The Smoky Corridor

121

Judy heard Ms. DuBois’s fists pounding against the door.

“You’ll kill her!”

Joseph Donnelly’s grin grew wider. “That’s the plan, ma’am!”

“And then we can go home, right, Joe?” Seth pleaded.

“Maybe, little brother. Maybe.”

George bolted for the door, got his hands on the lock bar, started prying it up.

“Stop him!” shouted Seth. “I want to leave this place!”

The zombie leapt across the room and, with superhuman strength, grabbed hold of George and yanked him away from the door.

“I promised Joe he could have the teacher! She’s evil!”

“But killing is wrong!” said Judy, moving closer to Seth.

Too close.

The zombie, holding George off the ground with one hand, strode across the room and grabbed Judy with the other.

“Protect master!”

When Zipper nipped at his ankles, the thing kicked the dog sideways, sending him skittering across the floor into the concrete slab holding up the broiling furnace.

Zipper yelped.