The Zombie Who Forgot How to Smile

Lily loved summer evenings. The air smelled like sunscreen and magic. She was running through the park, her bare feet tickling the grass, when she heard a strange sound near the old swimming pool.

SPLASH. GROAN.

Lily stopped. The pool had been closed for years. The fence had a hole in it, just big enough for a curious girl to squeeze through.

Inside, something was moving in the moonlight. It looked like a person, but its skin was green and pale, and it walked stiffly, like it had forgotten how to bend its knees.

A zombie! Lily's heart raced, but she didn't run away. Her grandmother always said, "Sometimes things that seem scary are just lonely."

"Hello?" Lily called out softly.

The zombie froze. It turned slowly. Its eyes were sad and milky-white.

"I... I used to be the lifeguard here," it croaked. "But I forgot how to leave. I forgot how to smile. I forgot everything except walking around this pool."

Lily stepped closer. "What's your name?"

"I forgot that too."

"I'm Lily." She grinned. "Want to play?"

The zombie looked confused. "Play?"

Lily started running around the pool, laughing. "Catch me if you can!" She tagged the zombie's arm. "You're it!"

The zombie's eyes widened. Then, slowly, it began to run too. At first stiff and jerky. Then faster. Smoother. Its green face started turning pink again.

They ran and ran, splashing through puddles, dancing in moonlight. The zombie was running like a real person now, and as they ran, something magical happened. It started to laugh.

"I remember!" it shouted. "My name is Marco! I love swimming! I love summer!"

Marco's skin was normal now. He remembered everything.

"Thank you, Lily," Marco said, hugging her. "You helped me remember that joy is the best magic."

That night, Lily learned something wonderful: sometimes the bravest thing you can do is run TOWARD the scary things. Sometimes they just need a friend to help them remember how to smile.