After a day, more like two, if being more technical, Dipper was refreshed and in the library, the creature from that night haunting his dreams and his curiosity.

Since, if Wirt wouldn't tell him, he'd have to do it himself.

Besides, maybe he'd be more prepared to face it again if he knew more.

He tried just about anything that could label it, from historical events, so called sightings of creatures in newspapers, to even folktales.

He even managed to sneakily look at the books that he knew were "forgotten", books that held classified information of the Supernaturals of Gravity Falls.

The late morning sun beat down on his back, warming it like a gentle hand. He was absorbed in his work, going through another pack of pens and becoming increasingly frustrated.

He couldn't find a thing! How could Wirt, a newcomer, albeit a cute, talented, stubborn, beaui-

'Wait, wait, wait! Why the fuck was my mind wandering to Wirt? Stupid, Dip.' He thought.

Dipper sighed and stretched, figuring he'd get up and find a different book on something unrelated so when he went back to his research, it'd be fresh.

His mind began to wander again , this time to the party. He did get some good notes and observations from the new creatures, mainly the ones that stuck out to him.

He watched Greg for a bit too, making sure he was safe, though he must've been if Wirt took his eyes off him.

He knew most people would find Wirt's overbearing towards his brother annoying and a pain, but Dipper found it endearing.

He could understand doing most-if not anything for your sibling. Maybe it was their age gap too, though.

He sighed and went back to his table he was using.

A while later, the door to the library opened and someone he hadn't met before appeared, the man talking to the librarian.

He was tall, taller than Wirt with black hair and icy blue eyes. He wore professional clothing and a doctors coat.

Dipper tried ignoring the uneasy feeling as he went back to what he was doing, a sketch of the creature nearby, or at least what he remembered it looking like.

An hour went by and still no luck. Not even the talk of a shadow like creature to be heard. He sighed.

"Good afternoon. May I look at that book there?" A deep voice came up from behind Dipper, who nearly jumped out of his skin, his heart beating erratically and a uneasy chill entering his body.

Dipper nodded. "Sure."

'I didn't even hear him approaching.'

He handed the man the history book he was looking at. The man took a glance at his sketch, similar to Wirt that day.

The man hummed, his voice deep, almost haunting. "What a nice sketch. A little character?"

Dipper shook his head. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you, Sir."

The man held out his hand. "How rude of me. I'm Dr. Flint."

Dipper tilted his hat towards him. "Dipper Pines."

The man looked through the book, judging from him not moving, Dipper guessed the man, Dr. Flint, was going to return it.

"You know," He said after a bit, "there's a black train that comes by that can lead you to another place. You've heard it, haven't you?"

Dipper scrunched his brow. "No. Why's that important?"

Dr. Flint set the book down, having finished what he needed with it, and tapped a long finger against the sketch.

"Maybe there's more creatures out there than you'd ever dream? I hear trains are wonderful transportation. But...you don't have to take an old man's say on it."

The man hummed a tune as he left, leaving Dipper confused.

A few hours after, Dipper decided to give up. Not completely, of course. Just for the day. He was frustrated and needed a break.

As he got a snack back at the Mystery Shack, he tried relaxing. His mind kept going to what Dr. Flint had told him about the creature. Could it be something not from Gravity Falls?

That possibility nagged at him. He sighed and went to walk around, perhaps distract himself.

He spotted Ford and got the idea to approach.

"Hey, Grunkle Ford? I need help figuring something out." He sat across the older man.

Ford looked to him and adjusted his glasses. He smiled at Dipper.

"Of course, Dipper. What is it? Something Supernatural?"

That's what Dipper loved about his Grunkle. Always willing to help with academics and the occult. He nodded.

"So, there's this creature that I've never seen before, not even in the journals."

This seemed to peak Ford's interest, so he moved his body so he was paying complete attention to Dipper.

Dipper continued, "Well, I was exploring one night and came across it. It helped me out of the forest...well, simply because I got lost in an area since I hadn't been before. But...I have a theory there's more than one of them."

Ford hummed at Dipper's hesitance and wrote down what his nephew said.

"What did it look like? Sound like? How tall or short? These are basic questions, Dipper. But it also makes me curious why you think there's more than one? I guess statistically there should be, not many creatures are a singular being. Was there more than one that night?"

