middlegrade – DADESTAR KIDS HIDEOUT

September 3, 2021May 12, 2024

MYSTERY OF GHOST PEAK: PART ONE

***“YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE SEEN, TO BE HEARD”***

The two flat masses of sharp black clouds drew back like curtains slowly revealing the blue September moon. Cade stared with bright, shifting eyes at the new, sleek blue shimmering alien tower set within the mountains just to the northwest of Gold Peak where the new Cashes Dade has been established.

“Why do you think they built that there?” asked Blake.

“I think they’re trying to find Ghost Peak too,” said Cade.

“How many times have you seen it?” asked Drew.

“A few,” answered Josiah, standing completely still, staring across the sea of lower mountains under dark blue shine. His short, flat hair falling partly over his eyes was coloured neon blue. Glittering lights grew dim along the half circle roof of the alien tower. A deep humming vibrated through the rocky ground under their feet.

“They’re sending hidden ships out,” Blake said quietly.

“So what are we waiting for?” asked Cade, stepping around in a bizarre pattern.

“I always see it close to the ghosts,” Josiah answered. “Wait until they come out.”

“Then what?” asked Drew.

“Then the games begin…”

It’s time for the first mystery challenge of Chapter Three of the mystery series, The Cashes Dade Ghost Strikers. The mystery to solve for this story is:

How do you see where Ghost Peak is?

Can you figure it out? Leave a comment below if you have a guess. The answer will be revealed in the next post. These are the key lines from a song that give the clue:

“The moonlight burns bright blue

Then the night fires cross the two

That’s when the Ghost Peak appears

But the only way is through your tears…”

Bright blue moonlight splashed down into the lower valleys. Dark mist kicked up from the narrow field between two rows of small, jagged peaks.

Cade slowly broke a smile. “Showtime.”

“You said it,” said Josiah. “Follow me.” With that, Josiah disappeared over the edge. Cade, Blake, and Drew slid down the slick, grassy slope. Blake glanced up at the sky. Sleek black clouds streamed slowly overhead. The slope leveled out.

Josiah went blazing up the series of hills. The kids began falling behind.

“Did you know he was this fast?” asked Drew.

“We’ll catch up,” said Blake.

“I don’t…see him,” Cade said between breaths.

“No one’s faster than us,” said Blake as they charged over another hill. Two broad, flat mountains appeared under the soft blue breaking moonlight, crossing directly ahead.

“Then where is he?” asked Cade.

“Maybe we somehow got ahead of him?” Blake answered with a half shrug. Bright, fast-paced singing started up far ahead.

“You were saying?” Cade said with a smile.

“Why is he singing so loud?” asked Blake as they pushed up the long, rocky slope.

“He’s going to lead the ghosts right to him,” said Drew.

“Do you see him?” asked Cade.

“No.”

“Then they don’t either.” Blake checked his pocketwatch: 1:30. Cade gazed up at the sky. Blue moonlight flickered through the breaks around several dark spots. “Stay low, close to the rocks,” Cade whispered. Dark figures appeared along the top of the ridge.

“Get down, get down,” Blake whispered. Josiah’s fast singing drifted further and further away on the other side. The dark figures disappeared over the edge. “Let’s go.” The kids sprinted up the long slope. The singing suddenly stopped. The kids exchanged nervous looks.

“Hurry, hurry,” said Cade. Blake checked his pocketwatch: 1:45, as they reached the top where it flattened out to several wide fields surrounded by small, rounded peaks. The kids stopped momentarily, gazing around. Dark figures spread out across the fields to their left and right.

“I still don’t see him,” said Drew.

“Stop, listen, listen,” Cade whispered.

“It’s almost the time, it’s almost the time,” a ghost whispered close by.

“Get ready.”

“I don’t think they found him yet,” Blake whispered.

“Now where?” asked Drew. Cade pointed to a cluster of rocks just ahead and to the right. “How we getting there unseen?” He pointed to the dark spirits searching in all directions ahead of them.

“We need a good vantage point,” said Cade.

“How we getting there?” asked Blake.

“Well, they’re looking for movement,” said Cade, “so I guess we don’t move, but get there, without moving.” Drew and Blake watched him with sharply intrigued and confused expressions. “So we stay still, but get there, without moving.”

“Anyone have any real ideas?” asked Blake. Drew just shrugged. Cade looked up at the sky. Sleek dark clouds kept streaming slowly across. Soft blue moonlight blending with the distant scattered stars flickered through a few narrow breaks. Cade turned his gaze to the various rocks catching the blue reflections momentarily. Then he broke a smile.

“He figured it out,” said Drew. “Or he just thought of something funny.”

“Both,” said Cade, getting three small candles out of his backpack. “It’ll be funny sneaking right past all the dumb ghosts.”

“So what are we doing?” asked Blake.

“We’re lighting these candles with blue light,” Cade answered.

