Eva Conrad's Story

8:00am October 25th, 2021
Twenty years after 'The Accident.'

It had been twenty years to the date since that ever fateful day in the local woods that outlined the small town of Gravity Falls. Twenty years since a group of children had discovered the remains of, what could only be assumed to have been their friend, Sam Mathers. Twenty years since six children were left scarred for life by whatever they saw and experienced out in those woods, and one child who wasn't allowed to grow up. And twenty years since a heavy weight fell over the town. Almost as if a curse had befallen the people who lived there. But that's just stories, right?

The skies above this small forest town were just as grey as they had always been, sunshine being a rarity but never an unwanted sight to be had. The air was blanketed in what could only be described as a heavy fog as it drifted down the streets. Giving it a somewhat eery appearance. Due to it still being rather early in this small town, life hadn't exactly kick started itself for the day just yet. As stores were slowly beginning to open their doors for the day. Students and workers walking down the stretch of side-walk as they made their commute, whatever it may have been for. But the energy that this day seemed to always hold was equally as heavy as the fog that hang about the air. Seeing as it was the twentieth anniversary since 'The Accident'.

An accident, Eden mused to themself. A god damn accident doesn't eviscerate a child. Anyone and everyone who was in the woods that night knew it wasn't a god damn accident. Whether they wanted to admit it or not. An accident doesn't cause a child to be nearly torn to pieces, and be enough cause for a closed casket to be needed for a god damn eight-year old. It was some sort of fucked cover-up on the police's end, and everyone knew it. The cops in this damn town cared more about saving their own asses and sweeping it under the rug, than bringing the dark truth to light. The truth that what happened that night, wasn't normal nor natural. That something had caused a child to die a brutal death like Sam Mathers had. And something or at least someone had to have been responsible for what happened to the others. Kids don't just become unable to control themselves. Kids don't all just have a panic attack and all go unconcious all at once, like some kind of hive-mind mentality. There was no logical explanation.

Yet, the cops swept it under the rug and treated it like any other investigation. They were nothing more than children who needed real help. Psychological and mental help. Not just a pat on the back and an 'It's gonna be okay'. That doesn't help repair a broken mind of an impressionable child. And the fact that everyone in this town, had gone back to their old ways within a few months. None of it made sense, not even to the ones who were literal children at the time. The remaining kids knew it was wrong. That something was wrong, but they were more or less silenced. And for what? Cuz they knew the truth? None of it made sense...

---

---

Eden stood alone as their eyes looked almost glazed over. Tears having since long stained their cheeks. Eden rubbed their face once more, finally wiping away their nearly dried tears from their darkened, hazel green eyes. They were kneeling down in front of a small headstone that was under a medium sized pine tree, a bit off from the rest of the headstones that littered the cemetery. Their eyes scanned over the carved lettering into the old and gray stone:

In Loving Memory
Samantha Lily-Rose Mathers
1993-2001

Eden could feel that all too familiar burning sensation start up behind their eyes once more as their hands trembled as they were down by their sides. It wasn't right. Sam should have been here beside all of them. She should have been allowed to grown up. She should have graduated like the rest of them. Should have been able to have been to fall in love and experienced life. Even for all of the shitty aspects of life, they were all worth it. It wasn't fair that one of them wasn't here, while everyone else was still alive, wherever they may have been. Eden felt their chest tighten as tears streamed down their eyes once more, tightening their fists once more. Taking a deep breath as they slowly tilted their head upwards, the sun shining down on their pale skin as the sun peaked out from behind graying clouds. "You de-deserve to be here, Sammy..." Eden mumbled softly, keeping their eyes closed as they felt a soft gust of wind scrape across their skin. With a heavy intake of breath, Eden retrieved their black sunglasses from their jacket's pockets and put them on, slowly looking around as they could once more sense as if someone was watching them.

But like usual, Eden braced themself as they turned to face whatever was spying on them from afar, but there was nothing there. "It's fine, E-Eden...It's f-fine." they reassured themself, rubbing their hands together in the cold October air. Eden glanced down at the headstone once more, gently pressing their palm against the cold stone, closing their eyes once more as they said a few silent words to themself and got back up to their feet. Nearly towering over the small grave, shaking their head as they let out a sigh. "'Till ne-next year, Sam..." they said softly. Clicking their tongue, and there was a chirp as a small, brown form bounded towards them, rubbing against their leg. "Let's get some br-breakfast hm, S-Seb?", Eden questioned the small otter that was on a lead, and turned on their heels, heading back towards the entrance of the cemetery. But not before seeing a few familiar faces at the front gate of the cemetery.

