Chapter 12

Disclaimer: Alex Hirsch owns Gravity Falls, not me.

Dipper panted, standing before the Gleeful residence, eyes wide. Voices were jumbling about in his mind and he felt hyperactive about his environment, almost though he was high. Why in the world had he shut himself off from this? This was the best he's felt in years! He grinned in excitement, despite the knowledge of danger present in his mind. He licked his lips, silently opening the the front gate and clicking it shut. Dipper paused before the front door, discovering it to be unlocked. The brunet slipped inside, immediately spotting the lighting of the opened door. He went into the living room and unzipped his backpack, dumping the contents out. He froze, as a familiar voice wavered into his ears. It was her. That high he seemed to be on, was lowering significantly. His nerves were returning and his hands trembled as he created a circle with his uninjured arm. It was a complete inconvenience that his arm was in the stupid brace. He dug into his backpack, searching for the matches. Dipper stifled a gasp when he heard a scream of agony from his great-uncle. He closed his eyes and pulled his legs up to his chest. His high was becoming a low. He couldn't do this. He was such a coward. Such a coward. He...he...a voice echoed in his head. "Kid, you can do it."

Grunkle Stan? A voice of comfort, echoing from the future. Dipper uncurled himself and continued his search, grasping onto the pack of matches. He pulled one out, striking it on the bottom of his shoe, and began to light the circle. He finished, standing in the center of the circle, hand holding the letter. He could do this, he could do this, even though the thought of summoning the dream demon here made him feel ill. " T-Triangulum, entangulum. Vene foris dominus mentium. Vene foris videntis o-omnium."

There seemed to be a shift in the air, and the background lost all of it's pigments. Bill Cipher suddenly appeared in a blaze of golden light. Dipper gasped, staggering away in surprise, and Bill grabbed hold of his shirt, keeping him from falling onto the candles. "Pine Tree, how you haven't gotten yourself killed is short of a miracle."

"I-I-"

"She knows I'm here," Bill stated, eye narrowing. With his free hand, he snapped his fingers, and the candles all went out. Dipper was released and fell onto his back, candles swooshing beneath him. The brunet gasped, feeling heat seep into him. "Kid, we have about ten seconds to do this." Bill told him and a unseen force tugged out a single piece of Dipper's hair.

He grasped at his head. "Ow!"

The piece of his hair floated to Bill. A miniature vial popped into existence, floating before the dream demon, with a snap of his fingers. Dipper froze at this, observing as the demon uncorking it with his hand. It was blood. Dipper had no idea what it was from and he was beginning to tremble from the sight, though surprisingly not from the demon itself. "W-What is that?"

The demon squinted at him, and crammed the piece of hair into it. An enormous mouth presented itself in the form of a Cheshire Cat grin, and he was further shocked as the demon drank the blood and hair. Bill began to glow a brilliant golden color and his voice came out in a booming echo. "PINE TREE, YOU ARE BY FAR MY FAVORITE ON MY WHEEL. YOU HAVE SO MUCH POWER!"

Dipper's fear of the demon grew and a upbeat, ragtime tune he recognized, began to echo throughout the room. "W-Wha-?"

"The Entertainer! You are really something if you can hear that!"

Another tune eagerly responded to his own and he lost his maniac grin, replacing it with appearance of concentration. A steady beat, that Dipper recalled to be "Uptown Blues", echoed in challenge to Bill. A glowing bluish star appeared before Dipper and he covered his mouth with trembling hands. IT WAS HER. IT WAS JILL REPHIC. He knew the moment his chocolate eyes settled on her. His breath came out in a whoosh, leaving him unable to take one back in. "Bill, I haven't seen you in such the longest of times!"

Bill didn't respond with her exuberance though. "Jill, you keep mucking up what you shouldn't be."

She giggled. "Always getting straight down to business I see. You are such a cutie, Bill."

"Will I be a 'cutie' after I banish you from here?"

