Yumiel was behind Jack, following him as he slowly advanced toward the man who claimed to be his friend.
« So, how should I put this. Simply put, I'm a zombie and I changed bodies, but it really was me who saved you in the cemetery. Simple, right? »
« Nah, not really, » said Yumiel.
« I didn't understand a thing, » said the man.
« You, don't bring back the crazy bat scientist. »
« Excuse me! What does the moron want, not even capable of convincing his friend. »
« You should grow bat wings on your back with your science, it would suit you! »
« With all the brains you eat, you should be able to line up more than two neurons by now, no? »
Suddenly the man began to speak: « This way of talking and this unmatched stupidity. No doubt, it really is you, Jack! »
« Ahahah, see, even he recognizes you by your stupidity. »
He lowered his weapon. « What are you doing here with your girlfriend? »
Jack and Yumiel spoke at the same time: « Excuse me? Me with this: Bat; (this idiot; never in my life!) »
Yumiel stepped forward as if to introduce herself to the man: « As a friend of Jack's, I expected someone more perceptive. But, well, nice to meet you, I'm Yumiel. »
« But I'm not Jack's friend. He just helped me in the cemetery to find my way back, so I told him to stop by the shop so I could thank him properly. Anyway, nice to meet you, I'm Andrew. But come on, let's not stay here. »
Yumiel and Jack followed Andrew, walking through the hallway where he had been. Stuffed animals were hanging on the wall. A few paintings and family souvenirs were there as well. You could see Andrew with his wife and his three children.
They reached the end of the hallway, which led directly to a rather modest living room. Leather sofa, mid-height table with a big TV, in one corner a wine and alcohol cellar of sorts, several patterned fabric rugs, and some animal skins, followed by a chic ceiling chandelier harmonizing the whole room.
Andrew gestured for them to come sit on the sofa. They sat down.
« Can I get you something to drink? »
« Whiskey, » said Jack.
« Cognac, » said Yumiel.
« I see we're dealing with real tough ones, I'll bring that right away. »
Yumiel observed the decor, then opened her senses. Detecting several people behind a wall—one that was clearly hidden. She assumed it was his wife and children.
Andrew set two glasses on the table before sitting in an armchair, placing himself in front of Yumiel and Jack.
« I won't beat around the bush. Tell me why you came all the way to my home. »
Andrew had a serious look and spoke in a firm tone. Jack didn't know what to say, simply drinking his glass of whiskey. Yumiel downed her cognac in one go before answering.
« First of all, let me thank you for your hospitality. Most people either try to intimidate me or kill me. So it's nice to finally have someone normal. »
Yumiel set her glass on the table, then continued:
« We came because I heard from Jack that you could make an outfit for me. Mostly for combat, and I'd like to add some special pockets to it. »
Andrew thought in his armchair, watching Jack savor his whiskey.
« Before I give my answer, let me ask you: what did you do with the teenagers downstairs? »
Andrew looked at Jack and Yumiel's weapons. « Those little toys of yours wouldn't have made them leave. »
« So what then? We would've killed them? Don't worry, it's not like I didn't want to. But I'm sorry to tell you that seeing my buddy smashing the door like a madman didn't exactly make them want to keep going. »
« Let's say I believe you, and then what? Why would I help you, you— a monster? »
Yumiel walked around the room slowly. Until she approached the living room's false wall. Then she punched the wall and grabbed one of the children on the other side, who screamed in surprise and fear.
« Are you insane! » Andrew grabbed his rifle, aiming it at Yumiel.
« I confirm, » said Jack, sitting and drinking his whiskey.
« And now what are you going to do? Shoot me? I'll make you a deal. First of all, I didn't kill all of you, consider that a gesture from a peaceful monster. And second, I'm offering you my help whenever you need it. Not a bad exchange. »
Andrew stared straight into Yumiel's eyes, aiming at her face. Jack was still sitting, having just finished his whiskey.
« Stop, Andrew. Even if you refuse, Yumiel won't do anything to you. »
Andrew was sweating, his hands turning clammy, his heart racing, his vision blurring. After a while, he finally lowered his weapon.
« Alright, I'll believe you. »
Releasing the child behind the wall, Yumiel went back to sit on the sofa. The wall opened a moment later, letting out his wife and three children.
« You have a beautiful family. »
Andrew bit his lip in anger until he made himself bleed.
« If I accept your offer, will you protect my family as well? »
« I'll help you. If that implies protecting your family, then yes. However, know that I have a busy schedule, and sometimes I won't be able to answer your request right away. »
Andrew looked at his family, then looked at Yumiel.
« Alright, tell me in detail what you need and when. »
Yumiel took out her phone and handed it to Andrew so he could write down his number.
