"Hey, wake up."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXUO83aI57
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4LREsxiQm
"H-Huh!?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyJDmR7Lma
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oF9gzSzXA
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqwvrpRFsI
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAYPx72Gdf
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare ya."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oOrG3ooSH
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPVD7vjq1D
"No no, it's fine."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHHFvhYf1F
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkefSD3bxP
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2b4lAnyIzG
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfWasASHKT
"Goodness kid, did ya sleep at all?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdQCVHuUOX
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEtki3W9aJ
"Huh? Yeah, sure I did."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxJSNCJTZ3
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8K1aLI6LeP
I let out another yawn. After a dozen firm blinks, I was able to keep my eyes open for longer than two seconds.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVHqVQdzwE
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRDcTBbvA0
"Are ya sure–"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8nL52fxzG
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1DCT04BXZ
"Listen, Juke, I'm fine. I'm, perfectly fine. My neck is just a little sore, that's all."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsIMEQ3vYQ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGubvLPRkZ
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCj75nZa5A
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfrVJy9X2e
"Well, if ya say so. When yer ready, come meet me outside."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOdBXSbv11
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhL2KUU3hD
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CRlKyHTAI
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uGHHQ1Vxx
"..."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqO9wVT2Nr6
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNtalUDMU8
Now that the grogginess had left me, my mind worked at total capacity. It came with unwanted by-products.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3uCx9uLgs
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrO1KMxtDt
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxqbxWqLhX
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFbBRHnDni
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjbV2WS3mi
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyDOF3KcH3
The plate was full of fish. It wasn't a food I'd associate with breakfast.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKQ2huTZzw
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡik6agbHVOJ
"Hi young man, how did you sleep?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5lfisOK9k
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sqsC1cVv8
His tone was cheery and amiable. He sounded like a pleasant person to speak to.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFCmYkjBTZ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFznzFIs7Q
"Hmm. Huh? Oh, were you talking to me?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhxNuahx7w
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvM5WCwUZI
The man nodded. Now that I thought about it–175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0HaRzZS97
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmxZ2Oo7lY
"What's your name anyway? I don't believe you've ever told us."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVVhbYy3b0
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ468Q0NL3TR
"...You must be right. My name is Hank, it's a pleasure."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtIhQZxIPZ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVg1y8DaCEh
"Hank... did you cook this breakfast?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuHYESEXfm
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45dCE3hKD2
"I certainly did. Well, go on now, try it."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ncaHr1YHH
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGYNASlteC
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–175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FdfPE2xoa
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCxRQ5hrrm
"Don't gotta waste yer time ogling at it, kid."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwQdfzgrtj
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDlm1a7002
Juke's statement interrupted my necessary analyses.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeWRhitC4V
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmSrIf5xPA
"I guess you're right. Is good, Juke?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGaM5ZRltK
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yR685F0J5
"Yeah, it is. If ya don't eat it now though, some bird might poop on it and ruin the taste."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqcQOXqdxB
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6nUOuuTmX
"What?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQzfi74kBS
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54s3e1s7jW
He sighed and flicked his head.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgDY4lLd91
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPM3N5zs3tt
"Come on, let's enjoy our last breakfast here, why don't we?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlq2D2j49DV
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecMZHJ2GOV
"Last... yeah, let's."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mYaKtaW5d
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcECMUX6qO
I took the fork and began to eat the fish. It had a kick to it that I didn't expect, but otherwise–175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGGtE9DXcD
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqyYbWI0VX
"This is good. This is really good."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeLisSHWCX
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVw2cCEgvj
"I told ya."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzER2q5ib0
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNDAkwUCVy
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lmTrX9qdG
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdGHvkIRtP
"Wait a minute, Juke," Hank started, "how are you eating with your helmet on?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJopfZBHNd
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TixlveddO
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKqjvoqUQd
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMHmcIPEPv
"Trade secret, don't worry 'bout it. Just keep eating."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxL8mulC5p
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgdG6rlDpf
The man backed down. I kept looking at Juke, but he wouldn't eat the fish in front of me.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9xFrGgT9D
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3kFND8mfX
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFx5a4wqu4b
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMw06eYuQBH
–
–
–175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0FszGRx2N
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVNtCUM1SR
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXU9FnqHBP
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbKoSdekxd
"So, you two want to leave the city, correct?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEs0bYWOfm
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh425vLKnTq
"That's right," Juke responded.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGFXwJKxg9
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCyl1XD9P8
"I see..."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDty0VDwMEE
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNM7JdvNMa
