After being in River Heights for only a minute, the knot in Ned's stomach tightened and twisted in anger of confrontation. If Bess and George hadn't been in the car, beside him, he may have turned around and headed in any direction, just to get away from the town.
This may sounds over-extreme to you, but once in a love spell, you are sworn to a promise of faith. And if broken, part of your soul is broken. It leaves a burn that can't be scraped of ashes. The town only brought back the pain to poor Ned, a scar not only in his head, but in his heart.
Ned felt somewhat relieved when he exited the town's gate, and pulled into the Yellow Mountain Hotel. He took a breather before stepping outside.
No more were police scouring the area, nor did any yellow tape block off the entrance. They had considered their search finished. Except for Nancy's bedroom.
"Who are you?" A gruff man, tall and blond, stood at the door of room 117.
"My name is Ned Nickerson. This is George Fayne and Bess Marvin. We are… friends of Nancy Drew."
The guard paused, in his head probably deciding what to do next, then mumbled, "Wait here." He disappeared for almost a minute, but returned with a policeman all three teenagers recognized instantly. "Chief McGinnis!"
"Ned! Cousins!" (The chief never actually spoke their names) "Wow, has it been awhile. How've ya'll been?"
"Fine. And I'm Bess. This is George."
"Right, right. Come on in."
Now this was what Ned had expected. Photographers, a forensic crew, and officers. Nancy's belongings lay out on the floor, being searched through. Others looked for fingerprints and any signs of violence.
"The only prints we have in here are Nancy's. I give the housecleaning credit. No fingerprints from others' stays show at all."
"What about in Nancy's car, sheriff?" George couldn't help but stare in awe. She enjoyed watching a crime scene, if only it were under better circumstances.
"We found nothing out of the ordinary. She might have walked to wherever she was headed, though nobody saw her downtown."
"Where else could she have been headed?"
"There's a fishing pond a few blocks down, but you need a car to get down there. It's a real steep cliff. Besides, the caretaker saw no one."
"Mind if we go down there?" Ned eyes seemed to hint a sign of acknowledgement.
Bess stared at him. "Why?" She shut her mouth when Ned gave her a face.
"Sure," the chief seemed preoccupied by another policeman.
The trio walked to the elevator, where neither spoke a word till they were inside it.
"What is it, Ned?"
"That's Swan Pond."
"Nice name, but, so?"
"The day before Nancy went to college, we went swimming there."
"You did?"
"Mmm-hmm. We were prunes when we got out," Ned actually smiled.
"But Nancy's car was still in the hotel parking lot," the elevator door opened, and Ned led them back to his convertible.
"Yeah, that part doesn't make sense. But something tells me she went down there." The group hopped into his car and backed up in the parking space.
The teens went down the hill, extra slowly. The rain had once again picked up, and bulleted the roof with heavy artillery. Ned sighed, as all footprints and clues would now be washed away. But instead of turning around, he let his car safely lay under a tree's shaded branches. He stepped out of his car, and walked to the lake.
Ripples spread and crashed throughout the blue layer. The water level had clearly increased as mud began disappearing from view, replaced by the rising pond.
Old memories splashed into Ned's head. The day before Nancy left his life played in his mind.
"I still don't understand why you won't come to Emerson with me." Ned was slightly perturbed at his girlfriend.
"I need my space to grow, Ned. If I go to your college, I will always be in your shadow, and always be known as your girlfriend. Besides, Wilder has a wonderful journalism program."
"You always told me you would take up Criminal Justice and Investigative Criminology."
"I… I changed my mind."
"Why?"
"I just did." Nancy was sitting on the edge of the water brook, her toes teasing the coolness of the pond.
"Is something wrong, Nan?" Ned sat down beside her, and placed his arm around her shoulders.
"I don't want to solve mysteries anymore."
Silence. Deader silence then a room with a rotting corpse.
"What are you talking about?"
"The day before I went to sign up for my classes, I reviewed all I've been through. I have put you guys in danger so many times, I have hurt you so many times, that I realize now I was taking advantage of you. It wasn't fair for me to be so persistent, only to get you or Bess and George kidnapped, drugged, or wounded. I have been so mean to you; how could I continue doing this?"
"Nancy Drew, you have not forced us to be your friends. We love you because of your spunky attitude, and no-fear manner. Being an amateur sleuth, that is all part of you. That's what makes up your beautiful body," he touched her cheek gently in a romantic way.
"How is it, that you always know what to say?" She laid her head on Ned's broad shoulders. "I can't undo my classes, now. I have to continue with reporting. But being where the action is, I can do my own secret detective work."
"That sounds more like my Nancy," her boyfriend suddenly hopped up. "How about a swim just before you head to Wilder?"
"We're in our clothes!"
"Who cares?" He pulled off his Emerson Sweat-shirt , revealing a white t-shirt he had used to work-out that morning.
"Nickerson, I don't think… ah!" Nancy screeched as her friend splashed her with cold water.
"Oh, you did it now!" The detective tackled her partner, and proceeded to soak him. But weak Ned was not, as he lifted Nancy in the air, and tickled her. She laughed uncontrollably, nearly bringing herself to tears. Once able to make an escape, she swam out into the center of Swan Pond. But her boyfriend was right behind her.
It became a race, with Nancy's long arms giving her a slight advantage. She surfed till she couldn't paddle anymore, but when she turned around, she didn't see anything.
"Ned? Ned?" The detective immediately assumed the worst. But before she could search underwater, she found herself being lifted into the air again. She shook her head and laughed as Ned's head popped up from below.
"You scared me!"
"I should get a medal. Terrorists, kidnappers, and pizza with anchovies doesn't scare you, but I do!"
How long they stayed there, Ned had no idea. Only when the caretaker called them out did they leave. They were two dripping wet love puppies, soaked in and out, but having no problem with it.
"I have something for you," Ned spoke as the two got into his car. He reached into the backseat, and revealed a gold chain. A beautiful heart dangled at the end of it. Nancy was speechless.
"Wow… it's beautiful." She dipped her head to allow him to place the necklace over her head. He kissed her lightly on the cheek, and whispered his final words, "If you ever have any doubt in my love for you, open this locket, and you will find a part of my heart."