“So they’ll see exactly where we are?” Blake challenged.

“Dim, blue lights,” said Cade, “on these candes they’ll flicker off and on. We stay low to the ground and we’ll blend right in with the rocks catching the flickering moonlight.”

“Doesn’t sound any crazier than anything else we’ve tried,” said Drew. Blake shrugged and took the candle from Cade who had a half-crazed expression on his face.

“I think he’s catching too much moonlight,” he muttered as the kids crawled fast along the ground toward the rock cluster. Several dead whistles shot out around them. Neon green lights lit up in clusters as the ghosts gathered on the field to their left. Blake glanced at his pocketwatch. As the kids made their way to the top of the rock cluster, the ghosts began to dance under the flickering blue lights. Dark clouds continued to stream across the sky from the east and the west. The kids looked around anxiously. There was still no sign of Josiah…

May 28, 2021August 2, 2025

WHO IS IT?

The Cashes Dade Ghost Strikers Book Two is out now on Amazon. Click on one of the following links to buy it on Amazon.

Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B095N542R4

Ebook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0963Q9V3S

Cade Mayson continues his mission to find the clues he believes his parents are sending him to begin the DadeStar Revolution against the aliens. If you want to learn more about the series and check out information about the first book, check out the page BUY THE BOOKS. Otherwise, you can read on to learn more about the next book in this series and check out a bonus mystery challenge at the end that will offer a key clue about the mystery in this next book.

Cade Mayson still believes his parents really joined the aliens on a secret spy mission. He’s determined not to miss the key clue he believes they’re preparing to send him. But now, the aliens aren’t just trying to destroy Cashes Dade, they’re coming after him.

New alien lights made many students in Cashes Dade terribly sick. The aliens couldn’t care less how many students would have to miss the Spring Games. They claimed the lights were a medicine, exposing those students who are just lazy and disruptive.

Seven citizens protesting the lights were shot dead on Bloody Friday. Cashes Dade declared war. Now they’re surrounded by the aliens, trapped in the mountains’ underground network. The kids heard someone whispering with the dark spirits, prepared to spy for the aliens. All they could see was a dark orange star patch meaning it was one of the seven army leads.

Cade, Blake, and Drew will have to step up their detective skills, their stealth, but most of all, their determination to fight back. How can Cashes Dade break through the trap? Which mountain can they find protection from the aliens? The key will be revealing the spy. Can the kids solve this mystery before it’s too late? Who is it?

Check out the Cardaya Prophecy to see the clues, then check out the Suspect’s Profile to see if you can figure out who the spy is.

CARDAYA PROPHECY:

The dark enemy will take advantage of what we all crave

The fences that protect them could become their grave

The ambitious one will fly through the night too high

Dark storms always hide their trail across the sky

A dark secret passes through the moon-lit sea

They are not as superior as they seem to be

Finding the blazing star in the sky will make you free

Look for the mountain among the spiral galaxy

The swinging lantern in the settling dark is the key

Staring at the brilliant light will confuse what you see

Take one step at a time while you focus on what’s key

The blazing ghost will step up to enter the great fight

Dark curtains will close on them from out of sight

The way through is by charging ahead even in the darkest night

Turn to the glowing, the green ghost singing in the moonlight

SUSPECTS PROFILE:

Austin Camdade:

*Third position in the Army

*Dreams about exploring new places

*Into mountain climbing

Bennie Maysher:

*Second position in the Army

*Dreams about being great war hero

*Into horse racing

Carlie Madsher:

*Seventh position in the Army

*Dreams about becoming legendary actor and playwriter

*Into reading and writing

Christy Caldade:

*Fifth position in the Army

*Dreams about owning a shop for rare and special minerals

*Into mountain climbing and exploring

Jonathan Cayson:

*First position in the Army

*Dreams about owning library of amazing, rare books of great discovery

*Into mountain climbing and reading, discovering

Julie Cassher:

*Sixth position in the Army

*Dreams about making unbelievable discoveries of rare and amazing jewels

*Into making and putting together puzzles

Ryan Cardade:

*Fourth position in the Army

*Dreams about playing big concerts and playing legendary guitar solos

*Into music and shooting

Now it’s time for the final mystery challenge. If you haven’t been following them, check out the first one by clicking on the post titled: WHAT’S HIDDEN IN BRENNAN’S PAINTING? The final word and overall sentence that reveals what is behind the aliens’ destructive fountain lights will be revealed after the next paragraph so don’t scroll down too far. The answer will appear directly below the next paragraph. The final clue is how Cade finds the mountain. The clue will be seen in how he responds. That will be the key…

