"Don't worry," came a voice from behind him. "You're safe now. Don't fear. Everything will be fine soon."
"Who's there?" asked Jason.
"That's all right," said the voice. "Come over here; sit down. You need to rest. I promise I won't harm you. Not unless you force me to."
Jason glanced over his shoulder to make sure no one was there. Someone was.
"Do you speak English?"
"Of course!" Jason shouted back.
It was the man from earlier who he'd bumped into. He didn't know he was a freak.
"You might be wondering why I'm doing this."
"I guess..."
"My name is Othei."
"Okay."
Othei nodded, waiting for Jason to say something.
"How will I put this?"
"Oh, you don't need to talk like that."
"Like, what?" Othei asked.
"Just talk normally, please."
Jason hesitated. Was this really okay? But since the man hadn't harmed him yet, he decided to try talking normally as well.
