The show carried on smoothly. "Li'l Gideon" continued to captivate the audience despite his young age, making a lasting impression on most of them. However, I couldn't help but find the performance somewhat lacking. To me, it seemed like this kid couldn't pose any real threat. All he did was act cute and make obvious assumptions.
I started to question myself. Had I imagined the sense of danger I'd felt earlier? But my instincts had never let me down before.
Then, something truly strange unfolded.
"Come on, everybody! Rise up! I want y'all to keep it going!" Gideon urged the crowd with his song.
As Gideon sang, I tried to sit down due to a sudden cramp in my legs. It was nearly impossible to stand. However, when he gestured, my legs moved as if someone else were controlling them. The pain persisted, but it felt like an external force was physically moving my legs.
"...What? How did he...?"
"..Ow..!"
Dipper appeared just as baffled. I attempted to sit down, but it was as if some invisible hand was preventing me.
"...Ahrg...!"
"Dude, are you okay? You look like a skeleton with a broken leg bone."
"..Support me, would you, Soos?"
"Ah, sure."
Soos extended a hand, and with his help, I gradually felt better. It was still disconcerting. How did Gideon manage this? What kind of power did this kid possess?
As I watched Gideon make more obvious assumptions and interact with the crowd, he eventually approached the four of us, particularly Mabel.
"I'll read your mind if I'm able. Something tells me your name's Mabel!"
"How did he know that!?" Mabel exclaimed in amazement, though her sweater literally had her name written on it. I decided not to dwell on how Gideon guessed Mabel's name. Instead, my attention shifted to the bright teal amulet hanging around Gideon's neck.
The amulet emitted an eerie, unnatural glow. Was it just a prop? It didn't feel like one. It radiated a mysterious and magical aura.
"..."
I quickly averted my gaze as Gideon, the boy with the amulet, looked at me with an oddly emotionless expression. I didn't want to get more involved. That amulet and Gideon's powers were intriguing, but my main objective was to rest, not get entangled in their affairs.
"...Soos, please take the kids back to the shack safely. I...need to study."
"Okay, dude. Leave it to me."
I exited the show tent cautiously, ensuring not to obstruct anyone's view. The boy's father, who played the keyboard, gave me an inquisitive look as I left.
...What could possibly go wrong? They were just ordinary people, not monsters or ghosts.
I returned home and spent the rest of the day studying in my room.
...It's my way of relaxing. Nothing strange about it.
"It is weird, Ray. You're like a...studying fanatic."
"Go practice your English, Candy."
"I know what I'm saying."
"Then practice your manners as well. And why do you always come into my room without saying anything?"
"..."
Candy left without another word. That impolite kid. I wondered who raised her.
As I contemplated, I couldn't help but think that her voice sounded familiar, like the character from a mint-colored game console in some animated show. I couldn't be certain.
Anyway, I had to focus on studying molecular biology.
The amulet's power was tempting, but there was that curse to deal with. To use it for an extended period, I had to address the curse somehow.
"...Old man."
"Ye..Yes, Gideon?"
...My pitiful father, or at least what he called himself, stood trembling behind the door, looking at me. I removed my amulet and securely placed it inside my lead box.
"...You got the hair, right?"
"Oh..oh, Of course, Gideon! Um, here. Right here."
He held a strand of black hair.
"Is that the hair from the Asian guy at the Mystery Shack?"
"Ye..Yes! Just as you told me, Gideon."
"...Good. Good."
I opened the journal, my journal. Somewhere inside, there was a method to transfer the curse of an object to another person.
"Aha!"
"Uh, Gideon? Why this guy, though?"
My father asked the same question I'd answered an hour ago.
"...That guy there is the only useful one in the shack. I went there undercover, and he sold me that old man's MERCHANDISE!"
"ooh...Okay! Good luck with your curse, son!"
...Simpleton. Anyway, with his hair, I could direct the amulet's curse onto someone else. Soon, I would harness its power for my own use.
"...Oh boy, I can't wait. Anyway, about Mabel...I wonder how should I ask her out?"
After my 'rest' from yesterday, my stress levels hadn't improved much. Stress from severe physical trauma seemed to linger beyond a day.
But a promise is a promise, and promises should be kept. Perhaps a day of hard work would help dissipate my stress. My body felt like a soaked sponge, but I'd been here before. Like when I studied for those AP tests a month ago. I was exhausted back then too, but I'd recovered.
"Good morning, Wendy."
"Oh hey, man...Whoa! Dude, um, are you...okay?" Wendy's voice was a mix of concern and surprise.
"...What do you mean? I'm perfectly fine."
Wendy's words puzzled me, and I glanced at the mirror beside the counter.
"...Who is this dead man? Wha..Why..?" I gasped as I caught sight of myself. My complexion was ghostly, and dark circles clung to my eyes. I looked like someone who hadn't slept in weeks.
"Seriously, dude. You should get some rest. What did you do yesterday?"
I considered her words. Lately, I had felt more relaxed than ever. Before my encounter with Bill Cipher, I had three months to study. I studied 19 hours a day, seven days a week, and even delved into subjects I hadn't taken AP tests in, like art!
Now I was tackling 'side quests' in studying, purely for enjoyment. To be honest, this type of studying never wore me out. Never.
But...why did I look like this? What had happened to me? Why did I resemble a man with a terminal illness?
"It's not that serious. It's..."
"Hm, no. You look like you're already dead."
"I think it's just a mild cold. I'll...just put on my mask. That should do it."