From time to time, while the citizens of Cashes Dade are hiding in the underground network of the mountains, Cade Mayson slips away to explore the tunnels. One night, he set out to find a mountain peak called “Secret Key Peak.” They say it’s really hard to find. Cade jogged up the winding tunnels lit by dark orange lantern lights. He moved fast, jumping high on random rocks set throughout, while tapping his sides in a fast, energetic rhythm. Then he came to a three-way split. One tunnel went down to the left lit by neon green lanterns. Another one went down to the right lit by swaying gold candle clusters flickering in a fast pace. Another one went straight ahead lit by dark orange lanterns. Cade thought for a moment, then took the one with gold candle clusters. He raced up the winding tunnel until reaching the end. He climbed up a rocky slope to the top, shaped like a key. He gazed out and saw an alien tower directly ahead. It was a massive dome with green lights flashing rhythmically to a slow, steady booming. Glittering stars flew around inside the deep blue glass over the top. Dark, tall figures drifted around inside. Cade started bouncing to the beat, tapping his sides rhythmically. Bizarre alien voices called out back and forth. They were trying something, but they couldn’t quite get it right. They couldn’t make it work. It just didn’t sound right…

The final word is: MUSIC

Aliens hate students’ determined, energetic music.

Cade Mayson will discover a secret in the shiny key

The aliens are hiding who they really want to be…

May 21, 2021May 12, 2024

CHARACTER FUN FACTS: WHAT DID CADE SEE?

“I can’t stop seeing it, in my dreams, and my nightmares. I got myself just a bit, kind of, sort of, lost. I was way, way out in the mist that turned neon green suddenly. I saw it when my parents were still with me, before they joined the aliens, leaving me behind.

One day we went out to a lake deep in the mountains west of Cashes Dade just to explore. I remember being really excited because we almost never did things like that. My parents were always busy with their furniture business. We hiked around the beach for awhile, then started fishing. I caught 12 fish! Okay it was more like 7. But after awhile, when I had only caught 4, okay it was 4, my dad suggested I take the boat and go out and explore for another good place to fish way out. My dad gave me a map of the lake, put the 2 fish I caught into a basket in the water, and sent me on my way.

I went way, way out across the deep blue lake. We were completely surrounded by mountains. I gazed up to decide which ones I should climb, how daring I would be, how I would get through that zigzag rock cluster on the really tall one, maybe I could work my way in between the narrow path, or maybe there’s an underground tunnel, then I looked up and I was way, and I mean, way out. I turned back to see my parents in the distance. This gray mist around me kicked up across the water. Then I saw a shadowy person approach my parents…“

It’s time to reveal the answer for the last mystery challenge. If you haven’t yet, check out the previous post titled LET’S ROLL to see if you can solve the mystery. Otherwise, let’s reveal the answer. The answer for what word the prophecy was pointing to as a clue about the alien fountain lights is:

Energetic

Did you get it right? What do you think the final word in the sentence will be? What does it mean? Leave a comment below.

Cade can overcome a lot of things, except maps. If the aliens could turn themselves into maps Cade would be in serious trouble. He just doesn’t get them. If you see the expression on his face when he’s looking at a map you would think he was trying to read a foreign language written upside down covered in mud. He gets this seriously intense, confused look like he’s in just awful pain. Maybe he is. He can’t figure out the directions, what the pictures are, and he’s especially confused by distances. He seems to think the distance on the map is the same as the actual distance.

Cade always gets lost, then he gets more lost, and then he somehow finds his way back. He tends to wander a lot, and doesn’t seem to have any sense of purpose. One time, some of his friends watched him from a ridge as he wandered through a forest below. They watched curiously as he kept turning, making this crazy zig-zag pattern.

Cade is not so good with boats either, but at least if he falls out (which has been known to happen), he won’t drown in the water. He seems to have a great sense of direction with the currents and waves, and has this really smooth way of swimming. He kind of shoots off and glides for a good while, and just like on the ground, he changes direction remarkably fast. He almost never swims so how he moves so well in the water is yet another mystery.

“Strong waves started hitting the boat, knocking me around. I got the paddle and pushed really fast, back and forth like zigzagging. I was playing tag with the waves which means I would win. After an hour I finally got past them. Then the mist turned neon green around me. I struggled to see through the mist. I saw the shadows of my parents with another shadow. The shadowy figure was holding something, something my parents were looking at for a long time. I couldn’t quite tell what it was. It was kind of large and pear shaped. I couldn’t quite tell what it was and then the mist filled in around me so I couldn’t see them at all. That’s when I heard it…”

May 14, 2021May 14, 2021

LET’S ROLL

The aliens have been trying to destroy the BlackStar Ranked Students of Cashes Dade. They are the ones classed as failures; lazy and disruptive. They claimed the intense, bright neon green lights were meant to save them, but only if they were willing to work hard and follow their One Way to succeed. They don’t allow students to learn in their own ways or be creative. But a bright, fast-talking, fast-singing, fast-moving 12 year old named Josiah Mardade found his own way to quickly overcome the terrible illness. It all happened during a bizarre fire fight with the aliens. His recovery was incredibly fast and mysterious. His dad, Todd Mardade, made a secret plan with six others to destroy the fountain lights. It’s time for another mystery challenge where we will check out the alien battle Josiah was involved in, to figure out the key word in the prophecy at the end. This word will be another clue for what’s really going on with the alien fountain lights. When you have all the words, you will have the answer, but the answer will lead to bigger questions. Now the aliens are coming after Josiah. Why? What does he have that they want? The key clue is revealed by the words Todd said to the other six right before they made their decision to risk their lives to protect their people. You see, the question is, what will you be? The people of Cashes Dade will never forget them, when he turned to them with strong defiance and said, “Let’s roll.”

