Jesse watched from the kitchen as the bright orange car, belonging to Bo and Luke drove away from the farm, in which his three kids were riding. Things had not always been quiet at the Duke farm over the years, but still Jesse found it to be peaceful. He loved the boys and Daisy as they were his own children, was relieved that they looked at each other to be more siblings than cousins. He had been able to force himself to forget about the hard times when Luke had first come to the farm, after all he was an entirely different person, and his heart held nothing but love for his family. He watched the car until it had disappeared from sight, not knowing that the next time he saw the car that the peace within the family would be shattered, possibly forever.
     Luke glanced in the rearview mirror, and saw the Sheriff’s car pull out from beyond a billboard sign, and begin pursuit.
     “Looks like we picked up one Rosco P. Coltrane.” Luke said.
     “Not for long.” Bo said, accelerating the car to a greater speed.
Daisy glanced out the back window. “He is still back there, when do you plan on losing him?”
     “You have to be sure the fish is on the line good and tight before you start to reel ‘em in.” Bo said.
     “Well do you plan on losing him any time this year?” Luke asked. “I swear he is getting better at driving.”
     “Who Rosco or Bo?” Daisy questioned jokingly.
     “Tough question . . . but since I taught Bo how to drive . . .”
     “Cute.” Bo said. “Well my “dear” cousins say bye bye to Rosco ‘cause here is where we are gonna lose him.”
Daisy turned around in the seat and saw the creek they were quickly approaching.
     “Keep your arms inside the car at all times and hang on tight.” Bo said, a wide smile on his face.
The orange car, known to all as General Lee, became airborne sailing smoothly across the creek, gliding like an eagle, and landing solidly on the far side. Bo pulled the powerful stock car to a stop a short ways from the creek, and the three cousins turned to watch Rosco’s pitiful attempt at performing the same feat. The patrol car splashed down in the center of the creek, like a large stone. A rather wet Rosco climb out through the window of his car, causing the cousins to laugh.
     “Looks like he is okay, so let’s get moving.” Luke said.
Bo nodded and sped off down the road in a cloud of dust.
     They were ten minutes down the road when the General’s engine began to cough and splutter, Bo pulled over to the side of the road, and stopped the car, with a flustered sigh.
     “I thought you said you fixed that dang thing.” Bo said.
     “Yeah well, I thought I did.” Luke said.
The three of them climbed out of the car, and Bo opened the hood. Steamed rolled out, much the same as a kettle that had just come to a boil. Bo reached in to remove the cap from the radiator.
     “Careful that is going to be hot.” Luke said, warning much the same way a parent would warn their child against touching a hot pan.
Bo nodded, and untucked the bottom of his shirt, using it to protect his hand, he removed the radiator cap.
     “I’ll go get some water.” Luke said, taking a plastic jug out of the trunk.
     “We’ll wait here.” Daisy said, leaning against the car.
     Luke knelt down beside the stream, and filled the plastic jug, and set it down on the ground. He cupped his hands and filling his hands with the cold stream water, and drank it. The instant he swallowed he felt a sharp pain in his head, as unbeknowance to him the water had been contaminated by a small dosage of Cirataime, a behavior altering chemical. He ignored the pain, thinking that it was only a headache that had just come on suddenly. Luke picked up the jug, and stood up, he stumbled slightly but managed to retain his balance, the drug having an instant effect on, changing for the worse. In those few short seconds he came to be like he was when he first arrived at the farm, he hated the world, and wanted to make everyone else suffer, though this time he had no reason for these feelings.
     Luke walked back up to where the General was parked.
     “Took you long enough, what happen you get lost?” Bo asked.
     “Just wanted to stay away from you long as I could.” Luke said, in a nasty tone.
     “What’s your problem?” Bo asked.
     “For starters . . . you.” Luke said.
     “Yeah . . . okay.” Bo said, not really knowing what else to say.
     “Don’t you ever shut up, if I have to listen to your voice much longer I will rip out your vocal cords with my own bare hands.” Luke said, in a matter or fact tone, as he poured the water in the radiator.
     “What is wrong with you Luke?” Daisy asked.
     “Don’t you start getting on my nerves to.” Luke threatened.
Bo and Daisy just took a step backwards from Luke not saying anything, wondering just what was wrong with their older cousin. Neither knew what to say, it seemed that Luke was full of anger and hate, and only two seconds ago they had been joking around, they had no idea what had caused Luke’s drastic mood swing. Luke finished pouring the water into the General’s radiator.
     “Start the engine.” Luke said.
Bo slid in through the window and started the General’s engine, the engine roared to life, and ran smoothly. Luke slammed the hood shut, and walked over and stood beside the driver’s side.
     “Get out.” Luke said, his voice cold and demanding.
     “No.” Bo said.
     “I said get out.” Luke said.
     “And I said no.” Bo said.
Luke reached in through the window and grabbed Bo by the arm, and roughly began to haul him out of the car.
     “Ow.” Bo complained as Luke pulled him from the car.
Luke said nothing only pinned Bo against the side of the General.
     “Let him go Luke.” Daisy said.
Luke only tightened his grip on Bo and leaned forward to whisper into Bo’s ear.
     “Listen to me kid, you had better do what I tell you to, when I tell you to or you’ll be six feet under.”
Bo said nothing, feeling a shudder run down his spine, Luke hadn’t spoken to him like that since he had first come to the farm. Luke flung Bo around and shoved him roughly to the ground. Bo stumbled and fell, landing a few feet away from the General. Without saying another word, Luke climbed into the car and sped away.
     Bo cursed under his breath, standing up, and brushing the dirt from his clothes, trying hard to repress the memories that had begun to surface.
     “Are you okay?’ Daisy asked, her voice filled with concern.
     “I’m fine.” Bo said.
     “What did Luke say to you?” Daisy asked.
     “Nothing.” Bo said, refusing to repeat what his older cousin had said to him.
     “I know he said something, so you tell me right now.” Daisy said.
     “It was nothing important.” Bo said. “We had better get walking back home.”
They started to walk back towards the Duke farm, in silence, when Daisy noticed that Bo was limping.
     “Are you sure that you are okay, you’re limping.” Daisy said.
     “Just an old injury.” Bo said.
     “Yeah, caused by Luke.” Daisy said.
     “Daisy . . . just don’t, okay?”
Daisy sighed. “Fine. But do you have any idea why he is acting like, well like he did back then?”
     “I don’t know.” Bo said, not telling her that he wished this was all just a bad dream, as he knew it wasn’t, and he just wanted to forget it was even happening.
     Bo and Daisy arrived home thirty minutes later. Jesse was sitting in the front room reading the Hazzard Gazette, he looked up at them with an expression of surprise. He could tell that they both seemed upset about something.
     “How come your walking, and where’s Luke?” Jesse asked.
     “It’s a long story Uncle Jesse.” Bo said.
     “Not all that long it all comes down to Luke acting like a jerk.” Daisy said.
Jesse looked at his niece and nephew with questioning eyes.
     “It is more complicated then that.” Bo said, and explained everything to Jesse.
     “I never heard of anyone having such a drastic mood swing like that, not to that extreme.” Jesse said.
     “Well considering this is Luke we are talking about . . .” Daisy started say, but was cut short by Bo.
     “Just what is that suppose to mean?” Bo asked, coming to Luke’s defense.
     “Well I just mean . . . look at the way he acted before.” Daisy said. “Maybe he didn’t change as much as everyone thought he had.”
     “That was a long time ago, Luke has changed a lot since then.” Bo said.
     “With the way he was acting today you could’ve fooled me.” Daisy said.
Before Bo could respond Jesse spoke up.
     “That’s enough you two.” Jesse said firmly.
     “Yes sir.” They both said in unison.
     “We’ll wait until Luke gets back and discuss this further then, perhaps by then he’ll be over whatever is bothering him.” Jesse said.
     Bo, Jesse and Daisy were just sitting down and starting to eat dinner when Luke arrived back home. He didn’t say a single word as he walked inside and sat down at the table. His light blue eyes were still filled with a look of anger and hate.
     “I think we need to discuss what happened today.” Jesse said, trying not to skirt the issue at hand.
     “What’s there to talk about?” Luke asked, as he scooped some food onto his plate.
     “What happened between the three of you.” Jesse said.
Luke shrugged. “Nothing happened.”
     “You were just acting like a jerk for no reason, is that it?” Daisy asked.
Luke glared coldly at her, though didn’t respond.
     “Luke, if you have a problem you can tell us what it is, we can work through it together.” Jesse said.
     “The only problem I have is three of you.” Luke said.
Bo made a scoffing sound. “The only problem here is you.”
     “Do you have a problem?” Luke said. “Perhaps the two of us should step outside and discuss this further.”
     “Boys.” Jesse said firmly, attempting to break up the fight he could sense was starting between his two nephews.
Luke stood up and walked outside, followed by Bo. Jesse and Daisy followed close behind worried about the fight that might break out.  Luke walked towards the General.
