[Again. That word isn't lost on Sasuke, even as the present bears down upon them in a violent start. There is no time to question any of what Jonas says — action takes precedence, and Sasuke is quick to respond, narrowly dodging another plunge of ghostly malevolence overhead. He keeps his arm around Jonas' hips, body slung over shoulder, secure in the hold even as that sinister whisper stirs within the dredges of his own mind. He's grown familiar to its influence these past several days. The thoughts are his own, taking dark root, but he knows they would not be there if not for the Shadow of this world. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐲. 𝐒𝐨 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐦? Atonement means nothing in this world. They are all already dead.

In response to this wandering thought, his grip becomes rigid, an almost strangling pressure around Jonas' waist as he flees the area, luminous eyes hunting every door he comes across. Another street flashes past them, moving now away from the water — another wailing voice rings down from the overcast sky — and Sasuke comes to a sudden stop in an alley, shadowed beneath awnings. He eases Jonas off his shoulder onto the ground.

The shack with the yellow smile is in front of them.]

I'm going back to distract them. I'll leave a clone here with you for protection in case it finds you. [He looks into Jonas' pale, stricken face when he says this, then makes a signal with one hand. An identical Sasuke suddenly appears behind Jonas. I can't write this seriously.] I'll return after they're gone. Can you hold on until then?