Frank 's dilemma chapter 9

Warnings: death. Whipping.

After she extracted blood from Joe's forearm, he felt exhausted than ever before. He was drifting in and out of consciousness. She removed the blindfold was removed from his eyes. His normally bright blue eyes were now eyes full of despair and desperation.

"Please let me go." Joe's voice came as a croak. Joe hated how his tone sounded weak. "Why are you doing this to me?"

Emily set up a video and recorded everything.

"Get up and fight me." Emily ordered.

"No I won't. How can I after you extracted from me? And even so, I don't fight girls."

She backhanded him across the face so viciously that he saw stars. She used to be on the karate team at her alma mater Bayport High.( But Joe and Frank never knew her because she was kind of like a wallflower.)So she knew quite well how to pack a mean punch and subdue a opponent. She could subdue opponents quite easily, but an opponent whose leg kept acting up when he overused it, who was used as blood bank thirty minutes ago, who was exhausted from the lack of blood and the surgery was no match for her. At the last moment, she decided not to fight Joe

She tilted his head back and kissed him. She tied him with a rope and poured water on the ropes. She used three items: belt, whip and cane as punishment. His back was bruised, almost broken and inflamed with bloody whip marks of various lengths. Joe knew that his marks were never going to heal, not without a skin graft. The lashes were all over his back. Joe was never vain but even he knew that thirty lashes was going to leave permanent scarring. He was getting married in three months and this is not how he wanted to spend his time as a bachelor.

"Please stop" Joe begged her. She ignored him.

FGFGFGFG

When Joe was taken, Frank had called Chief Collig and he said that she couldn't have gotten far. Frank had called the gang and they split up searched every inch, every nook of the hospital. Half an hour later, they came across the restricted section and a sign that says no patients allowed and they've heard a choked yell.

Frank burst through the doors and came across Emily been stabbed by Joe.

"Joe,what the hell do you think you're doing to her."

FGFGFGFG

Joe was kept in the hospital for two weeks before he was discharged. Joe decided that he wasn't getting skin grafts. Little did Joe know is that Frank was having nightmares since they've been back from the hospital. It all started and ended with Joe's blood transfusion. Frank had watch helplessly while Joe's life was nearly in danger. He hated how helpless he was. He was so close to losing his brother and he didn't want to voice it out loud because Joe had enough to deal with. Joe's leg has healed to a point where he can walk but he needed a cane. "Frank, are you okay?" Joe asked as he hobbled into the living room. Joe had to take it easy because of the blood transfusion. His lashes were so visible but not as bad as when he first got it. The scarring had reduced slightly.

"Joe,you shouldn't be here. You should be resting". Frank reprimanded his brother.

"I've had enough of rest, Frank ." Joe complained.

"Joe,you still didn't tell me what Emily did to you?" He said. Joe retorted, "Like you tell me anything. I've asked you to talk to me ever since I got discharged but you never said anything no matter how much i asked you... you never told me about your nightmares. How is my blood transfusion your fault?"

"Joe, its my fault because when you were taken, I couldn't protect you or anything. First the shooting and then standing by while Emily took you."

"Frank , that blood transfusion was hard for me. I thought I was going to die and I was willing to give up. Even if it meant leaving you behind. I'm sorry."

Frank hugged Joe tightly and he changed the subject. "Joe if you and Van have children, I'll help babysit."

"I can't"Joe's tone was so soft that Frank had to strain to catch it. "Why can't you?" Frank almost demanded.

"That bitch Emily gave me a vasectomy." Joe's confession was so soft and heart-breaking. Frank 's mouth formed an O. "Joe why didn't you tell me? That bitch.

"You had a lot to deal with. I didn't want to keep adding to your plate". Joe confessed.

"I'll never have children. Emily took that chance away from me"

A familiar voice called out, "Frank ,Joe."

"Dad's here." They said in unison. They rushed to greet him

Fenton apologized to Joe. "I'm sorry I wasn't here. But I'm here now. Tell me what happened?"

"Well, here's what you missed. Sewell goaded Frank into shooting me, Emily Sewell extracted a lot of blood.She gave me a vasectomy. I nearly died. She gave me a thirty lashes. My back is scarred with painful red welts. Did I miss anything?

"I can't be a detective because the bullet damaged my calf muscles and its irreparable. I have to give up sports because my leg can't handle the physical demands. Even now, its still hard to walk. So if you'll excuse me, I'm going to sit down". Joe took a sit on the couch and he grimaced

"Frank and Joe, there's something i have to tell you. A few weeks after Laura's death. I discovered that,um I have a heart problems and I only have one week to live."

In shock,Joe stood up so abruptly momentarily forgetting the doctor's advice. A sharp pain shot up his leg. He gripped the chair for support and grimaced. "Dad, why didn't you tell us?"

"There's more. Aunt Gertrude died of a massive heartattack." Joe choked out one word, "What?" Joe gripped the chair so hard that his fingers were starting to bruise slightly.

"Frank, I made arrangements for you to become Joe's legal guardian. Joe is old enough but he needs someone to look after him. You already done that ever since Joe was born. You've been a second father to Joe whenever I wasn't around. I was the worst father ever. Can you guys ever forgive me?"

Frank and Joe were speechless,especially Frank. He was Joe's legal guardian. Aunt Gertrude died. Everything was changing. Being Joe's brother was one thing, being his legal guardian was another. Frank wasn't prepared to become Joe's legal guardian. He was still furious about what Emily did to Joe. "Dad, there's nothing to forgive. And you're wrong-you're not the worst father ever.

Frank added. "Joe's right! You're not the worst father ever. You've been the best. Joe and I just want to make you proud."

"Dad, I'm engaged."

"Congratulations." Fenton smiled at his son. Before Fenton could say anything else, the police barged in and caught Joe off-guard

"I called the police" Frank told Joe.

Joe's eyes registered hurt. "I never killed Emily. She walked into the knife. She wanted..."

"That's barbaric,Joe." Frank interrupted. "Emily hurt you, she took everything from you. So you decided to kill her."

"Frank . I thought you knew me." Joe's despondent tone broke Frank's heart but he unwavered in his decision. Frank's reply broke Joe's heart." I thought I did. Now, I'm not so sure."

"Joe, you're under arrest for the murder of Emily Sewell"

Joe waited until he was shackled and the police cited him the rights. Joe pleaded "Frank please save me. I didn't murder her. Why would I...?"

Frank didn't move an inch and retorted, I don't believe in you. You're a cold-hearted murderer." Emily taunted him that his own brother wouldn't believe him. Frank needed facts and logic. He didn't allow his emotions to drive his emotions. Even when it came to Joe, he needed proof and tangible evidence to believe that Joe's innocent.

This must be what Vernon and his family was after all along. Since he could never get me to hate my brother or resent him. No matter what sort of underhanded tactics he and his family played. He needed to play on Frank's methodical and logical side. Something even Frank couldn't even ignore.

Despite been hurt and damaged by Frank 's words and his complete lack of faith in him,but he was more worried about Van "Promise me something. Look after Vanessa and tell her I love her."

"I will" he promised. His tone was sincere. He meant it.

"Chief Collig. I need my cane"

"Don't worry Joe. You'll be confined to your cell. So you won't put pressure on your leg."

He was taken away from his house and placed inside a squad car.

Joe looked back and he decided that no matter what, he was going to stay strong.

Poor Joe. Please review and comment. Hope you like this chapter. Also about the term, blood bank. I used to be a fan of diabolic lovers five years ago. An anime about vampire brothers.

The epilogue which is also chapter 10 concludes Frank 's dilemma. The sequel, Aftermath is going to be set three months after Frank 's dilemma.