Chapter 9: Trapped Underground

A Trap of Their Own

The morning light streamed through the windows of the ranch house, casting long beams across the floor as Jackie stood in front of the group. Her arms were crossed, her brow furrowed in concentration. The treasure was hidden, but the threat of the treasure hunters still loomed over them.

“We need to make sure they don’t come back for a second round,” Jackie said firmly, pacing across the living room. Holly, Max, and Eddie sat around the table, listening intently. Holly’s cousins were nearby, glancing between each other nervously.

Eddie tapped his fingers against the wood, deep in thought. “I’ve got an idea. We could set up a trap using some of the equipment around the ranch. They won’t see it coming.”

Max raised an eyebrow. “Are we really going to try to outsmart them again? Last time they barely got away from us, but I’m not sure they’ll be as easy to fool this time.”

Jackie nodded, understanding his concern. “That’s why we need to be careful. If they come back, they’ll be desperate. And desperate people make mistakes.” She turned to Eddie. “What are you thinking?”

Eddie grinned, a mischievous glint in his eye. “We still have some leftover supplies from the ranch, plus a few of my gadgets. I can rig something up that’ll stop them in their tracks—literally.”

Jackie smiled, feeling a flicker of hope. “Good. Let’s do it.”

As Eddie got to work, Holly and Max busied themselves by securing the treasure, carefully moving the ancient chest to a new hiding spot. The relics and scrolls were tucked safely away in a secure corner of the ranch house, hidden beneath a loose floorboard that had been untouched for years.

Jackie stood by the window, keeping watch. The daylight made the ranch feel safer, but she couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that the hunters were still out there, waiting for their next chance. The air felt thick with tension, as if the calmness of the day was only a temporary reprieve.

As she watched Eddie work, meticulously connecting wires and setting up the trap at the ranch’s entrance, Jackie thought back to everything they’d been through in the past few days. The treasure, the ghost horse, the relics—so much had happened, and yet, the threat of the hunters still lingered. They couldn’t let their guard down.

“We’ve already survived one set of traps,” Jackie muttered to herself, her gaze on Eddie’s work. “Let’s hope we don’t get caught in our own.”

Eddie glanced up from where he was kneeling, a confident grin on his face. “Don’t worry, Jackie. This one’s foolproof.”

Max, who had just returned from securing the treasure, joined Jackie at the window. He let out a low whistle as he looked at the trap Eddie was building. “I have to admit, I’m impressed. But if this doesn’t work...”

“It’ll work,” Jackie interrupted, her tone decisive. “We’ve come too far to let them beat us now.”

As the hours passed, the Squad worked quietly, each of them focused on their task. Holly scouted the perimeter, her eyes constantly scanning the distance for any sign of movement. Max set up additional surveillance cameras around the ranch, linking them to his tablet to ensure they would know if anyone approached. Eddie finished rigging the trap—a combination of wires, ropes, and pressure plates that would trigger a large net to fall from the ceiling when the hunters entered.

By midday, everything was in place. The treasure was hidden, the trap was set, and the Squad was ready.

Just as they finished their preparations, Holly rushed back to the house, her face pale. She skidded to a stop in front of Jackie, her voice barely above a whisper. “They’re coming back.”

Jackie’s heart skipped a beat. “How many?”

“Three,” Holly replied, her eyes wide. “But they look... different. More desperate.”

Jackie nodded grimly. “They know they’re running out of time.”

The Squad quickly took their positions, hiding around the ranch and staying out of sight. Jackie crouched behind a stack of crates near the entrance, her eyes trained on the road leading up to the ranch. She could feel her pulse quicken as the hunters came into view.

From her vantage point, Jackie could see the tension in their faces—the way their shoulders were hunched, their steps quick and determined. They moved with a sense of urgency, no longer taking their time or trying to be cautious. They wanted the treasure, and they wanted it now.

“They’re walking right into our trap,” Jackie whispered to herself, her heart pounding in her chest.

