Luke stood outside the farmhouse watching the sun slowly rising over the horizon. He sighed and let the peacefulness of the morning fill him, knowing the peace wouldn't last long. The flimsy screen door of the old farmhouse creaked opened, breaking the silence of the early morning. Jesse came walking out of the house to collect eggs, he smiled at his nephew.
     "Morning Uncle Jesse." Luke said.
     "Good Morning, you're up early." Jesse said.
     "Yeah I couldn't sleep." Luke said.
     "I don't think any of us really slept last night." Jesse said, in an almost sad tone.
Jesse was worried about Luke, because that afternoon, at four o' clock Luke was leaving for Nahum. He had joined the Marines, a week after his eighteenth birthday, to fight in the name of his country. Jesse collected the eggs then went back inside to start to prepare a large country breakfast.
     Daisy woke up a few minutes later and helped Jesse cook breakfast. She went and called Luke for breakfast.
     "Hey Luke breakfasts ready." Daisy said.
     Luke walked inside and sat down at the table across from Daisy. Jesse came walking back into the kitchen, after calling Bo for breakfast and sat down at the end of the table. A couple moments later Bo came walking into the kitchen. He sat down and ran his fingers through his thick blonde hair. He slumped down in his chair. Normally Jesse would scold him for slouching in his chair but he ignored it this time, because he knew it was hard on Bo that Luke was leaving. Bo was only fourteen, and was having the most trouble dealing with the fact that Luke was leaving. They had always been so close and did everything together, Bo thought of Luke more as an older brother then a cousin.
     Later that day Luke went into the bedroom that he and Bo shared to pack his duffel bag to leave. Bo was laying on his bed facing the wall.
     "I'm not going to be gone forever you know, I'll be back." Luke said.
Bo didn't respond or even turn to look at Luke.
     "Bo, c'mon don't be mad. I will be back. I am not leaving forever." Luke said.
This time Bo sat up and turned to face Luke. "Four years is a long time, and that is if you don't get killed."
     "I am not going to get killed." Luke said.
     "How do you know that?" Bo said questioningly. "It is war Luke, it is not certain."
Luke sighed and went over and sat on the edge of the bed next to Bo. This was what bothered him the most about leaving, he hated the thought of leaving Bo alone. They had always been extremely close, Luke knew that it was hard on Bo that he was leaving for four years. He knew that Bo kind of depended on him on him. Bo told him stuff that he told nobody else and was always open with Luke.
      "I promise not to get killed. I will come back." Luke said putting an arm around Bo's shoulder.
Bo bit his bottom lip to keep the tears he felt burning in his eyes from flowing. He was silent for a moment then softly mumbled.  "Four years is a long time."
     "I know it is." Luke said in agreement. "This is just something I feel I have to do. So please don't hate me for leaving."
     "I don't hate you. I just hate that you are leaving." Bo said.
     The Dukes went to the train station. Luke checked his bags in then said his last good byes.
     "I'll write whenever I can." Luke said.
     "Take care." Jesse said, and hugged his nephew goodbye.
     "Be careful." Daisy said, then hugged him good bye.
Bo stood staring down at the ground. Luke walked over and stood in front of him. Bo looked up at Luke saying nothing. Though Luke understood why Bo was silent. Luke gave Bo a brotherly hug, which Bo returned.
     "Stay out of trouble." Luke said jokingly to Bo.
Bo smiled slightly, though the smile wasn't reflect in his eyes, in his eyes there was only sadness.
     The next couple of months passed slowly at the Duke's house. Each day seemed and eternity to Bo. Without Luke being around Bo felt completely alone. He spent the days doing his chores around the farm and just sitting around lost in his own thoughts. Daisy and Jesse thought that Bo just needed some time alone to deal with Luke not being around, but they were really beginning to worry about him.  Bo seemed to grow more depressed with each passing day. Once school started they thought that Bo might start to get over his depression, but it was no help. Bo remained just as quiet as he had all summer not talking to anyone or doing much of anything.
     It was a crisp fall day, the weather was still nice especially since it was mid November.  Daisy was staying a friends house for the weekend. Bo was sitting outside on the porch staring out across the farm yard, his eyes looked lost in thought. Jesse was feeding the animals he looked worriedly at Bo. He had thought by now that Bo would've started to get over the fact that Luke wasn't around. He partly understood why it was so hard on him for Luke to be gone. He knew that the boys were the best of friends, they did almost everything together, it was rare to see one without the other even for a second. They had both lost so much already in their short lives. They had lost their parents, even though they were both very young he knew the fact they had died was hard on them at times. He knew that Bo was afraid of losing to, he knew that, Bo feared Luke was going to die while he was off at war, as they all did. They had received a couple letters since Luke had left, though they always came so long after he had written them they still worried that something could've happened between when he wrote it and they received it.
     Jesse went up and sat on the porch next to Bo.
     "Bo." Jesse said softly.
Bo turned to face him, saying nothing.
     "I know that you are upset that Luke is gone, however you have to get on with your life. You can't spend the next four years just sitting around the farm, being depressed." Jesse said.
Bo didn't say anything, he turned away from Jesse and stared back out across the farm yard. Jesse sighed and put his arm around his nephews shoulder. They stayed sitting on the porch until the sunset slowly over the horizon.
     The next morning Jesse woke up shortly after dawn. He was surprised to see that Bo was already awake. Bo was outside finishing up his daily chores. Jesse went into town to pick up a few supplies. Bo took out a piece of paper, and a pen and sat down at the table. He stared blankly at the piece of paper for a moment. He took a deep breath then started to write.

Uncle Jesse,

 I know what you said about getting on with my life, but that is not something that I can do. I just can't do it, I have tried I just can't. I am sorry but this is the only way I can deal with this. I am sorry for any pain that the action I plan on taking causes you and Daisy. I do love the both of you, but with Luke gone. I know that he'll never come back. Just like my parents never back. Bye now.

Bo

Bo folded the note in half and wrote Jesse's name on the front and set it on the middle of the table. He felt tears brimming his eyes, he brushed them away then walked outside. The flimsy screen door banging in the wind.
     Bo walked down along the back dirt roads of Hazzard. To the old bridge on Route-. He climbed over the railing of the bridge and stood on the edge for a moment looking down at the creek. As usual the creek was running quite shallow. Bo smiled then closed his eyes and jumped from the bridge. He struck his head on the bridge as he plummeted off the bridge.
      A passing car saw what was happening, and pulled over to the side of the road. A man and a woman got out of the car. The man ran down the embankment to the creek, and carefully picked up Bo's unconscious form and carried him up to the car. The woman helped him put Bo into the car, then they sped towards Tri-County hospital.
     Jesse arrived back home, he went inside and started to put away the supplies that he had bought in town. He wondered where Bo was, that is when he saw the note on the table. He nervously picked up the note and unfolded it and read the note. Jesse had to steady himself on the table to keep from falling, his legs felt like they were going to give out from under him. He stared at the note with disbelief, he couldn't believe what he was read.  Jesse was pulled out of his thoughts by the phone ring. He slowly walked over to the phone and picked it up.
     "Hello?" Jesse said.
     "Is this Mr. Jesse Duke?" the voice on the other end asked.
     "Yes." Jesse responded, fear it was news that Bo had been found dead clenched his heart.
     "Mr. Duke this is Dr. Parker at Tri-County Hospital. I am calling to tell that Bo Duke was brought in today at around one." Dr. Parker said.
     "Is he . . .?" Jesse started to ask but found that he couldn't bring himself to say the word.
     "No. He suffered from a blow to the head and has a concussion, and unfortunately as slipped into a comma. He also has three broken ribs and several cuts and bruises." Dr. Parker said.
     "He will be okay though, right?" Jesse asked, his voice fraught with worry.
     "It's too soon to tell, he'll have a better chance once he wakes up. Dr. Parker said.
     "I'll be there right away." Jesse said.
     Jesse decided not to call Daisy right away. He figured there was no sense in worrying her, and there was nothing she could do right now. Jesse sped to the hospital. He went into Bo's room and sat down at his bed side. Bo looked so small and frail all hooked up to the machines. Jesse felt a couple tears slide down his cheeks. He sat by Bo's bed side. He picked up, and held one of Bo's hand between his. He found it so hard to believe that Bo had tired to end his life. He sighed.
     "Bo, it's Uncle Jesse, can you hear me?" he questioned softly to Bo's still form. Only the beeping of the machines answered his question. "Bo you have to wake up. You can not just give up."
Jesse was silent for a couple moments not really knowing what to say to his youngest nephew.
