chapter twenty-two

Big Mama speeds toward the Christmas tree farm. But I’m just in a daze, ignoring the world racing by. I wish I was somewhere else. I wish I was someone else—someone who didn’t just see what I saw. . . .

Bardle’s body, lying there. . . .

I feel a hand on my arm. Quint. He says, “I know, Jack. I know.”

I want to scream, “NO! You DON’T know!”

But I say nothing.

I look out, at the trees and buildings racing by. At the Vine-Thingies crawling over everything. This invasion of other-dimensional evil . . .

I shut my eyes tight and as I do, I hear Bardle’s voice. But it’s not my imagination. It’s not something mystic. The voice is real. Somehow, Bardle is speaking to me.

From the beyond . . .

The voice says, “You must remain strong, Jack. You must, because . . .”

“Quint!” I howl. “I’m in mourning! What are you doing??”

“An Obi-Wan thing!”

“Now is not the time for an Obi-Wan thing!”

“I’m sorry!” Quint says. “Emotional situations make me uncomfortable and I don’t know what to do! But I do believe humor can heal even the biggest wounds!”

I turn toward the window to sulk in peace when my heart just about jumps into my throat. Big Mama’s tires are squealing, the brakes screeching, and we’re jolting forward.

Something is moving in the road.

Warg.

Her hundreds of eyeballs glow as the headlights flash over her.

I jump from the truck. The door echoes in the quiet night. Behind me, June says, “Warg? What are you doing here? We were going to the farm—”

“It’s too late,” Warg says.

“What?”

“Thrull came,” she says. “He took them. The zombies. An enormous plant creature made of roots and vines erupted from the soil.”

“The Tendrill,” I growl. “The Tendrill with two Ls.”

“The zombies are gone,” Warg says. “Every last one. . . .”

Warg’s eyes zoom in all directions, searching. Then they narrow their focus on me. Warg quietly asks, “Where is Bardle?”

I open my mouth to tell her, “He’s gone,” and the next second, water begins to pool beneath her body. Every single eyeball leaks tears, forming a puddle so big it might just flood the whole street.

It’s Dirk who kneels down over her and says, “Come on. Let’s get you to the tree house.”