Whistler Canyon

     Dark clouds were quickly gathering overhead, darkening the sky. The temperature started to drop drastically; a cold breeze blew across the land. Three figures walked deep within a canyon, the high rocky cliffs doing little to block them from the wind.  Luke glanced up at the darkening sky; a few drops of rain started to fall.
     “Get moving you two.” Craig demanded his voice edged with coldness.
     “No.” Bo said flatly, his short temper was ready to break.
     “Watch your mouth boy.” Craig said, sounding slightly irritated by Bo’s disobedience.
      “Why should I?”
Luke gave Bo a look to be quiet and not to make matters worse then they already were. A nasty smile crossed Craig’s lips as he slid something silver onto his fingers. Craig lashed out, striking Bo across the face leaving a small bloody cut across Bo’s left cheek.
     “Hey . . .” Luke started to protest, coming to Bo’s defense.
Craig glanced at Luke with a cold wicked smile and then struck Bo across the face again.
     “Oh and just so you know there is pholyoscaric on that and it is now beginning to course its way through you system.” Craig said.
     “What is pholyoscaric?” Luke asked.
     “It is one of the strongest poisons known to man.” Craig said and turned to look at Bo, who was already starting to feel the effects of the poisons. “There wasn’t enough to kill you there, just enough to make you wish you were dead. Within the next five minutes your lungs will burn when you breathe and your blood will feel like it is on fire.”
     “You son of a  . . .” Luke started to say but was cut off by Craig.
     “Now now be nice.” Craig said and laughed. “Now let’s get moving.”
Luke wanted to attack Craig but figured it would do little good, he had to keep his cool, and keep from being poisoned himself so that he could at least be of some help to Bo.
     The three of them continued to walk through the canyon, the rain was still steadily beating down. Luke kept throwing concerned glances over at his younger cousin. Bo was pale and was breathing is short raspy breaths.
     “Come on move it.” Craig demanded.
Bo took a couple steps forward and stumbled slightly, his eyes flickered shut and he fell to the ground.
     “Maybe there was too much poison . . . oh well.” Craig said.
Luke ignored Craig’s comment and bent down beside Bo, he gently rolled Bo onto his back. Luke checked for a pulse, there was one but it was very weak and slow. Luke gave a sigh of relief that there was still a pulse, his mind raced with worry that Bo’s life was still in danger though. Luke didn’t know what to do and Craig seemed to be coming impatient. Luke carefully picked Bo up and carried him across his shoulders.
     “All he is going to do is slow you down, so why don’t you just leave him? He is going to die anyways.”
Luke glared at Craig, his light blue eyes flashing with anger. “You had better hope he doesn’t die, because if he does I promise that I will kill you. You will die in a hell of a lot of more pain then Bo, I guarantee that you will die screaming.”
 Craig gave a soft disbelieving laugh, and only glared at Luke coldly, and started to walk away. “Get moving plowboy.”
 Luke walked quickly as he could, while carrying Bo across his shoulders. Though it wasn’t fast enough for Craig, who keep telling Luke to just leave Bo alone to die, which Luke refused to do. Luke could faintly feel the slowly rise and fall of Bo’s chest as he breathed, it was the only way that Luke knew that his younger cousin was still even alive. They walked for nearly fifteen minutes until it started to rain too hard for them to keep going the rain was pouring down in sheets, causing an almost white out effect. Craig stopped walking, taking shelter under the large over hang of a tall maple tree. Luke carefully set Bo down underneath the tree, where the ground was still dry, and sat down next to him. Luke held Bo’s head on his lap, saying a silent prayer for Bo to wake up, he didn’t know what he would do if he lost Bo.
     “We will get moving again once this storm lets up some, though this is as far as he goes.” Craig said.
     “I am not leaving my cousin.” Luke said.
     “You don’t have any choice.” Craig said.
     “I am not about to leave Bo behind.” Luke said.
     “He’ll be dead within the hour anyway.” Craig said.
