Dipper's POV

I didn't know where I was, but it was dark, and the chains where still tied tightly around my torso, restricting me from moving. In the distance I thought I could hear the sound of dripping water.

"What to do first," I heard someone say. No, not someone, it was Bill.

I couldn't see him, but I could hear him. I wasn't even sure if he had reverted to his original form or if he was still a human.

"How about this," he chuckled.

What? How about wh-

"AHH!"

Something flew out from the darkness and lodged itself into my leg. The pain was so immense I fell over writhing in pain. The chains holding me tight grew even tighter.

"You'll find every time you struggle it only gets more painful. But I'm going to make you struggle just for the fun of watching you in pain."

I still couldn't see Bill. My eyes hadn't adjusted to the light of wherever we were.

"You're a monster!" I spat.

"I am, aren't I? I quite enjoy being a monster."

I nodded, forgetting that any movement would cause the chains to tighten. And they did. My breathing was ragged, and I could barely get enough air into my lungs.

"B-Bill.. please.." I stopped and tried to gain more air.

"Oh you want more? I see you enjoy pain as much as I do. That's great!"

I choked out a soft 'no' but it was too late. Another weapon had lodged itself in my stomach. I lurched forward and screamed. I heard my scream echo around me and go back through my ears until my head was ringing.

"S-sto-"

The chains pulled tighter, wrapping around me like a boa constrictor. I couldn't breathe. My ears were ringing. It was pitch black. I was terrified.

"I-I... c-can't bre-brea-"

"Oh Pine Tree, I know you can't breathe. And that's too bad. I guess our fun is over, for now."

Before I could choke out another sentence, my head fell back and I lost consciousness.

•

The first sense I regained was hearing and touch. I could feel something soft beneath my fingers. I stroked it with my index finger, as a noisy woodpecker banged on the outside of the shack.

That's where I was... the shack!

I launched myself up in bed. Looking around me, I saw I was in the attic, and Bill was nowhere to be seen.

Just as I realized I was alright, and I didn't have two weapons lodged into me, the pain set in, and they were in the same spots that I had been stabbed.

I fell back onto my bed, and pulled my legs to my chest. I'd seen Mabel do this before, and apparently it makes you feel better, but I still felt awful.

"There you are! I came in here a few minutes ago and I didn't see you." Mabel said walking through the ajar door.

"I was... I was in the closet looking for the... invisible wizard?"

"Did you find him?" Mabel asked, running to the closet to check.

"Umm.. no."

"Aw," she whined, "how come?"

"Because he's invisible..."

"Oh. Touché! Whelp I'm going into town to get some ice cream, wanna come?" Mabel asked sitting on the edge of my bed.

"Are you friends going to be there?" I asked rolling my eyes.

To my surprise she said no. I slowly sat up and agreed. We both walked out of the attic, down the stairs, and through the shacks main door.

Mabel's POV

I swore Dipper wasn't upstairs! I called for him more than once. How could he have not heard me?

"Mabel?"

"What?" I asked looking at Dipper.

I'd forgotten we were waiting in line for ice cream.

"What flavor would you like, miss?"

"I'll have party cake. Because life's always a party!" I yelled punching the sky.

"Some party it's been lately, " I heard Dipper mutter.

What does that mean?

"Here you go," the man said holding out a cone full of deliciousness.

"And what would you like young man?" He asked looking toward Dipper.

"I'll have.. AH!!"

Dipper jumped back from the cart of ice cream, nearly knocking it over, and falling to the ground.

"What's wrong?" Both the ice cream man and I asked at the same time.

"T-there was... never mind. I'll have um.. chocolate."

Now that I realized it Dipper looked worse than before. He had a swelling bruise on his leg and his cheeks weren't even full of blush from embarrassment. He looked more dead than alive.

Dipper took his ice cream cone and walked away. I skipped along quickly, trying to catch up, but he was walking very fast.

"Dip dip wait up!" I called after him.

He slowed but didn't stop walking.

"What happened back there?"

Dipper looked into the edge of the forest, not even a block away. His eyes were focused on something, but it seemed so far from view.

"Dipper?"

"Dippy fresh?" I tried.

He finally turned his head towards me and gave me a soft glare.

"What happened?" I asked again.

Usually I'd dismiss it as nothing, and go back to being my very cheery self, but something was wrong with Dipper, so it was time for serious Mabel to come out.

"Dip-"

"It was nothing okay! I thought I saw something but I didn't."

"What did you think you saw?" I questioned stepping beside him.

"Nothing!" He yelled throwing his arms outward, almost knocking me over in the process.

Shoving his hands in his pockets he stomped off towards the forest. I called after him but got no answer in return.

What's wrong with him?

Dipper's POV

It was the statue! The statue is what's keeping him here! If I destroy it he'll be gone forever! I just need to destroy it!

I felt awful for hurting Mabel's feelings, but she can't know Bill was here until he's gone for good.

I walked forever. I dont know how long it took me until I found the statue, but it was nearly night.

Destroy it!

I now realized I had nothing to destroy it with, but my hands and feet would have to do. Jumping up I stomped on top of the statue. His top hat and outstretched arm were the first to go.

Next I jumped on his body, crushing it's and reducing it to rubble. It didn't take long to diminish his already grumbling form, but I stomped on it until he looked like a pile of ash.

"Now you can't hurt anyone anymore! Not me and not my family!"

The trees around me shook violently. I smiled in triumph. I had vanquished the dream demon Bill Cipher and now he can no longer torment anyone.

"I have vanquished Bill Cipher," I whispered into the chilly summer night.

"Vanquished."