"Hey, wake up."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKY1NPpNpm
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHvYNOrTvP
"H-Huh!?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQEOabBmLk
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEqikCn3LA
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIBX81ikp7
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmplOJO0EYE
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare ya."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB67h9oxGfv
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPafAcE2xSx
"No no, it's fine."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjPs8U807h
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJeElmtuWS
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aqOKMB0JF
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZKiv4Gw5o
"Goodness kid, did ya sleep at all?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jyr0QekJC
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmmVQQUJok
"Huh? Yeah, sure I did."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6gpF5JDOJ
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIw0qLnuKP
I let out another yawn. After a dozen firm blinks, I was able to keep my eyes open for longer than two seconds.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ABrqfwH2p
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9gFrIUqTR
"Are ya sure–"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAb3zQLmVH
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXL4X2BEpFu
"Listen, Juke, I'm fine. I'm, perfectly fine. My neck is just a little sore, that's all."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoQFnO1y3i
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFpHdyykq8
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCSSmQ2j8V
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCCto7QsyB
"Well, if ya say so. When yer ready, come meet me outside."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefOod6toww
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LxKcJMX66
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJvC7cR8Kf
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbDaGT3qOM
"..."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ND9aK0Sq2
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIz2y2cfEbg
Now that the grogginess had left me, my mind worked at total capacity. It came with unwanted by-products.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6MI0JaWqR
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUigcdQzLsr
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UJRwqQnaU
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3dzb5kaxc
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39nWXecQkY
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgE1j22BwXo
The plate was full of fish. It wasn't a food I'd associate with breakfast.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VW7F9Nf4n
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh29wvbh0jq
"Hi young man, how did you sleep?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhk50d98TE7
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXeuO8Zt1p
His tone was cheery and amiable. He sounded like a pleasant person to speak to.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8sEwoyWno
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDU2yix5D3
"Hmm. Huh? Oh, were you talking to me?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1dFIk3zUY
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjC9LxCN3Cd
The man nodded. Now that I thought about it–253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJ3y0MjKDG
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaFjTQfUzW
"What's your name anyway? I don't believe you've ever told us."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUw0fMMGNTG
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnAXpMO0ZS
"...You must be right. My name is Hank, it's a pleasure."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡte5p7WxYiV
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vGmarAMFH
"Hank... did you cook this breakfast?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5ber3eTeC
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKgqnz8Pst
"I certainly did. Well, go on now, try it."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8J8zMyAMf
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLxZjviCRP
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–253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡky7QQNkFbt
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvr3rpFYkPC
"Don't gotta waste yer time ogling at it, kid."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1kLLyy7XF
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKF3TpyOJCT
Juke's statement interrupted my necessary analyses.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4H6CISToN
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgMg15vX2f
"I guess you're right. Is good, Juke?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLxS4ilRoL
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7cObHykYT
"Yeah, it is. If ya don't eat it now though, some bird might poop on it and ruin the taste."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8Ynn4spKY
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnI57xTwIGL
"What?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnMAZdiMOk
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndyyPWF0Rq
He sighed and flicked his head.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqv7fW3KDu0
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgpbHCUEB4
"Come on, let's enjoy our last breakfast here, why don't we?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKu3QzxGbNq
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3Z6DxjzRV
"Last... yeah, let's."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR935Kcngli
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5yhfGWAfu
I took the fork and began to eat the fish. It had a kick to it that I didn't expect, but otherwise–253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH841eRfiEm
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwUvar8BvJ
"This is good. This is really good."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppXK0HVO7b
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsvdftVLqV
"I told ya."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsuqzESqf3
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6MjVb1sci
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKyc5VTTB7
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuE6ACAQi6
"Wait a minute, Juke," Hank started, "how are you eating with your helmet on?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qoua8Oyi1
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡef91AuUZUv
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYndWYa2ZsK
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaj8qcS6qT
"Trade secret, don't worry 'bout it. Just keep eating."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbraAoM5qd
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwwPSZ0QdZ
The man backed down. I kept looking at Juke, but he wouldn't eat the fish in front of me.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNvlWkYFc0
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjXqjZbkvX
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nNh4mKchS
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfokv2iwmK1
–
–
–253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdf2Z8l4HLa
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ755u47gC6I
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6eo7LhNRD
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDtFwcZXNp
"So, you two want to leave the city, correct?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhEeieYYht
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06smwNmfgx
"That's right," Juke responded.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Z0dpZ7q0b
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bCqlhKfsi
"I see..."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrJqI8L2LI
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKz8cH5gNzl
