Unchosen by Michele Vail Page B

“Uuuuuh.”
                  “Oh, sorry. Jon Lemons. We need to go.”
                  The zombie followed me, and soon, I saw the outer gray stone wall that surrounded the school. On the back side of the ornate castle was a landscaped outdoor area that students used to study and hang out. The last meal of the day was served at 6 p.m., so I knew the courtyard would be full of kids waiting for the dinner bell to ring.
    The gate to the courtyard entrance was left open until our 10 p.m. curfew. All I had to do was make it through, and I would be safe.
    My raven cawed a warning, and I realized I couldn’t go barreling through the gate holding my scythe. I skidded to a stop, and looked up.
    “ Time to return,” I said.
    The raven’s spread wings cast me in darkness as it swirled down, grasping the scythe before making itself smaller and smaller. Finally, the bird returned to the silver ring.
    I ached from head to toe, and my heart pounded so hard, the thumping sounds clogged my ears.
    At a nearby bench, a couple kissing were startled apart. They stared at me and the zombie as I limped past them. I smiled and gave them a little wave.
    I noticed the wide-eyed stares of the kids hanging out in the courtyard. Conversations ceased as Jon Lemons and I trudged by, but no one said anything.
    I didn’t relax until I got to my room.
    I shut and locked the door, and Jon Lemons stationed himself in front of it.
    I wanted to collapse onto my bed, but I was filthy, so I dropped to the floor, rolled onto my back, and shut my eyes.
     
    It took a while for me to calm down. My heart eventually found a steady rhythm, and my breathing regulated.
    “Miss?”
    I screamed. My eyes flew open and I scrambled off the floor as if it were on fire. All my calm evaporated and I slapped a hand against my chest as if to keep my heart from leaping out of my ribcage.
    Henry gazed at me with his usual stoic expression. “Forgive me, miss. I didn’t mean to startle you. Are you all right?”
    “Henry, you scared the crap outta me.”
    “How unfortunate. Do you require a change of underwear?”
    I stared at Henry, but his expression never wavered. I grinned. “Did you just make a joke?” I lifted my fist. “Way to go, Henry.”
    Henry stared at my fist. One gray eyebrow lifted.
    I patted my fist. “Come on, give me a fist bump.”
    Henry stepped forward. He curled his fingers and lifted his arm. Then he gave me the slowest fist bump in the history of fist bumps. Still, I laughed. “You really do rock, Henry.”
    “So do you, miss.” The corners of Henry’s mouth tilted up very slightly. I assumed that was his version of a smile. “I see we have a guest.”
    “You remember Jon Lemons, right? He saved me, Henry. We got attacked by zombies … Rath’s trying to find out who sent them.”
    “You were attacked? And you did not call me?” Henry sounded … well, hurt.
    “You’ve risked yourself too much for me. I can’t keep asking you to do that.”
    “I am your ghoul. And I am your friend. I must insist you call me whenever you need me—no matter the perceived risk.”
    I blinked. “Okay, Henry. I will.”
    He sniffed delicately. “Perhaps a shower is in order?”
    “Yeah. Definitely. And maybe you can make sure Jon Lemons gets cleaned up and back to Barbie?”
    “I will take care of the zombie. What about dinner, miss?”
    I’d learned to trust Henry about food. “Whatever you think is best,” I said.
    “Very well.” Henry continued to stare at me, and I realized he was exuding a sense of urgency. Well, as urgent as Henry could appear.
    “Is there something else?” I asked.
    “Have you made much progress in finding the book?”
    At first, I thought he was talking about Keep Thy Soul . But Henry never really bothered me about homework. Then I remembered. “You mean Anubis and The Seventh Warrior ?” I shrugged. “I told you, it’s been missing since like forever. Someone took it from the library and