Chapter 10 - From the Desk of Mordecai Crossbell
**Chapter 10 - From the Desk of Mordecai Crossbell** _I am still alive, my dear prisoner. _ You must be wondering how. How dare you. How dare you doubt my ability to not only survive but endure and flourish in this world, in this...
Chapter 9 - The Dragon
**Chapter 9 - The Dragon** Winter had finally decided to rear its ugly head in San Francisco, and I was having none of it. I disliked the cold with a passion and complained about it just as much. Tin had once asked me why I hated it...
Chapter 8 - Baby It's Cold Out There
**Chapter 8 - Baby It's Cold Out There** "This is California, right?" "Yes, Simon," Ethan lazily responded as he put a mug of hot coffee in front of me. I was sitting in the back room of the new Arc with the three cat brothers--Ethan, Ciel,...
Chapter 7 - Trials and Tribulations
**Chapter 7 - Trials and Tribulations** The world spun around me as we walked. If not for Tri I'm certain I would've fallen face first onto the paved street. I could hear other voices near me, familiar voices talking. "Is he all...
Chapter 6 - The City of Yin and Yang
**Chapter 6 - The City of Yin and Yang** To say I was nervous when I started at the shipyard was an understatement. I had never done any kind of construction or ship work outside of repairs while at sea. I had a lot to learn and I was...
Chapter 13 - Blood in the Streets
**Chapter 13 - Blood in the Streets** Ciel got better the next day. I tried to talk to him again, but every time I got close he always found something to be busy with. Bas told me not to worry--Ciel was difficult but a good person. ...
Chapter 12 - Everyone has a Struggle
**Chapter 12 - Everyone has a Struggle** After the admittedly fun evening with Tristan, I headed on back to the Arc. I was bouncing in my stride and hands in my pocket. I passed an alley and I saw Lucas come barreling out and almost slam...
Chapter 20 - Lost and Found
**Chapter 20 - Lost and Found** Running. That was about all I could do anymore. I couldn't fight, I couldn't talk my way out of this, I couldn't lean on my friends. I was alone now and all I could do was run. I made sure to be indirect,...
Chapter 9 - Allies
**Chapter 9 - Allies** After spending more time at the Black Sock gang's headquarters, I felt better about going up against Mordecai and Crossbell Industries. For the first time since I lost Bensley and Gideon, it felt like I had people on my...
Chapter 17 - Hidden Truths
**Chapter 17 - Hidden Truths** "God!" I cried out and tensed before collapsing into a roll and onto my back. The man that had previously been under me purred while panting and looked over at me with those remarkable hazel eyes of his. I...
Chapter 16 - From the Desk of Mordecai Crossbell - American Division (part 3)
**From the Desk of Mordecai Crossbell - American Division (part 3)** I am not a man who is quick to anger. Anger, as I have demonstrated, is the enemy of the controlled and the correct -- the kind of emotion that makes an otherwise rational man...
Chapter 15 - Confrontation
**Chapter 15 - Confrontation** "Rut!" I yelled. "Calm down!" I rolled to my side just as his giant gun went off again. I felt wood splinter along my back and was so thankful we didn't have downstairs neighbors. I got up onto my...