Lie or Die: Blood Moon E-Book

A J Clack

• Herausgeber: Firefly Press Ltd
• Kategorie: Für Kinder und Jugendliche
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 440

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2025

Beschreibung

Lie or Die was just a rehearsal. Reality TV just got darker. Welcome to Blood Moon.

Das E-Book Lie or Die: Blood Moon wird angeboten von Firefly Press Ltd und wurde mit folgenden Begriffen kategorisiert:
Caerphilly Castle,Traitors,Celebrity,Reality TV,Social Media,Truth,Friendship,Thriller,Lies,relationships

Leseprobe

i

PraiseforLieorDie:BloodMoon

‘Clack raises the stakes in LieorDie: BloodMoonwith plenty of plot twists racing towards a gripping ending – a thrilling sequel.’ Ravena Guron, author of ThisBookKills

‘A high-octane thriller packed full of twists, trials and betrayals – I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough! A fantastic sequel to LieorDie, this will leave readers absolutely shell-shocked.’ Kat Ellis, author of TheDevouringLight

‘Twists, turns and tension from the first page, the story flies at breakneck speed towards the adrenaline-fuelled climax. BloodMoonis fun, terrifying, emotional and a fantastic read!’ Tess James-Mackey, author of YouWouldn’tCatchMeDead

‘I flew through this fantastic thriller in one sitting. BloodMoonis an impeccable follow-up to the brilliant LieorDie, with even more twists, turns and edge-of-your-seat moments. Traitorsmeets SquidGamemeets Werewolf, with an atmospheric castle setting and an intriguing cast of characters – YA readers are in for a treat!’ Jan Dunning, award-winning author of TheLastThingYou’llHear

‘TheTraitorsmeets SquidGamethis is reality TV at its deadliest. An adrenaline-fuelled, dark and twisty race for survival where everyone is out for themselves and even those you trust will throw you under the bus. I couldn’t put it down.’ C.L. Miller, author of TheAntiqueHuntersGuideToMurder ii

‘A cleverly plotted heart-racing ride, packed with unpredictable twists and turns and culminating in a shocking climax which will leave you reeling and desperate for more…’ Sue Cunningham, author of TotallyDeceased

‘This book kept me on my toes from start to finish… But when they say trust no one, TRUST NO ONE!’ Zeena Gosrani, author of ThisDarkHeart

‘Another heart-pounding thriller from A.J. Clack, this sequel takes the gore and twists to a whole new level, and I loved every minute of it!’ Amy McCaw, author of TheyOwntheNightand the MinaandtheUndeadseries

‘A thrilling follow up to Kass’ story in LieorDie:BloodMoonis like if TheHungerGamesmet TheTraitors: bloody, brutal and brilliant. The tension and pacing are impeccable and like in all good games of Werewolf, you’re never sure who to trust. I’ll be thinking about this series for a long time to come.’ Elle Machray, author of Remember,Remember

‘I thoroughly enjoyed LieorDie:BloodMoon. It’s exactly the kind of propulsive puzzle I’ve come to expect from Clack, and it’s equally delightful and terrifying to be back with familiar faces and brand new players in an even more unpredictable game. An adrenaline-fuelled new round of thrills and heart-pounding twists!’ Jess Popplewell, author of TheDarkWithinUs

iiiiv

vFor Imi, my partner in crime. vi

viiMore things I’ve learned about reality TV

Big viewing figures mean there’s always a sequel.

Drones. Outside broadcast trucks. Bigger budget, better location.

At no point did anyone mention that when you’re on top there’s nowhere to go but down.

Or that murder was just the beginning…

Contents

Title PageDedicationLie or Die: Blood MoonLewis12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546ContactsAcknowledgementsCopyright

viii

Lie or Die: Blood Moon

Rules of play

Castle Dwellers: All contestants (Peasant or Werewolf) are referred to as Castle Dwellers.

Werewolves:Werewolves must masquerade as Peasants and remain undetected. Each night phase during the blood moon they must murder a Peasant by placing the name of their intended victim in the campfire.

The Alpha: A Werewolf with special powers. He/she has the ability to turn Peasants into Werewolves.

How many the Alpha may turn is determined during the gameplay by the audience. When and who they turn is up to the Alpha.

Peasants: Peasants must uncover the identities of the Werewolves at the Castle Council and avoid being murdered.

CastleCouncil:Held each day. The Castle Council will nominate a suspected Werewolf. Each nomination must be seconded. Two nominations must be made in each council.

The Gauntlet: If found guilty by the Council, the Castle Dweller must run the Gauntlet. If completed, they may leave the game. Players leaving by the Gauntlet will not win the prize money. ix

Character Cards:Various character cards are hidden within the game. These cards allow the holder special powers. These powers can only be used once.

Action Cards: Hidden within the game, these cards give the bearer a specific action or ability. This action can only be used once.

Shields:Hidden throughout the game are a series of immunity shields. These grant the bearer immunity from Castle Council nomination. They may only be used once.

The faction with the majority remaining at the final Castle Council will win the prize money and the title of Ultimate Champions. Production reserves the right to add or take away character cards and action cards and to change any status without warning or explanation.

Status of players will be revealed after an eviction via the Gauntlet and not from murder or death by gameplay.

LIEORDIE:BLOODMOON©Skyegreenproductions

x

xixii

1

Lewis

My knees grind into solid ground, the weight of the world sitting heavily on my shoulders. My fingers claw at the icy soil, splitting nails as the nature beneath my palms fights back. I want to bury myself in the earth but its frozen surface refuses to let me in, as cold and heartless as the castle that spat me out but devoured my friends in one gigantic gulp.

My eyes squeeze shut. Youdon’t getto feelbad.Youjust gettobreathe…One…two…three.My heart’s pounding so fast it’s gonna break my chest… Four…five.

Footsteps hurry towards me. A thick blanket covers my shaking shoulders. Hands under elbows pull me vertical in one easy move that makes me cry out in anguish and tremble with fright.

