Note: Fair warning, this is a long one, running at double the length of most other chapters in the series. Trying to read it in one sitting might get exhausting, though the scene in the 'testing lab' comes just before the halfway point, should you be looking for a good place to pause.

Part 8: The Purifier

The path to the purifier seemed specifically designed to tie them in knots. One minute they were ascending spiral staircases of gleaming white marble, the next delving into dank cellars or serpentine tunnels. They'd gone up, down, forwards and back for twenty minutes or more, but how that translated into actual distance travelled was anybody's guess. Simple puzzles and obstacles punctuated the route, with Kirsty's disembodied voice emerging every so often to alternately mock, encourage, or provide hints on what to do next.

Sarah scowled. This section of palace was half Aztec city, half candy factory, and all too often their path took them across flimsy bamboo gantries suspended above pools of bubbling gloop. With gritted teeth she shuffled on, nothing but a sagging wisp of gossamer gauze keeping her out of the slime. So far she'd remained spotless, and had every intention of keeping things that way. Still, their destination couldn't be far now. Soon she would have answers.

The others had chattered the length of the journey, joking and swapping stories while at the same time trying to gauge who the turncoat might be. Liz in particular had clearly made her mind up. What was more, the imperious blonde seemed to think she was being incredibly subtle as she manoeuvred through the group, chatting in her refined, cut-glass accent about how the gargoyle chamber was so clearly a planned ambush, and who could possibly have brought them there? Annabelle had to know she was being plotted against, but seemed strangely unconcerned.

This time there had been no conveniently placed showers. Sarah had no need for one, of course, but the same could hardly have been said of the others. In the event, the scenery itself had contrived to clean them up. The first beneficiaries had been Jen and Lena, who'd received a surprise overhead soaking while pushing open a set of double doors. Liz and Nikki had been next, when a seemingly innocuous stretch of corridor sprouted dozens of blowholes. Their shrieks had shredded the air, but tailed off once they'd realised it was only water squirting them. It had been Annabelle and Lucy's turn not long after, when, having found their way blocked by a bizarre clockwork portcullis, they'd been ordered to bob around in a bubbling hot tub to dredge out the missing cogs and activate the mechanism.

Though sceptical at first, Sarah was starting to see why the others had chosen to wear bathing suits. The alternative would've meant spending most of the game in soggy clothes. Dressed in a pure white tank top and navy shorts, Sarah was starting to feel a little out of place. But I did let Jen talk me into wearing a bikini underneath, I guess I could always... She dispelled the notion with a shake of her head, annoyed at herself for even thinking something so silly.

Nothing in this place made any sense. Whatever logic existed here was so warped as to be almost unrecognisable. It was anathema to Sarah. She liked to know where she was. She liked structure. Of course, if she disapproved of said structure she'd set about changing it, or at least manipulating it to serve her ends, but how could she bend the rules if there were none?

But enough of that, there were plans to make and contingencies to ponder. Once they reached the purifier the spy would be unveiled. Or at least that was the plan. Suddenly Sarah wondered whether they might have only one chance to nominate a suspect. Regardless, whatever this 'purification' might involve, she was certain she wanted nothing to do with it. Judging by the way things seemed to work around here, the process would be very, very messy. Another worrying thought emerged - what if it was the opposite, and the purifier held enough slime to test all of them? Sarah shuddered at the thought. No, it was imperative that the guilty party was found quickly. The longer things took, the greater the risk of someone accusing her.

Solving the mystery, sadly, was easier said than done. Sure she had suspicions - strong ones at that - but nothing conclusive. She glanced at a certain someone. Do I really think it's her, or do I just want it to be her? Is there something I've missed? Concentrating intently, she tried to recall every little detail of her comrades' behaviour, every idle comment, every remark and anecdote. She racked her brain, searching for discrepancies in people's stories, out of character remarks, unexplained absences, anything that might single out a suspect.

It was no good. She'd only met most of these people yesterday, how would she know if they acted strangely? No, Sarah decided, she'd just have to trust her instincts, and her instincts pointed to one name and one name only...

So lost was she in her private reverie that the hand waving in front of her face barely registered. "Earth to Sarah. Come in, Sarah," sang Lucy, cheerful as ever.

Sarah blinked. "Sorry. Daydreaming."

"Hah, I've done that plenty of times. Take a look, we've got a decision to make."

Noticing a towel draped over Lucy's shoulder, Sarah glanced around. The passage continued north, but a gothic arch breached the wall to their left, its path descending into darkness. A row of towels had been hung on the opposite wall, and here most of the team stood drying themselves off.

"Annabelle says we can carry on the way we're going and try to get out of this place," Lucy continued, "or we can go down there, to the purifier." She spoke that last part as though reciting a ghost story.

"I thought we'd already agreed?" Sarah tried not to let her impatience show. "We can't go on until we find the traitor."

Jen was styling her long, chestnut-brown hair at an ornate mirror beside the towel rail. "But what if it's all a trick?" she said, looking at Sarah via the reflection. "Maybe there is no spy." Suddenly coy, she avoided Sarah's searching stare. "Just saying, is all."

Just what I'd expect you to say, too.

Nikki clapped her hands together. "Well I don't know about you guys, but I want to see what this pacifier thing does."

"Purifier," Liz corrected.

"Hmm?"

"It's called the purifier."

"Whatever, I want to see it in action. Let's mosey."

Mosey? Sarah smiled slyly. "Yes, let's."

*****

Liz was feeling especially pleased with herself. She was starting to get the hang of all this. Her work in sowing suspicion against Annabelle had been nothing short of masterful, even if she did say so herself. Extensive experience of mingling at cocktail parties had given her all the experience she needed. She'd been direct with a few of them, laying on the charm, and was certain she had at least a couple fully on-side. With the others she'd expertly sown seeds of doubt, letting them come to the conclusion she desired without making any overt accusations. Liz chuckled to herself - pretty little Annabelle was going into the purifier. It wasn't that Liz disliked her, quite the opposite, but the simple fact was that after the business at the gatehouse, Annabelle was almost certain to accuse her. That made her a threat, and threats needed to be dealt with. Come to think of it, Lucy might also be a problem. Their recent gunge war had shown that the girl was quite obviously a loose cannon. Still, one problem at a time.

While the others began filing down the stairway, Liz tarried by the mirror to get the parting of her flaxen hair looking just so. Turning, she admired her profile and adjusted the little white triangles of her bikini top. Nature had been kind to her. It felt good to look good, and Liz knew she looked extremely good. With the gunge washed off, her sensible side had fully reasserted itself. Alright, that's it. No more slime and silliness. This time I stay clean. I mean, if Sarah can do it, why can't I?

She still couldn't quite believe she'd signed up for this. Had the request not come from a particularly worthwhile charity she'd have refused immediately. Even so, once she'd learned what was entailed she'd fully intended to decline, offering a donation by way of apology... but then that evening she'd mentioned the offer to her friends over a few drinks. Alright, several drinks. She'd explained the indignity she'd been asked to subject herself to, expecting sympathy, only for her friends to burst out laughing and urge her to do it. With all of them watching, and under the influence of the wine, she'd been swept along with the idea and called up to accept. It wasn't until the following morning that she'd realised what she'd done.

By the mirror's reflection she noticed that only she and Sarah remained in the passage. With Sarah about to descend the stairs, she decided to try and seal Annabelle's fate a little further.

"Ah, Sarah. I was meaning to speak to you."

Sarah looked back. With a faint smile she folded her arms and leaned against the archway. "Sorry, Liz, but I'm pretty certain it's not Annabelle."

What? How could she...? "Oh... right... that is, erm, not sure what you mean. Although now you mention it, I do worry Annabelle might start throwing around some rather ridiculous accusations. I mean, she might even name me, of all people."

Sarah's eyes narrowed. "Your point being?"

Liz blinked innocently and shrugged. "So I was thinking, perhaps we should look out for one another? Say, if you were to speak up in my defence, maybe I could do the same for you?" Gauging Sarah's expression, Liz left a delicate little pause before adding, "After all, from what Jen said earlier, it seems we're in the same predicament."

Immediately Sarah straightened. "And what, exactly, has Jen been saying?"

*****

Down they went, into passages hewn from near-black bedrock, the walls slick with condensation. From somewhere deep and distant came the tinkle of running water, while above them a fine mist wove across the ceiling, granted a greenish tint by a series of faint phosphorescent lights. Jen checked the knots of her black and white-polka-dot bikini, fully expecting ghouls to come bursting through the walls at any moment. Up ahead, Lucy was whispering something to Lena, who giggled before giving Liz an admiring look. Jen had a good idea what they'd been up to earlier, and approved wholeheartedly. Lucky them, I just wish... No, who am I kidding? Sarah would never agree to something like that. From their tone, though, it seemed Liz had won whatever mucky contest they'd been involved in. That came as a surprise. Maybe there was more to their resident posh girl than met the eye?

As though reading her thoughts, a hand appeared on her shoulder. "So who d'ya think it is?" said Sarah. "Any suspects?"

"Hmm, one or two. And you?"

"That would be telling." A flash of light caught Sarah's mesmerising green eyes. "But whoever it is, I can't wait for them to get what they deserve."

This sounded promising. "So you're starting to loosen up, huh? I knew you would. Maybe you want to join in on the next game? We could-"

Sarah raised a hand to forestall her. "Not so fast. Sorry, but I see slime the same way I see gifts - better to give than receive."

"Yeah, but sometimes a bit of both can be fun."

"I think I'll take your word for that."

At the head of the column, Annabelle stopped abruptly. "Everyone, come look at this," she whispered.

An awed hush fell. One by one they stepped into a vast opening, the air refreshingly cool after the humid tunnels. Circular and sparsely lit, the space resembled the inside of a grain silo. Jen's gaze crept skyward. They were still at the level of the catacombs, yet the roof, lost in blackness though it was, must have been as high as the palace itself. A peculiar pinkish resin honeycombed the lower portion, as though a vast insect nest had begun colonising the building.

Yet this wasn't what drew her attention. Suspended in the void, lit moodily by slanted neon spotlights, sat a structure the size of a house, gunmetal grey and shaped like a bumpy tin can. Perched atop squat pillars, it culminated in a jumble of vast cables that disappeared upward. The pink resin encroached here too, corrupting the can's metal carapace and trailing like ivy from gnarled pipes and protruding vents. Covered walkways extended from its midsection, linking to the palace's upper levels, while a storey-high 'neck' connected the edifice to the silo's northern side. Facing them, a few stout steps led to an industrial iron doorway bordered by black and yellow hazard lines, above which a scroll-like sign proclaimed the 'Purification Chamber' in an elaborate gothic script.

"Anyone else having second thoughts?" murmured Annabelle.

Undaunted, Lena and Lucy nodded to each other before ascending the stairs, though Lena hesitated a few moments before pressing the door's release button, and promptly sprang back as vapour hissed from grimy valves. With a growl of grinding metal, the hatch swung open.

Deep inside, a single bulb shone weakly. One by one more awoke, but even this barely dented the darkness. Overcome by curiosity, Jen climbed the stairs. The lights were still struggling to come on, but slowly more details emerged. The interior was one large room, asymmetrical and dominated by...

"That's it," she whispered. "The purifier."

A clear cylinder rose from the room's centre. Seven feet in diameter, it stretched from floor to ceiling. Its contents, however, were obscured by a dense, swirling mist that filled the space entirely. Slanting lights imbued the fog with a ghostly blue glow, and somehow the air inside was moving, the fog swirling slow circles as though a spoon had been stirred through it. Gingerly Jen stepped closer. Other than blurred silhouettes of what might be pillars, it was impossible to tell what waited in there. Lena and Lucy moved up beside her. Even they looked nervous.

"Uh, girls?" said Jen, her voice strangely weak. "Are we sure we want to do this? I mean, that thing looks..."

