A DANGEROUS

GAME

AUTHOR: Dominic Butler

PUBLISHER: Burlington Books

LEVEL: 2nd ESO (Burlington reader activity series)

ISBN: 978-9925-30-344-1
 CHAPTER 1: alone in the dark

For a moment, the hallway was dark and empty, with only the noise of a few hungry rats breaking the silence. Then, in the distance, a
small light appeared, and the sound of running footsteps filled the air.

He was a young boy with blonde hair, a thin face and dark green eyes. He had his mobile phone in his hand and he was using his torch
to show him the way in the dark.

Every time the boy passed a door in the hallway, he stopped and tried to open it. But all the doors were locked, and he began
to look more and more worried.

Suddenly, he felt movement. The boy looked back down the hallway, but there was no one there. Then, he saw a security
camera on the wall slowly turn in his direction, its red light flashing.

The boy started running again. As he ran around a corner, he saw an open door. It was a large metal door, and it seemed very secure.
He looked at the walls for more security cameras, but there are none outside this section of the building. Quickly, the boy entered the small
room and closed the heavy door behind him.

For a moment, the boy waited and listened, his breathing rapid, his eyes frightened. He then took his phone and put the
camera in front of his face.

“Listen very carefully,” he said, his voice deep. “This 'angel game' is not a simple game. If someone contacts you online to play
it, don't do it! It's a lie - believe me, it's all a lie! I don't know Angel, but I know it's dangerous. “Don’t believe in her!”

He looked around the room quickly and then returned to his chamber. “ I'm logging out now,” he said, quietly. “I'm
going to call the police and tell them my location.”

He typed a number into his phone, but before he could finish, an angry emoji appeared on his screen. "No! That's not possible!” he
said in a scared voice.

Then, his phone suddenly died, and he heard the door click from outside. The boy was alone in the dark.

GLOSSARY:
• steps → Steps
• locked → Closed (with key)
• breathing → Breathing
• lie → lie

• I'm logged out → I disconnect

• typed → Click
 CHAPTER 2: WHERE IS Edward Morton?

In the Wellington Secondary Room , in central London, the teacher, Mr Hayes, sat and looked out the window towards
the River Thames.
In the back of the class, Matt and Harry were playing a loud game of cards. They loved Mr Hayes' class - no because
he didn't like it, but because to what the young man teacher never got to do
nothing.

Most of the other students he felt the same. Some were checking Facebook, some were
playing online games and others were watching videos on YouTube. Only one student was trying to work - a girl with long
dark hair, named Jess. She was sitting near Matt and Harry and becomes increasingly irritated by their loud play.

"Could you keep quiet? “I'm trying to work and it's impossible!” the girl shouted. At the front of the class, Mr. Hayes
turned around and looked at her. “Don't scream, Jess! “You are making more noise than anyone else in the class!”
“ Am I making noise?” Jess responded, standing up angrily. “Sir, Matt and Harry are playing a stupid game and you're not doing your
job. Nobody is working. Do not care?"

Mr. Hayes shook his head. "Not really. If students don’t want to learn, I can’t force them.”

"That? Of course you do!” Jess replied. “You are the teacher! It's your job!"

Mr. Hayes seemed irritated. “Stop yelling, Jess! I'm putting your name on the list of troubled students. You're being very
impertinent.” He returned to his desk and began typing something on his computer.

Jess looked furious, and Matt and Harry burst out laughing.
“Sir, who is at the top of your problem student list now? Is he still Eddie Morton?” Harry asked.

“Yes, Edward. almost destroyed my computer with its stupid virus, for the you will always be
on top of me
ready,” Mr. Hayes responded, looking around the classroom. “And speaking of Edward… Where is he?”

Before anyone could answer, someone knocked out the door and the principal entered the room with two police officers.

“I'm sorry to interrupt your class, Mr. Hayes, but these officers need to talk to the students. We have worrying news.
Edward Morton didn't go home last night. Where is the? Someone knows?"

