"I don't know, something just feels off," said Mabel. She was sitting outside with Wendy. The two had spread a blanket between them, and were munching on sandwiches Mabel had thrown together. "I can't explain it. It's just like something weird is going on."
"I know what you mean," said Wendy. "It's like looking at an optical illusion. You know something wacky is happening, but you can't put your finger on it."
"I bet it's leprechauns," said Mabel.
"What makes you say that?" asked Wendy.
"When I was little, I hated leprechauns," said Mabel. "Everyone told me they weren't real. They'd say, 'you're crazy Mabel, leprechauns don't exist.' But if vampires exist, I bet leprechauns do. And I bet they're doing evil things. People say they're all gold and rainbows, but I know they're up to something sinister." Mabel put down her sandwich. "You hear that leprechauns!" she shouted. "I'm onto you!"
"You're a bit strange," said Wendy.
"I know," said Mabel. "It makes life more interesting."
"But it probably is something sinister," sighed Wendy. "Nothing is simple anymore. I keep jumping at weird sounds and shadows. Before I could just chalk them up to tricks of the light, or the wind blowing in the trees. Now they might be some horrible thing."
"Yeah," said Mabel. "I thought Waddles was eating evil lettuce, and I threw it down the garbage disposal." She picked her sandwich back up, and took another bite. "Turns out the lettuce wasn't evil, it was just a little old. Waddles wasn't very happy."
"You really think that we should be worrying about produce?" asked Wendy.
"I don't know," said Mabel. "Everything seems vaguely sinister now." A smile crossed Mabel's face. "Except Dipper. He's still cool." Mabel hugged herself. "I don't know what I'd do without him. I wouldn't be able to face all this craziness without his help, that's for sure."
"Dipper is pretty awesome," said Wendy. Mabel opened her mouth to respond, but a loud coughing noise cut them off. They turned, and saw an ancient car coming up through the entrance. Every few seconds the car gave a loud cough, and spurted out black smoke through its tailpipe.
"What a piece of junk," said Mabel. Wendy's lips were pursed, and her eyes had narrowed. "What's up with you?"
"That's Pacifica's car," said Wendy.
"Pacifica?" A look of remembrance came over Mabel's face. "Oh that's right, Pacifica!" Mabel frowned. "She wasn't very nice to me back then."
"She's still not very nice," said Wendy. "In fact, she's a bitch." Mabel had never heard Wendy call anyone that before. Wendy was a pretty nice girl. You'd have to work really hard to get her to call you a bitch. The car pulled into the parking lot, and its driver put it in park. Pacifica got out of the car. She had gone from being pretty to being beautiful. She had long blond hair, carefully tied into a ponytail. Her makeup was impeccably done. She wore designer jeans, and black top. She walked with learned grace, and the air around her seemed to sparkle. Mabel couldn't help but feel a little impressed. She sauntered over to where Mabel and Wendy sat. Mabel noticed that her shoes had a sheen that came from being frequently polished.
"Mabel Pines," Pacifica said. "It has been a lifetime since I've seen you." Mabel stood up, and dusted herself off.
"Yeah," said Mabel. "It's been seven years."
"Hardly feels like it," said Pacifica. "I can remember hanging with you like it was yesterday."
"Hanging with me?" Mabel shook her head. "I don't think we ever hung out."
"Oh please," said Pacifica. She waved a hand out, as if dismissing the idea. "Of course we hung out. We were buddies!" She took a good look at Mabel. "My, you've gotten pretty. Your hair is less mousy." Pacifica leaned in, looking at Mabel's features. "A lot less acne, very good. And no braces! Oh, those things were terrible. I see we still like to wear sweaters."
"I like sweaters," grumbled Mabel.
"Of course, of course," said Pacifica. "It's always good to have something unique. Something you."
"What do you want Pacifica?" asked Wendy. She stood up, and stood next to Mabel. Mabel was frowning, her hands in the pockets of her sweater.
"I just wanted to see an old friend," said Pacifica. "Is that so wrong?"
"You sure treat your friends funny," said Wendy. "You've been here for all of five minutes, and you've already made Mabel feel like shit."
"What?" Pacifica fake gasped. "I didn't mean to. I was just complimenting her." "It's fine Wendy," said Mabel. "I can handle this." Mabel took her hands out of her pockets, and marched closer to Pacifica. They were inches from each other. "I'm surprised Pacifica. I know you didn't like me, but I didn't think you'd drive all the way to the Shack to insult me."
"I try to be nice, and this is what I get," said Pacifica. She shook her head. "What a bother, what a bother. Oh well, can't say I didn't try." She took out a hand mirror, and looked at herself. She smoother her hair back, and winked into her reflection. "Where are you going to be later?"
"Why?" probed Wendy.
