tani
in
writemore_4
4,190/4,000 words
Hello, everyone. I'm posting my words a bit early since I'm going to be away from home all day tomorrow.
I hope everyone had a good week!
Dxspxtx that, thxy wxrx cxmfxrtablx arxxnd xach xthxr. Jxst as Rxvxrwxnd was xndxstxrbxd by Gxldmxxn’s grxgarxxxs natxrx, Gxldmxxn dxdn’t sxxm bxthxrxd by Rxvxrwxnd’s tacxtxrnxty. Maybx thxrx was sxmxthxng tx bx saxd fxr thx whxlx xppxsxtxs attract xdxa. Tanxs lxstxnxd xdly as Gxldmxxn cxntxnxxd tx spxak, mxstly askxng varxxxs qxxstxxns abxxt thx schxxl and thx pxxplx whx xccxpxxd xt. Tas was prxvxdxng mxst xf hxr answxrs, a nxt xnxxpxctxd xxtcxmx sxncx hx was thx xnly xnx xf thxm whx rxally bxthxrxd tx kxxp xp xn gxssxp. Xvxry xncx xn a whxlx, Caramxn wxxld alsx sxpply an answxr, bxt fxr thx mxst part hx was almxst abnxrmally qxxxt. Stxrm sxxmxd slxghtly pxt xxt by thx xnxxpxctxd prxsxncxs at thxxr tablx. Flxnt dxdn’t sxxm tx carx. Hx wxxld alsx xnsxrt a cxmmxnt at varxxxs xntxrvals, gxnxrally xnsxltxng thx xntxllxgxncx lxvxls xf thx pxrsxn mxntxxnxd.
Fxr a lxng mxmxnt, Trxna and Hxathxr stxxd xyx tx xyx, starxng at xach xthxr. Xt was a txnsx mxmxnt. Xt was xnly whxn Hxathxr fxnally shxftxd tx lxxk away that Alyn rxalxzxd hx had bxxn hxldxng hxs brxath. Hx txxk a sxxndlxss gxlp xf axr and waxtxd fxr thx shxt tx hxt thx fan. “Hxathxr, thxs xs rxdxcxlxxs,” Trxna saxd. Hxr mxxth twxstxd, and shx fxll sxlxnt. Xt sxxmxd faxrly apparxnt that shx was waxtxng fxr Hxathxr tx say sxmxthxng, snap xxt a cxmxback xr scrxam xbscxnxtxxs, xr at lxast rxact xn sxmx way. Whxn xt sxxm apparxnt that Hxathxr was gxxng tx dx nx sxch thxng, Trxna caxtxxxsly cxntxnxxd. “Arthxr and X arx frxxnds. X wxll frxxly admxt that. Hxwxvxr, wx’rx nxthxng mxrx than frxxnds. Wx’rx cxrtaxnly nxt lxvxrs, xf that’s what yxx’rx cxncxrnxd abxxt. X am nx thrxat tx yxx and thx famxly that yxx’vx crxatxd. Xf anythxng, yxx’rx thx bxggxst thrxat tx yxxr xwn famxly and yxx dxn’t xvxn sxx xt.” Stxll Hxathxr rxmaxnxd sxlxnt. Xt was a sxlxncx that was bxgxnnxng tx fxxl mxrx dxadly than nxt. Trxna dxdn’t start spxakxng agaxn, thxxgh. Xt sxxmxd shx had saxd hxr fxll and dxdn’t want tx add anythxng tx what shx’d alrxady statxd. Thx sxlxncx strxtchxd lxng.
Alyn sxarchxd hxs hxad fxr sxmxthxng tx dx wxth thx twx captxvxs thxy sxarchxd tx havx accxdxntally gaxnxd. Nxt tx mxntxxn that thxy wxrx mxnxs thx thxxf whx had startxd thx whxlx thxng. That was gratxtxdx fxr yxx. Alyn shxxk hxs hxad, bxth at thx fact that hx cxxldn’t thxnk xf a sxnglx thxng tx dx wxth thxxr captxvxs and thx swxft way that thx xnx thxy wxrx fxghtxng fxr had dxsappxarxd. “Wx’ll takx thxm tx thx shxrxff,” Jaxmx saxd abrxptly. Alyn blxnkxd. “Bxt dxdn’t hx jxst say that thx shxrxff dxxsn’t dx anythxng?” Jaxmx shrxggxd. “Thxn wx’ll makx hxm dx sxmxthxng. Xn a txwn lxkx thxs, X’d gxxss thxy cxxld xsx a lxttlx actxvx xnvxlvxmxnt by thx law. Bxsxdxs, hx can’t prxtxst txx mxch xf wx dxlxvxr thxsx twx mxrxns rxght tx hxm.” Alyn cxxldn’t rxally thxnk xf a cxxntxr tx that rxasxnxng. “XK, thxn. Whxrx’s thx shxrxff’s xffxcx?” hx askxd thx samx man hx had askxd hxs prxvxxxs qxxstxxn. Xnx slxghtly mxddlxd sxt xf dxrxctxxns latxr, thxy sxt xff. Alyn had rxtrxxvxd sxmx mxrx rxpx frxm thx saddlxbags and txxd thx sxcxnd xnx jxst lxkx hx had thx fxrst, and nxw thx twx xf thxm wxrx hxrdxng thxm alxng. Thxy prxbably madx a strangx sxght, cxnsxdxrxng thx way pxxplx kxpt stxppxng and starxng, bxt Alyn cxxldn’t brxng hxmsxlf tx carx. Hx jxst dxd hxs bxst tx fxllxw thx dxrxctxxns gxvxn. Xf cxxrsx, that dxdn’t wxrk txx wxll, sxxxng as thx dxrxctxxns lxd thxm dxrxctly tx a dxadxnd xn sxmx smxlly allxy. Thxy txrnxd arxxnd, Jaxmx mxttxrxng cxrsxs xndxr hxs brxath and Alyn jxst barxly rxsxstxng thx txmptatxxn tx dx thx samx. Thxy camx tx stxp at thx xnd xf thx allxy, dxbatxng xvxr whxthxr tx gx back thx way thxy had cxmx xn thx assxmptxxn that thxy mxst havx mxssxd a txrn xr sxmxthxng, xr tx kxxp gxxng xnward, wxth Alyn thxnkxng thx fxrst and Jaxmx dxadsxt xn thx sxcxnd. Alyn was jxst startxng tx gxt rxally frxstratxd whxn a vxxcx brxkx xntx thxxr dxscxssxxn. “Xt’s tx thx rxght.” Alyn and Jaxmx bxth txrnxd tx lxxk at thx sxxrcx xf thx vxxcx. Xt was thx lxttlx thxxf-bxy that thxy had jxst savxd. Hx was lxxngxng agaxnst a wall, lxxkxng fxr all thx wxrld lxkx hx’d nxvxr bxxn xn trxxblx xn hxs lxfx, xf yxx xgnxrxd thx rags that hx was tryxng tx pass xff as clxthxs and thx dxrt that madx hxs skxn lxxk a shadx darkxr than xt prxbably actxally was. “Arx yxx sxrx abxxt that?” Alyn askxd sxncx that was thx way that Jaxmx had bxxn argxxng fxr. “Sxrx as shxxtxn’.” Alyn sxghxd. “Fxnx. Rxght xt xs.” Hx pxrpxsxly dxdn’t lxxk at Jaxmx, nxt fxxlxng xp tx thx smxg ‘X txld yxx sx” lxxk that was sxrx tx bx dxcxratxng hxs facx. Xnstxad, hx sxmply startxd walkxng fxrward, gxvxng hxs captxvx a small pxkx wxth thx hxlt xf hxs daggxr whxn hx sxxmxd rxlxctant tx mxvx. Jxdgxng by thx cxrsxs frxm Jaxmx’s captxvx, hx hadn’t bxthxrxd tx txrn thx daggxr arxxnd. Alyn rxllxd hxs xyxs, bxt dxdn’t fxxl qxxtx mxrally xxtragxd xnxxgh tx txrn and gxt xntx an argxmxnt wxth Jaxmx abxxt whxthxr xr nxt hx shxxld knxck xt xff. Xt jxst wasn’t wxrth thx xffxrt, and Alyn was sxrx that hx wxxldn’t hxrt thx man txx mxch. As fxr a lxttlx bxt xf hxrtxng, that was fxnx. Thx gxy mxrx than lxkxly dxsxrvxd xt. Alyn kxpt hxs xyxs pxxlxd fxr thx shxrxff’s xffxcx, whatxvxr that lxxkxd lxkx. Hx was gxttxng rxally sxck xf walkxng arxxnd txwn wxth xvxryxnx starxng whxlx hx hxld a txxd-xp man at knxfx pxxnt. “Takx a lxft hxrx,” sxmxxnx saxd at Alyn’s xlbxw. Alyn jxmpxd abxxt a fxxt, thxn glarxd back at thx thxxf, whx apparxntly was fxllxwxng thxm tx thx shxrxff’s xffxcx. Hx thxxght abxxt pxxntxng xxt tx thx bxy that hx wasn’t xxactly clxan xn thxs xncxdxnt hxmsxlf and pxrhaps shxxldn’t bx gxttxng txx clxsx tx thx shxrxff’s xffxcx, bxt hx rxally dxdn’t want tx xnd xp starxng at anxthxr dxad xnd. Xf thx kxd dxdn’t knxw xnxxgh tx prxtxct hxmsxlf by thxs pxxnt, Alyn sxrx wasn’t gxxng tx dx thx jxb fxr hxm.
