[EDITED: 11/22/2019]
Mabel entered the large building.
It was pitch black, save for the light that was coming in the entrance outside of it.
She's starting to not like this already...
"Susie...?" Mabel said feebly.
...The door closed behind her, engulfing her into darkness.
Mabel, now surrounded by darkness, jumped a bit at the loud sound of the door closing.
"...S...Susie?" Mabel quietly said, hoping she'll reply back.
…Then the area lit up instantly.
With an 'eep!', she noticed two lights were illuminating a portion of the floor, which looked like...carpet?
Then there were two more lights behind and after that one. Then there were two more after those. Then another pair after that one. And another. And another. And another. There was a line of two more lights on the left and right side of the forming room, which made the area look like...a corridor.
"Huh?" Mabel queried.
Then...everything lit up, lights shining above the supposed ceiling as it gradually lit up the corridor into what it really is...a hallway. A neverending hallway full of doors, with brass sconces on each side of the doors...
Surprised, Mabel turned around...
...to see that there was also a neverending hallway behind her, each side having doors, as well as having the same brass sconces next to them.
The walls were all painted vertically in stripes, each stripe being blue and white, while the molding on the corners of the ceiling added some character to the hallway. The carpet was also intricately designed, and the doors were painted in a white color, as well as the molding around them, the brass sconces next to the doors having a domed porcelain cover over the bulb.
Mabel looked up to see the domed ceiling lights, completing the rather claustrophobic feeling of this hallway.
Her eyes wandered around, wondering where she could be right now in this mindscape.
"Susie...this is getting weird..." Mabel said softly, fear slowly creeping in.
I'm sorry, Mabel. But you have to keep moving. There's more to this, I believe.
Mabel gulped nervously.
She then walked down toward the hallway, taking each step at a cautious pace.
The hallway looked like there was no stopping point to it. It looked like it could last for infinity, which made Mabel feel more unease while walking forward...
She also begins to feel a sense of dread whenever she passes every white door, each one looking like the same as the last. These same doors that are across from each other on either side, continuously going on forever, looking almost ominous...
She didn't like this one bit.
"Okay...okay..." Mabel said anxiously, "I'm in a hallway that seems to go on and on...is there anything I'm learning out of this?"
She stopped, expecting an answer from Susie, but none came.
"...Okay..."
She continued forward.
...She kept walking...
...and walking...
...and walking...
After two minutes of walking, Mabel felt a little frustrated.
"Okay, this is getting me nowhere," she muttered. She looked at the doors on her left and right, curious if she can open one of them.
"...Only one way to find out." she stepped up to one of the right doors that was next to her. As soon as she touched the handle...
"What are you doing standing in front of my room?"
Mabel, startled, turned to her right...
...There was no one there.
She frantically looked to her left.
No one was there as well.
...That voice didn't sound like Susie...
It was...distorted, but it had a trace of the person's voice there.
But it also gave out an almost...demonic tone to it...
"H-...Hello?"
"Step away from my room, little girl..."
"Wh-who's there?" Mabel said, trying to put on a brave front, which she normally does...but she was in a more different environment...and without Dipper.
"...Did you not hear me, you little BRAT!?"
Mabel recoiled.
"I told you to STEP, AWAY, FROM, MY ROOM!"
"O-Okay! Okay! I'm stepping away from it!" Mabel said as she took a few steps away from the door. She stood in the middle of the hallway, still trying to locate where the voice is coming from.
...More silence followed...
"...Is anyone there?" Mabel asked nervously.
. . . . . .
"...Ooooh ho-ho-ho, you better run."
Mabel's eyes widened. "What?"
For some reason, this voice sounded much deeper and scragglier...yet the tone still sounded the same. Distorted and demonic.
"You better run, little piggy..."
She froze in place, letting the fear take control of her. "Who...Who is this?"
"You better start ruuuuning, little piggy." The voice said in a little sing-a-long tone.
Her legs were now moving on its own accord, backing away from the voice.
"W-...Who are you?" she said, feeling more afraid by the second.
"...YOU...BETTER...START...RUNNING, LITTLE PIGGY!"
At that point, she did the wise thing; she turned around and ran.
She ran, passing through the multitude of doors, that seem to go on and on. With new adrenaline pumping into her legs, she tried to outrun whatever is supposedly after her. The fear became evident in her breathing, as well as the expression on her face while she ran.
"THAT'S RIGHT. RUN! RUN, YOU LITTLE PIG!"
Mabel made a scared noise. As she ran, she began to notice something...
The white doors, all of them...were dripping a red substance.
...Paint?
No...it didn't smell like paint...and the red substance looked too dark to be anything but paint.
Mabel almost paused in her running but quickly thought against it. She needed to keep running. From what or where to, she doesn't know.
But she soon figured out what the red substance was...
...Blood.
It's as if the doors were bleeding from a fatal wound, some even squirting out of the cracks...and it kept going. Sliding on the surface of the doors, slipping through the cracks of the doors, and staining the carpet.
Mabel either way still kept running, the blood-stained carpet making a sickening 'squish' sound.
"Run little piggy...run little piggy...RUN LITTLE PIGGY!"
She kept going, hoping that there was an end to this absurdly long hallway that goes on forever...
But then...
All the doors burst open, letting all the blood gush out.
She's now engulfed and surrounded by waves of blood...
...Her eyes shot open.
She quickly sat up, remembering the horrible fiasco that she endured. Her breathing went faster by the second but slowed down when she realizes that she was in a room...
"...Wha?"
...It...looked like a hotel room?
Mabel looked around the room to observe her surroundings.
