Mine

Chapter 3

I was startled out of my sleep the next morning by what sounded like metal grinding against stone. I turned over on my right side to see sparks flying from an old antique grinding wheel that Jason was sitting behind and using to sharpen his machete. I watched him meticulously sharpen the blade on it, it was something he was very good at. He soon noticed I was awake and stopped what he was doing. He stood up, sheathed his machete, then began walking towards me. He walked up to the bed and kneeled and started to unlock the brace and chain on my foot.

"What are you doing?" I asked as I watched him.

"I thought it would best to try and keep a closer eye on you, that way I don't have to keep coming down here as often to make sure you're still here. So, I am going to keep the chains off you, but you're not to wander off far from my sight. Do you understand?" He replied.

"Yes, I understand." I said

He stood up and said, "follow me, I've laid a few traps during the night and need to check them."

"Wait, what about my legs? They're still a little sore and I can't walk too far for too long." I reminded him as I tried standing up slowly. I was able to put some pressure on them but not much as I hobbled over towards him.

"At least you're not able to run." He said and turned around leading the way out of his lair.

'Ugh, he's such a dick!' I thought to myself and let out a sigh of defeat, continuing to follow him.

It wasn't long before we heard the sound of what sounded like a dying rabbit. We followed the sound and found it had been caught by the leg in one of Jason's smaller animal traps. Jason grabbed a hold of it, immediately snapping its neck in two quickly ending it's suffering. With rabbit now hanging lifeless in his hand, he looked at me and asked, "This sort of thing doesn't bother you?" Tilting his head to the side, which made me blush and smile a bit.

I shook my head no and replied, "My grandfather taught me the basics of hunting/trapping, so I'm used to this sort of thing, plus you live off the grid, how are else you going to survive out here? And maybe since I'm going to be here for a while you could show me more."

"Maybe... If you can prove to me, you're worthy of my teachings." He replied.

"Worthy?!" I scoffed at him, "You'll be surprised at what I'm capable of doing." I added

"Ok, show me what you can do," he said, handing me the now deceased rabbit and his field knife. He wanted me to skin it.

He watched me as I placed it on a nearby stump and began cutting around the ankles and down around the thighs. Next I began to roll the skin down with my hands as I went making cuts when necessary. I grabbed its ankles and pulled its skin off the rest of the way with my other hand, only the end trails were left for removal. I reached my hand into its abdominal cavity and was met with a rather unpleasant surprise. "Aaahh!" I shrieked in surprise as a bit of blood splatter hit me in the face and left eye. I heard what sounded like a stifled giggle coming from Jason's direction. 'Did a man who's a serial killer just laugh at me?! Of course he did, he's an asshole so why wouldn't he?' I thought to myself.

"You think this is funny, don't you?" I grumbled in frustration and embarrassment as I wiped the blood from my eye.

"Well, at least now I know you're not afraid to get your hands dirty!" He smirked at me. I could tell he was doing it just by the tone in his voice. He grabbed the now freshly skinned rabbit and put it in a small duffle bag he was carrying. I stood up and looked at my now bloodied hands, I saw that bit had also gotten on to my shirt. I needed a shower badly at this point.