The Shortcut

Chapter Two: The Vision

Fred hadn't walked far when the trees came to an abrupt end. He could hear the birds, feel the breeze on his cheek and the calming sounds of a gurgling stream. Something new had been added; he was sure he heard a girl's voice raised in song although he couldn't place the tune.

He crept as quietly as possible to the last remaining tree, peeking out to see the stream which curved close to the trees, meandering through a small meadow filled with flowers. The scents of the night blooms permeated the air with their sweet smells. Before him, sitting on a rock in the middle of the stream sat the most ravishing creature he had ever laid eyes on. It was she who sang.

In the moonlight her skin appeared flawless with a golden sheen. Her tresses flowed from head to mid-back while framing her face in red, the color of the sky painted by a setting sun. His first thought was this vision of beauty was Daphne, but how could that be? He hadn't rushed to this spot but she hadn't had time to beat him here, shed her clothes, and now repose on the rock before him. He stood transfixed, listening to her voice that called to him so softly, urging him to join her.

Her song ended, leaving him with a desire to hear more. She stood, preparing to enter the water. Fred had first thought she was nude; this proved to be untrue, for around her waist she wore a garland and what could only be described as a skirt. A skirt of flowers and leaves that extended to mid thigh.

She dove gracefully into the stream; dipping her head she disappeared under the surface, only to reemerge. Rising, water flowing down and off her body as she continued to rise until she was standing above the stream. For several seconds she held the pose before she sank down into the clear blue water.

She rolled from front to back to front several times before she dipped her red tresses under the water once again.

Fred became alarmed, she had been underwater for quite some time, or it felt that way. Perhaps he stepped on a dry leaf, or a dry twig when he left his hiding place. Whatever it had been, the young maiden came alert, aware she wasn't alone in her water wonderland. She turned around slowly in the water, searching for the intruder.

He was unsure what to do when her eyes came to rest on him. Should he run, stay, or since he had been spotted, step forward. The maiden solved that for him as she motioned with her hand to stay where he was and then began to swim effortlessly toward him until she reached the shallow water. She came out of the water, advancing until she stood less than a foot in front of him.

"Why do you come here?" she asked, "have you come for my gold?"

Fred knew instinctively he was being tested; his answer would determine his fate. He would leave here, or her voice would lure him to a darker fate.

"The sound of your stream led me here," he answered truthfully, "to take your gold would make me a thief---I am no thief, your gold is safe."

The swell of her full breasts was hidden behind the veil of shinning red hair; she took his hand and placed it between her breasts. Her skin was pleasingly warm yet electrifying; he tried to pull his hand away but she held it in place.

"Do you wish to take me?" Her voice was full of promises, of desires he hadn't dreamed of. It took all his failing will to answer.

"I was tired when I stopped and heard the calming sounds of your stream. I wish only to leave here refreshed with the memories of your beauty and the regeneration sounds of your stream. You are safe."

"Then go, take your memories. Don't look back. Follow your heart and you will find true happiness."

She dropped his hand, turned and entered the water until it touched her thighs, then dove, becoming one with the water.

The spell broken, Fred ran. Shaggy may have been the track star but on this night Fred would have beaten him easily. He didn't look back, there was no need to, he knew she wouldn't be there. He ran until he caught a glimpse of the van, only then did he stop, bending over to rest hands on knees trying to catch his breath. When he felt better he walked slowly to the van.

Settled behind the wheel, Fred checked the status of his friends. Shaggy had unrolled one of the sleeping bags they kept stored in the van for such situations, using it as a blanket and Scooby as a soft furry pillow. Velma had another bag spread over her. Fred hoped it had been Shaggy that had done that for her.

Daphne had switched his jacket from pillow to cover her shoulders. The night had turned cold without the heater; Fred started the van to let it warm up before adjusting the heater. What had the 'Lady of the River' as Fred now thought of her, what had she said? 'Follow your heart...", yes, that was it. And so he did, leaning over to rearrange a lock of Daphne's hair before kissing her cheek.

Fred had reached to adjust the heater when he looked at his hand.

He didn't want to but he had to; he reached over to caress Daphne's hair---it was damp!

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A/N: Don't flame me! I know Fred is way ooc here but the alternative is death for our hero and none of us wants that at this point in the story. In the next chapter, Velma offers one option about what Fred has just experienced. Stay tuned for 'A Talk With Velma' coming soon.