Text Leveling System

Diary of a Roblox Zombie Invasion

RDQ:	2325	Max Word/Sent	31	Total Words	3111		Diff Words	898
Lex	950	Ave Word/.Sent	8	Hi Freq occurs	2194	70.5%	Hi freq	372	41.4%
AR	5.5	Long Sentences	3.9	Low Freq occurs	172	5.5%	Low freq	133	14.8%

Monday afternoon
you are about to get bloxxed.
I said, punching away at my controller.
Not if I get you first, Ari. Zeke turned his avatar on the screen]]
To face me. A spray of lasers came firing out of his super blaster in the game.
I ducked.
Ha ha, missed. I yelled.
Suddenly, there was an epic boom on screen and the head of my zombie avatar went flying off his shoulders. This was quickly followed by zeke's avatar’s legs falling off and his zombie collapsing into a heap of green goo.]]
Hey, what the? I squealed in protest.
Bloxxed, Jez said with a laugh.
Jez’s Zombie hunter avatar stood triumphantly on the screen with the word winner flashing over her head. She'd blasted zeke and me the zombie avatars to pieces and had won the game.
Bruh, You always win when you're the zombie hunter, I whined. How do you do it?]]
Pure skill, Jez said, her eyebrows raised.
Rematch? Zeke challenged.
Nah, I'm done, Jez said throwing the controller to the floor.
I'll play you, zeke, one more round then i've gotta go, I said, resetting the game.
Jez Opened her laptop and started flicking through all her systems. Jez was a tech Whiz and the best hacker I knew. She had all these trackers on]]
different systems. She tracked secret portals, army databases, and even the school computers. She never liked to be away from her laptop for too long in case there was something interesting happening online.
Without Jez playing as the zombie hunter, zeke and i were able to blitz the field of other zombies until only the two of us were left. We now had to race to get to the final checkpoint before sunrise, at which time we had melt into a puddle of oozy green liquid and it’d be game over.]]
Meanwhile, Jez was tapping away on her keyboard.
A head poked around the corner of the doorway. Hey, Jez. Jez’s little brother, Max, was looking at her with wide eyes. But he got no response.
Jez. He repeated.
Jez Kept tapping, oblivious.
Jez.
huh? What is it, Max? Jez said, annoyed that he'd interrupted her.]]
Mom said you and your friends can have some cookies, he said, proudly holding up a chocolate chip cookie. We made them this afternoon.
Ah, No thanks, Jez said, waving her hand dismissively.]]
Max looked down, disappointed.
I'd love to try one, Max, I said.
Max looked up excitedly then darted back to the kitchen to grab more of his cookies for us.
Me too, Max. Zeke called after him.
He's so annoying, Jez mumbled.
He's cute. I said. You're too mean to him, I joked.]]
Jez Rolled her eyes. You wouldn't be saying that if it were yours sister, Ally.
Jez was right. But Ally wasn't cute like Max. She was totally annoying.
Max bounded back in with a plate of cookies. He held it out to zeke and me, and we took one each. Again he offered one to Jez, and again she waved him away with her hand.
Max stood, watching, waiting for us to take a bite.]]
Wow, these are great, Max. I said as I chewed the slightly overcooked cookie.
Pro Baker. Zeke added.
Max beamed.
You can go now, Jez said without looking up.
Max's face fell as he walked out of the room.
Maybe we should let Max play? I offered.]]
No point, Jez said flatly. He hates gaming.
Oh.
And computers and coding and hacking and everything else that's cool, she added. We have absolutely nothing in common.
I turned back to the game right as zeke blasted my zombie head off. it went flying across the screen and landed in the river, then bobbed away with the current.]]
Bloxxed! Zeke yelled.
I threw a cushion at him and he threw it back, laughing. Whoa, Jez breathe as something chimed on her computer.
What is it? Zeke said, leaning in closer. I crawled around behind Jez and peered over too. She had an app open labeled portal tracker.
Not this again, I complained.]]
No, look, she said. I think I've found one.
Jez was obsessed with finding a portal to another dimension. I still wasn't sure portals existed, but zeke's dad was in the army and he said they tracked them all the time. But portals rarely just show up in a town like blockville.
Look here, Jez said, pointing to a map that had a radar detection system on it. There were different colors spread across the screen, and in one]]
spot there was a blinking red dot above a cloud of swirling purple pixels. This is definite portal activity, she said.
Where? I asked, leaning closer.
She pointed to an area on the map that was on the outskirts of town. I knew the place well. It was an abandoned industrial compound and we'd been there before. We had almost been captured by a monster there, but after we escaped, the monster disappeared. Sometimes I'd wondered if it even happened]]
at all, or if it was just a dream. I'm not going back to that creepy place, I said, shaking my head.
But this could be our chance. Imagine if there really is a portal. She said breathlessly.
Yeah, and now imagine what might come out of that portal, I asked, eyebrows raised.
But how often do we get to track a real portal? It's too good to refuse, Jez pleaded.]]
We both looked at zeke. OK, I admit, it's pretty cool. Maybe we could just go to check it out. You know, on the down low, he said.
Well, it's getting dark and I have to go home, I said, glancing at the clock on the wall.
We can go tomorrow afternoon. Jez said. According to portal tracker, this portal is still forming. It won't even be open yet. We have time.
I'm in, said Z, smiling.]]
Find, I said.
Yes. Jez cheered.
