Part Four
So first, let me just say I'm sorry that these chapters are so late. Last two weeks were hell in a barrel for me leaving no time to write or exdit. So to make up for that I'm posting the two chapters I've missed plus adding an extra chapter for next week. Hope that makes the wait worth it.
Again I'm sorry.
I own nothing, Robet Kirkman you beautiful bastard.
Enjoy.
XXX
The weeks that followed were less eventful. Aaron stayed at Hilltop, still getting used to his powers with Jesus helping him. They have been trying a few new things as well, like trying to get Aaron to manipulate other people's emotions. But all that's done is give Aaron a headache. This time though, as Jesus led him to the training fields, there was something else Paul wanted to try.
"Alright, this may seem a little odd and unorthodox but bare with me alright." Jesus smiled as he directed Aaron a few feet in front of him.
"As long as it doesn't get you or I killed," Aaron shrugged. "I think I'll be okay."
"Where's your faith?" Jesus teased.
Aaron merely chuckled again and waited.
"Alright, I'm going to throw something at you and I want you to throw it back. with your powers."
This caught the recruiter off guard.
"How?" he deadpanned.
"Feel it, channel it just like you do with emotions. Throw it back at me like you do when you sense that I'm nervous or such."
Aaron stared at him like he was crazy but nodded standing in a ready position.
With that confirmation, Jesus shed his leather trench and gloves revealing a black form-fitting T-shirt and tones of ink spiraling along his arms. Aaron knew that wasn't all of it. Jesus's entire body would be covered with patterns and illustrations. He never went outside the walls without them as well as a small armada of knives. He watched as Paul held out his hand pulling some ink from the opposite arm it floated in the air for a moment before beginning to take shape. It became a knife, and now he was a little nervous. It may just be blackened water and gum Arabic, but he's seen Jesus pierce a tree with a drop. In his hands it was lethal.
Jesus took hold of the knife twirling it around in his hand for a minute before he let it fly heading straight for Aaron. Panicked Aaron threw out his arms, inadvertently reaching out with his powers. He connected with the knife for a second as it came at him. For a second it was his. It wasn't Paul's ink, it was Aaron's. And in the second he had complete control of it. But it was only for a second, and in that second all he had time for was to send it back to its original keeper. It happened before he really knew what was going on. He had a split moment of panic where he thought the knife was really going to impale Jesus's face. But the ninja simply lifted the arm from which the ink came and absorbed it back into his skin. It spiraled around his arm for a moment before finally settling. The man himself was smiling like a loon.
"Knew it." he smirked.
"What was that?" Aaron demanded dumbfounded.
"You're a channeler." Paul shrugged stepping forward. "You channel emotions and other things. It's a good power to have, when the whisperers come they'll have their own B!TTEN and you'll be able to use their powers against them. The best part you'll feel them before they come at you."
"Yeah." Aaron smiled sheepishly. "I guess you're right."
"Let's go again."
It was another week before someone was bit again. They got word from Alexandria that Rick and Andrea were out patrolling and were overwhelmed by walkers. They were okay as far as everyone knew, showing signs of clearing almost immediately. Daryl had wanted to be there for his friend so he and Carol were planning to head there in the afternoon. They didn't even make it half a mile before a herd bombarded them. They came back a few minutes later, Carol dragging Daryl as she went screaming for help.
"Enid!" Maggie called as they rushed the others through the gate. "Get the medical trailer ready."
"It was them." Carol panted still clinging to Daryl. "The Whispers, I heard them. They were hunting us."
"Get him in the trailer." Maggie ordered Aaron, Jesus, and Glenn. "Carol, tell me everything."
It was the whisperers, from everything Carol had described Jesus could confirm that it was them.
"They're moving faster than I originally thought." he said pondering. "We'll need to clear the area. Try to keep them at bay. Same for the Kingdom and Alexandria."
"How do we do that?" Maggie demanded keeping up a face of calm, but Jesus didn't need to be Aaron or Glenn to know that she was barely keeping it together.
"He's going to use ink." Glenn said for him. "Create a barrier to keep them on a path. Away from the communities for now."
"And that will work?" Aaron sounded skeptical, getting Jesus to make a face. "I trust you and if you say this will work I'll believe you. But you told me that these people have powers too. Won't they just use their powers to take down the barrier?"