As the others stepped into the chamber, a voice emerged from speakers high on the walls. It was Belle, the arena's chief technician, though a robotic quality was being applied to her voice, as though it were a computer talking to them. "Attention, contestants," she said, her tone cold and clinical. "You stand in the purification chamber. You know why you're here. Not everyone in this room can be trusted. Who isn't on your side? Who might turn on you? Here you can find out. Here you can eliminate the guilty." She paused, allowing time for the contestants to cast suspicious looks at each other, before adding, "But naturally, purity does not come without risk."

Light pulsed within the purifier. Briefly the fog flared electric blue, the air thrumming with a sound like charging electric current. Jen knew it had to be nothing more than a sound effect, yet still jumped back in fright when the floor shifted beneath her. Only now did she notice twelve manhole-sized white discs arranged in a horseshoe formation around the purifier. Seven of them had lifted a few inches from the floor, dull light shining beneath them.

"The innocent have nothing to fear," declared Belle, "but there can be no hiding from the truth. To find who lurks among you, all must face the test. If you step upon the discs, you will vote to decide who faces the purifier. Be warned - there is no going back. Once you take your place, nobody is to move until voting concludes, other than to step into the purifier if nominated. Voting can only proceed if everyone submits to the risk. If even one of you is unwilling, there will be no purification."

The speakers crackled and fell silent. Hush fell. Jen felt strangely jittery. Sweeping her hair behind her shoulders, she surveyed her teammates. Some stared at the purifier, others glanced sidelong at people they wanted to slime. All looked uncertain.

It was Nikki who broke the silence. "For something calling itself the purifier, it sure don't look so pure."

"Roomy though," Lena added. She was right. The space within the fog could easily fit more than one person.

Liz had gone a little pale, but was trying to sound casual. "I rather like how they've coloured the mist," she observed. "A lovely shade of blue. Annabelle, it quite matches your bikini, don't you think?"

While Annabelle grinned and shook her head, Lena chuckled. "Seriously, Liz? Are you trying to say we should purify Annabelle on the grounds of colour coordination?"

Liz inclined her head and put out her hands in a 'who, me?' gesture. "No-no, just pointing it out."

Taking a step forward, Lucy pointed to the ceiling. "Wow, look at all the pipes feeding into it. Imagine how much gunge must be up there...."

Then Sarah swept by. The lights were still blinking awake, leaving much of the chamber wreathed in shadow, but the blonde strode on regardless. Jen didn't think she'd ever have her fully fathomed. Fierce yet fragile, cunning yet sincere, Sarah's slender frame and delicate beauty masked a razor-sharp mind and a will of iron. Even so, Jen could tell her friend was nervous, and that she was trying to hide it. Mouth tight and fists clenched, Sarah stopped in front of the purifier, stared into the fog for a few seconds, and then with a swish of gold hair turned to address the group.

"Okay, girls, we knew this was coming. Come closer, don't be shy." Hearing Sarah's words, the others edged forward. Lucy was beginning to smile.

A ring of lights had finally stabilised, and now Jen could discern a series of portals and hatches at the chamber's edge. No doubt they led to the walkways she'd seen from outside. Nerves jangling, she joined the others in a loose circle. Now came the part she'd been looking forward to... and also dreading.

The silence stretched. "Come on," Sarah urged, "give me some names, people." Judging by her tone, she seemed to consider herself above suspicion.

Jen was caught in a dilemma. She dearly wanted to name Sarah, but what kind of reaction would she get? Sarah had loosened up considerably, true, but pushing her too far could reverse all that at a stroke. But then, maybe she'd just laugh along. Maybe all she needed was one last little push? It was a gamble, but one she had to take. With hope and fear tying knots in her stomach, Jen finally plucked up her courage - but then another voice spoke.

"It's obviously one of the volunteers," Liz declared primly. Gesturing to Annabelle, Lucy and Nikki, but mainly Annabelle, she went on, "Think about it, one of them could be a ghoul. For all we know they work here every weekend."

"I... uh... wait," said Nikki. "For one, that'd be a hell of a commute for me."

Liz smiled. "It certainly would. So that only leaves Annabelle and Lucy. And I see there's room for-"

At that, Lena cut in. "Wait. Sorry, Nikki, but we'd be mad if we didn't put you in."

"Huh? Me? Why me?"

"Four girls went into the pyramid. One came out. You. We've only got your word for anything that happened in there."

"But wait!" Nikki protested. "The key! If I'm a spy, why'd I bring the key back?"

Lena shrugged whimsically. "Sorry, but we have to be safe."

Pretending to be offended, Nikki huffed and folded her arms beneath her breasts. She winked at Lena. "Well I guess I know who I'll be voting for."

While Lena and Nikki grinned at each other, Liz made a point of clearing her throat. "Ahem. So as I was saying, it has to be either Annabelle or Lucy, and of the two of them I think it's obvious who-"

"It's blatantly Liz," Annabelle declared. Ignoring Liz's affronted gasp, she pressed on. "Remember the gatehouse? First she shuts me and Lucy out, then she gunges me, and then when we manage to get inside she opens the door for the ghouls. Put her in."

"But that was all an accident!"

"That's exactly what you'd say if it was you."

"Well... yes, but what chance does that give me?" Liz looked around for support. "Look, if anyone's going in, it ought to be Annabelle. Remember how that 'map' she found led us straight into an ambush? And besides, the second she got into the gatehouse she was throwing gunk at me."

Annabelle's mouth fell open. "Yeah, I wonder why!"

With the bickering rising in pitch, the others exchanged amused glances. At length Liz looked beseechingly to the group. With her statuesque beauty and big blue eyes, she was a picture of angelic innocence, and in a voice smooth as satin intoned, "Ladies, come on, let's be sensible about this. Yes, there were a few little mistakes in the gatehouse, but we all got out, didn't we? Well, Holly didn't, but that was hardly my fault. My point is, if I was a traitor, surely I would have done a better job?"

"She has a point," said Sarah. "I'd expect the traitor to be a bit more... well... competent."

Liz beamed. "See? Didn't I say - wait, what?"

Brown eyes twinkling, Annabelle stepped up to Liz and placed her hands on her hips. With Liz the tallest member of the group and Annabelle among the shortest, she had to angle her head to be able to face her accuser. "Come on, Liz, we all know you deserve the gunge. You and maybe Jen."

Jen started. "Hey! Why me?"

Annabelle peeked sideways at her. "That business in the catacombs? We were just walking along and then suddenly blam! Custard everywhere. That was dodgy as anything."

Jen felt her cheeks start to flush. "But that wasn't me!"

"One of us had to have done it."

"But that's why I know it's you! I didn't do a thing."

Annabelle rolled her eyes. "As if. I'm not even mad, mucking each other up's just part of the fun, it's the denying it that makes you look suss."

While Jen began babbling an excuse, Sarah appeared beside her. "Y'know, that reminds me."

There had been something about Sarah's tone, and now Jen felt those beautiful green eyes boring into her. "Uh, what?" she asked meekly.

Sarah's voice dropped to a sultry murmur. "Remember when Melissa first told us about the traitor?" She waited for Jen to nod. "Did you find it odd that she addressed me, even though you were literally right next to her? Did that seem a little funny to you?"

Jen's eyes sparkled. Slowly and teasingly, she answered with a simple, "Can't say that I noticed."

"What about the ghoul by the statue, the one you asked to mess me up?"

"That was a joke. I mean, you always get away clean, and the rest of us..."

"Perhaps," Sarah allowed. Now she was stalking slow circles around Jen. "But what if someone's main reason for being here - besides the charities, of course - was to cover one of her own friends, someone she'd known for years, in gallons and gallons of gooey green slime? That'd be a little suspicious, don't you think?"

With all eyes on her, Jen laughed nervously. She'd always been useless with secrets. Had Liz or Lena talked, or had Sarah worked it out by herself? At any rate, however she'd heard, the fact that Sarah hadn't flown into an immediate rage was itself a promising sign. "Okay, you got me."

Sarah was wearing her victory smile, the one Jen tended to see whenever they played tennis together. Her eyes moved to the purifier, then back to Jen. "So you know what's going to happen now," she whispered. Before Jen could reply, Sarah turned to the others. "Okay then, so what do we say? Are we doing this?"

Murmurs spread through the group, but it was Lucy who spoke up first. "I'm up for it. I mean, this is all a game, right? I say we play." With that she stepped onto one of the discs, which glowed brighter once both her feet were atop it.

Feeling suddenly wary, Jen twiddled a lock of hair and waited to see what the others would do. Lena and Nikki hi-fived before heading to the discs, being sure to stand next to one another. Further back, Liz was looking less sure of herself. With one hand hovering near her chin, she stared up at the purifier. No sooner had she done so than Annabelle sidled around to remain in front of her.

"What's wrong, Liz?" said the brunette. "Don't tell me you're going to back out. I'm willing to take the risk, how about you?" Seeing Liz hesitate, she leaned forward and gave an impish smile. "C'mon. Don't you wanna see me get covered in gunk?" With Liz unable to conceal a smirk, Annabelle's smile widened. "Aha! That's the spirit. Let's do this."

With that she took Liz by the hand and led her to the far right of the horseshoe. For a moment the pair hesitated, staring at the circles, until they glanced at each other, smiled, and as one stepped forward. The discs lit beneath them.

Jen swept her hands up into her hair. Normally she'd be eager to join in, but she'd seen the way everyone had looked at her after Sarah's little speech. Events were spinning out of control, and she had a bad feeling about where this was going. "Umm, really, shouldn't we think about this?"

Sarah stepped up to the central disc. Jen could barely believe it. Was she really about to put herself in the firing line? She could see Sarah weighing the risks, summoning her courage. For a few seconds the blonde hesitated, hands fidgeting with the hem of her top and revealing part of her toned midriff. For a moment she looked about to discard the tank top altogether, but then she stepped onto the circle. Watching it flare beneath her, Sarah exhaled deeply, trying her utmost to remain calm, and looked at Jen.

"So Jen, what's the hold up? Don't tell me you're scared?"

Suddenly she realised what Sarah had done - she'd convinced the team to name their suspects before voting began, and only committed herself once she was confident she was safe. Jen fumbled for words. "I- I just..."

"I mean, I guess you could back out, but you do realise how suspicious that'd look, right?" Sarah's tone was exaggeratedly chirpy, but there was a devilish gleam in her eye. She knew her prey was cornered.

Jen sighed. There was no getting out of this. Nibbling her bottom lip, she shuffled to the last empty disc, on the far left of the formation. One step forward and that'll be it. No going back. Oh well, here goes. Balling her fists, she made herself step onto the circle.

Clanking sounds came from all around. Amid startled squeaks, Jen noticed red lights shining beside each of the exits. They were locked in. Belle's robotic voice returned. "Perimeter secured. All doors will remain locked until purification is complete. Initiation protocols commencing. Safeguards disengaged."

Loud clicks sounded from atop the cylinder, and then it began to slide down into the floor. The released fog overflowed, spilling down its sides like an erupting volcano before settling at shin height. As the screen retracted, so a shape rose up from within. A cluster of warped columns appeared, olive green and curved like grasping, vaguely amphibian fingers. Flared spouts, like the suckers of an octopus, studded the inside of those digits, which were webbed by a rubbery membrane to create a circular enclosure. It was as though a vast alien hand had punched through the floor, reaching toward...

Jen's breath caught. An orangey mass covered the ceiling's centre. Blubbery and riven with root-like tubes, it resembled a huge upside-down blancmange.

Belle's voice reverberated through the chamber. "Purifier charging."

More clicks, and then colour ignited across the ceiling, the pipes channelling torrents of multicoloured gunk into the amorphous mass, which began to swell, drooping from the ceiling toward the grasping columns. Lurid hues spread within it, the material expanding like a bunch of mismatched balloons, until at last the pouring stopped.

Nikki stared. "Wow. That's a lot of sli-"

Belle's voice interrupted her. "Preparatory charging complete. Primary charge commencing."

What the hell? Jen watched, spellbound, as yet more slime flowed through the pipes. Suddenly the mass was expanding even faster, parts of it bulging out as though about to pop. Now Jen could see all the nozzles and spouts set into its surface. Excitement shivered down her spine. Still the slime poured. On and on it came, gallon after gallon sloshing into the bizarre contraption, inflating it until at last it rested against the tips of the columns, which dug in as though about to puncture it.

