PoV: NANCY:-

"I wonder why he isn't answering my calls" I muttered - loud enough for dad to hear - as I kept calling him. "He's probably just busy - nothing to worry. I anyways just texted his father about the same." He said in a worried tone.

"I'm calling Bess and George over, maybe they might be knowing what's up with Ned." I said. "Why not just text them about it all?" My dad asked. "I don't know, it just doesn't seem right to say such a thing on the phone."
"Suit yourself."

I was pacing through the hallway in my house, when I heard the doorbell ring. I dashed towards the door and opened it with a sigh of relief. My two besties - Bess and George - were there to the rescue; as usual.

"Hey Nance, you sounded pretty worried when you asked if we could come over. Is everything alright?" Asked Bess as she hung her coat on the rack.

"Well, Ned's not answering any of my calls and he had to pick me up for our date like an hour ago, so yea, thing's really aren't at their best right now." I told her.

"Well, that definitely explains the outfit!" Exclaimed George, glancing up and down at my medium length lace - maroon dress.

"Well, I guess you've figured that out. But the point is that - "

"Nan, you sure you didn't see or hear anything from Ned since he left for our place?" asked my dad with his cellphone stuck to his ear. "Um, no... why do you ask?" I asked; my voice volume going lower and lower.

"One second Nance..." he said; clearly busy on the phone. "No, she said she hasn't... yes... exactly my point... what?... oh god okay. I'll be there." He glanced at me, "Is it okay if I bring Nancy along?...okay... great... meet you there in five."

"Who was it?" I asked curiously. "It was Ned's father - he said that Ned dropped the line in the middle of a conversation abruptly and hasn't been answering calls since!" replied dad.

"If you're going to their place, can we tag along?" Asked Bess. "Sure thing" answered dad.

"Wait! If we're gonna have to investigate I better change!" I said. "Well, you better hurry then."

I went up and changed into my jeans and T-shirt and ran down the stairs. "Ready!" "Great, lets go!" Said dad.

* * *

"Did you try tracking his phone down?" I asked Mr. Nickerson - Ned's father. "Well, I guess we didn't; can you guys do that." "On it!" Shouted George from the dining table with her PC in front of her.

Bess and I sat next to George while she got into his email account and started tracking his phone down.

"Got it!" George exclaimed with joy. "Where is it?" I asked. "Near block 31, Elm Street." She replied. "Wait, that's hardly at any distance from here!" I shrieked. "Then, what are we waiting for?" Said George with a sly grin. "Yeah! Let's do thi - " Bess started when she was interrupted by a familiar voice - Mr. Nickerson.

"For us!" He said. As if on cue, me , Bess and George all looked towards each other, puzzled. "He meant that you were waiting for us." Replied my dad understanding our faces.

"Oh okay. Wait, you're not coming with us, are you?" I asked politely. " I guess not, but we'll be here and on-call if you need us or if there's any emergency. And remember don't get into too much trouble." Said dad.

"Dad!" I said, embarrassed. He raised an eyebrow. "Okay fine. Bye now," I said before giving him a slight peck on his cheek and moving out.

* * *

15 minutes later we were investigating the scene of crime I heard a phone ring. It didn't sound it was far. I followed it to find a familiar phone. It was Ned's! An unknown number was ringing.

I picked it up anyways. "You have 10 days, if you don't stop, you will never see him again." "Wait, who are you and what are you talking abou - " I was cut - off with the call getting dropped.

I got really worried. Who was that person and what was he doing to Ned? I made sure I took down the phone number in the little notebook I was carrying. I continued investigating the area when I found an unique graphitti on the wall :-

"Hey Bess, George; look what I found!" I shouted out to the cousins. Running, they came. George started, "Wha - oh my god Nance, you think....." "That this has been left by the kidnapper?" I completed. "Yes!"

"Wonder what it means...." she said as she clicked a picture of the scene of crime. "And look at this " said Bess holding a red spray paint bottle. It read 'Luna's marvellous spray'. "Well, maybe it was used by - " I was rudely interrupted by the sound of my phone buzzing.

Dad. I picked up the phone anyway, excusing myself. "Hey dad!" " Nancy! Where in the world are you! Don't you know what time it is?!" "No....." I started, while taking in the dark night sky and looking at my watch. 21:30! God, it's been an hour of us out. No wonder dad was worried.