When the seven citizens were shot dead, including Todd Mardade, Cashes Dade declared war on the aliens. Ever since the first alien attack on Cashes Dade a year and a half ago, the people of Cashes Dade, led by Todd, have been developing their massive underground in the mountains west of Cashes Dade. They built all the tunnels and undeground chambers many years ago when dark spirits began haunting the land. But after the attack, many people went to work strengthening the structures and stockpiling food, supplies, medicines, and weapons in secret places. It’s basically a massive, complicated maze where they can hide from the aliens. When the dark spirits are sent in to capture them, they can run to another secret location in the underground. Most of the tunnels are lit by dark orange lanterns, some by dark gold-lit chandeliers, and others by deep blue lantern lights. The people made the tunnels really confusing and hard to follow, thus easy for Cade, Blake, and Drew to mis-direct the dark spirits trying to find the people and key supply locations. It’s also great for endless games of hide and seek.

On Friday night, after the murders of the seven protestors, the leaders of Cashes Dade held a secret meeting deciding to declare war. They got the citizens ready to move out fast, set up their cannons, and began shooting at the alien towers on Saturday night. The sky was calm and quiet as sleek blue clouds slowly streamed across the sky. Moonlight barely broke through various points down to the slick dark green field spread before them. Josiah hid down in a trench with a group of soldiers who were good friends of his dad, with the mountains behind them. The distant alien tower glowed in a fiery green haze in the silent, chilling night. Josiah just stared out with an empty, distant gaze, shaking with sharp chills and a strong fever. Then he gazed up at the breaking moonlight rhythmically flickering through the passing clouds. High in the distance, through the passing waves, a shooting star blazed across the dark sky.

In a sudden flash, the alien tower went completely dark. The soldiers watched and waited. As they watched the calm flowing sky, seven blurry green sleek triangular alien crafts slowly appeared just hanging still in the clouds. A distant eerie whistling sound played out over the field sounding like it was slowly falling. That’s when Josiah suddenly jumped up with eyes lit. He started running up the line, singing a bright, energetic song with a fast-paced rising melody. Then the Cashes Dade dark orange fires lit up the sky…

When the alien towers burn the night

When they put out the last light

When they try to crush every student’s dream

When they shoot out their intense, searching beam

When they overwhelm the sky with confusion and dark

When the rejected creative student sits alone at the park

When cold darkness overwhelms in relentless waves

When all you can do is dream of living in the graves

When the alien’s burning white eyes stare down at you

When you feel like there is nothing more you can do

Remember what the defiant leader said before the end

It was a call to turn from despair, the loss of a friend

It was a call to be energetic, to live in the light

The sign to reveal the truth is the star shooting through the night…

May 13, 2021May 12, 2024

CHARACTER FUN FACTS: IS RYAN CARDADE THE SPY?

The citizens of Cashes Dade are hiding in the mountains, trapped in the underground, surrounded by the aliens. But the enemy is also within. An alien spy is among them, secretly trying to take them down. But Cade Mayson and his friends are on the case, and the greatest revelation may come at an unexpected time, in a concert…

The prophecy hints at someone from Cashes Dade preparing to turn on them, preparing to give them up to the aliens. Ghostly whispers are heard in every distant, dark corner. Cade, Blake, and Drew are running constantly, trying to keep track of everything the seven Army Leads are doing and saying, but it’s hard to keep up with everything that’s going on. The aliens are coming after them with everything they have.

Ryan puts a lot of energy into the underground concert where they plan to play Bloody, Bloody Friday for the first time. Is he focused on sending a message to the aliens? Or is the concert meant to be some kind of distraction? The prophecy also refers to a ghost singing in the moonlight…

Its time to check out the seventh and final suspect. There is no significance to the order of the suspects in these posts because they are being presented in alphabetical order by first name. Ryan Cardade is one of the seven Cashes Dade Army Leads. One of them has to be the spy, because someone was seen by Cade and his friends, talking to the dark spirits in the tunnels, getting ready to give away Cashes Dade’s key secrets. They couldn’t be seen or heard clearly enough to be identified, but a dark orange star patch was seen on their shoulder marking them as one of the seven leads. Now that we’ve seen all of them, leave a comment below if you think you know who it is. Cade, Blake, and Drew are on their way back to Cashes Dade to help out their people in their war against the aliens. Will they be able to figure out how to break through? The prophecy hints at a mountain they can escape to where they will be protected from the aliens. But the key to solving this mystery will be figuring out which one of these seven army leads is the spy. Who is it?

