Chapter Seven—A Dreadful Discovery
Callie cried out sharply as the General smacked against the tree and gave her a hard jolt. She opened her eyes and looked around catching a fleeting glimpse of the disappearing car as it swept past them, not even stopping to see if they were ok. She turned to Bo who had leaned against the back of the seat and sat rubbing his head. 'You okay?" She asked, reaching over and taking his face in her hands, staring into his eyes. He nodded and stared back into her eyes. "I'm fine, just smacked my head on the dang steering wheel. How bout you?" He asked. She smiled and nodded.
Callie slid out the window and walked around the other side as Bo got out. "Dang it! He yelled, smacking the hood in frustration. Callie sighed and leaned back in through the window and grabbed the CB. "This here's Pretty Rebel, calling any and all Dukes out there on the Hazzardnet." She said. A moment later Daisy's voice answered her. "This here is Country Cousin, Pretty Rebel. Whatcha got?" She asked. Callie heaved a frustrated sigh as she watched Bo in concern. "You mind giving Cooter a call, we're gonna need a tow." She said. "Are y'all okay? What happened?" Daisy cried. "We're fine. Someone just ran us clean off the road." She said.
Balladeer: Sadly friends Bo and Callie ain't getting any closer into finding Luke meanwhile back at them baddies hideout Ol Luke was still snoozing away.
As Bo and Callie was stuck in Hazzard waiting on Cooter ", In Chickasaw Sam had arrived at the shack he said "hey Nick how is our guest ", Nick said " He is still sleeping like a baby he ain't woken up since you left ", then Sam said " good he better stay out cause if he wakes up this plan is gonna be blown to pieces ",
Meanwhile Back in Hazzard Cooter had just pulled up he was awfully curious as to where Luke is at so he asked Bo " Hey Bo have you heard anything about where Luke is cause he has been gone an awfully long g time ", Bo just shook his head and said " No Cooter I ain't seen him I wouldn't be surprised if Hughie Hogg has anything to do with Luke's disappearance ",
Balladeer: well I sure hope Bo and Callie find Luke soon or he is just gonna be a memory.
Callie walked around the area while Cooter and Bo checked over the General to make sure he was okay. "Don't look like he's damaged to badly." Cooter told Bo. "Does that mean we can still use em?" Bo asked. Cooter grinned and nodded just as Callie came back. 'Good, cause I'm going after that fella who ran us off the road." Bo replied angrily. Callie shook her head. "They're long gone by now Bo. They ain't gonna stick around here, let's just head back into town and see if Boss has heard anything else." She said.
Bo wanted so badly to argue with her but he didn't want to cause a ruckus between the two of them cause he needed her help to find Luke. He slid through the window and started the engine as Callie slid in the other side. He waved at Cooter, pulling out on the road ahead of the old tow truck and headed back to Hazzard. Callie grabbed the Cb. "Pretty Rebel to Sheriff Rosco. Y'all out there?" She asked. A moment later Rosco's voice came over the Cb. "This is Roscoooo P. Coltrane little lady. What can I do for you?" He asked. Callie grinned. "Can you meet us back in Hazzard? We may need your help with Boss!" She stated. "That's a big 10-4..." He said. "Rosco don't you dare call me your little fat buddy." Callie cut him off before he could actually say it. She heard him mutter a response.
Luke Duke was totally unaware of what is going on since now he has double the sleeping drugs as we speak them baddies is up no good ", anyway Hughie was asking Sam if that little problem with Bo and Callie was taken care of ", then Sam who was sitting at the table said " Sure thing boss it was all taken care of their ain't no way they can show up here ", Hughie was about to reply when he heard a car pulling in he said " Holy Smokes it's Sheriff Little y'all hide Luke somewhere where he can't find him or we is dead . So as Sheriff Little was getting out of his patrol car making his way over to the shack Hughie's boys was getting the unconscious Luke off the bed ", then Sam said " Hey Nick where are we gonna hide him? then Nick said " under this here loose floorboard .
