They rejoined the others, who were all visibly concerned.
"How're ya feeling?" Shaggy asked.
"Okay, all things considered," Daphne sighed.
Vincent placed a hand on her shoulder again.
"Regardless of what happens, Daphne, I won't abandon you—and I'm certain the others concur," he said.
"Rhabsolutely!" Scooby promised.
"You know it!" Scrappy barked.
"That goes for me, too!" Flim-Flam added.
"And me," Shaggy finished.
"And we'll help in any way we can," Miss Grimwood added, as Leonidas II and the girls all nodded in agreement.
"Thanks, Everyone," Daphne said managing a smile. She quickly sobered and glanced at Shaggy. "What about you? Are you feeling alright?"
"I… I guess so…" Shaggy said, scratching his head. "I mean, I don't feel any different than normal. And I didn't have any spiderwebs in my hair."
"As long as you're feeling alright, we'll prioritize Daphne and Winnie's well-being," Vincent said. "But once they're out of danger, we'll be delving into your family history and your latent memories to see just what's happened to you."
"Oh boy…" Shaggy sighed.
"In the meantime, I think all the youngsters should retire for the night," Vincent insisted.
"Aww, come on, Vince—"
"Flim-Flam…"
"…Aw, alright," the boy sighed. Before going, however, he took a bottle of his Lotsa Luck Joy Juice from his sweatshirt pocket and handed it to Daphne. "Just in case you think you'll need it."
"Thanks," Daphne replied, her voice cracking slightly.
"You'll be okay, Daphne," Scrappy encouraged. "You'll see!"
Reluctantly, they headed off to bed; Miss Grimwood had Matches usher the girls off next, and he stayed outside their rooms, pacing while on guard.
Vincent now turned to the adult mortals.
"You ought to get some sleep, as well," he suggested, but it was half-hearted; indeed, none of them looked remotely like wanting to sleep.
"I'll pass," Googie sighed. "I feel terrible; I didn't mean to say—"
"You couldn't have known," Shaggy pointed out. "And, anyway… it's probably better for us to be aware of… this, rather than it taking us by surprise."
"Ryeah," Scooby sighed.
"Maybe so, but there's certainly no way I can sleep now—not when…" Daphne trailed off.
"Daphne," Vincent said again. "Just keep reminded yourself that you are not alone. And as long as you are not alone, you will be fine, no matter what happens. My word is my bond—you know this."
She nodded.
"I just… don't want to end up letting you down."
"That, I am sure, is impossible," Vincent returned. "I have trusted you with my life before, multiple times—and I am prepared to do so again now, without any hesitation—"
He was interrupted as Googie's phone rang briefly, before stopping.
"Sorry…" she said, embarrassed. "Oh, Julius tried to call me. Wonder what's up…"
She left the room to call him back.
"Well, you fully understand where I stand on this whole thing, correct?" Vincent continued.
"You've made that very clear," Daphne assured him.
"Leonidas and I needn't testify to Vincent's sincerity, but we're still willing to," Miss Grimwood said.
"That's right—I remember my father always trying to get me to strike up a friendship with Vincent back in our schooldays—even though I was already a member of Baz's gang," Leonidas II mused. "In spite of all the headaches Vincent gave my father, my father knew that Vincent was a good friend to have."
"Did he?" Vincent asked, surprised. "Given the number of times I was called into his office, I was under the impression that he considered me trouble on two legs."
"Oh, he did—and I think he still does, to a degree," Leonidas II replied, bluntly, prompting Shaggy, Scooby, and even Daphne to snark. "But he always knew you had—and still have—a good heart. He'd have been here himself to help you and Helena out, but you know he's been swamped with work since Reed retired…"
"Yes, I can imagine…" Vincent sighed.
"…I kinda wish he was here," Leonidas II continued. "Father is much more experienced at all this than I am."
"You're doing quite well in his stead," Miss Grimwood assured him, with a smile.
