by: Val Strate

“The moonlight etched out the lone silhouette of the beast as it stood on the edge of the cliff. Blood dripped from its fangs and down his lips and chin as he arched his back and howled out to the moon…. EEEEYYYOOOWWWW….OOOOWW…OOOWWW!” Luke howled out then gave out a hard laugh as he watched the scouts, Val, Bo, Daisy and Enos all jump from their seats as they sat gathered around him listening to his tale.

“Luke! Ya just about scared the livin’ daylights out of us all!” Bo protested as he held a jumpy Val close along with some of the girl Hazzard scouts.

Luke looking back at his younger blond cousin gave a wicked smile then settled, “Oh come on Bo… What’s a Halloween camp out if ya got a lame ghost story?”

“Ahem… yeah… well we probably should all head to bed.” Val spoke up as she slowly sat up from clinging to Bo.

“Who can sleep now after that?” Daisy complained as she held Enos near. The deputy sheriff was shaking slightly from the howl but slowly recovered and let go of Daisy. He brushed himself off as he tried to act as if everything was fine, while Daisy continued, “Luke, ya didn’t have to scream out like that.”

“Daisy… It was just a story. There are no real werewolves in Hazzard woods.” Luke retorted.

Daisy gave Luke a scowl, “There ain’t werewolves but I’m sure Val could tell ya there are real wolves in these woods!”

Valerie stood up from her seat on the log and stretched, “Yes, there are but as of right now, I’m going to bed and I think the rest of the troop should too. Come on kids to your tents.”

A collective groan was given from the group of scouts as the Dukes and Strates helped the kids to their tents and settled everyone down for bed. Daisy and Valerie climbed into their tent and the boys and Enos were in their own. The cool fall night air fell upon them and allowed for all the campers to finally rest.

Deep in the woods, the golden silvers of eyes looked on at the tents with a voyeur’s gaze. Now was not the time, for his attack but he needed a host and soon to feed on and past on his breeding rights. For soon, it would be all Hallows Eve and the line of his kind needed to be passed onto an heir. A new line of blood needed to be tainted with the spirit of the wolf and once he passed on the curse, he would be freed from it. As the wind blew through the trees and over his short brown hair, he growled low at the cold.

“What was that?” Enos shrieked hearing the low sound on the wind and clinging to Bo who was wrapped up in his sleeping bag.

“Uh? Enos, would ya go to sleep. It’s just the wind.” Bo mumbled as he tucked the bag around himself more and mumbled, “I swear Luke, I could kick yer tail for telling’ that stupid story.”

“Hhhmmm?” Luke incoherently answered to the sound of his name.

“Nuttin’ go back to bed. You too Enos. Sheesh.”

Enos lay there in his sleeping bag with saucer shaped eyes and listened to the sounds of the wind whistling through the weeds and the creaking of the old barren tree branches of fall. The sounds of his own heartbeat could be heard drumming in his ears as it quickened while panic was slowly seeping into his soul. He could feel the presence of something lurking in the dark. It was there, creeping in the night, the hot breath of the beast breathing through the nylon of the tent near his head. A light glow of golden ‘eyes’ had shown through the dark and the thin cloth. The deputy sheriff started to shiver and quake as he witnessed the two glowing orbs of light that showed through the tent canvas.

“G-g-g-ghost!” Enos stammered as he grabbed Bo’s sleeping bag and shook it.

“Enos! Would ya calm down?! There’s nuttin’ out there.” Bo snapped back at the other man. At this time, the glowing orbs vanished into the night and the deputy Sheriff lay there in disbelief that his proof was gone. He stammered back to Bo, “B-b-b-but… there were eyes and …”

“Oh for cryin’ out loud. Look Enos, if you feel that concerned about it. I’ll go out and check.” the blond sighed and crawled out of the sleeping bag. If Luke was awake, he was not saying anything because the dark haired Duke did not answer. Bo frowned and picked up the flashlight at the door of the tent then unzipped the nylon door and crawled out. He zipped the tent back up once outside and turned on the flash light. Panning the light across the woods, the young Duke looked around for any suspicious activity. Bo moved away from his tent toward the girls’ tent and some of the campers tents to see if there was, anyone out moving around that Enos might have mistaken for his so called ‘ghost’. Heh, ghost indeed, there was nothing but tents and the sounds of the wind through the trees. The blond chuckled softly to himself and shook his head as he turned off his light after circling around the girls tent and venturing a little into the wooded area just beyond their campsite. As Bo was heading back out of the woods to his tent, a sudden grasp of a hand clamped around his throat. The young man’s eyes went wide as the crushing feeling around his windpipe prevented him from screaming in pain and terror. The hot breath brushed across his jaw and a set of large hairy arms wrapped around his torso pulling him back into the wooded night. He struggled but found the sharp painful grip around his throat tightened and choked him to the point of unconsciousness. The flashlight fell to the earth by the shallow ruts that his boots made into the dirt.

Back in the tent, Enos lay wide-awake still, waiting for Bo’s return. As time passed by more and more, deputy Strate’s worry began to increase. Finally, Enos swallowed hard, unzipped his sleeping bag, and crawled out of the tent putting his boots on and taking his own flashlight out into the dark. The breeze seemed to send chills down Enos’s spine as he walked around the tents and whispered, “Bo? Ya there buddy roe?”

No answer came.

Anxiety filled the dark haired deputy’s being as he traveled around Daisy and Val’s tent and stared into the woods. A pair of golden eyes stared back at Enos, and blinked in the night. A lump formed in Enos’s throat and he trembled as he raised his flashlight toward the eyes. The shaky beam of light shown on an owl that was sitting on a low hanging branch of an oak tree. A deep ‘Hoot Hoot’ from the owl inquired to Enos’s invasion of his territory. A hand rested on Enos’s shoulder and he squealed in fright, tossing the flashlight into the air, “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

“Take it easy Enos, it’s just me.” A familiar voice answered from behind him. That is when Enos realized it was only Bo.

“Geez, Bo, ya scare the daylights out of me!” the frightened Strate answered. By this time now, a few of the scouts were out of their tents, along with Daisy, Valerie, and Luke.

Luke came up to the two the men and asked quickly, “What’s going on?”

“I just came back from the woods. Enos, there’s nuttin’ out there.” Bo chuckled and shook his head.

“What took ya so long?” Enos looked at Bo with a questing gaze.

The smile on the Duke’s face faded and he averted Enos’s gaze, “I tripped and fell down in the woods. I hit my head on a rock and was out for a few minutes then woke up and heard you callin’ for me.”

