The ear-shattering scream sent Nancy and the rest of their group reeling with shock and worry.

"I can't take it any more, I just can't!"

The hysterical shrieking tones in which Ned so vehemently proclaimed this caused Nancy great anxiety.

Blonde brows drawing together in a discerning frown she immediately began reviewing Physcology 101.

"Why Ned," She exclaimed her dulcet voice permeating the air. "Whatever is the matter? Didn't you like Hannah's cake, you know it's always been our favorite chocolate cake. Not liking it would be like me not being stunningly intelligent and dazzlingly beautiful."

Ned's usually well kept hands seized sizable portions of her usually well groomed hair. Nancy's fabulous sense of style couldn't help but notice that Ned's nails were chipped and --- was that dirt under them!!!??? Petite nose wrinkling in tasteful avoidance to the sight of unmanicured nails she turned to her Father.

Carson Drew's handsomely rugged face was concerned.

"Hannah you didn't forget the sugar in the cake did you?" He took a bite of the chocolate desert, tasting it testingly. "The cocoa?"

Hannah Gruen drew herself up defensively. Her motherly face looking rather stormy.

"I don't forget ingredients." She snapped clearly. Her usually gentle tones somewhat addled. She did not appreciate slights on her cooking. With a sniff she turned her back on the group, taking out a pair of knitting needles to pass the time.

Nancy was shocked as this uncharacteristic turn of events. Her family outings were never disturbed by arguments. They were all so close and loving, basking in the glow of Nancy's compassion and charisma. What had happened?

Bess and George were sitting back looking slightly shell-shocked. They had not thought normal everyday realities such as disagreements or raised voices invaded the ethereal existence of their friend and idol, Nancy Drew.

Ned was still jerking steadily at his hair, his sky-blue eyes looking slightly deranged at the moment.

"It's not the cake!" He yelled, his voice creeping just a pitch or so higher.

"Not the cake then?" Crason Drew commented thoughtfully, his lawyer brilliant mind already kicking into action. "The lemonade, perhaps?" Turning he tried to catch Hannah Gruen's eye. "I knew you were squeezing those lemons hard enough, didn't I say so. Not near enough lemon, that's what. Too much sugar."

Hannah Gruen's stormy composure heightened to Nancy's dismay she turned suddenly, hurling the knitting needles at Carson Drew.

"You want hand-squeezed lemonade? Do you!? Well here's something. Make your own damn juice and that goes for the cake too. I quit."

Snatching up the picnic basket, the checked red and white squared cloth, and the remains of the chocolate cake she strode away from the group.

Nancy didn't know what to say, or to do, her entire world was falling apart around her. Oddly enough her Physcology 101 course wasn't helping her out much. She didn't know how to deal with this.

"Wha--- what?" She faltered her silky tones trailing off.

"It's you, it's this." Ned gestured towards Nancy and encompassed the group. "I can't take it any more. I'm sorry Nancy."

Standing suddenly he left the group. Running with his usual athletic stride across the grounds.

There was shocked silence and still and just as Nancy moved to check her hair in her pocket-mirror Ned's bomb went off.

With a blast of heat and flames Nancy and her group was engulfed. It made quite the hit in the River Hieghts daily news, headlines really.

TRAGIC DEATH OF PROMISING, YOUNG, BEAUTIFUL, STUNNINGLY INTELLIGENT, AND AMAZINGLY LUCKY AMATEUR SLUETH, NANCY DREW!

The short, stocky little figure of an dark-haired girl smiled wickedly over her newspaper. Ned hadn't done too badly now had he? With a low laugh she stood, her long unkempt hair sticking out in odd curls and tangles.

Grinning darkly she reflected upon the so very tragic demise of the perfectness that was once Nancy Drew.