False Story.
-[Recap]-
``Okay, Dipstick.`` She said giggling.
``Dipstick?`` I opened my tired eyes at her.
``Or should I say Dipsick?`` She said, letting out another giggle. I chuckled at her made-up nickname. ``Whatever is good with me.`` I said.
``Dipstick, it is!`` She said, walking back over to her bed to sit on it.
``Just don't say it when I'm sick...`` I muttered, closing my eyes once more.
``Rest, brother. You have all night and tomorrow to rest.`` She said, easing me once more. I soon felt my body shutting down as I was slowly falling into a deep slumber. I did hear my sister talk again, but that was when sleep took over.
Dipsick... I think I like Dipstick better.
- Mabel's POV -
I walked down the hallways of the school, staring down at the floor. As I heard the footsteps of other students, I was thinking silently to myself. I hope Dipsick is feeling better today. I should make him have a good day today. I halted right outside of the school's doors, turning my head over to my friends' voices. ``Hey, Kate! Jessie!`` I smiled.
``Hey, Mabel.`` Jessie said, stopping right in front of me as Kate halted beside her. ``Kate and I were going to look at some dresses, wanna come along?`` She asked, crossing her arms.
``Not today, unfortunately, I am planning on hanging out with my brother!`` I said.
``Really?`` Jessie narrowed her eyes, interrupting Kate from speaking. ``Why him for today? I thought he had friends.``
I let out a sigh. ``I'm doing something special for him today since he had a terrible day yesterday.`` I said.
``Oh.`` She rolled her eyes.
``Don't worry about her, have a good time with your brother!`` Kate smiled, interrupting Jessie from speaking.
``Thank you, Kate.`` I nodded before turning away and walking down the steps. I will, Kate, I will. I walked in the direction of my home. I observed the streets, watching people walk past me or across the road. Friends... couples... wait, since Dip was rejected by his old crush... could I possibly find him a new one? I could ask him when I get home~. I smiled to myself. Then it is decided! I don't want him to fall behind when I'm beginning to date my crush, well not yet, but I know it will be soon! I soon arrived at the shack, entering in and greeting my uncles. I headed through the hallways and up the staircase to enter into the shared room. ``Hello, Dip! I'm home!`` I said, walking over to my bed before I facepalmed into it. I heard groaning noises coming from the other side of the room. I let out a sigh before sitting up and turning over to see a half concern and grumpy brother, kind of glaring me down. I probably confused him when I faceplanted in my soft bed.
``Hi Mr. Grumpy, did I disturb someone's sleep pattern?`` I asked, letting out a small giggle.
``No... kind of. Anyways, how was your day?`` He said, sitting up.
``It was great! I got to work with my crush today! It's actually lovely to get to know him a little more.`` I chirped.
``That's great...`` He grunted, looking away from me.
``What's wrong..?`` I asked, sitting on the side of my bed. He let out an annoyed sigh before turning towards me. ``I don't know how you can like him as a person when he refuses one of my friends from being who they are.`` He said.
``Are we really going to go back to that day? Besides, why does he acts that way?`` I asked. I want to know more about this "Lee" guy, I think that was his name? I could just ask my own rather than my brother, but he is closer to him than me. ``... I don't know... all I thought it was normal.`` He turns his head away from me before putting it on his knees. ``I just... don't like that day. I'm sure he's charming without Lee being around and better than what he acted on that day.`` He added on.
``I guess. I also wondered something... Kahlil wouldn't do that... right?`` I asked, tilting my head. I felt a bit nervous when I asked the question. He wouldn't... why am I doubting him now?
``No. He wouldn't; it was all a setup.`` He answered.
``What setup?`` I looked at Dipper firmly.
``Lee is too friendly to act like that towards a stranger, who happens to be Kahlil. And possibly, he was controlled to act like that when we were approaching. I asked him on that day, and he doesn't even remember saying those things to Kahlil. He actually went and apologized to him, which I didn't expect but you know when a person is too friendly for his own good. I don't think it's a bad thing, but he may be... manipulated easily..`` He said.
`` "Controlled?" Now this calls for the library.`` I said.
``Yeah, I don't think we will ever find answers there.`` He said, letting out a snicker.
