Chapter Text
It was raining when the Addams Family hearse made its way towards the school. Fitting as the Addams Family bring doom and gloom wherever they go. The short break away from school was nothing short of uneventful for Wednesday. Only the usual waterboarding and electrocution of her brother Pugsley. He was grateful to have her back but is now solemn as their time together slowly comes to an end. Her parents share the same sentiment as their youngest but are excited to be bringing their daughter back for her second semester at Nevermore. Morticia’s visions had shown Wednesday doing great things at Nevermore.
Wednesday did text Xavier occasionally. Her first text to him was letting him know the phone worked. Xavier was elated to have actually received a text from Wednesday Addams although he knew better than to push his luck. He decided to send her pictures of his artwork and ask for her feedback. While she didn’t enjoy the tedium of texting and found it difficult to get the hang of it at first, she did enjoy his work. He sent her dark drawings of black roses, a night sky during a thunderstorm, and ravens, which seemed to be his favorite. Wednesday still did not want to become a slave to technology, but she had to admit it was convenient.
Daily she would receive a text from Enid. Thing had given Enid her number, something Wednesday severely punished him for. Enid would text Wednesday whatever random inane thing popped into her mind, letting her know every excruciating detail. Although this grated on Wednesday’s nerves, she did enjoy Enid’s company. She returned the favor by texting Enid her dark observations of her day, much to Enid’s corresponding chagrin.
However, there was one texting partner that was lacking in Wednesday’s newfound social circle. Her stalker who she had affectionately named The Unsub – short for unknown subject. The texts from the unsub had subsided after she left Nevermore much to Wednesday’s disappointment. A girl’s very first stalker was always the most exciting.
Slowly the Addams Family hearse made its way up the winding road to the entrance of Nevermore. The castle-like building stood out against the contrast of the grey clouds creating an ominous sense of mystery. No one knew what may still be lurking in the shadows. Just before the hearse pulled around the final bend in the road, Wednesday received a text. It was the eyeball emoji sent to her by the unsub. Intriguing, Wednesday thought to herself.
Xavier was the first person to greet Wednesday as the hearse pulled up. Leaning on his luggage, he presented her with a small wave and a smile. Wednesday does not reciprocate the wave or smile. Instead, she remained stoic and unreadable as she climbed out of the hearse. “Xavier. Have you been waiting for me?”
Stepping away from his luggage his smile grew. “Hi to you too, Wednesday. I was just dropped off and saw you coming up the road. I thought I would say hi before going up to my room.”
“I see. Well, you said hi now you must go.” Wednesday was trying to rush Xavier away before her parents had a chance to get out of the hearse.
“Wow, I see you really missed me. And I thought we were making leaps and bounds towards becoming real friends,” he said while rolling his eyes. By now Xavier is used to her nonchalant behavior. It hardly phased him anymore.
Just as she feared, Morticia and Gomez stepped out of the hearse. Both of them had an embarrassing enthusiasm as they moved to greet Xavier. “Hello! You must be one of Wednesday’s new friends. I am Morticia and this is my husband Gomez. How do you do?” Morticia gracefully stuck her hand out towards Xavier. He glanced down at her long slender fingers with razor sharp nails adorned with black nail polish. He smiled as he took her hand.
“Hello, Morticia, Gomez. I’m Xavier, Wednesday’s best friend.” Wednesday rolled her eyes at the bold introduction. She knew Xavier would enjoy tormenting her with his sarcasm. Normally she enjoyed being tormented, but usually the torment included knives and chains.
“Oh! You’re the one Wednesday falsely accused of being the Hyde and helped to imprison you,” Gomez said. “Those prison cells in Jericho were quite roomy, no?” Morticia smiled and lightly patted her husband’s chest.
Xavier’s smile fell, but he did not take offense. Wednesday was just as weird as her parents, but in a different way. “Yeah surprisingly. If I wasn’t chained by my neck, I would have made it homey. Stayed a while.” He decided it was best to go along with the Addams’ kooky sense of humor.
