Chapter 11: Prep-work

• Downtown had been fully controlled by Skull for so long and well, that none of the citizens dared disobey their rule. They were a gang on the surface but acted more like a cult or devious sect. All their member’s bodies were painted or tattooed with fearsome skull and bone designs that mirrored their anatomically located bones. Some of the more devoted members even wore the bleached bones of defeated rivals as both a warning and testament of their strength.
• Alan Stockholm, who was known as the Bone Flayer amongst the Skull members, was no exception. He had proven himself countless times in dealing with the other gangs, civilian rebels, and in the occasional Match fight. His nickname, Bone Flayer, was aptly given thanks to his nasty fireman's tactical hammer. Using this special weapon, he had been able to sheer off numerous opponents’ arms, legs, and heads, all with one precise chop. His capabilities came from not only his skill, but his size too. He was known to be by far one of the largest and strongest persons in town other than the Head and a handful of other leaders within the Skull.
• Alan’s reputation in the Skull was very well respected and he was given the rank of Hand, which was basically a lieutenant member in the Skull gang’s rankings. Only the Head, or leader, and the two Eyes, vice leaders, ranked higher than him. There were also numerous other Hands each as powerful and equally ranked as himself. However, Alan was the youngest and fastest rising member of the Skull to date, making him someone to keep an eye out for.