Stan stretched out his arm and gripped the edge of the dock to hold the boat steady so Dipper could climb in. It was an overcast and windy day out on the lake, only few other people were there. Dipper nervously tightened his grip on the rod in his hand. He looked over at the roaring Falls. It seemed to beckon him closer, Dipper began to feel uneasy.

Stan looked behind him to see what Dipper was staring at.

"Something bothering you?" He asked

Dipper smiled nervously, "No, it's just a little chilly out, that's all."

Stan pushed off of the dock, sending the boat out farther into the lake. He unlocked the tackle box and opened it. The box went up and out, revealing various lures, hooks, and baits. He selected a tri-hook and began tying it to the end of his line. He then withdrew some bait, stuck it to the hook, and cast the line out into the center of the lake. Dipper did the same.

It was quiet, and there was a sense of anticipation in the air. Dipper listened to the sound of water lapping against the side of the small wooden boat. Dipper waited for a few minutes to make his excuse seem believable.

"Hey, Stan, can we dock the boat, I have to use the bathroom." Dipper prayed that Stan would buy his first grade excuse.

"Sure, kid," He said before putting his rod down for an oar.

The two of them rowed back to shore, and Dipper exited the boat.

"I'm gonna' go back out, call when you're done," Stan said before pushing off of the dock.

Dipper walked towards the outhouse and went behind it. From there he made his way quietly into the small wooded area. He stayed close to the lake, while skirting around it to reach The Falls. He stood right in front of the roaring water, his clothes were now soaked, before taking a deep breath, and walking through The Falls, and into the cave behind it.

Dipper blinked his eyes rapidly to get the water out. The cave was illuminated dimly, though he could not spot where the light emanated from. Dipper was shaking, from the biting cold of the water and air, and the nervousness that grew inside him.

He looked around and surveyed the area. He didn't see much, there was a circle of jagged rock in one area and-

Something in the center of the jagged rock circle moved.

It moved again, slightly, in an up and down fashion, like it was breathing.

Dipper recovered from the initial shock of his discovery and ran towards the shape. As he got closer, he could make out the outline of a body on the floor, he quickened his pace. He jumped over the rocks and into the center, and found the body of a brown haired girl lying face down. He crouched down and turned her over. He gasped.

"Mabel!" He picked her up and hugged her tightly.

He heard Mabel inhale sharply when he picked her up, so he loosened his hold.

He looked down at her face through tear filled eyes, she was alive.

She didn't look good though. Her hair had been cut short and burned in several places, her clothes met a similar fate. Her right eye was black, and she had many small bruises on her face.

She managed a smile and looked at him, she was crying too.

"Dipper," She said in a quiet whisper

"Come on, lets get out of here," Dipper said before lifting her to her feet, and wrapping her arm around his shoulder.

Her smile faded and she began to sob, "You shouldn't have come." She said.

"I wasn't about to leave you behind," He said

Mabel looked down and continued to cry, "I'm so sorry, Dipper," She said quietly.

Suddenly, the jagged rock surrounding them shot up, and sealed the spaces between them, they were trapped. The air became electrified, and there was a flash of brilliant gold that overtook their vision. Dipper stumbled back, holding on to Mabel while shielding his eyes. When Dipper looked up, he was greeted by the disgusting inhuman smile of a blond boy a few years older than him. Dipper recognized the face as the person who warned him so long ago.

"You? But-," The boy cut him off

"Not quite kiddo, I'll fill you in later, but first," He bent down and lifted up Mabel's face so they were eye to eye. "Man I didn't picture you as one to give up so easily, what's wrong, my little shooting star?"

Mabel looked down and continued to cry, while Dipper pulled her away from the boy and wrapped his arms around her.

"Leave her alone you snake," He snarled

"Dipper! How good it is to finally see you face to face, oh by the way," He said, "Your dedication is really admirable, now greetings aside," He moved closer and grabbed Dipper's jaw, "Don't you ever speak to me like that again," He said coldly.

Mabel whimpered and Dipper moved so that he was standing between the two.

"Let us go," Dipper said, he tried to be calm, but he only hoped his voice portrayed that.

Bill pouted, "Aw, wanting to leave so soon," He chuckled and returned to his grin, "I don't think you understand the predicament your in," Bill raised his hand and snapped his fingers.

Behind him, Mabel inhaled sharply and fell to her knees. Dipper knelt down beside her.

"What did you do?" He asked angrily

"Dipper, we are going to be spending a lot of time together, and I don't think that's any way you should speak to your host," He snapped his fingers again, "Strike two."

Mabel fell on her side, clutching her stomach. Blood was leaking from the corner of her mouth. Dipper knelt over her, shocked.

"Please stop," He pleaded

"Ooooh, begging now, are we?" Bill said, it was evident on his face that he was enjoying this.

Dipper looked down at his sister writhing in pain on the floor and felt his cheeks become wet.

"Please stop, I'll do anything."

Bill's grin got wider, "Anything?" he asked.

"Yes, just please don't hurt her anymore." Dipper said through tears

"You got yourself a deal, kid," Bill outstretched his hand and they shook, complete with blue flames to seal the deal.

Bill looked at him and laughed, "Sorry kid," He snapped his fingers again.

Mabel's body went limp and she stopped breathing.

"No, no, you can't!" Dipper said hysterically, "We had a deal, you lied!"

Bill laughed again, "Painless."

Dipper got up and tried to tackle Bill, Bill sidestepped and he hit the ground.

Bill looked down at Dipper and snapped his fingers. Dippers face exploded in excruciating pain. He tried to get to his feet, but his head was spinning and he fell on the rocks, and blacked out.

Mabel was gone. Forever.

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Monday 12