by Susan Hatler
“Right before you get zombied there’s all of this heat and suction and tingly feelings while your spirit is being pushed out. Well, that’s when Owen kissed me. And it was only for a few seconds. I made it very clear that any mistaken attraction on my part was only from Jonathan being near me.”
“But he liked you? He kissed you?”
I raised a shoulder. “Mini crush, because he thought I liked UFOs. But he’s over it now.”
“Okay.” She nodded, then gestured to where Mr. Higgins in Father Gabriel’s body had cornered Jonathan in Mr. Higgins’s body by the entertainment center. Her baby-blue eyes widened. “Why is that minister getting all up in Mr. Higgins’s face? And why is Mr. Higgins backing against the wall with his hands raised? He’s usually pretty intimidating.”
“It’s exactly what Nicole told you.” I flinched as Mr. Higgins shouted up at Jonathan. “Jonathan’s body died, but his spirit is still alive. Owen and I are helping Jonathan find another body, and there’s a secret military operation at Treasure Island that is producing artificial bodies to boost the military during war. We need Mr. Higgins to get us onto that base so we can snag an artificial body for Jonathan before his spirit evaporates.”
“Amy’s in love with the zombie,” Nicole chimed in.
I brought my hands to my chest. “I’m not sure what I’m feeling. But I definitely don’t want Jonathan’s spirit to evaporate and Owen says that possibility increases the longer we wait.”
“Then we need to stop wasting time,” Brynne concluded, placing her hands at the sides of her mouth like a megaphone. “Everybody freeze!” she shouted, sounding surprisingly forceful.
Everyone’s gaze shot to Brynne’s angelic face. She smiled and waved her hand. “Thanks for cooperating. Amy has something to say.”
I stepped forward. “Um, just to clarify—are you Mr. Higgins or Reverend Gabriel?” I asked.
“I’m Bill Higgins.” He gaped at his surfer-looking reflection, clad in minister’s clothes, that stared back at him from the mirror on the wall. “I think. What has he done to me?”
Jonathan kept his palms up. “Just trying to convince you I’m real, sir. If you sit down, I’d be happy to give you your body back.”
Ten minutes later, Jonathan was back inside the minister and Mr. Higgins had his body back. He made the call to his contacts for us, and discovered that Owen’s source had been correct about the secret operation on Treasure Island producing artificial bodies for war time. Unfortunately, his source had been wrong that the military was running it.
A private organization was leasing the land, creating the artificial bodies, and planning to sell them to the government at a very high profit. Which sounded like a very good business for a private company. Unfortunately for us, it left us no inside way to sneak on the premises.
****
All of our hopes had seriously deflated as Jonathan, Owen, Brynne and I left Nicole’s house and walked to our cars. Nicole’s dad seemed to understand our dire situation now, so the possibility of Nicole being sent off to military was off the table. But there was no way he’d let her hang out with us tonight. Not that it mattered at this point, since we had no idea what we were going to do.
Owen kicked a pebble off the walkway. “I can’t believe my source was inaccurate about it being a military operation.”
“That is the part you’re focusing on?” Brynne snapped, apparently disenchanted with Owen for the first time in her life. She stared at him like he was lame. “Jonathan needs one of those artificial bodies, and we have no inside contact to get us on base.”
The corners of Owen’s mouth turned down. “I’m aware that’s the priority. I was just expressing my thoughts. Why are you so upset with me?”
“Forget it,” she said, shaking her head.
Jonathan stopped when we reached the sidewalk. “Look, I don’t want my situation to cause any tension between you guys. We tried and it didn’t work, but we shouldn’t be upset with each other.”
I wanted to tell Jonathan that Brynne’s annoyance was caused by way more than one little annoying comment from Owen. Brynne crossed her arms, refusing to look in Owen’s direction.
“I could call another one of my sources,” Owen said.
Jonathan shook his head. “Thanks for offering, but it’s getting late. You guys have better things to do than chase down another contact for me. They probably wouldn’t have any connection to the secret operation anyway since it’s privately owned.”
