Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

For the first time in her life, Wednesday didn’t know how to move forward. The last semester at Nevermore had left her at a loss for words. With Goody gone, she had no way of understanding her powers. As such, she had to do something she never thought she’d do willingly. 

Take the advice of her mother. 

“What are you searching for, my little rain cloud?” Mortcia asked as she entered the library. 

“Anything on the nature of ravens? My connection to Goody has been broken during the fight with Crackstone. She’s not guiding me anymore,” Wednesday said, browsing the shelves.

“Afraid not. Your outlook on life is rare, and dangerous, as such there aren’t a lot of ravens who lived to tell the tale,” Morticia moved graciously towards the table, sitting next to her daughter. “Nevertheless, I will ask every psychic in the family for any information they might possess,” she continued.

As much as she hated to say it, maybe Vincent Thorpe was right: her visions and Goody were nothing but bad news. She had to find a different source to master her power. Even if it wasn’t traditional. After all, everyone thought she was unconventional at best, and a maniac at worst. What is there to lose?

Enid’s name popped into her mind, but she quickly dismissed the thought.

Dinner was uneventful until her mother left the table to answer the crystal ball in the living room. She returned with a smile on her face.

“My little viper, terrific news. My brother responded to your inquiry. Not only does he have access to a few manuscripts, but his oldest daughter is a Raven herself.”

“Lilith Frump? Wouldn't she be a vampire, because of her mother?” 

“That’s what we’ve assumed, but as it turns out she truly is her father’s daughter. I arranged for you to visit my brother and his family in Oakland.”

“Why, so you can arrange the nursery without my disruption?” Wednesday snapped, a small grin on her lips.

“What? How could you tell?” her father interrupted.

“Mother would never be caught dead in an oversized sweater. It’s all she’s been wearing since I arrived here,” Wednesday pointed out.

“We would never try to replace you or your brother, Wednesday. Just because there will be another bundle of woe running around doesn’t mean that one of the other children has to leave.”

“Whatever you say, mother. I will consider your proposal,” she said. 

It would be a good idea to talk to another raven, plus Oakland was near San Francisco. The ruins of Alcatraz have always been on her bucket list. She didn’t even think about seeing Enid. Or so she claimed.

For some unfathomable reason, ever since the girl saved her life and pulled her in that bone-crushing hug, Enid haunted her every thought and nightmare. Whenever she was around her, or even thought of her, spiders would start crawling in her stomach. She must have poisoned her. She was sure of it, and Wednesday was going to confront her about it.

The flight to Oakland was long and repugnant. Sartre’s famous quote “Hell is other people,” didn’t even begin to describe how nauseating flying in a tiny space with hundreds of people was. Even fighting Crackstone had been less damaging to her psyche than the blatant disrespect to her personal space and the cries of tiny spawns. The airport wasn’t any better. 

But she wouldn’t have hated it as much if she had been accompanied by a certain blonde. She didn’t seem like the type to poison somebody, let alone manage to trick Wednesday Addams. She wondered what type of new poison she used, as she was familiar with most of them and had built up a resistance over the years. Enid must truly be a wolf in sheep’s clothing. No pun intended. 

For once, she was relieved as she entered the car despite its destination. Unlike the rest of her family, Lilith didn’t greet her with some sappy backstory. She just opened the door to the passenger side and began driving.

The only thing that changed about the older girl after almost a decade was that her hair was now dyed white and she wore dark heavy makeup. The Frumps shared the Addams's love for the dark, but they were not nearly as monochromatic. They allowed other colours to sneak into their lives, mostly white, red and purple. 

“So, I’ve heard about the whole thing with Crackstone. It’s going to be tricky to learn how to control your powers, since you no longer have a direct connection with Goody, but I’ll teach you all I know. What has she taught you so far?” Lilith began as she drove.

What did Goody teach her? Outside of beating Crackstone, nothing. She didn’t teach her about how to calm her visions or how to control them, which she had seen her mother handle. Nothing outside of Crackstone. As if that was her power’s whole purpose. Goody acted out of pure self-interest.

“That I was meant to defeat Crackstone. Outside of that, nothing of substance,” she replied.

“Well then, you have a lot to catch up on,” the twenty-two year old was interrupted as the car started playing an interesting guitar riff. The display on the dashboard read: Weirdo🖤. Whatever that insipid little picture meant. 

“Do you mind if you answer that call? Ugh right, technology, press on that little green button?” Lilith asked.

“I am not that incompetent.” Wednesday rolled her eyes.

Speaking of which, she might ask Lilith about how to find her stalker’s location later, even if as far as she was aware she had no background in IT. Then maybe Parker would be a better candidate for that. She'd have to send her a letter.

“Hello, Lily. Where are you right now?” A feminine voice asked from the speakers.

“Sorry, I can’t come to band practice today. I told you, family intervention.”

“It would have been cancelled anyway Lou got sick and Cole is out of town. That’s not why I called though. You left your seance stuff at my place.”

“Oh shit, do you mind if we take a detour?” Lilith gestured towards Wednesday.

“I honestly couldn’t care less,” Wednesday said.

“Awesome, I’ll come over in like, 10 minutes?”

“Sure. Bye,” the girl on the other line said. 

The exchange made Wednesday think of her own friendships. The poison was getting worse as she started thinking about her and Enid's previous break up fight. How Goody implied they were doomed to fail. And as much as she pretended that she didn't care for anyone. She did tolerate Enid more than others.

“I’ve thought about it and there is one other thing Goody has taught me. That, as a raven, I am destined to live in solitude,” Wednesday said.

“That’s what all the spirits say. It was true in their time, but it’s not necessarily true for us as well. We’re not the only outcasts anymore. There are people who will accept you for who you are, even if they’re rare. I’m sure you have made at least one friend at Nevermore.” 

“Well, there’s Eugene, who reminds me a lot of Pugsley. And I guess my roommate is also my friend but I’m certain she poisoned me before we left Nevermore.”

“What type of poison?” Lilith did not even question the accusation.

“Some sort of mind poison, I cannot banish her from my thoughts. I’ve looked at the side effects of every poison I know and I can’t figure it out.”

“There is no such thing as mind poison," she laughed. "If I were you I’d just text her. It just sounds like you miss her,” Lilith continued. 

“Impossible. I don’t miss anyone, let alone her!” 

Even the simple thought of that was unimaginable. Of course, just as she admitted earlier, Enid had left an indelible mark on her. But she didn’t miss her. It wasn’t like they were still fighting. Enid made her vulnerable, sure, but she did not miss her. She would find out what hex Enid had cursed her with. If it was the last thing she did.

“Whatever you say, Wednesday. We’re here anyway,” Lilith announced.

When they entered the small apartment, the first thing Wednesday noticed was that Lilith’s friend shared a similar style to her own. Well, aside from her sea green hair.

Somehow Wednesday had never met anyone besides her family that appreciated the sinister in their lives. Parker didn't count, as she accustomed to it after she met the Addamses.

“Come inside, if you made the trip over here might as well get a drink.”

“Thanks, Judy. I could use some coffee,” Lilith said.

“Do you want any?” Judy asked her. 

“No thanks, I doubt you have quad over ice. I don’t drink drip,” Wednesday said.

“I do not. However, would you like earl grey tea?” 

“Sure. How did you-” Wednesday was interrupted.

“It’s the only thing Lily here can tolerate," Judy playfully hit her companion’s shoulder. "So I assumed you’d like it too,” she laughed.

“What happened to not making fun of me in front of my family?” 

“You missed practice last week as well,” she joked.

“Oh, come on!” Lilith crossed her arms.

Wednesday ignored the two’s bickering as she sipped her tea. There was a poster on the wall. Lilith, Judy and three other people were sitting next to each other. It had the words Ambrosial Recklessness engraved in the middle, probably their band name.

Not long after, they left with the seance stuff and went back to the car that would lead Wednesday to the Frump residence. 

Yet the only thing she could think about was Enid. She surrendered and pulled out her phone. Xavier Thorpe and Unknown Number, her stalker, being her only contacts. 

 [Wednesday]

Give me Enid’s number. -WA

                                                                                               read                                                         

[Xavier] 

damn not even a hello

sure

Enid Sinclair (628)###-####

How are you?                                                                                              

i’m not getting anything else, am i?

                                                                                               sent

His futile attempts to court her were getting pathetic. The boy could not take a hint for the life of him. However, she could not blame him as her attempts at sending Enid a text weren’t going that well either.

Sinclair, why did you poison me?  Maybe she shouldn’t mention that.

I’m in Oakland right now, you’ve been plaguing m She did not wish to finish that sentence.

She finally settled on something more casual.

 [Wednesday]

Hello, Sinclair. I was informed that this was your phone number. I wish to exchange virtual letters with you.

                                                                                                                -WA

 [Enid]

Omg you got a phone??!!!🤩

 [Wednesday]

I do not know what this “Omg” has to do with anything but yes. Well, Xavier bought me one.

                                                                                                               -WA

 [Enid]

sorry forgot you dont know slang🤗

that’s expensive as hell for a gift

also you dont have to sign off your texts, I know it’s you 'Ness🤭

She somehow didn’t mind the unintelligent nickname. Enid’s curse was getting worse.

 [Wednesday]

It was a hopeless attempt to try to court me, of course it was useless but he should have been prepared for that.

 [Enid]

Heh, Xavier’s rich he can afford the mistake. 😉

still, how are you?

[Wednesday]

My mother’s replacing me with another spawn so she sent me over to my cousins’ so I could learn more from another raven. I did ask her for information. But I know it is just a poor attempt to get rid of me for the unplanned break.

The airport in Oakland was a nightmare. I’m in the car now. Those screaming machines should not be allowed in such a crowded place, they’re torturous. And not the good kind. 

 [Enid]

I’m sure your mom is just trying to help you out. If she was trying to “replace” you she wouldn’t care about your well-being.🤗

ALSO

you’re in Oakland??? 😱😱😱

Oakland, California????🥰🥰

'Ness you HAVE to visit San Fran while you’re there

I’d love to see you again.😘

[Wednesday]

Outside of my psychic lessons I could ask to visit. 

And your insipid little pictures are aggravating.

 [Enid]

oh come on don’t be like that 

and as much as I want to see you right now, I can’t😭😭😭😭

it’s my older brother’s wedding this month and he’s the favourite🙄

my whole family is running around like mad men trying to get everything ready

I’ll tell you when I have time though😊

[Wednesday]

If I depend on my cousin for a car I might not be able to meet when she has band practice or college but I’ll ask.

