NANCY DREW AND THE SECRET OF MERMAID COVE

Chapter Eighteen

The trio pulled over into a clearing surrounded by tall trees. "Looks like we're out in the middle of nowhere. Where are we?" Bess asked.

"Oh, come on don't be like that babe. You will love this, it is just a little farther on foot to the cove." Chase coaxed trying to get Bess to lighten up a bit. He opened the jeep door and held out his hand for Bess. She paused for a moment in thought before reluctantly taking his hand in hers.

After grabbing some towels from the trunk, the group started down a small path through the woods.

Nancy walked behind them and noticed a new sound barely audible over all the bird songs around them. What was it? It sounded like running water. A river perhaps with some small streams?

Suddenly, Chase let go of Bess and darted ahead of them. "Ladies welcome to paradise!" he announced standing with his arm outstretched to his sides. Behind him secluded area with a small waterfall with a clear pool of water below it.

Bess squealed with glee, "This is amazing!"

Nancy took in her surroundings before adding, "This place is really something. How did you discover this gem in a remote area in the first place?"

Chase grinned and sat down on a nearby boulder. "This area is a family secret that has passed down for many generations."

Bess looked up at him as she asked, "Why would you want to keep this secret?"

"To keep this secret for so long this place shady and contain many dead bodies." Nancy said sarcastically as she wiggled her eyebrows for comedic effect.

Chase wore a shocked expression as he exclaimed, "How did you know?" Then he fell to the ground laughing so hard he had to hold his stomach.

In response, Nancy just rolled her eyes and went behind some trees to undress. She was so thankful that she and Bess had decided to wear some bikinis under their clothing just in case they wanted a dip in the ocean.

When she returned, Nancy was surprised to find Bess stripping down to her bathing suit, while Chase watched with a dopey look on his face.

As Bess and Chased raced into the chilly water to swim, Nancy chose to tan instead. She quickly found a sunny spot and then laid down there on top of a towel. "What good is a vacation if you do not come back with a tan?" she mused.

Not long after, Bess and Chase had claimed to the very top of the waterfall. Nancy heard Bess scream when Chase pulled Bess over the waterfall with him. When the two hit the water it created a huge splash that drenched Nancy where she lay.

"I told you that would be fun," said Chase.

"It was a little, but I am far too frightened to ever do that again!" Bess replied.

Chase went under the water and playfully tried to pull Bess under. "Chase stop it! Stop acting like an immature little brother!" Bess argued as she kicked him away. Chase came up and pushed his wet hair back. Then he gave Bess a quick kiss on the cheek.

Since she was soaked anyway Nancy dove into the clear waters. It felt amazing as she floated on her back. Out of curiosity, she decided to dive down to the bottom of the pool to see what she could find living down there. She found some small freshwater fish that looked to be guarding broods of their eggs. Then something reflective caught Nancy's attention. At the bottom under some pebbles, she found what looked like a large pendant, in the shape of a raindrop, with a swirly pattern carved on to it. Upon resurfacing, Nancy also found that the jewel to be an odd color that seemed to shift between yellow and purple.

"How strange to find something like this out in the middle of nowhere," she commented.

"Nancy, do you want to go boat riding?" Bess asked as she walked up.

Nancy looked startled for a second being adding, "Sure, that sounds like fun."

Authors note*

When writing this chapter I tried to invasion the perfect secluded vacation spot.