Disclaimer: See Chapters 1-3. I don't have time to think up witty
disclaimers.
A/N: Thanks for the reviews! I am trying to update as soon as I can but between homework, chores, play rehearsals, voice lessons, and rock climbing group (not kidding!!) I've been a little busy. Please, keep reading and reviewing, it makes it seem like my time is worthwhile.
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Nancy froze. She was afraid to move and at the same time, afraid to stand still. She had no idea what was going on, but it couldn't be good, could it?
The woman moved closer and closer to Frank, until the needle was almost touching his neck. Nancy could see his face now. His expression was dazed, with a hint of defiance.
Nancy found her voice. "Hey!" she yelled, grabbing the woman's needle arm.
The woman was startled, but she recovered quickly. She brought her other hand around and slapped Nancy's face. Nancy loosened her hold on her arm. The woman wrenched her arm free and spun towards the closet door. Frank's feet hooked around her ankle and she stumbled, giving Nancy time to regain her grip on her arm. The woman twisted again, scratching Nancy's arm with the needle. With all her strength, the woman pushed Nancy back into the closet. Nancy fell to the floor. The wooden shelves filled with boxes collapsed on top of her. The woman slammed the door. Frank could hear her running footsteps leaving the hall.
Frank brought his knees to his chest and used them to loosen the tape. "Nan?" he asked. "Nan?" this time more urgently. Frank felt around in his back pocket for his knife. He found it and started sawing furiously at his bonds. They weren't rope, he realized, but some kind of plastic. After a minute that seemed like a lifetime, Frank felt the plastic snap. He opened the door and light came flooding in.
"Nan?"
He scooted over to the pile and started digging through it. He breathed a sigh of relief when she sat up.
"That's gonna leave a mark." she grumbled.
Frank smiled at her. "Are you okay?" he asked.
Nancy looked at him incredulously. "Am I okay? I'm not the one whose feet are bound with plastic tubing! What happened?"
Frank was sawing at the tubing as he answered. "I was chloroformed. Someone snuck up behind me. And then I was here, in the dark. I made as much noise as I could to try to attract attention. That woman opened the door and I thought she had heard me. After that, well, you saw the rest."
Nancy had already stood up and was examining the damage. Good-sized bruises were already starting to form on her forehead and shoulder. Her jaw was sore where the woman had slapped her. Blood was smeared on her wrist where she had been grazed with the needle. Her clothes were visibly dusty from the boxes. "I look like I just fell down the stairs." she said ruefully.
Frank noticed her scratch as she offered a hand to help him up. "That was close." he said quietly. His own wrists were red from the tubing.
They stepped out of the closet. There was nobody there. Big surprise, thought Frank.
Nancy shivered. "Let's get out of here." Hand in hand, they left the basement.
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Nancy and Frank met up with Joe and George in the lobby. Nancy watched with amusement as their eyes widened at the sight of her and Frank.
"What happened?" George breathed.
Nancy's eyes wandered as Frank told about the chloroform, the closet, and the figure with the needle. He finished up by telling them how Nancy was buried under an avalanche of medical supplies. Nancy wasn't listening. She had a huge headache, and it was steadily getting worse.
Nancy was quiet as George drove back to the hotel. She rested her warm forehead on the cool window, but it did little to relieve the pounding. All she could think about was sleep.
George and Nancy got out of the car in the hotel parking lot. George frowned when she saw Nancy's flushed face. She put a wrist to Nancy's forehead. She was burning up with fever.
"I'll be fine!" Nancy insisted when George suggested heading back to the hospital. "I'll be good as new after an aspirin and a nap."
However, by the time she and George entered the room, she could barely stand. She fought to keep her eyes open, and every blink sent a wave of dizziness crashing over her. She stumbled and George caught her.
"You are not fine!" George said sternly. (Like she needed to say that)
Nancy shook her head. A bad move considering that she was already disoriented. The room spun but her voice was strong. "No George, I can't be sick. I have a case to solve. And my father is missing. I need to report it in two hours. And...um..." All of the sudden her own words didn't make sense to her. She gave in and let George guide her to the couch. Within minutes she was in a feverish state of unconsciousness.