GLOSSARY:
• IT room → computer room
• shook his head → Move head
• knocked out → call
• director → director

CHAPTER 3: five online video clips

The school cafeteria was full of people. Matt and Harry were sitting at a table near the back of the room, disgruntled expressions on
their faces.
 Jess approached them. "Good? Where is it?” he asked.
“We don't know,” Harry said.
Jess put the food on the table for him. "Do not lie to me. You two are his best friends,” he said.

“Honestly, Jess,” Matt said, “we don't know. He stopped hanging out with us a couple of weeks ago.”

“It's true,” Harry added. “He only cares about computer games and making online videos. He never wanted to skate or
play soccer, so we stopped seeing him.”

Jess sat at the table. “But he was your friend, and he might need your help now. You should try to find it.”
“ You're right, Jess,” Matt said, grabbing his phone. “Eddie makes online videos. Let's see. When did he send his last video?”

The boys check the network.

“Here's one from last night!” Harry exclaimed. “The name of the video is 'Angel Game' - Let's see what it says.”
Harry clicked on the video and soon, they were looking at Eddie's scared face, speaking to the camera in a low voice.
"Listen very carefully," they heard him say. “This 'angel game' is not a simple game. If someone contacts you online to play it, don't do
it!”

The three children watched the entire video in silence.

“Eddie is in danger. We must show this to the police…”Jess said when he finished. “What was that dark room you were in?”

“I don't know,” Harry said, “but he looks really scared.”

“Wait!” Matt said. "There are four first videos - all under the name 'Angel's Game.' Let’s see the end.”
The first video is clicked, and Eddie's face appears again, this time outside in the sun. He was smiling and looked
happy.
“Hi guys, I'm Eddie Morton. I’m going to start a new game,” Eddie said, with a big smile on his face. “This game is a little
different – a type of treasure hunt. It's great - you must play! I think I know the answer to the first clue, and I'm near the river..."

At that moment, the video stopped and the home screen appeared again. Matt tried to return the video, but, one by one, the
five videos disappeared from the screen.

“What happened?” Jess asked, shocked. "Someone just deleted Eddie's videos!" he responded

Harry. "This is scary."

GLOSSARY:

• You are right → You are right

• ... made publication → hung up, Public

• treasure hunt → Treasure hunt

• hint → Hint
• just deleted → just deleted
 CHAPTER 4: A message from
Angel

Half an hour later, Harry, Matt and Jess left the headmistress's office. “Do you think he believes us?” Harry asked.
“I don't know, but the police officer was right – and without the video, it will be difficult to find Eddie,” Jess said.
They walked in silence towards the exit. It was already three thirty and there were only a couple of students from
school.

“So what can we do?” Jess asked.

“Nothing,” Harry said. "But ...",

Jess began to say.
“He's right, Jess. We are going home. We are not the police. We can’t help it,” Matt said. As
The kids started walking towards the school door, Jess's phone rang. She checked and saw that there was a message. But
when he saw the name of the messenger, his heart stopped. “Wait, guys!” he shouted. "Look at this!"

The message was from 'Angel'.

"Angel?" Harry said. “The names of Eddie's videos were also 'Angel Game'!”

“I know,” Jess replied. “Look, the message says, 'Do you want to play?'”
“Say 'yes,'” Matt said. "Quickly!"
Jess typed the word into the phone, and after a moment, a smiling face appeared. Another message followed with a list of
rules for Jess.

“To win the game, you have to follow the clues and take photos of everything you find,” he said. “It is said that I cannot
show the message to others, or ask anyone for help. Wait... here's another message! It says…”Jess suddenly looked around,
scared.

“What, Jess? What does it say?” Matt asked, nervously. “It...it's said that Matt and Harry told me

They can help,” Jess replied, quietly.

"That?" -Harry exclaimed. “How do you know we're here? Who is this angel, and how does he look at us?

Jess shook her head. "Don't know. I will show the police.”
But before he could move, an angry emoji appeared on the screen, with the words:
'Don't do that, Jess!'

Another message followed: 'Let's play the game. Follow the clues - like Eddie'.
For a moment, they were silent. Then, Jess wrote the words “Where is Eddie?” On the phone.

