Scooby Doo and the Pilgrim's Way
Chapter Two: Fate Takes a Hand
Part One: The River
To the average observer the river was as near perfect as naturally possible. It was independent, meandering through mountain canyons, wooded glens with great trees and meadows ripe with varied wildflowers. Many forest animals and birds came to taste its life giving waters. It was disciplined, seldom, if ever, overflowing its banks.
The river was neither a tiny stream nor an enormous famous river but it had a strength to be respected. It had worn the rocks it lapped over smooth as glass. Where it fell more that a few feet in a miniature waterfall, it had formed pools where trout grew strong and sometimes frustrated the few fishermen who ventured this far into the mountains above Coolsville. More than one fisherman had likened the river to a young girl: high spirited, showing white petticoats in the white waters but with a fairy-tale feeling in its deep pools that rested and re-vitalized the soul.
It was one of those average observers who came to this particular spot this July day. The young couple had started their hiking day early, driving as far as possible before taking their backpacks and with Paul showing the way, began walking. It was just past mid-day when they spied the pool.
"It's so pretty," the girl, Susan Powers, proclaimed.
"Almost as pretty as you, Susie. How is this for our lunch break?" The boy, Paul Tremble, slid his backpack off his shoulders. Susan, 'Susie', agreed, also dropping her backpack. The couple, for they were a couple, shared several classes at Coolsville High and had enjoyed dating. Paul had planned this day, hoping that Susie would agree to accept his class ring.
From Susie's pack came a worn blanket which she spread out on the river bank; she also extracted the sandwich and chips she had prepared this morning. Paul's pack yielded soft drinks which he placed in the water to cool; his own sandwich and chips joined Susie's on the blanket.
While the drinks cooled, the young couple talked about the day, the sights they had seen on their hike and enjoying the time away from parents. Susan wondered why Paul was acting so nervous; she did like Paul very much and hoped he would ask her to go steady.
Birds and insects chirped, the river gurgled, the light breeze picked at the stream, cooling the air but Paul found himself sweating as he thought of the ring and chain lying in the pack.
"Susie...I," Paul faltered, trying to think of what to say.
"Yes, Paul?" She encouraged Paul to continue.
"I was wondering...if you'd like to go steady?" Paul pulled the ring and chain from his pack.
"Yes, I'd like to go steady, Paul." Susie smiled warmly, tilting her head to allow the chain to slip over her head. Their first kiss as a steady couple was delicate, soft and tender.
"Paul...," Susie pulled back when his kiss grew more passionate. She didn't mind the increase in passion, she felt the same. Something else had caught her attention.
"Listen," Susie placed her fingers on his lips.
"I don't hear anything," Paul attempted to continue smooching those kissable lips.
"Neither do I," Susie prompted. They both listened to the quiet. Where only minutes ago birds and insects had serenaded the couple, now only the sound of the bubbling river assailed their ears.
The noise came from the brush and trees on the opposite side of the river. Snapping, rustling sounds like an animal foraging for food. A large animal. Coming closer, closer.
"Slowly, Susie, pick up your pack." Paul reached for his own pack, then froze. The animal sounds
had been bad enough but now the animal was coming into view. Half again as any bear Paul had ever seen or heard of, it wasn't the mere size of the animal that terrified the couple but the beak! No ordinary bird's beak, this one had teeth! Large teeth that curved inward, perfect carnivore teeth.
"I don't think it's seen us, back away slowly." Paul eased back, pulling Susie with him.
"What is that thing?" Susie gasped when the animal looked their way.
"I...I don't know, Susie, but I don't want to wait for introductions." The animal watched the two until they disappeared into the trees.
"Run, Susie! Run!"
Later in the car, driving at high speed away from the river and whatever animal they had encountered,
Susie gasped. "Slow down, Paul! No need to have a wreck now." Susie scooted closer to Paul who forced himself to slow down, taking several deep breaths to slow his beating heart.
"Paul, do you think we should report that...thing we saw?"
"And say what?" Paul didn't take his eyes from the road. "No one would believe us. Besides, the police would have no jurisdiction up there."
"I know someone who would believe us."
Part Two: The Meal
Coolsville was experiencing a cooling trend for July. Velma wished she felt the same. She and Shaggy had been dating for four months. In those four months he had showered her with flowers, movies and lots of kisses. Like now, cuddling on the couch in front of the TV, his lips nuzzling her neck was making her and the room rather warm.
Four months earlier, Shaggy had invited Velma to his apartment with the full intention of having her spend the night. Velma had taken one step inside, taken a look around the room and ran screaming into the night. This occurrence led to a long talk about cleanliness and what was acceptable and what would not be tolerated. Any overnight visits had to come with assurances of fresh, clean sheets.
Velma had been very straightforward when she told him, "If you throw a certain article of clothing at a wall and it sticks to the wall, it's time to scrub the walls. With disinfectant!"
"Remember, Shaggy, we have your parents coming for dinner." Velma shrugged her shoulders, effectively hiding her neck from his teasing lips.
"They wont be here for hours." Shaggy transferred his attention to her lips.
"But I have veggies to slice, unless you want to help."
They had discussed at length the pro's and con's of moving in together with no firm decision being made. A compromise of sorts had been agreed to.
Three days at Paradise Lake then two weeks at Shaggy's apartment, (if the mentioned cleanliness standards were adhered to), followed by two weeks at Velma's apartment. A final decision as to future living arrangements would be made at that time. If a case of murder wasn't pending.
Although they were both adults, this dinner was an unofficial bribe for the objections raised by Shaggy's parents. Velma wanted to impress Shaggy's parents but his kisses were growing more passionate and making a firm argument for an intimate intermission.
Fate has a sense of humor. Fate intervened at this most critical of times. A knock was heard at the door. "It's your apartment." Velma whispered breathlessly, "Send them away."
In one smooth action he pushed off the sofa, away from Velma's quick kiss and reluctantly opened the door.
"Shaggy!" A young girl in bell bottoms and a head band to hold her shinning black hair in place jumped into Shaggy's arms. As a breath of fresh air, she blew past him into the room. He looked at the girl, then at Velma who was rising from the sofa, finger combing her hair.
"Crystal! What are you doing here!"
TBC