"It's nice of you to say that, Helena, but Father might have a better idea about that… flying spider we saw," he mused.
"I would certainly want to ask him about his thoughts on that, as well," Vincent said. "I've never seen anything like that bat-winged spider before, either; Sibella's reaction made it clear that Dracula had nothing to do with it—and, indeed, Dracula's distress at his wolfman friend going missing was genuine."
"And we know it's not Julius—and probably not any other monster hunter, because they wouldn't be using bat-winged spiders," Daphne said.
"Then there are only three possible options," Miss Grimwood realized. "Either one of the fae, the elves, or…" She looked to Vincent and Leonidas II, concerned. "…A mage like us."
"Like, if Chandra hadn't been sentenced by the Witches' Council, I'd have bet money it was her," Shaggy said. "She's got a score to settle with those monsters."
"Rhait a minute!" Scooby exclaimed, and he turned to Leonidas II. "Rhi remember something rhour dad said rhabout Chandra! Rhe said she was expelled from Terror Tech!"
"When was this?" Vincent asked.
"Rhen rhe helped Freddie and me rescue you from Chandra and Rhimp!"
Vincent looked to Leonidas II.
"Did you know—?"
"Not until this moment," Leonidas II replied. "Father doesn't discuss any of the administrative work with me; honestly, he doesn't want me getting into administrative work at all—says it's not worth the headache."
"Well, that may be," Vincent mused. "But you've got to ask him if Chandra had any close friends or associates who might…"
He trailed off as Googie returned, looking concerned.
"Um…" she said. "Something strange is going on. It's like Julius tried to call me, but something's stopped him—it was like he was cut off. I tried calling him back a dozen times, and he just won't pick up…"
Vincent paled and immediately grabbed his crystal.
"Voudini!" he exclaimed. "Voudini!?"
There was only static; for whatever reason, Vincent's crystal was unable to get through to Voudini's Palantir.
"Zoinks!" Shaggy exclaimed, looking nervous. "Something's happened back there—that's for sure!"
A look of panic was on Vincent's face, knowing that he should rush to his friend's side; but this had all the hallmarks of a trap—and if he brought Daphne there, whoever was behind this would be able to get a shot at capturing her…
"Vincent, you should go," she said, after fretting about it for a moment. "Mr. Voudini might need your help! I'll be safe here—you've put protection spells up…"
"I swore I wouldn't leave you at such a critical juncture," Vincent reminded her. "To my words, I am bound."
"But—"
"Leonidas—" Vincent began.
"Say no more," Leonidas II nodded. "Talbot and I will go—you and Helena look after the youngsters."
Talbot barked in agreement, and he and Leonidas II teleported out as Daphne fretted once again.
"If something happens to Mr. Voudini again, I'll never forgive myself," she said, her voice cracking.
"Voudini told me to prioritize all of you in New Orleans, and he would, without hesitation, say so again now," Vincent said.
"And he's got all his powers back," Shaggy reminded himself. "He can take care of himself… huh!?" He turned around, staring out the window. "Listen! It's that weirdo sound again!"
"Rhi hear it, too!" Scooby agreed.
Googie looked confused again.
"I… don't," she said.
Miss Grimwood looked just as baffled, also unable to hear.
"I'm afraid I don't hear it, either," Vincent said, also confused. "Daphne, can you hear it? …Daphne? Daphne!"
Vincent had turned to look at her, reacting as he saw her doubled over, clutching at her head as though she was in agony.
"Oh, dear Hestia!" Miss Grimwood gasped.
"Daphne!" Vincent called again.
He reached for her shoulder, but she suddenly pulled away, removed her hands from her head, and suddenly looked upward—and let out a howl.
And, somewhere outside, a howl answered her.
"Winnie!" Miss Grimwood exclaimed.
The other girls had burst out of their rooms at the sound of Winnie's howl, but before anyone could say anything, Daphne burst through the front door of the cabin, running off into the night.