‘Can you tell us your name?’ Police surround me, as hungry as the BloodMoonwolves.

My words stick in my throat as I struggle to speak. I need to tell them. They need to know what I did.

I chose life. And my choice will forever kill me.

Dragging my eyes away from the castle, I focus on the first face I see.

‘My name is…’ I force myself on, stumbling quickly through my confession. ‘My name is Lewis Ellis, and I killed Kass Kennedy.’ 2

3

1

Five days earlier

Kass

‘What the actual?’ Lewis is staring into my bedroom mirror, hands flapping in the air like helicopter propellers, the hair-dye box squashed beneath his feet. ‘It said copper not bloody tangerine!’

I count to five, forcing my lips straight, and wait.

He pirouettes like a pro, his eyes never leaving his reflection. ‘Actually, it’s pretty cool. I look like Helios, the sun Titan.’

‘More like a titanic pumpkin.’ I giggle as the light reflects off the colour making a haloed ring around his head, sun-like and just as godly. ‘We won’t lose you in a crowd, that’s for sure.’

‘Kass Kennedy, you are sofunny,’ he says smacking his lips together. ‘I am goo-ood. You should try it; it’s liberating. Makes you feel alive…’ His eyes flood with pain.

My stomach plummets to its now normal low and I scramble to lift the mood back up.

‘Maybe,’ I say gently. ‘It’s better than a LavenderHaze.’

He smiles, but his eyes tell a different story as unwelcome memories gatecrash my bedroom. He doesn’t do Swiftisms anymore, not since… And I miss it. I miss before-TV-show Lewis. 4

He shrugs it off, his shoulders a little more slumped than before, and runs his hands through his bright new hair.

I check my phone, a common enough move I know, but ever since hermessage it’s become an obsession. Despite a huge police investigation and our own dedicated DC Brown, Skye Greenhill’s still out there. We may be free of Central Studios and the LieorDiereality-TV show, but she still has us trapped within an imaginary house, forever looking over our shoulders, trusting no one.

And I hate her.

At first we were just happy to be alive, left to grieve the friends we left behind. But then came the attention and the relentless harassment by the media, the followers and the conspiracy theorists who reimagined our story and rewrote our lives.

No one cares about the truth. No one wants to face the facts. Everyone believes the lie. It’s like the world’s gone mad.

And I’m trying to make sense of it all.

And I’m beyond sad.

And I’m angry.

And guilty. I survived while they died. Why? For what? A reality-TV show ambushed by a fame-hungry wannabee and a psychopath.

My phone pings. I grab it, my heart dancing.

‘And what does the tattooed sexy stud want?’ Lewis says. ‘Come on spill, you only get that look when he texts.’ 5

‘What look?’ I push my phone into my pocket. It’s not Rhodri anyway, some number I don’t recognise, prob spam.

‘You lurve him.’

‘Do not,’ I protest as my cheeks flush warm. Arrogant, stubborn and the token bad boy, I so didn’t like him in the game. But Rhodri proved himself to be the strongest and bravest of us all, going into the game to provide his mum and his little sister, Carys, with a better life. He was the one good that came from all the bad. Six months later and I still can’t believe that he’s into me.

‘Oh please, you so do. He’s the only one that can make you smile these days. You’re proper blushing.’ Lewis flops onto my bed. ‘So? How is love in Tonypandy?’

‘Porthcawl.’ I correct him.

‘And what’s Welsh for I’m totally lusting over your bones?’

‘Caudygeg,’ I say.

‘Sorry, what?’ Lewis chokes.

‘Shut up. It means shut up.’ I giggle. ‘Not sure that’s how you pronounce it, but it’s how I remember it.’

Lewis lies back on the pillows. ‘Ahh, how very sexy.’

I pull a face.

Lewis’ eye-lined eyes sparkle with laughter. ‘You’ve got it bad.’

I throw a cushion at him. ‘Stop.’ Lewis and I have been friends since forever. With Thea we form a tight friendship that’s lasted since Reception. Since the game we’re unshakeable. 6

There’s a knock at the door.

‘This just came for you,’ Mum says handing me a parcel. ‘Hi Lewis, nice colour.’

‘Thanks, Mrs K, felt like a change.’ Lewis pushes his hair back from his eyes. ‘It’s the Helios look.’

Mum’s smile is wonky, betraying her confusion but she goes with it. ‘Wasn’t he the one who got too close to the sun?’

‘That was Icarus,’ I say. My fingers drum on the cardboard, waiting for her to go.

‘Helios is the sun,’ says Lewis.

‘Of course he is.’ Mum closes the door behind her.

The box is light in my hands. Lewis passes me the scissors.

‘What you been buying?’ he asks.

‘Nothing.’ I run the scissors down the centre and peel back the flaps. My hands hover over the delicate white paper covering the contents. A weird bubbling sound escapes my throat as I read the small shiny sticker holding it together.

My phone pings again… I ignore it.

‘Kass?’ Lewis scooches towards me, reading over my shoulder. ‘Skygreen Productions.’ He whistles. ‘Shiiiit.’

Every part of me is screaming not to open it but my hands move robotically, independent of my brain. The tissue paper crinkles as I fold it back. Beneath is a handwritten note. 7

You are cordially invited to:

LIE OR DIE: BLOOD MOON

Following the success of series one, we’re looking for more confident & competitive contestants to take part in this ULTIMATEreality-TV survival show.

And we want YOU!

Further instructions to follow.

I can’t breathe. I’m back on the LieorDieset, the theme tune thumping in my head. It’s been months since Skye sent us all the text inviting us to play the game Werewolf. One short text just weeks after the show, then nothing but a claustrophobic silence. We thought she was messing with us, letting us know that she got away, outsmarting and outmanoeuvring us in the game and beyond. As the weeks turned into months we allowed ourselves to hope it was over. All that was left was for the police to do their job and catch her.

