Chapter Thirteen

Brenda led the way down the stairs into the foyer of the villa while Max held onto Nancy's arm to make sure she didn't run. Nancy's mind was reeling, thinking about what Brenda had planned though she herself didn't know what it was. She rubbed her wrist as best she could where a bracelet Brenda tried putting on had scratched her. Although it was just a small scratch, it still hurt and the pain had still yet to dissipate. The former reporter asked her to trust her but Nancy still wasn't sure if she should or not. She also didn't know what was in the pocket of her gown but she didn't dare check it. Still, Nancy felt uneasy as the three walked into the living room where everyone else was already assembled.

Ned stood off to the side, wearing a nice suit and tie, a small plate of food in his hand. He seemed to be the only one partaking in the food that was laid out in front of everyone. Frank stood near him, casting several gazes at Ned though he didn't move for a large man stood directly behind him. Even in the midst of misery, Nancy thought Frank looked as handsome as ever in the suit he wore.

Across from them stood Fenton, Laura, and Vanessa as if placed purposely apart from Frank, each of them dressed as if they were attending a dinner party. The three took in their surroundings as two more men stood behind them. Everyone turned toward them as Brenda, Nancy, and Max entered the room. Frank's mouth dropped slightly open at the sight of Nancy while Ned grinned mischievously. Treyford, who was standing in the middle of the room, came over to the three to greet them. Brenda whispered something in his ear and he nodded, looking over at Nancy.

Taking her from Max, Treyford led Nancy through the room as if she were a trophy to be won, gloating the whole way. He purposely placed her directly in between Frank and Ned, both men never taking their eyes off her.

"Now that we're all here," Treyford announced, looking around at his "guests," "we can get started. You had asked me earlier, Frank, what I wanted. You're about to find out. The last time we were here, I threw a party for the completion of the music video being filmed at Mount Mirage. Do you remember? I thought it would be nice to, sort of, reimagine what that night should have been like. It was supposed to have been a pleasant evening that night just like tonight but it was ruined by three teenagers who considered themselves 'private detectives.'"

Treyford looked over at Fenton and scowled. "No, doubt a family trait for the Hardy brothers while I'm sure that it had something to do with her father's knack for the law when it comes to Nancy. There were few other insignificant players though their part was less extravagant as theirs and frankly, I don't care. Tonight I plan on changing the outcome of that long ago evening and now that I finally have the mountain and the mine under my control, I can take care of three nosy 'kids.' Well, two now, courtesy of Ned though I'm still a little irritated about it."

"Oh, get over it, why don't you?" Ned replied irritated. He set down his empty plate and rolled his eyes. Treyford walked over to him and smiled before glancing at Nancy beside him.

"I already did, Ned," he replied. "But the question is if you will learn your lesson after it has been taught. See, I abhor insubordination just as much as I hate being lied to and being made to look the fool. Three 'children' did all that in a matter of seconds. One of them, I might add, thought that they could embarrass me by putting a so-called 'video' up on a screen that supposedly showed me putting poison into Ken Harrison's glass. What I didn't know at the time was that it was a bluff made to make me force my hand, which unfortunately I did. I should have taken out that person at the time for embarrassing me but now's a good a time as any. So, I'm going to kill two birds with one stone in a sense."

"What do you mean?" Frank asked, looking nervous. He looked over at Nancy and then to Ned.

Treyford smiled broadly as if something just came to mind. "Well, make that three birds." He looked back at Ned. "I told you there would be consequences for defying me. Plus the fact that I haven't really gotten over your own role in my original apprehension. You will get your chance to redeem yourself later when we take care of a certain family but for now, there's a lesson to be taught." Treyford turned to Nancy who remained still thought her heart was pounding.

"You promised me!" yelled Ned when realization hit him. Nancy looked up at Ned, still wondering what was going on.

"I promised you nothing!" snapped Treyford, turning back to him. "You should have thought of that before you left a child in a house with a bomb!" Vanessa cried out and tried to move but was stopped by one of the guards. "Now I get to take away what you thought was promised to you. I had to tweak my plan just a little bit to accommodate this but I think it will go off just as beautifully as the person who doesn't even realize that she's about to die."