He pinched his chin and gazed at the table.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5G6Sg9dohF
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeScHNVIEZA
"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."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQX3IhKasB1
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5RarA5Ffk
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjS1JxmNh8E
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDhubwK5Ht
"However, I do believe you two can get out fine."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUFPLDXY3g
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrNtlaMKK4
"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."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFIDzfWdYp
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyt6DV7yvIM
I nodded along to Juke's reasoning. Hank did too, less tense than twenty seconds ago.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSJ6mRMQ4F
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlZ5lJsMJD
"Do you two have a plan in mind?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuTtE24n6q
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnalDR08Cb
Juke turned his head to me, confusing me more than pressuring me.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggINTg9haf
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxcYOeSEt0
"What are you looking at me for?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5vJ8c86Wq
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXv4L0IlFR
"Ya got any ideas?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgPmjq5q3R
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqgSoVTQLF
"Why do you think I do, anyway?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyG37OX2qSv
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIbF54kydg
He shrugged at my inquiry. I just sighed and rubbed my temple, racking my brain for anything.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6yK4wBbAp
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACyYxEb093
"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."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJxp8jRt4N
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqyHmfeDWL
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3ilqgYiD4
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QcZu3ECOF
"Hank, can you go outside and check the surroundings?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4HSV5urXD
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDO0qdKsUHw
"U-Uh, I very well may, however..."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqItBneuTlC
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZ452ws73U
I raised my brow, then realized that just because Hank wasn't me or Juke didn't mean that he was entirely safe.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5eG0vzUM3
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtV5HZfDjX2
Rover's visage flashed in my mind. I brushed it aside for the moment, barely.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyRmekZxyh
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Lyet5fjWa
"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."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5NTBhCpU8
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1cbFCjehh
"I see. I apologize for asking so much from you."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rpunlve3m
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmkMRCnoZD
He shook his hands frantically and.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmibjZV6NP
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdE6tRCy1sT
"Oh no no, I'll do it. I just don't think I'll be able to scout very far ahead."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQwKt0y832
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHERlIeFRJd
"That ain't an issue. Just the first block should be alright."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDXKBD7iQv
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20jIXjEl7d
Hank's gaze turned abnormally stern. He stood up and did a few gesticulations to assure himself.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXWHflpSRH
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3UP3ECKY9
"Pray for me."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9TGzhZwBT
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoRnChz5r2
"Don't worry. We'll arrange yer funeral for ya."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMRY7cvMP8
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOw9qnLQWWz
"Juke!"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZdRDf8EyN
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XhqAHAkLR
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6IRdMmAbp
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcRDM7G5Sw
"Thanks for trying to lighten the mood, Juke."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupgePbuJuF
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5rndLT5XA
He turned his head to me, stuttering his words before taking a breath and speaking them coherently.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkE5VvJAoef
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprgcEw3eqT
"No need to thank me. The atmosphere's tense, I just don't want it to stay that way."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQMkroTU7O
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2Uf5cRKRP
"Still, I appreciate it."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubnMAR1Cg0
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QfRIAfrbc
I sat with my legs spread out, lowering my head and leaning over to stare at the ground.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ngHckrlg6
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVlukSJp22
"I can tell that my wisecracks ain't all that effective, though."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXZmBNFpUl
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgB6UAfKfr
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYmnFanEHz
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfIGkYVyl5
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeMFZrVQK1
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAa4PQfF19M
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajpkjgdfC4
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvai6SPEOQc
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wfIrW0NV9
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEf87J8jUu
"Thank you for your help, Hank."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpvJyS9enu
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3MJQJQI51
"Yeah, we really of ya."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OTeFQheG4
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWFBtRC96z
He gave us a light smile and waved.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5i8dmnhrh
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrfLQ3qhxe
"No no, it's fine. It's what Dennis would have wanted, I'm sure."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJpBMSdpqH
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PoNebohNe
"...Y-Yeah."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMIpD7vyqO
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4QImmeqUD
A morbid parasite was planted in me before we left. It began to eat at me instantly, but I did nothing to address it.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡye6ZlxqBxN
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3f2KhTWHYC
–
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–253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKso7Oevmx0
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdU9D08CP7K
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3opFPGrw8
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXN8lUWdHD5
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5iU6DgXAN
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vYQekIROg
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkqb0nAXrL
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOooLtOmaL
"Hey, are you sure we're going the right way?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCje1CE27V
