"Hey, wake up."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfjYHZdGQX
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YYFcLfcCq
"H-Huh!?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaPNxwfpUM
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4SXER6wQD
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHacF7tR5F
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkQgO92V8j
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare ya."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGKLkXtFvP
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEAmZ90IMM
"No no, it's fine."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqX2pBNdgJf
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dgiIRJbkG
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBBp8uIp2r
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CZtyLnRvV
"Goodness kid, did ya sleep at all?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3RvYJYARY
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpByBKD5nae
"Huh? Yeah, sure I did."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHtMlYAxs9
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXSBDut34I
I let out another yawn. After a dozen firm blinks, I was able to keep my eyes open for longer than two seconds.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvvGEaV3vY
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhM6mgvL9E
"Are ya sure–"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEYNVsngYF
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NqNd8VFrm
"Listen, Juke, I'm fine. I'm, perfectly fine. My neck is just a little sore, that's all."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbHsrSrvnr
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedltzyVGJL
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOFyKf7ZMd
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNZIm5BLbd
"Well, if ya say so. When yer ready, come meet me outside."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGaIi9rX7h
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYCYSUQarH
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLzTEhI3aL
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvaVhjBhgd
"..."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9PBDPOzBO
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrzQ7Hd5Gr
Now that the grogginess had left me, my mind worked at total capacity. It came with unwanted by-products.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqSuBJiNky
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dCtgc2co5
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7IneMKRX1
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiI7znw2ud
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyflvWBxpB
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2T6IoweHd
The plate was full of fish. It wasn't a food I'd associate with breakfast.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNzcBwx4Gq
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61psxxQpRv
"Hi young man, how did you sleep?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFhAnn44kx
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh71lVJjSLf
His tone was cheery and amiable. He sounded like a pleasant person to speak to.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaFdXrewwm
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSGz7pkllp
"Hmm. Huh? Oh, were you talking to me?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa28Cc9eKeZ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KS0hZkZ2b
The man nodded. Now that I thought about it–219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFObpwjbc6
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Nl8IDN89j
"What's your name anyway? I don't believe you've ever told us."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtfRyMWBfN
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2IuqsZ2Ri
"...You must be right. My name is Hank, it's a pleasure."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0J6GFekTN
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQe4qWTwC7
"Hank... did you cook this breakfast?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9L0QxAzfw
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcqrj37UOC
"I certainly did. Well, go on now, try it."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdnORaD1Dm
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUJRMLkP5E
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–219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2mrhQsHRI
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXgyIsOVX0
"Don't gotta waste yer time ogling at it, kid."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UrR0zgVw1
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHa7OED4aV2
Juke's statement interrupted my necessary analyses.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAIXm8wN30
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzLOa5Incf
"I guess you're right. Is good, Juke?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzHZsYVL7E
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlpYHdftbV
"Yeah, it is. If ya don't eat it now though, some bird might poop on it and ruin the taste."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvznneXfK9
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcA0jMheook
"What?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tAkk9tzua
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRU0zmKu0F
He sighed and flicked his head.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVph3KRUAKz
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSRrrW5vSe
"Come on, let's enjoy our last breakfast here, why don't we?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNhfiUGCVz
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewxkjK2jft
"Last... yeah, let's."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBolF1aWXEZ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5lGh9DUE3
I took the fork and began to eat the fish. It had a kick to it that I didn't expect, but otherwise–219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmhcHw6kgS
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgjavpIn3b
"This is good. This is really good."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQnL5cDsOR
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEkAVBNWrz
"I told ya."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQbPMh93S9
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoP9JRBIDvE
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4OmCDpv8o
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQNim1NDs6
"Wait a minute, Juke," Hank started, "how are you eating with your helmet on?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiYtwqf7mt
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFm1Uugcm0K
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrxL4OjflH
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHD2E6DPyhe
"Trade secret, don't worry 'bout it. Just keep eating."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuEhr9Rqwr
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtCMEIsc1f
The man backed down. I kept looking at Juke, but he wouldn't eat the fish in front of me.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRozFILGz10
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hHvr7H2Da
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNlYbIdBJE
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwWsfm0GdL
–
–
–219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAK2bZXyzb1
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDB8Ye5fcU
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTB4WAMa5b
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9e8Ob20bne
"So, you two want to leave the city, correct?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdM58VDPX0k
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTFP0cg0sJ
"That's right," Juke responded.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwDR166Enq
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWLJ2elUlK
"I see..."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1uHCzXd8p
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaB9f1j6ED
He pinched his chin and gazed at the table.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLULyLMhQwZ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlI06sRY7D
"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."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmk7B6FL8hW
