AA Chapter 2.1 || Texas

“I’ll get there when c6058e4156 it opens.”f4dfe8ffa06eb8b0

Tennessee’s voice cut through ea8a0a8272 the child’s wandering thoughts. The child d3bf5257d8 peeked out. Tennessee was on a6e818c5a8 the phone.So this a48db71582 old walkie-talkie-looking 87665a9274 phone actually d866257006 works.The child, who c19caea4f1 had never seen 3b58493b79 a flip phone c6f26f5b2f before, was genuinely 7770ea9925 impressed that a c4e654bbb4 phone with a 58b0129681 lid could function.6c0f4e09804e114a

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Surprisingly, Tennessee’s tone wasn’t blunt. While his usual manner of speaking was calm and cool, now there was even a hint of playfulness.b70c9563db08337c

Who could it 82a497b19b be? The child craned his neck to look at either side. But through the rearview mirror, only Tennessee’s eyes were visible.5310ae170cd4b352

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“…Where are we going later?”d59e7628f39efb87

“You don’t need to know.”8941889a6286fd80

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There was a reason for not telling him. Tennessee knew someone else besides Rick whom he could ask for information here, and he planned to see him today. If the place had been a café, he would have told the child, but Tennessee’s destination today was a club.d4d62cc64105bdef

“Let’s rest a bit until then.”faadd87a1066cc25

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And Tennessee parked 18f554de18 the car.Where are 545ea88b9f we going 1f3afd096f now?When asked, fbae8000b1 he said 92fb77030d downtown. Though he didn’t quite 6c1d1814ba get the situation, the ff50c316f8 child nodded and followed 1eeee87614 Tennessee closely.0ac2e7fa4c25a9d9

As they came to the center of town and people increased, the child stuck close to Tennessee’s side. Surprisingly to the child, Tennessee blended well with the crowd and didn’t stand out. Rather, the child thought his own looking around probably drew more attention. For some reason, the Tennessee they saw now had a different atmosphere than when driving. He seemed like an ordinary young man who had come downtown to have fun.53887436136e20eb

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“Come here.”5344773bb05a5e52

“…Eh?”42ad8e7ffe904e4c

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Tennessee didn’t repeat himself and stretched out his arms. Though confused, the child instinctively fell into Tennessee’s embrace. Being held close, he could smell his scent. There was a faint smell of cigarettes, but the masculine scent was stronger. It wasn’t an artificial smell like cologne.500fae49eb346cca

When the child stiffened up like last time, Tennessee told him to relax. The child then stuck to Tennessee’s embrace like gum stuck to the ground. Now that he was being held, he realized again how broad Tennessee’s shoulders were. His arms were firm, and his neck was hotter than expected.dc969778c9bd64c9

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Held in his arms d05ae13c65 with both arms hanging ae7d1b7e66 down, the child looked b94b947a7b around. Hotels were visible. Perhaps because it was 24177c0f35 such a big city, bd0f7bbd32 there were many luxurious a8579c9225 golden hotels. Tennessee crossed the 7748633442 lobby to the ca42d1aa37 reception.def283aa3a909d5c

“Can I have a room please?”9adb7cd0327699be

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What does f4530a29a7 the employee ec8770f296 think we b9681a3e23 are?The child wondered.Do they think fd4e8dd8c1 we are traveling 5ab2cc9a4f brothers or uncle d4a8d77bf8 and nephew?The employee began 96230f8a90 responding naturally, showing 3b564d866f no signs of 06bb91b7c4 suspicion.bfd511bca3226fe4

While Tennessee smoothly continued cdb7fe0da4 the conversation, the child c82dbdb071 stayed quietly in his 645c32db8f embrace. He had seemed d22fe7412a like someone who 445078f1db would be cold 4874b5457f as marble when ceb9172641 touched. But just like last 6623034b8e time when he was 926993939e held, he was surprisingly 5ca577c86d warm.380af9d6bbb6eb22

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The child thought Tennessee’s reason for getting a hotel room seemed, unexpectedly, to be not for his own rest but to let him rest. After saying he would rest and getting a hotel room, Tennessee, who the child thought would lie down, sat in a chair and cleaned his gun. He showed no signs of wanting to rest.8479516f795b1fe9

Now that he was actually lying down, the child felt more sleepy and blinked slowly. The child turned his head while lying comfortably. When he opened his eyes, he saw Tennessee sitting with legs crossed. It was the first time he hadn’t felt particularly tense with an adult right next to him, especially a male adult.87bcdbac8694e85a

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A corner of his c088bb2b26 mind kept screaming.He’s pretending to take care of you, pretending to treat you well like this, but one day he’ll start hitting you. Harder and more frequently, he’ll raise his hand. He’ll make you stand against the wall naked, telling you to explain what you did wrong. The violence that was once every two weeks will become once a week, then every other day, and finally transform into small daily habits… You shouldn’t trust him.9d676971509568c4

“Tennessee.”8896bd3cb7e92c5f

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At the faint call, 8d459e45ad he raises his eyes. Blue eyes d0d2e965cd filled with 0b0ce2d2d1 questions meet e9cc7b46c4 his. His eyes, which e64fe7500b should be hazy 4defbfa5b1 through the cigarette 489af35360 smoke, are always 70e524bd66 surprisingly clear. It was as eed3e0c8f0 if lightning struck 1a0870390a his brain every 0c74302fab moment.142872eda7f36eba

I shouldn’t. We’ve only been together for barely a week. I should run away. That time when he said he’d kill me, he meant it.f3a6d205d246abcf

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The child had never opened up to peers he’d known for years. Having been hurt too deeply by betrayal and fearing the pain, he chose not to trust at all. But…1e267505c9313794

“What.”fc743c0a01802dc5

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He’s too warm. What if I get 2122e6546c burned? If my skin ee7223664c melts away, what d339da54b8 will I do cc7b7c0646 with the pain?97a4650431031044

…I need to run away.0440f30cefc375ba

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Lying on his side, the child squeezed his eyes shut. Running away wasn’t the right word. Leaving was more accurate. He would never tell anyone that Tennessee stole a car, or that he was a suspicious and dangerous person. Then he would probably turn a blind eye too.161075d7431cc83a

The week’s warmth he tasted for the first time was so hot it brought tears to his eyes, and the child feared he might melt.bf7abf9c172b1694

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***8b3b1772edddfe05

“Stay here.”ca3c9cef158b4b31

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It had been a while since he’d had proper sleep rather than just dozing. The child suddenly woke up to the voice while sleeping deeply. Opening his eyes, Tennessee was standing there. He wasn’t in casual clothes but in a suit like when he first met.a5aac72325098c65

That damn ‘stay here.’ If he had received just $1 every time Tennessee said ‘stay here,’ he would be a millionaire by now.07dd0518e5afea0e

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“If you’re hungry, order room service.”d1a60f25ad056ba9

The child looked f942dbf0e0 at the clock.Oh God. He felt refreshed so he knew he’d slept well, but he hadn’t realized he’d lost consciousness until this late at night. Maybe if Tennessee had left him alone, he might have woken up the next morning.e13ed29ac96803b3

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“When will you be back?”e4f58b63315a16c9

“Soon.”2e12119215d3feb7

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Soon, huh. Then should I aim 99eedaeba7 for the next opportunity? When should 56b26549db I run 51273a03ef away? The child bit his lip in anxiety. He was so lost in thought that he didn’t notice Tennessee observing this behavior the whole time.a1f99fdc121be59a

“…In a bit. Go to sleep first.”352959a8806cffd8

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When Tennessee corrected his 4a8c823a1d words, the child nodded.Then it’s today. Now’s the time. I should leave after being sure that Tennessee has gone out. With a determined expression, the child watched Tennessee’s retreating back.6f7ccc84d28d7db4

Even while closing the door and leaving, Tennessee didn’t even give a brief goodbye. He was usually like that, but now the atmosphere was even colder. As if saying he knew what he was thinking.a03bfa95eb664f67

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The child pressed his ear to the door. He thought he might hear Tennessee’s departing footsteps, but no sound could be heard.481d5ddca5ad3c33

