Chapter 7: The Showdown at Shadow Peak

Regrouping and Returning to the Ranch

The cave had nearly swallowed them whole. The traps, the treasure hunters, and the mysterious ghost horse had pushed them to the brink, but now, in the eerie silence that followed the chaos, Jackie’s thoughts shifted to one thing: getting the Squad back together.

“Max! Holly!” Jackie’s voice echoed through the narrow passageway as she wiped dirt from her hands. The weight of the treasure was still on her mind, but safety came first. They had been split up while escaping the final trap, and she had lost track of the others in the confusion.

A faint voice replied, muffled by the stone walls. “Over here!” It was Max.

Jackie’s heart raced as she turned a corner and found Max and Holly standing near a collapsed section of the cave wall. Eddie was beside them, tinkering with one of his gadgets. Relief washed over her.

“You’re okay,” Jackie breathed, rushing toward them.

Max grinned, though his face was streaked with dirt. “We made it. Barely.”

Holly nodded, brushing off her jacket. “That last trap almost got us, but Eddie’s quick thinking saved the day.” She gave Eddie an appreciative nudge, though Eddie only shrugged, downplaying his role as usual.

Jackie scanned the group, making sure everyone was in one piece. “We need to get out of here, now. The treasure hunters might still be out there.”

They didn’t need convincing. Quickly, they gathered their belongings, and with a final glance at the now-empty cave behind them, they began the long descent down the mountain.

The trail was steep, and loose rocks skittered underfoot as the Squad hurried along. The cold wind stung their faces, but they pressed on. Holly stayed close to Jackie, her eyes scanning the tree line for any signs of movement. Max, always lagging slightly behind, muttered complaints about the uneven path, while Eddie silently checked his tracker to make sure they weren’t being followed.

Jackie’s thoughts raced. The treasure hunters had nearly beaten them, but the Squad had managed to outsmart them in the end. But they weren’t safe yet.

“Think they’re still after us?” Holly asked, her breath coming in shallow puffs.

Jackie shook her head, not entirely sure herself. “Maybe not. But we can’t risk it. We need to get back to the ranch, regroup, and figure out what to do next.”

Eddie, always focused, checked his tracker. “No movement behind us so far,” he said. “But that doesn’t mean they won’t be waiting for us at the ranch.”

As they reached a familiar bend in the path, Jackie felt her stomach twist. The air smelled of smoke, and a dark plume rose ominously from the direction of the ranch.

“Oh no…” Jackie breathed, quickening her pace. The others followed suit, the urgency clear.

Max’s voice cracked with worry. “Not again. What now?”

The sight that greeted them when they rounded the final bend stopped them in their tracks. The barn was engulfed in flames, thick black smoke curling into the sky. Holly’s cousins and the ranch workers were already scrambling to put out the fire, but it was clear the damage had been done.

Jackie’s heart sank. The treasure hunters had struck again.

“Go!” she shouted, sprinting toward the ranch. The others followed without hesitation, adrenaline pumping through their veins.

As they neared the barn, Jackie’s mind raced. They had survived the cave, they had outwitted the traps, but now it seemed like the real battle was just beginning.

Final Sabotage Attempt

Jackie sprinted toward the figure darting through the shadows at the edge of the property. Her breath came in quick bursts, adrenaline coursing through her veins as she pushed herself faster. Whoever this was, they had something to do with the sabotage at the ranch, and she wasn’t about to let them get away.

Behind her, she could hear Max and Holly shouting, but their voices faded into the background as she focused on her target. The figure was moving quickly, weaving through the trees in an attempt to escape. Jackie’s determination only grew. Not this time.

Holly’s voice cut through the wind, urgent and breathless. “Jackie, wait! Don’t go after them alone!”

But Jackie couldn’t stop—not now. The saboteur was slipping away, and every second she hesitated was another second they gained. She had to catch them before they disappeared for good.

The figure dashed around the corner of a small storage shed, and Jackie’s feet pounded the ground as she gave chase. Her flashlight bobbed in her hand, casting wild beams of light across the darkened landscape. Just as she rounded the corner, the figure made a sharp turn and sprinted toward the woods.

Jackie’s heart raced as she pushed herself to catch up. She was close now—close enough to hear the crunch of footsteps on gravel. I’ve got you.

