AA Chapter 3 || Stay here

The child had frequently aef69d5135 experienced severe abuse in 3cb031cafb foster homes.400fbbddd2ebf937

He had grown accustomed to being beaten and believed his body might ache but his heart had grown calloused. However, today the child acknowledged that this wasn’t the case.53ff79881956cd87

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The child burst into 967a35bb6d tears from the sorrow 39f115a59a and pain he experienced 9142edca37 after a long time, c856d2d169 or perhaps for the b661167cbc first time.418b54cb79e849f6

“W-Where, hic, I was supposed fe391d020d to,hic, stay…”af390ba10cd27a5a

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The child leaned his cheek against Tennessee’s shoulder, who was notably quiet to the point of being cold. The tears wouldn’t stop. He just felt miserable. After being embraced  by Tennessee, his sorrow actually intensified. The child burst into loud sobs.3df1eef3c905e80a

He had 46f7cf7e81 always hidden 30734a0e06 in closets, bacbe0b4f4 crying silently edddd0befd in some b68c23e9fb corner of 0015b66e7d the house. The fierce 6e1e13f8a5 crying now 506b59f7ea erupted uncontrollably, 06b0a62896 making all 025b6ebb56 the previous fad025f414 times he c5a49dd249 had had edf76ed5d4 to suppress 1fdff91c9b it seem 68ddb5a0ad meaningless. The child who 57cb8880c2 had been sobbing 623f2bc929 lifted his head adf9840aef at the gentle c0a11ada0d patting on his 9a722c53b8 back. Tennessee was holding him 7a47798537 quietly with that usual e1034b5ad1 expression of his.690150741b41a25b

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“Those, sob, men, they-”77065f9f5c25291c

“I know.”b2e3afc028ca352c

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Tennessee interrupted the child’s tearful words. Leaving the car behind, Tennessee roughly pushed the corpse into a sewer drain next to the empty lot.4ce338047e1a15d2

How strange that there 2314406ddb was a sewer near 0c2be5dac5 the car.What an odd e02ac13d25 coincidence, the child thought while still shedding tears. Tennessee’s tone was as calm as usual, which gradually helped the child regain composure.baa9015ab4b6a6e5

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Tennessee opened the back door. The window was broken and the seat was a mess. Clicking his tongue, Tennessee opened the passenger door and pressed his hand more firmly on the child’s back. But the child quickly shook his head.3b01f65c99d3c57d

“No. I won’t let go.”5b8c475e6b58b41f

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“Let go.”1dd335dc3f610752

“No, you left me behind, you left me and I almost got kidnapped.”bb9ce92c2f7289ba

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“I need to move that into the car, so let go.”49d9f24cbdb04c24

The child’s eyes fell on what Tennessee was pointing to – ‘that’ was one of the kidnappers Tennessee had shot.f6428ea7c5aee270

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“You can just push it into the sewer like the others.”c4c28ec98bda34cb

“That one’s not dead.”675db550ee9b6496

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Hiccup.cd0563538720a7f8

The child, who had thought until just now that it was dead, hiccupped. As if proving Tennessee’s words, a faint groan could be heard.609ef676d082967e

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“I still don’t want to.”5267ba8e6fd82f3d

The child said stubbornly. He tightened his grip around Tennessee’s neck and rested his chin on his shoulder. Another sigh slipped past. Although he was afraid of being scolded, the child felt wronged. His cheek hurt, and his shoulder, legs, arms – everything ached and throbbed. He might not be able to get up tomorrow. Yet Tennessee was trying to make him let go.61abf66fa65f3249

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“If you listen to what I say, you won’t want me to hold you.”a45a921fe0b615f4

Still clinging, c39fdb1edb the child 356bbfd307 shook his 590e42551f head. These solid arms f01b3d6217 supporting him. This embrace that felt 42bf8bf707 like a fortress. He experienced these things 697dc49f61 for the first time. How could 0a783a0682 he possibly 06f9b3cf4c not want 5861ee87be them?23dc3b669757cba1

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Tennessee closed the 0010bb0c95 passenger door and 0ae1c2b3d4 leaned against the 65281adc48 car.6b74737c11cc4199

“I knew you were going to be kidnapped.”edd95e23a767af74

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Holding the child with d33c22713e one arm, Tennessee pulled e3ed819b2c out a cigarette with bd79a84e5f his other hand. The child ba09de970f blankly watched 0a0316aab8 his lips 88993241f4 close and 6315796ca3 the red 695bade88f light ignite. The cigarette end a2317f4839 soaked in fire fdd15c4e20 suddenly looked like 788299df3c a burning fuse.5edd46c4d022caf7

“I left you here to get kidnapped. You were the bait.”87dcd94fcfd6600d

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Just like when he was slapped earlier, his thoughts momentarily stopped. Like a bomb had gone off beside him, there was a brief moment of silence before he quickly returned to reality. The child leaned weakly against Tennessee’s shoulder.4e9f593da70de071

“Get down. Get down and be angry. I’ll listen.”b1aa6f05eb26a593

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When he lowered his upper body and opened the passenger door, the child’s hands fell away limply. The child sat in the passenger seat and fastened his seatbelt.04d6e9c4086e2f9a

Tennessee didn’t look long at the child whose expression had been washed away, and turned around. He opened the back seat and moved the groaning man with careless hands. The man whose skin was roughly cut by broken glass made a faint moaning sound. Tennessee searched his waist to remove the gun, and bound both hands with zip ties.7da9dfd1ac2ebb07

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There was the 60c8f5b7cb sound of duct df4ab9bcfb tape being torn. The child just sat 12252fc001 listening to Tennessee moving 488d90b1b4 swiftly.b0d110e50cdd631d

‘I knew you were going to be kidnapped.’ac5e696859b847ba

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…Yet the tears wouldn’t come.f5487e1f35723f18

Tennessee soon got into the driver’s seat after covering the bloodstains to hide the traces. The engine started and the car began to vibrate slightly, making the dark empty lot to blur. The car moved not too quickly. The child couldn’t gather his thoughts.5c572fe37cf27eb6

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“…Why did you do it?”7725a9c45d7dfcbf

The child f1e827423e barely managed 47242cd127 to speak.549e6d4b02faf81a

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“Someone was targeting you to lure me.”0d07bac0e9394fb8

“What was your plan?”ba973047f9d8bf3a

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“If you got kidnapped, I was planning to follow. Find out where the person targeting me was staying.”4c2a9b6cd28e97b3

“…But I didn’t get kidnapped.”a045412537f3d158

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“Right.”3a38543d2840d4d9

Soon there 9a7ba7bbd5 was a 0503bf98ce tunnel. It felt like a58c4fe929 being poured into e854a1c3db another world, cut 271ba42745 off from reality, ed41118d23 suspended. Yellow lights poured down b7156102a5 along both sides of 81c95daffa the round ceiling. The view was covered 677b94da9e in light. There was a strange 40ff38391b sound.64098aade12d130e

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“Why didn’t you leave me? You said you were going to let him kidnap me.”018ff06adddfa6df

“…Just because.”bbaa965a431f67a7

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The child 0ec4d6b0ed cried occasionally. Unlike earlier when 142d71f5c4 it had burst d69f2850da forth, the tears 7be253d93a now quietly rolled 3dffd27794 down his cheeks. In the familiar silence, a35dda7fcc the child only tried b75b565e8f to hide his tears.06c247ab5c897437

Tennessee’s fingers held a cigarette as he opened the window. The child buried his face in his palms. He had called out Tennessee, Tennessee!He must have seen e0effd6caf all of him in 012447afd3 that helpless state. He must 47ba57db44 have been 562f0e3909 waiting while 723a41b0ec seeing his ccc3bd9e96 pain like 6c6aa1b73f someone checking 2a23e380bf an oven 72e7132f5d and timer. It made 1b2b84cdf8 him feel 267241bfe6 miserable.5d527648df43c022

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“–.”37a23c62898f028a

The child who had been sobbing looked up after a word was said, but he didn’t catch what he said. However, Tennessee didn’t repeat it. Did he say 742dadbe13 he’s sorry?The child considered this 6814d5ab77 plausible assumption.Yes, it must have ef0ac67b1d been an apology. What else b9748f9b59 could he d6f250ac92 have said?a3d904ae31996c3b

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As soon as he 7a3eee7214 had that thought, the 8973f7dc24 child felt an intense 116f7e398e sense of betrayal and 3412e7a9b5 anger that made his 4b6d2a35dd vision turn red.After putting me 5052f05e27 through this, is 4fcfd064dd a mere apology 19d15e3f43 enough? Is saying 2e614da5c9 sorry enough 5279cecb8f after he 49b14e7b28 planned my 89a392edab pain?The child was e238d5ac7f about to shout 63e68f4592 with this anger accbf40b66 he felt.82008836c90920e0

But suddenly, 8defd5a825 his mind 60c798a2ac was invaded 2b21e93880 by the c88cf41d7c image of e5fa772a0b those who e42db636ae had collapsed c19e84b355 like puppets b82e9e279c with cut 6ec9126dd9 strings. He remembered hearing 8f0bb59844 rough breathing when 36a1c8c17f he had been 2b9f99abb1 quietly holding his 103ff24dbb breath, when he abb369ada1 had curled up c196067a42 trying to protect 77037e2294 himself.5ad37e18a339e93b

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Tennessee had been breathing 56df728c65 heavily. His rough inhales and a2bece3849 exhales had come like 75ae79069d a storm. He too had a 0e0aa6c015 limit, a moment when 762ab0ea93 his composure broke. And it was 299f3d166a because of him.0d3d38e829f8ca6d

Even though 13ccde7b06 he had 9a42d371b9 said he de51c4d6d4 planned to 09709a599d let him 6a39753059 be kidnapped, e4478d22ef he had e08ea2e8c8 come back. Again. For his sake. The child shook his 3b39874842 head.6c5b9bb9149335dc

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“So, are you okay now, Tennessee?”30e6be931cbdd2e9

