Chapter 2
"Fucking finally! "
"Perhaps it's better to wait a little longer." Aldstone remarked noting some subtle stiffness still in the man's gate getting up.
"I'm not laid up anymore, just sore… nothing a good rush won't fix! It's been to fucking long, Bain's got a job!" Hoxton smiled at the thought of going out and at it again.
"Nothing stops the great Hoxtinator!" Wolf cheered, still a little sore as well but giddy to go, both proclaiming to be in 'heisting condition'. Chains having been rather bored as the two crew members recovered was just as giddy with Dallas amused at their antics having been bored himself. Franklin had been keeping an eye on the news for any found corpse as Crosswood clinic had claimed to have not see the youth's face at any point which he didn't buy finding it suspicious. While having to wait for the two to recover, Bain had fully committed to digging as much as he could but hadn't found anything. He had suspected the woman that Leto had fallen into but her routine hadn't changed in the slightest. Crosswood's official story had been that no one had seen his face apparently not even the lady, the youth must've snatched some meds and one witness claimed to have seen him fatally shot and dragged away when the cops rushed in.
"What did you want concerning the next fight?" He almost choked on the fry, not having even noticed him coming in. He stared at him sitting on the other chair.
"Oh look, a ghost is back. Would it kill you to answer your fucking phone?" The man scoffed.
"Got a new number." The piece of paper across the table.
"How did you find me Sawyer?"
"You're easy. Same day, same time, every week, every time."
"You look pale." The man smirked.
"Well, I'm busy see you in the ring."
"Wait, I'll get to the point. Sit." He let him wonder for a second before sitting down with an expectant look.
"I want you to throw a fight, but make it look good. You looking like that will come in handy, we can use that."
"I don't throw fights."
"Listen here you punk, I'm the one who knows how to make a pile of money! Not you."
"I make plenty with a normal fight. Now you listen. You know I can fold you anytime I want, don't make me." He didn't have to shout, decisive warning in the eyes. "See you in the ring." Without anything further, he left leaving the man to snarl to himself.
"Did I miss that party?"
"Not yet. But word of advice, employers should be able to reach you at any time. It's Saturday."
"Good." The metal of the dirt bike gleamed in the sun, the last dollar left spent on the machine and a new phone.
His eyes fluttered open, first feeling disoriented tensing up but quickly relaxing spotting Vanessa's smiling face setting down a cup of tea her hand going on his forehead. "I won't have a-"
"I know, it's your blood count but I still check. Has your father ever explained it to you?"
"I have a few more white ones, that's it. I gotta go."
"You stay." Vanessa growled, easily pushing him down. "Basically, you have slightly more white blood cells than the average person and a bit less red. You won't have to worry about infections with your quirk but you still need to build up your strength, remake the red cells you lost. It'll take you a few days longer than others. Leto, why won't you just stop… Didn't you stop that robbery? Aren't they in trouble now? Isn't that enough?"
"No…"
Vanessa having to leave for work turned around in disappointment, she had tried so many times. She had seen him toss in his sleep; she knew he was in pain, nightmares plaguing for years now. If almost dying wouldn't make him quit, she didn't know what would. But she couldn't give up, at least he was staying put recovering. "You know where the gun is. I have to leave for work… Leto, please try alright?" He didn't say anything, her expression so very sad.
"I don't know if I can…"
"I know, give it a try though ok?" Without another word she left the room softly closing the door.
Matt shot, managing to knock down Chains on his ass but the man was up quickly, Matt off and out of sight having surprised and now severely pissed off the crew. Before they could rush out the front doors chasing after Matt they had to jump back as a dirt bike rushed by extremely close to the doors with lightning speed with a slim but still muscled figure riding on it obscured by clothes and helmet. Sirens began to howl within ear shot.
Vanessa softly called for him, the silence slowly making her stomach turn. Her eyes filled with disappointed the couch turned bed abandoned with pillows and blankets neatly folded up, a sandwich made and put in the fridge out of sight and a note on the little coffee table that had been pushed closer to Leto.
Thank you, Vanessa. For everything. I can't let go yet, maybe I never will. I'll keep trying. Until I can I'll stay away, I don't want you to get hurt. I feel much better because of you, thank you for saving me. Take care, Leto.
By the way, you should still take a vacation you work too much and deserve a break.
"You sweet asshole kid… well, if you have to give them hell take them down I'm rooting for you. But you better come out on top you fucker." She bitterly smiled.