Dipper sighed, trying to recall. He remembered the white eyed one, but he also "knew" there was another. The first one. "Well, frankly, Grunkle Ford, it could've been one. But I encountered it twice and each time was vastly different from the other. How do I explain?" He put his hand on his chin to think. "The first time, it was still black, like a shadow. All I saw, even in the moonlight, was iridescent eyes. It's hand was human like-at least seemed it-when it grabbed my wrist to lead me out. It was silent. It was...gentle..." Dipper began to space off, but Grunkle Ford cleared his throat to get his attention.

"This is interesting, Dipper. I too, haven't come across a iridescent eyed creature here. Unless it's a seasonal or territorial thing? There could also just be a instinctual reason-or-or behavioral. You see, even the Gno-" Ford began to go into hypothesis mode, so Dipper tapped his hand on the table, getting his Grunkle's attention.

Ford cleared his throat. "The second time?"

Dipper huffed, his body remembering the beating before his mind could.

"The second time...it did make noise. It was..." he was trying to remember, his memory not as well, after the incident, "taller, I think? It's grip was..." his own hand moved to his throat, a chill running down his spine, remembering the icy claw running along his throat as the thing's hand in his hair tightened, most likely he had scratches in his scalp, but ignored it the next day. He scrunched his nose, that scent of blood and rotting flesh ingrained in his nostrils. "It smelt so-but it couldn't be-it didn't seem like..."

He felt Ford reach and put hand on his shoulder, making Dipper jump.

"Was the creature the cause of those injuries? I just thought it was another fight with the Gnomes or Manitors." Ford's face contorted into concern.

Dipper relaxed, though he hadn't realized how much the attack affected him. "I'm fine, Grunkle Ford. It was a bit different of a fight than I was used to. Um...I can't really say too much, because honestly after a point, I can't remember a lot. It did...GRUNKLE FORD!"

Dipper had remembered something crucial and he turned to grasp his Grunkle's shoulders, looking him in the eye, his own alarmed.

"I heard screams! That's-thats why I even entered the second time! There-there's only been one person missing so far here in Gravity Falls but I swear I heard multiple screams. And-and it was covered in blood. Grunkle Ford...this thing is dangerous! At-at least the bigger one. I-I'm pretty sure there's two."

Ford was silent for a bit as he studied Dipper's face.

"Did you see any bodies? Why didn't you tell anyone?" Ford's voice got stern but softened by the look of a shocked horror on the teens face. "Dipper..."

"I-I didn't remember." Dipper took a shuddering breath, shaking his head. "I'm going for a walk. Won't be long."

With that, Dipper let his tight grip go from his Grunkle's shoulders, Grunkle Ford letting him, it wasn't the first time Dipper reminded him of a certain someone who would need space when overwhelmed.

Dipper made it to the area he thought he remembered being guided out that night. It was becoming dusk, so he knew he had to hurry and find any evidence of bodies. He wasn't crazy, he knew he heard them and he knew he smelled the blood. It was more than likely that there'd be nothing remaining, which Dipper hoped. He just wanted to find even a scrap of clothing to prove it.

The near silence put him on edge. There were still critters, like birds, squirrels, he spotted a few deer, he heard bugs.

He wasn't sure how far out he had to go either. As he calmed from whatever panic he put himself in, he realized he should've waited till daylight. Though, it was too late to turn back.

Well...more like he was too stubborn to turn back.

He didn't even have a flashlight! Deciding he'd be dumb if he kept walking, he turned, only to realize he was lost. He didn't recognize the path, or the alignment of the trees.

As it got darker, with no relief from it, Dipper glanced up to see it was a new moon that night.

"Shit." He grumbled as he tried retracing his steps.

He wasn't sure how long he walked back, trying to find his way. He really had to do this better...or do it while it was daylight. He sighed.

He tried looking around, but it was dark by then and he couldn't even see in front of his face. His stomach growled. He knew better than to make too much noise, especially at night.

His legs were tired and who knows how many branches and vines smacked into his legs. He was lucky he hadn't twisted his ankle yet. He knew he must've had some cuts from branches that bumped along his arms.

Dipper was growing increasingly more frustrated as the night went on. He knew his family would be worried about him by then.

He continued to walk, albeit slowly, when he tripped over something, only when he fell he was met with a pained whine and then a growl erupting from somewhere.

When he tried to quickly get up, he was met again with iridescent eyes opening at him. The only light Dipper had seen in hours.

His breath hitched, in fear or anticipation, he wasn't sure. The eyes were wide. It blinked, looking around suddenly.

"I-I'm so sorry. I couldn't see-"

Dipper began his apology but then the eyes lunged at him, scaring him as chilly hands covered his mouth, a long whine leaving it's own mouth (if it had one, Dipper wasn't sure.) and it got up, releasing Dipper only to try and pull him up.