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKZjhULu5L
"Yeah, I'm sure. I remember that chipped building when I visited the stables earlier."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1sUWiO9jG
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWxrmwPVBM
He pointed at a building opposite us. Indeed, it was chipped, but somehow I didn't find his memory reliable.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8xBPooIQv
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0BpysA7mB
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ015fXy4YRd
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHmWkZWgYH
"--Crap!"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHm7SIFsVru
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyD6ajt8ODt
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKRnH8aVa5
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rd3sYUp2S
"Crap. Crap!"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAh2WHqRanB
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJ0NZ7WSFW
"Eh? What's the situation, kid?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqf86ePH2l
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8wXlfQYXO
"People are heading our way!"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvj0dbgQD1
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNxvCGqDrY
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiL5VMk6RiP
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoINB0XOx9o
"I guess we gotta jump 'em."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkREDUu7r8y
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0RA3CRFQX
"What!? That's a terrible idea!"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGNDl8rfF7
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeDstXBg59
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzrl756DSv
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUh02yG0QW
"Okay, maybe it isn't a terrible idea, but we need to knock them out quickly."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdB2jtx3sl
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwku7soDHEW
"Yeah, killin' 'em will just make a mess and draw attention, ya make a good point."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOE51YU9Hhv
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7JDUBSVr2
"...Murder is the first thing you– nevermind, you gave me a good idea."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlK2pKTHbs
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygPWwqx09z
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgRGTKWWKI
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgboWCgLrY
It was unexpectedly heavy. The weight of the shield brought me to the floor and strained my arm terribly253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrt5nXtA3D
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2RzjJr0NU
"Ack!"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6Uov9IFSY
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBu8qJ9PgTx
"G-Goodness, kid. Are ya alright?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivjwLbQ5o8
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYW8UzIEae
"I-I'm fine, just keep quiet!"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtXcGHvaBt
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyYyAbXsRq
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZhsVxhWo5
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLS8ALBh41g
"Ya strong folk really are crazy."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK62vZm9Y7k
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgi0fyPzA2k
"Shut up. Now isn't the time for this."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6HJySqoQu
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9xVnrPaUC
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1stQsunhX
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjPjtCv9Dn
And, by doing so, I heard something that made my hair stand on its ends.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN35QwlsYjH
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnNWAz79qi
"--Yeah, we should find a place to hide, don't ya think?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DYrscLgSE
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8y5GWeNNr
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2TSTfnWv3
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIFsPtMLsi
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bWbyDENW7
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHHxplxRpw
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–253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsblbTlpDah
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCnmTrP6lf
"--Kenny, I don't know if that'll do ya any good."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaAnFNqdZI
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJ5KAAjB2l
"Huh?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eRQjCXM6n
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfb0Z4vPSk8
Juke's deep voice pierced through the thunderous train of footsteps.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFsvBeie6N
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTarBMUrTbr
"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."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuT4zUZtBHI
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIDXYsJYPe
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHky3uoPD66
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZMVzbs4OQ
"Why? Is it because I'm strong?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwdG0j7lsv
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtB8SC5o42T
"Nah, it's cuz yer a kid."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMuZNBPYAA
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCd62lTKr8x
His response left me more stunned than I could've imagined.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9rIZ2BT64
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtfSPK2hJR
"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."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZ4OHqski8
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7xeiLCRGx
"..."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCK86JeM5mp
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquMeth3EmK
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69PPLHzaeQ
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPatfHnMfFv
So, I let my mouth run amok.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXwujUCrml
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyk3rbCvJ0D
"I'm sure you know, but what Rover told me has... affected me, I suppose."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTG5wsSZBii
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuVUUWZW8D
"Yeah, I know."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVza36jW8v
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdi83ArNA2
A pause. I used it to formulate my following words more effectively.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukWhfwjQK1
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjBMd7uYrU
"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."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLe9gnBezZ
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsm3FOQnPFB
I darted my eyes to the side. He nodded along. He stared at the wall across. I did the same.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGgrXodNUS
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRkKzVsuMd
"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."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NtizT0rgt
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BTrdEUiJN
"That sounds familiar..."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8Gbv4Eql1
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBLTaEDICM
"Huh?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uTw03jHBd
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlg6iUTVrUS
"Nevermind. Ya carry on."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQCZUzY8L0
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxjRrVN3xa
I felt a little let down, but did as I was told.
