Chapter 64

Sweeping Sands

Aaron couldn't take much more. Struggling to breathe, he felt seconds away from collapsing.

"I don't even run this much during gym class…"

His eyes might have burned thanks to all the sweat clouding them, but he was one-hundred percent sure the castle in the distance hadn't gotten any close in spite of him running for what felt like hours.

"Maybe it is a mirage…"

"No, I see it too. ...Unless we're both losing it."

Sasune fell flat on his behind, wheezing just as hard.

Konoka, with her hands on her hips, fared little better. Her legs burned something fierce. She glared at Las Noches, which remained both massive and intimidating as it towered above the sands of Hueco Mundo.

"Is it a trick?" she said, her anger rising by the second.

Aaron spotted a snake-like Hollow poke its head out of the sand. It burrowed back underground at his presence.

"If it is, I don't think there's anyone around to ask," he admitted.

"Hey, mutt! Quick slacking off! You want your sister to die?! Get your ass back in gear!"

Aaron thought that easy for Hiyori to bark while she rode comfortably on his back.

Wiping the sweat from her brow, Lisa remarked, "Hey, four-eyes. You're the smart one, right? Think of something."

"Uh...aren't we both wearing glasses?" replied Sasune. It didn't take him long to come up with an explanation. He snapped his fingers and proclaimed, "Magic."

He expected applause, not an awkward silence.

"What? That's all I can think of."

Konoka jabbed her elbow into his rib cage. "Why the hell did she even ask you?"

"W-What the…?! Should you hit her?" Sasune rolled his eyes. He became a bit more serious, saying, "I don't think there's any trick or whatever. I just think that castle is freakin' huge. It might be even bigger than the Seireitei."

"You've gotta be kidding me," Aaron groaned.

"I hate to say it, but we might still be days from reaching it."

He shrieked when Hiyori grabbed him by the collar and pulled him close.

"You'd better figure out a way to get us there faster, or I'll pull out your spinal cord through your asshole!"

"I-I don't make the rules! I was only saying…!"

"GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER!"

"I'm so-oooooo-ory!"

Seeing a grown man reduced to tears was too much for a grimacing Aaron. He looked away, letting Sasune's words wash over him. Izumi might not have had 'days.'

I don't sense Kurosaki around. He must have found a way to get to that castle faster…

"Quit flirting with four-eyes over there, Hiyori, and take a load of this," said Lisa, pointing.

"Pipe down! I ain't done with his scrawny ass just yet!"

"Trust me. You don't wanna miss this."

Hiyori dropped Sasune. Her jaw fell too seconds later. What she could best describe as a giant, black worm slithered its way across the sand. Three figures, though far off, could clearly be seen running for their lives. Despite its size, the howling worm kept unnervingly close.

"Wait…" Aaron noticed one of them, wearing a cloak, didn't seem quite like anything else in Hueco Mundo. "Is that a...person?"

"Yeah, I think we'd better do somethin' then," said Konoka.

Sasune darted behind her, shaking like a leaf. "Count me out! I'm afraid of worms!"

"...Says the guy who's fought Hollows and Shinigami with a stupid grin."

"Worms are gross!"

"And you're hopeless."

"Argue later!" cried Aaron. He put a hand on his blade, adding, "We can figure out who those guys are later!"

It was time for an impromptu rescue. Lisa had other plans as she trotted away.

"W-Where are you going? What about the worm?" asked Aaron, floored.

"What worm?"

"...She's seriously pretending this isn't happening?!"

"Quit crying. I'll take care of this, princess." Hiyori slipped on her mask. "One tenderized Hollow coming up!"

"Wait, what are you gonna—AGH!"

Aaron ducked for cover as a Cero sailed over his head. It landed close to the worm-like Hollow, scattering it and the people they were supposed to save like bowling pins.

"God dammit! Of course she only made things worse!" a sprinting Aaron bellowed. He dove to catch the smallest of the victims. "You alright?"

Their hood came off, and he grew surprised at spotting a young, green-haired girl. At least...he thought she was. The sizable, cracked masked on her tiny head made it hard to tell. Her wide, hazel eyes surveyed him for a long while.

"Good. You don't seem to be…"

"A-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-AH!"

