The Zombie's Baseball Game

In the backyard where the grass grew soft and green, Mia found something strange peeking from under the old oak tree. It was a zombie—but not a scary one. This zombie had floppy orange hair, one button eye, and a stitched smile that looked friendly.

"Hello," Mia said bravely.

The zombie sat up. "Hello! I'm Zimby. I've been sleeping for a hundred years. I dreamed about baseball."

Mia's cat, Whiskers, crept closer, her tail puffed with curiosity. The neighbor's dog, Barnaby, trotted over, wagging his tail so hard his whole body wiggled.

"I love baseball!" Mia cheered. "But we need more players."

Zimby's button eye twinkled. "Reach into your pocket."

Mia reached in and pulled out a glowing orange ball. It pulsed like a tiny heart.

"Magic!" Zimby clapped his stuffed hands. "Whoever touches this becomes real for the game."

Mia touched the orange to her cat, then to Barnaby. Suddenly, Whiskers stood on two legs, holding a tiny bat. Barnaby wore a cap and gloves.

"Play ball!" Zimby shouted.

They played until the moon rose. Whiskers hit a home run that bounced off the stars. Barnaby caught a fly ball in his teeth. Zimby ran the bases slowly, stitching stretching with every step.

When the first sunbeam touched the yard, the orange ball dimmed. Zimby grew still again, returning to his spot under the oak tree.

"Thank you for the best game ever," he whispered, closing his button eye.

Mia tucked the orange ball in her pocket. Whiskers curled around Zimby's stuffed body, and Barnaby lay beside them. In the magical twilight between sleeping and waking, anything is possible—even a zombie who loves baseball, and friends who will wait forever for the next game to begin.

Mia learned that sometimes the scariest-looking things just want to play, and friendship comes in all shapes, sizes, and stitches.