instead of just one.
This was not the change the story needed.
âCome on, Riley,â Cassie said. Then to my horror, she added softly, âWeâre going to Samâs basement.â
Whoa! What? The basement?!
I had no doubt that the Scaremaster was behind Cassieâs decisions. He somehow knew what I was doing and was bending the story to go his way.
It was a battle to âThe End.â
If I wanted a new ending, it was time for me to create one. Now or never!
I rushed forward. My adrenaline was pumping. I felt like a superhero flying in to the rescue. I snatched Riley out from under Cassieâs arm and shouted to Sam, âRun!â
âHuh?â Riley was confused, but I gripped her hand tight in mine. âWe have to get away. Before itâs too late!â I shrieked at Sam to follow us left toward the parkâs playground. My voice echoed in the dark, cool air. âWe have to stick together!â
Cassie leapt forward. In the dark, it looked more like a dogâs leap than a human one. She tackled me to the ground. âYou donât know what youâre talking about, Emma!â
âYes I do!â I countered. I cast my eyes toward Sam. âTake Riley away. Far away.â
Cassie was sitting on me now, teeth bared. âGo ahead, bite me! Iâll sacrifice myself if you leave Sam and Riley alone,â I offered.
Sam and Riley backed away, but they didnât run. It was most likely because I was thrashing around and they didnât want to get hurt. Cassie was strong, but I was determined to save my friends.
I kneed her in the chest and made a wild karate chop to the side of her arm. It was pathetic, but enough to shock her. I managed to push her off me and struggled to stand.
Once I was on my feet, I took off toward Riley, snagging her hand once more. âCome on!â I tugged. âWe gotta get away!â
âRiley, you need to come with me!â Cassie told her sister. She didnât try to fight me again, instead keeping safely away from my weapon-like hands. âHurry. Thereâs no time left,â she pleaded.
âIâll protect you,â I told Riley. She must have been really nervous because her hand was warm and slippery in mine.
âItâs happening, Cassie,â Riley called over her shoulder as I dragged her away, not realizing that I was turned around, going the wrong way. I was in such a frantic state, I didnât realize which way I was heading until it was too late. Weâd entered the wooded part of the park, putting the Scaremasterâs story back on track.
I heard Cassie shout, âIâll get help!â
I ran and ran and ran, dragging Riley along behind me. When we came to the deepest, wooded part of the park, I finally stopped to rest. We were both out of breath and panting hard.
We were alone.
Noting that the full moon was directly overhead, I felt a rush of defeat.
It was midnight.
I had failed at my one goal. Iâd left Sam with her cousin. Now Sam was with Cassie, primed to be bitten and transformed into a werewolf.
I was devastated.
If I couldnât save Sam, I was determined to keep Riley nearby. No matter the tricks the Scaremaster played, this little girl would not âdisappearâ on my watch.
Under a shady tree where the moonlight didnât shine, I tightened my fingers around her palm.
âOuch!â I screamed, and pulled away as the hand I held scratched me with razor-sharp nails. I looked over just in time to see Riley sink down onto all fours on the leaf-covered forest floor.
âGet out of the way, Emma!â Cassie appeared just then. She shoved me to the side. The moon had moved slightly, and now, I could see red specks of blood forming across my palm where Riley had scratched me.
Cassie shouted, âI knew from the minute I saw you on the driveway that youâd cause problems!â She frantically looked over her shoulder at Sam, who was very much
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