Chapter Eight

When he walked back inside, Vel and Norville were still conversing. Scooby walked around, but barked when he caught sight of him. Norville looks up and smiles, his canine teeth sharp. It was then, that Fred realized that Norville was naked - no shame as he stood upright and spoke to Velma.

"Norville, or um - Shaggy."

He looks at him, "Yes?"

"Dude, you've got to wear clothes okay. No one wants to see you prancing around in your birthday suit."

Norville shrugs, "Well, clothes are uncomfortable. If you want though."

Fred nods his head, "Yeah, I want. Come on, I've got some pants in the back."

Velma walks after, a frown on her freckled face.

She whispers, "Seriously?! Why does he have to cover up his rock, hard abs - or any of it for that matter?"

Fred ignores her as he pulls some jeans from one of the draws. He cuts them to the knee, the edges all frayed and tattered. He knew that Norville wouldn't be able to fit the skinny pants. He also cuts the sleeves off one of his shirts, then hands the outfit to him. Norville dresses, the clothes still a bit tight, but he doesn't say anything.

"Can you move?" Vel asks, her eyes scanning his muscular body.

Norville flexs, ripping Feddy's shirt underneath the arms and straight down towards his middle.

He smiles again, his grin toothy, "Well, I must say that now - it's a bit more comfortable."

Fred rolls his eyes and walks out, Velma and Norville trotting behind.

"I'm calling Ronnie again," Fred says impatiently, phone in hand.

"Fred, Ronnie said he would call around." Velma says standing in front of him.

"I'm worried for her Vel. What if one of those things -" he stops mid sentence.

Some how admitting to their exsistance calls for him to actually believe in them, so he backtracks.

"I'm just gonna call to see if Ronnie found her - or anything."

Fred walks off back outside again, his shoulders hunched in disappointment, anxienty - Velma couldn't understand. To her, Fred was looking the truth right in it's face and still refusing to acknowlegde it and nothing rendered her more upset. Norville picks up on her fusturation, his senses sensitive to human emotions.

"Velma," he says tasting her name on his tongue.

The girl looks up, her eyes clouded with something he could feel but not discern.

"It may take Fred some time, why not give him some. He'll come around when he wants to."

Velma just shrugs, she doesn't say anything. Fred comes back in, his face blushed from the cool air.

"He didn't pick up - called him like four times."

"Fred, what if a hell bender -"

Fred throws his hands up in the air and interupts her, "Vel, I'm not doing this shit. I won't do it."

Velma's face crumbles, her eyes water at his sudden burst of anger. Norville and Scooby look at the two, finally Norville speaks.

"Fred, Velma - I don't know you all that well, but I think it's fair for me to say this, Daphne is your friend and if something is wrong or theres a possibility maybe it's worth us looking in to."

"Where would we start?"

Velma asks, swiping her eyes with the back of her hands before putting her glasses back on.

"Oh, that's easy." Norville smiles pointing to his nose, "I'm just gonna need a scent.