Nightmares and Daydreams

Chapter 28: Finding Friends

Dipper's Pov

"I think the blankets are working! He's feeling warmer!" I grinned and pressed my palm to Wirt's cheek. His temperature was still unnaturally low, but it was better than last time. I turned to Ford but my smile fell when I saw him. He was unusually grim, his lips pointed down in a scowl and his eyes trained on the floor rather than the book in his hand. I took a small step towards my great-uncle and tried again. "He's not as col-" "Dipper, this is soul removal, not a common cold. A few blankets aren't going to be enough," Ford interrupted harshly. I took a step back, slightly- no, really hurt by his words, and frowned at the floor. There were pages and documents scattered everywhere. I stared at one in particular, 'The Anatomy Of A Soul', and then spoke. "I-I know this isn't some cold. But if he's feeling warmer, maybe even getting better, then it means we may have made some progress."

Great-uncle Ford's expression softened and he sighed, picking up some of the papers off the floor, most likely trying to distract himself. Then finally he said, "I'm sorry for my tone. You're right we are making... some progress, I just don't know if it's enough. I've never dealt with this before and I don't want to hurt the poor boy... I know how much he means to you." I blushed and looked back at the sleeping boy behind me. With a small smile, I took one of his hands in mine and gently ran my thumb over his knuckles. "Y-yeah, he really does." Great-uncle Ford smiled as well and was about to say something when Mabel burst into the lab.

"I think we figured out how to win!" Great Uncle Ford and I looked at each other in surprise then turned back to my twin. "Wait, how?" I asked. Mabel's grins grew even more and she grabbed both of our hands and dragged us upstairs.

"Mabel, this is genius!" I grinned at the board in the living room and praised my sister. Duh! The answer was so obvious! "By using the summoning circle we can trap and stop Bill!" Great-uncle Ford explained, just as happy as me. Finally, a chance to end this nightmare.

Pacifica cleared her throat, grabbing everyone's attention, then said, "this is great and all but we have no clue where everyone else is. How will it work without all the others?" Oh right, we need someone for each symbol. I thought for a moment then came up with a plan that just might work. Turning to my family with a somewhat confident smile, I presented my plan.

"Pacifica's right, this won't work without everyone. So I propose we split up to find everyone." Everyone seemed on board with the plan so we split off into groups. Stan and Ford would get Soos and Mcgucket, Pacifica and Mabel would look for Gideon and Robbie, and Greg and I would get Wendy.

With that, we all left the shack in search of our friends.

~~T.T.S~~

Greg and I walked through town, him quietly humming a tune to himself while I was holding my crossbow, ready to shoot anything that might hurt us. As dangerous as taking a 9-year-old on a mission through an apocalypse-like town, I felt bad leaving him alone in the shack. Besides, he was doing well so far and even managed to shoot down an eyebat that nearly turned us to stone.

Seeing the strange creature made me realize something that I hadn't before. There were no monsters. Yes the occasional eyebats here and there, but none of Bill's henchman. Even the fearamid was lacking its usual bright flashing lights that would signify a huge party. It was good that we didn't have to deal with any nightmare monsters, but also kind of unnerving. It was strange seeing the town so silent. I can only hope our friends are okay.

A small hand squeezed its way into mine and I looked down to find Greg looking back up at me. "Yes, Greg?" For a moment he didn't say anything then he sighed and looked down at the ground. "It's nothing. Sorry." He mumbled under his breath. I could tell something was bothering so I got down on one knee so that we were at eye level, and offered him a reassuring smile. "Hey, it's okay. You can tell me, alright?" Once again there was a moment of silence before Greg asked, "What i-if Wirt n-never wakes up?" Greg's lips began quivering and a small amount of tears rolled down his cheeks. "H-he was so cold, a-and I couldn't hear him breathing or anything. Wh-why is it taking so long for him to come back? W-will he ever come back?" I pulled him into a hug and rubbed circles in his back while trying to comfort him. "Hey hey, it's going to be okay. I told you that I would do anything to get him back so that's exactly what I'm gonna do. Besides, I checked on him this morning and his temperature went up some more, so that means he's getting better." "R-really?" I smiled and even laughed a little while ruffling Greg's hair, making him let out a small giggle. "Yes really. He'll come back... it's a rock fact."

