The Chaos Within: The Chaos Within, #1

By Adnan Essam

- "What's wrong with being a HERO?!!" Aguero Yells
- "Do you even know the difference between Heroes and Villains?" The male in the hoodie asks.
- "Heroes save others, Villains just hurt the innocent"

- "Wrong.....A hero sacrifices everything for the well being of the commons, for the rich, for the royalty for everyone... Even if it means sacrificing his loved ones for it..."
- "........." Aguero stares at him, curiously.
- "And the Villain? The Villain will sacrifice everyone for his loved ones. He will fight everyone, kill everyone, erase everyone.... Take everyone's hatred with him to the grave.... Just for his loved ones"
- "And which one are you?"

- "Neither! Hahaha! I'm the one who prepares the stage for both of them to make their choices!"

The whole city of Utopia was on fire, battles everywhere with people running away in fear. The male in the hoodie is standing on a hill, watching the view with a grin. He spreads his arms and laughs, "I am the Chaos!!"

-Warning Mature Contents-

The story includes a lot of bloodshed scenes and murders. Copyright © Adnan Essam (Failure) 2018-2024 The moral right of the author has been asserted. All rights reserved. This story is published subject to the condition that it shall not be reproduced or retransmitted in whole or in part, in any manner, without the written consent of the copyright holder and any infringement of this is a violation of copyright law. A single copy of the materials available in this story may be made, solely for personal, non-commercial use. Individuals must preserve any copyright or other notices contained in or associated with them. Users may not distribute said copies to others, whether or not in electronic form or in hard copy, without prior written consent o the copyright holder of the materials. Contact information for requests for permission to reproduce or distribute materials available through this book are listed below:

• Language: English
• Publisher: Adnan Essam
• Release date: Mar 1, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224902460

Book preview

Characters of Volume 1

End of Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Leonardo Aguero

When Kira arrived at school, she was already late by ten minutes. When she opened the door to her classroom, heads turned. She sighed, walked to her seat, and slumped down without even bothering to remove her backpack. The teacher had let it slide since it was the first day of school. She smiled and waved subtly at her best friend, Mira, who was sat next to her.

The teacher started calling out the names, those who were present raised their hands.

Max Johnson! the teacher yelled, eyes fixated on the thick green register.

A sandy blonde-haired boy with a shirt slipped over his trouser raised his right hand and replied, Present!. He seemed to be oozing with so much confidence since he was the son of the school's director. Kira rolled her eyes at his attitude, her dislike for him wasn't hidden.

Kira Smith! yelled the teacher. Kira raised her right hand and responded, Present!.

The teacher nodded and proceeded on to the next name Leonardo Aguero! but there was no response.

Leo.... is he present? The teacher asked, looking up from the register. A few students turned back to search for him and indeed he wasn't in class.

He's probably taking a sunbath by the trash! Max folded his arms and shouted with a smirk. Most of the students in class laughed at his comment.

The teacher sighed and shook her head. Just as she was about to go on to the next name, the classroom door opened. Kira's eyes widened when she spotted the same guy with messy, black hair and torn clothes. The same guy who'd saved her. He smiled at the teacher and started limping to his seat. The whole class seemed to stare at him in disgust like he was trash. Kira on the other hand felt really bad. Leo had gotten the injury from when he'd saved her from the truck. Kira wasn't so sure about that but she still had that thought in mind.

The teacher asked if he was okay, so he smiled and gave her a thumbs-up, signaling that he was. Coincidentally, the only available seat was one adjacent to Kira and her best friend. Kira looked at him guiltily before turning to face the teacher. She searched her bag for her pen but couldn't find it. Either she'd left it at home or it had fallen off when she was pushed away from the truck, she didn't know.

She nudged Mira and whispered, Do you have a spare pen? Mira shook her head and jutted her lower lip out. She was about closing her notebook for the day when she noticed Leo offering her a pen. He still was sporting his signature grin and Kira smiled back at him.

Just as she was about to collect the pen, Mira snatched the pen from his grip and brought out a napkin.

Kira raised a confused brow at her friend. What are you doing?

Trying to protect my best friend from diseases. Mira started cleaning the pen, she blew air on it then gave it back to Kira.

Kira felt terrible and knew Leo might have gotten offended by that. Who wouldn't be? She turned to him to apologize before she said a word to him he looked back at the teacher, listening carefully and writing down in his notebook.

Marcus was about to begin the test, he was nervous and agitated. He drew in an orange glowing substance into a syringe, walked to a glass observation box containing a white lab rat.

