I was in the kitchen grabbing a glass of water. I was so preocupied with the latest book I had picked up from the shack that I lost track of time. That room. That wretched room with the dammed carpet hold too many secrets. Yet every time i walked in it i felt uncomfortable. That same feeling as if he was watching me.
With further inspection i did notice a few tributes to him in the room. There weren't a lot but they were present. A small pyramid on the shelf with an eye on it, of course the eye was turned towards the wall and not the room. A small drawing ripped in half, but still evidently it was of him. And the last item was a necklace. It was triangle shaped. I decided to lock it away in one of the desk drawers, who knew if he could use that thong to spy on me.
Apart from the creepy tributes to the dream demon the room possessed a lot of scrap notebooks and thesis books about the paranormal. Definitely belonding to the author. Which lead me to believe the author'a disappearance was connected to Bill. Somehow. I didn't exactly know how or why. But maybe he was hiding from him?
My thought pricess was stopped because i felt something wet and cold on my hand. Right. I was pouring myself a glass of water and my mjnd drifted off. Slowly i turned the sink off and downed the glass before rinsing it a couple of times and returning it in the cupboard.
I walked over to the living room to find Mabel, her friends and surprisingly Dipper watching some tv advert about the Northwest'a family annual party.
"Okay, can someone please explain why people care about this?" The poor boy asked as the gurls around him started enthusiastically explaining about the boys and their richness.
"I've attended it once. 3 years ago. I don't remember much since i was young but it really isnt anything special" i told them as the girls looked at me with wide eyes and open mouths.
"Wait really that's so cool!" Mabel exclaimed. But before she could say anytjing esle the doorbell rang. Me being the only one standing i went to get it.
"I was taken there practically against my will back then. Plus, in case you've already forgotten, Pacifica Northwest is the worst." I stated grabing the door handle. "And that's not just jealousy talking. I'd say that to her face." I proudly proclaimed as i opened the door finally checking who it was.
Speak pf the devil. That same fake blonde stood right before me. S askarf on her head so her perfect hair wouldn't get ruined in the rain. "I need your help." She asked. Her voice bored.
"You're the worst." I told hee proudly before slamming the door in her face.
All the gurls gasped. Seemed like only Dipper was on my side.
There was another ring. But i stood in front of the door refusing to open it. 3 more rings and I caved in. Turning around to open the door. That seemed to surprise the poor girl who was too focused on ringing the door bell.
She gathered her composure and spoke up again. "Look. You think it's easy for me to come here? I don't want to be seen in this hovel. But there's something haunting Northwest Manor. If you don't help me, the party could be ruined!" She stated as if the world was ending.
"And why should I trust you? All you've ever done is humiliate me, Dipper and Mabel." I crossed my arms as she sighed.
"Just name your price, okay? I'll give you anything!" She sounded desperate.
I looked back at the girls then back at Pacifica. "Anything huh? How about five tickets to the party for me and my dear friends over there" i said as Pacifica peeked inside to see who exactly I was talking about. Her jaw dropped upon seeing Grenda, Candy and Mabel all freaking out about this.
She grunted, her eyes were focused on rhe floor. Finally she threw her head back up. "You're just lucky I'm desperate!" Her tone definitely more irritated than bedore.
Flashin her a quick smile and a wave I slammed the door in her face.
"Grenda, get the glue gun. We're making dresses!" Mabel practically screamed from happiness and excitement.
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"Would this work?" Dipper asked as he came up to me with his shorts and a black tee. I just facepalmed.
"Dipper this is the Northwest annual party we are talking about. Not a trip to the dollar store" I threw him a button-up and a pair of pants from his own wardrobe. "Here put these on. I'll go ask Stan for a tie" i chuckled before leaving the room.
"Stan!?" I called out as the man seemed a bit startled. He was in front of the vending machine.
"What i'm just getting a soda?" He asked as a I dismissed him quickly.
"Old man. You are old. You have attended dress code parties. Do you own a tie?" I asked him straight away as he nodded.
"Yea one upstairs. Stay here I'll fetch it" he mumbled as I shot him a quick thanks.
In less than a minute he came back and threw me a bowtie. "Life saver" i smiled before rushing upstairs again.