"These people respect borders." Jesus told him. "What starts the war is us traveling into their territories unknowingly. They retaliate coasting lives and we fight back. But things have changed. They came onto our land. We need to set up borders. They'll respect them for a time."
"If things have changed then what starts the war?" Terra asked.
"They still do." Jesus sighed. "The ones I was talking about there is a vision where no one was bit yet, no one even knew that was a possibility. Glenn and the others were still dead, Carl gets bit and kills himself before he can clear during the war, and Rick eventually dies before this threat comes to pass. But because I got bit and Princess found me we're walking a different path now."
"So what do the Whisperers do to start the war?" Maggie asked sternly.
"They have B!TTEN, their leader is called Alpha, and she controls the dead. They have taken to believing that everyone who survives the bite is strong enough to survive this world while the weak die and become her puppets. So they're acting as Darwin and getting rid of the weaklings."
"Are all their people bit then?" Aaron asked.
"No, but they are not averse to being so. Whether they die or live they don't care. They're letting nature take them wherever."
"So they are trying to convert the rest of humanity." Terra gapped. "Dead or alive. That's like Hitler level of fucked up."
"Then why do they still respect borders?" Maggie asked.
"It's a sign that whoever made them is strong." Jesus told. "They were strong enough to establish community and borders. They'll only attack after giving it some thought. That'll buy us some time at least."
"Time enough to train Rick, Andrea, and Daryl?" Glenn asked. "I've seen them, their powers are incredible. They're also really difficult to control. Do you think we have enough time?"
"We have to." Jesus sighed. "Princess can handle Rick and Andrea, Daryl worries me a little though."
"Why's that?" Aaron prodded.
"He needs to have certain people around him when he wakes." He told them. "As soon as he can be moved, we need to take him to Alexandria, Carol, Maggie, Glenn, Aaron, Terra, and Michonne need to be there too. And I'll need to be there cause my powers will help subdue him if need be."
"That's everyone in this room." Terra pointed out. "Why does he need all of us."
"To keep him calm." Glenn said already knowing what Daryl will become. "His powers can be a bit volatile."
"You'll see when it happens." Jesus assured. "For now I have to get to work on the borders up."
"I'll go with you." Aaron offered stepping forward.
"No." Jesus urged turning to push the other back. "Stay here."
"You're worried." Aaron channeled. "You're afraid you'll come across more whisperers and you don't want me there for that. That's exactly why I want to go. I'm not letting you do this alone."
"Aaron your powers-"
"Are completely under control. I'll go get the horses ready." Aaron smiled turning on his heel and heading for the stables.
"Aaron." Jesus called but he was already gone.
He groaned turning to the rest of the room looking to Maggie and Glenn for help; maybe they can force him to stay for some chore or something.
"Don't look at us, he's your boyfriend." Glenn snorted.
This only made Jesus groan again as he started for the door.
"He's not my boyfriend." he sighed.
"Yet." Terra called after him making him groan again.
They first needed materials for the barrier, and Jesus knew exactly where to get them.
"How many times have you raided this place?" Aaron asked as they tied up their horses by the front doors.
"More than I know." Jesus shrugged. "When the world stops no one thinks to hit bookstores, even ones with cafes attached."
"Lucky us." Aaron smirked.
The best place for an inkmancer to get his needed weapons would be either a bookstore or tattoo parlor, which they intended to hit next. This bookstore happened to be a Bookish Mania, a massive one with three floors. It was a book lion's wet dream.
"What are we grabbing?" Aaron asked.
"Anything that won't be useful or entertaining." Jesus said.
"That's a bit harsh." Aaron smirked. "I'm sure every one of these books was made with love and care."
"Or the hopes of fame." Jesus snorted. "There are plenty of copies of each book, if it comes down to it we'll use some of the good ones too."
"Can't you put the ink back after you don't need it anymore?"
"Yeah, but who knows if this border will ever come down."
"Point taken."
They went through the store picking up anything that looked like it wouldn't interest anyone in this day and age. There was a good selection. And if they needed they could take from the back stock in the storage rooms.
"Wow." Aaron snorted picking up a book that had made its way to the ground at one point or another. "Look at this."
Jesus leaned over his shoulder and gave a dry chuckle.
"How to cure the homosexual agenda." he snorted. "I'm not using that. We can use it for kindling."
