Dipper made up his mind.

He grabbed Wirt around the middle and flung him over his shoulder in a fireman's lift, snatched up Greg hand in one of his and the broken lantern in the other.

Then he ran.

He flew over the dry leaves and darted through the thick trees of The Unknown. He left behind the fire and the laughter of Bill. He left behind the Beast and the woodsman. He ran until his breath became ragged and tore at his throat, until he almost tasted blood, and until he simply couldn't hold Wirt's weight under his shivering legs anymore.

He collapsed on the soft dry leaves, breathing heavily. Greg sat down too, panting. They layed Wirt down next to them gently. Greg looked to Dipper.

"What's going to happen to my brother?" He asked quietly.

Dipper wiped the swear from his forehead, took a deep, shuddering breath, and said,

"I'm sorry, Greg. I don't want to lie to you: I don't know."

"No!" Greg said loudly. He jumped up, scowling at Dipper. "Dipper, do you know, when I went home and was in hospital, they told me Wirt had snuffed it. I couldn't believe it, because I knew he was here somewhere turning into a tree or something just as grisly. That's why I came back! To help! I will not have someone tell me that he's not going to be okay, again!"

"Alright," said Dipper slowly. "I'm sorry, Greg. I really am sorry. You've been through so much. Come here," he beckoned Greg. The boy grumpily made his way over to Dipper and sat down next to him. Dipper put his arm around Greg's shoulders.
"Look," Dipper said gently. "What just happened to Wirt was he was possessed by Bill Cipher, the dream demon- the triangle guy. I've been possessed by him before, and the moment Bill came out of my body, I was okay. I was hurt, because Bill had hurt my body, but I was okay. And did you see Bill hurt Wirt's body?"

"No," returned Greg.

"Exactly. So really, we have no reason not to think he's absolutely fine. He'll probably wake up in a minute. He's been through quite an ordeal." Dipper sighed. "We all have."

They looked towards Wirt's unconscious form, laying there in the crisp leaves, still.

"That's true," sighed Greg. He leant against Dipper and yawned. "Tell me if he wakes up?" He muttered as he let his eyelids droop.

"Of course," whispered Dipper, letting Greg snuggle up in his lap, and watching Wirt. He reached across and took hold of Wirt's hand, grasping it tightly, praying for a squeeze in return, but he didn't recieve one.