A/N: hello, everyone! i'm back and better than ever. i don't know if you remember me but my name is ellen and i used to write the most cringeworthy gravity falls fanfictions ever so that's why i have since deleted the vast majority of them. this new story of mine is one i have been working on for a long time and one i am glad to be finally publishing, so i hope you enjoy.

this story contains hardcore gore, homicide, and a shit ton of other triggering stuff, so yeah. if you're uncomfortable, this story is not for the faint-hearted. my condolences to all.

Behold and beware.

It all started where the conventional cliché stories all seemingly began: high school, in the relatively small town of Piedmont, California.

Mabel Pines was eighteen and she was immensely prepared to graduate with a month left of secondary education books before the big leagues, known as: college.

She lived with her twin brother Dipper in a small flat; no parents to pester her about the lack of a significant other or any close friends because, unfortunately, they were dead. Tragic train wreck when they all went into a subway for the first time; that accident is also the cause of matching malicious scars on hers and Dipper's sides.

Since Dipper was intelligent enough to have already graduated — with a degree in parapsychology, at that — he often drove his sister to school every day or to the pet shop she worked at, and offered to pick her up afterwards. Mabel genuinely loved her school because nobody but Dipper had ever touched her; it was a firm 'to each their own' basis around there.

Until 1 October came around.

Even though it was supposed to be autumn in Piedmont, according to the calendar, anyway — it seemed more like winter this day. The seasons had a tendency to be quite eerie at times. Today, the snow met the icy tar and pavement like old friends after a drought. It really was a drought in Mabel's mind, she'd missed the snowflakes so much. It reminded her of when she was an ebullient little girl, always staying up late and her face pressed to the cold window with the expectancy that the snowflakes will descend; and whenever they did, little happy Mabel was always waiting to embroider herself in it and create a perfect snow-angel symbolising her innocence. Mabel loved recounting memories like those just as much as she enjoyed walking extra slow to school on days like this, waking up a half hour earlier just to make up for the time.

Their school was open for today, since the snow just started, but it would most likely tomorrow. That was great, because considering the amount of hours she worked every week, Mabel declared that she needed some peace and serenity — no matter how long.

The principal droned on about their morning announcements that Mabel didn't even bother listening to. It would appear in the circulars they handed out at the administrator anyway, so she kept her earphones in playing a custom school playlist she had compiled for herself. Alongside art, music was a favourite passion of Mabel's.

Halfway complete her journey, Mabel decided to look up and hum the catchy rhythm of some top forties pop song. In the brief fifteen second chorus, she caught the glimpse of a semi-attractive man with a moustache and a younger blonde woman arguing in front of a Rolls Royce — so loudly that bystanders outside building C stopped their routine walk just to onlook whatever the two were fighting about. Fifteen seconds are spent by Mabel observing these two new people; the fringed blonde woman couldn't have looked to be older than twenty-one maybe — and the man, though he looked a trifle older than her, was comparatively too young to present himself as her father. Perhaps he's her husband or boyfriend? Mabel thought.

Though Mabel didn't spend nearly as much time investigating the man as she did with his female companion.

This girl, or, woman, was wearing a denim-black jacket with white frills around the hood, with black leggings. Not much can be seen of her face from this distance, except that she had perfectly pale skin and azure blue eyes. Mabel can't see any tattoos, mainly because the woman's body was entirely covered by cloth, but if the furious expression on her face was anything to go by, it's safe to say this individual was not friendly.

Her hair, Mabel decides is her favourite feature. It's straight, flaxen-blonde, and it concludes at her waist while it's curled a little at the tips. It was damp from a fresh wash and Mabel suddenly can't resist the urge to stop thinking about what brand of conditioner she thinks this stranger uses. So, Mabel presumes she's the man's girlfriend. That would make lots of sense. She was quite attractive, yes, but Mabel knew her boundaries.

Mabel watched the drama, forsaking another half minute and a song change, as mysterious-irritated-blonde gave presumed-boyfriend something, although due to Mabel's angle from afar, it was impossible for her to determine what it was. He said nothing to her, nor she to him. She stormed back on the awaiting pavement with powerful strides, knocking several pupils and a teacher in the shoulder.

So much time had been spent inspecting this girl that Mabel hadn't realised she was nearing the brink of tardiness, and it had taken the brunette one glance at the timer of her phone while searching for another song to notice. Before she could glance down at her watch and take off in a sprint that will have her shaving off free time, she managed to unintentionally capture her subject's attention. The woman from the Rolls Royce just glances to her left, glowering at everyone and everything, and her stormy eyes got hooked on Mabel's peaceful evergreen ones.

Mabel turned pale, maybe even green, from the persistent staring and stepped back like the added distance would put her mind at ease. It didn't, only because the woman across the yard from her stopped walking just to tilt her head curiously at Mabel.