The figure stumbled, glancing back over their shoulder, and that moment of hesitation was all Jackie needed. She lunged forward, grabbing hold of the saboteur’s arm and yanking them to a stop.

“Gotcha!” Jackie panted, tightening her grip on the arm. The figure spun around to face her, and Jackie’s heart skipped a beat when she saw who it was.

It was the ranch worker—Holly’s long-time suspicion had been right all along. His face was pale, beads of sweat dripping down his forehead as he tried to pull away from Jackie’s grasp.

“Let go of me!” the man growled, his voice filled with panic.

Jackie held firm, her voice steady despite the anger simmering inside her. “Not until you tell me the truth. How long have you been working with the treasure hunters?”

The man’s eyes darted around, searching for a way out, but Jackie’s grip was iron. He was caught, and he knew it.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” he snapped, still struggling against her hold. “Let me go!”

But Jackie wasn’t buying his act. She stepped closer, her face set with determination. “You’ve been sabotaging this ranch for weeks, haven’t you? You helped the treasure hunters. You were the one who let them in.”

The man’s face twisted in a mixture of fear and frustration. For a moment, it seemed like he might keep lying, but Jackie could see the guilt in his eyes. He was cornered, and there was no escaping the truth.

“I... I don’t know what you—” he started, but his voice wavered.

“Stop lying!” Holly’s voice rang out, startling both Jackie and the ranch worker. She had caught up, her face flushed from the chase, and her eyes blazed with fury. “We know you’ve been working with them. Just admit it.”

The man’s shoulders slumped in defeat, and he stopped struggling. He let out a shaky breath, his eyes dropping to the ground. “Alright... alright. You’re right.”

Jackie’s heart raced, but she kept her voice calm. “How long?”

The man swallowed hard, his voice barely above a whisper. “Since the beginning. The treasure hunters approached me weeks ago. They offered me a cut of whatever they found if I helped them. It was just supposed to be a small job—sabotage a few things, mess with the equipment to slow things down. But then it got out of hand.”

Jackie’s grip on his arm tightened as her anger flared. “You put this whole ranch in danger—for money?”

The man’s face crumpled, shame filling his features. “I didn’t think it would go this far. They said it was just some old treasure hunt, but now they’re planning to storm the ranch. They’re coming back tonight, and they’re not going to stop until they get what they want.”

Holly’s face paled as the man’s confession sunk in. “They’re planning to attack the ranch?”

The ranch worker nodded, his voice trembling. “They’ll do whatever it takes to get that treasure. And if you don’t stop them... I don’t know what’ll happen.”

Jackie’s mind raced, her heart pounding in her chest. This was worse than she thought. The treasure hunters weren’t just after the treasure—they were planning to destroy everything in their way to get it.

“We need to get back to the others,” Jackie said, her voice urgent. “We need to warn them.”

Without another word, Jackie grabbed the ranch worker by the arm and dragged him back toward the ranch, Holly following close behind. They didn’t have much time, and every second counted.

As they approached the ranch, the barn fire had been mostly contained, but the damage was evident. Smoke still curled into the night sky, and Holly’s cousins were rushing to salvage what they could. Jackie’s mind was already racing with what needed to be done next.

Holly’s eyes were wide with fear as she glanced at Jackie. “What are we going to do? We can’t fight them off.”

Jackie set her jaw, her mind focused and clear. “We’re not going to let them win. We’ll come up with a plan. We still have time.”

They hurried inside, and Jackie wasted no time gathering the Squad. Max, Eddie, and Holly’s cousins joined them in the living room, the air thick with tension. The ranch worker sat on the floor, looking defeated as he stared at his hands.

Jackie stood in front of the group, her voice steady and determined. “Here’s the deal,” she began. “We know the treasure hunters are coming, and we know what they want. But we’re not going to let them take it.”

Max crossed his arms, his brow furrowed in concern. “How exactly are we supposed to stop them? They’ve got numbers, and we don’t.”

“We have something they don’t,” Jackie said, her eyes sharp. “We know this ranch better than they do, and we have the element of surprise.”

Eddie nodded, holding up his tracker. “I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve. We can set traps, keep an eye on their movements, and make sure they don’t get the upper hand.”

Holly took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. “We have to protect the ranch. Whatever it takes.”

