"Hey, wake up."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIv0aLgThXJ
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVIU8aoP7U
"H-Huh!?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvmqtszPAS
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLA5q6a2p8x
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51fXPKM5ah
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsGsTx5Ks4
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare ya."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudFPPfAscr
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEKeqveEY8
"No no, it's fine."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgduXkG5P7
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqHSE9CrRa
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53uexYYFgJ
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLqexgi0Cn
"Goodness kid, did ya sleep at all?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwuoVaDaPT
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccQ2Z2Zo6K
"Huh? Yeah, sure I did."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf00Uw2SZq7
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCJfC6qvFe
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduSwa3dhih
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQi4mQJeSJt
"Are ya sure–"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sGqxnV57a
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfgIgEfvZK
"Listen, Juke, I'm fine. I'm, perfectly fine. My neck is just a little sore, that's all."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHQMVzPYX0
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUIcvroHq2
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wcY5MM5mJ
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvVqh2optG
"Well, if ya say so. When yer ready, come meet me outside."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7SdMBFn08
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RYdO1D7Le
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XRhej6FT3
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfIWJBfcy4
"..."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eKg4RY7OV
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhApql0p4Kw
Now that the grogginess had left me, my mind worked at total capacity. It came with unwanted by-products.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ069w1LKFaG
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetWRrBOyOU
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQymXdp8nBs
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFwdqSYoQn
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YAOIdYxVT
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuas7xSoFtf
The plate was full of fish. It wasn't a food I'd associate with breakfast.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6aioJrsVA
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyKRnmjKP5
"Hi young man, how did you sleep?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRKWeDcrrt
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIXIZj7JQA
His tone was cheery and amiable. He sounded like a pleasant person to speak to.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0lk5QkdBO
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSihQQMgTvu
"Hmm. Huh? Oh, were you talking to me?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzIE6mXAnk
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaMyfOz2XJ
The man nodded. Now that I thought about it–243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzQLUuJ3LT
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmnD0i5Ccn
"What's your name anyway? I don't believe you've ever told us."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMV9eZT9aXD
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡro2loWO6OO
"...You must be right. My name is Hank, it's a pleasure."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWDhPETlHj
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3U40pOnu70
"Hank... did you cook this breakfast?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnP1qpLuW1n
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiUQZQLGRp
"I certainly did. Well, go on now, try it."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXAPGAMZIg
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBJNBkdPnq
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYytKmjM1FE
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3hJTrxl8h
"Don't gotta waste yer time ogling at it, kid."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLmIK8R3vv
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOj3pqD3T1p
Juke's statement interrupted my necessary analyses.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKKPFQqV8y
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIAR8wHoeE
"I guess you're right. Is good, Juke?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ295GK8QnXG
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCeiT4gnTf
"Yeah, it is. If ya don't eat it now though, some bird might poop on it and ruin the taste."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08oS1tVZjL
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5xdNRDcIJ
"What?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4CA9Gni94
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQs5OY4QvrS
He sighed and flicked his head.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGw6pEejcZ
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBrkIFJ1Dn
"Come on, let's enjoy our last breakfast here, why don't we?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NJF32UwZr
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDfyi1rJEc
"Last... yeah, let's."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GDubdfw7U
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdQig1i5sT
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27YFdceh54
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoU0SA9ivk
"This is good. This is really good."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjraYklRrM9
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3i0i50J7a
"I told ya."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWWnKchB06
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6rn60iOA8
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg57kD9exjy
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EIZg13y8X
"Wait a minute, Juke," Hank started, "how are you eating with your helmet on?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejMZM3DOvh
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLYXZCDkR9
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGMZvEW0zn
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuwMtu1y4a
"Trade secret, don't worry 'bout it. Just keep eating."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqT7vua1J9
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlndF8VjDV1
The man backed down. I kept looking at Juke, but he wouldn't eat the fish in front of me.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bYvKoPYNi
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNfvwV5wtK
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3K5sFx4TfX
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4qEIxT8vJ
–
–
–243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhA0HDXxSRc
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLiHVrQ273
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiFHEA79RV
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vCDPA5zBF
"So, you two want to leave the city, correct?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7It3vqr8u
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8ErdZ9RrC
