Chapter 1: The Mysterious Diary

The Discovery

Dust swirled through the air as Jackie and Max frantically sorted through the musty boxes stacked high in the dimly lit Cedar Hollow Historical Society storage room. The ticking clock on the far wall marked the minutes slipping away, urging them to move faster.

"Why did we sign up for this again?" Max grumbled, shaking out his hand after pulling another dusty book from the top of a teetering pile. His voice had that familiar sarcastic edge that always seemed to lighten the mood, even when they were knee-deep in something like this.

Jackie shot him a quick smile without looking up. "Because we’re helping preserve local history, Max. It’s important."

"Yeah, well, if the ‘local history’ sneezes on me one more time, I’m out," Max retorted, swatting at the dust that clouded his face as he rifled through yet another box. His humor earned a small laugh from Jackie, but her focus remained razor-sharp.

As Jackie carefully pulled another old book from the shelf, the spine practically crumbling under her fingers, Max reached for a pile of boxes marked "Confidential" that had been shoved into the corner, partially hidden by a large sheet of canvas. Just as he yanked the top box toward him, a cascade of containers came tumbling down.

"Nice going," Jackie muttered, but her attention quickly shifted when something caught her eye amidst the spilled contents. A small, weathered diary, bound in cracked leather, had slid across the floor, coming to rest at her feet. She crouched down, gingerly picking it up. The cover was faded, the words barely legible, but one thing was clear: this was old, much older than anything else they had found so far.

"What’s that?" Max asked, glancing over as he brushed dust off his jeans.

Jackie held the diary up, her curiosity piqued. "Not sure. It was hidden under all those boxes, though. Feels... important." She flipped it open, revealing delicate, yellowed pages filled with scrawled handwriting and strange symbols that looked like they had been etched in haste.

"You think it's worth anything?" Max leaned over her shoulder, squinting at the unfamiliar writing.

"I don’t know." Jackie frowned, scanning the first few entries. Something about the way the letters curled around each other felt... urgent. Her fingers traced the lines of text, and then she froze. One of the entries mentioned a place she knew all too well—Hollow Creek Caverns.

Her heart skipped a beat as she read aloud: "‘Shipment arriving at Hollow Creek Caverns. Must remain hidden until the inventor is found.’" She looked up at Max, eyes wide. "Max, this... this is big."

Max arched an eyebrow, his usual smirk slipping. "What kind of big? The fun, ‘hey-let’s-solve-a-mystery’ kind or the ‘we’re-in-way-over-our-heads’ kind?"

Jackie’s gaze returned to the cryptic symbols, her mind racing. "I’m not sure yet. But if this diary is connected to the caverns and some inventor... we have to dig deeper."

Max hesitated, then shrugged. "Fine. Just as long as this doesn’t involve more dust."

"Trust me, Max," Jackie said, flipping through the pages again, her excitement building. "I have a feeling this is going to be much bigger than just dust."

She reached the final few entries, her breath catching as she read one dated only a week before the inventor’s disappearance: Shipment confirmed. The device must remain safe until further notice.

Jackie closed the diary, gripping it tightly. She could feel the pull of a new mystery settling over her like a heavy fog, but along with the excitement came a twinge of doubt. Should they investigate this on their own? What if it led to something dangerous? They had been in over their heads before, but something about this felt different—like they were about to step into something far more serious than they’d ever faced.

Max, sensing her hesitation, nudged her lightly. "You’re not thinking of turning that over to the Historical Society, are you?"

Jackie bit her lip. "Maybe we should... I mean, this is obviously important."

"Important? Yeah. But handing it off to some old librarian? Come on, Jackie, where’s your sense of adventure?" Max grinned, giving her that look that always got her to go along with one of his schemes.

She sighed, unable to suppress the smile tugging at her lips. "Fine. But we need to be careful. I’m taking this to the Squad tonight. They need to see this."

Max nodded, satisfied. "Now you’re talking. Let’s get out of here before this place swallows us whole."

As Jackie tucked the diary into her bag, the words about the shipment and the caverns echoed in her mind. This wasn’t just any old book—they had stumbled onto something huge. And tonight, the Squad would have to figure out exactly what that something was.

The Squad Reads the Diary

The garage was dimly lit, the faint hum of Eddie’s half-finished invention filling the silence. Jackie sat on an overturned crate, the mysterious diary clutched in her hands. Max paced nearby, making exaggerated gestures as he recounted their discovery at the Historical Society. Holly, sitting cross-legged on the floor, listened quietly while Eddie tinkered with a gadget at his workbench, seemingly distracted but listening.

