The Roadside Detectives: The Case of the Vanishing Mustang

For Collin Brody, my Sour Patch Kid

You’re always solving life’s mysteries, both the big and the small, with that special blend of smarts and sweetness that only you have. This book is for you—for your sense of adventure, your curiosity, and for always making life just a little more fun (even when things get messy). Keep being you.

Your curiosity knows no bounds, and your determination to never stop until you find the answers is something I admire deeply. You have a heart that's as sweet, kind, and caring as it is fierce, stubborn, and unyielding. I see that fire in you every day—the way you question how things work, and your desire for life to be fair for everyone. You challenge the world with your sarcasm, humor, and wit, but always with the best intentions, driven by the need to make things right.

I have no doubt that one day, you’ll help change the world for the better. You already make mine brighter just by being in it.

Love always, Mom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prologue: "The Road to Adventure"

Collin had always been able to figure things out. Whether it was an engine that wouldn't start, a problem with his math homework, or why his twin brothers, Mason and Ryder were being suspiciously quiet, he had a knack for solving mysteries. The fact that he could tear down and rebuild an engine better than anyone in his high school, was just icing on the cake. His dream of owning his own auto shop one day wasn't just an idea—it was his future. But for now, he had other pressing matters on his mind.

A sleek, black Mustang had rolled into town last week, the kind of car that didn't just turn heads—it made people stop in their tracks. Collin had spent hours studying it from every angle, marveling at its precision. He couldn't wait to get a closer look, maybe even under the hood, if he could convince the owner, Mr. Stevens, to let him. But something strange was about to happen in this sleepy little town, and it would throw Collin and his friends into a mystery they never saw coming.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 1: "The Dream Car"

Collin finished packing up his tools after another day at the school's auto shop, and tossed his wrench into his tool bag, slung it over his shoulder, and headed out the door. His truck, an old but reliable beast, sat waiting for him in the parking lot. It wasn't a flashy sports car like the Mustang, but he loved it all the same.

As he pulled out of the lot, he saw two of his best friends, Dylan and Grayson, walking down the street toward their usual hangout spot, a local burger joint, The Open Road Grill, where they spent way too much time. Collin honked and waved them over.

"Hey, man!" Dylan grinned as he climbed into the passenger seat. "You see that Mustang around town? Thing of beauty."

Collin nodded. "Yeah, I've been thinking about it all day. Mr. Stevens

lucked out with that one. I'd love to get a look under the hood, but he's pretty protective of it. Can't say I blame him." Grayson hopped in the backseat and chimed in, "Protective? More like paranoid. I saw him this morning wiping down the car with a cloth like it was made of glass. Dude wouldn't let anyone come near it." Collin laughed. "Yeah, well, if I had a car like that, I'd probably do the same."

As they drove through town, they couldn't help but talk about the car and speculate on all the high-end modifications that might be under the hood. Turbochargers, custom exhausts—things that fueled Collin's curiosity.

They arrived at The Open Road Grill, where Collin's brother, Riley, and their cousin, Landon, were already waiting. They grabbed a table and settled into their usual routine of talking about the latest games and planning their weekend. But now and then, the conversation would drift back to that Mustang.

Landon, who had a knack for making jokes when things got too serious, leaned back in the booth. "You guys’ act like this car's gonna sprout wings and take off. It's just a Mustang, right?"

"You don't understand," Collin said, eyes lighting up. "This isn't just any Mustang. This thing's a work of art." "Yeah, okay, Van Gogh," Landon grinned. "I'll believe it when I see it."

"I heard someone's already tried to buy it off Stevens," Grayson said between bites of his burger. "Offered him some crazy amount of cash, but he wouldn't budge. Guess it's his baby." Collin leaned back, taking a sip of his drink. "I can't stop thinking about what it'd be like to work on something like that. All those parts, the precision… It'd be a dream."

"Don't get too attached," Dylan joked. "Knowing this town, it'll disappear like that rare Ferrari from a few years ago." They all laughed, not taking him seriously.

This was a small town—nothing ever really happened here. As the crew joked and bantered, little did they know that the car they were obsessing over was about to vanish without a trace, and they'd be the ones chasing down the mystery.

 

Chapter 2: "The Disappearing Act"

The next morning, Collin woke up to a series of frantic texts from Dylan, Landon, and Grayson.

Dylan: Dude, the Mustang's gone!

Grayson: Car's been stolen! No joke!

Landon: Someone stole your dream car!

Collin sat up, blinking at the screen. He had barely wiped the sleep from his eyes before he was already throwing on clothes and grabbing his keys. Stolen? A car like that? It didn't make sense. He bolted out the door and into his truck, racing toward the lot where the Mustang had been secured.

When he arrived, sure enough, a small crowd had gathered, and the Mustang was gone.

Mr. Stevens, the owner, was pacing back and forth, looking livid. Dylan and Grayson were on the outskirts of the group, looking serious but not surprised. They waved him over. "You guys weren't kidding," Collin said, staring at the empty space where the Mustang had been. "Nope," Dylan replied, shaking his head. “Just like I predicted. It sprouted wings and flew away,’ Landon quipped arms crossed.

"Cops were here for like five minutes before throwing their hands up. No one saw anything,” Grayson chimed in. “They’re saying it must’ve been professionals, but we’ve got our own theory.”

Collin raised an eyebrow, “Oh yeah? What’s that?”

Riley leaned in dramatically, “Aliens!”

“Yeah right.” Collin scoffed. “So, we’re on the case, right?”

"Or, you know," Riley chimed in, appearing behind Collin with his signature dry tone, "we could let the police try solving the case themselves. But who am I to judge?”

As Riley scanned the area with his sharp eyes, Collin focused on the ground, where he noticed some faint tire tracks. "You guys see these?" he asked, pointing them out.

"Interesting," Riley said with a dramatic pause, tapping his chin as if this was some sort of theatrical mystery. "Could it be… a vehicle? With wheels? I'm stunned." "You're hilarious," Collin replied blankly, crouching down to take a closer look. "But this isn't just any tire tread. Looks uneven, like the car was lifted onto something."

Riley raised an eyebrow, intrigued now that there was a real clue. "Like a flatbed?" Collin nodded. "Exactly. Someone must have loaded the Mustang onto a truck or trailer." Grayson, always excited by any sign of a developing mystery, leaned in. "Ooooh, this just got interesting. So, what now, Sherlock?"

Before Collin could respond, they were interrupted by his sister Callie, who came striding over, arms full of art supplies and wearing an oversized beret, even though it wasn't cold out. "Has anyone considered the artistic angle here? I mean, sure, the car's gone, but what if it's a metaphor? Or performance art? Maybe the Mustang was never really here at all."

