Am I Insane

Where it all began

Mable and Dipper have just turned fifteen the day prior. Which can only mean one thing, it’s time for The Test.

The Test is an examination every child in the state of California has to take at the age of fifteen. It determines whether the individual is sane. Dipper doesn't know how to feel about it. The whole insane thing. Sure he has seen insane people, seen how they are, but he doesn't see the difference between them and "normal" people. For this reason alone he doubts he'll succeed in being declared sane.

Despite his indifference to the Insane, is scared to be one. What if they send him to the "Hospitals"? No one comes out of those places until they're old and hollow. It's like the life has been sucked out of them. Not to mention society will shun you, even though you're supposed to be "cured".

Dipper, though forced, walks up the steps of the clinic alongside his sister. She's skipping and blissfully unaware of the true intent behind their visit. However, Dipper was not. Their parents had told them it was a routine check-up, but the internet wasn't for nothing. Dipper knew what it meant to be fifteen and going to the doctors.

"Dip-dot, why do you look so nervous? It's only a check-up." Mable looked at him strangely, bringing her skipping to a stop.

"Mable, this isn't a normal check-up. We're getting Tested today." Originally, Dipper wasn't going to tell her. He didn't want her to panic like he currently was, but she deserved to know and it wasn't like Dipper was a very good liar.

"What test?" Dipper had to refrain from rolling his eyes at her obliviousness.

He was about to clarify and tell his twin about Sanes and Insanes, along with why they were really there but before he even opened his mouth his parents stopped him.

Mr. Pines placed his hand loosely over his son's mouth while his wife took charge of the conversation.

"Mable, sweetie, your brother just meant that you're also going to get tested for any diseases that may have popped up. Okay?"

"Oh! I get it. Don't worry Dip-Dot, I'm sure you're fine!" Her face lit up with a bright smile and slightly flushed cheeks.

When Mable had traveled a safe distance away Mr. Pines leaned over and spoke in a hushed tone. "How did you know you're getting Tested today?" His eyes were a little bugged out and Dipper wasn't sure if he had ever seen his father so antsy.

They stood there in silence for a beat too long when Mr. Pines finally realized the problem and removed his hand.

"Well, uhmm, we just turned fifteen and... that's when everyone gets Tested?" Dipper was confused as to why his parents were hiding it in the first place, as far as he knew it was common knowledge. Though, maybe not as common as he thought given Mable's ignorance.

"How did you know the Testing happens at fifteen?" His mother gently clarified, raising her eye-brow a bit. She tried to act calm but Dipper could see her hands shaking. He could tell he wasn't supposed to know. Is it really that bad that he did?

"School." Was his simple answer. Anything more and he wouldn't be able to keep a straight face. He had learned about it on the internet. If his parents knew that (and he wasn't insane) they would take his phone away.

"Okay, just don't tell your sister. Neither of you were supposed to know. We'll be having a talk with your school."

Shit. The lone thought circled through Dipper's mind. All he could do was nod before rushing to catch up with Mable.

When his parents caught up to them they were already at the door so they just walked in. Dipper's mom set up the appointments and then sat in the waiting room to be called on. They weren't the only family there. In fact, a family that came in right behind them had to stand because all the seats were taken. Dipper didn't recognize anyone, but apparently Mable did because she ran off to talk to some girl who she claimed was her date to the third grade. Whatever that means.

After about four or five names being called Dipper and Mable were finally up. Their parents were told to wait in the other room and the twins separated as well.

"Okay Mason, I'm Dr. Rodgers and I'll be your doctor for today. I want to start off with some questions, I'll also be showing you some images and I want you to tell me how they make you feel." Dr. Rodgers spoke calmly as if sensing the boy's unease.

"O-okay." Dipper fidgeted with his hands, his gaze flickering around the room.

"Now, I'm going to need you to answer these questions truthfully no matter what." The doctor spoke in that condescending tone sometimes used with small children. If Dipper wasn't so nervous he might have had the heart to be pissed.

"If you had a warning label on you what would it say?" To be honest Dipper was rather confused. What did this have to do with determining his sanity? Nevertheless he answered anyway.

"I guess it would say I'm antisocial..." Dr. Rodgers looked shocked at the revelation, like it wasn't a common thing for teens to say they feel--even if they were just trying to be edgy.

"Do you know what antisocial means?" Again with that condescending tone. Dipper was close to abandoning his fear in the wake of agitation.

"Yeah, it means I don't really like being around people or having social interaction. My parents told me that because they said that's what I'm like."

"Oookay? How about another question" He looked down at his sheet briefly checking something off. "If you had to pick between a gun and a knife, which one would you pick?"

"The knife." Dipper replied with an intensity that made the doctor nervous. The teens eyes seemed piercing and his voice lacked the usual crack he had been becoming accustomed to.

"Why?"

"Because I don't know how to use a gun." The answer was obvious to Dipper and the doctor scrunched up his brows as if he smelled something foul.

"Now, with the knife, you stand in front of two strangers. One of them is a murderer. If this murderer gets away they'll kill a lot of people. What do you do?"

"Kill them both. You can't risk letting the killer escape. I would kill them both." Dipper supposed it would be a bit sad that an innocent person had to die, but couldn't muster up an ounce of sympathy. It wasn't his fault that they were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Dr. Rodger checked off another thing on his little sheet of paper before quickly fixing his gaze on Dipper. His posture tensed and eyes narrowed. Dipper had the impression his answer was incorrect.

"If someone threatened your life and said the only way for you to live would be if you killed another, would you?" The answer was on the tip of his tongue but he hesitated. 

A/N: I posted this a lot later than expected. Mostly because I just ended up writing a lot more than intended. So, instead of writing a little bit, editing, and posting it; I ended up writing a ton with no review. As a result, this is not edited and subject to change. 

A/N: Now edited as of 3/20/22