by Ty Drago
I nodded.
“And your sister?”
“Yeah.”
“Still want to go home?”
“More than ever,” I replied wistfully.
“Good,” he said. “It gives you something to fight for.”
“I know,” I replied. Then, glancing up at him, I asked, “Do you really think we can do it, Tom?”
“Do what?”
“Beat the Corpses?”
“Yeah,” Tom replied without hesitation. “We can.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“You want my honest answer?” he asked.
“Of course.”
“You might not like it.”
I shrugged. “Try me.”
The Chief of the Undertakers put one arm around my shoulders and squeezed. It was the same gesture he’d done before—back in the shrine on my first day at Haven. At the time I’d resented it. At the time I’d been frightened and confused. Well, I was still frightened—no doubt about that—but I was no longer confused. I knew what I had to do now, and as uncertain as my life was and would surely continue to be, that was better than nothing.
“Because of you, Will,” Tom said quietly. “I think we can win…because we got you.”
Acknowledgments
These days, writing the book is only the beginning. I’d like to express my heartfelt appreciation both to my amazing agent, Ann Behar, and to my equally incredible editor, Rebecca Frazer, for believing in Will, Helene, Tom, Sharyn, and the rest of the Undertakers as they begin their adventure.
I’d also like to thank Josh Hahn, master of theatrical makeup, for his work on the homemade YouTube book trailer; Christine Breller, the mutual friend and fellow writer who brought us together; and Dr. Lyle Back and Kim Back for their support during the filming—as well as for the loan of their son, Griffin.
And finally, my gratitude goes out to Griffin Back, the talented young actor who—in the book trailer—became the first person ever to play Will Ritter. May he not be the last!
About the Author
Ty Drago is an author, editor, publisher, business analyst, family man, and Sicilian Quaker (not necessarily in that order)—clearly a modern Renaissance Man. Or something. For the past twelve years, he’s served as editor/publisher of Allegory, an online magazine of science fiction, fantasy, and horror.
The Undertakers marks his debut in youth fiction.
Ty makes his home in southern New Jersey with his wife Helene, daughter Kim, son Andy, two cats, and a dog.