The Shacked seemed empty of life as Mabel made her way downstairs. Stan was probably waiting outside for her parents to arrive. It was safe to assume Soos and Wendy were keeping him company as they were nowhere in sight either.

Mabel hurried to her Grunkle's office, locking the door once she entered the room. She hoped it wouldn't take too much time. She wouldn't have any other chance.

Once she made sure no one would interrupt her, she turned to face the solution to her current problem…
Stan's copy machine.

"Mabel, I think this copier can copy human beings!"

That's what Dipper had said.
He had even tested it on himself that same day, after all.

Without waiting any further, Mabel carefully climbed onto the machine, trying not to make sudden move with her broken arm. Then she lay down :
'This is a bad idea.' She thought to herself.
Mabel shook her head. It wasn't time to hesitate.
As she held close to her chest her brother's hat, she said, out loud :

"Dipper, If you can hear me, know that I'm only doing this to save you, Bro-Bro"

She dropped the hat onto the floor, and activated the copy machine.

Stan was sitting outside, on the couch placed at the back of the house. Pitt Cola in hand, he took a sip from time to time, his gaze rested on the ground. He had been silent for a while now, and he was getting sick of it. With a sigh, he said :

- How could I mess up this bad?

Wendy, standing against a wall, exchanged a concerned glance with Soos, who sat next to Stan. She answered :

- Mr. Pines, stop blaming yourself for what happened...It wasn't your fault.

He didn't answer. He didn't want to go through that conversation again. No matter the words, he would never forgive himself for the loss of a family member...Not a second time.

Soos then spoke :

- Mr. Pines, we were all there that night. Wendy and I even took him to the play… We all saw that Dipper was like...acting super "strange"... We could have said something...acted sooner… We're guilty too...Even more so if you think about it.

- Soos, Wendy...It's not what I-

- Then stop blaming yourself alone !" Wendy shouted, her voice cracking. "You're not the only one to be at fault. We all saw something was off, but we did decided to do nothing about it. We could have saved him if only we...had done something...anything. We all wish things were different...But they're not.

Stan didn't answer right away. After a few minutes of silence, he let out a sad, nervous laugh, covering his face with one hand. He let out a long sigh, forcing himself to regain his composure as he answered :

- I'm sorry…

- ...It's okay ...We're here...

He sighed again. Another voice was then heard :

"Excuse me…"

Stan, Wendy and Soos turned their heads to the person who had just spoke. It was Gabe Bensen, the puppeteer. And he wasn't alone - aside from his hands puppets -. Candy and Grenda were also here.

- You? What are you doing here?" Wendy asked Gabe, surprised.
- I'd like to speak to Mabel. Do you know where I can find her?

- We want to say goodbye before she leaves." Candy added

Stan stared at them for a moment before answering :

- She's still inside, packing her things…You can go see her but please...Try not to bring the subject of her brother.

Both girls exchanged looks, and answered :

- Of course, .

Candy, Grenda and Gabe entered the Shack. They quickly found Mabel, who was just leaving her great uncle's office. As soon as she spotted them, she hurried to close the door behind her and stood in the way, seemingly nervous.

- Mabel? I thought you were still packing?

- Hey, girls ! Huh? What? Packing? Ha, er...I...I finished earlier…

- We...We came to say goodbye, Mabel.

Mabel's nervous smile faded. She walked to her friends.

- Girls I-...I...

They didn't let her the time to finish her sentence, both coming to hug her.

- We'll miss you, Mabel." Grenda started.

- We'll always be your friends." Candy added.

Their words brought tears back to Mabel eyes. But not for the same reasons. Those tears were painful. She was lying to her best friends. She couldn't tell them she planned to stay. At least not now. She hugged them back, before raising her gaze, to see Gabe. How had she not seen him before?

Surprised, she stepped back and said :

- G-Gabe ?! What are you doing here?

The young puppeteer stepped closer, as Candy and Grenda decided to leave them alone.

- I'm here to say goodbye as well. We didn't have a chance to talk since...You know.

Mabel's gaze dropped to the ground as she nodded. No need to mention that part.

- I've been meaning to tell you that...despite all events...I really liked your play. It was really passionate.

The young girl raised her head. Two days ago, those words would made her heart explode in joy. But after the last events, it didn't feel the same...

- And...I'd like for us to meet again sometime. Maybe even write a puppet show together?" He concluded, handing her a gift box.

She took the box, which had already been half-opened in order to make things easier for her. Inside was a note, with Gabe's number on it. And next to it, a carefully hand-sewn puppet, based of Waddles. Mabel's eyes lit with hope, an unexpected smile came to her lips. She had a way to communicate with her brother again ! Well, if he was still around, of course. With this simple gift, he just gaved her the courage she herself from crying, she held the hand-sewn puppet close to her as she answered.

- Oh, Gabe, thank you so much. You don't know how much it means to me.

The blond haired boy smiled back. Then she dropped her gaze to the ground again, remembering her mission.

- Guys...Thank you… all of you...But I need to be alone...Can...Can I have a minute, please? It won't take long... I promise.

After exchanging glances, they all nodded and left the Shack. Mabel wiped her tears, focusing on what mattered now, and opened the office's door again to say

- Okay, the coast is clear, you can come out now.