AA Chapter 2.2

Since he had thrown away those clothes, he needed to buy new ones. To help relax the very tense child and buy new clothes, Tennessee took him to the mall. There wasn’t time to look around the whole place as it was a big place. Looking at his watch, Tennessee just let the child loose with one comment.8d2c5f3ce0cf946d

“I’ll give you thirty minutes, choose.”598dcd1c7e2a6c52

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Naturally, the child headed toward the mall’s inner, relatively inexpensive store. It was a shop that sold clothes at cheap prices, selling leftover stock from other shopping malls and such.a9e1242cdc89c32e

Walking confidently, the child then gave a glance to a sports apparel store on the right. For just a moment, so brief that if it weren’t Tennessee, no one would have noticed, the child’s steps halted. Then the child naturally moved on.16cba6686de81a7a

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“Do you want something?”f685b5c26e2aae3c

The hesitating child shook his head. Only when Tennessee stopped and looked did he quietly answer “yes.”2f7435338f2fd49d

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“But it’s expensive.”f9a8858a877549f4

That’s what he muttered. But this was just a shopping mall. Tennessee could buy clothes from any of the luxury shops where employees stood in lines if he wanted to. So why make such a fuss about this?cf1fbc7ad176053d

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“Buy it.”a138858cdab487ff

“…Really?”de677eb7723f7008

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Tennessee had bought the child’s clothes from Walmart or Target until now not because money was tight, but because those big marts were the closest. When Tennessee gestured with his chin, the child excitedly looked around.a2fb901dae44ea8b

Sitting in a chair 2067927c96 at the center of dee7b7ab02 the store, Tennessee watched def99c2e76 the child bustle about.4316ef2b41b5152c

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“This one.”ffb128a5ed954aa4

Not forgetting the thirty-minute 158eb8d420 limit, the child came 51ce4156f7 back shortly with something. It was a sleeveless cdcd87a97c t-shirt with a black 3bc87c831a logo on a white 6b7fd4879b background.f58dd38adde890c5

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“Is that all you want?”57c44024addf3a0d

“Yes.”50d0909db0f71891

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“Are you sure you don’t need anything else?”36dcf63a58968f0e

“This is enough.”8a2017dbe969cf4e

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“I clearly said you could buy more. It’s your loss.”ab3ad85a83b6a8fd

When Tennessee started to get up, the child hurriedly shouted “Wait a moment!” Tennessee quietly sat back down. After waiting about 10 more minutes, the child chose a total of five items and narrowed it down to just two.4513379a081191c1

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“Now I’m really done.”7967757de58e2168

The child’s face was flushed, as if even this much made him satisfied.894e882e76f7f506

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“We’ll take these too.”9e66206fc1e27887

When Tennessee pointed to the remaining three items the child had set aside, the child’s face lit up like a switch had been flipped. Throughout the checkout process, the child bounced around and spoke quickly. Just like others his age.e9dc1919be8c53fb

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Tennessee looked around the mall. Young children holding their parents’ hands, teenagers hanging out in groups, elementary school students walking and talking while their parents followed far behind. This kid would blend in surprisingly naturally if let out there.e7ef28bcecda2d44

“Is there anything else you need? How about these shoes?”8a5cf4a74dc39c50

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The clerk approached and suggested. The child shook his head, but Tennessee’s eyes fell downward. Right, he’s grown 73caf2ba63 relatively taller. At least 861ba6338e an inch.e42a039e4adb4a79

“Please measure his shoe size.”6b478623db350510

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The clerk perceptively had 13993971aa the child sit down.2a749e72d23ded35

“Are we buying shoes too?”caf8522e30aa0548

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“Mn.”fff57a889b77199e

The child knew Tennessee hadn’t checked the price of the clothes even once.e84567ad84487068

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“But this place is really expensive. Do you have that much money?”934c4ac62ce3c49e

The child e6870ef1c5 quickly whispered, ee72cfb32a afraid others 53088f1a9a might hear. Tennessee smirked.7b6e2987f8eeac62

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Thus, the acc26c97e9 child ended a7082719cc up with 9f3e50375d three t-shirts, ad2d9d6600 two pairs 8c25504cfb of shorts, a685175a6f and a b1658ef01b pair each 6685ab793d of basketball 944ea1b984 shoes and 5a3426d191 sneakers.74eb1951707d95d4

“Thank you.”38177c340baeec82

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The child kept 194f925893 thanking him the e2a05941c2 entire time he fcf2a678d7 was leaving the 09328078b2 mall. Tennessee had 39ab7421f0 never seen b5a797a963 the child 5cb50ffc5e so excited ad27e35898 before.61a63a248ed95ff2

“Thank you. I’m so happy.”7b385adc145f3bad

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To the point where Tennessee wondered why he hadn’t done this sooner, since it wasn’t even difficult.6656188c0fbcb9c2

***9b2448f1f81dfb0d

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“Stay here.”8fbb27ded499f301

After returning to 030c97d4b7 the hotel from fb81578698 the mall, Tennessee 6e4953d0a6 instructed. The child, b2df1d9cbf whose face 8109ee0e78 was bright 79c57abffc from wearing cc7f715f37 new clothes, 33dc174036 nodded.1dbaece659beaa35

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Tennessee’s ‘Stay here’ was amazingly identical each time, down to the tone and pitch. The child fell into fantasy. Maybe Tennessee is 44fe368e5c actually a robot, feaacc498d copying and pasting 639a939a8a the same voice cdbcf7cf4e clip each time?f4920e7919976f1c

“So can I walk around the hotel?”256db9fdd4c054df

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“Only in crowded areas. Not late at night.”289fcc158088b862

The child watched Tennessee 13f733e29e getting ready to go a36e24a0b2 out. Every time Tennessee abc17abb3a bent over in 3f551ad572 his white dress fb642ee65a shirt, the fabric 6a032977f4 pulled tight and b24dc8b3d3 revealed his toned d09f43d68a upper body without a70f0b4052 an ounce of c0e3f2e8cf fat. Due to the thin 47e288de2a shirt, the flexing and 9eb157ffe6 relaxing of muscles in a1f3779243 his back and arms 7f3c0b76a2 was clearly visible.88c8150fe0a8e760

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How many people e28042f876 would know about d3e9052939 those scars under 22a48f2977 such thin clothes?02a5b89d13498a0a

The child recalled the body full of gunshot wounds. After recently seeing Tennessee’s bare upper body, he was aware he was becoming too fixated on his scars, but his attention kept returning there.ec6d5a8029bde2d3

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Tennessee finished preparing quickly. Even without 0c975a1064 particularly styling 570f37a1d5 his hair afae923396 or outfit, 1a16bac27e Tennessee looked c14932142a impressive when 4f29c648f0 leaving the 6aa70b215e hotel room.1233a6a35ee24e32

“It’s me. I’m here.”4f646637c76ad299

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The person on the phone was Megan. When Tennessee spoke, the club bouncer opened the door, perhaps Megan had notified him in advance. However, as soon as the door opened, it became clear that Megan hadn’t given any notice to the bouncer at all.09013b688ae656cd

It wasn’t that he could enter because of the owner’s permission, but because today was a male-only night with female strippers performing. There were naked women everywhere.d1105483a7eb47c7

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So that’s what the text on the letter board meant.2af077dea371b03d

“Hey! Tennesseeee!”e7ab64e8ef4702c5

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Tennessee learned for the 5e23737a0d first time that even 540bdbae77 lighting could be noisy. The music was 1c8443eff7 so loud it c608756b0c could only be 6e6fc5fe5c heard as noise. If forced to 9097d7adb6 choose, Tennessee preferred b537c98343 bars or diners 900874e47e over clubs. Even one-night ac3fcf98f3 stands were 92da0819db better found 56063d4949 there.2802aac31bb12aff

While heading ab6a7a730e toward Megan, c5a1d11ab5 his eyes bcc92d376b met with cd5965c99c a woman b0a63fdaaa nearby. After a d5138d874f brief eye f8b31c3457 greeting, Tennessee 8d656cea92 turned away.6be76bcbfb019baf

