The forest was dense and dark. Barely any wind came through the trees. The only sound to be heard was frantic footsteps. They couldn't catch her they'd hang her if they did. She was wanted. For what was hard to say she'd racked up so many charges these past six years. After carefully evading the law for a long time they'd nabbed her or they were about to.
There was no escape. The sheriff soon had her cornered.
"Give up girlie you're caught" he snarled with distaste.
"I wouldn't be so sure sheriff" she replied.
"If you so much as lay a finger on that gun you're dead"
She had no options left she'd be hung at dawn she knew it. As she sat in jail later that day she thought back to the beginning of her crime spree six years ago. She was ten at the time she'd stolen cattle and had an unfortunate accident with a red hot branding iron. Leaving a barely there star on her wrist. She jerked her head up at the sound of footsteps.
"You're hanging her?"
"She's an outlaw of course we are"
"She can't be older than sixteen why she's barely old enough for marriage "
"What are you thinking Norville?"
"Well sheriff why don't you and I take a walk and I'll tell you"
An hour went by before the two returned.
"You have a choice "
"What "
"You can either be hung or.."
"What?"
"Marry him, " the sheriff said pointing to the person he was with.
"Well?" The sheriff asked.
The girl sat in thought.
"Marriage "
So that's what happened. Anything was better than being hung. The girl cast a glance over her shoulder at the sheriff who was scowling. Clearly, he wasn't happy she'd escaped her fate.
..
Shaggy wasn't sure what made him do it but he was glad he did. This girl was only sixteen and yet they planned to execute her. That was sick really sick. The girl was quiet on the trip home. He knew she'd only agreed to this to save herself so once they arrived home he gave her a warning.
"If you so much as step off this property your good as dead"
He didn't like it but it was true. When he heard the sheriff had caught her the way the sheriff spoke about this girl made her sound like a criminal mastermind that had no chance of redemption. That's not what Shaggy saw. He saw a girl trying to survive. Where she'd come from and who she was unknown.
Shaggy took her inside and decided to get answers.
"What's your name?" he asked.
"Belle "
"Where are your parents?"
"Heaven have been for seven years now "
"Who took care of you after they passed away?"
" no one really a few people that lived in town but they all said the same thing I was too much "
That explained a lot.
..
Belle didn't like questions but she was too tired to argue. She also knew that he'd only married her so she wouldn't be hung. She was perfectly fine with that. Why though? Why save her from a deserved punishment? She was a wanted thief. She stole cattle, picked pockets and robbed banks. Why save her?
..
"To be very clear. You cannot leave unless I'm with you "
"I got it," Belle said with a bored look on face.
"Also you'll need to work "
"Okay I get it "
"Work means you'll help keep the house clean and care for the horses"
"Look I get it okay?" Belle said.
"Just making sure"
..
Shaggy knew Belle hadn't done chores or even slept in a real house for a while. Six years was an awfully long time to be on your own. He wondered if she'd run off. That wasn't likely considering what would happen if she was caught.
..
By Sunday word had spread how Shaggy had married an outlaw. His friends comforted him about it that afternoon. Belle was at home doing chores.
"Shaggy have you lost your mind?" Fred asked.
"No"
"Why?" Velma asked.
"They were going to hang her"
"She deserved it," Daphne said.
"She's sixteen "
"What?" Shaggy's friends cried.
"I'm telling the truth, " Shaggy said.
Shaggy and his friends went back to his home. His friends were curious about Belle. When they got there they found Belle sitting with Scooby. Belle had finished everything she was asked to do.
"Belle this is Fred, Daphne and Velma"
"Nice to meet you," Belle said.
"Have you finished your chores?"
"Every last one"
"She did" Scooby agreed.
"Good " Shaggy said before he and everyone else filed inside.
Belle, however, stayed outside staring into space. Shaggy watched her from the still open door. What was she thinking about?
"Belle?"
"Uh, what?"
"Is something wrong?"
"No"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes"
Belle followed behind Shaggy closing the door behind her. She wasn't sure about these strangers
