Chaos Chronicles: A Chaotic Love & Lovely Chaos Side Story

Chaos Chronicles 2: Flames of Freedom

Trigger warnings: Child abuse, Child endangerment, Body horror, Blood, Death, Torture, Fire/Arson

Before the grandiose Estella University Incident occurs, I arrive at a seemingly peaceful place. It's the middle of the night and the sky is clear. I observe the establishment up close with the big sign that reads "Apple-Ton Orphanage".

"A place where children can grow and be happy? Heh, I'll be the judge of that."

I slithered my way inside the building by becoming a shadow. Once inside, the amount of drawn happy smiles on the walls was nauseating. They also had apple trees, rainbows, suns, and whatnot painted on them. Most of the lights were off and there were many security cameras around. However, one of the lights was on and I overheard an interesting conversation.

"Again?! God, you damn kids act like we don't feed you! We give you enough to survive, so you should be grateful! What are you doing at this hour looking for food? You should be asleep! Do as you are told for once!"

When I sneaked into the room I witnessed a big woman grabbing a young boy by the hair and yelling at him.

"I-i'm sorry Mrs. Jefferson! I-it won't happen again- OUCH!"

The woman threw the kid on the ground and scoffed at him.

"That's what you always say. Get the hell out of my sight already and go to your room! NOW!"

The kid nodded as he whimpered away.

"Little twerps... They think they can do whatever they want. They should learn to do as we tell them."

"What an unpleasant view..." I whispered to myself.

Once the woman turned off the kitchen light, I moved around in the shadows. I decided to go in the direction the child had gone. When I arrived in the room, I noticed that he was trying to hold back his tears. He was holding a little plushie of a purple and white jester with yellow buttons for eyes. I noticed some of the other children were awake too. They all had one thing in common... They looked malnourished. 

What pitiful little creatures... so fragile... but I can't stand it.

I went around the room until settling as a shadow behind the crying kid. I turned into a big shadow of the little jester toy but with my signature red eyes.

"Hello, children." I said with a friendly tone, "What seems to trouble you?"

The kids got scared upon first seeing me. Moving away from the wall where I was. However, they didn't scream.

"It's okay, little ones. I'm not here to hurt you like those mean adults. I'm a nice spirit~"

The kids remained silent but I had their attention. Especially the one with the jester plush. They looked at it and then back at me curiously.

"I'm a magical creature that took the shape of something you like because I want to be your friend! In fact, I come bearing gifts!"

To them, it looked as if the shadow's hand had escaped from the wall to create food from nothing and placed it on the floor.

"I saw that you were all hungry little fellas, so I went ahead and got you all some food!"

The kids looked at the delicious food in front of them and although they hesitated, they ended up going for it. Eating everything as fast as possible. Afraid that it would go away.

"T-thank you spirit... thank you so much!"

The kid with the jester began crying.

"This is the most delicious meal I've ever had!"