Chapter 8
Couldn't remember if there was any radio host or what their name was so making one up for the start of the story. Don't worry not going to be a massive concern to the story.
(Wendy POV)
The drive from the mystery shack to home gave me plenty of time to think on the day's events. Man today was hectic, from the disaster with Robbie to the event with the laptop. I shuddered as the cool air rolled through the open window sending shivers down my spine.What was this Mist? Who was this 'him'? Knowing Dipper would obviously consult with Ford the moment he laid eyes upon him I threw the thoughts to the back of my mind. You don't have the same knack for this as Dipper does, let him figure out the details. But Dipper… I smiled reliving the last few moments with him, his expression as I kissed him. God how he can be such a klutz every time I'm with him. It's like he barely gets the idea that we are dating. Smiling I flicked the headlights of the truck onto full beam illuminating the road in front of me as it cut through the icy blackness of the forest. Knowing it was a 10-minute drive via road to my place I reached over and started playing with the radio and the static until I found the only station in gravity falls that operated this late at night.
"Hello and thanks for joining in to the evening radio on 97.4 with your host Ergman Bratsman. Next up we have Deer in the headlights by Owlcity." It blared over the speakers forcing me to cringe at the loudness of the radio. Reaching over and franticly turning down the volume before I started bleeding out of my ear drums. Finally turning the volume to a safe sound just in time for the music to kick in. I began jamming along to the beat, nothing like some rock to keep you awake at night. I continued nodding my head along to the song right up to the chorus before static continued to break into the song.
"Oh come on" Throwing my head back in protest "Just when I was getting to enjoy it?"
Then abruptly the static dropped off before a voice with a hoarse whisper sounding a bit like a mix of nails scratching a blackboard and someone with a serious throat infection began playing from the speakers "Run little girl. You have no chance against me. You and the rest of this town stand no chance against me this time! Your death will bring my ultimate victory!" Static flooded back through the speakers as I stamped my foot back on the breaks flinging the truck to a sudden halt.
"What in blimin hell's name was that?" I madly tried running through the stations to get the same frequency again but all in vain as silence and static were the only thing before the sound of Ergman Bratsman occasionally breaking the silence. I gave up switching the radio completely off and sat there in shock taking in deep breaths to steady my heart rate. I glanced in the dashboard mirror catching a glance of myself, I took in the fact that my white skin had seemed to gone to the point where people only went when they died of cold. I steadily put the truck back into drive and stuck to 10 miles below the speed limit every so often glancing out the windows afraid something mystical from the forest was going to come out and attack me.
Nothing happened however all the way back to my place. Pulling in, noticing the majority of the lights were left running saying that my family were still awake. I sat in the car still contemplating what had happened. I took in multiple breaths taking in all that happened. Just don't focus on it. Ask Ford or Dipper when you go to the shack tomorrow. Just forget about it for the time being. I sent the thoughts to the back of my head and tried not to dwell on them. This event had entirely freaked me out but I didn't need Dad or my brothers getting fussed by my actions. I stepped out of the truck and walked to the front door with a brave smile on my face which conflicted with what I was feeling.
"WENDY'S HOME!" Anthony yelled at the top of his voice alerting everyone in a mile radius that I was home.
"WENDY I WANT TO HAVE A TALK!" Dan yelled back, with what sounded like… concern? I walked inside shutting the door behind me and launching a quick punch at Anthony for giving away the fact I was home. I wanted a quiet night after the hectic day I've had, dad wasn't going to cut me some slack sadly.
"Coming dad." I couldn't help but let the smiling face I had fall to the ground as the day began taking its toll on my patience.What stupid job is he going to want me to do now? I trudged into the living room as Dan literally kicked my other two brothers off the Xbox and out of the room. Not good. Something personal if he doesn't want them overhearing. My anger and annoyance began turning into worry as he motioned for me to sit next to him.
"Wendy do you know what I'm going to ask you about?" I shook my head still worried that something very important had happened today. "Well… I may of heard word from the Mill about your act today."
The lump in my throat vanished only to be replaced with embarrassment. This was my dad, the scariest and manliest guy in town talking to me about boys? "No surprise there…"
"OI! No mouthing back, I just want to ask you how you are feeling." That's not what I was suspecting. "I'm concerned for you. This is the first time you have ever taken this type of relationship of yours to the next level and I hope you know what consequences that brings."
"Wait you're not mad at all about me dating a skinny, scrawny teenager that's 3 years younger than me?" surprised.
