Am I Insane

Progressing Forward

Now, logically Dipper knew the answer. He also knew that it wasn't what the doctor wanted to hear. Self preservation was above all else and if it came down to it he knew that he would kill someone to save himself. In fact, Dipper believed that that was what most people would do, they just delude themselves with fantasy because they don't ever think it will realistically happen. Fools. Telling themselves pretty lies to appeal to their weak sense of morality.

So that was why Dipper knew it was like those school surveys. You're not supposed to tell the actual truth, just the one people want to hear. "No, I wouldn't kill another person to save myself. I wouldn't want to die, but to have the death of another on my hands..." Dipper took a shallow breath and glanced at his hands. "I couldn't." Dr. Rodgers seemed a little shocked at the response, though he didn't say anything about it.

"Alright, now I'm going to show you a picture and I want you to tell me how it makes you feel."

By the time that section of the test was completed an hour had passed. Dr. Rodgers was noticeably stiff in the neck and was shifting periodically.

"Now I know by now you must be a little tired," Yeah, tired of talking to you. "But there is one more thing we need to do." Promptly standing the doctor strides over to the counter and brings back a syringe filled with a purplish see through substance.

Admittedly, Dipper had never minded shots. He never understood what the big deal was. Why so many, kids and adults alike, would faint at the sight of a needle. Dipper thinks he understands now. It was all he could do to suppress a shiver.

"I–What is that for?" As Dipper stared at the sharp needle with trepidation the dread in him only grew tenfold.

"Don't worry, Mason. We're just going to see how you react to a particularly nasty dream." His voice was sickeningly sweet and the smile tugging at the corner of his lips felt malicious. "This won't hurt a bit."

Before Dipper could blink the liquid had already been injected into his upper arm. As his eyes slid shut he could feel himself being gently laid back and a firm pressure on his temple.

The first thing he registered was the all encompassing darkness. He had never seen (or rather not seen) a dark so deep that even when holding his hand directly in front of his face nothing could be seen. For a moment Dipper wondered if he were dead.

Suddenly, abruptly there was light. A small, barely there, miniscule light. It was inviting, calling out to Dipper temptingly. It felt deceiving. Dipper didn't trust it. How come a light appeared in this muggy darkness?

"You're pretty smart kid. Most people go running for that light!" A crazed voice somewhere from behind Dipper, deeper into the void.

Despite the shock it caused, Dipper responded. Absent-mindedly fingering the hem of his shirt. "I don't mind the dark." The following laughter was startling, like everything else to do with the unknown voice. Then, the darkness faded.

Hardly waiting for his eyes to adjust, Dipper spun around searching for the owner of the voice, though the effort was fruitless. Not a soul resided in the room besides himself.

He thought the voice might have left along with the darkness when it sounded again, just behind his ear. "Here kid, I want you to have a parting gift for until we meet again, some sunny day."

With that a deer appeared roughly ten-twenty feet before him, only to have its teeth ripped out. Leaving a gory mess in its wake. The teeth came together, connecting to one another with what seemed to be some sort of string.

Thinking that this was the gift the voice mentioned earlier, Dipper stretched out his hand with a smile and placed it around his neck. Happiness swelled up inside him. It was not everyday he got a gift.

He wanted to say thank you but before he could everything started to fade once again.

Opening his eyes, Dipper was met with the scenery of Dr. Rodgers office. The man in question was staring fixedly at him, his gaze just short from penetrating Dipper's skull. Whatever he saw, he didn't like.

Approximately two hours had passed and the Pines were starting to get restless. Why weren't there babies back yet? Has something gone wrong?

Are they insane?

Just as they began to think the worst, the twins doctor's came out, ushering them into a separate room.

"Alright, so where are my kids?" Ms. Pines wrung her hands. The room they were now in resembled that of an office, but the twins were nowhere to be seen.

"Don't worry, they are getting a drink. Of course, some of our nurses are accompanying them." Answered Mable's doctor. Both Pines visibly relaxed and their shoulders slumped.

"Okay, now onto business. We have good news and partially bad news. What do you want to hear first?" Dipper's doctor didn't even look at them as he spoke. Keeping his eyes glued to his clipboard.

"I believe we want the good news first." Ms. Pines glanced at her husband who nodded in agreement.

"The good news is the Mable is sane. Mason on the other hand..." Mable's doctor trailed off, letting Dipper's continue.

"Mason is a special case. He is not completely sane, but he isn't insane. In such a situation it isn't suitable to send him to the specialized hospitals. So instead, he will be sent to a reform school. Mason will be there for three to four years, depending on how things go."

"Oh, oh thank god!" Ms. Pines sighed in relief. "Will we be able to see him?" Her brows stitched together.

"Mmm, I'm afraid not. It's imperative that outside influences don't affect or tamper with the boy's recovery." The doctor's mouth quirked up slightly as if he was trying to reassure the concerned parents. He only succeeded in unsettling them further.

Mable's doctor quickly interrupted. "But! You will be allowed short visits on Christmas and other holidays. So you will not completely be without interaction in the years to come." A soft smile appeared on his face, easing the Pines' minds slightly.

"Yes, while that may be the case, your son will still not be permitted to return home until his time at the school is up. Your visits will also be limited to twice a year, so you must choose which holiday's you will be present for." Dipper's doctor almost looked like he took pleasure from his words, causing the rest of the room to frown.

Mr. Pines, who had been holding in his anger for a while now, finally found his opportunity to speak up. "What about Mable? How are we supposed to tell her? She doesn't even know what we really came here for. How will this affect her?"

"Whoa, Mr. Pines, one question at a time!" Dipper's doctor chuckled amused, while Mable's looked somewhat uncomfortable.