SURPRISE! I made another Gravity Falls crossover story! This time with Silent Hill! This idea was too good to pass up and I feel like this needs to be told! :) For now, as per usual, I'll give you a little 'snippet' of what's going down. I hope you all like this! By the way, Jack Coffison helped me out with this idea, so I just want to say thanks so much, man! :D
So without further ado...
Disclaimer: Gravity Falls is owned by Disney and Alex Hirsh. Silent Hill is owned by Konami. I'm just writing this for fun. ;)
[EDIT: 9/9/2023] Okay! So, as of right now, I fixed one part of the story that I felt needed fixing. So as of NOW, I think things are fixed! And without further ado, enjoy! :D
SEE ME IN SILENT HILL
Dipper had read the letter a hundred times, polishing his glasses every five reads to make sure the non-existent smudges weren't interfering with his already-poor vision. Backwards and forwards, front and back. He ran it through every codex he could think of, performing all manner of tests for invisible ink. But there was nothing. No hidden messages. No clues. Just a message carrying the name of a small town in the northeast.
It was probably a false lead. Someone's idea of a sick joke...Or maybe even a trap. He'd made his fair share of enemies over the years- interfering in matters of the paranormal tends to do that. Unfortunately, Dipper never really had a choice. No matter where he went, or what he did, weird things always seemed to follow him. Such was life as a supernatural investigator.
He was used to it by now. In fact, he couldn't really imagine living any other way.
Dipper started his career when he was twenty-five; the youngest paranormal detective in the business. Very intelligent, he excelled in his college courses while staying in Los Angeles, never taking a break...Well, maybe not never. Got to catch up on Ghost Harassers every now and then.
His classmates did find it weird that the brainiac of the university only wanted to study the basics of science, the essentials, just so he could learn the supernatural aspects of it. None of them questioned it for long, though, instead just passing Dipper off as a conspiracy theorist freak. But Dipper didn't care what other people thought. He studied what he was interested in, and going into this field was necessary if he wanted to become a professional like Ford. Or Stan, in a way. He loved using Stan's fisticuffs, which the old man had passed down to him when he and Mabel turned fifteen.
Stan was originally going to pass the brass knuckles down to Mabel, but he- thankfully- thought better of it. Aside from the fact that their parents wouldn't approve of their daughter being given a weapon, Mabel was much more likely to cause serious damage with them, despite how much she claimed to have self-control. Besides, Stan had been giving Dipper boxing lessons, so it made more sense for him to pass them to his protégé. Speaking of heirlooms, Ford also gave him one of his laser swords, so Dipper was all set for close-quarters confrontations. Mabel had been insanely jealous that her brother got such cool stuff, but the Grunkles made it up to her by passing down some of their other things, like Stan's boxing gloves, and Ford's laser watch, which had been altered to blast pepper spray. They even taught her the basics of fighting, and Ford helped her learn how to use her watch, so she would be able to fight off whatever monster came her way (Stan included obnoxious boys in that category).
'I just hope…'
Sitting in his rental car, he breathed a heavy sigh. Dipper slowly folded the letter back into its envelope and shoved it into his coat pocket. Leaning forward, he rested his forehead against the steering wheel, hands clenched around the sides. He screwed his eyes shut, and sucked in another long, tired breath. He'd gone through three time-zones, two flights, and had been driving close to four hours to reach his destination, leaving him utterly exhausted. He glanced at the clock on the car's dashboard. 8:30 PM.
It had been a long journey. He woke up around 4:30 AM to get to the San Francisco International Airport and board his 6 AM flight on time. To make matters worse, he hadn't been able to sleep the night before, or on either of his flights. He even watched two in-flight movies that he randomly picked during the trip to New York, both action films. He didn't really pay much attention to them, only focusing on the screen when something exploded. He had to do something on the flight, and apparently, sleep wasn't an option, even during his final flight to Boston. He felt too wired to shut his eyes, determined to get to his final destination when he landed in the far northern city. After getting his rental car, he started to drive and drive through the evening and night to go to this...
Where was it again?
Dipper took a glance at the piece of paper that he got out of his pocket.
...Ever since he received this letter in the mail...
'It's been so long… Is this letter really from…?'
Putting it inside his pocket again, Dipper lifted his head to stare out the window, only to find that it was pitch black outside. He was parked at a rest stop on the interstate, joints stiff from sitting still for so long. Two hundred miles...He really should've stopped at one hundred, because right now, it seemed that sleep was finally catching up with him.
Pulling out his smartphone, Dipper lazily tapped on the screen a few times, pulling up a map of the area. Starting at the little marker on the screen labeled 'You Are Here', Dipper scrolled to his intended destination.
"Only two more hours to go," he muttered. His stomach rumbled, distracting him. Dipper frowned. "I really should get something to eat…" He stowed away his phone and started up the car. He'd keep driving for now, but he'd pull over when he saw a diner or a motel, he decided.
But why this town in Maine, though? How did…? Dipper shook his head, huffing out an exasperated breath, tightening his grip on the steering wheel.
'Why am I here? Was this just a huge waste of time?' He sat quietly in the car, the radio buzzing static, and the driver's seat rumbling underneath him. '…I have to know.' Adjusting his glasses, he made up his mind. No turning back now.
