Hey, all!
First off, I know Halloween is way over, but I had this on my mind and just had to cram this short story in before it became way too late. But better late than never.
This story takes place in an alternate universe where Ethan adopts Eveline after the Louisiana outbreak. He manages to catch up to Eveline in the swamp house (the scene where she runs away as gets out of the crawlspace) after retrieving the D-Series arm and she explains her story to Ethan. Also, Village is non-canon here, so Eveline was created solely by the Connections without Miranda and the mold came from an unknown source. And Eveline's 'old woman' thing in this continuity is just a disguise. She came to the Baker House when she was seven and left with Ethan when she was ten. She's eleven in 2018.
Plot: A year after Louisiana, Ethan embraces his role as Eveline's new father and takes her out for her first Halloween as father and daughter. With trick-or-treating, costumes, a party, and some heartfelt moments, anything can happen. But what happens when Ethan meets someone who has gone through just as much hardship as him?
Halloween, 4:57 PM Wednesday 31st October 2018, Los Angeles, California, USA
It was nearing sundown in the bustling city of Los Angeles, where Halloween was in full swing. The celebration was taking the neighbourhoods by storm as the people, mainly children, were out and about in the streets of Los Angeles.
Houses were covered with every kind of decoration imaginable. Skeletons, ghosts, spiders in webs and the classic pumpkin jack-o-lanterns, giving off grins that ranged from goofy to sinister.
The presence of children dominated the streets, either in groups or together with grown-ups to look after them. Either way, they were all dressed up in wonderful costumes for this occasion. From classics like vampires and mummies to characters of modern fiction, and even some cosplayers. As per the usual tradition of trick-or-treating, the children carried plastic buckets and sacks to hoard all their collected candy in.
But for one particular duo, this was going to be one to remember for both of them.
In one of the more upper-middle class neighbourhoods was the Winters household. Like most of the houses on its street, its exterior was decorated with various Halloween themed items like spider webs and ghosts. A couple of hand-carved jack-o-lanterns sat on the front patio railing. A big one with a clean goofy grin and a small one that looked like it was done by a first-timer. But they nevertheless gave off a glow from within that illuminated smiles to any bypassers. Nearby, a bowl filled with chocolates and candies sat on a stool with a sign taped on it saying 'Take ONE. Don't be greedy'.
It was clear the two residents were going out for the evening.
Downstairs in the foyer, Ethan Winters awaited for the arrival of his adopted daughter, Eveline 'Evie' Winters.
"Eveline, are you ready yet?" called out Ethan, "We stay around any longer, we won't be able to hit too many houses before the party!"
"In a minute, Dad," called back Eveline from upstairs, "Just need to put on this boot!"
Ethan smiled. It was his adopted daughter's first Halloween tonight. Some weeks back, Ethan promised to take her out on the account she had never experienced the holiday in her life and it would be a great experience for her. Then fast forward a week later, Eveline received an invite from one of her friends, Winona Kelly, to her Halloween costume party on the night. Ethan was glad that with Eveline attending school, she was already making great progress blending into society.
But the invite also extended Ethan as there were going to be two parties. One for the kids and one for the adults. Apparently, based on what Winona told Eveline who told Ethan, not only was Winona's mother one of Los Angeles' most wealthy single mothers on the account of her recent divorce from her millionaire husband, but Samantha Kelly had a thing for Ethan once she found out he was single.
But Ethan wasn't going to let that distract him from having a great Halloween with Eveline. He already taught her how to carve a jack-o-lantern and put up decorations. Do some trick-or-treating, go to the party, get sick on sugar and maybe watch a scary movie if there was any time to spare.
For their costumes, Ethan decided to go all out on the occasion and spend some well-earned money on Eveline and himself. Any man his age would have skipped out on a costume if he thought himself to be too old for the occasion. But for a personal need to relive childhood Halloween memories and to send out the message that he wasn't just a boring dad looking out for his daughter, he was wearing a full Corvo Attano outfit from Dishonoured, right down to its skull-like mask.
