𝐑𝐄𝐃 • Max Dennison

VIII: THE SALEM CRYPT

Everyone screamed as the ground shook and the witches cackled maniacally. Max and Lilah grabbed onto each other, then onto Dani.

When the shaking finally died down, Lilah looked at Max, then at Dani, then at the grave in front of her, the grave of Billy Butcherson. Just when she thought her theory about zombies was wrong, something crawled out of the grave.

The trio screamed and ran through the trees. Although they couldn't hear anyone chasing after them, they still sped off as fast as they could. "In here!" Binx called as he went through some sort of hole. Lilah and Dani followed, but Max stayed.

He grabbed a tree branch and pinged it back, knocking the zombies head off. For a second, he smiled, until he noticed the zombies body was still moving. He screamed as he threw the spell book down the hole, then jumped in himself.

Lilah ran over to him. "Oh my God, Max, are you okay?" She asked. He nodded.

"What is this place, Binx?" Max asked.

"It's the old Salem crypt. It connects to the sewer and up to the street."

"The sewer? You couldn't have found a more hygienic place for us to hide?" Lilah.

"Did you want to get butchered by Butcherson?" Dani asked. Lilah shrugged.

"Relax, I've hunted mice down here for years," Binx said.

"Mice? Oh, God."

"Would you rather mice or zombies?" Max said.

"Zombies," Lilah replied, "I hate mice."

"They're nothing to be scared of. I'll kill them for you."

"Charming."

Thackery led them through the dark crypt, Max using his lighter to lead the way. "Come along, not much further," Binx said. Lilah and Max we're having to duck in order not to hit their heads. "Down here!"

"You know, I never thought I'd see myself in this situation," Max said.

"I don't think anyone expects to be chased by a group of three hundred year old witches," Lilah said.

"No, I mean, like, running around with you."

"We're being chased by a zombie and you're more concerned about who your with?"

"I mean, I'd rather be with you than anyone else," Max smiled. Lilah felt heat rising up her cheeks. "I mean, imagine doing this with Jay or Ice."

"Shut up, lover boy, we're here," Binx said.

"Lover what-"

"Up the ladder."

Max was the first to start climbing. "Careful," Dani told him. Max finally got up, poking his head out to see a bus coming. He yelled for Binx, before ducking back down.

"Wait, what? Binx?" Lilah asked.

"Binx! Oh, no!" Dani yelled.

The three got themselves up the ladder, staring forward at a squashed Binx. Lilah hugged Dani. "Oh my God," Max said, "It's all my fault."

Lilah grabbed Max's hand. "Don't blame yourself."

Lilah looked at Max, who seemed to have tears in his eyes, as Dani continued to stare forward. "Look!" She said, pointing to Binx. Lilah's eyes widened as Binx's body seemed to... un-squash?

He stood up, shaking his head as if nothing had happened. "I hate it when that happens," he said, "What? I told you I can't die. Dani, are you all right?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, then, let's go!"

The group ran over to a man who seemed to be a cop. "Officer, officer!" Dani called out.

"What's the problem?" The cop asked.

"Tell him!"

"Well, um," Max stepped forward, "Well, you see, I just moved here. Well, you see, it's like this, um. I broke into the old Sanderson house and I brought the witches back from the dead. See, I even have the book."

Lilah cringed slightly at his stuttering, but didn't judge him for it. She'd be a stuttering mess too in this situation. "You lit the Black Flame Candle?"

"Yeah."

The cop got off his bike. "Come on, okay, let's get on the sidewalk."

"And he's a virgin," Dani said, randomly. Lilah stifled a laugh as Max rolled his eyes.

"Come here," the cop leaned down to whisper in Max's ear, "Are you a virgin?"

"Yeah."

"Really?"

"Look, I'll get it tattooed on my forehead, okay?"

"Officer, we aren't kidding," Lilah said, "But would you really get that tattooed on your forehead?" She asked, turning to Max. He rolled his eyes again.

"Hey! I put my life on the line to protect this community and you punks pull this? Get out of here, and take that cat with you."

The three ran away, Binx following. "What an ass!" Lilah said. "What the hell are we supposed to do now?" She began to visibly worry.

Max subconsciously grabbed a hold of her hand. "Hey, hey. Don't worry. We'll figure something out, alright? They only have until the sun comes up."

Lilah nodded. She thought Max would let go of her hand, but he never. He kept hold of her as they walked. She smiled. She didn't know how she felt about it, but she didn't mind it.

"Yeah, thanks, Max."