Everyday keeps on repeating like the record on replay
Slowly getting off the bus with Johnny waiting at the gates
Like a friend smiling and waving and called him out his name
Put his arm around his neck what's up now gimme all your change
Too afraid to make a scene or plead with him to let him go
He just takes whatever's coming, feels the pain with every blow
Tries in vain to make himself be heard as soon as he gets home
But everything's still the same...

(But didn't you say) You always said that I should speak up
But it seems like all the things you said to me before mean nothing at all
Because...

I keep telling you that Johnny's hitting me
That's why I'm late for school (but you never listen)
Instead you always seem to end up blaming me for things I didn't do (For what it's worth)
I didn't even want to tell you anything incase it made things worse (Just so you know)
Every time I say that Johnny's hitting me
Hey Mom and Dad it hurts

Craig David; Johnny

Silence reigned through the damp corridor. The rain tapped the roof relentlessly, its chaotic rhythm being the only sound that bounced off of the slowly aging concrete slabs. The breezes that wafted by were colder than usual this afternoon.

Scooby led his four human companions through the maze; occasionally one of them would find a small dip in the floor or stumble over a prominent crack, but onward they moved.

Fred held a lantern up and surveyed the area with keen eyes. The yellow glow from the bulb was the only source of light, it seemed, for miles. The mist was so thick that not even the strong beams were unable to fully penetrate it. Instead, the light seemed to filter into the damp fog, then disintegrate and blend into it.

"Everyone stays together," Fred said in a low tone, wanting to avoid an echo at all costs. "Got it?" The other four only nodded in union to the decision.

Velma removed her glasses and wiped away the fog that was clinging to them. "Jinkies," she muttered, "I wish these things came with wipers." She subconsciously dropped behind Shaggy a few paces to walk beside Fred.

Daphne hadn't decided upon a place in line for herself; she found more comfort in staying fairly separate from the group, breaking off every now and then to investigate any suspicions that had entered her thoughts.

Scooby put his muzzle to the ground and started to sniff near a puddle. Fred stepped up beside the Dane and asked, "What did you find, Scoob?"

The canine grunted and replied, "Raint! R'loo raint!"

"Like, blue paint?" Shaggy asked.

"Great work!" Velma praised, reaching into her pocket and taking a Snack from a plastic baggie. Scooby said nothing in return, only swallowed the reward in a single lick. He smacked his lips and grinned. The moment of levity was contrasted seconds later when the fur on his neck and back raised. Scooby turned his head, and so did the others, when a ringing whir of machinery started up down the corridor.

"Like, I hate to state the obvious, but.." Shaggy began.

"Just run!" Velma declared.

Everyone simply complied, and bolted down the hallway.

Daphne kept stride with Shaggy, which for most of the time was impossible. Her eyes darted everywhere as they ran, all the while hearing the sound of a roaring engine coming closer behind them. They were merely prey to this monster, and they were all beginning to exhaust. She looked around, her eyes watering from the cold air biting her corneas.

Salvation at last when the redhead caught a narrow crevice between two slabs of wall. She grabbed Shaggy by the arm and tugged, practically hurling him in the direction of the crevice. She ignored the beatnik's protests of dismay, and only darted towards it herself.

"Hey! An escape route!" Fred declared, wrapping an arm around Velma's wait and hoisting her up in one single motion. The action emitted a small whoop of surprise from the young woman, but she allowed herself to be taken in the right direction.

One by one, all five of them ducked into the crack, crowding their bodies against each other to fit. Although it was cramped and uncomfortable, nobody said a word as their mechanic predator passed right by them.

"We'd better investigate somewhere else. I don't want to spend the night in a hospital room," Velma growled, peeling herself out from between Fred and Shaggy to get a breath of air.

Shaggy and Scooby hopped out, and at the same time shook themselves off and stretching a little. Fred stepped out and merely scanned the area for any danger. Daphne flanked Velma on the left and stood in silence.

