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Of course the first boy I kiss would turn out to be a psychotic, serial-killing monster. I guess I have a type.
Wednesday was jerked back by a hand on her shoulder.
“What did you see?” Tyler towered over Wednesday’s frame. She squared her shoulders and tilted her head back to look Tyler in the eye.
“Something that might help my investigation. I have to go.” She turned on her heel and found herself being held by the wrist, hard enough to bruise.
“Care to enlighten me Wednesday?” Tyler’s eyes had narrowed, becoming cold.
She pulled against Tyler’s grip, but to no avail, he was stronger than her, the Hyde allowing Tyler to be stronger, darker. She knew if she tried to fight the Hyde would turn, and certainly kill her. She would be able to stop nothing.
“What do you want Tyler.” The Addams in her blood had Wednesday searching for 10 different ways out, hitting a dead end each time.
“Nobody is going to believe you Wednesday. They’ll think you snuck out to hook up - that’s what I’m sure Enid will be telling everyone.” Wednesday recoiled at the fabricated betrayal, annoyed she was bothered at all. “We could prove them right you know. No need to run off on me now.”
The hand Tyler wasn’t using to trap Wednesday trapped her jaw and he pressed another kiss to her mouth, not sweet like the first ones. This one was demanding, angry. Wednesday’s eyes grew wide as she tried to push Tyler away.
“Enough of that Wednesday, I’ll show you why you should be on my side.”
Wednesday knew she should scream. But she was locked up in terror. And not the good kind. The kind her mother had warned her about, she has been trained to avoid, how to keep safe, she’s never expected to feel this, but, she supposes that’s the way women are meant to experience the world.
She felt herself being pulled back into the coffee shop, towards the break room where she knew nobody would come.
Endure .
She could feel herself shutting down. If she could detach she wouldn’t experience it first hand.
Hand. Hands.
They were everywhere. Wednesday felt underwater, she longed for the familiar thrilling sensation of drowning but it never came. She waited and waited for her body to force her to breathe in water, but nothing, even her mind was betraying her.
Pain.
Burning pain. Not the burn of flame Wednesday had grown fond of But sharp burning, a thief. She waited, and counted, and waited.
409, 410, 411.
A torture even Wednesday Addams couldn’t handle.
“Run along now Wednesday. Remember what’s waiting for you.” It felt like a threat.
Wednesday walked numbly back, the 25 minute walk took closer to an hour before she reached Nevermore. She had lost her jacket, but she was delighted in the pain of the bitter cold. Familiar pain she thinks, a smirk gracing her face.
She climbed into the shower ignored her typical protocol of ice cold and let the heat of the water bring color to her usually pallid complexion, reminding her of how burning should feel. Wednesday found herself back to her own mind when the water had run to familiar cold. Dressing herself and combing her hair.
She found Bianca and explained briefly that Tyler was the Hyde, she asked the siren her to gather the nightshades.
“Bianca?” Wednesday asked as the siren made to find the rest of the group.
“Yes?”
“Maybe just the women.” Wednesday shuttered at the thought of men being at her back.
Wednesday lost track of her steps until she had gotten here. She was waiting for Tyler to call out, say anything.
“Thing gave me your note.” Wednesday’s skin crawled as his voice raked across the silence.
“I was surprised you wanted to see me again after you ran out the other night.” Wednesday remained stone faced as Tyler moved towards her.
“So, is this a date?” His boyish laugh didn’t match his eyes.
Wednesday felt something twist inside of her, “It’s a surprise.” She found herself speaking directly to him.
“When I came to Nevermore, romance was the last thing on my mind.” Wednesdays voice curled out of her like smoke, wanting to punish Tyler.
“But when you kissed me, you opened my eyes and suddenly it all made sense.” Tylers eyes narrowed as he scoffed.
“Xavier warned me about you, but I didn't listen. Ironic now, huh? Ironic would've been framing Xavier for murder while the real Hyde helped me put him away.”
“I know what you are. Kinbott probably discovered your secret during one of your sessions. So she unlocked you. Why'd you kill her? I thought Hydes were typically loyal to their masters.
“Wednesday, you’re nuts, imagining things.” Tyler laughed at her feigning disbelief. “Why would you even bring me out here alone if you thought I was a monster.” He stepped toward her, alarms ringing in her head.
“Who said I was alone?” Wednesday felt a rush of power as the girls began to slink out from the shadows, surrounding Tyler.
The girls chained Tyler and brought him to the shed, Tyler weakly fighting them the whole way. Wednesday pulled out her tools of torture and was abandoned by the women that she sought out to protect her.
She wanted to make him hurt. She wanted to show him what torture was supposed to be like.
Electricity crackled and did nothing.
The hammer.
As she released her arm to swing she hear a gun click behind her, she dropped the hammer and found herself being bound in handcuffs.
Tyler’s hands pinning hers down.
Wednesday tensed as the cop shoved her into the back of a police car. She found her dread being filled with familiar anger.
She thinks they can tell she is paying them no attention as they say how lucky she is charges aren’t being pressed. She feels so vulnerable caged. Tyler walking free while she’s questioned. Xavier chained through the next wall.
