Chapter Twelve:

"Well, welcome back to the world of the living, kid," Stan cheered as he slapped Pacifica on the back. Pacifica winced as her stitches began to sting.

"Thanks," she murmured through clinched teeth as she stepped into the courtyard of the hotel.

"You're back just in time to help us hunt down the chupacabras."

"That's cool," Pacifica answered as Ford came down the stairs while sealing a couple of envelopes.

"I've just gotta mail these off, and we'll be ready to go," he said as he stepped towards the lobby. Pacifica mounted the stairs and made her way to her room. She opened the door and then screeched as she saw a gigantic spider crawling across her floor.

"Pacifica?" Dipper asked as she walked out of his room. "What's wrong-HOLY CRAP!"

He jumped back, and leaned over the railing to yell "Stan! Ford! Someone come kill this!"

"Dipper?" Ford came up the stairs. "What is-OH MY STARS! STANLEY!"

"I'm comin', I'm comin'," Stan grumbled as he trudged to the second floor. "What's the-"

Stan looked into the room, and rolled his eyes. "Aw, c'mon, you bunch of babies." Stan went to his room and came out with a net to catch the spider.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

"…and you all just acted like a bunch of pansies!" Stan chuckled as he drove into the desert.

"You don't have to keep reminding us, Stanley," Ford sighed.

Pacifica slumped in her seat as they drove further and further into the desert.

"C'mon, it was hilarious!" Stan cheered. "All of you curled up in a shuddering on the balcony as if the thing was holding y'all at gunpoint!"

"Well, whadaya know, we're here!" Dipper suddenly cut off Stan's teasing as a cave came into view. Stan parked the jeep and they all climbed out.

"So the chupacabras live in there?"

"They did last time we were here," Dipper answered as he began prepping the cameras.

"And we're just going to waltz right in there?"

"Yup," he handed her a utility belt that she strapped around her waist.

"Great, I just got out the hospital for nearly being one monster's lunch, now I'm just gonna go right back!"

"Nah," Dipper shook his head. "Chupacabras are smaller than El Cuco, so they'll be easier to fight off. Besides they're nocturnal, so they'll probably be asleep."

"But let's not take any chances," Ford said as he handed Pacifica the same knife she'd used to stab El Cuco in the eye. "I think it's safe to say you know how to handle this."

Pacifica took it from him and attached it to her belt. "Thanks," she smiled.

"Alright, let's head in," Ford called as Dipper handed her a headlamp and camera. Pacifica decided to take the rear of the group as she flipped on her lamp and turned on her camera. She began filming the cave as they went in, guessing that some shots of the environment.

"Hey, look at this," Ford called from the front. Pacific stood on her tip-toes to look over the broad shoulders of the men in front of her. Lying in a small pile were a couple of skeletons.

"Looks like something has wiped our chupacabra family out."

"Aw," Pacifica cried. "Poor things."

Stan sighed. "Well, take the skeletons back I guess."

"Not much else we can do," Ford agreed as he pulled an evidence bag out of his belt. "Besides, I think we'll learn more from this than we will a video. Stan, help me out. Dipper, Pacifica, no need for the two of you to be trapped down here, you can go back to the jeep."

Dipper nodded and led Pacifica back out of the cave.

"Well that was disappointing and exciting at the same time," he sighed as he walked over to the jeep and settled down in its shade. Pacifica sat down next to him.

"Does this kind of thing happen a lot?"

"As in unexpected results? Yeah, all the time," Dipper took up his canteen, unscrewed it, and took a gulp, he handed it to Pacifica who smiled in gratitude as she took a drink.

She ran a had over the stitching on her neck in discomfort.

"Itching?" Dipper asked.

"Yeah," Pacifica sighed as she leaned against the jeep. "Guess that's expected, though. It's better then not getting stitches."

She suddenly stiffened and turned away from Dipper so he couldn't see her embarrassment. "Not…not that I'd know."

Dipper sighed. "If you don't wanna talk about it, just say so. I already know about the cigar burns, bruisings, bell, and lock-ins, so gashes wouldn't surprise me."

Pacifica sighed. "Okay, I don't want to talk about it."

