Chronicle I: Devil's Deal

Daniel had his mind in blank, staring at the gray hospital floor. He cried at the situation he was facing: his mother was in a coma from a car accident that took place the night before.

Many approached and offered condolences and hospitality to the little boy, but he did not want to know anything at all. He just wanted to go away, scream and vent the pain he was feeling at that moment. Pain and fear are not a good combination in these cases; especially if it is about a 6-year-old child, who does not know anything about the world.

That's why he felt powerless. Because he couldn't do anything to save her and scared because he didn't have the power to help neither . And there he was, crying without a pause. However, his hopeful look returned when he heard an adult and authoritative voice.

- Daniel... -called a doctor, approaching- I can't imagine how...

- Is Mommy okay?- asked the boy desperately, interrupting him- Will she come back with me?

It was not going to happen. Daniel noticed it the moment the doctor stopped and looked at the ground, with the weight of giving him the bad news.

Before the doctor even answered him, he ran, dodging the hospital employees, crying. He ignored the screams of the doctor and plunged into the dark and cold night, moving further and further away from that place. He took refuge under a tree with strong branches and started crying again, accompanied by the noise of rain and thunder.

-Mommy...Come back with me, please...Please...I'll do anything...- begged the child, saddened.

"Do you want to save your mother?"-said a voice.

The sudden voice scared the boy, causing him to stop crying for a moment.

- Wh-Who's talking?- Daniel stammered, startled.

-If you want to save her, I can do it ...- assures the figure, lighting up momentarily.

He was wearing a burgundy suit, covered with a black trench coat. However, what caught the attention of they boy were his white hair and red eyes.

- You ... you can save my mommy?-Daniel got up with euphoria- Can you save her?- asked again.

-That's right...- said the stranger-I have the power to save her. You just have to sign this contract...

He pulled an old papyrus out of his raincoat, while he spread it out in front of the boy.

-Sign, and your mother will survive. But remember this one thing: If you do, you will be in debt with me... I will return in 10 years to claim it. When I do...You will work for me.

Daniel hesitated for a second, but looked determinedly at the man.

- Excellent. Just put your finger in the paper, Daniel Williams, and your mother will live."

The boy placed his finger on the paper, and felt how it burned making him bleed. With enough quantity ... the deal ended.

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The next day:

Daniel woke up in the hospital waiting room. He didn't know how he got back into the building, but he decided to ignore the fact and hurried off to find his mother.

There the good news awaited him. His mother managed to come out of the coma, welcoming him with a warm and loving hug. Doctors could not figure out the reason for his speedy recovery, so they described it as a miracle ... Not knowing that it was related to something much more...Macabre. After doing the corresponding check-ups, his mother was able to leave the hospital without any inconvenience or discomfort, to the continuous surprise of the doctors.

Daniel overflowed with joy and happiness as he regained his mother's company. Since she felt the same way, they decided to spend some mother-son time, heading to a nearby amusement park. Crazy for someone who had just come out of a coma, but the child's mother felt more alive than ever, full of strength and will to live and enjoy life.

But not everything is color of roses. Life is unfair and takes more happiness than it gives.

It happened on the roller coaster. The turn was halfway through, when the rails came loose and the cars split.

They all fell and the attraction fell apart.

Shortly after the accident, both firefighters and police entered the scene. The only survivor was Daniel, found completely unharmed.

But the boy was ignorant of everything. The questions of the adults, including his own condition. He was absorbed in an image that would traumatize any human being: he watched his mother pierced by a piece of metal in the abdomen, bent like cardboard. Beyond that, he managed to make out something that would leave him even more traumatized,forever.

Reflected in the flames, a figure in a burgundy raincoat slowly leaves the place, with a smile on his face.