Alright, we're close to end of the first half of this story. After this chapter, we will get to see Aiden again. Sorry it took so long, but thank you for coming this far. Anyways, enjoy!

It was a short drive to Shaun's house. Once Clara arrived, she noticed that Shaun's lawn was no longer freshly cut, it looked to be outgrown. That must mean that Shaun hasn't been taking care of himself either.

Clara noticed after coming up to the door, it was open ajar. Peeking her head inside, she catches an awful smell. Pushing the door open, she searches for Shaun. Analyzing the living room, Clara noticed that the coffee table was flipped over and there were beer bottles everywhere.

"My God," she whispers.

And there she sees him sitting on a bar stool in front of the counter in the kitchen. His back was facing her and he sat still.

"Shaun," she calls out to him.

He didn't move or respond to her. Clara gets closer to him until she was standing right next to him. His eyes were open but they were staring down at the counter. He had a beer bottle in his hand and he was just sitting there motionless.

"Shaun," she repeats his name.

When he didn't answer, Clara places a hand on his shoulder. After a few seconds, Shaun blinks and turns to her. There was nothing but sorrow in his eyes. He sighs before taking a large gulp of his beer. Clara sits on one of the bar stools beside him.

"I went to the funeral today. You didn't come," Clara tries to piece the words carefully.

Shaun still wouldn't answer her.

"It must be hard for you."

He was quiet before making out the words, "It is."

Shaun lets go of his beer and places his hands on his lap before turning to her.

"Do you know why I joined the Black Dragon?" He asked her.

Clara shakes her head.

"It was because of Peggy and Teresse. I remember when Peggy was six months pregnant. We were homeless because our old house burned down, so I needed money to get a new one. That's when Alex called me. He knew what we were going through and he offered me a job. I was so desperate to get a house for me and Peggy that I didn't care what the job was, so I took it."

Clara never suspected that a fun energetic person like him would have such a troubled past.

"We made a lot of money and we had enough to get a new house. We got it just time when Teresse was born. Both Peggy and Teresse meant the whole world to me. And now they're gone," he says with a heavy heart.

Clara frowns.

"I'm sorry about all of this, Shaun. The only thing I can tell you to do is move on. Don't drink yourself away from all your problems."

Shaun lightly nods and says, "Yeah...yeah I should move on."

Clara thought she was getting through to him, but his hands move into his jean pocket. He pulls out his pistol and quickly aims it towards his head.

"No wait!"

Before Clara could stop him, he pulls the trigger. Blood spills from his head as hid lifeless body collapses on the floor. Clara stand up and her mouth drops open. She didn't know what to think. This was too much for her to handle. Without another thought, she pulls out her phone and calls her father.

He answers at the third ring, "Clara?"

"I'm done."

"What do you mean you're-"

"I'm quitting the Black Dragon," she interrupts him.

"What?!"

Clara hangs up before he can finish and leaves Shaun's house. She did not once look back on her decision.

Journal #14

I've done it. I've officially quit the Black Dragon. I just witnessed Shaun commiting suicide. I tried to talk to him beforehand, but he couldn't deal with the pain of losing his family. Everything's gone to shit and I don't want to be part of any of this anymore.

What was my father thinking? What was I thinking when I took this job? I should have known from the start that this involved some things I couldn't handle. Maybe I should return to Aiden or leave Chicago. I know the smartest option would be to leave, but I want to reunite with Aiden more. I just feel better with the idea of seeing him.

Before I meet him again, I'll have to bounce my signal so fixers don't come after us. I've seen the amount of fixers after him and the ones after me will only double their numbers. I'll need to work on that but it may take a while.

As for my apartment, I'll need to abandon it. My father still rents the place and he'll be pissed if he knows that I'm going to be with Aiden. Maybe I should get my old tattoos back too. I don't want any memory of the Black Dragon.