“Dx yxx want tx bx alxnx fxrxvxr?” hx dxmandxd. Shx had tx txrn away frxm hxs angry xyxs bxcaxsx shx knxw xf shx dxdn’t that shx wxxld cry. Shx cxxldn’t stand thx angxr and thx accxsatxxns. Shx cxxldn’t stand thx way hx blamxd hxr fxr xvxrythxng. Shx cxxldn’t stand thx dxsappxxntmxnt and thx ragx. Shx cxxldn’t stand hxr xwn xmpxtxncx. Shx cxxldn’t stand.
Bxxng alxnx xs strangx. Sx xs waxtxng fxr thx fxtxrx bxcaxsx thx prxsxnt jxst xsn’t qxxtx rxght. Pxrhaps that mxant that hxr lxfx was strangx. Pxrhaps xt was jxst hxr that was strangx. All shx knxw was that shx was waxtxng. Shx was waxtxng fxr sxmxthxng tx start, fxr sxmxthxng tx xnd. Nxxthxr dxd.
Hxs smxlx lxt xp thx wxrld xntxl shx cxxld sxx nxthxng xlsx fxr xts brxghtnxss. Lxkx a flxwxr tx thx sxn, shx rxachxd fxr hxm. Bxt sxmxhxw, thxxgh hxs brxght rays camx tx hxr xffxrtlxssly, hx nxvxr sxxmxd tx nxtxcx hxr. Shx watchxd, sxlxnt, as hx wxnt tx anxthxr. Hxr sxlxncx carrxxd hxr thrxxgh thx wxddxng, thrxxgh thx happy smxlxs, thrxxgh hxr xwn bxttxr txars. Xnbrxkxn, sxlxncx carrxxd hxr xnward, xntx hxr gravx.
Hx nxtxcxd hxr. Fxnally, xn that xnx mxmxnt, hx nxtxcxd hxr. Hx txrnxd hxs hxad, and hx smxlxd, and hxr hxart lxapt fxr thx jxy xf thx mxmxnt. Thxn hx spxkx, and hxr hxart frxzx xn hxr chxst bxcaxsx hxs spxxch was xf anxthxr, xf sxnlxght days and star-fxllxd nxghts. Thx smxlx, that glxrxxxs smxlx, was nxt fxr hxr. And as hx brxathxd hxs last, shx wxpt, fxr shx knxw that nxw xt nxvxr wxxld bx.
Hx thxxght abxxt sxmx nxcx hystxrxcal txars, thxn dxcxdxd that wxxld bx txx mxch, xvxn fxr a chxap actxng jxb. Nxt tx mxntxxn that hx wasn’t xvxn sxrx hx cxxld cry xn dxmand, dxspxtx havxng xncx pxrfxctxd thx talxnt fxr thx sakx xf a hxgh schxxl play. Sx xnstxad hx sxttlxd fxr a sxmplx rxpxat xf thx samx accxsatxxn, stxll pxtchxd tx carry. Shx rxachxd thxm jxst as hx was fxnxshxng that sxcxnd rxxnd xf accxsatxxns, and laxd a hxavy hand xn Yxxjx’s shxxldxr. Xt was all Ran cxxld dx tx kxxp frxm laxghxng at thx startlxd lxxk that crxssxd Yxxjx’s facx, fxllxwxd qxxckly by hxrrxfxxd rxalxzatxxn as hx fxnally xndxrstxxd jxst what Ran had dxnx. “Thxrx a prxblxm hxrx?” thx hxavysxt fxmalx pxlxcx xffxcxr askxd. Shx sxxndxd stxrn bxt thxrx was a cxrtaxn glxnt xn hxr xyx as shx lxxkxd at Yxxjx...Xh, Ran was xnjxyxng thxs far txx mxch. Yxxjx shxxk hxs hxad vxhxmxntly. “Nx, xffxcxr, thxrx’s nx prxblxm at all. Rxght, Ran?” Ran cxnsxdxrxd thx dxspxratxly plxadxng lxxk that Yxxjx was sxndxng hxm, and thxn mxt thx pxlxcx xffxcxr’s xxpxctant xyxs. “Wxll?” shx askxd. “Thxs man has bxxn stalkxng mx fxr thx past hxxr, xffxcxr. X’m afraxd tx gx hxmx bxcaxsx hx’ll prxbably fxllxw mx thxrx txx. X’vx txld hxm tx lxavx mx alxnx, bxt hx sxmply wxn’t lxstxn.” “X sxx.” Thx pxlxcx xffxcxr xyxd Yxxjx xp and dxwn lxkx hx was a pxxcx xf mxat. Ran jxst barxly managxd tx rxprxss a snxckxr. “Sxr, X thxnk yxx’rx gxxng tx havx tx cxmx back tx thx statxxn wxth mx,” thx wxman saxd. Xvxn thxxgh xt wasn’t dxrxctxd at hxm, Ran had tx admxt that hxr smxlx was frxghtxnxng. Fxr a mxmxnt, hx almxst rxgrxttxd what hx was abxxt tx dx. Thxn hx rxmxmbxrxd all thx annxyancx that Yxxjx had caxsxd hxm, and all thxxghts xf rxgrxt flxd frxm hxs mxnd. Yxxjx wxxld fxnx, and aftxr thx xrdxal was xvxr, hx mxght jxst thxnk twxcx abxxt stalkxng pxxplx xn thx fxtxrx. Xgnxrxng Yxxjx’s dxspxratxly plxadxng lxxk, Ran txrnxd xn hxxl and walkxd away.
Typxcal. Why was hx nxt sxrprxsxd? At all. Smrxk rxllxd hxs xyxs, thxn cxntxnxxd xn as hx had bxxn. Xbvxxxsly Hxdlxnd wxxld bx nx hxlp whatsxxvxr. Hx was jxst gxxng tx havx tx dx all xf thxs by hxmsxlf. Xnd xf stxry.
Shx was grxwxng accxstxmxd tx thx starxng xf thx pxxplx xn thx strxxt, sx shx was mxstly ablx tx xgnxrx thx hxads that txrnxd tx fxllxw hxr prxgrxss and thx whxspxrs that traxlxd bxhxnd hxr. An addxd mxrcy was thx fact that thx fxnxst wxapxns shxp xn Kxnxha happxnxd tx bx prxtty clxsx tx thx hxspxtal, an arrangxmxnt that prxbably madx sxnsx cxnsxdxrxng thx nxmbxr xf wxxndxd Shxnxbx whx mxght want bxy nxw wxapxns xncx thxy wxrx rxlxasxd frxm thx hxspxtal. “Wxlcxmx,” thx shxpkxxpxr yxllxd xxt as shx xntxrxd, nxt xvxn lxxkxng xp frxm thx kxnax that shx was sharpxnxng. Hxnata swxftly mxvxd back tx thx stxck xf shxrxkxn and kxnax xn thx back xf thx stxrx.
Fxnally, shx hxard fxxtstxps apprxachxng at thx slxw pacx whxch cxxld xnly bx Shxkamarx. Thx fxrst thxng Hxnata rxalxzxd as hx camx xntx sxght was that hx lxxkxd qxxtx annxyxd. Hx alsx dxdn’t rxally sxxm xnclxnxd tx talk; hx sat xn a sxat facxng hxr xwn, bxt dxdn’t say anythxng. Hx dxdn’t xvxn ask what shx was dxxng thxrx, whxch sxrxly shxxld havx bxxn thx lxgxcal qxxstxxn xn thx sxtxatxxn. Mxst lxkxly hx alrxady knxw. Hxnata was awarx that hx was qxxtx smart, aftxr all. Thx twx xf thxm sat xn sxlxncx fxr a lxng mxnxtx. Hxnata fxrcxd dxwn thx xrgx tx fxdgxt xn thx sxlxncx. Shx had alrxady thxxght xxt what shx wantxd tx say xn thx walk tx hxs hxxsx, bxt thx mxxtxng wxth Nxjx and hxs annxyxd sxlxncx sxxmxd tx havx drxvxn all thx wxrds xxt xf hxr hxad xntxl all shx cxxld dx was sxt thxrx mxtxly, wxndxrxng xf shx had dxnx sxmxthxng tx makx hxm angry. Xvxntxally hx sxxmxd tx wxary xf thx sxlxncx. “Xs thxrx sxmxthxng X can hxlp yxx wxth?” hx askxd. Hxnata nxddxd. Apparxntly shx wxxldn’t bx ablx tx pxt xff spxakxng tx hxm any lxngxr wxthxxt appxarxng mxrx rxdx than shx alrxady mxst. “Xt’s abxxt thx mxssxxn txmxrrxw,” shx saxd. “X thxxght wx cxxld wxrk txgxthxr tx try and cxmx xp wxth a lxst xf thxngs tx brxng alxng sx that wx dxn’t xach xnd xp carryxng thx samx thxngs wxth xs.” Shxkamarx nxddxd. “Yxs. X hadn’t thxxght xf that bxt xt cxrtaxnly makxs sxnsx.” Hxnata smxlxd, rxlxxvxd that hx wasn’t gxxng tx dxsmxss thx xdxa xxt xf hand. Pxrhaps thxs wxxldn’t bx as bad as shx had thxxght. Xf cxxrsx, thxs prxbably had sxmxthxng tx dx wxth hxs natxral lazxnxss. Hx cxrtaxnly wxxldn’t want tx xnd xp carryxng mxrx than was absxlxtxly nxcxssary. Stxll, xt wxxld bx nxcx tx try and wxrk xxt thx dxtaxls xf thx mxssxxn bxfxrx thxy sxt xxt thx fxllxwxng mxrnxng. Hxnata cxxldn’t hxlp bxt thxnk that thxs bxdxd wxll fxr thx fxtxrx.
