"Shh! Be quiet or he'll hear us!" Mabel whispered to Soos and Wendy, who were quietly trailing behind her as they snuck around Gideon's trailer.

Mabel located a window and slowly peered inside, looking around until she saw Gideon pacing inside. Wendy and Soos scooted next to her and slowly stood on their toes so they could see too.

"Why isn't she here?" Gideon muttered. He paused, took off his jacket and placed it on a chair that sat by a vanity.

"Who are 'ya talkin' about, son?" they heard an older man with a much thicker accent ask followed by the shuffle of what had to be a newspaper.

"That girl I've been talking about. I asked her to meet me here, but everyone's already gone!
Where is she?"

The man sighed. "She doesn't know you well enough, Gideon. You've probably made the poor girl uncomfortable."

"Preach," Mabel hissed through gritted teeth.

"Don't you talk to me like that, old man!" Gideon yelled. Something around his neck let off a blue glow, and the man let out a choking sound. He had dropped his newspaper, probably to reach his hands around his neck to sooth the pain.

The three gasped.

Gideon heard them and whipped around to face he window.

Mabel pulled Wendy and Soos away from the window and into the bushes before they could be seen. Gideon slammed open the window and scanned the area before slowly disappearing back inside.

"Did you see something?" the man asked quietly, his voice hoarse. He sounded scared now.

"More like a someone. . ." Gideon replied suspiciously.

Mabel stood up a little so she could get a better look into the trailer once more. Gideon was loosening the tie he wore around his neck, fastened by a blue gemstone.

"You don't think whoever it was saw anything?"

"They better've not," Gideon grumbled. "Or they'll be in some real trouble."

Mabel ducked back down again. She ushered Wendy and Soos out of the bushes, then urged them to run.

"We need to get out of here, now!"

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .

"What happened back there?" Soos asked Mabel when they had finally arrived back at the Mystery Shack.

"I've seen that gem thingie somewhere," Mabel said as she tore through the attic, pulling back pillows and bedsheets.

"What're you talking about?" Wendy asked. She looked around the room, trying to hide her excitement for standing in the center of Dipper's bedroom. "And what're you looking for?"

"Dipper's journal," Mabel replied shortly. "Where is that stupid thing?! I know it's in here somewhere." She turned to the dresser and began tossing out loads of socks and underpants.

"Uh, is that Dipper's underwear?" Soos laughed.

"Aha!" Mabel exclaimed triumphantly when she finally fished out the book from the bottom of the drawer. She turned stood up and began flipping through the pages until she found something.

"It's right here, the mystical amulet. . . the wearer can use this magical gem to manipulate any natural element as well as control inanimate objects. It's also possible to control human beings, almost like possession."

"Woah, that's what Gideon must've been doing to choke that guy in his trailer!" Soos gasped.

"And how he managed to pull off those stunts," Wendy concluded. "That explains how he's been able to claw his way to popularity so easily."

"We've gotta tell Dipper, come on!" Mabel said, dropping the book back into the empty dresser. She didn't wait for Soos and Wendy to follow her, though Soos didn't hesitate to do so.

Wendy stayed behind. She looked back at the dresser. An idea had come to mind, but she wasn't sure if it was the best idea to go with. Soon her curiosity got the most of her, and she was pulling open the drawer and taking out the journal.

The pages were worn and faded, but still legible. Wendy turned the pages carefully, her fingers trembling under the pressure to not accidentally tear one of the fragile pages.

Her eyes scanned the page that spoke of human possession through the amulet.

Her thoughts swirled around Pacifica and her utter jealousy and indescribable hatred toward the girl.

Something clicked.

"No. . . that's insane. I'm jumping to conclusions!" Wendy muttered to herself. She hated herself for letting her envy take control of her like this. Pacifica was obviously a perfectly nice, normal person. Yet, another side of Wendy seemed to whisper, she seems too perfect.

But would it be possible that Gideon was using someone close enough to a member of one of the Pines family to spy on them? What if Pacifica wasn't interested in Dipper at all, but secretly being possessed by Gideon to get more information on Mabel?

Wendy snapped the journal closed and dropped it back into the drawer where it belonged.

She debated on telling Mabel her theory, but that would risk her secret crush being spilled. And then again, she didn't have nearly enough facts to conclude her conspiracy.

Another idea sparked.

"I'll just have to do this by myself."

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .

Wendy was worried about having to come up with an excuse for why she had stayed behind for so long, but soon discovered that she wouldn't need one. Mabel looked like she was having a panic attack while Soos was running around in circles shouting, "OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH!"

"Woah, what the heck happened!?"

Mabel was clutching her cellphone tightly so that her knuckles had turned white. She pointed at the empty screen.

"Gideon- He, a-asked meh. . . meh. . . me-"

Soos cut her off.

"- HE ASKED HER OUT ON A DATE!"

Wendy's jaw dropped open. "What?!"
"How did he even get your number?!"
She mentally took note of this. Pacifica could've asked Mabel for her number, which she then reported back to Gideon.

Mabel slowly shook her head. "I have no idea, but the date's tomorrow night. I don't think I can do it, I'm too nervous. I'll just have to call him back and cancel."

"But this is perfect! Gideon's head over heels for you, he'll probably tell you anything if you just ask," Soos offered.

Mabel considered this. "I guess. . . but he invited me to the fanciest place in town! I've never been on such a sophisticated date before."

"I can help," Soos said with a wide smile.

Wendy snorted. "Since when are you a dating expert?"

Soos placed his hands on his hips and stuck his nose in the air. "Since ever!" He turned to back to Mabel. "You can trust me. I have some old spy gear that'll work perfectly for this! You'll wear the earpiece and I can talk to you through my walkie talkie."

Wendy crossed her arms. "That's. . . actually pretty clever. This might actually work."

Mabel nodded in agreement.

"So it's a mission?" Soos said, placing his hand in the middle of the three of them. Mabel and Wendy placed their hands in the middle of the circle too.

"It's a mission!"

A/n: WHOO! About one last chapter to go before The Hands that Rock the Pines is finally wrapped up! :D

I'm also excited to announce that my original AU, Dead or Alive has been nominated for the title of the Best of the Undiscovered for the Fanfiction Awards!!!

If you would like to vote, go to the 2017 Fanfiction Awards and find the category; Best of the Undiscovered and tag my username (magicath617) to vote for Dead or Alive!
Here's the link: thefanfictionawards

I'm also about to cast votes for other fellow wattpaders, thanks again for all the love and support! :D

~Cath

P.S. I'm kinda in a rush today so if I made any typos, I'll be rereading this and correcting it every once and a while.