; “What did you two talk about?”
Lilah glowered. “He asked me if this was all his fault and I told him the truth. I told him that he was a town boy … he isn’t strong enough to be out here.”
“You told him that? Were you trying to make him run away?”
“No!”
“What did he say to you?”
“It’s none of your business, so shut up!” barked Lilah, banging her fist on the table hard enough to make one of the knives roll off and clatter to the floor. In the ensuing silence she bent and picked it up.
Benny knew that he should shut up, that he should leave this alone, but he couldn’t keep the words from spilling out. “What happens if I don’t shut up? You going to threaten me again? I’ll bet you can’t wait for the chance to quiet me. And Chong. And maybe Nix, too.”
Lilah’s face went dead pale. Tears, as small as chips of diamonds, glistened in the corners of her eyes. She opened her mouth to speak, but Nix beat her to it.
“Benny,” yelled Nix, “so help me God—”
THUD!
Something hit the front door. They froze, mouths open but silent, eyes staring at the door, ears straining to hear. The wind tossed the treetops. There was no other sound, not even the crickets.
“What was that?” demanded Benny.
Nix held a finger to her lips. Lilah tightened her grip on the knife.
Benny licked his lips. “Oh, crap,” he said softly.
Nix picked up both bokkens and handed one of the swords to Benny. They listened to the night. The crickets had stopped. They did that when they were startled, Benny knew. When they were afraid. When there was something there.
They waited, listening for sounds. Hoping to hear Tom call out. Or Chong.
Thud!
Another blow against the door. The sound was both heavy and soft. Muffled. Like a fist wrapped in a towel. Or …
Thud! Thud-thud!
Or a hand flung loosely, without purpose or conscious control.
Thud—thud—thud.
Whatever was beating on the door was not Tom. Or Chong. Or anyone alive.
Then they heard the moan.
33
“THERE’S A ZOMBIE OUT THERE,” WHISPERED BENNY.
“I know,” murmured Lilah is her ghostly voice. She used her free hand to wipe the tears from her eyes. “It must have heard you.”
“Heard us,” answered Benny, but his defense was weak and he knew it. Lilah snorted.
Thud.
“What’s it doing?” Nix asked in a horrified voice. “Is it knocking to get in?”
Lilah shook her head. “Not knocking. Pounding. It wants to get us … the door is in the way.”