“I don’t get it,” Becca said with a frown.

What was the key supposed to unlock?

Matt

Matt, Miguel, and Kylie stepped up to the door leading into the side of the house, looking nervously at the note that was taped to it. The GM symbol seemed to mock them from where it was boldly stamped on the front of the paper.

“I almost wish we could just go in without reading the note,” Matt said half-jokingly. “But you just know there’s vital info in there.”

“Exactly,” Kylie said with a sigh. “I’m not super excited about the idea of going inside this house, but at least we’ll be able to join up with the others again. If I ever have to look at that backyard again, it’ll be too soon.”

Miguel took the note from the door and unfolded it slowly. His face drained of color as he read it, keeping silent as Kylie and Matt looked on expectantly.

“Well?” Matt said. “What does it say?”

“Just one thing,” Miguel said, turning the note so his friends could see.

What is Miguel Córdova afraid of?

“Uh-oh,” Kylie said. “The clue in the maze asked what I was afraid of. I guess this means that whatever comes next will revolve around whatever Miguel is most afraid of.”

“It better not,” Miguel sputtered, looking at the door with sincere mistrust. “If the Game Master actually wants to be our friend, this is not the way to do it!”

“What are you afraid of?” Matt asked. “Just remember that whatever it is, we’re here with you. You’re not going to have to do anything alone. Just like with Kylie’s clue.”

“My fear is super common.” Miguel looked in dismay to the note. “But that doesn’t make it any less terrifying for me. You see, when I was a kid, my parents took us to the shore for a beach day. Angel and I were having the best time—at first.”

“Sunburn?” Matt guessed, trying to think of what could go wrong at the beach. “Sharks?”

“Water,” Miguel said simply. “When we tried to go swimming, I went a little too far out. The waves started getting stronger. They started pulling me back toward the ocean, like it was trying to eat me. I started choking and sputtering on the salty water. The harder I fought to get to shore, the farther away I was pulled. If it wasn’t for the lifeguard who had been watching over us, I would have drowned.”

“Oh my gosh,” Kylie said, her eyes wide. “I’m so sorry, Miguel. That sounds absolutely horrifying.”

“Ever since then, I’ve been afraid of going in the water,” Miguel went on. “Not just the beach. Swimming pools, lakes, even bathtubs. I just hate that feeling of being in water, that wet dog feel. It’s terrible!”