It wasn't a big deal. She feels totally normal after zombieing out. It didn't feel completely freeing to turn off her Z-band for even that short little burst of time.

But if she was honest, it did. And it absolutely terrified her.

She sat on her bed, back against the wall, hugging her knees. There was a rage that had burned in her chest when her zombie was out, an anger that scared her. She wasn't sure how far she would go if that fury burned too much. Would she be able to stop herself?

All her life, she'd been taught that her zombie was bad and to keep her locked away. But Zed lets his out all the time and he's always able to stop. But she's not as strong as he is.

A knock on her door made her jump. "Zoe? Didn't you hear Pops calling you?" It was Zed. His brows scrunched with worry when he saw her wide eyed stare. "Are you ok?" He asked, rushing to kneel at her bedside.

"Ha ha! Yeah! Everything's great! Nothing to worry about here!" Zoey tried to lie with a massive fake grin, attempting to slide past her brother off the bed but he caught her by the shoulders. His face was serious with concern, completely unbelieving of her facade.

"What's going on Zoey? You can tell me." He assured her softly.

"I—" She didn't know what to say. Should she tell him? Maybe he could tell her his secret! For keeping his zombie under control all the time! He's her big brother. Always there when she needed him. And she definitely needed him now.

"I'm…scared." She admitted with a sigh, tears stinging the corners of her eyes.

"Scared of what, Zoe?" He pressed, rubbing her arm comfortingly.

"Of, zombieing out…" she told him hesitantly. His brows jumped in surprise but a smile quickly broke out across his face as he hugged her tight. Successfully confusing the pre-teen. He pulled back to look her in the eyes.

"You should feel free and powerful when you zombie out Zoe!!" He said. She dropped her chin but he tilted it back up to keep eye contact, to show he meant it. "It's ok to be afraid, but just know that your zombie isn't bad. She's a part of you and you're the one in control." He encouraged with a sincere smile.

Zoey launched herself into his arms, hugging his neck as tears spilled down her cheeks. She did feel free and powerful. She was afraid that wasn't normal.

But it turns out she's gonna be ok.