She seemed to be on a plush bed in a quaint, traditional, and clean looking room. She looked straight ahead to see that there hung a flat-screen television on the wall in front of the bed, where there was a sitting area complete with a table, and a couple of nice-looking chairs. To her left and beside the bed was a slightly opened door. A little further from her left was a conjoined room, which revealed a TV sitting area. Further yonder, there's also a dining area with a table and four chairs, along with a mini-kitchen, complete with a bar with bar stools, a medium-sized fridge, and a microwave on the counter.
Mabel carefully got off the bed and walked over to the TV area. Everything seemed well lit, so she can see just fine.
When she entered the other side of the room, she looked to her right to see that there is a door that leads to the exit of this hotel room.
"Um...hello?" Mabel said once again, staring at the door in unease.
...No one answered.
"...Susie?"
Don't worry, Mabel. I'm still here.
"Oh...o-okay...wh-what is all this?"
In due time, Mabel. We both might have an idea soon enough.
"W-What does that mean?"
...Mabel. You need to go to the bathroom.
Mabel blinked. "Huh?"
Hurry Mabel!
"O-Okay! B-But where!?"
The door near the bed!
She turned and began to run over to the door...but before she could...
WHACK!
Mabel gasped and turned to the source of the sound.
She glanced at the hotel room door...which had an ax-made hole with the blade embedded into it.
GO!
Not needing to be told twice or even a third time, Mabel dashed over to the bathroom.
She entered the bathroom, closed the door and locked it. She turned around quickly to glance around. There was a tub and a shower on her right, a vanity desk in front of her along with a mirror above it, and to her left a toilet with a window above it.
Mabel started to breathe heavily, almost hyperventilating.
She could still hear the loud ax hacking on the door in the next room.
"Susie," she whispered, frightened. "What's going on!?"
There was no answer.
"Susie!? SUSIE!?" she said as she whispered loudly in desperation.
The hacking still continued.
"Please, Susie...I-I don't know what's going on." She whispered in despair.
…It was then the hacking stopped.
She turned to the door that she locked, eyes widened in fear.
...It was silent...too silent.
Mabel covered her own mouth with both of her hands, not trying to utter another word. Her back was against the vanity sink, staring at the door in dread.
The silence was deafening...
. . . . . .
. . . . . .
. . . . . .
...REDRUM.
Mabel jumped.
...REDRUM.
She tried to look for the source of the voice from where she stood, too scared to move.
...REDRUM.
Confused and frightened beyond belief, she quietly mouthed the words behind her hands, "Who's there?"
...REDRUM...REDRUM...REDRUM...REDRUM...
...Then, it got louder.
...REDRUM!
...REDRUM!
...REDRUM!
It sounded like it came from behind her...
REDRUM!
She turned around slowly...
REDRUM!
...and looked up.
REDRUM!
...She gasped.
On the mirror...
...was the word REDRUM, in deep red letters.
The bottom letters of the word were sliding down, making it look like it was written in blood.
Mabel blanched.
WHACK!
She let out a scared cry. She turned around...
...to see an ax embedded in the bathroom door.
Hyperventilating in fear, her heart pounding, she dashed to the toilet area. She closed the top lid and climbed on, trying to reach the window. She grabbed onto the windowsill and lift herself up to see if there is a lock on it so she can open it.
There wasn't.
"No!" Mabel exclaimed.
WHACK!
The ax blade seemed to hit the door again.
She let go of the windowsill and dropped next to the toilet. She turned around in dismay.
The ax came out of its indention. At that moment, she could hear the same scraggly deep demonic voice speaking behind the door.
"Little pig...little pig...let me in..."
Mabel slid down onto the tiled floor, whimpering in fright.
"...Not by the hair of my chinny...chin...CHIN!"
Mabel was tearing up, wanting whatever this nightmare was to end.
"...No? Then I'll huff...and I'll puff..."
"Susie?" Mabel said weakly.
"...And I'll BLOW YOUR DAMN HOUSE DOWN, YOU LITTLE TART!"
"Susie! Please! What's going on!?" Mabel exclaimed, not caring about if this ax-wielding maniac can hear her.
WHACK!
The axing still kept going.
I'm sorry, Mabel. But don't worry. This will end soon. But you'll soon be in another vision.
WHACK!
"What!?" Mabel cried. "No, Susie! Don't put me in another one! I just want to go back to my school! I want to go home!"
I'm so sorry, Mabel. But this will be the last one. I promise.
WHACK!
"No...don't, Susie!" Mabel cried out in despair.
Don't worry...it will be over soon...
WHACK!
"SUSIE!" Mabel yelled as she tightly closed her eyes.
...It stopped.
The hacking of the ax...it stopped.
...Mabel slowly and cautiously opened her eyes.
She looked to be in another area of some kind.
In front of her where she sat, is a creamy white marble wall, with a contemporary wooden table-stand against it, along with two plush chairs beside it. On the middle of the table, a flower vase arrangement was placed there.
Mabel stood up from her sitting position, and once again surveyed her surroundings.
Looking to her left and right, she saw that there were two pairs of elevator doors on each side, each surrounding them with the same creamy white marble around elevators. The doors surfaces were all gold plated, and above each elevator was a golden old-time floor level scale, telling the guests what floor the elevator is on. Glancing at the floor, there was an intricate and colored marble tiled floor with a design in the center of the area that looked...almost like something you see on old western quilts...
However, as soon as Mabel turned around...
...she saw the exact same wall, along with the table and chairs. But instead of a vase of flowers in the middle of the table, there was a folded piece of paper laying face down on it...
Other than that, she seems to be in a boxed room...with two elevators on each side.
"Su...Susie? Where...Where am I?" Mabel asked anxiously.
...She didn't answer.
Mabel sniffled, wiping the tears that came down in the last vision and said in a scared voice. "Please...say something..."
Don't worry Mabel, I'm here. This is the last one. Right now, you have to go to the table that has the piece of paper on it.
"What...What will happen if I do?" Mabel asked warily.
I'll know if you know what it is. You need to move forward.
