"Hey, wake up."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLa6vRftDHh
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreKa48Pta3
"H-Huh!?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1crUlq8Cg
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLo3gIdHyZu
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfl8nduwBlD
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGV7QdZdFGi
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare ya."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPrHFr246r
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZomQgPuGp6
"No no, it's fine."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSe8lpqo87d
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFNrYihDGt
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZc6c8H40B
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8QLlIQEXF
"Goodness kid, did ya sleep at all?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6t93hlBlfc
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtvXFxt2F0
"Huh? Yeah, sure I did."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB16lKyOYVS
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQzTJg01Zi
I let out another yawn. After a dozen firm blinks, I was able to keep my eyes open for longer than two seconds.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFlsIXyrpP
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaK8WH7FVXF
"Are ya sure–"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56NjhY0aSU
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvpBVs845S
"Listen, Juke, I'm fine. I'm, perfectly fine. My neck is just a little sore, that's all."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSJk7wiUnk
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpcdk4xvQ4
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHEGLtm1Df
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdD0NwdMKzc
"Well, if ya say so. When yer ready, come meet me outside."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcGs3RvVgH
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQoXKy1wgp
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7QhF3z8Vc
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJopondo32
"..."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMgcO6MeRs
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPVgpayhd8
Now that the grogginess had left me, my mind worked at total capacity. It came with unwanted by-products.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIigdhVqmGo
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9gnM5DnD5
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkF8omzcQ4K
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKDp1aDSut
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aiaYiuC34
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYDVEFG2QU
The plate was full of fish. It wasn't a food I'd associate with breakfast.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GO4HChceE
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4N3asaoUa
"Hi young man, how did you sleep?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZeRZnFVAZ
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEADc48IS0
His tone was cheery and amiable. He sounded like a pleasant person to speak to.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPQD6CnjCW
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpWOQOxo6Z
"Hmm. Huh? Oh, were you talking to me?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjMw104don
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBnzfD00vA
The man nodded. Now that I thought about it–442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZVnvLfCbh
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTu903jU00
"What's your name anyway? I don't believe you've ever told us."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBwIXDePaU
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaujHto38e
"...You must be right. My name is Hank, it's a pleasure."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWT0KM00vam
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuviMHM4yeU
"Hank... did you cook this breakfast?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bkXsNc2FO
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ01wmTyBrO
"I certainly did. Well, go on now, try it."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAJAMPAFJx
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjHarjOHh7
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–442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhmqDzFe3n
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Yw3pH8nCM
"Don't gotta waste yer time ogling at it, kid."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWe7VsFKdA
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbKfMMdXNs
Juke's statement interrupted my necessary analyses.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzvOLgdCpP
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RR2leQfsy
"I guess you're right. Is good, Juke?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBp6zBHAfe
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UV7zZgZvs
"Yeah, it is. If ya don't eat it now though, some bird might poop on it and ruin the taste."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8nh3pX3Qc
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXM8m7NXg9
"What?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvB4HnWUvO4
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYWNqUb7Ze
He sighed and flicked his head.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMveNUt2YlE
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZFa65cT39
"Come on, let's enjoy our last breakfast here, why don't we?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMopi4VuRp
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghCZ3UFXwi
"Last... yeah, let's."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBKHd78iMl
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9jyUHfeev
I took the fork and began to eat the fish. It had a kick to it that I didn't expect, but otherwise–442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7LatmyvgF
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi55kwoinKa
"This is good. This is really good."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFQTMMGmTB
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRM3ubayM6V
"I told ya."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgE2fAxS4p
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0qUOnsOPz
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeqm7usTMC
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDmoIy3c7Z
"Wait a minute, Juke," Hank started, "how are you eating with your helmet on?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJV2Rv1Ljt
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfR2QamU6C
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYIpKvrtTX
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNY34o0yJZ
"Trade secret, don't worry 'bout it. Just keep eating."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnm8hcGkkt
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyq1sNAWWH
The man backed down. I kept looking at Juke, but he wouldn't eat the fish in front of me.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOa3SOWpHhs
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiddbI8jWdh
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGOxLHDs3h
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYNgr2T9SK
–
–
–442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGmlaCCBPg
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTofE26Fi3u
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHIJexsXqs
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyhP0yXBqX
"So, you two want to leave the city, correct?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hNgT7yENL
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhAeE0E7db
"That's right," Juke responded.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffAAvaHptE
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjJUSaGN07
"I see..."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYJaM4IC8H
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdvSwrlCWd
