He found a pulse. It was very weak, and Frank knew that Joe needed medical attention right away. Yet he was faced with quite the task. He knew moving Joe was dangerous. But, he had no way to call for help, and he wasn’t about to keep his brother there in case the stupid killer came back! He chewed on is bottom lip, all the while staring worriedly at his brother. Joe’s face had already gone pale from the blood loss. Finally, he decided to take the chance, and picked up his brother to leave.

Carefully holding Joe, Frank gulped. "God, he looks bad…" he thought. He carefully made his way down the stairs and pushed open the front door. It was still pouring rain outside. Knowing he had to try to keep Joe’s wound dry, Frank took off his shirt, and carefully wrapped it around Joe’s wounds, trying to keep it dry, and stop the flow of blood coming from the wounds. He bit his lips at his brother’s labored breathing. He knew he had to find help fast. He walked away from the house, and to the road. Because of the rain, and the fact this was a nearly deserted road in a deserted neighborhood, there were no cars coming by. With a small sigh, he began to trudge down the road in what he hoped was an area where more people were. He knew he had to be careful. The ground was slippery and muddy. The rain was pouring down in sheets, making it nearly impossible to walk. Yet he was able to pick up his pace, and carry his brother to the road. Suddenly, he heard a car coming.

He debated quickly to himself, thinking. "It could be a passerby, and then I could get to the hospital. But, it could be that crazy stalker returning…" He muttered out loud, as the car got closer. Finally, he decided to take the chance for his brother’s sake. If it was the stalker returning, then he would have to get out of the mess again. Turning around just as the car was upon him, he shouted. The car screeched to a stop. To Frank’s surprise, Professor Richards stepped out!

"Professor Richards! What—what’re you doing here?" Frank spluttered.

Richards was staring at Joe, whom Frank was still holding. "Is he dead?" he asked.

Frank looked at Joe soberly. "No…but if I don’t get him to a hospital fast, he will die!" He whispered, tears in his eyes, as he saw that Joe’s lips were a fade shade of blue, and his breathing had become more and more shallow.

Richards glanced at Frank, then said, "Well, then come on! I’ll give you a ride to the hospital. Come on!" He helped Frank put Joe in the back, and then climbed back into the driver’s seat as Frank got in the back with Joe. As he drove to Bayport General, he kept glancing back through the rearview mirror.

He finally asked, "Are you sure he’s not dead?"

Frank turned and gave him a weird look. "No, he’s not," he replied. Then, a question came to his mind.
"Professor Richards, how did you manage to come along that particular road tonight?" he asked.

"Well, Frank, you see…" Richards started to reply, when the hospital came into view.

Quickly, Frank forgot about his questions. "Quick, go to the Emergency Room!" he told his professor.

Richards pulled up to the emergency room, and Frank carried Joe in. As soon as he ran in, a nurse saw him, and gasped.

"Don’t worry! We got things under control!" she told him as an orderly took Joe and quickly put him on a stretcher, wheeling Joe inside.

The nurse noticed Frank was wearing no shirt, and was shivering, along with the bleeding cut on his forehead. She took him into another small room, and quickly patched him up, giving him hospital scrubs to wear in the meantime. Sighing, Frank asked how his brother was doing. The nurse told him there was no news yet, and suggested that he go get some hot chocolate. She also told him that there was a man waiting in the waiting room for him. Frank walked outside and found Professor Richards waiting for him.

"How is he?" Richards asked, standing up as Frank walked in. Frank sighed, and dropped into a chair.

"Nothing yet. I guess we’ll see soon," he answered.

Richards nodded soberly, than said, "Well, I have to be going. I’ll see you later," he muttered to Frank. Frank nodded, and replied,

"Okay. And thanks for your help. By the way, why were you-" he started to ask, but Richards interrupted him.

"You’re welcome. Bye." He walked quickly out. Frank stared after him puzzled, then, with another sigh, got up to

go get some hot chocolate.

********************

Meanwhile, back at Vanessa’s house, everyone was there for the meeting. Everybody except the Hardys. Vanessa looked at her watch, and then addressed the group.

"Okay, guys, it’s 11:30. Our meeting tome was 9:00. They’re late, and if it were for a good reason, they would have called. I think it’s time to call the police." Everyone agreed, and Tony went to the job, while Vanessa and Staci went to put Jason to bed. It took a long time, though. Jason was tired, but was worried sick about his older brothers. He didn’t really know what was wrong, but he could feel vibes in the air, and they weren’t good at all.

"Vanessa?" he asked softly. "Where are Frank and Joe?" he asked.

Vanessa and Staci exchanged looks, before Staci said, "They’ll be back soon. They’re…they’re, um, they’re getting a surprise for you! But, if you don’t go to bed, they won’t come and give it to you. So, get to bed quickly!" She told him. Jason smiled ate thought of a surprise, and fell asleep quickly. Staci and Vanessa quickly headed downstairs. They saw Tony and Phil pacing the room, while Chet and Biff sat down, looking really worried.