"Wouldn't it be a good idea to use it for the border?" Aaron suggested. "Put something so ignorant toward a good cause of saving the lives of everyone, hetero, and homo."
Jesus thought about it for a moment then shrugged.
"Alright, we'll use it." he told Aaron with a smile.
Aaron smiled back stuffing the paper back into his bag then pausing.
"What is it?" Jesus asked tensing.
"I feel something, a couple of somethings." Aaron said confused. "They're heading for us."
"What do you feel?"
"... hunger…"
"Walkers." Jesus hissed pulling out one of his knives. "How close?"
"They're gonna get the horses." Aaron suddenly cried rushing for the door.
"Aaron wait!" Jesus called running after him.
Outside there were maybe thirteen walkers all heading for the now nervous horses. Aaron had already unsheathed his own machete and was going for the closest one. Jesus jumped in kicking one hard enough in the head to cave its skull before plunging his knife into the next. In all honesty, he could end this quickly with his powers, but he didn't see the need. If it was a herd then sure, but this was hardly such. Besides they didn't know if the Whisperers were close and watching. He didn't want to give them something to counter. They dispatched them quickly waiting for a moment to see if anymore showed up or if even the Whisperers popped up.
"Feel anything?" Jesus asked at Aaron's back.
"No." Aaron shaking his head, reaching his powers out as far as they would go.
"We should have enough." Jesus told him. "Let's get the bags and go."
They hurried to gather up all their gear then headed out to the edge of the explored territory of the communities. Dismounting, Jesus laid all the books out before him then pulled every last drop of ink from the pages.
"How are you going to do this?" Aaron asked standing by him.
"I'm going to stretch the ink as far as I can then lift a wall."
"You can do that?"
"As long as the ink stays connect then yes."Jesus sighed kneeling so his hands were touching the ink on the ground. "Now for this part, I need to concentrate."
"I've got your back." Aaron assured pulling out his machete again and scanning the area.
"Thanks." Jesus smiled before fixing his features into one of complete focus.
Taking a deep breath he closed his eyes and focused on stretching the ink as far as it could reach. He tried not to thin it as it went, wanting the wall to be as strong a possible. Thankfully he was able to avoid that as the time to raise it came. Taking another deep breath he stood bringing the ink with him. For miles in each direction, there was just a mass of blackness that rose from the ground. Probably freaking the hell out of anyone who saw it. Aaron watched fascinated as Jesus rose it to fifteen feet. If he went any higher the ink would be too thin. Then he watched as Jesus forced it two feet into the ground and with a clap of his hands turned it into solid steel.
Aaron's amazement lasted only a second as in the next Jesus fell to his knees panting.
"Paul!" he urged kneeling with him.
"I'm okay." Jesus assured. "I just need a minute to catch my breath."
Aaron sighed in relief reaching over and placing a hand on Paul's shoulder hoping to maybe leach some of the exhaustion.
"That was awesome." he smiled.
Jesus could only manage a weak chuckle.
They waited for a few more minutes before climbing back onto their horses and riding for Hilltop. They made it back just as the sun was just beginning to set.
"It's done?" Maggie asked as they were dismounting.
"Yeah." Jesus assured wiping some sweat from his brow. "I have no idea how long it will last, maybe a day, maybe a month. but it will not last indefinitely."
"As long as it gives us time, that's all we need." She smiled.
"How's Daryl?" Aaron asked.
"He's doing fine." her smile grew all the brighter at the mention of their friend. "Enid says he's showing signs of clearing already."
"And Carol?" Jesus prodded.
At this Maggie's smiled dimmed just the slightest.
"She's still at his side." she reported. "She hasn't left since she finished giving me her report. She knows he'll make it, but she wants to be there when he wakes up."
"She should be." Jesus smiled kindly. "You all should. Has Enid or Carson said anything about being able to move him?"
"We've talked about it." she nodded. "She said that he should be okay tomorrow, that he might even wake up then."
"We need to have him around his people before he wakes up. He needs all of you around him to keep him calm."
She considered this, crossing her arms deliberating what would be the best move.
"It's getting late, even with the barrier I don't think it's safe to travel in such a large group." she thought out loud. "First thing in the morning would be best. We'll have to send a rider to get Michonne."
