by Gayle Katz
“But seriously, we have to do something about that zombie in their basement,” Owen said.
Charlie paused. “Zombie! Crap! In all the excitement, I totally forgot that was there!”
“I know, right?” said Owen. “So, I had another dream last night. And, I’m concerned.”
“What? About the zombie in the basement?” asked Charlie, hitting the stop button on the treadmill. She grabbed her towel and bag and headed for the door.
“No, the zombie can wait. I’m concerned about Zan.”
“Well, we can talk about it later.”
“Yeah, but not at Zan’s. Not in front of her,” explained Owen. “I don’t even know why I called. I mean, I can talk to you later,” he said awkwardly.
Charlie headed to her car. “Are you OK, Owen? Usually you’re pretty levelheaded, but if you’re concerned, then yes, we have to talk about this.”
“Sure. So I’ll see you at Zan’s, and then later we can go and talk?” he asked.
“Yes, definitely,” said Charlie, hanging up. If Owen was concerned, then there was definitely something up.
zzz
“Where is Owen?” asked Zan, looking out the window for the third time.
“Relax, Zan,” said Charlie. “He’ll be here soon.”
Zan went back to sit on the couch.
Charlie watched as a big fluffy tabby jumped on her lap.
“Oh, kitty!” said Charlie. “What’s his name?”
“I don’t know,” she shrugged. “Tigger?”
“I’d like to call the cat, Major,” said her dad, who was hovering near the door.
“Or Major Tigger,” said Charlie.
“Does it matter?” said Zan. “It’s not like he comes when called anyway.”
Everyone laughed.
“Well, let me know if you need anything. I’m going to go get the snacks ready,” said Dad.
“Sure,” said Zan, petting her cat.
“Aww, he’s so adorable,” said Charlie.
“He is. I just love him!” said Zan.
“I hope Owen doesn’t get jealous.”
Zan glared at her.
“Ha-ha, relax.”
“I should have gotten a cat sooner. He makes me feel so warm and fuzzy inside. Like, I haven’t felt this way before. Usually my mind is a mess of stuff. But he makes me sit back and relax.”
Charlie smiled. “Pets do that. Was it your dad who suggested you adopt one?”
She shook her head. “Nah, it was my brother.” Zan didn’t know that it was, in fact, her dad who came up with the idea. However, since they were still dealing with the fallout from her mother’s death and weren’t on the best terms, had her brother mention it to her instead.
“How did the visit go?”
She smiled. “It was fantastic. My brother is a psychologist now. I had some good long talks with him. I really missed him. He fell out with my parents when my controlling mother was trying to do her shit.”
“Oh, sorry to hear that. But it’s all good now? Your brother and dad are talking again?”
“Yep,” said Zan. “He’s going to be coming over for Christmas this year. He has a girlfriend and they are talking about getting married and having kids. Can you imagine? Me, an aunt!”
“Wow! You seem too young for that,” said Charlie.
“I know!”
The doorbell rang. Charlie got up to answer it.
“Hi, ladies,” said Owen, coming through the door.
“Hi, Owen,” said Charlie, giving him a hug.
“Hi, Charlie! Hi, Zan,” he said.
Zan rushed up and gave him a hug too.
“Hey, you’re looking well,” he said.
“Oh, don’t you worry about me,” said Zan. “I’ll be fine.” She led them back to the couch in the living room where they all sat down.
“Well, there was dispute over that,” said Owen. “We heard you broke a window or something.”
Zan laughed. “Yeah, and I still have the scar to prove it.” She held up her arm.
“Ouch,” said Charlie. “Stitches coming out soon?” she asked.
Zan nodded. “I can’t believe it’s back to school tomorrow!”
“Oh my god! We get to see Stewart. I mean, Mr. George!” said Charlie. “I can never get used to calling him Mr. George in school.”
“I still don’t trust that guy, Mr. Warcola,” said Owen.
“Or that new principal,” said Charlie.
