Okay so I have a really really good excuse for why it took me so long to update. I was out of town for collectively about a month. Maybe more. But now I am back! So here is a chapter. By the way, max2013's threat in the reviews for Baltimore Raven's "The Cosmopolitan Virus" had absoluuuutely nothing to do with me actually sitting my butt down to update. I mean, it's not like people wanting me to update actually motivates me. Pffff why would you think that? (sarcasm intended. Y'all are scary...)
I do not own Nancy Drew or The Hardy Boys. I do, however, own the character Dusk Herr. Well, she's kind of a shared character between a friend and I, and I decided I wanted to slip her into this story just for my own amusement.
Review please! Even if it's with threats on my life. I'll take what I can get...
Bess and George had appeared in Joe's room in record time. Frank didn't know what he'd said in answer to their rapid-fire questions, but now he was finally free and heading at a fast pace towards Nancy's room. The text had been halfway true – he did want to tell Nancy at some point. He already had in the helicopter, but she hadn't mentioned it since then. A part of Frank was afraid that her answer had been due to stress and all that had happened. What if she didn't really mean it anymore?
Well, even if he didn't get around to telling her during this conversation, there were more important things to tell her.
Joe was in danger again. And whoever the culprit was, Frank was going to stop them before they could lay a finger on his little brother.
Slowing a bit, Frank looked around. He'd been so deep in thought that he'd gone down the wrong hallway. He sighed in exasperation and turned around.
Wham! He bumped straight into someone, who yelped and stumbled backwards.
Reflexes had him by the girl's side in a flash catching her. Deep gray eyes framed by thick black lashes stared into his. Frank blinked. Wow, she was pretty.
Shaking his head a bit, Frank steadied her on her feet. She looked about his age, and the black hair framing those eyes cascaded down her back. The darkness of her hair accented her pale arms, revealed by a gray sundress that matched her eyes.
"Are you okay?" Frank asked, still catching his breath from the shock.
The girl nodded, a charming smile lighting up her features. "Yeah, thanks. Sorry I bumped into you."
"It was my fault. Where are you headed to?"
Her lips tightened in annoyance. "Well, I was trying to find room 320, but I got lost."
Frank chuckled. "Me too. I'm going to room 319, so we can walk together if you want."
"That would be great," The girl agreed. As they started to walk, she extended her hand. "I'm Dusk Herr."
Fitting name. "I'm Frank. Are you from around here?"
She shook her head. "Nope. I'm from Bridgeton, Nevada. I was here on vacation before –" Her face fell suddenly.
"Before…?" Frank asked softly.
Dusk sighed. "Sorry, but I really don't want to talk about it."
"It's okay," he smiled reassuringly.
"Do you mind if I ask what you're doing here?" Dusk ventured shyly. "You don't look like you have a disease or something."
"My brother was injured pretty badly in his leg a few days back. That's why I'm here. They're considering amputating about half of it, and I really hope there's another way," Frank swallowed, blinking rapidly for a second. Keep it together.
"Wow," Dusk whistled softly, looking down. "That's horrible."
They turned another corner in the deserted hallway. Frank's eyes narrowed. It's too quiet in here. Where is everyone?
Suddenly hands grabbed him roughly by each arm. Frank drew in a breath to yell, but another hand clapped over his mouth.
Kicking, Frank struggled to get away. His captors, dressed all in black, dragged him to the left, into the stairwell.
Where's Dusk? The thought struck him as he was forced down the stairs. Glancing up and to his left, he saw people dressed all in black with ski masks bringing her down as well.
They descended three flights of stairs, and Frank fought the whole way, digging in his heels, trying to bite their fingers, twisting his arms and shoulders, and anything else he could think of. It was no use. These guys were strong, and there were three surrounding him.
At the bottom of the stairwell, Frank and Dusk were dragged into a storage closet. No, no, please no, Frank screamed inwardly. They'll go after Joe. And Nancy. I know they will. I have to stop them!
The brown-haired boy detective almost felt as if he were going insane. The thoughts turned over in his head again and again as he was tied up tightly. Helplessness filled Frank's mind, and he shouted desperately against his kidnapper's glove.
A needle sunk into his arm, and he knew no more.
*Insert ominous music, probably from Her Interactive, here*