Matt's eyes shifted to the dirt bike appearing in his rear mirror causing his heart to speed up hearing nearing cop cars he would have to dodge real soon with the crew no doubt on his ass currently calling in Bruce and getting told by Bain of the tailing dirt bike. Which now took drastic action. Matt tried to ram it as it pulled closer to the window exactly what the rider wanted smirking under the helmet, easily swerving out of the way dropping back and ramming a pipe right into the wheel, the sudden twist of the immovable object causing the van to skid and crash, hands barely letting go in time. Matt hastily cuffed the case to his wrist barely as the window shattered blasting shards of glass at him, the gloved hand opening the door and yanking him out, eyes shifting to the cuffs. Wheels squealed around a corner almost in sight. Carrying a siren. Matt's confidence in having cuffed the loot to himself dropped rapidly, the biker undoing the cuffs with lightning speed like as if done a hundred times taking the case. Desperately Matt tried to grab after him only to be booted in the face. The engines rumbled closer and spotting an alley despite risking time, he dragged an unconscious Matt to the closest dumpster throwing the man in before speeding off just before a cop car could spot him turning around to help fellow officers in the ensuing shootout only one trying to follow trail. Using an alley for safety, the bag slipped down the shoulder, case cracked and plates swiftly slipped into the bag, quickly but carefully placing the case in sight allowing for the cop car just missing the biker to find it.
"Fitting for wanker trash…" Hoxton growled, directed by Bain having seen Matt being dumped losing sight of the biker in another alley only to spot again and then lose sight having to focus on the crew. While leaving Matt for the cops was very appealing, the man now in fear looking up at the crew, had been the only one meeting the troubling sudden guest therefore being yanked out and forced along at gunpoint as the intense shootout between the gang and law enforcement unfolded leaving people running and screaming, the streets turned into chaos.
"You can stop tailing the guy. I'll come by tomorrow and pay you." 'And there the last of my money will go… At least I had enough left for that, the dirt bike, and a new cell… I'll have a month before the storage unit payment is due." Glancing at the bag, for now tossed in a corner in the little unit, Leto leaned back against the wall sitting on the mattress, the helmet off and on the new dirt bike's handle. As much as he would love to dangle the prints in their faces, right now he had to make it to a fight and a party each needing the pay. He did smile though letting his mind drift imagining how angry they would be right now.
"Are they still swearing?" Franklin asked hanging out in the safe house keeping an eye on things cleaning some guns, the crew having returning angry out of their minds. Hoxton and Wolf, doing it with swedish sprinkled in, had been swearing since they had come back with Hoxton also throwing in the word 'civilian'. Chains seemed like a seesaw washing between rage and excitement with a pause of silence between the modes quite disturbing to watch actually. Dallas kept his own anger silently brewing while Bain off in his place furiously searched high and low for clues and for a very specific face. Everyone suspected Leto. But found it hard to believe he survived falling in the sewer system. However Hoxton, Wolf and Chains wanted it to be Leto allowing them another chance at what would certainly be classified as torture to unfold. And Dallas would like to slap him once or twice himself but found the fall hard to believe to be survivable. At least in the youth's condition. But what bothered mostly Dallas and Bain was that the house was no longer a point to look, only leaving Crosswood clinic where FBI had been spotted by Bain nosing around though apparently it was one guy who just wouldn't give up. Wolf and Hoxton seeming to finally peter out with swearing joined after a bit, the whole group sitting on couches around a table, silence sitting waiting to be popped.
"I think it's an employee at that clinic having lied. Fucker by a miracle survived and got sheltered." Franklin broke the ice.
"Well, shouldn't have let the fucker jump into a damn sewage hole ya wanker!" Hoxton snapped. "It better be that fucking civilian! I'm going to carve his name on a bullet just for him. When I'm through with him he'll be begging for death."
"Leave him a little alive for us, I want to beat him up too!" Chains chuckled, Franklin throwing a slight stink eye to Hoxton being called a wanker.
"Well, nothing happens until we find him. Heists can't keep costing us. Bain is digging as much as he can. He might have something soon. That kid's dad has gone to the clinic for wounds before, he's looking into the staff."
"We should try to find where he makes money, if he does at all. Bullets cost money." Franklin suggested.
"I'm going to beat up Matt again, get him thinking." Hoxton left, his mood slightly better at the thought using the former crew member to vent.
"So you want me to keep an eye out for that punk?" Gage clarified, handgun in one hand the man in the wheelchair enjoying the view of a sunset.
