The End | {BOOK 5}

22| Telling the Scooby Gang the Truth

"Alright, Prepmeister Fred, what's your plan?" Dean asked.

"We should all split up and search the house for clues," Fred replied.

"That's the plan?" Cass question.

"Mnh-mnh," Dean shook his head disapprovingly.

"I-I don't think we should separate," Sam added. "It'll be easier for Dean, Ellie and me to keep you safe if we're all together."

"Really, Sam? I wouldn't expect such a big, broad-shouldered fella like you to be as chicken as Shaggy," Velma placed a hand on Sam's shoulder. "No offense, Shaggy."

"Like, none taken," Shaggy replied, he and Scooby peeking out from behind a suit of armor.

Sam pulled Dean and me aside.

"If this is a real ghost, these guys are in trouble. We can't let anything happen to them."

"Exactly. So, for now, let's follow ascot boy's lead," Dean hurried over to Daphne. "I call team-up with Daphne!"

"Great! It'll be just the three of us," Fred grinned at him and Dean scowled.

"Sam, Ellie, and I will check the attic," Velma announced, then turned to Sam. "I mean... unless you're too scared."

"What? N-no, I-I'm... Let's check the attic."

"Like, man, I guess that leaves me and old Scoob with you, Castiel," Shaggy said.

"Wonderful. I once led armies, and now I'm paired with a scruffy Philistine and a talking dog."

All three groups went their separate ways. I hung back, letting Sam and Velma go on ahead of me when we got up to the attic.

"So, I guess this is your first mystery," Velma stated. "So if you could keep those giant linebacker shoulders from knocking over any clues, that would be great."

"Why do you keep talking about my shoulders?" Sam asked.

Velma gulped, pulling on her collar as she blushed behind him.

"Oh, I, uh, huh. Uh..." she stammered.

Sam wasn't paying attention, shining his flashlight around the attic. Velma looked back at me helplessly and I gave her a nod of encouragement.

"Aah!" Sam cried out, startled as the light flashed over a mannequin.

He fell down, a can falling on top of his head and I giggled.

"Maybe that was the ghost," Velma teased.

"Look, I'm not supposed to tell you this, but-"

"Sam," I hissed, trying to cut him off.

"-ghosts are real," he finished, ignoring me.

"Huh?" Velma asked.

I facepalmed as Sam continued to talk.

"Ellie, my brother and I, we hunt them, along with werewolves and vampires and demons and... We've saved the world. A lot."

"Look, Sam," Velma laughed, "the simple fact is monsters are nothing more than crooks in masks- usually unscrupulous real estate developers."

"One, there are way better real estate scams. And two-"

"Hey, look! A clue," I cut Sam off, drawing the pair's attention.

My flashlight was illuminating a toy chest with a stuffed bear, a jack in the box and some blocks sitting on top. There was a black goo all over the box and on the floor in front of it.