Chapter 23: The Terror of Riverdale:
Nancy's POV:
While I was looking for evidence to prove my Dad's innocent, everyone was getting ready for Harbor Day.
"Hey Jughead," I said, "what's Harbor Day?"
"Glad you ask," says Jughead, "it's celebrating the first ship to reach Riverdale; the ship was meant to arrive in Virginia but was allegedly pushed off course by a sea creature called the Aglaeca, and on Harbor Day citizens can ask the Aglaeca for something."
There's something to think about. Jughead walks away. "I wouldn't trust it," says Sabrina, who startles me.
"We need to put a bell on you," I said.
"A wish from the Aglaeca comes with a price," says Sabrina.
"And how do you know that," I asked.
"Ask Salem," says Sabrina.
. . .
I was still focused on my current problems. If I knew who really killed Lucy... I wish Lucy would tell me. I know that's not usually my style, but it would be a whole lot easier. I then saw something. It was Ryan and someone was aiming a gun at him. "Ryan, look out," I said. Ryan looks and dodges as soon as the gun was fired. The stranger then runs away. I then ran to Ryan. "You, okay?"
"Yeah, thanks," says Ryan, "what was that?"
"I think it might be related to Lucy's killer," I said, "I heard you and Lucy used to be a thing."
"My daughter told you, didn't she," asks Ryan.
"Yeah, but now I have more questions," I said.
Gomber's POV:
"So, now we plan our prison break," asks Kroon.
"Of course," I said, "and then we go after Nancy Drew."
"This will be her grand finale," says Kroon, "I almost feel sorry that Mr. McKeever won't be joining us."
"That's life," I said, "let's get ready."
Nancy's POV:
I told Karen what happened.
"And you think the person hunting Ryan might be involved with Lucy's death," asks Karen.
"Yes," I said.
"We'll look into that," says Karen, "thank you for telling me."
I then left.
. . .
As I was walking, I saw Lucy. She was floating over a pile of bones.
. . .
I was talking to my friends about what Lucy showed me.
"Maybe the Aglaeca can help," says Bess.
"I don't know about that," says Ned, "maybe we should talk to Sabrina about that."
"She would be the best supernatural expert," says George.
"No," I said, "I have a better idea."
. . .
We talked to Salem.
"I feel like a celebrity," says Salem, "so what would you like to know?"
"First, is that nine lives thing true," asks Shaun.
"Of course not," says Salem, "that's just a rumor."
"Second, we were thinking of talking to the Aglaeca..." I began.
"DON'T," Salem shouts, "that demon can never be trusted!"
"Woah, chill, what's the big deal," asks Ned.
"Let me tell you a story," says Salem.
Salem's POV - Flashback:
It was 25 years ago. I had plans to... take over the world. I decided to talk to the Aglaeca. I asked for an army. She provided me with one. However, they were all idiots. And that wasn't even the worst part. All her wishes come with a price and for me, because she has a sick sense of humor, I was turned into a cat for 100 years!
Nancy's POV - Present:
"And I still have 75 years to go," says Salem.
"If you did take over the world, what would you have done with it," asks Ned.
"Excellent question," says Salem, "I suppose when it comes to a hunger for power, you never actually think that far ahead."
"Salem, my Dad is in jail," I said.
"Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you," says Salem, "but what would you ask for?"
"Lucy's bones," I said, "I think Lucy wants me to find her bones!"
"I don't think she'd want you to ask that sea witch, but very well. Form a wreath of seaweed with white ribbon and you must perform the summoning ritual on the coast. And remember, she is a trickster!"
"Thank you," I said. I do feel like there was something he didn't tell us.
. . .
We then did what Salem told us to do.
"Now what," asks Shaun.
Then the winds were growing stronger, and the ocean was acting crazy. Then we saw Lucy's bones.
"That was easy," says George, "and look, we're not cats."
Then Shaun started bleeding. I realized what the Aglaeca was doing. I then canceled the ritual. "Let's get out of here," I said.
. . .
I was looking at the bones. I wish I knew what to do with them.
"Nancy," says Salem, showing up.
"The Aglaeca was taking Shaun's blood," I said, "what didn't you tell us?"
Salem looks down. "I... to get something, you must give something."
Salem's POV - Flashback:
The Aglaeca wanted my daughter, but I refused to sacrifice her. So, she turned me into a cat.
Nancy's POV - Present:
"I didn't tell anyone because I didn't want them to think it was my own fault," says Salem.
"You were trying to protect your daughter," I said, "that Aglaeca really can't be trusted."
"There is one thing," says Salem, "I was transformed the moment I said no. If nothing's happened to you yet, it might mean that something far worst is going to happen!"
. . .
I was worried, but then I saw the assassin, trying to break into Ryan's house. I then attacked them. They tried to fight back, but I picked up a rock and knocked them out with it. I then unmasked them and... it's Karen Hart!
. . .
Karen was being taken in. "Yes, I tried to kill Ryan Hudson," says Karen, "but that's only because he's the one who killed Lucy!"
"Wait," I said, "who told you that?"
"Some guy wearing the Mad Hatter's hat," says Karen, "all I had to do, in exchange, was follow you around to tell him and other people where you'd be."
"Karen," I said, "I think they're working with the one who did kill Lucy."
Karen then realizes the mistake she made as the police were taking her in.
. . .
I was in bed. Something has to be done. But as I lay there, I started coughing and then... I was coughing up seaweed!
In the next chapter, Nancy learns a dark secret.