"Hey, wake up."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TXu9iuCxW
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYf6A7X7Nwd
"H-Huh!?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrYYBVXmc2
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoOEOgwpl3
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LCjjHlxVs
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHBlDwjnH0
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare ya."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOOBQ7tgqM
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGiVaYuW84
"No no, it's fine."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWJ5pFHGep
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0PNcRq74W
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZOYwkpU4V
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAZ1PS52jM
"Goodness kid, did ya sleep at all?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheXYTNAxYF
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LwIjF5e7j
"Huh? Yeah, sure I did."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAaDYKP6tp
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEhTWRn3S6
I let out another yawn. After a dozen firm blinks, I was able to keep my eyes open for longer than two seconds.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6d3SJb4CMy
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlxkJcQ7Tz
"Are ya sure–"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iGi4QfdVE
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8X3T2UDqi
"Listen, Juke, I'm fine. I'm, perfectly fine. My neck is just a little sore, that's all."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXm16wuymwp
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWBWw3ghBf
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00zAJFkQBe
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiipflehaoj
"Well, if ya say so. When yer ready, come meet me outside."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdqgoj1sU4
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxb2wQDF99
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhjQuv4URV
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRnImAA8sO
"..."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1pCobyqw0
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVCghatBl2
Now that the grogginess had left me, my mind worked at total capacity. It came with unwanted by-products.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDB6y2V5kvP
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUeeIsyUwQ
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12LjuC0rpm
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVvzzCMLA4
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkztDzrpRi
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrucRFsgrT
The plate was full of fish. It wasn't a food I'd associate with breakfast.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRQjl3djiq
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYa5I3ojYy
"Hi young man, how did you sleep?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32xR85YeQY
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KXZU9Unl4
His tone was cheery and amiable. He sounded like a pleasant person to speak to.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQWu7XCeBa
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSj8nVzOvjm
"Hmm. Huh? Oh, were you talking to me?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPlyULeOye
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oAt1GiGw5
The man nodded. Now that I thought about it–246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySe1tjwGJH
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOioZZedzTM
"What's your name anyway? I don't believe you've ever told us."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfix7Kr9KJ
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRPYWeP2p6
"...You must be right. My name is Hank, it's a pleasure."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QaaWyqUGt
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjDWXo7Ag6
"Hank... did you cook this breakfast?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmd0TKtD10
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3cAID934J
"I certainly did. Well, go on now, try it."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqVHl9HgZj
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiU5KPSNVJw
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–246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcLBHzGniT
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjVTLTFDTU
"Don't gotta waste yer time ogling at it, kid."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHqVkI64dh
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLLVve5eFP
Juke's statement interrupted my necessary analyses.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFalTi5fIMo
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hXXysvv7p
"I guess you're right. Is good, Juke?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxS0jEudSr9
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1Xpg7DCbc
"Yeah, it is. If ya don't eat it now though, some bird might poop on it and ruin the taste."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB67GsUtzm0
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3BS45Pn0I
"What?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTRpmb7onr
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2WrUcBJo5
He sighed and flicked his head.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8YL3Rysj9
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVAlhNBQ8b
"Come on, let's enjoy our last breakfast here, why don't we?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMWg6Hwhop
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAk2BN7lzWD
"Last... yeah, let's."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygFOVJM63t
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRCvIVdMTm
I took the fork and began to eat the fish. It had a kick to it that I didn't expect, but otherwise–246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fSy1SlTTt
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHZZOlgiVF
"This is good. This is really good."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aOB60Z9WB
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCvOFBKQdp
"I told ya."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEfW6QnFKh
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5El1gNcnfM
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMEYCZr8RL
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIV2DhSWsm
"Wait a minute, Juke," Hank started, "how are you eating with your helmet on?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4ZGTWnnsv
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNlB0PvVS9
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONRNTATIRC
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElq2culIhw
"Trade secret, don't worry 'bout it. Just keep eating."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCHwdSLMAs
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfGdePG4bg
The man backed down. I kept looking at Juke, but he wouldn't eat the fish in front of me.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsMDycUAqS
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RISoew3tW
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWLJjlYRLj
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XiBDW2mDZ
–
–
–246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzHVbGFTDY
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVkdI7LhP9
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66ZdDgcJD7
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfErGfHiOp
"So, you two want to leave the city, correct?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCHZCqzcva
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Hfgaig2Tw
"That's right," Juke responded.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVXzaUrAfI
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIs7oeS6Kd
"I see..."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPiGDrmljh
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkirf0RqUf
He pinched his chin and gazed at the table.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhMfL48Q8A
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3haIpQaGR
"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."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeJtNSwXMk
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktjugiKIWw
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdphxSW1Gf
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebdyxbGDWx
"However, I do believe you two can get out fine."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DLElUWbxk
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmknvjMRJyU
"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."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZSAuikMbR
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNWyB9ig2z
I nodded along to Juke's reasoning. Hank did too, less tense than twenty seconds ago.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURqorOMn86
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuBg1DLVVB
"Do you two have a plan in mind?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qEJtT1663
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7Q2Do0eBs
Juke turned his head to me, confusing me more than pressuring me.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7WkHQlyqH
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoGNUamG1m
"What are you looking at me for?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwKyRKqguJ
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeal6AjcmAZ
"Ya got any ideas?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCarzmYZrq
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioFbNoGp2P
"Why do you think I do, anyway?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupZ4CCdM6X
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hcunC0caG
He shrugged at my inquiry. I just sighed and rubbed my temple, racking my brain for anything.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DFSL3u3Hg
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBokvWf5erE
"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."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74qiNk24Cr
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OPcUibthb
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDfVJq5Z9b
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXihiQnNVZu
"Hank, can you go outside and check the surroundings?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmQ8iZJ0mp
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYf3plpclgX
"U-Uh, I very well may, however..."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWA1Zo0ING
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTv00Dw0dn
I raised my brow, then realized that just because Hank wasn't me or Juke didn't mean that he was entirely safe.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZ2zstIf4w
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibwLUNKS0M
Rover's visage flashed in my mind. I brushed it aside for the moment, barely.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0KLpJOMp0
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwOXV3CnSj
"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."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlagA3wgoh
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cHNpiXPD7
"I see. I apologize for asking so much from you."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOKFUMlNuE
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnI6bbsbrU
He shook his hands frantically and.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasv8XS1k80
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXxGvQl1iN
"Oh no no, I'll do it. I just don't think I'll be able to scout very far ahead."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVk91WBpEk
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGE7Ea2Myf
"That ain't an issue. Just the first block should be alright."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxYdS0zIoF
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXcuuiIVfw
Hank's gaze turned abnormally stern. He stood up and did a few gesticulations to assure himself.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QlLzxOXrD
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSRis2Yz3R
"Pray for me."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fiAyjH1hB
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWArq3Z6JIf
"Don't worry. We'll arrange yer funeral for ya."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSuW9dOoyz
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjAdJSzcAh
"Juke!"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucoUnNHjTe
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIO1nOYyt7D
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVISxsXGXPz
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bJPaMLYCI
"Thanks for trying to lighten the mood, Juke."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgMwrS7VzQ
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF39aoabxC8
He turned his head to me, stuttering his words before taking a breath and speaking them coherently.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvSLcWbDEE
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHDnc73xef
"No need to thank me. The atmosphere's tense, I just don't want it to stay that way."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJLF2TRn0A
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4LvlDOERd
"Still, I appreciate it."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrykZukcWUy
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1thvpkUV4X
I sat with my legs spread out, lowering my head and leaning over to stare at the ground.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvgpLXryy6
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAI1G4Filgv
"I can tell that my wisecracks ain't all that effective, though."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbKlRBcE3Y
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTjKZd84fA
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgp5ECVePb
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Uat3xnEMZ
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtHYsluJoJ
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTshkvdlsB
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw20gjuIf9r
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzsCMiezks
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgJS3Fsw5m
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSItc00vxJ9
"Thank you for your help, Hank."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlBDU506k4
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEs2AeGkhTz
"Yeah, we really of ya."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYEjj58sLD
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwriZL8w4BD
He gave us a light smile and waved.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4knkLrspAO
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLIFjUM1FL
"No no, it's fine. It's what Dennis would have wanted, I'm sure."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLendzc0OPz
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcBuCe557C
"...Y-Yeah."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXytWRIDVWc
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNj87liSrYl
A morbid parasite was planted in me before we left. It began to eat at me instantly, but I did nothing to address it.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdefinpQbn
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WGpIDgsQ3
–
–
–246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocVNqkirV2
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZPw3nJELX
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReRP6sCzOO
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrV2uOc5u5I
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGz0CC4oJb
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqtFfqIEXn
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2w7CJeal2
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzZidsZ0Ni
"Hey, are you sure we're going the right way?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurEmLlZZp9
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQw1xAHJqP
"Yeah, I'm sure. I remember that chipped building when I visited the stables earlier."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjOFBVuozb
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKjoJG623r
He pointed at a building opposite us. Indeed, it was chipped, but somehow I didn't find his memory reliable.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgXHGg0fbP
