Forgotten Troubles
- Dipper's POV -
"... Dipper." Mabel whispered quietly, her voice aquiver with nervousness. I ducked and looked back at my sister with my shocked expression. She widened her eyes, tears generating in her eyes. Grunkle Ford? Why did you keep this secret from us? Why did you? Shit. What... what do we do...?
"... We...- Grunkle Ford...- he..." Mabel said brokenly. She couldn't form a proper sentence as her mind is probably confused as mine. My grunkle, who I knew since I was a child who's... the kidnapper?! I ... I don't want to believe it. I don't want to believe any of it! Why, why did he... why-
"What are you guys doing here?!" We both jumped from the booming voice. Mabel quickly stood up and backed away as I followed behind. I stood in front of her as I glared at Grunkle Ford.
"What are you guys doing in the jungle?!" He hissed, his voice filled with anger.
"What are you doing with the warehouse?! Why- WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?!" Mabel shouted, her voice filled with pain and anger.
"What are you talking about?" He said, appearing confused though the anger never left his face.
"Kidnapping the teenagers! WHY? WHY DID YOU DO IT?!" Mabel shouted.
"What makes you think I do that?" He said, stepping over the bush. He tried approaching us, however, he noticed how we were appearing to him. He halted and sighed. "You guys. What makes you think it's your Grunkle?"
"You went into the warehouse... where the victims are at." Mabel said, her voice was upset at this point.
"I went inside to question why there was a warehouse abandoned in the middle of a jungle. And like any other explorer/scientist, I wanted to see if there were any strange animals in there." He explained.
"... Do you know there's a trapdoor in there?" I asked, calming down as I see the truth. He doesn't seem like he's lying. His expression is still a mixture of confusion and anger.
"Trapdoor? Now I do remember spotting a door in the ground. However, I did want to make sure that the people who were following me were gone. But I didn't expect the people to be you two." He answered, giving us glares.
I frowned and turned to my sister. "He's telling the truth." I whispered. Shit. Just fucking shit. Why did I assume that?! Why would I assume that one of my guardians is the kidnapper? That wouldn't make sense.
"... You sure?" She asked, frowning.
"Yes." I nodded. She soon walked from behind me and looked at him.
"... I can't. I can't believe this." Grunkle Ford said, soon his confusion disappeared, his anger consuming his expression. "You two are coming back to the shack, NOW." He hissed, his tone cold. We both nodded quickly as we followed behind. Shit. Shit. Shit. What is going to happen? I... I never expected this day would come. We trailed quietly in the pathway of Grunkle Ford's. Once we were nearing the outside of the jungle, we exited the wet woods. I met his gaze before he glanced away from me. I frowned as he continued the way to the shack. I hugged myself before following behind slowly. Guilt rose within me in all corners of my body. I kept repeating one thought in my head, telling myself that I should have never gone into the jungle.
We entered the shack as we were told to sit in the living room. Grunkle Stan was confused as Grunkle Ford will tell them everything once he put his equipment down. I sat close to my sister, keeping my gaze down at the floor. "... I guess I'm watching TV later." Grunkle Stan said, turning off the TV. "And by the way Ford sounded, you guys must have done something to piss him off."
"... Yeah." Mabel said quietly. I kept silent, waiting for the lecture to begin. I heard footsteps come in as they stopped a couple minutes later.
"So. What did they do now? Something illegal?" Grunkle Stan asked.
"With one rule I put up, the only rule that I didn't want them to do and they both went ahead and did it." Grunkle Ford said. "They traveled into the jungle."
"Oh. Guess they got tired of the town." Grunkle Stan said.
"Stanley! You are not helping!" Grunkle Ford said.
"Well, we can't really ground them." Grunkle Stan said. "Besides, they made it out alive."
"It's because I found them. They must have followed me in there." Grunkle Ford said. "It's lucky for them that I caught them before they even traveled further into the jungle."
"I wouldn't ...- oh crud. Well, whatever you decide to do with them, I won't intervene." Grunkle Stan said.
"Dipper and Mabel." Grunkle Ford called our names, making me flinch. "Look up, Dipper." I obeyed quickly and stared at him with a sad expression.
"Since I've only guessed you guys followed me in and breaking the rule I've told you two, I will let you off with a warning. However, I will be giving you two a set of rules."
