As George held the door open, Charlie leaned in, his expression shifting as he asked, "You wouldn't happen to have seen a man, maybe… blonde hair?" His voice was tentative, as though he were trying to paint a picture from memory that kept slipping through his fingers.
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5K84WBVH2
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29Wx5pyzmG
Jed snorted under his breath, leaning toward Charlie with a smirk. "Blonde hair, huh? Reckon half the folks out here got a good chance at that description, boy. Probably need a tad more detail."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKxDF6cFvk
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt540V2sAZ3
Charlie shot Jed an exasperated look before turning back to George. "Right. I mean, he's… Mexican, I think? But I… uh, kinda forgot what he was wearing," he admitted, a little sheepish.
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uuGj9Wigw
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gjbTIgu77
George scratched his chin thoughtfully, but his eyes were calm, distant, like they were watching clouds pass. "Can't say I've seen anyone like that pass by here. Not recently, anyhow," he replied with a gentle shake of his head. He didn't seem fazed, but there was a flicker in his eyes—a brief hint of something unreadable.
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnmBxdyKRH
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWp6F3zbR1C
"Now, why don't you two come in and sit a spell? I got stew on the fire. It's no trouble to share a meal."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzmpGtEKmn
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlqdjGj4uK
Jed raised a hand in polite refusal. "Much obliged, sir, but we're just passing through. Won't be takin' up any more of your time."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gYilIMlYx
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfmlQqYRTV
"Oh, nonsense," George insisted, his smile stretching a bit wider, though his tone was as soft as before. "It's not every day I get visitors out here. Besides, you two look like you could use a hot meal."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFa4cPVYQEr
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0y6lWEcsZ
Jed exchanged a reluctant look with Charlie, whose own gaze was hopeful, hungry even. With a slow sigh, Jed nodded, muttering, "Reckon if you're sure, I won't turn down a warm meal."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOYfVVHkFC
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCM4KIVxHOI
Charlie grinned, and they both followed George into the modest cabin, its interior sparse but surprisingly well-kept. As they took a seat, George moved with a quiet efficiency, ladling out portions of stew into worn ceramic bowls. He moved slowly, deliberate, his hands steady, and something about him made Jed's cynical side sit up and take notice.
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOFL9VZwkn
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nryjVs5xa
"So, George," Jed started, his tone casual but his eyes sharp. "What's a man like you doin' out here all alone? Not many folks choose a life that close to the middle of nowhere."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MMp7KqZp1
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIrjHjvjzG
George looked up, eyes glinting with a hint of something more than politeness—almost amusement. "Oh, you know. Some men are called to different paths," he said, voice smooth, like he was reciting a practiced line. "I find peace here, away from the noise of towns, away from… people's pryin' eyes."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BF9ll7xUJ
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWv8aJbCdjZ
Charlie, halfway through a spoonful, glanced up. "Doesn't it get lonely? Not havin' anyone around to talk to?"
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCc4727DVi
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIGluRryiG
A brief shadow crossed George's face, but it vanished quickly, replaced by his easygoing smile. "Sometimes, I suppose. But solitude can be a gift, too. Allows a man to think, clear his mind, maybe… even see things clearer than he could among the crowd."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5aGpMbzTM
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45A4G6NW32
Jed raised an eyebrow, taking a slow sip of the stew, eyes never leaving George. "Sounds almost like you're hidin' from somethin'," he drawled. "World has a way of catching up with men who think they can outrun it."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqOtKrmQSb
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRjT4GboGA
George chuckled softly, his gaze resting on Jed for a beat too long. "Or maybe it's the world that's trying to outrun me. Ever think of it that way?" His tone was polite, but there was an edge, like he was holding something back. "Sometimes, a man finds himself in a place like this not because he's hiding but because he's waiting."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQrOY7Elak
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVZGWbZ6si
Jed's jaw tightened slightly. "Waitin' for what, exactly?"
