"Not terribly far--you see that ridge there," he pointed with a long bony finger. Maybe a quarter mile ahead of them was a hill capped with stones and a few dead trees. Someone had put a sign post there.

"When I try to find my way back, I feel I always pass that sign but I'm afraid I can't read whatever is written on it."

This was a point of mild shame for Jack--he felt he was pretty well versed in most languages. He had to be to keep his legends and fellow monsters sorted in his mind. Oh well, there was no shame in being humble, he supposed. He was already asking the living for help.

And speaking of.

"I'd like to say--I appreciate your help very much. But I need to know...are you not afraid of me?"