Gravity Falls.

Summary:

Dipper gets Attacked by a large animal and things start getting stressful, turns

out finding a cure is difficult when there’s a lot going on. Thankfully he’s got his

stubborn sister along with family and friends to help, even if it means getting

hurt… 

—————————————————————————————

    Dipper held on to his sister’s hand as the twins made their way through the

woods.

Mabel clung on to her jar of fireflies, careful not drop them while Waddles

followed the two from behind. Dipper held the lantern out in front of them as they

tried to find their way back to the mystery shack; with some paper scraps in his

vest pocket that he found lying around hidden in the shack. Some were found

scattered, some were found in packets or piles; Ford told them it was probably

some old studies he never got around to finish; why they were separated from

the journals he doesn’t remember, considering they were scattered and

unfinished kind of explained a little bit though. 

He didn’t actually read them that much tonight; however he did find one

interesting entry on some weird hybrid canine creature. 

“You’re sure this is the right way back, it’s getting kind of creepy out here.” Mabel

said.

“I’m sure it is…I hope.” 

“You hope?”

“Just stay close to me and we’ll be alright.” His grip tightened, he didn’t feel safe

out here tonight, and he had been hearing strange noises while helping Mabel

catch fireflies…a bit longer than he expected, he might of gotten carried away

catching them.

Mabel looked away, feeling guilty as she did wander off a bit while chasing after

some of the bugs, they’re so tricky!

“Dipper, if it’s my fault we’re lost, I’m sorry.” She said quietly.

Dipper looked back at her as he cautiously kept walking.

“What no, you didn’t do anything wrong; besides, if it makes you feel better, it’s

kind of my fault too since I told Soos and Grunkle Stan I know my way around

this place.”

“You mean you don’t know how to get back?” She sounded nervous and was

starting to panic a little.

“No no no, I do! It’s just…well, I didn’t think we would have a hard time getting

back…Look I do know the way back, I just made a wrong turn…” he stopped

and looked around nervously. “A really bad turn…a hopefully non-fatal…bad

turn.” he said anxiously.

“We’re lost aren’t we?” Mabel asked grimly.

Dipper was silent for a moment before reluctantly answering.

“Yeah we’re lost.”  Dipper sighed; he had a slight feeling of panic but kept

himself together. “But I’m sure we’re still pretty close to the shack…” he sat

down trying to get his thoughts together, he messed up pretty bad. He promised

Soos and Mabel he knew his way back but he didn’t think it would be that

difficult. He promised to go with Mabel to catch those bugs. He kept the lantern

close to him as he was surprisingly cold. Normally most nights in Gravity Falls

lately were warm, not tonight however; he just had to get them both lost tonight.

He shivered a bit as he hugged his legs, thinking of a way to get back to the

shack. 

Mabel approached Dipper, she wasn’t completely bothered by Dipper’s mistake,

and she was prepared in case something like this happened. 

Dipper heard her coming from behind and turned to her, he sighed.

“I know, I screwed up…I’m not mad at you at all for running off, I mean I

promised you I would get us back home.”

She patted his shoulder.

“Hey, cheer up bro bro, don’t be too hard on yourself, remember that roll of

thread I asked you to keep in your pocket?”

“Yeah?” Dipper did wonder why she asked him to hold on to such a thing.

“Can you please hand it to me?”

“Uh…yeah sure….” He took it out of his vest pocket and handed it over to her.

“Thank you! Waddles come here!” she called the pig over and she sat next to

Dipper. She fiddled with the thread as Waddles sat in front of her.

Dipper observed her tying it around Waddles.

“Wait, are you…?” Dipper began to make sense of her actions.

“Yep, I’m making him a leash. When I’m done, he’s gonna help us find our way

back to the mystery shack!” she said cheerfully.

Dipper raised an eyebrow.

“Are you sure that’s going to work, I mean he is just a pig…”

“Come on, have faith in Waddles Dipper!” She replied.

“I do, I just don’t think pigs can find their way home like dogs do…”

“Have faith in Waddles! Have faith in the pig!”

“Alright, geez…I’m sorry for sounding like a jerk, but I do have one hundred

percent faith in Waddles.”

“I knew you did all along…” she giggled as she playfully shoved Dipper; in

response he gave a small smile back.

While tying a knot, out of the corners of Mabel’s eyes, she noticed her little 

brother shivering next to her, keeping the lantern close to him. She turned to her

brother with a concerned expression.

“You ok, Dipper? You look like you’re freezing …”

Dipper couldn’t hide it from her, he smiled nervously.

“Yeah, it’s kind of chilly tonight for some weird reason, I’m fine, don’t worry about me.” He chattered a little.