He pinched his chin and gazed at the table.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOYzReNpr4
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2niWjNGmet
"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."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KDj8gHge8
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRdf0DNmZR
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkqnACLsG8
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHeFPDhoft
"However, I do believe you two can get out fine."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdWVCrz8PH
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDhRDOI0Zw
"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."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4faTTDmhu
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jUckorgdT
I nodded along to Juke's reasoning. Hank did too, less tense than twenty seconds ago.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyCCkGQ7gs
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LaLfXEoMb
"Do you two have a plan in mind?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQb6tIACL4D
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeSFZnB6sf
Juke turned his head to me, confusing me more than pressuring me.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyer23zHCN
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplIKy1WjJK
"What are you looking at me for?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHloa3NstOs
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwgbacaDVh
"Ya got any ideas?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofFfcVaH0m
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzo4iKrqZp
"Why do you think I do, anyway?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2d2Xon8bz
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPajbOrnfL
He shrugged at my inquiry. I just sighed and rubbed my temple, racking my brain for anything.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7mJfHQbZX
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGn0OQ25Q8k
"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."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhffLQqlmzm
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwvj62mMI2
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmXYvTXVjN
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxasv9n6e1u
"Hank, can you go outside and check the surroundings?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2agoYLJ89
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxwY1neAOO
"U-Uh, I very well may, however..."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbu5Ag76WSX
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt956TKIe3R
I raised my brow, then realized that just because Hank wasn't me or Juke didn't mean that he was entirely safe.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoJEj7lQRb
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhzMY5nm59
Rover's visage flashed in my mind. I brushed it aside for the moment, barely.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVpOnmfv10
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQdfr0pL0S
"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."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUxfd2jZKo
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqmK1axQyZ
"I see. I apologize for asking so much from you."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYmaIjtwtX
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJe1iXSSBIL
He shook his hands frantically and.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJO2mtaDJn
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPU5xmPCGbQ
"Oh no no, I'll do it. I just don't think I'll be able to scout very far ahead."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQ8TnwE5HI
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaAMvYdRSl
"That ain't an issue. Just the first block should be alright."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXPomh2L4V
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAhdYCvUd7
Hank's gaze turned abnormally stern. He stood up and did a few gesticulations to assure himself.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkB6meud38c
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgwsgXB2U3
"Pray for me."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOmWCaORX8
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd97nZ3fQb7
"Don't worry. We'll arrange yer funeral for ya."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2HiKCF1WX
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGJiYyKd3N
"Juke!"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXkgdlge1U
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvr2cFZ2NJE
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl76kCVfIfS
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGcAJ1hcJg
"Thanks for trying to lighten the mood, Juke."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ohQs87B8H
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMBNdayAks
He turned his head to me, stuttering his words before taking a breath and speaking them coherently.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAijqxA6mD
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSvKaRvOQS
"No need to thank me. The atmosphere's tense, I just don't want it to stay that way."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEb9Cb3HOsf
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76p2RNV9R2
"Still, I appreciate it."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFiLmEEOUg
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8uDJ0QKyq
I sat with my legs spread out, lowering my head and leaning over to stare at the ground.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGisChZmNrG
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHa4fTaDeR
"I can tell that my wisecracks ain't all that effective, though."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nnTojVYcK
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNDg8ITIte
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHs6ugJQTDP
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiEVpQ72Ff
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXtA1FsZuo
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFj2NxiZkGf
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0C2Pc8rBC
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFB99Qh65jd
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3uVRAD0yZ
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dl473fJPV
"Thank you for your help, Hank."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLR7bUIy78
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6aCn5uPDQ
"Yeah, we really of ya."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInQuREG2dV
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wSJ2bGoVI
He gave us a light smile and waved.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDDJqidbJ6
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGJ4eJwTYI
"No no, it's fine. It's what Dennis would have wanted, I'm sure."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTBco3s3h9
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYjmTSU6nt
"...Y-Yeah."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbJ129J1oR
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEV15hDu7up
A morbid parasite was planted in me before we left. It began to eat at me instantly, but I did nothing to address it.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCJnh8FuH6
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvk2OUj9GT
–
–
–442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuN0QQ1C44
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKDXIxbG9o
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGssMBQzddc
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfReEtEDBm
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFem2JaADlC
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgx7eGYbrZ9
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX36LuK0iYj
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfV147QMYkV
"Hey, are you sure we're going the right way?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOhDNaACmd
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSg2KOpXk1L
"Yeah, I'm sure. I remember that chipped building when I visited the stables earlier."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBB5zNMBzw
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVXdKxMB6D
He pointed at a building opposite us. Indeed, it was chipped, but somehow I didn't find his memory reliable.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtReIHVLw8
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFe9QXZWtt
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLROevtHL8
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzrQuflvUn
"--Crap!"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VOHsc9Qi1
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Rwi0OTx3m
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZE2ugxI3g
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDjK9q0PAY
"Crap. Crap!"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrk9hNruEiP
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGrInZSlWC
"Eh? What's the situation, kid?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgWYAc0A1l
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTH7BiorEi
"People are heading our way!"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5HEwFBlep
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCWSH6yKg2
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdSLjyM31K
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9FescpVFX
"I guess we gotta jump 'em."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0mJhrz2hy
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRZtOwn2iI
"What!? That's a terrible idea!"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0omJn7ujo
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfys50jitRg
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMwUJ31OY5
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkSrUdtNmP
"Okay, maybe it isn't a terrible idea, but we need to knock them out quickly."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDY4JGertU6
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGhR5MTwjY
"Yeah, killin' 'em will just make a mess and draw attention, ya make a good point."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78mg5u9NLq
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSJLkJmKjL
"...Murder is the first thing you– nevermind, you gave me a good idea."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uUaLdn1Ad
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIwA3sqnHs
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffthJpf217
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrS7geXTqFI
It was unexpectedly heavy. The weight of the shield brought me to the floor and strained my arm terribly442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvEVqriyYp
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWe9y9NXCRY
"Ack!"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaESbtQdpo
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxo60vrKbh
"G-Goodness, kid. Are ya alright?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXNdKJtiOq
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIk3RnwJ7c
"I-I'm fine, just keep quiet!"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMXTN29x1F
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8xdhSmq7j
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3qlHqv1jD
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpf4ynD9CN7
"Ya strong folk really are crazy."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KAgHKXzsM
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgDT1ByEpW
"Shut up. Now isn't the time for this."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkp5W2IAL82
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqcTt1ynSq
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXFwHLhweB
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcB6YoiyX3
And, by doing so, I heard something that made my hair stand on its ends.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlktOOUe1d
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19dIr9NmYF
"--Yeah, we should find a place to hide, don't ya think?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuSAxaInTD
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKEYPBGaw3
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBIMwRRzQO
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDICkVmdFg
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0B1hT8PsPF
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0OHQaA5N3
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–442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiqkd3Ut4J
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JWWktplgN
"--Kenny, I don't know if that'll do ya any good."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzKrTUEBLx
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEdnYvkW5N
"Huh?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4DTSxFx09
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4JF2kollK
Juke's deep voice pierced through the thunderous train of footsteps.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlw5NcozEY
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SBXiQr7pJ
"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."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSZU8CAXAC
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqdobOda77
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ400D33RSy2
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wd37x5lzX
"Why? Is it because I'm strong?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgtcVKF2j4
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuTAJi2VAj
"Nah, it's cuz yer a kid."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOj1mI3a4s7
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsUfD9yLLL
His response left me more stunned than I could've imagined.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29GZXz7kc0
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv55l2iGAR3
"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."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gdlbojb0I
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUusqauuOJC
"..."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfb9XvnYrrZ
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kxcNW94ci
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BYQnKAEIf
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLu2TocnGO
So, I let my mouth run amok.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2elJPEbN4s
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthG1GuUdjR
"I'm sure you know, but what Rover told me has... affected me, I suppose."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3c1yJh0tg
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1R9Dkcl21t
"Yeah, I know."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DIDGDWQMG
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAPKcxt3gw
A pause. I used it to formulate my following words more effectively.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xBLfwc0o7
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zlUfOAdBw
"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."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37Wf7ppLnN
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMJaQL8gLh
I darted my eyes to the side. He nodded along. He stared at the wall across. I did the same.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WGlqCkU5A
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VRppH7y3Z
"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."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztej4K3yqY
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG52KYlVpGj
"That sounds familiar..."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaahU7Tcfk9
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LmREuDbFg
"Huh?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hL4JLKm3m
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gnnd7HgYe
"Nevermind. Ya carry on."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZoAqTZOkp
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvC4J3Jw5k
I felt a little let down, but did as I was told.
