"Hey, wake up."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMky8CiAJLY
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewcNSYijKQ
"H-Huh!?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHsI2CEJmi
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTwI9saj7H
I was rashly wrung out of sleep, jumping at the sudden touch on my shoulder. I fell pathetically to the floor, groaning and rubbing my chin as I got on my feet.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2QIXZZPOB
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWlNFqXROj
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare ya."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5GKMHsJ7a
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73N6XMbaEv
"No no, it's fine."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceEooj63s0
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9FSpOemcq
Once the pain subsided, I let out a lengthy yawn and rubbed my eyes. I had difficulty keeping them open. I rubbed my face and took a seat on the couch, hoping to wipe away the grogginess.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyyNUga3tn
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcv6J1vszo0
"Goodness kid, did ya sleep at all?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJel8Zzcy6
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbeiJsDYVG
"Huh? Yeah, sure I did."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3s7asQu48
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJ1v1VYjzA
I let out another yawn. After a dozen firm blinks, I was able to keep my eyes open for longer than two seconds.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTf5uMrxk1
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBkZ5G4Eme
"Are ya sure–"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBugm1WX5V
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6Flzro1ra
"Listen, Juke, I'm fine. I'm, perfectly fine. My neck is just a little sore, that's all."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjcAfkS06a
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBaVwAqrxx
It must've been because of my sleeping position. Perhaps that was also the reason behind my shakiness. It had to be. Using mana expulsion, I produced a bit of water and gulped it all down, then began stretching my limbs.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCiKJBIDLe
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7SGEVTGvd
"Well, if ya say so. When yer ready, come meet me outside."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bXHIYL6Ke
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcvtj0hxL2
Juke exited the living room, leaving me alone. I wasted no time going through my morning routine in the bathroom. Once I finished, I returned to the living room. Outside the bathroom door, idling, gazing at the couch where I slept.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbc06bYM0Df
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqkuTCP2nJ
"..."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEQdjl3iWR
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkF0whJxcEQ
Now that the grogginess had left me, my mind worked at total capacity. It came with unwanted by-products.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfS16R3twAu
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUr0UD6KDZg
It had barely been ten minutes. Since I wasn't counting, likely less than that. So little time since I woke up, yet the flow of time had already become contorted. I clutched my head and looked at the floor.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIF2wQH5zr
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtr0oEdOLe
It was no use mulling over it now. Besides, I was hungry. So I left the living room. Juke and the man were sitting at a nearby table, eating their food with a third plate unattended. I tottered to their table and took a seat.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoXeHIFJKr
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48yrlLpZLs
The plate was full of fish. It wasn't a food I'd associate with breakfast.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVbv4n7M1G
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFRquqYuhi
"Hi young man, how did you sleep?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2XQ85NDeu
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKAUL6Jw3J
His tone was cheery and amiable. He sounded like a pleasant person to speak to.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdOFtaxmvb
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjZfdqORVC
"Hmm. Huh? Oh, were you talking to me?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl34SzPacom
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QV6q2C6UO
The man nodded. Now that I thought about it–243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMdq7Mlbny
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYnTBaHMyD
"What's your name anyway? I don't believe you've ever told us."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv62gVIxc8i
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJsh3OUeRS
"...You must be right. My name is Hank, it's a pleasure."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiV9Y7Q7VU
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGbf0KhHFt
"Hank... did you cook this breakfast?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSKcKJ4ahC
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQB4ZzObQHu
"I certainly did. Well, go on now, try it."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcuBVmUVfv
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPSxlScjGQ
I turned my face away from him and looked at the fish. At first glance, even a toddler could discern that it was undeniably well-cooked. The fish was coated in spice and–243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMavj0msxJ
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkhZlihdR3
"Don't gotta waste yer time ogling at it, kid."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwLWIG00y9
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC07BfAReOl
Juke's statement interrupted my necessary analyses.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlv6mAnVJoX
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLybIp8ReU
"I guess you're right. Is good, Juke?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5e6644sLXq
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6uHlosx6P
"Yeah, it is. If ya don't eat it now though, some bird might poop on it and ruin the taste."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjd9ABDXjQj
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjPAVioK4M
"What?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WNsG11KPb
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqZXoGCDS9
He sighed and flicked his head.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvMYaOP8FG
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyW04EJEhlF
"Come on, let's enjoy our last breakfast here, why don't we?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vqpDHqDjt
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jLkZVvRG5
"Last... yeah, let's."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLKDTHxmzP
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OMlEkYO5f
I took the fork and began to eat the fish. It had a kick to it that I didn't expect, but otherwise–243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySAVNYVDre
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKDYIKLxJC
"This is good. This is really good."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZ5vVoVnVc
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJp9SLAAom
"I told ya."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4CVuIThti
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOXsoGhRcn
I kept eating. It was pleasant and satisfying. The dish brightened my mood. Marginally so, but it was still something, so I was grateful for that.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKP1RzVKoFV
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡku9AWLph7y
"Wait a minute, Juke," Hank started, "how are you eating with your helmet on?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vR6K7ySIY
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74m9zXUhcs
His question caused me to look away from my fish and at his own. Indeed, half of it had already been eaten, but Juke never once removed his helmet to do so.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlKu493R5E
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvIGYmiGoV
"Trade secret, don't worry 'bout it. Just keep eating."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0j6JWz58eA
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGZYrJ9UBl
The man backed down. I kept looking at Juke, but he wouldn't eat the fish in front of me.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MKBxqchZQ
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtem41uGmij
In the face of that obstinance, I smiled. I knew it wouldn't last, but at least I would be able to eat my food without any daunting thoughts.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxy9ULb7JK0
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2s29MbpMwZ
–
–
–243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvgoowy9Ta
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtRSXG37UB
Once we put our tableware aside, Hank corralled us back to the table. Juke and I sat by each other. Hank had a pensive and nervous look, giving me a sense of foreboding for what was to come out of his mouth.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiCBdXgL7Y
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlmDQdkqJs
"So, you two want to leave the city, correct?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MxcqRP43Y
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxg6wNlFifZ
"That's right," Juke responded.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MrnH5HKxg
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJrNUYKOMT
"I see..."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2wr86KImL