“You’re freezing!?”

“I don’t know why, I’m confused as well! It’s usually hot lately! At least you have

your sweater…and Waddles has hair or fur or whatever.”

Mabel smirked.

“It’s because you’re wearing shorts.”

Dipper scowled.

“Don’t worry I’ll keep you warm!” she snuggled up to him; Dipper made an

uncomfortable reaction and moved away a little. 

“So wait, did you know something like this would happen?”

“No not really, I just told you to hold on to the thread roll just in case we did get lost.”

“That means you knew something like this would happen…” Dipper frowned; she

probably knew he would most likely get them lost.

“Hey, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared in case something bad happens, I can take

care of myself too bro bro. Don’t give me that look, I just prepared in case you

did get us lost, I’m not saying you would all the time! Come on cheer up!” 

    After a minute or so, Mabel finished her leash.

“I’m done!” she announced.

Dipper turned and faced a little more to his sister as she handed the rest of the

roll of thread to him.

The two got up from their place, Mabel picked up her jar and Dipper grabbed his

lantern. Dipper gave Mabel an unsure glance while she smiled back. 

“Alright, Waddles show us the way to freedom!”

The pig oinked and began to lead the way as Mabel held on to the ‘Leash’ and

her jar. Dipper gave an amused humored look to Mabel.

“You’re sure this will work?” he laughed quietly to himself.

“Of course it will! I told you to have faith in Waddles.”

“You didn’t have faith in me about getting us back.” He said with a hint of

sarcasm.

“I did, lighten up Dipper!” she smirked.

He playfully bumped her and she did the same back.

Some time passed as the two made their way home. Mabel’s idea seemed to be

working as Dipper recognized the surrounding area. 

The twins were silent as they stuck close together while Waddles led the way.

Mabel broke the silence.

“I wonder why they even call them fireflies…”

“Huh?”

“I mean why do they even call them fireflies, they don’t set things on fire.”

“…Because they can make their own light, Mabel?”

“So why not light-flies, glow flies or lantern flies? …Well, I guess they don’t sound as cool as fireflies.”

“There is an actual bug called a lantern fly, but they don’t glow at all.”

Waddles stopped and so did the twins as they spoke to each other.

“That’s dumb, why even call them lantern flies?”

Waddles looked around, ears perked.

“I don’t know, but they call firefly larvae, glowworms.”

The pig started to panic as he turned in circles anxiously.  

“Do they actually glow?”

“Yeah!”

“Then I hope my fireflies have babies then! Heh, glowing worm babies.”

He oinked loudly and tried scratching Mabel’s leg. The twins looked down at

Waddles, both of their expressions curious and concerned.

“Waddles what’s wrong? We aren’t going to stay here silly…”

Dipper looked around as Mabel tried to calm Waddles; nothing seemed out of

the ordinary…for Gravity Falls that is.

…Until he heard a low sound.

“Mabel…”

“What is it-?”

He shushed her as the sound seemed closer.

“What is it?” she whispered.

“Do you hear that?”

A low roar mixed with a growl was heard; it sounded something similar like a

bear…but as more were heard, it began to sound more like something they’ve

never heard before.

“Yeah…” Mabel answered nervously. “What was that?”

“I…I don’t know…just stay near me.”

The source of the growls seemed to change direction each time the unknown

creature made them. 

“Can you see it?”

“I can’t see anything Dipper!”

“I think it’s circling us…we should just keep moving, we’re almost there anyway.”

“Kay…come on Waddles, keep going.” Mabel whispered. She tugged at

Waddles’ leash, he was reluctant to move as he sensed the unseen creature;

paralyzed by fear.  

“Waddles please…yeah that’s a good pig…”

Waddles wanted to leave fast; the twins hurried themselves, and another sound

was heard.

“I think it’s following us…”

A small roar echoed.

“What is it?”

“I don’t know but it’s nothing I’ve heard before.” Dipper was starting to panic.

They swore they could hear the beast chasing them.

“It’s getting close, hurry Mabel!”

“Is it behind us?”

“I don’t know I can’t check right now!”

“Maybe I can-” Mabel was cut off by her own startled cry as she slipped and fell;

and disappeared into a bush.  From Dipper’s perspective, it was almost like

something dragged her into the bush. Waddles fled in a panic, squealing

constantly as he ran off into the woods.

Dipper’s eyes widen, his heart skipped a beat. Did…did something attack her

She’s not –

His mind raced with all sorts of terrified thoughts, fear and dread overwhelmed

him and he could not think rationally.

“Ma-Mabel, no!” he screamed. “Mabel where are you?!”

