Chapter 269: Afterward

Jason Sowden said he was going to help Zeke pull out the third short blade lodged beneath his ribs. Zeke's whole body started shaking. He yelped in a panic, "Jason, don't! I can't handle pain, I can't! Pull it out slow, okay? Slow!" Jason's hand, already reaching for the hilt, paused in midair. The quick, clean motion he had been about to use eased to a crawl. He switched to a gentler draw, careful and controlled. Jason's hands were steady. Even pulling it slowly, he didn't widen the wound. This...