I donned my mask and pulled my hooded jacket over my head, almost resembling a criminal.
Wendy continued to persuade me to go home, but I resisted each time. Eventually, I resorted to using complex medical terminology to prove that I was fine. Wendy backed off, unsure. Hah. Unlike her cool demeanor, she's a pushover.
"Hey, Ray! Dipper! Check it out! I successfully bedazzled my face! Blink!... Oh, Ray! Cool mask!" Mabel exclaimed as she ran toward Dipper and me, who were organizing the merchandise. Her face was adorned with sparkling sequins.
"... Thanks..? I guess? It's just a medical mask though. By the way, is that...permanent?" I inquired, examining the glistening spectacle on her face.
"I'm unappreciated in my time..." She sighed dramatically, causing sequins to cascade from her face.
The doorbell chimed, prompting all of us to turn our attention toward the entrance. This was unusual; almost no one used the doorbell at the Mystery Shack.
"Somebody answer that door!" Stan's voice resonated from somewhere deeper in the shack.
"I'll get it!" Mabel eagerly volunteered, bounding toward the door with the enthusiasm of a dog greeting a mailman. I trailed behind her, intrigued by who could be ringing the bell at this peculiar place.
When Mabel flung open the door, I was taken aback by the sight before us.
"Howdy."
"It's 'wittle ol' you!" Mabel greeted in delight. The person standing at the door was none other than Gideon Gleeful, his silver-white hair bouncing as he offered his greeting.
"Yeah, my song's quite catchy. I know we haven't formally met, but after yesterday's performance, I just couldn't get your laugh out of my head... Um, hello to you too. We met in the show... I noticed you went home early. Was there any inconvenience?"
"Thank you for worrying, but I'm fine. I just had things to do yesterday. It was a good show, though."
"Thank you!"
"I'll leave you two here. Mabel, if you have to go somewhere, just leave a note."
"Okay!"
It seemed that this kid had a certain plan involving Mabel (perhaps something romantic). I decided to step back, allowing them to have their conversation. But before I departed, I noticed something... off.
*Tick!*
Gideon was looking at me, not with the fake smile he showed the audience but with a genuine one. It was an odd expression to bestow upon someone he'd barely interacted with.
He appeared as if he'd seen or acquired something he wanted...
"...Maybe I'm overthinking it. He's just a kid. Even younger than Mabel and Dipper."
When our work for the day was nearly complete, Mabel returned from her encounter with Gideon, her face still adorned with the unusual cosmetics. She seemed to have had quite a lot of fun.
"Enjoyed the 'play date,' Mabel?"
"Yes! It was the best! Dipper, check this out!"
Dipper seemed taken aback by his sister's peculiar appearance, evident by his initial flinch.
"...Whoa, where have you been? And what's going on with these fingernails? You look like Wolverine."
"I know, right?! I was hanging out with my new pal, Gideon. He is one dapper little man."
Dipper regarded Mabel with concern. Well, she was his sister, after all. If Candy dated Gideon? Well, I... I wasn't sure I could wholeheartedly support it. His hair was literally bigger than his head, which was, well... weird.
...And overly comical, like a character out of a Disney cartoon. Wait, he 'is' a Disney character. Speaking of which, it was curious that Dipper and Mabel had rather ordinary appearances for main characters of an animated show.
"Mabel, I don't trust anyone whose hair is bigger than their head."
See? I told you.
"Oh, leave him alone! You never want to do girly stuff with me; you and Soos get to do boy stuff all the time!" Mabel exclaimed, her frustration evident.
"What do you mean?" Dipper inquired, puzzled. Just then, Soos burst into the room where we were all gathered.
"Hey, dude, you ready to blow up these hot dogs in the microwave one by one?"
"Am I!" Dipper exclaimed, rushing across the room with Soos to the kitchen. Mabel watched them with a dissatisfied expression.
"See, Ray?" She turned to me. "That's how they leave me alone!"
"Heh, they sure do. Hm...Want some waffles? I can make some."
"Yeah!" Mabel's expression shifted to her original positive state. I smiled, as I slowly walked into the kitchen. Well, sure. my condition was failing a bit, but what could go wrong? It's just waffles.
I quickly made the batter, using some of stan's stuff. Then, I approached the waffle machine and pressed the batter with it.
"Yo dude, this is awesome!"
Soos and Dipper was shouting out, looking at the hot dogs exploding in the microwave. Mabel was waiting on the table playing with her fingernails. Like this, sometimes when things are peaceful, the shack isn't so bad..
-Tick!
And then, out of nowhere, disaster struck.
"Uh..?"
My foot slipped on the slick kitchen floor, sending me sprawling to the ground. In the chaos of the moment, I watched in horror as a gleaming kitchen knife, dislodged from the countertop, tumbled through the air. In an instant, it plunged into my eye with a searing, blinding pain.
"AHHH!"
"Ray!"
The knife, which just fell with gravity, pierced into my eye and into the brain as if someone was pushing it in. I screamed, Mabel cried, Soos and Dipper screamed.
And soon, I couldn't hear anything.
...But what the..Why? Why did I..I..This is..nonsense. I can't die like this! I mean, the other deaths were reasonable. This is just...!
[Critical user function failure detected. Life signal... Negative. Commencing respawn sequence at the last checkpoint...]
...
[Calculating amount of caused time paradox... 0. Expurgation complete. Restoring Data...]
-ticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktick...
[Restoration complete.]