It was Monday afternoon just before Halloween. Classes were almost over for the day. Frank Hardy was sitting in the auditorium with his 17-year-old brother, Joe, and their girlfriends, Callie Shaw and Vanessa Bender. Their best friend Chet Morton was also sitting with them.

They were waiting for Principal Cooper to step up to the microphone and explain why they were all gathered together.

“Quiet down,” Principal Cooper said into the microphone. Principal Cooper was in his late 50’s with a balding head.

The room grew silent. “This weekend will be our annual Halloween party at the house on the hill. Do no forget the party is a costume party with a contest for the best costume of the night.

“Also,” he continued, “There is some talk going on among the students about pranks that are to be carried out. Let me say this right now. Anyone caught planning pranks or involved in the pranks in any way will have serious consequences brought against them. The worst example will be expulsion. Think about it.” Principal Cooper looked at his watch. “Everyone is dismissed.”

“The five of them waited for the lines out of the auditorium to think out before making their way toward the exit. They finally made their way to the parking lot where the Hardy van was parked.

“You know,” Joe said when they reached the van, “Vanessa and I are going to see the new vampire movie at the theater tonight.”

“It’s supposed to be a read good movie,” Callie admitted.

“It’s part horror and part romance,” Joe said. “It’s a movie for everyone.”

“I definitely want to see it,” Callie said, looking at Frank.

Frank looked at the group. Frank said, “There’s no such thing as vampires.”

“We know its only make-believe,” Joe said.

“Movies need to have a point. A movie with vampires doesn’t.”

Frank looked at Callie. Frank could tell she wanted to go to the movie. He knew it would be a chance for them to spend time together since they’d been apart lately. Frank also knew Callie was tired of being put second, behind their detective work.

“Callie, we can go if you want to,” Frank said.

“Are you sure?” Callie asked.

“I’m sure.”

“Excellent,” Joe said. He turned to Chet. “Are you going to join us?”

“No thanks,” Chet said. “Vampires are not my thing. They seem to ruin my appetite.”

“You’re going to miss a great movie,” Joe said.

“I’m not missing anything,” Chet said.

* * * * *

That evening, they were seated in the theater. They were in the middle section. Frank was sitting on the aisle with Callie beside him. Vanessa and Joe were beside Callie.

The movie started. The two lead characters talked about how much they loved each other and how they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together.

Frank realized the movie was boring. He began to wonder how he talked himself into spending the evening at the movies. He knew he had said he would go so he could spend time with Callie. But now he wished they had done something else.

He quietly excused himself and left the theater. He entered the lobby. He knew coming to the theater was a bad idea. He knew he could’ve spent the evening doing something more productive.

Frank moved to the refreshment counter and bought a drink. He took a sip as he turned away from the counter.

He looked across the lobby and saw a woman floating down the stairs. He realized he was the only one in the lobby with the woman. The woman stood at the bottom of the stairs. She had long black hair that went down to her waist. She had on a long-sleeved black dress that showed her slim figure.

He stood still as the woman approached him. He was entranced. He sipped his drink. The woman asked, “How are you enjoying the movie?”

“It’s all right. It’s just not my kind.”

“I’m surprised,” she said with a sultry voice. “Most people enjoy the movie.”

Frank stared at the woman. For some reason, he couldn’t take his eyes off her. She was mesmerizing. He watched her motion for him to follow. He fell in step behind her as they crossed the lobby and went up the stairs.

They reached a room on the second floor. The woman motioned for him to go inside. He went inside and the woman closed the door. He could see there was a couch right in front of him with a table in front of the couch. He realized the room was without a single window.

Frank followed the woman to the couch and sat down beside her. He couldn’t stop looking at her. There was something about her that intrigued him. He raised his drink to his lips and guzzled it down. He reached over and set his empty cup on the table.

He suddenly felt the woman nuzzling the back of his neck. He turned his head as he closed his eyes. He found her lips. They kissed.

The Hardy Boys belong to Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer Foundation. The Hardy Boys Fan Fiction authors of the Hardy Detective Agency 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.