Morticia and Gomez looked at each other and laughed. Wednesday’s frown deepened. She hated small talk. “I like this one,” Gomez said while turning to his daughter. “Do your best to keep this one alive, my little fly trap.” Immediately she began to feel embarrassment. She knew Xavier wouldn’t allow her to forget her father’s sickly sweet pet name for her.
“Xavier, isn’t it time you made your way to your room?” Wednesday raised her eyebrow towards him, signaling to him that if he didn’t leave, he would have a very long torturous semester.
Getting the hint, Xavier started grabbing his things. “I should be getting along. It was nice meeting you.” He nodded towards Morticia and Gomez. “I’ll see you later, my little fly trap.” Wednesday seethed at the unwanted nickname. Later she would rain down hell fire upon him in revenge.
Wednesday turned towards her parents. “Let’s get this over with.”
Gomez reached for his daughter and gave her a goodbye hug. Her arms stayed glued to her sides, but her body softened. She would miss her mother and father while she was gone. Although she found them insufferable, they were still great parents. “Gomez, Lurch, would you mind giving Wednesday and I some privacy?” The two men nodded and headed back into the hearse. Wednesday and Morticia were left standing alone. “I think you will have another fun semester. Your father and I will call you next week. We are miserable without you already. Take care, darling.” Morticia blew two air kisses towards her daughter then stepped into her seat and waved before closing the door behind her.
“Goodbye mother.” Wednesday took a step back from the hearse as it started to pull away.
Before the hearse was fully out of sight, Wednesday’s phone pinged. Another text from the unsub. This time she received photos of herself with Xavier and her family. It was time for Wednesday to roll up her sleeves and begin her investigation. But first, she had to face the most horrifying evil of all. She trembled as she began her trek up to Ophelia Hall.
***
“Eeek!!!” Enid shrieked as Wednesday opened the door to their shared room. Enid quickly ran across the room and threw her arms around Wednesday before she could protest.
“Enid.” Wednesday warned sternly. Her eyes narrowed in displeasure at the contact. Reluctantly Enid pulled away but remained excited to see her best friend.
“I’ve been waiting for you all day! I can’t wait to catch up!”
“Enid,” Wednesday repeated. “You have incessantly texted me all throughout the unexpected break. What is there to catch up on?”
“Ajax broke up with me last night.” Enid burst into tears and hugged herself, looking highly distressed.
Wednesday raised an eyebrow. “I’ll get my nail gun.”
“No!” Enid held out her hands to stop Wednesday. “I don’t think that will be necessary. He said he doesn’t see our relationship going anywhere and thinks we need some time apart. But I don’t understand what he means by our relationship isn’t going anywhere. We were doing fine last week and now all of a sudden, he needs time away from me. My heart is totally broken!” Enid walked to her bed and plopped down hard, her head dramatically falling into her hands.
Doing her best to comfort her best friend, Wednesday decided on the gentle approach. “Relationships are an annoying distraction. Anyone foolish enough to indulge in such an activity deserves all the pain and misery brought on by what you refer to as ‘heartbreak’.”
Enid sniffled and wiped her tears. “Thanks. I…I think.” Enid has learned this is Wednesday trying to be nice. “Where’s Thing? Did he come with you?”
As if on cue, Wednesday’s bag began to shake. Thing opened the bag from the inside and climbed out. He made his way over to Enid and gave her their special handshake. “Oh my God, Thing! I’ve missed you so much. I can’t wait to resume our nightly routine.” Every night Thing and Enid used to moisturize and practice cuticle care while sharing the latest gossip. Thing has grown soft, much to Wednesday’s disdain.
Suddenly Wednesday’s phone pinged with a new text. Xavier’s name flashed across the screen. Can you meet me at my art studio in 30 minutes? I have a new drawing I want to show you. Wednesday’s eyebrows raised in intrigue.
Is this new drawing dark and disturbing? She texted back.
Instantly Xavier replied. Wouldn’t bother you if it wasn’t. Internally Wednesday smiled to herself. She loves dark and disturbing.