     “Just where you do you think that you are going?” Bo asked.
     “Away from here.” Luke said.
     “Well you ain’t taking the General.” Bo said.
     “Just try to stop me.” Luke said.
     “Bo, don’t you could get hurt.” Daisy said, fearing how badly Luke might actually hurt Bo, he could hurt more then he could when they kids, after all Luke now had Marine training.”
     “Listen to the little lady Bo, go cowering back inside.” Luke said nastily.
Bo took a couple more steps towards where Luke stood.
     “I don’t know what your problem is Luke, and right now I don’t care. Just drop this whole act.” Bo said.
Bo stood inches in front of Luke, he figured something drastic had happened to cause Luke to be acting this way and was determined to get an answer out him one way or another. Bo wasn’t afraid of Luke, having no idea that with Luke being drugged he wasn’t at all the same person, Bo didn’t think that Luke would do anything to seriously hurt him and was not at all afraid.
     “You said a long time ago that if you had a problem that you would always talk to me about it, and not allow things to get out of hand . . . like they did before.” Bo said.
     “Oh just get out of my face.” Luke said.
     “Luke . . .” Bo said, trying hard to think of what to say to his older cousin.
     “Don’t you ever shut up?” Luke questioned.
Then without warning, Luke struck Bo hard in the jaw, causing him to stumble back several paces. Bo rubbed his aching jaw and stood looking at Luke.
     “Just shut up and stay out of my face. I meant what I said before.” Luke said threateningly.
     “I really don’t think you mean that.” Bo said.
Luke only narrowed his eyes at Bo and lunged forward. Luke clamped his left hand firmly around Bo’s throat, drawing his pocketknife with his right. Luke pressed the blade against Bo’s cheek, though not hard enough to draw blood.
     “Luke, stop.” Jesse said, rushing forward to Bo’s aid.
Bo’s heart was racing, though he managed to keep a calm exterior, and Luke was surprised that Bo was not trembling in fear at all.
     “Luke, put the knife down.” Jesse said, knowing there was no way he could pull Luke away from Bo.
Luke acted as though he had never heard his uncle’s voice.
     “Are you afraid, kid?” Luke asked, referring to Bo the way he often had when they were younger and it was not a term of endearment.
     “No.” Bo said, only lying slightly, he still trusted Luke enough to think that his older cousin would never really harm him.
Luke kept the knife against Bo’s cheek for a moment longer, then pulled away, getting into the General and speeding away.
     “Are you okay Bo?” Jesse asked, his voice fraught with worry.
     “I’m fine. I am just worried about Luke, something is really wrong with him.”
After Luke had left Daisy approached where Bo and Jesse stood.
     “Luke could have really hurt you.” Daisy said.
Bo shook his head. “I don’t think he would’ve.”
     “Well I think he would’ve, it is not like he hasn’t done it before.”  Daisy said.
     “Things are different then they were back then.” Bo said.
     “Not much by the looks of things.” Daisy said.
     “Something has to be wrong with Luke, it is the only reason that he would be acting like this.” Bo said.
     “Perhaps if we go talk to Doc Appleby he could tell us what would cause such a drastic change in Luke.” Jesse said.
     “I don’t think it is a drastic change I think it is all just part of who Luke is.” Daisy said.
     “You’re wrong Daisy. But if you think that way you can just stay here, I will go find out what is wrong with Luke on my own.” Bo said.
     “We are all going to talk to the doc.” Jesse said, in a voice that left no room for discussion.
     The three Dukes went to Doc Appleby’s office, in Hazzard, and told him about the problem.
     “That is indeed strange. I have heard about some cases similar when a person is bite by a poisonous snake or spider, but none of those species are around here.”
     “But if one somehow managed to get here, like in some kind of a shipment or something, it is a possibility right?” Bo asked.
     “It could happen, I suppose, though these species inhabit a much warmer, tropical, climate.”
     “Could Luke die from the poison?” Bo asked worriedly.
     “I don’t really know, most likely not, a single bite wouldn’t have enough poison to kill him as none of those species are all that toxic. I think it is best if you bring him here, and I could examine him.”
     “I’ll find him and I’ll bring him even if I have to hog tie him.” Bo said.
     “I doubt he’d come with you, you shouldn’t go after him, you could get hurt.” Daisy said.
     “Well I think that Luke is in a little more trouble then I am.” Bo said.
     “Stop arguing.” Jesse said firmly. “We’ll bring Luke in just as soon as we can.”
They walked back to Jesse’s old white pickup truck.
     “ I still don’t think it is a good idea to go tracking Luke down, someone could get hurt. I mean he already attacked Bo.” Daisy said.
     “Yeah but he never hurt me.” Bo said.
Jesse sighed, he hated to hear his kids fight, and only wanted to protect all of them and refused to take sides in this issue, though a part of him was inclined to side with Daisy, after all Luke had been such a handful to deal with as a child.
     “I’ll take you back to the farm Daisy, and Bo and I will go and find Luke.” Jesse said, ending the discussion.
     After dropping Daisy off at home, Jesse started to drive down one of the many back roads of Hazzard. Silence consumed the truck, as though neither of them knew what to say, or were just too worried to talk at all.
     “What did Luke mean, by he meant what he said before?” Jesse asked, breaking the silence.
     “Nothing.” Bo said.
     “Don’t lie to me Bo.” Jesse said, trying to pressure Bo into talking.
     “It wasn’t anything important.” Bo said.
     “Well I think that it is, so why don’t you just tell me and I’ll be the judge of it being something, or nothing.” Jesse said.
     “I don’t want to talk about it.” Bo said.
     “Just tell me Bo.” Jesse said.
Bo sighed, knowing there was no way that he was going to get out of telling Jesse what Luke had said.
     “He said, ‘Listen to me kid, you had better do what I tell you to, when I tell you to or you’ll be six feet under.’ I don’t think he meant though, Luke wouldn’t hurt me.” Bo said.
     “Luke is not thinking clearly right now. The way he is acting, is more like he had, back when he first came to the farm.” Jesse said.
     “A lot has changed since then. Luke wouldn’t hurt me.” Bo said, sounding defensive.
     “Just calm down Bo. I know all this is hard on you, but you have to think rationally, Luke is not himself right now, and it pains me to say this but I think that he would hurt you if you provoked him.” Jesse said.
     “Luke wouldn’t do anything to hurt me. I know he is not in his right mind right now . . . so if he did do something to hurt me it really wouldn’t be him.” Bo said.
Jesse sighed. “I know this is hard on you Bo, but you have to accept things for the way they are. We don’t know if there really is something wrong with Luke.”
     “There has to be, he wouldn’t just start acting this way.” Bo said, refusing to believe even for a second that Luke would be acting so cruel for no reason.
     “Bo you have to keep an open mind to all possibilities. Daisy is right about how this could all just be like it was before, only this time I feel that Luke is a bigger threat.”
     “You’re wrong. I know Luke better then any of you, and I KNOW he wouldn’t act this way for no reason.” Bo said.
     “Then why didn’t you want to tell me what Luke had said?” Jesse asked.
     “Because I knew you’d blow it way out portion. You tell me to keep an open mind yet you seem to be closing your mind to the possibility of something drastic being wrong with Luke.” Bo said, trying to contain his anger.
     “I only want what is best for the three of you, to be able to protect all of you. I love you, Daisy and Luke as though you are my own children. I have to think of what is best for Daisy’s and your safety, if Luke is a threat . . .” Jesse started to say but Bo cut him off.
     “Luke is NOT a threat.” Bo said.
A tense silence filled the truck, and it was nearly thirty minutes before either of them spoke again.
     “Do you have any idea where Luke might have gone?” Jesse asked.
     “I don’t know maybe the Boar’s Nest.” Bo said, not looking over at his uncle.
     They pulled up in front of the Boar’s Nest several minutes later, and noticed the General parked out front. Bo jumped out of the truck, before it even had time to come to a full stop and ran inside the Boar’s Nest. Jesse parked the truck and followed after him.
 Bo spotted Luke, sitting at a table, drinking a beer and rushed over to him.
     “What do you want?” Luke asked, not even looking up at Bo.
     “You have to see Doc Appleby.” Bo said.
     “I don’t have to do anything you say.” Luke said, at the same point that Jesse stepped up beside the table.
     “You are coming with us even if I have to hog tie and drag you there.” Bo said.
     “Like you could do that.” Luke said.
     “Just c’mon Luke.” Bo said, putting a hand on Luke’s shoulder.
Luke shrugged Bo’s hand away, and stood up, staring coldly at Bo.
     “Luke just come with us and see the doc, he can tell us what is wrong with you.”
     “There ain’t nothing wrong with me.” Luke said.
     “Luke . . .” Bo started to say, but before he could finish his sentence, Luke picked up his mug of half finished beer and slammed it against the side of Bo’s head.
