Return of the Jed (34 page)
Authors: Scott Craven
Tags: #middle grade, #zombies, #bullying, #humor, #middle school, #friendship, #social issues
“Gladly,” he said.
Gripping my biceps with both hands, Luke twisted and pulled, grunting with effort.
Pain flared in the joint as I felt muscles clinging to one another.
“Dude, that’s enough,” I said.
Luke let go. “Let me rest up, and I’ll give it another shot.”
“No, we’re done.” I didn’t want to think about it. Not yet.
I looked at Dad. “I want to go home.”
“Back to the apartment?”
“No, home. I want to go home.”
Anna held my hand. “Mom and I have a flight out later today. I have to go get her and head to the airport. Jed, I’m glad you’re OK. And I just want to tell you how much I, I …”
“Really, really like me?”
“Yeah, exactly. And more.”
She hugged me, added a peck on the cheek in a way Luke and Dad couldn’t see, and headed to the street where she flagged a cab. “See you at home, Jed,” she called as the taxi swallowed her.
We stood and headed toward the apartment. I couldn’t wait to pack up and get home. And school started in two weeks. People sure were going to be surprised to see the new me.
“Hey, wait a minute,” Luke said, looking at Tread. “Notice something?”
I knelt and patted my hand on my thigh. Tread came over, offering his head to be scratched. I smoothed my hand along his back and …
Holy crap.
“His tail,” I said. “His tail’s missing.”
Each of us looked back at the bench, noticing the slightly furry snake underneath.
“Seems Dr. Armendariz can’t do anything right,” I said, smiling the biggest smile of my life.
THE END
Thanks to all who made the Dead Jed trilogy possible. Paula, who encouraged me the moment I worked up the courage to show her the first few chapters of book one, knowing she’d never let me stop. Not a day goes by when I don’t think about her. To Hannah and Ryan, the first kids to tell me it wasn’t half bad. To my father and to my son, because family offers unconditional support. To my agent Gina Panettieri, the first professional in the publishing business who thought Dead Jed had chance in the market. To Courtney Koschel, whose editing turned halfway decent stories into extremely entertaining novels. To Jim Head, who had faith enough in the books to pitch a Dead Jed TV movie (which I hope will happen one day). And to Melissa, a woman who has brought much joy to my life. She delights in the books’ successes and offers a shoulder when things don’t go well.
As you can see, Jed and I have been in very good hands. Nor will those hands detach in any way.
Scott Craven has been a reporter for more than 35 years, starting when typewriters outnumbered computer terminals and the White Out ran like wine.
In that time he’s covered sports, the police beat, civil and criminal courts, and assorted fact-based tales of people with adventures to share. He’s seen newspapers evolve from a trusted source of news to a trusted source of news that doesn’t make much money. And for the most part, he’s really enjoyed it.
“Dead Jed: Adventures of a Middle School Zombie,” is his first book but not his last, as he is contractually obligated to write another two in the series. That keeps him busy, as does his full-time job with The Arizona Republic in Phoenix. Check out his work, and that of many talented journalists, at
azcentral.com
.
DEAD JED: ADVENTURES OF A MIDDLE SCHOOL ZOMBIE
DEAD JED 2: DAWN OF THE JED
KING OF THE MUTANTS
STRANGE COUNTRY DAY
THE UNDERTAKERS: SECRET OF THE CORPSE EATER
THE UNDERTAKERS: LAST SIEGE OF HAVEN
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