Whoa. I asked, and you guys absolutely delivered. I'm loving the ideas you had in the reviews; again, thanks to all the guests who had awesome ideas! (Account people, I'm pretty sure I messaged everyone and thanked you; if I didn't, let me know.) I'll name-drop you specifically, but not till I get to that point in the story; otherwise, people could look at your review and guess what's gonna happen.

Wow, that was paranoid. Sorry.

Maybe it's cliche, but reviews really do make it easier to update. When other people are excited, I'm more excited, or something. Like a giant circuit board of excitement. Or one of those bird-desk things that bobs its head down, then swings back up. I think I'm rambling again.

[]

"Uh... Dude? Little help here?"

I turn around. Soos is straddling the highest point of the roof, trying not to fall down either side. "Soos! What the-" I run over, trying to climb the worn shingles without jamming splinters into my hands.

He grunts. "Just a sec- I think I can-" He swings one leg over, then loses his grip completely and tumbles down towards the platform.

He bowls me over before I can get out of the way. Standing, he brushes some dirt off of his green shirt. "Nailed it." He smiles.

"Ugh." Groaning, I slowly get up from where he knocked me over. "Soos, what are you even doing?" I snap. "You never come up here!"

He frowns, a little hurt. "Well, I saw you stormin' off all angry-like, and I figured maybe you could use some help."

I sigh, walking back to the edge of the platform. "Why does everyone think I need help?" I mutter, sitting down so my legs are hanging over the edge.

I can't see him, but he probably has that nervous look on his face, touching his index fingers together like he always does when he's worried about something. "Well... uh..."

For a few seconds, I don't say anything. "Sorry, Soos," I mumble. "It's not your fault, I guess."

His quick, 'heh-heh' laugh sounds out behind me. "Well, that's a relief, dude!" He heaves himself down next to me, looking off into the distance.

Folding my hands, I look down. The rooftop was always... I don't know, the place I went to be alone. Sometimes Wendy would be up here, but now that there's someone else, I don't really know what to say.

"S'really something, huh?" I glance up. Soos is pointing off towards the forest.

No- above it. The sunset. For all my exploring, all my studying of this town, I hardly ever remember to look up. The sky is wildly different from back home; up here, I can see the sun, dimmed behind thin red clouds, slowly sinking into the trees miles away.

Moving my head back, I gaze up at the first few stars, barely gleaming in the faded blue twilight. The orange of the sunset meets the dark blue about halfway, and it creates a color I don't even know how to describe.

With a start, I realize Soos is waiting for a response. "Yeah," I say quickly. "Pretty amazing." My voice breaks on 'maz', but he doesn't seem to care.

He splays his hands out on the roof behind him, leaning back. "So, what were you dudes arguing about?"

I grab a pebble from next to me. "Stan's just- I mean, he's being so..." Tossing it into the driveway, I shake my head.

He chuckles. "Yeah, I know. He's good at that."

We're both quiet for a while. I watch the goat step out of the trees' shadows, cautiously walking towards the spot where the pebble fell. "It's not just him, though," I say quietly. "Whenever I'm trying to get anything done, everyone's always asking if they can help."

"Oh, yeah. I see your problem."

Sarcasm? From Soos? "Shut up, man," I grin and punch his arm. "Y'know what I mean."

"I think so, dude." He adjusts his hat. "Stan's always giving you loads of jobs 'n stuff, but people always butt in and try to do it themselves."

"Exactly!" I drum my feet against the side of the building. "It's like they assume I can't do anything. Stan told me to stock the postcards in the gift shop, then asked if I knew where the ladder was."

He winces. "Ouch."

Folding my arms, I scowl and look off to the side. "Even Wendy sometimes; she still treats me like a little kid. If I'm going out to the woods or whatever, she'll try to come with so I don't get lost." I look back at Soos. "Can you believe it? And Mabel- half the time, she acts like she's the one who has to look out for me. I just- ugh, it's so annoying."

He rubs his chin. "Well, you know you can take care of yourself. And I know it, so what's the problem?"

In my mind, the answer is obvious. "I want them to know it! I wanna prove it!"

Soos laughs again. "I think I get it, but d'you really think you'd be better off without your friends?"

I look at him like he just asked me to jump off the roof. "What? Of course not!"

He shrugs. "Sounds t'me like you want people to help you less, dude. Or, like, not at all."

"No, but-"

"Here's what I think, bro." He looks a little more serious now. "Not letting your buds help you out? That doesn't make you manly or something. I mean, look at Wendy's crazy dad! D'you really think that guy ever asks for help?"

I smirk a little. "Doubt it."

"Exactly. Now, here's the question; d'you wanna be like that dude? That kind'a manly?"

Shifting, I look down again. "No, I guess not." I suddenly notice how cold it's gotten. "It's not easy, though."

He sighs. "I hear ya, bro. Not easy."

[]

"And when exactly did you notice they were gone?"

"This morning," I say, trying not to let my voice shake. We're standing on the porch of the Shack. Blubs is writing in a small notebook, occasionally looking up to ask me questions. His partner is looking for clues inside.

In other words, what I've been doing all day. He's not going to find anything.

I've never thought of Blubs's voice as intimidating. But for some reason, right now, I can barely talk. I've dealt with both policemen before with no problem; but now, I'm alone.

Stan should be here. In front of the Shack, talking to them. He's the one who should be facing the sunglasses, the uniforms, the-

"Son!" I snap out of my thoughts. "I asked you a question!"

My throat is dry. I can barely focus. "...What?" I manage.

Blubs mutters something in frustration. "I said, did you contact your parents?"

