Shane put away his gun.
Nora felt her whole body released from anxiety, but before she could heave a sight of relief, this creepy smiling guy took an object and presented it to her.
She furrowed her brows.
What was the meaning of this piece of cloth ?
Sensing her interrogation, Shane enjoyed it for a few seconds before he slowly answered.
"You can't be expecting I will let a monster acompany us like this ?"
She blinked.
"Sorry, I'm not into that."
Jake nearly choked while he was struggling with his laughter.
Shane closed his eyes for a few seconds before some seriousness reappeared in his stare.
Alright, she's a funny thing but...
He started to wonder how her brain worked.
Was it altered during her transformation ?
"That's interesting to know, little freak, but I just need to make sure you won't bite anyone on the way."
She looked up to him.
He was still scary, of course, but the disappearance of the gun and the agreement to the deal made it easier for her to recover her spirit.
And it was insulting to always be called monster.
"I won't bite any of you."
Shane sneered.
"No risks allowed."
The little anger she had made her a bit braver.
"I won't bite people who doesn't take a shower."
Jake found it harder to refrain from laughing.
After a few days on the road, the four guys were indeed stinking and their unshaved faces made them look older.
Without mentioning those hours in that dilapidated part of the building.
So it was natural to rate them as "non-that-hygienic" food.
Of course, Nora didn't took the fact she ate parts of a zombie into consideration...
And Shane, who already knew of the matter couldn't help but find it ironic.
Yes, they didn't shower for four days but she'd rather bite a zombie than them ?
Did she really thought he'd buy it ?
Without waiting, he went behind her back and gagged her.
She tried to react but before she could make a big movement he muttered in her ear.
"Don't try me."
His breath brushed against her neck.
A man whispering softly to a woman...
With a strong killing intent.
Nora shivered. 'Scary ! So scary ! Who's the monster here, uh ?!'
Clic.
Nora blinked. 'What was that ?'
She looked over her shoulder.
Her eyes widened.
She was handcuffed !
Shane looked at her, obviously pleased by the look she had on her face.
"It will be less easier to take of the gag, now."
She tried to say something, but the muffled words were too unrecognizable.
So she tried again, hoping it would be understood.
And Shane didn't have any thought of helping her.
It was entertaining to watch her persist in her ridicule when all he had to do was to remove the gag.
After the second time, Nora stopped and stared at him.
The deep frown and the complicated look in her eyes was telling everything.
She wanted to be angry but she was already in that kind of state.
He was scaring her, but she understood he was the only one among all the persons in the room who would allow her to speak.
She didn't want to beg him, but she had no other choice.
She knew it, he knew it, and he was having fun with it.
So he waited a bit more before he, very slowly, pulled down the gag.
"20 seconds."
'What ? I'm allowed only that time to speak ? Is he serious ?'
Nora looked at him for a bit before she understood it was totaly real.
A bit panicked, the words rushed to her.
"Wasn't I supposed to have a bat ?"
"We got a bat. But we can't give it to lil' monster without precautions, right ? So, my lady better behave well before she's allowed to have her toy. And only if we need a helping hand, of course."
It was a polite way to tell her : "You better remember your situation before making demands."
He put back the gag in place before he turned towards Jake.
"The bathroom is empty, you can go in."
Jake smiled.
"Yes ! Aren't I lucky ? I'm the first in the shower, I don't need to go after you guys !"
Kyle smiled softly in return.
"That's because you stink the most."
Jake's happy face went a bit stiff.
"You're just jealous. Well, see you later !"
He then locked himself in the bathroom.
Nora bitterly sat on a nearby chair. Those handcuffs weren't really practical.
She realised at that moment that she needed to stay this way until they ended the preparations and went back to the car.
If he was really cruel, it could last until they reached their destination.
How long could she bear that treatment ?
She threw an angry glare at Shane, before she nearly jumped.
He was still looking at her.
And he clearly saw that glare of hers.
'W-w-why should I be scared ? It's not like I really did something ! I'm not scared ! Not at all !"
Watching her get flustered by herself, Shane's smile deepened.
He didn't need to do a thing, she was already afraid.
It was like getting paid for doing nothing.
He sat down on a nearby chair to enjoy the show.
Now that the gun was nowhere to be seen, Millie went to her sister's side without her legs shaking.
"Psst, what took you so long to guess ? I nearly had a heart attack back then."
Nora turned her head to look at her sister.
'Can't you see I'm gagged ? How do you want me to answer ? And who's fault is it for looking like a monkey and not making a good imitation ?'
But Millie continued to whisper, not aware of her elder sister's thoughts.
"I was so scared, I'm not sure why I didn't faint. My legs were shaking so much I thought there was an earthquake ! Isn't it surprising ? Daisy's friend is actually a freak like that ! Hopefully, he loves money, otherwise we'd be screwed. But why did you forget we were rich ? You looked like a drowning goldfish, you're lucky I helped you ! Humpf, I don't know what you would have done if you didn't have such a clever little sister like me ! You can thank me too for being friends with Daisy, thanks to that, The three other guys didn't bully you too !"
While Millie was busy with her monologue, Nora wished Shane gave her earplugs.
Yes it was her way to relieve herself from her stress, but she could spare her from the pain !
Shane watched the two sisters interact and a little smirk came on his face.
He wasn't the only one who could make this lady to suffer.
After another sentence, Nora couldn't endure anymore and kicked Millie's feet.
She couldn't move her arms, but nothing blocked her legs !
Millie squeaked before her eyes full of grievances faced her sister.
"Why did you hit me ? I'm the one who helped you, remember ? Do you burn the bridges after you cross them ? Heartless !"
But she still stopped to speak. Not only because Nora kicked her, but Daisy and her friends came to their side.
After what happened previously, an awkward mood was filling the air, but Millie's love for beautiful thing came back.
She babbled to little Shawn, before she began to question Kyle and Jamie.
Where they will go after, if there would be enough stops during the travel...
Practical questions at first, but they made their job and brought a more soothed feeling to the group's interactions.
She was still wary of Shane, though, so she ignored him.
Daisy who was tensed all the time they were trapped in that room seemed to have changed to a little more joyful version of herself.
Yes, zombies were still out there, but...
Her husband was here, her brothers were here, they had a way out, Shane didn't kill Nora...
She was remorseful when she looked at her, because she was the one who informed them of her special condition, but choosing between her family and a stranger, the choice was easy to make.
And even if her present situation was uncomfortable, it was still better than the other Shane suggested.
So even if she had a tiny little guilt gripping her heart, nothing could overshadow the happiness she felt.
Soon they will be free from this period of horror.
After some time, the atmosphere turned a bit more cheerful, and everyone started to relax.
Except for Nora.
'How can I relax with those handcuffs and gag ?!!!'