"Try to find him, I'll update you on anything I find. And Gage, take him out if you have to. That kid is dangerous and I'm not taking chances." 'Sorry Wolf, I know it'll get dull for you this way but that fucker kicked us in the ass.' Bain's lips from having almost optimistically smiled, had turned into a frown. The staff, employee he had zeroed in on had left the country for a vacation and while he was able to trail which country to tailing now became a bigger task and the newly found card had slipped into last place to be played. The house was no longer useful and search done by Franklin and Dallas had found someone new now living in the house, old ties severed with every trace from Leto gone including the tapes which had been the hope of looking into their adversary. But Bain wasn't discouraged yet, the idea made him smile every time. He watched the screen, the picture of the youth and description displayed for everyone to see. And the very handsome reward. Kid wanted to play with criminals? He got it now. Anyone knowing would come after him. They had to pull off the next heist without trouble and while the group wasn't bankrupt, the reward would leave the next heist with slim pickings. While Bain could find plenty of desperate people to have a run at the kid for a hundred bucks, he didn't want to waste his time with likely failures. The beckoning numbers would attract those who actually had a shot. For a much lesser sum, information was rewarded as well. His hand moved to the phone as eyes glinted with confusion morphing into something different. "Guys, put on the TV NOW. Watch the news."
"And what a story indeed Rachel. So, let me get this straight. The stolen plates have been given back to the shop by one of the robbers?"
"Correct, without warning, one of the robbers had concealed their face until the very front door, put on the mask evading any identification, thrown the bag with the plates on the floor, left peacefully carrying a gun but not shooting anyone and evading any chance at arrest before the police could even arrive. A witness has described the mask, displayed in the sketch." Hoxton's face scrunched up the most looking at the sketch of his very own mask. The moment the broadcast finished, his lips broke loose. "Think he has one mask of each of you?" Franklin loudly pondered.
"Maybe, he had made Chains' the first time he hit us." Dallas answered. The news would spread all over, the Payday gang already having sustained blows to their reputation, Bain intermediately working on spreading information of the impostor discreetly through crime net.
Heart pounding from the stunt and safely tucked away in the storage unit, his eyes lingered on the mask causing his heart to speed and an eye to twitch. Every time he looked at them it brought back memories, a flood of emotion. The nightmares which hadn't eased up despite the eagerness to destroy the clowns. His emotions sloshing over, the mask smacked into the wall and clattered to the floor, Leto slowly laughing to himself. 'Have fun with that Jim..'
"Brought my own." Leto took a sip from the water bottle, rejecting the one offered from his business partner who wanted him to throw the fight. He didn't trust him one bit, never had to begin with. The finger less gloves slipped on, the rambunctious crowds outside lively with the spotlights on the ring, Leto's opponent having walked out. Bulkier and older than himself right at his peak, receiving a shrug from handler and smirk.
"Break a leg out there!"
"Fuck you…" He had beaten physically stronger opponents before but this having been hand picked for a fight he wanted him to throw, his opponent had probably been told everything there was about Leto or rather known Sawyer in the ring to know. The crowd cheered at the face off, the physical difference clear, Sawyer's reputation causing the excitement.
"You have no head for money, you know that?" The man irritably scoffed, lighting a cigarette and hiding a sneeze in his sleeve purposefully letting the smoke waft in the youth's face knowing it annoyed him. Leto didn't didn't sneeze, the irritation all over his face turning his head away from the assaulting smoke as the stink offended his smell stepping into the ring causing the crowd to go wild. The bruising dance unfolded quickly, Leto testing the waters with his well know speed noticing blocking him above all else got preferred, the fighter had definitely been briefed as he managed to bring up a leg hardly in time to block a stifling blow targeting a weak point. The lighter fighter weaved out of an attempted counter, hitting back with force more than his opponent expected stumbling him, his money hungry business partner getting fidgety as if looking for something seemingly growing frustrated as Leto despite the vast size difference managed to counter with a fancy martial art move deflecting the attack shifting the trajectory getting a rib jab in chipping at his opponent against all odds. But tides shifted as he felt a shiver of weakness run through his body, his judgment interfered with causing the next block to be sloppy suffering partial impact of the kick catching him in the side, quick to counter with a throw to gain a moment to breathe. Eyes shortly narrowed on his so called handler in the corner moving his head out of the way of a furious fist getting in another rib jab causing his opponent's breath to hitch for a moment allowing a kick in the gut sending him stumbling back with own footing forcing him to dodge instead of chaining another attack.'Wait… it's that kid! Wait, if I know somebody else could know! I gotta think of something!' Leto's