DO YOU GUYS READ THESE THINGS
DO YOU READ NOTES!?
NOT OFFENDED BUT IF YOU DON'T YOU'RE…
…Going to be missing some explanation
…
If you don't, I understand. People never read intros but I think this is pretty important (but then again I suppose every author thinks their notes aren't boring whatsoever and are super important.) If you don't read this I don't mind, honest, you'll just be missing some important info regarding the story. I'm just happy that you decided to check out my story!
I
If you understand my logic, I condone nothing. Rather, I am condemning every bit of detail here. As you will find out, and as I don't want to give it away (though there will be enough hints it will be blaringly evident) that the very thing I speak of (what I am condemning but also happens to be an important part of this story) causes more problems than it solves. It is a big problem that leads to more problems—which is why it is one of the few horrible problems that are so fun to write about.
That being said, I am not trying to justify myself and this should not have been written. It is terrible and I advise you to continue at your own risk. (But goodness gracious, it isn't porn. Why does everyone jump to the conclusion that it is smut? Do you see the rating? It's T for violence and cursing! Good grief, I'm not perverted.)
II
The notes I give, if I should feel they are required, will be written accordingly to the chapter I decide to prescribe them to. Some chapters will have notes, others will not. If you do comment (I am in no way calling you out if you don't. I am in no way offended if you don't) can you tell me if you have read the note or not? I just want to get a consensus and determine how I can improve on snagging your attention regarding notes. I will be very appreciative. If no reference is made, I'll assume the note was left unread. Thanks for reading, and enjoy the story
Thoughts, questions, hate mail? Send 'em all!
Chapter One: Old Friends Die Hard
"Stop hitting yourself! Stop hitting yourself! Stop hitting yourself!" the voice was like static—high pitched and painfully loud.
"Stop it!" Dipper yelped as his hand met his check for the fourth time.
The dream demon cackled, "Why? Why should I, Pine Tree? You're a smart boy," Bill Cipher made the twelve year old hit himself once more, "Figure it out," he snarled.
The boy was close to tears, though he was determined not to shed any. How pathetic, Bill smiled enjoying his game, holding on to that last ounce of dignity.
"Will you—," slap, "Stop!?"Slap!
The red light shining from the tinted windows hid the red in Dipper's tortured cheeks. Yet Bill could still feel the heat of pain each time he puppeted the boy's hand. A new deal had been formed to Bill's delight, it had it's restrictions but nothing that prevented him from having fun. Besides, fatigue was a horrible feeling—even Bill would admit that—and so refrained from boring into him once more like the parasite he typically was.
Dipper, angry, managed to yank his hand away—inevitably, tearing Bill's grasp from his manipulated appendage, "I said that's enough!" the boy croaked, scrambling back and away from the demonic Dorito.
"I don't like you calling me that," Cipher warned, his arms crossed and his eye glaring condescendingly.
"Calling you what," Dipper inquired, "I didn't say anything," he stood up, glaring defiantly—challenging almost. This rose both amusement and irritation in the dream demon.
"Oh Dippy, Dippy, Dippy," The golden symbol floated closer, closing the distance. As the demon got closer, the boy's confidence faltered. His ghostly hand held tight to Dipper's jaw, forcing the boy to look directly into his eye, "You're thoughts are louder than you think," he whispered. He was so close Dipper could smell the entity's breath—it was a mixture of salt and pennies.
The boy winced, "I didn't call you anything."
The dream demon threw himself back and laughed boisterously as if Dipper made a joke. Then quite suddenly his demeanor changed, "Don't lie to me!" he barked.
Dipper laughed nervously, "A bit sensitive, are we? You don't like being compared to a snack food?"
If Bill could smile, he would, "You want to know what I like about you kid? I like," he said, blue flame rising from his palm, "how you don't know when to stop," Footsteps climbed the stairs, the floorboards creaked just outside the door and the handle turned, freezing Bill, "Broken bones," he cursed, "You're in luck, Pine Tree. We can finish playing later."
As the door swung open, the dream demon disappeared, "Dippy?" Mabel peaked her head through the door, "Did I hear…?"
Dipper nodded and Mabel ran to him immediately, "What is he still doing?" she asked exasperated, taking Dipper's face into her hands. She observed him closely and he tried his hardest to keep the tears from spilling. Luckily, they hadn't, "Did he hurt you?" she asked protectively, the red light hiding all evidence. Tomorrow morning, however, he wouldn't have such.
Dipper nodded silently, his palms became sweaty and he absentmindedly scratched his forearm.
"How is he still able to do this?"
Dipper shrugged, "I mean I still have to keep my end of the deal…technically, he did keep his," he withheld the new bargain he made with Bill. Revealing such info would defeat the entire point of this mess and Dipper's pain would all be in vain.
Mabel frowned, then pulled Dipper in to a hug, "We'll figure this out," she confirmed, "After all," she gave a goofy grin despite herself, "we are the mystery twins," she gently tapped his arm with her fist, aware of the injuries he was slowly obtaining.
Dipper rubbed where her fist had been placed moments earlier but not from pain, "Yeah…I suppose your right," he looked up at her and gave a hopeful smile. He knew there was no way out of this. And this was the one mystery he wouldn't let his sister solve. Bill Cipher was just punishment for a transgression he had committed only a week prior.
