Much to Jergen's protests, the old woman insisted that she be a hostess to him for the night. After washing the inch thick layers of filth off his body, the old woman had treated him to a lovely meal of rice pilaf and zucchini. During said meal, Jergens learned a bit more about the woman. Her name was Irene Whittington, and she was best known for her community service. “You ain’t the only down-and-out rascal livin’ round’ here boy. Nor are you the only who’ve I’ve invited for a night or three.” She had told him a bit more than once.

When the table had been cleared, Irene and Jergens slowly migrated over to the living room. “So…” Irene began as she plopped carelessly onto the couch. “I told ya what ya needed to know about me, now how about you?” Jergens put a hand to a forming beard on his chin, stroking it a little in thought. Could he really trust her? Hm, yes, he thought he might. He didn’t have much to lose anyway. “Where do I begin, lady?” he leaned forward a little on the couch, staring at the hardwood flooring. After a while, he began.

“Well… My parents kicked me out when I was twelve. Don’t bother asking me how old I am now. I can’t remember my birthday anymore, but by the year I can only tell that I’m either nineteen or twenty. Couldn’t tell ya which. Anyway, they kicked me out when they found that I’m a… um… well…” he faltered a bit, trying to find that right words. The old woman gave him a sharp, wise glance.

“Yer a queer, ain’t ya boy?”

Jergens was taken aback, “Well… yeah… Should I leave now?” he looked at her sadly. It had happened before; many nice families letting him stay, only to throw his ass right on out when they discovered that he was a homosexual.

The old woman crackled loudly at this, thinking of it as a great joke. “Leave?! Ho, boy, don’t you think yer special? You ain’t the first queer I’ve housed, that’s fer sure.” Her eyes sparkled in amusement, while his widened in surprise. “Yup, I really could care less about who you shag with boy…” she laughed even harder at this, “...as long as ya don’t spook the horses while ya do it.” Jergens blinked at her, she was kind of strange… When she had calmed down, she looked at him again, more seriously. “Be warned boy, this town ain’t as accepting as I am. You remember those rumors I told ya about the Master? They aren’t in good jest, there’s a reason why he doesn’t go out much anymore…” Jergens nodded in understanding. Ah yes, he knew it all too well. Once the herd mentality set in, people would mob and destroy an entire town just to kill someone they didn’t like. “Alright boy, go on.” The old woman coaxed him.

“Um… okay… There really isn’t much more though… Once I was kicked out of my house, it wasn’t long before the entire town knew about it. Word spread round’ fast there. Wasn’t long before they ordered me to get the Hell out… Ever since then I’ve been just wandering around, hitchhiking and the like. Trying to find somewhere to go.” He shrugged, there wasn’t much to it.

After staying the night and getting ready to leave in the morning, the old woman tried to coax him into staying a little longer. “Come on, boy, ain’t much for me here. I could give you some work.” She pleaded a bit. Actually, she really just found him extremely attractive, why wouldn’t she want him to leave? “Sorry lady… But I gotta go get that job, okay? I might come by again. I’ll be around.” He bent down to give Irene a gentle hug and thanked her for the hospitality. As he waved goodbye and set off, he remembered her final words to him,

“Go get him, you sexy son of a bitch!”

Man… she really was kinda creepy…

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Now, you may be wondering, what the bloody Hell does this have to do with the endless forest?
Be patient... dear grasshopper...
And by the way... pointless chapter is pointless ;0;