"Hey, wake up."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERjzyYOXAJ
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhk2iGEIqn
"H-Huh!?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZUTEVtd7t
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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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSA57wg7Gj
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5s9vqihgH
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare ya."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SYKu4ymnc
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"No no, it's fine."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCtkQUGuxD
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcKiEZcFg0
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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡropDsrol7a
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMC0qZROtYf
"Goodness kid, did ya sleep at all?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvy5tIu98Xs
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTe5uiVrO3
"Huh? Yeah, sure I did."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdAqVaiI59
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4wnipVHi5
I let out another yawn. After a dozen firm blinks, I was able to keep my eyes open for longer than two seconds.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOmjkWJRby
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyS79yztiT3
"Are ya sure–"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4UGCkoQQc
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQ89TCbuYV
"Listen, Juke, I'm fine. I'm, perfectly fine. My neck is just a little sore, that's all."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNDtXlZmSh
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO82t4wh85N
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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJNwasjroW
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrxRyySJbO
"Well, if ya say so. When yer ready, come meet me outside."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0p5a9pIgR
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajbnAu7O9N
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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrJZ943ldQ
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVowHnfDEX
"..."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MFNVEYdTe
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Now that the grogginess had left me, my mind worked at total capacity. It came with unwanted by-products.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28DCJDtPTc
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTg1CdJmx6
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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiynb8Uq55
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAg3PFjbZ1
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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdb5EGVeoO
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuz3oG42tU
The plate was full of fish. It wasn't a food I'd associate with breakfast.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡst32db2m7R
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOpzDkXRZ6
"Hi young man, how did you sleep?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPXXdMRozx
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVM9Ae8vip4
His tone was cheery and amiable. He sounded like a pleasant person to speak to.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQI8AdogjXy
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLs7Z82bbM
"Hmm. Huh? Oh, were you talking to me?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQV03vW7zoE
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQml19VQEe3
The man nodded. Now that I thought about it–125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYUQ7Q3o3i
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHKCa5iYjG
"What's your name anyway? I don't believe you've ever told us."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoJwBr8LCj
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnz0c1ZMUY
"...You must be right. My name is Hank, it's a pleasure."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVvvsItu02
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvNRstcUXG
"Hank... did you cook this breakfast?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZaHq4e0x7
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBMiHdTdHb
"I certainly did. Well, go on now, try it."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OGNeOmJ1K
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XkrUqM8Ui
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–125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtJ0fZEdb7
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGivpDBzs48
"Don't gotta waste yer time ogling at it, kid."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2So04vMAK
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnThI35CfX
Juke's statement interrupted my necessary analyses.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfWcnaIK5A
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUV1883sU8
"I guess you're right. Is good, Juke?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhV0zcKh6W
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmBzwi6XS8
"Yeah, it is. If ya don't eat it now though, some bird might poop on it and ruin the taste."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8Jvd06zuX
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5BiRRgKII
"What?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRE7oh2oBUx
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He sighed and flicked his head.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeyYl7b8TE
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOed3tTWNf
"Come on, let's enjoy our last breakfast here, why don't we?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNQpl1KT9c
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWOQRdPWUk
"Last... yeah, let's."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIqOArOXkT
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lt9Z8ewjU
I took the fork and began to eat the fish. It had a kick to it that I didn't expect, but otherwise–125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloatLwZ4v8
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52MWbIHslU
"This is good. This is really good."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQMJ89DN8H
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcSHBw43NW
"I told ya."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfs5rOtzMTE
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYUt4ODKyC
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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkj9fv7NNjy
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKc0frVe5L
"Wait a minute, Juke," Hank started, "how are you eating with your helmet on?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUXhNVQhFn
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYObSQ32QQ
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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7fSz2ran7
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEJtJwN2dx
"Trade secret, don't worry 'bout it. Just keep eating."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxa2grEU2T
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmmvF9ThQk
The man backed down. I kept looking at Juke, but he wouldn't eat the fish in front of me.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyoF8Lr6EO
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpe51THiGzx
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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmXb3m4TbY
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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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeTYWVnWqJ
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEA56L0TlU3
"So, you two want to leave the city, correct?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccBCNRiAEf
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ54e5VkQGu
"That's right," Juke responded.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4iNSdeTyQ
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCNrcki3Yb
"I see..."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fM5L04zH3
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He pinched his chin and gazed at the table.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡor8TpxNnVz
