By the time Bill had finished dishes, Stan and the kids had joined them back in the kitchen. Stan had helped Wendy and Soos open the gift shop then left them to it so he could spend some time with the kids. Dipper and Mabel had brought their backpacks down the stairs and had set them on the kitchen table.

It was quickly decided that they would go spend time at the waterpark and, since Bill couldn't be in public, Bill was locked in his room with a water bottle and a baloney sandwich.

The kids smiled as they slid into the red car that was their grunkle's. They hadn't been to the water park since the beginning of the summer.

"You think it will be crowded?" Ford asked as Stan started the car and pulled out of the parking space.

"Who knows? It's the end of summer so it could be, but people could be getting ready to go back to school." Stan said and took off down the road. They arrived quickly and Ford paid for their admittance and they went in.

It was only mildly busy which, in retrospect, made sense due to the heat. The kids were quick to jump into the water and Stan followed soon after. Ford hesitated once he got a glance at the germ infested, urine filled pool.

"Come on, Poindexter!" Stan called.

Ford grimaced, "You know, I think I'll just sit in the shade"

Mabel awed and Stan called him a chicken. He didn't notice until it was too late that Dipper had sneaked up behind him with the intents of pushing him into the pool. He quickly surfaced and spat to rid his mouth of the chlorine flavored liquid.

The three laughed at his expense and he soon found himself laughing along with them.

The family played until noon where they then pulled out a lunch and ate at the poolside. Dipper was getting into a conversation with Ford on his theories of microscopic monsters living in the pool when Stan heard Mabel sigh as she finished off a bite of her sandwich.

"What the matter, Pumpkin?" Stan asked, setting down his sandwich in exchange for a half-full can of soda.

Mabel looked up at him then set her sandwich down. "I just feel bad for Bill."

Stan nearly choked on the carbonated syrup. He sputtered and took a deep breath before speaking, "You don't have to feel bad for him."

"I know I shouldn't," Mabel said, looking over to the pool, "but I feel bad swimming and having fun while he's stuck in the basement with nothing to do."

Stan sighed. Mabel was a sweet girl. Her and her brother had been the only two people to stand up for Bill when he had first been turned human. He was sure Bill appreciated that at least a little. In any case, he couldn't stand to see her down, no matter what it was about. He could humor her for a little if that's what it took to get the smile back on her face.

"Why don't we head home after lunch? We can grab some ice cream on the way home so that Bill gets to participate as well, hm?" He asked, smiling down at his great niece.

Mabel smiled back and nodded, "Okay, but only if it's rainbow sherbet."

Nearly a quarter after one, the four of them packed up and headed home, stopping by the convenience store for the treat. They'd only have a short time to eat it before the bus came so they'd have to hurry.


Bill grunted as he forced the knife into the wood, creating a notch that would eventually spell out an ancient word. His sandwich had been left, entirely forgotten in his haste to finish his circle. Not thirty minutes after the Pines' had left, Bill had gotten back to work on his display. It was so much easier to work in the daylight because he could actually see what he was doing, but the danger was greater. He knew Wendy and Soos stood nearly right above him, greeting travelers as they entered the tacky gift shop. He knew he had to try and stay quiet to keep them from hearing him, but he couldn't stop the escaping sound that came with exhaustion.

The knife slammed down again and Bill grunted once more. The already weak blade of the butter knife had quickly dulled as he used it against its intended purpose. It was becoming harder to make visible changes in the wood and he wondered if the splintered bits would actually work for his plans.

No.

They had to work.

He was almost done. He could practically feel his freedom already. Bill shoved the knife in for the last time and tossed it behind him.

"What are you doing?"

Bill's stomach dropped and he turned to see Stan standing in the door and quickly approaching. Lost in his trance of finishing, he hadn't even heard the approaching man nor the opening door.

