Dead Ahead! (Male Reader Insert)

Chapter 18

Milo and Diaz are outside looking at the now-cuffed convict while Pepper and Norton talk with you in front of the bus. Pepper angrily left, grumbling to herself while Norton was massaging his forehead.

Pepper: Third girl in the group, and it's a fucking escaped convict; just my luck.

You: Wait, so you're telling me the convict that just surrendered is trouble, and we should leave her here cuffed for the zombies?

You said, not liking the idea of just leaving a person outside to die, even if they're an escaped convict... then again, she could be one of the Marauders.

Norton: Not exactly, since she can easily escape.

Norton: That girl, Maria, she's a nutjob that enjoys the thrill of breaking out of prisons and causing mass amounts of property damage so she can be relocated to a much more secure facility.

Norton: Her first sentence was only for two weeks, and she still busted out of there.

Norton explained. You peeked and saw the girl happily chatting while Milo and Diaz ignored her.

Norton: I assume she's got no one holding her in the apocalypse, so she's desperately looking for entertainment.

You: Is she like... violent?

Norton breathed in and opened his mouth to say anything but immediately paused.

Norton: Not in this scenario. Her only real threat was letting the meaner criminals get out.

You: So, she's harmless, is what you're saying?

You jab at Norton, but the guy just narrows his eyes at you, showing that this is not to be taken lightly.

You: That tone, right. But I wasn't totally joking. If what you say is true, we have an escape artist who can assist us and be gone whenever she feels like it.

Norton: She won't be the only thing gone if you let her in the group.

You nod, understanding his words, but you see no harm in her intentions or from what Norton had explained.

You: I see. Can I at least chat with the girl and clear things up? It's already getting dark, and I don't want to drive in pitch black.

Norton just sighed tiredly.

Norton: Normally, I'd refuse. But you and your silver tongue. Alright, I'll let you talk one on one. But we'll be watching close by.

You grabbed a bottle of water and some canned beans on the bus. Norton watched from afar, your rifle in hand, as you slowly walked to Maria.

You: Hey. Maria, right? Brought you some food and water.

Maria stared at you and her signature sly smile before raising her cuffed wrists.

Maria: That's nice, but can you help with this?

You: And here I thought you were some professional escape artist or something.

You returned a smile as you placed the food and water beside her. She chuckled at your teasing. You turned around to reach for the keys Diaz handed you, but you heard some metal rattling.

Looking back at the girl, you saw she was already drinking some water, and the handcuffs were neatly placed in front of her. She laughs at your expression, almost spraying some water on the ground.