“Hey! Cute cat,” said Owen, reaching over to pet him. He hissed.
Zan laughed. “Sorry, he’s just getting settled in here and he’s not used to a lot of people around.”
“Hey. That’s great. A cat can keep you company,” said Owen, feeling a bit relieved. He looked at Charlie.
Charlie looked puzzled, remembering their earlier conversation when she’d been in the gym. “OK, so is that zombie still down in the basement?”
Zan jumped up, freaking out the cat. The cat ran and hid under the coffee table. “Oh, damn! I totally forgot about that! You didn’t do something about it while I was away?”
“Nope,” said Charlie. “We forgot about it too.”
“Well, let’s get to it,” said Zan, heading for the basement door. The others followed after her. When they were gone, the cat came out.
“Nice! This is a cool entertainment center,” said Owen, looking around the basement. “I should try and convince my parents to spend their money, but they say they’re saving for my college tuition.”
Charlie looked at it. “I don’t even think I know half of what that stuff is. I so rarely have time to watch TV.”
“Over here,” said Zan, trying to capture their attention. “We kept the thing in this closet, right where you left it, I think.”
They headed over to check it out.
“OK, and now, for the final reveal,” said Zan, dramatically flinging the door open. “Ta-da!”
Owen and Charlie walked up and peered in. The lights weren’t on, but that didn’t matter.
“Um, I see nothing,” said Owen.
“Is it in a closet within a closet?” asked Charlie.
Zan spun around and looked inside. “What the? Where did it go?” She entered the closet and looked around. Even the chains and metal rings were gone from the walls. It appeared that someone had patched up the holes and painted them over. The space smelled fresh and clean.
Zan raced out of the closet and up the stairs. “Dad! Have you been moving my toys again?”
“Toys?” said Owen. “She has a screw loose.”
Charlie closed the door to the closet. “You just noticed that?”
They followed Zan back up the stairs.
Zan exchanged some words with her dad, and then came back. “OK. He says he moved the zombie outside, and then cleaned up the basement. He said it was stinking up the place.” Zan held some keys in her hand.
“Oh, that makes sense,” said Owen, feeling relieved. “There’s no zombie on the loose then.”
“Not just that,” said Charlie. “But this is our big opportunity to drive it over the border tonight and see if it dies.”
“Yes, I’m curious too,” said Zan. “I always like to do experiments.” She smirked.
“Just a bit too much,” said Owen, whispering to Charlie.
Zan frowned and glared at him.
Charlie looked back and forth, mentally noting that this may have something to do with what Owen wanted to talk to her about later.
“OK, let’s go outside.” They followed Zan to the toolshed in the backyard.
“Oh, that’s so not secure,” said Owen, seeing the small woodshed.
Zan used a key to unlock the padlock. She shrugged. “Dad said he secured the zombie as best he could.” She opened the door and was relieved when she saw the zombie lying on the ground, all bundled up in a sack and ropes.
“Good thing your dad didn’t kill it,” said Owen.
“Nah, he wouldn’t do that,” said Zan. “But this is hi
m moving stuff and cleaning up.” She walked inside the shed and gently tapped its leg with her foot. “It’s still alive. I mean, as alive as it’ll ever be.”
“Great. So should we get it into the trunk?” asked Owen.
“Later, after dinner,” said Zan. “Apparently Dad has prepared a big feast for us, so I hope you are hungry.” Zan closed and locked the door of the shed.
“Yep,” said Charlie, rubbing her tummy. “I spent all afternoon at the gym in preparation.”
“I can only stay for a bit. I promised my parents I’d be home, but I’ll be back as soon as I can for our adventure tonight,” Owen explained.
They headed inside to eat.
zzz
After Owen returned and the girls helped Zan’s dad to clean up the dinner mess, the teens headed back to the toolshed. Zan’s dad wanted nothing to do with the zombie so he stayed inside. Zan had filled him in on their plan because that was the number one zombie zlaying rule—always tell someone where you’re going.
