“Are you sure it was a good idea letting Taylor see that post card?” Ever said, weaving through the crowd.

  Honestly, I’ve got no idea. It was a pretty spur of the moment thing. Her reaction? You had to be there.

  “I had to go to the toilet.”

  Yeah well, I had to laugh my ass off.

  Ever had never imagined his skeletal mentor having a pair of fleshy, human buttocks but that was exactly what was going through his mind. He laughed for the first time, surprised himself, sucked in a deep breath then hiccuped. Humans made such weird noises.

  Speaking of spur of the moment, let’s talk about that spontaneous thing you did during the middle of the week.

  Ever sat down at a bench on one end. The city buzzed with the potential of neon energy at the end of a week. He felt music throbbing in venues behind him, while women in skirts that ended mid thigh moved in packs around him.

  “You mean the ‘meltdown specials?’”

  Yep, exactly.

  “That being came back, this time he inhabited Taylor’s body.” Ever felt his heart rate quicken again, remembering the fathomless eyes staring into him, “I think I know who he is.”

  Oh?

  Ever had been talking out loud this whole time; Death had been right, even though there were people everywhere, everyone was too self-absorbed to notice or care. Even so, he leaned in.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “It’s Chaos.”

  The street lights flickered right at that moment, making a few girls squeal.

  Mmmmm… what makes you say that?

  Someone stumbled past Ever, smelling of liquor and body odor. “You got any spare change, man?”

  Ever looked at him curiously. “Spare change? What’s that?”

  The derelict swayed, trying to focus on Ever. His face was half in darkness, but Ever could see that he had an unkempt beard and moustache. “Money.”

  Ever patted his pocket. He usually kept his pay there, but it started getting so full that he opted to just leave it at work. There were a few coins though, which he gave to the bum.

  “Thanks,” the bum pocketed the change and sat at the other end of the bench.

  That was nice of you.

  *What? Giving him money?*

  Yeah, anyway. Chaos.

  *Right.* Ever had switched to communicating with Death through his mind. *The first time he appeared, he caused the sprinkles to go everywhere. This week, all the power went out. The first time he undid the event, like he was just testing me. The second time actually happened. The key thing both times was that it caused chaos.*

  Death was thoughtful for a while. Not a bad analysis.

  A swell of energy manifested in Ever’s chest and he sat up straighter; pride was a really nice feeling.

  I think you’re right. Chaos is here on Earth and it’s because of you.

  *Why?*

  You’re my first apprentice, that has piqued the curiosity of the primordial forces - and maybe others. They’re going to want to meet the one that will eventually succeed me.

  *Should I be worried?*

  Chaos never gave me much trouble. In fact, he rarely ever appeared while I worked. But keep this in mind: Chaos is the first being in existence. If he’s in your life, it’s because he wants to be. You don’t get a say.