... Mabel ...
- Mabel's POV -
... We might have a slight problem. I totally forgot that my brother and I are both targets of the kidnapper and Gideon. So that means, they can do whatever they can to stop us. Such as ... kidnapping Kahlil as I heard from my brother from last night. I didn't like the way my brother was looking. He looked as if he was going to hurt somebody. I reminded him to not let our anger control us. He calmed down after that, but soon he begins to descend into a panic attack. I sat with him until he fell asleep, though it seems like he didn't get enough sleep this morning. I know he cares deeply for Kahlil, but I didn't realize he would think constantly in his head. He kept trying to come up with ideas to avoid accepting the offer. I attempted to convince him to not overthink and to worry so much. That ... almost got us into an argument. Lucky I stopped myself and tried other ways.
I called Soos and Wendy to come over to help an hour ago. And ... another reason about ... what happened yesterday. I exited from the other entry of the shack and walked over to the front side where the parking lot was. I stopped and glanced around, spotting the two a couple seconds later. They waved at me as they approach me. "Hey, Mabel. What's up?" Wendy asked. I frowned and let out a tired sigh.
"Some news popped up and it's not good." I answered, turning around to lead them to the second entry.
"... What is it then?" Soos asked, sounding worried.
"... Let's head inside first." I said, shivering as I realize I forgot to wear a jacket before leaving the shack. You know ... when I look over it repeatedly, Gideon is just trying to screw with our heads. Taking away the ones we love the most and try to get us to give up or whatever. My brother is known to break down in a panicked state. With how Gideon knew this would happen ... I ... I don't know how he does it. I guess he's not an idiot after all. But he's still a jerk. Maybe a wrench as Grunkle Stan calls him. I shook my head before opening the door for the two.
They entered before I followed behind, closing the door. "Wait in the living room, I'll go get my brother." I said. The two nodded slowly before walking over to it. I headed over to the staircase, climbing upon it and over to the opened door. I poke my head in, seeing my brother covered in his own sheets. "Dipper?"
"... W-what?" He responded lowly, uncovering himself as he stared at me with an irritated expression.
"Wendy and Soos are here." I said, walking in.
"... They're here to report, aren't they?" He asked quietly, glancing away from me.
"... Well, I called them over but that can work." I said, approaching his bed.
"Well, since one of us can go down there right now, I suggest I'm not it." He said quietly.
"Why not?" I asked, sitting on his bed. I looked over to his hands as they were slightly trembling.
"I'm not feeling well enough to hear about it." He said quietly, glancing back at me.
"... I know how you feel right now, Dipper. But you can't stay in here at all times. I don't want to leave you here and find out that you're in one of your panic attacks again." I whispered quietly. He looked down at the sheets of his bed, gripping them tightly. "Hey. Our friends may help us come with an idea to get him back. How about that?"
He stayed silent for a bit before letting out a sad sigh. "Okay." I smiled before getting up. I turned and helped him get out of bed. I lead him out of the room, over to the staircase, and down them. I halted at the bottom of the stairs and turned to him. "Before we go in the living room, let's get you clean up first."
"... I look like a mess, don't I?" He asked.
"Yep. To the bathroom!" I said, leading the way. I pushed the door wide open as he entered first. I followed behind, pushing the door to open a tiny crack. I helped my brother get cleaned up. I'm surprised he doesn't mind this at all. He would usually say something by now. I turned and opened the medical cabinet, turning to him. "... right ..." He said quietly. I gave a small smile before grabbing his medication and placing it in front of him. "I'll go get a glass of water." I said. He nodded, allowing me to leave the bathroom quietly.
I walked over to the kitchen and over to the cabinets. I opened one and grab a glass. I closed it and headed over to the fridge. I place the glass on the counter and opened the fridge. I grabbed the water jug and pour some in before screwing the cap on and placing it back in the fridge. I close it before grabbing the glass of water and quietly walked back over to the bathroom. I entered and place it on the counter. "There."
"... thank you." I heard him say lowly.
"No problem!" I smiled. I watched him take his medicine before placing the bottle back into the medical cabinet. He soon grabbed the glass of water, turning to me. I turned and lead the way out, opening the door wide for him. "Gonna dump that out?" I asked.
"No. I'm going to keep it to drink." He said quietly.
"Okay." I said, guiding him to the living room. "We're here." I announced quietly.
"Hey, Dip- Oh... you don't look good." Soos said, staring at my tired brother.
"Something happened?" Wendy asked, looking concerned. Dipper stayed silent as he stared down at the floor. I sighed and grabbed his arm gently before leading him over to the couch. I sat down as he did the same. Wendy walked over and sat next to him, quite concerned for him. "What happened, Mabel?"
