“It’s true, I really did see it,” Uncle Sea Star continued. “It was at night, when the moon was but a sliver and the water was as black as ink. At first I didn’t believe it either. I thought it was just my eyes getting tired, but I blinked and I rubbed and—sure as seashells—there was a bright Glowing Horn bobbing in the waves. I knew then, as I know now, that the old story says that whoever reaches the Glowing Horn will find unknown treasure.”
Uncle Sea Star paused for a moment and looked out to the ocean. The silence stretched on for what felt like forever. Sapphire whinnied impatiently.
“Tell us more about the treasure,” Comet blurted out. Even Twilight looked interested.
Shamrock wasn’t sure why, but it made him mad that Uncle Sea Star was pretending to tell the truth when this was all make-believe. He couldn’t help but push back. “Well, where’s the treasure now?” he asked.
Shamrock was pretty sure that was rude too and felt a little bad about it. Uncle Sea Star was being nice, after all. But Shamrock couldn’t stand hearing a story so clearly not based in fact. Uncle Sea Star just looked at him and smiled. “I never went after the horn.”
“What? Why not?” Comet almost sounded mad.
“Because every unicorn that has been lured into the sea by the Glowing Horn’s treasure has never been seen again!”
All four unicorn friends jumped back. Even Shamrock! Then they giggled at themselves. Uncle Sea Star chuckled along with them. “All right, time for bed, kids. I’ll be out in the morning getting some new supplies for my next sea voyage, but I’ll see you for dinner tomorrow.” With that, he walked back to the big barn. Even if the whole thing was made up, Shamrock had to admit that Uncle Sea Star could tell a good story.
Shamrock was too tired to even suggest looking through a telescope, and he could tell his friends were sleepy too. So he followed Sapphire to the tent, where everyone settled into their blankets and pillows. The others kept whispering about treasure and ghosts. Shamrock was a little annoyed by how they all seemed to believe Uncle Sea Star’s story, when he knew they were smarter than that. Soon enough, their conversation ended, and he could hear Comet’s soft snores. Shamrock snuggled in with 1,000 Incredible and Astonishing Facts to read some true stories before falling asleep.
3
Beach Day Blues
The next morning, Shamrock woke up to the sounds of his friends laughing. He sat up, seeing that everyone was still in tangles of blankets and pillows. The morning air was crisp and cool, so Shamrock snuggled back into his own cozy blanket.
“I dreamt about ghosts all night,” Twilight was saying, her eyes big. “I kept thinking there was a Glowing Horn in the tent!” She shuddered.
“Out of everyone, I thought you would be the least afraid of ghosts, Twilight,” Sapphire said.
“What do you mean?” Shamrock asked, sitting up. He yawned and put on his glasses. Maybe Sapphire will be reasonable about this ghost business.
“Well, Twilight’s ability is sort of ghosty. When she’s invisible, we can’t see her, but we can hear her!” Sapphire explained.
“It is not the same!” Twilight screeched.
Comet laughed. “Of course it’s not! ’Cause you’re aliiiiivve!” Comet said the last part like she was telling a scary story of her own, and all the friends started laughing.
One of Sapphire’s sisters came in to tell them that breakfast was ready. They followed her into the barn for a breakfast of kelp muffins topped with melting butter. Shamrock ate four.
“I’m going to look for the Glowing Horn today,” Comet announced as the four friends walked down to the beach.
“Don’t do it!” Twilight warned as they wove their way through the tall grass. “I mean, you don’t want to be lured out to sea forever, do you?”
“She’s right,” Sapphire agreed, and looked back at them. She was leading everyone to a special secret beach she’d told them about at breakfast. “All the treasure stories around here always lead to bad things. Trust me, I’ve heard a lot of them.”
Shamrock took a deep breath. “Guys, there is no evidence that ghosts are real. In fact, these stories usually hide real scientific truths. So they’re kind of dangerous. I’ve been meaning to show you this new book I have, 1,000 Incredible and Astonishing Facts—”
But Comet didn’t let him finish. “Actually, I have a theory about the ghost.”
Not only did she interrupt him but she ignored him too. Shamrock felt like she had taken all the wind out of his hot-air balloon, but Comet didn’t seem to notice. Maybe I just didn’t say it loudly enough, he thought.
“The story says you can’t go after the ghost,” she continued, “but what about inviting the ghost to shore?”
“Guys!” Shamrock yelled this time. “Ghosts are not real. We know this. However, I’ve done research on the caves here, and there are stones in there that are way more interesting than any ghost. Some of them even sparkle in the dark, without sunlight! Why don’t we go rock hunting instead of ghost hunting?”
Shamrock looked around at his friends, expecting to see their faces lighting up with excitement. But they didn’t seem to get it. He felt his heart sink with disappointment.
Sapphire said, “Let’s hang on the beach for a little while. I brought a blanket and a hoofball.” Sapphire held up her basket so he could see. “There are some cool shells around here, though!”
Shamrock was bummed, but Comet and Twilight were already helping Sapphire set up the beach blanket, and at least this did not involve silly ghost hunting.
“Ooh, and your mom packed us some more of the kelp muffins,” Comet said, bringing out her own basket. “I’m pretty sure I’ll eat ten today.”
They lounged and laughed on the beach, and Shamrock had to admit that it was fun, even if there weren’t any
