Chapter 10: The Legend Lives On
Celebrations at Shadow Peak
The morning sun rose over Shadow Peak, casting a warm, golden glow across the ranch. The air was cool, fresh from the night’s excitement, and for the first time in days, the tension seemed to lift. Birds chirped in the distance, and the once-damaged barn stood nearly repaired, a testament to the resilience of the workers who had braved the sabotage. The ranch now looked almost peaceful, as if the chaos of the past few days had never touched it.
Around the long wooden table set outside, Jackie, Max, Holly, and Eddie gathered with Holly’s cousins and the ranch workers for breakfast. Plates were piled high with scrambled eggs, toast, and fresh fruit, a hearty meal that felt well-deserved after the long nights and narrow escapes. The smell of sizzling bacon filled the air, mixing with the scent of the dew-covered grass.
Holly’s cousin, a tall man with a broad smile, clapped Jackie on the back, nearly knocking her plate off the table. “You kids really saved the day,” he said, his voice full of gratitude. “I don’t know what we would’ve done if you hadn’t been here. We can’t thank you enough.”
Max, grinning from ear to ear, leaned back in his chair, clearly enjoying the praise. “All in a day’s work,” he said, puffing out his chest. “Or, well... several days, actually.”
Jackie smiled, but her eyes were distant, scanning the horizon beyond the ranch. The mood around the table was light—laughter erupted as Holly recounted one of their close calls with the traps in the cave, and Eddie proudly detailed how his gadget had outwitted the treasure hunters. But despite the warmth of the gathering and the sense of relief, Jackie couldn’t shake the feeling that something was still unresolved.
Her gaze lingered on the ridge where they had last seen the ghost horse, the faint glow of dawn barely illuminating the rocky silhouette. The sun’s rays were creeping slowly over the peak, casting long shadows across the land, but no sign of the mysterious horse appeared. Yet, Jackie knew—deep down, she knew—the mystery wasn’t over.
As the conversation around the table shifted to future plans and lighter topics, Jackie’s thoughts kept circling back to the ghost horse. They had secured the treasure, captured the hunters, and restored some peace to the ranch, but the presence of the ghost horse had remained a constant. It had appeared at crucial moments, guiding them toward the treasure, warning them of danger. But why?
Her thoughts were interrupted by Holly’s voice. “Jackie?” she asked, noticing her friend’s faraway look. “You okay?”
Jackie blinked and forced a smile. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just thinking.”
Holly raised an eyebrow. “About the treasure or... something else?”
Jackie shrugged, glancing back at the ridge. “Something else,” she admitted. “The treasure hunt was crazy, but it feels like there’s still something out there. I can’t shake the feeling that we’re not done yet.”
Holly followed Jackie’s gaze toward the mountains, a slight frown crossing her face. “The ghost horse?” she asked quietly.
Jackie nodded, her smile fading. “Yeah. It’s still out there. And I don’t think it’s going to leave until we figure out why.”
Before Holly could respond, one of her cousins called out to them from across the table. “Hey! Don’t let the food get cold. You’ve earned this feast!”
Holly chuckled and turned back to the table, but Jackie couldn’t help one last glance toward the ridge before sitting down. The laughter and conversation at the table felt comforting, but in the back of her mind, the questions about the ghost horse remained.
As they ate, the Squad shared more stories from their adventure. Max exaggerated his role in their escape from the treasure hunters, earning an eye-roll from Jackie. Eddie excitedly explained how he had managed to perfect his tracker despite it being stolen and tampered with, his pride clear in every word.
“I’m telling you,” Eddie said, holding up his gadget for the hundredth time, “if it hadn’t been for this, we wouldn’t have gotten through those caves. And now it’s better than ever.”
Max smirked. “You mean after you let them steal it in the first place?”
Eddie shot him a mock glare. “That was sabotage, not carelessness. I can’t help it if people can’t resist trying to steal my genius inventions.”
