Chapter Text
Sophie
Nothing exciting ever happened in Arcadia Bay.
Over the years, it became a sanctuary to all manner of unique beings. The local blood bank helped vampires to live in tentative harmony with the human population. Dense forest provided shelter for the werewolves, allowing them to hunt freely. It was not uncommon to catch sight of these - and many other - mythical creatures walking down the street in the early hours of the morning.
Holidaymakers’ reactions to the bizarrely diverse nature of the bay were the height of entertainment. Unfortunately, the tourist trade was slowly dying out. Even Blackwell Academy’s exclusive ‘History of Races’ program was no longer unique. Humans and monsters had lived and worked together for centuries now, mostly without incident.
Yes, nothing exciting ever happened in Arcadia Bay.
Rachel was bored.
She leaned on her elbow, lazily doodling in her ‘History of the Races’ notebook. When she glanced up from her page, she noticed the rest of the class looking as zoned out as she felt. Their teacher, Mark Jefferson, continued to drone on about last month’s project, which they had already received their grades for, seemingly oblivious to everything but the sound of his own voice. All she wanted right now was to get their next assignment and leave. Jefferson clearly had other ideas.
Sighing deeply, she tapped her fingers on the desk. Normally, she would have her partner in crime to keep her company. Chloe Price. March was a difficult month for the blue-haired punk. Five years ago, she lost her father to a vampire attack. Rachel didn’t blame her for hiding. She knew exactly how it felt to lose a parent. Two in Rachel’s case - her mother to a vampire, her father disappearing hours later under suspicious circumstances. The Hunters Guild her parents worked for took her in until they tracked down her grandparents. From there, Rachel enlisted in several summer training programs run by the Guild, with the intention to follow in her parents’ footsteps and become a hunter herself.
Where Rachel’s parents’ deaths had strengthened her resolve, it shattered Chloe’s. Although she wasn’t sure if that was just down to the death of her father, William Price, She suspected a large part was due to the unexplained and sudden disappearance of her best friend, Maxine Caulfield, the day of William Price’s funeral of all days.
No explanation. Her family simply faded from existence.
Eager to think of anything else, she glanced at her classmates again. Her eyes flicked to the miserable girl sat nearby, only her short blonde hair was visible as she had her head buried in her arms, probably to protect her eye’s against the harsh afternoon sunlight. Victoria Chase. Being a newborn vampire was tough enough, without it being forced on you by your ‘best friend’ who ultimately abandoned you. She had to wonder what Nathan was thinking. Did he really care that little about Victoria? Her “rival” was completely alone; all her so-called friends ditched when they found out. The violent mood swings didn’t help keep them close. While Victoria wasn’t her BFF - not by a long shot - Rachel did sympathize. Her life had been turned upside down in one night.
There was only one person who could truly gauge Victoria’s emotional state.
Kate Beverly Marsh.
To get Kate’s attention, and have some fun, Rachel let her mind wander to several intimate scenarios, both imagined and real. It didn’t matter, so long as it evoked the right emotion. With the bait set, she stared at her friend with a mischievous grin. Seconds later, Kate’s cheeks and ears flushed. She passed Rachel an accusatory glare - well, her best attempt at one - before getting out her phone.
KATE: do you HAVE to do that in class?
RACHEL: yup
RACHEL: best time to mess with an empath
RACHEL: :D
KATE: I really hate you sometimes…
KATE: You know how hard it is to block stuff out
KATE: especially THAT
RACHEL: Maybe you're just curious :p
KATE: ...
RACHEL: HA
KATE: What?
RACHEL: You didn't deny it
There was a slight pause before she got a reply.
KATE: I'm THIS close to canceling our tea date
RACHEL: Boo... you're no fun
RACHEL: Fine
RACHEL: I'll leave you with Victoria's emotional onslaught
RACHEL: have fun ;)
KATE: NO
Rachel glanced up for a moment, long enough to catch Kate’s pleading expression.
RACHEL: that bad huh?