George watched her uncertainly. What should she do? Should she let her sleep? Maybe she should wake her up to take medicine. George remembered that a high fever could cause brain damage. That couldn't happen, she decided. But should she drive her to the hospital, or call an ambulance? She decided to be safe rather than sorry. She picked up the phone and dialed 9-1-1.
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Nancy's face burned and she tossed and turned. Images of her father flashed in her head. Images of him laughing, smiling, and then different images of him, alone and in the hands of criminals. She stirred feverishly. Different thoughts crossed her mind. She saw Frank Hardy's warm brown eyes and patient smile. Memories of other cases flooded her thoughts. Her and Frank skating in New York City. Posing as husband and wife in Egypt. Kissing in a snowbound cabin during an avalanche.
Nancy was totally oblivious to what was going on around her. She didn't even wake when the paramedics loaded her into the ambulance.
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Dr. Greene's face was grim as he came out of Nancy's room. George, Frank and Joe waited for the verdict. Dr. Greene said, "Well, she will live," At this, her friends breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Dr. Greene continued, "However, the blood tests showed strong traces of pyrogens."
"Pyrogens?" Joe asked.
"Pyrogens are fever-inducing drugs." Frank explained quickly. "That must have been what was in the needle!" he realized.
Dr. Greene looked confused and suspicious at the same time. "What needle?"
Frank told him about the figure with the needle and about how the needle had scratched Nancy. His face took on a troubled look, but Dr. Greene just nodded.
"Yes, yes. That must have been it, of course." He looked at Frank. "Young man, you should know that if a full syringe of such a strong pyrogen had been injected into you, or anyone for that matter, they would be dead within ten minutes. Fortunately for Ms. Drew, the small amount of drugs on the needle was only enough to make her quite sick."
George was alarmed. She asked, "How long will she have to stay here?"
"Well, the pyrogens should be pretty much out of her system in thirty- six hours or so, but even after that, she will still need lots of rest." The doctor anticipated George's next question. "Yes, you may see her, but she is most likely still unconscious. Don't wake her. She needs her sleep."
As George and the Hardys stood, Dr. Greene added, "And don't be alarmed if she doesn't recognize you. Such a high fever often comes with hallucinations."
At that, a horrified expression crossed George's face, but it passed and she remained calm. Dr. Greene left them, and the three friends filed into Nancy's room.
Nancy was in bad shape. Her face was flushed and her hair was matted against her face. Every few minutes she would reposition herself, and her legs were entangled in the sheets. She had cast off the blanket because of the heat, but her own cold sweat on her skin was making her shiver.
Frank picked up the blanket and spread it over her while George affectionately brushed the hair off her friend's face. George sat on the bed, and Frank and Joe collapsed into chairs.
Joe spoke quietly. "What do we know now?" Both George and Frank were watching Nancy, so he answered his own question. "Well, we know that someone is stealing medical supplies from closets, and we know whoever it is lost a blue glove and a silver earring backing. We also know that they were wearing sneakers with dried red mud stuck to them. Then we know that someone attempted to kill Frank in the basement. That means that someone knew who he was." he paused. "Any input, guys?" When he got no reaction, he answered himself again. "No? That's okay guys. Thanks for listening."
George snapped out of it. "I was listening!" she said, sounding offended.
"Right." Joe said. He looked at his brother, who had his eyes closed now. "Frank? Are you sleeping?"
Frank's eyes shot open. "No." he said. He didn't take his eyes off Nancy.
"Hey bro, you okay?" Joe asked.
Frank sighed miserably. "I feel responsible for what happened." he said. "If I had watched my back, none of this would have happened."
George shook her head. "It wasn't your fault. No one was expecting to get attacked in a hospital in the middle of the day." She stopped as she realized how that sounded. "What I mean is, it could have happened to any of us."
Frank smiled, but he didn't feel better.
At that moment, Nancy woke up.
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A/N-Sorry guys, I know that was a stupid place to end the chapter, but I had to end it sometime, and I won't have another good spot for a while. Also, this isn't really a cliffie. I'm kinda ashamed of myself. Anyway, you know the drill. Read and review. Please?
