Dangerous Home

"That makes sense. According to your information, it is difficult to deduce the reason for your kidnap. If you have to prevent the repetition of this incident, we need to get to the root of the matter. But as it seems, it would be difficult for me to help you on that."

Casper stated in a sincere tone.

From Jean's deductions, he could easily tell that the guy was sincerely trying to help him. And since this was the case, he thought that it would be better if he try to provide the guy with the needed information as long as it doesn't Jeopardise his safety.

"I appreciate your efforts. What I can say is that the reason for my kidnap is something that has been bothering me for quiet sometime since I found myself in the hands of these vile individuals. I hope I shall be able to figure out the reason as soon as possible so as to prevent the repetition of the matter in the near future."

At this point, Jean was somewhat feeling guilty for lying to the guy despite his sincerity towards him. But did Jean had a choice in the first place? No, so that was a do or die matter for the sake of his safety.

"Now that getting to the root of the matter seems impossible at the moment, I give you a chance to ask me some questions. But don't be too personal."

Casper instructed with a grin.

"Personal you say? How did you know that I was going to be personal? Anyway, don't mind me."

Jean said as he waved a hand dismissively.

Lingering for a moment, Jean let out a cough.

"If I may ask you; for how long have you been staying at this place? And why just this place and not any other place?"

Jean asked in a friendly tone as he looked Casper straight in the eyes.

Straightening up, Casper's expression turned serious.

"For your first question, I must say that I have stayed here for at least five years if I am not wrong. That's since I moved from the city."

Lingering for a moment, Casper glanced at Jean.

"I know you must be wondering why I had to mention my relocation from the city."

Nodding silently, Jean's eyes narrowed.

"The reason to I had to inform you on that was because this has been my home since childhood. But that can be a story for another day."

Casper stated in a haggard tone, a tired expression clearly written on his face.

Jean immediately understood why the guy had to avoid explaining in details about his childhood memories at the place.

After a short moment of silent, Casper continued...

"And for your second question, I think the first question answers it too. This has been my home since my childhood. Any other question?"

Lingering for a moment, Jean snorted.

"Where do you acquire your food in such a strange place?"

With a gulp, Casper looked around before gazing at Jean.

"I feed from my surroundings."

Somewhat confused Jean scratched the back of his head.

"What do you mean?"

With an amused look, Casper responded.

"In simple terms, I hunt. Besides hunting, I also fish and farm some vegetables."

For a moment, Jean was stunned.

"How can you hunt in such a place? I mean in a place that seems to be devoid of life? And for the vegetables, where is the farm since I haven't set my eyes on it since I was here."

Jean bombarded Casper with countless questions that made the latter dazed for a moment.

A few moments later, Casper cleared his throat.

"What you don't know is that this forest if full of animals. Both dangerous and friendly. But those are territories outside this territories. What you don't know is that we are not that close to the center of the forest. The center is located on the western regions from this place. There is where most dangerous animals dwell."

With that Casper went mute.

This gave Jean room to digest the information. But from all the information that Jean had received from Casper, the information about the presence of dangerous animals in the centre regions was what caught his attention.

'This guy is a psychopath. How could he call such a dangerous place a home. Putting in mind that he spent his childhood in such a dangerous place gives me goosebumps.'

Jean found it hard to believe Casper's words, but when he recalled how the guy had told him about the spells that keep the territories they were in safe, he found his statements making some senses.

"I think you must have been able to reside at this place because of the spells that you told me earlier?"

Jean asked in a calm tone.

With a nod Casper responded.

"That's right. Else how could I explain my survival in the area? Unless I am one of the beasts..."

As soon as Casper was done with this statement, the two burst into laughter simultaneously.

"You are a beast, and that's why you have been able to survive in the forest all this while."

Jean said with an amused look.

As soon as Casper saw this, he waved his hand dismissively.

" Stop it, I am human. So, to answer your question about the farm, I must take you for a tour immediately we are done taking lunch."

Letting out a tired yawn, Jean stared in the sky after which he licked his dry lips.

"I just hope the farm isn't located outside these territories."

When Casper heard this, he looked at Jean with a smug.

Ignoring Casper's gaze, Jean added...

"Still on the same matter, I hope the animals can't intrude these territories?"

Jean asked in a Hushed tone.

Getting to his feet, Casper stared at the boy in contempt.

"What is wrong with the meat bringing itself to the slayer?"

Suddenly, Jean flinched as he quickly git to his feet. In the next moment, he was vigilantly scanning the surroundings.

"Do you mean the animals come can intrude the territories?"

Jean asked in a curious tone. At this point, he was finding it difficult to invite such a creepy thought in his mind. Since he was born, he had never encountered a fierce animal in his life despite him visiting several forests while in the village. He wasn't confident in his skills when it came to dealing with fierce animals. This was the reason he felt nervous at the thought of such animals intruding their territories.

"No need to worry about anything. Neither an animal nor a common human can intrude our territories."

As soon as Jean heard Casper's reply, he heaved a sigh of relief. For a moment, he felt the nervousness he was experiencing dwindle.

"That's better."

Just at that moment, Casper started heading towards the house. As soon as Jean saw this, he shook his head and followed suit. He didn't need a hunch to notice that the guy was on his way to prepare their lunch.

Hunger had descended upon the two that they didn't need to communicate to understand each other's condition. The body language was clearly for anyone witb eyes to notice.

As soon Casper got at the house he walked straight to the back of the house. Jean on the other side, didn't bother to ask him any question, instead, he walked straight in the house through the main door.

He was too tired and angry after a lengthy discussion. As soon as he entered the house and walked into the leaving room, a thought formed in his head.

"If this territories are this dangerous, how comes the guy still preferred to reside in this place, even if it is as secure as he stated? There must be something that he is hiding from me.'

At this point, Jean had a feeling that Casper was hiding something from him. Digging deeper into this story, Jean started spotting some similar between this story and the story of the powerful guy that Natalie had told him about. But since he couldn't get a hand on this possibility, he found it important to just let the matter slide at the moment.

After a few moments of contemplation, Jean walked and sat on one of the seats in the leaving room, on his face, a haggard expression was evident.

Casper on the other side, was busy preparing the fire for the preparation of lunch. As soon as he was done lighting up the light in the outdoor kitchen, he hastened and entered the house through the back door.

When Jean noticed him entering the house, he raised his head.

"Can I join you?"

Jean asked in a tired voice.

"Don't make it look like I am forcing you to do this."

Casper replied as he busied himself at the table that was adjacent to the rear door. He was collecting the necessary spices and food for the preparation of lunch.

Without a second thought, Jean got to his feet and started walking towards the guy.

"I insist, allow me to join you in the kitchen."

Turning to face the approaching Jean, Casper snorted.

"Are you sure your that your lungs can withstand the smoke in the kitchen?"

When Jean heard Casper's question, he immediately came to a halting stop as he scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.

"What exactly are you trying to imply?"

Jean asked as he gave Casper a dubious look.

"Your lungs have been hurting since yesterday, and that is because of the internal injuries you suffered. I don't know if they will withstand the smoke in the kitchen."

For a moment, Jean was puzzled.

Jean had decided to join Casper in the kitchen for his own benefits. His aim was to snatch some culinary skills from the guy other than giving a helping hand. But now that Casper had mentioned the huddle that awaited him, he found himself puzzled by this unexpected challenge.

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