you already awake?" "Yeah I guess you are too." She rolled over on top of him and they kissed. As they stopped kissing she asked, "Do you want some breakfast Max?" "Yeah I'm always hungry, it’s kind of ridiculous." She smiled at him and kissed him on the cheek. "I have to be at the training fields around ten, so just a little heads up." "Oh that’s fine I can give you a ride over." After a little bit of waiting Katherine brought Max a huge breakfast in bed. "I don't think I've ever eaten breakfast in bed." "Well trust me it tastes even better." She gave him cereal, some fruit, and something that looked like pancakes but had little squares in them. "What the heck are those Katherine?" "They’re the best, even better than pancakes, they’re called waffles." Max took a bite of these waffles and stopped chewing. They tasted like a little bit of heaven mixed with happiness. "Where did you get these?" "I made them for you," she said laughing. Max took each bite slowly, enjoying every single piece. "It's amazing, maybe even better than pancakes." "I knew it! Pancakes are good, but waffles are a hundred times better." "Well I don't know if I'd say they’re that good," Max smiled and she smiled at him too.

  "So, what do you want to do now Katherine? I have about two more hours and we can do what ever you want.” She grabbed his hand and said, "Just tell me where you want to go."

  "The Canyon," he said without missing a beat. Instantly, they were at the Canyon, the exact same place where he found the four men. "Is this the place you told me where the fountain is?" She asked. "Yes it’s amazing, ready to go in?" “Sure,” she grabbed his hand and they walked in the Canyon.

  The statue of Max was still intact, but everything else was ruined. "The Red Death killed the four men here and basically tore up the place. But for some reason they left the statue of me standing.” Max found a note on top of the statue and it read, "Max, we made it so the Red Death could not touch anything that belongs to you. Unfortunately it cost us our lives, but it was our time anyway. The Red Death will use weapons, but we know you will be able to win this battle." Max's eyes filled with tears, but he decided to keep it together in front of Katherine.

  "Oh my goodness Max, I'm so sorry this happened." "Its alright,” Max said, clearing his throat, “I'm going to kill all of those goddamn things, they’re going to regret that they did this. But now that they can use weapons, it’s going to be so much harder, I worry that we could be done for. I hope we can still defeat them."

  Then Katherine looked at him, "You know Max, I think I can help you. I can teleport you anywhere and distract the Red Death, giving the people a chance to kill them."

  "Katherine, that could actually work, but are you sure you'd be up for that? I mean you could be killed by just one shot or cut." "That’s a risk I'd be willing to take for our people and for you Max," she smiled. Max gave her a hug, and she teleported them back to the mayor's office.

  "Max, you have a whole hour to get ready, I'll let you get your own ride over to the training fields." "Well fine then," Max said jokingly. She gave him a kiss, and told him to get ready. "Are you sure you can't take a shower with me?" She smiled at him and pushed him over to the couch. "You are so cute, but go take your shower now." Katherine teleported back to her house and Max lay motionless again on his couch. "Wow what a night, she's perfect." As he was lying down he remembered that he told his mom he would be home for breakfast. "Oh shit, I'm screwed," Max said to himself, and threw his pillow hard over to the wall. But then he heard a knock on the door and luckily it was his father.

  "Quick Max, come with me before your mother kills both of us!" Max nodded at him and they ran down the stairs and hopped into his car. "So what were you doing last night?" he asked. "Well, I met this girl," Max sighed. "Oh your mother told me about that I just didn't believe her, I didn't know my son was already going to date." "Yeah, she's quite the woman dad."

  They made it back to Max's house and they both sprinted up to the front door. "Oh Max! I knew you would come, your father insisted we have it without you," his mom said to him with a hug.

  "Yeah mom, I was just on my way when I saw dad driving so he gave me a ride over." "Oh well come on in, I heard you and your father need to be at the training fields around ten and its already nine fifteen. I have breakfast ready on the table." Since Max had already eaten that morning he was surprisingly full. He ate very slowly and only took one or two pancakes. "Max,” his mother said alarmed, “You don't seem very hungry this morning." "Oh I'm just nervous that’s all mom, I mean I'm about to fight a war in about twelve hours." "Oh Max, you'll be fine." Then his father chimed in, "Max I know what happened yesterday, and how everyone left. But don't worry the people will be back today and we can win this thing together." "Thanks dad, I hope that’s what happens." After breakfast his mom gave him another hug and told him to be safe, and then his father took him over to the training fields in his milk van.

  Rock, George, and Clay were already there, waiting for him to arrive. "Thanks dad, I'll make sure to see you before this whole thing starts." "Don't worry about me son I'll be fine." Max put out his hand for his father, but instead he gave him a hug. "Be safe," he whispered and then headed over to group C.

  Max strutted over to the group leaders yelling out to them, "I got the whole speech ready, but George I need to talk with you in private for a second if that’s alright." They all nodded and left George and Max to talk.

  "George, what the hell is going on?" Max said trying to keep his voice down. "Katherine can teleport, did you know this?" George put his hand on his face and replied," Oh Max, I didn't want you to find this out just now. Her parents were brutally killed when she was a little girl, I didn't want her to be in any part of this battle to protect her. I was planning on telling you after I found out you two had a thing going. But I guess I never really got around to it." "So you can tell me how I was supposed to be with her, how I let her down, but you can't tell me she’s from another group of people and can teleport?" Max demanded. "This is not the time Max. There are still a lot of things you do not know, and I'm sorry I can't tell you everything now. We have to focus on the task at hand, then if we make it through all of this and win this battle, we can talk more." Max paced back and forth angrily, trying to think of something to say. "Well George, I took her to the canyon. She teleported us there, and guess what we found out." As Max was talking George interrupted him, grabbing his arm, "You teleported out of the town? That's strictly forbidden, I can't believe you did that!" Max interrupted him
, “As I was saying we found out the Red Death can use weapons!" George turned pale right after Max said this. "They can use weapons?" "That's what the four men wrote in a letter to me. They said that now they can use weapons, if that’s true our whole game plan must be entirely changed. I need to address the people about this now, but if we still can bait all the Red Death we can win this thing." George agreed with Max and he helped him get all of the citizen’s attention.

  "People of the town! I know yesterday I told you all that we didn't have much of a chance. That was a lie, we actually don't have any chance at all,” Max announced. The people booed Max and some started yelling at him, calling him a fake. He continued, "We have something much greater than a chance, we all have a destiny. And our destiny is to live in a place with no fear, a place where we can explore and live our lives to the fullest. I believe if we can work together as one we will defeat the Red Death, because it is they who have no chance. They have no purpose, they have no chance, and they have no destiny!"

  Suddenly, the people’s fear started diminishing, and they started rallying together like they once did when they chanted Max’s name. "Today,” Max continued, “We enjoy the last day we have together, but we also rejoice! Because once this battle is over I can assure you our lives will be so much better."

  As he stopped talking, the crowd started chanting, ”Max! Max!” Rock, Clay, and George all walked next to Max and shook his hands in front of the people. Rock shook his hand last and whispered to him, "Finally a good speech."