HDA - Classified Secrets by Cherylann Rivers Introduction

Joe, Vanessa, and Fenton separated as they made their way through the horrific scene that befell their eyes. They agreed to meet in half an hour in the Castle’s back entrance, to keep track of one another.

Joe Hardy could barely hold in his emotions as he treaded, slowly, through the devastated area of the theme park. There were so many sirens, and so much screaming. Hell, itself, could not parallel these cries of hopelessness and despair. The wounded were being tended to as best they could by all of the emergency personnel on hand. Still, despite this, people were lying all over—some were injured, some were in shock. No matter what people were there, though, they all shared the same expression of utter disbelief and shock. This was Disney World. This was the United States. Things like this were not supposed to happen here. Joe inadvertently thought back to the broken mirror that he had first seen when he had come to after the explosion. He couldn’t help but to realize how innocence had been shattered as well, and he wondered if there was a chance of ever getting it back.

Joe’s lips quivered as he fought back the grief that he couldn’t have stopped this. He knew his father was right—things could have been a lot worse. Still, somehow, his gut instinct told him that he should have done much more. He didn’t know if he could deal with this. Joe found himself struggling not to cry. Where was Frank? Where was Iola? Where was Callie? God, if they were somehow in the area- he shuddered at the thought that was so horrific he couldn’t even fathom it.

At once, Joe looked past the charred bushes and blackened skies to a large group of people who were either lying down or running around in confusion. The medical personnel had apparently not reached them yet. At once, Joe began to head towards the area as quickly as he could. Even if these were not the people whom he loved, they needed help—and he had to do something. Joe spent the next 15 minutes guiding lost people to benches, offering comfort, and trying to help others find their family members and loved ones. Again, he became overwhelmed by the amount of people who still needed help, the people whom he hadn’t even seen yet. Raising a trembling hand slowly to his temple, Joe felt himself on the cusp of losing control. Part of him wanted to scream, to cry, to panic. The other part worked in fear, longing and needing to find those whom he loved, and yet dreading finding a scene that would be incomprehensible to him. He took a moment to wipe back the tears that had now become a steady but slow trickle down his face, and to think of what to do next.

It was at that moment that he saw a group of sobbing people in the distance who looked like they needed some assistance. Knowing that the emergency units would soon follow, Joe made his way to the area. He saw little children clinging to their parents. He saw a lot of people, some moving and some not. He was about to turn away when he noticed a young blonde woman off to the side, half-hidden by the bushes. Joe’s heart dropped from his chest as he noticed the outfit. His breath escaped him as he recognized Callie Shaw. And it didn’t look good.

Weaving his way through the maddened and confused crowd, Joe fell to his knees beside Callie. She had a bruise across the right side of her forehead, but other than that, he could see no visible signs of blood or injury. Her eyes were closed, and she was clearly unconscious. Swallowing hard, Joe grabbed Callie’s wrist to check for a pulse. It was weak and inconsistent, but there. Joe let out a breath that he hadn’t realized until that moment he’d been holding.

"Callie," he said gently to her, holding back his worst fears. "Come on, Cal. Wake up." Gingerly, he pushed the hair from her forehead and gently touched her face. Callie Shaw, whom he had wasted so much time blaming, and had treated so badly, looked so fragile and defenseless. Joe felt ashamed, and horribly guilty. Above all, he was frightened. Callie was thus far unresponsive, and she needed help.

He tried again, louder than last time, still cupping her face in his hands. "Please, Callie. Wake up. I’ll help you." Joe was losing control. He needed to help her- he needed to. He owed her that, at the very least. As Joe was about to cry for help, Callie weakly stirred. Joe held his breath. Her eyes struggled to open, and fluttered several times. Finally, she met his eyes, although she seemed a bit out of focus and somewhat incoherent. Joe gave her a few minutes to adjust to him, all the while holding her hand to his chest. Maybe if she wouldn’t believe his words, or wake to them, she’d feel his efforts, and know he needed her to pull through.

