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

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

  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!