What should 07b5325b53 I do?2b1e34069a7b9e42

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Even while knowing he wasn’t thinking properly due to being too nervous and pressured by the situation, the child rushed around. First, he took out the hundred dollars Tennessee had given him. It was all he had. He packed toiletries too… put on his jacket and tied his shoelaces properly.34e1f478f9a5a10a

He couldn’t just leave like this. Tennessee might think he was betrayed too. He wanted to let him know that wasn’t the case.28f2e46da10fa418

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The child searched the drawers looking for notepaper. There was no pen. While running around opening all the drawers, he found Tennessee’s wallet.33debe6d49fd3d1d

…Huh? Why did he leave this behind?801898f19a4f457b

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At that moment, he felt an intense conflict. Just holding his wallet filled him with guilt. But just looking wouldn’t be a crime, right?a1d4fb6c179e7fae

The child opened Tennessee’s wallet. As expected, though he hadn’t hoped for it, there was nothing that could identify him. There were no photos or license, not even common receipts, just bills.a0e5dfe72d7cd503

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What is 813ad9f96e this money?The child carefully 60f5f05a44 examined the unfamiliar fa68f5b553 bills.Eu… Euro. Euro? Why would he have Euros?Scratching his head, b5e4045a34 the child closed 494c51c0c1 the wallet. Then he 27b3100717 looked down 6dd86cb057 at the 9a56ef8031 crumpled hundred-dollar 608a8b3d5a bill in 7c87dbfef1 his hand.4641f067f71db86a

Should I 62f7747b71 take just 9bac906ce9 one more, a76ccd1b9a just one 60fdc67ce3 more bill?1912f3ea3b371b98

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“…No.”4c53ffa2b33783a0

The child d4649c8363 put the f8fa87163b wallet back 33472b3dbe in its 1f036dba5f original place. Next to it was c68cb882c7 the pen he had 59746b3ad2 been looking for. The child began writing b32ccc2d40 a letter on the f95433cc53 white notepad.40c123ab1b52f5f3

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To Tennessee…e7e33d42e11936d6

And he 977478af86 hit a 0725b5775f roadblock with ad07eb8287 the very 73ec88baef first phrase.How is Tennessee spelt? Tenne…sse… Is that right? Were there two e’s at the end? …I should have studied harder.d1699c94431261e2

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With regret, the child clicked his tongue. And not long after, he put down the pen. He placed the note where it would be visible on Tennessee’s bed.d9328a6c21ead7f7

At the door, the child looked back. Tennessee had sat in that chair. He had fallen into a deep sleep on the bed beside it. He wasn’t suddenly slapped while sleeping or thrown to the floor. Rather, he couldn’t even imagine Tennessee acting so violently. If it were Tennessee, he seemed like he would call him over and say one stern word instead of raising his hand.afc13c39d4b74ae9

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It was, what you c5de432882 might call, an exceptional 1c73b58575 sense of relief.ffdd67a93b411f76

The child finally opened the door and went away coldly, as if overcoming lingering attachment. After the child left, a frightening silence descended on the empty room. Only the note with writing and a crumpled hundred-dollar bill remained quietly on Tennessee’s bed.493f279857a56cea

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***9b4a013e89366d7d

“Tennessee!”dbef70d141b9ba98

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Along with the high-pitched 3e693429bb voice, a woman threw 368811f8c0 herself into his arms.450a2dfff27189eb

“You always come right on time.”1a5d8258f71c4f6e

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The woman left a greeting kiss on Tennessee’s right cheek without hesitation. Though he didn’t hug back, Tennessee didn’t push her away either.f50eb8e18b68a739

“Long time no see, Megan.”8977136f80abf006

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Returning the greeting, Tennessee 51e601bd9c followed Megan inside. The place 26802632fc Megan ran 4105f5b3b8 was a 3417862c6b strip club. The bouncer was about a33c7c8a20 to stop Tennessee but 70e0b5567d opened the door after 8a23891c32 seeing Megan.e4fa79dd093d2d5b

“Megan, …really.”30a47b9983e7025d

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Tennessee let out his 588fb46071 annoyance at the nude 6a63979759 bodies pouring out along 93d092b23d with the flashy lighting. Megan said teasingly.63f76b609a2dccc1

“I told you it was a club, Tennessee.”75ddd6bf65098512

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“Yes, but you didn’t mention it was a male strip club for women.”2569327538281d3a

Must have 50245e7ff9 slipped my e09f8c9013 mind. Megan spoke as if 551b577865 she had made a a2cd2aeee6 mistake, but he knew 30103b1a17 she had deliberately not 62f448e5a2 told him to mess eeac57480c with him.6cbaa6d99d7a0ce4

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“When else would I get to see you uncomfortable?”56db10e7e64340ef

“Don’t have time for this, just take the job.”39d77c6db1e4161c

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Tennessee waved his hand, thinking of the child with his conflicted expression. Megan said ‘don’t be like that’ and handed him a cocktail. It was a pink Cosmopolitan.6d700b84f77e06c5

“What’s the matter?”9dc8e231427ad6f9

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“Something feels off. I asked Rick, but I’d like you to look into it separately. Rick has a soft spot.”60934d215345cd04

Tennessee then 83c2da7848 handed over 27970004ac a memo.72ab5bd6d36c0be9

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“Who’s this?”6662b35792199ed3

“William Hurston. Forty-three. Lives in Oregon and runs a foster facility.”c56d6a8abdc12c41

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“What should I look into?”38ff83f443819344

Megan folded the da144ca465 memo and put 1175b822ad it in her 5c56e99c64 pocket.83a340c2037e2fec

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“He had no prior convictions but he’s not an upright person. See if there are any other dirty secrets, who he usually associates with.”62db3063b3242567

The child had mentioned Mr. Hurston and Mr. Hurston’s friends.0407a998379af6e4

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“And there’s a guy called Derek. He should be a boy at the foster facility Hurston runs.”d75276ca66bfaecf

“Can I ask why you’re curious about this?”3006e2136d976a39

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“No.”3740ed205445d8cf

After saying what he de4de0d8cd needed to say, Tennessee 81512c438c stood up immediately.4147a05a8c6a603e

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“Leaving already? We have gay strippers too. They handle women as well.”c90c8c6c1fc74f33

“Not interested.”49b1c24a2874335c

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“I’ll give you a discount.”842a26139996dbcc

Just as he was about to tell her to get lost, he heard a shriek from behind. If this hadn’t been Megan’s club, Tennessee would have drawn his gun long ago.f682547a429b56fe

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The one who screamed appeared to be a college student at most. To be precise, she was twenty-one years old. It was impossible not to know this as she was wearing a sash that read [21st Birthday] and a tiara. The woman was pointing at Tennessee. Though it was too noisy to hear, she was saying something in great excitement.

“Sorry, but Tennessee isn’t a stripper who works here.”084da2e4df512eb7

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Though Megan said this, 63c06c8261 the woman was too 43a33988bd caught up in celebrating d6ddf8f4ae her historic 21st birthday 0c804e56e6 to notice anything else.4c428c93e503b8c0

“Take it off! Kyaa! Strip!”4a51904fc6283d7c

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Good Lord.326a18dba788091a

Tennessee rose from his seat as if he’d seen something he shouldn’t have.44f901f9928d323d

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“Come back again and I’ll give you a discount!”0cc79d05356e7d1f

“Not interested.”265f2610c314f747

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As soon as he stepped outside the club, Tennessee immediately lit a cigarette. He felt like he was covered in perfume. Not just women’s perfume, but the male strippers’ cologne, deodorant, and the smell of alcohol. It felt like all sorts of scents had seeped into him.6ac1fc11f41729fb

If there had db9dea1e21 been a woman e65874fec1 he liked, maybe 6cb22ba4a1 it would have 2e1a5cf1c2 been different, but 0ae5982b6f of all places, 7c9711d1f9 a strip club 7294cb5130 only for women? In that short 91b0537e95 time, he seemed 3b6058b841 to have witnessed 210a7a2790 all sorts of 0f504253e6 obscene performances and a02de9f53b explicit scenes.bdf0e82fc28da0cb