Daisy stepped closer when she heard Bo’s answer and she started to look him over, “What’s those bite marks on yer neck Bo?”

“Bite marks? What bite marks?” Bo asked quickly while putting his hand over his neck.

“The ones under yer hand.” Daisy asked looking at him funny.

Bo looked nervous, “Look maybe yer tired or something Daisy. Why don’t we all head to bed it’s been a long night and we all could use the sleep.”

Everyone looked at one another and Bo headed back to his tent, which was a cue for everyone else to go back to bed. Before Bo got to the tent, Luke pulled him off to the side while Enos passed them and went to bed.
“Look, maybe ya can get away with foolin’ Daisy ‘bout them marks but you can’t fool me. What happened to you in the woods?” Luke asked his cousin in concern.

“Luke, I just told ya. I tripped on a rock and passed out for a few seconds.” Bo answered Luke quickly and turned from his cousin, so Luke could not read him.

Luke then spun Bo around, “Bo! Don’t… Don’t ya think I know when yer lying. Now what happened cousin?”

Bo sighed and looked up at the old man, “Honestly Luke, I don’t know. All I know is I went to look around for Enos, to see if there was something out here in the woods and I thought something attacked me but I think it was just a nightmare and I woke up in the woods. Like I said I must have tripped and hit my head, but I honestly don’t know where the ‘marks’ that you keep telling me about come from.”

“Well ya got a set of teeth marks on your neck! Don’t it hurt?” Luke asked a little softer and more concerned.

“I little but not a lot. Look, Luke, I just wanna sleep. Can we please just go lay down for the night?”

Luke then put his hand over Bo’s forehead, “Your temperature feels alright. Alright come on. Let’s get back to bed. Daisy and I will look at those marks in the morning, if ya don’t want me to look at them now.”

“Yes, I don’t. Let’s just go to bed.” Bo answered. With that, Luke nodded, and they went back to bed and sleep.

* * * * * * *

Two days later…

The weather was strange this morning as Val made here way up the courthouse steps with her lunch bag in hand. The overcast of storm clouds loomed overhead but not a drop of rain fell. The slights sounds of Mother Nature’s threats of rain could be heard but none was ever given. Valerie walked down the hall to her office where she was met by a small handful of farmers.

“Game Warden Strate, we need to talk to you.” A slender man in overalls and cap stepped forward.

“Well what can I do for ya, Hank?” Valerie asked as she put her key into her office door. She then opened it up and stepped into her office allowing the group of about five farmers to file inside.

“Last night my hen house was broken into. All my chickens either took off or were torn into little pieces. There was blood and feathers everywhere! I got the proof in this here bag!” Hank answered as he raised a bloodied burlap bag. Val cringed but then looked to the next man with a complaint.

“Last night there was a stampede of my cattle and I found a break in my fence and some of my cows on the road and this in the middle of my field!” the next farmer answered as he held open a burlap bag for the Game Warden to look into and inside was the head of a cow. Valerie’s stomach turned.

The other two had similar stories showing maimed animal caresses, of goats and pigs. All four had something in common, the attacks were all on the same night and the descriptions were the same, damaged property and dead animals. Most likely what this meant to Val was that a wolf was on the loose and terrorizing the local farms. One thing remained strange, even if it was a wolf, how could it eat all those animals and still be hungry?

“So gentleman what do you think this is about?” Val asked as she sat behind her desk listening to their stories.

Hank stepped forward, “We think it’s a wolf and we want it taken care of. That’s why we come to ya Game Warden.”

“Right, well. I will look into all the places that have been under attack. Give me your addresses and I’ll be out to each one of your farms to investigate sometime before the day is over. Please try not to disturb the sites too much I want a good look at things.” the female wildlife officer explained as she slid a legal pad and pen across the desk to the group of farmers. Each one wrote down his name, address and phone number then left. Val then looked over the lists after the men left and proceeded to map out the locations of each attack and get things around to investigate.

* * * * * *

Blood covered his body as he awoke in the field. Looking at his hands that were covered in red, a shear feeling of dread sank into his soul. What had happened last night? Where was he? Flashes of the night started to come back to him and his heart raced with fear. The young man let out a scream of terror and pain at what he had just done. Was it even him? Why could he remember all those terrible things and had this blood all over his… naked body? Naked! He was naked and covered in blood! Taking a sharp breath and wrapping his arms around himself, he got up and walked to his home, which was not far from where he woke up.

Stepping into the barn, he found the water hydrant and turned it on. It was broad daylight and he was careful about sneaking into the barn, so hopefully no one would find him. His Uncle’s truck was gone and so was his cousin’s jeep. Only one person might find him like this and hopefully if anyone could help him it was his other male cousin. As the cold water rinsed down his body and washed away the blood, it couldn’t take away the guilt and shame he felt now. What had he done? He remembered it all, every gory, horrifying moment of it. Yet he felt like he wasn’t in control, like his body wasn’t his body and his mind wasn’t his mind. Closing his eyes and swallowing hard as the cold water cascaded down over his golden locks, he didn’t notice the other man walk into the barn.

“Bo! What on earth are ya doing?!” Luke snapped looking at his naked cousin who was washing himself with a hose.

Bo quickly turned around and stammered as he turned off the water, “Luke! I-I-I can explain!”

“I think ya better cousin, since ya weren’t around for chores this morning’ and Uncle Jesse and Daisy are out now lookin’ for ya! Where have ya been and what the heck happened to ya?” Luke looked at the younger man with a worried gaze.

“That’s just it! I don’t know! One minute I was in bed the next I wake up in the pasture field covered in blood and naked!”

“Well, get inside and get washed up in the shower and get dressed! We can talk about this over breakfast and once I get Daisy and Jesse back home.”

“NO!” Bo shrieked, “Luke, I can’t tell them. I can’t tell them what I saw last night! Luke, I swear, I swear on all that’s holy cousin, don’t tell them ya found me like this or tell them what I’m gonna tell you because I can’t burden them with it. Hell, I don’t even know if you can handle it…”

“Bo, look whatever it is, ya know you can tell me. Come on, let’s just get ya inside and settled down.”

“Ya gotta promise me ya won’t tell them Luke!”

“Alright! All right I promise. Now come on inside.” Luke answered and the two young men then left the barn and went into the farmhouse.

* * * * * *

“Thanks Hank for saving the scene for me. It helps me get an idea of what we’re dealin’ with here.” Val answered as she took her rubber gloves off.

“You’re welcome. So ya figure out what it is, Game Warden?” the farmer asked as she was packing up her things.

