New beginnings

Chapter 11

A few weeks had passed and Fidd was settling just fine even though the occasional gnome attack would make him rethink his decision on coming to Gravity falls. He and Ford were becoming good friends again and beginning to be less awkward around each other. Fidd still had very strong feelings for Ford and no matter how hard he tried to suppress those feelings he just couldn't get rid of them. It was like having a song stuck in his head constantly repeating one line of lyrics over and over again.

The morning was warm and bright. Fidd and Ford sat at the kitchen table. Ford was studying his journal and Fidd was sitting across from him, admiring how cute Ford looked when he was working in his journal. He was writing about there most recent encounter with some mermaids. Fidd caught himself before he blushed even more and looked away but couldn't get Ford out of his head.
He cleared his throat
"what are we doing today then?" Fidd tried leave his thoughts by starting up a conversation. Ford looked up at Fidd.
"Well, I've heard about some humanoid creatures that live in the woods and I was thinking we could go investigate" Ford adjusted his glasses.
"That sounds fun" Fidd tried not to look at Ford because he knew he would blush even more.
"Well I'll pack a bag and we will leave in a minute" Ford got up from his chair and left the room. Fidd gave out a large exhale and a huge grin. He loved doing investigations with Ford even though it usually ended with them both having to run for their lives from some terrifying creature. He got up from the table and walked to his room to pack a bag with instruments and gadgets they would need out in the field.

Fidd and Ford were walking through the gigantic forest. Ford had his head buried in his journal.
"Do you know where we are even going?" Fidd teased as he watched Ford aimlessly wander down the path, blinded by his concentration in the journal.
"Ow!" Ford exclaimed as he walked into a tree. Fidd covered his mouth trying not to burst out laughing.
"It's not funny" Ford growled, looking up at Fidd.
"Oh it is" Fidd chuckled. "Maybe now you will watch were you are going?" Fidd grabbed the journal from Fords hand and gave a goofy smile. Ford just rolled his eyes and continued down the trail.

They were about twenty minutes into their expedition. They had made it to a secretive and elusive part of the forest. The scientist looked around them for any signs of the creature they had set out to find. Suddenly a low grumbling sound arose from the eerie silence.
"What was that?" Ford questioned and stood still.
"My stomach" Fidd blushed and scratched the back if his neck.
"Really? Did you bring any food?" Ford asked in concern.
"I think so" Fidd sat down and rifled through his back pack. Ford sat down beside him. Fidd then pulled out a small, half opened bag of beef jerky.
"How did this get in here. I hate jerky" Fidd sneered as he tossed the bag in the floor. Suddenly the forest began to tremble. Animals ran past them, something was coming, something terrifying. Fidd couldn't help but tightly grip onto Ford as the unknown creature of doom moved closer. Giant footsteps could be heard drudging through the forest. Then a huge bovine humanoid moved into the clearing. It was wearing nothing but a loincloth and cloak of dark body hair. He moved sluggishly and scratched himself. Fidd's grip on Ford tightened.
"YOU! Gunna finish that" the creature pointed toward the discarded bag of jerky.
"Um, n-no" Ford stuttered.  The creature then bent down and devoured the rest of the beef snack. Ford looked down at the petrified Fiddleford.
"W-what are you?" Ford questioned hoping he didn't offend the creature.
"I'M A MANOTAUR! HALF MAN! Uh? HALF TAUR!" The creature roared pounding a fist against the floor.
"Extraordinary" Ford spoke in awe.
"W-where did you come from?" Ford became bolder with his questions.
"THE MAN CAVE!" The creature cheered with pride.
"W-would I be allowed to study you? For science that is?" Ford squeaked.
"What's science?" The uncultured creature asked. Ford almost burst into hysterics at the question 'what's science?' But luckily stopped himself. Fidd was still froze with fear, his grip on Ford remained tight.
"Something really cool" Ford seised his opportunity to manipulate the creatures simplistic mind.
"Well, I do like things that are cool" the creature nodded to himself.
"Come, I will show you the ways of man for this science you speak of" the creature grunted and grabbed them both before he set off running into the forest.