Jackie cleared her throat, bringing the focus back to the matter at hand. "Alright, enough with the theatrics, Max. Let’s focus. This diary is... strange." She opened the worn pages, running her fingers along the cryptic entries. The flickering light above made the ancient symbols dance on the page.

Max grinned, unable to resist a comment. "Yeah, ‘cause it’s totally normal to find a centuries-old, hidden diary in a dusty backroom. This is fine, right?"

Holly shot him a pointed look. "Sure, if by fine you mean ‘totally doomed.’"

Jackie ignored them and started reading aloud. "‘A shipment arriving at Hollow Creek Caverns. Must remain hidden until the inventor is found.’" Her voice wavered as she read the words again, more to herself than the group. Each phrase seemed heavier, filled with implications they couldn’t yet fully grasp.

Eddie, who had been half-listening, finally looked up from his workbench. "Wait, Hollow Creek Caverns? Why would an old diary mention that place?"

Max shrugged. "Because it’s creepy and full of weird legends? Perfect place to hide something if you ask me."

Jackie turned another page, her brow furrowing as she read further. "It’s not just about a shipment. There’s something bigger going on. Listen to this—" She scanned the page and began to read again. "‘The device must not be discovered. Only Chet can finalize it. If he fails, the consequences will be dire.’"

Holly’s eyes widened. "Chet? As in Chet, the inventor?"

Eddie frowned, sitting up straighter, his attention fully on Jackie now. "Wait. Chet... That’s the guy who’s gone missing, right? His brother said he disappeared days ago."

Jackie nodded. "This diary might be connected to his disappearance. Whoever wrote this knew something about him and his work." She flipped to another entry, her heart skipping a beat. "Here’s another one. ‘Chet’s project is too dangerous to fall into the wrong hands. We must ensure it remains hidden, no matter the cost.’"

The group fell silent. Even Max, usually full of sarcastic remarks, had nothing to say. The tension in the air was thick, their minds racing with possibilities.

"Okay, this just went from weird to straight-up creepy," Max finally said, breaking the silence. "What exactly was Chet working on?"

Eddie, who had been leaning against his workbench, suddenly looked troubled. He rubbed the back of his neck, his fingers still smudged with grease. "I don’t know, but I have a bad feeling it’s not good. Especially if it involves something dangerous enough that someone thought it needed to stay hidden in the caverns."

Holly’s voice was quiet, filled with unease. "What if... whatever Chet was working on is still there? In the caverns?"

Jackie’s gaze sharpened, the thrill of a new mystery mixing with the weight of responsibility. "That’s exactly what I’m thinking. If we’re going to help Chet, we need to figure out what he was working on. This diary—it’s a clue, but we don’t have all the pieces yet."

Eddie sighed, his mind clearly conflicted. "I’ve got a lot on my plate right now with this invention, Jackie. You know how important it is." He gestured to the half-built contraption on the workbench, its wires dangling loosely and half-finished components scattered around.

Jackie stood, clutching the diary tightly. "I get it, Eddie, but this could be more important. Chet’s life might be in danger, and we’re the only ones who have this information." Her words hung in the air, pushing against Eddie’s reluctance.

The internal conflict showed in Eddie’s eyes as he stared at the diary, his thoughts racing between his invention and the unfolding mystery. After a long pause, he sighed again, his resolve softening. "Fine. I’m in. But if this goes south, don’t say I didn’t warn you."

Max clapped his hands together, breaking the tension. "Great! So what’s our next move? Search the creepy old caverns? Or maybe break into a haunted house while we’re at it?"

Jackie rolled her eyes, though the corner of her mouth twitched upward. "Let’s focus on the caverns for now. But first, we need to figure out more about what Chet was working on."

Eddie stood up, his gadget forgotten on the bench. "Alright. I’ll start looking into Chet’s work and see if I can find anything that connects him to this diary. It’s a long shot, but we might find something useful."

Holly nodded, though her usual quiet demeanor was tinged with unease. "We should be careful. If this diary is right, we might be dealing with more than we can handle."

Jackie looked at her friends, the weight of the situation settling over them. They had solved mysteries before, but this felt different. Bigger. Dangerous. But despite the growing sense of dread, Jackie felt the familiar rush of excitement that came with the unknown. They were in deep now, and there was no turning back.