“Jonathan’s right,” I said, taking in the surprised looks on everyone’s faces. I was done messing around when Jonathan’s existence was at stake. “Let’s just go to Treasure Island and check it out our ourselves.”
“That could be considered trespassing.” Jonathan peered at me, and I saw his eyes full of worry. For a moment, the reverend’s eyes seemed to glow emerald green, like the eyes of the boy in the news article.
Owen’s car keys jingled as he pulled them from his pocket. “Reconnaissance is an excellent idea. I’m in,” he said, firmly.
Brynne raised her chin. “I’m coming, too.”
“No, Brynne.” I turned to her, feeling so grateful to have her as my friend. Not only did she have complete faith in me about what happened with Owen, but now she was willing to trespass onto private property for me. “I know how strict your parents are and I wouldn’t want you to get in trouble. Thanks for offering, but you should go home.”
Instead of agreeing, Brynne’s hands shot to her hips, and she scoffed. “I’m done being the perfect girl my parents want me to be. I get straight As, I’m captain of the cheerleading squad, and I’ve never broken curfew in my life. But still they don’t pay attention to me. They only care about how I make them look. That’s wrong.”
“I hear you,” I said, staring at my angel-faced friend. Her parents had squeezed her so tight, she’d finally snapped. It had only been a matter of time.
Jonathan stepped toward her. “If it makes you feel any better, I know exactly how you feel. My parents put a roof over my head and clothes on my former-body. But I was invisible before I was invisible, if that makes any sense.”
“Perfectly,” she said, her mouth curving upward. Then she started toward her white convertible. “So, what are we waiting for? Let’s break some rules and get you an artificial body.”
“I’ll go with Brynne,” I said, turning to Jonathan. It felt natural to give him a kiss, but I held back, staring up into Reverend Gabriel’s handsome but adult-aged face. Instead, I hugged him. “I’ll see you in a little bit,” I said, hoping he wouldn’t evaporate in the forty-five minutes it would take to get to the Bay Bridge and drive onto Treasure Island.
He pulled me against him, resting his cheek against the top of my head. “I can’t believe you’re doing this for me,” he whispered. “I don’t know what I did to deserve finding you.”
“You’ve definitely put some excitement in my life,” I said, laughing as I pulled away. Then I waved to him and Owen as I bounced over to Brynne’s car, knowing it was way more than excitement that he’d given me.
Jonathan was the first one to really see me. There was no way I’d desert him. We’d get him that artificial body, even though we had to break onto a private property to get one.
****
We exited the freeway onto Treasure Island, turned right onto the paved road alongside the water, and had a clear view of the dotted San Francisco city lights across the bay. Within minutes, we’d found a gated entrance to the only property large enough to house an army of artificial bodies.
“This has to be the place,” I said, as Brynne pulled over to the side of the road just before the gate. My gaze travelled to the small box-office next to the gate. “Looks like there’s a security guard in there. How are we supposed to get past him?”
“Good question,” Brynne said, her eyes focused on her rear-view mirror. “The guys just pulled in behind us.”
I texted Owen’s cell: Security guard. Come here so we can figure out
how to get past him.
Seconds later, the rear-passenger door to Brynne’s convertible opened, and Reverend Gabriel’s body slipped in. “Owen’s going to talk to the guard,” Jonathan said.
“What’s he going to say?” I asked, annoyed that he’d ignored my text.
Jonathan shrugged. “He’s going to ask if we can tour the facility for a school project. Something about Occam’s Razor and the theory that the simplest plan might be the best. I don’t know. The guy’s unstoppable when he gets something in his head.”
“That’s so Owen.” Brynne’s tone sounded excited, and I wondered if her crush hadn’t dissipated completely yet. She rolled down her window so we could hear the exchange.
“Good evening, sir,” Owen said, nodding to the guard who wore a black and white security uniform, and a utility belt that appeared to contain a gun. Gulp.
But as scary as he looked, the guard was also rather cute. Younger than Reverend Gabriel—probably in his early twenties—and super hunky. He definitely worked out. Not my type—he was more like a guy Nicole would be after. Too bad Nicole wasn’t along, she’d totally be crushing on him right now.