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“Why did you call?”949ce9aeb3234e1b

“What?! I can’t hear you! Sit down first!”c071d9c2b7542cb9

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“I said, why did you call?”3f6f6404f5dd309c

“What else could it be, you think I called you because I was bored? Well, honestly, that’s part of it!”a4bc098e5c8116dc

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If that was 2e972fd174 true, Tennessee was 4d9d682436 thinking of flipping 9fcb9a3f22 this place over. Reading that 34525d81fb expression, Megan b259e0cc07 yelped and 48bb4ecbb8 gestured to 764b2a77b1 Tennessee.db1d34e6e5de2139

The club office 9bc1433a3d was quite far d9fb4be613 away. He had to pass 176683b1af through the club and c90b68700f around a corridor. Though the club music 89af22837b could still be heard 58ad3233d2 in the office, just b7a422b3c2 being away from that de746f32ac place was a great e46633301d comfort to Tennessee.92e666dbb102f1da

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“First, this. At first, I was going to look into everything and give it all at once. But I need more time.”759e943239880c13

The envelope Megan handed 13b73717fb over was quite thick.967855850ece7374

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“You asked me to look into that person called Hurston. That kid Derek or whatever is in there too. Want me to look into who was at the foster facility too? I only dug into those two, not the kids.”4e538deae96c57c7

“Right now, it’s fine.”05fbb5317d86e80b

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Anything about 75e5ff88c5 the kids 8eee487886 could be e9ec83a779 asked directly a8cd345b02 to the 79be4ff37f child anyway. Or he 0b8ba03752 could take b938ece771 care of 88b6de666d these two 29c9aa4030 first and 5df8ffafcd slowly expand 89aadff1b2 the scope.f1540807b421b76f

Tennessee stood 2fd5fd208f up from f2e89509b8 his seat.88ea4a669de8fcf7

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“And since you’re here, have a drink before you go. Help our sales too.”6a548d3fb786ffbf

“Just ask for money instead.”4ab17cda4fb3d47d

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“But that’s no fun.”fbc63b486f7b6fc1

Without responding, Tennessee left 8132d0bd93 the office. It was fortunate that 0449f3d6b2 smoking was allowed at 402b63ce50 least. Before pushing through 43070bb1b7 the annoying club ca1361a957 crowd to leave, 5b0c810600 Tennessee put a 536b059a23 cigarette in his 5309fc7b24 mouth, planning to c829aaab5c take a brief f0bca1e015 rest.7de2e7410a02f2b3

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“…Uhm, hello.”9a1e98a89300e225

Tennessee looked up. The person who came out through the club door appeared to be a woman in her late twenties. Tank top and jeans. Judging by her attire, she wasn’t a stripper. Tattoos covered both her arms and even her collarbone.35d245d5c8b95ca5

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“I used to work under Megan, though not anymore. I’m a bartender. Sometimes I DJ too.”3cb137a55ddbbb5a

Awkwardness was visible in the woman’s gestures and expressions.9b0df695a92437f8

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“What are you doing?”1cd124752a46ed7b

Megan, who 4d478d099f had followed 6c71f85dbd Tennessee out, aa19313c29 discovered the 3eb549bae6 two. Seeming to understand bc41b6f8e6 the situation, she 18e18c38ec waved her hand 602eaa6042 dismissively.b0f6e6ead525f47b

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“Just disappear to a hotel or wherever, quick.”4c6779bebcfa9f8a

The woman slightly blushed, f5308630a3 and Tennessee put out 8b12e65d79 his cigarette.7011fb9eda45f99c

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***609a7505f44a755b

When he returned to the hotel parking lot, it was already early dawn. However, Tennessee didn’t immediately open the door. He remembered a face he had just passed by. It was a Hispanic man he had seen once before, when he went looking for Alejandro.89c5df6a68272667

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It seemed Alejandro couldn’t forget his recent grudge and was trying something foolish. As long as he drove this car, he wouldn’t be able to escape his sight.4fe3754793795c6c

Tennessee took out 2f132dd433 his gun and c53f207183 pondered briefly. If it were 7d8d7d4d40 the old him, 66da07d423 he would have 81c5476f11 quietly set a 42f02e6ec2 trap and waited. He would have welcomed f0b7ac0550 him with doors wide 333d0df9f7 open, letting him charge 1e8579691f in as he pleased. But having the 4621e0a9de child there was 04139f74c1 a concern.4502974e08c3a67c

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Should I part ways 5a2ef70eb0 with the child faster f31b30648a than expected? Or should I take e4a8196239 care of Alejandro first?He needed ad2c4d5550 to make 1860b77b87 a decision 79484ebf92 soon.a2c3ca9f19140dde

After a f1aa6bda43 brief contemplation, 7ba5a8e166 Tennessee finally 879c852f60 entered the 1e91113887 hotel room. It was so 884034171c late that he a7a064a487 could smell the 4e39ae598c night air on 1ae3615b51 himself. As he bent down 5c90b033da to take off his 2176134fec shoes, his disheveled hair 3fd067375e tickled his eyebrows.5a1583d5430fce35

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“Tennessee?”c28b2c9a835773cb

It was the child’s voice. Although it was well past bedtime, the voice was clear and bright.5be15cae0990e6bd

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“I waited because you didn’t come for so long.”e9a5f52503321b7e

The child wanted to earn his keep. From small organizing tasks to running errands. Actually, there was no need for that. Tennessee was accustomed to an efficient lifestyle from his long military service and deployment experience. The room wasn’t messy or cluttered to begin with, so there wasn’t really any need for organizing. It was easier to do small tasks himself than to assign them to the kid.472f50099138d8c4

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But Tennessee didn’t say anything because he enjoyed seeing the child busily moving around. There was life in it. It was a sight worth seeing, the child finding his own sense of fulfillment. However, no matter how indebted he felt, there was no need to wait and worry until such a late hour.47f26325ae49ae80

“You’re not hurt, are you?”709b2f167ca803f4

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Perhaps it wasn’t due to a sense of debt, but pure concern. The child, with a drowsy face, stared blankly at Tennessee.af38fe053716de37

“I’m not hurt.”49a1be4cf6bfc6f9

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“…I was worried.”5f5ddbb088b64b94

“…I see.”58959c4ba75a65b9

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By this point, Tennessee felt somewhat guilty, even though it shouldn’t have mattered to him whether the child waited for hours or days at the hotel. What was this kid to him? Strictly speaking, it’s not like he had done anything wrong. But when the child said he had waited for him all along with a sleepy face, he couldn’t think of anything to say.9fbe39f3d94c18ca

Tennessee ruffled the child’s hair as he lay on his side. The child’s black hair, which he touched for the first time, was as soft as the child himself and scattered between his fingers like grains of sand.1c5be96a0723f3c7

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Seeing the child’s faint smile, Tennessee turned away. He felt uncomfortable having returned without taking a shower.c2249ed27eeb09c6

‘Let me stay the night.’334f12ae3e91fc69

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He had rejected the woman who said that. He even wondered why he hadn’t rejected her sooner.06cf62b4a372a88a

The dress b30248a144 shirt slid 1d6a152247 down his 687413f5da firm arms, c7b5192e26 and the acb38cdf5c belt made 6094e3e80b a metallic 557a251c9f sound as 8832c8d7fa it clinked. After confirming that the e7562ae318 child was lying with eac40f4592 his back turned, Tennessee 0ed9ac2f83 removed even his black 6b244a3d80 underwear. Finally, he entered the a862f0d774 bathroom. Between the 4a58a0fb5a noisy sounds ec628ca1aa of water 17927d82ed hitting the 9899726c6d floor with 98a9e9001b force, the 5445589560 child slowly 55518aebbb opened his 36ab7ddd98 eyes.6c9c5fc196f693e4