"... Gideon ... well ...- somehow he got Kahlil." I said. "I don't know how; somehow he did and it is making my brother stress as hell."
"... Kahlil ...- I don't-"
"If it makes you believe her, he called from Kahlil's phone." Dipper said quietly.
"... Oh god." Wendy said as anger twisted on her face. Though it soon disappeared as she calms herself down. "Great...- It ... seemed impossible."
"It was out of nowhere." I said. "I...- he's strong and has powers- Oh crap, I did it again." I covered my mouth.
"He has what?" Soos asked, looking at us.
"Nevermind about that." I said, waving my hand in the air.
"I won't tell anyone." Soos said, frowning a bit.
"... I ... I'd rather have him tell you himself." I said, staring at him.
"Well, if that's the case, dude. That is super cool he has powers." He said. Wait. Did I say it again? I facepalmed myself before letting out an annoyed sigh.
"Well, since we all know..." I heard my brother say, trailing off as he sips his glass of water.
"Wait, you know, Wendy?" I asked, staring at her.
"He told me the night before New Years'." Wendy said.
"Oh." I nodded before snapping back to my brother. I frowned when he looked a bit panicked.
"Okay. This sounds like a plan to get him out." Wendy said.
"Yeah!" I said, becoming determined. "Wait, what if he's with the others?"
"I... I don't believe he is..." Dipper said quietly.
"What makes you think that, dude?" Soos asked.
"I don't think Gideon would hold him hostage with the others. If he did, I believe he wouldn't call me from ... Kahlil's phone. Instead, he'll wait until I figured out that he went missing." Dipper said quietly. "Though ... it won't work according to his plan..."
"According?" Soos asked. He knows what Gideon is doing.
"Well ... first off ... he's trying to get us to give up so he and the kidnapper can win. Even if ...- Even...- Even if he has him held hostage, I'm not going to stop. He doesn't understand that this fuels us. It just makes us determined to stop and put them behind bars. Secondly, I'm not sure where Gideon is holding Kahlil at if he's not with the missing teens. It might be somewhere hidden beside the warehouse. Though I know the building isn't quite hidden." He explained.
"So deeper into the jungle?" I asked.
"... Possibly." He said.
"I could go and check to see if anything could be off." Wendy said.
"Uh ...-"
"Let me come with you. Going in there alone is dangerous and you may never know what's in there." I said.
"Good idea." She nodded.
"Yeah." My brother said.
"What if Gideon sees this as a chance to ... to reclaim the folks who are recovering?" Soos asked.
"Well. We're in luck with that. I got two policemen freed and right now they should be on the case, getting everyone freed." Wendy said, standing up. "Double luck is that they never had their minds damaged."
"That's good news!" I smiled getting up.
"Very good news." Dipper said.
"Yep. So, should we do this now and plan later?" Wendy suggested.
"We should just see how far we can find." I said.
"Don't drop you guys' guards down. Who knows what could be out there." My brother said.
"Don't worry, I won't allow us to lose this easily." I said, walking out of the living room.
"I'll be waiting in the hallway for you Mabel!" I heard Wendy call out.
"Okay!" I called back before heading upstairs to get ready.
I carefully walked through the snowy ground, stepping over anything that might trip me. I picked up my pace and caught up with Wendy, who was leading. Even if she seemed a bit lost of the way, I helped her show where we are in the jungle. I do ... know some parts of the way. I just hope that they're the same when we return. I glanced around the environment, recognizing the same old moss and the closed-up flowers. As well as some giant fly traps. That's good for them! No need to be ... eating people ... I shivered before feeling gross-out. We headed in deeper before coming across a pebble pathway. I tilted my head, signaling Wendy to stop. I turned to the end, walking over it before seeing it end. "You think it leads somewhere?"
"Yeah ... I think it does." I said, turning around to her. I walked on the pathway, seeing Wendy follow me over my shoulder.
"What would a building be doing in the middle of the jungle?" Wendy asked.
"You can ask that for the warehouse." I said.
"That true, but this one seems deeper and ... covered with thorn bushes." She said. I looked over at her confused. I soon noticed them as the environment got a bit chiller and spooky.
"Now I'm starting to question how this jungle came to be." I said. "Someone once told me but ... I don't know if it's true or not."
"I heard people tell many different stories about the jungle to their children in their own ways. Trying to keep them out of the jungle so they don't have to cry when they disappear. They may be creative when it comes to making a scary story. But overall, this jungle isn't so bad." She said.
"Yeah ... until we come across the scary part of this jungle. I wonder if Kahlil has been here." I said, hugging myself tightly as I watch the environment change.
"He might have been, who knows." She said.