“My friends and I would like to take a small tour for our high school science project if that’s all right,” Owen added.
“Closed facility, kid.” The cute guard looked Owen up and down, then his face seemed to register that Owen wasn’t a threat. “My instructions are to let nobody in, so move along now.”
Owen’s stance shifted, but he didn’t leave. “We’d like to inspect the artificial bodies for a human anatomy project. It won’t take long.”
My mouth dropped open. I whispered to Brynne, “Am I hearing things or did he really just admit we know about the artificial bodies?”
Brynne turned to Jonathan and me. “He said that on purpose to gauge the guard’s reaction for confirmation that they’re here. Very smart.”
My eyes widened. Yeah, Brynne was so not over Owen.
“Two words, kid.” The guard’s tone was gruff as he straightened to full height. “Get. Lost.”
Brynne tapped me on the arm. “See? The guard didn’t deny it or look at Owen like he was nuts. The bodies are here. I’m going to help.” Brynne hopped out of the car, tossing her hair over her shoulder, and straightening her skirt. Then she sashayed over to where Owen was talking to the guard, and slipped her arm through his. “My boyfriend wants to impress me with his knowledge of these ridiculous artificial bodies. Can’t you just let us take a peek? Pretty please?”
“This is not going to work.” Jonathan’s shoulders slumped as he peered out the window at the guard, who had just moved his hand over his gun.
“You’re going to have to zombie the guard,” I said, pointing out the obvious.
Jonathan frowned. “I can’t do that.”
“Why not?” I turned, wondering why he was suddenly growing a conscience about it. “You zombied a minister. Not to mention me, Owen, and Nicole’s dad.”
“This is different. I could go to jail.”
“How?” I poked Reverend Gabriel’s chest. “You have no body.”
“You guys could end up in jail,” he said, giving me a seriously look. “You can’t risk that for me.”
I put a hand on his arm. “We aren’t here for thrills. This is to save your physical life. We’re doing this. And nobody’s going to the slammer, because nobody’s going to believe the guard if he claims that his body was taken over by a zhost.”
“You love that term, don’t you?” he said, the corner of his mouth lifting.
I shrugged. “It has a catchy ring to it. Now go.”
I watched as Father Gabriel’s body approached the guard’s booth, and leaned against the counter at the window. But then I noticed what he was doing. He was trying to get Brynne and Owen back to the car, so he wouldn’t get any of us trouble. So heroic, yet annoying.
I climbed over to the driver’s side, slipped out the open door, then strode over to Father Gabriel’s body. “Zombie his body and get it over with. Before we all really do end up in jail.”
The guard’s expression seemed stunned at my words. Not like he’d believe he could be zombied—or even had a clue what that word meant—but the message got across that we weren’t messing around, and he reached for a phone. After his hand grasped the receiver, things happened fast.
Owen dove for the guard’s hand and latched onto it before the guard could press a button. Brynne screamed. Reverend Gabriel’s body suddenly went slack, and I threw my arms around his waist trying to hold up his weight. Surfer-dude ministers weighed a ton when they were de-zombied, as I’d learned before.
I gritted my teeth, knees aching, fighting to stay on my feet. “Brynne? Help?”
She looked my way, her gaze darting from me to Father Gabriel. “Oh!”
Quickly, she grabbed his other side and together we lowered him safely to the ground. Jonathan really needed to start thinking ahead before he vacated someone. Brynne and I stood in unison.
“All we need is one body,” Owen shouted at the guard through the window. “Why are you being such a buzzkill about this?”
“Let go of my hand . . .” The guard’s voice trailed off as he finally tugged his hand away from Owen’s grasp. His body swayed for a moment, then he plopped forward with his head and arms hanging out the window.
Brynne dusted off the front of her skirt. “Nice try with the Occam’s Razor proposal, Owen. It could’ve worked if the guard were a little nicer.”