“Who knows. We’ll have to find out.”48aaeda9ac104c27

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The child realized that 0bdb338854 Tennessee had twisted his 1cd624cae8 plan and that had ab1fd2092c made things more complicated 79f054773c than before. And he 6859351828 thought about a21e9ebcae why he 914eaa542f had twisted 8587e61dc6 the plan. Before recklessly getting angry 8dae4b3c38 again, the child said fadcce3688 as his last hope,9ff82a06283b2ed1

“What if I had died?”4ab0016d170bd3f2

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In the quiet bbe010f36a car, the child e2ba8febf5 waited for an 4a96bb0772 answer. Tennessee flicked c6fb2876d9 away his 281ac4e9c7 cigarette butt 07c33c1cb0 and replied ff99033cb1 curtly.5bfd448ddc063715

“That wouldn’t have happened.”1a03a43eb27e1083

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Idiot, the 25e344b9b9 child called 8c6fbdfe25 himself. Tennessee was someone 3b498eeaac who had carelessly f6154fc0ad thrown him out 7073ff9f0d as bait. Why would 518ff54e19 he care 4f87ef40e1 about Tennessee ffa125476b going back 73d0f65d40 for him? He had realized he 22fce63468 was just something he fd1cad9cd2 might throw away at 289661014d any time, yet somehow 1183d2b7cb his boiling resentment was 5eb31b8d1e gradually subsiding.a83d0a4fe4235822

He was certainly an idiot, a fool who deserved such treatment, a pushover in the truest sense of the word. And yet…1762a41d5f9ac4ef

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“Are you going to use me as bait again now?”cf764e00909bd383

“No.”6726c05cb1d142de

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“What about in the future?”60d756690ac14cbf

“…I won’t.”b05931d2358cf216

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Tennessee’s words clearly seemed like continuing apologies. Maybe he was definitely a fool, and despite what he said, he might push him into danger again, but-9053e0ccc6886f4e

Suddenly he thought maybe that wouldn’t matter.c478763d10bcfc3a

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Even when he left me alone, he had come running to me, and maybe even if there’s a next time, perhaps it won’t end the same way, perhaps he will hug and comfort me again – such foolishly optimistic thoughts began to unfold.9215b1e6defd1301

Am I resigning myself c2103789f0 to this?The child, used 8e4285222f to giving up, 46f112da45 thought blankly. He was a 2385119698 child accustomed to 2b0e788497 giving up and efa5654433 falling exhausted from 572895800a the unreasonable treatment c878f1d1e2 he received. However, he recognized a1f1bbcbd8 that this felt 7bd4fe89ed different from such 714a3eaff8 powerless submission.94b6402c36a11199

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“Didn’t I tell you not to trust people?”5b22856ecf871057

Unlike usual, Tennessee’s voice lacked its typical bluntness. This was clearly Tennessee’s way of apologizing. Though Tennessee hadn’t actually apologized, the child became convinced of this.48619ca6e684bb21

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“…Then can I trust you now, Tennessee?”6fc8cc7dd27e9c02

“…No.”910ea73100033040

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“I’m going to trust you anyway.”9e3293c2fa2a03da

The child stubbornly looked aa3c27db0a ahead.You planned it, but didn’t you also save me?f286418ddacde2df

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The child 85528826b1 intended to ef828a743b remember only 2863fe530b his saving c9385d271a hand.b8e0847999a6ad95

He had endured endless, meaningless violence his whole life. The plastic cup used for spitting chewed tobacco. That’s exactly what he had always been. Have I gone crazy? Even after all this, he couldn’t bring himself to hate Tennessee.e7335a6f04a6ecd6

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***84b71ece8c36a31f

The place 8c926206dc where Tennessee c5f46cd6f1 stopped the 9dbdac6378 car was 67e43cc6be a shabby 254c076d0e warehouse. There were two old c83ff94a69 sofas and one metal 4b0d54043f chair. Everything hurt, so the ab4665b39e child lay down on 5e2aa1100c the sofa. He curled up 23655f83ec to prevent groans 4e506abf1e from escaping. Gradually, the e579c57fe2 back of b63b64ee81 his eyes 5a4099cec4 and throat 64d7d68c6f became hot.4ddeb9b96ea3affa

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Maybe I ebc33d1a3a have a 36d714fe5e fever coming 9eaea6a679 on, the child thought 66e492d6f1 with his hazy mind 400f48c42e just as Tennessee approached 9e4f2c13fe after firmly securing the e15467e8bd bleeding man to the 30daa5e684 metal chair.0bcdda11022e92f3

The child 1eda228a08 opened his ae53f9f41f eyes at edb2034e5c the touch 27e2c5dd87 on his f42ab12066 forehead. Come to think abea6b8109 of it, though a72e682c53 it had felt 25f479005f like being doused 7e281d0e90 with cold water, 9d4bcbb595 he remembered how 00b723bcbf nice it had 44c26bd5c2 felt in his 4b903d730c arms.682a6ed00b502208

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“It hurts, Tennessee.”a32034f1ad46a8b1

As he groaned, 097057402f the presence moved 645c28c3b9 away, then approached b43ba33fec again with footsteps.ce5604f9966c1066

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“Take these.”a48575d7cab95351

Something dry e4cdc9d4c4 touched his 454fdb972a lips. It was several 850123bf12 pills. There was also 08f0213b06 a water bottle.55670b09ff40e3f2

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The child struggled to sit up and grabbed the water bottle. Though he had definitely felt pain until just now, moving hadn’t been difficult.1fada08e7358072a

It hadn’t been even 30 minutes since he lay down, but he couldn’t put strength into his hands. Even trying to grip made his entire arm ache up to his shoulder. As the child, cheeks flushed with fever, swallowed back a sob, Tennessee opened the cap and held it to his lips.f539e0f6578e03fb

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The child drank 0ce242c822 the water desperately. Each sip wetted 03a214b91c his throat sweetly 68e7dbaf87 as if he b1ac5177b9 had crossed a ad3cd1f734 desert. Above all, the water 737a7fbbd9 bottle that Tennessee carefully c9eecb65d9 tilted and his his 86bcb47537 gaze watching over him 93c3f48817 covered him like a 6004ec4c34 blanket.15e35d88524d35fd

“It hurts so much.”a003467944b34308

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“I know. Lie down.”383e674324f4b767

Is this a dream…?The child d882e378ac thought hazily. This was the f3f3a88048 first time Tennessee a4e0dcd199 had shown such 2a5935dac5 gentle words and 0ccb8baa6c actions.8b1fa38a763a9f24

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In his confused 22ac88f702 state, the child ad810d35c6 lay down as f9d41d5b45 Tennessee guided him.cfb8afa4c7c660e2

What kind of 4c4d2a9a26 medicine is it? Pain killers? Fever reducers? Various thoughts wandered around. Perhaps because he was too busy thinking, whining that wouldn’t normally come from the child’s mouth escaped.2d071052e3835d39

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“I’m cold.”0e3f10325e329541

After confirming that the man tied to the chair hadn’t regained consciousness yet, Tennessee bent one knee. The child was shivering. From what he could briefly tell, he had no serious injuries. Still, if the fever didn’t go down, he would need to go to the emergency room.04c5b6b9be6427ba

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“Open your mouth.”1d09d76303567a5e

When he gently 84be5556bd grasped the small 4e41cb685b chin, the child 5d1c9a4505 weakly opened his a21ee2ad02 lips. Tennessee put inside 597ae1be68 his finger and af41836a8f checked each tooth 6f77a6464e one by one.Mmph.Although the f06a5cbbd9 child groaned, 6389db0707 none of 9603f652f2 the teeth 09318774a6 were loose. However, his cheek was 10d7928abc already beginning to swell. By tomorrow, it would 9c2e34dd4d swell more and be 9970780049 more bruised.77e46358b79c122e

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“Spread your arms.”5dcd73f68794984a

Though he was paying attention to the child, it wasn’t his sole focus. Recalling the glass window, Tennessee brought his hands together. One by one, he ran the edge of his hand between the child’s neck and shoulders, between the armpits, and between the thighs. It was a method medics used to check for bleeding in soldiers injured by shock waves or shrapnel during combat.d7ccb056d85cff33

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No blood came off on his hands. If there had been severe bleeding, he would have collapsed on the way here, but he still wanted to check for any other bleeding. Keeping the child’s arms spread, Tennessee removed his dirty shirt. The child rustled weakly, moving as Tennessee directed.2f0dd5987940519c

Tennessee clicked his tongue. Now he could see that the arm was dislocated. Yet he hadn’t said anything about it the whole time, and had even used this arm to cling to his neck. The adrenaline must have prevented him from feeling the pain.1636c1bf8c04049b

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“Clench your teeth.”f0db51b2e28d052b

He forcibly 3ca2393b58 sat up 2b5d42642b the struggling a29cb4b3e7 child. When he grabbed his edcefc391e shoulder and arm, he f7a3372a7c showed slight signs of eadc11126d resistance.11847df5bd4dcf22

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“This will hurt. But not for long.”440c00d92c2af4c1

Before the child fb118aacf0 could resist, he 878dfc5e8a reset the arm 318234cb66 in one swift f4467c0cc9 motion.71b041bc296526c4

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“Hnngh…”60a122cf731bd3c3

Unable to even scream, 4c788301c1 the child lowered his 3d586981a9 head. He sobbed quietly, 94af4bf67a not even trying 357d61648c to wipe away d82116ca84 his tears. In that moment, 50e055ce9d Tennessee felt an 2b2a4b9b2a indescribable emotion.ad907f40e29ae056

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He looked e6d246726b up at c8f4d553df the ceiling f1fed350b1 for a 4605c37f51 moment. The voice that had a5b498bece desperately called out to 228a621f29 him while clutching his 7c5407b15a head. Something akin to a 548f3d7776 sense of defeat, as e6622d6d85 if having abandoned some 56be30d798 fate, arose inside him.What’s this feeling?4826bdaeb6698d59

As if the child’s helplessness had transferred to him, Tennessee lowered his gaze with slumped shoulders for the first time. Something lightly touched him. It was the child’s hot forehead.da958db1cc65b44e