Her giggling stopped and a pouty tone emerged. "But, why would you do such a thing? I'm having tons of fun with Giddy, and Fez, and Shooting Star!"

Dipper felt a anger wash over him, fear melting away. "YOU STAY AWAY FROM THEM!"

A screech rippled throughout the air, as she turned her attention to him. "YOU ARE A UNNECESSARY NUISANCE! BE GONE, YOU DISGUSTING THING!"

Dipper gasped aloud, covering his ears in pain from the sheer volume of her voice and her music. Her hand made a flick motion, and he was flung back, only to be pulled forward, back to his original spot. The brunet released a moan at the abrupt movements. Bill was glaring at her. "Don't touch him."

"Bill, he shouldn't even be here, remember? He's not even worth your time."

"And neither are you, Jill. Which is why I'm going to do this." Bill concluded, beginning to glow a blackish hue.

Her eye widened. "You wouldn-" Her body was surrounded by a golden glow and she began to screech wildly.

Dipper covered his ears once more and squeezed his eyes shut. Voices, so many voices screeching, bouncing around in his head. The music was overwhelming, causing him to cry out. He choked on his cry and began to feel something warm and wet ooze from his ears. He didn't notice though, too consumed by the pain. He didn't even notice when the warmish wet ooze came from his nose as well. Stop. Oh god, stop. His head was going to explode. Stop. Stop, stop, STOP. HE WAS ABOUT TO EXPLOD- It was over as quick as it had begun. He opened his eyes, everything swimming before him. He couldn't view the glow of Jill anymore, or feel her tune, or even her presence. There was a golden glow reaching out to him though? It was all a blur, until hands were on either side of his face, image coming into view. Bill Cipher was staring intently at him, before he began speaking. "You there, Pine Tree?"

Dipper groaned in reply, stomach churning as the background behind Bill spun. "Great, now what's your end of our deal, again? Kid, hey kid, answer the question."

The 13-year-old whimpered and went to shut his eyes, but one of the hands smacked him on the cheek. He gasped, eyes widening. "I said answer the question."

"I-I need...n-need to...uhhh, trust G-Grunkle Stan...?"

"Great, you remember! Ok, kid, looks as though Jill didn't damage you too bad. I'll fix that head of your's, so your brains don't leak out, and I guess your arm while I'm at it. Oh, and that arm of your uncle's, because that's another inconvenience to destiny's plans. Won't deal with Gideon though, since I won't be able to. He's been tainted by Jill's touch, so only she would be able to heal him. Looks like, he's going to have to heal the old-fashioned way, like most of you meat sticks do. Oh, and another thing; now that Jill has forfeited Gideon, they're no longer in a contract and that means all parts of their agreement have ended," Dipper barely understood anything he was saying, feeling too dazed. Bill rolled his eye. "Alright, let's fix you up."

The dream demon's hand began to glow black and Dipper felt something shift in his elbow and a irregular movement in his head. The warmth dripping out of his nose and ears vanished. He squeezed his eyes shut, muttering to himself about blocking the pain out. The voices continued to echo inside him though and he still felt quite disoriented. A voice echoed above the others though "You'll probably feel like that until you get used to your powers again, Pine Tree."

His eyes snapped open and was revealed to be alone. He gazed around the darkened living room and touched his arm brace. He tenderly removed it, expecting a dulled throb, but it seemed to be completely healed. "Dipper?!"

The brunet looked up from his spot on the floor, to see Mabel standing there, eyes frantic appearing. Stan was beside her, with a unconscious Gideon in his arms, bridal style. "D-Did you get rid of her, bro-bro?"

Jill Rephic had been with his family then. He didn't get rid of her, though he wasn't sure what to say due to Stan expecting an answer as well. He bobbed his head up and down, still appearing quite dazed. His great-uncle eyes him, before speaking to Mabel. "Mabel, we need to get outta here. Gideon ain't doing too hot right now."

"I-Is he alright?" Mabel asked, eyebrows furrowing in concern.

