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The Hardy Boys

(Heartless)

Sequel: A Friend in Need

Chapter 3

Frank rushed out of class the minute the bell rang, ending first period.

"Frank, I'm sure he's fine." Phil said, trying hard to keep up with him.

"I can't explain it, Phil!" Frank nearly shouted, scanning the sea of students, "I have a bad feeling that Joe is in trouble."

It always amazed Phil how close the Hardy brothers were. They were more than just brothers... they were best friends, and partners in crime solving.

The Hardy brothers were the complete opposite of each other. Frank was more logical, always thinking and planning things out before following through. Joe, by contrast, was always rushing into a situation without thinking of his own safety. Where there was one brother's weakness, there was the other brother's strength. They relied on each others' strength not only when solving a case, but in life.

This was what made them good detectives. It was almost supernatural, the way they could sense when one brother was in trouble. It was like, together, they made a whole person. If Frank sensed Joe was in trouble, then it was true. There was no doubt about it.

Phil put a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder.

"Frank."

"Yeah?"

"We'll find him."

Frank nodded as a thank you.

Suddenly, someone called out to him. "Frank!"

Frank spun around to see his friends, Biff Hooper and Chet Morton, rushing up to them.

There was a panicked look on their faces. He knew right away that something was very, very wrong.

"What's wrong?"

"Joe never showed up for class!" Biff and Chet cried in unison.

Before Frank could say anything, someone let out a blood-curdling scream. "SOMEONE HELP HIM!"

Frank flew down the hallway, barreling through the crowd of student as fast as a bull. He could hear Biff, Chet, and Phil running right behind him.

Frank's heart was pounding out of his chest. It was Vanessa doing the screaming. A crowd started gathering around the stairwell.

"SOMEONE HELP HIM!" Vanessa kept screaming, tears sliding down her face.

Frank's eyes landed on a blond-haired boy lying motionless by the stairs, eyes tightly shut.

"Joe!"

Frank knelt beside his little brother, his heart nearly pounding out of his chest. For the first time in his life, he didn't know what to do. Frank could hear everyone around him. Their voices sounding very faint and far away. It was as if they were in a tunnel. All Frank could do was stare helplessly at his little brother, lying motionless in front of him.

"Everybody step aside!" ordered Principle Dixon suddenly, a tall, dark-haired man. The school nurse, a slender women in her forties, stood beside him, and together they made their way towards them.

"I want all students and staff to report to the Auditorium immediately," Principle Dixon said in a stern voice, "Now!"

Callie put a comforting arm around Vanessa. She could feel her friend shaking, "Let's give them room to help Joe."

"I want to stay with Joe," Vanessa said in protest, tears streaming helplessly down her face.

"Vanessa, you have to calm down first!" Callie said, steering Vanessa toward the Auditorium. Silently, praying for the rights words to say, she found herself whispering, "You're not helping Joe if he sees you upset."

Vanessa just nodded okay. Teachers kept directing students to the Auditorium.

The nurse placed two fingers under Joe's neck. "He's alive," she said, "But he has a weak pulse."

She ran a hand along Joe's chest, feeling around. "He might have a few broken ribs." She touched the back of Joe's head, feeling a lump, "Looks like he might have hit his head on the floor, too. It's possible Joe might have a head injury."

The sound of sirens drew close as Biff, Chet, and Phil comes rushing into the hallway. "An ambulance just arrived." Chet informed them all.

Phil kneeled next to Frank. "I called your parents. They will meet you at the hospital."

He could see the mix of emotions on his face.

"Frank? Are you okay?" he asked tentatively.

"I will be, once I find out who did this."

Then he turned to the boy on the ground, his eyebrows furrowing together in worry.

"Joe, I'm right here," Frank said in a soothing voice, brushing a strain of blond hair out of Joe's eyes and pleading for him to respond, "Joe, just open your eyes."

Suddenly, he saw something clutched in Joe's hand. When Frank opened it up he found a small, business-type card. On it was a black heart with a blood-red outline and a spiked X through the heart.

Feeling rage building up inside of him, Frank knew very well who was responsible for this. Frank looked at Joe, this time with determination.

"I promise you, little brother. Heartless will pay."

I didn't know how else to describe Frank and Joe relationship. The word supernatural came in to me. What do you think? Sorry this is kind of short. I will update soon. Please review.

To be continued...Please review. Thank you. I'll try to up date soon