Man

He was just a normal boy. One that used to play, cry, and be afraid, one that used to feel. Just a normal little boy.

It was Tuesday, June 26th, 2055. Michael Spiegel, or Spike as his brother and friends called him, was looking up at the maroon sky. He was sitting on the window seat in his living room watching the house staffs hustle around getting ready for his party tonight.

Today he was 11 years old, and proud of it. He was going to have the best party in the neighborhood, but that wasn't what he cared about, he felt like today he would become a man.

The Spiegel's' were a fairly normal wealthy family. He had a mother, a father, and an older brother. His father, Jonathan Spiegel, was a businessman who was highly respected. He was a tall, slightly muscular man with dark black hair that almost looked green in some angels. Though he admired his father, Jonathan was very distant. He was hardly around and always at the "office." Although his father could be strict and cold at times, a part of him still wanted to be just like him. He wanted his acceptance.

He was close with his brother, Jonathan Spiegel the Second. They called him Jon to side step confusion. He was the spiting image of his father, unlike Spike who seemed to be a mixture of both his parents. Jon was even around his father constantly these days, literally learning to be just like him. Spike really looked up to his brother mainly because he was easier to talk to. He wasn't as distant and was a lot warmer He loved martial arts and the two loved to watch the Bruce Lee movies together.

Then there was his mother, Amelia Spiegel. She was the most beautiful woman in Spikes mind. She was a thin fair skinned woman with dark brown hair who always dressed her best. She was the most caring and loving person he knew. Secretly he loved her the best. She was a stay at home mom who was always there for them. Her and Spike had a special relationship. Different from his brother, Spike always loved to hear the stories she would tell.

Time was getting closer to the party and guest would be arriving soon. He turned from the window to find his brother coming up behind him. "Hey Spike, you ready?"

He asked ruffling his hair.

Spike made a face and stood up. "Yeah, I just wanna get it over with. I hate these dumb parties." Jon looked at him in understanding and fixed his collar and bowtie. "Yeah, same here. But hey! Your 11 today! You can start picking up chicks!" Jon said with a big grin. Spike laughed and both began to walk towards the front door.

Their mother was making her way down the stairs in a nice dress while putting on her earrings. "Hello boys, you look nice. You father should be here in about a minute." She said walking over to Spike re straightening his bow tie. He smiled and nodded.

Just as he was going to walk over and check out the window for his dad, the front door opened. His eyes lit up immediately at the person who walked through the door next. "Uncle Mao!" He shouted out. He ran up and hugged him.

Mao laughed and kneeled down to look at him. "Wow! Look at you! Its been a while huh Spike? You look more and more like a man every time I see you." He said.

Spike nodded and smiled with pride. His "Uncle Mao" was around most of the time, but he had been on a trip for almost a month. And he wasn't really his uncle either. Mao was his father's business partner and I guess what you could call a best friend to him.

"Well, well. He doesn't get that excited when I get home." Jonathan grumbled at the door. Spike looked up at him and smiled. "Hello dad."

Jonathan smiled and patted his head. "Hello, happy birthday Michael." The men took off their coats and greeted Amelia and Jon before beginning to walk to the living room. "Where is Annie?" Spike asked.

"Oh she will be here soon. She had to take care of a few things before she left." Said Mao as he took a seat. Spike's father was about to sit down when he heard a knock at the door. "I'll get it," He said as he walked over the door and answered it.

He looked a bit surprised at the person on the other end. He raised his brows and stood back. "Kelvin, what are you doing here?" He asked as Kelvin walked through the door with about three other men behind him. He stood with his hands in his suit pockets checking out the house before finally looking at Jonathan.

"Oh, well we heard little Michael here was turning 11. Thought we'd come wish him a happy birthday. Hello kid" Said Kelvin walking up to Spike and holding out his hand. Spike began to feel uneasy when he noticed everyone around him, including his mother and brother looked uneasy as well. He hesitantly lifted up his hand and shook Kelvin's.

Kelvin looked to be in his mid 30s, just a bit younger than his parents. He had blond hair and a muscular build. He smiled after shaking his hand. "Oh don't be afraid of me. I do no harm." He said turning and nodding his head to his brother Jon, who nodded back. For some reason Spike didn't believe his words.

Spike's father put a scowl on his face. "Well that was thoughtful, but we have discussed our matters already. You don't need to stick around if you don't want." He said sounding ready to get them out of the house. Kelvin turned with eyebrows raised.

"Oh no, I hope you aren't trying to get me to leave so early. I haven't even enjoyed myself at this party yet." He said seating himself. His men stood behind him like an army.

"That's not necessary, it'll just be a bunch of kids anyways." Mao spoke up.

Kelvin looked up to Mao with a dumb open mouth smile. He let out a chuckle before tilting his head down in mock disbelief. "Well boys, what if I wanna stay. I am sure you wouldn't want me causing any trouble would you?" He said flashing his gun on the side of his pants.

Spike gave a small gasp that could hardly be heard when he saw the weapon. Spike's mother stood up immediately. "Its fine! Its fine, he can stay dear." She said nervously looking at Jonathan.

Kelvin smiled at her and stood taking her hand. "Well, see, your wife said it was fine." He said kissing her hand and looking at Jonathan as well.

Jonathan clenched his fist in anger. "No its not fine Mia." He said staring at Kelvin. She turned her head sharply to him. "Jonathan."

