Before she knew it, Becca was crossing the street to pass over to the neighboring development of houses. “We’re getting closer,” Kylie said as they all looked at the trees. “I don’t think I’ve been back here in years.”

“Me either,” Miguel admitted. “Nobody ever wanted to play back here. Even the kids who lived close by.”

“One time my dog Radish escaped out of our yard,” Kylie said, her voice getting low. “My sister and I had to chase him all the way back here. He went through the trees, but luckily we were able to get him before he ran into Mr. O’Hallahan’s yard.”

“That would have been terrifying,” Matt said from his scooter. “Imagine if Radish had gone inside!”

“I wonder if the Game Master is going to try to make us go inside,” Becca wondered. “I’m not sure I’m up for that.”

“Either way,” Frankie said, “the entire forest around that house is spooky.”

The trees got closer and closer as they approached the end of the street.

“I wonder what my mom is making for dinner tonight,” Matt blurted randomly, and that’s when Becca realized that he was just as nervous as she was, he’d just been doing a better job of hiding it. She tried to remind herself that Elephant and Nacho needed their help, and that when her nana’s zoetrope had been stolen during the summer school game, the entire group had come together to help her get it back.

“We’re almost there,” Kylie announced, and Danny let out a whoop of excitement.

The closer they got to Gurley Street, the less everybody wanted to talk. Even Danny put his camera down for the last bit, saying that he’d start filming again when they were approaching the house. Becca’s imagination ran wild with all the potential things the Game Master might put them through. She wondered if the Game Master was inside the house waiting for them right that very moment. She wondered if Elephant was still in the tiny clown costume that he’d been wearing in the last photograph the Game Master had sent them.

When they reached the corner sign that read Gurley Street, Danny turned his camera on again, making sure to get a good shot of the sign, as well as everybody walking past it toward the end of the street.

“You guys weren’t kidding before,” he commented as they made their way down the quiet, shady street. “There aren’t any other houses on this entire street. I can’t even see the house. It’s like the road just disappears into the forest. Like the forest is a giant mouth.”

“See?” Kylie said, raising a brow at Danny with a grin. “We told you it’s freaky—and you haven’t even seen the house itself yet.”