A/N Today's the day! New episode! I probably won't see it for at least another week but it's so good to know the hiatus is finally over!
Thanks to my wonderful reviewers are in order...
RockSunner: I'm glad you're still enjoying this! Thanks for being a faithful reviewer!
shootingstar34: Intense was what I was going for so, yay! Yeah, the Wraiths are pretty relentless. As for Other Dipper's thoughts in "Made Me Realize" it might take a while, so please be patient, despite having that one plotted out in my head, I've got a bit of the writer's block on that one too. Plus I've learned that focusing on one story at a time helps with the momentum. I think I got a little carried away posting that when I did.
That 'Inactive' Afliction: Welcome to my fic! I'm really glad you're enjoying it! Thanks for the review!
TMNTKittySidekick01: Oh dear, please don't send Bill Cipher my way! Here, have an update! Thanks as always for the review!
Extreme Light 9: Thanks for the review!
The Last Deathly Guardian: I'm glad the intensity of the last chapter worked! Bill is such a scoundrel for taking so long, isn't he? I guess he was 'ahem' busy or something. Hopefully all your questions will be answered in due time. Thanks for the review!
gravityfalls22: Don't blame Bill for taking so long, for all we know he was being attacked by a bowl of salsa, very hazardous when you're a floating Dorito. Oh so many questions! Yay! As I said to TLDG (above), they will be answered in due time... maybe...muahaha! Yeah, I put poor Mabel in quite the situation, caught between a rock and a hard place, the ultimate catch-22 and all that. Yay title relevance! I'm sure with all these hard choices she's being forced to make, even the most innocuous decision will start to have her ackin' all cray-cray. (At the diner with Lazy Susan: Did you want soup or salad with your meal? Mabel: AHHHHH! Lazy Susan: What? It was just a question!) I love your review, (as always, they're awesome) but this one is so quotable, like the critic's blurbs on movie posters: "I feel like I've been shoved onto a crazy roller caster that just stopped when I finished reading!" gravityfalls22 Most quotable compliment ever! I literally LOL'd and squeed with joy! Thanks my friend! I feel like I have more to say but I'm forgetting what it was at the moment. Love our email exchanges. You have become my rock and truly have helped keep me motivated even when my brain goes blank whenever I'm at my laptop trying to lose the writer's block.
NinNin618: Yeah, sorry about the delay. Writer's block. Grrrrrr! I'm really glad you're enjoying this! I hope it's worth the wait!
tumblrgirl3D: Wow, thanks so much for the huge compliment! Welcome to the fic! I feel honoured that you consider this a favourite! I'm really glad you like this so much and I hope this update is worth the wait! Thanks for your interest in the fanfiction challenge by the way! So far you're the only one, but that's alright! I hope to get at least a couple of more people on board before I get started, but hey, maybe interest will pick up? We'll see. Either way, I think it should be fun!
KTDLover: Hey, better late than never! I'm glad you liked that chapter, even though it was a little dark. Will letting Stan in on the secret pay off? Stay tuned to find out! Thanks for the review!
Kayleigh1789: Of course I remember you! Thanks for your reviews here and for "Made Me Realize"! And I'm sure I've seen you around reviewing as a guest before at some point? Anyway, thanks for taking the time to read my stories and I'm glad you're enjoying them!
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Well, that's it for now! If I missed anyone I apologise! And if you're 'quietly' following this, please give me a shout! I would love to hear from you! It's cool to know who all is out there reading this! Guest reviews are always welcome, so don't feel like you can't if you don't have an account either! I know you're out there!
Anyway, after all I put poor Mabel through last chapter, I feel she deserves a bit of a break. So without futher ado, here's the next chapter!
Enjoy!
Reprieve
Mabel wakes up an hour or so later with a muted groan, she blinks her eyes open to see Dipper and Grunkle Stan by her side, speaking in hushed tones about something she can't quite make out, but the moment she shows signs of waking they're on alert. She whimpers when she tries to move, the pain in her chest flaring unexpectedly.
