Artemis Cyrier was walking along a sidewalk in Phoenix, he was still gloating to himself how he had evaded the authorities and got away with murder. His only regret being he had got the time to kill both of those Duke boys, though killing the one seemed to do enough damage, after all it was the older one that had given him the most problems. He had merely vanished into the crowded city of Phoenix Arizona, and living under an assumed name nobody had ever known the difference. As he walked past a newsstand an article on the front page of a tabloid paper caught his eye, it was the same paper that Daisy had seen that caused her to return to Hazzard. Artemis stopped walking and picked up the paper, he quickly glancing over the article, as he read it a nasty smile spread across his face. Artemis stifled back a nasty laugh and paid the man for the newspaper. He headed back to where he had parked his car, a few blocks back in a parking garage. Artemis had always been one to believe in all paranormal activities, and conspiracy theories, and he truly believed that Luke Duke had in fact returned from the dead. He reached his car a couple moments, the car was painted black and the windows were heavily tinted. He sat behind the wheel of his car and began to whistle, it was an eerie whistle a very chilling tune, as he took a pair of scissors out from the glovebox of his car and slowly began to cut out the article. He crumpled the rest of the paper into a ball and threw it into the backseat of the car. He sat reading the article about how Luke Duke had returned from the dead.
    “You’ll be going back to where I sent you soon, Luke Duke.” Artemis said, his eyes glimmering evilly. “It looks like I get my chance to finish what I started … perhaps this time I’ll also get take out that blonde Duke boy.” Artemis laughed wickedly as his mind began to form a twist plan of how to send both Duke boys to the grave permanently.
He set the article down on the seat next to him and stabbed the scissors through the picture of Luke. Artemis started his car and pulled out of the parking garage and began the long drive back to Hazzard County.
     By the next day the small cabin that Bo and Luke were staying in looked more like a home, all of their things had been unpacked and placed throughout the cabin. Bo sat watching his older cousin, who was pacing around the cabin.
     “You are acting more nervous then a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs, cousin, what’s wrong?” Bo asked.
     “I don’t know, I just sense that something ain’t right but I can’t tell exactly what.” Luke replied.
     “Maybe it’s nothing, maybe you are jut too tense.” Bo suggested.
     “Yeah, maybe.” Luke said, though not really believing that, he stopped pacing to stare out the window.
     “Just relax, Luke, if something happens we’ll deal with it, just every other time.” Bo said.
     “I’d rather know about a problem before it actually becomes a problem and deal with it.” Luke said.
Bo frowned slightly. “I just wish we could relax for once ever since … well we just ain’t had time to relax.”
     “I know, don’t worry like you said it’s probably nothing and if it is something I’ll deal with it.” Luke said.
     “We will deal with it together.” Bo said.
     “Yeah, whatever.” Luke said, though if it was anything major there was no way he’d place Bo’s life in danger, he would deal with the problem on his own.
     “I’m serious, Luke. If there is a problem we will deal with it together. I am not going to make you deal with it on your own … anymore then you’d leave me alone to deal with a problem.” Bo said, in a voice that showed he’d have no further argument on the subject.
Luke just nodded, knowing it’d do no good to argue the point with Bo, besides that he didn’t really feel like fighting with his younger cousin. Bo just accepted Luke’s nod at face value and dropped the issue, and turned the radio on, fiddle with it until he found a station that he liked. Luke stared out the window for several minutes, when his crow came and landed on a low branch of the tree in front of the cabin.
     “Bo, I have to take care of something. Just stay here and wait okay?” Luke said, turning to look at his cousin.
     “I’d rather go with you.” Bo said.
     “Well you ain’t, you are staying here.” Luke said in a firm voice. “This is just something I have to take care of on my own.”
     “But …” Bo started to argue but Luke cut him off.
     “No buts about it. I have to deal with this on my own, Bo. Don’t worry I won’t be gone for very long, I’ll be back before you even know that I am gone.”
Bo wanted to argue but he knew there was nothing he could say to change Luke’s mind. “Okay, just please be careful, Luke.”
     “Always am.” Luke said, and headed for the door. He paused when he was halfway out, and looked at Bo again. “You don’t have to worry, I’ll be okay, and I promise I won’t be gone for long.”
     “Okay.” Bo said, though he couldn’t help but worry, as Luke left shutting the door behind him.