As the hunters approached the ranch, their leader—an older man with a weathered face and a sharp, calculating gaze—muttered something to his companions. They slowed their pace, their eyes darting around as if sensing something was off.

But they were too focused on the treasure to notice the trap.

Eddie, hiding near the entrance, watched through a small gap in the wall, his hand hovering over the control panel for the trap. His eyes flicked between the hunters and the wires above them, waiting for the perfect moment.

The tension in the air was palpable. Jackie held her breath as the hunters stepped closer.

Then, without warning, Eddie hit the switch.

There was a loud whirring sound as the net dropped from above, catching two of the hunters by surprise. They stumbled backward, struggling to free themselves as the net tightened around them.

The leader, however, managed to dodge the net, his eyes wide with shock. He turned on his heel, sprinting toward the barn, where he believed the treasure was hidden.

Jackie’s blood ran cold. “Not so fast,” she muttered under her breath, already taking off after him.

Max followed close behind, his face set in determination. “Let’s end this.”

As they raced toward the barn, Jackie’s mind raced, thinking of how they could stop the hunter before he reached the treasure. They had outsmarted the hunters so far, but this was their last chance to make sure they didn’t lose everything.

The chase was on.

The Hunters' Desperation

Jackie sprinted across the ranch, her footsteps pounding against the dirt as she chased after the escaping treasure hunter. Max was right behind her, both of them determined not to let him reach the barn. The morning sun was starting to climb higher into the sky, casting long shadows across the ground, but Jackie’s focus was solely on the figure darting ahead of them.

The hunter moved fast, his boots kicking up dust as he weaved between the ranch buildings, his eyes locked on his goal. He was clearly desperate, and Jackie knew that desperation made people reckless. If they didn’t stop him soon, he might do something dangerous—and with the treasure hidden nearby, they couldn’t afford to take any chances.

“How does he still have so much energy?” Max panted as he caught up to Jackie, his breath coming in quick bursts. “We’ve been running circles around this ranch for days.”

“Desperation,” Jackie muttered, her eyes narrowing. “He knows this is his last chance to get the treasure.”

They turned a corner, cutting through a narrow alley between the barn and the stable. The hunter was just ahead of them, his movements frantic as he glanced over his shoulder to see how close they were. Jackie’s heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing with ideas on how to stop him before he reached the treasure.

“There!” Jackie pointed to a stack of wooden crates leaning precariously against the side of the barn. “Max, help me with this.”

Without waiting for an answer, Jackie grabbed one of the crates and shoved it into the hunter’s path. Max quickly followed suit, pushing another crate forward with all his strength. The crates toppled over, crashing onto the ground just as the hunter reached them.

The hunter stumbled, his feet catching on the debris. He let out a grunt of frustration as he tried to regain his balance, but it was too late. Jackie lunged forward, tackling him to the ground. The impact knocked the wind out of both of them, but Jackie held on tight, pinning him down with all her weight.

“Stay down,” she growled, her voice steady despite her racing heart.

Max skidded to a stop beside her, his hands on his knees as he caught his breath. “Nice tackle.”

The hunter struggled beneath Jackie, his eyes wild with fury. “Get off me! You don’t know what you’re dealing with!”

Jackie leaned in closer, her grip tightening. “Oh, I think we do. And this is over.”

For a moment, the hunter stopped struggling, his breath ragged as he glared up at her. Jackie could see the anger and frustration in his eyes, but there was something else there, too—fear. Fear of losing everything he’d been chasing after. Fear of being outsmarted by a group of kids.

Suddenly, the ground beneath them began to tremble.

Jackie’s eyes widened as the earth shifted, a low rumble echoing through the air. She glanced at Max, who looked just as startled as she was. The tremor grew stronger, shaking the ground beneath their feet and sending a wave of dust into the air.

“An earthquake?” Max asked, his voice filled with confusion.

Jackie shook her head, her mind racing. “No... something else.”