Jackie couldn’t help but laugh at their banter, but even as she joined in, her eyes kept drifting back toward the mountains. The ridge stood tall and silent, but in the light of the rising sun, something flickered near the peak—just for a moment. A familiar, faint glow.
Her laughter died on her lips, replaced by a cold sense of certainty. She squinted, trying to make out the shape, but it was gone before she could be sure.
“Jackie?” Holly asked, noticing her sudden change in mood. “What is it?”
Jackie stared at the ridge, her heart racing. “It’s still out there.”
Max, who had been in the middle of making another sarcastic remark, froze. “Wait, what?”
Jackie stood slowly, her eyes never leaving the distant peak. “The ghost horse. I saw it again.”
The table fell silent as the others followed her gaze, though none of them could see what Jackie had. The peaceful mood of the morning shifted as a sense of unease settled over the group.
Max swallowed hard. “I thought we were done with the spooky stuff.”
Jackie shook her head. “We’re not done. Not yet.”
Holly stood beside her, a determined look on her face. “What do we do now?”
Jackie turned to face her friends, the sun now fully risen behind her, casting long shadows across the ranch. “We finish what we started,” she said, her voice steady. “We’re going back to the ridge.”
Eddie’s Invention’s Success
After breakfast, the Squad gathered in the workshop near the barn, where Eddie had set up his latest array of gadgets. The lingering tension from Jackie’s sighting of the ghost horse still weighed on them, but for now, they focused on the tangible things—their achievements, and, of course, Eddie’s pride and joy: his tracker.
Eddie stood in the middle of the group, his arms crossed as he beamed with excitement. On the table before him was the latest version of his invention, sleek and fully operational after multiple tweaks and improvements made throughout the adventure. He tapped the screen with a sense of accomplishment, causing the device to hum to life.
“So,” Eddie began, pushing up his glasses with a grin, “after some upgrades, I’ve managed to make this bad boy even better. No more glitches, no more theft, and definitely no more mysterious malfunctions.”
Max snickered from his spot against the wall, arms folded. “You mean no more letting treasure hunters run off with it?”
Eddie shot him a mock glare. “That was sabotage, not carelessness. Besides, it’s all fixed now.”
Jackie raised an eyebrow. “And you’re sure it’s not going to explode this time? You remember the drone incident, right?”
Eddie waved his hand dismissively. “That was a minor miscalculation. This, on the other hand,” he said, holding up the tracker proudly, “is flawless.”
The tracker’s screen flickered to life, displaying a detailed map of the ranch and the surrounding terrain. Several markers blinked on the screen, indicating the paths they had taken during their treasure hunt, along with notable landmarks and locations where traps had been triggered. The accuracy of the map was impressive, and it was clear that Eddie had refined his invention since its earlier iterations.
The rest of the Squad crowded around to get a closer look.
“So, what’s different about it now?” Holly asked, her curiosity piqued.
Eddie’s grin widened. “I’ve added a couple of new features. For one, it now detects hidden traps and obstacles in real time. It maps out terrain better than ever, and,” he added, with a dramatic flourish, “it can even predict movement patterns based on data from previous encounters. This thing could lead us through an obstacle course blindfolded.”
Max raised an eyebrow. “Sounds fancy. I guess we’ll see how it holds up in the next mystery.”
Jackie nodded approvingly, impressed by how far Eddie had come since the start of their adventure. “It definitely saved us a few times back there. It’ll be useful in the future for sure.”
Eddie beamed at the compliment. “I’m telling you, this thing is going to be a game-changer. It’s like having an extra set of eyes.”
Max leaned in, pointing at the screen. “So what about this? What are these dots?”
Eddie glanced at the screen and nodded. “Those are the landmarks and traps we encountered. The tracker keeps a record of everything we’ve mapped out. It’ll be helpful if we ever need to revisit the caves or, you know, avoid any surprise pitfalls next time.”
Jackie’s gaze lingered on the map, her fingers tracing the lines that represented the routes they had taken through the caves and up the cliffs. “You think this could help us if we ever went back to the ridge?”
Eddie looked up, intrigued. “Absolutely. If there’s anything hidden up there, this tracker will find it.”