Luke narrowed his eyes at Craig, wanting nothing more then to bust his skull open, but knew it would do neither him nor Bo any good. Luke brushed a stray lock of Bo’s bangs away from his eyes.
     “C’mon Bo please wake up, you have to be okay . . . you just have to be okay.” Luke said softly, in an almost pleading voice.
The sound of the pouring rain was the only sound that Luke could hear. Luke was concerned by the fact that Bo’s breathing was becoming a lot more raspier, and seemed to slow with each breath that Bo took.
     Bo gave a soft moan as he started to wake up, his whole body ached and he felt as though he was being burned by some unseen fire. Bo’s eyes flickered open, Luke smiled widely in relief that Bo had woken up.
     “How are you feeling Bo?” Luke asked.
     “Sore . . . it hurts to even breathe.” Bo said, he tried to sit up but his sore muscles refused to allow him to do so.
     “Just take it easy, you’re going to be okay.” Luke said.
Craig noticed that Bo was awake and hearing what Luke said he gave a small laugh. “I doubt that, there was actually enough poison on there to kill you, so enjoy your last little while of being alive . . . like that is possible.”
Luke gave a quick cold glare at Craig and then turned his attention back to Bo. Craig just shrugged and moved back to where he had been sitting ignoring Bo and Luke’s conversation.
     “Don’t listen to him Bo, you’re gonna be okay.” Luke said.
     “I hope so . . . sure don’t feel like it I feel like my insides are on fire.” Bo said, his voice sounded faint.
     “You’ll be fine Bo, I promise.” Luke said.
     Five minutes later the rain began to subside. Craig stood up and turned to Luke.
     “Come on let’s get moving.”
Luke stood up and went to give Bo a hand to stand, thinking now that Bo was awake Craig wouldn’t force him to leave Bo behind.
     “Leave him.” Craig said flatly.
     “C’mon you can’t be serious . . .” Luke started to argue.
     “I am serious, I am not going to be dragging him all over the place when he’ll be dead in no time.” Craig said.
Luke could see the fright in Bo’s eyes as he gently laid him back down.
     “Don’t leave me alone Luke.” Bo said.
     “I’m sorry Bo . . . I don’t have a choice. You’ll be okay, I promise.” Luke said. “And I won’t let him get away with hurting you.” Luke whispered softly into Bo’s ear.
Bo was afraid to be alone, fearing that he was going to die, not wanting to die alone. Luke softly squeezed Bo’s hand. “I’ll be back for you, just hang in there until then, okay?”
     “Yeah, see you soon.” Bo said, forcing a fake smile.
Bo watched fearfully as Craig and Luke disappeared into the rain. Bo never could remember feeling so alone, or so afraid. Tears that were a mix of fear and pain began to course his cheeks, the thought of death terrifying him. Bo’s mind started to drift to how he and Luke had got into this mess.

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     Bo and Luke set out to hike through Whistler Canyon, a hike that took four days to complete. It was amongst the hardest of areas in North America to hike. The boys double checked their gear and supplies to be sure they would have everything they need. They had no way of knowing that there was no way to be prepared for what was going to happen. Jesse drove the boys to the start of the trail, and they said their good-byes.
     “We’ll see you in four days.” Luke said.
     “Okay. You boys be careful.” Jesse said.
     “Ain’t we always?” Bo questioned jokingly. “Don’t worry we’ll be fine.”
The boys started down the rocky trail, carrying all their gear on large dark green backpacks. They turned and waved goodbye one last time to Jesse, before he drove away in his old white pick up truck.
     They reached the edge of the canyon after a three minute walk. Bo looked over the edge barely able to see the bottom, a few yards down was a rocky ledge.
     “Sure is a long way down.” Bo said.
Luke glanced over the edge. “Yeah, sure we actually want to do this?”
Bo nodded. “No way I am backing down now.”
Luke smiled. “Me neither. I am always up to a challenge . . . obviously since I actually get into a car when you are driving.”
Bo smiled. “Cute.”