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAhrvCj6A2
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GaLtIOXIM
George only shrugged, his smile never quite reaching his eyes. "The right time. Or maybe… the right people."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKe44q5GtV5
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFwyFmy7xn
Charlie looked between the two men, sensing the tension but not quite grasping it. "Well, you got some company now, George," he said, trying to lighten the mood. "Even if it's just for a meal."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oGpJMjnyM
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXVY42Kj44
George's gaze flickered, softening just a bit. "Indeed," he murmured, almost to himself. "And for now,I reckon that's more than enough." Jed and Charlie walked in George was already cooking food and still is as he heads back to finish the food Charlie and Jed says down
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh458QYoHcS
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmazz32jba
Jed leaned in close to Charlie, his voice low and almost playful, though his eyes held a sharper glint. "Boy, take a look over there at that shelf."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcn6cOSICjh
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxENufBjhBc
Charlie squinted, unsure. "What? The books?"
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpa9pspUuk
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgfGDfkW0a
Jed sighed, giving a small, amused shake of his head. "Not the books, son. Under 'em. You see it?"
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7lbhKR57T
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCOAYXY1z7
Charlie leaned in, glancing toward the dusty corner Jed indicated, then sucked in a quiet breath as he spotted the edge of a trapdoor. "Why would he have that…?"
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiGSLLWjfG
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsJGtN9RZ9
Jed's voice barely carried above a whisper. "I'd wager he's got more down there than old cookbooks. Saw bits of blood near the table where he's fixin' our stew, too. Blood by the house. Can't be coincidences—not with the way he talks and moves."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPZ9U7xUAg
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3EjaEgtWc
Charlie's gaze darted back to George, who was stirring the pot with a calmness that almost seemed practiced, his gaze far away, like he wasn't entirely in the room. He nodded slowly, trying to match Jed's careful tone. "Alright, alright… I believe you. And that bag he keeps real close? I keep wondering what he's hiding in there."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbr2s7ZXumq
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBHIJdoh9w
Jed scratched at his chin, grimacing. "Look, kid, we might just have to deal with him. If he's the reason Jose's horse is out there alone, then he might've done the same to Jose—and he sure as hell might do it to us next."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRVoUb6Fev
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEw3xc9WyOl
Charlie swallowed, steeling himself. "Yeah, no doubt we have to. No sense waitin' around for him to try something."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSYjRgj2Uc
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuQA9AgIS7
Jed smirked at the boy's resolve. "Course you'd agree with that. You always had a knack for findin' trouble."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyTbtte5zP
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3t93Tdtzfk
Just as Jed finished speaking, George turned around, holding out two bowls of stew with a calm, almost serene smile. He placed them on the table, then sat across from them, folding his hands with a quiet dignity. "Well, go on, eat up. It's been simmering all day, should be just right."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyu9MXjD1ly
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbbOeeyr6k
Charlie forced a grin, stirring his stew but glancing over the bowl's edge, watching George closely.
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyIVG6i7f7
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxxmUxfVXL
Sensing the tension, George tilted his head slightly, his gaze patient. "You boys look uneasy. Life on the trail can do that to a man, keep him looking over his shoulder. But sometimes, peace only comes when we release those fears. That's what the ancient Stoics believed, at least," he said, almost to himself. "A mind free of fear can accept whatever comes next—no need for constant fightin' and worryin'. You've heard of ataraxia, I'd bet? A life without disturbance?"
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKKx3luKmV
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlIzsHDUQW
Jed chuckled, dark and dry, leaning back as he held George's gaze. "Ataraxia, huh? That's a mighty high-minded way of sayin' 'sit quiet and accept what comes.' But sometimes, old man, peace is just a word folks use to keep others from askin' too many questions."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTPnfDaFX3
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJonVtoS7PX
George raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing at his lips. "Ah, you're more perceptive than most. True peace, ataraxia, is hard to come by out here. But it's possible. And sometimes, to achieve it, a man has to make difficult choices… like living alone, away from the noise, away from those who might wish him harm."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhnJ4qM1D1
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmqverMZv6
Charlie's grip on his spoon tightened, and he shot a quick look at Jed. There was an edge to George's tone now, a subtle weight in his words.