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6fCe3qxII
He pinched his chin and gazed at the table.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcrNyfKqeA
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAU39H98ch
"Well, I won't try to stop you, but I'd like to give you two a word of warning: the streets aren't empty. Those folks at Hard-Bringer are surveilling the area quite compellingly."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKg5SMVBQbO
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0RnTiikxn
Juke let out a sigh and I rested my head on my hand. Honestly, this was in my expectations, but hearing it be confirmed was a blow to my psyche all the same.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeCcT823jR
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAofKJGFY0g
"However, I do believe you two can get out fine."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLHrfHmrJ4
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgkv1N2vdE
"Yeah, that's what I was thinking too. I doubt those Hard-Bringer bastards got the staff to keep an eye on every part of the city."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0WczXRyfV
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16yYAt6fHb
I nodded along to Juke's reasoning. Hank did too, less tense than twenty seconds ago.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPLuQKgXDq
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fKNE88PT0
"Do you two have a plan in mind?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0wmB8EYFY
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eK3sVc1IG
Juke turned his head to me, confusing me more than pressuring me.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTeODbVbdG
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmM6LDIyN2n
"What are you looking at me for?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9eayReGCv
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlin5tt1P6
"Ya got any ideas?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwZ1sairh2
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3x9BjdyPx
"Why do you think I do, anyway?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyFfJ2W4iB
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdQmLyCS7G
He shrugged at my inquiry. I just sighed and rubbed my temple, racking my brain for anything.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpl9Gn6zpfK
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Tq3yo2DYZ
"I suppose we'll have to gauge just how heavily the streets are being supervised. If they aren't in every nook and cranny of the area, we can probably weave in-between alleyways and whatnot just fine."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5CbkJ60AF
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTs7aRjHEdS
Juke and Hank nodded at my statement. As concrete as the idea was, it hinged on a factor too risky for either me or Juke to confirm.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LQ7uWDI46
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdtn8Mzk77
"Hank, can you go outside and check the surroundings?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGvm7z3Tlg
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPed4dJdILS
"U-Uh, I very well may, however..."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bhBzxsc4E
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsqHX4dM3I
I raised my brow, then realized that just because Hank wasn't me or Juke didn't mean that he was entirely safe.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkDsL4NzFF
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoFnhtC584
Rover's visage flashed in my mind. I brushed it aside for the moment, barely.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywz2fTaJIF
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfA4I8nT4lG
"I'd rather not run too far away. Otherwise, I'd get apprehended and questioned, and then it would be evening by the time I come back."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡud86DsjRlg
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGU9kxLPuS
"I see. I apologize for asking so much from you."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjFxdXDgE0
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2sXS1McOZ
He shook his hands frantically and.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrlbpWjKIw
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQUlK69ejb
"Oh no no, I'll do it. I just don't think I'll be able to scout very far ahead."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSSlOXgjNB
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7ncgPtJ5i
"That ain't an issue. Just the first block should be alright."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJxWvvwPXB
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFGUqx3wuq
Hank's gaze turned abnormally stern. He stood up and did a few gesticulations to assure himself.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtR6TA9O6Bb
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡim4t251w4T
"Pray for me."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1a1LePHBNS
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsU2rD2IC63
"Don't worry. We'll arrange yer funeral for ya."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDptufP9vRw
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqqVBSm7w8
"Juke!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPkvNIzLUM
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkqO2se2VO
Juke's comment vanquished all of Hank's efforts to pump himself up. Still, though, he rambled to the door, taking a deep breath before opening and exiting the building. Juke and I were alone, now. An awkward and elongated silence permeated through the room.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ttg3mv9NP
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡex1eS6oFIF
"Thanks for trying to lighten the mood, Juke."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEHp4ZW2VT
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfyRrPCuQ7
He turned his head to me, stuttering his words before taking a breath and speaking them coherently.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjmkP01NfV
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrI4kP3KOV
"No need to thank me. The atmosphere's tense, I just don't want it to stay that way."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1zdnh9ReO
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡds0iXccbcM
"Still, I appreciate it."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKZe07yJVi
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCftwxya3M7
I sat with my legs spread out, lowering my head and leaning over to stare at the ground.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDUftAdOEU
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjsxZDC2kH
"I can tell that my wisecracks ain't all that effective, though."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeDmUqBbc9
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoS9m1fX1W4
I wanted to rebuke that statement, to tell him that he was wrong and that I was feeling much better. I would be lying to him, but that wasn't why I stopped myself. That was because of the tinge of melancholy I caught in his voice, so faint that I was unsure if I was just hearing things.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHocBQuGwV
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSVmUBh1H6
I wanted to press him on that. But I was in no state of mind to do so. So, we continued to wait in silence.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7yhD8lmmB
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHFh0qofU9
Hank came shortly after. His face was drenched in sweat and anxiety. He let out an arduous sigh when he closed the door and sank to the floor.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPjmhpqDet
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyuwWHEi1q
I was expecting the worst, but he shot us a thumbs-up with a wink. A smile found its way on my face. I looked at Juke and we nodded at each other. We stood up and stretched our muscles, helping Hank get to his feet and standing before the door.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOgRbrm54K
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2wCpUoFpG
"Thank you for your help, Hank."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bmn9M4OGY
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2AVCA8V8j
"Yeah, we really of ya."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsRa68QWlN
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLoCUCZ2gy
He gave us a light smile and waved.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdh6rIFcjzx
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGqlbMMLse
"No no, it's fine. It's what Dennis would have wanted, I'm sure."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNW8wLNnUUC
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfwQzpY8Fn
"...Y-Yeah."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3LGQAjy96
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJct4kOVqT
A morbid parasite was planted in me before we left. It began to eat at me instantly, but I did nothing to address it.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcXdQqLZGz
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UHHWyM1hM
–
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–243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImQ5kzXGiM
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XytUdEz9q
The streets were void of any busy citizens traveling from one place to another. All inhabitants were inimical people in robes. The only remedy was the relative lack of them.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoAxu8bFWf
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwAcJTRHL1
Weaving in and out of alleyways was a surprisingly easy task, as the Hard-Bringer members couldn't stay in one place even if they were paid to. Though it made moving in the streets nerve-wracking with the unpredictability of these people, it was better than having to wait for them to fall asleep or find a detour as they obstinately remained in one spot.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwNnf1tzzn