Luke carefully slid over the edge of the cliff, climbing on to an old rope ladder that laid against the rocky wall, Bo followed after him. The rungs of the ladder were at least thirty inches apart, and a few had moss growing on them so the boys always made sure of their footing as not to fall down in the canyon. It took them nearly ten minutes to reach the ledge. They stopped to catch their breaths and to take a short rest before continuing.
     “Well that was fun, I hope the other ladders are better then that one.” Bo said.
     “I doubt, being the first one it was probably the best of all of them.” Luke said.
     “How long do you think it’s going to take to reach the bottom?” Bo asked.
Luke shrugged. “I don’t know thirty minutes maybe more.”
     “Guess we better get moving then.” Bo said.
Luke nodded in agreement.
     They walked along the ridge, which grew quite narrow in spots, some the rocks were still quite slippery for the heavy rain two days ago. Bo felt his foot slide and looked for something to grab on to, seeing nothing. He was about to call for Luke to help, but before he could Luke turned around and grabbed a hold of his arm pulling him back onto the ledge, as though he had sensed Bo was in trouble.
     “Thanks.” Bo said, his heart was still beating rapidly in his chest.
     “I couldn’t let you fall Uncle Jesse would skin me alive if I did.” Luke said joking.
Bo gave smile, relaxing once again. “You are too kind cousin.”
     It took them nearly five minutes to reach the next ladder, it was worse condition then the first one.
     “You were right about the ladders getting worse.” Bo said.
     “Well at least each time there is less ways to fall.” Luke said.
     “Oh, how comforting.” Bo said, as he started his way down the ladder.
The ladder didn’t seem to as firmly connected to the rocky cliff and it swayed gently in the breeze a couple times, causing Bo and Luke to hold on tightly as not to fall. The wind whistled around them and they could see how the canyon had got its name. The ladder creaked a couple times as though protesting to the weight of both Bo and Luke on it. Neither of them spoke a word as they climbed down the ladder, both concentrating just on making it to the bottom of the ladder, to the next rocky cliff. Finally after fifteen minutes they reached the bottom.
     “If the other ladders are worse then that one we are never going to make it to the bottom.” Bo said.
     “There should only be one or two more ladders.” Luke said.
     “If they are worse then that one we are going to reach the bottom quicker then we want to.” Bo said.
     “I doubt that will happen.” Luke said.
Bo just shrugged. “These ladders are probably older then we are.”
     “Maybe but they are quite sturdy, they are made out of hemp.” Luke said.
The reached the third and finally ladder. It was longer then the other two, reaching to the bottom of the canyon.
     “Guess this is the last one. We should be to the bottom in ten . . . fifteen minutes.” Luke said.
     “Well let’s just get moving, I’ll feel a lot safer once we reach the bottom.” Bo said.
Luke smiled. “Me too.”
     Luke reached the bottom first, after over twenty minutes, glad to be back on solid ground, the ladder had the worst one, it was slippery with, moss and moisture, and the winds blew even stronger deep in the canyon, making the climb down even harder. The worst was several rungs of the ladder had broken over the years, causing a sixty-inch gap at times. Bo was about six feet from the bottom of canyon when the rung he was standing on gave away, the worse fact being the rung beneath that one had already broke sometime causing there to be a ninety inch space. Bo’s heart raced with fear, and he tightened his grip around the ladder, his knuckles almost white from holding so tight. Luke looked up at his cousin, who dangled like a spider dropping from the ceiling. Bo tried to brace his feet against the slippery wall of the canyon, but couldn’t get his footing.
     “Just don’t look down.” Luke said.
Despite what Luke said, Bo glanced down, fear seeming to clench its icy hand even tighter around him.
     “I told you NOT to look down.” Luke said.
     “And what is the first thing somebody does when they are told that . . . look down.” Bo said, trying to joke to ease his own tension.
     “Just slowly slid your way down till you can reach the next rung.” Luke said.
     “At least there is only a few feet if I fall, worse I can do is break an ankle.” Bo said.
