The funeral had been two weeks ago and Shaggy and Scooby still had not gotten much sleep. What was more, they had barely eaten which was so unlike them. Shaggy somehow looked even skinnier and everybody around him was getting really worried. His parents had no idea what to do especially since their Norville would not even hear of going to therapy. He and Scooby just moped around and went on long walks. The sleep they did get was interrupted by nightmares.
Mystery Incorporated had always been in the business of solving mysteries.. Their first mysteries had been nothing but real estate scams dressed up as the supernatural. They always ended with some jerk getting their mask pulled off and handed over to the cops. Then they had finally unearthed the supernatural and things had never been the same. Werecats, zombies, witch’s ghosts, bodysnatchers, Cerberus, and so many ghosts.
The incident, as the police were calling it, occurred when the gang had been investigating a real honest to goodness vampire. They had split up as usual while hunting for the creature of the night and everything seemed to be going alright. Well, really they were chaotic but that was par for the course for a Mystery Incorporated mission. As Napoleon said, no plan survives after the first shot. They usually stumbled about and used sheer determination, clever instincts, and dumb luck to save the day. This time, they had fallen short. The gang had arrived in the mansion’s study just as the vampire finished drinking Velma dry.
The gang had fought in a rage and had killed the vampire. Nothing was left when the sun rose so it was hard to explain to the police. The authorities had eventually bought into the story that Velma had been killed by a desperate criminal that the gang had been investigating. Mystery Incorporated was known at this point for investigating and closing dozens of fraud cases. It was just a matter of time before one of those desperate souls lashed out. The police were still searching for somebody that the gang knew was already dead twice over. They let the cops believe what they wanted as long as they were off the hook and free to grieve.
Shaggy and Scooby wandered over toward Daphne and Fred’s place while they were out for another walk. Fred had the garage door open and the Mystery Machine was partially out in the afternoon sun. Fred had the hood up and was bent over and tinkering with the engine which was definitely a familiar sight. It had been a sight that used to fill Shaggy and Scooby with dread. Engine troubles and flat tires were often omens of spookiness. Really, they were a sign of the gang’s low finances. Fred had replaced so many parts of the Mystery Machine that it was hard to call it the same vehicle they had started with.
“Hey Fred,” Scooby said in his usual mush-mouthed accent.
Fred almost hit his head on the car’s hood as he stood up.
“Like, careful Fred,” Shaggy said. “You ok?”
Fred smiled softly and hugged Shaggy close for a moment and Shaggy had to admit to himself that it felt good. Fred had not been much of a hugger before but now he was all about it. Fred leaned down and petted Scooby for a moment.
“I’m fine,” Fred said. “Can I get you guys something to eat?”
“No we’re good,” Scooby said firmly.
“Like, what he said,” Shaggy said. “We’re not hungry.”
“You look hungry,” Fred said. “You guys need to eat something. It might help you sleep too.” Fred’s eyes showed the worry that Shaggy had seen in so many people he had run into.
“We’re fine,” Shaggy said.
“Okay,” Fred said, letting it go for now. “It’s good to see you. It’s always good to see you.”
Shaggy nodded. The garage’s interior door opened and Daphne stepped out into the open air.
“I thought I heard talking out here,” Daphne said. “It’s good to see you guys.”
“It’s good to see you,” Shaggy said.
“Can I go back in and get you something?” Daphne asked.
“I offered and they said no,” Fred said. “They know they can always change their minds.”
“Are you here to help fix up the Machine?” Daphne asked. “We need it in tip-top shape before we put it on the market.”
“On the market?” Scooby asked with surprise.
Fred grimaced. “I hadn’t really decided yet but I was thinking of selling it,” Fred said. “I don’t really know what we’re supposed to do now.”
“You’re just going to give up?” Shaggy asked, a little anger rising in his voice. It surprised everybody including himself.
“I’m surprised,” Daphne said. “I would have thought you two would be relieved. You were always the least willing to go on our missions. No offense. I mean, we were all scared but now I think you two might have had the most sense of us.”
“I don’t know,” Shaggy said. “We did a lot of good things. I was always scared but I trusted you guys.”
“Trusted?” Fred asked, looking a bit hurt by the phrasing.
“”I still trust you,” Shaggy said. “We both do.” Scooby nodded. “I don’t want to lose you guys too.”
“We’re right here,” Daphne said. “We’re not going anywhere.”
There was suddenly a buzzing sound from within the van. Everybody looked at each other and then circled around to poke their heads into the interior. There was a tablet computer vibrating under the passenger seat. Daphne reached in and pulled it out.
“The cops really didn’t search thoroughly, did they?” Daphne asked. She pressed the power button and there was an unearthly glow from the screen. Daphne nearly dropped the tablet and Shaggy caught it. Velma’s face formed on the screen as they watched.
“Finally,” the image said in Velma’s voice. “I got your attention.”
“Zoinks!” Shaggy said. “It’s Velma!”
Velma smiled. “It sure is,” she said.
“Or really good footage,” Fred said.
“I’m not footage,” Velma said.
“Say jinkies three times,” Daphne said.
“Jinkies jinkies jinkies,” Velma said. “That feels weird to say when I’m not startled.”
“How is this real?” Shaggy asked.
“When I died, I kind of drifted for a while,” Velma said. “Vincent Van Ghoul found me and taught me a few things. It’s good to see you guys again.”
“It’s good to see you too,” Scooby said. Everybody was on the verge of tears.
“I’m glad you feel that way,” Velma said. “Because I have a mystery to solve.”