I didn't know for how long we ran, and truly, I was shocked that we did without facing any roadblocks, but we made it to our abode.
The first step I took into that door, I collapsed to the floor, gasping for air. Juke placed Rover down and sat on one of the wooden tables.
"We... ain't there yet, kid. One last push."
"...Curses."
I gritted my teeth and got on my feet. When I arrived at the counter, I knocked it in poor imitation of how Dennis did. The backdoor opened and out came the man from earlier.
"Oh, you've returned. Where is Dennis?"
"..."
I didn't know what to say. I didn't know if I even could. But Juke was there to help me.
"I'll get ya caught up on the situation, man. Yer not gonna like it though."
He furrowed his brows and solemnly nodded, granting us access to our living quarters. We walked in haggardly. The first thing I did was claim a seat on a couch. Juke placed Rover on the one opposite of me.
"I'll go tell the guy the news."
"Alright."
He left the room. I was all alone now. Aside from the sleeping Rover, of course, but she didn't count.
I was alone now. I didn't have anyone to talk to, nor anything to gander at. I didn't have anything to distract myself with.
So, with nothing to stop them, thoughts flooded my brain.
"Damn it. Just, damn it."
I leaned over, planting my face into my hands and harshly rubbing it, trying to sort out the mess in my mind.
"..."
I felt hopeless.
Truly, I felt hopeless.
It was just my luck that things turned out this way, wasn't it? It was just my luck that, despite my efforts to truncate the mission, I still faced such a hideous obstacle. It was iniquity from the very world. Hard-Bringer? What kind of cruel joke was being played here? Somehow, the severity didn't register with me until just now. Hard-Bringer; I had to overcome the clutches of a group so vile and infamous that even an esoteric kid from the boonies like me knew about them.
"Hard-Bringer... why, why now? Why? Why!?"
I hadn't even the strength to flail and squander. The only outlet for my frustrations was this couch; all I could muster up was a dozen slams on the armrest. It did little to assuage my worries– in fact, it only made them rebound harder. I pinched my nose and rubbed my brow. I scratched my skin and stomped my feet. Then, I laid back, gluing my eyes to the ceiling.
It only made them rebound harder. I didn't move this time. I wouldn't repeat that mistake. So, I glared at the ceiling.
"Ya don't look so good."
"Juke!?"
He made me jump. I didn't even hear the door open. I felt embarrassed.
"H-How much did you see?"
"See what?"
"Phew..."
At the very least, that weight was lifted off my shoulders. I sunk deeper into the couch. Juke walked past me and sat on the seat beside mine, leaning his head on his hand and sighing.
Silence permeated throughout the room. The already sullen mood was growing dimmer by the second. If it went on any longer, I would've lost my mind, so I spoke up about the first miscellaneous topic that came to mind.
"Oh yeah, the thing with your helmet... is that the Endowment you were talking about?"
"Yeah, it's pretty handy, ain't it? Weak people like me gotta have some tricks up their sleeve, otherwise, they just wouldn't stand a chance."
"Weak...? I don't get why you call yourself that."
"That's just cuz I am. Strong folk like ya never seem to get it, though."
"And you're calling me strong? That's just ridiculous. You were doing all of the fighting!"
"Nah, just most of it... Hey, that doesn't make much sense. What are ya doing kid, breaking the order of things?"
I sighed. It seemed that no matter what I said, Juke couldn't be convinced that he was anything but weak and that I was no pillar of strength either. Therefore, I left the conversation at that.
"So... this situation sucks, don't ya think?"
Then, he finally addressed the elephant in the room. I nodded along before responding.
"Hard-Bringer. Honestly, I was skeptical of their existence, but..."
"Yeah, they're our problem to deal with now."
We sat in silence, ruminating.
"Hey Kenny," Juke started, "where the hell did ya and Rover run off to? Ya have no idea how much of a heart attack yer stunt gave me."
A little guilt seeped into me once I realized we left nothing to indicate our actions.
"S-Sorry I didn't leave any note, but to answer your question, Rover and I delivered the letter."
"...Eh? Are ya serious!?"
Juke's voice took on a mantle of great astonishment.
