Okay, sorry it took so long to update... so much goin' on, but I'm doin the best I can. Ruby and Silver Wolf were thinking like me, so this chapter is dedicated to you two and to any good ol' Michiganders out there!
Luke looked up into the face of a middle-aged man dressed in a dark business suit. There was something different about him. Luke couldn't put his finger on what it was exactly, but it wasn't enough to refuse a ride over. "Sure do, mister," answered Luke.
"Well, hop in," said the man, motioning to his brown station wagon. "Ya need a hospital by the looks…."
"Yes, sir," replied Luke. He was trying to wake Bo and failing miserably. "Bo! C'mon Bo wake up! I'm gettin' wet!" Luke shook his cousin gently.
"Luke, are we home?" asked Bo sleepily.
"Not yet. But there's someone who will give us a ride. Here, give me your arm."
"Luke?" asked Bo, reaching out into the pouring rain for his cousin. Luke took his hand and led Bo into the back seat of the car.
"Duck your head, Bo. Crawl over the seat there. I'm right behind ya."
When the boys were safely in the car, the man started the engine and started down the old dirt road.
"Name's Johnson… Sam Johnson," he said looking into his rearview mirror at the shabby figures behind him.
"I'm Luke Duke. This here's my cousin Bo."
"Where you guys from?"
"Hazzard County."
"Hazzard County? Hazzard County… Hazzard County… I thought I knew every county in this part of the state. Never heard of that one…Hazzard County, Michigan…"
Y'know, Toto, I don't think the boys are in Kansas anymore…
A sinking feeling came over Luke. "No. Hazzard County, Georgia. Are we…?"
"You're a long ways from home boys," said Sam, pulling onto another road.
"That's what's different!" thought Luke. "He ain't got an accent!"
"How'd you boys end up here?"
"I dunno, "began Luke with a quick glance at Bo. Bo was fast asleep again. Luke was so worn out, but he didn't dare go to sleep. His ankle as well as his throat felt like fire, but he knew that he had to stay alert… after all they didn't know this fella from Adam.
"I woke up in some woods by an old moon shiner's hideout…"
The man laughed softly.
"What's so funny?" asked Luke, rather annoyed that this guy would laugh at their plight.
"Hey, I'm sorry. It's just that your 'woods' just happens to be the Manistee National Forest and the 'hideout' must've been a ranger station. Not a lot of moon shiners in Michigan, ya know?"
Actually, Luke didn't know… and he couldn't say that he cared either. He knew Michigan as far as cars and cereal… not much else. But he didn't expound on this. His head was aching, his heart was racing and he was feeling very dizzy. He was relieved when Sam stopped talking and stopped the car 20 minutes later.
"Get out."
"Where…?"
"I said, 'get out.'"
Luke roused Bo and scooted out of the car. He was helping Bo climb out when Sam knocked him to the ground and hauled Bo out into the rain. With his arm around Bo's neck, he cocked a pistol and held it to the boy's head.
Y'ever had a day where things just go from bad t' worse?
"Luke! What's goin' on? Luke?" screamed Bo, as he tried to loosen the hold on him.
"Shut up, boy, or you'll never see your cousin again…"
Bo's pale face paled more and he stood trembling.
"Look, mister, ya can take anything. Just don't hurt him," pleaded Luke.
"Give me what you've got," demanded Sam, tightening his hold on Bo.
The boys pulled out their wallets.
"Got any watches?"
"Nope."
"How 'bout that ring?" asked the man, pointing to Luke's pinky.
Bo moaned as he realized what ring the man was talking about. It was Luke's dad's wedding band. When his parents were killed, Luke had taken the ring and slipped it on a chain, having been too small at the time to wear it on his finger. Now, he wore it on his pinky at all times, to remind him that his parents were always with him. It was something he would never part with.
"Sorry, it ain't a part of the deal," stated Luke.
Sam shot his pistol just beside Bo's head. "Ow!" shouted Bo as his hands flew to his ears at the sound of the noise.
"I'm making it a part of the deal. Next time, I won't miss," said Sam, cocking the pistol and aiming at Bo's head once more.
Luke took his ring off with some difficulty and threw it angrily on the ground. "Now, let him go."
Sam half dragged Bo to wear the wallets and ring lay on the ground. "Don't move," he ordered as he bent down to pick the objects up, gun still aimed at Bo. He dragged Bo back to the car, threw the things into the back seat and ordered Bo to get in. Bo did as he was told, climbing next to the wallets and ring. Sam shut the door and turned to Luke, aiming his gun at him. "You believe in God, boy?"
Luke stared with fearful eyes. This guy was crazy.
"Answer me! Do you believe in God?"
Luke looked straight into the man's face. "Yes, sir."
"Then you better do some praying for your cousin."
"Let him go," said Luke, his blue eyes narrowing in anger.
"Now why would I do that? His pretty little head must be worth something to someone." Sam backed up. "If you want him to live you'll stay put."
Luke watched in horror as Sam drove down the road. "Bo!" He tried to chase after the car, but his ankle gave way underneath him and he fell into the mud in pain. He screamed for help at the top of his lungs, but he only answer was the sound of raindrops on the leaves.
Now friends, I don't know how the boys'll get outta this one. Y'all stay tuned.