Ryan Cardade is somewhat awkward with short, wild dark hair shooting out every which way.

He is rough, wild, and kind of crazy.

He is really into music and loud crashing sounds.

He talks pretty calmly and to the point.

He takes the fourth position in the formation for the army leads.

He is a really strong fighter. He’s great at holding the line and firing powerfully at the enemy.

Ryan owned a guitar shop in Cashes Dade. He loved to make the most unique and loud guitars possible. He dreams of playing legendary concerts while playing legendary guitar solos.

One time Ryan was working on a new guitar he called “Hell Crasher.” I’m not sure exactly what that was supposed to mean, but basically, it was meant to be loud. He was on stage at the grand blue crystal concert hall dimly lit by dark orange chandelier clusters through the three levels, preparing for a concert that night, most of all testing out this new guitar. They don’t have electricity but they have a way of mixing certain powders that amplify the sound in the guitar. He kept trying it out on stage, playing strong, powerful chords that shook the arena, but every time he did the same thing, just walked away shaking his head. “It’s not loud enough. It’s not loud enough. I want this place to feel like it’s about to collapse.” He mixed stronger powders into it. Several people warned him about it, but he just waved them off. He played several chords, and the guitar started on fire. “You’ve got the hell part right,” one guy said close by. Ryan shot him a fiery intense look. Then he went back to work.

It’s kind of a mystery how they make their instruments play so strong and loud, a mystery that even the aliens are trying to figure out.

Around the time of the concert, Cashes Dade scouts see a lot of activity happening around a massive, green-lit alien complex. They see dark spirits streaming in from various directions, sleek, triangular shaped alien ships in fiery blue glows flying through the deep blue streaming clouds landing somewhere near the top of the stretched, curved complex. Dark golden lights glow like slow moving flames inside the grand windows. Sour horns blared out loud and strong, shaking the walls. A sonic boom overtook the sky, shutting out every other sound. Blurry moonlight spilled across the high rooftop where several lead aliens met, preparing for an announcement…

The final clues are Ryan’s three best known quotes:

“Let’s rock it”

“Play it loud”

“Any way you can, get your message heard”

May 9, 2021May 12, 2024

CHARACTER FUN FACTS: IS JULIE CASSHER THE SPY?

“This way, this way,” Cade whispered. The kids rushed into sharper chills. Dim, dark orange lanterns spaced far apart swung slowly as they jogged down the winding tunnel.

“Did you see who it was?” asked Blake.

“No, it was too dark,” Cade answered. Neon green lights appeared near the end. They began to hear ghostly whispers. “Slow down, slow down,” Cade said to the other two behind him.

“What?” asked Drew.

“I said slow…” Cade turned back as Drew ran into him. “Down.”

“Oh, we’re getting close.” The kids crept toward the bend. They got down low and listened close. Blake peered around the corner. Three dark spirits stood among the green lights. One pointed ahead and whispered, “Wait for the signal, the distant relatively slow burning flame…”

Its time to check out the next suspect. We’re on number six of seven. There is no significance to the order of the suspects in these posts because they are being presented in alphabetical order by first name. Julie Cassher is one of the seven Cashes Dade Army Leads. One of them has to be the spy, because someone was seen by Cade and his friends, talking to the dark spirits in the tunnels, getting ready to give away Cashes Dade’s key secrets. They couldn’t be seen or heard clearly enough to be identified, but a dark orange star patch was seen on their shoulder marking them as one of the seven leads. We will have seen six of the suspects after this post, with only one more to be revealed. Leave a comment below if you think you know who it is already. But before we check out her profile and an intriguing story about her, it’s time to reveal the answer for the last mystery challenge. If you haven’t read the previous post called WHAT DOES CASEY CARDADE KNOW ABOUT THE ALIENS? check it out to see if you can solve the mystery for the post and perhaps even figure out the greater mystery of the alien fountain lights in Cashes Dade.
Here is the answer: The key word in the prophecy was: determined

What are the dark spirits waiting for in the tunnel? Is the spy getting ready to reveal something important about the Cashes Dade underground? The aliens seem to be preparing something, something big…

Julie Cassher is tough and strong with short, smooth black hair.

She is kind of loud, active, and brutally honest.

She is really into puzzles and loves putting them together.

She is a loud and fast talker, constantly blurting out what’s on her mind.

She takes the sixth position in the formation for the army leads.

She is a really tough fighter. She’s great at working and leading through confusion.

Julie was a lead miner working for one of the top mining companies of Cashes Dade. She seems to have a great sense of direction in the deep dark. She dreams of making an unbelievable discovery.

