Heartless, right?

Chapter Four

"Dipper, what is going on?" Ford asks for the third time.

The boy returned to the Mystery Shack with Pacifica a few moments ago. She was rambling on about her father breaking some expensive item, but the boy seemed distracted, constantly looking over his shoulder towards the forest.

"Sorry, Pacifica, tell me the rest later. I have to do something." He motioned at Ford, smiling sympathetically at the Northwest girl.

Ford watches his nephew as he paces the lab, hands in his pockets to conceal their shaking. His breathing hitching every few seconds. He shakes his head and glances at Ford.

"Has anything weird happened recently?" Dipper finally asks.

"Weird how?"

"I- I don't know. Other dimensional weird?"

"Other dimen- wait, no, that can't be possible." Ford opens a laptop and checks multiple charts and readings. "He's back. Dipper, did you see Bill?"

"Not exactly, I was talking to Pacifica, and I heard someone laughing in the forest. It sounded like Bill but also not in a way? But I saw someone watching us."

"If Bill is back, you and Mabel are in danger. You're both going back home first thing tomorrow."

"No." All fear seems to leave Dipper, replaced by anger and determination. "This week will continue as planned, and when Mabel goes back home on Sunday, you and I will start looking for a way to get rid of Bill. Permanently."

"I can't let you do that, I can't put family in danger so recklessly."

"Then, as your apprentice, I am going to stay here." Dipper insists.

"Dipper, it's too dangerous."

"What's too dangerous?" Mabel asks.

The two hadn't even noticed her. How much had she heard? It couldn't have been much since she didn't mention Bill.

"There was a meteor shower a while back, and there are a lot of radioactive readings. Grunkle Ford is convinced that it's too dangerous for me to stay." Dipper explains, shooting Ford a look.

The man simply sighs in defeat.

"Aw, Grunkle Ford. We've survived way worse than radioactivity. It's Gravity Falls, what's the worst it could do, turn people into zombies. Been there, done that." His niece laughs. "Now come on, Soos and Melody have an announcement to make."

"Alright, I'll be up in a few moments." Ford waves the two along.

Although he didn't like it, Ford had to admit that having Dipper's help would be key to stopping Bill.

Once the young twins leave, Ford studies his computer again. If Bill is back, he won't wait forever. The sooner Mabel leaves, the better Dipper will be able to focus. Ford knows it's a harsh thought, but if they are going to get rid of Bill, then he needs Dipper's full attention.

"What are you up to now, Bill Cipher?" The older Pines twin asks aloud. "You've hurt those kids enough. So God help me, if you even think about them, I will tear you to pieces." Of course, the man receives no answer.

AN: Still trying to decide if Ford is gonna be a POS or redeemable. Depending on what I decide, there will definitely be Book of Bill spoilers in this story 🙈