Lena stood transfixed. "What have we gotten ourselves into?"

Jen realised she was compulsively rubbing her right hand up and down her left forearm. Just then a snick sounded beside her right foot, where a plastic stem now slid up from the floor. It rose just past waist height, and atop it was a set of number keys along with two buttons, one green and one red. Identical keypads had appeared beside each of the others.

"Voting is simple," announced Belle. She ran through a list of numbers, one through seven, with each contestant's disc flaring when their number was called - starting with Liz and ending with Jen. "To vote, simply enter the number of your suspect and press the green button. Do not announce who you are voting for. Once all votes are in, one by one you will be directed to enter the red button to reveal your choice. All votes are final. With seven contestants in the game, you will each have two votes. You cannot vote for the same person twice. Anyone who receives three votes or more will face purification. Once the process concludes, a purified traitor must reveal their true allegiance and can be dealt with accordingly."

Sarah tensed. "Wait, we vote twice?"

It took an effort for Jen not to jump on the spot and cheer. She'd grasped the implication immediately. "So... two votes, huh? Then I guess, if we wanted to, we could use one for the traitor... and one for whoever we want to slime?"

Mouth tightening, Sarah shuffled on the spot. Again one hand rose to the hem of her top. Steadying herself, she glared at Jen. "Don't even... It's you. We all know it's you. You're going into that thing."

Jen fluttered her eyelashes. "Maybe I am... but maybe I'll have some company." Seeing Sarah pout, a strange sense of elation washed through Jen. The thought of facing the purifier alongside Sarah was a lot less daunting.

Belle was doing a good job of keeping her voice free of emotion. "A final rule. Improbable as it may be, it's possible that nobody will lose all three lives. This would result in unpleasant consequences for all of you. As such, you each have the option of voting a third time. Doing so, however, will also count as a vote against you. Choose wisely. Voting may commence... now."

*****

Down in the arena's substructure, Kirsty faced a somewhat surreal sight. She'd never been one to sit around and wait. If there were games going on, she wanted to be part of them. And so, with her work in guiding the contestants to the purifier complete, she'd sought out Joanna, the head gunge ghoul, to try and get herself involved in the main attack.

She'd found Jo in what was supposedly a 'test lab', which in reality was little larger than a garage and contained no actual scientific equipment. Gleaming white and brightly lit, its main feature was a transparent panel that split the room lengthwise. The side facing Kirsty and Jo had a long control terminal running alongside the viewing pane, while the other side was split into two narrow cells linked by an opaque retractable screen. The only way into these cells was through separate doors on the north and south walls. The place was set up for two 'test subjects' to be suddenly confronted with each other, and one of those subjects had just made an entrance.

"Well that's... something," said Kirsty, trying not to snigger.

A young woman waddled into the right-hand cell. She was wearing a ridiculous sumo suit that made her look almost spherical, her limbs little more than nubs. A series of hoses had just disconnected from the suit's shoulders, and a few drips of vivid pink slime slid down the outside. The entire outfit was suffused with gunge. Sprayers lurked beneath each wrist. It was effectively a ghoul costume, though taken to an absurd degree.

"Quite a sight, isn't it?" replied Jo. It wasn't quite clear whether she was being ironic or not.

Plainly aware of how ludicrous she looked, the ghoul began doing lunges while peering at the two observers. "So be honest, does this outfit make me look fat?"

With the test booths soundproofed so that neither cell could hear what was happening in the other, Joanna held down a button on the terminal in order to reply. "Looking sharp, Amy. Ready to give this a try?"

"You bet."

Kirsty glanced to Jo. "So this is why you've taken so long to get set up, right? You've kitted out a whole bunch of girls like this."

Joanna nodded. "Indeed. They're a new invention, and as I imagine you can tell, they sacrifice speed for firepower. They could never chase a contestant down."

Kirsty nodded, beginning to understand. "Right, but if they're all stood in one place arguing with each other..."

"Exactly. It's been far too long since the last elimination." Joanna's eyes glimmered. "In fact, I'd say it's time to make a statement."

Kirsty's smile morphed into a frown. "Wait, you're not going to wipe them out, are you?"

Joanna shrugged. "Not intentionally. Maybe three or four of them, but at this stage in the game we tend to stop giving chances. If they get themselves cornered, it'll be game over."

"Right... just try not to get too trigger-happy though, yeah? I mean, we wanna leave something for Lisa to do."

Piercing eyes flicked to Kirsty. "What have you heard about Lisa?"

"Uh, nothing, but I'm guessing she'll be involved near the end. I mean, Mel gets gunked at the end of the first phase, I'm here in the second - it makes sense."

"We'll just have to see." Looking back to the test chambers, Joanna changed topic. "So, should we bring out the other subject?"

Kirsty rolled her eyes. "Okay, here we go."

"What?"

"Let me save you some time. You're going to come up with some reason for me to go in the other... booth-thing to fix a valve or something, and then surprise-surprise the screen's going to roll back and I'm going to be the one being tested."

Joanna laughed. "I'll admit, the thought had occurred to me, but no. I've got another job lined up for you. We've actually convinced a former contestant to lend a hand."

"Really? Who'd you get?"

"Who do you think?"

The door to the left hand booth opened and a young woman strutted in. Giving them a friendly smile, the newcomer stood confidently, one hand at her hip as the other flicked back her mane of tawny brown hair. Despite wearing nothing but a daring red bikini on her hourglass figure, she seemed utterly at ease. It was Kelly, the first contestant to be eliminated.

"Why hello, Kelly," said Joanna. "Good to get you back in the action."

Kelly grinned again. "Happy to help. So, uh, what am I meant to be doing?"

"We're doing science. Behavioural analysis. In a moment the screen beside you is going to open. All you need to do is step through, then react naturally to what you find on the other side."

"Ha! Okay, I'm curious." With her expression veering between nervousness and mirth, Kelly faced the screen. "By the way, I know it's a long shot, but I kinda hope it's Lucy in there. I owe her a gunge fight."

At the mention of Lucy, Joanna nodded wistfully. "You and me both."

Kirsty covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. She could see Amy - the sumo ghoul - making ready on the other side. Poor Kelly had no idea what she was about to face. Meanwhile, Joanna released the speaker button so the test subjects couldn't hear her. "By the way, Kirsty, I love how in the intro you only switched your friends' lab coats for swimwear as a prank, but now everyone seems to think it's standard attire for playing the game. People often wear them, true, but usually underneath something else."

"Did you tell Kelly that?"

"We did. She knows it's optional, but she went for a bikini anyway. That's Kelly for you. Although to be honest, just look at her... if I had a figure like that, I'd show it off any chance I could. Either way, she's a good sport, which makes her perfect for this."

"How's that?"

"Nothing here is quite as random as it looks. We always test people's reactions to the nonsense we dream up, but normally the focus is on putting nervous people at ease. We don't have much data on how more carefree types respond. In Kelly's case, I have a theory on how she's going to act."

"Wow, so this is a proper experiment? I thought you just had some gunge left over."

Joanna smirked. "That too." She activated the speakers. "Kelly, are you good to go?"

"I'm good." Though still smiling, Kelly had closed her eyes.

"Then we'll begin."

The screen opened. Kelly bravely stepped forward with her eyes still closed, and only opened them as the screen slid shut behind her. On seeing Amy she squealed - partly in fright, partly at her foe's ludicrous appearance.

Kirsty stepped closer to the screen. She wanted a good look at what was coming. As she did so, Joanna began narrating her theory. "And so we reach Phase 1 - fight or flight. Observe."

In the test booth, Kelly had recovered from her initial shock and was dancing around, leaning slightly forward with arms held out at her sides, unsure what to do. Noticing rows of custard pies lining each side of the booth, she laughed and began flinging them wildly in Amy's direction. Amy stood motionless, a knowing half-smile on her lips as pies splattered harmlessly off her costume.

"You see?" Joanna continued. "The subject knows pies have no effect on a ghoul, but still her first thought is to throw mess at her. If I'm right, this will be followed by Phase 1-a."

Sure enough Kelly paused, seeming surprised at still being clean. Still she went for the pies, but not quite as frantically - now she was aiming for Amy's face. With the ghoul still not responding, Kelly began taking risks - darting forward to splat Amy from close range before springing back again, always expecting to be slimed at any moment and looking perplexed when it didn't happen.

Kirsty was just as confused. "Why's she still clean? C'mon, I want to see her get gunked."

"All in good time." Joanna activated the speakers. "You may commence Phase 2." At that, the ghoul wiped her face and began to advance. She lifted her wrists, bringing the sprayers to bear. On seeing this Kelly gave a laughing yelp and drew back, hands rising to shield herself, but still the ghoul didn't fire. "With these costumes, formation is vital," Joanna continued. "In a real attack, the ghouls will be shoulder to shoulder across the room, leaving no way past." There was sweet anticipation in her voice. "You see? Kelly has less and less space. She knows time is running out. Notice the change?"

Once again Joanna was right. Kelly's aim had deteriorated again. There was a wildness to her motions now, a note of hysteria creeping into her wordless murmurs. Barely six feet separated her from the ghoul. As though knowing what awaited her, she looked to Joanna, who gave an evil grin.

"Commence Phase 3. Gunge her."

With an exultant yell Amy opened fire. Bright pink gunge surged forth over Kelly, who screamed playfully and turned sideways, arms flailing as slippery splashes draped over her curves. This stuff wasn't the pressurised jets shot by regular ghouls, instead it was slower, foamier and sprayed in wide arcs. What was more, it never seemed to end. Amy guided her arms back and forth, languid torrents sailing through the air to slather poor Kelly.

Kirsty's nose crinkled in gleeful sympathy. She loved seeing people get messy, but at the same time knew what it was like to be on the receiving end. She found herself cheering Kelly on as the voluptuous brunette kept on trying to throw pies, though by this point there weren't many left and any she did throw got shredded by the flying gunge, with most of the custard simply splashing back onto Kelly herself. With great streaks of the stuff starting to obscure parts of the viewing pane, Kirsty shifted for a better view.

Still Amy advanced. Kelly was really getting messy now. Laughing, she turned this way and that, looking for more ammunition - and squealed as mess strafed her almost-clean back, wet ribbons threading through her long tresses. On turning back to Amy she slipped to her knees, and for a moment sat motionless, hands level with her armpits, staring down at her gunk-spattered curves. Amy was inexorable, and wasted no time in switching her aim, sending the creamy pink blizzard billowing across Kelly's lap. The brunette shook her head, still smiling, as the sprays rose, splattering her tanned midriff, then into her cleavage. She closed her eyes as the gentle bombardment reached her face, blobs sliding down her cheeks and dripping from her chin. Locks of hair were beginning to cling to her neck, suffused by slime.

"And now comes the moment of truth," announced Jo. "With the subject cornered, they will do one of two things. Either they'll give up and submit to elimination, or..."

Wiping her eyes, Kelly stood. The ghoul was only a few paces distant now. Kelly rolled her eyes, as though not quite believing what she was about to do - and then charged.

It was as though a can of pink paint exploded inside the test cell. Kirsty flinched back as great swathes of the viewing pane turned opaque, buried by erupting goo. "Excellent," mused Jo. "With this costume, contact is the ghoul's primary weapon. Once the subject knows her only chance is to strike for the ripcord, and with no way to flank, she's forced into a frontal assault. The results are... well, take a look."

Kirsty watched raptly. With the ripcord on a ghoul suit situated at the back of the neck, and with the sumo suit being so wide, Kelly had to press against it in an attempt to reach the cord. The spongy material compressed as Kelly wriggled against it, sending vast quantities of gunge splurging forth. Astonished, Kelly leaned back, looking down at where torrents of pink ooze slid between her breasts and fell in sheets from her bikini top. Then with a resigned grin she pressed back in, reaching doggedly for the cord and squealing with ticklish laughter as gunge bathed her.