Holly frowned slightly. “Do you think we’ll actually need to go back?”
Jackie’s eyes narrowed as she looked up from the tracker. “I don’t know. But something tells me we’re not done with Shadow Peak yet.”
As if on cue, the screen flickered, and a new blip appeared on the map. It was faint, but it was there—an unexplained signal pulsing from the direction of the ridge. The same ridge where Jackie had seen the ghost horse earlier that morning.
Max leaned closer to the screen, his brow furrowing. “Uh, Eddie? What’s that?”
Eddie tapped the screen, adjusting the settings to zoom in on the anomaly. The signal wasn’t something they’d seen before. It pulsed steadily, a faint but clear presence just beyond the ranch.
“That’s... odd,” Eddie muttered, his fingers flying over the controls. “There shouldn’t be anything out there. The ridge is pretty remote.”
Holly crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. “You don’t think it’s another trap, do you?”
Jackie’s gaze was fixed on the pulsing signal. “No... it’s something else. Something we didn’t find before.”
The room grew silent as they all stared at the screen, the weight of their unfinished business with the ghost horse settling over them once again.
Max broke the silence, his voice low. “So... are we going to check it out?”
Jackie’s lips curled into a determined smile. “What do you think?”
Holly sighed, already knowing the answer. “I guess we’re not leaving until we find out what that is.”
Eddie adjusted his glasses, excitement creeping into his voice again. “Good thing I’ve got the tracker. We’ll know exactly where to go.”
Jackie nodded, already mentally preparing for what lay ahead. “Pack your gear. We’re heading back to the ridge.”
The group dispersed to gather their equipment, leaving Eddie standing proudly by his invention. He glanced at the tracker once more, the pulsing signal still active on the screen, and couldn’t help but smile.
“Looks like this adventure isn’t over yet,” he murmured to himself.
As the others prepared for their next expedition, Jackie stood at the edge of the workshop, staring out toward the distant ridge. The ghost horse’s glow was no longer visible, but she could still feel its presence—watching, waiting.
“We’re coming for answers,” she whispered under her breath.
Jackie’s Leadership Recognized
As the Squad finished packing their gear for the trip back to the ridge, Jackie found herself standing near the barn, reflecting on everything they had been through in the last few days. The ranch was quiet now, the sun climbing higher into the sky, casting long shadows over the land. The sense of danger that had clung to the air was beginning to fade, but Jackie knew better than to relax completely. There was still work to be done.
She was lost in thought when Holly’s cousin approached her, a wide grin on his face. His clothes were dusted with dirt from helping repair the barn, and his face showed the exhaustion of long nights spent keeping the ranch secure, but his eyes sparkled with gratitude.
“Jackie,” he called, breaking her from her reverie. “Got a minute?”
Jackie turned to face him, raising an eyebrow. “What’s up?”
Holly’s cousin stepped closer, resting his hands on his hips. “I just wanted to say... thank you. You and your friends. If it weren’t for you kids, I don’t know what would’ve happened here. You really saved the day.”
Jackie blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity in his voice. “It wasn’t just me,” she said quickly, shrugging. “We all worked together. I couldn’t have done anything without Max, Holly, or Eddie.”
He shook his head, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Sure, but it takes a good leader to bring people together like that. You’ve got a good head on your shoulders, Jackie. You never backed down, even when things got rough. That’s not something you see in most people, let alone kids your age.”
Jackie felt a flush of warmth rise to her cheeks. She had been so focused on getting through each challenge that she hadn’t stopped to think about her role as a leader. The compliment caught her off guard, and for a moment, she wasn’t sure how to respond.
“Well, I... I just did what needed to be done,” she mumbled, scratching the back of her neck awkwardly. “I mean, it wasn’t like we had much of a choice. We couldn’t just let those treasure hunters take over the ranch.”
Holly’s cousin laughed, the sound light and genuine. “True enough. But you didn’t just fight back—you outsmarted them. You led the charge, kept everyone safe, and solved the mystery. That’s more than most adults could’ve managed. I just wanted you to know that we’re grateful.”