"So tell me your thoughts and feelings."
Dipper mumbled something incoherent as he slowly woke up. Glancing at the red illuminating from his alarm clock, he inwardly groaned, "Bill, it's four in the morning."
The dream demon, currently in his triangular form, laughed—only to be shushed by Dipper, "That's not why you're disappointed," the demonic creature teased.
"What do you mean?" he whispered.
"Oh you know," He said, waving his hand, "The dream," his voice took on a teasing manner; implying only what could be embarrassing. He hovered above the boy's head and gave a knowing look, "K-I-S-S-I-N-G," he said in a sing-song voice.
"Shut up," Dipper hissed, turning to his side and throwing a pillow over his head.
"Oh it's nothing to be ashamed of, Pine Tree," Dipper could still hear the taunt in the muffled voice, "It's just a silly little crush."
The very one that got me into this mess, he thought bitterly.
"I'm sure Wendy would be so jealous," he mocked, stifling a laugh, "You know, I never really understood why you humans kiss. It's so gross, but," Bill shrugged, "Whatever floats your boat, right?"
"Will you stop already," Dipper breathed, rolling onto his back. The pillow released his head and tired eyes glared at the demon.
"But I don't want to stop. This is too fun!" He poked the boy's cheek, "You're too fun!"
The boy swatted the hand away, "Don't touch me," he hissed.
A sleepy murmur drifted from Mabel's side of the room and the two paused. After a moment, Bill continued, "Go on, wake her up, we both know she's not allowed to see me."
"What good will that do?" Dipper moaned. This made Bill Cipher pleased, "You'll hide and then just come back to torment me some more," Dipper had felt that his side of the deal had been a poor choice. Bill wasn't allowed to be seen by Mabel in return that the Cipher man could puppet his body.
The bargain was not as severe as it was before—the demon had limits and the feeling of fatigue prevented him from fully returning. That, and even then Mabel could make out Bill inside of a host—and that was still technically seeing him. Though fickle the deal was, Dipper still got the shorter end of the stick and he knew it was his fault. After all, he was panicked when making it—at the time he would have settled for anything
You better shake on it, Pine tree. Window of opportunity is closing…
He had wracked his brain frantically, sputtered a few syllables disclosing Cipher's end of the bargain and shook the pitch-black hand. He still felt the slight singe of a deal on the creases of his palm.
"Still hurts, doesn't it, Pine Tree?" Dipper continued staring at his palm ignoring the hovering triangle, "So, Dippy dip, where did you place that good ol' book of yours?"
"You don't already know? I thought you knew everything."
Bill Cipher crossed his spindly arms, "Never knew you had so much confidence in me, Pines," He sighed, "I said that I know many things…and that would be considered everything for your little human brain."
Dipper inwardly smiled—it was a small victory: successfully hiding the journal. Cipher was ever-present and always watching; ready to pounce the moment Mabel was absent. However, it was easier to feel the dream demon's presence ever since he was manipulated by the puppeteer. He could feel when Bill was there or when he was absent.
Dipper propped himself up and looked intently at Bill, "But how didn't you see us?" he asked, not letting Cipher in on this fact.
The demon shrugged, "I was running errands."
"What errands?"
"Look, Kid, you're not my only victim and this isn't the only time period, universe, dimension, etcetera, etcetera," he waved his hand dismissively. He had already explained countless times before how the concept of time was different on his plane, how he was summoned to other corners of the universe, etcetera, "But don't worry, you're still my favorite."
"Right," the twelve-year-old lapsed into silence and looked out into the dark room. Slowly, it began to tilt, "Bill?" he looked back to where Cipher was previously hovering. Now all he saw was empty space and the rafters beyond. The shadows stretched, clawed they came towards him, whispering in foreign tongues from the corners of the room.
The door creaked opened to reveal not that of a hallway but a void. The room tipped further and Dipper could feel himself start sliding down his bed, "Mabel!" he shrieked, glancing over at his sister's bed. She was asleep, undeterred and by no means affected by gravity's pull, "Mabel Help!" She rolled over and muttered something in her sleep. He was completely ignored.
By now he clutched the bedpost and even then, the entire bed began to slide toward certain doom, "Bill!" no answer, "Please, stop this! Help! Bill, help me!"
A firm hand grabbed his arm, he mind spiraled, he went limp, his arm was dead. Instantly the tortured mind was jolted awake to find a very ordinary room. He had been sleeping on his arm, rendering it numb. He winced as he shifted in his bed—the numb feeling entirely unwelcomed. As blood returned and pin-pricks of feeling moved their way about his arm, Dipper sat up.
Feeling uneasy, he looked over to where his sister slept still. It was now six in the morning. Getting out of bed, he crossed the room, "Move over, Mabel," he muttered sleepily. He was scared and he was tired, with Mabel, Bill would not pester him any further. She stretched, only half awake, and rolled over allowing Dipper to crawl beneath the warm blankets.
The smell of linen and with his sibling close and his demon absent, Dipper was blessed with deep, dreamless sleep.