"Mabel," Dipper breathes, "welcome back. How are you feeling?"
"I h-hurt everywhere," she replies, clutching at her chest weakly, "it…kinda hurts to breathe." Dipper's eyes widen with worry and she quickly adds, "But it's not as bad as before. D-did anyone get the n-number for that t-truck that obviously ran me over?" she forces a grin, trying to be more like her old self but it's clearly not working. Probably because of the shakiness in her voice and almost manic, trying-to-laugh-to-keep-from-crying delivery. She glances over at the other side of the room, relieved to see nothing but an empty hospital bed, but the faintest scent of sulphur in the air makes her tense with paranoia.
Your brother's going to burn…
She squeezes her eyes shut, trying to will herself to forget the attack, but the memory hits her like a tidal wave and she rolls onto her side in a ball, tucking her arms to her chest and resting her clenched fists over her mouth as she releases a soft sob. Dipper gently rests his hand on her upper arm, "Are they…?"
"Th-they're gone for n-now, b-b-but…" she whimpers helplessly, "I don't know what to do…it's hopeless…they'll just be back and then…I'm not…not strong enough to h-hold on much longer and…" she stops, realizing that she's on the verge of saying too much and that the only thing she's accomplishing is scaring her family. She turns her head towards her pillow, hiding her face as she chokes back a sob. Pull yourself together, Mabel! You're freaking them out!
"Don't talk like that," Dipper tells her encouragingly, "you're one of the strongest people I know, and it's not hopeless. You have to believe that sis."
"I'm trying," she says, "but…I just d-don't know anymore." She winces and looks up at him, "I have to get out of here."
Dipper frowns, clearly conflicted about that issue and he turns to Stan and then back to Mabel, "I know, I get it but…" he sighs, "Grunkle Stan…?"
She gets the impression that Dipper and Stan talked about this already while she was sleeping, but she can't tell where they stand on the issue and she wonders if Dipper told Stan yet what was going on. But then she doubts for a moment whether she gave him permission to or not, she remembers saying he could but then again, she could've dreamt it. She rolls onto her back and tries to sit up but the pain in her chest has her trembling and she doesn't get very far. Her quivering arms quickly give out and she collapses to her pillow but Dipper makes no move to assist, instead he silently motions her to relax. He hits the controls to adjust the bed so she's more in a sitting position.
"Better?" he asks and she nods sheepishly.
"Dipper, do us a favour and get the nurses, see if they can give Mabel something for the pain," Stan cuts in, "you look like you're really hurtin' kid."
"Y-yeah…" Mabel reluctantly agrees, but she's not sure how much help painkillers would be. If anything they'd only make her drowsy and vulnerable again, besides, what good is modern medicine when it's her soul that's injured the most?
"But…"
"No buts Dipper, I'd kinda like to talk to Mabel alone for a bit, all right?"
He hesitates, a strange expression crossing his face.
"Go. We should be fine for a few minutes, right?" he sighs, "Can you trust me with this?"
Dipper frowns and does as he's told leaving Mabel and Stan alone.
"What's wrong?" Mabel asks, glancing back and forth between them. "Dipper mad at you?"
"Don't worry about it kiddo," Stan waves her off, "he's just struggling to make sense of everything. The past couple of days…been hard on all of us."
Mabel buries her face in her hands, whimpering, "I know, I'm sorry…"
"Whoa, don't be sorry, Mabel," Stan protests, "we just want you to get better is all. Stop talking like everything that's happened is your fault, because it's not." He takes off his glasses to pinch the bridge of his nose, and she can see the stress is taking its toll on him. His eyes are sad and distant as he puts his glasses back on, and gets lost in thought for a moment before he sighs, giving her a small smile, patting her on the knee, "If anyone's to blame, it's me. I am so sorry sweetie for what I put you kids through I just…aw dammit…I never wanted you kids to get hurt."