"Okay, Dad, I'm coming!" Eveline called out again.
Soon enough, Eveline Winters made her presence known, costume on and skull bucket in hand. The 11-year-old didn't look too different from when Ethan first met her in the Baker House, but there were noticeable changes. She stood a little taller, her hair was all cleaned up in a ponytail and more colour on her face was evident. But what the biggest change was that her previous malicious streak was gone. With Mia, the Bakers and the Connections out of her life, Ethan helped bring out her more beautiful side. She was more happy and lively then she ever felt before.
For tonight, she was dressed up as Samus Aran, specifically the suit from Metroid Fusion. The little girl had grown attached to the Metroid game series after finding Ethan's old GameBoy. When asked what she wanted her costume to be, she immediately set on Samus Aran. She also decided Ethan's costume, stated that it suited him well. She even said if it was real and he wore it at the Baker House, Jack and Marguerite would be running in terror from him when they saw how badass he looked. Ethan still wasn't sure how she found out about such a violent game, but didn't disagree when she said it made him look badass.
"You look good, sweetie," Ethan complimented on her costume, "Fits good?"
"Yep," said Eveline as she reached the bottom of the stairs, "You look great too, Dad. Are you gonna put the mask on?"
Ethan held the mask in his hand, "Definitely. Can't be a mercenary without a mask. Anyway, are you ready to go?"
"Yeah! Lets go," said Eveline as she put on her helmet. Ethan did the same with his.
Exiting the house, they were greeted with the sights of the Halloween evening. The sun was just on the horizon, still visible. Children were out trick-or-treating with their friends. And the endless glows of pumpkin faces lit up all the decorated houses on the street. An idyllic Halloween night.
"Y'know, when you go trick-or-treating, you realise there are a lot more houses than you think." said Ethan as he looked up and down the streets.
"Which means more candy for us!" said Eveline, taking off like a rocket to the top of the street, "Race you to the house at the top, Dad!"
Surprised by the sudden take off, Ethan followed suit. "Not if I get there first, jellybean!"
Father and daughter gave off hearty laughs, intent on conquering as many houses as they could.
Halloween, 6:15 PM Wednesday 31st October 2018, Los Angeles, California, USA
To say that it was a successful trick-or-treating run was an understatement. By the time it was time to head to the party, Eveline had filled up her bucket to the brim so quickly that they had to resort to using a leather satchel Ethan brought with him, which came with the costume.
But not it was time to go to the party.
"I still can't believe we've covered eleven whole blocks!" cheered Eveline as she inspected he bucket of goodies, "We
"Only because you keep on outrunning me!" huffed Ethan, who was still tired from all the running. Despite all the self-defence training from Chris and running from the monsters in Louisiana, Eveline still proved herself full of energy and the excitement of her first Halloween added to that.
"And the people thought my costume was cute!" added Eveline.
It was true. Some of the people were so blown away by her costume that they ended up giving more candy to Eveline unknowingly, filling her bucket quicker. But right now, it was time to go to the party.
"It was really nice of Winona to invite you to her Halloween party," said Ethan, "I'm glad that you've made some great friends, Eveline."
"Well, that's the thing, Dad. She and I are good to each other, but I think she invited us just because her mom wanted to see you," asked Eveline.
"But you'll see your other friends there, right?" asked Ethan.
"Well, yeah, but what I'm trying to say is…," asked Eveline, "…what are you going to say to her?"
Ethan sighed. Romantic relationships were currently at the bottom of his list right now because of what happened in Louisiana. When he caught up to Eveline in the swamp house after killing Marguerite, she told him about her life with the Connections and Mia working for them. He felt sorry for Eveline and understood why she was the way she was. But his wife working for a crime syndicate that manufactures bioweapons? That had to be a cruel sick joke.
