Mr. Elkins and the Zombies of Elbert County Read Online Free

and he looked fine.”
    “Well, I better go warn him,” Dwight said, making for his truck. The engine roared out of its slumber, and the red flashing lights went on again. The wheels spun in reverse, then sprayed gravel as he sped off.
    “Should we give Mr. Canaday a call to warn him?” asked Seth.
    “About the zombies or Mr. Yarson?” I responded. “No, Mr. Canaday can handle the zombies and Dwight Yarson. Let’s get to bed. We’ve got a big day ahead of us tomorrow.”
    Even as the words came out of my mouth, I had a hunch that I had greatly underestimated what was in store for us. Ruth and Seth went off to bed and I settled down in our den to make preparations for the next day.
    * * *
    By the time sunlight creased the horizon, I counted three news trucks outside of our house. The Fox Network had their truck there first, of course. Dwight had undoubtedly called Sam Reynolds, the county Sheriff, who put out an APB, which was picked up by the news stations.
    “You won’t be making it over to see the principal this morning,” Ruth said as she peeked out of the curtains. Without saying another word, we set out on our usual morning routine. By the time the kids came down for breakfast, I had coffee brewed and pancakes on the table. Because the kids’ bedrooms and our kitchen faced south, they came down to breakfast unaware of the news trucks.
    “Kids, there’s going to be some activity around here today,” I began. “Some news trucks are parked out front—”
    “News trucks? With TV cameras?” broke in Michael, eyes wide with anticipation. “We’re gonna be on TV! Cool! Wait’ll the kids at school hear about this!”
    “Michael,” corrected Ruth, “You’ve interrupted your father.”
    “Oh, sorry, Dad. Only this is wicked!” Seth elbowed him with a stern look and a shush .
    “Like I was saying, the news trucks and reporters are out there and I’m sure they’d like to interview each of us.” I paused and looked Michael in the eye. “But I’m the only one who’ll be talking to them.” His face sank.
    “But Dad—”
    “Michael, you haven’t even seen them,” Seth snapped.
    “Celia and I both saw them last night, out of Mom and Dad’s bedroom window, when Mr. Yarson was shooting at them. Man, is he a lousy shot!” I noticed Cecelia was staring into her pancakes, avoiding my eyes.
    “The only one,” I reasserted, looking each of them in the eyes. “Your mother and I discussed this last night. When they approach you, and they will if they can, you’re to walk straight ahead with your mother and get on the bus. She’ll meet you after school as well.”
    Michael sunk his head into his propped up hand and stabbed at his pancakes. Cecelia looked a bit confused by it all.
    “I’m sorry I drew a picture of the zombies, Mom. I guess I let the secret out.” I’ve always marveled at that child’s wisdom for one so young.
    “Oh, it’s alright, honey” assured Ruth, rubbing Cecelia’s back. “It was bound to come out sooner or later.”
    “Seth, if you don’t have a test today, I’ll be needing your help around here,” I stated.
    “What?!” Michael blurt out. My raised eyebrow set him straight.
    “Yeah, that’s fine, Dad,” Seth replied. This was a tack we’d only taken a few times in the past, like when a heavy wind had uprooted one of our big cottonwoods and driven it into the roof of our barn. Great shade trees, cottonwoods, but darn near useless in heavy weather. I asked this of Seth a fraction of the time my father had asked it of me when I was in school. On a family farm, a father walks this fine line cautiously, knowing that his children’s education comes first, yet facing urgent situations when extra hands are needed. And Seth understood his role to do his best at school in order to be prepared for times like this.
    Breakfast finished and cleared up, Ruth helped the kids on with their coats and backpacks, then waited with them in the foyer.
    “Seth, grab the video