Jackie shuffled her feet, feeling the weight of his words. She wasn’t used to this kind of recognition. In the heat of the moment, she had acted on instinct, making decisions without thinking too much about the consequences. Now that everything was settling down, she realized just how much responsibility she had taken on during the adventure.
“Thanks,” she said softly, meeting his gaze. “But like I said, it wasn’t just me. We’re a team. That’s how we got through all of this.”
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He nodded, his expression thoughtful. “A team, sure. But every team needs a leader. And from where I’m standing, you’ve proven yourself to be a good one.”
Before Jackie could respond, Max wandered over, his usual smirk plastered across his face. “What’s going on here? Is Jackie getting showered with praise again?”
Jackie rolled her eyes, grateful for the interruption. “Oh, please. You’re just jealous because I get all the attention.”
Max grinned. “Well, yeah. You’re the one always making the heroic speeches.”
Holly joined them, catching the tail end of the conversation. “Heroic speeches? You mean those moments when Jackie pretends she’s not completely freaking out inside?”
Jackie laughed, shaking her head. “Alright, alright, enough. I get it. I’m not exactly a superhero.”
Holly’s cousin chuckled, clearly enjoying the banter. “Well, superhero or not, you’ve done more than enough for this ranch. If you ever decide you want to come back—without all the treasure hunters and sabotage, of course—you’ll always be welcome here.”
Jackie smiled, her heart swelling with a mixture of pride and humility. She had never thought of herself as a leader before, but hearing the gratitude in his voice made her realize how far she had come. She wasn’t just the girl who jumped headfirst into mysteries anymore—she had led her friends through danger, solved puzzles that had stumped everyone else, and kept the people she cared about safe.
As Holly’s cousin returned to help with the rest of the repairs, Jackie glanced at Max and Holly, a thoughtful expression crossing her face.
“I guess we did alright, huh?” she said quietly, more to herself than to them.
Max shrugged, tossing his backpack over his shoulder. “We survived. That’s a win in my book.”
Holly smiled softly, her eyes warm. “You did more than just survive, Jackie. You led us through it all. We couldn’t have done this without you.”
Jackie met her friend’s gaze, feeling a sense of reassurance settle over her. Holly’s words carried the weight of truth, and for the first time, Jackie allowed herself to feel proud of what they had accomplished.
“Thanks,” she said, her voice steady. “But we’re not done yet.”
Max raised an eyebrow. “Oh no. What now?”
Jackie smirked, her eyes glinting with determination. “We’re going back to the ridge. There’s still something out there, and I’m not leaving until we figure out what it is.”
Holly sighed but smiled at the same time. “Of course. We never leave a mystery unsolved.”
As the group prepared to set off, Max glanced at the ridge in the distance, the shadowy peaks looming over the ranch. “You sure about this? The treasure hunters are gone, the treasure is safe... maybe we should just call it a day.”
Jackie shook her head, her eyes narrowing as she stared at the mountains. “There’s still one mystery we haven’t solved. The ghost horse is still out there. And I think it’s trying to tell us something.”
Max groaned but didn’t argue. “Fine, but if we run into any more traps, I’m blaming you.”
Jackie laughed as they headed toward the ridge, her heart light despite the challenges ahead. She had led her friends through one adventure, and now, they were on the verge of another. This time, she knew they would face whatever came their way—together.
A Final Mystery
The sun was high in the sky by the time the Squad started their trek back to the ridge. The air was crisp, and a light breeze rustled the leaves on the trees around them, but the weight of the unresolved mystery hung over them like a cloud. Jackie led the way, her eyes focused on the path ahead, while Max, Holly, and Eddie followed closely behind.
Eddie had his tracker out, the screen displaying the pulsing signal they’d seen earlier—the same signal that had appeared right where they’d spotted the ghost horse. The faint beep echoed in the quiet, a constant reminder that something still waited for them up on the ridge.