“I’m down here!” Mabel sounded close…but what did she mean by ‘down here’

Dipper snapped out from his fear and ran through the bush, he stopped and

backed away abruptly when he thought he was about to step off a ledge. He had

almost slipped and he had fallen on to one knee but managed to clumsily stand

up again. He raised the lantern in front of him and the light revealed a rocky

ditch in front of Dipper. It wasn’t that steep and was rather small…but at the

bottom he found Mabel; she was still alive but she was holding her left ankle

which appeared to be bleeding. She also had a thin cut above her right eyebrow

which trickled; other than those injuries, she seemed to be fine. Mabel tried to

crack a small smile, her jar of fireflies still intact and close to her.

“Mabel you’re alive!” he choked on his words a bit.

“Of course I’m alive silly.”

“Are you alright; what happened, did that thing attack you?”

“I’m fine…well mostly, my ankle hurts to move and I bumped my head.”

“Was it because of-”

“Nah, I just slipped and fell down, I didn’t even see it.”

“Oh man, that’s good…”The drained Dipper sighed. He lifted his head, closed

his eyes and his shoulders drooped, he gave her a relieved smile.

“Here I’ll help you up…” he reached for her hand.

Mabel managed to grab his fingers gently…and slipped from his grip when

something very heavy slammed her from the back, she was forced to the ground

as a large creature pounced on her.

    It happened so fast, he didn’t even have time to react, Dipper was grabbing

his sister’s hand and before he knew it…the creature just swiftly appeared and

leapt on top of her, pinning her to the ground.  He had fallen back in horror as

the big hairy beast landed on her. He could see the thing’s glowing eyes and

large white fangs; but he couldn’t make out the rest of the creature. Thinking

quickly, he picked up the dropped lantern and held it out…and saw a large wolf.

His eyes widen.

He screamed out Mabel’s name.


    Mabel screamed in fear as she felt pressure being applied to her back, she

felt sharp objects sinking into her skin, probably claws. She tried to escape but

the beast held her to the ground. She cried and reached out for her brother, who

was horrified at the sight as its claws sunk deeper into her back. 

    It seemed to be toying with the both of them as it snarled; it had a clear

chance to attack her…either that or maybe time seemed to be moving slow from

Dipper’s point of view due to everything happening so fast.

Dipper glared at the creature and gritted his teeth.

“Let her go!” Dipper screamed.

He sprang to his feet; the wolf quickly reacted to this by picking up Mabel by the

back of her sweater with its jaws and throwing her against one of the many trees

in the woods; suddenly finding more interest in Dipper challenging it than her.

“Mabel!” enraged, Dipper took his lantern and started repeatedly smacking the

creature across the face with it. He didn’t even hesitate; the sight of Mabel’s still

figure enraged him. After enough hits, the beast could no longer take it and

retreated back deep into the woods.

He breathed heavily, looking back to Mabel and then where the canine ran off to.

Dipper did not feel relief from this as the werewolf gave up rather easily. Why

would the werewolf flee from being smacked around by a lantern; it could have

just fought back and kill the two of them with ease, and yet all it did was

antagonize them and leave. All of this was very strange for a werewolf…if it

really was one; but he had something way more important to worry about right

now.

He rushed over to Mabel’s aid; she was on her side and hugging herself;

groaning as her spine hurt pretty bad. She was regaining her senses slowly; she

shivered as she laid on the ground on her right side.

She wasn’t knocked unconscious from hitting the tree but stunned and in pain.

She managed to get a glimpse of Dipper defending her from that big dog earlier;

she would have joined in and helped him if her body didn’t hurt at that moment.

    “Mabel? Mabel…Mabel, wake up!”

“Ow, don’t shake me, I’m awake!” Mabel winced.

“Oh sorry…wait, have you been awake this whole time?”

“Yeah…it hurts to move though…”

Dipper helped her sit up and supported her back; he stroked it in a way as if he

was looking for something; this creeped Mabel out.

“Uh…What are you doing? You’re starting to freak me out Dipper…”

“Did that thing bite you?” he said in a low nervous voice.

“What?”

“Did that thing bite you?” his voice was filled with more panic.

Mabel was feeling uneasy from this; Dipper knew something was unnatural

about that thing. 

“Well…I felt that thing pick me up-”

“It used its jaws when it did that…Did you feel anything like…like…” he trailed off

as he found it difficult to think what to say next. For an odd reason, his brain just

locked up there.

Mabel could sense fear in Dipper’s voice.

“Pain?”

“Yeah…did he get your back?”