“Not completely. It’s hard to say. With the photos I took, the fiber evidence and those bone samples from the carcasses I think I can piece something together but my guess is a wolf but the animal is somewhat large to be a wolf, yet too small to be a bear. Doesn’t fit the profile of a mountain lion either… I tell ya Hank, this ain’t an easy one to figure out. I’ll send this hair sample to one of the labs in Capital City and they should give me a read out on it.” Val answered.

“In the mean time what do I do?” Hank asked.

“You set some traps, keep your shotgun close and my number on speed dial.,” the young woman answered.

* * * * *

“Bo that doesn’t make any sense! What do you mean you couldn’t stop it?” Luke asked as Bo stepped out of the shower then walked to his room.

“I mean I couldn’t control it. It was like a monster. Like I was a monster and I was eatin’ chickens, cows, goats, and pigs, raw! With my teeth and hands!”

“Bo get real. Ya must have been out partying too hard last night and someone slipped ya something in your beer and you got pranked or something, because there is no way you can eat a cow with your bare hands and teeth.” Luke answered leaning against the wall in their room as Bo got dressed, “And I swear if I find the person that did that too you, they will pay for it.”

“Luke, I didn’t go any place last night. I was home the whole night. I didn’t even sneak out of the house and go out with friends! I was here! In my bed.” Bo protested as he put on his shirt.

Luke looked at Bo for a long moment then nodded, “Yeah, ya were here when I fell asleep last night. Fact I remember ya fallin’ asleep before I did.”

“I know! I swear Luke. I’m telling’ ya the truth.”

“Bo, it’s ok. Get a grip. You’re gonna be fine. Just get a hold of yourself, yer talkin’ crazy.”

“It’s the truth though Luke.” the younger man pleaded.

Luke sighed and wiped a hand over his face, “Alright, well for now just keep this to yourself until we can understand what’s goin’ on with ya.”

Bo gave Luke a worried look as he finished dressing and that is when they both heard the door open downstairs and the feminine voice call up the steps, “Luke! Luke, ya find Bo?”
“Yeah, we’re upstairs Daisy.” Luke stepped to the door and called back. He then glanced back at the panicked Bo who just watched his cousin timidly.

Daisy came to the door and knocked on it, “Can I come in?”

By this time Bo was dressed and standing against the opposite wall. Luke looked to Bo then slowly opened the door, “Yeah, come on in.”

Daisy stepped inside then seen Bo and stepped quickly over to him and wrapped her arms around him tight in a hug, “Don’t ya dare do that to us again! Where’d ya go?”

“Oof…. Um, Daisy, I…” Bo answered softly as he then slowly wrapped his arms around her back.

“Please tell me, ya won’t do this again! We were worried sick about ya Bo Duke!” Daisy answered as she looked up at her cousin.

“I hope not…” Bo gave an uneasy answer as he looked back at her.

“Well what happened?” she asked stepping back a little to give him room.

“I’m not really sure…”

“Well, I was sure worried about ya sug, cause something weird is goin’ on. I just seen Hank Miller in town and he said he just lost some chickens to some wolves, and Ned Jenkings lost a goat to a wolf or some kind of monster. Old lady Norton said she seen a big hairy like bear run across their wheat field and through her garden.” Daisy answered, “When I was lookin’ for ya I found all this out. I was startin’ to think whatever monster was out there got a hold of ya.”

Bo started to look pale as Daisy described what was going on around the county.

The brunette woman looked at her cousin with concern, “Ya ok Bo? Ya look like ya could be sick?”

“Uh, yeah, Bo will be alright. Look Daisy, why don’t ya head on downstairs and get breakfast going.” Luke intervened.

“Sure.” She answered looking between the two young men.

After Daisy left, Bo put his face into his hands and turned away, “Oh god!”

“Bo!” Luke quickly grabbed his cousin’s shoulder and sighed, “Just because something is on the loose out there doesn’t mean it’s you.”

“It don’t mean it’s not me, neither! Luke, I remember tearing into livestock. I woke up this morning’ in the pasture field covered in blood.” Bo panicked, “What the hell is wrong with me!”

“Bo, you could have sleep walked in the pasture and you were just dreaming all that and didn’t wake up till I found ya washing yourself off with the hose.” Luke tried to calm his cousin down, “Besides I didn’t see any blood on ya.”

“Yeah cause I had got it all washed off by the time ya got there!” Bo insisted.

“Bo, I think you’re over reacting. You didn’t kill those animals. It’s just a nightmare cousin. Now come on and let’s get down stairs. Daisy probably has breakfast ready and Uncle Jesse is probably home by now.” Luke answered ushering his cousin out of the bedroom.

* * * * * * *

After visiting all the farms that were attacked, collecting the evidence and sending it off to Capital City to be analyzed, the young game warden headed home to relax. The old Chevelle pulled into the gravel drive of the farmstead that her and her brother shared. Val got out of the car and took her leather bag with her as she headed up the walk and into the house. She noticed the police car in the drive, which meant that Enos was most likely home.

The smell of burning food filled the kitchen and Enos had just ran into the kitchen in a panic, “Oh no! It’s burnin’!”

Val coughed as she set her bag down on one of the kitchen chairs and waved a hand in front of her face as smoke rolled from the oven when Enos opened the oven door, “I’ll say. What were ya cookin’?”

“I was trying to cook tuna noodle casserole for us to have for supper but I guess it didn’t turn out.” Enos frowned at the charred dinner.

Val frowned at their burnt meal, “Why don’t we have supper at the Boar’s Nest tonight? I could use the night out.”

Enos nodded then took his burnt creation outside to give to the barn cats as Val went to her room to change out of her uniform. The young woman came back downstairs in a tight pair of boot cut blue jeans and a t-shirt that clung to her torso that had some kind of writing on it. Once they were ready, the twins headed outside and to the Chevelle to go to the best roadhouse in Hazzard County, The Boar’s Nest. After a few minutes of driving Cricket to the honky tonk, they were soon sitting at one of the checkered table clothed tables looking over their menus.

“I’ll have baby back ribs, Cole slaw, biscuits, and green beans, with chocolate milk to drink Daisy.” Val smiled to the Boar’s Nest waitress then closed her menu and looked to her brother.

“Oh! Um, I’ll have the chicken pot pie with corn on the cob and a glass of buttermilk please.” Enos grinned to Daisy handing her his menu.

Daisy took the menus after writing the order down, “Sure thing sugs. Ya’ll sit tight now and just relax.”

“Thank you Daisy.” Val told the server and Enos nodded as well. As the leggy waitress walked from the table, Enos’s eyes traveled along watching her all the way to the bar admiringly. He gave a soft sigh then turned to look at his dinning partner, who sat across from him with her head propped up with her hand and staring with slight annoyance, “Are ya done yet?”