“Is that Xavier?” Enid asked, her own eyebrows raised in a similar look of intrigue. Quickly Wednesday fixed her face into her usual deep frown. “I know you guys have been texting during the break. Thing may have spilled the tea.” Thing at least had the decency to act ashamed. He knew gossiping about Wednesday was off limits and punishable by death.
“He sent me pictures of his drawings, and I would merely respond with my harsh criticism. It is the least I can do to repay him for last semester’s indiscretions.”
“Sure. He did buy you the phone so flirting with him would be the least you can do.”
“I am not flirting.” Enid’s teasing put her on thin ice.
“I’ll believe that when you don’t ‘Wednesday smile’ at your phone every time he texts you. Thing may have spilled that too.”
“What else has Thing told you? Myself and my knife collection would love to know.” Wednesday’s face twisted into an evil look of vile contempt. The thirst for revenge dripped off of every word. Thing pinched Enid. Enough teasing before she gets him killed.
“Okay, enough about Xavier. I’m sorry I brought it up. Have you seen Eugene yet?” Enid quickly changed the subject, hoping bringing up Eugene would be enough to soften Wednesday.
“Tomorrow afternoon is the first hive meeting. I shall see him then.”
“Well, when you do, can you let him know about the bonfire on Friday?” Enid was visibly vibrating with excitement. “We figured after the disaster of last semester we would all get together to welcome in a better year!”
“Hm, end the semester with fire, start the semester with fire. Ironic choice.”
“Don’t be such a party pooper. You’re going, right?”
“Can I start the fire?”
Enid’s eyes widened. She knew anything with fire would be up Wednesday Addams’ alley, but perhaps allowing the psychopath to start said fire wasn’t a good idea. “Only if you promise not to burn the school down.”
Wednesday rolled her eyes. “Now look who is the party pooper.”
“You know, I missed your chaotic personality. My days without you were super boring.” Enid turned away momentarily to start unpacking. “So. Have you started on the sequel to your novel?”
Wednesday began to unpack as well. First, she removed a crowbar, cyanide, and a shrunken head from her suitcase. “Yes. Unfortunately, the development has been quite tedious as of lately. I cannot seem to get past the first few hundred pages.”
“So you have writer’s block?”
“In laments terms, yes. Perhaps it is due to the distraction of being home. Pugsley has been quite insufferable. He has been bullied mercilessly at school in my absence. He barely reacts to electroshock therapy. I must be losing my touch.”
“Maybe he should transfer here!” Enid delightedly suggested. “He can be around other outcasts. In comparison to how spooky you are, he should fit right in.” Thing tapped out his agreeance.
“Nonsense. He must grow a backbone and take care of himself.” Wednesday checked the time on her wristwatch. It was just about time to meet Xavier in his art studio. “I must get going. I will be back late tonight. Don’t wait up.”
“Have fun with Xavier!” Both Enid and Thing waved at her. Wednesday scowled but continued walking. She really must be losing her touch if Enid and Thing find this kind of behavior acceptable.
***
Wednesday quietly let herself into Xavier’s art studio. He had his music loudly playing with his back turned towards the door. He was deep in concertation on a new painting. His studio didn’t change much since the last time she had been inside. New portraits of a raven had replaced the Hyde. Wednesday stood there silently watching Xavier. She wondered how long it would take for him to notice her presence. The thought of startling him brought her a small tinge of joy.
Eventually a new song started playing. Xavier turned towards his radio to skip the song when he finally noticed Wednesday. Just as planned, Wednesday had startled him. “Jesus Christ, can’t you knock?”
“What fun would that be?”
“You know, I didn’t think you’d show up.” Xavier smiled. “You never texted me back that you were coming.”
“I was preoccupied with Enid.” Wednesday took a seat on the stool next to Xavier’s workstation. “Now, show me your new drawing.”
“That’s gotta suck for you being stuck with Enid right now. Ajax told me about their breakup.” Xavier set down his paintbrush and wiped his hands on his paint rag. He crossed his arms on the worktable and leaned towards Wednesday, completely ignoring her demand to see his new drawing.