“No, I think he only bit my sweater, the only thing that hurt was being thrown

against a tree…and when it held me down.” 

Dipper leaned to his left and looked at her back, there was no sign of blood but

she had some tears in her sweater; her undershirt was untouched.

“He didn’t bite you…good, oh good…”  He said in a weary tone. He hugged her

in relief.

Mabel’s eyes trailed around in a sad manner.

“Dipper…what’s wrong, what was that thing?” He wasn’t telling her something.

He looked away in sadness. “It’s not a dog, is it…you know what it is…”her voice

quiet. She had a good guess of what the creature was.

“If it bit me would…would I be cursed or something?”

He looked at her sadly before giving her a nod; he had to assume the creature

was a werewolf right now to avoid the worst.

“Yeah…He probably was attracted here by the smell of your blood.”

He looked around the woods then turned back to Mabel, he examined her

injuries…she wasn’t safe.

“We have to get you out of here…” Dipper’s voice was stern yet soft.

He held her hand.

“Can you get up?

“Yeah…I-I think I can.”

Mabel wobbled to her feet; she was limping on her left foot.

“You can’t walk!”

“Yes I can, don’t be paranoid. It’s just sore…”

“Here I’ll help you, just hang on to my right shoulder.” He switched sides and

held her left arm over his right shoulder, helping her walk. He retrieved the

slightly broken lantern, having to turn the knob to relight it, and then picking up

the glowing jar.

“Thanks Dipper…” Mabel slightly leaned against him as they both struggled to

move.

Mabel winced as her foot hurt at each limp; she made some small moans as

she forced herself to keep going. Dipper tightens his grip on Mabel’s arm,

attempting to comfort her by trying to signal he was there for her.

“Hang on, we’re almost there…”

“I feel like that’s the seventh time you’ve said that tonight.” Mabel said with some

tired sarcasm.

“Well this time I mean it.”

“You better.” She giggled. “I hope Waddles made it back alright, I’m worried

about him.”

“I’m sure he did, he’s a smart pig.” He looked down in thought. “I’m hoping that

thing that attacked us was that unnamed dog hybrid…whatever thing and not

well you know.”

“Same…What does that no name dog thing you were talking about do anyway?”

“Well it-” Mabel interrupted him.

“Hey, I can see the shack!” Mabel could see the lights from it shine from a few

feet away.

“See I told you…you…” something felt off, he set down the lantern and searched

through his vest pocket. His eyes filled with disbelief and rolled them.

“You got to be kidding me.”

“What now?”

He sighed “The scraps fell out of my vest…”

“Come on…” She was in disbelief, tonight just wasn’t their luck. “How do you

even lose something that deep in your pocket?”

“Hey I didn’t think I would lose them too!” 

She bumped him playfully to cheer him up; Dipper chuckled in response.

“Well anyway, they’re probably not too far away…”he looked over his left

shoulder. “I swear they were in my vest just a while ago…oh they’re over there!”

they were lying near where they exited from the woods.

“Do you wanna go back for them?” Mabel asked.

“I can’t yet; I need to get you inside…and I don’t want to make you turn around.”

“Aww, that’s so nice of you bro bro. It’s ok; I can get myself inside, my foot

starting to feel better anyway.” She let go of him.

“You sure you can make it to the shack?”

“Dipper, its right in front of us…” Mabel said blankly.

“Oh, yeah…uh sorry that was a really stupid thing to say…haha…”

Mabel gave him an uncomfortable look.

“I’ll just get the papers…” he said sheepishly and ran back to the entrance of the

woods, still clutching onto the lantern.

“You dork…” Mabel snickered quietly to herself. 

“Heh almost lost you guys there…” he muttered to himself as he kneeled to the

ground. 

Then leaves’ being crushed underfoot was heard.

He flinched and quickly looked up when he heard the sound, was something

following him? No he should stay calm, probably just a possum or raccoon…and

hopefully not a bear.

He looked around nervously as he picked up the papers one by one; it might be

that werewolf or hybrid or whatever that thing was. It probably wasn’t a werewolf;

he knew there wasn’t a full moon tonight, maybe it was that unnamed canine 

thing? They looked similar to werewolves from what he saw from the messy 

sketch on one of the stray pages.

“Come on Dipper it shouldn’t take long to pick up a few papers!”

He snapped out of his thoughts and looked back at Mabel, putting the bundle of

papers in his vest.

“Alright alright, I’m sorry; I just thought I heard something.”

    He shouldn’t have turned his back, or maybe shouldn’t have stalled.

He made a careless mistake, he let his guard down….he had left himself open

for that moment, and exposed his weak spot. For that short moment, for that

small mistake; was all that was needed for his attack.