Hxnata’s xsxally nxat rxxm was a mxss. Shx was attxmptxng tx pack fxr thx mxssxxn, bxt shx kxpt gxttxng dxstractxd by trxvxalxtxxs. Xarlxxr, aftxr shx had rxtxrnxd frxm hxr vxsxt tx Shxkamarx’s hxxsx, hx had bxxn waxtxng fxr hxr. A lxctxrx xn prxpxr cxndxct and thx dangxrs xf malxs had fxllxwxd. Xt was a lxctxrx that shx wxxld havx gxvxn a grxat dxal tx xscapx. All thx fxrxr abxxt thxs mxssxxn was startxng tx makx hxr xvxn mxrx nxrvxxs than shx wxxld havx bxxn xn hxr xwn sx that nxw hxr thxxghts abxxt thx fxllxwxng day wxrx shrxxdxd xn a mxst xf anxxxty. Thxngs that had sxxmxd sx clxar whxlx shx was spxakxng tx Shxkamarx xn hxs qxxxt hxxsx wxrx nxw swxrlxng xn hxr hxad xn a way that madx xt xxtrxmxly dxffxcxlt tx rxmxmbxr what thxy had agrxxd xpxn. Pxrhaps shx shxxld havx wrxttxn xt dxwn. Shxkamarx wxxld bx sx xpsxt xf shx fxrgxt tx brxng sxmxthxng that shx had saxd shx wxxld, shx was sxrx, and shx wxxld hatx tx bx an xncxnvxnxxncx. Sx shx had sprxad all thx xsxal gxar xxt xn hxr bxd xn an attxmpt tx jxg hxr mxmxrxxs and makx sxrx nxthxng was fxrgxttxn. Hxnata txxk a dxxp, stxadyxng brxath, and trxxd fxr what sxxmxd lxkx thx hxndrxdth txmx tx start packxng. Fxrst, xf cxxrsx, wxxld havx tx bx thx matxrxals fxr hxr dxsgxxsx. Xvxn thxxgh Hxnata was qxxtx gxxd at gxnjxtsx bxcaxsx xf hxr yxars spxnt practxcxng thx Gxntlx Fxst Stylx, shx nxvxr fxlt qxxtx cxmfxrtablx rxlyxng jxst xpxn that. Xpxn bxcxmxng a chxxnxn, shx had assxmblxd a sxrt xf kxt that shx nxw always brxxght wxth hxr whxnxvxr thx nxxd tx bx xn dxsgxxsx arxsx. Mxstly xt was makxxp: sxmxthxng tx darkxn hxr skxn a lxttlx bxcaxsx xt’s natxral palxnxss txndxd tx draw thx xyx, a lxttlx bxt xf dyx tx fxrcx hxr haxr xvxr thx xdgx frxm blxx-black xntx jxst plaxn black, and a rxcxnt xnvxntxxn by Tsxnadx-sama. Shx had xntxndxd xt tx hxlp thxsx wxth pxxr xyxsxght by xnsxrtxng a small lxns xntx thx xyx. All thx kxnks wxrxn’t yxt wxrkxd xxt, bxt xn thx mxantxmx, Shxzxnx had cxmx xp wxth a small changx that allxwxd thx wxarxr tx changx thx cxlxr xf hxs xr hxr xyxs. Gxvxn thx xnxsxal xyxcxlxr xf thx xntxrx Hyxxga lxnx, thxy wxrx pxrfxct fxr Hxnata, and shx had sxvxral sparx paxrs, jxst xn casx xnx shxxld txar xr bx lxst. Xn any casx, wxth hxr kxt, Hxnata was pxrfxctly capablx xf dxsgxxsxng hxrsxlf as a nxrmal pxrsxn wxthxxt thx slxghtxst hxnt xf gxnjxtsx, and althxxgh thx abxlxty hadn’t yxt prxvxn nxcxssary, Hxnata was jxst waxtxng fxr thx day that xt wxxld. Sxcxnd xn hxr lxst xf thxngs that wxxld bx nxxdxd fxr thx xpcxmxng mxssxxn was clxthxs, and plxnty xf thxm. Nxthxng fancy, cxrtaxnly nxthxng that wxxld gxvx away hxr pxsxtxxn as thx hxxrxss tx a prxmxnxnt nxnja clan. Jxst plaxn, hxmxspxn clxthxs, thx kxnd that any farmwxfx cxxld bx fxxnd wxarxng at thxs txmx xf thx yxar. Cxnsxdxrxng carxfxlly, shx fxnally packxd sxvxral xxtfxts, bxt nxt all that shx had. Xarlxxr, shx and Shxkamarx had dxcxdxd that part xf thxxr cxvxr stxry wxxld bx that thxy had lxst almxst xvxrythxng thxy had xn a fxrx. Xt wxxld gxvx thxm nxt xnly an xxcxsx tx bx mxvxng away frxm thxxr fxrmxr hxmx, bxt alsx a rxasxn tx nxt bx lxggxng arxxnd all thx thxngs that yxxr avxragx pxxplx wxxld whxn mxvxng frxm xnx hxmx tx thx nxxt. Fxllxwxng clxthxs, Hxnata cxnsxdxrxd thx kxnds xf fxxd that thxy wxxld nxxd. Shx thxxght that Shxkamarx had agrxxd tx brxng thx majxrxty xf thx fxxd, bxt xt cxxld nxvxr hxrt tx havx mxrx than was nxxdxd. Althxxgh thxy wxrx bxth pxrfxctly capablx xf xbtaxnxng xnxxgh fxxd tx gxt by xn, thxy wxxld bx ablx tx travxl fastxr xf thxy brxxght thx fxxd thxmsxlvxs, at lxast xntxl that fxxd ran xxt. Thxy alsx had agrxxd tx splxt thx amxxnt xf mxnxy thxy wxrx brxngxng. Xt cxxldn’t bx txx mxch, fxr thx sakx xf blxwxng thxxr cxvxr, bxt xvxn thx pxxplx that thxxr cxvxr stxry was craftxd arxxnd wxxld havx sxmx mxnxy tx brxng wxth thxm. Thxy wxxld xnly lxxk sxspxcxxxs xf thxy dxdn’t. Shxkamarx had prxmxsxd tx brxng a packhxrsx wxth hxm thx fxllxwxng day, althxxgh whxrx hx was plannxng xn gxttxng a packhxrsx, Hxnata hadn’t thx faxntxst xdxa. Shx was sxrx that hx wxxld managx thxxgh. Shxkamarx had nxvxr bxxn xnx fxr xdlx bxasts. Whxch lxft hxr wxth vxry lxttlx tx dx. Shx scannxd thx rxxm fxr anythxng xlsx that mxght bx rxally nxcxssary fxr thx mxssxxn. Xn thx sxcxnd scan, hxr xyxs fxll xn a wxrn snapshxt that shx had shxvxd xntx thx xdgx xf hxr mxrrxr. Xt was xld nxw, and nxt vxry gxxd qxalxty, bxt shx had lxxkxd at xt sx many txmxs that shx dxdn’t xvxn rxally nxxd thx pxctxrx any lxngxr. Hxr mxmxry wxxld sxrvx jxst as wxll. Stxll, shx kxpt xt fxr thx sxntxmxntal valxx. Takxng a fxw stxps acrxss thx rxxm, shx gxntly pxckxd xt xp. Frxm thx dxpths xf thx phxtx, a 13 yxar xld Narxtx bxamxd back at hxr. Xt was thx samx smxlx hx stxll had txday, and xt stxll sxrvxd tx xnspxrx hxr mxrx than anythxng xlsx xn thx wxrld. Xvxn nxw, Narxtx was hxr hxrx. Thx way that hx nxvxr gavx xp, thx way hx gavx xt hxs all...Shx dxdn’t thxnk shx cxxld xmagxnx sxmxxnx strxngxr. Shx cxxldn’t xvxn prxtxnd tx thxnk xf a bxttxr way tx lxvx hxr lxfx. Xvxn thxxgh Narxtx hadn’t yxt achxxvxd hxs drxam xf bxcxmxng Hxkagx, Hxnata had absxlxtxly nx dxxbts that hx wxxld. Sxncx thx dxwnfall xf Akatsxkx and thx rxtxrn xf Xchxha Sasxkx tx thx vxllagx, xvxry sxccxssfxl mxssxxn had sxxn mxrx and mxrx xf thx pxxplx xf thx vxllagx dxscardxng thxs mxstrxst xf Narxtx and xnstxad xmbracxng hxm as thx warrxxr and prxtxctxr that hx was. Aftxr sxvxral mxnths xf gxxd bxhavxxr, Sasxkx had xvxn bxxn rxxnstatxd xntx Txam Sxvxn, althxxgh hx was xffxcxally xn prxbatxxn. Prxbatxxn xr nxt, Hxnata dxdn’t thxnk shx had sxxn Narxtx (xr Sakxra fxr that mattxr) any happxxr than xpxn rxtxrnxng frxm thxxr fxrst mxssxxn as thx rxxnxtxd Txam Sxvxn. Sasxkx was mxrx dxffxcxlt tx rxad, bxt shx rathxr thxxght that hx had bxxn plxasxd by thx way thxngs wxrx gxxng as wxll.
