Ethan woke up first from to the early morning light flooding the room, the openness of the curtains very apparent. He instantly tensed up, as if from a bad dream that he couldn't remember, then relaxed as he took in his surroundings.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkdKCxtHCr
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He was at the safe house. They'd made it out. Hanna was here, he felt her next to him. Her arm was draped across his chest and she was using his shoulder like a pillow. He could feel her breath gently rustling his chest hairs. She looked so peaceful and surreal. He'd half expected she would have been gone by the time he awoke.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF707hISlzq
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The hazy morning daze cracked away when he started to recall the events of the previous day. Ethan let out a soft sigh. There was so much he needed to sort out. His eyes drifted to the glass of water on the nightstand and wondered when she'd put it there. Then he remembered how thirsty he was and, after carefully extracting himself without waking her, downed the whole thing.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqR7tTk7ow
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For the first time in a couple days, he felt like he had actual energy, not just heat energy, and he wasn't going to waste it on worrying. First order of business, he had wiped a lot of the blood and dirt off, but it was still obvious that he needed a shower. After that, he changed the bandage around his ankle, which had finally stopped bleeding.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Iytu3mbPo
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Afterwards, he silently got some of the clean clothes out of the dresser, to avoid waking Hanna. He couldn't help looking at her with a touch of disbelief, still have a hard time believing she was here. It was no surprise that she was still asleep, no doubt that whole ordeal had been traumatic and exhausting for her. He resisted the urge to run his hand through her hair to wake her gently. He wanted to talk to her while his mind was clear, before the pressure of the heat returned.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3hFWHOSBb
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Deciding her rest was more important, he took the time to call Steve and sort out some items concerning Midas Financial. Given he was going to disappear anyways, there was technically no need to quit his job. However, Hanna was not in the same position and he wanted to do what he could to smooth over her unexpected leave. His life was already screwed up, at least he could try not to take her down with him.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6pU9uEEs2
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Ethan felt slightly relieved as Steve reassured him that Hanna likely wouldn't be fired, although Sarah wouldn't be happy with her. Steve was surprisingly understanding of the whole situation, and glad that were both safe, as Ethan explained what would happen next. Now that two people he trusted knew his secret, he wasn't looking forward to a new life without them.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9LWHotjx2
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That sorted for the moment, he figured he should at least get somethings done before she got up, like breakfast. It had been so long since he'd been here, he'd forgotten what he'd stocked.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhaVZ1BE6o
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He walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge first, out of habit and forgetting it had been unplugged, and thus completely empty. The pantry had lots of canned soups and other dry foods. He was satisfied there would be more than enough for food both of them for at least a week, even though he'd never planned on stocking this place for two. At the end of his search, he found he wasn't actually hungry and didn't end up eating anything.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBuBNhDT7n
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He ended up on the sofa, waiting. The undeniable arousal sensation of the heat wasn't back yet but he had no clue how long that would last. He very much wished he had asked his father a lot more questions about this, like how long it would last or if there was a way to get rid of it. It was just another thing to add to the list of regrets he had about his teens.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnHHmZVU8R
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His gaze drifted to the number on the back on his left hand. The number eighteen in clear black ink. The sight of it made his stomach turn. He wanted to get rid of it desperately, erase anything he could about that day. He went to the kitchen sink and he scrubbed the area until his skin was pink but the number was still there, hardly even faded.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ69wxk7Ghw
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Anger and frustration flared up within him as he scrubbed harder. Before long, without realizing, he'd left his hand painfully raw with the ink still shining boldly. He leaned against the sink, trying to calm himself down, this wasn't working. In the end, he threw a bandage over it to cover it up, resolving to figure out how to get rid of it later.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRn6oAkzzj
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Ethan checked in on Hanna again, this time, he noticed the mound on the bed moving and flicked on the lights. Irritated muttering emanated from the mound. He resisted the temptation to laugh at her childish behaviour as he sat down on the bed next to her.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFv4IW7XWep
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Ethan stroked her hair until she cracked opened her deep brown eyes. "Thank you."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBkoBLykBV
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Hanna peeked her head out, still blinking sleep out of her eyes. "What?"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JAjdQhP3d
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"Just thanks for coming to get me." Ethan cleared his throat. "And everything else."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyU3TfyeLXe
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Fleeting emotions ran through Hanna's foggy brain until her anger jerked her awake, the memories still fresh in her mind from the previous day. "I was never going to let them use you like that." Her temper flared up just thinking about it. The idea they'd wanted to use him like an animal disgusted her immeasurably. She shuddered at the memory of the corpse on the metal table and she silently wished that he never asked about what their plans for him had been.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiTptSJjnj
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Now we can make our own plans, Hanna thought victoriously. She subtly observed how much better he looked today. He wasn't sweaty, he looked like he'd actually slept and there wasn't a hint of any tremors. It was like he wasn't even in heat.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5fZoe6S0e
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"Is the heat over?" Hanna asked bluntly.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68MRDz7fGQ
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"Um, no," Ethan answered, confused.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXbbi6ZRds
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Hanna looked him over again. "But you seem- The symptoms went away?"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZO3r7vaZFq