"He's not a Dragon." Jonathan said stiffly. At this point Jon began to push Spike along with him towards the door. Now Spike was worried, and he had no idea what a Dragon had to do with this. "Who is that?" He whispered to his brother. Jon looked down at him and placed his hand on his shoulder. "Just, someone from dad's job."

Before Spike knew it he heard a shot and scream from his mother. With wide eyes he looked as Kelvin held a gun in the air that he had just shot. All the staff went into a panic and took cover.

"Now look Jonathan. I don't really like that little deal we made today and even though I agreed, well… I changed my mind. Now tare up the contract or … well I'll have to kill you and do it myself. " He said now aiming the gun at Jonathan.

Out of all the emotions Spike's dad could have had on his face he looked calm. He wasn't even scared at all to have a gun to his face. Mao was about to pull out his gun, but before he could, kelvin's men took hold of him.

"I wont" Jonathan firmly said."Damn it Jon! Just do it!" shouted Amelia. Spike had never seen his mom so hysterical.

Kelvin began to laugh. "Oh Jonny. You better listen to your little wife here. She knows what she is saying." Mao was still struggling when Jonathan spoke up again. "NO!" he shouted.

At this moment Spike didn't understand how everything happened so fast. But within seconds he witnessed his father get shot in the head and his mother scream reaching for him. "Well, might as well finish her off too. It would really suck to be left a widow. Lets say this one was just for fun?" Said Kelvin looking back at his three men.

Amelia looked up in horror to Kelvin who now pointed the gun at her. She turned her head to her boys before shouting out. "GO! RUN!"

The boys hesitated. Jon had no idea what to do. He had un-spilled tears in his eyes and looked as if so many thoughts were running through his head at the moment. He couldn't believe what he just saw.

Mao finally got free knocking out two men and getting one off of him enough to rush over. Before he could make it a shot was fired and Amelia was bleeding. Spike stood still for what felt like forever. It felt like everything was moving in slow motion. He stared in horror as his tears began to fall. "MOM!" He yelled out. His brother held him back as he tried to run to her.

Mao grabbed onto Kelvin from behind, taking his gun. "GO JON! TAKE YOUR BROTHER! NOW!... GO!"

Jon grabbed onto Spike and took off carrying him. Spike hung from his brother's back looking at his house, hearing nothing but gunshots. Jon kept running until he couldn't anymore, out into the forest. Finally when he was out of breath he stopped and put Spike down. He put his hands on his knees leaning forward breathing hard.

Spike was crying hysterically, still not understanding what just happened. "What's going on Jon!? Who was that!?" He screamed out. Jon rushed to him placing a hand over his mouth.

"Shhhh! I know, I know! I will try to explain to you, but you need to calm down! They might hear us!" He shouted in hushed tones. Spike tried to calm down his crying. When he finally did a bit his brother let go of him and kneeled in front of him and took him by the shoulders.

"Look, I know what we just saw isn't something to be calm about, but… well. Ugh, I don't know how to explain this." He took this time to notice how in disarray and shock his brother was in. He was sweating, taking heavy breathes, and looked as if he was about to burst into tears as well.

"Look, you weren't supposed to know about his, but… Dad, he was, or is. He was in a syndicate. He was the leader. I don't know if you know what that means, but. Look I don't know who that guy was either I just. I… I don't know!"

Spike had heard of Syndicates and Mobs before. He knew them from the movies, books, and games. He just couldn't believe his father was apart of one, let alone the leader of one. So many things were going through his head. He had just witnessed his parents get killed in front of him and found out his father lead a syndicate all in less then 15 minutes.

He didn't know what to do other than sob. Jon looked up as he heard a noise in the bushes. He grabbed onto Spike and pulled him to the side. He looked at Spike and put his finger up to his mouth in sign to be quiet.

His brother let out a shout as he left something on his shoulder. He turned around and felt relieved when he saw Mao. Mao was covered in blood breathing hard as well.

"Are you okay?" He asked Jon breathily. Jon shook his head no. Mao then looked over to Spike and embraced him.

"Spike, I know what you just saw must be hard. You might be too young to know these things, but we don't have any other choice. Your father and I run a syndicate called Red Dragons. Your mother and brother know about it. You were too young to tell. I am so sorry you had to find out this way. That man was Kelvin Peterson. He is from another syndicate. I can't explain everything right now, but we need to go. "

Spike stared at him still sobbing. "Where are we supposed to go now?" He asked through unsteady breathes. "You will stay with me. I will train you and your brother. And don't worry. We will get revenge for your family." without saying anything else Mao signaled over a car. It came up and they went inside.

Spike felt a wave of comfort when he saw Annie in the back seat. She held out her arms to him and he quickly crawled over to her. "Oh Spiky…I am so sorry." She said crying and hugging him tightly. He cried into her chest and looked out the window as they drove off.

His father wasn't who he thought he was. He killed and played men. Now he was dead. He didn't know what the future held, but he knew one thing.

This was the last day he would ever cry.

…...

Hey everyone! So I am back! So sorry about those who were reading my other stories! I am going to revamp them now that I am older and understand the aspect of writing better. I might put "What were we waiting for" Up for adoption… Interested? Anyways, this story is just a little taste. I am working on a full CB story that will hopefully be coming soon. So here is something to hold you over. Hope you enjoyed. R&R! :D

P.S. Next chapter will be up sometime next week…. maybe this weekend. Depends.