He's smart.
It's getting late and if I won't be back before the twilight, Raquel will be suspicious.
I know that there's a hidden cave in the fall. The forest is rich in fresh fallen branches and logs. It didn't take me that long to tie them to create a door. I need to keep the outsider lock for my benefit and his safety.
Threatening him with an arrow, he obediently went inside the cave. To ensure that he won't easily escape, I put thorns on the entrance.
You don't need your medicine. Strangely, the itchiness will disappear after an hour you've been exposed to the plants.
It's almost an hour. I'm sure that he's starting to feel a little bit comfortable too.
"Is there a lot of healing medicine in your place?"
"Huh? You have the strangest question kid. Of course, there are. After years of research, we're getting closer and closer to immortality. Bwahahahaha. We'll the last part is a joke but we're getting there. Bwahahahaha!"
I bit my lip. If we knew this earlier, maybe my parents and friends will survive the epidemic.
"Ah, sorry for being insensitive. I can see that you had a story."
He's' not a bad person. Perhaps, he's truly my savior. Although I already knew the answer, I wanted to hear it from the outsider's mouth.
"Old man, is there thousands of islands beyond this?"
"Of course, there are! By the way, don't call me an old man. You're hurting my feeling. Call me Tim."
"Do you mean that even after world war III, civilization continues to advance?"
"World war three? What are you saying? That's scary! Who told you that? That only exists in fictional books. Today, people are more diplomatic and peace-loving."
So, there's no world war III? I have been betrayed my whole life! I'm so short-sighted. I should have thought of that from the very beginning!
Then, why none of the adventurers return after sailing? Are they disgusted or scared to confront the chief? Nah, Nah. The chief might be scary but he has a soft heart.
What if they never made it on the other side due to large waves or sea storms? I tried to factor all possible explanations, and I can't still reach a good conclusion.
I should think more about it tonight.
"Old man, as you've guessed, our chief isn't that friendly to outsiders. You should stay here at all costs. Never explore any part of the island if you like to stay alive."
"W-what? Are you just going to live me here? I hate the dark!"
"I'll be back tomorrow."
I toss the paper container which he called 'food' inside his prison. Thankfully, there's a clean source of water inside the cave near where he's sitting. He can drink it while I'm away.
"Old man, I'll be taking this book with me." I wave his precious fictional book. The content might be far from reality but surely, it'll help me understand a little bit about the outside world; their culture, religion, and point of view. All I need to do is to opt-out of anything unrealistic.
"Oi, anything but that! P-please."
I'm sure he said something but never mind. I have to hurry and process everything that happens today. I have the book in my bag too.
"Where have you been? You're not at the cliff. Did you change your hideout?"