Enos blushed, “Sorry Sis. Sometimes I can’t help myself.”

“I know. I’ve told you time and time again to tell her how you really feel and take a chance but ya don’t listen to me.” Val answered as she traced her fingers along her fork as they were waiting for their dinner.

“Val ya just can’t rush these things ya know.” the male twin told his sister as he looked at his plate.

Valerie looked up then sat up straight and leaned in forward so only he could hear her chastised him, “Uh huh… so in other words if ya do ask her out and you two ever decide to get married, you’ll take another fifteen years to do that too. At this rate Enos Strate, well all be in the grave before you find the right time to talk to her!”

Enos looked up at his sister and not only embarrassment flushed his cheeks but a bit of anger, “Some folks just don’t go runnin’ head first into things.”

“And some people ain’t afraid to take chances!” Valerie snapped back when a hand touched her shoulder. She then looked up to see the dark haired Duke Cousin.

?Mind if we join ya’ll?” Luke asked as he smiled down at her.

Val smiled, “Uh no… um Enos and I were just having a sib squabble.”

“Oh, well we don’t mean to intrude.” Bo grinned as he took a chair and sat down at the table and Luke soon joined.

“It’s all right buddy roes. Val was just speakin’ her mind and we were just about to end it anyhow.” Enos answered to Bo but gave Valerie a look to drop the subject, which she did. She knew how to keep things cool around the Dukes, even if she knew that Bo and Luke already knew of Enos’s infatuation.

“So what’s up?” Val asked the boys.

“Not much, Bo and me just got done with the farm chores and now we came in for a beer. We kind of heard that you were over at the Jenkings and Miller farms. What’s going on?” Luke asked as he sat down.

Valerie sat back in her chair and rubbed the back of her neck, “Oh, we think it’s a wolf attack but it’s hard to tell. The evidence points to something bigger than a wolf but smaller than a bear. So I’m kind of stumped.”

Bo looked over at Luke with a slightly pensive glance but then looked away when he noticed his cousin didn’t acknowledge back. A waitress came over to the table to get his and Luke’s drink order. Bo put in an order for two beers and the young woman was off to retrieve the drinks.

Luke looked to Val, well aware of his cousin’s tension but not paying attention to him to keep the Game Warden for noticing. He stroked his fingers under his chin and looked back at Valerie with a thought-filled glance, “So ya think we got anything to worry about?”

“It’s hard to say Luke. I mean, I have no clue what is causing these attacks. It could be anything but right now the evidence doesn’t point to any one thing,” she answered as Daisy came to the table with Val and Enos’s meals.

Luke looked perplexed as he stared into his beer, “Well your evidence has to point to something.”

Daisy stood by now with the empty tray in her hands listening to see what Valerie had to say.

“I’m sure it does. I just can’t tell you what that is yet because I myself don’t know what it is. I sent some things to the lab. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever discovered before.” Valerie answered putting a napkin over her lap. Enos started in on his dinner while Luke and Daisy were intrigued by what Valerie had to say. Enos too was listening but eating contently while watching the conversation. The only person at the table that wasn’t paying any attention was Bo. Something just didn’t feel right as he was drinking that beer. He was staring across the room at a group of girls. Normally he could concentrate on something serious and avoid the opposite sex, but at this time, he couldn’t. He didn’t hear a word the rest were saying about the animal attacks and a slow fiery lust started to burn in his belly. The blond got up from the table, without excusing himself and strolled over to the two young women standing by the bar.

The rest of the group looked at Bo as he got up from the table and the conversation stopped.

“Luke, has Bo been actin’ ok?” Daisy asked as she saw her cousin get up and leave.

Luke frowned and bit his lower lip. He then took a swig of his beer and answer, “As far as I know…”

Enos and Val looked at one another and shrugged. Daisy looked at Luke and rested her empty tray on her hip, “Well I know Bo chases them skirts but I’ve never known him to be that rude ‘bout it. Especially when there is a crisis going on.”

“I don’t know what’s the matter with him.” Luke answered as his frowned deepened, as he knew perfectly well that Bo wasn’t behaving like himself.

Bo now on the other hand was talking to both of the young women. He managed to gain their phone number, names, where they were from. The younger blond woman giggled and smiled, “You have such hungry eyes cowboy.”

“Well when I see something I like, I tend to grab it.” He gave a wolfish grin.

“Aren’t you Bo Duke? The guy with that really fast car.” The brown-haired woman asked.

“Yeah, and I could give you both a ride right now if ya’d like it.” Bo answered smoothly to the females who seemed to have his full attention.

The two girls look at one another then back to Bo, “Sure.”

Within minutes the women and Bo were heading to the door and out to the General Lee.

“What the…” Luke exclaimed as he watched Bo, interrupting Valerie from what she was telling him about the testing procedures on the evidence she found.

“I don’t believe it!” Daisy’s jaw dropped as she witnessed the same thing.

Valerie had stopped talking now and turned around in her seat to see Bo go out the door, “What is that about?”

“I don’t know.” Luke answered then patted his shirt pocket, “But he has the keys.”

Daisy looked at Luke, “Luke you gotta go after him. First his runnin’ away this morning’ now walkin’ out on us like this.” Daisy gave her cousin a worried look and handed Luke her jeep keys.

“Running away?!” The Strate twins spoke at the same time as Luke got up and headed to the door after taking Daisy’s keys. Val stood up along with Enos and they both rushed after Luke.

Valerie caught up with Luke first as he was to the jeep and the General was heading down the road, “Luke, let us help you go after him.”

“Get in!” Luke told Valerie. Val tossed her keys to Enos, he got into the Chevelle, and the chase was on. Luke had the jeep speeding down the road after the orange Charger, and trying to raise his cousin on the CB, “Lost Sheep 2 this is Lost Sheep 1, pull on over would ya. We gotta have a little talk.”

As Luke’s voice came over the CB, Bo quickly turned the radio off. His burnette passenger then asked him, “Why’d ya do that? He wants to talk to you.”

“Right now honey, I’m not into talkin’ and all I want is action.” Bo grinned as his foot pressed harder onto the accelerator. The girls looked at one another and watched as Bo started to drive faster and more reckless. Soon the dodge was approaching a steep and narrow ravine that Bo knew Luke couldn’t jump with the jeep but the General could fly over with ease. The orange charger sailed over the ditch leaving the white jeep at the edge in its wake. Luke frowned as the jeep skidded to a stop and he hit the steering wheel with his hand, “Damn it!”