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIx6sisQ4L
With all the pauses in between movements and focus on not getting caught, I stopped paying attention to our routing quickly. I was anxious that Juke did too.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpetK666Uj
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwW1UBFjqU
"Hey, are you sure we're going the right way?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYURqOgWZip
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDBs12ivHL
"Yeah, I'm sure. I remember that chipped building when I visited the stables earlier."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfGD2vim0D
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuhHZwxjPJ
He pointed at a building opposite us. Indeed, it was chipped, but somehow I didn't find his memory reliable.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsN0vNYR0b
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwsRurvssV
Still, I had no better way to make it to the stables myself, so I kept following Juke as we skittered diagonally across the street.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBUNl2pk1U
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTOSXGSE7V
"--Crap!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTNk3HV9s7
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡca9Dfs5xDH
This alleyway was void of anything to hide behind, meaning that we had to leave it now or suffer an embarrassing and egregious discovery. I peered over the corner and saw a duo of robed people turning a corner and into our street.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11X90rIaZe
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuZsgl0l5k
"Crap. Crap!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaGHhjPOHH
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaiLzBWVMo
"Eh? What's the situation, kid?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5HRUVxBuO
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kzdZ3BZYN
"People are heading our way!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxILCILzz1D
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZU2nVuTg2
With a hoarse whisper, I relayed the information to Juke, whose eyes I could see widen even through his helmet. He looked behind him and deeper into the alleyway, reaching the same conclusion that I did.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAUfKf6agb
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVFTQ9ToGS
"I guess we gotta jump 'em."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1l16O6lVAy
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOIxy086mz
"What!? That's a terrible idea!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6DpSqm7NX
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1yXVbG5js
Despite the incorrect usage, I knew precisely what Juke meant by jumping the two people. I discarded the idea, as engaging in a fight would only draw more attention. But, as I sifted through my mind, I couldn't conjure up a course of action more tangible.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMjMkpq5FR
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1PpyTuCYe
"Okay, maybe it isn't a terrible idea, but we need to knock them out quickly."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iTFEfqtvF
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyWEkUDT4L
"Yeah, killin' 'em will just make a mess and draw attention, ya make a good point."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBs6teUsZ7
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjosPwKrcae
"...Murder is the first thing you– nevermind, you gave me a good idea."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XhOhW8w1Q
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcAmmCcjHY
I produced my tendril and created a Valencia-Bloom at its tip. Then, I ran as far back into the alleyway as I could, signaling Juke to do the same. When we made it to the wall, I began mana spinning and produced a shield from the flower big enough to cover us both.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7Y29IxuoY
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxE2Nw47Szs
It was unexpectedly heavy. The weight of the shield brought me to the floor and strained my arm terribly243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRTEtfoerM
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOFmNYvSKf
"Ack!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekmSNTPhzQ
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcc1xFdm4o
"G-Goodness, kid. Are ya alright?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnyvIahYW9
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYSW5XNJe9
"I-I'm fine, just keep quiet!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0Jlu2FYqr
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3kE6AMIAY
We waited out behind the shield until I heard two sets of footsteps pass by the alleyway. Once they vanished, I removed the shield, massaged my arm, and with Juke's help, we made it back onto the street.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphjSZMvEQe
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80A90rbci4
"Ya strong folk really are crazy."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYXMRW9qNX
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyxMjheT3a
"Shut up. Now isn't the time for this."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Zt4FstcXM
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtF8cSlUdDE
We traveled the road a bit faster since we had to cross through an intersection. We made sure both sides were clear before continuing forward. The road curved at this point, so we kept close to the wall, using our ears instead of our eyes to sense any oncoming persons.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4URfrsZhbg
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCS4Hs30hv
And, by doing so, I heard something that made my hair stand on its ends.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiE9KfeHc1m
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GyxZheuHU
"--Yeah, we should find a place to hide, don't ya think?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2zgfQdbTm
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgynxv8qJSE
I hastily nodded with him and scanned the surroundings. I spotted an alleyway with a gigantic dumpster at the front. Juke already began running to it before I could point it out, so I followed him.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbI5jfVM2NA
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdP9G3jq1XT
We sat down behind the dumpster. I gnawed on my finger as I heard what I could only describe as an army of people walking down the street. I didn't see them, nor did I want to, but the footsteps never ended– it was as if the hustle and bustle of the streets had returned, but now, it only disturbed me.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInynwIBP5x
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwQhF7o12i
It went on for far, far too long. I couldn't keep my cool. The gnawing turned into rampant chomping, and my breathing became labored and heavy. I rocked back and forth, back and forth back and–243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tVgujwPK7
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNx33sCO7wN
"--Kenny, I don't know if that'll do ya any good."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1g1kkRJy9
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCCuInEnbR
"Huh?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCX9czYUT7
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkL7zCuhYb
Juke's deep voice pierced through the thunderous train of footsteps.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymrXuPQUeI
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTVHgxu3EB
"That whole biting thing, and that whole shaking thing. That shit freaks me out. I get why yer doing it, but seeing someone like ya do so just don't sit with me right."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOdb2IfKxU
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BcCEWAT7H
I knew he was trying to console me. But, I didn't feel as if he was. I felt as if it was a precursor to just another one of Juke's ramblings about his ideology.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLfS1vB4lS
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5qnVovv7F
"Why? Is it because I'm strong?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWmEC5zD0d
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BXnmImJ2t
"Nah, it's cuz yer a kid."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfUWDtKaJR
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetKA8w2n2S
His response left me more stunned than I could've imagined.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7qyg8oH66
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0fZ4mJPXk
"I can tell ya got something plaguing ya. I ain't dense, so I can already guess what it is. Still, I think ya should spill it."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPtppnRidb
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwXOH3WlGI
"..."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKgNIeRokD
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFY3C6oJUnR
I brought my knees up to my head, wrapping my arms around my legs. Usually, I'd be concerned about the crowd overhearing us, but the dumpster was far enough, and the thousands of footsteps would veil my voice.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtZ5qYm1p3
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VRZqmxbpj
So, I let my mouth run amok.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdd0gxCqzk
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlalLH0JSOF
"I'm sure you know, but what Rover told me has... affected me, I suppose."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEvVF3ZD1g
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpOaNS0xJJ