The sound of Josiah Mardade’s young, sweet, energetic voice soared through the dark underground tunnel lit by small, dark orange lanterns. He sang a fast, rhythmic song to the pace of his swinging ax. Several weeks before the event of Bloody Friday, Todd Mardade’s 12 year old son, Josiah, was working in the mines with seven others led by Julie Cassher. Josiah has short, matted blonde hair and bright eyes. As he sang, bouncing along, Julie slowly paced back and forth checking the progress. Josiah’s song waves played through the tunnel, as well as up through the left side tunnel sloping high, twisting back and forth toward the upper mountain halls. His bright, energetic notes hit the pulsing dark orange lights, dancing in the glittering breeze. In a sudden chilling rush, all the lights blew out. They heard a loud crashing boom.

Julie lit up several small blue candles and sent a few miners to check the tunnel exit. The main tunnel was blocked. Frantic whispers played out. Distant ghostly whistles echoed through the lower tunnels. Julie called them all together, clapping and shouting impatiently.

“We’re going up the left tunnel. I’m going to go ahead on my own and explore the upper tunnels to find a safe way before we all get buried. Look for my dark blue light shining in the dark. Follow that.” Then she disappeared. Josiah sang a quiet, slow building, energetic song as they worked their way through the chilling dark. Their glittering blue lights pulsed to the fast rhythm of Josiah’s song, getting faster and faster. Ghostly whispers echoed back and forth in the higher tunnels when they saw the distant dark blue light, burning like a slow flame…

The final clues are Julie’s three best known quotes:

“Keep on fighting for what’s right”

“Just keep pushing on, and pushing through”

“Follow the light of the way”

April 30, 2021May 11, 2024

WHAT DOES CASEY CARDADE KNOW ABOUT THE ALIENS?

No one knows exactly where the aliens came from. They claim to have a supreme, vast empire across the universe with great kingdoms and cities on numerous planets they’ve conquered. Once in a speech to the citizens of Cashes Dade they displayed a massive picture of the spiral galaxy of stars showing bright, intense white clusters showing where their empires were established. One of the students sitting in the audience during this speech was Casey Cardade, and through his bored gaze he noticed something mysterious…

It’s time for the next mystery challenge. The aliens’ intense fountain lights are making students really sick across Cashes Dade. Todd Mardade and six other citizens are developing a plan to destroy it. The rest of the people are building up weapons and supplies in their massive underground network in the mountains to prepare for war. Meanwhile Cade, Blake, and Drew are getting ready to return from their mission to attempt to destroy the crystal crown located in an alien school in Marcaydas. The crown lights are giving students a deadly illness. The kids are trying to figure out how to destroy it, but the problem is the crown is set on top of a giant statue that’s floating high in mid-air. How can they reach it? Find out what happens in the first book of the series called:

MYSTERY OF THE ALIENS’ DAYLUSTAR STATUE

In this mystery challenge, see if you can find the key word in the prophecy at the end of the post that offers another clue about what’s really going on with the aliens’ intense, destructive fountain lights. Can you figure it out? Leave a comment below if you think you know. The words in the previous three mystery challenges, along with this one, and the next two will form the sentence that reveals the answer for the mystery of the alien lights. The key clue for this mystery challenge is to figure out what the aliens are looking for…

Casey Cardade is a sixth grader with short, kind of choppy dark hair that slants slightly and falls low over his dark, deep set eyes. He’s a quiet, intense, mysterious kid who doesn’t say much, but when he does you better listen, because he does not like to repeat himself. He is great at making furniture and carving in intriguing designs. No one ever knows what the designs are supposed to be, yet they always look just right for whatever the furniture piece is. He sat back in his chair, gazing with an icy stare at the distant stage as the alien messenger continued the aliens’ message to Cashes Dade:

“You cannot even begin to imagine the vast knowledge we hold. Your students should follow our One Way because we know the way to succeed, and it’s not by exploring new ideas, trying to be creative, trying to find new ways. Every planet we conquered has a different light in a different colour. This light will shine through everything; all the towers, structures, landforms, forests, and ships glow with this light. The dark powers of this land will defeat you because you all try to go your own ways instead of being united in our One Way. We bring in ships from every planet we conquered to this land, bringing in every power we have to help your countries. There is a cancer still among you, but soon our lights will burn it out completely…”

One day Casey was working on a black marble table in his parents’ shop. He carved in a spiral design, showing numerous stars in various shapes and sizes. In fact each one was slightly different. Later that afternoon, two aliens entered the shop to inspect the business and collect their share in the profits. They walked slowly around the shop while Casey worked hard and fast to put the finish on it, making the surface smooth and shimmering. Casey didn’t notice them because he was too focused on his work. Legend has it that a cow once entered the shop and Casey still didn’t look up. No one really knows whether this really happened. When they saw his table, they stopped and stared. Casey watched as their crescent moon eyes went really dim, almost dark. Then they looked away. That night, the fountain lights mysteriously shined directly into his room and he came down with the illness. Within the spiral design on his table, he had also carved various clusters that were all the same exact shape. The stars glowed various colours in different lights, but the clusters all shined with the same white light, all moving in the same direction, as if searching, searching in the direction of earth…

