(Not my art. Credit to TynaEXE for the Shmebulock image)

Y/N's POV

With my legs tucked to my chest, I sat in the car feeling the cool air from the AC hit my face. My ears feel like they are bleeding at this point, still hearing the ringing in my ears from the explosion that just occurred. We were walking through a cave filled with bombs this whole time... and never even knew.

I stared ahead of me, unable to look down at the unconscious body in the passenger's seat. I'm lucky he is still breathing. I'm lucky I didn't nearly get us both killed just now...

How much of an idiot do I have to be to drag the both of us out into the middle of nowhere while trusting the word of some demon that this quest will lead me to answers that I want. Do I actually want to obtain these answers?! Ever since the first phone call, I swear there have been two voices trapped within my head, one telling me to drop this all right now because it's not worth getting the people I care about killed and another voice telling me I will regret it if I never find out all the secrets and lies Bill has been keeping from me. I have been trying to listen to the first voice so badly, because the first voice sounds more like I'm the one actually talking, but my actions and words always tend to listen to the second voice as of lately. Is there something wrong with me? I really want to ask for help, I want to explain what's been happening but when I go to open my mouth, nothing comes out other than speaking about how important this "quest" is to me.

What is important to me right now is making sure Markus wakes up and getting back home safely.

I clutched the key tightly in my fist, closing my eyes. I let the AC blow against me, feeling the sweat drip down my face. Some of the sweat droplets were coming from my eyes, however. I wanted to tell myself that eyes can sweat and that I wasn't sitting here crying out of fear that I really screwed up.

It was silent for a long time before I heard shifting and groaning noises coming from the passenger's seat, the ringing in my ears having died down a bit. I didn't look over, I couldn't. I didn't want to see how pissed or hurt he looked.

"That....rea....really sucked..." were the first words to come out of his mouth after a couple minutes of him trying to get himself to wake up and come to consciousness once again.

I did not respond to him, only keeping my eyes shut tight as I tried to figure out the right words to say to show how sincerely sorry I really, truly am for getting him nearly blown up back there.

"I know.. how I constantly joke about... about being "the bomb" with... Dipper... That did not give life permission to... to actually throw a bomb... at me just to....get me to sh....shut up about that joke," he laughed slightly, which quickly turned into a rough cough.

Was he seriously trying to make jokes right now?

Again, I said nothing. Too lost in thought.

It was silent for a long period of time, making me wonder if he had passed out once again or something. My thoughts were then interrupted by a loud and sudden scream which caused me to jump and finally look over at him.

"What?! What's wrong?!" I yelled, very confused and startled right now as I blinked back the tears that were blurring my vision.

Markus looked towards me with this smug grin, however, still laying against the seat like he did not have the strength to actually sit upright and merely shrugged. "Just wanted to....test your hearing. Looks like your....your ears are s... still working fine." He grinned from ear to ear as I huffed, turning to look ahead again.

"Jerk."

"Hmm, maybe~ .....So, are you....you done ignoring....me?"

I looked down, frowning as I saw the key still in my hand. I lifted my free hand to rub my eye, sighing softly. "Look, Markus.... I'm really, really sorry. And saying sorry isn't exactly enough to explain just how guilty and sick I feel for nearly killing you back there. We almost didn't make it out of there- I should have never let you come and it was insane of me to bring you at all. I couldn't live with myself if I actually got someone killed because of my stupid shennanigans!" I pulled my knees tighter to my chest as more tears began to spill at the thought of bringing a corpse back home and having to explain to the family how I was the one that got him killed. That I was the one listening to a music demon's words and trusting them when I should've been more cautious. There's a reason Ford had warned in the journals to Trust No One, and here I am trusting everyone who has a nice voice to listen to for some strange reason.

I heard Markus having a slight coughing fit once again and the guilt only rose more just from hearing how much in pain he was really in right now. What I wasn't expecting were for sudden arms to wrap around me and bring me close. Gasping, I opened my eyes and looked up at Markus who had gotten the strength to finally get himself to sit up all the way just to give me a hug. It was a very secure hug, one that felt as though you were trapped but not in a threatening way, almost like this hug was very protective and would keep me safe from anything that could potentially want to cause me harm.

