Chapter 06, it’s a nice place, but… (go)

“I know trust him because he fucked you, but I am having some trouble, is he really that good a man?”

“How did you know I just fucked him?”

“Well, you did just throw your cum soaked bedding on top of me.”

“Fair enough.”

“Well, I’m not sure I can trust him as easily yet. Maybe I had better look…” she trailed off.

It sunk into Mindy’s mind at this point.

Daphne was not doing this to cause any problems to those helping her. It was because she needed to take for control in the situation. To act rather than react. To help those helping her. And perhaps to show herself that she could stand independently of her friends. Even if she was now planning to rejoin them.

Somehow or another Fred always kept them safe.

Mindy accepted her new realization. Daphne. “I understand you need to act. I’ll even help you if you want to leave before he gets back. Let me tell you a couple things. One, Shaggy is one of the most trusted here. His cooking techniques defies rational description at times. But nobody ever got sick from his cooking. Ever. People will eat his cooking without question because they know he never would hurt anybody. No matter how odd whatever he puts in front of them looks. Two, we would be a stronger group together.”

Daphne looked understandingly at her. “I get what are saying. I really do. And I have already trusted Shaggy earlier today. And I am truly amazed that his stunt worked. But I need to do this. I would feel more comfortable closer to the public areas. This is a nice place and all, but it is a nice place in the middle of the woods. That is an invitation to trouble in most every story I have read that had a cabin in it. Especially at night.”

Mindy nodded. “I can see that. Okay. Any ideas in mind? The public areas are a bit large.”

Daphne nodded. “I do not want the parking area yet. Even if Shaggy is offering me a ride. I doubt anybody else is there.”

“No. The people working that are usually will not be there before dawn. At least I think that’s when they do any last cleanup and set up.”

Shaggy walked up about that point of the conversation.

“Security? You have to have security here, right?”

“Well, yes. Usually they do not make a point of being seen. Kinda ruins the idea that the commune is the peaceful ideal. Nonetheless we have them. there are things people would love taking. Some of our creative cooking, certainly our women. As a habit they just have to show themselves and warn. Shaggy thought for a few minutes. Come to think of it, I cannot remember the last time I saw them actually need to do anything.”

“I can. Couple of people tried to steal the adult brownies. They stopped them easily enough.”

“Likewise I do not know any of the people who run tents there. So that is not a good option.”

“Actually you do. I have a crafts tent there.”

“Oh?”

“Yes. Art for the children visiting.”

“Nice. But no. It would probably still be exposed.”

Mindy did some thinking. “How about we combine the plans. You and Shaggy go my tent and hide there. Nobody ever does anything there this far after hours. Scooby and I will go check with security. Maybe we can buy us a head start once the gates open.”

Shaggy agreed. “Makes sense. Although I wonder why you left the cabin.”

“I needed to take some control back in my life.” The redhead answered.

Shaggy nodded at that. “I suppose that makes sense. Just please remember that none of us here have tried to take it from you. Our goal is your safety.”

Daphne tried to sound contrite. “I know.”

Mindy looked at the paths ahead of them. “Alright. It’s time to split up.”

They did.

Daphne and Shaggy stood there for a moment and watched them head off.

Daphne looked at Shaggy. “Which way?”

“This way. I’ve seen her tent when bringing food to the children various times.” Shaggy led her there.

The public area was still dark. But it was in a large field. Large enough that the star light gave enough light to see where they were going. There was an area for music and another for open air eating.

Looking about, Daphne paused. “Soo peaceful. I could have enjoyed visiting this place if it were not for the people that brought me here.”

Shaggy indicated a tent. “That’s the one.” He led her to it and showed her the best hiding spot. Then he was careful to put himself as far away as he could in the that hiding spot. He listened to hear the sounds normal for the spot. Shaggy would keep his voice quiet enough to track those sounds. “Daphne, here we try to provide glimpses of a different life. We do not reject all of the world. We just realize the importance of living with and for each other.”

“Really?”

“Yes. It is important to note that we do not claim to have THE answers. Just a different way to the answers many are still seeking in their lives. Yes, this area may seem like a tourist expectation of a hippie commune. But any drugs and sex are kept away. Even those that join do not need to do the drugs. Or partake in free love. They just have to do their part for the commune and do no harm to anybody.”

Daphne was silent for a bit after that. “This cannot be the only place or group to live like this.”

He nodded. “Likely. But is the one I found. And the one that took me in when my own family…” His voice trailed off. Now it was he with the deep and disturbed thoughts showing on his face.

The redhead waited. He had been there for her. Now she would be there for him. Even if that just meant just physically sitting there.

