The longer that they stalled and conversed, the more the dark stripes on Nicholas' back grew. It was then that he started to gain his senses back. The pain was immense, but not unbearable. He simply disregarded it after yelping, and pushed past Mattie into the main room of the motel. "I'm fine," he insisted, voice still slightly slurred. "Just leave it alone. You're not cutting me up."