Intense, neon green lights will fill the sky

Our greatest enemy will appear so high

But dark secrets in the shadows lie

Wait for the table to turn in the night

We are determined to stand and fight

Their reflecting lights will try to see

But they don’t know what we are, we’re free

Alien eyes are shaped like the moon

That’s because their light will die soon

They try to gaze through a window at us below

But mirrors only show what you already know

They will struggle to figure out our true name

They will try to inspire us to want great fame

But the silent student has discovered the key

The aliens are not what they claim to be…

April 29, 2021April 29, 2021

CHARACTER FUN FACTS: IS JONATHAN CAYSON THE SPY?

Several ghosts whispered in the gloomy dark. They were answered by another whisper, sounding human. Cade, Blake, and Drew jogged fast down the wide, dim underground tunnel lit by dingy dark orange lanterns swinging slowly back and forth. Several lights flickered in slow bouncing rhythm around the corner.

“Hurry, hurry,” Cade whispered. They pushed into the chilling air. Whispers echoed ahead of them.

“I can’t hear them,” said Drew. “Did you hear anything they said?”

“I think they’re asking how long you should wait to swim after you eat,” Cade answered as they moved around the corner.

“Ghosts can’t swim,” said Blake.

“Yeah they can,” said Drew, “they just…you know…” Blake and Cade glanced back at Drew curiously trying to interpret his awkward stretching moves. The tunnel came to an end, splitting out left and right. The kids stopped and gazed down both halls barely lit by a single row of dark orange lanterns. Deadly whispers played out from both directions.

“Which way?” asked Blake with his arms out wide.

“I’m not sure,” Cade answered. He gazed down the left tunnel where the ghostly whispers echoed out in a slow bouncing rhythm. Then he turned down the right tunnel where the ghostly whispers shot back and forth between the walls. They listened close in the chilling silence and began to hear the whispers more clearly:

“The signs are almost complete…”

Its time to check out the next suspect. We’re on number five of seven. If you haven’t already, take a look at the previous four Character Fun Facts Features. You can go to the page LIST OF POSTS and scroll down to see every feature discussing the suspects. It’s important to remember there is no significance to the order of the suspects in these posts because they are being presented in alphabetical order by first name. Jonathan Cayson is one of the seven Cashes Dade Army Leads. One of them has to be the spy, because someone was seen talking to the dark spirits in the tunnels, getting ready to give away Cashes Dade’s key secrets. They couldn’t be seen or heard clearly enough to be identified, but a dark orange star patch was seen on their shoulder marking them as one of the seven leads. We will have seen five of the suspects after this post, with two more to be revealed. Have we seen the spy already? Or is the spy yet to be revealed? Leave a comment below what you think so far. Tell us if you think one of the five suspects we’ve seen is the spy and why. Let’s check out his profile and an intriguing story about him to find out a key question; was the person the kids heard whispering in the tunnels Jonathan Cayson?

Jonathan Cayson is tall, thin, and strong with short, dark smooth hair. His face his completely smooth shaven.

He’s calm, quiet, smooth, and kind of secretive.

He likes mountain climbing, and loves to point to a distant peak and declare he will go there, and see everything for miles.

He talks calmly and quietly, but has a bright intensity.

He takes the fifth position in the formation for the army leads.

He’s good at scouting, seeing what the enemy is doing and reacting.

Jonathan owned the library in Cashes Dade. He dreamed about collecting the best and rarest books of the world, and loves to read and discover new ideas.

One night, well before the first alien attack on Cashes Dade, Cade and Blake went to a special game night at the library run by Jonathan. They gathered with the other kids in the grand castle reading room where shelves of books rose up high up terraced walls. The shelves stood on numerous levels like giant steps moving out further and further in wide circles. The massive room was dimly lit by a few single blue candle lights.

Jonathan stood on a high balcony under heavy shadow as the kids played the game trying to find a new book Jonathan claimed he had discovered. Three clusters of blue glowing candles cast a single glow over the balcony where Jonathan stood. They followed various clues hidden in the books. The clues were hints at various book titles to look for in the stacks. After awhile, Cade and Blake looked over the clues they had found to that point:

“The colours blend into one.”

“The citizens marched together for peace.”

“A recipe for cake.”

“Mary ran, John ran, Katie ran, they all ran.”

The kids looked them over for several long moments. Then Blake’s eyes lit up. “I got it!”

“Already?”

“It’s talking about the balcony where Jonathan is. The three lights are blending together making one light, see? All these clues are talking about coming together as one. Let’s go.”

