It's Nancy's twentieth birthday, and among the numerous gifts she received, the best one was a ticket to Thomas & Co. Cruise with the Hardys, for a few days. But a sudden murder and a kidnap turns the trip into a new leaf. Nancy, along with the Hard...
As soon as I closed the door of the cabin, Nancy came up to me and engulfed me in a hug, burying her face in my chest. " Did they agree to it? " She asks as soon as I wrap my arms around her too. I breath out a sigh before replying " Yeah they did. I also asked for permission to check the control and the engine rooms but he disagreed. But we can check the other cabins though. "
By 'he' I mean Mr. Parker, our ship's captain. And if you're wondering what's going on, let's take a quick recap to a few hours ago.
Flashback:
As soon as I got the threat, we rushed towards Rose's cabin. There was this feeling in my chest telling me something wrong is going on.
And I was right. As soon as we approached Rose's cabin door, we noticed it was unlocked. Inside, everything was a complete mess. Her bags were scattered everywhere, the contents all empty.
" Are you thinking what I'm thinking? "
I looked beside me at Nancy's voice and noticed her staring at me, wide eyed. I nodded, unable to process everything.
" Hey look! This is Joe's! " I said to Nancy as soon as I noticed a phone laying at the corner of the room. There was no doubt it was my dear brother's phone. Nancy gasped as soon as I brought it up to inspect.
The battery's dead. Darn it!
All of this leads to one thing. Our ideas were that Rose was being kidnapped by someone and Joe came to help her, but he got kidnapped too. But why would someone kidnap Rose? Unless-
" Frank! The casket! " I turned around to look at Nancy. Yes, she was right. They definitely wanted Rose for the casket. Which also means that the kidnappers are the same as the ones who almost killed that woman yesterday.
" So that means we have very little time to open the casket AND find both of them. " I concluded. We stayed there for sometime, raking our brains to find a good plan as to find them. Suddenly, an idea popped up in my mind.
" Listen, you go, try opening the casket. I'll speak to Mr. Parker to allow the crew members to have a mask party today evening. When everyone would be partying, we'll try sneaking into as many cabin rooms as possible in hopes of finding Joe and Rose. And we have to wear the masks. You know, those face masks I mean, which cover your eyes. "
Nancy seemed to think about it for a while before nodding as a smile broke into her angelic face. " Seems like a plan. "
Flashback end
" It's almost time. Let's go, get ready. Then we'll meet outside your room, okay? " I asked as we pulled apart from our comforting hug. Nancy nodded, before I left her room and made my way to my own.
I just hope wherever they are, they're safe.
• • •
Nancy's POV:-
We made our way into the large deck where the party was being currently held. I looked at Frank's and mine's intertwined fingers as I unconsciously smiled a bit. I can't believe we reciprocate each other's feelings. For now, it's a great start.
No! Get rid of these thoughts now. You're on a mission.
Right! Though I must say, he looked way too good in that white shirt and grey pants of his. And me? I looked 'stunning as always' as per Frank in my blue floral dress.
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(Frank's Dress 🔺)
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(Nancy's Dress 🔺)
We went towards the table where the party masks were being kept, and took two for ourselves. " Nancy, meet me exactly here after you've finished searching for them, okay? And be careful, I... I cannot afford to loose you too. " Frank said, as he engulfed me in a hug. I smiled against his chest as I pecked his cheek before replying " Don't worry, I would be careful. And the same goes for you too, mister. " I added, a but sternly, before we parted our ways.
****************** " Did you find anything suspicious? " I asked Frank as soon as he brought our drinks. We were currently having our dinner after a tiresome search through out the cruise ship for any trace of Joe and Rose. I for one, hadn't found anything and my only hope laid on Frank.
" No, I didn't. I searched every damn nook and corner of this ship, but there was not a trace of them. " He replied, crushing any hopes I had left.
We had our dinner quietly before heading towards our cabin. Frank had already stated he was going to stay in the same cabin as mine, for he feared the kidnappers might come after me as well. I knew better than to disagree, so I reluctantly agreed to him.
Just as I switched off the lights in the cabin and lit up the lamp, my eyes darted towards the casket placed just below it. But it was not the casket which took my attention.
In the dim light of the lamp, there were some words illuminated at their side of the casket which seemed to me hidden in broad light. But it seemed that the words were some kind of riddle:
Wit Beyond Measure Is Man's Greatest Treasure
" Frank, wake up! Take a look at this! " I shouted while literally dragging him from the couch. He rubbed his eyes sleepily before they became wide as saucers as soon as he saw what I was pointing at.
A new idea came to me that since it was telling Wit is man's greatest Treasure, could it possibly open the casket? The word 'wit? '
" Do you think-" Frank trailed off while glancing at me, who was nodding her head vigorously. " At least we can give it a try. " I quipped.
Frank took the casket and took a deep breath before rotating the ring of the casket towards the word W, then I and at last T.
With a jerking sound, the casket opened, revealing a....... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N:- Hello there! Did you guys like the chapter? The casket opened at last! 😏😏 Oh No! Joe and Rose are kidnapped!! *sheds dramatic tears* Cliffhanger? I know... 😉😉*insert evil laughter* What do you think is inside the casket? Do vote and comment ✨✨
