Chapter 2

Joe brought the girl down, landing on top of her. What he didn't expect was that she would fight back. She was only shocked for a second and kicked up, catching him in the chest. Joe went down and immediately stood up again.

The girl was just standing to her feet, ready to face him off once more. Joe took the opportunity and aimed a high kick for her head. The girl ducked and grabbed hold of one of his feet, pulling it out from under him. She had obviously taken karate lessons.

He stood back up himself and turned back to her, wondering what move he should make now. She took the chance this time and came in with a quick punch, which Joe barely missed. He came in with a block and glanced over his shoulder quickly. Frank was moving in now, hoping to grab her from behind. All Joe had to do was keep her from seeing Frank.

She didn't seem to even notice as Frank grabbed her arms and pulled them behind her. She lashed out with her feet, knocking Joe down. Then she stomped down on Frank's foot, making his grip loosen a bit. She broke free and was about to attack again when Joe joined in again. Between Frank and Joe, she couldn't break loose.

"Let go of me you idiots," she said through clenched teeth, still attempting to fight against them, "What do you want from me?"

"We want to know why you're here," Frank said calmly, in an effort that the girl might calm down herself. It didn't work.

"None of your business," she said, "I was about to ask you the same thing. Now let go of me. I'm not going to tell you again." The two brothers didn't comply to her request and kept a firm grip.

Joe could tell that this girl was determined and used to these types of situations. He looked closely at her, studying her face. She had long light brown hair and blue eyes. He guessed that she looked prettier under better circumstances. Her hair was now pulled back into a messy ponytail from the fight.

"Calm down," Frank said, "We can't let you go until we get some answers." She finally seemed to be a bit more relaxed at least.

"All right," she agreed, "Will you let me go first though? I find it hard to talk with two guys flanking me." Frank and Joe glanced at each other and let go slowly. She immediately turned and ran again. Joe went after her and found that she was faster than he had originally thought. Soon enough though, he had lessened the distance between them and was able to grab hold of her arm. Frank was right behind him and helped. The brothers dragged her back.

"Will you please let go," the girl asked again.

"Not this time," Joe said impatiently, "Now we want some information from you. We were sent down here to check something out and found you. Now, who are you?"

She remained silent and glared at them, not wanting to give them any satisfaction, "You first," she said, "I'm not telling you anything until I know the names of the people who attacked me."

"I'm Frank," the older Hardy said, "and this is Joe. Now, will you answer our questions? This is important."

"No," she said, "Now that I know who you two are, my questions are answered. Besides, I have some backup with me."

"Okay," Joe said, "Have it your way. We're not letting go until we find out what this is all about." Suddenly, the bushes started moving again and someone else stepped out. When the other girl saw her friend there she looked at the two Hardy brothers.

"What's going on," the other girl asked, "What have you done to my friend?" They didn't let go, knowing that both would have to be there to keep their visitor in place.

"You tell me," the girl between them said, "This one," she motioned to Joe, "tackled me and the other joined in. Now these creeps won't let go."

"All we wanted was some answers," Joe said, "If you tell us, we'll let go of your friend." The other girl sighed.

"Don't say anything," the first girl said, but the other stepped up.

"I keep telling her to stop, but she won't," the other one said, "I'll answer your questions, beginning with who we are. I'm C. J. Summers and that is Vicki Silver." Vicki glared at C. J.

"Why are you here," Frank asked, "You know what this place is right?"

"Of course," C. J. answered and Frank noted that she was calmer than Vicki was, "We were driving around and saw this path and decided to see where it went to. We found this place, heard some sounds and started looking around. Will you let her go now?"

Frank and Joe dropped their release on Vicki. She didn't seem too happy with C. J, "How could you just tell them what we were doing? It didn't bother you that they might have been someone that we heard? Man, C. J!"

"Sorry," C. J. said, "Do you think I would just let them do that?"

"Now that's over," Joe said, "Maybe we should introduce ourselves. I'm Joe Hardy and this is Frank. We're brothers." He made sure to stay away from Vicki again, "Why is your friend so tense?"

"Duh," Vicki exclaimed, "It's because of you. Do you think I would have fought back if you hadn't tackled me? It's guys like you who make life harder." C. J. stood in front of Vicki, ready to stop a fight if necessary. C. J. was two inches shorter than Vicki was, with short dark brown hair and brown eyes. She looked to be the calmer of the two.

Vicki finally allowed herself to relax and Joe saw that she was only four inches shorter than he was, "Okay, then let's start over," Frank said.