The Girl on the Road

Chapter Five: The Mission

"They are not dead who live in the hearts of those they leave behind"
Tuscarora tribal saying

She didn't have to wait long. When the man saw Bud and Flo emerge from the back office he pulled a gun from under his leather coat. Seven shots rang out; two shots went wild, three struck Bud in the chest, Flo screamed when she saw Bud crumble to the floor. The remaining two shots caught Flo in the throat, silencing her scream; she too crumbled to the floor beside Bud.

It was the two shots that went wild which concerned Kathie; She hadn't planned on falling in love with Shaggy or stealing a moment in time, but it had happened. Shaggy had taught her to experience feelings none of her Order had experienced before and probably never would. He had made her unique within her Order.

One second she stood in front and to the side of Shaggy; a half second later she stood in front of him, the two wild shots catching her in the chest just above each breast. The force driving her back; Shaggy caught her before she could fall. Her eyes closed, Shaggy screamed "KATHIE!"

The appointment was over, the mission remained uncompleted.

----------Xxxxxx

Shaggy held her in his arms, softly sobbing, rocking back and forth. "Why? We had only met yesterday" he spoke to her.

her eyes fluttered open; she turned in his arms, "My love, I had to protect you didn't I" she reached up; tracing the outline of his ear. "Is he gone?"

"Yes, he grabbed the cash from the cash drawer, turned off the lights and left. How…" he said between sobs.

"I like being in your arms but help me up and I'll try to explain in the short time we still have together."
He helped her to stand; holding her in his arms.

"Shaggy, when you made the turn off, you became a complication. You weren't supposed to be here in this time. I had to protect you until the time frame could be corrected."

"The storm?" Shaggy asked.
"The storm was a vortex in time; it brought you to this time, sixteen years before you were born. I have powers but I'm not all powerful. I couldn't stop the storm or you so…"
"So you came along for the ride?" Shaggy asked.
"Nicely put…yes, I came along for the ride…at first…then you taught me love."

"And us? Will I see you again?"
"Shaggy, you have shown me how to love, you have awakened feelings in me I never knew existed but there can never be an 'us'; it's forbidden for good reasons which I broke.

When we made love I felt the presence of another in your heart. Someone you love very much…"
"Velma" he whispered, dropping his head. She reached under his chin, lifting his head.
"Is that her name? I didn't know…she doesn't know of your feelings of love you hold for her?"
"No"

"I have no way of knowing if you will see her again but if you do you need to tell her. You have taught me so much in so short of time…is it what you call jealousy that I want to be her? To feel your love?

"Our time draws short and I want to say so much…this 'Velma', give her a single red rose for me. This thing called 'Love' is strange; you can reject it, accept it but you can't ignore it, she is very lucky to have your love. I have never known love until today, thank you; I'll cherish our time together forever.

"Lastly, I want you to remember me as you see me now, I'm about to break another commandment of my Order. While we made love, you said I was a devil in disguise, that struck a little too close for comfort…I'm not a devil, what you are about to see, no mortal has ever seen nor will see. You made me unique in my Order; I'm about to return the favor, but I doubt you will see it that way.

"Shaggy, remember that I did love you; our time together is at an end, whatever you see or hear is for your eyes and ears only, under no circumstances are you to interfere with my mission, if you do I can't promise I can protect you.

"Shaggy, my darling, my love, will you do one last thing for me…please kiss me good bye?"

He still didn't understand but he took her in his arms, holding her tightly. Her lips were cool, like the refreshing air after a spring shower; he wanted to hold her forever, never letting her go.

She broke their kiss, stepping back away from him; "remember that I loved you."
She drew the knife from her boot, holding it away from her body, spreading her arms out from her body. The black light blinded him as the knife began to lengthen, the blade curving, the hilt lengthening to touch the floor. The black light engulfed 'Kathie' transforming her; her body growing taller. A cowl formed over her head and he could not see those beautiful green eyes.

The black light diminished and before him stood…"You...are the Grim Reaper?" Shaggy couldn't believe his eyes. The girl on the road, the one he had made love to only this afternoon…it was too much; his world began to swim before his eyes.

The laughter was dark and without mirth, it was disconcerting to say the least when he heard 'Kathie's' voice coming from the creature before him.

"I told you not to interfere! I will allow no interference! I told you I was no devil; no, I am not he of whom you speak. My Order only serves Death. But who is to say…one day I may rule in his place…who says the Grim Reaper has to be male?! Now be quiet and watch; you asked if we would meet again…maybe sometime in the future you will be my mission."

"Good bye Kathie"

The dark creature turned away, gliding toward the bodies lying on the floor.
"Paul Rye, Florence Greenwood, it is time, I have come for you" the voice filled the little café; nothing happened until the voice spoke again, "Arise!"

Black shapes appeared to rise from the bodies, moving to stand before Death. The creature moved the scythe horizontal to the floor; it grew, encircling the three shapes.

The room began to swim, twist, and spin all at the same time; blackness began to fill the room. Shaggy felt sick, his thoughts confused.

His thoughts turned to Scooby who was still back at in the motel room!
"Scooby! What about Scooby?" he cried out. The force hit him, slamming him back.
"I said…no interference!!" he couldn't move! He was pinned against the wall, his breath coming in gasps. It was 'Kathie's' voice drifting in the air he heard,

"Reeemmembbeeerrr mmmmeeee" then it was gone.

The Mission was complete.

He screamed "SCOOBY DOO, WHERE ARE YOU?" The darkness took him.