head turned to the crowd feeling the instinct snake up his spine. Here and there people got up whether for food or drink or to yell and the lights almost blacking out the audience made it hard. But he had felt it and thus was distracted momentarily suffering a full blow to the head almost knocking him down. Leto shook off the disorientation stumbling out of an attempted uppercut. Did the clowns find him? Throwing the fight would make it quick. Slowly it felt like more and more eyes shifted. Cheers turned into murmurs. His own pride and morals didn't want to let him throw the fight, the punch impacting his speed his opponent more confident despite his own exhaustion. Noticing the tactic being shoving him into the fence, Leto let himself get pushed dodging before suddenly voluntary hitting the fence, dropping and diving down causing the fist to hit the fence instead as the younger fighter flipped the older one wowing the crowd managing to throw a kick into the gut at the expense of having to back off allowing the bigger fighter to stumble up with a heavy cough lacking breath. His body shivered again, shoved towards the fence but it wore off quickly, a brutal exchange unfolding as both landed hits and Leto darted to the fence only to use it to vault getting behind the bigger fighter and wrap his legs around the man's neck to choke him out. Fists hit him, his body slammed against fence and floor to break the grapple but Leto wouldn't let go refusing stubbornly tightening the pressure with every second he could. After his back kissing the fence once then the floor, his opponent couldn't get up anymore tapping out before eyes fluttered shut, the crowd going wild with the bell marking Leto as the winner. The referee lifted his arm in victory, Leto's gaze shifting to the side the prize money presented given to his business partner stepped in the ring with him, the spotlight on them. Without warning, his arm only held up shortly, Leto turned to the man opening his mouth to say something that no doubt in the least would irritate but likely anger him. His fist was faster on the man's face sending him crumpling to the floor before he could let a word loose shocking the crowd and snatching the bag.
"You're fired, asshole, told you I don't need you." Chaos mixed into the arena a few people started to stumble from their seats in a hurry, Leto quickly taking into the back room. The door rattled as his head hunters barreled against it, almost having had to ditch his backpack which didn't contain much anyway jumping on the dirt bike solely missed by a potshot due to leaning into a corner stopping abruptly as his eyes moved to shaking hands of a gang youngster. Cody facing him made the criminal even more nervous, fear visible in his eyes as the dirt bike got swung around in one move in the empty backstreet. Leto pretended to grab for a gun easily dictating the shaky shot and swerving in time, his fist colliding with the other guy's face knocking him down. His hand closed around the shirt's edge yanking him up, the gun dropped in fear, time ticking as he wasn't far from the underground ring. "What the hell is this about?"
"I- I know you're a cops' son, fucker! Y-yeah, there is money set out on you! Someone will get you, someone will." His eyes closed fearing another fist or death, blinking them open as nothing came.
"Listen up scum, your gang is going to get robbed. By the payday gang. I've been after them for years and I know they are planning on hitting you. So you fuck, keep your mouth shut because I'm going to show up, play gangster, kill those clowns and you keep your drugs for another day." He had kept an eye on the local drug scene from the start, it was an easy target for likely high pay for the masked gang. He already suspected Bain to be the problem causer only to confirm it later. The gangster's eyes shifted internally, Cody certain the guy was trying to come up with a way to get head money and considering him telling the truth. Probably thought about trying to play both with which Leto was just fine.
"F-fine but if they don't show up you're screwed. You can't pull something on our whole gang!" The grip on the shirt got releasing allowing him to fall on his ass. "S-so, wait are you the one that stopped the bank robbery back a while?"
"Yeah, keep it for your dreams. You'll know what happens if you try anything." Leto took off just in time, the gangster not having been the only one to know about the head money. While the mob wasn't as big as the door had made it out to be, numbering ten everyone at least intent on trying to be secretive for their own greed it was enough for Leto to be unable to keep fighting in the ring for money, a couple of his new enemies attending regularly. He didn't head straight to the storage unit having a bad feeling that his access to the black market for fancy surprises in the fight would be shut down or become much more difficult pretty quick as well.
He didn't dare have his dirt bike in sight hiding it further away walking the rest on foot to the location. He wasn't the only one there, the back handed dealing hidden behind a regular facade though it wasn't placed on the busiest street either. A man in a wheelchair faced a shelf, Leto's instincts going off thinking he had spotted familiarity but didn't have time to try to confirm it. Before he could try to buy anything, the seller had his own gun pointed at Cody's head, a chuckled snarl on the fighter's lips. "I know what you are, a pig's son. I've been warned."
"Well, better to be that than what your are." Cody bit back. He whipped around to meet Gage's gun with his own.
