The Haunted Love

Chapter 11

Sabrina couldn’t remember the last time Clayton really slept. As much as she wanted to follow him when he went up to his sofa, she didn’t. Some nights, he’d wake up in a cold sweat, his glasses sideways and breathing uneven. It was the nights that Bill visited him that were the worst. Sabrina has had them also and the damn demon only has met her once. And he still puts a nickname on her.

She remembers sitting at the fire after waking up in the middle of a brisk night. Her eyes would slide over to Clayton on the other side. His arms and legs were crossed as his head was down. The shadow play from the fire would always cover his silvering hair and face. Sometimes he’d mumble in his sleep when Bill paid a visit. For some reason, he could never get away from his illusion, even if he was severed from him. It was just apart of him now.

The latest one started with him standing in the wheat field. The Stan O’ War was in the background along with the portal in pieces. The wheat would suddenly fatten itself around him, creating the outline of Bill himself. He chuckled his notorious cackle as Clayton knew immediately what he was in for. “I know that laugh. Show yourself!” Clayton ordered as the outline lit up bright blue before appeared Bill in his physical triangular form.

“Well, well, well, well.” He said, multiplying himself around him. “Aren’t you a sight for sore eye. StanClayton Fillbrick Pines – my old pal.” He put his hands together and cutesy narrowed his eye.

“Bill Cipher. What do you want from me?” Clayton said stern.

“Oh quit playing dumb, IQ.” One of his clones said, wrapping its arm around him. “You knew I’d be back.” Another one said while rubbing his head and flicking his nose. “You think shutting down that portal, can stop what I have planned?” His clones all combined into him in a line of blue energy. “I’ve been making deals, chatting with old friends. Preparing for the big day. You can’t keep that rift safe forever.” He said mockingly as he snapped his finger. Blue fire ignited his hand as an illusion of the rift appeared. “You’ll slip up, and when you do -” He took the rift midair and shattered it on the ground. A portal opened behind him along with setting the wheat on fire.

Clayton had shielded his eyes before gesturing with his hand. “Get out of here! You have no dominion in our world!”

“Maybe not right now.” Bill said, lowering himself slowly. “But things change, StanClayton Pines. Things change.” The change morphed into darker territories as it became distorted. Then there was some visions before Clayton snapped back, panting heavily.

He fixed his glasses and looked down at his six fingered hand. “I have to warn them. He’s coming.” He threw the blanket off quickly and made his way down into the lab.

He pushed his way passed the chairs and to the cot where Sabrina was curled up tightly. She felt his hand slip around her arm as she let out a soft moan. She glanced towards him, the look of fear written all over his face. “Clayton? What time is it?” She said, rolling over and rubbing her eye. His hand was still planted on her as she went to grab it and held on to it tightly.

“Bill wasn’t lying, Sabrina.” He said quietly. “He has big plans. But he needs the rift to accomplish it.”

“He told you?” She asked as his hand slipped out of hers. He walked over to the compartment, slid it up and pulled the rift out.

Clayton held it out towards her as if to make a point. “I fear our time is already numbered.” He carefully slid it into her hand. It was like looking inside a mini galaxy in the palm of your hand. She twisted it in her hand until feeling the indentation of the crack creeping up the side.

She let out a shallow gasp before meeting his gaze. “How are we going to fix it? Not like simple super glue will solve it.”

Clayton paced a few steps, rubbing his chin. He then snapped his fingers. “That’s it. We do need a glue. But an adhesive stronger than that is known to man.” He went to his journal, flipping through the pages. He’d stop on his sketch of the formation Gravity Falls was built in. “That’s where we have to go.”

“And I’m coming with you.” Sabrina objected.

“No.” Clayton snapped, taking the rift from her and placing it gently beside the journal.

“Why not? You’re probably gonna take Dipper.” Sabrina argued. “What if one of you gets hurt? Then what?”

Clayton sighed and leaned over the desk, dropping his head and shutting his eyes. He clenched his teeth before rising back up. “Fine.” She heard him say after some consideration. “But you stay close.”

Sabrina’s expression softened as she let out a breath of calm. She pulled herself into his back, wrapping her arms around his midsection. He let out a satisfied hum with a smirk growing. She felt his strong, warm hands gently stroke her arms. Their faces were rather close for she could feel his breath as their cheeks met in a nuzzle.

“Thank you.” She whispered in his ear.

“For what?” He whispered back.

“For allowing me into your family.” Their eyes locked.

He scoffed softly. “You were always my family. I just never saw it, until now.” She released him from the bear hug as he turned on his heels towards her.

“I think you just needed a reminder of what family was.” She picked up the photo of Mabel and Dipper sitting on the desk. “You should be thanking these two.” Sabrina smiled towards it before putting it back.

Clayton went silent, his face falling with it. “Peter though.” He held his head low, single tears falling to the concrete floor. “He may be a screw up and an i***t. But he’s still my brother.”

Sabrina frowned. She approached Clayton, forcing his head up with her hand. He couldn’t look at her as his eyes were teary and glasses getting foggy. She pulled his glasses off, wiping them on his coat. He would rub his eyes on his sleeve, allowing her to slide his glasses back on as he adjusted them straight. She let her hand rest on his wet cheek.

“I think you should tell him that then.” She suggested as his eyes finally came back. “Hell I’d go with you if I knew him.”

Clayton let out a sniff before standing upright once again. “Then you should.” He extended out a six fingered hand. “Come with me.”