The hunter took advantage of the distraction, shoving Jackie off of him and scrambling to his feet. But before he could make a run for it, another tremor hit, even stronger than the first. The ground buckled beneath them, and the hunter stumbled again, crashing into the side of the barn.

“Jackie, we need to move!” Max shouted, grabbing her arm and pulling her to her feet.

The tremor intensified, shaking the entire ranch. Wooden beams creaked, and dust rained down from the barn’s roof as the ground beneath them continued to shift. Holly’s cousins, who had been securing the buildings, rushed out of the ranch house, their faces pale with worry.

“What’s happening?” one of them called out, his voice barely audible over the rumbling.

“I don’t know,” Jackie replied, her eyes scanning the horizon. “But it’s not just an earthquake.”

As the ground continued to tremble, Jackie could feel a sense of unease settling over her. Something wasn’t right. This wasn’t just a natural event—it felt like the land itself was reacting to something. Something deep underground.

The treasure hunter, still disoriented from the shaking, tried to make another run for the barn. Jackie’s instincts kicked in, and she darted forward, intercepting him before he could reach the door.

“This is over,” Jackie repeated, her voice firm. “You’re not getting anywhere near that treasure.”

The hunter, his face twisted with frustration, finally seemed to realize he was beaten. He slumped against the side of the barn, breathing heavily, his eyes filled with a mixture of anger and defeat.

The tremor slowly subsided, leaving the ranch in an eerie silence. Dust hung in the air, and the buildings creaked softly as they settled back into place. Jackie could hear her own heartbeat pounding in her ears as she stood over the defeated hunter.

Max joined her, glancing around nervously. “What was that? An aftershock?”

“I don’t think so,” Jackie murmured, her mind still racing. “Something’s off.”

She looked toward the mountains in the distance, her eyes narrowing. The tremors had started as soon as they’d captured the hunter—almost as if something had been triggered by their actions.

Before she could think too much about it, Holly and Eddie came running from the house, their faces filled with concern.

“What happened?” Holly asked, her eyes darting between Jackie and the hunter. “We felt the tremor all the way inside.”

“We stopped him,” Jackie replied, nodding toward the hunter slumped against the barn. “But... something’s wrong. I don’t think that was a normal earthquake.”

Eddie frowned, glancing down at his tracker. “You’re right. The readings are off the charts. There’s something going on beneath the surface.”

Jackie’s mind raced as she tried to piece everything together. The treasure, the ghost horse, the strange symbols they had found in the cave... it was all connected. And now, the earth itself seemed to be reacting.

“We need to figure out what’s going on,” Jackie said, her voice filled with determination. “Before it’s too late.”

----------------------------------------

A Tense Escape

The ranch was still rumbling slightly from the aftershocks as Jackie and Max stood over the defeated treasure hunter. Dust settled around them, but the air was thick with tension. The ground might have stopped shaking, but Jackie’s instincts told her they weren’t out of danger yet.

“We need to move,” Jackie muttered under her breath, scanning their surroundings. Her eyes kept flickering toward the barn, where the treasure was hidden, but more importantly, to the ground beneath their feet. Something deep underground had stirred, and they were far from understanding the full extent of it.

Max crouched beside the treasure hunter, keeping a close eye on him in case he tried anything funny. “What do we do with him?” he asked, his voice low.

Jackie frowned. “We’ll figure that out later. Right now, we need to make sure the ranch is secure.”

But just as she finished speaking, another low rumble passed beneath them, more subtle this time but no less unsettling. Jackie’s stomach knotted, and she exchanged a worried glance with Max.

Before they could react, Holly came running from the other side of the ranch, her voice urgent. “Jackie! Max! We’ve got a problem.”

“What now?” Jackie called back, already feeling a sense of dread. She and Max jogged to meet Holly halfway, their feet pounding against the still-quivering ground. Eddie followed close behind, his tablet clutched in his hands, a look of deep concern etched on his face.

Holly’s expression was grim. “The tremor—it’s not just localized. There’s something... off about the ground around the barn.”