Valerie looked at the driver of the jeep and spoke softly, “What happened this morning”

Luke sighed and looked at her, “You don’t wanna know.”

“Yes, I do. I wanna know what happened.”

“Val just let it go.”

“No I will not let it go! Bo is obviously not acting like himself and you’re not letting me on any details!” Val snapped at Luke and folded her arms in protest. Luke backed the jeep up in defeat and headed back to the Boar’s Nest with the jeep. He sighed. Valerie raised her eyebrow at him, “You do know you could take my Chevelle after him.”

Luke looked up at her in disbelief and Valerie grabbed the CB, “Enos park Cricket. We’re goin’ after him with the Chevy.”

The Chevelle pulled up next to the jeep and the driver got out. Luke and Enos switched keys and the three of them were soon all packed into the green muscle car. Luke sent the Chevy over the ravine like his cousin did. However the General was now long gone and the mission was more of a search now, than a chase. Luke sighed as he gripped the wheel, “I just don’t know what is happening to him.”

“You never did answer me… What is going on with Bo, Luke?” Val asked still persistent as she sat in the passenger side looking out the window and they rolled along the countryside.

Luke gave a ragged sigh. Val always had a habit of nosing into things. He wished he could tell her about this morning but it was highly personal he felt at this time. It wouldn’t do a bit of good to explain, “Look I just can’t tell you… And it looks like we lost’em.”

* * * * *
Bo laughed as the girls found the jump amusing and wild. The General sped down the dirt road and the brunette giggled as she gripped the dash and laughed. The blond was in the back seat and leaning on the back of his headrest and musing her hand into his own golden hair. From the Nest, Bo discovered that the brown-haired woman’s name was Tiffany and the blond was Shari.

“Mmmm, that sure was exciting Bo. Now maybe you could give Shari and me a lift home?” Tiffany smiled.

Shari grinned and giggled, “Yeah, our boyfriends might get jealous if they knew we were hanging with you.”

“Actually, you ladies won’t be going home.” Bo answered in an eerily smooth voice that had seriousness to it.

Tiffany laughed, “Why? Do you think just because you impressed us with that fancy jump that we’ll feel inclined to do other things for you?”

Bo looked straight ahead and said nothing in return as the General flew down the road.

“He must be thinking we’d be up for a three-some.” Shari giggled, “Come on Bo, get real. Tiff and me are taken and we don’t swing like that man. Yer cute and all but…”

“You agreed to go on a ride with me… Which I can tell you gas ain’t free.” Bo answered calmly as he looked straight ahead sending the orange charger now down the road at break neck speed.

The girls looked at one another with fearful eyes. Tiffany was the one to speak first and grab the door handle, “You’re insane! I’m not giving you, your jollies just cuz ya gave us a ride!”

“You open that door at this speed and ya might as well sign your own will because ya won’t survive the fall out.” Bo answered smoothly as if he did not care if she did. That is when he turned the General off the main dirt road and onto a path that lead into the woods. The girls were now frantic. Tiffany tried to grab for the wheel and Shari put her arm around his neck to try to choke Bo so the brunette could over power him. Bo reached out with his right hand, grabbed a fistful of Tiffany’s hair, and slammed her forehead into the dash. The brunette fell back into her seat, as she was knocked cold from having her nose smashed into the dashboard. When the blond’s arm came around him to choke him, a surge of adrenaline went through his body and the sharpness of his canines pierce through his gum line, his pupils went from blue to yellow. Sinking his teeth into the arm flesh and crunching into her bone. Shari screamed in pain and horror. Soon he released her arm and the General started to slow down to one of the old still sites.

* * * * * *

By this time, Luke, Val and Enos returned to the Boar’s Nest. The sun had gone down below the horizon and the dark cloak of night surrounded them. Luke made his way into the roadhouse with a worried pace. Val and Enos soon followed the worried Duke inside.

“Luke, I don’t know why you keep hiding this? If you feel Bo is in trouble maybe you should talk to someone about it!” Val demanded as she walked inside.

Daisy just within earshot, looked up when she seen her cousin and the Strate twins walk in. Her heels clicked against the floor as she made her way over to Luke, “Ya find Bo?!”

“No… Something’s going on with him Daisy. I know it.” Luke answered with a sigh.

“Which is why you need help and need to talk about this.” Valerie stated coming up to Luke’s side.

Enos approached with his sister, “Ya know, it might not be a bad idea to consider help Luke. You and Bo were always there for me and Val when we were in trouble. Let us help ya out.”

“Trouble? Ya’ll think Bo’s in trouble?” Daisy asked as her brow creased.

“We don’t know. Look, I’ll keep you both in mind when the time comes. Right now, I don’t know what is up with Bo. I just hope he makes his way home.” Luke answered with an obviously distraught face.

Daisy now gave a deep breath and leaned her back against the bar as she ran a hand through her hair, “I don’t believe it. I mean even when he was skirt chasin’ he would never just off and disappear without saying, ‘excuse me’ or dismissin’ himself to go talk to someone. He always would tell us where he’s goin’ ya know.”

“I just got a bad feelin’. I guess all we can do is go home and wait for him.” Luke spoke low as he looked at the floor.

“Yeah, that’s probably all ya can do. I mean he is a big boy. He can talk care of himself can’t he?” Val replied not sure, why Luke was so upset by this.

Luke looked up at the Game Warden and shot her a glare, “Call me tomorrow if ya get a bunch of farmers knockin’ on yer office door about animal killings.”

Val looked shocked then scoffed, “And just what does that have to do with the price of tea in China?”

“Just do it. Ya said ya wanna help. So help.” Luke stated then looked to Daisy, “I’ll be home at the farm. I’ll come pick ya up at midnight when yer shift is over.”

Daisy nodded then seen a table that was flagging her down for more beer so she walked over to them. Luke watched her go then started to the door when Valerie put her hand on his shoulder as he passed, “Seriously Luke, what is going on? I’m worried about you and Bo. You’re hiddin’ something and Bo’s acting like a nut.”

“Like, I said… just give me a call.” with that, Luke left.

* * * * *
As night fell over the sleepy Georgia countryside, the large full moon lit up the night’s sky. An eerie howl filled the night and was filled with two shorter howls. They roamed the countryside together the three beasts, breaking into barns, tearing off heads of chickens with one bite from their wolf like jaws, feasting on cattle, and chasing sheep out of their paddocks and all over the pastures. Some farmers even shot at them, but no ordinary bullets could harm these monsters. They would even spread their likeness to others, especially those who attacked them. When it was over, they retreated to their new liar and slept the night off. Their furs were covered with the blood of their victims as they lay cuddled together, the alpha wolf and his two new mates.