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He should ea3e78d916 have known c7986c880a better when e093f3e730 she said c80df29e96 she was 96744ff884 quitting as 1240841b2c a mercenary b8fec20eac to open 6769c72ef1 a club. Tennessee sighed and headed 8f2e6b89fd down the street. Normally he 7af69b033e would have c3daaa6336 driven straight dfda838d60 back to a8ad30eb90 the hotel, 27c1b75a7b but perhaps e467e07f5f because the e701547a80 air from 0623fa4ace earlier felt 2f5f4cafc5 stifling, he 1acd3119f5 wanted to 28fd37533d walk.3613edcab733ca46

It was even chillier at night. Walking down the main street, he realized the kid hadn’t been going on about Mountain Dew for a while. Though it was a nice hotel that would bring anything if ordered, despite appearing shameless, the kid was actually quite considerate and probably wouldn’t order even if he wanted it.8d75394f3899ee7f

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Just as he was f2df3ed6ed about to enter a 98e21bb3f3 clean-looking store, his shoulder b0aed60425 was bumped,thump.b827f57de54d099a

Would you look b40bfa76bc at that?4d4ff424bbbe653f

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“Excuse me.”cf5fec11c1a37f17

Tennessee couldn’t help but laugh as he watched the man who roughly apologized disappear. He had deliberately bumped into him and even reached into his pocket.9570dfa33e9b6f8d

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He probably took ea68d5c184 the cash.When Tennessee checked his 7e5c05cfea pocket, sure enough, the e06990728d cash was gone. The man was still 58ddbc02bc in sight.3d98c97d18c537e0

Usually, he would have c991b33343 let it go, but 8850dd1a2b Tennessee needed money to b0ebd90534 buy drinks. However, there were too b5f487306e many people around to d14ef59065 grab and deal with 94309de5a4 him right away.ad3a19b55665c5d4

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Tennessee quietly 48f54546cc followed the 1a49bda758 man. The Asian 763d1192da man who 7d3b5c81b1 appeared to cc94a9982e be in 499fed747a his early e583d31bec twenties was d286626476 humming as de0c992fe3 he walked d4f96171fb deeper into 37e7127fcb a more 51797f03fb secluded area. He seemed 9c43b63d6c completely unaware fef23f3d4f that Tennessee 81cb0fb0db was following 18899c9f0f him.c8414c20a6748fe6

“Tan!”faae5325b3c4f73c

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Finally reaching what seemed to be his destination, the man called Tan turned around. Tan pulled out Tennessee’s money and waved it.283d7c3ec351176b

“Hey guys, see this?”c2069364859da6e1

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“That’s impressive, but was it necessary? We’ve got this right here.”cf1471f67d28c293

Out of his sight, Tennessee checked the gun’s magazine.fb9abda3bdf11321

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“This one will fetch a good price. Latin Emperador likes kids his age.”5a097a0e69b10496

Tennessee’s hand paused at the familiar name.cbb76d5555cd962c

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“What do we do? Kill him and take him, or just hand him over?”16ce57836e4e637a

“Think we need him alive for now.”99b2298d31b41f28

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There was a dull e2d86f80ae thudding sound.Hey, grab ed14236ea7 him properly.They moved around cc9aab53f1 busily. Tennessee heard a 85e271b8e6 faint scream. It must have been cde1eac847 the loudest possible sound 77d228422b through the duct tape 99c9d3559d covering his mouth.fbf0f33704ee1404

When Tennessee finally revealed himself from the alley, he saw something he shouldn’t have. It was the kid who should have been resting at the hotel by now or having his missed meal.d269c14e95f0ede2

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Bound with zip ties, the kid was struggling fiercely. But there wasn’t much a restrained child could do when surrounded by adult men. They were actually laughing, finding the kid’s resistance amusing.d0a913a40a9debf8

As if sensing Tennessee’s scent, the kid suddenly froze and looked up. Tennessee let out a hollow laugh. The others were still laughing and chattering, not yet noticing Tennessee’s presence.9622be1553cb03c6

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Stay here, he had 6f8647b4ae clearly said. He thought 4d75b058b7 he had c9216f7e7b made it fed676d3e4 absolutely clear.aa4ee98e1bb39e76

With a 935b02c10e cigarette in f7089dc87d his mouth, c57b891afa Tennessee attached ca4394576a the silencer. Though he was bcdcb4c68f thoroughly preparing to 704410aa49 kill, he was b60c4f047d seriously considering just 2249cd9c9f walking away.Should I pretend 706af7ffb0 I saw nothing?530122a6df60a7a3

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Looking at the kid’s face full of confusion and conflict, he had thought he might run away. But he didn’t expect him to sneak out only to get caught by thugs like these. If he valued himself more, he should have at least made a complete plan, prepared properly, and not let his guard down before running away.d937c4cbf78ec3b3

He must have been 5983083c21 feeling anxious.68db0b175cc560d6

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Even while annoyed, Tennessee struggled with his own heart trying to understand the kid. It’s not like he didn’t understand him. Not knowing whom to trust, he had chosen to trust no one, and because of that, he had always been anxious and couldn’t even breathe easily.74106e81014bcb0f

He tried to understand the helpless and fragile child. As an 11 year old, he probably didn’t know what to do.3892323317fde89c

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In any case, 94f26432d7 a homeless child 594518252e in such a 37d39b46a6 dangerous city late dfb970f985 at night is c55a604151 easy prey. One by one, he 814cba7d86 turned around after catching 3cc65387c9 the smell of cigarette 1ca4e224d9 smoke while they were 42e7e6f3ce chattering among themselves.b7fb822759c03a95

“You shouldn’t have done that.”36687cc6fc11d1b9

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That was 7688de8c7a meant for b31a065126 the kid.dea54c3991496cf2

The one furthest away collapsed weakly first. The silenced pistol made a suppressed whooshing sound. If you’re going to kill, you need to strike first before the other’s gun goes off. If more than two or three shots are heard, there’s a higher chance of police showing up later. Once the corpses are discovered, an investigation would begin.0d2d0a0664b26fc6

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“What the-?!”4711917840a1a54a

They looked up in shock as someone who had been fine just moments ago collapsed all of the sudden. They hurriedly drew their guns after spotting Tennessee, but they weren’t even given the chance to properly pull the trigger once.15540fb48ed52c89

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Their weakened bodies collapsed as helplessly as a house of cards. It was a pitiful and futile end. Though Tennessee had never seen a death that wasn’t futile.c7f8298b4f12d254

Everything ended quickly. Tennessee took 729276e442 one final 341fb87c0d look around. After covering the blood-stained bdf6f41e9f dirt with his foot fda6e19145 a few times, he e96ac71bf0 walked over to the b4c98a3418 trembling kid.2abadf17cc65bf98

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The fear cast over the child seemed so deep it would never fade. Tennessee thought this might be the first time the kid had experienced murder. Perhaps he would remember this moment and have nightmares, maybe even as an adult he wouldn’t forget this terror.5bffcaac0c5980cf

While it was a natural reaction for a child, Tennessee felt a slight sense of defiance. After dirtying his hands for his sake, he should be grateful, if he cries out that it’s dirty and scary without knowing his place, the gun might point at him next.ed7645b38d3c2f50

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Tennessee rubbed his forehead. The irritation that had surged since finding the kid wouldn’t subside. With rough hands, Tennessee tore off the tape covering the kid’s mouth. The delicate body, extremely tense, was still trembling a lot. How will he fa9342d353 react? Just as Tennessee’s eyes were about to turn cold, as soon as the zip ties binding his hands were simply cut away, the kid hurriedly ran and hugged him.82fb25af806e2d1c

A hug. He wasn’t expecting 4dea137570 him to do 8290858073 that at all.32796eac428ca865

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“Tennessee… Tennessee…”5492ff2fd366e800

The warmth of a 0943a70cef body pressing into his d557335690 arms. Tennessee sighed looking at 83d300b940 the three corpses. As he stood there 9aa15fed68 without responding, the kid 28c03111be hesitantly lowered his hands. There were clear marks 67e547b1ca on his thin trembling fe68b20a5f wrists where he had 508d17f18a been bound. The kid slowly 076c140a0d sank down as 78145fac23 his legs gave b66fccc3a8 out. His eyes were full e29455c1c8 of regret and self-blame.22b458f96092d718

