Oh, Now She's Forgetting

- Mabel's POV -

I sat up slowly, letting out a yawn. I stretched out my limbs and turned to the edge of my bed. I looked over to my brother, who was still sleeping. I narrowed my eyes, looking over at the door of our room. A thought trailed in my mind, making me think quietly. I soon looked over at the window, noticing the sky was clear. I gasped quietly, getting up quickly. The excitement begins to rise within me as all of the energy comes back to me. Since the sky is cleared today ... could we perhaps go ice skating today? I grinned before turning over to my dresser. Should I check to see if the ice was damaged in some way? I don't know if Kahlil is doing that... Actually, I never asked the two of them to see if they wanted to. I grabbed some clean clothes and turned over to my brother who was moving around underneath the covers slowly. I'll ask them once I check to see if the ice isn't damage. I turned and exited the room quietly, trying to not wake up my brother. I went downstairs to change in the bathroom. Once I was finished, I headed back upstairs to place my dirty clothes in my laundry basket.

Soon I fluff out my hair and walked back to the first floor. I walked over to the hanger pole and took my jacket. I put it on as well as putting on my mittens. I made sure I've gotten everything else before leaving the shack. It was around 8-ish, probably 8:30 AM if I took my sweet time getting ready. I walked down the snowy pathway, looking up to the sky. I watched the white clouds travel slowly above me. It better not snow later today. I would be sad if it did. I looked down at the ground, spotting some footprints in them. One was going towards the shack and the other was heading towards the sign at the end of the pathway. I halted and looked at it, seeing that it was fresh. Maybe? It could be old. I don't know. Maybe Dipper can see if they're fresh if he was here. I could have woke him up and dragged him out of bed, however, I didn't. Mainly because I wanted to be a good sister to him. I've dragged him out of bed way too many times.

I giggled to myself before turning towards the icy jungle. It looks so pretty in this season. I sighed, watching my cold breath before walking over to the jungle. I carefully walked over the bush and into the icy woods. I looked around, everything seems to be white, well almost white. some parts had covers where they were still green. Soon I made it to the clear pathway, walking over anything that seems interesting, suspicious, and dangerous. I can't go near things that interest me, or they'll kill me. And I don't think Kahlil wants to find my dead body. After that last remark when he said he didn't want to take me to the hospital. I couldddd scare him, though I think he would know I'm playing around, since ... my brain would be active. Are brains active when you're awake? I might have to ask my brother that.

I halted my steps, breathing in the cold air. I shivered a bit before looking over to the tall trees. Can I just explore and walk around the trees instead of ice skating? It sounds so peaceful here! I smiled widely before looking at the distance. I drop it when I notice something moving in the far distance. Is it one of the creatures? Kahlil mentions that they'll be up in the trees. Okay. Do I go to it because it interests me or ... do I not follow it? Well ... he isn't here. So HE can't tell me what to do! I begin to walk forward, attempting to keep my steps quiet. The snow wasn't that tall, so the noises of me walking in them should be good. I stopped by a tree once I was closer. I noticed the figure seem to be human-like, more so shaped like us. They appeared to be walking slowly. They ... maybe under the mind control of the jungle...

I narrowed my eyes, trying to focus on them. They stopped by a tree, collapsing by it. I widened my eyes and walked forward, approaching them. "Hello?" I called out. Silence answered me, as I walked around the tree, seeing the figure more closely. I widened my eyes in horror, recognizing to be ... P... P-Pacifica?! What are you doing out in this cold without any warm clothes?! A-And ...-

"... M-Mabel?" Pacifica said weakly. I quickly took my jacket off and wrap it around her. She flinched back in response, looking terrified.

"It's okay! It's okay! I'm here." I whispered softly, helping her put it on. What do I ask first?

"... I-I... I-I'm glad... I... I saw y-you." She said weakly, falling over into me. I caught her and hugged her close.

"W... Where w-were you...?" I asked quietly.

"... I-I... I-I don't k-know..." She mumbled, burying her face into my shirt. She did have clothes on it was just... very light and poor clothing. As if... she was from one of those illegal trades. "... I-I ... don't... say..."

