In an isolated house, with six bedrooms, a pool, and a huge garden, lived a man named Tez Sallene. This man was tall, well-built, and his hair had mostly white strands mixed with gray, although he was only forty years old.

...

Tez woke up with the sun shining on his face. He went to the bathroom to brush his teeth. He didn't feel like putting on a shirt, so he remained in his pajama shorts.

In the kitchen, he prepared coffee and toast. He took everything and went to the room facing the pool. He set the tray aside and opened a large cabinet.

The cabinet exuded the fresh smell of wood; it was divided into three parts. In the first part, some old weapons were displayed. In the second, coins from different countries and years. In the third, and largest of them, several knives and daggers.

Tez picked up one and started sharpening it. He would take breaks while drinking his coffee and taking bites of his toast.

In the large glass door in front of him, Tez had a view of the pool, and just behind it began the garden. Tez admired this view.

Suddenly, Tez's sharp eyes saw a hand on the edge of the wall.

...

Tez: ... What?

He closed his eyes and opened them again. At that moment, a person passed the rest of their body over the wall, quickly falling into the house.

Tez: "Are you kidding!?"

The man grabbed a much larger knife from the shelf, opened the glass door, and walked by the pool. Slowly, he walked through the garden. When he was about ten meters away, Tez could see that the intruder was not moving.

Lying amid daisies, the man who had fallen from the wall was badly hurt. With his shirt torn, almost his entire body was exposed.

Tez: ...

Finally, the intruder opened his eyes. With difficulty, he saw Tez's shadow. The muscles of that man belonged to someone very strong. The legs that the intruder saw, from the bottom up, were equally muscular. Besides being huge, the man in front of him had a machete in his hands.

...

The intruder closed his eyes again.

Intruder: {°I'm dead!°}

Tez dragged that man into the house.

|||

A few hours later, Tez stood beside the intruder, watching him, still with his machete in hand, until he opened his eyes again.

Tez: Who are you?

Intruder: I... I'm Leyne.

Tez: And what are you doing in my house, Leyne?

Leyne: I... I don't know.

Tez stroked the machete.

Tez: You don't know?

Leyne: It was an accident! I swear it was an accident! I just needed to escape, so I came to this area. I saw a wall and jumped, that's all!

Tez: Escape from whom?

Looking to the side, he lowered his head.

Leyne: It's complicated.

Tez: You don't understand what's really complicated. Do you think I'm going to let you go without getting answers?

Leyne: Please... Just let me go. I didn't come here to steal or hurt you, I don't even know who you are.

Tez: You should have known that before you came in here.

Leyne: What do you want to know, after all?

Tez: I want to know who you are and why you are being chased. Tell me everything that led you to my house.

Tez picked up a bottle of drink, a chair, and sat in front of Leyne.

Tez: You have until dawn to tell me everything. If you lie, I'll know, so I'll kill you. If you don't tell me everything by the deadline, I'll kill you... So in that case, I suggest you hurry up.

Leyne cleared his throat. A bead of sweat ran down his face. Until he realized he really had no way out.

Leyne: Right... I was the manager of a billboard advertising company. Unfortunately, I got very sick and took a leave of absence, so... A woman named Jiulane Frigarro took my place.

Leyne adjusted himself on the sofa.

Leyne: She changed a lot of things in the company, and within a few weeks, she had the full protection of the owner. She discovered money being siphoned off that was supposed to go to the billboards, and she accused me.

Tez: Interesting... I think this is going to be a long story.

Leyne: I'll try to make it short... Well, Jiulane wanted to destroy me in any way she could. As soon as I got back, I was demoted to cleaning assistant as a form of punishment, and the best part, since I should have been in jail, as they said. I was devastated, I was being mocked, and even excluded. One day, I found a note in my locker...

As he moved, Leyne showed he was in pain.

Leyne: In that note, someone wrote that they shared my suffering and knew that it was all a big injustice. If I wanted, everything could change, and my innocence would be revealed if I went to the company parking lot at eight o'clock that day.

Tez: I don't even have to ask if you went, do I? Didn't you suspect for a moment that it was a trap?

