Fright Wave

Read Fright Wave for Free Online

Book: Read Fright Wave for Free Online
Authors: Franklin W. Dixon
be something else. He doubled back and peered inside. It was pitch black.
    His brother joined him, poking his head into the gloom. "Great place to get trapped," Joe said.
    "Not if this is what I think it is," Frank said, stepping inside. "Come on. This could be our ticket out of here."
    Joe shrugged and followed him. They moved slowly through the darkness, stumbling over invisible debris. Frank felt his way around a corner and found himself in a chamber filled with long shadows and an eerie orange glow.
    "What is this place?" Joe asked.
    Frank pointed at the source of the light. It was the last rays of sunlight streaming in through a long, narrow opening carved into the far end of the volcanic wall.
    "It's an old gun emplacement from World War Two. They turned Diamond Head into a kind of armored fortress. After the war they pulled out all the hardware but left the holes. The crater is honeycombed with these old pillboxes."
    "So you were hoping maybe we'd find some old guns, too?" Joe asked.
    "No," Frank said. "I was hoping we could lose those guys in the maze of tunnels. But it looks like this is a dead end."
    Joe wiped the sweat off his forehead. "Well, maybe if we double back before - "
    "Hey, Pete!" a muffled voice shouted from just outside the tunnel. "I thought I heard something over here in this cave. Maybe we should check it out."
    "Yeah," came the reply. "Let's get it over with."

Chapter 6
    Joe scanned the chamber for any kind of weapon. A rock, a brick, anything to give them a fighting chance. A shadow high up on the wall cast by the setting sun caught his eye. He looked up and saw a rusty metal rod hanging from the cement ceiling.
    Frank saw it, too. "Steel-reinforced concrete," he whispered. "This place was built to take a lot of shelling."
    Joe jumped up and grabbed the rod. It sagged under his weight and then snapped off. Joe dropped softly to the floor, holding a four-foot chunk of solid steel.
    Frank saw another metal bar suspended above the narrow entrance to the room. He didn't think it would break off so easily - but he had an idea.
    He leapt up and grasped it with both hands. He swung his legs up and planted his feet on the wall above the doorway. Then he pulled himself up until his head was touching the ceiling. Anyone walking into the room wouldn't be able to see him unless he looked straight up.
    Joe knew what his brother had in mind. He flattened himself against the wall next to the entrance and held the steel rod ready to swing.
    They could hear footsteps in the dark corridor, scuffling toward them. A figure appeared in the doorway, and Frank pounced. His full weight came down on the man's shoulders, toppling them both to the floor.
    Joe didn't budge. He didn't want to reveal himself. He was waiting for the second man. Seconds ticked by. Nobody came through the passage. Joe glanced from the doorway to the two figures rolling and grappling on the dusty floor. First Frank was on top. Now he was on the bottom - and the man above him was raising a rock over his head, about to bring it down in a crushing blow.
    Joe moved out in the open and swung the steel bar. The blow connected with the man's forearm. He screamed in pain and clutched at his arm with his other hand.
    "Hold it right there!" a voice boomed from the darkness.
    Joe lifted the metal rod and spun around. The man in the dark gray suit stepped into the dim chamber.
    Joe could see the scar more clearly now. It cut through the man's eyebrow and continued on down his cheek. Whatever had made the mark had barely missed his left eye. Then Joe noticed that he was holding something in his hand.
    Joe could see it wasn't a gun. It was a badge.
    "FBI," the man said. "Assaulting a federal officer is a serious offense. I think you two have some explaining to do."
    Frank got up off the floor and helped the injured man to his feet. "Who are you guys?" he asked. "Why are you following us?"
    The man holding the badge turned to him. "I'll ask the questions. You'll

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