Day 4 – How to stop Pitstop?

Fortunately, the strange man drove safely to Crystal Cove, and none of Velma´s fears about him happened at all. During the trip, he didn't even say a word, and Velma was astonished to notice that a man with such a frightening appearance could be nicer and more ethical than some popular boys from her school. "Yeah, Thorn´s spell definitely taught me a lesson about not judging people by the way they look", she thought, as she looked at the man – who, in turn, didn't take his eyes off the road to look at her. Then, Velma tried to start a conversation with him – after all, he had saved her life.

Velma: Uhh... so, honey, you´re Penelope´s friend?

Dick Dastardly: No.

Velma: Sooo… how do you know her?

Dick Dastardly: It's none of your business.

The rude response was followed by a laugh noise (made by the dog), and Velma got angry. While she was making up a good reply, the car stopped in front of Pitstop Manor and the man opened the door for her. Velma left the car and her seat was taken by the dog. When she said "Thank you", the car left in high speed and disappeared into the darkness.

While she opened the large iron gates, the doorman came to help her, and Madelyn came with him, pushing her bike.

Madelyn: I think I´ve convinced some people that your cell phone was hacked and those shameful images of you were made by artificial intelligence by the criminals... I mean, I´ve convinced people who hadn´t seen this new version of you yet, the others know that it was realy you…

Velma: I know you're being nice to me due to Thorn's curse, but I'm loving it!

Madelyn: "I´m nice due to Thorn´s curse" my ass! Don't forget that we´ve signed a contract, and you´ve promised to pay me 50 dollars/hour for my services...

Velma: Aww, darling, seems like not even a curse can change the annoying little bitch that lives inside you…

Instead of being offended, Madelyn started laughing, and Velma laughed too and hugged her. Both sisters walked to the mansio, then settled in Penelope's room. When they decided to sleep and Velma turned off the lamp, Madelyn insisted on using her cell phone. Looking at her sister's screen, Velma saw that she was defaming Luan Loud, using a fake profile for it.

Velma: What do you think you're doing? You can't hate and bully Luan, she's your best friend!

Madelyn: I'm not friends with that bitch!

Velma: Madelyn darlin´, stop right now! This is one of the effects of the curse, you´re aware of it! Thorn wants to destroy us! She has almost killed Marcie a few hours ago! The more you let the spell change your mind, the more destroyed you will get, my angel!

Velma snatched the cell phone from her sister´s hands. Then, she walked to the bedroom´s door, locked it and handed her sister the key.

Velma: We have to protect ourselves from this spell, dear! I'll close my eyes and you'll hide the key, so that I won´t go out during the night to make stupid things. Then, you´ll close your eyes and I´ll hide your cell phone, ok darlin´?

Madelyn agreed, and they hid the items. Few minutes after turning the lights off, Velma felt her sister's hands grab her hands tightly.

Madelyn: Velma! I am afraid!

Velma: Oh, don't be silly, dear! There is nothing to fear! Sylvester Sneekly wasn't a bad man, certainly his soul doesn't haunt this house...

Madelyn: I'm not scared of Sneekly, duh! I'm scared of both us! I mean… our "cursed selves"… and everything we can do…

Velma felt a shiver when she heard her sister, after all, she was scared of herself too. Instead of answering with words, she just squeezed Madelyn's hands tightly and sighed.

Velma: Me too, Maddie. Me too.

Fortunately, no event occurred during the Dinkley sisters' sleep, and Velma woke up with the sound of her alarm clock. After forty minutes getting ready and putting on makeup, she woke Madelyn up to do the same. Fifteen minutes later, Velma ran towards the garage, and Madelyn stopped in the kitchen.

Velma: Come on, darling! I want to get there early to talk to Thorn!

Madelyn: Hey, I'm a growing girl, I need to eat before going to school!

Velma stopped and rolled her eyes.

Velma: Damn it, the curse could at least take away your hunger!

Madelyn: And the curse could at least make you learn how to cook!

Velma glared at her sister and walked impatiently to the kitchen. There, she took a pack of cookies and a juice box from the fridge and threw them towards the girl.

Madelyn: Ewww, this one is gluten-free, lactose-free, chocolate-free and sugar-free!

Velma: Very appropriate for a 12 year old brat!

Madelyn: I'm not eating that, I don't even know what it's made of!

The threatening way that Velma looked at Madelyn made the girl regret her words, open the pack of cookies immediately and eat them. They were crossing Pitstop Manor´s gate at high speed when Madelyn complained again.

Madelyn: Hey, I need a bowl of fruits for breakfast because I´m a grow…

While Madelyn was complaining, Velma slowed down and pulled over the car to the side of the road. When her angry hands approached a blueberry tree, Madelyn stopped.

Madelyn: …you know what, nevermind, I hate fruits!

Velma laughed and started the car again. And Madelyn was relieved for not having to go to school with blueberry-stained clothes.