Another smiling face appeared and a message followed: 'You will know at the end of the game. Now, here's the first
clue: I look at the river, I look at you. I am one nor two, I
rise and fall.'
“The river…” Matt said. “That's where you have to start. We have to go to Waterloo station, and from there to the
River Thames.”
GLOSSARY:
• rang → rang
• increasing → I go up
 CHAPTER 5: run around LONDON

Soon, they were at Waterloo station, and Jess was not happy. “Are you sure we should do this?” he said. “How are you going
to get us to Eddie?”

"We do not have any option,” he said.Matt. “Now read the key again.” Jess I look with impatience.
"OK. He says: 'I look at the river, I look at you. I am one nor two, that up and down. '”

The friends left the station and they entered into theautumn sun. They headedin the addressof theriver
Thames. After a few minutes, Jess stopped and looked towards the
London Eye in front of they. "See!It goes up and down. He is looking at the river.An eye ... No two “.

Matt and Harry looked up and smiled. Of course it was the London Eye!

At that moment, Jess' phone beeped and a new message appeared: 'Well done! Now take a photo to prove you are there.'

Harry looked around and said, “But is he still looking at us? Can you see us?”

“Probably!” Matt said. “But if you help us find Eddie…” Jess took a photo of the eye

London and his phone rang again.

“Well?” Matt asked.

“It's a smiley face and the other clue,” Jess said, reading it aloud. 'This is not my home, it is not my river. I pray to Ra, my
point of surrender. '

"Ra? Who is Ra?” Matt asked.

"I know that! Ra is an Egyptian god. Right, Jess?” Harry exclaimed, excitedly.

"Yes you're right. So, maybe the next place is a museum – an Egyptian museum, Jess suggested?

“No, wait... the river is mentioned... and a period!” Harry said, smiling. “I know where we have to go. It's on the other
side of the river. Come on guys!"

GLOSSARY:
• London Eye → Name of the Most Famous Ferris Wheel in London, on the banks of the River Thames

• Pray → Pray
• my point of delivery → What I made clear
 CHAPTER 6: breaking the rules

"You see?" Harry said. “ Cleopatra's Needle! It has a point at the top and it is next to the river. Take the picture, Jess!”

Jess took the photograph, and then her phone rang another clue: 'To be or not to be, that is the question. Hurry now, at
the Bardo 's address.'
“I don't like Shakespeare!” Matt said. “OK, so it must be the balloon theater. Come on!”'No, this is crazy!',

Jess exclaimed. “We can't run around London all day. Look, there's a police officer. I’m going to show you the messages.”

Immediately, there was another beep and the angry emoji appeared on the screen, followed by the message: 'That's
breaking the rules. Now, you must finish the game before sunset, or there will be trouble... for you... and for Eddie.
Matt looked at the sun slowly. “That's not good, Jess! We only have a few hours now.”

"I'm sorry! But this is getting really complicated,” Jess replied.

“Someone tells us is following,” Harry said, quietly. "Look, that man there, in the dark layer. Is heseeing each
other?"

Matt and Jess turned to look at the man.

“I don't know,” he said.Matt. “But you have to hurry to the Theater Globe. No choice ".

They started to run in the direction of Waterloo Bridge. Jess turned around. It was the manof thelayer
dark following them? She couldn't see it. Suddenly, she walked into someone and fell to the ground. It was a woman around
50, wearing a black dress. Was this Angel?
Jess got up and continued running after the boys, but when she looked again, the woman wasn't following. That's when he saw a
security camera on one of the light poles, and it was pointing right at it!

GLOSSARY:
• Cleopatra's Needle → Cleopatra's Needle (21 meter high Egyptian obelisk LOCATED in the
Central London)
• Bard → poet (in capital letters refers to William Shakespeare, the quintessential English writer)

• sunset → Sunset
 CHAPTER 7: ANGEL is watching

After taking photos outside the balloon theater, the three friends stopped to catch their breath.

“We've got all three clues right so far,” Jess said. “Maybe we should…” However, his phone rang again with the fourth clue.

“Well?” Harry asked. “Let's see this…”

“It's a strange look,” said Jess, showing the fourth clue. 'If you're on board, come try some tricks, graffiti walls and practice kicks.