"Talk about what?" Dipper faked obliviousness as he took another sip of water. Pacifica smiled. Somehow he always knew when to push her for information and when to let her be. In fact he always seemed to know what she needed. In the month she'd been on the team he'd seemed to know what she always needed exactly when she needed it. When she needed help with her sheets, when she needed a cold shoulder after doing something stupid, when she needed a morale booster with her favorite thing, gems! (though he still hadn't told her what he was doing with those pearls). She didn't know how he did it, but she appreciated it.

"Uh-oh," Dipper suddenly gasped as he stood to his feet.

"What?" Pacifica asked as she jumped up. Dipper pointed to a hill. Pacifica turned and looked, and saw a group of thin, dog-looking creatures with spikes growing out of their backs were coming over the hill.

"They're not all dead," Dipper gasped. "C'mon, we gotta distract them so they don't go in the cave to Stan and Ford."

He grabbed her hand and pulled her behind him as he headed towards the hill. He let go, picked up a rock, and threw it at the chupacabra that seemed to be in the lead.

"Hey!" he screamed. The rock his the alpha in the leg, causing him to growl and glare at the two young people.

"Okay, let's go!" Dipper grabbed Pacifica's hand again and took off running, all but dragging her behind him. The chupacabras began howling and chasing after them.

"I thought you said they're nocturnal!" Pacifica cried as she pumped her legs.

"They are!" Dipper cried.

"Then why are they out during the day."

"I dunno, desperate for food I guess."

"Oh, terrific!" Pacifica cried as she realized that more than likely put them on the menu.

"Over here!" Dipper pulled her to the side and dragged her into a pit with muddy water in the bottom of it. They ducked down as the chupacabras ran passed them. As the last of the pack scampered passed they let out a sigh of relief, only to here a hissing noise coming from behind them. They both turned to find a gigantic snake slithering up to them.

"Run!" Dipper screeched as he jumped out of the pit and carried Pacifica up with him.

"Of course run! Do you think I'm an idiot?" Pacifica yelled as they raced back to the jeep. When they arrived they found Stan and Ford had exited the cave-

-and were fighting off the chupacabras that had returned.

"Well, that worked!" Pacifica cried sarcastically.

"Come on, we've gotta help them!" Dipper said as he raced towards the fight. Pacifica followed after him, pulling out her knife as she did so. One of the chupacabras saw her and lunged at her. She swung the knife, catching it in the face. Another ran towards her and she kicked it in the face. A third jumped towards her head, but she ducked just in time for it to miss. A rough hand suddenly grabbed the scruff of her shirt as Stan pulled her into the speeding away jeep.

"Gotcha!" he cried as he tossed her in the back. Pacifica gasped to actch her breath and Ford leaned out the window, filming the chupacabras chasing after them.

"Incredible, tey are hunting in a patter similar to-"

"Patterns-Shmatterns!" Stan called as he grabbed Ford by his belt and tried to pull him back into the jeep. "Get your butt back in here!"

"Let me go, the University specifically said it wanted video evidence."

"Well I'm specifically saying I want my brother in one piece! Besides, we've got skeletons!"

"You know how specific they are!"

"Yeah, but do they know how specific my fists are?"

"That doesn't even make any sense!"

"It does if you don't overthink it."

Pacifica turned and looked back to see the chupacabras still chasing after them, but loosing ground quickly. Within a few minutes they were out of sight. Pacifica let out a sigh of relief and began to chuckle.

"Wow, that was…that was…"

"Cool?" Dipper suggested.

"Amazing! Oh, my gosh, did you see how many of those things there were? And how we outran them? And I got two in the face! And we ran into a snake-"

"Aw, heck no!" Stan cried out. "I'm not dealing with snakes on top of blood sucking canines!"

Pacifica just laughed as she leaned back in her chair.

"I know, I shouldn't be happy about nearly getting killed but, oh my gosh! I've never felt so…so…I don't know…vitalized!"

Dipper chuckled as he set his hands behind his head and propped his feet on the back of Stan's seat. "And that, my dear, is what we like to call, real living."

"Hey, you wanna keep living, get your stinky toes out of my face," Stan called.

"Oh, yeah?" Dipper challenged as he jammed his feet right under Stan's nose.

"Kid! I'm warning you! I will pull this car over right now!"

