Later that night.
"Mia are you still awake?" Scooby whispered.
"Wha-what's the mater?" Mia asked turning over to face Scooby.
"Look" Scooby said tilting his head in Shaggy's direction.
Shaggy was shaking. Because of his injuries he couldn't turn over without hurting himself even worse. He was mumbling to himself. It was only a matter of time before it became yelling. Mia got up and quickly walked to where Shaggy was sleeping.
"Shaggy" she whispered shaking him slightly.
Shaggy's eyes opened. He groaned in pain and attempted to sit up. Mia helped him sit up and she stood quietly waiting for him to say something..
"I'm sorry Mia " he said finally.
"It's okay Shaggy"
"I didn't mean to wake you "
"Actually Scooby woke me "
"Why?" Shaggy asked turning to Scooby.
"You were having a bad dream. Mia's the only one who can wake you up " Scooby explained.
"This is the ninth time Shaggy " Mia said.
"I'm sorry Red"
"Shaggy what are you dreaming about?" Scooby asked.
"Them" Shaggy muttered.
"Why?"
"I don't know Scooby I want it to stop"
"Maybe talking about it would help" Scooby suggested.
"I don't want to Scooby" Shaggy said quietly.
"Okay " Scooby said even though he knew it would help him.
…..
Mia watched quietly. Shaggy was clearly shaken. She felt sorry for him. He'd been through more than most people and it left him scared. Who was Shaggy referring to when he said Them? He had secrets like everyone else. Mia found she wanted to know what they were. She wanted to help.
"Red"
"Yes?"
"Would you please keep me company?"
"Sure"
Scooby had fallen asleep.
They moved to the table. Shaggy turned a lamp on so they could see and they sat down. There was silence between them. Nether was sure what to say. Finally Shaggy broke the silence.
"Red?"
"Yes?"
"Would you draw something for me"
"If I had a paper and some pencils "
No sooner had she said that then they appeared. Mia was surprised but she picked them up anyway .
"What should I draw?"
"Anything you want "
"Okay "
Mia thought and without realizing it her hand begun to move as she recalled an old memory.
….
FLASHBACK.
It was a complete downpour outside. A five year old Mia sat wrapped in her blanket scared of the storm outside the window. Mia never liked the rain.
"Mia come here" her Mimi said noticing her granddaughter's state.
Mia ran to her grandmother and climbed onto her lap.
"Mia have I told you the story of the nature fairies?"
"No Mimi"
"Well the nature fairies help with things like rain"
"They do?"
"Yes because rain is food for the plants and all the pretty flowers you like."
"The buttercups?"
"Yes"
"The tulips?"
"Yes"
"The roses?"
"Especially those" Mimi laughed
"What else do the fairies do?"
"Lots of things Mia"
"Like what?"
"They color the leaves in the fall"
"Do they use crayons?"
"They might"
"That sounds like fun "
"I bet it is"
"When it stops raining can we jump in the puddles?"
"Of course we can"
…..
Present.
Mia put her pencil down and looked at her work. She'd drawn the lake in her town. It was sparking and there were fairies fly above it. She smiled at her work.
"May I see?" Shaggy asked bringing Mia out of her thoughts .
Slowly Mia pushed her drawing to Shaggy. She'd never shown her art to many people. She was worried they'd think she was strange. Most of her art contained fantasy elements. Shaggy looked over it carefully .
"This is great Mia "
"Thank you" she whispered a bit surprised.
"You don't believe me?"
"No" she admitted slowly.
"Why?"
"Not many people like my art"
"Why don't they?"
"They think my fantasy stuff is strange "
"I like it"
"Really?"
"Yeah"
Mia was surprised.
"Thank you"
"Will you draw some more?"
"Sure"
So Mia set to work.
….
The next day.
"Red"
Mia opened her eyes slowly. When did she fall asleep? Mia looked around and found she was back in the bed. Shaggy was propped up on the couch
"When did I fall asleep?"
"After a while you were out of it. I led you back to bed "
"You were on your leg?" Mia asked horrified.
"Don't worry Scooby helped me"
"But he was asleep "
"He woke up"
"Oh"
"Someone mention me?" Scooby asked.
"How could you let him on his leg?" Mia asked Scooby.
"Don't worry I helped him "
"Well okay "
"How long until I'm better?"
"A few weeks "
"But that's so long"
"No it isn't "
"Well what can we do until then?" Scooby asked.
"We can't go outside again for obvious reasons " Shaggy muttered.
Mia shuddered at the thought.
"I know Mia can teach us to draw"
"I can what?" Mia asked surprised.
"Teach us to draw" Shaggy repeated.
"Well I guess" Mia said slowly.
"Really?" Shaggy asked.
"Yeah"
"Great"