"Try not to blow his brains out. You know kid, it's a shame. It took me a while to notice haven't been there a while but I saw you on a weapon night in that ring before. The way you handle a blade… really a fucking shame, you would've made it far on the right side of the tracks instead of pissing on it over the fence. My buyer has beef with you so let's keep it cool, you're better off coming squirming than in a bag."
"Shut up, Gage. Bain can go fuck himself."
"You know my name."
"I know everyone. You. Them. His whole life, where his house is." Leto smirked, head nudged to the man behind him after 'them'.
"Good for you, they'll have you squeal longer for that."Gage's gun moved to Leto's knee and the youth suddenly slipped the money bag off his shoulder throwing it in the way bumping the wheelchair, the shot missing it's target as the seller gun went off missing as well. They wrestled for the gun, Cody barely having whipped around quick enough averting the shot, quickly jumping on the counter managing to slam the wrist on the hard surface, stomping on it causing the man to scream, the gun falling to the floor. Gage missed as Cody dove behind the counter, the two guys scrambling behind it. 'Fuck, he's fast but cornered now just gotta play it right.' The struggle came to an end, Cody's bullet embedding in his enemies' gut slowly slumping over whipping around to force Gage back around the corner. With both at a momentary standoff, Leto pocketed the extra handgun swiping two grenades from under the counter to pocket them as well. Tension laced the air in the room, the backroom was just a mere scoot away but moving and having to stay low could open an opportunity for Gage just around the corner waiting for a single sound. Both knew it. Cody's eyes shifted to the grenades, pulling one out. He had wanted to keep them for confronting the masked robbers and was certain he wouldn't get his hands on more again. Leto took a deep breath pulling one out and tossing it in the air over the counter, Gage glimpsing it seeing the gun come into view to aim at the grenade. Heavily distracted and thoughts racing, it took Gage a moment that the pin wasn't pulled. Or that Leto's gun had stopped pointing at it basically right away, the youth having vaulted over the counter and kicking Gage's gun out of his hands to preserve ammo though he would still be able to get his hands on bullets but wouldn't know when. The gun skidded over the floor, the still secured grenade hitting the floor and rolling to a shelf. However Gage reacted swiftly and yanked on Cody before his leg had come back down tripping him using the wheelchair, a struggle for the gun ensuing, Gage lashing at the youth with a knife luckily getting away with his nerves and major vessels intact as the blade razed over arm and wrist taking the gun from him. Gage didn't get to hold on to the gun for long, the lacking mobility now highlighted unable to pull the trigger with Leto too quick with a kick again sending his own gun sliding over to Gage's. Gage spun around and tried to dash for them, Leto bleeding fairly staining the floor red grabbing onto the wheelchair yanking him back. The weapon's dealer spun around with his knife again, Leto jumping back holding his own before suddenly feigning to go for vaulting and dashing behind the counter to get to the gun successfully goading Gage into throwing his knife instead using the shelf. Gage carried another knife swift to pull it out, swivel around and throw it aiming at Cody's spine. Cody dove for his gun, the knife missing his spine but still slicing over his back thankfully only superficially deep but still messy as his shirt stained red. His hand closed around his gun, Cody quick to spin around on his back propping himself halfway up gun square at Gage who carried a back-up gun pointing it at the younger man. Gage's phone suddenly rang breaking the silence.
"Aren't you going to answer?"
"Nope." Leto's phone now rang too. "Yours is ringing too."
"Won't answer."