"I know," Mabel replies quietly, "you just wanted your brother back and I…I stopped that from happening…because of me and my choice I..." I should have trusted you but…if I did then… she glances to the other bed, though to Grunkle Stan it looks as though she's merely avoiding his gaze, she closes her eyes with a quiet whimper when she sees a quick wisp of smoke, "It's my fault and I'm so sorry…"
"No, I should have told you kids what was going on, maybe things would've been different," Stan shakes his head, "or better yet, maybe I should've refused to let your parents send you kids to Gravity Falls in the first place. Then neither of you would've gotten hurt..."
"Don't say that Grunkle Stan!"
"But it's true… I knew activating the Portal would be dangerous, but I never thought…the last thing I wanted was for you kids to…dammit, dammit, dammit!" his eyes glisten and he looks away, wiping at his eyes and Mabel's taken aback with how much raw emotion he's allowed to slip through his gruff exterior. Stan clenches and unclenches his fists and frowns, "Dipper told me what's going on with you, what happened earlier…"
Mabel goes quiet, clutching at the invisible wound on her chest. Bill managed to close the wound in her dream, but he didn't heal it completely; she could still feel it throbbing deep within and not for the first time she wonders—What did they do to me?
"A-and…?" she asks hesitantly.
"Are you sure the thing that attacked you was a Wraith?"
"D-do you know about Wr-wraiths?"
"A little," he admits, avoiding looking her in the eye, "Are you sure that's what attacked you?"
"I'm sure," she replies, glancing at the other bed and squeezing her eyes shut when the faint wisp of smoke takes shape and empty smoke-filled eyes glare menacingly at her.
There's no escaping us little one…
"Did it latch onto you as a host?" he asks. Mabel bites her lip, looking at her hand so she could avoid his gaze, at the slight bruising peeking from under the tape keeping her IV in place from where she had pulled it out before. She doesn't know how to answer that, not anymore, not since this latest attack. "Mabel, this is very important, OK?" he says, his voice even and completely serious, "Did it latch onto you as a host?"
"I…I don't know," she replies, "I don't think so but…"
Grunkle Stan leans forward, removes his glasses again and runs his hand up and down his face, knocking his fez off his head but he makes no move to pick it up, instead he just combs his fingers through his grey and white hair, and heaves a weary sigh. "OK…" he exhales shakily, nodding as he sweeps his hand over the floor to retrieve his fez, "OK…" he puts his fez back on and nods again, "Yeah…OK."
"Grunkle Stan?"
He pauses, regarding her for a moment, "Don't worry kiddo, Dipper and I have a plan."
"D-do you know how to get rid of them?"
"Them? More than one?"
"Uh…it? Maybe? Sometimes I think there's just one, but then I hear it/them talk and it always says 'we' and 'us' so I'm not sure."
Stan nods dismissively, "OK, well it, them, whatever…we have a plan. Stanley's journals don't give a lot of information on this thing, as far as I know anyway, I've never done much more than skim those journals of his. It doesn't matter anyway, because I…" he pauses, his eyes going distant for a moment before he shakes it off and continues, "there's some things we can try to keep it…them away from you…provided it hasn't latched onto you."
"What if it's too late? Wh-what if they already have?"
Before he can answer Dipper walks in, along with a nurse. She looks Mabel over, marks something onto her chart and frowns when checking her vitals. "How are you feeling, Mabel?"
"I'm OK," she replies quietly, "better now."
"That's good, but your brother says you're in pain?"
"My…my chest hurts, it hurts when I move or breathe but…" There's not much you can do about that…
"Well, your pulse is still pretty high, and your BP is still quite low, but they're at the same levels as when you first came in. It's not good but it's better than it was earlier," the nurse says, "I'll relay this to the doctor and see what we can do about the pain."
"OK," Mabel nods.
"How about your ankle?"