Aaron shot his hands over his ears though feared they were already ruptured. Before he could ask why the girl insisted on giving him a migraine, he began screaming himself due to her acquaintances. Unlike her, there wasn't anyone with working eyes that could confuse them for humans. They joined in on the shrieking, with the four of them sending echoes across Hueco Mundo.

"Would you idiots stop?!" Konoka smacked all of them. "What the hell are you guys anyway?"

"Arrancar? Isn't it obvious?" the tallest and thinnest of the trio answered. The shape of his white mask made him look like a giant, purple and white insect. "By the way, young ladies shouldn't go around hitting people!"

The Arrancar next to him by comparison was yellow and heavyset, littered in black spots. His mask freaked Konoka out given its huge, eyes and disconcerting teeth. Of course, what bothered her most was such a big Hollow sobbing like a little girl.

"I-I didn't even hit you that hard," she mumbled, guilt creeping up on her. "You clowns can't be Arrancar."

"Their energy certainly feels like it," noted Sasune. He peered at the green-haired girl. "I didn't know Arrancar could be kids though."

"Hollows, eh? There ain't nothing to talk about then."

Reapplying her mask, Hiyori drew her blade and made her toward the supposed Arrancar. They screamed again, even getting down on their hands and knees.

"Itsa Hollow! She's gonna eats us!" the little girl cried.

"You're Hollows!" Hiyori shot back. "Oh, screw this!"

"Wait!" Aaron grabbed her wrist and stopped her from landing a killing blow. "These people are...odd, but I get the feeling they aren't bad. ...Right?"

The people in question were too busy cowering to answer.

"This is ridiculous," Konoka said with a sigh.

Sasune replied, "Can you blame them for crapping their pants? I mean, three out of five of us are walking around with big, scary swords, while I'm afraid you have a scowl that would crack a mirror, Miss Mitsumi."

"Oh yeah? And what about you?"

"Me?" Sasune chuckled. "There's nothing scary about me at all. I'm like everyone's big brother."

"I wanna get adopted into a different family then…"

"Look, we aren't going to hurt you," said Aaron. He crouched down to the girl, who peeked a cautious eye at him. "I'm Aaron. The guy who won't shut up is Sasune. That's Konoka. Don't mind the glare. She always looks like that. And this is Lisa and Hiyori."

The ice breaker perked the girl up. Aaron was both surprised and pleased at her giving him a wide grin.

"I'm Nel Tu, da Arrancar!"

"Nel, eh? Good to meet you...I think. And your friends?"

"Pesche Gautiche, at your service!" the tall Arrancar voiced. "I'm Nel's big brother."

"And I'm Dondochakka, his big brother. Know what I mean?" said the huge Arrancar.

"So, we're all big brothers then!" said Sasune triumphantly. He ignored Konoka groaning as he moved toward Nel with his arms outstretched. "Aren't you a cutie pie? Why don't you give big brother Sasune a big hug?"

"Pedophile!" cried Nel as she hid behind Pesche and Dondochakka. No longer annoyed, Konoka doubled over laughing.

"I didn't know you were into little girls, Pretty Boy!" she howled.

"Wha…?! N-No, I didn't mean it like…!"

"Get away from our little sister, you fiend!" said Pesche.

"Yeah, don't lay a finger on her!" added Dondochakka. The huge sandworm behind him roared in agreement.

"You tell him, Bawabawa!"

Sasune, on the verge of tears, uttered, "I-I...just wanted a hug…"

While he wallowed in his misery, Aaron opted to move the conversation along, "So, where did you guys come from? I've never known Hollows to be so...jovial."

He expected an explanation, not Nel, Pesche, Dondochakka, and even Bawabawa striking flashy poses.

"Nel Tu!"

"Pesche Gautiche!"

"Dondochakka!"

"Together, we are…"

"Bandit Nel Gang!"

"The Three Brothers!"

"The Great Desert Brothers!"

Nel, Pesche, and Dodchakka ended up shouting over one another, leaving their onlookers baffled at how they could be so out of sync.

"Hey, didns't we choosed 'Bandit Nel Gang?'" said Nel.

"I only agreed to 'The Three Brothers!'" Pesche insisted.

Dondochakka argued, "Why can't we do 'The Great Desert Brothers?' Know what I'm sayin'?"

"Can I kill them now?" asked Hiyori wearily.

