Chapter 4
A few days later, Frank was once again relaxing on his bed, trying to read his new novel. However, on this particular day, he was finding it extremely hard to concentrate on the story.
Bang! Bang! Bang came the noise of a hammer hitting the wall in the room next to his.
Frank was beginning to get irate. Then, he snapped. "JOE! STOP THAT NOSIE RIGHT NOW OR I'M GOING TO STOP IT FOR YOU!" he bellowed over the loud ruckus in the next room.
The noise ceased and seconds later Joe appeared in his doorway, hammer in hand. "Did you say something Frank?" he asked innocently.
Franks only reply was an aggravated growl as he threw his bed pillow hard toward his brother.
"Gesh Frank! What's gotten into you today?" he questioned, dodging the pillow as it flew over his head and out in to the hall.
"GET OUT OF MY ROOM!"
"Okay!" Joe took a quick step backwards as the door was slammed in his face, narrowly missing the end of his nose.
Frank sat on his bed with a loud sigh. In the back of his mind he knew he shouldn't be upset with Joe, but he could help the stabs of jealously that seemed to be playing on his emotions lately. Ever since Joe found out about his twin, he spent all his time thinking about her. When he wasn't trying to discover the unattainable clues to her whereabouts, he was converting the upstairs family room into a bedroom for her. Frank was beginning to feel envious of all the time Joe was spending on their sister that they didn't even know. In the past he had never had to share Joe with any other sibling and he was now finding the new changes a hard adjustment.
A few hours later, Frank went downstairs and found Joe grabbing the van keys and heading towards the door.
"Joe, where are you going?" he asked, trying to make peace.
"Just heading to the mall to pick up a few things for Elizabeth's room. Do you want to come?"
"Okay."
After picking up some items for their sister, they loaded the packages into the back of the van.
"You want to drive, Frank? I'm kind of tired," Joe said, yawning and handing Frank the keys.
"Alright. Hey, it's a nice day. What do you say we take the back way home? Take in a little scenery?"
"Sounds good to me," came Joe's reply as he shut the door and fastened his seat belt.
The ride home was picturesque and relaxing. They had the road all to themselves. But even with all of the peaceful natural beauty, Frank still couldn't shake the pangs of jealously. Joe was almost asleep in the seat next to him. Apparently he had been up late at night, working on the bedroom, a fact that also didn't help to quell the envious emotions gathering inside of him.
Joe stirred in the seat and Frank ignored him. He looked straight ahead at the beautiful trees that traveled by. Suddenly, Joe straightened up and spoke.
"Um, Frank? Do you see that car behind us?" Joe asked.
"Yeah. Why?" He asked, glancing in the rearview mirror.
"Does it look suspicious to you?"
"Joe, you are paranoid about everything! He is probably just out for a drive like we are. There isn't anything suspicious about it at all. It's just a car!"
"Sounds like someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed!" Joe mumbled and snuggled back into his seat, still keeping his eyes on the side mirror, just outside the window.
Minutes passed and the black sedan was still following them. Joe's eyes were still looking in the mirror when he noticed a sudden change that made his heart jump.
"Frank! I think he's speeding up!" Joe hollered.
"Wha-" was all Frank managed to get out before he heard the sound of crunching metal. He watched in horror as the driver smacked into the back of their van. Fighting with the wheel, Frank managed to keep it on the road as the driver backed off a bit. Then, all of a sudden, it sped forward again, aiming for the van once more.
"What in the heck is he doing?" Joe questioned, very alarmed.
"Joe! Hold on! I think he's trying to run us off the road!"
The second impact was much more forceful. This time, the driver hit more towards the side of the van than the front. Frank fought with all his might, but couldn't regain control over their vehicle.
Both boys stared in horror at the sight that loomed before them. The only thing that stood between their van and the sheer embankment that tilted down into the woods was a thin link of chain.