[Enid]

ooo what band? 🤓

[Wednesday]       

Something among the lines of “Ambrosial Recklessness.”

I’m pretty sure besides her everyone else is a vampire.

[Enid]

that’s Yoko’s favourite metal band 

she’s obsessed with it👀

she’s been trying to find tickets for months

apparently they’re super popular or something

I think three of them are vampires 

not sure about the others                    

                                                                                       read      

“Wednesday, we have arrived!” Lilith said as Wednesday took her eyes off of the mobile device. She was becoming a slave to technology because of Enid. She had to ask her in person about this hex. 

The Frump estate was just a little smaller than the Addams mansion. But unlike her family home, quartz dominated the colour palette instead of coal.

“You’ll be staying in my old room. I’m afraid any other room might trigger your colour allergy. I believe the guest bedroom is too light for you.” Lilith said. 

And there was truth in her words, as she walked through the door she noticed that while the Frumps weren't exactly poly-chromatic, they loved their small pops of colour. Some of the main pieces of furniture were made of light brown wood and red velvet. They also owned a few colourful paintings and a lot of plants. Still, black and white dominated the decor.

“Old room? I thought you still lived here?” Wednesday asked.

“Oh no, I live on campus. I’m just staying here for a few weeks to help you out, or however long you’ll be staying,” Lilith said.

“That’s... really kind of you. Thank you.” 

Wednesday didn’t like to admit that she needed other’s help. But if Enid had taught her anything was that her emotionally constipated nature could hurt others. So in such situations she’d admit defeat and would say thank you or sorry. She thought "What would Enid do?" and then did it.

“Alright, let’s get down to business,” Lilith said as she pulled out two books from a bookcase in the entryway. 

It was odd that the Frumps kept their tomes so close to the exit, but Wednesday can’t judge.

“These are the diaries of Castor Frump, one of the only ravens in our family line that has documented their knowledge. You can keep them if you wish, I no longer need them. However, that's only the tip of the iceberg, you can ask me anything you wish about the nature of your powers and I’ll do my best to answer.”

“I was told that our visions can be unreliable, that they don’t tell you the whole picture. That they’re dangerous.”

“The danger is only present if you see them as more than they truly are. They give you a fragment of the information you need. Painting the background wrong is easy. You have to take them at face value, for now. It’s easy to make assumptions but you shouldn’t do that unless you have hard evidence for it,” she began.

It reminded her of Goody’s “You are the key.” She never realised what she meant until Laurel spelt it out for her. And that was her mistake.

“There are two types of visions. The regular ones you have out of nowhere, which are usually used to warn of future danger. I’m sure you understand what I mean.” 

Wednesday nodded.

“Good, that’s one type. The other, as I’m sure you noticed, is when you touch someone or something. While these can also be related to danger-” Tyler came to mind, “-they can also just be past stories, showing context to the matter at hand. In some of them, there will be a word or phrase that stands out to you more than anything else. Typically bolder, louder, even if in reality the speaker said something else or whispered. They typically answer questions you won’t need the answer to until much later. Still important, but you have more time to think about it.”

“How can I even train without Goody? Mother said you cannot be trained by the living.”

“Morticia’s correct, you cannot. But even if you can no longer communicate with Goody, you still have a spiritual connection with her since she saved your life. I cannot train you. But I can help you develop your spiritual connection with her, and in the end, with your inner self. Wednesday, no offence, but it seems that your-" Lilith paused trying to find the right word, "emotional barriers also block out your power’s full potential. It’s why it’s so easy to misinterpret your visions.” Well, that was a low blow.

“And how do you suppose I can fix that?”

“Well, there’s only one thing I can help you with. You need to perform a special type of seance, it’s like meditation but more advanced. It’s why I had to pick that up from my- Judy’s apartment,” she said. 

“You basically see your visions through the perspective of the other people involved. You think of a vision you want the answer to and you can trigger the answer to it, instead of having them randomly. Of course these also happen in extremely emotional situations, like betrayal or loss, due to our nature.” 

Like when she kissed Tyler, felt numb, and then the overwhelming sense of betrayal took over her whole being.

Lilith was pacing around the seance at this point of her rambling. “There is one other way, but I cannot help you with it. You have to learn about your emotions. I know it sucks, but it’s the only way to fully control your visions. No amount of seances will help you if you can’t distinguish between your emotions and the truth. No matter how much you try to repress it, they will affect your powers.”  

So basically she needs therapy again. What a delight…

“How did you do that?”

“Well, I wasn’t as emotionally repressed as I heard Morticia say you are, her words not mine. And as I told you earlier I found my people. I had to learn to distinguish between what is safe and what isn't. That way my visions gave me more clarity on who I could trust. It’s probably the most important thing in mastering your powers.”

“So Judy from your band and the other three vampires?”     

“Well, Judy’s a siren. But yes.” 

Wednesday expected vampires to enjoy the dark arts, but not anyone else. So the fact that Judy was a siren surprised her.           

“I’ll let you unpack, just think about it, okay? We’ll start tomorrow,” Lilith said as she left the room.

Wednesday settled her bags on the floor as she looked around the room. In all fairness, you could actually tell that Lilith no longer resided here. The room was left to its bare bones. At least everything was black. Though, after rooming with Enid for so long, her allergies hadn’t been as aggravating. Exposure therapy, maybe? She hated that thought though. 

As she unpacked she got a message from her stalker.

[Unknown Number]

I'm watching you.

She ignored it, at this point the stalker was harmless. Plus, she had her family around, even if the Frumps were not as lethal as her own parents, they were still dangerous enough, and so was Wednesday. So she didn’t worry much. As she moved towards the crystal ball and candles that were set up for a seance, unlit as they were, she stood in the middle. 

Then her neck fell backwards and everything turned black. She realised it was a vision right away. She had touched Lilith’s seance collection.

Lilith and Judy, who were younger here, maybe about Wednesday’s age now, looked like they were preparing a seance. 

Wednesday was surprised that a non-witch would even be interested in one. (As her Enid would faint even at the idea of one.) 

Judy was holding a silver necklace that had a green gem in the middle. “Mon absinthe, if you’re not ready to know we don’t have to continue,” Lilith said as cupped the other girl’s cheek. Judy placed her hand on top of Lilith’s and brought their hands to the floor. 

“No, I need to know what bloodsucker killed my brother,” Judy said, the word 'bloodsucker' being the loudest in her sentence. 

Wednesday wondered if that’s what Lilith meant by a phrase that catches your attention as a psychic. She’d analyse it later as she continued watching the scene in front of her.

Judy was still holding Lilith’s hand, interlocking their fingers and gazing at the other girl with a tenderness that was similar to how Wednesday witnessed her own parents look at each other. 

The vision ended quickly and outside of the previous phrase, which she noted down in a notebook, there was something else that stood out to her. The nickname that Lilith used for Judy: Mon absinthe.

My absinthe, in French, a strong alcohol which used to be banned in multiple countries, as it was thought to be poisonous. 

The nickname alluded to romance, an addicting forbidden love, usually between a man and his paramour. 

But surely Judy and Lilith weren’t romantically involved, right? That must be how good friends looked at each other. Or, perhaps not.

She soon realised Lilith never touched on the nature of their relationship, outside of the fact that they were in a band together. Then one thought set everything she thought she knew about herself aflame. That tender gaze was how she looked at Enid. 

Enid, whose mere presence made spiders crawl in her stomach. 

Enid, who was the only person that Wednesday allowed touch her. 

Enid, whose embrace was the warmth she'd never admit she needed. 

Enid, who had poisoned her mind everyday since they separated.

Oh.

Oh.

OH NO.

Enid Sinclair had made her way through Wednesday’s cold black heart. She was thought to be immune to the Addams’ curse. That was no longer the case. Wednesday had fallen in love (with Enid, of all people).

Enid, who was a walking rainbow, but whose colour she didn't seem to mind anymore. 

Enid, with the ear scratching pop music that was an insult to the arts. 

Enid, who was her polar opposite.

Wednesday was so screwed.

Chapter Text

Well, Wednesday left her on read. She was probably busy though, or she had to unpack, probably both. She had just gotten a phone, she didn’t really know how it worked that well. So Enid shouldn’t mind it all that much. Even though the fact that Xavier was the one who gifted it to her left a bad taste in her mouth, Enid decided not to dwell on it. But ever since Wednesday hugged her that night, all she could think about was how she wouldn't have any means to contact Wednesday until the semester began.

Then, there was the issue of Ajax. He hadn’t responded to any of her messages since break started a few weeks ago. She knew he was online because he posted on his social media. Yet when she messaged, he left her on delivered. Enid wondered if it was because of her claws. She also found it a bit weird that they’d always come out when around her not so official boyfriend, but she assumed it was due to nervousness. 

It wasn’t like she could ask her mother about it. It was clear as day that Esther only saw her as an accessory, and she could never be the perfect little wolf her mother wanted. She was the family disappointment in more ways than one. First, she was a late bloomer. Second, before sending her to Nevermore, Esther tried to be supportive of the human side of her. And actually supported her dream of being a figure skater. That was until she didn’t get into the Youth Olympic Games, so her mother cancelled her class. Two points, two points and she would have succeeded. Her one way of expressing her emotions productively was taken away from her. So she started the blog, but it just wasn’t the same. 

Enid had always been more human than wolf, even after she wolfed out. She still hated raw meat in human form. Sure she might have battled a Hyde to protect her best friend - why did that word not feel right -the first time she wolfed out, but that was life or death. It wasn’t how she had imagined it since she was a little pup, she didn’t really enjoy her wolf form. It was more of an annoyance than a blessing to her.

As the next morning came, Enid’s home was in total chaos. Everyone was running around trying to make sure everything was perfect for Lowell’s wedding. The twenty-three year old had always been her mother’s favourite. He was everything she was not, the perfect wolf, an Olympic gold medalist in weightlifting, with a picture perfect relationship since he was fourteen. 

She could never compete.

Although, all the chaos had one silver lining. Audrey was in the house at the moment, her sister in law was basically an angel. And the only adult she could go to for girly advice, given her mother was, well, judgemental didn’t even begin to cover it.

She decided she’d ask her what to do about Ajax. While, as far as Enid was aware, Audrey and her brother never had big altercations, she could still offer advice. She presented the situation to Audrey, mentioning how her claws would always come out when she kissed him, at which she got a reply that she was not expecting.