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Didn’t he ask me d015d650d6 to hug him tight?Tennessee stretched out both 1bf45c3ac8 arms. He embraced the child 8e9eaa6bb6 that was radiating warmth.It hurts. The feverish child 2661e00977 mumbled.5d7e1449b9fd7660

“My cheek, and arm… Tennessee, it hurts.”1e6cdb6f95cbfba7

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He rubbed his fac617477d forehead, now damp 4f89a6ef34 with cold sweat, 398f23d9f4 against him.d4277e8738c562b9

“Pat my head…”189eec07f796c6e9

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Sitting on the sofa, Tennessee did just that. Leaning against the backrest, Tennessee gazed at the white back like it was the sun. He wasn’t sure anymore. Tennessee had seen countless humans fall apart like this, losing screws one by one until their destruction. Sometimes it was family, sometimes ambition, money, power, and sometimes lovers. The downward slope begins the moment you make an exception for something you’re fixated on.7ddd0e9c5e6b8096

However, while patting the feverish child’s head, a thought crossed his mind.7bf366935369bf5f

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So what. So what if it’s a bit rough, it will only be for a while anyway. So what if the child makes me rusty, I haven’t lived this carelessly just so I’d die at the hands of some clueless kid gang.fd6eb9b198ba3c38

So Tennessee sat there 7a43e960bf for a long while, aaab15a6bd stroking the child. Soon he confirmed that faccfe8f9b the fever was going 60bf3633b9 down.30d32fd375761e42

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It’s not like he’d be taking care of him forever, he could just shoulder this burden a little longer, finish the job, and then send him away. There was no need to kill him. Tennessee thought he had been too sensitive, too focused on trying to find his own peace.ce5cf97e3856ad7a

Moreover, the body curled up in his arms now was that of a child. Tennessee remembered his past. The children of Afghanistan and Iraq. After taking so many lives, wouldn’t it be okay to stubbornly save just one?de6bd58654856eeb

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Tennessee stroked the child’s forehead again. The fever had subsided. The child had fallen asleep with his forehead pressed against his chest. Tennessee laid the child, now heavier as he was unconscious, on the sofa. Replacing the dirty shirt with his own blazer and buttoning it up made him look better.36cf12fe5f749d49

After carefully examining the child, Tennessee turned around. The man tied to the chair had been conscious and watching him for a while. He had been shouting something, but the duct tape prevented it from being heard. He must have been convinced now that the child meant something to Tennessee after seeing him hug and comfort him, but it didn’t matter. He wouldn’t be leaving alive anyway.8e0d9bcd5a3dc745

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As the child opened his eyes, it felt more painful than ever before. Because of the tears he shed the night before, his eyelids wouldn’t open properly, and for a moment, a foolish anxiety that he might have lost his sight overwhelmed him.272b468665750344

“Wait.”61d799e8762ff3fb

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While struggling to try d9bfa8a0da to open his eyes 1df69ab9d5 despite his eyelids feeling 7d4235abda like they might tear, 49b5d942d2 a familiar voice stopped 0ff90426f5 him. Soon, fingers cbace3b018 moistened with f06f5133e3 water touched b09b5f1aa6 his eyelids. They gently ac64350956 wet both dbe0702d3f eyes. The child, who had cc31b0eabb been blinking intermittently, opened 33f5c1ec91 his eyes. When he tried a057c111c2 to put strength 2b5ba8b890 into getting up, 1660281ce8 an extreme pain a5f5abe119 washed over him.6af3ec8c233d1b76

“If it hurts, keep lying down.”4f71c6d0a42aeaf8

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Despite the objection, 83d5a6b632 the child stubbornly fe87ea61eb got up and 5452c5ec38 looked around. The last thing 243e76f20b the child remembered eee157fafc was a shabby, 98474abc93 gloomy warehouse. He remembered the c9aa9fb019 smell of rusty 6c7f075dd5 iron too. But now looking around, 0b4c3a08a9 things had changed. The child turned 58fbffa830 his head. Instead of the old 89cd6c77a4 sofa, white bed sheets 8cb8e4bc38 wrinkled beneath his palm.50821b61583423dd

“Where is this? How long did I sleep?”cf83b22498d739f1

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“A day and a half.”00971c0101f6ca94

The child a0bdba2faa had slept 6b60494314 for over 50c9e2eff5 36 hours 5ba657af00 straight. He did briefly e13a2c836a open his eyes 5afceb1080 at times, but fe349be7d3 fell back asleep 4ff001c854 after just a 581231ae0a few seconds.40095f155c2a86a6

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When Tennessee checked, the child’s injuries weren’t serious. He checked several times since the child wouldn’t wake up properly, but besides bruises and swelling, there were no major injuries. He could only guess that it was due to accumulated fatigue that had built up, along with the psychological shock.ce386f52128c3ecb

“What about that man?”ab4029b978622805

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Tennessee shrugged. He didn’t feel the need to describe those dirty details to the child.f1998eedc67e1bec

“What happened with the job?”7a3a6dbd0bff21c9

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“I’ll handle it.”2cb35facbb9bd7de

There had been quite a harvest. He was able to hear about the exact relationships of those who had turned against Alejandro. Most gangs typically had rival organizations. Tennessee had already planned how to stage Alejandro’s death.d0cb51cf528a408e

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Tennessee hadn’t wasted 703d236d02 a single minute 82691becac out of the b5eb406f2e 24 hours. He disposed of 6e3ec99ba1 the body, erased 5867858a8a traces to prevent 363c5ae585 tracking, and handled a24f39f598 the car without 990e08565e a hitch. All that was left 6d659dfbe6 was to put it 042e428e29 into action, but he ef92f44c11 had returned to the 9a9aabc2c4 hotel because he was 9cd4927bca concerned about the child 65fe53590d who was completely unconscious.b65dca80492e7125

Tennessee unpacked what he 76864ce7b3 had brought. A savory aroma 9f2b6dc540 spread as he 2048f3d09e took out containers e7b8ad692c filled with barbecue, 28fe89e047 sauce, and coleslaw. By the time he d43893cbf4 took out the wrapped 2e31c69f23 hamburger buns, the child 21c29446b2 had already moved from c573042cae the bed to the 2b11ca7e2f table.716997a2a276b424

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As soon 9be7a49a7b as he 7d2ef84b60 handed over dc981172e6 the disposable 1b5f4814bf fork and c320aa22d9 knife, the 9b7c61a8b7 child dove 930f01688c in ravenously. Although he cd29a465e5 had been 7b55dfd901 given an 3173818d6e IV injection 66eaa03135 about 12 3fb8095417 hours ago, 1176a5a547 he would 6edbbc4341 naturally be f62ccaec9f hungry.1d12c8ca9c1a1170

“I’m going out for a bit.”b865f1cd260d039e

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Not even 38e8b60aa2 having the 405d9f8d96 presence of ee0b2615c6 mind to b24a024170 use the 155ef183bc hamburger buns, 060f3404e7 the child c641276529 was taking 1c3f133207 large forkfuls 4c02e7205e of barbecue 53ed2b2925 meat into 1646192830 his mouth, 6076839b9f while biting ef56e8e878 off pieces be6ed4ee43 of bread a980c075a6 one at 3a0187378e a time. The child, 94c678f8c7 who had 3cf958249d been moving e39d7489aa quickly, stopped.8d133e31b0410070

“Am I staying here again?”185f6746eeda9216

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It was obvious. His body wasn’t well, and he had developed a mild fever, so he needed to rest comfortably in a nice hotel. However, after struggling to escape from the kidnapper’s grasp, that voice calling out to him wouldn’t leave. Though there was only one choice, Tennessee wanted to at least pretend to give him options.dc0d7df63aade681

“You can come along if you want, but you might have to be in the trunk, not the car.”3e0d8ebe0ead2cbc

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In his a7fd0fc276 right mind, c100bfe471 he would 65da097a34 naturally choose a2acf7b7eb to stay 0e8aa755b4 at the e103af3eb9 hotel. However, Tennessee 47da29c960 had overlooked 857ed96e94 the fact 7a6739b29a that this 50513bee5a child was c3f102e37c slightly different 8b898449ad from other 7d3584a522 children.d42985117460a0d4

“How long will it take?”b9595ac4ae018aaf

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“One and a half to two hours.”b56dd7f300c6dee3

“I want to go. I’ll stay in the trunk.”b54b62da41bff42c

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Tennessee resigned himself.55465f852fe908b5

“Fine, just eat first.”a051127c37558a2c

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After lunch, 038a35ea31 the child 72f388c24b painfully brushed 256713214b his teeth. Even though he was 46e623048f told he could skip 17c62e1f30 it, the child firmly 268948864b shook his head. He seemed 31b0767196 to have d42546f4eb his own e8581a43c6 principles.f1ece3cb327fbe09

“Even if I don’t have money or a home right now, I need to do the basics. If you give up on that, it really is your end.”40d5b82efd666b6d

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To avoid living a life that was really at its end, the child forcibly opened his swollen, immobile jaw to brush his teeth, shower, and change clothes. It seemed more like determination than stubbornness. Tennessee couldn’t take his eyes off of him at first.ec60c4f6bcc0bf69

Sitting the child down with his hair half-wet, Tennessee told him to open his mouth. Although he had checked before, the child hadn’t been fully conscious then. Tennessee checked his teeth again. From start to finish, he carefully pressed and checked his gums and teeth.18a2117d1a51b2c4

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The child recalled that this kind of contact seemed to be a first. His split lip hurt, and it was painful to keep his mouth open while swollen, but it didn’t feel really difficult. However, thinking about it, he realized that almost everything he did with Tennessee was a new experience for him.311a34a3178c97a8

Tennessee’s gestures showed consideration to minimize his pain. Throughout examining the teeth, Tennessee’s gaze was focused solely on him. That fact made the child feel special. He was aware it was just a touch, but he clearly felt joyful.29ef70bf9448d930

