Authors note: Hi everyone! Just wanted to say that I am gonna post a new chapter as often as possible. Hopefully I will write at least one chapter a day, but of course I can't promise anything yet. Anyway: Hope you enjoy and please review!

Disclaimer: I do NOT own the Hardy boys, Bayport, aunt Gertrude (luckily) or anyone else in this book except from the plot of course and some of the persons you don't recognise from the books.

Chapter one

Frank could feel the world explode around him. Red, burning flames filled his sight, and he could feel the excruciating heat burn in his head. And still, there was no explosion. And no flames. And no heat. Except the one in his head, of course. The terrible, frightening, burning heat in his head.

Why was it there? Why did he feel so helpless and perishing? What had he done?

For a brief moment, Frank couldn't remember. For a second he was safe. In that split second, he dared to believe everything was going to be okay again. Okay, like it had always been. He and Joe, together with mum, dad and aunt Gertrude was going to be happy together. As always. Why shouldn't they? There wasn't anything wrong, was it?

The reality hit Frank with stunning force once again. No, everything wasn't going to be okay. It never could. Not after what he had done.

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2 weeks earlier…

-Joe, it's really, really hard to be your brother. You know that, don't you?

-Huh. Hard, was that what you said? I can assure you: It's much, MUCH harder to be your brother.

Frank laughed.

-Well, little brother, I suppose we have to stick together a little while longer, don't you think?

Joe just grunted. He was annoyed. Really annoyed. And more special: He was annoyed at his brother. The two of them had decided to go for a walk after dinner, and they had asked Vanessa and Callie to come along as well. Callie, who was Frank's girlfriend, hadn't had the opportunity to come since she had a lot of homework to do. Vanessa, nevertheless, had said bluntly yes. There was nothing in the world she liked better than going for a late walk together with her boyfriend. Or was it?

Actually, it was. An old friend of her from New York had asked her to come and stay with her for a couple of days. There was nearly a year since they had seen each other, and Vanessa couldn't stop herself from going. She had told Frank she was sorry for not coming, and asked him to send her regards to Joe. Frank had told her he would, but regretted it deeply. Joe was in a really bad mood.

-Come on, baby brother, he teased, it isn't that bad, is it? She will be back in two days, I'm sure you can live true that. After all, you have me!

-I wish I hadn't! Joe answered with a grim face.

Frank just neglected him.

-Wonder what aunt Gertrude will say when she sees your room! Wasn't it supposed to be cleaned up today – by you? he asked in an innocent voice.

-Shut up, will you? I thought you wanted us to have a nice, little, peaceful trip.

-Of course I want us to have a nice little peaceful trip!

Frank sounded astonished.

-But… That's what we have, isn't it?

Joe couldn't help but laugh.

-You are incorrigibly, you know that? he asked with a slight smile.

-Of course I know that, Frank answered smilingly, but I really hope you know as well.

-Know what?

-You are hopeless too. We are brothers after all.

Frank and Joe were home about an hour later. They said goodnight to their parents and aunt Gertrude, and headed up to their own rooms. Frank was tired and decided to go to bed straight away, while Joe wrote a long mail to Vanessa. Everything was as it should. The alarm was on and the atmosphere was nothing but calm. Everything seemed to be – so right. So usual and okay. But yet, the greatest disaster was on its way…

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Joe waked up with cold sweat drifting from his forehead. It was years since the last time he had such a nightmare. Many years. Actually, last time was back then when he used to wake Frank up in the middle of the night if something bothered him.

What had he dreamed about?

Joe couldn't remember. All he knew, was that it was something odd, terrifying and unrealistic.

A small sigh escaped Joe's lips. He hated nightmares. Even though he was awfully tired, he knew he couldn't get any more sleep that night.

Joe checked his watch. 03:53.

-Stupid nightmares! was his last thought before he opened the door to the bathroom and splashed ice-cold water in his brilliant blue eyes.

-Joe? Is something wrong?

Joe stared puzzled into his brother's chocolate-brown eyes.

-Frank! You scared me. I had no idea you were awake!

-I wasn't.

Frank looked at his brother half concerned, half annoyed.

-You waked me up, you know.

-Uh, sorry. I forgot you are such a light sleeper.

-Never mind. Is anything wrong? I mean, you are definitely not a light sleeper.

-Well, I think I had a nightmare or something. I can't remember exactly.

-Wanna speak about it?

-No, not really. Don't think I can get any more sleep tonight, though.

Frank sighed and slipped down on his bed.

-Really? It doesn't sound like you.

-Suppose not.

Joe walked slowly into Franks room and let himself dump down beside him.

-You know, somehow I just feel something is gonna happen.

-How?

-I don't know. I just feel like it.

Frank sat up.

-Joe, it was a nightmare! There isn't…

-I know it was a nightmare. That not the reason why I feel it.

-What then?

-Don't know. Instincts, perhaps?

-Instincts?

Frank didn't seem convinced.

-Honestly, I just think you overreact a little. I mean, it's in the middle of the night and you had a nightmare so I can understand it, but…

Joe cut him of.

-I usually have right. When it comes to logic, Frank, I admit you are the winner, but my gut never betrays me. Unfortunately perhaps…

In the same moment, a shrill alarm broke the night silence. The boys heard rapid footsteps up the stairs, and before any of them had the chance to move, the door swung open. On the doorstep stood a man with shiny black leather jacket, sparkling black eyes, and – a gun. A 9 mm mini Uzi. Definitely not a joke.

Frank felt the heart pound in his head.

-Gotta save Joe! he thought desperate, his big brother instincts immediately kicking in.

But he was to late. The man's Hollywood-white teeth shined in a nasty grin. A yellowish finger squeezed the trigger. A shot. A scream. Blood. Blood everywhere.

-F… Fra…

Joe stared at him with frightened, glassy eyes. It was fear written all over his deadly pale face. Even his fingers, who desperately clung to his shoulder, was pale. But not for to long. Soon, they were covered in blood.

-Fra… Frank, help… me! Please! Think… am gonna… die…

Joe passed out.

Well, what do you guys think? Should I continue? I would love to hear from all of you, so please review. I shall update as soon as possible. And I can promise you: It will get even worse…

Poor Hardy's! ;-)