A/N: Sorry it took so long, but the new chapter is finally here! This is the penultimate chapter, so get ready, because it's a good one!

~Quailwing~

Jayfeather awoke to Briarlight groaning. He stood up and stretched, as Briarlight got up and sat at her make-up table, grabbing her skincare from a bag by her side. A few minutes passed before one of them spoke. Briarlight was gently applying her mascara when she asked Jayfeather, "Did you sleep well?"

"No," Jayfeather said, plainly, "I couldn't help worrying!"

"About what?" Briarlight turned to him, now holding some lipstick.

About you.

"About the game. I don't want to be murdered!"

"Oh, I worry about that all the time! Everything will all work out in the end! I know it!" Briarlight smiled, sadly at him.

"Mhm…" was all Jayfeather said, as he walked towards her.

"Anyway," she scowled at him, mockingly, "Get out! I'm gonna get dressed!"

"Okay!" Jayfeather laughed as he rushed out the door.

A few moments later, Briarlight came through the door, dressed up as though she was going to a party. She wore a red dress with sequins coating the outside, making it shine in the beams of light filtering through the crack the curtain. Her black heels could barely be seen underneath the dress, as she strode up to him.

"Go get dressed! You can't go to breakfast in your pyjamas!" she giggled as he ran to his room. Jayfeather threw on a baggy T-shirt and some jeans. As he opened his door, Briarlight leaped up in excitement, grabbed his hand, and pulled him downstairs. Jayfeather stumbled after her, confused. As he entered the breakfast hall, the lights were turned off, and it seemed like nobody was there. Jayfeather turned to Briarlight, who didn't seem fazed; instead, she looked like she was keeping her excitement from erupting. Suddenly, all the lights turned on, and the rest of the players leapt from behind various pieces of furniture.

"SURPRISE!"

Jayfeather stood there, stunned, then realised what was happening, "You do know it isn't my birthday, guys?"

Everyone looked at him, clearly confused, then turned to Lionblaze, angrily. Lionblaze held his hands up, "Alright, guys, I admit it was a prank, but hey, let a guy have his fun!"

They all rolled their eyes at him and started to clear up the glitter.

Jayfeather's face shadowed, "Who's gone?"

He heard Crowfeather inhale sharply. Lionblaze's grin twisted to show grief. Ivypool turned her head away from him. Dovewing glanced nervously at Hollyleaf. Ferncloud rushed up to him, wrapping her arms around him. Jayfeather hated being the last to know something.

Cinderheart stepped forward from the crowd, as Jayfeather tried to pick out who was missing. She began listing the murdered, "Firestar, Graystripe, Mistystar, Heathertail…"

Jayfeather's heart pounded as his friend listed everyone who died last night. The imposters must have gone on a killing spree. Cinderheart then took a step closer to him, her breath tickling his neck, "I'm so sorry, Jayfeather, but that's not all…"

Jayfeather scanned the room. His breath caught in his throat, as he spotted the missing piece.

"Berrynose…" he managed to choke out; he two had become close over the past few days of the game. Cinderheart nodded, grief clouding her gaze. The gathered crowd parted, letting Jayfeather walk, lifelessly, to his seat next to Ferncloud.

"Well, well, well, players! You took down one of the imposters last night, but they didn't hesitate to strike back!" everyone turned to see Quailwing, wander into the room, trying to look as joyous as she could, but half failing, "We are all sorry for the innocent's loss, well, except the imposters, obviously."

Jayfeather sighed. He glanced at Ferncloud, who was grabbing an intricately decorated, blue bowl from across the table.

As Quailwing continued, tearing the fallen players names, Jayfeather lost focus. His gaze drifted to the window, as thoughts of his friends drifted through his mind. He was so scared of losing them all. Brightheart, Lionblaze, Hollyleaf, Cinderheart, Poppyfrost, Ferncloud and… Jayfeather's breath caught in his throat as he finished his list, Briarlight…

He took a glance at her. She was watching Quailwing with an unreadable expression, but Jayfeather saw past the mask she was wearing. She was upset. Of course she was. She wasn't heartless. But she seemed different to everyone else. She was trying so hard to cover something up, she was making it too obvious.

Suddenly, Ferncloud's voice broke his thoughts, "Jay, do you think something's off about Hollyleaf?"

Jayfeather turned around to see Ferncloud watching Hollyleaf from a distance. Jayfeather followed her gaze. Hollyleaf seemed fine. She was watching Quailwing, sadness glistening in her eyes, just like most others.

"Huh?" he questioned Ferncloud.

"I don't know. Just a thought…" she replied, then turned to Quailwing, and back to Jayfeather "I think Quailwing is announcing the mission info!"

She was right. Jayfeather was just in time to hear Quailwing say, "Get your wits about you (oh, wait… you're already doing that in this game!)! I mean, get ready for the mission! Meet me outside in half an hour!"

….

The remaining ten lined up beside the back wall, Quailwing was already there, waiting for them. She was clutching a key in her right hand. As the last of them made it outside, Quailwing began to speak, "Players! Welcome! You're probably wondering why I'm holding a key! Me too…"

A few people laughed at this.

"Anyway," Quailwing continued, throwing the key far over her shoulder, "In today's mission, you'll be doing an escape room! Any of you done one?"

Two nodded; Ferncloud and Crowfeather.

"Alright… Who knows what an escape room is?"

This time, everyone nodded, Resulting in a grin from Quailwing.

"So, I don't have to explain?" she didn't wait for an answer, "Good! So, first team out wins!"

Then she paused, "Oh, wait. That was the exit key. I'll see you in an hour!"

Then she rushed off to find the key, leaving the players alone.

"Umm… what do we do now?" Jayfeather called; she had left them with no instructions.