Mabel winced at the option she was given. She looked to her left and right at the two pairs of elevators on each side of the room.
She really hoped they won't suddenly open with monsters or deranged killers inside of them...
The young girl carefully took several steps towards the table with the paper on it.
Once she's close to it and in reaching distance, Mabel raised her hand slowly and ever so cautiously went to get the piece of folded paper.
She grabbed it, her hand shaking in fear.
She looked at the front of the folded piece of paper.
It looked like it was a letter of some kind. It had a silver capitalized 'OH' on it, with a silver trim around the edges of the letter.
She took a deep breath...and unfolded the paper.
There was a message written on it.
Stanford is not here.
Furrowing her brows in confusion, she says, "What?"
Mabel...turn around.
Feeling like she has to no matter what, she does.
...At the other end of the room...the flowers in the vase were all dead.
...And there was another folded note.
Mabel's eyes widened.
She gulped.
Her heart pounded in her chest.
She knew what she had to do next...
She didn't waste time, as she power-walked over to the note on the table.
There was something else that she noticed about the note...
...It had a red stain on it.
Mouth partly opened in shock, she hesitated...
You need to read it, Mabel.
...Mabel closed her mouth and gulped again. With great hesitation, she grabbed it...
She stared at it, wondering what it'll say...
...She unfolded it...
...and read it.
...It said...
He's at the party.
"What?" Mabel said again in utter frightening confusion.
"Great party, isn't it?"
Mabel gasped and turned around.
What she saw at the other end of the room, was a well-dressed tuxedo-wearing man, complete with black dress shoes and white gloves. In one of his white-gloved hands was a wine glass, filled with red wine. He had a brown mustache, a bald head with a receding hairline and had a smile on his face.
But the terrifying thing about his appearance...was that his bald head...was dripping blood.
It was dripping down all over his face.
DING!
And all four elevators opened...
...And out like a river, came out blood.
It flooded the room, surrounding the man and Mabel.
Mabel's eyes widened.
The blood rushed and enveloped her whole being.
...Mabel?
"...Su-Susie?"
It's me, Mabel. That was the last vision.
"...What...What is all this? What...what do I have?"
It's your gift, Mabel.
"But...what does it all mean? What is this gift?"
You'll see soon enough. However, you can't tell anyone about this gift, nor can you tell your brother, your parents, your family, or even your friends about the visions you saw.
"What? What do you mean? W-Why can't I tell anyone about this 'gift'?"
First, it's because it's a vision of what may happen...only you decide if it comes true. Secondly, you don't want them to think differently of you with this gift, do you?
"Well...no. I don't want them to think differently of me...but, what do you mean it's a vision of what may happen?"
I'm sorry, Mabel, I can't tell you that. Only you can decide how it will play out. It's basically in your hands on how everything will go.
"Oh...so, you...you don't mean to do this to me?"
No Mabel, of course not! They just sometimes come to you when you at least expect it.
"...Does that mean...I'll have more visions like the ones I saw?"
...Yes. But only when I need to show them to you. You'll still see me...at times...but I won't give you any visions until I feel like you need to know what happens next later on in the future.
"...Okay."
...I'm sorry you had to see all of that, Mabel.
"...It's okay...I guess it's for a reason..."
Just know that I'm trying to help you.
"From what?"
Only you will know when the time comes...I got to go, Mabel...I'll see you later, okay?
"...Okay..."
You don't need to be afraid, Mabel...along with me, you also have your brother, remember?
"...Yeah...I do. I have you and Dipper. And...I don't know what I'm watching out for, but...thank you, Susie."
You're welcome, Mabel. Just be safe. I'll see you later...bye...
Everyone looked at Stan like he grew a second head.
"Wait...what?" Dipper said in confusion.
"Wait a minute, Dad hired you as the caretaker at the hotel he owns?" Pacifica said incredulously.
"Yeah! What, he didn't tell you or anything?" Stan asked her with a raised eyebrow.
"No, he doesn't talk to me about his business plans," Pacifica said with a frown. "All I know is that he owned a hotel somewhere in the woods outside of town." Pacifica then remembered the name of the hotel. "The Overlook! That's what it's called!"
"The Overlook?" Mabel questioned.
"Yeah. My Dad bought an old lodge-looking hotel. He basically went to work on it after he purchased it. It was supposed to be a grand hotel back in its day. That's all I know, though." Pacifica put a hand on her chin to ponder. "Although it does sound somewhat familiar..."
"Huh. Well, either way, it has great pay! There was an add on the paper that I saw on Thursday, and I jumped at the chance to get it! And after a while, I got the job!" Stan explained.
Mabel stood there with an almost confused look on her face. 'Wait...Overlook? ...Why does that sound familiar to me as well?'
"Whoa, hold up, Mr. Pines." Wendy intervene. "What about the Shack?"
"Yeah! Y-You said you weren't going to retire!" Soos exclaimed, looking devastated. "W-Was that a lie? Did everything you said was a lie? Like-Like how you put up those Christmas lights? I didn't have anything to do with them that time!"
"Hey, calm down! This is just a winter thing." Stan reassured both Wendy and Soos.
"A winter thing?" Mabel asked curiously as she diverts her attention back to the conversation.
"Yeah! I'm going to be doing all of this caretaker stuff during the winter! It doesn't affect the Shack one bit! I can still work here during the Spring, Summer, and Fall, so no worries!" Stan elaborated.
"Oh," Soos said with a big sigh, feeling relieved on hearing that. "Oh thank goodness!"
"So...you're a winter caretaker at a hotel now?" Dipper asked, raising an incredulous eyebrow.
"Yep! Pretty exciting, huh?" Stan said with a grin.
"Wait, that still begs the question of why Dad would put you in charge as a caretaker in his hotel?" Pacifica asked in a curious but dubious tone.
