Chapter Text
Black Sapphire stood in front of the mirror, his crimson blood dripped stark against the bone white tiles.
He was pressing cotton to a bloodied gash, laying just above his left eye. Candy apple was sitting on the bathtub, grasping disinfectant, chattering about the party, energetic as ever.
Looking around the bathroom, Black Sapphire saw walls of red and silver, perfect, and pristine, a gallery of wealth, not a home.
He looked at himself in the mirror, seeing a teenager, with light ghostly hair, and two deep, dark eyes, one perfect and pristine, the other scarred and discolored, his horns chipped and scratched.
Next to him, Candy Apple had began playing with the ribbons of cloth bandages. Flecks of makeup clinging to where wounds were covered, at least the ones that couldn't be waved away.
Putting away the medical supplies, Black Sapphire snuck her out into the halls, hiding her in their room.
Then stalking around the large, long, suffocating halls, he walked to the kitchens. Large knives and cutlery hung around, collecting dust, instead he grabbed a smaller knife and cut some vegetables, throwing them in pot.
Once finished, he tiptoed around, grabbing two bowls and silently pouring the soup in, jumping when he heard a loud groggy grunt.
He carefully walked to the origin of the sound, his "father" lay drunk and asleep on an expensive lounge couch, bottles scattered around, a few were even shattered, his badge forgotten on the table next to him.
Letting out a sigh of relief, he rushed back to the kitchen, retrieving the bowls, and returning to Candy Apple.
They ate silence before a creak could be heard, loud, heavy, suffocating, an intoxicating smell was faint, but growing closer.
"Where you boy?" A large slurred voice echoed through the walls. "Come on out!"
"Hide." He commanded to Candy Apple, who slipped into a closet.
He opened the door, finding a horrifying hulking figure, minding racing, wondering what unspoken, made up, rule he broke. "Yes sir?"
Blanketed by darkness, Candy Apple covered her ears, imagining stories of princesses and towers. She didn't want to hear the outside, she wanted to block everything out, she knew she couldn't help, flight means survival, fight only leads to pain.
She didn't know how long it had been, when her brother cracked open the doors, his left eye shut, his voice was quiet.
"Come on, we're leaving." He whispered. Walking away he went to the bathroom with some spare clothes, when he reappeared, his hair was draped over the left side of his face, wearing lighter looser clothes.
Then he stuffed a bag full of hidden food, a spare pair of clothes, a blanket, and some money.
"Where are we going?" She asked, flanking Black Sapphire.
"We're going on a trip."
"Yayy-" A hand was clamped over her mouth as he threw the bag over his shoulder, and cracked open a window.
Grabbing a stool, Candy Apple fell out the window, landing in a prickly bush, her brother following.
They ran through the woods together, and for the first time, Black Sapphire told her she could be as loud as she wanted.
No fear, no eggshells, just freedom, but pure freedom doesn't last long, and soon, their food started to deplete.
So, they found a town, hiding in alleys, stealing food and wallets. A plan was created out of desperation, Candy Apple would distract them and Black Sapphire would steal their belongings.
But, today it was different.
For days the streets were empty, everyone was afraid after the beasts broke out of the tree, they held up in their homes, eating reserves.
But, Candy Apple and Black Sapphire still stole what they could, but also hid in their spot, not because of fear of beasts, they couldn't afford that, the fear of the guards.
More guards had taken post, ready for any attacks, but that also meant more witnesses, more people to complain to. And, Black Sapphire knew they couldn't be caught, not only would they get in trouble, no it could be far worse, they could be sent back.
So, he carefully hid, within view of the street, watching the guards fall asleep, when a woman walked by, dressed in expensive blue fabrics, pale hair cascading down her shoulders.
He motioned to Candy Apple, who was across the street, signaling their to begin their scheme.
Black Sapphire watched as she appeared out of the shadows, waving her arms, saying something, then running through the maze of alleys. He slunk into the alleys behind him, walking to their spot, hoping the woman will take the bait.
Candy Apple felt the rush of the wind against her hair, the twisted streets of abandoned houses, crumbling into the road, lay in front of her. Swiveling her head, she saw the woman following her, but not like how others followed. Most ran quick, losing breath, and become disoriented, but she was jogging, watching the environments around her with scary precision.
Candy Apple turned a corner, ending at a crossroad, stopping and looking for Black Sapphire, who was in one of the abandoned house, ready to grab a purse.
The woman stopped a few feet away from her, tilting her head at Candy Apple, and began talking to her.
Using this opportunity, Black Sapphire dashed towards her, but a soon as he grabbed her basket, she disappeared. Just vanishing into thin air.
Shadow Milk stood on a roof, chuckling as he watched the two children scramble around in confusion and panic.
Even after all the years he'd been trapped in that prison, cookies were still the same, stunned by the strange and unordinary. He remembered his students captivated by his magic, always curious.
Eternal Sugar had suggested he find a follower, because he was used to being around people, and, she pointed out that, if Mystic Flour could keep a follower, he could too. Deciding to humor her, he'd stay here a little while, see if he can find one, then wreak havoc.
"This is our last little bit of food, so eat it slowly." Black Sapphire handed her the small slice of bread.
"Don't you need to eat too?" She asked, ripping the bread in two.
"Nah, you need it more." He sat next to her, huddling under the ripped curtain. "Plus, I learned about this new exercise, it'll make me run faster."
"Are we going to be alright?"
"Yeah." and, he hugged her close, watching the rain fall.