Nancy's heart dropped, knowing Treyford was talking about her. She suddenly felt weak, her breath coming in rasps. Clutching her chest, she stumbled back as Treyford stepped toward her. Frank tried to move toward her but the man behind him held on to both his arms. Ned stood dumbfounded but didn't move. Treyford took hold of her wrist and examined where the bracelet cut her skin. Nancy swayed just a bit, her body starting to hurt as if something internally was squeezing her lungs. She pulled away from him and staggered back.

"Hurts, doesn't it?" Treyford asked. Nancy tried to draw in breath but she could feel her lungs not moving, her chest about ready to explode from being unable to breathe.

"Nancy!" cried Frank, still struggling with his guard. He finally was able to elbow the man, disabling him momentarily so Frank could rush to her side as she collapsed into his arms. She looked up at him, tears falling down her cheeks. What breaths she could take came in loud rasps as the poison quickly worked its way through her system, her face and lips pale. When Nancy closed her eyes, Frank cradled her lifeless form in her arms, he cried out in rage. He could hear sobbing from across the room, his mother and Vanessa both crying over the loss. Fenton lowered his head in defeat, angry that he couldn't stop it. Ned stared down at Nancy and Frank as Treyford looked smug.

"This is why you follow directions, Ned," Treyford replied. He stepped in front of Ned, his face only inches from the young man's angry one. "Although she was going to die eventually, I got to take that advantage away from you...for now. Have you learned your lesson?"

Ned glared at him, his nostrils flaring in rage. He looked down at Frank who was still cradling Nancy as if willing her to come back to him. Ned had wanted to kill Frank and punish Nancy, not this. He had plans of his own but Treyford and Frank both took it away.

"See? Frank gets it," Treyford replied, gleefully. He smiled down at Frank who glared sadly back up at him. Treyford turned to Ned and smiled. "You'll learn eventuall…" he suddenly stopped when a shot rang out. Treyford's eyes went wide as he stared at Ned. The young man sneered slightly as another shot rang.

"I've learned my lesson, Jack," Ned said, leaning toward him. "Never trust a man who lets other people do his dirty work for him."

Treyford staggered away from him, blood spilling from his gut. Brenda screamed in horror as she saw the gun poised in Ned's hand, the smoke still rising from the barrel. Treyford looked down in shock, trying to keep his blood in his body. No words came out of his mouth as he fell over, landing in a pool of his own blood. Ned looked over at Brenda through narrow eyes before scanning the room. The guards stood solemnly, their loyalty to whoever paid them. Although they didn't expect what happened, the guards stayed where they were, their orders clear in the eyes of their new boss.

"Get up, Hardy!" cried Ned, aiming his gun at Frank who still held on to Nancy. He reluctantly let go of her, gently laying her back down to the ground before rising slowly, his hands raised. Still keeping his gun on Frank, Ned looked over at Brenda who stood frozen in fear. "Now, if I remember correctly, Jack always had a backup plan or two…or three. Where is it, Brenda?"

"I…I don't know what you're talking about," she stammered, taking a step back.

"Yes, you do, Brenda," Ned replied. He quickly turned back to Frank who had moved. Max stepped in and took hold of Frank so Ned could keep his attention to Brenda. "Jack had you do it! I know he did! Now where is it? Where's the antidote?"

Brenda bit her lip, thinking. She knew he was going to kill her no matter what she did. But she made a promise to Nancy that she wouldn't give her back to Ned. Before anyone could stop her, Brenda rushed out of the room, heading for the front door. She could hear Ned yelling for her as she punched in a code into the security box by the door, the sound of the doors and windows suddenly unlocking and opening. Just as she opened the front door, Ned appeared around the corner, his eyes dead set on her.

