Chapter 5: Unlies, Half Truths, and Sucuwhatnows

"Come on, Mabel. We have to go to Stacy's house," Dipper coaxed.

"I don't know, Dipper. We don't even know where she lives."

"Exactly, and that's going to take time to figure out. Which is why you have to call Grunkle Stan and tell him...something, so we can stay and use the school's internet," Dipper pleaded with his twin.

"We have a group project."

"What?"

"We tell him we have to stay behind for a group project…technically, it's not a lie." Dipper raised a brow. "If you consider two people to be a group...and I'll make sure not to say the word school. I mean, is it really our fault if that's what he assumes the project is for?"

"No. No, it's not." Dipper grinned at his sister.

Mabel quickly called Stan and told him her unlie and bought them an extra hour and a half at school. Dipper high-fived his twin.

"Now what?" Mabel asked.

"Now we find out where she lives. I mean, there can't be that many Keegan's living in Gravity Falls."

"You don't think this is taking it a bit too far?"

"Mabel, for all we know, she saw the thing that is causing all of this and she's in danger! How would you feel if she ended up being the next victim and we could have stopped it?"

"Not good."

"Exactly."

"Okay. I agree. We do have to talk to her, but we can't just randomly show up at her house when we haven't even technically met her. I've tried that before. It only leads to heartbreak and restraining orders."

"I know that! That's why I've concocted a plan."

"A plan?"

"Yes. And it's a pretty good one if I do say so myself."

"Care to elaborate or are you just going to continue to toot your own horn?"

"The plan is, Waddles got out and we're knocking door to door to see if maybe he got into someone's backyard-"

"Waddles would never get out unless Grunkle Stan left the door open again. Is there something you're not telling me, Dipper?"

"What? No! Stay focused Mabel."

"Trust me. I am focused. Oh, I am going to have a serious talk with that man, if he let Waddles get taken again-"

Dipper grabbed onto his sister's shoulders shaking her lightly. "Mabel, Waddles is fine. You can check the app connected to the webcam Soos installed for you!"

"Oh right!" Mabel instantly does so bringing up a video of Waddles on his back, legs and nose twitching in sleep. "Aw, he's dreaming. What do you dream about, you beautiful bacon filled pig you," Mabel whispered as she caressed her phone.

Dipper facepalmed. "Now that that's settled, while you're 'looking' for Waddles in her backyard, I'll be looking for clues and trying to ask some inconspicuous questions."

"You sure you should be asking the inconspicuous questions, Dipper?" Mabel asked.

"Oh, yeah, cause you're so much better at subtly." Dipper rolled his eyes.

"I'll have you know, I can be very subtle when I want to be." Mabel sniffed.

"Which is when? Never?"

"I just find the direct approach to be more apt in most situations."

"Mabel you wouldn't know subtly if it bit you on the-"

"I don't think we should go to Stacy's house," Mabel interrupted.

"Mabel, come on, we've been over this. You agreed. We have to talk to her. She's our only lead."

"I'm not saying we shouldn't talk to her. I'm saying we shouldn't go to her house because she wouldn't be there."

"Oh no? And how do you know that?"

"Because I'm pretty sure she's right behind you." Mabel pointed to the girl standing by a bench outside the library. Dipper glanced at the girl critically through the window; noting the bright grey eyes, slender figure, and aristocratic nose he determined that she was indeed the girl they were searching for.

Dipper smiled. Finally he was going to get some answers. He quickly walked out of the library, but once outside, walked more cautiously towards her. "Uh, Stacy?" he asked.

The girl looked up at her name, startled. "Do I know you?" Stacy asked taking a few steps away from him.

"No. I'm new here. I'm Dipper Pines and this is my sister, Mabel." He pointed to his sister who was now at his side. "We were wondering-"

"What are you doing at school so late? No one is usually here after last bell," Stacy said her eyes darting around as if looking for something.

"We're not gonna hurt you, Stacy, we just wanted to ask you some questions," Mabel promised.

Stacy tensed. "I already talked to the police."

"I know, but they might have missed something. If you just tell us what you saw, I'm sure-" Stacy shook her head. Dipper frowned. "Okay you didn't see anything… Did he seem paranoid? Or did he talk about if he knew what happened to Mr. Reigner?" Dipper pressed taking a step towards her.

"What does Mr. Reigner have to do with this?" Stacy asked standing, now looking ready to run.

"Two young, healthy males falling into a coma in the same week? Doesn't sound like a coincidence to me," Dipper explained.

"I guess not, but I really don't know anything," Stacy reiterated.

Dipper took a cautious step towards her."Why did the cops take you in for questioning then?" Dipper asked.

"You think you'll be able to investigate better than the police?" Stacy asked.

"Have you met them?"

Stacy looked like she wanted to laugh but stopped herself. "From your line of questioning, I'm guessing you already know why they wanted to talk to me. I-because I was the last person to- to- see him." Her eyes teared up. "But I didn't...I don't know what happened! He was fine and then- Oh god!" Stacy gasped putting a hand to her mouth hyperventilating.

"Stacy, it's okay. You're safe with us." Mabel assured her.

"You don't understand- I don't know anything. I really didn't see-"

Dipper, who could sense they would get no where if Stacy went into full blown hysterics, tried to reason with her. "I believe you really don't think you saw anything. But Stacy, sometimes our minds try to protect us from the scary things it's witness… makes us think we just made it up or makes us forget about it altogether. Maybe you thought it was a trick of the light? Or maybe you're afraid you'll sound crazy if you describe what you saw?"

"But we'd believe you, Stacy." Mabel smiled at her. "You'd be surprised what unbelievable things we believe in."