He pinched his chin and gazed at the table.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCsQ9nCmMm
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmO2LQrFO93
"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."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaLsy4AI5a
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhQSrqfkqh
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXNya0ffEE
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfxRp3YeGu
"However, I do believe you two can get out fine."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQ7xgSwIw7
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWwvTVWXry
"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."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3f651FTWw
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4o1EmaP7C
I nodded along to Juke's reasoning. Hank did too, less tense than twenty seconds ago.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTd9LwXXBZ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZV9fTpste
"Do you two have a plan in mind?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qUt7P0wgX
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74bqGi6Fms
Juke turned his head to me, confusing me more than pressuring me.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdObPd3Q4l
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLm9YjeD28
"What are you looking at me for?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLcoFEz7bQ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsMUy6BHBZ
"Ya got any ideas?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcKcZik8v0
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5r3W1R7WI
"Why do you think I do, anyway?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWOHsy2it2
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGnVymmYCj
He shrugged at my inquiry. I just sighed and rubbed my temple, racking my brain for anything.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOWnsKkUqs
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZi1yg2TuN
"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."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtae61ILDDi
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGN57U9AdTU
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqz8T2Ip1ee
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGyWKF10l2
"Hank, can you go outside and check the surroundings?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60jXatsdTJ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPzNQwgVq1
"U-Uh, I very well may, however..."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7YQ8nma4p
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYLs5s13rc
I raised my brow, then realized that just because Hank wasn't me or Juke didn't mean that he was entirely safe.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ546ETQzK7h
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjrLd1CSoZ
Rover's visage flashed in my mind. I brushed it aside for the moment, barely.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjXe4mYRYg
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4xFqFvs8O
"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."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFEiEU1FMC
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTy0Jv1m8u
"I see. I apologize for asking so much from you."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKBVM915Z5
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJL2YnQbIsQ
He shook his hands frantically and.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9NpjVrlrm
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbsiDtvTqO
"Oh no no, I'll do it. I just don't think I'll be able to scout very far ahead."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrQTLjl8YL
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetoq3GRJ7a
"That ain't an issue. Just the first block should be alright."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAjUcDQ27t
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpCOqeA4UT
Hank's gaze turned abnormally stern. He stood up and did a few gesticulations to assure himself.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlLwaofKfh
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2a3SJeR0P
"Pray for me."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqKgP4EKOc
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IUYkYPyij
"Don't worry. We'll arrange yer funeral for ya."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePllsCAkxF
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVlGiK9XSL
"Juke!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Vyv8mYEU9
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFKb92nGVT
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjUZ3CHjQA
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSrHopnxTy
"Thanks for trying to lighten the mood, Juke."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aAhH4N8eH
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCpBmYPSop
He turned his head to me, stuttering his words before taking a breath and speaking them coherently.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmGIujnZZl
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlg148EJgfT
"No need to thank me. The atmosphere's tense, I just don't want it to stay that way."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLhvMLftpy
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSWZE1gWoA
"Still, I appreciate it."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgX8QIw2A1
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcXrLFE3l9
I sat with my legs spread out, lowering my head and leaning over to stare at the ground.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1n4HOVB4b
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5cIcfIK7S
"I can tell that my wisecracks ain't all that effective, though."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXMLoO2TwY
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJoqqJGd1x
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡML9Hfb4AzN
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRDdc4puhw
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsY79fFms0S
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhQawxQrBv
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlmLzTcWqT
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqD4OQgfKB
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QNFPM9vmJ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6PeccOB5C
"Thank you for your help, Hank."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjx3DKwKsAq
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLLrj9B8om
"Yeah, we really of ya."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfeiQUYjN1
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuH69DLzVqO
He gave us a light smile and waved.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXc2F5IH6c
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQVBXy78Ya
"No no, it's fine. It's what Dennis would have wanted, I'm sure."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRK8qgtcYv
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UtI9VWk0u
"...Y-Yeah."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qoiLcchTs
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgLVwfS61d
A morbid parasite was planted in me before we left. It began to eat at me instantly, but I did nothing to address it.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0EYhWlAOW
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtxMLbO1sL
–
–
–175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRkcH2fnaE
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNBjid8r5r
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxewvKm5t0j
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmabrwCI91
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHripMAtiIO
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9ieWTnV61
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakN7ltKSzS
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE33JM6o4Vp
"Hey, are you sure we're going the right way?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rFvASlOU6