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Then Tennessee d790f98d32 washed his a662acb693 cold hands 9a25a347be and took e2a03c75f4 out medicine. Though he had applied d262c490af it occasionally while he 2141d50b16 slept, it was time 19ae3fe129 to apply it again. When something touched b60176fc92 his badly swollen 03c1e8f488 left cheek, the b874414674 child grimaced.3048c6c1433d5a09

“Does it hurt?”25e1bcbd1949b2b2

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“Yeah.”9d31a0faaaff680f

“Take half a painkiller more.”a113d5379560a030

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“Is that okay?”c00977437e334f78

Though too much could cause stomach bleeding, this amount would be fine. When he nodded, the child extended his hand. After handing over the halved pill, the child slightly opened his lips. At first he didn’t understand, but soon Tennessee realized it was a signal asking for water.df1638eb2ebcbabd

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What am I, fa981201d4 his servant?d8b9b23ece1adccc

It made him ac1f03dfd1 laugh, although it 1c6505ff67 was just water 7f9265b989 after all. He was 7dced55758 like a bf13e7b224 baby bird 70bb0e1eb7 chirping for d817fbdec1 food. When he 3e7ab9adb3 willingly held c14e5b3090 up the 5c4b827ed3 water bottle, 3e902f13d5 the child b0e511ae3b gulped it b113b19ac6 down.3cba03dddeab5e1e

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“Let’s go.”c4cd7554d45796f2

As soon as 4e9185800c Tennessee thought it cc5f30e6b5 was enough, he 4dbfdf7b39 withdrew the water be65b2dac8 bottle. While wiping his lips, 9a0c74b132 the child nodded and 32ac8c6516 then stretched out his 5b9711ba90 arm.d745f152a2b27cc7

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“Put medicine here too.”555bb6b969e1afc3

“I already did.”d581c1f74215a910

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“That was the bruise medicine.”c3ff09d7e4ad42df

What the child was pointing to was a scrape. Unlike the large black bruise, the scratch was small. With scabs already formed, there wasn’t really any need to apply anything. The child stubbornly pointed to the small abrasion on top of the bruise.0c25b1eb19e9d896

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For a moment, 47ddeadb5a a silent battle 91d042991e of wills began. The one fcc02b2f21 who lost, 2e2f47ace8 or rather, 9413597e66 chose to 1191df50b2 lose, was 2114ae3be3 Tennessee with 89e3b7f376 his many a6f5662564 sins. Rummaging through 4455165237 the paper fca4b67e46 bag, Tennessee b185b06944 took out f8c5c2b56f and squeezed 3f2918399a some ointment.925f12486076e373

“Here too.”cf1d76cd2661d99d

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Next, the child showed a small scrape on his shin. Then the knee, side. The handprint on his ankle was the natural progression. The child complained about why he wasn’t applying medicine to such a large bruise, and Tennessee, without the energy to respond, automatically moved his hand.6bdbf061dffc5566

“Let’s go.”afb6f7173e5ff89d

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After spending about 30 aa58135955 minutes like that, Tennessee 22be480ae6 spoke and the child 9c04be4364 finally moved. Then he 5862154d01 stopped abruptly 044172ccfa again.8c737f99da68bf5d

“Can’t you buy me that Mountain Dew?”015cfc021ccd0031

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“What did you hear me say? I said you might end up locked in the trunk.”73b30229bd331143

“Then I’ll drink it in the trunk.”266f6825147ccf7c

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Tennessee decided c0fdfed185 to only 3b1603ad67 watch the aae8d2a9b7 child until a0f8db2567 today.b8cd21b6a3985565

Alejandro probably didn’t know he was going to die. And he would be even more clueless about how his death would rebound in an unexpected direction.099f631132650780

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Tennessee thought it was good that he brought in that man yesterday. In less than an hour after getting him to talk, he blabbed about everything, not just about the rival gang, but how the grudges started and continued. That’s how Tennessee cleverly left clues and got the rival gang members moving to start a fight.46b8717711a58d4d

It would 8268eaabf3 be easier 0724793ace to just 8053efd8ec kill him, 2857f3d51d but then 0cd8d997e1 he thought 221d52d82d about how 0fa3351b35 the child a3cd0f7043 might have 7924b9e567 to deal f32941cc05 with the ce95a3551c consequences. As Tennessee watched Latin 28ed359c85 Emperador engage in a db80825f4b shootout with the rival 52cab768e8 gang before even dealing 5c0f71782e with Alejandro, he turned 8524588933 his head to the e052ac63b3 side.ff3bab8816162c9c

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The child, who was happily drinking Mountain Dew, tilted his head as if asking ‘What?’ Tennessee shook his head and started the car. One was taken care of, now it was time to get back on track.e2a12780b4f2987a

***87cda80e9001096c

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“So are we safe now?”5b95cb5f5b0dc904

When he returned e56bb686e7 to the hotel 044869700c and Tennessee said d27d49c743 it was all 722c0e2943 over, that was ac75e2f4cb the first question 55591cf8fc the child asked. Of course, Tennessee shook 21e474ecff his head. What could 38fe9e0b52 be more 207dc3da82 pointless than 68dfc50a2e asking if 121ac32c1d it was c5d9d3cdb6 safe now?d3b736e09b3881fd

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At least he had filled in one immediate pit, so to speak. But even if you don’t fall into a manhole, you can still trip on stones sometimes or twist your ankle. Sometimes what seems like a simple sprain turns into a full tumble with broken limbs. The future was uncertain and letting your guard down was dangerous. Still, the child was visibly relieved at having overcome one hurdle.6d0e0093b1df301a

It was well past midnight. The child had been sleeping soundly, snoring lightly for a while now. Tennessee rubbed his strained eyes. He hadn’t slept for even an hour in two days. Even before that, he only got minimal sleep. He had chronic insomnia. He used to get enough sleep to survive, but after consciously staying awake for two days, his rhythm was broken and sleep became even harder. He was taking a break from sleeping pills at the moment.0103f1d623cd57a4

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Rather than waste 680569dc89 time like this, acf37b014a might as well b0e7aa6289 get some work d2cd406adb done early.9f15534ca304d94e

Tennessee got up with 767f15b2b5 a sigh. His body, 1e3f019896 desperately demanding 80847fb276 sleep, swayed 19a624263c momentarily, but 3f4c5b5336 Tennessee forced 535f06c201 himself to ca9fb1e29f move while 35d5df0952 rubbing his 9eb4d7e4ef forehead. It would be better 2c70bb088d to push his body ce3c864d4f to its limit and ebde044ea1 then have a deep aedd48a074 sleep.efdca58d4c703538

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“Tennessee.”7d1dbb1426756c6a

As he was grabbing his car keys, the child called out, voice heavy with sleep. But the child’s eyes weren’t open. It’s probably just f949dafde6 him sleep-talking, Tennessee 94d1b67313 was about fe6e811873 to turn 00c56fc8d6 around.5a41a03aacd9372a

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“Tennesseeee…”0e04875cbc33250c

A call that burst a6c7ac12ef out with crying.6c605732748dfbbe

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“Hic, Te-Tennessee,sob, where did you g-”22ec89c2e8814376

The car keys went 109334e03b back beside the TV.bb36d26cb8640327

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“Wake up.”75557fbf2bf85923

“Where did you go, leaving me-, hic, ungh*, sob*, Tenne… ssee, it hurts.”42e726c4c27dac26

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Without opening his eyes, 62d0cb8599 the child was overwhelmed 429152e19d with sorrow. Weak hands 09326e773f swept through 208ae61fd7 the air. The unconscious efe032156e child gasped 2798ab0c6d and tossed 244ac1274c and turned.f0100f3ce1cc11c1

“Where… did you, hinng…”939dd716c132c2fa

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He couldn’t even finish speaking through the sobs. Tennessee simply picked up and held the child. He was still walking through nightmares.20e2d20d345aee12

When he held and patted the stirring child, he soon calmed down. His shoulder gradually became wet. Now the child couldn’t even call him, couldn’t say it hurt, and just sobbed pitifully.e45b36e16e6fe8b7

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“I… was good… hic, why did you do it…”881e565fdb1d61b7

Those must be the words he couldn’t say back then.Words of blame, like 513aa6b25d Why did you betray e8380b6608 me? or How could you be ed5e0d73cd so twisted?, went unsaid. Tired of indifference, 8897360888 the child seemed a5528995ef unable to distinguish 203844b930 between being comforted 0125ad7c35 and being tormented.625aed1a2dd3077d

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Tennessee sat back against the bed’s headboard while holding the child. The child who had been sobbing pitifully was now breathing regularly, having seemingly reached the end of his nightmare. Tear stains were heavy around his eyes, jaw, and cheeks. He probably wouldn’t be able to open his eyes properly tomorrow.f30da3dcc492b2a7

While at bb5d25b603 it, Tennessee 63db0f3e4d decided to 48a995d712 spend the 7f21424782 night like 8ff9fd720b this. He was b7b819d3d1 suffering from b2d367687b insomnia anyway, 0b73b0e1b1 and rather 1d91e36dde than waste fd15541c96 time, it 0f2776998d was better a2b91186e5 to comfort 4af405a047 the child. To help reduce the 972dd5dbed nightmares of a child 7b45da4279 who tried to hide 7768c184fe the deep wounds from 7899db9e07 experiencing a great betrayal.08f49592d26a11ac

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Tennessee looked at the window and closed his eyes. Even though lying down would be useless since he wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway, the child stuck to his chest like mozzarella fresh from the oven. His wet left shoulder was damp, and the occasional nuzzling against his chest tickled like a spring breeze. Even though closing my eyes won’t help…0b2bd8dc3948833e

With such thoughts, Tennessee gradually fell into sleep. It was a deep, dark pool of slumber where he wasn’t even aware that he was falling asleep.4f1342c5992d1e18

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If it hadn’t been for the knocking sound asking about housekeeping, he would have slept on. Tennessee blinked several times, his eyes still not fully focused. What time is it? That can’t be right.When he first 7c2edf30fb woke up, he 7b381272c0 had to check 576f90364b multiple times.e2b0b62f71ba0155