"Oh shoot! Lost track of time. Meet you at Mr. Nickeson's place in ten."
* * *

"So, you're trying to say that whoever made the graffiti is behind the kidnapping?" Dad asked. "Why are we calling it a kidnapping, maybe Ned just lost his way or is probably stuck in a traffic jam and all that happened was that he dropped his phone..." said Mr. Nickerson.

I wasn't going to judge him. I tried to comfort him. "To be honest Mr. Nickerson I too want to believe that it's one of those reasons but let's be practical. Ned's gone without a trace and if not kidnapping, I don't know what you'd call it. And yes, dad. I'm also starting to think that the graffiti was some kind of initial..." I said.

"Well, we'll see about that tomorrow, you girls have a long day ahead of you tomorrow" said dad. We all drove out of the Nickerson's to my place where I said my goodbyes to George and Bess for the night.

I couldn't sleep that night. I was too worried about Ned. I hoped he was okay. I didn't even realize when my eyes shut but I woke up to a rays of sunlight coming through my window. I desperately needed window blinds. But the rising sun gave me hope that I would to get to the bottom of this - no matter what. Like I always do.

* * * * *

*LUNCH BREAK*

We walked towards our usual spot for having lunch - the bench beside the fountain. everything seemed wonderful as I laughed, enjoyed and ate with my friends until 'someone' came and sat at the bench in front of us.

Deidre Shannon. I always tried to be friends with her but she always ended up wanting to stay away from me. She even has a serious crush on Ned. Let's just say we're 'frenemies'.

I watched as she sat there in front and kept on giving these weird looks at our table.

While sitting I saw an oddly - familiar object slowly slide out of her open bag.

I got up and walked towards her bench as I said, "Hey Dee-Dee, I think you dropped something - what the heck ?!", I said, picking up a red spray paint bottle. Its labelled read 'Luna's Marvelous Spray'. That was the same spray bottle we found while investigating.

"Hey, give that back", she reached out for the bottle but I declined my hand. With the heat of the situation she got up. "HOW COULD YOU!" I said, boiling with anger.

I think I scared the Deidre because she took a step back and squeaked "How could I - What ?". "Deidre, I never thought you'd take it this far", I said. "Take WHAT this far ?!", she practically screeched.

"WHY WOULD YOU KIDNAP NED?!?!", I shouted, making everyone in the courtyard stare at me. There was an awkward silence (if y'all know what I mean) when Deidre finally broke in "Ned's kidnapped?". "Oh, don't act like you don't know what I'm saying!" I said.

"Well, let me tell you; YOU - ARE - WRONG !  And if you think I did it - Prove it." With that she left.

Bess and George each put a hand on my shoulder and guided me out while everyone stared at me in shock.

* * * * *

I actually felt bad for what I did at recess. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe Deidre didn't do it. I couldn't stop thinking about it. Not even when I heard the doorbell ring. I couldn't get up. I was so synced with my thoughts that I didn't realize in a while Bess was sitting next to me, comforting me, while George paced across the room, deep in thought scratching her chin.

"I can't believe Deidre would do such a thing." Even though George always teased Ned, she was also a very loyal friend. "Me neither", said Bess.

Oh, what could I possibly say! Both and Bess and George were my best friends and partners in solving crime.

"Guys, lets not jump to conclusions .... it could be anyone else. But I am sure we'll find him!"
                                                                                          
* * * * *

The next day was normal, however I couldn't spot Deidre at lunch. She wasn't even at history- which she has with me.

When i got back home, my father was sitting beside a familiar looking man - Mr. Shannon! Oh god, I  thought to myself. Now what?

"Nancy, there is something urgent we have to share with you," said dad before glancing towards Mr. Shannon. "What's that?", I asked.

"Diedre is missing," said Mr. Shannon.

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Sorry, I wasn't able to publish this on time due to some errors but I hoped this was worth the time lost. Thank you guys soooo much for reading! Make sure to leave a comment - positive or negative, I'm open to all. Hope you guys liked this! If yes, please vote! Thanks again!!!

Word Count: 1680 words

Edit: Hey guys it's me (29/12/20). Edited this chapter a bit, I know these initial chapters sounded kiddish but I hope ch4 and beyond are better!