"Dipper i got the-" i stared at him. He had pit on the shirt and on top of that a coat as well. "Tie" i looked away before handing it to him. Somwthing about his attire made me weak in the knees.
Why did he look so good in a suit? No he always looked good. It was that he never really cared to put any effort in his looks. His hair aways messy paired with that stupid vest he wore didnt help. But now he looked different. Good different.
"I don't know how to tie this" he mumbled fumbling with the bowtie. I simy chuckled watching him strugle, faint blish privably present on my cheeks.
"Here... let me" i walked up to him and tied the bowtie effortlessly. "Gideon used to wear a lot of ties to I learned around him" i made the knot and tightened it so it would stay in place. "All set" i mumbled looking away from the tie and into his eyes. He seemed to have been staring at me, more specifically my face, the whole time i was helping him out.
I cleared my through as my hands quickly returned to my sides. "Right i uh. I need to get dressed. Do you mind?" I asked him shyly looking into his eyes again, this time he looked away.
"Oh right yea. I'l be outside." He quickly left the room.
I couldn't help but smile to myself the whole time i was putting on my dress.
It was a fairly new dress. The last dress I actually received as a gift from my parents. It was a navy ball gown with light blue flowers embroidered at the bottom. I never liked it due to the fact it matched Gideon's blue aesthetic, but I really had nothing else as fancy.
A pair of black long gloves and a silver necklace brought my outfit together. I had never been happier about a long dress because considering i didn't have any other shoes my dirty old red sneakers were gonna heve to somehow be hidden.
Finally i walked out the room where I saw Sipper and Mabel chatting. She had gotten dressed in the bathroom since thats where she glued her dress together.
"Mabel the dress is stunning!" I complimented before taking the glue gun off the dress. "Although you need to remove that"
"Look at you! You look gorgeous!" She stared at me with wide eyes. I even went to the trouble of putting on lipstick tonight. Even though it was barely visible the darker shade of pink really matched with the dress.
"Shall we go?" I asked as the three of us walked down the stairs.
Despite not mentioning it i couldn't help but feel like Dipper was staring, a bit too much. Hlwever i pushed that thought to the back of my mind. I had better things to worry about. Like the Northwest family. And what exactly they needed from us.
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Upon arrival we were greeted by a butler who shoeed us to the main hall. "Welcome to Northwest Manor, dorks. Try not to touch anything." Pacifica'a voice rang in my ears as i turned around to face her.
Her hair was perfectly combed out. Shiny as ever. And her figure was neatly wrapped in a pretty purple gown, layerd with a fluff coat on top. She, just like me, had gone with the glove option, trying to look elegant and mature for her age.
"The rumors were true!" I could hear Mabel and her friends giggle to each other as they walked aroumd the huge hall looking at everything in awe.
"Ah, if it isn't the couple of the hour! Hopefully you can help us with our little... situation, before the guests arrive in an hour." Pacifica'a dad approached me and dipper.
"We'll do our best." I stated coldly. I had met him 2 times before. Not very pleasant memories.
"Splendid! Pacifica, take our guest to the problem room, and, thank you two for actually showing up in propper attire. I was scared that you commoners wouldn't know how to dress." He turned to me and winked. Probably aware i was the one who told Dipper to dress fancy since i was the only one with experience.
Pacifica walked down one corridor and we followed. The three of us entered some old room.
"This is the main room where it's been happening." She told us as I looked at all the animal heads on the wall.
"This sure looks like the kind of room that would be haunted." I stated sarcastically as Dipper opened his journal.
"All right. I wouldn't be worried, though. Ghosts fall on a ten-category scale. Floating plates sound like a Category 1." He explained as I walked around the room looking at the fireplace.
"So what? Are you gonna bore him back into the afterlife by reading from this book?" Pacifica asked unamused by what Dipper was telling her.
"Just gotta splash this sucker with some anointed water" he showed her a bottle with the water in it.
"Or if you dont stop whining we can splash you. Probably gonna wash away all that fake hair dye though" i added, pissed off about Pacifica's previous comment.
"What was that about my hair?" Pacifica was ready to jump at me but Dipper cut us off before a fight actually began.