Everyone stared at her for a moment. "Callie," Riley said dryly, "the only performance art going on here is you, dramatically pretending that made sense." Callie rolling her eyes said, "Fine, Einstein, I'm just saying sometimes the answer isn't obvious. Maybe you're all too logical to see it. She waved a paintbrush for emphasis, adding an air of quirky mystery that only she could pull off.

Collin couldn't help but laugh. "Right, well, while you two hash out the art-vs-science debate, I'm going to check out where these tire tracks lead. Anyone else coming?" "Lead the way," Grayson said, clearly thrilled. "I live for this."

Collin spotted the faint tire tracks leading away from the scene. "I believe, someone definitely took it. And I bet they know exactly what they're doing."

Grayson pointed at Landon. "Told you we were about to get into something big." Landon grinned. "Yeah, and if this turns into a movie, I call dibs on playing myself."

 

Chapter 3: "Clues in the Campground"

The gang's next move was to head out to the nearby woods and camping grounds, hoping to pick up on the trail of the Mustang. Collin's sharp eye caught something shiny in the dirt—a custom tool left behind by whoever took the car. The tire tracks led the group out of town and toward the edge of the nearby woods.

As the trail got fainter, Collin recognized the small campground from family trips. The Mustang's tracks seemed to disappear just as they reached the campsite. As they followed the tracks, Collin found a small tool lying near where the Mustang had been. He picked it up—a shiny piece of a mechanic's wrench. "Now why would they leave something like this behind?" he murmured, turning it over in his hands.

"Maybe they wanted to frame a mechanic," Riley quipped, his tone as dry as ever. "Or maybe someone was just really bad at crime." Callie chimed in, twirling dramatically.

"Perhaps they left it behind as a clue, knowing some brilliant minds would follow the breadcrumbs!" Collin smiled, pocketing the tool. "Whoever it was, they left more than breadcrumbs. Let's keep following these tracks."

"Convenient place to vanish," Collin muttered, climbing out of his truck. "Lots of places to hide a car around here." Riley raised an eyebrow. "Or a body. Just saying, statistically speaking." Callie looked uncomfortable. "Thanks for that, bro. Totally reassuring." "Don't worry, “Dylan chimed in, "If we find a body, you could paint a beautiful portrait to honor the mystery." "Or we could not do that," Callie said, chuckling nervously. "Let's just… find the car, okay?"

They fanned out, searching the area. Callie tripped over a tree root within five minutes, and then started collecting random leaves, declaring they were "inspiration for her next piece."

Dylan crouched near the edge of the campground, spotting something metallic glinting in the sunlight. It looked like another tool, this one a screwdriver, but not just any kind—it had a custom engraving on the handle. He recognized the brand. High-end, expensive, and not something most people carried around.

"Looks like we're dealing with professionals," Collin murmured, grabbing the tool and holding it up for the others to see. Riley glanced at it, unimpressed.

"You mean, someone rich enough to buy the fancy tools but dumb enough to leave them behind?" "Or," Landon said thoughtfully, "someone who wants us to think they're careless, but they've got a bigger plan."

"Or," Callie added dramatically, "someone is trying to throw us off with clues, leading us to a grand performance!" Everyone stared at her again. "What?" she said, throwing her arms up. "It's possible!"

Collin laughed and pocketed the screwdriver. "Either way, we're onto something. There's no way this car just vanished without a trace. Let's head back to town and figure out our next move."

Landon, who had a talent for being resourceful, pointed out something none of them noticed. "Hey, there's some deep tread over here. Could be from a flatbed. Maybe they loaded it up here?" Dylan looked impressed. "When did you turn into an investigator?" Landon shrugged. "From reading all my Dad’s Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie stories."

Landon's observation gave them the lead they needed. Whoever took the car was moving it, and they weren't far behind.

As they packed up, the sky was starting to darken. Collin's mind raced through all the clues: the tire tracks, the tools, the campground. This wasn't just a simple car theft. Whoever took the Mustang had a plan, and they were leaving just enough hints to make things interesting.

"Next stop," Grayson said, "we find out who's behind this."

"And if it's aliens, I called it first," Riley declared.

 

 

 

 

Chapter 4: "The Plot Thickens"

The next day, Collin was in the middle of tinkering with his truck when he heard footsteps approaching from behind. He didn't have to look up to know who it was—he could tell by the soft sound of boots on the gravel and the slight pause like she was debating whether to interrupt.

"Hey, Hercule Poriot," Shiloh's voice broke through his thoughts, her usual mix of sarcasm and sweetness. "Heard you've been busy playing detective."

Collin smiled, still focused on the engine. "You know me. Can't let a good mystery go unsolved." She stepped closer, leaning against the side of the truck watching him work.

"So… what's the case this time? Lost keys? Missing homework?" Collin chuckled. "I wish. You remember that Mustang everyone's been talking about?" "The one that's your dream car?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah, I've heard a little about it." "It was stolen," he said, straightening up. "We've been following some clues. Found some tools, tire tracks, and—"

"You're serious?" Shiloh interrupted, her eyebrows shooting up. "Someone stole it?" "Yep. Professionals, we think,” Collin stated. “Whoever took it knew what they were doing. But they've also been leaving behind clues, almost like they want us to follow them."

Shiloh crossed her arms, a small smile playing on her lips. So, when do I get to join the investigation?

Collin’s phone rang, “Hey man, you coming to meet us?” Grayson asked? “No, you guys need to come here, we can’t leave just yet.” Collin answered. He was helping Riley and Callie watch their younger twin brothers, Ryder and Mason.

When everyone finally arrived, Landon was the first to speak up. "So, what's the plan? I mean, besides us becoming the greatest detective squad this town has ever seen." Shiloh smirked. "We can be the new Scooby gang!"

Collin mapped out the clues they had, including the tool and tire tracks. "We'll go to the campground and then stake out Joe's mechanic shop. I've got a feeling they're moving the Mustang soon, and Joe's connected." Callie nodded. "Sounds like a plan. But just so we're clear—I'm all for solving this, but if we end up in a high-speed chase, I want it noted that I called shotgun."

"I just want to point out," Riley said, "that this entire investigation has been a colossal waste of time. We've got no leads except for a couple of tools some mechanic probably dropped. Odds are the car's halfway to Canada by now." "I think you mean halfway to Mexico," Grayson corrected.

Callie, sketching in her art book, chimed in. "I just think we should explore the idea that this whole thing is an elaborate art installation. Like, think about it! What better way to provoke emotion than to make something as precious as a Mustang disappear?" "I'm starting to wonder if you're in on it," Dylan muttered, earning a light smack on the head from Callie's pencil.