"Yes, we had it delivered."
"Ah, thank The King! That's a relief!"
I had never heard anyone thank 'The King' before, so I knew Juke's expression was genuine.
"That news changes the whole situation. Ha, I seriously thought we'd have to deliver it while dealing with these lunatics. Good job kid!"
"No no, thank Rover's intuition. She had a good hunch, all I did was act on it with her."
"I'd thank her if she was awake."
"...Yeah."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0VPQ4t1KE
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92n7dv2dvM
Silence came again. I leaned over and gnawed on my finger, drawing at but failing to pull words from my mind. I stared at Rover, almost enviously, but also hoping that she would wake up without issue.
"Judging by her legs, ya must've run into some trouble."
"...Yeah, we did. She fought twice, and her second bout left her weary and injured."
"Then what the hell was she doing fighting a Harbinger? Is she crazy?"
"No, just reckless. Say, you brought up 'Harbinger' again. What do you mean when you say that?"
Juke looked at me as if he was questioning his reality.
"Ya heard the crazy bitch, right? She called herself that. Since she said it so loudly, she's probably a big shot."
"Ah, I see."
Upon the mention of the congregation at the plaza, a forgotten question returned to my mind.
"How did you wind up in the crowd anyway?"
"Ah, ya see when I woke up and noticed yer absence, I ran out with Dennis to look for ya. That's when we saw these guys in robes, and they told us that a 'special announcement' was being held somewhere. I didn't wanna go, but they had a whole gang to scare me into doing it, so I did."
"Scare you? What, did they threaten you?"
"Yeah, with jail time. It wasn't just me, but Dennis too. Didn't wanna throw him under the carriage like that."
"Ah... of course."
Silence again. I returned to gnawing on my finger.
"--Kid, ya gotta calm down, seriously."
"H-Huh!?"
Juke spoke a surprising statement, one I couldn't formulate a response to.
"Yer chewing on yer fingers and jittering like yer havin' a seizure. Losing hair over this ain't gonna help anybody."
"I... I get what you're saying, but I really can't help myself."
"Gah, ya strong folk twist my brain."
He sighed and pinched the rim of his helmet as if it was his chin.
"Yer a smart kid, but ya don't think smart."
"...What?"
His sentence made as much sense as the sun being purple. He clicked his tongue and shrugged, then continued.
"Maybe I'm being too easygoing, but think about it– ya delivered the letter, ya ain't dead, ya got all yer limbs. All we gotta do now is find a way to get out."
"..."
Though his standards for what was an ideal situation were low, I had to admit that his outlook had merit. It had merit, and more importantly, it had me thinking about it. And, even more importantly–
"You're right. I'm alive, that's always nice. Rover is still alive, you're still alive..."
"See? Yer getting it. Feel better now?"
"...A little, yeah."
It was enough to stop me from chewing on my skin, but my body was still jittery. I took a deep breath. It helped a little.
"Since you brought it up, let's discuss a method of escape."
"Sounds good, but we oughta wait for the girl to wake up–"
"The girl... are you two talking about me?"
Shocked by the sudden third voice, I turned my head to the sleeping– rather, formerly sleeping –Rover. She rubbed her eyes and stretched her arms, then cracked her neck, wincing once she did.
"Ack! That hurt! Wait, where are we?"
I smiled. At the very least, it seemed like being beaten didn't change who she was.
"Welcome back, Rover. Did you sleep well?"
"Kenny, you..."
She didn't continue, just narrowing her eyes instead. She then stood up and looked around the room.
"This is... our apartment."
"I carried ya here on my shoulders. Ya don't have to thank me, but you oughta."
"Y-You carried me!? Ah, that means I got knocked out, right?"
Juke and I both nodded. Rover groaned and collapsed onto the couch, rubbing her temples.
"That sucks. That sucks so bad."
"I'm just happy that you're alright."
"Yeah... I might be alright, but I don't feel that way!"
She fiercely stood up and pumped her fist, then instantly had to catch her fall. I stood up worriedly.
"Y-You probably shouldn't move so much. You did just pass out, after all."
"...Whatever."