"Yeah, I know."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1pzhFSl86
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAS8RgQa1H
A pause. I used it to formulate my following words more effectively.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdn8JuI3vjq
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr40A67HxFU
"It left me confused. It was like I was asking myself questions with words I couldn't understand. I didn't even know how to begin to answer them. So, for the time being, I decided to ignore them."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJPfFgz7Pa
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdhKutFFj4
I darted my eyes to the side. He nodded along. He stared at the wall across. I did the same.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKp29mkIClc
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsiI9amvQz
"When I was at the door last night," I continued, "right after Rover left, I suppose the prospect of going after her, of facing her, was too intimidating. I didn't get why, exactly. I just knew that I couldn't do it. I didn't think that doing so would be bad or something, quite the contrary. I just thought that, somehow, it was an impossible task. So, I didn't do it. Instead, I sat back on the couch and fell asleep."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltGDGUAjsA
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LN9377mF1
"That sounds familiar..."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DiUdDFmNW
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8Wh0ZTNlh
"Huh?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7byly5c34Y
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxhm5xHLLh
"Nevermind. Ya carry on."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLW9qsTyrJp
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoA53jKeUFa
I felt a little let down, but did as I was told.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6Z6NDdD9Z
"I am just, very confused. I don't quite get how I feel, but I do understand that all the forces inside of me are fighting over the decision I made last night, to do this. And, I guess I say I'm unsure of it, but I do know what I really am."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQGoYpPe8M
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cB5fU9mWt
"Well?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNxixfx5UH
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLdafMZvOw
"...The thing is, if I voice it, I'll probably break apart here and now."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8YRqW5Liq
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqN6tTNaRqa
"Ah."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vHHE34dpN
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7ODlgWHye
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but articulating it in my brain was difficult.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZp5V8LRLb
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlQEAOhTcm
"Some part of it came from the distant past. I'm talking about what drove me to make this decision, I mean. Another part, I'm unsure. And the last one was more recent. It was only for a moment, but when I thought about going outside with Rover, that overgrown bug flashed in my mind."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMisszMLJV
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVEo41FBgC
"Ah, the Lionant?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOu4L2lyWoW
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOLqFOwl4j
"Yeah. The one you saved me from. Thank you for that, by the way."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicHXSol6Jv
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KEElx6mwB
"..."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFMO4ct000
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8HJ49hG3Z
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but I hung on to the thoughts left behind by my last sentence and formed a question out of it.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEXuZFEOeS
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMikX32AzUZ
"This might be a dumb question, but why did you save me back then?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vsbeoeQEB
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhkF7OqNV2
"...Yeah, why did I?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKf8VwjFV81
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSbiQlLU10
I didn't expect to be met with another question.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmpmR9IqvV
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFi5NZ1Xjd2
"It doesn't make much sense, does it? After all, I'm weak, and yer strong. A weak guy like me shouldn't have to save strong folk like ya. But I did save ya. I really did save ya."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdY79pzVEY
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAqxCgQBHv
I turned my head to him. He had his eyes pointed at the sky, one arm slung over his knee.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSjuvU1yoY
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXaJRFO0H3
"I don't know why I saved ya. It wasn't in my mind, I didn't think of doing it, but I did save ya."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz933ElPgbG
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtT97aezHhe
"..."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUGf7cakfp
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGJolRKsTQ
I felt as if I should have said something, but I remained silent. Juke continued his gentle monologue.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToPCWEahFS
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4hPZdJs4p
"Rover's got a brutal tongue. Usually, I just brush off what loud folk like her say, but she was blunt and rude about it, so it really stuck with me. I couldn't care less about that 'you should do and think this and that' shit, but, ya know what, Kenny?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6SeyK3sv9
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1t3IC2GdnU
"What?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jGrcdkbJI
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGB1ApwqP4K
"Before I went out to look for ya two, I talked with Dennis. I had a real good conversation with him 'bout politics, women, and a bunch of dumbshits we've met in our olden days."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0J7ovT1Mh
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfktRmrLhsn
"That sounds... boorish?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5ztsTZKUq
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PThYL7d9Q
"Pff, yer just too young."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6rBlEYezD
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcxIbrzwEQ
He paused for a moment.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguTLx4fg3C
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCmRJrSBPL
"Why the hell am I saying this to a kid?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8lMqeeGiV
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4kJDvbe3v
"D-Don't mind that, just keep talking."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5waXAc6Mg
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdV0GnpiSCI
"...The thing is, a weak guy like me shouldn't concern himself with Hard-Bringer. It makes sense, doesn't it? Leave the big problems to the big strong folk. Weak guys shouldn't have to fight for other weak guys. That's what I think."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMAsADJZTh
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMJM9waGpF
He took a second to readjust himself. I used that time to spill my own thoughts.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWah4SmJQw
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IYw2ucMsN
"That's silly... O-Oh–"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh02vFmJQm5
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKbxZ09YKZ
I realized I had just blurted out something insensitive yet again.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuJWzxfQtt
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPi7OAr5HMv
"I didn't mean to be rude, but–"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwoqGsEgD5
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsO7ykpdUn
"Nah, I get why ya think it. To each their own, that's what the masses say, yeah?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4egkiCbgsX
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuk7qW3O0XD
"I... yes, I suppose so."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4okeA1NXD
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHcnpuK6AK
Another pause. Juke directed his gaze to the floor this time.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8CAoO4Aqw
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhJh6QngRJ
"I think the weak shouldn't have to deal with what the strong does."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrZxbED3Nz
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPvJU8wE4v
"Yes, I know."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uICZPMcUI
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IR7iuho3v
"But I wanna make sure Dennis is still kickin'."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWO5ZLQ1X0
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIirSfHl3G
He said that with conviction I had never heard from him before.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmIMoin6Zx
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJNN1h32h9
"I believe what I said yesterday. I think he's just fine. 'Sides, I got no interest in fighting Hard-Bringer. But that ain't changing the fact that I wanna make sure with my eyes."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKXP8LE7jZ
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sd6L4bY3R
"..."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmG54y1XUc
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOH6EWiiMRf
