Author's Note: I'm back! Sorry again a thousand times sorry. My internet is still off and will be for the foreseeable future so I'm using the wifi off of my phone to post. Also my computer had crashed and I only recently got it back to working order so here is another chapter for you! Thank you! Read, review and enjoy!
I awoke, the sound of my scream echoing around my room hollowly. My body was covered in sweat, my hair sticking to my skin as I pulled the blankets around my body tightly while tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. Looking around I realized that I was in bed and Bill was nowhere in sight.
My limbs shook violently as I pulled my body tightly together in a fetal position, head between my knees, tears streaming nonstop down my face. I sat there until my eyes refused to produce anymore tears and the shaking settled down to a more manageable tremor. I was glad that Bill was not anywhere around me at the moment. I ran a hand through my hair and made my way out of the bedroom where I noticed that Bill had left me a note on the counter as well as a set of keys.
"Had to get up and do some business early this morning but left a few boxes for you to use to move all of your stuff over to the house today if you'd like. I probably won't see you tonight either but I'll let you know later if I get done with my business early or not. Left you a card inside the envelope for you to use for whatever you need for the house. Go wild my poison. There's no limit." I looked inside the envelope and saw a credit card just as he had said there would be, just as there were several moving boxes leaning up against the wall next to me and some packing tape.
A shiver ran up my spine like I was being watched but I knew that I was alone. So shaking it off I started getting things put into boxes which only took about an hour seeing as how I had pretty much only bought myself some clothes and other such necessities after moving here and most of everything else I had brought with me was still in their boxes for the most part.
After showering and cleaning up I packed everything into my car and went to the house which was just simply adorable to say the least. Within minutes everything was unpacked and I was sitting in a mostly empty house, alone. The feeling of dread snuck up on me and I made myself busy by making a list of things I needed to get from the mall just outside of town to make this house feel more like mine.
When I was done with that I called up Mabel on the phone. "Hey girl what's happenin?" She answered with her usual cheery tone although I could tell she was really busy at the moment. "Hey so I rented a place and was wondering if maybe you'd like to go to the mall with me to get a few things?" I asked and she quickly apologized.
"I would love to! But sadly I'm on duty here at the shack and it's looking like it's a busy day. But I think Dipper would like to go with you?" She handed the phone over to her brother as Dipper answered, "Wait what am I doing? Hey Mira." I smiled into the phone and brushed my hand through my hair again.
"I know it's kind of girlie but I don't really want to go alone if I can help it, so would you like to come to the mall with me if you're not busy?" I asked him and he was quietly talking to Mabel, saying things that I couldn't understand from my side of the line but I assumed he was asking her if it was alright if he went with.
"Yeah I don't mind. Grunkle Stan has the car today so would you mind picking me up? I'll buy lunch." I agreed and hung up the phone before heading back out to my car and driving the fifteen minutes it took to get to the Mystery Shack where Dipper was hanging outside talking with Soos casually while tourists took in the attractions.
I waved to Soos as Dipper got into the car, pulling his signature cap square onto his head, giving me a friendly smile in greeting. "So you moved out of the hotel?" I nodded and headed out towards the direction of the mall. "Yeah. Bill is letting me rent his parent's house but I need stuff like bed sheets and pots and pans and stuff you know." I could tell Dipper was looking at me with careful skepticism but was glad he didn't exactly voice his full opinion to me just yet.
"You guys spend an awful lot of time together don't you? I mean seems kind of convenient that he's got all of this stuff just laying around for you to use. I don't want to overstep my bounds here but something seems a little fishy about him." I sighed and felt that twinge of doubt creeping up in my stomach again.
"Yeah I suppose you're right. He's just so mysterious. I don't really know a whole ton about him but he sure as hell knows my whole life story. I swear whenever we are around one another it's like he just sits there and listens to me chat about anything and everything, always staring at me as if what I'm saying is the most interesting thing in the world. When I'm with him nothing else matters, time stands still, and all thoughts or doubts just poof out of my head and then there are the nightmares." I slammed my mouth shut immediately, not intending for him to hear about my nightmares, considering he was dead in them.
"You know I've never been all that good with relationships, even now I'm struggling to get this one girl to notice me. But if Mabel ever taught me anything it's that you've got to talk about these things with the one you're interested in. You just have to jump in both feet and deal with the consequences no matter what they might be." I pulled into a parking spot and turned off the car but didn't move just yet.
"And I also know from personal experience that you've got to talk about whatever is bothering you and causing your nightmares with anyone. I still have nightmares from things that've happened here." Dipper and I sat in silence for several moments before he sighed and grabbed my hand tightly. "You've always got me and Mabel. Family is forever." He smiled at me and my mood lifted slightly.
"Now let's get some shopping done!" He hopped out of my car and we were off to do shopping for my new place. Dipper and I made our way through the shops, each of us sharing the burden of bags on top of a small cart that held my new collection of cookware. "Let's take a break and get something to eat. I'm starving." Dipper suggested and we made our way to the food court, quickly getting our food and finding a seat in the large dining area.
After a few bites in silence I could tell that Dipper was wanting to talk to me about something. "What's on your mind Dipper?" I asked, taking a sip of my soda and looking at my cousin. "Well I was wondering if you could give me some advice with this girl that I'm interested in." He rubbed the back of his neck, a slight flush to his cheeks, his eyes avoiding mine. I chuckled and leaned forward on my elbows.
"What's your problem with this lady of yours?" I took another sip and watched as Dipper fumbled around for the right words. "Well, her name is Pacifica and she's kind of like the only rich kid in this town you know. And we've been hanging out a lot more recently and I feel really comfortable around her but I'm not really sure what I should do to maybe get her to notice that I'm interested in her. I mean she is super pretty and sure she can be a little rough around the edges but she's a nice person and I'd really like to get into the whole relationship thing. I just really don't know what else to do."
