'Ok so, if I understood correctly, you have nothing, so you're missing your passport, all your other document, your bank cards, and your phone. This means until your documents are either found, or you somehow through the ambassy get new ones, you can’t return to America.

As far as I understand, you don’t remember what you’re in England for, so you can’t exactly ask anyone else here for help. So, to help with these few things, I first suggest you block your credit or debit card. I suppose that might be possible even without the documents you lost in some way. I’ll lend you one of the computers at this house. I suggest you don’t mail the place you work at supposing there was one, until you remember what happened. Maybe even then don’t say much, just explain it when everything is sorted out again in person.

I do suggest informing the people you know that you are okay, otherwise it could cause some problems. No need to ask them for help though, I’ll help you with anything instead.

I also went down to the police station to report a missing passport and stuff, and also shortly asked what to do in a situation like yours, so they’ll contact me if they find anything.

Furthermore, until your passport either gets found or you manage to get a new one, you can just stay here. As long as you follow some rules, I’ll try to help you out as much as I can.’

A silence follows. It’s quite a lot to take in. Jin does agree that reporting the bank card and ID’s missing is a good start. Hearing he can contact some colleagues is also a relief. At first he’s not sure about not contacting the company he works at, but when he looks into Thorne’s glowing eyes, he feels like it’s probably a good idea to put it off.

‘Most of it sounds about right, but what is it about me staying here? Why are you just letting me stay here for free? I’m just some stranger you met, why are you so willing to help?’

Thorne hesitates for a moment, but replies calmly ‘Don’t worry about why I’m letting you stay. Let’s just say I’ll feel much better about myself helping out a stranger. Also, as you can see I live alone here in the middle of nowhere, so having some company for the first time in a while can’t be too bad.

If you’re bothered about the part where it’s free, well, once your situation is better you can pay me back for the things I will pay for you during this period. Further, if you have any experience working in a company, either accounting or just sorting some documents and stuff, I can give you some work in the meantime.’

Jin still feels a bit reluctant, but looking into Thorne’s eyes is somehow reassuring. Also there’s just no other place he can stay.

‘Alright, I’ll do my best to pay you back as soon as possible. Also, I work at a big company, though I mostly do design, I also have experience in other areas, so I hope I will be of help during my stay here. Oh right, you mentioned something about some rules earlier?’

‘Don’t worry about the rules, it’s just some common rules, like there’s a few rooms I don’t want you to enter, for example my bedroom, don’t disturb me while I’m working, have diner and preferably breakfast as well with me. Also don’t leave the house, without letting me know, and definitely don’t leave the area around it. This is for simple reasons as you could get lost, and sometimes there are dangerous people or animals outside, so it’s better to not encounter them.’

Jin is indeed a bit surprised at how simple the rules are. He doesn’t know why he was expecting something more, but these rules are very reasonable.

‘Alright. I still don’t understand exactly why you’re doing this, but thank you very much.’

‘Now that we’ve discussed that, let’s get to know each other a little, since we’ll be staying together for a while. I don’t know anything apart from the fact that your name is Jin.’

‘Is there anything in particular you’d like to know?’

‘You can just tell me your full name, your age, your hobbies, favorite food, something about your family, or just whatever you think is important to know.’

Jin feels like this is the way he introduced himself in primary school, but he goes along with it. ‘I’m Jin Moore, actually I live in America, but I’m originally Australian. I’m 26 years old, I like horse riding, but haven’t done it in years, I used to enjoy painting, but also haven’t done it in years. I love chocolate ice cream. I’d like not to talk about my family, I’ve cut all ties with the a few years ago. Honestly there’s not that much interesting stuff to know about me.’

Thorne is a little disappointed Jin didn’t say anything interesting, but it doesn’t show on his face.

‘Alright, well there’s not much to know about me either, you already know my name, I don’t have a favorite food. Coincidentally, I do like painting as well. If you can ride a horse, we could go riding sometime, I know where to get a horse nearby. Well, I hope to earn more about you during your stay, for now let’s eat dinner. I’ll prepare it, you can continue reading books or something.’