Tyler’s smirk as he tells her she lost makes her skin crawl. Numbness takes over as Wednesday is led to the school.
Wednesday can feel her fire fizzling out, exhaustion creeping in at the corners.
Wednesday’s altercation riddled conversation with Weems did not amuse Wednesday in typical fashion.
The conversation rung in disappointment, one of her favorites. She decided the best way to finish this is to see what Xavier could say to help her case. Wednesday was not a quitter.
Wednesday walked quickly, the bitter chill she felt whenever Tyler could be present iced over her bones. She stopped seeing Xavier in chains. Collared.
Hands around her neck.
“Xavier... I'm not sure how much time we have. Thing distracted the guards and is looping the cameras.”
“What are you doing here?” Confusion and betrayal laced the taller boys voice.
“I know you're not the Hyde. Tyler used me to frame you. He is the actual Hyde.” Wednesday spoke pointedly, not time for emotional theatrics.
“How do you know?”
“I saw it in a vision when he — kissed me.” Bile rose in Wednesday’s throat.
“I'm glad you were getting some action while I was falsely accused.”
“I should've believed you.”
Would anyone believe her?
“But since you seem to have some psychic connection to the Hyde, I was curious if you've drawn anything that might shed light on this?”
“You want my help? You ruined my life!” Her eyes widened as she felt her body react without permission, curling away from Xavier’s volume.
“No. I tried being your friend. Look where that got me.”
“This isn't about us, Xavier.” Wednesday worried her voice trembled.
“No, it's about you!” Wednesday shrunk back further. Irritated with herself for the weakness. “Every time you get involved, people get hurt. You're toxic. All you ever do is make things worse.”
“Tyler warned me something bad was coming. I think—“
“I don't care! Do you want to stop this? Then leave.” There was a roaring in her head now. “Go far away and never come back. Do you understand? That can't happen if you're not here. That's how you save everyone, okay? So, go. Leave!”
Wednesday turned on her heel and left. Grim faced she knew what she needed to do.
“I can't believe I'm actually going to miss your creepy, lifeless eyes waking me up. It won't be the same without you.” Enid seemed predictably teary eyed
“So I assume you'll be moving in with Yoko. Leaving me in the past.” Wednesday waited for her suspicions to be confirmed.
“Not ever. What about you? Will you forget about me?”
“Enid... the mark you have left on me is indelible. Anytime I grow nauseous at the sight of a rainbow or hear a pop song that makes my ears bleed, I'll think of you.” The tunes already began to haunt Wednesday as she spoke the words.
“Thanks. I guess.”
“I always believed relying on other people to be a sign of weakness. That inevitably they would lead me to disappointment. Turns out I've been the disappointment.”
Hands. Teeth. Fear.
“Are you kidding me?” Wednesday’s eyebrows rose at the volume. “I've learned so much from you. Part of it is admittedly criminal behavior, but... most people spend their entire lives pretending to give zero effs, and you literally never had an eff to give. Any chance you've got some sort of sneaky plan to elude Weems?”
“Xavier's right. This prophecy cannot come true if I'm not here. But it kills me to leave when Tyler is still walking around free.”
“If he tries anything, we have a school full of gorgons, vampires, and werewolves, ready and waiting. We've got this, Wednesday. I promise. On a good note, I got a text from Eugene's moms. He woke up last night. Maybe Weems'll let you drop by on your way to the station.”
Enid felt like safety. Wednesday wasn’t sure if that meant something akin to friendship or reliability, but she was calmed nonetheless. While the pastel bobbed girl nauseated her with the positivity, Wednesday could begrudgingly agree she would sorely miss the company.
“I think we're all set.” She spoke as a goodbye.
“Thing, I'm going to miss our makeup tutorials. And you better keep sending me moisturizing tips. Stay in touch, okay?”
“So, we're gonna…” Enid reached to hug her.
Too close.
“…right. Not hugging is kind of our thing.” Enid stepped away allowing Wednesday to breathe again.
Wednesday made her way to the front hall where she was to meet Weems. She found Bianca and nightshades waiting for her there.
“The plan wasn't to get you expelled. We're sorry.” Bianca spoke genuinely.
“The Nightshades need to be ready for what's coming. Or a lot of people are going to die.” Wednesday turned and left her with that message getting caught by Thornhill.
“I'm so glad I caught you. I was weeding my wolfsbane, and I just completely lost track of time.” The redhead extended a plant towards Wednesday. “This is a parting gift. White oleander, one of nature's deadliest. It also symbolizes destiny and renewal. You're a very talented young woman, Wednesday. I can't wait to see what you do next.”
“Wednesday.” Weems appeared. “This time I'm personally escorting you to your train.”
“I have one final favor.”
Upon news of Eugene waking up, she felt a weight lift off her chest. She requested to see him, just to warn him of what lurked. Not at all because she needed to make sure he was okay.
“Wednesday!”
“Eugene. Glad to see you're finally awake.”
“I heard you visited all the time.”