She flipped through the final pages of the diary, her heart pounding as she spotted an entry that made her blood run cold. "Listen to this—‘The shipment arrives soon. Chet will meet his fate if it’s not stopped.’"

Max let out a low whistle. "Guess we’d better get moving."

Jackie snapped the diary shut, her mind already racing with possibilities. "We need to move fast. Whatever’s coming through those caverns—it’s happening soon."

The Squad exchanged tense glances, the gravity of their situation sinking in. They had a lead, but it came with more questions than answers. And the stakes had just gotten a lot higher.

Chet’s Brother Asks for Help

The conversation in Eddie’s garage was interrupted by a sharp knock at the door. Everyone fell silent, glancing at each other with a mixture of surprise and apprehension. Jackie motioned for Eddie to open it, her mind already racing with possibilities.

Eddie approached the door cautiously, peering through the small window. “It’s Chet’s brother,” he said, turning back to the group. Jackie’s heart skipped a beat. She hadn’t seen him in days—not since Chet had gone missing. What was he doing here now?

Eddie opened the door, and Chet’s brother, Derek, stepped inside, his face pale and drawn with worry. His clothes were rumpled, his hair disheveled, and the look in his eyes told Jackie everything she needed to know—something was very, very wrong.

“Derek, what’s going on?” Jackie asked, standing to greet him. The others gathered around, their curiosity and concern growing by the second.

Derek ran a hand through his messy hair, his voice shaky. “I didn’t know where else to go. Chet... he’s still missing. It’s been days, and now I’m scared something terrible has happened to him.”

Jackie exchanged a quick glance with Max, who immediately took a more serious stance. This wasn’t just another mystery anymore—it was personal.

“He was working on something,” Derek continued, his words rushed and filled with anxiety. “Something secret. He wouldn’t even tell me what it was, but I know it had something to do with those caverns. And now he’s just... gone.”

Eddie frowned, stepping forward. “Wait. Did Chet say anything about a shipment or... something dangerous?” His mind was already racing, connecting the dots to the entries they had just read in the diary.

Derek shook his head, his expression pained. “No. He didn’t say much. Just that it was important—important enough that he was willing to risk everything. I didn’t understand at the time, but now... I think he was in over his head.”

Jackie could feel the weight of the situation settling over her. This wasn’t just about solving a mystery anymore. This was about finding Chet—and maybe saving his life. She looked at the diary in her hands, then back at Derek. “Derek, do you know anything about the Hollow Creek Caverns?”

Derek hesitated, glancing between them. “Only that Chet mentioned the caverns a few times. He was obsessed with something there, but he wouldn’t give me details. He kept saying it had to be kept secret.”

Eddie, now fully invested, clenched his fists. “Whatever Chet was working on, it might be connected to something bigger. We found this diary.” He motioned toward the book in Jackie’s hand. “It mentions shipments through the caverns, inventions, and... well, it doesn’t look good.”

Jackie could see the guilt flash across Eddie’s face, as if wondering if Chet had been working on something similar to his own inventions. But this wasn’t the time for doubt—they had to act fast.

“We’ll help you, Derek,” Jackie said firmly. “We’ll do everything we can to find Chet and figure out what’s going on.”

Derek exhaled a shaky breath, clearly relieved by Jackie’s promise. “Thank you. I don’t know what else to do. The police said they couldn’t do much without more information. But... something isn’t right. I can feel it.”

Max crossed his arms, his usual humor nowhere to be found. “We’ll figure this out. But first, we need more clues. We’re missing too many pieces.”

Jackie nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility settling over her shoulders. She turned to the others, her determination growing. “Chet was working on something important, something connected to these caverns. We need to find out what that is, and fast.”

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

But before anyone could respond, Jackie’s eyes caught a flicker of movement outside the garage window. Her body tensed as she stepped closer to the door, peering into the street.

There, standing under the dim glow of a streetlight, was a shadowy figure. They stood perfectly still, watching the garage. A shiver ran down Jackie’s spine. Whoever they were, they weren’t just passing by.

“We’re being watched,” Jackie whispered, her voice barely audible over the pounding of her heart.

Eddie, Max, Holly, and Derek immediately gathered at the window, their faces tight with concern. The figure didn’t move—just stood there, unmoving, a silent threat in the darkness.

“Who is that?” Holly asked, her voice trembling slightly.