Velma left Madelyn at Middle School. In her (fast) way to High School, a shout saying "Watch out! You´re driving this piece of junk like crazy!" made her realize that – unfortunately - she was using Compact Pussycat once again. When she arrived, she parked as far as possible, so that Daphne wouldn't find out that she was driving Penelope's favorite car again.

Instead of going to her first class´ room, Velma ran towards the bleachers around the sports field, where Luna and Dusk were playing guitar and talking.

Velma: WHERE IS THORN?

Luna: Heeeey! Good morning to you too, Velma!

Luna's irony made Dusk laugh and she started singing "Good Morning" from the movie "Singing in the Rain" to mock Velma's rudeness.

Velma: WHERE IS THAT HEARTLESS BITCH?

Luna: Do I look like Thorn's babysitter? Damn, I don't know where she is, I don't even know if she's coming today…

Velma was so irritated by Luna's vague answer that she left before Luna finished her sentence. When she was close to the hallway that leads to the cafeteria, she heard the Hex Girls singing: "I'm a Hex Girl, and I'm gonna put a spell on you". Thorn's voice sang along with them and they laughed at the end of each chorus. Velma looked around desperately, but she couldn´t find Thorn anywhere – not even next to the other Hex Girls. When the bell rang announcing the first class, Velma ran through the halls looking for Thorn. Instead of finding her, she saw something way worse: Shaggy and Googie walking hand in hand, talking and smiling at each other. Velma froze when she saw that, her eyes followed the couple to the Chemistry room´s door, where Shaggy said goodbye to his new girlfriend with a kiss. The moment Shaggy turned and walked towards his first class´ room, all Velma's sadness turned into hatred, and she ran towards him.

When she reached him, she pulled him by the wrist, but he quickly let his wrist go and refused to look at her. Velma repeated the action, at the moment Shaggy ignored her again, she started slapping him and hitting him with her purse. Velma cried uncontrollably while she was doing such a crazy thing, between one blow and another, she screamed: "How could you do this to me?". Instead of stopping the ex-couple's fight, the teenagers just gathered around them and enjoyed the spectacle. Some boys filmed the attack, because they thought it was funny to see a girl beating Shaggy; some girls filmed Velma's momentary madness to post on social media. Only one person dared to intervene: the principal.

When the pricipal arrived at the fight scene, the teenagers left immediately. Only Velma and Shaggy remained there, but Shaggy was soon dismissed. At the end of all anger, Velma felt ashamed of herself, and soon after, she feared what would happen to her.

Principal Quinlan: Miss Dinkley, to my room! NOW!

Velma didn't know what kind of punishment she would receive, but the shameful walk to the principal's room was already a huge punishment. At every open classroom door she passed, she heard comments about her and saw surprised faces staring at her. After such torture, the principal opened her room´s door and told her to get in. To Velma's surprise, the room was not empty: Thorn was sitting in one of the chairs.

Thorn: Good morning, Principal Quinlan. Unfortunately, I overslept this morning… and I need your permission to get in Professor Raffalo's class, since I´m 20 minutes late...

Director Quinlan: You overslept THIS MORNING? It's the sixth time this month, Miss. McKnight! You´re always late! Unfortunately, I will have to send you to detention this time!

Velma felt mixed feelings when she finally found Thorn. She felt like attacking her in the same way she had done to Shaggy, but held back, fearing the punishment she would get. And she also felt terrified, after all, Thorn was evil and dangerous, and she had enough power to do whatever she wanted. The anger in Thorn´s glare made Velma shudder, and she tried to intervene before the girl did something bad to Mrs. Quinlan.

Velma: Mrs. Quinlan dear, I know it's none of my business, but Thorn is an artist, and it's not easy to deal with an artistic career during high school... so... hmm... maybe you should be a little more tolerant of her delays…

Thorn gave Velma a serious gaze, then she smiled evilly as she realized that, once again, Velma was doing exactly what she wanted. The principal looked sternly at Thorn for a moment, then she sighed and relented, filling out the permission form for Thorn to get in Ruffalo's class.

Thorn: And you, dear Velma? Don´t you have classes today?

Mrs. Quinlan: No, she's staying here until one of her parents shows up...

Thorn: Oh, what a shame! It's terrible to be stuck in a place you don't want to be, isn't it?

Thorn smiled evilly once more and left. Velma was scared of her, even though her heart was pounding with rage. Principal Quinlan picked up the phone and dialed Velma's parents' number as she spoke moralizing phrases over and over. Fortunately, before one of the Dinkleys could answer the phone, Peter Perfect opened the door quickly.

Peter: Mrs. Quinlan, there's a horrible fight on the football field... Jones and Herring again... come quickly, because this time I think they´ll kill each other!

The principal hung up the phone immediately and left the room. Velma looked at Peter, but instead of explaining, he grabbed her wrist and led her out of the room. They discreetly ran through the school´s corridors, until they finally left the building. Once in the parking lot, Velma decided to stop running.

Velma: Wait! Why are you helping me to escape?

Peter: Because if I save you from your big problem, you´ll return my favor by saving me from my big problem...