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1PiTw9eMM
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVo77l3pSL
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdujEfyeVKD
"--Crap!"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEpeA4RJRE
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGdEUqMDzo
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX07gCuK2XJ
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JkYGfaVVs
"Crap. Crap!"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5P9C3nD4NA
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdTxs8pLbE
"Eh? What's the situation, kid?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrGest76Dl
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZy1X3twhC
"People are heading our way!"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FBdMBYQxw
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7C7AWmndmS
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88XYbTDICj
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesYZvcm9G1
"I guess we gotta jump 'em."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawTddqo8dN
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsco1D2EeCH
"What!? That's a terrible idea!"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTPCYGbxFk
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLoKsLgDGq
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34s4I1eEDo
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqF5u5uIca9
"Okay, maybe it isn't a terrible idea, but we need to knock them out quickly."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCf5yEGHnEA
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfNkDbeKtH
"Yeah, killin' 'em will just make a mess and draw attention, ya make a good point."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cGDqO4lMI
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIazTJEZSws
"...Murder is the first thing you– nevermind, you gave me a good idea."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5Oo8keWu4
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7J6b9DVYl
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWu03PK7Sp9
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uKsBm7kUR
It was unexpectedly heavy. The weight of the shield brought me to the floor and strained my arm terribly246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYevuRJkP2
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNqaXoYTAj
"Ack!"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVt0EOTHCE
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknl5E50mJk
"G-Goodness, kid. Are ya alright?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvS6FGverOi
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtMNRyRbA2
"I-I'm fine, just keep quiet!"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQvoxtrga3
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Umlma2UJr
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbbx58c71G
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcfREFWaoG
"Ya strong folk really are crazy."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTTAdHTEFR
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4chSiZ7bL
"Shut up. Now isn't the time for this."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHRpqj0Q2X
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TUBINIgbD
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8g599QmPZ
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIR4kv0UYv
And, by doing so, I heard something that made my hair stand on its ends.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH383RZTxDv
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkmjnrwq6G
"--Yeah, we should find a place to hide, don't ya think?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivKS07cVQy
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAu2MwSM77a
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSjmofC5fp
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rXNOOl7Nj
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwb44MbsPm
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32n0ciPzhP
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–246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKf8D2e9aG
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdnin9MMcy
"--Kenny, I don't know if that'll do ya any good."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9Bbb38MFS
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQR4bsGHO2
"Huh?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfg9IVzKnU
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8zb84glTb
Juke's deep voice pierced through the thunderous train of footsteps.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyM46Z6QxB
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNoCJRFuRE
"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."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1HgAfgoRB
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUNec47Icd
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35c4e3Jgvp
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlc10Pi7cC
"Why? Is it because I'm strong?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQdITNhYFG
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNya7dbkWNM
"Nah, it's cuz yer a kid."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuJZlG3Kz8
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFufOYRQxTL
His response left me more stunned than I could've imagined.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55rz47uci9
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDkWueJfFS
"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."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg71eH0D5Yf
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4zZx9EulX
"..."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplAjqXgDSc
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugoGGV6k87
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqgs31OQIf
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hDpop4n8e
So, I let my mouth run amok.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrg41TD4gV
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVzEuOLohF
"I'm sure you know, but what Rover told me has... affected me, I suppose."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOAtA5P0ac
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTHG22KMmF
"Yeah, I know."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5WKj0sS5V
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdkRBZ7UG3
A pause. I used it to formulate my following words more effectively.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR84BR0jVZc
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotQR7Bl3Ye
"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."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZffWkReNEd
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8slQjUnovu
I darted my eyes to the side. He nodded along. He stared at the wall across. I did the same.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyztIdsrJqd
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngcoe63WEO
"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."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTgHTTzsL6
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfHP1vLJ6O
"That sounds familiar..."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnacnZkPORn
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmLkP9xZy8
"Huh?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0GpgwMtxc
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vP3tHWlbZ
"Nevermind. Ya carry on."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WDgN3vqcg
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtZGcTDfdC
I felt a little let down, but did as I was told.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRX59Xr7Z2
"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."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3liSBtTc8
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeo9gxiAT1
"Well?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAei5iwK7Ir
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmx7VEIowU
"...The thing is, if I voice it, I'll probably break apart here and now."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY76JkrGZdA
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRqNNgEgh6
"Ah."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTKScnfiM0