KATE: yes
KATE: I think she wants to kill Nathan
KATE: and pretty sure she skipped breakfast
RACHEL: sooo you don’t get too close then
KATE: you and I both know she wouldn’t
RACHEL: you’re right
RACHEL: i’d probably taste better :p
RACHEL: she needs a shot in her coffee
RACHEL: Caffè Ambericano
KATE: sigh
The classroom door opened, all eyes turning to it. A girl with long blonde hair stepped inside, deep brown eyes filled with hesitancy.
“Sorry I’m late.”
Mr. Jefferson turned to greet her with a smile. Rachel swore she saw a flicker of hunger in his eyes, quickly quelled. Before he could speak, Victoria bolted from the room. Everyone looked surprised, muttering amongst themselves.
“Don’t mind her. Newborn,” Jefferson explained, then motioned to the rest of the class. “Now, please introduce yourself.”
The new girl grabbed her elbow nervously, scanning the crowd. She almost looked disappointed.
“Hi. My name’s Sophie Ambler. I’m eighteen and from Seattle. I’m hoping to become an archeologist in the field of ‘History of the Races’, particularly extinct races.” She shrugged, glancing at the door Victoria just sprinted through. “I’m... just a normal, boring human, I’m afraid.”
Several students whispered to each other as her brief introduction ended.
“Thank you, Sophie,” Jefferson said, sweeping his arm across the classroom. “Please find a seat.”
Rachel eagerly offered Chloe’s vacant seat to the new girl. Not like she was using it, anyway. As Sophie sat down, Rachel caught a waft of apple pie. Her stomach grumbled. She really needed to stop skipping lunch.
“This project should be done in groups,” Jefferson continued as if nothing happened. “It is designed to test your research skills to the max.”
Sophie winced at that last part, something Rachel noticed. It wasn’t the first time Jefferson had made a cringe-worthy attempt at being hip and cool, and probably wouldn’t be the last.
“There is no group size limit and you are not competing against each other. This project is going to count towards twenty percent of your final grade next year, so please remember to quote your sources ,” he emphasized in the hope of saving them all stress.
Tired of listening to him - she could get the details off Kate later, Rachel turned to the girl sat next to her.
“Hi, I’m Rachel.”
“Uh, hey there.” Sophie shuffled uncomfortably. “I’m guessing this is someone else’s seat?”
“It’s cool. My friend’s not here today.” Rachel waved her off, grinning back. “A definite plus for me, because I get the new girl all to myself.”
Sophie frowned for a second, before a look of flustered embarrassment took over, “Are you… always this forward?” She mumbled, trying to sink in her seat to avoid the embarrassment.
“Usually worse, you got off lightly. Just ask Kate.” Rachel jabbed her thumb towards Kate, who was staring at Sophie with a frown.
“I, uh, don’t think she likes me…”
“You gotta do a lot for Kate Marsh to hate you. I’m living proof of that.” Rachel watched her friend curiously before turning back to Sophie. “She’s an empath. So, she’s reading whatever vibes you’re giving off. Nervous ones, I’m guessing.”
This explanation didn’t seem to alleviate her concern. Maybe it was just first day nerves, or maybe she was hiding something…
Mr. Jefferson cleared his throat loudly.
“For the remainder of the term, your ‘History of the Races’ classes are free periods. Use the time wisely to deliver the high standard of work I know you’re all capable of. Oh, I guess you guys need a subject.”
“There’s another cringey attempt at being hip, you get used to…” Rachel whispered to the new girl, getting momentarily distracted by her phone.
Several groans echoed around the room at his attempted humor. He chuckled, holding up his hands.
“Okay, I won’t quit the day job. The subject is the Ahri.”
As her classmates erupted into whispers, Rachel used the moment of disruption to check her phone.
KATE: need to talk to you after class
Kate probably wanted to hit the books early. So predictable. Rachel turned to Sophie - the new girl fidgeting in her seat, looking like she wanted to be anywhere else. She found herself curious. This project seemed like the best excuse to spend time with her.
“Hey, wanna team up on this? I can introduce you to my friends. Don’t worry, I’m as bad as they get. Most of the time.”
After some thought, Sophie nodded hesitantly. “Sure.”
The bell rang, everyone eager to escape class. As they packed up, Rachel turned to her.
“Meet me outside at the fountain. Five minutes.”
