Fenton Hardy brought a cup of coffee to his wife, Laura.  They were seated at a large table in the cafeteria of the Hale County Hospital. Jack Wayne had flown Sam Radley back to Bayport as soon as the doctors assured everyone that Joe Hardy was going to make it. Laura Hardy and Luke Martin joined Jack for the return flight back to Moundville. 

Luke, Chet and Iola had gone back to Joyce and Chuck’s house.  Chet still needed to rest and the District Attorney still wanted to meet with him and tie up a few loose ends in the case.

Chester and Betty Morton sat across the table from Fenton, Laura and Jack.  “Fenton, we owe a mighty big debt to you and the boys.  Who knows how things might have turned out if you hadn’t gotten Sean Prescott to come down here and help Chet.”

“I feel like I was just a backseat player in this one, Chester,” Fenton smiled.  “Frank and Joe really deserve all the credit.  They are the ones that found the lighter on the bridge and that was really the catalyst that got things rolling.”

“Even though Joe decided to be a human yard stick to find it!” Laura added, rolling her eyes.  “That boy will be the death of me yet!” 

Suddenly her eyes misted and she reached for Fenton’s hand.  He gave her hand a squeeze, knowing what she was thinking.  This one had been too close.  Joe had literally ‘died’ on the table twice, but the doctor hadn’t given up.  Joe had, in his usual style, bounced back and was well on his way to a full recovery.

“Who knows what Joe will come up with next,” Fenton said, giving Laura a smile.

“Greetings, folks!”  The group at the table looked up to see Sean Prescott and a lovely woman walking toward them.

Fenton and Chester stood and shook hands with Sean.  Sean introduced District Attorney Valerie St. James to them all.

“I need to speak with Chet,” Valerie said, “But Sean really wanted me to meet all of you before we head over to the house.”

“We stopped in to see Joe,” Sean added.  “He’s looking much better.  I’m glad to hear he’ll be okay.”

He looked at Fenton, “You’ve got a couple of great kids.”

Fenton and Laura exchanged a knowing look; yes, they had a couple of great kids and they couldn’t be prouder.

Sean and Valerie chatted a bit longer but then excused themselves.  “We set up an appointment with Chet this afternoon.  We don’t want to be late.”

“Should we be there?” Chester asked.

“No need,” Valerie assured him.  “This is just to put a few finishing touches on the final report.  Nothing at all to worry about.”

They started to walk away, but Sean stopped. He turned back to Fenton.  “That other matter you talked to me about – the wife abuse? I’ve talked to her.  I think I can convince her to press charges.  I’ll let you know how it turns out.”

“Thanks, Sean,” Fenton nodded.  “I appreciate that.  I couldn’t stand the thought of Thomas getting away with that.”

* * *

On the third floor of the hospital, in room 208, a blond teenager stirred restlessly on the hospital bed.  In his slumber-encompassed mind, he was in a pit, deep in the ground.

He attempted to climb out, but the walls were slick with mud. He looked up and saw tri-colored snakes crawling into the pit from the opening above.  His heart was racing and his mind was chanting, “Red on black, won’t attack; Red on yellow, kills a fellow.”

Panicking, he looked down at his feet and realized the pit was filling with murky water. “River water!” he cried.  The water churned in around him, faster and faster. Up to his knees it climbed, then his waist…

He wanted to run, but there was nowhere to go; he wanted to climb, but it was impossible. 

Then something brushed against his legs. He tried to peer through the dark, swirling water. Suddenly a form floated to the top; a decomposing body of a young woman.

The water rose, the snakes fell, and Joe screamed…

Frank Hardy had been napping in the chair beside Joe’s bed, but jumped at the sound of his brother’s terrified cry.

“Joe, easy,” he said as he stroked his brother’s brow. 

Sapphire blue eyes popped open, looking frantic.

“You’re okay little brother,” Frank soothingly assured Joe.

Joe sighed and felt his body relax.  “What a nightmare.”

“Probably from all the medication you’ve been on,” Frank suggested.  “Want to tell me about it?”

Joe told Frank the dream and the two sat quietly for a while.

“It’s pretty freaky, huh Frank?”

Frank stared at Joe. “What?”

“You know.  How those three guys all died in the river,” Joe said. 

Frank groaned. “Don’t go there, Joe.”

“You gotta admit it’s more than a coincidence, Frank,” Joe pushed.  “The three guys that killed Lydia and threw her into the Black Warrior River all end up drowning in the same river, right near the bridge!”

“No I don’t, Joe,” Frank adamantly denied.  He stood up, stretching, and glared at his younger brother.  “There are no such things as ghosts, or vengeful spirits.  It was nothing more than pure coincidence, like it or not!” 

Joe sighed and settled back on his pillow. “Bet Sam and Dean Winchester would agree with me,” he said, talking more to himself than to Frank.

“You watch way too much television, little brother,” Frank responded with a chuckle in his voice.  “Now, go back to sleep!”

* * *

In the dark, murky depths of the Black Warrior River, in a crevice protected from the strong current, a decomposing body shifted slightly.

Lydia Morton’s remains finally settled into the thick black silt on the river bed.  The silt slowly swallowed her, like a winter blanket wrapping around her, tucking her in for an eternal rest.

The End

*Special THANK YOU to JD – for the great beta job! I really appreciate your work!*