Shaggy heard the crash and he shakingly started up the stairs. After the second crash, he was at the top enough to peek up and watch the ghost of John Ridmore give chase after Velma and Anne. He watched in fear as the two of them disappeared around a corner and the ghost followed. A small string of curses came from the hallway, as it seemed that something got in the way of him getting at her. Shaggy slunk back to sit down some of the stairs as Scooby whined at him. He shook for a while before finding his voice.

"Oh hoo hoo... Hoy boy Scoob. Velma is in trouble and all I can think about is running. But She's possibility trapped. But if we go out there we might end up Ghost napped like Edward Junior."

He squeaked at the end of his statement. The annoyed yell of the angry ghost made Shaggy cringe. Half about his own safety, half on Velma's. Even though he was a coward, he couldn't just leave her there. But then what about he and Scooby. Well, he knew one thing for sure. He was better at running then anything else... well, except for being scared. But this was Velma he was talking about. Gathering his courage, he looked down at Scooby who was huddled form, shaking on the steps.

"Scooby Doo. We must save Velma!"

"Rus?"

"Yes us. We may be chickens..."

"Ra Rickens."

"But even though we are cowards, we can't leave one of the gang in trouble. We have to save her!"

Scooby slumped back whining. Shaggy got an idea. Patting his pockets, he was able to find his last-last-last-last reserve Scooby snack for just such an emergency. He cracked it in half. The sound of the breaking snack got Scooby's attention.

"This is all I got buddy. Let's promise on this half of a snack, we cowards will swallow our fear and save Velma!"

Scooby took the offered piece, knowing that it was the last piece that Shaggy had on him. He couldn't smell anymore at least.

"Rah... Rave relma ra ret ro rooby ranks rater!"

"Yeah, more Scooby snacks later! But Save Velma first!"

They tapped together the two halves together like Champaign glasses before eating their respective halves. With renewed courage... Well, slightly… Shaggy crawled up to peek over the top step.

"I know your brats are in there! Come out!"

The ghost pounded on the wall. Giving one more nod of self-reassurance. Shaggy pushed himself to his feet and he walked towards the ghost. He passed the study where Daphne and Fred were and got right by the hallway where the ghost was banging on the wall and he hadn't noticed the sound of Shaggy's knee's knocking together. Gathering his courage he thrust out his fist and pointed at the ghost.

"Stop right there Mr. Ghost! Like' I won't have you chasing Velma while I'm around..."

"Rah rah!"

Echoed Scooby from where he was hiding behind Shaggy's shaking form. Then came a clear gulp.

"Please?"

The ghost of John Ridmore turned away from the painting and smiled at the two.

"As you wish."

The ghost gave chase. With a quick 'Zoinks!' once he knew what was happening, Shaggy turned to run. Scooby jumped up in surprise and with out a second passing, Shaggy grabbed his canine pal out of the air and ran for it. Leaving the ghost to eat their dust as he chased after the two.

"Like... I knew this was a bad idea Scoob..."

Shaggy said to Scooby as they ran down the hall.