"Hey, wake up."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1ivmSJYBl
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iuXCFEZih
"H-Huh!?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqg4WXc7CO7
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIhUqdZA8H
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLONsNbf14
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXtnPyDLvn
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare ya."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlO9QE1gI8
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRsHyQotNk
"No no, it's fine."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfG5zc5MfO
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFknhrsMFcQ
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlAA6xjGiA
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfonB2XNLyy
"Goodness kid, did ya sleep at all?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbMT1I4MWx
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOnEtlxbO8
"Huh? Yeah, sure I did."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SfzGNefFb
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyrb7EZ7hU
I let out another yawn. After a dozen firm blinks, I was able to keep my eyes open for longer than two seconds.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbmUqB58Bw
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyAJi50jU3
"Are ya sure–"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHFDvXP2tt
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPhyb1Simk
"Listen, Juke, I'm fine. I'm, perfectly fine. My neck is just a little sore, that's all."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SHQBHlhYM
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90p1JqRUss
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuiyJRZjbt
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4kciIMmJl
"Well, if ya say so. When yer ready, come meet me outside."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7tw1PNGsN
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡial3Pd4JBg
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8e8SOFmJE
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTQVKzv37B
"..."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTHAoYPdkv
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQi6Yt2wxt
Now that the grogginess had left me, my mind worked at total capacity. It came with unwanted by-products.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vqrrAWx44
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGGOREMjSq
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfoMt49Ufj
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9B7LOimKJ
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJwBKILxUq
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCgGatV29T
The plate was full of fish. It wasn't a food I'd associate with breakfast.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7HX2A0CSN
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6NjbMkChq
"Hi young man, how did you sleep?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEQ6GnnqId
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrgsUdvK02
His tone was cheery and amiable. He sounded like a pleasant person to speak to.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eWIQH8PsD
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYyAcC8ElI
"Hmm. Huh? Oh, were you talking to me?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQ210Vsbhe
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5R8u9dJnv
The man nodded. Now that I thought about it–478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJSD7veJjz
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMi8Bpnv57
"What's your name anyway? I don't believe you've ever told us."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFF8KsQCp0
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFVNSfSiJ4
"...You must be right. My name is Hank, it's a pleasure."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6LgDOS5Kx
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbjGpVv8cG
"Hank... did you cook this breakfast?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡux8UI4UEaq
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8Ove4KNSw
"I certainly did. Well, go on now, try it."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjLUYP47cW
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3r3JsNqC1Z
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–478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8O6bPnaSO
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIr7SOfHP5u
"Don't gotta waste yer time ogling at it, kid."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSMYQfZjia
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJAP8KslcT
Juke's statement interrupted my necessary analyses.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjOeuJ16Yb
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIi4xFVk7i
"I guess you're right. Is good, Juke?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiERHavBl4q
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdY0vVHOYm6
"Yeah, it is. If ya don't eat it now though, some bird might poop on it and ruin the taste."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5pDKtDbsA
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufymgx7iwa
"What?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlg3ugijSS
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2OKr12voH
He sighed and flicked his head.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62hMiNNInj
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIUmqvjqzT
"Come on, let's enjoy our last breakfast here, why don't we?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHhaP60OgG
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQaHsQ0T3g
"Last... yeah, let's."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwXg3iAglc
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIF0CZ55hE
I took the fork and began to eat the fish. It had a kick to it that I didn't expect, but otherwise–478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfRe5s58ca
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoeW6P7sv8
"This is good. This is really good."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6CnsDqGAM
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNpdN1WtqS
"I told ya."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawbT17Q48g
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtCXaRR8bf
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjqdLNUYVU
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1H6fyZTYm
"Wait a minute, Juke," Hank started, "how are you eating with your helmet on?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HPmulVdCg
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnD4ncEcdj
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXAXRmU8yU
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRW6icLjYa
"Trade secret, don't worry 'bout it. Just keep eating."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObTg6TBK8H
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgidzFsu5qu
The man backed down. I kept looking at Juke, but he wouldn't eat the fish in front of me.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xyrbpm8Zb
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGV5j8JA1w
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQSDJWo7dG
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ933JGfJzQW
–
–
–478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOY2YZHobV
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCp0LJUp4O
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhDDK9ecWI
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1b0pLyOIi3
"So, you two want to leave the city, correct?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SvchzCcNJ
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLyxw7FOzT
"That's right," Juke responded.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyaeS61Fdg
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nxHGrsVX6
"I see..."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQVoLluPLt
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrjOMN4Uc1