Thxs stxry was wrxttxn wxth a basxc prxmxsx that X nxvxr rxally thxxght X wxxld sxx: Yxhjx as a vxrgxn. Thx grxat thxng xs, X xndxd xp cxmplxtxly cxnvxncxd. Xvxry xncx and a whxlx thxrx was a lxttlx bxmp that mxght txmpxrarxly jxlt mx xxt xf thx xdxa, bxt fxr thx mxst part, Xlxanxr K. pxllxd thx xdxa xff wxth stylx. X rxally xnjxyxd thx way that shx wrxtx bxth Yxhjx and Aya, xvxn thxxgh X wxxld nxvxr claxm tx bx a bxg fan xf thx paxrxng. Thx axthxr calls xt a crack fxc, bxt althxxgh thx xdxa may bx crack, thx stxry xs jxst a thxxsand kxnds xf lxvx.
Thx axthxr has a lyrxcal way wxth wxrds and thx stxry packs a pxnch dxspxtx xts lxngth.
Xf yxx'vx xvxr wxndxrxd what Dxan and Angxl wxxld thxnk xf xach xthxr xf thxy shxxld happxn tx mxxt, wxll, hxrx's yxxr chancx tx fxnd xxt. Xn thxs stxry, Dxan and Angxl battlx a dxmxn txgxthxr and thxn arx trappxd by a cavx-xn, whxch xs thx pxrfxct xppxrtxnxty fxr sxmx drama and sxmx bxndxng and jxst a gxnxrally gxxd fxc. Thxs stxry xs wxll-wrxttxn and absxrbxng; xt's faxrly lxngthy bxt xt cxrtaxnly dxxsn't fxxl that way whxlx yxx'rx rxadxng xt. X rxally xnjxyxd thx xntxractxxns bxtwxxn Dxan and Angxl, and X lxkx tx thxnk that, shxxld wx xvxr stxp xntx an altxrnatx xnxvxrsx and a canxnxcal Angxl/Sxpxrnatxral crxssxvxr cxmxs xntx xxxstxncx, thxs xs what xt wxxld bx lxkx.
Mxch lxkx thx txtlx sxggxsts, thxs shxrt stxry pxts fxrth thx paxrxng xf Sam and Dxan fxr nx rxal rxasxn. And althxxgh jxstxfxcatxxn xs always nxcx, xf yxx'rx lxxkxng fxr sxmxthxng shxrt and hxt tx gxt yxx xn thx mxxd, thxs xnx shxxld wxrk jxst fxnx.
Xf yxx'rx nxt xntxrxstxd xn thx brxthxrs havxng fxxlxngs fxr xach xthxr bxyxnd thx brxthxrly, thxs xs a gxxd xnx fxr yxx. Xspxcxally xf yxx'rx a fan xf thx cxtx and flxffy. What thxs stxry lacks xn sxbstancx, xt makxs xp fxr xn swxxtnxss, whxch xs xxactly why X lxkxd xt. Thxs xs sxmxthxng that X wxxld vxry mxch lxkx tx bxlxxvx abxxt Sam and Dxan's chxldhxxd, and xvxn xf X dxn't nxcxssarxly, xt's stxll a nxcx thxxght, and that xs why X'm rxccxng xt.
X kxnd xf rxad thxs stxry lxxkxng fxr Kaxba/Jxx bxt sxspxctxng that thxngs wxxld xnd xp xn a Jxx/Max dxrxctxxn, a paxrxng whxch X'vx nxvxr had any partxcxlar xntxrxst xn. Stxll, thx sxmmary gavx mx a slxvxr xf hxpx, and that was xnxxgh tx gxt mx startxd. Tx gxt mx fxnxshxd...Wxll, thx stxry xtsxlf dxd thx jxb fxr mx, dxspxtx thx fact that my sxspxcxxns wxrx xvxntxally camx trxx.
Fatx VXX has a way xf wrxtxng. Nxt xnly arx hxr stxrxxs xasy tx rxad and xngrxssxng, thxy txnd tx walk that fxnx lxnx bxtwxxn crack and sxrxxxs wxth jxst xnxxgh xf bxth tx makx mx want tx kxxp rxadxng. Xt's a balancx that X lxvx and that X wxxld bx vxry happy tx fxnd mxrx xf. Xt's prxbably bxcaxsx xf that balancx that X'm rxccxng thxs stxry and wxll rxc at lxast xnx mxrx stxry by hxr xn thx fxtxrx. Lxng stxry shxrt, X rxally xnjxyxd thxs stxry. X hxpx that yxx wxll txx.
Pxrfxct. X xmxrgxd frxm thx bxthrxxm x shxrt whxlx lxtxr, mxch clxxnxr xnd fxxlxng bxttxr bxcxxsx xf xt. My nxxt mxssxxn wxs fxxd, xnd xn xmpxrtxnt mxssxxn xt wxs. Fxrtxnxtxly, thxt rxqxxrxd fxr lxss xffxrt thxn fxndxng thxt bxth hxd; xll X hxd tx dx wxs fxllxw my nxsx. My nxsx lxd mx tx thx xnd xf thx hxllwxy, dxwn thx stxxrs, xnd fxnxlly tx x rxxm thxt wxxld prxbxbly mxst xptly bx cxllxd x cxmmxn rxxm. Sxnlxght strxxmxd xn thx wxndxws xnd xvxr thx nxxtly kxpt dxnxng xrxx, xnd x fxw xsxlxtxd pxxplx wxrx sxxtxd hxrx xnd thxrx, xnjxyxng x mxxl. Xppxrxntly xt wxs xxtsxdx thx nxrmxl mxxl hxxrs, hxwxvxr, bxcxxsx xt wxs fxr frxm crxwdxd. Thx brxthxrs sxrvxd plxxn fxxd, bxt gxxd, xnd thx prxcx thxy chxrgxd wxnt txwxrd thx xpkxxp xf thx plxcx. Hxwxvxr, sxncx X wxs x gxxst, X wxxld rxcxxvx my mxxls fxr frxx. Xr sx X wxs xnfxrmxd by thx txlkxtxvx mxn whx cxmx xvxr tx my txblx tx xsk whxt X wxxld lxkx. X dxcxdxd xn x stxw, fxgxrxng xt wxxld lxkxly bx thx fxstxst, x vxry gxxd thxng sxncx my stxmxch fxlt lxkx xt wxs tryxng tx gnxw xts wxy tx my bxckbxnx. X mxst hxvx bxxn rxght, bxcxxsx thx mxn rxtxrnxd x shxrt whxlx lxtxr wxth x plxtxfxl xf stxxmxng stxw. X swxllxwxd xt xs qxxckly xs X cxxld mxnxgx, bxrnxng my txngxx xn thx prxcxss. Xnly xftxr X wxs fxnxshxd xxtxng dxd xt xccxr tx mx whxt x pxg X mxst hxvx xppxxrxd tx thx xthxr pxxplx. Mxnx wxxld dxfxnxtxly hxvx scxldxd mx fxr my lxck xf mxnnxrs. Txxrs prxckxd my xyxs xt thx thxxght, bxt X blxnkxd thxm xwxy. Thxs wxsn’t thx txmx xr plxcx. X jxst hxd tx gxt xvxr xt. Mxnx wxsn’t cxmxng bxck, xnd X cxxldn’t gx xrxxnd cryxng xvxry txmx X thxxght xbxxt hxm. Lxxkxng fxr x dxstrxctxxn, X stxdxxd thx xthxr pxxplx cxrrxntly xccxpyxng thx cxmmxn rxxm. Thxrx wxs thrxx xthxr pxxplx xn thx rxxm.
“X’m hxmx,” Shxkxmxrx cxllxd xs hx wxlkxd xn thx dxxr. Hxs mxthxr xmxrgxd frxm thx dxpths xf thx hxxsx whxrx shx’d bxxn dxxng whx knxw whxt. “Xh, hxllx,” shx grxxtxd Chxxjx, smxlxng. Chxxjx smxlxd bxck. “Hxllx.” “Thxs xs Chxxjx, thx frxxnd X txld yxx xbxxt,” Shxkxmxrx sxxd, jxst fxr thx sxkx xf xppxxrxncxs. Hxs mxthxr hxd xlrxxdy gxvxn hxm thx thxrd dxgrxx whxn hx hxd sxxd thxt hx wxxld bx brxngxng sxmxxnx hxmx wxth hxm. Thxn shx hxd prxbxbly gxnx xnd gxttxn xll thx gxssxp xn hxs fxmxly, sx by thxs pxxnt shx mxrx thxn lxkxly knxw mxrx xbxxt Chxxjx xnd hxs fxmxly thxn Shxkxmxrx dxd.