“Are you hearing impaired? I said show me your new drawing. Or do you not have one interesting enough to show me?” Wednesday raised an eyebrow. “Was this all a ploy to get me to speak with you?”
“Not everything has to be so businesslike. We can still talk and look at my stuff. That’s what friends do.”
Xavier and Enid are two of the only people who do not let Wednesday push them around. While this annoys Wednesday immensely, she can’t help but feel respect. Many are afraid of her; those two are not. Sighing, Wednesday hesitantly agreed to a friendly conversation. “It is horribly inconvenient that Enid is a slave to her feelings, but I must admit I missed our in-person interactions.”
Xavier smiled again. Wednesday seems to be in good spirits tonight. “Did you miss me?”
“I will leave.”
“Fair enough.” Xavier stood up and walked to the table across from them. He picked up a crumpled-up piece of paper, smoothed it out, and handed it to Wednesday. Their fingers briefly touched during the exchange. Wednesday barely acknowledged it as she turned her attention to the paper. Meanwhile Xavier felt a spark of electricity run up his arm, straight to his heart, and down his spine. Ignoring his feelings, he sat down next to her. “Sorry it’s so messy. I kind of just shoved it in my pocket and came here.” On the paper was a raven bleeding profusely with its wings clipped.
“Is this from a vision?” Wednesday asked while studying the paper.
Xavier nodded. “I saw it last night. Wasn’t much to it to be honest.”
“You seem to have a penchant for ravens,” Wednesday said as she glanced up from the drawing. “What is the significance of ravens to you?”
Xavier shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve always drawn them. I stopped briefly when I started having visions of the Hyde. Recently within the past few weeks though I’ve been seeing ravens again.” Wednesday went to hand the paper back to Xavier when suddenly her head violently shot backwards. In her vision she saw flashes. First she saw herself in the woods. A dark figure was behind the trees taking photos of her. Then she saw this figure again in the Nightshades library. Her vision brought her to an image of Nevermore burning to the ground. Then her head snapped back to normal. Blinking away the haze of her vision, her eyes adjusted to reality.
“Wednesday, are you okay? What did you see?” Xavier was holding Wednesday upright to prevent her from falling backwards on the stool.
Ignoring his question, Wednesday asked, “Who else has my phone number?”
“Um.” Completely taken aback, Xavier had no clue how to respond. “I guess whoever you gave it to?”
“Not what I meant,” Wednesday snapped. She was growing impatient. “You gave me the phone so who did you give my number to?”
“No one.” Although he had nothing to hide, he didn’t like the accusing tone. He thought they had gotten past throwing baseless accusations at each other. “The purpose of me gifting the phone to you was so that you and I could talk. I didn’t pass out your number and announce that Wednesday Addams was joining the 21st century.”
Wednesday may have believed him, but how did the unsub get her number? “I seem to have a stalker otherwise known as the unsub – the unknown subject." She pulled out her text messages and handed the phone to Xavier. His face scrunched up in confusion as he took the phone from her.
After scrolling through for a minute, Xavier handed the phone back. “Well, I’m not your stalker if that’s what you’re thinking. I would have no way to take any of these photos. But you know, it’s very on brand of you to have a stalker.” He may have been making a joke, but he was worried. Combined with his vision and now Wednesday’s stalker, things could not be heading in the right direction.
“I know it’s not you, Xavier.” He breathed a sigh of relief. “But I need your help in locating who this unsub may be. Can I trust you?”
Xavier looked at her for a moment. Her cold eyes bore into his as she waited for his answer. “Of course you can, Wednesday. You can always trust me.”
The two sat there in silence for a moment, staring at each other. She searched his face for any indication that he may know more than was he was letting on. She found none. “Tomorrow you will show me where you bought the phone. That is where I will begin my investigation into the unsub.”
Xavier didn’t respond right away. Instead, he sat quietly contemplating his next response. Hesitantly, “What was your vision about?”
“That’s on a need-to-know basis.” Pause. “Do not tell anyone about the unsub or you will suffer my wrath. Understood?”
“Crystal clear.”