I didn't say it outright, but I agreed with him. I wanted to make sure Dennis was fine as well. Yet, unlike Juke, I doubt I could muster the will to do so.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzRVFRRdNb
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqncNqm499
"Ya hear that?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UV18ovtix
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVXiybywl1
"Huh?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHvTIbEEy6
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRJXQ8zBGl
I perked my ears. I didn't hear anything. Then, I realized what Juke meant.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ahycs5egN
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmLBUMFNEa
"They passed."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuVm3AVQFb
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjKS52ac8T
"Yeah. I can't hear them anymore."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcNSHgNjD9
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZ3yHX3zb3
Juke stood up first. He brushed the dirt off his pants and peered around the corner.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcLx414dtl
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKcnSH3wJX
"Looks like we're in the clear. Phew."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLwlq5JNYj
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB45qAeutin
I stood up and ambled to the front of the alleyway. Sure enough, Not one robed person was in sight. It was a clear indicator that I should have taken a step forward, but I didn't. No, I couldn't, not after what I had just said.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqtJ2TrfAv
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTh8yWeyFX
Juke had already taken his first steps, though. He looked back at me once he noticed I wasn't moving.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GO9W1JcVk
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbJ7NiJiZL
"Shit... hey, kid, I know what yer thinking."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyoEz4ycfJ
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kXhj890qs
"You've been saying that a lot."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHerfUBhe4I
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LMqjlJRd2
"That's just cuz yer easy to read."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNJ41ru1ut
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMM4bz8VnAH
We stood stock still in silence.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7Tyv6zEX9
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33GXi7h4kS
"W-Well, what are you waiting for," I muttered, "Let's get going."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLZRYnQ004
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPepr1qM9e
"Are ya sure?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHGolY3E79
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjgFvbFQu9
I walked out of the alleyway, looking both ways before standing beside Juke.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ478nyVcFLa
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoEkfAqDyZ
"I should be asking you that."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeS1zuxeTln
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHiGG7xRyT
"Hehe, I guess so. We've come this far, haven't we?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2JCpM2c59
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6WgHsaTLZ
"Yes. You get it."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrMFRMvWYa
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiwOKXPwSZ
But before we continued, there was one last thing I wanted to mention.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyckW1LrPTw
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAF7R9fNvGS
"If we see something that might change the accuracy of your hypothesis, then... I'm going to turn back, understand?"
Juke released a lethargic chuckle. I wasn't offended by it, instead, it caused me to think.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakiqvdX75Q
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiT3qyl7fA
"Fine by me."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eAnPmXRDh
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGUlmZcBpG
I wondered how seriously he took my word. I wouldn't blame him if he thought it duplicitous.
We kept going down the streets, running between the alleyways as we avoided being spotted.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9bInFnmOK
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswpNWeMNA8
–
–
–
"Ya see that?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BeRKO8oOW
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqD1fuqIYBJ
"Yeah, we're almost there."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3A3ld9s6YE
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdolgwTEKbj
After hours of dodging lines of sight, taking tedious pauses in smelly alleyways, and having one too many heart-attack-inducing close calls, the stables were finally within our view. It was still a good distance away, but being able to see it was relieving. We were fortunate enough to find it unsupervised, too.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvodW2cqtT
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7Le0g5bPh
We approached it with a pep in our step, but not forgetting to employ prudence. I turned my head in every direction as we got closer and closer.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3NdujpfFg
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And as we got closer and closer, a sudden stench assaulted my nostrils.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3y6ZrBiD4a
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"Blurg, what was that?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwRfyBCdX5
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I skidded to a stop. I reluctantly sniffed the air again but didn't catch the same whiff. Juke looked back at me, confused.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Y4QLEFCyf
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"What was what?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghgEM5Rmzw
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"I caught a whiff of something."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2gkiWYEl6
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"Ah, gotcha. I ain't stopping, just so ya know."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjrXfBSK8n
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Clicking my tongue, I continued following Juke to the stables, occasionally sniffing the air as we encroached it.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqL76gjx07y
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And then, it came again. This time, more putrid than before.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PeXrba30v
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"Ugh– ack, what in the world?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhpltuiaUG
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Juke didn't stop to ask me what was wrong this time. He turned the final corner and already made it to the stables. I knew that I had visited this place before, but I didn't quite acknowledge the structure until that moment.
It was like an open barn house with only a meager roof over the parking spaces. Inside these parking spaces were carriages, and opposite them were miniature pens housing the animals responsible for heaving the carriages. These pens were fitted with roofs and thick gates to block the animals from wandering off. Of course, because of the structure of the stables, he barged in without having to bust open any doors. Naturally, I entered without issue myself.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgkUz9bx15
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But never had I wished for a door to be present more than now.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXZOdviCzn
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"...This is fuckin' horrid."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTlB5heKyy
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The carriages were untouched, but the carriages were only there for me to distract myself with. It didn't last for long, of course. After all, the stench and overwhelming, blinding quantity of red permeating through every crevice of the area made it impossible to keep up the charade.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQMFS5oeW0
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The pens were broken, but the animals hadn't escaped. They were still in their pens, but as cadavers opposed to breathing beings.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3M6dBKnuCs
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Bile rose to my throat, but I was able to suppress it. That disturbed me deeply.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAjPmB1MQy
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"Well, Kenny, I dunno if we'll be leaving by carriage any time soon."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysJr26nC6U
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"You 'don't know', huh? Are you kidding me?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs43kBQoZbC
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I glared at the scene. It was grotesque, but my eyes couldn't divert from it. Every animal in every pen– no exception was made, none were spared. They were unapologetically slaughtered. Juke spoke of the sight perfectly; It was horrid. it evoked such visceral repulsion even when closing the eyes and glancing at it through memory.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOypEsoLpF2
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But, as much as I hated it, as much as it made me want to turn the other way and run, seeing our way out be cut off like this relieved me of a subconscious weight.
