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It seemed the golden Lady of Luck was finally shining her bright smile upon the life and finances of Jace Sheldon. Business was on a steady incline, his budget secured for the next three months for the first time in what felt like ages. With such good news, he decided that for once, he would be clear to accept an invitation extended by his three 'long-lost' college buddies to throw back a few at the local sports bar. Mark had called only that morning to say that he, Eric, and Brandon had finally all received a weekend off of work at the same time, and to find out whether or not Jace had gotten the same good fortune.
The falling night found Jace and his good friends kicking back, catching up on old times, and of course, ogling the pretty girls that happened by their table. All in good fun, of course. Jace couldn't help but realize all that those desperate hours of overtime had caused him to miss. Mark had gotten engaged, Eric and his wife were two months along now with their second baby, and Brandon…Well…Brandon was still, as usual, Brandon. An aspiring singer, he was always one of the first to hop onto the karaoke stage, and not even his three closest friends could convince him of the fact that he couldn't carry a tune in a five gallon bucket. But he was always given an 'A' for effort.
Jace took his time, relaxing, drinking, and catching up. Leaning back in his chair, dangerously close to tipping over, he crossed his arms over his chest and began his contemplation. At 23, he felt he was doing damn good to be an executive for a fast pasted, flourishing web design company. The problem was, with business so booming, it left him without much time for socializing, what with the need for sleep and all. And so, for the first time in over a month, here he sat with his three close friends, all of whom he'd met while in college. They'd studied together, watched Monday Night Football together, cheering on the Raiders with a vengeance.
Two o'clock came much too quickly for the four good friends, and so as the bouncers were hurriedly ushering people out the door, they shouted plans to meet at Mark's place, where they would most likely throw back a few more beers before crashing. Brandon and Jace walked together on their way to Jace's car. Brandon had bummed a ride because his own truck was losing the clutch quickly. While normally there was quite a bit of bustling in the alley at bar close, but because the four friends had hung around and made plans, the alley was now rather quiet. Alarm bells went off in Jace's head, however, as he spotted a group of people huddled near the back of his car, looking rather lonely all alone in the empty, meager parking lot. Deciding the best course of action would be to completely ignore them, he glances to Brandon, relaying his silent message with a glance. Brandon, while not a singer, was most definately perceptive, and nodded in silent understanding.
Head down, hands in pockets, the pair moved quickly toward the little red Chevalier, before Jace finally gained his confidence and squared his shoulders. Glancing quickly to his friend, Brandon soon followed suit, not wishing to appear an easy target for a mugging. Key out, ready to unlock the door, Jace halted rather suddenly, arm swinging to his side to stop Brandon as well. He'd not seen it before his car in the dim light, but standing just infront of the driver's door were three more hooded figures, their backs to the two friends. It seemed just as Jace and Brandon noticed the car thieves, the group of people near Jace's trunk all turned simultaneously towards them.
Oh...Shit. Jace's words were muttered under his breath, mind quickly flashing through all the possible actions and reactions that could get both of them out of this rather intimidating situation alive. A rough, tall, burly man stepped forward from the group, his eyes flashing devilishly in the low light shed by the weak street lamp above. Jace caught a strong wiff of weed, mixed perhaps with alcohol. Jace was no drug dealer, but he could recognize that raunchy scent anywhere. His father had been quite the druggie, one of the main reasons Jace remained decidedly clean. He also well knew that the mix of alcohol and THC could produce an angry, drunk man about to do some stupid things. What worried Jace was the fact that he and Brandon were now mixed up in this whole scheme. Screw the car...Hell, they can have whatever they find! His thoughts were interrupted by the rough, cracking voice of the leader of their antagonists. Well, well, well...Y'know, I was sure hopin' that ya wouldn't be stupid enough to come this close...I'm guessin' now we'll just have t' get rid of ya. Didn't wanna, but now...We'll just enjoy it, eh, boys? The man's voice alerted the car thieves, who had obviously been intently concentrating on their work. There was a murmer of agreement from the group as they all began moving quickly towards the pair. Jace quickly judged there were approximately ten in the group, plus the three at his car. A shuffling of footsteps behind them, and Brandon quickly, quietly warned Jace of two more behind them. Damn...These guys were prepared!Surrounded now, Jace threw up his hands in a light gesture of surrender. His words came out clear and smooth as he attempted to sound familiar, 'cool'. Aw, hey guys, no harm done! Me 'n' this guy here can just walk the other way, turn the other cheek, eh? And say, we'll even give ye a time when I'll come back to see if the car's still here, how's bout that? An hour sound like enough time to break in and get whatever you feel you need? God, I sound like an idiot. Obviously, the gang thought he did too. Chortles of laughter could be heard, as well as a deep chuckle from the leader himself. The car thieves, now confident that their back was covered, went back to work, right infront of the car's owner. Jace found this just a bit ridiculous, but didn't get much time to deliberate, for once more, the group closed in. Jace was shoved forward from behind, and Brandon was thrown away as four of the hoodlums surrounded each now.
Hey- Jace protested as a quickly-swung leg and a shove to his shoulder took his feet from under him. Landing with a grunt on the hard ground, cringing as a sharp pain moved up from his side, he quickly rolled over onto his back, hands bracing themselves above his head. Rolling onto his back, feet in the air, he shouted a snarl as he flung his body upward, pushing himself to a stand. Now angry, he crouched, hands relaxed even as they fisted. Two of his antagonists took a quick step back, rather surprised that someone would actually attempt to fight them off. It was, in all actuality, a stupid move, but what was he to do? Take the beating lying down? Never! A momentary sideways glance told him that Brandon was doing the same thing, and losing. One of his surrounders stepped towards him, nodding towards Brandon with a sneer as the leader leveled a handgun at his head. Your friend's stupid. And for it, he'll die. You want to die, too? Keep it coming. Damn it, why does this have to happen now?? Jace backed off once more, hands in the air. Colliding with one of the men, he reacted quickly and attempted to turn and deliver a jab to his enemy's nose. A flash of red pain moved before Jace's eyes, and before he could complete the move, he was on his knees. Another jab of pain shot up his spine, and for a moment, his mind whirled blank. He couldn't figure out where the pain was coming from until he realized he was gripping his calf. He'd been shot. He'd not even heard the gun go off. Eyes wild with fear and desperation moved to the leader, whose gun still smoked from the blast. The sadistic son of a bitch was smirking, his eyes saying all, even in the dim light. Still holding his leg, Jace rolled over, catching a glimpse of Brandon out of the corner of his eye. He, too, was on the ground, laying in a pool of his own blood, his murderers standing over him looking at a job well done. Damn it all to hell...Damn it all. Why now? Why, when things were just begining to go his way, when he was reaching the prime of his young life? Just as the gun was again pointed, this time toward his head, he swore to them through gritted teeth that this crime would not go unpenalized. Though he thought it was an empty promise, it was a threat well made. Wait! One of the car thieves had apparently not been concentrating too hard on his job. His hand moved quickly under the leader's, moving the gun upwards. Wait, c'mon, Stryke. Do we really want this on our hands? Hell, grand theft auto is bad enough. Stryke delivered nothing but a snarl his way as again the gun was reaimed. Shadows took over Jace's mind as he heard the shot.