Chapter Seven

When it came to living at home, there was only one friend of Daphne's that her parents could tolerate: Velma Dinkley. They were so thrilled with Velma when she convinced Daphne to work at the school paper as a photographer. Her friends on the cheerleading squad, Shaggy and especially Fred, were poison to Mr and Mrs Blake. So, Velma knew she had nothing to worry about when she knocked on the front door. Mrs Blake opened the front door and looked at her in surprise as it was an unannounced visit.

"Velma," Mrs Blake said. "What brings you here?"

"I need to talk to Daphne," Velma replied. "Is she home?"

"Yes, she is. Daphne's in her room. You can come right in,"

"Thank you,"

Velma entered the house and walked right up to Daphne's room. Her bedroom door was open. Daphne was looking out the window on her bed longingly as she missed her son and wanted to see Fred. Velma knocked on the door lightly, and Daphne looked at her, surprised.

"Velma," Daphne said, surprised. "What are you doing here?"

"I have something important to tell you," Velma replied. "Can I come in?"

"Sure," she said happily.

Velma entered the room and began to shut the door, but Daphne panicked.

"No, don't!" Daphne said, startled. "My parents won't allow me to have my door closed,"

Velma knew her parents were strict, but life at the Blake house felt like a police state.

"Okay," Velma said politely.

As Velma walked to Daphne's bed and sat next to Daphne, it was evident that her mother was eavesdropping on their conversation.

"We have something that we'd like you to be involved in," Velma whispered. "A haunted house,"

That was the last thing Daphne expected her to say, and her eyes widened with shock.

"A haunted house?" Daphne asked, confused.

"Yes," Velma replied. "We think there could be a haunted house in the downtown area, and we'd like you to join us to take pictures,"

Since graduation, Daphne had missed taking pictures for the school paper, which sounded more exciting than anything she had going on in her life.

"Jeepers!" Daphne whispered excitedly. "I can't believe this!"

"So, will you help solve the mystery with me, Shaggy, Scooby and Fred?" Velma asked quietly.

Daphne didn't say a word, but Velma could tell her answer was going to be yes, but it couldn't be yes at that moment, and it was more than obvious why.

"I'll have to ask my parents," Daphne said in her normal voice.

"Ask us what, Daphne?" Mrs Blake asked.

Velma looked at the doorway, surprised. Mrs Blake wasn't there to be seen, but Velma found it creepy that Mrs Blake had heard Daphne. Daphne stood up slowly, and Velma stood up as well.

"Let me handle this," Velma whispered with confidence.

Daphne appreciated Velma's confidence but couldn't see what good it could do. As they walked into the living room, Mrs Blake stood in the middle, her arms crossed and looking very serious.

"Mrs Blake," Velma said respectfully. "There could be a problem with a housing estate downtown, and I need Daphne's photography skills to really capture the problem. But it can only be done at night as that's when the problem is the most serious,"

Mrs Blake was immediately suspicious.

"What kind of problem are you talking about?" Mrs Blake asked.

"We think people might be breaking into the empty houses to sleep in them and engage in other unlawful activities," Velma said.

"What kind of unlawful activities?" Mrs Blake asked, growing anxious when it came to Daphne's safety.

It was evident to Velma that Mrs Blake was worried, but she had an idea for another lie.

"We think people might be doing drugs there, but don't worry," Velma said. "We won't be going into the house. We just want Daphne to take photos from outside at a distance. After we do that, we'll be taking the photos to the police,"

"Why haven't you reported the suspicions to the police?" Mrs Blake asked.

"I have," Velma said, telling the truth. "But the police said they need more than just my suspicions to do anything. So, I need Daphne and the others to help gain evidence so we can take it to the police and stop any drug problems from spreading into our area,"

Mrs Blake took a step closer to Velma.

"Who else is going with you?" Mrs Blake asked sternly.

Velma knew Mrs Blake meant business and hoped her next lie would be enough.

"Shaggy and his dog, Scooby-Doo," Velma said.

"That mutt!" Mrs Blake said, annoyed.

"I assure you he's not a mutt," Velma said. "He's very intelligent for a dog,"

Mrs Blake shook her head disapprovingly before she looked at Daphne.

"And what about Fred?" Mrs Blake asked. "Is he going with you?"

Daphne knew that question was coming, and she frowned.

"Not at all," Daphne lied furiously. "That bastard didn't even come to visit me when I was in hospital! Why would I want him along?"

Mrs Blake knew the real reason Fred didn't come to see her daughter was they prevented him from entering the hospital. She knew there was a strong possibility that Daphne was lying, but she wanted to give her daughter the benefit of the doubt.

"Okay, you can go with your friend here," Mrs Blake said to Daphne before she turned her attention to Velma. "It's good to know that people like you care so much about this community,"

Velma smiled and did her best to hide her relief as she didn't want to appear too eager.

"Thank you, Mrs Blake," Velma said. "I care about our community more than anything,"

Daphne was happy to go out with Velma to see the others but worried about seeing Fred. They hadn't seen each other since she went into labor, and she was worried about what he thought of her.

XXXXX

As Velma drove Daphne to the downtown area of Coolsville, Daphne didn't say a word, and Velma knew why: Daphne was afraid of seeing Fred again. Velma could understand it based on what Fred told her, but she thought Daphne was too hard on herself.

"You really don't have anything to worry about," Velma said. "He still loves you,"

Daphne looked at her in surprise. Velma saw Daphne in the corner of her eye as she concentrated on the road.

"Are you sure about that?" Daphne asked. "Fred wasn't allowed in to see me give birth to our son. He couldn't even be there to hold my hand,"

"Fred knows that wasn't your fault," Velma replied.

"But what if he blames me anyway?" Daphne asked without thinking.

