Dipper winced as he stood up and stretched for the first time in days. His stiches didn't bother him as badly as the dull ache in his bones. He sighed after groaning with discomfort.

Stan looked up at him as he heard the muted sound of joints popping.

"You okay, kid?"

"Uh, huh. Just gotta go out and walk around for a while."

"You up for it?"

"Yeah, but I won't be long."

"You know I don't mind you two going out and having a good time. You've just got to be home by sundown. Here me?"

"Yes, sir, Grunkle Stan."

The barely survived choking on his coffee.

"Grunkle Stan, are you okay?"

"You don't have to call me sir. Never do it, actually."

"Oh, okay. Sorry."

Dipper walked out into the warm, humid forest that enveloped the family into seclusion. He smiled as the sunlight finally touched his face. His eyes watered with discomfort of the adjustment to the light. Energy seemed to explode in him the more sunlight he encountered. The birds sang and the wind blew, carrying their songs for miles. His walk became a jog the more he familiarized himself to the rugged terrain beneath his feet.

A full on sprint ripped through the boy's legs as his heart rate increased with excitement of freedom. He became blind to his surroundings as used a dull instinct to carry him.

The city boy ran face first into a misplaced tree in the faint path.

What shocked the boy even more than the pain of his impact and fall was the metallic slap that roared into the atmosphere.

"What?" he whispered quietly, as if someone was with him. Someone he had to keep a secret from.

He caressed the false pine tree with careful precision. Dipper felt a small gap to reveal a small thingy with buttons like a typewriter.

His curiosity caused him to push every button, one at a time. Suddenly, he heard something rise from the ground behind him.

He held his breath in fear of what this futuristic thing had brought upon him.


A/N: Sorry, freshman year takes up a lot of time. I promise a quick update, though. Just wait for summer! You guys, my lovelies, will be my life!

Until next time!