"Shh! I'm picking something up." He said as beeping was heard from the EMF detector.
Qhile he was doing that i took in all of my surrounding. As i turned around to take one fonal look however something caught my eye. "Uh guys..." i caught the attention of the other two. "Wasn't there a lumberjack on that painting?" I asked as suddenly a loud thud was heard
Blood started pouring out of the animal's mouths and eyes as Pacifica's scream filled the room.
"ANCIENT SINS. ANCIENT SINS. ANCIENT SINS." The repetitive chanting was making the atmosphere even more unsettling.
Books and furniture starred flyong around as we all ducked behind the couch.
"Pines, what is this?!" I shouted out quickly.
"Category 10" he replied as I mumbled a swear word under my breath.
"THE FOREST DARK SHALL ONCE MORE RISE." The chanting continued. It filled my head making me unable to think.
"What do we do. What do we do!" Pacifica screamed out as I looked around frantically. Something... something come on!
"Don't worry. It can't get worse than this!" Dipper called out. And just like that it got worse.
The couch from behind us lifted up as we watched a sleleton walk right out of the flames in the fureplace. His skull was cracked with an ace right at the top.
"I smell... A NORTHWEST!" The ghost called out as I pushed Pacifica under a table, Dipper follwed us. I watched as the ghost materialised the axe in his hand and dragged it along the floorboards. "Come out, come out, wherever you are!" The ghost taunted foe the poor blonde to come out as I turned to Dipper.
"Anything in that dammed book?" I whisper shouted as he skimmed through the pages both with and without blacklight.
"I'm looking! And dont insult the journal. This book is gonna save our lives! Alright, here we go. Advice: PRAY FOR MERCY!... Aww, seriously?!" He whined before closing the book.
"Alright plan B" i mumble as he looked at me confused.
"What is plan B?!" His voice almsot breaking from his nervousness.
I looked around, but before i could come up witha plan the ghost lifted up the table under which we were hiding. "YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE COME HERE!" He sliced at us with the axe but i pushed Pacifica asside, barely dodging the hit. My arm got barely scraped. Some blood dropping to the floor.
"Shit. Run!" I shouted as i dragged Dipper and Pacifica out of the room and shit the door.
"Em, your shoulder-" But i didnt let Dipper finish that.
"Shit you mouth im thinking" my eyes darted from object to object as my mind raced to every possible answer.
We heard a loud thud from the door behind us. I turned around seeing the ghost's axe slice through the door.
Before u could mumble another word Pacifica took action. She brought me and Dipper down some corridor that lead us to the garden. After a whole lot of running we eneded up by a tree where we regained our breaths.
"Come on, come on-" Dipper got out his journal again. Fliping through the pages suddenly he stopped on something. "Got it! A haunted painting can only be trapped in a silver mirror." He stated as my eyes landed on one of the rooms inside.
"There. That room has a sliver mirror!" I told them as the three of us ran back inside.
We were almost in the room when Pacifica stopped us. "Wait! Don't go in there! This room has my parents' favorite carpet pattern! They'll lose it if we track mud in there!" She shouted grabbing our wrists.
I finally noticed all the mud on my shoes and some sust on the bottom on my dress.
"You've gotta be kidding me!" I half laughed before tying to march forward but she tugged on my arm.
"No, my parents will kill me!" She pleaded, and for the furst time i saw humanity in her eyes. Pacifica Northwest looked scared.
"Why are you so afraid of your parents?!" Dipper asked as she turned to fave himz breaking eye contact with me.
"You wouldn't understand!" She practically snapped at him as I looked at her.
"I do..." i mumbled as she looked at me with some hope in her eyes. I sighed as I lowered my head. "Alright we find another way. Is there like another mirror you know of in the house?" I asked as Pacifica tried to think.
"We don't have time for this I'm going!" Dipper stated but Pacifica practically threw herself at him to stop him. The two fell back and into a hidden room.
"What the hell?" I asked following them inside.
"Ahh... What is this place?" Dipper groaned, still under Pacifica.
The two were in a rather awkward position on the floor with the blonde practically on top of Dipper. I noticed the faint redness on his cheeks before she stood up and dusted herself off. I just scoffed under my breath. He cant be serious.