     “You ain’t going to fall.” Luke said firmly, as though it was a demand and not a comment.
     “Yes sir.” Bo said, carefully sliding his way down the ladder. Both Bo and Luke gave a sigh of relief when Bo’s right foot finally settled on the next rung of the ladder.
A couple moments later Bo was on the bottom.
     “Well that was sure fun.” Bo said sarcastically.
     “Well if you weren’t such a klutz . . .” Luke said.
      “Your concern is touching.” Bo said.
Luke only smiled; he didn’t have to actually say how glad he was that Bo was okay, Bo already knew that he was.
     They turned to walk down the trail, unaware that someone was watching them from the bushes nearby. Bo and Luke went a little ways down the trail when Luke suddenly felt the cold muzzle of a gun press against the small of his back.
     “Okay you two boys turn around and face me.”
Bo and Luke turned around and came face to face with a man who stood at least six feet six, with a very muscular build. His red hair was long and tangled, his brown eyes seemed to shine with a wild evilness. His clothes were dirty and stained with blood. He looked to be in at least his mid thirties.
     “You two are going to help me get out of here.”
     “Why should we?” Bo asked.
     “Because I am the one with the gun . . . and know several other ways to kill you if you don’t do as I say.”
Luke recognized the man from having seen him on the news. “You are Craig Mattherson, ain’t you?”
Craig smiled. “You got that right boy.”
     “Who?” Bo asked still not knowing who the stranger was.
     “Remember he was on the news a few days, he murderer all those people in Placid County.” Luke said.
     “And a lot more before that, so don’t try anything or you’ll only had to the number of people I’ve killed.” Craig said. “Which is twenty five to date, each one different.” He added in an almost bragging tone.”
     “What do you need us for, if you are so great can’t you get out of here on your own?” Bo asked.
Craig glared at Bo coldly. “I didn’t come prepared, not like you boys. Both of you take off your back packs.”
Bo went to argue but stopped when Luke gave him a firm glance to just do as Craig order. Craig rummaged through Bo’s pack, taking out a few items, and placing them into Luke’s backpack. Craig picked up Luke’s pack and slung it on to his own back.
     “C’mon let’s get moving.” Craig said.
Luke went to pick up the other back up.
     “Just leave that one.” Craig said.
     “We need both.” Luke said.
     “No we don’t, just leave it.” Craig said.
     “Look we only packed enough supplies for two people in the backpacks so the supplies in one ain’t enough for three people.” Luke argued.
     “Well I am the only one that really needs the supplies, and I really only need one guide . . . just be thankful that I am keeping the two of you alive.” Craig said coldly. “Now get moving.”
Luke decided not to argue any further with Craig, doubting the man would hesitate to kill either him or Bo. Bo and Luke followed Craig closely.
     Luke tried to think of a way for him and Bo to escape this madman, but couldn’t think how they could safely get away. He felt that they were trapped by the high walls of Whistler Canyon, he just prayed that once they were out of the canyon that Craig would let them go unharmed After a twenty-minute walk they reached Tolber Creek. The waters swelled high above the banks, making crossing the river appear impossible. The current causing the water to swirl.
     “We can’t cross the creek when it’s so high.” Luke said.
     “We don’t have time to wait for the water to drop.” Craig said.
     “It is not safe to cross now we could all drown, the currents are too strong.” Luke said
     “We are crossing it now.” Craig said.
     “You said you wanted help getting out of the canyon . . .” Luke started to argue.
     “Don’t back talk me or you’ll wind up with a bullet between your eyes.” Craig said.
