"Mabel is dead." Were Ford's words. The attic room of the Mystery Shack fell into silence. Dipper didn't believe a word of it. He looked at Ford as if to ask 'you're joking right?' but Ford didn't see him. Dipper started to worry, it was really hard to make Ford cry but right now, he was blubbing like a baby. Dipper marched out of the room with purpose, leaving his Grunkles alone in the attic. He walked into the living room and looked over towards the sofa. Mabel was lying on the sofa like she had been earlier, though now her chest and tummy were wrapped up in bandages, she almost looked like a half mummy. Dipper smiled, Mabel would probably enjoy looking like a mummy. Dipper made a mental note of the idea of a mummy, after all, Summerween was close and they still hadn't decided what they were dressing up as for trick or treating. After last year, Dipper had decided that he was still young enough to trick or treat a little longer. Kneeling beside the sofa was Wendy. She hadn't noticed Dipper walk in, she was looking at Mabel and gently running her fingers through Mabel's hair. Dipper walked over to them, kneeling beside Wendy who, upon noticing him, pulled her hand slowly away from Mabel and backed away giving him space to sit with his sister.

"Hey Mabel, it's me," Dipper said softly, placing his hand on Mabel's forehead. She was cold, too cold. But that was ok, it was just a reaction to whatever Bill did to her, she just needed to warm up. Dipper pulled the blanket over her again and decided he'd need to find an electric heater or something. He turned away from Mabel, ready to go searching for a heater when he noticed Wendy. She was sat against the wall with her knees beneath her chin and her face buried in her hands. "Wendy?" Dipper asked with concern.
"I'm... sorry..." Was all Wendy managed to say, her voice was muffled by her hands, but something about it didn't sound right.
"What for?" Dipper asked.
"I couldn't save her..." Wendy managed to say, after a pause she finally managed to look up at Dipper. Dipper's eyes widened with horror. Not only was Wendy crying, which she never did either, there was a look of guilt and helplessness in her eyes. This was Wendy, the girl who always had a plan and a 'never give up' kind of attitude yet, here she sat, she had no plan and she had definitely given up. Dipper walked back over to Mabel, sitting beside her once again. He looked down at her face, the face of the girl he'd grown up with his entire life, the girl who had made him laugh, the girl who had always been there for him, the girl who'd literally saved his life more times than he could count.
"Is she really... gone?" Dipper asked quietly unable to pull his eyes away from her lifeless form. The single word he received from Wendy as a reply was literally soul destroying, in more ways than could be imagined. That one word...
"Yes..."

Dipper walked into the attic, closing the door behind him, not even noticing that Stan and Ford had vanished. He flopped face first onto his bed and cried. For the first time since Bill had attacked Mabel, his emotions came pouring out, as did his tears. The truth had hit him, hard. He felt as if someone had just ripped out his heart and ripped it apart in front of his face. How could he face life without Mabel? He cried and cried until eventually, his tears stopped, not because he was any happier, just because he'd run out of tears to cry.


Dipper stayed in the attic for days barely moving. He refused to talk to anyone when they came to see him and he refused to eat when they brought him food. He became something of a husk, a former shell of himself. He felt empty on the inside as if someone had ripped out his soul. Stan, Ford and had made many attempts to break through and talk to Dipper with no success at all.

"Dipper?" Stan asked, walking into the attic again, he had a bowl of spaghetti bolognese in his hand. He knew that his attempts would be in vain, but he was going to attempt to talk to Dipper again. "I brought you up some dinner, you must be getting hungry..." There was no reply from Dipper. Stan placed the spaghetti on the end of Dipper's bed and sat next to him. Both Stan and Ford had been discussing getting a therapist or something to try and help bring Dipper back, at this rate they felt like they were losing him too. This was Stan's last chance to try and get through to him before they did that. "Please talk to me kiddo..." Stan asked desperately. There was a pause. Stan closed his eyes, he knew this wasn't going to work, so why was he trying?
"G-Grunkle Stan?" Dipper's small croaky voice caused Stan's eyes to instantly snap open, he looked at Dipper, who was looking back up at him with teary eyes. Stan couldn't believe it! He grabbed Dipper, embracing him tightly in his arms.
"Yes, Dipper?" Stan managed to ask, his emotions trying to choke his voice.
"It's my fault..." Dipper mumbled. Gradually, Dipper had started to feel an overwhelming emotion that sat alongside his depression and emptiness, guilt. If he had waited for Ford instead of trying to be a hero, maybe Mabel would still be alive. If he'd never made that deal with Bill... If he'd have noticed her coming... Tears rolled down Dipper's cheeks, he hadn't cried in ages, his emptiness hadn't allowed him to. Stan took Dipper by the shoulders.
"Look, Kid." He said gently but sternly. "None of this is your fault, you hear?"
"But Grunkle Stan, I let-"
"Dipper, none of this is your fault, so don't beat yourself up about it." Stan handed Dipper his spaghetti. "Here, have something to eat, it'll make you feel better." Dipper took the bowl, he hadn't noticed how hungry he was. "Th-thanks..." He said gratefully, though he still couldn't shake his guilt. "Dipper, if you ever need someone to talk to or anything, you can always come find me, ok?" Stan told Dipper softly.
"Thanks, Grungle Stan," Dipper said, slurping up a strand of Spaghetti. He wiped his tear stained cheeks. He had been stupid, trying to go through everything that was going on by locking himself away. The only way he was going to survive this was if he stayed close to those who cared about him. Besides, it must be tough on everyone else as well. Stan stood up, feeling as if he'd overstayed his welcome.
"I'll be downstairs if you need me..." He said awkwardly.
"I-I'm gonna come with you..." Dipper mumbled. Stan's face lit up.
"C'mon then." He said wrapping his arm around Dipper gently.

The two emerged into the living room, Soos and Melody were sat on the sofa, Melody was embracing Soos. They'd returned to the shack after Dipper had gone upstairs and the news had hit them both rather hard, especially Soos. Dipper looked between them, trying not to think about the fact that the last time he was downstairs Mabel was lying on that sofa.
"Wh-where's Mabel?" He asked Stan quietly. Stan looked down at Dipper, thinking of how he should explain it.


Ford emerged from a stairway that was built under a tree in the forest. As he stepped away the tree rose upwards concealing the stairway from view. He had a lot of work to do. He took off in the direction of the Mystery Shack.


This chapter took me for EVER! For which I am truly sorry, it also didn't end up at all like I was hoping, but I hope that it's at least ok! I'm hoping to get the next chapter up much sooner than this one! Thank you all again! 3