Deciding that he needed answers, he and Eveline set off in search of Mia. Once back at the trailer, they learned that Lucas had taken her hostage in the barn, where he also had Zoey and the D-Series Head. He had insisted that if he wanted them, he would have to go through his 'funhouse'.
And by funhouse, he meant a fucking death-trap house filled to the brim with close imitations of the Saw the bright side, Eveline didn't make any more of the Molded creatures from the black gunk that dominated the estate since she had no reason to kill Ethan anymore. After going through Lucas' sick excuse of a 'funhouse', Ethan finally confronted him in the boathouse, where he was holding both Zoe and Mia along the D-Series Head.
And the truth couldn't be more painful when he heard it from his wife's mouth. All those 'business trips' and 'babysitting' jobs she had been away at for most of the time in their marriage? They were assignments for the Connections and testing bioweapons on the innocent. Eveline was one such example. She was injected with mold when her biological mother was still pregnant with her and then killed off after birth, leaving Eveline an orphan in the Connections' care. This revelation prompted Eveline to want to kill Mia on the spot, but a mutated Jack's interference put that out of commission.
After dealing with Jack with the unexpected help from Chris Redfield and the BSAA, Ethan and Zoey explained the situation to them. When the BSAA took Mia and Lucas into custody, they were ready to kill Eveline as well, but Ethan argued that she was just as much a victim as the Bakers, finishing off by declaring he wanted to raise Eveline under his care. The BSAA and Blue Umbrella were reluctant at this request, but after much insistence from Ethan, they agreed under the conditions that some tests be done, she receive therapy and to report if anything involving her powers comes up. After spending a month in a Blue Umbrella facility together and adoption papers being signed, Ethan and Eveline returned to Ethan's home in Los Angeles. As father and daughter. Eveline cried tears of joy the whole way home, happy that the nightmare was over for her and she had someone she can finally call family.
Upon returning home, Ethan filed for a divorce when Mia, after receiving treatment, was incarcerated in a women's prison for her involvement with the Connections. Needless to say, Mia felt betrayed and heartbroken, angrily voicing her distaste towards him for caring more for a monster than his own wife. But Ethan countered that she was the monster for just standing by and allowing her employers to do horrible things to an innocent girl. Once the papers were signed, they had not spoken since.
And that was over a year ago. But Samantha Kelly was determined to take that spot.
Ethan met Samantha Kelly during a PTA meeting some months back. And since she found out about his singlehood, she took as many opportunities to flirt or get him to 'come over'. He didn't know what it was that attracted her to him, but he, for one, wasn't into her personality. She was the typical rich and elitist mother who didn't hesitate to spread gossip like it was nobody's business. Needless to say, if she ever found out what Eveline really was, one blog from Samantha and it was game fucking over. And from the money she got from her divorce settlement, she went all out on the plastic surgery. If he didn't know any better, she was more plastic than a Barbie Doll.
Overall, Ethan didn't like her.
"I don't know. I'll just have to let her down gently, I guess. Plus, I don't know what Samantha sees in me compared to her previous husband," said Ethan, "Besides, would you want to have someone like her as your mother?"
Beneath her helmet, Eveline pulled a disgusted face. "Ugh, no way. She's got so much done on her, it hurts my eyes. But Winona is okay, even if she is a little flamboyant."
"True that, sweetie." agreed Ethan.
Soon enough, they arrived to their destination. Compared to the rest of its decorated neighbourhood, this place was completely topped out. It was a large estate with a two-storey home with a large front yard. Decorations hung from every window, entrance, and wall in sight. Frankly, Ethan and Eveline were flabbergasted.
'Jeez, this lady didn't cheap out on the decorations. If this is how she decorates for Halloween, I don't even wanna know what she does for Christmas.' thought Ethan, until his thought were broken by Eveline's thoughts.
"Dad, this has all been great so. Thank you for everything." smiled Eveline.
"You're welcome, Eveline. But the night's not over yet. We still got the party to go to and a movie afterwards." replied Ethan.
