Chapter 16: They meet a local

Chapter 16: They meet a local

Thirty minutes later Shaggy pushed a couple branches aside. “We’re here. The Lost Trail.”

Daphne looked about. It did not look too overgrown. She could still clearly see the edges. “This is it?”

“Yep. Used to be much clearer, less undergrowth. You ready?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be.”

The three started down the trail. Some parts were almost pristine. Other parts looked like nobody had been there in at least three years. They could hear the birds singing and the rustle of the occasional animal.

A distance down the path Scooby’s ears perked up. He sniffed a couple of times. “There’s somebody up ahead.”

Daphne did not look thrilled.

Shaggy looked at great Dane. “How many?”

Scooby sniffed again. “Just the one.”

They advanced slowly.

Two of three relaxed immediately. “It’s only Fish.”

“Fish??” The other teen asked.

“Yes. He’s cool. One of the best swimmers we have here.” He reassured the redhead. “Hey Fish. What brings you out here?”

“Lifeguard duty. You know the leaders have me doing that or swimming lessons.”

“True. But out here?”

“I’m headed to the Lost Lake.”

“That place is well named. I’ve never found it.”

“There are days I think you may be the only one. Teens have been going there to skinny dip, make out or more. Somebody has to keep an eye out.”

“I hear that. I remember the near panic this place was thrown in to when it was a couple was suspected of drowning at Oak Lake. The leaders were never happier to be wrong as when Scooby sniffed them out hiding at the Old Monk’s Cave.”

“Right. Well I better get there. I’ll show the place sometime the next time you visit.”

“Good luck Fish.”

Fish moved off on to a branch of the trail they had missed.

Daphne looked at him as he left. For a hippie place, the people here sure are responsible. Then she turned back to Shaggy. “Let’s go.”

They did. Half an hour later they reached the parking lot.

“Hey Shaggy.”

“Hey George. Any problems?”

“Not since we sent them packing.”

“Them?”

“A pair of well dressed men. Over dressed for this place, really. People overheard them searching for a Daphne Blake. They matched the description we were told about. So we marched them back to their car and saw them off.”

“Great!” Daphne smiled at that.

They loaded his van while they talked.

“Like, thanks man.”

“Glad to help. You’ll always have friends here.”

Shaggy sat in the driver’s seat.

Scooby went into the back.

For some reason Daphne chose the back of the van as well.

They drove away from the Commune.

The Universe obviously thought things were going too well for our friends.

Because not five minutes later Daphne’s cell phone sounded. It was a blocked number.

She hit the speaker button. “Hello?” Daphne answered. She was not expecting any calls this morning.

“Remember us?”

Now she wished she hadn’t answered. She remembered them too well.

“What? You thought you escaped?”

“I hoped so.”

“Look behind you.”

She looked out the back window.

The two stalkers were clearly visible in their sports car. And clearly getting closer.

Shaggy saw them in the rear view mirror. He also saw Daphne’s reaction to seeing them out the back window.

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 could easily follow 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.