Max glanced at the screen over Eddie’s shoulder, frowning. “So, what exactly are we following here? It’s not another treasure, right?”
Eddie shrugged, his face scrunched in concentration as he adjusted the tracker. “I don’t know. The signal is different from the one we got near the treasure chamber. It’s weaker, but... it’s still something.”
Holly sighed, tightening the straps on her backpack. “I just hope it’s not another set of traps. I’m kind of over those.”
Jackie smirked, glancing back at her friends. “Relax, it’ll be fine. Whatever’s up there, we’ll figure it out. We always do.”
But despite her confident words, Jackie’s mind was racing. She couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something more to the ghost horse—something they hadn’t uncovered yet. The way it had appeared and disappeared, always watching, always guiding them... it felt too deliberate to be just a random haunting. It was as if the ghost horse was leading them somewhere, showing them something they hadn’t fully understood.
As they neared the base of the ridge, the beeping on Eddie’s tracker grew faster. The signal was getting stronger.
“There it is,” Eddie muttered, tapping the screen. “We’re getting closer.”
Jackie’s heart pounded as they approached the spot where they had last seen the ghost horse. The ridge towered above them, casting long shadows over the trail. The same eerie feeling settled over the group, the hairs on the back of Jackie’s neck standing on end.
Holly stopped, her eyes scanning the area nervously. “Do you think we’ll see it again? The horse, I mean.”
Max glanced around, shoving his hands in his pockets. “If we do, let’s hope it’s not planning to lead us off a cliff or something.”
Jackie ignored the joke, her focus on the ridge. “We’re close. Keep your eyes open.”
They continued up the narrow trail, the ground uneven and rocky underfoot. As they climbed higher, the beeping from Eddie’s tracker became even more insistent. The signal was stronger now, clearer than before, and Jackie’s pulse quickened with anticipation.
Then, suddenly, the beeping stopped.
Eddie froze, staring down at the screen. “Uh... that’s weird.”
“What?” Max asked, peering over his shoulder.
Eddie tapped the tracker, his brow furrowed in confusion. “The signal just... disappeared. It was here a second ago, but now it’s gone.”
Jackie frowned, glancing around. The air felt colder up here, and the stillness of the ridge was unsettling. “Are you sure it’s not a glitch?”
Eddie shook his head, his voice low. “No, it’s not a glitch. Something must have triggered it to turn off. But... I don’t know what.”
Holly shivered, rubbing her arms. “This place is giving me the creeps.”
Jackie was about to respond when she heard it—a faint sound in the distance, barely audible above the wind. It was the unmistakable sound of hooves, soft and rhythmic, echoing through the quiet.
She held up a hand, signaling the others to stop. “Did you hear that?”
Max’s eyes widened. “No way...”
The sound grew louder, closer, until finally, there it was—the ghost horse. Its pale, glowing form materialized at the top of the ridge, its mane flowing in the breeze as it stood perfectly still, watching them.
Jackie’s breath caught in her throat as she stared up at the horse. It was exactly as she remembered it—graceful, ethereal, and impossibly real. The horse didn’t move, didn’t make a sound beyond the gentle rustling of its mane in the wind. It just stood there, as if waiting for them.
Holly took a step back, her voice barely a whisper. “It’s real...”
Eddie blinked, his gaze fixed on the horse. “How is this possible? It’s... it’s a ghost.”
Jackie swallowed hard, her heart racing. “It’s more than that. It’s been leading us this whole time.”
Max frowned, still staring at the horse. “Leading us where?”
Jackie didn’t have an answer. All she knew was that the horse had shown up at every critical moment, guiding them through danger, leading them to the treasure. And now, it was here again, watching them with those calm, knowing eyes.
Without thinking, Jackie took a step toward the horse.
“Jackie, wait,” Holly warned, her voice laced with concern. “What are you doing?”
Jackie didn’t stop. She walked slowly up the ridge, her eyes never leaving the ghostly figure. She could feel the others watching her, but she didn’t turn back. There was something about the horse—something she had to understand.