     "Bo wake up. That is a order." Jesse said he tried to sound demanding but his voice sounded more afraid of losing Bo then as though he were giving him an order.
     Jesse stayed the night by Bo's bedside. The next morning he went to pick up Daisy from her friends house. He drove back towards the hospital telling Daisy what had happened. Daisy sat silently in shock that Bo had tried to commit suicide. They both sat silently in Bo's hospital room, by Bo's bed. Daisy sat holding Bo's hand. Seeing her younger cousin laying there in the hospital bed, made tears from in her eyes. She tried to be brave and to not cry, but she couldn't stop the tears, they started to gently streak her cheeks.
     "Bo c'mon cousin you can't give up. You can't leave us." Daisy said pleadingly, "Please." she added softly then buried her head against Jesse's shoulder and cried.
     Bo woke up the next day, and was released from the hospital. The doctor gave Jesse painkillers to give to Bo, whenever he needed them. Bo seemed to have became even more quiet and withdrawn then he had been before. Jesse and Daisy tried desperately to help Bo, but all their efforts were in vain. Nothing they did seemed to help Bo. He only seemed to grow more depressed with each passing day.
     Christmas arrived, it seemed odd that Luke was not home, and with everything that was going on with Bo none of the Dukes were in much of a mood to celebrate Christmas. Bo seemed even more depressed the entire holiday season. Come January things came to a head with Bo, and were fixing to take a turn for the worst.
     Bo wandered along the back roads of Hazzard, not really going any place in particular. He should've been school right now, but he didn't care. He hated going to school. He stopped in front of Hazzard pond. He picked up a stone and skipped it across the waters glimmering surface. He watched as the stone gracefully skipped several feet before finally plunging below the waters surface.
     Bo heard someone approaching from behind. He turned around quickly. He saw a couple that he had never seen before standing there, dressed in long black cloaks. They appeared to be in their mid thirties both had jet black hair and deep green eyes.
     "Are y'all lost?" Bo asked.
     "No. But you appear to be." Katrina said.
Bo shrugged.
     "We can help you. We can bring you to a place were you belong." Gerik said.
     "Yeah and where would that be?" Bo asked.
     "Into our family." Katrina said.
Bo looked at her with a puzzled expression.
     "Nobody understands you, do they?" Katrina asked.
Bo looked away from a moment then back to Katrina. "No not really."
     "You feel that you are trapped alone in this world, I can see it in your eyes." Katrina said.
     "Yeah. Ever since Luke went off to war." Bo said. "How do you know all this?"
     "We just know." Gerik responded.
     "Come join our family, of the blood stone." Katrina said.
     "I don't know." Bo said.
Katrina smiled softly at Bo and walked over and stood before him. She gently placed her hand against his cheek. "I can tell that you are hurting. We offer you help. You won't be alone anymore. We are offering you somewhere that you will fir in. Surrounded by others just like you."
Bo thought about it for a moment then nodded. Katrina smiled then walked back over and stood by Gerik.
     "Come along with us my child, we will take you to your new home." Gerik said.
Bo walked over and stood by them, then followed them away from the pond.
     It had grown late Jesse sat awake by the fireplace still waiting for Bo to come home. He had started to worry soon as it had started to grow dark. He had called the sheriff. Rosco said that he couldn't file a missing person report unless Bo was gone for twenty-four hours but that he would keep and eye out for him. Every sound that he heard outside keep him awake, praying each time that it was Bo. At around three that morning he fell asleep.
     The next morning Daisy got up and saw Jesse asleep in the chair. She walked past quietly, trying not to wake him. Jesse heard noises coming from the kitchen and woke up. He walked into the kitchen and saw Daisy preparing breakfast.
     "Good morning Daisy." Jesse said.
     "Morning Uncle Jesse." Daisy said. She could still see the worry in his eyes about Bo. "Bo didn't come last night did he?"
Jesse shook his head.
     "I'm sure he's fine Uncle Jesse." Daisy said trying to reassure not only him but herself.
     Daisy went to school, though she was to worried about Bo to pay any attention in class. She was on her lunch break when she saw Bo. She smiled happily and rushed over to him.
     "Bo!" she yelled at to try to get his attention.
Bo acted as though he didn't even hear her and started to walk away with a small group of people, that Daisy didn't really recognize. She went to go after him but lost site of where he went.
     After school she sat at the kitchen table with Jesse telling him about seeing Bo. Then Bo came walking inside he walked past them and to his bedroom, ignoring them as he walked past. Jesse and Daisy followed him.
     "Bo, we have to talk." Jesse said.
     "I don't want to talk." Bo said flatly, as he started to remove all the pictures from the walls, tossing them into a box that sat on the floor.
     "Bo . . ." Jesse started to say.
     "I said I don't want to talk." Bo said harshly.
Jesse and Daisy looked at each other both shocked by his harsh tone, neither of them could ever remember hearing him talk that way.
     "Bo, c'mon what's wrong?" Daisy asked, walking over to Bo and gently placing a hand on his arm.
     "Nothing is wrong." Bo said as he removed her hand from his arm. "In fact things have never been better."
Jesse and Daisy exchanged a worried glance. As much as they wanted him to get over his depression, they didn't like the new way he was acting. He no longer seemed depressed, but he also no longer seemed to be the same person. Bo put the box into the closet. Then hung something on the wall.
     "What is that thing?" Daisy asked. "It gives me the creeps."
Bo didn't respond to her question.
     "Bo,  Daisy asked you a question." Jesse said, trying to get an answer out of Bo.
     "It is no concern of your." Bo replied flatly.
     "Bo." Jesse said sternly.
     "What?" Bo questioned, his voice sounded full of irritation.
     "I think we all just need to sit down and talk." Jesse said.
     "I told you before I don't want to talk. I got better things to do." Bo said and walked out of the room. Jesse and Daisy followed him outside.
     "Bo get back inside, now." Jesse said firmly.
Bo just laughed. "I don't think so. See y'all around."
     Bo returned to the where his new "family" was staying. Katrina was waiting by the entrance, and greeted Bo as he walked though. She found it hard to believe that he was only fourteen. He looked older. He already had muscles, which she figured was from working on the farm.  In some ways he was mature but she thought in other ways he was mature.
     "How did it go with your family?" Katrina asked.
     "Fine except they treat me like I'm some stupid little kid." Bo said.
     "You are obviously not a little kid." Katrina said as she ran her hand down his muscular chest.
Bo smiled saying nothing. Katrina took Bo by the hand and lead him into a small hut. They sat down on a pile of furs. Bo looked around, the hut, it was little by a number of candles, the only thing in there was the pile of furs. Katrina sat curled up next to Bo. She gently stroked the side of his face the her hand. Then she leaned forward and kissed him on the lips, he returned her kiss. They kissed for several moments. Katrina smiled at him, then started to undo the snaps on his shirt.
     "You have never . . ." she asked not finishing her sentence.
Bo knew what she meant. "No ma'am."
She placed her finger against his lips." It is Katrina, not ma'am. Ma'am makes me sound old. I am only thirty-four."
Bo smiled. "No not old, just twenty years older then I am."
     "That is only a number given to judge. Age means nothing, it is just a mere number." Katrina said softly.
     "I guess that's true. everyone treats me like a child because of my age." Bo said.
Katrina smiled. "I can change that. I can turn you into a man." she softly kissed him on the lips. "Do you accept my proposal?"
Bo wasn't really sure, but he just nodded. Katrina smiled.
     Late that night Bo sat awake outside staring up at the stars. The sky was clear, not a single cloud in sight. A full moon shone down brightly. A cool breeze blew gently ruffling Bo's blonde hair. He wondered if he had made the right choice earlier with Katrina, though his mind kept coming back to the answer no. His mind seemed to scream out that it was wrong, even though Katrina tried hard to convince him otherwise. She told it was the way of life and there was nothing wrong. He closed his eyes and sighed, as he felt the breeze blow gently over his face He knew he couldn't change what had happened and he knew that it would happen again. He decided to just trying to ignore his feelings of it being wrong and to push that emotion down into the same pit in his heart that he had forced all his other emotions. Bo opened his eyes and stared up at the moon. His deep blue eyes that at one time had been filled with happiness and joy were now filled with a cold and dark sadness.
     "Life is pain. There is no place for emotion in life. Emotion only causes more pain." Bo mumbled softly to himself. It was one of the things that Gerik and Katrina taught everyone in the family. That only the people of the family could even been trusted. Things remained much the same in cult, though Katrina took an exceptional liking to Bo. Bo ignored his feelings that what was happening was wrong and just allowed it to happen. He became more and more a part of the sect. He became influenced by their ways and beliefs. He came to  believe the lies that they told him about his family. About their uncaring towards him, and that Luke did not alone leave that he had abandoned him, just as his parents had when he was a baby.