Rachel didn’t wait for a reply, bounding over to Kate. She crouched down, resting her chin on the desk. “What up, Marshmallow?”
Kate frowned at the nickname, then sighed. Smart move. There would only be something worse to replace it if she protested. She glanced towards Sophie, who was packing up. There was something very serious, but also curious, in Kate’s stare.
“It’s about her.” When Rachel tilted her head, Kate continued, “She’s hiding something. Worried, anxious, and…”
Pausing, she tapped her fingers on the desk, as if trying to find the right words. It was rare to see Kate Marsh so confused over someone’s emotions.
“And?” Rachel pressed.
“When I read a vampire or werewolf, I…” she sighed deeply. “I can sense their nature.”
“So, she’s a werewolf or something?”
Not uncommon. One of the waitresses at the Two Whales was a werewolf. The local drug dealer, Frank, was too. Some of the students and teachers at Blackwell - Mr. Jefferson included - were vampires. Other magical races, too. It wasn’t a big deal in Arcadia.
Kate’s shoulders slumped in defeat. “I have no idea what she is. There’s something in her - frustrated, tired, full of guilt. And Sophie… uncertainty, worry and panic, It’s hard to tell her and this other being apart, to know who’s feeling what.” Placing her elbows on the desk, she rubbed her temples. “Feel free to embarrass me again?”
“Never thought I’d hear you say that.”
“Well, I’d rather deal with Victoria’s emotional trainwreck right now.” Kate sighed deeply. “I’ll be fine. Once I get back to Alice. Anyway, I’m sure you’ve heard enough of me moaning.”
“Wouldn’t count on it.” Rachel winked suggestively.
“If I wasn’t so tired, I would so hit you.” Kate lazily waved her hand. “Go on. Before I get my energy back.”
“You did ask me to embarrass you again,” Rachel reminded her with a grin.
She grabbed her bag and ventured into the bustling hallway. After pushing past the crowds, she reached her locker. Stacking her books inside, she retrieved her sword. It once belonged to her mother, a weighty bronze hilt supporting a long straight blade. She slipped the leather strap over her head, shutting her locker then weaving through the crowd to the exit. A warm afternoon breeze met her as she burst through the heavy double doors, wispy clouds drifting in a bright blue sky. Birds hopped around, searching for food scraps left by the mass exodus of students. That was when she spotted Victoria creeping in the shadows, desperate to avoid the sunlight. Across the courtyard, she saw Sophie sitting next to the water fountain, muttering to herself as she rummaged in her bag.
“You know, talking to yourself is a sign of madness.”
“I wasn’t…” Sophie glanced up, nervously eyeing the sword. “Is that...necessary?”
Gripping onto the strap, Rachel shrugged. “It’s all I have left of my mother.”
“Oh… I thought you were expecting trouble. Sorry.”
“It’s okay. You didn’t know. And the only trouble I’m expecting today is a blue-haired depressed punk and the cure for that is…” She jammed her hand in a pocket, pulling out a pair of joints. “A few of these.”
Chloe sat in her beat-up truck, parked across two disabled spaces. She tapped the wheel to the beat of a rock song, daydreaming. Suddenly, a loud rap vibrated across the hood of her truck. Rachel stood in front, grinning from ear to ear. Just behind her was another girl Chloe didn’t recognize.
Curious, Chloe turned down the music as Rachel yanked the door open. “Who’s the new chick?”
“She’s new,” Rachel replied with a mysterious smile.
“No shit.”
“Chloe, this is Sophie,” Rachel introduced as she scootched into the middle of the truck. “Our new classmate.”
Sophie followed her lead, squeezing into the passenger’s side seat while leaving enough room for Rachel. Chloe’s truck definitely wasn’t designed for three people. Once settled, they pulled out of Blackwell’s parking lot.
“So,” Chloe began as Rachel fiddled with the semi-working truck radio, “what did you think of Jefferson’s class? Snoozefest, right?” When Sophie didn’t reply - in a world of her own - Chloe raised an eyebrow. “Did you let her into the weed stash already, Rach?”
“No.” Rachel nudged Sophie’s shoulder.
The other girl jumped to attention. “Huh, oh sorry. Did you say something?”
