by Gayle Katz
The door to the shop opened. Owen lifted his head slightly. He was partially blocked by the tropical plants at the top of the fountain. He watched as the shop clerk closed and locked the door, while the zombie continued to pull Charlie behind him.
When they were headed in the opposite direction, Owen motioned for Zan to follow the woman, while he’d follow Charlie and the zombie.
The zombie pushed Charlie into the shoe store. There was another figure in the shop. After the zombie made his delivery, he left the shop, with the door closing behind Charlie.
zzz
Mark was at a loss for what to do. Finally, his brain woke up. “Let’s tell Principal Allan so we can get you some medical attention,” he told Dale, who had pulled his sleeve back down again to cover the zombie bite.
Mark carefully made his way to the front.
“Hey, sit down,” called out the bus driver, scrambling to find the keys to the bus.
Mark sat beside Principal Allan.
“Hey, I hate to disturb you from your book, but we have a situation here.”
“Yes, what is it?” asked Principal Allan.
“Dale has been hurt.” He looked nervously around. “I mean, bitten.”
“Bitten?” asked Principal Allan.
“Yes, by a zombie.” He said the last word quietly.
“Dammit,” said Allan. “Let me find the first-aid kit.” He reached under the seat.
Suddenly, there were screams coming from the back of the bus.
“Umm, I think it’s too late for that,” said Mark, pulling a dagger out of his jacket pocket.
zzz
Zan saw Owen hiding behind the water fountain and his gesture to follow after the woman. She quietly ran down the hall in the direction that the woman had gone. It wasn’t hard to find her out on the street. She headed to the sound of noise.
“Hey you,” said Zan. She watched the woman jump.
“Hi there,” said the store clerk, relaxing a bit when she saw it was a woman, not a man, who greeted her. But then her face blanched when she saw the dagger in her hand.
Zan ran around the car and grabbed her arm.
“What’s up?” asked Zan. “Why did a zombie take my friend?”
“Oh, ha-ha,” said the clerk, laughing. “Someone gave me two hundred dollars to play a prank.”
“Really?” asked Zan. “Two hundred dollars?”
“Yeah. This woman who works at the shoe store came over to me. She said that some school kids were coming today. If I played a prank on the blonde, athletic one wearing her hair in a ponytail, they’d give me two hundred dollars. They said it was for her birthday and that she loved zombies.”
“Really?” Zan paused and thought about it. It sounded like someone wanted Charlie, rather than some random student. “So, the shoe store?”
The woman nodded. “I hope everything is all right?” she asked. “That was some zombie getup!”
“Um, sure,” said Zan, backing off and hiding her dagger. “I’ll go check on her. I’m sure she’s fine.”
The woman looked a bit relieved once she got into her car and drove off. What a strange city this was becoming. She wished that film productions would go back to Hollywood. There were way too many people dressed as zombies for her liking.
zzz
Owen watched as Zan took off after the woman. Then he decided to see what was happening in the shoe store and if Charlie was OK. He raised himself to a standing position and walked over that way. But instead of opening the door and heading inside, he peered through the window.
Inside, Charlie was sitting on a chair, with two people, probably humans, interrogating her.
Owen felt a bit of relief, as Charlie was still experiencing amnesia. The only reason he could think for her kidnapping was that they knew she was a zlayer. But she didn’t know that, as she had forgotten. So, whatever they asked her, she would be clueless. He decided to head inside to help her out, when he saw one guy hit the side of her face. Owen grew angry. That was uncalled for. The sooner he went in to help, the better.
He turned the knob of the door, but it was locked. Annoyed, he turned it and pressed hard but no luck. By now he’d made enough noise that the gang inside turned and saw him. The guy came over to see what was going on.
Chapter 17
________________________________________
Two zombies came at Mark.
“Duck to the side,” said Principal Allan, whipping out his own dagger.
“Oh crap!” cried the driver, opening the doors and jumping out.
“Do not let anyone get off the bus,” cried Principal Allan. “We can’t infect all of Portland!”
Mark took out the first zombie who veered to attack him. As the zombie body fell to the ground, the zombie behind him stomped on his back, but Allan was waiting for him. It was chaos in the back of the bus. Some students tried to scrunch down beneath the seats, while the turned tried to climb over the seats to get their next victims.
Principal Allan hit the button that closed the bus’s doors. Outside, the driver was frantically dialing 911.
“Seriously?” said a girl. “They should have called 911 ages ago. Ahh!” she cried as a male zombie teen bit her in the neck.
“What? You’ve locked us in here with them?” yelled Mark.
“Trust me. I know what I’m doing,” said Principal Allan. He raced down the aisle of the bus, plunging his dagger into the skulls of every zombie student he saw.
“Damn,” said Mark, looking down at Dale. He hadn’t known him well, but it was sad to see him gone. He took a deep breath and got back into the fight.
zzz
Charlie started crying. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Zombies aren’t real. That was some guy dressed up as a zombie.”
Beside her were a young man and woman. She worked at the store, while he was dressed in a uniform and apron.