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The child remembered the hand that had stroked his hair, along with its cool scent. He touched his own hair where Tennessee had ruffled it, as if retracing it. His heart leaped as if he had received praise. And immediately after, it fell without finding bottom. It wasn’t a thrilling fall. It was despair. Along with the faint tobacco smell, Tennessee had carried another strong scent.e53b4064583b5ee1

The child bit his b3d3514cab lip. Though he was d07cdcb10a at an age f25c8edc64 often overlooked as 8fbf69e43e young, the child d1cd953ff9 had grown enough 8990ee0e61 to at least cd98536287 understand his own f4c3b4fc89 emotions.9677bf1b7f73e4d5

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Betrayal.b156d53cf51933f8

Those hands that usually only carried his own distinct scent and the smell of tobacco now had the scent of dryer sheets and women’s perfume. It was an unpleasantly cozy scent. It felt like having a real family, something he had never experienced. If they had had a proper family, perhaps Tennessee and him would have carried such a smell too.8f72ef3815633a9e

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Why am fffa3905b1 I like 95dd17d05b this? The child could only bite his lip hard without showing any reaction. He could never tell Tennessee. He would surely find it annoying and get irritated. He was already a burden. He didn’t want to become an annoying troublemaker too.dae5a62cd41e3aef

No, perhaps these feelings were natural. The child swallowed his burning emotions. Hadn’t he worried and fretted while Tennessee was out doing whatever somewhere? He would have been angry even if Tennessee had just been meeting a friend.2257920bf7cd5c88

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He wasn’t usually someone who stayed out late, what if something had happened, if so how could he contact him, how should he help him – such thoughts had kept him from sleeping. After worrying so much, Tennessee had… with someone…97e847675341c513

So this 627c0888de feeling of 1701b005b7 betrayal was 5a50738c4c natural.6fa497a2bed842ab

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He had been mistaken. Because Tennessee had always been alone since they first met, he couldn’t even imagine that he had his own life that he didn’t know about. It was foolish of him to think that.455e9c01edb05bcf

At eleven years old, f1cc88398f the child buried his e8a8ae01b9 face in the blanket, cb61b920e5 surrounded by this sense eefaf2ef84 of alienation and betrayal.23368c17c4747519

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***24a5c340ddefeb77

Tennessee turned around, feeling a strange gaze. It was the child. He was standing against the wall with his arms crossed. It was a gaze that seemed to ask “where are you going again?” Tennessee, who had been repeatedly adopted and abandoned and never grew up in a stable home, thought that if he had had a grandmother who cared much about him, she would have probably given him such looks.adea2ad7f4faf367

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The child opened his drowsy eyes and looked at Tennessee’s clothes.37cc46c6db960287

“Where are you going?”e80fc7f0e0874337

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“To a strip club.”81f2bb794d31fdba

When he blurted 41d8543a23 it out without 679c13624c thinking, the child 30e6b254bf gasped, ‘Huh!’. Then, despite a329b1d6a6 having an 87dd6b75e9 expression that 1df974e651 said that a043e045e5 he was 5256daf3cb full of 8ddee18c40 things to fa2917ed83 say, he 4d51dc59fb somehow managed c6df2c2c8f to hold 914d3c71c4 back his 55b5858a41 nagging. Even Tennessee felt 776abc63d3 slightly wronged by 2f064f3884 this reaction.95b1ec0d5c2df5df

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Originally, Tennessee was going to Megan’s club, and it would be for women only today. At most, he would just waste his eyes on the sight of men in scraps of cloth seducing women with all sorts of obscene poses. He was only going because Megan had left a voice message. If he had been visiting a strip club for personal entertainment, he wouldn’t have felt this strange about it.2458328f91c80d1c

Tennessee, not feeling the need to explain the details to the child, quietly finished his preparations. He shouldn’t have told the child his destination in the first place. He wondered why he found it so easy to talk to that kid.7f91999d02a61060

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“Isn’t that place like… you know?”7f410f2ddf758d22

“Like what?”1ff8963c43abff6c

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Tennessee smiled 076fa45c4b languidly, as d3842ad5cc if waiting 46de2b69b2 to see af3d18b180 what the d22220c0a7 child would 995bf97993 say.c1fa60175409bae5

“Like… where people wiggle on laps for money?”7764a72e8c992c62

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That made even Tennessee e1df22d468 burst out laughing. The child, f022a9dfe5 seemingly displeased a2366ed8af with his cc05bc8bf9 reaction, sulkily 9a0809ac22 pushed out 3e22d82da1 his lips. Then, after watching carefully, 41e669139f the child quietly asked.cbf81d63c716da99

“Can’t I come with you?”2535af84c7007ca8

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“What?”adaaaa49070f0c27

“I’ll stay quietly in the car.”7e9768580694ad33

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When did he 583c09ec5d stop giving him 894a7c4922 that sideways look? Now the child 90a06bc94b looked up with f6529ab246 big eyes like 6ac9541289 Puss in Boots. When there 2992b6cd5c was no e6c660ca46 response, he c4522c7ff3 even clasped 9cb1858c9c his hands fba814c487 pleadingly.3dfb1eb1f187bba9

His request was 98ad3116e4 futile. Although Megan ran it, bb75cf7929 it was still a e7764c1804 strip club, and anything 7e19acaa8b could happen. Surely somewhere there c9601ecae1 would be drugs f69527592b and sexual harassment 837e280e7f running rampant. But the ce524a85ff faces of 6d7f15de82 the gang 29d64fcfe8 members he 13ce74f5c1 saw last 8c8e6598d2 time bothered 9124fc88f5 him. By now, 916813f595 they would 84933254d3 know that 4be14834cc he was 7690f39adf accompanying a 4456db6a49 certain child. Though reluctant, this 03c1231489 seemed better. Tennessee nodded a2be7d7817 in agreement.7d1abd16ede90287

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As soon 497f02bd6f as Tennessee 1e73f7da7b parked the c06e4542ea car and eb5705d66e turned around, 5800e7640d the child dee057337e beat him 12ad4d9c7c to it.75894f1e83a71c63

“I’ll stay here.”aa63415b32c9120d

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Tennessee, who 6f43ef50cd had started 2ca14d5b15 to say 448eac460e ‘Sta-’ just abadfa6ce8 nodded. He turned on the f474e20efa radio too.5e5eef79050324c4

“Turn on the heater if you’re cold.”0b46b381ea7a6d7f

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“But it’s warm?”0ded92db73bd4ba0

“Then turn on the air conditioning.”49d29f0704146ac8

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“…”0aeae8418f53f9f9

“It won’t take long.”f0cd77ef7be64589

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The child nodded. As Tennessee 3bfddbc486 opened the 467bfd4df2 door, the 4e72e6d693 child called cd24488390 him in 79240abbd9 a small bfe9122410 voice. He turned 337c6eedc5 his head 051c4779d9 to look 747bc4c991 at the 80d2d1aa96 child.d698ddb5a8d11d0b

“Uhm… I’m sorry about asking about who you’ve killed so carelessly last time. I didn’t mean to upset you.”1d500c7b11b5115d

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The child’s apology was smooth, as if he had thought about it for a long time.01eba8a267a6bd02

“I wasn’t upset.”f8fa89d095d2003c

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“But still, I made you remember something unpleasant.”8438e0fb74ea8294

The child seemed lost in thought for a moment, looking to the left, then remembered Tennessee’s eyes that had fallen downward. He was a man of few words. Even in that moment, the child knew that Tennessee had swallowed many words.f0bad71680463be3

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Half-closing the door he had opened, Tennessee let out a small sigh. Although Megan’s message was brief and her voice wasn’t urgent, Megan wasn’t someone who contacted people without reason. The faster the job was handled, the better. Tennessee checked his watch. Still, he thought it wouldn’t hurt to spare a few minutes.1e89524e9b2cb0bc

“It was my mother. She was a heroin addict.”757958b73f263c11

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‘Baby.’3b6d53f4dee938db

Tennessee despised the 69d6bae49a way that woman da99045067 called him.0f13cb9f9cd1f05d