Lewis takes the box from me. Ripping it open, he unfolds a white piece of cloth. He recoils with a high-pitched yelp, throwing it onto the bed, eyes wide and terrified.

I force myself to look. It’s a T-shirt, loose with age 8and grubby with wear. On the front is a worn Storm Trooper. Smeared across the picture is a bloody handprint.

My heart is pounding in my ears. I know this T. It belongs to one of the survivors of the game, a geeky Mafia super fan, the most ‘real’ contestant. And if I know the wearer, then the blood soaked across the front like a calling card must also be his.

It’s Max’s.And he’s in trouble.

9

2

I want to scream. I want to shout to my mum downstairs, to Dad, to DC Brown, to anyone who’ll listen. I want to yell until my lungs burn, but the words on the back of the invitation compel me silent.

Thisinviteisconfidentialandintendedfortheaddresseeonly.

Any attempts to inform a third party will be met with the most extreme consequences.

Lewis fumbles with his phone, filling the silence with an expectant ring. No answer. No crazy voicemail message with some weird music that I always say is StarWarsinstead of TheMandalorian, which makes Max really, really mad.

‘He’s not picking up,’ Lewis squeaks.

‘She has him,’ I whisper over the monotonous ring. ‘I know it.’

The ringing stops.

Lewis stares at his phone. ‘Doesn’t mean anything. He’s probably gaming. He got a new game. If he’s wearing headphones he won’t hear his phone.’ His palm hits his forehead. ‘What was it called?’ 10

‘Lewis.’ I try to tell him what he already knows but he’s not listening.

‘He’ll be playing. It’s all a setup. Skye’s screwing with us.’ He slumps onto my bed.

I wish I could hide in Lewis’ denial but the words on the invitation burn my eyes. I perch next to him, Max’s beloved StarWarsT in a poisonous heap on the floor.

I know Skye.

I know how she plays.

My phone buzzes. Max is video calling.

‘What the hell, Max? So not funny.’ Nothing but silence. ‘Max?’

Max presses his face right up to the camera, tears streaming down his cheeks. He looks awful, his lovely dark eyes puffy and bloodshot. His left eye’s bruised and swollen and dried blood cakes the corners of his mouth. The camera pans out to reveal him sat on a chair, hands tied behind his back. There’s a sign hanging around his neck – a snarling wolf’s head, the words Blood Moonin bold black. His head keeps dropping to his chest, like it’s too heavy to hold up, his dishevelled jet-black curls flopping over his face.

He lifts his eyes back to the camera, wild and terrified. ‘Help me.’

The phone goes blank.

We don’t move, frozen to the spot, my horror mirrored on Lewis’ face.

Lewis’ phone pings. Reluctantly he holds it out: 11

52.08393°N, 1.43325°E

BLOOD MOON

23/01-22.00

Don’tbelate.I’mdyingtoplay.

‘What does it mean?’ Lewis whispers.

My eyes scan the numbers, they look familiar in a haven’t-got-a-clue sort of way.

Lewis is pacing, shaking his hands out in front of him. ‘She wants to play Werewolf. Okay, we can do that. Or not. We can go, but we don’t need to play, just grab Max and get out before she can do anything.’ He stops. ‘We beat her once; we can do it again.’

I nod, unconvinced by his kamikaze plan, my brain transporting me back to the last game. Skye’s ability to manipulate us at every turn had us all running in circles. It won’t be easy to beat her at her own game; she’s way too clever for that. Maybe there is something in getting in quickly and getting out. I reread Lewis’ message over and over. There’s something recognisable about the numbers: 52.08393°N,1.43325°E.

Lewis is still pacing. ‘If she hurts Max—’

‘Coordinates,’ I say in a welcome eureka moment. ‘They’re coordinates.’

‘So, it’s like a code?’ He watches me punch the numbers into Google Maps.

‘Yeah, like what3words without the words,’ I say. ‘Look. It’s a location. Rendlesham Forest. It’s not far.’ 12

‘Perfect.’ Lewis strikes a pose, his face one big sneer. ‘Let’s run off to a forest with a serial killer because she asked so nicely.’

‘Not you,’ I say. ‘The invitation is just for me.’

‘Uhhh, I got the text.’ Lewis’ sneer morphs into an indignant frown. ‘Like I’m gonna let you walk back into the mouth of hell alone.’

‘But you hated Mafia, even before…’ I stop. Lewis wasn’t in the game; he got trapped in the studio but locked out of the set, forced to witness the murder of contestants while being helpless to stop it. Would he survive a game of Skye’s Werewolf? Can I risk it? ‘You hate Werewolf even more; you don’t even know how to play.’

‘Hel-lo?’ Lewis counts on his fingers. ‘One, I’ve watched you and Thea play Mafia enough to be a mastermind in the subject. Two, I was there with you all the way in LieorDie; I saw everything. And Three, how hard can Werewolf be? It’s Mafia but with Werewolves and Villagers instead and some other weird characters designed to make the game even easier. I can do this.’

He’s right. But ever since she sent that first text I’ve been obsessing about the game Werewolf. It’s just a different version of Mafia, the principle’s the same. Find the Werewolves hidden in the group before they kill you. Lewis was there; he understands what’s at stake. Sceptical and petrified must be plastered all over my face because he changes tack, cocooning me inside a safe Lewis hug.

‘We knew this was coming.’ His voice is surprisingly 13wobble-free. ‘We do this together. We find Max before the game even starts and get out smelling of heroes.’ His words fill the room with strength, but the shake of his arms betrays him.

I love him for trying.

‘I don’t want to be a hero,’ I mumble into his shoulder. When I think of a hero, Tayo Asagu leaps into my head, the rugby-playing model and super brain from LieorDiewho had the strength and courage to stand up to our attackers in a move that got him murdered.

‘Well tough shit, girl, you already are.’ Lewis interrupts my thoughts.

I wrinkle my nose. ‘What does a hero smell of anyway?’