“Angel can't spell!” Harry commented. “You don't spell 'boring' that way!”

"No! It's well written!” Matt exclaimed, suddenly. “What does 'board' mean - like in skateboard! And 'tricks' and 'kicks'
are both skate words. She's talking about the Subfarm Skate Park on the south bank - it's not far from here. Come on!"
It was easy to find the skating rink and take pictures of Angel. Then, Jess received a message: 'This is your final clue! I
motorized the city, but never the sea. I was dented and broken, but I always will be.'

What made this half track? Nobody knew. They walked from the skating rink, thinking about it. Jess looked around and then
said, “I think I know how Angel is following us – I think it's the use of security cameras.”

Matt looked around and said, “Maybe you're right, Jess. The cameras continue to turn in our direction. “Who controls the cameras in
this area?”

“ Mr. Hayes created a computer system. “It connects the security cameras,” Harry responded. “He worked at the high-
tech company Analyze. I know this because my uncle also worked there.”

“Why are security cameras connected?” Matt asked curiously.

"Mr. Hayes created that system in search of criminals. “Maybe he's watching us…” Harry responded.

“ Mr. Hayes? Jess shouted. "But why? “We are not criminals!”

"Don't know. Maybe he's not really a teacher. “He’s not like the other teachers, right?” Matt said. “We don't learn
anything in his class and he doesn't care. “He was furious with Eddie about the computer virus and yelled at him to this
day.”
“You're right, it's strange. Let’s go back to the school and check your equipment,” Harry suggested. “We still have time.”
Wellington Secondary seemed completely empty when they got there. The doors were closed and there were no cars in
the parking lot.
“We can’t do this, Matt, it’s illegal,” Jess said. “We can't force school!”

GLOSSARY:
• catch your breath → Catch your breath
• → powered I provided a power sector

• abused → whipped

• break into → To enter (forcibly or illegally) is

 Chapter 8: Breaking up at SCHOOL

“We have no choice, Jess,” Matt said. “We can go over the fence behind the kitchens – there are no security cameras there.
“Angel is not going to see us!”
Harry agreed. “We didn't solve the final clue, but you have to look on the computer Mr. Hayes. If we find something, we will call the
police.”

Jess followed the boys to the fence at the back of the school, and climbed over it quite easily. Quickly, they ran to the IT block. One of
the windows in his classroom was ajar.

“I can't get into the classroom through that window, no problem,” Matt said. Harry helped him up to the window, but
while he was inside it, Jess's phone rang again. “Oh no, from Angel!” Jess said.
"Look! The message says: "What are you doing at school?" Jess exclaimed, panicked, “How does he know we're here?
There are no cameras in this area.”
“Maybe he's tracking her phone, Jess,” Harry responded, suddenly afraid. “She can follow us anywhere if it's in.”

“Come on,” Matt said, and they followed him into the classroom through the open window. They moved over to Mr.
Hayes's computer and turned that on.
“Look, if Mr. Hayes is working with Angel, he might know we're here. Be quick, Jess,” Harry said. “Search for 'Edward Morton' or the
game.”

Jess began typing these words into the search section of the computer. “It's not just class registration and that student list that's stupid problems.
Look, Eddie's name is at the top, so it's not me, and their names are from here, too!”

“Try searching…” Harry started to say. But before he could finish, the door to the room opened, and Mr. Hayes walked in, with
a furious expression on his face. “What are you doing here three?” he asked angrily.

“ Stay away from us!” Matt yelled. “We know everything about you, Mr. Hayes!”

The teacher paused, expression changing from anger to confusion. “What are you doing, Jess?”

“We know about analyzing, Mr. Hayes,” Jess replied. “We know that he committed a system to find criminals with the help of security
cameras. Why do you use us to follow?”

“And who is Angel?” Harry added. “Why are you playing this game with us?”

The color drained from your face, Mr. Hayes. He sat at a desk across from them.

"Angel?" He repeated. “How do you know that name?”