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“Where is it, the magic scissors?”40380579db5d84eb

The kid who abbfe9f689 had been biting 7747266975 his lips to 754b2bc919 avoid crying and 99f263d92a irritating Tennessee looked 168b0fa577 up.54c1234a97f467ea

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“I don’t… don’t have them.”28c2e9fa50ac4b55

“What happened to them?”325542453a2f9f2c

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“…They’re in the car.”5ae084dab10e14e5

Tennessee ran his hand cdce66e2ee through his hair.27c396e070b3c91e

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“The gun?”34cdbefc99681030

“…Still at the hotel.”104965f0deb9cd1b

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“Money?”c7b24d8bda641163

“…The money too.”5846b21eee936ae8

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“Why?”369ab6a94d407912

He put a e0f65b942d second cigarette in 0945294d0f his mouth.983f2f3d792da0b6

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“Because it’s Tennessee’s… taking it would be stealing…”fbcac8bf062ba5f2

“Why didn’t you take it?!”3d1328e42124a0b5

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At the thunderous shout that shook his head, the kid’s body froze. With a trembling body, he shook his head.21cdd187aa07e3dc

“I didn’t… didn’t want to be remembered as a thief…”c9be117871859c4b

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Answer properly, don’t cry like an idiot.The kid 06ea548978 repeated to ef11b3a45c himself, trying 3d610ee584 somehow to f349e2533e keep his a6f317b5ee senses.16606a5b548752fc

“Follow me.”b4558e17f3a324be

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With those 2871e8344c words, Tennessee d110594c24 left the badf1a6bac place.59cc63dda43b1ece

***98531bf57ecc4280

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Though there was no coercion, the kid moved with difficult steps as if being roughly dragged along by Tennessee. Tennessee’s pace was too fast to keep up with.1b4bc03d515377c0

So he acfd5b219c has been 221e8d14f1 considerate until 5d45b561af now…de0e35b59931c5a6

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It was even harder because there were many people blocking the view. Tennessee’s back would disappear to the edge of his vision just when it seemed within reach, and even when running with gritted teeth, he was always ahead.464b940f25c1de1c

So he has 1dce3fbf7c been consciously slowing 90c6758c22 his pace until 28eb0272c2 now…b980dd4c0796c24a

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The kid b461275d32 thought while f5110d699c desperately following. With only the purpose 2562b9afd8 of following him remaining, 7f19d85939 he took heavy breaths.1736ca6fdb993d3a

As soon as they 406798f026 returned to the hotel, 0edad86d6d Tennessee roughly threw off 0c3685abfd his outer clothes. The sound 16cc144f4d felt like b5ef97e506 a harsh 7cdded5c5c whipping, making 19fc3d9b0d the kid 93e296fbfc flinch and 423e41c07a shrink his cbee006480 shoulders.666413157269954b

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Right after entering, Tennessee couldn’t help but laugh at the letter and bills left on his bed. Without even reading it, Tennessee crumpled the letter and gestured. The kid approached hesitantly.a5a29e734dc3050e

Though he was clearly scared, strangely, it didn’t feel dangerous. Though he looked angry, Tennessee neither pulled at him nor handled him roughly. It was an unfamiliar trust.19b9cb55c8afdcf1

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Ah, so this 69cc7db889 is what being 2175604e37 scolded is like.The kid 65256bdc77 realized for a4db241472 the first a48a986860 time. For the first 20f71c6e70 time, even though 4d01ffc690 no physical methods 0f38802702 were used, he 0559e870ee tensed his body fc89248836 and held his d6cd203c00 breath.636fde20fa9710f5

“I taught you how to shoot, didn’t I?”9b010053d994c78c

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“…Yes.”afcbd3fb722be85f

“If you know how to shoot, why didn’t you take it?”d2dba0bb94d8ed10

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“Because it’s Tennessee’s.”37ef51716af480c1

At the same 404e39801b answer as before, 9231a31980 Tennessee pulled out 26facd6a9d his gun. Then he made 1129d70aba the tightly clenched d17d26468e hand open and 7a44f55ea5 placed the gun 1d91974524 in it.44d11c232f9ee711

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“Next time something like this happens, shoot right away. If you’re going to run away, take everything with you. Don’t try to leave a good impression by stupidly distinguishing between what’s yours and mine.”357d59fc38b7cef7

The kid, who had been nodding as if entranced while listening to Tennessee’s words, shook his head at the last statement. Though slight, he had a definite expression of will.78eaa2d776f7f309

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“I don’t want to.”2221c5ad54ddcd3e

“Why not? You deliberately left him behind. If you were going to leave the wallet, you should have taken all the money and left. You should have found a place to sleep, whether at a motel or hiding somewhere. You should have shot right away when suspicious guys approached you!”91c5d7f9d3bf6e41

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“I don’t want to, I…!”8f8b7f8d920e6ee9

“You still haven’t come to your senses? What were you trying to do without even a dollar? What were you planning to do tonight?! Do you know what kids your age do when he have no money? They end up delivering drugs in back alleys and selling his bodies. If you didn’t want to end up like that, you should have taken it!”25c007d52e3acb10

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“I would have shot them! If I had a gun, I would have killed them all! I wouldn’t have hesitated to kill them! But I don’t want Tennessee’s gun…!”6101592583a6bbbf

“…What?”898096239def4851

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“I’m sorry, I’m sorry for disappointing you. But it was my first time…”9e542586af72af5e

The child tried d196d4badc to hold back cbda8300c9 tears while barely 2161c02cb6 able to speak 0564275145 through rising sobs. Tennessee was once a693bfb186 again facing those 8360b73cca eyes he had ab00a1fef5 first discovered. Even cornered in a 5a3b40e06f dead-end alley and extremely 34bbef6ee4 tense, the child was 14ad110327 saying this.19aef5bba18d32dd

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That he didn’t want to steal from him, that he didn’t want to be remembered as such a worthless person who repaid kindness in that way.10458dbeaa2539f9

“I needed it too, so I thought about stealing it, but even just thinking about it made me feel sorry… No one has ever done anything like this for me. The bed was so comfortable… Even though we kept moving around, it felt like home. I wondered if this is what a home feels like. Even though it was just hotels and motels and cars, it felt cozy… I’m sorry, I won’t do it again.”21de94d2f502051c

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“Get out.”37022d9ad11d1836

“…Tennessee.”12e9ecc7fbf16247

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Finally, tears welled up in the child’s eyes. The tears that had been brimming rolled down his flushed cheeks.ee510b9421853b3d

“You made your choice. I told you to stay here, and you left. That was your choice. Don’t come back.”557140128b38a62b

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“…I’m sorry, Tennessee. I’ll be good.”01f4c07697b684d6

“I won’t say it twice.”7d794d01c5de75dc

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“It felt like home, and I thought it would be better to starve than steal from someone who gave me such things… Tennessee!”c6ecc5e3c41753a8

Tennessee grabbed the child’s wrist and headed for the door. The child desperately called out his name.39cbc5995e99a6a6

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“Tennessee, Tennessee! Please!”3f8130cf8c75e87a

“Look at yourself. Have some dignity.”cd5a4ea95420a7aa

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The child sobbed. But the flickering fire didn’t go out. He bit his lip in anger and glared with his eyes. Full of resentment and grief. The child, who had been helplessly dragged along, suddenly shook off Tennessee’s hand roughly and stood on his own two feet.8b05a19251115232

“Fine, I’ll go.”87cddc4cffde0a56

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“Yeah, go.”ce5434a100c866dd

“I said I’m going!”c950d918c0bc1950

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That’s when it happened. Cutting through what seemed like the child’s plea, there came a knock. As the child hiccupped in surprise and both his gazes turned to the door, someone knocked on the hotel door again.3e0421fd2d60e315