Jackie looked around at the faces of her friends, her voice filled with determination. “We’ve faced tough situations before, and we always come out on top. This time won’t be any different.”

Holly Confronts the Saboteur

The ranch worker sat on the floor, his back hunched and his hands clenched into fists. His confession had left him looking hollow, his gaze locked on the ground as if the weight of his betrayal had finally sunk in. Holly stood across from him, her fists balled at her sides, her face a mix of anger and disbelief. She had been suspicious of him from the start, but now that the truth was out, the anger she felt was burning hotter than ever.

Holly’s breath came in sharp, controlled bursts as she stepped forward. She wasn’t usually the one to confront people—that was Jackie’s role in the Squad. But this time, it was different. This was personal. She had watched this man work alongside her cousins, trusted him to be part of their family’s livelihood. Now, he had betrayed them, put everything they cared about at risk for greed.

“Why?” Holly’s voice was cold, her fists tightening. “Why did you do it? How could you help them after everything my family’s done for you?”

The ranch worker flinched, his eyes still glued to the floor. He looked smaller now, as if the weight of Holly’s words was physically pressing him down. “I didn’t mean for it to get this bad,” he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Not good enough,” Holly snapped, taking another step forward. “You sold us out. You put everyone here in danger. Was it worth it? Was the money really worth all of this?”

The man shifted uncomfortably, sweat beading on his forehead. His hands trembled slightly, the guilt clearly gnawing at him. “I... I didn’t have a choice,” he stammered, his voice cracking. “They came to me, offered me more money than I’d ever see in my lifetime. I thought it would just be a little sabotage—nothing serious.”

“Nothing serious?” Holly’s voice rose, her frustration bubbling over. “You set this whole place on fire! You destroyed equipment, endangered lives, and for what? A cut of some treasure?”

The ranch worker winced, his shoulders slumping further. “I didn’t know it would go this far,” he said, his voice hoarse. “I thought... I thought they’d find the treasure and leave. But they got greedy. They kept pushing, and I couldn’t stop it.”

Holly’s eyes narrowed, her anger barely contained. “You had plenty of chances to stop this. You could’ve told us what was happening. You could’ve warned us.”

The man finally looked up, his eyes red with regret. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, the words sounding hollow in the heavy air. “I really am. But it’s too late for that now.”

Holly clenched her jaw, the rage still simmering beneath the surface. She had every right to yell, to scream, to let all of her frustration out on him. But as she stared into his defeated eyes, something shifted inside her. The anger didn’t go away, but it dulled slightly, replaced by a steely determination.

“Sorry doesn’t fix this,” Holly said, her voice quieter but no less firm. “You made a choice, and now we have to deal with the mess you created. But you’re going to help us fix this.”

The ranch worker blinked, clearly startled by Holly’s words. “What?”

“You’re going to help us,” Holly repeated, stepping even closer. “You know the treasure hunters’ plan. You know what they’re after, and you’re going to help us stop them.”

The man’s mouth opened in protest, but Holly cut him off before he could speak. “You don’t have a choice anymore,” she said, her voice sharp. “If you want any chance at redemption, if you want to make this right, you’re going to work with us.”

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

The ranch worker stared at her, his eyes wide with a mixture of fear and resignation. For a moment, it seemed like he might resist, but then his shoulders slumped further, and he nodded. “Alright,” he muttered. “I’ll help.”

Holly didn’t relax—she couldn’t, not yet. There was still too much at stake. But knowing that she had the saboteur on their side, however reluctantly, gave her a small sense of control over the chaos they were facing.

“Good,” Holly said, stepping back slightly. “You’re going to tell us everything. Every detail about their plan. How they’re going to attack, what their next move is, all of it.”

The ranch worker hesitated, but Holly’s fierce gaze told him there was no room for negotiation. He swallowed hard, then began to speak, his voice low and shaky. “They’re planning to storm the ranch tonight,” he said, his words coming out in a rush. “They want to surround the place, block off any exits. They know about the treasure, and they’re not going to stop until they get it.”

Holly’s stomach churned at the confirmation of their worst fears, but she forced herself to stay focused. “How many of them are there?”

“Five, maybe six,” the man replied, wiping the sweat from his forehead. “They’ve got weapons, too. Guns, knives... they’re not playing around.”