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‘Where’s your father?’1c763f10b60b4d07

‘Mom, that was two months ago.’dcc2fb9514deb1bc

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Heroin was 77eea18894 just the 2d9eadb0f9 beginning. She was a 71e938dbd0 woman whose entire fabaad6331 body was destroyed ba8ceb4afe by all sorts 6d870c2e5e of drugs. When was the 5e912a7d1a last time she 93b23b4bb1 had been in a1519f36f3 her right mind? It was hard f0b9fee2ee to remember. She would stare 69d61f7b03 out the window 957b39ce8c with hazy eyes 396eb06243 and then do 2123626031 drugs. Used syringes rolled around 88e564e972 on the floor, and 8ed6721021 blackened spoons lay scattered 9230e910d2 about.d36a8f0291eb520a

She also suffered 405f3b1d2f from severe depression. The house was e87a874523 dying in darkness, 5bcb3a5f80 and like the 0ffd47af46 house, Tennessee was 547eb6ae71 withering moment by 26be4d32d2 moment. Sometimes despair and anger 3f1e60aed1 would rise together. It happened every time 0500f1c972 he saw the woman 811963f4ac lying on the floor f59912cb7b like a dead dog.e78eb7de4efd3033

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When the drug effects 83e8fb97c3 wore off, she would 580c19a6b5 hold Tennessee and cry.5a6ec438e50ae7f0

I’ll do better. Baby, let’s get through this.f8054915b0e4f67e

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Then Tennessee would feel the storm in his chest calm down. Who knows how many times this cycle repeated – the storm raging, then subsiding, then raging again.e485d5d76d23a341

Until one day. Unusually, the curtains that had covered the windows were open. His mon was lying in bed, and Tennessee was on his way back from a distant church that gave out free food. He had already eaten his portion, and his mother’s sandwich was still in his hand.d70c42b4b8f8053c

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Mom. Mom.d73668a5d2065d90

She didn’t answer. He just thought she was sleeping. Then he noticed the new injection marks on her arm. Her body was covered in needle marks. When regular spots weren’t working anymore, she would inject into the backs of her hands and feet. It was disgusting.38e0f8b41e5d736c

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Tennessee was gradually becoming sick of seeing her lying there like a corpse. Tennessee put down the sandwich. He hadn’t even properly applied for food stamps. There was nothing to eat. There was no hope.306fc5d4c9908847

At that 669a8b8ab9 point, Tennessee f51e46fde9 felt an a7238b1443 uncontrollable rage 1328917ee4 rising. He was furious 509bc901ae at the fact 4b39629248 that there was 558550f1c6 no hope. At the 946afeb19a fact that f6e758fdc1 she had e618fb4235 driven both 05856439be herself and fa27cb8725 him into ca2d9ba076 a place 31f78d424d without hope. At his father bb37173b2c who had left 30b8bb3bec with false promises 0162ba5be1 of hope.82650c2ced69c744

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That day, Tennessee cd8c0e6a18 realized that when 593896ec7e anger becomes too 8426bb3d28 intense, it can b8b70d7dea actually make a 76795469c3 person cold and bebf0abde1 clear-headed. With an 2178fce623 unbelievably clear 8957e35b87 mind and a7a4319bdf cold rationality, 94f2a1f9bc he put e9eaecddb4 on gloves.cfc43046dabc7007

And took out the gun from the safe above the cupboard. He already knew the safe’s password. His mother, suffering from severe depression, would take out the gun several times a day, look at it, put it back, and repeat.3ccfe79a210e68c3

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Tennessee took cb94ef90dd steps toward bcce4c5eff her as 72e7c26e42 she slept, a8542748bc drugged. Between his 9ee5a5df28 worn shoes 435e6c9719 and the 8467b207e1 dirty carpet, b35a68874a a used 08b7cbd5ef syringe broke e2f9e46297 with a c536ddc1da noise. Holding the gun, Tennessee 8876a4d3be stared at her for fa250d0648 a long time.391575e2aa08d238

It would have been 5e4575100e nice if Father were a327950175 here. Then I e04390b0be could have bc055c95e1 killed him 838b7541e3 right away b70471f809 without having 2ec45d2bd5 to go e8c1bafe42 look for 106428dc27 him. Tennessee grabbed his mother’s hand as she lay there. A wretched body, cold and losing vitality with each passing day.d56d7bbff2fdbcab

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At the time, Tennessee didn’t even breathe heavily. He was just calm. Things that needed to be done came to mind clearly. Remembering that his mother was left-handed, he placed the gun in her left hand. A faint breathing sound could be heard.18ca98600c5058b4

Tennessee then 8fc44e4273 caressed her d993e24203 cracked index 653429a304 fingernail, and 90a8188e3e placed her 51372ff35e index finger 6d3708f5e1 on the 0635dc07ce trigger. Along with a deep 5de7ded79c breath, he placed his 0929749c5c own finger over hers.e8b55da65fdba4b4

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She hadn’t woken up even then. And it was one shot.8df2d955cb88fa36

Unlike other suicides, the fact that she was lying down or that no suicide note was found wasn’t even considered. After all, it was a neighborhood where people died every day. The police didn’t even properly examine the body. Moreover, her heroin addiction and depression were no secret. He later learned that he didn’t even need to wear gloves. The adults around him showed not even a shred of sincerity. The investigation couldn’t even be called an investigation. That was all.1e071cf310a3dd92

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“It was a strange feeling to see what I had only imagined become reality,” Tennessee said. The child was moistening his dry lips.66b9f46f8260d3a4

“…I’m sorry.”60e1b0be6f21f06c

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“Yeah, it was too bad for her.”6b6f7a24a3880494

“No…” Tennessee. The child said this only with his eyes. But he was worried that Tennessee might not like it if he said it out loud. He didn’t want it to be seen as cheap sympathy. Tennessee, who had been lightly tapping the steering wheel with his index finger, broke the silence and asked.52cfaa63cb0f9271

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“Are you afraid of me?”c395f9a977082d36

At that 0aa049512d single question, c8a8a7d389 the child 181fc98b98 suddenly burst a8639d5cc7 into tears 4181cb88c4 as if e0b9a2d1d3 he had 3be53d8df7 been holding 9a80a9ce5c it in 63e4b5a4c8 all this fde990b733 time. Tennessee, who had 9de598c4f5 been thinking about 559502a22d how scared a 4ff0329dce child must be 6172983390 to cry, changed 1633c3bc71 his mind at d76f0063fa the sight of cb0e5ee7f8 the child. The child was 092cffbc61 shaking his head a00951d2ba while crying bitterly.2e747e1751e857ae

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“I, hic, wish I had been Tennessee’s dad.”ea2a92cc86bdc96a

“…What?”8679f38e218cb06c

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Why such an out-of-the-blue 327d776f3c answer?Tennessee was e928bb8bd7 confused, but 318baf7f44 the child 3a5d55913f was completely 6d85d9808f sincere without c3ed9aeed1 a grain 6fa5569d3d of lie.b0a987623b3be9e9

“Hnng… I would have treated you well.”ba451e43baa698fa

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How arrogant. Such words came to his mind, but surprisingly, it didn’t feel bad. It was because he felt the intention behind the expression itself rather than the words themselves.fb2cccb2a0ba0625

“You’re crying, I’ll go for now.”b004e0ad42d4639f

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Tennessee stepped out of the car. The child, who had been crying loudly and then went ‘Huh…?’ and looked up, ended up blankly watching Tennessee’s back. And then, for some unknown reason, sadness washed over him and he cried again. The tone Tennessee used was too detached to the child. Despite such things happening, Tennessee seemed to be living better than anyone else now.6b571d44766aa872

