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(I don't own the The Hardy Boys)
A special thanks to (JustAnotherGirlInTheWorld) who has helped me with my grammar and improve my story.
You have been a great help! :)
The Hardy Boys
(Heartless)
Sequel: A Friend in Need
Chapter 21
It was daybreak by the time the large, flickering fire was finally taken under control. Firefighters had worked tirelessly through the night to put out the fire, pulling bodies out of the building while still looking for survivors. Now all that was left of the warehouse was a pile of crumbling blocks and building materials. One wall had a big, gaping hole in the middle, and the other side was still smoldering in places, all the windows having been completely blown out. Debris littering the ground as Chief Collig and his police officers worked vigorously at keeping the many onlookers away.
About thirty yards away, a triage was set up by medical personnel to treat those injured in the bombing. Several ambulances were driving off, taking victims to the nearest hospitals.
"Frank."
No response.
Frank!"
Louder this time, but still nothing.
"FRANK!" Joe's voice cried out for a third time, desperation evident in his face and actions.
"Joe, calm down!" Fenton said, trying to hold Joe down from the back of an ambulance.
"I need to check out the wound," the paramedic said, trying to check out Joe's arm. "If you don't calm down we are going to have to sedate you."
"No! Let me go!" Joe cried, jerking his arm away from the paramedic, kicking him in the stomach, and then finally breaking free. "I need find my brother!"
"Joe!"
Fenton caught his distraught son, putting his hands firmly on his shoulders. He turned to the paramedic.
"I'm so sorry. Our emotions are running high; my other son is still missing."
"It's quite alright. Trust me, I understand," the paramedic replied, rubbing his stomach, "It would be the first time I've been kicked, though."
"Joe," Fenton said, feeling his son's body shaking, "I know you're upset; I'm worried about Frank, too. But you need to let the paramedic check you out."
"No!" Joe screamed, trying to break free from his father's grip. "Dad, let me go! Frank is still in there! We have to get him out!
"Joe, you have to calm down first!" Fenton said, steering Joe toward the ambulance. Silently praying for the rights words to say, he found himself whispering, "Frank will need you when they do find him. You can't take care of him, if you don't take care of yourself first."
"Dad, please," Joe whispered back softly as tears fell down his face, "I can't lose him."
"Frank!" Joe went limp in his father's arms, crying hysterically. Fenton just wrapped his strong arms around his son, pulling him into a hug. It was killing him... seeing his baby boy like this, and at the same time worrying about his oldest son. Frank was still missing.
Fenton's voice cracked as he whispered, "I promise you. We'll find Frank."
"Alive?" Joe asked, pulling away from Fenton. He then went and laid down on the stretcher without making a fuss.
Fenton could not answer to that.
"I feel like a part of my soul is dying," Joe said at last, closing his eyes to shut the world out. "If Frank is dead... I'll want to die, too."
Fenton cringed at Joe's words. He knew this was exactly what Joe would say. His heart sank as he watched his baby boy lying motionless on the stretcher. It was as if life was slowly draining out of him right before his very eyes. Just like Heartless did to Tony, when they took away his son just to keep him from talking.
Even though the man was dead, Fenton silently cursed D.K Mathers for the destruction he had left. Heartless certainly lived up to its name. Using any tactic to get what they wanted, not caring who got hurt because of it.
Fenton knew without even asking what tactic Heartless had used... it was Frank. Joe's big brother, best friend, and partner in crime-solving. They completed each other. 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, too. It was almost supernatural the way they could sense when one brother was in trouble. It was like, together, they made a whole person. Frank was and forever would be in Joe's heart.
"Okay, we're ready."
Fenton's voice filled with heavy emotion as he said this. The paramedic gave a slight nod, then shut the ambulance doors. Fenton looked out the ambulance door window at what was left of the warehouse. Frank was somewhere under all the debris. "I'm coming, Frank... Just hold on."
Fenton gently touched the side of Joe's face as he said, "I promise you. Everything will be okay."
"Please God," Fenton pleaded, looking upwards, "We need some help. Don't take my Frank just yet."
He felt tears running down his face when he looked at Joe. "I'm not ready to lose them both."
A few minutes later, they were off to the hospital.
I am not good with medical stuff. so if there is anything I need to add or fix. Please let me know. Please review Thank you.