Bo stumbled backwards, his eyes held a look of shock and a slight daze. The wetness of beer and blood trickled down the side of his face. Everyone in the bar stopped what they were doing and looked over with looks with shock and awe, at the sight of the two duke boys entangled in a barroom brawl, between each other. Bo swung his fist, planting a firm blow against Luke’s stomach, then one to his jaw. Luke stumbled backwards, and breathed in deep trying to catch his breath. He glared coldly at Bo, determined to cause his younger cousin some serious pain. Bo wondered how he was going to win this fight as he worried about hurting Luke, and he really didn’t want to be fighting with Luke. He knew Luke was a better fighter then him, and with the current situation Luke wouldn’t cut him any slack while fighting, and in this fight Luke would not hesitate to use moves he had learned in the Marines.
     “Luke, I don’t want to fight with you, just come with us to see the Doc.” Bo said.
     “Ain’t gonna happen.” Luke said, and charged at Bo.
Luke punched Bo, in the chest just below his throat. Bo stumbled backwards, coughing his lungs seeming to burn as he tried to breathe. Rosco stepped out of Boss’s office having heard the ruckus, he raised his gun and fired one shot towards the ceiling.
     “Alright BREAK IT UP!” Rosco said.
Luke glanced over at Rosco and Bo used the distraction, he knew there was only one way to win the fight and that was to knock Luke out, it would be the only way to get him to the doctors. Bo grabbed a chair, that sat inches away from him, he raised it high and swung in a quick fluid motion.
     “Sorry about this cuz.” Bo said, as he slammed the chair against the Back of Luke’s head.
The chair broke into several pieces, and Luke collapsed to the floor, unconscious, among the broken pieces of the chair. Jesse stepped over and put a hand around Bo, to keep him steady. Bo felt as though he was going to pass out but somehow managed to retain consciousness.
     “Are you okay?” Jesse asked, handing Bo a cloth.
     “I’m fine.” Bo said, wiping the blood off the side of his face.
     “Alright just what in the name of Nelly is going on here?” Rosco asked, stepping over to the Dukes.
     “It’s a long story Rosco.” Bo said.
     “Help us get Luke out to the truck, we have to get him to see Doc Appleby.” Jesse said.
Rosco seemed to ponder his options for a moment and then nodded, helping Jesse carry Luke out to the truck.
     Bo leaned against the door, holding the cloth to the side of his head, he hoped that he wasn’t going to need stitches. Jesse made several attempts to talk with Bo, but Bo refused to answer. Jesse gave up trying, he figured all this had to be hard on Bo, with memories of how things were in the past between him and Luke and how things appeared to be headed the same way now. Jesse didn’t doubt that Bo was afraid of losing Luke’s friendship, something he had always seemed to long for as a child no matter how Luke had treated him.
     Bo’s head has stopped hurting by the time they arrived at the doctor’s office. Bo and Jesse carried Luke’s unconscious form into the small building. Doc Appleby looked at them with questioning eyes.
     “This was the only way we were ever gonna get him here, because he sure wasn’t going to come peacefully.” Jesse said.
Doc Appleby looked at Bo. “Do you want me to look at that cut?”
Bo shook his head. “It has already stopped bleeding so it’ll be fine.”
     “You can go into the washroom and clean it up if you’d like.”
Bo nodded and went to the washroom while the doctor examined Luke.
     Bo stood in front of the sink, running the cold water, staring at his reflection in the mirror. He wondered what could be so drastically wrong with Luke that would cause him to behave in such a violent manor. Bo washed the dried blood from the side of his face, and splashed a couple handfuls of cold water on his face. He hoped that Doc Appleby would find out what was wrong with Luke and that the doctor could cure Luke, so that he’d once again have Luke back to normal, so he would have his best friend back. Bo walked back out to the small waiting room, that was typical of most doctor’s offices a few chairs and a table with old magazines, that nobody ever really would read except for killing time waiting to see the doctor. Bo sat down next to Jesse, and the two Dukes waited for word on Luke. Ten minutes later Doc Appleby stepped out into the waiting room.
     “How is he?” Jesse asked, his concern apparent in his voice.
     “I could find no sign of any kind of snake or spider bite.” Doc Appleby said.
     “So . . . there is no medical reason for his behavior?” Jesse questioned in a tone that like he already knew the answer to his own question.
     “I want to run some blood work before I answer that question, there are still some other . . . extreme long shot, possibilities. Though, I won’t have the results for a couple days.” Doc Appleby said.
     “Is he awake yet?” Bo asked.
Doc Appleby nodded. “He was just starting to wake up.”
     “Can I go back there and talk to him?” Bo asked.
     “I don’t think that is a good idea, with the way Luke is acting . . . I don’t know if we can trust him.” Jesse said.
     “You might not trust him, but I do.” Bo said, and looked directly at the doctor. “Can I go talk to Luke?”
     “If you want to.” Doc Appleby said.
Jesse frowned, wishing the doctor had told Bo, made up some excuse not to allow Bo to go talk to Luke, as he worried about his young nephew’s safety.
     Bo stepped into the room, where Luke sat on the bed, rubbing the back of his neck, as a pounding headache throbbed through his whole head. Luke looked up when he heard someone enter the room and scowled to see Bo standing there.
     “What do you want?” Luke asked.
     “To talk to you.” Bo said.
     “You really never learn do you?” Luke asked, in a cruel tone. “Can’t you get it through your thick skull that I don’t want to talk to you?”
     “Why are you acting this way?” Bo asked.
     “It’s all just a part of who I am.” Luke said.
     “That’s not true.” Bo said.
     “And how would you know? You know nothing, and you especially don’t know who I am.” Luke said.
     “You are my best friend.” Bo said.
     “Wrong again, as usual.” Luke said.
Bo hated to be having this conversation with his cousin, Luke’s nasty words seemed to cut into his heart like a cold knife.
     “Luke, would you just stop it. Just tell me what is wrong with you.” Bo said.
     “There ain’t nothing wrong with me. Can’t you understand that I don’t want to talk to you, hell I don’t even want to be in the same room as you, Luke said, getting off the bed and standing in front of the door.
Bo stood between Luke and the door, determined to make Luke talk to him about whatever was wrong.
     “Get out of my way.” Luke said.
Bo shook his head. “No. I am not moving until we have a talk.”
     “Get out of my way.” Luke said again, his voice full of a cold anger. “You’re wrong to think that I won’t kill you, because I won’t hesitate to take your life if you dare get in my way.”
Bo felt a shiver run down his spine for a moment he actually believed that Luke would carry through with his threat. Luke pushed past Bo and left the room, walking through the waiting room without even casting a glance at Jesse or Doc Appleby. Bo walked out into the waiting room a moment later.
     “Are you okay?” Jesse asked, his voice filled with deep concern.
     “Yeah I am fine . . . couldn’t get Luke to talk about anything.” Bo said, with a hint of sadness in his voice.
Bo and Jesse turned to leave.
     “I’ll call you when I get the blood test results.” Doc Appleby said.
     “Thank you doc.” Jesse said.
     Jesse parked the truck, and he and Bo went into the house. Daisy was sitting in the front room, reading a book, or at least trying to she was far to upset by everything that was happening to focus on reading. She set her book down and looked up.
     “What happened? Did you manage to find Luke?” Daisy asked.
     “Yeah, he was at the Boar’s Nest.” Bo said.
     “Did you get him to see the Doc Appleby?” Daisy asked.
     “Yeah.” Bo replied.
     “He went willing?” Daisy questioned, skeptically.
     “Hardly.” Jesse said, and told her about the fight that had occurred between Bo and Luke.
     “You shouldn’t have bothered, you really could’ve gotten hurt Bo, Luke is very dangerous.” Daisy said.
     “Please don’t start in on that again.” Bo said.
     “What did the doc have to say?” Daisy asked.
     “He couldn’t find any reason for Luke behavior, though he is running some blood tests.” Jesse said.
     “So Luke is just acting this way because it is just who he is.” Daisy said.
Bo didn’t say he only turned and left the room, going to the bedroom that he and Luke shared. Bo laid down his bed finding the room seemed empty and an eerie silence consumed the shadows. He looked at a picture, which hung on the wall, it was a picture of him and Luke, sitting on the hood of the General, taken after one of the many races they had won. As he looked at the picture, he couldn’t believe that his cousin Luke could be the cruel person that he had been acting like for the past few hours, it was as though he wasn’t even the same person at all. Bo’s eye lids felt heavy and he closed his eyes, to try to get some rest, it had been a very tiring day. He pushed the thoughts of everything that had been happening from his mind, allowing his mind to drift off into a restless sleep.
     Shortly after Bo had gone to sleep, Cooter towed the General to the Duke farm. Jesse went outside to thank Cooter for bring the General.
     “Is there some kind of problem, perhaps I could help out.” Cooter said.
     “It is not a problem that can be easily fixed, I am afraid that there is nothing that anyone can do to help.” Jesse said.
     “I heard about Bo and Luke’s fight at the Boar’s Nest, is something going on between the two of them?” Cooter asked.