Fighting the urge to collapse right then and there, Mabel swallowed and lifted her fingers just a little to signal a short wave. An awkward, stiff wave that has the newest of Mabel's acquaintances frowning deeper. That was the end of all Mabel's courage—if any—today and she decided to quit while she didn't exchange words. Her English teacher was a few metres away from her so she simply turned on her heel and took off down the open hallway to the correct courseroom.

The woman didn't haunt Mabel's mind for the rest of the day, but she regret wasting so much time that morning on her after getting caught eavesdropping. Waving at a complete stranger, officially Mabel's most moronic move of the century.

—

Across town, at Skull Fracture where lone rangers from everywhere and cross country travellers all come to get lost in the booze of life, Pacifica Northwest was drowning her third brand of Scotch in her usual seat. Three Scotches and three vodka shots were her limit in order to instill her sanity for that evening remained in place.

Earlier that day she and her father Preston had fought, one of the most brutal fights they've had in a while. It was right after breakfast when he had forgotten an assignment of his in the basement - that's where he usually did his projects even though he knew full well it was his daughter's occasional safe-space - and went to fetch it. Curiosity overcoming him, he had uncovered one of Pacifica's less-than-desirable hobbies wrapped in a few towels and pushed under her bed.

Pacifica, upon discovering this when confronted, had remained calm and asked why he had been snooping around when all he simply had to do was get his fucking stuff. He argued that wasn't the point and even had the nerve to slap her for it.

Slapped.

Pacifica had gotten angry, because he had never even dared to touch her so angrily or with such intent in years. She had always assumed that ever since she had been the one gaining control over her prolonged trauma, and ever since she grew to be more aggressive than usual — he had been developing a fear of her instead of the other way around.

But of course, she had underestimated it and unfortunately she had to explain to him why she had decapitated the head of a worthless drifter; which meant unfortunately, considering he discovered far too much in Pacifica's predicament — he had to die. Just like all of the others.

Murdering was no thrilling experience or adrenaline-induced fit for Pacifica Northwest. She was tightly wound all the time and felt ready to combust painfully if she didn't release some knots.

This was one way: torture. Each time she did it she felt lighter and more at ease. She visited male friends sometimes but they didn't work out too well and neither did the whorish, scum-ridden girls she encountered on the street. She fucked the way she felt. Hard and rough, ignoring the pained protests of her sexual partners. She was merciless because nobody gave her mercy, granted her the benefit of the doubt so why the fuck should she be any better?

"Anything else, hon?" The kind bartender she never learnt the name of asked as he wiped his hands.

Pacifica shook her head and dropped a flap of bills before leaving, thinking about where to go and what to do. Her mind instantly flashed back to when she saw Green-Eyed-Girl. She knew her eyes were green because they were striking in appeal all the way from across the car park.

It was odd, what happened then. The girl waved and ran off like she was telling Pacifica later we'll meet again. Maybe they could, Pacifica would like to entertain the idea that this particular girl isn't a total waste like everyone else. She looked like someone who would make a difference, try hard to accomplish something. Yet she was swathed in sweet innocence. Nobody who has been to the dark side of life and returned looks like that, full of naivety and ignorance.

Pacifica liked people like that. She loved people like that.

Meanwhile, she debated on which particular instrument or method of torture she would have to commence on Preston. There was no way he was making it out alive with the knowledge that his daughter slaughtered people as a pastime. No amounts of shitty promises on not to mention anything to anyone about her cravings for overkill could ever change that. Plus, she had been eagerly wanting for him to compensate for the abuse he had subjected her to many years ago. Abuse he had sworn to rehabilitate himself from never committing again. Old habits die hard, Pacifica had thought.

So that's how it begun on the very first of October.

Pacifica didn't stalk Mabel, but did insist it was fate that made them stumble across each other almost everyday. Mabel was nervous at first, blushing often uncontrollably like when they 'bumped' into each other in the supermarket the day after the car park incident. Pacifica says it that way because it wasn't at all a coincidence, she had been parked outside Mabel's house for three hours — unbeknownst to her, of course — waiting for her to make a move.

She had underestimated Mabel's observational skills because Mabel knew she was there all that time, and it was oddly flattering to her. People like Mabel were rare, bordering on extinct. People didn't like this kind of attention, but Mabel wanted all the attention she could receive from this beautiful stranger.

Pacifica stuck to the pasta isle when Mabel was in the snack section. Mabel knew she was there, just smirked and moved along like she didn't notice. Pacifica was practically screaming 'See me, already!'.

Eventually Mabel genuinely forgot she was being watched and strolled into the candy isle for more chocolate, when Pacifica decided to confront her. She always got what she wanted, and didn't bother with whether she was forward or not. She wanted to be noticed now by this pretty lady, so she'd be able to say there was some semblance of claiming.

"Hello."

