Of Hopes and Fears

by Beatrice Gold

A girl from Mabel's past wants revenge, ridiculous revenge from an event that was so warped from time it was wrong. The twins have to create an army and fight against her, only to end this. But Mel isn't the only one from Mabel's past, and far from most deadly. What she wants is unclear, and Mabel is determined to figure it out. But didn't meddling start this in the first place?

13. More than Paranoia

Chapter 13

"Maaaaaaaaabel..." Dipper said.

"Hmphshwl." came the reply. Mabel had a mouthful of potato chips and was pigging out in front of the TV.

"I need to talk to you!" Dipper urged.

"No, you don't. Can't you see I'm watching TV?" Mabel had been a little hostile to her brother that day. The way he'd gazed at her with that disapproving look set her on edge. Dipper sat down on a table chair and sighed hopelessly. As he got up to work on Mabel some more she growled.

"Get your freaking asshole out of my business!" she screamed. Dipper was stunned. Was this what drugs did to you? His sister had never said anything so mean- to anyone. Without knowing it he cried. He walked upstairs. He'd had enough. All of a sudden a hand touched his shoulder. There she was. She saw him cry. She let him cry. "Just cry." she whispered. The brother and sister held hands as they walked upstairs.

...

"How could you? How could you do such a thing!?" Dipper asked his sister. Mabel knew that he knew. She couldn't hide forever.

"I'm so sorry Dipper." she whispered. "The drugs left my body but the addiction didn't! I-I really can't fight it anymore. I can't do this anymore! I'm a wreck. For an hour I just feel so great and charged up- like- like that carpet that made us switch bodies... and- and I always feel bad if I don't stay on them and-" Mabel was sobbing. "I can't finish... I know you probably hate me now." she wailed. Dipper sighed.

"Mabel- I don't hate you! How could I? You're my sister!" he said and hugged her as she cried.

"I don't like myself, Dipper. Nobody trusts me. I don't even trust me!" she said softly.

"Is this about when you tried to kill Mel? What happened?" Dipper asked. Mabel shook her head. "You might feel better if you tell someone." Dipper coaxed. She shook her head again.

"I c-can't. I just can't." she cried. "I don't feel safe anymore. Mel wants her revenge, and I think she's going to try to kill me! Please protect me."

"On my life." Dipper promised. Mabel shakily climbed into her bed.

"What if she comes? What if I fall asleep and she comes?" she asked tensely.

"I don't think she'll come in the middle of the-"

There was a thump on the roof. Mabel widened her eyes fearfully. "D'you want to sleep in my bed tonight?" Dipper asked. Mabel nodded and, legs wobbling, sat on his bed.

"She could come in the night." she whispered. Dipper stated to believe this was more than paranoia.

"She could."