The Zombie Who Loved Lightning

Leo sat by the window, watching the storm. Raindrops danced on the glass. Lightning flashed across the sky, turning the dark bedroom bright as day for just a moment.

Leo's dog, Buster, a golden retriever with floppy ears, shivered under the bed. Buster hated storms. Every rumble of thunder made him whine.

"It's okay, buddy," Leo whispered.

On Leo's nightstand sat Mr. Bones, a small toy zombie his sister had given him. Mr. Bones had green skin, one eye that popped out, and a friendly grin. Leo didn't think he was scary at all. He thought Mr. Bones looked lonely.

Suddenly, lightning struck outside. CRACK! The TV cable outside their window glowed with magical blue light that streamed into Leo's room. The sparkly light swirled around Mr. Bones.

Leo gasped. Mr. Bones blinked. His popped-out eye spun around. Then the tiny zombie stretched and yawned.

"Wonderful!" Mr. Bones squeaked. "I've waited so long for a storm like this!"

"You're alive!" Leo cried.

"And you're brave!" Mr. Bones climbed down the nightstand using the cable like a rope. "Most children hide from lightning. But you watch the magic."

Mr. Bones waddled to the bed and peeked underneath. "Hello there, frightened friend."

Buster's nose appeared. He sniffed the tiny zombie. Then the dog crawled out, his tail wagging slowly.

"I love lightning storms," Mr. Bones said. "They're full of magic! Let me show you why thunder is nothing to fear."

The tiny zombie led Buster to the window. "That's just the sky saying hello! And thunder? That's just clouds high-fiving!" Mr. Bones danced, making silly faces. Buster wagged his tail and barked playfully at the next rumble.

"You see," Mr. Bones said, "scary things aren't so scary when you have friends. And when you understand them, they might even be magical!"

They watched the storm together, making up stories—lightning was a dragon's sneeze, a giant taking pictures, the moon winking.

When Leo woke up the next morning, Mr. Bones was still as a regular toy. But Buster wasn't afraid anymore. And Leo noticed Mr. Bones's grin looked just a little bigger than before.

Leo smiled. He knew magic was real, friends could be found anywhere, and being scared was much easier when you weren't alone.