Chapter 8

"I am Catwoman…Hear Me Roar"

I couldn't believe what I was seeing before me…the ghost of what appeared to be a woman in a cat suit was using her whip to choke Fred out of the air he was trying to breathe in. Of course, I had to save Fred, so I did what any self respecting person would do, I jumped into action. Throwing myself at her, I was shocked to discover that I had gone through her and fell to the ground.

"Nice try, sweetie, but it's no use," Catwoman snickered. "I'm a ghost."

Still, I had to try and help Fred. If I couldn't kill this ghost, I could at least try and get her away from Fred.

Reacting fast, I tried to reach for the whip, but Catwoman grabbed me by the scruff of my jacket and pulled me back. Using her magic, she let go of the whip and letting out a loud yowl, she somersaulted into the air and proceeded to grab me by the shoulders, trying to throw me into a somersault. Fortunately, I landed on my feet, much to Catwoman's irritation.

"You're strong, which is what the master likes," Catwoman remarked. "But guess what? We're much stronger."

Then, I began to hear the sounds of growling coming from the brushes and much to my shock, I saw what appeared to be feral cats advancing towards me.

"Get her!" cried Catwoman and I proceeded to run as fast as I could with the feral cats chasing after me. Eventually, I arrived at the Joker's Jukebox and saw that the only way I could escape the cats was to climb up onto the jukebox.

Leaping into one of the cars, I started to climb one of the arms as one of the cats tried to scratch at my bare leg. Thank God I wasn't wearing pantyhose or stockings.

Fortunately, I managed to kick the cat away, but the other cats kept coming towards me as I tried to desperately climb the arm. Then, almost as if I was experiencing deja vu, I saw the Joker figure at the top of the jukebox start to move.

Cackling, he leapt off of the jukebox and slid down towards me.

"Hiya, honey," he laughed. "Going my way?"

Panting, I knew I couldn't reach the top of the jukebox now with a maniacal clown in my front and feral cats in my back.

"Let's dance!" the Joker laughed as "Jailhouse Rock" by Elvis Presley played on the jukebox.

Yelling, I got off the arm and with my options limited, I figured that the only thing I could do was run for my life. Then, I saw that I could gain myself some ground if I at least got to the base of the jukebox.

Seizing another opportunity, I climbed up to another arm and for a moment, it seemed like everything was going to be okay, but it wasn't as the Joker materialized in front of me, and this time he was holding a gun.

"Here's to crime," he laughed and proceeded to fire several bullets at me as I once again got down while Catwoman's feral cats closed in on me, growling and hissing. Three cats managed to jump onto my back, scratching into my suit jacket. Desperate, I couldn't let them scratch through my green tank top and cut at my bra. So, I ran and as I dodged Joker's gunshots, I bent down and starting throwing the feral cats off of me with my bare hands.

"Well, I must admit, Ms. Blake, you are quite a spiritual fighter," the Joker remarked as he and Catwoman advanced towards me. "But, we're not going to kill you."

What was that I just heard? They weren't going to kill me? What were they even thinking of doing right then and there is beyond me?

"No, you see, the master told us to just…rough you up Earthly and weaken you spiritually," laughed Catwoman.

…

Suddenly, I heard the sounds of gunshots, the bullets aiming for one of the cats and causing it to disappear.

Much to my relief, Beau ran in followed by Clarice who was holding a cross in her hands.

"The power of Christ compels you! The power of Christ compels you!" she yelled as she ran with Beau.

Grunting, Joker knew that he needed to retreat along with Catwoman and they did.

"This isn't over, Daphne! Your soul will belong to our master!" declared Joker as he disappeared while cackling.

"Daphne," Beau cried, running over to me. "You okay?"

"Just barely," I gasped, seeing the blood that was running down my neck from the cats. "Fred? Where is he?"

"He's fine. Trying to catch his breath. I've sent Agent Gordon to back up Velma, Shaggy and Scooby."

Beau then proceeded to call for an ambulance so that I could be treated for my injuries from the feral cats. But I couldn't help but think if that minister I saw on the plane had sent his spiritual soldiers after me.

Then, I had another thought: what if whoever was coming after me was also coming after Shaggy or even Scooby?

Could they be targeting them too? Either way, it was still a lot to take in and sure enough, they would soon encounter their own ghostly encounter via their favorite vice: food.

…

…

As we left to get treated for our injuries, the minister's ghostly spirit peeked from above the jukebox as he scowled.

"So this spirit is more strong willed than I thought?" he thought to himself. "Either way, she will be mine and I will return to the mortal world to finish what I started..."

He then turned his attention towards the right side of the park where Velma, Shaggy and Scooby were investigating. Inside one of the abandoned food shacks, a box full of moldy hot dogs were about to be brought be to their edible lives...

...

...