"Well… can't say I'm impressed with your choice in men but he's a nice kid. He couldn't hurt you even if he tried," Chuckling at his own sentence "But that doesn't mean that no-one else would try."
"What are you suggesting dad?"
"I'm suggesting that while keep your friends and family close, keep your enemies' closer. You haven't see what jealousy does to men. It can turn your best friend against you in a moment."
I thought about what he was meaning "You mean Robbie? Robbie as much of prick that he is, still loves me. The last thing he would want is getting me hurt." Dad just looked at me hoping I'd make the connection myself. "Oh. You mean watch out for Robbie in case he attacks Dipper?"
"Yup. That boys different I can see that when you speak about him, however, I know you like the guy but he's no fighter. He uses words and intelligence to get out problems. You saw today however, that not all opponents care to hear him out and will attack first." He grasped my shoulder and looked into my eyes "Just be prepared this relationship with your boyfriend is going to take more on your behalf to keep going than his. If you truly love him as much as I loved your mother" I couldn't help but flinch at the mention of her "Be prepared to sacrifice lots to keep the bond between you two strong. Like how much you mother did for me." He smiled which seemed to take 10 years of the old man's face as tears began to form in the corners of his eyes.
I leaned forward and hugged him "Its ok dad." As he silently wept into my arms. I heard a creaking of a door and I looked up to see my brother peaking around the door to see what had made dad so emotional. I motioned some gestures to get them to run off in fear of my wrath if they ruined this moment.
"Well, I guess I should let you go to bed then. It's been a big day." He said pulling apart from the hug
"That's a bit of an exaggeration" getting a chortle of laughter out of my old man "See you tomorrow." Standing up and making my way towards the door.
"To tomorrow." He replied. I grasped the handle and pulled the door open the rest of the way to reveal the three musketeers standing there looking up at me.
"SCRAM." I hissed causing them to break apart and dash off in different directions to their rooms. I wandered up to the bathroom and quickly brushed my teeth and prepared myself for a night's sleep. Wandering back into my room I stripped myself down before throwing my sleepwear on and falling into bed. I laid there with my eyes shut but I couldn't get the warning in the car out of my head. Your death will bring my ultimate victory? Who benefits from me being gone? I can't have that much of a significance on the future? Can I? I let my mind roll in the questions before sleep forced its way inside me breaking my will and pushing me to sleep.
7 HOURS LATER
"BREAKFAST IS READY!" I pried open my eyes letting them adjust to my surroundings. I let out a groan pulling my blankets back over my head. It's too early to be yelling. I laid there comforted in the warmth of my bed unwilling to get up. "BOYS GO WAKE YOUR SISTER UP!"
"I'M UP NO NEED TO GET ME!" I yelled back. Damm, dad knew exactly how to get me moving. I forced myself to fling my legs out of bed as the cold bit at my exposed legs. I rushed to my wardrobe and pulled out a pair of jeans and a red lumberjack shirt in comparison the green ones I usually always wore. I didn't bother putting on any perfume as I didn't think I smelled bad or anything and I knew I would probably be smelling of pine needles by the time I got to the Mystery shack. I grabbed my brush and began doing my hair as I walked downstairs towards the kitchen.
"I see you are up on time for once." Dan said as I strolled into the kitchen and took a seat at the table along with my brothers talking among themselves quietly.
"I know my limitations at least, and I know that if I don't get a cup of coffee in the next 5 minutes I'm going to snap."
"Get it yourself, I've just got the bacon." Dan placed a plate filled with crispy bacon, scrambled eggs and burnt toast in the centre of the table.
"I guess it can wait then." Reaching over and pilling a good amount of food onto my plate. The temptation of good food was enough to quell my weariness for the moment. We ate in near silence only with the three gossiping with each other on their side of the table. I glanced up from my breakfast a few times to look at them with a questionable stare, as I thought I heard them mention my name once or twice. I left them to their own devices though as I stood up and took my plate to the kitchen to wash up.
"They're talking about you, you know." Dad walked up beside me scrapping the grease into the bin.
"I thought they were. What embarrassing details have they got their cubby little hands on?"
"Funny you should say that actually." Letting a smile tighten on his usual angry face.
"What do they know now?"
"Nothing that your friend Tambry doesn't know." I let out a groan realising what he meant.
"If they start ribbing me because of it…" Dan started chuckling
"I've told them not to bother you. Anyway we're off to work now. So at least they can't bother you." He turned to face into the dining room "GRAB YOUR GEAR. WE'RE OFF." Turning back to me "Well see you tonight then. DON'T be late like yesterday."