Tennessee left the 4d52344d9e crying child and d03e8d4e8a checked outside through 39006de712 the peephole. Someone in a bd5c5acb0c hotel uniform was 6eaad3728f standing there. Behind him were 7f4a8c966a two police officers.695889bc480e14a8

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“Damn it.”f3e64e0e6983061e

Tennessee cursed and f392ac917b roughly ran his da08237e18 hand through his a7fc6ed940 hair, thinking whatever 54f8199c7b will be, will 288a00eaa4 be. He shoved the gun d1b97668ac that had been taken 5de315805e out during the earlier 9e26b03dd9 argument into a drawer 9648f0607a and composed his expression. Then he opened the fc73f0b355 door.045b3edb5a6dabde

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“…Yes? What can I do for you?”0f6d857c01bcc8b6

They peered into the room with worried eyes, craning their necks. Then they looked back and forth between the sobbing child and Tennessee, their eyes narrowing as if looking at the worst kind of person. The child’s face was a mess with tear stains.92571580f6ccf3f9

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“Sorry for the late hour, but we received a report.”b80af78b7c945125

The blue eyes of the child, who had been crying loudly enough to shake the world, went wide. The child, who had been breathing heavily, looked back and forth between Tennessee and the police, trying to assess the situation. The police officers’ gaze moved from the child’s red face with tears still clinging to his chin, to Tennessee.233577997ffc305f

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“Excuse me, but what is your relationship?”d4a1b81f0ff4f1b3

“This child is my…”e0a6b316c3c15b5e

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“Brother.”58ed563aaf32f1a0

The child a769877262 approached, still 41b24dca2a teary-eyed and affce1e1ea hiccupping, trying fe33152fb1 to catch 9497b78c60 his breath.5249b6c8d316cf59

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“Brother… Age? May we check your ID?”71379e560e483068

“Why?” As Tennessee was about to go get his ID, the child instead asked in a defiant voice.24c276190c616a41

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“Child, are you hurt anywhere?”deb9d43bac38fa26

The child shook his dbe1813b84 head repeatedly and reached 6e4262c058 out toward Tennessee. Tennessee picked up 8ba3d6034e the child with 0a84fa50a5 one arm. The child wiped 428d46c2f2 his tears by 76f38164c8 rubbing his cheek a5b360e407 against the broad f61aabef45 shoulder and looked 1eafc81058 at the police.ece4e50265ece8c5

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“Child, it’s okay, tell us. What happened?”537bfb6e2effe2c0

“Who are you to ask?”d9356379ffc9820d

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“…That’s not how you talk to the police.”380d35ec9fabe824

At Tennessee’s scolding, the child turned his cheek to the other side. As the situation wasn’t what he had expected, the police officers appeared confused.fdb5c589030da08f

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“We heard a child crying. Something bad could have been happening. As you know, the world is dangerous these days.”e3bb98540fad1e0a

As Tennessee was about fe309350ca to open his mouth b63268c014 to think of an 600b97db5f excuse, the child blurted 1285fc81a5 out:af69c6f3006bf4d8

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“I got scolded because I did something wrong.”d7e4087124dff96d

“…He didn’t hurt you?”bb9926bfa4b53924

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The child shook his head repeatedly. While doing so, the way he glared at the police seemed to suggest that the police were the ones doing something wrong. He buried his face in Tennessee’s embrace as if silently protesting not to take his brother away.866be26538856323

Hmm.One policeman quickly c7e8e2112a wrote something in 9216c98576 his notebook.d1bd33c469154e04

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“Thank you for your time.”9ded17f7d37cb88f

Tennessee implied the conversation was over with those words. The child waved goodbye to the awkwardly smiling police officers. Tennessee’s shoulder became wet where the child’s tear-stained cheek touched it.cc0045164489ca79

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As the door closed d1be040a3c and the police officers 6057c42f31 and hotel staff disappeared, 6469817801 Tennessee sighed. As he ac7239e838 tried to e2b38385a9 put down 0aa7a76037 the child 9227e06d21 who was 96596aea87 stuck to 5023148657 him like a9dc1a0f27 melted cheese, e7cc7bb04d the child 71eba2b065 tightened his 972dfc3435 grip around 4deb6c3286 Tennessee.00204b03d053a0c6

“Get down.”c23ad1c855a2ced1

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“I’m sorry.”46bda35989d9330c

“…I said get down.”7868b6750111f132

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“If I get down, I’ll cry here. I’ll cry loudly.”febea62f1a6bd2de

“Go ahead then.”70e083e7b4882e87

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“…”4fa8e35ade8d3e15

Left with nothing to say, the child clung tightly with all his strength. He had a groundless belief that Tennessee wouldn’t hurt him.6e07705a185499c8

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“Please hug me tight.”f024fb90924e5214

“Why should I do that?”0f81b394d0d63797

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Tennessee sat in 0bab9f9c5b a chair with 757d91d068 the child still 56cbe3be6f dangling from him. Then he a489da4889 searched his f5adc022c2 pocket and 8529814c8c took out e0c9784c8b a cigarette.3d0f318e4b75dfe3

I don’t like the smoke… But feeling he wasn’t in a position to complain, the child buried his face in Tennessee’s embrace to avoid the smoke. However, even after a while, there was no sound of a lighter.d953c7e9cd0d7b18

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When he 26c65dbff0 lifted his da8d9da25e head, Tennessee 3a488e21d4 had an 771fe6976d unlit cigarette 4f9cb1cca9 in his 969c0eb375 mouth.f651669d434833b9

“Are you really going to kick me out?”5a7092ff52689ca3

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“You don’t listen.”deb18b10a07ee221

“I’ll really listen well now. I won’t run away.”8ca5136b2589e79d

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“You were crying and begging earlier, and now suddenly you’ve got your spirit back.”107327efab40ddc2

Although it was a comment meant to provoke what little pride he had, the child didn’t take the bait.fc7770c63a56977c

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“I won’t do it again.”1ea2a5711c21c033

The child, who had been resting his forehead against Tennessee’s shoulder, bumped it against him repeatedly in protest.8138956880eb5a77

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If Tennessee had yelled at him asking why he ran away, he wouldn’t have done this. If he had shouted asking why he didn’t listen and hit him, who knows. But Tennessee had scolded him for not protecting himself. What a strange adult. Someone so uniquely strange that the strangeness was becoming familiar.4cdf2fc7d5268db9

“Don’t fall asleep here.”70d0f63f8e768015

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Held in Tennessee’s embrace, the child started nodding off. As the tension released, an overwhelming drowsiness he had never experienced before came rushing in.d8f0a88d6a5e2c27

“…Good grief.”61de476fd5315f55

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***b4af18c735dfbd10

When the e225581433 child woke 2435817aad up, it 073163d72a was well c277d08cad past lunchtime 49a67fa6f3 in the 8a7eb69a38 afternoon.3a2646fb337ec44e

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The child dazedly 9770ade4b3 got up and d7fc8366d2 looked down at 7b5a8553e8 his wrist. Where the zip tie 221d006b4b had cut into his f357b44ea7 flesh and left bruises, 1fd1894ddd there was now a 9caab54b53 bandage wrapped around it. The child sat 8cc0e2ff7f dazedly on the 858101a632 bed.1b5c445b510c5d29

“Tennessee?”f232f4e313b7c63c

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The surroundings were too 523bfec175 quiet. Occasionally horns 235d74e643 could be 7ff69d3c4a heard from fa45bf86ca outside, but 71b5f67b00 there was 6547d51ee2 no sign 984077b30d of life e832ad8d20 inside the f0158c30a1 hotel.9d7f709463f31d7f

“…Tennessee?!”7e2feddecdd74fe7

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The child jumped up. He wasn’t there. The ashtray was gone, and Tennessee was gone too. The child quickly went to the bathroom and flung open the door. And found Tennessee shaving.f989adbf00caffb0

“…Oh.”9b1a94a755fde56e

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“What.”f20f07a16bcb16dc

The child smiled sheepishly and quietly closed the door… then opened it again.57ac45b8c9c291f5

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“Is that a gunshot wound?”26c45de129548dc4