"FALLENPOOL!" Jayfeather heard Quailwing call, "CAN YOU PLEASE SORT THESE GUYS OUT FOR ME?"

A small boy rushed from the villa. He had split ginger and grey hair and was wearing a baggy tracksuit.

"Hey, I'm Fallenpool! The co-host!" he gave them a lop-sided grin, "You ready for the escape room?"

Jayfeather could tell that the others had immediately liked Fallenpool, but he was unsure. Jayfeather followed Fallenpool through the forest and came to two creepy-looking cabins. Fallenpool swivelled around on his heel once he'd reached the cabins, "Alright! Line up, again!"

He then walked through the line, splitting them in two, "These are your teams! Please stand outside one of the cabins with your teammates!"

The escape room had begun. Jayfeather looked at his team; Lionblaze was trying to kick the walls down, hoping to get out that way; Cinderheart was sat on an armchair, watching everyone; Crowfeather was inspecting the lock on the exit door; and Ferncloud was next to Jayfeather, rummaging through a set of draws.

"Guys! Guys! I've found something!" Lionblaze cried out. Everyone came rushing to see what he had found, "Look! A cookie!"

Jayfeather rolled his eyes, along with some of the others, "Really, Lionblaze?"

"Hmm?" Lionblaze spoke through a mouthful of food, "What did I do?"

"Seriously…" Crowfeather was the last one to speak as they all melted away, preoccupying themselves with finding clues again.

After a few minutes, Ferncloud spoke up, "Wait, Cinderheart, do you have a hairpin?"

Cinderheart nodded, carefully prising it out of her hair, and handing it to her, "Why?"

"Watch," was all Ferncloud said as she wandered up to the lock. Then, she slotted the pin in and started turning and twisting it around.

"She's picking the lock!" Crowfeather exclaimed, visibly impressed.

Soon, they heard a satisfying click, as the door swung open, to reveal Fallenpool, clutching a glass of lemonade.

"I'm interested, how did you get out?" he asked, grinning.

The team were hesitant; what if they had cheated?

"You haven't cheated, you know!" Fallenpool reassured them.

"I picked the lock," Ferncloud admitted.

"Brilliant!" Fallenpool exclaimed, "Great idea!"

Back at the villa, the banishment was falling fast upon them. Jayfeather's plan was to listen, then vote with the majority. He had no idea who the imposters could be! He was sat on an armchair beside Ivypool. Three groups had formed: Ivypool, Hollyleaf, Briarlight and Jayfeather, then Poppyfrost, Brightheart and Ferncloud, and finally, Lionblaze, Cinderheart and Crowfeather. They were each talking about who they were going to vote for tonight. As Quailwing made the announcement of the banishment, Hollyleaf finished what she was saying, "So, are we just waiting to see what comes up?"

"Yeah!" Briarlight said in response, as they all stood up, and began to walk to the Banishment Room.

Quailwing greeted them there, "Hello, players!"

"What happened to Fallenpool?" Crowfeather asked, suddenly.

"He's gone home," Quailwing, told him, blankly, "Anyway, I have some exciting news! There will be no banishment tonight!"

After the cheers had quietened down, Quailwing spoke again, "You are my finalists! Although there still will be a murder tonight, no banishment is needed. Off you go, spend the night well, because for some of you, it will be your last!"

Jayfeather ran through the hallways, drowsiness making him slow. Someone was chasing him. It was past midnight; Jayfeather had heard the clock chime 12 a while ago. His pursuer's footfalls became louder, and Jayfeather sped on, leaping down the stairs. The world seemed to become a blur as he ran. All he had fought for was coming to an end as he sprinted through the now empty bar, his senses fully awake now. He could just about hear the person chasing him over the thrumming of his heartbeat. The ground was no longer there. Jayfeather felt himself falling, until he landed at the bottom of the stairs. He must have fallen down the open staircase. Curse Quailwing for trying to be decorative, not safe. Suddenly, his pursuer was on top of him, knife in hand. His messy golden hair swayed as he fought to hold Jayfeather down. Jayfeather, after moments of struggle, gave in. He still hadn't found out who his attacker was but as, they spoke, Jayfeather instantly recognised their voice, and it hurt nim inside.

"I'm sorry, Jayfeather," they murmured in his ear, raising the knife, ready to take the final blow, "But not all stories are fairytales."

Lionblaze. How could he? After all this time… What? How? It wasn't possible. No. Anyone but him.

"That may be true," the voice of a someone new echoed through the hallway, almost a whisper. Jayfeather twisted underneath Lionblaze's grasp, trying to spot the newcomer, but failing. He recognised their voice, but just couldn't remember who they were. They continued after a pause, "But maybe this one is."

The was a sudden uproar as Lionblaze leapt off of Jayfeather and met blades with the newcomer. Jayfeather took the opportunity. He crawled away and shut himself in a small cupboard. He couldn't run, otherwise Lionblaze would see him, and the distraction would be wasted. Jayfeather was snapped from his thoughts as he heard voices again, "How dare you betray the imposters!"

That was Lionblaze.

"Oh, I dare, alright!"

"CT, you know we swore allegiance!"

"We're imposters for Starclan's sake, the hint's in the name!"

"Stop trying to be smart with me!"

The talking turned into screeches, and Jayfeather unconsciously stopped his breathing.

"Take your last breath, BL," the newcomer said, her voice showing a hint of satisfaction, "It's over."

And just then, there was a soft thud, as Lionblaze's lifeless body fell to the floor. Footsteps approached Jayfeather, hurriedly. The door to the cupboard swung open. A lithe girl with dark grey hair stood over Jayfeather, her blood-stained knife in her left hand. As she drew herself up, her face lightened by the moon, Jayfeather let out a small gasp, "Cinderheart?"