You Thought Wrong

Escape?

I recognize the dreamscape the second I enter it. As I suspected, Ford isn't here. But I remember how to bring him here. If he is asleep I can summon him to my mind.

I have journal 3 memorized and I remember most of 1 and 2. If I recall correctly, page 18 of journal 2 explains how. I stumble over the words. On the 8th try I get it right. Ford shimmers into my mind. Its like a sketchy TV connection.

"Grunkle Ford!" I yell. He squints at me.

"Who-? Dipper? Oh my gosh! How did you let me in your mind?" He asks. I can't helping beaming with self pride.

"Journal 2, page 18. But that doesn't matter right now. Grunkle Ford, I know where I am! He's keeping me under your lab!" I blurt. He recoils in shock.

"But, how did you? I don't understand." He makes a face.

"He thought I was, uhm, asleep. He hears thoughts so he can't tell when he's thinking or speaking. There isn't much time. I can't hold you here much longer. Please, Grunkle Ford. I can't take this anymore. He's, he's changing me. Please." Tears roll down my cheeks. Then I feel him.

"Bill! He's here!" I whisper. Ford disappeared almost instantly. Bill came into view not five seconds later.

"Hya Pinetree. Whatcha doing here? I thought you always try to hide in that little room you made? Not that I'm complaining. We never get to talk." Bill booms, growing ten times in size and glowing red. I miss the safety of the little room. I can see it, past Bill. If I run I might make it. If not, he can't make it much worse than he already is going to. I feign left then dart under his legs and sprint for the safety of the room. An hourglass forms around me. I'm on the bottom and sand forms around my feet and falls into my hair. The door is only a few feet away. I was so close, but not close enough. I turn around.  Bill is checking his nails. He looks up as if he didn't see me before.

"Pinetree, this is getting old, so I'll make you an offer. We can play this game of cat and mouse and when I catch you, we'll play a new game, a fun game that I don't think you'll like. Or you can calmly sit down and we can talk. Up to you." he dismissively waves his hand. The room is right there but he could catch me on the way. My only hope as far as I see is that he means it. I sit down cross legged.

"Good Pinetree, see? That wasn't so hard, now was it." Bill cackled. Then he stared at literally nothing, to our side. Literally nothing is there.

"Someone get the flex tape. We're breaking the fourth wall." He said mysteriously.

"The what?" I ask.