The Afterlife Academy Read Free Page A

hands, noticing the similarities between them. “We’re triplets. Fraternal. But we didn’t die in a cool way like you.”
    “How did
you
die?” Walter asked.
    “Smoke inhalation,” Riley muttered. “Lame. We died in our sleep, which is even lamer.”
    “That sounds awful.” Dying from suffocation had to be a terrible way to go.
    Ronald glanced at the pig clock on the wall. “Yikes, we gotta go.”
    “Where are you guys going?” Walter followed Ronald’s gaze, wondering how he could tell time on a clock with no hands.
    “These boys have been assigned as Afterlife Academy Agents.” Alton twirled his finger in the air. “It’s perhaps the most boring way to spend the eternities.”
    Ronald looked at Walter, grinning from ear to ear. “It rocks, dude! We’ve been given important human targets and high-level missions to protect them.” The other two nodded in unison, eyes wide with excitement.
    “ ‘Important human targets’?” Walter said. “What are you guys, like guardian angels or something?”
    “The correct term is Guardian
Agent.
Or Afterlife Academy Agent. We’re not angels yet,” said Riley.
    “So you go on missions?”
    “Yeah, man.” Ronald playfully socked Walter in the arm. He stuck a hand in one of the compartments of his utility belt and pulled out a small, laminated card. “ ‘Tyrone Underhill,’ ” he read. “ ‘Only son of Sheldon Underhill, CEO of Carmichael Armored Vehicles.’ ”
    Following suit, the other brothers pulled out their own laminated cards.
    “Harold Jenkins,” Riley said. “Grandson of the infamous Myra Jenkins of Jenkins, Poindexter, and Puffins criminal-law firm.”
    “Max Meridian, oldest son of Bruno Meridian, head accountant for the Pomadoro Syndicate, the most notorious crime family in Michigan,” Reginald finished.
    The three brothers exchanged loud high fives.
    “Why do you have to protect them?” Walter asked. Important human targets. Secret missions. Utility belts! It was like James Bond.
    “Because of who their parents are,” Ronald answered. “It makes them targets for the enemies. You know—demons and their Underworld minions. Wraiths. Shades. Their whole existence is centered on invading earth and wreaking havoc. They hate humans and will do anything in their power to cause chaos. These kids have parents who are involved in some pretty dangerous work. If the demons can in any way gain control over something like a criminal organization, they could do some serious damage. That’s why they go after the kids. Kids can be easily turned with a little demonic persuasion. If we don’t step in and protect our targets, terrible things could happen.”
    Walter swallowed. Demons? Wraiths? He’d never believed in those sorts of things. “How’d you guys get that job?”
    “They enrolled in the Afterlife Academy,” Alton said.
    “You can do that?” Being an Afterlife Academy Agent sounded frightening and yet, somewhat intriguing. Walter would much rather do what they were doing than be forced to bounce around the clouds like a Care Bear or clean up after Grim Reapers.
    “Well.” Alton’s voice rose as he stared at the ceiling. “Technically you can, but the Academy has plenty of Agents as it stands. You’ll just add to the overcrowding. I suggest you choose a more fitting Category. The Heavenly Choir is in desperate need of a few hearty baritones.”
    Walter groaned. He had once been forced by his mother to participate in the school choral production. He didn’t exactly have the voice of an angel.
    “Don’t listen to him!” Ronald interjected, stepping between Walter and Alton. “Anyone who’s been struck by lightning is the type of Agent the Academy’s looking for.”
    Walter pumped his fist. Had he still been alive and showing this much interest in attending school, he felt certain his parents would have choked on their own tongues. He hated school. Despised his teachers. Loathed the principal. But this was