"Well, gee, if you really want to know, Blondie, then I'll tell ya," Stan said as he rolled his eyes. "I told your old man that I can take the winters here in the Shack, and after-" he stopped for a second to think. "...probably ten minutes of negotiating, he pretty much was convinced that I was capable enough to withstand the cold and stay out there in the woods where it's located. So now, along with the profits from the Shack, I can get myself a great paycheck during the winter! Even before it opens in the spring!"
Pacifica furrowed her eyebrows. "So...he chose you for the job?"
"Well, yeah! What, you know anybody else who lives in a cabin out in the woods?" Stan inquired sarcastically. He then stood silent. "...Besides Wendy and her family?"
Pacifica blinked but frowned as she thought about it. "I guess not."
"Then there you go! Problem solved on that part! I mean, I've been here in the cold winters since...whenever I came here. I forgot when; it's...been pretty long." Stan said as he scratched his head.
'I think it was nineteen eighty...two? Yeah, sounds about right...that was the year when...'
Shaking his head, he said. "But yeah, that's the big news! Expect me to wallow in cash next year!"
Mabel looked at her Grunkle with a confused expression. 'Huh? The 'year' when what?'
"Wait, when did you get the job?" Dipper asked.
"Uh...around Friday yesterday?" Stan said with a shrug.
"Hm. Is there...any reason why you're telling us this now in the Shack?" Dipper said in suspicion.
"Huh? What do you mean? It was recent, what do you expect?" Stan said with a raised eyebrow.
"Well, yeah, but...was that why you invited all of us here to the Shack? Just to announce this?" Dipper looks at him peculiarly.
'Crap! He's onto me!' "Hey, what are you saying? I just thought I let you all know the exciting news! Come on, aren't you all happy for me?" Stan said a little with an almost sheepish grin.
"Well, yeah, but...no offense, Mr. Pines, but even though that's good for you, I don't particularly see why we would be gathered here to know about you getting more money," Wendy said honestly.
"Yeah, me neither," Pacifica said. "Although it is related to my Dad's business affairs and even I do find the concept of you taking care of anything that is owned by my Dad somewhat...discouraging, there's nothing really fascinating about it."
"Hey! What do you mean, 'discouraging'? If I can take care of this old cabin, then I can take care of some old fancy-smancy hotel!" Stan defended himself.
Pacifica didn't say anything, putting her hands on her hips and having an unsure expression on her face. She did think, however, 'Still, it seems kind of suspicious, especially since my Dad isn't too fond of Mr. Pines...'
Mabel slightly glanced at Pacifica with a worried look. 'Huh? What does she mean by that?' She never knew much about Grunkle Stan's and Pacifica's Dad's quarrels...
"You're kind of avoiding the question, Grunkle Stan," Dipper stated.
"I'm not avoiding anything! What, I can't bring my favorite people around here to tell them my life stuff with?" Stan said, feeling a little offended.
"Wait, I'm one of your favorite people?" Pacifica said puzzled.
"Wow, we're one of your favorites!? Thanks, Mr. Pines!" Grenda said with a grin.
"Um...yeah...thank you?" Candy said a little confused.
"Well, I mean...y-you know, I...uh..." then Stan paused, eyes widening as he remembered something.
'...Oh crap, that's right! I forgot! The meetup!'
'Meetup?' Mabel thought curiously.
"Um, hey! Who else would like to now go over to the hotel that I'm taking care of?" Stan said a little quickly.
Everyone blinked.
"Um...now?" Dipper asked befuddled.
"Yeah, what gives, Mr. Pines? We just got here." Wendy said with a raised eyebrow.
"What, don't you all want to see it? Seriously though, are you all in or out?" Stan said hurriedly.
Mabel might as well ask, but wants to say it in a way that wouldn't make anyone suspicious of her 'gift'. "Did you forget something, Grunkle Stan?"
"Um..." that seems to do it as he groaned in defeat. "Okay, look, I had to meet up with the manager, the cook, and some other guy to give me the tour around the hotel. I suppose to meet them around 12:30."
"12:30?" Dipper looked at his watch. "Grunkle Stan, it's 12:00!"
"Exactly! Now, who wants to follow me so they can check out the hotel, the, um...Overlook Hotel, from what Blondie said?" Stan said.
"Well, I would definitely love to see what kind of hotel it is! Is it like a fancy resort?" Soos asked with glee.
"Eh, something like that. It was closed during the seventies. Now quit the chit-chat, we gotta go!" Stan advised.
With that, Stan dashed out the door, leaving the gang standing there a little stunned.
"...Well, let's go, I guess." Dipper said as he made his way to the door, along with everyone else.
Soon, Stan was in his car, impatiently waiting for them to be in their vehicles. He then honked the horn of his car. "Hurry up! I don't want to be late!"
"Sheesh, keep your old man pants on," Wendy muttered as she power-walked to her car. She then turned to Dipper and Mabel who were behind her, "Hey guys, do you all want to ride with me still?"
Dipper stopped as he blushed. "Uh, well..."
Mabel, who stopped next to Dipper, read his thoughts.
'Well, I would like to, but I don't want to look like I'm crowding her space...actually, I do need to ride with Grunkle Stan just in case. I'm afraid he'll go a little crazy driving over there.'
"Sorry, Wendy. I feel like Grunkle Stan would drive off the road or something trying to get to the hotel on time, so I'm going to ride with him to keep him in line." Dipper explained.
Wendy chuckled. "Very responsible of ya, Dip. Okay, that's cool." she turned her head to Mabel with a smile. "What do you say, Mabel? Want to ride in the 'junk machine'?"
Mabel smiled as well. "Actually, I'm gonna go with Dipper. I'm going to try to help him out on calming our Grunkle down. Thanks anyways! Tell Grenda and Candy that I'm driving with Grunkle Stan!"
The redhead chuckled once more. "Okay, dude. Just be careful."