A/N: Thanks for the reviews! I am trying to update as soon as I can but between homework, chores, play rehearsals, voice lessons, and rock climbing group (not kidding!!) I've been a little busy. Please, keep reading and reviewing, it makes it seem like my time is worthwhile.
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Nancy froze. She was afraid to move and at the same time, afraid to stand still. She had no idea what was going on, but it couldn't be good, could it?
The woman moved closer and closer to Frank, until the needle was almost touching his neck. Nancy could see his face now. His expression was dazed, with a hint of defiance.
Nancy found her voice. "Hey!" she yelled, grabbing the woman's needle arm.
The woman was startled, but she recovered quickly. She brought her other hand around and slapped Nancy's face. Nancy loosened her hold on her arm. The woman wrenched her arm free and spun towards the closet door. Frank's feet hooked around her ankle and she stumbled, giving Nancy time to regain her grip on her arm. The woman twisted again, scratching Nancy's arm with the needle. With all her strength, the woman pushed Nancy back into the closet. Nancy fell to the floor. The wooden shelves filled with boxes collapsed on top of her. The woman slammed the door. Frank could hear her running footsteps leaving the hall.
Frank brought his knees to his chest and used them to loosen the tape. "Nan?" he asked. "Nan?" this time more urgently. Frank felt around in his back pocket for his knife. He found it and started sawing furiously at his bonds. They weren't rope, he realized, but some kind of plastic. After a minute that seemed like a lifetime, Frank felt the plastic snap. He opened the door and light came flooding in.
"Nan?"
He scooted over to the pile and started digging through it. He breathed a sigh of relief when she sat up.
"That's gonna leave a mark." she grumbled.
Frank smiled at her. "Are you okay?" he asked.
Nancy looked at him incredulously. "Am I okay? I'm not the one whose feet are bound with plastic tubing! What happened?"
Frank was sawing at the tubing as he answered. "I was chloroformed. Someone snuck up behind me. And then I was here, in the dark. I made as much noise as I could to try to attract attention. That woman opened the door and I thought she had heard me. After that, well, you saw the rest."
Nancy had already stood up and was examining the damage. Good-sized bruises were already starting to form on her forehead and shoulder. Her jaw was sore where the woman had slapped her. Blood was smeared on her wrist where she had been grazed with the needle. Her clothes were visibly dusty from the boxes. "I look like I just fell down the stairs." she said ruefully.
Frank noticed her scratch as she offered a hand to help him up. "That was close." he said quietly. His own wrists were red from the tubing.
They stepped out of the closet. There was nobody there. Big surprise, thought Frank.
Nancy shivered. "Let's get out of here." Hand in hand, they left the basement.
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Nancy and Frank met up with Joe and George in the lobby. Nancy watched with amusement as their eyes widened at the sight of her and Frank.
"What happened?" George breathed.
Nancy's eyes wandered as Frank told about the chloroform, the closet, and the figure with the needle. He finished up by telling them how Nancy was buried under an avalanche of medical supplies. Nancy wasn't listening. She had a huge headache, and it was steadily getting worse.
Nancy was quiet as George drove back to the hotel. She rested her warm forehead on the cool window, but it did little to relieve the pounding. All she could think about was sleep.
George and Nancy got out of the car in the hotel parking lot. George frowned when she saw Nancy's flushed face. She put a wrist to Nancy's forehead. She was burning up with fever.
"I'll be fine!" Nancy insisted when George suggested heading back to the hospital. "I'll be good as new after an aspirin and a nap."
However, by the time she and George entered the room, she could barely stand. She fought to keep her eyes open, and every blink sent a wave of dizziness crashing over her. She stumbled and George caught her.
"You are not fine!" George said sternly. (Like she needed to say that)
Nancy shook her head. A bad move considering that she was already disoriented. The room spun but her voice was strong. "No George, I can't be sick. I have a case to solve. And my father is missing. I need to report it in two hours. And...um..." All of the sudden her own words didn't make sense to her. She gave in and let George guide her to the couch. Within minutes she was in a feverish state of unconsciousness.