“It sounds like she’s telling the truth,” said Dee. “Maybe we have the wrong girl?”
“Nah, this is the girl I saw at Black Cat Donuts. She is definitely the lead zlayer. She’s just a good actress.” Then he slapped her in the face.
“Stop it!” said Dee. “That’s not necessary.”
“Well, I don’t know what to do,” said Frank.
“Well, it’s not like the movies.”
“OK, let’s toss her in the back where the dressing rooms are.”
“OK, I’ll do it,” said Dee.
“What the?” said Frank. “Someone is trying to break into the store?” He looked at the front glass door.
“Crap,” said Dee. “I’ll put her in the back and tie her up. You do your thing.”
Frank pulled out a gun and tiptoed to the door.
zzz
Zan watched the woman drive away, and then she decided to head back into the building to see what was going on with Charlie and Owen.
She went to reach for the door, when she felt a body push at her. She fell to the ground. From the smell alone, she assumed that it was a zombie.
She was smart enough to have learned long ago to clutch her dagger hard, so she still had a good grip on it. The zombie never stood a chance. She got up and brushed herself off, and then opened the door. She hoped that was the last of the zombies. This must have been the one who had grabbed Charlie and pulled her into the shoe store. She decided to head back. As she drew closer, she heard the loud sound of voices.
zzz
Owen wasn’t certain whether to bolt, but Charlie was still in the store. If he was captured, then perhaps he could work out with her what to do next. He quickly put his dagger inside the front of his pants. He wasn’t certain if that was such a good idea when he felt the sharp cold against his warm skin.
The door whipped open. “Hey, what’s up?” said Frank. “Why don’t you come in and join us?”
Owen willingly walked inside. “Hey, relax,” he said, trying to keep his cool and not make a bad situation worse.
Frank closed the door.
“Where’s Charlie?” asked Owen.
“Oh. So that was Charlie then?”
Owen nodded. In these instances it was always better to play along, otherwise, you could get some broken bones from the bad guys.
“You in a zombie gang or something?” he asked, peering at Frank’s eyes, but they appeared to be normal.
“I do it for the cash,” explained Frank. “You should see my ride outside.”
“Hey, yeah, love to,” said Owen, looking directly in his eyes and winking. “Say, you don’t need that gun. Put it away,” said Owen, using some of his truthsaying powers.
“Oops, sorry,” said Frank. “It’s like it’s a part of me. Sit down.” He gestured at the chair that Charlie had been sitting in.
zzz
Charlie was still crying. Dee had led her to the back of the shoe store where there were thousands of shoeboxes. The scent of leather and vinyl made her nauseated. She was forced to sit on the ground while Dee tied her hands behind her back, and then her feet together.
“Keep quiet or I’ll gag you too. Though I doubt anyone will hear. Oh, and that’s for you and your team putting an end to our zombie outbreak.” She kicked her in the leg.
“Ouch! I did no such thing,” said Charlie.
She was relieved when Dee left the room. Charlie attempted to remove her bonds.
“Hi there,” said a voice in the dark.
“Who is there?” asked Charlie.
“It’s me. Mayor Cote.”
“Oh, the mayor. You’re mixed up in this misunderstanding?” she asked.
“Well, I barely know what is going on. I should never have accepted that invitation, and should have dissuaded Principal Allan from having the class join us.”
“No kidding,” said Charlie, managing to get the ropes off her hands. “Cool,” she thought to herself. “I wonder how I knew how to do that?”
“What do they want with us?” Charlie asked the mayor.
“Well, they want you because you’re a zlayer, and I’m the mayor. I think they’re holding me for ransom. I think they’re going to take you to their leader or kill you or something.”
“Kill me? But I don’t know anything. And what is a zlayer? I keep on hearing that term.”
“Oh right, I hear you’re lying low,” said Mayor Cote. “Principal Allan said you had a bad flu bug, or something.”
“Yes,” admitted Charlie. “I’ve lost a big part of my memory.”
“I’m not sure whether that’s fortunate or not,” said the mayor.
“What is a zlayer anyway?” asked Charlie.
“It’s a zombie slayer. Someone with magical powers who can quickly dispatch zombies better than the others.”
“And they’re holding you for cash?” she asked.
“My best guess. Either that, or they’ll make some hideous demand, like have me infect the city with donuts, or something.”
“Donuts?” asked Charlie, the word triggering some part of her memory.
“Yep. Donuts were responsible for infecting dozens of people during the last outbreak. They are responsible for this outbreak too. I saw some boxes on the counter of this shoe store.”
“Donuts,” said Charlie, mulling that over. “Why is that familiar to me?”
zzz
Principal Allan was doing well with killing the zombies on the bus. He was getting three for every one Mark took down. But suddenly, four zombies jumped him.
“Ahhh,” he cried, as they bit his flesh in unison.
“Get out of there,” cried Mark, hoping he’d have some magical powers that would prevent him from turning.
“I can’t, stuck! Tell Stewart that I’m sorry for that chaos I caused back in September.”