"A set of rules?! But you-"
"Mabel." He hissed, his voice voided with coldness. "Don't cut me off when I'm speaking."
"... Yes sir." Mabel said.
"These set of rules, which I hope will control you two."
"We're not troublemakers." Mabel grumbled quietly. SHUT UP, MABEL.
"What was that?" Grunkle Ford asked. Mabel, once in your fucking life, shut up.
"I said, we're not troublemakers! Why do we need a set of rules? You were letting us off of a warning!" Mabel said. I slowly turned to give her a glare. She stared at me confused, wondering why I was glaring at her.
"I might not leave it off with a warning if you keep talking." Grunkle Ford said.
"... That's not fair-"
"Shut the fuck up." I hissed in a whisper towards her. She looked surprised at my response, soon she obeyed and turned away from me.
"I want you guys home by 7:00 PM. No leaving the shack afterward. Infact scratch that rule, you will not be leaving the shack. When school ends, I'll be the one picking you guys up." Grunkle Ford said. What. I slowly turned back at Grunkle Ford with a shocked expression. "Do I make myself clear?"
"What about our friends?" Mabel asked.
"You guys did this on yourselves. If you miss out on a friend's hangout, too bad. I'm sure your friends will understand." Grunkle Ford said.
"But... it'll be boring in here." Mabel said.
"Once again, you guys did this to yourself." He said.
"You removed the warning, didn't you?" I asked.
"You guys kept talking, I had to." Grunkle Ford said. "And I actually thought you were a good kid, Dipper." Something shattered within me, I don't know what but... it did. And I feel like shit. "Now do I make myself clear?"
"Yes sir." We both said.
"Good. You can help Stanley clean up shop." He said before leaving the living room.
"Well, that's some good news." Grunkle Stan said. He said something else but my mind faded into the void. My hearing disappeared as I ignored any sensation of someone touching me. Wasn't I a good kid? Were my actions bad to the point I was in trouble? And... why do I feel like I was a horrible nephew to Grunkle Ford? The person that I looked up to when I was young, when I was a kid. Why does it hurt so much?! I quickly stood up, shoving anyone out of my way and ran upstairs. I entered the shared room and slammed it shut. I leaned against the door and slid to the floor. My heart was racing as tears were beginning to well in my eyes. I covered them as I pull my legs close to my chest. Why does it hurt...? Why...?
I sat in my silence, sobbing quietly with what I heard. The phrase keeps repeating in my head. It keeps haunting me, trying to force me to feel guilty about my actions. And I hate how I fall for it. I do feel guilty for hiding the secret from him. But... what's even worse that... I can't leave the shack. A rule that limits my mind from ever escaping what I wanted to do. And... it...- he's right, I did this to myself. I deserve it. I deserve everything that he hates me for. But... I don't want to stay away from Kahlil forever. I know I can see him at school, but... I want to be with him freely without any rules. That's where the jungle comes in.
I hope he lifts up the rule...
I opened my eyes, tired and probably covered in bags. I slowly lifted up my head, looking over at the clock on my desk. It's only 5 AM, it's not even 6 AM. Can I please stop waking up every hour and then wait an hour to sleep? It feels like I didn't get any sleep at all. I sat up and gave up on sleeping. Well, being ready early is good at least. I got up and quietly got ready in the bathroom. Once I was finished with my business, I exited the bathroom and headed back upstairs. It felt like I forgot something, probably the feeling of guilt. Maybe that's what kept me up all night.
Oh... Right.
I frowned before entering the shared room quietly. I shut it before sitting on my bed. I stared at the clock, 5:36 AM. I've been in the bathroom for 36 minutes? Well, at least no one had to go to the bathroom. I'm not quite sure if that's good. I did break down crying for at least a good 10 minutes. So... That happened. That's maybe why my face still feels wet. I wonder why I couldn't stop crying... There was nothing to cry about.
Well ... there was. But I don't think that was the cause of it. Man, I don't know what's going on within me. I lay back down and stared up at the ceiling. I'll just relax until everyone is up. "Dipper... It's time to get up..." I opened my eyes as I looked over at my sister who was rubbing her eyes. I sat in silence for the entire time. Nice to know I didn't fall asleep. I sat up and turned towards the edge of the bed. "I'm already up and dressed." I said.