He drove out of the rest stop and continued driving, keeping his gaze locked on the wide-open road in front of him. It seemed to go on forever, stretching out eternally into the darkness beyond. After a while, watching the white lines speed past became almost hypnotic. Feeling himself start to drift off, Dipper quickly lowered his window. and was greeted with a gust of cool air. Dipper shivered from the sudden chill and shook his head to clear the haze of exhaustion. Taking a few sharp breaths, he did his best to focus on the road in front of him. Not long after, he noticed a lit-up sign in the distance and breathed a sigh of relief. There was a diner just off the highway, right next to a small motel, just off the exit he had to take.
"That's convenient," Dipper mumbled, smiling a bit.
He drove the car to the exit and made his way over to the buildings, the Konami Diner and P.T. Motel. Parking in the vacant lot, he turned off his car, got out into the cold night, and was about to walk to the diner, until he paused. He patted his brown trench coat for a moment, finding that his wallet was there, along with something strapped around his shoulder and chest.
'Better safe than sorry,' Dipper thought grimly, a frown tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Being a paranormal adventurer, being paranoid was par for the course, and for something like this… He didn't want to take any chances. So, he bought a gun and a shoulder harness with a holster at a pawn shop back in Portland, Maine, after he landed. Strapping it onto himself, he felt like one of those old-school noir film detectives, with the trench coat attire and everything. Especially since he was going into an empty diner. All he really needed now was an old-school Cuban cigar to complete the look. Too bad he never took up smoking, nor did he plan to. The dream would have to stay as just that; a dream.
Dipper had earned his gun license around the same time he officially became a private investigator. And yet, even now, two years later, he couldn't help but feel a little wary when he held a gun in his hands. So far, he had only ever used his gun a handful of times, and only when defending himself from monsters. He hadn't used it on a person yet, and for that, he was more than grateful. But whenever he picked up the weapon, he couldn't help but wonder… What if now was the time?
Taking his mind off of that, he glanced at the diner ahead of him.
The diner itself was a little retro-looking, which Dipper appreciated. He had a thing for old diners- they reminded him of Greasy's Diner, back in Gravity Falls. The thought of the small town put a little smile on his face, as it did every time, without fail. The months he'd spent in Gravity Falls during those summers were some of the best days of his life. He remembered all the people he met there when he was younger, going on adventures and solving mysteries.
He recalled Soos, the lovable man-child, always giving him wacky words of advice and making him laugh. And way back around nine years ago, when Dipper and Mabel were eighteen-going-on-nineteen, Soos had finally proposed to Melody. She'd been helping Soos with the Shack every summer, and after five years, she decided to move to Gravity Falls to be closer to him. Two years of dating later, they got engaged. Even more exciting, Soos had wanted Dipper to be the best man. The couple postponed their wedding until the next year, at the end of August, when the twins came back to Gravity Falls after their freshman year in university. They would turn twenty at that time. Dipper was really happy for his big buddy and wished him all the best.
He also thought fondly of Wendy. All the times he hung out with her, whether it be at the diner, the woods, the Shack- any place that was a good hanging spot, really. She was his first crush, and she held a special place in his heart. Aside from that, though, she was an awesome friend.
He remembered the other friends he made there, like McGucket, Mabel's besties Candy and Grenda- heck, even Robbie and Gideon had become likable enough to be around. At least, Dipper tolerated them. And lastly, Pacifica, who came to Gravity Falls whenever she had the chance. The Northwests had moved to Portland, Oregon, which wasn't that far, but still made visiting a chore. Dipper did his best to recall the moments he shared with his friends throughout his teenage years, and smiled a little wider.
Gravity Falls had given him a purpose in life. And he wouldn't be who he was if it wasn't for Stan and Ford. They're still alive and kicking, even nearly twenty years later, and they were the same Grunkles that he knew and loved. He talked to them often on the phone, always asking for advice, which he hardly ever did with anyone else. Then…
He stopped. Dipper didn't remember when it happened, but one day, he simply…
Stopped.
Stopped calling, stopped visiting. He just dropped contact with everyone he knew, and went on his way, never once glancing at their contacts on his phone.
'...What happened?' Shaking his head, he reminded himself why he was in Maine in the first place. 'No...Now's not the time to reminisce about the past. What's done is done. I did what I had to do… And I had to let them go. I'm here for a reason, and it doesn't involve any of them.'
With a firm nod, he made his way to the diner, determined to find the person he was looking for.
A bell chimed when he opened the door, and Dipper was relieved to feel the burst of warm air that buffeted his face as he stepped inside. The warmth, along with the smell of food lingering in the air, was enough to make him smile, wiping the gloom from his expression.
The place looked fairly typical. There was a row of booths with red leather seats lined up next to a long window, an old jukebox by the entrance, and the linoleum floor featured a classic black and white chevron pattern. The place was incredibly clean and well-maintained- not a single stain in sight. There was also not a single person in sight, though he heard some people clattering around in the back. Probably the staff. He looked at his watch for the time.