George watched her uncertainly. What should she do? Should she let her sleep? Maybe she should wake her up to take medicine. George remembered that a high fever could cause brain damage. That couldn't happen, she decided. But should she drive her to the hospital, or call an ambulance? She decided to be safe rather than sorry. She picked up the phone and dialed 9-1-1.
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Nancy's face burned and she tossed and turned. Images of her father flashed in her head. Images of him laughing, smiling, and then different images of him, alone and in the hands of criminals. She stirred feverishly. Different thoughts crossed her mind. She saw Frank Hardy's warm brown eyes and patient smile. Memories of other cases flooded her thoughts. Her and Frank skating in New York City. Posing as husband and wife in Egypt. Kissing in a snowbound cabin during an avalanche.
Nancy was totally oblivious to what was going on around her. She didn't even wake when the paramedics loaded her into the ambulance.
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Dr. Greene's face was grim as he came out of Nancy's room. George, Frank and Joe waited for the verdict. Dr. Greene said, "Well, she will live," At this, her friends breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Dr. Greene continued, "However, the blood tests showed strong traces of pyrogens."
"Pyrogens?" Joe asked.
"Pyrogens are fever-inducing drugs." Frank explained quickly. "That must have been what was in the needle!" he realized.
Dr. Greene looked confused and suspicious at the same time. "What needle?"
Frank told him about the figure with the needle and about how the needle had scratched Nancy. His face took on a troubled look, but Dr. Greene just nodded.
"Yes, yes. That must have been it, of course." He looked at Frank. "Young man, you should know that if a full syringe of such a strong pyrogen had been injected into you, or anyone for that matter, they would be dead within ten minutes. Fortunately for Ms. Drew, the small amount of drugs on the needle was only enough to make her quite sick."
George was alarmed. She asked, "How long will she have to stay here?"
"Well, the pyrogens should be pretty much out of her system in thirty- six hours or so, but even after that, she will still need lots of rest." The doctor anticipated George's next question. "Yes, you may see her, but she is most likely still unconscious. Don't wake her. She needs her sleep."
As George and the Hardys stood, Dr. Greene added, "And don't be alarmed if she doesn't recognize you. Such a high fever often comes with hallucinations."
At that, a horrified expression crossed George's face, but it passed and she remained calm. Dr. Greene left them, and the three friends filed into Nancy's room.
Nancy was in bad shape. Her face was flushed and her hair was matted against her face. Every few minutes she would reposition herself, and her legs were entangled in the sheets. She had cast off the blanket because of the heat, but her own cold sweat on her skin was making her shiver.
Frank picked up the blanket and spread it over her while George affectionately brushed the hair off her friend's face. George sat on the bed, and Frank and Joe collapsed into chairs.
Joe spoke quietly. "What do we know now?" Both George and Frank were watching Nancy, so he answered his own question. "Well, we know that someone is stealing medical supplies from closets, and we know whoever it is lost a blue glove and a silver earring backing. We also know that they were wearing sneakers with dried red mud stuck to them. Then we know that someone attempted to kill Frank in the basement. That means that someone knew who he was." he paused. "Any input, guys?" When he got no reaction, he answered himself again. "No? That's okay guys. Thanks for listening."
George snapped out of it. "I was listening!" she said, sounding offended.
"Right." Joe said. He looked at his brother, who had his eyes closed now. "Frank? Are you sleeping?"
Frank's eyes shot open. "No." he said. He didn't take his eyes off Nancy.
"Hey bro, you okay?" Joe asked.
Frank sighed miserably. "I feel responsible for what happened." he said. "If I had watched my back, none of this would have happened."
George shook her head. "It wasn't your fault. No one was expecting to get attacked in a hospital in the middle of the day." She stopped as she realized how that sounded. "What I mean is, it could have happened to any of us."
Frank smiled, but he didn't feel better.
At that moment, Nancy woke up.
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A/N-Sorry guys, I know that was a stupid place to end the chapter, but I had to end it sometime, and I won't have another good spot for a while. Also, this isn't really a cliffie. I'm kinda ashamed of myself. Anyway, you know the drill. Read and review. Please?