I will return

80

The day had finally arrived. Halloween. My chance to use all the dark magic the Daemon Ritus had to offer. The best part was that now, Shaggy and Scooby had no advantage. Every person in the village was under my control, even if they continued with their normal lives. They knew when to smile, when to work and even how to hide any hint of change. I controlled everything, and that was the key to making sure the plan was executed perfectly.

My team, my "allies", had convinced Shaggy and Scooby to come to town to enjoy the Halloween festival. All they needed was a little food to catch them, and everything was underway. Of course, each of them would receive a special surprise; I already had something prepared for each one. And the first on my list was Shaggy.

I had been working on this for weeks. Mary Jane, his girlfriend, was now mine. He had put some effort into bringing her here, faking an invitation to a fake conference on the environment. And in the end, it was quite easy to take control of her.

I watched through Mary Jane's eyes as the Mystery Inc. van pulled into the town entrance. The streets were decorated with pumpkins and twinkling lights, and the inhabitants, with their empty smiles and vacant glances, were arranging the last details.

The truck stopped in the center, and I saw each of them get out one by one. Fred, Vilma, and Daphne. It was funny, because they were already part of me. They didn't know it yet, but I controlled their souls. There was only one more member left.

I took advantage of the moment to get closer. Shaggy smiled like a fool and hugged me.

—Did you have fun at the conference? he asked, as if he were the usual carefree Shaggy.

"Of course," I answered in Mary Jane's sweet voice. But I preferred to stay until you came back. There was no point in spending money on tickets when I could wait for you.

Shaggy smiled even wider, and I noticed that Fred, Vilma, and Daphne were watching us. I knew they were in my possession, although at first glance no one could notice it.

But then I saw it. Latest. And something inside me stirred. There was Scooby, getting out of the truck with his typical look of distrust, observing every corner as if he sensed that something was wrong. It was so absurd, so perfect... but, even so, the vision filled me with a strange emotion.

Inside me, a whispering voice resounded, almost involuntary: *"Hello, Uncle Scooby"*.