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Juke ventured further into the stables, and I begrudgingly followed. I fixed my gaze to the right, passing by the open pens and observing the carrion they contained. I didn't try to immerse myself in the details; I would've truly thrown up if I did. But, from what I did see, I could judge the means used to kill them. From lacerations to burns, to pulverizations of their bodies, it was obvious that a mix of magic and weaponry was utilized.
I was lucky that the blood had dried long ago.
"Sly bastards. How'd they know we'd try to get out?"
"...They probably just did this preemptively. Did they have to murder all the animals, though? Why not damage the carriages?"
My question had not just reminded Juke, but also myself of our carriage. We steered directions and beelined towards it. From an outside view, it looked unharmed. As Juke pulled out a key and unlocked the doors, I could only hope that the same could be said for the inside.
"Nagging Dennis for this shit paid off."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MZ4BTaeS4
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Juke muttered something under his breath before flinging the doors open and entering. I followed, releasing a heavy breath as I confirmed that the carriage was unharmed.
"'Fore we head back out, we oughta pack some supplies."
"I agree, but I hope you know I won't be able to carry much."
"That's alright. This big body of mine ain't just for show."
We entered the back. Juke took the bag of food and placed his arms through the straps, carrying it like an oversized backpack.
"Anything else ya think we oughta bring?"
"...I can't lift the big bags, but–"
I grabbed a smaller one and emptied its contents, stuffing it with the few potions I had left in the larger bags, leaving me with a pleasantly light load. Juke hummed in an amused, yet agitated tone.
"Ya had potions this whole time? Ya should'a told me!"
"Oh, sorry. I thought I had."
We exited the carriage and returned to the stables, Juke grumbling as he descended the steps. I didn't leave just yet. Before that, I spared one more glance at the animals, meagerly clenching my fists.
"Hey, Juke."
He turned around and faced me. Before I got my words out, I had to stop shaking.
"What do we do now?"
He looked at me intently, or was it blankly? Either way, I could tell that he was digesting my question. Then, he turned his gaze away.
"We can't get out with the carriage, that's for sure."
"I know that much. But, do we... do we try anyway?"
"...Nah, ya should know that yerself."
My facial muscles dropped, forming an ugly frown. He was right, and because he was right, I was upset.
If they took measures this drastic to make sure nobody escaped, then the gates were unquestionably, undoubtedly guarded.
That undeniable notion frightened me.
"Yeah, you're right. But, still, what do we–"
I couldn't finish my sentence. My speech was interrupted by a jerk movement from Juke. He leaned in– almost pouncing at me and pushing me to the ground as he haphazardly fell to it himself.
I hadn't the time to formulate any complaints and questions, but all that I could have formed were addressed by the soaring ball of fire narrowly avoiding my head.
"--Ack!"
I landed awkwardly on my shoulder. Whether it was dislocated, I didn't know, nor could I afford to find out. I scrambled to my feet and faced our assailant. My blood turned cold when I saw her.
"That man is a quick actor. What about you, child? Are you the brains of your clique?"
It was the woman at the plaza. She was not in her unequivocal robe that was the sigil of Hard-Bringer but in a slackened coat, plain shirt, skirt, pants, and boots.
"Well, answer me, won't you?"
"Don't humor 'er, kid, she's got a screw loose!"
"N-No need to tell me!"
Juke got up on his feet and brandished his sword. I took out the tendril. The woman grabbed a curvy, seemingly customized, serrated knife. She raised it as she began to speak.
"So you two won't speak? Fine by me. A mute roadblock is easier to handle."
With a slide of her back foot and a drop in her posture, she burst into a sprint heading in our direction. Then, she veered into me.
The sudden shift left me panicked. I instinctively took a step back and produced a Valencia-Bloom, but before I could utilize it, she slashed her knife at me. I narrowly avoided the swing, but she didn't let up, spinning the blade in her hand and thrusting it to jab me.
That's at least what it looked like she would've done.
She did thrust her knife, but she spun as she did it, clashing with Juke's broadsword so suddenly that even he was taken by surprise. The woman exploited his shock well by delivering a kick to his chest. Juke's body didn't budge from the kick at all, though. A metallic sound rang throughout the stables and his head jerked back.
"Ack! My neck!"
"--I see."
Realizing I wasn't doing anything, I extended my tendril, using it like a dull spear. The woman ducked my attack and slammed her fist into it. I recoiled from the strike, but not enough to paralyze me. Thus, I slammed the tendril on the ground. She rolled away, dodging it effortlessly.
My tendril still near her, I switched the Valencia-Bloom for a Freeze-Dry. But I couldn't use it; the woman leaped and stomped on the flower before any ice came out.
My eyes widened by themselves. I couldn't think of what to do next, but I was fortunate enough to not have to. Juke swung his sword at the woman. She dodged it, but Juke didn't let up with his assault. The woman took a series of backsteps too great for Juke to immediately catch up to. Almost instinctively, she kicked her leg up, and though Juke was a couple of meters away, his head jerked up and a sound rang out as if he was hit.
Though Juke was struck in the chin, and though he was partially airborne, he aimed his palm at the woman, firing a wind spell at her.
And, it connected.
"Hng!"
It was a weak spell, and she was able to block most of it with her arms, but the point was that it connected. Somehow, that fact alone was enough to shock me.
"Yer power's confusing. Is it an Endowment? I dunno, I've got one, and yers sure don't feel like it."
Juke rubbed his chin. I could tell that he felt it, meaning the hit wasn't deflected to his helmet.
"Shit. How'd ya know my weakness, huh?"
