The God and the Thief

People on the Inside(19)

Wendy POV

Everyone in the search groups felt exhausted, it felt like together we had covered the whole forest yet nothing of Dipper turned up.

None of us got any sleep in the past few days, all too worried to sleep, no matter where we were or what we were doing, it was easy to tell everyone was worried.

Well almost everyone.

Everytime I saw Grunkle Ford he never looked worried, he looked to be made of stone, ever determaned. He barely spoke to anyone but Stanly and even then it was private and always left Stanly with a look of unease written on his face.

I collapsed into bed, my first time in a few days to actually lay down and rest my aching bones. I never imagined being home alone would feel so nice.

That was short lived however, when a knock came at the door.

With a heavy sigh I heaved my body up, my legs and back screaming as I forced myself to move out my room and to the front door.

The moment I unclicked the lock the door flung open, in a blur a hand hit my shoulder pushing me back, on instinct I grabbed hold of the wrist to either take them down with me or kept myself on my feet.

"What the-" I hissed in surprise.

"Shhh!" the intrudered cut me off in a hush slamming the door closed behind them.

In one breath I knew who it was.

"Dipper!"

"Shh!" he shushed me again, this time he put a hand over my mouth, "I can explain everything but I need to know if you're the only one here?"

He didn't move his hand so I could only nod in response.

He let out a breath I didn't know he was holding, he moved his hand from my mouth, straightened himself then helped right me before pulling back his other hand. "I know you have many questions."

"That's an understatement." I scoffed.

"Can we please move away from the front of the house though, I would really like to keep the people that know I'm in town to the bare minimum." He asked.

I raised a brow at him but didn't argue, instead I led him back to the kitchen which's only window led out into our private yard. "Start from the beginning."

"I will, but actually I need to start with why I'm in town."

"Ok fine, But I need answers about that day."

"I promise to give you your answers." He started to explain the conversation he last had with the God, how the God felt the need to protect him but Dipper's stubberness got in the way and that's why he left.

"Your a fool," was the first thing to come out of my mouth when he finished talking.

"Yes, I'm aware." He laughed.

"Nevertheless I'm happy to see you, you have everyone worried. I know it will be a weight off the towns shoulders to hear your ok and have come back." At my words I watched him physically cringe away.

"About that- I would really appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone I came back into town." he said slowly, messing with the straps of his bag. I hadn't even realized he had one till now.

"Why?"

"Because I'm not ready to see my Grunkles. You should understand."

"I-" About to argue but Ford's cold expression flashed through my memories. "Ok, but what am I supposed to do, in less than an hour we all agreed to go back out looking for you!"