The bird looked at Luke intently then gave a loud caw then flew away, and Luke knew to follow the crow as it was leading him to something.
     Twenty minutes had passed since Luke had left and Bo was nervously pacing around the cabin, wishing he had convinced Luke to let him go with him, now there was nothing to do but wait impatiently for Luke to return. Bo heard the door bang open and turned around, expecting to see Luke there, his face paled when he saw it wasn’t Luke – it was the last person he had ever expected to see in Hazzard ever again, Artemis Cyrier.
     “You … “ Bo started to say to angry to finish the sentence, glancing around for something he could use as a weapon.
     “Just calm down, blondie.” Artemis said, slowly approaching the young man.
     “What are you doin’ back here?” Bo asked nervously.
     “I returned to finish what I started. I heard that your dear cousin Luke has risen from the dead. I came to send him back.” Artemis said.
     “I won’t let you take Luke away from me again.” Bo said venomously.
     “I don’t intend to, I intend to send you away with him.”
Bo’s eyes flashed with anger and he lunged at the man who stood before him, the man who had murdered his cousin in cold blood. Artemis was prepared for the attack and grabbed Bo’s wrist, as Bo tried to throw a punch, he twisted Bo’s arm and spun the younger man around, holding Bo’s arm behind his back. Artemis shoved Bo roughly against the wall, effectively pinning him.
     “Let go.” Bo said as he struggled vainly.
     “Not a chance.” Artemis said, using his free hand to pull a small bottle of chloroform and a cloth from the pocket of his jacket.
     “You’ll be sorry when Luke catches you.” Bo said, wishing that Luke would show up that second.
     “I can’t wait until he does and I get to kill him again.” Artemis said, soaking the cloth thoroughly in chloroform.
     “Not a chance you have no idea …” Bo started to say but his sentence was cut short as Artemis slipped the clot over Bo'’ mouth and nose.
     “Goodnight, plowboy.” Artemis said laughingly, as Bo’s body went limp.
Artemis tucked everything back into his pocket, and flung Bo over his shoulder and walked out of the cabin, noticing the hidden orange racing car. Artemis set Bo down on the ground, none to kindly and uncovered the General. He smiled when he noticed the keys were in the ignition, he reached into the car and snatched the keys. Artemis unlocked the trunk, then stepped back over to where he had set Bo down, and roughly picked up the younger man. Artemis laughed to himself about the irony of the situation, taking this Duke boy to a hide out in their own car just like he had last time, only this time he would be the one driving. He threw Bo, roughly, into the trunk and slammed it shut, his insane laughter echoing through the quietness of the woods. Artemis climbed into the General and started the engine and sped away from the cabin.
     Luke followed the bird, which was as black as moonless night, through the thick woods of Hazzard. The crow finally landed a top a black car with heavily tinted windows, it stared intently at Luke and gave one, high pitched, caw. Luke walked over to the car and slowly opened the door, finding that the car was deserted. He quietly slid into the car, immediately noticing the cut out article with the scissors rammed through it, and the seat beneath. He could tell exactly what the article was, without having to read it and it sent a shiver down his spine. He slowly reached out to touch the scissors, not really wanting to but at the same time feeling compelled to do so. Luke closed his hand around the top of the scissors and a feeling like a jolt of electricity tore through his whole body, and he jerked back slightly closing his eyes. A scene played out in front of his as though someone had turned a movie projector, only this was something that had real happened. Luke could see the cabin where he and Bo were staying, and saw his younger cousin pacing nervously, without warning, Artemis suddenly appear, still Luke remained frozen as a silent spectator of events he couldn’t do anything to stop, events that had already taken place.  He could hear Artemis’s threatening words as he attacked Bo, over powering the younger man. He saw Artemis find the hidden orange racing car, locking Bo in the trunk and speeding away. The last thing he saw wasn’t very clear, and was like trying to look through a dense fog, all he could manage to make out was a view out across one of Hazzard’s many ponds, then the vision was gone as quick as it had came on.
     Luke held on to the scissors a moment longer hoping to see more as to where that insane madman had taken his younger cousin, but nothing came. Luke sighed and looked around the car for more clues.
     ‘If this was that lunatic’s car why did he leave it here?’ Luke asked himself, then noticed the gas meter, the needle resting on the large E. “Ran out of gas?” Luke wondered out loud.