The woman narrowed her eyes at Juke. Using the downtime, I began mana expulsion with my right hand and produced a Sunlight-Blossom from the tendril.
"You are right about one thing, oaf: my power is nothing like that absurd Endowment of yours."
"And yer calling my whole thing absurd? That's just–"
Juke's speech was cut short. I shot at the woman with a water spell. She dodged it, but I accounted for this and made the spell a powerful geyser, following her movements as it continuously sprayed. The woman clicked her tongue as she kept backing away, producing a ball of fire and firing it at the walls.
I gasped and processed her actions to make sure I understood what I saw. She threw a fireball at the walls, which were made of wood. She threw a quick wind spell at it right after and smashed through the weakened structure.
My geyser put the sudden fire out but had missed the woman entirely. It aligned with my expectations, though. She came back bursting through near the ashened hole. However, I had another attack prepared.
The seed was already loaded. I aimed the flower at her and fired, crossing my fingers in my head, praying that it would land.
It didn't. It didn't even come close. She ducked before the bullet had even been launched. I bit my lip in frustration.
"That's why I hate being aggressive. How cruel that I have to act against my nature."
She cracked her neck and swayed her lengthy hair in the air, glaring at us with her blue eyes. She looked ready to perform a deadly pounce at any moment.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZpfN66SfP
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I stood beside Juke. We eyed the woman vigilantly. My prior assessment was overwritten as she didn't look like she would move at all, leaving me bemused.
But, then, a fireball formed in her hands. I expected her to throw it immediately, so I prepared to duck, but it continued to grow in size; it was far larger than her previous ones, almost as tall and wide as Juke was.
"Ah, shit."
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. Frankly, I didn't expect her to be so adept in fire magic that she could make a spell of that size. It was stupid of me not to consider it. The woman reeled her arm back. I had to act fast.
I ducked, placing both my hands on the ground. I began mana expulsion with one hand and performed spinning with the other. A wall of stone sprung from the ground before me. Then, I produced a Valencia-Bloom from the tendril, expanding it as far as I could reasonably do so. Juke already took cover behind me. Now, all that was left was too–
**SLAM**
"--Ack!"
I didn't suffer any severe damage. In fact, my defenses were hardly penetrated. But the heat from the fire nipped at me through it all. The spell dissipated in no more than five seconds, but it felt like forever.
"How the hell are we breathin'!?"
"Is now really the time for–"
**THUD**
I felt a sudden force clash against my shield. Due to my already shaky balance, I fell to the ground, but I made sure to retract the Valencia-Bloom so my arm wouldn't be dislodged. When the shield vanished, the woman took its place, her leg raised. She continued her assault, raising her knife and, with her other hand on the top of the hilt, plunging it into me.
I shut my eyes and grit my teeth, expecting the sensation of a blade being lodged into my body. But that never came. Instead, a metallic clang reverberated through the stables.
I opened my eyes. Juke intercepted her with his sword. He was on the ground with both his hands on the blade's hilt. Judging by how he was lying on the ground, gripping the hilt with both his hands like a rope, he must've slid.
They remained that way for a moment, engaged in a struggle between their blades. When it became apparent that she couldn't win, she clicked her tongue.
"Irritating," the woman sighed before kicking his helmet and sending him flying. She returned her attention to me, but I had used my borrowed time to regain my composure and swing the tendril.
My tendril hit her. But it felt as if I was the one who was struck, and it wasn't by a blunt object, but by a steel blade. Purple liquid erupted from my chest.
Yes, she was flung away. Yes, my tendril had connected. But when it retracted by itself, I found the woman void of bruises and her knife slathered in a viscous purple.
"D-Damn it."
I rose to my feet with shaking legs. She hadn't just blocked my attack but hurt me back as well. I clutched my chest and coughed harshly.
"How are ya?"
Juke stood beside me, brandishing his sword. We eyed the woman who was flicking the liquid off her knife.
"This ain't looking like a winning fight."
As much as it frustrated me to agree with his notion, I was forced to. Every attack I launched had been avoided, and the one time either of us landed one on her, it was more of a fluke than anything.
"So what do we do?"
"'Till I get how she keeps seein' the future, I ain't got a clue."
"See the future...? Do you think that's what it is?"
"Can't think of anythin' else."
I narrowed my eyes at her, mulling over Juke's theory. When I thought about it, certainly, it would make sense that she could see the future. However–
"There has to be a limit, or some kind of restriction. Her behavior is too inconsistent."
"I agree with ya, and I still got no clue how she kicked me from across the damn room."
Indeed, she had too many unknown factors about her, and combined with her astonishing physical and magical prowess, it made this fight impossible to win. I was wounded, Juke's weakness had been discovered, and the woman didn't look like she even broke a sweat.
"Are you two plotting something? I ought to interfere."
She broke into another dash, but it wasn't an utter rush; her steps were laced with trepidation, and her knife was raised defensively. It was as if she was approaching expecting us to attack her back.
My moment of clarity subsided as the pain washed over my being. But Juke, pulling me by the collar, had fortunately noticed the same, and–
"Book it, kid!"
Helped me turn tail as we both broke into sprints of our own.
I ran. I ran like the wind. I ran to abuse my legs. I ran to survive. But I wasn't so naive; my legs were small and my stamina was pathetic. Whether it was my lack of endurance or my lack of speed, the woman would undoubtedly catch up to me. No thanks to his luggage, I couldn't hitch a ride on Juke's back.
I swiveled my head. She was catching up to me like a wolf in pursuit, and I was sure to be caught in her fangs at any moment. I didn't try to speed up; too many factors prevented me from doing so.
So, if I couldn't speed up, then there was only one thing left for me to do.
I began mana expulsion with both of my hands, creating a mass of earth in one and a mass of fire in the other, expanding it. The woman didn't show an expression of surprise. She was expecting me to do this– no, not expecting, she knew.
Something about that pissed me off. So, instead of throwing it–
"--You!"
Her eyes widened. She skidded to a stop and leaped away. Despite that, I had to see this through.