"What happened?" Staci asked.

"The police said that they were going to go their house and see if something’s up. We tried calling there before the police, but no one was answering." Tony answered. Vanessa bit her lip, and then turned to Staci.

"Want to help me make some hot chocolate?" She asked. She was trying to keep her minds off things. Staci nodded, and the girls disappeared into the kitchen. Five minutes later, the phone rang. It was Con Riley. He was very grim.

"We got to the house at the exact same time the Hardys and Mitchells got home. I…I don’t know what to think. Their van is out front. The door was left wide open, and all the lights were on. There was food on the table, as if they were going to eat. Their wallets and cell phones are in the house. Yet, there is no sign of the boys." Con said softly into the phone. He was worried sick about Frank and Joe, and his wife, Kasey, had gone over to the Hardy home with Nick to try and comfort the family, while the search was happening. Fenton and Matt, even the ladies had wanted to help, but Con convinced them to stay at home. They were going to search all the hospitals in the area. He told Tony that he’d keep in touch, and then hung up. He was going to go check Bayport General himself. He quickly went there. As soon as he walked into the Emergency Room waiting room, he saw Frank Hardy!

"Frank! What happened? Are you okay? Where’s Joe? Is he okay? What are you doing here?" His words came out in a torrent. Frank looked up tiredly, his eyes red from tears and lack of sleep.

"Con…" he whispered in a gravely voice.

Con was shocked at his voice, and asked again, "Frank? What’s going on? Is everything okay?"

Frank got tears in his eyes again. "I don’t know, Con…I don’t know," was all he managed to say. Con realized he was in shock, and quickly went to the Nurse’s Station to see what he could find out.

"Excuse me, Nurse-" he looked at her nametag. "Nurse Reynolds. I think you have a patient here by the name of Joe Hardy. Could you give me an update of his condition? In fact, can you tell exactly what’s wrong?"

The nurse glanced at Frank. "That’s his brother, right?" Con nodded. "Yes, we do have a Joe Hardy here. Apparently, his brother brought him in here with a stab wound. He managed to fill out forms that were needed, but for almost an hour, he’s been sitting there like that, not moving. As for Joe, there has been no word of his condition. I’m sorry," the nurse added, seeing Con’s stricken look. Con glanced back at Frank, and realized he had to call Fenton. Quickly, he took out his cell phone, and hit the Hardys number, which he had on speed dial. Fenton snatched up the phone.

"What?" he growled into the phone.

"I found them, Fenton," Con said. "Come to Bayport General." Fenton hung up without a word, and Con knew he was on the way. He then went over to Frank and tried to get a response out of him, but Frank was in shock. Con knew that right now talking to him would be hopeless.

Within twenty minutes, Fenton, Matt, Laura, and Gertrude had arrived, and soon started another long wait to see what was wrong. Meantime, Con went to call the Hardys’ friends at Vanessa’s house.

*******************

Three hours later, all of the Hardys’ friends and family, including Jason, Andrea Bender, and Kasey and Nick Riley were gathered in the hospital room. Chief Collig was also there. Very quickly a doctor came out.

"Hello," he said. "I’m guessing everyone here is for Joe Hardy?" Fenton nodded. "Well, I’m Doctor Jordan. I treated Joe right now, and I came to tell you that he had deep stab wound, and several superficial ones. I’m not sure how he got them, but I understand his brother brought him in. Well, he will be okay," he said. A relieved sigh came from the whole group along with a small sob from Laura. Frank’s eyes brightened at the fact that his brother was going to make it. The doctor continued. "The knife didn’t puncture any major organs, but he did lose a lot of blood, so he was given a transfusion. The few superficial knife wounds were cleaned and bandaged. He hasn’t regained consciousness yet. That’s just because he needs his rest. Anyone have any questions?" he asked the group.

Matt asked, "Can we see him?"

"Yes," Dr. Jordan answered. "But only two at a time and only one person can stay. Okay?" The group nodded their understanding. Everyone went in groups of two and saw Joe.

Finally, Frank turned to his dad and said, "I’m staying, Dad. I don’t care what you say. I’m staying." His eyes were big, and flashed fire at his dad, daring him to say no.

His dad nodded, then asked, "What happened?" But Laura took his hand.

"Tomorrow. We’ll find out tomorrow. Come on," she said.

Fenton and Laura left along with everyone else, and Frank settled down for an overnight vigil. Joe didn’t wake up, and slowly, around 3:00 AM, he fell asleep. A little while later, Frank was awakened by a sudden, loud beeping. His eyes flew open, and he saw a figure standing over his brother, smothering him! He yelled. The intruder whirled around, and aimed a high kick, right where Frank had already been injured that day. One kick and Frank was on the floor. The man loomed over him, and started a right haymaker right for the dazed Frank’s chin. But, right before the punch hit, and Frank blacked out, he heard a steady beeping sound…