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrA0AymRwR
"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."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ONK5OjiVK
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPe83vgQoB
"Well?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytGR4xnJpV
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzE1biIxXX
"...The thing is, if I voice it, I'll probably break apart here and now."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBy42QGjJE
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTfyBFbkDb
"Ah."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbp64haEMHG
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iF9cIjrlI
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but articulating it in my brain was difficult.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweaXhyfD3h
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HndVqXjU5
"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."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiEm4tHl7y
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Za0F3xmOv
"Ah, the Lionant?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwZyfeoj4l
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVt9utyLMF
"Yeah. The one you saved me from. Thank you for that, by the way."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMCtWnPI69
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpKarZ3R1j
"..."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17oy7OA65Y
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfePouWfJm
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoZjlVcVZS
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfHN8WGxVN
"This might be a dumb question, but why did you save me back then?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uZHALHhZi
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVgREjTWIF
"...Yeah, why did I?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNC0S9fhXax
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEv9mAmB7FL
I didn't expect to be met with another question.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡme7hryoBP0
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0q3g3NbsY
"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."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnp8KHsjDFn
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXtZF3R33z
I turned my head to him. He had his eyes pointed at the sky, one arm slung over his knee.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZiw66Rgz1
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8NRmCS132
"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."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnN1KPzX0C
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUTOkaM4YM
"..."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0uxGnYFBa
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SJm8WXDDW
I felt as if I should have said something, but I remained silent. Juke continued his gentle monologue.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWGpLWxQPF
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPiV0R6V1X
"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?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1DmslKqXS
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FygTG6iV3
"What?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygRX1A3jxr
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKnPtY0vJB
"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."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlu7PlyhS3p
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQ4UZqb8Kf
"That sounds... boorish?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRjg3lePUb
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tyfD3Xmos
"Pff, yer just too young."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3xtNLv6n6
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXtTYmZf8j
He paused for a moment.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNiMDhrjNc
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WujqlKRgC
"Why the hell am I saying this to a kid?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfoclqb6Hl
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQReTtdKmV
"D-Don't mind that, just keep talking."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxCzAG7RjV
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95BULisIfB
"...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."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPwHmFVlm2
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZv1MmQfAe
He took a second to readjust himself. I used that time to spill my own thoughts.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjhcz6krRa
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDn1gvzFiOi
"That's silly... O-Oh–"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsxHdvxwEG
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0eghgEQ49
I realized I had just blurted out something insensitive yet again.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxMH3nvdZj
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8v3Ip2r8M
"I didn't mean to be rude, but–"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOdqkgmX2i
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJrIxsHBpI
"Nah, I get why ya think it. To each their own, that's what the masses say, yeah?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPAcJVTLiP
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpiBSf6A4r
"I... yes, I suppose so."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfSAlgKYh1
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2W5fac82vt
Another pause. Juke directed his gaze to the floor this time.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbS5tX7dRD
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHPWb5ik6t
"I think the weak shouldn't have to deal with what the strong does."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8tMFtdPNm
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡird3RdGPUK
"Yes, I know."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyZxebbXBS
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUTjotqFw1
"But I wanna make sure Dennis is still kickin'."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMs6ZpL4icF
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKM4A5Qsrx
He said that with conviction I had never heard from him before.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLy6dHxcdd
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhkMNwljN4
"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."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlXToPGYHZ
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLe6teupXw
"..."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEETSMtjny
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sk0OtzgOo
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99h1YHBlTp
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcyXclLjcW
"Ya hear that?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwz7jH5R1x2
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKteTrF5CJ2
"Huh?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Yh5bKInKI
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieT3IXmgKG
I perked my ears. I didn't hear anything. Then, I realized what Juke meant.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAylEEzUN23
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqNWREBJSE
"They passed."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26An1ZZpYm
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiDtBBWw5T
"Yeah. I can't hear them anymore."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbPIReb0vf
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbxArZGrcP
Juke stood up first. He brushed the dirt off his pants and peered around the corner.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqISXEQuZwZ
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡix4kk0vZO5
"Looks like we're in the clear. Phew."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBP2k5hTCZV
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCH5s3zOmi6
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvlsnSSpWY
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lY6Eu5YBi
Juke had already taken his first steps, though. He looked back at me once he noticed I wasn't moving.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7tEmkF8Hr
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPoCAHeJ25
"Shit... hey, kid, I know what yer thinking."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfV5HFiY0F
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZdgy5RCFO
"You've been saying that a lot."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnsagI8nu7
