The Puppeteer (BillDip)

Chapter 15

I ran to the woods in the night, the light of the eclipse my only lantern. This was my final chance to get away, my one and only shot for life. I knew Bill would find me, and he would take my soul with his, but I couldn't accept it, I couldn't die for him. I loved him as he loved me, but I was unsure of whether I could stay with him so passionately for all time.

And then there was Mabel. I'd be saving her, but what was the point? I could never see her sunshine smile again, trapped in hell where all light was blocked out, forever dressed in monotone. I couldn't leave her, or Stan, or Ford. Even Waddles would be hard to say goodbye to.

I won't leave my life behind, just for a love that may not even last with time.

The sun glowed amber as it began to rise over the town. I squinted through the trees as I ran, always running. I was pathetically tired, sweat dripping down my forehead, but I wouldn't stop, and I felt as if I could never stop. The twigs under my toes snapped with ease as the calm breeze swayed the trees that patched up the inky sky. I panted heavily as I collapsed on the mossy bank, my legs scarred from the sharp brambles that cut against me. I couldn't help it: I had given up.

Even as I was running, I knew it was useless. I knew that I could never get away from Bill, how ever far I went. He would always find me, take my spirit with him in every different timeline. I couldn't escape, yet I still tried in spite of my mind, telling me there was no chance. Because, as that town has proved too many times, anything can happen in Gravity Falls.

The dusty patches of grass around me caught alight, and burnt to ashes within seconds. I audibly gasped as Bill slinked through the trees towards me, clutching glowing blue chains in his once soft hands. The hands that once touched me so meaningfully were going to be the hands that spilt my blood.

He had found me.

I clung on to whatever I could, but with no success. I screamed in agony as he bound me to a nearby tree, the chains charring my sensitive flesh, scorching my wrists and ankles. Instead of feeling the pain like me, Bill simply laughed.

"Ready to die, Pinetree?" He leaned against my chest, so close I could smell his intoxicating breath.

"No," I panted, still exhausted from my sprint before. "I don't want to leave my friends and family, and Mabel... even if it means being with you, I'd pick staying with them any day. I won't go, and you can't make me!"

For a single moment, I thought I was victorious. I thought I had beaten Bill, an all knowing demon, with brains alone. I thought I could continue on in this world, and everything might just be okay after all. But that's the thing about Bill: he could make you so ridiculously, embarrassingly happy one minute, then collapse in utter despair the next, and he wouldn't even have a clue of how much it hurt you.

Because pain is hilarious.

"Wrong," Bill whispered in a voice that used to give me chills, but now it was just cold. "Don't you see? You shook my hand; you can't change your mind like that! You were prepared to die for me before, so why not do it again? Come with me Pinetree... let me kill you, and I promise that you'll never feel more alive."

He ran his finger down my stomach, ripping my shirt. I wailed as his jagged nail reached my skin, drawing a deep gash in the shape of a triangle. Like he was marking his property. Like he owned me. I couldn't stop him, there was no way I could do this alone. The only thing left to do was accept my own inevitable demise.

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I got some really weird looks writing this in school... nobody really watches gravity falls there 😭😭 it's sad. But yeah, Dipper's gonna die! I bet you're very happy about that! Love you guys,
Em xx