Dipper suddenly felt like he was hit by a truck, at least he thought what being hit

by a truck would feel like. It happened so suddenly that he lost his grip on the

lantern. His shoulder felt as if it was on fire as something sharp entered it. For a

second he was confused, but it didn’t take long for him to figure out what was

happening. Everything within his vision was moving fast and blurred as he was

carried off. The pain coursing through his body was too much to bear.

He let out a pained scream and then everything went black.

    “D-Dipper!” She screamed in horror.

Mabel was left with little time to react; in a matter of seconds her own brother

was abducted by some animal right before her very eyes. Dipper’s expression at

that moment was full of confusion, fear and helplessness; and his scream…She

didn’t know what kind of animal it was as it happened so fast, but from what she

could make out, it looked like a big dog…a dog. The same creature that attacked

them earlier she assumed, it came back.

Maybe it was still angry from earlier.

Mabel didn’t think twice about the situation, she had to save Dipper.

Waddles cautiously peeked from the unlocked door, causing a creak. Mabel

quickly turned to him, she sighed in relief that he was ok but right now she had

to take care of her Bro. 

“Waddles stay inside ok?” 

He oinked in a frightened manner.

Mabel quickly limped into the woods, pushing herself to go faster despite her

minor injury.

She picked up the dropped lantern, even more cracked than ever; and darted

deep into the woods.

    “Dipper…Dipper, where are you?” Mabel cried.

She was starting to panic, she heard nothing from Dipper…he…he wasn’t dead

was he?

“Give…Give me back my brother!” she yelled, determined to find him.

A roar was heard.

She whirled around trying to locate the direction of the sound; holding the lantern

out. While looking around, something on the forest floor caught her eye, some

red stuff…blood.

Her eyes widened with dread.

“Dipper, answer me please!” her voice trembled as she screamed. 

A shrub rustled.

Mabel turned to the shrub; and a giant beast leapt out from it.

Standing in front of her was a giant wolf; it had blood on its mouth…Dipper’s

blood.

Mabel stood her ground; even though she was scared, she needed to save

Dipper.

It snarled as it crept closer; Mabel backed away slowly, glaring at the wolf.

“I-I’m not scared of you; give – GIVE ME BACK MY BROTHER!” 

The wolf responded by attempting to swipe her with its claws; she jumped back,

dodging its attack. 

“I’m not leaving without him! And you’re not taking me!” 

The wolf lunged at her, she jumped out of its way quickly as her heart skipped a

beat; it almost got her that time. She had to get rid of it fast but how? All she had

was a lantern…hey, maybe that was it!

She could try lighting something on fire to scare it off, it should definitely work.

Acting quickly, she picked up a stick off the ground and unlocked the small

window that kept the flame inside the lantern.

“Come on come on!” Mabel had to get this to work fast.

The wolf crept around her slowly, observing her actions.

She poked the end of the stick in the flame; starting a small flame on the stick.

Though after a few seconds, she learned the hard way that fire doesn’t burn as

fast as she thought it did.

The flame was pretty small and was spreading at a turtles pace; it wasn’t even

burning like a torch. She needed it to burn like a torch but as it turned out a stick

would not do. Actually now that she thought about it, they usually used oil, and a

bundle of wood, among other things.

Thinking this over, she should have been more prepared for this.

She smiled nervously as the wolf snarled at her, its jaws half open. Mabel stuck

her burning stick out at the wolf, in a rather sad (she admits) and desperate

attempt to scare the beast off. The wolf was unamused and swiped it out from

her hand.

She backed away in fear.

She attempted to swing the lantern at it but it kept dodging. She whimpered; she

didn’t know what else to do.  The thing readied itself.

“N-no!”

The beast lunged at her once again; Mabel screamed as she fell back. She

dropped the lantern and closed her eyes.

The lantern shattered; unable to take anymore abuse, its glass covering the flame gone, its oil spilling out.

And then the forest floor burst into flames.

The wolf let out a pained roar.

The sudden heat and roar startled Mabel and she opened her eyes. She crawled

backwards, shielding her face with her arm from the bright flames. She

scrambled to stand up, slipping and falling back down a few times before finally

getting back on her feet.  She tried to catch her breath but accidentally inhaled

some smoke.

‘It’s smoky already.’ She thought to herself. She covered her mouth and nose

with her right hand to protect herself from the smoke; her eyes hurt a little but

despite this she tried to keep them open.

