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Topic:
The Game of Death (Qui/Obi, Angst, Hurt/Comfort) Chapter 9 *Updated 23/09/08*
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BottledUpInside
Registered:
Jul '05
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Date Posted:
10/15/07 8:43pm
Subject:
RE: The Game of Death (Qui/Obi, Angst, Hurt/Comfort) *Updated 15/07/07*
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This is a fantastically written story! would absolutely love a PM when you update!
~Jen~
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"I would rather kiss a wookie!" "That can be arranged!" Knighted by NYCityGurl  Thanks for everything! Jacella. Simply perfect. proud Master of Jturtle!!!!!
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Blue_Lightsaber42
Registered:
Dec '07
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Date Posted:
2/1 7:16pm
Subject:
RE: The Game of Death (Qui/Obi, Angst, Hurt/Comfort) *Updated 15/07/07*
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Ack, this is another one that's just too good to abandon! Please update!!! 
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SSEoCDaC/PFEEoCDaC,BDTAT Twin Sun 17 Co-Founder of the Rebellion Proud Master of DarthAnakin101 and Ithonya  from Trika-> //hug
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EGKenobi
Registered:
Apr '05
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Date Posted:
2/27 2:11pm
Subject:
RE: The Game of Death (Qui/Obi, Angst, Hurt/Comfort) *Updated 15/07/07*
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Excellent fic, truly excellent.
Please PM me when you update this 
EG
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Obi-Odd13
Registered:
Feb '08
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Date Posted:
3/21 8:54pm
Subject:
RE: The Game of Death (Qui/Obi, Angst, Hurt/Comfort) *Updated 15/07/07*
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WOw this is really good! I hope you update soon - could you put me on the PM list? I don't foray into the realms of unfinished fics often, and if I do, it means its a really good read. So pretty please update soon?
-----signature-----
When life hands you lemons, make grape juice, and then sit back and let the world wonder how you did it.
“We are one, after all, you and I, together we suffer, together exist
and forever will recreate each other.” ~Teilhard de Chardin
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Lileia
Registered:
Jan '08
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Date Posted:
5/26 6:19am
Subject:
RE: The Game of Death (Qui/Obi, Angst, Hurt/Comfort) *Updated 15/07/07*
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I check this page nearly every day and patiently wait for updates.
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Sabriel_Orion
Registered:
Mar '08
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Date Posted:
5/26 1:57pm
Subject:
RE: The Game of Death (Qui/Obi, Angst, Hurt/Comfort) *Updated 15/07/07*
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Wow. This whole fanfic is excellent. I was about to cry in the first chapter, when Obi-Wan "died." I'm so glad he's alive, but I hope he stays that way long enough for Qui-Gon to save him.
If you have a pm list, please add me to it!
-----signature-----
"Does the Walker choose the Path, or the Path the Walker?" from Sabriel, by Garth Nix Sabriel: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v409/sabriel_orion/PadawanSabrielOrionColored.png
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Glenstorm
Registered:
Mar '06
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Date Posted:
7/26 3:28pm
Subject:
RE: The Game of Death (Qui/Obi, Angst, Hurt/Comfort) *Updated 15/07/07*
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Hey, everyone! It's been a long time hasn't it? Well finally it's back!!! I gave my muse a good kick, got all other stories out of my system and got back on track 
Thanks to all of you for not giving up on this story, even when it seemed like I must have forgotten about it. But I couldn't do that to you  I know what it's like to love a story and not have it finished, so I'm determined to see this through.
I hope all the PMs were right  If you wanted one and didn't get one, or got one and didn't want it, I apologise. Just let me know and I'll correct the problem.
And now what you've all been waiting for, on with the story
***
Chapter 8
Obi-Wan woke to the sound of bleeping machinery. His head swirled with fog and swiftly he fought to clear it. The bleeping grew louder, faster.
Obi-Wan opened his eyes, lifting himself quickly into a half sitting position, every muscle tense. Visions of blood and sand lingered behind his eyes.
Swiftly he cast around, half expecting to see a blood maddened giant reaching to catch him.
But there was nobody, just himself and an empty room. His heart rate slowly calmed. He was no longer in the pit. That place of death.