"I almost wanna say 'yes,' but you really shouldn't," replied Aaron.

"How are you clowns related?" asked Konoka. "You don't look anything alike."

"Why does everyone keep saying that?" wondered Pesche somberly.

"We found Nel one day and decided she was so cute, we'd make her our sister. Know what I'm talkin' about?" Dondochakka clarified.

"No, not really," said Konoka, shrugging. She supposed it really didn't matter.

Aaron, staring up at Bawabawa, noted, "He's actually quite docile. What's his deal? Weren't you guys running from him earlier?"

"We was playin'!" a cheery Nel answered. Pouting, she added, "Guess another game of endless tag got us in trouble…"

"Why do outsiders find it so confusing?" wondered Pesche.

"Quit trying to spoil our fun! Know what I'm sayin'?" Dondochakka added.

"I...don't get what you're saying," admitted Aaron.

"There ain't nothin' else to do in Hueco Mundo!" said Nel.

"So getting chased by a monster and screaming bloody murder is how you pass the time?"

"A little twisted, but it sounds fun!" chimed Sasune. "Wait a moment. From the way you're talking...are we not the first non-Arrancar you've seen?"

"Nope! Yer the second!" said Nel. "In fact, a guy like dressed like ya and talked to us earlier."

Aaron grew very interested in the topic. "Orange hair? Big sword?"

"Yep! Dat's him! He didns't haves a mask, just like…"

Nel froze. Horror took hold of her.

"You okay? I didn't mean to…"

"SHINIGAMI!" Nel, trembling, covered her head. "'Nother bad guy!"

"Huh? Wait, just because I'm a…"

"WE'S ALL GONNA DI-IIIIIIIII-IE!"

"I'm not gonna kill you!"

Nothing Aaron said could console Nel.

I'm not good with kids...

"Yeah, I'm kinda having second thoughts on that," said Hiyori. "If you really saw that Ichigo idiot earlier, then why are you getting all bent out of shape over more Shingami?"

"YER A SHINIGAMI TOO?!"

Hiyori regretted speaking when Nel somehow bawled even louder.

"This is interesting and all," said Lisa, "but I think I'm gonna go now. That castle is calling my name."

Pesche let out a grating, melodramatic gasp. "Las Noches?! You're going there?!"

"No, we're going to Disneyworld."

"I mean, it is a castle," said Sasune.

"Don't encourage her, idiot," Hiyori insisted.

"Weird," said Pesche. "That carrot-top guy also wanted to go there."

"Ya'll are insane! Don'tcha know there's a lot of scary guys in Las Noches?" cried Dondochakka.

"What's the big deal? Aren't you guys like them?" asked Konoka.

"Nope! We's like worms in da dirt compared to dem Espada!"

Aaron thought Nel sounded rather happy for insulting herself.

"Intriguing. To think there was such a divide in the Hollow social structure," said Sasune.

Aaron nodded. "If these guys are scared of the Espada, I'd say they're on our side. Look, we came here partly to chase after the guy you mentioned. His name's Ichigo."

"Itsygo?" Nel put her finger on her chin. "Ya know, he's probably dead by now!"

Aaron couldn't help but glare at Pesche and Dondochakka.

"We didn't teach her to talk like that!" Pesche assured him.

"Yeah, sure…"

"Dat Itsygo was kinda scary, but he beat up the guardian of da sand fer us!" said Nel.

"What happened to him after that?" asked Aaron.

"We's gave him a ride on Bawabawa! Yep! He's worm food fer sure!"

Again, Aaron turned to Nel's siblings. They waved their hands defensively.

"Strange kid," noted Konoka.

"Nope! Nel is a masochist!" the person in question corrected. Now Konoka was the one giving Pesche and Dondochakka an accusatory stare.

"How long would it take us to reach this Las Noches on this worm thing?" asked Lisa, giving Bawabawa a tentative look over.

"Real quick! He's a good boy 'cause he moves so fast!"

"Fair enough. Let's go."

Nel and her comrades became horrified by the suggestion.

"You heard the lady!" boomed Hiyori. She drew her sword again. The moonlight glinting off of its sharp edges almost made Nel, Pesche, and Dondochakka faint. "I'm hungry, and I really wouldn't mind chowing down on some Hollow soup."

Her threat backfired. Nel and the others went back to being sobbing, pathetic messes.