She turned her attention back to the wolf, who had been crying out in pain

throughout her recovery. The fire thankfully separated wolf from Mabel; who on

the other side was clawing its face. From what she could see, the wolf wasn’t on

fire but it seemed to be trying to remove something from its eyes, maybe it got

burned a little from the sudden fire or got ashes in its eyes. The wolf continued

to cry out before turning away and running blindly into the woods. 

Mabel took this as her chance to escape the area, safely away from the fire. She

reached a clearing some distance from the flames, she could still see the light

from the fire but at least she could finally catch her breath without all the smoke.

She took in deep breaths as fresh clean air filled her lungs again.

She coughed roughly, her throat still irritated from the smoke; she doubled over

just a bit as she hacked.

She wiped her eyes, stingy and watery from the fire.

She looked around with worry and fear and began to cry out 

“Dipper…Dipper…DIPPER!”

     He lied weakly some distance from the fire and Mabel, looking limp and

broken; if anyone came upon a child like him in his state, they might believe he

was dead.

But he wasn’t…

Dipper could hear muffled and distant cries, his senses returning slowly; he

groaned as he regained feeling in his body first. The voice was beginning to

sound familiar and brought a sense of relief over him. 

“…Ma…Mabel?” his voice tired.

He groaned as he awakened, opening his eyes slowly and coughing heavily;

apparently it was cold enough tonight to see his own breath. He found himself

looking at the forest floor from his left side, lying in mud and leaves, the monster

nowhere in sight. He seemed to be alone from what it looked like at the moment;

he could still hear Mabel cry out for him.

“Mabel…!”  He winced as his chest hurt from trying to call Mabel, even just

breathing felt painful.

He wished he didn’t regain the feeling in his body now.

He was freezing pretty bad, even his insides felt cold; his whole body felt like it

was made out of ice. The cold air just made him ache even more. 

What happened again, everything happened so fast. He tried to reorganize his

thoughts; last he remembered he was heading back to the shack…when

something attacked him…

How far in the woods was he, how long was he out, and why was he left by the

creature?

He would have to ask these when Mabel finds him…Mabel, was she ok? She

didn’t get hurt by that thing again did she? He hoped she didn’t receive any more

injuries from any sort of thing.

He coughed again, much harder this time…he felt his nose run and even felt it

touch his mouth…the taste was bitter.

It wasn’t mucus.

He wiped his nose with his right hand and examined it, a dark red color, his nose

was bleeding. 

‘That’s not a big deal.’ Dipper thought.

He flinched once again as his right shoulder throbbed and grabbed the lower

part of his arm with his left hand. Probably still sore from being dragged

around…wait. A crucial detail came back to him, the last thing he felt before

passing out…Mabel was the last thing he saw but that wasn’t the important part

about it; it was about what he felt.

His shoulder felt like it was on fire at that same moment he got his last glimpse

of Mabel.

He slightly moved up his left hand and cupped around that shoulder lightly.

Moisture seemed to be completely covering it; he felt it run down his arm. He

froze for a moment, he felt a sense of dread as his mind started racing towards a

single conclusion.

“No it’s not…” he tried reassuring himself. “There’s no full moon just stay

calm…” 

His vest felt deeply torn, even his shirt sleeve…and then he writhed when he

squeezed his shoulder just a tiny bit. That small touch sent a sharp pain

throughout his arm, he squeezed his eyes shut and cried out in pain briefly. He

yanked his hand off his shoulder in response, slamming it against the ground.

Dipper buried his head next to his left arm as he clenched his teeth, groaning as

he felt numb for that moment. Opening his eyes and raising his head slowly, he

looked at his left hand; his palm and fingers covered with blood…a lot of blood. 

His mouth opened slightly as his eyes grew big in horror, he rolled on his back

as he stared at his trembling bloody hand.

His horror grew into panic; he sat up just a bit and turned his head to his right

shoulder. The fabric was all torn and colored a deep red with his blood that

traveled down his right arm. The wound looked awful…and he knew it was a bite

wound from the looks of it. 

His breathing quickened.

“It’s not…It’s not…!”

Something else then caught his eye on his right side; he tried to get a good look

at it without rolling onto his right side.

It was paw prints, though that’s not what scared him.

There was also clawed hand prints grouped with them.

That sealed the deal for him; the dog hybrid he read about tonight did not have

hands, it was all paws.

He did not want it to be the situation that he was dreading.

His body was shaking all over…

“There’s no full moon…there’s no…”

He tried to stay calm as he rather painfully dragged himself and made himself sit

up against a tree. 

What should he do?

Grunkle Ford was out of reach for a while since he was doing some research

and investigating deep in the woods. Something about strange violent activity

and some creatures asking for help, he didn’t really describe what exactly but he

warned them to stay away from that part of the woods, too dangerous right now

from what Ford seen.