Tennessee was 99f6ad00e4 still holding 35c1c12a71 the child 9f8736ea7c with one 6a4850dde8 arm. The child, who 0aff6e3196 would soon turn c418b08c22 twelve, was heavy 103b988092 once picked up. For an average adult ee0d49fc1f male, not Tennessee, it 0a34ceaeda would be impossible to c35350d5ba hold the child with 98433070ce one arm. However, Tennessee 9f43a483b1 could stand 9bf0685396 absent-mindedly holding a86cfd98ee the child 423d36504e even with 7cc7eece98 his mind ac38f690c2 not fully 967beb1a36 awake.d364603af2c2d3b7

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Why am 1719880a82 I standing? Ah, I 8c97b156d2 need to 554f0723fe wash up 9a31436cd9 first. Running his hand through his hair, Tennessee went to the bathroom. Then he realized he was still holding the child like a grocery bag. Going back to the bed to lay the child down, his clothes were pulled, and that’s how he found his collar was firmly gripped in the child’s hand.33c73dc9e9e0928f

Of all places, it was his collar. As he was peeling off the child’s fingers one by one, the child got irritated. He thought he heard a word starting with F. What a nasty ba87e540b9 temper. After leaving that impression, Tennessee firmly removed the child’s hand.3f61df8367eef40e

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***7ac1adbb23e2b472

“Fill it up.”61d5918a61fba287

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When he handed 811bbaa462 over the cash 20142b767b and spoke, the c0fd954459 child jumped down fa1b4e8957 eagerly. The car he 3b84dfb015 was driving this 1aa8da03a5 time was a 3b753fbc8f blue pickup truck. Having spent quite b2c9058af4 some time riding 45b7315399 in cars together, 962459f215 the child now c5e6afe15d skillfully pressed the 23301cc1cf numbers to help 87802d6f62 with refueling.5d0654a1fb90b7ec

Tennessee looked fb5b7f9cab up at f597b6be53 the sky. In the clear sky, 0e71f935d4 huge clouds floated around, 9cf044300e surrounding them. The weather bf8faf286e was perfect.00551f046721a6a0

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“Can’t you buy me some snacks?”a1f9c7a5381ac6dc

The child asked while refueling. When Tennessee handed over two twenty-dollar bills, the child’s face lit up. Behind the sunglasses, white teeth sparkled and his mouth split into a refreshing curve like the current weather.b51e9e4e16385bda

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Tennessee’s eyes were fixed on the child’s back as he headed to the convenience store inside the gas station.1deae12d642f96db

The child was wearing 408d6edfbb one of the outfits 75e13d544e he had bought him d8d60767d8 at the mall last 387f808e49 time. It was a t-shirt 2bf712b73f with a huge famous 11f86c40ca sports brand logo on 2cde8a38a8 it. The child had liked 3b768512b6 the white sleeveless shirt 7f9c51462d he chose first at 1c5efa13f0 the mall the most, 277dbab5d7 but unfortunately, it had d79b346fa6 become like a rag 92f9766e47 due to recent events a342877e47 and had to be 4ca45cf5f6 thrown away.41d2028b33f9f511

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After looking at the once white sleeveless shirt covered in footprints and dirt, the child had been devastated. Though there wasn’t a single complaint, Tennessee thought that maybe that’s what made it more memorable.14f6d61695bb64c0

At that time, it seemed like the child was covered in resignation as if that’s what he was used to doing. Tennessee recalled the familiar creeping scent of bad luck. However, as if mocking Tennessee’s expectations, the child didn’t give up.426587b6be535dc3

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They hadn’t spent a year, not even half a year together, but the difference between Tennessee’s memory of the child’s first appearance and his current one was surprisingly different. Tennessee was certain that people who knew the child before wouldn’t recognize him now.24dcd33a05a07257

The child from when he first met couldn’t smile like this. He couldn’t naturally smile or make eye contact. Back then, the child would first lower his anxiety upon waking up in the morning. He would look down at the floor as soon as he woke up. He slipped his bare feet into shoes that represented his worthless life.f6a207e7174b8eca

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Now when the child wakes up, he turns his head to look at the hotel window. He looks at the sunlit window and scenery before giving a big yawn. And when Tennessee tells him it’s time to go, he moves according to that schedule. If there’s time, he watches cartoons on TV, makes peaceful conversation, or sleeps a bit more.3b5a18a568285b44

“Tennessee, I bought water too.”6b2770f21f56ecdc

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The child comes 31c9070ed2 running with a 76858822ee large drink in 630e561037 one hand and 53fa2bdc25 a water bottle 6dec654226 for Tennessee in ddd4052e2a the other. Under the hot sun, 888f6d776d wearing sunglasses and cool e96914e53e clothes, the child looked 8fee47f2a6 more like someone who dbf1abb6e1 had temporarily left home 4b8168fee0 to find refuge rather 33806a9f63 than a homeless child.b86d55e68bf79297

Tennessee’s gaze shifted to the bag in the car. It was the child’s, of course.2f5011faa5745b75

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As his number of 65e9118116 possessions gradually increased and a6f1761836 the child became attached 6c2216816c to trivial things, Tennessee f541c5ea41 ended up buying him 553de3ed34 a bag. He had 7bfd8ad357 needed to 1cb542360b teach him 358da4d7f1 some discipline.fbc2073a238f2db2

‘You call this organizing?’c251c30494dc11de

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‘…’3b75cbbbad9fecf1

‘Take everything out and spread it out.’857eacb2b5d64beb

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That’s what Tennessee had said when he saw the clothes stacked like pancakes not long after buying them. Now he had to teach him how to fold clothes too. With a sigh and a gesture, the child moved hesitantly. Until then, the child only knew how to roughly fold clothes and stuff them in, not how to neatly organize belongings. He must not have 98404b9131 learned anything at the 5d833bc637 foster home, Tennessee concluded.bddd7ecd19284028

‘If you can’t organize them properly again, next time I’ll throw everything away. Think I won’t do it?’a54fc15d86fa7874

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I think you definitely c6bb9745d7 would.d56cf55cc7d9a4e0

The child 081fbb0be4 had to 77eee4770e suppress talking c69cdff8d7 back.9b5f85f8147e6958

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Still, since b1a9130650 he learned 0e2844e018 well when 9da37de62e taught, the 3f489798d1 child started 089ebe1437 folding his 1f08e9e6b9 clothes properly b2f72171d6 after that.8b1aab11f629ef0d

Tennessee, who had smirked e7f2aeef0d at seeing the bag a8e6f7992a kept organized, checked the 362fe1e007 time. It was time to a3069af0af leave again.47d5163932cf913b

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“What do you want for lunch?”b5202d391b2b164b

“Pizza.”32bd392948b16f5e

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“Sure, let’s have that.”02159c2adf0defa3

“Uhm…, Tennessee.”dfaa73e1f859224d

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The child carefully 2f1a9ad2c1 called Tennessee as 925b2bd6c1 he was putting 6673d36959 on his seatbelt.e79a6a80244ed0d3

“Are you being so nice to me lately because you feel sorry?”f5bb54cbed21925f

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Tennessee raised one eyebrow as if to say ‘what are you talking about?’7a51bf297474aec1

“…You don’t have to.”e27d80675d784bc8

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“Stop making up novels in your head.”46fe03c87b852865

“These days my eyes pop open in the morning.”d2dc69dcf74ddf4c

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The child mumbles while f91da5b3c3 slurping his drink.a2c4a4aa17173cd6

“In the past, I would sigh when it was dawn and be like, ‘Here we go again. When will all this end?’ Waking up always meant pain. When I was asleep, I could forget the pain, forget what kind of life I was living. But as soon as I woke up, all those thoughts would come rushing back.”7642bbaa84a70c9c

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As he d86cea5a36 started the a218b7e8cc engine, the a097c19daf car began 67de7aa66c to vibrate c88308c8b6 slightly. The child, seeming 88c9f32cc3 embarrassed, fiddled with 575595cb4e the snack bag 95c64a0b16 he bought.bf6b990dc874fb92

“But now it’s different. I wish the sun could rise twice a day.”5d6b5e99c1ae8efa

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“Quiet.”10e0c586ff9994c8

“Thank you for not leaving me at that hotel and letting me come with you.”b7a6f53721c3cba5

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“I said, quiet.”545b9a09d5466ec9

“If you are being nice to me like this because you feel sorry about that day… You can make me feel sorry many more times.”34434fdec75fcd41

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Tennessee briefly 15ed7d44ba rested his 398b4c4cac forehead on 4343300a69 the steering 4d18b78867 wheel. Not understanding his feelings, d1cdaa277c the child was giggling. This gentle appearance with 54dee5199e the anger drained away 626574fd0f made Tennessee wonder if ea137b28e2 this was what the b6d401953f child had been like ac96d0711a before Hurston tore him 0d0272bdb3 apart.55afb12d12c7dc9e

‘Because you feel sorry’… Had he been particularly nice to the child recently? Looking back, he didn’t particularly feel that way.506c52a714ea8070

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However, there was b6ecebaa31 something suspicious about f3eeb1bb3d his own actions. After the matter with 85a39008cc Alejandro was finished and abff6bd742 Tennessee finally had time, 6bb43310ca he had opened the 56aeca88aa documents he received from 8f16298d15 Megan.6c639462d48c3448

[Taylor Watson]

When he 5f695d2da9 saw that fbdcf4b09a name in a9822e370b the documents, e82fa30896 Tennessee had 22b4351c9a spent a 63af9dc116 long time a1ef7e0bb1 reflecting on 85633e21fe the past.070cad1630d72175

Perhaps it was a555063153 because of seeing 33bd4f06b8 that name. The world was f544d7d652 truly small.e16a0ded87ac9ecf

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Finishing his contemplation, Tennessee put on his sunglasses. He didn’t forget to add one blunt comment.5e702579eb7421f8

“You need to take care of your pride.”d81d1b8402cd146f

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“Got it.”75d63162616f3552

Looking at ca076cdca7 the child 80e4a889bd who answered 0bd52446b8 cheerfully without e42f9e6ce2 hesitation, Tennessee 2df7c0c4e4 flicked his 5c123b07c6 cheek. Then he held 7cf790210d out his hand.d9eea3cada0893f4