     Over the next few months Bo started to change even more. He started to get a more violent attitude, and got into a number of fights with people who where not part of the cult. He had a few run ins with the law, for petty crimes, such as vandalism. He returned home less and less. Jesse and Daisy tried everything they could think of to convince Bo to leave the cult and return home, but all their efforts seemed in vain, and they slowly started to lose hope that Bo would ever return home. Daisy saw Bo occasionally at school, but he would never talk to her. He ignored her as though he didn't even know who she was. It saddened both Jesse and Daisy to be able to do nothing to help Bo and to watch as his whole personalty changed. Jesse was saddened to only be able to watch Bo grow up from a distance. He seemed different almost every time he saw him. Bo had always been out going, friendly and caring person. He had always had quite a quick temper, as most every Duke had, but he had an even easier smile. Now he was no where near the same person. He had a cold harsh view about life. He kept to himself for the most part he would only talk to his new "family" and even then he wasn't too friendly. It was as though he no longer trusted anyone. Bo was actually afraid to trust anyone enough for them to become a close friend for fear that they do would leave him, like Luke had. He still had a quick temper but it was no longer mellowed by his easy smile.
     It was about a year later, a few days after Bo's fifteenth birthday. Jesse couldn't sleep, that night he sat awake looking at old photos of all the kids. His eyes watered with tears as he looked at the pictures seeing how happy they were then, and thinking of how much things had changed.
 The phone rang pulling him out of his thoughts about the past. Jesse got up out of the chair and went and answered the phone.
     "Hello, Duke residence." Jesse said.
     "Is this Mr. Jesse Duke?" the voice on the other end questioned.
     "Yes it is." Jesse replied.
     "Mr. Duke, this is Officer Hayes. I am with the juvenile division of the Capitol City police. I am calling to inform you that Bo has been arrested." Officer Hayes said.
     "On what charge?" Jesse asked.
     "He was caught breaking and entering along with a number of other kids. No charges are being pressed. I am calling to ask for you to come and pick him up from the station." Officer Hayes said.
     "I'll be there in twenty-five minutes." Jesse said then hung up the phone.
 Jesse drove to the police station. He was extremely angry at Bo for breaking the law. He signed the papers and waited for Bo to come out. Bo walked out in front of officer Hayes. His face and eyes were both expressionless.
     "What were you thinking break into somewhere?" Jesse asked Bo.
Bo remained silent. They left the station and walked towards the pick up truck. Jesse was determined to get Bo to talk.
     "You are lucky that the owner decided to not press any charges." Jesse said.
     "So what if they did." Bo said flatly.
They reached the truck, Jesse stopped and stood in front of Bo.
     "You are not going to leave the house once we get back not for anything. Not even school." Jesse said firmly.
     "Do you think that you could actually stop me from leaving?" Bo asked.
     "You listen to me boy." Jesse said angrily, he raised his hand to prepare to smack Bo, out of anger.
Bo stood firmly staring at Jesse, without any expression. Jesse realized what he was about to do and lowered his hand, placing it on Bo's shoulder.
     "You are going to stay at the farm." Jesse said firmly.
Bo pulled away from Jesse and got into the truck, slamming the door shut behind him. Jesse sighed and walked around the pick up and got in. They drove back to the farm in silence.
     "Bo . . ." Jesse started to say as they walked inside.
Bo ignored him and went to his bedroom.
     The next morning Jesse was up shortly after dawn. He went to Bo's bedroom detrimened to make him talk. He opened the door.
     "Bo . . ." he started to say then noticed the empty bed. He sighed as he looked towards the window, the curtains flapped gently in the wind.
 Jesse went and sat down on a chair in the front room. Daisy noticed that he looked more upset then normal. She walked out from the kitchen and knelt down in front of the chair he was sitting on.
     "What's wrong Uncle Jesse?" Daisy asked.
Jesse told her about what had happened last night and that Bo had taken off again.
     "I just don't know what to do anymore. I don't know what to do to help Bo." Jesse said, tears brimmed his eyes.
     "I know. You have done everything you can do. Bo don't want our help." Daisy said.
     "He has changed so much. He tries to act like he is not hurting but I can still see it in his eyes. I hate not being able to do something for him." Jesse said.
     "I know that. I feel the same way, but . . .I've lost hope that we will ever get Bo back." Daisy said then started to cry.
Jesse gently hugged her. "It will be okay. Someday we will get Bo back." he said softly trying to reassure her. He didn't want to tell her that he too was starting to lose hope that they would ever get Bo back, and if they did that he'd be the same person.
     Another year slowly passed. It was a crisp fall day. Bo stood quietly near the back of the sect for a meeting. He was hardly to listening to anything that was being said as he stared up at the blue white sky. Most these meetings were the same telling how they had to build the strength of the stone so that the blood stone lord,  Zassandia, would be able to rise and that their family would control the world and those that had hurt them would pay for their wicked ways.
Gerik then started to walk out amongst everyone, while Katrina remained standing by the stone. He took one person by the arm and started to lead them forward to the stone, he forced them down into a knelling position. Bo looked forwards puzzled by the uniquic turn of events. He didn't really recognize the person who had been brought forward. He was a new member of the family.
     "This my children is one of those I spoke of. One who would wish to do us harm. He wants to break up our family to sperate us from each other." Gerik said.
     "He is actual an undercover officer. Who came here to destroy our loving family." Katrina said.
     "Such an act will not be tolerated." Gerik said, as he took out a small knife and then took out a small vile. He spread the contents of the vile of the blade of the dagger. He smiled down sinisterly at the uncover agent. Then he bent down in front of him and stabbed the dagger into the officer's stomach. He fell over and gasped for air as the poison took effect. Everyone stood watching and after ten minutes he died.
     "This is the fate that all that dare to cross us will suffer." Gerik said. He motioned to two people near the front of the group.   "You two, go bury his remains."
They nodded then picked up his body and went to carry out Gerik's demand.
Everyone started to leave to go about their own business. Bo was the last one to remain there. He stood staring blankly at the spot were the person had just been killed. He had never seen a person killed before, and it had greatly upset him. Gerik walked off, Katrina noticed that Bo was still standing there. She walked over and stood in front of him.
     "Did what happen upset you?" Katrina asked.
Bo looked at her with a blank expression not answering her question.
     "Don't worry just forget about it. He sought to destroy our family, that could not be allowed." Katrina said, as she ran her hand down the side of Bo's face and down his chest.
Bo still did not respond. He didn't really know what to say. He didn't know if could just forget what happened. He knew that he had to though, any emotion only caused pain. Katrina smiled at Bo and gently kissed him on the lips, then she picked up his hand .
     "Come along with me Bo. I can make you forget what happened just now." Katrina said, then started to lead Bo away.
Bo didn't resist and just allowed her to lead him. He knew where they were going. He didn't want to, but knew there was no choice. He figured that perhaps this would make him forget about what had happened.
     The next year past without much event. Bo went back to the farm even less then the past years. Jesse and Daisy had almost completely lost hope that they'd ever get Bo back. They were out of ideas of things to try.
     Soon it was Christmas again, though it was not a celebrated holiday in the among the cult. It was a cold winter, for the first time in a long time it was snowing. There was only a small dusting covering the ground. Bo stood out by the stream, there was a thin layer of ice on the water for the cold temperature, though the ice wouldn't support any weight. Bo stood watching the snow fall. Katrina came walking over to where he was standing. She stood beside him, sliding her arm around his waist.
     "What are you thinking about?" Katrina asked.
Bo shrugged. "Just about the fact today is Christmas."
     "Christmas is just another day." Katrina said.
     "I know. It's just . . ." Bo said his voice trailing off.
     "Just what?" Katrina asked.
     "Nothing. Just thinking about the times before that I did." Bo said.
     "You can't allow yourself to feel emotion Bo, it only causes pain." Katrina said. "So what that today is Christmas it don't matter, it is just another day."
Bo forced a fake smile. "Yeah I guess that you are right."
     Jesse and Daisy sat quietly by the Christmas tree. Neither of them really felt like celebrating Christmas, there didn't seem to be much to be happy over. The one thing both of them wanted for Christmas never happened. They both wanted for Bo to return home and things to return to the way they once were.