Dipper could really use his insight of his own situation right now.

Desperate, he pulled out his packet, maybe there was an entry about

werewolves that he missed when skimming through them?  It wouldn’t hurt to

double check; but even then he felt that his chances of finding an entry were

very slim.

He skimmed through them again and found some completely blank pages.

Maybe…it was really written in invisible ink and not blank at all?

Curious, he took out his portable black light and tried black lighting it. To his luck,

it had some info about werewolves surprisingly, maybe things would be ok. He

managed to grab some new info…but it didn’t seem that very helpful…in fact it

revealed some unfortunate news for his problem and only a little amount of good

news. 

“There’s different types of werewolves…Some might be werewolves, some

might not be, some might not even spread the curse of becoming one…need to

research more about this…cure still unknown…Ingredients might be…but very

hard to find…there are multiple cures but each vary for each type of werewolf

given wrong one might cause death or illness or worsen ones condition…some

can’t be cured…haven’t tested them all out…a few types don’t change during

the full moon…change every night…rules keep changing…TOO MANY TYPES

WILL ONLY DOCUMENT A FEW FOR NOW…”

And it just ended right there, unfinished. From what information that he did have

wasn’t very helpful as it was vague. Those papers crushed any hope he had.

He didn’t know what type bit him and had no idea what cure he needed; and he

didn’t even know if he even could be cured…and there was nothing he could do

about it with the current information he had, he didn’t even know if this was older

or current information. And Great Uncle Ford could not be contacted or reached

right now; he didn’t have a phone or walkie talkie on him.

He did feel like one thing was certain.

He was going to suffer a very cruel fate.

He leaned against the tree and looked up at the night sky, his eyes full of despair

and stress, closing his eyes slowly.

And then Dipper began to weep quietly as he drifted off.

     It didn’t take long for Mabel to locate him, she heard him cry out a few times

in pain; it actually sounded sad and frightened to the point she could feel her

own heart break. She hoped he was ok…he stopped responding a while ago.

“Dipper…Dipper…!”

Mabel gasped as she saw her brother from a few feet away, he was lying still

against a tree and…and…he was bleeding…a lot. There was so much blood on

his right arm; it was almost completely covered in it. 

“D-Dipper!” 

Mabel didn’t hesitate, she bolted towards him. Mabel almost slipped on the mud

but quickly scrambled back up; her ankle started acting sore again from this but

she tried to ignore it.

She started to falter as she got closer to him; she made a small skid when she

reached him. Mabel took one more step as she held her arms out; she reached

a shaky hand out to Dipper. He looked even worse up close; his vest sleeve on

his right shoulder was torn open, his face had some small cuts and his nose 

bloody, his legs looked bruised and red.

Mabel fell to her knees, her eyes full of horror and sadness. 

He was still breathing, but rather weakly; she held his right hand and placed her

other hand on his back. His expression was pained and tired, checking him

closer she could see tears. Her heart hurt so much to see him like this. She

leaned on him a little to give him a light hug and then moved away.

“Dipper…? I’m sorry I took so long…please wake up.”  Her voice was sad and

quiet.

Dipper weakly cracked his eyes open and looked to his right, Mabel was by his

side with watery eyes.

“Ngh…Mabel?” his tired eyes had a hint of surprise. He struggled to move but

Mabel restrained him.

“Dipper, you’re alive!” She snuggled up to him, giving him another hug, though it

was a side hug actually. “I saw you breathing but I didn’t think you were going to

wake up…”

“Mabel…you’re ok right? Did it bite you, and is the thing gone?” he coughed.

“I’m fine and yeah it’s gone…I kind of accidentally started a fire trying to save

you.”

“What?”

“Well, the lantern broke then the next thing boom, but it’s not that bad.”

“Well…I’m glad you’re ok…” 

Mabel nodded with a forced smile as tears ran down her cheeks; she hugged

him again once more, she squeezed his hand even tighter.

Dipper hadn’t notice till now that she was even holding his hand due to his arm

starting to go numb. He gave her a weak smile and squeezed her hand as well.

“I thought you were done for when that wolf ran off with you…”she closed her

eyes as she snuggled closer.

He frowned in response; things weren’t exactly ok as Mabel thought they were.

He sighed through his nose. The sight of seeing Mabel comforted him at first,

but he knew she was possibly in danger by being with him. 

He didn’t want to cut their moment of peace short, but he had to tell Mabel that

he was bitten by a werewolf. 

“Mabel, I’m sorry but you have to-” he groaned in agony as Mabel hugged him a

bit too tight.