Lewis squeezes me tighter. ‘Hugo ICED, freshly ground coffee and swimming pool changing rooms.’ He pauses. ‘No judgement. Now call your sexy boyfriend; we need a shit-hot plan.’

‘No.’ It comes out as a yelp, reaction rather than thought. ‘If we tell him he’ll come.’

‘That was a big part of the shit-hot plan.’

‘We don’t even know if he got an invitation.’

‘Why wouldn’t he? He got the first text, we all did. Skye’s after everyone who survived, right? She’ll need us all. And some. I wonder who else she’ll get to play, maybe some D-list celebrities trying to revive their careers?’

‘The only thing we know is that we don’t know anything,’ I say trying to stay on track. ‘And if we can keep Rhodri safe, then that’s good right?’ 14

‘Uh hello? Welsh boy won’t want to miss an opportunity to show us all what a hero he is.’ Lewis presses his lips into a hard line. ‘Wow, that was channelling major catty.’ His mouth relaxes. ‘Soz.’

I let it go. Lewis and Rhodri’s relationship is beyond complicated, and I don’t have time to play a round of whodo I like more?There’s only one cohesive thought in my head right now and that’s to keep Rhodri out of it. Angry Rhodri is dangerous Rhodri. There’s no telling what he might do if Skye starts pushing his buttons.

‘What about Thea?’ As soon as he says our best friend’s name his head starts to shake in time with mine. ‘No way.’

‘Agreed,’ I say. Although Thea’s injuries healed on the outside, she’s struggling big time on the inside. When the real footage came out and the lies and conspiracy theories filled the socials it was too much for her. She got so much hate for just being her. Those people who cast judgement from snippets they saw in a manufactured reality became her judge and jury and sentenced her to a lifetime of misery. They don’t know her; they’ve no idea how much their words tore her apart. Then came Skye’s sick message about playing Werewolf and she was totally triggered. Her dad’s taken her somewhere quiet, somewhere social-media free. ‘We need to keep her out of this, she’s been through enough already.’

‘But what if she gets an invite?’ Lewis says.

‘She won’t see it; she has no phone.’ 15

The true extent of Thea’s mental health revealed in one small sentence. Thea without a phone is like Tom without Jerry, Rick without Morty; you’d never have believed it – until the game. Lie or Diewas supposed to change her life, not ruin it. It should have been her big break. Instead, it broke her big time.

‘We need to tell the police.’ My mind’s whirring so fast I can’t keep up. ‘DC Brown said to tell him if we heard anything.’ I have his personal number on speed dial. ‘We should call him. It’s the—’

‘No!’ Lewis shouts and I stop, my finger hovering over the number. He waves the invitation in my face. ‘If we tell ANYONE, Max will die.’

‘You don’t know that,’ I say.

‘Really?’ Lewis points to the T-shirt, his finger making frenzied circles over the blood. ‘You don’t think this is a seismic warning for us to keep our mouth shut? You saw Max, you don’t think she’ll kill him the instant we tell our friendly and little-bit-sexy detective or any-bloody-one else?’ He collapses on the bed. ‘We have no choice. We are proper screwed.’

I slump to the floor, gripping the soft carpet between my fingers. A part of me wants to bail, to bury under the duvet and refuse to come out.

‘We could ignore it?’ I mumble. ‘Don’t look at me like that.’

‘Like what?’

‘All judgy.’ 16

‘Am not.’

‘You totally are.’ I don’t look up. ‘I’m just saying what if we didn’t go. What’s the worst thing that could happen?’

‘Max would die?’ Lewis says.

‘She could be bluffing?’

‘Sorry hun, that bitch don’t bluff.’

‘So much for being the hero,’ I say. ‘Now you hate me.’

‘I don’t hate you,’ he says. ‘And I’m not judging; I thought the exact same thing. But I don’t think I could live with myself if he…’

His words hang in the air. Max gatecrashes my thoughts. He went into the first game not for fame or fortune but just to prove that he was the best – the best reality fan and the best Mafia gamer. He wasn’t prepared for what came next and survived by keeping his head down and staying under the radar. He’s not strong like Rhodri or savvy like Lewis. To be held prisoner by Skye will be killing him, even if she doesn’t intend to carry out her threat. And if we did nothing? How do you go on living knowing that someone died because of you?

My thoughts return to Lewis. ‘Let me do this by myself. It’s me she wants.’

‘Not happening, no way are you leaving me behind to tell Welsh that I let you go alone.’ He waves his hands to stop me interrupting. ‘We’re in this together, Kennedy. Thank god I did my hair this colour.’ He flips his fringe. ‘Nothing says screw you Skye Green more than tangerine.’

‘Skye Greenhill.’ I correct him. 17

‘Whatever,’ he says, his eyes wandering back to his phone. ‘I think under the circumstances I can afford a little artistic licence with my rhyming.’

I watch my best friend, his new orange fringe tumbling over his face as he scrutinises the message, and I’ve never loved him more.

‘Uhh.’ His hand flies into the air. ‘If those first two numbers are coordinates then I’m thinking the last numbers are a date? Twenty-three, zero one.’ He looks at me, eyes like saucers. ‘That’s today. And 2200 a time?’ His voice rises. ‘We’ve less than four hours to get sorted and get to Rendlesham piggin’ Forest.’

He rummages through my messy desk, his movements jerky and uncoordinated.

‘She said we couldn’t tell anyone but she didn’t say we couldn’t leave our phones behind with all the information on, did she?’ Lewis drops a pencil, bending quickly to pick it up while gesturing impatiently for my phone. ‘What’s your password?’

‘password1#,’ I mumble, handing it over. ‘All lower case.’

Lewis chuckles nervously. ‘Wouldn’t take a detective to figure that out.’ He takes a picture of the invitation.

I frown. ‘But they won’t see it, they won’t come in here until it’s time to wake up tomorrow.’

‘That’s what I’m counting on.’ He sticks my password on a Post-it and attaches it to the screen.

‘We’re sticking to the rule; we’re not telling anyone, 18but if they accidently find your phone when your alarm goes off in the morning, then that’s not on us.’

