Zombies Return! by Nick Eliopulos

Author:Nick Eliopulos [Eliopulos, Nick]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House Worlds
Published: 2023-07-18T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 19

Although their reunion wasn’t going quite as he’d pictured it, Ben was genuinely happy to see Bobbie—even if he was looking up at her from the bottom of a dark, creepy pit.

“Believe it or not, I’m here to save you,” Ben told her, rubbing his aching head, which he’d hit against a block of obsidian when he’d fallen. “Despite what it may look like. You know me, I can’t resist a daring rescue.”

“As rescues go, I’ve seen better,” said Bobbie. “But it’s really good to see you, Ben. Only—where’s Johnny?” She looked over her shoulder. “You didn’t bring him down here, did you?”

“Relax,” Ben answered. “Johnny’s safe. I left him with the Overlords.”

Bobbie slapped her forehead. “You left my brother the zombie in the care of professional monster hunters?”

“Well, it sounds bad when you put it that way,” Ben said. “But he barely even looks like a zombie when he’s wearing the pumpkin. I promise, he’s completely safe. I learned my lesson when the pirate threw him— Actually, never mind. Are you going to help me up?”

Bobbie tossed a stack of dirt blocks into the hole. Ben saw what she had in mind. He was able to build a simple dirt column right beneath his feet. He was back on her level in no time.

“It is good to see you,” said Bobbie, and she leaned in for a hug. “And it’s great to know my trap worked.”

“Happy to help,” he said, leaning into her hug. Then he pulled away and looked into her eyes. “Listen, Bobbie, you’re in danger down here. And a hole in the ground isn’t going to be much help against a warden.”

“What is a warden, exactly?” asked Bobbie. “I thought I’d seen every hostile mob in the Overworld by this point.”

“Not even close. Remind me to tell you about the zombie pig monster.”

Bobbie crossed her arms. “Now you’re just making up stories.”

“Shh!” said Ben. “Let’s try to keep quiet, all right? You haven’t set off any of the shriekers, have you?”

Bobbie shrugged. “Yeah. A few of them.”

Ben’s blood went cold. “A few?” he said. “How many is a ‘few’?”

“Two or three? I don’t know.” Bobbie threw her hands up. “Anyway, whatever a warden is, I’m more worried about Logan’s cronies. Hatchet and Flip are looking for me as we speak.”

“Looking,” said a voice.

“And finding,” said another.

Ben knew what he’d see as he whirled around. Hatchet stepped from the shadows, her axe glinting in the low torchlight, and Flip was right behind her, aiming his crossbow in their direction.

“We’d just about given up on finding you,” said Hatchet.

“You’re good at covering your tracks,” added Flip.

“Flip!” said Hatchet. “Don’t compliment the enemy.”

“Wasn’t a compliment,” said Flip. “I was complaining! Don’t like being led on a wild squid chase.”

“Fortunately we saw your little friend running around.” Hatchet pointed her hatchet at Ben. “He led us right to you.”

“Oops,” said Ben.

“Wait,” said Bobbie, turning to Ben. “How did you find me?”

“Kyro told me he’d sent some snarky adventurer-who-says-she’s-not-an-adventurer down here on a quest that was almost certain to kill her.

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