Jackie’s heart sank. “The treasure?”

Holly nodded. “It’s too dangerous to stay here. We need to move the treasure now. The ground might not hold.”

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Eddie, his face pale, showed them the data on his tablet. “I’ve been monitoring the readings from below the surface. The shifts aren’t natural. It’s almost like something’s destabilizing the ground near the barn. We don’t have much time.”

Jackie swore under her breath. “Great. Just great.”

The hunter, still slumped against the barn, let out a bitter laugh. “I told you, kids. You don’t know what you’re messing with.”

Jackie shot him a hard look. “We know enough to realize you don’t have a clue either. Stay quiet.”

Turning to her team, Jackie made a quick decision. “We need to split up. Max, you and Eddie go secure the treasure. Holly and I will keep watch. If anything happens—anything—we regroup by the front gate, understood?”

Max and Eddie nodded, though the tension between them was palpable. The reality of the situation was setting in. This wasn’t just a treasure hunt anymore—it was a fight for their safety.

Without wasting another second, Max and Eddie sprinted toward the barn, their footsteps kicking up small clouds of dust as they raced to secure the treasure before the ground beneath it gave way. Jackie could hear their footsteps echoing through the quiet ranch, every sound amplified by the eerie stillness that followed the tremors.

As soon as Max and Eddie were out of sight, Jackie grabbed Holly’s arm and led her toward a higher vantage point near the ranch’s fence. From there, they could see the entire property, scanning for any signs of the treasure hunters trying to regroup. But there was something else gnawing at Jackie’s mind—the ghost horse.

“We’ve been so focused on the treasure and the hunters,” Jackie muttered, her eyes scanning the horizon. “But there’s still something we don’t understand about this place. That ghost horse—it’s not just a legend, Holly. It’s tied to all of this.”

Holly nodded, her voice quiet. “I know. I can feel it, too.”

They stood in silence for a moment, both of them searching the landscape for any sign of the horse’s spectral form. The wind whispered through the tall grass, the only sound breaking the stillness around them.

But then, out of the corner of her eye, Jackie spotted movement—something shifting near the barn.

“There!” Jackie pointed, her heart pounding. “The hunters! They’re trying to make another run for it.”

Sure enough, two of the treasure hunters, who had escaped Eddie’s net trap earlier, were creeping toward the barn, clearly hoping to steal the treasure while the Squad was distracted by the tremors. Jackie’s jaw tightened.

“We can’t let them get to the barn,” she said through gritted teeth.

Without waiting for a response, Jackie took off, Holly right on her heels. They moved quickly, weaving between the ranch buildings and ducking behind cover as they closed in on the hunters.

The hunters, unaware that Jackie and Holly were closing in on them, were almost at the barn’s entrance. Jackie’s mind raced as she tried to figure out how to stop them without drawing too much attention. If the ground beneath the barn was as unstable as Eddie had predicted, one wrong move could cause it to collapse, burying the treasure—and anyone inside.

“Holly, go around the side,” Jackie whispered, nodding toward a stack of crates that could provide cover. “I’ll take the front. We’ll corner them before they can get inside.”

Holly gave a quick nod and darted toward the crates, moving silently and efficiently. Jackie watched her for a moment before turning her attention back to the hunters. They were almost at the barn door, their movements growing bolder as they neared their goal.

Jackie took a deep breath, her heart racing in her chest. She needed to act fast.

In one swift motion, Jackie lunged forward, cutting off the hunters just as they reached the entrance. The lead hunter, a tall man with a scruffy beard, froze in surprise, his hand still outstretched toward the barn door.

“Not another step,” Jackie warned, her voice steady but filled with authority.

The hunter hesitated, his eyes narrowing as he assessed his situation. He glanced at his companion, who looked equally uncertain. For a moment, it seemed like they might back down—but then, with a sudden burst of determination, the lead hunter lunged forward, trying to push past Jackie.

