Semblance

3 ~ Lost

(The song 'Dream' by Imagine Dragons, or 'It's Been So Long,' by the Living Tombstone)

Through the forest Dipper ran. Leaves slapped at his face, and the now distant sound of Ford as he chased after him was fading. Soon, it was all quiet. Turning around, Dipper decided to make his way back and to then go and warn all of their friends.

      Only one issue. He had no idea where he was. Nothing seemed familiar here. How could he have been so stupid? Why had he thought that running would have helped?

It would only lead to everyone becoming even more separated. It was all his fault. Everything that was going on now was because of him. Even if it hadn't been directly at first, it was now. Yet, at this point, it was too late to fix anything. The Pines family was falling apart. Deep in his heart, Dipper knew he was at the center of it. Because of him they were in danger.

He wiped at his face, surprised to find tears falling down his cheeks. Perhaps there was yet a way to fix all of this. Dipper stood up and decided to walk and think. Distantly, he wondered if Ford had turned back yet. It was getting cold outside, a slight drizzle fell from the dark gray clouds.

He could go back and try to talk to them. No, that wouldn't work. Everyone would just be mad and frustrated with him. Plus, by the time he found his way back they would be too suspicious. Dipper couldn't blame them really. Suddenly, his foot caught something and sent him tumbling to the muddy ground. Turning around, his eyes widened in surprise.

A faded red pentagram was draw on the forest floor. Around it, candles formed a circle. It was where Gideon had summoned Bill for the first time! He supposed that it made sense, no one would have wondered out here to clean up.

That wasn't what caught his attention though. No, that would be the fact that Journal 2 was resting on the ground at his feet. He still had the third one in his vest. So how had that one gotten out here? Oh no, what if Bill had broken the barrier finally and set this here? It would make sense. Yet, it didn't all add up.

Maybe he wanted to be summoned? Yes! By having someone summon him, he could pop into their world for a little while! Dipper had been set up. Was that what everything had been leading up to?
      By turning everyone against each other during the portal incident, one of them might look for help. Help from a certain dream demon. That did explain the nightmares Dipper had been getting. In fact, it seemed to explain lots of things.

It explained everything.

Dipper, having figured it out, carefully picked up the second journal and turned to head back to the Shack. Only, he had to carry the journal, seeing as how both wouldn't fit in his vest. If he went back like this they would wonder why he had it. Especially since it was the one that held the instructions to summon Bill. With everything the way it was, would they trust him? Would they even believe that it was him?

Maybe, just maybe if he tried to ask Bill... No! No, that would never work. Dipper would be forced into some kind of unfair deal again.

Though, what if he asked Bill to fix all the mistrust and betrayal in the family. The compromise couldn't be too great, could it? For minutes, the two sides of his brain warred with each other. Do it or don't? It was such a simple question, yet it was without a quick answer. Why? Why?!

Tears once again running down his face, Dipper opened the journal to its marked page. The words and actions to do what he needed to do were spelled out so innocently on that page. It was for Mabel, though. For everyone. Surely that made it okay?