Forest of Riddles (Reverse Falls, S1)

SBP: Part Five

And so, over the next couple of days, it seemed like Gideon was rarely home. All he did was spend time with Mabel, which did leave Pacifica plenty of time to figure out her list. (Unfortunately, she was getting nowhere without the journal.)

Gideon, on the other hand, was starting to get suspicious of the amount of times Mabel wanted to see him.

~

There was one afternoon where Mabel led him to an abandoned warehouse at the edge of town. The two were sitting on the roof, gazing over the town, when Mabel spoke.

"These last few days have been wonderful," she said, giving him a bright smile. "I've gotten to know you a lot."

"Yeah!" Gideon said enthusiastically. "It's cool how you know the owner of the diner!"

"Oh, he's friends with my family." Mabel waved that away. "Anyway . . . since we've gotten so close, I have a question."

"Go ahead." Gideon looked at the town below him as he waited for Mabel's question.

"Would you go on a date with me, Gideon?"

Gideon paused.

"A - date?" he repeated. "Like - a playdate?"

Mabel shook her head.

"A shopping date?"

Mabel shook her head again, and then she took Gideon's hands into her own. "No, I mean a real date! I know another restaurant we can go to - the owner knows my family. How about tomorrow at six, what do you say? I don't have a show tomorrow."

Gideon glanced at her uncomfortably. She looked so happy and pleading that he couldn't possibly refuse . . .

"I guess," he said slowly. "Only one date?"

"Until we see how it goes, only one date," Mabel agreed. "So, tomorrow at six?"

"I mean -" Gideon looked at his hands, and then back at Mabel. "I guess?"

Mabel's eyes lit up, and she wrapped Gideon in an embrace. "Oh, thank you, Gideon!" she exclaimed. "You've made me so  -"

"Wait," Gideon interrupted. "Are you playing with my hair?"

~

The next evening found Gideon and Pacifica playing video games in the living room. Pacifica currently had a winning streak against Gideon, and the distraction provided a relief for both of them.

"I didn't want to let her down," Gideon said, keeping his eyes focused on the screen. "She looked so happy to ask me, I couldn't turn her down."

Pacifica sighed, shaking her head. "She's going to fall in love with you."

Unfortunately, Pacifica lost her winning streak by the time six rolled around. Then Gideon ran off to remind Priscilla of his plans, and Pacifica was left alone in the living room.

Her thoughts wandered back to the journal that was probably hidden somewhere. She was still annoyed at Ford for taking it when she had just found it, but then again, it was his.

Soon the doorbell rang, but Pacifica paid no attention to it as she turned off the TV and tucked away the gaming supplies. She didn't even acknowledge the door opening until she heard a stern voice.

Pacifica stiffened.

Ford.

Had Ford answered the door?

Was Mabel at the door?

Oh no oh no oh no -

Pacifica dropped the remote control in her hand and slowly poked her head out of the living room doorway. Sure enough, Ford was standing in front of the door.