"That's weird. I don't even know where this room is." The girl scanned the place. I watched as Dipper examined her. It was weird, i hadn't seen him look at another girl like that since... Wendy.
And suddenly just like that something in my stomach sank.
"Hopefully the ghost doesn't either." I mumbled teying to put my mind on what was actually impotant. Not dying.
"Yeah, maybe we're safe." She sighed with a smile on herslef when suddenly the sheet behind her came to life. Huge hands trued to grab her.
"Pacifica, watch out!" Dipper shouted out.
I stumbled back but i tripped on something. My eyes immediately darted to the untencils on the floor. Wait silver utensils. My head turned to the side where i saw a shiny solver plate. It wasnt a mirror but it had to do right?
"PREPARE TO DIE, NORTHWEST!" The ghost brought his axe up ready to swing but i quickly came inbetween the girl and the ghost.
"I really hope this works!" I shouted and closed my eyes, u was afraid of what was to come. Wait i was afraid. Finally i opened my eyes and saw the ghost was gone. But i felt weird vibrations from the plate, as if it was alive.
I turned it around and watched the ghost bang on the side. With a small smile i showed the rest of the group.
"Guess your ghost problem is no more" i tossed the plate to Dipper who barely caught it. "Careful. Don't want to fight that again"
I was scared. I havent felt like this in a long time. The adrenaline and the fear pumped in my veins. Somehow i enjoyed it. The thrill, since Bill's nightmares had stopped for a while now and my mind was starting to clear up and i was starting to get scared from actual scary things.
"We did it!" Pacifica soumded happy. I wanted to give her a high five since we all did this together but i was stopped in my tracks from her next move. She embraced Dipper in a tight hug. He definitely wasn't expecting ut hut he reciprocated it.
I took a step back as i realised i was nother step from leaving the room.
And so without thinking twice my feet took me as far away from that scene as they could.
I just ran down the corridor, i could faintly hear Dipper shout out my name but i didn't care. The adrenaline and thrill pumping in me were replaced with envy and jelousy.
I stormed away and out into the garden. I needed fresh air.
Why did she hug him? Why did he seem so excited to recieve that hug? Why did he blush when she fell on him? Why was he looking at her with those eyes the whole night?
All those questions roamed my head. This wasn't like me. I tried clearing my head but my mind replayed that same scene over and over again.
"This is worse than Bill" i mumbled. I was too fixated on what was in my head that i hadnt noticed that the blue lining on my dress had turned a plage gray and the grass below me into a dark shade of gray, almost black. "Not now" i mumbled before looking up.
But to my surprise i didn't hear him, or see him. No sign of Bill.
So why was I in the mindscape?
"Bill?!" I shouted out walking around the garden. Everything had stopped so there was no noises at all. Thats what i despised about the dreamscape. The emptiness.
"Bill why did you bring me here?" I asked but there was no response yet again.
It seemed almsot like he wasnt here.
Then how did i get here.
Suddenly I my mind went blank and i could see colours again.
Did i just reigger the mindscape all on my own? But how? Was that even possible.
Even more unnecessary thoughts clogged my brain. This wasn't healthy. I needed a drink.
I walked back inside, avoiding Mabel and her friends who only had boys on their minds right now.
I walked past everyone and reached the punch. I got myself one glass and drank it slowly trying to clear my mind.
While i was staring right out the window my mind was beought back when i heard a bell. As if on command my head turned in the direction of it. Old habbits never die down i suppose.
And thats when i saw Pacifica. She had almsot an identical reaction to mine to that bell. Although that wasn't surprising.
I watched as Dipper and her dad argued for a bit before he stormed off.
"Enjoy the party! It's the last time you and your kind will ever come." I heard Preston shout out. I debated weather or not to check up on him.
I didnt really want to deal with anyone right now so i decided to stay put. Plus i had fun watching Candy, Grenda and Mabel try to fliet with some Austrian prince or whatever.
Finally he broke from the girls and walked over to me to get punch as well.
"Having fun?" I asked him ehich starteled him, he was probably done with girls for the night.
"Ja" he spoke.
"Give em a chance they are nice girls" i told him looking at the three girls bickering.