His great-uncle began to reply, but a single voice began to echo throughout his mind. A male booming, a gavel pounding on wood, murmuring in a crowed gallery. "...you are here by sentenced to 120 years of prison for the crimes you have committed over your life time, including extensive child and spouse abus-" The rest of the crimes were cut, as a voice began to call his name. He returned to his reality, Mabel grasping him by the shoulders, frantically shaking him. He blinked a couple of times, irritation growing at all of the shaking and the interruption of the sentencing. "Stop shaking me Mabel!"

Mabel immediately ceased doing so, though her hands remained on his shoulders. "Are you ok? You weren't answering an-"

"Grunkle Stan, did you call the police?" Dipper asked, above Mabel's voice.

The elder man shifted uncomfortably at the question, then looked down at the 10-year-old's body in his arms. "We should drop this kid off at the hospital."

Mabel released a gasp, removing her hands from him, and Dipper frowned at her. "M-Mrs. Gleeful!"

It abruptly struck Dipper as strange that she hadn't appeared to investigate all of the noise they made at this early hour. "...Grunkle Stan...where is Mrs. Gleeful?"

"Well..I...I actually don't know..." Stan trailed off, frowning as though it had just occurred to him.

Mabel fidgeted, avoiding eye contact. "...n-need to call 911..."

Dipper stared at her, aware that Mabel knew something. "Mabel...where's Mrs. Gleeful?"

Mabel's eyes flashed down the hall, then back to Dipper. "..."

Dipper closed his eyes, focusing, a voice screaming out in his head. He jerked back into reality, gasping and shivering. Stan was directly in front of him, calling his name, the brunet simply stared at the carpet, mumbling to his great-uncle. "...p-police...call...M-Mrs...G-Glee..." A hand tentatively tugged at his fingers, and he grasped at them, into a death grip, knowing them to be Mabel's. Her eyes were not meant to see such nightmares and his ears were not meant to hear such horror. "...Mabel..."

"...Dipper..." She choked out in reply. Their arms brushed against one another, heads leaning against one another. Their minds were in sync, echoes and visions surrounding them, unaware of Stan placing Gideon onto the couch and using a phone to call 911. They were unaware on the paramedics entering the household, checking over the unconscious 10-year-old, unaware of the flashing lights as the police arrived. Unaware of unknown deputies dragging, a semiconscious, Bud Gleeful away in handcuffs. Unaware of Sheriff Blubs, with an unusually serious appearance on his face, questioning Stan. Unaware of a a paramedic opening the bedroom door of Mr. and Mrs. Gleeful's room, and gasping in shock. Unaware of Gideon being loaded onto a stretcher, into the ambulance, being taken in, just in case there were issues the paramedics could not view. Unaware of Grunkle Stan leading the pair of them out, muttering about how what had happened to Mrs. Gleeful shouldn't probably seen by any of them. They had a glimpse of the women though, a stretcher with a body, a white cloth covering it up, blood oozing straight through. And, that was when Mabel returned.

"SHE'S DEAD! SHE'S DEAD!" Mabel screamed hysterically in the car, as Stan drove to the hospital. Stan was ignoring her, but Dipper could see the strained appearance on his face from the rear-view mirror.

Dipper had disconnected himself. He needed to. If he didn't he was afraid he would become as hysterical as Mabel. He didn't want to be the cause of Stan's strained face. He appeared to be an aged version of his own Dad, and he didn't want his Dad to stare at him in such a way, ever again. His Dad, his Mom, Grunkle Stan, none of them should ever have that stressed look. They deserved better. And, Dipper couldn't help himself, he would regret it later, but just couldn't help himself. He faced to his twin sister, and exploded. "WOULD YOU SHUT UP!"

Stan had jumped in his seat, and the vehicle swerved a bit, before he corrected himself. Mabel's mouth clamped shut automatically, tears rolling down her round cheeks. Dipper wasn't done though, he was far from it. "We get it! She's probably dead! She's dead and guess what: I DON'T CARE!"

