Oak Tree | BillDip

Chapter 3 - Stars

Bill sighed as he watched a few buildings burn in the red sky. He scoffed. "Mortal fools," he muttered through the smoke.

Finally, when he got bored, he teleported to the Fearamid in a blinding white flash.

In the floating castle, he appeared on his throne, sitting down and crossing his legs, watching his fellow demons do whatever they wanted to in the throne room. Some talked, played games of spin-the-person, some were pouring time-punch on themselves.

His eye glazed over Pine Tree and Pyronica. The boy threw his head back and his shoulders bounced. He was...laughing. Bill had never even seen him laugh since only after the demon exited his body that one time.

Bill decided not to worry about it, seeing as his other henchmaniacs were watching the boy anyway.

Bill thought about what would happen if he ruled the world as usual...but Sixer wouldn't give the damned equation to them. He escaped with the other refugees.

He was not worried about them—Bill held the last person that was the threat of his power here. He would not let the boy escape.

Bill turned the rest of the townspeople into a throne again. It was more fun that way.

Bill groaned inwardly as he thought about how close he was to getting that equation...he imprisoned him, tortured him, even almost killed one of the kids for it.

But Bill wasn't going to give up just yet.

___

The 12 year-old was actually enjoying his time with Pyronica, the pink henchmaniac entertaining him with jokes and fun games and stuff like that. Making his imprisonment bearable.

He shifted his eyes to the yellow triangle atop his throne of stone, the demon staring intently down at him. The brunet flinched at his threatening eye. He looked lost in thought—but was also observing his every single move.

He averted his eye, looking at the dark purple brick ground.

Dipper Pines was afraid.

He was fearful for his family. He was fearful for himself.

The young boy moved to sit against the wall, Pyronica leaving him be to his thoughts. He thought about what his family were doing right now—are they safe? Were they looking for him?

Dipper closed his mocha eyes. He just wanted to sleep. He hadn't been able to sleep all week.

So he shut out the chaotic noises, hugged his knees to his chest, and fell into a dreamless sleep.

___

When Dipper awoke, he wasn't in the throne room. Or the suite at the tip of the pyramid with Bill's piano. But...a normal looking room. A bedroom. ...was that all a dream?

The boy got up and checked his surroundings, still wrapped in the blanket. It was a decent-sized bedroom with tan walls and a white door. It had no window, but a painting instead. A red themed painting—no, tapestry—of citizens bowing to a burning pine tree.

Bowing to a burning pine tree.

Definitely not a dream! Dipper shivered into his fuzzy blanket and forced himself to look away. He'd look into that later when he was up for it. There was also a small wardrobe, nightstand, and a desk. Dipper recognized the floor as carpet as he wiggled his toes.

Dipper smiled faintly. The only thing normal he had ever experienced this week.

The brunet jumped as someone knocked on the door. He froze in place. "C-come in." He called as loud as he could, the lack of water making his throat scratchy.

He heard the door creak as Pyronica walked in. Dipper loosened a breath. Thank goodness it wasn't Bill. She closed the door behind her, a glass of water in her hand, her long nails tapping the glass. Dipper hoped it was for him.

"Hiya, Dipper!" She greeted happily. She lifted the glass. "Bill said to give this to you. Seems like you need it!" She giggled, handing the water to him.

Dipper was surprised. Bill? Giving him water? Clean water? Hm. He might as well take it and drink it.

"You gon' take it or what?" Pyronica snapped him out of his thoughts.

Dipper scratched behind his neck, a sheepish smile on his face. "Yeah—sorry." He grabbed the water from her hands and drank it.

He hadn't realized how much he needed this water, wanted it. He finished it in a matter of a few seconds, his throat clearing up. "Thanks," he whispered.

Pyronica jumped a little on her feet. "No problem, kiddo!" She ruffled his hair. "You can always call me if you need anything! Everyone needs a friend." She said as she walked out, her pink flames disappearing behind the door, closing it behind her.

Dipper made his way back to the bed, sitting with his back against the headboard. Even though he knew he could already confide in Pyronica, he still felt fear for himself and his family. He sighed. Hopefully Bill would leave him alone forever.

He slid into the bed, pulling the blanket to his shoulders. He reached over and turned off the lamp that was lit up on his nightstand with a click.

He lay on his back and looked up, surprised at what he saw...there were stars. Those neon green glowing stars that stick to the ceiling.

He remembered what they always said about these stupid little things..."count the stars 'till you fall asleep." Trusting that it was nighttime outside, Dipper exhaled out of his nose and counted the stars.

One...

Two...

Three...

He didn't even get to twenty before he passed out.