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6U6xMdzAEh
"That's just cuz yer easy to read."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iJfDy8iMO
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42HwbuJqyl
We stood stock still in silence.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Wee6tRolU
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPm2S9O2U1x
"W-Well, what are you waiting for," I muttered, "Let's get going."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhI0HG6Svy7
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLK71uvTTD1
"Are ya sure?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8YZL52gWh
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxUMetQ2Zy
I walked out of the alleyway, looking both ways before standing beside Juke.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3VbHgeSl6
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpdwtedKqS
"I should be asking you that."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhiKeHvVHp
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nGXXRx74D
"Hehe, I guess so. We've come this far, haven't we?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9MYZO7xHM
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63reE6XNfV
"Yes. You get it."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡME0xMmoams
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaXJ9n79sV
But before we continued, there was one last thing I wanted to mention.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yiiWspqvh
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhDgRhE4Cr
"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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTAyxAtvPJ
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqU3oX8NuiN
"Fine by me."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxwd6qtzCG
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKz7WNozsKu
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlWfLM16zy
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PW4Vz8XJL
–
–
–
"Ya see that?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ762K3B41fT
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnz3IjH1tP4
"Yeah, we're almost there."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5UY3NvynE
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPNDo8R9R0
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqd0ZHms0EE
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojfGYeuLWt
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnrZilnPEs
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And as we got closer and closer, a sudden stench assaulted my nostrils.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVr8adtpGQy
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"Blurg, what was that?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1PjwBviZ2
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM759BbBUiT
I skidded to a stop. I reluctantly sniffed the air again but didn't catch the same whiff. Juke looked back at me, confused.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzaOZIcT7k
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ikuhtUIQb
"What was what?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQChDJ5RR80
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ240JaCtQl1
"I caught a whiff of something."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UAUR1ILTe
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLhI86sYR5
"Ah, gotcha. I ain't stopping, just so ya know."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufMGVK5t8s
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKVjvsrCCB
Clicking my tongue, I continued following Juke to the stables, occasionally sniffing the air as we encroached it.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPb19vyCrE
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3dXs0Xs63
And then, it came again. This time, more putrid than before.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpal8wQcPJj
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCH0exMteg
"Ugh– ack, what in the world?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEFCxbTuDl
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzuHTqUwgS
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWGIDJ5Vta
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVghygYfEr
But never had I wished for a door to be present more than now.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNx7LbAIwj
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdE4TxX7mz
"...This is fuckin' horrid."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLnAVwOnSo
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSF3GwYLc2A
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqbVu1jHaw
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPioVdfdhTw
The pens were broken, but the animals hadn't escaped. They were still in their pens, but as cadavers opposed to breathing beings.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOIB9cXpTU
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuI37aXzpc
Bile rose to my throat, but I was able to suppress it. That disturbed me deeply.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaMXYta5KQ
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGf7PGsNvl
"Well, Kenny, I dunno if we'll be leaving by carriage any time soon."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4cC8c3AwG
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ923q8RrdzH
"You 'don't know', huh? Are you kidding me?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmXLg2VZNj
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKFAwovpaL
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikjFgwo8Tw
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpb8sy08ox8
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.
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7EFozvje2
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."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfLZqAeoGv
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnkJOi1TPT
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmmfRGW9bP
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LouCONK0G
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–442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVgwf7DPFZ
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ572oxj7drz
"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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnS9fl4azqo
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA18dzCa43p
Then, Juke began to talk, but it was clear that it wasn't to me.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTo9jD0sWo
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRHLfIe87d
"Who are ya people?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡof2YKp0TTG
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpVJAwSXiL
"Wow, he really followed us. Well, sir, we're here to help. My buddy will be doing the dirty work, though."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gfbQtAlNy
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXG9QVEgIM
"Buddy?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tFg5xYR6k
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9IlVf44Il
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0fl8nGmq0
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXeRG8FX1O
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74urSwxPMu
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZ60HfbK85
"Quiet now."442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVcx7SrQi1
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGY1EefFDS
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFzXnEGNEE
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7iQkp7gTJ
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.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AkqHsuqv9
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeuySbiEVX
"Where did she go? Do I smell that bad?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedGcbZ0wMU
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWnm5m67VI
He pulled his crossbows back and sighed, rubbing his head as he turned around. His eyes met with mine, and he practically blenched.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HLeWEQS8M
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhmkC19k8q
"K-Kenny? Where did you come from!?"442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkLsiZkoCb
442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLfKQAz0QB
I sighed, and I smiled. There was something heartwarming about seeing this man act as usual, even if it pained me.442Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNGn3MI5A7
and then Add to home screen.