"Sweetheart... I'm fine. There's nothing you have to worry about... alright? Nothing happened. I wasn't killed, I'm still kicking and fighting, much to the Pines family's displeasure. I'm okay... I am."

"...But-"

"No, none of that. No 'buts' or 'what ifs,' alright? You... are stuck with this powerless demon... whether you like it or not. Think about...it. If you didn't invite me... you would've never known about the bombs in the... the cave. You would have died. I would rather get a bit beaten and scraped up... then have Ford or Bill come across your corpse....and realize you were gone. So... just breathe... and be thankful we avoided a worse case scenario."

I hadn't even thought of that... He's right, I had no idea those bombs were in there and by the time I did, I doubt I would have made it out in time. I should have never gone down there to begin with... But I'm really glad now that I didn't go on this adventure alone. He saved my life.

He gave my back a pat before releasing me, looking down at me and ruffling my hair up a bit. "Come on, it's getting late. We should start heading back before Bill sends search parties for us- well, you. That guy is pretty much obsessed with you, yknow."

I smiled faintly, nodding my head. "Yeah, I'm very much aware of that."

I sat back in my seat, going to pull my seatbelt on before starting the car. Markus also put his seatbelt on before laying back and closing his eyes once again. He rested the whole way back while I drove us back to the Mystery Shack.

~~~

With the two hours it took to drive there and back, the time it took to get through the cave and to get out, and the time waiting for Markus to eventually wake up from being knocked out by the explosion in the cave, it was safe to say we were gone for a good chunk of the day. Which means in my case: I was probably not beating Bill home to go quickly hop in a shower and not look as though I just got nearly blown up by a couple of bombs in a cave.

When we finally arrived back at the shack, I got out first before going over to help Markus get out of the passenger's side. He held his waist, wincing in pain slightly while leaning his weight against me for support. I held him close and securely before going to walk towards the door.

"So... who wants to bet we can actually get to the vending machine before getting caught by anyone?" I asked, a nervous laugh escaping.

"I hope we can... this won't exactly be fun to explain if we don't," he muttered, his hat slightly falling over his eyes a bit.

I sighed, deciding to quickly rip the bandaid off and open the door, expecting everyone to be in there like they had been when we had arrived back from Dusk2Dawn. To my surprise... the tourist trap seemed empty. Why was the gift shop completely empty? Y'know what- this time I wasn't going to let my brain ask a million questions and instead just be thankful while making a sprint straight towards the vending machine. I held Markus tighter once we got over with one arm so I could use my now free hand to punch in the code. The door slowly opened and I felt relief take over me as I went to step inside and-

"Woah- you two look like literal crap," was the first thing we heard, pausing and turning to see Stan entering the gift shop with his arms crossed. "...So, who's going to be the one who has the balls to explain what exactly happened while you two were out?"

I tried to hide my nervous gulp as I looked at Markus, kind of worried now. Neither of us actually discussed a back-up story for if we were to get caught. We should have planned ahead, but the both of us are apparently idiots who thought we could get away with this without being caught. We turned to look back at Stan, ready to help the other in backing up whatever excuse they came up with for where we had been. When Markus didn't answer right away, I went ahead and assumed he was expecting me to give Stan the answer. However, it seems Markus thought that I was expecting him to give the excuse so in the end we both answered at the exact same time, and in unison the both of us had answered with:

"Gnomes."

...I could not believe we actually had the same idea going in that exact moment- I wasn't even reading his mind or anything! I just realized how far up my luck is truly going today if the both of us are on the same wavelength to be coming up with the same excuse story.

"...The gnomes did this?" Stan questioned, narrowing his eyes.

"Yeah- they did. I think they're still pretty pissed that I never did agree to be their queen."

"Don't forget the fact that Bill kind of killed their leader. They're probably still wanting revenge for that," Markus added, holding his side still as he stood up a bit straighter.

"Huh, I guess that makes sense... Not that it justifies their action for thinking they can lay a hand on my niece, but when you put it into that perspective I guess it makes sense." Stan appeared to be taking this rather calmly... which could only mean that he was trying really hard to bottle up that rage he was feeling right now while he was standing in front of us.

