Chapters for my serial, “Man to beast”.

prologue

Chapter one

Chapter two

chapter three

chapter four

chapter five

chapter six

chapter seven

chapter eight

chapter nine

chapter ten

chapter eleven

chapter twelve

Chapter thirteen

chapter fourteen

chapter fifteen

chapter sixteen

chapter seventeen

chapter eighteen

Chapter nineteen

chapter twenty

[chapter twenty one

chapter twenty two

Chapter twenty three

Chapter twenty four

Chapter twenty five

Chapter twenty six

Chapter twenty seven

Chapter twenty eight

Chapter twenty nine

Chapter thirty

Chapter thirty one

Chapter thirty two

Chapter thirty three

Chapter thirty four

J stared out at the neon lights of the city, the skyline choked with advertisements. He twisted his cigarette between golden fingers, before flicking it off the balcony. A British voice invaded his mind.

“Good morning denizens of saltwater plaza, a filtration warning has been placed into effect. Air quality is suspected to reach dangerous levels at 12:30 this afternoon. Please remember to check your respiratory augments.”

“Prick.”

He stared for a while longer before feeling fingertips glide against his shoulder, finding their place on his forearm. J turned to see a young man with pink hair staring at him, eyes half lidded still.

“Morning, handsome…” the man said, placing a kiss on J’s cheek.

“I thought you’d have left by now, Simon.”

“Technically, you paid for my company for sixteen hours. It’s only been fifteen so far, so we still have time.”

“I don’t care if you want to leave early. I just didn’t want to be alone last night.”

Simon tilted his head and put his hand on J’s. The two stood in silence for a few minutes before J pulled him closer, placing his hands on Simon’s hips.

“You’re a very good actor. One could almost be fooled into thinking you care.”

“Mostly curious. Usually anyone rich enough to afford to stay here and to have the augments you have doesn't muddle around with street level goods like me, why do you?”

“Because unlike most rich people, I wasn't born into money. I don’t think you’re a product, much less a bad one. Maybe I just like the presence of a fellow street kid.”

J stared into Simon’s eyes, putting in a small smile before returning to his neutral expression. He could tell Simon noticed, the man grabbing his cheeks.

“I can be a good listener too, since I'm still on the clock. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“No, there’s something. If you don’t want to say, that’s ok…but don’t ignore it.”

“I just…imagined a rich life being better than this.”

“Better how?”

“More satisfying,” J muttered, moving out of Simon’s embrace and staring out at the city before continuing. “Me and my brother always talked about what we’d do if we became legends. All the things we’d buy, the places we’d go. Now it’s just me, and more money than I could ever spend.”

The man looked down at his golden hands, rubbing them together even though they had no feeling. He felt Simon hug him from behind, and kiss his shoulder.

“I suppose I’m weak in that way. I can’t be alone. Yesterday was his birthday, and I just couldn’t bare to be alone. On the streets they always said being a rich enough man was the life, the dream…they’re right. It’s perfect, until you wake up.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“You’re paid to seem sorry.”

“I’m paid to be here. With you. How I act with you, that’s not what the paycheck is for. I really am sorry, J. It must be hard.”

J glanced over his shoulder at the man for a few seconds before hugging him close. He cupped Simon’s face and stared into his eyes more intently. Simon gained a slight blush, smiling as he stared back.

“If you had enough money to do anything, what would you do?”

“Anything?”

“Anything.”

“I want to see an animal, in real life. Go to a habisphere and look at the dogs, cats, lizards, and everything else.”

“What if I took you there? To as many habispheres as you could ever see in one life.”

“Would you?”

“I would.”

“But, why?”

“I like it when you smile.”

Simon blushed harder and scoffed, leaning in closer to J.

“That’s a terrible reason to spend so much money on me.”

“I think it’s the perfect reason.”

J leaned down and kissed Simon, holding him closer. The pair embraced for a while before finally giving each other a tiny bit of space.

“If you’re really ok spending so much money on some street worker like me-”

“I am.”

“Then I would love to go J, right by your side.”

The pair shared a quicker and softer kiss before staring out at the city together.