I leaned back and rolled my eyes playfully while brushing my hair back from my face. "Have you actually asked her how she feels about you? I'll let you in on a little secret about us girls. We spend so much time in our own heads that sometimes we forget to focus on what's really going on out here in the real world. Sometimes all it takes is a direct question to bring us back to earth you know? Just flat out, take her to a nice little dinner, go for a walk, and tell her exactly how you feel about her." Dipper looked at me as if I was insane.
"Just ask her? Are you crazy? That's like suicide! How could I possibly even bring up the subject casually in a conversation?" Dipper looked as if he was going to have a heart attack which made me laugh softly. "Yes Dipper you just have to ask her! There's no easy way of just slipping it into the conversation, trust me! Seriously the worst thing she could say is no, she's not interested in going any further." I chuckled again at the look of absolute terror on his face.
"Exactly! That is the worst thing she could possibly say! Please don't grow up to be a motivational speaker Mira." I rolled my eyes and looked at my plastic cup filled with soda. "I am pretty sure that's not in my future so no worries there. But I'm being dead serious here. Chances are if she is spending large amounts of time with you, is in contact with you on a more than regular basis through all the technology we have nowadays, laughs at your jokes, seems comfortable around you and is slightly different around you than she is around other people of her peer group then she is interested in you and is waiting for you to make the move. Girls love chivalry and being bold and open about things that society doesn't think is acceptable for men. Go for it. And if it doesn't work out then you can crash at my place till you feel better." I looked up at Dipper only to feel a pang of fear creep over my chest at the sight of gold just behind him.
I had no idea why I suddenly found myself unable to move, my mouth dry and my heart still in my chest as I saw Bill sauntering his way towards us, a smug and dangerous look on his face. "Mira? What's the matter?" Dipper asked, concern in his face, unaware of Bill walking up behind him. "I thought I recognized my delectable poisonous flower sitting here. Hello Mira darling."
Bill announced his presence and took a seat languidly beside me, his long legs brushing against mine, startling me out of my reverie in such a way that it reminded me of the moment when you finally reach the surface of the water and precious air makes its way into your lungs in a huge rush. "What are you doing here? I thought you were supposed to be dealing with some business all day today?" I asked, temporarily forgetting all about Dipper's confused and slightly guarded looks he was swinging my way.
Bill shrugged and used one of his gloved hands to brush back a stray hair behind my ear, fingertips tracing my jaw line to my chin. "Well turns out my business took a lunch break and so I figured I was in the area and thought I'd stretch my legs a bit. And who is this?" Bill turned his one eye towards Dipper who furrowed his brow at him for reasons I couldn't understand.
"This is my cousin Dipper. I asked him to come along with me today to keep me company while I pick up a few things for the house." I introduced the two of them but I could sense the strange tension so thick that I could cut it with a knife. Bill looked as though he was a cat eyeballing his prey, everything about his body language just teemed of barely contained energy, waiting to spring and pounce.
Dipper looked as if he was backed into a corner of some sort, puffing out his body to seem bigger and more intimidating to his attacker but Bill was just too strong. It was silent for an eternity before Bill nodded in Dipper's direction. "Pleasure to finally meet you Dipper. Nice hat. Pinetree. Don't they sell those somewhere around here?" I could see a flash of confused recognition in Dipper's eyes but it was quickly replaced with coldness.
"You must be Mira's boyfriend. Thanks for taking her in and giving her a job even though we would have been happy to assist if we had known." There was a hint of venom in Dipper's voice that I had never heard before but it didn't seem to bother Bill one bit, in fact it seemed to make the smug look on his face even more so if that was even possible.
"I'm sure you would have. But you didn't and there's no reason you could have. Mira's been a positively delightful companion, very helpful, and…pleasant in so many ways." Bill winked at me, a flutter in my chest alerting me that I was still in fact alive. "You better be good to her. You mess with her and you mess with my family. So don't you dare ever hurt her." Bill chuckled and moved to kiss my cheek which made me flush a bright red.
"I wouldn't dream of it Pine tree. As a matter of fact I do believe she will be the one who will be doing the hurting in the long run. She is poisonous after all. Intoxicating." I could feel his warm breath rush over my skin, sending goose bumps over my arms, my hair standing on end. I felt completely paralyzed with both fear and that twisting sensation I always got in my stomach whenever Bill was close. "Your concern for your cousin is sweet but I assure you, I'm not a threat to you in any way." Bill kissed my neck, a powerful feeling of possessiveness coming from him in waves.
"I suppose I've spent enough time wandering around. Better to not keep my prior engagement waiting any longer than they have to. Nice to meet you Pine tree, Dipper. Look out for my beloved poison here will you? Take care!" And just like that Bill made his exit, sauntering out the same way he had entered.
A flash of my nightmare came shooting up into my consciousness causing whatever breath was left in my body to be sucked out. Flames, Dipper laying on the ground lifeless, smoke, the bag under my arms, heavy with whatever was inside. All of a sudden I felt a warmth make its way down my cheek, Dipper looking at me with concern and fear in his eyes as he moved to my side.
"Mira? It'll be alright. Whatever it is we will get through it I promise." He grabbed me and pulled me into a warm hug but the tears kept coming. "Bill seems dangerous. I don't trust him one bit." I heard Dipper whisper as he rubbed my back in comforting circles. I couldn't answer as more images from my nightmares continued to run across my vision. "It's like he's gold plated, good on the outside but something else on the inside." I held onto Dipper tighter as he spoke the same words I was thinking on the inside.