Luke noticed the keys still hung from their place in the ignition and he attempted to start the car, it coughed and sputtered once, refusing to turn over then just kicked out. He continued to look around the car for any clues as to where Artemis had possibly taken Bo, but it seemed the car was basically empty. Luke ran his hand underneath the front seat, his hand gliding over something that felt like a book. Luke pulled out the book and looked it, nothing about the book seemed odd looking at the simple blue cover, it looked like a typical scrap book, bought at any corner store, however something felt very different, very wrong about the book to Luke. Luke opened the book slowly and his eyes widened as he flipped through the pages, all articles on unsolved murders – and Luke caught glimpses of each one and knew the killer in each case had been Artemis Cyrier. Luke tossed the book down, with increased worry about Bo’s safety, Artemis was a cold blood, unstable murderer who wouldn’t think twice about killing again unless he was able to stop him. Luke cursed under his breath and slapped the steering wheel hard, before sliding out of the car.
     Luke started at the crow, which still sat perched atop of the abandoned black car.
     “Alright you ‘wise’ old bird where’s Bo?” Luke said coldly, after all it was that bird who had led him out here, away from Bo allowing Artemis to kidnap him – or worse.
The bird looked at Luke for moment, remaining motionless before it cawed and flew off leading Luke through the thick woods to an unknown destination.
     Bo slowly began to wake up, feeling groggy and disconnected, for a moment he forgot what had happen the second he remembered his heart began to pound in fear. Bo could feel cold damp mud beneath his body, and against the side of his face, as he lay on his stomach, and tried to struggle but found his efforts to be futile, his hands were tied securely behind his back and his feet were tightly bound together.
    Artemis saw Bo’s movements and walked over to the younger blonde man. “About time you woke up, boy.”
Bo snapped his head up at the sound of Artemis’s voice, and tried to look at the older man. “You won’t get away with this. Luke’ll find you…”
Artemis cut Bo’s sentence. “That’s exactly what I’m planning on.”
     “Well then you don’t make good plans because you have no idea what you are dealing with.” Bo said.
Artemis walked over and placed a foot between Bo’s shoulder blades, causing Bo to give a slight moan of discomfort. “Don’t matter I will win. I always win.”
     “Not this time.” Bo mumbled, almost too quietly to be heard but still Artemis heard him.
     “Don’t cross me, boy.” Artemis threatened coldly. “Or I’ll kill you before your dear undead cousin shows up.”
     “You’ll be sorry you ever came back to Hazzard when Luke gets here.”
Artemis leaned down, placing more weight onto Bo’s back, and grabbed a handful of Bo’s hair and yanked Bo’s head backwards roughly. Bo gave a cry of pain, unable to break away from Artemis’s rough hold, fearing that Artemis was going to break his neck right then and there.
     “Do you still fear death?” Artemis asked.
     “No.” Bo replied in a quiet voice, even though he really wasn’t positive of his answer. Part of him was afraid to die, but he knew in death he wouldn’t be alone, and possibly there, in whatever existed on a level beyond mortal life, he and Luke couldn’t be separated ever again.
     “Oh really …” Artemis scoffed, “I think you are very afraid.”
     “Not as afraid as you’ll be when Luke gets here.” Bo said, his voice was still quiet, because the pressure on his neck, from how Artemis was holding him, but was assured. “I don’t know how you found where we was, but it’ll be the worst mistake you ever made.”
     “I found you purely by skill.” Artemis lied, actually it had been dumb luck, he had just been looking for a second car after foolishly running out of gas with his, it had merely been like fate to find Bo hide out in that cabin. “And it definitely wasn’t the worst mistake I ever made, that’s more on your part for getting yourself caught … again.”
     “When Luke gets here he’ll wipe that smug look off your face and you’ll be cowering before him.” Bo said, smiling at the thought of that, his voice was still surprising calm, which only served to agitated Artemis further.