“Don't ever mention it again.” Wednesday snapped, warning a chuckle from the younger boy. “Listen, I've been meaning to tell you... I shouldn't have gone to the dance. I should have been with you.”
“When the dance floor calls, you gotta answer. It's not your fault. It's the monster's.”
“It's actually called a Hyde. It's still out there. You can't go back to Nevermore. Not even to check on your bees. And you have to listen to me this time. I thought hummers were supposed to stick together.” Wednesday guilted him so he would stay safe, she was sure it would work.
“That night in the woods, someone set fire to that cave.”
“Yes, Dr. Kinbott.” Wednesday filled in the blanks for him.
“It's so crazy that it was her. I don't really remember any of it. I just saw someone wearing black and those boots.” This peaked Wednesday’s interest.
“What about her boots?” She questioned.
“There was an explosion of light and just for a moment, I saw that they weren't black.” Eugene looked at Wednesday coming to the realization the same time she did.
“They were red.”
Eugene’s words made Wednesday course with irritation, she should have seen through Laurels lies.
Wednesday somehow convinced Weems to agree to her plan on the way back to the school.
“Wednesday. I thought you'd be halfway to New Jersey by now.” Thornill, Laurel, spoke cheerfully.
“You can drop the act, Laurel. I should have known it was you. Faking your death, securing a job at Nevermore, unlocking a Hyde. Typically, I have great admiration for well-executed revenge plots. But yours was a bit extreme, even for my high standards.”
“Oh, dear. Weems was right. You do need psychiatric help. Can't throw out wild accusations without consequences.”
“They may be wild... but they're true. Tyler told me everything. Initially I incorrectly accused Kinbott of using hypnosis to unlock him. But you used a plant-derived chemical, didn't you? I know your father kept tabs on all the outcasts in town. So I assume he told you about the Galpin family secret when you were just a girl. That's why you targeted Tyler. You manipulated him by showing him what his mother truly was. What Tyler didn't realize is that truth wouldn't free him.”
“It would enslave him to you. That was scary at first, so you used the cave and the shackles. But eventually he willingly became your servant. And when Kinbott came close to discovering the truth, you had Tyler kill her and pin it on Xavier.”
“Ugh. That's enough. Tyler, honey, make mamma happy and shut her up. Permanently.”
“He's not on your side.”
“Tyler will do anything for me. Remember what I told you? I showed you who you really are. What they did to your mother... The outcasts made you a monster.”
“If you only hate outcasts, why is he killing normies as well?”
“They're just pawns in a bigger game. Just like you, Wednesday. Once again, you've underestimated the situation. You were never getting on that train. I sent Tyler to intercept you.”
“I never made it to the station.”
Wednesday turned toward Weems, still disguised as Tyler. “Heard enough?”
“Your slave is probably still at the station.” Wednesday allowed herself to feel smug, the conclusion almost at its end.
“Don't make this more difficult than it already is, Marilyn.” Weems spoke with disappointment lacing her tone.
“My name is Laurel!” The smaller woman lunged towards the blonde haired leader and struck her in the neck with a syringe.
“Principal Weems! Principal Weems!” Wednesday dropped to her knees reaching for her fallen principal.
Wednesday could feel Weems life fading underneath of her hands, any sense of protection Wednesday felt alongside it.
“Nightshade poisoning.”
“A fitting end, don't you think?”
Wednesday felt herself being struck from behind and fell forward. She wasn’t sure how long it had been when she started to come back to, but she was frozen in fear as she felt Tyler lift her, not unlike a child.
His hands felt like stone, cold and unforgiving digging into her ribs and thighs. Although take was sure he could feel her heart racing in fear; Wednesday played dead, typically one of her favorite pastimes, as she felt herself sway with Tyler’s smooth gait. The raven haired girl was in and out of consciousness making her timeline incredibly -frustratingly- unreliable.
Wednesday’s head felt like she had received a backwards lobotomy, not nearly as fun as the normal kind. Her eyes were struggling to focus, coming into view Tyler’s eyes were piercing hers.
Don’t let it rattle you . Wednesday thought to herself, even though all she could feel was his hands.
“Kind of a déjà vu thing we got going on, huh?” Tyler’s voice was not his, but it was. Wednesday could feel herself filling with fear.
“Except I won't cry and whine like a child.” Fear did nothing to soften her tongue.
“Tyler, go wait by the boat.” Wednesdays head turned quickly sharp pain greeting her, to see Laurel commanding Tyler.
“Yes. Listen to your master and be a good little Hyde.”
Tyler’s body collided with hers, him catching her by the waist, stone fingers reminding her exactly what he could do to her.
Wednesday was only brought back to reality when her hand was sliced open and pressed against the crypt.
Wednesday focused on Crackstones emerging inhuman form, Laurels voice speaking to her ancestor.
“I am of your blood. I have summoned you to rid the world of outcasts once and for all.” Laurels eyes shone in manic delight.
“My vengeance will be swift and true.” The risen pilgrim spoke.
“As will mine.” Wednesday felt nothing but disdain for the man in front of her.