When they finished their babysitting duties, they headed to the campsite. Collin pulled up, parking a little way off from the spot where they found the second tool. As they all climbed out, Collin said, leading the way. "Something about this place is off. I don't think the Mustang was here long, but they left something behind." They reached the spot where the tire tracks had faded into the dirt.

Collin scanned the area while the others began to disperse. Shiloh stood nearby, watching him closely. "Where do we start?” she asked softly, feeling the need to whisper. Collin was about to respond when he noticed something—faint but unmistakable. Just off the trail, hidden beneath some brush, was a piece of reflective glass. He walked over and knelt, pulling the glass from the dirt. "What is it?" Shiloh asked, stepping closer.

Collin turned the piece over in his hands. "Looks like a side mirror. Not from the Mustang, though. This belongs to something bigger. A van, maybe." "A getaway vehicle," Shiloh said, her tone shifting into serious mode. "Makes sense. They needed something to haul the Mustang out of here." Collin nodded. "Yeah, and judging by the break in the mirror, they were in a hurry."

Riley sauntered over, hearing the last bit. "So, to summarize, we're looking for a van that's missing a side mirror? Maybe I should get a Nobel Prize for this groundbreaking discovery."

"Or," Callie said, "we could use this as a clue to create a narrative about the Mustang's journey to freedom."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 5: "In Over Their Heads"

With their new clue in hand, the group decided to head back to town. "So, let me get this straight," Riley said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "We've got two tools, a broken side mirror, and some tire tracks. Truly, the pieces of this puzzle are falling together." "Hey, it's more than we had before," Dylan shot back, grinning. "And I have a feeling we're getting close."

"Close to what?" Grayson asked, sounding skeptical. "Because last I checked, we still don't have a clue who's behind this." "We will," Shiloh said confidently. "The fact that they left anything behind means they're not as careful as they think."

Landon, leaned back in his seat. "Or they're leaving things behind on purpose. Maybe we're being led right into a trap." "Always the optimist," Grayson muttered. "Hey, it's not paranoia if you're right," Landon quipped.

Callie, suddenly spoke up. "What if they're playing with us? You know, like in those crime dramas where the bad guy leaves clues just to see if the detective is smart enough to follow them?"

Collin frowned, considering it. "It's possible. But if that's the case, we're going to have to be extra careful." Shiloh nodded. "They're watching us, that's for sure. We've been following a trail they probably want us to follow."

"Which means," Riley said dryly, "we're either close to solving this or close to death.” "Only one way to find out!" Collin quipped.

As the team prepared for their stakeout of Joe's garage, Landon kept the mood light, cracking jokes about how they were turning into a "budget Ocean's Eleven."

When the flatbed arrived to move the Mustang, Dylan was the first to notice that the driver wasn't Joe. "That guy's new," he whispered. "I haven't seen him before." The new figure threw everyone off, and Collin quickly adjusted the plan.

"We'll split up and watch from different angles. Landon, you, Callie, and Riley take the left side. Grayson, you and Dylan take the right side. Shiloh, and I will circle around." Landon gave a mock salute. "Roger that, Captain."

After an hour of surveillance, Collin suggested they go inside to have a look around the shop He had a gut feeling that this was where the mirror came from and wanted to investigate.

The shop was a little run-down, with old cars parked out front and tools scattered around the garage. As they walked in the saw the driver of the flatbed, a gruff-looking man eyed them suspiciously. "Can I help you kids with something?"

"Actually, yeah," Collin said, holding up the side mirror. "We found this near the campsite we were at earlier. You wouldn't happen to know which vehicle this belongs to, would you?"

The man’s expression faltered for a second, then his jaw tightened. "You kids better leave. I don't know nothing about no damn mirror."

The group exchanged knowing looks. This was it—the first real lead they had.

"Mind if we take a look around?" Riley asked, his voice dripping with faux innocence. "You know, just for fun." The man’s face turned red. "No, you can't take a look around. Now get outta here before I call the cops."

"Touchy," Riley muttered under his breath.

Collin gave the others a look, signaling them to leave. They had pushed enough for now, but they weren't done yet. As they walked out of the shop, Collin could feel it in his gut—they were onto something big.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 6: "The Van Connection"

After leaving Joe's mechanic shop, Collin's mind was racing. They'd gotten close—too close. The man’s reaction had confirmed it. The missing side mirror, the tools at the campsite, the hasty retreat… whoever had stolen the Mustang had connections here. But there was something else bothering him, something about Joe's garage that didn't sit right.

"You think he's in on it?" Grayson mused to no one in particular, breaking the silence as they walked back to the truck. "No question," Shiloh said. "The way he shut us down as soon as we brought up the mirror. He's hiding something."

Riley, in his usual sarcastic tone, leaned against the truck. "Oh yeah, I'm sure he's going to lead us straight to the stolen Mustang. We should probably bake him a cake and thank him."

Callie, chimed in. "We could bake him a cake and fill it with clues! Then he'd reveal everything because he'd be so impressed by the artistry."

"Artistic sabotage," Dylan said with a grin.

"Focus, people," Collin said, though he couldn't help but laugh. "We need a plan. That man, whoever he is, isn’t going to cooperate, and my guess is Joe isn't either. We need to figure out who they’re working with."

Shiloh leaned against the truck next to him, crossing her arms. "I say we keep an eye on them. If either of them are involved, they'll slip up eventually. Plus, we still haven't figured out where the Mustang is."

Collin nodded. "Agreed. We need to watch him. We'll come back tonight and see if we can get a closer look.”

Riley sighed. "Let me guess: we're doing this the hard way."

Grayson grinned. "Always! It's more fun that way."

Later that night, the group returned to Joe's garage. Collin parked the truck a few blocks away to avoid drawing attention, and they approached quietly, sticking to the shadows. The garage was dimly lit, but they had to take a look around.

Callie whispered as they crouched behind some bushes, "but this is the part of the movie where things go wrong."

"Relax,” Riley whispered back with a grin.” What have we got to lose other than our lives?”

They waited in silence for a few minutes, watching the garage. Eventually, the gruffy man stepped outside, lit a cigarette, and leaned against the wall. Collin motioned for everyone to stay quiet. They watched as he took a long drag, clearly on edge. His eyes darted around the lot like he was waiting for someone.

Sure enough, after a few more minutes, a second figure appeared from the shadows. It was hard to make out in the dim light, but the person was tall, wearing a hoodie, and had a confident, almost cocky swagger.

Collin whispered. "Let's see if we can hear what they're saying." They edged closer, moving as quietly as possible. They were only able to catch snippets of the conversation with the loud noise from large HVAC system they hid behind.

