My Life As a Teenage Zombie

The Hand of Death

"Thanks for not making a big deal out of this," I tell Savannah as she lets me out of the house.

"I am gonna expect you to tell me what that was about, though." She softens upon looking at my shocked face. "When you're ready, that is."

I nod. Thank God she's more reasonable than I'd first assumed. I really owe her one now.

So, Lyra is now dead for good. Does that make me feel better? Did I enjoy ripping her apart, breaking her body into nothing? No, not particularly. I still feel hollow. "Should I talk to Mason?"

Savannah is surprised by that, and closes the door behind her. "Not sure. He's not telling me anything. Is it related to the thing you were crying about?" I give her a nod, and then her eyes widen. "Someone's intruding."

"What?"

"The city border - someone's trying to get across. They're supernatural, too, and there's a bunch of them. We need to move."

I start looking around right away, taken off guard. Cannot catch a break these days. "What do we do?"

"I'll organize the witches. The Others are leaderless for now. Go get Daniel instead. Call Simon. I'll have someone stop by Mason's house."

I nod, then turn around and bolt, already taking my phone out and calling my best friend. Is it John? Is he coming for me? Or is it those cultist assholes of his?

(We're here, little boy.)

Just like that, I have my answer. It's the red-haired woman John was making kissy faces with.

(You didn't think I'd let you get away with killing my boy, did you? You'll beg for death.)

(Any more conversation with you, and I just might.)

(DON'T MAKE LIGHT OF THIS! YOU KILLED MY SON AND DAUGHTER AT ONCE!)

(Your son had it comin', and your daughter was no better.)

I press send, then put my phone away, having reached Daniel's place. I walk up to the front door, then start banging my fists against it. It takes him a bit to open, and he's disheveled when he does.

"Sorry, I have company."

"We're under attack," I tell him. "Put some clothes on. Tell Chris she sucks."

"How'd he know it was me!?" she screeches from behind, but I'm already moving away. I wish Savannah had told me where the attack is coming from.

(Don't hurt any of the others. I'll be waiting for you at the church.)

The woman, whose name I've already forgotten, sends a good bit of her scorn into my mind.

(I'll not be reasoned with, little boy. Your blood will spill.)

(Then come at me and do it already; I've heard this shit before, and I'm sick of it.)

Daniel and Chris made it to his side quickly, with the boy carrying the coven leader.

"Better be urgent," she says, eyes as hateful as ever. "I've got things to do."

"The whole town being under attack seems urgent to me. Sorry for disrupting your... activities."

She didn't blush at all, of course, and just rolled her eyes, then glanced at Daniel. "Go and see what's happening, then report back." Damien might've argued, given her authoritative tone, but Daniel does not, and goes away in a flash. The witch then turns to me. "Is this related to that battle that happened, and the high elf?"