“Goody Addams. You haunt me still. You will suffer the same fate you bequeathed me. Now burn in the eternal fires of hell.”
Wednesday felt the knife plunge into her, twist. She fell.
“Where you belong.”
Wednesday’s body was wracked with quakes as she felt herself growing weaker. An image of herself, completely bled out, pale even in hair appeared in front of her. Goody.
“Are you here to take me to the other side?” Wednesday had long been curious about after death.
“Listen, Crackstone must be stabbed through his black heart. It is the only way he will be vanquished now and forever.”
“Is your spectral vision impaired? I'm dying.”Wednesday quipped.
“Your necklace. It is a powerful talisman.”
“My mother told me it's for conjuring visions.”
“It is also a conduit for conjuring spirits. It will allow me to pass through you and heal you. Just know, once I do, you will never see me again.” “The school needs you, Wednesday.”
Wednesday wished Goody’s healing had gone to her fractured mind, palpable terror taking over as she ran to stop Crackstone from killing the outcasts.
Wednesday stopped dead in her tracks, running into Tyler.
“Laurel said you were dead.” His voice crawled through her like ice.
“I'm feeling much better now.”
Do not show weakness.
“You're like a cockroach.”
“Please, flattery will get you nowhere.” Wednesday quirked an eyebrow, daring him
“This will not end well for you. It can always be worse for you Wednesday, I might not even make it feel good this time.” Tyler grabbed her chin in his hand and pulled her to him.
“Maybe we’ll do it this way.” He ripped open the buttons on her blood covered blouse his face beginning to contort into the monster.
The Hyde’s full form spanned above her, Wednesday scrambling backwards as it closed in. It’s hand reached and pinned her down. Crouching above her.
1, 2, 3…
Wednesday tried to slow her frantic breathing, panic setting in, when the Hyde was ripped away from her exposed chest, a blur of fur and teeth.
“Enid?” Wednesdays stomach sunk in something akin to gratitude as the werewolf turned back towards her.
“Enid!” Wednesday called out to her friend, wrapping her shirt in front of her, tying it tightly, safety enveloping her again. “I need to get back to the school.”
Wednesday pushed all of these feelings down. Running to catch Crackstone.
She ran into the courtyard, the sword she’d collected in her grip.
Crackstone’s milky eyes narrowed with hate seeing Wednesday in front of him again.
“How canst thy heart still beat? What demon sorcery is this?”
“Stay away from her!” A voice called from behind her, Xavier standing at her back, Wednesday felt
nothing but rage, Xavier released an arrow to the heart of Crackstone, she was sure Xavier would finally hit his mark.
The arrow stopped. It was turning. Wednesday could take pain, deserved pain. Xavier couldn’t, didn’t. Wednesday moved.
The arrow took her to the ground with force.
“No!” Xavier cried out, dropping to his knees beside her. “Oh my God!”
“I'm fine. Go.” Wednesday nodded towards the trapped students.
“Get them out of here!” Xavier hesitated. “Now!”
“Okay! Come on, guys. Let's go! Go! Go!” Xavier herded the group towards the door, away from the fires.
Wednesday wrenched the arrow out of her shoulder, a familiar pain. Thank you, Pugsley.
Grabbing the sword she faced the pilgrim again. She pushed and pushed, his grin ever increasing, until her sword snapped under his staff. He took her shocked pause as opportunity to throw her backwards, stalking towards her.
“I will send you back to hell.” He rasped leaning in.
Air was being pulled from her lungs, much less pleasant than drowning, she could feel her vision slipping as a sword pushed through his chest, burning like fire.
When he turned to face his assailant, Wednesday had barely met the eyes of Bianca before she was thrown. Wednesday grabbed a shattered piece of her blade, splitting her hand with it’s rough edges, and plunged it into Crackstone’s heart.
He withered to nothing.
Wednesday let out a shaky breath, a gun cocking behind her. Laurel was standing, nearly vibrating with fury.
“You brought a gun to a sword fight. It's probably the first smart decision you've made today.” Wednesday was exhausted with her.
“I might not get to kill all the outcasts, but at least I'll get to kill you, Wednesday.” She seemed to be a fan of melodrama as well, then.
Laurel stared down the barrel of her gun. A honeybee resting on the end.
Bees began to fill the courtyard, swarming her, bringing the redhead to the ground.
“Yeah, that's what you get for messing with Nevermore.” Eugene followed closely behind the swarm. “Bitch.”
“Hummers stick together, right?” The younger boy turned to Wednesday, a grin stretched across his injured face.
“I'll take it from here.” Wednesday began to advance on Laurel.
“Maybe we should call the sheriff?” Eugene’s voice came from behind her.
“Turn around, Eugene.” Wednesday spoke in warning as she introduced Laurel to her boot.
Wednesday and Eugene made their way to the rest of the students, Wednesday frantically looking to make sure Tyler wasn’t in hiding.
She was suddenly embraced by Enid, who was also covered in blood. Wednesday pulled her closer, she could feel herself rattling apart the farther away from danger she became.