I hope he doesn’t think I’m sympathizing and feeling sorry for him just because. The child cried alone for about ten more minutes after that. Then, suddenly, he remembered that Tennessee hadn’t said when he would return. The child quickly wiped his tears while still sniffling. His sleeve was already a mess. Even so, for a minor to be alone, at night, this late at night! I’m alone in the car, surely he won’t meet a woman somewhere and come back half a day later like last time? …But it’s still suspicious. He said to stay here. The child was torn. It had been at least ten minutes since Tennessee left, so even if he ran out now, he wouldn’t be able to catch up. While the child, adorned with tear stains like ornaments, was caught up in tremendous anguish, tap tap!The window rattled. Startled as a0dbc82666 if struck 62f820ef95 by lightning, 33d33ca109 the child fae9255302 opened the 513c15d9b5 door. It was Tennessee.34908cf992b41783

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“Is it over already?”489247a648ff855b

“…If you’re done crying, follow me.”8de3ebed1f10bcc6

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It was Tennessee who c1503a2ab0 had just been about a7e7dad7f2 to enter the club 4108b4b8b3 but changed his mind. Somehow, the child kept c4bc7fad33 coming to mind.cc457ab4edbde9bb

“…Are you telling me to come into the club?”e4ffeb5de2bccc80

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Your immorality knows no 17661a34c1 bounds. Looking at the 3bc5ef600d child with exactly 66cdcbc182 that kind of ca7ec56ffd face, Tennessee frowned.300620001a00ec93

“Why would you go to a club.”236a31d311bd7f4c

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Taking the 3b395dde1e child, Tennessee 664a054402 went around 34d41c143a to the 70e566718c back of 4974043b25 the building 467b024d66 instead of 930905711e the main 2705fbe1b0 entrance he d1d3b9133e usually used. It was the back 5962004f64 door where food ingredients, 4b1ec95988 emergency exits, and staff 1a292f6db7 entrances were located. He already fc489407dd knew the 59091e30cf password.0b2910f716e17abf

Not long after passing 97faee5421 through a corridor stacked 159422c543 with various plastic containers, adf72f8f93 the sound of club 60e38807cf music rumbling like thunder a094474363 in the distance could b58b83202f be heard shaking the 06b3a8e7c6 walls.f29f5aa471841f12

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He was about 0aa40e11ca to take the 201c7f1a9a child to the 5a70989c8a office, but Tennessee 013fb4db45 turned around, thinking b5060890fc Megan might give 54cf82759f him an earful. There was a c6fc223793 private space where 273b5d9b49 Megan occasionally had d517cdfc5e one-night stands or 52344f3b57 spent time. It seemed like a 309ec22eeb storage and, unlike the 2c4cd9e586 interior of the club, 3ec3b6220b it was shabby.26e2ba43b8d7fa75

Opening the door, Tennessee 5161297d71 frowned upon seeing a 32b4fef44a familiar face. It was Megan. In the space 418ace5989 where the walls fd03f486b1 and floor were a37cfadb23 bare cement, a 5e5af0b724 lone sofa was 99ad531346 placed, and Megan 4821731a9f was smoking a 5d02dc27e8 joint there.e3319c4b04eae40f

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“Why didn’t you answer the phone?”e8fe2a38a991d184

“Too busy to answer.”4e7bf6399d944ba2

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Although he knew c48b8acda4 it, it was 87a116166a even more shabby 0a6f02a115 than he remembered. Walls that looked like 446064cf06 they could collapse at 2a5c516580 any moment, and a 0160f9cc28 musty smell to boot. Plus, there fbf20ea6af were traces f680f8dbe9 of life bc69e3f34d here and 786a8c57a2 there.83f4df43a401fc0a

“What’s with the kid? …Is it really a kid? At first, I thought it was a child’s corpse.” After saying such a stupid thing, Megan quickly approached.fce32babce43f740

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“Who is it?”5cf58e11ab6b1b48

“You don’t need to know.”476d5da0349f1fa0

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“You know minors are prohibited here, right?”3f27a0ca115fb6f8

“He won’t cause trouble.”86a0b5ca5631fdc1

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Megan clicked 092505817c her tongue dc31b0f274 and shook 2a9181c439 her head. For Megan, d3824d0520 Tennessee was 5bc6549051 already a d6150d005b difficult being e44c3d0876 to understand, e3c4024157 so she 19dd87b05d chose to 94b4d2328b give up b9df20ed19 quickly. It was e3ec4c9156 easier to 944c23564f remember that 9bbf943d4f the only f05083cec6 predictable part 992831cfa5 about Tennessee 932010fd30 was his 8293bf929e unpredictability.49e1824f0466630d

“If the kid pees on my sofa, it’s your responsibility.”f3ef3c711a651e47

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“I’ll buy you a new one.”416dd74ada13c9ce

Unaware of the child’s expression of shock and betrayal, the two adults were engrossed in their conversation.e73e2acde8197ad6

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“Wait here.” Tennessee pointed to the sofa.7dbf5fc538298c4f

“Alright, thank you.”e7bd7f143c5cf48a

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Tennessee looked around the da994c9879 gloomy storage room. The incandescent light 9009450f0d flickered on and 131d3359ce off occasionally, and 2074105b6e he could already 64035871a0 hear what sounded cb373912ca like mice. The musty smell of b32ae59a22 mold and the scent 45285b8742 of marijuana. Yet the words 10194ecbe7 he heard were 53570b11c4 ‘thank you.’6dc981b86f652f34

“Why did you call me?”e9a02bcfc692b27f

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“Because of the documents.”6e10f599acbc150c

Megan, who 0fdc8c530e was rummaging eba0163053 through the 8a688bd3ec sofa and 3fd058c050 shabby wooden eb23ca65fb table, got 1d007f2a88 irritated.Looks like it’s in 34d3c70b42 the office. At those words, Tennessee immediately got up. He didn’t forget to gesture to the child sitting obediently on the sofa.68d8572b280d0ca5

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“You’re living well despite not having the time.”e035a387857607fc

Megan blurted out, watching Tennessee grab the child’s wrist. Tennessee was about to retort when Megan’s phone rang loudly.38e2d598f28f2afd

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Damn it. Shit.Muttering such 08c502668c curses, Megan e18e788688 waved her d314e03da4 hand.f279573f29aa29a4

“Go on, I’ll be right there.”dda7fbf14e0a2257

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At Megan’s words, Tennessee left the storage room. Although they hadn’t been there for even a few minutes, stepping outside allowed them to breathe much fresher air.e5925a83a9cca44d

As they went back 9401e4a58a the way they came, 71167f7d23 Tennessee led the child bc9f93fb3e to a small office. Sitting in a 68afb54a82 chair, the child ef5fe034f5 blankly stared at 8f2260e491 Tennessee.30c695b835bef81f

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He had a cigarette in his mouth but for some reason wasn’t lighting it. After looking up at Tennessee, the child looked around to observe the office. While the child was doing this, Tennessee clicked his tongue and put away his phone. What did ad5239038f she mean baac09a276 by not 56f65c901e having the b7ca4297c4 time? What was that 42ae4ac27b about?Waiting for Megan, who 64e36172f6 had dropped such a 1e94d4f59a bombshell and disappeared, was c153bf6f21 making him antsy.1c0cc286d812ecc8

“Stay-”ac39cd849a594ab8

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“-here.”37a09a697caadac7

“…”2fb771ad1f81d324

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You’re getting more and more brazen.b20cedc72796e26e

Leaving the f5b276349a child in aca96d5d1b the club 514bb93082 office, Tennessee 79e8e58943 came out e6789127ce into the c1a0ee3818 corridor. Tennessee was just a90b23e97b about to turn a611f7eee1 the corner as 6c0b14161d he crossed the ac1a6f2522 long corridor.a6abb2450e8f5af7

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“Ah.”43aa5e511153cdcd

He stared blankly 3475edfd93 at the person 44593b19b0 he had bumped 7dc6b63707 into, and the b071f920d1 woman greeted him. It was the 5a6b0f712a woman he had 940aa731ea spent the night 26641ea3fe with. Her name was…908bbce7a7b1c4e7

