Sometimes Libby felt scared, but the stuff that frightened her before was nothing compared to how she felt today. This wasn’t in the same realms of worrying about a science test or a spot on her nose. This was grown-up fear. Fear so dark that she wasn’t able to get out of bed. ‘Time of the month?’ her mother had asked, and she had responded with a nod. Now her mum had gone to the shops to buy her paracetamol for her tummy and ice cream to cheer her up. She only hoped she didn’t hear about Angelica while she was out. Because unlike her, Angelica hadn’t returned home this morning.

Libby slipped her hand beneath her pillowcase and pulled out the stiff black card. You are cordially invited to play the Midnight Game. A sense of dread lingered as she turned it over. If you tell, you’ll go to hell. If Angelica hadn’t sent the invites, who had? Where was she now?

Libby jumped as her mobile phone rang, and she quickly shoved the card back under her pillow. It was Jahmelia.

‘Have you heard?’ she asked, sounding as panicked as Libby felt. ‘Angelica’s mum has been ringing all her friends asking if they’ve seen her.’ Libby had heard the landline ring after her mum left for the shops. She had also seen the Facebook post by one of Angelica’s friends, reporting her missing.

‘I know,’ Libby said. ‘I thought she got bored and went home.’

‘We shouldn’t have let her leave on her own.’

The hairs on Libby’s arms stood to attention. In the cold light of day, Jahmelia’s words made sense. They all knew about stranger danger. But things like that didn’t happen in Upper Slayton – did they?

‘We can’t say anything. Mum and Dad will kill me if they find out.’ Libby pulled her Paddington teddy bear close. She hadn’t slept with her childhood toy in years, but this morning she had dug him out from her old toybox and brought him into her bed. She didn’t want to be an adult if this was what it was like. She wished she could turn back the clock.

‘But what if she doesn’t come back? You don’t think …’ Libby heard Jahmelia’s short, sharp breaths as she paused. ‘You don’t think he’s real, do you?’

Libby didn’t need to ask who she was talking about. ‘Don’t be silly,’ she mumbled. But her words were hollow. Last night, she hadn’t been herself. She would never have stayed in that creepy old house if she had been thinking straight. As scared as she was, her compulsion to complete the game had been stronger than her will to leave. But Angelica didn’t finish the game. Angelica lost.

‘What did your mum say?’ Libby asked, coming back to herself.