Chapter 10
Joe took a quick look over his shoulder. A masked man stood there holding a deadly rifle pointed strait at Joe's heart.
"Don't make any sudden movements!" the man warned.
Joe took a quick glance around the room. Where was Frank? Joe could have sworn Frank had followed him into the room.
"Now turn slowly," The assailant demanded. Joe turned. "Say your prayers Hardy." The man said in a mocking tone. Something moved in the hallway. It was Frank! He had come to his brother's aid. Frank hit the assailant over the head with a brick. He sank to the floor, dropping the rifle.
"Thanks, Frank!"
"Don't mention it. Now, let's get out of here! Just in case this guy brought any reinforcements!" They ran down the hall toward the front entrance and nearly ran into another armed guard.
"Hold it!" he demanded sending a shower of bullets at the Hardy brothers.
"Sorry, Pal. No dice!" Joe answered, diving to the ground and tackling the Assassin at the knees. The man went down like a sack of potatoes. The gun spun across the stone floor, and out of reach. The assailant lost consciousness when his head hit the floor.
"Hey!" another man called, coming out of a nearby room, "Stop!" He pointed another deadly rifle at the two brothers. Other men filed out into the room and joined in the battle.
"Let's get out of here!" Joe said racing for the door. Frank and Joe ran across the clearing and into the woods. Bullets continued to be fired. Many, missed the brothers by inches.
"Keep heading straight!" Frank called out, "If we keep moving I think we'll be able to lose these guys and make it to the road!"
"Aye, aye captain!"
Frank and Joe continued to run through the thick forest. They heard the loud shout of their pursuers close behind.
"I think we need a plan "B"." Joe whispered, "They're closing in fast!"
"We'd better split up," Frank implored, "I'll go left, you go right. We'll meet at the main road."
"Alright." Joe took a sharp turn to the right. Frank went left. He continued to run as fast as his legs would carry him. The loud shouts of his pursuers began to get louder.
"I hope Joe is having more luck then I am." He whispered quietly to himself.
……
Joe raced through the thick foliage. Branches tore at his clothes and face. The shouts of his pursuers faded. He raced on hoping to put some distance between him and the assailants. He took a second to look back over his shoulder to check his progress and soon found himself tumbling over a small drop-off and rolling head first toward the road.
Frank put on an extra burst of speed. He was breathing heavily. I don't think I'll be able to run much more, Frank thought, I'd better think of a back-up plan, quick! He took a quick left and continued to run. He soon reached the main road. He dove into a clump of bushes just as a bullet shot pass his left ear.
"He's got to be around here somewhere," One of the assailants growled approaching the road. He and his buddies began to comb through the thick bushes lining to road.
Suddenly one of the thugs called out, "A car's coming. We'd better split!" He ran back into the woods.
"What about the Hardy boy?" One asked.
"No time for that, now. We've got to get out of here." The men raced into the woods just as a small compact car approached.
After waiting for a couple of seconds, Frank emerged from his hiding spot. He waved his arms hoping to get the driver's attention. The little Malibu slowed down and stopped in front of him. The elderly woman inside rolled down the window.
"Can I help you young man?"
"Yes, uh-"
"Hey Frank!" Frank looked into the backseat of the car. Joe sat there scratched and bruised but otherwise, unharmed. "It's alright Mrs. Steel, This is my brother." Joe said to the elderly woman.
"Well, then hop in sonny," the old woman invited.
"Thanks,' Frank answered. He slid into the seat beside Joe, "Mrs. Steel, if it's not too much of a problem, can you take Joe and me to the nearest police station?"
"Police! For land's sake, what do you need them for?" Mrs. Steel started the car and soon they were cruising down the road, "Joseph?" she said looking at Joe through her rearview mirror.
"It's a long story," Joe said, "But trust me, we need to get to the police station."
"Well, alright."
Minutes later the Malibu slowed down and pulled into the police station parking lot. The boys again thanked Mrs. Steel for the ride and then hopped out of the car and raced inside.
……
"Alright boys, what is this? Some sort of joke?" The sheriff eyed the two youth suspiciously. After reaching the station, Frank and Joe got a hold of the sheriff. After telling him their story, he agreed to accompany them to the Lazarus clinic to search the grounds. Hours latter the search brought up nothing; the Assassins had gone and had covered their tracks flawlessly.
"No!" Joe shot back, "I'm telling you, there were armed men occupying this building."
"Listen, boy," the sheriff hissed, "This building is empty. It has been empty for years and it in going to stay empty. I'll let you know, I don't take kindly to pranksters!"
"It was no prank, sir," Frank answered politely, "We really were approached and chased by armed men."
Joe thought for a moment, "How do you explain all these bullet holes?"
The Sheriff eyed him suspiciously, "Bullet holes? Probably some dumb kids playing with guns and doing a little target practice. I see it all the time around these parts."
"They weren't kids, Sheriff. It was a gang of men, armed with lethal weapons and murder on their minds!" Frank argued, "They weren't just using us for target practice! They were set to kill!"
"They were, hmm? Then where are they?" The sheriff challenged. He glared at the two brothers.
"My guess is that they cleared out once they found we'd escaped." Frank answered.
"And what, may I ask, would they want with two teenage boys?"
"Well-"
"And what business did you two have coming up here? This is private property."
Joe eyes flashed with anger, "For your information we were looking for clues!"
"Ha! What are you little boy, an amateur detective?" The sheriff said mockingly.
"We better start heading back," Frank cut in before Joe could throw a punch, "It's almost four and Aunt Gertrude expects us home for dinner."
Once in the car, Joe burst out, "That man has some nerve, treating us like little kids!"
"Now, Joe," Frank replied calmly, "He was just doing his job." Frank slipped the key into the ignition.
"Well I think he's carrying his job a little too far!" Joe fumed.
"Whatever you say Joe," Frank turned the key. The car suddenly erupted into flames!