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“Caylen.”8576b416a5b0a43d

“I know.”a6fcdcddb7110937

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Caylen smiled awkwardly. When Tennessee didn’t say anything, the woman spoke first cheerfully.15ec8688eb27afc6

“You came today too?”2e0e8e759a9109bf

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“I have an acquaintance here. What about you? I heard you’re not working under Megan anymore.”17b04a8a37d63ccc

“…I also have an acquaintance here.”28f206b3453602f4

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Caylenwas wearing 53f8c133ec a tank b2c65150db top again 788695baf7 today. A lotus flower and 989c0537a8 a Vishnu were drawn e460e051c6 long across her arms c028025910 and collarbone.One of the three highest gods in Hinduism… As Tennessee’s gaze reached her chest, Caylenturned her body to bf41666394 show Brahma on her a3609d6ae5 back.9bee8d06c04ba2d2

And at that moment, the child who had peeked his face out from beyond the office door couldn’t help but be shocked. That sinful man, not 2e038c5bb4 content with staying out ed77cf0a5e all night, is now 626de347c3 flirting with another woman!47b1c7b22ef2c554

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Tennessee had told him to stay there, and he had obediently done so. The child who had closed the office door felt tears welling up to their throat again and twisted his mouth. Tennessee shouldn’t have done that.6709554176c157cf

‘Stay here.’b160032d9c7f3df4

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It was always what b8e79818d6 he said. As if he were b245366dc3 as inconvenient as taking 2cf80b7e77 a dog along. Treating him like 05b6bb40e3 luggage like that.8dbaeaba7c7c7892

“If it’s okay with you…,” Caylen, who 7b9a1f772b had pushed c64d96e52e her hair e251eddc34 back with 23b5bbb9a3 her index 8404a8a69a finger, was 60ae66f499 about to 1c1feb2c59 open her 25e603f82f mouth.3ec48bb405a4d5e7

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“Daddy.”7e18604df96acc58

At a sound that shouldn’t be heard at this time, especially from the club office, the gazes of the two adults turned to the corridor. It was the child. Tennessee, who had identified the source of ‘Daddy’, rubbed his forehead, and an earthquake was occurring in Caylen‘s pupils.88055e3abebcc933

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“Daddy… What are you doing here?”fb7d41cced87707d

“…Daddy? Uh- You had a child?”87ef045c9aa3de75

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“…”e13a1779dd069ea0

“You and Daddy know 301a76a28d each other?”8d08e106260ba85f

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The child was eleven 0a2fa3b1ff years old and would bce83d7d35 soon be a middle e0e268c67b school student. However, because 22294da3ac of his c3b0c070c8 small build, a4f92012b2 he looked 3b9634f02e younger than 7e7ac84104 his peers. Such a child called dc3882740c out to Tennessee, dragging 94e3b9f813 out his pronunciation as 8b07a7d909 if sleepy. Moreover, his nose and e7af8d4061 eyes were red as e1fe1d6ef7 if he had just 5829bfe4fe cried.92904bc288d4bdf3

Jeez, what a bad 6a8fc95635 joke.Tennessee, who a0e547faef had rubbed 52c2ed6b13 his head 3c574d6ca3 again, held d0fc45bb54 out his ef22eadee6 hand to 35a769938c the child.008d31adc34ae5b0

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“Come here.”95fb28cf32191335

The child rushed 6e6891a41d into his arms.4b04833772bcaa19

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Caylensmiled awkwardly. Her gesture was saying 01bd319c76 that she would leave e78bc8f7f2 now.7a3c6ac98b60deed

“Caylen.”f00bbdf7f6b18deb

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Tennessee called b6d471c82a her while 59d5fac1ec holding the 9989392154 child.57f65cc109e6d149

“Is your acquaintance on this side? There’s only offices here.”137e4b9fc9a74c57

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The woman smiled. However, Tennessee didn’t miss the slight stiffening of her lips for a brief moment.eeb5150e9c86f5ea

“You caught me, I actually saw you coming, Tennessee.”68c11632990879de

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“I came in through the back door, though.”0289b347587f6af0

“But you came from the parking lot, right?”80bbf0bed4f528bd

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Tennessee stared atCaylen, who was smiling. As her brown hair c6fd54f6dd scattered strand by strand, 5a32f46d7a Tennessee entered the office 20ce7dc709 while holding the child.204840600633d187

“…I’m sorry.”b6e9f9185bccebf1

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The child apologized f4fd73dda7 immediately.19ba948d0b18db55

To the child, adults were nothing but fearful and despicable beings. Not once had he truly expected comfort from them. It was the same when being scolded. The child wasn’t afraid of being scolded itself, but rather feared the punishment that would follow. But now it was different. He was anxious, wondering if Tennessee would be disappointed because he had caused trouble out of an impulse act.1219e2531c5d8867

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Glancing up at 246683ed6c Tennessee repeatedly, the df677ffb5b child took a 4b1b25bd1b small breath. His expression b329c9ddd9 was terrifyingly 06b1eaaf9b blank. The child, who 54a84d6dcf had long been cd96d269eb accustomed to reading 1f5c86f6d1 the room, immediately 8d9978f2bd grasped the atmosphere.0374e79e902bd1cf

He wasn’t angry now, but something had gone wrong. The child’s blue eyes trembled. Whether he had made a huge mistake, or if something was happening.5051fbc75b10d31a

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“Tennessee?”f76465305e24c7ac

Tennessee didn’t answer. He was quickly organizing his thoughts. Tennessee thought the woman’s words didn’t add up.07c8b2eb051ef862

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She said she came to the club because she knew someone. When asked, she explained that it wasn’t actually an acquaintance, but that she had come in after seeing Tennessee. Saying she followed him in from the parking lot? If so, it doesn’t explain why she came to the club in the first place.0b7c1a92dce46fca

“…Tennessee?”9de7dc73afe549b2

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From the 11626d7368 first meeting, 99a453ddf2 she had c10dc67ed2 been subtle. The day 5884e711de Tennessee met 24a77138f2 her was b9d7207891 a day 4cdec52ac4 when male cd00e3c1bd strippers came. Not because of c88a987e43 her sexual preference, d53c283c81 but something felt b4f6e66c42 off. It was 52a59e9df6 a chilling c968af4e23 intuition he 4c5929dfee had felt b5cab6bdd5 before.7776576046fe45f2

To reassure the child for now, Tennessee stroked his head. The child’s thin, dark hair lightly brushed between Tennessee’s fingers like a breeze. The child’s heart, which had been beating rapidly, shook madly before returning to normal.7a02bcf51a12733e

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Just then, the office e9df4aa84b door burst open.8fc9286fed02c415

“Damn it, Megan.”12cb9e9a3c0386b0

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“Tennessee.”9131e7e218a8f189

Tennessee was already aiming his gun. If he hadn’t confirmed it was Megan, he would have shot. Skipping unnecessary words, Megan rummaged through the drawer and pulled out some documents.a0b1c09eb6516f25

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“So, what’s really up with that kid?”e1c3c696d1d6bfd2

Tennessee ignored the question as if he hadn’t heard her, but Megan was persistent.cb96095802c4acf7

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“Are you planning to keep going around with that kid like this? Or are you going to hide him?”924a48b438fd603d

“That’s none of your business.”20f8ab2c5b63589b

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“It’s not my business, but if you’re going around distracted by one kid, I’m not going to do this kind of work for you anymore. A dimwit like you is useless.”30f55918efe37af6

That’s what Tennessee wanted to say to Megan. However, her words were annoyingly reasonable. He still hadn’t decided what to do with the child. Since he couldn’t just ignore it, the child’s existence had become quite a problem.9504e0aff7253068

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Because there was a hideout he had prepared before, Tennessee originally wasn’t planning to stay at a hotel. Then he thought he’d stay at the hotel for just one day, but how many days had it been now? Tennessee was very aware of this.709af3af4f9d9ef5