I watched as he sighed. "The pink one thought i was australian and the small one called my epaulettes hats" his thick german accent present when the spoke anything with a th sound.
I laughed at how sad he looked they didn't understand his culture. "Well how about the tall one, Grenda?" I asked taking a sip from the punch.
"I actually like her a lot" he mumbled his cheecks flashing red. "She is very... what's the word... offen" he stated as i nodded. I didn't speak german but that probably meant something good. "What about you" he asked me as I chuckled.
"What about me?" I asked again as he shrugged.
"You seem nice. Why aren't you competing with them" he asked. I raised an eyebrow a bit confused why this man wanted so many girls to fight for hid attention. Was he that self centered?
"I have my own prince charming to win over" i told him thinking of Dipper once more coming to terms with my feelings. I couldn't deny it any longer that the jelousy was from me having a crush on him.
"I wish you luck with him then. Although i feel like we could have gotten along, liebling" he smiled as he picked up my hand a placed a gentle kiss on it.
"Charming" i mumbled nonchalantly, rolling my eyes at his flirts. "Go talk to Grenda, for me" i fluttered my eyelashes at him "Schatz" i stated as his cheeks flashed red. I had a few german words up my sleve picked up from a few movies and newspapers.
"For you süsse" and with that we parted ways. He went over to the other girls to vharm them seeing as he was getting nowhere with me.
"Gosh... men" i whook my head finishing my drink before leaving the empty cup on the table to go find Dipper.
"GENERATIONS LOCKED AWAY, MY REVENGE SHALL HAVE ITS DAY!" The screams of the ghost stopped me adead in my tracks. Ah shit. What did Dipper do now.
Suddenly i saw people around me turning into wood statues. I ran up the stairs trying to escape it. Dipper! I needed to find Dipper! He would know what to do.
"Please, help me!" A woman behind me reached out but before she could touch me she turned to wood. I jumped terrified at the scene before me.
"Dipper!" I shouted, maybe calling his name would be easier.
I ran around until i saw that same room me, him and Pacifica were in earlier. Iwas about to pass it when a change in the lighting inside caught my eye. I moved asside the curtain and saw Pacifica on the floor turning a flashlight on and off.
"Pacifica! There you are! The ghost is turning everyone to wood! And, and I can't find Dipper!" I stated, very out of breath as i watched her nod. She seemed zoned out.
"You wanna know why this room was locked up? This is what I found in here. A painted record of every horrible thing that my family's ever done. Lying, cheating, and then there's me. I lied to you and Dipper just because I'm too scared to talk back to my stupid parents!" She showed me the painting prtraying her family in quite an ugly light.
"Wait lying?" I asked as she sighed.
"Right you werent there. The ghost. His only wish is for the commonfolk to be let in the party. If we do that the curse would be lifted. But my parents are too proud to do that. Thats why we hired you and Dipper" she explained as i was left shocked. That scum of a man.
"Listen..." i whispered as i sat next to her. "I know how scary it is to stand up to your parents. But if you want to break the chain you have to do somwthing about it. Show the ghost you arent selfish like your parents. Show yourself - you aren't selfish" i trued to reassure her as she rested her head on my shoulder.
"I dont understand how you had the guts to stand up to your family. I admire you for that" she mumbled closing her eyes. Her voice was shaky so she probably closed them to stop the tears about to roll down her face.
"It was hard. But the first step is aways the hardest." I stip up which caused her head to fall slightly before she caught herself.
I offered my hand out to her. "Come on. Lets show the world you arent a cheating piece of shit" i gave her a wide grin as she took my hand. "I'll be right beside you for this." I told her as she looked at me, her eyes glossy from nearly crying.
"You promise?" Her voice alwmost a whisper. I gave her a reassuring smile and squeezed her hand.
"I promise"
And with that the two of us left. Her eyes widened in horror as she watched the sene unfold before her. People were turned to wood all over the place.
My eyes quickly recognized one figure at the top of the stairs. "Dipper!" I cried out seeing him turned to wood. My heart wanted to run to his and hug the lifeless form but my mind forced me to tug onto Pacifica's hand even tighter. "Come on" i mumbled dragging the poor girl over to the gate.