Luke mumbled something too softly for Craig to hear. They three of them moved into the cold water of Tolber Creek, the water reaching up to the knees and swirling around them quickly. The bottom of the creek was made up of sandbars that shifted as they walked across, making it hard for any of them to get their footing. The strong currents created sand pockets, which when stepped in caused them to sink to their waists, still the progressed across the creek. The creek seemed to go on forever and crossing it seemed to be an impossible task.  They were three-quarters of the way across when Bo stepped into a deep sand pocket, sinking well past his waist, the current caught him and pulled him under the surface of the water. Luke rushed over to his cousin, sinking slightly into the sand pocket himself. He grabbed Bo by the arms and pulled, the current pulling Bo under seemed to be almost stronger then he was. Luke took a deep breath and gathered all his strength and managed to pull Bo, enough out of the water so that his head was above the water’s surface. Bo coughed and sputtered as he tried to catch his breath, spitting up water that had flooded his lungs. After a couple moments Luke managed to pull Bo out of the sand pocket. Craig had already reached the far shore and stood impatiently waiting for Bo and Luke. After another couple minutes the boys reached the shore.
     “That wasn’t so bad.” Craig said.
Luke glared up at Craig and then turned his attention back to Bo who was laying on the ground breathing deeply.
     “Now let’s get moving.” Craig demanded.
Luke helped Bo to his feet and the walked a few feet away from the river. Bo stopped leaning against a large boulder, still breathing deeply.
     “Get moving.” Craig said.
Bo shook his head, not having the energy to keep going.
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     Bo’s thoughts drifted and his thoughts became incoherent. A blanket of darkness slipped over his mind consuming him entirely as he drifted into unconsciousness.
     Luke wanted to attack Craig, it figured it would only be fair justice since Craig killed Bo. Luke found he could barely think straight, all he could think of was revenge and that Bo was dead. He couldn’t think of a plan to get revenge on Craig because his mind was still consumed with the grief of having forever lost his younger cousin. Luke wished that they were higher up in the canyon so that he could push Craig off the edge, not carrying if Craig pulled him over to. Luke knew that once they were out of the canyon that Craig was going to kill him as well as he had nothing to lose. They came to a fork in the path.
     “Which way?” Craig asked, though it was more a demand then a question.
     “To the right.” Luke said.
Craig looked skeptical the path to the right looked narrower then the one to the left. “Why do I get the feeling that you are lying?”
     “If you want take the path to the left go right ahead, it dead ends in about twenty feet.” Luke snapped back a Craig.
     “I’d watch your mouth if I were you boy.” Craig said.
     “Why? Or you’ll kill me just like you killed my cousin? I mean after all as soon as we are out of here, your gonna kill me anyway, aren’t you?”
     “If you are a good cooperative boy I MAY let you live . . . though maybe not. I might just killed you like I killed your cousin, though not he exact same way I don’t want to break my record for having all different kills . . . all twenty-six now. ” Craig said.
Luke narrowed his eyes at Craig, staring at him with cold hatefulness. Craig only laughed.
     “You wouldn’t stand a chance against me.” Craig said.
     “Maybe . . . maybe not.” Luke said.
Craig only frowned. “Get moving.”
     It took them well over and hour to come out the side of the narrow path, into the wideness of the canyon. The path was so narrow in spot that they had to turn sideways, Craig was forced to take the pack of his back and carry it in his hands. Luke glanced up at the darkening sky a few times, seeing the different layers of rock that came down like a V shape from the top of the canyon.
     “We should set up camp here for tonight, it is starting to get and there is NO way that we can make through here at dark.” Luke said.
Luke sat against a large boulder, watching Craig make a small fire and unroll the only sleeping bag. A cold wind blew through the canyon, growing colder the further the sun slipped from view.
     “Don’t think of trying anything when I am asleep, because I don’t plan on sleeping, I can go for weeks with no sleep.” Craig said.
Luke didn’t say anything and looked up at the sky, seeing two circling turkey vultures, scavenging for food, and his thoughts turned to Bo. He could barely believe that he was never again going to see his younger cousin alive, or just never again. A feeling of guilt squeezed at his heart, he felt he should’ve done more to save Bo, and never should’ve left him alone to die. He bit back the tears that burned his eyes, not wanting Craig to see that he was crying so Craig wouldn’t know that he had broken his spirit. Luke said a silent prayer for his cousin, vowing to avenge his death. Luke laid down on the ground, his back against the stone and allowed his mind to drift to sleep, knowing he would have to be fully awake to think of a plan to make Craig pay for killing Bo. Luke’s sleep was haunted by nightmares all concerning the day’s events, all concerning Bo’s death.