"Agreed." he nodded. "We may have to spend a few days there. So we should spend the remaining hours we have to make arrangements."
She nodded giving them both a smile and going off to do just that.
"I have to go talk to my students." Jesus told Aaron attempting to do just that, but being stopped by Aaron's hand on his elbow.
"After you eat something." he told the long-haired man. "That barrier took a lot out of you."
"I'm-"
"C'mon." Aaron didn't even give him a chance to argue.
After they ate something Aaron let Jesus go and talk to all of the B!TTEN to let them know he was leaving and to keep practicing. After that he retired to his trailer, picking up the novel he had been reading for the last couple of nights. But his thoughts kept him from really concentrating on the story.
"Things are really starting now." he thought sadly. "Daryl is going to be a handful."
Before he could dwell too much on that though, there was a knock at the door. It was gentle, barely even audible to his ears. He wondered if he even heard it or if it was just his mind taking a toll with the stress. But then it sounded again just the tiniest bit louder. Curious he got up and peeked out through the window. His curiosity only got stronger when he saw who it was.
"Aaron?" Jesus asked softly after opening the door. "What's up, is something wrong with Daryl or Carol. Is it one of the B!TTEN?"
"No." Aaron insisted looking flustered and red.
"Then, is it your powers?"
"No." Aaron murmured.
"Then, why are you here?"
Aaron didn't say anything at first, just looked at his feet. Clad in his sleeping clothes- a t-shirt and sweats- Jesus assumed he couldn't be too happy staying out in the cold night.
"Why don't you come in and tell me." Jesus offered stepping aside for the other.
Aaron stepped inside but did not go any further than the doorway.
"I don't have much for drinks." Jesus admitted. "But I could fix us up some god awful coffee."
"No need." Aaron told him, finally looking up at him. "The truth is…"
Jesus waited, but it seemed Aaron was stuck on what to say next.
"You know," He smiled. "It's not fair that I can't hide anything from you, but you can from me." smile still in place he leaned back against the wall waiting for whatever it was Aaron wanted to say. "You know that whatever it is I will not judge. As your friend and mentor, I'm open to anything you throw at me."
This seemed to relax the empath just the slightest. His shoulders sagged and he took a deep breath. Locking blue with blue-green.
"I can't sleep." he finally said, still blushing. "I keep thinking about the Whisperers and Daryl. I mean I know he's going to make it, but he just seemed to find his place in this community but now-"
"He'll still have that place." Jesus promised. "You and I will make sure of that."
"I know," he nodded. "But still, my mind won't stop. I can't get a wink of sleep."
Jesus watched him for a moment, then looked over to his own bed getting a crazy idea.
"Want to sleep in my bed?" he asked only realizing what he said after Aaron gave him a shocked expression. "I mean, do you want to use my bed and I'll sleep on my couch."
"I couldn't-"
"It might help you sleep." Jesus murmured. "You once said that my presence puts you at ease."
"Yes, but-"
"I really don't mind." Jesus assured. "I grew up with a lot of people around. Having a part of a trailer to myself is actually a bit unnerving. Really you'd be helping me out more than the other way around."
Aaron could sense the partial lie, but chose to indulge the bookish man.
"Alright if you insist." he smiled.
They made quick work of preparing the couch for Jesus and settling in for bed.
"Will it bother you if I read for a little bit?" Jesus asked before he turned off the light.
"No." Aaron shook his head, creating a shifting sound as his cheek rubbed against the pillowcase.
With a nod Jesus opened the novel back up to the page he left off, suddenly more interesting in it.
"What are you reading?" Aaron asked, his voice just above a whisper.
Pausing mid-sentence, Jesus looked up toward his bed not really able to make out Aaron's face since he was curled up in the covers. It took everything he had for Jesus not to think about the kind of emotions it raised in him to see Aaron in his bed like that. So he chose to focus on the book instead.
"George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones." he told him. "You ever read it?"
"I've heard of it." Aaron admitted. "But I never got around to reading it… Is it any good?"
"It's kind of dry, but the characters make up for that."
They were quiet again, so Jesus resumed his reading but it did not last long.
"Um…" Aaron began, "This is gonna sound dumb…"
"What is it?" Jesus encouraged.
"Could you… could you maybe read some of it to me?"
