Vacation Vexations

We were just locking up the Mystery Shack. An amethyst-purple tint invaded the late summer skies. The world was changing and autumn was fast approaching. Soon, the land would be a-fire in the warm glow of tree-flame and rituals like Halloween would bring back long dead memories of trolls, spooks and hobgoblins... or the real things considering what happened on Summerween. Then again, did a giant glob of discarded candy really count?

Right then, the only signs of summer were the Elysium-green fields, bees still murmuring in that strange cult hum exclusive to them as their tune summoned the multi-bear to chase them. Bilberries and chanterelles continued to adorn the forest floor, questing for sunlight while gnomes quested for privacy when bathing with the squirrels. Goldenrod-yellow flowers and silver-washed fritillaries carried their bushels of pollen to fairies until Soos accidentally killed both of them. Sandy-bay yellows hiding mummies, beach barbecues with mutated crabs, gin-clear seas with mermaids and people and creatures alike adopting the languid and louche air of panthers in slow-mo while the panthers ran to lose weight from eating too much grilled steak.

Unfortunately, the nights were closing in on each other and the long days were faltering. In a week, there would be no more melting ice-cream that would eventually become a brain-freezing cat. No more burning sensation in the legs when running away from a lava-spouting monster. No more air-conditioners malfunctioning and turning the Mystery Shack into the Mystery Sauna (especially with the weird smell coming from Waddles). No more heat from the printer when Grunkle Stan and I print fake money. No more blowing up hot dogs one by one in the microwave with Soos. No more warm high-fives with Wendy. No more chances of finding the author of the three journals.

To be honest though, I did not expect my Grunkle Stan to inadvertently cause the ice age to begin again when we went to Singapore for the last week of summer. Or how places could be easily switched without warning.

Yeah, not at all.

I mean, when he announced that he was taking all the Mystery Shack employees to accompany him as he represented Oregon in an international meeting for businessmen, I had only one question for him, one that the entire world depended on,

"You're a businessman?"

Could you blame me? This was my sly, greedy, miserly great uncle and summer guardian. Ever since the two government agents showed up trying to investigate a strange phenomenal occurance they picked up on the radar and zombies attacked us because of some irresponsible child, he has been as jumpy as Mabel whenever she sees clay figures and 'Smile Dip'. This was also the Grunkle glaring at me as I leaned against the vending machine and accidentally pushed not only the machine's buttons but his as well. I swore I actually saw it opening but Grunkle Stan quickly put his eight ball cane against it while barking orders, expectations and reminders to not only me but Mabel, Soos and Wendy. Did I just italicized her name? Oh well, I highly doubt that she can read this.

"Mabel, get your friends, that Canny girl and the Viking boy to look after the most important thing here, too bad we can't bring him along for the journey."

"Well, Grunkle Stan, at least I see you are getting along better with Waddles!" Mabel squealed. One thing I admired about my sister was that she would always find the glass to be reflecting her brace-filled smile and one of her vibrant, goofy sweaters... before seeing the glass as half-full. Of course, the glass was shattered when Grunkle Stan said,

"What?! Heck no, not the pig! I'm taking about the shack. I don't know if I can actually take off for a day or two without business going to hell. Tell those two to raid the back room or forest for a new attraction. Whatever brings in the money," He then addressed Soos once Mabel ran up the room, shielding Waddles' ears and cursing Grunkle Stan, "Soos, be an amiable, healthy sidekick with a pick-up truck, I can't really drive because of something the cops said I did... AND THEY STILL HAVE NO PROOF!"

"Er.… yes, that's what I am… *cough*… especially the healthy part. Dudes, I'm so strong that I can lift bears, especially teddy bears!" Soos proudly proclaimed, although he accidentally stubbed his thumb when he sneezed and let his hammer drop. Clutching the sore part, he quickly headed towards the kitchen for a first-aid kit. Rolling his eyes, Grunkle Stan then looked at Wendy.

"Which brings me to you, Corduroy."

"More than willing to help, Mr Pines!" Wendy gave him a mock-salute behind the latest issue of 'How to be sarcastic'.

"Soos is the only one around 22 here so he's the only one who can be at the conference thingy with me. You are the second oldest, 15 years old, in fact, a 15-year-old who would teach these punks to be good punks."