After hours of interviews and explanation Wednesday could feel exhaustion taking over. Maybe shock settling in? A new feeling, she was a fan.
“Come on girls, let’s go get you cleaned up.” Ajax moved to steer both Enid and Wednesday back towards the school where all but the courtyard was deemed safe.
While Enid sunk into his comforting hand, Wednesday stiffened, pulling sharply away, her breathing picking up. Ajax lifted his hand immediately, concern drawing across his face.
“Come Wednesday, it’s over.” Enid spoke gently, far too knowing for Wednesday’s liking.
Wednesday allowed herself to be tucked under the taller girls arm, led to the safety of their room.
Ajax followed them up, Xavier appeared shortly after with medical supplies and a wash basin. Enid allowed Ajax to tend to the deeper scratches on her forehead while Wednesday stared out the window, pulling her ruined shirt across her front tightly.
“Do you want us to leave so you can change?” Xavier addressed Wednesday.
Wednesday stood unmoving. Thing tapping nervously on the desk between her and Enid.
“Wednesday.” Xavier spoke again, Enid turning to catch his eye, worry shining in her own.
“Wednesday, do you want them to go, I can help you if you need.” Enid spoke gently, the blood had been wiped from her face, the deeper scratches pulled back together.
Wednesday turned her head. Dried blood down her neck cracking as she did so. She didn’t want to be alone. But she didn’t want them to see either.
“Just turn around.” She spoke, moving stiffly to her closet.
She changed quickly, refusing to look at herself in the mirror. Her shoulder twinged, she wanted to leave it to continue to feel the pain, but worried it would become infected, not a pain she enjoys at all.
Wednesday had pulled on loose sweats and an oversized sweater. Just enough to allow access to her shoulder so she could tend to it. She craved a shower.
“Let me?” Xavier asked. “It’s my fault it happened, it’s the least I can do.
“I can stitch it myself, it’s fine.” Wednesday moved to get her suture supplies
“Wednesday, you can barely stand, you’ve lost a lot of blood.” Enid spoke as if she was soothing an injured animal.
“I am aware. I am still capable of suturing myself.” Wednesday began setting up, her hands shaking almost violently.
Xavier’s hands closed over hers, gently, no force. Wednesday still startled ever so slightly. “Let us help you.”
She met the blondes eyes and didn’t experience fear, just exhaustion. She nodded with a grimace. Xavier and Enid worked gently, Xavier taking note she flinched when he touched her skin, making conscious effort to not make contact.
Ajax had brought blankets, pillows, and countless stuffed animals to the center of the room, pulling Enid to his chest as she caved to her own exhaustion. Xavier worked quietly and slowly, moving where Wednesday could always see him, cleaning off the rest of the blood.
“Can I move you?” He asked Wednesday, who had slipped into an almost catatonic state.
She nodded numbly yes waiting for fear to grip her. He scooped her up gently.
Tyler’s hands, digging into her ribs, her thighs.
“Please don’t.” Wednesday’s eyes shone with tears she wouldn’t shed. “I don’t want to.” She felt her voice so resigned, weak. Pathetic.
Tyler, no, Xavier stilled. “What did you say?” He still held her gently, though his eyes were filled with understanding and fury.
“Nothing Xavier.” Wednesday craved sleep, and Enid. Safety.
Xavier gently set her next to Enid, careful not to jostle her shoulder, and covered her with a heavy blanket. Thing coming to rest just above her on an obscenely colorful pillow. Xavier placed a pillow between them, and lay down to rest with his friends in the nest Ajax had created.
Surrounded by the safety blanket Enid seemed to have, Wednesday felt her eyes begin to close against her will.
“You’re safe with us Wednesday.” She heard Xavier say before sleep pulled her under.
She awoke when the sun was beginning to rise, Enid’s soft snores at her back, Xavier’s spot in front of her taken by Eugene. She took stock of the room, her bloody clothes had been moved. As had Enid’s. Ajax had a scarf tied loosely over his beanie, as if it were an extra precaution. A snake rested on his forehead, dozing.
Enid curled into Ajax’s side, who had his arm protectively around Enid, and to Wednesday’s surprise, his hand was tucked under her own head. She started from the touch, the warmth had been easing her headache.
As the small girl placed pressure on her temples Xavier spoke in a whisper, “Here, this will help.” He’s sitting on her bed several feet away. He handed her some medicine and water, his eyes thick with concern.
Wednesday took them from his hand, the echos of last night still present as her hands shook and her body ached.
“Can I ask you something.”
“No.” Wednesday spat venom in her tone.
“Wednesday, please.” Xavier said, pulling her torn shirt. Buttons all popped from their places, from the box next to him.
She stilled, and to her horror, her body began to shake, the events of the past few days catching up.
“No.” She was frozen. Feeling incredibly exposed.
“Wednesday.” He approached her softly, hands out. Stopping a step away.
“It’s okay.” She crumbled at his words.
Wednesday wrapped her arms around her knees,pulling them to her chest, trying to contain herself. Her emotions had never been this out of control. So present. Wednesday longed for the familiarity and comfort of apathy. Her chest ached, she wanted Enid. Maybe her mother.