"You don't want to?" I said quietly, hugging her close.

"... p-pain..." She whimpered quietly.

"She needs a hospital! She's bleeding!" I flinched from the voice behind me, hugging Pacifica close. What? I didn't see that on her! I looked down at her, widened my eyes in more horror. Where did these bruises come from?! And... and...- I saw Kahlil rush from behind me, sitting close to us. "Come on, she's gonna die out here if we stay any longer." He said.

"Okay." I nodded quickly. "Come, Pacifica. We're moving-"

"To where?!" Pacifica said, leaning back quickly with a panicked expression.

"To the hospital." He said, helping me help her up. She began to grow more frightened once she stared at him.

"... no... no, I-I can't-" She said, before trying to pull away from us.

"The hospital will help you!" I said, keeping a firm grip on her wrist.

"No... no, no, no." She said quickly, shaking her head repeatedly. Why doesn't she wants to go to the hospital? I frowned and looked over to Kahlil for help. Soon I saw her fall forward in the corner of my eyes. I wasn't fast enough to catch her, but he was.

"She's in a shock state." Kahlil said, reshifting her into a carrying position. He soon lifts her up before walking in a direction.

"Why?" I asked as I followed him.

"... It's..." He began, parting through some bushes. I decided to help in on that, waiting on the response from him. "... It's... something similar to what I've experienced."

"... The case group and I did... assume that Pacifica was kidnapped..." I said quietly. "... So... are you telling me that... this... kidnapper just decided to ... do this as they please?"

"... Yes." He said, picking up his pace. "... That what he did, that's what he wanted to do to us." I shivered, looking horrified. How could someone do something so cruel?! I didn't want to speak after that, my mind was focused on trying to bring Pacifica to the hospital. I... It's been a while since I've seen her. I need to know if she'll be okay...

We arrived at the hospital, the staff members reacted quickly in a rush. Pulling out a strecher and placing her on it. They soon pulled her away as I stood there with a worried expression. I hope... I hope they will take care of her. Though... I am confused as to why she didn't want to go to the hospital. The hospital helps people with near-death experiences or ... diseases, etc. Don't tell me ... do not tell me that the hospital is- ... no...- is it? Did we just ...-

"We didn't... besides, we're getting really mean looks from everyone right now, so I suggest we should go now." I heard Kahlil whisper.

"... Why are people looking at us weirdly? We only just found her." I whispered, turning to him. "We didn't do anything wrong."

"Yeah, but you know how people's brains are. They assume the worse." He whispered.

"... They shouldn't... none of them..." I said, trailing off as I looked over to them. There was a kid who looked angry at me, their mother grabbed them and huddle them close to her as she glared at me. Oh... oh no... oh no. We did a bad thing. We did a bad thing! All of these people are mind controlled by this one thing!

"... Mabel..." Kahlil said quietly. "It's time to go."

"... We're just gonna leave like that?" I whispered quietly.

"... Yes." He nodded.

"... I don't want to. You can go and leave, I'll stay here and wait." I said.

"... I think that's a bad idea." He whispered.

"It's not. It's not a bad idea to wait for this." I whispered back. They're going to do something bad to her, I just know it. And I need to go and get her-

"You leave me no choice."

I shot up awake, sitting up in a room. I blinked in confusion, staring at my room. WAIT. Wasn't I just at the hospital?! I looked around, seeing that I was on my bed. Was that all a dream? No. It can't be! No. Don't make it a dream! I just saw my best friend injured in the jungle and you tell me this is a dream?! No. No. NO. NO! I held my head in my hands, squeezing my eyes shut. It's not a dream. But ... it feels so real... it felt so real... how is it not a dream?! I need answers fast, I don't want to lose my mind over this. I looked over to my brother's bed, noticing it was empty. Well ...- wait, what day is it? I turned over to my phone and unplugged it. I opened it, reading the date. December 19th, 12:15 PM. DID I SLEEP THE WHOLE DAY? THERE WAS A HALF DAY TODAY IN SCHOOL! What is going on? Why is it not December 18th?!

