EXTREME DANGER
by
PiperMerlyn
Chapter 4
The Chapters
Frank
I was wondering about that myself, as we headed downstairs. Our last mission had been here in Bayport, so we’d merely said we were taking a skydiving course at the airport, not that far from the truth. We of course hadn’t mentioned the DVD pirating or the real danger, beyond a messed-up chute or something.
We went into the kitchen and found the table set and everyone waiting on us. Mom gave us a long look. “So you finished your skydiving course?”
Aunt Gertrude made a grunting noise but didn’t say anything. She’d gone on and on about the dangers when we announced we were starting it. Thank goodness, she wasn’t going to rehash it now.
“Passed with flying colors,” said Joe.
I saw Dad try not to choke on his tea. Mom looked over at him. “You okay?”
“Fine, just fine.” Dad gave Joe a glare and set his tea glass down.
“Well, your father wants to treat you to a mini-vacation for finishing that course.”
Ahh, so that’s how he was going to pull it off. “Really? Where?” I asked as I sat down at the table. Joe sat next to me. I felt him kick my ankle hard. So I kicked him back.
Dad nodded. “I thought it should be someplace full of history and fun, while still being educational. It won’t be much longer before school starts back.”
Joe groaned. “Aw, Dad, you know educational is never fun.”
I swear I saw Dad smirk. “It is if you’re going to Philadelphia.”
Mom slowly shook her head. “I don’t know, Fenton, that extreme sports competition is in Philadelphia too.”
I have to admit my baby brother could be an Oscar-winning actor. He popped his head up from his food, looking totally stunned. “No way. For real?”
Mom gave him a look. “Joe, you know I don’t like extreme sports. My goodness, there are enough injuries from traditional sports like baseball, football—”
“Wrestling,” added Aunt Gertrude, eying Joe pointedly.
Mom looked over at her, puzzled, then sighed. “The point is, it’s foolish to take those kind of risks when you don’t have to.”
Joe cocked his head to one side. “But Mom, you act like we’re gonna join up or something. What’s wrong with just watching?”
Oh, man, he’s good. I looked from Joe to Mom who seemed to be considering his question. She finally sighed. “Promise me you won’t try some of those stunts, okay.”
Joe looked around the table as if unsure of what she was implying. “You mean we can go?”
Mom didn’t look that happy. “Yes, you can go.”
Joe let out a muted “woo-hoo” and finished his meal in record time, with Aunt Gertrude fussing about his eating too fast. Once we were finished, we cleaned up the kitchen, since Mom and Aunt Gertrude had cooked. It felt weird sometimes doing such normal things after a mission, especially how this one ended today.
Joe finished drying the last plate and stuck it in the cabinet. “Man, I’m beat.” He glanced over his shoulder and lowered his voice. “Dad’s good.”
“So are you. Plan on being a Hollywood star someday?” I was being sarcastic but didn’t care.
“Hey, we didn’t get any lectures from Auntie about the dangers of skydiving or extreme sports, now did we?”
I sighed and let the water out of the sink. “And how you talked me into washing, I’ll never know. Must be more tired than I thought.”
Joe just grinned and tossed the damp towel over the empty dish rack. “Let’s head upstairs and finish packing. I want to head out as soon as possible.”
I nodded and followed him up the stairs quietly. We spotted Mom and Dad watching television but Aunt Gertrude must have been in her room. Once upstairs, I stopped at my door. “Joe, you weren’t planning to do any of those crazy stunts were you?”
“Hey, at least with a bungee cord wrapped around my ankle, I wouldn’t have to worry about kissing the ground too hard.”
“Only if the cord wasn’t messed with.”
Joe rolled his eyes. “Worrywart. Good night, bro.”
I sighed and went into my room. Sometimes, worrying was what kept us alive for another day.
*****
In the end, Dad didn’t go with us to the garage. For one thing, Mom wasn’t supposed to know about the ‘cycles. Dad was afraid she’d worry we’d try to do some of the motocross stunts. Then I found out she’s been watching documentaries on extreme sports. “So cut her some slack, Frank. Those documentaries tend to show only the worst of extreme sports injuries.”
I nodded and we loaded up the van and headed for the Bayport Auto Garage. Since we’d both packed light, only enough of what we would need for the week and since ATAC gives us an account to spend for necessities, we ended up deciding to leave the van at the garage and take the bikes.
Joe and I headed into the garage and stopped cold on the cement floor, staring at the two gleaming motorcycles parked there. “Yo, bros,” Butch greeted us. “You prepared to be blown away?”
“Go ahead,” said Joe, grinning. “Make my day.”
Butch McNair gestured to the ‘cycles. “Feast your eyes on these babies.”
“Wow,” I said. I think I said it out loud. These were no ordinary motorcycles. These were top-of-the-line high-tech speed machines decked out with all the latest features. Polished chrome controls, high-grade leather seats, stainless steel exhaust pipes – the works – and they were customized with flaming red double Hs.
Joe’s eyes widened. “This kicks butt.”
Butch laughed and walked over to the ‘cycles. “Check this out. Hydraulic clutch, optimized suspension, fog lamps with flint protectors. Hazard warning flashers and CB radio.”
Joe just stood there in total shock. Finally, he said, “Dude, you’re killing me.”
“But wait, that’s not all.” Butch went on. He flicked a switch and a series of miniaturized panels lit up on the curved dash. “Check it out, guys. Here you have your security tracking device and GPS.”
“Awesome!” shouted Joe, his voice echoing around the garage.
I took a deep breath. “Butch, these are amazing but—”
“Your Dad told me how to customize these babies. So hop on, enjoy the ride.”
I stood there as Joe hopped on his bike. Slowly, I straddled mine, savoring the cold metal of the motor housing, the gleaming chrome, leather seat. “This is amazing.”
Joe started to roll his bike out of the garage. Butch held up his hands revealing two black full-face shield helmets. Flaming red double Hs were on both sides. He handed them to us and grinned. “Now, take those beauties for a spin.”
We both strapped on our helmets and backed out of the garage into the early morning sunshine. We revved our engines, waved to Butch and headed down the highway.
Joe immediately pulled ahead and disappeared around a curve. I revved my engine to catch up. This was going to be a blast...hopefully.
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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 original characters without express permission of the authors.