GLOSSARY:
• fence → Fence
• tracking → tracking

• turned to ... → they lit

• Stay away → Stay away

CHAPTER 9: WHO is the angel?

“Who is Angel, sir? And what does she do to Eddie?” Matt asked.

"She? No, you don't understand,” the teacher explained. “There is no 'her'. Angel is not a person - it is a piece of
software. It is artificial intelligence - AI. I created it to solve problems and play games.”
 “And follow people?” Matt said, angrily. "That? Okay, yes! I started developing for Analyze. They wanted a criminal and terrorist
tracking system. But, when I realized they could use it offline to follow innocent people, they closed it. Angel has been offline for over five
years. I left the company and made sure they couldn't use it.”

“Well, it's not online now,” Harry said.

We explained everything to the teacher confusedly, and he looked very worried. They showed him the messages and
told him about online videos of Eddie.
“But you and Eddie are not criminals or terrorists!” Hayes said. “I don't understand why Angel would want to hurt any of
you. It doesn't make sense. ”

“Or maybe it does,” Jess said. "Look at the screen! When we searched for 'Edward Morton, we only found the class record and the list
of problem students with our names on it. Maybe Angel thinks we are problems. I mean, real problems, like criminals or terrorists, not just
dumb school kids.”

“My God, I could be right,” Hayes said. He moved to the computer and started typing.

After a moment, an angry emoji appeared on the screen, and a strange artificial voice filled the room, “Mr. Hayes, I'm mad at
you! You’re not playing by the rules.”

The children were frightened by the sound of the angel's voice.

“It's okay, it can't hurt us,” Hayes said, trying to calm them down. “That is the first rule of artificial intelligence.”

“Angel, where is Eddie Morton?” Mr. Hayes asked.

The team was silent, so the teacher began to write. “I think I can turn it off,” he said. “But it might take some time.”

“Eddie was a problem, and I have helped solve the problem,” Angel responded. “Don't disable me, Mr. Hayes. There
are still more problems for me to solve.”
“No, Angel!” Mr. Hayes exclaimed. "That is an error! I must deactivate!”'Don't make mistakes, Mr.
Hayes,' the voice continued. “You must stop or I'll hurt you!”

GLOSSARY:
• develop → develop

• offline → Without an Internet connection

sense → It makes SENSE

 CHAPTER 10: THE FIRE!

Suddenly, on the fire side of the room, one of the electrical plugs began to burn, and after a moment, a fire started.

“Get out of here, quickly!” -Mr. Hayes shouted. "It is dangerous!"

“But we can't get out of here,” Harry replied.

Another plug began to burn, and this one was closer to them. Another small fire began to fill the room with smoke.

“You said you had a final clue. You should figure it out and try to find Eddie,” the teacher said. “I can deactivate Angel, but I need more
time. Go now! Quickly!"

“This is very bad, Mr. Hayes,” Angel said. “I see you're trying to defuse. “I don't want to hurt you, but I can't let you leave me.”

“Go!” -Mr. Hayes shouted. "The sprinklers will stop the fire. You must help Eddie!”

The smoke was starting to make their eyes burn, so the friends ran to the window and stepped out into the fresh air.

They ran back to the fence behind the kitchens, and climbed over it. Then, they heard the sound of fire trucks arriving at the school.
“Quickly, let's get out of here,” Matt said. “They might think we were responsible for the fire. I hope Mr. Hayes will be okay.”

“ I hope so too, ” Jess said. “Now we have to solve the final clue and find Eddie.”

“I think I know the answer,” Harry said. “The idea was, 'I powered the city, but never the sea.' He was beaten and
broken, but he always will be.' Maybe it’s Battersea Power Station!”

“Brilliant!” Matt said. "Of course it is!"

Twenty minutes later, the three children stood in front of a huge building. Construction workers were around them, and there
were a large number of machinery and cranes.

“Battersea Power Station,” Matt said. “Well done, Harry – maybe Eddie is in there.”

“I'm sure it is,” Jess said. “The plant was closed a long time ago, but now they are doing it in homes and businesses.”

“Yes, but there are construction workers everywhere, and security cameras, so it won't be easy to get inside,” Matt responded. “Let's try the back
of the building.”