"It's fine," she shrugs, having almost forgotten about it with so much more important things going on. But now that the nurse mentioned it she can feel it throb, and she knows that she made it worse during the gravity anomaly this morning but compared to everything else, she may as well have been asking about a paper cut.
"Well, make sure you stay off it, OK?"
"I don't exactly have the energy to go anywhere anyway so, no problem," she replies with a weak grin and an unenthusiastic thumbs up. The nurse smiles and leaves.
"Dipper, I'm not finished talking to Mabel could you uh…?" Stan tilts his head towards the door, "I won't be long."
"Uh, sure," Dipper frowns, turning to Mabel who nods.
"Maybe you could check on…you know…"
"Um…right," Dipper perks up slightly, grinning at Mabel before leaving.
Mabel glances curiously at her Grunkle, "Am I missing something?"
"What? No, nothing," he replies quickly.
She frowns, knowing he's lying but sees no point on dwelling on it. "So what's the plan? Am I getting out of here then?"
Stan rolls his eyes at her, "Nice try, sweetie. But no. Not yet."
"But I'm…"
"Look, I know that you don't feel like you're safe here, and I get it," Stan says, "believe me I get it. See that's kind of the problem. If you're sick because of something supernatural, then the doctors aren't gonna be able to fix ya. But, that said, especially after that attack earlier, it's handy having them around. I don't want to know how bad off you'd be without them because their treatments are at the very least helping ease your symptoms. Besides, I'm sure your parent's would have my head on a silver platter if I tried checking you out without the go-ahead from the doc. I know that you feel vulnerable to more attacks here for some reason, but like I said, Dipper and I have a plan."
"And what's that?"
"The journals have a few protection spells, some are for specific things, but some are powerful and can ward of almost any kind of spirit," he says.
"Almost?"
"Most," he clarifies, "and we're going to put all of them in place. One of them's bound to work. Those Wraiths or whatever ain't gonna touch you anymore, not if we can help it."
"It's kind of weird," Mabel muses, "seeing you talk about spells and the journals when most of the summer you denied anything weird and paranormal even existed."
"Kid, me and my brother had been looking into weird things like that since before you were even a concept," he tells her, "you and Dipper call yourself the Mystery twins? Meet one half of the original Mystery Twins."
"Really?" she raises a brow, surprised by this revelation.
"Oh sure, when we were your age we used to…." He pauses, his eyes getting misty with sadness, nostalgia and grief and she has to look away from shame and guilt. Stan continues, "I wasn't as into it as my brother was, but I know a thing or two. So long as those things haven't latched onto you as a host, you're going to be fine..."
"S-so what do we do if they have?"
He hesitates, his expression darkening as he thinks carefully about his answer and she knows that he doesn't have an answer, because he doesn't know. Or maybe he does know but it's bad…very bad. It's hopeless, there's nothing they can do, nothing will work…she thinks.
"Then we'll figure out a plan B," he replies, "but you should be fine, kid. I don't think you have anything to be worried about."
Then why do you look so scared, Grunkle Stan?
"There's just one thing that bugs me though," Stan continues hesitantly.
"What's that?"
"OK two things," he corrected himself, "how did they get through the portal, and why you, kid? Dipper says you told him that you think you saw them when you looked into the portal, but the door never fully opened, they shouldn't have been able to get through. Makes no sense. And why you? Are you absolutely sure it's a Wraith that's been attacking you?"
Mabel sighs, "I'm sure that's what it is. Th-the journal describes them perfectly as I saw them. As for the rest, I…I don't know. I think it's because I was the closest target."
"This doesn't make sense. From what I can tell, they can't even survive very long without a host, and yet you're still you so if they did latch on to ya…" he frowns, "something doesn't seem right. Something is off about this whole thing. Last time…"
Mabel perks up as Stan abruptly cuts himself off as though he realizes he said too much, "Wait…Grunkle Stan, you dealt with these things before?"
He sighs, "Maybe?"
"What happened? How did you stop them?"