"Claws generally come out when our wolf feels that it’s in danger, or threatened and scared. If that happens when you try to be romantic with him, I’m afraid he’s not your mate. It doesn't mean that you don't like him. Just that he won't be there forever. Your mate will make you feel safe, never scared," Audrey said, then as if she could read Enid’s mind, she continued. “And that doesn’t necessarily mean the reason why he’s not your mate is because he’s a gorgon. Unlike what the elders say, your mate can most certainly be human or any other outcast. They don’t have to be another wolf. Mates are bonds you make, not something to keep the werewolf population in high numbers,” Audrey rolled her eyes as she said the last sentence. 

“Thanks for the advice. I’ll… think about it,” Enid half smiled as Audrey pulled her in a hug. “It’ll be okay, alright? Honey, there’s no reason to rush it. You’ll find them when the time is right. You’ll never be a lone wolf if I can help it. I’ll always be on your side, okay?” 

Enid almost teared up, Audrey was always there for her when her mother and brothers never were. Sure her father was there too, but he held no backbone against Esther. 

Enid didn’t want to break up with Ajax just yet, even if what Audrey said seemed accurate. Her feelings for Ajax were disorienting. She didn’t want to think about it too much.

Before long, her mother loudly opened the door. “Enid, get up right now and drive Blaze to hockey practice, he's probably in his room!” Esther then looked behind Enid to see Audrey. She changed her tone and said, ”Audrey, dear, I need you downstairs to choose the menu options.” And just as quickly as she entered the room, she left. Audrey gave Enid a pitiful smile in response as she headed downstairs. 

Even with wolfing out, her mother was still not proud of her. She even criticised her for getting those “ugly scars” and how she would never find a mate looking like that. Enid will never be enough. The only time Esther talked to her was either to: a) Judge her for something she cannot change about herself or b) She wanted Enid to do something for her, nothing else. Ever since she got her licence, Enid was Esther’s go-to person for replacing her own errands. Because her precious sons could not be bothered.

She quickly walked to her younger brother’s room to fetch him. Blaze ran down the stairs at lightning speed. At least one of them was happy to see the rink. 

She subconsciously played her “WWWD” playlist: classical music, old school rock and a pinch of pop punk that Enid enjoyed. She missed her. She could not wait until this wedding was over so they could hang out. Just the two of them, without disturbance now that there was no mystery to solve and no killer to defeat. Wednesday was her best friend after all. It was expected for Enid to miss her. 

She didn’t notice when they arrived at the rink. She secured and locked the car and followed Blaze, who was already running towards the building. It was bittersweet to visit the sports hall. She sat down in the bleachers and scrolled social media while Blaze was getting ready to play. 

“Sinclair?” she heard a bitterly familiar voice ask her. Enid looked up to see her arch nemesis standing in front of her. “Did you come here to teach the kids how to fall off their skates 101?” she said.

Enid, as always, tried to be civil, “It’s nice to see you too, Chloe.”

“Oh please, the fake niceness only works in competition. We all know you were never even an opponent, just a naive child who couldn’t even do a double axel properly.”

“Just because I fell once, does not mean I wasn’t good. I know you messed with my skates.”

“You say that as if it was only once. I’ve seen you in practice, Sinclair. You’re a klutz, and a failure, on and off ice. Admit it.” 

“Quit it, Chloe!” Enid heard a familiar voice perk up but she had already ran to the bathroom before she could see who it was.

Enid should not be crying in a bathroom stall over a small insult right now. Yet here she was. Her mother always told her how much of a disappointment she was. So when other people did too she couldn't take it. Every inch of her being told her that she was not enough. She would never be enough. She was a fool. No amount of makeup and fake smiles could ever be enough. Then, her phone’s signature notification sound went off.

[Wednesday]

My schedule is unrestricted for the time being, if yours is free as well. 

Such a simple message and yet, it made her heart warm. She felt safe being vulnerable around her. So when Wednesday called her on facetime, she didn’t hesitate to answer. She didn’t care that she had been crying only minutes earlier. Wednesday never judged her. Not since they made up. Still, Enid had waterproof mascara so what was there to lose? But of course, Wednesday notices. She always did.

It was hard to notice but Wednesday’s eyes softened at the sight, concern painted on her face, in her own way. Enid knew she was  capable of feeling emotions, unlike what other people liked to think. (And what Wednesday herself wanted them to believe.) But to feel emotions towards her. To care about her. Enid couldn't help but feel her cheeks flush slightly at that. 

Her thoughts were interrupted by Wednesday's words, “Who did this to you? I want names.” 

“It’s nothing really.”

“Names, Enid. Who do I need to kill?”

“Wednesday, no.”

“Wednesday, yes.”

“Okay, okay I will tell you! But you have to promise that you won’t actually kill anyone?”

“If that’s what you wish for.”

“Long story short, I’ve been figure skating since I was 3. A few years ago I didn’t qualify for the Youth Olympic Games due to a failed axel and my mom pulled me out of it. She made me drive my younger brother to hockey practice and I saw my nemesis again. Who I’m 99% sure damaged my skates before that competition. She was very mean and I don’t know why I cried because I usually wouldn’t in such a situation but I did and yeah,” Enid caught her breath after said rant. 

“One slip up doesn’t define you, Enid. I am not good at comforting others, but I’m certain you were beyond satisfactory in this regard,” Wednesday said.

“Thank you, Wendy!” Enid smiled. “I’ll text you later when I look at my schedule. I need to look after my brother. See you soon!”

“Goodbye, Sinclair.” If Enid didn’t know any better she’d think she saw a half smile coming from her roommate. 

Enid returned to the bleachers, the familiar face from earlier approaching her. Gwen was Audrey’s younger sister, they grew up together as they both skated. Even without the wedding, Gwen was like family to her. “Hey, Enid. It’s good to see you. Don’t mind Chloe, she’s always like that. It’s like she hasn’t matured since we were small children,” she said. 

“Tell me about it.” Enid scoffed.

“So the wedding is actually happening, huh?”

“Don’t remind me! They’re so disgustingly in love, it’s sickening. My house is a mess right now,” Enid complained. 

“So is ours. Well, at least we’ll kinda be officially family now?” Gwen laughed, “About that, I think you should have this,” she handed her a key. 

“What?”

She knew that Gwen’s family owned the rink but never in a million years would Enid have imagined this. 

“The keys to the ice rink. The season is slow anyway and I thought you’d appreciate being able to skate in private, without Chloe or anyone else around. Don’t worry I checked with my dad and he’s okay with it,” Gwen said.

“Gwen, I can’t accept this.”

“Yes, you can. You deserve it, Enid. Audrey told me how much Esther is pressuring you and I think you should give skating another try, even if it’s not in competition.”

“Thank you. The last few weeks have been rough,” Enid smiled.

“Enid! Can I go hang out with the others for a few hours, please? Mom said I can if you’re okay with waiting for me. Please, I’ll do your chores for a week!” Blaze exclaimed. His team had won the game and of course he wanted to celebrate. 

“Dishes especially. Now go have fun before I change my mind,” she laughed.

“Thank you.”

With the rink now empty, Enid decided that she might as well try to get back into routine. Enid did her regular warm ups. She didn't find it any more difficult than she did at fourteen. It was as if time hadn't passed. 

She searched for some of the available skates, and then sat down to put them on. God she missed this. It was like the ice called to her.

She quickly paired her phone to the speakers, making sure the volume wasn’t too loud, then she put her playlist on shuffle and left her phone on the bleachers as she walked onto the ice.

She took it easy at first, skating around in circles and doing a simple step sequence. She then tried a quick jump, which she landed successfully. One particular song started playing. One that reminded her how much of a disaster she was in her mother’s eyes for failing at everything, especially skating. 

Places, places

Get in your places

Throw on your dress and put on your doll faces

Everyone thinks that we're perfect

Please don't let them look through the curtains

And so, out of pure spite she started doing more complicated moves. A double lutz jump, which she executed correctly. She followed with a Biellmann spin, which she paired with an upright spin and a sit spin four. 

Picture, picture, smile for the picture

Pose with your brother, won't you be a good sister?

Everyone thinks that we're perfect

Please don't let them look through the curtains

Spinning around gave her a rush of adrenaline. Everything started to become routine, she was no longer consciously counting her moves. Now she danced around the ice in tune with her emotions. She missed this. She didn’t even realise when she had executed not a double or triple axel, but a quadruple one, correctly. She smiled to herself. 

She was enough. No matter what Esther said.

And that’s when she heard someone slowly clap from the bleachers. She had made sure the rink was empty. When Enid looked up, she saw none other than Wednesday standing there with a small smile on her face. Enid quickly left the ice to walk towards her “friend”. 

“If I knew you’d be performing I would have bought you flowers,” Wednesday said in the most nonchalant way she could manage. 

"How did you even find me here?" Enid wrapped her in a hug, hiding her flustered face into the crook of the other girl’s neck. She decided not to question why that made her blush. Wednesday didn’t push her off, though she didn’t sink into the hug like she had back at Nevermore, but she reciprocated all the same.

"I have an old acquaintance who knows how to find people’s locations. Plus, I knew you were at an ice rink. There's only so many in the vicinity."

“So basically you stalked me?” Enid grinned.

“I did no such thing. I might have gotten somewhat rusty at kidnapping while attending Nevermore, but I’m not so unskilled as to send empty threats like my so-called stalker,” Wednesday looked away from her, “I simply noticed your worry and wanted to eliminate the source of your misfortune. But if you must word it as such…” she stared down at her feet.

“Hold on, you have a stalker?! Are you okay?” Enid asked, concern painted on her face.

It was heartwarming that Wednesday cared about her, even if she didn’t want to admit it.

“It is a treacherous tale, but they are of no concern to me.”

“Could you not find their IP like you could mine?”

“No, they found a way to block trackers. However, based on what they’ve been messaging me, I believe they live nearby. That or they followed me all the way here from Nevermore. I doubt it though as I didn’t get any messages from them while at my family's residence.”

“Well, that sucks. Would watching me skate again cheer you up?” Wednesday did say she wanted to buy her flowers so she must have liked it, right?

“Actually, I’d enjoy it if you taught me how. I gather that you enjoy it a lot, and I owe it to you after I made you join the Hummers even if you hate bees.” The ‘You’re the one who needs cheering up,’ went unsaid.