“Jefferson,” Rachel repeated.
“What about him?”
“Dude loves the sound of his own voice,” Chloe said, her face crumpling in disapproval.
“He did seem, uh…” Sophie paused, struggling to find the right word.
“Like a narcissistic asshole?”
“That’s a big word for you,” Rachel said through a soft, teasing chuckle.
Chloe narrowed her eyes, not appreciating the mockery.
“I’m kidding.” Rachel held up her hands, surrendering. “It would be good to knock his ego, though.”
“We should put garlic in his car,” Chloe suggested excitedly.
“Yeah, I don’t think it works like that.”
“It does in cartoons.”
“I never said we couldn’t do it.”
Rachel looked at her pouting friend, gently elbowing her. Chloe perked up, grinning. Then, Sophie’s stomach grumbled loudly, interrupting their mischievous plan. She looked a little embarrassed, sinking into her seat.
“Don’t worry. I got you covered.” Chloe took a sharp right, changing course. She turned into the Two Whales parking lot, clapping her hands after the truck stopped. “Welcome to the Two Whales, home of free food. Courtesy of my mom.”
“One of these days, Joyce is gonna cut you off,” Rachel chuckled.
“I’ll, uh, stay in the car,” Sophie mumbled, glancing at the diner.
“We’re not leaving you in the car like a dog.” Rachel insisted as she practically yanked Sophie out of the truck, dragging her to the door. “Even if you were, Joyce lets the well-behaved ones inside. Hell, even Frank can go in.”
The three of them entered the diner, which was empty aside from the handful of regular drifters. Frank Bowers sat in the corner, shoveling a third plate of beans into his mouth. A strange meal for a werewolf. He glanced up from the plate when they stepped inside, eyes boring into Chloe’s.
“Price.”
“Ah, shit…” With a deep sigh, she shrugged at Rachel and Sophie. “I’ll, uh…. I gotta talk to Frank.”
Rachel shook her head. “Don’t take too long.”
Reluctantly, Chloe approached Frank’s table.
“Why does he want to talk to her?” Sophie asked, a hint of concern in her question.
“We owe him some money not much, but… she likes to piss him off.” Rachel watched Chloe and Frank talk, unable to hear what they were saying. “Frank’s a decent guy, he won’t do anything. Bark’s much worse than his bite. Come on, let’s find a table.”
Two truckers sat at the counter, restoring caffeine levels before their next stretch of driving. They didn’t turn around. On the other side of the diner was a teenage boy, blonde hair and a red bomber jacket. When he spotted them, he let out a low hiss.
“Nice to see you too, Prescott ,” Rachel said, struggling to keep her anger in check.
“Don’t talk to me.”
“What, like how you didn’t talk to Victoria after you-?”
“Don’t you fucking dare,” he hissed, teeth gritted so tight that his canines threatened to pierce his lip.
“Or what? You gonna force blood down my throat, too? I’d love to see you try.”
Before Chloe could get involved - she had a bad habit of diving headfirst into danger - Rachel shifted the sword on her back. Acutely aware of her weapon and the fact he was outnumbered, Nathan scoffed loudly. Throwing money down on the table, he stormed out of the diner. Rachel stared him down until he disappeared from sight. When she looked over at Sophie, she seemed tense, glancing between Nathan and Frank - mostly focusing on the latter.
“Don’t worry about Nathan,” she reassured. “Gotta love the entitled, rich kid asshole type, huh.”
Sophie bit her lip. “He forced Vampire blood down someone's throat?”
“You already met her. The girl who bolted past you in Jefferson’s class. Victoria Chase.”
“Aren’t there laws against that?”
Rachel nodded stiffly. “Yeah. Problem is, it’s her word against his.”
“Who’s word against who’s?” Chloe flopped down in the booth beside Rachel, finished talking to Frank.
“Victoria’s against Nathan’s.”
Chloe frowned. “Oh, you mean his failed indoctrination.”
“Another big word for you,” Rachel teased.
“Bitch, please. I’m top of English, remember?”
“Third, actually,” Rachel corrected smugly. “I overtook you last Tuesday.”