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOxs9vdqZj
"Yeah, I'm sure. I remember that chipped building when I visited the stables earlier."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQo0mzVnv4G
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaObjAvvUH2
He pointed at a building opposite us. Indeed, it was chipped, but somehow I didn't find his memory reliable.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEkRrFgM2b
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqN0ald0IX
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3ZTOtpBRX
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSGXhbiN7i
"--Crap!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmm9v0xq3S
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6sAAH9qbP
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZZlKIXvz8
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQpeMa4AyZ
"Crap. Crap!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOt20dF9Wj
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmYZ0ADg1K
"Eh? What's the situation, kid?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWT8Dyubo9
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCHWQ6V5QF
"People are heading our way!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwVxjiRUoL
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLXicSxdBl
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKsdq6OjnM
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnSspLtzZY
"I guess we gotta jump 'em."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwYB8eumDZ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUrU2gKPAi
"What!? That's a terrible idea!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKBheEWfkW
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVzLjpwfAP
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AxhGwHYoj
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYqC46JkTn
"Okay, maybe it isn't a terrible idea, but we need to knock them out quickly."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZwJAcOnRa
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhS5Mv81saV
"Yeah, killin' 'em will just make a mess and draw attention, ya make a good point."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPmDJd4UCz
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2IRxleYcp
"...Murder is the first thing you– nevermind, you gave me a good idea."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5oGRPaId7
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TU5wVBvYo
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTLeyVaKKj
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhwQeZMMcJ
It was unexpectedly heavy. The weight of the shield brought me to the floor and strained my arm terribly175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgaPitD2D3
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtk6PGglMP
"Ack!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUhNR0J2Y3
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhdJmLK03j
"G-Goodness, kid. Are ya alright?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6PwrvrmkQ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZeLxUAhXm
"I-I'm fine, just keep quiet!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sJJxaD4YF
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPc2tuBhWZq
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkTA3qYZda
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgh8VnX6m8q
"Ya strong folk really are crazy."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcBi5A0bGG
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlE8TaO1o5L
"Shut up. Now isn't the time for this."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOr2D55O7jA
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAbK3hVquE
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uE2SLrR51
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvY4ldr4024
And, by doing so, I heard something that made my hair stand on its ends.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeAb9D7hFb
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8VOPATQ3N
"--Yeah, we should find a place to hide, don't ya think?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XibPYIJcR
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZAMZBprbU
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVnqt6O99u
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhggIeIcut
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9UymNLCnJ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDn4famcTvT
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–175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAI6hgrPtu
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ndTYZxf26
"--Kenny, I don't know if that'll do ya any good."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZ36OJFAZP
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5otRzKO7b5
"Huh?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8yPSTjIHc
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjbxKatX5r
Juke's deep voice pierced through the thunderous train of footsteps.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rnL7vtGUG
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbDSShHaGf
"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."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YcX7WrgsD
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyFkXZDcke
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1wbCVJWlL
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1U535hjZhN
"Why? Is it because I'm strong?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WNJhgL7eS
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YItx6Elf1
"Nah, it's cuz yer a kid."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GGhikNx9A
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XkTpLIRYV
His response left me more stunned than I could've imagined.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwiLJOgSv2
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxn3YcMBR2r
"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."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwLnTNba48
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9Lp3jQfAJ
"..."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZEe68mMva
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4PFZOsMoH
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsKq8pjT6l
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjR7Je0SxE
So, I let my mouth run amok.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52uJB0I4nb
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTB6LJbzeSX
"I'm sure you know, but what Rover told me has... affected me, I suppose."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Bb1veVlJb
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6AfNWqSqp
"Yeah, I know."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vehpKYdgH
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjB0sVz6h3
A pause. I used it to formulate my following words more effectively.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidl3we7jzL
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8CAzj8w4w
"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."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJvRbDRTJP
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEyFmNqf9h
I darted my eyes to the side. He nodded along. He stared at the wall across. I did the same.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROiwBjPsjr
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvve3314Oa
"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."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4ddi6HPlK
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXORULuwc6
"That sounds familiar..."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKiz48feNZ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdJowMiSkC
"Huh?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtvcHnx5YG
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxw2b25WNP
"Nevermind. Ya carry on."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzOslHeY0l
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3uBYPi8wF
I felt a little let down, but did as I was told.
