Dipper Pines is dead.

Chapter 1: Rewind

Mabel stumbled out of the city bus into the stifling Oregon summer. Her mind felt clouded, hazy like the early morning. There was something she couldn't quite remember and it nagged at her; she'd forgotten someone important. The weight of her luggage slumped onto her back as she stood rooted in place, devoid of joy. Moisture dappled her cheeks, her eyes felt warm. Mabel lifted a shaking palm to her face wondering why. Why am I crying? Why… do I feel like I've lost something… I...I-

She was cut off from her brooding, a momentary flight in her normally amiable personality, by someone stumbling past her on the sidewalk. He was tall, comparatively speaking, and wore ratty clothes. She might have thought him attractive but something in the back of her mind screamed 'keep away'.

He'd tried to smooth talk her and she could tell he was being flirty. "No thanks," she responded hurriedly, "I have to get to my great uncles before he starts worrying about me."

Mabel quickly grabbed her belongings and sped away. When she glanced back she saw an angry expression. One of his hands fell off and she freaked out even more.

Grunkle Stan, he insisted she call him that, seemed nice enough for a grumpy old codger. Wendy was great, and Soos was one cool 'dood'. She hummed happily to herself all the way up the stairs and into the attic room. Something just felt so familiar, so homey about the space. Her mood picked up, back to its cheerful self. When she reached the old door something like anticipation crawled in her stomach. Somehow she knew what lay beyond, just barely able to picture it.

Mabel flung the door open with an excited giggle and busied herself with her side of the space. "This is going to be the best summer ever, right D-" The name died on her tongue. What had she been about to say again? What was with that 'my half' too? It's not like I have anyone to share it with.

She let her shoulders slump as she dropped onto her made up bed, eyes drawn to the empty, unmade mattress on the other side. Mabel grabbed her sweater sleeves, tears once again springing to life on her face. The world hazed and blurred. The laugh of a young boy filled her room, ethereal and staticy, like she was hearing it through a wall. A distorted picture of a youth, her age and very similar in appearance was sitting on the other bed. It was made up and there was all of his belongings. When she looked at him her heart broke.

"Hey Mabel, I- Woah, kid are you okay."

Her head snapped to the doorway where her Grunkle stood, looking very concerned, though he quickly tried to hide it. "Hu?" Why had he asked her that? She couldn't remember what she'd just been doing, looking down at the sheets on her bed, wrinkling the fabric between her fingers.

"If this is a bad time, I'll come back later."

"No!" She reached an arm out, desperate not to be alone again… Again? She couldn't explain what this sadness was nor why she felt it, but she did know one thing, she was never meant to be alone. "Please stay."

Grunkle Stan paused a moment glancing back down the stairs awkwardly before slowly making his way over and sitting down on the bed next to her. "Do you want to talk abou- Uff." Mabel had latched onto his waist and began crying again, letting out what she didn't realize she'd been holding in. "Well, I think I know what this is all about. Upset at your parents for sending you away for the summer, hu? Parents are the worst sometimes, but hey, at least you get to spend time with your Grunkle Stan!"

Mabel sniffed a few times. She'd only just met the old man and was already feeling comforted by what he'd said. "Yeah, thank you Grunkle Stan."