"Behave," said Lisa, tapping Hiyori atop the head with her fist.

"Don't worry, wittle Nel," said Sasune. "Uncle Sasune won't let mean, ol' Hiyori hurt you."

Nel, shrieking, pointed at him. "Serial rapist!"

Unable to stand, Konoka rolled on the sand as she split her sides.

"T-That's a bit harsh, right?" Sasune murmured. A single, bitter tear rolled down his face.

"Alright, that was a little funny," Hiyori, smirking a bit, said under her breath.

Aaron wasn't so humored. "Yeah, so...can we go now?"

#

Izumi's eyes snapped open. She couldn't remember falling asleep. Sitting up, she wasn't even sure how she could rest in such a miserable prison.

"Who's there?"

She might not have been able to see anyone, but her senses never lied. Her voice, weak from thirst, called out again.

"Show yourself!"

Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, glowering, granted her request.

"How'd you know I was there? I masked my spiritual pressure."

Izumi, suddenly feeling tired, shut her eyes. "You can't hide from me. No one can. ...And that's whether I like it or not."

Though raising an eyebrow, Grimmjow didn't inquire. Instead, he chucked a tray of food and water at her. The meal was more normal than Izumi would have expected. Her growling stomach approved.

"I'm good," she said after an awkward silence.

"I ain't asking," Grimmjow grumbled. "You ain't no good to us starved to death. Then again, I don't know what the hell you're good for in the first place."

Izumi couldn't say either. She lowered her head. It quickly rose when she discovered Grimmjow standing over her.

"Eat." The Espada grabbed her hair, lifting her off of the bed. The fury swimming in his eyes was unmistakable. "I'll force that shit down your throat if I have to."

"A-Alright already…!"

Releasing her, Grimmjow stayed behind to make sure she ate. She found the taste of her dinner strange at first, but her hunger won out in the end as she stuffed her face. The sight amused Grimmjow.

"You ain't as dainty as you look," he remarked, walking away.

"Yeah, I didn't think such a scary-looking guy would be given the job of errand boy."

Grimmjow stopped. Izumi, leering up from her meal, realized she shouldn't have said that far too late. She shuddered when Grimmjow moved dangerously close.

"Wanna repeat that?"

"H-Hey, I said you were big and strong…"

The remark did little to sate Grimmjow's ire. Having such an up close and personal, not to mention unwelcome, look at him just reminded Izumi that while he and his fellow Arrancar might have looked human, they were anything but.

Fortunately for her pounding heart, Grimmjow backed off. He placed his hands in his pockets, keeping a scornful eye on her.

"Can...I ask you something?"

"...What?"

"Does it hurt?"

"Does what hurt?"

"Your…" Izumi hesitated. She pointed to the stump where his other arm should have been. "Your arm. It hurts, right? Are you okay?"

The odd line of questioning left Grimmjow silent. For a short while, Izumi was sure he would slit her throat for being so nosy.

"...Not any more. Eat quick. The big boss wants to formally introduce you to the rest of the gang."

He left after that chilling revelation. Izumi's hunger went out the window. Screaming at the top of her lungs, she shoved her tray to the floor. Remembering Arashi's playful yet sinister smile, Izumi held no desire to meet the woman ever again.

Maybe Grimmjow killing her wasn't such an awful prospect.

#

"This is crazy…"

Aaron hung onto Bawabawa for dear life. Never did he think he would see the day where he rode atop a giant sandworm. The white sands of Hueco Mundo zoomed by as Bawabawa moved with purpose. Turning pale, Aaron he prayed for his breakfast to stay put.

"Is this really the only way to Las Noches?"

"Bawabawa is totally safe!" Nel informed him. Why she had to sit on his lap, he wasn't sure. With a smile, she added, "Nel has only broken her neck two or three times while ridin' him!"

"…"

Just to be safe, Aaron gripped Bawabawa a bit harder.

"Are you sure Kurosaki made it to that castle in one piece?"

Aaron hated to admit it, but if all the Espada really were there, he couldn't see how anyone—even a guy as strong as Ichigo—could last for even five minutes.

"I wonder if we should even tell you," said Pesche. Skepticism coated his every word.

"Um…?"

"You're a bad guy! Know what I'm sayin'?" said Dondochakka.

"Bad guy!" Nel echoed.

