HDA - Classified Secrets by Cherylann Rivers Introduction

"Miss Shaw?" Callie was in an observation room, having undergone a general exam and routine CAT scans. She felt like she would fall asleep on the spot. Nonetheless, she looked at the doctor, and tried to smile. It had been an incredible evening.

The doctor sat next to her. "Miss Shaw- Callie. Well, part of your diagnosis is pretty clear. You need a lot of sleep! That’s what they pay us the big bucks for- to diagnose these things." Callie shook her head in disbelief. This doctor was kind and, for his older age, still sympathetic to his patients. She liked him. "Thanks," she feebly responded.

"You probably feel like a Mac truck ran over you. The good news is that you’re not at all seriously hurt. You have some deep bruising that will take a while to heal, but other than that, nothing. You’re very fortunate. A lot of people tonight- well, they weren’t so lucky." Callie looked up and noticed the expression in his eyes. She felt a little strange. "Yes, I know. Can I go now? I appreciate your help."

Callie knew that Vanessa had been in the hospital and had checked out fine. Joe was also examined, as was Fenton, and they were okay, too. And, in stroke of utter luck, when Joe had gone to check in, they had almost made a mistake with his check -in since Frank Hardy, of that same address in New York, was also registered at the hospital. Callie knew he was okay, although she still had to get the details. She was very anxious to see him, and then to sleep as well. She wanted this to be over with, and couldn’t figure out the delay.

"Actually, Callie, I’d like to talk with you about something."

Callie didn’t like the sound of this, but was too upset to try and figure it out, so she just replied, "Okay."

"Callie, we ran scans of your body to determine if there were internal injuries, since you were in pain. We also ran scans of your head, since there was a deep bruise there as well, and sometimes there can be internal injuries there, too."

"Uh huh." Callie didn’t know what to say.

"Have you suffered from headaches recently?"

Callie’s eyes widened. How could he know that? "Yes, I have."

"Have they been severe, in the migraine category?"

"Yes, they’re very bad." Callie took a deep breath. What was going on?

The doctor looked grim. "Where are your headaches most prevalent?"

"I don’t understand."

"I’m guessing they’re the worst in the back of your head, towards the right side, and occasionally in that temple area?"

Callie froze. The doctor looked at her, and went on, gently.

"How tall are you, honey, and how much do you weigh?"

Callie was getting frightened, and felt tears form in her eyes. She didn’t know why.

"I.. I’m 5’5", and about 120- 125, I guess. W.. why?"

The doctor gently took her hand. "Honey, stand on the scale over here. You don’t look like you’re 125 pounds. Are you sure the weight range you gave me is your normal range?"

Callie nodded, weakly. She was guided to the scale and helped up. The doctor told her to look at the numbers. "Can you read this?" he asked. Callie, unfamiliar with official medical scales, just shook her head. "You weigh, as we speak, 108.5 pounds."

Callie nervously brought her hand to her mouth. "Oh. I’ve had a hard time lately, and I haven’t eaten right."

"Are you tired and weak often?"

Callie whispered, "Yes."

"Sit down." He led Callie to the chair in the room. "Honey, when we did the scan of your head, we found a mass in the back area of your head. Here- let me show you." He took Callie’s hand and placed it on the back of her head. Vaguely, she could feel a hardness. She began to tremble. "Callie, something is definitely there. You have a tumor of some sort. Now, don’t panic. This could very well be benign. However, based on your symptoms—tiredness, weakness, severe headaches, weight loss—this could also be – other things. You need follow through on this. When you return to your home, you have to check this out."

Callie felt the breath sucked out of her, and she started to cry in terror. "W.. what other things?" she sobbed.

The doctor looked uncomfortable. "Well, we don’t like to speculate…"

"What?!" she sobbed, again.

"Honey," he said gently, taking her hand. "You could have …. Cancer."

11 Hours after-5:30 p.m.

Frank Hardy had just finished listening to his father and brother tell him all about the case and what had transpired in Disney World. He knew that his dad and law enforcement agents were continuing to hunt down this terrorist group, and right now they were working on a lot of leads. He was shocked at hearing the course of events.

Right now, though, he felt tired and weak, but 100% better than he had felt the night before. The doctor had said that Frank had developed a very serious infection after his operation. If left untreated, it could have killed him. He had been given a ton of antibiotics, and now he felt no real pain, even if he did feel a bit dopey. As he listened to Joe and his dad, he was amazed and saddened. He somehow also felt as if he was floating on a cloud. It was a ridiculous feeling.

Frank was told that he had to stay in the hospital for two more days for observation, at which point it would be okay for him to return to Bayport. He was under strict orders to take it easy and to rest in bed. However, he thought to himself, that gave him just enough time to catch up on missed school work at home, right before the end of the year. He’d still be able to return to school for the last two weeks, and graduation shouldn’t be a problem. He closed his eyes for a moment. IF he was lucky, he’d also be able to make the prom in just under a week. He wanted to go, and to celebrate his time with his friends. More importantly, he wanted to go with Callie. He knew how much it meant to her, and he would do anything to make her happy. He couldn’t wait to see her. He smiled at the thought.

"Um, Frank?" Joe’s voice floated through his mind. He watched as his father and brother laughed at him and his obviously incoherent reactions to their stories. He had to admit that this medicine, whatever it was, was powerful stuff. Concentration was difficult at the moment.

"Huh?"

Joe walked to his bed. "Frank, what happened last night was- horrific. We have to promise to help dad on his quest to catch these maniacs. Thank God we were able to do what we did. Let’s just learn to appreciate how precious life is, and how quickly it can be taken away. I’ll see you later. I have some business of my own to take care of." With that, he leaned over and kissed his brother’s head. "I love you, Frank."

Fenton stared after his son and his display of affection. He turned to Frank. "He’s right, you know."

"I know." Frank smiled.

Joe, meanwhile, knew he had at least two conversations that he still had to have. Taking a moment to thank God for his blessings, he took a deep breath. This wasn’t going to be easy…

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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.