Chapter Ten

One Month Later

"Here, drink your water." Ronnie provided his daughter Daphne with her cup of water.

She sips it, but than replaces it on top of her stand. She was still in the hospital and would be for a few more weeks. She wanted nothing more for them to tell her the truth, seeing that a lot to her was a blur. She did tell Ronnie of the monster that tried to kill her, how Mike had died, but no one believed her. Doctor Bowman summed it all up to head trauma and suggested that her father take her to see a therapist. At night, she could hardly sleep, even with her dad sleeping next to her on the second bed - nothing helped.

"Daphne honey, your friends are coming."

Ronnie managed to take her bandaged hand without her notice and force her out of her thoughts.

He held it gently, his fingers smoothing over the back of her hand. Daphne, even after all she had been through still was every bit of beautiful. Creamy skin, lovely oval face, ice blue eyes, straight nose, pouty lips, full mane of starwberry blond hair, she mirrored her mother through and through Ronnie thought, as he stared at her.

"Fred and Vel are coming from Mike's funeral. Some others, you know from the church want t -"

"No, I just want to see Freddy and Velma." Daphne says coolly, removing her hand away from her father's late affection.

Ronnie nods his head, "Alright, I'll let them know."

He gets up then, touches Daphne's soft cheek and leaves, closing the door after.

Daphne brushes her hair until it shines, gleaming red gold, and applies blush to her cheeks. She feared that she was still to pale, and hated her reflection. Her bruises were healing but slowly, they were an ugly yellow with tints of green and they covered her body - her face. She hears a knock and slips her mirror beneath her pillow.

"Come in," is all she says.

Freddy and Velma walk in, both of them held gifts. Even though the two were coming from a funeral, Velma looked vibrant. She wore a black dress that shaped her body, dark violet stockings and tall black heels, a deep blue shawl, with red - blue eyed foxes and gold earrings. Fred stood over six feet, his fitted black suit, grey shirt and black tie made his gold hair bold, he had sleeked it back and the look made him appear older than his sixteen years. Velma brushes Daphne's hair aside and smiles at her pretty friend.

"You're still beautiful."

Fred walks up to her bed and Vel slides down so he can greet her.

He bends down and kisses Daphne lightly, "Vel's right you are beautiful and lovely, speaking of which - here."

Fred hands her a dozen of blood roses, Daphne takes them and mumbles a thank you. Velma presents her with a stuffed bear and a bag of Wonka candy, Daphne always had a sweet tooth. She thanks Velma and opens the bag to retrieve a sweet. Fred takes out his pocket bible and sets it down on Daphne's table, his phone too.

"How was it," Daphne asks, chewing on a stiff piece of laffy taffy.

"Everybody in town was there it seemed like. Mike was very popular, well liked. It was sad, his parents think he was murdered - the police got them thinking that." Fred says, his head down the whole time.

Daphne nods, "Yeah, I know. The police came to talk with me, they wanted to know if I knew the man who did this to me."

Velma pushes her glasses up, her face twisted in puzzlement.

"What did you tell them - Deputy Lowe?"

"I told them the truth! It - it, I saw, I mean this ugly beast - it killed Mike, tried to kill me. A man saved my life, got me out and then - nothing. I mean I remember nothing beyond what I just told you."

Daphne's eyes dart back and forth searching for there belief in what she had told them. Fred keeps avoiding her gaze, but Velma meets her eyes.

"Daphne, we believe you." She says, speaking for Fred, who fixes his grey, blue eyes on her.

"You do, I mean - I'm not making it up."

Vlema pats her friends back, "I know you're not making it up."

Fred looks at both girls, but he doesn't say anything. Velma continues her hand covering Daph's.

"We were there that night. Fred, Scooby - me and the man that saved you, he was there too. His name is Norville and he wanted to come today and see you, but here."

Velma holds out a necklace, with black pearls and a broken shard fastened by hooked silver, dangling in the middle with a thousand hues dancing in the light.

Daphne takes it in her hands, "Norville?"

"Yes, his name is Norville and he's our friend."

I have another sequel in mind We live in a Ghost World Book two

Blood and Dust

I hope you guys enjoy reading this version as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Love - Jane Casey