"Hey, wake up."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSO2TwA9kn7
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtqnZMLglM
"H-Huh!?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FnPbo8Cju
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iPW7WgSRE
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzJ4ccuD7H
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgD347JJqS9
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare ya."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yrKKOQAcs
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwoN9cApus
"No no, it's fine."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPyk0L4LaZ
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp36JJDAIja
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29FWDt7x9Y
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rXLIi2mqw
"Goodness kid, did ya sleep at all?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlCn2ToF2e
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1th6OLbq7
"Huh? Yeah, sure I did."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCSljrWTlf
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZyBiCaqCm
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjF56cOT7P
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTUoT6lc0i
"Are ya sure–"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyBvjV1fv4
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOB6Lmnpll
"Listen, Juke, I'm fine. I'm, perfectly fine. My neck is just a little sore, that's all."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYi5gxQkX4
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOutrXwfz2F
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFKFRbh3Se
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9oUUtgp8g
"Well, if ya say so. When yer ready, come meet me outside."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFdTGPh8kH
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOuZu40Vm9
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVu91ugzmN9
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XHqyoo3hW
"..."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtxYiYgITq
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1xbIalBrE
Now that the grogginess had left me, my mind worked at total capacity. It came with unwanted by-products.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ16LltaxQb
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqlLDm9wAD
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBegEvga5F
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVL0zHEtwk
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInazzzXWcc
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1Kd38l3wY
The plate was full of fish. It wasn't a food I'd associate with breakfast.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykzxny04pm
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RTRGpxgQz
"Hi young man, how did you sleep?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLtj8kyna6
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQfazRr3NQ
His tone was cheery and amiable. He sounded like a pleasant person to speak to.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHNzmKTFJI
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdmQ4GJ5Lm
"Hmm. Huh? Oh, were you talking to me?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDC0tAhbyv
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS886JnOVTl
The man nodded. Now that I thought about it–243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnmVUmSohP
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CeP6pwNcI
"What's your name anyway? I don't believe you've ever told us."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jA6yCDIjT
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvK3u2kWB5
"...You must be right. My name is Hank, it's a pleasure."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCPmPhgPp7
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaotBzCCjy1
"Hank... did you cook this breakfast?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtYir3sBHi
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmaYuAOSr3
"I certainly did. Well, go on now, try it."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNORovkRpj
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhY9qHMJpMk
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSAdYLGTZS
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMssVG6S6W
"Don't gotta waste yer time ogling at it, kid."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQsRrzDOnL
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNwX4oV3RF
Juke's statement interrupted my necessary analyses.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0iESYCQup
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEBLYJbvkP
"I guess you're right. Is good, Juke?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzd4uHFJ4BG
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoGwpFemf3
"Yeah, it is. If ya don't eat it now though, some bird might poop on it and ruin the taste."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgE01gwkif
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhC9CHNtQT
"What?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡse1goZTOfC
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtEhWilBto
He sighed and flicked his head.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaKWwLieeL
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pE6WX9tk9
"Come on, let's enjoy our last breakfast here, why don't we?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwABf5blIt
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKK7f1GKlpb
"Last... yeah, let's."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufeqsFEMk7
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBJ5NpFaJo
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxeVmPINs6
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsq06GCFIzI
"This is good. This is really good."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Xyi7GzSVC
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMVaVMmU6y
"I told ya."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUFNdGlx7P
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MbCePyVle
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvM0JiRjUoM
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1v2rhb9mty
"Wait a minute, Juke," Hank started, "how are you eating with your helmet on?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrY9oYbLFF5
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBEa6jkYvr
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqovZvw5FTG
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhthm37BTK
"Trade secret, don't worry 'bout it. Just keep eating."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoneQxnOjN
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoB0Wc4T3qX
The man backed down. I kept looking at Juke, but he wouldn't eat the fish in front of me.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiT9Osmc2h
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJ9Q6CRWv2
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFBIQelAd5
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8Z5XQyQPE
–
–
–243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJVAPiYtFs
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMLEdqzK58
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqHcyi71BB
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAealHw8qV
"So, you two want to leave the city, correct?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszgO6hJ3s3
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKrWtlZ77y
"That's right," Juke responded.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCuVCjuGqK
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbM8qRoB37
"I see..."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhuU5kaMxA
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLVyriTdPx
He pinched his chin and gazed at the table.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVPTaoPTF8
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AF2jPTZUa
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8nfAEt6m7
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7a5GoJ3Eh
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3s8LZd53h
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡso8OePfGFZ
"However, I do believe you two can get out fine."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbpouDXa62
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQhwPURP1r
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZH0CgcdZ8
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8VivRVwvi
I nodded along to Juke's reasoning. Hank did too, less tense than twenty seconds ago.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6qpxpdWmo
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBvjDf67bC
"Do you two have a plan in mind?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhFKLKGQYv
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1QgCVJnM9
Juke turned his head to me, confusing me more than pressuring me.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUVnES7ojz
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3Hc2dZ2WI
"What are you looking at me for?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7OkKGKvBy
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0zYRw0SCr
"Ya got any ideas?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37Muet1AUs
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVcM9wFV8X
"Why do you think I do, anyway?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6JoAhZvZs
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzaJVen7kk
He shrugged at my inquiry. I just sighed and rubbed my temple, racking my brain for anything.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AJ3hRVZls
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyFdfvyRFy
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUNFMfNbq1
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvfBaNn7UE
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwaQRzFUEe
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVtCrqNwXF
"Hank, can you go outside and check the surroundings?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡON3YzG4Fds
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7F7CXr7Zi0
"U-Uh, I very well may, however..."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQ1TZeHpKp
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMVgZIISv8
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNp5TSHM77W
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxA8j97qdSZ
Rover's visage flashed in my mind. I brushed it aside for the moment, barely.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NEVGGuUmq
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8ppI1b47x
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rj88WGrho
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QC2MpCHxb
"I see. I apologize for asking so much from you."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSw4Zba0uDo
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHQe7G607z
He shook his hands frantically and.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHHJnSTAYY
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaDi0iEcdg
"Oh no no, I'll do it. I just don't think I'll be able to scout very far ahead."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpfp0RY3yz
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YoBwWReg0
"That ain't an issue. Just the first block should be alright."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgqjWjlwvR
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcGm1DMmsg
Hank's gaze turned abnormally stern. He stood up and did a few gesticulations to assure himself.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv53gkl85vI
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHniMonO5bT
"Pray for me."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwh14Kujtu
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtaMgE5ykt
"Don't worry. We'll arrange yer funeral for ya."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2Q1nD9c2L
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhErdcYWNwr
"Juke!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkY8Nqbi7Ll
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lQxQhhyTH
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7hoJ1mD6j
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIKyxrognh
"Thanks for trying to lighten the mood, Juke."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKJN2Ex6iM
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vLKzaqa9c
He turned his head to me, stuttering his words before taking a breath and speaking them coherently.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShLfXvPhr1
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9laCZuCQi
"No need to thank me. The atmosphere's tense, I just don't want it to stay that way."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡck5FRlSXNe
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiWBsQyQDD
"Still, I appreciate it."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGpBgesVYE
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhVN523g9X
I sat with my legs spread out, lowering my head and leaning over to stare at the ground.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7qpxXgOLt
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHPi0y1NsM
"I can tell that my wisecracks ain't all that effective, though."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRGrWp3fbv
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllKOVJ7vR5
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAauW5QsjJz
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TLF0SiMxH
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CwqKNyDz6
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11w00CE73Z
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDR9E9U43QI
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5O11dqCQt5
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqdMqJvvsT
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKBHGfeXeM
"Thank you for your help, Hank."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGG3tXBJbzS
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqPsiRhzUR
"Yeah, we really of ya."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk40N6AiCVM
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiBwfcUZUS
He gave us a light smile and waved.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFVooFRaAi
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gk2QQ8mwe
"No no, it's fine. It's what Dennis would have wanted, I'm sure."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwUkIRg7Zz
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HzITmCZmq
"...Y-Yeah."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2U9f3frqLr
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTK5zespRh
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYl0PiPHGX
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDjsSUwsLA
–
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–243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjK0DKl6hJ
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiyvEqq5C8
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1lMGDaa4q
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTmo7N7PGV