"... When did you get up?" She asked, looking at me confused.
"At 5 AM." I answered, looking back over at the clock on the end table. 6:30 AM.
"... Why did you wake up ... there?" She asked.
"I couldn't sleep." I said. I feel so restless for whatever reason. I should be tired and grumpy, not super active. I think ... I don't know.
"Oh..." She frowned before getting out of bed. She stretched out before walking over to me. She sat right next to me and hugged me. I blinked in confusion. What am I getting this hug for? She soon let go of me. "I don't think Grunkle Ford meant anything that he said. So don't worry about it." She said, letting out another yawn. "Okay, I'll get ready in the bathroom." She stood up, got her clothes, and left the room.
"... Is that why I act like this?" I said out loud. Is that's why I'm so restless? I wiped away a tear that was coming down my cheek. Don't start crying. Please don't. Once Mabel got ready, it was time to leave. Grunkle Ford was driving us to school. That was fine. As soon as I got in the back seat, I felt tears streaming down my cheeks. Why, why is it happening again? I wipe my tears away trying to keep them from generating more. "You okay, Dipper?" Mabel asked. I flinched from her voice, looking at her.
"Yes? I don't know." I mumbled. She looked at me confused, however, she soon frowned. Why are you frowning? What is even going on? And what did Grunkle Ford say?
We arrived at school, saying our goodbyes, however when I tried with mines to him, he ignored it. Did I do something to him? I frowned before catching up with my sister with my binder. I wonder what I did. We entered the building, saying goodbye to one another before walking to our classes. I stared down at the floor, hearing the faint voices of some students. Soon the voices became louder as the environment changed to almost afternoon. I was now heading over to my 3rd-period class, 1st and 2nd already over with. Although... I find something very different about me from this morning. I'm super tired. I feel like I'm going to faint.
I'm trying to stay awake, although the wobbly steps are not helping me at all. I almost tripped over my own shoes five times. I let out a tired sigh. I really didn't get any sleep last night. I arrived at the class, trying to walk in normally as if I was fine. I've noticed we had a sub. Does that mean I get to sleep this period? I hope so. I walked over to the usual spot I stay at. I sat in the chair and place my binder down on the floor before resting my head in my hands. My elbows help support my head, although a few seconds later they were giving up.
"Hello, gang!" I heard my sister to my right say.
"Well, you seem happy about something." I heard Kahlil say.
"Yep! I got a good grade on my test!" She chirped.
"That's great!" He said.
"I hope I can keep that up. Anyway how- ... How are you guys doing in your classes- Dipper." I was shaken awake as I blinked quickly before glancing at her.
"Yes?" I said tiredly.
"Looks like someone didn't get enough sleep last night." Kahlil said.
"That does seem right." Mabel said.
"... I didn't sleep last night." I said.
"At all?" He said.
"Yeah. Couldn't even drift off if I tried." I mumbled.
"... I feel bad for you." Mabel frowned, which confused me. "I... I really hope he didn't mean it."
"What...?" I said, looking at her confused.
"Remember yesterday? The moment when we were caught by our grunkle in the jungle?" She asked. WHAT. Since when that happened?! I was still bewildered trying to remember what happened yesterday, but everything becomes a blur when I try to look back. "I don't remember none of that." I answered.
"... You don't?" She said, looking confused.
"I don't." I said. How did we get caught in the first place? I don't even ...
"Not even the conversation we had with Grunkle Ford?" She asked.
"No..." I said.
"... That's strange." She said.
"Did I miss anything?" I asked, looking back at her.
"UH. Well, we got in trouble and ... Grunkle Ford told us we weren't allowed out of the shack anymore. He comes to pick us up after school now." She said.
"... That's stupid." I said.
"Well... That's different." She said. "You gave two different reactions. One where you accepted our fate while the other one is this one."
"I'm just saying it because it seems like he's trying to ground us. Which I'm sure he can't do when we're 18." I said.
"He said it as a rule." She said. Isn't that still trying to ground us?
"... Okay I didn't know getting caught in the jungle was an immediate punishment for you guys." Kahlil said.