"That's right," Juke responded.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdO4tcwBwD8
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5t5KTn8esT
"I see..."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCT4DBX055k
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSyzVEc613
He pinched his chin and gazed at the table.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazomwtD2Oo
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5UZCtChWc
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKTuUZjOfS
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJO5AAfJs6
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrmA2Y67At
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgExYEk2mR
"However, I do believe you two can get out fine."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCJWcrggMJ
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqtKlvgSPD
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNcOdImhAc
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLV0nsoaQJO
I nodded along to Juke's reasoning. Hank did too, less tense than twenty seconds ago.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCF2sYdkgcz
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6ETw0BOKX
"Do you two have a plan in mind?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1bGFKKcjd
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡka3NVNtqmG
Juke turned his head to me, confusing me more than pressuring me.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTjDPPpQII
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMgzurGqAj
"What are you looking at me for?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeIZgoUyUP
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweeLyjGkib
"Ya got any ideas?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXeUnzayy0
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcPOi2JENn
"Why do you think I do, anyway?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECHqgYpx88
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGRKVmA0Fc
He shrugged at my inquiry. I just sighed and rubbed my temple, racking my brain for anything.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aEavT2wIR
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMq0hTBE9g
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaOtiwGvV5
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDKgJbh1Bu
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQozgCITIj
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74kBrY43R6
"Hank, can you go outside and check the surroundings?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwG8y5qw8S
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLq0MYSpRzj
"U-Uh, I very well may, however..."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRe7ASoP9g4
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsrtVQqWz1
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCZj1aTABc
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobxoaEM4uA
Rover's visage flashed in my mind. I brushed it aside for the moment, barely.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbkCMHW5Si
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbCf9PZcvb
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqy6hnsQzb
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqNCJJxrL7
"I see. I apologize for asking so much from you."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgA7Ck4ZuBJ
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIvLX8cdxP
He shook his hands frantically and.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvRnGY6RNn
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZ8scQAvR4
"Oh no no, I'll do it. I just don't think I'll be able to scout very far ahead."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vjLFFKPxn
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCA1MvdZY42
"That ain't an issue. Just the first block should be alright."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHL7WjdIzN
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kQD9itRN5
Hank's gaze turned abnormally stern. He stood up and did a few gesticulations to assure himself.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS62uxUDmgw
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsGctOUwUV
"Pray for me."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJySOi13W8
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKCtq6wRGK
"Don't worry. We'll arrange yer funeral for ya."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTjGUwlwfR
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70eozKMXuL
"Juke!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvEjRGzvFw
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSekCAQd29
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8I6quAlPdt
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RWKQE7HX0
"Thanks for trying to lighten the mood, Juke."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglBmSAWPP2
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUc49pOlzn
He turned his head to me, stuttering his words before taking a breath and speaking them coherently.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuKxPBfvvp
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIrjNIgKqx
"No need to thank me. The atmosphere's tense, I just don't want it to stay that way."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylTELEapt3
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCmajTugRJ
"Still, I appreciate it."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58fc1CiN5l
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlci0HYnRC
I sat with my legs spread out, lowering my head and leaning over to stare at the ground.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUQiQ83KR5
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgkbm0kOmm
"I can tell that my wisecracks ain't all that effective, though."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoHpr1aZ16
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJWfvAp1xH
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZY8ifPsIy3
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOoYaKhu1h
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUqd0ryips
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OHOgyYwVg
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNlUct57MH
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZLPKiL1h2
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAWpge0eSS
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5W69MwY9I
"Thank you for your help, Hank."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTACjSWnGS
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPUJNNKxG4
"Yeah, we really of ya."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRlsoTtVZV
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmteeVfhBM
He gave us a light smile and waved.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKPKm578Jg
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwA0KA9Equ
"No no, it's fine. It's what Dennis would have wanted, I'm sure."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAVjtgiRkv
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOOTWeNEWK
"...Y-Yeah."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qzBxfW2cp
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtf9M8vqlmT
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYF1mazQiPq
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡei4FUbpY6O
–
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–243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqwLx5EriA
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyWi7dhMFU
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNdsSzlVq5
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtgVkgyIwd
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OSnFXgwbf
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KV3P8dAhy
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9mDy0lwwC
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9Bn31bAl2
"Hey, are you sure we're going the right way?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstql4TCgtx
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZHeChimfd
"Yeah, I'm sure. I remember that chipped building when I visited the stables earlier."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSldb6gnX2
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeJDdRfskE
He pointed at a building opposite us. Indeed, it was chipped, but somehow I didn't find his memory reliable.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdB0zAC5UOG
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6YayorRW1
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9C7XWZUVxC
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2L9kRcqgSG
"--Crap!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqAdCcszb8
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hUP9r49bp
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EpLOpyIIf
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsntUzoTMrf
"Crap. Crap!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNW6UQfSO1d
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhrBe3MXKA
"Eh? What's the situation, kid?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHahwOdB9U
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLtsw4zZnj
"People are heading our way!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5bTmBtPm7
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eW5QQ5ezB
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFi4xiGhjR
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRfCR6Z6Tq
"I guess we gotta jump 'em."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Krp2croHh
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwR5KCoba2
"What!? That's a terrible idea!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEEpbP14sx
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJdibhUsiz
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwvrx2q32x
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oMJuTfxiE
"Okay, maybe it isn't a terrible idea, but we need to knock them out quickly."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnF9sdYsTvS
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgLbJzmc5m
"Yeah, killin' 'em will just make a mess and draw attention, ya make a good point."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcG5wmHiEui
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWDqIshZ3L
"...Murder is the first thing you– nevermind, you gave me a good idea."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZ177ArPls
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iKUCFjDj0
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXjKmO9t7q
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUOm6V8pMt
It was unexpectedly heavy. The weight of the shield brought me to the floor and strained my arm terribly243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwCyG6zcFD
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTF6ZdySs0J
"Ack!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SDHXj2yLZ
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHLtWQQ5pm
"G-Goodness, kid. Are ya alright?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdUfkxPtSW
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRllOG4btF
"I-I'm fine, just keep quiet!"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZGeLreOEF
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70sybNRvmF
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGus2M6Ftg
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVP1RMn1vVA
"Ya strong folk really are crazy."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1rjPwyO5I
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNXJZJdQOf
"Shut up. Now isn't the time for this."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloqW7VuPm8
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQcPuK6C8q
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHtZBoZv4x
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0RoT9SN1l
And, by doing so, I heard something that made my hair stand on its ends.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqhnVHpagV
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgn05JYH20
"--Yeah, we should find a place to hide, don't ya think?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzMxwX1fa6
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5UzKcZs34
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfjcxApsj5
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZPqC4sTEC
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbBszZa4Xp
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMy9qWV4rm
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtU5gQ76a1s
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEputn05rQj
"--Kenny, I don't know if that'll do ya any good."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8l7ImlrOE
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNV1HDA3BxW
"Huh?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9n5kNQJj9s
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19Zwrgtx3d
Juke's deep voice pierced through the thunderous train of footsteps.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeKQ9kynZI
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNDGXyEUtt
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡte9gqOuZZZ
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPh3XtTj7O
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDrhsVJqba
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9MxcyzqE0
"Why? Is it because I'm strong?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TGJNVrbEa
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPvWB4ix6p
"Nah, it's cuz yer a kid."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjAEA8J0ET
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjjKL91SmN
His response left me more stunned than I could've imagined.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0NL937HNB
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLra7vcBkl
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvyVmn5pOl
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYNtaSDpCK
"..."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSJvr2P8TT
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwDGqbl31h
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElnLmEDXl6
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzwLlmR36L
So, I let my mouth run amok.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WM0kZpXbH
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaTsSwSBfq
"I'm sure you know, but what Rover told me has... affected me, I suppose."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPjum0l5Vm
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8K0Gp2BCkQ
"Yeah, I know."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEqRMrB3hz
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGusJxjoMt
A pause. I used it to formulate my following words more effectively.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SElzc5IkL
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAH9aYRCUS
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoFGfd9eyY
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEGMVhzPBi
I darted my eyes to the side. He nodded along. He stared at the wall across. I did the same.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIE8x0m4DS
