Hardy Boys - More Than Just The Fun Uncle

Missing

Okay, so I'm sorry! For I don't know how many years, this chapter has apparently been missing from the story! I wrote it whenI wrote the others, but I must've accidentally published chapter 3 twice when this one was SUPPOSED to be published. Well, enjoy your missing chapter, my friends. I'm so sorry!

The big white van bounced roughly over the roads, jostling the four passengers in the back with every bump in the road or pothole it came across. Joe glanced down at the two girls huddled at both of his sides, each one crying and wiping tears from her eyes. Then the young Hardy glared back up at the man who sat in the back with them. There were only two seats in the blocked off front of the van, so one of the men was left to sit with the prisoners.

The man had removed his mask to reveal a thick head of auburn hair and hazel eyes. He looked fair and young, definitely younger than Joe, and certainly not a crime lord. But Joe had experienced enough to know that youth doesn't mean innocence.

"Would you shut those kids up?" Auburn grumbled from between grit teeth. "All that crying is making my ears bleed."

Joe just continued to glare, unable to make any sort of rude retort due to the gag.

"Shut them up or I'll do it for you! Permanently!" the man shouted, drawing even more sobs from the girls.

It was clearly an empty threat. The guy refused to watch Joe die in front of Andrea and Kitty, so there was no way he'd ever kill the two girls. Nonetheless Joe tried to soothe them, looking down and giving reassuring nods and forced smiles, but there was only so much he could do without arms or a voice.

When his attempts failed to do any good, Auburn groaned and stomped over to the trio. He reached down and removed the gag, allowing it to hang loosely around Joe's neck.

"You can thank me later," Auburn said as he returned to his spot across the van. Folding his arms over his chest, the man let his eyes drift slowly to the opposite wall.

After the numbness in his face dulled, Joe answered. "I'll thank you when you get us out of this."

"Ha!" The young man exclaimed
"As if. I'm getting paid good money for this."

"Is it worth your freedom?" Joe eyed the man, looking for signs of weakness or vulnerability. Auburn's greatest disadvantage was his inexperience - his youth and therefore his immaturity. It wasn't likely that he'd ever participated in something so heinous before. "And if you let Counihan go through with his plan, will it be worth your life?"

The man didn't answer right away. His eyes reflected a fear that, before, was hidden by his 'tough guy' facade. He looked trapped, almost. But just as quickly as the expression appeared, so it was gone, again replaced by his previous, hardened appearance.

"Why don't you shut up? You know I can put that thing right back in!" Auburn said, gesturing to the gag.

Joe said nothing in response this time, knowing he'd do himself no good if he got the gag back He'd have to look for another opportunity later... if it ever came, that is.

"Daddy?"

Joe looked down at his little girl. Though everyone who saw her would say she looked just like her father, right now Joe could only see his beautiful wife in her ocean-blue eyes. Perhaps it was the tender expression on her face - an expression that was so foreign to the usually wild girl.

"Yes, baby?"

Andrea wiped more tears from her eyes. "Why do these people want to hurt us?"