***
“Wednesday!” Enid called. The following afternoon Wednesday had been on her way to her Hive meeting with Eugene. She stopped and turned to see Enid running towards her. “Wednesday, did you hear?”
“Hear about what?”
“Tyler.” Enid panted. She finally caught up to Wednesday and let herself catch her breath. Wednesday’s eyes widened before narrowing. “Tyler escaped. He morphed into the Hyde and they weren’t able to hold him. Do you think he’s on his way?”
“If he knows what’s good for him, he will stay away.” Wednesday was displeased. She had had enough of her past coming to haunt her. “Do you know when he escaped?”
“No.” Enid shook her head. “No one does. I just heard it from Yoko who heard it from Divina who heard it from Kent who read about it in the Jericho news.”
Wednesday rolled her eyes. “I see I will have to go directly to the source to gather accurate information.”
“Wednesday, I don’t think you should be alone right now. If psycho Tyler is loose, you’re in extreme danger. You're like a total target.”
“I do not need a chaperone.” Wednesday’s scowl deepened. “I pity whoever darkens my doorstep.” Wednesday turned and continued walking towards her destination, leaving Enid behind. Her phone pinged but she did not bother to open it. Unsub or no unsub, she has more important questions that need answering.
***
“Eugene!” Wednesday called. The bee shed’s door opened to reveal a smiling Eugene. He was pleased to be back with his bees and his only friend. “I apologize Eugene, but our hive meeting must wait. Tyler broke out of prison.”
His smile quickly dissipated. “Shit. What are you going to do?”
“I am going to pay Sheriff Galpin a visit.”
“Can I come with? Hummers stick together.”
Wednesday thought for a moment. Last time she involved Eugene, he was seriously injured and spent weeks in a coma. On the other hand, his campy can-do attitude may be useful. “Yes, but you must take the bee suit off first.”
Eugene looked down at himself. “Good call. Wait right here. Bee right back.” He opened the shed door and quickly disappeared inside. Wednesday pulled out her phone. Two unread messages, one from Xavier and one from the unsub. She opened the unsub’s message first.
Are you scared yet? The message read. A photo of her during her vision the previous night was attached to the message. These texts were starting to infuriate her. She didn’t like that the unsub felt like they had a leg up on her.
Next, she opened Xavier’s message. I guess you heard about Tyler. Enid told me you’re going to the source. I’m coming with you. The last thing Wednesday needed was an audience while she questioned Sheriff Galpin. She really didn’t want Eugene with her but had decided he would be useful in distracting the Sheriff’s secretary. No, she responded. Immediately he texted her back, It wasn’t a request.
Perhaps she had two stalkers. One with evil intent and the other determined to annoy her to death. She couldn’t tell which was more frightening. As Eugene was coming back out wearing his school uniform, Xavier walked up. “Hey Xavier. Come to join the hive?” Eugene smiled brightly with his hands on his hips.
Xavier had a grave look on his face. “Sorry Eugene. I’m not here to join. Can I talk to Wednesday alone please? Just for a few minutes.” Eugene looked between Wednesday and Xavier with a confused expression before once again walking back into the shed for the third time.
Xavier turned to face Wednesday. “Look, Enid texted me panicking with all the details about Tyler escaping. She’s afraid he’s going to come looking for you, and I think she’s right. Until he’s back behind bars, I’m not leaving you alone.”
“I can handle myself.” Despite their height difference, Wednesday was easily able to assert her dominance over Xavier. “I do not need your protection. Your presence will only hinder my investigation.”
“Yeah, maybe. Or maybe I’ll save your life. Who knows? All I know is that it’s dangerous for you to be alone. We already know you’re being tracked. We don’t know if it’s Tyler or someone else. You need to be careful. So let me help.”
“And how exactly will you help against a Hyde? Is your plan to draw a couple of spiders and bring them to life?” Wednesday taunted.
Xavier rolled his eyes. “You’re not the only one who gets visions.”
Wednesday crossed her arms over her chest. She had grown bored of this conversation. “Regardless of if I disagree, you still will not do as I say and leave me alone, correct?”
