Dipper pulled up to Tambry's house. The group practically fell out of the car. Mabel could barely hold herself up. Her knees shook, and she looked like she would faint.
"Do you need help?" Dipper asked. Mabel shook her head.
"I just want to go to bed," she said.
"Same here," said Wendy. The group walked up to the house, and rang the doorbell. After a few seconds, Tambry answered.
"There you are!" Tambry said to Wendy. "I didn't think you'd be out so late." Tambry took a long glance at the group. "Whoa, you guys look like hell," said Tambry.
"We feel like it," said Wendy.
"What happened?" asked Tambry.
"You wouldn't believe us if we told you," said Wendy. She motioned to Dipper and Mabel, who were both standing next to her. "Mind if these two crash here tonight? Their place is being fumigated." Wendy was surprised at how easily she could lie to Tambry. She owed her so much, and felt so close to her. She felt like she should have some sort of moral dilemma about lying to her best friend. But she just didn't. She chalked it up to being super tired, and still super freaked out.
"No problem, my parents are still out," said Tambry. "One of you can crash in their room, and the other can grab the couch."
"Couch," muttered Mabel. "I just want to sleep." The group walked inside, and Tambry closed the door.
"You locked that, right?" asked Dipper.
"Nah," said Tambry. "Nothing to worry about around here. No troublemakers or anything." As soon as Tambry turned away, Dipper locked the door. The group walked into the living room. It was a typical set up. TV in the center, a couch, and three red chairs. Mabel collapsed face first on the couch, pulling herself into a little ball. The other three all grabbed a chair. "So you two were hanging out again," said Tambry. She shot Dipper and Wendy a devilish grin. Neither of them responded. Tambry's grin faltered, and she frowned. "Jesus, did someone die?" "It's just been a really, really long night," said Wendy. Tambry shrugged.
"It's pretty late anyway," Tambry said. "Dipper, my parents room is upstairs. The first door on your right." Dipper nodded, and got up off the chair. He left towards the stairs, and Wendy followed him. He walked up the first few steps, and heard Wendy come up behind him. Dipper turned around.
"My room is next to yours," Wendy explained.
"Gotcha," said Dipper. The pair went upstairs, and went into their respective rooms. Dipper flipped a light switch. The room was a sharp, garish velvet. A myriad of landscape paintings were hung haphazardly on the walls. There was a chest of drawers, and of course a bed. It was king size. Dipper put his hat on the chest of drawers, and took off his shirt. He noticed a mirror next to the bed. He walked over to it, and took a long look at himself. He looked like he hadn't slept in days. His eyes were bloodshot, and his hair was in a state of total disarray. He had torn up his biceps, and dried blood caked his arm hair. His chest was covered in bruises. A long scratch went from his left shoulder to his stomach. He touched it, and winced. "Gonna hurt like hell tomorrow," Dipper said. He pulled his belt off, took off his shoes, and jumped out of his jeans. He tossed them aside, and collapsed onto the bed. He picked up his shoe, and tossed it at the light switch. It soared to the right, and bounced off the wall. Dipper picked up the other shoe, and took careful aim. As he tossed it, the door opened. The shoe missed Wendy's face by a few inches.
"Woah!" she shouted. "What's with the shoe?"
"I was trying to turn off the light," said Dipper. Wendy took a look at him, and he suddenly became very aware he was just in his boxers. He pulled a blanket off the bed and covered himself up. Wendy giggled.
"No reason to be shy," Wendy said. She came into the room, and closed the door behind her. She flipped the light switch, and the room went dark, illuminated only by moonlight. Wendy walked over to the bed. She was shrouded in darkness, the light only showing part of her body. Dipper's mouth was completely dry. His heart was pounding a beat, and he felt sweat start to form on his palms. He saw Wendy take off her shirt and pants. She slid into bed with him, clad only in her underwear. "No funny stuff," she said.
"No way," Dipper said. "Way too tired and junk." They both pulled the covers over themselves. Dipper felt Wendy snuggle up against him.
"I couldn't sleep alone," Wendy said. "Not after all that. I just wouldn't feel safe."
"Well I'm here," said Dipper. "I got you."
"I know," said Wendy. She turned to face him. "You kicked those vampires asses." Dipper chuckled.
"They never stood a chance," Dipper said. Wendy leaned close to him, and the two kissed. Wendy pulled away.
"Do we really have to do this every night?" Wendy asked. Dipper nodded.
"I know it sucks," Dipper said. "But think of it this way. If we hadn't been there, imagine what those vampires might have done to people tonight. We knew how to fight them, and we almost got destroyed. Imagine if they ran into some random guy who had no idea what to do."
"I guess," said Wendy. "But I don't know if I can do this every night."
"Me either," said Dipper. "We're going to need more help."
"Who else can we convince?" asked Wendy. "I know if I told Tambry, she'd think I was crazy."
"I don't know," said Dipper. "We'll have to be careful about who we talk to. But we have to get more help. We just have to."
"Yeah," said Wendy. She ran a finger down Dipper's chest. "You're not hurt, are you?"
"Just some bruises and scrapes," Dipper said. "How about you?"
"Same," Wendy said. Dipper felt her shake. "Although my head still feels kind of funny. It was terrible when they were in there. I've never had somebody, or something else in my head. It really sucks."
"It does," said Dipper. "But it's over now."
"Thank God," said Wendy. She scooted closer to Dipper. "You sure you don't mind just sleeping tonight?"
"It's no problem," said Dipper.
"You will be handsomely rewarded for this later," said Wendy. The two kissed again, and Wendy rolled over. Dipper put his arms around her, and felt Wendy fall asleep in his arms. He closed his eyes, but sleep didn't come. He didn't think he would sleep at all tonight. He was too worried. He knew that battling evil would be tough, but he had no idea it would be like that. His every muscle was still tense, and his mind was still racing. It was like he had drunk a cup of pure caffeine. Wendy gasped in her sleep, and Dipper pulled her closer. Dipper could hear her whimpering, and he felt terrible. This was his fault. He could have just left her alone. Could have kept her out of this. But he had been selfish. He didn't want to lose her, and so he had pulled her into this hell.
"I don't deserve you," Dipper said. Across town, Pacifica sat in her room. Her eyes were glowing green. She could see and hear everything Dipper did. She snarled.
"No you don't," Pacifica growled. "You don't deserve her. You don't deserve anyone." Her eyes changed from green to red. "But that's okay. Take comfort for now, Dipper. We'll take her from you soon enough." She turned to her left. Gideon sat next to her.
"We'll take everything from him," said Gideon. "He'll beg us to kill him." Another figure was next to Gideon. It was Robbie.
"As long as I get the girl," Robbie said.
"I don't care about the girl," said Gideon. "Once I have Dipper, you can do whatever you want with Mabel." Robbie cracked his knuckles.
"Is the Master aware they killed the vampires?" Pacifica asked.
"Yes," Gideon said. "It is inconsequential. The Master's minions are infinite. If they kill one, more will come."
"Good," said Pacifica. "We need them weak for our plan to work."
"They'll be more than weak," said Gideon. "Don't worry Pacifica. Our Master has everything under control."
"Praise the Master," said Pacifica.
"Praise him indeed," said Gideon.