     It was a hot summer afternoon. Luke sat quietly on the train watching the scenery roll past. He smiled as the train reached his destination, Hazzard County. He was filled with a tremendous sense of joy that in a short time he would be home again after four long years. He wondered if Hazzard had even changed in the last four years and how much. About twenty minutes later the train pulled to a stop at the Hazzard County train depot. Luke stood up, and took his carry-on luggage out of the overhead compartment, then disembarked the train. He glanced around at everyone that was in the train depot, seeing nobody he knew. He figured his family would be there later, after all the train was early. Luke got the rest of his luggage. He wasn't wearing his uniform, he had it packed away, he didn't really want to wear it anymore since he was out of the Marines.
     Jesse and Daisy arrived at the train station a few minutes after the train pulled in. They looked around for Luke. Daisy spotted him first.
     "HEY LUKE!" Daisy yelled happily rushing over to Luke and hugging him tightly.
     "Hey Daisy." Luke said as he returned her hug.
     "Hey Uncle Jesse." Luke said hugging him as he walked over.
Jesse returned his hug. "It's good to have you back home."
     "It's good to be home again. I have missed everyone so much." Luke said.
Luke picked up his bags and the three of them started to walk towards the pickup truck.
     "Where's Bo?" Luke asked, he had thought that Bo would be there. Even though four years had passed he didn't think that would change that they were like brothers.
     "Never mind that." Jesse said, looking away from Luke.
Luke didn't know what was going on, but decided not to ask. He put his bags in the back of the truck and then they all got in and headed towards the farm.
     After a fifteen minute drive they arrived at the Duke farm. Luke got out of the truck and looked around at the farm.
     "Don't look like anything has changed." Luke commented.
     "Some things don't change over four years." Daisy said, then softly mumbled. "And some things do."
 Luke took his bags inside the farm house and went to the bedroom that he and Bo share. He opened the door. The currents were drawn tightly, not allowing in any light. Luke thought it was kinda of odd, he placed his bags on the floor then opened the curtains. Bright sunlight flooded the room. He turned around and saw the room was quite different. Luke's side was the same as he had left it, however Bo's side was nowhere near the same. The bed was covered in black bedding. The walls that before were filled with pictures of cars were barren except for one strange object that was hung on the wall over the bed. Luke looked at the object it looked to be made of bone and feathers. Luke wondered what it was, he got a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach as he looked at it. He then went back and picked up his bags, laying them on the bed. He started to unpack. Daisy came to the door of the bedroom.
     "What's with that?" Luke said motioning to the object over Bo's bed.
     "Now ain't the time to talk about that." Daisy said.
     "What do you mean? What exactly is going on?" Luke asked.
     "Don't worry about it Luke. Let's just celebrate that you are home." Daisy said.
Luke went to question her further about it, but stopped when Jesse called them for dinner.
They started to eat dinner. Luke found it odd that Bo was not home.
     "Where's Bo?" Luke asked.
Jesse and Daisy glanced at each other for a moment as though thinking of what to tell Luke.
     "Just don't worry about that for now. He'll be home sometime over the next few weeks he always does occasionally come back." Jesse said.
     "What do you mean?" Luke asked puzzled by Jesse's response.
     "He don't really stay at the farm any more,  he appears every so often." Jesse said.
     "Why? What's going on?" Luke asked.
     "Let's just say for now that Bo is not the same little fourteen year old kid that you remember." Jesse said.
Luke couldn't figure out what Jesse meant. He knew that Bo wasn't the same little kid he was four years ago, but doubted that Bo could have changed too drastically. He went to ask more but a look from Jesse made him decide not to.
     They talked until around ten that night, about everything, except Bo. Jesse and Daisy  said that they were tired and went to bed. Luke wasn't too tired yet, he was excited about being back home, but was worried about what was possibly going on with Bo.
     It was a peaceful night, the crickets chirped there was not a single cloud in the sky. A half moon shone down flooding everything in a soft pale light. Luke then saw someone walking around the barn. The person seemed to be just moving through the shadows. Luke quietly walked down the porch steps to try to get a better look at what he thought to be a thief.  From what Luke could see, the person was medium built and looked to be 6'3, taller then Luke. Luke was quite sure that it was thief, even though the Dukes didn't really have too much to steal. Luke decided to confront the person. He snuck up quietly behind the person then tackled him to the ground. Jesse couldn't sleep either, he got up and went to go outside to talk to Luke. He turned on the porch light just as Luke was tackling the person. The light shone onto the two figures on the lawn.
     "Well solider boy finally came home." Bo said.
Luke looked down at him, he realized he hardly even recognized his little cousin.
     "Sorry Bo, I thought you were a prowler." Luke said as he stood up. He offered Bo a hand to stand but Bo ignored it.
Bo stood up and faced Luke. Jesse came out to where they were standing. They stood in silence for a moment.
     "You've sure changed from the little fourteen year old kid that I remember, I didn't recognize you at all." Luke said.
     "You haven't changed at all Lukas, you still act without thinking at all." Bo said harshly, then walked inside the house before Luke had a chance to respond.
Luke stood staring after Bo, shocked by the harshness of his words, he could never remember hearing Bo talk like that. Jesse put a hand on Luke's shoulder.
     "Let's just go inside Luke." Jesse said.
     "What is going on Uncle Jesse?" Luke asked.
     "Luke it has been four years, things change, people change. Just leave it at Bo is not the same person." Jesse said.
     "I can tell. It's just that . . . why did he change so drastically?" Luke questioned.
Jesse sighed and shook his head. "We'll talk more about this in the morning. It is getting late you should get some sleep."
     "But . . ." Luke started to protest.
     "Just go inside and get some sleep we can talk about this some other time." Jesse said in a voice that let Luke know there was no room for argument.
Luke followed Jesse inside then went into the room the he and Bo shared.
     Bo was already laying on his bed with his eyes closed, but Luke knew that he wasn't sleeping.
     "Bo." Luke said.
Bo didn't respond he laid perfectly still on the bed.
     "I know that you ain't sleeping, so you can quite faking that you are already asleep." Luke said.
Bo opened his eyes and looked over at Luke with a cold hard stare. "What do you want?"
     "I want to talk about what is going on." Luke said. "What is your problem?"
     "I do not have any problem, and I don't want to talk to you." Bo said.
     "Yeah right I can tell that something is up, your acting all wacked. Whatever it is you can talk to me about it." Luke said.
     "I said that I don't want to talk to you." Bo said. "Why is that so hard for you to understand?"
     "Bo . . . before we could always talk." Luke said.
     "You mean before you left Hazzard for four years. Things change in four years cousin. I have no desire to talk to you at all." Bo said flatly.
Luke wasn't sure what to say to Bo, he couldn't believe that Bo had changed so much. Bo rolled over and closed his eyes. Luke decided to quit trying to get Bo to talk, he knew it was no use. He laid down on his bed and closed his eyes.
     Luke couldn't sleep, he lay awake until around four a.m. He had thought his home coming would be so joyous and that things would be like he never left. He never imagined for one minute that when he returned he would've lost his best friend and the person who was like a brother to him.
     Bo wasn't asleep during that time either. He also fell asleep shortly after four that morning. He laid awake until then thinking about everything that had happened over the past four years. He wondered if he had let things get too far gone. Part of him want to rejoice that Luke had returned home safely, yet another part didn't care and didn't want to be around Luke. Bo realized he couldn't sort out his emotions any better now then he could when he was fourteen. Bo didn't really understand Luke's desire to go off to fight for his country. Bo never really believed in the cause of war, and Luke had never before either. Bo thought it was odd that Luke had so suddenly changed his mind. He tired to understand, everyone just told him he was too young and would understand when he was older. When Luke was gone Bo felt that he was completely alone. He could never remember Luke not being around. Luke had always been there, for him. Luke was his best friend. With him gone Bo felt that he had nobody that understood him. It seemed the more he tried to deal with Luke being gone, the hard it got, and the more depressed he became. Bo fell into a restless sleep haunted be dreams, like the ones he had four years ago, of being left alone in a cold uncaring world, Luke was there but was as uncaring as the rest of the people. Bo woke up an hour later, at five a.m. He glanced over at where Luke lay sleeping peaceful. Bo quietly got out of bed. He changed his clothes, he sat silently on his bed for a moment staring at the object on the wall. It was the cult's version of the Indian dream catcher. Bo thought it was odd because it didn't work at all, like a dream catcher it seemed to only let in the bad dreams and keep out the good. Bo sat there until the sun slowly started to rise. He stood up and climbed out the bedroom window, and ran away from the house.