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6H3qS64tku
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdP0kKXHl2
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFXW4cc3Jk
"That sounds familiar..."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpav3DcVGfO
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEpFrznaWv
"Huh?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YC7uIXBm2
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9NB9SQIAD
"Nevermind. Ya carry on."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEi6Jol25wc
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXmtmUEb9M
I felt a little let down, but did as I was told.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUVtZyy6Kd
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRJUlFwagN
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccC5R7FRXe
"Well?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZuD9UfIqp
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9P8SbPXw7
"...The thing is, if I voice it, I'll probably break apart here and now."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzz0qC2x3y
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtrtE2sAY1
"Ah."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRT6SvL6t6a
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvwoLI32aE
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but articulating it in my brain was difficult.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqm2CzKqku
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vvi1vXU3j
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1aBhPQ37A
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmEYwfOG2x
"Ah, the Lionant?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZscHNGxXcV
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5fH84iWsb
"Yeah. The one you saved me from. Thank you for that, by the way."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpChcEi1n8
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLOsfkJGFG
"..."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUWrvxOC78
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbDd6zNlhg
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Qd2GmHxhz
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4QarJYktc
"This might be a dumb question, but why did you save me back then?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pBiQocg0E
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusqYKVUWCA
"...Yeah, why did I?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRn7XT5s9h
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlHcEe0TF0
I didn't expect to be met with another question.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OYKMc31l0
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9lT2Y9IXt
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaxPrAlUtV
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvR246FVyi
I turned my head to him. He had his eyes pointed at the sky, one arm slung over his knee.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFmSKnuOet
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtqfqZDw2B
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1S2H3ZqNyy
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosUzJDiu6U
"..."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMCHFkQKsP
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYXuCmPBqF
I felt as if I should have said something, but I remained silent. Juke continued his gentle monologue.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡST6LcK3cmd
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmlWJ6pLhm
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2S1iaPlil
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXOCDdkapj
"What?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb31rO5uRRR
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7NKLWc9kL
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvw9XxdfgG
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3Ww39ZHZV
"That sounds... boorish?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTJ4m4xLJi
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgGz903xxj
"Pff, yer just too young."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWAzQVWQqW
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LU42ATAaE
He paused for a moment.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmj7WEBEnZx
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeg8QuwrMnU
"Why the hell am I saying this to a kid?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1LCYCb96c
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOV6O2uu2v
"D-Don't mind that, just keep talking."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYUHWHllSe
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMqTmJRQWt
"...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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YFvjCSZJJ
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjx4YgqwUs
He took a second to readjust himself. I used that time to spill my own thoughts.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpYssS5OI5
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRELwt9oadk
"That's silly... O-Oh–"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcFwL3FvFy
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AXsyL4x79
I realized I had just blurted out something insensitive yet again.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OVnxj5Nke
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGCYME4xQm
"I didn't mean to be rude, but–"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBz9O4FSnaJ
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Xwzt2LYnY
"Nah, I get why ya think it. To each their own, that's what the masses say, yeah?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDY3dVNLG2C
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjD948uhXK
"I... yes, I suppose so."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZ01e2aoof
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6NfzsKykk
Another pause. Juke directed his gaze to the floor this time.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Uivjz7txw
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsCifRm7kc
"I think the weak shouldn't have to deal with what the strong does."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOZjB5MeyQ
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZRAZvgaW5
"Yes, I know."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUr2XQeLpJ
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnHL5COwtI
"But I wanna make sure Dennis is still kickin'."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡit0GmknZE2
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZguXMSPDc
He said that with conviction I had never heard from him before.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizVzeEm2Qn
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkcfIYWoYN
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7D1MUDRZa
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg04VtlG22y
"..."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAEBTgPJNW
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeERxb4K5mR
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGElM9V75GI
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyV0oJP4cCE
"Ya hear that?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3Spo940lL
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFW1YUPbSt
"Huh?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGc6jeWIqyL
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbbI5e9mgB
I perked my ears. I didn't hear anything. Then, I realized what Juke meant.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhIsnee0fQ