Dipper laughed as he set his feet down and turned to Pacifica. His face grew concerned as he reached out and touched the stitching on her neck. "Pacifica, your stitches are bleeding."

Pacifica put a hand to her neck and felt a stickiness lying there.

"Here," Dipper pulled out a first aid kit. He took out a bit of gauze, and poured some water from his canteen onto it. He then began dabbing at the stitches on her neck, and wrists, he hesitated as he reached for her shoulder, which was covered by the sleeve of her t-shirt.

"May I?" he asked politely.

Pacifica nodded. Dipper pushed the sleeve down and began dabbing at the stitching to take away the blood. Once he'd finished, he grabbed her foot, set it in his lap, took off the hiking boot and sock, and cleaned off the stitching on her heel.

Pacifica smiled. Yeah, he always knew what she needed, and he never hesitated to give it to her. As soon as he finished, he replaced the sock and shoe, and his phone went off.

Dipper pulled it out, a smile grew on his face as he answered. "Hey, Mabel…yeah, Pacifica's with me…what…" his smile disappeared. Pacifica grew uneasy.

"…but why would they…he what…that idiot! Well, no one is believing any of this crap, right?..." he suddenly grinned and let out a small chuckle. "Mabel, you are the bomb…please do not put that on any of your merchandise…okay, just 'you're the bomb' is okay…so, is there any search party…"

Search party? Pacifica's insides grew cold. They were still looking for her?

"…well, that's good I guess…" Dipper sighed. "I dunno Mabel, I dunno if that's best for her…well, here, you explain it to her."

Dipper handed the phone to Pacifica. "Hello?"

"Pazzy! We got a huge situation here!" Mabel called from the other line. "Your stupid parents somehow got a spot on Toby Determined's show. And they were going on and on about how you'd just disappeared, and they were so sad, and how they had no clue what had happened, and just wanted their little angel back. Of course, your's truly, called in and put everything straight. Then I talked to Sheriff Blubbs, and he called in a little later and backed me up. So far, everyone in Gravity Falls is believing us not them, but you gotta call them and tell them to leave you alone, Pacifica! I don't think they're gonna let up on this search until they hear it from your mouth! They said so on TV. And they still have their rich friends looking for you, and that creep Zachary is whining to everyone how he didn't even get a small taste of it! Yeah, you gotta tell them to cut it out!"

"But-But, they won't listen to me!" Pacifica cried. "And if I call they'll just get my number and be able to track me."

"Don't worry, I think Grunkle Ford has some sort of shadow phone that won't let that happen. But you gotta try, Pacifica. If that doesn't work, we'll figure out something else."

Pacifica sighed and nodded. "Okay."

"Okay, I'll keep you posted on what's happening here. And, if you need a support boost, ask Dipper for a hug. He gives the best hugs."

Mabel hung up, and Pacifica sighed again as she leaned her head back and closed her eyes. Dipper gently took the phone from her.

"Listen, Pacifica, you don't have to-"

"No." Pacifica shook her head. "No, I have to face them. Or, you know, speak to them."

"You sure?" Dipper looked worried.

Pacifica nodded. "As soon as we get back to the hotel I'm calling them."

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Pacifica stared at the shadow phone in her hands. Dipper sat next to her on her bed, a hand on her shoulder.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked.

"Yes," Pacifica nodded. She began to dial her parent's number and took a deep breath as she held the phone to her ear. The other line rang several times before Priscilla's voice answered on the other end.

"Hello."

"Mom," Pacifica said in a matter-of-fact voice.

"Pacifica!" her mother shrieked. "What on earth are you doing? This is ridiculous and humiliating! We've been going all over the state looking for you!"

"I'm not in the state."

"Where are you!?"

"I'm not telling you."

"You need to come home right now! This whole situation is absurd! Do you know the scene you've caused for us? By tomorrow morning you better be on our doorstep, and you better get on your knees and beg for forgiveness and hope we are in a generous mood!"

Pacifica took in a deep breath before answering, "No."

"What did you just say?"

"No. Put me on speaker."

"You don't tell us no! You don't talk to us unless spoken to! You do what we tell you and you shut-"

"Put me on speaker with you and dad."

"No! I'm not listening to you. You little brat! Slut! Whore! Piece of-"

"Put me on speaker or I'm hanging up," Pacifica's bottom lip was trembling, but she kept her voice steady. There was a pause before Priscilla called. "Okay, we're both here on you're on speaker."

