Chapter 13: It comes together
Watching the sheriff and Vice Principal Grimes taking turns performing chest compressions on Shaggy, he and his father exchanged looks.
"I can hardly believe it." Shaggy remarked.
"About being able to see me again?" Sam asked.
"That, and the journey I've embarked on since you...got your one-way ticket here, Dad." Shaggy said.
Sam was silent as he deliberated Shaggy's remark, then he exhaled before saying, "We've got a lot to catch up on, son."
"We do, Dad." Shaggy agreed.
He hesitated before adding, "Like, to be honest with you, Dad...I shouldn't have...wimped out on..."
Shaggy trailed off as his father raised his hand and shook his head, then he said, "No, no, son. As much as you needed the push and motivation to quit your addiction on painkillers...I shouldn't have...hounded and slapped you the way I did..."
"Even though I kinda...triggered some of the memories you've-" Shaggy offered.
"As I was about to say, I should've known better than pushing you to...be more like me...on how I dealt with...pain..." Sam hesitated. "To be frank, that is...actually something I was still struggling...with, and you understand that...attitudes surrounding...male pride was...prevalent when I was...growing up..."
"I do, Dad." Shaggy nodded as his father placed his hand on his shoulder. "Like, if it's too much for you to open up about...your struggles and...what you've witnessed in war, I won't burden-"
"No, I do need to open up." Sam shook his head. "Though doing so takes a long time, and we both know that your time to come here has yet to arrive and I don't want to hold you up much longer."
Reaching into his pocket, Sam pulled out an envelope and handed it to Shaggy as he said, "Which is why I've wrote these letters. For you, your mother and sister."
Shaggy took the envelope and was about to open it when his father said, "But that's only for you to read when you get back to your friends, Margaret and your mother."
Nodding, Shaggy pocketed the envelope as his father continued, "Anyways, the short hand version of the letter addressed to you is an apology, son. About the way we ended our last conversation-"
"Dad, it's okay." Shaggy responded as he patted his father in the back. "Like, you mention your need to open up does remind me I should be more transparent with Mags and the others on what I've went through since that accident."
"Well, it's never too late to do that, isn't it?" Sam asked.
"I suppose not." Shaggy shook his head. "And to be frank, being trapped in the wreckage and seeing the lives drained out of three of my schoolmates in a gruesome matter's bound to leave a lasting impression."
"It does." Sam nodded. "Compounding the trauma was the complications arising from your surgery."
"Indeed." Shaggy nodded. "Like, guess me being prescribed those painkillers turned out to be a perfect storm for my subsequent addiction. Not only was I using it for pain relief, but also for escape from everything I saw before I passed out following the crash..."
"You are hardly alone on that front, Norville." Sam said as he kept his hand on Shaggy's shoulder. "A lot of men I've served with who were discharged, I know of one too many who continues to struggle...with what they've witnessed in combat. Very good men."
"I can imagine." Shaggy said. "To be frank, I'm still kinda trying to figure out how I got as far as I did since you...got here."
"I'm sure you are." Sam nodded. "And I am very proud to see you making progress with new friends, son."
"Appreciate the words, Dad." Shaggy nodded back as they saw the deputies arrive with an AED.
Watching the patches applied to his chest, Shaggy nodded towards Stone as he added, "In any way, Dad, you know the sheriff?"
"Stone?" Sam raised an eyebrow. "'course I know Blasting Stoned."
Shaggy chuckled at the way Sam referred to the sheriff's informal call sign as he continued, "He is one half of the Dynamite Duo back in the day and is a piece of work, can't say I'm surprised he became sheriff."
"I take it there's a long story on what led to his discharge from the Corps, Dad?" Shaggy asked.
"There is, and I'd be holding you up if I delve into the details of such." Sam responded before nodding at the rest of the gang and continued, "Your mother, sister and friends are all waiting for you."
Shaggy nodded as his father continued, "But before you go, allow me to offer you some parting advice."
"Like, is this the last time we see each other, Dad?" Shaggy arched his eyebrows.
"Just a figure of speech, Norville, notwithstanding the fact that it will be a long while before your time arrives." Sam responded.
"Right." Shaggy nodded. "You were saying about advice?"
"As important it is to keep your friends close, given what you are about to return to, it is equally important that you keep your...enemies closer." Sam explained. "And keep your eyes open, for not everything in your new home is what it seems to be."
"I'll definitely keep that in mind." Shaggy nodded thoughtfully before extending his hand and said, "In that case, until next time, Dad."
"Until next time, Norville." Sam responded as he took Shaggy's hand for a handshake.
After the handshake, Sam pulled Shaggy into an embrace, prompting him to return the gesture.
Several moments later, the duo broke off their embrace and Shaggy made his way back to Vincent.
"Are you ready to go back?" Vincent asked.
In spite of his nervousness, Shaggy responded, "Um, as ready as I'll ever be."
Just as Shaggy was to enter a coffin-shaped door, Sam suddenly stopped him when he rushed over to them and said, "Wait, Norville. I almost forgot something."
