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The Hardy Boys

(Heartless)

Sequel: A Friend in Need

Chapter 7

A few minutes later, at the hospital, Frank was heading to Joe's room. He couldn't stop thinking about the Gray Man's words.

"I won't let Heartless recruit Joe," he thought, "They can't have my little brother."

"Son, are you alright?" Fenton asked, breaking into Frank's thoughts. Frank looked up to see Fenton standing outside of Joe's room.

"What's wrong?" Fenton asked hurriedly, seeing the panicked look on his son's expression.

Frank told Fenton about seeing Angela and the Gray Man. Fenton's face practically paled when Frank told him about D.K. Mathers being the new leader of Heartless.

"That Heartless symbol on the card I gave you means that they're in charge," Frank said, running a hand nervously through his brown hair, "They're trying to take Bayport over as their territory."

"Their territory?"

"It gets worse, Heartless is trying to recruit Joe. Just like they did to Tony!"

"I was afraid of this. Joe would be a perfect target for Heartless to try to recruit," Fenton stated nervously, shaking his head, "After everything your brother has gone through. Like blaming himself for Iola's death, and for what happened to Tony."

"Dad, you don't think..." Frank's voice trailed off, picking up on what Fenton was saying,"... Joe would sacrifice himself in order to save Tony, would you?"

"Yes, I do." Fenton said, nodding as he and Frank stood in Joe's room.

"I do too," Frank said, "The Assassins want Joe because, in their eyes, he killed Al-Rousasa. The Assassins are now part of Heartless." Slowly, Frank cast a worried look at his little brother. Joe looked so small, lying there unconscious in his bed. There was no way Joe was well enough to defend himself.

"Heartless can't have my little brother," Frank thought to himself, "They will have to go through me first."

"So, what are we going to do?" Frank asked out loud this time, looking worried, "Dad, they will kill him! And we still don't know who attacked him!"

"I'm going to call Chief Collig," Fenton answered, "And find out whats going on with the investigation. Then I'm going to see about putting Joe into a safe house. There will be a guard posted outside of Joe's room."

After a moment, Frank sighed and nodded. That seemed alright. Maybe Joe really would turn out fine.

"Your mother went to the cafeteria to get a cup of coffee," Fenton said suddenly, breaking the silence, "She will be back soon, but will you be okay with your brother?"

Frank took a deep breath, then replied. "Yeah," he said, "I'll be fine."

"Okay," Fenton said, reassuring his son as he headed out the door, "If you need anything, the nurses station is right out front."

A few minutes later, Frank was alone with Joe. He pulled up a chair and sat down next to his bed, observing his face. Carefully, Frank reached out and touched his brother's cheek.

"Hey, little brother. I'm so sorry, for running out on you earlier."

There was no response.

"Come on Joe, wake up!"

Nothing.

"Yell at me for running out on you."

Still silence.

"Please, Joe!" Frank begged, his voice quivering, "Wake up, baby brother. I'll help you get through this. Just come back to me first. Please, Joe… don't leave me. Heartless can't have you. They'll have to go through me first."

Joe still didn't respond, and Frank's heart sank a little in his chest.

"Please wake up, Joe," Frank said softly, praying for a response from him, "So we can work together to get Tony out of Heartless. I can't do it without you. We are a team."

Slowly, Frank leaned forward and kissed Joe on the forehead.

"Tell me who did this to you."

There was silence again, but this one more comfortable than the last.

"I'm right here," Frank said in a soothing voice, "Joe, you have slept long enough. It is time for you to open your eyes."

To Frank's great surprise, Joe's eyelids started moving.

"That's it, little brother! Open your eyes."

Frank's brown eyes lit up when he saw Joe's baby blue eyes staring up at him.

"Joe."

Sorry this is kind of short. I have a bit of writers block. Have to do some thinking. Well try to up date soon. However, I did wake certain blonde boy. Maybe the more reviews, I get will inspire me. Please Review.