Chapter 16

chapter sixteen We staggered away from the town square, finally taking shelter inside an old deli. It's torn open from the inside, a vending machine

lies smashed on the ground, and everything smells like soda syrup and ham. Neon is moving slow—like each step hurts. His tail is coiled up, pressed back. "Hey, Neon, you okay—" I start to ask, but then he looks at me, eyes wet, and suddenly collapses to the ground. A heavy thud. "Neon!" I cry, and rush over—surprising myself by how worried I am. I run my hand over his curled tail. Neon winces and tries to wriggle away, like me at the doctor, trying to avoid a flu shot. I manage to pull the tail aside—and I see glowing green liquid. It's blood. There are long cuts atop his wing-stubs. That skin is soft, unlike the rest of his shiny hide. The falling streetlight must have sliced them open.

gnarly. Oh buddy. I'll get you fixed up. Promise. It's not the first time I've needed a makeshift bandage during the Monster Apocalypse.... The first week I was stuck alone at Parker Middle School, I sliced my leg bad. Worst part, it wasn't even an injury from something cool and heroic, like dodging a zombie horde. I was trying to butt-surf stairwell banisters near the art room. But the metal snagged my jeans, tore them open, and sent me sprawling.

I made it to the nurse's office—only to discover that Nurse Carol was now Zombie Nurse Carol. She was stomping around the office like some sort of video game mini-boss. But, I was in luck! I found an unwrapped Fruit by the Foot in the waiting area. It made for the perfect bandage, until I woke up at two a.m. in desperate need of a snack.... I learned a valuable lesson: don't use yummy snacks as medical supplies.

"Fear not! I will find something to apply to his wounds!" Johnny Steve says. He gives Neon a gentle little scratch behind his ears, then races off. I look back at Neon and wonder, again, if I'm just absolutely nutso for trying to help a Winged Wretch. I mean, this entire thing could be a trick to lure me to the Wretches. Or worse—to lure me to Thrull. No! I won't believe that! I saved Neon. And he saved me. I'd be at the bottom of that flooded town square—permanently—if it wasn't for Neon. Sure, Neon is destructive. And rough. And stronger than he realizes. But after what we've been through, I just can't believe that he's evil like the other Wretches. Before long I hear Johnny Steve. "I found medical supplies!" he says, hobbling around the corner. "Come see!"

"WOO-HOO!" Globlet exclaims. "Medical supply party! C'mon, June!" Neon manages to get to his feet while Johnny Steve eagerly races ahead. Two streets over, we find Johnny Steve. I've never seen someone so proud—and so wrong.... Look how weee-stceked this athbu?unce isl Everything we need! Cups, spoons, extra spoons, AND THIS MASSIVE ICE worn bd human Goctors when earing for patients.