Chapter 23

Chapter Twenty-three The zombies are on us! Quint's robes are shredded! Teeth sink into June's shoulder pads! A dripping mouth on Quint's wrist. Hands tearing open my big white puffy pants. This is it. At last, it's happened—we have been overrun by the undead. But then— The air turns hot. A blast of energy fills the lobby. There's a hollow sound—I don't quite hear it, but I feel it in my eardrums, and suddenly— The zombies are flung backward on their heels! It's like they're being yanked by invisible strings!

What's happening? Something good? I look at my friends. June nods—she's OK. Quint, too—he's all right. I check myself—no zombie bites! Some damaged gear—but that's it! "Hey," I say. "Winter action suits to the rescue! THEY SAVED US!" Another blast of energy, and I hear zombies being thrown against the far walls. I peek over the side, and see—

What is this awful body you have put me in my bad. Gotta go bye. Warg told us Ghazt could control the zombies— and man oh man, she wasn't kidding. The zombies continue to move backward. It's like watching a movie of zombies swarming, but played in rewind. I can almost hear the reverse vrap-vroot-vwoop noise. Soon, the undead humans form a perfect circle around the perimeter of the lobby. It's five zombies

deep, like a school dance, gathered around the action. Ghazt takes another step, his front paw hitting the wet lobby floor. And that's when I see it. The eyeball, right there in the middle of the lobby. "Quint, June—I'm going for the eyeball. It's Dirk's only chance." I spring up, leaning over the counter, eager. Evie notices me. And she looks down and sees the eyeball, at her feet. "You want this, huh?" she shouts. Then she leans down and picks it up. "You can have it—if you protect me!" My eyes narrow. I feel June's hand on my shoulder. I look at Dirk. The straw in his lap. His eyes are foggy. He's cold and shivering and I just want to help him. I hoist myself over the counter. I try to do it in a cool, smooth way—like an action hero sliding

across the hood of a car—but instead I bang my knee, trip, and stumble. Water splashes against the Louisville Slicer. I'm not sure, but I think I hear the blade and water sizzle... "Evie," I say. "Throw me the eyeball or I'm not taking another step toward you." Evie thinks. Hesitates. Then does. I don't catch it. Quint does. And in a flash, Dirk has his lips back on the straw, sucking out that remaining gooey eyeball goodness. I stride across the squishy carpeting. I feel Ghazt watching me as I step in front of Evie. The chorus of the moaning zombies is in full surround sound. Ghazt's strange, animal eyes narrow. Taking me in. Getting to know me. And I do the same.

MOVE. BOY, YOU ARE NOT MY ENEMY. You're My muscles are tense. My knees are shaking. I'm sure Ghazt sees my fear—but still—I won't let this monster have the human. "I can't," I say. The monster's rat-like tail coils and sways. Ghazt steps closer. "SHE IS YOUR FOE."