Luke sat up having just had yet another nightmare, the third one that night. He saw a glowing light just beyond the dying embers the small fire. Luke stood up and began to walk towards the light, curious as to what it. He saw that Craig was curled up asleep in the sleeping bag, and momentarily thought of killing the older man as he slept, but first wanted to know what was causing the strange light. Luke’s mouth dropped in wordless awe when he saw Bo standing before him. Bo’s body seemed to made out a glowing light. Luke couldn’t find his voice and just stood there with a dumfounded look on his face as he stared at Bo. Bo just smiled, his eyes laughing.
    “Bo I thought you were  . . . I . . . I am so sorry.” Luke said.
Bo just shook his head. Luke saw Bo’s eyes were free of the pain, he had last seen in them when Bo had been alive, and held no accusing look.
     “I never should’ve left you alone to die . . . it is my fault I . . . I didn’t protect you.” Luke said.
Bo mouthed the word ‘No’ as though he could only communicate to Luke through sight not sound.
Bo started to float away, the light slowly fading.
     “NO! Don’t go Bo . . . please don’t go.” Luke said, rushing after his cousin’s retreating form.
Bo mouthed the words, ‘Things ain’t always as they appear to be cousin.’
     “What does that mean?” Luke asked.
Bo vanished through the stone wall of the canyon.
     “WHAT DOES THAT MEAN!?” Luke yelled, pounding his fist against the wall of the canyon.
 Luke jerked awake, sitting straight up. ‘It was just another dream.’ Luke thought to himself.
Luke saw that the fire was still burning brightly and the Craig was awake.
     “What’s the matter can’t sleep?” Craig asked, his question rhetorical and joking.
Luke just took a deep breath and slowly released it, not even bothering to look at Craig.
     ‘Did that dream mean something?’ Luke thought to himself, the images of his last dream not leaving him. ‘If so then what did Bo mean by things ain’t always as they seem?’
     Morning came, and a thick fog filled the canyon, making it hard to see more then a couple of feet in any direction.
     “We have to wait for this fog to clear, it should clear once the sun comes up some more.” Luke said.
About an hour later the fog had mostly cleared, and was just like a thin blanket hanging in the air. The temperature never grew to be very warm, and Luke saw dark storm clouds starting to gather over head. He wondered where the sudden storm front had come from, before he and Bo had left the farm the weather report said blue skies for the week. Luke laughed to himself and thought how the weather seemed to mimic life, changing without a moment’s notice. He actually preferred the dark clouds to the blue sky as they reflected what he was feeling inside. Lightening cracked overhead with an audible sizzle followed immediately by a loud crack of thunder. Large droplets of rain fell from the darkened sky. Luke and Craig continued to wander through the fog and through the rain, their clothes drenched and clinging to their skin. Luke noticed a small opening against the canyon wall.
     “Maybe we can take shelter in there, as long as something else ain’t already in there.” Luke said.
     “Well, get moving then.” Craig snarled.
They walked over to the opening which lead into a small cavern. Fortunately the cavern was unoccupied by anything else, and was big enough for both Craig and Luke to fit comfortably inside.
     The rain continued unabated for nearly an hour as the storm raged on high above the canyon walls. The wind howled as it wiped around the opening of the cavern. The thunder seemed to shake the rocky walls, the air seeming alive with electricity, the storm seemed to have a mind of its own. Luke briefly wondered that if the storm seemed this bad down in Whistler Canyon, how much worse it would above the high canyon walls. It was nearly two hours later before the storm let up, Craig and Luke made their way out of the cavern. Puddles of water covered the rocky ground, making the rocks slippery beneath their feet, which made hiking difficult. They reached a narrow spot on the trail, that a tree had fallen during the storm blocking the path. The trunk of the tree was too high and slippery from them to climb over it.