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBUcp8NWQD
"They passed."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsbcT7woWH
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡER0AkMerHf
"Yeah. I can't hear them anymore."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWeKGytpU9
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWryaGkMgG
Juke stood up first. He brushed the dirt off his pants and peered around the corner.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEZav9WBUl
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkFQWqis3Q
"Looks like we're in the clear. Phew."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIg8bAUzw5w
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFz0CLGNeN8
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcm325KAIa
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKt53Cv9h8
Juke had already taken his first steps, though. He looked back at me once he noticed I wasn't moving.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MdLEHlz7e
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvlewyMcsi
"Shit... hey, kid, I know what yer thinking."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWk1wWhJ4ah
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhRE0aJ70U
"You've been saying that a lot."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0C0JxxSY9C
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNe2QJvwv5
"That's just cuz yer easy to read."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCUJOYJvaY
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKMM5MglW3
We stood stock still in silence.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50zSSyh5Sa
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAHbaXiIBw
"W-Well, what are you waiting for," I muttered, "Let's get going."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmM0lVXt1pO
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZv9PBXCrbx
"Are ya sure?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtnyk35Kk4
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFbMTXFGjA
I walked out of the alleyway, looking both ways before standing beside Juke.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36OjSQtLTz
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpcJUWlzy5
"I should be asking you that."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLHsVjIs7j
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIH40pWzVe6
"Hehe, I guess so. We've come this far, haven't we?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FTgp49HjX
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6G2NAh9Xg
"Yes. You get it."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlOsbTLvtY
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78odi1JkBX
But before we continued, there was one last thing I wanted to mention.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECbkeB8qyq
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqznuWj3X5F
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oSaaLTdsY
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0T7qPhcw5
"Fine by me."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46Ja4bsvmH
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHD3DETIGD1
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn82YIf3rt2
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVNPdrZ1Rx
–
–
–
"Ya see that?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMVUdv22q7
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYmtFOpZMS
"Yeah, we're almost there."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYAxFSYV6z
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kU0eZuaXl
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhiipFtfXq
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJyVr2zNVU
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And as we got closer and closer, a sudden stench assaulted my nostrils.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8kvEyteLJ
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"Blurg, what was that?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtHNwLMFit
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bGu9WHSoT
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"What was what?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNtCRQkuao
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"I caught a whiff of something."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOlxDGEDOy
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"Ah, gotcha. I ain't stopping, just so ya know."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwY8lx0sUp
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fMSpMtEHX
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And then, it came again. This time, more putrid than before.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQc2yJJYDE
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"Ugh– ack, what in the world?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87K9GapY8i
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqZdze67V6
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But never had I wished for a door to be present more than now.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFVJSD9GY7
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"...This is fuckin' horrid."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoTMmbp6J1
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZyCYKZFv1
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCsLUQRH59
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Bile rose to my throat, but I was able to suppress it. That disturbed me deeply.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYRjt1IoXB
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"Well, Kenny, I dunno if we'll be leaving by carriage any time soon."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1z2QAu6BV
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"You 'don't know', huh? Are you kidding me?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlaIpRuj2N
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCskc0E2bvT
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrSir1315v
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5V6xoBljKn
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgbgxrtHlq
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AT5tshQ6C
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Then, Juke began to talk, but it was clear that it wasn't to me.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQCOE2FfOh
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"Who are ya people?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrldNb26Vxc
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iQsfoCGoI
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"Buddy?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yGnQAlxXQ
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQ7wCdkSdc
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBncz7DLuZt
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"Quiet now."243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFcdeRyTkK
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZV30Smhlmd
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYF2CiDyUN
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"Where did she go? Do I smell that bad?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwCkGKhCt5
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiRykFd03E
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"K-Kenny? Where did you come from!?"243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJ28zVrgH3
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFOkFn5BT2