Artemis’s eyes flashed with rage at Bo’s back talk, he let go of the handful of Bo’s hair he had been holding then shoved the younger man’s head down forcefully. Bo’s was fortunate that ground, upon which he lay, was soft and muddy, otherwise, in the ground had been solid, the force in which Artemis had shoved his head may nearly have cracked his skull open. Instead his face just sank into the mud, and even though Artemis could’ve suffocated Bo in the mud, he didn’t. Bo lifted his head slightly, pulling his face from the mud, his eyes closed to avoid getting mud in them, he was starting to fear that this time Luke wouldn’t get there in time, after all he had no idea where Luke had even gone. Artemis removed his foot off of Bo’s back and leaned against a nearby tree smiling smugly, thinking he’d finally got his way and the blonde Duke boys would finally shut up and cower before him – just like he had the last time.
     “You have no idea what you are dealing with.” Bo said quietly.
     “Well, then why don’t you inform me.” Artemis said, figuring Bo was just blowing smoke because Bo was so scared to die that Bo thought he possibly could freak him out.
     “You’ll find out soon enough.” Bo responded evenly.
     “Before or after you are dead?” Artemis asked coldly.
     “Doesn’t matter … either way Luke’ll deal with you all the same, the latter will just be harder on you.” Bo replied calmly and so positive that it actually sent a shiver through Artemis, which Artemis was none too pleased about.
     “Be silent, boy, or I’ll silence you forever.” Artemis threatened coldly.
     “Can’t handle the truth?” Bo asked in an almost casual voice.
A fiery anger arose in Artemis’s eyes, and his jaw tightened, Bo flinched as Artemis kicked him, solidly, in the side. “Nobody disrespects me and lives.” Artemis said in nearly a growl, as he kicked Bo again.
Bo bite his bottom lip to keep from crying out in pain as Artemis kicked him several times, though couldn’t help but cry out as he felt one of his ribs break, even Artemis heard it snap and he stood back gloating as he looked down at Bo. Bo drew a deep breath, once the beating had ceased, which caused him to cough in pain – which only made it hurt even more, and earn laughter from Artemis.
    Artemis’s mind was whirl with all the ways he could possibly take Bo’s life yet another life that he held in his hands his decision when Bo’s life would end and Bo’s life would end. To Artemis being able to decide on such was like a glorious power to him that to him made him feel like a god. Artemis couldn’t decided yet if he wanted Bo to be alive when his cousin finally came charging to the rescue, like the cavalry, or if he should merely kill Bo now, before Luke could show up to taunt the older Duke boy with like a trophy, he figured either way could prove to be fun. He knew he probably didn’t have too much longer if he wanted to kill Bo before Luke showed up, enough time had been wasted already, and there was no telling when that undead Duke boy might appear.
    Luke followed the crow, fearful that he would already be too late to save Bo that Artemis had already taken his younger cousin’s life. Even though he was running he still felt like he was virtually standing still, he couldn’t seem to be able to get to Bo quick enough. Luke knew that Artemis was mentally unstable, Artemis was a cold hearted and ice ran through the older man’s vein. Luke tried to keep his mind off of these things and just focus on finding Bo, trying hard to push the thought from his mind that he could already be too late – if that was the case he’d make Artemis pay ten fold for his crimes. Another thought that entered his mind was, what if the crow wasn’t leading him to Bo, he was going on blind faith that this black bird was leading him to his cousin, and leading him in the other direction, or to something ‘it’ felt was more important. This seemed to be a wild goose chase across the county and as of yet there was still no sign of Bo.
    Artemis finally made his decision, a sinister smile spread across his face as he bent down to grab Bo firmly by the back of the neck. Artemis planned on killing Bo before Luke arrived, wanting to see the lock of horror on the eldest cousin’s face when he finally arrived and saw his dead cousin draped over the hood of the hideous orange racing car, that insanely enough they had named, dead eyes wide and glassy staring at the living, or undead, Duke like a sentry.
    “Let me go you psychopath.” Bo said, trying to sound, but his fear made his voice tremble slightly.
    “Shut up, boy, or your death will be painful.” Artemis growled.
Bo struggled in a vain attempt to escape, but his wrists and ankles were bound to tight to give him much movement, and Artemis’s grip was too tight to break away from. Bo’s heart pounded in his chest, causing his ears to throb with each beat, to Bo it sounded so loud that he was sure Artemis could hear it, but the older couldn’t hear Bo’s racing heart he still could see Bo’s fear clearly. Artemis drug Bo to the edge of Sunset Pond, the water glistened in the sun, the water was motionless, giving a false impression that the pond was covered in ice.
