The Zombie Who Couldn't Swim

Emma's curly hair bounced as she peeked through the fence. Her neighbor's pool shimmered like liquid diamonds under the full moon. She wasn't supposed to be outside this late, but something magical had drawn her to the water.

Then she saw him—a zombie! But not the scary kind from movies. This zombie had bright green skin, friendly purple eyes, and the craziest hair Emma had ever seen. It stuck up in every direction, sparkling like it was filled with tiny stars.

"I'm Zed," the zombie said sadly. "I forgot how to swim."

Emma's older sister had left her iPhone on the patio table. Emma grabbed it and opened the flashlight app, casting a warm glow on Zed's face. "Why don't you just walk on the bottom?"

"Tried that," Zed sighed. "My feet keep floating up. It's very embarrassing."

Emma giggled. She'd never met a zombie who could be embarrassed. "I can teach you! My swim instructor says everyone can learn."

For an hour, Emma sat at the pool's edge while Zed practiced kicking and blowing bubbles. His starry hair dripped glittery droplets that turned into tiny butterflies when they hit the water.

"You're doing it!" Emma cheered when Zed finally paddled across the shallow end.

Zed beamed. "Thank you, Emma! You see, I'm the Guardian of the Magical Pool. I protect it during the day, but at night, I'm supposed to swim to the bottom and polish the magic crystals. Without my nightly swim, the pool loses its power to grant wishes."

Emma's eyes widened. "Wishes?"

Zed nodded. "One wish for anyone brave enough to help a zombie. What's your heart's desire?"

Emma thought carefully. She could wish for anything—unlimited candy, a puppy, or even to fly. But she looked at Zed, who had become her friend in just one hour.

"I wish that everyone could see that zombies aren't scary," Emma said. "They're just people who need friends too."

The pool erupted in rainbow light. Zed's hair sparkled brighter than ever as he hugged Emma.

"Best wish ever," he whispered.

The next morning, Emma's hair had tiny sparkles in it—the kind that only appear when you've made magic the night before. And sometimes, when she looked at her neighbor's pool, she could see Zed waving from beneath the water, reminding her that friendship is the greatest magic of all.