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"Um, they're only gone temporarily because..." Ethan left his explanation unfinished, beginning to dread where this conversation was going.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHdaK3zDwG
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"Because of us?" Hanna suggested helpfully.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8uX8j4bHJ
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"Yeah. They'll come back," Ethan answered dejectedly.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtAGH50TZB
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"Do you know when the next time will be?" Hanna asked.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWldXMZ848z
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She assumes there will be a next time, Ethan realized, tensing up. He had to ask the question he'd been avoiding. "Uh, no, but does that mean you're alright with staying here?"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEHpECHfBd
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"Yeah, it's fine. You can't go back to the city right now anyways, it wouldn't be safe," Hanna answered nonchalantly.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWZ9hVaRO9
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"I mean, you're okay with staying with me?" Ethan clarified hesitantly.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMW5LDRZhJs
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Hanna looked at him curiously. "You're asking if I'm going to leave you here? On your own?"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CIw2YDHlo
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Ethan nodded, his bright blue eyes searching her face for her reaction.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARmVetUO46
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"I'm not going to do that to you." Hanna took his hand comfortingly. "I'm staying. Unless you want me to go."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjiyn1nmUd
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Ethan gripped her hand tighter. "You know what you're agreeing to?"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6h6TA2z7x
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Hanna smirked playfully. "I think I got a proper introduction last night." She winked. "Just let me know if you're planning anything really out of the ordinary."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0SDQ3IJci
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"Um... that's not... it's just..." Ethan stumbled over his words.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2sW8BCcoH
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"Breathe," Hanna told him softly. "Think about what you're going to say."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtVapT1R2j
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Ethan took a deep breath. "With heat sex... I'm not all there sometimes. I might end up hurting you. And it might not always be... enjoyable."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUBKcbCYVn
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Hanna shrugged. "I've had rougher and I've had worse. You're not going to scare me off."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXezcJ9YlD4
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For the first time, Ethan eyed her with suspicion. She was being a lot more eager and accepting than he'd expected, this was not how he'd thought this conversation was going to go. Maybe it was just recent events making him distrustful, but this whole thing seemed way too coincidental.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeySDMuaMV
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Her appearance, her willingness, her acceptance. This seemed too good to be true. His gut was telling him something was off, but it could very well be his own nerves, he still felt very on edge. He wasn't sure he'd ever be able to shed the low level anxiety that had taken up residence at the back of his mind after this ordeal.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dxfy7sm94
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On the other hand, this week had been so hellish that maybe his luck had finally turned around. Maybe Hanna just had that attitude towards the Charax. It had been made clear to him yesterday that he didn't know his coworker that well.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLFFCwEBe4
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Ethan stared at her uncertainly. "You're sure?"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzudDKy6Cd
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Hanna smiled as she ran a hand down the side of his face. "I am. I meant what I said and I'm not going anywhere."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnn0ianqbSL
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He looked at her intently, suspicion hiding behind his eyes.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpkMgLV8EN
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"You're wondering why," Hanna suspected.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnaoO0MGAI
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"Yeah. I am," Ethan admitted. "Why would you do any of this?"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJzI81Occ8
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"You're so blind. Because I like you, even when you're an idiot and refuse to listen to me," Hanna said as the corner of her lip twitched upwards, betraying the smile she was trying to hide.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkW6OOOP3f
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Ethan hadn't been expecting that answer. He recalled the warning she'd given him days ago. Pieces fell into place. She'd known what he was, what had been happening to him and tried to tell him that others were figuring it out too. All without him realizing it. Clearly, he hadn't been doing as good job of hiding the symptoms as he thought he had.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6jADMgiPN
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"You knew." Ethan rubbed his hands over his face.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7okndhXaMy
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Hanna laughed at his reaction. "Obviously." Then, her face fell. "I'm sorry."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFGCO8NE36
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What does she have to apologize for? Ethan wondered, feeling his stomach twist at her reaction. "Why?"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8iX1GImOb
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Hanna's gaze fell to her hands as she twisted the sheets in her hands. "I should have told you. Then you could have left before things got out of hand. None of this would have happened to you." She looked at him sadly. "I'm sorry."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhylUU2cINc
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Ethan felt the knot inside him untangle. "You don't need to apologize. This is my problem. I should have listened to your warning."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0qGJDetJZ
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Hanna hugged him, burying her face in his shirt. "None of them. You are such an idiot! You can't just walk right into traps."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9aa2mdzlk
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Ethan wasn't sure how to react to that. He patted her shoulder cautiously. "Normally I do, I was just distracted this week."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mbMBc1wMs