"Let's just say it didn't end very well," Stan replies, avoiding her gaze before he quickly adds, "but I didn't really know what I was doing at the time. I didn't even have a journal to help me with it, not that they have much information to work with in the first place but… things were different last time. Worse. There's no reason to think that this will end in disaster this time around though."
Mabel sinks into her pillow, feeling defeated, "You're just saying that. We both know it's hopeless."
"Don't say that," Grunkle Stan snaps gently, "like I said, things are different this time around. Now that I think about it, my guess is that the reason things are so different is because for whatever reason, you've been able to resist them. Demons can't possess people without permission, so they resort to whatever means they can to get what they want."
"They keep telling me to let go," Mabel admits, "I won't do it and it's making them angry. I think…I think that's why they keep attacking me." She wraps her arms around herself, grasping lightly at her aching chest, trembling from the weight of everything. She sniffs, feeling a tear fall down her cheek as she lowers her eyes. What did they do to me?
"Dammit kid…" he sighs shaking his head with awe and sympathy, "I know it's a lot to deal with but…we can work with this. I don't know why they're gunning for you so badly but they wouldn't be fighting so hard to get you if they've latched onto you so it's not hopeless. Not yet," he smirks sadly, "you're a Pines, and us Pines are tough as nails, it takes a lot to knock us down and we always get back up again. You keep fighting them sweetie with all you have. Leave the rest to Dipper and me…"
"What if your plan doesn't work?"
"Hey," Stan says firmly, cupping his hand under her chin, "Mabel, look at me." He gently turns her head towards him, "Do you trust me?" Stan asks sincerely, and she slowly lifts her gaze to look him in the eyes. She can see raw grief and pain in them, but also stone cold determination. She blinks back tears and nods. "Good. Because those things are going down. No one hurts my niece and gets away with it. No one. If Plan A doesn't work, we go on to Plan B, if that doesn't work…we ain't giving up, kid. Never."
"Thanks," she murmurs, "but…I'm so tired. I don't think I'm st-strong enough…"
"Sure you are," Stan scoffs, "don't let them trick you into thinking you're weak. From everything I've ever learned about demons and ghosts, they'll do whatever they can to wear you down. They hurt and manipulate and try to convince you that the only way out is surrender. They lie. Keep your head up, kiddo, keep being the strong, optimistic and courageous girl I know you are. Don't let them win."
"I'll try," she replies quietly, but she doesn't sound convincing, not even to her own ears. She wants to be that girl he just described, but a deep emptiness grips her tight and she's not sure that she can anymore.
Grunkle Stan just sadly looks at her a moment, pats her on the knee and steps away, "OK."
Mabel glances at the table by her bed and notices Journal #2 sitting there, "Hey uh, Grunkle Stan, can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"I know you said you only skimmed these journals but…I'm wondering if maybe you know anything about…" she grabs the journal and flips through it until she finds the page she's looking for, "About this? Dipper and I came across it when we were outside and well...do you know anything about what it might mean?" She shows him the page with Bill Cipher and the symbols and Grunkle Stan's face instantly darkens. It kind of throws her off guard, "Grunkle Stan?"
"What do you want to know?" he asks, his voice thick and grim.
"Well uh…what's up with these symbols? Dipper and I kinda noticed that some of these look familiar. Like this one looks like your fez, this is the same symbol on Dipper's hat and this is the same design as my favourite sweater, and…"
"Coincidence," he shrugs dismissively, and she's not sure if he seriously thinks so or if he's just saying that and knows far more than he's willing to share.
Mabel frowns, "Pretty crazy coincidence if you ask me. What about this guy in the middle?"
"I don't know much about him but what I can tell you is that if you ever see him, run. Run the other way and don't look back. Don't talk to him, don't listen to him and never ever let him trick you into dealing with him, OK?" he says firmly, his voice dark with a quiet rage. "Why do you ask?"
"Uh…"
"Mabel, have you seen him?"
She nods, "Um, yeah."
"When?"