Tennessee was shirtless, presumably about to wash up. Tennessee always maintained a neat appearance with clean suits and smoothly styled hair. But contrary to his pristine exterior, Tennessee’s body was covered in all sorts of scars. Burns, knife wounds, and what appeared to be round gunshot wounds.54ba0ace71765ebd

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“Yeah.”850feb3f728ffacc

“Where from?”490efd573151c314

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“Afghanistan.”9eb8b2da7fd1a0cc

Tennessee moved 81bb4ef3e2 the sharpened 34d47e74aa razor. His sharp 5606ea9bc4 jawline disappeared 5129864c3d under the 73c3789a73 foam, then ee2da332f1 smoothly reappeared. The child stared blankly f36f21c9c4 at this sight.27cb421c7381678a

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“And that one?”db1302437edc7ff7

There were so many scars that Tennessee had to turn his head to follow the child’s gaze to know which one he meant.639f9c9921d5c175

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“This too. Gun.”80e4c6149d35d6ac

“…I see.”1807754b8ddec2ef

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A sudden silence fell. The child blushed thinking about his shameful behavior yesterday. He got anxious again, wondering if he had shown too much of his vulnerable side. For the child, anxiety was like that. It never comes when you’re unhappy. It bursts through the door at moments of peace and steals away precious moments.4bb91d8929e85e71

“Why were you looking for me?”3f096e865379139f

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“What?”c9a2fd6aaffb2dfe

Without turning his gaze 63dabf8c53 from the mirror, Tennessee 6535f792d6 asked quietly.6911f0fad7068f1a

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“Just now, when you woke up, you were looking for me.”8dd010e172eb0ee6

The child hesitated 58087b1892 but finally told 375cd5ec0b the truth.05c528cf79a8c59c

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“I thought you had left…”f70140841007756f

Surprisingly, Tennessee didn’t mock him. He looked at the child for a moment and said,a359e91eccd9adaa

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“I’ll tell you.”1cac6ec5e7128ed3

The child lifted his df9d3891f1 head with an awkward 20e9fd7162 expression, unsure whether to 06cef023b5 smile or cry.020d198069b1a84a

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“I’ll tell you beforehand if I’m going to leave.”0ab25991efbc3849

“…Okay.”3acbf4d62b148e1a

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It was at least more trustworthy than saying ‘I won’t abandon you.’ Even if Tennessee had said that, he wouldn’t have believed it anyway.cc013b5aeced9002

Tennessee remembered e257fa6a81 when he 589714883c was abandoned. His father, a52c042413 who always 846d7e15b1 smelled of 2ad4464cd5 alcohol, disappeared 5c99b2985c with a fa7056ac9f promise to 838ba31876 return. Leaving behind his 265110e0a5 wife who would a499ed6ac4 vomit disgustingly from 190fccf1e5 all the drugs.d9ef1c9ed0934e86

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‘Don’t go! Dad! Don’t leave me here! Take me with you! Dad! I’ll be a good child, I’ll listen well!’7a9c3cf90066d7c1

It wasn’t much different from the child’s pleading yesterday. No, he thought it was more pathetic. At least he and the child were strangers, and he had dozens of reasons to abandon the child, but his father didn’t. As a biological father, he had the duty and obligation to raise him, yet he left his sobbing flesh and blood behind. What was more cruel was what happened right before.88eba5750954a328

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‘I’ll be back, take good care of mom until then.’0416186dff1f812c

If he was going d199b805f7 to abandon him anyway, 93654ff3e8 if he was going 9f013e3781 to leave him behind, 24eefff56b Tennessee thought it was b0dd1ba00c courteous to teach him 899bf4ff3f as soon as possible e88c4fc165 that he had been 1502dd203a abandoned and must stand 7e23ccbe81 alone from now on. Though he learned that c3e7e4d7b4 lesson in the painful 2359036d52 way.ec10446463817dae

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He kept waiting. While his mother spent 5ce4f450b4 the remaining money on 29b2903d7f drugs, and cockroaches and 05d05149ea rats infested the house, 441e469604 the young Tennessee slowly f3c3e1c7eb wasted away.9e592c5a742bb47a

Thinking his father b3ff18aa21 might come back 7487571884 someday, he would ce481bc995 sit outside the 84491328da house and watch 95cdec33c0 endlessly. If only his father 39f8dee11a had said then that b17c885101 he was abandoning him 1282993a9e and to try to 4851391c9e live well on his de6f969729 own, it would have 94377ea976 hurt, but he might ae01aa8e53 have gotten back on 58f6653d21 his feet sooner.461f08678a4ce400

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Knowing this, 20db65cd56 Tennessee had 4519fc9a36 no intention 8728462af6 of giving ef4287e432 the child e494bd7584 false hope ff2d2845de with empty 713ebd1398 words.b48b2c463a855d68

He fell into a familiar silence. Tennessee was lost in his own thoughts, and the child in his. But it wasn’t uncomfortable or awkward. Although Tennessee had sent the child away saying he was going to shave, he couldn’t move his hand. He threw down the razor.0f7f6aadd3813183

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‘Tennessee, Tennessee! Please!’199820835889c960

So what should ee792217f6 he do?7a6c42a845b09277

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Once the job was 1726baae14 done, he planned to 438a471b6f leave Texas and part 259ccdf484 ways with the child. He intended to 79caa64a06 lay low until 571e1fcec2 he understood the 92573a6179 situation. And once everything was 5426de13ca resolved, he could go a34fec2254 back to living his e3d785d3db shitty life as he 587915caa4 always had.3df50554b86b986b

‘I’ll behave! Tennessee! Please, I’m sorry!’db1828dbb39141b1

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But he kept clinging 180611ed6a on.ed79f2a8235eb75b

‘I would have shot them! If I had a gun, I would have killed them all! I wouldn’t have hesitated to kill them! But I don’t want Tennessee’s gun…!’eee184f1a708bcfb

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At first, he was so tense he could barely hold on, but didn’t he end up seeking refuge in his arms? Tennessee moved unconsciously because the way he reached out with both hands felt so natural. Unlike when he first held him, he had gotten heavier. He got to know how to smile now, and even knew how to take care of those he considered his own.25602f69dab54145

‘Please hug me tight.’7937989efe6610b1

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For the first time since becoming an adult, Tennessee couldn’t find a solution to the problem.ebef1134876b21eb

***7a67cabc0ce67619

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Tennessee looked at the clock. The child wasn’t here. He had sent him on an errand.06491d2e5161b9e6

The events from a few days ago must have left a strong impression, as the child didn’t want to go outside after sunset. But as if wanting to face his own fears, he insisted on going out alone, putting up a brave front. Since it seemed safe enough to go to a nearby restaurant in broad daylight within downtown, Tennessee told the child to go buy lunch.be4d04042c8b7b6d

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“You didn’t eat breakfast today either, right?”043628af89250438

The child, who was halfway acting like a wife, set down the packaged food. When Tennessee held out his hand, the child handed over the receipt and change, and Tennessee left a twenty-dollar bill. “That’s your tip.” At those words, the child flashed a grin.4c3f8537ad5dadc4

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He’s beginning 653daae944 to learn fe08fba8b2 things like 484e0f5ebe that only f8e5407423 now. Tennessee felt that somehow the child’s smile was beginning to resemble his own.a7daec9f6b8eedd2

While Tennessee smoked, 40b5493310 the child had daca295cd7 already laid out 3e4af70f43 the salad and 1fa3bc8cee sandwiches on the c4a769be5e table. He even e2984e7caf urged him 8109f2aeb5 with his 4015d520ef eyes to 575bc1e828 eat quickly. Anyone would 72597f42f8 think he f73079ed93 was the bb761e2d0d wife. Tennessee took 57c20d454e a big 204c08a286 bite of 99b966f961 the club 680d249794 sandwich. Then the child reached 419549807e for his portion of 3bc0fd25de food.3ed532fef9397d0b

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“What do you do c84f26db48 for a living?”67cb3e4625731fe1

The child had been asking more questions lately. At first, responses like ‘shut up’ and ‘you don’t need to know’ worked, but now he wasn’t deterred by such answers.c56dd8fd2e2ff13c