"You...you'd believe me?"

"Of course." Mabel said.

"I-"

"Stacy?" Came a voice behind Dipper. Pacifica was a few yards away and coming closer.

Stacy turned around to run but Dipper caught her hand. She looked at him terrified.

"No! Don't!"

"Stacy," Dipper pleaded looking into her pretty grey eyes. "I know you're scared but I also know I can help you. Whatever you saw, whatever has you too afraid to talk, I promise you, I won't let them hurt you. I can protect you."

"No, Dipper, you don't understand. Please, I don't want- I can't let you to get hurt, too. Please, please let go," Stacy begged. Dipper instantly did so.

"I can help you," Dipper pleaded.

"Look, Dipper, I really wish you could help, but I-"

"Stacy! Are you alright?" Pacifica asked now in front of them. "Dipper, what did you do to her?"

"I-he-nothing. I have to go." Stacy started to run again but Dipper chased after her. "Don't follow me, Dipper." She said. Dipper stopped. "I'm sorry." Then Stacy turned and continued to run out of sight.

"What was that about?" Mabel asked as she and Pacifica both caught up to him.

"What do you want, Pacifica?" Dipper turned on the blonde infuriated.

Pacifica's eyes widened. "I- from you? Nothing. I was trying to help my friend. It looked like you were bothering her." She flipped her hair.

"She was our only lead!" he shouted. "She could be in danger and it's all your fault!"

"Dipper, calm down!" Mabel placed a calming hand on her brother's shoulder.

"Don't tell me to calm down. Stacy could be next! She was trying to tell me something until she came!" He pointed an accusing finger at Pacifica.

"Whoa, I was just trying-"

"Trying to what, Pacifica? Help? Do you even know the meaning of that word? Other than a noun? Someone who works for you," he ground out.

"Dipper! What has gotten into you?" Mabel asked.

"We have to find her! We- I- I have to find her. She-" Dipper shook his head.

"Dipper, we'll find her. I promise, but taking this out on Pacifica isn't going to help."

"You think Stacy is in danger?" Pacifica asked worried.

"She might be. I just-I just know we have to find her," Dipper explained.

"Dipper? What is going on with you?" Mabel asked.

"Nothing! I just…" Dipper shook his head. "I'm sorry."

"Can someone please explain to me what is going on?" Pacifica asked.

"Well, Pacifica, this might take awhile. You see. It all started when Dipper believed that no one could have the name Raymond Redd."
_

"Okay, so we just have to find her," Pacifica announced.

"Whoa there, Blondie, when did this," Dipper indicated himself and Mabel, "become a we?" Dipper asked indicating Pacifica.

"Look, Dipstick, Stacy is my friend. And if she's in danger, well, you're going to get my help whether you want it or not. Got it?" Pacifica poked Dipper in the chest causing him to wince.

"Well, obviously she didn't want to talk to you or she wouldn't have run away."

"Maybe it was your lack of charm or bad breath," Pacifica argued.

"Or maybe-"

"Okay, guys get your flirt on later-"

"We are not flirting!" Dipper and Pacifica interrupted Mabel.

"Oh, look, something you both can finally agree on. Now let's use that positive energy and find Stacy!"

"She doesn't live too far from here," Pacifica said begrudgingly. "I guess I could show you the way."

"That would be helpful," Dipper said not looking at her.

"Alrighty then, to Stacy's house we go." Mabel clapped with an enthusiasm neither of her two other companions shared.

They didn't make it three blocks before they heard raised voices coming from the cul de sac court ahead of them.

"Please, don't!" they heard Stacy cry. The three teenagers all glanced at one another before running towards Stacy.

Stacy had herself plastered against a green jeep as a man stood in front of her with a leer.

"Come on, beautiful. Please, I'll do anything."

"No!"

Dipper's heart stopped at the terrified tears running down Stacy's cheeks. "Hey, leave her alone!"

"Dipper?" Stacy called. Dipper didn't think. He just reacted. He ran up to the man gave him a hard shove putting himself in between the man and Stacy.

The man's eyes, a glowing incandescent blue, zeroed in on Dipper. He bared his teeth. "This is between me and the lady, pipsqueak, so kindly keep your nose outta other people's business."

"I'm not letting you anywhere near her!" Dipper challenged. "If you want Stacy, you're going to have to go through me."

The man laughed. "Don't worry, I have no problem hitting little girls," he sneered. He made to strike Dipper but Stacy's hand caught the blow before it could connect with his cheek.

"I knew you loved me too," the man grinned but his smile soon turned to a look of vacancy. His eyes began to roll into the back of his head and he fell to his knees. Dipper watched as Stacy's eyes took on the incandescent blue sheen as she smiled down at the man.

"Stacy! Stop it! What are you doing?" Mabel called.

Stacy shook her head, as if coming out of a trance, letting go of the man before her. "Oh! Oh God! Oh no. Not again...oh God!" Stacy fell to her knees crying. Dipper made to help her up but she huddled further into the car. "Don't touch me!" she screamed. "God, Dipper, didn't you just see what I can do? I don't want to do that to you."

"You won't. You wouldn't."

"Dipper, please, I don't know how to control it."

"I trust you. You'd never hurt me. I-I love you." Dipper didn't know when it had happened but he could hear the truth in his own words. He was completely in love with the girl cowering in front of him.

"No you don't. Not really. This...whatever I am...it's causing you to feel that way."

"No. It's not! I love you-what are you?" Dipper asked

"I'm... a...a...succubus…"

"A sucuwhatnow?" Mabel asked.