"I tried." I look towards the open door of the Shack, finding it easier than looking at the man asking the questions. "The phone's not working."

"Hmf." He grunts, shaking his head. "I'm not surprised; seems every phone line outta the city's goin' down after that storm a few days back."

Just like that, I'm back in my own worried thoughts. It's almost better that I couldn't reach our parents; how could I tell them? How could I admit that, under my watch, their daughter had somehow vanished?

"All right," grumbles Blubs. "What about that other girl; Corduroy, right? What'd her family say?"

I haven't even called them.

I haven't called them.

She could be home. Sick.

She could still be here. How could I have forgotten?

I guess I say some of that out loud, because Blubs practically drops the notebook. "You didn't ask them?" he booms. "Then we need-"

I'm distracted, looking over his shoulder. The policeman turns as well.

Dirt bike. Red, with silver trim. Barreling down the driveway, kicking up a long, thin cloud of dust.

Robbie V. skids to a stop, nearly jumping off the bike and letting it drop to the ground.

My reaction is strange. I was talking to him minutes ago, but I'm still... angry. Just seeing him, scowling, hoodie pulled up, hands jammed in his pockets, I'm reminded of all the reasons I don't like him. The reasons I shouldn't trust him.

Then he pulls the hood down. I don't know exactly what I'm seeing in his face- fear, concern, worry- but it's different.

"I already talked to 'em," he says in a low voice. "She's missing."

My throat tightens up, just like earlier.

[]

We spend the rest of the day at the Shack. The policemen are still searching for anything that could help us, any clue as to where they've gone.

I'm standing in the attic, poring over the journal again. I don't know why, but I keep coming back to it. Hoping that there'll be some obvious hint that I overlooked.

One page in particular has been haunting me.

-Unfortunately, my suspicions have been confirmed. I'm being watched. I must hide this book before He finds it. Remember, in Gravity Falls there is no one you can trust. Trust no one!-

I should have said something.

The sudden realization leaves me breathless. I could have warned everyone. Told them that it wasn't safe here.

I could have... saved them.

I stumble, leaning against the attic wall. It's my fault. I was warned, and I didn't listen. And now, the people I love are paying the price.

"Hey, kid." Robbie is standing in the entryway.

Luckily, I'm between him and the book. Slowly, without moving too much, I close it and slide it under some pillows. "Yeah?"

He rubs the back of his head, looking embarrassed. "Look, um... they didn't find anything."

"Great. Thanks." My tone was probably unnecessary, but I didn't care.

He scowls again. "Let me finish." Rubbing his eyes, he says quickly, "You'll need a place to stay and my dad said if you want you can stay with us until this is all over 'cause you shouldn't stay here by yourself."

I'm actually speechless.

He must think the silence is a rejection, because he blurts out, "Look, kid, this isn't exactly my idea of a great plan either! But-" He shrugs his shoulders, looking up at the ceiling. "All of this just... sucks. The whole thing's weird, and we don't really have any better ideas."

I turn around. "I'll be fine."

He's quiet for a few seconds. "Alright." His footsteps echo as he trudges down the stairway.

The attic is silent again. I stare at the wall for a while.

Darn you, Soos.

[]

When I step out of the Shack, Robbie's standing next to one of the police cars, talking to Durland. They both turn towards me as I start across the lawn.

I'm carrying a plastic garbage bag over my shoulder. Setting it on the ground, I glance at Robbie. "Um... I think, uh, if it's alright, I... don't wanna stay in an empty tourist trap."

He snorts, but doesn't look angry. "Figures," he mutters. He opens one of the doors, climbing inside.

Durland grins. "Well, welcome aboard! Guess we can git goin'!"

I suddenly make the connection in my head. "Whoa." Looking back to Robbie, I notice a few similarities. The ears, the nose... huh. Learn something new every day.

Any other situation, I'd laugh. This kid, the guy who vandalized the water tower, who broke into a convenience store (although I guess I did that too), and actually tried to beat me up at one point, was the son of literally half the law enforcement in the whole town.

I half expect Mabel to be giggling next to me. I can picture her leaning over and whispering, "He must be so proud."

Smiling, I heft the bag back up, getting in the police car.

Robbie raises his eyebrows. "This isn't summer camp, kid. That's all you're bringing?"

I shrug. "Well, I don't need much. I'm coming back as soon as we find them."

He faces the front. "Yeah. Of course."

I don't think he fell for the confidence in my voice.

Durland starts the engine, whistling a tune. I wonder how he can stay so calm when someone's missing.

I also wonder if it's hereditary. "Robbie?"

He doesn't look at me. "Yeah?"

"Aren't you worried?"

He leans back, closing his eyes. "Shut up, kid," he groans. "Just... stop it."

"Sorry." I look out the window as the Mystery Shack fades from view.

[]

Props to Kaitlyn Franks for the staying-at-Robbie's-house idea. Also, who's excited for the finale next week?

Speaking of that, I feel like I should clarify something. Right now, I actually do have a plan for how the ending of this will go down; why the Shack gang are missing, and so on. However, it will have a lot to do with the journals and vaguely mysterious things that we've all been wondering about for so long. Here's the problem; watching the preview for the finale, it looks like a lot of those questions might actually be answered. If they are, it'll throw this story completely out of whack.

So does anyone mind if we pretend my story is set after the Boyz Crazy episode, so I can still make up my own mysteries if I want? Pretending the Gideon Rises stuff hasn't happened? Cool? Cool.

Also, I sincerely apologize to anyone who was hoping Blubs and Durland would be funny. I tried, but just couldn't get the tone right.