Holly’s heart pounded in her chest. The treasure hunters were more dangerous than she’d realized, but she wasn’t going to let that stop them. They had faced worse odds before, and they always found a way.

“Do they know about the traps?” Holly asked, her mind already racing with possible strategies.

The ranch worker shook his head. “No. They know the general layout of the ranch, but they don’t know about the traps or the surveillance equipment.”

Holly nodded, the wheels in her mind turning faster. “Good. That gives us an advantage.”

She turned toward the others, her eyes meeting Jackie’s. “We have to be ready. We know they’re coming, and now we know how they’re going to attack. We need to use every resource we have to stop them.”

Jackie gave a sharp nod, already in planning mode. “We’ll set up traps around the perimeter, keep watch on the surveillance cameras, and make sure they don’t get the jump on us.”

Max chimed in, his face serious. “And if they make it past the traps?”

Jackie’s expression hardened. “They won’t. But if they do, we’ll be ready.”

Holly glanced back at the ranch worker, her voice firm. “You’re staying with us. You’re going to help us defend this place.”

The man nodded, though his face was pale. “I’ll do what I can.”

“Good,” Holly said, her tone final. “Because we’re not going down without a fight.”

Preparing for a Final Showdown

The tension in the ranch house was thick as the Squad gathered around the old wooden table, maps and gadgets strewn across its surface. Jackie stood at the head, her arms crossed and her mind already working through every possible scenario. The sound of the wind howling outside seemed to echo the urgency of the situation.

“We don’t have much time,” Jackie began, her voice steady but serious. “They’re coming, and we need to be ready. We know they’ve got weapons, and we know they’re desperate. But we have something they don’t—home-field advantage.”

Max was hunched over his tablet, scrolling through the surveillance footage from the cameras they had set up around the property. His brow furrowed as he glanced at Jackie. “The cameras are still up. We’ll have eyes on every approach. If they try to sneak in, we’ll see them.”

Holly was pacing near the window, her mind racing with everything they had just learned. She paused, glancing outside at the darkening sky. “What if they come in force? We’ve set up traps, but what if it’s not enough?”

Jackie took a deep breath. “Then we improvise. We’ve been outnumbered before, and we’ve always found a way. This time won’t be any different.”

Eddie was hunched over his collection of gadgets, tinkering with the wiring of one of his inventions. He glanced up, his face lit with determination. “I’ve got a few surprises ready. If they try to get close, they’ll regret it.”

Jackie nodded approvingly. “Good. We need every advantage we can get.”

The ranch house felt strangely quiet, the usual warmth of the space replaced by a cold, looming sense of danger. Holly’s cousins had been working hard to clean up the damage from the earlier fire, but now they were sitting quietly in the corner, their faces pale with worry. They hadn’t signed up for this kind of fight, but they trusted Jackie and the Squad to protect the ranch.

“We need to cover every angle,” Jackie said, leaning over the map spread across the table. She pointed to the main road leading to the ranch. “They’ll probably try to come in from here. It’s the most direct route.”

Max tapped his tablet, bringing up the camera feed that covered the road. “I’ve got eyes on that. If they come this way, we’ll see them long before they get close.”

Jackie then pointed to the back of the ranch, where the forest crept close to the property. “But if they’re smart, they’ll also try to sneak in through the woods. It’s darker there, more cover.”

Holly nodded, her fingers tapping nervously against the windowsill. “I’ll check the perimeter. Make sure the traps are set and everything’s in place.”

Jackie glanced at Eddie, who was still adjusting the settings on his tracker. “What about your gadgets? Are they ready?”

Eddie grinned, his hands moving quickly as he attached a new piece to the device. “Oh, they’re more than ready. I’ve got motion sensors, noise triggers, and even a few surprises that’ll give those treasure hunters a shock.”

Jackie smiled, feeling a flicker of confidence. “Perfect. If we play this right, we can turn the tables on them.”

The ranch worker, still seated in the corner, looked up with a guilty expression. “What about me? I want to help... but I don’t know if I can face them.”

Holly shot him a hard look. “You’re going to help whether you like it or not. You owe us that much.”

The man swallowed nervously, nodding. “I’ll do whatever I can.”

