Okay WARNING: those with weak stomachs: read with care. Strong tissue warning…this chapter is short, but I think you'll agree it packs a punch.

Luke fumbled his way down the steep embankment, with Cooter close at his heels. The smell of burnt rubber hung in the air, as well as the smoldering smoke from the charred vehicle. As Luke stumbled off of the hillside and took a step forward, an all-too familiar stench greeted him causing him to gulp, standing motionless in the rain.

"Luke!" shouted Cooter running up behind his friend and putting a hand on his shoulder.

"Cooter…it-it's….the smell…it…it's…like Nam…Bo…. Bo…" he choked out unable to stir.

Cooter grimaced nodding. He hadn't driven a wrecker for as long as he had without seeing his fair share of car crashes and knowing the tell-tale smells associated with them. This stench was unmistakable…that of burnt flesh.

The mechanic swallowed, giving Luke's shoulder a gentle squeeze, not knowing what to say. "Luke…Luke… d'ya want me t' check…t' see if…?" He couldn't bring himself to say the words.

"No," answered Luke firmly, shakily getting to his feet. "I will."

"Well lemme at least come with ya," continued Cooter in a serious tone, knowing that his friend would need support should things turn out as bad as they looked.

Luke shook his head and held up his hand, motioning the mechanic to stay where he was. Slowly, biting back tears and swallowing so he would not gag from the smell, he crept closer to the wreck, peering inside.

"Oh God!" Luke fell to his knees and retched, shaking uncontrollably.

"Luke!" shouted Cooter, running to his friend's side. Luke said nothing but simply clung to him, rocking himself back and forth, his actions telling Cooter all he needed to know.

"Bo…Bo…Bo…"

"Shhh Lucas…hush now…."

"He…he d….he…d…."

Cooter swallowed hard and slowly lifted his eyes to the wrecked car.

Hunched over in the driver's seat was a body, burned beyond recognition, save for some unruly blond hair which had miraculously escaped the flames untouched and an all-too- familiar pocket knife laying scorched in what was left of the seat.

Cooter quickly turned away to keep from gagging himself. Bo was gone. He was really gone… He swallowed looking at Luke with tears streaming down his cheeks. Luke had slipped into a state of shock- that much was obvious. Gently he moved to the huddled Duke boy, gently shaking his arm. "We gotta go now Luke…" said Cooter, keeping his voice eerily calm despite the raw emotion threatening to take over.

"No…."

"We gotta Luke…we gotta call for help…c'mon now…" he continued, taking Luke in his arms and starting to pull him up.

"No…" answered Luke pulling away.

"Luke, now ya just can't sit here in the rain..." began Cooter pleadingly, his voice choking in anguish.

The Duke boy wouldn't budge. He simply sat holding his middle and rocking himself, saying Bo's name over and over and over.

I just can't believe it…Bo Duke dead? Don't that just break yer heart? Now where's those tissues I brought in here?