"Just need to know where to avoid," said Pacifica. She had given up on any pretext of kindness. Wendy growled, and closed in on Pacifica. Mabel held out a hand.
"Really not worth it," said Mabel. "Look Pacifica, we're into stuff you can't understand. Big stuff. Stuff a selfish person like yourself wouldn't understand. So please just leave us alone."
"Fine," said Pacifica. She whirled around, and walked back to her car. She slammed the door, and started it up. The car wheezed and coughed as it started, black smoke pouring out. She backed out, and left the parking lot. Mabel and Wendy stood together, each fuming.
"You're right," said Mabel. "She is a bitch."
"Unbelievable," said Wendy. "I literally can't believe it."
"What did she do to you?" said Mabel. "I didn't think you two really spent time with each other."
"She's in the same grade as one of my brothers," said Wendy. "She made fun of them all the time. Called our family blue-collar trash, said we were worthless. And that was the kinder stuff. She's just a really terrible person." Wendy smiled. "At least her father got taken down a peg."
"I remember that," said Mabel. "She deserved it. I don't like being mean to people, but she really deserved it." The two sat back down, and finished up their sandwiches. As they packed everything up, Dipper came running toward them.
"All right, I have a plan!" he shouted. "We're going to recruit old man McGucket."
"The crazy guy who thought he was a toaster?" asked Wendy.
"Toaster?" asked Dipper. "I thought he said he was a hot dog." All three stopped talking.
"Major déjà vu," said Wendy.
"Same here," said Mabel.
"That makes three," said Dipper. "That means it's probably not coincidence."
"Funny stuff like that has been happening all day," said Mabel. "Me and Wendy were talking about it, before Pacifica showed up."
"Pacifica? Pacifica West?" asked Dipper. Wendy nodded. "What the hell did she want?"
"Nothing," said Wendy. "She just wanted to stop by and harass Mabel."
"What a jerk!" said Dipper.
"Let's just forget about her," said Mabel. "We need to focus on this McGucket thing." The three talked for a while. They hashed out where he lived, and how they would get there. "To the docks!" Dipper shouted.
"Look at Dipper trying to be all manly," giggled Wendy. All three shared another look.
"Deja vu?" asked Dipper.
"Yup," the girls replied in unison.
"Yeah, something strange is going on," said Dipper. "Mabel, run inside and grab me a jacket. It might be cold out on the water."
"Why don't you do it yourself?" asked Mabel.
"Because I have an awesome sister to do it for me," said Dipper. Mabel rolled her eyes, and walked back to the shack. She opened the door, and went to the coat rack. As she did, she noticed Robbie messing with an electrical socket.
"What's up Rob?" asked Mabel.
"Not much," said Robbie. "Trying to fix this stupid plug. I think Waddles might have chewed on it."
"Silly pig," said Mabel. Robbie put his tools down, and walked over to her.
"Where you guys going?" said Robbie.
"To the docks," said Mabel. "Hang out, maybe do some fishing."
"Gotcha," said Robbie. He scratched the back of his head, and took a big breath. "Whatcha doing after?"
"Don't know," said Mabel. "Probably not much."
"Doyoumaybewannahangoutorsomething?" asked Robbie.
"Woah, slow down there tiger," said Mabel. "One word at a time."
"I said, do you want to hang out or something?" asked Robbie. Mabel squealed.
"Of course!" she shouted. She cleared her throat. "I mean, that would be a smashing good idea Robert." Robbie laughed.
"All right, cool," he said. "Just come get me when you get back. I can probably knock off work early."
"Awesome," said Mabel. She plucked a coat from the rack, and gave Robbie a kiss on the cheek. She bolted out the door. Robbie waited until she was gone. He pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket, and rubbed the spot where Mabel had kissed him.
"Unclean," he hissed. "Unclean, unclean." He scrubbed his cheek until it was red and raw. He put his handkerchief back, and pulled out his cell phone. He dialed a number, and waited until someone picked up. "They're going to the docks. I think they're after McGucket."
"Right," said Pacifica. She was on the other end. She was sitting in her car, flipping through a book of spells she had brought with her. "I'll follow them there. I'll find a way to stay with them when they try to find him. I think she's going to use the spell soon."
"How do you know?" asked Robbie.
"It's just a gut feeling," said Pacifica. "I think I know what spell she used. If I'm correct, we're in terrible danger." Pacifica closed her book. "Did you do your part?" she asked.
"Yes," said Robbie. "We're hanging out later today."
"Good," said Pacifica. "She must fall for you if she is to betray Dipper."
"I know," said Robbie.
"I can't imagine how painful this must be for you," said Pacifica. "Seeing your love in the hands of the Dipper boy. Being forced to be with the girl who destroyed your face. Must be horrible."
"It is," said Robbie. "But it will be worth it in the end."
"That it will," said Pacifica. "That it will." She hung up the phone, and started off towards the docks.