Jesus just stared at the Aaron shaped lump for a second not sure what to do with the request. This of course made Aaron uncomfortable. He fidgeted till he couldn't take it anymore.
"Just to help me fall asleep." he clarified. "I just… just want something to help shut down my brain."
It was quiet for a moment, Aaron could feel that Jesus was still unsure making him all the more self-conscious.
"Daenerys Targaryen wed Khal Drogo with fear and barbaric splendor in a field beyond the wall of Pentos, for the Dothraki believed that all things of importance in a man's life must be done beneath the open sky." He began, his voice smooth and flowing carrying throughout the small trailer softly yet strong.
Aaron listened with his full attention letting the voice fill him and the story take him somewhere far away from walkers, and whisperers. A world where it was up to someone else to save the world. A world he could visit then leave as soon as he's had enough. It was enough to calm him but not enough to put him to sleep. The story was getting more and more interesting with every word Jesus spoke. When he did finally doze off it was several pages later and not long after Jesus himself had slipped into sleep letting the book fall open on his chest.
They both slept heavily for the first time since all this started. Maybe it was the book. Maybe it was Aaron's powers putting them at ease in some way. Or maybe…
Just maybe it was because they were together.
The next morning they situated Daryl in a wagon with Carol and Enid watching over him, then they mounted their horses. Kal was sent to the Kingdom to fetch Michonne at the same time, so they hoped that she would be there before he woke up. It was a quick trip to Alexandria with few walkers or threats. For that they were all grateful.
"Put him in here." Siddiq told them as they moved Daryl into the infirmary.
"Rick." Maggie smiled greeting Alexandria's leader who rushed over with Andrea and Carl.
"How is he?" he demanded seeing Daryl resting on the cot.
"He'll be awake soon." Enid assured smiling at Carl.
"How are you two doing?" Glenn asked handing Hershal to a cooing Andrea. "How is the training going?"
"So far fine." Rick nodded. "We've almost got a handle on our powers. The training itself is..."
"Life-threatening." Andrea supplied with a haunted look.
"So show us." Terra urged looking excited. "We want to see them."
"They are pretty impressive." Rosita confirmed from her place at the wall.
"So show us." Aaron smiled.
The leading couple looked at each other, sharing an embarrassed smile before turning to the rest of the room.
"You first." Andrea told him. "I'm entertaining the little man."
"Fine." Rick nodded looking around the room before settling on something. He held out his hands and spoke. "Encyclopedia."
With his command, the book dematerialized from the shelf and then rematerialized in his hands.
"Whoa." Terra cheered. "That's so cool."
"You're turn." Rick smirked holding the book out to Andrea.
"Here." she handed Hershel off to his mother then turned to the book holding out her hand, then raising it in the air. As her hand moved so did the book.
Shakely and with great effort she moved the book back to the shelf, then- just to show off- she made every small object in the room float.
"So cool." Terra grinned.
"You seem to be in complete control." Jesus noted with his own smile.
"It's taken a lot of hard work," Rick shrugged. "But we didn't stop until we could."
"Still freaked out when we woke up." Andrea snickered. "Everything started floating around me and Rick couldn't say things like water, or shoes without them just appearing and smacking him in the face."
"Wonder if Daryl will be like that." Carl hummed.
"We'll see when he wakes up." Rick assured with an impish smile.
"Michonne needs to be here when that happens." Jesus stressed.
"Why?" Carol asked softly still at Daryl's side. "You keep saying we all need to be here for when he wakes up, but you won't tell us why. What's going to happen to him?"
"Carol." Glenn warned gently. "It's not really something we can explain."
"He becomes a wolfman."
They all turned to the door where Princess stood casually leaning against the jam in her ridiculous pink fur coat.
"He what?" Rick gawked.
"Seriously." Jesus groaned. "Do you not know the meaning of subtle."
"His mind got switched with that of a wolf." she continued ignoring Jesus. "So he thinks like one. We need you all here when he wakes up because you're his closest people, his family. Or as he will now think, pack."
"We're... his pack?" Carl breathed.
"What does that mean?" Carol demanded. "What will he do?"
"Well for one, all his senses are going to be ten times sharper than they are now." she giggled. "And considering they are already pretty amazing he's going to be unstoppable, especially since his strength and speed are going to double."
"That's not all though." Jesus sighed. "The reason you all need to be here is because he is going to need to scent you."