Nyxx was watching from the side behind a glass wall with her arms crossed with a serious look on her face.

Marcus began the experiment and made a small cut on the side of the rat then injected the lab rat with the serum. He stepped back a little to observe, and in a few seconds, the rat's wound started producing some steam as the wound was healing up slowly but then, the lab rat blew up to small meat chunks inside the glass box.

Oh God, Marcus exclaimed in disappointment. Nyxx shook her head and stepped out. Marcus chased after her. Nyxx please, let me explain, Marcus desperately pleaded.

No need, Marcus. This project is done..

You can't do that. Do you have any idea how important this is to me? Marcus was starting to get angry and he clenched his fists by his sides.

I know, your daughter has late-stage cancer and you're trying to make this serum work to cure her, but it's out of my hand. I've been funding this project for months now and it's cost the company millions of dollars. I'm so sorry, uncle Marcus.. Nyxx finished and patted his shoulder sympathetically.

How could you do this to me? To your cousin?! At least give me a week. I'm positive I'll figure out what's wrong with it and fix it up!

And then what? Inject Sarah with that unstable serum and have her blow up like that lab rat? No, no, and no! I'm sorry but it's final, the project is shut down, we'll figure it out together and find another way to save your daughter but not this! When she was done talking, she walked away.

Marcus felt so desperate and left the building, furious about his failure and how Nyxx shut down his project.

Nyxx walked into her office with an annoyed expression, she took out her phone and dialed a number.

Jessica, how much have we progressed with the black serum?

A voice went through the phone's speaker About ninety-nine percent, Ma'am!

Good, I want it done and tested as soon as possible, there's a little girl's life on the line and we can't waste time here!

Yes, ma'am!

Also, make sure no one else finds out about this project, if our rival corporations find out especially Penters about it they will try to steal the research and the serums, understood?

Yes, ma'am!

Great, I'll be waiting for the good news.

She sighed and collected her bag, heading out.

At school, class was already over. Kira got up from her seat and walked to Leo's seat, offering him his pen back with a smile Thanks.

Leo collected the pen from her, gave her his usual grin with a thumbs up. However, when Leo got up and tried to limp out of his seat, Max passed by him and bumped him hard by the shoulder. He tried to keep himself balanced on his good leg but, still fell down on his butt. Max and his two other buds burst into fits of laughter.

Still chuckling, Max crouched by Leo Stay like that. That's how low you are compared to everyone else. After that, Max walked to the door, mimicking Leo's limping.

Max! Kira glared at Max as he went out of the class. Leo did nothing but looked down and grinned. Kira rushed to his side and tried to give him a hand, but Mira pulled her by her arm.

Are you out of your mind? Trying to catch a disease or something?

What?! What are you even– she got interrupted by Mira again when she yanked her arm, pulling her out of the class. Stop it! Kira jerked her arm out of Mira's grip. Mira was shocked, it was the first time she ever saw Kira that upset. She watched as Kira walked away from her, back to the class.

When Kira got back to the class, Leo wasn't there anymore. Since it was lunchtime, she decided to search for him in the cafeteria. She got her lunch and looked around for him. Soon, she found him sitting alone at the corner.

With a smile, she headed to the table, and without asking, she took a seat next to him. Leo noticed her and felt a bit nervous. Kira was one of the most beautiful girls at school and she was also very popular. Being smart wasn't excluded, she usually got high marks.

I hope you don't mind me sitting here? asked Kira, with a stunning smile.

Leo just grinned and raised his right hand, giving her a thumbs up. But there was someone who was so displeased by this and that was Max. He was deeply in love with Kira, he couldn't dare to ask to sit with her at the same table in the cafeteria and now she was sitting with Leo. That raised his hatred towards Leo even more.

I wanted to thank you for what you did this morning. And I'm sorry about your leg. It looks bad, I'll call my dad and after school and we'll take you to a hospital, ok? Kira told him sympathetically.

Leo shook his head and wrote in his notebook then showed it to her. Thanks but I'll just tell my parents about it and they will afford the hospital expenses, don't worry. He grinned while holding the notebook.

She didn't want to push it and make him feel discomfort.

Well, ok. I'm Kira by the way, it's nice to meet you! She extended her hand to him for a handshake.

Leo held a note with his left hand that he usually introduced himself which said, Leonardo, nice to meet you. He held Kira's hand firmly and shook it.

Max's rage level reached the danger zone as he saw them smiling at each other, now hatred and grudge were eating his heart out. He mumbled to himself in a low tone I'm gonna get you for this, Aguero!