Leyne: No. I didn't suspect it. I went there and heard gunshots, and when I realized it, Jiulane was dead in my arms. And again, I embraced a guilt that was not mine.

Tez: Actually, yes, you had your share of the blame.

Leyne: Right, and that's when this persecution of mine began... I'm on the run from Jiulane's brothers, who want to kill me.

The sound of Leyne's stomach echoed in the room. Embarrassed, he lowered his head.

Leyne: That is... My name is Leyne Dimitri, I'm 22 years old, graduated in marketing and advertising. My only living relative is Uncle Billy, who lives on the coast, so can I go now? I have to get out of town and have a lot of other things to do...

Tez stood up. His serious expression was frightening.

Tez: You're lucky you didn't lie, although you did omit some information, which we'll discuss later. For now, follow me!

Leyne followed Tez, who entered a bathroom in the house.

Tez: Everything you need is in there. Except for clothes, but I'll leave some hanging on the door for you. Meet me in the kitchen when you're done.

Tez turned his back, leaving the intruder alone in the bathroom.

Leyne looked around Tez's bathroom and realized that everything was in perfect order. The bathroom decor featured plants and elegance from floor to ceiling. Leyne looked at himself in the mirror and realized how hurt he was. As the water ran down, he wondered how long he could survive running like this.

Leyne: {Heavens! As soon as they knock on this man's door asking for me, he will surely turn me in. At the moment, I don't know what's best for me. What if I get out of here before they lose track of me? They might catch me along the way. Well... Maybe taking a decent shower like this one and taking a deep breath, even if just for a day, sounds great to me}

Once he dried off, Leyne went to put on the clothes the homeowner had left. The cotton pants wouldn't stay up on his waist, so he improvised with a knot. The T-shirt ended up showing his right shoulder.

Leyne: {He even left slippers!? How kind for an intruder. This man is definitely dangerous, maybe he wants to gain my trust to see if he can profit from my pursuers later.}

In the mirror, Leyne looked at himself again. With his face clean and his hair combed, he felt better.

Leyne: Yeah, it's been a while since I felt like a normal person.

The man smiled in satisfaction and left the bathroom.

III

In the kitchen, Tez was wearing an apron over his bare chest. On the stove, he was preparing a ribeye steak with gratin cauliflower. The rice was already on the table. Then he used some lettuce and arugula leaves to make a salad. The man set the table, placed a plate, cutlery, and a glass of juice. As he was returning from the refrigerator with a jar, he noticed Leyne arriving in the kitchen.

Tez: I think it's best you eat. Everything's ready.

Leyne: Wow! That smells wonderful!

Leyne's mouth watered as he sat down at the table, eager to taste the food.

Leyne: So much food! This looks great. Thank you very much!

Tez watched the man eat. The way he held the cutlery, even though accelerated, showed a certain elegance and precision. He used the cutlery coherently, following etiquette rules. Only his hastiness left doubts as to whether he really was a refined man, but what was quite clear was that he was very hungry.

Tez: {Wherever this... boy has been, I don't think he's eaten in days.}

When he finished, Leyne looked at Tez and smiled.

Leyne's gaze was peaceful and pleasant, Tez stared at him for a few seconds.

Leyne: Really, thank you so much... Sir? I don't remember your name...

Tez: My name is Tez.

Leyne: Tez, that was the best steak of my life, and the seasoning was great! Thank you so much!

Tez: How many days has it been since you last ate?

Leyne: Well... Three days, not counting today.

Tez: Why didn't you go to the officers for help and protection from these pursuers?

Leyne: Like I said before... I'm the criminal. I was raised as one first. Why would the officers listen to me?

Tez: You could have tried. The officers would know how to separate the situation and verify who was telling the truth. And you wouldn't have to be going through this.

Leyne: I guess I could have... But it's too late now. There's no way anyone can help me prove my innocence... Mr. Tez, can I go now?

Tez: The men who are after you will be patrolling the perimeter where they lost sight of you. That includes my house, even though it's so big. Tomorrow morning, so they don't come back empty-handed, they'll knock on every house they find... And around here, there's only mine.

