Sixteenth Summer - A Dipcifica Story

Chapter Six: Panicked

Dipper was fully aware of Pacifica sitting so close to him that her arm brushed against his. It made his stomach twist in a way he'd only felt once before. And that was the problem.

Dipper was also fully aware he would be seeing Wendy again, and he knew he wasn't ready for it.

"Hey, bro-bro," Mabel turned around from the front seat and smiled at him. "Don't stress. It's going to be fine."

Dipper shivered as the truck hit a pothole. Outside, the sky was an inky black, which only added to his stress. If Bill Cipher was back...Dipper wasn't sure he could handle it.

Mabel had turned back to Ford and was chattering about high school to him. Dipper didn't even want to recount that first year of high school. It was horrible. He was still the nerd, the worrier, the loser. All his friends back at school just used him for good grades.

He just wanted...well, that was the question, wasn't it? He wanted to know what he wanted, or what he needed. What he didn't want was to think of the coma, Bill Cipher, or the strange voice that had said "die Dipper Pines."

"So Dipper," Pacifica began beside him. He looked at her, resisting the urge to throw his arm around her or move in closer. Instead, he shifted his knees away. She didn't seem to notice. "Is this your first summer back here?"

Dipper shook his head. "Nah, we've come back here ever since the first summer." He raised a brow. "Where have you been? Three summers and I've only seen you now."

Pacifica stiffened, her guard rising. "None of your business," she snapped, staring out the window. Dipper looked at her reflection and blinked hopefully. Pacifica finally sighed.

"Look, ever since my parents lost the mansion, we've been moving around a lot," Pacifica said. "We finally settled back in Gravity Falls, and now I have to work to stay here."

"So that's why you're working at the grocery store?"

"Yup. But I'm hoping to quit soon and work someplace else. And now that Alesha's in a coma..." Pacifica drifted off. Suddenly she jolted. "Wait Dipper, I forgot to tell you-"

The truck screeched to a halt. Dipper and Pacifica craned their heads to look at the Mystery Shack. It rose like a hulking monster in the night sky. It was dark except for the main room where some light flickered. Dipper's shoulders only slumped at the sight of it. It meant nothing without Grunkle Stan. Suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder and he turned to see Pacifica, who wore a frantic expression. "I don't think it's Bill Cipher."

Dipper's brow furrowed. "'Kay Pacifica, calm down a sec-"

"There was a man," Pacifica was full-on panicking now. Her breathing became short, her voice high-pitched. "The man in the trench coat. He put Alesha in a coma." Tears were trailing down Pacifica's face as she turned to Dipper. "He put Mr. Pines in a coma. I bet he did. He's a monster, Dipper. A monster."

Grunkle Ford and Mabel were also listening from the front seat. All three of the Pines were frowning. Dipper could tell Ford was skeptical. Even Mabel didn't look so sure. Dipper exchanged a glance with his sister, who motioned to Pacifica and made a hugging motion. Dipper's face heated. "No," he mouthed.

"Wimp," Mabel mouthed back.

Dipper shook his head and wrapped his arms around Pacifica, who stopped shaking. Her arms went around him and soon the two were holding each other, Pacifica's tears staining Dipper's shirt. "It's okay, Pacifica. It's going to be okay."

"He's still out there," she whispered. "The man. It could be any of us next." 

"Don't worry. We're at the shack, so we'll be safe here." Dipper held on tight, his panic getting the best of him. But here, in Pacifica's arms, he felt safe. He felt strong. He had to admit he was disappointed when Pacifica finally let go, her mouth quirked into a smile.