The men quickly pulled up the loose floorboard with a hammer and gently placed Luke underneath, putting the board back down just as Sheriff Little knocked on the door. Sam went to open it and smiled at him. "Howdy Sheriff. What can we do for you?" He asked. Little glared at him. "I was wondering if you had any more of them apples?" He asked. Sam shook his head. "Nope sorry sir. We just ate the last one." He replied. Little stared at him for a moment. "Do you mind if I take a look around?" He asked. Sam shook his head. "Not at all sir, just come right on in." He said and stepped aside allowing the Sheriff to walk in. Little walked around the small shack and searched every room but didn't see any sign of Luke Duke anywhere. He sighed not looking forward to having to break the news to Rosco.
Well I guess I'll see you boys later even though I get the feeling that ya'll is keeping something from me ", Then Sam said " we ain't keepin' nothing from you sheriff we ain't seen Luke Duke all day ", Then Sheriff said " I got a feeling you boys is lying through your teeth what exactly are you two boys up to?" nick said " we ain't up to nothing you need to worry about ", then sheriff little left hating to tell Rosco and the Dukes " that he didn't find Luke Duke anyway after sheriff little left them bad dudes said " boy that was close if sheriff little had just walked a few more inches the plan would have gone up in smoke ", then one of them said " c'mon let's get Luke back to where we had him so they lift up the loose floorboard and slowly lift Luke out Luke makes a little moan but he don't wake up carry him back into the backroom lay him onto the bed then one of them said " this is easy as pie I just hope he don't wake up soon .
Back In Hazzard Bo and Callie had just gotten in town and met Rosco outside the Courthouse. "Lead the way." Bo said to Rosco, taking Callie's hand in his. Rosco muttered but started inside with Bo and Callie right behind him. Rosco walked right in Boss' office without knocking and stopped in front of his desk. Boss looked up at them. "What do y'all want?" He asked when he saw Rosco and the young people. Callie moved forward. "Boss we need to know if Hughie has told you anything else?" She said. Boss stared at the pretty young woman in front of him. "He came back to see me." He said slowly, not sure how to put what he wanted to say.
Boss got a little hot under the collar then Boss said " uh Bo, Callie I would love to tell Y'all but I can't then Bo said " Boss I know for a fact that Hughie is behind this somehow now what did he say?", then Boss said " Well he said that... he was here trying to swindle me to get control of Hazzard then he said that was gonna take Luke across the county line to Chickasaw. Then Roscoe said " HOLY Smokes Boss you mean to tell me that you didn't stop Hughie ", Bo said " How Dare You Boss why in the heck did you let this happen? Boss looked nervously around the room avoiding any and all contact with his Sheriff, Bo and Callie, until Callie slammed her fist down on the desk. "Dang it Boss you better start talking right now." She yelled angrily. Boss glared at her. "Or what?" He asked her. "Or I'm gonna have to arrest you for withholding evidence." Rosco yelled, surprising everyone in the room, even himself.
Then Boss said " look I don't know why Hughie did this but I want Luke Duke back here so Bo I'm giving you permission to go into Chickasaw and get Luke back ", Callie and Bo was about to leave when Sheriff little came in with some bad news he made his way into the courthouse where he heard Boss getting lectured by alot of people so he came in and said " Hey Y'all I'm sorry to break this news to ya but I couldn't find Luke anywhere at Hughie's hideout I looked everywhere around their but I got a feeling that they know where he is but knowing Hughie he could be anywhere ", Boss said " Well I'm gonna get Hughie for this that is for sure I ain't never forgive myself if something happens to Luke , So Bo said " Sheriff little could me and Callie take ride to Chickasaw with you ?
Little paused and then noticed the desperate look on their faces and nodded. "All right. Why don't you two follow me in your orange car?" He suggested. Bo nodded and they followed the Sheriff out the door. Bo helped Callie in the General and then got in after her starting up the engine and following the Sheriff towards Chickasaw. "Radio Uncle Jesse and let em know what's goin' on." He said. Callie nodded and radioed Uncle Jesse quickly filling him and the others in on what they were doing and where they were going.
