It's been 2 years since Mabel and I started high school at Gravity Falls. We just had our 16th birthday party back in California. Grunkle Stan and Grunkle Ford planned a surprise party for us when we get back from Piedmont. I'm finally a few inches taller than my sister, and my hair is longer; my bangs completely cover my birthmark now. I've never worn a hat again since my freshman year, though I still have that cowlick. Me and Mabel have our little group at school with Candy, Grenda, and Pacifica. We never really talked to anyone else, as much as Mabel tried. We've all grown pretty close, sharing secrets and hanging out together outside of school. I haven't seen McGucket since that time I saw him frantically running through town. When I went to talk to him, he said he was busy and couldn't stop. Every time I go to visit he's always busy. There's definitely something up, so my goal this school year is to find out what he's been doing and hopefully I can finally ask him about anything suspicious in the Manor.
I close my journal and place under my pillow. Today was our first day of junior year, and it went the same as always. Jessica is still bullying our group, mainly Mabel. She's been bullying her since our first day freshman year. We've reported her multiple times, but since her family became the richest family in Gravity Falls, apart from Fiddleford, she just buys her way out of everything like Pacifica used to do. It's really taken a toll on Mabel, and I'm really worried about her. She doesn't talk as much and smiles a lot less. She doesn't bedazzle her school books or Waddles anymore and she keeps having nightmares. Sometimes she comes into my room and cries herself to sleep, which is heartbreaking to see. There have been times when I've cried with her, or times that I get so angry I punch the wall. I look at the wall above my bed. There are multiple dents in it. I sigh and sit up. What am I gonna do? I swore to Mabel I wouldn't tell anybody about this but I think she needs help. I don't want to see her hurt. I pick up my phone and go to my messages. Pacifica hasn't been messaging me as much as she used to. She never wants to talk about the past or her family, though I'm still trying to get it out of her. I decide to shoot her a text. Hey, wanna hang out?
*knock knock* My door opens and Mabel steps in. She's got a bag and she's in her pajamas.
"Hey, Dipper. I'm going to Grenda's house tonight. I'll see you at school tomorrow?"
I raise an eyebrow. "You're going like that? And on a school night?"
"Candy just got her licence, so she's coming pick me up. Love you, see you later." Before I can say anymore she closes the door. I look at my phone. 1 new message: Pacifica. I open it and roll my eyes. Not today. Homework and stuff. I scoff.It's the first day, we don't have homework. I'll just go to the Manor and try to talk to McGucket. I stand up and slip a shirt on. I grab my boots and walk out my room. I stop at the bottom of the stairs to put them on.
"Hey, Stan? I'm going to visit McGucket." I look over to the living room and see Stan and Ford holding a map of the world, arguing where they're going next. "Stan? Did you hear?" I finish lacing my boots and stand up.
"Huh? Yeah, yeah, have fun." He waves me away. I shake my head and walk out the door. It takes almost an hour to walk to the manor. When I get there, Mr. Preston and I go through the same routine as always at the gate. When I enter the house Mrs. Priscilla is there to welcome me, even though I insist she doesn't need to with how often I visit.
"Hi, Mrs. P. Where's Fiddleford?" I glance around.
"He's in his study. It's upstairs to the left. The fourth door."
"Okay, thank you so much. See you later." I wave her goodbye and start towards the giant staircase. Even though they're mostly bad people, I gotta hand it to the Northwests: they know how to design a house. I've only been up the stairs once, three years ago when I was hunting the lumberjack ghost. To the right and then...was it three doors or four? Or Five? I stop dead when I hear a weird noise coming from down the hall. That sounds like...crying? Confused, I continue down the hall toward the door the sobbing is coming from. I stop dead when I read the sign on the door. There, in big curvy letters, is the name: Pacifica. I put my ear to the door. The sobbing gets louder and I hold up a fist. Okay, don't get nervous, she's obviously upset. She needs someone to talk to. Right? I swallow the lump in my throat and quietly knock-no answer. I knock a little louder. Still no answer. "Pacifica?" I call softly. "It's me, Dipper." The sobbing continues. "I'm coming in," I say as I slowly open the door.
I look around the room, but see no one. The sobbing is a lot louder in here. I see another door and open it. Inside is a bathroom. And on the floor of the bathroom, covered in blood and curled in a ball, is Pacifica.