Jackie’s face softened slightly. “You know their plan better than anyone. You know how they think. That’s going to help us. We need to know what their weaknesses are, where they’re most likely to slip up.”

The man hesitated, then sighed. “They’re overconfident. They think they’ve got the upper hand because they have weapons, but they’re not expecting resistance. They’re thinking this will be an easy job.”

Jackie exchanged a glance with Max, who nodded in agreement. “We can use that against them,” she said. “If they think they’ve got the upper hand, we’ll lead them into traps, make them overextend.”

Max leaned forward, adjusting the map on the table. “We should focus on controlling the choke points. Here, and here.” He pointed to narrow passages leading to the barn and the house. “If they try to funnel in, we can trap them.”

Jackie agreed, her mind racing with possibilities. “Right. We’ll force them into the traps, keep them off balance.”

The wind outside picked up, rattling the windows and adding to the eerie tension that filled the room. Holly glanced toward the door, her fingers twitching with nervous energy. “I’ll double-check the traps,” she said, her voice tight. “We can’t afford any mistakes.”

Jackie gave her a nod, appreciating Holly’s caution. “Good idea. We need everything working perfectly. No room for error.”

Holly slipped out the door, and Jackie turned her attention back to the group. “Max, keep an eye on the surveillance. Eddie, finish setting up your gadgets. We’ll rotate shifts to keep watch. We can’t let them catch us off guard.”

Max nodded, his fingers flying across the tablet screen as he adjusted the camera angles. “I’ll set alerts for any movement. If anything even twitches out there, we’ll know.”

Eddie stood up, gathering his equipment. “I’ll get the motion sensors in place. If they get too close, we’ll know exactly where they are.”

The air in the room felt charged, as if everyone was holding their breath, waiting for the inevitable. The treasure hunters were coming, and Jackie knew they had to be ready for whatever was about to happen.

She glanced around the room, her gaze settling on each of her friends in turn. They had been through so much together, faced down countless dangers. But something about this felt different—like the stakes were higher than ever before.

“We’ve been in tough spots before,” Jackie said, her voice strong and steady. “And we’ve always come out on top. This time won’t be any different.”

Max gave her a confident nod. “We’ve got this, Jackie. They won’t know what hit them.”

Eddie grinned, already half-focused on his gadgets. “Let’s see how they like my little surprises.”

Holly slipped back inside, her face grim but determined. “Everything’s set. The traps are ready.”

Jackie took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest. “Good. Now we wait.”

She moved to the window, staring out into the darkness. The night was still, save for the occasional gust of wind, but Jackie knew it wouldn’t stay that way for long. The treasure hunters were out there, somewhere, waiting for the right moment to strike.

And when they did, the Squad would be ready.

Standoff at the Ranch

The ranch was shrouded in an eerie stillness as the wind died down, leaving only the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant creak of wood. Jackie stood at the front door, her eyes narrowed as she stared out into the darkness. The tension in the air was palpable, every sense on high alert as they waited for the inevitable.

Max stood beside her, holding his tablet tightly, eyes glued to the surveillance feed. “Nothing yet,” he muttered, his voice low. “But I don’t like this. It’s too quiet.”

Jackie nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. The calm before the storm. They all knew it was coming—just not when. “They’re waiting for us to drop our guard,” she said. “But we won’t. Stay sharp.”

Holly appeared behind them, her face pale but resolute. “Everything’s set. Traps are ready. We’re prepared for whatever they throw at us.”

Eddie was off to the side, finishing the last tweaks on his gadgets. He wiped his forehead, a determined grin crossing his face. “Let them try. We’ve got surprises of our own.”

Jackie took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was about to come. They’ve faced worse before, she reminded herself. They’ll get through this too.

The night stretched on, the minutes crawling by. Every creak, every gust of wind seemed to make the tension rise higher, but Jackie stayed focused, her mind running through the plan over and over. They were ready.

Then, just as she was about to check in with Max again, a movement caught her eye. Shadows emerged from the treeline at the far end of the ranch, moving slowly, deliberately. Jackie’s breath caught in her throat as she squinted through the darkness. They’re here.

“They’re coming,” Jackie whispered, her voice sharp and low. She turned to Max. “Get ready.”

Max quickly brought up the feed, his hands shaking slightly as he zoomed in on the approaching figures. “Got them,” he confirmed. “Five of them, moving toward the barn.”