     “How do we get past here?” Craig asked.
Luke looked around and noticed that they should be able to climb the rocky wall of the canyon by the uprooted base of the tree.
     “There.” Luke said pointing. “That is the only spot that we can possibly climb over.”
     “You go first.” Craig said, wanting Luke to go first for two reasons, not knowing what was on the other side of the tree and to give the young man less of a chance to try anything.
Luke didn’t say anything and started to climb over the fallen tree. He carefully slid his hands and feet into small crevices on the wall of the canyon. The rocks were slippery and he thought a couple times that he would surely lose his balance, though he never did, as though some unseen force was protecting him. Once Luke was over he wanted to run, but he knew it would do no good, he couldn’t get very far before Craig got over the tree and there was nowhere to hide. Craig was about half way over when he felt something sting his hand.
     “OW!” Craig hollered in pain, losing his hold and sliding down the tree, landing hard on the ground. Craig looked at his hand which was red and swelling. “What stung me?”
Luke looked at Craig’s hand. “A scorpion. This is the only area around here that they are found in.”
     “Well how do you make the stinging stop?” Craig asked.
     “Some hot water and there was a salve in the first aid kit, unless of course you left that behind.” Luke said.
Craig narrowed his eyes coldly at Luke, thinking if his hand didn’t hurt so much he’d smack the boy around for insolence. Craig mumbled as he rummaged through the backpack, finally finding the first aid kit and shoved it at Luke.
     “Here and don’t try anything or you’ll be leading the rest of the way outta here with a bullet in ya.” Craig said, pointing his gun at Luke.
Luke pulled out a small container of salve. “I have to boil some water first.”
     “Fine. Whatever just do it quick.” Craig said.
     “It’s going to be hard to find dry wood . . .” Luke started to say.
     “So use something else.” Craig said tossing Luke an extra shirt from the backpack.
Luke made a make shift fire and boiled a small amount of water. He handed Craig the salve to rub on his hand where the scorpion had stung him. Then Luke handed Craig the wet cloth.
     “Wrap that tight around your hand. The sting will go away in an hour at the most.” Luke said, as he put out the smile.
     “Good. Now let’s get moving.” Craig said.
They walked slowly for the next hour, once the pain in Craig’s hand went away he took off the cloth and discarded it to one side.
     After another hour of walking Luke could hear rushing water ahead of them and knew they were approaching the hardest part of the trail Blue River Falls.  They reached the Blue River Falls a moment later, the banks of the river swollen from all the recent rain. Luke glanced down the rocky cliff that plummeted down at least another hundred feet from they stood, to fall would mean certain death. An old bridge crossed the river, almost handing over the drop of the falls itself.
     “You’re crossing first because I know that you’d try to push me over.” Craig said.
Luke took a deep breath and started across the bridge, feeling it sway slightly under his weight. The old boards of the bridge damp with moisture from the falls and the recent rain. Luke was about half way across when he heard Craig yell, “What the  . . .”  Luke spun around to see what Craig was yelling about and his jaw dropped open. Craig was down on his back on the bridge and hovering over him with balled fists was Bo. Luke felt a sea of relief wash over him, Bo was alive, Luke could barely believe his eyes. Craig lunged forward causing Bo to stumble backwards, having to grab the flimsy rope railing to keep his balance. Luke felt frozen as he stood there and watched not even able to find his voice. The two of them exchanged several punches, when Craig suddenly lost his footing and fell over the side of the bridge, grabbing Bo’s leg as he fell pulling Bo over with him.
     “BO!” Luke yelled, thinking he had lost his cousin all over again.
Luke rushed to the spot where Bo and Craig had gone over, and his heart jumped for joy when he saw Bo was still hanging on to the bridge, however Craig had a hold of Bo’s leg, pulling him downwards.
     “If I go I am taking you with me blondie.” Craig said.
Bo struggled to pull himself up, he looked up at his older cousin. “Good to see you to Luke, now will you help me up?”