I discharged as much mana into the fire as I recklessly could, and naturally–
**BOOM**
A Flinty incident occurred.
I used the stone I conjured up to defend myself, but truthfully, it hardly did anything. The most I could do was defend my head, and sure, my eyes hadn't burst, and my face wasn't seared, but they were still rolling on the stone pavement along with the rest of my body, picking up spikey pebbles and other trash like they were seashells on the beach. I only stopped when I collided with, something. I didn't know what and the means to find out were stripped from me. My ears rang, my nose burned, and I had to clobber dozens of particles off my face before I could even think of opening my eyes. But, my arms were too heavy for me to even lift.
So, I remained there, waiting for all the internal chaos to subside before I moved. Then I felt something touch me, then shake me, and I groaned in response. I didn't know who it was. Since I was alive, it probably wasn't the woman. Was it a street dog, or maybe one of those robed men?
Was it Juke? I dismissed the thought. That was a ridiculous proposition.
I was lifted and tussled with. It wasn't done harshly, but goodness, was it irritating. At that point, my annoyance powered over my fatigue, and I rubbed my eyes before slackening my arms yet again.
I opened them and saw the ground. Whoever it was that was messing with me was behind me. I couldn't turn my head to see them, though, so I groaned and heaved my breaths.
"Good to know yer still kicking. Which bottle 'ere is gonna patch ya up?"
Hearing a familiar voice, I was struck with an inordinate amount of clarity.
"Green, one," I mustered.
"Yer lucky I caught that first try. Open wide."
Even if I wanted to, I couldn't. He understood that too, so he grabbed my jaw and pulled it down, sticking the bottle inside my mouth. I was sure that I was going to drown; the amount of liquid entering my throat was overwhelming. But it passed as quickly as it came. I coughed vehemently, and Juke patted my back to help. I cursed my inability to voice my thanks.
"Take it easy, ya really did something crazy back then. Strong folk, I tell ya."
Now I just wanted to tell him to shut up. He lifted me and hung me over his shoulder, then he continued to run.
"Did ya get that crazy bitch? Err, tap once for yes, twice for no."
All I could exert myself to do was pinch, so I pinched his skin twice.
"Shit. Shit! Is she followin' us now!?"
I pointed my eyes up. I could only see a little bit of the ground, so I painstakingly raised my neck.
It devastated me to have to pinch once.
"Are ya kidding me!?"
Juke's running increased in tempo. Unlike me, he was able to at least keep the distance between him and the woman the same. Unfortunately for me, my head was bouncing up and down every step. I was sure that I'd vomit any minute, and then pathetically pass out a moment after.
But I couldn't afford to do so. I couldn't afford to be a burden when our lives were being threatened like this.
I tried to call it forth, but my tendril wouldn't appear. I tried mana expulsion– tried, but struggled. The explosion hadn't drained me of my mana, but my supply was so low I might as well have been shaking a bottle for droplets. I couldn't form anything grandiose or dangerous, meaning that I had to do something to just slow her down.
So, I formed a small mass of water. Supporting it with my other hand, I lifted my arm, aiming my open palm at her feet.
She didn't react preemptively at all. It gave me a surge of hope, and with that borrowed vigor, I fired the spell at her feet.
Except, I didn't fire it. It unceremoniously plummeted to the ground. She simply jumped over the puddle the spell created.
"Damn, it."
"--Ay kid, are ya seeing this!?"
"Seeing what", I wanted to ask, because I was still incapable of moving my body more than an inch at a time. But I didn't have to turn my head to see what he saw. As Juke kept running through the street, we passed by a myriad of bodies loitering about. My first assumption was that they were corpses– and, well, judging by all the red, it was likely correct.
But what really caught my eye was their attire: dark, hooded robes. All of these bodies were that of the people in Hard-Bringer.
Did a fight break out? Is that what happened? I looked up at the woman and she was entirely unperturbed. I was hoping to gauge a different reaction, but not only was hers uninformative, it was disturbing.
And then, my vision swerved.
"Huh?"
"I'm takin' a gamble."
"Gamble!?"
That was the loudest noise I had made that day. Juke didn't elaborate on what gamble he was taking. I thought of wiggling out his grasp right there, as obviously foolish as it was. But–243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3L5i3X3LPb
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"Just trust me!"
He said it as a feverish plea. It shocked me into staying in place. With nothing else to do, I placed my faith in him. The sun-lightened streets disappeared and we ventured into a darkened alleyway. We came to a stop shortly after, leaving me confused and worried.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwqSOrD8EH
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Then, Juke began to talk, but it was clear that it wasn't to me.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25cOQGkb87
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"Who are ya people?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTyzgb8MIH
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"Wow, he really followed us. Well, sir, we're here to help. My buddy will be doing the dirty work, though."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKF7JfddoK
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"Buddy?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVyOxcIbPZ
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I froze– froze more than I already was frozen, anyway. The voice that Juke spoke with was familiar to me, though I struggled to put a name to it. But then a set of footsteps sounded through the alley, and a man in a trench coat brushed passed Juke and me.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnntyZmNuEb
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Of course, with an article of clothing that distinct, I'd be lying if I didn't recognize him. My recognition was only solidified when he drew his hands in it and pulled two crossbows out.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvelhKu8CBj
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"Quiet now."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83Qy7q6zbh
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Pars gave a command to us all, aiming his crossbows at the entrance of the alleyway. I didn't understand why he was using two of them, but there was a tube of earth protruding from inside the coat and connected to the ends of the crossbows, so I knew there was some trick going on.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2sIZUK5A4
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Pars kept his aim steady, and steady, and kept it up for seconds, then minutes. I realized then that we had lost our pursuer, but Pars only tilted his head.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiaqmP2t1j
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"Where did she go? Do I smell that bad?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wfeEFp15X
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He pulled his crossbows back and sighed, rubbing his head as he turned around. His eyes met with mine, and he practically blenched.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgjmevG7b6
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"K-Kenny? Where did you come from!?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsplau0La1
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I sighed, and I smiled. There was something heartwarming about seeing this man act as usual, even if it pained me.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH69W0NVCb4