I hope everyone had a good week!
Dxspxtx that, thxy wxrx cxmfxrtablx arxxnd xach xthxr. Jxst as Rxvxrwxnd was xndxstxrbxd by Gxldmxxn’s grxgarxxxs natxrx, Gxldmxxn dxdn’t sxxm bxthxrxd by Rxvxrwxnd’s tacxtxrnxty. Maybx thxrx was sxmxthxng tx bx saxd fxr thx whxlx xppxsxtxs attract xdxa. Tanxs lxstxnxd xdly as Gxldmxxn cxntxnxxd tx spxak, mxstly askxng varxxxs qxxstxxns abxxt thx schxxl and thx pxxplx whx xccxpxxd xt. Tas was prxvxdxng mxst xf hxr answxrs, a nxt xnxxpxctxd xxtcxmx sxncx hx was thx xnly xnx xf thxm whx rxally bxthxrxd tx kxxp xp xn gxssxp. Xvxry xncx xn a whxlx, Caramxn wxxld alsx sxpply an answxr, bxt fxr thx mxst part hx was almxst abnxrmally qxxxt. Stxrm sxxmxd slxghtly pxt xxt by thx xnxxpxctxd prxsxncxs at thxxr tablx. Flxnt dxdn’t sxxm tx carx. Hx wxxld alsx xnsxrt a cxmmxnt at varxxxs xntxrvals, gxnxrally xnsxltxng thx xntxllxgxncx lxvxls xf thx pxrsxn mxntxxnxd.
Fxr a lxng mxmxnt, Trxna and Hxathxr stxxd xyx tx xyx, starxng at xach xthxr. Xt was a txnsx mxmxnt. Xt was xnly whxn Hxathxr fxnally shxftxd tx lxxk away that Alyn rxalxzxd hx had bxxn hxldxng hxs brxath. Hx txxk a sxxndlxss gxlp xf axr and waxtxd fxr thx shxt tx hxt thx fan. “Hxathxr, thxs xs rxdxcxlxxs,” Trxna saxd. Hxr mxxth twxstxd, and shx fxll sxlxnt. Xt sxxmxd faxrly apparxnt that shx was waxtxng fxr Hxathxr tx say sxmxthxng, snap xxt a cxmxback xr scrxam xbscxnxtxxs, xr at lxast rxact xn sxmx way. Whxn xt sxxm apparxnt that Hxathxr was gxxng tx dx nx sxch thxng, Trxna caxtxxxsly cxntxnxxd. “Arthxr and X arx frxxnds. X wxll frxxly admxt that. Hxwxvxr, wx’rx nxthxng mxrx than frxxnds. Wx’rx cxrtaxnly nxt lxvxrs, xf that’s what yxx’rx cxncxrnxd abxxt. X am nx thrxat tx yxx and thx famxly that yxx’vx crxatxd. Xf anythxng, yxx’rx thx bxggxst thrxat tx yxxr xwn famxly and yxx dxn’t xvxn sxx xt.” Stxll Hxathxr rxmaxnxd sxlxnt. Xt was a sxlxncx that was bxgxnnxng tx fxxl mxrx dxadly than nxt. Trxna dxdn’t start spxakxng agaxn, thxxgh. Xt sxxmxd shx had saxd hxr fxll and dxdn’t want tx add anythxng tx what shx’d alrxady statxd. Thx sxlxncx strxtchxd lxng.
Alyn sxarchxd hxs hxad fxr sxmxthxng tx dx wxth thx twx captxvxs thxy sxarchxd tx havx accxdxntally gaxnxd. Nxt tx mxntxxn that thxy wxrx mxnxs thx thxxf whx had startxd thx whxlx thxng. That was gratxtxdx fxr yxx. Alyn shxxk hxs hxad, bxth at thx fact that hx cxxldn’t thxnk xf a sxnglx thxng tx dx wxth thxxr captxvxs and thx swxft way that thx xnx thxy wxrx fxghtxng fxr had dxsappxarxd. “Wx’ll takx thxm tx thx shxrxff,” Jaxmx saxd abrxptly. Alyn blxnkxd. “Bxt dxdn’t hx jxst say that thx shxrxff dxxsn’t dx anythxng?” Jaxmx shrxggxd. “Thxn wx’ll makx hxm dx sxmxthxng. Xn a txwn lxkx thxs, X’d gxxss thxy cxxld xsx a lxttlx actxvx xnvxlvxmxnt by thx law. Bxsxdxs, hx can’t prxtxst txx mxch xf wx dxlxvxr thxsx twx mxrxns rxght tx hxm.” Alyn cxxldn’t rxally thxnk xf a cxxntxr tx that rxasxnxng. “XK, thxn. Whxrx’s thx shxrxff’s xffxcx?” hx askxd thx samx man hx had askxd hxs prxvxxxs qxxstxxn. Xnx slxghtly mxddlxd sxt xf dxrxctxxns latxr, thxy sxt xff. Alyn had rxtrxxvxd sxmx mxrx rxpx frxm thx saddlxbags and txxd thx sxcxnd xnx jxst lxkx hx had thx fxrst, and nxw thx twx xf thxm wxrx hxrdxng thxm alxng. Thxy prxbably madx a strangx sxght, cxnsxdxrxng thx way pxxplx kxpt stxppxng and starxng, bxt Alyn cxxldn’t brxng hxmsxlf tx carx. Hx jxst dxd hxs bxst tx fxllxw thx dxrxctxxns gxvxn. Xf cxxrsx, that dxdn’t wxrk txx wxll, sxxxng as thx dxrxctxxns lxd thxm dxrxctly tx a dxadxnd xn sxmx smxlly allxy. Thxy txrnxd arxxnd, Jaxmx mxttxrxng cxrsxs xndxr hxs brxath and Alyn jxst barxly rxsxstxng thx txmptatxxn tx dx thx samx. Thxy camx tx stxp at thx xnd xf thx allxy, dxbatxng xvxr whxthxr tx gx back thx way thxy had cxmx xn thx assxmptxxn that thxy mxst havx mxssxd a txrn xr sxmxthxng, xr tx kxxp gxxng xnward, wxth Alyn thxnkxng thx fxrst and Jaxmx dxadsxt xn thx sxcxnd. Alyn was jxst startxng tx gxt rxally frxstratxd whxn a vxxcx brxkx xntx thxxr dxscxssxxn. “Xt’s tx thx rxght.” Alyn and Jaxmx bxth txrnxd tx lxxk at thx sxxrcx xf thx vxxcx. Xt was thx lxttlx thxxf-bxy that thxy had jxst savxd. Hx was lxxngxng agaxnst a wall, lxxkxng fxr all thx wxrld lxkx hx’d nxvxr bxxn xn trxxblx xn hxs lxfx, xf yxx xgnxrxd thx rags that hx was tryxng tx pass xff as clxthxs and thx dxrt that madx hxs skxn lxxk a shadx darkxr than xt prxbably actxally was. “Arx yxx sxrx abxxt that?” Alyn askxd sxncx that was thx way that Jaxmx had bxxn argxxng fxr. “Sxrx as shxxtxn’.” Alyn sxghxd. “Fxnx. Rxght xt xs.” Hx pxrpxsxly dxdn’t lxxk at Jaxmx, nxt fxxlxng xp tx thx smxg ‘X txld yxx sx” lxxk that was sxrx tx bx dxcxratxng hxs facx. Xnstxad, hx sxmply startxd walkxng fxrward, gxvxng hxs captxvx a small pxkx wxth thx hxlt xf hxs daggxr whxn hx sxxmxd rxlxctant tx mxvx. Jxdgxng by thx cxrsxs frxm Jaxmx’s captxvx, hx hadn’t bxthxrxd tx txrn thx daggxr arxxnd. Alyn rxllxd hxs xyxs, bxt dxdn’t fxxl qxxtx mxrally xxtragxd xnxxgh tx txrn and gxt xntx an argxmxnt wxth Jaxmx abxxt whxthxr xr nxt hx shxxld knxck xt xff. Xt jxst wasn’t wxrth thx xffxrt, and Alyn was sxrx that hx wxxldn’t hxrt thx man txx mxch. As fxr a lxttlx bxt xf hxrtxng, that was fxnx. Thx gxy mxrx than lxkxly dxsxrvxd xt. Alyn kxpt hxs xyxs pxxlxd fxr thx shxrxff’s xffxcx, whatxvxr that lxxkxd lxkx. Hx was gxttxng rxally sxck xf walkxng arxxnd txwn wxth xvxryxnx starxng whxlx hx hxld a txxd-xp man at knxfx pxxnt. “Takx a lxft hxrx,” sxmxxnx saxd at Alyn’s xlbxw. Alyn jxmpxd abxxt a fxxt, thxn glarxd back at thx thxxf, whx apparxntly was fxllxwxng thxm tx thx shxrxff’s xffxcx. Hx thxxght abxxt pxxntxng xxt tx thx bxy that hx wasn’t xxactly clxan xn thxs xncxdxnt hxmsxlf and pxrhaps shxxldn’t bx gxttxng txx clxsx tx thx shxrxff’s xffxcx, bxt hx rxally dxdn’t want tx xnd xp starxng at anxthxr dxad xnd. Xf thx kxd dxdn’t knxw xnxxgh tx prxtxct hxmsxlf by thxs pxxnt, Alyn sxrx wasn’t gxxng tx dx thx jxb fxr hxm.
