Journal of the Undead (Book 1): Littleville Uprising by S.G. Lee Page B

it away as if he were on fire.
    “Emma, please, it’s not what you think.”
    “Alright, everyone get to class!” the closest teacher commanded.
    As the group started to disperse, Emma’s legs finally obeyed. She teetered down the hall and Evan started after her.
    “Mr. Stone, your class is this way. Move it!” Mr. Turner called after him.
    Evan had no choice but to turn around and head to his class. He was in enough trouble at home and Mr. Turner would call his parents.
    Resisting the urge to run, Emma walked briskly in the opposite direction. She did not, however, turn into her classroom. Instead, she continued walking down the hall, out the door, and through the parking lot. With tears streaming down her face, she took off running from the school’s property. She didn’t stop until she reached her front door. Once she reached the safety of her own bedroom, her knees buckled and she fell to the floor sobbing.
    ***
    The instant the bell rang, Evan dashed out of his classroom to search for Emma. Having the same idea, Matt raced through the crowded halls hoping to spot her. Christy volunteered to check the girls’ bathrooms but Emma wasn’t there either. Risking dire consequences, Matt skipped football practice to search for Emma. He knew his coach would be furious and later he’d pay dearly, but for now he had to find his sister. Evan was torn; if he didn’t go straight home after school his parents would kill him, but Emma’s pain was breaking his heart.
    Matt pushed him toward his car. “Just go home, Evan. I’ll fix it. I promise.”
    ***
    Emma was curled up in a ball on the floor crying when she heard their car coming down the street. Hours had passed and school was over. Unable to face Matt, she locked her bedroom door. He had always been her rock; an anchor while adrift in a sea of cruel taunts by classmates and Jillian. When the other kids made fun of her, calling her a nerd or a geek, Matt had always defended her. He’d always been her best and oftentimes only friend, but now he had finally turned on her. Deep down, she’d always feared he would.
    She opened her music library and cranked up the volume. She wouldn’t give Matt the satisfaction of hearing her sob like a little girl. She had determined that Matt and Whitney planned her humiliating scene together and, of course, Evan was in on the scheme. Still, she couldn’t decide who had betrayed her more, Matt or Evan.
    “But he said he loved me,” Emma scoffed bitterly. “Yup, sounds just as pathetic when I say it.” She laughed hysterically while fresh tears rolled down her cheeks.
    As Matt got out of the car he was greeted with the angry, gravelly voice of the lead singer to one of one of Emma’s favorite bands growling about how much people suck. Matt drew in a sharp breath, realizing she had not chosen the censored version. Scanning the street, he breathed a sigh of relief. Most of the neighbors were still at work so there was no one to complain. He dashed upstairs and crashed into Emma’s door. Groaning, he rubbed his jarred shoulder.
    “Since when do you lock your door? C’mon, Em, open up!”
    The sound of his voice released a fresh wave of tears and Emma turned the music up even louder. She quickly generated a new playlist to speak for her. Matt hadn’t seen her cry since their mother’s death and Emma wasn’t about to let that change. She cued songs of rage and betrayal to mask her tearful agony.
    Not willing to accept defeat, Matt went in search of paper and a pen. He scrawled Emma, please open the door. We need to talk. It’s not what you think on the page and shoved it under the door. Emma snatched up the paper and, without looking at it, tore it to shreds then stuffed it back through the gap.
    “Emma, I know you can hear me. Open the door! Please, just listen to me.”
    Emma cued her playlist to replay over and over—just in case he missed her meaning the first time.
    ***
    Evan had rushed home. It was risky but he decided