     “It’s rather complicated.” Jesse said, he took a deep breath and slowly released it, and told Cooter about what was happening and what all had happened.
     “I never would’ve guessed that Luke was . . . well that way when he was a kid. I never knew y’all back then and ever since I have known Luke, he has always been . . . a good ol boy.” Cooter said, he really didn’t know what to say and the whole story shocked him.
     “I guess some people aren’t always what they seem . . . we just have to wait and see what happens.” Jesse said.
     “If you need any help just give a holler.” Cooter said.
     “I don’t want to get you involved in this Cooter, not with the way Luke is acting, but thanks for the offer, and thank you for bringing the General back.” Jesse said.
     “No problem Uncle Jesse.” Cooter said, and got into his tow truck and drove away from the Duke farm.
     Jesse came into the room, a little over an hour later, to tell Bo that it was time for dinner. He walked over to his nephew’s bed, and put a hand on Bo’s arm to wake up. Bo jumped slightly as he was pulled from his sleep. He sat up straight on the bed, and looked over at his uncle.
     “Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you, dinner’s ready.” Jesse said.
Bo rubbed the sleep from his eyes. “Okay.” Bo said, even though he didn’t feel much like eating.
     None of the Dukes, ate much or said much as they sat around the kitchen table. Though the silence was just as much a comfort as it was forlorn.  After dinner, Bo, Daisy and Jesse sat in the front room, around the fireplace. Bo was sitting on the couch aimlessly flipping through an old NASCAR magazine. Jesse was sitting, in his favourite old chair beside the fire, reading an old book. Daisy sat in the chair beside the window, still attempting to read the same book that she had been reading earlier.
They were all unaware of Luke’s presence, just outside the window, his pale blue eyes seeming to glimmer with evilness and mischief. Luke bent down and picked up a fair-sized rock from the ground, tossing it up and down in his hand as though it were a ball. Luke then pitched the rock through the window. Daisy screamed as the window shattered, into thousands of tiny shards of glass, that sprayed into the room. The rock, just narrowly missing her head and landing on the floor beside the chair.
    “Are you okay?” Jesse asked.
At the same moment, Bo jumped to his feet and ran outside, to catch whoever had thrown that rock through the window, even though he already knew that it been Luke. Bo exited the house just in time to see the tail of the General and Luke sped away from the farm. Bo turned and walked back into the house, were Jesse was still trying to calm Daisy down.
     “It was Luke, wasn’t it?” Jesse asked.
Bo nodded. “I think so, I didn’t exactly see, he took off in the General.
     “I TOLD you that Luke was DANGEROUS.” Daisy said, practically shouting.
Bo just stood silently saying nothing, finding no words to say, even though he desperately wanted to come to his older cousin’s defense he was really starting to think that Daisy was right about one thing, Luke was dangerous.
     “Shh Daisy, why don’t you go get cleaned up, make sure that you weren’t cut by any of the glass, or have any caught up in your hair.” Jesse said.
Daisy nodded and left the room.
     “You know that Daisy is right, Luke is dangerous.” Jesse said.
Bo nodded solemnly. “I know but there has to be a reason, I know Luke and I KNOW that he wouldn’t act this way just because.”
     “All I know is that Luke is a danger, he has made that quite obvious. I think I should send Rosco out to arrest him.” Jesse said.
     “And what good would that do?” Bo asked.
     “It would make everyone a lot safer.” Jesse said.
     “And it would only aggravate Luke even more . . . that is IF Rosco could get near him to arrest him.” Bo said.
     “Bo, it is for the best.” Jesse said.
Bo shook his head, unable to find the words to voice his disagreement. Bo turned and left the room, going to his bedroom and slamming the door. Daisy stepped back out into the front room.
     “You know if Bo don’t start to see the truth soon, he could end up getting badly hurt.” Daisy said.
     “I know he could. Bo at least knows to be careful . . . he admitted that he knows Luke is a danger.” Jesse said.
     “I think that biggest danger is to Bo’s safety . . . just like it was before.”  Daisy said.
Jesse only nodded, not wanting to think of just how much danger Bo was in.
     It was a long hard night for everyone at the Duke farm, neither Bo, Jesse or Daisy got much sleep. Bo had just laid awake for most the night, staring into the darkness of the silent room. He missed Luke and feared for his older cousin’s safety, being alone in the room they had almost always shared just seemed to make the whole situation even worse. What little sleep he had  was haunted by bad dreams.
     Nighttime passed, as always does, and the three Dukes sat down at the breakfast table. Their appetites not having improved any over what they had been at dinner the previous day. The same silence filled the house, where as only twenty-four hours ago there had been laughter. After finishing breakfast and taking care of all the chores, Bo, Daisy and Jesse all got into the old white pick up truck and headed into town to pick up some supplies, after Jesse insisted that they all go.
     Bo didn’t want to go along to get supplies, as he would rather have been out looking for Luke. There was still tension between Bo and Daisy who were taking opposing views on the current situation concerning Luke. Where Bo was positive something was desperately wrong with Luke, Daisy was sure it was just all a part of who Luke was basing her belief on how Luke had acted as a child. Jesse on the other hand had no idea what to believe, he loved his oldest nephew very dearly, yet he had witnessed just what Luke was capable of. He wanted what was best for all his kids, and knew that with Luke’s current behavior that he had to protect Bo and Daisy from harm, especially Bo who he believed was in the most danger.
     The three Dukes crossed the road, unaware of how nearby Luke was. Bo was walking behind his uncle and cousin, none of them saw the car whip around the corner and barrel towards them at full speed. It was not just any car it was the General Lee, only Luke had changed the paint job to be one solid colour, dark hunter green. Bo was pulled from his thoughts by a sound he knew all too well, the sound of the General’s powerful engine. Bo glanced up and saw the dark green car coming straight towards him, and he knew it was the General and that Luke was driving. Bo jumped to one side, just before being struck by the car, Luke didn’t even slow down, he just continued to speed down the road, driving out of town.
     “Bo are you okay?” Jesse asked.
Bo nodded, not trusting his voice, and not wanting to admit just how shook up he was.
     “Are you sure?” Jesse asked.
     “I am fine, I didn’t get hit or anything.” Bo said.
     “Looks like Luke painted the General.” Jesse commented, more to himself then anyone else.
     “You know he was intentionally trying to run you over.” Daisy said.
     “Yeah well he missed.” Bo said.
     “Only because you moved, not because he swerved to miss at the last second. He was trying to kill you.” Daisy said.
Bo ran his fingers through his thick blonde hair. “So what?”
     “So, I don’t want to see anything happen to you is so what. I saw you get hurt enough by Luke when we were kids I don’t want to stand around and watch him hurt you again . . . or kill you.” Daisy said.
     “I can take care of myself, I don’t need you worrying about me. And I don’t need to hear you keep bad mouthing Luke. He is not the same as he was when we were kids, something has to be seriously wrong for him to be acting like he is.” Bo said.
     “Why can’t you just admit that Luke is dangerous and it is just part of who he is?” Daisy asked. “If you keep thinking that Luke is some kinda saint you are going to up getting badly hurt . . . I mean he as threatened your life and juts tried to take it right now.”
     “I never said that Luke was a saint, but you make it sound like he is just all evil. I know Luke a lot better then you and I trust him with my life.” Bo said.
     “Kids, this is no place for this discussion.” Jesse said, noticing the glances they were getting from people that were passing by.
     “Well I guess since you trust him with your life he is going to take it.” Daisy said.
Bo said nothing further he only turned and walked away. Daisy went to go after him, but Jesse put a hand on her arm to stop her.
     “Just let him be, he’ll be fine. I think he just needs some time to sort through things.” Jesse said.
     Bo walked along the main street of Hazzard, not really knowing where else to go he went to Cooter’s garage.
     “Hey Bo, how you doin’?” Cooter asked, looking up from underneath the hood of the car that he was driving.
     “Oh I am fine it’s just the rest the world that has gone crazy.” Bo said sarcastically.
      “I heard about what’s happening Luke . . .” Cooter to say, but his sentence was cut short by Bo.
     “Oh I am sure everyone has.” Bo said.
     “I didn’t mean nothing by it Bo.” Cooter said, with a calm, patient voice. “Look as long as I have known Luke I have never seen him . . . act the way that I’ve heard he’s been acting lately.”
     “This ain’t like Luke.” Bo said. “I know him better then anyone else, and all they want to do is past judgement and have Luke declared a danger to society.”
     “I take that “they” means Jesse and Daisy.”
Bo nodded. “Especially Daisy.”
     “Do you think that Luke is a danger?” Cooter asked.
     “Only to himself really . . . this ain’t like him at all something has to be extremely wrong for him to be acting like this.” Bo said.
Bo ran his fingers through this thick blonde hair, finding it nice to be able to talk to someone that would at least listen to his opinion.
     “Do you have any idea what is wrong with him?’ Cooter asked.