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBEN9kzWlf
"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."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCEevQf3xN
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKJPVIkv0K
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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicPAVIVlOB
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4N3o9KHa7
"However, I do believe you two can get out fine."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR25F7wLQO2
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"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."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWlXBnxqC7
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkwwZarJ3m
I nodded along to Juke's reasoning. Hank did too, less tense than twenty seconds ago.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYgAk90QdV
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGgr0NGtsR
"Do you two have a plan in mind?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22MgHs96qw
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3JLeZPEBM
Juke turned his head to me, confusing me more than pressuring me.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY35sdhnEyQ
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HLBkXA6au
"What are you looking at me for?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEc2pJuvsq
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxONBIBGdp
"Ya got any ideas?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9N9XfxmJv
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"Why do you think I do, anyway?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaG4sQTirO
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He shrugged at my inquiry. I just sighed and rubbed my temple, racking my brain for anything.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOM1iTP62y
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UV4sQWet0
"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."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP89YZdQhkw
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXKjPB4H1M
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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NGAq4M7K7
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"Hank, can you go outside and check the surroundings?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5qV2ImGEY
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"U-Uh, I very well may, however..."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LUpIwpeEt
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I raised my brow, then realized that just because Hank wasn't me or Juke didn't mean that he was entirely safe.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTFNZR9qg9
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHDKyXycq1
Rover's visage flashed in my mind. I brushed it aside for the moment, barely.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEOCkq361k
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"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."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWtCAmsHFW
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"I see. I apologize for asking so much from you."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRJsJGCROj
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He shook his hands frantically and.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3J9zaGszG
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKwglcsdl9
"Oh no no, I'll do it. I just don't think I'll be able to scout very far ahead."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCxqUV5s3r
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"That ain't an issue. Just the first block should be alright."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqLbeYu4cw
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNltXvZV1K
Hank's gaze turned abnormally stern. He stood up and did a few gesticulations to assure himself.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxJQhSZT70
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxV3NHsZCFJ
"Pray for me."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSICRmOANTK
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"Don't worry. We'll arrange yer funeral for ya."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8Bn2tUEus
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"Juke!"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLoDJKT3aJ
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxBYxegcO1
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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuzoOWAtYr
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1KUbZZxfT
"Thanks for trying to lighten the mood, Juke."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkM6QJEYfRt
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzWcIa8xPq
He turned his head to me, stuttering his words before taking a breath and speaking them coherently.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZp0uiGhJS
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wgFlW4H0N
"No need to thank me. The atmosphere's tense, I just don't want it to stay that way."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTCdOI5PrI
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"Still, I appreciate it."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1qTvSxRET
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I sat with my legs spread out, lowering my head and leaning over to stare at the ground.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEsYzqh2Vm
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsboBn6z1Iw
"I can tell that my wisecracks ain't all that effective, though."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7qjlsz9Wm
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijMn20FrNx
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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FCZRkxv5B
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWg3CS5vL0
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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlznVapCWu
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TG9XPUfwM
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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsh54Krn1Xn
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFglE7Jy4U
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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uKsICie0N
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRHbM9OPoG
"Thank you for your help, Hank."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7W6nuV3s0
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"Yeah, we really of ya."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqGCfk0riv
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQhDJt0Znb
He gave us a light smile and waved.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGe7PCtq5tI
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDj1OuiBcs
"No no, it's fine. It's what Dennis would have wanted, I'm sure."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDV8CkJAHkM
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWBVMR9aMQ
"...Y-Yeah."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiP16Iix1g
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A morbid parasite was planted in me before we left. It began to eat at me instantly, but I did nothing to address it.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2rxt8QQ3w
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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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbsQAZF1zl
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3M3AldeVji
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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XLQOpLlhn
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UjVp0cg6L
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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG05B6V3G0K
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡME6OAYBDH7
"Hey, are you sure we're going the right way?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBOUtxm4nR
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdZcQm33oP
"Yeah, I'm sure. I remember that chipped building when I visited the stables earlier."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmE1zbIg50