It was becoming difficult to see with so much slime hitting the view-pane. Again Kirsty shifted position, only this time she noticed something. "Wait, I don't see any ripcord."

Joanna looked over distractedly. "Hmm? Oh, no. This is a test costume, so to ensure the experiment ran its full course, we had to make a few modifications."

"Eww, ha-ha! That's mean. Kelly never stood a chance."

"True, but I'm sure she already knew that. And now the final phase. Hammer and anvil. In a real attack, the line of sumo-ghouls would shepherd contestants into the centre and close a ring around them, ensuring elimination. We can't quite replicate that in these cells, but we do what we can."

At that the screen opened again. Kirsty gasped on seeing a second sumo-ghoul waddle through from where Kelly had entered. Now Kelly was penned between them. Kirsty opened her mouth to shout a warning, but at that moment Kelly noticed foamy green dollops arriving on her back. There was a squelching sound as she pulled back from the first ghoul, accompanied by more spurting ooze, and saw what was about to happen. Dazed but still smiling, painted head to toe in creamy slop, she faced the viewing pane and looked pleadingly to Joanna and Kirsty.

Joanna activated the speakers. "Our thanks, Kelly, you've provided some exceedingly useful data. Now though, the experiment is almost at an end." She gestured to the two ghouls. "Finish her."

Kelly lifted her arms above her head and looked at the ceiling as the ghouls sandwiched her. Almost instantly she disappeared from view, the viewing screen totally obscured beneath a green and pink barrage. More and more arrived, accompanied by a ceaseless drumming sound. Kirsty stared, open-mouthed. From the brunette's screams of laughter, she could only imagine what was happening in there.

Ignoring the gunk still pattering against the nearby screen, Joanna turned to Kirsty. There was a dreamy look on her face. "Just picture it - a whole row of those ghouls blocking all escape, the contestants hurling themselves against the line, only to end up encircled..."

With Joanna seemingly lost in daydreams, Kirsty glanced again at the muck-smeared screen. The contestants didn't stand a chance.

*****

Jen already knew who she was voting for. With initial nerves melting away, she checked the keypad and then smiled mischievously at Sarah, maintaining eye contact as she entered her votes. Sarah folded her arms and remained glaring at her, though Jen thought she detected a faint hint of amusement in her friend's eyes. Or at least she hoped she did. If not, this might end very badly.

With her votes cast, she checked on the others. Nikki and Lena had finished and were pretending to glower at each other. Meanwhile, at the other end of the horseshoe, Liz's confidence looked to have returned. Plainly convinced she had this in the bag, she adopted a regal pose, arms folded, chin at an aloof angle, and tried not to react as Annabelle made a show of counting out the discs only to stop after number one - Liz's number - and then voting.

Soon only Lucy remained. The cheery brunette seemed uncertain. "Come on, Lucy, you know what to do," said Liz, looking smugly at Annabelle as she did so. Annabelle's brow furrowed in sudden concern. For a few seconds Lucy hesitated, eyes flicking across the group, before entering a final vote and lowering her arms to her sides, exhaling nervously as she did so.

"If anybody wishes to enter a final choice, do so now," intoned Belle. All was still. Everyone peeked nervily about, trying to work out how many votes they were likely to receive. "Then voting is concluded." There was a brief pause, and when Belle next spoke there was a note of wicked amusement in her voice. "Results are in. At least one of you is going to be purified. Let's find out who. As results are revealed, if a spotlight appears above you, you have lost a life. If the light turns blue, that's your second. If the light flashes red, you will step into the purifier and await your fate. Number one, you may proceed."

With a satisfied smile curling the corners of her mouth, Liz placed one hand on her hip and with the other pressed the red button. "I'm sure none of you will be surprised by my first pick." Sure enough a spotlight flared above Annabelle, who jokily stuck her tongue out at Liz. "And for my second... sorry, Lucy." While Lucy laughed, Liz settled back, looking pleased with herself.

Now, though, it was Annabelle's turn. "Well let's get the obvious out of the way," she said, taking great relish in pressing the red button. Liz pouted on finding herself in a spotlight. "And for my second... well, it can really only be Jen."

Here we go. Shoulders hunching, Jen giggled. She had a feeling this was going to happen. She tensed, waiting for the light to flare, but then heard an affronted gasp, followed immediately by chuckles from the others. A spotlight had appeared above Sarah, who stared at it in horror.

"Like I was saying," Annabelle continued, "it's got to be Jen, which is why everyone else is going to pick her, so why not share the votes out a bit?"

"What the hell, Annabelle?" gasped Sarah. "Are you kidding me? Remember the gatehouse? I saved you all."

Annabelle shrugged. "Never said I thought it was you. It's just, well, everyone else has been gunged already. You've got some catching up to do."

Jen tried not to laugh too much. Sarah looked annoyed enough already. And I've voted for her, too, if just one more person has the same idea.... She looked eagerly to Lucy, who was next in line.

Though clearly a little nervous at having to name people like this, Lucy was tittering as she spoke. "Well, the first one has to be Jen."

A beam of white light enveloped her. While Jen smiled and tilted her face into the light, Sarah threw up her hands in relief. "Finally! Thank you, Lucy, at last someone with some sense."

Lucy was growing more confident. "Second - sorry, Liz, but I really don't think it's Annabelle. If it was, she could've just left me behind in the bakery. You, on the other hand..."

There was a shocked gasp from Liz as the light above her turned blue. "What! Lucy, how could you?"

"Heehee, sorry but, ha-ha, it's just, for those who don't know, me and Liz gunged each other not long ago. Thing is, when Liz won, she looked all surprised when I wasn't eliminated - but since when can contestants eliminate each other? Probably nothing, but it seemed weird."

Annabelle was practically bouncing on the spot. "Lucy, you're awesome. I just wanted you to know that. So Liz, how are you feeling? Everything going to plan?"

"I-I think I've changed my mind," Liz stammered. "Voting's a bad idea. I mean, this is probably all another trap. We should just-"

Again Belle's voice emerged. "Purification cannot be stopped."

While Liz fretted and muttered, Lucy spoke up again. She was blushing. "And lastly, because I'm an idiot, I decided to vote again. Partly because she seems so calm about all this, but mainly because it'd be fun to see her get gunged in there, I went for... Lena." Lena's mouth fell open as the light came on. She soon recovered though, and pointed in jokey accusation at Lucy.

A thought struck Jen. "Lucy, you know what that means for you, right?"

Lucy looked down and nodded sheepishly. Sure enough the spotlight above her turned blue. "Yep. Guess I'm on my last life already. And, uh, something tells me Lena's voted for me for the same reason I voted for her."

All eyes turned to Lena, who simply smirked, began smoothing back her shining black hair - and then suddenly buried her head in her hands. "Oh no, I've just realised something!"

It took a few seconds for Jen to work it out. With Lena to her immediate right, she leaned in to whisper, "you voted for three people too, didn't you?"

Lena nodded. "So if Nikki's done what I think she's done...."

Belle's voice emanated from the speakers. "After three sets of results, it's looking like a bad day for people whose name begins with L, while Nikki is the only contestant with all three lives intact. Number four, proceed."

"With pleasure," announced Sarah. "This'll be quick. Jen, I know it's you, you know it's you, and I'm really going to enjoy sliming you in a minute. Nikki, you're not safe just yet. Believe me, I'd have voted for Jen twice if I could, but people who hang out with you tend to get eliminated, so you had to be second pick."

Blue light surrounded Jen. With butterflies fluttering in her stomach, she found herself subconsciously checking the bows of her bikini. One life left. If Lena or Nikki pick me, that'll be it.

Now everyone stood in a spotlight of one colour or another. With Nikki next to declare, the bronzed American turned slowly towards Lena, a finger circling the red button. "So Lena, I guess I should press this now. Do you think I should? I see some blue lights around here. Wonder what'll happen?"

With a resigned groan, Lena rolled her shoulders and shook her hair free. She knew what was coming. "I'm going to end up sending myself into the gunge, aren't I? Haha, just get it over with."

Nikki bobbed her eyebrows. "If you say so. Hmm, now who did I pick first? I forget...." Tapping her chin, she studied the group. "Hey, Liz, have I told you how awesome you look in that bikini? It'd be a real shame if it got trashed."

Liz had been on tenterhooks since losing her second life. Now her eyes widened. "Oh nonono. Wait, this can't be right. You couldn't have-" Practically shaking, she squealed and closed her eyes on seeing Nikki press the button. A second later she peeked one eye open - and then flung up her arms as blue light bathed Annabelle. "Yes! Oh my goodness, that's more like it. How does it feel now, Annabelle?"

Grimacing, Annabelle made a face at Liz, but soon everyone's attention was back on Nikki, who was milking this moment for all it was worth. "And who did I pick second? Do you think it might've been you, Lena?" Watching her neighbour squirm, Nikki's grin widened - until suddenly she turned to her right. "Or not. Sorry, Sarah."

Yes! Yes yes yes!

"I... what?" Sarah stared, dumbfounded, as blue light shone down. There was a moment's shocked silence from the others, followed by cries of laughter.

With Sarah frozen to the spot, mouth opening and closing like a goldfish, Nikki gave her a comforting tap on the shoulder. "Now Sarah, I don't want to alarm you, but have you seen who hasn't voted yet?"

With eyes like saucers Sarah stared at Jen, who waved cheerily. "No, no this isn't right. How can..."

Lucy bounced on the spot. "Yay, Sarah's finally going to get gunged!" Beaming, she leaned in from the other side and squeezed Sarah's hand. "Don't worry, we'll make sure you have fun in there. Hell, I'm probably going in with you."

Meanwhile, Lena tipped her head back in relief. "You had me going there, Nikki."

"I did, didn't I? Thing is, I kinda wish I'd voted for you. I just didn't think anyone else would."

Suddenly Sarah sprang back into life. "Nikki, if you want to change your mind, I'm sure they'll allow it." She looked up at the speakers. There was desperation in her voice. "Hey, there's been a mistake. Nikki wants to change her vote."

Belle's response was firm. "All votes are final."

Jen tried her best to contain herself. I'm going to get to slime Sarah in the purifier. "I don't think there's any getting out of this," she said, trying to sound sympathetic. "Try not to worry. I mean, it was always going to happen sooner or later. Nobody stays clean in this place."

Visibly agitated, Sarah peered around at the exits - but remained on her disc. Again Jen very nearly cheered. Despite Belle's sinister proclamations, Sarah had to know that none of them were prisoners here. If she truly demanded to leave, she'd be allowed to. She might not look thrilled, but she hadn't stormed off. Yet. That alone gave Jen hope.

"You're a strange bunch," said Belle, who was starting to sound more like her usual self. "I don't remember seeing a group distrust each other this much. Normally one or two people run away with the vote, but look at you. We've got five people on their last life. You'll want to pay attention to Lena, because unless she's voted for herself, someone's about to get some bad news."

All eyes turned to Lena. Now only she stood between Jen and freedom. And she's voted three times, which makes it fifty-fifty...

Dark eyes gleaming, Lena arranged her sleek black hair, tapped the red button, and swept her gaze across the expectant group. She finished on Nikki, who simply nodded as the light above her changed colour. "Yep, Nikki, you knew that was coming. So I guess the rest of you know what that means? Sudden death time. Y'know what? I'm not even going to say it. Just watch out for the red light."

Tortured groans rose from the contestants. Anxiously they waited, each second stretching interminably. Jen realised she was holding her breath. Lucy, by contrast, had clearly sensed her number was up and was trying to suppress a giggling fit.

Red light flared. Jen exhaled in relief - it was nowhere near her.

Liz had her hands pressed together beneath her chin, as though about to pray. She squealed as the red glow appeared... but then realised it wasn't directed at her. She looked to her left...

Annabelle's mouth dropped open. A blinking red glow surrounded her. Disbelief gave way to fright, followed by a grim, self-deprecating smirk. Hands rose beside her face. "Oh God, it's me. I'm getting purified."