“I don’t know,” Jackie said, her mind racing. “But something tells me they don’t want us digging into this.”

Derek’s face paled further, his worry turning into fear. “I didn’t realize how dangerous this was. Chet... he didn’t say anything about people watching him.”

Jackie pulled away from the window, her instincts on high alert. “We need to be careful. If we’re being followed, it means we’re onto something big.”

Max’s face tightened with resolve. “Great. Just what we needed—more creeps watching us. What’s next? Secret agents?”

Jackie didn’t respond. Her eyes remained fixed on the figure outside. They had stumbled onto something huge, and now, it was clear they weren’t the only ones who knew about it. Whoever this was, they were keeping a close eye on the Squad—and that meant danger was closer than ever.

“Stay low,” Jackie said, ushering everyone away from the window. “We need to stay one step ahead. If someone’s watching us, they won’t stop until they know what we’re up to.”

Max gave a nervous chuckle. “Well, I don’t know about you guys, but I’m really starting to miss those quiet, boring afternoons.”

Jackie shot him a quick, wry smile, but her focus was already shifting to the next move. They couldn’t afford to slow down now. The diary, Chet’s disappearance, the mysterious shipment—it was all connected, and they were right in the middle of it.

The Squad wasn’t just investigating a mystery anymore. They were being pulled into something far more dangerous than they had ever anticipated. And as Jackie glanced out the window one more time, she knew there was no turning back.

The Squad Connects the Diary to Chet’s Work

The Lawson house was unusually quiet as the Squad gathered in the living room, the weight of their discovery hanging over them. Jackie paced near the window, occasionally glancing out to check for any sign of the shadowy figure that had been watching them earlier. Max lounged on the couch, trying to appear casual, but his restless leg betrayed his anxiety. Holly sat cross-legged on the floor, her brows furrowed as she watched Eddie flip through the diary at the dining table.

"Anything yet?" Jackie asked, her voice tense.

Eddie didn’t look up from the pages. "Give me a minute. This stuff is old—like, really old. I’m trying to make sense of these symbols." He tapped a page that was filled with strange markings, his expression darkening. "It’s not just a regular diary. Whoever wrote this knew a lot more than they were letting on."

Holly leaned in, her eyes scanning the page. "What do you mean?"

Eddie flipped back a few pages, where entries mentioned shipments, inventions, and secret projects. His finger traced over a line of text. "Here. It talks about inventions—devices being created that had to be kept hidden. That lines up with what Derek said about Chet. If Chet was working on some secret project, this could be connected to it."

Jackie stopped pacing, her interest piqued. "And the shipments? Do you think they’re related to what Chet was working on?"

Eddie nodded slowly. "It’s more than likely. But there’s something bigger here. This diary keeps mentioning Hollow Creek Caverns, and not just as a location—it sounds like something dangerous is being stored there. Something that has to be protected."

Max, ever the skeptic, raised an eyebrow. "Dangerous, how? Are we talking, like, booby traps and Indiana Jones-level stuff? Because if we are, I’m definitely bringing a helmet this time."

Jackie shot him a look. "This isn’t a joke, Max. Chet could be in serious danger, and we’re the only ones who know about this diary. If it really is connected to what he was working on, we have to figure out what’s going on before it’s too late."

The room grew quiet as the gravity of Jackie’s words settled in. Holly, who had been unusually quiet since Derek’s visit, finally spoke up. "Maybe we should check out Chet’s workshop. If he was working on something secret, there might be more clues there."

Everyone turned to Holly, a little surprised by her suggestion. She wasn’t usually the one to propose risky ideas, but there was a certain determination in her eyes that Jackie hadn’t seen before. Jackie felt a flicker of pride—Holly was stepping up in a way that made Jackie feel less alone in carrying the weight of their decisions.

Max leaned back on the couch, crossing his arms. "That’s actually not a bad idea. If Chet was involved in something this big, there’s bound to be something in his workshop that could give us more answers."

Eddie, still staring at the diary, gave a thoughtful nod. "Yeah, and we could probably compare whatever we find with the entries in the diary. If Chet’s work is mentioned here, we might be able to piece together what he was building."

Jackie paced again, her mind racing. Holly’s suggestion was logical, but the thought of dragging everyone deeper into this made her stomach churn. What if it led them into something dangerous? What if they were getting involved with people far more dangerous than they realized?

