Scooby Doo and the Beauregard Game

by SpongeAddict

"Terror Time" vol. 1! The gang's plans for their first summer back from college are interrupted when Shaggy and Scooby must spend the summer in Louisiana at the bequest of their late relative. The rest of the gang tags along, but when odd things begin happening on the island estate, Mystery Incorporated must band together to discover who - or what - is behind it all.

1. Preface

Chapter 1: Preface

"Daphne!" Fred cried, fear coloring his tone. He staggered to his feet and stumbled along the wall, struggling to maintain his balance as the wind howled through the broken windows around him.

"Fred, get down!" Velma shrieked. Instinctively, Fred ducked. He was just in time - a beam swung down from the rafters of the dilapidated house like a trebuchet, and landed with a sickening crunch against the wall...right where Fred's head had been moments before.

The house shuddered again and everyone screamed, clutching at the nearest stable object to maintain balance. Daphne's limp form slid forward slightly, but Shaggy was able to stretch out a hand and grab her arm. He'd hooked one of his feet around the inner edge of the fireplace, since he couldn't use his other arm to do so. "Like, hurry!" he called to Fred and Velma, struggling to drag Daphne closer to him one-handed while his dislocated shoulder hung uselessly at his side.

"Stay down!" Velma ordered, scrambling towards Fred. As the wind whipped through the broken windows and rain stung their cheeks, Fred and Velma gripped each other and began crawling towards Shaggy and Daphne, half dragging each other as they went. Once more, the house lurched and leaned back the other way, helping Fred and Velma on their journey. Shaggy caught Daphne before she slid into the mouth of the empty fireplace, wincing from the accidental pressure on his shoulder, as Fred and Velma skidded along the floor. Once they arrived at the fireplace, Fred immediately reached for Daphne and gathered her into his arms.

"Daph!" he shouted, shaking her shoulders slightly, the worry plain on his face.

Shaggy grasped Velma's outstretched hand and pulled her towards him, gritting his teeth as a jolt of pain shot up his arm. She noticed his grimace and glanced worriedly at his wound.

"It's like, fine," he lied. It wasn't fine. His shoulder hurt like a son of a bitch, but Velma didn't need anything else to worry about right now. Instead, Shaggy shot a pointed look at Daphne, who still lay listlessly in Fred's arms.

Velma glanced over at them, then turned back to share a terrified look with Shaggy.

"Babe," Fred exclaimed, continuing - unsuccessfully - to try and wake Daphne. "Please."

"Fred, she's not -" Velma began, then broke off with a gasp at the splintering sounds of cracking wood from above. The roof was going to cave in any minute. "Quick!" she shouted. "Into the fireplace!"

They scrambled in not a moment too soon. The chandelier went first with an ungraceful crash. Then the rest of the ceiling fell with a terrible thud, the deluge of the storm outside finally free to encroach on the house fully. As rain soaked the decrepit furniture and dusty floor, the house sank further into the ground, and everyone stared at each other, wild-eyed with fear. The house was about to be swallowed by the sinkhole, and they were trapped inside. Anyone who could help was long gone. Daphne was unconscious. Shaggy was hurt. And Scooby was still missing.

"Scooby Doo!" Shaggy shouted above the wind, though he knew it would do no good. "Where are you?!"