"Now listen her, you worthless-" Preston began.

"No! Shut up!" Pacifica cried. "It's my turn to talk!"

"You don't get a turn!" Preston called. "You don't talk! You obey, that's your only roll. Now-"

"Let me talk or I'm hanging up and I'm never calling again."

The other end grew quiet. Pacifica took in a deep breath and continued. "Even before I was born, you could have killed me with your lifestyles. Until I was eight, you burned me with cigars. You conditioned me through torture to obey a bell until I was twelve. You'd lock me in my room if I were too bruised to go outside, or if I got too rowdy and embarrass you. You'd starve me if you thought I was too chubby. And then you tried to force me to marry a total stranger who would probably just beat and take advantage of me every night. You cared-"

"We did all the shape you to-"

"I'm not finished!" Pacifica screamed, and then continued. "All you ever did was abuse me. You never loved me. You want to know why I ran away. You pushed me away. I got tired of it all. The abuse, the hatred, the pain. I was not about to let you force me into a lifetime of it with that jerk you found on , or wherever you found him."

"This is ridiculous. Stop this temper tantrum this instance and come home!" Preston ordered.

Pacifica glanced at Dipper out of the corner of her eye. His hands were balled into fists as he listened to the conversation. He looked ready to break someone's face. He cared about her. He'd protect her. And so would Stan and Ford. This life may have not been as glamorous as she was used to, but she was slowly starting to realize that she didn't need that. Hearing the animosity in her parent's voices, and realizing that THAT had been what she'd been used to living with for 18 years, versus the love and acceptance she'd received the past month, and the effort and work that they'd given to her to free her from this hatred.

"I'm already home," she told her parents.

"Pacifica!" They both gasped. "after everything we've don-"

"No!" Pacifica cried. "No-o oh, ho, ho! No! You two pieces of junk never did anything for me other than abuse and damage me. So, just this once, I'm asking you to do me a favor. Let me go. Don't look for me. Don't call me. I'm not coming back. I'm happy where I am. Just leave me be."

There was a long pause before Preston answered. "You want us to cut you off, so be it."

The call ended. Pacifica dropped the phone into her lap and covered her face in her hands. No going back now. Her parents, the only family she'd ever had, were gone. Yeah, they were wicked, but they were all she'd ever known. They hadn't even begged her or apologize, just scolded and belittled her. This horror she'd discussed with Dipper was really real, and now it was gone. And for some stupid reason she was sad.

Dipper pulled her into a tight hug and stroked her hair.

"Sh," he whispered. "It's okay. I'm proud of you, Pacifica. I know that was hard."

"P-proud?" Pacifica gasped.

It suddenly dawned on Dipper that she'd probably never had anyone tell her that. He held her closer. Taking a chance, he buried his face in her hair and rubbed her back.

"I am," he continued. "I really am proud of you. I told you that you were brave."

Pacifica sniffled against his shirt as she clung desperately to him. She took a few shaky breaths as she tried to calm herself, but she just dissolved back into sobbing.

"There you go," Dipper patted her head. "That's it, just let it out. Nothing has to leave this room. I won't let anyone know you ugly cry."

Pacifica let out a small chuckle as tension left her body.

"Thank you, Dipper," Pacifica whispered. "For being here."

"Don't mention it," Dipper patted her back as she began crying again. All the emotions of the past two months, or really the past 18 years, came pouring out, and they wouldn't stop. The floodgates had been opened, and she couldn't close them until everything had been cried out.

Soon, Pacifica cried herself to sleep. Dipper scooped her up so he could pull back the covers on the bed. He was starting to get used to carrying her around, but for some odd reason he didn't mind. He set her down on the bed and tucked her in. He stared at her for a moment before leaving. She was so strong. Stronger than he would have ever imagined, and brave, and intelligent, and hardworking; the exact opposite of what he'd thought she'd be like all those years ago. Now, all of a sudden instead of hating her, he was admiring her.

He smiled sadly at he sleeping form as he stepped out of her hotel room. She really did deserve more than she'd gotten in life, and while he couldn't change the past, he could make sure the rest of her life would be everything would need or deserve.