     “No.” Bo said, and Cooter noticed the distant sound in his friend’s voice.
     “What’s wrong?” Cooter asked.
     “I was just thinking . . . if I don’t find out what the problem is soon I could lose Luke.” Bo said.
     “Do you think it’ll come to that?” Cooter asked.
     “I don’t know Cooter . . . I just really don’t know anymore.” Bo said.
They talked for several more minutes, before left, to walk back home, declining Cooter’s offer to drive him home.
     It was close to a two hour walk from Cooter’s Garage back to the Duke farm. Bo stuck to walking along the back roads, he wondered how long it would take the blood test results to come in, he knew the doctor had said a couple of days, but hoped they would be done sooner, anxious to know the results. As Bo walked up to the house, he noticed something under the large elm tree that sat in front of the house, and walked over to investigate. There was a large cube of metal, that result of a car having been sent to the crusher, and leaning against the tree, as proof of what car it had been was the right front fender of Daisy’s jeep, Dixie. Bo turned and walked into the house.
     Jesse and Daisy were sitting in the front room talking, and looked up when they heard Bo come in. Bo could see anger flashing through Daisy’s eyes.
     “Are you still going to try to tell me how innocent Luke is?” Daisy questioned.
     “Daisy . . .” Bo started to say, his sentence cut short by Daisy.
     “You are still standing up for him, always taking his side.”
     “He never actually HURT anyone.” Bo said.
     “I wouldn’t put it past him.” Daisy said.
     “Why are you so quick to turn your back on him?” Bo asked.
     “He always has a danger, if you’d actually open your eyes you’d see that to, he hasn’t changed as much as you think from when we was kids.” Daisy said.
     “Daisy, just calm down.” Bo said, he hated to be fighting with Daisy, especially over Luke’s current behavior.
     “He crushed my car and wrecked my other car.” Daisy said, referring back to when the boys had accidentally driven her car off Kissin’ Cliff.
     “That was an accident and I was driving.” Bo said. “So if you really want your pound of flesh go ahead take it outta me.”
     “Stop being so stupid Bo.” Daisy said.
     “That is enough you two.” Jesse said, hating to see them fighting, feeling as though his family was falling apart right in front of him and there was no way to put the pieces back together again.
The two cousins said nothing further and went their separate ways in the house, going to their rooms.
     Later, the three Dukes sat around the dinner table eating an early dinner.
     “How am I suppose to get to work, now that Luke had Dixie crushed?” Daisy asked.
     “I can drive you there in the pickup truck, and pick you up again when you are done.” Jesse said.
     “I don’t know if I want to be there alone.” Daisy said, actually fearing that Luke might show up and do something to harm her.
     “I’ll stay there then, and Bo you are coming to.” Jesse said, in a tone that left no room for argument.
     “Yes sir.” Bo mumbled, actually wanting to go against his Uncle’s order and stay home, the last thing he felt like doing was going to the Boar’s Nest.
    The Boar’s Nest was busy that night, though the whole night passed without event. Jesse and Bo sat quietly at one of the table, barely saying two words to one another, while Daisy busily waited the tables. They had no way of knowing that danger, Daisy had been so worried about, awaited them at the farm.
    Jesse pulled the old white truck to a stop in front of the house, halfway between the barn and the old home. It was a dark night, the moon drifting in and out from behind a thick bank of clouds, so the only real light to see by was the porch light. The three Dukes climbed out of the truck, when a gunshot broke through the silence of the night. Bo, Daisy and Jesse all looked around in shock wondering where the gunshot had came from, when there was another. The bullet bounced off the ground inches from Bo’s feet.
    “Take cover.” Jesse said, as they all crouched down on the far side of the truck.
    “It’s coming from the roof of the barn.” Bo said.
    “Yeah and we all know who it is, it is LUKE.” Daisy said. “Now can you see Luke is a danger, and we could all end up dead.”
     “The two of you get into the house, I’ll cover you.” Bo said.
     “How are you going to do that?” Jesse asked.
     “I’ll draw his fire.” Bo said.
     “There is no way that I am going to allow you to do that.” Jesse said.
     “Are you crazy Bo?” Daisy asked.
Bo shrugged. “Besides then you don’t have to worry about your life.”
     “Bo . . . I think he was firing at you anyway, so if you “draw” his fire you will end up getting shot.” Daisy said.
     “I know what I am doing, and I have no intention of getting shot.” Bo said. “Now go.”
Bo ran out from behind the truck, two bullets whizzed past him, just narrowly missing. Bo took a deep breath and made a dash towards the barn, though not in a straight line, he knew enough to at least take evasive action, having been shot at enough while in the General. Bo heard several more gunshots, before he reached the barn. He walked along the barm to where he knew the old ladder was. He glanced back towards the house and could tell that Jesse and Daisy had reached the house. Bo cursed under his breath when he found the ladder was gone, and figured that Luke must have pulled the ladder up when he had gone unto the roof. Though, he knew there was two ways to reach the roof of the barn, he would have climb the tree that sat beside the barn. Bo made his way up the tree, wishing he had more light to see by, finding it hard to climb in the dark. After a few moments he finally reached the top.
     “About time you got up here, took you long enough.” Luke said.
     “Put the gun down Luke.”
     “Why should I? You know now that you are up here you make a very easy target.”
     “Do you really want to shoot me?” Bo asked, taking a few careful steps towards his older cousin.
     “Well why else would I be shooting at you?” Luke questioned, standing still as Bo approached him.
     “Just put the gun down Luke, I know that you don’t really want to be doing this. Why don’t you just tell me what is wrong, you know that you can talk to me about anything.” Bo said.
Luke tossed the gun off the roof of the barn. “I don’t need a gun to kill you anyway.”
Before Bo could say anything further Luke lunged at him, landing a solid blow against Bo’s jaw. Bo stumbled backwards and lost his footing, his heart began to beat wildly with fear as he slipped down the slope of the barn roof. Bo grabbed the edge of the roof before plummeting to the ground, and looked up at Luke.
     “Please don’t let me fall Luke.” Bo said, hoping to some how get through to Luke.
Luke only smiled down at Bo, though there was no kindness in the smile, only coldness and hate. Bo cried out in pain as Luke stepped down on his fingers. Bo’s hands ached with pain as he desperately tired to hold on, finally he his fingers slipped from their hold and he fell to the ground. Bo landed flat on his back, and laid stun as the wind was knocked out of him. Luke dropped the ladder over the side and climbed down, and knelt beside Bo.
     “Hurts, doesn’t it?”
Bo only looked at Luke with a dazed expression, fearing that Luke was truly out to kill him. He wondered what was wrong with Luke and if it would ever go away. Bo also wondered how Luke would take it if he killed him and then returned to his senses. All these thoughts spun through Bo’s mind in a matter of minutes.
     “Hope you have enjoyed your pathetic little life because it ends now Bo.” Luke said.
     “Luke . . . please . . .”
Luke shook his head. “There is only room for one Duke boy in Hazzard.”
Luke clamped his hand around Bo’s throat, preparing to crush the life out of the younger boy, his mind not even able truly comprehend that it was his cousin, his best friend, Bo, that he was about to kill. Neither Bo nor Luke heard the sound of approaching footsteps.
     “Let him go.” Jesse said in a firm voice.
Luke looked up to see Jesse standing there, with his shotgun pointed directly at him. Luke frowned and removed his hand from Bo’s throat, and slowly stood up.
     “Are you okay Bo?” Jesse asked.
     “Yeah once I start breathing again I’ll be just fine. Bo said.
Jesse noticed that Luke was quietly trying to slip away.
     “Hold it right there Luke.” Jesse said.
     “Go ahead, shoot me, I dare you.” Luke said and laughed. “You don’t have the guts to pull that trigger.”
Jesse knew that Luke was right, there was no way he could pull the trigger, no way he could shot his eldest nephew. Jesse lowered the gun, and Luke laughed as he walked away from the farm. Jesse knelt down beside Bo, and helped him sit up.
     “Are you sure that you are okay?” Jesse asked.
     “Yeah, I didn’t break anything, the fall only knocked the wind out of me.” Bo said, and Jesse gave him a hand to his feet.
     “Are you okay otherwise?” Jesse asked, not really knowing how else to ask the question, though Bo knew just what he meant.
     “I won’t be, not until we get Luke back.” Bo said.
     “Bo . . . you know that might not happen.” Jesse said.
     “Then I guess I’ll never be okay.” Bo said.
     “Bo . . . I hate to have to say this but with how Luke has been acting I am afraid that we may have lost him forever.” Jesse said.
     “I won’t give up.” Bo said.
     “I know you won’t.” Jesse said.
     Daisy rushed over to them when they walked in.
     “I was so afraid that Luke was going to kill you.” Daisy said.
     “Well he didn’t.” Bo said.
     “Though he did try, and he came close.” Jesse said.
     “Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.” Bo said.
