"So what's the plan?" Mabel asked Dipper. Dipper was driving towards town, and traffic was backed up. Dipper idly flipped the lid of his cap, waiting for the cars in front of him to start moving.
"Wendy is staying at Tambry's house, so I figured we could talk to her first," said Dipper. "And then we pay Gideon a visit."
"I'm not looking forward to that," said Mabel. "Whenever I think of him I get the major willies."
"Well he did try to kill us on a regular basis," said Dipper.
"Did he really?" asked Mabel.
"You don't remember?" asked Dipper. Mabel shook her head.
"No," Mabel said. "I know he had a major crush on me, and I remember being worried that I would hurt his feelings when I let him down. And I know he was kind of angry about it, but who wouldn't be? After that it all gets kind of hazy."
"Guess we're starting to remember different things," said Dipper. "We may need to start writing our memories down."
"Last time we did that the paper started to disappear," said Mabel. "I thought I was going crazy when that happened. Like literally losing my mind."
"You and me both," said Dipper. "You really start to reevaluate your mental health when six different diaries go missing." The car in front of him began to move and Dipper grunted in relief. "Thank God. When is there ever any traffic around here?"
"Whenever we need to get something done," said Mabel.
"True story," said Dipper. Dipper pulled into the town proper, and made his way to the new development to the south. He found Tambry's house, and the two got out of the car. Dipper looked at himself in the mirror. He smoothed his hair, and rubbed his beard down.
"You look fine Dipper," said Mabel.
"What?" Dipper stepped away from the mirror. "Who cares what I look like? Not me. I'm not trying to look good for anybody."
"I hope you never work for the CIA," said Mabel. The two walked up to the house and knocked on the door. They waited for a moment, and Tambry opened the door. She smiled at the sight of the twins.
"Mabel and Dipper Pines," she said. "What a pleasant surprise." She looked at Dipper. "Let me guess. You want to see Wendy, right?" Dipper scratched the back of his head.
"Yeah, but-" Tambry cut him off.
"Weeeeeenddyyyyyy," she crooned. '"Dipper's heeeeerrrrrreeee." Tambry looked at Mabel. "And his sister." Tambry walked away from the door, and Wendy came running up to it. She pulled Dipper into his hug. His face went slack-jawed. Mabel rolled her eyes.
"What's up Dip?" asked Wendy. She let go of Dipper, and nodded in Mabel's direction. "And the Mabester."
"We just wanted to talk to you," said Dipper. He still had a huge, stupid grin on his face.
"About what?" asked Wendy.
"You know, I really can't remember," Dipper slurred. Mabel punched him on the arm, and addressed Wendy.
"We were actually hoping to talk to you in private," said Mabel. She looked in the house. Tambry was pretending to fool with her hair, but Mabel recognized the classic signs of eavesdropping.
"Oh sure," said Wendy. She walked out of the house, and pulled on the door. Mabel saw Tambry frown in disappointment before the door closed behind Wendy. "What's up?" Dipper seemed to have come to his senses. He puffed up his chest, pulled out the three book, and opened his mouth. He thought of what he was about to say, and turned to Mabel.
"There is no way to say this without sounding like a nutjob, is there?" he asked Mabel.
"No, not really," said Mabel.
"Say what?" asked Wendy. She looked at the book. "Wait a second! I remember that book." She tapped her chin. "Hmm... where did you get that." Dipper and Mabel exchanged a look of panic.
"Umm, I found it in the closet," Dipper said. "I was coming out of it, and I tripped on the book." Mabel stifled her laughter.
"You tripped on this book while you were coming out of the closet?" asked Wendy.
"No! I mean yes! I mean..." Dipper trailed off, and took a moment to collect himself. "I was coming out of a literal closet, not a figurative one. And yes, I tripped over this book."
"Dipper found all sorts of things when he came out of the closet," giggled Mabel. "Alas, he has yet to find true love."
"Would you knock it off?" growled Dipper.
"Sorry Dip," said Mabel. "I just want you to know that I accept you any way you are." Dipper groaned aloud, and Wendy gave him a pat on the shoulder.
"She's just giving you a hard time Dip," Wendy said. "So what's the deal with the book? I can't put my finger on it, but I remember it being kinda weird." Dipper handed the book to Wendy.
"I think it would be easier if you just read it," said Dipper. Wendy flipped it open. As she turned the pages, she contorted her face. Sometimes disgusted, sometimes intrigued, once even amused.
"Wow," Wendy said. "This is incredibly well done. I could almost believe this thing was real." She turned another page, and stopped. Her amusement quickly changed to horror. She dropped the book, and backed away.
"What!" asked Dipper. Wendy was pale and sweaty, as if she had a fever. Dipper was close to panic. "What's the matter Wendy!?"
"It's real," Wendy whispered. "Isn't it?" Mabel and Dipper nodded.
"Unfortunately," said Mabel. "I wish it weren't, but it is."
"Why did you show me this?" asked Wendy.
"We thought you could help us," said Dipper.
"Help you what?" asked Wendy.
"Fight them," said Dipper. "If you're not busy, I mean."
"You wanna fight those things!?" Wendy shouted. Mabel and Dipper nodded.
"If we don't, who will?" asked Mabel.
"I don't know. Maybe someone more qualified," said Wendy. "No offense or anything, but you two are just teenagers. How are you gonna kill..." Wendy pointed down at the book. "Those?" Dipper bent down and picked the book up. He brushed the dust off the cover.
"I really don't know," said Dipper. "But we're going to try. I guess I feel like it's sort of my responsibility to help the town."
"But why?" asked Wendy. "I just don't understand."
"It's hard to explain," said Mabel. "Let's just say we think we can stop it."
"We've done it once before," said Dipper. "We're not sure how, but we know we did. And if we did it when we were kids, we should be even better at it now that we're older."
"That's really brave of you two," said Wendy. "But I don't know if I can help. I'm just..."
"Wendy." Dipper handed the book to Mabel and took Wendy's hands in his. "I don't know how I know this, but I do. It's in my gut. I know you have to help us. I know it's scary, and that you're felling helpless. But you can stand up to these things. We need to help save the town. Think of all the people who could be in danger from these things. All your friends, all of your family." Dipper looked into Wendy's eyes. "Please help us Wendy." He lowered his voice. "Please help me." Wendy smiled.
"When do we start?" she asked.