Amid cheers and commiserations, Annabelle dutifully stepped off her disc and approached the purifier. She stopped at the rubbery, waist-high membrane and peeked up the mechanism. "Hah, hope you're happy. Seriously, have you seen how much gunge is up there?"

Liz clapped raucously. "Yes! Phew. That's right, Annabelle. Go on, in you get. Ha-ha, it's going to get mucky in there. Lena, great choice. I always knew you were a good judge of character." Her shoulders relaxed, the tension draining out of them. "Now, would it be okay with everyone if I be the one to pull...the...lever...?" Liz's voice trailed away as the light above her flashed red. For a second she stood statue-still, features frozen in open-mouthed confusion. "No... no, wait, that can't be right."

Turning toward the commotion, Annabelle gasped with delight and clapped her hands together. With Liz muttering excuses, Annabelle strutted up to her, took her by the arm and walked purposefully to the purifier. Though she kept up her increasingly frantic pleas, Liz followed nonetheless, and to her credit didn't run when Annabelle, not being the tallest of people, released her in order to scale the membranous barrier. Bracing one hand against a column and using the other to prevent any unseemly jiggling, Annabelle swung her legs over the side and took position.

Liz hesitated, and was beginning another appeal when Annabelle pointed firmly to the space beside her. Somehow Liz managed to make even a groan sound well-to-do, but she complied anyway, her long legs clearing the barrier with ease. After a quick upward glance she winced, looked to Annabelle and declared, "I still think it's you, just so you know."

Lucy blew air between her teeth. "Come on, Liz. If it's her, why was she so quick to get in?"

"Maybe it's part of the plan," Liz insisted, "like that thing with the statue. This is all one huge trap."

Annabelle rubbed her hands gleefully. "Yep, all part of my evil scheme. All I need now is a tiny moustache and a monocle."

Lucy raised her hand urgently. "And a top hat."

"Oh, yeah, a top hat, a must for any proper villain."

Rolling on her heels, Liz scowled. "You're not even taking this seriously. I'm right, you'll see."

"Best not think about it too much," Lucy said breezily, "that way lays madness. Just sit back and enjoy the ride."

Meanwhile, Sarah was aghast. "What's wrong with you people? Why is no-one voting for Jen? She's going to get away with it." It was true, Jen realised. Improbable though it was, with all Lena's votes cast and only Jen left to declare, she was safe.

As the light above her turned blue, Lena nodded. "Totally worth it." She peeked to her left. "Jen, I guess I'm in your hands now."

"So, uh, so I guess that's it, right?" Sarah sputtered. "I mean, there's no more room in the purifier, I suppose we stop there."

Nikki tilted her head. "Not so fast, Sarah. You know what comes next."

Jen rubbed her hands together. "Yeah, and you know what? I think there's room for one more." As her finger pressed the red button, she winked at Sarah before turning her gaze to the purifier. "Annabelle, for what it's worth, you were going in whatever happened. I voted for you too."

"What the hell?"

The voice belonged to Nikki. There was a red light flashing above her. What? Jen looked up at the speakers. "Hey! There's been a mistake. I voted for Annabelle."

"There's no mistake," replied Belle, who was trying not to chuckle.

Nikki swept back her dark hair and peered around, baffled. The others looked sympathetic, but they were still laughing - clearly they wanted to see her go in. "Ugh. I guess this counts, then, doesn't it?" She began to see the funny side. "Hah, good job, Jen. Nice going."

"Come on in," called Annabelle, "we saved you a spot."

"Ugh, here goes." Sequins shimmering on her cherry bikini, Nikki tiptoed to the purifier, where Annabelle helped her climb inside. Once she'd taken position and steadied her nerves, she indicated Lena. "You want to watch that one."

"I'm so sorry," exclaimed Jen, mortified. "I don't know how this happened."

"I do," purred Sarah.

Jen's eyes narrowed. Sarah was looking worryingly smug. Something was up. "What do you mean?"

"So Jen, remember how you were staring at me when you voted? Take a look at the numbers."

Frowning, Jen peeked down. How'd I manage to enter five instead of two? Suddenly she realised - the keys were a row apart. She'd mistyped. Wait, did I do that for both? If Sarah's number four, what did...

Jen was still staring at the numbers when red light enveloped her. The cackle from Sarah was like something from a cartoon villain, and was soon followed by peals of laughter and ironic applause from everyone else. Feeling her cheeks flush with embarrassment, she looked up. "Are you kidding?"

"Bravo, Jen," said Lena. "That's really quite an achievement."

"But surely... surely we can't..."

"All votes are final," intoned Sarah, doing a rather creditable impression of Belle. Around the chamber the voting keypads were retracting back into the floor, being replaced by a single control panel not far to Jen's left.

Only I could mess things up this badly. With shoulders sagging in mock resignation, Jen accepted her fate and stepped toward the purifier. Then she realised something. "Wait a sec, there's no more room. Aha! Looks like I'll be staying clean."

"Au contraire." Sarah was striding toward her, eyes gleaming with a mix of relief and exultation. Taking Jen by the arm, she led her off to the left, to the purifier's north side. On the way she looked at the control panel and merrily flicked a switch. There were yelps from the purifier, whose occupants must have expected the sliming to begin, but instead the lights flared.

Jen blinked until her eyes adjusted. With the shadows banished to corners and crevices, the room appeared far less foreboding. The warped pillars and bulbous tanks of the purifier gleamed dully, and it was only then that she noticed what adjoined its northern side. Slender black pillars ringed a peach paddling pool like the bars of a cage, though they were too widely spaced to be anything more than decorative. The cage linked to the purifier, the two circles forming an 'eight' shape, and within lay an inflatable chair, also peach coloured, but virtually surrounded by a tangle of hoses feeding out from a cylindrical tank behind the backrest.

As she stared, Jen became aware of Sarah leading her to the cage. With the blonde's chin resting atop Jen's shoulder, she spoke directly into her ear. "Well would you look at that? Looks like you were right - there's always room for one more. Take a seat, why don't you."

"Wait... you can't mean..."

Before Jen knew it she'd been guided to the pool's edge. "Take a good look," Sarah teased, "your time's come. Game over. Still glad you wore a bikini?"

Jen turned on her heel and hugged Sarah tightly, eliciting a surprised giggle. "You know what?" she whispered, her forehead resting against Sarah's. "At some point I kinda think I deserve to get you back for all this."

Again those eyes searched her. "We'll see," Sarah said quietly, her expression impossible to read.

"Good enough."

Taking a deep breath, Jen stepped into the wobbling pool and tiptoed the short distance to the chair. Making Sarah wait, she adjusted her top and swept her hair behind her shoulders. A tingle ran down her spine on noticing a huge funnel-shaped contraption overlooking the chair. Turning, she grinned at Sarah, paused a moment to calm her nerves and then sank into the squeaking seat. Beyond the pillars, Sarah fidgeted in anticipation.

Though she tried to appear relaxed, Jen's heart was pounding. All those vents and nozzles seemed awfully close. There were at least a dozen on each side, some small, some not, with more dangling over her head. She was going to get covered.

Meanwhile, Lena rested her hands on the barrier that encircled the purifier. Opposite, Nikki mirrored her pose, their hands almost touching. Though still pretending to be in a huff, Nikki's eyes twinkled. "Funny how things turn out," Lena mused. "I mean, me out here... you in there." Peering up at the tank, her mouth pursed mischievously. "Wow, imagine how much is gunge is about to come pouring down."

While Nikki refused to take the bait, Annabelle rolled her eyes. "Yeah-yeah, laugh it up. Don't think you're getting out of this clean."

"Ooh, did you hear that?" Liz was pointing at Annabelle with both hands. "She all but admitted it! She's the one! You can let me out."

Lucy had stepped up to the purifier. She looked apologetic. "I mean, you can get out if you want. But then we'd have to let the others out too." Her eyes flicked to Annabelle, then back to Liz. "Is that really what you want?"

Seeing Liz hesitate, Nikki put an arm around her. "C'mon, Liz, we're all getting slimed. Look on the bright side - Annabelle's gonna get it, too, and you'll have the best seat in the house." Seeing the flash of glee in the blonde's eyes, Nikki nodded. "That's more like it."

At the control panel, Sarah twiddled a lock of golden hair. Jen hadn't seen her look so happy in quite some time. "Okay," said Sarah, "everybody ready?" There was a chorus of half-joking disagreement from the purifier. "Cool. I've got more good news." Looking to the suspects, she added, "Sorry, not for you guys. You guys are screwed. But the rest of us get to... assist."

Letterbox hatches clicked open the moment she finished speaking. Sarah must've flicked another switch. Though she couldn't see inside, Jen knew exactly what they contained, and the sounds from the purifier suggested she wasn't the only one. Lucy and Lena wasted no time in skipping to the room's edge, where their arms sank into a yawning hatch and emerged bearing sloppy custard pies. Slinking back to the purifier, they gleefully showed them to their soon-to-be targets.

"And now we can begin," finished Sarah. Poised like a high priestess about to complete some arcane ceremony, she extended a manicured finger to a large green button. There she paused, allowing nervous murmurs to build while she savoured the moment. With her finger tracing the button's edge, her gaze alighted on each suspect one by one. That emerald gaze came to Jen last, just as she'd known it would. Back straightening, Jen placed her elbows on the armrests. Why am I so nervous? It's not like I haven't been slimed before. But before, she reflected, there had always been some measure of control, some sense that her destiny was in her own hands. This time was different. This time she was defenceless, completely at Sarah's mercy, and something told her Sarah wasn't in a merciful mood.

The pause seemed interminable, though it could have lasted no more than a few seconds. The murmurs faded to taut, expectant silence, until finally Sarah shifted her stance. "Ladies," she announced, "I hope you enjoy this as much as I will. Oh, and Jen?"

"What?"

"It's slime time."

The green button clicked.

There was an audible intake of breath. One second... nothing. Two seconds... nothing. Three... Something squelched above the purifier, prompting a scatter of nervous groans, then slowly it began to convulse. Pulsing tides filtered through the spongy morass, sloshing and slurping on their descent to the spouts.

After another glance at the control panel, Sarah looked back to Jen. "Oops. Guess I spoke too soon. Turns out there's a special lever just for you. Hope you're ready, 'cos here it comes."

Jen tensed on feeling a faint vibration shiver through her chair. Fingers digging into the armrests, she braced herself. Here it comes.

*****

The slime was on its way. For all her bravado, Nikki had to admit to a few jitters. It wasn't fear, more like the rush from a funfair ride. Inhaling deeply, she felt the strings of her bikini top flex. There was a strange thrill to facing all this wearing so little. Most of the goo about to erupt all over her would land on her skin. She found herself imagining what it would feel like. From inside the purifier she couldn't tell how long they had, but judging by the awed looks on Lena and Lucy's faces it couldn't be long. As the glugging grew louder, she lowered her arms to her sides. There was no point trying to shield herself; she was going to get covered no matter what she did.

Liz, however, didn't seem to have realised this just yet. With her exquisite proportions clad in nothing but a white string bikini, the blonde hunched forward, weight shifting from one foot to the other as she fretted and fussed, seemingly unable to decide whether to use her arms to shield her head or cross them diagonally across her chest. "It's not fair," she whined. "Why do I keep getting gunged?"

Annabelle shrugged. "Karma?"

Liz shot her a look. "I shouldn't even be in here. I had it all planned out..."

"You shouldn't be here?" Nikki interjected. "Hell, I'm only here because Jen can't work a keypad."

The three accused stood in a loose triangle, only a few feet separating them. To her left, Annabelle lifted her gaze, her mop of chocolate-brown hair resting against her shoulders, and with arms folded beneath the bulging blue triangles of her top regarded Liz with unconcealed suspicion. Liz stared back with equal distrust. Nikki looked from one to the other. They each seemed so utterly sure of themselves....

Though she didn't think there was any actual animosity between them, Nikki didn't want any tension. "Do me a favour," she said, "if it turns out to be one of you, slime each other, not me, okay?"

Instantly the glares dissolved. "Deal," they said in unison.