``Well, at least he's getting along with him.`` I said before the silence fell upon us.
I looked over at my brother when he asked me a question. ``They can go without me, I'm sure my friends will survive a day without me. Besides, I wanted to spend it with you today.`` I said.
``Really...?`` He looked shocked.
``Yes, really!`` I said, getting up from my bed. ``I wanted to make this day much better than it was yesterday.`` I added before walking over and sitting right next to him.
``Well then, that's very kind of you.`` He said, smiling faintly. ``So... will you be picking-``
``No, no, no. This is your day, you pick whatever you want to hang out at. I wouldn't mind a thing!`` I said. ``Besides... how're your headaches?``
``They're gone.`` He answered.
``Good! Then we're in the green zone, maybe soon the romantic zone~`` I said, chuckling.
``No, Mabel! Ugh.`` He rolled his eyes.
``C'mon, it's not that bad.`` I said, getting up. ``I think it's much better than being alone all the time.``
``What if the alone time calls me?`` He asked, getting up as well.
``You can't date "alone time!" `` I said, laughing. A few seconds later, he laughed along with me.
``Maybe I can, and maybe I will.`` He said.
``Sure, sure, sure. I'll find you a real girl one of these days.`` I smirked before walking over to the dresser. I got fresh clothes out and turned towards him, seeing him glaring me down.
``I guess we're going now.`` He grunted.
``Yep! Get ready, slowpoke!`` I said before leaving the room and heading over to the bathroom. Once I entered it and locked it shut, I change into the comfortable clothes that I picked out. They were mostly a soft blue sweater and a long white skirt. I turned to the mirror and fixed my hair into a high ponytail. Okay, Mabel. Your mission is to be not distracted at all! I am just spending time with my brother, no one else. I breathe in and out, relaxing a bit before grabbing my dirty clothes and heading out of the bathroom. I knocked on the shared room, hearing a voice that it was okay to come in. I opened it and placed the clothes in my laundry. I turn to look at my brother. Simple, less unique clothing, what was I expecting? ``Ready?`` I asked, placing my hand on my left hip.
``Yep.`` He nodded, turning towards the door.
``Alrighty then!`` I turned and went out the door. We both headed down the staircase together and into the closed gift shop area. I opened the front door as I looked at my hesitant brother. I frowned before grabbing his hand and leading him out. Let's make sure that we don't remember that memory on that weekend in our heads, we don't need to be reminded. We exited the shack and walked down the dirt path. ``Any places you want to go?`` I asked.
``I was thinking about the library.`` He answered.
``Okay! The quiet place.`` I said, pretending to be disgusted.
``Hey! I like the peace in there.`` He frowned.
``I'm just joking with you!`` I giggled before hugging my brother.
``Ugh, why are you so-`` I heard him stop himself. I let go and looked at him. ``Silly?`` I smiled.
``Yeah, why are you in a playful mood?`` He asked, looking away from me. I think... he was thinking something else along those lines... but I won't dwell on it. ``Because I love to be playful around you. Besides, you said it yourself, I'm silly!`` I chuckled, continuing this joyful act. ``I love myself the way I am.``
``That's good...`` I heard him trail off, his voice had hints of a sad tone. I looked over at him as he stared down at the ground. Does he not like himself? Well, I do understand all of the failure of the dating issues... family issues... all of that. But he shouldn't dislike himself like this. He should have confidence in himself that he can beat those problems and win for all he cares. I frowned. If only I could share my confidence with him. We continued down the path, chatting a little from time to time before we walked into the library. He halted as I did the same. He turned to me and pulled out a library card out of his jacket pocket. Oh! He already got one himself, that's very clever of him! ``You can pick two books if you want, I don't want everything to be about me.`` He whispered.