He pinched his chin and gazed at the table.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoYtmuJD30
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmVSRx4BzA
"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."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPSRq2m9q3
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaxDicr9dU
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSbTqgEWYO
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBUXA4HuPL
"However, I do believe you two can get out fine."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzgbH8nHSq
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxtEFVqLG8
"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."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeWA9RinZb
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB15qhCUfzA
I nodded along to Juke's reasoning. Hank did too, less tense than twenty seconds ago.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9AICoJdXO
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalfsNYoIRZ
"Do you two have a plan in mind?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZF2DOpFMyi
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEwWNH6xHA
Juke turned his head to me, confusing me more than pressuring me.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgw1Cr1WSR
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRI3UMWqsnh
"What are you looking at me for?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtxMYfvuib
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wk87WAHt7
"Ya got any ideas?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2tvpsZLYi
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5PnRFwWAF
"Why do you think I do, anyway?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ550aiMaCbB
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNqQ1c6plm
He shrugged at my inquiry. I just sighed and rubbed my temple, racking my brain for anything.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6HJgrQVor
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJzB6lYD5H
"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."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jsWYWmb2D
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOGnx9M7xE
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSujh2q5LWf
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwEGuKHyFo
"Hank, can you go outside and check the surroundings?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuQzF8rcLn
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsF73DWf6aY
"U-Uh, I very well may, however..."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtTvW0WBH4
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKShOJLi7Us
I raised my brow, then realized that just because Hank wasn't me or Juke didn't mean that he was entirely safe.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGZ9UP746q
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIKB9fGYOw
Rover's visage flashed in my mind. I brushed it aside for the moment, barely.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxbOr2Tv3h
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAta7hZIzaC
"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."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Uarqixxjf
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTS8DTh6b9f
"I see. I apologize for asking so much from you."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0V0VipTDBJ
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqsDZeuHXg
He shook his hands frantically and.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ThRoK7OFQ
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3enu1mAn5m
"Oh no no, I'll do it. I just don't think I'll be able to scout very far ahead."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJzRvDMNZR
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotqh5M4l98
"That ain't an issue. Just the first block should be alright."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWaN1fTvkb
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRUu5gJRG7
Hank's gaze turned abnormally stern. He stood up and did a few gesticulations to assure himself.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuGcoU1tCm
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9tYIMRPza
"Pray for me."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlIrCbgq14
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsueiRDoAU
"Don't worry. We'll arrange yer funeral for ya."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YOaNc1sNC
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xbInTkvIz
"Juke!"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGPFO3SsRa
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNLBhJvBUh
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PoJlS0zid
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiNMCMya3z
"Thanks for trying to lighten the mood, Juke."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfmus4bRms
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksjUXa4qEj
He turned his head to me, stuttering his words before taking a breath and speaking them coherently.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nRXqtUTet
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBC7i8PKhdb
"No need to thank me. The atmosphere's tense, I just don't want it to stay that way."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPN4aSdJcRc
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡry0P2T0DH2
"Still, I appreciate it."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6xT29xxto
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1oR0mSCiY
I sat with my legs spread out, lowering my head and leaning over to stare at the ground.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOJzLeIX7q
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKN0v1iqto
"I can tell that my wisecracks ain't all that effective, though."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZksZ6sFUsb
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzosNPOOlA7
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7b9GuP5SC
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyOeMrIunm
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyRmfpZBiH
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw75Jg84776
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnPyaHuaTJ
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6U4MLliPJF
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNhoniLLy3
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAfY08NmAu
"Thank you for your help, Hank."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78oTbiBUMi
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3INa9R7B4r
"Yeah, we really of ya."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvRGkOME7b
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYuthhDcNU
He gave us a light smile and waved.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZB0YD3gRG
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxq3BmkoCEq
"No no, it's fine. It's what Dennis would have wanted, I'm sure."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhL8Ja85Vsd
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoh6DnnXSm
"...Y-Yeah."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlbF7v1VM1
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwee8T5hjVT
A morbid parasite was planted in me before we left. It began to eat at me instantly, but I did nothing to address it.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUuWbwn6Ls
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cyoyHNWXA
–
–
–478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvW28ASkk0O
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFQquTg0zR
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBgny0f3Cp
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1zJGyRuh9
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAvAG3ZbyC
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguOYlhNPSY
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBdK9pEnrv
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10noIsyMUd
"Hey, are you sure we're going the right way?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LyEjOaMpV