Eveline stopped in her tracks, making Ethan stop to see what was wrong. The young girl took off her helmet, prompting Ethan to take his mask as well.
"It's not just that, Dad," said Eveline, "When I first met you, I was determined to make you my new daddy and Mia my new mommy, by any means necessary. Even if it meant hurting you or those around you."
Eveline paused for a moment to take a breath. Looking into her adoptive father's eyes, she continued.
"But you caught up to me in that swamp house, even though you didn't know me. And even after I told you that I was responsible for what happened to the Bakers, why I did it and how I've been feeling all the time, you didn't do anything to hurt me," said Eveline.
Ethan sighed. They have not spoken of the Louisiana Outbreak for months in the hopes of being able to move on from it and get on with their lives. She was very emotional when they were in therapy with Blue Umbrella and got asked questions about it. But Ethan knew that the traumas they endured would linger for as long as they would live. And talking was one of the best ways to deal with it.
"I was concerned for you when I caught you, thinking you were one of the victims of the outbreak. Anyone would think the same. And I was surprised, maybe a little upset, when you told me that you actually were the one behind it all, but when you told me why you were doing it, I understood," said Ethan, putting his hands on his daughter's shoulders, "You were young, didn't know the ways of the world, were lied to your whole life and treated like a thing to be locked up instead of a normal person. Any other child in your position would have done the same."
"They would?" asked Eveline.
"Yes, they would. And when you opened up to me, asking why didn't anyone love you and why everyone hated you, I saw the little lost girl that was hiding behind the mask that the Connections made for you," said Ethan, "I knew there and then that you were not the monster your creators made you to be. You were just confused and alone and didn't know any better. And I decided to make it my mission to take that mask off and make you feel loved. Anyone who thought differently never would, but what makes them different is that they are not willing to try and understand you like I did."
Eveline began to tear up in happiness.
"And when you defended me from Chris, saying that you wanted to adopt me, I knew I could trust you. The first person I could trust in my life," Eveline gently sobbed, "And everything you did for me since then. The outings, the holidays, finding a good school for me and helping me adapt to a normal life. I finally feel like a normal person who belonged in the normal world."
"Eveline, as far as I and everyone who is unaware of our past is concerned, you are a normal person. You've always belonged in the normal world like you always should have been. Before the Connections and Mia took it away from you," said Ethan, kneeling down and pulling his daughter into a hug, "And I promise there will be more to come. You'll grow up to have a good life, away from the monsters who tried to exploit you."
Eveline returned the embrace, letting the tears fall down her face. Ethan felt those as well as his own, wondering how long they she has been holding them in.
"And no matter what, you're my daughter. Not the Connections' experiment. But Eveline Winters." said Ethan, "And I'll always stand by you…until the very end."
Eveline just stood there, hugging her father. The man who pulled her out of her abyss of sorrow and longing, finally bringing her into the light and a better future. The one who kept his promise to look after her when no-one else would've. This is all she had ever wanted. Someone to love her.
"I love you, Daddy." Eveline gently.
"I love you, too, sweetie." replied Ethan.
Breaking the embrace, Ethan took out some paper tissues from his pocket to wipe his daughter's tears away.
"We'd better get going. It's not a party without us." said Eveline, as she put on her helmet.
"You're right," said Ethan as he put his own mask on, "Race you to the door!"
Now it was Eveline's turn to be surprised by her father's take-off, but like any child, she laughed and ran after him.
And there is one chapter done! I aim this to be no more than three chapters.
My main inspirations for this were the fanfiction by AquaDiamondDust, When The Nightmare Ends and the bad ending of RE7. It would have been good if Ethan understanding Eveline, trying to help her and adopting her was an ending, but then again, that's what fanfictions are for. To add our own twists, new beginnings and new endings.
I still intend to finish My Bloody Valentine and Winter's Howl. Don't Worry.
DeltaRaptor out!