The sun was setting over Greenhill, splashing
the sky with pink and gold. John leaned
against the rickety porch railing of the town's
tavern, staring at the palace on the hill. Its tall
towers glowed like something from a
storybook, grand and full of secrets. He sipped
his lemonade, thinking about a day long ago
when he'd visited that very palace.
Back then, the palace had been buzzing with
music and laughter. A boy named Mike had
been there, standing next to his dad, Ross,
who looked like he could run the whole world.
Mike had a smile that made everyone feel
happy, and his eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Hey there," John had said, bending down to
talk to Mike. "What's your name?"
"Mike," the boy answered, grinning wide.
"How old are you, Mike?" John asked.
"Twenty years younger than my dad," Mike
said with a giggle, making John laugh.
"You're a clever one," John said, giving Mike a
friendly pat on the shoulder. "Just like your
dad!"
That memory was one of John's favorites—
Mike's big smile, the fun party, and the feeling
that everything was perfect. He never
imagined Mike would become part of a
mystery.
"John, you okay?" Jake's voice pulled him back
to the present. Jake was sprawled in a chair
across the porch, his boots propped on a crate.
He was a young man with messy hair and a
grin that said he was always ready for an
adventure.
John smiled. "Just thinking about Mike. He
was a funny kid with a great smile. I never
thought he'd disappear."
Jake sat up, surprised. "Disappear? What
happened to him?"
"You didn't hear?" John said, his voice quiet.
"Mike went missing a year ago. No one's seen
him since."
Jake's eyes widened. "That's terrible! How did
he go missing?"
John glanced at the palace, its windows
twinkling like stars. "It happened on his
eighteenth birthday, at a huge party in the
palace."
"You mean that giant house on the hill?" Jake
asked, leaning forward.
"Yup," John said. "That's where Mike's dad,
Ross, lives. He's a big-deal businessman, so he
has a palace, not a regular house like us."
Jake crossed his arms. "Well, if I didn't have
my family keeping me here, I'd leave
Greenhill and live somewhere exciting!"
John chuckled. "Oh yeah? Where would you
go?"
"A big city!" Jake said, his eyes shining. "Or
that palace. It looks amazing!"
"You wouldn't last one day in a city," John
teased. "And that palace? It's not as safe as it
seems."
Jake made a face. "What do you mean? It's just
a fancy house!"
"Haven't you heard the stories?" John said,
lowering his voice like he was sharing a
secret. "Weird things happen at that palace."
Jake rolled his eyes. "You mean those silly
tales about the Greenhill Palace? They're just
made-up stories!"
John frowned. "What about the people who
got lost in the forest behind the palace?
Like Mike?"
Jake shrugged. "I don't believe in mysteries
unless I see them myself."
"Then you should've been at Mike's birthday
party," John said mysteriously.
Jake's curiosity sparked. "I was out of town
that day, or I'd have been there! What
happened at the party?"
John shook his head. "It was a year ago. Let's
not talk about it."
"Oh, come on!" Jake begged, grinning. "Tell me
about the Greenhill Palace mysteries!"
John sighed. "You wouldn't believe me
anyway."
"I would if you took me there!" Jake said, his
eyes twinkling with excitement.
John shook his head. "No way. Ross would be
so mad if I brought you to his palace."
"But you're his best friend!" Jake said. "And
they're away for a whole week!"
"I'm not taking you," John said firmly. "That
palace has super valuable paintings and stuff.
You'd probably touch everything!"
"Hey!" Jake said, pretending to be offended.
"I'm practically a detective. I'd be careful!"
John laughed. "A detective? Like that goofy TV
show you watch?"
"I solved that argument between Jess and that
guy last month," Jake said proudly.
"That doesn't make you a detective," John
said, still smiling.
Jake threw his hands up. "Okay, fine! But
please, just take me to the palace!"
John looked at Jake's eager face and sighed.
"Alright, alright. We'll go at five tonight. The
butler leaves then, so the palace will be
empty."
Jake cheered. "Yes! I promise I won't touch
anything without asking!"
"You better not," John said. "Meet me at the
Golden Circle, and don't be late."
The hill to the palace was steep, and Jake's
boots kicked up dust as he climbed. The sun
was almost gone, and the sky was turning
purple. John was supposed to meet him at the
Golden Circle, but he hadn't shown up. Jake
was too excited to wait, so he decided to go to
the palace alone.
When he reached the top, he stopped and
stared.
The palace was even cooler up close, with
huge doors and vines climbing the walls like
green ribbons. Behind it, a forest stretched
out, its trees swaying in the breeze. The palace
looked like it belonged in an adventure book.
"Wow," Jake said, grinning. "This place isn't
spooky at all!"
Inside, the palace was like a dream. A giant
room with shiny floors and sparkling
chandeliers greeted him. A big staircase
curled up to the next floor, and pictures of
fancy people and pretty places hung on the
walls. Jake walked slowly, his eyes wide,
feeling like an explorer in a new world.
He wandered into a bedroom and saw a photo
on the wall. It was Mike, smiling his big,
happy smile, standing next to Ross in front of
the palace. Jake's heart felt a little heavy.
Where are you, Mike?
A window caught his attention, showing the
forest outside, now dark and mysterious. He
was about to turn away when he saw
something move—a shadowy figure climbing
up the palace wall! Jake's heart raced, but he
was more curious than scared.
He hid in a closet, peeking out as the figure
slipped through the window and landed in the
room.
The person wore a mask and carried a black
bag. "The butler's gone," he whispered, then
hurried out of the room.
Jake's mind buzzed. Who is that? How does he
know when the butler leaves? He decided to
follow, tiptoeing quietly. The masked person
was looking for something, checking shelves
and peeking behind pictures. He moved
through the palace like he knew every corner,
which made Jake super curious.
Jake kept following, staying sneaky. When the
person went into the kitchen, Jake thought he
might be getting a snack. But then the figure
stopped and took off the mask.
Jake's jaw dropped. He couldn't believe his
eyes. No way! It's Mike!