There's no way to describe the feeling that one gets when they do their first crime. It's a rush that matches that of any thrill ride, drug, and even orgasm. This sudden rush will send people in one of two directions. They either say fuck it and never do it again, or, develop a sick addiction that steers them into a lifestyle of danger, deception, death.

For Mason, the choice was clear. He saw how easy it was to make money in the underworld, and decided he was going to put all he could into becoming a professional criminal. He didn't want to be a low life thug. He knew he had more in him than that. His Mama always said, "You're going to be something big, son. Just don't lose your head." 

"Oh Fuck!" Mason yelled as he ran down an ally, trying to get away from the cops. He had just tried selling some drugs to a guy he'd just met, a couple pigs came around the corner and decided to stick their greasy noses into Mason's business.

"Hey, you two! Get you hands in the air." One of the cops said. "You punks ain't going nowhere."

"Follow my lead." Mason said to the young dope head. "You gotta trust me here pal."

Just as the cops started walking closer, Mason reached into his coat, and pulled out a pistol. As he did, he then grabbed the youngster next to him by the neck and held his gun to the punk's head. " He cocked back the hammer and yelled at the two cops. "You fucking bastards come any closer and this kid's brains go for a little joyride through the misty evening air." He pulled the kid closer and pushed the gun against his temple.

The kid whispered to Mason. "Hey man, you sure you know what you're doing?"

"Trust me, pal." Mason said as he took a step back.

The cops stopped and took a strong shooting stance, guns pointed at Mason's head. "Drop the gun and get on the ground now!" The shortest of the two yelled. "Do it now or we open fire."

The looks on the cop's faces were mixed. The bigger of the two looked like a hungry pig, ready to devour whatever was thrown his way. The other one though, wasn't as sure. He had a hint of fear in his eyes, and Mason had to take advantage quick. Before the cops could get another word out, Mason moved his gun from the kid's head and aimed it at the bigger of the two law men. Without hesitation, he took one shot and dropped the piggy cold. The second returned fire and hit Mason's hostage multiple times. Mason shot back and hit the man twice.

The little piggy managed to limp behind a trash dumpster and find cover. Mason took no time waiting and dropped the dying punk, then running as fast as he could to get the hell out of town. He got about 200 feet away before shots starting ringing out again. Mason misjudged the little cop. He was a fierce competitor with no plans of giving up without a real fight. Mason bounced back and forth between cover, dancing his way out of the line of the flesh seeking lead. He could hear the rounds going by as he ducked and dove down the ally.

"Too late for second thoughts now." He said to himself before he made his last dash to get around a corner and disappear.

He made his final move down the ally, as the pig at the other end reloaded his pistol. Right as he made his turn, one last bullet whizzed by, grazing Mason's leg. He ran and ran, injured and bleeding, until he got to his crew's HQ.  He was stopped at the door. The bouncer didn't recognize him, as he was a brand new member. Just a dumb goomba. "Listen, I'm with the crew. I've been shot. Cops are looking for me. You gotta let me in."

PoisonCentipede was relaxing in his office amidst his HQ, being quite tired from a long day at work. Usually it was quite silent around his HQ, however, tonight it seemed to be rowdier than usual. Being curious he left his office and headed towards the entrance, seeing the bouncer and Mason near the entrance seeming to be in some sort of argument so he figured he'd step in. 

"Hey, he's with us. Let him in."

He stated casually before noticing blood on the Goomba's leg. 

"Oh man. Did you get shot? Please tell me the bullet didn't get stuck in your leg..."

PC said a little concerned, but after further examination he sighed with relief, supporting Mason with his own body and limping him into the HQ to get some basic medical treatment. As he watched the leg being bandaged up by some fellow members, PC became curious as to what had gone down and began asking some questions until he felt that he received a general idea of what had happened. 

"Hmm, well it sounds like you're a pretty good shot and a quick thinker, though I advise next time to either run faster and not get caught, or just let us set in our connections with the police department. Who knows, it could've saved that kids life. Anyways, it's too late now but its good to know for future encounters with our friends in blue. I'll get things sorted out, just be careful next time."

With a smirk he turned to make a couple phone calls to settle things out with the local police, he'd probably have to toss more money their way later.