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Hanna let go of him. "I got that, but it was still way too obvious. You never should have been working."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDY09aJhna
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"Who else knows?" Ethan asked seriously. "Did you tell anyone?"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PEX6kluCQ
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"I didn't tell anyone. I know how to keep a secret," Hanna answered confidently, almost proudly. "The dealers wouldn't have shared that information either but Steve seemed suspicious," she added on. The Crimson Keys would have tried to avoid alerting their competition, wanting to get their prize as cleanly and quickly as possible, she thought.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wlXUbYQ0B
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"Steve already knows," Ethan revealed casually.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jOPcmdvVa
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Hanna was astonished he'd told anyone. He was going to get caught sooner or later with those kind of slip ups, she thought. "Oh, okay then," she said quietly.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3k0kSJ7DDy
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Ethan nodded automatically. He was staring out the bedroom window, almost as if he was looking at the brightly lit pines, but his eyes were unfocused. His expression only got more troubled as the seconds ticked by.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcypQpShzL
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"What are you thinking about?" Hanna asked curiously.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHoH0dluOA
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Ethan sighed heavily. "Just trying to figure out how my life got so messed up."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlknicWMASG
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"It's not messed up," Hanna protested quickly. He shot her a look. "Okay, it's not that messed up." The only loose end is whoever tipped off the dealers and I can take can of that, she thought, nothing a well aimed bullet can't fix. "We'll be able to deal with it."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpv101rVlN
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Ethan recalled how she had set the place on fire, destroying any record they were there. "How can you be so certain?"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcr2wyC1dFg
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"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," Hanna reassured him vaguely. "Don't worry about it."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFRoUbM828
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Ethan was strongly tempted by the opportunity to procrastinate. After all, they weren't in danger right now. He didn't need a new identity this instant. He could wait out the heat here, with her, and deal with that all later. Things could be easy for once in his life.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLW1H09OlJ
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"You look much better than yesterday," Hanna remarked, breaking his train of thought.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktGfRWJ4J9
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"Water and sleep helped a lot." Ethan smiled down at her. "You too." She flashed a smile back.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcJ0KDFqlp
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"Does the Trazinol help?" Hanna asked curiously.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdb6O3YeWJC
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Ethan frowned slightly. "It does but I don't have it. It wasn't in my bag."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUU9Gk4va5
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Hanna looked troubled. "It's going to be impossible to get without making people suspicious. Are you going to be okay without it?"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57Cc4bOWgG
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"I think so. You work a lot better," Ethan answered confidently. As long as you decide to stay, he added on mentally.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFs5zUaW54
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Hanna blushed at the compliment. She sat up, her neck achingly from her previous position and she rubbed it lightly, recalling her missing injuries. "What do you think happened to the burns?"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsJEAsGAup
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Ethan pushed her hair aside, as if to confirm the injuries were still gone. Her skin was as smooth and unblemished as it was yesterday.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8axGVK3aLT
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"None of my injuries are healed, so my thinking is you're the one with special healing powers," Ethan reasoned.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjkvMchZTb
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Hanna looked him over, noticing he still had his assortment of bruises, some starting to turn an ugly colour. She didn't really buy his explanation. "I'm Terran, we don't get healing powers."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNU8PbIl1ct
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Ethan fell silent at that comment.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCc9VqQnKp
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"Charax, on the other hand..." Hanna trailed off after noticing how he had stiffened.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwfosb7lAr
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"Those are just rumours," Ethan tried to reply dismissively, attempting to cover up his underlying agitation.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcb7UVHvlJC
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"There's lots of rumours," Hanna argued.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AdTKseVGE
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There were lots of myths that Charax body parts had mysterious healing capabilities, which fuelled the black market. Hanna felt her stomach start to twist at the thought. It was disturbing how many people were willing to commit cannibalism. Even more disturbing was how people tried to rationalize the Charax as non-human to argue it wasn't actually cannibalism.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWofnFKyWV
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"There are lots of rumours. Rumours that have nearly gotten me killed," Ethan stated dryly.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVg8WKeWtSS
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Or kidnapped, Hanna mentally added as she shivered at the memory. "Obviously, we can't tell a single person or let anyone figure it out. If it is true... I don't want to think of the consequences." That thought scared her more than anything, he was in enough danger already.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBS8PEuAJ6R
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Ethan nodded in grim agreement.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DAPiJ8AKE
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"We should know at least. We could test it with something small," Hanna suggested.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBmz47KjsM
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"No," Ethan answered, extremely serious. "I'm not going to let you hurt yourself for an experiment on me."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeOQh7J3QX