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0089LOv0hg
"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."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCLe32qErB
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9uPckvV3f
"Well?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKXVqMszQE
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Lm4d5TNQY
"...The thing is, if I voice it, I'll probably break apart here and now."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtK7QZXvnq
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZ2xxzwfN7
"Ah."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0o8g6ee2l
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJxYtD4EC1
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but articulating it in my brain was difficult.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6aXDZoy0z
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNI2YA6ocDy
"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."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYApFyGUT6C
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbjk5XyQCS
"Ah, the Lionant?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡja8y7kHXAR
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAQkl2unAt
"Yeah. The one you saved me from. Thank you for that, by the way."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1U91vEacyj
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eNGLOEFsT
"..."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWzh6FsRZw
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttuVOSbb8q
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnREAIbe6O
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3La6bnjhW
"This might be a dumb question, but why did you save me back then?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWsz2NQuah
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQQUCjVITD
"...Yeah, why did I?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeiKR58V9n
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcSiftq02S
I didn't expect to be met with another question.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5t86HxmRoe
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYaSocwZBs
"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."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIrGBmX58C
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrB2BkExYmN
I turned my head to him. He had his eyes pointed at the sky, one arm slung over his knee.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOL8Kr8wy1i
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwJ4c5rGwC
"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."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1Vvc7ha29
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6MGXmhAj5
"..."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCPm2pcPOy
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmH2klqVIgs
I felt as if I should have said something, but I remained silent. Juke continued his gentle monologue.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtguYNzbLvv
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZln0nK5tu
"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?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLESWiedIm
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ443C55mhJs
"What?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8CedpduP9
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFLGMqiPQE
"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."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfOeMQosio
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzFcqvqpWC
"That sounds... boorish?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzllPAWhp24
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4jILiZbQ2
"Pff, yer just too young."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkde6dxF0vV
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnFANcwuOZ
He paused for a moment.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1IJGu679z
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm67X0SmKZT
"Why the hell am I saying this to a kid?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rMy0NP2YN
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gwTIFR04o
"D-Don't mind that, just keep talking."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvOYRb4ADb
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccfX7As9cD
"...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."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIKVoZkENb
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jXwuoVTSE
He took a second to readjust himself. I used that time to spill my own thoughts.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCbXH4wskT
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauHjQtO1Ns
"That's silly... O-Oh–"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiLuY8PdWH
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5D1BJXxP2
I realized I had just blurted out something insensitive yet again.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XiVykSu7Q
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoQCdhIgRs
"I didn't mean to be rude, but–"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0W4HSbdcI
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMhWTxtJUx
"Nah, I get why ya think it. To each their own, that's what the masses say, yeah?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvER3vm6bw6
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdYVdFtZa4
"I... yes, I suppose so."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLFc8N40rH
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWPzA8lEFc
Another pause. Juke directed his gaze to the floor this time.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIF6yXEE1M
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ElwyfTdu1
"I think the weak shouldn't have to deal with what the strong does."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayQhqfyZl2
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAsAORBIJP
"Yes, I know."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrUk95P7Ve
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTloc0xLHWS
"But I wanna make sure Dennis is still kickin'."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcNxG6vIV7
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8ivW59lhz
He said that with conviction I had never heard from him before.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVDEhSlwWN
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAdBKDch3x
"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."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNmL706dwQ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2U58kvXyPl
"..."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYbR9EfUgV
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvOmuqOJQV
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMN1BH4osS
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1n5skhKs4R
"Ya hear that?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaCKlZNY8E
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWL18YGOKd
"Huh?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZX0dGbtfWm
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNXCLvy24E
I perked my ears. I didn't hear anything. Then, I realized what Juke meant.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHNkORAEOx
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLQo6DZsKz
"They passed."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQfBPlckuA
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1nzUAeNUk
"Yeah. I can't hear them anymore."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkseQez3kzL
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa67uRu8y3P
Juke stood up first. He brushed the dirt off his pants and peered around the corner.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYG4ZVwrcD3
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrHrmEgDlI
"Looks like we're in the clear. Phew."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZheZkKADg
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvb2PLTdxd
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfaitf07Zq
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fYCzSDUK9
Juke had already taken his first steps, though. He looked back at me once he noticed I wasn't moving.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IZNtmNLL4
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLhFqcWzDj
"Shit... hey, kid, I know what yer thinking."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmHrwFV3AY
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMouoXZYDP
"You've been saying that a lot."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFqcEcksIF
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkmdIM9HUp
"That's just cuz yer easy to read."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUSMwGTSi8
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHimkKydue
We stood stock still in silence.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4ivBdrsLf
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthTtaQB5N0
"W-Well, what are you waiting for," I muttered, "Let's get going."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ147BQK3lP9
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCbxebS2WW
"Are ya sure?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYttZjjH52r
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoTVk9Fkom
I walked out of the alleyway, looking both ways before standing beside Juke.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5J8wcTq8gQ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogicKyxWcD
"I should be asking you that."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWGFRSu8oO
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4GWal8s6Z
"Hehe, I guess so. We've come this far, haven't we?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzcgNeohAf
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkZhC5H2RP
"Yes. You get it."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJ4xCvdBZ7
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TMH6cO1l5
But before we continued, there was one last thing I wanted to mention.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2Ak3Xz39u
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbNoUDDq4k
"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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUHoaairxT
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKHmJeRXHW
"Fine by me."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Yd1kgShhY
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkCepUNzpP
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15Zb4WNIve
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtNHd0xSnI
–
–
–
"Ya see that?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCuVBdW55A
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5DkXNmQq9
"Yeah, we're almost there."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRSGB9jFxr
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnUu3IXmyA
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1K7n4XxQRI
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xvY2tfOzj
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dILDO9T6S
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And as we got closer and closer, a sudden stench assaulted my nostrils.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzH9Lb4PA1
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"Blurg, what was that?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1ua3rb9Ba
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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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5gL5NmE25
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"What was what?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9196i54GCY
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"I caught a whiff of something."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAYVUppzWf
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"Ah, gotcha. I ain't stopping, just so ya know."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFrKlgXVnT
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Clicking my tongue, I continued following Juke to the stables, occasionally sniffing the air as we encroached it.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuwxZFHV0Q
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And then, it came again. This time, more putrid than before.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9c6u23b3x
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"Ugh– ack, what in the world?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgveJZCRoBm
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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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMciUMpPac
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But never had I wished for a door to be present more than now.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEkeOIEELu
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"...This is fuckin' horrid."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEj1kNZ3vyZ
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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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYjxB5m7lH
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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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJIt35i6CB
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Bile rose to my throat, but I was able to suppress it. That disturbed me deeply.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUwhlUrhxO
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"Well, Kenny, I dunno if we'll be leaving by carriage any time soon."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKZF1WJPvi
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"You 'don't know', huh? Are you kidding me?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZbaqVAlc2
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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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY30vIpVsvw
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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."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFN6AxsRmd
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrIoSyyuMh
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIPMC5ech8
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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–175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphPmT8cIGa
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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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3k5p7lIumS
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Then, Juke began to talk, but it was clear that it wasn't to me.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYDGww5Ov1
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"Who are ya people?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6em3QgN7TS
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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."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPtE3XT0sd
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"Buddy?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvjsN94wqv
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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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbIjNrfdiv
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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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlP4nMX7RQK
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"Quiet now."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5kwP2EGTy
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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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tiWhR3rn2
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7zvBve83z
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpEzFGEjDq
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"Where did she go? Do I smell that bad?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UCbgRcocy
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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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDcZuezdZF
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"K-Kenny? Where did you come from!?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiil4BMIHNo
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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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5m1wlmqcyo
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