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86Wu0AG5qN
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJUPF9RhVt
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtE7uZXueM
"However, I do believe you two can get out fine."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdj4UpGyXv
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQvjS1dENm
"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."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2u7HZfxdZa
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMEMjcgeAI
I nodded along to Juke's reasoning. Hank did too, less tense than twenty seconds ago.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBKG1b7W1d
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLafjLMYzzQ
"Do you two have a plan in mind?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sBPswPItA
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebPXClgzqN
Juke turned his head to me, confusing me more than pressuring me.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYp4IkDM3Rp
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zvmAyWeUC
"What are you looking at me for?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpugcyucrxh
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5pKkpe6Nv
"Ya got any ideas?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2v8tq55RBV
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypVfr1Mx05
"Why do you think I do, anyway?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvW6FJd07k
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3ut5P7rhD
He shrugged at my inquiry. I just sighed and rubbed my temple, racking my brain for anything.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVm2MJKHecm
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJcTHMujXo
"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."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDkWbUuCyY
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBn6Mgj8wk
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWbPbrZMWY
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9LQZWtZdr
"Hank, can you go outside and check the surroundings?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYst0hjAed
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkOfvMyZV6
"U-Uh, I very well may, however..."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuppzS7Khg
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIpMe74CFF
I raised my brow, then realized that just because Hank wasn't me or Juke didn't mean that he was entirely safe.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzd2vJ9uhnC
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9pXJcTcG5
Rover's visage flashed in my mind. I brushed it aside for the moment, barely.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33khdtJArQ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLs2Sb1DjA2
"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."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2d5XpDrIp
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhdaMLH1Uj
"I see. I apologize for asking so much from you."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2Tye1aDQf
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOT2iMu49qh
He shook his hands frantically and.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcn1zWfn9AD
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8peDN09MbO
"Oh no no, I'll do it. I just don't think I'll be able to scout very far ahead."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKBxA67Ney
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYMSocSZ7q
"That ain't an issue. Just the first block should be alright."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMuMwzSIbg
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxzAlufNbJ
Hank's gaze turned abnormally stern. He stood up and did a few gesticulations to assure himself.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwjA5GU68m
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNjMAbPG6T
"Pray for me."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7tYYkfGjr
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPrf26Mgrl
"Don't worry. We'll arrange yer funeral for ya."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxvFFwpK5f
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFmZFkkKTY
"Juke!"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNO5vzGEIS1
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsKctiysBM
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGjSfFWIN6
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5er2ZYHeX
"Thanks for trying to lighten the mood, Juke."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNL1R2I4b1q
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUgu1QOcwZ
He turned his head to me, stuttering his words before taking a breath and speaking them coherently.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZO5ESKc1mG
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi10dKamJJy
"No need to thank me. The atmosphere's tense, I just don't want it to stay that way."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJjQtp71kk
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERko7Ocg3e
"Still, I appreciate it."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DKIO2Fp0b
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Smq1lIU1h
I sat with my legs spread out, lowering my head and leaning over to stare at the ground.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLYg1TLFq2
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoiPO6sUPp
"I can tell that my wisecracks ain't all that effective, though."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRerG2YmeMZ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoekGZNv3Gq
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡre8NcHEAMJ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCMUOP1IYw
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkSTakA1n7
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2q0AUWNkzu
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eXPrk5xuY
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKrYEpmMOe
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFgmpS9e1a
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8WP548lix
"Thank you for your help, Hank."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGx8EbGY2lZ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYUeQa9rP2
"Yeah, we really of ya."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6UXeo8SRK
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQt0ZMPiDm
He gave us a light smile and waved.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ygpzQlEHV
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLogiPro1Tu
"No no, it's fine. It's what Dennis would have wanted, I'm sure."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGu9BGFvbbC
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt897YTSUdD
"...Y-Yeah."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegkzWitsog
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZP008XdwW
A morbid parasite was planted in me before we left. It began to eat at me instantly, but I did nothing to address it.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMoLuyI27A
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ed40uQEJW
–
–
–219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWxFXoqLzx
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqx0HiBAcFy
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmj5SSQe2C
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡky6S1DAmKq
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0R3Xtoobf
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwmDtl7g3U
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwb2llgqXL
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2n6SuU6zj
"Hey, are you sure we're going the right way?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ404yBXVV4G
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMG3I5VxT4C
"Yeah, I'm sure. I remember that chipped building when I visited the stables earlier."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydrqOy5KZx
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1aziCGPmx
He pointed at a building opposite us. Indeed, it was chipped, but somehow I didn't find his memory reliable.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdsbxtllK9