"…didn't spect them to come sniffing around," the gruffy guy muttered, sounding frustrated. "A bunch of kids, for crying out loud." “What’re we gonna do, Jason?”

"Doesn't matter Dave," Jason replied, his voice low and smooth. "They won't be a problem much longer. We're moving the car tonight, and if they get in the way we will take care of them."

They all sat with bated breath and hearts racing. Do they continue following the case, or give up on it? They simultaneously all nodded at each other to keep going—as if each knew what the others were thinking.

"They think the trail ends here," Jason continued. "Let 'em. By the time they figure out what’s going on, we'll be long gone."

Jason turned and disappeared back into the shadows, leaving Dave looking more nervous than ever.

Collin motioned for the group to retreat, and they slipped back to the truck, adrenaline pumping through their veins.

"Okay, so… what's the plan now?" Dylan asked as they piled into the truck.

"We follow them," Collin said, gripping the steering wheel. "Wherever they're taking the Mustang, we'll be right behind them."

"You realize this is completely insane, right?" Riley said, raising an eyebrow. "We're talking about a high-stakes car theft ring, not some amateur joyriders."

"We can’t let them get away with this. They’ve underestimated us, Collin angrily said, “And that’s their first mistake! When they move the Mustang again, we’ll be ready.”

 

Collin nodded. "Good catch. We'll check it out when things go down."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 7: "The Midnight Move"

 

Collin and his friends parked a few streets away from Joe's garage, their nerves buzzing with anticipation and gallons off coffee. They crouched in the darkness, watching the garage from a safe distance. The plan was simple: when the Mustang moved, they would follow—unseen and undetected.

"They're getting ready to move it, "Collin whispered, his eyes locked on the garage. They could see Dave talking animatedly to someone inside the garage, occasionally glancing toward the covered Mustang.

 

Grayson, lying flat on the grass next to Landon, felt his heart pound. "Let’s stick together, and no one do anything reckless," he said, glancing pointedly at Dylan, who grinned.

"I am a model of caution," Dylan whispered back, smirking.

Riley, lying beside Dylan nudged him in the side. "As cautious as the lookout on the Titanic right?”

 

Shiloh, lying beside Collin’s, muttered, "Just don’t forget—this is a car theft ring. These people are serious. If we get caught, it's not going to be fun and games."

"Relax, Shiloh," Landon whispered. "We're just going to quietly follow them."

Suddenly, the flatbed truck that had been parked behind the garage roared to life. Dave emerged, looking around one last time before he guided the Mustang up onto the back of the truck. The whole group held their breath as the truck slowly pulled out of the garage.

"This is it," Collin murmured. "We need to move."

The group quietly made their way back to Collin’s truck, piling in and following the flatbed at a safe distance. The flatbed wove its way through town, out past the main roads, and into the countryside. The deeper they went, the darker it got, and the more uncertain the group became.

"We're going pretty far out," Grayson whispered.

Collin gripped the wheel. "I know. We just need to stick with it. We’re close."

They followed the truck up a narrow dirt road that led into a thickly wooded area. Finally, the flatbed pulled into what appeared to be an old warehouse hidden in the trees. Collin parked far enough away to stay unseen, and they all piled out of the truck.

"What's the plan now?" Callie asked, trying to sound brave but clearly feeling uneasy.

"We find out what's going on," Collin said, leading the way toward the warehouse.

 

Chapter 8: "Caught in the Act"

As the group moved silently toward the warehouse, nerves hummed through them. The dark, shadowy trees framed the old building, giving the whole scene a vibe that felt more like something out of a movie than real life.

"Are we sure about this?" Callie whispered. "Because right now, it feels like we’re sneaking into a horror movie.”

Riley couldn’t resist. "Oh, definitely. If something jumps out, just know you're all expendable."

“Comforting,” snapped Callie.

They crouched behind a large stack of wooden crates near the side of the warehouse. The sound of voices carried through the thin, cracked windows. Collin peered through a small gap between the boards.

Inside, Jason was directing several other men as they carefully unloaded the Mustang from the flatbed. And Dave standing with his back against the wall, nervously chain smoking. Another man—tall, dressed in dark clothing, and exuding an air of authority—stood next to Jason.

“This is it,” Collin whispered. “They’re preparing to strip the Mustang for parts.”

Dylan nodded. "They’ve got a whole operation going."

Grayson peered over his shoulder. “What are we doing now?”

Before Collin could answer, a loud clanging noise echoed through the area. Shiloh had knocked over an old metal can lying next to the crates. "Oops," Shiloh whispered, eyes wide.

The voices inside the warehouse abruptly stopped. "Who's out there?" Jason barked, stepping toward the door. Dave still chain smoking almost frozen in place.

"Hide!" Collin whispered.

The group scattered, darting behind trees and deeper into the woods. Collin grabbed Shiloh’s hand as they ran, his heart racing. The sound of footsteps followed them, but after a few tense minutes, the noise faded away.

They regrouped near the edge of the forest, catching their breath.

“That was close,” Landon panted.

"We need a new plan," Callie said, eyes wide. "They almost caught us."

Collin’s mind raced. "We can't let them move the Mustang again. If they get it out of here, we might lose it for good."

Landon glanced back toward the warehouse. "So, what's the genius idea?"

Collin hesitated for a moment, then grinned. "We create a diversion."

“So, the old metal can being knocked over wasn’t a good enough distraction?” Callie asked rolling her eyes. “What do we need to do, knock on the door and ask for directions?”

“Hey, that’s a good idea Callie, we volunteer you,” Riley smirked.

Chapter 9: "Operation: Chaos"

Collin shook his head, grinning. "I was thinking of something a little less obvious than asking for directions, but we’ll need to keep them busy long enough for us to do something about the flatbed."

Shiloh leaned in, “I can create another distraction, but I promise not to knock over any more cans this time.”

Riley quipped, “Why not just set the warehouse on fire? That would distract them plenty.”

“Let’s keep arson as plan B,” Landon said, chuckling. “How about we keep it simple?”

“Callie, and Shiloh, you two can create a scene on the other side of the warehouse,” Collin said, “—something that keeps them busy but doesn't get you caught. The rest of you stay with me. We're going to disable that truck."

Callie raised an eyebrow. "A distraction? Like, what—start reciting Shakespeare in the moonlight?"

Landon grinned. "That actually sounds amazing. I could do some interpretive dance to go along with it."

Shiloh rolled her eyes but smiled. "Let’s just make sure it's big enough to keep the men distracted long enough"

Collin nodded. "Whatever you do, keep them focused on you as long as possible. The minute they stop looking at the Mustang, we'll move in and make sure it doesn't go anywhere."

