Chapter 211

In the alley behind Bluejoos, Cassion, nudging the toe of Dusty's boot where he'd collapsed onto the ground, screwed up his face.

"Hic — hiccup."

"Don't cry, mister."

Cassion said it gently, but once Dusty's tears had broken loose, they showed no sign of stopping.

"This is exactly why — why mess with someone who was just minding their own business."

Cassion said it after a glance toward the main street, where lights flickered in the distance.

"I-it's, well, you see."

Dusty fumbled together an excuse, hoping to take even one less hit, but Cassion cut him off.

"I don't want to hear your voice, so skip it. Now, when we go back inside, what are you supposed to do?"

"Act like nothing happened — hic — like we talked it out — hhk."

"That's right. We did talk, after all."

Cassion crouched down in front of Dusty.

"Isn't that…