"Bad man!" cried a pointing Sasune. Aaron slapped the Quincy's hand down. "Hey!"

Sighing at their overreaction, Aaron spotted Konoka snorting behind him. The moment they locked eyes, she scowled at him with enough malice to curdle his blood. He looked elsewhere, sighing once more.

Yep, she's still pissed alright

Sasune inched toward him, being way too close for comfort. He goofy grin alone made Aaron yearn to slap him.

"What?"

"Trouble in paradise?"

Aaron shoved his friend's head back. "Save it."

"Fine, fine. Have you noticed anything strange, by the way?"

"No, and that's the problem."

"Indeed. I thought we'd face more resistance considering we're charging straight toward the enemy's base."

Agreeing, Aaron didn't think it a coincidence.

Kurosaki…

His head shot up.

At the same time, Lisa said, "We've got company."

Everyone readied themselves for battle. Nel, meanwhile, held her hands on her head in a panic.

"We's really are gonna di-iiiiiiiii-ie!"

"Not now!" Aaron spat. He shot in front of her, shielding her from the unknown enemy. His instincts directed him toward Bawabawa's other end. "Shit!"

He parried someone's blade with his own. Rather than a snarling Arrancar, he was surprised to see a familiar, smiling visage.

"You've gotten a bit slower, Higuchi," Rukia Kuchiki said. "You haven't been slacking off, have you?"

She gave him space, sheathing her Zanpakutou. Renji Abarai stood beside her. Their sudden presence again made Aaron wonder if he was losing it.

"Yo," said Renji. "Finding you guys was a total pain. What the…?"

He wasn't sure why Nel, Pesche, and Dondochakka were screaming their hearts out.

"M-More Shinigami!" a trembling Nel remarked. "Dey're gonna rip out Nel's uvula!"

Blinking, Rukia said, "And what exactly is their deal?"

"It's a long story," replied a weary Aaron. "What are you guys doing here?"

"Likely the same reason as you all. I knew Ichigo would never listen to the Captain-Commander's orders to stay put, but I expected you of all people would have more sense, Higuchi."

Her criticism aside, she didn't appear too upset.

"And what about you?" Aaron replied. "Weren't you under those same orders?"

"Not quite. My brother was only ordered to bring Renji and I back to Soul Society. What happened afterward was up to us."

"Heh. Is that so? Well, I'm not gonna complain about having extra help."

"Is it true then? About your sister?"

"How did you…?"

"Urahara filled us in on the details. I'll admit that we came here to drag Ichigo back...as well as avenge Inoue, but you've helped me out a great deal in the past. If my sword can help rescue your sister, it's yours."

Touched, Aaron wasn't sure what to say. Telling her 'no' was likely pointless given her conviction.

"While I'm glad we caught up to you guys," said Renji, "I was really hoping Ichigo would be with you so I could sock him in the mouth."

"Yeah, I know what you mean," Aaron retorted. He thumbed back to Nel and her associates. "They've apparently already given him a ride to Las Noches. Assuming he isn't dead, we'll more than likely find him there. Sado and Sasune's brother got here before us, so they're probably on his tail."

Rukia shook her head, frowning bitterly. "Reckless idiot. Did he not have enough faith to believe in us?"

Things became quiet. Aaron, clenching his fists, wondered that as well. He would have followed Ichigo without hesitation if only his friend had asked.

"There's nothing we can do about it now. Ichigo's too stubborn to die, which is good. We can take turns beating some common sense back into him when we finally track him down," said Renji.

"Renji…"

Those words were exactly what Rukia needed. She gave him a firm nod.

Lisa said, "Well, lucky you then. Looks like we've made it."

Bawabawa came to a screeching halt. As everyone held on to make sure they didn't fall, they found themselves before a huge, white wall. It was so big that they could no longer see the sky.

"Who's a good boy? Who's a good boy?" said Sasune while petting a purring Bawabawa.

Konoka lifted her head, quickly getting a cramp. "So, now what? We ain't climin' this thing."

Rukia pressed her hand against it. "Hmm. It doesn't feel like Sekkiseki."

"Sekki...wha?"

"Sekkiseki," said Sasune. "It's the stuff the Seireitei is chock full of. It vaporizes any spiritual entities that come in contact with it. If this wall really isn't made of the stuff, that means we can safely punch right through it."