Despite her dismissive remark, she obliged to my suggestion, taking a seat and crossing her arms. I returned to sitting on my couch.
"Now that yer awake, let's get to our discussion."
"Discussion? What are we talking about?"
"We were just talking about leaving the city. Since you and I delivered the letter, we don't have any reason to be here."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj44ztpfU7U
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxc9c9dhIS
"Eh? Leave?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObaSFhdKeR
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkocSLmJhs
Her outrage at the proposition raised my eyebrow.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWe0rh6t0U
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nH1Kys9Co
"Yes? You do realize who, or rather, what we're dealing with, right?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLB1alEqme
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTEyJs0C6r
"Yeah, I do. It's those scumbags, Hard-Bringer."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4UB64WgNd
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Jp1x2luZF
Her words came from a place far more visceral than just her throat. They stunned me for a moment.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qO3ydJZ2i
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YRMVC2sIm
"Do ya have an alternative proposal?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApbdo1at3r
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJlI3E3W8S
"Yeah, I do," she yelled, stomping her foot on the ground, "I think we should eradicate those bastards!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIyjRHNu5P
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudqiRSSDVH
My eyes widened and almost popped out of my socket. I turned over to Juke to gauge his reaction, meeting eyes with him as he likely did the same for mine. Even though the shadow cast upon his face from his helmet, I could see the whites in his eyes.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nu9VkREps
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOR1soyZ033
We looked back at Rover. I couldn't speak for Juke, but my impression of her had just been discombobulated.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKh5xvdEOco
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJYHFSaZq6
"What are those looks for? Don't you feel the same?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTzRDax06t
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVVOUmzUFE
"No."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomg2hsvLgl
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFDO0V0UmX
"Nah."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsR9i1Hho95
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQvDZIgSmT
"H-Huh? You're lying to me! Of course, you want to see them destroyed!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPpFh1GlYG
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQinObXNzOz
I blinked a few times and pinched my skin. I realized that this was a reality that I was facing; that somehow, Rover truly wanted to fight Hard-Bringer.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2PaxrpKNj
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0VmEvnYA4
I shook my head and thought that I should be civil about it, starting with forming an understanding.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPciP1SIBc2
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF951mNEZ3e
"Rover... if I may ask, why are you so, uh, set on this?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhWowLM6Ef
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RVGUoY9qn
She looked at me as if I asked the dumbest question ever.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TDIdlkEDX
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGtPhIqIjp
"Why wouldn't I be? I hate Hard-Bringer just like anyone else!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSiKRxiYrv
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXt6xIkqHEJ
"W-Well, I get that, but this seems more than just passing scorn."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YkKGtAyri
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JvXZz2f7d
"Passing what?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3tDDAAUgR
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZV67qbDbc
I sighed. My effort from ten seconds ago to prevent misunderstandings felt moot.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCtiO6BjxQ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36nFRf81uU
"I think what Kenny's tryna say is that ya seem to have a vendetta against 'em."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdPjQsZIvZ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnOSTG9l4X
"A v-vendetta? That's not right, I just hate them like anyone else! I'm telling you!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlCdfH5S7G
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BYAjsrcyr
Once the shock of her understanding what vendetta meant but not scorn washed away, I decided to confront her directly.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKH6TILxzyB
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb02r9hrlUJ
"Hey, Rover–"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqe41WJFXE
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugODYaHc2D
"Alright, ya don't like Hard-Bringer, we get it, but now ain't the time to be getting yer revenge or whatever."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHNRLGxzR7
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CDsGJzP8C
Juke unintentionally cut me off. I would've been miffed, but as he was trying to diffuse the situation, I stayed silent.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlZ0cKmxFI
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRvx5Nf42s
"B-But, they're right here! You know how slippery these guys can be, don't you!?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEllxkMhhHO
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8h9bVeZdzy
"I don't, but I do know that ya got yer ass kicked by just one of 'em. Ya think trying to take 'em all down is a good idea?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnafS9E1HU
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohTrNiCIUU
Rover looked taken aback, biting her lip as she threw a scowl at the floor. Knowing her–175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKvAusXUw9
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0v1yi8hi0
"F-Fine. You're right."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBtyEqC2V9
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZN8bRUNbn3
I let out a sigh of relief, grateful that the chance of me being swayed at all had been removed.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6flIAcszXV
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfl4NtSCZai
"So what are we going to do? Are we going to go out on the streets sword's shining and escape?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJUZNO3xR3
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtAojzGcIN
"Nah, these are a crafty bunch of assholes. We need to think of a strategy."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajVfKMRYAk
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQSZarAlQy
Rover shifted her gaze at me when Juke finished his sentence, putting me under sudden pressure.
