Full Tilt

55

Bloomington, Minnesota

I have a weird question lol don’t judge. Have you ever kissed a dead person?

Why would she ask that?

The next morning, Ashley Ostermelle was confused. Was Jenn joking?

Um, no?? Have you??

My grandma died 4 days ago. They made me kiss her corpse at the wake. It was nasty.

Aw sorry to hear that.

She was sick. It’s why we came to Minnesota. I meant to tell you.

But that’s really sad, I feel bad.

Thanks. I didn’t really know her.

Still sad.

Mom needs a funeral dress we’ll be at the mall at noon. We can finally meet in person!!

Yes!

Meet you at the Apple Store at noon.

Ashley’s plan was to go to the school nurse, tell her she was sick and needed to go home. They’d call her mom, but no one would be home to check on her. Then she’d head to the mall. If she got caught she’d say she was getting Mom a present for her birthday, which was next month.

That would lessen any punishment.

Ashley knew how to work the system.

By midmorning it had all worked smoothly. Upon leaving her school, she hopped a bus to the mall.

Riding across the city, she grew excited. She’d snuck off to the mall a couple times before with friends, but this was different. She was adventuring on her own, to meet a friend with whom she’d bonded.

Jenn knew way more about boys than she did and Ashley ached to get her advice on Nick and other stuff. Jenn had tried drugs, gotten drunk and done other things-like kissed a dead person-while Ashley lived her boring little suburban life in Edina, home of the walking dead.

Just shoot me.

A little over an hour after she’d left school Ashley was in the Mall of America standing outside the Apple Store.

It was 12:10 p.m. and she sent Jenn a message.

I’m here. Where are you?

As the minutes passed Ashley studied the streams of shoppers, looking for one who resembled the picture Jenn had sent of herself.

She was so pretty.

Bad news, was the response.

Thinking she’d been stood up, Ashley’s heart sank.

What’s up? Are you coming?

Mom made me wait in the car in the parking lot with my sick aunt.

Okay, I’ll wait for you.

Mom may get her dress and then we’ll leave, sorry.

Oh.

Everyone’s still sad about Grandma’s death.

I understand.

You could come to the car & we could talk?

Ashley hesitated.

Parking garages were kind of creepy. In the time she took to think, Jenn sent another message.

This could be our only chance to meet, Ash.

Ashley caught her bottom lip between her teeth. It made sense and since she’d already cut classes and come this far.

Okay, where are you?

West lot. P4 West Arizona level. I can see the main door.

See you soon.

Ashley consulted the mall’s maps and cut across the mammoth complex to the doors to P4 West Arizona. The cool, cement-like smell hit her when she left the mall for the parking lot. Waiting in the garage at the doors, she sent Jenn a message. Few other people were around.

OK. I’m here.

I think I see you, what are you wearing?

A yellow top and pink jacket.

I’ll tap the horn and flash the lights.

Ashley stared out at the lake of cars and vans.

A horn sounded, lights flashed, drawing her to a white SUV.

I see you!

I’ll leave the passenger door open for you.

Ashley was nervous walking to Jenn’s car. There were so many creeps but she told herself it was okay. She knew Jenn. They’d had many deep conversations. They were best friends and Ashley was excited about meeting.

I need to talk to her!

As Ashley approached the SUV’s open door she was hopeful that Jenn would get out so she wouldn’t be forced to talk in front of her aunt. That would be weird. Ashley glanced around.

The SUV was parked between a van and pickup truck. She inched toward the open door and gasped when she looked inside.

An ugly old woman was behind the wheel. Her arm shot out with the speed of a cobra, seized Ashley’s jacket and yanked her into the vehicle.

A damp cloth covered Ashley’s face, smothering weak cries until her eyes rolled back and everything went dark.