Chapter 1: Nell McCoy
Wednesday (yesterday), I got a text from Fred in the “Mystery Inc.” group chat:
“Everyone come to my house! 6:00 pm tomorrow”
I wonder what it could be about, but with Freddy, there’s no telling. Nevertheless, here I am at 5:58, knocking on his front door. He answers with a “Hi, Velma!” and lets me in. I look around at his slightly messy and very blue apartment. Daphne’s already here, probably has been all day. Shaggy and Scooby are late as usual.
“What’s this all about anyway?” I ask
“You see. I wanna tell everyone at once.”
Great. So, I find a space on the couch between the pillows and wait. Eventually, Shaggy and Scoob show up.
“Alright! You all are here because we got a letter!” Fred holds up an envelope
“From who? Asks Daphne and I don’t correct her even though it would be “whom”.
“The mayor of Marietta. He wants us to solve a mystery for him.”
“Like-Where’s Marretta?” asks Shaggy
“Mar-I-etta. And it’s a city nearby. So, are we going?” I reply
Freddy looks at me with wide eyes, “Of course we are!”
I ask to look at the letter.
To Mystery Incorporated:
My name is Isaac McCoy, and as the mayor, I fear for the safety of citizens of Mariette due to the haunt that is plaguing them. This haunt calls himself “Nezha, The God of Young Adults”. He has been targeting economically important locations in the city, appearing out of nowhere and terrorizing people.
I hope you understand my distaste in getting legal services involved in this matter, as it would be far more complicated than simply asking amatuer detectives such as you. I will pay you grandly for your services. I hope you will consider this offer, as it would greatly delite me.
Sincerely, Mayor McCoy.
I take a picture of the letter and hand it back to Fred. “We should leave as soon as possible.”
“I agree. How ’bout we leave tomorrow, after school.” suggests Fred
I check my watch, “Sure. I’m going home to pack.”
I lay in bed looking at the picture on my bright phone screen. “McCoy. Hmmm… That sounds familiar.” I say aloud. I type the name into my search bar, letting the internet do the work. Oh yeah, I remember now. A girl named Nell McCoy tried to accuse her father of abusing her. She lost in court though. ...Is it? ...It is! It’s the mayor’s daughter! Could she be behind this? It’s possible. With a sigh, I shut off the phone and roll to my side.
I fall asleep, sure that I’ve already solved the case of Nezha, the God of Young Adults.