     Luke woke up at around eight that morning. He got out of bed, he noticed that Bo was already out of bed. He hoped that Bo was at least still home, he wanted to try to talk to him about what was going on. He walked out into the kitchen. Daisy and Jesse were sitting at the table eating breakfast.
     "Good morning." Luke said as he sat down at the table. "Did Bo leave?"
Jesse and Daisy exchanged a glance, then Jesse looked over at Luke.
     "He left sometime early this morning shortly after dawn." Jesse said.
     "Oh." Luke said sounding slightly disappointed that Bo was not home. "You said last night that you'd tell me what was going on."
     "It is nothing Luke, don't worry about it." Jesse said.
     "Nothing? It sure seems like something to me." Luke said.
     "It's nothing Luke." Jesse said.
     "Yeah Luke, just leave it as Bo has changed." Daisy added.
Luke wanted to argue further, but decided it would do no good because they weren't going to tell him.
     After breakfast Luke drove around Hazzard, he wanted to see how much other things had changed over the past four years. His main reason for driving around Hazzard though was to try to find Bo. He drove past Hazzard Pond and saw Enos Strate fishing. He pulled the truck over to the side of the road and got out and went over to talk to Enos.
     "Hey Enos." Luke said.
Enos turned around and smiled. "Hey Luke." he said happy to see his old friend. "How ya doin'?"
     "I'm fine." Luke said. "I was wondering if you have saw Bo around."
     "No not lately. Haven't seen him much these past few years after . . . "Enos started to say then his voice trailed off.
     "After what?" Luke asked. "Why does everyone keep avoiding telling me what's wrong with Bo?"
     "I shouldn't be the one you hear it from really. I don't think it's my place to get involved." Enos responded, trying to avoid looking at Luke.
     "Why is everyone trying to avoid telling me?" Luke questioned. "I mean Jesse and Daisy trying saying it is nothing. But I saw Bo last night he is not the same person he was four years."
     "No that is for sure." Enos said. "Do you really think I should be the one to tell you I mean don't you think you should hear it from your family?"
     "They won't tell me anything. I want to know, so just tell me what you know." Luke said.
     "Um .  . . okay." Enos said looking slightly nervous. "I don't really know everything. It started after you left really. I don't think Bo could really handle you not being around. He was always quiet and withdrawn. Things didn't get too bad until about six months after you left. That's when Bo . . ." Enos said his voice trailing off for a moment.
Luke looked at him. "Bo what?"
     "He tried to kill himself." Enos answered.
     "What?" Luke questioned unable to believe what Enos had said.
     "You know the old bridge out on Route-7?" Enos asked.
     "Yeah, the one that runs over the creek." Luke said.
Enos nodded. "Well the creek was running quite shallow that year and, well Bo jumped off the bridge. He meant for it to end his life, It was a suicide attempt, I never saw the note he left but I heard about it from Daisy. He more then likely would've died but there was this couple driving down and saw it happen and they pulled Bo out and got him to the hospital." Enos said.
Luke stood silently trying to absorb what Enos was saying He couldn't believe that Bo had attempted to take his own life. There was a couple moments silence.
     "What happened after that?" Luke questioned.
     "Bo started to change a lot after that. He became more depressed and just not the same person. It was shortly after that he joined the cult." Enos said.
     "Cult?" Luke questioned.
     "Yeah didn't they tell you that much even?" Enos asked.
Luke shook his head. "They didn't tell me anything." he said. "What kind of cult?"
     "I don't really know. I heard it's called sect of the blood stone . . . or something like that. They are quite crazy." Enos said.
     "I don't believe that Bo got involved in a cult." Luke said disbelievingly.
     "Nobody could believe it at first but it is true." Enos said.
     "Thanks for telling me. I think I'm going to go and try to get Jesse to tell me the rest of the story." Luke said, then walked towards were the truck was parked.
     Luke pulled the truck to a stop in front of the farmhouse. He went inside. Daisy wasn't home, she had went shopping with a friend. Jesse was sitting in the front room, near the fireplace, drinking a cup of coffee.
     "Uncle Jesse I want you tell me what exactly is going on with Bo. I talked to Enos he told me some of what happened over these past four years . . ." Luke said, his voice momentarily trailing off. "But I don't believe that Bo would ever join a cult.
Jesse sighed and motioned for Luke to sit down on the couch. "What all did Enos tell you?"
Luke told him what Enos had told him. Jesse sat listening and nodding.
     "That is basically it. After you left Bo started to change. At first he was just quiet and withdrawn wouldn't talk to hardly anyone. Nobody could seem to be able to reach him. Then he tried to take his own life." Jesse said, he had to stop for a minute because tears had started to fill his eyes as he thought about it. "Then he joined that cult. I never thought he'd do something like that."
     "Cults get people to join by praying on the emotions. They get people who feel alone in the world." Luke said.
Jesse didn't respond to what Luke had said.
     A few days past and not much happened. Bo hadn't been back to the farm. Luke was worried about him. He tried to think of how to find Bo and to get him out of the cult. He knew it was no good for Bo to be in cult. Jesse and Daisy didn't appear to be too concerned, Luke figured that was because they had more time to deal with the fact, or that they had just started to loss hope of getting Bo back. He wondered how bad things had really got over the past four years. He couldn't believe that they hadn't done more to get Bo out of the cult, he thought if they had really tried though that they could've got Bo out of the cult. He asked them about and they claimed that they had tried talking him into quitting the cult but he refused to listen to reason so they had quit bothering. Luke made one moonshine run for Jesse. Jesse still made shine over the past four years but had to find others to run it, as Bo refused to run the shine. Luke didn't really like making the run alone. He had only done a few runs before he had left to join the Marines and Bo had always gone with him.
     The Dukes went into town to pick up a few supplies. They were putting the stuff they had bought into the truck, when Luke noticed Bo walking down the far side of the street. Luke went over to try to talk to him, Jesse and Daisy followed closely behind him.
     "Hey Bo!" Luke called out to get Bo attention.
Bo stopped walking and turned to face Luke. "What do you want?" he asked, there was the sound of mild agitation in his voice.
     "We need to talk." Luke said.
     "Yeah well I don't want to talk to you so I guess this conversation is over." Bo said.
     "Bo, we really need to talk about this cult you have joined." Luke said.
     "It's not really cult. I consider them to be my family." Bo said. "Unlike present company." he added harshly.
     "Bo quit being so stupid. I thought you had more brains in your head then to believe such stupid lies." Jesse said sternly, though he didn't really think Bo was stupid, he just thought it may be one way to get Bo to listen to reason.
Bo just rolled his eyes and started to walk away. Jesse and Daisy walked back towards the truck, not knowing what else to do. Luke went after Bo.
     "Bo wait." Luke said.
     "Why? So you can tell me how stupid I am too?" Bo questioned, not even breaking stride.
     "No. I know that you aren't stupid. We really have to talk." Luke said.
     "As I said before I don't want to talk to you." Bo said.
Luke got up to Bo and put his hand on Bo's shoulder to stop him. Bo stopped walking and turned to face Luke.
     "Look Bo, this cult is no good, can't you see how much I has changed you." Luke said.
     "I don't care what you think, Luke." Bo said.
Luke found he didn't know what to say. He tried to think of the words to say to get Bo to see that being in the cult was no good, but found he had no idea what to say. He said the first thing he could think of. "You have no idea how much I've missed you these past years. I had my regrets of leaving. However I did what I felt I had to do. It's wasn't exactly fun going to war and seeing death surround me. I could feel it many times trying to change who I was trying to desensitize me, but I didn't let it. You can't let feeling that you were alone change who you are inside, or let these cult people trick you into thinking you are someone else."
Bo stood looking at Luke as though thinking about everything he was saying. "It is two different situations Luke so don't go trying to preach to me. I have a new family now and I no longer consider any of y'all to be a part of it, especially you."
Luke stood stunned, Bo's words seemed to be like a knife stabbing him through the heart. Bo turned and walked away.
     Bo walked away he felt kind of bad about what he had said, part of him wanted to apologize to Luke. He had saw the pain he Luke's eyes, after he said what he had. He felt bad in a way. He didn't like to see Luke look so hurt. He had thought he wouldn't care and that to see Luke hurting like that would make him feel good. However he found it only made him feel depressed. He repressed the urge to turn back and oblige to Luke. He figured it was only a lie anyway and that Luke didn't really care about him, just like Jesse and Daisy didn't care about him. None of them did only his new family cared about him. Bo continued to walk away from Luke.
     Luke walked quietly back over to the truck and got in, not saying anything. Nobody spoke a word on the entire drive back home.
