Chapter 12: AAAHHHHH!

Earlier that day.

Even if Shaggy did feel a little better after the conversation with his step dad. It did nothing to prevent the creeping guilt and depression that hits him when he enters his bedroom again. It was suffocating. It seemed like all he had done these last few months is hide in his room and wish for something good to happen. For once. Though what little luck he seemed to have ran out as soon as Vanna stepped into his life again. He doesn't know why he's down here, part of him wants to beg Brian to move back into his own room. Even if it was next to his parents. It was bad enough to still be here. Fred was already living on his own, Daphne still lives with her parents, but in that massive manor, who wouldn't blame her. Velma still lives with her parents as well but she is balancing going to college and isn't so burdensome on her folks. Him? He just hides in his basement hole and brings strange women in to ruin what progress he had been making of himself.

He felt Scooby brush by his legs, but he didn't notice the dog. As he felt sweat began to roll down his back. Not again. It's too early for this. Doesn't it lull him into a false sense of security first before attacking him? Like everything else in his life?

"Not now... please." He pinched the bridge of his nose. He fell back on the foot of his bed. Then pressing the palms of his hands against his eyes. The second wave hits him soon after, despite the oppressive heat he found himself shivering. This time, somehow, it felt worse. He felt worse. Like something was sitting on his chest. He rolled over on his side to see Scooby starting at him from across the room, terrified and confused at what was going on. He didn't want Scooby to see him like this, damnit. He could feel his bangs stick to his forehead.

"Rou rokay?"

Another wave hits him out of nowhere, even harder than before, blurring his vision slightly. "No..." He chocked out. Scooby slowly inched over to sniff his face, ears going back. Though Shaggy didn't have the time to properly address the situation and play twenty questions with the dog. Because he knew that he should have came clean to the dog, he knew that he should not had hidden this away. He should have learnt his lesson by now.

He wanted to say anything, but then another wave of heat had hit him and this time it actually began to hurt. Like, a lot. He sat up, his arms struggling to keep him steady. For god knows how many times he had asked this to himself, what is wrong with him? He felt Scooby's paw on his arm, and he could tell that the dog was starting to panic.

"I'm- I'm fine, Scoob. Just need to get a shower, okay?" Right. Water puts out fire, and right now he feels as if his skin was burning off. He tried standing up, adrenaline finally kicking in when the fire began to burn hotter. It reminded him of those Moonscar Island peppers that he and Scooby loved so much. But all over, and non stop. If that was hot enough for them to drink out of a zombie invested lake. Then a shower might not even be enough.

Shaggy stumbled to the bathroom, not caring if he left a trail of clothes behind. The freezing water of the shower only had helped for a second, at least washing the sting out of his eyes. Now that he thinks of it, things really started to go downhill after Moonscar island. Maybe he was cursed. Maybe this was his punishment for almost letting his friends die. He leaned forward, bracing himself against the wall and letting the stream hit the back of his head and neck. It wasn't helping, it usually helped but now he was on his own. He didn't screw up this much to deserve his. Did he?

Did he?

He suddenly lurched forward, wrapping his arms around his stomach. Eyes then widen with panic when he saw a thin line of red swirl down the drain. With a shaking had he reached into his mouth and pulled out a tooth. Only then did the corners of his vision darken, making him stumble backwards and landing against the opening of the shower door.

He didn't hear much after that, just the sounds of the shower, Scooby frantically scratching at the door and a woman's scream. The last thing he was aware of was someone cradling him. Telling him that it'll be okay and for someone to call for help.

Even as his eyes remained open, his vision had darkened for good.

...

When he came to, Shaggy kept his eyes shut. Already he knew that he was in a strange place. But wherever he was, he knew that he was outside now by the breeze that caressed his face. Though something was off. He knew that he was outside, by the air and the partially frozen grass beneath his body. It took him a moment to figure out what it was. There was no sound. Finally, he opened up his eyes to see that he was in a field. With the moon taking up most of the night sky. It seemed to look down on him, judging him for some horrible crime he had done. He didn't know what he did though. All he wanted to do was go home. It was cold here, too cold. Yet, he couldn't feel much of anything. Not even his own body. Slowly, he raised his hand to see a thin blue light pulsing around his arm and his finger tips.

In a panic he sat up, noticing how terribly torn and filthy he and his clothes were. He then used his tongue to feel around in his mouth and noticed that his canines were missing. A thick trail of blood leading from his teeth to down his chin, neck and soaking into his shirt. He tried to stand, only to find a strong... something shove him back down into the grass. Something heavy gripped on to his arms and ankles. Holding him down. Wherever the invisible force was coming from began to push harder on his chest. He tried to reach for anything, instead his struggling only made him sink down into the grass faster. Before he could shout for help, he had gotten a mouth full of earth.