Eden stopped and paused for a moment, taking a deep breath as they looked at the family, "I-I hope you've be-been well." they stuttered out. A nervous tick that they still hadn't ever been able to break. Even after all these years, Eden was never able to break their stutter when talking to other people.

The older man within the group gave them a kind smile as he stepped forward, gently enveloping Eden in a soft hug, "We have, Eden. Thank you. How have...How have you been?" Ezekiel asked with a kind smile, stepping back once the hug came to an end. Eden returned his smile with a small one of their own. "I'm alright. Th-thank you, Mr. Ma-Mathers." Eden sheepishly dug their shoe into the partially frozen dirt below. The younger male who was standing next to his father gave them a gentle smile, "It's good to see you always, 'Ed. You could come 'round the house sometime." Kyle commented, "-But, there's no pressure. Just letting you know you can always stop by, if you ever needed anything, of course." Alexandra smiled at her son's comment, "What he's trying to say is, there's no need to make a stranger of yourself, hun. You're always welcome to our home. Always have, always will." the woman reassured with a warm smile that met her eyes.

Eden smiled nervously as they dug their hands into their pockets, nodding slightly in response. "I app-ppreciate it. Th-thank you." Eden began to turn to leave, but stopped half way before turning back to face them, "I might t-take you up on th-that sometime. I'll l-let you get back to your v-visit." Eden nodded once more, the family simply nodded and gave the young blond a gentle smile and carried on about their day as they parted. As Eden walked away, they took a deep breath. That small voice whispering in their ear begining once more. Eden needed to get their mind off of things, but before they could do that they knew they'd need to get something to eat and headed off in the general direction to where the local diner was. They didn't have work as they always got this day off from it, for obvious reasons. Something they appreciated about the Mathers. They gave everyone that worked at the store the day off. They'd need time with things today, just like they always did every time this day came around for the past ten years. Today was like no other, or at least that's what Eden thought. But for now, Eden planned to get some food for them and their roommates, and head back home. Where they'd do nothing at all for the rest of the day, if they were lucky and didn't get roped into their roommates usual bullshit...

If he was being completely honest, Elliot would have rather not been in town on that day of all days. Being home was going to be hard enough as it was without being there on the anniversary. But the way everything had shaped up, it was the only day he could arrive. His parents weren't around either. It was Steve and his mom's fifth anniversary, and they'd had a non-refundable cruise booked. It did at least mean he had his childhood home to himself, but he wasn't sure if that was a good or a bad thing.

Town had hardly changed since the last time he'd been home. Hell, it had hardly changed since he'd left. He was sure that it was a comfort to some, but it just left him feeling uneasy. Things were supposed to change. His neighborhood on the outskirts of LA seemed to change every time he left for a tour. But here he was, home for the longest time in seven and a half years, and nothing had changed. Except him, he reminded himself. He didn't have to be the same person he'd been back then. He wouldn't be that person.

He'd never been able to sleep on planes, and even though his flight was an overnight one, that didn't change. He'd rented a car and driven up himself, so he knew he should have been exhausted by the time he was dumping his bags on his bed. He should have been ready to pass out. But instead, he felt wide awake, too anxious to even think about sleeping. Was this a good idea? Had any of this been a good idea? He tried lying down on the bed in the hope his body would win out over his brain, but after ten minutes of staring at the ceiling, sleep feeling as far away as ever, he figured it was futile. So, instead, he decided to go for breakfast.

The diner had always been the best place in town to get breakfast after a long night, and while the unchanging nature of Gravity Falls freaked him out a little, that was the one thing he hoped hadn't changed. As he approached the diner, he spotted a familiar figure a short distance away. Somebody he'd only seen over screens for the past year and a half, since he'd managed to avoid coming home last Christmas. He grinned and began making his way over to them. They hadn't spotted him yet, by the looks of things. He had some witty comment in his head, ready to say to catch their attention, when, at the last moment, he spotted the animal they had on their leash.

"Is that a freaking otter?" he said as he reached Eden, almost without realising it. Then he grinned at them. "Hi."

