I don’t know for how long I looked for the cave, only that during that time the tempest became more violent and I felt like I was having a bath in a lake, although I was treading on dry land.

I mean, wet land.

“That’s an understatement...” I noted to myself, glancing at the mud sea which separated me from my haven that was located about half a meter above ground level. Grumbling, I fought my way through the squelchy obstacle and climbed up on the stones. Finally, a dry place!

I sniffed deeply and smelled that somebody had the same idea and had already made a fire in the cave. I shrugged: it wasn’t like I’d take away their heat if I joined them. Stepping inside and rounding a corner, I gazed upon the happily flickering fire which greedily engorged the dry twigs. It must’ve been a special wood, because a very pleasant scent drifted in the air.

“Greetings,” I addressed the huddled up form on the other side of the fire. Poor soul, he was completely drenched by the time he arrived here.

... Scratch that: I resembled a drenched dog more than anyone else at this moment around the world and I was also sure that a ruffian didn’t deserve my sympathy or pity. Because the man before me was clearly one. Namely, a pretty large specimen – from the ‘more muscle than brains’ category. I suppressed a suffering sigh.

He nodded and gestured to me to sit down while he rose. “No, you won’t!” a fleeting thought sounded in my mind when I caught his gaze. I could read from it much too clearly what he planned with me.

I narrowed my eyes threateningly, however soon I realized that a thunderstorm is raging outside. Which meant that I lost all my powers temporarily. Thus, I could only do one thing: turn tail and scoot out of the cave’s shelter, which didn’t seem as inviting as it had only moments ago.