"Don't worry, we will!" Mabel said with a thumbs up.
"See you guys at the hotel," Dipper said with a smile.
As Dipper and Mabel turned around to walk back to Stan's car, both twins heard a voice coming from behind them.
"Hey! Wait a minute, you two!" said the voice of Pacifica.
The twins turned around to see that Pacifica was rushing towards them. Both blinked as the young heiress came up to them, feeling slightly out of breath.
"H-Hey, u-um..." she took a deep breath and collected herself, posture straight and holding an air of importance as she closed her eyes. "I want to ride with you two."
Dipper and Mabel blinked a second time with wide eyes.
Pacifica stood there for a second and opened one eye. She soon started to feel a little nervous. "Um...i-is that okay?"
Dipper was the first to speak. "Uh, yeah, it's okay. But um...what about your chauffeur?"
"Oh, Niles will take the scenic route back home. He loves nature and whatnot. And...I have my reasons to switch cars..." Pacifica says with a slight hesitant sounding tone.
'I don't want the people who work at the Overlook to see the limo and link it to my parents. They'll surely realize that I'm the daughter of the Northwests...that wouldn't go too well with my Dad if he heard that I was with Dipper and Mabel...'
Mabel looked at her once rival with a compassionate frown. 'Oh man...poor Pacifica...' She then gave out a sweet smile. "Sure thing, Pacifica! You can ride with us!"
Startled, Pacifica said, "A-Are you sure?"
"Sure we're sure! Right Dipper?" Mabel asked her brother.
Dipper glanced at his sister and then at Pacifica, to whom he gave a smile. "Sure! If you can stand the cheap cologne smell in the car, then you're welcome to ride with us."
"I heard that! It's not cheap! It's moderately priced! And hurry up and get Blondie here in the car! Maybe then you can ask her number on the way or something!" Stan exclaimed.
Startled by what Stan suggested, Dipper blushed and said back to him, "G-Grunkle Stan!"
Mabel took a glance at Pacifica who was blushing a tad as well, looking at the ground.
Mabel then thought, 'Hmm...' she grinned. 'IDEEEEE~A!' "Yeah, we should get going. I CALL SHOTGUN!" she rushed over to the passenger seat.
Pacifica looked up in confusion, "Shotgun? Why would you need a shotgun?"
Dipper gazed at her weirdly. "You never heard that phrase before?"
Now Pacifica looked at Dipper in question. "Um, no?"
Dipper stared at her for a second, until he laughed softly. "Come on, Pacifica. You can sit in the back with me."
Surprised by that statement, Pacifica regained her composure and put a lock of blonde hair behind her ear. "Um...okay," she said a little shyly with a simple shrug.
Meanwhile, when Mabel got in the passenger seat of the car, she heard each of their thoughts.
'Hmm...I wonder if her switching cars had anything to do with her parents...' Dipper thought, his mental tone sounding grim.
'Wow...Dipper and Mabel are really good friends. The best friends I ever could have...w-wait...I'll be sitting in the backseat with Dipper! Oh no, oh no, what do I do!? ' Pacifica thought in a panic.
As soon as Mabel heard them enter the car(with Pacifica at the back of the passenger seat and Dipper behind at Stan's driver's seat), she couldn't suppress a giggle.
Stan turned on the engine of his car. "Okay! Hold onto your seats, kids! We only have-" he checks his watch. " twenty-five minutes to get there!"
As the kids put their seat-belts on, Pacifica said, "You're not, like...going to go over the speed limit, are you?"
"I make no promises." Stan simply says.
Dipper turned to Pacifica and said in an apologetic tone. "You might need to hold on to something."
Pacifica's eyes widened and gulped.
Mabel turned her head to the back seat, "Don't worry! Grunkle Stan is a designated safe driver." she put her hand on her chin, however. "...Although we don't want him to be speeding again after Sheriff Blubs and Deputy Durland gave us those speeding tickets...how many did we get?"
"...Maybe I should go." Pacifica said in an uneasy tone, about to fiddle with her seat-belt.
"Too late! You're in for the ride!" Stan said as he backed out and swerved wildly.
Mabel exclaimed with a 'woo-hoo!', arms and fists pumped in the air. Pacifica yelped and latched onto Dipper's right arm, who in turn was caught by surprise, eyes wide, and his face beginning to flush a bit.
"Buckle up kids, we're going to race the clock!" Stan said as he put the car in drive and speed out of the Mystery Shack's property.
"Whoa. Guess Dip was right." Wendy said as she saw Stan's car shoot past them.
"Aww, that looks like fun!" Grenda said in disappointment.
"...Did Pacifica went with Dipper, Mabel, and Mr. Pines?" Candy asked curiously.
"Huh, yeah, I saw that too," Wendy confirmed. She then turned on the engine. "Well, either way, I guess we have to catch up and follow them. Come on, girls, let's amp this sucker up!"
And with that, they drove off with the same velocity that Stan was driving in his car.
"WOOO! That's what I'm talking about!" Grenda exclaimed.
Candy, looking frightened, gripped on her seat-belt for support and said a prayer in Korean.
"Hey! Wait for me, you guys!" Soos called out from his driver's window. As soon as he started his truck, he said to himself. "Okay, they're going really fast, so I should be either responsible with my driving, or I should try to catch up with them...well, I don't know where this hotel is if I don't follow them...and I am actually wasting a lot of time by sitting here..." He looked up in firm resolute. "I know what I must do." he pushed the gas pedal. "I just hope Grandma understaaaaaands!" he yells as he sped off after them.
Meanwhile, Niles the chauffeur, was in the car looking at the speeding vehicles through his windshield.
"...Oh dear. I really hope Lady Pacifica will be alright with those ruffians."