But Jackie was ready. She sidestepped the lunge, grabbing his arm and using his momentum against him. With a sharp twist, she flipped him to the ground, pinning him down with ease. Holly emerged from her cover, blocking the other hunter’s escape route.

“It’s over,” Jackie said, her voice firm. “There’s nothing for you here.”

The lead hunter groaned from the ground, clearly defeated. His companion, realizing they were outnumbered, raised his hands in surrender.

Jackie glanced toward the barn, her heart finally beginning to slow. They had stopped the hunters—but the real danger was still looming beneath the surface.

The Squad’s Last Test

The ground beneath Jackie’s feet trembled again, this time more violently than before. The ranch seemed to shift, creaking under the strain of whatever force was rumbling deep underground. Jackie stood over the subdued treasure hunter, her heart pounding in sync with the tremors.

Max and Eddie emerged from the barn, both wide-eyed and visibly shaken.

“Jackie, it’s bad,” Max called out, his voice thick with urgency as they hurried toward her. “The ground is shifting beneath the barn. It could collapse any minute.”

Jackie’s pulse quickened. “Is the treasure secure?”

Eddie shook his head. “Barely. We had to leave some of it behind—it’s too dangerous to move it all at once.”

“We can’t stay here,” Holly added, joining them after making sure the other hunter wouldn’t escape. “If the ground gives out, we’ll all be trapped.”

The ranch continued to groan under the weight of the tremors. Dust fell from the beams of the barn, and the once-sturdy structure now seemed precariously close to toppling over.

Jackie took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm. “Alright, listen up. We need to get out of here before this whole place collapses. But we’re not leaving the treasure behind. Max, Eddie, Holly—we’re going to have to move fast.”

Max’s eyes darted to the barn, then back to Jackie. “How are we going to move everything in time?”

Jackie gritted her teeth. “We’ll only take what we can carry. The rest... we’ll have to come back for it later, if it’s safe.”

The treasure hunters, still trapped and beaten, watched them with wary eyes. One of them—a wiry man with a scar across his cheek—glared at Jackie. “You think you can just walk away with the treasure?”

Jackie narrowed her eyes. “You’re not in a position to argue. We’ve already beaten you once, and we’ll do it again.”

Without wasting any more time, Jackie turned to her team. “Let’s move.”

The Squad rushed into the barn, carefully stepping over the unstable ground. The treasure chest was still where they had hidden it, but the floorboards around it had begun to crack, revealing the shifting earth beneath.

“Be careful,” Jackie warned, grabbing one end of the chest. “It’s not stable here.”

Max and Eddie helped her lift the heavy chest, while Holly kept watch near the barn’s entrance. The ground continued to rumble beneath their feet, and the walls of the barn creaked ominously.

“Watch your step,” Max said through gritted teeth as they moved toward the door, their pace hurried but cautious. Each step felt like a race against time, the tremors making the ground feel like it could give way at any second.

As they neared the entrance, another violent tremor shook the barn. Jackie’s foot slipped, and for a split second, she lost her grip on the chest.

“Jackie!” Eddie called out, grabbing her arm before she could fall.

Jackie’s heart raced, but she steadied herself, tightening her grip on the treasure. “Thanks,” she muttered, her voice shaky but determined. “We need to get out of here—now.”

With one last effort, the Squad hauled the treasure out of the barn and back into the open air. As soon as they were clear of the building, Jackie dropped her end of the chest, her muscles aching from the strain.

They didn’t have long to rest. Another tremor hit, and this time it was stronger than before. The ground split beneath them, sending cracks snaking across the ranch. The barn groaned loudly, the beams buckling under the pressure.

“We need to go!” Holly shouted, her eyes wide with fear.

Jackie nodded, grabbing her end of the chest again. “Let’s get this to the gate. Now!”

The Squad hurried across the ranch, dodging cracks and fallen debris as they made their way toward the front gate. The ground beneath them felt unstable, as though it could collapse at any moment. Every step was a calculated risk, but Jackie pushed them forward, determined to make it out.

