Chapter 2

By the time Frank's Karate class had begun, most of the parking lot was vacant.

Joe just sat in the van watching as lots of students left the building, and headed to their respective vehicles.

One of them stopped and asked if he was Frank's brother, and Joe nodded. The boy told him Frank had to stay a bit later for being late. He explained that Frank had mentioned Joe was out here waiting and told him he could either come and sit inside, or wait.

Joe thought about it, and decided he was bored waiting in the car. He stepped out of the van, knowing Frank had the keys, closed the windows, and made sure to lock the doors.

He headed inside walking into a dimly lit gym, passing a few janitors and others along the way. A minute later he walked through the doors to the gym.

He saw Frank in the middle of the room on the mats, moving around with careful precision as his instructor gave him orders in Japanese.

Joe eyed his brother's backpack on the bleachers and walked over. He sat down and watched his brother. He had always admired Frank growing up.

The younger boy saw the anger in Frank's eyes wondering if it was just him that was pissing Frank off, or if there was something else. Lately it seemed it was just him that annoyed Frank, but there had to be some other part to it. Joe wondered how his brother would react if he asked him.

Suddenly Joe saw Frank stop and bow respectfully at his instructor, who returned it. The teacher reminded Frank not to be late again.

The instructor noticed Frank turn and throw an angry glare at Joe apologizing he said, "It won't happen again." The teacher saw Joe lower his head feeling somewhat ashamed for making his brother late.

Frank's instructor stopped to say hello to Joe who returned the greeting. He asked them if they needed to be walked out, but Frank thanked him and shook his head. They exchanged goodbyes as Frank picked up his bag. He glared at Joe and said sternly, "Let's go."

Joe did not say a word the whole time as they walked out. But Joe rolled his eyes as Frank continued ignoring him, he pleaded, "You're not still mad are you?"

Frank scowled darkly and said, "Don't talk to me Joe."

All the sudden when the pair stepped outside they were jumped from behind. Frank had skills, but the odds were against them both.

One of the men became awfully close to slamming Joe's head in when he heard Frank cry, "Stop! Leave him alone!"

The man stepped painfully on Joe's chest crushing his ribs with a wicked taunting smile. Frank winced as a flash of pain crossed his brother's eyes.

Quickly they tied Frank and Joe up and led them to the vehicle, throwing them in the back.

Thankfully they could still communicate with each other. Frank turned his head slightly and gasped, "Joe, Joey are you okay?"

He saw his brother nod back slightly and remark painfully, "Yeah."

Frank felt out with his fingers and found Joe's and squeezed them gently. He gave him a slight nod of reassurance and said, "Stay with me it'll be alright Joe we'll get out of this I promise."

The older Hardy suddenly felt slightly sorry for his younger brother, as he could see how frightened his baby brother was.

He found his expression softening a bit as he eyed his younger brother with concern for a moment.

Joe tried to throw him a reassuring smile, which Frank returned weakly.

All hope appeared lost as one of them threateningly approached his younger brother with a knife. Frank's heart skipped a beat as he saw the man step over to his little brother.

'No!' Frank thought worriedly. He tried to yell frantically for the man to not hurt his brother.

When he heard his little brother cry out he exclaimed, "Leave him alone!"

Their attacker just ignored him and sliced the knife through his brother's arm. He saw his brother wince painfully and felt his heart ache.

'Joe' Frank closed his eyes for a moment. Taking himself back regretting how harsh he had been and now this man was harming his brother in front of him.

As Frank began to desperately struggle Joe attempted the same. The men grabbed an object hitting them in the head, taking any more fight out of them.

Within a moment everything for the two boys went into darkness.