It didn't take long for Shaggy's eyes to glaze over. He couldn't help it. He was no good at this stuff. He never understood how Velma or Fred— hell even Daphne, could bury their nose into a book and just read, and read and read. A few sentences into the forward and Shaggy was ready for a break.

Maybe he didn't have to read the whole thing, Shaggy rationalized as he flipped to the table of contents, just the stuff about cures, about eradicating the disease. Just the stuff that would make it all go back to normal.

That's all he really wanted.

Shaggy closed the book. He put it carefully back in it's place on the shelf. He wanted to be sure the place stayed exactly as the Dinkleys had left it. It was all he had left of his old life. All that hadn't been destroyed, infected, or had left him behind anyways.

Shaggy pulled his fingers through a knot in his hair. That was when he knew this was serious... when people started to leave him behind. That was when he knew, that this was going to be bad.

—

The gang were huddled around a table at the Broken Spine. Mulling over everything Velma had found on Zombies. There was a small radio perched into the center of the radio, tuned into their favorite station, k-ghoul. As the last notes of some kitschy pop song faded out, the voice of Angel Dynamite crackled through the speakers.

Hey babies she purred, We'll get back to our regularly scheduled music in a bit, but first, here are some important updates about this current zombie outbreak.

"Ugh," Daphne groaned, "Things are depressing enough without—"

"Shhh!" Commanded Velma , "Daph I'm trying to listen!"

Velma turned the volume dial up slightly, leaning in towards the radio pensively.

Now, Angel continued on, Looking outwards: the first cases of zombification outside of Crystal Cove has been reported. There have been three reported cases from Gatorsburg. And lastly babies, I have news on friend of the station, and mayor's son, Fred Jones.

The gang bristled at the mention of their leader's name. Daphne, reached for the volume dial, but before she could reach it, Fred yanked the radio's electrical cord out of the wall.

"Like, Freddy! What'd you do that for?" Shaggy asked, perhaps a little peeved.

"Oh no reason," Fred dropped the chord to the ground, scratching the nape of his neck nervously, "just, never liked hearing about myself on the news is all."

Shaggy and Velma exchanged inquisitive looks.

"You sure, Fred?" Velma questioned, crossing her arms.

Fred didn't respond, instead he began to walk towards a different isle of books, "Say Velma, while I'm here you got any books on traps? I love to see those."

The gang stared after Fred, who was rocking back and forth on his heels, an odd half-smile across his face.

"Answer Velma's question, Fred," Daphne demanded through clenched teeth.

Fred looked from Daphne to Shaggy to Scooby to Velma, and sighed, "My dad's making me leave Crystal Cove."

"He WHAT?!" Daphne shrieked, "Freddie, why would he—?"

Fred looked away from the gang. He shoved his hands awkwardly into his pockets and shrugged. They all stared at Fred, no clue what to say.

"It's because of the zombies, isn't it?" Velma finally piped up, "He's afraid it's going to get worse, so he's shipping you off to someplace safe, is that it?"

Fred still wouldn't look at them, "he might've said something like that." He muttered, barely louder than a whisper.

Velma's cheeks flushed red, and her hands were clenched into tight fists at her side, "of course he would only evacuate his own son!" She fumed "If its so dangerous then he should have all of us leave! I can't believe that man, he is the most selfish, incompetent, lying little—"

"Velma!" Shaggy shouted over her, pointing to Fred who was now sitting with his head in his hands their table, "like, cool it, would you?"

Velma's eyes widened, "Jinkies!" She groaned, gripping fistfuls of he sweater and biting her lip, "I'm sorry Fred, I don't mean that! I just—"

"No" Fred removed his hands from his face, "you're right. He shouldn't be favoring me." He paused for a moment, tracing a circle with his finger on the plastic of the table. "But he's made up his mind, there's nothing I can say now."

Daphne put a reassuring hand on Fred's shoulder, "When are you leaving Freddie?" She asked.

Fred let out a long exaggerated sigh, "Tomorrow." Said, his eyes locked on his hand, still tracing circled.

"Tomorrow?!" Shaggy jumped with surprise, "like, dude why didn't you tell us sooner?"

"I dunno, I didn't know how to bring it up."

"Are you ever going to come back to us Fred?" Daphne pined, wrapping her armes around his shoulders.

"Well, sure I will!" Fred smiled, "c'mon gang you don't really think I'll leave you forever do you?"

He looked around at all of them again, "I'll be back the second this is over, you'll see! Give it another month as we'll be back to before this whole thing started."

Reassured, they all gathered around Fred for what— unbeknownst to them— would be their last complete group hug.

—

Shaggy couldn't help but laugh, a dry pitiable sound. One month. Fred had said just one month. Shaggy had lost track of the months, and the years for that matter. He shook his head. They had so much hope back then.

Giving up on reading for the day, Shaggy strutted towards the front door. He heard the telltale groans of a zombie hoard, still very much present on the streets of Crystal Cove. He wasn't going anywhere for a while.

He stepped back into the bathroom, blinking twice at the horrible LEDs hanging above him. He stared into the mirror. The scratch on his nose was heeling nicely. Maybe he hadn't been infected. Shaggy let out a sigh. That was a relief. He'd seen how the infection could take over his body when— Shaggy shook his head vigorously, trying to ward the thought from his brain before it could form. He wasn't ready to think about that. Not quite yet.

Shaggy whistled some old familiar tune as he reached for the bathroom doorknob. He yanked it open and felt his whole body relax has he left that fluorescent hell hole. He raised his arms over his head, stretching as a yawn overtook him. He'd ought look into a place to sleep. By the sound of the hoard outside he wouldn't be leaving anytime soon.

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Author's Note: Hey y'all, hope you liked this chapter. If you did (or didn't) let me know by leaving a review. It helps me to improve my writing and honestly keeps me motivated as well. See you next Tuesday!

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