Behind them, the barn creaked one last time before the entire structure gave way. The sound of wood snapping and collapsing filled the air, followed by a massive cloud of dust as the building crumbled into the earth. Jackie didn’t look back, her focus entirely on getting her team and the treasure to safety.

They reached the front gate just as another tremor hit, but this one seemed different—more intense, more focused. It wasn’t just the earth shaking beneath them anymore; it was something deeper, something more deliberate.

“What’s causing this?” Eddie asked, his voice filled with panic as he looked around at the crumbling ranch. “This isn’t normal.”

Jackie’s thoughts raced. They had survived the treasure hunt, outsmarted the hunters, and secured the treasure. But now, it felt like the land itself was fighting back.

“It’s not just an earthquake,” Jackie said, her voice low and urgent. “Something else is going on here. Something bigger.”

Max frowned, his eyes scanning the horizon. “You think it has something to do with the ghost horse?”

Jackie nodded slowly. “I don’t know what else it could be. This place... it’s connected to something ancient. The treasure, the ghost horse, all of it—it’s tied to this land. And whatever we did by taking the treasure, we’ve disturbed it.”

Holly looked worried. “You think the ghost horse is angry?”

Jackie didn’t have an answer. She had been so focused on outsmarting the treasure hunters and securing the treasure that she hadn’t considered the bigger picture. But now, it was clear that something far more dangerous was at play.

“We need to figure this out,” Jackie said, her voice steady despite the growing sense of unease in her chest. “Before it’s too late.”

As the final tremor subsided, Jackie looked at her team, her resolve hardening. They had come too far to give up now. Whatever was happening at Shadow Peak, they were going to get to the bottom of it—even if it meant facing whatever ancient forces were at work.

Holly’s Reflection

The last tremor had finally subsided, leaving an eerie stillness in its wake. The ranch, once alive with the sounds of cracking wood and shifting earth, now sat in quiet disarray. Holly stood outside the barn, her eyes scanning the horizon, taking in the damage.

The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows over the ranch. The sky was a mixture of soft oranges and purples, the kind of peaceful scene that would have made Holly feel at ease under normal circumstances. But now, after everything that had happened, she felt anything but calm.

She had always thought of herself as the practical one in the group—the one who kept everyone grounded while Jackie led them on wild adventures. But standing here, watching the sun dip below the mountains, Holly couldn’t shake the feeling that they were missing something. That despite securing the treasure and outsmarting the hunters, the real mystery was still unsolved.

Holly sighed and sat down on the edge of a wooden crate near the barn, her eyes still focused on the mountains in the distance. The faint outline of Shadow Peak loomed ominously in the fading light, and somewhere deep within her, Holly felt a tug—a sense that something important was still waiting to be discovered.

Max approached from behind, his face still flushed from their escape. “You alright?” he asked, his voice gentle.

Holly nodded slowly, though she wasn’t sure if she really meant it. “Yeah... I’m just thinking.”

Max sat down beside her, wiping the sweat from his forehead. “Thinking about what?”

Holly hesitated for a moment before speaking. “Everything, I guess. The treasure, the ghost horse, the hunters... It feels like we’ve done everything we set out to do, but...” She trailed off, staring down at her hands.

“But it doesn’t feel over,” Max finished for her, his tone understanding.

Holly gave him a small smile. “Exactly. It’s like we found the treasure, but there’s still something... off. I don’t know how to explain it.”

Max leaned back, looking up at the darkening sky. “Maybe it’s the ghost horse. I mean, we never really figured out what that thing is or why it’s here. We’ve been so focused on the treasure, but the horse has been a part of this mystery from the beginning.”

Holly nodded. “Yeah. And now that we’ve got the treasure, I keep wondering if we’ve disturbed something we shouldn’t have.”

Max looked at her with concern. “You don’t actually think the ghost horse is... angry or something, do you?”

