Disclaimer:
This story is a work of fiction. Scooby Doo and all related characters are the property of Hanna-Barbera, Warner Bros., and /or Cartoon Network. Names, characters, locations, and events are fabricated from the author's imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, locations, or events is entirely coincidental.
A/N: One day my wife and I were returning home from a weekend at the coast. We decided to take a shortcut, one we had never taken before. Some shortcut; it added an hour to our trip. It was also one of the most enjoyable trips we ever took and became our regular route home.
Every plot bunny has it's day if it squeals loud and long enough. This is its day.
The Shortcut
Chapter One: The Road Home
Eighteen year old Fred Jones is about to have the experience of a lifetime. He would never be able to fully understand what was about to happen; live with it, yes, but to understand it? No, not completely.
Fred and the gang, eighteen year old Norville "Shaggy" Rogers, seventeen year old Daphne Blake, and sixteen year old Velma Dinkley had been to a concert in a near by town. The girls had talked their folks into extending their curfew due to the extra driving time; but Fred didn't want to incur the wrath of two sets of parents if they got home late, especially Daphne's parents.
That was the reason why he took the shortcut; a shortcut like no other, past or future. This is the story of that shortcut.
-------------Xxxxxx
After the concert, they had eaten, talking excitedly about the concert mostly, but other topics as well. Like what Fred and Shaggy had planned after graduation among others. And then they had started home, Fred driving as usual. He checked the rear view mirror; Shaggy and Scooby had crashed on the floor, leaving the rear seat for Velma. The seat pulled out to make a small bed, but either they were to tired to bother, or more likely, they didn't want to explain sleeping in the same bed. Fred smiled, probably a little of both, although he didn't think either would complain about snuggling in the same bed...too much at least.
Fred had been driving a long time and he could feel his back muscles tightening into knots, threatening to spasm from sitting in one position too long. He recognize the warning signs; maybe it was time to get a new van. One with those new captain chairs.
His thoughts turned to Daphne, glancing at the girl in the front seat with him. Daphne Blake; vivacious, definitely curvaceous, and beautiful even in sleep. She had taken his letterman's jacket, and using it as a pillow, had fallen asleep against the passenger side window. This wasn't the first time he had seen her like this but maybe the first time he looked at her as possibly a girlfriend, not just a friend.
He wasn't blind, Daphne always claimed the front seat, leaving the rest to arrange their own seating arrangements. He had noticed the lingering eye contact, the touch of her caressing fingertips that sent his heart racing.
Daphne was the one girl. 'No, woman, she has grown into a beautiful young woman in front of my eyes' he thought. She was the first woman, he corrected himself, that he was completely at ease with, except maybe when it came to that "C" word. He shivered at the thought, even with the van's heater blowing warm air full blast.
He felt the warning signs, stronger now, just under the surface, ready to pounce. He'd have to stop soon or pay the consequences. He saw the turn out ahead and slowed the van, coasting to a smooth stop.
"What's wrong Freddy?" Daphne whispered, not wanting to disturb the sleeping trio in back.
"Nothing, just need to stretch; go on back to sleep," he whispered in answer. Then she did the unusual.
She reached out her hand, taking his, she squeezed gently, "Don't be long...okay?" she added. 'Daphne always does the unexpected' he thought.
It wasn't cold when he stepped out of the van but he left the engine running for the heater. He raised his arms over his head, stretching one way then the other. He could feel the threat of a spasm decreasing already. He repeated the movements several more times, adding several deep knee bends.
He became aware of noises in the dark; the breeze and the call of night birds in the near by trees. There was another sound. A sound of running water, like a river near by but he couldn't remember crossing a bridge, or seeing any stream for that matter. His curiosity and detective instincts demanded he investigate this mystery.
He checked to see that every one was asleep, killed the engine to save fuel, locked the van and walked into the trees.