The Stanley Mobile was silent, for a long moment, before Mabel softly replied. "...I hate you, Jason."

The vehicle lurched to a stop, Mabel and Dipper's seat belts groaning as they locked up. Stan turned around in his seat, giving them the angriest face they had ever witnessed. "Don't you ever say that to your brother, do you hear me?"

Mabel paled. "I-I-"

"And Dipper, don't ever speak to a girl like that," Dipper blinked at him, though he remained silent. "You two are heading home tomorrow."

Mabel began to cry in earnest. "Y-You can't!"

"Yeah, I can. You two are minors and I can send you back to your parents if I want to."

"B-But-"

"...I never wanted to be here in the first place." Dipper mumbled.

Stan glared at him. "Good, because you don't have to be here anymore."

"Good, the Mystery Shack is a stupid place anyways."

"Kid, shut up, you're pissing me off." Stan didn't bother to filter his language by this point.

"Did your brother piss you off?"

Stan's eyes widened. "What did you just say?"

"He left, because of you, didn't he?" Dipper knew it was low, it was beyond low. In his household, speaking of Stanley Pines was a taboo and his Dad only spoke of him once. The brunet was sure it was the same in Stan's presence. He knew it would piss of Stan, but he didn't expect what happened next.

His great-uncle reached over the backseat and backhanded him. Mabel released a gasp in between her sobs at the crisp smack that echoed in the Stanley Mobile. "You don't know shit, Jason."

Hearing Mabel speak his real name was one thing, as he had heard it before, but hearing Stan speak it was a different thing all together. And, on top of it, Stan had hit him across the face. Dipper released a bark of laughter and his voice wobbled as he spoke. "Y-You can take us home right now."

"Great, I can finally get you out of hair now." Stan informed him, turning back and driving once more.

Mabel had finally ceased her sobbing, though tears continued to streak down her face. Dipper's cheek stung, but he ignored it, in favor of staring out the window, taking in the beginnings of the sunrise. Sunrise. A sunrise seemed so trivial and it occurred to Dipper that the world would always continue on, even if his life went to hell. He began laughing at the though, finding the notion hilarious. He couldn't stop his giggling and he continued on until the hilarity of it passed. He continued on, even when Mabel questioned if he was alright. He continued on, even when Stan halted the car once more and told to stop laughing. He continued on, even when the tears began to roll down his cheek and the wheezing began. He continued on, even when Stan reached over the backseat and pulled him into a gentle bear hug. He continued on, even when Stan muttered his apologies and his reassured him that they could stay. He continued on, even when he began to hyperventilate and tremble. He continued on, straight through one of the worst panic attacks he had experienced.

~!7-9-4-5-15-14/6-5-5-12-19/5-13-15-20-9-15-14!~

She hadn't been dead. Joanna Gleeful was in critical condition though and that was all Grunkle Stan was told about her. Gideon had been unconscious since yesterday morning, yet he was injured. Bud Gleeful was still be interrogated by the police, though Dipper was quite sure he would get the punishment he deserved. He had nearly murdered his wife and abused his son. Dipper wasn't sure if 120 years of punishment was correct, but he had feeling the abuse wasn't the only thing Bud had been secretly been doing. The brunet laid in his bed, staring up at the ceiling, not responding when the attic door opened. "Brought you lunch, if you're feeling up to it, kid."

Dipper nodded, realizing he hadn't ate since before they went to the Gleeful residence. He hadn't been hungry and had ignored the guilt about how he worried Stan with refusing to eat. Stan sat on the edge of the bed, near his head. Dipper stared at the tray he held, avoiding at looking at Stan's face. There was a small bowl of a soup, a sandwich cut in half, and a cup accompanying it. "Uh, I made your favorite. You know, tomato soup, grilled cheese, and Crash soda."

