"Hey, wake up."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfweJAvBvX
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSkqblglyA
"H-Huh!?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZK5FJPq5g
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB41yQxgzNC
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4D2OFGmIp
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0M2wwb3z6e
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare ya."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqRn7iaDN8
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvCuhcDElC
"No no, it's fine."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafqQZD8TSt
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8alCDdqt8
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnFIsNQMOm
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTH5XuCVjFk
"Goodness kid, did ya sleep at all?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbuqWYADjF
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHQCrqt2Bw
"Huh? Yeah, sure I did."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXI0nChpi0F
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLE5EYm0KZB
I let out another yawn. After a dozen firm blinks, I was able to keep my eyes open for longer than two seconds.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcDNn1vBHN
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxfUAV4yey
"Are ya sure–"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfU1ZtCydd6
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLVN50Fakt
"Listen, Juke, I'm fine. I'm, perfectly fine. My neck is just a little sore, that's all."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTPpB67bYx
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LhdmjTEXS
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmOyiZPq7N
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSMNjSLJp8
"Well, if ya say so. When yer ready, come meet me outside."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnE51XPERe
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwb3C1m15AM
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBTuMa56Dw
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHhOAesRF7
"..."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2IkDPBeXz
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYuIIJJFVo
Now that the grogginess had left me, my mind worked at total capacity. It came with unwanted by-products.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnyy9etu96
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPG65WnmOt
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0WnYBPtKN
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSeixWJVQD
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8frkeT6il9
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SMrKmQyYH
The plate was full of fish. It wasn't a food I'd associate with breakfast.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36EXF4AsVO
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFYGilVHdY
"Hi young man, how did you sleep?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5C158k3Pdz
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOD6RMmd6yT
His tone was cheery and amiable. He sounded like a pleasant person to speak to.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmvnnbS1Sk
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7Wrd5Y0O2
"Hmm. Huh? Oh, were you talking to me?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0juHGBaNab
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnToRG7aQq
The man nodded. Now that I thought about it–404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhS8lPO6T0g
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5flfGpSAwG
"What's your name anyway? I don't believe you've ever told us."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrha3ichL5p
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3CHfmpVFI
"...You must be right. My name is Hank, it's a pleasure."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YLMkYqerf
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmtg4v6OSQ
"Hank... did you cook this breakfast?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvB1UjXfQN6
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCo8ON0MxMj
"I certainly did. Well, go on now, try it."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmh7RCtlvv
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRI7QmkYtVN
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–404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyTEIWi1lX
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWkWTpYfas
"Don't gotta waste yer time ogling at it, kid."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLfGUcqCGL
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ05JoCyAvz
Juke's statement interrupted my necessary analyses.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppMGnZOoea
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NurmOqWNR
"I guess you're right. Is good, Juke?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99eCzzXkHO
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqo4Tci7K5S
"Yeah, it is. If ya don't eat it now though, some bird might poop on it and ruin the taste."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsCoTPHtAn
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZ6m2fetBv
"What?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuuVrgScuZ
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXxXeSIrvl
He sighed and flicked his head.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNfdlGPndK
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNFoVBV3Fy
"Come on, let's enjoy our last breakfast here, why don't we?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOocs10eq7V
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp21qo1kxeM
"Last... yeah, let's."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEEoD84FGO
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnIFsTNB7Q
I took the fork and began to eat the fish. It had a kick to it that I didn't expect, but otherwise–404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6olScYNV5
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCc0RHlMEr
"This is good. This is really good."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqgYzVyx48
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwq9PZhjnSY
"I told ya."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXbf2h7v3h
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnxHlyssC6
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcisRQgrxkM
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cbfsWlgOc
"Wait a minute, Juke," Hank started, "how are you eating with your helmet on?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrs6Y2eTITh
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡom7Khz7k41
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvUyF9KoeB
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjkDPZqT4t
"Trade secret, don't worry 'bout it. Just keep eating."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWO0xgO2b9
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiwwQzL3QG
The man backed down. I kept looking at Juke, but he wouldn't eat the fish in front of me.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmn3XqkWj0a
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dURvew3JH
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4c00tLR3j
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0hcp3zJTv
–
–
–404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjbfKlDiLm
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Y7Qa0mDDP
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FjB30vTf5
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27Ko1gmfjJ
"So, you two want to leave the city, correct?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5hdVRHI8N
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtH7r1zACSJ
"That's right," Juke responded.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhc3JWhvKqs
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIHgxSajBX
"I see..."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFF5pgYOAoi
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJpHGBsYus
He pinched his chin and gazed at the table.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMT6MrVIVlU
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAl4D1JxTD
"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."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9v6cDArge
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3TcFO2lU0
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhTm3HPy2W
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOcctiXHCu
"However, I do believe you two can get out fine."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8pkxoUCh6
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BG2iHcqzw
"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."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTuU4cSphR
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7lURFzrTM
I nodded along to Juke's reasoning. Hank did too, less tense than twenty seconds ago.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchtda2JJsy
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq49DjuuUt4
"Do you two have a plan in mind?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iAXF9TCCb
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Q4DxRmr6n
Juke turned his head to me, confusing me more than pressuring me.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLumJJK67iK
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZTGYauMtP
"What are you looking at me for?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBs3JKFABC7
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMpLBWaCuo
"Ya got any ideas?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcu87tECPzT
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOHbHQQHS3
"Why do you think I do, anyway?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5l7t77emk
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAveBwqVm6
He shrugged at my inquiry. I just sighed and rubbed my temple, racking my brain for anything.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVlGu4kJb9
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooGbygjeFm
"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."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXLHODieYQ
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh52Utlqv7C
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOMU3KU3In
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgh6czi8BS2
"Hank, can you go outside and check the surroundings?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4TikfhhgL
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QczxTquv1
"U-Uh, I very well may, however..."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPCzFM3xrD
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvy1ogPEb3
I raised my brow, then realized that just because Hank wasn't me or Juke didn't mean that he was entirely safe.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORjbDo6FQe
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcKAAIUwxs
Rover's visage flashed in my mind. I brushed it aside for the moment, barely.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAZwnbvMaG
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXYAROKgqP
"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."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWF705LUtio
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHSSdHcPxY
"I see. I apologize for asking so much from you."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkk2HfLIkRD
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcZEQrCCYf
He shook his hands frantically and.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAbfUzN0mB
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsr6hP5ujS
"Oh no no, I'll do it. I just don't think I'll be able to scout very far ahead."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmdPaOJwRz
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8j3y4vZaM
"That ain't an issue. Just the first block should be alright."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxduA4zBuS
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfo3IFbS64
Hank's gaze turned abnormally stern. He stood up and did a few gesticulations to assure himself.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTST85UOypl
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwh19fYnJYi
"Pray for me."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHavC54z2C
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYLItGvSzc
"Don't worry. We'll arrange yer funeral for ya."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbEOrMtMRM
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6g2Ga1kHT
"Juke!"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnWiadu12f
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxhmbbAjqL
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQX6yLuD7y
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLNNYhszYR
"Thanks for trying to lighten the mood, Juke."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGNPHdcQnJ
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyvV2BBlUo
He turned his head to me, stuttering his words before taking a breath and speaking them coherently.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXBxPfIGET
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofAyK7yFFa
"No need to thank me. The atmosphere's tense, I just don't want it to stay that way."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tw8GLalp9
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIdfJtbysz
"Still, I appreciate it."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyddbEVSB8W
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwbvHtw7eL
I sat with my legs spread out, lowering my head and leaning over to stare at the ground.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWnKkZCxg8
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Gq0pZpkD2
"I can tell that my wisecracks ain't all that effective, though."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiC7lEpSSkR
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8q6hzkcAOD
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwS3LNkIfFP
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45B64cdkeB
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsz28njoJNa
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLc3T5tGVIC
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydk2P5kgZM
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxgZxDGUkH
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVLGjdxuPq
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbeV27f8AQ
"Thank you for your help, Hank."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1etucqdJv
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHcr5VjWTU
"Yeah, we really of ya."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡia1UUJoNDR
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9TK7LzUD7
He gave us a light smile and waved.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSO9BZXxkpk
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VLZBUwh0V
"No no, it's fine. It's what Dennis would have wanted, I'm sure."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMM3Ep8PVbf
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6Q3l7MhrR
"...Y-Yeah."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZaDAAnLzY
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xDe5673IE
A morbid parasite was planted in me before we left. It began to eat at me instantly, but I did nothing to address it.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QCjAPIWGu
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eh6ksC7RN
–
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–404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ200RCpuIRB
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNRtVy0NmR
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEbN2HvJEx
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3QwlwZs7A
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXHX1jXPuR
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3ZtaiJnQq
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJe356X7TD
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYg8GdLPmV
"Hey, are you sure we're going the right way?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOYuCevSgG
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQML6oZ5x7
"Yeah, I'm sure. I remember that chipped building when I visited the stables earlier."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoumur6qhH4
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7t0R58AEP
He pointed at a building opposite us. Indeed, it was chipped, but somehow I didn't find his memory reliable.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayH6RHbWii
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrpXs95AqD
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDcKbXkRBw
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvuXOkbSkz
"--Crap!"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXGeyYvbPX
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhni1cWoS7
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjl1UhEgmqR
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dZYejuKQz
"Crap. Crap!"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBA2gM5Ozz
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JpP9AigWp
"Eh? What's the situation, kid?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kFicl6mlq
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKKT1D5YBk
"People are heading our way!"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiusJa7htvJ
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSDbqqs5S4
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcc9Pdm8e7f
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowA6PsP6xK
"I guess we gotta jump 'em."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsmreH2wzG
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7GgDVf8o3
"What!? That's a terrible idea!"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKT2WNt6b6
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2lwCcAyF4
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nL1Vcr0RM
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41NhgFdmlW
"Okay, maybe it isn't a terrible idea, but we need to knock them out quickly."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSovKRsfHY
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWByM7mIFZR
"Yeah, killin' 'em will just make a mess and draw attention, ya make a good point."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qshv59ZNT
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9dZ75MqQk
"...Murder is the first thing you– nevermind, you gave me a good idea."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5QW9JcaoI
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLfNj9ST1r
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYMNq3U7B1
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNsPvis5H7
It was unexpectedly heavy. The weight of the shield brought me to the floor and strained my arm terribly404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuMKYQ2Blb
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarg50OlQcT
"Ack!"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcuB4LFLtH
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYshKkLmuh
"G-Goodness, kid. Are ya alright?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUI6oSnGNP
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnXwezyL7z
"I-I'm fine, just keep quiet!"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fj1N8JhmI
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEj0d3k6i8q
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8ScfhPLY1
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡed7wYogBVn
"Ya strong folk really are crazy."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGi3cuNjNHF
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvYvT4IkdU
"Shut up. Now isn't the time for this."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpFtFH7FuR
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDlvhcy9Bi
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dVDdmKjj9
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WiJ1sPsBv
And, by doing so, I heard something that made my hair stand on its ends.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDbec10olT
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKX43VAa8S9
"--Yeah, we should find a place to hide, don't ya think?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4mp85swgv
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7Irop8WPh
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVP9hnGiNyx
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoauvwlnl1
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXplbJOmPRE
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxfpDbTvWR
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–404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzF22cTg1C
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqyULPFcBs
"--Kenny, I don't know if that'll do ya any good."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1m9E4HQ24i
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyJI5odnLW
"Huh?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20A1U1EfWS
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4SyU2Sya5
Juke's deep voice pierced through the thunderous train of footsteps.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH69XlaqUW0
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1T5XCLAol
"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."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeAuctoVus
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qax4ZlE47
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GqiYeEPdC
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPveUEx84l
"Why? Is it because I'm strong?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2hx37aRfL
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEyHuMeFkC
"Nah, it's cuz yer a kid."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAuDbdEvC5
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8scEbRxJ1
His response left me more stunned than I could've imagined.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CjIU4GH0t
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHTuRZqaUP
"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."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBJdiD86RU
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGQS8bkrsS
"..."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJemc4Pim6
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfx5iJ7M1NJ
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAaW3Ct2kj
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2naJMQveqY
So, I let my mouth run amok.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkBCiojrTo
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDykSX5M2xY
"I'm sure you know, but what Rover told me has... affected me, I suppose."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjJtbuYtdw
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukQXN3OOEZ
"Yeah, I know."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABr9Sn26KB
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLoY7DprV4
A pause. I used it to formulate my following words more effectively.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIr3CD0Si8
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpVYkIlQsy
"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."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgUOmMNAuH
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UHfRTg2IC
I darted my eyes to the side. He nodded along. He stared at the wall across. I did the same.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUW0ppqXz6
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5HjxXyW2i
"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."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpslXMGGS43
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt02kTkzibX
"That sounds familiar..."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FwXuFenpG
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFZvw7dRuy
"Huh?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuCJfrrAuf
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvt85CBYcf
"Nevermind. Ya carry on."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡax6epVyvuW
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgT6iX72y1A
I felt a little let down, but did as I was told.