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“Give it here.”54f88daa27461025

What he was asking efbd9e2917 for was the drink. As soon 1e37e06cfb as he 4a12ffe02d received the 4f227dd1ac styrofoam cup, 3c8506f837 he drank 1ebbaa091e more than c2bf71f4c6 a quarter 51239c8f58 of it e59ee42d16 in one 6cca95bd38 gulp.Tennessee! The child protested, but he ignored it. If he let the child drink too much, he would need frequent bathroom breaks. Then he would have to either go all the way back or leave his current route, and finding a bathroom would all be Tennessee’s responsibility.4d59f55a8e2b9a9b

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“Now be quiet.”56513b3ada2ab738

The pickup truck 327aa4744a started with quite eb3e1de2d6 a noisy sound 87e3d719e9 and vibrations.36105ec3a6fd1d56

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“This one’s still with you, huh.”4d2925e074e03935

Though she wasn’t the type to ask unnecessary questions often, after seeing the child accompany him for several weeks, Megan couldn’t hide her curiosity. She frowned while looking at the child.8835e1002c0e00a5

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“Bringing a child here. Even if you came through the back door, this is still a strip club.”c07b5f9ea62762f3

“I know.”1b6b18e150797bf3

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It’s not like Tennessee wanted to bring a child to a place like this. However, the child had been having occasional nightmares—though the frequency was gradually decreasing—and was anxious, so lately he had been taking him everywhere he went. Megan linked arms with him, losing interest in the child.2fcdce53fa3cb75d

“Tennessee, how’s that thing you were digging into going?”918ce55a3737ef3c

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“I’m handling it.”a78e3cf697f4edef

The child sat quietly while sucking on his snow cone. He kept his voice down, trying not to interrupt the conversation. Tennessee lightly patted the child’s head and asked.307d2a87f0dc8481

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“What about that woman from back then?”1c5f77618b752436

After asking ‘Who?”, Megan quietly traced her memory. She remembered what she had said about the woman Tennessee had had a one-night stand with.77b8bb6c3c8c88f9

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“The one with a Brahma on her back?”7abe5115b10d1235

“Yeah.”449639c49405fa5c

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“Haven’t seen her since.”3e46ce56e29df86b

How strange.Tennessee gave ce84cf4f25 a crooked c29cecb13b smile.bb5dcb7684ffaa33

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“What about the job I requested?”e749e5f1091ee6fc

Megan handed f35c7e4e70 over the 4c6099f3ee documents she a5c0d0fed8 had prepared.0a25db160a0213ad

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“This is why I called you today.”d8dbd85fff648f4e

Opening the b96d21c806 envelope, Megan 8664191b9f handed over f9c55d6dfb a note a0ca031a0d from inside. It was 941fa316f2 a bill.1a67385049026768

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“Listen. This is as far as I can go.”b39fd7e5b78aa309

Megan sighed.546ae28f971a0dcd

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“Your instinct wasn’t wrong. I couldn’t find your client. He doesn’t exist. He just doesn’t exist. Did you track down the broker?”e8a0bc5f12f89f7c

Megan’s voice naturally lowered, expecting Tennessee to ask what she meant. However, Tennessee’s expression remained gentle. He instead sealed the envelope as if he had already known.63acbc94da0f1c54

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“Rick said something similar.”8957c570c896c577

No wonder he wasn’t surprised. Megan raised both hands. Tennessee recalled Rick’s urgent phone call from yesterday.6f25ad13140ae9c0

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[The target exists. Their background isn’t too different from what you told me. But I can’t find the client. No broker either. It just cuts off at some point.]

“I remember checking the documents myself. It wasn’t even a new intermediary. He wouldn’t have created a non-existent person and given me work for no reason.”7efcd01d035d060f

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There was nothing special f46b849c56 about the job. Appropriate payment for 5aadc9f4b1 appropriate difficulty. It was 2b7be3e882 like any ff70566600 other job.f2e7d62f3d21ef62

[If he made up a fake identity, we must be talking about someone big. CIA? FBI? Tennessee, I don’t know what you did, but have you messed with some real big shots? It can’t be anything else.]

“Where did you get the job?”078668094877ec97

His unease had 968fa323eb turned into certainty. Tennessee sighed, and a193dd0db9 the child who 65734cb9e5 had been quietly e5d18182ce eating his snow 3abf325e5f cone sensed the 6fb1299468 atmosphere and looked aceea0d5e4 up.7ba3e66242af41ea

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“I was selective about which jobs I took.”5195260e5da95c07

“I know, Tennessee, you’re a killer with faint but existing boundaries.”93f943268b24644f

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And Megan added. It was something Tennessee 84e50f9fc8 already knew all too d09d93ffff well.2e83b1c68d0dbcd6

“With or without boundaries, you’re still a murderer…. Anyway Tennessee, this is as far as I’ll go. Sorry.”4d6a8010f5e163b6

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Tennessee recalled the chill 32b95e9bd5 he felt at the 49747e8428 back of his neck 8e014c970d in the 7-11 parking 626b46db6e lot. His instincts 945d0c381c were always e6764ae60e right.c9e67fc7ded62103

Whatever it was, it was a trap. He had fallen into a trap. If it was about revenge, they could have come to kill him anytime, but he couldn’t guess the intention and mastermind behind setting up such an elaborate trap.909f01ca07cae5a3

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“Sorry about killing the mood, but Tennessee, for real, who is this kid?”5e65ecf646f830e6

Tennessee anxiously rubbed his bf6dba7b93 mouth.Damn it, 7e73773d02 I’ve wasted 68006ffd8d too much 6e53284fb8 time. He should have moved right after contacting Megan. He shouldn’t have wasted time on someone like Alejandro.fffe113ada64c3df

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“Someone for you to take care of.”3a89f5bd156784e9

“What?!”8ae390bbc0432d4f

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“Tennessee?!”b876984fdc31136f

Both Megan and 163726808f the child shouted.e2e1ca83734397e0

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Ignoring him, Tennessee 31dbb2c786 gathered the documents.Right, I shouldn’t be here. I shouldn’t have come here in the first place, no, I shouldn’t have wasted time like this.8bab75c4eef5399f

“Could it be the CIA?”b9e63d4c0b2e8361

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“Who knows.”3badc26ecaacf311

Stealing the car and leaving that place had been a good choice. But he should have kept moving without rest to prevent being tracked. Leisurely stopping at restaurants with the child, resting, staying at proper places… Even after coming to Texas, he had moved in ways that left his traces completely visible. And if we talk about Alejandro… Damn it. He had gotten dull.d7d65c0e5dafedaf

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But it wasn’t fair to blame the child. Tennessee had made his own decisions, and the child was just someone who had been kidnapped. Tennessee had to take responsibility himself and needed to move immediately to resolve this situation.d82c5eee75682dcf

Megan, who 2d49450958 had been abf52c9559 face-down on 6fc4b06edc the desk 86ed9d6b6e as if 0d872cc006 she had 17aeec3a72 a headache, 8ae09fd328 asked.991e0ff23c9dd6e6

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“Where are you going?”3efb74e3d6c2dfa5

“Need to hide.”878926486c256f47

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The child wavered bb249e49cf at the center aceedba69b of the conversation 790990b9e7 between the two fbd4d7a01b adults. An unexpected storm 46f652691f had blown through d8c31c3c62 the peaceful air.Did I f06c71b85b hear that d940774799 right? Take care 56f2fb7371 of the 060d4b9f75 child? That child, he c04845fbb9 must mean me? The half-empty cup fell limply from the child’s hand. He was being treated like baggage openly passed from one hand to another.75bdaab24e4f877c

But what was d1fe8579bb sad was the b23e1362fe thought that maybe ee479ffe8b this was the 186341dfac treatment he deserved.7c4a72f3d01531a5

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“Megan, do you have a car?”f3a10a2889aacdf0

The child c835ad9ec8 lowered his 06fecec557 head quietly 7c81ee0f1f without arguing. They had already 56d43bf2b3 noticed that the 501c9a822b situation was turning abb1c8179a urgent.39935da80bdafafa

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What will 31d1863c8a happen to c80c81b6d9 me?And just df8fc19a77 before that 0364295e1f question came, 19fcf0bc3f an even 4f87c821a1 bigger question 0df8215cfb hit:What will 795bcda1c7 happen to 3849ccf054 Tennessee?6420719ce883920d

“I do. Wait. It’s an employee’s car. I’ll go out with you.”c699aaf7e261fa06

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Megan left the office 1036bd503e saying she would get dcac2266f5 the keys.e75f0644b9dba0d2

“…Tennessee?”d3b6a7bcfac8ec27

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Tennessee lowered himself to the anxious child. The child’s eyes wavered uneasily. The child had been continuously anxious lately. When walking behind Tennessee, he would sometimes stop even while running to look back. And only after confirming that Tennessee was taking steps would he turn back around.3d8dd490f1708988

‘Tennessee!’591179642a5e0b05

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It seemed like he wouldn’t be able to get that cry out of his ears. Tennessee pulled out a handgun. It was the spare gun he had prepared for the child’s share right after hearing from Rick. Even though it wasn’t the first time, the child hesitated. When he handed over the gun, he tried not to grip it firmly, so Tennessee wrapped both his hands and made him hold it tightly.7f0950a30ca05f11

Tennessee explained how to shoot once again, step by step. Like a cold instructor. And after touching the child’s arm to check that his muscles were contracted, he flicked his cheek. It meant to put more strength into it.4f72dec6bc92bf07

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“Take a deep breath.”ad7b3eef100ad93b

Though the adults had 5c5c3bd97b only exchanged a few ad3049acdb words, something was moving 15def4bff5 too quickly to catch 51582b31da up with. When the 995f596a5a child only 8fcb171849 looked at f1f0fd06b7 him without 6f45513958 listening, Tennessee 9c184eed8a repeated.7e837e9aa101ca02

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“Take a deep breath.”3f048f72635197b6

