The Lost and Found (A Sequel to Change of Identity)

Chapter 12 Truth

"Wait, I'm sorry!" Mabel called after me, but I didn't stop.

I walked downstairs and ended up in the gift shop, where Grunkle Stan was still behind the register, feet on the table and still deep in the Gold Chains For Old Men September issue.

"Hey, Dipper." He grunted, and when I didn't reply, he looked up. "You okay, kid?"

I gritted my teeth. "I'm fine."

"No you aren't." He shrugged, then got up, setting down his magazine after carefully marking the page he was on. He walked over to me and put a huge arm around my shoulder. "What's up?"

I sighed. "No one will take life or death situations seriously."

"Yeesh." Stan rolled his eyes. "The worst part is this is an average day for you. What's this life or death situation?"

"Oh, just a demon disguised as a teacher who is after us, so we have to hide out, but if everyone is being so loud, how am I supposed to concentrate on keeping us all alive?" I sighed. "They're also pressuring me to tell that new girl, the goth-ish one...well, take a guess."

"Oh god." Stan rolled his eyes. "This isn't another 'what-a-weird-girl's-name' thing again, is it? 'Cause if it is, I'll pound that sucker's face into the ground!" He shook an angry fist in the air.

"No, not...not exactly." I cocked my head to the side. "I guess she's only interested because another girl was doing that, so..."

"Wow, complicated stuff." Stan pursed his lips. "So can I punch her or no?"

I laughed. "No, sorry. I'll go up and apologize for storming out on them. Bye, Stan! Thanks for helping!"

"I-I didn't actually hel-eh, why not? I'll take what I can take credit for." I could hear him say as I left.

I went back upstairs and opened the door to find Pacifica, Caitlyn, and Mabel on Mabel's bed talking about something. None of them noticed me come in.

"Ahem." I cleared my throat.

All of then looked my way, and I saw Mabel was glaring at me.

"Mabel?" I said nervously.

"Why can't you tell anyone anything?" Her glare intensified.

"Mabel, seriously." I had to bite my lip to keep from yelling at her. "I came to say sorry for overreacting, and-"

"No!" She cut me off. "Apology not accepted! Why can't you tell Caitlyn this? She saved your life, for heaven's sake!"

"Mabel, this is honestly extremely personal and-" Once again I was cut off.

"Oh yeah?" She snorted. "I don't think so!"

"Actually, you wouldn't have any idea if it was personal or not. You have no experience." Pacifica pointed out.

"I don't care!" Mabel screamed, whirling to face me, face jam red. "I'm glad I did all that three years ago! You deserved it!"

I recoiled, honestly kind of scared of Mabel at that point. "M-Mabel, are you okay?"

"No, I am not okay!" She screeched. "Not until you tell that poor girl everything!"

"Y-you seriously..." My sadness and dear became anger. "You really think I deserve this? What did I do? And don't you dare throw that 'understanding' junk at me."

Mabel's lip curled. "Oh, don't worry. I won't."

"Well?" I raised an eyebrow. "What did I ever do to you to deserve this?"

"Deserve what?" Caitlyn asked, but no one heard her.

"Oh, don't get me started." Mabel rolled her eyes at me. "You were always buried in the stupid journal. Always mystery hunting. No time for little Mabel, no! You were singlehandedly the world's worst brother!"

"So you decided I'd make a better sister?" I glared at her. "Is that what this was all about? Because that's a huge insult."

"No, I figured you'd pay more attention to me if I did something drastic!" She replied.

"I'm sorry, brother?" Caitlyn interrupted. "I'm lost."

We both ignored her once again.

"I actually believed that 'understanding' crap." I narrowed my eyes at Mabel. "That wasn't your real reason at all, was it?"

"No." Mabel replied curtly. "And I still think my actions were justified."

"Are you kidding?" I screamed. "There is nothing in the world, nothing whatsoever, that could adequately justify this!"

"Well I like you better like this!" Mabel crossed her arms and turned away.

"Well, I don't!" I screamed. One more smart-ass remark from Mabel and I would break.

"Seriously." Caitlyn spoke again, and this time everyone turned straight to her. "The hell are you even talking about?"