"Got it," Callie said, cracking her knuckles. "Let's go, Shiloh, “Time to shine."

As Callie, and Shiloh disappeared around the side of the building, Collin motioned for the others to follow him toward the flatbed truck. The warehouse was eerily quiet now, the sounds of their footsteps barely audible over the distant murmur of voices from inside.

They crouched behind a stack of old tires, peeking through the cracks to see Jason and his crew still inside, inspecting the Mustang. Dave was chain-smoking nervously, pacing back and forth near the entrance.

Suddenly, from the other side of the warehouse, Callie’s voice rang out loud and dramatic. "Oh, dear me! We finally found a place to rest after driving all night, it’s perfect for us to rest for the night.”

Shiloh’s voice followed, equally over the top. "Indeed, I don’t think I could drive for one more minute. We will sleep here for the night and pick up our journey again in the morning.”

Collin smirked. "It’s working."

The men inside the warehouse looked up, confused. Jason stepped to the door, his brow furrowed. "Who the hell is out there?" Dave stopped mid-cigarette, squinting into the darkness. "Should we check it out?" Jason nodded. "Go see what’s going on. I don’t like surprises." Dave flicked his cigarette to the ground and headed toward the voices, grumbling to himself.

"That’s our cue," Collin whispered. "Let’s go." With Jason distracted, Collin, Landon, Dylan, Grayson, and Riley darted toward the flatbed. Collin knelt down by the truck, quickly assessing what he needed to do. "We need to pull some wires and loosen the lug nuts on the tires. Dylan, Landon, and Grayson, you’re on the tires. Riley, keep watch." They all nodded and immediately went to work, carefully loosening the bolts on the rear tires while Collin started disconnecting wires under the hood.

"Why are we always the ones risking our lives while Callie gets to perform a one-woman show?" Riley whispered, standing lookout. Grayson grinned. "Because she's Callie. It’s what she does."

Just as Collin yanked the last wire free, they heard Jason shout from the warehouse. "Hey! Who's out there?"

The guys all froze waiting to hear what was going on next; with Riley quickly reminding them, “We only have a few minutes let’s get this done guys.”

Jason stormed toward the direction of the voices, yelling for his crew to follow him.

"Now’s our chance to get out of here," Collin whispered. Let’s go!" They quickly scrambled away from the flatbed and disappeared into the shadows of the trees, their hearts racing. "Did we do it?" Dylan asked, his voice shaky. Collin grinned, adrenaline still pumping through his veins. "Yeah, we did it. The Mustang's not going anywhere."

In the distance, they could still hear Callie and Shiloh’s performance continuing, distracting the men just long enough. "We need to get the girls and get out of here before they figure it out," Landon said, glancing nervously back at the warehouse. "Agreed," Riley said. "Let's get out of here."

As they slipped through the trees searching for the girls, Dylan disappeared suddenly. The others stopped noticing he had fallen into a large hole. What are they going to do now? They need to get Dylan out of there, and they also need to get the girls out of danger before they’re all found.

Chapter 10: "Into the Pit"

“Dylan!” Collin whispered urgently, scrambling to the edge of the hole. It was deeper than it looked, and Dylan was lying on his back, groaning.

“I’m fine, I’m fine,” Dylan now covered in mud muttered, wincing as he tried to sit up. “I think my pride took the worst of it.” Grayson snorted, peeking over the edge. “You’ll live, but man, that was a solid disappearing act.”

Riley, already scanning the surroundings, kept an eye on the warehouse. "We’ve only got minutes before it all ends. We need to focus on getting the girls. Grayson and Collin you two try to get Dylan out. Landon and I will find the girls.”

Collin, Grayson, quickly began devising a plan of how to get Dylan out. “Great,” whispered Dylan, “I was hoping I would be the one who had to be rescued.” The pit looked to be about 8-10 feet deep. Grayson, always the Boy Scout, came prepared. He had brought his go bag with him, he proceeded to toss down a flashlight to Dylan and pulled out a 12 foot rope. They lowered the rope down to get Dylan out. When Dylan tugged on the rope and in his quietest yell said, “Stop, guys there is a door here in the pit.” Grayson and Collin quickly stopped trying to pull him up. The door was about 3 feet wide and 3 feet tall.

Dylan said, “I’ll keep the rope tied to me and try to explore the door and the area around it a little more. Collin, you keep ahold of the rope on your end.” He had trouble standing and was in agonizing pain on his right leg. He could also feel the blood starting to appear on his forehead but decided to keep his injuries to himself.

Riley and Landon stealthily searched for Callie and Shiloh when they were stopped in their tracks by the sudden piercing scream. Followed by what sounded like Shiloh yelling, “Let her go, let her go.”

They both anxiously looked at each other and knew they needed more help. Riley stayed to try to see if he could keep an eye out and find the girls. While Landon ran back to get Collin, Grayson, and hopefully Dylan would be out of the pit by now.

He arrived back to where they were trying to catch his breath, and yelled, “Guys we need you know. They have the girls.”

At the announcement from Landon, Collin dropped his end of the rope and watched it fall down into the pit stunned.

Chapter 11: "All In"

For a split second, time seemed to freeze. The gravity of Landon’s words hung in the air as Collin’s heart dropped.

THEY HAVE THE GIRLS!

Collin snapped out of his daze and grabbed the rope again, shouting down to Dylan. “Forget the door! We’ve got to go, now!” Dylan, clutching the rope and feeling the urgency, yelled back, “Just get me out of here!” He winced as his leg throbbed, but there was no time to worry about the pain. He gripped the rope tightly, and with Grayson and Collin pulling, he was out of the pit in no time. Trying to keep the obvious pain he was feeling off his face.

“Riley’s keeping an eye on them,” Landon said between breaths. “But we don’t have long before Jason and his guys make a move.” Collin’s mind was racing. How did this happen? How did Jason get the drop on Shiloh and Callie? They were supposed to be distracting the men, but somehow things had gone wrong. And now they were caught in a dangerous situation.

“We need a plan,” Grayson said urgently, wiping the dirt from his hands after helping pull Dylan out. “We can’t just rush in there without thinking.”

Dylan, now sitting up and trying to steady himself, grimaced. “Rushing in might be the only option we’ve got. They’re in danger.”

Collin nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders. His plan had gotten his sister, and his girlfriend caught. "Dylan’s right. We don’t have the luxury of time anymore. We need to hurry back to Riley, and work together to get them out.”

Grayson turned to Riley and Landon. “You two come with me and flank the sides of the warehouse. We need to cut off any possible escape routes. If they’re going to move the girls, they’ll try to slip out unnoticed. We must not let them. Collin, you go in with Dylan to get Shiloh and Callie.”