Where are we going? A voice said from the doorway. We are not going anywhere, Max, Jez said, standing up and gently pushing her little brother back through the doorway. And you need to stop spying on me.
You never let me have any fun with you. Max said, tears filling his eyes. Then he ran off to his room.]]
Little sneak, Jez muttered. So, tomorrow? After school?
OK, zeke and I said in unison.
I gathered my stuff and said thanks to Jez's mom for having me over. Then I headed out the door to go home.
As I walked the quiet streets of blockville, my mind started going wild with thoughts about all the things that could be in the portal. What if there was another monster but we couldn't escape this time? Or what]]
if it took us to another block world and we became trapped? And while I like the idea of not having to do homework or chores ever again, I'd miss my dog, coda, too much.]]
Tuesday lunchtime
ready for some portal hunting this afternoon? Jez asked excitedly before taking a huge bite of her sandwich. 
Yeah, yeah, I sighed. I was getting a bit bored with her portal obsession.
Who's going portal hunting? A little voice squeaked from behind us.]]
Hi, Gabe, zeke said as they high fived.
Gabe was the smartest little avatar at school. He skipped two grades, so he was often bullied for being a bit of a nerd. But we've gotten to know him better, and turns out he was a cool guy.
Take a seat, I said, shifting along the bench to make more room.]]
I'm on my way to the library, he said, pushing his glasses up his nose. I'm meeting Gus, the new kid, there.
Good for you, I said. The new kid was a lot like Gabe really into studying and science and stuff. It was nice that Gabe had finally found a good friend.
But what are you saying about portal hunting? He asked.
I think I've tracked a portal to the industrial area on the outskirts of town, Jez said proudly. We're]]
gonna go check it out later.
Whoa, be careful, Gabe said. You never know what might come out of one of those.
Like what? I said, a slight quiver in my voice. Ever since we had been chased by a monster in the warehouse, I was not so fond of meeting weird creatures.
I dunno. Monsters, pirates, zombies, Gabe said.
Zombies? Zeke said. cool.]]
Not really. Gabe laughed. You know they, like, eat your brains and stuff. And if one of them touches you, you turn into a zombie too.
I swallowed hard.
You can turn back though, right? I said.
Not unless you blast the boss zombie, Gabe said.
Boss zombie? Zeke asked.
Yeah, like their leader. If you]]
defeated, the zombie infection leaves you and you turn back. But it has to happen Within, like, a few hours, otherwise you are a zombie for life. I read about it online, Gabe explained.
How do you defeat a zombie when it's already dead? I asked.
Gabe shrugged. Good luck. He walked off toward the library.
Man, if something creepy comes out of that portal, I am out of there, I said.]]
Yeah, deal, Jez agreed. I want to investigate, but I'm not happy to be monster dinner or zombie breakfast.
I'll bring snacks. Zeke said cheerfully.
Snacks? How can you think of snacks when we're talking about monsters and zombies? I said.
Zeke shrugged. He was either super brave or he didn't believe anything was coming out of that portal.
Well, we'll see this afternoon,]]
I guess, Jez said. But Is it OK if we go by my house first? I promised my mom that I would walk Max home before we go explore. she rolled her eyes.
Aw, Be nice to the little guy, I said, defending Max.
Yeah, well, we're dropping him at home. He's not coming with us, Jez said firmly.
I had to agree. If there really were monsters coming out of that portal, it was no place for a little avatar.]]
Part of me was excited to go, but the other part was a bit nervous. There was no way I wanted to face the hairy monster in that industrial compound again.
Tuesday after school
and then I ran up the wing and stole the ball.
Uh-huh.
And I dribbled it up the sideline.
Uh-huh.
Then I took this epic kick and the ball sailed through the air.]]
Uh-huh. 
And it bounced off the crossbar. But I took the rebound.
Uh-huh.
And they took another kick and the ball went straight into the goal. And we won.
Uh-huh.
Max stopped walking and frowned. We all turned to look at him. Jez, you aren't even listening to my story.]]
Uh-huh, jez replied, proving his point.
I was listening, Max. It sounded epic.  i said.
Max smiled, but I could tell he was still hurt by jez's behavior.
Sorry, Max, we just have other things on our minds right now, zeke said. We're going to check out a portal and.
A portal? Max Shrieked.
Zeke. Why’d you tell him? Jez]]
Hissed. Now he's going to want to come. 
Can I? Max asked with hopeful eyes.
No, Jesus replied. You're too little and you'll just get in the way.
Max's shoulders drooped.
Maybe next time? I offered.
We reached Jez's house and went through the gate. Max stomped up to the front door and opened it.]]
See you later, Max. I called.
Max turned back and scowled at Jez then walked through the door and slammed it closed behind him.
Little dude seems upset, I said. 
Whatever, Jez dismissed. He has tantrums all the time. he'll get over it. Let's go.
I felt bad about hurting Max's feelings, but my mind quickly returned to the industrial compound. Jess and I dumped our]]
Backpacks on jez's doorstep, but zeke kept his on his back.
Leave your bag, zeke, Jez said.
Nah I've got supplies. He winked.
I knew what that meant. Food. Zeke was always thinking about his stomach and never went anywhere without snacks.
We walked for what seemed like hours before getting to the outskirts of town. The houses became more spread out and the]]
Shops were either run down or completely abandoned.