"Callie," he whispered gently. Through all the chaos and turmoil around them, right now Joe only saw Callie. "Are you hurt? Help will be here soon. Tell me how to help you."

Callie’s breathing was shallow, but she struggled to focus on Joe. "I.. I’m okay. My… head… hurts." For Callie, this pain was unbearable. It felt like a thousand lightning bolts flashing in front of her eyes.

Joe was instantly worried. It didn’t look like Callie had sustained any visible injuries, other than a bruise. Still, he knew that sometimes concussions and the like could be hidden. "Callie—try not to move. I’m going for help." Joe squeezed her hand, and was about to leave when he heard her whimper softly, "Please don’t leave me."

Joe turned back to Callie, who was covering her eyes with her hand. He was stunned into silence by the tone in Callie’s voice—rarely had he ever heard such fear, pure and unadulterated. Her words didn’t matter- her tone of voice did. Instantly, he kneeled beside her again. "Cal…"

Weakly, she looked up at him. "H.. Help me up." Her words were a little slurred, and she looked dizzy. Joe wanted to insist that she not move, but somehow, he couldn’t deny her a wish in this land of hopelessness.

Fighting back his emotions and the swelling in his throat, he wrapped his arms around Callie, helping her to sit up. Without thinking, he pulled her to him, and cradled her in his arms. He felt Callie wince, obviously in pain, and held her tighter.

Callie just closed her eyes and rested against Joe’s chest. It was so easy to pretend that this was Frank, holding her and protecting her. And, in a sense, Joe became his brother in that instant, instinctively wanting to make Callie feel better. All of Frank’s words about Callie came rushing into his mind. "And just as I’d protect you and love you, Joe, I feel the same about her… I REALLY, TRULY, love her." He knew he had to make Frank proud of him, wherever Frank was.

"You’ll be okay," he whispered gently to her. "I promise."

He felt her nod slowly against him. "MMM HMMM. I’ll be okay." Slowly, she pulled back from Joe and looked up at him. His arms were still around her, steadying her, but she was beginning to get her bearings. Her head ached, but the flashes of light were gone. Her back also throbbed and her sides hurt, but she knew this was from the forces of the blast, and the crowds crushing her. The fact that she could even move made her realize that nothing was broken. "Joe," she managed, weakly, "Is Vanessa..."

"She’s okay, thank God. So’s my dad." He looked at Callie sorrowfully. "I’m just worried about Iola, and Frank, and you, too. I had no idea what happened." He tried to keep his voice from breaking. "I’m so sorry, Callie."

Callie met Joe’s gaze, and told him at once, "Joe- Iola’s okay. I sent her back to the hotel BEFORE the bomb blast. I.. I’m sure she’s there. As for Frank, he’s probably at the hotel."

Joe, weak with relief at Callie’s words, instinctively hugged her. She moaned. "I’m sorry!" he gasped, horrified.

Callie asked Joe to help her up. He stood slowly, and then pulled her up next to him, catching her as she almost fell. She clung to him for a moment, overcome with weakness and soreness. "Joe," she continued, trembling, "I don’t even know what this case is about. But let’s go and check on your brother at the hotel, and you can fill me in."

Joe slipped an arm around Callie’s shoulders and helped her to walk steadily through the darkness around them. "No way, Callie. I’m taking you and Vanessa to the hospital to get checked out. I’ll have my dad call Iola and check on Frank." Together, Callie and Joe worked their way steadily to the Castle to reunite with the others. Joe , having so much to say and no words to express how he felt, simply gave Callie a kiss on the cheek before meeting with the others. Callie just smiled.

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Disclaimer

The Hardy Boys belong to Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer Foundation, The authors have just borrowed them for an adventure or two. The authors promise to put the boys back when they are done with them. The authors do claim copyright to the original characters in this story. Please do not borrow them without express permission of the authors.