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The ropes burned Nancy’s wrists as she tried to maneuver her arms free of them. She couldn’t remember how long ago she woke up here, an hour? Three hours? She lost track. What was important though was getting her and Ace out of here.
“It’s no use Nancy, we’re stuck here.”
The familiar voice startled her at first, then lit her face with Joy.
“Ace! You’re awake!!!”
Nancy tried to turn her body to view the man tied at her back, but her efforts were in vain.
“Did they hurt you Nance?”
“Just a few bumps and bruises, I’ll be alright. You?”
“I think I might have a cracked rib or something, but nothing I can’t manage.”
Anger and guilt began to build in Nancy’s chest. Anger at the people who did this, that they could hurt Ace like that, but guilt for bringing him right into a trap.
“It’s all my fault. I’m the one who dragged us into this mess.”
“It’s not your fau-“
“Yes it is! If I weren’t so stubborn, if I could’ve just called the police, left the lead alone, if I hadn’t let you come here with me… maybe we wouldn’t be here, and you wouldn’t hurt because of me.”
Nancy choked out the last words trying to hold in her tears. Her throat was tight as she felt a tear run down the edge of her face.
“Nancy Drew. You have one of the most brilliant minds I have ever met. You’ve been able to run circles around the HBPD since you were twelve years old. But even more than that, you have the best intuition. I trust you with my life.”
“And that’s the problem! Maybe if you didn’t we wouldn’t be in this mess!”
“You know if I hadn’t agreed you would’ve come by yourself.”
The words stung a bit, but she knew he was right. When Nancy had her mind set on something there was no standing in her way.
“Nancy you are one of the most stubborn people I have ever met. And that’s why I…”
Ace paused contemplating if he wanted to continue that sentence, and Nancy’s stomach filled with dread at the words she knew he would say.
“Don’t…. Don’t say it.”
Tears stung her eyes as they flowed freely down her face. She knew Ace loved her. She was madly in love with him too. But he could never find out. Because if he did…
Nancy shuddered.
“Nancy, you’ve been avoiding me.”
The statement was true, she had been avoiding him. Really the only reason he was even here was because he couldn’t get her to talk to him otherwise.
“Well I guess getting kidnapped is a good way to get us to talk to each other.”
Ace let out an audible exhale.
“Why are you hiding from me?”
“I’m no-“
“Nancy…”
She paused and considered for a moment. She hated what Temperance had done to them. She hated constantly living with the fear that if she said just the wrong thing, Ace might die. But there was nothing she could do.
“I’ve been avoiding you because I can’t stand seeing the hurt look on your face. You’re my best friend Ace. I don’t like seeing you hurt, but I… I can’t be what you want me to be.”
The silence in the room was deafening.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
“What in the-“
Nancy’s exclamation was cut short by a crowbar wielding George slamming through the door, closely followed by both Nick and Bess.
“George? What- how did you guys find us?”
“Ace started carrying an AirTag in his shoes in case something happened to him,” Bess replied. “He activated it when you went missing.”
Nick walked forward with his pocket knife and began cutting their ropes, soon freeing both captives.
“We’ve gotta get out of here, those thugs out front will be waking up any minute,” said George.
As they began making their way to the exit, Nancy gave Ace a somber glance before stepping through the door. She was determined now more than ever to find a way to break the curse.