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdNM6sMeun
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ447GHbitQi
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLRRGNaga3
"--Crap!"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBmenVkB1Q
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmkdHBpVVi
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDQ6gP5Why
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAloWSXzQXD
"Crap. Crap!"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfyB05BaBZ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYlGHF6dWc
"Eh? What's the situation, kid?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCB106NJAQZ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0GErhO3bP
"People are heading our way!"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAW3pUXpwUD
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxbG44dzIO
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17dr8eKisd
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpBFmLVWBA
"I guess we gotta jump 'em."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiHDleVF5q
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxQ3c0XW38
"What!? That's a terrible idea!"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtib3rOKUv
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWadeb819e
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxestjEJ30L
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8JnbYPhJx
"Okay, maybe it isn't a terrible idea, but we need to knock them out quickly."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxOBSK6kFZ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnClSH2gxXO
"Yeah, killin' 'em will just make a mess and draw attention, ya make a good point."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJw1QL6vbo
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumSLblFyJd
"...Murder is the first thing you– nevermind, you gave me a good idea."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkv1cuoGgHN
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbP3FO3wQBk
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHilvQG9pF
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkEetCyQw7
It was unexpectedly heavy. The weight of the shield brought me to the floor and strained my arm terribly219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyrgq37f1C
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3NLjZBM58
"Ack!"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJRKPvp1r8
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29gAyndn2V
"G-Goodness, kid. Are ya alright?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGYdHT3YWC
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNr2yxa8zf
"I-I'm fine, just keep quiet!"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76Xyr01m31
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TVXxCkDxO
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXEt9Xm1Pi
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSopOuA2yC3
"Ya strong folk really are crazy."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGsNicKgpJ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKHCl05gbe
"Shut up. Now isn't the time for this."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdvvFah4oI
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrj4xOJgVT
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJx0YHGMZbn
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmxOxW0DzS
And, by doing so, I heard something that made my hair stand on its ends.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixYjlvf7QM
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTn7WqMloIJ
"--Yeah, we should find a place to hide, don't ya think?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4x48pB15V
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3Ip5CET5W
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4cfH0cjWw
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWKwmDAPYs
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDlYDL5Lnm
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7303Hzj1wQ
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–219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAZvE9MWXu
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1CEjvbkFv
"--Kenny, I don't know if that'll do ya any good."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdF7pnsKSB
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXAzsLohOt
"Huh?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrWofGuvif
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccN0jz2OkS
Juke's deep voice pierced through the thunderous train of footsteps.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtObou8jQrx
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwDNHLn9ro
"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."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXh9AEZuwRn
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8QNwY5TL2
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvjprhhskU
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6fUUUM2e5
"Why? Is it because I'm strong?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡht7PpeXctY
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfk1sBr5lZ
"Nah, it's cuz yer a kid."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYQo8hXEf5
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gUqgOK1JY
His response left me more stunned than I could've imagined.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9aurf8xWc
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2NTMS7IF3
"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."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTvkmH0dfo
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUr1sm1DsY
"..."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjpOiBRTwR
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdgj2d9R5C
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡER8hfJtfGE
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCVWEbBYta
So, I let my mouth run amok.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbN6HBsfTDZ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4a2gvOq64
"I'm sure you know, but what Rover told me has... affected me, I suppose."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0OP872Ynw
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuenqzjLl8h
"Yeah, I know."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjd0RSRD3O
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSRAFMjHNL
A pause. I used it to formulate my following words more effectively.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtOOnuRcyl
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwKiy6RqZ6
"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."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZRUJlaORb
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNS8lXvmCb
I darted my eyes to the side. He nodded along. He stared at the wall across. I did the same.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdGGwkxKUt
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡab3jQcL7X0
"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."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UiKs8Nswk
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBRMIwg6hO
"That sounds familiar..."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kGF6qopE1
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PyTN3gDAm
"Huh?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oWqZY9mZD
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzz7Jh49RRb
"Nevermind. Ya carry on."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmDYMErTRF
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HI0kbOeQS
I felt a little let down, but did as I was told.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaw8Y3m5GS
"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."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuz57Jxai5u
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhf8uUp4trI
"Well?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRWaHoir5p
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡop1jDESK6a
"...The thing is, if I voice it, I'll probably break apart here and now."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6qJHyYrBt
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7wmhIkW56
"Ah."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXqyZzd53y