He now lying on a narrow cot surrounded by monitoring equipment. The room was pale and devoid of any colour or distinguishing feature. Only one plain door allowed passage in or out.
Naturally.
He didn’t even have to brush his neck to know that the repellor was still there.
He hadn't really expected any different and he accepted the inescapable with a tired sigh.
Surmising that he was as safe as he could be for the moment, Obi-Wan lay back again, having neither the will or the strength to keep sitting up. Visions of what had transpired continued to strobe through his mind, harsh and unforgiving.
What had he done? Where had his life suddenly gone so wrong? How could he find himself in this position? Having to fight and injure for his survival. And for what? Not in the defence of an innocent, nor in the defence of a planet, but for sport. For entertainment.
The very thought went against all that he was. And he couldn't escape it.
The vision of his opponent lying prone at his feet, a crimson puddle expanding beneath his head swam before Obi-Wan’s eyes, and he screwed them shut. He could still smell the scent of blood on the air.
His stomach roiled.
His attention was diverted when two people, a bothen and another human, entered the room. They were dressed in plain, long white coats so Obi-Wan guessed that they were healers.
Closing the single door carefully behind them, they moved to check on the monitors surrounding Obi-Wan’s bed. His quickened heart rate had probably alerted them to the fact that he was now awake.
They did not speak but silently went about their work. They assessed his vitals and scanned his arm. Strapped and heavily bandaged, as were his ribs. Numb, Obi-Wan did not resist their ministrations but he watched them carefully.
Eventually they seemed satisfied that all was in order and turned to leave.
But Obi-Wan found he could not let them go without asking. He had to know something if he was to have one small bit of peace. “Wait,” he called them round at the door. He didn’t know if he would get an answer but he had to try. He had to know. “The other man. The one I fought. Is he…” Obi-Wan swallowed. “Is he… alright?”
The healers appeared surprised by such a question and looked as if they would turn away again without a word.
“Please,” Obi-Wan beseeched. “I have to know.”
Grudgingly the bothen answered. “He’ll live, Jedi. Though maybe you should have killed him when you had the chance.”
Obi-Wan frowned. “I am a Jedi, I would never take a life unnecessarily.”
The bothen gave a toothy grin. “Who ever said it was unnecessary. He will not rest knowing you defeated him. You'd better watch your back from now on, boy.” With that both healers turned and left.
Obi-Wan stared after them for a long moment then lay back with a sigh, suddenly wishing he hadn't spoken. Now he felt worse than ever.
So that was it. Kill or be killed.
Despair washed through him and a silent tear slipped down his cheek. Reaching into his tunic he closed his good hand around the stone waiting inside.
Master, how am I going to survive any more of this?
But this time his emptied out heart could provide no answer.
*
Two days later, Obi-Wan was shoved back through the heavy doors of the slave housing.
He was not yet fully healed but at least this place was preferable to the infirmary. There he had had nothing to stare at but four blank pale walls, nothing to do but relive every terrible moment that had befallen him since leaving his Master on the landing pad and the hopeless days that stretched before him. Violence and pain without end.
Swiftly he shut his mind down and tested his injured arm. It was still sore and stiff but at least it was usable.
Slowly he became aware of startled eyes staring at him across the room. His sudden reappearance was causing quite a stir amongst the other prisoners. Obviously no one here had expected to see him again.
To tired to spare them any notice Obi-Wan moved stiffly back to his bunk, planning on doing nothing more than collapsing upon it and forgetting the world for a while.
To his relief the space was still unoccupied and Obi-Wan cast himself down upon the waiting matress. He no longer cared about the dirt. He just wanted to sleep. To escape the misery if only for a moment. The ‘healers’ had not allowed him much rest these last few days. Nor had his thoughts.
His plans of escape were ruined however when the guards entered with what passed for the morning meal.
Obi-Wan sat up a ways, blankly regarding the unfolding scene.
As expected, the arrival was met with the usual mêlée. Families scrambled for the best helpings to feed their young. There were shouts and heated arguments.
Obi-Wan himself didn’t care about eating right now. The healers had forced food upon him in the sick bay. But they were not here to do so now. And he chose to forego the sustainance. It was foolish and defeatist of him. He knew that. He needed to keep his strength up if there was to be anything left of him worth rescuing.