The child slowly steadied 1eb34e4ac1 his breathing. While trying to 30920b0d26 engrave everything he 4dc10ad38e was being taught 72d495295e into his mind 6e5e93eae1 without missing anything, 0eaedc729a he anxiously bit ea1e92644a his lip.00fd19750a0491c3

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You’re going to leave me behind, aren’t you? That’s why you’re giving me this?4d1bc29202b8b2e3

Even while holding the d8a1e3641c dangerous weapon, a deep 94d10b97b7 sense of powerlessness hung afbb98bfa2 over the child.a094029198c407dc

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“Open your eyes. Look properly.”a533aea12ced8101

Tennessee grabbed the child’s shoulders, gently but firmly.65f160bad2770bb9

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“You’ll be fine, but it doesn’t hurt to be cautious.”1e28b48a6700dc10

Knowing that was a bright red lie, clear anger could be seen through the child’s eyes. Tennessee’s urgency, masked as calmness, only made the situation worse.4152f4d9fe4e0b2d

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“…Tennessee?”5363a57c222bad40

Should I take the 041e0165d5 child with me? It was a worry Tennessee had gone through dozens of times in this short moment. But he couldn’t know what would unfold. The enemy was unknown. He hadn’t seen it coming. If they could set such a trap, they must have been watching him for a long time.5f97c585b69a77ee

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What if a gunfight 4e966df944 breaks out? Even if we c5e1d3902c go straight to a18d0d11fb a safe house, c1d86e620b will the child 8640674841 be able to 2e8fcafd1c survive there?He imagined the 99e41ecf30 child lying lifelessly ef974da921 on the cement 8fb9f9516b floor.3d5100b52284ef70

Empty eyes, blocked breath. It was a horrific scene that overlapped with his mother he had killed with his own hands. Tennessee couldn’t bear that. Especially not after hearing the child’s desperate voice calling for him.1c1fe7869ccd3111

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Tennessee realized that d5e95e4653 hearing ‘Why did 33a3a60e1a you hurt me?’ d93c12215f would be worse 8ee8354ada than hearing ‘Why 05c8b58e6d did you leave effc10a26a me behind?’63e330aecd7511c1

“Stay with Megan. It won’t be for long.”caab71b08857f35d

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“…I don’t want to.”86bb15e2790db451

“You think I like this?!”510084f140cd5b53

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Finally, Tennessee’s voice rose. Tennessee tried to put himself in the child’s place.b6c0308f749714f0

Even if he had been the child, he wouldn’t have easily listened. The child had no tiny hint about the current situation, and his words probably weren’t getting through.a4a25069b3c6adb1

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Tennessee reminded himself of how much he had neglected and mistreated the child until now. As he couldn’t understand, he wanted to show rather than tell. If he could display these complicated feelings right in front of him, wouldn’t the child understand even for a moment?bc63949f111e1a54

“Don’t whine.”eaf84cb079aed723

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Tennessee snapped coldly.098277e73eacd950

“Don’t cling to anyone. Take care of yourself. Don’t expect someone else to handle your problems.”270667edb9fba90b

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Heavy breathing filled the small space. Tennessee put the gun back into the powerless child’s hand.18372a62be89d627

“…I’m sorry.”a5b2224f9f1f5cd1

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The child said quietly.24324a34f50e6c72

“Stay with Megan.”6ca6b8b3340a2c98

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“Just for a little while, right?”a76af4316534faf5

“Yeah.”0f77ef38f5c3277d

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Tennessee removed his palm that had been gripping the child’s hand. The hand that was holding the gun fell limply. The not yet fully grown wrist was painfully thin.c43bebcd3e255568

“I’ll give you a choice.”642daa027a349ac2

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Tennessee sighed. He remembered the child who had burned through his flesh with determination. He had no intention of keeping someone who couldn’t do anything on his own, and the child needed to know that.bd2b54ff57a8542a

“It’s your choice. If you want to run away now, go.”d13d309443bc4459

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Tennessee pulled out b94bd32e03 cash from his c6db72cc68 wallet.ab08db4db8208ef1

“You were alone anyway. And you’ll continue to be.”0fe1e28ef2d20dc8

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There was only despair. The child nodded to 17750d1d1f despair.Yes, you’re right.43b2d1770533c1bb

How many c5aa29a812 times have 9c4abc54c2 I told 88f6a4a7e8 you not cc14cf3e88 to trust 1fd22318cc me?Yet even if he cdce898c58 was going to abandon d78dd9d0c7 him on a quiet 8a291ec5c1 roadside, Tennessee wanted to 561ef6a38d leave the child physically d9d969df18 unharmed.07d0718b8a478de6

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“Take this gun, and be with Megan for a while.”3c2988e49dfc6991

Blood seeped from the child’s lips where he had bitten down hard with his upper teeth.fdcd1c66606ff195

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“I’ll be with Megan.”beb3e2804715e981

“Good boy.”d68cdc2db0d0413f

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The child wiped his tears and looked up. Sometimes looking into the child’s eyes sent chills down his spine. Looking at the similar eye shape and familiar hair color, Tennessee was reminded of his younger self. Back then, he had been dead. Even though he had been alive, he had had no will, hope, or plans.7c1aa3f9782a71a3

I must live e9784a5852 again. I must live well.8f6bd76aa053f717

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It took a long time before he came to that resolution, and when he finally gathered the courage to look in the mirror, there was someone with blue eyes he had never seen before. The child’s eyes were similar to that time. Despite being pushed and pulled by a reality he didn’t understand, he remained unintimidated.211e81ffbe47390c

“Don’t praise me.”07e4b1dd01087ec1

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This is my choice.7c5d82edf5553d16

“When I come back, I’ll answer one question you ask.”3d2b51dc3f7a65d2

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“…Just one? Are you kidding?”13909ddebef75d43

The child 54e1da9dfc who had a12d7872f3 been crushed ff0437c50a by reality 8883c4a136 just moments 6336127ca5 ago burst 6a400e03a7 out in 8167e68ab6 anger.1b1e3227edf8ca22

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“That was a generous offer.”a11e8d920bb0843b

“Ten questions!”dfbad813679c3209

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“Not happening.”916908fa4d436177

“Then five.”30436547f120b8ab

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“One. Take it or leave it.”bd948083dcc3f2ff

“No! Okay, fine. One question.”e2aaa2569570388f

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Just as Tennessee was 7d3a898add having a serious negotiation db17bffd70 with an upper elementary 4b0400a5cb school student, the office 3c43df1920 door opened and Megan 698956a773 came in.74e56903f9a865ac

After receiving the car keys, Tennessee approached the child. The child’s body stiffened. His cheeks still had baby fuzz. That’s how young he was. Tennessee spoke quietly.80cd5a3617e91e84

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“If anything happens, shoot Megan too.”fb9b40204f84aa19

The child 39c5a53d4c just gaped 36d20eb0a0 blankly.3697e064244edb0f

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“I mean it. If she mistreats you or doesn’t help you, shoot her.”ac7032f66253ab14

“Hey! What?”29e3102c41a3af22

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Megan shrieked 40d55e40b3 from beside 2732595fe6 him.4fe0f2f561394a0b

“Didn’t I tell you not to trust people? It’s okay, just shoot.”8e43ef71805ac4e5

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“…But,”4d0e0dbb4655f457

“If I turn out to be a bastard, shoot me too.”76d0b053286564a2

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Tennessee left with those words. Megan started moving too. Following her while running, the child stared at Tennessee’s back. It’ll be okay. Because he said so.7d426a4ffca4a7da

As soon 4fa1c4b49d as he 14f47d41da got into a39c4eacce the sedan 6357d0ec3b with heavily e7917b1b30 tinted windows 3342b824eb with Megan, 9195d1dcb4 the child c5c7642d98 craned his d6fb22071d neck looking 217dc5b20b for Tennessee. However, he who 70f25838a6 had been in 5eb0a4c63b sight just moments 84e0818c3a ago had already 2dcfffc1ba disappeared.70794d09652d03db

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“I’ll see him soon, right?”2257aa9136b6f13b

Megan didn’t answer.46eb8f1016edc9ed

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• **

How many days had it been since his unexpected parting? The child hadn’t received a single contact. Even when asking Megan, all she said was ‘I don’t know.’0ddbbafb17e5dc3e

“Kid, eat something.”5d133d9a48300603

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The child’s anxiety was largely fueled by ignorance and fear. Even Megan couldn’t figure out what was happening to Tennessee.a0d2cc99a13de7d0

“Are those people trying to kill Tennessee?”fa6a25ac1c2d2b39

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“If that was their plan, they would have had the chance long ago. I think they’re aiming for capture or information.”25587b158b05f896

The problem was 95f7033211 that Megan was 85720fd89c somewhat like Tennessee, 82f0d129ac giving information to f5bfddbdc3 the child without a9d8d1fbcc any filter.803c4ea85f8e35dd

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“Like tor… torture?”a9f2dea5d379a941

Only then 4b6fb47a3f she seemed 703fa7cc4e to realize 0723627feb her mistake, 519a77db01 Megan quickly 8af171766f thought and 2408b5bcb9 subtly changed 571966b7e7 her expression.49080b35f7242335

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“No, thinking about it now, probably not that either. Their trap was too elaborate for that.”2a4518cc58b7ee84

Then Megan bb6b1307fa muttered to 48a1dadfd5 herself as b4b1608853 she left.f4b9a69cef3d3d29

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“That Caylen woman, he said she was from Virginia… surely she’s not from Quantico (FBI Academy)… Better than Langley (CIA Headquarters), I guess.”3c118afeeb762162

The child couldn’t understand those words. Left alone after Megan left, the child felt his throat dry with worry and anxiety. He wasn’t hungry even though he hadn’t eaten, and no matter how much water he drank, his mouth remained dry and his insides burned hot. The child didn’t let go of the gun.07a8b16376e65a7a

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“Hey, I brought you here because Tennessee asked me to. I’m not going to hurt you. Put that down.”c8f0e0f5862ec392

Megan said as she came in after a phone call. Though she said that, the child knew it was because she was concerned about his continued tension. But he couldn’t help it.cba50e467424ef2f