I lifted Greg up onto my shoulders making him laugh. It might be the apocalypse, but that didn't mean we couldn't have any fun. Having Greg on my shoulders reminded me of how I used to carry Mabel on my back when we were younger. Plus, Greg seemed to be in better spirits now, which was good. He even went back to humming his little tune while we were walking.

"Who are we looking for again?" Greg asked, looking down at me. I lifted my head up to look back at him and said, "we're looking for Wendy. She's the red-head who I introduced you to." "Oh right, the really cool one that Wirt was jealous of." I paused for a moment and raised my brow, looking up at Greg in confusion. "Wirt was jealous of her? Why?" I asked. That definitely didn't make sense. As far as I had seen they got along just fine. Why would he be jealous of her?

Greg gave me a cheeky smile and said, "he thought you liked her more than him. I told him how ridiculous that was but I don't think he could really hear me. Though it gave him the kick in the pants he needed to finally ask you out." The boy quickly covered his mouth and gasped a little, then shook his head. "I um, I don't think I was supposed to tell you that. Just pretend I didn't say that so that when Wirt wakes up and asks you out you can act all surprised."

My entire face went red and I grinned ear to ear. Even though we told each other how we felt, it was still surprising to me. Wirt liked me, he really liked me. He liked me so much he got jealous of someone else, he wanted to ask me out. My heart threatened to burst and I couldn't contain my laughter. He really really liked me and I liked him back. 

"D-Dipper?" "Huh, oh sorry Greg. I just- I can't believe he was trying to ask me out. Gosh, he's so freaking amazing!" All of a sudden I was reminded of something Mabel had said to me. I had never really given it a thought but now... "Hey Greg, did Wirt ever write a-a poem, maybe about me, possibly." Greg's surprised yet happy expression gave me all the information I needed, but a small part of me still wanted to hear him say it. "You promise you won't tell Wirt?" I grinned and nodded. "Of course, this will be our secret." Greg's happy grin grew even more and he took a deep breath before speaking. "Yes. He totally did! And he said you had nice eyes and a nice smile, and that he likes your laughter and he called you his constellation. It was supposed to be a surprise though, so you have to act surprised when he gives it to you." "Aye-aye captain," I promised the young boy, trying to hold back my joyous giggling. I can't believe he- he's such an adorable sap. The second he wakes up, I'm going to kiss and hug him and never let him g-

The sound of yelling brought me back to reality and I ran over to the noise. As I got closer, the yelling became more familiar till I knew who it was. There in the middle of the arcade was Wendy, beating the shit out of an eye-bat with a crowbar. The thing finally gave up trying to petrify her and flew away while she shouted after it, "YEAH, YOU BETTER RUN YOU FLYING FREAK OF NATURE, OR NEXT TIME I'LL SERIOUSLY BEAT YOUR EYEBALL LOOKIN' AS-" "Wendy please, there's 9-year-olds present,'' I quickly interrupted before her little tangent got pg-13. She looked at me in absolute surprise then dropped her crowbar and greeted me with a smile and a punch in the arm. "Dipper! Where the fu- heck have you been? Man, I'm so glad to see that you're okay." I laughed and punched her back, just as happy to see her. "Same here, I was honestly worried that you had got taken away or something." Wendy scoffed and crossed her arms, putting on a smug grin. "Please, I'm insulted that you would even think that."

I rolled my eyes at her cocky attitude and then looked outside, making sure there was no one there. Wouldn't want one of Bill's possible spies hearing what we were planning. Once the coast seemed clear, I told Wendy our plan. 

"That sounds great dude! It's time to put Bill in his place!" "Yeah well, I'm still not entirely sure it will work. He's... different now." Wendy and Greg's smiles fell for a second but then they both gave me a determined grin that lifted my spirits.

We were going to do this. We were going to stop BIll once and for all, ending this nightmare. We were going to save the town.

That's a promise.

I love how Dipper's planning a revolution against an all-powerful demon while Wirt is chilling and eating potatoes and molasses. Also, Dipper no! It is not safe to give 9-year-olds weapons (I've done it once and immediately regretted it)! I don't have much else to say so I hope your all having a wonderful day. I'll see you all next Wednesday (have I mentioned how much I hate the spelling of Wednesday, like why is it like that!?).

Bye-bye bat fam!