Velma knew that was a ridiculous question, but she pulled over her car, a white classic Volks Wagon Beetle, regardless.

"Daphne," Velma said. "You've got to put these fears out of your head. Fred knows what kind of people your parents are, and he's always been amazed that you're nothing like them. You've got to trust that he loves you, no matter what,"

Daphne cried in appreciation for her best friend's kind words. Velma smiled at her.

"So, are you ready to see your boyfriend again?" Velma asked.

Daphne nodded quickly as she took a handkerchief from her purse, and Velma looked away as she blew her nose.

"I'll take that as a yes," Velma said affectionately.

Daphne laughed, and Velma started her car again. It didn't take them long to reach the downtown area. Fred was nervous as Velma drove up to them. Daphne loved seeing Fred leaning against the Mystery Machine. Shaggy and Scooby-Doo were happy to see Daphne, too. Daphne exited the car first, and Scooby ran right up to her placing his front paws on her chest.

"Raphne!" Scooby-Doo said happily.

"Hey, Scooby!" Daphne said happily.

She patted Scooby's head as Fred walked up to her. Scooby took the hint and got back on the ground. Fred wasted no time wrapping his arms around her. Daphne kissed him passionately, and Fred returned the kiss. Then Daphne broke the kiss.

"Fred, I'm so sorry for how my parents treat you," Daphne said, trying to hold back tears.

"You don't have anything to be sorry about, Daphne," Fred replied. "I love you,"

And that is what did it for Daphne as she cried.

"I love you, too," Daphne said.

Daphne and Fred kissed again, but then Fred broke the kiss.

"Now, come on, gang!" Fred said enthusiastically. "We've got a mystery to solve!"

Daphne laughed at his enthusiasm and let go of Fred. Fred opened the back doors to the Mystery Machine. Once Shaggy and Scooby were inside, Scooby began sniffing something hidden under the tarp. It was a mattress that Fred had snuck out of his home. Daphne and Fred knew what was under the tarp and were embarrassed. Shaggy had a suspicion that it was the mattress that Daphne and Fred used to have sex on. Velma suspected that, too. But Scooby had no idea and was desperate to know what it was.

"Scooby, stop," Shaggy said. "Stop sniffing,"

"Rut rhat ris rit?" Scooby asked.

Daphne and Fred looked down at the ground, embarrassed. Shaggy felt terrible that he couldn't tell his best pal the truth, but he knew that Daphne and Fred deserved their privacy.

"I'll put it to you this way, Scoob," Shaggy said. "It ain't Scooby Snacks,"

Scooby-Doo looked at Shaggy, confused, but he knew he wouldn't get the answer he was looking for, so he decided to let it go.

"Rokay," Scooby said.

With that settled, Fred closed the back door of the Mystery Machine, and Fred, Daphne and Velma got in the front seat. As they drove away, Daphne felt excited to be on an adventure with her best friends in the world.

XXXXX

It didn't take them long to reach the house, and when the five of them got out of the Mystery Machine, there was no doubt in their minds that it was deserted. Daphne took out her camera from its case and took a single picture of the house. Fred looked at her quickly.

"Don't start taking pictures yet, Daph," Fred said gently. "We don't know who, or what's, inside,"

"Do you really think this house is haunted?" Daphne asked, surprised. "This house has been deserted as far as back as I can remember,"

"But not lately, it hasn't," Velma interjected. "I've seen hints of people inside on my way home from work, and something definitely isn't right,"

"So, let's go in," Fred said.

"Like, do we have to?" Shaggy asked, clearly scared.

"Reah, ro re rave ro?" Scooby agreed.

"Yes, we have to," Fred said, doing his best to be patient.

"Like why?" Shaggy asked.

"Because no one else will," Daphne said. "And I want to get some pictures,"

Fred smiled at his girlfriend's determination.

"Okay, let's go in," Fred said to the gang before he returned his focus to his girlfriend. "And Daph, once we're inside, start taking pictures,"

"Thanks, Freddie," Daphne replied appreciatively.

The five of them entered the house, and it was dark and gloomy, to say the least. Fred and Velma brought flashlights and looked around the living room curiously. Daphne took photos of the living room and then walked down a long, dark hall with Daphne's camera clicking all the way. Then, they saw a dark green glow coming from around the corner. Daphne kept on taking pictures despite herself. Then, the glow's source came into view in front of them. It was a ghost with a scary face. The five of them stood there frozen, but Daphne got in one last picture before the ghost charged at them. They all screamed as they ran out of the house and into the Mystery Machine.

"Jeepers!" Daphne shouted as Fred started the Mystery Machine and drove them away.

"Jinkies!" Velma shouted in agreement.

"Like, wow!" Shaggy shouted.

Despite Shaggy being seated, Scooby jumped towards Shaggy and into his arms, shaking. Shaggy held Scooby tight. Most of them thought their adventure had failed, but Daphne didn't. Daphne was sure she saw something before taking the last picture and couldn't wait to see what it was.

XXXXX

When Daphne got home, her parents were already asleep, but Velma explained that Daphne would get home late. Daphne was coming home at night without seeing her parents for the first time in her life, and it felt beyond a relief. She still had to be cautious, though, as she didn't want to wake her parents. Once Daphne was in her room, she attached her camera to her computer to get the pictures she had taken, and that's when she got the surprise she hadn't expected.

"Jeepers!" Daphne said to herself, surprised.

In the picture she took before the ghost chased them out of the house, Daphne realised it wasn't a ghost. Underneath the ghost were two legs and feet wearing faded blue jeans and sneakers. Daphne felt elated that she had gotten the picture of a lifetime but also embarrassed that the five of them had been so easily fooled and had run out of the house screaming like fools. The five of them may have been gullible that night, but they knew they could regain their dignity without question.