Gravity Rises (S3)

MV: Part Twelve

Dipper had been bored in Geneva's closet, but that was preferable to the panic he felt now. Ford was in danger, and they had to get to him immediately. "So what are we going to do?" Dipper asked Gideon. "How are we going to find him?"

Gideon hunched up his shoulders as if they would form a protective shell around him. "I know exactly where he is," he said. "That's not the problem."

There were lots of problems right now, so Dipper didn't know why Gideon was talking like there was just one. "Okay," he said, "then why don't we just go after him? You with the amulet, me with the grappling hook, and then we'll both have a stun gun, and—"

"They know I'm here," Gideon said. His face was pale in the dim light of Mabel's moon, and his posture and the look on his face reminded Dipper of Mabel. It was the look she got when she wanted to run away and hide under a blanket. "They saw me, Dipper. They know how to fight against kids with amulets; a few of them have been here since my father had it at my age. I know where Ford is, but they know that I know, and they'll catch me before I can ever get to him."

"Well, they don't know I'm here," Dipper said. "You have me on your side, Gideon. We can go down together and use—"

"No," Gideon said, interrupting Dipper once more. Dipper was used to being interrupted (and to interrupting others), but it was still rather annoying. "You need to stay with the perytons," Gideon said. "Someone has to be ready to help Ford get on one of their backs and hold him there, in case he can't sit up on his own."

"Why wouldn't he be able to sit up on his own?" Dipper asked in alarm.

"Because the servants know exactly how to hurt you to get the effect they want!" There was a frantic look in Gideon's eyes, like a frightened animal. "He won't have the strength to walk or do much else once they're done with him. I'll probably have to levitate him onto a peryton, and you'll have to be there to hold him on."

"But you can't go by yourself," Dipper said. "I won't stay behind, either! He's my uncle!"

"Keep your voice down," Gideon hissed. "The servants could come up here any moment to interrogate my parents."

Dipper glared at him. Then his mind processed what he'd said. "Your parents. Why don't we ask Geneva to go down there and try to stop them from hurting him?"

Gideon shook his head. "They wouldn't listen. They might even hurt her if she tried. And my father has already made it clear that he won't help us." He let out a long breath. "It's a miracle he's not working against us."

"Then I'm coming with you," Dipper said. "They're expecting you, but they're not expecting me or Mabel's grappling hook. Same with the stun guns."

Gideon pursed his lips. "They have a stun gun, too," he said. "They took Ford's when they kidnapped him. They'll be able to see you and shoot you, and I can't levitate you and Ford at the same time if you fall unconscious. And who's going to help Ford onto the perytons?"

At that, Dipper felt Marigold the peryton gently interject with her thoughts. It was true that a human had to help Ford stay on the perytons, especially if they were making a quick getaway; but why not have one of the boys get on first, and then help Ford on?

"Exactly," Dipper said, patting Marigold's neck. "And who's to say he'll even need help? Ford's a strong guy."

"We have to prepare for the worst, Dipper," Gideon said. "That's what happens at this place."

Dipper wasn't sure how to respond to that. He studied Gideon, who looked highly uncomfortable under his gaze. "Is there something you're not telling me?" Dipper asked.