“That was nothing,” Enid lied. “But if you want to learn I don’t see anything wrong with that. I’d love to share the art of figure skating with you,” she smiled as they got Wednesday some skates and stepped on the ice.

“Okay so have you skated or roller skated before?”

“No.”

“Okay then, I know you might not want to, but you might need to hold my hand, or the railing, or both,” Enid said quietly. To her surprise, Wednesday chose to hold her hand instead of the other option. As if saying 'I trust you.' Even though the action was sudden, Enid’s claws didn’t come out. Like she’d expect them to. She ignored the all too familiar feeling that settled in her stomach.

Wednesday took to skating faster than anticipated, but she was perfect at everything she did. Enid taught her the basics and even a few simple jumps. Wednesday felt safe in the other girl’s presence, Enid could tell as much. She couldn’t help but admit that she felt the same. They shouldn’t work, but they do. 

They might have never stopped if Enid’s brother didn't come back to be picked up. 

“We could continue some other time, it’s fine,” Wednesday said. 

“Is your cousin picking you up?” Enid asked.

“She could, but I was thinking of taking the subway. I don’t want to be dependent on her while I stay here,” Wednesday said. 

“Of course. I could drive you to the station if you want. It’s on our way anyway.”

“Alright,” Wednesday said as the three entered the vehicle. The second she left the car for the station, Blaze started to tease Enid, “So you let me go out and take all your chores just so you could go on a date with your girlfriend? That’s low even for you, Enid. But a deal is a deal. So I’ll do the dishes.”

“My what? It wasn’t a- She’s not my- I’m not- She’s just a friend,” Enid stuttered, her face turning a bright red. 

“Oh please, her scent is all over you. You smell like paper, ink and dirt. But if you say so,” Blaze turned his attention to his phone. 

Sure, Wednesday had made her blush more today than she has in the last year. Skating with her was the most fun she had had in a while. She also enjoyed holding her hand, even if it was just for support. Wednesday's embrace made her feel like she was on cloud nine. 

Wednesday, the most closed off person she had ever met, made her feel safe and warm.

Oh shit.

The little rascal was right. She liked Wednesday. No, she loved her.

Enid internally swore. What was she supposed to do about this? She was with Ajax. But he didn’t make her feel the way Wednesday did: safe. True to Audrey’s words, Ajax was not her mate. They were practically falling apart anyway. So who could blame her for falling for her best friend? They had a bond that was hard to describe. The possibility that Wednesday was her mate sent a chill down her spine. She had to end her and Ajax’s relationship before things got more complicated. 

She didn’t care that maybe Wednesday didn’t reciprocate. Even a platonic relationship with her would feel more fulfilling than a romantic one with Ajax. 

As soon as she got home she called him. She didn’t mention falling for her roommate, but she did say that she had lost feelings for him and she thought they’d be better off as friends. He wasn’t mad, in fact, he had seen it coming somehow (maybe because the first thing she asked him when she became human again was where Wednesday was), hence why he had been ignoring her. Well, that turned out better than expected.

But there was still one problem, her mother. Even if by some miracle Wednesday reciprocated her feelings and they could be together, her mother would not be okay with it. She was already mad when she heard she was dating a non-wolf, but a “homicidal maniac,” and a girl. Enid would be dead. Esther would be petty enough to pull her out of Nevermore or to request a change of rooms. 

Though, if Wednesday was her mate, she knew she'd figure out a plan. One that did not involve killing her mother, at Enid’s request. 

Chapter Text

The day didn’t start as bad as you’d expect, all things considered. Enid didn’t have to worry about wedding planning, as Blaze was taking care of her chores for the week. She decided she’d ask Wednesday if she was free to explore the city.

While Yoko also lived nearby, she knew her oldest friend was busy packing for a trip to Europe. Something to do with “learning about the roots of the species” or whatever. While the two had been friends since they were toddlers, the feud between vampires and werewolves meant they didn’t really know each other’s customs. Every time Yoko tried to explain, it just got more confusing for Enid and vice versa. So Yoko just told her it was a “vampire thing” and that was that.

She spent most of the morning and early afternoon dancing around her room with her headphones on, adding a few songs Wednesday would tolerate to her playlist. When she was finally done daydreaming about a couple’s routine they could do if they get together and if Wednesday got better at the art, she pulled out her phone to text her.

[Enid, 2:40 pm]

Hey Wendy, if you’re not too busy, I was thinking I could show you around San Fran today. I’ve got my chores covered.

[Wednesday, 2:42 pm]

I’ll be done with training in about an hour. I was thinking of heading to Alcatraz on this trip, anyway. I’ve always wanted to study the place.

[Enid, 2:45 pm]

Of course you’d love that 🤨

We might even catch part of the night tour if you want🤔, but not too long. I still have to ask my parents and I’ll have to be home by 10.

I’ll pick you up from Powell Street station at 4:30🤗. Do you know how to get there?

[Wednesday, 2:46 pm]

Yes, I have a map with the subway stations.

I’ll have you home by ten then, don’t worry.

[Enid, 2:50 pm]

I’ll see you there👋.

She headed down the stairs with her earbuds in, lowering the volume as she approached the kitchen to ask her parents for permission. She stopped in the doorway as she saw her mother berating her father about something.

“Murray, it’s tradition. It’s not my problem that there was a miscalculation,” her mother said.

“But what about-” her father asked but was interrupted.

“I don’t care about that. It’s already settled, and I’m not changing my mind,” Esther stopped as she saw Enid standing in the doorway.

“Enid, dear, what’s the matter?” her father said.

“Since my chores are taken care of, I was thinking of showing my roommate around San Francisco before the wedding, since she’s visiting,” Enid pleaded.

Her mother looked at her father, who shared a begging look. He could never defend her or himself against Esther, but he tried to help Enid without upsetting his wife.

“Alright, dear. Just don’t break curfew,” her mother said.

“Thank you!” Enid exclaimed as she ran upstairs to pack her things and get dressed.

After half an hour, her closet was emptied over her floor. She needed the perfect outfit. This wasn’t a date. She knew that. But can anyone blame her for wanting to look good around her crush?

She finally settled on something that was good enough. She did her makeup, making sure she covered up those hideous scars, even if Wednesday knew about them. Afterwards, she shoved the clothes back into her closet and headed out the door with her car keys in hand.

As Wednesday put her phone down, she couldn’t help but feel thrilled at the idea of her two favourite things being together: true crime and Enid.

In the years she spent avoiding being a photocopy of her mother, she failed to consider the possibility of becoming just like her father. Well, it was the Addams’ curse, after all. But she thought she was immune until Enid shattered the very thought.

Unfortunately, Enid was with Ajax, and Wednesday was no home-wrecker. Addams curse or not, she would bury her feelings to the bottom of the ocean or she would die trying. She would fall off the face of the earth if it meant Enid would be happy.

Lilith would tell her this will just stop her progression as a psychic, but there had to be another way of evolving. Enid didn’t have to know. Surely, Wednesday acknowledging that she had feelings in the first place would be enough.

Speaking of which, it was time for her guided seance. The candles lay lit on the floor while she held her mother’s necklace in one hand and one of Castor’s journals in the other. Lilith sat next to her, outside of the summoning circle, holding the other journal. Only Lilith had a connection with Castor, so she needed her there. Wednesday knew she wouldn’t be able to speak with Goody anymore. That wasn’t the goal, however. According to Lilith, the spirits can still guide a young psychic after they have departed, through visions. Essentially, the ancestors would help the young raven induce a vision on her own. All she had to do was think about a reason for contacting them, a threat.

“For your connection with Goody, focus on the necklace. For Castor, focus on the journal. One at the time, and then both at once,” Lilith said quietly.

Wednesday closed her eyes as she focused on the items. Naturally, her first thought was the stalker. She fell in a trance, a vision, but unlike her previous visions, this one didn’t make her neck violently fall backwards. Instead, she stood still.

In the nighttime, an arrow covered in violet goo hit a grey wall that was surrounded by bushes. It wasn’t from her perspective, instead; it was that of the archer, as they ran away from the scene.

That was everything that she saw. She knew this wasn’t her ancestor’s fault. Her visions were cryptic, as was she. As she articulated her discoveries, Lilith spoke, “Alright, that’s enough for today. Induced visions will be short and confusing at first. That’s normal. But you still need to work on your emotions as you progress.”

“I wanted to ask, do you happen to have any spell books around?”

“Non-psychic related, I assume? I have a few. What type of spells?”

“The enchanting type. I want to make an item unable to be altered.”

“Here,” she handed Wednesday a book, “might I ask why?”

“Merely a present for a friend that I wish to not be stolen or destroyed.”

Lilith gave her a sickeningly knowing look, at which Wednesday rolled her eyes. She did not dwell on it, however.

“I also have a question. The night I got here I had a vision when I touched your seance stuff. Judy said a vampire killed her brother? Is that something that happens regularly with the vampires here or?” Wednesday said.

Lilith visibly went red at the memory, but she held herself together. “Not regularly, no. But the Oakland Fangs are vengeful in spirit. Once someone mistreats them or they believe you’re bad news, they attack. It’s pettiness really. One tried to kill Mother when we moved here. You can guess who won that fight. Judy’s brother got into a feud with a vampire at his school and he killed him.” Wednesday nodded. Lilith understood the silence meant she was no longer needed, and left.

As soon as Lilith walked out the door, she stood in the middle of the seance circle alone, trying to summon a vision through her own energy. Lilith warned her she was probably not ready for it yet. She had to go through multiple guided seances and uncover her emotions at the same time. But she had to attempt it. Plus, Lilith didn’t know about her affections for her roommate, her curse. Surely, that was enough emotion to be connected with her inner self. She had gone soft after all, as much as she hated to admit it.

Instead of concentrating on a talisman like she did when contacting her ancestors, she directed her attention to her phone, specifically to the unknown number staring back at her. This time, her neck snaps back violently.

Her peripheral vision is blocked, and she can only make sense of the centre of the image. Someone wiping blood off of their mouth with their blazer sleeve, which is blue and black. Everything else is blurry. She tries to see more of the scene, but the image shifts to a vision of a rusty book whose title reads: Equilibrium.

Just like that, she’s back to earth. It was worth a try. At least she’s confirmed that her stalker is indeed a vampire who attends Nevermore. That is her first clue.

But as she looks at the clock, which reads 3:50, she places the aforementioned spell book in the corner of the room and leaves. It sits next to a white box, a pair of black gloves and two cans of pink spray paint.