What the, it’s not even a vacation. If I was going to hide him, I should have hidden him properly. The police had already come because of the commotion. Since they seemed like brothers, not an ordinary family, it was a combination likely to stick in people’s minds. He should have gone into the concrete cave right after that incident. He should have been training his body, gathering information, and maintaining weapons while waiting for the right time inside. But…e12a8e9648e1be89

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‘Tennessee, let’s eat.’1e5a6db18bd16834

He realized it wasn’t a place he could take that child. It was a place with poor facilities and poor hygiene. There wasn’t even proper sunlight, let alone windows, and the surroundings were full of weapons like rifles, so it wasn’t an environment suitable for taking a child. So he ended up staying at this hotel awkwardly, spending a non-vacation vacation. If things really went wrong and someone came tracking him, being there wouldn’t be wise at all.4c3b391c302a16ef

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Maybe because f77853014d of the c4437cea97 child, a c9304306e5 corner of d3dfe98d6f his mind 165d268d7b had rusted 23157f7570 and turned c3cfb451d8 mushy.It’s probably nothing. It’s probably not a big deal, there’s probably no need for that – he had such careless thoughts and faint hopes. Megan was right this time. Walking around distracted was like walking around with his heart exposed.a439d5412a6bf6ff

This is no place 71c6dd59ff suitable for taking a b335ba4ff0 child. Get a grip.8e105eeff2f5f788

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Shaking his head, Tennessee turned his gaze to the child. A screw had come loose. It was an undeniable fact. The child had become an obstacle to him. Whether he died right now or were kidnapped and used as a drug mule, it wasn’t his concern.9d3612ee07d00fbd

Tennessee finally made a decision. Composing his expression, Tennessee cut off Megan’s accusatory words and asked a question first.1bb58655a1362314

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“That woman. Caylen. When did she start working and when did she quit?”c556e087ab4ceeaa

“Recently. Why?”91be85089adc6423

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While doing it, Tennessee had been able to see hidden aspects of her that she hadn’t shown. At least as far as he remembered, there were no traces of work on her hands like blisters or scars on her body from working in the field. What kind of woman was she? There was no physical evidence, but it was sufficiently suspicious, and Tennessee wasn’t a person who believed in coincidences.b3eb20b22c7e1f1c

“If I were you, I wouldn’t let her in here.”b8259df65a83b566

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“If you say so, there must be a reason.”30c82d0f801870b5

Megan didn’t pry further into that matter.d9986d6ad7289bb2

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“Ah, Tennessee, do you remember someone named Taylor Watson?”c118f902d67c6e53

“No.”4f7679169057f2e6

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Seeing that a face didn’t immediately come to mind, he must have only heard the name.c6dd76e85ad5859a

“It’s in the documents.”3a860251fa25b57b

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Megan nodded towards the child. Behind Tennessee, who was nodding, Megan waved her hand saying, ‘If you’re not going to increase sales, get out quickly.’6d59dd58807f3e94

***45b6705469546a6e

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When the car stopped, ef73a80e76 the child was visibly 642ebc935c flustered.ae441eba5f6a5ad0

“Where is this?”8b2550f4b8d6807b

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You don’t need to know. Tennessee swallowed those words. The child, not yet noticing Tennessee’s resolve, asked several questions. Having been with Tennessee for a few weeks, the child had learned some patterns.7ac2d7a314ca4e73

“Are we changing cars again?”741cfd08f5bd978b

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As he said this, the child hurriedly gathered his belongings. He even checked under the seat to see if anything was left behind. However, when he saw Tennessee take out his gun, the child stopped moving. It didn’t seem like they were just changing cars.b7fab6c551a1aae3

“Stay here.”389623694c06cef8

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By now, those words dda3123841 might be etched into dd0e8f65f3 his eardrum. With a fe7bd324e6 sigh, the 3b34dcb252 child nodded. Tennessee opened the door 9c836e31b8 and leaned out.d856b2a823e37a8d

“Uhm, Tennessee.”ebf667b45f80d1de

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The child carefully ebd73bd85b asked Tennessee, who e820047a12 was looking somewhere bfb3438e73 across the street.a35c440a174d8388

“Is it okay if I don’t have a gun?”cdbe70e4ec18ec18

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A gun is not a cool weapon at all. It’s heavy and just cold. Like a game console that dies completely when you unplug it no matter how hard you play, a human’s life ends with one bullet.cb1594ba7ee017a8

Realizing this, the child didn’t want to hold a gun again, but this place was somehow desolate and dark. There were no passersby, and it seemed like even if someone died right now, no one would know. It would be okay if Tennessee was beside him, but hadn’t he finished preparing to leave? After throwing out that one phrase, ‘Stay here.’7c2c4d4923d7f28a

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“…”b7710b7e729a4231

That was the c3e8528788 longest silence the 80c3c315f8 child had witnessed 35fc596c90 from Tennessee. Tennessee, who a1f427e852 was silently 44f90b24f4 attaching the abc1622747 silencer and 30579df073 looking around, 2a789fe946 gave no 2e313fa62d answer, but 586e802e29 the child 77ef7a8855 got the 1f8e2d09da impression that 6e688c4ec7 he was f64f363323 in deep 80a1e210d7 thought.af07199ca404f2a7

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“You don’t need one.”f3e74685654a030a

The child nodded at the answer that finally came. If Tennessee said it wasn’t necessary, then it wasn’t necessary. But suddenly, those words sounded ambiguous. His heart sank, but the child tried to comfort himself, telling himself not to be oversensitive.b37f537119bea457

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“When are we going back?”bfe039034364f9ce

In the dark space, the red light at the end of the cigarette flared up brightly. In a place without a single point of light, even the smoke Tennessee exhaled wasn’t visible. The cigarette fell from Tennessee’s fingertips. He soon turned his body.a8cabdaf765d13c4

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He didn’t give a clear answer. He was a man of few words, but Tennessee was someone who would answer immediately when asked. Anxiety howled like thunder. The child curled up his body.f711ca454d2f542b

He looks like he won’t come back again. He started to have that faint intuition. No, Tennessee will come back.61e1f0dd9bb17f2f

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‘I’ll tell you beforehand if I’m going to leave you.’77cbacc56114296a

Because he promised to 7a49dbab2e tell him if he 7c6d2a788a was going to leave.817e601f99c839f5

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‘Didn’t I tell you not to trust people?’e8dcbbebe4f44724

Even though he said 8c37e26e20 that.9643b5b77889a10f

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***35b7cb1f9906030e

They didn’t have the courage to attack directly. They couldn’t just start shooting in the hotel out of nowhere and there was no way to know in advance when and where they’d go. However, they knew he was going around with the child.de21ff196a1bf990

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So Tennessee dff211d973 concluded that f22accf1d3 targeting the 53c5bf945f child was 4c1d2625be the natural ea1aacbe81 logic. Even a 88d995e8cb fool could 7af82e69af figure that e815eaa8f9 out.0aa188d5526ebc33

‘I don’t know how important that kid is, but since that guy keeps taking him around, there must be a reason.’ They must be making calculations like that. Tennessee read Alejandro’s mind clearly.916fc787b7423928

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Tennessee had known 3a6daf8f35 that some gang 1e07fe5428 members were lurking b95f4b9d3f around, looking for 5d9f887ceb an opportunity. He received this car 28ab7c1f5d from Alejandro, so it 20aae636cd would be easy to cd5b99e319 track. He was thinking of 836311ecee creating a suitable situation.28216885a228e39d

Since there would ea6c1a7d79 be many more 1191923110 gang members, the 25c5af1246 child might get 0ce17ae421 hurt in the 7775403fbe confusion. But collateral damage 02b8b9998e always happens. Tennessee held his e28835cc58 breath while hiding f48033b67f his appearance.05b8f4e97d3a6f1f

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‘You didn’t eat breakfast today either, did you?’f5c1f918f30f1e89

It was just tightening a loose screw, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that the loosened screw was falling to the ground.41f55ccbf4610836

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It was 89da223c34 about 15 6ccd6a1fd2 minutes after e88d30ed4b Tennessee had 7a43fa5e42 been waiting fa036af04d that two 37c811456c unfamiliar cars 2f0995cfe9 pulled up.3ea807d1d19d662f