The squelching was right above them now. There were only seconds left. Nikki thought about arranging her flowing dark hair, but realised the utter futility of such a gesture given what was coming. Annabelle, her hands clamped over her mouth, was already chuckling at the sheer absurdity of it all. Steam blasted from the top of the purifier, making everyone jump. Then, with one last gurgle, the sloshing abated. Nikki froze - this could mean only one thing.

It began gently. A fat orange teardrop flitted past Nikki's face and landed on the floor with a soft splat. The three women squirmed as more landed around them. Liz in particular bobbed skittishly about, as though she had any hope of dodging what was to come. Another blob landed mere inches away, prompting her to pull Annabelle close.

"Ha-ha! You're, uh, giving Annabelle a good view there."

Barely aware, Liz peered at Nikki, trying to work out what she meant. Then her eyes widened. Annabelle had been ducking when Liz huddled against her, and with the height difference Liz was now presenting her with an eyeful of cleavage. She released her grip. "Ooh, sorry."

Suddenly Liz squeaked, an orange splodge having materialised on her arm. The blonde blew on it as though trying to shoo away a bug. Annabelle was beginning to laugh when a snowball-sized glob skimmed her right cheek and burst over her top, making her yelp in shock. Palms bunching, Nikki tensed in expectation. It was almost a relief when slippery wetness splashed the back of her neck, its touch like thick shower gel where it seeped through her hair and slid slowly between her shoulder blades.

More colours added to the mix. First fuchsia pink, then lemon, then bright green globs the size of kiwi fruit. With slime spattering down, the three women gawped at each other, globs of ooze collecting in their hair and sliding down their bodies. Lyrical moans rang out as the hail intensified. The purifier exuded slime like a sieve, leaving nowhere to hide. It was like standing beneath a miniature storm cloud. Syrupy streams were weaving down Nikki's arms when a siren wailed briefly, heralding a thunderclap of lilac gloop that caught all three of them.

Adrenaline washed through Nikki's system. She felt light-headed, giddy even. Things were out of her hands now, there was nothing she could do except let herself get splattered. She knew that today could well be her one and only chance of experiencing something like this. Win or lose, she intended to enjoy every moment of it. Looking to her companions, she saw profound astonishment written on Liz's face, as though it were unthinkable that anyone would have the effrontery to do this to her. The blonde's palms rose to the level of her shoulders, fingers splayed as though about to perform a little jazz hands, as a scatter of pea-green slime daubed slippery squiggles on her delicate white bikini.

Annabelle was clearly enjoying seeing Liz gunged. Lilac highlights festooned her hair, but then suddenly Annabelle gasped as twin spouts splashed upon her shoulders, pink to the left and blue to the right. On and on it came, the colours spilling down her. At the same time something popped overhead, and a peach-coloured splat of viscous ooze landed in Liz's hair, prompting an affronted cry. With the slime arriving from above, all three girls had clean patches beneath their chins, arms and breasts - though Liz partly ruined hers by trying to keep her increasingly mucky hair in place. Watery goo began trickling down her flanks the moment she lifted her arms.

No sooner had Annabelle resumed laughing at Liz than she squeaked, thick custard dousing her stomach. A second later and pale blue yoghurt splashed beneath Liz's bikini top. Lucy and Lena had clearly noticed the clean spots and were aiming pies at their midriffs.

My turn next. Sure enough Nikki felt a cold splat against her right hip, followed almost instantly by the feel of sloppy custard at her left side. Instinctively she clutched at the pie but managed only to squeeze it against her, yellow sunbeams spurting as far as her cheek. Exhilarated, Nikki lifted her arms and whooped with glee. She found herself wishing there was a mirror around. No doubt the eliminated contestants were watching all this from backstage, having a good laugh at their expense. Just thinking of it made her smile.

Everything was colour and noise and slithering sensation. Nikki looked eagerly about, her mind focussing and refocussing, first on the feel of slime pouring over her, then on relishing seeing the exact same befalling her teammates. All around, little gasps and bewildered giggles mingled with the pattering slime-fall, the cheers from their accusers and the squelch of pies on skin. Things seemed faster now. It was hard to keep up. To the left, Annabelle snorted with embarrassed laughter, eyes gleaming even as her little blue bikini was buried beneath lashings of multi-coloured gloop. To the right, Liz flapped her hands and murmured, her expression shifting from horror to a self-effacing grin as Lucy tipped a bucket of pea-green ooze down her back.

Lena and Lucy were rushing to rearm, but the purifier was only getting warmed up. The flow of slime seemed never ending. Aside from the constant spatters, each downpour never really stopped, only dwindled to a drooling, honey-like thread or a percussion of falling globs. There was no escaping the mess. Now flurries of pure white foam descended, blissfully cool against their skin. The purifier became a slimy blizzard, foam gathering knee deep and clinging in melting puffs to each of the accused, who pawed hopelessly at the stuff. Just then jets of pressurised goo came shooting from the suction cups on the curved columns. Lime green and with a consistency like milkshake, they sprayed as though from garden sprinklers, ripping through the foam. Each jet was strong enough that any that missed would fly onto the girl opposite, and the spacing seemed always to catch them off guard, sending them into a kind of twitching dance that their accusers clearly found hilarious.

Squirming on the spot, Liz twisted away, trying to keep her face shielded, only to slip on the mess-covered floor and slide onto her bottom. The impact sent puffs of foam flying into the air. Annabelle pointed at her, hooting with glee, only for Liz to grab her arm for support while trying to stand and end up pulling Annabelle down with her. Watching the messy pair grin at each other, gunk still showering down on them, Nikki realised the next salvo of pies would be coming at her alone. I think I owe them a little payback. Sensing Lena right behind her, she did a dramatic spin, wet hair flicking outward, and laughed on finding Lena peering down at her black bikini top, which was now dotted with a constellation of gooey blobs that had come flying off Nikki's hair.

"Pretty sure that's cheating," Lena teased.

Nikki lifted her hands beside her face. "Oh no, Lena, did you get, like, three drops on you?" She paused to wipe at torrents of blue and pink slime washing down her face. "That's gotta be terrible. Don't know how you'll recover from this."

"I can think of a few ways." With an impish grin Lena stepped forward and slammed a custard pie into Nikki's face. The world turned yellow. Arms wind-milling, Nikki tottered back, slick dollops raining onto her chest. She'd almost steadied herself when a second pie struck her hip and wrapped gooey fronds around her waist. Startled, she lost her footing and slipped down into the foam.

*****

Jen felt ready to explode. Compulsively she arranged her hair, not quite able to believe what she'd let herself in for. Around the seat tangled tubes stuttered and rattled, and somewhere an ominous gurgling noise had begun. The thinner tubes, which ended only inches from her sides, began to quiver. Her grip on the armrests became so tight that she worried the chair might pop. The purifier was a whirl of screams and splashes, but Sarah had eyes only for her. Moving with a serenity surely designed to tease her, she arrived outside the paddling pool and leaned against one of the bars.

"Jennifer, Jennifer... So you wanted to slime me, did you?"

Butterflies fluttered in Jen's stomach. The goo had almost reached the spouts. "It crossed my mind, yeah," she managed.

"Didn't quite work out that way, did it?"

"It's not over yet."

Sarah snorted, though not unkindly. "Still the same old Jen, you never did know when to quit."

Jen's reply was lost in a hydraulic hiss. The first pipes had erupted, tickling her flanks with yellow fingers of custard. She wriggled in the seat, tossing her head and nibbling her lip in an effort not to squeal, but then hoses near her knees jerked into life, their wobbling plumes slanting diagonally upward to spatter her face and set her hair dancing like windblown ribbons. The shock made her lean back just as overhead tubes dumped custard into her lap with a colossal splat. Glistening gobbets splashed across her forearms and up her tanned midriff, where they licked against the swell of her bikini top.

Slowly the sprays eased, their shrill hiss replaced by Sarah's ecstatic cheers. Chest heaving, Jen shook stray blobs away from her eyes and shifted position on the now-slippery chair. Peeking down, she found slimy yellow cobwebs draped over her body. Tendrils were dripping from her chin as she faced Sarah, who waved. "Looking good, Jen!"

Lips curling into a dazed smile, Jen made to wave back, but was cut short when a tide of rich blue gunge shot from her left. Issuing from a flared chute, it hit just beneath her ear and splurged against her neck, startlingly cold, before rushing downward. This stuff was incredibly slippery, sliding like oil over her contours. Jen laughed and twisted, blue deltas spilling over the left triangle of her top, but no sooner had she moved when another torrent, a mirror of the first, discharged to her right. With her body angled, it slathered her back and crashed against the rear of the chair, the resulting splash engulfing her bikini bottoms before streaking vivid blue fronds along her thighs.

Sarah whooped. "Ha-ha! See this, Jenny? This is what happens when you mess with me!"

The inflatable chair had dipped under the weight of the downpour, leaving Jen languishing in a gooey puddle. She was trying to think of a pithy comeback when a vent snapped open behind her head, leaving her just time for an incredulous smile before pink torrents gushed forth, sloshing past her shoulders to slalom off her cleavage. Blobs went spinning almost to the edge of the paddling pool, while a tide of goo squelched between Jen's shoulders, soaking her hair and sliding down the furrow of her spine. Rendered speechless by the insanity of it all, she leaned forward, swept the collected gunk from her lap and looked up at Sarah - only to fling up her arms and babble pretend-pleas when she saw the bucket in her friend's hands. Ignoring her, Sarah swung the container back and forth, building momentum, and sent a wave of creamy purple gunk crashing over Jen's midriff.

Jen, in the instant before the slime hit, had something of an epiphany - though that was probably too sombre a term for something so earth-shatteringly silly. Having been plagued by nerves not long ago, she'd now realised a simple truth: Nobody had forced her into this chair; she'd gotten in of her own free will. The same went for those currently writhing in the purifier. They'd argued, sure, but they'd still stepped inside. Even now she was free to stand up and walk away at any moment she chose, but she chose not to, just as the others chose not to leap out of the purifier. This was a forfeit, sure, but one she was complicit in. In fact, it was the whole purpose of them being here.

Shivering with giggles, it was an effort to speak beneath the splattering gunk. "Don't get too carried away, Sarah."

"Oh? And why not?"

Looking her friend in the eye, Jen ran her hands up her slime-covered flanks and smiled sweetly. "You might earn another hug."

Suddenly her tormentor didn't seem quite so cocky.

*****

Nikki was getting covered in slime - and was loving every moment of it. She, Liz and Annabelle were down on the floor now, wriggling around in the foam-topped bilge at the purifier's base. At this point not even Liz could take herself seriously, and together they thrashed and squirmed, still pelted by the purifier even as Lena and Lucy merrily hurled pies and tipped buckets over them. Each time someone tried to stand the others would gleefully sabotage it, pretending to try and help only to unbalance them with a tug or a tickle, sending them sliding back into the goo amid gusts of laughter.

Sprawling back after her latest effort, Nikki watched foamy plumes billow upward. Across from her, Annabelle knelt up, the layer of foam reaching to just below her navel. The curvy little brunette had mischief in her eyes.

"No! Ha-ha, don't you dare!" Nikki turned her face away just as Annabelle began whisking her arms through the flotsam, sending welters of foam and gunge over her companions. Recovering quickly, Nikki joined in, cheerfully splashing the others even as slimy waves crashed against her front.

Liz tried to shield herself. "Honestly, ladies, can we not? Aren't we mucky enough?" On hearing this Nikki and Annabelle looked at each other, grinned, and focussed their efforts on Liz, prompting another of her exasperated groans. "Alright, you asked for this!" she declared, before joining in the three-way splash war.

Eyes closed, Nikki tossed back her head. She hadn't thought it possible to be this messy. Every inch of her was covered. A dozen colours and textures wove about her form, sliding and overlapping. Her hair was soaked, clinging to her back and swaying pendulously beside her face. Yet still the slime poured.