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5fGon39uG
He pointed at a building opposite us. Indeed, it was chipped, but somehow I didn't find his memory reliable.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0U6J6aCSQF
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPpIzrIxSd
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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡds3Wpd6c7V
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfcxw78lNo
"--Crap!"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEo1Iuztts
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0S2YiC1rI
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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7h2FxUgbjw
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrD5RJztARl
"Crap. Crap!"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstHXwvwyIS
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXo55YKBN2C
"Eh? What's the situation, kid?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwxxA2SbUZ
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhP0nKhmZR
"People are heading our way!"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulYDYQTAzz
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtZ2nkLxSH
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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSoKP3xMUK
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBL3JSHbX2y
"I guess we gotta jump 'em."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScDscgmAZw
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvz97GnL3CW
"What!? That's a terrible idea!"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfauj0Fej9f
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAmy9iGN1A
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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHfGiITW2f
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJI9aYu0hP
"Okay, maybe it isn't a terrible idea, but we need to knock them out quickly."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCWlmJCdIX
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDT9eYwxbFJ
"Yeah, killin' 'em will just make a mess and draw attention, ya make a good point."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLACjbcsjlC
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3u1gUjraJG
"...Murder is the first thing you– nevermind, you gave me a good idea."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2taaYG5us3
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZyQ5pClAK
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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3WNzjMZ9M
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzgMZjSGyk
It was unexpectedly heavy. The weight of the shield brought me to the floor and strained my arm terribly125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhL0pKLUJiD
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxktTqbMvVe
"Ack!"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Kk8PSAgs1
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQpYiVo3fW
"G-Goodness, kid. Are ya alright?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnHkYE7qg5
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wuaWyEIKl
"I-I'm fine, just keep quiet!"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6u9tvjuh4
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvypbgcCnu
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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBB2jQxNoZY
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2tL94WkWp
"Ya strong folk really are crazy."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2Zm2URaMb
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcb3b9o39Hs
"Shut up. Now isn't the time for this."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RVkaBOlKG
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTciznGpsF
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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlhNtZJycH
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4ULdmDMKu
And, by doing so, I heard something that made my hair stand on its ends.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmyKRe39n4
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhlrfuN2Ta
"--Yeah, we should find a place to hide, don't ya think?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytsgYbUPQf
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLm4WsaytD
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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzB12NF4878
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzw5KxB504C
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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6TDxMqyMI
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMkGzMDxG4
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–125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWmnIv3GUq
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qMmpMw4BZ
"--Kenny, I don't know if that'll do ya any good."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUog8nENaCJ
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xRArSZSt2
"Huh?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldIuv7DRBX
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8DSEes2B9
Juke's deep voice pierced through the thunderous train of footsteps.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0lJY8HcUM
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0mQLeSKcK
"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."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbo0cpH4WI
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5qKRDpFG7
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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4ubyVO0Sc
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBrWgNCRVn
"Why? Is it because I'm strong?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7r3kvWnhmg
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBUbBwCdD1
"Nah, it's cuz yer a kid."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGh8UxDtSWY
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Tgcjvi31q
His response left me more stunned than I could've imagined.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJm71abf6y8
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ojn8jOqdh
"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."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjCEMdueJX
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBm2QuWvAx
"..."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVG9d7l3Ig
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3b3mSHpKCW
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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAS98VxtMx
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Yaslt9IYC
So, I let my mouth run amok.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5u8Ybriki4
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iCcFGCAT7
"I'm sure you know, but what Rover told me has... affected me, I suppose."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlI71XnFWWw
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJC8bI1HRYY
"Yeah, I know."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oByaDi747
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48pB2s5YWc
A pause. I used it to formulate my following words more effectively.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVOZche0bm
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHXkReqkjR
"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."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaNaFspSgP
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5zgOvsXFe
I darted my eyes to the side. He nodded along. He stared at the wall across. I did the same.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9utfq1lKP
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaOR1HIdK2
"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."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvFPKwkQbU
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EnfCoSGFr
"That sounds familiar..."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNe4XAFX4r
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Cnfh0oWSk
"Huh?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpr5QTXCDV
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTIW4eSWoh
"Nevermind. Ya carry on."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVsHVsLOAG
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3yo3FPQci
I felt a little let down, but did as I was told.