     “LET GO OF ME!” Bo yelled loudly, praying that somebody would hear him and rescue him – even if it wasn’t Luke and just a citizen on Hazzard who had come down to the pond to do a little fishing. However, there seemed nobody to respond to Bo’s cry for help.
    “I told you to shut up, plowboy.” Artemis said angrily, and punched Bo in the back of the head as a reminder of who was in charge.
Bo gave a soft moan of pain, as he nearly passed out from the force of the blow, barely managing to stay awake. Artemis shoved Bo down to the ground, and knelt with one knee between Bo’s shoulder blades. He grabbed a handful of Bo’s thick blonde hair, making Bo wince in pain as his head was roughly yanked backwards.
     “Time for you to die.” Artemis said, and before Bo had a moment to react shoved Bo’s face below the surface of the water.
Bo kicked and struggled, as he tried to break away from the hold Artemis had on the back of his head. Bo hadn’t had time to get his breath before Artemis had plunged his face beneath the surface and it didn’t take long for his lungs to ache in need for oxygen. Artemis could feel the younger man’s struggles growing weaker, and grinned, an evil, triumphant grin.
     Luke reached the clearing, beside the pond, and saw Artemis holding his cousin’s head beneath the surface of the still water. The world seemed to freeze for a moment as he recalled the vision he had, when regaining his strength and what the ‘child’ had told him, “What you saw before you can’t allow to happen again, water may not always be frozen but one can always slip below the surface and be trapped beneath it, without the ice holding them down”, what he didn’t understand before he completely understood now and prayed he wasn’t already too late.  Anger flashed through Luke’s light blue eyes, and his face changed into ‘crow’ form. In a blink of an eye he closed the distance that remained between him and Artemis and Bo. Artemis didn’t even hear Luke approaching, his attention focused on the young man, whose life he was taking. Luke did a flying kick, landing a solid kick against Artemis’s side, knocking the older man off Bo. Luke quickly pulled Bo out of the water, pulling him away from the edge of the pond and laying Bo on his back. Artemis rolled over, with a stunned expression and just looked quietly at Luke for a moment, even though he had read Luke had returned from the dead it was a little unnerving to see someone he had killed up and walking about.
Bo coughed and slowly opened his eyes, “I knew you would save me.” Bo said quietly.
     “Of course.”
     “Thanks, Luke.”
Luke just nodded and stood up, turning to face Artemis, who had gotten to his feet.
     “Halloween ain’t for long time, no need for a costume.” Artemis said.
     “Who said is a ‘costume.’” Luke said in a low, dark voice, walking slowly towards Artemis.
     “You are suppose to be dead. I killed you.” Artemis said.
     “And I came back.”
Artemis swallowed hard, he didn’t like confrontations that he didn’t have the upper hand in, he liked his victims helpless and unable to fight back.
     “Time for the next round of our fight.” Luke said stopping inches in front of the older man. “Time for you to pay for all you have done.”
Artemis swung blindly at Luke. Luke grabbed Artemis’s fist and squeezed it, hard, feeling bones in Artemis’s hand snap under the pressure. Artemis screamed in pain as Luke broke his hand, recalling the fight he had been in with Luke at the town’s roadhouse and how out matched he had been then – and the ‘undead’ Duke seemed several times stronger now. Luke let go of Artemis’s hand and the older man scrambled back a couple feet, holding his injured hand tightly to his body.
     “I killed you before … I’ll kill you again.” Artemis said, though his voice betrayed his lack of confidence.
     “Last time I was in chains, unable to fight back. Just like all of your victims always have been.” Luke said.
     “I KILLED YOU! YOU’RE SUPPOSE TO BE DEAD!” Artemis yelled.
     “People have a way of returning from the land of the dead.” Luke said in such an icy voice that it gave Artemis shivers.
     “I can kill you again … you and your cousin.” Artemis said, trying to sound threatening and in control but it came out more like desperation to buy an escape.
     “Not this time.”
     “You’ll be the one dying a painful death this time.” Bo said, from where he now stood a couple feet behind Luke, after he managed to at least loosen the ropes around his ankles, though his hands were still bound.