But he couldn’t bring himself to stomach anything. Not yet. Maybe when he’d finally had a chance to work through all the things he had witnessed and done since he’d left here, released his pain and confusion. But not right now. He just couldn’t bring himself to care for anything. Least of all that watered down sawdust masquerading as food.
Lying back down Obi-Wan just settled on staring listlessly at the ceiling--
That was until an unexpected commotion across the room drew him back up again.
At first Obi-Wan expected to see the guards savagely breaking up another desperate fight over rations. Sonu’s men enjoyed any excuse to use brutal force against their helpless charges. Obi-Wan had quickly learned to stay out of such situations. He only ended up doing more harm than good
However, to Obi-Wan’s surprise, this time no guards were present. Just prisoners joined in an escalating struggle.
Still Obi-Wan did not make a move until the anguished cries of a child began to ring out, coming right from the center of that seething mass.
The cries tore through his numb melancholy and woke him with a slap.
It was a sound the adult of any species was programmed to respond to, and Obi-Wan was on his feet and across the room before he was even really aware of rising from his bunk.
Without any thought to the risk of confronting such a highly charged group alone, Obi-Wan raised his voice above the noise, injecting as much authority into his young tone as possible. “What is the meaning of this?!” he demanded.
Silence fell over the tense atmosphere. All eyes turned on Obi-Wan and as the wall of bodies shifted the Padawan was able to spy a small boy huddled on the floor among the legs of the adults. A small loaf of stale bread was gripped tenaciously in the tiny fists.
Sickened to the core by such a callous display, Obi-Wan returned his burning gaze to the bullying group, eyes flashing a dangerous steel blue.
“Nobody will touch that child again while I am standing here!” The tone of his voice dared them to disobey.
Several of the more burly prisoners glowered and looked as if they might challenge him. Obi-Wan held his ground. He had never been physically imposing but the steel in his eyes was enough to make the larger men think twice. Grudgingly most backed away. Apparently surviving in the pit had given the other prisoners a healthy respect for the Jedi, if not a little fear.
It was a reputation that Obi-Wan was quite glad of at the moment.
Only one stood his ground. A tall man who might once have been an imposing figure stood firm before him, staring with eyes made bitter and hard, forged by anger and bare need.
“So noble, Jedi," he ground out, "but that won’t save you. Ideals count for nothing in this place, just survival and that's all we're doing here."
Obi-Wan was unmoved. "Does that justify mobbing and taking food from helpless children?!" he asked incredulously.
The man snorted. "It doesn't matter. Not anymore. I've got my own mouths to feed." He looked Obi-Wan up and down. "You've not been here long, Jedi, so you don't understand yet. Just give it some more time and you’ll be just like us. It’s happening already. I saw the hopelessness in your eyes when you returned. And things will only get worse. You'll see. In the end you’ll be just like us.”
Obi-Wan straightened. The words went to his heart. Yes, he had felt it. Had been ready to give into the despair of it all, but no more. Nothing would cause him to become this. He would die first. He fixed the man with a hard stare. “I will never become you.”
The man stared back, anger stirred briefly in the dark depths. Maybe he meant to argue some more. Fight Obi-Wan for what he stood in the way of. But another prisoner suddenly caught his arm, shaking her head. Grudgingly, the man relented and backed away. Muttering and mumbling the aggressive group dispersed, trailing back empty-handed to their waiting families.
Obi-Wan let go a long breath and uncurled his fists. That had been tense. But no time was spared to reflect on what had just passed. He looked straight down, searching for the child he had just saved.
He was gone.
Obi-Wan frowned.
The boy had obviously seized the opportunity of Obi-Wan’s distraction and escaped into some hidey-hole.
Wise move, given the circumstances. But he would not escape a Jedi’s notice for long.
And nor did he. After a quick glance around Obi-Wan spied a small rag-bound foot sticking out from a large hole in the wall. The giant stones had cracked and crumbled away creating a sort of cave. It was too small for an adult to get inside but it was the perfect fit for an enterprising child to take cover in.
With a slight smile Obi-Wan moved over to the wall and crouched down.