‘But they—’

Lewis holds up his finger in a shush. ‘Alexa set an alarm for 7.30 a.m. tomorrow.’

Alexa responds.

‘Technically we’re not tellingthem anything,’ Lewis says. ‘And by the time Skye finds out it will be too late; we’ll either be gone or in the game.’

I pull a not-convincedface but unable to come up with a better idea I stay quiet.

‘It’s lame but what can you do? The parents are going to kill us when they find out we’ve done this. We just have to hold on until help comes.’

My flight reaction ramps into overdrive.

‘Kass?’ Lewis is shaking me. ‘Kass?’

All I can see are the faces of the dead, the ones who didn’t make it out of the last game.

‘Kass?’ Lewis holds my shoulders with both hands, his face right up in mine. ‘Plan now. Panic later. And we have one. It’s dangerous and very stupid and probably not going to work but at least it’s a plan.’

He’s right, there’s no time for panic. She’s timed this perfectly. We’ve no time to think, to do anything but exactly what she wants. Anger replaces fear as I pull myself back into the room. I’m so sick of feeling scared. I want this to be over and if that means facing her again then so be it. I force my mouth into what I hope is a convincing smile. ‘I’ll drive.’ 19

Taking a step back he splutters. ‘I don’t think so. I don’t want to die before we get there.’

I play along, pulling a haha face while feeling empty inside. We’ve got the convincing faux bravery down to a T. I try not to shudder every time he says the D-word. I’d never really given it much thought before the show, but now death’s my new normal.

Skye’s victims live inside my head. How can I move on when Tayo Asaju’s last words replay nightly in my ears, as he names his murderer over and over and begs me to understand? Death and I are close friends now and, thanks to Skye Greenhill, I barely think of anything else.

20

3

It’s quiet on the roads; the January dark makes the evening dusk feel like midnight. Venitiwa, Lewis’ beloved Vauxhall, is working overtime to defrost our bones. Fear is so present that the car’s bursting with its mighty weight. I clutch my small rucksack to my chest, letting my heart bang freely against its cold surface. My feet fidget, a blade of cold steel hidden in my boot – insurance, Lewis called it. I’m taking no chances with Skye.

Guilt taps a rat-a-tat-tat on my temples when I imagine Mum and Dad finding my phone tomorrow with Max’s bloody T and discovering me gone. I’d promised to talk to them more, be secret-free after the show. And when I think of Thea my lungs tighten so much that I doubt I’ll ever be able to breathe again. But they’ll all understand, they have to. It’s not like we had a choice.

We drive in silence, lost in dark thoughts – each one more terrifying than the last. This plan sucks. How can I save Max? I couldn’t save Thea. I had no clue about Skye. I trusted her, shared a bed with her, wiped away her phoney tears and practically led her out of the door to freedom. And I’m meant to be the one with the talent for reading people; the joke’s not lost on me.

Soon the road’s enclosed by trees, line after uniform line stretch out in all directions. There’s a sign. It’s black with a white wolf’s head, teeth bared, underneath the words: 21

FOLLOW THE WOLF

‘I guess we follow the wolf,’ I say.

Venitiwa groans and rattles along the bumpy path. Seconds later there’s another sign, then another. We follow obediently until the trees surround us and the dirt track disappears.

‘Venitiwa’s done,’ Lewis says as the wheels strain in the mud. He turns off the engine, leaning forward to stare at the track, illuminated by two unbroken paths of headlight yellow that stretch forlornly away from us, fizzling out into the all-consuming night.

Lewis turns to me. ‘I need you to do something for me.’

‘Anything,’ I whisper.

‘Don’t die.’ Looking up he dabs his fingers under his eyes impatiently. ‘We get through this, no matter what. We get Max and get out. Leave Skye for the police. No hero stuff. We survive. ’Cause I sure as hell don’t want to live in this world without you.’

There’s a lump in my throat blocking my voice. I press my tongue up to the roof of my mouth willing the tears away. Lewis sniffs loudly.

‘Bollocks.’ He checks himself in the mirror. ‘Let’s shake it out. Don’t want crazy-face Skye seeing us in a mess.’ He checks the time. ‘Nine thirty.’ He bites his fingernails, a tell I’ve not seen since primary.

It’s freezing. My breath’s one big steam cloud. 22

Climbing out of the car Lewis fumbles under the back wheel.

‘I’m leaving the keys there,’ he says. ‘Think escape route. If you can get away, then you go.’

‘I’m not leaving you,’ I say.

Lewis holds my shoulders. ‘If we get separated and you get the chance, run.’ He stops me with his hand. ‘If we can’t find Max, get back here and get help. Non-negotiable, Kennedy. I need to know you’ll do this. Take Venitiwa, I’ll be fine.’

No way am I leaving him but I mumble under my breath. It’s enough to satisfy him. I move first. The winter mist swirls amongst the foliage, framing the dark with wispy-white. Lewis follows, his wheelie yellow suitcase sticking to the forest floor. He pulls a face when he picks it up. He’s still refusing to admit he’s overpacked: ‘Hoping for the best but planning for the worst. Lie or Die took four days and nights. If I’m gonna die on TV, I’m going out in style. If we’re forced to play, I’ll be looking fabulous. No four-day-old boxers for me…’

The moon’s playing peek-a-boo between the trees refusing to light our way.

‘Up there.’ I point to a small path that slithers along the damp ground.

A noise stops us dead.

‘What is that?’ Lewis drops his suitcase.

Hovering under a branch is a drone. Its round, bulbous camera moves with a familiar whirr as it locks onto us, the 23red light pinging awake. Four metal arms stick out, little fans whirring busily in each corner. It lurches from the tree to hover over our path like a gigantic mosquito, loud and just as unwanted.

‘At least we know we’re in the right place.’ I push my hands deep into my pockets and my face further into my scarf, refusing to look at the camera.

Then I hear the growling.

