Betrayal

Chapter 29

~Mabel's POV~

"I can't believe you just left him there!" I yelled at Grunkle Stan, tears welling up in my eyes. We were all in Stanford's hospital room. From what I could tell, he looked fine. I guess the nurses weren't certain he was completely healed.

Grunkle Stan buried his face in his hands. "I know." It came out strangled and quiet. Some of my anger melted, replaced by pity.

"I just..." I tried to say without breaking down. I took a deep breath. "He's my brother."

Grunkle Stan put an arm around me. "I know how you feel. And we're not gonna leave your brother there for thirty years like I did." He ruffled my hair. "Besides, what kind of guardian would I be if I had to tell your parents that I lost Dipper to an evil dream demon?"

I gave him a little smile. "So, what's the plan?"

Stan rubbed his chin. "Hmm, not sure."

Just then, the door opened to a nurse. She had bright red hair and a clipboard was covering her face. "Um, Mr. Pines," she dropped the clipboard from his face. A smile spread across my lips. "Wendy!"

She blinked. "Uh...who are you?"

My smile disappeared. "Uh, it's me, Mabel," I said.

She gave me a weird look. Then she saw Grunkle Stan. "Oh. Perfect."

She looked back at her clipboard. "Mr. Pines, you're free to go."

A smile spread across Stanford's face. "Finally!" He jumped out of the hospital bed, making Wendy gasp. "I don't think-"

"Let's go," Ford said with a smile on his face.

We all ran past Wendy, who looked a little shaken up. I couldn't believe she didn't remember me!

~Dipper's POV~

Dipper tried to comfort me, telling me we'd get out of of this, but I wasn't feeling optimistic at the moment. In fact, I finally knew exactly how Dipper had felt before. Great. I'm depressed.

Don't give up! Dipper said encouragingly.

I ignored him.

You wouldn't leave me alone, and I'm not leaving you alone, got it?

I rolled my eyes. Why can't you just... I couldn't think of a good comeback. It was like I was too depressed to think clearly.

Dipper sighed. "Look, I know how you feel, okay? I made it through a year of this."

I winced. I knew I wouldn't make it a year.

"Get a grip!" Dipper said, shaking me by the shoulders. "You're family is still alive! That's something to live for, right?"

I shrugged. "I guess so."

"Well then, I suggest you quit this pity party and get out there!" He pointed towards the door. Just as he did that, the door slammed open. Bill walked in. "Pine Tre-" he cut off when he saw Dipper. Then a smile spread across his human face. "Oh. Well then. Nice to have you back, kid."

Dipper crossed his arms. "Yeah, no thanks to you."

Bill looked a little surprised that Dipper was standing up to him. "Well, well," Bill said. "When did Pine Tree grow up and get a backbone? I like it."

Dipper rolled his eyes. "Leave the kid alone, Bill. Haven't you hurt him enough? With the rate this is going, he's going to lose his mind!"

Bill shrugged. "Well, that was kinda the idea."