Yes, I know. I've been posting a lot of things today. I don't care. Honestly, I'm not even supposed to be posting this story yet anyway, because I was going to wait until I wrote all the chapters. But oh well.
Chapter 1 - Arrival
Footsteps.
Feet moving through the grass and dirt. The blunt tips of slightly-worn shoes that were stained with mud, but still in good condition, kicking at the tiny rocks and pebbles along the rough gravel road and moving the orange-brown pine needles aside playfully. The shuffling of two people walking through the forest filled with the scent of wet soil after it's rained and the sap oozing down the tree bark covered with green moss. The flow of the warm air, the wind signaling the start of summer as the dandelions swayed back and forth.
A little girl, who looked to be ten years old, dressed in a pink sweater that had a dazzling shooting star symbol on it that was a bit too big for her, only her finger tips peering out of the sleeves, and a purple skirt with black slippers on her feet, bent down to pick one, and held it in her hands oh-so-carefully.
Mason, the taller sibling who was twelve, stood by his sister in silence, a small smile on his lips, an arm wrapped around her to keep her near. He found it stunning how Mabel could find such beauty in such a simple thing, something that many people considered a weed, something just to be discarded and ripped away from the earth when they were cleaning their gardens and yards.
The siblings had been sent to Gravity Falls by their parents to spend the summer with their Great Uncle Stanford, who was a very intelligent and smart man. He'd heard once that he had twelve PhD's! Sometimes he wondered if it was even possible, really. Anyway, back to his parents - they thought that they needed a change for once and wanted them to spend some time outside, so here they were.
"It's so pretty." she said, amazed as she stared at the small flower in awe of it's delicate features.
He stood there admiring the object she held in her hands for a few seconds before he patted her shoulder, signaling her to keep on moving. Ahead of them stood a well-built cabin made from oak and pine from the forest. It'd been there for thirty years, but it still looked almost as good as new. His Grunkle Ford stood at the front porch, smiling gently as he waited for the two children expectantly, but patiently as well. At the sight of him, Mabel put the dandelion in the left pocket of her skirt and ran up to the cabin, jumping into the old man's arms. He laughed as he twirled around a bit at the sudden and unexpected addition of weight, hugging her back before placing her down on the ground softly.
"I'm glad you two could make it up to Oregon. I already have a room prepared for you both. If you want, you can unpack your bags tomorrow morning. You should get to know the place firsthand." Ford said, opening the door and leading them inside. There was the faint smell of wax and lavender as the candles had just been put out, the smoke slowly climbing up into the air from the extinguished wick. He pointed to the stairs as he continued speaking. "It's the second-to-last door on the right." Mason nodded, thanking him as he and his sister trudged up the steps.
He quickly found the room, the door creaking slightly as he pushed it open. On the opposite sides of the room were two beds, an odd triangle-shaped clear glass window in between them. He found it strange, but cool at the same time. The architects here sure were amazing - at least for a random peaceful home in the woods. It wasn't like the place was some multi-million dollar mansion, but it was decent. He was pulled out of his thoughts when his sister ran over and started jumping up and down on the bed to his right. It was obvious she was claiming that one, so he chuckled as he took the left bed, setting down the books he'd brought with him that he planned to read all summer down on the nearby nightstand. His sister eventually settled down, and startled drawing pictures of unicorns, rainbows and whatnot with her crayons.
Mason couldn't help but find himself staring at that window. It made chills run down his spine, causing him to suddenly shudder. He felt as if something - or someone - was watching him all around. His gaze uncontrollably shifted away, not being able to keep resisting the itch to look at his surroundings to make sure he was safe. He glanced at his younger sibling, who was coloring away, humming a tune as she swung her legs back and forth. The adrenaline that had spiked up in him so suddenly started to drain away as he picked up one of his mystery novels and started taking in the words printed on the pages. But even as he read on, the feeling of being watched still didn't go away, and neither did his fear.
As the night wore on, his sister yawned, growing tired. She put her supplies away and he felt his eyelids getting heavy as well.
"Hey, Mason?" she asked as she snuggled under the covers.
"Yes, Mabel?" he responded, putting away his book and setting it down.
"Can you promise me something? I want you to always be here for me, even when I'm not here, okay?"
"Alright."
"You promise?"
He hesitated a moment.
"I promise."
"Goodnight, bro-bro."
"Sweet dreams, Mabes."
Shortly after, he heard the sound of her relaxed breathing as she snoozed off. He snapped awake, not even realizing that he had drifted off for a second. He pulled the string on the lamp, the click of it snapping off. He made sure to organize his things before tucking himself under the covers. He heard the sound of the crickets chirping outside, not helping to subside the feeling of being watched once again. He shut his eyes regardless, slipping into unconsciousness.