When Dipper breathed in, there was that scent again. Wood, oil, but something else he couldn't name as well.

He still felt on edge, but not as much. It didn't feel threatening. The hands that held his wrists were still cold, but they were slightly smaller than the other's.

It made a shushing noise and pulled Dipper along. Dipper dug his heels into the ground, unsure what to think of the creature. If this one wanted to kill him, it could've already, but if it was the same one as last time, it could be luring him, to play with him.

It made a frustrated noise and the tone felt familiar.

"No way! If you're the one from the other night, I'm not going with you so you can kill me! Grunkle Ford said there was a chance there's only one. I-I-I don't..." Dipper wasn't sure how to continue his ramble, so it was probably a good thing the other covered his mouth again.

Not a moment later, Dipper felt a chill ripple down his spine again as he heard deep singing. Like opera. The opera wasn't the problem, the problem was how he felt the one by him tense and began to slowly push Dipper, like IT was cautious of the singing. It made no other noise itself, but the iridescent eyes seemed to beg him to listen as it looked back at him.

He gulped, but allowed himself to be moved. His own body was tense as he was led through who knows where.

Not long after, it smacked something solid in front of them with its hand. It looked back at him, and Dipper reached out to feel. It was a rock.

He felt more along it, trying to get a picture of the rock. When he felt lower, there was a opening.

A cave!

It led him inside, a part of Dipper feared it took him there to kill him.

But, when he entered, the creature's scent was strong. It pushed him to sit, so he did, only to feel blankets and furs under him. It was surprisingly comfortable.

If he had his notebook with him, he would've been writing this down.

He wondered if this was It's nest?

He was brought from his thoughts as a few furs and blankets were put on his shoulders. It wrapped the furs against him, like a adult would to a child.

He swore the eyes were glowing, that's how close he realized It was.

He must've been going crazy. His heart beat quickened.

"S-so can you talk? Uh, like English or the Human language?" Dipper tried striking up conversation.

It didn't comment. Not even a noise.

The silence stretched and even though Dipper usually liked the quiet, he wasn't sure about this silence. It must've came to some decision as It pulled him by his wrist gently to lay down.

"Um, I don't think I could sleep. Or at least if that's a good idea." He tried arguing, but it didn't dissuade the creature from removing his hat once he was laying, and put it over his face.

Dipper went to remove his hat, but the gentle, clawed hand stopped him.

It made a odd noise in its throat as it tried surrounding Dipper more with the blankets and furs.

Dipper began to feel annoyed. It was coddling him. He huffed.

"I'm not a child. Quit treating me like one you're taking in." Dipper lunged forward suddenly, not liking the layers placed on and around him.

He ended up underestimating the distance between them as he face-butted the creature. The creature flailed back, making an alarmed noise before everything was pitch black again, it closing its eyes.

"I'm so sorry! I underestimated your distance from me."

He reached out to try and inspect the damage, forgetting he couldn't see.

The creature swatted him away before it reached out and gently-oh so gently- ran its fingers across Dipper's face. It's palms caressed his jaw as it's fingers lightly ran across his face, inspecting.

He felt his face heat and his breath hitch. His dumb brain supplied the invisible hands for Wirt's and it made him blush more.

He felt like an idiot. "I-I'm fine, really. I'm the one who ran into your face first. Man...I don't even know if you can understand me."

There was a silence as Dipper grew more frustrated at the situation. He wasn't sure how close dawn was and even if it was close, how could he be sure he'd find his way home?

He heard the creature sigh and remove it's hands.

He felt it move away to look out the cave before it came back and with a moment of hesitance, it crawled over on top of the remaining covers that lay over Dipper's legs and above his lap.

The creature trapped Dipper, he could feel it, even if visibility wasn't the best. He could feel it's arms outside where his lay at his sides, his elbows propping him. He felt it's knees on either side of his thighs, it's breath ghosting against Dipper's face, making Dipper unable to look away from the iridescent eyes that somehow caught him. He still couldn't look away as the air seemed to slow.

He couldn't even seem to focus on the knowledge of the humanoid shape it was forming in his mind.

The air suddenly felt charged as the creature dived and suddenly it's nose was against Dipper's pulse point and it's jaws latched onto his jugular.

Dipper felt he couldn't even raise his hands to push it away. His breath caught, making him unable to take a breath.

He felt it move it's hands, after a moment, and it gripped his hands as tightly as it could, considering Dipper's hands were flat against furs. He felt the hands tremble.