     “Did Luke say anything to you, to give any clue as to what is wrong with him?” Jesse asked.
     “Nothing different then ever before.” Bo said.
     “I say we should call Rosco. Tell him that Luke was shooting at us, breaking his probation by using a firearm.” Daisy said.
     “Don’t you dare call Rosco.” Bo said.
     “You know Bo, I think that Luke has been a bad influence on you.” Daisy said.
     “That is not true and you know it.” Bo said.
     “We will wait a while . . . if there is no change in Luke soon we will call Rosco.” Jesse said.
     “You can’t do that.” Bo said.
     “Bo . . . after a while if we find nothing is wrong with Luke, it’ll be for the best. Luke is dangerous.” Jesse said.
     “I don’t want to talk about it anymore.” Bo said and walked out of the kitchen going to his room.
     Jesse knocked on the bedroom door, and Bo didn’t respond. Jesse opened the door and stepped into the room.
     “I was thinking that maybe we should give the doc a call, have him come look at you to be sure that you didn’t break anything.” Jesse said.
     “I am fine, all that fall did was knock the wind out of me.” Bo said.
There was a moment of tense silence, Jesse had no idea of what to say to his youngest nephew, fearing that Bo’s complete trust in Luke could be the death of him with Luke’s current and dangerous behavior. Knowing nothing further to say Jesse and turned and left Bo’s room.
     Nothing had changed by morning and the three Dukes sat around the table eating. Nobody really knew what to say, believing that anything said only start another fight. The phone rang breaking the silence, and Jesse got up from the table to answer it. Jesse talked for a couple minutes and then came back out into the kitchen.
     “That was Doc Appleby, the blood test results are in.” Jesse said.
     “What did the results say?” Bo asked.
     “He didn’t say over the phone, he wanted us to come in so he could discuss the results.” Jesse said.
     “Well let’s get over there and see what the doc has to say.” Bo said
     Thirty minutes later Jesse pulled the truck to a stop in front of Doc Appleby’s office and he, Daisy and Bo climbed out of the truck and went into the small building.
     “So what are the results?” Bo asked.
     “There was a trace amount of Cirataime in his blood.”
     “What is that?” Bo asked.
      “It is a behavior altering chemical. It is actually an illegal substance and can only be purchased on the black market, due to its effects on the human mind.”
     “So that explains Luke’s behavior.” Bo said.
     “I’d say so. It is a good thing that there is only a trace amount, in higher dosages in has been known to kill the person who took it.” Doc Appleby said.
     “So how would Luke have got a hold of this drug?” Jesse questioned.
     “When he went to get the water for the radiator, he must have drank some of that water . . . because it was right after that he began to act strange.” Bo said. “Is there an antidote?”
Doc Appleby shook his head. “No but it will wear off in time.”
     “And just how long are we suppose to wait while Luke poses a danger?” Daisy asked.
     “It should wear off any time over the next 24 hours.”
They walked out of the doctor’s office with renewed knowledge of what was wrong with Luke. Daisy wasn’t too sure if she believed what the doctor said, thinking that if Luke had consumed that chemical all it was doing was bringing out his true nature.
     “I am going to borrow a car from Cooter and try to find Luke.” Bo said.
     “I don’t know if that is such a good idea.” Jesse said.
     “Your heard Doc Appleby the drug is going to wear off anytime now, and I want to be there when it does.” Bo said.
     “Yeah and until then your life is in danger.” Daisy said.
Bo said nothing, he just turned and walked across the street to Cooter’s Garage, while Jesse and Daisy got back into the truck and headed back to the farm.
     Cooter was standing by the small desk in his office when Bo came in.
     “Hey Bo, any news on Luke?” Cooter asked.
     “Yeah it seems to consumed a drug called Cirataime, it’s some behavior altering chemical, it must have been in the water when Luke went to get some to fill the radiator with.” Bo said. “The doc said it will wear off anytime now.”
     “That’s great.” Cooter said.
     “Yeah, what I really came here for is to see if I could borrow a car to go out and look for Luke.” Bo said.
     “Yeah sure.” Cooter said and tossed Bo a set of keys. “They are for that old red thing out back.”
     “Thanks a lot Cooter.”
     “No problem buddyro.” Cooter said.
     Bo sped along one of the many back roads of Hazzard searching for any sign of Luke. He drove for what felt like hours before he caught sight of the General, in its green paint job. Bo pushed the accelerator to the floor trying to keep up with the speeding car.
     Luke glanced in the rearview mirror and noticed the red car that was following him. He slowed up to allow the other car to draw near enough that he could see the driver. He laughed when he saw it was Bo.
     “You really never learn, do you Bo.” Luke said to himself.
Luke pulled onto a rarely used dirt road that led down to an old demolished building. Bo followed closely behind. As they neared the site of the of the building the road became blocked. Luke slammed on the brakes bringing the car to a stop just before striking the debris in the road. Bo slammed on the brakes and turned the wheel hard to the left trying to avoid hitting the General, coming to a stop crossways behind the General. Bo and Luke both climbed out of the cars.
     “What do you want?” Luke asked, soundly highly annoyed.
     “We need to talk, it is important.” Bo said.
     “Nothing you have to say is important.” Luke said, nastily.
     “Luke this is serious. You have been drugged with a trace amount of Cirataime, it is a behavior altering chemical.” Bo said, walking towards Luke.
Luke just chuckled and walked away from Bo, wandering through the debris of the demolished building.
     “Luke wait.” Bo called out, following after his older cousin.
Luke stopped walking and spun around to face Bo. Bo stopped inches away from Luke.
     “Get lost Bo. Keep away from me, in fact just leave Hazzard.” Luke said.
Bo shook his head. “That’s not going to happen.”
     “I was serious about what I said before.” Luke said.
     “I really don’t think you were serious, I don’t think that you really want to kill me.” Bo said.
     “You are dead wrong about that . . . and now you will be dead.” Luke said, and gave Bo a rough shove.
Bo stumbled backwards and lost his footing on the loose edge, the rocky debris sliding out from under his feet. Bo tried to catch his balance but it was too late and he fell down into the pit, that at one time had been the building’s foundation. Bo hit the ground hard, and a thin metal rod became impaled in his body, sticking up through he side of his stomach. Blood smeared the metal rod, and soaked his shirt, he looked up at Luke with wide pain filled eyes. Luke went to say something when his head began to pound, and he closed his eyes against the splitting headache. He took a deep breath and opened his eyes, looking down at Bo.
     “Oh. . . BO!” Luke said and scrambled down to Bo.
     “Luke . . . it hurts.” Bo said, his voice strained and edged with pain.
     “Bo . . . I am sorry  . . . I am so sorry.” Luke said, placing a hand on Bo’s shoulder, his mind racing to think of a way to save Bo.
     “I’m so cold.” Bo said, his voice tired.
     “I know . . . just hang on, I’ll get you outta here, I promise . . . I never meant . . . I am sorry.” Luke said.
     “I know you didn’t mean it.” Bo said, closing eyes.
     “You have to stay awake.” Luke said, and got to his feet.
     “Don’t leave me . . .” Bo said, his voice trailing.
     “I won’t, I just have to go call for help . . . I’ll be right back.” Luke said.
Luke used the CB in the General to call for help, and returned to Bo side.
     “You have to stay awake Bo.” Luke said.
     “Cold . . . so cold.” Bo said softly.
Luke knew that was because Bo had lost a lot of blood, and he knew that he had to keep Bo awake.
     “I know you are cold and I know it hurts, I am sorry, but you have to stay awake.” Luke said, holding one of Bo’s hands tightly between his own.
    A few moments later the sound of the ambulance’s sirens broke through the silence. Two ambulance attendants came down with a stretcher.
    “We are going to have to lift him straight up and off unto the stretcher.”
Luke nodded. “I can help.”
Luke and one of the attendants took a hold on Bo from opposite sides, their hands locked at the wrists under Bo. The other attendant positioned the stretcher. Bo was barely conscious and was trying hard to keep his eyes open and locked on Luke.
     “Just relax Bo, everything is going to be okay.” Luke said, cursing himself for the pain he had caused Bo.
     “Ready? On the count of three . . . one, two, three.”
The two men lifted Bo straight up off the metal rod, in single swift fluid movement. Bo gave a soft cry of pain and then his world went black.
     “Will he be okay?” Luke asked, as Bo was loaded into the back of the ambulance.
     “Hard to say, he has lost a lot of blood.”
Luke swallowed hard, knowing if Bo didn’t make it that he would only have himself to blame. Luke followed the ambulance in the General.
     Luke sat in the waiting room filling out the forms, his mind consumed by the memory of what had happened and everything he had said and did to Bo and his whole family over the past few days. He found that he could no longer act brave and he just sat and allowed his tears to streak his cheeks.
     Thirty minutes later a doctor walked into the room and stepped over to Luke.
     “I am Dr. Black.”
     “How is he?” Luke asked, his voice filled with concern.
     “He is a very lucky young man. No vital organs were injured.”
