Never Trust Your Demons

17

"Welcome, dukes and duchesses, sultans, and sportsmen," The other guests are greeted as I walk in, this time the hat off and a headband matching the dress in place of it. I really don't want to look sloppy in front of the most important people in the world. I may meet...someone to take my mind off Bill. I put a hand to my forehead, silently scolding myself. There I go again...

Maybe ten minutes later, I'm having second thoughts about this whole thing being fun. I haven't really gotten the courage to approach anyone, and no one has approached me. I think maybe i should go check on Dip-
"Northwests!" The mansion doors slam open and said cousin storms in, pointing accusingly at Preston Northwest.
"Dipper, you came back!" Pacifica runs in happily.
"You lied to me!" Pacifica looks surprised at accusation. "All of you did! All you had to do was let the townsfolk into the party and you could've broken the curse!" What curse? I walk over quickly. "But you made me do your dirty work instead!"
"Look at who you're talking to, boy," Preston replies, and the two of them have a glare-off. "I'm hosting a party for the most powerful people in the world. You think they'd come here if they had to rub elbows with your kind?"
"'My kind'?!" Dipper recoils in disgust before turning to Pacifica. "I was right about you all along. You're just as bad as your parents. Another link in the world's worst chain!"
"Dipper, wai-"
"I'm sorry, they made me!" Pacifica interrupts. "I should've told you, but-" I hear a bell ring suddenly and she steps back.
"Enjoy the party!" Preston sneers, seeming to wave the two of us away. "It's the last time you and your kind will ever come."
Dipper glares, then storms off again. I run after him

"Dipper, what's wrong?" I catch up to him as he walks through the front gates of the mansion's courtyard.
"That ghost," Dipper replies, not slowing down. "Was haunting the manor because, years ago when it was first built, the builders were promised the 'common folk' would be able to attend the party. All they had to do to get rid of it was open the gates to the people! Instead they nearly got me killed!"
"Killed?!" I follow him as he enters the woods across the street from the mansion. "I thought it was a category one!"
"Ten," He lifts a silver mirror.
"RAAGH!"
"AH!" I jump back in surprise as a man with blue, flaming hair and a similar beard jumps at me from inside the mirror.
"FREE ME!" He demands.
"He had an axe too," Dipper shrugs nonchalantly.
"Oh, wow..." Dipper props up the mirror against his backpack on a stump.
"Stupid Northwests," He mutters. "Making me do their exorcism for them...." He flips through the journal. "Exodus demonus, spookus scarus, aintafraidus noghostus-"
"This is the exorcism spell?" I look over his shoulder, crouching down next to him.
"Sh! Don't break my concentration!"
"What concentration? I've seen sloths with more feeling!"
"Dipper," The ghost says suddenly. "Dipper! Please let me get my vengeance on the Northwests! You hate them as much as I!"
"Hey, I feel you," He replies as casually as talking to his sister. "It's just, my sister's in there, and you seem a little unstable, man."
"Very well, boy," The ghost sighs. "Then... before you banish my soul, may these tired lumber eyes gaze upon the trees one final time?"
"Uh... I guess," Dipper picks up the mirror and points into the trees. "Go nuts, man."
The ghost suddenly starts laughing maniacally.
"Dipper..." I stare at the mirror in horror.
The mirror starts to glow red.
"Gah!" Dipper drops it and grabs his hand as if it burned.
"Dipper!" I try to grab the mirror before it hits the ground, but it smashes against the tree root.
"Aah!" Dipper gasps as the ghost in the mirror is released and starts to fly towards the mansion.
"YES," The ghost yells. "VENGENCE!"
"Oh no!" Dipper cries.
"Mabel!" We yell in unison.

Even as we run up to the mansion we can hear the ghost yelling out his decree of justice.
"GENERATIONS LOCKED AWAY, MY REVENGE SHALL HAVE ITS DAY!"
It starts raining as we reach the courtyard and we're both soaked in seconds. Dipper slams the doors open.
"Please, help me!" One of the guests crawls towards us, making it only a couple inches before freezing into a wooden statue. Both Dipper and I jump back.
"Whoa, that is messed up!" Dipper exclaims as we look around. The ghost is all trigger happy with this beam turning everyone it touches into wood.
"JUST ONE WAY TO CHANGE YOUR FATES:" The ghost laughs. "A NORTHWEST MUST OPEN THE PARTY GATES!"
"A Northwest?" I mutter.
"Pacifica!" Dipper gasps.
I run after him, but trip over my heels. Yeah, not the best running-for-your-life equipment. I quickly push myself up.
"CONNIE! LOOK OUT!" Dipper yells. I turn to see a beam of bright light hit my stomach and I fly backwards. Looking down, my feet have started changing.
"Dipper, I'll be fine!" I call to him. "Just go get Pacifica!"
The last thing I see before turning completely to wood is Dipper disappearing down the hallway.