"Oh sweet! Dude, you have got to learn how to egg and toilet-paper an apartment, it's nothing compared to egging and toilet-papering the collapsing houses here!" One moment, the typical Bored Register Girl became the lively firecracker that could outshine the summer stars, with her emerald eyes bearing down on me while she put her hand to my level. Furthermore, as if to prove her point, the shop's door collapsed and barely hung by a single thread. I was quite surprised considering what happened a few weeks ago.

While searching for clues leading to the origins of the enigmatic author, we had crossed paths with a sinister shape shifter that had been accidentally let out of a cryogenically frozen state. After being chased for hours on end, everything came down to a face-off between the beast, my friend/coworker/

the very thing that I live for, and myself. It was during the chaos, upon fearing that my actions had fatally wounded Wendy, that I made my true feelings for her known… only to find out that she had been alive, standing just behind me and that I was confessing to the shapeshifter. If that did not scream awkwardness, I had no idea what did.

I was completely unaware of the consequences my utter honesty would have towards that amazing girl and that had me vomiting rainbows, sunshine, confetti, glitter, probably Mabel's shiniest sweater and those yummy little Skittles like Gnomes did. However, Wendy confessed gently that she had guessed the truth for quite some time. While she reminded me that our ages kept us too far apart romantically, Wendy reassured me that I was just as important to her as she was to me.

And that was enough. As long as I was by her side, I was more than happy. It had always been that way ever once she showed us her secret place, the makeshift hideaway on the other side of the Mystery Shack's roof. It was after I totally missed the target up there and nailed that minivan with the enormous pinecone. I was so embarrassed, but when I turned to face her, there she was; cheering for me with a sly smile on her face, her hand up in the air as she asked me to not to leave her hanging…

"Hey dork, don't leave me hanging AGAIN."

Smiling the smile only Wendy could make me do, I raised my hand to her level and slapped my palm against her soft one. Then, I joked a joke only situations like that could make me do.

"And when you're fifteen, feeling like there's nothing to figure out except for mysteries of Gravity Falls! We'll just keep dancing like Soos is 22, ooo!"

She laughed the laugh only she could do. A do, do, do, do, do!

A split second later, the door leading into the family parlor swung open, ruining yet another moment between me and Wendy... not that it was a moment! Oh man, I should not have typed that! Where is the backspace button?!

Anyway, we looked to see that my twin sister was racing aside her pet pig Waddles. The little brunette was cheering excitedly up and down the various aisles of mementos and keepsakes.

"Hey there, short stuff!" Wendy greeted. "What's got you all riled up?"

Making a sharp u-turn, Mabel faced both of us, her braces seemingly twinkling, "Mermando's at the Singapore River comforting the Merlion who did a… well, Merlion. Got no idea what it means but I do know that the trip means that we could all spend preplanned quality time together that would encourage love, mutual respect and bonding…!"

"And boost the chances of us winning the Love Award, huh?"

"Exactly, dipping sauce! Any kind of two or more people displaying the true meaning of true love gets not only that shiny trophy that I can make it silver to match my braces but also a few bucks of well, only, TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS!"

"Well, at least with you and Soos, clinching that award would be a breeze. At least you would achieve a goal of yours before we turn the big 1-3." I sighed. Don't get me wrong, I was not bitter or anything but after all those weeks, breaking cryptograms, finding so many clues that just did not add up, exploring various parts of Gravity Falls that led us to the bunker being the most important clue, and trying to find more from Old Man McGucket who was slowly but surely regaining his memories. Yet, the ball of yarn was only unravelled slightly. There were still a lot of strands.

The author apparently dedicated his life to discovering and documenting the paranormal secrets of Gravity Falls, recording his findings in a collection of journals. The crown jewel of his discoveries was (maybe) a Universe portal, with schematics for a portal capable of unlocking infinite new worlds and the secret of girls. After six years of discovery, the author possibly began to write his third journal, now beginning to fear he was being watched by those who would seek to use the data he collected for malicious intent. But who? And what does he look like? All I knew was that he could have postaxial polydactyly judging by the cover of the journal.

And on that day, I discovered that the monocle coming together with the journal... was given by some person…

Claire Chang, Blck 503A Canberra Link Sembawang #04-27.

On second thoughts, that trip may prove to be useful...