*End of Chapter 2*

Why He Smiles

After work, Marcus went to the hospital to check on his daughter, Sarah, who's got a late stage of cancer. He knocked on the door twice before walking in.

Daddy! the little girl cheered upon seeing her dad, a bright, dainty smile on her face. She spread out her arms awaiting her dad to hug her.

Marcus smiled and hugged her tight. How are you feeling? he asked, trying to keep his smile for as long as he could.

I had a little headache this morning, but I'm feeling a lot better now, Sarah replied, shrugging nonchalantly. Hey. Did you know? Nyxx came to visit me this morning! she asked in excitement.

Oh–. Marcus scratched the back of his neck. She did?

Yes. She also said that once I get better, she'll take me to the amusement park. She said we're going to spend the whole day there..

Upon hearing that, Marcus couldn't help it. Tears were dripping down his cheeks, knowing his daughter most likely won't live long to live that day.

Daddy? What's wrong? asked Sarah, with a sad look on her face.

Nothing sweetie, I'm just happy and excited about the day you recover. Marcus forced a smile.

He spent some time with her before taking his leave. He went outside to speak to the doctor responsible for his daughter's condition. The doctor shook his head and told him, She has a maximum of two months. I'm sorry. He patted Marcus on the shoulder before walking off.

Marcus walked off, feeling like he was drowning inside. He arrived home and sat on his desk. He looked down at his research documents, then swept them off his desk. All sorts of feelings were conflicting inside him, anger, rage, sadness, and sorrow.

What am I supposed to do? My poor baby. Oh God please help me! Marcus started crying.

As soon as the class was over, Kira packed up her stuff and was planning on talking to Leo again. When she looked at his desk, he was already gone.

With the hope of still finding him, she went out to the schoolyard to look for him, but up to no luck. Due to that, she also missed the school bus.

On her way walking home, she spotted Leo walking down an alley.

Oh, there he is. Kira rushed towards him in excitement.

She got curious and decided to head there as well to see what he was doing in that alley.

Is he trying to take a leak there? She thought.

She watched as Leo sat down and opened his book to read. Kira tried her best to stay by the wall without exposing herself.

Don't tell me he lives here. Kira thought, deadpanned.

Leo reached for the garbage and searched through it until he pulled out a can of dog food, he then used his index and middle finger to eat from it. A rat approached Leo's feet, so he took a piece out of the can and placed it on the ground for the rat to eat from it.

A few minutes later it started to rain. Leo grabbed a plastic bag from the garbage and moved it above his head to protect himself from the rain.

A male placed an umbrella above Kira's head. Young lady? What're you doing here? He asked and glanced towards Leo.

Kira gasped and looked back, she was so engrossed in watching him that she got confused due to the sudden approach by that male I was just –.

Leo, huh? the man looked at Leonardo then back at Kira. Look, young lady. I don't know you and I don't know what your connection to him is, but better keep it outside that alley. You're probably sympathizing with him but let me tell you this, he doesn't like it when people help him out of sympathy, and he never tells anyone about where he lives for his own reasons. So whatever happens, make sure he doesn't figure out you know where he lives... If you really care about him then at least respect his secret, have a good day. he finished and headed back to a bar, opposite the road.

Kira went back on her way, thinking about Leo and how tough his life was.

She went back to her house, thoughts clouding her mind and not paying attention to her surroundings.

MY SWEET KIRA! her father dashed to her with his arms spread sideways for a hug.

Hi dad! she walked up the stairs without even hugging him.

Eh? Her dad froze in his place like a statue after being ignored like that, with his arms still spread out. He looked like an idiot with his lips shivering and the only thing that paid attention to him was the door.

How humiliating. Mia, his wife, teasing him.

NOT FUNNY! he snapped back, looking like a grumpy little kid.

Kira spent the night in her room, unable to sleep after seeing Leo in that alley.

Marcus was still sitting at his desk, staring at his research. He decided to pick it up and read through it all over again until a word attracted his attention in the research.

That's it! OF COURSE!

Maybe there's still hope!

He started writing notes and decided to head to the corporation's lab at night to do some experiments.

The following day, Kira prepared for school and got on the bus in time. She arrived in the class early but this time Leo wasn't there. Max and his buddies arrived late but other than that, things seemed normal. She spent her day as usual until break time.

As she headed to get her food she heard one of Max's buddies saying, But damn, Max went full rocky mode on that Leo guy, it was hilarious that he kept smiling like a retard..