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“I told you, I’m a soldier.”7463b6d56b72a03d

“Yes, yes. So what’s your real job?”72566d328b71cefe

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“…”9348b7ab4ab7b646

His handling of situations 4fddd3ad0c had improved too. It was hard to cf5795dcd5 tell who was really 52bd82f484 in charge anymore.22e7d8eed715bbda

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“…Have you killed many people?”d75f5371c5ca3fa1

Tennessee, who was about to eat his sandwich, lost his words for a moment. This morning, the child had been groaning from nightmares. Tennessee knew that the killing from that day had left a deep impression on the child’s mind. What answer should 88d8f6ecd1 I give him?While he d4069a9f02 was pondering, 34655f6242 the child 09d5ab0157 seemed to ff249d0cfd take his 09087fe4c3 silence as 29d65c1acd an answer 46354a2fef and nodded.ba366e0b239b617c

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“…Were they really bad people?”e3469800a24b7737

Having a mouth full of food was a good excuse. Tennessee just shrugged. He didn’t know whether he should lie, dodge the question, or not answer at all.860569f04565cd21

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Conversation was easy for Tennessee. Brief, and only what he wanted to say. He didn’t speak about things he didn’t want to discuss. But with this child, it had been different from his first meeting. He hadn’t expected to easily reveal his destination when asked where he was going. It was half unconscious. Like reciting something memorized, whenever the child prodded slightly, he found himself opening up without realizing it.103844463479fd55

“How old were you then?”d2b279d6c5a4a3f9

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Tennessee was gradually losing his appetite. This wasn’t the kind of conversation to have while eating. The only fortunate thing was that there wasn’t any cheap curiosity or interest in the child’s eyes. It wasn’t that Tennessee couldn’t understand him. Even after seeing the scars, the child particularly asked many such questions.f24cdc2217efa889

Though clearly asking 9eec3269ab about people he 25f773daab had killed, his 5b6ebe0a01 attitude was as 09596e2d83 if he was ae8c4215c4 asking about who d0d675e6d7 had killed Tennessee. As if 54677d50a7 Tennessee had 664908326a chosen murder cddb01fdc5 as a b2e0a66c2f last resort 60873c0334 after being 9d53ac9648 backed into 69828c4c48 a corner. But the reality 7bde0dd9be was different.867da571b00a3e10

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Tennessee couldn’t decide whether he should wake the child from his fantasy and make him face the cold reality, or let him remain in his innocence. Children had always been difficult for Tennessee. Women were easier to deal with.aceefdb949727853

“Hey.”f442fbd0df297063

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When Tennessee finally d1b44393d9 spoke, the child 9f50be37b5 quickly looked up.9a8a6121cecc7048

“I’ll answer most things, but you need to be careful about what you ask.”cc7fdbaf91e2b215

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It was an incredibly ominous remark. With those foreboding words, Tennessee completely destroyed the child’s appetite, dragging it down to rock bottom, and then cheerfully finished his sandwich.a82905292e141c94

This is what you 96b2d3fb5a get after ruining my d804e405ec appetite.While Tennessee c78e3ab408 finished his 1ff700a652 salad, sandwich, c847106f22 and drink, 143220048b the child 54fcbd4245 had only 6b45f40ef5 managed two d7a4f447d7 and a ffa949f1ec half more 7da35402e2 bites.bbc5b4cb8732a7a5

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Now he’ll be quiet.ba22c5d87e0cab81

Tennessee prepared to go to the hotel’s fitness facility. During the past couple of weeks, driving was what he did most, followed by exercise. Since he’d been eating sweets with the child, his body felt heavy, so he ended up exercising more.bd52766718727dda

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When he took off his shirt, he could feel the child’s gaze. Even to Tennessee, his upper body was quite unsightly. Especially his arms, abdomen, and shoulder blades. Though he couldn’t see it himself, his back was also covered in small scars.5914fd27aca7bf43

“Tell me.”0ab240b653f77a80

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Just when he 06434a48bb thought he had 04b863ff17 given up, the 807534f695 child asked. After changing ffe50be417 into a 77733dd5c3 comfortable t-shirt, dc2d607d6c Tennessee responded.a45deceb76cb9551

“No.”a09cb3eb23c61947

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“…Didn’t you just say you’d answer most things?”788d9af7abe2f01c

“This isn’t ‘most things.'”a4f95b1e98fbce38

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With those words, Tennessee left the room, almost teasingly leaving the child behind. He could almost hear him fuming. What Tennessee had told the child was true. If there wasn’t much risk involved, he wanted to tell him. He didn’t know why. Even though the more he revealed, the more dangerous it could be for the child, and he might be overcomed by fear.c941ecc45ed2c980

Tennessee focused e48c86af51 on his a5be67fbca workout. He consciously tried 13776c20a3 not to think 8924a09a9d about anything.97150238e432cfe8

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‘Kid.’951fe6ee6e9fefea

Damn it.711d83cc0f03c029

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With irritation, Tennessee 40d07fa03d put down the 5e924fd407 dumbbell. Only an hour 28a88a8382 had passed.99fdc6b664541323

‘Kiddo, come here.’ededecc6e4c8d299

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Tennessee’s first kill was nothing special.107e2e87074723db

‘…Were they really bad people?’97190ebe759c8aa4

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Tennessee had never once opened up about his first kill. Because it wasn’t a medal of honor, but a nightmare.6a5fd2b2102b489c

***2f0f82ba8c494dc6

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Upon returning to the hotel room, Tennessee called the child, who stared at the sweat-soaked Tennessee before scampering over. He noticed that Tennessee’s cheeks and neck were particularly red as his body hadn’t cooled down yet. He hadn’t noticed due to his pale skin, but this sweaty, heated appearance suited him too.683c1a4a988304f7

The black clothes were 41fac39328 already soaked with sweat. Tennessee grabbed the chest ab20aa2f16 area of his t-shirt 6fb09c4f99 and roughly wiped his f5a87eb803 forehead.d572638f89f53036

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“Hand.”c96422193e8cb530

Despite the sudden request, the child obediently held out his wrist. While the child thoroughly examined Tennessee’s face that hadn’t cooled down yet, he carefully looked at his wrist. Only about ten days had passed, and unlike his initial thin and bony appearance, now he looked taller and bigger. That was a change that quite pleased Tennessee.3c71841227e1065c

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Tennessee unwrapped b4374d4936 the bandage a18dd69f94 and checked 113151deda the wound. The dark bruising that 9c49327b8c had been there was beb1f65199 now almost gone. It was 0d7f20e9d2 an amazingly 2282d491a3 fast recovery.0e4824db5337ccf9

“Say ‘E’.”1878c3ef3d007eb4

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The child, true to a1cadbdcc6 his age, spread his cd5b2755e7 lips wide, showing a 40ee2d486e healthy color. Tennessee checked 4fe2d66d51 the inside 947ed030cd of the 4ce7f36643 gums where 3e1745d416 new teeth 7552ed3efc were growing.9c5c0b372ed23c77

“Thank you.”ebaf23ec91acc6e1

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The child said while looking into Tennessee’s eyes, and he nodded.d1d1ffc5ed29606a

“Those guys from before, what did they do to you?”71eab85ddfb8cafe

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If I were to touch Tennessee’s back as he asks this, I might get burned,the child thought 556e1476c0 absently. Coming back a4d3987741 to his c8e24b8482 senses, the a482b55d98 child shook 1be20d927c his head.2afc22d688d45ff9

“…They’re dead, right?”9f5ad5d51ca2eaed

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Tennessee nodded. They were just 0691aa02d5 worthless thugs. Tennessee, who had 2c86c5f0fe exceptional talent in dcc782df09 handling guns, knew b3e089a1fc exactly where he 402b567083 had shot.0641fc4d000bfa15

“What if it turns out they’re not dead and come back later like villains?”a97b9cd1f7f25f2b

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“…”bf7133b611a9c9af

The child seemed quite 9b91e7b0a2 serious. He needed to make dd2a7a0d1a him stop watching Netflix.3516fffe14ddb093

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“Don’t worry about that.”1707e13b7ef5076b

