Théo's sister slowly approached Yumiel, once again positioning herself above her.
« Is he your colleague? »
« Nah, he's a homeless guy I picked up off the street. Now, if you could move and let me enjoy the little time I can spend outside without being bothered, that'd be nice. »
« I can't tell if you're funny or just plain insufferable. »
Suddenly Jack said: « A bit of both », then stood up, having just finished eating the brain. He walked closer to Yumiel, who was lying on the ground.
« Yumiel. We need to talk! »
Yumiel lifted her eyes to see Théo's sister and Jack beside her. « Yes, but I think this "insufferable young lady" wants to talk to you. »
Théo's sister turned toward him, standing in front of Jack. « Nice to meet you, Mister Yumiel's partner. I'm Amelia, Théo's big sister — you can see him over there in the distance. »
Théo was a little farther away, lying down as well.
« Ok cool. » Jack tried to leave, but Amelia stepped in front of him again.
« Wait. My brother and I have nowhere to go, and we'd like to stay at your place for a few days. Yumiel already gave us her approval. »
Jack turned his head toward Yumiel.
« Yumiel, what the hell is this—are you trying to run a human farm? I didn't say anything about Marie, or about the guy you let go last time. And now this? »
Yumiel let some blood out of her gourd, playing with it by shaping it into different forms.
« It's fine, it's only for a few days, and I'll let you choose. It's not that dramatic. »
Jack watched Yumiel play with her blood, creating all sorts of amusing shapes — a tiger, an elephant. After a few moments, Jack finally spoke again.
« Yeah, do whatever you want as usual. But thanks for including me this time. As for your request, Amelia, it'll be a no. Yumiel and I have things to do now. »
Jack walked off and Yumiel followed him, putting her blood back into her gourd. Amelia ran after them and stepped in front of them again.
« I can do anything! Absolutely anything! My brother too — give us a chance, please. »
Jack looked Amelia straight in the eyes, then glanced at Yumiel, who had a surprised look toward Jack, before turning back to Amelia.
« Alright, fine, I accept. »
Amelia jumped with joy, and Théo joined his sister behind her, thanking Jack repeatedly—until Jack finished what he had to say.
« But I'll only take one of you. »
Their expressions slowly collapsed into dismay; their bright smiles turned into polite, strained ones hiding fear and distress. Yumiel simply smiled at Jack's words.
Théo was the first to speak, stepping toward Jack: « Take my sister, I can manage on my own. »
« Excuse me? No, no—take my brother. He won't survive a day out there. »
Amelia and Théo bickered, each telling the other to go. Jack, initially amused by the outcome, began to lose patience and pulled Yumiel a little farther away to talk.
« Alright, Yumiel, what do you actually know about this Kate? »
Yumiel didn't expect that question from Jack — she expected more answers instead. « I know her name is Kate and she ran the anti-monster organization. »
« Okokok, the information I got is really, really heavy. Like extremely heavy. »
Yumiel stared Jack in the eyes. She had never seen him this agitated. His pupils were dilated, and his tone was clear, sharp, and serious. Jack had never looked into Yumiel's eyes for so long, watching them shift between red and grey.
« I'm listening. »
Jack took a deep breath. « This woman Kate can detect "the Awakened". » Yumiel interrupted him.
« The Awakened? »
« I'll explain. This woman, Kate, is actually tied to the government of the United Kingdom. She's forming an anti-monster team composed only of Awakened. The Awakened are Changers. »
« Wait, so if I understand correctly, this Kate works for the government, gathering Awakened — who are just another name for "people who received abilities". »
« Exactly. That designation is about to be voted on by the Council of the New World Coalition. »
« And what are you getting at? »
Jack grabbed Yumiel's shoulders, leaning close to her; their faces were only a few centimeters apart.
« Don't you get it? We absolutely have to stop them! And, if possible, get people on our side. »
« Get people on our side? You mean humans? »
Yumiel pushed Jack's hands off her shoulders. Jack stepped back a little.
« No, I'm talking about monsters or Awakened. I don't give a damn about humans. »
Yumiel thought for a moment.
« I don't mind, if you're talking about expanding the team. But we both must agree on who we accept as allies or teammates. »
Jack felt relieved by Yumiel's reply — at least she wasn't close-minded, he thought.
« I know one of their possible locations. That man, Léandre, was supposed to meet them in a specific place. I suggest we go there. »
« I agree, but I need to check a place first. It's the train station — Mathis and his father supposedly went in that direction. »
The Moon slowly climbed the starry sky, putting pressure on Jack and Yumiel, reminding them that time was running out. Théo and Amelia still hadn't finished arguing.
Yumiel left, and Jack followed. Yumiel got on the motorcycle, motioning for Jack to hand her the keys. Jack gave her the keys as he climbed onto the bike.
« You know how to drive? And what about the two humans…? »
Jack barely had time to finish his sentence before Yumiel sped off. Riding over 100 km/h, weaving between debris and cars. Jack, in the back, held onto Yumiel.
« Wait, you—! — WOOOOOOSH » The wind was too strong, Jack couldn't speak. He just clung to Yumiel.
During a turn, the motorcycle's wheel exploded. Yumiel tried to keep control, but at over 100 km/h the bike spun out wildly, crashing into a pole.
Propelling Jack and Yumiel several meters forward, Yumiel landed against some debris, hitting her around the torso. Jack, meanwhile, landed against a car.