"Now you're speaking my language," a smirking Renji remarked. He released his Zanpakutou.

Aaron followed suit. "Not the most graceful entrance, but…"

Before either he or Renji could strike, a Cero whizzed by them and put a gaping hole into the wall. Floored, they turned back to Hiyori.

"You idiots were taking too long. Let's go!"

She brushed past them and into the unknown.

"What the hell is her problem?" wondered Renji.

"Isn't she delightful?" said Aaron, his voice teeming with sarcasm.

"Wa-aaaa-ah! Wait, Aawon!"

"'Aawon?'"

"Ya shouldns't have done that!" Nel cried. "Dere was a gate ya coulda used thwee days away!"

"Like we've got time for that," Konoka replied.

Sasune added, "After all, Aaron's bodacious sister isn't going to rescue herself."

"...If you ever say 'bodacious' again, I'll break your legs."

"Aren't you just delightful?"

As the rest of his friends headed in, Aaron stopped, crouching down to Nel.

"Right, I guess this is where we part. You and your brothers had better lie low for a while. Thanks again for getting us here."

"Aawon?"

"Take care, alright?"

Aaron pressed ahead but not before taking a last gander at Hueco Mundo. While he had faith he and his friends would succeed, he couldn't totally put off the possibility they wouldn't leave Las Noches alive.

"I wonder where Kurosaki…"

"AAWO-OOOOOOOOOOOO-ON"

"Oh no…" Aaron hadn't gotten too far when he picked up on frantic footsteps in his wake. "Nel?"

"Wait fer me-eeeeee-e!" she yelled, bawling up a storm.

"I told you to hide!"

"Ya dons't get it! The 'spada probably already know Nel and her brothers are traitors when we's helped Itsygo! If ya donsn't take us wit ya, we's gonna get killed!"

Aaron stopped in his tracks. Nel, still running at full speed, crashed into him. She held her stinging nose, whereas Aaron made some split second decisions.

"Okay, I get what you're saying, but going with us would be just as dangerous. There's gotta be somewhere safer in Hueco Mundo where you and your brothers could…"

"WA-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-AH!"

"Why?!"

As Nel's shrill scream seemed to penetrate him to the core, Aaron felt her more dangerous than any Espada.

"Meanie!" she bellowed. "Da 'Spada will have dey're way wit Nel's broken an' dead body!"

Aaron found himself glaring at the trailing Pesche and Dondochakka.

"We didn't teach her that! Know what I mean?" said Dondochakka quickly.

"What are you doing, Nel? We gotta go!" cried Pesche, pointing toward where they came.

Nel wasn't listening. "Dumbass! Cockface!"

"Ugh…" Aaron rubbed the back of his head. "Okay, okay. I get it. Leaving you three alone would just make me worry, so…"

"Limp dick!"

"Cool it with the insults! I'm saying I'm gonna take you along!"

Nel's green eyes lit up with delight. With a sigh, Aaron questioned how he could possibly turn down a face like that.

"Are you guys coming too then?" he asked Pesche and Dondochakka.

"Of course! We can't leave our precious, little sister alone!" Pesche declared. "You're a stand-up fellow, Aaron Higuchi! By promising to devote your entirety to Nel, we are now kindred spirits!"

"Huh? I didn't say anything like…"

Pesche gave him a thumbs up. "Still, I'm afraid I cannot allow you to wed her. She's a bit too good for you, Shinigami."

"Yeah...I'm gonna pretend I didn't hear that."

He also yearned to pretend Nel, Pesche, and Dondochakka weren't posing like idiots again.

The three shouted, "Prepare for battle…!"

"Bandit Nel Gang!"

"The Three Brothers!"

"The Great Desert Brothers!"

Aaron couldn't stifle his laughter. "You three are outta sync again."

A pouting Nel shouted, "Hey, Nel thought we's decided on 'Bandit Nel Gang' for sure!"

"I only ever agreed to do 'The Great Desert Brothers!" Pesche countered.

Dondochakka voiced, "Anything less than 'The Three Brothers' won't do! Know what I'm sayin'?"

The three continued to squabble.

"So, uh…" Aaron took some cautious steps away. "I'm...I'm gonna leave now."

Maybe bringing them along wasn't such a good idea, he thought.

END