Viper ran though an alley, trying to find a place to hide. He heard a siren. Don't have time for this, he thought. So he ran up to a house and slipped a credit card – one he had taken off of someone a few weeks ago – through the crack in the door. He turned the handle and slipped in. He shut the door, locked it, looked around, and noticed a woman sleeping in a chair. He walked over, and tapped on her shoulder. She didn't wake up. "Hey, lady!" Viper shouted. The woman shifted, but stayed asleep. Viper reached into her pocket, and took out a twenty-dollar bill. Satisfied, he turned around, put the money in his pocket, and walked over and leaned against the fireplace. He was absently toying with his gun when it slipped out of his hands. He fumbled with it, never quite getting a good hold on it, but finally caught it just before it landed in the fire. He sighed and smiled, but he was startled by the sound of the front door opening, and dropped the gun on the hearth just before he darted in the closet. Jacob stepped in, shut and locked the door. He looked at Tawny, sleeping in the chair.
"You left the fire going, again," he said, and walked over to put it out. Before he could, he noticed a gun on the hearth. He reached for it. Viper grabbed him by the wrist and jerked his hand away. Jacob looked up, and was face to face with the most infamous gangster in America. "You're the guy the cops are looking for," he said.
"You look familiar," Viper said. "Have I ever stolen from you?"
"I try not to form a familiarity around gangs," Jacob said.
"Really?" said Viper. "Well, then, it would be kind of unfortunate for me to put a mark on your perfect record. Bye, now!" Viper took his gun and turned to leave, but Jacob grabbed the handle of one of the two crossed swords displayed on the wall above the fireplace, and let the other fall onto the hearth, with the blade in the flames. Jacob jumped in front of Viper and aimed the sword at him. "This is really stupid of you," Viper said, shaking his head. Jacob raised the weapon level to Viper's throat.
"You threatened the mayor's daughter." Viper rolled his eyes, and slid his sword from his belt. Jacob groaned. "Aw, now, that's not fair!" Viper shrugged. Jacob continued, ". . . but I'm willing to try." Viper slashed at Jacob, but he jumped out of the way. They fought a little, then Viper stopped.
"You're pretty good. Who taught you?"
"My father," Jacob answered.
"Oh," Viper nodded. "Did he teach you anything about footwork?" Viper started to circle Jacob. Jacob kept with every move Viper made. Viper realized he wouldn't be able to beat Jacob, so he fought until his back was to the door. "See ya," he said. He ran for the door. Jacob thought quickly. He threw the sword. Viper ducked. The blade soared over him and embedded deep in the door, right next to the lock. He walked over to the door and tried to turn the lock, but the sword was in the way. He couldn't unlock the door. And it was of no avail when he tried to yank out the weapon. He turned around. "That's a great trick," he said. "But, once again, you're the only thing between me and the way out." He nodded to the back door. "And this time –" he took his sword out again "– you don't have a weapon." Jacob grabbed the other sword from the fireplace. The tip of the blade was red-hot from having been sitting in the flames. He lunged at his opponent. Sparks flew every time the blades collided. Viper jumped out of the way and leaped onto the stairs. "So, your dad taught you all of this, right?" He shouted over the noise of the metal-to-metal clanging.
"Yeah," Jacob replied. "And I practice every day."
"You've gotta get a girlfriend, man," Viper said with a smile. He pushed Jacob's sword out of the way. "Or, maybe the reason you practice every day is because you have a crush, and you're trying to find a way to impress her. Am I right?"
"I practice everyday so that when I come up against someone like you, I can kill him!" Jacob said, and shoved Viper away. They took the fight to the top of the stairs. Jacob finally hit Viper's sword out of his hand, and it flew to the floor. Viper jumped onto the banister of the stairs and slid down. Jacob jumped right over the side and landed on the floor, next to the fireplace. Viper was already there, holding his sword. He struck the wood in the fire with the blade, and sent hot ashes into Jacob's eyes. He groaned, and put his hands to his eyes. The pain stopped just in time for him to run in front of Viper before he escaped out the back door. He raised the sword he still held
. . . and saw Viper's gun aimed right between his eyes. "You cheated," he said.
"You'll get over it," Viper said sarcastically.
He and Jacob both looked at the door when they heard Sheriff Jones shout, "Police! Open up!" The police had found Viper, and were outside, busy trying the break down the door. Jacob stepped closer to the back door.
"Get out of the way!" Viper said, motioning him away from the door. Jacob shook his head. "Please move!" Viper pleaded.
"No!" said Jacob. "I can't just let you escape!"
Viper cocked the gun. "This shot is for someone else!" he said. Suddenly, Tawny walked up behind him, and brought a baseball bat down over his head. He was seemingly unconscious just as the police broke in. They ran over, and, seeing he was knocked out, didn't bother putting any handcuffs on him.
"Good work, Tawny," Sheriff Jones congratulated the woman. "You just helped capture a dangerous criminal."
"Uh huh. You do know that you're gonna replace that door, right?" Tawny said.
"There's a murderous rapist in your house and you're worried about –"
"I am not a rapist . . ." Viper murmured, raising his head and trying to stand up. Tawny gripped his collarbone and he went unconscious. And this time it wasn't an act.
"Take him away, boys!" Sheriff Jones said, and the officers carried Viper away.