Back in the cave things were starting to heat up. Joe and Jay stood looking at their four captors.

Joe looked at Jay and she silently nodded her head, pointing to Mac and Harry. Then she pointed to Joe and then toward Drake and Josh. He nodded.

Mac was talking to someone on a cell phone when all of a sudden he felt a blow to the back of his head and as he pitched forward, something hit him again from behind. Lying face down on the ground, Mac realized it was Harry who was lying on top of him.

When he turned to see what caused Harry's clumsiness, all he could see was a boot coming towards his head. The big man fell against some rocks, and as he struggled to stand he felt a second and a third kick that hit his head with a painful force, until eventually he sank into unconsciousness. Jay stood over the two men, a satisfied expression on her face.

Joe had subdued Josh with an uppercut to the jaw, but Drake had proved to be quicker on his feet. He had succeeded in avoiding Joe's punches and kicks. Drake had landed a few on Joe, but Joe would not give up the fight. He could see that Jay was holding her own against her two captor but a punch to the face from Drake brought Joe back to his immediate problem.

He decided enough was enough. Joe was too tired to keep this going with this gorilla and began to lash out, landing punch after punch until finally the man went down. Joe was breathing hard as he looked across to find Jay sitting on a rock looking at her watch, as if to say what took you so long?.

He just smiled and shook his head. "Remind me to never get on the wrong side of you," Joe remarked, looking at the two men she had managed to subdue.

They were both breathing sighs of relief, when they heard what seemed to be someone clapping their hands. They looked up and saw three large men with rifles. The one in the center, wearing sunglasses, was indeed clapping his hands mockingly.

"That was very entertaining," said the stranger. "But you have had your fun, now I'm in charge. You may call me, Mr. Smith."

Oh brother, is there no end to it? thought Joe. He figured that this had to be the guy that Mac had been talking to on his cell phone earlier. He must have been driving around, waiting for Mac to call and tell him where they were ascending from the caves.

Joe and Jay stood up resignedly and put their hands in the air. Mac, Drake and the other two were slowly coming around.

"We don't have to be so dramatic," said Mr. Smith. "You may put your hands down."

"So why don't you go ahead and kill us. I've had enough of this," said Joe.

"I couldn't do that, we still need the both of you," said Mr. Smith. As he was talking the other men were coming down the hill and Mac, Drake and the others were standing up behind them. "You see, I know who you are Mr. Joseph Hardy."

Joe groaned. He knew that couldn't be good.

"Your father and his friends need to stay out of my business. I believe having you with us will deter him. Your father might think twice about hunting for us," said Mr. Smith.

"I understand what you want with me," said Joe. "But you don't need her. Let her go."

"But we need her. She is going to help us search for a new hole in the wall," said Mr. Smith.

He smiled at Joe, his eyes hard and cold. "Now you look tired, why not have a little rest?"