As she reached the top of the ridge, the horse finally moved. It turned its head slightly, as if beckoning her to follow, and then it began to walk, its hooves silent on the rocky ground.
Jackie followed.
The horse led her along the edge of the ridge, moving gracefully despite its ghostly form. It didn’t rush, didn’t disappear. It just kept walking, leading Jackie to a spot she hadn’t noticed before—a small clearing at the very top of the ridge, where the wind blew gently through the trees.
Then, just as suddenly as it had appeared, the horse vanished.
Jackie stood there, breathless, staring at the empty space where the horse had been. For a moment, she didn’t move, didn’t speak. The weight of the mystery hung heavily in the air.
“What did you see?” Max called from below, his voice full of curiosity.
Jackie turned back to her friends, a strange smile on her face. “I think I know why it’s been following us.”
Holly frowned. “Why?”
Jackie pointed to the clearing behind her. “There’s something here. Something we haven’t found yet.”
The Squad hurried up to join her, their eyes wide with anticipation. Together, they stood at the top of the ridge, staring out at the mysterious clearing.
And Jackie knew—this wasn’t the end of their adventure.
It was just the beginning.
Returning Home
The warm afternoon sun filtered through the trees as the Squad made their way back down from the ridge. After their encounter with the ghost horse, a strange feeling hung in the air—an unspoken understanding that, while they had found the treasure, the mystery of Shadow Peak wasn’t entirely solved. The ridge still held secrets, and Jackie knew that one day, they’d be back to uncover them.
For now, though, it was time to head home.
The path back to the ranch felt familiar and safe after everything they had been through. Max, as usual, was already cracking jokes, trying to lighten the mood.
“So, Jackie, what do you think? Next time we chase a ghost, should we bring some Scooby Snacks?” he teased, nudging her with his elbow.
Jackie rolled her eyes, a grin tugging at the corners of her mouth. “Very funny, Max. Maybe next time we’ll let you be the bait.”
Holly laughed, falling into step beside them. “As long as we don’t have to deal with any more treasure hunters or traps, I’m all for it.”
Eddie, who had been quietly examining his tracker, looked up with a thoughtful expression. “You know, I still don’t understand how the ghost horse triggered that signal. It’s not like we’re dealing with normal science here.”
Max groaned. “Don’t tell me you’re going to spend the entire ride home trying to figure that out.”
Eddie smirked, pocketing the tracker. “You know me. I can’t let a mystery go unsolved.”
The conversation flowed easily between them as they neared the ranch. The tension that had weighed them down during the treasure hunt was finally lifting, replaced by the comfortable sense of accomplishment that came from solving a tough case together. The ranch came into view, the familiar sight of the barn and house welcoming them back.
As they walked through the front gate, Holly’s cousins were there to greet them, their faces lit with relief and gratitude. The air was filled with the scent of fresh hay and the sounds of ranch life returning to normal. The fire-damaged barn had been repaired, and the workers were busy tending to the horses, feeding them after a long morning of work.
“Back so soon?” one of the cousins asked with a grin, wiping his hands on a rag. “I was starting to think you’d gotten lost again.”
Jackie chuckled, shaking her head. “Nope, no getting lost this time. But I think we’ve wrapped up everything... well, almost everything.”
Holly’s cousin raised an eyebrow. “Almost?”
Jackie exchanged a glance with her friends. “Let’s just say there’s one last mystery that needs solving. But that’s a story for another day.”
The cousin smiled knowingly and nodded. “Well, whenever you decide to come back, you’ll be more than welcome. I don’t know how we would have gotten through all this without you.”
Max puffed out his chest, putting on a mock-serious expression. “Well, you know, we are professionals.”
Holly elbowed him gently. “Professionals at getting into trouble, maybe.”
The group laughed, the easy camaraderie between them evident. The past few days had been filled with danger, suspense, and uncertainty, but through it all, the Squad had come out stronger—closer than ever.
As they started loading their things into the van, Max paused, staring up at the ridge where they had seen the ghost horse. He frowned slightly, then turned to Jackie.
