Chapter Nine

Daphne always tried to wake up before her parents did because she hated being woken up by either of them, especially her mother. But thanks to Daphne's late night, she couldn't wake up before they did, and what she dreaded happened the following morning.

"Wake up!" Mrs Blake said sharply.

Daphne woke up quickly and wiped the sleep crust from both eyes.

"I saw you on the news late last night," Mrs Blake said. "Did you really think that's something I would approve of? You spending time with the boy that made you sinful when he got you pregnant?"

Daphne was scared, but she had to stand her ground.

"W-W-We made a difference to the community," Daphne said nervously. "He was selling drugs to kids in the community,"

"And how do I know you weren't one of them?" Mrs Blake replied.

That accusation made Daphne mad for once, and she pulled her bedsheets off her.

"Is that what you really think of me?" Daphne asked sharply as she climbed out of bed. "That I would become a junkie when things got tough?"

Mrs Blake stood back nervously. Daphne loved seeing her mother nervous about her, and she would take every advantage she had.

"You make life tough enough as it is, and I'm sick of it!" Daphne shouted.

Mrs Blake stood there shaking but knew how to regain her composure.

"DON'T TALK TO ME LIKE THAT!" Mrs Blake yelled.

That was all it took to make Daphne scared of her again, and she took a step back. Mrs Blake took a step forward.

"You're not in charge here, and what you did last night isn't why I woke you up," Mrs Blake said sternly. "The Mayor called this morning asking to see you, your friends, and even Fred. What you did last night was impressive, but don't lie about how you spend your time again,"

"O-O-Okay, I'll have a shower and get dressed," Daphne said nervously.

Daphne walked to her closet to pick out an outfit. As Daphne looked through her clothes, she couldn't believe she was brave and how quickly her mother stole that courage from her. She hoped there would be a time when she could stand up to her mother and make it last.

XXXXX

Daphne was grateful that Mrs Blake didn't want to be at the meeting with the Mayor because of her hatred of Fred. As she, Fred, Velma, and Shaggy sat in the waiting room, they were all nervous, as they had no idea what the Mayor wanted to see them about. Then his Assistant, a woman in her early thirties with black hair, came out.

"The Mayor will see you now," the Assistant said.

"Thank you," Fred replied.

The four of them stood up and walked on through to the Mayor's office. It was well furnished with a big sofa that could easily seat five people. The Mayor was a man in his early fifties with grey hair and blue eyes. Everyone in the town had a lot of respect for him. The Mayor looked at them, a little surprised.

"I thought you had a dog in your group," the Mayor said.

"We do, Mr Mayor," Fred said. "But we thought he wouldn't be allowed in the building,"

The Mayor smiled a little at his assumption.

"That's usually the case, but I'll gladly make an exception for him," the Mayor said. "I believe his name is Scooby-Doo?"

"Like, that's right," Shaggy said, impressed that the Mayor knew his dog's name. "Would you like me to go down and get him? He's in the Mystery Machine,"

The Mayor smiled as he took an instant liking to Shaggy.

"You bet," The Mayor said. "I'll wait until you're all here,"

Shaggy stood up and walked out of the office. In less than five minutes, Shaggy was back with Scooby. The Mayor stood up and walked around to meet Scooby with a big smile.

"It's an honor to meet you, Scooby," the Mayor said.

"Rank rou, Rister Rayor," Scooby replied.

"You're welcome," the Mayor said.

The Mayor walked behind his desk and sat down.

"Now, I'd like to discuss why I summoned you all here," The Mayor said. "The way you solved the mystery last night was very impressive. It was so impressive that the Chief of Police contacted me and pointed out there are a lot of people in Coolsville that they can't help, but maybe you could. There are a lot of mysteries in Coolsville that need solving and we think Mystery Inc. is the group to do it, and on top of that, you'll be well paid for your services by the Mayor's office. I also respect that you're all going to college soon, so this assignment will only be temporary. What do you say?"

Daphne, Fred, Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby were at a loss for words. That concerned the Mayor.

"I hope your silence means yes," the Mayor said hopefully.

"Yes, it does mean yes," Fred said enthusiastically. "You just caught us all by surprise,"

"Excellent," the Mayor said. "So, talk among yourselves, and we'll work out a contract,"

Then the Mayor looked at Daphne.

"In the meantime, I'd like to have a quick word with you out in the hall. Is that okay with you?" the Mayor said.

Daphne was surprised by this and was intrigued about what he would want to talk to her about.

"Sure," Daphne said.

Daphne stood up, and the Mayor walked out into the hall.