Angry and bothered by what she heard, she decided to check on him. Even though the school wasn't over yet, she ran outside and went to where Leo lived. She stood by the wall, peeking at him and that's what she saw.

Leo was sitting there, leaning on the wall while holding a picture and staring at it, all bruised up. His torn books were splayed on the floor.

Leo was staring at the picture that had him, his mum, and his father however, his father's face had an 'X' mark on it. He was having flashbacks of the last time he saw them while staring at the picture.

His father came back home drunk and went to the kitchen. Typically, his dad yelled at his mum and called her a whore. The man had found out that Leo wasn't his biological son which meant Leo's mum cheated on him. He was too upset as he thought Leo was his kid and wanted to pass his legacy to him, but that wasn't going to happen anymore. Shouting angry curse words, he grabbed Leo's mum by her hair and started slapping and punching her. Leo was still eight years old, he tried to push his father off his mum, but his father was obviously stronger. His father grabbed a knife and tried to stab his mother to the throat, Leo intercepted it and took the knife to his right eye. Leo started bleeding and his vision went completely blur. His father pushed him aside, he fell on his right side unaware of his surroundings.

His mum screamed and tried to wrap her arms around him to shield him from his brute father. His father started stabbing her with the knife while yelling YOU BITCH, HOW DARE YOU, FUCKING WHORE! He ended up stabbing her in the back three times.

A few minutes later, Leo's vision slightly came back to normal. His father wasn't there anymore and his mum was laying on the floor, in a pool of her own blood, taking her last breath. Tears poured from Leo's left eye while blood drops were pouring down his right.

You – have to – run, his mum said to him with a sad, weary smile, as she placed her left palm on his wet cheek. Don't lose your necklace, she added, trying to touch the silver pendant hanging around his neck. Tired, she couldn't and dropped her hand back to the floor.

Live, my little boy. Never lose hope. Keep your head high and no matter how tough life will be – always – smile,

S– Smile for me, Leonardo. Please. With that, she breathed her last breath.

Leo nodded and tried to force a smile. He stared sadly at his mother's bruised face. Though her eyes were wide open, she was gone. Leo stayed on his knees with tears falling down his left eye and blood falling down his right, he remained there for an entire hour on his knees, grinning with his lips shivering until the police arrived.

Leo forced a grin while looking at the picture and a tear rolled down from his left eye down his cheek.

Kira couldn't bear to watch, she ran off back to school. She felt her heart torn for Leo getting beaten up like that by Max.

She managed to reach the school one minute before the break was over. She went back to class and as soon as her eyes laid on Max she became furious. As furious as a volcano.

*End of Chapter 3*

Last Hope

Kira waited patiently to confront Max after school.

As soon as the bell rang, signaling that school was over, Kira waited outside for Max and his buddies to pass by. When they did, she tapped his shoulder twice to get his attention.

Max turned around. Oh, hi Kir–

Slap!

Woah Woah Woah! one of Max's buddies, trying to keep Kira away from Max.

What the hell is your problem? Why do you hate him so much? furious, Kira shouted.

Max smirked. You must be talking about Leo. Why do you care so much about that trash, Kira? You're better than that! Max retorted, brimming with confidence.

I'll report you to the director and the police!

And then what? Max folded his arms across his chest and took an intimidating step towards Kira. You don't have proof. And even if I got arrested. I'm a minor. A couple of days and I'll get out and then my dad will pretty much expel both you and that piece of trash– you don't want him expelled, do you?

You're out of your mind, Kira shouted and tried to slap him again but one of his buddies held her back.

Just stay away from that loser, you're better than that. Max took his leave, pissed.

Kira went back home. And yet again, she opened the door and– KIRAAAAAAAAA!!! Smith ran to her for a hug but yet again got ignored.

He sat by a corner like a child who just lost his lollipop, mumbling and complaining to himself like a five years old kid, My daughter doesn't love me anymore, I wanna die!.

Mike passed by with a glass of water and saw his dad like that. How humiliating!

Fuck you!

Meanwhile, Kira was sitting in her room, thinking about Leo and how she could help him.

On the next day, Kira went to school as usual. Leo didn't show up again. She decided to check on Leo after school. She went to the same spot to watch him, she saw him climbing a metal ladder, heading up to one of the windows of that old building he lives next to.

He was barely able to climb up with just his left hand and left leg. His right leg was still injured since the incident with Kira and his right arm was all bruised due to the beating he took from Max and his friends, however, he still managed to reach that window, he put some food on a piece of paper on some birds nest to feed the baby birds. He then climbed down and sat back to the wall, reading his