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05DwcDiONG
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but articulating it in my brain was difficult.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2V3Y3PgrqG
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡur3wAFxuit
"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."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKmDIZYamq
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVya0st7i83
"Ah, the Lionant?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvN02IzNum
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvjUJoRM5Q
"Yeah. The one you saved me from. Thank you for that, by the way."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmOYgfYMYo
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieqBhCLrVh
"..."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYM7mfArPaK
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJeBW641cN
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhMkmGujKR
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsU36p3elzR
"This might be a dumb question, but why did you save me back then?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUyaI80WAI
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZHHTnNazd
"...Yeah, why did I?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyw45K5FM9r
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHRxpCkTNt
I didn't expect to be met with another question.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFM71pLa8fi
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoBR4CMNpz
"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."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuAmltuafP
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydYMjEfSxF
I turned my head to him. He had his eyes pointed at the sky, one arm slung over his knee.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUa6L3M6Dkj
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlNvGj489k
"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."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50wIEM6u3M
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayKuc2ntDY
"..."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7Mnad1TvR
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13QnVNfLUn
I felt as if I should have said something, but I remained silent. Juke continued his gentle monologue.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkF4gL0AtD
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqzXAnWNcx
"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?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHKYXaKBOL
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uKQNN40zp
"What?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaEvrbyg4b
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHq0Sc64CQh
"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."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQBMeEBh09
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RWz2xYKZP
"That sounds... boorish?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmVsaRUHgs
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IotOLJuoB
"Pff, yer just too young."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOm3V9XnTF
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeWWq1Z8rS
He paused for a moment.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMYXmQkiZw
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmayBZgRNgQ
"Why the hell am I saying this to a kid?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjR6kj4hLV
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0R9iUCOQR6
"D-Don't mind that, just keep talking."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUooPMe7sbx
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUadbDSoOb
"...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."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxWg2GPWSU
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrZrS0geZT
He took a second to readjust himself. I used that time to spill my own thoughts.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDFZlcfAdG
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡms60cgTVh0
"That's silly... O-Oh–"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDt4rLEQ2H
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDOxZSfUAd
I realized I had just blurted out something insensitive yet again.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnExFs00pnR
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5yjNZMrWC
"I didn't mean to be rude, but–"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFY6bJ6Toj
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ45wOOJ96x
"Nah, I get why ya think it. To each their own, that's what the masses say, yeah?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLHHqdYHPj
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPnnv365yz
"I... yes, I suppose so."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNffTzGZQwd
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjIddld0ON
Another pause. Juke directed his gaze to the floor this time.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLO8O2RZa6
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHjPBi94Tx
"I think the weak shouldn't have to deal with what the strong does."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyloRiajqZ2
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1fNQk61DW
"Yes, I know."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XTorGYUbe
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTqi2rZvFY
"But I wanna make sure Dennis is still kickin'."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwztc1iPuI
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLJKWlyVSq
He said that with conviction I had never heard from him before.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1unwypFy7
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1OVFJJorO
"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."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdYXxikn9q
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPz91qQD4Sm
"..."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUJA9JCSjl
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOV6HWUNwM
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwV65x8cy78
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ia3152NFC
"Ya hear that?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxpu0MSQVq
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK56xD4pAfT
"Huh?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpLV4W72x6
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qPhcmMNda
I perked my ears. I didn't hear anything. Then, I realized what Juke meant.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xBrZXng8W
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDopI1TIEyR
"They passed."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypEjsWfiyf
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9qEc8P3UN
"Yeah. I can't hear them anymore."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7liV56K8v
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVQ2kjcbOz
Juke stood up first. He brushed the dirt off his pants and peered around the corner.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCh6LiDAmt
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kEjc2Bzn4
"Looks like we're in the clear. Phew."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliwg84nOfY
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKna9np6py
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJdlOXPW6j
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLD14qfB9uH
Juke had already taken his first steps, though. He looked back at me once he noticed I wasn't moving.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAltMcTqbQ
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmcjtKDWZx
"Shit... hey, kid, I know what yer thinking."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4ccHF7bf9
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVxaf9omF5
"You've been saying that a lot."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPtyaIub6Y
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EaMzQfTZ7
"That's just cuz yer easy to read."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73NkySdOwp
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPRBBysCYo
We stood stock still in silence.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdYXAgofPO
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleFkKa6kdb
"W-Well, what are you waiting for," I muttered, "Let's get going."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rwVXBoBp5
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIy8ZVckMt
"Are ya sure?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUslOBDmLF
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkn8779lna
I walked out of the alleyway, looking both ways before standing beside Juke.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QOWd482g9
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3KoQlCSyN
"I should be asking you that."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfLodkaN1O
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhqtcfj2iS
"Hehe, I guess so. We've come this far, haven't we?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyKOF91kfX
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlSF2vrTzq
"Yes. You get it."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpnkmb76E6
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ92Xr4Rgvf
But before we continued, there was one last thing I wanted to mention.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41d0lFzkN7
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PmiFysOTg
"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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVod7ZjxgQ
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70sRxRzHFM
"Fine by me."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfCKAiLswc
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvcFANQjjb
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7TMZxlgCU
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2jv5WDNUd
–
–
–
"Ya see that?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmc4ztHxjSM
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jK2lP1aZo
"Yeah, we're almost there."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡea4ka93nkf
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZTa2vJH4J
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpMcmTwd3N
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7iyWkaHNe
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsqdF3MWLB
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzInBN4klQ8
And as we got closer and closer, a sudden stench assaulted my nostrils.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fN7plnOUW
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrN2nA20SNs
"Blurg, what was that?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25ra3KM0O3
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJaEv2Ltcd
I skidded to a stop. I reluctantly sniffed the air again but didn't catch the same whiff. Juke looked back at me, confused.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymajvuh9nh
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXad8fp0Bcz
"What was what?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RXqbAcA6d
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcK8YBTiQTS
"I caught a whiff of something."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUOpAjzxca
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXjAdXOpbT
"Ah, gotcha. I ain't stopping, just so ya know."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc72WYKLkad
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmrRX064dk
Clicking my tongue, I continued following Juke to the stables, occasionally sniffing the air as we encroached it.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWSWYrJ3gv
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePviSzKrFg
And then, it came again. This time, more putrid than before.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIePgLI23IS
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aJUnB2b77
"Ugh– ack, what in the world?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWFYrdB6OG
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTK9isnWtc
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sKDkj5WPE
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKi0WC5TtD
But never had I wished for a door to be present more than now.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjyAmYyozX
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2bzgThvi7
"...This is fuckin' horrid."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlubRL4CDZK
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkcjSi2M4k
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhmyZegfrB
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNN79d8fWaX
The pens were broken, but the animals hadn't escaped. They were still in their pens, but as cadavers opposed to breathing beings.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFobOQ0eIh
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkuzh2cUpa
Bile rose to my throat, but I was able to suppress it. That disturbed me deeply.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybOXrOMTkF
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUbZB19kzB
"Well, Kenny, I dunno if we'll be leaving by carriage any time soon."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2K5QOso0B8
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwA4nrJLGL
"You 'don't know', huh? Are you kidding me?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7icYNBvoe
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZaB7DpIRi
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6e0tjAFA36
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQub3uhSUU
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.
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRHZ2iy13Q
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."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqOFH5Rndu
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmK2P8tnVpx
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3ctBsIpNv
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yMFzNPoKg
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–246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfj2RCNTFPB
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAA5i5maiB
"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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrGgxFAOJj
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiixxcKZAz
Then, Juke began to talk, but it was clear that it wasn't to me.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyeeRQh41v
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMI9KP7TTG3
"Who are ya people?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaO3CSLB0B
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjnFcMjlMG
"Wow, he really followed us. Well, sir, we're here to help. My buddy will be doing the dirty work, though."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNn8NLc8aDz
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjhWH6OGUf
"Buddy?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRxvtr41IE
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdyshihVms
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurdHz4uw8W
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxF9CAeNqSF
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIejp1iy0Ht
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWYO1SaZs8
"Quiet now."246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7skfYiHzvH
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyb4NBEXKX
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuAAfKh6o6
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlK1Sj0Bv6
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.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvo4TnW9Lj
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjumjcFLZBr
"Where did she go? Do I smell that bad?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6G811YWsqV
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzdICmmnav
He pulled his crossbows back and sighed, rubbing his head as he turned around. His eyes met with mine, and he practically blenched.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVjv2b4bBh
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22mZ7inc8K
"K-Kenny? Where did you come from!?"246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82SMdAQvTG
246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CkCY3th4A
I sighed, and I smiled. There was something heartwarming about seeing this man act as usual, even if it pained me.246Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdfS88ziGT
然後按「加至主畫面」