Xavier smiled. He knew he could reason with her. “Exactly. So either you suck it up and willingly let me help or I’ll be your worst nightmare. Your choice, Addams.” He crossed his arms to mimic her. She hated when he got cocky.
“If you insist on riding my coattails like a lost puppy, you must pledge you undying loyalty to me.”
“Scouts honor.” Xavier saluted and smiled. Wednesday felt nauseous at the sight of his over eager smile and his dimples.
“Eugene!” Wednesday called over her shoulder. “We have a new member of the Hive.”
***
“Sheriff Galpin,” Wednesday authoritatively said as she walked into his office. He was sitting hunched over his desk, coffee cup in one hand and a stack of papers in the other. He looked tired and raggedy.
“Addams, I’ve been expecting you,” he replied while setting down both the coffee cup and the papers. He stood up and shoved his hands into his front pockets. “Let’s get this over with.”
“When did Tyler escape?”
“Listen, you helped us last time, but we will not be pairing up again. You have nothing to worry about when it comes to your safety. I have it handled.” The Sheriff dismissed her and began to sit back down.
Wednesday took out her pocketknife and slammed it directly into Sheriff Galpin’s desk. Xavier, who was standing at the door stared at her with his eyes wide in shock. The Sheriff did not appear phased. He knew he was in for a ride as soon as Wednesday caught wind of his son escaping prison. “I am not asking to pair up. I asked when did. he. escape. I will give you one more chance before I lose my patience, Sheriff.”
“One, you do not give me orders. Two, I will give you one more chance to leave my office before I call in my biggest cops to drag you and your friend out. Is that understood?”
Wednesday leaned over the desk to glare directly into the Sheriff’s eyes. The Sheriff showed little reaction on the outside although felt unsettled by her fierce stare. “I suddenly started to receive cryptic text messages and photos of myself around Nevermore shortly after your son escapes his cell. This is my business, and I will get the answers I require. Let’s try a new question. Maybe you can answer this: do you have the balls to take your own son down when he comes back to Nevermore to finish what he started?”
“Wednesday,” Xavier warned while putting his hand on her shoulder. She refused to be moved.
The Sheriff stood up again but without the same level of intensity as before. He was tired. “You’re out of line.”
“I’d say I’m in line. It’s a fair question to ask when my life as well as others are in jeopardy. Do you want that much blood on your hands?” A minute went by before Wednesday took a step back, but she remained hot-blooded.
Sheriff Galpin sighed. He hated Wednesday Addams, but he knew she was right. Possibly this could be the reason why he hated her so much. “Fine. He escaped last night at around midnight. He morphed into the Hyde and killed all the guards. I have no idea where he went or where he’s going.” The Sheriff put his hands on his hips and looked at the floor. “I talked to him a few times after his arrest. It felt like he and I were finally beginning to act like father and son, despite a plexiglass wall between us. He seemed to be fighting against his darker side without Laurel controlling him.”
“Where is Laurel?”
“Where she belongs. In a maximum-security prison.”
“Have you alerted the prison staff that your son is loose and may come looking to break out his master?”
The Sheriff scrubbed his face with his hand. “Yes, Addams. This isn’t my first rodeo.”
“What are you doing to find Tyler?” Wednesday doubted Sheriff Galpin even had a plan. His small-town police force would be easy for Tyler to evade.
“We are doing our best. I’ve got every cop out there looking for him. Even the surrounding jurisdictions have joined the search.” The Sheriff took a deep breath. He had honestly believed his son could turn over a new leaf and become his innocent son again. “When we do find him, I will personally lock him back up.”
Wednesday grabbed the knife and pulled it out of the Sheriff’s desk. She turned around and started walking towards the door where Xavier had gone back to standing. At the last moment she stopped and turned to face the Sheriff one more time. Her voice grew softer as the anger left her body. “I mean this in the most respectful way. Maybe it’s time to hang up your badge, Sheriff.” The Sheriff breathed loudly out of his nose and turned to look away. As much as he hated Wednesday Addams, she was always right.