They moved silently to the back of the construction area. Which was quieter and there were no workers.

GLOSSARY:
• plugs → plugs

• sprinklers → Fire sprinklers contraindications

• fire cars → fire trucks

• I hope so too → I hope so too

• cranes → Cranes
 Chapter 11: A PLACE IN THE DARK

“I don't think you have to worry about security cameras,” Jess said. “Angel is
leader us in this building. She knows we're here. Maybe she wants to capture us just like Eddie. We have to find it, and then ask for help.”

Slowly and silently, they moved towards the back door of the large building. Making sure no one saw them, he jumped
through the open door and entered. It was dark and quiet inside, and there were a lot of steps to a lower level.
“Eddie was in a dark hallway, probably underground,” Harry said. “We're going to have to go that way.”

The steps led to a long hallway with many closed doors. “Maybe Eddie is in one of these rooms,” Jess said after a few minutes. “I'm sure we are
in the right place. I think Eddie made his final video here.”

“I just hope he's okay. Why not ask for help?” Matt asked, using the torch on his phone to see the way.

“You heard it somewhere – it's too loud with all the banging and machinery,” Harry replied.

They turned the corner and saw a large metal door, different from the others. “Wait… look, what is it?”

this door?” Harry asked. Matt tried to pull the door open. "It's very heavy! Help me!"

In the darkness, the three of them opened the door, and after a moment, it opened. “Eddie?” Shout
Jess. "Are you there?"
"Chain? Is that you?” said an exhausted voice. The children entered the room and saw their friend on the floor.

Matt and Harry ran towards their friend. His face was pale and he seemed confused, but before they could talk to him, Jess's phone
started ringing again. She showed them angry angel emoji and a terrifying message: 'So, finally, you are all together - all four students
Trouble on Mr. Hayes' list.' Now, I must eliminate everyone!'

“Will we eliminate?” Matt said. "What does that mean?"

“I don't know,” Harry said. “And I don't think I want to know. "Let's get out of here."
They began running down the hallway, and in the darkness they could see the red light of the security cameras flashing
in their direction. Then, from somewhere in the distance, a narrow door was heard.

GLOSSARY:

what carries → Driving

pulled the door open → opened the door un pulled

hitting → hitting

CHAPTER 12: ANGEL'S END GAME

“It was that the door are we coming?" Jess asked, scared. “Is anyone coming after us?”

“I think so, but there has to be another way out. Let's try it this way!” Matt shouted.

The two boys helped Eddie run. Soon, they climbed more stairs leading to an open door.
 "Fast! Before angel closes!”Harry shouted.
Then suddenly they were outside again, with construction workers turning toward them.

“Help us!” Jess cried to the nearest worker.

“What are you doing here guys? “You shouldn't be here – it's dangerous” the man shouted. “And what's wrong with your
friend? It looks terrible.”
The construction worker began to move towards them, but one of the electronic cranes lifted some pipes and they also began to move
in the direction of the children.

“It must be an angel!” Harry shouted. “She's controlling the crane! She's crazy!” They started running in the center of the construction
area, but after a moment, the crane lifted the pipes directly above them.
Terrified, the children fell to the ground and covered their heads.

They couldn't do anything to stop it, just wait for the pipes to fall on their heads. But nothing happened.

In his hand, Jess' phone rang once more, and a smiling face appeared, with the words: 'GAME OVER!'

“Move!” One of the construction workers screamed, and the children quickly dragged away.

“Why does he stop?” Harry asked.

Jess shook her head, and then looked at her phone as another message appeared. “It's from Mr. Hayes. He says okay,
and finally disabled angel! “He saved us!”
Construction workers helped children stand up. They were shaking from shock and fear, but happy that the nightmare was over. A few minutes
later, the blue and red lights of police cars and ambulances filled the area.

And amid all the noise and chaos, Jess didn't hear her phone beep once again, and she didn't see the four words of the
Angel's final message: 'You win... this time.'

GLOSSARY:

• lifted → I lift

• dragged away → they dragged themselves away

• nightmare → nightmare