24

4

‘That’s a dog, right?’ Lewis whispers.

I remember the game. ‘If it’s on brand it’s a wolf.’

‘That’s a joke?’ Lewis’ voice is unnaturally high. ‘Please tell me you’re joking. Let’s stick with dog please. A cutesy miniature sausage dog or a tiny handbag Chihuahua.’

‘I’m happy with that,’ I say.

The growling continues. It’s coming from the trees. Lewis pulls me towards the flickering lights, his pace way more enthusiastic than before.

The growls intensify, our pace quickens to an almost run. We reach a makeshift high gateway spanning the path, the sort you’d make in ARK from wood not metal, primitive but totally fitting for the location. A banner’s draped across the top illuminated by the wooden torches flickering either side.

BLOOD MOON CONTESTANTS WELCOME!

There’s a picture of a wolf’s head, mouth open in a vicious snarl. Behind us the growls have stopped, vanished into the dark of the forest like some spooky Halloween trick. Ahead the darkness opens into a clearing illuminated by more flaring torches. In the middle is a huge campfire. Around the edges sits a camp of canvas bell tents. 25

‘They better not be expecting us to sleep in them,’ Lewis says as we hurry to the safety of the fire.

A figure appears. Dressed head to toe in black, their face completely covered by a mask.

‘Oh, they’re really leaning into the whole Werewolf theme,’ Lewis whispers.

The black mask is a perfect wolf’s head. A wide forehead sits above diamond-shaped eyes, shining blood red as they stare at us. Angular cheekbones slide into a strong jaw and a long, blunt muzzle. Ears, slightly rounded at the tips point upwards from the top. The glossy smooth surface catches the light from the campfire, making it shine menacingly in the dark.

The masked figure holds up a gloved hand.

‘Welcome.’ A low robotic AI voice speaks, as impersonal as the mask itself. ‘Follow me.’

The guard leads us to a tent. There’s a circular logo on their sleeve, red against the black. They pull open the flap before I get a proper look, gesturing us inside.

‘Contestants to meet at the campfire at twenty-two thirty hours,’ they growl. ‘Do not leave camp unattended. Welcome to BloodMoon.’

The flap is closed behind us and zipped up from the outside. The space is surprisingly big. Like a mini circus tent, a pole rises in the middle and the canvas drops down from it. Apart from two beds, it’s empty save a small stool at either side of the doorway and a camping light hanging from the central pole. On the bed is a card: Rules of camp. 26

‘Donotleavecamp.’ I turn the card in my hand. ‘That’s it? No game instructions?’

‘They’ll give us rules, right?’ Lewis drops his suitcase on the bed. ‘I lied before. I’ve no clue how to play.’ He starts to pace. ‘I’m not like you or Thea. I’m not good at games. I hate Mafia and I’m crap at it. What do I do if I get a Werewolf card? Oh my god. I’ll be caught first round.’ He shakes his hands out. ‘This is not going to end well.’

I grab his hands between mine. ‘Hey.’ I force him to look at me. ‘Chances are you won’t be a Werewolf and if you are, then find the other Werewolves and you won’t be alone. If you’re not sure, do nothing and follow their lead.’ I lower my voice. ‘Besides, we’re not planning to play the game, remember? Find Max and get out, right?’

Lewis bounces nervously on the spot. ‘Right.’ He takes a deep breath. ‘Sorry, shat myself for a minute. All good now.’

Sitting on the bed my eyes search for cameras, but we’re clear. I lift my finger to my mouth. He makes a locking lips motion with his fingers. Best to be extra paranoid than have Skye one step ahead of our every move. Not knowing what to say, and too scared to say anything meaningful, we sit on our beds … and wait.

A scratching outside the tent makes us jump up. A voice whispers through the canvas. My heart leaps and falls at the exact same time.

‘Kass mun, you in there?’ The Welsh accent is clear over the oh-so-loud whisper. 27

I freeze, rabbit in the headlights, like I’ve been caught doing something I shouldn’t. The zip opens and he’s there, coat zipped up tight, scarf wrapped securely round his neck, cheeks blushed pink from the cold.

My emotions are tumbling like a washing machine on spin cycle. I’m happy to see him and terrified at the same time. I want to hug him and scream at him to get the hell out of here, glad he’s here and so angry that he’s put himself in danger.

‘Let me in then before I freeze.’ He ducks to get inside, zipping the tent up behind him. ‘Alri, Lewis?’ Rhodri nods at Lewis then gestures outside. ‘What’s with those creepy dog masks?’

‘Werewolf?’ Lewis says.

‘Talk about lame,’ Rhodri says. He turns to me. ‘Hey.’

‘Hey.’ I mumble back but neither of us move. Suddenly self-conscious and no clue what to do I start to pick at my bottom lip with my teeth. Lewis’ eyes dart from me to Rhodri and back again.

‘How’s Carys?’ I say, desperate to fill the yawning silence.

‘Good,’ he says.

‘Great.’ I smile while cringing on the inside. Why would I think that now would be a good time to bring up his little sister? I shuffle on my spot, trying to tame the kaleidoscope of emotions whirring around my stomach.

‘Do I get a cwtch then?’ he says, his smoky green eyes 28dark, a smile dancing on his lips. The spell’s broken and I can move. His coat is cold against my cheek. He envelopes me in his strong embrace and I’m safe.

‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ he whispers gently, and my eyes fill with unwanted tears. I pull away.

‘I wanted to keep you safe.’ I rub the back of my hand across my face in a not very sexy gesture. ‘I didn’t want you to come and…’

‘Die?’ He finishes unhelpfully. ‘The only one who’s dying today is Skye. And I don’t give a rat’s arse who hears it. Calling us here in the middle of the night is insane.’

‘Technically it’s not the middle of—’

One look from Rhodri is enough to shut Lewis up. ‘I’m not playing her fucked-up games.’ Rhodri carries on ranting. ‘We finish this. Tonight.’

‘Wow. Calm down, Welsh,’ Lewis says.