Pacifica came across as too abrupt at first, shocking Mabel into dropping the slabs in her hands. It was the most uncomfortable few minutes of Pacifica's life, and to this day she wished she would have said something else or smiled at least. She wanted to look intimidating, but not too intimidating.

She waited for Mabel to pick up what had fallen, pained frown on her forehead all the while.

"Uh. H-Hi." Mabel stuttered.

Pacifica tilted her head to the left, just like she had in the car park. "What's your name?"

Mabel was a coward, and she was playing a game too big earlier by being stupidly oblivious by act. "M-Mabel... Pines. Mabel Pines."

"Northwest."

"What?"

"Pacifica Northwest. My name."

"Oh! Uh, you have a... nice name. Did you know it means 'peaceful' in Portuguese?"

Pacifica smirked to expose one of two dimples and absorb the nerves Mabel sent out in hoards. How wonderfully cheesy. Mabel's cheeks turned pink and she couldn't bite her lip to suppress her smile fast enough.

"Are you here with someone?" Pacifica asked for formalities.

"I think you know that answer, Pacifica." Mabel seemed to be going off some confidence reserves, dumping everything in her shopping basket gracelessly.

Pacifica was taken aback by that answer. "You are... quite observant."

"Thank you."

There was something Pacifica still didn't understand. Why was this Mabel girl so calm and not running away, piercing screams following her? She was standing in front of Pacifica with that permanent blush and soft smile that made Pacifica so fucking hungry for it.

"I don't understand." Pacifica kept her gaze following Mabel's even when the girl looked away. She was fully enthralled by this perfect shade of green.

Mabel didn't say anything, deepening her smile into a cute laugh. Pacifica wanted to grab her and do an obscene amount of dirty things to her in private because of that sound.

They were both too forward about this, both being so different but so similar in personalities. Pacifica was going to take and Mabel was willing to give everything she had from day one.

Pacifica nodded, hands shoved so deeply into her jacket pockets that it should hurt but it doesn't. She never felt pain, never could. Never has she wished that she could though, having congenital analgesia was the best thing that's ever happened to her. Now, she was a victim of passion. Passion for pain and suffering, loved to witness it come from other people so she got a glimpse of what it should be like. When they scream, it's a thick steam that comes out through their mouths. She lived for that steam, the moment of a person's final gasp.

Upon looking up, she found that Mabel wasn't there anymore. She panicked for the first time in a long time, glancing around her frantically.

What if someone else found her? Snatched up Mabel's glorious attentiveness whilst Pacifica was lost in her head. She didn't want that, not before she got her chance. The blonde took large strides to cover the ground of the store, and found Mabel at the cashier, smiling at the tired, overweight man behind the till. Pacifica was revolted by the scene.

"What happened?" She didn't touch Mabel, but she still stood as close as she could to her.

Mabel was surprised by Pacifica's sudden turn up and took a moment after her gasp to calm her breathing.

"Mabel?" Mabes. Pacifica wanted to call her Mabes.

"You uh... stopped talking," Mabel mumbled hurriedly.

Mabel paid for her items and accepted the stocked packet. Pacifica followed suit, not done with this conversation yet after glaring with fury at the cashier. She hated him. Soos is what the name tag read. Fucking Soos. Mabel was supposed to be with her but this fat idiot was laughing too long, too much and it kept Mabel there.

"What?" Pacifica let the door hit her arm, not flinching or hissing because of course, it didn't hurt at all.

"You stopped talking after I answered you. Looked like you were a thousand miles away so I left." Mabel shrugged, walking in the direction of her home with Pacifica in tow.

"Oh." Pacifica cursed herself mentally. "Well, I want to drive you to and from school."

"That's very kind, North." Mabel smiled, a real smile that Pacifica committed to memory as well as the nickname. North. She liked that. "But we don't know each other."

"I want to know you."

"I would like to know you too, Pacifica."

"So let me drive you."

Mabel actually laughed at her, not in a condescending way. "You're cute."

"What?"

"You're cute. A bit hasty, but cute."

"Why am I hasty?"

"Because you're offering to drive me to school when you don't know me. I could be a kidnapper."

Pacifica did laugh at that, but it held too much truth on the opposite end to be funny for too long. "You're not a kidnapper. You are the last person I would ever expect to be an abducter."

"Yeah, but—"

"Let me drive you to school, Mabel."

"No, Pacifica."

Pacifica's jaw clenched up and it was an admirable feat of beauty that Mabel wants to touch, caress over and over. She didn't want to admit it, though.

"Will you think about it?" Pacifica asked instead.

"Um... maybe."

"How long will you take?"

Mabel crossed the road, laughing over her shoulder. "Good night, Pacifica!"

Pacifica deflates from her unexplained defeat and retired to her house. She tried, and she'd try again the next day. Eyeing the oblivious Soos, however, she had quite a few other things to take care of.