Nancy Drew stood with her feet firmly planted as the other girl rushed towards her. As the girl reached out, Nancy pulled her forward and rolled backwards, sending the girl flying. She landed with a thud and Nancy sprung to her feet, brushing her brown hair back off her face.
Nancy then broke out laughing.
'Bess, are you OK'?
'I ache in places I didn't know I had' said Nancy's best friend Bess Marvin.
'Excellent, Nancy' said her judo instructor, but I think Bess may have had enough for one night'.
The pretty 16 year old schoolgirl sleuth reached down to help her friend back to her feet.
As Nancy returned home, her dad, Carson, was sat on the couch with a lady Nancy did not recognise.
'Hi, honey,' said her dad, 'this is Ann Wells, the mother of the girl who has disappeared'. The news papers had been full of a young swimmer who had suddenly vanished. She was part of the elite American swimming team who had disappeared after training at River Heights new exclusive gym.
'I have heard so much about you, Nancy, I wondered if you may be able to help find Robyn, my daughter'.
'I really think it's a case for Chief McGinnis and the police' said Nancy.
'They are looking into it, of course', said Ann, 'however, I thought you may be able to look round the gym where Robyn was last seen – please', she almost pleaded.
Nancy looked at her dad, 'OK, I guess keeping fit and sleuthing may be fun'. 'Maybe I can get Bess to join with me' said Nancy.
The next day, Nancy and Bess arrived at the gym for their induction.
'I don't know how I got talked into this' said Bess. Nancy smiled at her friend. Next moment a tall, good looking boy came up to the girls.
'Hi', he said 'my names Michael and I will be showing you round'
'Now I know why I joined' whispered Bess to Nancy, then turning toward the boy.
'Hi, I am Bess….oh and this is Nancy'
After a brief tour, the two friends got changed.
As Nancy pulled on a pair of tight black leggings over her white panties, Bess thought to herself 'The last thing Nan needs is the gym'. Nancy pulled on a grey t-shirt and then she turned to see Bess in a bright pink outfit.
Nancy shaded her eyes 'I did not know I would need my shades' she said laughing.
'I intend being noticed' said Bess 'the trainer is a really hot don't you think'.
Nancy smiled, the only boy she was really interested in was her friend Ned Nickerson and even he took a back seat when there was a mystery to solve.
Nancy was surprised when she entered the gym, there where so many bright outfits and heavily made up young women it felt more like a fashion show.
After half and hour on the exercise bike and rowing machine Nancy said 'Ready for a swim, Bess'
'Ready for a lay down, more like' gasped Bess.
The girls changed into their swim suits and as they were leaving the changing room a girl bumped into Nancy.
'Clumsy' the girl said to Nancy. Although Nancy was sure she wasn't to blame she apologised anyhow.
The girl looked Nancy up and down, Nancy was looking really trim in her high cut, blue swim suit. You are new aren't you.
'Yes' replied Nancy. 'Well you have not got off to a great start' said the girl, walking off.
As she did another girl said to her 'You know who that is don't you'
'Should I' 'Its Nancy Drew the famous schoolgirl sleuth' said the second girl
Meanwhile Nancy lowered herself into the pool.
After swimming a few lengths, Nancy pulled herself out of the pool, the girl watching her carefully.
'Pretty good, Nancy Drew' it was the girl who had bumped into her.
'There's nothing here for you to poke your nose into' continued the girl
'You don't know Robyn Wells, I suppose' said Nancy
'Of course' said the girl 'everyone does, she's a good swimmer'.
The girl turned away 'now watch a real swimmer' she finished.
The girl dived in and swam effortlessly.
'She's pretty good' said a girl to Nancy, her name is Laura West, 'she's great at athletics and tennis too'.
'Come on, Nan' said Bess 'lets go to the café, Ned and Georgie are supposed to be meeting us remember'
Nancy remembered her other best friends, Ned Nickerson and Georgie Fayne has said they would join the girl's for a coffee.
'Gosh, I'd forgotten about that' said Nancy.
'Nancy, you are hopeless sometime' said Bess.
'I just want to spend 10 minute in the sauna' said Nancy.
'Must look you best for Ned' giggled Beth and Nancy felt herself blush crimson.
Nancy entered the sauna and laid her towel out, the room was empty. What she had not noticed was a figure following her. As Nancy wondered if the girl Laura was anything to do with Robyn's disappearance, fingers outside the sauna were adjusting the temperature override. The gauge was turned until the temperature needle moved into a red zone marked DANGER. Then a cane was jammed through the handle of the sauna, to ensure it would not open!
Inside, Nancy was deep in thought but suddenly noticed the temperature was becoming uncomfortably hot, and seemed to be rising. She walked over to where the temperature was showing – DANGER – it was far too hot. Nancy tried to adjust it but it would not budge. The teen sleuth began to feel light-headed and dizzy and quickly made her way to the door. It was jammed!
Nancy wasn't prone to panic, but this time she did. She screamed out loud but no one heard.
Nancy began to faint. 'Must no let myself black-out' thought Nancy blearily.
However, the heat grew more and more intense and objects in the sauna began to swim before Nancy's eyes. Nancy collapsed to her knees 'Help, please' but she was barely conscious as the heat continued to pound out.
It felt as though the whole room was collapsing in on Nancy, she tried to cling to consciousness but her lights began to go out. Finally, totally overcome by the heat, Nancy sprawled across the floor of the sauna and blackness washed over her.
With a final low moan, Nancy Drew fainted, her limp body unmoving on the sauna floor!
As Nancy lay totally unconscious, the heat indicator continued at DANGER. If someone did not find her soon, it would not just be the end of her sleuthing career, it would be the end of Nancy Drew!