The Secret of Skull Island by Zack Norris

“So, um, do you see this guy around much?”
    â€œNah—he left the island.”
    â€œAre you sure?” Cody asked, his heart sinking. If the man really had left the island then someone else was causing the trouble.
    Cato waved a hand in the air. “Oh, sure. Listen, I know everybody on this island, especially people who work in construction and gardening. That’s because we often work together. That guy left the island, for sure … unless he’s hiding under a rock.”
    Cody had a thought. “If you know everybody on the island, you probably know the woman who was cooking at the inn.”
    A shadow seemed to cross Cato’s face. “Aida. Yes, I know her, but not very well.”
    â€œDo you know why she left?” Cody asked.
    Cato pressed his lips into a thin line. “She said she was scared to stay around here. She told me that she was afraid of the pirate’s ghost, but …” He shrugged.
    â€œYou weren’t sure she was telling the truth, were you?” Otis asked.
    Cato shrugged again. “Well, I don’t know for sure. I’ve got my own ideas, though.”
    â€œSuch as what?” Cody asked. “A lot of people think the place is haunted, don’t they?”
    â€œYes, but no one on the island was afraid. The ghost has been around forever. He never hurt anyone.” Cato ran a hand through his jet-black hair and laughed. “I don’t think that ghost is very smart. He’s been looking for his treasure for years and still hasn’t found it.”
    He looked at the boys for a moment and scratched his head. “You know, I don’t want to spoil anything for you two. But since your aunt bought the inn it’s been a lot more haunted than usual.”
    â€œHuh?” Cody and Otis both said together.
    Cato took a deep breath and shook his head. “You guys are old enough to know the truth. Your aunt has been making some of the hauntings. She hired a company that creates special effects for the movies. They were here for a whole week installing a sound system and projectors … all kinds of stuff.”
    â€œSee, I knew ghosts weren’t real,” Otis said with satisfaction.
    Cody’s shoulders sagged.
    â€œWait a minute,” said Cato. “I didn’t say the place wasn’t haunted. It is. I just meant that your aunt was adding to the excitement. She wanted to make sure that everyone got a chance to see and hear the ghost. She figured it would be good for business. The real one is still around, though. He was here long before your aunt arrived.”
    â€œWhat about the guide? Why did he leave?” Cody asked.
    Cato shook his head. “The guide didn’t give me a reason. He just said he was getting out. Look, everybody who worked here knew your aunt was creating her own ghost. But don’t spoil things for the guests. They’re sure they’re in a real haunted inn. Real ghosts aren’t as reliable as manufactured ones.”
    â€œWe don’t want to spoil the fun,” said Otis. “But if the cook and the guide weren’t afraid of the ghost, why did they leave the inn? I’m sure my aunt paid them well.”
    A cloud of butterflies flew by, their wings all shades of blue, red, yellow, orange, and pink. Cato watched them for a moment. Then he cleared his throat.
    â€œMaybe someone else paid them more money to leave,” he said. “I used to see things around here at night—boats coming and going.”
    Cato looked into the distance. Then he gave himself a shake. “I talk too much sometimes,” he said. “This is nothing you boys should worry about. People leave jobs all the time. Just enjoy the beautiful island.”
    He put his gloves back on and picked up his hedge clippers. “Silly me,” he mumbled, “talking nonsense to a couple of boys. Forget what I said. Run along now.”
    *
    â€œThat was weird,” said Otis