"On the surface, Gravity Falls seems just like any other town this far out in the woods. It's... quirky. But not in a bad way. The people are pleasant. A little... strange, perhaps, but pleasant. Truth be told, for most people, it's hard to tell if they're genuinely strange, or if it's an act that they're putting on. Gravity Falls' only tourist attractions is the lake and a charming establishment known as... the Mystery Shack. Gravity Falls' brand is that of the weird and the mysterious, so it makes sense that the people would be the same. But there's an undercurrent of... something else. Something... darker. I met a detective this week investigating a cold case from twenty years ago. His name is Detective Mason Cartwright, and I spoke with him yesterday about why he's here."

Eva clicked the stop button and groaned, stretching. The first episode of Orbiting was supposed to be coming out the next day, and Eva was still trying to get everything recorded and edited. Because she had plenty of experience in editing and putting shows together, she'd volunteered to do the bulk of the editing as well, with her producer doing any final tweaks and touch-ups. It had possibly been a little too much work to take on, but she wasn't backing down now. It just meant several early mornings and late nights. She, at least, had all of the interviews she needed recorded, it was just scripting and recording her own thoughts.

She'd already been at her desk recording takes for almost forty minutes, and she needed food. Being told, she didn't entirely trust the bed and breakfast's breakfast offerings, so instead, she sent a text to Vi.

To: Vi
wanted: recommendations for the best breakfast in town. reward: i buy you breakfast in return.

She'd been so glad when she'd arrived into town to discover Vi was also around. Knowing just one person in town made it so much easier to settle in and start to find out information. It meant that she got all the best insider knowledge and gossip, as well as having someone to grab a few drinks with in the evenings. Her phone buzzed with a reply from Vi.

From: Vi
“Best breakfast is a place that doesn't normally sell it! La Cocina de Serrano, I will meet you at the front door, I have connections ;)”

Eva grinned, grabbing her bag and slinging it onto her shoulder, before heading out to meet Vi.

Having decided to go back with Elliot to his parent's house, was somehow a breath of fresh air for Eden. They always spent so much time at home, especially since they also worked there. As much of a gift as it was, being able to have a roof over their head and no commute to work, it also meant Eden didn't really have to go anywhere, unless they really wanted to. And considering this was the first time they had really been away from The Mystery Shack in weeks, it was nice. Even if it was stressfull.

But, once Eden got to the house with Elliot, it was like everything from their teenage years came back to them all at once. Everything was practically the same. And it was all too easy to fall into routine again, like no time had passed. And since it was only them, Eden didn't have to stress too much. Except for the obvious reasons. Figures occasionally tarting around corners, or those whispers in their ear. But thankfully, with Elliott being around, Eden had a means of distraction. At least it was until he inevitably fell asleep. They were both laying on the bed, just there and talked, for a few hours. And nearly mid-conversation, Elliott passed out. Just like old times indeed.

Eden let Elliot sleep, and took the time to go out on the back patio, and decided it was a better time than any to take a smoke break. Retrieving the blunt they had tucked away. Eden had been outside for roughly thirty minutes before they went back inside. The voices and shadows were gone as always, whenever their mind was clouded by the affects of cannabis. It just made things easier, and Eden didn't know why. Maybe they really were crazy?

Eventually though, Elliot woke up, and in the meantime Eden had even cooked up some food, and the two shared a small lunch, just catching up for a bit again. Eden's mind clearer now than it was a bit before. That was until the conversation veered to what they'd be doing this evening. It was the annual anniversary for the night Sam died. Only difference, it was now twenty years later, and still no answers. Elliot had asked for help from Eden with what to wear, Eden didn't give too much help seeing as they wouldn't be changing, it'd be fine. And with what Elliott decided on, it was good enough. No one would care.

As the hour began to close in, the two decided it was best to start heading over to the city square, where the ceremony would be held. Eden went every year, and it never stopped making them feel the same way. Like they failed her. They should have been able to have found answers to this by now, but here they were. All grown up, and nothing had been pieced together, and that was the worst of it. As Eden and Elliott made it over, there were already a few groups had already gathered.

A small smirk creased on Eden's lips when Elliott asked where they wanted to go, "L-like you e-even need t-to ask-" they joked, taking him by the arm as they both stood off to the side, but up close enough to be able to see the Mathers when they arrived. They did come here for their daughter and best friend after all. As they waited for it to officially begin, a few things caught their eye. Well, more so people did, than anything else. Oddly during these services, Eden never experienced seeing things. And it never made sense, but they weren't going to question it, less things to stress about the better. But, this time, there were some faces in the crowd Eden didn't either recognize at all, or a few they did.

