Puppets of Fate

Chapter 6

Dipper hadn't realised how long it had taken for Mabel to fall asleep. It was Moonset by the time he finally found his way back to the store.

The place was empty He still remembered that night. Back when he pretended to be 13 just to impress and hang out with Wendy and her friends. As far as he knew, no one had dared coming back to this store ever since the whole mess with the ghosts had happened. But now, it wasn't time to back down...

Without hesitation, he entered the store through the walls. At least it was easier than entering through the vents.

« Hello ? Is someone there ? »

No answer. He started roaming through the aisles,

« Anyone ? »

Clang !

Startled by the sudden sound, Dipper turned around. Only to be disappointed when his eyes fell on the empty can now rolling on the floor. No ghost, only a mess.

Hoping the ghost would show up, he decided to wait.

An hour later, there were still no sign of ghost activity. Where were they ? The sun would rise soon, and he didn't want to take any risk, fearing that by sunlight, there wouldn't be any ghost left.

That's when it he remembered :

The cemetery ! Why hadn't he thought of that sooner ? Surely the place was crawling with ghosts ! He hurried outside, giving the "Dusk 2 Dawn" a last glance before leaving.

When he reached his destination, it was almost dawn. He had barely any time left before the sun would rise. First, there was nothing.

He believed to be too late, until he heard whispers all around him. Dipper then realised he was surrounded by ghost. Several of them he remembered documented in the journal. Categories 1, 2, a few 5. To his relief, no Category 10, probably for the best.

There were less ghost than tombstones, though. The rest had probably returned to their graves already.

It was now or never if he wanted to speak with them. Dipper made his way until he reached the middle of the cemetery and shouted :

« Excuse me ! Can any of you help me out ? I'm looking for a way to be seen by my family. »

As soon as his question was asked, he waited patiently for an answer, hoping that the others ghost wouldn't be jerks to him. Only...

There were no answer. Maybe he didn't speak loud enough ?

« Er...Excuse me ? » he repeated as he approached one of the ghost, who was beating up another one.

Both of them didn't even acknowledge the young boy. Fear crawled back through Dipper. He kept trying, his voice going louder and louder

« Can you hear me ? »

« Anyone ? »

« Please answer me !! »

« I need help to go back to my family ! Please !!

« Help me !! »

« Anyone !? »

But...Nobody ever answered his call. None of them seemed able to see or hear him. He could only watch as they made their way back to their tombstones, as the sun rose behind them.

« W-Wait !! »

« N-No ! Come back !! »

« Don't leave ! Stay ! »

« Please... »

« Don't leave me...Alone. »

Before he even realised it, they were all gone. Dipper look down on his hands, shaking. What had Bill done to him ? He wasn't only invisible to his family and friends, but to ghost as well ? What did that even mean ? What would he do now ?

He couldn't help but let out a nervous laugh. But he wasn't amused. He was terrified. It couldn't end like this. There had to be someone, anyone, anything that would be able to see him. He had tried with humans. But what about the others creatures of the town ?

The sun had risen as he went into the forest. He would not let it go, this was the only thing on his mind.

Hours passed.

He traveled through towns, caves, cliffs, the lake, the entire forest.

He tried to be heard by gnomes. He tried to be heard by Manotaurs.

In vain.

Desperate, he tried to reach to any sort of creature that he came across. There had to be someone.

But it was still in vain.

One by one, all of his hopes had been shattered. Nothing was working. Realising he didn't have any idea left on what to do, he panicked.

When he finally managed to calm himself, he realised how deep in the forest he had gotten himself. Where even was he ?

What was he supposed to do now ? Bill had told him he couldn't be heard without a vessel. But where would he find one ? Mabel had no puppet left near her. And it's not like he could possess others, he was no demon.

Dipper shook his head. The mere thought of stealing someone else's body made him sick.

He had no way of stopping Mabel from leaving town now...

Mabel !

The young boy had lost track of time in his desperation. He looked up to the sky only to be horrified when he realised he was already noon. Finding his way back would take time as well. He rushed through the wood, hoping he would find his way back before Mabel left Gravity Falls...