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Hanna couldn't think of a good rebuke for that. "I was thinking more along the lines of just waiting until I get a bruise or something."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRObLxSV1G
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Ethan eyed her suspiciously. "No, I don't..." He sighed, taking hold of her hand. "Just promise me you won't do this."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGOw3VxWjM
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Hanna couldn't refuse a request like that. She was fairly certain she was right, but if he wanted to ignore it then there wasn't much she could do without pushing him away. Besides, pretending it didn't exist could be the safest course of action, for both of them.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXY7ZGiA9FC
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"I promise," Hanna agreed softly. "But if I get a black eye and it mysteriously disappears, people are going to ask questions," she joked, trying to lighten the mood.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcT4VlWsxw
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Ethan let his shoulders drop in relief. "You don't need to worry, that won't happen."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOWgtWjDrr
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"Okay," Hanna yielded. She pointed at his new bandage. "Speaking of injuries, what happened to your hand?"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWsDzqJHNb
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Ethan pulled his hand in towards him, rubbing the white tape unconsciously. "Nothing... I was covering it up."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthLme5JPrO
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"Covering up what?" Hanna asked, confused. She couldn't remember him hurting his hand yesterday.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8ZLkTaT1y
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Ethan pulled off the bandage and showed her the number underneath. If Hanna was surprised or alarmed by the raw skin, then she didn't show it. Her face only hardened.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡud4jqaf5kI
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Hanna felt a surge of anger at the sight of the leftover marking. "One second," she said, getting up and throwing on her clothes from yesterday. "Let's get rid of that," she stated flatly.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivdFEzZk4x
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Ethan stuck the bandage back on, feeling newly dispirited. "I tried that already."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaC3tu6RwS
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"It won't wash off." Hanna pulled out a small bottle from the medical kit. "It'll come off with alcohol, come on."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWDpmndqx3
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Ethan followed her into the washroom halfheartedly, watching as she drenched a washcloth with the pungent liquid. He pulled the bandage off his hand, holding it palm up over the sink as he reached for the cloth in her hands.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6MclyZO1M
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"It's alright. I'll do it," Hanna soothed, stepping forward to take his marked hand delicately.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GK1dX8wgU
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Ethan watched Hanna rub the raw, inked area gently with slow motions, until the dark numbers started to fade. The tinted liquid began to run off his hand, forming small droplets at the tips of his fingers. He watched the drops slowly fall and splatter on the white porcelain, leaving grey dots all over the surface. For some inexplicable reason, it mesmerized him.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kReIkCtx9
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Ethan's mind drifted away, the stinging sensation on his skin barely registering and irritating smell a distant memory. Eighteen. Seventeen before. That's almost more Charax than I've met, Ethan thought sadly, and how many were in heat? Probably most, if that's how they find us.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhsvgfM9pG
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He couldn't stop thinking about what the dealers had been talking about. It was like they'd known more about heat than he did, an idea that unsettled him to no end. He actively tried to ignore what they'd said, but he couldn't forget it. Nor could he forget what he'd done.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmE1JGpGlE
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Hanna squeezed his hand, causing Ethan to jerk and look at her, before letting go. "Are you listening to me?"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNEeDdRMjT
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Ethan blinked at her. "What?"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqMrdnE90T
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Hanna wore an expression of mild concern. "I said it's gone, you can wash your hands now."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuFnuYH0Cs
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Ethan looked down at his hand, free of black ink. "Oh, thanks." He turned on the tap and began to rinse his hands rapidly. Hanna suddenly hugged him. She wrapped her arms around his waist carefully, mindful of his injuries, as she let her cheek rest lightly on his shoulder.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEvM2CiuA3
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To his surprise, Ethan relaxed at her unexpected soft touch. It was warm, genuine human contact and it put him at ease. The effect her simple action had on him was impressive.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9e7QUmY6S
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To his annoyance, her closeness was arousing him again, mixing with his lingering dread. He shifted more of his weight to his injured ankle, causing the pain there to build. He used it to push back against the pressure, unwilling to combine the two emotions, unwilling to taint the mood.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCZMtkXYvp
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It was only lasted a few seconds before Hanna unwrapped her arms. She glanced at his reflection in the mirror. "I know that look," she teased.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HEgxPHrNz
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"What?" Ethan asked innocently.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfcP52TOmi
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Hanna winked at him. "That's your holding back face. You can be honest with me."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmZlsTazVu
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"Okay, I'm not there just yet but... soon. Don't go far," Ethan admitted, reluctantly giving her the half-truth.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5u90j0Pbot
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Hanna chuckled and gestured out the window to the trees outside. "Not much place to go, out here." She paused, studying him. "And you don't have to wait until you feel like you're going to explode. Next time, we can be... preemptive."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5ndK2tNpL
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"I'll keep that in mind," Ethan replied noncommittally.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjNy9vUqP3
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