Early the next morning, Melissa trudged down the stairs. When Shaggy saw her he jumped slightly because she looked well, scary to him. Her hair was a complete mess, her eyes were still glazed over and she seemed to be foaming at the mouth of course, that last part was probably just his own imagination. Melissa sat down at the table without saying anything. The poor girl looked like she hadn't slept at all last night. This was because of the very long video chat she had with her boyfriend followed by an equally long talk with Jenny.
Melissa continued to stare straight ahead, seemingly dead to the world until a cup of steaming hot vanilla coffee was placed in front of her. After downing three and a half cups she was much more awake and talkative.
"So, Melissa, where'd you get the pajamas from?" Daphne asked teasingly referring to the Nightwing themed pajama set that Melissa was wearing.
"Online, people really like Nightwing,"
Of course, they weren't going to expose that they knew his true identity so, Daphne dropped the subject. For now anyway.
Midway through breakfast, the phone rang. Benton left the table to go answer it. Not that the others noticed. They were all much to busy stuffing their faces with breakfast. When he returned Velma regarded her uncle with curiosity. He didn't look happy.
"Uncle Benton, what's the matter?" Velma asked as her uncle sat back down.
"I'm afraid we have to cut your visit short,"
"What? Why?"
"I'm needed in the Amazon Jungle"
"The jungle?" Melissa asked, looking up from her pancakes.
"Yes, someone is experimenting on the animals there,"
"Why?" Fred questioned.
"It's unclear why,"
"We can help you," Velma insisted.
Benton considered this briefly. He had heard of the mysteries that the Scooby Gang had solved over the years. Velma and her friends could very well be what he needed on this trip. Slowly, he nodded his approval.
"Alright,"
…...
That is how Melissa and company found themselves headed to the jungle.
"Well, Handsome, does this make you jealous of me?" Melissa asked as she filmed the scenery outside her window.
"Melissa, what are you doing?" Jonny asked as Melissa turned the camera on herself.
"My boyfriend wants me to make a movie about Spring Break so that he can see what he missed,"
"Cool. Can I be in it?"
"Sure thing Squirt, wave for the camera," Melissa laughed turning the camera to where Jonny and Hadji were sitting with Bandit.
The boys waved excitedly at the camera with Bandit barking happily.
"So tell me boys, what's it like getting to go on adventures like this all the time?" Melissa asked zooming in on Jonny.
"It's super cool,"
"Sounds like it,"
"Melissa, what's it like to solve mysteries?"
"It's interesting, to say the least,"
…...
When they finally landed they the first thing they did was set up camp. Melissa was thankful she had changed clothes on the plane as it was very hot. They were in a rainforest after all and the weather was known to change rapidly. So, now, Melissa was dressed much like a stereotypical explorer. On her back, she wore an oversized knapsack with all her essentials. Namely her journal, her portable Mallet, a guidebook, the camera, a water bottle, three cans of bug spray and all her availble spores.
As soon as camp was set up they began their trek into the jungle. There was a research facility not far from the camp where scientists studied the wildlife. When they got there they were greeted by three very distressed scientists. They were quickly shown to a lab where they saw a few different animals in specialized pens.
"We have no idea what's wrong with them," One scientest said.
"I think I might," Melissa murmured cautiously nearing the jaguar pen.
"Melissa get back here," Fred warned.
"They've been infected,"
"With what?"
"Joker toxin"
Just then the Jaguar woke up and went crazy. Breaking out of its pen and going on a rampage. The others turned to flee with Melissa not far behind but in the midst of chaos, the jaguar knocked several random things off the nearby shelves causing them to soak Melissa to the bone. She fell shattering the tube of spores she had been holding for her defense. She covered her head as shelf after shelf of chemicals fell on her. Once the Jaguar had left she dragged herself out of the room and was ushered into the showers.
"Thank goodness, I left my stuff at camp," Melissa muttered failing to even notice the leaves that were forming on her hands. Similar ones were showing up on her face and her eyes though already green seemed to glow even brighter.
Things were about to go crazy.
…...
Uh-oh. This doesn't bode well. What do you think the Joker is doing? What's happening to Melissa? How will this affect their adventure? I guess you'll have to wait and see. Please leave me a nice long review.