"Man, I'm late again for my shift I'm going to end up fired…" The back door creaked open, the employee walking out of the back room and to the counter, eyes widening at the scene, both guys shifting their eyes to the new arrival the shivering unfortunate soul reaching for a phone no doubt to call the cops. Gage had no qualms but didn't want to give Leto an opening. Leto knew if his face got spread his chances to continue on his quest to kill the clowns would plummet but he wouldn't let his morals stoop low like that. The gun stayed on Leto but Gage only needed one hand, his other reaching for one more knife to stop the shaking employee fumbling with the phone, permanently trying to dash into the back room again. Cody suddenly shifted his gun to the floor to the grenade surprising Gage and therefore allowing the employee to have a chance to get away. With the slim opening his only chance, Gage opted to shoot the employee, 911 answering as the phone clattered to the floor, Leto rushing forward, switching to the knife pushing Gage's arm away barely in time keeping the aim off of himself. The struggle sent both to the floor, Gage elbowing Leto in the face bruising it, own knife glinting in the ceiling light grabbing Leto into a choke hold right after the jab with one arm. Gage bit his lips with a snarled chuckle, the knife sinking into his leg but instead of seeing no use Leto yanked it out again to aim again, Gage noticing it wasn't about pain; Cody aimed for a major blood vessel. With one arm used for the choke hold, Gage adjusted the blade to bring it down into the youth's side and his ribs but Cody caught his arm pushing back followed by managing to twist his head brutally sinking his teeth into Gage choking with widening eyes grabbing the biting youth's head to yank him off managing with blood running down his neck. Cody's blade managed to damage the artery as it sunk in again, Gage now pissed trying to stab the younger male in the ribs again. Using all his strength, his back curled as much as possible looking like an agitated caterpillar and his legs wrapped around Gage's head breaking free from the choke hold, flipping Gage and now on top of the man, knife rushing down into his chest with a yell. Gage sputtered choking out "Damn kid..." Using all his strength left, Gage threw a hook forcing his foe barely back but enough as tires skidded to a stop forcing Cody to bolt grabbing bags, the weapons, a pack of ammo and snatching a jacket from the back room to cover his bloody shirt barely getting out quick enough to avoid having his face seen. Further away, Leto quickly tore his own shirt under the jacket wrapping his arms, black gloves now blood stained on the inside before speeding off again.
"I have a bad feeling about this." Hoxton growled, eyes narrowing on the three gangsters by the second entrance, the first one being locked. The three gangsters demanded money, their words interrupted as glass shattered and body tumbled out a window to land in a halfway filled open dumpster featuring two lumpy mattresses being the only saving grace if the guy was still alive. It caught the gangsters off guard as well, stealth out the window off the bat, Hoxton quick to shoot them, the other the other four leaving positions joining the counter ambush with Franklin sporting a plain mask.
"What the hell, there was a deal traitor!" Chavez growled, the gang member that had made the deal in the alley clearly nervous only to get more nervous, Chavez ignored. Leto's fist knocked out the next dealer, a quick elbow taking out a gang member trying to jump him from behind without even looking over his shoulder, the youth wearing a smirk, decked in light gear under the clothing.
"You think I wouldn't suspect you of trying to pull one over on me? Try to score both?" Leto closed the gap between the jittery gang member and himself, Chavez whipping out a gun but Leto was quicker on the draw shooting his hand, the gun dropped as the man screamed and turned to run. "I'll humor you, run." The gangster almost tripped right off the bat, Cody embedding a bullet in his leg instead chasing Chavez.
Bullets flew, the building an all out shootout, Hoxton and Wolf pushing forward aggressively almost recklessly. Dallas could feel the control on thin ice and the man kept one eye out to spot Leto hopefully before the others did. 'It has to be him… he actually survived…' Wolf called out as if trying to call their adversary like a dog to come. Gangsters suddenly busted out from both sides using the rooms as surprises, Franklin separated in the chaos snapping up chatter of Chavez, their target, being chased down a few gangsters taking off to aid the gang leader Franklin on their heels but trying to keep out of sight. "Chains, keep the saws running. Hoxton, Wolf, keep cops out when they come. Houston, we'll try running him down." He wouldn't let Leto turn it into a chaotic mess again like the bank.
His heart was racing barely avoiding Wolf only because another member engaged the man resulting in the life snuffed out, the guy barely escaping death hobbling along to the panic room. He wasn't sure if Leto wasn't even heading there. He knew Chavez was. No clue if his leader still got chased. By any of the gang's nightmares running around soon to be joined by another being cops and FBI. A body hit the floor with a thud out of sight, a saw placed put to work. It was a desperate shot. But it was clear what they were after and it was clear who would lose, the gang was finished cleaned up with every step he took standing no chance against Leto and the clowns. He just wanted to survive now. And the only way he saw that to happen was to find Leto and find a way to trade the youth to the clowns in exchange to be left alive.
Dallas rushed around the corner, Franklin's body going limp falling to the floor as the blood pooled around him the robber face to face with Leto, their eyes meeting. "What does it feel like, Dallas?" Cody bitterly taunted, anger boiling in the older man. More gangsters busted out a side room, the gang almost decimated pushing the two enemies apart and busy. Leto spotted Chavez dragging himself to the panic room around the corner out of sight quickly going after him. Outside the building, sirens slowly came into ear shot.