“Hello, there,” he said as brightly as he could.
But that was as far as he got. Now that he'd found the child, he was suddenly quite unsure of how to proceed. He had never been especially disposed towards small children.
Master, where are you?
Now more than ever he longed for his Master’s easy presence. Qui-Gon would know what to do here, Obi-Wan just felt awkward.
Quickly he scanned the room in the hopes of seeing a worried parent, anyone. But with a sinking feeling his search turned up nothing. No searching face. No call. The child was obviously an orphan of the prison.
With no protection it was not hard to see why he had become an easy target for opportunists.
Shaking his head at the madness of it all, Obi-Wan returned his attention to the cowering child.
“Are you going to come out?” he asked.
The sound of his voice caused the child to shiver and curl further away. The small face was kept turned from Obi-Wan.
“It’s okay,” the young Jedi tried to soothe, “I’m not going to hurt you, and I don’t want your bread.” Obi-Wan touched the boy’s trembling arm. “Come on out.”
The child started and protested with a panicked cry. “Ni, ni! Ottala, ni!”
Obi-Wan tilted his head. He had not recognised any of that. The child must not speak any Basic. He couldn’t understand a word of what he was saying.
Obi-Wan sighed. He was getting off to a good start.
He peered at the child.
Actions must speak louder than words here. Gathering his patience, Obi-Wan waited the boy out. He placed a hand upon the thin shoulder, gently rubbing his thumb back and forth in the hopes of soothing the faint tremors that he felt in the small body.
After what seemed like endless minutes he succeeded. The tremors eased and the boy finally relaxed his rigid posture. Cautiously he uncoiled and cast Obi-Wan a questioning look through the shadows.
Obi-Wan immediately stepped back and opened his palms in the universal gesture of meaning no harm. Inviting the child to come out
Still the boy hesitated. Once out it may be impossible to get back in, Obi-Wan could read that much.
Taking a risk he once again extended a hand to the child. “Come on,” he said hoping the gentle tone would speak for him.
He was pleased to see that this time the young boy did not draw away. He seemed to be desperate for some kind of contact and that alone was enough to overcome his suspicions. Tentatively he reached out one small hand and gripped Obi-Wan’s fingers.
Obi-Wan graced him with a wide smile, letting it twinkle in his blue-green eyes before pulling the child out.
The boy stared up into his face as Obi-Wan lifed him and Obi-Wan was unexpectedly taken aback. The large eyes were the most startling colour. Golden-yellow. The colour of the desert.
For a long moment they regarded one another. Desert meeting the summer sea. And the boy drank him in, the first kind touch he had known in a long time.
“Well that wasn’t so bad, was it,” Obi-Wan smiled.
In answer the boy buried his face in Obi-Wan’s shoulder, clutching tightly to his battered tunic.
Tenderness shot through Obi-Wan’s heart. Shifting, he secured his grip around the child. “Everything’s alright, little one. You’re safe now. I won't let anything hurt you.”
And he meant it.
The boy needed him. He had nobody else. And neither did he. Maybe the Force, wherever it was, had somehow brought two needing souls together.
Who was he to question?
With nothing else to do he began to make his way back to his abandoned bunk, the child held protectively in his arms. Distantly he surmised that Qui-Gon would have a field day, if he could see him right now.
But he didn’t care. He would take care of this child until his dying breath.
And as he lowered his armful onto the waiting bunk, he knew that oath had given him new reason to survive...
(tbc)
Sorry it was a bit short after so long. I'm just refinding my feet
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"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." Songfic writer addict! All of of my Fics and FanArt can be found in my bio 
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Bastet
Registered:
Dec '99
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Date Posted:
7/26 4:14pm
Subject:
RE: The Game of Death (Qui/Obi, Angst, Hurt/Comfort) Chapter 8 *Updated 26/07/08*
- Date Edited:
7/26 4:17pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
Bastet
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Hooray, I'm so glad to see that you really are continuing this wonderful story! Thank you, thank you!
I'm glad Obi-Wan didn't kill that guy he fought, I know that would have made him feel worse than having to watch his back from now on. Though I guess it might still come to that. 