Rhodri’s eyes blaze. ‘Why is he here?’

I roll my eyes. Lewis and Rhodri tolerate each other because of me but that’s about as far as it goes.

‘Brilliant. Thanks so much,’ Lewis says sarcastically. ‘Actually, I was invited. I got a text.’

‘Thea?’ Rhodri says, ignoring Lewis.

‘She’s away, no phone,’ I say.

‘Thank god.’ He paces about in the small tent. ‘And Max? Anyone seen him yet?’

I catch Lewis’ eye. ‘You don’t know?’

‘Know what?’ 29

Shit, he has no clue about Max.

Lewis crosses his arms over his chest. ‘How did you know to come?’

Rhodri looks confused. ‘I got a text, some coordinates and the time. I called you loads but it went to answer phone.’

‘Left my phone at home,’ I say. ‘My parents will…’ I can’t say more in case they’re listening, so I just stare at him and hope he gets it. ‘Why did you come?’ The overwhelming emotions make the question come out way harsher than intended.

‘And how come you got here so quickly?’ Lewis doesn’t bother to hide the suspicion in his voice. ‘We’re a long way from the Severn Bridge.’

‘He was in London.’ I glare at Lewis. ‘I told you.’

‘Doesn’t tell us why he came though does it?’ Lewis says his arms folded tight over his chest, his chin raised stubbornly.

Rhodri’s eyes flash angrily. ‘I got a sodding text from a psychopath and I figured I didn’t have a fucking choice.’

He’s lying. I know Rhodri’s tics so well by now and he always gets aggressive and sweary when he’s on the defensive. I stare back fiercely refusing to let his temper intimidate me.

‘Sorry,’ he says rubbing his buzz cut, another tell-tale tic. He’s hiding something. ‘Can’t say I wasn’t expecting something like this.’ Rhodri stares back for an unblinking moment. ‘It’s what we’ve been waiting for, a chance to 30find her and make her pay. Figured we’d all got them.’ He looks at me. ‘We did all get them, right?’

My eyes flit from Rhodri to Lewis and back again.

‘What?’ Rhodri says, puffing his chest out like he’s gonna get all angry again.

‘Skye has Max,’ I say.

His expression’s guarded but I’m close enough to hear the small whimper that leaves his throat. ‘No way,’ he says. ‘Not possible.’

‘When did you last talk to him?’ Lewis says.

‘Few days ago, four maybe?’ His tone’s tense, his words clipped. ‘He was fine.’

‘We saw him, tonight,’ I say. ‘Over video message. He was all beat up. He looked really bad. And terrified.’ I hate the way my words are hurting Rhodri but still I carry on. ‘If we don’t play, I think she’ll kill him.’

The expletives that leave Rhodri’s mouth are unreal as he explodes with anger and frustration. We watch in silence, waiting for him to calm down. He and Max were close in the game, the bad boy and the geek, two opposites who gelled instantly and just vibed off one another. Like Thea, Max became the scapegoat, an easy target to troll and terrorise. His trademark ‘Whoopsie’ went viral for all the wrong reasons, seen as a weakness, proof of his cowardice. Rhodri’s been keeping a special eye on him, worried that, like Thea, the experience was way too much for him to handle.

Soon, the ranting slows and the redness in Rhodri’s 31cheeks fades. He takes a jagged breath. ‘It’s just us then?’

Lewis hasn’t taken his eyes off him the entire time. ‘Looks that way.’

Rhodri begins to pace again. ‘Nice hair, very … bright.’

‘Ta.’

A super-sized howl sounds outside.

‘I guess that’s our cue,’ I say.

‘What’s the plan?’ Rhodri looks at me.

I open my mouth and close it like a goldfish, open … closed … open.

‘Get Max. Kill Skye. Don’t Die,’ Lewis says.

I step in quickly. ‘Uh no, we said leave Skye for the—’

‘I can work with that,’ Rhodri interrupts, turning to Lewis. They grab each other’s arm and hug, slapping each other on the backs in a show of testosterone.

‘Seriously?’ I stammer. How is this a bonding moment? ‘No more death. We find Max and get out.’

Rhodri’s face is dangerously cold. ‘I have a different plan.’

‘No.’ I can’t believe I’m saying this. ‘We’re not hurting anyone.’ My lip quivers as I cling onto my conviction. ‘Don’t let her turn us into monsters. If she does, she wins…’

Rhodri’s arms are around me, his cold cheek nuzzled against mine, instantly calming the freakage. ‘Chill, there’s only one monster here and it’s not us.’

Opening the tent flap he steps out into the cold night 32with Lewis. I’ve no choice but to follow. Outside I stop. Something’s way off.

‘What is this?’ I say unable to believe the scene in front of me. Bodies are milling around the campfire, moving silhouettes surround the blaze. The smoky aroma of BBQ hits my nose. The feel is relaxed, festival-like. And there are too many people. LieorDiehad ten contestants. My eyes count the mingling masses. So much for a small game of Werewolf, this is LieorDieseason two on an epic scale.

Rhodri and Lewis are talking but I can’t hear them through the chattering hum. The world moves in slowmo when I catch sight of a figure in the crowd. He’s standing by the campfire, the amber light catching his profile, his silhouette a tower of strength against the night sky. I blink, waiting for the picture to change as my brain catches up with my eyes, like it always does when I see my dead friends.

Only this time he doesn’t disappear like a ghostly will-o’-the-wisp.

This time the face turns in my direction and with a startled cry I find myself looking into the beautiful face of Tayo Asagu.

33

5

My hand clamps over my mouth to stop the scream and I force my eyes back towards the campfire. Tayo’s gone, disappeared once more into my memory vault, a figment of my grieving imagination. I tell myself to get a grip and firmly lock him away with the others, a coping mechanism I’ve adopted since the show which usually works unless I’m alone or wasted or … now apparently.

Lewis is talking to Rhodri, both oblivious to my minor meltdown. ‘Big fan of Werewolf then?’