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BtEhrg6Lt
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHK5ixoikl
"So, George," Jed said slowly, letting his voice take on a darker tone, "don't suppose you've seen anyone else come by recently? Maybe a fella named Jose?"
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOQj1jeRJh
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWLO2CKuYN
George's eyes glinted, but his expression stayed calm. "I can't say I have. Though if I had, perhaps I'd be wiser to keep that knowledge close. Not every truth is worth sharing."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnlB0XoNZx
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWW3tRAlY0
Jed held George's gaze for a long moment, unblinking. "Funny, I'd say every truth's got a way of crawlin' out sooner or later. Guess we'll see which way it goes tonight."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJyY9j8A2V
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6qhfEbUGM
George only smiled, a faint, unsettling calm settling over him. "In that case, gentlemen, perhaps we should raise a toast—to whatever may come."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIydjRL0Ke
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95g0bpAedX
Charlie leaned back, squinting at George with a sly, skeptical smile. "Say, George, what's in the bag?"
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGF9crRqPff
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlouB9PT5U6
George glanced over, his expression unreadable as his gaze lingered on the worn leather bag. A strange light flashed in his eyes, and he let out a low chuckle. "Oh, that? Well, I'll tell you," he said slowly, almost savoring each word. "But first, let me show you something." He reached inside the bag and pulled out a few jagged shards of broken glass, setting them carefully on the table. From another pocket, he retrieved a handful of ants, which he gently placed on the glass shards.
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvA9V3lUwpH
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DGZftLuYl
Charlie's eyes widened. "What in tarnation…?"
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHbENkC9pP
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyW5Ss2nF7z
George's voice took on a quiet, almost eerie tone as he watched the ants scurry across the glass. "Ants… remarkable little things. They communicate, cooperate, solve problems together. Each one alone ain't much, but together, they're almost like one mind, moving as one."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIh7Y8HoDTw
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmN3kIbEl16
Jed tilted his head, a glint of dark humor in his eye. "Well, ain't that heartwarming. So we got ourselves a lesson in bug science?"
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ82rdvfuNP
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrKMRMMP7e
George ignored him, staring at the ants with an unsettling intensity. "Did you know that ants can't hear, not like we do? They feel. Vibrations, like the beatin' of a heart or the hum of somethin' alive." He looked up, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "Why don't you reach out and touch one?"
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46csiS85QD
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwMQdznXjv
Jed and Charlie exchanged uneasy glances, but curiosity got the best of them. Hesitantly, they reached forward, their fingers brushing against the ants.
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8FBjYmy6H
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPI60PQy96r
In an instant, sharp, burning pain shot through their arms as tiny shards of glass embedded themselves into their skin. "Argh!" they both cried out, jerking back as blood began to bead along the cuts.
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSliFPrPU2
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtx1ytVd2oc
George watched them, an unsettling smile spreading across his face. "See, that glass—it'll work its way to your heart soon enough. But that's just the beginning. I've got something else here." He lifted his hand, and a swarm of insects seemed to appear from nowhere, crawling along his arms and over the table, surrounding the glass shards and moving toward Jed and Charlie.
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbCGN4EBc9
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFk3w6yhR8n
"Damn it, George, what the hell're you talkin' about?" Jed growled, clutching his bleeding arm, his face twisted in pain and confusion.
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbbRXjFwZf
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAkyUgKHvj
George took a slow step back, reaching into his bag again and pulling out a glowing crystal that cast an unnatural, holy light across the room. He held it up, a sinister pride in his eyes. "This crystal—it's given me a gift. The power to call upon these little creatures to do my bidding. I can make them fuse things together, bring in objects that'll merge with skin or bone, make nightmares part of your very body."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZXABQYgHM
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwh45ZESxE
Charlie, pale and breathing heavily, managed to choke out, "The crystal? I thought that thing was hidden away in Mexico."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiKHyFw6P2
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7AtCqneAs
George's eyes narrowed, his smile turning cold. "Oh, so you know about it, huh? There's a man downstairs who does, too. Seems this little trinket brings together those who know its secret."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdOMeH8Cb0
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlw1H4xejc
Jed tightened his grip on his arm, muttering to Charlie, "Listen, boy, we gotta move now." Then, with a swift motion, he raised his gun, aiming it at his own arm. "Bang!" The gunshot rang out, and blood splattered as the impact forced the glass shards from his skin. "Charlie, do it—now!"