I cleared my throat, nudging Markus slightly which simply caused him to wince at the action. "But y'know- if Markus hadn't been there, I probably would be a lot more bruised up or damaged... or worse, I wouldn't have made it back at all. Luckily he stepped in and helped save my life."

Markus and Stan both looked at me the same way: a look of utter disbelief in the words that had just escaped from my mouth.

"Really? ....He saved you? The powerless mutt saved you," Stan slowed down his words as if to make sure that I understood what he was saying to me.

I nodded, smiling up towards him. "Yeah, he did." Now that wasn't a lie. He really had saved my life back there and even if we were lying about what had occurred, I think Markus deserves some brownie points in getting recognition for his heroic acts. He's been nothing but a slave in their eyes that could never be redeemed for the things he has done. But here I am, the one who had actually been tricked, manipulated, and had my whole life screwed up because of him, trusting him with every inch of my being by letting him help me on this quest of mine. And my trust in him has yet to fail- he could have died because of me and yet his first concern was making sure that I made it out of the caves safely. Honestly, this demon deserves to have his heroic moments known.

Stan stood there looking confused and unsure for a moment, before this look of proudness spread across his face as he looked towards Markus and gave a nod. "Not bad, kid."

Markus seemed to tense, only to relax a bit and smile genuinely up at him. Markus really seemed much more at ease hearing Stan say that, almost seeming proud of himself right then. Was Stan's approval all it took for Markus to feel happy at this point? Probably because all Stan ever seems to recognize him as lately is his personal demon slave and nothing more. He seemed really happy just to hear Stan say he did good today, and that was the most wholesome and heartbreaking thing ever. Did he rarely ever get compliments from the Pines' family? Has he gone two years of being treated as nothing but a slave in their eyes, no compliments or positive feedback? ...If that is the case, then I really don't feel bad for putting Markus on the spot right then by claiming him to be a hero. He really deserved it.

"Well you two should probably go shower. You'll drive away my customers with your dirty, sweaty stench-"

"But... the store is closed, you don't have any customers," I retaliated, tilting my head to the side.

He blinked, looking a bit lost like he forgot that the tourist trap was closed for the night. "Well... you're driving me away from my own home by your stench! So... nothing changes, get yourselves clean." He made hand gestures to shoo us both away as I simply laughed, heading towards the vending machine and punching in the code once again to reveal the elevator to us.

We both got in the elevator and headed down into the depths of the shack. That honestly went so much better than I had expected it to go. Markus didn't say anything the whole way down. He held an expression that looked as if he wanted to say something, but either couldn't find the words or simply didn't want to speak at all. HIs arm that he had draped over my shoulder hugged onto me tighter, though, and I held a relaxed smile on my face, glad that it all went well and we were now done with all of that.

When the elevator doors opened, however, my smile instantly fell.

And here I thought we had successfully avoided everyone.

Sitting on the couch in the living room in front of us was both my dad, Stanford, and my boyfriend, Bill Cipher, seemingly playing some intergalactic game of chess. Well, at least they were playing it until they turned to face whoever it was that just came down in the elevator: which was both Markus and I.

"My child- what happened to you?!"

"Star- are you alright? You're not hurt or anything- are you?!"

They both quickly stood up, walking around the couch to walk over towards us.

Markus rolled his eyes, leaning against me more. "I'm fine too, y'know. The demon standing right beside her. Still visible. Just as banged up as she is-"

"Shut it, Daggers, I don't care about your well-being," Bill hissed at him before turning to look at me with concern in his eyes.

I raised a hand, trying to get everyone to shut up for a moment and calm down. "Guys, relax- it's fine. The both of us are physically fine! We... ran into the gnomes while we ventured through the woods. They were pretty pissed but Markus got us out of there. Happy ending in the end, am I right? All we need now is a shower, some pjs, and a night to just relax and chill out. Few bruises and scrapes here and there but overall we'll be fine by the time morning hits."

