Some of the zombies throw their fellow zombies upwards to grab at the hull of Bonny’s Revenge, which is flying just meters above them. Justin is screaming something at them, but I can’t hear what. He is obsessed by his dream, just like Joy said. 

Even as the zombies crawl up the hull, Master Mind leaps off the deck and jumps hundreds of meters back to our island. I can’t believe he can do that. 

Master Mind lands accurately next to me. 

“There was only one jetpack, Little Pirate,” he hands it to her. “Save yourself.” 

Joy shakes her head. 

I notice now for the first time that there is only a little bit of water between the island that houses Suzy’s and mine suburban home and the new zombie-infested land that Justin created. The zombies can easily come here.

Joy points to Suzy and me. “Them first.” 

“Little Pirate,” Master Mind’s voice quakes as he talks, “the Pirate’s instructions were clear: First save the girl, then save the grandparents.” 

Joy steps back, refusing to touch the jetpack. “No. They won’t die because of me! Save them first and come back for me!” 

“Your bravery fills my circuits with fear! My paper heart will not survive if harm befalls you!”  

“Master Mind, you’re wasting time!” she orders him without raising her voice. “Save them! Now!” 

Master Mind whirls around and looks at me. He puts the jetpack on himself. 

Without waiting for anyone to move, he grabs me with one hand and Suzy with another. He squeezes me to press the button. 

And suddenly we are zooming upwards. Suzy and I both yell in surprise and panic. 

Now we are kilometers above the ground and closer to the suns. 

Master Mind picks the closest sun and aims towards the tunnel in its center. 

I look down at the small island that is our home. It is being overrun by zombies now. Joy can’t be seen anywhere. 

Did she survive? Had she sacrificed herself so that we can live? I am overcome with grief, as I imagine that to be true. 

We land on the edge of the tunnel. 

“Wait here,” Master Mind says as he jumps off and fires the jetpack, accelerating downwards.

“I can’t see her,” Suzy says, looking down. 

“Me neither,” I shake my head. 

“Could she have survived that?” 

I shake my head again. I don’t know. 

—Told by Grampa Walt