"I wasn't late, just fashionably late."
"Same thing in my books." his voice turning into the usual growl. "Turning his attention to the boys at the door with their axes ready to go. "ALRIGHT, GET IN THE TRUCK. DON'T FORGET TO LOCK UP." Before pushing them out the door and slamming it behind them. Hearing the truck start I turned my attention towards the clock on the wall. I mentally let out a groan realising an hour had barely passed; it had only just turned 8:00 now.
I walked into the lounge and grabbed the TV remote I jumped onto the couch and started scrolling through the channels for something to do in the meantime. Sadly, there were only reruns of old TV shows like Wheel of cash. A dead show for a dying audience. Flicking the TV off after 5 minutes or so I just sat there leaning back on the sofa. If Dipper or even Mabel was here, they would find something to do. Screw it. No point sitting here in this pigsty for longer than necessary. None of the Pines would mind if I arrived this early. Standing up I grabbed the keys and left the house before locking it and throwing the keys into my pocket.
I decided against driving as I wasn't in a rush and a day like today with the sun shining bright in the sky, it would be a shame not to enjoy it to its fullest potential. I spent the entirety of the walk just listening to the sounds of the forest. The birds whistling in the upper branches gave a soothing atmosphere, allowing my body to relax even more. The sun light filtered through gaps in the leaves and branches creating patterns on the ground in the shadows. Every day all I had to do was look outside and be greeted with the most beautiful place on the planet. Even with all the secrets this place held, I could never not call it home.
A beam visible on my face as the Mystery shack slowly came into view. I pushed open the door to see Ford spinning around arms over the vending machine protecting it from my gaze. "Watchya doing there?" puzzled by his behaviour.
His arms dropped to his side taking the sight of me in "I thought a tourist had arrived this early. Can't let anyone see what's down there." Curiosity came over his face as he crossed his arms "Anyway why are you here so early?"
"Bored." Throwing my head back to emphasis my point "Though one of the twins would be up so we could do something."
"Not just Dipper by any chance?"
I blushed as he said this "So you obviously know."
"Yeah, Stan told me last night about what happened. He sounded slightly disappointed though."
"Whys that?" Feeling my stomach drop, not realising how Stan would take our new relationship.
"Oh something about not being there to film the fight." We smiled as I realised he was having me on "Apparently you have a good right jab, he says."
"Well you know. Got to be the very best." Trying to flex the muscles in my arms getting him to crack up. "Yeah anyway, did Dipper tell you about the Laptop last night?"
His face instantly went serious at the mention of the Laptop "Yes, he told me all about it. I'm looking into it but I haven't found anything worthwhile yet. Well done however on breaking the code though."
"Thanks, just a thing Dad taught me about a few years back. But is that thing able to interfere with any other electronic devices?"
"Not unless it was plugged into it no, why's that?" I explained the events of last night to Ford from the moment I got into the truck to when I got home. Pale began to grip the sides of Fords face as I reached the point about it calling my death out. "Wendy this is very crucial information you have just told me. Is there, and don't lie to me here, is there anyone who would like to see you dead?"
I thought about it for a moment. Robbie was angry at me but he cared for me, none of my other ex's cared for that much to see me dead after I broke up with them and besides that I could only think of the shapeshifter. "The shapeshifter I'd say, but isn't he still trapped in the cryogenic tubes?"
"I'll go and check today but I don't think so. He wouldn't give a warning, just a full attack upon you." He stood there tapping his foot for a few seconds before continuing "Just stay alert. Whatever this is it means business, and this 'Mist' is its big plan to destroy us. Don't tell Dipper or Mabel about this. It would just get them worried and they'll begin to panic for your safety. I trust you can look after yourself but still… be careful." And with that he turned around opened the vending machine and went downstairs.
"Thanks." I said softly as the door closed behind him. That conversation though insightful, made what happened last night even worse to think about. If this think was enough to make Ford get worried what was it?
"Hey Wends." Dipper's voice broke my thoughts, not realising he had entered the room from behind me "Who were you talking too?"
I was about to tell him what Ford had told me but stopped remembering what he said about not telling them. "I was… talking to myself, yeah just talking to myself."
He didn't look convinced at that reply but didn't bring it back up "Ready to go?"
"When you are squirt." Putting on a brave face and smiling. "Let's go." And with that we walked out into the sun.
Not so happy with this chapter but had to include a view from Wendy's point of view about the situation and looming threat. Anyway sorry about no secure dates for updating. I just can't keep a schedule to save my life. Till next time.