Chloe shrugged. “Yeah, and you had to work your ass off to get there. Not my style.”
“Who’s first?” Sophie asked curiously.
“Kate,” Chloe and Rachel replied in unison.
Rachel glanced over at Frank, who had returned to his beans. “So, how was your chat with Frank?”
“Ugh,” Chloe groaned, slumping in her seat, “he’s still busting my balls.”
“If you didn’t insult him every five seconds...” Rachel said, tracing years’ worth of graffiti decorating the table.
“Like you can talk.” Chloe’s eyes flickered with protective concern. “What happened with Asscott back there?”
“Oh, just him existing.”
Sophie tilted her head, curious. “You two really don’t like him, huh.”
“He crossed a line with Victoria,” Rachel said through gritted teeth.
“Not like you and the Queen Bee are exactly besties,” Chloe reminded her.
“It’s a love-hate relationship.”
“Yeah, more hate. Unless there’s something I don’t know about.”
“Aw, jealous?” Rachel leaned in to kiss Chloe’s cheek, unfazed when she moved away. She offered up a teasing smile. “See, this is why I gotta get my attention elsewhere.”
Chloe rolled her eyes. “Maybe I just don’t want the Bay hillbillies staring at us.”
“Well, if it isn’t Arcadia’s most wanted.” A waitress with bright red hair, said playfully as she came over to their table.
“That’s me,” Chloe stated with a grin, “the parking ticket queen.”
The waitress’ eyes drifted to Sophie, suspicious. “New accomplice?”
“Intern,” Rachel said gleefully, nudging Sophie’s leg under the table.
“Where’s mom?” Chloe asked expectantly.
“She left an hour ago. She figured you’d stop by, though.” The waitress went over to the counter, returning a moment later with a plastic bag filled with containers. “All the leftovers from today.”
Chloe rubbed her hands together, eager to check her haul. “Hella yes!”
After grabbing food, they headed back to Chloe’s truck… before they could attract more trouble. A short drive later, they reached the outskirts of town. Arcadia Bay’s junkyard sat before them, surrounded by dense trees. Leaving the truck at the entrance the three girls entered the junkyard as a freight train carrying logs thundered past vibrating the old iron rails.
“Welcome to American Rust, our home away from hell, and our own private playground,” Chloe exclaimed as they walked past the rusted gate.
Sophie looked at the wall of smashed up cars, discarded appliances and the small gray brick building sat near the tracks. Everything shuddered when another line of train carriages shot along the rail.
“Seems kinda…”
“Dangerous?” Rachel finished for her, then melodramatically recited one of her favorite Lion King quotes. “I laugh in the face of danger. Ha, ha, ha!”
Rolling her eyes, Chloe playfully shoved her. “Dork.”
“I was gonna use the word…” Sophie paused, then shrugged, “rustic.”
Chloe hopped up onto the hood of a nearby wheelless SUV, patting the space beside her with a loud thud. Smiling, Rachel joined her, Sophie hanging back awkwardly.
Chloe raised an eyebrow at her hesitance. “Don’t just stand there looking like a zombie. Have a seat, Pete.”
Pulling up an empty cable spool, Sophie sat opposite them. Rachel handed out the food, letting music blare from her phone as they ate. It didn’t take them long to work through everything. To Rachel’s surprise, Sophie kept up with Chloe’s monster appetite.
“Careful, Chloe,” Rachel smirked as she lit a joint. “You have some competition.”
“Sorry,” Sophie mumbled, letting out a small belch. Her cheeks turned a light shade of pink. “Excuse me. I get a little hungry sometimes...”
Letting out a louder belch, Chloe leaned back and patted her stomach. “Nothing wrong with a healthy appetite.”
“Or, in Chloe's case, just eating everything in sight.” Rachel first held the joint out for Sophie, who shook her head, then passed it to Chloe.
She accepted the offering, raising an eyebrow. “Including certain blondes.”
“Nice try, Price,” Rachel glanced at Sophie, who turned pinker, “but we have company.”
“Fine. So, Sophie...” Chloe blew several small smoke rings in the air. “What’s your story, what brings you to the humble shitpit known as Arcadia Bay?”