"Speak for yourself- OW!" I elbowed Markus in the gut, causing him to whine and double over slightly.

Ford and Bill looked at us with wide eyes, neither of the two seeming to expect this response from me. Ford still held a concerned expression but seemed much more at ease knowing that we weren't badly hurt. It didn't stop him from walking over and examining us a bit more, however, just to make sure we weren't lying about our injuries.

Bill, however, seemed to react with more rage to my words, this slight red aura beginning to take over his normal golden appearance. He growled slightly, clenching his fists as his face grew more stern. I could tell his anger wasn't directed towards me, however, and more towards the gnomes which supposedly hurt us according to my story.

"After all the warnings I've given, all the threats and even examples I have made, they still dare to defy me and harm you," he began slowly, his eye changing colors from golden to crimson. "I think I've let them off easy one too many times... this time, however, I will make sure not a single one of them survives my wrath." His growling grew louder as he tried to walk past me towards the elevator.

My eyes widened, quickly reacting to this by grabbing his arm with my free hand and pulling him back towards me. "Bill- No. I get you're upset-"

"I'm not upset, Y/n. I'm outraged! Those little perverted creatures straight from Hell can't understand that you are not some ragdoll that they can snatch and use! They want to force you to be their Queen against your will and I'm supposed to just stand by and let them do that whenever they please so long as you come back alive?! Y/n, that's not okay! I have given them time and time again to learn to leave you alone, to learn that they want nothing to do with you- but they don't learn! They keep harassing you! Someone needs to put an end to this. I don't understand why you are okay with letting this slide! What if they're other girls that they are harassing daily, you want those girls to continue to suffer as well? Do you really want that, Star?"

My gosh, I did not even consider the idea that I would be signing over the gnomes' death by stating they were the cause of why I look like this. It wasn't my intention at all, but now I either look psychotic for wanting the gnomes to continue harassing me or I let Bill go and let him handle this. He could be right... Those perverts have been nothing but a nuisance to this town, always going after the prettiest girl they lay their eyes on. What if I'm really not the only one they have been after recently and getting them killed now is actually helping a lot of other girls out in the town? Besides, if they're dead then they can't exactly explain to Bill how they did nothing to us. It's not like Bill would believe them over my word, anyways. Geez I feel kind of awful for thinking this way...

I release Bill's arm and sigh, looking down. "You're right, I didn't even consider that... It's not that I'm okay with them constantly going after me, I'm just not a huge fan of everything being solved through death. I know they probably will never learn though if we keep giving them opportunities to prove themselves... but it doesn't mean I have to like this being the only answer."

Bill frowned, placing a hand on my cheek before leaning forward and placing a soft kiss against my temple. "I know you don't, my little Star. That's why I'm not asking you to come. I'll finish this, make sure you're never bothered by them again, okay? You're already having to deal with this new demon terrorizing your dreams, I don't want you to stress about some gnomes attacking you every time you enter the woods as well." He took a step back, smiling reassuringly. "I'll be back soon. I promise. I'm going to take care of this finally and have this not be a problem for us any longer."

With that, Bill turned on his heel and headed towards the elevator, stepping inside and heading up to the surface. I sighed, already feeling the guilt starting to wash over me... before it was quickly interrupted.

"...Look, I know you two love each other greatly but can you both stop being so sentimental right in front of me? I get it, you're in love. I don't need to witness it 24/7." Ford ruffled my hair, chuckling slightly.

Markus just rolled his eyes. "Love is... weird. I'll never understand it. Ever."

I just laughed at the two, trying to ease my worries in front of the both of them. "Sorry boys- Well, now that that is being dealt with, I'm gonna go hop in the shower and relax for a bit. It's been a long day."

"Alright, seems fair enough. I'm going to look over Markus' side, make sure he's all good since it looks like he can barely stand- are you sure it was just some scrapes and bruises?"

Markus hissed as Ford began poking at his side, closing his eyes and letting his head fall forward. "Ugh... yup. Just one... big scrape. I'm fine. Really."