* * * * * *
Luke was awakening the next morning to a rapping on his bedroom door. He got out of bed to open the door to see Bo standing there in tattered and torn blood covered clothes and his hair matted with dried blood. The dark blue eyes looked back at his older cousin and he spoke meekly, “Help me Luke!”

Luke’s eyes widened as he looked over his cousin, “What the hell happened to you! Are ya hurt?”

Bo shook his head, “This blood ain’t mine.”

“Then who’s is it?” Luke asked as he stepped back letting Bo come into the room.

“I don’t know. All I know is, I waked up this morning covered in blood and laying next to Tiffany and Shari. I don’t know why I left with them from the Boar’s Nest but something made me Luke. I can’t explain everything I’ve done… b-b-but, I-I’m…” With that, the young man buried his face into his hands and tears ran down his face and into his blood stained hands.
“Bo, calm down.” Luke walked over to his younger cousin and walked with him to his bed, “First thing, ya gotta get cleaned up then we’ll figure this out. Go shower and I’ll get ya some new clothes. Kay.”

Bo nodded as they sat on the bed together. Luke sat with his cousin a few minutes until Bo was ready to get cleaned up and dressed. Then Bo got up and went into the bathroom to clean up while Luke got Bo’s new set of clothes together and laid them on the sink in the shower. The older cousin then went down stairs to meet Daisy and Jesse at the breakfast table. The Duke patriarch looked at his oldest nephew, “Daisy told me about last night. Luke, what’s going on with him?”

“Honestly, Uncle Jesse, I don’t know myself.” Luke rubbed the back of his neck and walked over to the kitchen table to take a seat.

Jesse looked at Luke and took a sip of his coffee, “What happened when he came home?”

“Well, he’s scared. His clothes are torn and he’s covered in blood.” Luke accepted a cup of coffee that Daisy gave him.

“Ya don?t suppose those girls had something to do with this?” Daisy inquired as she poured herself some coffee then came to the table as well.

“No…” Luke shook his head and took a deep breath, “It can’t be, because… Well I didn’t tell ya’ll this yesterday because I didn’t think it was that serious till now, but I found him yesterday morning. He was naked and washing himself in the barn with a hose. Something really strange is going on with him. He keeps telling me, he’s a monster and that he’s done some really bad things to animals.”

Jesse looked oddly at Luke, “Bad things to animals? Bo wouldn’t hurt a fly!”

“I know Uncle Jesse but this is the second morning this has happened and he keeps ranting the same things, over and over. He might need some kind of help that we can’t give him.” Luke answered.

“But why? I mean why’s he actin’ this way now?” Daisy asked.

Luke took a sip of his coffee, “I don’t know Daisy. If I did, we probably could solve this problem.”

Then the phone rang. Luke then looked to Daisy as Jesse got up from his seat and answered it, “Hello Duke residence…”

Jesse held the phone for a moment listening then looked to Luke, “Um, ok… I’ll tell’em what ya told me Val… Uh huh… all right. Thanks for callin’.”

“Let me guess, she’s got more angry farmers at her office door coming to her about the animal kills?” Luke spoke.

“Yeah, and Rosco has some murder reports. A couple of farmer’s wives are in the Sheriff’s office right now makin’ a complaint about seein’ big hairy wolf-man creatures. Hank Marely was killed and so was Joey Tomkins. Plus, some of the farmers say they were bitten by the creatures.” Jesse explained.

Luke rubbed a hand over his face and propped up his chin.

“Luke, what is it?” Daisy asked with concern painted all over her face.

Luke sat there for a long silent moment, “We gotta find Bo and keep an eye on him. Cause if he is involved with this, he could be very dangerous, not only to others but himself.

“Well I can go get’em.” Jesse told his nephew. Just then, they heard the sound of a large engine come to life.

“That’s if he ain’t gone already!” Luke sprang from the table and out side with the screen door slamming shut behind. He was outside just in time to see the General Lee take off down the road, “Damn it!”

Luke ran back into the house, passing Jesse and Daisy in the kitchen and racing up the stairs to his room to change.

“Luke! What’s going on?” Daisy called as she ran up to the boys room after him.

Within seconds, Luke ran out of the bedroom dressed in his jeans and flannel, “Can I borrow your jeep? I need to go find Val and Enos.”

“I’m going with you!” Daisy demanded.

Luke sighed, “Alright, Uncle Jesse we’re goin’ after Bo.”

“Well don’t just stand there, go!” Jesse commanded franticly keyed up from all the commotion.

Luke and Daisy ran out to her jeep and jumped in. The white jeep raced down the road and into town.

“Luke, what did he say to you this morning?” Daisy asked.

“He was covered in blood and kept saying he was a monster.”

“We gotta find him.”

“Yeah I know… I just wonder where he went to?”

“So where ya goin’ first?” Daisy inquired.

“I’m gonna talk to Val then we’re going on a search.”

* * * * *

Back at the wildlife office Valerie was busy talking to a mob of farmers, farmers’ wives, and children.

“Calm down everybody. Just calm down!” the Game Warden called out to the angry mob.

“Calm down!” One heavy set woman snarled, “How can we calm down when there are some kind of ‘things’ out there killin’ our livestock, murdering our husbands, families and causin’ all kinds of trouble!”

“I share your worry Madame but I’m doing all I can…” Val reassured.

“All ya can! That thing’s a beast, and yer the Game Warden. Ain’t ya out there suppose to be killin’ that thing!” another citizen from the mob hollered.

“We’re doing all we can. I’m going to be working with the Sheriff’s department to…”

“VAL!” Luke shouted as he made his way through the crowd of people gathered outside her office, “We gotta talk. Alone.”

“Hey buddy, wait yer turn. I need to give the Game Warden a piece of my m-…” a man snarled at Luke.

Val looked at Luke who had concern in his eyes. Daisy came in right behind him. That is when Valerie managed to dismiss the crowd, “Alright everyone, please return to your homes and I’ll try to get to every one of your complaints. Leave a message on my answering machine and I’ll be out at your residence. The Wildlife office is closed.”

A collective groan came over the crowd and the mob of Hazzardites dispersed. Val invited Luke and Daisy into her office, “Alright this better be good. I got a mob of angry farmers and families banging down my door for me to get out there and find this ‘beast’ or whatever it is and kill it. Rosco’s office is just as bad.”

“What were the test results from those samples ya took yesterday?” Luke asked in a serious tone.
Val looked oddly at Luke then answered, “The tissue samples were unlike anything the lab ever seen before and the blood samples came up positive for human, and wolf.”

