Mission: Survival
I am sorry for the wait. Anyways, this is one of my favorite chapters, for reasons I can't tell you without giving away part of the story. Anyways, to:
everyone who reviewed- Thank you!
unobtrusivescribe- Okay, so I sort of lied to you. I reread what I have written and realized that Biff's not really like an older brother, but more of a ... I can't think of a good word or phrase. Anyways, it's like he's between an older brother and friend. That's the best thing I can think of to describe how he acts. And it's not just to Joe, either, but also Vanessa. You'll see.
I do not own The Hardy Boys. (Well, I own a lot of the books, but not the idea or writing. That's Franklin W. Dixon. :))
Chapter Fourteen
They were about nine-tenths done with the stretcher when they heard the gunshots. The dirt around Joe exploded, bark from the trees spraying everywhere.
"Get to cover!" Frank cried, running to the trees with the three girls hot on his trail.
Biff started after them before he froze, turning around and running towards Joe. He did his best to dodge the bullets, but still felt the burning sting as one grazed his right hand.
Then Joe came into sight. He was obviously attempting to reach the trees like Frank and the girls, but still stay down. Biff heard him grunt and picked up speed, swearing when he saw the red stain spreading across Joe's side.
Finally, after what felt like hours but was probably only seconds, Biff reached Joe. He stumbled down next to him, picking him up bridal style. Then he ran as hard as he could towards shelter.
The whoosh of the bullets stayed with them, though, even when they reached the trees. Biff could hardly see. Dust was thick in the air, forcing him to squint and feel his way around the trees.
But the dust didn't stop the bullets. Dirty Lion's gang was still shooting, obviously aiming for Joe. Biff felt a flush of relief as he realized they couldn't see, either. They were shooting blind, the bullets getting farther and farther away.
Biff careened into a clearing, breathing in the clear air and thanking his lucky stars that they had all found each other. For, thirty feet in front of him, Frank, Callie, Vanessa, and Meg had all collapsed, panting, on the grass.
Vanessa looked up, startled, at the crashing sound coming from the trees. None of them knew where Biff or Joe were, so Vanessa was really hoping that it would be one, or both, of them. Preferably, she thought with a pang, Joe. Of course, she would be happy if it was Biff, but Joe was her boyfriend. Thankfully, it was both of them. But, she realized with horror, they were both covered in blood, and one was carrying the other.
Vanessa scrambled to her feet, momentarily panicked, before she began to run towards the two friends. She could hear the others running after her. The girl's hands fluttered, not knowing what to do, as Biff lay Joe on the quickly turning red grass.
"What happened?" She heard Meg ask.
Suddenly, obviously pushed over her breaking point, Vanessa turned and yelled at her friend. "What do you think happened? Isn't it obvious? We came out here to enjoy the weather and camp, but now Joe is being targeted! His rope has been cut, his tent set on fire, he almost drowned when he went to take a freaking bath, and now he's been shot!" The last five words came out in a strangled, sobbing mess.
Biff hesitantly stepped forward, glancing at his girlfriend, before he kneeled down next to Vanessa, who had fallen to her knees, and pulled her into a hug.
"It's going to be alright." He murmured. "We're all still alive, and the stretcher is almost done. We'll probably be able to leave tomorrow." He kept on talking, distracting the distraught girl from Joe, who was being patched up by Frank, Callie, and Meg.
At some point, Biff realized that he was bleeding all over Vanessa, and gently pulled away. She sniffed, wiping the back of her hand against her eyes, trying to get rid of the tears that had fallen.
"I'm so sorry, Meg. I-I don't know what came over me." Vanessa said.
"That's easy," Meg replied, "anyone would break down if their boyfriend was being targeted. In fact, with Joe Hardy as your boyfriend, I'm surprised you didn't break down before now." Vanessa gave her a watery smile, obviously still upset about the scene she had caused.
Biff watched as Callie led Vanessa away to a small stream that ran through the clearing. Probably to clean up, he reckoned, as Vanessa's eyes were red and puffy from crying, her shirt also covered with Biff's blood.
Meg grabbed her boyfriend's uninjured hand and took him over to where Frank had just appeared from the trees, his arms laden with supplies he had scavenged.
"Here." Meg said, taking a water bottle. She poured it over Biff's wound before wrapping it in a bandage.
"Thanks." He told her. She answered with a peck on the lips, smiling at him.
Frank frowned as he knelt next to Joe. "The stretcher was saved. I managed to drag it into the trees. IT's almost done, too. I would say we have about 30 more minutes of work before it's complete. Unfortunately, we'll have to wait until tomorrow to get out, since it's getting dark."
Biff nodded, but was quick to suggest they get the stretcher out now, so they could finish it tonight. Frank agreed, so the two boys headed out while Meg watched.
Vanessa came back with Callie at the same time as Frank did with Biff. The boys had apparently been successful, as they were carrying the stretcher.
The rest of the night passed quickly. The completed the stretcher, even if only three of the teens were working on it. Joe had awoken and was being cared for by Vanessa, while Biff was resting at his friends' requests. At six that night, Frank announced that the stretcher was done.
And here's my longest chapter yet! (Sad, I know.) Please remember to review! (The button's down there. *points down*)