by Gayle Katz
“Nope. But I saw everything in my dream.”
“Is that all true? What you dream?”
He laughed. “For the most part. I mean, I had a dream about rainbow flying dogs one time. Obviously, that wasn’t real. But generally, when it’s about someone or something real, then it’s real.”
“So, what happened?”
Owen frowned. “I really hate telling her story. It’s like a breach of trust or something. You know, like violating privacy laws.”
Charlie shrugged. “But it’s being broadcast out there. Who knows who else has dreamt about it?”
“It makes me feel yucky, but I can tell you.” He took a deep breath. “For some reason, Zan was targeted as a zlayer.”
“Yeah, Stewart told me about that back in Texas. He isn’t entirely certain why, but it has to do with strength, both mental and physical, open attitude, being easygoing, and also having a few questionable morals.” She laughed.
Owen’s expression smoothed out. “Hey! That’s what Dad said to me about being a truthsayer but less about the morals. I mean, stronger morals. Ha!”
“So, what did you see in your dream?”
“OK, well, I saw Zan with her friends, if you want to call them that. You know, your usual teenage girls.”
“Yep, I stay away from those.”
“So, she had an end-of-year, going-away party, and it went upside down. Frankie was her new mentor and she showed up with her brother. Zombies were attracted to the noise of the party, I guess.” Owen stumbled to get out the words. There was a lot to tell. “Her brother got bitten so she sawed his arm off.”
“Oh, gross! Really?”
“With an electric saw. But get this, Frankie had healing powers. So, at the hospital, she uttered some spell, enabling the doctors to successfully reattach his arm. He was fine. Barely even a scar.”
“Wow, that’s impressive. Usually a zlayer doesn’t have more than one power. She would be useful if she were still alive.”
“Yep. But what’s so odd is that she was young, like us, well, maybe early twenties or something.”
Charlie looked at him. “But mentors are usually in their thirties to forties.”
He shrugged. “It’s like something went wrong. She didn’t have training.”
“OK, it’s my understanding that mentors were usually zlayers when they were in their teens.”
“Didn’t know that,” said Owen. “I learn something new around you, every time.”
“OK, so tell me the rest of the story.” Charlie picked up her diet soda and took a sip.
“Sure, so Frankie killed all the zombies. Zan thought she had been pranked. She got into trouble with her parents for having a wild party. She went to the hospital to see Frankie’s brother, whatshisname, and believed that it was all a big hoax. Later, she was touched by Frankie, and then suddenly learned the truth. She really was a zombie slayer. Then one day, Frankie called her and told her to bring her gun to the airport.”
Charlie laughed and rubbed her hands together. “Wow! This is better than TV!”
He laughed. “I know, right? But she played along, because it’s Zan, and she likes to be up to no good, as I’m sure you understand by now. So, she went to the airport.”
“Wait. Zan didn’t live in Portland back then,” commented Charlie.
“No, she lived in Ashland.”
“Where the heck is that?”
He laughed. “It’s a town near the California-Oregon border. That’s where we touched down when my family first arrived in the United States.”
“In Ashland? What?” she looked amazed.
“OK, that’s another story, Charlie. Let’s focus on Zan for a moment.”
Charlie punched his arm in jest. She knew that there were more stories ahead.
“Besides, you haven’t told me much about your Texan adventures.”
She rubbed her hands in glee. “I’ll tell that later.”
“OK then,” he said, trying to get the rest of the story out. “So, she was volunteering at the airport to help out some immigrants.”
“Wait a minute, why did you fly into Ashland? That’s not an international airport.”
He laughed. “No, Charlie, not anymore, not after the big terrorist attack there years ago.”
She sat up. “Oh! That was zombies? I knew it!”
“Yes, now please, we can talk about the other stuff later. Let’s get back to it. Zombies started coming out at the airport,” Owen continued.
“Zombies started coming out at the airport, right?” Charlie repeated.
They laughed.
“Seriously, Charlie, you’re messing me up.”
Charlie laughed, but she was glad that he didn’t look so somber anymore.
“OK, so the zombies came out, and Frankie arrived at the airport. They fought the zombies, but they discovered that the majority of them were on the runway.”
“Oh crap, not out in the open?” said Charlie.
“Yep, so they concocted this crazy plan, involving music and a truck.”
“No!” said Charlie.
He nodded. “They enticed the zombies into the back of the truck, shut the door, and drove to the border.” He paused.
“No way! They’d all die then.”
“You know it, but they didn’t, at least not all of it.”
“So how did she die?” asked Charlie, wondering about the conclusion of the story.
“Well, it sounds kind of crazy, but her instincts took over. OK, back to the story. They had not only gotten the zombies into the truck, but their zleader as well.”
Charlie’s eyes opened wide.
“I guess neither of them knew the dangers as they were both new to zlaying and zentoring.” He laughed, making up a new word. “Anyway, the zleader bit Frankie. As you know, if the zleader is killed within a specific time frame and crosses into a new state, the new person they bit is more likely to turn into a new zleader. And often, a zleader relinquishes their right to be zleader because they can foretell the future. A zleader generally doesn’t bite people, as she has her minions to do that.”
