zombies right before his eyes? Leo recorded more strange stuff in his notebook as the day went on:
10:20. Media. Mrs. Snyder stares at blank computer screen for whole class. DOES NOT BLINK ONCE.
12:45. P.E., swimming pool. Molly Fisher floats FACE DOWN for 45 minutes. Mr. Brown pulls her out of the pool by one leg. She barfs green water and walks away.
1:01. Math. Maddie Lee turns her head in my direction. Must be zombie. NO OTHER POSSIBLE EXPLANATION!
“What are we going to do?” Chad whispered to Leo as the two friends passed on the way to their reading groups at 2:03.
“I don’t know,” Leo admitted. “I mean, they’re not biting, at least not yet. Did you see any attacks?”
“Attacks of creepiness,” Chad said. “Did you see that stuff coming out of Jeremy Berry’s ear?”
“I need to talk to Roger,” Leo said. “He can help us figure out what’s happening. But for now, we need to protect as many people as possible. It’s time for Operation Zombie Code. Meet me by the flagpole at 3:13.”
CHAPTER 3
OPERATION ZOMBIE CODE
Leo knew he was a zombie expert. But outside the lab, he didn’t like getting his hands dirty. And for that matter, he really hated talking to adults. Or talking to kids he didn’t know. Or talking to a group of kids. And those skills were exactly what Operation Zombie Code required. This was where Chad came in handy.
“So here’s what you have to read.” Leo handed Chad a sheet of paper. “But first we have to get Principal VanSchlossen’s permission.”
“I’ll win him over with a sick armpit fart.” Chad pumped his hand inside his T-shirt to demonstrate.
“This is serious, Chad. Principal V barely ever lets kids do morning announcements.”
“But nobody can resist the charms of The Chad. Check it out.” Chad held out the paper and read aloud in his deepest voice:
“Fellow Students and Staff of Rotfield Middle School: You may be in serious danger. A zombie virus is likely spreading within our school walls. Do not panic! The source is yet to be known. In the meantime, protect yourself by following the Three-Point Zombie Code of Conduct.
“Rule #1: Do not touch anyone. No hugs, no high fives, no tagging, nothing.
“Rule #2: Do not make loud noises. This could trigger a zombie attack.
“Rule #3: Do not eat strange food. This includes school food.
“Thank you in advance for your cooperation. Stay tuned for updates from your zombie research team, Leo Wiley and Chad Romero.”
“Perfect!” Leo said. “Now comes the hard part.”
“No prob,” Chad said. He was already leading the way to the principal’s office. Leo could suddenly feel his intestines squeezing the ham sandwich he’d had for lunch.
Principal V’s door had a smoky white glass window. In an arc across the top of the window were gold capital letters that said, “EVIL GENIUS AT WORK.”
“Ooooh,” Leo groaned. He leaned against the wall and hugged his stomach.
“It’s just a joke,” Chad said. He stood on his toes to peek through the window. “He’s at his desk.” And before Leo could get more nervous, Chad was pounding on the glass.
The door creaked open slightly. “Who goes there?” The principal had clearly been in the middle of something. He glared down at them through tiny square glasses on the tip of his nose. A black rubber band kept the glasses on tight. It stretched around his fluffy ball of hair and dented the middle so his head looked like a fuzzy gray mushroom. He was wearing spotless white gloves. White cloths hung from his belt like a hula skirt.
“What do you want?” He spat a fine mist that sparkled on Chad’s curly brown hair.
Chad began, “Sir, we’re here because—”
“How dare you interrupt me when I am doing my work? ” the principal said with a huffy breath. After a moment, he opened the door wide with one foot and waved them gruffly into his office.
“Whoa,” Leo said. Every wall was lined with narrow shelves from top to bottom. Each shelf
10:20. Media. Mrs. Snyder stares at blank computer screen for whole class. DOES NOT BLINK ONCE.
12:45. P.E., swimming pool. Molly Fisher floats FACE DOWN for 45 minutes. Mr. Brown pulls her out of the pool by one leg. She barfs green water and walks away.
1:01. Math. Maddie Lee turns her head in my direction. Must be zombie. NO OTHER POSSIBLE EXPLANATION!
“What are we going to do?” Chad whispered to Leo as the two friends passed on the way to their reading groups at 2:03.
“I don’t know,” Leo admitted. “I mean, they’re not biting, at least not yet. Did you see any attacks?”
“Attacks of creepiness,” Chad said. “Did you see that stuff coming out of Jeremy Berry’s ear?”
“I need to talk to Roger,” Leo said. “He can help us figure out what’s happening. But for now, we need to protect as many people as possible. It’s time for Operation Zombie Code. Meet me by the flagpole at 3:13.”
CHAPTER 3
OPERATION ZOMBIE CODE
Leo knew he was a zombie expert. But outside the lab, he didn’t like getting his hands dirty. And for that matter, he really hated talking to adults. Or talking to kids he didn’t know. Or talking to a group of kids. And those skills were exactly what Operation Zombie Code required. This was where Chad came in handy.
“So here’s what you have to read.” Leo handed Chad a sheet of paper. “But first we have to get Principal VanSchlossen’s permission.”
“I’ll win him over with a sick armpit fart.” Chad pumped his hand inside his T-shirt to demonstrate.
“This is serious, Chad. Principal V barely ever lets kids do morning announcements.”
“But nobody can resist the charms of The Chad. Check it out.” Chad held out the paper and read aloud in his deepest voice:
“Fellow Students and Staff of Rotfield Middle School: You may be in serious danger. A zombie virus is likely spreading within our school walls. Do not panic! The source is yet to be known. In the meantime, protect yourself by following the Three-Point Zombie Code of Conduct.
“Rule #1: Do not touch anyone. No hugs, no high fives, no tagging, nothing.
“Rule #2: Do not make loud noises. This could trigger a zombie attack.
“Rule #3: Do not eat strange food. This includes school food.
“Thank you in advance for your cooperation. Stay tuned for updates from your zombie research team, Leo Wiley and Chad Romero.”
“Perfect!” Leo said. “Now comes the hard part.”
“No prob,” Chad said. He was already leading the way to the principal’s office. Leo could suddenly feel his intestines squeezing the ham sandwich he’d had for lunch.
Principal V’s door had a smoky white glass window. In an arc across the top of the window were gold capital letters that said, “EVIL GENIUS AT WORK.”
“Ooooh,” Leo groaned. He leaned against the wall and hugged his stomach.
“It’s just a joke,” Chad said. He stood on his toes to peek through the window. “He’s at his desk.” And before Leo could get more nervous, Chad was pounding on the glass.
The door creaked open slightly. “Who goes there?” The principal had clearly been in the middle of something. He glared down at them through tiny square glasses on the tip of his nose. A black rubber band kept the glasses on tight. It stretched around his fluffy ball of hair and dented the middle so his head looked like a fuzzy gray mushroom. He was wearing spotless white gloves. White cloths hung from his belt like a hula skirt.
“What do you want?” He spat a fine mist that sparkled on Chad’s curly brown hair.
Chad began, “Sir, we’re here because—”
“How dare you interrupt me when I am doing my work? ” the principal said with a huffy breath. After a moment, he opened the door wide with one foot and waved them gruffly into his office.
“Whoa,” Leo said. Every wall was lined with narrow shelves from top to bottom. Each shelf
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