Work Text:
June 27, 2023 — A motel somewhere on the U.S. East Coast
Max looked at the date on the tape. June 27, 2003. Twenty years ago to the day.
How could it have been that long?
She looked at the artifacts scattered across the bed. Papers that have been folded and unfolded so many times the creases were close to ripping. Old drawings nearly faded. A tattered Billy the Squid plushie that saw more grief-stricken outbursts than a toy should in a lifetime.
Max didn’t know why she was doing this again. It would end the same way every time she took out the old time capsule she made with Chloe as kids.
Still against her better judgment, Max finished off the remainder of her liquor and put the first tape in.
Avast, future wayfarer! Ye have uncovered the audio log of the most fearsome pirates in the Bays of Arcadia! Captain Bluebeard and Long Max Silver!
So, yer in search of buried treasure, are ye? Well, if it's treasure ye seek—
Max chuckled cynically at how young and innocent she sounded.
Do mine eyes spot two fair pirate wenches? Hahaha! What have we—
Dad! Get away! We're in the middle of an important project!
Oh, a project! Nevermind, then. I apolog—
I mean it!
A familiar wave of grief hit Max hearing how Chloe and William were. She missed the way the two got along perfectly as father and daughter, and she missed all the times William played along with their silly games. Neither of them were in her life now and it was all her fault. She chose to let William die and she chose to let Chloe die.
Alright, alright. Supper's in five. Wash your hands, ya grubby pirate kids...
So lame.
Max cursed herself. Part of her even hated that William could be with Chloe wherever they were. Could they see her up from Heaven or wherever? Max secretly hoped so.
She turned her attention to her own childish voice again.
As I was saying, if it's treasure ye seek, ye've come to the right place.
But be forewarned, the journey will be treacherous and full of...treachers.
Full of treachers. That was putting it mildly. Little Max Caulfield never could have predicted she would have to face a murderous photographer or a gun-wielding rich brat or the ghosts in her mind that followed her no matter where she fled.
To find the treasure of Price Isle, you will need the map from the manuscripts of Captain Bluebeard.
Only the map can lead ye to the treasure ye seek. But be forewarned, uh, again. Only those with pure hearts will be able to see what the amulet shows them.
Pure fucking heart she has now.
Good luck. And, uh, bye!
Max’s head was feeling fuzzy from the alcohol. Tears were spilling from her eyes and she wished she could go back in time to that day.
With shaky hands she took out the first tape and let it drop on the floor. Then she reached for the second tape and fumbled a bit putting it in the player.
By now ye'll have seen that I've dug up yer treasure, which would normally make us mortal enemies. But, hear me out, I haven't pilfered a thing! On the contrary! I figured you swashbucklers might not be back to yer loot for some time, so I've given it extra protection from the winds and rain.
But not protection from Max's tears that warped the papers or all the times she took her rage out on the poor squid toy. The lunchbox storing the treasures itself had a very noticeable dent on its side.
I'm sure you're excited to open your time capsule, so I...won't go on too long. Just know that Bloody Bill is bloody proud of you—both of you.
“What would you think of me now, William?" she said at the tape.
Keep those sails trimmed and that anchor scrubbed. And always remember: the real treasure is—
Gone.
The real treasure Max and Chloe had died the day the Caulfields moved away. The moments she shared with her Chloe were never real in this timeline. Fuck what Chloe said at the lighthouse.
… your Oregon state prepaid college savings plan! Argh.
Max barely registered the last part of William's tape over the haze of her stupor and the fatigue from a night crying over Chloe. Just like every other time, Max let the empty bottle fall to the floor. And just like every other time she cradled the tape recorder in her arms and sobbed until she exhausted herself into a restless sleep.