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHz3CMTPdm
"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."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxK7i8AiNr6
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzfF9AIqaC
"Well?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcB7O9LEFP
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXtTFwkrGE
"...The thing is, if I voice it, I'll probably break apart here and now."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMjj5EDO1r
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBjJvLTExH
"Ah."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUqel30Qev
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NjJh1fPvx
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but articulating it in my brain was difficult.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVSpPgMRnZ
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHqYzLEcuP
"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."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCeR6fKsU1
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVAND2neCI
"Ah, the Lionant?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUudnZjmXn
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIN3KaGdFS
"Yeah. The one you saved me from. Thank you for that, by the way."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRoIifbrCP
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xuABC1cxJ
"..."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0GxSzN49a
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKw0R1P3qnS
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡql6wgckEhi
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNkadBfYaz
"This might be a dumb question, but why did you save me back then?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡils6a77qCe
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bEl81bdxK
"...Yeah, why did I?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWioSNIMqe1
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAlpP6BTUZ
I didn't expect to be met with another question.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjtbpQjHaF
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2qlygLF6E
"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."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEi5hdeo6c
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbqBIfNnMX
I turned my head to him. He had his eyes pointed at the sky, one arm slung over his knee.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5E6MMQ4zP
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9drYlr1GN
"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."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeno9appkju
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lzwCVU7Ux
"..."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwhaZrYthm
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXTGDW7kWF
I felt as if I should have said something, but I remained silent. Juke continued his gentle monologue.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjTTjFzDnW
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP07xLv5IqQ
"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?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjt8pTD4Cwx
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUVch4Ibir
"What?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbAQZT6vLM
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡev8qZkzHvA
"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."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRU5Nc0fwo
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUkOOLkzJS
"That sounds... boorish?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMkWICgnkS
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAXJN6kQQ3
"Pff, yer just too young."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxT6erJTyIH
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoE58iPxGf
He paused for a moment.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuZ6uCQCUu
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTf0sncMAQp
"Why the hell am I saying this to a kid?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRravhf3Gjm
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKq9OUlXtmG
"D-Don't mind that, just keep talking."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAQxNvrvHv
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8ikRlqUnP
"...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."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjw0440qcy
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnb1Ee5C0A2
He took a second to readjust himself. I used that time to spill my own thoughts.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrKw3Q2RVy
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCObNRnA12
"That's silly... O-Oh–"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QJmIxLCx3
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FhVvcPEzp
I realized I had just blurted out something insensitive yet again.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtp8KFBCfe5
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREd8wjPqJp
"I didn't mean to be rude, but–"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBD105HtZqZ
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZ58k2Mx9r
"Nah, I get why ya think it. To each their own, that's what the masses say, yeah?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXJS0RMLR7
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVkQEo61pi
"I... yes, I suppose so."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSGxKFM6iT
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AHbrjMhDN
Another pause. Juke directed his gaze to the floor this time.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfoomOfEqH
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HcSy7UI2D
"I think the weak shouldn't have to deal with what the strong does."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6B7nRp36n
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkvSfL5hAH
"Yes, I know."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGS1BrHlukL
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZwQ0LYqt9
"But I wanna make sure Dennis is still kickin'."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3FrKoCOaH
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibQFgNv4jj
He said that with conviction I had never heard from him before.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6Ir9slh4b
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTbA85Yu4V
"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."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpe6D6fDJws
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYOXjjAMbo
"..."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18nkelglvL
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWU4Tso1zCY
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5v60cpJPR
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWr4vPVfIC
"Ya hear that?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yHMYvAF80
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmkG214Y87
"Huh?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeTJGyiQtw
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyafSZYJDd
I perked my ears. I didn't hear anything. Then, I realized what Juke meant.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5uwRkw3U9
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVuFBboqJP
"They passed."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSQWJCQV3H
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnz2Mq0H33H
"Yeah. I can't hear them anymore."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbt22vDKa0g
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjJ7lo9zZO
Juke stood up first. He brushed the dirt off his pants and peered around the corner.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0hiXa0y6x
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3fTNZC5X4
"Looks like we're in the clear. Phew."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgK2ky2yox7
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYAKFpryGk
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVULRSJ9lp
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8oDUSJIRX
Juke had already taken his first steps, though. He looked back at me once he noticed I wasn't moving.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzcO5t1p8R
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKQV0eaYHS
"Shit... hey, kid, I know what yer thinking."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8CzRh9mUu