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbMkAXsc3J
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0VkfJhQi1
Charlie winced but nodded, lifting his own gun and firing into his arm. "Bang!" The shards fell free, and he gasped in relief, his arm still trembling from the pain.
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArFWKrnYJE
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTmMmATXru
But George's laughter filled the air, low and menacing. "It's too late! You think you can stop what's already in motion?" The room seemed to darken as more insects poured from the bag, filling the air in a buzzing, crawling mass. Jed and Charlie, reacting in a flash, scrambled up onto the wooden table, panting as they kept their eyes locked on the swarm crawling below. The bugs spread out like a dark, writhing carpet on the floor, their tiny bodies glinting in the dim light as they scuttled closer, mandibles clicking.
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqydW6KeIi
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EguUx3J5a
"Well, ain't this cozy," Jed muttered, wiping blood from his arm. He let out a breathless chuckle, though his face was tense. "We're like two squirrels treed by a damn pack of coyotes." Charlie's eyes darted around the room, the dark swarm spreading across the floor like a tide of tiny soldiers. He glanced at Jed, then back toward the door that George had disappeared through.
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmTh7CSHR7
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFYGlPXLaO
"Uncle Jed, we have to get that damn crystal," he whispered urgently. "I didn't think we'd actually find it this quick."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOk04CpPOlp
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAfshhM7FJ
Jed grimaced, his face a mix of frustration and wry amusement. "Oh, we found it all right, but now we're knee-deep in bugs and bad decisions. So unless you got a genius plan to walk us outta here on air, I'd suggest keeping that head down."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuVBrMHE0S
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3I5JLCEc0
Before Charlie could respond, there was a loud, relentless banging from the trapdoor. The sound echoed through the room, building to a crescendo as something heavy smashed against it. Then, with a groan, the trapdoor lurched open, pushing aside the bookshelf above it.
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiMyxIRNgW
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0sPCxuYM8
A figure clawed his way up—Jose. His face was streaked with blood, his eyes cold and calculating even as he crawled atop the bookshelf and lay there for a moment, panting. He looked like he'd been through hell, but his eyes betrayed no hint of fear or pain, just an unyielding, venomous resolve.
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GtAaVMh9g
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2sG70AMdA
Charlie aimed his gun at Jose, fingers steady but his breath hitched. "Jed, I got a clear shot. We don't know what he's after, but I don't trust him."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIy3vVdvnvn
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLH6HBalsk
Jed's hand shot out, gripping Charlie's arm firmly. "Forget him, kid. We don't have time to be picking fights. We need to get the hell outta here before we're bug chow."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6Q6eSyBFw
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBxLHh6cb2
Charlie shot Jed a skeptical glance, then muttered under his breath, "remember what I said, Jed.
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LvEh51FuO
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJUl1gLGWZ
Jose, smirking despite the blood trickling down his face, raised his head just enough to glare at them, his voice a rasp yet edged with cruel amusement. "Quit squabbling, you two. If you want out of here alive, you'll kick that candle next to you. Now."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3kcvvajI0
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfq1qqwjwxD
Jed narrowed his eyes at Jose, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, and why should we trust the guy who just came crawlin' up here lookin' like he lost a fistfight with a porcupine?"
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWIsXYAwmm
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDKSgW9tiH
Jose's lips curled into a sneer as he sat up, one hand pressing against his bleeding side. "You don't have to trust me, old man. But you'd be a damn fool not to listen. Those bugs? They're drawn to the light. Blow out that candle, and they'll disperse enough for you to make a break for it."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPPjqDqPgs
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡff6r4urlNI
Jed glanced at the candle, then back at Jose, who was watching them with a mixture of disdain and anticipation, like a wolf daring them to take the bait.