Wednesday tried to stand, to feel less vulnerable in front of her peers, even if only one of them was awake. Her knees wobbled underneath of her, the thin net holding her panic and desperation tore as she moved from physically holding herself together. Of course Xavier was a boy and his need to be protective was trained into him from childhood, so he was there to catch her as she fell.
She fell into his arms, clinging to his sleeves in attempt to hold herself up. Wednesday was shaking gasping for air trying to gain control of herself. He shushed her calmingly and moved her to the hallway so not to wake their friends.
“You’ve done everything you could and more than should have been expected of you. We’re still just kids Wednesday. It’s okay. You’re safe now. You’re safe.”
She felt spasms wrack her body, sure they would tear her apart if he wasn’t holding her together. She allowed herself to grip the sleeve of his sweatshirt, even though he sat a foot away, using it to ground herself. She wanted it to stop. She made a noise she’d never produced before. Somewhere between anger and distress.
“I know. I know.” He said. Still maintaining the space he had made. “Can I hold your hand?” Xavier asked Wednesday, who after hesitation accepted, offering a pinky.
He linked their pinkies together as Wednesday waited for the shakes to dissipate.
“Whatever happened. You can tell any of us. We’re in your corner Wednesday, we’ll keep you safe.” Xavier held onto her, staring at the side of her head as she refused to make eye contact.
“I-“ Wednesday paused, leaning forward to take a deep breath. She wasn’t even sure what happened.
“I don’t even really know what happened.” She said, leaning back again, resting her head on the cool stone behind her.
“Do you want to tell me?” He pushed gently, waiting.
“As much as I’d love to see your reaction, I’m sure it would be horrified. Something in me can’t share.” Wednesday contemplated her choices, not wanting to show Xavier how hollow she felt.
“I can take it, especially if it helps you.”
Damn him and his good intentions.
“Don’t be upset when I take pleasure in your dismay Xavier. I’m not build to be a friend.” She spoke sharply. Wednesdays walls were going back up, brick by brick.
“Never.”
“I think Tyler assaulted me.” The words made Wednesdays mouth dry. “No. I know he did. He raped me.”
Nausea rose in Wednesdays stomach. Bike threatening to escape and she drew in another deep breath.
Xavier gently lifted Wednesdays hand where they were still connected at the pinky, trying to catch her attention.
“How can I help you?” Xavier said his voice thick with emotion. Wednesday decided she did not like it after all.
“I don’t know.” Wednesday spoke honestly.
They rested there until they could hear their friends begin to stir. They headed back to the room, quietly. Xavier placing himself between her and Ajax, not as subtly as he thinks.
The friends dispersed and moved to their own rooms, Enid following Ajax, Xavier loitering.
“I think you should tell Enid.”
“No.”
“Wednesday - “ Xavier started
“No.” She shut him down again.
“Okay. Would you like me to stay until Enid comes back?”
“I need to shower. Wait here.”
Xavier nodded and sat, grabbing a book from Enid’s side of the room. He tapped away on his phone as Wednesday left the room.
As she showered she allowed herself to inspect the damage done over the course of the past few days. Human, Hyde?, bite marks on her hips, inner thighs. Bruising down her ribs. A gash in her shoulder from the arrow. Blood still caked in her hair.
As she washed she allowed scalding water to flow over her stiff muscles, good pain relaxing them as best as she could. Cleaning the ash and blood off was harder than she’d expected, the combination stuck like concrete. Something she could use for a story perhaps.
She stepped out of the shower, wiping the fog off of the mirror, plaiting her hair letting the bangs stick to her forehead. She quickly dressed, not lingering on her appearance any longer, and headed back to the room.
Xavier had dozed off, Thing was haphazardly covering him with a blanket. All Wednesday craved was to go back to sleep. So she crawled into her bed, with Xavier leaning against the footboard, and allowed sleep to overcome her again.
“Wednesday! Xavier!” Enid’s cheery voice sing-songed. Wednesday’s eye twitched despite the familiarity it brought.
“Good morning! Well… more like good evening. I have dinner!”
Enid has several containers of takeout, seemingly from the food hall but Wednesday couldn’t be sure.
Xavier stirred at the promise of food, eyes barely open as he aimed for the fries.
“Teachers are making rounds, trying to get another headcount. They want to hear from everyone in person but obviously you two were questioned so much it didn’t matter…no it does matter but they just need to check in with you to make sure you’re doing okay. Also —“
Wednesday stopped her snowballing ramble with a firm hand clapped over the pastel girls mouth.
“Enough.”
The three sat in comfortable silence, Ajax and Eugene joining them a few minutes later. A teacher Wednesday had yet to take a class from stopped in, Ajax being the only one to really acknowledge him, and let them know they would be closing the semester a few weeks early and that they would be sent home by the end of the week.
The last few hours of daylight and evening passed without event. The friends not wanting to stray far from each other. Yoko and Bianca had even joined for awhile. Eugene’s moms eventually pried him away, taking him home to finish recovering with promise his friends could visit.