"I'll get him brother." He wasn't sure why Leto hadn't jumped out of some corner yet like some nightmare lurking in the shadows, he had seen Franklin had managed to wound their enemy but seemed to be shrugging it off again. 'He might go after the key to try to be able to bait us, maybe he thinks getting away with the loot is more important.' In a way it was, Dallas could agree with Bain they needed a win but Leto would always be in the way. And right now Dallas had to fight his own anger, having an idea of how much Wolf and Hoxton would want to go after Leto by far more itching for revenge than Dallas or Chains.
His breath hitched in his throat spotting Leto walking toward Chavez sporting two bullet holes in his leg dragging himself to the door pushing it open trying to get away. Cody's eyes shifted over his shoulder feeling his gaze but didn't get to shoot having to stop Chavez, having dragged himself through the door from slamming it shut. He could only go after one at a time. Cody had expected the guy to run having been seen, instead he went all in with whatever was in his mind, the red door slammed open again before it could close, a three way tussle erupting in front of the panic room. Chavez tried to lock himself in the panic room realizing his chance against Leto was zero and if it wasn't with his wounds those clowns would chew him up and spit him out. However if the clowns got Leto and it took long enough he could wait for the cops to finish it up, Chavez could survive. Distracted with the gang member putting up more of a fight than Leto had expected. Chavez punched in the code opening the door and as if it hadn't been chaotic enough, Dallas came running in joined by Wolf and Hoxton close chaos practically exploding. It was a mess of guns and fists, the loot for a moment beckoning with the panic room open. The appearance of the clowns caused everyone to move differently, Chavez shot by Wolf in the room almost catching Leto in the head about to finish off the gang guy but forced to face Dallas rushing him. However Dallas never got to do much, the scrawny member gone ignored in the intense confrontation with a yell suddenly jumped up managing to tackle Leto before Dallas was truly on him, shoving him into the panic room and slamming the door shut causing it to be sealed again locking Leto in with a dead Chavez. Guns pointed at him, the guy quickly raising his arms and begging. Cody didn't dare open the door, Hoxton entering the room as well, giddy under the mask almost skipping over like an excited child. "Come on, spare me I got you the guy you wanted! I w-won't even care about the reward, please just let me go!"
"Reward?" Dallas questioned, Bain chirping in he'll explain later. Leto's phone rang, unable to stop himself from scooting back like a spooked child as Wolf and Hoxton pressed against the glass grinning gleefully under those masks, nightmares whispering in the back of Cody's mind his reaction getting the robbers giddy Dallas taking note of it.
"Hello Leto, when we're out of here you're going to open that door unless you want to be stuck in it shitting and pissing yourself for days because that's how long it takes to open."
"Fuck you Bain."
"Try keeping the tough act, we'll get the loot and then my gentlemen are going to have you. You have no idea who you messed with and no idea how badly these two want to kick you around. You should mind your tongue maybe it'll save you some pain."
"I'm not scared of another Gage in your pocket." Wolf suddenly banged against the glass to get Leto to twitch finding it funny while Hoxton had blown on it to writer 'wanker' on it, Dallas putting a stop to it to get them focused back on the mission. With Hoxton and Wolf excited, Dallas ordered them to place the C4 charges, Hoxton in between taking out snipers on the roof. The gang didn't dare ever leaving Leto with always one of them and the gang member given a chance or rather intimidated into doing their bidding constantly watching the door. Chains during his turn waved to Cody to receive a middle finger to which the man laughed. He couldn't tell what was going on outside but considering he knew they were going for taking the room, there had to be explosives involved. And at that point they might just not be able to watch the door anymore. And he was right but Wolf spun around shooting the last remaining gang member in the other leg crippling him. With a scream he dragged himself to the door begging to be let it in afraid to be caught up in the explosions, so afraid that tears streamed from his eyes. Leto felt his heart soften despite looking at a gangster who had wanted to sell him out to the robbers. And it cracked. The door opened, the guy yanked in even though he was probably doomed anyway, door shut as the explosives went off making a run or trying to destroy the loot too dangerous. The building groaned under even more damage, the magnet attached, helicopter in place, Leto stuck with the gang member covering him in snot and tears hugging the youth sobbing with thanks. "Dude, gross! Just stop talking, you know you're probably screwed anyway?"
"They're afraid to have you slip out so there is a chance. I'll take it even if it's tiny. My legs hurt so much!"
"You shouldn't have joined a drug gang then!"
"Not everyone has a cozy life with their dad a cop!"