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQ4Nt0dhHY
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcKc2mWZRu
Charlie's grip tightened on his gun, still aimed at Jose. "Why the hell would you help us?"
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztWBBb0Uhr
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODS85nOfe4
Jose let out a dry, humorless chuckle, his gaze icy. "Help you? Don't kid yourself, kid. I just don't want you idiots slowing me down when I make my own exit. Now, do as I said, or enjoy gettin' swarmed. Your choice."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSoP9R3LIv
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCggwiDBbl
Jed let out a long sigh, his tone both annoyed and begrudgingly impressed. "Hate to say it, but he's got a point, Charlie. Kick the damn candle." As Charlie's boot connected with the candle, it didn't just snuff out; instead, it tumbled and skidded across the floor, rolling into a pile of dusty old books. The flame licked the dry pages for a split second before a fiery blaze began spreading with alarming speed.
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlUBrJcATJ
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThM7aI4gKn
"Damn it, Charlie!" Jed cursed as the flames erupted, casting flickering shadows around the room. The bugs recoiled momentarily from the fire, skittering away from the spreading heat.
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWQXMasEGy
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6jXLTZWBC
Charlie looked at Jed, wide-eyed. "You told me to kick it! Now the whole damn place is goin' up."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOygtjXUm3
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGVqHJevgv
Jed didn't even break his stride, grabbing Charlie by the shoulder and pushing him toward the door. "We'll have that conversation later. Right now, we got a house full of bugs, fire, and that snake Jose on our tail. Let's move before we're trapped in this damn tinderbox."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3D11YTuURd
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlqZ2mjp6l
As they sprinted for the door, they heard a groan of effort and turned to see Jose climbing down from the bookshelf. His face was twisted in a mix of frustration and seething anger, but the glint in his eyes was that of a man who wasn't giving up easily.
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bU4EDQvi1
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLsoHZSPZM
The flames were spreading fast, crackling along the walls, and the heat was already becoming unbearable. Smoke began to curl through the room, filling the air with a choking haze.
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFRHjsoQW8
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5DVWIYmfX
Jose staggered, half-coughing, his voice hoarse as he sneered at them, "You two are just full of bright ideas, aren't you? If you plan on setting yourselves on fire, don't expect me to stick around and watch."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMb2IWCPEur
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ebj95gRL2
Charlie took aim at Jose again, his finger hovering over the trigger, but Jed held up a hand, his voice a low warning. "Don't waste a bullet on him, kid. Fire'll do the job just fine."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2lM32Yz3m
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Uz2bTv3yG
Ignoring them, Jose stumbled toward the window, looking for any way out. But as he passed them, he paused just long enough to mutter with a cold smirk, "If you two live through this, consider it a miracle. Now get out of my way."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKhTiV9wZN
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZz5guBLK1
Jed snorted, a bitter chuckle escaping him. "One hell of a survival instinct for a guy that's bleedin' all over the place."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbzmNFTZ3S
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxubQvyUYyU
They didn't waste another second. Jed and Charlie bolted down the hallway, dodging falling embers and flaming debris as the fire tore through the old wood. The bugs, in utter disarray, scattered away from the flames, but in their panic, they were everywhere, crawling up walls and spilling across the floor.
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkgx5cyKTT
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsxRH3ZZBJ
They reached the front door, the heat licking at their backs. Charlie glanced back, squinting through the smoke to see Jose making his way out through a shattered window, blood trailing behind him. Jed grabbed Charlie's shoulder, pulling him forward.
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVeEihVMlQ
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtguT1j1WJV
"Don't look back. He made his choice, and so did we."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyZX6JSc4s
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfK8bXJdFy
As they stumbled out of the burning house and into the open air, gasping for breath, Charlie looked at Jed, a mix of awe and irritation. "We were supposed to grab the crystal, Jed."
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sxHMbFHTc
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdmbonMqm6
Jed leaned on his knees, catching his breath with a weary grin. "Hell, we'll get it. But let's do it without turnin' into barbecue, alright?"
ns216.73.216.208da2
and then Add to home screen.