Dipper's facial features were outlined in sadness. They sagged heavily as tears trickled down his chin. The twelve year old listened to Mr. and Mrs. Pines noisily pacing around downstairs. Tense irritated voices tossed a conversation back and forth, clearly distressed. Even though the sounds were muffled by the wood panels under his feet Dipper could still hear what they were talking about.
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"Our children are cursed." The mother stated. "Mabel and Dipper aren't human."
Stomach twisting in agony and frustration the boy thought, 'Are we really evil?'
"Ever since those symbols appeared things have gone crazy around here." Mr. Pines added.
'Mabel and I are just like every other kid!' Dipper wanted to protest. 'We like playing at the park, climbing trees, eating ice cream, and going on fun adventures!' Doubt immediately crushed any confidence Dipper had. 'But…they are right. At least about the symbols.' The twins were not normal.
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In the mirror the boy glanced at the mark stuck on the back of his neck; a simple insignia of a blue pine tree. 'I've always admired it,' Dipper thought as he remembered seeing the figure for the first time. 'Since I love nature so much.' Always the quiet bookworm Dipper preferred getting lost in forests and studying the starts rather than gathering in social cliques. Exploring the unknown was just more interesting to Dipper.
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Mabel however, was the opposite. Bright, confident, and loud she often had people glued to her. The Pines twin never hosted a boring party. Being creative, Mabel constantly drew up designs to craft new clothes and accessories. Her symbol a colorful shooting star (which was stuck on the back of her right shoulder) was also commonly changed by a large storage of art supplies. Throwing sparkles in for good measure Mabel was enthusiastically ready for any challenge. Both twins shared a trait for being prepared for difficult obstacles. However, this time the problem seemed too giant, even for their resourceful thinking. Dipper curled up and sobbed. 'I should've come up with a plan and found a solution.'
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At first, their parents were concerned about the strange symbols. Especially since the tattoos magically appeared when the twins were four. After a while Mr. and Mrs. Pines thought that the insignias were as unique and special as Dipper's Big Dipper birthmark. That quickly changed.
"You asked the doctor about it right?"
"Yes! And even though they said it was unusual, the symbols were just regular birthmarks."
Mr. Pines scoffed in disbelief. "A blue pine tree and a gold shooting star with rainbows?! The things look more like tattoos!"
"I know. But the doctor insists-"
"The twins are monsters!"
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"Maybe that old lady, what was her name? The one who had sold us this house. Perhaps she put a curse on them?" Mrs. Pines asked.
"I bet that old witch was jealous we had a perfect family. Our backyard is cluttered with trees, vines, weeds, and is out of control! Every time we try to cut down anything something else sprouts in its place! Dipper spends more time outside in the garden than Mabel. I think his symbol is creating a forest."
"Mabel keeps telling me about all the creatures she sees. I thought it was her imagination but now she's so distracted daydreaming that she's failing her studies."
"Is it the candy?"
"Can't be. The twins haven't been allowed to have sweets for three months now. Also, small things in the house go missing. Mabel says it's gnomes but I think she's playing games."
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Dipper crossed his arms. The twins never meant to cause trouble for their parents. In fact, Mabel and Dipper had no idea why strange stuff kept happening either. Over the years Mr. and Mrs. Pines started making drastic – and to Mabel and Dipper, unfair and irrational – decisions. Besides not eating sweets the two became more isolated from their friends too. Recently, the twins were forced to leave Boy Scouts and Golf Club. Mr. and Mrs. Pines never explained why and also denied their children from joining sports activities at the park. Dipper and Mabel felt distant from their parents and now only relied on each other.
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"I think we should put them up for adoption."
An icy cold stone formed in Dipper's throat. 'No, they can't!' A quiet knock on the door startled Dipper. Mabel walked in and for a moment they stared at each other silently. Both faces matched exactly like a carbon copy. Their eyes were a storm of emotions and puffy from crying. Confusion, sadness, uncertainty, and shock were the most visible in their green orbs.
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"Hey Mabel," Dipper plastered on a smile. If he pretended that everything was okay would the future be brighter? Either way he wanted to be strong for them both. Dipper was proud to protect his sister from danger even though Mabel often had more reckless, fearless courage than he did sometimes. "Can't sleep either? If you want we can play your favorite board game."
"Are mom and dad really going to abandon us?" Mabel asked, seeing through her brother's mask of fake happiness clearer than a window. Dipper's face twisted into a frown.
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Sitting next to him she wiped fresh tears away from her face with a sleeve. "Where will we go?"
Dipper shrugged. "Doesn't matter."
"Why?"
"We're twins Mabel. Nothing can tear us apart."
"Really?"
He nodded.
Mabel grinned. "Even if things get tough?"
"Even if things get tough."
"Hey, guess what?"
"What?"
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A cookie appeared in her hands. Mabel snapped it in half and gave a piece to Dipper. "I found it in a jar hidden in one of the cabinets."
They laughed. Even a small victory was worth celebrating.