Luke gave a sigh of relief. “So he’ll be okay?”
     “Yes, he should be. He still hasn’t woke up, but should only be a matter of time, he just went in shock is all.” Dr. Black said. “He’ll need to rest for a few weeks.”
     “Can I see him?” Luke asked.
     “Of course, he is in room sixty-nine.”
     “Thank you.” Luke said and shook the doctor’s hand and went to Bo’s room.
     Luke sat down beside Bo’s bed, and held one of Bo’s hands between his own.
     “C’mon Bo wake up.” Luke said, receiving no response. “Please wake up Bo, we have to talk about what happened.”
Receiving no response Luke fell quiet for several moments, not really knowing what else to say. After a few moments Luke felt Bo’s fingers twitch slightly.
     “Wake up cousin.” Luke said.
Bo moaned softly and Luke could see his eyes moving behind his closed eyelids. “Luke?”
     “Yeah, I’m right here.”
Bo moaned again and opened his eyes, and looked up at Luke, his vision still blurred with sleep.
     “About time you woke up.” Luke said jokingly, then his expression turned serious. “How are you feeling?”
     “Tired, kinda sore.” Bo replied and yawned as he wiped the sleep out of his eyes.
     “I’m sorry.” Luke said earnestly.
      “It wasn’t your fault.” Bo said.
     “Yes it was. I . . . I tried to kill you.” Luke said in a soft voice.
     “It was that chemical, not you.” Bo said.
     “That is no excuse. I should’ve . . . I . . .” Luke said his voice trailing off as he found he had no idea of what to say.
     “It wasn’t your fault Luke. I know that you would never do anything to hurt me. I trust you. You can’t blame yourself for what happened.” Bo said.
     “But . . .” Luke started to say, however Bo cut his sentence short.
     “It wasn’t your fault. Stop blaming yourself.”
Luke just nodded, grateful for Bo’s understanding and undying friendship.
     “I guess I should go call home . . . you should try to get some rest.” Luke said.
Bo nodded slightly and closed his eyes, and immediately began to drift to sleep. Luke walked down the hallway to the pay phone and called home.
     Jesse answered the phone on the second ring. “Hello?”
     “Uncle Jesse . . . it’s Luke.”
     “What’s wrong?” Jesse asked, fearing Luke had done something to seriously harm Bo.
     “There was an accident.” Luke said.
     “Is Bo okay?” Jesse asked.
     “Yeah, he’ll be fine . . . just come to the hospital, Bo’s in room sixty-nine.” Luke said, and hung up finding he couldn’t say anything further, he had heard the accusatory tone in his uncle’s voice.
    Luke went back to Bo’s room and sat beside his sleeping cousin for a while, then went to get a coffee. During the time he was gone Jesse and Daisy arrived. They walked over to his bed, and Jesse put a hand on Bo’s shoulder. Bo opened his eyes and looked up at his family.
     “Hey Bo, how are you feeling?” Jesse asked.
     “I’m fine.” Bo said.
     “What happened?” Daisy asked.
     “You know that old demolished building on Meadow Brook Road?”
Jesse and Daisy both nodded.
     “Well that is where I caught up to Luke.” Bo said.
By this time Luke was returning to the room, and could hear Jesse’s and Daisy’s voices, part of him didn’t want to face them and he stood out in the hallway and listened to the conversation.
     “And Luke attacked you?” Daisy questioned accusingly.
     “I fell.” Bo said.
     “You mean Luke pushed you, don’t you?” Daisy asked.
     “It wasn’t Luke’s fault.” Bo said.
     “Yeah right Bo.” Daisy said. “Why can’t you see how dangerous Luke is?”
     “Daisy has a point Bo, I mean you are in the hospital because of him.” Jesse said.
     “You are part right I am here because he called the ambulance so I am in the hospital because of him otherwise I’d be dead.” Bo said.
     “That is not what I meant Bo.” Jesse said.
     “But it is the truth.” Bo said.
     “How can you forget what all happened, not just now but when we were kids?” Daisy questioned.
     “I haven’t forgot, how could I? Every time there is a change in the weather and is cold or wet my leg hurts, I think that is enough of a reminder, wouldn’t you say?”
Luke felt his heart sink, to think of all the pain he had caused Bo over the years and that is something that Bo would always remember.
     “You act like you don’t know how dangerous Luke is and have just forgot all of that.” Daisy said.
     “Luke is not dangerous. In way I guess I have forgot all of that because I forgave him.” Bo said.
     “Maybe you should reconsider, I mean I think he proved how little he could be trusted.” Daisy said.
     “It wasn’t Luke’s fault.” Bo said, becoming agitated.
     “Bo just calm down.” Jesse said.
     “No. I have heard enough. I am tired and want to go back to sleep so leave me alone.” Bo said.
     “Bo . . .” Jesse started to say.
     “Just go.” Bo said.
Jesse and Daisy said nothing further and turned and left. Luke was still standing outside the door and Daisy glared him as they walked past. Luke walked into Bo’s room, and sat down beside his bed. Bo looked up, and could tell from the look on Luke’s face that he heard everything.
     “I don’t blame you Luke.” Bo said.
     “They do.” Luke said.
     “Daisy is just a little upset, once she calms down some everything will be okay.”
     “Will it? Will anything really be okay ever again?” Luke asked.
     “Time heals all wounds.” Bo said.
Luke shook his head. “It is my fault it always has been and I don’t deserve forgiveness.”
     “That is not true Luke. Nothing that happened was your fault.” Bo said.
     “I tired to kill you.” Luke said.
     “You weren’t in your right mind, it was that chemical.” Bo said.
     “What about before?”
     “That was a long time ago . . . things were different then. None of that matters it has no effect on what happened.” Bo said. “You are my best friend and are like a brother to me.”
     “I don’t see why, all I have ever done is hurt you.” Luke said.
     “That is not true and you know it.” Bo said.
They talked for several more minutes before Bo started to fall asleep. Luke got up to leave.
     “Luke don’t go just please stay here . . . I don’t want to be alone.” Bo said.
     “Okay.” Luke said and sat back down, he prayed that Bo was right that everything would be okay, but he had a gut feeling that things would be anything but okay.
     Bo was released three days later, and the next month was difficult for all the Dukes. Tempers flared and the tension mounted threatening to explode at any given time. By the end of the month Bo was getting around easier, though he couldn’t do too and heavy lifting or strenuous actives. Luke was quiet and never really talked to anyone except Bo, he could tell that his friendship with Bo had not been damaged at all, and Bo’s trust was as strong as ever. Daisy still blamed Luke for everything that had happened, not believing that it was some chemical that had made him act that way, but his own cruel nature. Jesse spent a lot of time away from the farm, not wanting to watch his family fall apart.
     The weather seemed to reflect everyone’s downcast mood, it had been raining every day for the past week, and this day was no exception. Jesse as usual was not at home and Daisy sat inside, while Bo and Luke did chores out in the barn. The rain was pouring down steadily in a rhythmic beat against the roof of the old barn, and distant thunder rolled across the sky. Bo sat down on a bale hay, and Luke cast a concerned glance over at his younger cousin.
     “You okay?” Luke asked.
     “Yeah, just pulled it a little.” Bo replied, rubbing at his aching side.
     “You can just go back inside and rest, I can finish up in here.” Luke said.
Bo shook his head. “No, I am fine.”
     “Are you sure?” Luke asked.
     “Yeah I am sure.” Bo said standing up.
They had no sooner finished their conversation when one of their goats, went into a premature, troubled labour. It was a long and difficult process and it took them nearly an hour to save both the mother and it’s baby. Luke washed his hands off, knowing his shirt was no doubt ruined by all the blood that stained it. Bo washed his hands off under the water. Luke went into the house to change out of his shirt, before finishing with the chores in the barn. Bo stayed in the barn, and watched the newborn goat as he waited for Luke.
     Daisy looked up when she heard Luke walked in her eyes widened, with a look of fear and pure anger when she saw the blood on his clothes. She grabbed a large kitchen knife off the counter.
     “Daisy, put the knife down.” Luke said, wondering what had got her so upset.
     “No.” Daisy said, a cold rage sounded in her voice.
     “What is wrong?” Luke asked.
     “What do you think is wrong?” Daisy questioned with a laugh, sounding as though she had gone quite mad.
     “I don’t know, just put the knife down.” Luke said.
Daisy shook her head. “Why should I? So you can kill me like you killed Bo?”
     “What?” Luke asked, thinking Daisy had truly gone crazy.
     “His blood in on your shirt . . . you killed him.” Daisy said, advancing towards Luke, with knife held high.
     “This ain’t Bo’s blood . . .” Luke said, trying to explain but Daisy wouldn’t allow him to finish his sentence.
     “You killed Bo.” Daisy said and lunged at Luke.