"W-What?"
"Do you have any ideas?"
I did not begin to formulate them; before I did, I needed to establish conditions.
"Uh... well, to escape, we'll probably have to find Dennis and take the carriage."
"I'm with ya on the carriage, but how are ya planning on finding Dennis?"
I looked at the ground, pinching my chin.
"That's... I'm not sure. Do you remember when you last saw him, Juke?"
"Yeah, he was a few shoulders away from me in the crowd. Beats me where he is now, though. For all I know, the poor guy could be dead."
"Don't say that!"
I rose to my feet and narrowed my eyes at Juke.
"My bad, but ya can't deny the possibility."
"Y-You may be right, but I'd rather not think that."
I sat back down. My plotting thusly plagued with macabre thoughts, I was barely able to conjure up a good idea.
"Maybe the coachman's hiding away somewhere, or maybe he's passed out in the street, or maybe he really is dead. Now that he isn't around, it might as well be impossible to find him. Why didn't you two go searching for him?"
At Rover's vocal thinking and inquiry, I could only bite my finger. She was right; Juke and I shouldn't have left until–
"Ya passed out and we were being attacked by some lunatic with a mop for hair. It ain't fair to ask a question like that."
Juke responded in my place, giving an answer that assuaged my anxiety.
"I-I guess that's true... damn it."
Rover, visibly frustrated, crushed her couch's armrest.
"Then, what do we do?" I asked. I looked at the other two for a possible answer, but they looked just as void of them as I did.
I knew throwing stones in a glass house wasn't right, but–
"Are we seriously just going to leave him to die!?"
"Nah, we don't have to worry about him dying."
Juke made a strange comment, eliciting a look of intrigue from both me and Rover.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"These Hard-Bringer folks are a real pain in the ass. They're volatile, destructive bastards, and worst of all, they're downright crazy."
"You're just spilling the obvious!" Rover yelled.
"That may be so, but I ain't done yet. They may be crazy, but they ain't trying to hurt anybody deliberately."
I stared blankly at Juke. Indeed, he was serious, and when I thought about his assessment–
"That disheveled man wouldn't have attacked us if it weren't for our being on a mission."
"Ya get it. Why he wants our heads in particular is a whole 'nother mystery, but that guy ain't the only evidence. I didn't see any of those robed freaks attack some stranger on the street. They probably don't give two shits about collateral damage, but the only folks they were attacking were those who attacked 'em."
I sifted through my memory to double-check his assessment. My recollection was hazy, but I remembered the sea of people vividly.
"If they wanted to kill... then the crowd would've been slaughtered on the spot."
Juke nodded along to my conclusion.
"Yep, that's a great point. We don't gotta worry about Dennis' well-being."
This collective observation Juke and I made was undeniably reassuring. It made the prospect of leaving Dennis here less treacherous and more reasonable.
However, the root problem wasn't addressed.
"...It doesn't sit right with me. It's not just Dennis, but there's Lola, and Mason, and Pars, too. But! But... If they'll be fine while our lives will be the ones in danger, then leaving would be smart, I think."
That was my conclusion. I looked at Juke, and he was nodding along with me. Then, I looked at Rover.
She did not do anything so kind. Her eyes were narrowed; she glared daggers into my very soul, accompanied by a foul grimace.
"R-Rover?"
"For a minute, I was considering what you two said. But I think I get it now– at least I get you, Kenny."
I stared at her blankly, a sinking feeling forming in my gut.
"You're the weirdest wimp I've ever met."
"--!"