     After the Dukes got home and put away the things they had bought, they started to prepare lunch.
     "So is that how y'all tried to get Bo to see things clearly?" Luke questioned
     "What?" Jesse asked, startled by Luke's questioned.
     "I mean by telling him that he is stupid for joining the cult." Luke said.
     "We have tried everything Luke, nothing seems to work. I just thought perhaps he would listen if I said that. I know that Bo is not stupid." Jesse said.
     "Why didn't you help him through what he was going through, before he joined the cult." Luke said.
     "Nobody could tell what his problem was." Daisy said.
     "How could you not tell? It's obvious that he was just suffering from severe depression." Luke said.
     "We knew that nobody could help him. Beside now is over that." Daisy asked.
     "I could tell. He still is, I can see it in his eyes." Luke said.
     "Luke that is not really true. Bo has just changed. Time changes everyone." Jesse said.
     "So I can see." Luke said sarcastically.
     "What do you mean?" Daisy questioned.
     "It has obviously change the whole family, because y'all ain't the same as I remember when I left Hazzard. I admit that I am probably not the same person either. It took me a while after the end of the war to deal with what I saw over there but I have dealt with it, and didn't allow it change me drastically. I come back to find the family that I remembered is no more. It seems to me that you don't really care about what is going on with Bo." Luke said.
     "That is not true, Luke." Jesse said.
     "Not entirely, Bo is the only one of us that has changed. We were concerned about Bo, but now there is really no point. He don't want our help."  Daisy said.
Luke just looked at Daisy saying nothing then looked over at Jesse. He was shocked by their lacking of caring about Bo's current situation.
     "I don't care what y'all think I am going to find Bo and I am gonna take him out of this cult. I am not going to sit by and watch his life be destroyed." Luke said, then without waiting for them to reply he walked away.
     Bo lay awake that night thinking. He was glad that Luke was back in Hazzard. He knew no matter what he was glad that Luke was alive. Part of him wanted to go back to the farm and to talk to Luke about everything that had happened over the past four years, but another part of him didn't want to. He didn't' feel that he could tell Luke everything that had happened. He thought Luke would only laugh at him for letting his life getting so out of hand and for having been so depressed. He felt that if he told Luke what happened with Katrina that Luke would think of him as less of a person for allowing such a thing to happen. He thought Luke would calling him stupid for not being able to take control of his own life. Bo sighed and closed his eyes and drifted into a restless nights sleep.
     Early the next morning Luke went back home. Jesse and Daisy were already awake, sitting at the table eating breakfast. Daisy looked up at him saying nothing. Luke sat down at the table.
     "Why didn't you come home last night?" Jesse asked.
     "I was looking for Bo then I decided to just camp out. I needed some time to think about everything that is happening." Luke said.
     "What conclusions did you reach?" Jesse asked.
     "None really. I still don't understand about everything that has gone on, and why the two of you don't care." Luke said.
     "Luke we do care. These past four years have just been hard." Jesse said.
 There was a couple moments of silence.
     "Do either of you know where the cult is staying?" Luke asked
Jesse and Daisy were silent for a moment. Then Daisy spoke up.
     "I've heard that they are staying out near Indian Bluffs. That is what the word around town is anyway. There is quite a number of kids in town that are in the cult." Daisy said.
     "So there is a lot of people in this cult then." Luke commented.
     "I guess I don't know there are a few from here and some are from other counties
     "I am going to go out there and look for Bo." Luke said
     "I don't think that you should be out looking for Bo." Jesse said.
     "Why not?" Luke asked.
     "If that is what he has chose to do with his life let him be, you could only get hurt going and trying to drag him out of there." Jesse said.
     "I don't think Bo really knows what he wants. I think he just wanted to find somewhere that he felt he belonged. They make people feel they belong in the cult, like it is the only place they fit in and are accepted. They usually get people whose families don't accept them." Luke said.
     "Luke just accept that Bo changed and that he will never be the person he once was." Jesse said.
Luke shook his head. "No. I won't accept that because it is not true. I could see the truth in his eyes. He just needs some help and understanding."
Luke stood up from the kitchen table and walked towards the door.
     "Then I'll go with you." Daisy said.
Luke shook his head. "No. I'd rather go alone."
     "But . . ." Daisy started to protest but was silenced by a look from Jesse.
     "Luke sit back down." Jesse said sternly.
     "No sir." Luke said defiantly and walked out the door.
Daisy went to get up and follow Luke outside, but sat back when Jesse gave her a stern look.
     "Uncle Jesse I should go with Luke." Daisy started to argue.
Jesse shook his head. "No." he said in a tone that let Daisy know that there was no room for any argument.
     It took Luke about an hour to walk to the Indian Bluffs. He saw the rumour was right it was were the cult was staying. There was a large front entrance, with wooden posts to either side, with strange inscriptions on them. Luke went to move to get a better view when he noticed the entrance was guard. There was two boys standing at the entrance. Luke recognized them as being from Hazzard they were younger then him, yet older then Bo.
     Luke moved silent through the woods to find another way in. He found a back way into the grounds. He tried to avoid being noticed by anyone. He watched everyone walking past. They all seemed as though under some spell, Luke knew it was just caused by the leaders of the cults lies. He saw Bo and was going to go over to him when he heard a bell going off. Every headed towards the centre of the makeshift village. Luke followed behind them at what he felt was a safe distance behind everyone.
     Two people stood in the centre next to a large red stone. They were dressed in black cloaks, their faces painted with red paint, with strange markings in black.
     "My children. The summer solstice is only a week away. On that, the longest day of the year, the power of the sect of the blood stone, will reach the fullest power." Gerik said.
Luke saw that Bo was standing close to the back of the group of about fifty people, he knew that it was not a good time to try anything he figured he wait until this meeting was over.
     "Now my children give you blood to the stone so our lord, Zassandia, will grow in power." Katrina said.
Luke watched as each of them walked forward to the large stone, each extended their left hand allowing Gerik to use a small dagger to cut their hand. Then the formed a fist, allowing the blood to drip onto the stone.  Luke flinched as he watched. Then one by one they walked to Katrina who held something in her hand that Luke couldn't quite see. It was a smaller version of the stone. She pressed it against the cut healing it leaving only a faintly visible scar. He watched as Bo walked over to Katrina. He saw the odd smile that she gave him. He wondered what the smile was about, then watched she ran her hand down the side of his face. That was when the meaning of the smile hit him like a ton of bricks. She had taken advantage of Bo's naivety, he looked towards her with an even more stare of hatred.
     By the time each member of the cult had completed the ceremony there was a small pool of blood on the stone. Each member had returned to standing in the same position they had been in before. Luke resisted the urge to run forth and grab Bo and drag him out of there. Gerik laid the dagger then, then took of a black stone from the pocket of his cloak. He struck it against the other stone five times, then poured some potion on the blood. Katrina lit a match and dropped it on top. It ignited into a small blue flame, that burned for only a few moments, then extinguished, leaving nothing behind, not even a blackened mark.
     "Go about your ways my children." Gerik said.
Luke watched as everyone left, being careful not to be spotted by anyone. He had they feeling that they did not take too kindly to intruders.
     Luke noticed that Bo was alone and snuck over to talk to him.
     "Bo." Luke said placing a hand on his shoulder.
Bo turned around quickly to face Luke. "What are you doing here?"
     "I came to take you away from here, to take you back home." Luke said.
     "This is my home. It is were I belong." Bo said.
     "That is not true. This place is not your home. These people are insane." Luke said.
     "I belong here. I fit in and am accepted here. Not like what you try to claim as being my home." Bo said.
     "That is not true Bo. Can't you see that these people are just messing with your mind. Just come with me." Luke said.
Bo shook his head. "You shouldn't even be here Luke."
     "I had to come and find you. This place . . . these people, none of it is good for you. I can't just sit back and watch your life be destroyed." Luke said.
     "Why do you bother to fake that you are concerned. We both know that you don't really care about anything but your own life." Bo said.
     "I do so care Bo. You know that I do. You are my best friend and like a brother. Four years apart can't change that. You can try to convince yourself it does but it don't." Luke said. Luke put a hand on Bo's arm and went to pull him away from this place. "C'mon Bo, just leave this place with me."
     Neither Bo nor Luke heard someone approach, it was Gerik.
     "Looks like we have an intruder who would dare to steal one of our children away." Gerik said, grabbing Luke firmly by the arm.