Luke took a step backward and tripped over one of the chairs, landing one the floor in a sitting position. Daisy came at him, and as Luke watched the knife come towards him, he raised his arm, in an attempt to protect himself. Daisy plunged the knife into Luke’s arm, the knife going right through, and Luke screamed in pain as a fiery pain raced through his whole arm.
     Bo had been heading to the house, to see what was taking Luke so long when he heard his cousin’s scream of agony, and he ran the rest of the way, ignoring the pain in his side. Bo flung the door open, ad felt all the blood leave his face at the sight that met his eyes. Daisy was standing in front of Luke, her hands still gripped tightly around the knife. Luke’s arm was coated in blood that dripped from the tip of the knife. Daisy looked up when she heard the door bang open, and her eyes widened when she saw Bo standing there, dripping wet.
     “But . . .” Daisy said, her voice trailing off, and she took a couple stumbling steps backwards, away from Luke.
Bo rushed to Luke’s side, he could see the pain in Luke’s crystal blue eyes, and he looked up at Daisy.
     “Why?” Bo asked, not really knowing what else to say.
     “The blood . . . I thought  . . . I thought he killed you.” Daisy stammered.
     “Hardly, the goat went into a troubled labour.” Bo said, and turned his attention back to Luke, not really knowing what to do help his cousin.
     “You’re going have to pull the knife out.” Luke said.
     “You sure?” Bo asked, it was something that he really didn’t want to do.
Luke nodded. “Just get a towel or two, to wrap around my arm after.”
Bo swallowed hard and pulled two towels out of the drawer. Bo took the knife into his trembling hand, his other hand on Luke’s arm, to help hold it still as he removed the knife.
     “You ready?” Bo asked.
Luke nodded, clenching his teeth together, knowing there would be pain. Bo pulled the knife from Luke’s arm in a quick fluid movement and tossed the knife to one side, quickly wrapping Luke’s arm in the towels.
     Bo helped Luke to the General and sped him to the hospital. Bo sat impatiently waiting in the waiting room, the storm outside seemed to hang overhead, and the lights kept flickering. After waiting for half an hour a nurse walked over to Bo.
     “Your cousin is in room nine, you can go see him now.”
     “Thanks.” Bo said.
Bo walked down the hallway and went into Luke’s room.
     “How are you feeling?” Bo asked.
     “I’m fine, though my arm is numb, guess that is partly from pain killers.” Luke said.
     “What did the doctor say?” Bo asked.
     “He said there didn’t seem to be any muscle damage, though I can’t use my arm for a few weeks.” Luke said.
     “When can you get out if here?”
     “Anytime now, I just have to wait for the doctor to come back.” Luke said.
     The doctor came into Luke’s room fifteen minutes later and signed the release papers. They made the trip back to the farm in silence neither wanting to talk about what had happened. The storm still raged on as though it was going to storm forever.
    By the time they arrived back at the farm, Jesse had also returned home. Luke didn’t even look at his family as he walked through the house to his and Bo’s room, shutting the door behind himself. Bo stood in the front and just looked at Daisy.
    “How could you?” Bo asked.
    “Because I thought he had killed you, or at least hurt . . . again.” Daisy said, stressing the word “again.”
Bo shook his head. “It was that chemical that made him do what he did before, and you know it.”
     “Yeah right, he was like that long before he was supposedly drugged with that chemical.” Daisy said.
     “All that is in the past, just let it be.” Bo said.
     “What will it take for you to see the truth about Luke?” Daisy asked. “He is a danger. Will it take him killing someone for you to see what he is really like?”
     “If you want to be so quick to call someone a danger you had better look in a mirror, because correct me if I am wrong but you attacked Luke, for no reason.” Bo said.
     “I did what I felt was right.” Daisy said.
     “That is quite enough you two.” Jesse said firmly.
     “So you are just going to take her side?” Bo asked.
     “I never said I was taking anyone’s side.” Jesse said.
Bo just turned and walked out of the room not wanting to talk to Daisy or Jesse any longer.
     Bo went into the bedroom and saw Luke sitting on his bed, he could tell from the look on Luke’s face that he had heard the conversation.
     “I think I should just leave the farm.” Luke said, suddenly.
     “What?” Bo asked, looking at Luke.
     “I think it is best for everyone if I leave.” Luke said.
     “I don’t agree.” Bo said.
     “Daisy hates me, she is never going to trust me again . . . if I stay we will just keeping going through this again and again.” Luke said.
     “Maybe with time . . .” Bo started to say.
     “No, do you honestly believe that things could ever be the same?”
     “Well maybe not the same but . . . everything will be okay.” Bo said.
     “I don’t think Uncle Jesse really trusts me either, he just won’t admit to it as quick.” Luke said.
     “I trust you.” Bo said, in a matter-of-fact tone.
Luke gave a small smile. “I know you do . . . you are the only one. Always have been the only one I could really count on.”
     “You can’t leave the farm.” Bo said.
     “It’ll make everyone’s life a lot easier.” Luke said.
     “That is NOT true. It wouldn’t make my life an easier it’d make it harder if anything. I don’t want to lose you Luke.” Bo said.
     “It is for the best if I leave.” Luke said.
     “If you go then I am going with you.” Bo said.
     “I am not going to ruin your life that way.” Luke said.
     “My life will be more ruined if you just leave me here.” Bo said.
Luke sighed, and rubbed his hands over his face. “I can’t stay here.”
     “Then we leave together.” Bo said.
     “But . . .” Luke argued looking up at his younger cousin.
     “We will be fine, all we have to do is stick together.” Bo said and extending his hand towards Luke. “Okay?”
Luke nodded and took Bo’s hand in a firm grasp, and shook it. “Okay.”
     “Guess we had better get packing, we got a long road ahead of us.”
Bo and Luke began to slowly pack, neither of them was in perfect health to be doing much, Bo with a sore side, and Luke with an injured arm.
     The next day Bo started to carry boxes out to the General, which was still painted green, Luke carried what he could, with the use of only one arm.
     “What are you doing?” Jesse asked.
     “Luke and me is leaving the farm.” Bo said.
Daisy had been standing nearby and walked over to join the rest of her family.
     “You can’t leave Bo.” Daisy said, not caring that Luke was leaving.
     “And why not?” Bo asked.
     “Because you wouldn’t be safe.” Daisy said, referring to Luke to a danger.
     “Daisy has a point Bo, maybe you should reconsider leaving.” Jesse said.
Bo glanced at Luke, who had stepped a couple of paces away from his family, he knew their words hurt Luke deeply, and recalled the whole reason he acted cruel as a child afraid of getting hurt once he allowed himself to trust anyone.
     “This is the whole reason WE are leaving.” Bo said.
     “What do you mean?” Daisy asked.
     “Because you are too quick to point the blame when you know nothing of the circumstances and then you just believe what you want and don’t except the truth.”
     “Bo, I think it would be for the best if you stayed at the farm.” Jesse said.
     “No sir, it would not be for the best, not for me.” Bo said.
Luke left the house, going out to the car, not wanting to hear anymore of the conversation. Bo watched him leave and then turned his attention back to Jesse and Daisy.
     “That is why I am leaving. Luke is my best friend . . . my brother and I am sick of the way you two have been treating him and talking about like he is a danger.” Bo said.
     “He is a danger, if you leave this farm with him you’ll end up dead.” Daisy said.
     “Luke is not a danger. I know him better then either of you he is far from being a danger.” Bo said.
     “You are wrong Bo, if you leave here with him you’ll die.” Daisy said.
     “Everybody dies Daisy nobody is immortal, but Luke will not be the cause of my death, he would never hurt me.” Bo said.
     “He has before.” Daisy said.
     “I am through talking about with you. I have had enough arguing, I am just leaving.” Bo said.
     “Fine be that way Bo.” Daisy said and turned and went to her room.
Jesse looked at Bo for a moment.
     “Just be careful Bo.” Jesse said.
     “I’ll be fine.” Bo said.
Jesse turned and left the room. It would be the last Bo or Luke ever saw Jesse and Daisy. Bo and Luke finished packing their things and by late that afternoon they were ready to leave. They stood outside beside their car for a moment and looked at the house and across the farmyard.
     “You ready to go?” Luke asked.
Bo nodded. “Yeah just taking one last look at things.”
     “I understand if you want to change your mind about going.” Luke said.
     “No, I haven’t changed my mind and I won’t, this is best for both of us, get a whole new start on life.” Bo said. “It is just hard to say goodbye to all the memories.”
     “We don’t have to say goodbye to all the memories, if we stick together we will always remember.” Luke said.
Bo nodded and then he and Luke climbed into the car. They sped away from the Duke farm in a cloud of dust, it would be last time they saw the farm, or Hazzard ever again.
      At first they just travel around, making money by racing the General, which they never painted to look like had at one time. A year later they settled in South Carolina, they told people that they were brothers, since they had always been more like brothers. They never talked about what had happened in Hazzard that had caused them to leave home, both of them finding peace, and knowing nothing could break the bond of friendship between them, they would be “brothers” forever and always.