Zan unlocked the toolshed again and soon they had the zombie carried out of there and into the back trunk of Zan’s car. They all hopped in and were well on their way to the border between Oregon and Washington state, which wasn’t all that far away from Portland.
“Road trip!” called out Owen. “This should be a piece of cake.”
“Well, don’t get too excited,” said Zan. “This is likely going to be a one-way trip for the zombie!”
Charlie giggled. “You’re so silly.”
Zan cranked up the music and they had fun singing along to the songs.
“Wow, this is great,” said Owen, yelling above the music. “Music from the 80s is so much better than the crap today!”
“Oh, you don’t like crap?” Charlie joked with him.
He shook his head. “I’ll take virtually any band from the 80s over the crap today.”
“Oh, check out that cat rapper,” said Charlie. “He lives in Portland. His songs are family-friendly.”
“Oh yeah. I can get behind that. I’ll make an exception for him.”
“OK, we’re nearly there,” said Zan.
Owen knocked on the back of the seat. “Hey, zombie, soon you’ll get out.”
Charlie shook her head. “I doubt he understands.”
“Or she. Wasn’t it a she?” asked Owen.
“I don’t remember. They’re half-dead and it doesn’t matter anymore,” said Charlie.
“OK, there’s a park up ahead.” Zan slowed the car to take the exit. “That’s our best bet. We don’t want to be seen by anyone. It’s not like Bourne has jurisdiction over this area. He can’t get us out if someone rats on us to the cops.”
“But,” Owen started to say. “We can explain it’s a zombie. They’re more accepting here.”
“Were,” said Zan in disagreement. “The zombies are gone from Washington now. OK, here we are. I’ve parked as close to the trees as I can, and backed into the parking spot. It’s nearly dark, so let’s get this done as quickly as possible.” Zan pressed the button to release the trunk.
The three teens headed to the back of the car. They carried the zombie out to behind the trees.
“Is it safe? Anyone in sight?” asked Zan, quickly looking around.
“Nope,” said Owen. “I’ll let you know if I see or hear anyone. Or try, my ears are still ringing from that loud music.”
“OK. Is it still alive?” asked Zan, as Charlie pulled the sack away from its face. The zombie’s eyes still glowed. It looked at them and made moaning sounds.
“Yes, it’s still alive,” said Charlie.
“Damn it,” said Zan. “Does this mean that the second strain of zombie virus isn’t dependent on location?”
“I guess not,” said Charlie. “This is bad, very bad.” She jumped when she felt something against her back. She whipped around. The zombie appeared to be almost cuddling up against her. But it wasn’t trying to bite her.
Zan had her dagger ready.
“Wait a minute, Zan,” said Owen, trying to block her from attacking it. But she shoved him aside. The zombie was permanently dead in a second. “That was odd. It was like it wanted to cuddle you, not eat you.”
Charlie frowned.
Chapter 7
________________________________________
The teens were seated around Stewart’s living room.
“It seems like ages since we were last here,” said Charlie.
“I know,” said Owen.
Zan shrugged. She didn’t really care.
“I know,” said Stewart. “But once the school year officially begins tomorrow, we’ll need to have regular meetings again.”
“Can we talk about that border fiasco?” asked Owen.
Stewart put his mug on the table. “Yes, it has me greatly concerned that zombies can jump borders.”
“But they’ve done it before,” said Charlie. “Remember, the Seattle zombies got out of the underground, walked all the way through the state, and down into Portland?”
“Ah, yes,” said Stewart. “But that was a slightly different issue. The original Seattle zombies had been there since the start of the country. They became incredibly powerful. Their zleader was incredibly powerful. And don’t forget, your Gran performed a spell that she didn’t really understand. You killed their zleader so the zombies started following you back to Portland. Keep in mind that the spell only lasted for a certain length of time. It released the zombies, thereby killing them, and it released you, and so you continued to remain a human. If it hadn’t released you, you would have turned into a full zombie leader.”
