I didn’t see Jacob again after that. Not for a long time. Months passed, and I was sure that he had just become a ghost in this place. There were always seating prepared for him, but I had no idea if he ate before me or after me. I also didn’t have the courage to ask any of the staff about him, though I didn’t think anyone of them would have answered me. They were loyal to their Master.

They didn’t treat me any differently, though. If anything, they were only more kind ...