I turn to look at him fully. "A talking zombie?"
Lucas nods slowly. "She fights like crazy. She… she killed two of my friends."
Lucas's wide eyes remain locked on mine, his fingers gripping his knees like he's trying to hold himself together. His breath is unsteady, his body curled in on itself like he expects me to laugh at him.
I exhale and shake my head. "Listen, kid. Zombies don't talk."
Lucas doesn't laugh. His lips press together, and his fingers pick at his sleeve again doing small jerky movements like his nerves are fraying. "She did."
I roll my eyes. "No, she didn't. Maybe she groaned a little before ripping into your friends, but I promise you, she didn't say, 'Oh hey, I'm about to eat you.'"
Lucas flinches but doesn't look away. "But…"
"They don't. They groan, they snarl, and they bite. That's it." I hold up three fingers. "Three activities. No talking, no thinking, no pulling off cool martial arts moves. That's not how this works."