Aww, that was so sweet that Obi-Wan has a new friend now, giving him renewed purpose.  Even if they can't understand each other. 
I'm eagerly awaiting more!
Edit: Can I please have a PM when you update next? 
-----signature-----
"Oh yeah. Ooh, aah. That's how it always starts. But then later there's running, then...screaming." --Dr. Ian Malcolm
"Okay fine. Go ahead and scream. Then when that tricycloplots attacks you, don't come crying to me." --Paul Kirby
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dimyavie
Registered:
May '06
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Date Posted:
7/26 4:51pm
Subject:
RE: The Game of Death (Qui/Obi, Angst, Hurt/Comfort) Chapter 8 *Updated 26/07/08*
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You updated! Thanks so much!! I really enjoyed reading the post. I'm glad Obi has a least one friend in that awful place. I can't wait for the post when Obi gets through to Qui!
Can I please be added to the PM list (if you have one)? Thanks again.
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Valairy_Scot
Title: PT Rewrite Winner
Registered:
Sep '05
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Date Posted:
7/26 7:04pm
Subject:
RE: The Game of Death (Qui/Obi, Angst, Hurt/Comfort) Chapter 8 *Updated 26/07/08*
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Ahhhh...so sweet. You're right - Qui should see this - and rescue them.
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http://boards.theforce.net/fan_fiction_resource/b10304/25405090/p3/?52 Prolific Author thread: list & links there. Muse fueled by coffee. Often AWOL despite frequent sipping. Writes on inspiration, not a schedule. Proud master of several padawans
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nada_smith
Registered:
Jul '06
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Date Posted:
7/26 7:12pm
Subject:
RE: The Game of Death (Qui/Obi, Angst, Hurt/Comfort) Chapter 8 *Updated 26/07/08*
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Oh, how beautiful! It rang true that finding the child would give Obi-Wan a sense of purpose and need that would ultimately be comforting and a source of strength to him. I hope he will be able to protect the child and that the boy will be able to get close to him. Obi-Wan is right--Qui-Gon would definitely have fun watching his padawan go to such lengths for a "pathetic lifeform."
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Blue_Lightsaber42
Registered:
Dec '07
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Date Posted:
7/26 7:36pm
Subject:
RE: The Game of Death (Qui/Obi, Angst, Hurt/Comfort) Chapter 8 *Updated 26/07/08*
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Yay! Thanks for updating! Poor kid, I bet he'll learn that a Jedi's good to have around.
Thanks for the PM!
-----signature-----
SSEoCDaC/PFEEoCDaC,BDTAT Twin Sun 17 Co-Founder of the Rebellion Proud Master of DarthAnakin101 and Ithonya from Trika-> //hug
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NYCitygurl
Title: Railroad Baroness of SFFBC, C&G, and NSWFF
Registered:
Jul '02
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Date Posted:
7/26 8:21pm
Subject:
RE: The Game of Death (Qui/Obi, Angst, Hurt/Comfort) Chapter 8 *Updated 26/07/08*
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Aww, so sweet!! I love that the child gave Obi-Wan something to live for
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"We Earth Men have a talent for ruining big, beautiful things." ~ Master of padawanlost, Ultima_1 and Jedimaster_JainaSolo
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earlybird-obi-wan
Registered:
Aug '06
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Date Posted:
7/26 9:17pm
Subject:
RE: The Game of Death (Qui/Obi, Angst, Hurt/Comfort) Chapter 8 *Updated 26/07/08*
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Poor Qui-Gon  Just let Obi-Wan be alive
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writer and Star Wars fan
FANART [link=http://boards.theforce.net/fan_art/b10020/25793899]fanart[/link]
stories in my bio
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ratna
Registered:
Mar '07
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Date Posted:
7/26 9:56pm
Subject:
RE: The Game of Death (Qui/Obi, Angst, Hurt/Comfort) Chapter 8 *Updated 26/07/08*
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She updates!!!!! YES!
Visions of what had transpired continued to strobe through his mind, harsh and unforgiving.
NICE description!
Loved also about desert meeting the summer sea.
Please keep me on the pm list.
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Ou n'a tu pas tellement aime quelqu'un que tu avais peur de l'aimer au peur des souvenirs?
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