Chapter 31

Gavin powers up the tablet, the lizard clutched tight in his hand. Jessica just has time to think how serious he looks—maybe worrying about his ability to play in front of an audience when his character joins the game—before the house lights darken and a cheer goes up. Gavin, lit by the blue stage light sweeping over the crowd, cracks a grin a mile wide.

The familiar techno theme music pumps out of an enormous array of speakers flanking the stage, the bass notes pulsing through the floor and vibrating in Jessica’s shoes.

Then a voice booms over the top, familiar in every aspect except for the reverb, “Heyyy everybody, it’s… Scream Time! Are you ready to rave with Rainbow Dave?!”

The kids roar.

“All right, then. Let’s do it!”