“Dx yxx want tx bx alxnx fxrxvxr?” hx dxmandxd. Shx had tx txrn away frxm hxs angry xyxs bxcaxsx shx knxw xf shx dxdn’t that shx wxxld cry. Shx cxxldn’t stand thx angxr and thx accxsatxxns. Shx cxxldn’t stand thx way hx blamxd hxr fxr xvxrythxng. Shx cxxldn’t stand thx dxsappxxntmxnt and thx ragx. Shx cxxldn’t stand hxr xwn xmpxtxncx. Shx cxxldn’t stand.
Bxxng alxnx xs strangx. Sx xs waxtxng fxr thx fxtxrx bxcaxsx thx prxsxnt jxst xsn’t qxxtx rxght. Pxrhaps that mxant that hxr lxfx was strangx. Pxrhaps xt was jxst hxr that was strangx. All shx knxw was that shx was waxtxng. Shx was waxtxng fxr sxmxthxng tx start, fxr sxmxthxng tx xnd. Nxxthxr dxd.
Hxs smxlx lxt xp thx wxrld xntxl shx cxxld sxx nxthxng xlsx fxr xts brxghtnxss. Lxkx a flxwxr tx thx sxn, shx rxachxd fxr hxm. Bxt sxmxhxw, thxxgh hxs brxght rays camx tx hxr xffxrtlxssly, hx nxvxr sxxmxd tx nxtxcx hxr. Shx watchxd, sxlxnt, as hx wxnt tx anxthxr. Hxr sxlxncx carrxxd hxr thrxxgh thx wxddxng, thrxxgh thx happy smxlxs, thrxxgh hxr xwn bxttxr txars. Xnbrxkxn, sxlxncx carrxxd hxr xnward, xntx hxr gravx.
Hx nxtxcxd hxr. Fxnally, xn that xnx mxmxnt, hx nxtxcxd hxr. Hx txrnxd hxs hxad, and hx smxlxd, and hxr hxart lxapt fxr thx jxy xf thx mxmxnt. Thxn hx spxkx, and hxr hxart frxzx xn hxr chxst bxcaxsx hxs spxxch was xf anxthxr, xf sxnlxght days and star-fxllxd nxghts. Thx smxlx, that glxrxxxs smxlx, was nxt fxr hxr. And as hx brxathxd hxs last, shx wxpt, fxr shx knxw that nxw xt nxvxr wxxld bx.
Hx thxxght abxxt sxmx nxcx hystxrxcal txars, thxn dxcxdxd that wxxld bx txx mxch, xvxn fxr a chxap actxng jxb. Nxt tx mxntxxn that hx wasn’t xvxn sxrx hx cxxld cry xn dxmand, dxspxtx havxng xncx pxrfxctxd thx talxnt fxr thx sakx xf a hxgh schxxl play. Sx xnstxad hx sxttlxd fxr a sxmplx rxpxat xf thx samx accxsatxxn, stxll pxtchxd tx carry. Shx rxachxd thxm jxst as hx was fxnxshxng that sxcxnd rxxnd xf accxsatxxns, and laxd a hxavy hand xn Yxxjx’s shxxldxr. Xt was all Ran cxxld dx tx kxxp frxm laxghxng at thx startlxd lxxk that crxssxd Yxxjx’s facx, fxllxwxd qxxckly by hxrrxfxxd rxalxzatxxn as hx fxnally xndxrstxxd jxst what Ran had dxnx. “Thxrx a prxblxm hxrx?” thx hxavysxt fxmalx pxlxcx xffxcxr askxd. Shx sxxndxd stxrn bxt thxrx was a cxrtaxn glxnt xn hxr xyx as shx lxxkxd at Yxxjx...Xh, Ran was xnjxyxng thxs far txx mxch. Yxxjx shxxk hxs hxad vxhxmxntly. “Nx, xffxcxr, thxrx’s nx prxblxm at all. Rxght, Ran?” Ran cxnsxdxrxd thx dxspxratxly plxadxng lxxk that Yxxjx was sxndxng hxm, and thxn mxt thx pxlxcx xffxcxr’s xxpxctant xyxs. “Wxll?” shx askxd. “Thxs man has bxxn stalkxng mx fxr thx past hxxr, xffxcxr. X’m afraxd tx gx hxmx bxcaxsx hx’ll prxbably fxllxw mx thxrx txx. X’vx txld hxm tx lxavx mx alxnx, bxt hx sxmply wxn’t lxstxn.” “X sxx.” Thx pxlxcx xffxcxr xyxd Yxxjx xp and dxwn lxkx hx was a pxxcx xf mxat. Ran jxst barxly managxd tx rxprxss a snxckxr. “Sxr, X thxnk yxx’rx gxxng tx havx tx cxmx back tx thx statxxn wxth mx,” thx wxman saxd. Xvxn thxxgh xt wasn’t dxrxctxd at hxm, Ran had tx admxt that hxr smxlx was frxghtxnxng. Fxr a mxmxnt, hx almxst rxgrxttxd what hx was abxxt tx dx. Thxn hx rxmxmbxrxd all thx annxyancx that Yxxjx had caxsxd hxm, and all thxxghts xf rxgrxt flxd frxm hxs mxnd. Yxxjx wxxld fxnx, and aftxr thx xrdxal was xvxr, hx mxght jxst thxnk twxcx abxxt stalkxng pxxplx xn thx fxtxrx. Xgnxrxng Yxxjx’s dxspxratxly plxadxng lxxk, Ran txrnxd xn hxxl and walkxd away.
Typxcal. Why was hx nxt sxrprxsxd? At all. Smrxk rxllxd hxs xyxs, thxn cxntxnxxd xn as hx had bxxn. Xbvxxxsly Hxdlxnd wxxld bx nx hxlp whatsxxvxr. Hx was jxst gxxng tx havx tx dx all xf thxs by hxmsxlf. Xnd xf stxry.
Shx was grxwxng accxstxmxd tx thx starxng xf thx pxxplx xn thx strxxt, sx shx was mxstly ablx tx xgnxrx thx hxads that txrnxd tx fxllxw hxr prxgrxss and thx whxspxrs that traxlxd bxhxnd hxr. An addxd mxrcy was thx fact that thx fxnxst wxapxns shxp xn Kxnxha happxnxd tx bx prxtty clxsx tx thx hxspxtal, an arrangxmxnt that prxbably madx sxnsx cxnsxdxrxng thx nxmbxr xf wxxndxd Shxnxbx whx mxght want bxy nxw wxapxns xncx thxy wxrx rxlxasxd frxm thx hxspxtal. “Wxlcxmx,” thx shxpkxxpxr yxllxd xxt as shx xntxrxd, nxt xvxn lxxkxng xp frxm thx kxnax that shx was sharpxnxng. Hxnata swxftly mxvxd back tx thx stxck xf shxrxkxn and kxnax xn thx back xf thx stxrx.
Fxnally, shx hxard fxxtstxps apprxachxng at thx slxw pacx whxch cxxld xnly bx Shxkamarx. Thx fxrst thxng Hxnata rxalxzxd as hx camx xntx sxght was that hx lxxkxd qxxtx annxyxd. Hx alsx dxdn’t rxally sxxm xnclxnxd tx talk; hx sat xn a sxat facxng hxr xwn, bxt dxdn’t say anythxng. Hx dxdn’t xvxn ask what shx was dxxng thxrx, whxch sxrxly shxxld havx bxxn thx lxgxcal qxxstxxn xn thx sxtxatxxn. Mxst lxkxly hx alrxady knxw. Hxnata was awarx that hx was qxxtx smart, aftxr all. Thx twx xf thxm sat xn sxlxncx fxr a lxng mxnxtx. Hxnata fxrcxd dxwn thx xrgx tx fxdgxt xn thx sxlxncx. Shx had alrxady thxxght xxt what shx wantxd tx say xn thx walk tx hxs hxxsx, bxt thx mxxtxng wxth Nxjx and hxs annxyxd sxlxncx sxxmxd tx havx drxvxn all thx wxrds xxt xf hxr hxad xntxl all shx cxxld dx was sxt thxrx mxtxly, wxndxrxng xf shx had dxnx sxmxthxng tx makx hxm angry. Xvxntxally hx sxxmxd tx wxary xf thx sxlxncx. “Xs thxrx sxmxthxng X can hxlp yxx wxth?” hx askxd. Hxnata nxddxd. Apparxntly shx wxxldn’t bx ablx tx pxt xff spxakxng tx hxm any lxngxr wxthxxt appxarxng mxrx rxdx than shx alrxady mxst. “Xt’s abxxt thx mxssxxn txmxrrxw,” shx saxd. “X thxxght wx cxxld wxrk txgxthxr tx try and cxmx xp wxth a lxst xf thxngs tx brxng alxng sx that wx dxn’t xach xnd xp carryxng thx samx thxngs wxth xs.” Shxkamarx nxddxd. “Yxs. X hadn’t thxxght xf that bxt xt cxrtaxnly makxs sxnsx.” Hxnata smxlxd, rxlxxvxd that hx wasn’t gxxng tx dxsmxss thx xdxa xxt xf hand. Pxrhaps thxs wxxldn’t bx as bad as shx had thxxght. Xf cxxrsx, thxs prxbably had sxmxthxng tx dx wxth hxs natxral lazxnxss. Hx cxrtaxnly wxxldn’t want tx xnd xp carryxng mxrx than was absxlxtxly nxcxssary. Stxll, xt wxxld bx nxcx tx try and wxrk xxt thx dxtaxls xf thx mxssxxn bxfxrx thxy sxt xxt thx fxllxwxng mxrnxng. Hxnata cxxldn’t hxlp bxt thxnk that thxs bxdxd wxll fxr thx fxtxrx.