All but Wednesday we’re playing some kind of card game Yoko had supplied. Wednesday sat hidden partially behind Enid and partially behind Xavier, the door clearly in view. 4 more days and she would no longer have Enid’s safety net or Xavier’s unwavering presence. She was sure her mother would be able to smell the change on her. Wednesday was uncertain as to how she’d tackle that problem.
“Wanna play a round?” Enid offered her cards to Wednesday. “Gotta pee.”
Wednesday reached to hold Enid’s cards for her, and when she made contact a vision coursed through her.
“I saw him rip her blouse.” Enid.
“She was covered in blood. Scared for me to touch her.” Xavier.
“She spent forever in the shower after going to see him that night, I guess I know why now.” Ajax.
“It wasn’t rape, she wanted it.” Tyler.
“Hey, hey. There you go. Come back now.” Xavier was supporting Wednesdays head, holding her to his side while her friends watched on.
Wednesday felt like she was going to be sick, she had seen Tyler’s trial. Everyone knew what he’d done. Why did everyone know.
“You with me?” Xavier coaxed a small nod accentuated by Wednesdays peaked face.
“Gonna be sick?” Bianca said taking in the girls appearance.
Wednesday could barely get out another nod before Yoko was shoving a bowl, previously containing popcorn, into Xavier’s hands. The bowl has barely made it under her chin before she began retching up bile.
Enid hummed softly, patting her back in an attempt to soothe while Wednesday dry heaved, her muscles locking up. Xavier held tight keeping her grounded.
“All right, we’re heading out. We’ll let you all get some rest.” Bianca and Yoko rose to leave.
“It’ll all calm down soon.” Yoko spoke from the doorway.
Ajax settled down in Enid’s bed, the school staff feared trauma would be worse without support groups, so boys and girls were permitted to mingle and sleepover with few boundaries, other than the random check ins.
“We can just put on a movie and relax guys.” Ajax nodded toward the tv he had brought to the girls space, claiming books could only give so much entertainment.
“Can we maybe move the beds together?” Enid spoke almost timidly. “I’ve just been having trouble sleeping and I think it might help.”
There was a pause, waiting for a reaction from Wednesday.
“Only if you all want to, no pressure, seriously.”
“Of course.” Wednesday moved towards her bed, intending to push it to Enid’s.
Both boys moved around her to carry her bed, pressing it against Enid’s. The stark differences in sheet and blanket choice was made more apparent by proximity. Enid and Ajax climbed into the colorful side, Enid taking the middle. Wednesday moved stiffly, taking the middle of the dark side, mirroring Enid. She adjusted herself into her corpse like sleeping pose, remembering Xavier.
Wednesday slowly, patted the bed beside of her, pressing herself close enough to Enid that they were a breath away from touching. Xavier moved slowly and spoke softly, turning out the light as he went.
“Are you sure?”
Wednesday would never admit having someone between her and the door was something she never knew she’d want.
She simply patted the bed again in response, the room lighting up again in the tv’s soft glow. Ajax putting on some cartoon meant for children. Wednesday felt the bed dip softly, Xavier leaving space between them. Wednesday let Enid’s head drop onto her shoulder with only a little grumbling. Ajax snapping a picture of Enid’s sleeping face and Wednesdays scowl.
Ajax and Xavier slowly joined Enid. Leaving Wednesday alone with her thoughts.
Wednesday was angry. She was angry that fear still lingered. Angry that she felt something was stolen from her, even if virginity was a construct. Angry that she was ashamed of what had happened to her. Angry.
She stewed all night, sleep evading her. Wednesday woke her friends in the morning, furiously typing away. Xavier went to shower and collect clothes, presuming they were all having a sleepover. Ajax followed him. Enid called her parents, prompting Wednesday to do the same.
Wednesday finished the line she was on and sighed, knowing she’d have to make the call eventually. Thing climbed to her shoulder while she set up to call her parents. But was met with silence.
Rude.
Thing climbed back down and attempted his own call. Also ignored.
Wednesday sighed and placed the crystal ball back where it belonged, silently thankful she could avoid the conversation she’d been dreading.
Wednesday knew she needed to reclaim her old self before returning home. So she set out to make a list and set boundaries of what she could and couldn’t feel. Typing away, unable to get the list right. The anger that was bubbling simply wouldn’t leave her alone.
Enid had gone to lunch with Ajax, only leaving Wednesday alone at the threat of violence. ‘Absolutely uncalled for violence.’
Wednesdays body still screamed for sleep although she felt that’s all she’s given it for the past two days. A typo. Tear the page. Restart. Her frantic writing and planning came to an end when her door opened and Xavier was standing there.
“Hey.” He started, entering the room taking in the scattered papers.
“Listen. When I was in the cell I said a lot of things.” Xavier’s humanity was beginning to show through, pity for her taking over.
“Being your friend should come with a warning label. But I don't know a lot of people who would take an arrow for me.” Xavier pulled out a small box from behind him.
“So, Welcome to the 21st century, Addams. My number's in there already.”