8:35 PM
He did check the hours before he entered, and it said the restaurant closed at ten. He would've liked to have more people crowding this place, to be honest. He didn't want to feel like he was making the workers here stay longer than they had to. But, on the other hand, fewer customers meant faster service, so he couldn't complain too much.
Once he finished scanning the diner, he took a seat on a stool at the counter. He leaned forward, resting his head on his arms, and waited, careful not to fall asleep while he did. Luckily, he didn't have to wait long.
"Hello there, sir. How can I help you?"
Dipper very nearly jumped at the sound of the voice, but he managed to keep it together. Turning to his right, he found himself greeted by a raven-haired man making his way over to him from the other side of the counter. The man wore an apron over some casual clothes, and looked to be in his early forties. The nametag on his apron identified him as Harry.
Dipper cleared his throat. "Uh, hey there. I was, um, just wondering if I could get somethin' to eat? I've kinda been traveling all day, so...I mean, if you're not closing up right now, that is?" He winced at how awkward he sounded.
The man named Harry smiles. "Traveling, you say? Where are you from, sir?" His tone was kind, and his body language was relaxed and patient.
Dipper clears his throat again, more forcefully this time, coughing into a fist once for good measure. "San Francisco," He answers casually, willing his racing heart to calm down. Hopefully, he didn't seem as weird this time.
"San Francisco? Really? That's awesome!" a female voice came from Dipper's left.
This time, Dipper did jump, banging his knee against the counter. He turned around with a hiss to see a young girl wearing a waitress outfit standing next to him, a happily-oblivious smile on her face. Her blonde hair (which seemed to be dyed) was shoulder-length, and she was probably around seventeen.
"Were you born there? Did you drive over here? I've always wanted to go to California! What's it like over there? Do people that live in San Francisco actually call it San Fran or Frisco?" the girl asks with gleeful curiosity.
"Uh..." Dipper took a deep breath to calm down, and did his best to answer, despite how intimidated he was by her rapid-fire questioning. "Well, I was born in California, but not in San Francisco. I only live there for now. People do call it San Fran, but most people just say Frisco, because it's faster, and rolls off the tongue nicely, I guess? I took a flight to New York, and I drove the rest of the way here." Dipper, inhaled, filling his lungs, then wondered why he was speaking so much to this girl that had nearly given him a heart attack. "I-I'm sorry, but do you work here?"
"Pfft! Uh, yeah? Did uniform give it away?" the girl asked teasingly.
"Heather, this is a customer," Harry said with a stern, but soft voice.
"Ah, c'mon, Dad, you were asking if he was traveling too!" Heather whined, playfully stamping her foot on the tiles. Harry just rolled his eyes.
"We got another customer?" a male voice called from inside the kitchen.
"Ah man, I was ready to call it a night. I told Mary that I was coming home in a little bit," another male complained.
"Quit whining, guys!" Heather snapped at them (rather ironically, but Dipper doesn't plan on commenting). "Come on, we can serve one more customer!"
"Hey, I'm fine with serving one more person. You gotta ask James, though," a brown-haired man in his late twenties with an apron says, nodding his head at the blonde-haired man on his right.
James sighs. "Alright, alright. Just take his order already so Henry and I can fix it up." Dipper assumed Henry was the brown-haired chef.
"Gotcha!" Heather cheered, flashing them an eager thumbs-up. She turned to Dipper. "So, what will you have? How about our special? The famous Konami Burger, served with hash-browns on the side, and a slice of apple pie."
"Uh...Yeah, sure. That sounds lovely, thanks," Dipper said, with a small smile.
"Great!" Heather began scribbling on her notepad. "Anything to drink?"
"Oh, um... Coke works for me."
"Comin' up!" Heather exclaimed, ripping the paper out of the pad and making her way to the serving chute.
Harry smiled at his daughter's pluckiness. "I gotta hand it to her, she knows how to work with people." He turned to Dipper. "You'll have to excuse her attitude, though. She's still a teenager, after all," the man said with a smirk.
Dipper smiled back. "Hey, I've been there."
Harry chuckled. "So, what brings you all the way over here to Maine? Wait, where are my manners? I haven't even introduced myself! I'm Harry. Harry Mason. That young lady over there is my daughter, Heather. The cooks are James and Henry."
"Nice to meet ya. I'm Dipper."
"Dipper? That's a strange name. Why are you called that?" Heather asked, walking up to them.
"Heather, you know it's not polite to eavesdrop," Harry scolded.
Heather smiled sheepishly. "Sorry. But it is kind of a weird name. No offense," she said to Dipper. The man waved her off.
"Ah, nah, it's fine. It's, um… Just a nickname I'd rather go by," Dipper explained.
"Oh, I see...embarrassing first name?" Heather asked with a smirk.
"Heather," Harry said, an edge to his voice.
Dipper chuckled. "No, no, it's fine. Yeah, I have an embarrassing first name."
"Ah. So I'm guessing you're not gonna tell us, then?" Heather asked teasingly.
"Nope. Sorry."
Heather snickered. "Fair enough. If it makes you feel any better, my middle name is Cheryl."
"Huh. That's not so bad- it actually sounds kinda pretty."
