Hardy Boys - More Than Just The Fun Uncle

Gone

After Frank was finally able to pry his little niece's arms from around his neck, he set her back down on the floor and bent to meet her eyes - his brother's eyes. If it was true that Joe was really gone then Frank knew he'd always be able to see him in Andrea's eyes. Whether that would go to comfort him or drive him insane, he did not know, and the dark haired Hardy prayed that he'd never have to find out.

Andrea's hand slipped gently into his and tears glistened in her eyes. Frank hated to take her out of her comfort zone, but it had to be done. "Where are they, Honey? Do you think you can you tell me?"

The blond girl's eyes went downcast and she ground the tip of her shoe against the hardwood floors of the Morton's living area. Frank could see all of the memories running through her innocent mind. It made his heart ache.

"Please, Andrea." Frank eased his voice back into his niece's attention. "We have to find Kitty and your dad. We can still help them if you tell us where you were."

Andrea's head shook back and forth. "Dad's gone. I know he's gone. We can't help him. He's gone."

Frank braced himself for the answer he might get, but the question had to be asked. "Why do you say that he's gone?"

"They were going to kill him. That's all that they wanted to do. Me and Kitty came before they could hurt Daddy, but they talked about killing him all the time." The little girl's eyes glinted with fear and reflected mourning. "One time they came in just to hurt him. He fell asleep and we couldn't wake him up for a long time. Then Daddy helped us escape and made the men mad. I heared him yell when I was running away. He's gone!"

The faces of all those in the room were remarkably similar. Everybody was shocked at the girl's story. How could Devin have done such a thing! Frank was outraged! Only God himself would be able to stop the young man from giving that animal - no, he wasn't an animal. Animals don't do things like that. Devin was a monster! It would mean the end of that monster if Frank ever laid eyes on him!

The brunette clenched his jaw tightly for a few silent moments before calming himself and meeting Andrea's gaze again. "Where are they, Sweetie?"

"A dirty white house that was all covered with leaves." Was the small girl's response.

"Did you walk on your own all the way to where Chet found you?"

Blond locks bobbed up and down as Andrea nodded her head.

Frank looked up to his old chum, Chet. "Sound familiar?"

"Sure does! It must be the Rodney's old house. It hasn't been occupied for years now. It's the perfect hideout!"

"Let's go, Dad." Frank said as he began to rise to his full height. There was a gentle tug on his hand and he found his young niece's eyes still locked to his with a look that begged him not to go. "It's okay, Honey. Hang around Chet while I'm gone. You'll be safe."

Andrea's lip quivered lightly. "W-what about you?"

Frank forced a smile and put on a brave face that didn't match the way he truly felt, but the dark haired Hardy knew that he had to show courage. He had to go on as if nothing in the world could touch him. He had to be invincible. He had to have Joe's courage. "I'll be just fine. You'll see."

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Joe's mind swam aimlessly. There was nowhere for it to go. Black expanses stretched on forever with an occasional faded, speckled dot drifting across his field of vision. He felt no direction and his mind could conjure up no pictures to create a dream, nor could he comprehend the happenings of the world he had just drifted away from. There was a sort of nagging at the back of his mind, but he was too tired to investigate it any further. If it were important, he would remember. Right?