“Right,” says Dee, giving Obi a little-boy salute with a little-boy smile.

“Newbies!” calls Dum. “Anyone who doesn’t know what they’re supposed to do, follow us.”

“Step right up, folks,” says Dee.

I guess that’s us. I get up stiffly and reach automatically for my sister, but I stop before I touch her as if a part of me believes she’s a dangerous animal. “Come on, Paige.”

I’m not sure what I’ll do if she doesn’t move. But she gets up and follows me. I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to seeing her stand on her own legs.

Mom follows too. She doesn’t stop chanting, though. If anything, it’s louder and more fervent than before.

We all step into the flow of newcomers following the twins.

Dum walks backwards, talking to us. “We’re going back to high school where our survival instincts are at their finest.”

“If you get the urge to graffiti the walls or beat up your old math teacher,” says Dee, “do it where the birds can’t see you.”

We walk by the main adobe building. From the street, the school looks deceptively small. Behind the main building, though, there’s a whole campus of modern buildings connected by covered walkways.

“If any of you are injured, take a seat in this fine classroom.” Dee opens up the nearest door and peeks in. It’s a classroom with a life-sized skeleton hanging on a stand. “Bones will keep you company while you wait for the doctor.”

“And if any of you are doctors,” says Dum, “your patients are waiting for you.”

“Is this all of us?” I ask. “We’re the only survivors?”

Dee looks over at Dum. “Are zombie girls allowed to talk?”

“If they’re cute and willing to do zombie-girl mud fights.”

“Duuude. Right on.”

“That’s a disgusting image.” I give them a sideways look but I’m secretly glad they’re not freaked out about me coming back from the dead.

“It’s not like we’d pick the decayed ones, Penryn. Just ones like you, fresh from the dead.”

“Only, with ripped clothes and stuff.”

“And hungry for breeeeasts.”

“He means brains.”

“That’s exactly what I meant.”

“Could you please answer the question?” asks a guy wearing glasses that are completely free of cracks. He doesn’t look like he’s in a joking mood.

“Right,” says Dee getting all serious. “This is our rendezvous point. The others will meet us here.”

We keep walking in the weak sunshine, and the guy with the glasses ends up in the back of the group.

Dum leans over to Dee and whispers loud enough for me to hear, “How much you want to bet that that guy will be the first in line to bet on the zombie-girl fight?”

They exchange grins and wiggle their eyebrows at each other.