“What have you been smoking?” Riley angrily yelled, “if you think I’m doing anything other than going in there to get my sister out safely you’ve lost your damn mind.” Collin nodded in agreeance. “Okay,” Dylan calmy said trying to diffuse the situation, “I will stay here with Grayson, and you three go in to get the girls. Let’s move.”

They all rushed back toward the warehouse, the tension in the air thick enough to cut with a knife. Collin’s heart pounded with every step. He had never been more scared in his life—but he had also never been more determined. We’ll get them out. We have to.

As they reached the edge of the clearing, they could see the faint glow of lights inside the warehouse. The sound of muffled voices drifted through the air—there were 3 men guarding the front of the warehouse. While Jason was inside with the rest of his men.

They could see he had the girls tied up to chairs. It looked like he was trying to get information, but it didn’t look like the girls had given them anything yet.

Collin clenched his fists. “We need to move fast.” Grayson and Dylan caught up to the other three, with Dylan shifting his weight uncomfortably, trying to hide his pain. “What’s the plan? Storm in and hope we don’t get caught?”

Collin shook his head. “No. We’ll use the element of surprise. Riley, you and I will go through the back entrance while Landon, Dylan, and Grayson cover the front. If they try to make a run for it, stop them.” They all nodded in agreement. There was no time for hesitation, no time for second-guessing. It was now or never.

Chapter 12: "The Rescue"

Collin’s heart raced as he and Riley crouched low, making their way around the side of the warehouse. Every nerve in his body was on edge, but his determination burned even brighter. Callie and Shiloh need us. He glanced over at Riley, whose jaw was clenched with fury. They both knew that mistakes weren’t an option this time.

Riley whispered harshly, “If they hurt her, I’ll—" “They won’t,” Collin cut him off. “We’re getting them out.”

As they reached the back entrance, Collin signaled for Riley to keep watch while he carefully jimmied the door open with a small tool from his pocket. It clicked softly, and they slid inside, moving like shadows. Inside, the warehouse was dimly lit, the air thick with the smell of oil and metal. In the center of the room, Jason stood, circling around Callie and Shiloh like a buzzard circling a dead animal. The girls were tied to old wooden chairs, their faces pale but defiant. Jason's men were scattered around, some watching the front, others pretending not to notice the tension in the air.

Callie glared at Jason, her eyes fierce, while Shiloh kept her cool, scanning the room for any signs of help. “Where are your friends?” Jason demanded, his voice low and threatening. “We know they’re around here somewhere. You’re not just two random girls.” Callie sneered, “Maybe you should work on your people skills. We’re just trying to enjoy the view of your delightful decor.” Shiloh glanced at Callie, her lips curling in a small smile despite the situation.

Jason’s patience snapped. “Enough!” he shouted, slamming his fist on the table beside him, sending a wrench clattering to the floor. Collin's hand tightened on the doorframe as he and Riley crept further inside. Just a few more steps...

Riley’s eyes flickered toward the nearest guard, standing just a few feet away with his back turned. Silently, Riley picked up a heavy wrench from the floor, signaling to Collin to cover him. With precise and quiet movements, he snuck up behind the guard and knocked him out cold with one swift strike. The man slumped to the floor, unconscious. Collin glanced at Riley, impressed but focused. They were almost in position, just a few feet from the girls.

At that moment, Dylan, Landon and Grayson, stationed at the front, were causing a subtle distraction by tossing small rocks against the front door and rustling the bushes. The guards stationed outside grumbled, moving toward the sound, allowing the three to stay hidden in the shadows. With the front covered, Collin and Riley edged closer to the girls. Callie noticed them first, her eyes lighting up with a mixture of relief and surprise. She kept her expression neutral, though, trying not to alert Jason.

Jason, pacing again, didn’t notice Collin and Riley approach from behind. Shiloh, sensing their presence, shifted slightly in her chair, her eyes meeting Collin’s. She gave him the smallest nod.

Riley was ready to leap at Jason, but Collin grabbed his arm. We need a plan, Collin thought. Rushing him now might get everyone hurt.

Collin’s mind raced, and then he saw it—a stack of heavy crates, slightly tilted, just above where Jason was standing. If I can knock those over…

He pointed to the crates, and Riley caught on immediately. Moving silently, Collin climbed up a nearby stack of boxes, positioning himself just above the tilted pile. He eyed Jason, who was now leaning over Shiloh, trying to intimidate her into talking.

“You’re really testing my patience,” Jason growled. “If your friends don’t come for you soon, you’ll regret it.”

Collin didn’t wait a second longer. He gave the crates a strong shove, sending them crashing down toward Jason with a deafening bang. Jason barely had time to react, jumping back just in time to avoid being crushed. The crates hit the ground with a loud thud, scattering tools and parts everywhere.

Riley took the opportunity to rush forward, tackling one of Jason’s men to the ground, while Collin leapt down, sprinting toward Shiloh and Callie.

“Let’s get you out of here,” Collin said, quickly cutting the ropes binding their hands. Callie smirked at her brother. “Took you long enough.”

Jason scrambled to his feet, eyes wild with rage. “Get them!” he shouted to his remaining men.

Landon, Dylan and Grayson burst through the front door at that moment, adding to the chaos. Dylan, despite his injured leg, managed to knock one of the guards down with a well-aimed kick, while Landon and Grayson had both managed to grab a pipe, swinging them to keep the others at bay.

Jason’s eyes darted around the room. His crew was falling apart, and his plan was unraveling. Desperate, he lunged toward Shiloh, hoping to grab her as leverage. But Collin was faster. He stepped between them, landing a hard punch to Jason’s jaw, sending him crashing to the floor. Jason groaned, holding his face as he tried to recover. “We’re done here,” Collin said coldly, standing over him. Riley, having knocked out another guard, helped Callie to her feet. “Let’s go. Before more of them show up.”

The group rushed out of the warehouse, hearts still pounding. As they made it back to the truck, they couldn’t believe what had just happened. They started the evening out just trying to find who stole the missing Mustang, and then chaos ensued.

But as they drove away, Collin couldn’t shake the feeling that something was still off. Jason wasn’t just a random car thief. There was something bigger going on, and he knew they weren’t done with this fight yet.

Chapter 13: "The Morning After"

The sun was barely up, casting a soft golden glow coming in through Collin’s windows. As he heard a knock on his door. It was Riley coming to tell him to get out of bed. They needed to plan their next moves. His friends were already there, slouched over, looking just as exhausted as he felt.

“Morning,” Collin grunted as he fell into onto the living room couch. His voice was rough from the lack of sleep. “Anyone else feeling like they got run over by that Mustang?” Riley raised an eyebrow while saying, “Run over? More like dragged behind it. I’m running on fumes here.”