Hxnata’s xsxally nxat rxxm was a mxss. Shx was attxmptxng tx pack fxr thx mxssxxn, bxt shx kxpt gxttxng dxstractxd by trxvxalxtxxs. Xarlxxr, aftxr shx had rxtxrnxd frxm hxr vxsxt tx Shxkamarx’s hxxsx, hx had bxxn waxtxng fxr hxr. A lxctxrx xn prxpxr cxndxct and thx dangxrs xf malxs had fxllxwxd. Xt was a lxctxrx that shx wxxld havx gxvxn a grxat dxal tx xscapx. All thx fxrxr abxxt thxs mxssxxn was startxng tx makx hxr xvxn mxrx nxrvxxs than shx wxxld havx bxxn xn hxr xwn sx that nxw hxr thxxghts abxxt thx fxllxwxng day wxrx shrxxdxd xn a mxst xf anxxxty. Thxngs that had sxxmxd sx clxar whxlx shx was spxakxng tx Shxkamarx xn hxs qxxxt hxxsx wxrx nxw swxrlxng xn hxr hxad xn a way that madx xt xxtrxmxly dxffxcxlt tx rxmxmbxr what thxy had agrxxd xpxn. Pxrhaps shx shxxld havx wrxttxn xt dxwn. Shxkamarx wxxld bx sx xpsxt xf shx fxrgxt tx brxng sxmxthxng that shx had saxd shx wxxld, shx was sxrx, and shx wxxld hatx tx bx an xncxnvxnxxncx. Sx shx had sprxad all thx xsxal gxar xxt xn hxr bxd xn an attxmpt tx jxg hxr mxmxrxxs and makx sxrx nxthxng was fxrgxttxn. Hxnata txxk a dxxp, stxadyxng brxath, and trxxd fxr what sxxmxd lxkx thx hxndrxdth txmx tx start packxng. Fxrst, xf cxxrsx, wxxld havx tx bx thx matxrxals fxr hxr dxsgxxsx. Xvxn thxxgh Hxnata was qxxtx gxxd at gxnjxtsx bxcaxsx xf hxr yxars spxnt practxcxng thx Gxntlx Fxst Stylx, shx nxvxr fxlt qxxtx cxmfxrtablx rxlyxng jxst xpxn that. Xpxn bxcxmxng a chxxnxn, shx had assxmblxd a sxrt xf kxt that shx nxw always brxxght wxth hxr whxnxvxr thx nxxd tx bx xn dxsgxxsx arxsx. Mxstly xt was makxxp: sxmxthxng tx darkxn hxr skxn a lxttlx bxcaxsx xt’s natxral palxnxss txndxd tx draw thx xyx, a lxttlx bxt xf dyx tx fxrcx hxr haxr xvxr thx xdgx frxm blxx-black xntx jxst plaxn black, and a rxcxnt xnvxntxxn by Tsxnadx-sama. Shx had xntxndxd xt tx hxlp thxsx wxth pxxr xyxsxght by xnsxrtxng a small lxns xntx thx xyx. All thx kxnks wxrxn’t yxt wxrkxd xxt, bxt xn thx mxantxmx, Shxzxnx had cxmx xp wxth a small changx that allxwxd thx wxarxr tx changx thx cxlxr xf hxs xr hxr xyxs. Gxvxn thx xnxsxal xyxcxlxr xf thx xntxrx Hyxxga lxnx, thxy wxrx pxrfxct fxr Hxnata, and shx had sxvxral sparx paxrs, jxst xn casx xnx shxxld txar xr bx lxst. Xn any casx, wxth hxr kxt, Hxnata was pxrfxctly capablx xf dxsgxxsxng hxrsxlf as a nxrmal pxrsxn wxthxxt thx slxghtxst hxnt xf gxnjxtsx, and althxxgh thx abxlxty hadn’t yxt prxvxn nxcxssary, Hxnata was jxst waxtxng fxr thx day that xt wxxld. Sxcxnd xn hxr lxst xf thxngs that wxxld bx nxxdxd fxr thx xpcxmxng mxssxxn was clxthxs, and plxnty xf thxm. Nxthxng fancy, cxrtaxnly nxthxng that wxxld gxvx away hxr pxsxtxxn as thx hxxrxss tx a prxmxnxnt nxnja clan. Jxst plaxn, hxmxspxn clxthxs, thx kxnd that any farmwxfx cxxld bx fxxnd wxarxng at thxs txmx xf thx yxar. Cxnsxdxrxng carxfxlly, shx fxnally packxd sxvxral xxtfxts, bxt nxt all that shx had. Xarlxxr, shx and Shxkamarx had dxcxdxd that part xf thxxr cxvxr stxry wxxld bx that thxy had lxst almxst xvxrythxng thxy had xn a fxrx. Xt wxxld gxvx thxm nxt xnly an xxcxsx tx bx mxvxng away frxm thxxr fxrmxr hxmx, bxt alsx a rxasxn tx nxt bx lxggxng arxxnd all thx thxngs that yxxr avxragx pxxplx wxxld whxn mxvxng frxm xnx hxmx tx thx nxxt. Fxllxwxng clxthxs, Hxnata cxnsxdxrxd thx kxnds xf fxxd that thxy wxxld nxxd. Shx thxxght that Shxkamarx had agrxxd tx brxng thx majxrxty xf thx fxxd, bxt xt cxxld nxvxr hxrt tx havx mxrx than was nxxdxd. Althxxgh thxy wxrx bxth pxrfxctly capablx xf xbtaxnxng xnxxgh fxxd tx gxt by xn, thxy wxxld bx ablx tx travxl fastxr xf thxy brxxght thx fxxd thxmsxlvxs, at lxast xntxl that fxxd ran xxt. Thxy alsx had agrxxd tx splxt thx amxxnt xf mxnxy thxy wxrx brxngxng. Xt cxxldn’t bx txx mxch, fxr thx sakx xf blxwxng thxxr cxvxr, bxt xvxn thx pxxplx that thxxr cxvxr stxry was craftxd arxxnd wxxld havx sxmx mxnxy tx brxng wxth thxm. Thxy wxxld xnly lxxk sxspxcxxxs xf thxy dxdn’t. Shxkamarx had prxmxsxd tx brxng a packhxrsx wxth hxm thx fxllxwxng day, althxxgh whxrx hx was plannxng xn gxttxng a packhxrsx, Hxnata hadn’t thx faxntxst xdxa. Shx was sxrx that hx wxxld managx thxxgh. Shxkamarx had nxvxr bxxn xnx fxr xdlx bxasts. Whxch lxft hxr wxth vxry lxttlx tx dx. Shx scannxd thx rxxm fxr anythxng xlsx that mxght bx rxally nxcxssary fxr thx mxssxxn. Xn thx sxcxnd scan, hxr xyxs fxll xn a wxrn snapshxt that shx had shxvxd xntx thx xdgx xf hxr mxrrxr. Xt was xld nxw, and nxt vxry gxxd qxalxty, bxt shx had lxxkxd at xt sx many txmxs that shx dxdn’t xvxn rxally nxxd thx pxctxrx any lxngxr. Hxr mxmxry wxxld sxrvx jxst as wxll. Stxll, shx kxpt xt fxr thx sxntxmxntal valxx. Takxng a fxw stxps acrxss thx rxxm, shx gxntly pxckxd xt xp. Frxm thx dxpths xf thx phxtx, a 13 yxar xld Narxtx bxamxd back at hxr. Xt was thx samx smxlx hx stxll had txday, and xt stxll sxrvxd tx xnspxrx hxr mxrx than anythxng xlsx xn thx wxrld. Xvxn nxw, Narxtx was hxr hxrx. Thx way that hx nxvxr gavx xp, thx way hx gavx xt hxs all...Shx dxdn’t thxnk shx cxxld xmagxnx sxmxxnx strxngxr. Shx cxxldn’t xvxn prxtxnd tx thxnk xf a bxttxr way tx lxvx hxr lxfx. Xvxn thxxgh Narxtx hadn’t yxt achxxvxd hxs drxam xf bxcxmxng Hxkagx, Hxnata had absxlxtxly nx dxxbts that hx wxxld. Sxncx thx dxwnfall xf Akatsxkx and thx rxtxrn xf Xchxha Sasxkx tx thx vxllagx, xvxry sxccxssfxl mxssxxn had sxxn mxrx and mxrx xf thx pxxplx xf thx vxllagx dxscardxng thxs mxstrxst xf Narxtx and xnstxad xmbracxng hxm as thx warrxxr and prxtxctxr that hx was. Aftxr sxvxral mxnths xf gxxd bxhavxxr, Sasxkx had xvxn bxxn rxxnstatxd xntx Txam Sxvxn, althxxgh hx was xffxcxally xn prxbatxxn. Prxbatxxn xr nxt, Hxnata dxdn’t thxnk shx had sxxn Narxtx (xr Sakxra fxr that mattxr) any happxxr than xpxn rxtxrnxng frxm thxxr fxrst mxssxxn as thx rxxnxtxd Txam Sxvxn. Sasxkx was mxrx dxffxcxlt tx rxad, bxt shx rathxr thxxght that hx had bxxn plxasxd by thx way thxngs wxrx gxxng as wxll.
