Uncertainty - Stanford Pines x Reader (female)

Chapter 60

The walk back to the Shack was tense, filled with an unsettling silence. Once we arrived, Ford quickly led me to his lab, where he pulled out various books, some covered in dust, others with strange symbols etched into their bindings. His movements were quick but deliberate, a clear sense of urgency in his every step.

"Sit.", he instructed, gesturing to a chair near his desk. I did as he asked, watching as he flipped through the pages of a particularly old and worn book. Ford pulled a chair close to mine and settled beside me, his gaze intensely focused on the pages of the ancient book before him. The lab was filled with the low hum of equipment, the faint scent of old parchment and ink wafting through the air. I could see the wheels turning in his mind, his eyes darting across each line as he gathered his thoughts.

After a long moment of silence, he finally spoke. "Okay.", he said, looking up at me. "What we're going to try isn't just simple meditation. It's a technique that combines scientific and mystical principles—a way to strengthen your mind, essentially building a fortress against any external force trying to intrude. Bill Cipher is no ordinary threat, but even he can be resisted if your mind is fortified enough."

I nodded, absorbing his words, though I could feel my anxiety bubbling beneath the surface. The idea of having to defend my mind from Bill's influence was terrifying, but I knew Ford was doing everything he could to help me. He took a deep breath and continued, tapping a finger on the book.

"The goal is to make it as difficult as possible for Bill to get into your mind, both in terms of access and manipulation. Think of it like a mental firewall. But, just like with a physical firewall, it won't be impenetrable. It can be breached; it's just about making it as difficult and tiring for him as possible. This practice has roots in an ancient art called mental shielding.", he explained, gesturing to a diagram on the page. It showed a person surrounded by various symbols, each one connected by intricate lines that created a barrier. "It's a combination of visualization and self-control. What we're doing is more than just picturing a wall in your mind. You have to truly believe in that wall's strength, to feel it, to make it part of you."

He turned the page, and another diagram appeared, depicting a fortress-like structure surrounding a mind. "This shield needs to be as real to you as your own heartbeat. The more you visualize it, the more powerful it becomes, like building muscle over time."

Ford shifted in his seat, leaning closer as he pointed to a passage in the book written in faded ink. "These symbols here", he said, tracing his fingers along the intricate designs, "represent various aspects of mental fortitude—discipline, resilience, and clarity. They're symbols of protection, drawn from different ancient practices that were designed to strengthen the mind against intrusion."

I studied the symbols. Ford closed the book and looked directly at me. "The first thing you need to do is choose a place in your mind where you feel secure. This will be your mental fortress, the foundation of your shield."

Ford leaned back in his chair and continued. "It could be a real place that you know and feel comfortable in, like a room in this shack, or anywhere else you feel safe. You have to remember every detail—the textures, the smells, the light, the sounds. You need to make this place as real and tangible in your mind as possible."

I forced myself to nod, but internally I felt a sense of panic rising. My hometown, with its familiar streets and memories, no longer felt like home. And the Shack... well, with Ford and I not being what we used to be, it didn't feel like a safe haven anymore either.

I closed my eyes, pushing the intrusive thoughts away and trying to think of a place. A place that felt secure and familiar... but everything was blurry, the memories tainted by recent events.