"Well…the first time I saw him was when Gideon summoned him," Mabel murmurs.
"Wait, he's been summoned?" Stan exclaims.
"Yeah. He used him to invade your mind to get the code for your safe, shortly before he stole the Shack," Mabel explains, "Dipper, Soos and I stopped him though…"
Stan narrows his eyes, "I thought I was just having a messed up dream...it all makes sense now..." He shakes his head, "This isn't good, once he's been summoned he's hard to get rid of…you haven't seen him since have you?"
"Um…" Mabel is surprised to see the quiet panic building up in her Grunkle and she's not sure how to answer that. Well, he possessed Dipper and hurt him while trying to get his journal from him…and not to be outdone I kinda made a deal with him too…that's kind of where my Wraith problem comes in because there's two timelines now and…
Grunkle Stan shakes his head, "Nevermind, one problem at a time. If you ever see him again, remember what I said. Don't give him the time of day, got it?"
"Uh yeah," Mabel nods, relieved that he doesn't expect an answer. "Grunkle Stan, what did he do?"
"Don't worry about him, kiddo, just focus on getting better and fighting those Wraiths, they're the bigger problem," Stan gives her a forced smile, "this guy's not important right now. Gideon's the one who was stupid enough to summon him, let him worry about it, OK?"
"But what about these symbols? What does…?"
"Coincidence."
Denial's not just a river in Egypt Grunkle Stan, what aren't you telling me? Mabel feels her heart and her breath quicken as she thinks about it. It's hopeless…what am I going to do? What am I going to do? She winces in pain as her chest throbs with each frantic breath and she can feel an actual anxiety attack coming on.
"Mabel," Stan soothes, catching onto her panic as his eyes glance at the monitor, "Calm down, deep breaths, don't freak out now," he speaks in an even tone as he takes the journal and closes it, "one problem at a time. This guy's just another creature documented in my brother's journals. The symbols don't mean anything so don't worry about them, OK kid? You've got bigger fish to fry, and we're going to beat them to the ground."
Oh Grunkle Stan if you only knew…
Despite the hopelessness of the situation Mabel manages to catch her breath and calm herself, because panic isn't going to help with anything.
Stan gives her a moment to collect herself and finally asks, "You good?"
"I…I think so," Mabel whispers.
"Good," he grins wanly, heading for the door, "Keep fighting kid. Dipper and I got this."
"Wait, where are you going?" Mabel's eyes widen when she realizes he's leaving.
"If we're going to try and ward off these Wraiths, Dipper and I are going to need a few things," he replies.
"But…"
"I know you don't want to be alone, and can't blame you either," Stan shrugs, "but we need to do this. Don't worry though, the cavalry should be here by now."
"Huh?"
Stan opens the door and Dipper's on the other side, he looks concerned for a second and then he smiles, motioning to someone out of her line of sight. Seconds later a familiar face tentatively looks in and then another.
"Mabel!"
"Wow, girl you look terrible!"
"That's OK though, we can take care of that with the makeovers!"
Mabel's not sure if she should laugh, cry or both when she sees Candy and Grenda step in. Part of her feels embarrassed, because she knows she's a mess but seeing her two best friends bound inside with encouraging grins on their faces fills her wounded spirit with warmth. "Girls!" she exclaims, hugging them as they give her a soft purple teddy bear and a flower, "Wow, thanks!"
"Dipper told us you were here, we just had to come and help cheer you up!" Candy exclaims.
"What's wrong anyway?" Grenda asks.
"Uh…we don't really know," she replies quietly, "I'm hoping to find out and get out of here soon but…"
Dipper approaches her for a moment, resting his hand on hers, "So, we have to run some um…errands, you going to be OK while we're gone?" he asks, and she catches the silent, unasked question in his eyes. Are you OK with this?