“Wow,” said Charlie. “So I’m guessing that Frankie killed the zleader, not realizing what would happen?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“So Frankie turned into a zleader when they crossed the state lines?”
He nodded.
“But all her zombies died, right?”
He nodded again.
“So Zan shot her mentor?”
“Yes, that’s right. Some kids grow up learning how to shoot guns and Zan was one of them. So she wasn’t completely out of her element. Earlier, Frankie had given her a special enchanted bullet meant to kill a zleader. When Zan realized what was happening, she emptied her gun and loaded it with the special bullet, then she shot her mentor in the head.”
“That’s crazy,” said Charlie. “But I do have to mention one thing. I don’t know if this happened to you when you first learned you were a truthsayer, but when I first learned I was a zlayer, from Stewart down in Texas, it was like something controlling me at first. It would guide me through the zlaying moves. It was like a demon had taken over my body or something.”
“That’s creepy,” he said, “but no, I never experienced that. You know that I don’t have any superpowers like you girls, and I rely solely on my strong physical traits.” He laughed.
“OK, so it’s different depending on what type of superpowers one has. I’m guessing that this totally shocked her. Even for someone as coldhearted as Zan, she would still be affected by suddenly killing someone, and for no apparent reason.”
“Oh, come on. She’s not that coldhearted,” said Owen.
“Not the right word. I don’t know. Doesn’t give an eff, I guess?”
He nodded. “That’s more like it. I mean she does have feelings. Look what happened after her mom died.”
“Yes, and I was extremely concerned about her. I mean, yeah, sure, we exchange snarky remarks and in
sults, but most teenage girls do. However, sometimes I’m uncertain if she should really be a zlayer.”
He nodded. “I know what you mean. This is the reason why I wanted to talk to you.”
Charlie waited expectantly.
“You’re right. Zan should not be a zlayer. It’s not just that dream I had, but also other dreams. You know how you said that sometimes you have to loosen up on your morals?”
Charlie nodded. “Things sometimes have to get done.”
“Right. But Zan has gone far beyond that. I can probably get past the lab tests she’s done on zombie blood, despite not even Stewart being aware of all of that, and I can get past her stealing stuff from a store in order to get arrested, but I can’t get past her trying to kill Ray Orzola as revenge for being responsible for the death of her mother.”
Charlie took a deep breath in. “What the hell? Ray?”
Chapter 8
________________________________________
“I’m sorry, officer, but Charlie is not here,” said Gran.
“Well, it’s very important we speak to her,” said the male officer. “A body was found buried in a park in Washington State, and she and her friends are wanted for questioning.”
“It must be a misunderstanding,” said Gran.
“Well, here’s my information. It’s best to bring her in sooner rather than later.” He handed over a card. “I’m happy to wait until she arrives back home.”
“Err, excuse me for a moment.” Gran grabbed her phone and went into the bathroom. “Hey, Stewart. It appears Charlie is in trouble.”
zzz
The police had already picked up Zan, much to the great anger of her father. Owen was picked up shortly after he arrived home. His parents were told they could call a lawyer, but they told the police they were lawyers and followed the police car to the station.
When Charlie arrived at home, she felt something was off. And it wasn’t just what she had learned about Zan from Owen earlier. She was relieved that Zan had a change of heart before killing Ray, but she still felt unsettled. She locked her car and headed up to the front door. Before she even had a chance to slide her key into the lock, the door flew open.
“Quickly, dear,” said Gran, opening the door wide.
Charlie walked in, and then stopped in her tracks when she saw the police officer seated on the couch. Stewart was sitting beside him.
“Who is this?” she asked.
“Sergeant Walker,” said Stewart. “From Vancouver, Washington.”
“Um,” she said, walking closer. “Why does he appear stoned?”
Gran laughed. “I do miss doing field work.” She went to sit down on the couch.
Stewart explained. “He’s here to question you. Apparently, Zan’s car was spotted at the park, along with three teens bearing your description being seen dumping a body in the same park. The police investigated and found where you had buried the body.”
“Oh cra,” she started to say.
“I’ve told you before. Leave me with the body disposal.”
“Yes, Stewart,” said Charlie. “So, what now?” she walked up to the cop and waved her hand in front of his face.
“I’ve called Jay Bourne. He’s really pissed off that we’ve taken him away from his week off. As we speak, he’s destroying any and all evidence of your crimes.”
“Damn,” said Charlie. “I should buy him a six-pack.”
“Anyway, I’ve placed an enchantment on this cop. Let’s hope no one goes looking for him. When he comes out of it, he’ll find himself in his vehicle, about ten blocks away from here. He’ll have forgotten the purpose of his trip, and he’ll drive back home.”
“Great, but what about the body?” asked Charlie.
“Don’t worry about that. Jay is on it. He’s retrieving it from Vancouver, saying that he’s taking it back for an investigation. The paperwork he’s handing them is enchanted.”