“Thank you,” Owen said, seeming touched by Brynne’s compliment. Then he turned to me. “Jonathan zombied the guard?”
“Yes,” I said, holding out my hands. “Now hand me your new shoelaces.”
Owen frowned. “What? Why?”
I pointed to my feet. “Because I’m wearing flats.”
“What does your choice in footwear have to do with anything? Is this a girls’ fashion issue of which I am unaware?”
I groaned. “We need to bind Reverend Gabriel’s hands in case his spirit is here. He might reclaim his body and go into revenge-mode like Mr. Higgins did.”
Owen looked at my feet, then his gaze drifted to Brynne’s strappy heels. His eyes trailed up her legs, past her above-knee length denim skirt, white tank, then he stared at her as if seeing her for the first time.
“Sorry, Owen. No laces from me either,” Brynne said, apparently oblivious to the fact that Owen had just—finally—seemed to notice that fact that she had nice legs. And was gorgeous.
After Owen fumbled to remove his shoelaces, which proved to be a harder task because he kept staring at Brynne, I tied the laces around Father Gabriel’s wrists nice and tight. “Sorry, Reverend. It’s only a safety precaution. We’re on a time crunch here.”
I stood up just in time to see the security guard’s hands flex.
The guard’s body pushed himself up off the counter. He straightened, then rolled his neck around as if stretching. Then his eyes met mine. Even though the guard was probably in his early twenties with brown eyes and brown hair, I only saw Jonathan looking back at me as the corner of his mouth lifted.
“I zombied the guard like you asked,” he said, his smile growing wider. “What next?”
“Now we go behind the gate and get you a body of your own,” I said, my tummy fluttering from the way he was looking at me, and also from the fact that we were close to solving Jonathan’s bodiless problem once and for all.
So close, that now I knew the name for my comic series.
Chapter Twelve
Since leaving Reverend Gabriel’s vacant body unattended seemed irresponsible—and kind of rude—Owen and Brynne agreed to wait with him. We hauled the minister’s body into the back of Brynne’s convertible where he looked all good and comfy. Sadly, we couldn’t say the same for the two people in the front seats who looked very uneasy and beyond awkward. Owen and Brynne had a way to go in developing their relationship.
I actually preferred to break into a private facility than to s
tick around and suffer through their thick tension. Wowzers.
Jonathan pressed a button inside the guard’s booth that opened the gate. Together, we walked through the entrance and up a wide driveway, which had metal fences lining either side of it. A light mist rolled through the darkness, chilling me with its cool touch. I shuddered.
Jonathan slipped his hand around mine, which comforted me. “Do you suppose those fences are to keep people out? Or keep the artificial bodies in when they’re turned on?” I asked.
“Let’s not stay long enough to figure it out,” he said, quickening his pace as he glanced around us. We stopped in front of an enormous warehouse, which had a double metal front door.
I peered at the silver name badge on Jonathan’s current chest. “You’ve got the keys, Michaels. Unlock the door, so we can get one of those million-dollar bodies.”
“I hope this works,” Jonathan said, holding my gaze as he turned the key. The bolt slid with a clank. He smiled. “We’re in.”
I went inside the warehouse and studied my surroundings. My gaze darted to never-ending shelves of canned food. “Where are all of the artificial bodies? This looks like a giant pantry.”
“More likely, a supermarket’s warehouse.” Jonathan reattached the keychain to his belt, then spun around, seeming to take it all in. His face fell. “Part of me had hoped Owen was right. That there’d really be a body here for me. One I could keep for good.”
The hurt in his voice tugged at me, and I turned toward him.
He raked a hand through his hair. “Artificial bodies. It sounds so stupid when you think about it.”
My heart sank. I joined Jonathan in the center of the room, and leaned against his chest. His arms tightened around me. The feel of cold metal against my cheek jarred me until I realized it was just Michaels’s nameplate. It felt so much like Jonathan that I almost forgot the body belonged to Michaels. Wait a minute. That was it.
Pushing away from Jonathan, I squeezed his hands. “I know you’re Jonathan even though you look like Michaels.”
