- 10 AM: 5 DAYS EARLIER -

When she woke, Velma felt just as exhausted as the night before. She'd restlessly slept, tossing and turning as the visions of the figure danced in her mind. But exhaustion wasn't the only thing weighing on her – she was angry.

Her father lied to her about the chapel's fate.

Why?

Daphne was still asleep in the other bed. Careful not to wake her, Velma slid out from under her blankets, making light steps to the door and slowly cracking it open.

In the living room, Fred and Shaggy were both asleep, though it was clear they'd been keeping watch. Fred sat slumped in the armchair, the iron box resting in his lap. Shaggy, now cleaned up, snored softly on the couch.

Velma wandered to the kitchen where she decided to make a cup of coffee. The rich smell of the ground beans jolted her awake. Once her warm mug was safely in her hands, she returned to the living room, settling onto the couch beside Shaggy's.

And she was deep in her thoughts once again.

Velma knew there was no such thing as ghosts or the supernatural – she and Fred saw someone last night; someone real – dressed as a dark faceless figure. When she and Fred had run from him, they'd heard footsteps.

This wasn't a ghost.

It was a person.

Velma glanced at Shaggy, a pang of guilt striking her chest. She felt terrible for her outburst last night; he'd been through a lot with Scooby's condition. The only thing he felt could take his pain away was smoking – something he said he'd quit months ago. Maybe he really did for a while. Maybe he didn't.

Shifting her gaze to Fred, she noticed his head was facing towards the window – he'd been keeping watch. Velma was grateful for what he did for her last night – grabbing her just in time before she was attacked by whatever shadow was in that room. It had only been a projection, just fear taking hold of her. But still – he had saved her.

Her eyes then drifted to the box in his hands.

Her heart dropped.

Etched just below the broken lock was a cross. At its center, an eye stared back at her.

Velma shot up, shaking Fred awake. "Fred! Fred, wake up!"

Fred inhaled sharply. His eyes darted around the room before landing on her.

"Fred – do you see this?" Velma grabbed the box from him.

Fred rubbed the sleep from his eyes and looked down to where she was pointing.

But he already realized the previous night.

The box had the same symbol that was on the chapel door.

"These are related, I just know it!" Velma cried. "We need to –

But Fred interrupted, taking the box back. "Yes. I noticed last night. I've already got a plan –

"A plan?"

Shaggy was now awake, pushing himself upright and groaned. "Like, can you keep it down, Velma?"

She ignored him, turning back to Fred. "Seriously? You came up with a plan without the rest of us?"

"Like, he already told me," Shaggy said, his voice thick with sleep. "It's stupid."

"Oh, you think every plan we make is stupid." Velma rolled her eyes. "So, what is it, Fred?"

Fred sighed. "I'll explain once Daphne's up."

Velma was about to protest but decided against it. With a huff, she slumped down next to Shaggy onto the couch. "That might be a while."

"What might be a while?"

And Daphne was at the bedroom door, her hair messy and tangled. She had bags under her eyes and, like the rest of them, she'd gotten minimal sleep.

"Nothing," Fred said as he gave Velma a look. "Come here, Daphne. We've got some updates."

Daphne wrapped her arms around herself and settled beside Velma.

Before Fred could speak, Shaggy's phone began to ring.

"Oh, God, I've gotta take this," Shaggy muttered, his eyes fixed on the phone screen. He hurried out the front door and closed it behind him.

They all knew who it was. From the tone of his voice, it was a call from the vet clinic.

"I hope everything's okay," Daphne said, her eyes glazed with worry. "We can't handle any more problems."

"I'm sorry to break it to you, Daph, but I think we're far from done with problems," Velma quipped.

Fred gave her another pointed look, but Daphne ignored her. "Look in the box, Fred."

Fred looked down at his lap where the iron box sat. Morning sunlight reflected off its surface. He slowly opened it.

Inside, the pendant was still there along with the note. "Daphne, what –

"Look at the note," Daphne said.

Fred took the parchment in his hands and unfolded it to read: I WARNED YOU scrawled on it. His hands trembled. "Daph –

"There's no way this wasn't Celia's ghost! She's real!" Daphne cried.

Velma peered over his shoulder, her heart pounding. "Fred, when you grabbed the box from our cabin, did you actually check inside it to see if everything was still there?"

Fred didn't answer and just stared at the note. He let out a shaky breath. "I . . ."

Velma and Daphne stood there expectantly, but Velma already knew what he was about to say.

"No . . ."

Velma threw her hands up. "Oh, seriously, Fred! Someone switched the notes! This isn't a ghost! Someone's messing with us! It could be Emerson!"

Fred's eyes narrowed. "Yeah, but have we seen him anywhere? I don't even know what he looks like –

"Well, who else could it be!" Velma cried.

"Stop it!"

Daphne's voice cut through their argument. "Listen, there are so many random things happening here that I don't even know where to start!"

Fred took a deep breath. "Well, that was what I was going to explain. When Velma and I went into the forest last night, we found an abandoned chapel."

"It was really old," Velma added. "And we have reason to believe it's the Chapel of St. Augustus."

Daphne blinked. "Wasn't that –

"Yes," Velma cut in. "I don't know why Dad lied about that."

Daphne crossed her arms. "Well, it could be possible it's not –

Fred raised the box without a word, pointing to the symbol on the side. "This was engraved on the front door. This box is connected somehow to the chapel and to Celia."

Daphne turned a ghostly pale. "Wh – What?"

"Someone in a dark black suit was chasing after us last night," Fred continued. "Whoever it was – they want this box."

"Then why didn't they just take the box when they snuck into the cabin to switch the notes?" Daphne said. "Why go through the trouble?"

"I think it's part of their tactic to scare us," Fred said. "But we're not letting them. As for why they would want this box . . . I have no idea. Maybe they hoped we'd leave the box behind so they could take it without being noticed."

Velma nodded. "I'm convinced they're using projectors to create the shadow figure. I saw the it again last night in the chapel."

Daphne raised an eyebrow. "So, what now? We trap the guy by using the box as bait?"

Fred winked. "You're close, Daph."

Daphne frowned. "Of course. I forgot to mention we're also using human bait . . . and it's Shaggy."

"Bingo," Fred said. "We'll act like we're looking around that chapel again, and Shaggy will be holding the box. This guy will be angry and chase after Shaggy, and BAM! We trap him in our net!"

"Shouldn't someone else be bait this time, though?" Daphne said. "Shaggy's been through enough."

Fred thought for a moment. "That's true . . . Alright, I'll be the bait this time. Now, who wants to go with me and get some nets?"

After sorting out logistics, it was decided that Fred and Daphne would go to the hardware store for trap equipment while Velma and Shaggy would go to Mr. Dinkley and demand answers.

Just as they finished discussing their plans, the front door creaked open.

Shaggy stood there.

"It – It was the vet clinic."