Wednesday and Xavier walked out of Sheriff Gaplin’s office and walked towards Eugene. He was talking to the Sheriff’s secretary about the bee’s hibernation cycle. The secretary looked like she was about to fall asleep. When he saw Wednesday and Xavier, he said his goodbyes to the relieved secretary and followed them outside.
“How’d it go? Hey, is that a knife if your hand?” Eugene asked, desperate to know what he missed out on.
Wednesday stopped and cornered Xavier against the building. She still clutched the knife in her right hand. “If you wish to continue this investigation with me, do not ever attempt to stand in my way or I will not hesitate to cut all of your precious fingers off one by one.”
Eugene stood next to them in confusion. “Uh guys? What’s going on? What happened?”
Xavier did not look scared. Instead, he became angry and matched Wednesday’s energy. “You stuck a knife in the Sheriff’s desk and then kicked him while he’s down. Someone had to bring you down a notch or you would have ended up in jail.”
“Dude, you did what?” Eugene felt left out. He had missed all the fun.
“My interrogating methods brought results. I didn’t say anything that was untrue.” Wednesday did not back down. Xavier needed to either be all on board or not at all. She wouldn’t tolerate any less.
“Look, you’re right. You did get some results, but I still don’t agree with your methods. We will have to agree to disagree.” Xavier brushed his loose hanging hair out of his face. “I guess I shouldn’t have expected any less from you. You are bat shit crazy.”
Taking the compliment, Wednesday backed off and put the knife away. “This is your first pass, Xavier. I will not make another exception.”
“Gee thanks.” Together they started walking back in the direction of Nevermore. Eugene was still confused but did not think now was the time to ask. “So, you think Sheriff Gaplin is telling the truth?”
“He seemed a little too pitiful to be deceptive. I don’t think he knows where Tyler is. Neither do I think Tyler is my unsub.”
“Woah, wait.” Eugene stopped walking. “What’s an unsub? Is someone going to fill me in?”
Wednesday and Xavier kept walking. “Come, Eugene. I’ll explain on the way.” Sighing Eugene hurried to catch up. Being friends with Wednesday was exhausting.
***
Wednesday was back in her room later that night working on the sequel to her novel. She had attempted to write the latest chapter at least three times. Each time ended up being crumpled and tossed to the side. Thing and Enid laid on her bed painting each other’s nails. The two were as thick as thieves. Wednesday elected not to share the events of her interrogation with the Sheriff. At least not yet. She had too much on her mind and did not feel like sharing.
Another page was ripped out of the typewriter and thrown across the room. Wednesday groaned in anger and threw her hands up. Thing and Enid barely acknowledged her. Just like Eugene at the police station, they both agreed it was better not to get in Wednesday’s way.
As she was about to begin typing again, her phone pinged. I’m sorry about today. Still friends? – Xavier
I don’t need your apology. - Wednesday
So is that a yes? – Xavier
I will block your number if you keep texting me. – Wednesday
Understood. Sweet dreams, my little fly trap. Xavier included a black heart emoji in his text.
He is insufferable, Wednesday thought to herself. His insecurities regarding their friendship were beginning to seriously grate on her nerves in ways that made her want to pull out her own hair.
“Ooo, is Wednesday Addams smiling?” Enid teased. Thing and Enid had agreed Wednesday does in fact smile in her own way. Her mouth never moves, but her eyes always light up in a barely noticeable way. The two have dubbed this the Wednesday Addams smile, completely unique to only her.
Immediately whatever trace of a smile left her face. She was stuck in a murderous mood all day. Suddenly her phone lit up with a new text. It was her unsub. She opened the text and saw photos of herself with Enid, Eugene and Xavier, Sheriff Galpin, and of herself in her room moments ago while she was texting Xavier. Her unsub must still be nearby. Instantly she jumped up and rushed out the door. “Wednesday? Where are you going?” Enid called after her. When Wednesday didn’t respond, she immediately opened her phone and began to dial Xavier’s number. Wednesday had no time to explain. She must locate her unsub while they were still in the vicinity. She would not let them get away so easily.