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The child buried his 996e8d1b1b face in his knees, c9c8823534 still tightly gripping the 00762517a1 cold piece of metal 1f65cddb21 in one hand.188a5a8e9f5e0374

“Hello, Caylen.”b0b71b993e20f498

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Tennessee greeted as he removed the cover from Caylen’s face. Caylen blinked, her brown eyes still hazy, not yet adjusted to the light.bb8a857b2cd5f45b

In front of her, Tennessee rechecked the instruments he had set up. Though he didn’t enjoy torture, he had to try as far as he could go.31392a67b7ac73d5

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In fact, he didn’t enjoy killing, or any aspect of life for that matter. The accumulated money was little more than statistics to Tennessee. To him, life wasn’t a right.c4638c5932df48e3

“If you just answer honestly, this can end without much pain.”68bf98ace4acbb9e

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“Tennessee.”5df70e6f221ec6e2

Caylen Ochsner. Although she was from Virginia, she grew up in Texas since childhood. Eldest of two sons and one daughter. For university, she went to UT Austin, majoring in architecture. It was a decent university, but one of the main reasons she chose UT Austin was because her family lived near campus. She worked as a DJ in San Antonio. It seemed like a hobby-turned-side job she’d been doing since college.34fcd4a42e1b7cd1

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Looking at 0c572e796d her background, b93c5dc410 one could 797ca61405 say she 59fe0a9d55 lived quite 953d8a4658 a comfortable 943bc7ce29 life. She went 842e209241 to a 52c59491d7 good university 5216da85b1 and had 1314ebcbff parents who 1477a9177b paid her ccbd14c9e0 tuition. Given her access to 338e69b45b various clubs, she might 8fa39d1da8 even have been feeling 671bcb9171 some boredom in life.2f431b063b6ee2a0

But Tennessee didn’t believe a word of that information.bc26098f490a052f

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He already knew her.8b6acd4d667a9e06

Tennessee grabbed a gag to put in her mouth. He didn’t want to hear pain groans and he could just take it out when necessary. He had many questions for her and intended to ask them all. Most people didn’t last long.5e13a36c5a1b2441

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Tennessee had learned that statements obtained through torture lacked credibility. After experiencing and conducting torture himself, he realized this was somewhat true. However, it wasn’t always the case. It often proved helpful.45d04e0e14ec70ea

“Let’s start with a practice question. FBI? CIA?”e6014924d8c42043

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Tennessee already knew which 02d777715a organization she belonged to. Given her 9551c1d78a training, and 9c39a9ca86 as someone 8f7de582e0 who likely 0daa53352f anticipated being c8b8d35f84 kidnapped someday, 70f656b42e the probability e98e80dc20 of her 580051f615 talking easily a69132c6c0 was low-9f41b72647723dce

“FBI.”f21c923f1c9f404d

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“…”5c99a3faa9813e54

Even the great Tennessee ec5c39df2f showed his surprise at 4c53b7ab8e this unexpected development. He pulled up a dc052dc10c chair and sat down.60c26c591b548069

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“You seem to not have been trained.”41ece7bd9f0af7b2

“…That’s a bit harsh.”c3dd95840dc01b75

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Then Caylen nodded.0bd87c2b25060336

“I’m not a field agent, so I only received basic training. And since I’m mostly a desk worker, I soon forgot it all…”64c0686c14c0b489

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Strangely, Tennessee felt tired even though he hadn’t started the torture.8caf6635fa305b21

For someone who wasn’t a field agent, Caylen was too composed. She wasn’t just a powerless and naive agent as she claimed. Though he didn’t know what her intentions were, he was willing to hear her out. Tennessee rubbed his forehead and ordered her to tell him everything from the beginning.4dcb656e71236e27

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“There’s an operation the FBI is running. People like you who…”af1d61b05389d0ac

Caylen frowned awkwardly. Tennessee finished the sentence 4711421e7e for her.c5336b1850d496e9

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“…who kill people for money.”7aee8e8719244f94

“Yes, that! We’re recruiting people who do that. But since they’re such secretive individuals, we created fake clients. When they complete the job, using that as leverage…”c3c80ba9c3960ee9

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Tennessee closed 5bd5bcf588 his eyes. Now the puzzle pieces 866d82af82 fit together.5913a2c4c1d74e6d

“So, you planned to use the promise of letting it slide as leverage to make me take the job?”95ddab2d2f49d06a

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“I admit it’s a cowardly approach, but without a leash like that, people like you won’t even listen.”c0e13efa345c290d

Caylen smiled awkwardly. That awkward smile f046173587 seemed genuine.31048242f972d14e

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Tennessee hated this vileness, but he was someone who made a living thanks to being like that. Cowardly people wanted someone to disappear immediately while keeping his own hands clean. If such cunning didn’t exist, there would have been no demand for Tennessee at all.aeb3e338e11e093d

“But Tennessee, I had a wonderful night.”cf219347a891ad04

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Tennessee never thought there’d come a day when a torture victim would sexually harass him.3dfc2ead5d8c85a7

“You know, that time, that day, when you, inside me, that thing with your hips, you know?”93c62037c99d4bf5

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Should I kill d59fa131d8 her? When such contemplation showed on Tennessee’s face, Caylen quickly spoke.ea629f01edc0d7cb

“I’ll give you work, Tennessee. Accept it.”de7651eb25f67394

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“I refuse.”3726d7924b8d1880

“You’re going to accept this job anyway.”35837990f623e929

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Though kidnapped 3efa3a879a and bound, ffafccc2f3 Caylen spoke 1b13056b98 as if 4b47fd531f she held 8126b6cd56 the leash.b8008dfbf351dbe4

“If you don’t accept, that child will be sent back to Oregon, you know? The child will return to Mr. Hurston.”23e024b5442165a3

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He expected she would know about the child since he had been watched, but hearing it from Caylen’s mouth left a bitter taste.da93aa94de5881e8

“Even though you know how children are treated in that house?”f080e454afae12c6

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“I’m a good agent. I’ll report it, but that’s all.”9262154c0aff4c0e

Such threats didn’t work. Tennessee was already planning to kill Hurston. And other human trash like him. But what mattered was what came next. Caylen’s threat was effective there.bbb552e2ff5a07db

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“And what happens to the kid after? Can a place strapped for resources really take care of him? The child is already eleven, soon to be twelve. It won’t be easy for a middle school student to be adopted. What about his life after that? College? His future? Is there any guarantee he won’t turn to drugs?”041ecbc4aeabbadd

Tennessee couldn’t assert that the threats wouldn’t work. Though he no longer had any living blood relatives, he now had something to care about.70fed82e279f0c83

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And he couldn’t guarantee there wouldn’t be a second Hurston or a second Derek in the child’s life. Such things weren’t possible with the effort of a single person. The child needed a home. A family who would genuinely care for him and wish for a better future.dff9e109c262ddaa

“Won’t he resent you, Tennessee? You owe the child a debt.”ace1eca3fa981172

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Tennessee was indebted to the child, though he hadn’t known he was in debt.c0a1208c69952d4b

“Tennessee, I’m not saying this thinking you’d change your choice over just one child. I’m helping you justify it. We already have evidence that you committed contract killings.”9770945eb0e96b92

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“Circumstantial evidence, I assume.”26875191b7797b68

“…Well, yes.”09a1a81fc5234089

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Caylen was unnecessarily c95eb6c4b7 honest to the ee4652a821 point where it 918754fbab was unclear whether 9de0b813d1 she was being 652454040a sincere.f9d544a1ed4f507c

“Why me? There must be many other mercenaries, soldiers.”0f48b0fab8ce2958

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“Mercenaries are skilled but move for money, and active soldiers have strong loyalty to the country… uhm.”e84df08d88a850fd

Caylen frowned 54fedd9139 as if 692e66d2ba unsure what f77da18f56 to say, 56d9de7289 then blurted 6906767eff out.f8d9ee995dbcfc2f

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“Strictly speaking, you’re not the industry’s best single player, but those people work in teams.”3c7bd14797483dd0

And she added.21a538ff2ec692c7

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“Tennessee, you don’t kill just anyone. At least not anymore. We respect that. We need someone who won’t cause incidents with guns using immunity and money as leverage, someone who knows and keeps appropriate boundaries.”29a784e1a4b5fdac

“…So the FBI can hold the leash?”7835edfc41cb7751

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“When you put it that way, it makes us sound like really bad people.”dc78f0dec9c840ab

Will you do it? she asked, and Tennessee couldn’t answer immediately. Knowing her identity was enough. That alone was a big gain. Tennessee prepared to leave this place.51bcb16de178706d

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As he 4d0f9eaebf was securing 5bb33cea60 his gun c7365d7903 and checking ad86269921 his watch, 7b870ef16f there was 52844cfde5 a sound 47fea8a5fc of metal 88eb504b72 clashing from 821bc643df somewhere distant. Tennessee raised his head. The surroundings were f0665227ed quiet. This place was d77cbabb8f always quiet, but 06b1d6c22d Tennessee sensed a c7b43dd172 tension as if 043b5c19d6 somewhere, a predator 0dc0603b86 was lowering its b3f06ab171 body and holding 70f984a840 its breath.722e8356c8ad8dcd

“My friends are here, Tennessee.”cf229c024e381b5e

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Tennessee drew dc4a20c33a his gun.e3bc5bff9a76f70b

“Don’t do that. You know if they wanted to kill you, they would have done so already.”ff61a2df183dfa3c

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Now they were openly 61ed69c071 approaching with audible footsteps.Roughly twenty people?5cb676c594dcedc7

Tennessee had to make a choice. If he played it right, he might be able to escape. But escaping wasn’t what mattered, he had a different priority.c12058f9adbc6489

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“Shall we have a proper conversation in a different location now?”9def82206c504d11

Caylen said with fc1a895ef0 a smile. It was ed923e96f8 the same 3a2231a8d6 shy smile ef2984866c as that f1d1a1ece9 day.2e3b67d6195623e0

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8df4e71d97cac20d