"Mhmm. I'll be the judge of that. Come on, to the couch we go." Ford took Markus from me, beginning to walk him over to the couch.

I started making my way down the hallway to my room before looking back over my shoulder and watching the two for a moment. I smiled softly, watching as Ford began to treat Markus like some stubborn child who doesn't want to be at the doctor's. I then continued my way back to my room, opening the door carefully and stepping inside.

The moment I was out of sight from anyone else, I took a deep breath in and exhaled slowly. We actually got away with that... We escaped the bombs from blowing us up in the cave, successfully lied about where we were and what we were doing to the people who love and care for us, and we might have just gotten an entire species killed off because our excuse story surrounded around saying that they had been the cause of our disheveled appearances.

All in all, I'd say it turned out pretty well.

And now... now I have the first key. I slowly removed the key from my pocket to examine it more carefully now that I had the time and light to do so. It was a golden key, slightly bigger than the palm of my hand. On the key appeared to be some tiny details carved into it, but personally I couldn't tell whether it was decorative or some sort of secret message or meaning that was meant to be written on it. Walking over towards my dresser, I opened up my sock drawer and dug around until I felt the box and pulled it out, gasping softly. The first keyhole... it was starting to glow a golden light as well. I was staring at the box, mesmerized by this new light and in awe of its beauty and mystery... up until my eyes saw my hand inching closer towards it, about to insert the key into the box, and I quickly snapped out of the daze. I pulled my hand back, dropping the box and taking a step back. Was... I doing that? Were those my actions just then and I simply didn't realize it? I looked down at the key again for just a moment before quickly shoving it back into my pocket and shaking my head.

Something's wrong with me... I can feel it.

But all I can possibly think of right now is how I have only two keys left to go before all of Bill's secrets and lies are revealed to me.

Narrator's POV
(WARNING: Blood and Death ahead, read at your own risk. For those who are triggered by this, there will be a marker further down to let you know when it is safe to read again)

Screams of terror filled the woods as an entire species attempted to run and escape to keep themselves from going extinct in one evening. Not a single one of them was even aware of what they could have possibly done this time to anger the dream demon so badly, but they doubted a single one of them could speak up to him long enough for him to listen before he obliterated them into nothing but ash and dust. So their best bet was to run and hide, hoping enough of them could be spared that they could always repopulate the gnome species after Bill Cipher was done wiping the rest of them out.

Gnomes were being killed off left and right, some being engulfed by blue flames that consumed their whole form and began to burn away their flesh until there was nothing left but bones. Others were blowing up like a balloon before combusting and their blood and guts exploding onto their fellow gnomes. It was a disturbing sight to watch, Bill coming up with new and thrilling ways to take down the perverts that dare to lay a hand on the one he loves. Surely this will teach all the other creatures within these woods not to mess with him or his Star unless they, too, wished to become nothing but bones inside of a museum.

"W-Wait- please!" Carson screamed out as he ran, trying to dodge the balls of blue fire to the best of his ability.

"You idiots can keep begging and crying all you want- it is a very amusing sight to see!" He laughed as he raised his left hand which caused the grass to grow from the earth and move to latch onto the gnome like rope, beginning to pull on his limbs. Carson didn't understand what was happening at first, until it started to feel like his whole body was tearing apart. In fact, his body really was being torn apart. He screamed and cried, trying to free himself but the grass remained stronger than he was. He suffered for a good couple of minutes before finally his arms and legs were detached from his little body and he laid there on the ground, bleeding out.

"No! Why- What did we do wrong?!" Jason yelled out, watching in horror as Carson was killed so brutally. He was frozen, unable to move or look away from his corpse.

