If you’re looking for a tour of the Small Islands that’s totally sanitized and family-friendly, talk to Maya. She might be able to get you a discount with the boat tour company she works for.

But if you want to get a sense of what the Small Islands are really like, talk to Erica Rafferty. She knows all the best spots to party, meet new people, and most importantly, get away from nosy parents.

And she intends to put her expert knowledge to use on her upcoming annual girls’ trip around the Small Islands with her two best friends (and one ex-friend, but we don’t have to get into that right now.)

Here’s what you need to know if you want to keep up.

What Exactly are the Small Islands?

“The thirteen islands that form an S-like tail off the coast of Chaconia in the Caribbean. But bear in mind that not all of the islands are worth visiting for newcomers. The islands of Morella, Malva, Rubia, and Bija are all popular with locals and tourists, and are generally pretty safe

“The first and largest island, Morella, once housed a prison. Within the last fifteen years, it has been converted into a museum, perfect for student field trips. The second, Malva, has the prettiest beaches, lush forests, and a majestic waterfall. Naturally, it serves as the must-see stop for most tourists.

“Rubia’s camping ground is large enough that it’s rarely ever crowded, but busy enough that you never feel alone. The small, cashew-shaped island holds two big attractions. The first is the remains of the Fell House—a mansion built by a prominent British attorney in the 1920s. The house was known for hosting lavish dinner parties. But after independence, the place was left to rot.

“The second attraction is a large reef right off the shore. You can walk into the water and swim to it, exploring the Technicolor haven and its various inhabitants. If you’re into that sort of thing.”

What About the Other Islands?

“If you’re up for an adventure, you really can’t go wrong with any of them. But there is one island that has a bit of a dark history and sinister reputation.

“In years past, Annatto Island was a hospital for people with leprosy (it’s called Hansen’s disease now), and there was an outbreak in Chaconia in the early 1900s. This was before there was a cure, so being sent to the island colony was like a prison sentence. You were forced to leave your friends, family, and everything you knew and loved behind.

“Back then, everyone was terrified of contracting the disease. Some nuns volunteered to take up permanent residence on the island to care for the patients. Unfortunately, most of them contracted the disease as well and passed away. But there was one particular nun who couldn’t handle the isolation. One night, she suddenly left the hospital without a word to anyone. She walked into the forest and disappeared.

“In the decades since, visitors of Annatto Island swear they’ve seen her wandering about, protecting the quarantine area.

“And guess what? She’s far from the only person who has disappeared on Annatto only to reappear later. And much more recently than you might imagine.

“No big deal, right? Well, allegedly those who disappear on Annatto come back . . . changed. In a way that’s hard to describe. Some claim that the island is haunted and refuse to camp there after dark. Even the Coast Guard refuses to spend the night out there.

“But if you ask me, it’s all just superstition. I’ve been to Annatto before, on a day trip with my father, and I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. And besides, what’s so scary about an unexplained disappearance if the person doesn’t actually disappear?

“True stories or not, what did you expect? You can’t have this much natural beauty without at least a little darkness!”

Uncover the mysteries of the Small Islands for yourself in Rick Riordan Presents: It Lurks in the Night by Sarah Dass, on sale now.