Leyne jumped out of his chair in fear.

Leyne: Then let me go now! I could put you at risk too, sir.

Tez: You don't have to call me sir.

Leyne: Okay, Tez, can I go?

Tez: Yes, you can go, but only after you fix the area you destroyed in my garden.

Leyne: Fix?

Tez: Yes, you will pull out the dead and crushed plants, see which ones survived, and plant new ones.

Leyne: I don't know if I'm good at that.

Tez: If you don't fix the damage you did to me, I won't let you leave.

Leyne ran his hand through his hair, throwing it back, and for a moment, his shoulder was exposed again. Tez's attention was drawn to Leyne.

Tez: {... The shirt is much bigger than him... Although he's thin, this boy is very slender.}

Leyne: Okay! I'll go now. Where can I find the gardening tools?

Tez: Go to the garden later. You just ate and it's very hot outside. You won't be able to finish the job properly.

Leyne: {That's just going to waste my time here. Is that what he wants?}

Tez: You can use this medicine on your wounds. I think it will help.

Leyne: Thank you... If I can't go fix my mess now, what do I do in the meantime?

Tez: I thought of something...

The man, still in his apron, turned his back on Leyne.

Leyne: {Heavens! How can he be so muscular? And hasn't he noticed how ridiculous he looks in that apron?}

Tez picked up a wooden box and a bag with several packages of spices.

Tez: You can separate and store these spices in the spice rack. I was going to do it tomorrow, but we can get a head start.

Leyne: Is that also part of what I have to pay for the damage I caused?

Tez: That's right... Yes, that's part of it too.

Leyne went to separate the spices while Tez sat at the computer. He opened a chat window.

°Please, could you pull up everything you have on this person, I'm sending you a photo from one of my home cameras.°

Tez: {Let's see who you really are}

...

Leyne: {What is he up to? Separating spices to help with what? Oops, I didn't think straight, but this shows that he must really enjoy cooking. But what's the deal with this man!?}

  It took Leyne forty minutes to finish the task he was assigned. He threw the little bags in the trash, and left the spice organizer on the table.

 Looking around, Tez was not present, so in an attempt to find him, Leyne walked through the rooms. On one of the living room walls, there were some picture frames with photos. Leyne stood there observing. In all of them, he could recognize the owner of the house. However, one of the frames caught his attention. In it, Tez was hugging a woman, and they were both smiling. It was the only picture where Tez appeared smiling.

Leyne: {It must be his wife. Smiling, he’s actually a pleasant guy}

Tez: Lose something?

With a jump, Leyne took two steps back.

Leyne: I.. I.. I was looking for you.

Tez: Why are you stuttering? What are you afraid of?

Leyne: I'm not afraid. I just didn't expect you to show up like that, so silently.

Tez: Okay. You must have finished the task I gave you, right?

Leyne: Yes, I'm done. Can I go to the garden now?

Tez: Yes, you can. Everything you need is in the next room.

Leyne: Thank you for telling me, I'm going.

...

Leyne: I've never planted anything in my life, and this first time will be to fix what I ruined... Ironic.

All the crushed, wilted, and dead plants were removed and piled into a large bucket. Right afterward, Leyne took the seeds, dug a hole, and planted them.

Leyne: Phew! I'm done! But there are no seeds for this side of the land. I think I'll leave it like this.

From afar, Leyne saw Tez watching.

Leyne: So, were you checking if your guy was actually going to do the work? Why didn't you tell me there were no more seeds?

The man approached. His serious expression scared Leyne.

Leyne: {What is he doing? Why is he coming towards me without making a sound... Looking directly into my eyes}

Without taking his eyes off him, Leyne stepped back until he lost his balance. Tez caught him before he fell.

Tez: You're very scared. Are you sure you didn't come here to gather information on me?

One of Tez's arms held Leyne by the waist, while his free hand grabbed his neck.

Leyne: No... I'm not spying on you! I've never known anything about you in my life, I swear! Please don't kill me.

Tez: If you're lying, I will definitely kill you. I never make hasty decisions, so you'll be staying here a few more days.