I flinched from the door opening, jerking my head over to it. I watched my brother walk in with a contented expression. He closed it before looking over at me. "Oh, you're awake!"

"... Dipper. Is it the December 18th?" I asked.

"... No. It's Monday." He answered, walking over to his desk. He places his stuff down before walking over to me.

"... Then, What's. Going. On?" I said seriously, looking as if I lost my mind.

"... Relax. There was no harm in this." He said, sitting next to me.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THERE WAS NO HARM IN THIS-"

"RELAX." He said cutting me off, flinching from my shout. "I'm about to explain right now."

"OKAY GOOD." I shouted as I was breathing fast.

"I thought you were, you know sick and wouldn't wake up this morning." He begins.

"... I didn't wake up?" I asked. "Now I think about it, I feel like I had a dead sleep."

"... Until after school, Kahlil explained it all to me. You guys ... found... Pacifica yesterday... right?" He asked, looking at me with a surprised expression.

"Yes. We did." I said.

"... Well. After you guys took her to the hospital ... something happened and ... you ended up back here. I wasn't here when our grunkles said that a guy came and drop you off here." He said. "They mentioned that you were knocked out cold. And if we tried waking you up with anything, you wouldn't open your eyes."

"... Dead Asleep. I never slept like I was dead before." I said, looking confused.

"... It was confusing... especially when it lasted up in the next day." He said.

"... Well ... that's ... confusing. Nothing bad happened to my body, right? I don't know, was it?" I asked.

"I don't know." He said, looking away from me.

"I don't feel off so I'm good!" I said, standing up from the bed. "Now. I must see Pacifica."

"... Kinda knew you would say that." He said.

"... You knew?" I asked, turning to him.

"Kahlil mentioned to me that you would want to go back to the hospital after you woke up." He answered.

"... I feel like... whatever happened to me... Kahlil did something. He's my friend, he wouldn't, would he?" I asked. I stared at my brother as he widened his eyes slightly. He looked hesitant before answering.

"... He wouldn't." He said. ... I don't know if I should ask him about his hesitation. I'm sure it's fine.

"Yeah. He wouldn't!" I chirped. "Anyway, I'm off to see Pacifica!"

"Could I go with you?" He asked.

"Sure! I'm sure she would love to see you." I chirped. "I'll get ready in the bathroom!" I added on before grabbing some fresh clothes and rushing out. Once we were both ready, we said goodbye to our grunkles and headed out, traveling on the snowy pathway. We then walked on the sidewalk, watching everything go by. Soon we arrived as we entered the building. There was a limo car in front of the hospital, so I know her parents gotta be here. We headed over to the counter and asked if we could visit Pacifica. Unfortunately, they mentioned that her parents stated that they wanted no visits at all from anyone. "... well that's ... bad..." I heard my brother say.

"... Why do her parents don't want anyone to see her?" I asked, looking confused.

"Probably a rich thing. Who knows at this point." He answered, shrugging. Though he frowned a second later.

"Dang. I really wanted to see her!" I said, frowning.

"Well... I guess we can see her whenever she gets out of the hospital?" He asked, turning towards the door.

"... Yeah... we can." I said. We soon headed over to the door. I looked around, spotting some people glaring at us as we walked out. Did we do something? I'm not quite sure. I shrugged it off and exited the door with my brother. Though, I have a feeling it had to deal with something ... something ... uh ... why can't I remember what I need remembering?

"Mabel, are you okay?" I heard my brother say. I looked over to him as he had this concerned look.

"Oh, I'm fine! Trying to figure out what I forgot in my head.`` I answered.

"... What did you forget?" He asked.

"I don't know. All I know that people were familiarly staring at us..." I answered, confusion spreading across my face.

"Familiar way ...?" He tilted his head.

"Yeah ... like ... glaring at us. Did we do anything to them?" I asked, curiosity rose alongside my confusion.

"... No, we didn't. We just happen to be enemies of Gideon." He said, looking away at the scenery. "Since, you know, he has the town on his side under his control."