"Pfft! Thanks. Blame my dad," Heather said with a roll of her eyes.
"He's right, sweetheart; it is a beautiful name. And it was almost your first name, too," Harry told his daughter.
"Oh, well darn," Heather drawled sarcastically.
Harry sighed, shaking his head. "Anyway, like I was asking earlier, what brings you to Maine?"
"Um… I'm just… meeting someone," Dipper replied vaguely.
"Really? Who?" Heather asked.
"Now, Heather, I think we've asked enough questions. I'm sure Dipper doesn't feel comfortable telling strangers about his personal life," Harry said, a hint of finality in his tone.
"Uh, heh...yeah. Sorry, Heather, it's pretty much a personal matter," Dipper confirmed.
"Hey, okay, that's cool," Heather said, hands up in surrender.
"Still, since you traveled all the way over here, how about you stay at the motel for the night? Not a good idea to drive when it's pitch-black out there - that's when the deer are most active," Harry warned.
"That's the plan, as soon as I get something to eat," Dipper said with a small smile.
"Great! I'm certain Mr. Cartland will get you a good room," Harry said.
"As long as he's not distracted by Mira," Heather says, rolling her eyes.
"Mira?" Dipper asked curiously.
"His dog. Smart little thing. Wouldn't be surprised if she ran the whole motel," Harry joked.
Heather giggled. "Yeah, she's such a cutie. She keeps ol' Doug in top shape, and makes sure he isn't sleeping on the job."
Dipper chuckled. "Sounds like you're all a lively bunch."
"Well, my Dad's always trying to make sure we know all about safety precautions and stuff. Especially me. He actually got me a taser gun for my sixteenth birthday." Heather laid a palm against her forehead, slightly embarrassed. "He is such a worrywart."
"Well, you never know, Heather. You could be abducted by crazy people. They could use you as a sacrifice for some crazed cult," Harry said defensively.
"Alright, no more crime dramas for you, Dad."
"I'm serious. People are nuts out there!"
"You know, you really should listen to your father's advice," Dipper said, his tone suddenly serious. "I've seen my fair share of cases on that sort of thing. You don't know what could be out there."
"Thank you," Harry said gratefully.
"Cases? Whoa, are you a detective?" Heather asked, interest piqued.
Dipper makes a wavy motion with his hand. "Kinda. I'm a private investigator."
"Awesome! Doug knows a couple of P.I.'s. You two can probably talk a lot about that!" The bell jingled once more. Dipper turned slightly in his chair to see who else entered the diner.
A woman, with blonde hair and a petite figure. She walked with a supreme air of confidence. Her hair came down to her shoulders, and she wore a long, black trench-coat, not unlike the one he was wearing - although hers looked much more expensive. She was also wearing a dark purple beret with a matching scarf. A rather bulky pair of sunglasses obscured the majority of her face. Further down, Dipper saw what looked to be pricey designer jeans and a pair of Ugg boots. Lastly, a red purse, the strap slung over her shoulder.
Dipper, Harry, and Heather blinked in unison.
"Um… Hello," Harry greeted her after a moment, struggling to find his voice. He seemed unsure how to speak to the woman, considering how suspiciously she was dressed. He finally settled on his usual warmth. "Welcome to Konami Diner. How may we help you?" Harry asked
The woman glances at Harry, a finger lowering her sunglasses so she could peer over the brim. "I need something to eat."
Heather raised an eyebrow. "Well… Okay..."
The woman stood there for a bit, staring at the father and daughter, then sat at the counter, two seats away from Dipper. She sat there for a few seconds, a scowl slowly forming on her face. "I need a menu," she finally snapped.
"Oh! Um, sorry!" Harry reached under the counter, grabbing a pamphlet, and handing it to her. She took it without a word, and began flipping through the pages idly.
Heather pursed her lips, not impressed with the woman's attitude. "Hm..." She turned back to James and Henry, "Sorry, guys, we got another customer!"
James sighed loudly, while Henry just shrugged. "I heard the bell. Just ask her what she wants," James said halfheartedly, voice colored with a trace of frustration.
Heather turned back to the woman. "Sorry about James. It's almost closing time and he wants to get back to the Missus."
"Hm. That's sweet," the woman replied blandly, not looking up from her menu.
Heather stared at her for a moment, her eyes narrowed in a slight glower. She managed not to snap back with a scathing comment, though. "Um… Yeah, it is… Would you like to try today's special? It's our famous Konami Burger, served with a side of hash browns-"
"Too fattening. I'll just have a regular house salad along with some balsamic vinaigrette dressing," the woman said bluntly, dropping her menu onto the counter.
Heather frowned. "Okay, then..." She wrote down the order. "That'll be easy for the boys. I'll give this to them right away."
"Hm," the woman grunted, examining her nails. "Oh, and maybe some water while you're at it."
"...Gotcha." Heather walked into the kitchen.
Dipper examined the woman for a moment. Despite her attitude, she certainly was beautiful, striking even. He even admits that his heartbeat quickened a bit when she came in.
"I'll go in the kitchen and check on your meal," Harry says, interrupting Dipper's thoughts.