The first one was that pod-caster who recently came into town, Eva. She was cool in Eden's opinion. They weren't friends by any means, but Eden did recognize her from their past, scattered conversations around town. Mainly when she'd ask about some of the local rumors around town, and Eden would as always awkwardly do their best to explain, but it would always be passed off to someone else who didn't stammer throughout the whole ordeal. But, even through the awkwardness, there was something comforting about her presence to Eden, but they weren't going to think about it too much. All Eden did was give her a small nod of their head, and slight wave of their hand before looking around more.

Next Eden managed to see Ashir, one of their roommates. They gave him a small nod, but watched as he went off to the side, taking out a small notepad. Couldn't blame him, even the town square managed to be a pretty sight, all things considered. After looking around a bit more, Eden scouted out Venus, and gave her a small smile and wave, but paused as they saw her talking to someone Eden didn't recognize. Leaning over to Elliot, "Y-you know wh-who Vi is t-talking t-to? I-I d-don't." Eden asked with a shrug. Not putting too much thought into it, Eden looked around once more, managing to see Miles standing off alone. They gave him an awkward smile and turned back to the main part of the square. Seeing as the Memorial Service was beginning now.

---

The Memorial Services were always hard for everyone in Gravity Falls. Not because they had personally known Sam, or knew the story about her anyway, but because of the overall tone and atmosphere. It was nearly palpable. It was just as depressive and heavy as the gray skies that were a constant in this town, and just as thick as the fog that often filled this town in the mornings and evenings. When people weren't giving their speeches, there was a heavy weighted silence that filled the air. Not even the chirp of a bird or the wind could be heard. It was the small things like that, that made this whole ordeal feel weird. But that's not saying much in a town like Gravity Falls.

Sam's parents and her older brother gave their usual speech about Sam, and how much she was loved and missed. The usual things parents would say after losing a child this early, even if it happened so long ago. Whether people believed it was something that was simply a tragedy, or knew there was something more to it, they listened. After a few more speeches were given, the town's own Mayor, Quinnlan Simms came up to the podium to give the closing speech. It was drawn out just as ever, some people even beginning to yawn. Which, was a total shift in attitude than it had been earlier to the family of Sam herself. Finally though, the old man finished his speech, with hopeful parting words to the crowds. How this is what Sam would have wanted, and it was for the best they always came to pay their respects.

Finally, the Memorial Service came to an end, and people began to part ways and disperse. Eden simply looked at Elliott, giving him a an awkward smile. It was only then, in the dispersing crowds, that Eden spotted something that stood out from the rest. It was a man in a pure black suit, with dark hair, which was jelled back tightly to his head, he had dark eyes, that seemed transfixed on Eden, and Eden alone. After a moment, Eden leaned over to Elliot as they glanced at him, "E-Elliott, did y-you see th-that-" they started, but by the time they looked back, the man was gone. Eden took a deep breath, shaking their head. "N-nevermind.." there was a tone of defeat in their voice as they spoke. Not wanting to give it more attention than it deserved.

Giving a small shrug, Eden didn't know what to do now. They could go get some dinner with Elliot and the others if they wanted, even if Eden wasn't in the biggest mood of social interaction. Looking around a bit more, Eden froze. The feeling of anger and annoyance building up, "W-why's he h-here?" Eden muttered aloud. Looking off to the side, there was a man that they did recognize. It was that new officer in town, Mason Cartwright. He was poking around in Sam's case, and Eden didn't like it much. So, the fact he was here now, watching the whole Memorial Service, and clearly having been taking notes as he was busy writing things down in a damned notepad.

Eden looked back at Elliot, with a look he'd know all too well, and they began walking over to the officer in question. A clear annoyed and upset look on their face all the while. "Wh-what are y-you d-doing here?" Eden started as they approached the man. Their eyes surprisingly locked onto him, finding a bit of courage in the moment, or just anger, really. "Y-you're n-not supposed t-to be here." Eden said with a cleat tone of anger. They would have continued questioning him, until they felt someone grab Eden by the end, pulling them back before they could make things worse. Eden was nearly seeing red, all they wanted was answers as to why he was here out of all places, and taking notes during a Memorial Service? He couldn't have waited until he got back? It just felt like a slap in the face to Eden, and they weren't having any of it.