Puppets of Fate

Chapter 5

On his way home, Dipper felt dizzy. Back when his body and mind had first been separated, the thought of stopping Bill to reclaim his body had been the only thing on his mind.

But now that he wasn't fighting anymore, he could finally see how big, empty and silent the Mindscape truly was.

As he arrived at the Shack, the first thing he heard were his sister's cries. He hurried back to the room. If it wasn't for the fact that Mabel wouldn't hear him, he would have shouted « I'm still here ! I'm not completely gone yet ! »

He entered the attic, and gazed upon his sister, crying between Stan's arms, as the old man tried to comfort her. Dipper felt his heart ache. He didn't want to see her like that. He wanted so badly to reassure her.

Unable to do anything, he could only watch. When his sister finally calmed down, someone knocked on the door. As Stan left the room, Dipper floated to his sister's side.

'Oink !'

It was Waddles, at the bottom of the bed, his head slightly leaning on one side. Dipper's eyes lit up.

Could Waddles see him ?

- Hey, Can you...hear me ?

- Oink !

- You can hear me ?! he repeated, shocked.

This time, no response.

- Waddles...?

- Oiiink... ! answered the pig as he tried to climb up to his owner.

Dipper realised that no, the pig couldn't see or hear him either. He started to laugh, nervously.

- Ha, Ha, Great...I'm starting to talk to pigs, now...

He looked at his sister as she let herself slide from the bed to sat on the floor next to her pig. She winced as her broken arm pushed against the bed's wood, and finally let out a sight.

- What am I going to do, Waddles ? I-...I know Grunkle Stan doesn't h-have a choice but... I don't want to leave Gravity Falls...

« Leave Gravity Falls ? » Dipper repeated.

Before he could process his sister's words, someone knocked on the door again. Candy and Grenda entered the room, carrying a single box.

- Hey, Mabel, Can...Can we come in ?

The young girl nodded, silent. She seemed completely exhausted. Grenda gently put the box near her.

- What's this ? Mabel asked.

- It's...It's all we were able to save from the fire...I'm sorry your night...didn't go as planned...

Hearing this, Mabel hesitated before opening the box.

Dipper was disappointed to see that there was no puppets. A few props, the keyboard, a few costume...and Dipper's clothes.

He turned to his sister, worried. She was shaking as she took his hat in her hand. Tears were already coming up again, she bit her lips to keep herself from crying

Then she dropped the hat on the ground, rubbing her eyes. Her eyes were sore, she simply didn't have enough strength to break down again.

- ....I...We're sorry, Mabel, we shouldn't ha-

- No...It...It's not your fault...I'll...I'll see you later...thanks...

One could easily tell she wasn't being sincere. As Grenda and Candy left, Dipper decided to stick with his sister. Nothing would stop him from watching over her. He followed her as she went down to have dinner.

Everything was silent. Even when they finished eating, it took a few moments before Stan decided to speak with her again, asking her not to rush herself, that she would have plenty of time to pack her things. Not a single word was heard from her throughout the evening.

Dipper couldn't stop feeling guilty, having placed his twin in this situation to begin with.

As Mabel went to bed, he stayed by her side. Her grief had completely drained her energy, but it still kept her awake. That and of course her broken arm.

Dipper hoped, that by staying close, she would feel his presence, be reassured he was there and fall asleep without being tormented by her feelings. That's all he could do right now. Hope.

When she finally drifted off, he felt relieved. He could put his mind to something else.

His sister's words echoed through his mind.

« I don't want to leave Gravity Falls

This couldn't be happening. Mabel was going to leave. In his current state, he wouldn't be able to follow a car all the way to California. But what could he do ? The mere thought of his twin going home alone made his heart ache. They had never really been apart before. But how was he to prove anyone that he wasn't gone ?

The puppets had burned, he had to find another way to communicate with his sister.

He dug through his mind, looking for a clue, anything to find the solution to his situation.

The only lead he found were Bill's mocking words :

« Without a 'vessel' to possess, you're basically a ghost ! »

A ghost... The first thing that came into his mind was the memory of the haunted grocery store.

Maybe the ghost he met there would see him, and show him how to communicate with the living !

It was worth the try.

He gazed at his sister, not wanting to leave her alone. But it was for his family's sake.

- Mabel, I'm sorry I put us in this mess. I'm going to fix everything, I promise you.

She wouldn't hear him, but he didn't care, leaving the house not wanting to waste any time. He was making this promise to her, and to himself.

He was going to fix everything.