NWHS Story (Part 98)

Soon, the kids notice the lack of movement from Stan and Ford and they row over to find them both peacefully asleep. They both smile at this, hook a rope to their boat, and bring then to shore. Once there, they shake their gruncles gently to wake them. The two slowly open their eyes and take a tired look around, their eyes soon falling upon the kids. Mable smiles and speaks. “Hello!” Dipper speaks. “Sorry to wake you up, but we couldn't exactly leave you out there.” “Lets get you two home!”
Stan and Ford nods and stands tiredly but calmly and soon, the kids get them back to the shack. Stan speaks quietly. “Heh... Thanks again, kids...” Mable speaks. “You're welcome, gruncle Stan!” There is a soft snore and they see Ford, his head leaned onto Stan's shoulder gently. “Heh! Don't worry, gruncle Stan! We'll get you two in bed!” Stan nods. “Alright... Heh... You're both good kids...” Mable's eyes light up happily at this.
Dipper and Mable then get the two into Stan's room, allowing them to sleep, both of then curling up like children, even if Fords asleep. The next day comes around and the two accidentally sleeps in. Dipper and Mable, of course, lets them sleep in and feeds themselves breakfast, making cereal. Soon, however, the two wakes up calmly and they walk into the kitchen, kinda groggy. They make themselves breakfast and chow down.
Once the two wake up completely and have their coffee, Dipper walks over to Ford, journal in hand. “Hey, uh, Great Uncle Ford?” Ford looks at him and grins. “Yes? What is it, my boy?” “Uh... I found a new creature in the woods but it got away before I could document it... And I was wondering if... Well... If you would like to go hunt it down with me?” Ford smiles at this happily, the childish, ambitious spark in his eyes returning. “Absolutely! Its been forever sense I've gotten to document anomalies! Especially new ones!”
Dipper's eyes glitter at this happily. “Th-That's great! When can we get started!” “Whenever you want!” “In that case, are you ready?” “You know I am!” Ford stands up and the two run out excitedly. Stan and Mable laugh happily, seeing their siblings being nerds. Dipper and Ford start into the forest, Ford leading the way, determined as Dipper follows, a happy, ambitious smile on his face as he holds the third journal close to his chest.
Eventually, Ford speaks. “Is this around the area you saw the creature?” Dipper nods. “Yup! Around here! They are amphibious creatures! And look! Tracks!” Dipper points to some large, webbed tracks heading towards a river. Ford kneels down next to one of the tracks and runs a finger through the ground next to it, making a tiny rut as deep as the track. “Hmm... It doesn't seem too old. Must have been around this morning. And its a pretty heavy creature to be able to step on the ground here and make a print this deep.”
Dipper smiles widely, amazed to see the 'Author of the Journals' at work. “You can tell all of that about a monster you don't know about just from its tracks? That's so cool!” Ford looks at Dipper over his shoulder and smiles widely, seeing basically himself when he was his age. “Yes, actually! Its heavy because the ground is very hard here and the tracks are very deep. I can tell how old the tracks are roughly by the color of the dirt.”
Dipper's smile widens. “Woah! I hope I'm that smart someday!” Ford smiles. “Well, my boy! You're heading that way! With all the books you read and puzzles you solve! With ease at that!” At this, Dipper's head is practically about to explode. All he can think about is, the author of the journals just complemented him. “Well, in that case, I'll keep doing what I am!” Ford smiles and pats his head with his usual, chesty chuckle. “Atta, boy! Now! Lets go find a monster!” Dipper smiles widely as Ford stands again and starts following the tracks in which, Dipper wastes no time in following.