Sophie didn’t answer immediately, frowning. “When did you start referring to Arcadia as a shit pit?”
“It’s been, shit, five years now…” Chloe paused, looking a little surprised.
“Offering that up already,” Rachel asked raising an eyebrow
“I, er, I asked first,” Chloe replied flatly, checking the bags to see if any food had been missed, it had not.
Sophie didn’t answer immediately, frowning. “I...lost my parents when I was fourteen, been on my own…” she paused and rolled her eyes, “Pretty much been on my own since then, love old stuff and I guess you could say I have a healthy interest in other races histories.”
“Sucks doesn’t it...the orphan part,” Rachel said with an understanding smile. “I lost my folks when I was fourteen. Well, my mom was killed and my dad just straight up vanished.”
“I’m sorry,” Sophie shuffled uncomfortably, “and yeah, sucky is one word for it.”
Chloe leaned back on her hands. “Do we just like… attract each other or some shit?”
Rachel smiled wistfully. “maybe it’s a universal attraction thing.”
“My dad died just before I turned fourteen. Like Rachel, I have a grave I can go and visit whenever I like. However, I had a pretty large part of my family just disappear… okay, they weren’t technically part of my family. Max Caulfield and her folks just up and disappeared. No letter, no goodbye nothing… they abandoned me.”
“You know that’s not what happened.”
“Mom keeps telling me that, too. I…” Chloe sighed, “ just don't know anymore.”
“You weren’t abandoned,” Sophie muttered, then cleared her throat when she realized Rachel and Chloe had heard. “You found Rachel.”
“More like she found me.”
Rachel chuckled. “You weren't exactly making yourself invisible.”
“Not a pro spy, then,” Sophie deduced.
Chloe scoffed. “I’d make a hella pro spy.”
“Yeah, right.” Rachel laughed giving the punk a shove causing her to slip off the truck. “You get caught sneaking into Blackwell after curfew pretty much all the time”
“Yeah, when you want this booty.” Chloe grinned shaking her behind at the blonde.
“Well, if its too much trouble for you, I guess I’ll just have to look for… fresher meat.” Rachel passed a teasing glance at Sophie, who visibly blushed at the implication.
“That’s… asshole.”
“Takes one to know one.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Of course you sound proud of that title.”
Footsteps interrupted their conversation. The three girls snapped their heads to the right, spotting a group of teens approaching. Four boys, Nathan Prescott taking lead position. They stopped a couple of feet away, staring the girls down.
“What are you doing here?” Rachel asked through gritted teeth, sliding off the truck hood.
She fully expected trouble after the diner incident.
“This isn’t your junkyard, bitch,” Nathan snarled, his friends growling too.
Chloe’s fist balled up as she stood, blinded by anger to the dangers. “Don’t fucking talk to her like that, Prickscott.”
Nathan’s eyes zeroed in on her. “Word of advice I wouldn’t bother defending her, you know She’ll abandon you, just like everyone else has in your sad, sorry, pathetic life.”
“She wasn’t abandoned!”
Sophie’s voice echoed around the junkyard, all eyes turning to her for the first time. Chloe and Rachel sharing a confused glance, momentarily distracted from the tense confrontation.
“And who the fuck are you supposed to be?” Nathan took a step forward, sizing her up. His eyes flickered with recognition. “Oh, the chick from the diner. You should abandon these losers, before it’s too late.”
One of Nathan’s friends sniffed the air, eyeing Sophie up hungrily. “You should hang out with us instead.”
When he moved closer, Rachel slammed her sword hilt on the nearby truck, a metallic clang resounding.
“I don’t think so.”
He backed up, but not much. “That’s her choice, not yours.”
Focusing on the sword, Nathan tried to sound confident. “We both know you can’t kill us with that. It’s too dull.”
Narrowing her eyes, Rachel swung her blade. The wing mirror of the truck they had been sitting on clattered to the ground.
“Try me.”
Nathan’s face twitched at the sound, body tensing.
“Go on,” Chloe challenged. “I need something to laugh at today.”
“You think I’m scared of that stupid toothpick?” His voice wavered, betraying the fear. “You don’t-”
A pained, scream echoed through the junkyard, silencing the rest of his sentence.