Outbreak Read Online Free Page B

said, pedalling faster so she was level with me. ‘But he should be in the bus, working.’
    We silently glided up her neighbour’s driveway and across the grass, then around the side of Sophie’s house. ‘We’ll leave the bikes here,’ Sophie whispered, ‘so Dad won’t see them if he comes out of the bus.’
    We slipped along the fence and around into the back yard.
    â€˜There’s a spare key hidden here.’
    Sophie rolled aside a rock that lay near the back door. Under it, poked into the ground, was a key. She pulled it out and dusted it off, then slotted it into the lock. The back door swung open.
    We crept through the laundry and into the hallway. Sophie led the way toward her bedroom. We didn’t take any chances,tiptoeing until the door of Sophie’s bedroom was shut behind us.
    â€˜Phew.’ Sophie slumped down onto her bed.
    I sat in the chair in front of her desk. From there, I could see the old yellow bus parked out near the street. The door was closed. Mr Knight was inside. We were safe, for now.
    â€˜So where could he be?’ Sophie asked finally.
    â€˜He’s in the bus,’ I told her.
    â€˜Not my dad — Michael ! He can’t have just disappeared. Where has he gone?’
    I shook my head. Who would want him? Mum and Dad weren’t rich; they wouldn’t be able to pay a ransom. The only reason anyone would kidnap him was because of me. But I wasn’t going to suggest that again.
    â€˜It’s something to do with you,’ said Sophie suddenly. ‘It’s because you’re a zombie.’
    â€˜A half zombie,’ I corrected her, relieved she finally thought the same as I did.
    Most people don’t know there’s a difference between a full zombie and a half zombie, but there is, and it’s a big one.

    Full-zombie
    A full zombie attacks people. It’s driven by an uncontrollable instinct to kill. But a half zombie resists the urge to eat brains. Even though sometimes I’ve felt like doing it, I haven’t attacked anyone. Yet. ‘I wonder why . . .’ I began.

    Half-zombie
    The colour drained from Sophie’s face. ‘Maybe they want to turn him into a zombie too.’
    The thought of Michael being turned into a zombie made me feel sick. He would be even more annoying! ‘We can’t let that happen!’
    â€˜Then we have to think. Where would they take—’
    There was a noise outside Sophie’s door. Then the handle turned and a voice said, ‘Soph? Is that you?’
    Mr Knight’s head appeared around the door. ‘Shouldn’t you be at school?’
    â€˜I forgot my lunch,’ said Sophie quickly.
    â€˜No you didn’t,’ said Mr Knight. ‘I saw you put it in your bag.’
    A look of panic crossed Sophie’s face. ‘It’s Michael,’ she blurted out. ‘He’s disappeared.’
    Mr Knight frowned. ‘What do you mean?’
    â€˜We don’t know for sure,’ I said quickly, wishing Sophie hadn’t told him. ‘But he’s not in class and I know he went to school this morning.’
    Mr Knight smiled. ‘You can both relax because Michael is here with me. He’s out in the bus right now.’
    My mouth dropped open.
    â€˜I rang the headmaster this morning,’ Mr Knight went on, ‘and asked if one of the students was available for an interview. It’s for my latest book. Didn’t I tell you it was set at the school?’
    I nodded. I was so surprised I couldn’t speak.
    â€˜I’ll take you guys to the bus and you can join us. The more kids I interview, the better.’ Mr Knight disappeared into the hallway.
    When he was gone, Sophie turned to me. ‘So Michael’s not missing after all!’
    I couldn’t believe it either. How did we get it so wrong?
    Still surprised, we stumbled out to the front yard. By the time we caught up with Mr Knight, he was