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZmLpjtlDW
"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."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpZw2Ul05j
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wiTPyqaxQ
"Well?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIw9BUGYafc
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeTTEDAh6g
"...The thing is, if I voice it, I'll probably break apart here and now."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDLFTnj4NN
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTqpJQWQde
"Ah."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bFYnXmOno
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOKD4zVcSw
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but articulating it in my brain was difficult.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9P7mMOO5O0
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgN8n3NgqQ
"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."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcZUTuZWHC
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEFNzvxog9
"Ah, the Lionant?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhkxAIEayN
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqNuKOFaNO
"Yeah. The one you saved me from. Thank you for that, by the way."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwcHVohrnt
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6VQOEClD7
"..."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWwqaN22yg
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0L4eqgJqzN
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYXUpdBfTD
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWm4eNSEen
"This might be a dumb question, but why did you save me back then?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8VC6sg63H
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafsBL36iLg
"...Yeah, why did I?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Aj4joeU2G
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfAJ07WZXm
I didn't expect to be met with another question.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpVFwRAH4V
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQ4snoli8X
"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."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1PLxJf4Xv
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5Bb5GZv4G
I turned my head to him. He had his eyes pointed at the sky, one arm slung over his knee.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZABzjQsAT
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBrJR41pxE
"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."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRyDSRbJBH
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfOseaPqJV
"..."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdl0j8GAmv
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmEQEDn6d1
I felt as if I should have said something, but I remained silent. Juke continued his gentle monologue.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmzzD6dxYf
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNk0kuCaS2
"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?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPZYqor02Z
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9J5FbNwK4
"What?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwRiuZp6fY
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WmTZKDpvr
"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."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyaXCYeBuI
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCOH5z5uID
"That sounds... boorish?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLrjiQLfhR
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84lHmklFMC
"Pff, yer just too young."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdMF8Gdnig
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7NdAYNqQr
He paused for a moment.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztWV3Kn9IB
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAekFXxIq6e
"Why the hell am I saying this to a kid?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRHgqZxxND
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdE6pEQ1a72
"D-Don't mind that, just keep talking."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbTxawv5aT
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSjq2T2Knw
"...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."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHCtpoS8HF
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3X3EWnVFL8
He took a second to readjust himself. I used that time to spill my own thoughts.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7J1BbpTUf
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PxfV48fXn
"That's silly... O-Oh–"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnhajDcivv
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunsRKBU1HG
I realized I had just blurted out something insensitive yet again.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bu4WW3x3d
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdja0fRWvA
"I didn't mean to be rude, but–"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCW3dZhoG35
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvqpzRs1kM
"Nah, I get why ya think it. To each their own, that's what the masses say, yeah?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgOmR6ocxT
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvuBG7Ykav
"I... yes, I suppose so."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSlTyld7GK
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj759dQbLKh
Another pause. Juke directed his gaze to the floor this time.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5ixn2f2bY
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46yOxlxxXy
"I think the weak shouldn't have to deal with what the strong does."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAL9wiq6g2e
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡha5icvuZof
"Yes, I know."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfU2vLdpQmM
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg44PekLUse
"But I wanna make sure Dennis is still kickin'."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiuHEUaX2B
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEHD7rwDTV
He said that with conviction I had never heard from him before.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbfLlhqNX4
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxF6BAS7Q4