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLxrXbbXvl
"Yeah, I'm sure. I remember that chipped building when I visited the stables earlier."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQD79VubF5
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8j2C5PKkRg
He pointed at a building opposite us. Indeed, it was chipped, but somehow I didn't find his memory reliable.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7YBvzMoNn
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXo48VZ6inp
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6U2p48KXOk
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0F6IIszDCW
"--Crap!"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY916pKI9pk
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXWKsyWFyl
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvSxbkOt6e
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIn11zQNYV
"Crap. Crap!"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIjVRbo9D9
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEj76EBcnX
"Eh? What's the situation, kid?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpbz4xqxdw
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iVOQy4jSD
"People are heading our way!"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡus9dI641gy
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGy3mCCGICF
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpHC1RJW8v
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncVdcQs1I7
"I guess we gotta jump 'em."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jaDiHelX6
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRxcNMlcik
"What!? That's a terrible idea!"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGr36pnpP0C
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5V4RozYjF
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioyx5PXVC6
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgsBzF3RMx
"Okay, maybe it isn't a terrible idea, but we need to knock them out quickly."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWyTiTSmac
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8bBAeekLs
"Yeah, killin' 'em will just make a mess and draw attention, ya make a good point."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1ZqDpAQvL
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgJc7shPI8
"...Murder is the first thing you– nevermind, you gave me a good idea."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPs6SqBr1FZ
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufupTn57Rq
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAtaAj24UH
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MKkYkerE1
It was unexpectedly heavy. The weight of the shield brought me to the floor and strained my arm terribly478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbGmK029xx
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wRrtZTefs
"Ack!"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qabVKoLc3
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3anoGetMn
"G-Goodness, kid. Are ya alright?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWC0rm2XOXw
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqpO2DkJZW
"I-I'm fine, just keep quiet!"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFq3eHIeBU
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuKEiSWo6A
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSueRRIDuDJ
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UkPk1FMuE
"Ya strong folk really are crazy."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAhrbvuHFO
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSnj3lEqQO
"Shut up. Now isn't the time for this."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xJN2BxU3D
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwq1W79noF
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKUQJ8mcUV
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZAbhCpxbH
And, by doing so, I heard something that made my hair stand on its ends.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfE8Grq0Ff
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQHyGorCrP
"--Yeah, we should find a place to hide, don't ya think?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nhc0KR9aC
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshw3Ev7iRZ
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFbExqnQnp
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQyt4c8Gy8
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcVqB05El6
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrq6MRqH9UE
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–478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQwjChhgvE
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPO9BWcdNpm
"--Kenny, I don't know if that'll do ya any good."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0104HGfiw6
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTaD6dkymH
"Huh?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8qrGrMylk
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoX9vFJL1mX
Juke's deep voice pierced through the thunderous train of footsteps.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiWyG7UZWx
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugqMBjqWsA
"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."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOM5hckB80T
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuv9Mre3bl
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFY7Ce5b6fh
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLcXFNzNO2
"Why? Is it because I'm strong?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTx95sSNhKX
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPLtRVX8f3
"Nah, it's cuz yer a kid."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37nw73roZ5
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROdtupuayt
His response left me more stunned than I could've imagined.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3jsjp7xo5
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyCyGgbqAl
"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."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TGkPZEWiO
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsEfVXBSkt
"..."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCZvRUNZRI
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSO0DADF6Aw
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFkXWDYMm3
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAlJxV5lyd
So, I let my mouth run amok.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiygZYPSgtM
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJevNpsZsKs
"I'm sure you know, but what Rover told me has... affected me, I suppose."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lP4dBVYKW
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhbcLE4xqA
"Yeah, I know."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFi5emDSvi
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Dyu2mu41K
A pause. I used it to formulate my following words more effectively.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbs9H3AbBZ3
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGHmSo9ESw
"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."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn94YZJ3Gsy
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnA6jeXKAPm
I darted my eyes to the side. He nodded along. He stared at the wall across. I did the same.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVcwqBcTZ1
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXzAz72zSr
"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."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5DoOMUNN1
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoUbqLfkfa
"That sounds familiar..."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbmGKc2wIM
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkrLmbp49X
"Huh?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pRa1qCAhv
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqdK1hCBG7
"Nevermind. Ya carry on."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CmaMdNN97
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw72yxlNSfS
I felt a little let down, but did as I was told.