Suddenly he was falling. Fast, like something has thrown him across wherever he was. He couldn't see much in this pocket of space as he found the world around him pass by in a blur. Finally to his relief, he landed in a shallow pool of water, though his body did little to disturb the water. Around him was only the vast nothing of space, his only company was his torn up and maimed reflection in the pool beneath him. He stared hard at the reflection. Confused at his strange appearance. The last thing he remembers was that he was in the shower.

Did he.. is he dead?

Shaggy stood up. Wanting to explore where he is now, but found that he couldn't go any further. A sudden sharp burning sensation bit at his skin. He looked down again to see that his legs and arms were wrapped up in glowing silver chains. He wanted to scream, he really did yet no sound came out. All he had was his terrified reflection to confirm his new reality.

The chains shot up his arms like weeds growing up a wall. Pulling him back down on his knees. His reflection below him mirrored his image, the reflection showing just how tightly the chain was wrapped around his neck. Yet he had no need to breathe. He tried anyway, panicking at the thought that maybe he really was dead and that this nightmare was very much real. This is his afterlife, and it was just like how he had lived. Isolated, bonded with chains that he may have given himself.

Shaggy looked down again. Suddenly finding that his reflection had stopped mirroring what he was doing. The familiar brown that was his eyes had shifted to a burning vermilion. His reflection glared up at him, sharpened teeth bared.

"You did this. You did this to us!" His reflection screamed up at him, Shaggy could tell that the other him had been waiting here for a very long time just for this moment.

"What did I do?!" Shaggy found his voice again. His reflection below him began to shift, growing fur, sharper claws and somehow even sharper teeth. He watched in horror as a familiar reflection that he only saw in Draculas castle had taken shape. The creature then sifted again, to a more beast like appearance, growing taller and more menacing. Then finally a simple wolf. It's large demonic looking eyes staring up at him. Shaggy then felt more guilt than fear. The way the creature below him shifted and it looked... right. Somehow this creature beneath him was someone that he was meant to be.

"Why don't you want me..?" It sifted again to the first phase. The one that Shaggy had vowed to never see again. "Why don't you want us..?"

In the distance he could hear the echos of howls. Howls that sounded desperate, as if they were looking for something. Or someone. Him? Were they looking for him? Why him?

Then it had finally gotten through to him. All of this happened, just so he could be human again. So things could return to the status quo. How he could be so selfish? Was this why Vanna needed to bring him to Transylvania? Was he always meant to be a monster?

A part of him, deep down inside the walls he had built to protect himself began to stir. Amongst the heavily repressed grief there was something that had was missing. He never felt like he belonged anywhere and this is why. The answer was staring him down this whole time. He was a creature of the night. He wasn't human anymore. Maybe, he had never been.

"I'm sorry." He whispered, keeling down closer to the reflection. "I'm so sorry... I want you. I do."

Shaggy stared at the chains that were wrapped around him, reaching over to grip the one that was chained somewhere under the water. Despite how it burned him he began to pull.

The first few that were chained under the water had broken easily, as something had been chipping away at it over time. Something that he will wonder about some other time. But the last one, was the most difficult. As it was the one that glowed the brightest and had burned his flesh the most. He wrapped it around his wrists and tried to pull harder. Then harder. It wasn't enough, he wasn't strong enough. Shaggy looked around the cosmic nothingness that surrounded him. He needed help, but he was the only one here.

Then from beside him, he found a smaller pair of hands reach for the chain. Shaggy looked over and only saw the top of messy light brown hair. Finally the smaller figure looked up at him, and he realized it was also a reflection that he hadn't seen in over fourteen years. The younger version of himself wore a black suit, the same one he wore for his fathers funeral. The child him didn't say much, only concentrating on trying to pull the chain free.

Then on the other side him, another figure took shape. One that was identical to him, except he wore all black as well, and was much groomed sporting a fully formed trimmed and shaped goatee. For a second Shaggys heart leapt to his throat, as the man could have been mistaken for his father. It was the most well groomed and dressed he had ever seen himself. To be honest he knew he couldn't have done that himself, it was obvious that someone else had dressed him. He looked over at him, that same fiery vermilion eyes reflected the moonlight overhead. It almost made Shaggy lose his grip on the chain entirely. His other duplicate continued to try to pull the chain free, not even noticing the other man.

The shallow pond beneath them rippled, as something deep underground had rumbled. He could feel it beneath his shoes, the vibrations going up his leg and to the back of his teeth. Something had happened. He didn't know if it was good or bad. But he knew that it might not be enough.

Suddenly a third figure had joined him, a man that looked identical to him once more. But this time he was much older, sporting a thick mustache and in a policeman's uniform. One that he also hadn't seen in fourteen years. The man looked over to him and smiled warmly. His grip on the chain was just as strong. Shaggy felt his breath caught in his throat, very old emotions began to bubble to the surface.

So many things began to run through Shaggys head, things that he had wanted to ask his father. Conversations that he had desperately wished to happen. But he found himself in silence. They may be around the same height now, yet Jack Rogers still seemed larger than life to him. Jack nodded, Shaggy had asked for help, and he is getting it. Because he deserves it.