The clock strikes 4:31 as she waits for Enid in front of the subway station. It’s not long before she hears someone yell her name. She turns around, following the voice to see Enid standing in front of her with her arms open, which she quickly retracts as she thinks Wednesday does not wish for her embrace. Which could not be any more wrong. Enid’s wearing a simple outfit yet Wednesday can’t help being mesmerised by her. Wednesday doesn’t let it show, her face remaining blank as she silently follows Enid to the car.

“I’m surprised you could hang out so soon. I thought you were busy with the wedding,” Wednesday said as she settled in the passenger seat.

“I waited for Blaze while he went out with his friends, so he owes me chores for a week,” Enid laughed.

“When’s the wedding, by the way?” she asked, looking out the window.

“The actual wedding is the day of the full moon next week, since the pack hunt happens the next day. Which is on my birthday. The hunt is right after my party. I don’t even know if I’ll wolf out again. On top of it all, I’ll be the only one over sixteen without a date there so I’ll be stuck at the kids' table,” Enid rolled her eyes.

“Did Ajax not want to come visit you?” Wednesday asked, a puzzled look on her face. Ajax wasn’t that much of an asshole to ditch his girlfriend at such an important family event.

In Addams fashion, once you were courting someone, there was never an event where you didn’t go together. Even if the two of you were not married or engaged.

“Oh, about that, we broke up,” Enid scratched the back of her neck with one hand as she drove.

“What’s his address? I need to mail in a nail gun,” Wednesday said. That coward did not know what was coming for him. How could he be such a half-wit to break up with one of the most beau-

Wednesday really was becoming her father. She detested it. But at least this break up meant that she might have a chance, no matter how small.

“That won’t be needed. I was actually the one who broke up with him,” Enid said.

Wednesday did not want to ask why, and it wasn’t her business, anyway. Silence fell upon the duo. She steered her attention to the music being played. It sounded like a poor attempt at rock, with a few pop elements thrown in. The band name appeared to be a misspelling of the word paramour.

“This music is a disgrace to classic rock,” she said.

“How about I play radio pop instead?” Enid raised her eyebrows.

“I guess this is adequate,” she said in a muffled tone.

Before Enid could find some witty remark, she reached a stoplight, which had over forty seconds left. As such, she pulled down her car mirror, seeing her scars peeking through her foundation layer. She grabbed a concealer stick from her bag and began applying it on her cheek, tapping it down to blend it.

“Enid, you don’t have to hide your battle scars around me. They show your bravery. You saved my life and for that I can only hope to one day return the favour,” Wednesday said after Enid was done with her makeup and began staring at the road again.

“I’m sure you do, but let’s hope it never comes down to that,” was all Enid said before she hit the gas as the light turned green. Odd… Wednesday didn’t remember her roommate having had blush on her cheeks when she saw her at the subway station. And Wednesday did look at her for a while back there.

They reached the docks just in time for the ferry that left at 4:45.

“I’ll get us the tickets,” Wednesday said.

“Are you sure? I’m the local here,” Enid asked.

“Yes. Enid, you drove me here. It’s the least I could do,” she said as she approached the queue.

In all honesty, the reason she wanted to be the one getting the tickets, outside of the fact that she wanted to treat Enid to something for once, was because she wanted to make sure they had a special type of tour. A non-guided one that covered both the day and night tour, which was usually not available to the public. The Addams clan had their connections. As soon as she slipped the money and her passport at the front desk, the cashier cowered in fear and pulled out a stack of black tickets with a golden trim, “How many, Miss Addams?” their voice trembled.

“Two,” she replied blankly.

When she got back to Enid, she narrowed her eyes in confusion as she looked at the black tickets. “Do I even want to ask how you made them give you those types of tickets?”

“No, you do not. All you need to know is that people here can never deny an Addams,” she said. And if you’ll be one too, you’ll know why.

Enid looked even more concerned, but decided not to question it further. She clearly did not want to know. Silently, they boarded the ferry.

The San Francisco bay was beautifully haunting in the light of the approaching sunset. The dark waves sharply crashed against the boat’s edge. Wednesday found it magnificent, while Enid held her arm in fear. Wednesday kept her composure of being indifferent to the action. She might never admit it, but in truth, she sought Enid’s affection. And when Enid didn’t let go even after they disembarked due to the abandoned prison’s eeriness, she didn’t mention it. Enid was an affectionate friend. There was nothing more to it from her side.

When they arrived at the ruins of the Officer’s Club, the seagulls which resided on its fence squawked loudly. Wednesday’s ears rang in consequence. She wondered whether that was just how these seagulls usually behaved or if somehow this was a warning. But as usual, she ignored it. Enid’s sensitive werewolf hearing was also affected, so they made the silent agreement of walking away.

When they were done with the outside, it was already nighttime. They entered the main cell house, Enid still hanging off of her arm. The rusted cells fascinated her. Uncle Fester had escaped prison multiple times. She wondered how much it would take her to figure out an escape plan from this place.

As much as the macabre captivated her psyche, she can’t help but know that if Enid wasn’t with her, she’d grow miserable in such a place. Or in any location, really. Like her parents, she’d grow bitter being separated from the source of her curse for more than necessary. She made a vow, she’ll never be caught dead in a prison, no matter how much she loved it. Not if it meant being separated from her sun. Because despite being a werewolf, Enid’s smile shone like the sun.

They walked past the cell which depicts the famous group who escaped the island and Enid taught her how to take photos of the place with her mobile device. She then asked for her phone and took a “selfie” with the two of them in frame and sent it to herself. Wednesday expected her to post it on her social media. But Enid knew she wouldn’t enjoy that, so instead she set the picture as her background image. Many years later, Wednesday would realise the implications of the action and smile at Enid crocheting yet another snood in her armchair.

After admiring the haunted estate, Enid detaches herself from Wednesday’s grip as they walk back to the ferry. But when they reached the now silent Officer’s Club again, an arrow came flying towards Wednesday.

It hit the eroded grey wall of the building as Enid pushed her out of the way and they both crashed to the ground. Enid has saved her life twice, this time in human form. If she wasn’t already enamoured with her, she sure as hell is now. But there’s a tinge of guilt in the embrace as Wednesday fears that she’s putting Enid in danger just by being near her.

The mysterious archer runs away when they see Enid. Neither of them can catch their face, but their long dark hair and round black glasses are visible to Wednesday.

She did not wish to leave Enid’s embrace but did so anyway to inspect the arrow. “Nightshade poisoning,” she whispered as she pulled out a glove from her backpack, putting the arrow in a zip-lock bag as evidence. Can they really not be anymore creative, or are they just sent by Laurel?

“What was that? Are you okay?” Enid yelled.

“My stalker, I haven’t heard from them in a while, so I thought they were gone. I realise now they were just planning their next move. From the looks of it, they did not expect me to have company. Enid, I send my deepest apologies that I put you in this situation,” she said.

She hoped Enid wouldn’t leave her again. That red duffel bag still haunts her nightmares.

“You couldn’t have known-” Before Enid could finish her sentence, she interrupted her.

“I could actually. I saw this in a vision this afternoon from their perspective. It was short. I didn’t see that the person they were shooting was me,” she confessed.

“Still, Wednesday, look at me, I do not blame you. It’s not your fault that you’re hunted down by some creep. And I do not mind helping you. I’ve transformed now. If anyone thinks they can mess with you they’ll have to go through this wolf first,” Enid said with a tender voice.

“But I put you in danger,” her voice almost cracked. The curse was getting worse as she did not want to lose the other girl.

“I’ve realised that I’m the only one who can protect you from it. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. You’re worth the danger. Now come on, we’ll miss the ferry back,” Enid simply said as she grabbed her arm and walked with her back to the boat.

The ride back to shore was silent at first. Neither girl wanted to comment on the situation. Still, Enid interlocked their fingers under the table as she watched the Bay Area’s skyline light up in the quiet night. Wednesday opened her phone to see the clock read 8:50. Enid noticed the action. “Don't worry, I can get home by ten. My parents won’t get mad at you,” she said.

“A shame, really. I thought they’d be mad at me for taking up your time as is,” she said.

“Why do you say that?” Enid asked, a puzzled look on her face

“Cause I almost got you killed for one-”

“No, you did not, and even if you haven’t apologised for it verbally, I know you’re sorry for what happened back at Nevermore. You were trying to save us all, but I couldn’t see that back then,” she said.

“Second, I’m a bad influence in their eyes, am I not? Because I'm a human and you don't participate in enough werewolf activities because of me,” Wednesday said, blinking as she stared at the shallow light reflected on Enid’s face, and on her soft lips. Wednesday took her eyes off of Enid’s. She could not dare entertain such a thought.

Not now, when Enid put her life in danger to save her from her incompetence. Not now, on a boat, surrounded by people. Not now, when Enid had just broken up with her boyfriend. And not now, when Enid’s parents would be pissed if she didn’t get home in time.

“But that’s exactly what I like about you, Wednesday. I’ve always been more human than wolf," Enid smiled.

Not long after, the ferry reached the shore and after a silent car ride, they separated for the night. When she was on the train back to Oakland, Wednesday’s phone rang.

[Unknown Number]

I’ll get you next time, Addams.

As soon as Enid walked through the door, she was approached by her mother. “Enid, we need to talk to you,” she said.

She looked at the clock in the kitchen that read 9:30. “I didn’t break curfew, see?” she pointed to it.

“That’s not what this is about, dear. There’s been a miscalculation. The full moon is on the 29th, not the 28th. So the wedding has been moved up by a day. We had this conversation over dinner with the whole pack, but you were out with that human friend of yours,” Esther said.

“What? Mom, but that’s my birthday!” Enid protested.

“You have a birthday every year. Your brother’s only getting married once, hopefully. We barely managed to reschedule on such a short notice. Plus, you’ll still have cake, and Audrey prefers decorations similar to your own, so you won’t be able to tell the difference.”

Enid didn’t even bother to reply to her mother. She headed upstairs to her small room with tears running down her face and locked the door. She threw herself on her pile of plushies, drying her tears with a fluffy blanket. And that’s when Wednesday called to check up on her. She did that often lately. But Enid had no time to question that.

“What did they do to you?” Wednesday said.

“Earlier this morning, I heard them arguing about something, but I didn’t catch the entire conversation. My dad tried to fight against it, but my mom wasn’t budging,” Enid said, burying herself in the pile of stuffed animals. “They miscalculated the date of the full moon. The wedding is now on the same day as my birthday, so of course, it’s cancelled,” she continued.