There was a palpable edge to the group. The events of the night before—the fight, the escape, Jason and his crew—hung in the air like a storm cloud. They were alive, but the Mustang was still missing, and Jason had managed to slip through their fingers.

“Alright,” Collin said, clapping his hands to get their attention. “We need to go back to the warehouse.” Landon groaned, rubbing his face. “Can we not? Can’t we just pretend last night was a really bad dream?” “Wish we could, man,” Dylan said, limping slightly as he leaned against the counter. “But they messed with the wrong people.”

Grayson snarkily leaned in, “Yeah, plus if we don’t go back, Collin’s gonna cry, and we can’t have that.” “Well, you saw how sweet that Mustang was, my bet is you cried yourself to sleep.” Collin quipped back.

The group decided to roll up to the warehouse in the daylight, the morning sun doing little to shake off the eerie feeling of the place. Plus, they had to bring the twins with them since their Mom had already left for work. “Can we try for once to stay out of trouble today,” Callie asked, “you know since my little brothers are here.”

They all cautiously got out and looked around. The once dark and intimidating structure now just looked... abandoned. Empty.

“Yup,” Dylan said, squinting at the building. “Still creepy in the daylight.”

Landon glanced around. “If something jumps out at me, I’m leaving you all behind. Just so we’re clear.”

Collin led the way to the door, and with a deep breath, he pushed it open. The warehouse, which had been filled with Jason’s men and stolen goods just hours before, was now completely barren. Not a tool, crate, or Mustang in sight. “Are you kidding me?” Collin muttered, stepping inside. “How could they have cleared out everything this fast?” Shiloh paced, her eyes scanning the empty floor. “It doesn’t make sense. You guys disabled their flatbed. That Mustang should still be here.” Grayson walked around the room, kicking at the dust. “They had another way out; A backup plan.”

Riley crossed his arms, unimpressed. “Nah, they clearly mastered the art of teleportation.”

Landon raised his hand, like he was in class. “Okay, not to sound dramatic, but does anyone else feel like we’re in some kind of weird cat-and-mouse game?”

“Congratulations,” Callie said dryly, “you’ve cracked the case. Jason’s playing with us.”

Collin paced the room, frustration mounting. “This was too clean. They didn’t just leave—they scrubbed the place. They knew we’d come back.”

Callie, standing in the middle of the room with the twins mused, “Maybe they left us a riddle. Or a hidden message! Like, in invisible ink or something. Hey boys, you want to play detectives with us?” “Yeah, yeah,” Mason and Ryder both shouted in unison.

“Look Callie, I’m all for solving this mystery,” Riley quickly said, “but we are not dragging the boys into this.” We need to find somewhere safe for them to go. As Collin, Callie, and Riley argued over what to do with the twins. Landon suddenly said, “hey, so where did the boys go? Did they also master teleportation?”

Panicking they all split up to look for Mason and Ryder. Did their curiosity to solve this mystery and get back at Jason and his crew now endanger their younger brothers?

Chapter 14: "Hide and Seek"

Panic surged through Collin’s chest. “Mason? Ryder?” His voice echoed off the warehouse walls as he rushed toward the nearest exit, calling for the twins.

Riley darted to the other side of the room, his normally sarcastic demeanor replaced by something much sharper. “This is why we shouldn’t bring five-year-olds into a mystery involving criminals!” he hissed. “Where the hell did they go?”

“They were right here two seconds ago!” Callie said, spinning in circles. “Maybe they’re just hiding.”

Collin’s heart pounded as he searched. “Mason! Ryder! This isn’t a game—where are you guys?”

Grayson, trying to lighten the mood despite the situation, added, “I mean, technically it’s hide and seek, and they’re winning.”

“Not helping,” Shiloh shot back, her eyes scanning the room carefully. She turned toward the shadowy part of the warehouse, where some old equipment still stood. “Maybe they wandered off to explore? Or they saw something and went after it.”

Collin cursed under his breath. How could this happen? They were supposed to be solving a mystery, not losing the twins in an abandoned warehouse.

Suddenly, a small giggle echoed from behind a rusted metal panel in the far corner. Collin’s head whipped around, and a flood of relief washed over him as he recognized Ryder’s mischievous laugh.

“There they are!” Landon said, running over and pulling aside the panel to reveal Ryder and Mason crouching behind it, wide-eyed and grinning.

“What the—" Collin started, but before he could finish, Ryder held something up—a small, shiny object that glittered in the faint light of the warehouse.

“Look what we found!” Ryder beamed, waving the object excitedly. “We’re detectives!”

Collin knelt down, ruffling Ryder’s hair before snatching the object from his hand. It was a car key. A very specific car key. Collin’s heart skipped a beat. The logo on the key was unmistakable—the Mustang.

“You’ve gotta be kidding me,” Riley muttered, leaning over to look at the key. “The kids found a clue before we did. Nice work, detectives!” Shiloh squinted at the key. “Wait… if they left this behind, maybe they didn’t get as far as we thought.”

Callie, trying to hide a smile despite the stress, said, “Good job, boys. You might’ve just saved the day.” She knelt down, hugging the twins tightly. “But please, don’t wander off like that again. Okay?”

“Okay!” Mason and Ryder chorused, clearly pleased with their detective skills.

Collin stood up, gripping the key tightly. “This means the Mustang’s still close. Jason didn’t take it far. We just need to figure out where.”

Riley raised an eyebrow. “What’s the plan?”

Collin stared down at the key, his mind working quickly. “We’re going to follow the trail. Jason thinks he’s got the upper hand, but we’ve got his key. He won’t get far.”

Chapter 15: "Checkmate"

The key led them out of the warehouse and down a narrow dirt path that stretched into the woods behind the building. As they moved deeper into the trees, the air grew cooler, and the tension mounted.

“This is definitely a setup,” Dylan grumbled, limping slightly from his earlier injury. “Walking into the woods to find a stolen car? Yeah, totally not sketchy at all.”

“Relax,” Shiloh said, though her eyes flicked around warily. “If Jason wanted to trap us, he would’ve done it at the warehouse.”

Riley rolled his eyes. “Great. So, we’re safe until we’re not.”

Collin led the way, the key clutched tightly in his hand. His heart was racing, but not just from nerves. They were so close. He could feel it.

After what felt like hours of walking, the trees began to thin out, and suddenly they stepped into a small clearing. And there it was—parked right in the middle, gleaming under the midday sun—the Mustang.

Collin’s breath caught in his throat. “There it is,” he whispered, hardly believing it. The group stared in silence for a moment, the sleek black Mustang almost looking too perfect, like a mirage in the middle of the woods.