He swallowed down his heart and placed both hands onto the edges of the circle. It glowed faintly green then died as his hands were forced away. He looked back just in time to see Stan had pulled him by his shoulder. The aged man's eyes were fury as he nearly threw Bill over the bed and across the room. Bill grunted on impact.

"Wait!" Bill shouted as Stan bent down to look at the carving, "It's not what it looks like!" He quickly rushed to stop the man. He pulled on Stan's arm just to be pushed away again. He skidded across the floor nearly a yard and came to a stop just short of the wall.

Stan stared at it a moment before his shoulder blades tensed and he turned with rage in his eyes. He moved over to the door, eyes locked on Bill.

"Ford, get down here!" he shouted.

It didn't take long for Ford to walk down the stairs and nonchalantly into the room. His eyes darkened the moment he felt the tension. He walked over to where Stan was pointing and bent down to examine the etchings.

"This is- You were trying to open a portal!" Ford accused stomping over to Bill. Bill quickly stood and his arms raised in defense as he stepped back to match the man's pace. He tripped over his feet and caught himself just as Ford reached him, Stan close behind.

Bill's eyes filled with tears and his hands raised if only to keep the twins back slightly, "Please" he begged, though he didn't know for sure what he was begging for. Let me finish. Don't hurt me. Let me go. Any of these were valid continuations.

Stan drew back his fist and punched Bill in the jaw. The demon couldn't hold back the cry of pain as he toppled to the side. Stan was so much stronger than Wendy. Ford grabbed at the collar of his shirt and pulled him close to his face.

"Did you think we wouldn't find out?" Ford yelled, feeling satisfied when spittle landed on Bill's cheek. The demon didn't dare try to remove it.

Ford shook the demon, "Well!?" He shouted, "I expect an answer!"

"I-I" Bill stumbled, trying to form an even slightly intelligent sentence.

Ford lost his patience. "This is not the end if this." He spat and threw Bill's head back to collide with the wall. He looked up to his twin, "Watch him"

Assured that Bill was in capable hands, Ford stood and left the room, walking up the stairs to find the twins staring with wide eyes at the doorway that lead to the basement.

"Great Uncle Ford, what's going on down there?" Dipper asked, looking to Ford with pleading eyes. Mabel sobbed once and quickly covered her mouth with her hand. Ford shook his head and headed outside to the shed. He quickly grabbed his instrument of choice and headed back in.

Mabel whimpered at the sight of the ax but didn't otherwise speak as Ford descended the stairs. He wasn't surprised when they followed behind.

"You're gonna use that?" Stan nearly shouted as Ford entered the room. Bill saw the object and became increasingly more vocal, backing himself into the corner. The kids had the right enough mind to stay out off the room but watched silently from the doorway.

"Stanford, calm down please!" Bill begged when Ford started walking farther into the room.

"Would you shut up!" Ford yelled at Bill, who clamped his jaw and squeezed his eyes shut. Ford otherwise ignored Bill, turning back to his brother to answer his question, "What do you expect me to do?! We can't just leave it!"

"Yeah, but maybe this isn't the way to go!" Stan yelled back, becoming just as heated as Ford. He didn't like the way Ford was treating Bill like an object instead of a living being. It was only for objects.

"You don't understand! It can't stay here!"

"Ford, listen to me, I understand you're mad, but you can't do this with the kids here" Stan said, ever so slightly quieter than a minute ago as he tried to calm Ford before he did something rash. "You're scared, we all are, but you can't just do this!"

"Watch me." Ford sneered.

A/N

I am so mean, I know...

Okay guys, this mark the beginning of my school semester, so for the most part my posting days are going to shift to Friday. I'll try to post the next chapter earlier next week because I know I left you on a nasty cliffhanger, but just bare with me as I work through the transition. Seriously guys, I'm a home schooler going to college... I have no idea if what I'm doing is correct 99% of the time. It's exhilarating.

As always, comments are much appreciated and feel free to follow the story for later updates.

See you next time!