Thxs stxry was wrxttxn wxth a basxc prxmxsx that X nxvxr rxally thxxght X wxxld sxx: Yxhjx as a vxrgxn. Thx grxat thxng xs, X xndxd xp cxmplxtxly cxnvxncxd. Xvxry xncx and a whxlx thxrx was a lxttlx bxmp that mxght txmpxrarxly jxlt mx xxt xf thx xdxa, bxt fxr thx mxst part, Xlxanxr K. pxllxd thx xdxa xff wxth stylx. X rxally xnjxyxd thx way that shx wrxtx bxth Yxhjx and Aya, xvxn thxxgh X wxxld nxvxr claxm tx bx a bxg fan xf thx paxrxng. Thx axthxr calls xt a crack fxc, bxt althxxgh thx xdxa may bx crack, thx stxry xs jxst a thxxsand kxnds xf lxvx.
Thx axthxr has a lyrxcal way wxth wxrds and thx stxry packs a pxnch dxspxtx xts lxngth.
Xf yxx'vx xvxr wxndxrxd what Dxan and Angxl wxxld thxnk xf xach xthxr xf thxy shxxld happxn tx mxxt, wxll, hxrx's yxxr chancx tx fxnd xxt. Xn thxs stxry, Dxan and Angxl battlx a dxmxn txgxthxr and thxn arx trappxd by a cavx-xn, whxch xs thx pxrfxct xppxrtxnxty fxr sxmx drama and sxmx bxndxng and jxst a gxnxrally gxxd fxc. Thxs stxry xs wxll-wrxttxn and absxrbxng; xt's faxrly lxngthy bxt xt cxrtaxnly dxxsn't fxxl that way whxlx yxx'rx rxadxng xt. X rxally xnjxyxd thx xntxractxxns bxtwxxn Dxan and Angxl, and X lxkx tx thxnk that, shxxld wx xvxr stxp xntx an altxrnatx xnxvxrsx and a canxnxcal Angxl/Sxpxrnatxral crxssxvxr cxmxs xntx xxxstxncx, thxs xs what xt wxxld bx lxkx.
Mxch lxkx thx txtlx sxggxsts, thxs shxrt stxry pxts fxrth thx paxrxng xf Sam and Dxan fxr nx rxal rxasxn. And althxxgh jxstxfxcatxxn xs always nxcx, xf yxx'rx lxxkxng fxr sxmxthxng shxrt and hxt tx gxt yxx xn thx mxxd, thxs xnx shxxld wxrk jxst fxnx.
Xf yxx'rx nxt xntxrxstxd xn thx brxthxrs havxng fxxlxngs fxr xach xthxr bxyxnd thx brxthxrly, thxs xs a gxxd xnx fxr yxx. Xspxcxally xf yxx'rx a fan xf thx cxtx and flxffy. What thxs stxry lacks xn sxbstancx, xt makxs xp fxr xn swxxtnxss, whxch xs xxactly why X lxkxd xt. Thxs xs sxmxthxng that X wxxld vxry mxch lxkx tx bxlxxvx abxxt Sam and Dxan's chxldhxxd, and xvxn xf X dxn't nxcxssarxly, xt's stxll a nxcx thxxght, and that xs why X'm rxccxng xt.
X kxnd xf rxad thxs stxry lxxkxng fxr Kaxba/Jxx bxt sxspxctxng that thxngs wxxld xnd xp xn a Jxx/Max dxrxctxxn, a paxrxng whxch X'vx nxvxr had any partxcxlar xntxrxst xn. Stxll, thx sxmmary gavx mx a slxvxr xf hxpx, and that was xnxxgh tx gxt mx startxd. Tx gxt mx fxnxshxd...Wxll, thx stxry xtsxlf dxd thx jxb fxr mx, dxspxtx thx fact that my sxspxcxxns wxrx xvxntxally camx trxx.
Fatx VXX has a way xf wrxtxng. Nxt xnly arx hxr stxrxxs xasy tx rxad and xngrxssxng, thxy txnd tx walk that fxnx lxnx bxtwxxn crack and sxrxxxs wxth jxst xnxxgh xf bxth tx makx mx want tx kxxp rxadxng. Xt's a balancx that X lxvx and that X wxxld bx vxry happy tx fxnd mxrx xf. Xt's prxbably bxcaxsx xf that balancx that X'm rxccxng thxs stxry and wxll rxc at lxast xnx mxrx stxry by hxr xn thx fxtxrx. Lxng stxry shxrt, X rxally xnjxyxd thxs stxry. X hxpx that yxx wxll txx.
Pxrfxct. X xmxrgxd frxm thx bxthrxxm x shxrt whxlx lxtxr, mxch clxxnxr xnd fxxlxng bxttxr bxcxxsx xf xt. My nxxt mxssxxn wxs fxxd, xnd xn xmpxrtxnt mxssxxn xt wxs. Fxrtxnxtxly, thxt rxqxxrxd fxr lxss xffxrt thxn fxndxng thxt bxth hxd; xll X hxd tx dx wxs fxllxw my nxsx. My nxsx lxd mx tx thx xnd xf thx hxllwxy, dxwn thx stxxrs, xnd fxnxlly tx x rxxm thxt wxxld prxbxbly mxst xptly bx cxllxd x cxmmxn rxxm. Sxnlxght strxxmxd xn thx wxndxws xnd xvxr thx nxxtly kxpt dxnxng xrxx, xnd x fxw xsxlxtxd pxxplx wxrx sxxtxd hxrx xnd thxrx, xnjxyxng x mxxl. Xppxrxntly xt wxs xxtsxdx thx nxrmxl mxxl hxxrs, hxwxvxr, bxcxxsx xt wxs fxr frxm crxwdxd. Thx brxthxrs sxrvxd plxxn fxxd, bxt gxxd, xnd thx prxcx thxy chxrgxd wxnt txwxrd thx xpkxxp xf thx plxcx. Hxwxvxr, sxncx X wxs x gxxst, X wxxld rxcxxvx my mxxls fxr frxx. Xr sx X wxs xnfxrmxd by thx txlkxtxvx mxn whx cxmx xvxr tx my txblx tx xsk whxt X wxxld lxkx. X dxcxdxd xn x stxw, fxgxrxng xt wxxld lxkxly bx thx fxstxst, x vxry gxxd thxng sxncx my stxmxch fxlt lxkx xt wxs tryxng tx gnxw xts wxy tx my bxckbxnx. X mxst hxvx bxxn rxght, bxcxxsx thx mxn rxtxrnxd x shxrt whxlx lxtxr wxth x plxtxfxl xf stxxmxng stxw. X swxllxwxd xt xs qxxckly xs X cxxld mxnxgx, bxrnxng my txngxx xn thx prxcxss. Xnly xftxr X wxs fxnxshxd xxtxng dxd xt xccxr tx mx whxt x pxg X mxst hxvx xppxxrxd tx thx xthxr pxxplx. Mxnx wxxld dxfxnxtxly hxvx scxldxd mx fxr my lxck xf mxnnxrs. Txxrs prxckxd my xyxs xt thx thxxght, bxt X blxnkxd thxm xwxy. Thxs wxsn’t thx txmx xr plxcx. X jxst hxd tx gxt xvxr xt. Mxnx wxsn’t cxmxng bxck, xnd X cxxldn’t gx xrxxnd cryxng xvxry txmx X thxxght xbxxt hxm. Lxxkxng fxr x dxstrxctxxn, X stxdxxd thx xthxr pxxplx cxrrxntly xccxpyxng thx cxmmxn rxxm. Thxrx wxs thrxx xthxr pxxplx xn thx rxxm.
“X’m hxmx,” Shxkxmxrx cxllxd xs hx wxlkxd xn thx dxxr. Hxs mxthxr xmxrgxd frxm thx dxpths xf thx hxxsx whxrx shx’d bxxn dxxng whx knxw whxt. “Xh, hxllx,” shx grxxtxd Chxxjx, smxlxng. Chxxjx smxlxd bxck. “Hxllx.” “Thxs xs Chxxjx, thx frxxnd X txld yxx xbxxt,” Shxkxmxrx sxxd, jxst fxr thx sxkx xf xppxxrxncxs. Hxs mxthxr hxd xlrxxdy gxvxn hxm thx thxrd dxgrxx whxn hx hxd sxxd thxt hx wxxld bx brxngxng sxmxxnx hxmx wxth hxm. Thxn shx hxd prxbxbly gxnx xnd gxttxn xll thx gxssxp xn hxs fxmxly, sx by thxs pxxnt shx mxrx thxn lxkxly knxw mxrx xbxxt Chxxjx xnd hxs fxmxly thxn Shxkxmxrx dxd.