As Brenda rushed out of the room, Ned screamed her name. He hated chasing people but he needed the antidote. Even if it was to get the satisfaction of watching Nancy's when he killed Frank in front of her. He turned back to the guards before leaving. "If I'm not back in five minutes, kill them all but leave Frank to me," he ordered. Ned rushed out of the room to follow Brenda, leaving the Hardys to be with the guards.

Frank looked down at Nancy. If Brenda had the antidote, then there was still a chance to save her. He looked over at his father who shook his head as if knowing what Frank was about to do. Whipping around, he landed a punch to the face of an unsuspecting Max behind him, incapacitating him. As he rushed by the second guard near him, Frank kneed him in the stomach, the man doubling over. The other guards in the room were uncertain as to what to do giving Frank the opportunity to go after Ned and Brenda.

"Frank!" cried Fenton but he was already gone. Frank just hoped he could get to Brenda before Ned did.

Nearly an hour after leaving the lodge, Joe, Stacy, Sam, and Jack found the snowmobile lot down the hill from Treyford's villa. The sun had set and the full moon had risen, giving them natural yet semi-dark lighting. When they arrived, there were two men guarding the area and the four easily took care of them just before the FBI showed up, SAC Dearing leading the way with Hayworth.

"Do we know how many are up there?" Dearing asked, looking toward Joe. The two guards were out cold, lying on the ground.

"Maybe ten for all we know," Joe shrugged. "We didn't really have time to ask them."

"This is why you don't let civilians deal with things like this," the SAC sighed, shaking his head. He looked at Hayworth standing next to him. "Go up to the villa, Hayworth through the forest. Maybe by some miracle, you'll be able to get in once we've cleared the place from below."

She nodded and ordered a few agents to come with her. "What about these four?" she asked, pointing to Joe and his colleagues.

"I need you four to stay here," Dearing ordered, turning toward them. Joe started to protest but the SAC held up his hand. "I am not going to have four more people hurt in the crossfire. We'll get your family out safe and sound."

"But we're capable of taking care of ourselves!" cried Joe.

"They can go with me," Agent Hayworth piped up, stepping forward. "If we're to go around the villa, it's less likely that they'll be in the crossfire if the security system is still armed. I'll take full responsibility if anything happens to any of them."

Dearing sighed, looking between Hayworth and Joe. He knew he wasn't going to be able to stop Joe from going up to the villa. "Fine," he finally said. "All three of you are to follow orders directly from Agent Hayworth. If you don't, I can't guarantee your safety."

"Understood," Joe nodded, smiling. He looked up the mountain. Since it was mostly forest in the area around the villa, they should have plenty of cover until they reached the summit.

"The rest of you, come with me!" cried Dearing. A moment later, he turned on a flashlight and walked into the mine shaft, several agents following him.

"Lead the way, Joe," Agent Hayworth replied, gesturing to him. The other agents with her waited for him to lead them toward the villa. Joe nodded and walked toward the trees lining the property.

A few minutes into the trek up the hill, the group stopped as they heard two shots ring out. Although the shots seemed distant, they knew they came from the villa above them. Feeling a sense of urgency, Joe pushed himself up the hill. All he could think of was his family. Don't worry, guys. I'm coming.

Author's Note:

I know this was really short as compared to some of the other chapters but I just felt that it was complete as to where I stopped it. Hopefully I didn't piss off too many of you with this one! I don't know if anyone noticed but a part of the chapter pays homage to another one of my favorites from the ND Files. Kudos to you if you can figure it out! And yes, there was more from the plot of The Last Resort when Treyford was speaking. Thanks to everyone who left a review for the last chapter! Rose12, I hope this chapter cleared up a little as to what Brenda was thinking. And yes, Brenda was horrible in most of the books she was in. I don't think the Hardys even liked her when they had encounters with Brenda. Thanks to Tjcain for the great support! Candylou, a dinner party was the intention but it changed as you read. Yet another twist in my little story! Haha! Thanks also to ErinJordan and max2013 for the reviews as well. I hope everyone enjoyed the chapter and please don't forget to leave your mark so that I know you were here! Until next time, have a great weekend! See ya!