Gunge fell thick and fast, though it clearly still wasn't enough for Lena and Lucy, who giggled their way through a countdown before hurling simultaneous bucketfuls of aquamarine ooze into the purifier, tearing through the foam and adding to the mayhem. Nikki laughed as a slanted band draped across her torso, and for an instant was reminded of the sash she'd won earlier that summer, at a silly little pageant back in her hometown.

"Can you believe those two?" said an appalled Liz, who'd had half her face painted by it.

"I know," Annabelle said wryly, "gunging defenceless teammates? What kind of monster would do such a thing?"

Liz got the message. "That was different."

"How?"

"Come on - you were bouncing around under a gunge tank. I had a big green button right in front of me. What would you have done?"

Try as she might, Annabelle couldn't conceal a smirk. In fairness, thought Nikki, most of them would probably have done the same, though of course Annabelle wasn't about to admit that. "We all know you're the traitor, Liz!" Annabelle insisted. A pie hit her stomach, spraying custard, but she ignored it. Pointing at Liz, she said in a comedy witch-finder voice, "Confess! Confess!"

Liz was about to reply when torrents of blue muck spilled over all three of them, eliciting a chorus of squeals. The ebbing flows were replaced by six smaller streams which spun and skittered as though set on turntables, creating a series of hypnotic helixes that sprinkled atop their heads. For a few moments Liz was motionless, blinking as slime poured down her face, but then her mouth pursed in determination. Putting her arm around Annabelle's shoulder, she stood, helping Annabelle to her feet as she did so, and then turned as though presenting the brunette to their accusers.

"The truth, Annabelle," Liz demanded. "How'd you know where to find this place?"

"Oh, that. Kirsty told me."

"You... what?" Even Liz seemed taken aback by the admission.

The sprays dwindled to a few irregular squirts. By now the dregs from prior downpours formed a near-constant drizzle. Lena and Lucy had been poised to unleash another pie barrage, but Annabelle's words had made them pause. Even Jen and Sarah were staring. Annabelle, however, was completely unruffled. She paused to brush a few wet strands of hair from her cheek before glancing up, eyes glinting. "Kirsty gave me directions. She was really keen on us coming here."

Liz's lips moved, but at first no sound came out. "I... I was right. Didn't I tell you I was right? This is a trap. Gunge her!"

A hail of pies plastered Annabelle. Sarah, though, remained unconvinced. She looked thoughtfully at Jen, then back to the purifier. "Annabelle, did you seriously just confess?"

"Maybe. I guess we'll find out in a minute."

Liz had moved to the purifier's edge. "What? No, don't let her get away with it. It's her! Can I please get out now?"

"You seem awfully eager to get out of there," noted Lena. With that she walked up to Liz, calmly pressed a pie into her chest, then rotated it back and forth like a steering wheel until custard came spurting from its sides and pouring down Liz's stomach. While the blonde reeled, Lena turned to Lucy and announced, "I think we'd better gunge them all equally, just to be safe."

Lucy nodded enthusiastically. "Sounds good to me."

*****

Jen watched the antics in the purifier with unbridled amusement. They're really getting covered in there. Closer to home, the hoses around her chair had settled into a steady rhythm, emitting occasional bursts while Sarah kept up a gooey bombardment. Getting messy, Jen decided, was actually funnier when it was Sarah doing the sliming. The two bantered and laughed, Jen goading her accuser on - not that Sarah needed any encouraging.

Granted a form of tunnel-vision by the wet hair clinging to her temples, Jen was only dimly aware of Sarah outside the cage. The blonde held a bucket in each hand. "Lena, over here," called Sarah, "come help me with this."

Happy to oblige, Lena took one of the buckets. Seeing them take position to left and right, Jen squirmed back in her seat. "Oh come on! You can't be serious!"

Emerald slime came at her in stereo. Launched in perfect unison, the shimmering banners converged like mirrored waves to crash together over Jen, whose slime-braided hair quivered and flapped. The impact triggered a memory of playing in the surf at her favourite beach. The puddle in which she sat was overflowing now, the excess slurping down her calves and into the paddling pool. Shaking with silent mirth, her face a green mask, Jen flopped back contentedly. "Thanks Lena," she heard Sarah say.

"Always happy to help."

A thought emerged. Jen shuffled until her hips reached the back of the seat, then gripped the armrests and wiggled her shoulders. The motion sent slime drooling from her chin and chest. "Oh, Lena, I was thinking. Remember before, after Sarah found the key? Where'd you wander off to?"

For an instant Lena froze. "Oh, here and there."

"She found me in the maze." Nikki's voice was muffled amid whirls of foam.

Brows knitting, Sarah turned, a question forming on her lips. She jumped on finding Lena right behind her, holding a pie and smiling roguishly. "So... uh... how'd you get past the ghouls?" Sarah asked, sounding uneasy.

Lena shrugged. "Got lucky, I suppose." She looked at the pie, then at Sarah. The smile broadened.

"I hope that doesn't - ahh!" Sarah flinched as the pie whizzed over her shoulder, sailed through the air, and splattered just above Liz's hip. Sarah gasped with relief.

"Not a bad shot. I was aiming at Annabelle, but still." Lena winked at Sarah, her eyes like black diamonds. "Best hope it's not me. Just think - if that lot are innocent, imagine what they'll do when they get out."

"Don't even... It's Jen. I know it's Jen." For the first time Sarah looked unsure of herself.

In the chair, Jen chuckled knowingly, but was interrupted by a vast torrent of pea-green slime. Smooth and thick, it issued from the overhead funnel and came gushing into her lap. While Sarah cheered, Jen could only squirm amid the cascade. The chute was set at an angle, so as the flow strengthened it moved higher, soaking first her stomach, then her bosom, until all she could see was a green waterfall from which stray globs caressed her cheeks and threaded her hair. Suddenly pressurised blasts of custard struck her back, hissing from hitherto-hidden spouts in the chair itself. Their force sent Jen lurching into the green downpour. Sludge bounced from the crown of her head and rolled down, enveloping her body in viscous rivers. As though this weren't enough, Sarah picked that moment to send a pie careening between her collarbones. Cream flashed briefly across her torso before the green tide swept it away.

"Sorry-not-sorry, Jen," Sarah said once the slime finally abated. "You were so asking for this."

A hiss of static caught everyone's attention, and was followed by an announcement from Belle. "Alert. Purification protocols nearing completion. Malefactor detected."

Lucy paused in the act of smearing foam through Annabelle's hair. "What does that mean?"

Sarah practically jumped in excitement and dashed back to re-read the control panel. "Ooh, I know this! It means the traitor's almost messy enough. It's definitely one of these four. We're about to find out who our villain is."

"What happens when we do?" Lena asked.

Sarah seemed thrown by this. "I - uh - I'm guessing it counts as being eliminated? Whatever, I say we slime them some more."

Lucy grinned. "Another fantastic plan."

"Of course, Jen," Sarah went on, "you could always own up now and save us the bother?"

Jen responded with an enigmatic half smile. Or at least she hoped she did. Under all this mess, who knew how her expressions came out? Nearby, the purifier had calmed, though slick dregs still spilled over its three occupants. Annabelle sidled to the edge, ready to leap out. "Forget Jen," she called, "watch Liz."

Liz scoffed. "Pah! It's her! I'm telling you it's her!"

Jen watched the pair resume their bickering, but then movement drew her eye. Sarah was right outside the paddling pool. Looking Jen up and down, she smiled skittishly, hands clasped behind her back while one foot rubbed the back of her shin. "I've really messed you up, haven't I?" Sarah's voice was quiet, almost apprehensive. Was that guilt in her eyes?

After wiping her face for effect, Jen nodded emphatically. Still Sarah fidgeted. What's going on? Wait, what's she doing?

Sarah took a half-step back, hesitated, and then peeled off her shirt, revealing the sky blue bikini top underneath. After lowering her shorts a fraction, a wiggle of her hips sent them sliding to her ankles. Slender but feminine, Sarah was a sight to behold. After deftly kicking the shorts aside, she collected a custard pie and stepped between the bars, into the paddling pool. Artfully avoiding the puddles littering the floor, she advanced to within a few feet of Jen's chair.

At first Jen didn't quite believe what she was seeing. Sarah gave a jittery smile, fingers tapping the base of the pie, and shifted her weight from one foot to the other, clearly anxious. Jen made to stand, only to discover that rising from a slippery inflatable chair wasn't exactly easy. Eventually she managed it, the motion triggering slimy avalanches from her curvaceous form. Now they stood face to face.

There was laughter from the others once they noticed what was happening. "Good on yer, Sarah!" Lena called.

"Yeah, go Sarah!" Annabelle echoed. "You know you've got it coming."

Sarah attempted an answering glare, but couldn't suppress a titter and a barely perceptible nod. Turning back to Jen, she brandished the pie. "I know it's you. There's no point denying it."

"Only one way to find out."

Does she know what she's doing? Chaos would undoubtedly ensue once the traitor was unveiled. Slime would be flying everywhere, and Sarah would be right in the middle of it. All eyes were on them now, yet still Sarah hesitated. "You don't have to do this if you don't want to," Jen said softly. Please let her do it, please let her do it, please let her do it...

Sarah looked at her as though startled. Green eyes flickered briefly before she composed herself. "No," she said, "I should. It's only fair."

Even so, Sarah was plainly having doubts. A tiny splash - a few drops hitting the now empty chair - were enough to make her flinch back, gold hair swishing. Jen, realising a little encouragement was needed, planted hands on her hips and in a stern voice said, "Now Sarah, I believe you have something of mine."

Sarah's wandering gaze focussed once more. The smile returned. The setup was obvious, but Sarah couldn't resist playing along. "Oh, so you want it, do you?"

"I do. Why don't you just give it to me?"

"Hmmm, I don't know. Are you sure?" There was a hint of excitement in Sarah's voice now.

"Didn't you hear me? I said, give me the pie."

"Well if you insist."

With a whimper that was equal parts terror and pent-up anticipation, Sarah smeared the pie into Jen's face. Custard spurted through her hair and tumbled down her chest, but Jen held her pose. Finally the base fell away, glancing off her breast and crumpling to the floor. She did it. She actually did it.

Realising what she'd done, Sarah clenched her teeth, closed her eyes and ducked, arms rising defensively. Seconds passed. An eye peeked open. Jen hadn't moved an inch. Perplexed, Sarah straightened. "I don't..."

"Sorry, Sarah, you were wrong. It's not me."

The mystified look remained on Sarah's face as a spasm of activity erupted in the purifier. The bulbous mass trembled, sending a quick burst of pink gunge over each occupant.

Klaxons blared.

The chamber plunged into darkness. Confused yells were stilled when a few brilliant spotlights emerged, their pulsing beams sweeping the chamber. Amid the strobes, everyone's movements appeared jerky and unsettling. Then the klaxons halted, the spotlights blinked out, and from the darkness a voice spoke.

"Showtime."

Disoriented, it took a moment for Jen to realise that the voice had come from the purifier.

And it had an American accent.

*****

Nikki felt elated. As the lights came up she stepped to the purifier's centre, cackled theatrically, and announced, "Heya! It's me, I'm a traitor."

Gaping in shock, Liz and Annabelle tore their attention from each other and stared at Nikki. Liz's mouth opened and closed a few times before any sound emerged. "Did you just say 'I'm a traitor'? It's you! Oh my God, it's Nikki. Get her!"

Before anyone could react, Nikki reached out, mumbled a few meaningless words and clicked her fingers. Please let this work. Her heart leapt on seeing a turquoise torrent fall on Lena, who slid to her knees. Whoever was interpreting Nikki's signals seemed to have got confused, however, or perhaps two targets were simply too much for them, for the second torrent fell just outside the paddling pool, on the exact spot where Sarah had previously stood.

Girlish squeaks rose around her. Already Liz was trying to clamber out of the purifier, but Nikki put a stop to that by skipping over and embracing her. Her hands slid over Liz's back, finding little purchase amid the layered ooze.

Liz wriggled like a damsel in distress. "You?" she managed. "You of all people..."