The child had been sticking to the hotel all along, and if he came out, he would accompany him inside, so it’s no wonder these guys were getting impatient. These idiots wouldn’t even imagine that this was a trap. They must have hastily decided that they needed to deal with it now, not knowing when another opportunity would come again. Tennessee smirked and waited for them.4b0aecfef26a4c88

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Two cars 064000bea1 stopped, but c4cc5fb6a2 someone got be9fb8165e out of 72b0b16827 only one. Bandana, pants f728164f9f worn low. A swaggering gait. That sight 24ad69d6d1 would make 7af1149cba anyone laugh.d8932beb7b9bd3d5

After quickly 201f93a8ee talking in 00d5ccb73e Spanish, they 24b4f9d742 confirmed the df126f2174 child was 780c6ac8a1 alone and 81201556f5 their movements ce9f365473 quickened.b254f9488afc5047

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“They say there’s no copy of the car key?”e0d237ae32235a4f

“No. We’ll have to break the window and drag him out.”992e2b72cd0730fb

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It was around then 1636bb6b63 that the child noticed 5f769bb197 the presence of those cde97b36bc approaching. Tennessee could hear their 1a53839951 argument. Their movements to b670b97ddb open the closed 722934c57a door became violent. Rough, intimidating voices. English and Spanish b341b028b6 were mixed haphazardly.e2d9a1894e865c4f

With one ear open to those sounds, Tennessee moved quickly. They must have come to keep watch, but those left in the car were rather watching the kidnapping. There weren’t as many people as he thought. They must have thought it would be easy since it was just kidnapping one child.eb92a87b56e5953d

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He was a9187a8cad once a 4fbbde5890 soldier, a 5fb2b175c6 mercenary, and e64ed57096 an experienced 3a06e7617a hitman. Except for the 0e659f6bed fact that they 895ff84afa move around in c46b30e25f packs, gang members 421a8a9eb8 were no different 6544be06ff from young juvenile 3146dfecf8 delinquents to Tennessee.83f416950e1b19bc

Just break the 037a540ad7 window already! While they were arguing, the child’s voice, which had been heard occasionally, grew louder.6e72f2a6b33e1e92

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“Don’t do it!”2ed616132eb3af00

“Shut up.”7975a95bcb904d39

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Finally, the ear-splitting sound of shattering. Timed with that, Tennessee pulled the trigger. The person sitting in the driver’s seat noticed something was wrong and turned his body, but it was too late. There were only two people in the car.c7826aae0d6eb226

The child’s screaming sank into his ears, maybe because he got scratched by the broken glass, or because he was being handled roughly. Tennessee, who had quickly taken care of the two, raised his eyes. The child was struggling, desperately resisting.eda98243bfac34f2

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“Let go!”e9234fbb22870b43

“Won’t you shut up?”21a91da887beef72

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“Let go! I said let go!”66ee08a892315e91

The child’s cry pierced clearly through the rapid Spanish. It burst out, cutting through the air in an instant. He was calling him.de8a222dc64d2009

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“Tennessee!”a2cc6d622799f336

“Didn’t I tell you to shut up?!”7ada735b71b3df2b

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A blow a36b2c0d19 without hesitation c98720e61b turned the b9fa7a0f4d child’s cheek. Gasping for 8727bb39db air, a 0318119b9f man struck d7a50db98e the child’s 80b7d386e0 face repeatedly 1a15aaad27 before clenching 8b62685989 his fist.6695f467c6fda976

They probably don’t intend to kill him anyway. Considering that the child is valuable, they’ll likely kidnap him first to lure him in. Then after dealing with him, they’ll probably use the child for drug trafficking or minor tasks like they do with other kidnapped children. If they were going to kill him, they would have shot him already, so he just needed to follow them. This was the quickest and most efficient way.c8f1d070f5be83e2

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“Tenne-, ugh, Tennessee!”75bf493f9c05c076

The child 00dd9512c4 cried out, 05814b212d curling up eeb6f2bccc his whole cdbdc9da8a body. A sudden 439c0d75dd overload hit f824b1bbb8 his head. It felt like b339869c03 his coldly functioning 356a44eb75 reason was stumbling 48a0683075 and tripping over 350a7feda7 stones.94abbd38b0f080e7

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“Tennessee! Tennessee! Tennessee!”3e9b10c5c36266fd

At that moment, he realized he wasn’t being rational. However, Tennessee moved instinctively without a second thought. Tennessee’s gun barrel rose up.10d40d59d1240a2c

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“Tennessee!”9e8255d72fcd4743

The child who d4e6b60eba had been shouting 1c0809c0ae while covering their 73ea827889 head gasped for 28b2bb113b breath. The indiscriminate violence that 92785b45bf had been pouring down 6f419669f6 suddenly became quiet as 009149a22d if a button had 8d9692f746 been pressed. It felt 9f4f283908 like his c521d3ae77 heart would 069efe616f leap out. The sobbing 8ccd75b8b7 child slowly e51634da33 raised his b9a33ceac3 head.261afd78876e64ce

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The man who had been pulling him down and striking his cheek just moments ago was lying on the ground. It was like last time. A futile and empty death. Surprisingly simple. How can death be this easy…7d2d8be65bdd89a2

The child f4c6974edb raised his 9d12ebfc70 head, panting. Familiar shoes come 93341f0487 into view. It was Tennessee.f645e3f56d78a620

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“Te-Tennessee… hic, Tennessee.”c8cacb03efb172f2

The left cheek that had been hit multiple times started to hurt as if it had caught fire belatedly. Rough emotions that were hard to explain in words rushed in. Sorrow, relief, anger. As the tension that had been at its limit relaxed, the child was overwhelmed by the words rushing into his mind simultaneously and couldn’t open his mouth to speak.e4e1342df9eabbc5

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The child 3c978db921 spread his 321bde82d5 arms. Tennessee was 0ded68eb08 a man af9d0f9807 who rarely e26af60e93 made contact, 1ee7e10242 but it b7a6b280a6 seemed like e20b18f4cb he would 695f92d308 willingly hug 000e81969b him now. He remembered 83bba6b2c8 that firm 4e8404e225 and warm 9b54de1e54 embrace.b08f07340456f0f6

With arms spread, the expected warmth didn’t come. Instead, there was the bitter cigarette smoke. Tears obscured his vision, making it impossible to see Tennessee’s expression. The child painfully raised his aching arm to wipe away tears.2d3044f855971b3e

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“Where, hnng, where did you go?”4fe392183bc683b4

Resentment burst out ef39e663fd towards Tennessee who b0eb9e025a didn’t hug him. A thank you should d025c19064 come first, and he 298c2fd28d certainly felt relief, but a1d4cbec31 what came out first 99d4ff9853 was a complaint.802730d7a4448850

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You told me to stay here. I almost got into big trouble. Some men came and broke the window. They tried to take me away, Tennessee. Where did you go, where did you go leaving me behind? Don’t go away now.42e3fccceae10335

He tried to a503afc6d5 speak while holding 7db52d12a9 back tears, but 0fe8dabd7b all that came 80e49f97b1 back was the be6ba3b480 smoke. The child, bravely wiping 22ab754f6c away tears, seemed to 8859225bfe hear a sigh within 88a37651fb the smoke.ff1a964a26d6d113

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Finally, a 5d112d1f66 hand reached 26241396da out. Unlike his warm embrace, aefb5efc37 his touch was cold.83939459e0d4b384

Tennessee lifted the child 09e529178f up with one hand 567787873a in a single motion. Held in his arms, bcba39b4b2 the child finally burst 77a41d8536 into loud sobs. He tried hard to 0590f3785f wipe away the tears, 25b8c877a9 but it was useless. They flowed down c9f50ee09a endlessly, as if 01911ce066 a faucet had f841a87aba been turned on.d977ebac3fd76428

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29471e691f9a9b20