Holly shrugged, her eyes still fixed on the mountains. “I don’t know. Maybe. Or maybe it’s just trying to lead us to something we haven’t seen yet.”

Max was quiet for a moment, his brow furrowed in thought. Then he turned to her, his voice thoughtful. “You’ve always had a way of seeing things the rest of us don’t, Holly. If you think there’s something we’re missing, maybe you’re right.”

Holly appreciated the sentiment, but it didn’t ease the weight sitting in her chest. She stood up, brushing the dirt off her pants, and walked a few paces away from Max, her thoughts still racing.

The ghost horse had appeared at the strangest times—always when they were at a critical moment, always guiding them, watching them. Holly had felt its presence more than once, as if it were trying to communicate something none of them had understood. And now, even after they had secured the treasure, that presence hadn’t disappeared.

As she stood there, the wind picked up, rustling the leaves of the nearby trees. Holly felt a sudden chill, not from the cold, but from the nagging feeling that something—someone—was watching her.

She turned her head slowly, and her breath caught in her throat.

There, standing on the ridge of the mountain, was the ghost horse.

Its ethereal form glowed faintly in the twilight, its eyes locked on hers. The horse stood perfectly still, its head held high, almost regal in its posture. Holly’s heart pounded in her chest as she stared back at it, frozen by the sight.

“Max...” Holly’s voice was barely a whisper, but it was enough to get his attention.

Max stood up and followed her gaze. His eyes widened when he saw the ghost horse, but he didn’t say anything, just stood beside her in silent awe.

For a moment, the world seemed to stop. The wind stilled, the sounds of the ranch faded away, and all that was left was the quiet connection between Holly and the ghost horse. It felt like the horse was trying to tell her something—something important. But what?

The horse lowered its head slightly, as if acknowledging her, before turning and walking slowly along the ridge, its ghostly form fading into the shadows as it disappeared into the distance.

Holly let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.

Max finally broke the silence. “What... what was that?”

Holly shook her head, her mind still racing. “I don’t know. But whatever it is, it’s not finished yet.”

Jackie appeared beside them, having noticed the strange moment. “What’s going on? Did you see something?”

Holly nodded, her voice low and serious. “The ghost horse. It was watching us again. It’s still out there.”

Jackie frowned, her eyes narrowing as she looked up at the ridge. “We solved the treasure mystery... but maybe we haven’t solved the real mystery yet.”

Holly felt a sense of resolve wash over her. “We need to figure this out, Jackie. The horse is trying to tell us something. I can feel it.”

Jackie nodded, her expression thoughtful. “We’ll figure it out. But for now, let’s regroup. We’ve still got work to do.”

As they turned to head back to the ranch, Holly cast one last glance at the ridge where the ghost horse had stood. The sun was nearly gone now, leaving only the faintest glow on the horizon. But even in the growing darkness, Holly felt the weight of the mystery pressing down on her.

The treasure might have been found, but their adventure was far from over.

Safe and Sound

As the last rays of sunlight disappeared behind the mountains, the ranch seemed to fall into an uneasy quiet. The chaotic tremors had stopped, leaving the land still but charged with a sense of something unresolved. Jackie stood near the front gate, her eyes scanning the darkening horizon where the ghost horse had vanished moments earlier.

Holly, Max, and Eddie joined her, their expressions mirroring her own quiet contemplation. They had done everything they set out to do—they had secured the treasure, captured the treasure hunters, and avoided getting caught in the violent tremors. But none of them could shake the feeling that something bigger was still looming over them.

Max let out a sigh, breaking the silence. “So... that’s it, right? We beat the hunters, we got the treasure... We’re done?”

Jackie didn’t answer right away. She looked at her younger brother, his face hopeful but cautious. Then she turned her gaze back to the ranch. “Maybe. But there’s still the ghost horse. I feel like we’ve missed something.”

Eddie, standing a few paces away, frowned down at his tablet. “The tremors didn’t feel natural,” he said, his voice low. “It’s like something deep underground was shifting, almost reacting to us. The ghost horse... I think it’s tied to whatever’s happening beneath the surface.”