Mabel's pretty sure that if he had asked her if she was OK with her friends visiting, she probably would have said no. She knows she's a mess, and it's bad enough having her family worry about her so the idea of dragging her friends into it seemed like it would be a bad idea. But now that they're here…she's glad to have them around, even though the surprise and their very presence feels a little overwhelming somehow. She smiles tiredly, "Yeah."
Dipper returns the grin, shuffles his feet slightly, clearly reluctant to leave her, even with her friends by her side, and gives her hand a quick squeeze, "We won't be long." He joins Grunkle Stan who gives her a solemn nod and they leave.
Mabel sighs, listening to the shower of questions coming from her friends, mostly about how she's feeling and how she ended up in the hospital in the first place. She's unsure of how to answer most of them and little overwhelming is quickly beginning to turn into a lot overwhelming, because everywhere around her is noise, noise, noise. There's so much on her plate, Grunkle Stan has given her so much to think about and even though the distraction her friends bring is a welcome reprieve, at the same time there's an urgency in her mind to figure out what to do about her predicament. She hurts so much inside and out, and even though she's normally more extroverted than she is now, she doesn't know what to say. She's so screwed and she doesn't know what to do or say or think or feel.
She forces a grin, as a tear falls from her eye and suddenly the questions stop and the room falls into silence.
"Mabel?" Candy asks after a moment, noticing their normally bubbly friend's quiet distress.
"Sorry girls," Mabel huffs a laugh, wiping the tears from her eyes quickly, "I uh…I don't really know um…what..."
She feels stupid. She's not the same person she was just a few days ago, at Pacifica's party; it's bad enough freaking her family out with her sudden change, and now she's got her friends worried. What do you think of me now? she wonders self consciously, not knowing what to tell them about anything. They fought a candy monster together, so it's not like the same kind of partial truth she told Dipper and Grunkle Stan would shock them all that much, probably wouldn't even scare them off but she feels an odd sort of obligation to be more like the old Mabel, but she doesn't even have the energy to try.
"No, we're sorry," Candy shrugs, shaking her head.
"Yeah," Grenda agrees, "You don't need us bombarding you with so many questions right now."
"We're here to help," Candy added, "what do you need?"
"I...I..." she doesn't have an answer to that question. The pain in her chest flares and she can see a wisp of smoke out of the corner of her eye. "I don't know," she whimpers, closing her eyes, It's hopeless, what am I going to do?
She stiffens when she feels a hand on her shoulder, and she can feel Candy sit on the bed beside her and pull her into her arms. She starts to return the hug when she feels Grenda sit on the other side of her joining in by hugging them both, each girl cautious and mindful of the IV and wires. That's when the dam breaks and Mabel begins to sob, something she's been doing a lot of lately, but as much as she values and needs the support from Dipper and Stan, this time is different. Maybe it's because she doesn't feel personally responsible for their safety and happiness like she is with her family, but wrapped in the comfort and protection of her two best friends, Mabel feels a cleansing strength in her soul, lifting the burden from her shoulders.
She knows it's temporary, she knows the weight will inevitably come crashing down all around her, but for now she just lets it all out, the stress, the pain, the sense of doom...and for the first time in days she feels relieved.
A/N Well, these chapters seem to be getting longer and longer. I hope you don't mind. Please let me know what you think, as always I love any kind of feedback you have to offer.
Also, THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! A new episode is finally among us, due to air today. I know we're all excited but keep in mind I probably won't see it for at least a few more days, possibly more and I am a HUGE spoilerphobe, like, I haven't even watched the promo because I'm trying to avoid ANY possible spoilers. I've spent most of the hiatus in an internet bubble to avoid possible spoilers so PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE I implore you, if you watched the episode before reading this, and feel compelled to mention anything, I mean ANYTHING that happens in the episode in a review, please don't. I'm sure you won't, but it's happened to me in the past with other fandoms so I want to play it safe.
Well, rejoice and enjoy the end of hiatus! Thanks so much for your support through this story and patience as I battle the evil writer's block, hopefully this is the end of that nuisance. Thanks for reading and don't forget to be awesome!