Later that night after the movie Adam and the kids were relaxing in the house after a long night out, when there was a knock on the door.

Allen started to get up but the Earl stopped him.

"Don't worry Allen I've got it though I do wonder who would come by so late he said. Walking to the door he opened it to find a somber Cross Marian looking exhausted. Cross? What are you doing here?"

"We need to talk Earl is the boy here?"

"Yes he's in the other room. Why? What does it matter?"

"Call him in here Adam, said Cross solemnly."

Noticing the look on Cross's face the Earl suddenly knew what had happened and tears streamed down his face as he called for Allen.

Allen came in and saw the Earl quietly sobbing. "Earl what's wrong and who is this," he said motioning toward Cross.

Cross looked at the boy and knelt down to look him in the eyes, "Allen I'm so sorry to say this but… your father is dead."

Shocked and disbelieving Allen looked at the man in front of him as tears began to fall. "You're lying, he can't be dead not now he said he would always be here he can't be dead. You'll see he's just so busy he can't talk… he's not dead. He's not!" Allen pushed the man away as he fell to the floor bawling for his father.

"He's not dead Allen muttered in between sobs. He's not he's not. He can't be. He just can't."

Road hearing all the commotion came into the room and saw Allen on the floor and ran to him and hugged him. Looking at the Earl questioningly when she saw he and the stranger were both crying as well. "What's happened" she asked?

"Allen's father Mana has died. He will now have to go with Marian here as per Mana's will."

"What?! Why can't he just stay here with us?"

"Mana specifically noted Cross as the guardian of Allen if he was to pass. He is Allen's godfather after all."

Allen hearing this looked up at the man before him, somewhat doubtful. "If you are my godfather why have I never met you before?"

"I work with your father and as you know he was always busy. However I didn't have a kid to hold me down so I worked a lot more. I guess that just changed" he said darkly scowling at the weak child before him. This is gonna be a long trial for me he thought. Why can't he be strong like his mother instead of a baby like his father?

Lost in his thoughts Cross didn't even see the girl kick him swiftly in his nuts.

As he fell to his knees Road glared at him. "You know you could be nicer to him you jerk his father just died. Be a little more sensitive you ass."

"Road!" The Earl looked at her astonished.

"You should watch what you say girlie some people would hit you for what you just said and did. Listen here I don't care about you and I don't care about this here boy. The only reason I'm taking him in is because I'm obligated to I made a promise and to Mana and I will not go back on it. No matter how much of a wimp this boy is" said an aggravated Cross. "I have to leave now so enjoy the rest of your night earl. You should really teach this girl some manners. Who knows it might just help her in life. Come on boy" he said. After a few seconds of seeing the boy not move he checked and found he was asleep. Sighing he picked up the boy and threw him over his shoulder.

"Oh and by the way you probably won't see the boy or I for a long time. Just because I have to take care of this twerp doesn't mean I have to stop working. I'll see you later Adam" he said as he walked out the door and drove off.

This night marked a change in Allen's life. One that would change who he was and would begin a troubled period in his life. He didn't know it now but he would soon hate his life and the man that was his godfather. In fact he would soon hate everything and everyone. He would for a long time. Until his life changed for the better the boy was a bitter empty husk of the child he once was. Over the years he grew strong and steeled himself to the pain. He closed off his heart and let no one in. for the longest time the boy was alone and hated everything. However that would change one fateful day when he moved to a new town and a new school and saw the one thing that broke the ice on his heart.

Thanks guys I hope you like this chapter. I'm not sure when ill update next but hopefully it will be soon I have a full work schedule this week so well see. As I said in the last chapter there will be a time jump. I will however occasionally flashback to some events in Allen's past to give you an idea of why he became so empty. Have a good week and R&R please