His concentration went back to the chain, ignoring how more seemed to appear behind him. Familiar presences that had chased him across a supernaturally charged island. Spirits that wanted to show gratitude for his and his friends help in freeing them. But he didn't seem to care, not when his father was beside him. Motivating him to continue forward, telling him that it wasn't his time yet. He could do this. If this is the only thing that he could accomplish in his life, then let it be something that he could make his father proud of. Let it be something that he could make himself proud of. Even if he is no longer a human because of it.

Then so be it. He will not be afraid anymore.

Suddenly something snapped with a bright burst of light. The force throwing him back into the pond with a large splash.

He was alone again, and once more he was falling.

...

Last night the drive home was hell for Fred. Daphne and Velma grouped off in Blake Manor and he was left to take care of a heavily grieving Margret and a completely destroyed and traumatized Scooby. Before that it had been a rough several hours with the people in the ambulance and at the hospital trying their damnedest to save Shaggy. But to no avail.

He didn't know what was worse, Margret asking him to help with funeral arrangements or witnessing Scooby break down in the back of the van. He had seen the dog whimper before, and cry when he was chased by a ghost or some dude in a mask. But he had never seen the dog grieve before. When Fred dropped them off he was tempted to ask Scooby to bunk with him tonight, because to be honest, he didn't want to be alone. But Scooby stuck very close to Margret, even receiving some affection from Brian. Fred doesn't even want to be there when they have to call Maggie and explain to her that her big brother is dead.

So this morning, Fred decided to stay in bed. Who could blame him. He knew if he got up he has to face everything that's going to come with today. He knew that he has to call his parents and tell them what happened. He's going to have to help Margret and Brian get in contact with friends they made during their adventures. He knew that he's going to have to call people that only Shaggy really knew and have to answer a million questions from them. He knows that Daphne and Velma would be willing to help, but he couldn't do that to them. Not when Velma constantly blamed herself, and because of that Daphne is going to have her hands full. Also Margret and Brian couldn't really take care of Scooby. Yes the dog is very sentient, but he is still a dog. So either they're going to have to find a new home for him (which would never happen) or Fred is going to take him. Because years ago he promised that if anything happens, he's going to take care of Scooby.

Fred just never thought that he was going to have to plan a funeral. He thought back to the last one he had attended to. Shaggys biological father. Fred remembered Mr. Rogers well. Since he was a child he had always looked up to the man because he was a police officer and Fred had always wanted to be a police officer. He remembers that he used to believe that Jack Rogers had this secret agent double life. But Shaggy disagreed with him. Because if Shaggys dad had a double life, that means he would have less time to spend with his family. The younger Fred had to begrudgingly admit that was true. Because who else would pick them up from school in his really cool cop car?

He also remembers when he heard the news that Shaggys father had been killed on duty. He remembers attending the funeral, how Shaggy was the last to leave his fathers coffin at the cemetery. Still holding on to a flower that he was supposed to drop on the casket. He remembered how Shaggy was reluctant to leave Scooby at home, since they didn't want to bring the puppy to such a somber occasion.

For a long time after that, Shaggy was a different person. He was sad and angry all the time, the other friends that he had struggled to make had left eventually because of it. But Fred didn't. Since he was just as sad too. Mr. Rogers was his hero and his absence left a huge hole in his and Shaggy's young lives. He remembered watching his friend finally melt down after a week had gone by. Shaggy telling him that the person who promised to keep all the scary things away from him is gone forever and how much he missed the normalcy in his life. It was then that Fred had promised that he'll keep him safe, and Shaggy had eventually promised the same once he calmed down. Things had gotten better after that, as in their foolish child minds believed that they would find out what happened. That never happened, but they had grown closer because of it. Shaggy quickly became more like a brother to him than anything else. Instead of finding who did it because that was something they couldn't help, they had began to solve other mysteries.

It was strange to lose a loved one. Fred was no stranger to it now. Things would never be the same after that, it will get better. But it would never be the same. To be honest with himself, he just doesn't know HOW it would get better.

Shaggys spot in the mystery machine will always be empty. His usual chair at the diner, vacant. No calls in the middle of the night when one of them couldn't sleep. No more surprise sleep overs. Mystery Inc. would never be the same. If there even was a Mstery Inc. now. He can't see how.

Suddenly the phone began to ring, taking him out of his thoughts with a irritated grumble. He glanced over at it to see that it was Margret. He didn't want to answer it, because he knows what it would be about. He just grasped the fact that his best friend is dead, he didn't want to think about burying him. He answered anyway, knowing that he couldn't hide from it forever.

He paused, clearly not expecting what he got instead of grief and funeral plans. Fred quickly sat up in his bed, trying to make heads or tails of the fast jumble of words that was coming at him.

"Hang on. Hang on- what? WHAT?!"

End of Chapter

A/N: Teehee. Cliffhanger. Until tomorrow that is.