“Race to the top.” The kids scrambled up the shelves. Blake bit his lower lip as Cade moved fast ahead, staring intensely.

“You know, we could have just taken the stairs.” Cade flashed him a puzzled look. “Yeah, you’re right. This makes much more sense.” Cade nodded and smiled. When they reached the top, they looked around in the still, bright glow and found a single book titled:

“Signs in the Dark”

The final clues are Jonathan’s three best known quotes:

“Listen for the distance”

“Be still and wait”

“Reach high for the great opportunity”

April 16, 2021May 11, 2024

WHY DID THE ALIENS
GO AFTER DAMIAN CASHDADE?

More clusters of bright gold lights were lit up across the stadium as Damian worked his way up the field. The bright lights reflected across his short dark hair falling low almost hiding his intense eyes. His team was down 2-1 late in the game against their rival. There wasn’t much time left which meant only one thing: It was Damian Magic time. He passed to a teammate breaking open on the left, then he shot ahead, flying past the defenders, breaking wide open. His teammate passed him the ball. He worked his way toward the goal. He slowed down as three defenders closed in on him, then he gave a wink to someone in the far, dark corner of the stadium…

It’s time for the next mystery challenge leading into the next book in the mystery series called:
MYSTERY OF THE BLOODY FRIDAY SPY
Can you figure out what’s happening to the BlackStar Ranked Students of Cashes Dade? The aliens placed a mysterious fountain with intense, bright flashing lights that make a lot of students sick. This is what will lead to the event known as Bloody Friday. This is what will lead to the war. But there’s a key secret that will be revealed in the prophecy written near the end of this post. There is a word in the prophecy that offers another clue about what secret may be behind the aliens’ fountain lights. Can you figure it out? Leave a comment below if you think you know. The answer will be revealed in the next Character Fun Facts Feature. The key clue will be to watch Damian’s celebration and find out what the celebration is…

The three defenders closed in on Damian. He faked left, faked right, then sped off to the left, spun around, dribbled the ball between his feet, then slid back. The defenders went after the ball, but it wasn’t there. That’s when Damian flew past them up the field. He was like a blue streak. The goalie could barely react before Damian kicked the ball into the far right corner of the goal. Then he did his usual celebration, running in a spiral pattern first over to the sideline, picking up the Cashes Dade flag, then around the end of the field before circling in front of the goal and planting the flag on the field. He would finish with a salute to the crowd. A short time later, with only a few minutes left in the game, he stole the ball and flew down the field, passing back and forth with four other teammates. The goalie thought the player on the far left had the ball, but Damian did on the opposite side. The ball whizzed right past the stunned goalie. Damian did his usual celebration again, with his teammates flying around the field as well, lighting up the field, with his team winning 3-2. Then the alien fountain lights shot up high, appearing just behind the stadium. Damian gazed up at them in wonder before falling to the ground. He struggled to get home. He had the mysterious sickness…

Earlier that day, Damian met with a younger student who had already come down with the illness. What’s bizarre is that he met with the student in secret. Only after Damian fell ill did his family and friends find out when the student told them about the visit, but he asked that his name not be revealed. Damian visited him to see how he was doing, give him a cake from the bakery, and talk about soccer plays. The young student was really into soccer and ships. He would focus really intensely on a few subjects like that, things he was interested in, but struggled to focus on the subjects the aliens considered important. That’s why they called him lazy and distracted. But he would spend hours and hours watching the ships, figuring out their schedules, where they had come from, where they were going, and how they worked. He liked watching them dock and make their deliveries. He even wrote up a complicated, new schedule for them to make their deliveries and figured out better routes for them by studying the waves and weather patterns. Many Cashes Dade businesses have actually followed his plans, finding them to be much more efficient. But he also had an idea for a soccer play, where they would pass the ball back and forth so many times, so fast, that they would confuse the other team, and lead to a score. But there was something else the young student told Damian that was particularly mysterious…

Dazzling ripples will spread wider and wider out
Yet the flying student will discover a reason for doubt
Fast currents will split the waters of murky blue
where blazing ships try to find their way through
Glittering gold lights will reflect throughout the sea
in a spiral design revealing all that we can be
They’ll fly around so fast the ships will be lost
Chilling, dark mist will fall forming a brilliant frost
Watch the students who are seen as disruptive and loud
They are the glittering gold lights blazing through the dark cloud
He will see something no one else has yet seen
Being a blazing light will lead him to understand what they mean
The truth will be revealed when the spiraling lights conquer the sky
The aliens’ claim of great superiority is actually a lie…

Just as Damian was about to leave the young student, he started talking about the ships, how they came in from all kinds of directions. But then he began saying something that Damian couldn’t quite figure out, something mysterious. He just kept repeating the same phrase over and over again:
“They’re all glowing the same.”
“They’re all glowing the same.”
“They’re all glowing the same…”