Stan's car speeds through the winding woodland roads, which soon forms into a mountain road that overlooks the forests. Thankfully, Stan drove the road a little more cautiously thanks to the sleet that was coated on the asphalt, but he still drove a little recklessly. Mabel was cheering the whole way, while Dipper and Pacifica were still holding onto each other for dear life.
Mabel looked over to the driver's window to see the large pine trees that were covered with snow, as well the mountains in the distance.
"Wow! It's so pretty here in the wintertime!" she said in wonder.
"Heh, yeah! I always like to drive through here to look at the scenery!" Stan commented.
"Uh, speaking of which, Grunkle Stan, please be careful around this part of the road!" Dipper said a little anxiously, not only to Stan's driving but to Pacifica holding onto his arm. The blonde squeezed her eyes shut, not daring to look at the road that they were driving on.
"Hey, have a little faith in me, Slick! I went through these roads plenty of times with this speed!" Stan assured.
"Why would you even speed on these roads in the first place?! We're basically on the cliffs here! Besides, there should be sleet on the road!" Dipper exclaimed incredulously.
"Dipper, you're not making me feel any safer!" Pacifica exclaimed as she frantically shook her head left and right next to Dipper's head to calm herself.
"Don't worry Grunkle Stan, I trust ya!" Mabel said with a happy grin.
"Heh! Thanks, Pumpkin!" Stan said with a grin of his own. He glanced at his electronic watch. "It's only 12:12 right now, so we'll probably get there just in time." he looked up at the rearview mirror and saw Pacifica holding onto Dipper. He smirked and chuckled. "Well, you kids don't waste any time, do ya?"
Dipper blinked, while Pacifica opened her eyes with wide shock.
"H-Huh!? What!?" Dipper asked with a blush.
"I, uh, I-I was, just, um," She let go of Dipper sat in her dignified posture and scowled at Stan. "Well, you're the one driving the car like an insane crazy person!"
"Believe me Blondie, I drive crazier than this..." He glanced to his left and his eyes brightened. "Hey! There it is!"
He screeched his tires to a stop near an overlook where people can look out towards the forests. The kids slammed into their seats after the stop, Pacifica taking a huge sigh of relief, with Dipper still blushing.
Stan got out of his car and said to the kids. "Hey, come on! I got to show you the hotel that I'll be taking care of!"
Mabel sat there just for a moment, listening to Dipper and Pacifica's thoughts.
'Good gosh, what was I thinking!? Now I see why Dad doesn't take too kindly to Mr. Pines...although, sitting next to Dipper and hanging onto him was the only high point of this trip...he also smelled pretty good. Almost like...pines trees...hehe! Wow, that's fitting.' thought a happy Pacifica.
'...You know, Pacifica's hair actually smelled pretty nice when she was near me. Must be some sort of fancy shampoo...it smelled like strawberries, I think. She also felt pretty good when she hugged me like tha-...okay, I think I should probably get out of the car now.' thought an awkward and nervous Dipper as he unbuckled his seat-belt.
Mabel stifled a giggle from her mouth with her hand. 'You know, I'm really starting to like this gift now.'
They opened their car doors and closed them, going over to where Stan was. He was leaning on the railing with his hands as he looked at the scenery.
"Grunkle Stan, why did we stop?" Dipper asked him.
"Look over there! It's the hotel!" Stan said as he pointed at a building in the distance.
The teenagers all gathered by the railing to see this supposed hotel that Stan is taking care of.
From where they were standing, the hotel was seen below the cliff amidst the wide open snowy field with trees surrounding it. The hotel from their standpoint looked like a giant old lodge, the building having four floors, and the exterior resembling somewhat of a large estate mansion with pointed rooftops.
"Whoa...that's the hotel?" Dipper said with surprise as he stood a little next to Stan. Mabel squeezed through and stood next to her brother, while Pacifica stood next to Dipper's right.
"Wow...I never actually seen it before. It's...actually really nice!" Pacifica said with a smile.
"You haven't seen it before? Your dad doesn't show you what he buys? Not even in pictures?" Dipper asks the heiress.
"Well, like I said, he usually just leaves me and Mom out his business deals. He tells us these things at the last minute...I really would like to see what he bought, though." Pacifica says a little forlornly.
Dipper frowned, as well as Mabel. The latter then heard another thought, this time from Stan.
'Aw crap...poor girl. What kind of jerk dad doesn't want to do stuff with his kid!? I mean, my Dad may be a hardass, but he meant well...at times...heh, I guess me and the Northwest girl sort of have that in common...hey, I know, I'll tell a joke!'
"Hey, just a little useless trivia! Do you know why the hotel is called 'The Overlook'? Because we're overlooking it! Huh!? HUH!?" Stan grinned.
Both Dipper and Pacifica turned their heads over to Stan and stared at him weirdly. Mabel smiled sweetly at her Grunkle's attempt to lightened the mood.
"Um...were you trying to make a joke?" Pacifica asked a little dubiously.
Stan frowned. "Hey, at least I tried."
"Well...either way, I guess I can see why they call it 'The 'Overlook'." Dipper turned back to the hotel in the distance. "So that's the hotel you'll be taking care of, huh?"
"Yep! Right now we're staring at the back of it, but what do you think of it so far?" Stan asked them.
"Well...it's pretty big," Dipper said simply.
"I said what I need to say about it," Pacifica stated.
"I think it looks awesome, Grunkle Stan!" Mabel praised. "When do you take care of the hotel?"
"Well, I take care of it on Monday. But hey! The rest of you kids can hang around there for a little bit with me! I could use the company." Stan said with a smile.
"But...won't that interfere with our Christmas plans with you, Grunkle Stan?" Dipper asked with a frown.
"Wha? No, of course it won't! In fact, I just thought maybe we and all your friends could have Christmas not only in the Shack but in the hotel as well!"
"Really!? Wow! That means we can have two Christmas'!" Mabel said in excitement.