So Bo, Callie, and Sheriff Little made their way back into Chickasaw when they came upon Hughie's Hideout Hughie and his boys was minding their own business when the saw Sheriff Little's car and The General Lee they then said " quick we gotta get out of here so they left leaving poor Luke in the backroom so then Bo said " C'mon let's go in I bet Luke is here somewhere so they go in Bo and Callie check every inch of the place until they come to this backroom then sheriff little said " you know I didn't notice this room before I just hope he is in here ", so Bo then walked over he opened door was shocked to see Luke laying on bed not moving so he walked over he is shocked to see how pale Luke looks and he is unconscious Bo said " Oh Shoot he don't look good he looks so weak /
Callie walked over and took Bo's hand. Sheriff Little ran outside to call an ambulance. Callie went over and felt for a pulse and then looked back at Bo with her tears in her eyes. "His pulse his weak but it's there." She said as Little came back in. "The ambulance is on it's way." He said, placing his hand on Bo's shoulder offering what comfort he could. So about 15 minutes later the Ambulance showed up and Bo told them where Luke is at and what is condition is so one of them said " Bring that gurney in here so then one of the EMT"s pull's out the gurney then goes inside to the shack as Bo is picking Luke up and carrying him over to where the bed then one of them says " okay lay him down ", so Bo lays him gently down then they strap Luke in, check his vitals his blood pressure was fine, then they checked his pulse, it was weak but it was still their ", then they picked the gurney up carried it outside to the Ambulance then Bo said " Mister is my Cousin gonna be okay ?", then one of them said " we can't tell yet but we gotta get him to the hospital fast so then one of them covered Luke with a blanket then loaded him into the Ambulance.
Bo stepped back and watched as the ambulance pulled away with the lights flashing and sirens blaring as it headed for the hospital. He didn't even notice Callie until she moved up next to him and took his hand, pressing herself close to him. Bo slid his arm around her and held her close for a moment. "Let's go." She said and pulled away, jumping in the General, planting herself behind the wheel, realizing Bo was probably in no shape to drive. Bo slid through the window and Callie took off like a shot, driving like a careful of gunmen were on her tail. Bo grabbed the edge of the door and looked over at Callie, noticing the steel in her eyes. He'd didn't remember the last time he'd seen her so angry. When they reached the hospital they leaped out of the General and followed the gurney with Luke on it through the entrance and back to the doors into the ER but were shut out. Bo stared desperately as the door shut in their faces.
Meanwhile in the ER the EMT"s was getting Luke off the gurney onto one of the Hospital beds then Luke's doctor came over said ' What's the deal with this patient ", then one of them said " well he is comatose, his vitals are good except for his pulse it is weak ", meanwhile the waiting room Bo and Callie was still waiting and unfortunately Bo couldn't help but think the worst and Callie's own fears was starting to come to the surface and about 15 minutes later Uncle Jesse, Daisy, and Cooter all arrived Uncle Jesse was the first to speak ", " Hey Bo any word on Luke yet what is happening "?
Bo looked up at his Uncle and shook his head just as a voice came over the loudspeaker. "Doctor Evans to ER stat." was heard. Bo jumped to his feet and ran for the doors, Callie close on his heels. Bo wanted to break down the doors that were keeping him from his cousin. In the ER Luke's doctor was trying to stop the seizure. "Get me some valium." He yelled at a nurse. She nodded and disappeared returning a few moments later with the drug. He administered it and watched for any sign of Luke calming down. Luke was flopping around, his eyes rolled back in his head and his arms and legs so stiff and shaking so bad no one could straighten them out or even attempt to hold him down.