“Human and wolf?” Luke looked at Val with confusion. Daisy looked between the two of them, “What human could it be Val?”

“We can’t tell who, unless a DNA test was given and that could take weeks. All I know is that a lot of the tests come up positive for human and wolf.” Val explained.

Daisy looked at Luke who had a pale expression on his face, “Luke, ya don’t think that…”

“He did say he was a ‘monster’ and he’s been covered in blood every morning and telling us he’s been eating farm animals with his bare teeth.” Luke answered looking at Daisy.

“No, come on that’s crazy…” Daisy answered.

“What are you two talking about?” Val interjected.

Luke looked to Val, “Bo, he’s been acting strange. We think all this stuff going on might be Bo.”

“What! What do you mean you think it might be Bo?” Val asked.

“Are you saying Bo could be…?” Daisy asked with a bit of fear flushing into her face.

“Val, ya know when I said that I don’t think there are any werewolves in Hazzard…” Luke asked.

Valerie’s eyes widened at that. Daisy shook her head, “No, no… I don’t believe it. Bo couldn’t…”

“Daisy, we got no choice. He very well could be.” Luke looked at his cousin with a morning like gaze.

“It would explain his behavior and how we have this ‘Beast’ running around.” Val looked to the Dukes.

Daisy shook her head again and pushed passed Luke and Val, covering her mouth as tears started to run down her cheeks.

“Daisy… It’s just a thought…” Luke answered.

Val pulled a tissue from the box and handed it to the brunette woman. Daisy took the tissue and dried her eyes.
“We gotta find him.” Daisy sobbed.

Luke nodded and hugged his cousin close.

Val looked at them both and sighed, “Well I could research about werewolves if you want me to. I know a little about wolf behavior.”

“Well, from what ya know about wolves Val, what would he be doing if he’s a wolf?” Luke asked as he rubbed Daisy’s back.

“Well… He would be looking to make a pack. Which means he’d select females to join him and beta males. So… if you look at Bo’s personality, he would be looking for girls. Which we saw him do, and looking for males that don’t seem to be a threat to him.” Val sighed.

“Males that aren’t a threat?” Luke looked puzzled.

“Well, males that seem less masculine than himself and maybe younger than himself. Bo can’t handle a male that is too much older and doesn’t have the right personality. He would probably end up killing them. Which….” Val hesitated as she spoke not wanting to explain the rest “Would explain the murders.”

“Oh god… I think I’m gonna be sick.” Daisy exclaimed as she pushed her way out of the wildlife office. Luke looked at Val in shock.

“You’re right. He’s a danger to anyone else and to himself.” Valerie sighed.

Luke looked grimly at Val then to the floor, “Isn’t silver the only thing that can cure a werewolf?”

“Not sure. I’d have to look it up. If so, I’d be getting some silver bullets and a knife made of sliver.” Val noted.

“Bo wouldn’t…” Luke looked up at Val.

“Luke if he is a werewolf, he’s not Bo anymore and you have to do what you have to, to protect yourself and anyone else. Besides, he wouldn’t just turn you. You’d be too much of a threat to his pack,” the Game Warden answered as she started to pack up some paper work on her desk.

Luke’s gaze hardened, “You’re saying he’d kill me!”

“I’m just warning you. I don’t know what he would do, but if you want my help to try to contain him and stop him. You got it. I don’t want to see him killed anymore than you but I can’t have him running a muck in this county and killing all the males that stand in his way and making all the females his concubine.” Valerie rubbed her brow as she looked at her desk.

“Alright, well gather all the information you can and meet me after you get off of work at our farm.” Luke looked up at the Game Warden.

Val nodded in response and Luke left the office to get Daisy and head home.

* * * * * * *
The afternoon came and Valerie headed home from work. Enos was out on patrol and would not be home until later. The Game Warden pulled up into her gravel drive and seen the Sheriff car in her drive. That’s funny, Enos ain’t suppose to be home till late.

Valerie got all her things from her Chevelle and walked up the sidewalk to the big brick farmhouse she shared with her brother. The orange streaks of sunlight streamed in through the kitchen window and onto the floor. She opened the door, sat her bag down on the kitchen chair, and noticed there were no lights on in the house as the evening was approaching.

“Enos… Enos are ya home?” Val asked as she walked around the house and to the staircase that led up to their bedrooms. She grasped the oak rail as her boots stepped up the hardwood steps. Half way up the staircase a creek, sounded out and gave the young Game Warden a chill. It was so quiet that she could hear the sound of Fang in his tank downstairs hissing. Shut up Fang! I’m already freaked out. Val took a few more steps and called out, “Enos?… Enos are ya here?”

Still no answer…

It was quiet. Too quiet. Even though she knew Enos liked to keep a quiet house, he still made noise. Footsteps, breathing, heart beating? Fact it was so quiet that she could only hear her own heart beating. Her hands started to shake as her breath quicken. She got up to the top step and looked down the hall to see no one there and Enos’s door was close with no light coming from under it, “Enos?!…”

She turned to open her own bedroom door, which was ajar, and peek inside. Nothing. She then turned around and let out a scream to see her brother right there.

“AAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Don’t do that!” she snapped.

“Do what Valerie?” Enos gave a smooth reply.

Valerie shivered and went to move past him, “Sneak up behind me like that!”

He grabbed her wrist and grinned, “I came for you Valerie.”

“Wait a minute… What happened to your accent? And since when do you call me by my full name?” Val asked as she noticed the grip on her arm.

‘Enos’ then opened his mouth to hiss at her and bare his newly formed canines. His finger nails started to grow and dig into her wrist. Valerie screamed in horror at the sight. She tugged away from him but he held tight. She did the only thing she knew to do as she was witnessing the transformation of her brother into a vicious snarling beast, with a swift kick from her foot it landed right in his groin. The now wolf like beast that had shreds of a deputy uniform on, grimaced and let go of her wrist, sending the young woman down the stairs. Valerie tumbled down the steps to the base. Things seemed hazy as she looked up at the hairy figure with yellow eyes and a wolf face, slow come down the steps at her. Pulling herself up to, she rubbed her head and gained her bearings, then scrambled to her feet. The werewolf growled and lunged for her. She dove around the corner into the home office then ran to the kitchen and slammed the oak door shut. Grabbing a kitchen chair and propping it against the door to give her time, she then darted out the kitchen door and down the walk to her car. Val dove through the window of the Chevelle in a way that would make the Dukes proud. As she produced the key from her pocket, stepped on the gas before even starting the engine. Once she started the engine, the beast was now on the porch and running down the sidewalk. The green Chevelle tore backwards out of the drive and onto the blacktop road. By the time the beast was in the driveway, Cricket was on the road squealing tires to safety.