The cold breath against his neck shuddered, sending goosebumps along his skin.

A nervous sweat ran down the back of his neck.

The air still felt charged, but Dipper couldn't name it, couldn't fight it.

His Adam's apple bobbed and he felt it's chilly tongue press against where his Adam's apple lay.

Dipper got a sudden impulse, after it felt like they stayed in that position for such a long while, one he knew he'd never be able to put logic to.

He scrunched his brows and tilted his head back more, giving the creature more space and allowing himself to feel he could take a breath, which didn't last long as it's hands flew from his hands to bury in the back of his head, claws and fingers desperately buried in his hair, tangling the auburn locks more than they were.

Dipper gasped, the grip in his hair tight, though not as tight as the other's grip had been.

It placed more of Dipper's throat in it's mouth, Dipper couldn't help his shudder at feeling it's sharp fangs rub against the tender skin of his neck.

He gulped again, adrenaline spiked and his breath shuddered as he got the guts to speak, "Why are you...why now?"

It flinched, moving as if it was going to cling but instead it let out a long high pitched whine as it trembled. It's jaw tightened slightly and Dipper winced, but it untangled itself from Dipper and got up so fast it was like Dipper was on fire in comparison.

It didn't leave Dipper alone in the cave though, after taking large gulps of air, it turned to him again, grabbing his hand, it led him back outside, not giving Dipper time to fight back.

It rushed them both and Dipper could see the possibility of why, as the sky was lighting along the horizon he could see through some trees. He could see!

He went to look at his odd company and it seemed it caught any shadows, despite being linked to Dipper by their hands. The only thing Dipper could tell by their linked fingers, was it was thin and ashen black.

Dipper smiled in relief as he saw the familiar land. He was on the other side of the woods!

He ran out past the trees, exhausted and relieved. He really needed to learn his lesson.

A pained whimper caught his attention and he looked behind himself, confused why his company would make that noise, only to freeze, eyes going wide and the fear a stone in his gut.

He knew it. There was two of them. The larger of the two loomed, Dipper could only tell by the height of the white eyes vs the iridescent of his companion.

Dipper couldn't hear it, as the taller spoke in a whisper.

The shorter, his companion, looked right at Dipper and Dipper could see the fear in it's eyes.

A strange protectiveness coiled in Dipper's gut and he thought, 'fuck it.'

He ran towards, ready to try kicking the taller in the head if he got his momentum and height judgement right.

Only...it was the shorter, who was blocking the kick.

Dipper's eyes widened at that.

Before he could ask, his companion was pushing him back by pushing his chest, then once farther, it took a deep breath, Dipper still couldn't make too much of it's shape out. It gripped his waist, pulling him close, it's movements confusing Dipper in multiple ways. It got close again, whispering against Dipper's lips, a feather light brush against his own,

"Run."

His voice,

'That made a lot of sense...', it clicked in his mind, was familiar but different enough Dipper couldn't pin it.

The voice sent a chill of...something...down Dipper's spine that had him weak at the knees but not enough to have him buckling.

Dipper gulped, but his companion continued, eyes glued to Dipper's,

"Run home, Dipper. Leave."

Dipper's eyes scrunched. He wasn't about to leave him. He opened his mouth to say just that, worried for the safety of his companion, when it held him tighter, his cheek cold against Dipper's.

"For me, Dipper. Protect me by leaving. It's not me-"

He was cut off by a deep chuckle behind him, making his head turn and push Dipper once more.

Dipper was hesitant, but upon seeing the branches and vines reaching out to him again and the look in the iridescent eyes, he ran.

It was foggy and chilly, but the sky held a warm glow as the sun rose. With exhausted limbs and a confused heart, Dipper unlocked the door to the Mystery Shack and went inside. He saw his journal still on the table and decided to write what he could. Though, he wasn't sure what to even make of his evening, so he sat there, a pot of coffee brewing, spacing off and thinking of what he could write down, versus what he should keep to himself.

The pot beeped and he got a mug. His voice played over and over, that odd chill still running down Dipper's spine.

'He knew my name. Have I ever told him it?' Dipper realized.

He sighed deeply and began with writing that he was right. There were two of these creatures.

He was also no closer to finding out what kind of shape these creatures held.

'Actually...' his mind supplied how often the smaller one got as close as he could. Dipper was able to sketch out it had long arms, nimble fingers, long strong legs and a gentle touch.

Dipper blushed, remembering the mouth on his neck and the breath close to his lips.

He rubbed his eyes. He was going crazy.