c.o.m.m.u.n.i.t.y. is {family} -crystal-

[~echo~]

The blow landed on his shoulder but he quickly recovered and threw a punch of his own. Soon, the smoke would clear and they needed to be out of there with their prize as soon as that happened.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Braden shouted in anger and struck out again, this time harder, now that he knew a general idea of where his opponent was.

[~echo~]

Mark began moving quickly around Braden, throwing swift punches at his opponent.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Braden staggered a bit but managed to predict his friend's attacks and block a few of them. He was on full defensive, though, unable to retaliate. "Why are you doing this?" he shouted.

[~echo~]

Mark stubbornly didn't reply and kept throwing punches. He finally kicked Braden in the stomach.

[~echo~]

Mark stubbornly didn't reply and kept throwing punches. He finally kicked Braden in the stomach.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

The air left Braden's lungs in a whoosh and he doubled over, completely vulnerable for a few seconds while he struggled to breathe.

[~echo~]

In that time, Mark could see just enough to take the butt of his gun and hit Braden on the temple with it, almost surely knocking him out.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Braden collapsed, not quite unconscious, but in enough pain that he couldn't function correctly. By then, the smoke was clearing, and Gabriel caught sight of Mark standing over Braden's form. "They're here for Braden!" he shouted. "Send out an alarm! Tell the others to guard the exits!"

[~echo~]

Mark growled and signaled for his lackies to grab Braden. He faced Gabriel and smirked before dashing off lightning quick.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Gabriel ran after him. Being tell and lean, he was a fast runner, definitely fast enough to keep up with Mark. If these two had once been friends, why was he attacking Braden now? What did he want with him? He couldn't let him get away. He had too many questions.

[~echo~]

Mark quickly made his way to the entrance, looking back over his shoulder. He smirked and continued running.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Gabriel put on a burst of speed and threw himself at Mark, tackling him to the ground.

[~echo~]

Mark grunted but motioned the others carrying Braden to go on. He growled at the other man and threw a punch at his face.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Gabriel dodged to the side and threw a punch of his own, aiming for Mark's gut.

[~echo~]

Mark dodged so the blow only glanced off his side. He then kicked at the other man's crotch.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

The blow hit and Gabriel doubled over, gasping. "Son of a--"

[~echo~]

Mark took the opportunity and literally ran with it- he rushed down the hallway and outside to their waiting escape van.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Gabriel swore and ran after him, but it was too late. The wheels were already spinning and the van was zooming away.

[~echo~]

Mark grinned when he saw the man trying to catch them. He looked at Braden, who had been bound and gagged. He smirked at him.