I looked a bit confused. "... what?" Is what slipped out of my mouth. We're enemies of Gideon? How did that happen? He looked back at me, raising one of his brows. "... We're ... enemies?"

"It's because we're working on the case." He said slowly, soon looking more concerned than before.

Soon my confusion overrides my curiosity. There's a case within this town? How have I not heard of this before? "... the ... case?" I said slowly.

"The Missing Teens Case! The one we've been doing these past months!" He said, widening his eyes slightly.

Oh ... wait... missing teens case ...? Those posters that I saw on one day of the school year? We've been doing that? I think ... I remember something of it. I was about to say something about it before a voice interrupts our conversation. "Excuse me ... are you guys ... my daughter's friends?" I looked over to them, spotting two folks who dressed so fancy, and beautifully. "Yes, we are! Is Pacifica okay?" I asked.

"She is fine." The man said with a rough voice.

The woman looked like she was having trouble speaking her words. "... We ... uh, have come here to tell you that ... since you two are my daughter's friends ... I give you both special permissions to visit her... whenever you like..." She said, appearing to look unfriendly. However, that didn't bother me.

"Really?!" I said, happiness spreading across my face.

"... Yes, you can." She grumbled before turning away. She soon walked off with her husband.

"YAY! We can see Pacifica now!" I chirped, turning to my brother.

"... Yeah ... Uh, can we see her another time?" My brother asked.

"Why not? I thought you wanted to see her?" I asked. He turned his gaze from the ground and back to me with a serious look.

"I do want to ... however, I want to wait until I finish some business with someone." He grumbled.

"... Did you do something illegal?" I asked. I hope it's not that bad. Please don't make it that reasoning.

"No! Not that business!" He said quickly. "Do you want to come?" I looked unsure, looking back over at the hospital's doors. Do I want to visit her now or go with my brother? I should go with him just to make sure he doesn't get in trouble. Yeah, I should. I looked back at him and nodded. "Alright, let's see what business you have." He nodded before leading the way. We left the hospital area and walked in the direction of the Mystery Shack. If this business isn't bad, then what is it? I watched my brother halt by the sign and pulled out his phone. Oh wait, don't tell me what I think he's doing. "Are we going to wait for someone?" I asked.

"Yep." I heard him grumbled. He soon dialed whatever number he pressed in before putting his phone up to his ear. Maybe I should have gone and visited Pacifica. I really don't want to know what my brother did. Or ... made him grumble this much. "What's with the grumbles?" I asked, putting on my serious face. He didn't say anything as he bit his lip. I huffed and sighed. I guess I'll wait here and see what he has done.

"Hiiiii Kahlil. Can you come over to the signed path for a second?" He's calling Kahlil? Oh... Oh, he must have made him mad again. Well ... from what I've seen between the two, this is understandable and "reasonable" in his favor. But, why does he needs me here then? Wait- never mind. Never mind about that question. But to be honest, these two are always in some funny business... so... I don't really need to keep an eye on him now. I looked over at him as he moved the phone away from his ear, making me assume he's done with the call.

"... Did you guys fight?" I asked. That could be a reason for this "business."

"No, no. We didn't." He said, looking at me.

"... Then, what's going on?" I asked, looking confused. If they didn't fight, then what does he needs him for?

"From your responses about the case ... you should be more determined to solve this case. Instead, you're not, acting as if it was normal or something along those lines." He answered.

"... oh, should I be more like that?" I asked. So, it's about this case... you know, I seem to remember little of it ... I see myself getting excited from every point we come across but ... I don't know how to react to it all.

"... I wish." I heard him mumble.

"... Then ... was anything about it wrong...?" I asked. If I'm not acting determined and such, then am I missing something in this situation?

"Okay. Do you remember anything about what we have done or any of the points we made to the case?" He asked.

"... Not really ... I barely remember us doing one." I answered.

"Figures." He said, his expression twisting into an irritated look. If he remembers that we both did this case, then... does he knows what's going on with me? Maybe ... that's maybe why he hesitated before. He is the one coming up with these ideas after all. Maybe I can ask him.

"Why did you hesitate before?" I asked.