"To what us?" Abraham blanched.
"Scent." Jesus continued. "Wolves scent one another to affirm pack bonds. It's just to reassure that you're family, that you're with him."
"Will he need to stay with everyone then?" Carol asked starting to understand.
"Once he gets control of his instincts then he should be able to go back to Hilltop." he assured her. "He may need to come back every now and then to calm them, but he'll be able to live away from the pack just fine."
"But until then," Glenn jumped in. "We need to be here for him."
"Sounds like trouble."
they all turned again to the door where Michonne stood with a cocky smile.
"But for Daryl, we'll do it." she assured.
"It's really good to see you." Andrea chimed hugging the other woman close.
"Of course." Michonne nodded, hugging her just as tight.
"Better get comfortable." Jesus told them, taking a seat by the window. "We should all be here when he wakes up. We've got a bit of waiting ahead of us."
It was late into the afternoon when Carol started to notice Daryl stirring.
"Jesus." she called softly.
"Stay calm." he told her still at the window. "Stay with him, talk to him, softly."
She nodded turning back to Daryl.
"Daryl…" she soothed. "Love it's me. You can wake up now."
His eyes fluttered for a moment before snapping open. With a grunt he moved, faster than any of them could track, across the room and tucked himself in a corner glaring at all of them.
"No sudden movements." Jesus urged as everyone went to stand. "Stay sitting. Let Carol calm him down."
"Daryl." she called rising to her feet slowly.
His eyes were everywhere. He didn't settle on any one particular. Just watched them all warily.
"Daryl look at me." she urged finally getting his attention. "You're safe." she assured. "You're among family. Pack." she used the word that Jesus had suggested hoping it would make him more comfortable. "You're safe, you're with pack. You're safe."
He let her inch closer to him, closer and closer until she was kneeling before him.
"I'm here." she cooed reaching her hand for his shoulder. "I'm here."
Quick as a whip, he snatched her hand and used it to pull her close. Everyone tensed as he buried his nose in her neck and sniffed.
"...Carol." he hummed.
"Yes." she breathed.
"Mate." he growled.
She tensed, not understanding the term at first.
"Yes." she relaxed. "I'm yours."
The next thing he did confused them. He pulled back just a bit and rubbed his cheek to hers then did the same to the other side. Then he pulled away bringing her wrist to his lips where he nipped at the pulse point. She stayed still the whole time moving only as he wished. Eventually, he stood, taking her with him.
"Okay?" she asked.
He only nodded, shifting from foot to foot.
"What is it?" she asked cupping his cheek.
He glanced to everyone else and let out a small whine, but she understood.
"Go ahead." she told him smiling kindly. "They already know what to expect. Go ahead."
He nodded, going red as he took her hand and walked further into the room. He bye-passed everyone at first heading straight for where Rick and Maggie were. He paused, looking to the side as he tilted his head exposing his neck to both of them. They looked at him confused then looked to Jesus for guidance.
"He's asking permission." he told them remembering what Princess said she saw in her vision. "He sees both of you as Alpha, so he's asking for permission to scent you."
"Oh." Maggie said still looking confused.
Rick took a deep breath then looked his brother dead in the face and nodded.
Daryl waited till Maggie did the same before he crept forward leaning his head toward Rick's neck. He let their neck touch and stayed there for a second before pulling pack and bringing Rick's wrist to his neck rubbing it then dropping it. He did the same to Maggie then moved on to the rest of his "pack". One by one he scented each one of the members of his family dragging Carol with him every step. When he finally finished with Carl- the last person- Jesus assumed they were done and stood getting ready to start working with Daryl. But then the man surprised him. He stood before him. Confused he just started at the man, only to have the breath stolen from him as Daryl leaned forward pressing their necks together. He still stood shocked as Daryl took his hand, removed his glove and rubbed his wrist to his neck.
"You didn't know?" Aaron asked after Daryl backed up.
Jesus simply could not form words.
"You are part of this family." Rick smirked. "Have been since you came to us."
"Pack." Daryl said.
"So sorry, but you're stuck with us." Terra smirked.
He still didn't know what to say. He looked to everyone in the room starting to see them in a new light. Could he really have a family?
"Heh." he breathed looking down. "I um… we should ah get started."
XXX
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