Conflict:
* The Mystery of Skeleton Creek: The main conflict revolves around the mysterious disappearance of Ryan's father and the strange occurrences in Skeleton Creek, a seemingly abandoned town.
* Fear of the Supernatural: Ryan, initially skeptical, slowly comes to believe in the paranormal and fears the dangers that lurk in Skeleton Creek, especially after witnessing unexplainable events like the disappearance of his father's dog.
* Trust and Relationships: Ryan struggles to trust anyone, especially his friends who he believes are keeping secrets from him. He also faces difficulties in his relationship with his mother due to her grief and her own reluctance to believe Ryan's stories.
Resolution:
* Discovering the Truth: Ryan, with the help of his friends, Sarah and Nate, ultimately discovers the truth behind the mysteries of Skeleton Creek. They find clues that reveal the town's dark history and the connection to his father's disappearance.
* Confronting the Threat: The resolution involves a direct confrontation with the source of the supernatural phenomena, which turns out to be a vengeful spirit seeking to reclaim what he believes is rightfully his.
* Resolving the Past: Ryan must confront the past, not only of Skeleton Creek but also his own personal history with his father. He learns about his father's past mistakes and accepts his father's flaws.
* Building Trust: The events of the book help Ryan repair his relationships with his friends and his mother. He learns to trust them more and they, in turn, gain a deeper understanding of his experiences.
Important Note: While the first book resolves some of the immediate mysteries, it also introduces new elements and sets the stage for further adventures and conflicts in the series.