"Apparently it was. And now, I'm trying to figure out how are we going to do the case now." She said. My head grew heavy as I let it fall to the computer desk with a thud.
"Careful now." He said quietly.
"I'm sorry... I'm just tired." I said, letting out a yawn.
"Since we have a sub, I'm sure we don't have to do anything important in here. So you can sleep the period." My sister said.
"... I..." I trailed off, already dozing off. I didn't stay asleep for very long, because the period was already over with. I hate how sleeping literally time skips everything. I think ... I wasn't fully conscious of anything when Mabel and Kahlil were walking me to the lunchroom. By the time we sat, I fell asleep again. I guess my body wasn't fully awake to work properly. Ugh... I rubbed my forehead, getting a small headache. I leaned on the half wall, looking over at Mabel and Kahlil talking. I glanced away and stared at the group of students.
Well, at least some memories are returning... I remember the scene where we got caught ... But I don't quite remember ...
...
I glanced down at the surface of the half-wall, spacing out. Soon I was zone into my thoughts, hearing what they were telling me. They were saying like ... I lost my freedom because of a stupid action that I could have avoided. It's not stupid, it's actually the best decision I've made. What are these thoughts? And ... why ... do I want to fall into ...- Did I really disappoint my great uncle? For entering into the jungle that I wasn't allowed in, did I really change his views on me? It ... all of these memories ... out of order ... it's just, all of it confuses me. What do I do?
What can I do to make it all up?
I blinked before hearing voices beside me. "Dipper." Mabel said as I looked over at her. "Grunkle Ford called and say it's time to go." My hands' grip on the stone surface. I looked away as I felt nervousness built within me. Or is it fear? Guilt? I don't know anymore. But for some odd reason, I don't want to go home. I don't want to greet one of my grunkles, I don't even want to meet him in the face. And I don't understand why I'm feeling this way. "Dipstick." I heard my sister say.
"Do we have to?" I asked, looking back at her.
"Well, it's his rule. And I'm sure ... you don't want to know what will happen if you disobey it." She said. My hands grip tighter as I glanced back at my binder quickly. "It'll be fine. We'll be helping Grunkle Stan with the shop again!" It won't. We won't be seeing friends at all and ... I hate this feeling that ... that ... I might lose someone close to me.
"One second with him?" I heard Kahlil ask.
"... Sure I guess. I'll be waiting over here." Mabel said before walking away from me.
"Dipper." I looked over at him with my panicked expression. "It'll be fine."
"But-"
"You don't need to worry. You don't need to think heavily about it either. It might not even last long and soon your guardians might just forget about it." He said quietly.
I looked away from him, staring down at my binder. Yeah... but what if it-
"It won't. It can't last forever." He said. "They can't hold you against your own will. That'll be forcing you to do something you don't want to do."
"... Okay. I guess ... you're right." I said slowly.
"Yep. Once you go along with what they have for you guys, it'll be over." He said.
"Okay." I said, gaining some control of my thoughts. I shouldn't look over them at all. However, it feels like they can't disappear. "Maybe because you forgot to take your medicine."
"... OH. That's what I forgot to do this morning!" I said, just remembering. "Dang it, I was too busy crying for no reason this morning."
"... Crying?" He said slowly.
"I don't know why I was crying... I just ... It just happened randomly and I don't know why." I said, shrugging.
"Ah, well ... at least that's the least of my worries." He said.
"Yeah..." I said falling into silence. I turned and grabbed my binder before turning. I don't want to leave but I need to. We'll see each other again tomorrow.
"That's the spirit." Kahlil said, smiling.
"Mhm. So see you later?" I said.
"Mhm!" He said before leaving a kiss on my cheek. I blushed before looking at him. All he did was just smirk, however, it didn't make me annoyed this time. It made me happy, maybe a bit too warm inside. I smiled as I looked over at my sister who's frowning at us. "Never stop being a good boyfriend to him." She said.
"I won't. That wasn't my plan either way." He said.
I walked over to her as I nodded to her. "Okay. Well, see you tomorrow, Kahlil!" She waved at him before we left. We walked down the steps and over to the car that waited for us. We got in as the ride was silent. Well, after Grunkle Ford asked if our day were fine. I sighed sadly, staring out the window.
I do hope he lifts up the rule soon.
End of Chapter 55