"... I was hoping Kahlil didn't." He answered. Oh. that's right, I asked if Kahlil did something to me. But ... the way you answered this time around. Did you lie before?

"But ... he didn't, right?" I asked, looking confused. Did you?

"I don't know! He said that he did something to you." He said, looking confused as well.

"... something?" I said, tilting my head. "... if he did something, then I can say one thing. I do feel slightly off today." I added on before pulling out my phone to stare at it. "I don't know why I feel a bit off. Firstly, it was the dead sleep I had and then ... floating memories that I seem to miss. But if I forgot about them, then they must have not been important right?"

"... I don't know." He answered. He really doesn't have any idea for this? This is bad.

I looked up before spotting my friend. "Oh, Hi, Kahlil!" I said.

"Hello... what do you need, Dipper?" Kahlil said, turning towards him with one of his brows raised.

My brother took a breather before turning towards him, glaring at him. "What the f-ck did you do to my sister?"

"Uh ... it wasn't nothing harmful." He said, looking like he was surprised that he cursed at him.

I blinked, looking confused. So he did do something to me. "What did you exactly do, Kahlil?" I asked.

"... All I did to you is that... I put you to sleep." The blond answered.

"... You put me to sleep? Is that why I had a dead sleep?" I asked. He put me to sleep. How does one put me to sleep?

"Probably?" He said, shrugging.

"Why did you put me to sleep?" I asked. There must be a reason for this.

"... Oh. Now I know why you reacted that way, Dipper." He said which confused me. I mean, the cursing was unnecessary... but you know the cause of it? "That may have messed her memories up a bit..."

"... Putting her to sleep, messed with her memories?" He asked, looking as if he was growing frustrated as seconds passed. Oh. But how does one put ONE to sleep? How did he do it?!

"Yeah ... but it should come back to normal by now." He said.

"It hasn't." My brother grumbled.

"Ask her another question about whatever she forgot." Kahlil said, glaring at him.

I watched my brother grumble before turning to me. "Mabel, do you like doing the case?"

I do. Why wouldn't- "OH. Yes, I do! NOW I REMEMBER. WOW." I said, rubbing my head aggressively. WHY DID I FORGET SUDDENLY? WHY DID I FORGET THE ONE IMPORTANT THING ON THIS ENTIRE PLANET?

"There, problem solved." The blond said. I stop before looking over at him. He hasn't answered my question though.

"You know ... you never answered my question from before, Kahlil. Why did you put me to sleep?" I asked again.

"... Do I need to answer?" He asked, eyeing me down with this intense fear struck within me. Uh ... no, but- it'll be nice if you do so.

"Yes, why did you? The whole town being mind controlled by-"

"I didn't want you to cause trouble in the hospital. Besides, Pacifica was on the verge of dying due to the cold. Where else would you put her at?" Kahlil answered, cutting my brother off and glaring at me. ... He's acting a bit ... unfriendly? I think, I don't know.

"... Fine." I said. I decided not to push it since this fear is really getting to me by force. "I guess, I can just leave her in there."

"At least until she heals, then you can do whatever." He said.

"Yeah ... for now, we will visit her." I said.

"... Yea, is that it?" Kahlil said, turning towards Dipper.

"Don't do that ever again." My brother said, still continuing his glare.

"I don't know about that. I can't make a promise about it." He said, his voice sounding so lifeless. Why is his voice lifeless?

"I'm sure it was fine, Dipper!" I said. "It didn't do no harm at all. Though, I wished you warned me before you did that."

"I'd rather not." Kahlil said coldly.

"... Okay ..." I said, looking nervous around this negative energy. "Can we go home now?" The hospital visit can wait another time. I'd rather get my positive energy back first.

"Sure." I heard my brother say.

"Well, I'm off to the jungle. Don't ever call or text me again." The blond said coldly once more before walking away. I frowned, feeling the fear disappear. Did we do something to piss him off? Okay. Enough of that, my brother is looking depressed again.

"Well. I'm glad we got that cleared up." I said. "Come on, Dipper! Let's see what our helpers found!"

"... Alright."

End of Chapter 58