Kidnapped (Monster Falls Book 1)

Final Goodbyes

~~Mabel~~
An entire week had passed since all the shenanigans Ford's experiment had caused. I was now waiting for the bus to arrive, no one in sight. A weary coach finally rolled up at the roadside, the doors slowly creaking open to invite me in.
A bus driver with a strong southern accent leant over and declared, "Coach for Piedmont, California."
With my head lowered, I turned to climb aboard the bus.
"Psst. Mabel! Hey! Over here!"
I spun round.
The bushes rustled and Wendy's long orange muzzle was protruding through the leaves.
"Wait...Wendy?"
"I'm not the only one who came..."
Behind her crouched Stan and Ford.

Wendy threw her arm around me laughing. "Gonna miss ya kid!" She rubbed my hair and dumped her hat on my head. The battered old lumberjack's hat slid down at an angle. "Happy 13th birthday dude."

Ford was next to embrace me. His downy auburn fur tickled my cheeks causing me to giggle slightly. "I'll miss you Mabel...I wish I got to see more of you before the summer ended." The sphinx tried to desperately hide the tears in his eyes.

Stan was last to hug me. His stony skin was surprisingly comfortable! "You pain in the ass...I'm gonna miss you...Heh, now you're even a teenager...have some great years at home..." The weeping gargoyle pulled back.
"Where are Dipper, Candy, Grenda and Keahi?" I asked suddenly, adjusting Wendy's oversized hat.
"Keahi is back at the Shack looking after them. They were in a bad way."
"Okay." I said plainly.
Then wiping the tears from my eyes, I walked back to the open roadside and prepared to head home.

"WAIT!"

I swiveled my head. Dipper's squeaky puberty voice rang out, resonating through the trees. The young fawn launched himself into the bushes with everyone else.
"Dipper!"
He panted and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Happy birthday sis..."
We hugged tightly. But this was more than an awkward sibling hug. It was a full of sadness and lament.
When he pulled away, he handed something to me. It was a small, charcoal coloured box.
I opened it and inside was a miniscule, azure, pulsating crystal.
"Figured you needed someone to keep you company over the time at home with mom and dad." Dipper shot me a watery smile.

"Hey whatta ya doing down there kid? I need to go now!" The bus driver snapped.

"I guess I should go...bye guys..." I tried to conceal my upset then turned my back and boarded the coach.
The doors creaked shut then I felt myself break down internally.
As the bus drove off down the road, I waved at everyone until they were no longer visible. Sorrow hit me like a brick - which I have had thrown at me before...that's a long story for a rainy day though!
I cradled Will's box in my arms and rested my head against the plush seat...then dozed off.

I may not be returning next year, but I had one hell of a summer and who knows?! One day, one sunny day, I might go back.