Gerik pulled Luke away from Bo towards the centre of town. Katrina was still standing by the stone. Gerik flung Luke against the stone. Luke tried to stop himself from falling, but couldn't. He stumbled backwards, slamming hard against the stone. He could feel darkness trying to over take his mind but fought it off. Bo had followed the two of them. He stood silently beside Katrina.  Luke went to get to his feet but was felled by a kick to the ribs from Gerik. Gerik kicked Luke several more times then stopped. Luke managed to pull himself into a sit position and leaned against the stone. He was surprised how cold it felt, especially since it was dark black and the hot summer sun was shinning down on it.
     Luke looked up at Bo. He was standing next to Katrina who had one arm tightly around him, her other hand gently streaking the side of his face as she softly whispered in his ear. Luke struggled to stand up but couldn't.
     "Don't you think you are a little old for him?" Luke asked.
     "Age is nothing more then a number Luke. It is just something that ignorant people like you use to judge." Bo said.
Katrina smiled. "We share something special, have for four years now."
Luke wasn't sure how to respond, he had never wanted to hit a girl before but he thought she was an exception because of the way she was messing with Bo's emotions and that she had taken advantage of him.
     "Yes Bo is one of our more special children. He has a great inner power and will someday help us led this family." Gerik said.
     "I don't think so, cause I am taking Bo away from this place." Luke said.
Gerik bent down and whispered into Luke's ear "You ain't going to ever leave this place alive. Bo is going no where."
     The bells sounded calling out for another meeting. Everyone started to gather once again around the stone. Bo stood beside Katrina, she was holding his hand.
     "My children we have an intruder in our midst who seeks to take one of us away." Gerik said, then glared down at Luke. "He will pay for his evil ways."
     "You are the evil one." Luke said glaring at Gerik. "You take advantage of everyone here. You pray on their emotions and pain for your own benefit."
     "SILENCE!" Gerik said demandingly to Luke.
     "It is the truth, and you know that." Luke said.
     "Just shut up Luke. You do not know what you are talking about. You know nothing about this." Bo said.
Luke looked up at Bo with a caring expression. "I know what it has done to you."
Bo didn't respond, he just looked away from Luke's gaze.
     Gerik bent down in front of Luke. He took out a small vile of a pale blue elixir. He grabbed Luke firmly by the chin.
     "Drink this." Gerik said demandingly.
Luke held his mouth firmly shut. He glanced up at where Bo was standing, he noticed Bo was now staring off into the distance trying to ignore what was going on, he appeared to be lost deep in thought.
     Bo wished that Luke hadn't come here. Bo refused to watch what was happening, he didn't want to see Luke's pain. He prayed silently that Gerik wouldn't kill Luke and just let him off with a stern warning. Bo knew no matter how mad he was at Luke he didn't want for him to die. The last thing in the world he wanted was for Luke to die. Gerik punched Luke hard in the stomach. Luke gasped for air, and when he did Gerik poured the elixir into Luke's mouth, and forced him to shallow it.
 Luke started to feel the effects of the elixir almost immediately. His whole body began to dully ache, he found breathing difficult. His vision became blurry, he couldn't make out any particular object. He leaned back against the stone, it no longer felt ice cold, it also felt burning hot, it was both at once.
     "Such is the fate of any who try to steal any of our children away." Gerik said.
Bo stood looking down worriedly at Luke, fear that Luke was going to die clenched his heart.
     Gerik grabbed Luke by the arm and drug his body to a small hut. There was nothing inside the hut except a large wood frame with ropes. Bo and Katrina followed behind Gerik. Gerik motioned for Bo to come over. Bo held Luke up while Gerik tied his hands to the posts. Luke wanted to collapse to the ground but the ropes held him up, and pulled tightly on his wrists. His body hung limply. Part of Bo wanted to untie Luke not wanting to see him suffer, yet another part of him wanted Luke to suffer for causing him pain by leaving him alone. Katrina walked over and stood by Bo.
     "Don't worry about this. He is finally paying for the pain that he has caused you. He his paying for abandoning you." Katrina whispered softly to Bo.
Bo didn't respond to her, or divert his gaze from Luke. Katrina took Bo by the hand and led him out of the hut.
     Luke slowly started to wake up. He wasn't sure how much time had passed, he still felt slightly groggy. The sun had gone down pale moonlight flooded through the door of the hut. He struggled to try to free from himself from the ropes, but his attempts were is vain. It seemed the more he struggled the deep the ropes sank into his skin. He could feel the tightness of the ropes start to break through the skin on his wrists, and a small trickle of blood start to flow. Luke sighed and gave up trying to escape, he gave up the hope that he would make it out alive. His only regret being that he had been unable to save Bo. Unable to at least get him out of this place. Luke thought back to when they were kids he had made Bo a promise to always take care of him and protect him. Then Luke's eyes started to water with tears as he thought of the last part of his promise: to always be there for him.
     "I broke my promise." Luke thought sadly to himself. "I wasn't there for him for four years, four long years. I let him down, I didn't protect him, I can't protect him from these people."
Luke couldn't stop the tears any longer and they started to gently streak his cheeks.
 Luke heard someone enter and looked up to see who was there. There wasn't much light and the person seemed to be moving through the shadows. The person stopped on the edge of the shadows near Luke and stood looking at him. Luke wondered who was there and if they had came to do him harm.
     Bo stood silently looking at Luke saying nothing. He saw drying tears stained Luke's cheeks. Though he was still filled with anger towards Luke it softened slightly when he saw Luke's pain and sadness. Katrina had tried to make him forget what had happened today, but nothing she did took his mind off of what had happened. He couldn't stop thinking about what had happened. He wondered why Luke had came to get him, when he didn't care. Katrina had told him it was just to destroy his new found life.
     "Why did you leave break your promise Luke?" Bo asked stepping forward into the moonlight.
     "Bo . . ." Luke said surprised to see his younger cousin, standing before him.
      "You promised that you would always be there for me and that you wouldn't ever leave me like my parents did." Bo said, looking directly at Luke's eyes.
Luke could see sadness and pain in Bo eyes and he started to feel even worse for having broke his promise. "Bo, I am so sorry. I never meant to break my promise and I never meant to cause you no pain."
Bo stood silently looking at Luke, he could see Luke's pain in his eyes and he could see his sadness.
     "Bo, I didn't exactly leave you like your parents did, I came back just like I told you I would." Luke said.
     "Yeah . . ." Bo said, his voice trailing off, he looked away from Luke.
     "Bo, look at me cousin." Luke said.
Bo turned to face Luke again.
     "Look I know I may not be the best at this but I want you to know that I am sorry for all the pain that I have caused you. You are my best friend, and have always been more like a brother then a cousin to me. The last thing in the world I'd want to do is cause you any pain." Luke said.
Bo felt tears start to burn his eyes, he tried to fight them off but to no avail, they started to streak his cheeks.
 "I'm sorry Luke." Bo softly mumbled.
 Bo untied the rope that held Luke.  Luke dropped limply, being caught by Bo. He leaned against Bo for support.
Bo took a deep breath and bit back the tears. "Let's go home." he said softly
Luke just smiled and nodded.
     The light from the entrance was suddenly blocked. Bo and Luke looked towards the entrance and saw both Gerik and Katrina standing there, blocking the only exit from the hut. There wasn't even any windows that they could get out through. Bo wasn't sure what to do, he knew to that Luke wasn't in any condition to try to make a running escape. He looked at Luke worriedly. Luke was starting to lose consciousness again, and his breathing had started to grow shallow.
     "C'mon Luke stay with me, you have to stay awake." Bo whispered softly to Luke.
Luke opened his eyes slightly, and looked at Bo. He tried to talk but found he didn't have the strength.
     "What are you doing, Bo?" Katrina asked.
     "I won't let you kill my cousin." Bo said, firmly.
     "He abandoned you Bo. He don't care about you." Katrina said.
     "Yeah but . . . he is still my cousin." Bo said.
     "You have a new family one that truly accepts you. Not like your old family. He left for four years." Gerik said.
     "Four years can change some things but it can't change real friendship. I was wrong to to think that it could. Or that Luke don't care, he obvious does he came here. He risked his life for me." Bo said, shifting his weight to better support Luke.
Luke could feel the darkness trying to over take his mind again, and struggled  to fight it off. He could hear what Bo was saying, he smiled slightly, glad that Bo had finally started to see the truth.
     "He is not really your friend, his lies are what almost destroyed you. He left you alone. We took you in gave you what you needed." Gerik said.
Bo shook his head. "No you made me think what you offered was what I needed." Bo said.
     "Come now my child. He is trying to deceive you, he wants to ruin your happiness, he don't care." Katrina said.