"Huh? Oh, uh, thanks." Harry nods with a smile went into the kitchen to check on his order. That left both Dipper and the woman alone on their barstools.
Dipper sat there in silence. He really had nothing to do besides waiting for his food. No one else was here besides the workers, him, and the pretty lady. He was a bit annoyed at his luck. Even after having finally lived through the hellish nightmare that was puberty, he still felt gawky around women. It was more than a little frustrating. He had hoped that he'd have gotten over that by now. But then again, it wasn't like he had a lot of practice in that area. After all, he spent most of his time buried in research or work.
It was very rare that he managed to get some time for himself. Whenever he did, though, he usually spent it lazing around his apartment, watching trashy TV shows. Over time, these habits of his had made him something of a recluse. Which, for the most part, he was fine with. The only real downside was that his 'people skills' had gotten somewhat rusty. Sitting there quietly, he decides to take another glance at the woman.
She was beautiful. Her face was flawless, skin free of blemishes. Her form and posture were very proper, and her hair was smooth and silky. She reached into her purse, pulling out an object; a handheld mirror. She opens it, and checks her reflection. She stares at herself for just a moment and frowns. Sighing, she closed the mirror and dropped it back in her purse.
'Huh...you know...she looks kinda familiar,' Dipper thought, a little intrigued.
"Uh, can I help you?"
Dipper startled at the new voice. Blinking, he realized that it was the woman who spoke. She was glaring at him, daring him to say something.
"Um..." Dipper adjusts his glasses. "I-I'm sorry, you just look… Familiar, somehow."
The woman stared at him, unsure how to react to that. Finally, she decides on a scoff. "Is that supposed to be a pick-up line?"
Blinking dumbly, Dipper blushed a little. Getting his thoughts together, he shook his head and said, "N-No, I, uh, I was just..." He frowns. "Well, sorry. I just thought you looked like someone I knew a long time ago."
Her expression softened a bit. "...Hm." She turned her gaze back to the counter.
Dipper raised an eyebrow. 'Wonder what her deal is?' She may be drop-dead gorgeous, but there was no reason to be so rude… Actually, she was almost acting like-
"Here you are." Harry's voice snaps Dipper from his thoughts, that man placing a plate down in front of him.
Dipper, startled once more (to his embarrassment, he really needed to pay more attention to his surroundings), examined the meal. The burger was sizeable, and the hash-browns were baked to a golden crisp. His drink sat next to his plate, and he didn't know when it had arrived, because he was sure Harry had brought only the food.
"Hope you enjoy," Harry said with a smile.
Dipper smiled back. "Thanks! It looks wonderful."
"It should be," James called from the kitchen.
Harry chuckled and turned back to Dipper. "Your apple pie should be here right after you finish." He returned to the kitchen.
As soon as Dipper caught a whiff of his meal, his mouth began to water. Picking up the burger, he took a decent-sized bite, savoring the taste.
"So where are you headed?"
Dipper stopped eating, and swiveled his neck to stare at the blonde woman. She looked at him with a certain curiosity, like she wanted a good answer, but was expecting to be disappointed. Maybe she thought he would take this as a sign to hit on her again.
Chewing his food for a bit, he swallowed his bite and replied, "Uh… Why do you ask?"
"We're the only ones here. Might as well strike up a conversation," the woman answers, like it was obvious.
Blinking, he looked at her strangely. "Okay… Well… I'm heading towards a town."
Her eyes widened slightly. "... What's the name of it?" Dipper wasn't sure if he should tell.
'Actually… I really shouldn't worry so much. I mean, I did make some enemies, but what are the chances of her going after me, or following me? And what are the chances of her being some sort of succubus? Besides, she just wants to know what town I'm going to.'
"Hello?" the woman asked impatiently, irritated by the blankness on his face.
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Dipper decided to answer truthfully. "Silent Hill."
She seemed a little surprised. Within moments, though, it morphed into a barely concealed snarl of annoyance. "I see." She turned her attention back towards the counter.
Dipper's eyebrows nearly migrated to his hairline. "Um… Are you okay?"
It was then Heather came in with the salad. "Okay, one house salad! Here ya go!"
"Actually, on second thought, I'm gonna have that to go." the woman advises.
Heather blinked, and stared at the older woman for a couple of seconds. "...Alright then. No problem." She walked back to the kitchen, salad in hand.
"Did I offend you somehow?" Dipper asked, confused.
She whips her head to him, glaring at him over her sunglasses. "Don't patronize me."
Heather came back in, this time carrying a box. "Okay, here ya go. And here's your bi-"
"Keep it," she barked, yanking a twenty-dollar bill out of her purse and slamming it on the counter. "And keep the change, too." She grabbed the box out of a startled Heather's hands, and scurried out the door. Dipper eyes followed her in amazement.
Heather, on the other hand, watched the retreating woman with a furrowed brow. "Okay… Talk about weird. And, honestly, who wears sunglasses at night?" She glances at the twenty-dollar bill on the counter and smiles crookedly. "I guess she isn't so bad if she gave me such a huge tip!" Heather pocketed the bill, then turned to Dipper. "So, how's the burger?"
Dipper was still staring at the door behind him. "Um..." He shook his head and turned around, smiling at Heather. "It's great."