“What’s your address, I can have it done by morning,” Wednesday said.

“You are not killing my parents, Wednesday. It sucks, but there’s nothing I can do to change it now.”

“I could sneak into the party and keep you company? I’ve sneaked into funerals before and gone unnoticed,” she suggested.

“Trust me, my mom would notice. She knows about you, she’s seen you at parents' day and she’ll make a big deal out of it. I’d rather stay on the sidelines,” she said.

“If that’s what you want,” she said.

Later that night, Enid would fall asleep with her phone in her hand, Wednesday still on the other line. Wednesday’s would blink thrice before ending the call.

As the day of the wedding came, rapid footsteps and earsplitting chatter echoed throughout the townhouse. Enid was used to noise, growing up with five rowdy brothers, but it bothered her nonetheless.

She was lucky that after Blaze was born, her parents decided to split two of the bedrooms, allowing four of them to get their own rooms while the twins shared. Seven-year-old Enid was delighted that she finally had her own room, even if it was the size of a closet. However, that meant that the walls were paper thin, and the noise circled around the whole house.

She got dressed quickly as she just wanted to head outside to get away from the madness while everyone was busy. Most didn’t even look her way as she did so. Audrey was the only one that seemed to see her as she wished her a happy birthday with a sad smile.

She’d learn later that day that, as the bride, Audrey vetoed the change of date and wanted the wedding to be done as planned in half a day, having the pack hunt in the same day, for Enid’s sake. But she held no power over Esther as the pack leader.

It was the worst birthday of her life; it was so much worse than if her birthday was cancelled on a regular day. The wedding took everyone’s attention, but that was not what made Enid’s heart ache. It was the indifference with which her mother treated the situation. Esther had been picking favourites as far as Enid remembered. Lowell was the oldest, after all. It was just that Esther was always disappointed with everything Enid did.

Like how right now the bride and the groom were taking pictures with the Sinclair side of the family and Esther was the one to arrange them, which meant her favourites in the front and Enid barely peeking through in the back. And as much as she tried to keep her confidence now, it still hurt like hell. Her mother always did this when it came to family pictures. When they were younger, she would insist they’d go in birth order. Which meant Lowell, the twins, Hunter and Hank, Kane and then her, with only one foot in the picture frame. And since Blaze was a baby, he’d be held by Esther.

Though, objectively, the wedding was absolutely stunning. From the white and pink strings hanging from the ceiling that created a snowflake-like structure to the flowers everywhere, it all looked like a fairy-tale. Then there was the tower cake decorated in black and white frosting, which oddly enough reminded her of Wednesday.

As Audrey walked down the aisle, all Enid could think about was the wedding dress Wednesday would probably wear, if she would wear a dress. Nonetheless, it would be black. There was no doubt about that. Her infatuation with her roommate was becoming unbearable at this point, but she had no other choice but to accept her feelings.

That was until it was time for the bouquet toss. To everyone’s surprise, Enid, the lone wolf who sat at the kids' table, caught it when she wasn’t even trying to. She was scrolling social media trying to make herself feel better, and the bouquet got caught onto her forearm. The whole pack stared at her in shock, except for the bride who smiled at her, and her mother, whose glare wanted to set her aflame. As if Esther somehow knew that if her only daughter were to have a mate, it wouldn’t be another werewolf. And as Enid had been imagining a wedding with her human roommate earlier, she couldn’t say it wasn’t accurate.

With the whole room staring at her, she approached the cake stand. She cut herself a piece of the three tiered cake and walked back to the kids' table. She twirled the fork slowly in her food, watching everyone else have fun around her. But she wasn’t. “So when’s your ‘friend’ proposing?” Blaze teased, as he gestured to the bouquet sitting on the table. “I’m not in the mood, Blaze,” was all she said as she took off to the bathroom.

She realised that everyone stared at her because somehow they all knew her mate would never be a wolf. It wasn’t unexpected from the pack disappointment. Maybe she already had Wednesday’s distinctly human scent on her from how much she held her hand back in Alcatraz. And while she knew Blaze was just teasing and he would be okay with it, their mother sure as hell wouldn’t.

Tears fell down her face as she entered the room. She tried so hard to fix her makeup, but in the end she had to remove it. Luckily, she saw this coming and brought supplies with her. She knew she couldn’t go back in there, so an idea dawned on her. She placed the sink stool under the window and opened it, allowing her to escape the venue. A loud thump could be heard as she fell on the dirt which was now all over her dress. But in all honesty, she didn’t care.

When she was overwhelmed like this, there was only one place where Enid could relax, the ice rink. Which, to her luck, was only a few blocks away. People on the street glared at her, but she kept her pace.

When she arrived, she threw her pink heels to the floor as she put on a pair of skates and stood on the ice in her muddy bridesmaid’s dress. The routine she had created in the past week was second nature to her by now.

She started off with a step sequence, dancing around the ring to the beat of “Edge of Seventeen,” feeling the music and building her routine around it. It didn’t matter how the day began, she was now spending her 17th birthday doing what she loved.

As the beat dropped, she did her first jump, a triple lutz. She was still good at this, no matter what others, especially her mother, said. She circled around the rink a bit before the chorus came in and she started executing her spin elements.

She combined a fly camel spin with a sit spin, each with six revolutions. She followed them with a layback spin that had an edge change. With newfound confidence, she executed her last element, a triple axel. Skating around in her blush dress, she felt like a bird floating through the air.

And expected to everyone but Enid, she saw Wednesday sitting on the bleachers again with a bouquet and a white box sitting next to her. “Bravissima, il mio dolce rompighiaccio,” Wednesday whispered something in another language as she handed her the bouquet. Enid just blinked, attempting to speak but failing as she accepted the gift.

“Happy birthday. I did say I would buy you flowers next time,” she said.

“How did you even know I’d leave the wedding?” she asked.

“This is the place where you calm down, is it not? I notice things,” Wednesday said.

“What’s in that box?” Enid said, eyeing the object.

“How about you find out?”

“That did not sound threatening at all,” Enid scoffed as she opened the box to reveal a new, expensive pair of white skates.

“Wednesday you shouldn’t have,” she said.

“I know how important birthdays are to you, even if I couldn’t care less for my own,” she said in her usual blank tone. “I believe you should try competing again. You’re brilliant at it and you’ll need your own skates for that. I made sure these ones can’t be tampered with,” Wednesday continued, avoiding eye contact.

“How did you even know my shoe size? And what do you mean can’t b-?”

“The rented skates are numbered, and I saw it when you put it back. As for the other thing, I put a spell on them, see?” Wednesday said as she tried to touch the skate, which did not react to her request, as if frozen. “They’re bound to you. Only you can wear and touch them. It will not affect your performance,” she said.

“Wednesday, I just - I don’t know,” Enid said. This was way too expensive of a gift. She even put a spell on them for her. It was her chance to start competing again, offered on a silver platter. And yet Enid didn’t know what to do.

“If you don’t accept this, I will have ruined the backyard with paint for nothing,” Wednesday said.

“Paint? But they’re white? What paint?”

“It’s fluorescent paint. It only shows up in the dark. And it's pink. I had to wear gloves just to make sure my colour allergy wouldn’t be triggered,” she said.

Glow in the dark paint, so basically it will only show when she skates outside, like on the lake in the forest near Nevermore. Never in competition. Wednesday was smart, Enid knew that, but to think of what it meant to her. That Wednesday knew she would love more colour into her skating routine, even if not allowed in competition. It made Enid’s heart flutter.

“You know, you’re sweet, no matter how much you try to deny it,” Enid said as she kissed Wednesday’s cheek. Because if she didn’t know any better, she’d think that Wednesday was trying to sweep her off her feet with this, and two can play this game. It was still surprising that the other girl didn’t push her off though.

“Am not,” then she heard her mumble under her breath as she blinked, “only when it comes to you.” But Enid pretended not to hear it.

“Sure, ” Enid teased. “In any case, would you mind if I teach you how to skate some more?” she continued as she put on her new skates, gesturing for Wednesday to do the same with the rented ones. Enid held out her hand for the other girl to grab as they stepped on the ice.

In the week before the wedding, they had practised together a few times, and Wednesday had learnt to skate backwards and do a few small jumps. Still, she followed her lead, which is something she usually wouldn’t do, but for once, Enid was the expert. Enid placed her other hand on Wednesday’s back, guiding her in which direction to skate.

The few ice dance moves quickly evolved into a sort of waltz as a song that Enid listened to when thinking about Wednesday started playing. “Hold on to my hands while I skate backwards,” she said. It was an easy move to begin with.

Hand in mine, into your icy blues

She swore she thought Wednesday stared into her soul as the first lyric of the song came through. She’d expect her to be looking at her feet, as a beginner, she should be watching the blade as it touched the ice. But no, if only for a second, brown met blue and a small smile appeared on her dance partner’s face, showing her dimples.

And then I’d say to you,“We could take to the highway

With this trunk of ammunition, too”

They skated backwards, bending their knees for balance, arms on top of each other as they moved onto a few other elements. Generally, Wednesday would copy whatever she was doing, so Enid tried not to do anything with only one foot, she was not that advanced yet.

And after all the things we put each other through and

I would drive on, to the end with you

Enid joined both their hands once more, now assuming a true slow dance position while circling around the rink. She held Wednesday tight. If she fell, she’d probably kill her. That was definitely why, and not because if she didn’t, she’d melt in the other girl’s arms.

And I feel like there’s nothing left to do

But prove myself to you, and we’ll keep it running

That’s when she attempted to spin Wednesday in a pirouette. She made sure the other girl wouldn’t fall, not realising her own dress would get caught in Wednesday’s toe pick.

Until the end, until this pool of blood

She swiftly fell onto the ice. While she wasn’t hurt badly, she thought it was funny that she fell at the exact moment the song talked about injury. So, she laid down on the ice with a hand to her heart, as if she had just been stabbed. She remembered her first serious conversation with Wednesday, when she told her that they all died alone. “I guess we all die alone, but at least I won’t die lonely (I have you),” she said, the last part a mere whisper.

“Stop with the theatrics, Enid,” Wednesday said as she extended her hand for her to grab.

“Ice dance is theatrics,” she said as she accepted the help.