"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."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8hRivBAmg
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EYw221c4q
"..."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtk75FdWpGB
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyuZlTLAYc
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqe39pbmfjR
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1Y9Zl0Vl1
"Ya hear that?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKqeEsL7kw
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLExcYgx4C
"Huh?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrrMJ7V2sb
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELZ957LXV7
I perked my ears. I didn't hear anything. Then, I realized what Juke meant.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6IVs7GfCP
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiypTRW29g
"They passed."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTRbuqJMPv
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQTjgK0fPi
"Yeah. I can't hear them anymore."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLktO2qB9z
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgzqG8wc6u
Juke stood up first. He brushed the dirt off his pants and peered around the corner.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcim3px1h9X
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuWhKZb4lF
"Looks like we're in the clear. Phew."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQ341Xh6DJ
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaHUhu6W0y
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcbmHAOlYC
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5L5L6IanOb
Juke had already taken his first steps, though. He looked back at me once he noticed I wasn't moving.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXQ73DprXn
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PGd51MpzT
"Shit... hey, kid, I know what yer thinking."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEwnCeaQMr
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAUSkBPLmr
"You've been saying that a lot."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bGfCFZNKf
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiss1EiVvp
"That's just cuz yer easy to read."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jfNIYboXg
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGN40SFZ3Gn
We stood stock still in silence.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOHTQbNB94
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSWyWFdJIH
"W-Well, what are you waiting for," I muttered, "Let's get going."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlJoX1VbpQ
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4kXRuxQ9Q
"Are ya sure?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM42RXHiejz
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8uQK1vgVf
I walked out of the alleyway, looking both ways before standing beside Juke.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7874H9fs8b
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpzU4Cqle0
"I should be asking you that."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7i8wHfOe93
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHyIfA04Nb
"Hehe, I guess so. We've come this far, haven't we?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiyRyLfw3Q
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87aaHnIks4
"Yes. You get it."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtM7fvnXEEj
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvjxNqo2g8
But before we continued, there was one last thing I wanted to mention.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelysaVHdgN
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCTQYcr6DB
"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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWBacdofWc
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRki7lYSegV
"Fine by me."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9X6PdzSZYu
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1ydbGonry
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UxFD9THRM
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4pJN3wkMX
–
–
–
"Ya see that?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0a51HAzmx3
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWh5YQTnnN
"Yeah, we're almost there."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcV7w4oy4bu
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxai9oTQMwj
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTm1SlMPMA
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqSpbKFP06
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Y50p24FeC
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And as we got closer and closer, a sudden stench assaulted my nostrils.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwIUGFQn7r
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"Blurg, what was that?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDqEu1Wt1M
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I skidded to a stop. I reluctantly sniffed the air again but didn't catch the same whiff. Juke looked back at me, confused.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelxrWcqZKm
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"What was what?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZ8RPxj9RL
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"I caught a whiff of something."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2welowSfJe
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"Ah, gotcha. I ain't stopping, just so ya know."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIf1HKAm91Q
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Clicking my tongue, I continued following Juke to the stables, occasionally sniffing the air as we encroached it.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡja3ND7ofnj
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And then, it came again. This time, more putrid than before.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0IX3UiKTe
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"Ugh– ack, what in the world?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKan24Y3rj
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Juke didn't stop to ask me what was wrong this time. He turned the final corner and already made it to the stables. I knew that I had visited this place before, but I didn't quite acknowledge the structure until that moment.