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsig67fD8c
"You've been saying that a lot."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTwQxBHJf0
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnZOJnV52z
"That's just cuz yer easy to read."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIF382eu6Wy
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYOMfWIzFa
We stood stock still in silence.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJEm2baick
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJbE7S7EMA
"W-Well, what are you waiting for," I muttered, "Let's get going."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumpIu7tVHM
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSCd9xzlIy
"Are ya sure?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXt5VnYNaWv
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3dVeWrhJf
I walked out of the alleyway, looking both ways before standing beside Juke.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1VCUg6lE5
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkokM3meey
"I should be asking you that."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iznTdGFw9
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6yQo6YFal
"Hehe, I guess so. We've come this far, haven't we?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZPvXFILxR
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FWNRaQPcH
"Yes. You get it."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxATPljkXe
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlMdJ1ectq
But before we continued, there was one last thing I wanted to mention.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2uSRhvENb
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZpQIcTUhm
"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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DqNjNy7nl
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9W8AnYcCKA
"Fine by me."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0Xp5HRGy8
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3qPEQmVQG
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24AYFq0z1R
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwHSwiPMBC
–
–
–
"Ya see that?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rqCLWKWEF
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2E7Y0ow3X
"Yeah, we're almost there."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcxB0vEENn
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6i6m7xqlGh
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugDRLexatT
404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW33ELjPbRe
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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDPAkoeHO8
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And as we got closer and closer, a sudden stench assaulted my nostrils.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5IG6ZG3ju
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"Blurg, what was that?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIrXgututP
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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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTYdgWZKA1
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"What was what?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0zvQmIg7K
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"I caught a whiff of something."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iV8Jq3GrH
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"Ah, gotcha. I ain't stopping, just so ya know."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXyMhiBR8t
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Clicking my tongue, I continued following Juke to the stables, occasionally sniffing the air as we encroached it.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDOp0zDYZh
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And then, it came again. This time, more putrid than before.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdKC4r9ALI
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"Ugh– ack, what in the world?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlGCWI5NRA
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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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xGThbCeb1
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But never had I wished for a door to be present more than now.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdApoqFhpD
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"...This is fuckin' horrid."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8RhH4KE8a
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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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdIh5dmX82
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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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjR0fNAo6J
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Bile rose to my throat, but I was able to suppress it. That disturbed me deeply.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ncgIS38Lg
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"Well, Kenny, I dunno if we'll be leaving by carriage any time soon."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdQXOlzh3h
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"You 'don't know', huh? Are you kidding me?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4jsJRYXGI
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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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZtMr1ILFO
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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."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1wIM0jniu
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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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Bi8GdZBGo
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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–404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRieDErVfq
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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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1xK0BlGtU
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Then, Juke began to talk, but it was clear that it wasn't to me.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHz6Q9tQBUr
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"Who are ya people?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOggMJ2QuQt
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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."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoPuAWK2Tg
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"Buddy?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROI2HZj9cR
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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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDBoGT2OJ4
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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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpw0fy4Y09
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"Quiet now."404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5q9GpuNf3
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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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lp3rSheAa
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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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAZUrYcQUo
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"Where did she go? Do I smell that bad?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JzHOqSwZg
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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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrctzgVk2W
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"K-Kenny? Where did you come from!?"404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8sesh5znx
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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.404Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0I3KOiYeZ
and then Add to home screen.