They now stood together on the ice, mere centimetres between them. In the unspoken silence, all Enid could think about was how close they were. In a perfect world, this would be her chance to see if Wednesday was her mate. But even with the flowers, the skates and the threats to her parents, she didn’t know if Wednesday felt the same.

Our phantoms forever, forever

Like scarecrows that fuel this flame

We’re burning forever and ever

So while she tried not to lean in, she soon felt soft lips brush against her own as a cold hand slowly cupped her scarred cheek. When they pulled away to breathe, their noses touched, and neither moved as they looked into each other’s eyes. It was the first time Enid saw Wednesday’s face soften, if only for a second. Her heart was running a marathon. Yet, her claws didn’t move an inch.

Know how much I want to show you

You’re the only one

“Was this part of the dance too, il mio dolce rompighiaccio?” Wednesday asked. Whatever the foreign language was, Enid knew it was either meant to tease her or to sweep her off her feet. Either way, she doesn’t complain. She leans in closer but doesn’t close the gap between them. She just whispers something she knows will have a similar reaction for her lover, “If that’s what you call ‘courting’, then yes.”

“You realise what you’re in for, right? Addamses aren’t exactly known for treating courting half-heartedly,” Wednesday said.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Enid whispered as she pulled her into another embrace.

Chapter Text

When she returned home that night, she checked her phone only to see about fifteen missed calls from various family members. 

She was as good as dead. 

She called back the most recent number, which, to her luck, was Blaze, “Where are you? Why haven’t you been answering your phone? Mom’s getting pissed.” 

“I got sick from something in the food and went home. I fell asleep after, sorry,” she lied.

“Blaze, give me that Goddamn phone-” she heard her mother yell through the speaker. She tuned out the hour-long lecture, however. Her mother’s slurred words were merely background noise as she began over-analyzing the day that had just passed. 

There was no way she was dating Wednesday Addams. It must have been a dream. She must have hit her head climbing out that window. She pinched herself, which confirmed that she was, indeed, not dreaming.

What the hell was she supposed to do now? Esther can never know. She hadn’t told Wednesday about that, in the heat of the moment, she forgot to mention it. Though that would be the least of her problems. Wednesday would understand, she wasn’t big on public displays of affection anyway so it wasn’t like it would be a big deal. 

The real problem was her scent. She smelled like ink and dirt, distinctly human, distinctly Wednesday.

She showered and threw her bridesmaid dress into the wash as fast as she could. It did not matter that it was almost midnight; the laundry was getting done with the strongest detergent she could find. If that's what she had to do every time she was around her mother, then so be it. She’ll just make a point of keeping her mate at arm’s length every parents’ day for the foreseeable future. 

She was still drying the dress when her mother arrived, but to her luck, Esther was too hungover the next morning to even remember the incident. And too busy getting the whole pack to the San Bruno Woods before sunset to even care about her daughter’s existence. The pack split into five smaller groups in order to not overcrowd the area. They’d gather again at the end of the night. She’s grouped with her immediate family, who is accompanied by Audrey’s, as is the natural order of things. 

As the ever approaching full moon shone through the sky, her bones started to crack and she let out a painful howl. Perhaps the adrenaline masked all the pain of her previous transformation. The world spun around her for some time until she grew accustomed to her new form. Enid took in a deep breath as she began chasing a squirrel that was circling a tree, her younger brother following suit. Her childish nature didn’t go unnoticed by the elder members of the pack, but they quickly dismissed it as they began the hunt. 

She ignored them. Enid didn’t enjoy hunting innocent creatures for the fun of it. They have access to plenty of food. Outside of tradition and praise, there was no reason to sacrifice the fauna of such a beautiful place. 

She ran towards the riverbed and explored the surrounding area. As she basked in the moonlight, her wolf searched for something unknown to her. As if without it she wouldn’t survive the hunt. She climbed a tree and played in the water, but neither quieted the never-ending buzzing inside her head. Instead, her wolf grew desperate for the scent of ink that calmed her. Before she could stop it, she lost control.

When she came back to her senses, she was sitting behind a tree, a bloody deer lying dead at her feet. She squirmed at the sight. If she was in her human form, she’d be on the floor by now. 

She hated being a wild wolf. It’s all she’s ever wanted to be, or more like, what her mother wanted her to be. And yet she sees it as a curse more than a blessing. She’ll miss stargazing under the full moon as she now has to turn into a grueling beast each time. 

When she finally turned back and got home, the first thing she did was wash the deer’s blood off her face, not looking in the mirror as she did so. The sight was just too much. It brought forward too many painful memories of that night: her covered in blood from head to toe, the confusion, the anxiousness as she searched for Wednesday, thinking she lost her, that she couldn't protect her. She detested that feeling. She’d only ever hurt or kill something to defend herself or the ones she holds dear, not hunt like a wild animal.

Esther complimented her kill before she walked out of the house with her father to help the newlyweds move in their new apartment. But Enid didn't celebrate, instead an overwhelming sense of numbness came over her. As a wolf, she enjoyed running free through the woods and chasing squirrels. Neither of which would be praised. Instead, all the things she hated about being a wolf were.

Wednesday sits in the summoning circle with her eyes closed, holding the talismans in her hands. 

And yet nothing happens.

She hadn’t been able to get anything out of her ancestors since Alcatraz. No matter how well she studied Castor’s journals and listened to Lilith, she could not contact the dead. And lately, her individual premonitions hadn’t been going anywhere. They were either depicting something extremely obscure, short and cryptic or nothing at all.

Lilith sighed, “I’m afraid you’ve reached the point of no return. I can’t say that I understand Goody all that well, but I know Castor left when he knew I was ready to handle it all on my own. I think she believes her advice isn’t needed anymore. All you can do now is work on your emotional barriers. And don’t forget that your visions are still cryptic. Everything is not what it seems.”

“So is your job done now?”

“You’re on the right path, you just have to not venture into danger while your visions are still premature. And even if it wasn’t, Morticia called earlier and I think you should talk to her yourself,” Lilith said as she left her alone with her thoughts.

Wednesday decided she’d try to summon a vision first and then talk to her mother. She concentrated on her breathing as her neck fell backwards, as usual.

It’s dark wherever she is, and a grey cloud covers her eyes. "You're nothing but bad news, Addams. You bring death and suffering everywhere you go. And I won't let you hurt her." She can barely make out the words at first, as the distorted voice rings through her ears. 

She tries to move but cannot, as if paralyzed, and since she can’t see anything she tries to rely on her other senses. There’s a faint smell of old books and dust. And she’s definitely indoors, judging by the stone against her feet. Before she can find more clues, the vision shifts and everything turns white.

She only catches a small glimpse of the scene before her. Enid is holding her weakened body as she wipes away a tear when she sees Wednesday awake. 

“Find Equilibrium,” she hears a mere whisper in the wind.

Someone definitely has it out for her, and it has something to do with Enid, that’s as much as she can gather. It would make sense, after all, the stalker left when they saw Enid. Now Wednesday has to make sure this stalker doesn’t try anything when she’s around her paramour. She could not bear the thought of Enid getting hurt because of her ever again. 

“Mother, Lilith has informed me that you wish to speak to me, but she didn’t tell me what the subject of the conversation is,” She said towards the crystal ball sitting in the Frump’s living room. 

“Woeful news, Nevermore has sent a letter announcing that your courses shall continue on Monday. With the help of the Telekinesis department, they have rebuilt everything that was destroyed,” her mother said. 

She was surprised her father wasn’t in the picture as well. Usually they were all over each other at all times of the day. And even now she couldn’t understand why. As she liked keeping her affections with Enid just between the two of them. The only thing she accepted in public was holding hands or the occasional hug. 

“But it’s Thursday, doesn’t that mean we have to leave tomorrow afternoon at the very latest? I have my school supplies at home,” she asked. This was crucial information, she had to tell Enid.

“Unfortunately so. I know it’s short notice, at least you won’t have to catch up in the summer. We’ll get you the ticket today,” she said.

“First class, and can I buy it myself?” she asked. 

She wanted to be as far away from the screaming spawns as possible and wanted to upgrade Enid’s ticket as well so they could sit together. Her parents had the money, but they didn’t use planes that often. The last time she let them buy the tickets she got stuck in Economy. There was no way she was repeating that experience.

“Alright, my little storm cloud,” Morticia said as she turned her head to Gomez, who had just walked into the room. He had something on his shoulder that looked like a grey blanket. But that couldn’t be it as he was patting it in a rhythmic manner. The sight baffled her for a few seconds until she heard that “something” coo. 

“What is it?” she asked.

“It’s an Addams,” Gomez said with a wide smile on his face.

She had no clue her mother was that far along when she left for Oakland. Great, now she’ll have to live with a screaming spawn. All of a sudden, going back to Nevermore started sounding marvellous. 

“His name is Pubert,” Morticia said as Gomez handed her the child. He was as pale as their mother, with a round face like their father and protruding ears. Outside of what looked like a small moustache, he looked a lot like Pugsley did when he was younger. Except he was quieter. 

“We’ll meet you at the airport, just tell us the time of your flight,” Morticia said, ending the call, as if she could tell Wednesday had other things on her mind at the moment.

Finding Enid’s house wasn’t as hard as she initially believed. She didn’t even have to ask Parker for an IP address again. Apparently this app called Snapchat had a feature where you could see where your friends were. And of course Enid was addicted to all forms of social media. It seemed like a breach of privacy, but it was useful. Unfortunately, her stalker wasn't on it for that exact reason. That would have been too easy.

Wednesday was used to breaking into places, so sneaking in through Enid’s window wasn’t much of a challenge. She just had to spot what room she had to enter. Ah, pink curtains, this was it. 

When she walked in Enid was holding one of the roses from her bouquet, spinning around with it as if in a play. “Oh my f-,” Enid held her hand up to her heart while breathing heavily, “I’m not even surprised anymore, next time just knock on the window before you come in, please.” Enid didn’t even question how she knew where her house was. 

“Oh my god, you almost gave me a heart attack,” Enid said as she walked closer to her, “and not the good kind,” she whispered as she took Wednesday’s hand in her own, placing a small kiss on the back of her palm. 

This girl will be the death of her someday. Did she “google” how to charm an Addams or did she just figure it out on her own? Either way, Wednesday couldn’t help the small grin on her lips as she leaned in closer to her paramour, who only nodded affirmatively. She cupped Enid’s blemished cheek with her own scarred palm and closed the gap between them. 

