the last rule. I couldn't understand how timestopping could change things or drive me crazy. If anything, it was extremely boring and tiring. I usually fell asleep after a long time stoppage. That was the main reason why my mother called me useless and lazy.
I watched my uncle for a while. He seemed deep in thought. Almost sad.
He snapped out of it, turned quickly to me and said, "What have I told you about rogue timestoppers?"
The sudden change in my uncle's mood almost alarmed me. He seemed agitated. I never saw him like this before.
"They're bad."
"Be more specific."
"They steal things."
He looked at me in silence. His silence suggested that he wanted me to say more.
"They use timestopping for their own gain."
"Is that all I ever told you?"
"That's all I remember uncle."
I thought he was going to angry with me. But he kept calm and he looked almost sad again.
"There is another type of rogue timestopper that I never told you about."
My uncle told many interesting stories. But even interesting stories get boring if they are repeated over and over again as lessons. So whenever my uncle had a new story, I listened intently.
"This type of timestopper is totally mad. He thinks that if he kills all other timestoppers that the torment his mind is under will stop. Some just attack madly, killing all he suspects of being timestoppers ... many innocent people die at his hand. Some attack using honor as a justification to kill others."
My uncle closed his eyes and raised his head as if looking at the sky. A tear came down his cheek. I was really alarmed now. My uncle rarely cried.
"Boy, you must promise me, if anything happens to me, you must promise me to find a gnome, and have him teach you how to be a true timestopper."
"A gnome, uncle?"
"Yes. Promise me now!"
"I ... I promise."
"And if a rogue timestopper ever comes around, I want you to hide if you can. But if he has seen you, then remember all your rules. All of them! Okay?"
"Okay uncle."
My uncle suddenly jumped up.
His odd behavior made me panicky.
"Quick, grab the ax and rest it on the log as if you are getting ready to strike. Don't move and remember all I've told you. And don't forget your promise."
My uncle started to walk away from the house.
My heart nearly stopped when I heard a strange voice.
"Jauru, it's so good to see you again. Pity we don't have