Jason squeaked as he suddenly felt a hand around his neck and was lifted up into the air, kicking his little legs while he was brought up to Bill's level, the red eye glaring down the small creature in his hold. "Of course none of you would think for even a second that harassing a woman is considered wrong. And here people in this town consider me the monster, at least I treat the meatsacks in this town as equals. At least I don't force a woman to be my queen just because none of you know how to properly take care of yourselves! You pathetic pieces of crap are absolutely disgusting- and not just because you bathe in squirrels." He hissed lowly under his breath before his hand began to squeeze tighter and tighter around his neck until finally Jason's head popped off and began rolling on the ground, blood spewing from his body that Bill tossed to the side.

(For those looking for the marker of safety, here it is. You have successfully passed Bill's wrath and you may read once again.)

"W-Wait- are you talking about when we went after Y-Y/n...?" Steve asked cautiously as he popped out from his hiding spot. Even if it cost him his life... he deserved to know the reason why he was dying.

"Oh look at that! Someone is using their single brain cell properly~" He chuckled darkly, clapping his hands slowly in fake amusement as he began to approach the small gnome.

"B-But I thought killing Jeff was enough! Wasn't it...? Why- Why kill all of us now all of a sudden? We've left you alone! And now you've decided to finish us off months later?!" Steve questioned, trying to understand the madness occurring inside of the demon's head but maybe it was just that: Madness. It didn't make sense to him in the slightest, and maybe it wasn't supposed to.

"Left us alone- So you call attacking Y/n earlier today leaving us alone?!" Bill barked as he lifted his right hand which was glowling a light blue, the same light blue aura now surrounding Steve as he was suddenly lifted up into the air.

"W- WHAT?! What are you talking about?!"

"Don't act dumb with me! I saw the damage that you caused her, I saw how beaten up she looked! You have NO right to cause my little Star so much pain all because you want your precious Queen-"

"BUT WE DON'T!" Steve screeched, squirming and trying to break free from Bill's power.

Bill paused, hesitating for a moment after this sudden outburst. "...What? Explain yourself. Now."

"We don't want a Queen! That was Jeff's intentions, he was the one leading us at the time so we listened to whatever he said, did whatever he wanted! He wanted a Queen so under his rule we had to listen and retrieve him a queen fit for a king! After you killed him- we- we've been free! Free from his ruling! We have a new leader- We don't go after girls anymore! We haven't been anywhere close to your girl since that day- I SWEAR!"

Steve could just be lying... Trying to save himself right now. His Star wouldn't lie to him. She wouldn't- if she said the gnomes were the ones that caused her pain then he believed her. ...So why was he having second thoughts right now hearing this from the gnome? A part of him could believe that Jeff was the one simply ordering the others to steal him a woman... he never liked Jeff. Jeff disturbed him. But then... why would Star lie to him?

"And who exactly is this new leader of yours that you and the other gnomes now follow?"

Bill was then led by the gnome towards a tree which had an odd door in the trunk of it that was in similar size to that of a gnome. Crouching down to be at the level of the door, he forced the door open just by giving it a strong push with his hand, going to look in. He saw a bunch of gnomes standing around and hiding within the tree, all of them screaming by the time they saw his demonic cat-like eye come into view and trying to back up as much as they could, some of them climbing on top of one another. He rolled his eye, grabbing Steve and shoving him into the doorway. He kept a tight grip on the gnome so he couldn't try to escape.

"I want to know who your leader is. Who is it?" Bill hissed.

Steve looked at the others within the room before catching a glimpse of their leader in the crowd and pointing in that general direction. Everyone who was gathered in that area quickly moved to the side and out of their way to reveal their leader standing all on his own now, opening his mouth slowly to speak up and reveal himself to Bill as:

"Shmebulock!"

Bill's face fell into a deadpan expression, looking annoyed but also disappointed in the entire species for choosing this gnome as their leader. "You've got to be kidding me..."

"Umm... no? He is- Shmebulock is our new leader-"

"Yeah I'm done talking to you."

With that, Bill tossed him into the air behind him as Steve screamed only to glance around, throw his fists into the air and smile brightly. "I'm free!"

And then a giant eagle snatched him, causing Steve to scream in pain and horror as the eagle took off with the gnome in its beak.

Bill then reached his arm into the tree, everyone scattering to get away from him but his only goal was to grab hold of the gnome that seemed like he had no idea where he was or what was going on. Grabbing him, Shmebulock squeaked like a squeaky toy before being pulled out of the protection of the tree and outside with the demon as Bill stood and looked down at the small magical woodland creature.