``Alright.`` I whispered back. I guess that's him. He doesn't like all the attention, and unfortunately, I can't change much of him. At least I know more about him. I nodded as he turned and made his way into the library. I cross my arms, putting my thinking look on. What could I get? I looked over at the tall bookshelves, tilting my head. I turned and approached them, stopping in front of one. "Mystery," the title read on the sign. My brother would love this, I think... magic, and that "controlling" thing is mysterious, right? Or is that fantasy...? I shook my head. Oh right! He did want to find out about what happened to the missing teens... I wonder how's that going with him... I should help. Although would I be useful? I walked by the labeled bookshelves until I stumble upon the "romance" selection. ``Maybe one book from the romance and one from the fantasy selection?`` I mumbled to myself. I smiled and walked in. I grabbed a random book without even looking at the others. I'm not much of a reader, but... this book that I picked seems interesting... "Other Romances." ``What other romances?`` I asked to myself, chuckling. I shall read this and see what they mean. I turned and found my way into the fantasy section.
Soon, I walked into the sci-fi, after finding no signs of my brother in the mystery section. I noticed my brother was beside the bookshelves, sitting down with books surrounding him. Oh god, he's a book nerd. ``Hello.`` I whispered, noticing that he flinched.
``Don't scare me like that.`` He whispered, looking up at me.
``Well, it's not my fault, someone's nose was in a book's pages.`` I whispered back, sitting down next to the books. ``So, did you decide on anything?``
``I'm debating between two sci-fi books... and going back to the Mystery section...`` He whispered. ``Oh, and I already picked my first book.``
``I think mystery fits you the most.`` I said. He blinked and nodded. ``I think so too. Alright, help me clean this all up since I accidentally made a mess.`` He said frowning. I chuckled softly and helped him. Each book placed back into their spots on the shelves. I grabbed a book that was looking more so fantasy instead of fiction. The cover had a tree sprouting from a single seed. ``Hey... I have heard of this book..``
``Really? Don't spoil it for me, then.`` He said before grabbing it out of my hand.
``Hey!``I huffed, hugging my two picks. I followed him into the mystery section, and soon we were good to go. We checked out the books and headed out of the library. ``Jeez, that I felt like my side of picking books were an instant. I didn't really take a look at first.`` I said, raising my voice level.
``Well, that's unfortunate-``
``Wait, I did take a while in the fantasy section, so, yeah... maybe that was intense?`` I said, looking over at him.
``Well, that tells me something about you. We both like fantasy.`` He said.
``Yeah! I guess! I mean, I don't mind living in a fantasy world like, don't you agree?`` I asked.
``I think we're already living in one.`` He said. This confused me until the view of the jungle gave me the idea.
``OH! Right, forgot about the jungle.`` I said, chuckling nervously.
``So, let me take a guess, the other book you picked is romance, right? Since you seem to not trail off of that topic.`` He guessed.
``True. But... don't think it's a story but an information book. Wait, why would this be in the romance section?`` I asked, staring at it.
``Dunno, blame the library workers.`` He said.
``I will!`` I grinned. We walked down the sidewalk in silence, listening to the cars passing by with the chatter of other people. I looked up from the ground and over at the jungle. I tilted my head. ``You know what, a jungle wouldn't show up out of nowhere. It feels too wet and too moist, maybe a bit dangerous, and a bit weird.`` I said.
``Maybe it feels more different than the jungles in different places of the world? Besides, I don't think those trees are natural.`` He said, looking over.
``I agree with you on that one. I think magic has something to do with it.`` I said.
``Magic?`` He turned his head to face me.
``Yeah! Magic is the only reason that I got.`` I said.
``I guess that could be a clue to this all. It's not really important, as the creatures in there are happy.`` He said shrugging.
``Come on! I wanna see where did this jungle come from! We could ask Kahlil tomorrow if he's up for it.`` I suggested.
``We could...`` He trailed off. I smiled, suddenly an idea pop in my head.
- Dipper's POV -
``Maybe you can ask him.`` My sister asked.
``Oh yes, are you afraid to travel with us now?`` I joked.
``Yes, I am! That creature was terrifying! How do you guys just go back in there just fine?`` She asked, looking at me with a frightened look.
``Dunno. Maybe the jungle calls us-`` Someone's voice interrupted our conversation. Rude. We looked over at the figure, sitting at a stand. What do you want? My sister walked pass me and approach them. What happened to stranger danger, Mabel? I sighed and followed her. The figure was a bit chubby and round, probably couldn't run fast enough even if he tried, but then again, I'm in the same boat, minus the fat. ``Do you need something?`` Mabel asked.
``No dear, I wanted to ask if you young fellas would like to hear a story.`` He smiled.