The world around me turned to black, and it was just me and Rover. My eyes couldn't blink, I couldn't even breathe. I wanted to respond to her, but the words didn't even form in my mind. They had no chance to do so in my throat.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTEoRBFzuT
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpA4XAkZheh
My mind had shut off.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeYQ2bdOFD
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECoTvckqJu
"The hell are ya saying, girl?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCj8M7wWHD
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSr7RGzljkJ
"I'll tell you what I'm saying!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOENe3xIqIf
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlBfvyfCmQ
Rover stood up, stomping the ground.
"I don't buy into the shit you're saying, that's what! This shit about how, 'Oh they won't get hurt!' 'Oh, they're only gonna attack us!' Are you fucking kidding me!?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsO7CwLhFrF
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQPJQUyB1U
She swiped her arm across, glaring at Juke.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aoXTTJqnF
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw68iPpY74c
"You don't know shit! You don't know what Hard-Bringer's like! So what if they didn't kill the crowd, do you really think that means they won't kill anyone at all? Are you crazy!?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGcP6TlB2a
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKl6Dg9Am6
"..."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofMAGcaHju
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVGK0WE28G
"And why are you keeping quiet, huh!? And you, Kenny!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wNctLT22F
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOkKJYKef6
She brought me out of my trance. I flinched, casting a weak gaze on her.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcDsx2zNp3
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFL8PubNTU
"Why are you believing it!? I know you're not a dumbass– hell, you fought them! You saw how evil they were first-hand! They'd go attacking a kid if they just felt like it!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvojIeLpVN5
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhE2fceTXcJ
"I–"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26JZGhsVnv
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43LFFoQx8O
"So why are you running away, huh!?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHVuxE8IEQ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeyR8fI87m
I couldn't respond to that. I wanted to desperately say "But I'm not running away," or "But it's the most tactical decision," but I couldn't. Whether I believed those assertions to be true or not was irrelevant.
That question hit me too hard in a place too close.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPP0PTl0Nme
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPOJaaEyPw
"...Tch."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1cOIuB5bf
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8UCRGA6mx
She stormed away, stomping to the door. That's when I spoke up.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXCuBo24qY
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8heRpbXB4f
"W-Wait, Rover–"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AQSSidoyh
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LOnSsYC2w
"What!?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDXf7JDelp
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjRP5WJ8aX
I swallowed hard before responding.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BulCtIK0H
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9spSWhkaKD
"I-It's dangerous, you know. And, Juke is right, they're set on killing us–"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyioalLlPHB
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9Te9VUMHA
"So what? I'll just beat 'em back like the reckless bitch I am!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAi2zbDVIT
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOAT0hPRQD
Her statement was so ridiculous I almost couldn't cough my next words out.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrznuzEhwVl
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBZyEr8oyR
"B-But, you saw what happened, right? Y-You'll just get beat up again, and then you could, d-die. You even agreed with that idea!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoPlyXA2Gt
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tnriwuMZY
She narrowed her eyes and huffed at me with a face of disappointment.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewfKh2jySq
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWp5kKErNxr
"It wasn't until you brought up that idiot with the crossbows that I remembered you telling me to try teamwork. Did you forget it too?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbfAUwKT6q
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAch2V5doZv
I froze.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjYMVgZ0Fo
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyWAhwmpUa
"I'm sure Lola and that guy with the crossbows want to push back. I'll join them, and I'll fight. I might even befriend them, and then we'll win!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfq1k6jbVy
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbv7ybSedw
My voice and strength faded. I almost raised my hand out as if to reach her.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzow0qD4dW
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYCM1n09Tw
"Are you... serious?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuKimuf840
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjy1fu7BBD3
"Hell yes, I am!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5k8YKJPSy5
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfONCYtP2x
My arm went limp. Everything below my neck followed. I only had the strength to keep my head up.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLk0Wcyh6d0
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhowi34lLU
"If you two want to leave, go right ahead, but I'm staying. Hard-Bringer– I have no interest in letting them run around. And you, Kenny."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAydt29FMs
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtlFC7MsQu
She pointed a finger at me. But, she didn't immediately speak. She twitched her brow and gritted her teeth, shook her head then growled.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8Vri8kQag
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfGyDgSQJl
"Fuck! You're pissing me off!"