It was like an open barn house with only a meager roof over the parking spaces. Inside these parking spaces were carriages, and opposite them were miniature pens housing the animals responsible for heaving the carriages. These pens were fitted with roofs and thick gates to block the animals from wandering off. Of course, because of the structure of the stables, he barged in without having to bust open any doors. Naturally, I entered without issue myself.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6jMJJ6Z7e
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But never had I wished for a door to be present more than now.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRD2XCKWmwU
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"...This is fuckin' horrid."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQEDY9R6lR
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The carriages were untouched, but the carriages were only there for me to distract myself with. It didn't last for long, of course. After all, the stench and overwhelming, blinding quantity of red permeating through every crevice of the area made it impossible to keep up the charade.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCF9gezkS6q
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The pens were broken, but the animals hadn't escaped. They were still in their pens, but as cadavers opposed to breathing beings.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCt1z3dXnd
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Bile rose to my throat, but I was able to suppress it. That disturbed me deeply.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8YzeSYESP
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"Well, Kenny, I dunno if we'll be leaving by carriage any time soon."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpJq2W9i37
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"You 'don't know', huh? Are you kidding me?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnJv7NEb5F
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I glared at the scene. It was grotesque, but my eyes couldn't divert from it. Every animal in every pen– no exception was made, none were spared. They were unapologetically slaughtered. Juke spoke of the sight perfectly; It was horrid. it evoked such visceral repulsion even when closing the eyes and glancing at it through memory.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcH37KyrTl
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But, as much as I hated it, as much as it made me want to turn the other way and run, seeing our way out be cut off like this relieved me of a subconscious weight.
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Juke ventured further into the stables, and I begrudgingly followed. I fixed my gaze to the right, passing by the open pens and observing the carrion they contained. I didn't try to immerse myself in the details; I would've truly thrown up if I did. But, from what I did see, I could judge the means used to kill them. From lacerations to burns, to pulverizations of their bodies, it was obvious that a mix of magic and weaponry was utilized.
I was lucky that the blood had dried long ago.
"Sly bastards. How'd they know we'd try to get out?"
"...They probably just did this preemptively. Did they have to murder all the animals, though? Why not damage the carriages?"
My question had not just reminded Juke, but also myself of our carriage. We steered directions and beelined towards it. From an outside view, it looked unharmed. As Juke pulled out a key and unlocked the doors, I could only hope that the same could be said for the inside.
"Nagging Dennis for this shit paid off."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08jMcogAbj
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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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sZkJJONUZ
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I stood beside Juke. We eyed the woman vigilantly. My prior assessment was overwritten as she didn't look like she would move at all, leaving me bemused.
But, then, a fireball formed in her hands. I expected her to throw it immediately, so I prepared to duck, but it continued to grow in size; it was far larger than her previous ones, almost as tall and wide as Juke was.
"Ah, shit."
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. Frankly, I didn't expect her to be so adept in fire magic that she could make a spell of that size. It was stupid of me not to consider it. The woman reeled her arm back. I had to act fast.
I ducked, placing both my hands on the ground. I began mana expulsion with one hand and performed spinning with the other. A wall of stone sprung from the ground before me. Then, I produced a Valencia-Bloom from the tendril, expanding it as far as I could reasonably do so. Juke already took cover behind me. Now, all that was left was too–
**SLAM**
"--Ack!"
I didn't suffer any severe damage. In fact, my defenses were hardly penetrated. But the heat from the fire nipped at me through it all. The spell dissipated in no more than five seconds, but it felt like forever.
"How the hell are we breathin'!?"
"Is now really the time for–"
**THUD**
I felt a sudden force clash against my shield. Due to my already shaky balance, I fell to the ground, but I made sure to retract the Valencia-Bloom so my arm wouldn't be dislodged. When the shield vanished, the woman took its place, her leg raised. She continued her assault, raising her knife and, with her other hand on the top of the hilt, plunging it into me.
I shut my eyes and grit my teeth, expecting the sensation of a blade being lodged into my body. But that never came. Instead, a metallic clang reverberated through the stables.
I opened my eyes. Juke intercepted her with his sword. He was on the ground with both his hands on the blade's hilt. Judging by how he was lying on the ground, gripping the hilt with both his hands like a rope, he must've slid.
They remained that way for a moment, engaged in a struggle between their blades. When it became apparent that she couldn't win, she clicked her tongue.
"Irritating," the woman sighed before kicking his helmet and sending him flying. She returned her attention to me, but I had used my borrowed time to regain my composure and swing the tendril.
My tendril hit her. But it felt as if I was the one who was struck, and it wasn't by a blunt object, but by a steel blade. Purple liquid erupted from my chest.
Yes, she was flung away. Yes, my tendril had connected. But when it retracted by itself, I found the woman void of bruises and her knife slathered in a viscous purple.
"D-Damn it."