“Do you really think we’ll be back here?” he asked, his voice quieter than usual.
Jackie didn’t hesitate. “Yeah. I don’t think we’ve seen the last of that horse.”
Holly, standing beside them, nodded. “It’s like... it’s waiting for something. Like there’s still more we need to uncover.”
Eddie joined them, his tracker in hand, looking thoughtful. “I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s more to the story. There always is with places like this.”
Max sighed dramatically, throwing his hands up in mock exasperation. “Great. I was hoping for a nice, ghost-free summer, but I guess that’s not happening.”
Jackie smirked, giving Max a playful shove. “You know you’d be bored without a mystery to solve.”
Max grinned. “Yeah, yeah, you’re probably right.”
With everything packed and ready to go, Jackie took a final look around the ranch. The sun was beginning to dip lower in the sky, casting a golden glow over the fields and trees. It was peaceful now, the threat of the treasure hunters gone, and the treasure safe.
But as she stood there, her gaze drifted back to the ridge, to the spot where they had last seen the ghost horse. A part of her wondered what would happen next—what new mysteries they would uncover in the future. The thought excited her more than it scared her.
Holly’s cousins gathered by the van to say goodbye, shaking hands with the Squad and thanking them again for everything they had done.
“You really saved us,” one of them said, his voice filled with emotion. “We’ll never forget it.”
Jackie smiled, feeling a sense of pride well up in her chest. “Just doing what we do best,” she replied, glancing at her friends. “And besides, we’re not done yet.”
Holly’s cousin laughed. “Well, you’re always welcome here—just maybe next time, leave the treasure hunters at home.”
Max snorted. “Trust me, we’re not bringing them anywhere.”
With one last round of goodbyes, the Squad piled into the van, ready to head home. Max took his usual spot by the window, Eddie fiddled with his gadgets, and Holly sat quietly, her thoughts still on the mystery they had just solved.
Jackie climbed into the driver’s seat, taking a deep breath before starting the engine. The van rumbled to life, and they pulled out of the ranch, leaving behind the memories of their adventure—but knowing full well that it wasn’t over.
As they drove down the dusty road, Jackie caught one last glimpse of the ridge in the rearview mirror. For a split second, she thought she saw something—a faint glow, like the ghost horse watching them leave.
But before she could say anything, the ridge disappeared from view.
“Home sweet home,” Max muttered, resting his head against the window.
Jackie smiled, keeping her eyes on the road ahead. “Yeah. For now.”
The Adventure Never Ends
The sun was beginning to set as the Squad drove along the winding road that led away from Shadow Peak. The van bumped gently over the uneven dirt path, and the air inside was filled with a sense of accomplishment mixed with the quiet afterglow of their latest adventure. But even as they made their way back home, it was clear that their thoughts were still on the mystery they’d left behind.
Max sat by the window, watching the landscape change from rolling hills to flat stretches of highway. Every now and then, he’d glance back at his tablet, scrolling through articles about ghost stories and legends from the area.
“You know,” he said, breaking the silence, “there’s a whole list of sightings of ghost horses, not just around Shadow Peak but in nearby towns too. People have been seeing them for over a century.”
Holly, who had been sitting quietly beside him, looked up. “Do they all talk about treasure?”
Max shook his head. “Not all of them. Some stories say the horses were guardians, keeping watch over ancient burial grounds or protecting something important.”
Jackie, driving the van, kept her eyes on the road but listened closely to the conversation. “Guardians, huh? That would make sense with what we saw. It never really felt like the horse was there to scare us—it was more like it was trying to show us something.”
Eddie, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, still had his tracker in hand. He had been fiddling with it for most of the ride, trying to understand why the signal from the ridge had disappeared so suddenly. “I’m telling you,” he said, his brow furrowed, “there’s something we missed. That signal wasn’t just a random blip. There’s more to it than that.”
Max chuckled. “You mean you’re not satisfied with finding a treasure and outsmarting a group of dangerous treasure hunters? You still want more?”