During the long while a few tears showed on his face. Finally, he wiped them. “Please don’t ask. the pain is harsh… and always feel fresh. I am still not sure how I feel about this.”

Daphne nodded. “I am here when you want to.”

Scooby poked his head in the tent breaking the mood. “Shaggy?”

“Yes pal?”

“It’s time. You two good?

“Not sure about good.” Daphne answered. “But it seems we both have things we must face. Is it time?”

“Yes. Everybody is in place. We just have to arrive as if last night was some kind of normal night.”

Daphne’s eyebrows went up. “This sort of thing happens to you all the time?”

Scooby realized his misstep. “No. I mean that Shaggy usually goes to the food area via that parking lot. Sometimes we meet there if I was helping someplace that night. Since I suspect any member of the commune knows he spent the night with Mindy, he should arrive by the trail from her cabin. Makes it look more real in case these troublemakers did any planning. Security will be ready to pounce the moment they hear enough to act.”

Daphne was not too happy with that last phrase. “Hear enough to act?”

“Or see.” Scooby added.

Shaggy understood. “Daphne, it has to be that way. If they are not caught bullying us, then we will seem the bullies.”

“Right.” Scooby agreed. “Mindy is talking with the group assigned traffic duty. We will have a clear path out to get us more time.”

“Great. Any last questions?” He asked the teen girl with him.

“No. Let’s just get it over with.”

They moved to their positions.

There was no talking as Shaggy and Daphne walked to the parking lot. There was the occasional looking about. Just as a couple of teens worried about trouble would do.

They reached the van and went about finishing packing.

Finally looked up. He adopted a dramatic voice. Being bait was not a hobby of his. But if it would help Daphne he would do it. “Scooby, everything loaded?”

“Yes Shaggy.” The big dog replied as he closed the back doors of the van.

“Good. Then its time. Time to see what the future holds.”

“Oh no.” Daphne’s comment was a cross between a moan and an exclamation. The sort of tone no woman uses if she has the slightest happiness at all about what is going on at the moment.

“Found you. Now we’re going to fuck you.”

Daphne adjusted her position. Not in this or any other world. “Shaggy! Scooby!”

Shaggy came round from the driver’s side. “Not you two again.”

“Just give us the slut and you can leave. Else we’ll beat you into the mud.”

Scooby glared at the threat to his friend.

“You expect us to give her to you to be abused?” Shaggy glared back. “Like really??” Shaggy was more than annoyed. If there was anything had hated more than he liked food, it was people who abused women.

“Tell you what. You can join in.”

If this was a cartoon, Shaggy would have had steam coming out of his ears at this point. “That will not be happening.” Shaggy spoke with the certainty of death and taxes. “Scooby! Protect!! Like ZOINKS!!!” He shouted the last word at the top of his voice.

Scooby jumped in front of Daphne and started growling.

Daphne almost believed the dog was going to eat the two stalkers.

Shaggy did know better. Even he was almost fooled by Scooby’s act. Especially when the dog asked for ketchup.

“Did that dog actually ask for ketchup?” One attacker asked.

“Never mind that the other snapped. It doesn’t matter. Not does it matter why he wants it. The important thing is that we are all going is that we are all about to be eaten by a talking dog.”

Snoopy put on his most frightening look.

Daphne thought that look would convince the Hound of the Baskervilles to give up evil and take up being a therapy pet.

“I asked for ketchup because ketchup makes everything taste better. And yes, I intend to eat you.” The dog growled.

Several brawny men came out of the woods. They made football linebackers look petit. “Shaggy, you yelled?”

“Yes. I am fine, but these two want to hurt Daphne.”

“Not on our watch. And sorry, Scooby, but we can’t let you eat them.”

“Not even one? Please?”

“Nope. No matter how evil, you are not allowed to eat them. Think about the bad breath they would give you.”

“Hey!”

Scooby made a show of thinking.

Meanwhile Shaggy had not just been watching the show. He had returned to the van, entered, then opened the side panel door. He motioned Daphne inside.

Of course, Scooby knew all this. He was waiting for the sign.

The two security people looked at the stalkers. “You two are leaving now.” They started approaching them.

“Now, Scooby!” Shaggy called.

Scooby dropped his vicious dog act and hopped inside the van.

Shaggy hit the gas.

The van sped off.

One would think their escape assured.

Sadly, there was only one road in or out of the Cummune. It was long enough that the stalkers were able to get into their car and race after them.

Shaggy drove as though he did road races as hobby.

Sadly the others were driving a sports car. A well designed, well cared for sports car.

Most people would not have put large bets on winner of this race.

Most people also had not spent as much time on these roads as Shaggy.

No choice offered here. Chapter 06 has simply gone on long enough.

Go to Chapter 15: On the Road