``Sure!`` She said, interrupting me from speaking. I rolled my eyes. I guess I'm going to keep a lookout for this stranger. We walked over and sat in the seats, putting down the books on the counter. ``Glad you could listen! Beforehand, I am Bud Gleeful-``
``Y-Your, the father of Gideon Gleeful?!`` My sister said, gasping in awe.
``Yes, I am. I'm proud of my son becoming a magician. While his old pap is trying to make a show for himself.`` He let out a small laugh before going back to his original expression. I was already bored with this, but I guess I can listen to what story he has to tell.
``So, this story is about how this jungle came to be.``
A long time ago, a village settled next to a cursed forest. It wasn't always cursed before one of its children ventured in with his friends. All of this you see, all of this jungle around us used to be a forest. But since the gods became angered, it was no longer a forest, a force of nature, trapping us in here for life.
Not really. I thought.
A kid went by the name of Jake. He was like any kid, so curious, so adventurous. In these 1600s times, once on an eventful day, he and his friends ran into the forest. They ended up getting lost, whimpering slightly to themselves. Only Jake was the one who made them move from their spot to a sizeable, "magical" area. You see, he found this small shiny floating sphere and decided to follow it. But he would have left his friends behind, so he convinced them to come with him. Soon they ventured deeper into the forest.
Soon the group across the field of glowing mushrooms. It wasn't dark, not at all, but the tree's leaves cover the skies to the point where it was really dark, making the mushrooms think it was nighttime. These plants only glowed when it was nighttime. Meanwhile, this amazed them so much they started to dance in the fields. One of them said they found a way out, and they all ran over to that one friend. Jake didn't follow. His friends called his name, but he didn't budge. They walked back and dragged him out as he cried for them to put him back.
Soon they were out of the forest, at the perfect time when their families were looking for them. To their surprise, they were gone for 5 days. It felt like it was just 20 minutes, but this forest can twist the time while you stay in it. Jake went back to the woods the next day, never to be seen ever again. His family and friends search and search for weeks, but never found him. They all blamed the forest for their kids going missing, leading them to set it ablaze. The tree burnt, fell, crushed up into ashes until the flames halted. It soon creeped up to the glowing mushroom field where the angry mob had ventured upon. There in the center, a boy stood up, they realized that it was Jake all along. But he doesn't seem to be the boy that they remember. He turned towards them, glaring them down with an intense stare. He was angry at them, they destroyed his home, and now they will have to pay for it.
He raises his hand into the air, making it rain upon them, putting out the fires. He then scared them off as they all hurried back to their village. The rain never stopped. It continued on and on, flooding the village slowly. The forest at the same time grew bigger, much larger than it's previous size. Soon, the villagers were huddled up on a hill, eyeing down the flood carrying their stuff away. Haven't I told you only a few survived? This made them think the gods that they believed were angry at them and wanted to kill them all. The only thing that they sent was the boy.
They turned and were frightened by the boy's presence. He walked forward and halted until he was in front of them. They begged for mercy, bowing to him. He smiled so delightful, so merciless. He sat down and grinned wicked. He then whispered, "come along, rest with me where we can escape this life we once had. I promise I will take care of you."
No one knows where they went, and to this day, that jungle is haunted for its crimes. Whenever someone disappears into it, we believe they went to the Resting Grounds, where they go and rest there.
``That... was a fantastic story!`` Mabel said, having some slight hesitation in her speech. Maybe the story was too freaky for her. I shrugged.
``Thank you, thank you!`` He bowed. ``It was great that you guys stayed and listened to my story.``
``No problem!`` She said, giving him a fake smile. I looked at my sister, seeing as she is uncomfortable by what has been told before her. I stared back at him, giving him no expression to his stupid story.
``Well, we should be going now!`` Mabel said, chuckling nervously. She and I grabbed our books as we both got up off of the seats. ``Have a good day, Mr. Gleeful!`` She said before we took off to the sidewalk once more.
``I don't like the story...`` She said once we were out of hearing.
``Me, either.`` I said before looking over my shoulder. I widened my eyes as the color in my face drains away.
Why is he... staring at us in a perverted way? More so creepy...
End of Chapter 23