The Zombie Who Loved to Play

Lily's golden retriever, Buster, barked happily as they walked past the old community center. Something green peeked through the fence.

"What's that?" Lily whispered.

A small zombie shuffled toward them, but this zombie wasn't scary at all. He wore a bright blue bandana and held a padel racket awkwardly in his green hand.

"H-hello," the zombie said shyly. "I'm Zed. I've been watching you play padel from behind the fence. It looks like fun."

Buster wagged his tail and trotted right up to Zed, licking his hand.

"Buster likes you!" Lily laughed. "Do you want to learn how to play?"

Zed's eyes lit up like sparklers. Nobody had ever been kind to him before. Everyone ran away when they saw him coming.

For the next hour, Lily taught Zed how to hold the racket and hit the ball. He was clumsy at first, but he never gave up. Buster chased the balls when they went astray, making Zed giggle.

"You're a really good teacher," Zed said, and Lily noticed he didn't shuffle anymore—he stood tall.

"The pool opens tomorrow!" Lily said. "Would you like to come swimming?"

Zed's smile faded. "I can't. The water will wash off my bandana, and then everyone will see my face."

Lily tilted her head. "But your bandana is already wet from practicing. Let me see."

Gently, she lifted his bandana. Underneath was just a regular boy's face with painted green skin and some fake scars.

"I'm just a kid who loves padel," the boy admitted. "I dressed as a zombie for Halloween, and the paint won't wash off. Everyone's scared of me."

Lily smiled. "Not everyone. Buster likes you. And so do I."

The next day at the pool, everyone saw Zed without his bandana. Some kids stared, but Lily stood beside him, and Buster splashed water happily until everyone joined in the fun.

Zed had found something better than looking scary. He had found a friend who saw past appearances—and a whole community ready to play.