Zan laughed. “That actually sounds kind of cool.”
Charlie turned and glared at her. “Shut up!”
“What? You shut up!”
“OK, kids. Stop fighting,” said Stewart. “If these second strain virus scientists in Portland have figured out what we know, they’ll be able to send zombies virtually anywhere, which isn’t good.”
Owen whistled. “This is very, very bad. It’s kind of like what happened between Uganda and Ashland.”
Zan turned and looked at him. “What do you know of that?” she asked accusingly.
“I lived in Uganda. You know the stories about an insurgency? A terrorist group? Those were all lies to cover up the fact that it was really a zombie outbreak.”
“That’s crazy,” she said. “But it explains a lot.” Zan thought back to her past.
“OK. That sounds fascinating, Owen,” said Stewart, “but that’s a story for another time. Right now, we need to figure this out.”
“Should we tell the police then?” asked Charlie. “They could at least set up roadblocks or something.”
Stewart shook his head. “They can’t protect all three borders. Have you seen a map of the United States? No, our best bet is to do some undercover work and try and figure out who is controlling the zombies. If we kill the acting zleader and burn all the injectables, then that would at least stop more zombies from being created. From there, we can hunt down the ones left and kill them. But right now, there is a huge potential for an entire army to be made. I’m not so concerned about the random zombie here and there, but an entire army would be bad. That could place the entire human race at risk.”
“Great,” said Zan. “But where do we get started? We’ve had so many false starts. We thought the mayor was up to something, but turns out she is on our side.”
“I’ll keep you posted,” said Stewart. “And now, I’ll let you folks go home and get ready for school tomorrow.”
They all stood up.
“Wait a minute,” said Charlie. “You said there have been zombies since the country was created? You don’t mean since the Earth was formed, do you?”
Stewart laughed. “No. I mean there have been zombies since the United States was founded. I discovered this book at the library.” He held up what looked like one of those cheap penny dreadful books from Victorian times. “But there seems to be some truth in it. I’ll have t
o read between the lines. But the truth is, no one really knows where the zombies came from. Perhaps it was witches in South America who first used voodoo to create them.”
“Well, that’s too much for my brain to take in,” said Zan. She yawned. “I think I’m done after our field trip. I’m ready to crash.”
Owen and Charlie hung behind, waving at Zan as she got into her car and drove away.
“So, you needed to chat?” asked Charlie.
Owen nodded.
“OK. Let’s chat in my car.” Charlie clicked her key fob to unlock the doors. They got inside and closed the doors. It was still quite warm out so they rolled down the windows. “Despite the looming threat, it’s been a bit slow with the zombies lately.”
Owen smiled. “Yep. I guess even the conzpiracy is getting wiped out by the heat.”
“So, is this about Zan? Are you dating?” Charlie turned and smiled at him.
Owen looked shocked. “Hell no! Are you kidding me?” Then he calmed himself down and looked embarrassed.
“Whoa,” she said. “That was quite the reaction. If I’d asked you that a month ago, you would have said ‘tee-hee-hee’ while blushing.”
“Ha!” he said. “No, I had this dream the other night.”
“Oh right. Was it bad, like the other one?”
“Well, this isn’t so much about foretelling the future,” he started to explain.
“Yes?” she asked. She yawned. It was already dark out and she was getting tired.
“Sorry for keeping you up, but the sooner I tell you, the better.”
“OK?”
“Well, the dream I had about Zan was in the past, not the future.”
“Oh.”
“Yep. Remember when she told us she had to shoot her mentor? She killed her mentor, and since then, Zan won’t pick up a gun. She only uses daggers?”
“Yes, but daggers really are more efficient. It doesn’t draw attention like firing a gun. They’re also easier to smuggle in, well, unless you’re dumb like me and have it fall out of your bag.” She rolled her eyes, remembering when Mr. Warcola had found her dagger in class. “So, she never told us what really happened.”
