I will return

83

Shaggy returned just then, stopping when he saw Scooby passed out on the table. His expression showed a mix of surprise and concern.

"Scoob?" —he said as he approached his friend—. Alright?

With the best of my smiles, I answered in the most reassuring tone possible:

—It's okay, Shaggy. He's just tired, he must have had a long trip, don't you think?

Shaggy seemed to consider the idea and, after a moment, nodded, relieved.

—Yes, you're right, Mary Jane. Poor guy's been a little exhausted lately. He laughed a little, as if he were trying to convince himself. But hey... I missed you a lot! Seriously, too much.

I looked at him with a calculated smile and took his hand.

—Come on, Shaggy. Would you like to see the fireworks? They're about to start and we have a great view from here.

Shaggy, delighted, nodded and accepted my invitation without hesitation. We headed to a spot close to the table where the view of the fireworks would be perfect. The colors lit up the night sky, reflecting in his eyes as he watched, oblivious to everything happening around him. When I saw that he was completely engrossed, I silently snapped my fingers, giving the signal to my minions.

As if they were shadows, two of them, dressed as waiters, approached and carefully picked up Scooby, carrying him away without making a single noise. My gaze returned to Shaggy, who was still staring at the sky, oblivious to his friend's disappearance.

However, after a while, Shaggy began to notice the silence and looked around, looking for 

Scooby. Not seeing him, an expression of confusion and fear crossed his face.

"Mary Jane?" —he said, with growing nervousness—. Where is Scoob?I smiled with a calm that bordered on malice and pointed to a point in the distance.

—It's there.

Shaggy followed my finger, and his eyes widened as he saw Scooby in the middle of the street, as if he were in another world, completely away from him.