Holly moved to the window, peering out with narrowed eyes. “What’s the plan? We can’t let them get any closer.”

Jackie’s mind raced as she calculated their next move. The treasure hunters were smart—they were spreading out, trying to approach from multiple angles. But she wasn’t about to let them take the ranch without a fight.

“We stick to the plan,” Jackie said, her voice steady. “Eddie, you’re up. Time to spring the traps.”

Eddie grinned, his fingers hovering over the button on his device. “My pleasure.”

With a swift motion, he activated the traps. In an instant, the perimeter of the ranch lit up with motion sensors and alarms, startling the treasure hunters and forcing them to pause in their tracks. Several hidden traps sprung to life—one of the treasure hunters stumbled backward as a tripwire was triggered, sending a net flying up from the ground and tangling him in its mesh.

“What the—!” the treasure hunter yelled, struggling against the net as his comrades rushed to help him.

Jackie allowed herself a small smile of satisfaction. That’s one down.

But the others weren’t so easily deterred. The remaining treasure hunters quickly regrouped, their faces set with determination. One of them stepped forward, his voice rough and full of menace. “You kids should’ve stayed out of this,” he growled, taking a few steps closer to the ranch. “Now hand over what you’ve found, and no one gets hurt.”

Jackie stepped forward, planting herself firmly at the front door, her chin raised defiantly. “Not a chance,” she said, her voice strong and unwavering. “If you think you can take the treasure, you’re in for a rude awakening.”

The treasure hunter narrowed his eyes, his hand twitching toward the gun at his waist. “I don’t think you understand who you’re dealing with, kid. We’re not messing around.”

Jackie’s heart raced, but she didn’t flinch. “Neither are we,” she shot back. “This is our home. We’re not letting you destroy it.”

The standoff stretched out, the air thick with tension. Jackie could feel her pulse in her ears, but she stood her ground, refusing to back down.

Max, standing just behind her, whispered, “What’s the plan if this turns ugly?”

Jackie didn’t look back at him, her eyes locked on the treasure hunters. “We stick to the plan. Eddie, Holly, be ready.”

Holly nodded, her grip tightening on the flashlight she held like a weapon. Eddie’s fingers hovered over his gadgets, waiting for the right moment to act.

The leader of the treasure hunters took another step forward, his patience wearing thin. “Last chance,” he growled. “Give us what we came for, or things are gonna get ugly.”

Jackie raised her chin, her voice steady and sure. “Over my dead body.”

Just as the treasure hunter was about to draw his weapon, Max sprang into action. With a quick tap on his tablet, he activated one of Eddie’s surveillance drones. The small device buzzed to life, zipping through the air and darting toward the treasure hunters. The sudden movement startled them, causing the leader to jerk backward, his hand slipping from his gun.

“Now!” Jackie shouted.

Eddie didn’t hesitate. He hit the switch on his device, and a series of hidden traps sprang into action. Smoke bombs exploded around the perimeter, disorienting the treasure hunters and filling the air with thick clouds of white fog. The leader coughed, waving his hand in front of his face as he tried to make sense of the chaos.

The Squad moved quickly, taking advantage of the confusion. Holly darted to the side, securing the doors and windows while Max monitored the situation on the cameras. Eddie deployed another of his gadgets—this time, a tripwire that sent one of the treasure hunters sprawling to the ground.

The leader growled in frustration, his eyes wild as he looked around, unable to see through the smoke. “Fall back!” he barked to his crew. “We’ll regroup!”

Jackie allowed herself a moment of relief as the treasure hunters retreated into the smoke, their plans foiled for now. But she knew this wasn’t over. They’d be back, and next time, they’d come harder.

She turned to her team, her face serious. “We did good, but they’ll be back. We need to stay ready.”

Holly nodded, wiping the sweat from her brow. “That was close.”

Max glanced at the cameras, watching the treasure hunters disappear into the fog. “Too close,” he muttered.

Jackie took a deep breath, her heart still pounding. “We’re not done yet,” she said quietly. “We need to be ready for whatever comes next.”

The Last Puzzle

The thick fog still hung in the air as the treasure hunters retreated, but Jackie’s heart was pounding. This wasn’t over—not by a long shot. As the Squad gathered inside the ranch house to catch their breath, they knew the treasure hunters would regroup and come back stronger. They had to be ready.