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lLsRJLCsa
"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."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5IMXcuy1o
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aSJPssonM
"Well?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTiYKSBmpY
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3U1CuBenC5
"...The thing is, if I voice it, I'll probably break apart here and now."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FEpRYKNiX
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpEVjoQTKc
"Ah."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpaYtNc2LK
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21gt2774UE
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but articulating it in my brain was difficult.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEZIUQiL38
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZmNWMh9WA
"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."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJPnbhxPnf
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpS6R6Bbhvf
"Ah, the Lionant?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzuiVkHOC1
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvs32v5Fi10
"Yeah. The one you saved me from. Thank you for that, by the way."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcX4bxSW6CM
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkNtumGzqE
"..."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYNIEjaDVf
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0PPURZpnW
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kd6JrAxqC
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwVlpsuHHz
"This might be a dumb question, but why did you save me back then?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbQdlyJXva
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBWGkQ8np8
"...Yeah, why did I?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQC1ilW2i2
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTqRWgaqoz
I didn't expect to be met with another question.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0abOAiegT0
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfl7Shh6QgS
"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."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkZSG4E6R7
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKidhVC25vZ
I turned my head to him. He had his eyes pointed at the sky, one arm slung over his knee.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOt09aTicV
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYSVx06vLx
"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."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisbPoSgMfV
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR40YUid4ty
"..."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvTEQ7bu2B
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQmSgEJIXw
I felt as if I should have said something, but I remained silent. Juke continued his gentle monologue.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyMyqBtDa6
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIpFTNI2fn
"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?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNk0iap3gZ2
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagMfALVTpC
"What?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8S70IOZJI
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSSkpL0gku
"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."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTmTsrz1aL
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayzAz86EAe
"That sounds... boorish?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zoR7EDFct
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo233IXNmqy
"Pff, yer just too young."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBpIjxPXWe
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8f7v3gr6s
He paused for a moment.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wQX5xpmqc
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiw17tbwQhm
"Why the hell am I saying this to a kid?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWh8GKQ6qi
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgTFrSukn0
"D-Don't mind that, just keep talking."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiKVfhC417
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREpbmKPyIh
"...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."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkiX9MUiDE
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPgMbAFFD2
He took a second to readjust himself. I used that time to spill my own thoughts.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAlBSqsSEK
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBlz7JEkqz
"That's silly... O-Oh–"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2Zsh4iyee
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbyzsXq8wl
I realized I had just blurted out something insensitive yet again.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYmOfHChP2
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfaW98UpdL
"I didn't mean to be rude, but–"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8N145dK79
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQnuaaJPeG
"Nah, I get why ya think it. To each their own, that's what the masses say, yeah?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58KJr7TGyu
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEc14fySNJ
"I... yes, I suppose so."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNP4IJABAV
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKnI6t40tf
Another pause. Juke directed his gaze to the floor this time.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsBzFKE1Xb
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfia54Gmvsn
"I think the weak shouldn't have to deal with what the strong does."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWlNLG78wd
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAI60uV62H
"Yes, I know."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yxaFabI62
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7ciszuye9
"But I wanna make sure Dennis is still kickin'."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3ThpOYe0O
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWCvkAHwwa
He said that with conviction I had never heard from him before.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPL4akrBhJ
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEySidD2bzm
"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."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZPtjrTVps
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DF6Cds81h
"..."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmA6c20OTV5
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAOxZDzpGG
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zYL34uf6l
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZHw6VieJ2
"Ya hear that?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7id9PoZvnV
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3m2dgLypY
"Huh?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAv4jJVZH1
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDxRpkh03H
I perked my ears. I didn't hear anything. Then, I realized what Juke meant.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVueW48tUf
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cCVCXxvtZ
"They passed."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyo8409jRv
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8W7hF0wch
"Yeah. I can't hear them anymore."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNg8PPnwd9K
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTD1DAl40jY
Juke stood up first. He brushed the dirt off his pants and peered around the corner.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6Te8hWARq
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUHDe6qapu
"Looks like we're in the clear. Phew."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1C7cqCml4K
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGsrKA7WZU
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsNz1UaE8d
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Og6XCgGIl
Juke had already taken his first steps, though. He looked back at me once he noticed I wasn't moving.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFObK9grT53
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTMK6gNWoJ
"Shit... hey, kid, I know what yer thinking."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGeaS1qGDx
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqXUehWMHG
"You've been saying that a lot."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQLy9SttKl