Leyne: A few more days!? I can't! They'll find me.

Tez: You still haven't figured out where you are, have you!?

Tez smiled maliciously.

Tez: I won't anticipate anything, wouldn't want to spoil the fun.

The doorbell rang.

Leyne: Are you expecting someone?

Tez: No.

Leyne: So... It must be them! Please, let me go, you'll get in trouble.

Tez took Leyne's hand and dragged him to his office. There, he opened the closet and grabbed the same knife he was cleaning when Leyne appeared.

Leyne: That won't be enough against them.

Tez: It's enough for me. Stay here.

The homeowner left the intruder in his office and went to the front door of his house.

...

When Tez opened the door, he immediately noticed that the visitors were not joking around. Two were at the door, one was on the walkway to the sidewalk, and two others were in the parked car.

Tez: {So... 5 men!? They're not willing to talk. The one in the driver's seat probably has a handgun, the one on the side a shotgun, the one between the car and the doors, a one-handed submachine gun. The ones at the door, a small weapon, easy to hide in their clothes.}

Tez: Can I help you?

1st Man: Have you seen a man around here by any chance? He has light brown hair, about five foot nine, quite thin and dirty, he's a fugitive from the police. He's very dangerous.

Tez: A fugitive from the police lurking around here, huh? How interesting.

1st Man: Yes, and wanted for homicide.

The homeowner smiled sarcastically as he pulled a wallet from his pocket.

Tez: I believe I can handle a fugitive.

The men's eyes fell on the badge Tez presented.

1st Man: You're an officer!?

2nd Man: Let's go. He would definitely know what to do.

1st Man: Right. Sorry to bother you, sir.

Tez: Not at all, don't you want to come in for a cup of coffee? You could give me more details about this fugitive. I'm sure he'll pass by here sooner or later. It's the only house around here, you know?

The second man balked at the homeowner's words.

1st Man: No! Let's go now!

Realizing Tez's intention, the first man ran to the car. The second, Tez surprised with the knife and immobilized him. The other men ran and started the car.

Tez: What a shame, it seems your friends left you behind. Now you're going to come in and have a coffee with me. Doesn't that sound great?

2nd Man: Please, I'm just following orders! We just came for the guy! We don't want any trouble with the officers!

Tez: What's your name?

2nd Man: Marcos, my name is Marcos.

Tez: Okay, Marcos, let's go inside.

Tez dragged the visitor named Marcos to the kitchen. Once there, he tied the man to the chair. Then he went to his office.

Tez: Leyne? Come with me.

Leyne, scared, just followed him.

...

In the kitchen, Leyne came face to face with Marcos.

Tez: So? Do you two know each other?

Marcos: Sir! This is the man they're looking for!

Tez: Specifically, who is looking for him?

Marcos: Well... I... I can't say.

Tez plunged the knife into Marcos' arm.

The man screamed in pain.

Tez: You'd better answer the questions, you wouldn't want to get on my bad side.

Marcos:... It's... Our group, the leader... His name is Joel.

Tez: Joel? And his last name?

Marcos: I don't know! I... I don't know! They call him Pig when they don't call him Joel, I don't know anything else!

Tez: Why do you want this man?

Marcos:... I know little.

Tez: So, tell me. I'm anxious to let you go. Aren't you anxious to leave?

Tez pulled the knife from the man's hand.

Leyne: {Heavens! This man is so cruel! What is he planning!? I'm doomed}

Marcos: I know this man was supposed to be locked up, for some reason he wasn't, and it's dangerous to leave him walking around, so... We have to catch him... Well, we had orders to shoot if necessary.

Tez observed Leyne. His frightened expression, his tired, deep eyes. He was dejected.

Tez: Alright, stay here for a bit, Marcos, I'll be right back.

Again, Tez grabbed Leyne's arm and led him down the bedroom hallway.

Tez: You can sleep here in this room. Mine is right next door, so I'll hear any noise.

Leyne: Did you... Do this on purpose?

Tez: Yes. Actually, I let four of them get away, so you're safe here with me!

Leyne nodded in agreement with Tez and headed for the bed.