"Thanks! Hope you enjoy the rest, and the apple pie, too!" Heather said, returning to the kitchen. Dipper went back to his burger, but he could no longer taste it. Instead, his thoughts lingered on the woman who had basically run out of the diner.
'...There's no way that was… I mean, right?'
After paying for his meal, Dipper drove his rental car to the motel parking lot, which was next to the diner. He shut off his car and stepped out into the cold night, but paused upon noticing the fancy sports car a few feet away. It made sense that that woman would have an expensive car like this. She did seem to be very wealthy, judging by her attire.
Dipper narrowed his eyes. "I wonder… I mean, she might be…?" He walked in front of the sports car, careful to stay a few feet away, and read the license plate.
He frowned. "Huh. NYBLDE… New York Blonde..." he mutters. Even the plate says New York.
'Well, I know one thing; she's obviously from New York. She also must've already been here before I was. I think I saw her car when I drove up to the diner… Maybe this is all just one big coincidence...'
He heaved a sigh and glanced at his watch.
9:00 PM
'Hm...I think now would be a good time to check in for the night,' he muses. He was exhausted, and that meal made him even sleepier. Dipper went back to his car, grabbing his dufflebag out of the trunk, and headed into the motel. He got his key from Douglas at the front desk, said hello to his adorable pet dog, Mira, and went to find his room. He had number 6. Inside the room, Dipper dropped his dufflebag to the floor, then sat on the corner of his bed. He peeled his glasses off his face, rubbing at his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose. Sighing loudly, Dipper rooted around his deep coat pocket, pulling out the letter once more, for what felt like the thousandth time.
Dipper,
Do you remember that special place I used to dream of? The one I couldn't find? Well, I think I finally found it!
Come find me at Silent Hill, Maine.
And be careful of the fog!
Love...
He grimaced, folding the letter back up, and stowing it away once more.
"I need some sleep," he mutters.
Kicking off his shoes, he flopped back on his bed, still in his clothes, coat and all. He stared up at the ceiling, eyes finally getting heavy. He plucked his glasses off his face once more, this time laying them on the nightstand next to his bed. Dipper drifted off to sleep.
Dipper…
Help me…
I'm scared…
Please…
Help...
Please… Find me… Find me…
Find me.
Dipper woke violently, eyes snapping open. He bolted into a sitting position gasping loudly, drenched in a cold sweat. He clutched at his chest, twisting the fabric of his shirt in his fist. Dipper shivered, shaking his head to dispel the fog of sleep that threatened to bring him back under. He fumbled for his glasses, managing to grab them without looking, and slid them on his face.
He glanced at the alarm clock.
5:50 AM
Groaning, he rubbed his face in agitation. Nightmares were not uncommon- not after all the horrors he'd seen, ever since his first summer in Gravity Falls all those years ago. That didn't make it any less unpleasant when one woke him up before the sun rose.
"I need some air..." he muttered.
Getting up from his mattress, he jammed his feet into his shoes and threw open his room door, leaving it ajar. He leaned against the railing in front of his room, closing his eyes and relaxing a bit, breathing deeply.
The silence enveloped him. There were no sounds here. No crickets or birds chirping, no cars roaring down the highway. Soon, the sun would rise, and the world would explode into lively noise, but for right now, there was nothing except for Dipper and the gentle breeze that ruffled his messy brown locks…
Phssssssssssst…
...And that. Opening his eyes, Dipper scanned the parking lot before him for the source of the noise. His eyes landed on his rental car, and the sound intensified, letting him know that he'd found what he was looking for. Confused, Dipper continued watching, and then panicked when the chassis began to sink.
Dipper rushed down the steps, and ran over to his car. As he got closer, feet pounding against the asphalt, a head popped up from behind the left side of the vehicle. A blonde head. Dipper stopped cold.
"...Huh?"
The blonde woman stared back at him, mouth hanging open in shock. In her hand, which he could barely see over the hood of the car, she was holding… A metal nail filer? His sluggish mind struggles to put the pieces together.
'Flat tires + metal nail filer = …'
"...Wait, what? Are you… Are you slashing my car's tires!?" Dipper shouted in disbelief. "With a nail filer!?"
The women dropped the file, the metal clanging against the ground, and made a mad dash to her car. Dipper was quicker, zooming around his car catching up in no time, latching on to her arm with an iron grip.
"Hey! Let go!" The woman yelled. "You weren't supposed to be up yet!"
"Well, now I am!" Dipper shouted back, "Why the heck would you slash my car's tires!? It's a rental!"
"That's your rental car?" She struggled in his grip. "Tch! I would've picked a better one than that!"
"Who do you think you are!?" Dipper growled, more than a little peeved that she had damaged his car, and then had the audacity to insult him for choosing that one. He wasn't made of money!
"You...You don't know?" The woman stopped flailing and stood there in stunned silence.
"Of course I don't know! Even though you do look fa-...miliar..." He peered at her closer. She wasn't wearing her beret, and her scarf and gaudy sunglasses weren't covering her face. Realization flashed across her face, striking her at the same time it does Dipper.