« I'll send you the details by phone. As soon as that's done, the sooner the better. Do you have an outfit I can use in the meantime? »
Andrew finished writing his number in Yumiel's phone, returned it to her, then left.
In a corner of the living room were his wife and children. Yumiel looked at the children before asking: « Are you scared? »
The children looked at Yumiel, then turned their heads left and right. Then the smallest asked: « What's it like being a monster? »
His mother stopped him, apologizing to Yumiel, but Yumiel answered anyway.
« Being a monster, huh? Well, it's not that bad. You're no longer limited by simple things, and you become able to achieve any one of your wildest dreams. »
The child, surprised by Yumiel's answer, ended up with stars in his eyes.
« And how do you become one? »
Yumiel was surprised in turn, and so was Jack, who laughed at the child's question. Andrew arrived with an outfit for Yumiel at that moment.
« Please don't put strange ideas in my son's head. Here's your outfit, I think it should fit you. Could you come with me so I can take your measurements? »
Yumiel followed Andrew into a fairly large room filled with all sorts of equipment. A bit further in, he stopped her and took her measurements.
« Why didn't you just kill those teenagers? »
« Should I have killed them? They're just kids, not interesting. And they wouldn't have given me much anyway. »
« I thought monsters became stronger by killing humans? »
« That is indeed the case. That's why I said almost. I think I've reached a point where unless I slaughter more than ten people, I'll barely see any change. »
Andrew finished in silence, writing down all the measurements in his notebook. It took him less time than most tailors, showing his great skill.
« I'm done, I'll leave the outfit here for you. There's a built-in belt allowing you to attach your flask or other things. »
Andrew left, letting Yumiel change. Once dressed, she arrived in the living room where Jack and Andrew were gathered around a map. His wife and children were in front of the TV, watching a show.
« Jack, we're going, we've wasted too much time, »
Jack and Andrew turned their heads to look at Yumiel: « Whoa, nice new outfit, you look like a spy, or maybe a secret agent, hard to tell. »
Yumiel's new outfit was a tight black bodysuit with a few pockets to store things, and especially a belt with several hooks to attach all sorts of items.
« I admit this outfit is quite good. »
Andrew, proud of himself, couldn't help talking about his creation: « You're welcome, I made it out of elastane with a touch of fine neoprene. It was originally made for a customer wanting something very flexible and resistant, for her evenings of, I quote, "BDSM", though it's not very tight. Since she never came to pick it up, I took the liberty of adding some pockets and a belt. »
You could feel the passion radiating from Andrew, a burning flame clearly shining in his eyes. As for Jack, he was dying of laughter.
« Pwahahah, so Yumiel, you never told me you were into BDSM. »
Yumiel sighed: « Alright, let's go, we still have a lot to do. »
« Actually, this is where we split. I think it'll be more practical. Andrew just pointed out the key places with the most tools and equipment like scrapyards and stores. It'll take me some time to check everything, I'll join you later. »
Going solo didn't bother her—in fact, Jack didn't have Yumiel's mobility and was sometimes left behind. Jack gave Yumiel one of the two walkie-talkies. And Yumiel gave Jack the house key since he would probably come and go.
« Walkie-talkies are very simple to use, you just press the button and talk, that's all. Normally they have a high frequency, so it should be fine unless you leave the city. »
Yumiel looked at Jack, wondering if he thought she was stupid.
« The key is very simple to use too, you put it in the lock and turn. But make sure to close properly behind you. »
« Yeah I know, why are you telling me that. »
Yumiel wondered what she was doing with such an idiot. Leaving, she walked toward the living room window and opened it, letting the winter cold enter the house.
Everyone's eyes were on her.
« What is she doing? » said Andrew.
Drawing blood from her flask, she created a square platform in front of her, suspended in mid-air. « So normally I should be able to fly by walking on my platform and moving it like my blades. However, if I'm subject to gravity, I'll fall. »
Jumping straight onto her platform in mid-air, it didn't take long before it disappeared under her feet. The platform had broken, making Yumiel fall three stories down.
« Oh my God, HONEY! She fell! » Everyone was shocked by what they had just witnessed—everyone except Jack.
« You're not even surprised? You're not worried for your friend? » Jack chuckled.
« Go check the window. »
Andrew rushed to the window, looking down. Yumiel was lying on the ground, both arms twisted in every direction and one leg bent up toward her head. It only took a few seconds for Yumiel's limbs to snap back into place, cracking all over.
« Ouuuuuch that hurts, » Yumiel looked up to see everyone staring at her. « It's fine, I'm okay. I'm going now, goodbye, and thanks again for the cognac. »