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrhjJugY8Z
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but articulating it in my brain was difficult.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OmDzMlaPf
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZnLlbfnp9
"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."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlrpGzxYTE
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmuMyIhRwv
"Ah, the Lionant?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3mCDj5nCS
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHQl0IPYiX
"Yeah. The one you saved me from. Thank you for that, by the way."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnHMtgva7x
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgdrZEW5Fc
"..."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2XpUfkVuX
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBYegJiLR0
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyZs1hfSUG
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5g6Gz1Ivm
"This might be a dumb question, but why did you save me back then?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFX1f4qaCK
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwC7Ut7z1Q4
"...Yeah, why did I?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKhDpQt8ID
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVaqoPmbi0
I didn't expect to be met with another question.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDP6ZG3SRk3
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjqL2dOvmR
"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."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJPy31gS2W
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEBxYTJt6R
I turned my head to him. He had his eyes pointed at the sky, one arm slung over his knee.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC973Jsel6C
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWKMp1agvd
"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."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30VCS0ixvZ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKK4MYHqhAj
"..."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBb2NGIA9Oi
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3PWpJFk83
I felt as if I should have said something, but I remained silent. Juke continued his gentle monologue.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmUgyMlCZ4
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9frCHFhrZy
"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?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HvWRmmcuA
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhLUdvA3hv
"What?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglgCdZ9mth
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAsAmcLn0h
"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."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDZ19wALdM
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRgEG9UoY0
"That sounds... boorish?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuTtVKpJqI
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66KfpzO7yN
"Pff, yer just too young."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaQtxlAozs
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUs10cMGAF
He paused for a moment.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxNyqCwZ38
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXloDsdycl0
"Why the hell am I saying this to a kid?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmzIaiOgmJ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kGr2ipmCZ
"D-Don't mind that, just keep talking."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMHygkPS4C
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZlDxto4iQ
"...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."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pp7gVNmgX
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCIHJK7Exs
He took a second to readjust himself. I used that time to spill my own thoughts.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeV4uuPHf9
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAUUoI2pJ3
"That's silly... O-Oh–"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3QpEAh9P6
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFneAdbbBrM
I realized I had just blurted out something insensitive yet again.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWP776Il10
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7HpomnxAy
"I didn't mean to be rude, but–"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBOeyTZAH0
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4Kj3x3qJU
"Nah, I get why ya think it. To each their own, that's what the masses say, yeah?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdqPpFaGRg
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqrC4oKs4x
"I... yes, I suppose so."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGJtmQHumT
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmVJFdl2IE
Another pause. Juke directed his gaze to the floor this time.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqbRbbZvGF
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccMQY3kPGW
"I think the weak shouldn't have to deal with what the strong does."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFU3BClPr3S
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSeJmHPKMa
"Yes, I know."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuJscjDEO5
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiM4FVa6NoD
"But I wanna make sure Dennis is still kickin'."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtzieK8NKz
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaK8fnyl31
He said that with conviction I had never heard from him before.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPn7x93C4JI
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqyViLcxgD
"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."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSltmSXYzqa
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGA6XdVMOfF
"..."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RS0nYnyr6
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6aRhU6TA7
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMOhDd8DcH
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwW5MU7u2n8
"Ya hear that?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF92K2WCsC2
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZGqM5EiBr
"Huh?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZesMWkVhD
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ333Vw1rfrE
I perked my ears. I didn't hear anything. Then, I realized what Juke meant.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYg7KmDVln
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyv2Jvjx0w0
"They passed."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMQC7wuOhl
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7Tm0OECu1
"Yeah. I can't hear them anymore."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTJUwraV43
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXns5UDJwBx
Juke stood up first. He brushed the dirt off his pants and peered around the corner.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZBBf6sPH9
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeT075USKww
"Looks like we're in the clear. Phew."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwFduohz2h
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mctzKHETG
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgm2dKwPIfh
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrUH2aOxTz
Juke had already taken his first steps, though. He looked back at me once he noticed I wasn't moving.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKL7fg7sx6
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡco6Ze8tRvu
"Shit... hey, kid, I know what yer thinking."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjuBjskaQJ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRN3FEZgvyb
"You've been saying that a lot."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPCtHyvzEm
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxIL1OOPXK
"That's just cuz yer easy to read."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QYRVjUBaO
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRMpSIKt2z