     "That is a lie. Luke would never intentionally hurt me. I know that now. I was wrong to let you make me believe that and to allow you to hurt him.  I will not let you kill Luke." Bo said.
     "Are you willing to sacrifice your life to save his?" Gerik asked.
Bo nodded. "If that is what it takes to save Luke's life, yes."
Luke tried to argue, he didn't want Bo to die so that he could live.
     "Then that is the way it will be." Gerik said removing the sword that was sheathed at his side and raising it sword.
He started to walk towards where Bo stood supporting Luke. Bo stared at Gerik, as he tried to think of how he could save his own life without allowing Luke to get hurt. Bo didn't wanted to die, as Gerik approached he started to fear his own death. The sun was starting to rise slowly over the horizon and the early morning's light started to flood the small hut.
     "You can still change your mind Bo." Katrina said, sensing Bo's fear.
     "No. I will not let you kill my cousin." Bo said.
     The sound of sirens pierced through the air, breaking the silence of the early morning. and several patrol cars and FBI cars pulled up. Gerik and Katrina ran out of the hut and started to run for the hills to escape, two FBI agents went after them. Bo walked out of the hut, practically carrying Luke out. A FBI agent approached Bo and Luke. Luke tried to stay awake but his efforts were in vain, and he fell into an unconscious state.
     "He needs a doctor." Bo told the FBI.
The agent nodded then helped Bo carry Luke over to a patrol car. He gave orders to the officer, that Bo couldn't hear.
     "Keep your eye on both of them. Make sure they don't leave the hospital they both are needed for questioning. Just get them to the hospital." the FBI agent told the officer, who nodded
then got into the car and started to drive towards the nearest hospital. Bo sat in the backseat holding Luke's head. Bo glanced out the window watching the commotion that had started some where trying to escape the FBI not wanting to give up the new way of life they had found, others allowed themselves to be led away. Bo looked back down at Luke as they drove out of view of the events that were transpiring.
     "I'm sorry Luke. I know this is my fault. I didn't mean for anything like this to happen. Things got out of control. I know I shouldn't have stayed there. I knew from the start it was no good but I let them convince me that it was where I belonged." Bo said softly, then sighed. "Please don't die Luke. You can't die. Don't leave me again." Bo's voice slightly quivered. A couple tears slid down his cheeks. He tried to keep from crying. He looked down at Luke. He saw how pale and still he was and could no longer keep himself from crying. He allowed the tears to flow.
     At the hospital Luke was taken back immediately to the emergency room. The officer sat watching Bo, as instructed by the FBI. All the people that the cult had taken in were to be questioned later.
     Jesse and Daisy had got up early that morning, neither had slept well last night, they had both been worried about Luke, they feared that he had found Bo and that Bo refused to come home and that the cult people did something to Bo. They sat in silence eating breakfast, though neither felt much like eating they mostly pushed the food around on their plates. The radio soft on softly in the corner. They read a news bulletin come across.
     "FBI agents raid the cult of the bloodstone early this morning. There is still a man hunt for the leaders and a few of the followers. Police have asked that anyone with any information call them." the announcer said.
Jesse and Daisy exchanged worried glances. They feared for both Luke and Bo's safety. They wondered if Bo was still one of the ones police were searching for. The phone rang breaking the silence that had consumed the room. Jesse stood up and went and answered the phone.
     "Duke residence, Jesse speaking."
     "Mr. Duke, this is Tri- County hospital, I'm Dr. Doyle. I want to let you know that Luke has been brought in."
     "Is he . . .?" Jesse started to question finding he couldn't even ask.
     "No. He is in stable condition, however he yet remains in a comma, he is still in the emergency room." Dr. Doyle said.
     "I'll be there right away." Jesse said, hanging up the phone and turning to face Daisy.
Daisy sat looking at him, her eyes full of concern and questioning.
     "C'mon Daisy, Luke's been taken to the hospital." Jesse said.
     "What about Bo? Is he there to?" daisy asked.
Jesse shrugged. "I don't know."
     They drove to the hospital in silence. The two of them walked into the hospital waiting room, and immediately saw Bo sitting quietly, his head hung down, and walked over to him. Bo looked up at them, saying nothing. Bo's eyes were still red from crying, dry tears stained. Fresh tears watered in his eyes threatening to start again. Bo took a deep breath.
     "I'm sorry." Bo said quietly.
Neither Jesse nor Daisy had to ask if it was him who hurt Luke, they could tell he hadn't been the one that hurt Luke.
Jesse bent down in front of his young nephew and pulled him into his arms. "It's okay Bo. Everything will be okay."
Bo didn't say anything, he allowed the tears to start again, and leaned against his uncle, returning his hug. Jesse felt tears in his own his, he didn't' bother to try to stop himself from crying he knew it wouldn't do any good.
     "I am sorry Bo. I should've done more sooner to help you." Jesse said, trying to comfort Bo, who was shaking. He finally was beginning to understand just how hard everything had been on Bo.
Daisy was standing next to them. She to was starting to realize how hard of a time Bo had over the past four years., she joined in the family hug.
     "I'm sorry Bo." Daisy said softly.
Bo didn't say anything, he just hugged her to let her he accepted her apologize and himself was saying sorry.
 They were all silent for a few minutes. Then Daisy spoke breaking the silence.
     "How did Luke get hurt?" Daisy asked Bo.
Bo bit his bottom lip, and turned away, staring blankly at the clock on the wall.
     "Now ain't the time Daisy." Jesse said softly to hush her.
Bo looked at her for a moment.  "I didn't have anything to do with hurting him if that is what you mean."
     "I didn't think that Bo . . . I just was wondering. I know you wouldn't really ever hurt Luke." Daisy said.
     "Yeah, but I also didn't do anything sooner to stop him from being hurt. IF I had done something sooner . . ." Bo said his voice trailing off.
     "It's not your fault." Jesse said trying to comfort his nephew.
Bo shook his head. "Yes it is Uncle Jesse. I should've helped Luke sooner."
Bo then told them about what had happened.
     "It wasn't your fault." Jesse said. "At least you saved his life. I know that Luke don't you to be blaming yourself."
     "Yeah so stop blaming yourself." Daisy added softly in a joking voice, smiling at Bo.
Bo smiled at them. "Thank you for at least still caring about me."
     "Bo we never stopped caring about we." Jesse said, then hugged his nephew. "I could never stop loving you."
     "Me neither." Daisy added.
 About twenty minutes later the doctor came out. The Dukes stood up as he approached.
     "How is he?" Bo asked, his voice full of concern.
     "He will be okay, he is past the worst of it. He just needs to wake up now." Dr. Doyle said.
     "Can we go see him?" Daisy asked. "Perhaps if one of us went and talked to him he would wake up."
Dr. Doyle nodded. "Yes that is a good idea. But only one at a time."
     "I'm going first." Bo said.
Jesse and Daisy both nodded understanding Bo's desire to go and talk to Luke.
     Bo walked into Luke's hospital room. Luke was laying so still, an IV dripped slowly into his left arm, and he had oxygen hooked up around his nose. Bo sat down beside Luke's bed, and gently took Luke's right hand and held it between his. Fresh tears had started to burn his eyes.
     "Please wake up Luke." Bo softly pleaded, as he looked at his older cousin. "I am so very sorry Luke. I never meant for you to get hurt. I know I was stupid to believe their lies . . . you can't leave me again Luke. You promised that you wouldn't leave me the way my parents did."
Luke started to wake up, he opened his eyes an looked up at Bo.
     "Yeah I did." Luke said.
Bo smiled glad to see Luke awake. "I was afraid I was going to lose you."
     "No. I promised not to let that happen." Luke said smiling at Bo.
Bo went out and told Jesse and Daisy that Luke woke up, they were relieved and went in to see him. Luke had to spend the night for observation. Bo didn't want to leave and was allowed to stay to watch over Luke. He sat in the chair by Luke's bed. He stayed awake he whole night watching Luke sleep unable to fall asleep himself.
     Early the next morning they heard the news that Gerik and Katrina had been caught, and were locked away impending a trial. Jesse came to the hospital to get Bo and Luke. They both had to go and answer some questions the next day in Atlanta. Bo took the "dream catcher" off his wall and burned it in the fireplace. Luke was still quite tired, and went to bed that afternoon. Daisy and Jesse went to pick some groceries, to make a meal to celebrate being a family again. Bo was tired because he hadn't had any sleep. He went into his and Luke's room quietly, so as not to wake Luke, and laid down on his bed. He closed his eyes and within minutes drifted into a restless sleep which was haunted by a nightmare.