“That's a bold move.” Wednesday arched an eyebrow at him, borderline playfully.
“I hope you're not expecting me to call.”
“No, never. I'd settle for a text, though.” Xavier grinned. “You know what a text is, right?” He was suddenly concerned.
Wednesday rolled her eyes and nodded her thanks, accepting the technology from Xavier. Unfortunately feeling safer knowing she had a lifeline to her friends if need be.
“Wednesday -“ Xavier’s voice trailed off as he bent to pick up one of the papers on the floor.
Before Wednesday could spit out any of the threats she head easily on hand, Xavier held his hands up in surrender. He still read the paper, the left hand warding her off somehow made her stop from snatching the paper out of his hand. She could see the shredded paper at the bottom and the smeared ink from a wrongly typed line.
He bent and picked up another. And another. Reading her rules like they weren’t sacred. His eyes were wide taking in the alterations to every list. Wednesday finally found it in herself to move, snatching the papers out of his hands. Wednesday was surprised at how easily she was able to pull them away.
“Hey, do you think we can talk about those?”
Wednesday shot him her best glare, his eyes widened slightly but other than that he showed no fear. Impressive.
“Seriously Wednesday, some of those rules. You can’t let him take that much of life from you.”
“He isn’t taking anything else Xavier. I won’t make the same mistakes again.”
“Wednesday? What did he take? You aren’t at fault for this.”
“He took something I didn’t give to him. Of course I am, I led him to the steps didn’t I?”
“He didn’t - you weren’t? Are you hurt?” Xavier’s guilt sent him into protective man mode again as he realizes she must have been a virgin.
“I’m fine.”
Xavier sighed. “Wednesday. That’s not what sex is. He didn’t take anything from you.”
Wednesday rolled her eyes and turned back to her typewriter. Just as she started to clean up the mess her admittedly frantic writing created, Xavier gently grabbed her good shoulder and turned her to face him.
“Wednesday. You get to choose who takes. He just hurt you. Sex and rape are not the same thing.” Wednesday was furious now. Was Xavier taking her for an idiot? Did he seriously think she didn’t understand.
“What about these?” Wednesday pulled up her sweater, bite marks visible on her hip bones.
“Or these?” Wednesday pulled at her sweater over and over showing Xavier what Tyler had done.
“Wednesday. Wednesday.” She hasn’t realized how intense her volume has gotten until Xavier was pulling her sweater to cover her, and pulling her into his arms. She was crying.
Wednesday Addams was crying.
Xavier held the girl to his chest one arm around her shoulders, the other smoothing her hair as she cried softly.
The soft tears turned into tears of rage. She wept for what she thought she felt for Tyler. She wept for the pain, physical and mental, she was afraid. So afraid. Wednesday Addams was never afraid.
She punched and kicked to get away from Xavier, needing to do damage to someone or something.
“Breathe.” Xavier commanded in her ear.
He held her tightly, she couldn’t escape.
Hands pinned. Tyler leaning over her, he was getting closer and closer. Pain.
Tyler shushed her hysterics, trying to soothe not wanting her to hurt herself.
“I’ve got you. It’s Xavier Wednesday, come back to me.”
Wednesday had never felt emotion this raw. This exposed. She felt hollow. Used. Like a blunt tip needle underneath an overpass.
She could swear she felt Tyler between her legs.
“Please.” Wednesday spoke to no one, just wanting it to be over.
“I know. I know.” Xavier rocked their bodies gently, smoothing her hair, holding her firmly to his chest, her arms tucked between their bodies.
The door creaked open. “Oh my god! What the hell!” Enid’s voice pierced the room, Ajax following with a sharp inhale.
Enid dropped to her knees beside the duo, holding her arms out. Xavier leaned Wednesday into Enid, but kept her previously flailing limbs trapped between their bodies. Wednesday allowed Enid to pull her as closely as the awkward position allowed.
“Wednesday, what’s wrong? What can we do?” Enid wiped tear streaks away from the smaller girls face.
“Tell them. I can’t.” Wednesday buried her head into Xavier’s shoulder and shut down. Not even reacting when he lifted her with him into her bed to be more comfortable.
Wednesday managed to sit through Xavier’s retelling of her trauma, breath only catching a few times. She found herself not wanting to let go of him.
He made to leave after he felt Wednesday was asleep, but she clutched him like a lifeline.
Enid and Ajax spoke softy, Ajax offering to call the police for Wednesday. He was shut down immediately, Wednesday would be avoiding that vision at all costs.
Xavier had a gentle hold on Wednesday, rubbing his thumb in circles on her arm. She still hasn’t received a call from her parents, it was starting to be peculiar. Her mother never missed a chance to smother her. Wednesday had decided she’s come clean to her mother, she needed to be tested,just in case.
The nest they’d created became a safety net as the days passed. Xavier, Ajax, and especially Enid became a walk that protected Wednesday as she battled with feeling weak. Her group lead her to her car as Lurch loaded her belongings, her friends putting their numbers in her new phone, making her promise to keep in contact.
As she felt the car move forward, she could feel a pull in her chest, an ache, for her friends.