Luke didn't calm down so the doctor started to panic he said " He needs a higher dosage so then the nurse went to get more then he administered it and watched for any signs of Luke calming down he flopped around for a few seconds more then he slowed down fell back to deep sleep ", the doctor said " Oh that was a bad one I hope that doesn't happen again or we could lose him for sure ", then the doctor checked his vitals first he lifted one of Luke's eye lid's up he shined a light in it then he moved the eye up , down , right , left, then he closed it then he did other eye shined the light in that one then moved it up , down , right , left , then Dr. Evans wrote Luke's Chart " eye movement weak , then he checked Luke's pulse found it weak , Luke is still hanging in their ",
The doctor approached the concerned Duke family and their friends in the waiting room. Bo and Callie practically pounced on him. "How is he doc?" Bo cried. "Well he just had a seizure." The doc said slowly. Callie growled under her breath. "Can we see him?" Jesse asked, giving her a stern glance. "Well sir right now he's still in the ER but when we move him to his room you may go two at a time and see him." He said. Then doctor says " but I just I would let Y'all know that the next few hours are critical and Luke is in serious critical condition he is very weak and the Seizure has just made him more weak so before we put him in his own room we gotta make sure he is stable.
He is stable for now but he ain't yet out of the woods he is still pretty much out of it and I ain't too sure when he'll wake up but when we move Luke to his own room y'all can see him one at a time. But uh if you would excuse me I must get back to checking on him. So as the Doctor went back to check on Luke Bo and Callie was talking on how they is gonna find them baddies " I bet they is long gone by now Bo they are probably out of the county ", then Bo said " well maybe we can look around anyway cause they have just put my cousin in a serious condition he stands a risk of dying.
Callie sighed and got to her feet. "Bo right now what we really need to do is stick around here in case Luke needs you." She said and walked across the room. Bo followed her with his eyes. Her walk showed she was angry and wasn't quite sure how to act. He could see the pain and the tears starting to from in her eyes also and longed to comfort her though he wasn't quite sure how.
The doctor went back to the small room Luke was in and preceded to check his vitals and discovered he wasn't breathing well at all. "Get me a respirator.," he ordered the nurse on duty and she set off to get one. Once he got Luke hooked up to it he went back out to talk to the waiting group. Well unfortunately I have some bad news again " when I went back in to check on Luke his breathing wasn't that good due to the seizure so I hook him up to a respirator. Then Bo said, " Doc is their any chance that Luke could wake up soon? Then the doctor sighed " it is gonna be hard to tell Bo the only thing that I can say is that it is gonna take time for all the pressure in his brain from the seizure to go down, plus he is in a coma so that is another problem all the together.
Bo paled and turned, walking through the doors and going outside to the parking lot. Callie looked confused, trying to decide whether she should go after Bo or stay with Daisy. They both needed her at that moment but now she was being forced to choose and she didn't like it. Tears filled her eyes and then slowly started to fall down her cheeks. Bo was outside sitting at one of the benches outside at the hospital he just let all out he said " God Please don't let Luke die he is my Cousin and I love him so much and it would just kill me if you took him before his time so please don't. Bo was so caught up in his pain that he didn't see Callie coming over he she said with tears in her eyes " Bo it's okay Luke is still hanging in their he's just having a hard time but hopefully he'll be okay soon I hope at least.
Bo paused for a moment but then reached out and grabbed her, crushing her to his chest and buried his face in her long hair finally releasing his own tears. Callie could feel the warmth of his tears against her skin but said nothing as they hugged each other tightly each one supporting the other. So after Bo and Callie came back inside it was nearing nighttime the Dukes decided tomorrow is another day so they left ", meanwhile in the ER Luke's Doctor was saying to the nurse on duty " I think he is stable enough to be moved into his own hospital room so they then slowly begin to move Luke's bed take him to the one of the rooms in the ICU department once they have the bed in place they lock the wheels the doctor decides to give Luke last check so then he begins to go over Luke's vitals when all of sudden he starts having a another seizure the doctor says " OH NO NURSE BRING SOME MEDICINE "So the Nurse brings some medicine to the doctor Luke is vibrating like a fish out of water his eyes are rolling then the doctor meanwhile is in a panic of why this is happening again so a few minutes later the nurse arrives she gives him the medication he begins to give it to Luke he said " Lord if he has another we may lose him. This was worse then the last one he is still vibrating and his eyes were still going until finally Luke stopped.
Balladeer: I sure hope Luke pulls outta this or it's gonna be one sad day in Hazzard.