Eddie smirked. “Come on, Max, you know me. I won’t rest until I figure out what made that tracker go off.”
Jackie couldn’t help but smile at Eddie’s determination. That was one of the things she loved most about their little team—no matter how many mysteries they solved, there was always another one waiting around the corner, and they were never content to leave any stone unturned.
The van rolled smoothly onto the highway now, the open road stretching out ahead of them. The fading light painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, and a sense of peace settled over the group, even if their minds were still buzzing with unanswered questions.
“So, what’s next for us?” Holly asked, breaking the silence. Her tone was light, but there was an underlying curiosity there. “We can’t just go back to normal life after this, can we?”
Max grinned. “Normal life? What’s that?”
Jackie laughed. “I don’t think we’ve had a ‘normal life’ in a while. And besides, there’s no such thing as normal when you’re part of the Adventure Squad.”
Holly smiled at that, leaning her head back against the seat. “You’re right. I can’t imagine not doing this now.”
The van continued to glide along the road, the hum of the engine filling the quiet spaces between their conversations. Jackie glanced in the rearview mirror and caught sight of Max and Holly in the back, both of them looking more relaxed than they had in days. Eddie was still engrossed in his tracker, muttering something about signals and interference.
For a moment, Jackie let herself enjoy the calm. But deep down, she knew that this calm wouldn’t last. It never did. There was always something around the next bend, something waiting for them in the shadows.
And that was okay.
“Hey, Jackie,” Max said suddenly, looking up from his tablet. “You ever think about how we always seem to get ourselves into these crazy situations? Like, we can’t even go on a normal trip without finding buried treasure or getting chased by ghost horses.”
Jackie smirked, eyes still on the road. “You’re not complaining, are you?”
Max grinned. “Nah. I just think it’s funny how we never plan any of this—it just happens.”
Holly nodded in agreement. “It’s like the adventures find us.”
Eddie looked up from his tracker, a thoughtful expression on his face. “Maybe that’s just how it’s meant to be. Some people are just... drawn to mysteries.”
Jackie thought about that for a moment. “Yeah. I guess you’re right. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
The conversation drifted into comfortable silence again, the kind that only happens between close friends who’ve been through a lot together. They didn’t need to fill every moment with words—sometimes, just being together was enough.
The miles passed by, the highway stretching out before them, endless and full of possibilities. The setting sun cast long shadows across the road, and as the sky darkened, the world seemed to quiet down around them.
As they drove further from Shadow Peak, Jackie found herself reflecting on everything they had just been through. They had solved the mystery of the treasure, stopped the treasure hunters, and uncovered a secret that had been buried for centuries. But the ghost horse... that was a different story. It had appeared, helped them, and then disappeared without explanation. What had it been protecting? Why had it been watching them?
Jackie knew those questions would stick with her for a long time. And maybe, one day, they’d return to Shadow Peak to find the answers. But for now, it was enough to know that they’d made it through another adventure together.
“We should write all this down,” Holly said suddenly, her voice cutting through Jackie’s thoughts. “You know, like a journal or something. So we don’t forget any of the details.”
Max snorted. “You think we’ll forget getting chased by a bunch of treasure hunters and almost falling into a pit of traps?”
Holly rolled her eyes. “I mean the important stuff. The things we learned along the way.”
Jackie smiled. “That’s not a bad idea, actually. We’ve had enough adventures to fill a whole book.”
Eddie, now fully focused on the conversation, nodded. “And who knows? Maybe it’ll help us solve the next mystery.”
Jackie glanced at her friends, feeling a surge of affection for each of them. They were more than just a team—they were family. And no matter where the road took them next, she knew they’d face it together.
“Sounds like a plan,” she said, her voice firm but warm. “Let’s make sure we’re ready for whatever comes next.”
As they drove on, the stars began to twinkle in the darkening sky, and Jackie felt a sense of excitement bubble up inside her. The road ahead was full of possibilities—full of mysteries just waiting to be solved.
And for the Adventure Squad, the adventure never really ended.
THE END