Rhodri shrugs. ‘Mafia’s the better game. Werewolf’s got too many characters. Max always argues that Werewolf is better, but I told him…’ He stops abruptly. ‘We need to find him and quickly. He can’t cope with anymore…’

‘Kass?’

I do a comedy double take that’s not remotely funny and just manage to hold onto my heart as it jumps out of my mouth. He’s standing right in front of me, his deep dark eyes fixed on mine.

Tayo.

Only it’s not. I calm my racing breath and turn my open mouth into a smile. The boy in front of me is so like my friend that my heart and brain can’t cope. He’s tall like Tayo and just as beautiful. Full lips are turned upwards in a hauntingly familiar smile. The tilt of his chin is different. His face is thinner, more angular, his afro buzzed short. 34But his eyes are all Tayo, staring at me with the same reassuring gaze, deep, dark, soulful eyes that make you instantly feel calm. Eyes you can trust.

‘Sorry,’ he says, his voice gently concerned. ‘Didn’t mean to startle you.’

‘Demi mun, what the hell are you doing here?’ Rhodri takes his hand, thumping him on the back in a genuinely warm embrace, followed by a heartfelt greeting from Lewis, giving my brain time to catch up with my eyes.

Ademide, Demi. Tayo’s brother. The realisation makes me feel ridiculous. On second glance the raw sadness in his eyes is obvious and his smile is layered with a recognisable grief.

‘It’s Demi,’ he says to me. ‘We met at my brother’s fu—’

‘Of course,’ I interrupt. ‘I wasn’t expecting to see you here, it threw me.’

‘I get it,’ he says.

‘You shouldn’t be here. This is not a good place,’ I say. What reason would make Tayo’s brother come? ‘Why are you?’

‘Same reason as you,’ Demi says. ‘I jumped at the chance to play.’

‘We didn’t jump,’ I say.

‘For Max?’ Lewis whispers.

Confusion flickers in Demi’s eyes. ‘Max? No, I’m here for Skye. She needs to pay for what she’s done.’ His jaw is set as determined as his stance. His eyes burrow 35into me with a disquieting intensity that makes me squirm. ‘Look around you. She’s gonna keep on doing this until she’s caught. She needs to be stopped. And I’m not the only one who thinks so. Cali’s sister is here. And Amara’s dad.’

A small guy turns our way. Demi signals and he shuffles over. ‘You must be Kass,’ he says, like it’s no surprise to see me. ‘I’m Ravi.’

I mutter a hello and quickly introduce Rhodri and Lewis. A familiar guilt is spreading through my veins. We’ve never met. Amara’s funeral was closed, family only. All the guilt and anger that I’ve tried to bury bubbles up to the surface. I’ve no clue what to say to her grieving father.

The boys must feel the same; they just stare at the ground.

‘Nice to meet you.’ Ravi finally speaks again. We all smile like he’s just told a joke. This is too painful. He’s old, like parent old. Streaks of grey pepper his jet-black hair and straggly beard. But the stoop of his shoulders and the misery reflected in his eyes ages him more, like grief has sucked all the energy from him. My dad has a similar look. He blames himself for letting me play the first game and guilt haunts him relentlessly now. I don’t think either of my parents would recover if I didn’t come back from this.

Pleasesomeonespeak.

Ravi offers no conversation. Amara was in your face full of life and so loud. Ravi’s the polar opposite; his is an instantly forgettable energy. 36

Demi finally breaks the stalemate. ‘We want justice. For Amara and for my brother.’

‘And for Cali.’ A small girl pushes her way into our circle, her highlighter-yellow hair so bright it makes Lewis’ tangerine-Titan colour fade into a pastel blush.

‘Kass, right?’ Her sharp gaze falls on me. ‘I’m Mai. Cali’s sister.’

‘Your look is fierce. Love the yellow.’ Lewis runs a hand through his hair. ‘I am so on trend.’

Lewis is right; Mai’s make-up is fierce. Her eyes are made up to look like electricity bolts, yellow zigzags lined with white. Her hair’s swept up, yellow streaks over black pinned off her face with huge silver hairpins. She has a real ’90s, Y2K aura – an Asian Sporty Spice with all the Scary and Ginger attitude.

‘I want revenge for what Skye did to my sister,’ Mai spits, hatred on the tip of her tongue. ‘I ain’t stopping till I have her head on a spike.’

My heart sinks. It’s one thing to be here to save another life, but a revenge quest is insane. It’s way too dangerous. Skye is waayto dangerous. Is that why she invited them, to see just how far they would go for revenge? That’s beyond twisted, even for Skye. And to set all this up in just six months tells me she’s had help. We’ve no idea what we’re playing with. I pray that Rhodri doesn’t get carried away with this rhetoric, but he’s already leaning in to hear more.

‘Guys,’ I say, my eyes searching for cameras. ‘This is crazy. You have no idea what she’s capable of.’ 37

The conversation stops.

‘Why?’ Demi’s eyes flash with a rage I never saw in Tayo. ‘Because we didn’t play the first game, we don’t have a right to be here?’ His underlying grief is way too raw, and I remind myself that it’s his pain talking. ‘Tayo’s dead because of Skye. And no one stopped her.’

‘We tried. I…’ I stutter. ‘I really did.’

Mai’s eyes narrow. ‘You sent my sister to her death with that Necromancer card.’

Guilt punches me right in the guts. She’s right. I did kill Cali to save Noah. And Tayo tried to tell me about Skye, but I couldn’t read the signs. ‘I didn’t know… I swear… I…’ I stammer. I had the chance to stop Skye, and I blew it. I was too trusting, too gullible, too stupid to not see her coming. They’re all staring at me, eyes hard. ‘I’m so sorry… I…’

‘Steady,’ Rhodri growls a low warning. ‘They were our friends too. Put the blame where it belongs and leave Kass be.’

Mai and Rhodri remain in a standoff for what feels like forever.

Mai breaks away first. ‘Catch you later, friends