"... How did your parents describe the jungle?" I asked, looking over at her.
"Hmmm... well, they always thought that magical seeds drop from the sky and grew into these tall, gigantic trees as we see them today. However, with how I see it. I feel like civilization started in a forest, a regular forest that used to be home to many critters. Yes. You would see live gnomes stealing pies from people back in the days." She said.
"Back in the days? How long ago was this?" I asked, curious about this story.
"I don't know, I'm just going off what my mother told me before she left. My mom says that civilization sprouted during the 1700s, where horses were pulling wagons and there were no cars here. This town wasn't always named Jungle Falls, it was called by another name. Gravity Falls. I don't quite remember where the name originated from. Maybe gravity here is different from other places? Who knows." She said, shrugging.
"... Wow ... Gravity Falls ... never knew it would be called that. Maybe it did since you see live gnomes and ... tiny talking people." I said. "Maybe the forest was magically and that's probably how it got its name? I don't know."
"I'd doubt it'll be called that way because of that reason. Anyway, where the jungle nature is would lie a forest. A pine forest where it would nest many different creatures. I think ... it had its weirdness and how everyone would think they see is normal. Our town is rooted on a weird side of this place." She said.
"Indeed." I agreed, nodding.
"My mom- when I asked her about the jungle when I was little would always say the trees would look different each day. A few were growing vines on them while others do not. Some children explored the base and find newer things each day. They would say the forest is changing while the adults don't pay attention to their fantasies. However, they soon believed when the trees grew to their maximum size once several years flew by. Maybe not several years but many years, maybe even decades since trees take years to grow to their full size." She said.
"I know the tall ones take a while." I said.
"Indeed they do. When the trees grew into this gigantic size, it causes a panic in the town, making them assume that their next if they don't move. Though, for some odd reason, no roots of the trees ever enter the town's range. It would as if they keep their distance from the folks. If new seeds from the trees fall on their side, they wouldn't grow at all. Even if they were buried. Though ... this next part causes the folks to go full red alert. When their children started to disappear, the others were warned of the dangers from one man." She said.
"One man?" I asked.
"My mom liked to call him the hero of the town. I don't know, maybe that's how her mother worded it to seem as the man was the hero. This man would announce that he'll find their children and bring them back safely with his trusty dog." She said. "Mom didn't say he had a dog, but I decided to change it up for fun. The two would venture into the jungle, finding a kid left and right, resting on some mosses that seemed to be glowy or... glowing off a gentle light-"
"THE RESTING GROUNDS!" I said out loud accidentally.
"... I guess the place I'm describing can be called that-"
"No, it's actually called The Resting Grounds. The tiny people call it that around here." I said.
"Oh. I didn't know that." She nodded before looking forward. "When the man found all of the missing children, he took them back home. He soon told their families to warn them about the jungle. He once heard a voice in his head that was trying to pull him to rest. Rest they whispered. Escape the voices say. It was like ... the jungle was talking to him. He warned the town about this newfound information. The town greeted him with kindness and soon made him mayor of the town. With how so much time passed by, somewhere between 1820 and 1890, this town was renamed as Jungle Falls, for the reference of the jungle surrounding it." She said.
"Wow. I believe this story more than the last one. This one seems like it could be believable!" I said, smiling.
"It could be but it's just a tale to warn children to keep them away from the jungle." She said.
"Yeah... but don't you want to know how it came to be?" I asked.
"... Sometimes, yes. Though, I kinda want to stick with this story that my mom told me." She said. I halted at the end of the pathway, staring up at a thorn bush wall. I frowned before looking around. "Be careful, Mabel." I heard Wendy whisper.
"I will." I said quietly. I walked closer to the bushes, trying to find another way around this wall. I looked around the bushes until I spotted a space that was clear enough for us to pass. I smiled and turned towards the red-haired. She glanced around, standing on the other side from where I stood. As soon as I begin to open my mouth, darkness came to my sight as I drowned in the void.
- Wendy's POV -
I breathe in and out, opening my eyes as I say my prayers to my mom. I smiled softly before continuing to look for another way. I heard the sound of someone moving in the bushes before turning over to Mabel being dragged away unconsciously. I widened my eyes before rushing over, attempting to grab her before getting hit by a weapon. I collapsed onto the ground, rubbing my forehead. My sight was a bit blurry however I spotted the figure's outline with the weapon being held up high. I quickly rushed out of the way, hearing it slam against the ground. I felt the adrenaline pump through my veins before I turned around to punch the guy in his face.
