Lesson 19- Don’t judge others, treat them the way you want to be treated.

I turn back to the bar with an unhappy sigh. Is Torin upset with me? I don’t really like it when people are upset with me. I guess I’m a bit of a people pleaser. Or maybe I just want Torin to like me. I mean, I want him to trust me, and liking usually comes before trusting, right? I want us to be friends, partially because I need him to let me go, but also just because he seems like he needs a friend. Everyone can tell me that he’s dangerous as much as they like, but ultimately he saved my life. That’s enough for me. My discontent is obvious and Jackson picks up on it quickly.
“Are you alright? I know you’re stuck here but I didn’t think the demon was a danger to you. He might be scary as hell but he doesn’t usually kill without a good reason. Did you do something to piss him off?” he asks, his concern is clear in his tone.
“Huh? Danger? Why would you think he’s going to hurt me?” I ask, confused. Torin might be a little annoyed with me, but it’s a bit of a leap to go from ‘kind of annoyed’ to ‘murderous’. Jackson looks at me like I’m being slow.
“Are you kidding? The demon was staring at you, that’s what drew my attention in the first place. Then you turn and look at him and he storms off!” Jackson points out. I shrug.
“I didn’t realise he was staring. But I guess he might be a little annoyed with me? I didn’t realise he was standing behind me earlier so I accidentally hit him. Also I was frustrated and I argued with him earlier today.” I confess. I feel kind of bad about both incidents to be honest. None of us asked to be stuck in this situation and it’s going to take some time to figure it all out. I need to be more patient. Jackson looks at me like my hair is on fire or something. A combination of shock, fear and awe.
“You… You HIT the demon? You argued with him?” his voice sounds kind of strangled.
“It was an accident, well the hitting part at least.” I protest. I don’t want him thinking I usually go around hitting people when I’m cranky. I’m more likely to scold them. Jackson doesn’t seem terribly reassured.
“And you just… Continued working. He hasn’t hurt you? Or punished you? Aren’t you scared?” He asks, astonished. I scrunch up my face. Punish me? For a tiny temper tantrum and for accidentally hitting him? What kind of reputation does Torin have around here? Besides, I’m already trapped here, what is he going to do? Lock me in my room? Send me to bed without dinner? The idea of him hurting me is laughable. He might be intimidating, but even I can tell he wouldn’t just hurt someone for something as petty as this. I can’t help it, I laugh.
“Don’t be silly. Torin isn’t going to hurt me. He’s not a monster.” I tell him between breaths. Jackson frowns.
“But… The demon…” He seems baffled and I roll my eyes. ‘The demon.’ He isn't even using Torin’s name. Is he seriously that scared?
“He has a name you know. How would you feel if I just called you ‘the werewolf’ all the time.” I point out. Jackson seems speechless.
“But I…. But… It’s different. He’s a demon!” He exclaims. I shrug.
“So?” I ask. Jackson stares at me.
“Demons are dangerous, they’re cruel. Everyone knows that.” He insists.
“Have you ever seen Torin hurt someone for no reason? Have you seen him do anything particularly cruel?” I ask. I’m kind of taking a risk here. I don’t know Torin that well. Maybe he HAS done something to earn this reputation he has. But I just can’t see it. I mean he saved me and he’s been treating me well. I haven’t seen him treat anyone badly. If he were cruel he wouldn’t have saved me, and he would have erased my memories rather than inconvenience himself by keeping me here. I’ve seen how people avoid him, how can he be cruel to people if they don’t even come near him? As far as I can tell, they’re all scared of ‘the demon’ like it’s some stereotype that demons are scary and evil. Jackson seems to be thinking hard. Searching for some example to support his argument that Torin is some kind of cruel monster. That he’s got some ulterior motive for keeping me here, that he’s going to hurt me and probably kill me eventually. He eventually gives up.
“I suppose I haven’t seen him do anything particularly cruel.” Jackson admits slowly and I nod firmly.
“Exactly. If you do see him do something awful then I give you full permission to call him whatever names you like. But in the meantime I don’t want to hear you talking about him so disrespectfully. He saved my life and I’m grateful for it. Besides, it’s a little hypocritical isn’t it? You come to his bar, enjoy the protection that his reputation has provided this place with, then you talk badly about him behind his back?” I point out. I’m actually starting to sound a little aggressive. I guess I don’t like it when people judge others like that. Torin has treated me well, he saved my life and even someone as nice as Jackson is just assuming that he’s going to hurt me. It isn’t fair to him. Jackson holds up his hands defensively.
“Woah there wildcat, I see your point. No need to tear me apart. I’ll watch my tongue from now on.” Jackson promises.
“Good. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to do something.” I turn and walk off. I quickly check with Laura if it’s alright for me to go out the back for a few minutes.
“Yeah of course, go. You’re due a break anyway. Make sure you have something to eat while you’re at it. Let me know when you get back and I’ll have a break too.” She says easily without looking up from the drink she’s pouring. I rush out, determined to find Torin and apologise properly.

I check the kitchen first but Torin is nowhere to be seen. Kyle is there, working hard.
“Hey Rina. I’ve got your dinner here. Laura and Torin’s are ready too. I’m just about to head off. There’s enough for you to do another dozen or so servings then just tell everyone the kitchen is closed.” Kyle tells me the moment he sees me.
“Oh, sure. Have you seen Torin? I want to talk to him.” I ask. Kyle shrugs.
“Dunno. He was outside before I think.” He responds. Well damn, I can’t follow him out there. Still, maybe he’s nearby. I grab my dinner and after a moment’s thought, I grab Torin’s food too, balancing both bowls on a tray with cutlery and some awesome looking bread rolls, I continue to search for Torin. I pull open the back door and, being SUPER careful not to put so much as a toe outside, I look around. It’s dark, but I can hear someone near the dumpsters.
“Torin, is that you?” I say, kind of nervously. I didn’t consider it before, but I’m starting to think I might be a little afraid of this alley… Particularly at night. I hold my breath as Torin emerges from the darkness and steps into the light of the doorway.
“Carina? Is something wrong?” He asks. He’s holding a large cardboard box that he appears to be breaking down into pieces, probably so he can throw it away properly. Is that… The box from my new bed? Is that what he’s been doing all this time? I feel even more confident in my decision as I hold up the tray of food.
“I brought your dinner. Want to come eat with me?” 
Brewing Trouble
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