When Shaggy turned around, his father handed him another letter and said, "Be sure to give this to your friend."
Noting the names "George Blake" and "Delilah Blake" written on the envelope, Shaggy raised an eyebrow and asked, "You mean to Daphne's sister and father, Dad?"
"Yes." Sam nodded.
Shaggy nodded back as he took the letter from his father. "Be seeing you soon, Dad. I'll be sure to look after Mags."
After his father nodded back at him in farewell, Shaggy turned towards Vincent and nodded.
By that point, the paramedics have taken over efforts to resuscitate Shaggy and have a gurney ready.
As the paramedics continued to resuscitate Shaggy, Daphne was at his side with Maggie, who had earlier gently gripped her brother's hand before the AED was deployed.
"Come on, Norville..." Maggie whispered as tears continued to well from her eyes.
Daphne only solemnly stared at Shaggy's face as she placed her hand on Maggie's shoulder. Neither she nor Scooby said a word.
When the AED's automatic voice command system advised that shock will be delivered, the paramedics hurriedly cleared Shaggy's body before pushing the button, prompting the device to deliver a jolt to Shaggy's chest.
While there was limited movement from Shaggy's arms and legs, it was the result of his muscles reacting from the jolt delivered by the AED. He remained unconscious.
After the shock was delivered, the paramedics resumed their resuscitation efforts as the device recharged.
Daphne's expression turned grim when she caught a glimpse of one of the paramedics suggesting that they should load Shaggy onto the gurney and be on their way to the hospital while they still have time, an expression that Maggie had caught onto, for she immediately burst into tears and buried herself in the redhead's chest.
Fred and Velma looked ashen as they watched Maggie crying into Daphne's shoulder and Scooby rubbing himself onto her legs to comfort her.
Having had watched the repeating motions of the repeated efforts to resuscitate Shaggy, it felt like a blur keeping count on the number of times the AED has delivered the jolt into Shaggy's chest, alternating with the chest compressions.
The paramedics promptly cleared Shaggy's body again when the AED advised that shock will be delivered, and at the push of the button, another electric shock was delivered into Shaggy's chest.
Watching the paramedics resume chest compressions on Shaggy for the umpteenth time, Fred and Velma both exhaled as they noticed a single tear flowing out from Daphne's left eye.
In the same moment, Stone and Grimes exchanged looks with the senior paramedic, then the sheriff shook his head as he reached for his hat.
Just as the senior paramedic was about to motion for the gurney be deployed, Shaggy suddenly sat up and violently coughed out rather large quantities of water, prompting everyone to snap their heads towards him.
As Shaggy panted and blinked, Maggie quickly turned towards him. "Norville?"
Catching his breath, Shaggy turned towards his sister and exhaled. "Mags, I-"
Before Shaggy could finish, Maggie kicked him in the leg as she said, "Don't you ever scare me like that ever again!"
"Like, sorry." Shaggy sputtered as he looked at his sister. "It's just that-"
This time, Shaggy didn't finish as his sister quickly hugged him and buried herself into his chest, prompting him to stoke her hair to comfort her.
"Hey, hey..." Shaggy said softly as he comforted Maggie. "It's...okay, Mags. I'm here now, and I will always be around...for you."
"Promise?" Maggie asked as she momentarily looked up at her brother.
"I promise." Shaggy responded as he placed his hands on her shoulders. "Besides, I promised Dad that I'd take care of you before I came back."
"Wait, you saw...Dad?" Maggie asked.
Shaggy nodded as he pulled out one of the envelopes his father had given him and handed it to her. "He asked me to give you this."
Maggie took the envelope from her brother and looked at the cover. "It's Dad's letter alright. My name's in his handwriting."
Shaggy then turned around and saw Fred, Velma and Daphne staring back at him in relief, then to Scooby.
"Rank roodness you're back, Raggy." Scooby said in relief.
"I know, Scoob." Shaggy nodded as he hugged the Great Dane. "And I intend to keep it this way as long as we have each other."
After embracing Scooby, Shaggy turned towards Daphne.
"And...thanks for your concern about me...Daph." Shaggy said as he scratched his head. "It's just that with everything that's-"
Before he could finish, Daphne simply placed her finger on his mouth to stop him.
"You're back with us, Shaggy, that's all that matters." Daphne said. "And you're a very good friend and brother, just don't hesitate to open up when the need arises."
Shaggy nodded. "Thanks. And speaking of opening up, I feel like I could use a late night snack right about now."
"Oh, Norville." Maggie almost scoffed.
"While the paramedics check on you, Shaggy, I believe we should see who the Witch really is." Fred reminded.
"Right." Shaggy said as Fred and the girls walked towards the Witch, who was handcuffed and accompanied by two deputies.
As Fred reached over to pull the mask down, they could hear the Witch, or rather the person behind the disguise, protesting.
"No...no!" The Witch protested just as Fred pulled the mask down, revealing her to be Principal Lantsman.