I rose to my feet with shaking legs. She hadn't just blocked my attack but hurt me back as well. I clutched my chest and coughed harshly.
"How are ya?"
Juke stood beside me, brandishing his sword. We eyed the woman who was flicking the liquid off her knife.
"This ain't looking like a winning fight."
As much as it frustrated me to agree with his notion, I was forced to. Every attack I launched had been avoided, and the one time either of us landed one on her, it was more of a fluke than anything.
"So what do we do?"
"'Till I get how she keeps seein' the future, I ain't got a clue."
"See the future...? Do you think that's what it is?"
"Can't think of anythin' else."
I narrowed my eyes at her, mulling over Juke's theory. When I thought about it, certainly, it would make sense that she could see the future. However–
"There has to be a limit, or some kind of restriction. Her behavior is too inconsistent."
"I agree with ya, and I still got no clue how she kicked me from across the damn room."
Indeed, she had too many unknown factors about her, and combined with her astonishing physical and magical prowess, it made this fight impossible to win. I was wounded, Juke's weakness had been discovered, and the woman didn't look like she even broke a sweat.
"Are you two plotting something? I ought to interfere."
She broke into another dash, but it wasn't an utter rush; her steps were laced with trepidation, and her knife was raised defensively. It was as if she was approaching expecting us to attack her back.
My moment of clarity subsided as the pain washed over my being. But Juke, pulling me by the collar, had fortunately noticed the same, and–
"Book it, kid!"
Helped me turn tail as we both broke into sprints of our own.
I ran. I ran like the wind. I ran to abuse my legs. I ran to survive. But I wasn't so naive; my legs were small and my stamina was pathetic. Whether it was my lack of endurance or my lack of speed, the woman would undoubtedly catch up to me. No thanks to his luggage, I couldn't hitch a ride on Juke's back.
I swiveled my head. She was catching up to me like a wolf in pursuit, and I was sure to be caught in her fangs at any moment. I didn't try to speed up; too many factors prevented me from doing so.
So, if I couldn't speed up, then there was only one thing left for me to do.
I began mana expulsion with both of my hands, creating a mass of earth in one and a mass of fire in the other, expanding it. The woman didn't show an expression of surprise. She was expecting me to do this– no, not expecting, she knew.
Something about that pissed me off. So, instead of throwing it–
"--You!"
Her eyes widened. She skidded to a stop and leaped away. Despite that, I had to see this through.
I discharged as much mana into the fire as I recklessly could, and naturally–
**BOOM**
A Flinty incident occurred.
I used the stone I conjured up to defend myself, but truthfully, it hardly did anything. The most I could do was defend my head, and sure, my eyes hadn't burst, and my face wasn't seared, but they were still rolling on the stone pavement along with the rest of my body, picking up spikey pebbles and other trash like they were seashells on the beach. I only stopped when I collided with, something. I didn't know what and the means to find out were stripped from me. My ears rang, my nose burned, and I had to clobber dozens of particles off my face before I could even think of opening my eyes. But, my arms were too heavy for me to even lift.
So, I remained there, waiting for all the internal chaos to subside before I moved. Then I felt something touch me, then shake me, and I groaned in response. I didn't know who it was. Since I was alive, it probably wasn't the woman. Was it a street dog, or maybe one of those robed men?
Was it Juke? I dismissed the thought. That was a ridiculous proposition.
I was lifted and tussled with. It wasn't done harshly, but goodness, was it irritating. At that point, my annoyance powered over my fatigue, and I rubbed my eyes before slackening my arms yet again.
I opened them and saw the ground. Whoever it was that was messing with me was behind me. I couldn't turn my head to see them, though, so I groaned and heaved my breaths.
"Good to know yer still kicking. Which bottle 'ere is gonna patch ya up?"
Hearing a familiar voice, I was struck with an inordinate amount of clarity.
"Green, one," I mustered.
"Yer lucky I caught that first try. Open wide."
Even if I wanted to, I couldn't. He understood that too, so he grabbed my jaw and pulled it down, sticking the bottle inside my mouth. I was sure that I was going to drown; the amount of liquid entering my throat was overwhelming. But it passed as quickly as it came. I coughed vehemently, and Juke patted my back to help. I cursed my inability to voice my thanks.