Artemis tried to make a lunge around Luke to get at the blonde Duke cousin, he figured he could at least take him out – he had an advantage over Bo.  Luke grabbed Artemis before he could even get in a few feet of Bo and roughly slammed Artemis against a tree, knocking the wind out of him. Artemis struggled desperately to escape, though any, and all, of his attempts were to get away from Luke were futile. Luke punched Artemis in the stomach with several quick hard blows. Artemis coughed as he tried to catch his breath in between his hit. Luke’s eyes were dark with rage and he didn’t give Artemis time to recover at all as he continued with the beating, punching the older man in the jaw so hard that Artemis saw black stars dancing in front of his eyes and was nearly knocked unconscious. Luke punched Artemis again smiling in satisfaction as he felt Artemis’s nose break. Artemis gave a cry of pain as blood streamed from his nostrils, down his face. Terror now shone in the older man’s eyes as he sensed his approaching death. A voice in the back of Luke’s mind sounded, ‘you kill him he could return as a snake … there is another way, a better way.’ Luke stopped and let go of Artemis, the older man slumped to the ground.
     “What are you doing, Luke? Kill him.” Bo said.
     “If I kill him he may return as a snake.” Luke said.
     “So he just gets to get away with what he did?” Bo asked.
Artemis grinned evilly as he listened to the conversation, knowing he’d be free to try again, or simply go back to find his victims the way he always had in the past, though his smile faltered slightly at Luke’s next reply.
     “There is other another way, one that will make him wish he were dead.”
Bo looked at Luke questioningly. Luke knelt down in front of Artemis and placed his hands on the sides of the older man’s face, placing his thumbed over Artemis’s closed eyes. Artemis’s heart began to race faster in panic, what was this ‘undead’ Duke going to do to him.
     “I give you the pain of each of your victim’s death, the pain those who lost them felt.” Luke said coldly, his hands were like ice and flowed with an unseen energy.
Artemis screamed as the pain of each death, all the pain, he had caused flowed into his body at first his scream was loud then it gradually grew into an agonized whimper. Moments later, Luke released his hold on Artemis, who slumped to ground making low, quiet whimpering noises, pulling himself into a fetal position.
     Luke’s face returned to normal, and he stood up turning around to face Bo.
     “What … what did you do to him?” Bo asked, as Luke took his pocketknife, to cut the ropes that still held his hand bound behind his back.
Luke turned Bo slightly, answering as he cut away the ropes. “I gave the pain all his victims have felt at the time of their deaths and the pain of people like who that lost people they cared about.”
     “Oh.” Bo said, not really understanding, facing Luke again and rubbing his aching wrists. “I don’t get why you couldn’t just kill him.”
     “He was evil, if killed him there was a chance that he could come back as a snake and cause a lot more harm, and death.” Luke said.
     “I guess that makes sense … he’d be like that other guy you saved me from was like, right?”
     “Exactly.” Luke said.
     “So I guess it’s a good thing that you didn’t kill him.” Bo said.
Luke nodded. “Let’s go call Rosco, have him come get Artemis, he’ll be more then willing to admit to every murder he has committed.”
     “So he will still be brought to justice for all his crimes.” Bo said.
     “Yeah, he will.”
Bo and Luke walked over to the where the General was parked, there was no need for their of them to watch Artemis to be sure he didn’t escape, as the older man was in condition to do anything but lie there. Bo reached into the car and grabbed the CB.
     “Bo Duke calling Sheriff Rosco.” Bo said, they knew there was a chance other ears would be listening to the conversation though doubted anyone would bother them.
A moment later Rosco replied. “This is Sheriff Rosco P Coltrane, what can I do for you.”
     “Don’t say it over the CB have him come here.” Luke told Bo.
     “Could you come on out to Sunset Pond, by the old cabin.”
     “I know the place. I’ll be there in two shakes of lambs tail.”
     “Thanks, Rosco.”
     “I’m gone.” Rosco said.
 Bo laid across the hood of the bright orange car, and Luke leaned against the car next to him, as they waited for Rosco, talking to each other, but not about what had happened, just mere casual talk. Ten minutes later Rosco arrived, parking his patrol car a few feet away from the General and getting out.
     “Hey boys, what’s the trouble?” Rosco asked, all the old animosity that ever existed, even though most the hot purists were for ‘fun’, was gone and the old sheriff was showing how he once been one of the best.
     “The guy who … killed Luke came back.” Bo said quietly.