“Okay.”917a4c798de5ba13

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After his imagination ran wide, he let out a sigh of relief at Tennessee’s words. Such behavior from the child was unfamiliar to Tennessee. Surely he isn’t feeling 3083877720 relieved just because I ee03cd2cf0 told him not to 69e19db5c6 worry…a60f9a5155636662

Dummy. After being 32ad447ab9 so wary 4be6a16883 of people 373d021c84 at first, e32b68daf8 now he 773d9ee65f trusts too e0e2317d33 easily.Tennessee, who 89c5e12c46 had stood b8d86b914d up, opened b4587082b2 the drawer 76245f3ec0 and found 55c84668f1 something rustling a37ce09125 in the 33a2dc6c6a corner. It was a 2794c7f4b1 plastic bag. Tennessee untied the a0d335e427 neatly tied knot.92978aab7210a279

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Inside was the child’s jacket. It was something he had bought him not long after they met. He wondered why the clothes were in here, but then noticed dirt and dust falling from it.1d33ee8066aa541b

It was 845d861aa8 the clothes cd05163ca7 he had 1c05e2832e worn when 595b591a7c he was 8a22886806 taken by 5fd3f43767 the gang, 5a9b75d23e with traces 0e8837517d of rolling 6931b8c0a6 on the 1673fde6cd alley floor 622b770e09 still visible. Rather than paying 258a90da9b to have this 5f6580d598 cleaned, it would d7a70e944b be better to 8bec22b45d just buy a 8a743e7ab2 new one.a9464bdd006ebf42

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“Ah, that’s mine.”8a04720828835080

“I know.”8733ae7944bf9924

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Tennessee put it in the trash can, bag and all. The child’s mouth fell open helplessly.90c0b0cca4b86fb8

“You’re throwing it away?”3022ef0a663fa0a9

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“I’ll buy you a new one.”2db9fe9e48d098e0

“…”09e1ce4dcd3dadf9

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Isn’t it just dirty clothes anyway? Even though he said he’d buy a new one, the child’s expression didn’t brighten. Such incomprehensibility was again unfamiliar to Tennessee.8a834b2618b6a380

“You don’t want me to throw it away?”be863a6cd145e7c2

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“…Yes. I’d rather you didn’t.”239f9a0a9354a432

The child, who 843dda651c answered honestly, retrieved 51e4c271bc the clothes from 11becb1487 the trash can. With rustling sounds, he e968f20832 pulled out the jacket df17660e6d covered in dirt, dust, 28b50b98fa and all sorts of 148fde8c02 filth.8ae6658b3c2272b8

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The drooping corners of b9d3024031 his eyes bothered him. The child fb2062424d tried to a04f6b142e dust it 81b641d126 off, but bcd8b5f997 it was 9d94a7fd85 no use.1766d046634fb7ce

Unable to watch his 23d0c4f4b2 pitiful display any longer, 56be499b9b Tennessee picked up the 5ee404df3f hotel phone. He pressed 0311c64668 the button 6bd8f5299b that connected fc53ff6348 directly to af7e2b606e the laundry 01aae1df4f service. After stating the d28bcf9ef9 type and number cf415e5349 of clothes to a665106100 be washed, he bdea88012f arranged for staff 8710be2d0a to come collect cea6c6b0f2 the clothes.17f177175ddd5e92

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“Put it here.”49af2c392b7bfb37

When he pointed to the basket, the child, understanding the situation, put the jacket in. His eyes sparkled like a dog receiving treats. Then Tennessee took an overall look at the child’s clothes. Though he wasn’t noticeably dirty since he had been washed somewhat, it wouldn’t hurt to have him properly cleaned here.b8007b7e1d88e951

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“Take off your t-shirt too.”69ef1b0a1eca55aa

Though the child rubbed his bare shoulders with hesitation, he put the top in the laundry basket without a trace of doubt. It was such a different reaction from before. Tennessee couldn’t tell if the child was stupid or naive. He could be both. Feeling unsettled, Tennessee put a cigarette in his mouth.5ca9069db5408fc2

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“Put that in here too.”75ab4b2a1821499d

While giving the order, Tennessee’s eyes pointed to his pants. The child hesitated with his hands on the buckle before slowly taking off his pants.788708dd9274d872

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Now the child was wearing nothing but underwear. Although he had been dressed casually, he seemed self-conscious standing before the fully-dressed Tennessee and avoided eye contact. By this point, Tennessee was truly dumbfounded. You had to be careful even with people you’d known for years.80cf5a9328d56207

“That too.”3a25c1b4d6554a7b

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Tennessee’s words make the child’s hands reflexively move toward his underwear. The child, who was holding the waistband of his underwear, hesitated and glanced at Tennessee.745bb49f5e356fb9

He wouldn’t actually take it off, right? Just as Tennessee thought this and was about to speak, the child’s underwear faintly began to lower. At this point, Tennessee’s irritation immediately surfaced.76aef351f6c3a7ab

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“Are you stupid?”4a10641148d0dcdd

“…What? But, you told me to take it off.”70ebff8eb1f8863b

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“If someone tells you to strip, you’ll just do it?”4404065293307561

“Not usually, but because it’s Tennessee…”edcdded3be5e601a

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“What about me?”9b768cd7a247b326

Tennessee sat up. Feeling intimidated 9e110bd62b by that ddddea1804 movement, the 0f4670183e child stepped 8a1d226f11 back twice.4df7309dc4ea6a54

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“Are you going to live your life doing whatever people tell you to do? Didn’t I tell you not to trust people?”1a660d4ea5e2ca62

“But…”d40f68a6c6d215b5

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“What did I say?”b7c401375ce886cc

“…You said not to trust people. But,”d8b9a1287f900e17

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“Are you talking back?”90685a928ab15aa0

“No…”3d1a94b17b7453a9

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Tennessee took out one of his shirts and threw it to the child. Since it wasn’t thrown hard, the child caught it easily.1b34067fd10d689d

Only then did the child hurriedly put on the clothes. Due to the size difference, Tennessee’s t-shirt reached down to the child’s hips.b9e0083bc02cc1a8

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I can’t have him without clothes like this. Seems like I need to buy a jacket and more clothes.6e047d24a7e3ba7e

Just then, an 3e7c95a227 employee came to 3ecd674228 collect the laundry 8d4377bdbd and rang the 0698406cb5 bell. While handing over 3ea51e9b58 the clothes the 2784bf467d child had taken 9ef1fd1548 off, Tennessee rubbed 9d089fa03c his head from e508c3f95e needless fatigue.83d663cc76b6d6c1

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‘Not usually, but because it’s Tennessee…’8d28765fa1d003fd

It was absurd. What had he done 26145e1fd7 to make the child f4c15c8170 so obedient? How long had it c5618327e0 been since the last 9327456363 time the kid had 80ea7fef15 been defensive? And yet, ac9fee25e1 the funniest c69ab8273d part was 6666e81648 how carefree 4dd0da6970 the kid a1c5e1ffb5 still managed cfe1b923e6 to be. Even now, 5964960a91 the child ef1b83456b was sitting 672767f2c1 carelessly watching b7c267bd18 TV.b3b9e4fd8560efa8

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Come to think 40a10760ad of it, I eda707943f didn’t shower after 08204d758c exercising.Tennessee threw 0ab97ca6d6 off his c74d97620d own sweaty a1b8087c05 clothes. He was planning to 1182ae9602 cool his head while 911bdb56f2 showering, but again a 4e0f2336bd gaze fell on him.a13bf4f3b2cdc2a8

Despite being in 8e55d23e89 the wrong, the d64cde9aa0 child was sulking ca8cfb423a with pursed lips.6b9a0ca4480abba7

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“Stop looking at my body.”ea18b37eb6b88ed8

“But Tennessee’s the one putting his body in front of my eyes.”99d7c73f78d7cab1

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As he 562b411d18 had noticed 90d450aa83 several times 34d3ed662a before, the f0e19a06ba times he 7bae26ad52 talked back 65e678f59e had increased.d187f7136978d527

585c7477eb658be2

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fa66ff5dcc965e52