What I'm Not

Chapter 21

A small crowd was gathered around the school newspaper rack, fighting for the latest issue. I spotted Derrik and Brianna were sitting farther down the hall with an issue.

"Why is everyone fighting over this weeks issue," I asked.

"See for yourself," Brianna said as she handed me the magazine.

The cover showed Takara on the day of the shock collar in a post apocalyptic environment. The title read, "Takara the Zombie!? What his doctors are saying and how it affects you! Page 5."

I opened to the article.

"After the Subway shooting two weeks ago, Takara continues to attend school but is out of a job. We talked with his doctors and this is what they had to say: 'Takara died when a close friend came to see him. At 12:30, Takara was spotted by a nurse trying to leave the hospital. After several tests, we determined he was 100% healthy and sent him home. We never thought a person could recover from a seemingly fatal gunshot wound so quickly.' So is Takara a miracle or a zombie!? We here at Phoenix High News believe that Takara is in fact a zombie. Lets look at the evidence: he died and came back to life, he was spotted with tattered clothes and bloody wounds, and he often limps when walking on campus. Next thing we know, he'll try to kill someone. Are you safe from this zombie student? Is he safe to keep on campus? We say no! Send him away! And keep America free of zombies! -Arthur Ferry"

I gave the paper back to Brianna. "Thats awful."

"It is," Derrik said. "It paints a target on Takara as well as us. People will be trying to kill him if they are going to believe him."

The intercom came on with a teacher's voice. "Any student caught with today's issue of PHN will be sent to after school detention for three days. Arthur Ferry, please report to the front office."

Everyone dropped their magazines and fled to class. I turned and walked down the halls. Takara was sitting in the library reading a book.

"Ready for class," he asked as he put the book back on a shelf.

"Sure."