A/N: Hey there! I just want to say that am very happy to receive all your reviews! Here is Chapter 5! However, this chapter is now a bit more on the suspense side... Enjoy!

Chapter 5: The serial killer strikes

I snapped out of my thought and went out to the living room. Velma is now acting like Mother Superior and making lunch for me. Hem... she and Shaggy make a good pair! Velma will make food and Shaggy can eat them! Maybe I should try to pair them up... later.

I turned on the TV and there was a Britney Spears concert going on. Suddenly, a TV reporter appeared. "We are sorry to interrupt the program. There is an important piece of news now brought to you by Nelson Sushdan. The body of another TV reporter, Heather Pinen, was found dead in her apartment. Investigation proved that the murderer is on talking terms with the deceased. Anyone who has any leads, please call the police. Thank you." After that, the concert came on again.

Oh my god! Heather Pinen? Killed? Tears flowed down my eyes. Although Heather Pinen and I were not good friends, I am shocked and sorry at the news of her death.

"Daphne? Are you alright? Why are you crying?" Velma asked. "One of my colleagues was killed! This is so horrible!" I cried into a piece of tissue. "Hem... this does seem strange. Do you think we should take on this case?" Velma asked again. I pondered over it for a moment, and then replied, "I think we should ask Fred for his opinion."

"Is someone talking about me? I heard my name." Fred burst into the apartment. I ran over and hugged him, fresh tears flowing. Why am I hugging Fred? I shouldn't be so fragile! "Heather Pinen was killed! You know, the TV reporter? Velma was asking whether we should got ourselves involved." I told him.

Velma then told him about the report. "Hem... this does sound strange. I think this is a mystery that is more dangerous than any others. The person we are after is a murderer. So if we are to take the case, we are to be extra careful." Fred announced. "So... we are taking this case then?" I asked. Fred nodded, and then said, "Let's call Shaggy and Scooby and ask them to come here immediately."

The phone call was made, and Shaggy, along with Scooby, reluctantly came. "Are we... we catching a... mur...mur...murderer now?" Shaggy stammered, shaking. Scooby hid his face into his paws and whimpered. "Yes, Shag, we are taking this case and this time, we are chasing a murderer." "Oh boy, we are in deep trouble eh Scoob?" Shaggy asked his canine companion. "Reah!" Scooby said, and whimpered.

"Well, don't worry. This time, we will be extra careful and stay as a group. No splitting up." Fred assured. "That's better! But it is still... scary!" Shaggy cowered. "And when we are scared, we need food!" "Reah, reah!" Scooby agreed. "All right, you will be allowed to pack your food." I said. Shaggy and Scooby yelled in delight and hugged me.

"Okay, first thing tomorrow, we will set off to Heather Pinen's house. I will apply leave and I'm sure that boss won't mind. We are solving a case here, what can he say?" Fred announced. "Great! Finally a break from all those filming! It is almost like going back to the good old days, when we are always solving mysteries..." I grinned, and then put my hands around Fred once more.

"Thanks Fred. You're always there for me when I need you, like what happened yesterday." "Hey, it is partly my fault too. Oh yes! Kinsman asked me to pass you this note." Fred let go of me and took out a piece of paper. It said, "Sorry Daphne. I didn't know you couldn't take oysters. I would have stopped you from eating them if I had known. Hope you are feeling better today! Love, Henry."

That was so sweet! At least Fred didn't make such a big fuss over this anymore. In face, he seemed quite happy. Is it because of my hug? Nah, maybe because he has a new mystery and that he can take his mind off filming for a while.

Oh no. Why am I thinking of him so much these days? Is it because of recent events? Or is it because he... likes me?

Argh. All this thinking is giving me a headache. I should eat my lunch and sleep some more.

The next morning, I woke up at around 8 with Velma beside me. Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby had decided to stay at the apartment overnight so we could set off earlier. I yawned, and then went to the kitchen to find something to eat.

When I open the fridge, I froze. Nothing. Shag and Scoob had used up EVERYTHING! Great! What am I going to eat now? In the end, I made myself a cup of coffee and sat on the couch, sulking once more.

Fred woke up next. He went through the same things I did, and resigned to his fate and settled for some coffee. "Looks like we are about to go hungry today, eh Daph?" He jokingly asked. I nodded. "Maybe we can get something to eat from the store later." I suggested. We laughed.

"Hey Fred, do you think we should pair Velma and Shaggy together. I mean, they are so suitable for each other!" I asked. "You mean matchmaker? I am not into that very much." Fred laughed. "Just go along with me and we can make sparks fly!" I told him. Laughter filled the room once more.

Fred turned on the TV. Oh my. The killer has strike again. "The famous Nancy Chang was found dead in her garden this morning. A struggle scene was found later, at another part of the garden. Police thinks this case is linked to the murder of Heather Pinen as the methods used to kill them were similar and the Police think that the murderer is the same person. Anyone who had any leads, please call the police. Thank you."

Nancy Chang? We know her! Isn't she one of the suspects of the mystery we met when we went to watch the skiing competition? Killed? Aren't the murderer targeting TV reporters? FEMALE reporters? Doesn't that mean, I am one of the targets...

"Don't worry Daphne. I will protect you. The murderer won't get a chance on you." Fred assured. How did he know what I was thinking about? But nevertheless, I feel secured after he said those words.

Somehow I know, as long as I'm with Fred, nothing bad will happen to me.