Kilrona

Kilrona t1_j57ymah wrote

You can look to use Tom Hayes in two ways.

One, out right the sacrifice. Don't let him know. Somehow get him closer to where the Bies likes to lurk. Obviously you can get him angry, or make him seem armed with a gun with no ammunition (not to be known to Tom).

Or two, offer Tom Hayes a choice. He can opt out of the deal if he can get your soul back. If he gives that back, send him packing with a promise (the more binding, the better) to never mention, allude, post anything about this place and to never come back. If he doesn't agree, then you gave him an honest chance and your conscious is clean. If he chooses to live and Aleksei gets his own revenge on Tom before he leaves the woods... well, then, I don't think anyone's heart will bleed much over that.

Right now, the knowledge Tom Hayes possesses is important to getting your soul back. But it won't matter much if the Bies destroys your home.

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Kilrona t1_j524e2k wrote

Bless you. I eagerly await more tales from your tailor shop; even ones you consider more mundane.

I am not sure which idea I should entertain. On one hand, it's terrifying that we're constantly surrounded by these monsters. Humans usually enjoy not having the position of "prey."

On the other hand, they are not totally unpredictable. You enjoy a special position of someone that provides something they want; and that is conditional on your wellbeing. It sounds like people of your intestinal fortitude (or stubbornness) are rare.

It sounds like a situation of education and manners. While I'm sure my morbid sense of curiosity is emboldened by my distance from your situation, I am a little envious.

I think you are actually safer than the rest of us. You just can't hide behind the blissful veil of ignorance.

Arm yourself with as much knowledge as you can. You sound smart and wilful enough to indefinitely use this to your advantage.

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