"Wait..." Dipper muttered. He takes a step closer but stops when the blonde raised her hand, brushing his messy bangs away from his forehead. Baffled, Dipper could only blink as she stared at his birthmark.
"...Dipper?"
"Pa...Pacifica?"
They stared at each other for a while, until Pacifica snatched her hand back as if burned. Which she very well might have been, considering how hot his face was.
"W-What are you doing here!?" she shrieked, redder than a tomato. Dipper might've made fun of her, if he wasn't sure his face was the exact same shade.
"Me? What are you doing here!?" he asked, astounded. She was supposed to be across the country!
"I asked you first!" Pacifica countered.
"I-..." Dipper shut his mouth with an audible click, teeth slamming against each other. His eyes dart around rapidly, landing on his decimated vehicle. He turned his gaze back to her. "First of all, why did you slash my tires?"
Pacifica winced. "W-Well, I...I thought you were someone else."
"Someone else?" Dipper pressed indignantly. "Who?"
"I thought you were..." She huffed in irritation and glanced at her boots, "...I thought you were just some dumb paparazzi reporter trying to get into my personal life."
"A paparazzi reporter," he deadpanned.
Pacifica blushed harder. "Alright, I answered! It's your turn- what're you doing out here!?"
Dipper's lips pursed into a thin line. He was silent for a moment, wondering if he should answer her truthfully. Finally, he decided to just be vague in his response. "I'm… Meeting someone." Pacifica looked at him oddly, her right eyebrow up, making it clear she wasn't satisfied by that answer. "What?" he asked defensively.
"I'm… Meeting someone, too."
Dipper blinked. "You are? Who?"
"Someone," she answered, just as obscure as him.
Dipper decided not to pry. "Um… Okay."
They stood in awkward silence for a moment. "You… Said you're going to Silent Hill?" Pacifica finally asks.
"Huh? Uh...yeah."
"I am too."
Dipper's eyes widened in shock. "What?" he whispered, voice small from shock.
"Yeah. I...I have a letter." Pacifica reveals, staring at the ground.
"...Me too."
"Huh? W-What? Really?" she asked in surprise, head whipping up to meet his gaze.
Dipper takes a half-step back, startled by that sudden reaction. "Uh...yeah."
Pacifica stared at him silently for a moment. "Who… Who are you meeting?"
Several emotions flash across Dipper's face. "...I can't say."
Pacifica gawked, obviously not expecting him to say that. "Why not?"
"I just… So, um, Pacifica, how are you? It's been a while."
She frowned. "You're changing the subject," she said, voice dangerously low.
"Yeah, well, you didn't tell me who you were going to meet, so I feel like I shouldn't say anything either."
"I told you, it was someone," she said, her tone getting a little defensive.
"I've never met a person named someone before."
"Yeah, well..." Pacifica cut herself off, face twisting with sorrow.
"Pacifica?" he asks, concerned.
"...What happened, Dipper?"
"What do you mean?"
Her expression colored with pain, then shifts into an angry glare that burns a hole through him. "What do I mean!? What do you think I mean!? You and Mabel haven't talked to me for...f-for..." her lower lip quivered, "-for five years!"
Dipper's eyes blew wide. "Wha-?"
"Neither of you responded back when I tried to call you two, especially during… During..." Pacifica faltered, her eyes glazed with a thousand-yard stare. Dipper took a step forward, and laid a hand on her arm, only to have it slapped away. "Do you know what kind of hell I've been through those last few years!? Do you!? And when I needed you two the most, I got absolutely nothing!"
"What- whoa, Pac-!"
"What, was I not good enough to be your friend!? Was I just an annoyance!? You'd rather hang out with your other pals except me!? I mean, I know I have flaws and all, but you two could at least say it to my face when you decided to just drop me!"
"Pacifica-"
"No! I'm talking! Just… Why!? Why didn't you and Mabel contact me!? Was there something wrong with me!? I tried to change, I really did, and I thought I was doing good! But… It's like… Did you all just gave up on me?" Her voice was hysterically shrill, and her eyes start to water. "What did I do!? I'm sorry if I haven't lived up to your expectations!" she hiccups, "But I don't even know what I did WRONG!"
"PACIFICA!" Dipper hollers.
"What!? What!? What could you possibly say that makes this whole situation better!?"
Dipper stares at her, his eyes filled with sorrow behind his glasses, feeling ashamed for not keeping in touch for that long, while Pacifica also just stares at him with forming tears in her eyes, her anger slowly fading into something pitiful.
"...I'm… I'm sorry," Dipper said.
She stood there, her mascara running and making a mess as tears rolled down her face. She sniffled. "...Why, though? It's been five, maybe six years since we last talked - why haven't you and Mabel talked to me for that long?
He was silent once more, trying to find the right words to answer her question. "Pacifica...I haven't really been keeping in contact with anyone since...summer break after my sophomore year."
Pacifica looks at him in bewilderment. "What?"
"Yeah… I… I haven't been keeping up with Soos, Wendy, or… Anyone at all, really, after college. I mean, I communicate with my parents every once in a while, but that's a lot less often now. It was…then, four years ago, I stopped communicating with Grunkle Stan and Ford, and then..." His brows furrowed, looking a little troubled.