"I don’t know," Jackie said, her voice laced with uncertainty. "Going to Chet’s workshop could put us right in the middle of whatever this is. We might be walking straight into trouble."

Holly stood, her eyes meeting Jackie’s. "But we can’t just sit here and do nothing. Chet’s out there, and he needs help. If this diary really is connected to what he was working on, we need to follow the clues."

Jackie stopped pacing and looked at her friends. Max, usually the joker, was serious now, waiting for her to make the call. Eddie was already mentally planning their next steps, and Holly—normally the cautious one—was ready to dive headfirst into danger for the sake of their friend. Jackie’s heart swelled with a mix of pride and anxiety. They were counting on her to lead, to make the right decisions, but the weight of responsibility never felt heavier.

After a long pause, Jackie sighed. "You’re right. We can’t let this go. We’ll check out Chet’s workshop tomorrow morning. But we have to be smart about this. If there’s more to this than we’re seeing, we can’t afford to make any mistakes."

Eddie nodded, already folding the diary and placing it carefully into his backpack. "I’ll keep working on deciphering the rest of these entries. There might be more clues we’re missing."

Holly smiled, her resolve growing. "We’ll be careful, Jackie. But we’re in this together."

Max gave a mock salute. "Captain Jackie, leading us into yet another grand adventure. As long as there are no giant spiders, I’m in."

Jackie cracked a smile at Max’s attempt to lighten the mood, but the unease still sat in her gut. They were going to Chet’s workshop, and there was no telling what they’d find. The diary held secrets—secrets that could be tied to dangerous people or dangerous technology. And now, more than ever, Jackie felt the tug of responsibility pulling her forward.

Eddie cleared his throat, breaking the silence that had fallen over them. "There’s one last thing." His voice was quiet, almost hesitant. "I decoded part of this last entry. It doesn’t just mention a shipment—it says something is moving through the caverns. Something big. If we don’t figure out what it is, it could be bad. Really bad."

Jackie’s breath caught in her throat. Whatever Chet was involved in, it wasn’t just about a missing inventor or a forgotten diary. This was bigger. Much bigger.

"Then we’d better be ready," Jackie said, her voice steady despite the fear creeping into her chest. "Tomorrow, we find out what Chet was working on. And if something’s coming through those caverns... we’re going to stop it."

Decision to Investigate

Morning sunlight streamed through the window of the Lawson house as the Squad gathered around the dining table, their faces a mix of anticipation and uncertainty. The air was thick with tension as they prepared to make their next move. Jackie sat at the head of the table, the diary lying open in front of her. She looked at each of them, her mind racing through the possible outcomes of the decision they were about to make.

"Alright, we need to talk about what’s next," Jackie said, her tone firm but laced with the same caution that had been gnawing at her since the night before.

Max, leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed, was the first to break the silence. "Let’s be real here. We’re in over our heads, aren’t we?" His voice was light, but the concern beneath his words was clear.

Jackie shot him a wry smile. "When has that ever stopped us?"

Holly leaned forward, her hands clasped together in her lap. "But this time feels... different. If Chet’s involved in something dangerous, we could be putting ourselves at risk, too."

Eddie, sitting beside Holly, glanced at the diary and then back at Jackie. "There’s no question that something big is going on. Chet was working on something, and now he’s missing. The diary mentions a shipment—something that could be dangerous. But the caverns? That’s another level."

Jackie sighed, knowing he was right. Investigating Chet’s workshop felt like the logical next step, but the idea of diving into the Hollow Creek Caverns—where the diary suggested something dangerous was being hidden—made her uneasy. "We have to be smart about this," she said. "We can’t just rush into the caverns without a plan."

Max scoffed lightly. "Of course, the infamous Jackie Lawson doesn’t rush into anything."

Jackie gave him a small smile but quickly turned serious. "No, seriously. This isn’t just about solving a mystery anymore. We’re talking about Chet’s life—and possibly ours—if this thing is as dangerous as the diary suggests."

Eddie, who had been silent for a few moments, suddenly spoke up. "I think we should start with Chet’s workshop. It’s safer than diving headfirst into the caverns. There’s a good chance we’ll find more information about what he was working on. Once we know more, we can figure out our next move."

Holly nodded in agreement. "That makes sense. We don’t know enough yet. If we find something at the workshop, it could give us the answers we need without putting ourselves in too much danger."

