Complicated

Chapter 11: He is Not a Monster

Mabel's POV

Dipper hasn't been himself. He doesn't want to go mystery hunting, hangout with Pacifica and me, or even leave the Shack.

Everyone is worried about him, even Grunkle Stan. We've been trying to help him but he doesn't let us. He'll just yell or push us away. I know he doesn't mean to hurt us but it's killing me to see him like this.

Great Uncle Ford has been doing some tests to see if he can help Dipper. I wasn't so sure at first because I didn't think it had to do with something paranormal, but you never know in Gravity Falls.

Right now, it was around two in the morning. Pacifica was fast asleep but I couldn't sleep when I knew Dipper couldn't.

"Mabel?" Asked a quiet voice. "Are you awake?"

"Yeah," I responded.

"Can I tell you something?" He asked. I shifted in my bed so I was facing him.

"Yeah, Dip. You can tell me anything," I whispered back.

"You can't tell the others," he informed.

"Why not?"

"Because I don't want them to know. I'm not sure I even want you to know..." he trailed off.

"Hey, it's okay, Dipper! I won't tell anyone," I promised.

"Okay," he looked around, "Let's go somewhere a little more private." We went downstairs and into the kitchen.

"So, what is it?" I asked him.

"It's about why I'm 'sick,'" he began.

"Go on."

"Well, I've been having these dreams ... no, nightmares. And I think they have something to do with it," Dipper explained.

"Is that why you haven't been sleeping?" I asked.

"Yeah, I'm afraid," he mumbled.

"Why didn't you tell me before?"

"...Because I didn't know."

"Didn't know what?" I was getting more curious with each passing moment.

"I didn't know what they were about. I couldn't remember anything about them. Just the fact that I knew they were happening."

"So, why do you think these dreams have something to do with the way your acting?"

"I can just feel it," he stated.

"Thanks for telling me," I smiled.

"I just couldn't keep this a secret from you," he smiled back. It was refreshing to see him smile again.

"Dipper?"

"Yeah, Mabel?"

"Can you promise me something?" I asked with pleading eyes.

"Sure, what?"

"Can you promise me that you won't keep anymore secrets from me?" I asked. He was hesitant at first but finally made up his mind.

"Sure. I won't keep anymore secrets from you. As long as, you make sure you don't tell anyone about my dreams," he ordered.

"Fine, but I still don't understand why they can't know."

"Because that's what they would want," Dipper's voice cracked and he started to shake.

"Dipper, you're not making any sense!" I yelled. He fell down to his knees and started crying. "Dip, are you okay?!"

He looked up at me with a look of pure sadness. "No," was the only thing he said before he started crying even louder.

"STAN! FORD! SOMEBODY, HELP!!!" I yelled as loud as I could.

"Mabel, what's wrong?!" Stan and Ford can in at the same time. Pacifica soon came down the steps.

"What's going on down here?!" She asked. I looked over at Dipper and they all followed my gaze. After seeing him, Grunkle Stan quickly ran over to him. Pacifica was next to me and I hugged her. Grunkle Ford was writing something down in the journal.

"What's wrong with him?" Pacifica cried.

"I don't know. We were just talking and he suddenly broke down and started crying. I asked him if he was okay and he just said no," I explained.

"What is it you two were talking about?" Ford questioned.

"Oh...he just wanted to talk and we did. I thought he might tell me what's wrong," I said.

"Did he?" Ford asked.

"No," I lied. "He just started freaking out. I'm not sure why."

"Hmm," Ford thought. "Mabel, I need to talk to you for a moment."

"Hang on," I said. I walked over to Dipper and Stan to see what was going on. Stan was trying to calm Dipper down and it seemed to be working a little. "How is he?"

"He's doing better," Grunkle Stan whispered.

"Do you need my help?"

"That's alright, kiddo. Why don't you just see what Ford needs," he smiled.

"Oh, okay," I sighed. I walked up to Ford and he led me down the Basement.

"Listen, Mabel. I'm not sure it's safe to be near Dipper," he calmly said.

"What?!" I blurted out.

"Calm down," she shushed.

"No! He's my brother! I can't just leave him alone!" I shouted.

"Just let me explain," he pleaded.

I didn't say anything, but just crossed my arms with an annoyed look plastered on my face.

"He is in an extremely unstable state right now. You were only talking with him and he had a panic attack. Who knows what could happen if you say something bad," Grunkle Ford began to think. "No matter. You just need to make sure you give him some space."

"But... but he's my brother. I can't just abandon him like that," I croaked.

"You're not abandoning him. You're just...letting him think things over. By himself," Ford added.

"You said he's unstable. So, this is the worst time to leave him alone. He needs me. We've gotten each other through everything and I'm not gonna stop that now!" I announced.

"I'm only trying to protect you, Mabel."

"Protect me from what? My brother? He's not some monster you just record in your journal!"

"I'm not asking you to completely shut him out! Just give him some space. I-I can't let anyone else in my family get hurt!" Ford cried. "I don't no what I would do with myself if you and Dipper were both hurt."

I sighed. "Fine, I'll try to spend less time with him. But, I'm the only person he'll tell his secrets to. I know that for a fact."

"Okay, great!" He exclaimed.

"What about Pacifica?" I asked.

"Well, I am going to tell her the same thing I told you. I just thought that she might be harder to convince."

"Grunkle Ford?"

"Yes, what is it?" He asked.

"D-do you think Dipper's a monster?" I asked.

"...I'm not sure what to think right now," he answered honestly.

"Because I don't think he is," I continued. "That's my brother, and he is not a monster."