"It didn't make it cozy!" Cody snapped, bitter thoughts remembering losing his father and what it did to him, having lost his mother even earlier. Before Leto could try to bolt and ruin their loot using the lift off itself, but the lift off had already started. The grab for the door having managed to push off the sobbing gang member failing, caused his head to smack harshly against the door harshly instead as they got tossed around with the helicopter lifting into the air. Cody cussed trying to keep steady as they got thrown around like dolls, seeing the clowns shoot at law enforcement going for an alley escape, the chopper too high for a jump. Even if he let the loot scatter below, he would have nothing left to bargain with mind racing to try to come up with something. This had not been the plan. His plan had been to snatch the key bait the robbers and pick them off, ruin the loot on the spot or simply hunt them down if the key hadn't mattered anymore which was the case before chaos turned into utter mayhem.
"What are we going to do!? I don't want to-" The gangster started panicking.
"SHUT UP! Let me think!" Cody snapped him out of it, his head hurting now. Eyes landed on a lighter having fallen out of his pocket when thrown around by a stack of money. Leto snatched it, quickly scooting back sitting to hide the grab as his phone rang greeted by Bain again.
"Better get ready to open the door kid. Even if you could run, I can track you now."
"Yeah right, you know I won't hold on to this phone..." Leto hung up on Bain, the man in the shadows smug. Cody kept his voice low. "Listen up, before we land I'm going to start burning the money. Try to raise the heat getting the flame stronger. We'll build up smoke in here and I'll open the door, then run for it. And cover you nose and mouth or you'll end up passing out, get your body against the glass covering as much as you can."
"You're fucking crazy! What if they just let us suffocate!?"
"Shut up and fucking do it! If we don't try, we're dead anyway!"
"Why did you even pick a fight with these guys?" The gangster sobbed doing as he was told, the choppers movements changing.
"They murdered my father!"
"He was a cop, he took that risk you're nuts!" His heart dropped in his stomach as he caught the look Leto gave him. "Fuuuuck!" Cody started burning the bills, unable to know if he truly timed it correctly with no way to find out the smoke slowly building up as the fire slowly grew consuming the coveted cash, one arm covering mouth and nose. Bain didn't like it. Why did the gangster try to stay pressed against the glass with his back? The chopper lowered the panic room, landing noisily even when done gently, the fire strong enough to survive and almost burning the two stuck in it barely stopping themselves from falling onto it as it licked closer and closer, the smoke stinging their eyes. Bain close by had a creeping bad feeling, his hacking expertise no longer needed with Leto eventually being forced to open it in the secure place allowing to wait him out. Or so he thought. Until he saw the smoke. And so did the four robbers arriving lining up in front of the room filling up with gray. The door opened, the chopper landed away from the room, the smoke and heat billowing out, everyone taking a step back. The duo trapped fell out, Leto despite stinging eyes and coughing getting his bearing to ensure he headed behind the room before bolting, the drugs and cash steadily consumed by the flames turning into a roar at the oxygen influx forcing the robbers back further. The duo dropped down to avoid lunging flames, the gangster crawling away to one side, Leto shuffling to the other before jumping up with a stagger gathering his strength and running through the smoke thinning rapidly away from the room. The opening for the room closed on the roof of the warehouse now trapped the smoke creating a wall against the clowns, Hoxton and Wolf particularly voicing anger very loudly. Cody knew they had more strength left than him and would come rushing at him. A shot signaled the gangster hadn't made it far not really standing a chance in the first place with both legs shot. Dallas tried to save some loot trying to put the fire out while Chains, Wolf and Hoxton took up the chase with hollers. The warehouse proved not all that big, Leto faced with a wall, spine tingling feeling them come up behind him. Cody crouched behind a container, grenade revealed from his opening hand, the pin pulled and gently rolled to the wall having to time it perfectly. This could have it all crash down on him too, backfiring horribly. The trio heard, then saw the grenade roll giving a little clank hitting the wall staying put by it. The three instinctively stepped back, Leto pressing against the side of the container forcing Chains back with a shot around the corner yelling to Wolf and Hoxton he was on the other side. The grenade went off, everyone covering their ears blasting a hole in the wall causing the warehouse to groan but stay intact, the hole beckoning for an escape. With only one chance, Leto pulled the pin on the second grenade holding it as he ran for it throwing himself flat on the ground hearing the footsteps rushing at him skidding to a stop to shoot at him and the grenade left his hand thrown behind him only two seconds away from exploding sending his enemies running back towards the panic room shouting and Leto dashed for his only window to survive. The explosion pushed him staggering the youth, his ears ringing but he pressed on slipping through the hole in the wall and running as fast as his legs could carry him managing to lose the clowns leaving them to drown in frustration, Bain wearing a snarl himself only soured more as the sniper positioned just in case hadn't been able to shoot Leto.