This will be my final Golden Rule entry. After this video posts, my archive will automatically begin to delete. Systematically, one by one, self-destructing until only this video remains. It might seem like it, but nothing on the internet lasts forever. It’s possible to make things disappear. With the right resources.

[pauses]

There’s nothing I love more than having the last word. So, here are mine:

You’ll never find me where it all began.

But for a lucky few this isn’t the end.

I’ve done my time. The Quintet will live on.

And the Queen will reign with a long con.

[pauses and smiles]

Let the games begin.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Three. I made it to three published books. Imagine that.

Usually I use this space as a blogpost confessional filled with thank-yous for everyone who made an impact on my life in some way during whatever year I wrote said book. But this one took two very long, very difficult years—and I spent a lot of that time alone and isolated while being betrayed. (You didn’t really think you were getting out of this drama-free, did you? You should know me better than that by now.)

Thank you to the entire Swoon Reads/MacKids Books team, especially Liz, Kelsey, Ilana, and Kat. Lauren, thank you for helping shape this story when it was as chaotic and unfocused as I always am. To my copy editor for commenting “lol” on a couple of my jokes: That sincerely made me ridiculously happy. My greatest wish is that this story makes people laugh and they have a good time while reading it. Thank you for the confirmation giggles.

Wattpad HQ: Thank you for deciding to feature The Scavenger Hunt all those years ago and giving it a Watty Award. This book wouldn’t exist without the love you showed that one.

Wattpad Readers: After I removed The Scavenger Hunt, at least a few times a week someone sent me a message asking where it was, if I planned to publish, would I bring it back … I’m sorry I couldn’t give you a satisfying answer at the time. I hope this makes up for it.

Mommy, Mama, Mooooooooom: Hi. The only person who believes in me more than me is you. I hope you know how much I love you.

Macy: My snail sister, my goldfish-in-arms. You were the one who yelled at me to upload The Scavenger Hunt to Wattpad when no one wanted to represent or buy it. Not to be dramatic, but this book probably exists because of you. We still need to go swimming in our pennies!