“Sorry…” her eyes widen as something caught her eye “Oh no, he bit your arm

too…”

“What, no he got just my shoulder…”and then he noticed it too, the blood smear

much lower down the right arm was actually a bite wound too.  

No denying it now again, he was definitely cursed. He had two bite wounds to

prove it now.

He began to panic, not only that he had two bite wounds but his body was

shivering uncontrollably and his legs were going numb. He felt like he was going

to be sick, no wait, he probably is sick. 

That werewolf didn’t even need a full moon to appear, he could change at any

moment, maybe even right now…he could actually be changing at this very

moment!

“Oh…Oh man. M-Mabel please…just get-!” he winced as he felt pain go down his spine. 

“Oh Dipper don’t move!” Mabel exclaimed. She moved him and made him lie on

the ground.

“Just relax, I’ll get Grunkle Stan.”  She said, both hands now clasping his right.

He took a few quick deep breaths and looked at her with sad and frightened

eyes.

“Mabel don’t…” he said weakly.

She was puzzled by his response.

“Don’t do what?”

“Do-don’t get help yet…”he coughed.

“What, but if I don’t you’ll probably die…”

“I know but I might change…”

“Wha…What do you mean by that?”

He just gave her a sorrowful look.

“You really do think a werewolf attacked us.”

“Mabel, I’m sorry, I’m not safe to be around anymore.”

“Dipper its ok, we can probably find a cure, we can look it up somewhere or wait

till Ford comes back-”

“There might not be a cure, I looked it up, there’s a chance it will kill me or there

might not be one at all! There’s more than one type of werewolf, some don’t

even need a full moon to change, here look! Great uncle Ford wrote about them

on these lost papers.” he snapped.

He gave her the papers and the portable black light, she skimmed through it, but

she did not feel convinced. Maybe Dipper was jumping to conclusions again.

“Hey, it was never actually finished. It even says that some might not even be

actual werewolves or even spread the curse. It might be out of date too; don’t

give up!” She said in a cheery tone to lighten his mood.

“I don’t want to risk it, Mabel. I don’t want to change and eat people; I might even

transform by then before Grunkle Ford comes back. Please if you’re going to

help just lock me up, leave me or something, I don’t want to hurt you!” he

screamed, he was in hysterics. He could not think coherently.

“Dipper, knock it off! It might be something else, maybe it’s another monster.”

She was scared, scared for him, he looked so miserable. 

“Mabel, no one is safe, I’m becoming monster!”

“You’re no monster, even if you do turn into one. Come on Dipper, please let me

help you; you don’t have to be alone because you’re turning into something.”

“I’d rather be alone if I’m becoming a monster! Mabel please, just leave me. I

don’t want to kill anyone, and I’m not risking it!” He felt…exhausted.

“Dipper stop it! This isn’t like you! I can help you through this; I promise you

won’t hurt anyone.”

“Just leave me Mabel…I might change at any moment.”

“I won’t let you die, come on Dipper you don’t really believe that this will help.”

She started crying.

“Mabel don’t…I won’t die, I just want to be alone so I can change and not hurt

anyone…I just need to be alone in the woods every night till Grunkle Ford

comes back…it’s the safest thing to do…right now.”

“You won’t hurt anyone, come on just have faith.”

“Please…I’ll see you tomorrow…I won’t….die.” Dipper’s voice trailed off, his

vision was fading. He was worn; exhausted…he realized what he was saying

and how he was saying it was breaking Mabel’s heart. He honestly didn’t want

to…

“Mabel I’m sorry about the things I said…I…I just want you safe.” He lied still, no

longer moving but still breathing.

“Dipper…Dipper! Wake up, come on! Please don’t die!” She cradled him and

tried shaking him, but there was no response.

“Dipper, I promise everything will be alright, just hang on…”

Mabel hugged him tightly, hoping he would wake up.

She raised her head when she heard familiar voices as tears ran down her face.

“Ack, Mr. Pines there’s a fire here!”

“Soos get a bucket or a hose, some idiot dropped a lantern! Hey kids, where are

you?”

It was Soos and Grunkle Stan.

Mabel felt a moment of hope, she needed to save Dipper, and she would prove

to him he would not change or become a monster.

“Dipper, I’m sorry, but I don’t think we were attacked by a werewolf, even though

we did see the wolf. It-it might be something else, don’t worry. I’ll make sure

you’ll be alright…trust me.” she pressed her forehead against his.

She lifted her head again and raising her voice, she yelled as loud as she could

in a desperate and frightened voice.

“Help! Grunkle Stan, Soos! Help please, someone help! Please hurry! We need

help, please!”