I landed the hit before getting pushed away from the bat. I clenched my teeth before dodging another one of his attacks. I stood there, breathing heavily as I glared down at the man. He stood there, readying his bat before coming at me again. I swiftly moved out of the way, swinging my leg to kick the bat out of his hand. I soon turned and landed another punch right in his face. I hit him so hard that he stumbled back, shaking his head as he glared up at me, pissed off. I saw his nose bleed a bit as I shook my hand out a bit before ready myself.
Before I could have made another move, my feet weren't on the ground anymore as I was flung across the air and into a tree, knocking the adrenaline out of me. I collapsed onto the ground, trying to get back up, though my limbs weren't responding to my mind. I panted before glancing over, seeing through my blurry vision. I watched the man disappear as a new opponent showed up with something glowing bright cyan around his neck. He approached me as I saw the smile he displayed.
I turned my gaze back to the ground and tried to get up again, only to be knocked into the darkness. I opened my eyes a second later, or so I thought. I sat up quickly and looked around, noticing it was nighttime and I was in a different place. I was still in the jungle as the snow surrounded me. Mabel. Oh no. No no no, Those bastards! I slam my fist into the ground before getting up to my feet. "Why didn't they get me too?" I asked myself. I turned behind me, staring at the scenery. Did they want me to send the message to Dipper? I frowned before looking forward.
Damnit! I wasn't fast enough to get her! Shit, I should have followed her closely. I widened my eyes a bit, remembering the thorn place. If they showed up from where we were, then that means we were near the place that has Kahlil. I sighed and walked forward. I'm going to have to tell him regardless though I hope he listens to the good news I have. I followed the familiar environment and found my way out of the jungle. I let out a sigh of relief before shaking the snow off me. I turned and stared at the dark Mystery Shack. I frowned as I pulled out my phone. It was an hour before midnight. That's how long I was out? Great ... first thing in the morning, I'm coming straight here.
And that's what I did. I hopped into my car, placed my seat belt on, and drove there. I grip the stirring wheel tightly before glancing at the town as I drive by. Irritation twisted on my face before I shook it off. I soon arrived at the shack, parking my car in one of the lots. I turned the car off and sat there, breathing in and out. I hope that Dipper listens before assuming otherwise. I looked over at the coffee I picked up from leaving my house, grabbing it. I opened the car's door and got up before closing it with my waist. I leaned on the car, taking a sip before looking over at the shack with a frown.
I breathe in and out, just hoping he won't. I begin to walk forward and over to the steps of the shack. I climbed up and over to the door, knocking on it. As I was doing so, Mr. Pines opened the door swiftly, turning to stare at me. "... Hello Wendy."
"Hey, Mr. Pines." I greeted him.
"Oh just called me Ford, it's easier to tell which one you are calling for." He said.
"Alright." I said, giving a small smile.
"Here to visit?" He asked.
"Yes, I am." I said. He nodded and let me in, closing the door afterward.
"Hey, Wendy, coming back to work again?" I heard the other older twin ask.
"Not quite, I have something to say to Dipper." I answered.
"Say something to the kid? Is it about, Pumpkin?" Stan asked, looking serious. I glanced over at him and to Ford, watching a worried expression appear on his face. Mabel is Pumpkin for them.
"... Yes." I said.
"What happened to her?" I heard the cold voice from another person, recognizing it to be Dipper's. I turned and looked over at the stressed guy. I frowned and set my coffee down on the counter.
"... We went out into the jungle as we planned. But ... we didn't plan to get ambushed. I tried fighting my way to get Mabel back, but unfortunately, I couldn't." I said, giving him a sad look. Anger twisted in his face as he turned away and back into the hallways. Dipper ...
"That's what happened to my Pumpkin?!" I snapped my head over to Stanley, backing away a bit.
"Calm down, Stanley." Ford said.
"I can't calm down when one of my family members is out there! We have to get out there and get her back! I don't care how long it takes me to find her again." Stan hissed, walking around from the counter.
"We're going to get her back." Ford said, turning to me.
"Who did it?!" Stanley asked, glaring daggers at me.
"Gideon and the kidnapper." I answered.
"Oh boy, that kid doesn't know what's coming at him. Ford go get your gun, we're heading out there now." Stanley said before turning to storm over and through the archway.
"Alright, Stan." Ford said, sighing. He glanced at me with a worried look. "Are you coming?"
"Yes. I know the pathway there since she's going to be easy to find anyway." I said.
"Good." He nodded before walking past me, leaving me in the gift shop. I perked a sad smile before looking over at my coffee. I'll give him time for when the time comes. Regardless if he gets mad at me, he knows he can't stay mad at me forever or blame me for this ambush. He knows he can't.
I leaned on the counter, waiting for the older twins to return to get Mabel back, possibly Kahlil too.
End of Chapter 64