"Miss Blake," the Mayor said. "I did some digging into all of you, and I understand that you're the only member of your group that doesn't have a cell phone. Is that correct?"

Daphne was stunned as that was the last thing the Mayor would want to talk to her about.

"Yeah," Daphne said, trying to sound composed. "My mother took mine away from me,"

"I understand your mother and your family belong to a certain church group in town?" the Mayor asked.

"Yes, the Coolsville Fanatics,"

The Mayor frowned at the mention of its name.

"That group has always been trouble," he said.

"Did you want to talk to me about that church?" Daphne asked, a little confused.

"No, I want to give you this,"

The Mayor reached into his left inside jacket pocket and took out the last thing Daphne was expecting: a cell phone and a piece of paper.

"I want you to have this," the Mayor said. "The Mayor's office will pay for the bills, which can be used for business and personal reasons. The number for the phone is listed on the piece of paper I gave you. Just make sure your mother doesn't catch you with it,"

As Daphne took the phone and the paper off the Mayor, she was happy to have a piece of freedom awarded back to her, and she hugged the Mayor without thinking. Despite being surprised by this, the Mayor hugged her back. Then they stopped hugging.

"Would you like to rejoin your friends so we can discuss your futures while you're here in town before you go to college?" the Mayor asked.

"You bet," Daphne replied.

As Daphne walked back into the office, she proudly showed her new phone, and the Mayor and the others began to discuss the cases they needed to work on.

XXXXX

When Daphne returned home, her mother was waiting for her with an angry expression. That made Daphne feel anxious immediately.

"So, what did the Mayor have to say?" Mrs Blake asked.

"We've been offered jobs solving mysteries until we go to college," Daphne said. "We'll be getting paid for it. Isn't that great?"

Mrs Blake took a step closer to Daphne.

"You could save the world over a hundred times, and it would never be great," Mrs Blake said.

"Why wouldn't it be great?" Daphne asked, hurt.

Mrs Blake took another step closer to her.

"You know why it wouldn't be great," Mrs. Blake said. "Because of the way you shamed your family,"

Daphne felt her throat tighten.

"I only had a baby," she said. "It's not like I murdered anybody,"

"You may as well have, as you murdered the Blake name!" Mrs Blake replied furiously.

Mrs Blake stroked Daphne's hair with her right hand. Then she gripped it hard, and Daphne couldn't move.

"I bought an electric razor yesterday because I think it's time for another punishment for you," Mrs Blake said. "Do you know why?"

"Why?" Daphne asked, trying to hold back her tears.

"Because you're not sorry you had that bastard child at all, are you?" Mrs Blake asked. "You really believe you did nothing wrong. Well, you did plenty wrong, and when I get home, the punishment is going to last. Lot's of luck fitting in around Coolsville, and at college, with a shaved head,"

Mrs Blake let go of Daphne's hair and left the living room. Once she was gone, Daphne ran to her room and collected as much as possible. Then Daphne called Velma.

"Hi, Daphne," Velma said.

"Velma, can you come to my house as soon as possible?" Daphne asked. "I need to get out of here. Can I move in with you until we go to college?"

"Sure," Velma replied. "My parents and I would love to have you. What's going on?"

And that's when the tears came for Daphne.

"My psycho mother wants to shave my head!" Daphne cried. "I can't stay here! Can I please live with you until college?"

Velma was shocked by what Daphne had just told her.

"I'll be right there, and I'll help you pack, but before I do, I have a call to make," Velma said.

Daphne had no idea what call Velma would have to make.

XXXXX

Daphne was relieved that Velma could help her, but she felt guilty about imposing on the Dinkleys. But as they drove towards her house, she saw something she didn't see. A black van was parked in front of the house, and two men in their late twenties wore dark grey suits. Daphne looked at Velma, a little confused, as she parked her car in front of her house.

"Velma, what's happening with the van and those guys?" Daphne asked.

"Get out of the car, and I'll introduce you to them," Velma replied.

Daphne and Velma exited the car and walked across the street to the van where the two men stood.

"This is Mr. Cat and Mr. Book," Velma said. "They're your security detail. We all have them,"

"What?" Daphne asked, surprised.

"The Mayor has provided us with a security detail," Velma explained. "Mr. Cat is mine, and Mr. Book is yours. I called the Mayor and explained your situation. Once he heard what your mother was planning to do to you tonight, he decided we should all have a security detail, especially when we start work on the mysteries,"

As Daphne listened to Velma's explanation, she loved how her friend looked out for her and the others. For the first time in her life, Daphne was looking forward to having friends over the summer.