Back To Gravity Falls: Beware the Beast (Multiverse Crossover)

Tale of Tales

Full chapter title: Tale of Tales (and the Appearance of The Beast)

...

Wybie was the first to wake up, finding himself curled up against Norman for warmth during the night. Slightly embarrassed, he eased his way out of the bed and, finding everyone asleep, made his way out to the hallway. Being the lightfooted boy he was, he walked all the way down the stairs and out the front door without anyone waking up. Barefoot and wearing his pajamas, he made his way to the opening of the woods behind the house that he and Coraline had cut through the night before to get to the Bluebird Inn as quickly as possible.

They both had ran as fast as they could in fear last night, despite the actual woods not giving off any ill-intention. Now, though he couldn't see the woods, he got an eerie feeling in that direction. Putting his relaxing outdoor excursion behind, he stepped into the lush grass.

The grass smelled strong and the dew soaked the bottoms of his pants legs as he walked. The sun had risen at least a few hours ago but everyone was exhausted from the night before, and rightfully so. However, Wybie had never been one to sleep very well.

At this time of morning he usually took a walk but with the danger going on he settled with staying in the yard. The closer he got to the woods, the heavier his feet felt and the more he wanted to go back inside.

At the treeline of the woods his hair stood on end, a primal instinct that something was inside the woods. He could practically feel it watching him. Whatever it was.

When he took another step forward he paused at the sight of a boy about his age walking with purpose away from him through the brush and disappearing in the thicket.

Wybie thrust ahead to pursue the figure, wanting to demand why he was spying on the inn. However, upon seeing thick tendrils of poison oak and thorned vines in his path, he returned towards the house.

He wondered after the boy deeply enough that when he walked back in through the front door he bumped into the guests as they prepared to leave.

"Sorry," he muttered, helping them right the suitcase he nearly knocked over. He held the door open as they left and closed and locked it quietly behind them. All the guests gone. Just Wirt and all the kids left.

He turned his head towards the direction of the woods, body still facing the door.

"Up and out already, Wybie? You should be staying in the house." Wirt chided, leaning his temple on the check-in desk. "What's that spacey look for?"

"Saw some guy watching the house from the woods, or least I think it was a guy. I didn't see their face." Wybie whispered, "But I don't wanna jump to conclusions."

Wirt's face grew serious, "Don't go outside again. We can't take any chances. The second you cross that threshold all the talismans and charms I have guarding the house are useless to you. Anything you need from town I can bring to you."

Wybie nodded, more out of habit than actually listening to what Wirt said. He was irritated he was going to lose his freedom to roam around like he was used to, but remembered that odd figure again and laid on the couch prepared to take a nap. Wybie's body felt heavy from the adrenaline kick he got at the treeline.

The more he tried to remember the features of the person he saw, the more the colors and shapes in his mind seemed to lose form. He couldn't even remember the shade of their skin, or the color of their hair, or even if it really was a boy.

"I'm going to go in the book mobile and get some books from the library," Wirt handed Wybie a cordless landline phone and checked his pockets for his wallet and keys. "Any emergency, call me. Even if it's about Gregg trying to sneak out to catch frogs again, I wanna know about it, okay?"