"Take it easy, ya really did something crazy back then. Strong folk, I tell ya."
Now I just wanted to tell him to shut up. He lifted me and hung me over his shoulder, then he continued to run.
"Did ya get that crazy bitch? Err, tap once for yes, twice for no."
All I could exert myself to do was pinch, so I pinched his skin twice.
"Shit. Shit! Is she followin' us now!?"
I pointed my eyes up. I could only see a little bit of the ground, so I painstakingly raised my neck.
It devastated me to have to pinch once.
"Are ya kidding me!?"
Juke's running increased in tempo. Unlike me, he was able to at least keep the distance between him and the woman the same. Unfortunately for me, my head was bouncing up and down every step. I was sure that I'd vomit any minute, and then pathetically pass out a moment after.
But I couldn't afford to do so. I couldn't afford to be a burden when our lives were being threatened like this.
I tried to call it forth, but my tendril wouldn't appear. I tried mana expulsion– tried, but struggled. The explosion hadn't drained me of my mana, but my supply was so low I might as well have been shaking a bottle for droplets. I couldn't form anything grandiose or dangerous, meaning that I had to do something to just slow her down.
So, I formed a small mass of water. Supporting it with my other hand, I lifted my arm, aiming my open palm at her feet.
She didn't react preemptively at all. It gave me a surge of hope, and with that borrowed vigor, I fired the spell at her feet.
Except, I didn't fire it. It unceremoniously plummeted to the ground. She simply jumped over the puddle the spell created.
"Damn, it."
"--Ay kid, are ya seeing this!?"
"Seeing what", I wanted to ask, because I was still incapable of moving my body more than an inch at a time. But I didn't have to turn my head to see what he saw. As Juke kept running through the street, we passed by a myriad of bodies loitering about. My first assumption was that they were corpses– and, well, judging by all the red, it was likely correct.
But what really caught my eye was their attire: dark, hooded robes. All of these bodies were that of the people in Hard-Bringer.
Did a fight break out? Is that what happened? I looked up at the woman and she was entirely unperturbed. I was hoping to gauge a different reaction, but not only was hers uninformative, it was disturbing.
And then, my vision swerved.
"Huh?"
"I'm takin' a gamble."
"Gamble!?"
That was the loudest noise I had made that day. Juke didn't elaborate on what gamble he was taking. I thought of wiggling out his grasp right there, as obviously foolish as it was. But–253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgpHw2bbLc
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"Just trust me!"
He said it as a feverish plea. It shocked me into staying in place. With nothing else to do, I placed my faith in him. The sun-lightened streets disappeared and we ventured into a darkened alleyway. We came to a stop shortly after, leaving me confused and worried.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoKSttALnP
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Then, Juke began to talk, but it was clear that it wasn't to me.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zliq1aYll
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"Who are ya people?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5FAE4lPhX
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"Wow, he really followed us. Well, sir, we're here to help. My buddy will be doing the dirty work, though."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8aqOHUI0K
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"Buddy?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdyEyh1jI7
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I froze– froze more than I already was frozen, anyway. The voice that Juke spoke with was familiar to me, though I struggled to put a name to it. But then a set of footsteps sounded through the alley, and a man in a trench coat brushed passed Juke and me.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTfTKAhPPf
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Of course, with an article of clothing that distinct, I'd be lying if I didn't recognize him. My recognition was only solidified when he drew his hands in it and pulled two crossbows out.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUhi1Z2iuy
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"Quiet now."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5H3IJCPYq
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Pars gave a command to us all, aiming his crossbows at the entrance of the alleyway. I didn't understand why he was using two of them, but there was a tube of earth protruding from inside the coat and connected to the ends of the crossbows, so I knew there was some trick going on.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIvkX2M0fL
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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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OeD19BnBr
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"Where did she go? Do I smell that bad?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJvQ5FhkPZ
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He pulled his crossbows back and sighed, rubbing his head as he turned around. His eyes met with mine, and he practically blenched.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiFlEVRv1R
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"K-Kenny? Where did you come from!?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk24TlHfMek
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I sighed, and I smiled. There was something heartwarming about seeing this man act as usual, even if it pained me.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vMA7OhNoV
