Hi, I'm Jen and I don't own the Hardy Boys in any way, shape or form (except the books I have) they belong to Franklin W. Dixon! But a few of the characters you don't recognize from the books are mine!

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Long glass windows shimmered in the early morning light, lines of people chattered away while waiting to go through security. Eric pushed his long dark bangs out of his grey eyes to get a better look at the airport. Headphones were jammed into almost every person coming on the trip with him. Eric was on an end of the year trip with some of his fellow ninth graders. They were going to New York. They all lined up at the end of the never-ending line to check their bags. He turned to Darian, who was behind him. The blue eyed boy smiled excitedly, anticipating their trip. His soft brown curls shone in the sun streaming through a floor to ceiling window. Dayton, a blonde boy with green eyes, pushed his way past a few girls to join his group of friends. He was greeted by Jennelle, a light brown haired girl with deep blue eyes, who pretended to scold him for being so late. Aidan grinned; her wavy red hair falling over her shoulders, her brown eyes gleamed with anticipation. The group had been counting down the days till their trip all year long. All of them were good friends; Darian and Jennelle were also cousins. The year had flown by and all of them couldn't wait to leave. After what seemed like hours they boarded the plane and couldn't stop talking the whole way there.

After coming out of the airport and riding on a bus, they reached the hotel. Students ooed and awed at the lights, the people and the sites. They checked in and got settled into their rooms. All the kids fell asleep immediately, except Dayton. He tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. He looked at Eric and Darian, how are they so asleep? He decided to get a glass of water, but there were no glasses. He remembered seeing cups and ice in the hallway so he left the room. He tiptoed down the dimly lit hallway. He heard a floorboard creek, it wasn't him. He slowly turned, saw no one. Yet the soft footsteps persisted. Dayton began to grab a glass when he was tackled by someone very strong. He struggled but was unable to yell for help since his face was smashed into the carpet. Then he heard a soft "oops!" and was released. He turned over to see his attacker. It was a boy slightly older than him with blonde hair and blue eyes. He noticed they had the same build, only his attacker was slightly stronger. You could say they looked almost identical. The older boy was looking slightly guilty as he dusted himself off and offered a hand to Dayton.

"Sorry" he said "I thought you were someone else!"

"Um….I guess its ok" Dayton was still a little shocked.

"I was looking for someone on floor 87…but now I guess I'm on 86!"

"Why did you attack me?"

"Um….." the boy stammered.

"Tell me!" Dayton was curious so he threw out "I'll get my chaperone!" He knew it was low, but he wanted to know.

"Fine…but don't tell anyone else, ok?"

"Maybe"

"I'm Joe Hardy. I'm helping my dad, who's a detective too, on a case. And there's a possible criminal on the next floor up….or was it down? But anyways, my brother is here too. Please don't tell anyone, it could blow my cover!"

"Alright…."Dayton was a skeptical but still believed him. Eric came out into the hallway, looking for Dayton. He began walking down when he spotted them.

"There you are!" he said sleepily "who's this guy? Jeez, you guys look alike!" The boys faced each other.

"Yeah, I guess we do!" Joe laughed. "I'm Joe" he added

"Oh, and I'm Dayton and this is Eric. We're on a class trip."

"Well, I better go check in with Frank. But I might see you guys around later." Joe walked off towards the elevator while Dayton and Eric returned to their room. Dayton forgot about his water, he was to busy thinking about what Joe had said, a criminal on the next floor up? Yikes!

The next day Jennelle and Aidan met the boys outside their room, ready to go sight seeing. They walked around the area; they bought "I Heart NY" tee shirts and acted especially touristy to make people stare. Dayton felt like every person that looked at him was the criminal Joe had talked about. But wait, he thought, he had said 'possible' criminal. Maybe he was wrong. But Dayton had read about them in the paper, they were almost always right! Aidan tapped him on the shoulder. Dayton jumped with a start.

"Gosh Dayton, what made you so jumpy?" Aidan was concerned; normally Dayton had a calm personality.

"Oh, it's nothing." He mumbled.

"If you're sure…."

"Yeah" he smiled and suggested they look at a display window. He smiled at Aidan, she was so nice. There was just something about her……The group spent the rest of the day enjoying the sights and sounds of New York.

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The next morning Dayton was up early again and roaming the halls. He grabbed a glass of water and turned to see a tall boy with dark hair. "Hey, I thought you were going to go eat breakfast?" he asked.

"Uh……..no" he said. The boy studies him for a second then smiled and apologetic grin.

"Sorry, I mistook you for my brother Joe!"

"Yeah, I met him! We do look a bit alike don't we?'

"Could have fooled me!"

"Nah," Dayton said with a shrug. "Well, I'm Dayton"

"Frank" they shook.

"Well, I think I'll go eat some breakfast"

"I'll join you." The two boys walked down to the elevator. There were three men inside, two were talking intently in the corner, and the other was searching through a metal briefcase. None of them seemed aware of the boy's presence. Then one of them looked up and grinned, he elbowed the man next to him. Frank looked over and saw the three men's faces and his eyes grew wide. He turned to the elevator door, but it had already closed. He glanced at Dayton with panic hidden in his eyes.

Dayton stared up at Frank's scared face and tried to understand what was going on. He automatically assumed that these were the criminals they were after. And they had them cornered.

"Frank and Joe Hardy!" one of the men rasped. He had dark hair and a scrawny appearance. Dayton was too scared to speak. But Frank stared at him as though nothing was wrong. A taller man, who actually looked unlike a criminal, more like a man from the suburbs, complete with bald patch, smiled an evil smile. The burly man in the corner with the briefcase set it down and the three of the men cornered the boys.

"But I'm not Joe!" Dayton said. The men moved closer. Frank threw a punch at the balding man. He punched back; soon they were locked in battle. The scrawny man tried to grab Dayton, but he ran to the other side of the elevator. The large man chased after him. They went around in circle, avoiding the balding man and Frank's brawl. The scrawny man picked up the metal briefcase and swung it around, hitting Dayton in the head. He slumped to the floor with a groan. As everything faded to darkness he could blurrily see Frank being overpowered by the three men.

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"Has anyone seen Eric?" a worried Darian asked the panicked Aidan and Jennelle.

"No, and I can't find Dayton anywhere either!" Aidan bit her bottom lip, where were they!

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Let me know what you think so far! Please Review!