"Hey, ugly! Over here! You want me to let in the townsfolk? 'Cause I'll do it! Just change everyone back!" Pacifica shouted at the ghost. One hand resting on the lever, the older holding me.
Despite the confidence in her voice her grip became tighter and i noticed her breathing became heavier.
"YOU WISH TO PROVE YOURSELF? PULL THAT LEVER AND OPEN THE GRAND GATE TO THE TOWN! FULFILL YOUR ANCESTORS' PROMISE!" The ghost shouted as she gulped. She was about to pull it when the voice of her dad stopped her.
"Pacifica Elise Northwest, stop this instant! We can't let the town see us like this! We have a reputation to uphold! Now come into the panic room. There's enough mini-sandwiches and oxygen to last you, me, and a butler a full week." He said as I glared at him.
"Let her decide on her own old man!" I shouted at him. "Pacifica. Dont listen to him. Pull the lever" i told her. Now holding her hand with both of mine. I needed to show hee she could do this. I needed to comfort her.
"You have no right to tell my daughter what to do with the family buisness. This is about our family. Dont get involved" Preston spoke to me but i ignored him.
"Pacifica if you take this step i promise every other one is gonna seem easier" i whispered to her. "Please" my voice was about to break.
Suddenly i felt my legs lifeless. I looked down to ny dress where the ends were turning to wood.
She noticed me turning to wood and reached for the lever once more.
"You dare disobey us?!" His father shouted as she squeezed my jand even tighter. Her eyes quinted as tears started forming in her eyes.
Her father started ringing that damn bell as i tried to comfort her.
"Pacifica listen to me. You are better than them. Do it for the people here. Do it for yourself. Do it for me. I know we've had our diffrences. But maybe we aren't so different after all. Please." Half my body had been turned to wood. It wouldnt be long before my enitre consciousness was gone.
"Dingally dingally! Is this bell broken?!" Her father spoke once more as I saw something in her snap. Her eyes became fierce.
"Our family name is broken! And I'm gonna fix it!" And just like that she pulled the lever. Right before i had turned to wood, only my head remained untouched.
"I' proud of you" I mumbled as we watched the townsfolk storm the place and the ghost dissapear.
"YES, YES, IT'S HAPPENING! MY HEART, ONCE HARD AS OAK, now grows soft like more of a... birch, or something." He statedz half his body was already disintegrated. "Pacifica, you are not like the other Northwests. I feel... lumber justice." And with that he faded into nothing, only the axe on his head remained. It fell heavily to the ground hitting the dead centre of the ball room.
I could feel my body again and i saw the curse was gone. I moved my feet and jumped. Before i could realise it Pacifica was embracing me in a hug.
"You dont know how grateful i am. Thank you Emma" she whispered as i squeezed her tighter into the hug. We stayed like that until her father came and broke us apart.
"Alright. That's enough" Preston pushed me asside. I threw him a glare which he seemed to ignore.
"You hired us to get rid of the ghost. There you go. Hope you're pleased" i shot him a smile and a wink as he looked at disgust at all the townspeople dancing and having fun. "Pacifica lets go this is my favorite song!" I called her over as she looked at her father then at me. Eithout a second thought she ran up and grabbed my hand
The two of us danced around. I twirled her or she twirled me. The two of us danced until our legs gave out.
At the end we walked upstairs to the rokm with the fancy carpet. I gave her my hand and she gladly took it. "Shall I?" I asked her my foot hovering over the carpet as she shook her head.
"No let me" and just like that she jumped on the carpet and smeered all the mud from her heels on the carpet. I did the same with my sneakers.
"Take this fancy carpet!" Pacifica shouted as i looked at her in awe. Never in a million years would i think i'd have fun in the company of Pacifica Northwest.
"Emma I can't believe im saying this. But if you ever want to hang out. You know where to find me" she smiled. The widest grin on her face.
"And you know where to find me" i winked as she smiled.
I had so much fun with Pacifica that Dipper completely slipped my mind. But i didnt care. I hadnt felt as alive as i felt that night in the last 5 years. And i wasnt going to miss this opportunity to feel alive with a person that genuenly understood me.