"How did you manage to find a cookie in the house? I thought mom and dad threw out all the sweets."
"Well Mr. Detective I thought you were the mystery solving expert." She joked.
Dipper smiled. "I guess I have to step up my game."
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The doorbell rattled their bones and startled the twins. Dipper and Mabel decided to inspect who could be visiting at midnight. Sneaking past the catwalk they crouched by the staircase, grateful that the carpet muted their footsteps. Studying the entrance they saw a giant figure looming in the door frame.
"Does he look familiar to you?" Mabel whispered.
"No, but he does look a lot like our family."
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Stanley hovered at the door waiting for the Pines couple to chase him away. It wasn't like they had a horrible relationship but whenever the three interacted with each other it was always on strict terms. Underneath the man's emotionlessly calm expression was a surging of impatience, disgust, concern, and hurt. At a young age Stanley had received a symbol and instantly gathered magical abilities. Telepathy was one of his sharpest tricks. Not only could he read other people's thoughts (which tremendously assisted in wining gambling tournaments) but Stanley could sense emotions from anyone close to him, even if they were miles away.
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The conman had met Dipper and Mabel when they were newborns and instantly gained a fatherly connection to them. When reading the twins minds recently Stanley became anxious and despondent. Dipper and Mabel shouldn't be worrying about being thrown out like garbage when they are perfectly normal, even if the two have magic powers. Stanley refused to let this nonsense continue any further. A tornado of disgust ran through the man when he found out the parents were going to kick out their children. Driving as fast as he could Stanley finally stepped on the break when he reached the house at midnight.
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"Stanley?" Mr. Pines stated in shock. "What're you doing here so late-"
"I want to adopt the kids."
"You what?!"
"You heard me clearly."
Mrs. Pines glared at Stanley. "How'd you hear about this?"
Displaying a cheesy smile (which the conman had practiced to perfection while selling counterfeit watches on the road) he said, "Your husband talks a lot to the bartenders in town. Especially to the beautiful ladies drinking there."
"Enough Stanley!" Mr. Pines hissed.
The conman's smile twitched back into a frown. Inside he knew he made a move that would sway victory in his direction.
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"Are you sure there isn't another reason why you decide to visit? To borrow money again?" Mr. Pines asked.
"No. I'm serious. I want to adopt the kids."
"Really?" Mrs. Pines raised an eyebrow. "I doubt you could afford to take care of them."
Well luckily, they didn't know Stan was the best conman around. Sure, a criminal record was unavoidable with that occupation but otherwise Stanley had more than enough to take care of the twins. It was also fortunate the parents didn't know about his dangerous adventures and nights in cold concrete cells, because the snobby lunatics would refuse his request.
"Besides, Dipper and Mabel cause nothing but trouble." Mr. Pines said.
"We're the laughing stock of the town."
'Selfish assholes.' Stanley thought. A spark of anger rippled through the man's system as he curled his fists.
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He wanted to punch the two but Stanley remained cool as steel. If he got into a brawl there would be no way they'd let him adopt Dipper and Mabel. "I can handle it." Stanley stated bluntly.
Mr. Pines was about to protest when his wife put a hand on his shoulder. "Just let him adopt the kids. It'll be easier making him the guardian anyway." Quickly signing papers Mrs. Pines gave them to Stanley.
"Do you want to pack and leave now or in the morning?"
"Now." There was no way Stanley was letting the kids stay here any longer. The conman was certain he could provide everything they needed. 'You guys will grow up string and bright.'
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"Kids, your great uncle Stanley is here." Mrs. Pines said.
"I'm going to help you two pack for the trip. Get everything you want to bring." Mr. Pines yawned as he shuffled up the stairs. For a moment the twins stared at Stanley in curiosity. The man smiled warmly and waved. Dipper was about to ask a whole list of questions when his father guided him to his room to organize their suitcases.
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After an hour the four descended the steps and the parents handed Stanley two heavy suitcases. The twins looked at their great uncle and parents in confusion. Stanley seemed more wounded at Mr. and Mrs. Pine's lack of heartfelt goodbyes to their children than Dipper and Mabel were. "C'mon kids. Let's go."
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Following close behind the twins eventually stood by the car. After tossing everything into the trunk Stanley opened the door for Mabel and Dipper. Climbing in they observed everything with interest. "Where are we going?" Mabel asked.
"To a fun place. A small town called Gravity Falls."
"Is it like an amusement park?"
Stanley chuckled. "Kind of. I think you two will like it. There are beautiful nature trails, ancient history,"
Dipper's eyes glowed brightly.
"A mall, and-"
"Unicorns?" Mabel smiled.
"Yes, unicorns too." Stanley nodded. 'But those guys are arrogant and gaudy.'
"Wow! Sounds great!" Dipper exclaimed.
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The engine rattled as the car started. Turning on the radio Stanley sighed. He wanted to return to Gravity Falls and rest. It was a town especially created for creatures studying magic. Though isolated it was a fantastic place full of mythical beasts and adventure.