Jackie’s mind raced, torn between the cautious route and the nagging feeling that the caverns were the real key to solving this mystery. Her instincts told her that whatever was being moved through those caverns was at the heart of Chet’s disappearance. But was it worth the risk to jump straight into the danger?

Max leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "What if Chet left something important at the workshop? Something that explains all of this? We check there first, and if we don’t find anything, we take a shot at the caverns."

Jackie considered the suggestion. It was the most balanced approach—safe enough to gather more information without diving into immediate danger, but still keeping the caverns on the table as their next step. She glanced at the open diary in front of her, the cryptic symbols and warnings about shipments and hidden devices staring back at her. She couldn’t shake the feeling that time was running out.

"I agree with Eddie," Jackie finally said, meeting their eyes. "We’ll start with the workshop. We’ll go today and see if we can find anything that gives us a clearer picture of what Chet was working on."

Max grinned. "And then we’ll see about those creepy caverns."

Jackie’s stomach churned slightly at the thought, but she nodded. "We’ll take it one step at a time."

Eddie leaned forward, his expression more serious than usual. "We have to be prepared. We don’t know what we’re going to find at the workshop, or if anyone’s watching it. If Chet’s work is connected to something bigger, we could be stepping into dangerous territory."

Holly glanced toward the window, her gaze distant as she absorbed Eddie’s warning. "Do you think we’re still being watched?"

Jackie’s thoughts immediately flashed back to the figure lurking under the streetlight the night before. The eerie feeling of being followed had stayed with her, gnawing at the edges of her thoughts. She stood from the table and walked over to the window, peering out into the street. It was quiet—too quiet.

"I don’t know," Jackie admitted, her voice low. "But we can’t ignore the possibility. Whoever—or whatever—was watching us, they know we’re onto something."

Max leaned back again, his lighthearted tone returning. "Great. I love being stalked by mystery figures. Really adds to the charm of the investigation."

Jackie turned back to face the group. "We need to be careful. If we’re being followed, that means we’re getting close to something big. And whoever’s behind this won’t let us get too far without trying to stop us."

Holly frowned, her voice soft but determined. "Then we’ll have to stay one step ahead of them."

Jackie nodded, her resolve hardening. They were in this together, and whatever dangers lay ahead, they would face them as a team. "Alright. We’ll head to Chet’s workshop this afternoon. But we need to stick together, stay alert, and be ready for anything."

Max gave a mock salute. "You’ve got it, Captain. Let’s get this mystery solved and maybe avoid getting ourselves caught in a sinister plot."

Eddie packed up the diary, his mind clearly already focused on what they might find at Chet’s workshop. Holly, ever the voice of caution, gathered her things and quietly prepared for what was to come. Jackie, meanwhile, couldn’t shake the feeling that the shadowy figure might still be watching, waiting for them to make their next move.

"Let’s be careful," Jackie repeated, her voice more serious now. "We have no idea what we’re up against."

As the Squad gathered their belongings and prepared to leave, Jackie took one last glance out the window, scanning the street. There was no sign of the figure from the night before, but the feeling of being watched lingered like a shadow over her thoughts.

"We’re going to need all the luck we can get," she muttered under her breath as they headed out the door.

A Suspicious Figure

The air outside the Lawson house felt thick with tension as the Squad stepped out into the early afternoon sun. Jackie led the way, her eyes scanning the street, still uneasy from the previous night’s encounter. The neighborhood seemed quiet, too quiet, like it was holding its breath.

"Everyone stay close," Jackie said, her voice steady but laced with the same caution that had been nagging at her since yesterday. "We don’t know if we’re still being watched."

Max sidled up next to her, trying to keep the mood light. "If anyone jumps out of a bush, I’m fully prepared to sacrifice Eddie."

Eddie rolled his eyes, adjusting the strap on his backpack. "I’d appreciate it if you didn’t offer me up like a lamb every time we’re in danger, Max."

Holly glanced nervously over her shoulder, her voice barely a whisper. "I really don’t like this. I swear I keep seeing shadows moving."

Jackie didn’t say anything, but Holly’s words echoed her own thoughts. The feeling of being watched hadn’t gone away, and every small movement, every flicker of a shadow, set her nerves on edge. As they walked down the street, the familiar surroundings of the neighborhood felt unsettlingly foreign, like something was lurking just out of sight.