We finally made it to the compound and it looked exactly the same as it had the last time we were here.]]
We climbed the fence into the compound and looked around. It was completely silent except for the sound of a gentle breeze blowing dust around our feet. Jez coughed slightly.
Just beyond where we stood was an old gas station that I didn't remember seeing last time.]]
It was surrounded by a tall security fence with several no trespassing signs, and a small section of the fence had been detached and pushed inward, like a makeshift gate. It looked like a good hiding spot if we were in danger.
 Where's the portal? Zeke asked.
Jez Pulled her phone out of her pocket and opened the tracking app. Zeke and I looked on, even though we really had no idea what all the green circles and flashing red lights meant.]]
I think it's this way, Jez said, pointing further into the compound.
We walk nervously through the abandoned dirt streets. It was eerily quiet.
Zeke started rifling through his backpack and pulled out a bag of chips. Snack? He asked, offering it to us.]]
Jez shook her head.
How can you think about food at a time like this? I said, also refusing the offer. My stomach was too full of butterflies to be hungry.
Drink, then? He said, opening his backpack and showing us the inside. There were several bottles of soda. When’d  you have time to get so many snacks? Jez asked.
Bought them at the corner store]]
while you were getting Max from his classroom, zeke said, shrugging. Want one?
No, thanks, Jez and I said at the same time.
Jez's app started beeping. I look at her with wide eyes.
This way, she whispered.
We walked past a pile of old tires and a mountain of twisted metal and junk. The same burned out car from last time was still here, and a broken shopping]]
cart was lying upside down.
We stopped outside a particularly dilapidated old building and Jez turned her head from side to side, taking everything in.
Do you. I began.
She hissed.
Her phone beeped louder.
I heard a rustle behind us. We all turned in alarm. There was a light clang as something touched the metal of a barrel sitting]]
Outside the building. The barrel wobbled.
What is it? I whispered, my knees shaking.
The portal? Zeke breathed.
We tiptoed over to the barrel. The barrels were small, so whatever was behind it couldn't be too big.
On the count of three, move the barrel, Jez whispered.
Are you sure? I asked.]]
There are three of us. We'll be stronger than whatever  is behind it, zeke said. I nodded. One two three.
Tuesday afternoon a bit later
zeke did a flying parkour kick, sending the barrel toppling over.
Something screamed. We all screamed.
Max. Jez yelled angrily.
Her little brother was crouched behind the barrel, looking terrified. Was wearing a baseball cap pulled down over his eyes.
What are you doing here? She demanded. I I just wanted to come too, he stammered.
You followed this? Zeke asked.]]
I just wanted to see the portal. I brought some things that could help, he added quickly, trying to open his backpack to show us.
But Jez didn't want to see whatever toys he’d brought along. Max, you are such a pain. She said angrily, shoving his bag aside.
Max's little eyes filled with tears.
And now we have to look after you so you don't get lost, she said, slapping her forehead.]]
Max looked down at his feet. Zeke and I stood in awkward silence as tears dripped from Max's eyes and Jez frowned, furious.
But before we could say anything, a cold wind suddenly whipped through the compound. The wheels on the abandoned cart spun fast, squeaking as they turned. The sky went dark as a huge rain cloud blew in from nowhere. Most frightening of all was the eerie purple light that emanated from behind the building we were standing next to.]]
What's going on? I asked shakily.
We stalked along the building and rounded the corner to see where the light was coming from. And when we got there, we couldn't believe our eyes.]]
Tuesday afternoon even later
whoa we all breathe in unison.
Max trembled and moved in closer to Jez. Jez didn't look so angry anymore and she let him snuggle into her side.
We all stared at the huge beam of purple light, which swirled around in a tornado shape.
Is that. I started.]]
A portal, Jez breathed.
None of us had ever seen one IRL. It was beautiful and scary and ominous all at the same time
we should get out of here, I said after we had a good look. Imagine if we got sucked into it.]]
I'm with Ari, zeek said. I think this is too risky. We've seen, it now let's go.
Just another minute, Jez said, taking a small step toward the portal. I just want to see if I can look inside.
She took another step forward. Max was clinging to her T-shirt and walked toward the portal with her.
Jesus leaned in.
Not so close, Jez. I warned.]]
Max, maybe you should come back here, zeke said, worried about the little avatar.
I can almost see. Jez said, stepping closer. Her hair whipped around her face as the tornado of light spun faster and faster, casting a purple haze across the dry ground.
Jez. I said.
Suddenly a long green arm reached out of the portal. It grabbed Max by the T-shirt and pulled. Jez reached]] 
for her brother, but the green arm was too strong. Max was halfway into the portal.
Jez. Max screamed.
Max. Jez yelled. She lunged forward to try to grab her brother, but the creature leaned all the way out of the portal to push her back. The avatar had a green head with vacant dead eyes that stared straight into Jez. His ragged clothes hung off his body and his wrinkly skin looked like scrunched up old paper. His crooked brown]]
teeth hung loosely from his mouth as he groaned.