Dipper raised a brow. "Hm...that...sounds kind of nice," he said, smiling as he thought about it.
Pacifica looked down at her boots in somberly. "That's...tempting, but..."
Dipper and Mabel turned to her, the former looking sympathetic. He put a hand on her shoulder, which gave her a slight jump. "Hey...no worries. Mabel and I understand. We really do."
"Yeah! If we could, we would sneak you out of that huge mansion and let you attend our Christmas parties! I can even make you a festive holiday sweater if I have to!" Mabel said with a smile.
Pacifica gazed at them, and that was when Mabel read her mind.
'Well...festive sweater aside, I really would like that...'
The heiress smiled genuinely. "Thanks, guys."
They both smiled back. Mabel, however, added, "And if you want, I can customize the sweater for you!"
'...Eh, why not? I mean, she's offering, I might as well.' Pacifica rolled her eyes. "Okay, I'll let you design your tacky sweaters for me."
Mabel brightened up. "Thanks!"
"Okay, we should get back to the car! Wendy and Soos should either be keeping up with us, or they've lost track! Do you have any of your fancy phones so you can, um...'tax' them?" Stan tried to say.
Dipper smiled at his Grunkle's mispronunciation. "It's texting, Grunkle Stan. And yeah we do. Mabel and I will text them right now."
"Yeah! I'll text Wendy while you text Soos!" Mabel said as she got her phone out.
As soon as Mabel went to text, she heard Pacifica's thoughts once more.
'Wendy? That's that tall girl, right? I think Dipper likes her...hmph. What does she have that I don't have? ...Well, she's older...and tall...and I have to admit, she does have that natural beauty to her...does Dipper like girls with natural looks? Hmm...maybe I should use less makeup...but that would make mother faint right at the spot...well, it's a small price to pay.'
"Okay, I just texted Soos!" Dipper said.
"Texted Wendy as well!" Mabel declared. "We should wait until they reply back to know where they are."
"Well, they better hurry up! I'm freezing, and I need to get there on time! Which I have-" he checked his watch and his eyes widened. "Fifteen minutes left! Ah crap!"
"Wait, wait..." Dipper said as he checked his phone. After a couple of seconds, the text ringed out. "Okay, Soos says he's behind Wendy's car."
"And I think Wendy said she's coming around the mountain road," Mabel stated. She looked over the road behind and saw that she was driving quite safely on it. "I see her!" she said with a grin.
"Yeah, I do too! And I can see Soos' truck as well!" Dipper confirmed with a smile.
"Okay, good! Now let's hit the road!" Stan then rushed to the driver's seat.
The teenagers went back to the car, but as soon as Mabel made a couple of steps...
Mabel...
Mabel paused. She turned around at the voice that sounded like it was behind her.
This voice...didn't sound like Susie. In fact, it sounded like a male's voice...
...Mabel...
Now it sounded like a female's voice...
Blinking, she looked around for the source of the voices.
...Mabel...
...This voice...sounded like a little girl.
...Mabel...
...It sounded like the same girl...but at the same time...it didn't.
"Mabel?"
She jumped when she heard her brother's voice that time. She turned around to see that Dipper hasn't closed his door yet, but he was having a worried look on his face.
'Oh no...is she okay? Is she having another episode?'
Mabel shook her head. "S-Sorry! Just...enjoying the view!"
"Well, hurry it up, Sweetie! We ain't got time left! You can sight-see another time!" Stan called out.
"Coming!"
And with that, Mabel went in at the back seat(she decided to sit next to Dipper this time), closed the door, and they began to drive off.
It was silent in the backseat...
Mabel looked thoughtful at what she just heard...
'That was interesting...'
"Mabel?" she heard a whisper from her brother.
She turned her head to Dipper. He looked concerned.
'Okay...just be subtle with it.' "Are you...okay?" Dipper asked hesitantly.
Mabel smiled warmly. "Yeah, Dip. I'm fine. Don't worry."
Dipper stared at her for a second, until he smiled warmly back at her. He patted her shoulder and squeezed it affectionately.
Pacifica, however, looked at the scene with curiosity.
'What happened?'
Mabel glanced at Pacifica when she heard her thoughts. Dipper turned his head to the blonde, which the other girl looked confused.
"Um..." Dipper started to say, the other hand rubbing the back of his neck. "Sorry, it's uh...family stuff."
"Oh...um, okay..." Pacifica then soundlessly sat straight and looked on at the road.
'...Is Mabel alright?'
Not only did Mabel heard Pacifica's thoughts, but she also heard Stan's thoughts as well.
'Man...I almost forgot about that episode she had three weeks ago on Monday. She acted like herself when she arrived, which is a good sign...I hope she's really alright. I need to ask Dipper the details when we go back to the Shack. ...Heh...I bet he's taking good care of her. Those two are inseparable...just like...us...back then...'
Mabel blinked. 'What?'
But Stan didn't think much about it anymore. He was either thinking about the directions on getting to the hotel, old tunes, and money-making.
She sat there, a little confused. She turned to the car window next to her to see the snow-covered forest, as well as the hotel in the distance...
This gift still kind of frightens her...it might have its quirks, but she's reading personal information from people's minds...should she do that?
What if...what if she heard something that she wasn't supposed to hear? Something that might be a secret too dark?
Mabel kept looking out the window, an unsure frown forming on her face.
'...No...you have Dipper. Mom and Dad. Grunkle Stan. And your friends! They love you just the way you are! ...And Susie...she'll help me along the way.'
Her lips slowly turned into a soft smile.
'...Everything is gonna be okay.'
Nodding she leaned back in her seat.
They kept driving to their destination...
As soon as they reached the gates that says "The Overlook Hotel", they sped through the entrance.
"Hah! Arrived just in time, with only..." Stan checks his watch once more. "...one minute to spare! Hey, I'm actually on time!"