“We did it,” Landon said, breaking the silence. “We actually found it.”

Shiloh grinned. “Guess we’re better detectives than we thought.” Collin moved toward the car, adrenaline surging through him. He pressed the button on the key fob, and with a soft click, the Mustang’s doors unlocked. He placed a hand on the hood, running his fingers over the smooth surface. “I can’t believe it,” he muttered. “We actually found it.”

Riley, ever the skeptic, hung back, eyeing the car with suspicion. “Feels too easy, doesn’t it?”

Just as Riley spoke, a soft ding echoed from inside the Mustang. Collin peeked in to see a phone buzzing on the driver’s seat. He pulled it out, and his blood ran cold.

Thought you could just walk away? You’re in deeper than you think. This isn’t over.

Collin’s stomach turned. He scanned the tree line, suddenly feeling exposed. Jason was still out there. Watching. Waiting.

“Guys,” Collin said, his voice low. “We need to get out of here. Now.”

Shiloh nodded, already moving toward the truck. “Let’s go.”

As they hurried back through the woods, the Mustang in tow, Collin couldn’t shake the feeling that they had only just scratched the surface. Jason’s game wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.

What game was he playing? Why were Collin and his friends the target? What did the car theft have to do with the rest? Were they a car theft ring or something much more sinister? And what in the hell was that door leading to in the pit?

So many unanswered questions ran through Collins mind.

Chapter 15: "Pancakes, Plots, and Pondering"

The morning after the warehouse adventure, the gang gathered at The Roadside Cafe. The sun was shining through the big windows, casting a warm glow over the syrup-drenched chaos of their booth. Collin and his friends squeezed into the booth, everyone still buzzing from the previous night’s drama.

Grayson grinned as he bit into his stack of pancakes. “So, we’re all in agreement that we’re basically action heroes now, right? We should get some sort of cool team name. Maybe like... ‘The Mystery Crew’ or ‘Mustang Marauders.’”

Callie snorted, stirring her coffee. “How about ‘The Sleep-Deprived Idiots’? It feels a little more accurate after last night.”

Dylan winced as he shifted in his seat, still nursing the bruises from their near-death escapade. “I’ll take ‘Idiots’ if it means I never have to see that warehouse again. My mom’s going to kill me when she sees the state of my leg.”

“You could tell her you saved the day,” Shiloh suggested, sipping her orange juice. “She might let you off the hook if you make it sound heroic enough.”

“Yeah, because ‘I heroically limped around a haunted warehouse and almost fell into a pit’ will totally win her over,” Dylan shot back, rolling his eyes.

Collin grinned, leaning back in the booth. “Well, hero or not, we found the Mustang. And we got out in one piece.”

“Mostly,” Riley muttered, pointing at the dried blood still clinging to Dylan’s forehead.

Callie raised a fork dramatically, her artistic flair never quite leaving. “At least we all know who the real hero was in all this.” She paused for effect, then pointed to herself. “Me. Obviously.”

Grayson feigned shock. “Oh, really? I could’ve sworn it was Collin—y’know, the guy who literally punched the bad guy.” Collin waved him off. “It was a team effort. We all played a part.”

“Yeah, my part was saving Mason and Ryder from becoming accomplices,” Riley said with a smirk. “That’s the real crime we dodged—bringing them into our detective work.”

Mason, sitting on the end of the booth next to Ryder, piped up, syrup all over his face. “We’re the heroes!” Ryder nodded vigorously. “Yeah! We found the key!”

Shiloh chuckled. “Okay, fair point. The twins are the real detectives here.”

Callie pretended to wipe away a tear. “They grow up so fast.”

The group shared a laugh, the tension of the night before finally fading away as they tucked into their breakfasts. But even as they joked, Collin couldn’t shake the feeling that something was unfinished. Jason might have gotten away, but there was still so much more to be solved. They had won—for now.

As the laughter settled, Collin raised his glass of orange juice. “To the greatest group of sleep-deprived idiots I’ve ever met.”

“Cheers!” the group echoed, clinking their glasses together with syrupy hands and wide grins.

Epilogue: "Treasure Hunts and Twists"

Later that afternoon, Collin was back in his garage, tinkering with his truck. Shiloh sat on the workbench beside him, her legs swinging as she watched him work, content with the quiet after their chaotic night.

Ryder and Mason were playing in the yard, driving toy trucks through the dirt with the same enthusiasm they’d shown during their detective escapade. Callie lounged nearby, sketching a new masterpiece inspired by the whole “mystery-solving adventure.” It featured a heroic version of herself, of course.

“I gotta say,” Shiloh said, twirling a wrench in her hands, “I didn’t think we’d actually make it out of that warehouse in one piece. We should probably take a break from mysteries for a while.”

Collin smiled. “You say that now, but we both know we’d get bored if things went back to normal.” “Touché,” Shiloh replied, grinning. “Besides, ‘normal’ isn’t really our thing.”

Just then, the twins came running up, excitement glowing in their eyes. Ryder was holding an old, dusty piece of paper, waving it around like a flag.

“Collin! Shiloh! Look what we found!” Ryder yelled, skidding to a stop in front of them.

Mason, out of breath but equally excited, chimed in. “It’s a treasure map!”

Collin raised an eyebrow and took the paper from Ryder’s hand. Sure enough, it looked like a treasure map—complete with an ‘X’ marking a spot deep in the woods just outside of town.

“You found this where?” Collin asked, flipping the paper over.

“There!” Mason said, bouncing up and down. “It was just under the porch! Buried under some old stuff!”

Shiloh leaned over to look at the map, her curiosity piqued. “You think it’s real?”

Collin chuckled. “Who knows? It’s probably just an old prank. But then again…”

Callie, overhearing them, sat up from her spot on the grass, her eyes gleaming with excitement. “Did you say treasure map? Count me in. I’m already designing my ‘Explorer Callie’ costume for the adventure.”

Before Collin could respond, Riley appeared at the door of the garage, holding a can of soda, eyebrow raised. “Oh, great. First stolen cars, now buried treasure? What’s next? We accidentally uncover a government conspiracy?”

Collin handed the map to Riley with a smirk. “We’ll see. But we’ve got to check it out, right? What kind of adventurers would we be if we didn’t?”

Riley took a long sip of his water, eyeing the map. “Fine. But if we end up in some underground labyrinth, I’m blaming you.”

The group gathered around the map, curiosity flickering in their eyes. Maybe it was just an old piece of paper. Maybe it was nothing. But then again, maybe it was the beginning of something bigger. Something that would take them on their next great adventure.

Collin grinned, a familiar spark of excitement lighting up inside him. This mystery wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.

The End… for now.