Generation Dead by Daniel Waters
Authors: Daniel Waters
Tags: Fiction, Humorous stories, Death, Juvenile Fiction, Fantasy & Magic, Children's Books - Young Adult Fiction, Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9), Zombies, Love & Romance, Monsters, Horror & Ghost Stories, Social Issues - Friendship, Prejudices, Social Issues - Dating & Sex
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given three AP credits, providing you give your full and best effort to the program."
She waited a moment for that to sink in. Phoebe wondered if AP credits were enough of a carrot to interest anyone. Many of the students in the audience were clearly put off by the whole topic, and she looked around to see if any of the differently biotic students had any feelings about the proposed course.
"There are two components of the work study. First, you will have to work. We have a variety of positions that we need to staff: clerical, maintenance, and security. You will be paid for your time. The second component is that you must participate in a weekly DB focus group, where traditionally biotic students will meet in a moderated discussion with DB students. The goal at all times will be acceptance; we understand the road to acceptance can only be taken through mutual understanding."
She paused, basking in the stillness of the room. "Are there any questions?"
Very few hands went up. Angela pointed at one toward the front.
"What do you mean by 'differently biotic'? Are you saying that dead kids are alive?"
Phoebe couldn't see the girl who had asked the question, but she could see Ms. Hunter's wry grin.
"No," she said, "I am saying they are differently biotic--that they are alive in a different way than, say, you and a mushroom are alive." Phoebe smiled; the smarter kids in the school laughed.
"In truth, we do not understand the biology of a DB
105
person. It is one of the fields that our foundation is endeavoring to explore."
"Why do only teenagers come back as zomb--as differently bionic?"
" Biotic . We don't know yet; nor do we know why the phenomenon seems to happen only to American children. But surely there is a clue there; a popular theory is that there is something that triggers the process in the series of immunizations that American children undergo."
Ms. Hunter nodded to a girl on the aisle near the front of the room.
"My dad says that it isn't natural, people coming back from the dead. He says that there's stuff in the Bible that talks about the dead coming up out of their graves, and that it means the world will end soon."
Ms. Hunter frowned, but Phoebe thought her expression was one of concentration rather than disgust.
"With all due respect to your father's beliefs," she replied evenly, "we have found nothing in our extensive studies that suggests the phenomena of the differently biotic is a sign of the Apocalypse. Of course, we could be wrong, but we prefer to look at the phenomenon as a scientific puzzle to be answered rather than a metaphysical conundrum."
There was a thin pale arm among the few that were raised, and when Ms. Hunter smiled and pointed, the question was slow in coming. Phoebe could hear Margi's sharp intake of breath next to her.
Colette.
106
"Can ...dead ...kids ...join ...too?"
Phoebe thought she could write all of Colette's post-demise speech on a single Post-it note.
Angela's response was effusive. "Absolutely. As I said, Oakvale High has the distinction of being the first school in the state to commit to creating a DB studies program. I think the experience will be more rewarding for everyone if we get a strong DB enrollment."
She focused on Colette as she spoke, as though the warmth of her smile could bring some color back to her pale dead skin.
"I believe we have time for one more question ...Yes, in the blue sweatshirt."
"How much do you pay?"
Ms. Hunter laughed. "You could probably make more at the mall. But the educational work study is certain to look better on your college application than a part-time gig at Cinnabon."
Principal Kim rejoined Angela at the podium. She waited for the polite laughter to end, then she said, "Thank you all for giving us the chance to talk to you today. I am hoping to see a good number of you at the foundation."
Principal Kim began clapping and allowed the students to clap for a few listless minutes before talking about how the
She waited a moment for that to sink in. Phoebe wondered if AP credits were enough of a carrot to interest anyone. Many of the students in the audience were clearly put off by the whole topic, and she looked around to see if any of the differently biotic students had any feelings about the proposed course.
"There are two components of the work study. First, you will have to work. We have a variety of positions that we need to staff: clerical, maintenance, and security. You will be paid for your time. The second component is that you must participate in a weekly DB focus group, where traditionally biotic students will meet in a moderated discussion with DB students. The goal at all times will be acceptance; we understand the road to acceptance can only be taken through mutual understanding."
She paused, basking in the stillness of the room. "Are there any questions?"
Very few hands went up. Angela pointed at one toward the front.
"What do you mean by 'differently biotic'? Are you saying that dead kids are alive?"
Phoebe couldn't see the girl who had asked the question, but she could see Ms. Hunter's wry grin.
"No," she said, "I am saying they are differently biotic--that they are alive in a different way than, say, you and a mushroom are alive." Phoebe smiled; the smarter kids in the school laughed.
"In truth, we do not understand the biology of a DB
105
person. It is one of the fields that our foundation is endeavoring to explore."
"Why do only teenagers come back as zomb--as differently bionic?"
" Biotic . We don't know yet; nor do we know why the phenomenon seems to happen only to American children. But surely there is a clue there; a popular theory is that there is something that triggers the process in the series of immunizations that American children undergo."
Ms. Hunter nodded to a girl on the aisle near the front of the room.
"My dad says that it isn't natural, people coming back from the dead. He says that there's stuff in the Bible that talks about the dead coming up out of their graves, and that it means the world will end soon."
Ms. Hunter frowned, but Phoebe thought her expression was one of concentration rather than disgust.
"With all due respect to your father's beliefs," she replied evenly, "we have found nothing in our extensive studies that suggests the phenomena of the differently biotic is a sign of the Apocalypse. Of course, we could be wrong, but we prefer to look at the phenomenon as a scientific puzzle to be answered rather than a metaphysical conundrum."
There was a thin pale arm among the few that were raised, and when Ms. Hunter smiled and pointed, the question was slow in coming. Phoebe could hear Margi's sharp intake of breath next to her.
Colette.
106
"Can ...dead ...kids ...join ...too?"
Phoebe thought she could write all of Colette's post-demise speech on a single Post-it note.
Angela's response was effusive. "Absolutely. As I said, Oakvale High has the distinction of being the first school in the state to commit to creating a DB studies program. I think the experience will be more rewarding for everyone if we get a strong DB enrollment."
She focused on Colette as she spoke, as though the warmth of her smile could bring some color back to her pale dead skin.
"I believe we have time for one more question ...Yes, in the blue sweatshirt."
"How much do you pay?"
Ms. Hunter laughed. "You could probably make more at the mall. But the educational work study is certain to look better on your college application than a part-time gig at Cinnabon."
Principal Kim rejoined Angela at the podium. She waited for the polite laughter to end, then she said, "Thank you all for giving us the chance to talk to you today. I am hoping to see a good number of you at the foundation."
Principal Kim began clapping and allowed the students to clap for a few listless minutes before talking about how the
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