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXaCNVYUCU
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nUDoYAC1b
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNE4k33RL5
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyrmdgBdPf
"Hey, are you sure we're going the right way?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZuDTTNbYN
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8ezronK4D
"Yeah, I'm sure. I remember that chipped building when I visited the stables earlier."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSm4gc3SANr
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBauSHIvpD
He pointed at a building opposite us. Indeed, it was chipped, but somehow I didn't find his memory reliable.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxX5yTfRDe8
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIHrNfKRnh
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsG1cA98pLH
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXTvMnXiPm
"--Crap!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VKzLx1URa
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQo54yauflm
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzTf27gw4O
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPcZezd3B6
"Crap. Crap!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DEAUZssKr
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0VueE4OVz
"Eh? What's the situation, kid?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdyAFQrX3Z
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPPkV0zjVi
"People are heading our way!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡon4xQmDUGx
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADhpICJ5HR
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjPT0TBP3f
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0tGZViKdd
"I guess we gotta jump 'em."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPgvSRfRaZ
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCC5nhxpVh
"What!? That's a terrible idea!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosO6LXGfQZ
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBvD0IWWsq
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGvB8RsTUb
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0b8gl72H0
"Okay, maybe it isn't a terrible idea, but we need to knock them out quickly."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXVXB6PVEM
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvil2kyydQL
"Yeah, killin' 'em will just make a mess and draw attention, ya make a good point."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgt4Vst9EH
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOB23rD34KY
"...Murder is the first thing you– nevermind, you gave me a good idea."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiPnjrIZLI
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnb210OArw
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsj5HYsN7Fz
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NdjsRHwvh
It was unexpectedly heavy. The weight of the shield brought me to the floor and strained my arm terribly243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmb4G7C4msX
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8nnXiOBR8
"Ack!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmK1tiImjq
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AL4K78f26
"G-Goodness, kid. Are ya alright?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfBLt9S0Y5
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsug4lKaAnx
"I-I'm fine, just keep quiet!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50h45JuOCV
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7llGFGNe5i
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU09XMCIVIm
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukaibkdBfW
"Ya strong folk really are crazy."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo63QIPla2d
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxaX2DQg67
"Shut up. Now isn't the time for this."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfKjiynj9p
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUByVRLNUyC
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6n0kHfSHaL
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpuruRqxcB
And, by doing so, I heard something that made my hair stand on its ends.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2O0lSKdm8
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgzVs4ZIJc
"--Yeah, we should find a place to hide, don't ya think?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXmQV8SJa8
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjM0LZcM4z
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuc9UEzt2lQ
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7Oc5nEOPU
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdifDSVXCaQ
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuWfpnFrsF
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJN9UajEAh8
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6TVlZIhW1
"--Kenny, I don't know if that'll do ya any good."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDdqYdPfTI
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeDapYjWFE
"Huh?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhn1RoWKhEq
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfsgocStwy
Juke's deep voice pierced through the thunderous train of footsteps.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gLVgcCRQc
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDxiqVrRlo
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWd1RrMS7BU
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAE2T8byXFj
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklk7Ma05M1
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAzNEVDk25
"Why? Is it because I'm strong?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡij9VPdIoBk
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtGwNJholE
"Nah, it's cuz yer a kid."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3L4O4SjIz
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BHL6k0ELi
His response left me more stunned than I could've imagined.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9xtP9K09M
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKH3f6V7vAv
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4se6f6ae8
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0acL5Va3It
"..."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVsgiOiuXT
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnVpSLC9DG
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXl9pdFo371
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGbYUH1bl8
So, I let my mouth run amok.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZufRxh8r3
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52uDKm8Btk
"I'm sure you know, but what Rover told me has... affected me, I suppose."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFL9J6CMyw
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTxHSA8UEB
"Yeah, I know."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRQA3YFAHT
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFOPWLtxK8
A pause. I used it to formulate my following words more effectively.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaIB0aZxWN
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAeWKx1RFL
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LxvW28zAq
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWITGUAu9L
I darted my eyes to the side. He nodded along. He stared at the wall across. I did the same.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwpWxEy4g1
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqLEGPauwp
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4BXRacbdx
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3S7Nm5BxhR
"That sounds familiar..."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gvXLGxMlW
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSb8vuLY84
"Huh?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuC8PRTurIy
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8zn7T0zUQ
"Nevermind. Ya carry on."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAg3I9DCpo
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI09PzvVWdT
I felt a little let down, but did as I was told.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5W5l15NiCI
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bxD2qUmMA
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpSWVHSfej
"Well?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVi33qxLTgY
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8r4Wa5zjP
"...The thing is, if I voice it, I'll probably break apart here and now."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdj9yp2Stq
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5op6OesW4z
"Ah."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YT42KlBFH
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBI2Vgqhlcn
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but articulating it in my brain was difficult.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKOJmamEhg
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiG61Sy6gBA
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkL4Ssmcxp
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKuiHUpTR0
"Ah, the Lionant?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBWrG3A9Zy
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthPgcqXeGj
"Yeah. The one you saved me from. Thank you for that, by the way."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYb34o040q
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJg16HqsDJ4
"..."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sDougE0HJ
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXkdrkZDzR
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhC52fE4tE
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaj1Lb1CO0K
"This might be a dumb question, but why did you save me back then?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Au8x1nnpT
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCP4lLbreF
"...Yeah, why did I?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhM1xF52Mrr
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoL5N5E4XSv
I didn't expect to be met with another question.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8V1X3uGX5
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUxuE7UVqP
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjA7ewjX9bc
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xLU3FPuxg
I turned my head to him. He had his eyes pointed at the sky, one arm slung over his knee.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsZhLpRjfM
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7GJyV8Rq6
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu997Rv0nnN
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXT0fNr5Fah
"..."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4cqYIHj4v
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8yae6Dkk2
I felt as if I should have said something, but I remained silent. Juke continued his gentle monologue.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FHo5DiYZX
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWUjVwlaAu
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJqCn24wYa
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7UxCBHCgB
"What?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrJ5jcoDkN
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiLegWHMAs
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm02LPK1F4t
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedRtisR9HH
"That sounds... boorish?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrU66d3Kijv
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNxf00AJVa
"Pff, yer just too young."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsjRzUcCYl
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPPOeSvOpZ
He paused for a moment.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAsuJUJJP7
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOEbFcYhHJ
"Why the hell am I saying this to a kid?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7zXQo7DVk
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeP81LOD6I
"D-Don't mind that, just keep talking."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCe4XQXvvq
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PNPNQ0NVL
"...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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCKJdj5Mpd
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelOoySbx2x
He took a second to readjust himself. I used that time to spill my own thoughts.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwagdoWlMYF
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8TtYzZKtO
"That's silly... O-Oh–"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4cglalXlI
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbuCx27HKx
I realized I had just blurted out something insensitive yet again.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZNQpWOizB
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTcVcuDEft
"I didn't mean to be rude, but–"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIKzmcXfUn
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0anZKD2m7F
"Nah, I get why ya think it. To each their own, that's what the masses say, yeah?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRgRCe86n2
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc83H2wENaG
"I... yes, I suppose so."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicPh6aj1Nt
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxUP8ykwDo
Another pause. Juke directed his gaze to the floor this time.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8NwrBs87Z
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MKZRCFgSi
"I think the weak shouldn't have to deal with what the strong does."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0cWfgRb53
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWmavYcOvA
"Yes, I know."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaPry30TVs
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUG0aBogsXz
"But I wanna make sure Dennis is still kickin'."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoan24UF8P
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjIOZml49E
He said that with conviction I had never heard from him before.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpiQbzqCk4
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqcQYgshIl
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14AwSiZ4wU
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4ljHUb8Ej
"..."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxl1iHw4rXW
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrepr4V32b
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHPWoj5EQY
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCNaUDvZh5
"Ya hear that?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wjqpbat3C
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyY4fLxby0k
"Huh?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLtFWhafPa
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AaDmG202V
I perked my ears. I didn't hear anything. Then, I realized what Juke meant.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIg4NQUoVr
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3uruq3pmK