Holly nodded in agreement. “It showed up every time we were on the verge of discovering something. Like it was guiding us. But if the treasure is what it wanted us to find, why is it still here?”

Jackie crossed her arms, her mind racing. The treasure had always been the goal—at least, that’s what they’d thought. But now, standing here in the fading light, she wasn’t so sure. The ghost horse had appeared one last time, as if giving them a final warning. But about what?

“We’ve solved one mystery,” Jackie said, her voice thoughtful. “But I think the real mystery is still out there.”

Max groaned softly. “Are you saying we’re not done?”

Jackie glanced at him with a small smirk. “You know we’re never really done.”

Max let out an exaggerated sigh but didn’t argue. He knew better than to expect a straightforward adventure when Jackie was involved. Still, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief that at least, for now, they were safe.

The sound of footsteps approached, and Holly’s cousins appeared from around the side of the ranch house, their faces tired but relieved.

“We’ve secured everything for the night,” one of the cousins said, his voice laced with exhaustion. “The hunters are tied up, and we’ll call the authorities in the morning. The treasure’s safe for now.”

Jackie nodded. “Thanks. We’ll keep watch for the rest of the night, just in case.”

The cousin gave a tired smile. “You’ve done more than enough. We can handle things from here.”

As the cousins walked back toward the ranch house, the Squad gathered near the front gate, leaning against the wooden posts and staring out at the darkened landscape. The air was cooler now, and a faint breeze rustled the leaves of the nearby trees. It felt peaceful, but the underlying tension from earlier still lingered.

“We should try to get some rest,” Holly suggested, though her voice lacked conviction. “We’ve been running on adrenaline for hours.”

Jackie nodded, though she couldn’t shake the restlessness that had settled deep inside her. “Yeah. Let’s rest.”

Max stretched his arms, stifling a yawn. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m more than ready to pass out.”

Eddie, still focused on his tablet, looked up briefly. “I’ll keep an eye on the readings overnight. Just in case anything changes underground.”

The group slowly dispersed, making their way back to the house, but Jackie lingered at the gate, her eyes fixed on the horizon. The mountains stood tall and dark against the sky, and even though the ghost horse was no longer visible, its presence felt stronger than ever.

“Something’s still out there,” she whispered to herself.

Holly, who had stayed behind, glanced at her friend. “You’re thinking about the horse, aren’t you?”

Jackie sighed, nodding. “Yeah. I just can’t shake the feeling that we’ve missed something important. The treasure, the hunters... it’s all part of the bigger picture, but I don’t think the ghost horse is connected to the treasure the way we thought it was.”

Holly bit her lip. “Do you think it’s guarding something else?”

“Maybe,” Jackie said, her eyes narrowing as she looked toward the mountains. “Or maybe it’s protecting the land itself. The tremors, the shifting ground—it all started when we got close to the treasure. Like we triggered something.”

Holly frowned. “You think the ghost horse was trying to stop us from disturbing the treasure?”

Jackie shook her head. “I don’t know. But I do know we need to figure it out.”

Holly smiled softly. “We always do.”

The two stood in silence for a moment, the cool breeze brushing against their faces. The ranch had fallen into an uneasy quiet, the earlier chaos replaced with a stillness that was both calming and unnerving. It was a brief moment of peace, but Jackie couldn’t help but feel like it was the calm before the final storm.

“We’ll figure it out,” Jackie said again, this time more resolute. “But for now, let’s rest. Tomorrow, we’ll get to the bottom of this.”

Holly nodded, and together they turned back toward the ranch house, the comforting warmth of the home calling them back after a long, exhausting day.

As they reached the door, Jackie cast one last glance over her shoulder, her eyes scanning the darkened landscape once more. The ghost horse was gone, but she knew, deep down, that it wasn’t the last time they’d see it.

There was still one last mystery to solve at Shadow Peak.