- ONE WEEK EARLIER -

Despite the museum's extravagant exterior, it was cold and decaying inside. The wooden floors creaked loudly as Fred, Velma, and Daphne followed Mr. Dinkley down a narrow hallway. The embellished wallpaper was torn and hanging from the walls. The lit candles along the hallway flickered as they walked past.

"Gosh. Shaggy and Scooby would be scared stiff right now if they didn't run off to eat," Fred said jokingly, only to receive a sharp look from Daphne.

"No, Daph, it's okay," Velma said under her breath, careful not to attract the attention of her father, who was several steps ahead of them, mumbling to himself. "I guess my dad likes to exaggerate a bit about the quality of Crescent Hill's buildings . . ."

"Anyway, this place sure has history," Fred said, eyeing the old paintings along the wall.

The three of them caught up to Mr. Dinkley, who was now looking at a framed map on the wall. They could tell the map was old; it was decaying at the edges.

"Do you know what this map is portraying?" Mr. Dinkley said, his eyes gleaming.

"Um . . . Crescent Hill?" Fred said, unsure of why Mr. Dinkley was suddenly becoming so serious.

Mr. Dinkley gave a tight smile. "Yes. It is Crescent Hill . . . but this is the Crescent Hill as it was before . . . before it was lost in time. To history."

The three of them leaned in for a closer look. The map did indeed look like Crescent Hill. The fading sketches of pines and many small houses covered most of the map. In its center was a drawing of a large building. There was a cross on the top of its roof.

"What's that?" Daphne piped up, pointing to the central building.

"Ah, that would be the Chapel of St. Augustus. It was once the heart of the town."

Fred leaned in closer for a better look. "Is it still around?"

Mr. Dinkley shook his head, his expression darkening. "No. It was demolished along with the rest of the town over many years."

Velma raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "I thought you said all these buildings in this preserve were real! You said they were original!"

"There was only one cabin that survived the Red War," Mr. Dinkley said, his glasses glistening in the dimmed light. "It's off limits to the public."

Fred, Daphne, and Velma exchanged glances.

"Why are you mentioning this to us, Mr. Dinkley?" Daphne said, crossing her arms.

"I don't think you understand," Mr. Dinkley turned sharply, making Daphne and the others jump. "I need your help. And I need it now."