Return to Falls

Chapter 19

Gulford sat quietly in a lotus position. Several pages of ancient texts circled around him as he meditated. The series of forbidden spells written out on the pages, each with their own warning, glowed a variety of colors.

When a few child-like groans escaped Pacifica's lips, his eyes immediately shot open. The texts returned themselves to their books which placed themselves back on their respective bookshelves.

"Awake, I see." He said in a mixed tone of sarcasm and sternness.

"Wha—What happened?" Pacifica's head spun violently after the mental torture Gulford put her through. Her thoughts and memories were scrambled.

"He's on his way. I'm referring to Dipper, of course."

The mention of his name snapped Pacifica's attention back into place. Tears welled up in her eyes.

Gulford rolled his eyes and walked over to the spot he left her. In a surprisingly accurate imitation, he said, "Oh Dipper, save me! Oh please. Before you start crying, I have a proposition for you."

"I don't want to hear—ah!" Pacifica felt a tinge of pain race through her head. The probing Gulford had done to her left lasting effects. Even so, she didn't want to give in to whatever games he had planned. Gulford, Bill, whoever he was, she wanted nothing more than to beat him senseless with her purse and leave.

He leaned forward, causing Pacifica to scoot as far back as she could. Eventually, her back was pressed against the dusty bookshelf. Despite the lack of energy, Pacifica felt her heart racing the closer the rich boy got to her. It felt like a piece of herself was stripped away every time they made eye-contact.

Since there was no place to go, she prepared herself for the worst. Gulford leaned in so close, their noses were nearly touching. His eyes, completely void of a soul, stared into her own.

"I have a proposition for you." He repeated, completely ignoring any attempt at brushing him off.

Pacifica scoffed. "What is it?", she asked.

"I know all about your suffering. As much as you try to hide it from everyone, I know that deep down you wish your family could reclaim their position in society. That was the last time everything felt normal to you. You want it back. You want your parents to be proud of you, to love you." He leaned in closer. Pacifica couldn't go back any further, so instead turned her head to avoid as much contact as possible.

Gulford continued, "I've been watching for some time, and now I finally get the picture. Here's my proposition: I want those journals. Numbers 1 through 3. If you get them for me, I will restore your family back to your original glory. All the money, attention, and pride that comes with it. And, as a bonus, I'll make sure your parents treat you like the daughter you always wanted to be considered. You'll be the perfect family, and all it will take are the journals."

The words sounded almost too good to be true. Getting handed everything the heart ever dreamed of surely would come with a caveat. Or, it wouldn't be as imagined. If it were anyone else telling her this, Pacifica would've thought they were crazy. But, she's seen the power Bill had. If she made a deal with him, like her father did before, they could get everything back.

Dipper already saw the real her when she was rich. If she returns to being such, his opinion wouldn't change. Neither would Mabel's. And while she knew Stan didn't care much for her, he would appreciate tons of donations to his home. It was a win-win.

The only problem was she knew of the power the journals possessed. She saw them in action and witnessed first hand how adamant Dipper was when it came to protecting and trusting them. She wondered what he would think if they fell into the wrong hands.

"What would you do with them?"

"Never you mind, young lady."

"I—" Pacifica stopped herself. She really wanted to try her luck with a relationship with her parents. Bill was right, she did secretly wish they would view her as a daughter and not a pawn. But, she couldn't risk everyone's lives. Pacifica bit her bottom lip and said, "I can't. . . You nearly killed us last time. There's no way I can trust you now. Now let me out of here before my parents have your head!"

An animalistic growl escaped Gulford's lips. He walked over to a bookshelf and scanned it before pulling an old book out. He spent less than five seconds flipping through the pages before landing on the correct one and showing it to Pacifica.

On the page were several drawings of symbols she didn't understand logically but connected with emotionally.

"This is. . ." She began.

"It's what would happen if you don't get me those journals. Any chance of happiness or a future will fade from existence, never to be seen again. But, if I do get them, I could fix everything."

"What do you mean fix? Last time you wanted to destroy the world."

"Desperate times. . . Weirdmageddon is long over. The war was won by you and your foolish friends. There's no reason for the journals to exist anymore, let alone be in the possession of those who don't understand their purpose. Get me the journals, Pacifica. You have nothing to worry about." Gulford's voice grew more unsettling, but convincing at the same time.

Pacifica felt a lump in her throat when she tried to swallow. She mentally battled herself over whether the deal was worth it. What Bill would gain didn't make much sense to her, but if he was being truthful — or at least held up his end of the deal, which he usually did — then she would be happy. All would be fine.

One handshake was all it would take. Then one of her life's biggest burdens would be lifted from her shoulders. Having accepting parents would also make a relationship with Dipper easier and more realistic.

"All right. . . I'll get you the journals." Pacifica said with confidence, believing that if something goes wrong Dipper could stop Bill again.

Gulford stepped forward. His eyes were a richer shade of blue, giving off their own light. He held out his hand which was surrounded in flames. "It's a deal, then."

Pacifica nodded and took his hand in hers. With one up-down movement, their deal was set.

At the exact moment, a shockwave was released from the Southeast Manor and spread to all corners of the country. Everyone, especially those in Gravity Falls, felt the impact of her deal. They didn't know what or when, but they knew something was horribly wrong.