     “You go it.” Luke said. He bent down, holding onto the railing with his left hand and reaching his right hand out to Bo. “Take my hand.”
Bo reached up and grabbed Luke’s hand around the wrist. Luke tried to pull Bo up but found it was impossible with Craig still hanging on as well, Luke’s heart raced with fear as he felt Bo’s hand slipping from his.
     “I can’t hold on much longer.” Bo said.
     “I can’t pull the both of you up.” Luke said.
Craig smiled up at Luke. “Maybe I’ll end up taking the both of you over with me then.”
Bo kicked his free leg, trying to knock Craig off, but Craig only seemed to hold on tighter. Bo stopped struggling and unbeknownace to Bo Craig pulled his gun out. Bo could read his cousin’s eyes saying that know was the time to try to knock Craig off, Bo nodded slightly and with all his strength kick Craig, connecting solidly with Craig’s forehead. Craig bellowed in pain, and lost his grip. Bo and Luke could hear Craig’s screams quickly faded as he plummeted down the falls. With Craig’s weight gone Luke could easily pull Bo up. Bo collapsed against Luke in a brotherly hug.
     “I thought that I had lost you.” Luke said.
     “You only wish.” Bo said, his voice joking.
     “Yeah I guess I couldn’t be that lucky.” Luke said jokingly.
Bo laughed softly. “No you couldn’t.”
     “Its good to have you back Bo.” Luke said, his voice serious.
     “Its good to be back.” Bo said.
The two of them then stood up and made there way back to the bank of the river.
     “Are you okay?” Luke asked, his voice full of genuine concern.
     “A bit stiff and sore, but other then that I am fine.” Bo said. “How about you?”
     “I’m just fine.” Luke said.
     “I guess you should go back the way we came, it’s shorter and we have no supplies.” Bo said.
Luke nodded, and they started heading back the way they came.. “We have to report what happened. What did happen?”
     “What do you mean?” Bo asked.
     “I thought that you were . . . dead.” Luke said.
     “I seriously thought I was going to die. I remember everything going black, then waking up just as the sun was setting.” Bo said.
     “How did you catch up so quickly?” Luke said.
     “I walked at night, the moon was quite bright and made it just as easy to see if it was day.” Bo said.
     “What about the storm?” Luke asked.
     “I found shelter when it hit.” Bo said.  “I wasn’t always sure I was going the right way but I found the remains of a couple camp fires, and a piece of torn cloth.”
     “Yeah Craig had got stung by a scorpion.” Luke said.
     “I guess it just wasn’t his day.” Bo joked.
     “Yeah I guess not.” Luke said, then looked at Bo seriously. “I really did think that I had lost you, that you had been killed because I failed to protect you. I thought you were dead. The past day has been quite hard . . . thinking that you were dead.”
Bo just smiled. “I know Luke, you didn’t have to say it. And it wasn’t your fault that anything happened so don’t go blaming yourself. You should’ve known that you couldn’t get rid of me that easy, not because of some polecat like that.”
     “Thanks Bo.” Luke said. “Why is it you always know just what to say?”
Bo shrugged and looked at Luke. “I think it is because I know you so well, as is the reverse true.”
Luke smiled. “That’s true.”
Luke remembered the vivid dream of Bo he had during the night, when Bo told him things ain’t always as they appear. “I guess I should’ve know I had this strange dream and it seemed so real.” Luke said, and proceeded to tell Bo about the dream.
Bo chuckled softly. “That is too weird. When I was walking at night, my mind wandered . . .like day dreaming and I had one just like that.”
     “Maybe it was more then a dream.” Luke said.
     “Wouldn’t surprise me. After all this is Hazzard and anything is possible.”
 The weather cleared and the hike back was easier then it had been the first time. They camped out under the stars that night, having caught dinner. They reached the surface of the canyon by late morning the next day. The contacted the police, who found Craig’s body shortly after. No charges were brought up against Bo and Luke as it had been purely in self-defense and Craig was a known murder. Two weeks later Bo and Luke went back to Whistler Canyon and conquered the trail.