Scooby eagerly trotted towards the exit, with the others only steps behind. They walked up the trail that wound its way out of the exit and up a steep hillside. The evening rain had changed the dry soil into thick mud, in which every member of the detective crew would stumble over every moment or so.

"Okay, we need to try another approach," Daphne stated, "Going in that tunnel is too dangerous."

Shaggy nodded. "Like, yeah. Let's avoid it by getting in the van and going somewhere safe – like the pizza parlor!" The other three groaned.

"That's not what I meant," Daphne mumbled through gritted teeth.

"Follow me, gang," Fred started, motioning with his hand for the others to tail him. "I think I know a better route."

Without another word, Daphne and Velma followed, Shaggy and his dog bringing up the rear. They pressed their backs to the wall as soon as the shadow of the building had enshrouded them. Fred nodded, and the others began to follow him down the length of the building.

The mud near the base of the concrete slabs was thicker, and their feet made sickening squishing sounds every time one of them took a step.

Daphne took a step too high, upon attempting to place it down; the toe of her shoe caught a loose rock. With a shrill yelp of surprise, the redhead's foot went out from beneath her and she went tumbling into a ditch. A loud thump signaled her landing. Velma ran to the edge of the ditch and looked down at her dazed companion.

"Dangerprone Daphne. Damn it!" Fred grunted, still on the alert for danger.

Upon hearing the statement, Daphne's eyes narrowed as she struggled to stand on her own feet. She yelped as she felt the muscles in her ankle roll over the bone.

"Here, Daphne. I'll help you out," Fred replied. He and Velma each grabbed one of Daphne's forearms and hoisted her to their level.

"Look, I hate to be a drag, but I don't think I can help you out this time," Daphne murmured, not meeting eyes with Fred.

Velma and Fred sighed. "Okay," Fred told her, "We can always investigate in a couple days."

"Like, hey gang!" Shaggy called from a distance.

The others looked up to see Shaggy and Scooby in the parking lot, standing faithfully by the van.

"What're we waiting for? Let's go!" he called.

The next morning at Studio Six was painful for Daphne. She limped down the hallway towards her office, having to stop short due to straining on her right ankle. She growled to herself as it throbbed, feeling as though it was swelling more than it already was. With a sigh of relief, she gripped the handle of her office door tightly.

"What's going on, Daphne?"

Daphne turned to see Mike coming out of the lounge, a soda can in hand. Noticing her slouched posture and the way she was holding her foot above the ground, his brows furrowed.

"What happened?" he asked again.

"Well, as Fred and Velma say, Dangerprone Daphne did it again. It's quite a cruel joke. Funny at first, but now I don't really think it's a joke anymore," came a sullen response.

"You should've stayed home," Mike said softly, helping her unlock the door.

As the door swung open, Daphne nodded. "Yeah. I'm just now feeling it. For some reason I thought coming to work would help me feel better."

She emitted another yelp, then turned to examine the bruise she had earned from the fall. Indeed, the side of her ankle was swollen and painted with a variety of damaged muscle tissue and veins.

"Wow – that looks like it must've been a hell of a fall," Mike said.

"It was," Daphne managed to chuckle.

"Look, Daphne. I really don't think you should be here today."

"I'm alright, Mike."

"Are you sure? I'd feel terrible if it's broken. Please, let me take you to see a doctor."

Daphne bit her lip. She squeezed her eyes shut as her ankle throbbed for attention, then shot a pain up her calf. She gripped it and cried out.

"Okay. I'll go. Next time this happens, I'll be sure to call in!"

Mike helped her to her feet, keeping an arm around her, even while he locked the door for her. He walked slowly as Daphne limped beside him, every now and then having to lean on him for support.

"I appreciate this, Mike," Daphne smiled, looking at him with a strained, but sincere smile.

"Any time, Daphne."

Mike unlocked the passenger door of his car first. Pulling it open, her gave Daphne time to haul herself in, where she buckled up and got comfortable. He joined her on the other side, where he turned the key. As soon as the engine came alive, they pulled out of the driveway and onto the main road.