     “What? I thought low down pole cat was long gone, when I get my hands on him …” Rosco started but Luke cut the sheriff’s ranting short.
     “I already took care of him.” Luke said.
     “Did you kill him?” Rosco asked, in a quiet voice.
     “No, but I am sure he wishes I did.” Luke said. “He’s over there.” Luke motioned where Artemis lay on the ground.
     “I’ll cuff him and stuff him.” Rosco said, slowly and nervously walking over to Artemis, Bo and Luke followed behind Rosco. “What did you do to him?”
     “Gave him all the pain of his victims ...” Luke started, when Rosco interrupted him.
     “What do you mean victims was there others, this skunk has killed?”
     “Yeah, he has killed others before me.” Luke said. “I gave him all that pain and the pain those that lost those they cared about felt.”
     “You mean like Bo’s pain?” Rosco asked.
     “Yes, Rosco, that’s what he means.” Bo said.
     “Oh, well that’s a goody goody he deserves to know what all the suffering he caused so many feels like.” Rosco said as he cuffed Artemis.
     “And now he does, and he will face justice for his crimes. He will be willing to admit to each murder he committed just to try to ease his own suffering.” Luke said.
Luke helped Rosco haul Artemis to his feet, having to drag him over to the patrol car.
     “Are you both okay?” Rosco asked once they had Artemis locked in the back of the patrol car.
     “Yeah, I am fine thanks to Luke rescuing me once again.” Bo said.
     “Again?” Rosco asked.
     “Yeah, he found me, took me by surprise and knocked me out, and brought me here, he was going to kill him, he tried to drown me.” Bo said.
     “Oh, that’s terrible.” Rosco said, feeling bad for the youngest Duke.
Bo shrugged. “I guess but I knew Luke would rescue me.” He said with a smile.
     “Well of course he would.” Rosco said, and glanced at Luke. “Are you okay?”
     “Yeah, perfectly fine. Just relieved that Bo is okay.”
Rosco nodded in understand. “Well, I gotta go stuff this polecat.”
     “Thanks Rosco.” Bo said.
     “Just doing my job.” Rosco said and climbed in behind the wheel of his car, Bo and Luke stepped back and Rosco sped away.
     The two cousins headed over to the car, Bo suddenly stopped and looked at Luke, his dark blue eyes filled with worry.
     “What happens now?” Bo asked quietly.
     “What do you mean?”
     “I mean … you came back because of … because of what he did, because you couldn’t. But all of that is over now … it’s over and I’m afraid I’m gonna lose you.” Bo said, his voice cracked and trembled at several moments as his emotions bubbled to the surface.
Luke could see tears starting to form in Bo’s eyes and stepped in front of him, placing his hands on his cousin’s shoulders.     “Don’t worry about it, Bo.”
     “I can’t help but worry … I don’t want to lose you. I am worried now that all … what happened to bring you back is over … that you’ll go away.” Bo said, trying hard to keep the tears from flowing, but it was like trying to keep the sun from rising, the tears slowly coursed down his cheeks.
     “I ain’t leaving you.” Luke said reassuringly.
     “You ain’t?” Luke asked, both hopefully and doubtfully at the same time.
     “I am not leaving, not yet. Whatever I have to do before my soul is allowed to rest hasn’t been taken care of, I believe there is still more I have to do.” Luke said.
     “So you are staying with me? For how long?” Bo asked.
     “I don’t know for how long, Bo, only time will tell, but yes I am staying with you.”
Bo wrapped his arms around Luke in a brotherly way, holding his best friend close, to assure himself that Luke really was still there with him. He rested his head against Luke’s shoulder as the last of his tears dried away. Luke returned the hug, reassure Bo that everything would be alright.
Bo stepped back a moment later, wiping his drying tears off his cheek with the cuff of his shirt. “Thanks, Luke, for rescuing me and staying with me.”
Luke smiled at his younger cousin. “Of course, Bo, now let’s go back to our place.”
Bo nodded, the smile on his face, and joy that shone in his eyes made it appear as though he hadn’t been upset only a few moments ago. Bo jumped in through the driver’s side window of the orange car revving the engine to life as his older cousin climbed into the car next to him. Bo gave a loud yeehaw as he pushed the accelerator to the floor taking off with a squeal of tires and cloud of dust, speeding back towards the cabin he and Luke now called home.