"So... you're the new leader, huh?" He said, really not believing it for one second- actually... yeah, he could believe the gnomes would choose this one to be their leader. Seemed like a gnome thing to do. They did in fact make Jeff their first leader, afterall.

"Shmebulock!"

"Do you say anything else? I mean- Anything?!" Bill groaned, getting fed up and annoyed. Now he was just wasting time when he could be killing off an entire species.

Then he paused, leaning closer towards the gnome's face as he began to study it, examine the creature. "Wait a minute... that magic I'm sensing on you doesn't belong to you..." He muttered under his breath in thought. Without looking away, he lifted his other hand up and snapped his fingers. This caused the gnome to be engulfed in blue flames, but these flames were not causing the gnome any kind of pain. It was simply burning away the curse that appeared to be on the gnome for who knows how long or why it was on him to begin with, but hopefully it would help him to understand the gnome a bit better.

As the curse faded away, Shmebulock's eyes went incredibly wide before shrinking back down, now his pupils were focused in one direction rather than in opposite directions. He blinked slowly, coming to and beginning to snap out of the curse, looking around confused.

"Wha- What's this? I don't understand... I should not have the ability to speak the tongue of man for another thousand years!" Shmebulock exclaimed, holding his head before looking up at Bill Cipher. "You... broke the curse? But how- Why-"

"Answers," Bill responded quickly and flatly, tightening his hold around the gnome.

"...What do you want to know?" Shmebulock narrowed his eyes.

"Today. What happened earlier today? What were you ordering your men to do?"

"Nothing."

"...What-"

"You know why they hated Jeff being their leader? He was constantly controlling, constantly telling the gnomes what to do and threatening them when they refused to obey his orders. That's why they elected me to be their new leader: all I can do is say my own name and look like a dummy who has no idea what is going on! I can't order them to do anything, they're free to be their own gnomes and do as they please. I mean, with no one actually controlling them it has been a bit more chaotic around this part of the woods, but now they can be free to do more than just try to capture women for a living and see which one pleases Jeff the most."

"...Has Y/n been in this part of the woods at all today?"

"Y/n? ...No, I do not believe we have seen her since her first day back to Gravity Falls. Why do you ask?"

Bill felt his chest tighten greatly hearing him say this. Y/n wouldn't lie to him. She wouldn't. She didn't have any reason to lie to him, right? She could talk to him, she could trust him. She didn't have to lie about her whereabouts with Markus... but... what if she did? Why would she have to lie about where her and the powerless demon were unless-... His heart sank at even the possibility that what he was thinking right now could be the very reason as to why she would think to lie to him. And it hurts.. It hurts so much. Pain was hilarious, yes, but not this pain...

But he couldn't help but ask the question:

Was she cheating on him with Markus?

It's not like this gnome had a reason to lie, he seems so confused coming out of the curse sooner than he expected, he probably had no idea what was happening or what Bill was doing here so why would Shmebulock lie?

Bill wanted to believe Y/n more, but now his thoughts were wandering and he was left to question which was the truth and which was the lie.

Growling, he dropped the gnome and let him fall to the ground, looking straight ahead. "I no longer have a use for your words."

"What does that- AGH!" Shmebulock screamed as the blue fire engulfed him once more and began to return the curse that Bill had momentarily taken away. The demon wasn't that kind to free a gnome from his curse when the gnome could very well be the one who is lying to him.

Bill then began to walk off, not caring to deal with the rest of the living gnomes. He walked amongst the corpses, getting a bit of blood on his shoes as he did. He was lost in thought as he walked off, his heart heavy and his mind poisoned with the possibilities of what Y/n and Markus could have done while they were out today. It hurt so much... he wants to believe that Y/n was loyal. He had to... Has he been pushing her away? Has he not been doing enough to please her? He wanted her back, wanted to know for certain that everything was okay between the two of them.

The fire disappeared, the gnome's eyes now looking in opposite directions once again as he watched Bill Cipher walk off with an unreadable expression, tilting his head to the side slightly.

". . . Shmebulock!"