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1Y1kpqqUP
"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."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUkxqSedYo
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0SDOZskFF
"Well?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEDltUElIn
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr14diE5hkX
"...The thing is, if I voice it, I'll probably break apart here and now."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡer9tLvLk3B
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iTvy8IjJA
"Ah."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGAXYmZIOs
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhlVCmLqNV
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but articulating it in my brain was difficult.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPJgL3WrPi
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMg4ezR9pZ9
"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."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86GUTBBGzH
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9ZWD9cp3f
"Ah, the Lionant?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4E0NBNbz7s
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7FAbk0HJ1
"Yeah. The one you saved me from. Thank you for that, by the way."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8ZKIq2hKy
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPEC2nlldP
"..."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTRGIQnqDQ
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCkOmgbYZn
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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOGxsorZ11
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoNgISXYiQ
"This might be a dumb question, but why did you save me back then?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3mHgden0N
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQodvFfgft
"...Yeah, why did I?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlg9kv9IQ3Z
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7iqHjg3qj
I didn't expect to be met with another question.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu57FUvvjQW
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VZJ7lybwe
"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."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8z7O4UM1N
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriRY4oXppO
I turned my head to him. He had his eyes pointed at the sky, one arm slung over his knee.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLVkZkCrXP
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCa6mFWbQMh
"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."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4oJgXFJFi
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡron658rq4T
"..."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgP9xLTdND
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GutOlfGbx
I felt as if I should have said something, but I remained silent. Juke continued his gentle monologue.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiIuIpXg4N
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMq8NxRpB9m
"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?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUandxgUm2
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMG3aBo4KR
"What?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEXwEELOrU
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0ukolgjQd
"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."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5j5X0dgrD6
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOI54DWWL0
"That sounds... boorish?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHLSUWS2Pv
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JStGRrOU1
"Pff, yer just too young."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡID0UVI0cDy
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBSa0nr2Fc
He paused for a moment.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasnPVjE8fg
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8exNe8rgr
"Why the hell am I saying this to a kid?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIj5DSSPMc
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnakODNBz2D
"D-Don't mind that, just keep talking."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtHxAgJzXJ
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJnvnuJdX5
"...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."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7nT9MM4NE
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLb4kjwn1rt
He took a second to readjust himself. I used that time to spill my own thoughts.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EoY3gbVLO
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsZNFyvzSU
"That's silly... O-Oh–"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xhNbyzb8F
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoe4EJvL1J
I realized I had just blurted out something insensitive yet again.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTvIhLeQEI
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5d8Qj1I8H
"I didn't mean to be rude, but–"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gpZ6DBOnT
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEaK6mIHXr
"Nah, I get why ya think it. To each their own, that's what the masses say, yeah?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxCmAzEJyC
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenvE3AXf57
"I... yes, I suppose so."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74EibOYmv9
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54MT7u4k7a
Another pause. Juke directed his gaze to the floor this time.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XxhBHUa4Q
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhWzMSfPPo
"I think the weak shouldn't have to deal with what the strong does."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Yh3HHXsBB
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEDccT2xvF
"Yes, I know."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6uSR4rf7N
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTfmT5F1cX
"But I wanna make sure Dennis is still kickin'."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rhC24JYFx
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkU1wYAJPY
He said that with conviction I had never heard from him before.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZpzbScIoK
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxivElrBdCa
"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."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIyNlkfdUf
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIr7ogj2fe
"..."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrMpaKd43P
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRJb2bE8bw
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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCVQr12ZoI
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQTWG20PMC
"Ya hear that?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEI74VIBRzG
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJoOBpOpUJ
"Huh?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4PhBBQnY0
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFpPZ6iOf5
I perked my ears. I didn't hear anything. Then, I realized what Juke meant.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8UAQCzgkY
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUpP2igtaq
"They passed."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEZzKikSv3
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvEcpu4BOk
"Yeah. I can't hear them anymore."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkQTuoDyra
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OAfAfJYvL
Juke stood up first. He brushed the dirt off his pants and peered around the corner.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnXzbBCZTc
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9rAasHalN
"Looks like we're in the clear. Phew."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBvVsiUTTi
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbNoXgMH7J
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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3p1i6qa3rI
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0uVR8yM6Z
Juke had already taken his first steps, though. He looked back at me once he noticed I wasn't moving.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUi4KWpRpPW
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTk34BVqrsb