Pacifica blinked, unable to fully comprehend the sudden information overload.
Shaking his head, Dipper's face softened. "So… It's not just you..."
Pacifica was silent for a moment. "...You… Weren't avoiding me?" Realizing how that sounded, she added, "And Mabel isn't as well?"
Dipper smiled, but it was strained. "No, of course not. For me... I'm a private paranormal investigator now. It's a pretty busy profession."
Pacifica stared at him blankly. "Really?" she muttered in amusement, lips lifting up at the corners. "That's, like, the most predictable occupation someone like you could've chosen."
"Heh. Well, I guess I'm just boring then." Dipper smirks a little and shrugs in good humor.
"No, it just means you're a nerd," Pacifica said, with her trademark haughty smirk - the one Dipper hadn't seen in years.
Dipper flashed the woman a genuine smile. "Well, looks like you're back to normal," he teased. His smile faltered a moment later. "I… I really am sorry, though, for not getting in contact with you."
She stared at the ground, unable to look him in the eye. "...Well… I'm sorry that I blew up at you like that."
He shook his head. "Don't be. I've… Been kind of distracted lately."
She hummed in thought. "To be fair, I've been kind of busy, too. I live in Manhattan now. I own a luxury condo realty business, and I'm a part-time designer."
"Ah. You have been pretty busy, then."
Chuckling, Pacifica tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. She was quiet for a moment, gathering her thoughts. "Dipper… Have you really never contacted your other friends and...your Grunkles for that long?"
He frowned. "...Yeah."
"...But, why? What about Mabel? Do you at least talk to her sometimes? How is she?" The parking lot when deathly silent. Pacifica, sensing the sudden shift in the mood, shivered a bit and rubbed her arm, tugging her trench coat closer around her. "Dipper?" He remained silent, the grimace on his face filling her with dread. "Dipper… Did something happen to Mabel?"
"...Mabel's gone missing."
Pacifica staggered back a step. "W-What!?"
"She's… Missing," Dipper repeats solemnly.
"...W-...When-?" Pacifica stuttered, her heart leaping up her throat, choking her voice.
"...Six years ago," Dipper said grimly, "She disappeared around May. The end of our junior year in college."
"Oh..." The pieces came together in her mind; that was around the time both Dipper and Mabel had cut contact with her. Pacifica's eyes widened to the size of plates. "Oh… O-Oh my… My gosh, Dipper, I'm… I'm so sorry," Pacifica apologized sincerely.
"You didn't know," Dipper replied simply, shrugging. His head, which had begun drooping at some point, lifted up so he could stare Pacifica in the eye. "I found a lead though."
"A lead? Really? After so long?" she asks astonished.
"Yeah… A tip, kinda."
"A tip? From who?"
"...From this." Dipper pulled the letter out of his coat jacket and passed it to her. Pacifica took it gingerly, unfolding it almost reverently.
Dear Dipper,
Do you remember that special place I used to dream of? The one I couldn't find? Well, I think I finally found it.
Come find me at Silent Hill, Maine. Try to find me there!
I'll be waiting for ya, Dipping-Sauce!
Love...
"...Love, Mabel?"
Dipper nodded. He pointed at the letter. "That's definitely Mabel's handwriting. If she… If she really is alive…" he choked on the word, unwilling to admit even the possibility that Mabel might be gone for good, "I dunno why she would go all the way across the country, instead of coming home. Maybe she was taken there, against her will. Maybe whoever took her is using her as bait. Maybe this whole thing is a trap, and I might die as soon as I get there. I don't know. All I do know is, if I don't go to Silent Hill, then I lose my only chance of ever finding her," His hands, hanging at his sides, clenched into fists, knuckles going white. His face hardened into a portrayal of pure determination. "Do you get it, Pacifica? I could find her." He heaved a heavy sigh, the tension bleeding out of his frame. His hands relaxed.
"I could find Mabel."
Find me.
Well, there ya have it! The first chapter of See Me in Silent Hill! I hope I caught your interest! :)
So yeah, you can all throw your theories from here on what happened to Mabel! I won't tell you though, even if you might have guessed or figured it out. Is she okay? Is she trapped somewhere? YOU DECIDE! ...AND WAIT, APPARENTLY, BECAUSE IF YOU KNOW ME BY NOW, MY STORIES TAKE A GOOD LONG WHILE TO UPDATE.
By the way, yes, the 'P.T. Motel'. It stands for 'Pleasant Times'. XD Actually, Jack thought that one up, as well as the 'Konami Diner' bit! ;) By the way, yes, I used some SH characters here. I hope some of their personalities are somewhat kept in check.
Also, Dipper and Pacifica won't be the only people who are visiting Silent Hill. As you can tell from the character selection, they'll be making their appearances really soon! ;)
Well, that's all I have to say! Hope you enjoy what's to come! It'll get intense from here, but it'll still have that quirky GF humor we all know and love.
Love it? Then give me a fave and follow! Want to tell me how it is? Then drop me a review! I love to know what you all think of it! ^_^
Until then, thanks for reading, and keep on rocking everybody! ;)
-TSP