Jackie paced in front of the table, her mind racing. The ranch was fortified for now, but there was one final obstacle standing between them and the treasure—the last puzzle. The map had shown that the treasure was hidden deep within the ranch property, protected by one final puzzle carved into the land itself.

Holly, still shaken from the standoff, stepped forward, her voice steady but quiet. “If we can solve the puzzle before they come back, we can beat them to the treasure. We’ll have the upper hand.”

Jackie nodded, her eyes flicking to the old map laid out on the table. “We’ve come this far. We can’t let them take it now.” Her finger traced the faint symbols that marked the treasure’s location—right near the entrance to an underground chamber.

Max tapped on his tablet, pulling up the map’s location. “The symbols look like some kind of lock or mechanism. If we can figure out the order, we can open the chamber and secure the treasure before the treasure hunters regroup.”

Eddie, still buzzing from the adrenaline of the fight, leaned over the table. “It’s a classic puzzle lock, right? Symbols that need to be pressed in the right sequence. I’ve seen these in some old escape room manuals. We just need to crack the code.”

Jackie folded her arms, her mind racing. “We’ve already seen these symbols all over the ranch—on the trees, the cave walls. They must mean something.”

Holly’s brow furrowed in concentration. “What if the symbols correspond to specific locations on the map? Like a trail we’re supposed to follow?”

Jackie’s eyes lit up. “Exactly. The symbols represent more than just decoration—they’re a guide. We need to retrace our steps, find out where we saw them, and match them to the map.”

The Squad sprang into action, their minds working together as they pieced together the final part of the puzzle. Jackie’s heart pounded as they carefully went over the symbols they had seen on the trees, the rocks, and the cave walls. Each symbol was part of the key, leading them closer to unlocking the treasure.

As they worked, the tension in the air grew thicker. The treasure hunters could be regrouping right now, planning their next move. They had to solve the puzzle before it was too late.

Jackie crouched by the map, her eyes scanning the symbols one last time. “This is it,” she murmured, her finger hovering over the final sequence. “These symbols match the ones we saw on the cliffside. If we press them in this order, it should unlock the entrance to the treasure.”

Max adjusted the tablet, zooming in on the coordinates. “It’s a long shot, but I think you’re right. If we follow the pattern from the cave to the ridge, it leads us straight to the chamber.”

Eddie nodded, his hands still fiddling with one of his gadgets. “We’ll have to move fast. The treasure hunters won’t stay away for long.”

Jackie stood up, her heart racing. “Then let’s go. We’re finishing this.”

The Squad grabbed their gear and hurried outside, moving quickly through the fog as they made their way to the hidden chamber. The fog swirled around them, making the ranch feel even more isolated and mysterious. Every step felt like a race against time, their breaths quickening as they approached the location marked on the map.

At last, they reached the spot—an unassuming patch of earth, surrounded by trees and rocks. But etched into the ground were the same symbols they had seen before, barely visible in the dim light. Jackie crouched down, running her fingers over the carvings. This was it. The final puzzle.

She took a deep breath, steadying her nerves. “Here goes nothing.”

With careful precision, she began pressing the symbols in the correct order, her heart pounding with each touch. The earth seemed to hum beneath her fingers, as if responding to the ancient mechanism hidden below.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, with a low rumble, the ground began to shake. Jackie jumped back as the earth shifted beneath them, and a hidden door slowly creaked open, revealing a dark passage leading deep underground.

Holly let out a shaky breath. “We did it.”

Max peered into the darkness, his face a mix of awe and excitement. “The treasure’s down there.”

Jackie nodded, but her mind was already racing. “And we need to get it before the treasure hunters come back.”

Without wasting another second, the Squad descended into the underground chamber, the air growing colder and mustier the deeper they went. The walls were lined with ancient carvings, and the passage twisted and turned, leading them further into the hidden vault.

At last, they reached the final chamber. Jackie’s breath caught in her throat as they stepped inside, their flashlights illuminating the gleaming treasure that lay before them. Gold coins, ancient relics, and artifacts filled the room, glittering in the dim light.

Max let out a low whistle. “We actually found it... The treasure is real.”