"Then you probably should slow down, Grunkle Stan," Dipper advised.
"Yeah. You need to put a good impression on them. You don't want to let them know that you're some sort of drag-racer." Pacifica advised as well with a frown.
"Alright, alright! Sheesh, what are you two, my Mom?" Stan mumbled as he drove the driveway of the hotel, passing the trees. As they drove up the driveway and approached the hotel, there was a massive hedge maze to their left in front of the entrance of it.
"Wow! A bush maze!" Mabel said with wonder as she pressed her face against the window.
"It's a hedge maze, Mabel," Pacifica said with a roll of her eyes but has a smirk on her lips.
Dipper looked behind to see the back window of the car. "It seems the gang is right behind us." He turned to Stan. "So far, I'm pretty impressed with this place, Grunkle Stan."
"Heh, yeah! I'll be living the good life when the winters come around! Hey! There they are! The people that are waiting for us..." he frowned. "Wait...is that your old man, Pacifica?"
Pacifica froze. "...Do not joke with me on that."
"No, wait..." Dipper's eyes widened. "Pacifica...that is your dad."
Mabel arched her head to her right to see in the car.
It's true. Preston Northwest is standing in a black winter coat with black dress pants, along with three other men. One is a brown-haired middle-aged Caucasian male who is also dressed in a blue suit and khaki jeans. The other Caucasian male was a little portly and has white balding hair, and is dressed in a more casual attire as he was wearing a green sweater and jeans, this one looking a little older and probably around Stan's age. The last man was a slightly older African-American(but not as old as the portly man) who was wearing casual attire as well; a zipped up brown coat, jeans, and a fedora hat on his head.
Pacifica's eyes widened. "O-Oh my gosh. I-I didn't know he was coming." she bowed her head to her knees. "I can't let him see me. I can't!"
'I don't want to be scolded again. I don't want him to berate me, or even belittle me!'
Having a sad look on her face, Mabel felt for her.
Dipper frowned sympathetically. "Pacifica..." 'Oh man...I wish I can help her somehow.'
"Well...we're almost near the parking lots...and I don't want you to freeze in here if you're gonna hide..." Stan sighed somberly. "Sorry kiddo, I didn't know your Dad was coming as well."
Pacifica sat there, her head still bowed to her knees, looking defeated...
'...No...I'm not afraid of him.'
Mabel's mouth formed into an 'o' when she heard her thoughts.
The heiress sat up and took a deep breath. "...It was inevitable either way...let's go."
"Pacifica, you-I mean, you don't have to-" Dipper tried to assure her.
"No...it's okay. I won't let him know that I'm scared." Unbuckling her seat-belt and taking another breath, she grabbed the door handle...
"Pacifica!" Mabel abruptly said.
The blonde looked at the female twin, while Dipper turned to look at his sister.
"Look...just know that we got your back...okay?" Mabel said sincerely.
Pacifica smiled. "Thanks..."
"Yeah. You fought against your father's authority once, and I'm...we are sure you'll do it again." Dipper reassured, blushing a bit as he had a sweet awkward smile.
Pacifica gazed at Dipper...and smiled warmly. "Thank you...both of you."
'I really do have great friends.'
Mabel smiled at the blonde girl's thought.
"Okay then." started Stan. "I think now would be a good time to get out now. Wendy and Soos have already parked as well."
The teenagers nodded. Stan then opened his driver's door and loudly exclaimed. "Hey! Thanks for waiting for us! And is that you Preston!? Heh, wasn't expecting you here!" he then made his way to the group.
Mabel turned her head to Pacifica who has a determined look on her face...
'...Now.'
The heiress opened the door and got out.
Dipper instantly followed her, while Mabel got out on the other side.
Preston and the group waiting for Stan walked towards them.
However, when Preston saw Pacifica, he frowned.
"Pacifica?"
The blonde girl stopped in her tracks.
"...Hello, father."
Preston looked at her for a moment. "...Hello, daughter."
Flinching at the subtle undertone that her father was saying, she just stood silent.
Mabel and Dipper were rigid with tension. The former read Preston's mind...
'Such an insolent girl! What is she even doing with that incompetent Pines family!? How could she be with such lowly commoners! She is disappointing the Northwest name even further at this point! She must know in that little head of hers that we do NOT communicate with the riff-raff!'
Mabel scowled at his thoughts.
'Man, Pacifica's dad is a jerk!'
'My word, what on earth is wrong with this man!? How can he think about his daughter that way!? He's worst than I thought!'
Mabel blinked. She looked at the group of people that were with Preston. The African-American was seemingly looking at Preston with slight contempt, his eyes narrowing.
'Huh?'
That time, the African-American man divert his gaze away from Preston to glance at Mabel, blinking in curiosity. '...Huh?'
They both looked at each other, ignoring what was happening in the background for the time being(she heard Soos, Wendy, Candy, and Grenda were coming over though). The African-American man stared at Mabel for a moment, trying to decipher what he just 'heard'...
'...Wait a minute.' thought the man, as it suddenly dawned on him eyes widened.
Mabel froze on the spot,
'...Little girl, can you hear me?' the man 'asked' her.
Mabel's eyes widened and her mouth partly opened in surprise.
'Wha...wait...c-...can you hear me?' she 'asked' the man.
The African-American man looked at her with surprised wide eyes but kept his mouth closed.
'...Well, I'll be...' he smiled. 'Yes I can, little lady. Yes I can.'
Soooo...yeah, I changed the ending, along with some of the dialogue of this chapter. I hope that doesn't confuse anyone. It'll all make sense, don't worry. XP
But yeah, either way, tell me how I did in a review! Or you can fave or follow me, and THEN review! Come on, give this story some love! :D I want to know what you think of this new version of "Shine"! :)
Until then, keep on rocking, everybody! ^_^
-TSP