From the Diary of Daphne Blake

Chapter 11 - Journey Into Crystal Cove

As we drove past the 'Welcome to Coolsville' sign leaving our sleepy town I looked over at Fred who looked back at me with a frown, "Having second thoughts Daphne?" He asked as I shrugged, "I don't know exactly what to think, all I want is to get this mystery over with."

Fred, Velma, Shaggy, Scooby and I were on our way to Crystal Cove which was also popularly known as 'The most haunted place on Earth' in order to find out more about a new mystery that plagued my mind and that was who and what is The lady in the mirror. Velma, through extensive research, had found that she might possibly be the infamous Bloody Mary. 

A blood covered woman that preyed on the misfortune and terror of other's, usually summoned upon by half-witted teens looking for a quick thrill, but for me it was anything but thrilling. 

"Remind me why Scoob and I had to come again." Shaggy sighed looking over at a very glum Scooby-Doo who seemed to share his owners' destain in our little road trip. 

"Cause you've proved to be helpful to the whole mystery solving thing, plus you've been involved since the beginning it only makes sense to keep you involved." Velma answered as I looked over at Shaggy and smiled, "We're a team and a team always has each other's backs. You and Scooby are part of that team."

"Thanks Daphne."Shaggy smiled as Scooby barked in glee as if he knew exactly what I was saying. There was something about his canine friend that made him seem smarter than other dogs I've known but I just couldn't put my finger on how. 

It took us about 20 minutes to get to Crystal Cove and the minute we reached the town border it was surprisingly different to what I had expected. The image I had built up in my head of the town from what I had heard about it was nothing like what it actually appeared to be like in real life. 

"This is more pleasant than expected." I mumbled as Velma laughed, "What did you expect? Coffins, dark clouds, moats and monsters running around?" 

"Kinda." I admitted as I looked out of my window, beginning to admire its friendly atmosphere. It looked exactly like one of those small towns that you'd see in the movies or TV shows.

"Can we stop for Ice Cream?" Shaggy asked peeping his head in between Fred and I as Scooby did the same, "PPPPPlllleeeeaaaaassssseeeeee." Shaggy dragged out each letter of his plea in one breath as Fred stopped the car in front of a quaint Ice Cream Parlor called the 'Happy Cow Ice cream and gelato shoppe'

"Come on Scoob!" Shaggy called out to his best pal as they quickly hurried out of the car and into the shoppe, practically leaving a silhouette trail behind them with Fred hoping out of the car just as fast. 

"Don't they realize that we are here to solve a mystery." Velma scoffed from the back seat as I turned towards her and gave her a tight lipped smile, "It's good for us to have some normalcy in our lives for a change, everything has been so hectic ever since school started we deserve a break, and what better break than an ice cream one?" 

Velma smiled, "Fine but we can't stay for too long, we still need to get to the Crystal Cove Criminology museum before it closes." Velma reminded me as I nodded, "Yes ma'am." I jokingly saluted her as we both climbed out of the car in a fit of laughter. I missed little moments like these, moments that actually felt relatively normal.

As Velma and I made our way towards the Ice cream shoppe I noticed a poster on the outside wall of the parlor saying that there would be a town tour today. 

'Welcome one and all to Crystal Cove, the most haunted town in the word! Join Rodger P. Hensen this Saturday at 14:45pm on a tour of the town's haunted history. 

Where : The Crystal Cove Criminology museum' The poster read. 

"Look at this Velma." I nudged at her, "Just our luck, there's going to be a town tour today."