"I know you guys are worried about tomorrow." The fire crackled and hissed as Mable addressed the crowd. It'd started drizzling an hour or two ago and a hazy fog had descended upon the area. Star was amazed that they could build a big enough fire for everyone to sit around it. The way the creatures and humans sat as equals brought a tear to her eyes; if only Mewni could be this way.

"The fear that surrounds us is cold and daunting. I can't deny that I'm scared, but not to worry. I have the perfect solution!" Mable paused for dramatic effect and Star couldn't help but lean forward. The air was hazed with smoke so she had to lean to her left to get a better look.

"I made everyone here a sweater!" Mable put her hand in the roughsack behind her and pulled out a blue and green sweater with a dark green pine tree on it. She turned and gave it to her brother, who proudly put it on.

"There's no need to face your fears alone, these sweaters unite us." Star had no idea Mable had this speech inside of her, the only sound besides Mable's inspiring words was the occasional pop of the fire. Everyone was entranced. Even the cold droplets of water couldn't dampen their spirits anymore.

"Together, we are stronger. Our bond will hold strong against Evil. Everyone here is officially a family, and a family protects their own." Star looked down at her sweater it was light pink and had her wand in the middle.

Star felt like a fraud. She was actively sabotaging this family. She had to get out of here. When Star thought no one was looking at her she bailed. Her tears stained her face.

She couldn't do this. The guilt was eating her up, what would Marco think of her when he found out what she did to free him?

He would think she was a monster.

The fire no longer warmed her and the moist air chilled her to the bone.

"Starrr!" Of course Dipper would be the one to go looking for her. She had done him the most wrong.

"Star, there you are," Dipper must've been running all over the place, he was panting pretty heavily. It only made Star feel worse. "why'd you leave the fire?"

Star thought about lying again. She could say that she had to use the bathroom or something.

No.

No more lies. She wiped the tears away; it was time to set things right.

"I have a confession, Dipper, and you're not going to like it." Star steeled herself for what was about to happen. She looked Dipper in the eye.

"I… I saw Bill in Mable's prison." Dipper jumped.

"You did?! Why didn't you say anything? I've been seeing him all over the place too!"

"No, you haven't." Dippers confused face broke Stars heart.

"What do you mean? He's been haunting me – I know I'm not going crazy!"

"I know you're not going crazy, let me explain. I left you guys in that place because I thought I saw Marco, I thought that since Mable was imprisoned there that maybe he was too.

"I was wrong. Bill had led me away from the group and after… messing with with my head, he told me he would torture Marco since I was helping you guys. He then gave me a deal; in exchange for Marcos well-being… I would have to sabotage you guys. I had no choice."

Dipper looked like he had been shot.

"Wh-What do you mean?"

"I've been using my magic to make you hallucinate Bill, but you have to understand that I didn't want to!" Star couldn't stop the words from spilling from her mouth.

"Marco was only here because I asked him to come and I would never be able to live with myself if anything would happen to him. Especially with Bill, you know he's psychotic. He would torture Marco forever – I couldn't let – I just couldn't let it happen to him.

"So, I did what he demanded. I created a spell that would make you hallucinate you worst fears. I'm so, so sorry Dipper. I couldn't live with myself if Marco was harmed, but look at what I did instead!" The tears were back on Stars face with a vengeance. Her emotional state was beyond shattered.

"I'm a monster…" Star whispered. Unable to hear Dippers response, she turned and ran.

Dipper didn't try to follow her this time. And why would he? Star had confessed to messing with his sanity. She was the reason why he had trouble sleeping at night.

Star had to stop running after a few minutes, she was so used to magic transportation, maybe she should start… working out? Was that what the humans called it? Mewmans usually had a physically demanding lifestyle, they were as fit as a warnicorn out of the womb.

Star looked around.

She was totally lost.

Cursing under her breath, Star tried to get orientated. Where would she go, though? She doubted Dipper and Mable would just welcome her back into that group. That bridge was so burned Star could smell the smoke.

The trees all looked the same to Star.

Tall.

Dark.

Made of wood.

Surrounded by fog.

Great.

"Ugh." Why was this so frustrating? Oh yeah, because she'd backstabbed the people who took her in and ran away. Like an idiot.

After making a full 360, twice, Star picked a direction and started walking. Her thoughts formed wolves lurking in the underbrush; their glowing yellow eyes locked on her. They could devour her in seconds but instead they decided to torment her mind instead.

Maybe Star should try and sleep. She would be able to think more clearly in the morning. There wasn't a good spot to fall asleep though. Anything could be walking through this forest and she'd heard the telltale sound of giant bat wings a few times since she left Dipper.

Star kept walking for another half-hour before collapsing against a tree. Her brain was shutting down, her emotions had completely drained the life out of her. The rough bark felt like a white, fluffy cloud.

Something was telling her not to fall asleep; that it was a bad idea. But she couldn't fight the waves of drowsiness that was hitting her like a tsunami.

"HAHahAHha!" Blue fire erupted around Star. The forest burned before her eyes and smoke charred her lungs. A chunk of the flames rose above her and formed a triangle. A bright flash blinded Star and when her vision cleared Bill was a few inches from her face.

Was this a dream? Star didn't remember falling asleep, but it was hard to believe she was facing him in person again. She started to hyperventilate, her mind was shutting down at the mere thought of what could happen.

"Did You Really Think I Wouldn't Notice When You Broke Your Deal?" Bill grabbed Star and threw her against one of the few trees that hadn't caught fire yet. The pain in her back erased any hopes that Star was in a dream.

"All You Had To Do Was Keep Your Mouth Shut. I Suppose I Should Be Thanking You, Though." What was Bill talking about? All the anger was replaced with a quiet intensity, it cut through roar of the forest fire like a scalpel.

"You See, I'm Having A Little Trouble Getting Out Of This Stupid Town And Point Dexter Was A Bust. That Means You Must've Been The One To Create The Force Field, Some Kind Of New Magic Must've Been Developed To Keep It Running For This Long." Point Dexter? Star had no idea what Bill was talking about. The sleep demon conjured up pink martini with the same blue fire on top. He gingerly took a sip with his eye and relaxed into a floating red recliner.

"I Would Delve Into Your Mind And Figure Out All Your Little Secrets, But As A Magic User, Your Naturally Resistant To My… Charm." His harmless façade faded as Bill sat up and stared right into Stars soul.

"That Being Said," His harmless façade faded as Bill sat up and stared right into Stars soul. "The Same Can't Be Said For Your Friend."

Star knew this was coming, but to actually hear Bill say them out loud was beyond terrifying.

"I Wasn't Able To Lay A Finger On Him Because Of Our Little Deal." The burning trees were reflected in Bills sclera and Star truly understood why he was called a sleep Demon. He was beyond terrifying." However, You Just Broke That Deal. I'll make Sure His Screams Are Heard Throughout The Valley Until That Retched Force Field Is Taken Down."

With that, Bill disappeared and the fire was replaced with moss. His maniacal reverberated off the trees.

What had she done?

AN: Howdy! Here's the next chapter in this story, hope y'all enjoy it. If it seemed like parts of the chapter were a little left field, I totally get it. Star being the one to haunt Dipper was a concept I'd been playing with for a while but I didn't fully commit to it until this chapter. I went back and changed a few pieces of previous chapters to hint at it. Bonus points to whoever finds which chapters I changed.

Also, why didn't any of you tell me I said the night-o-sphere in the summary?! That's from adventure time! My bad guys whoops.

See you next week!