“Wow,” said Charlie. “You’ve thought of everything.”
Stewart smirked. “Of course. I knew one day you three would get sloppy. I was ready and waiting.”
“Great, so I need to get some sleep now. It’s like 2 am and I have school tomorrow.”
“Sure,” said Stewart, standing up. “Zan and Owen are still locked up at the police station, but Jay will handle that when he gets back from Vancouver. You may not see them at school tomorrow.”
“Oh, I feel bad for them,” said Charlie. “I was in that jail cell for a few hours myself, last year.”
“Don’t worry about them. Chances are that Owen’s parents have bailed them out by now. Good night.” He guided the officer from the couch and walked him to the door. Soon they were on their way.
“It’s just like living with your mother,” said Gran, excited by the latest developments.
Charlie smiled. “I think I need to get some sleep. If the others can’t make it to school, I’ll have to visit all their teachers for their homework and books.”
zzz
“So, why am I being held?” Owen asked the officer in the interrogation room.
“I’m not at liberty to say, until we have our case together, but you and your friends were spotted dumping a body at a national park less than twenty-four hours ago.”
“It was a zombie,” said Owen.
The officer’s face seemed to gain clarity.
Owen smirked. He didn’t always use his truthsaying to affect people’s understanding, but today he would. He turned and looked at his dad and mom. They smiled at him, understanding what he was doing.
“Yes, a zombie,” said the officer.
“You know how zombies don’t exist in Portland, right?”
“What I don’t get is why you dumped one over the border?” the officer asked him.
“Say, is Sergeant Jay Bourne here?” asked Owen.
“He’ll be in soon. He’s just attending to business.” The cop paused, surprised he was giving out this information.
“Is my son going to be charged with anything?” asked Mrs. Nakkonde. “As far as I know, disposing of a zombie is not a crime in Oregon.”
“Well, yes and no,” said the officer. “It’s still required to pursue the usual legal channels. They still need to have their remains respectfully handled.”
“Well, it’s not like he killed the zombie then dumped the body,” said Mr. Nakkonde in a loud voice.
“It’s OK, Dad. We’ll get this settled,” said Owen. “And no, I did not kill the zombie the first time, nor the second time.”
“OK. Well, your story seems to match up with what your friend, Zan, said. She said you picked up the zombie on the streets of Portland, and then drove it across the border to see if it would die, as zombies do. It did, so you dumped it in the park.”
Owen had a big awkward smile on his face. He surreptitiously looked at his parents, as he had already told them the truth. They looked surprised at the lie but didn’t say anything.
“OK then, I’ll put you back in the cell, while your parents arrange for bail.”
“Sounds good. Thank you, Sergeant Walker.” His mom got up and shook his hand.
They cleared out of the room, while the cop walked Owen back to the cells downstairs.
“Psst,” said Zan, as Owen walked past.
He waved, and then was placed back in the cell. The officer clicked the door shut and left.
“Hi, Zan. Are we alone?”
She nodded. “It’s funny they put us across from each other. And, aren’t there any male and female cells?”
He shrugged. “This is a really small station, and not exactly the bad part of town. They probably deal mostly with zombies.”
“Yeah,” she said, laughing. “So I hope you told the truth, but not the truth?”
He nodded. “Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. They are paying the bail money, and then I’ll be out. What about you? Is your dad bailing you out?”
She nodded. “He just had to run home to get on the computer to do a tr
ansfer to the checking account.”
“Oh, you should have told me. My parents would have fronted you the money.”
“Nah, this is a good way to get out of school this morning.”
He grunted. “So, how are you doing?”
She shrugged. “As well as can be expected. I really love my new cat.”
“Hey, that’s great. Maybe he’ll warm up to me soon.”
“Ha! I believe truthsayers and cats don’t get along.”
“And why not?”
“Because, all cats want is attention and food. He knows you know exactly what he wants, so he feels that his kitty agenda has been compromised.”
Owen had a good long laugh. “Seriously? Cats are that smart? That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all week.”
She laughed along with him. “Oh, all cat people understand that you have to amuse your cat and make them think that they are the boss.”
Owen kept on laughing. “Well, that makes me feel a bit better at least.”
Zan peered out at him through the bars. “Really? You were concerned about me?”
He stopped laughing. “Of course I was. We’re like best friends. Well, the three of us are like best friends, err, four of us. I’m including Stewart.”
“So, just friends?” she asked.
He nodded. “Yeah, like, you weren’t ready for anything else. And I’ve really thought about it, and I think we should stay friends. In fact, let’s cancel our prom date for next year. I’d just feel weird about that now.”
Zan looked sad and stopped laughing. “Fine,” she replied. “I’ll just go with Major Tigger then.”
Chapter 9
________________________________________
Stewart searched through the paranormal section at the library. He discarded book after book. Most of them were composed of false information. Occasionally, he found one that held a small grain of truth, but he had to sift through all the fluff first. Sometimes, a nugget of information would reveal itself to him at the right moment. These were often spells that showed themselves at the right time but never earlier.