The brunet sat up and leaned against the pillow behind his back. Stan set the tray onto his lap and observed as the boy picked up one half of his sandwich. He dipped it into the tomato soup and munched on it. "How, uh how you feeling?"

"Better." Dipper told him and took a sip of his cup of orange Crash.

Stan nodded. "Good...I spoke to your Mom this morning."

Dipper ceased his munching and stared at the elder man. "Told her I know about your anxiety and that you had a pretty bad panic attack. I didn't tell her why, but I told her you and your sister could still say here. If you're up to it, she wants to talk to you."

Dipper felt a homesickness well up inside him at the mention of his Mom. He nodded. Stan stood. "I'll get the phone."

A moment later, Stan returned, and plugged the rotary phone into the spot behind the dresser. He dialed the number and handed the phone to Dipper. His great-uncle left the room and he listened to the humming as the phone dialed his Mom. After a moment, the gentle voice of Ariel Pines answer. "Hello?"

"Mom?"

"Dipper? Are you alright, sweetie?"

Dipper swallowed thickly at her concern. "Yeah."

"Stan told me that he knows."

"Yeah, he does."

"Is he treating you alright?"

"Yeah, he made me stay in bed all day yesterday."

"Just stay there until you feel up to getting up, alright?'

"Ok, Mom."

"Other than your little issue, how has your summer been? I haven't spoken to you or Mabel in about two weeks."

"Good...I made friends with a girl."

"A girl? Is she pretty?"

Dipper felt his face heat up. "I shouldn't of said anything."

Ariel laughed. "I'm just wanna know who you're interested in right now, sweetie."

"Well...uh, s-she's blonde...and has green eyes..."

"Ohhh, she sounds pretty. Are you thinking about asking her out on a date."

Dipper blushed deeply. "N-No! Uh, uh, how's Dad?"

"Oh, same old, same old. Now, about that gir-"

"Do you want to talk to Grunkle Stan?"

"I guess we're done. For now. I better hear more about this girl later. But, yes I would like to talk to Stan."

Dipper set down the phone and raised his voice a bit. "Grunkle Stan?"

He was right in thinking that Stan would be out in the hall, as he entered merely a moment later. "What?"

"She wants to talk to you."

"Start eating," Stan told him as he took the phone. "Ariel? Yeah, he's doing alright."

The brunet dipped his a spoon into the soup and began to sip it. Dipper ceased doing so, when he spotted Mabel peeking into the room. She gave him a hesitant face and he gave her a tiny smile. She tentatively smiled back and entered into the attic, approaching his bed. "Hi."

"Hi." Dipper replied.

"...you feeling better?"

"Yeah. I was just eating lunch."

Mabel giggled as she studied his sandwich. "You made him cut off your crusts?"

Dipper blushed a bit. "I've never liked crusts."

Mabel grinned, though her face fell. "...I don't hate you and I'm sorry I said that."

"I'm sorry, too. I didn't mean to yell at you."

Mabel beamed and then whispered to him. "I love you, Dipping Sauce."

Dipper gave her a tiny smile. "I love you, too."

"Ok...yeah...you too, bye," Stan concluded, hanging up the phone. "You two make up?"

The twins gave each other a look and then nodded at Stan. "Great, now finish your lunch, so we can watch that movie with the guy in tights and the shield."

Dipper raised a eyebrow. "You mean Captain America?"

"Yeah him and his buddy, uh the Summer Agent."

Mabel giggled. "You mean the Winter Solider?"

"...shut up."

The twins burst out laughing as Stan left and slammed the door behind him.

End Chapter 12

I'm not sure who you are Guest, but you got it right! Yes, the letters of the alphabet match up with numbers! 1= A, 2= B, 3= C, etc. Thanks for figuring it out and here's your virtual cookie! *Gives cookie* I hope you like chocolate chip! Anyways, I've been a bit stressed out lately, due to how busy I've been and writing the whole resting up bit of this chapter actually made me feel relaxed. As always, thanks for the reviews, follows, and favorites!