It came out as a yell. She flung the door open, practically leaped past the threshold, and slammed the door behind her.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2bpou4blF
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEqGPevYZn
"...W-Wait."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6fZwt4HqX
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmF6iuJPcJM
I wasn't sure what being inside me compelled me to do so, but I stood up. I stood up and walked to the door with an arm out, but I stopped just short of putting my hand on the knob. I couldn't touch it, I wasn't allowed to touch it.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirrvH5nygT
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTAFluk9fP
Too much had happened. It was too much, just too much, too much too much too much–175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVR9seFMMxh
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iJJlksxJh
"Are ya gonna go with her, kid?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDVOkUjjnU
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4o5cwCjcaV
Juke asked me the very question that had me stuck. Now that it was verbally addressed, I didn't know what to say.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQWg6EpCjX
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1pi3YByry
But I had to say something.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWRusU65Ig
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ytEEkgq8j
"I don't... I don't know. I don't know what to do."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ejte4GDfP
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qliTme1U2
He sighed. I couldn't see him, but I'm sure he put his hand on his helmet.
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqQOyJyDTR
"What a mess."
"Y-Yeah."
"Well kid, if yer gonna go after her, be my guest, but ya should go now. She's a quick one."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHqR1ZTsDA
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqaoT7zR1H
"Yeah. She is quick, isn't she?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBaLcKKZ4m
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvakp9cwLx
I still couldn't move it. I couldn't even get it to nudge an inch. It was so close, only, only, only–175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1PdgRyePj
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXadoXzaw5F
Did I really want to open this door?175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9Xs0WWyIM
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU58y3nbgvC
"...I don't know what to do."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNXQBQzUmr
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyqDrEJedr
My legs shook. I was aware enough not to let them cave in and fall, so I just fell on my butt, staring at the knob.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7lT1GVNC8
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciRerAyVez
"...Hey, Juke."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xGrDQyIJB
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcA7Tu47Kjm
"Yeah?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxwCWrUWaW
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcbu0RIL2b
"How sure are you of your assumption? That we're the only ones who will get attacked?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFB5n0oIBsg
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfZBra0vc0
"I think it's pretty likely."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaHpzN9Vqz
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUukj7bLdO
"...I see."
So, it was nothing more than an educated guess. Yet, I saw its merits. I believed in it.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76kY3auK7C
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Shb8Yjcfw
So why was it that the door grew larger and larger in scale? Why did it overtake the entirety of my vision and fog my mind?175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HFa6WAAAL
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzRI3qdyYn
"..."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡom8CH8DUkx
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96AyadJalS
I stood up and bit my finger. Only once. I didn't grind, I didn't chomp, it was a quick, singular bite. I turned around and walked to the couch and took a seat.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0VqWVj9HG
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCOhOXwCmT
"It's late, so I'm gonna go hit the hay. 'Night, kid."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH35cslDxLH
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0mJW7EFah
"Yeah, goodnight."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTWZgGZdPI
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdqiYQ0yuB
Juke stood up and waltzed to his room. Now I sat there, alone, with only my thoughts to keep me company.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YvInfErUg
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRRDbe3LrV
"..."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡen1ipmFn1X
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYg9UBPjJOm
Cold and composed, I mulled over the situation. I rested my chin on my hand and I gazed at the wall. I was thinking. Yes, I was thinking. I was thinking a lot.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllF7OPzkbd
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLGTu0YrIt
"...Damn it. Damn it. D-Damn it."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8nKwh2x1x
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVVM2rq1su
By letting Rover go alone... Did I condemn her? That had to be what I just did, right?175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXjIoeAhim
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4Bmrsp8Gb
"..."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJTDWJVpcS
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJ9bnKQI4R
I mulled over the question. I couldn't draw a conclusion. No, it's not that I couldn't, but that I refused to.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4hhvERM8A
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iwxaT1R47
Leaving through that door; consternation was all the idea drew. I didn't freeze, but with what Rover had told me, it was truly just impossible.
The door stayed shut that night.
ns18.224.33.235da2
