second time as the chess match of arms and legs continues.

Mark swings his head, the only free limb in a way, and catches Steve on his left cheek bone. He can feel it swell up instantly and closes his eye while moving his head closer to Mark’s body to prevent another blow. Mark squeezes out more words between breaths: You see now, this is pointless… You should have joined me… instead of making me an enemy… We could have ruled!

Steve isn’t very interested and continues to look for an opening or a way to free an arm or a fist. Mark squeezes more words out, as if they were punches between each block before pulling himself free and standing, then moving quickly away to regain his breath. Steve stands and faces him again.