General Lee's Revenge--Karma

Part Two, Chapter One: "The Belly of the Beast"

(A/N: Long story short, I got my wisdom teeth removed this morning. While on sedation I cried telling my mom I loved her, flirted with a pregnant nurse, prayed to the mac and cheese god, yelled 'Madonna' then sang Material Girl, said I liked titties not cities after jokingly being asked if I wanted to drive home, and came out to my aunt. Today was a good day.)

It hadn't taken Luke long to notice he was being followed. Not that they were a lousy stalker, but he'd picked up a thing or two in Vietnam. He paused as he made it to the riverbank, listening intently to his surroundings. For a long, quiet moment he waited--until he heard a branch snap behind him and he quickly spun around.

However, the woods were empty, with no signs of his stalker whatsoever. He sighed and shook his head, wondering if he'd just been paranoid. He turned to make his way across the shallow river but was immediately met with a blunt object to the head. The force of the blow sent him stumbling to the ground. He coughed, spitting up blood as he'd bitten his tongue; bringing a hand to his temple, his fingers came back bloody. Heart quickening, he pushed himself up, only catching a glimpse of his attacker before the masked figure picked up its foot and stomped down forcefully.

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The General Lee slid to a stop on the side of the road. He'd gathered the Defects quickly via CB, and now they all stood, sharing concerned glances. They watched as Bo and Daisy climbed out, but immediately their spirits fell upon seeing their faces.

"What happened?" Thunder asked.

"Luke's plan got botched, that's what happened," Bo replied bitterly.

"What do you mean the plan got botched? Where is he anyway?" Grant asked.

Daisy shrugged. "Couldn't find him. It's like he disappeared or somethin'." She placed her hands on her hips in thought. "You think one of the hunters got past your lines?"

Tank revved his engine. "We were watchin', nobody got past us. We played our part just fine."

"Well, wherever he is, we should probably find him so I can tear him a new one. This's one plan too many of his that's failed, I'm gettin' sick and damn tired of it!" Bo exclaimed.

"It ain't his fault the plan didn't work, we all agreed to the risks," Daisy argued.

"Oh please, he knew this plan wasn't gonna work from the start, we all saw it! We just didn't wanna admit it. And now, Luke's dropped off the face of the earth, we have no plan to get outta here, and Hughie's still pissed. What are we supposed to do?"

"Bo, I-I think you should calm down--" Caleb started with a rumble of his engine.

"I am calm!"

"Yeah pendejo, chill out. Could be worse, you know," Diablo said.

General revved his engine. "How could it be worse?"

Diablo shifted on his suspension. "El cerdo con sombrero could be chasing you fools right now, but he ain't. That's a good sign, right?"

Bo and Daisy exchanged glances, then each looked back where they'd come.

"Hughie didn't chase us?" Daisy asked.

Bo shook his head confusedly. "No, but he should've, ain't no reason not to."

General's engine rumbled as he thought. "Unless..."

Bo sighed. "Y'all, I think I know where Luke went."

At this, Daisy's gaze darkened with worry and realization. "The belly of the beast."

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