We stood stock still in silence.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxi0DJtr4f7
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03OswWw22i
"W-Well, what are you waiting for," I muttered, "Let's get going."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmvxkrKJF4
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bj5UriieW
"Are ya sure?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELjC1sLq7e
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhd2Kd3wfNy
I walked out of the alleyway, looking both ways before standing beside Juke.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwc1tmaWLB
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKJlQf34pE
"I should be asking you that."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLD87yyX6t
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKks9xykqvs
"Hehe, I guess so. We've come this far, haven't we?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNwbwinXYW
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXI386QNHr
"Yes. You get it."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUu4CTlNoOs
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsHlR2WLMK
But before we continued, there was one last thing I wanted to mention.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbC1QCnaug
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpyfbrBHvw
"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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPXVW8vqet
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkISu5BVJLk
"Fine by me."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDWeNrFlHW
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCABXj3lDc
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oTVhTwiEP
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrYcUs1cGo
–
–
–
"Ya see that?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNX9KPyBEei
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CqAU1QvLd
"Yeah, we're almost there."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvKu4Cn0A5
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUbdoxG9A8
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVBCQt0OIz
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLnV8jsnYb
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunYHSZcqdJ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8qeD79Gcs
And as we got closer and closer, a sudden stench assaulted my nostrils.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MW7iZnf1U
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8S4Lkxr6sO
"Blurg, what was that?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQeRUpklh9
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZWC4pVtrb
I skidded to a stop. I reluctantly sniffed the air again but didn't catch the same whiff. Juke looked back at me, confused.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNX7jKLFOX
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVn6Hr0Q0q
"What was what?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9zXWSoZsJ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlv4zVolRFs
"I caught a whiff of something."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTawhryKJKS
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF43G79xz0k
"Ah, gotcha. I ain't stopping, just so ya know."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuTODcWmno
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZKUbpylTy
Clicking my tongue, I continued following Juke to the stables, occasionally sniffing the air as we encroached it.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFwZSd5PWE
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIG9pTpRQ9
And then, it came again. This time, more putrid than before.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmExLSdlu4b
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJg1FJeM7xN
"Ugh– ack, what in the world?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8LcpXsXgX
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ09Rx6NlfU
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PVPzCzASj
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFTlO1X3kd
But never had I wished for a door to be present more than now.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyR6yYMvOs
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcv7P9FdFSi
"...This is fuckin' horrid."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4i6XkOjlUk
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayaWV1Sd8e
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7tp9aS7XE
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVuMsUwU6r
The pens were broken, but the animals hadn't escaped. They were still in their pens, but as cadavers opposed to breathing beings.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAPxO8xSrm
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PAfP2OUjO
Bile rose to my throat, but I was able to suppress it. That disturbed me deeply.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLXP0IN8qC
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhphASgcozd
"Well, Kenny, I dunno if we'll be leaving by carriage any time soon."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOVufo6IBN
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjRXSQPBka
"You 'don't know', huh? Are you kidding me?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5D2mFFaTq
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqR4HMlt9Yi
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpgLbkDdzu
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxR6zTfQui
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.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIw60k2IMH
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."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8JR30mNjV
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkOU7kDsiN
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTRSJq9v6P
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmv4wcV4kE
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–219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMFYPrEeoS
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVVmKk82gL
"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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrAaPFKJAP
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XfUBZZx44
Then, Juke began to talk, but it was clear that it wasn't to me.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOIYYDLB65
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiCRHXxTJL
"Who are ya people?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wpPD7MPx1
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6giCWGsYZ
"Wow, he really followed us. Well, sir, we're here to help. My buddy will be doing the dirty work, though."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKqMwkhO2q
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsFptjPb05
"Buddy?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2bYy6hYlq
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvCN9puMSD
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMHZNIYvZc
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xcK7k9py0
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7a5Z4obYe
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnxdUiIot1
"Quiet now."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAN1HDqQmO
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6g1P7c6ny0
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWmK5j08Un
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gSZD71IqO
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT05MCi5ATd
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDwQ2SrX6b
"Where did she go? Do I smell that bad?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsflmhhOp2
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapMw3ykyiT
He pulled his crossbows back and sighed, rubbing his head as he turned around. His eyes met with mine, and he practically blenched.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrfgp7zmoA
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡth7mlQOYPe
"K-Kenny? Where did you come from!?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zJKyKyDzZ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOrHohpuGx
I sighed, and I smiled. There was something heartwarming about seeing this man act as usual, even if it pained me.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhUAGJIN31
