Part Nine

The second day of work for the mill had started to get a bit easier as Dipper and Mabel worked the two-man saw. They noticed that pain from their first work day was now gone and could feel their arms had become a bit stronger.

"Huh.. I guess she was RIGHT about getting stronger.." Dipper muttered softly.

"Yeah.. I think you're right, Dipper." Mabel smiled.

They managed to finish cutting and with Wendy and her brothers' help, they were able to get much of the work done. Dipper and Mabel noticed Wendy was rather talkative as they worked. After finishing their work, Mabel, Dipper, and the Corduroys went to get a drink from the pump while Manly Dan began debarking the tree trunks.

"You guys did great today.." Wendy smiled.

"Glad to see you're okay, Wendy." Mabel smiled

"Heh.. Thanks.." Wendy returned her smile. "It's thanks to Dipper that I'm feeling a bit better."

Mabel glanced over at her brother and he smiled. Mabel looked a little confused at first but soon returned his smile.

"Anyway, thanks for the gift, guys." Wendy grinned. "It will DEFFINATELY be put to good use!"

"We're glad you like it, Wendy." Dipper replied.

"So.. Since we're pretty much done for the day, would you guys like to do?" asked Wendy.

Mabel soon grinned widely.

"Well, Dipper mentioned going to visit someone.." Mabel implied.

Dipper's eyes went wide in surprise, soon realizing what she was talking about.

"Are you sure about this, Mabel? I still don't trust that guy.."

"C'mon Dipper! He's all by himself!" Mabel insisted. "PLEEEASE?"

"Okay, okay!" Dipper smiled softly.

He soon turned to Wendy.

"Would you mind coming with us, Wendy? We.. Kinda still don't know the woods very well.." Dipper admitted, rubbing the back of his head.

"Sure, man." Wendy grinned. "Just let me get some stuff.."

Wendy went inside and after a few moments, she returned, carrying her axe.

"Just in case we run into any wild animals in the forest.. This area is known to have coyotes and wolves.. Even though they rarely attack people, we can't be too careful.." Wendy stated.

The twins nodded and soon they began to head off into the forest.

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After an hour or so walking, the trio soon arrived at the old cabin Dipper and Mabel had found two nights before. Dipper took a breath before he walked up the front porch of the dwelling. He made a cursory glance at the girls behind him. Mabel nodded while gave him a thumbs up with a smile. Dipper soon nodded in response and turned back toward the door, giving it a few tentative knocks.

"Yeah, who IS it!?" a voice shouted from inside.

Before Dipper could say anything the door was flung open, revealing an annoyed Stanley at the door.

"YOU again.." he grunted. "How many times I gotta TELL you I don't want any VISITERS?"

"L-look.. We just wanted to talk." Dipper tried to explain.

"Well, I'm not UP for talking so BEAT it!"

The shout caused Dipper and Mabel to flinch. At that moment, Wendy's expression grew dark and she stormed up onto the porch.

"LISTEN to me, you grouchy old man! These kids came all this way to VISIT you! Just because you live in the forest alone DOESN'T mean you can treat them like TRASH!" Wendy shouted in a flash of rage. She was not going to stand by while this man treated her friends like garbage.

"Alright, alright, sheesh!" Stan responded, throwing his hands up in defense. "Ugh.. Fine.. You can come in.. But don't TOUCH anything!"

Stanley turned to go back in and Wendy nodded with satisfaction. She then turned back to Dipper and she smiled. Dipper soon returned it and soon the trio made their way inside. They looked all around, surprised to see rather unusual artifacts that decorated much of the room. As they were led into the next room, Stanley took a seat in the nearby worn out arm chair. while Dipper, Mabel, and Wendy sat on the floor.

"Alright, so you're here.. What do you want?" Stanley grumbled.

"Well.. Wendy said you lived here all alone and well.." Mabel began.

"Yeah, I live alone, so WHAT?" Stanley glowered.

He stopped the instant he noticed Wendy's hard look. She then turned to Mabel with a softer expression and nodded, signaling her to continue.

"Well, we thought it was sad that you would be here all alone.." Mabel continued. "We wanted to visit you so you had someone to talk to.." she concluded.

For once, Stanley was at a loss of words. He had not expected three kids to go out of their way just to keep him company.

"Ehh.. Look kid.." Stanley began slowly. "It was nice of you to visit.. But I'm not cut out for this.."

"What do you mean?" asked Dipper, confused.

"It's complicated.." Stanley said quickly.

The trio gave him a puzzled look. That was when Mabel noticed something sitting on the nearby end table.

"Who's that?" she asked.

As she went to pick up the photo, Stanley grabbed her by the wrist.

"What did I SAY about TOUCHING?" Stanley warned.

Mabel pulled back a bit fearfully and Stanley soon let go as he saw the pained look on her face.

"You should go.." Stanley finally said, turning away from them.

The three noticed there wasn't a coldness in his tone. In fact, the tone seemed.. Sad..

"M-Mr. Stanley?" asked Mabel.

"Please just..!" Stanley sighed. "Just go.."

Wendy and Dipper were surprised by the sadness in his voice, but nonetheless, did as they were told. Mabel was about to follow them but she stopped. She turned on her heals and gave him a tight hug around the chest before turning around and joining her brother and Wendy at the door. Stanley watched them leave. A deep frown forming as he watched them walk out of the cabin.

Author's Note: This took a bit of time because my parents have been having me work around the house to get ready for the winter.. -.-;; But I will try to get more up soon.