"They passed."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LfUFgJMvP
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUj2pceAjKL
"Yeah. I can't hear them anymore."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKV2QWbJAi
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvB0RhZWsU
Juke stood up first. He brushed the dirt off his pants and peered around the corner.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2VIWVj3D5
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwINxTdzynX
"Looks like we're in the clear. Phew."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRWuHCVgEi
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZ2i5YJhPA
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhToGout7vl
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIimdv1Qo36
Juke had already taken his first steps, though. He looked back at me once he noticed I wasn't moving.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8pktXKvjR
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLnUYuTSem
"Shit... hey, kid, I know what yer thinking."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7acqbzVmz6
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSEA1WP84O
"You've been saying that a lot."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpWRbaB0iA
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrN5u3D4Z2r
"That's just cuz yer easy to read."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc60gjDIG0I
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzP7xf7CqV8
We stood stock still in silence.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLvtIpGPnx
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExEtlWf12O
"W-Well, what are you waiting for," I muttered, "Let's get going."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLjEwibRfw
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0STxj5jaON
"Are ya sure?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ683ooKTWSS
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xyOpTh1wm
I walked out of the alleyway, looking both ways before standing beside Juke.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CP7H72yTK
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGfQV4zkhI
"I should be asking you that."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdU1Ugr80un
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeiq6wh0QG
"Hehe, I guess so. We've come this far, haven't we?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTNw16IIi6
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjdDRXems8
"Yes. You get it."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5lZVPAfoo
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAmlPj8j7m
But before we continued, there was one last thing I wanted to mention.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRitA7K6jS
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNA1OhPxqVj
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZ3twShT9B
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcJvhYXiD7
"Fine by me."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9JM66j8C0
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zoSL0TtIV
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhJvvXwKOU
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOKY9gvuWl
–
–
–
"Ya see that?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKh6viQTjJ
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsMXHKpHq0
"Yeah, we're almost there."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUVJBxLFf5
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0fWSy4EYQ
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86J8q2OFgn
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDghBm4XaEW
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3zEGO2l4T
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And as we got closer and closer, a sudden stench assaulted my nostrils.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaFyPxtaSc
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"Blurg, what was that?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkR3vf0IcV
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZnBZFKdeq
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"What was what?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtveozDy72
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"I caught a whiff of something."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXLG6J3T5Q
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"Ah, gotcha. I ain't stopping, just so ya know."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1Ejg1YUKN
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaqoa3yGuB
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And then, it came again. This time, more putrid than before.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEPKy2yNwj
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"Ugh– ack, what in the world?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtSBOhbv10
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfqryivyqJ
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But never had I wished for a door to be present more than now.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKawSXo7dQ1
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"...This is fuckin' horrid."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQZbjf1LYJ
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oO1L52vF1
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HvFVgnqQk
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Bile rose to my throat, but I was able to suppress it. That disturbed me deeply.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKYBYW3LiP
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"Well, Kenny, I dunno if we'll be leaving by carriage any time soon."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNTnzAfim4
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"You 'don't know', huh? Are you kidding me?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpepTIBDlku
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObSRiH0Jxk
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjIP1i98JN
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQl4ZtIjMx
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmrSNw4lXE
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8TggYwHsZ
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Then, Juke began to talk, but it was clear that it wasn't to me.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkS5xCEOsiC
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"Who are ya people?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QJcjpFgR4
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6rnfktDWP
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"Buddy?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKPZzHONbZ
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteI8GN1vOa
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2fYqLN0jb
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"Quiet now."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUeWr7aGYT
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4Q6xpWEXj
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCCQGHF2l5
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"Where did she go? Do I smell that bad?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOr0Me5ELX
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfcLBem8QX
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"K-Kenny? Where did you come from!?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDJ04rXAah
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrpgeqd68v