Subjective Criteria

Illustrations: No support

Simple graphics, not necessary to text

Dialog: Multiple speakers

Dialog: Broken dialogue

Dialog: Unlabeled Speaker

Vocabulary: Some difficult words

Language: Many descriptive words

Sentences: Multiple phrases

Text structure: Story/Poem

Concept: Fanciful

Concepts: Abstract/Complex Environmental

Bold/Italicized Words

Chapters

Headings

Mature Concepts: With some uncommon experiences

Features

Character development

Integral Setting

Complex plot

First Person

Topic

Danger

Fighting

*Fictional Ideas/Charac

*Family & Friends

Zombies

Low Frequency Words

abandoned	absolutely	according	ally	angrily
annoyed	avatar	avatar's	avatars	blockville
bloxxed	breathed	breathlessly	bruh	casting
challenged	checkpoint	coda	controller	crouched
current	cushion	databases	detection	dilapidated
dimension	disappointed	dismissed	dismissively	dude
dunno	eerie	eerily	emanated	epic
escaped	excitedly	flatly	flicking	frightening
furious	further	gaming	glancing	gonna
gotta	hacker	hacking	haze	hopeful
infection	interrupted	inward	irl	keyboard
labeled	laptop	liquid	loosely	lunged
makeshift	meanwhile	muttered	nah	nervously
nowhere	oblivious	obsessed	obsession	ominous
online	oozy	otherwise	outskirts	overcooked
parkour	particularly	peered	pixels	pleaded
portal	portals	proving	pure	quiver
radar	ragged	rebound	refuse	refusing
rematch	resetting	response	rifling	rounded
rustle	science	scowled	scrunched	section
security	shakily	shoving	shrugged	shrugging
sideline	squealed	stalked	stammered	supplies
surrounded	swallowed	swirled	swirling	tantrums
terrified	toppling	tornado	trespassing	triumphantly
unison	vacant	warehouse	warned	weird
when'd	whined	whipped	whiz	why'd
wobbled	wrinkly	zombie	zombies