"Shit... hey, kid, I know what yer thinking."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJemXdCGxrm
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2BjwamBCa
"You've been saying that a lot."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Dketi5zO5
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3SFR0lpUB
"That's just cuz yer easy to read."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkStdnUDSb
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsW6PDZZrB
We stood stock still in silence.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5mUDYqtdx
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdQvHe5Se6
"W-Well, what are you waiting for," I muttered, "Let's get going."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6hMGqP1zU
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrHH3Ki4kp
"Are ya sure?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvHLOmFSPT
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57albCy9JR
I walked out of the alleyway, looking both ways before standing beside Juke.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGBx1ogwyf
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMjYfQGsgY
"I should be asking you that."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfFmSpZOIO
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0fBmsM51Y
"Hehe, I guess so. We've come this far, haven't we?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUApA7OPZXO
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzRsFSDb94
"Yes. You get it."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tBZAXowjw
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIoPk9yrIH
But before we continued, there was one last thing I wanted to mention.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWTTi66s3u
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1yFJG8jNG
"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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukYyTuLlqB
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvt5xy2QDTQ
"Fine by me."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlo712y0mSJ
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoiCMptikO
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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYWixhhbTF
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BssMXJY9R
–
–
–
"Ya see that?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3h33e2ala
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPadDCGqg33
"Yeah, we're almost there."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxM7BFgbKZU
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfx3pLsuX7
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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrY9rWCXrs
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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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVw3UVBrTip
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And as we got closer and closer, a sudden stench assaulted my nostrils.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXZpLge6U3
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"Blurg, what was that?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1KKT5spaU
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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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNkt7nYSWC
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"What was what?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtChASztt4
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"I caught a whiff of something."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAChokTMtYe
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"Ah, gotcha. I ain't stopping, just so ya know."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbgyqaMWyg
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Clicking my tongue, I continued following Juke to the stables, occasionally sniffing the air as we encroached it.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj27IZfHfhR
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And then, it came again. This time, more putrid than before.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2UABpIFsB
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"Ugh– ack, what in the world?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOBwb1eKJi
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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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9LEeHTkLU
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But never had I wished for a door to be present more than now.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2h4rk8T6Z
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"...This is fuckin' horrid."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHZEe03lRR
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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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGHRoL7AhP
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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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HmDi7rb1P
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Bile rose to my throat, but I was able to suppress it. That disturbed me deeply.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTf0m65sN9
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"Well, Kenny, I dunno if we'll be leaving by carriage any time soon."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPD9emrqHNC
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"You 'don't know', huh? Are you kidding me?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4miXyS0GX
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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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1R0SL1PiGh
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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."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYWGpeAyYt
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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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOs2ap1Lpeg
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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–125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUfN6ZavZC
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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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodX20gsfad
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Then, Juke began to talk, but it was clear that it wasn't to me.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SPgSqude3
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"Who are ya people?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKI6u3RD9f
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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."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZ7HFcQFg1
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"Buddy?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvNa734hYF
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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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fOpGGoiNJ
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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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR950ZKqfx0
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"Quiet now."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBwUgw3HrN
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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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZNQLg7US9
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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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2x93WsOBpT
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"Where did she go? Do I smell that bad?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvWtQ5o3cS
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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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasDpIh7UnQ
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"K-Kenny? Where did you come from!?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLz2njdxb2s
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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.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJsf8e3KgX
