Could the road to the afterlife be a two-way street? <p> Derek Stone just turned fourteen. He's lived in the heart of New Orleans with his dad and older brother, Ronny, his whole life. He's a little overweight. He can't hear well out of his left ear. <p> Oh, and he's on the run from the dead.<p> Derek never imagined that the dead could be anything but dead. But there's no denying it. They're back -- and they're after him.<p> He just doesn't know why. <p> And he doesn't have long to figure it out.<p>Excerpt from CITY OF THE DEAD:<p> <p> I'll tell you straight: the dead are coming back. <p> You won't believe it, of course. You'll say it's crazy. It's impossible. It's whatever. <p> Fine. I get it. Most of the time I don't believe it myself. But it's happening, and it affects all of us. <p> If you're smart, you'll listen and be afraid.<p> If you're really smart, you'll run. <p> And you'll do it now, because pretty soon there won't be anywhere to run to.