"Principal Lantsman?!" The gang all exclaimed while Stone and Grimes exchanged looks.
Lantsman only scowled. "You kids really screwed everything up. I almost had it, that time capsule was in my hands!"
"There must be something I'm missing." Stone said as he held up the time capsule. "What the H*ll could possibly be in a time capsule that you would want to get your hands on so badly?"
"We should open it." Grimes suggested.
Stone nodded as he handed the capsule to Fred and said, "Would you do the honours of opening it, Mr. Jones?"
"For sure, sheriff." Fred nodded as he took the capsule from Stone and began to pull open the cap, while everyone shined their flashlights onto him and the capsule.
Upon opening the capsule, Fred frowned as he took the contents out.
"I don't understand." The blonde said. "It's just a bunch of letters, newspaper clippings and stuff."
As he took the contents out, Fred handed one of the letters to Maggie, who then placed it by Shaggy's face for him to see.
At the sight of the letter, Shaggy frowned when he noticed something on the top right corner of it.
"Like, it's not just any letters, Fred." Shaggy pointed out as he grabbed the letter from his sister and held it up. "These are postcards and letters with stamps, and observe the stamp on this particular postcard."
When everyone crowded around him to take a closer look at the stamp, Shaggy pointed at it and explained, "It's a misprint."
"That's right." Lantsman beamed, prompting everyone to turn back towards her. "The Eerie Stamp, one of the rarest, and thus most valuable, misprints in the world."
Her bright expression dampened as she continued, "And it would have been mine if you meddling kids and dog haven't gotten in the way."
"At this point, Mary Jane, I think going through the trouble of having the school closed so you could get your hands on one of the most valuable misprints in the world is gonna be the least of your troubles." Grimes said as he and Stone stepped towards her.
"Indeed." Velma agreed as she turned towards the soon-to-be ex-principal. "Mrs. Gates was up to something before her untimely demise at the hands of those two ghosts you've summoned. whose damage to the school you have also left us to take the fall for."
"And whatever she was up to was tied to the civil suit she and her family has launched against Destroido, as well as the state of the school's finances, which are in dire straits as of now." Daphne added.
"While the school struggles to get the upgrades it desperately needs to the mechanical and computer systems, you have taken luxurious trips to plenty of casinos resorts over the years." Fred said. "Trips that you could not afford under a principal's salary."
"Maybe because I am good at winning jackpots at the casinos." Lantsman offered. "And besides, you don't have anything that would suggest that Destroido was in any way negligent in the way they run the summer camps with the school board or that I have any influence in how the funds were spent."
At Lantsman's words, Shaggy was suddenly seized by a revelation from the brief moment he possessed her body, and whatever memories in her head he gathered came trickling in.
Couple that with what he had witnessed during his near-death state, everything about the state of her finances came together in his mind before he turned towards her.
"I wouldn't say that, Miss Lantsman." Shaggy said, prompting the others to turn towards him. "You know...you really shouldn't have ordered your ghoul henchmen to grab me and tie me to the bottom of a flooding abandoned swimming pool, not when the results allow me to obtain...better insight on the state of your finances."
Seeing the flash of realization in Lantsman's eyes, Shaggy continued, "The 2008 crash last year...it severely impacted your ability to pay off the mortgage of your house, didn't it?"
When Lantsman only stared back at him blankly, Shaggy said, "All those vacations and the casino trips...those winnings you supposedly won could only go so far in paying off your mortgage, which significantly ballooned after you took that home equity loan eight years ago before combining the two loans together, didn't it?"
Grimes and Stone's expression only grew darker as Shaggy continued, "Your mortgage repayment ceased not long after the 2008 crash, and you narrowly avoided foreclosure in thanks to your connections at Destroido. Then, when Mrs. Gates began digging around on the state of the school's finance's as part of the civil lawsuit launched against Destroido and the school board...she had to be stopped, didn't she?"
"That sl*t!" Lantsman suddenly snapped. "She had no business sticking her nose at where it didn't belong, and d*mned if I was gonna let her destroy the good work that came out of the school board's partnership with Destroido and lose my home in the process!"
"Even if that meant embezzling funds Destroido supposedly contributed to improve school programs?" Fred frowned as he folded his arms. "And using those trips to those casino resorts to launder them as winnings from your games?"
At this point, Stone looked like he has heard enough as he said, "Alright, I think I have heard enough."
WIth the disgraced soon-to-be ex-principal handcuffed and escorted by a pair of deputies, Bucky said, "Mary Jane Lantsman, you are under arrest for money laundering, conspiracy to commit fraud, murder, corruption and four counts of attempted murder."
"You have the right to remain silent, if you give up the right to remain silent, everything you say can be used against you in the court of law." One of the deputies advised. "Do you understand?"
Lantsman simply scowled and didn't say a word, prompting the deputy to say, "I will take that as a yes."
Looking at the sheriff briefly, the deputy received a firm nod, then she and her partner proceeded to escort Lantsman to the waiting cruisers.
Please read and review!