"Just playing my part," Nikki replied cheerily. At that moment the part of the purifier that connected to Jen's cage retracted. "Ah. See that? This is where I'm supposed to sit in that chair and get eliminated, but wouldn't you know it? Seems Sarah's wasted all the slime on Jen. Guess you're stuck with me now."

Seeing her teammates reeling, Nikki beamed. She'd been waiting for this. Having been offered the role of traitor only a few days before the event, she'd accepted in a heartbeat. It wasn't that she was duplicitous by nature, far from it. She'd simply recognised the offer for what it was - a chance to cause some mischief. After all, it wasn't like she was really betraying anybody. Even better, now she was in her 'true form'... whatever that was meant to mean. The info pack contained in the envelope she'd been given last night hadn't gone into that much detail. Anyway, no matter how it had been rationalised, she now had a new party trick and was keen to show it off.

Past Liz's shoulder, she watched Lena clamber to her feet, swathes of her beautiful figure plastered with slime. Turning her head still further, she spotted Annabelle stood pensively at the other side of the purifier, caught between the urge to flee and the desire to watch Liz get her comeuppance. She released Liz, who wasted no time in scrambling out of the purifier.

"Annabelle, don't think I've forgotten you. Wanna see my new trick?" With that she pointed at her, announced, "Abracadabra!" and then grinned proudly as indigo gloop gushed down on the contestant.

So who next? Turning, she noticed Lucy from the corner of her eye. Still clean, Lucy had been in the process of rushing to the purifier with a bucket of slop, but had skidded to a halt. Oddly, she was gaping toward the chamber's edge. Looking to the southern doors, Nikki grinned. "Cool, I was wondering when you'd show up."

A squadron of ghouls stood silhouetted at newly opened doorways. Instead of their usual wetsuits, these ones wore ridiculously bulky outfits that made them look like sumo wrestlers, their heads comically small by comparison. The bulkhead doors were scarcely wide enough for them.

Lucy's voice rose in alarm. "We have company!"

*****

Anyone who stayed clean this far into the Splatter Dome was either very smart or very lucky. Sarah was both. She'd deduced that the purification chamber would be one big trap from the moment Melissa mentioned it, and within seconds of entering had assessed her surroundings, weighed the risks, and identified an escape route for when things inevitably went wrong.

Right now though, Sarah was rattled. She'd been certain Jen was the spy, and was rarely wrong about anything. She'd even stripped to her bikini and joined Jen in the paddling pool, out of some deluded sense that she owed her for putting her in that chair. What was I thinking? Doing so had, ironically enough, saved her from being slimed, but that still didn't excuse her actions. She put it down to temporary insanity.

Well, no more.

Leaping from the pool, she snatched up her thankfully unblemished clothes and dashed to a portal on the room's northwest side. It hadn't taken long to determine on this small, unremarkable hatchway. The adjacent window made it ideal, allowing her to check for any nasty surprises before going through. With excited yells filling the room behind her, she hammered the keypad. After a torturous second of waiting, the painted slat masquerading as a titanium portal retracted. Sarah dashed into the room beyond and, not bothering to check if anyone was following, sealed the door behind her.

Taking a deep breath, she leaned against the wall. Safe at last. She couldn't see the purifier from here, but judging by the noise a colossal melee had erupted. Hastily she donned her top and shorts, all thoughts of letting herself be slimed having evaporated the instant those ghouls appeared. Just then someone hammered on the door. Spinning to the window, she found Jen standing on the other side. A rainbow miasma surrounded her teammate's frantically waving arms.

"Sarah, open up!"

Instinctively Sarah reached for the keypad, but stopped herself at the last moment. A second look revealed the twinkle in Jen's eye. She wants to slime me.

Two ghouls were pursuing Jen. Actually 'pursued' was probably too strong a word; it implied haste, and the ghouls' ludicrous outfits restricted them to a comedic waddle. This and the slippery floor would slow them down, but not for long, and Jen had nowhere else to run. "Come on! Please, Sarah, hurry!"

Sarah paused, weighing her options. Even if she doesn't try anything, if I open this door those ghouls might get in too. Nope, I can't risk it. "No," she replied with a shrug.

Jen's mouth dropped open. "You... I am sooo going to get you for this! I promise you..." The words ended in a squeal. Graceful arcs of pale pink gunge had patterned Jen's back and splashed across her right side, the remainder spattering the window.

Safe behind the screen, Sarah allowed herself a satisfied smirk. "Sorry, Jen, didn't quite catch that."

Jen moved closer. "I said, I am - eww!" again a spray of sludge curtailed the sentence.

Sarah leaned in. Their noses would almost have touched if it weren't for the glass. "Y'know, Jen, you can either waste time repeating yourself, or you can try finding another way out. Your call."

Jen's slime-covered features lit in a smile. "Sarah, you got in that pool with me."

"So?"

"So, you were expecting to get slimed in there, and you did it anyway."

Sarah fluttered her eyelashes. "I have absolutely no idea what you mean."

Purple cream doused Jen's flank, beginning at the knot of her bikini bottoms and ending in her hair. The ghouls were close, but still Jen didn't run. "You can't fool me," she said. "You're ready. Next time I see you, you're getting messy." At last Jen turned to make her escape.

"No, wait!" Sarah called. Her hand moved to the keypad.

"Huh? You're really going to let me in?"

"I am." Sarah's finger hovered over the release button, but at the last moment darted to a larger button at the top of the panel. Jen's look of bewilderment remained a moment longer, until thick green gunk sprayed from chutes above the window. "Oops, wrong button."

Jen's yelp morphed seamlessly into an accusing grin upon realising Sarah's trick. Shaking slop from her face, she cleared a diagonal slash on the smeared window with her palm, then peered inside. "Next time," she promised, the words dripping with playful menace.

With the ghouls practically behind her, Jen made a break for it. Lunging clumsily, her pursuers almost slipped in the newly-formed puddle, granting Jen a few precious seconds. It occurred to Sarah that had she not pressed the button, the ghouls probably would've caught her. Seizing her chance, Jen skipped between them and dashed away.

Sarah waited until she was out of sight before whispering, "Good luck."

*****

Nikki was having a blast. Seeing Lena dawdling between the purifier and the encroaching ghouls, she pointed at her. "Zap!"

Lena duly disappeared beneath a column of pink gunge. Gasping, she re-emerged desperately trying to hold her top in place. Nikki chuckled to herself. She had only to point at someone, yell some nonsense word, and slime would fall on her target. It's like being a witch... no, a sorceress, that sounds sexier.

Stepping out from the purifier, she searched for her next target. The ghouls in their silly sumo suits stood shoulder to shoulder across the room's southern half. They advanced in a solid line, slow but inexorable, and had already blocked most of the exits. As for the contestants, Jen appeared to be talking to a closed door, while Liz and Annabelle were scrambling to an exit on the northern wall. Of Sarah there was no sign.

Lucy was performing a magnificent rearguard action. Laughing, she frolicked in front of the ghouls, pelting them with whatever mess came to hand. They all knew that only pulling a ghoul's ripcord could stop them, but Lucy didn't seem to mind. Even odder was that she was still virtually clean despite being well within sprayer range. By rights Lucy ought to be swimming in gunk, but instead only stray blue and pink spatters sullied her gorgeous figure and coppery brown hair.

Can't have her feeling left out...

Nikki began to point, but was rudely interrupted when a pie struck the top of her right arm and ricocheted onto her cheek. Flicking a blob from her ear, she turned to find Lena tittering at her, almond-shaped eyes gleaming.

It was hard to believe Lena had been spotless scarcely two minutes ago. Dark tresses hung lank and glistening, plastered into thick strands. Multicoloured gunge slid across her, the uppermost layer predominantly pink, though patches of dusky skin and skimpy black swimwear peeked through here and there.

"Did you think you'd get away with that?" said Nikki, trying her best to sound villainous. She reached out an arm. "Shazam, or something!"

A yellow torrent skimmed Lena's face before splashing off her right shoulder. The dark-haired beauty tensed, eyes squeezing shut, but didn't dodge. Nikki resolved to get her a drink at the after-party for being such a great sport.

Everything was going to plan. The advancing ghouls had cut Jen off from the others, leaving her all but eliminated, and though Liz had reached a hatch on the north wall, her struggles to open the valve at its centre were getting nowhere. The handle hadn't even budged, and Liz's slippery hands did little but smear slime over it. Now Annabelle scuttled up to help, blasts of peach gloop strafing her back until Lucy backpedalled to protect her. Bizarrely, the ghouls seemed reluctant to fire when Lucy was in the way, but were happy enough to gunge the others whenever they had a clear shot.

What're they playing at? In any case, the contestants clustered around the door made an irresistible target. Licking her lips, Nikki prepared to summon another deluge. "Petron- argh!"

A barrage of slop ruined the incantation. Spinning round, Nikki found herself confronted once again by Lena, who'd actually moved closer. "You don't give up, do you?" While still facing Lena, Nikki smirked and made finger-guns over to her right. "Badda-bing badda-boom."

Splashes sounded around the hatch, accompanied by yelps from Liz and Annabelle. Though still smiling, Lena seemed in a daze. "How is it you? I never actually thought... wait, why did you bring the key back? You could've ended it already."

"What, and ruin the game for everyone? I may be evil, but I'm not evil." Grinning, she pointed at Lena. "Sesame!"

In a flash Lena leapt forward and wrapped her arms around her. Returning the hug, Nikki murmured coyly as trapped gunge spurted from her top. It took a moment for realisation to dawn. I just called down a load of slime on Lena... but now Lena's here with me, so... oh right. She just about had time to close her eyes before green gunge splurged over them, doming from their heads and sloshing down their bodies. Once it had eased, Nikki opened her eyes to find her nose almost touching Lena's. Beaming, she stepped back for a better look, only to walk into something and lose her footing. While sprawling backwards she realised she'd been stood in front of the purifier. But that means...

The puddle greeted her with a loud squelch. Rebounding ripples lapped at her sides as she sat up, laughing at her own foolishness. Lena began to gloat, only to cringe when azure sprays caressed her back. Realising how close the ghouls were, Lena hurried toward the others, getting spattered every step of the way. Nikki knew it was hopeless - the girls trying to get through that hatch were already doomed, they simply didn't know it yet. With her work done, she sighed contentedly and lay back, wallowing in the gunge.

*****

This was getting frustrating. Kirsty bobbed around behind the rank of ghouls, eager to join in but unable to find a way through. Why had they bothered with the sumo suits, anyway? If they'd worn their normal get-up they'd have overrun the contestants in seconds, and she wouldn't be penned in like this. Moving around the purifier had disrupted their formation, and she was pretty sure that Jen had managed to slip through the cordon somewhere to the left.

Peeking between two ghouls, she saw Liz, Annabelle and Lena huddled beside a door, which looked in no hurry to open. Good, three eliminations should keep Jo happy. In a strange reversal of roles, Lucy dodged around in an effort to shield her friends, while the ghouls did their best not to gunge her. Green gloop caught the side of Lucy's thigh, prompting a victorious smirk from the contestant and a worried mutter from the ghoul who'd fired. It made no sense.

Annabelle was growing frantic. "Liz, come on!"

"Don't rush me," Liz retorted. "More haste, less speed... or is it less haste, more speed?"

"Just hurry!"

Static crackled overhead. "-hope this works. Can anyone hear me?"

Kirsty froze. That can't be right. The sound had come from overhead speakers. Annabelle looked up. "Sarah? Is that you?"

"The one and only. Stand back from the door. Right... okay... this should work."

Don't tell me she's found... Kirsty held her breath, but nothing happened. Phew.

With their last hope snatched away, Liz and Annabelle exchanged impish looks, clearly wondering how to get each other as messy as possible before elimination came. Then the thunk of retracting bolts rang out, and with a scream of tortured metal the hatch opened. Hissing in frustration, the ghouls redoubled their pace, but already their prey had scrambled through into a pristine corridor. Lucy gave them a cheery wave just before the hatch closed with a reverberating clank.

Stunned silence filled the room. Kirsty stared, mystified. That wasn't meant to happen.

To Be Continued....