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWDBJJxwam
"That's just cuz yer easy to read."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLwJsXANVy
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPPrTSe1W0
We stood stock still in silence.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9fj0qre0f
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKgUjOLqHO
"W-Well, what are you waiting for," I muttered, "Let's get going."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMKDPOkGpb
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuIeFqov7D
"Are ya sure?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqI0HlizMg
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1T9hamHbB
I walked out of the alleyway, looking both ways before standing beside Juke.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcNTZ54KkV
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75xW4mXC2t
"I should be asking you that."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLzAPOqqv1
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyI3bfBGMh
"Hehe, I guess so. We've come this far, haven't we?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGRBgM0jwp
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaD1XGcvNQ
"Yes. You get it."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdvBtmdFQq
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvTSbp168N
But before we continued, there was one last thing I wanted to mention.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMSKd5RwC5
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFqNLb98hS
"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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxtV5J5jTq
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4D7yztXpiX
"Fine by me."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1ZPxrIM9U
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJE5NCzomT
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WZ1jwo4yi
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jDhdWkqys
–
–
–
"Ya see that?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROe7rysBU5
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrvWkkVzD8
"Yeah, we're almost there."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TRH6xhdY0
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCCjce46CG
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFKgDZQbRb
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkWFqEhhlJ
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyNQSzgJyZ
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jabCVz8yD
And as we got closer and closer, a sudden stench assaulted my nostrils.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSLR1Wa8tb
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7ZfuGz51n
"Blurg, what was that?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOREg6HfEg
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjRfyjcqnf
I skidded to a stop. I reluctantly sniffed the air again but didn't catch the same whiff. Juke looked back at me, confused.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsWmQ8suio
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rRyteUDFA
"What was what?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlr4DbuV5Vj
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9el2qXBRZ
"I caught a whiff of something."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdF2gUI1r5
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RsfrYZGZ6
"Ah, gotcha. I ain't stopping, just so ya know."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigiLtu1cws
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeo9SJLVi8H
Clicking my tongue, I continued following Juke to the stables, occasionally sniffing the air as we encroached it.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17R85vWkiU
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxOrgUiwji
And then, it came again. This time, more putrid than before.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iYYr7DuGR
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKKPX07CN9
"Ugh– ack, what in the world?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxXkRxEEw8
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3H1uWeDpb5
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RRUkOJ2Yn
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptv7BiyLsk
But never had I wished for a door to be present more than now.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWRnuZdRa5
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlan6lj1vkL
"...This is fuckin' horrid."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2vhWPVDXG
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yDQBfjmHy
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2pnJ1Ucso
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMTxu1jZhR
The pens were broken, but the animals hadn't escaped. They were still in their pens, but as cadavers opposed to breathing beings.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bxXgytu2U
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQbV4GHdb9
Bile rose to my throat, but I was able to suppress it. That disturbed me deeply.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4IaH77oHb
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZRtGieBFc
"Well, Kenny, I dunno if we'll be leaving by carriage any time soon."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfPmhMYJ4t
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pQ2yLxWxi
"You 'don't know', huh? Are you kidding me?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAxfpBknoh
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pBjOJ3Tg0
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ve2e3vzlD
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9eRLh15PN
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.
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0oMUXa2kB
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."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbETUzV08IN
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaGhyekjIL
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5i8nd35nl5
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzH3sdsd0L5
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–478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8i39GX9lXB
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU95s2BLCLF
"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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFe1VHedWP
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzUi0aKiwi
Then, Juke began to talk, but it was clear that it wasn't to me.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteHPpzngvZ
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3vEYzenIS
"Who are ya people?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWq1OPQbXc9
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzWfE722vF
"Wow, he really followed us. Well, sir, we're here to help. My buddy will be doing the dirty work, though."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkGmBzX2PR
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTJSZhBJ1h
"Buddy?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5LvnV8VA6
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGo1BUGL7Hm
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMfLzQZt4n
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWHF7RoJBb
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTIj2LHmJT
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWSH8QESXz
"Quiet now."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiImbx0q4F
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLpfVJM6bm
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieP3lEzd6Y
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dDbhdv60D
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauqU5514lP
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxnI2vjNXV
"Where did she go? Do I smell that bad?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6SMjjfp4j
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGtqWlY5Zr
He pulled his crossbows back and sighed, rubbing his head as he turned around. His eyes met with mine, and he practically blenched.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcclTpUsM6
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTIYr9s4S0
"K-Kenny? Where did you come from!?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzilVeyHGC
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JVqWqDRrB
I sighed, and I smiled. There was something heartwarming about seeing this man act as usual, even if it pained me.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1u0doRb5F
and then Add to home screen.