They were only a few houses away when Jackie’s heart jumped in her chest. There, leaning against the lamppost at the corner, was the same shadowy figure from the night before. Dressed in dark clothes, the figure seemed to melt into the background, making it hard to make out any details. But Jackie knew it was them—the same eerie presence that had been watching them.

Her breath caught, and she instinctively held out her arm to stop the others. "There," she whispered, nodding toward the lamppost. "It’s them again."

Max followed her gaze, his usual bravado faltering. "You’ve gotta be kidding me. This guy again?"

Eddie squinted, trying to get a better look. "What are they waiting for? If they’re trying to intimidate us, it’s working."

Holly’s grip tightened on the strap of her bag, her face pale. "What do we do?"

Jackie’s mind raced, adrenaline flooding her system. They were clearly being watched, and that meant their investigation into Chet’s disappearance had caught someone’s attention—someone who didn’t want them digging any deeper. But who were they? And more importantly, how much danger were they in?

Jackie quickly assessed the situation. "We can’t let them know we’ve spotted them. Keep walking. Act natural."

Max let out a small, sarcastic laugh. "Yeah, ‘natural.’ No problem. I’ll just pretend I don’t see the creepy stalker in the shadows."

"Max," Jackie warned, her tone sharper than she intended. "I’m serious. We don’t know what they want, but we can’t give them any reason to think we’re onto them. Just keep walking."

They resumed their pace, trying to appear casual despite the growing tension. Jackie kept her eyes straight ahead, but she could feel the figure’s gaze following them. Her skin prickled with the awareness that they were being tracked, monitored. Whoever it was, they weren’t just watching out of curiosity—they were waiting for something.

Holly’s quiet voice broke the silence. "What if they follow us?"

Jackie glanced over at her friend, trying to keep her own fear in check. "Then we’ll deal with it. We can’t let them scare us off."

Eddie’s brow furrowed. "But we’re not exactly prepared to deal with a stalker right now. Maybe we should... I don’t know... call someone?"

Jackie shook her head. "Not yet. We don’t know who they are or what they want. If we make a scene, it could make things worse."

Max, glancing over his shoulder one more time, groaned. "Great. So we’re just going to pretend the creeper isn’t tailing us?"

"Exactly," Jackie said firmly. "For now, we’re going to act like we don’t notice, but we’ll be ready if something happens."

The Squad turned down the next street, the familiar route toward Chet’s workshop now taking on a new sense of urgency. The figure didn’t follow them immediately, but Jackie knew they wouldn’t just disappear. Whoever they were, they had a reason for watching—and the Squad was now squarely in their crosshairs.

As they neared the workshop, the small building coming into view at the end of the street, Jackie’s pulse quickened. She motioned for the others to stop. "Before we go in, we need to be smart about this. We don’t know who’s watching us or why, so we have to stay on guard. Keep your eyes open and stick together. If anything feels off, we leave immediately."

Max raised his hand like a kid in class. "Uh, yeah. Question. How exactly are we supposed to act normal when we’ve got a potential spy breathing down our necks?"

Jackie sighed, running a hand through her hair. "We do what we always do. We stick together, keep our heads down, and stay focused on the task. We’re here to figure out what Chet was working on. Let’s not get sidetracked by whatever—or whoever—that is."

Eddie gave a nervous chuckle. "Easier said than done, but fine. Let’s just get inside and see if we can find anything useful."

The Squad approached Chet’s workshop, the small building looking just as quiet and unassuming as ever. But Jackie couldn’t shake the feeling that they weren’t alone. Even as they reached the door, she could feel the weight of the figure’s gaze, like a shadow following them just out of reach.

Max opened the door cautiously, peeking inside. "All clear," he said, stepping in first.

The others followed, and Jackie was the last to enter, taking one last glance down the street. The figure was gone—vanished as quickly as they’d appeared. But that didn’t make her feel any safer.

Inside, the workshop was cluttered with tools, papers, and half-finished inventions. It looked like Chet had been in the middle of something when he vanished, and now it was up to them to figure out what.

"Alright," Jackie said, closing the door behind them. "Let’s see if we can find anything that gives us a clue about what Chet was working on."

Max turned to face her, his usual grin tinged with nervous energy. "And maybe let’s hope that whoever’s following us stays outside."

Jackie smiled faintly, but her mind was already racing ahead. The mystery of the diary, Chet’s disappearance, and the shadowy figure—they were all connected, and now it was up to the Squad to uncover the truth. But as she glanced around the workshop, her gut told her that this was only the beginning.