“What?” asked Mark, killing another zombie. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he felt a tap on his right shoulder.
zzz
Zan went right up to the store and opened the door. She walked in.
“What the hell? I thought you locked the door last time,” said Dee.
“Um, nope,” said Frank, pulling out his gun.
“Hey, whoa,” said Zan. “Hey, Owen. Are you OK?”
He nodded back at her.
“Why don’t you just invite all of your friends?” said Frank.
“Well, I would, except they’re all here,” said Zan.
“Hi, Zan. I’m fine. There’s no need for you to come in here. Please leave,” said Owen.
Zan was wary of the gun. She went behind Owen’s chair and cut his ropes. He pulled his hands forward and rubbed them.
“Who told you to do that?” Frank looked at Zan.
She shrugged.
“I’m just about tired of everyone coming in here,” said Frank.
In the distance was the sound of sirens.
“Oh damn,” said Dee. “I can’t have another arrest or I’ll go to prison for sure.” She grabbed her purse and took off.
“What the hell?” said Frank, shooting the gun.
Zan ducked behind the counter, while Dee dropped to the ground.
“Hey!” cried Owen. “You didn’t need to do that.”
Frank went prancing around the store, stomping his boots. “I’m just sick of this. You all shut up and obey me, or else!” Owen checked on Dee, but it appeared that she was dead.
Zan hid behind the counter, trying not to cry. Images from her past flashed in front of her eyes. She hated guns. She quickly hid her dagger inside her clothes.
Frank came behind the counter and motioned her out with his gun.
Chapter 18
________________________________________
Charlie managed to loosen the rest of her bonds. She then untied the mayor.
“I say we get out of here.” She was surprised how she was taking hold of the situation.
“Good. There is a door in the back of the store, a fire exit. I suggest we leave.”
“I would, but my friends are here though,” said Charlie. “I have to go help them.” This was despite her not hanging out with them for a while.
“OK, you go get them, and I’ll head outside and call the cops.”
“Good plan,” said Charlie. She watched as the mayor ducked out the back, and then she headed into the main part of the shoe shop.
“Hello. Thank you for joining us,” said Frank, waving his gun to have her come closer.
Charlie nodded at Zan and Owen, and then joined them.
He handed a vial to Owen. “Pour this into Dee’s mouth,” he instructed.
“Um, OK,” said Owen, taking the vial. He went over to Dee and gently tapped the vial against her mouth. It wouldn’t open.
“Just push it in!” said Frank. “Next time I get hostages, they are going to be smart ones!”
Owen slid the vial into her mouth. The contents poured out. He then tossed it aside.
“What is that supposed to do?” asked Zan.
“Oh, you’ll find out,” said Frank. “And now, get to work. The police will be coming in here soon, so we have to act normal. Say, is the mayor still tied up in the back?”
“Yep,” said Charlie, nodding her head.
“Good. So here’s what I want you guys to do. You, over here by the cash register, look like you’re doing inventory, or something. The grumpy girl there, you go around and tidy up this shoe shop. It’s a mess. Me, I’ll supervise the shop.”
Frank went over to the window and peered out. “I don’t see any cops, yet.”
Behind his back, Charlie, Zan, and Owen made eye contact with each other. Zan shook her head to the negative for each of them to not do anything just yet.
zzz
Mark’s heart was beating fast. He was in zombie-slaying mode. He quickly turned, his dagger ready, but it was only a healthy bus driver.
“Get off the bus now,” said the driver.
Mark quickly jumped off, looking at the mess and disarray left behind him. He watched as the bus driver tossed a match on the floor, and then hopped off and pushed th
e doors closed.
“Back up,” he said. The bus quickly went up in flames. “Trust me. It’s easier this way. For the kids’ parents too.”
The pair watched as flames consumed the bus. Finally, they heard the emergency services and police arrive.
zzz
Owen, Zan, and Charlie pretended to work the shoe store. Charlie couldn’t see the point of it. Why didn’t Frank just flee and leave the dead body behind?
Frank kept an eye on them, and an eye on the body on the ground too.
Charlie had a look. Did she just see the body twitch? But then, that was normal after death, as the body’s organs shut down, and the digestive system had its one final purge.
“What are you looking at?” asked Frank, and then he had a glance. “Oh, it’s happening!” he rushed over to the body.
Dee’s body thrashed around. Charlie was concerned. That was way too much action for a dead body. Wait. How would she even know something like that? She shook her head.
“Oh, look! It’s turning,” said Zan. Owen rushed up to have a look.
The body stopped churning about a minute later. Then, her eyes opened up. They were green.
“Awesome!” said Frank.
“Say,” said Zan, tapping his shoulder. He looked irritated. “You got any more of that juice?”
“No, why?” he asked. “You want to turn somebody?”
“No, just curious.”
He waved his gun at her. She ran to the back of the shop.
“No, unfortunately, that was the last of it. But it doesn’t matter, as we have one zombie here. She can run around and eat humans. That and the student who got bitten earlier.”