Valerie’s heart raced in her chest, as knuckles were white and wrapped around the tan leather steering wheel. She panted in fear at the events that just took place. Soon the old Chevelle was down Mill Pond Road and approaching a familiar house. She got out of the green muscle car and sobbed. The porch light to the little farm house turned on and Luke came out of the house.

“What happened?” concern was written all over the eldest Duke Cousin’s face.

“I-I came home from work a-and… Enos…H-he…” Valerie stammered still shaken from the event.

Luke wrapped his arms around her and hugged her to get her to settle down, “Hey, hey… Easy.”

“It was awful.”

“Yeah… well come inside.” Luke told her as he place a hand on her back and walked with her inside.

Once inside, Val noticed the guns and knives sitting around on the kitchen table. She also noticed the windows and other doors were boarded shut. Luke pulled out a chair for her. Suddenly she realized the amount of crosses that were on the walls as she sat down, “Ok, Van Helsing…”

Luke raised an eyebrow at her as he started to make some coffee, “That’s pretty big talk for someone who’s a Game Warden and just got attacked.”

She shook her head and wiped a hand over her face, “Yer, right, yer right… sorry. So where’s Jesse and Daisy?”

Luke looked up with a cold face, “Jesse…”

He stopped and looked away not able to say the rest. Instead, he sat the cup of coffee down in front of Valerie and explained his cousin’s whereabouts, “Daisy’s at the Nest.”

“Ya think it’s safe for her there?” Val asked as she sipped her drink.

Luke took a seat across from her and took a sip from his own mug, “No, but she insisted on it. What am I suppose to do? Tie her to a chair and say, ya ain’t goin’ anywhere?”

Valerie shivered and run her hands over her arms, “So you gotta go pick her up?”

He shook his head, “No, she has the pickup and a gun with her.”

The two sat in silence for a few moments, drinking their coffee.

“So did you find anything out?” Luke asked finally.

Val sighed, “Well, I talked to the preacher on my lunch hour and he gave me a book. It was really old and had all kinds of stuff in it but a little bit about werewolves.”

“And?” the blue eyes inquired.

“Well… I was right about the silver thing but many times you go using the sliver, it cures the werewolf but the mortal dies from the wounds inflicted on them. So I really don’t see a way out of this for those who are already turned.” Val answered looking into her mug.

Silence now fell on both of them.

Finally, Val spoke up, “I’m sorry…”

Luke looked up at her, “Don’t be. You lost yer brother here too.”

“Yeah, well… I ain’t the only one who’s grieving over this.” Val looked up at him with sympathy in her eyes.

Luke nodded noting her sympathy and got up from his chair to pace a bit.

That is when the sound of glass shattering was heard, then scratching at the boards. Luke turned and grabbed one of the shotguns and cocked it aiming it at the window the noise was coming from. Val sat there still staring at Luke then at a gun on the table beside herself.

Luke still had the gun aimed at the window. He snapped, “Pick up the damn gun and get ready.”

With a trebling hand, Val picked up the pistol and pulled the hammer back. They both sat still with their heartbeats racing as the sounds of snarls and scratching could be heard. Suddenly the sound of the pickup in the drive could be heard. The scratching stopped.

Luke looked at the clock and then looked at Valerie, “Daisy!”

He ran to the door and started to unbar it, but his efforts would be in vain. A scream was heard and her begging and pleading for help.

“DAISY!” Luke shouted as he opened the door, only to see a werewolf bite her neck and it was too late. She turned right before his eyes. Luke watched in horror and was mortified as he stood in the door. Val got up and pulled him back inside just as some of the wolves were coming up onto the porch. The Strate slammed the door shut and started to bar it up but the wolf kept pushing.

“Luke! Help me!” Val screamed as she pressed on the door.

Luke came back to his senses, grabbed the shotgun again, and slammed the butt end of it into an arm that was between the door and the frame. Yelps came from the other side of the door and the arm pulled back. The door was finally shut and the two humans looked at one another panting hard with fear. It was quiet for a few seconds.

“Think they’re gone?” Val asked.

“Heck no.” Luke answered picking up his shotgun.

That is when everything broke loose. The door swung open and Val was thrown into the kitchen table. Luke stood there with his shotgun pointed at the snarling hairy beast that had remains of a yellow cotton shirt on and torn blue denim over its fur covered legs. Luke fired his gun without thinking. The shot hit the animal’s shoulder and it gave out a shrill cry of agony as it approached. Luke backed up, cocked the gun again, and fired again. The wolf beast reeled and still approached sending Luke back up against the couch. It bared its teeth at the Duke boy.

Two more came through the door and stormed toward Valerie. She screamed and started to throw her mug at them, dishes, anything she could find as she was firing the pistol at them as well. They still kept after her.

“LUKE!” Val screamed as one grabbed a hold of her arm.

Luke however had his own troubles. The beast leaned over and breathed it‘s hot breath into his face. The strong hairy fingers gripped around Luke‘s neck and squeezed hard on his wind pipe. The dark haired Duke gasped for air as he reached for the silver knife on his hip and stabbed it into the beast‘s chest, “Sorry cousin…”

* * * * *
Bo rubbed his head as he got up from the cool ground. He looked around the woods to see the light of flashlights streaming through the trees and his name being called out in the darkness. Slowly standing up he shielded his eyes as one light fell on him.

“Bo! Where on God’s green earth have ya been?” the familiar voice asked as he realized it was Luke.

“I was out here in the woods checking for that so called ‘monster’ Enos thinks is out here when I… I must have fell down and hit my head on a rock or something,” the blond answered still rubbing his head.

“Well come on back to camp cousin. We were worried about ya.” Luke chuckled, “Ya didn’t see any werewolves now did ya?”

Bo looked at Luke with a pale face, “N-n-no…”

“Well, ya look like ya just seen something. Come on ya know that was only a camp story.” Luke explained as they walked back to the scout’s campsite.

“Luke… do I have any bites on my neck?” the young blonde-haired man asked.

“No Bo ya don’t. Now come on and get to bed. The only thing that would think about biting ya on the neck is Tiffany Johnson and that ain’t gonna happen till the harvest dance next week. Now go to bed,” the dark haired cousin answered as he crawled into their tent.

“Uh, yeah… huh… uh guess yer right.” Bo smiled weakly as he watched Luke get into the tent. He then looked around at the night to see nothing was there and finally crawled into his sleeping bag to go to sleep.

* * * * * *

Happy Halloween! 😉