She could not enjoy this kiss however, as she was thrown into another vision. Why does this always happen to her?! She knew Enid transformed into a magnificent beast every full moon, but she saved her life in that state. So what type of betrayal will it be this time? Does she kill her in her sleep? Slip poison in her drink? Lose control and tear her apart piece by piece? That seemed fitting. Maybe Enid didn’t intend to do it. 

All these morbid thoughts came to a halt when she realised her neck did not fall backwards, though she did lose her balance a bit as she felt Enid’s warm hand supporting her waist.

There’s glowing white lights, the sound of people cheering, and the phrase “Olympics 2030” plastered everywhere. She searches for her lover only to see her standing on a pedestal in the middle of the ice rink. 

Enid has her blonde hair styled in a tight bun, which indicates that she grew it out. She’s dressed in a colourful costume and she has a gold medal around her neck. The light reflecting off of her colourful glittery makeup makes her look like Aphrodite herself. Enid then runs off the ice with the biggest smile on her face, crying tears of joy as she pulls Wednesday into a tight embrace. 

But as Enid cheers and showers her in affection, Wednesday wonders why she would be seeing any of this. Her relationship with Enid was the one part of her life where she didn’t suppress her emotions anymore. Her visions about her were probably more detailed because of that. However, it seemed like it was a happy memory and she does not see happy things like her mother does. She’s not a dove, she’s a raven. 

Before she can ruminate on it any longer, two coaches and another skater approach them. All three of them have the American flag printed on their jackets, and she can’t help but notice that the fellow skater wasn’t on the podium when Enid was awarded. “Great work, Enid, I’m so proud of you,” one of the coaches says while the other one gives her a thumbs up. 

The other skater stands there reluctantly before speaking, “Congratulations, you really deserved it,” she says as she looks to the floor.

While Wednesday isn’t the best at telling other people’s emotions, she can tell this is more than shyness. Instead, it’s a mix of jealousy and shame. Her theory is quickly confirmed by the way her paramour rubs the back of her neck as she mumbles, “Thank you, Chloe.”

They quickly leave them alone as an older woman approaches the couple. Wednesday thinks she’s here to congratulate Enid as well until she sees the change in her lover’s expression. Whatever this woman has done to her, Wednesday will make sure they never find the body. 

“You know, your recent success might have helped you find a husband from a good pack. It’s a shame you’re still with this human pest,” the woman said.

“You’re telling me you flew to another continent just to insult my wife? You’re despicable, Esther,” Enid said. 

“Esther? What happened to Mom?” she said trying to move closer to Enid, but Wednesday blocked her. “Your dear old mother just wanted to congratulate you, is that such a bad thing?” she said, dismissing her previous statement. 

“Congratulate me?! What happened to Mom? Are you serious right now?” Enid took a step back, distancing herself from her mother. “You didn’t even show up when I won bronze in high school and you fucking disowned me just because my mate was a human girl!” a silent tear fell down her face. “Don’t you dare call yourself my mother. You lost that title years ago,” she clenched her fist.

Wednesday had never seen Enid this upset. 

“You’re being over-dramatic,” Esther retaliated. 

“Over-dramatic? You wouldn't even let me see my brothers-”

“You’re a bad influence for their young children-”

“Oh please, we’ve spent the holidays together without you every year since you made me a lone wolf. They’re fine with me and Wednesday. You’re the only one who isn’t. We only had to keep it a secret because Blaze still lived with you, and that’s no longer the case,” she said, taking cover into Wednesday’s arms.

“Oh you little d-” Esther was interrupted when the Addamses entered the room. Pubert, who couldn’t be older than seven by the looks of it, was holding on to his mother’s arm. While Gomez and a young man, who she assumed to be Pugsley, stood behind her.

“Esther, I believe the restarting order has yet to expire. Regardless, unless you leave my daughter-in-law alone I believe the police will be the least of your worries,” Morticia’s voice gave no indication of emotion as she was trying to keep her calm.

“It was obtained unjustly anyway,” Esther mumbled before taking her departure.

When she snapped back to reality her face was as red as the blood of her enemies, for two completely different reasons. First, she wanted Enid’s mother to suffer a slow and painful death. Second, it was clear that she was married to Enid in the vision, and there was no way she could keep her composure with that information. 

Opening her eyes, she noticed that she was now sitting on a bright pink chair in the middle of Enid’s room. “Are you alright? I got so worried,” Enid said. 

“Just a vision, I’m fine,” she replied. 

“I’ll go get you some water, just in case. Don’t leave the room, though. My brothers are asleep after wolfing out and I’d prefer if they didn’t tell my parents you came over.”

Now only one question remained, why would she have a vision about the distant future? And a mostly happy vision as well. Aside from Enid’s mother, whose behaviour wouldn’t change no matter how hard they tried. 

Visions were supposed to warn her, right? But there was no mystery to solve for this one. Wednesday knew Enid’s mother would never approve of the two of them. She treated Enid horribly even without a human mate. 

So how could she prevent anything when sooner or later, she would find out about them and all their efforts would be futile?

She looked around the room for any clue, any way to trigger another vision. She had a hunch the room in and of itself was the reason she had her first to begin with. After all, there was none when they kissed at the ice rink. 

A small picture frame on Enid’s desk caught her eye. It seemed like her whole family was present, and yet Enid was sitting in the corner, almost not making the cut. As expected, when she touched it the room went black. 

She’d expect to see the day the picture was taken. Instead, Enid walks up to a small podium in the quad. She’s dressed in academic regalia that’s the same colours as Nevermore’s uniform. She’s handed a diploma by coach Vlad and then runs back to her friends who are all dressed in a similar manner. Esther is sitting in the audience, she raises an eyebrow as her daughter pulls her friends in a group hug, which includes her.

Perhaps because the object she touched was a picture, she watched the vision unfold as if she were watching a play. 

“Enid, dear, may I speak with you for a second?” Esther said, attempting to mask the anger in her voice. 

“Sure thing, Mom,” Enid said, walking towards their designated seats.

“I could help you pack in your dorm room.”

“I already-” Enid stops when she sees the familiar look on her mother’s face. The two walk to Ophilla hall in silence. 

As soon as they enter, Esther takes in a deep breath as she approaches Wednesday’s side of the room. 

"I knew it. How dare you choose that freak? Do you really think a human girl is worthy of being your mate?” Esther said, slamming her fists onto what previously was Enid’s desk. 

“I didn’t-” Enid attempts to deny it, but her mother interrupts. 

“Enid Selene Sinclair, don’t you dare lie to me!” Esther yelled. 

“So what if I did? It’s not like I can chose my mate-” 

“You can choose not to pursue something with the likes of her. Have I not taught you children anything? If your mate’s not a wolf you suck it up and find someone else who is. Hell, even being a lone wolf is better than this. This is outrageous! You’re putting the Sinclair name to shame!” 

“Where are you going with this, Mother?” Enid asked in a stern tone. 

“You’ll either leave her and marry a werewolf boy, or you have no place in our family anymore!” 

“Fine,” her tone remained neutral. 

“See, I knew you’d come to your senses,” Esther said, forcing a smile.

“That is not what I meant. You can leave, only faculty, students and parents are allowed up here,” Enid said.  

Esther narrowed her eyes, baffled by what her daughter could possibly mean. 

“I chose to be myself. No matter what you say to me, I will not change for you. That ‘freak’ treats me better than anyone ever has. I love her. And if there’s anything she has taught me, it’s how to stand up for myself. I don’t need your approval to feel proud of myself.” 

“What did that little-” Esther began. 

“Do you want me to open the door for you?” Enid said.

The vision ended abruptly and she returned to the real world. As tempting as it was to kill Esther herself, Enid had told her multiple times not to do as such. She was proud of her paramour for being able to stand up for herself when it mattered the most. 

Maybe there was nothing she could solve after all. Maybe these visions were just trying to show her that she needed to be supportive of Enid and protect her from her mother’s evil ways until she was confident enough to do it herself.

“Here’s the water, drink up,” Enid said as she entered the room.

“Thank you.”

Enid’s phone lit up on the desk, she went up to check what it was. “We need to get back to Nevermore by Monday!” she said as she turned towards Wednesday.

“Yeah, that’s why I came here initially. My mother informed me and I thought you might want to know. But we got… carried away.”

“Yeah… anyway, would you like to talk about your vision?” Enid asked.

“No one died and we didn’t break up,” she said bluntly, ”I'll always be there for you, mi amor,” Wednesday said, the last part of that sentence slipping off her tongue.

“I may not speak Spanish, but I know that one, my love,” Enid pulled her in yet another kiss as Wednesday wrapped her arms around Enid’s waist. It’s short and sweet, and most importantly, doesn’t trigger a vision.

“Wednesday, can I ask you something?” Enid said as she pulled away, “I think we should keep this a secret. Our friends can know but I don’t think my family will react well, if that-” 

“Enid, that’s alright. I’d rather keep this a secret as well. My family would be supportive. But they can be quite eccentric at times, and I don’t want them to scare you away,” Wednesday said.

They’d definitely talk her ear off about proposals and it was way too soon for that.

“Nothing could scare me away from you,” Enid said.

“Have you packed everything? Your father’s waiting in the car,” Esther asked, watching her four middle children carry their suitcases down the stairs.

“Yes, mom!” Hunter, Hank, Kane and her replied in unison.

It was the crack of dawn on Friday. She dreaded the seven-hour flight that awaited her, walking slowly to the car in her half asleep state. Kane sat in the front seat next to their father, while she stood in the middle seat squeezed between the twins. 

The two should have graduated a year ago, but they got held back in middle school due to missing too much school after wolfing out. The faculty wouldn’t accept the real reason as all the other outcast children weren’t affected, including their oldest brother who never had trouble transforming. 

Esther was furious. She wanted to send them all to Nevermore during high school anyway, but this was the last straw. Still, she couldn’t arrange for them to skip a year and go earlier than intended.

When it came time for Enid to go, Esther debated whether or not to keep her in normie school until she wolfed out, if she ever did. But decided she’d let her go just so all her children were in the same place. 

And so Enid was stuck in the car with three rambunctious brothers as opposed to only one. She could not even take out her phone to text anyone as she risked her brothers reading over her shoulder and outing her in front of their father. Not that he’d care, her mother was the one that would have a problem with it. But Murray just couldn’t keep his mouth shut if his wife threatened him enough.

“What even is this? Frankenstein Michael Jackson? Kane, turn that shit off!” Hunter yelled as his younger brother had connected his phone to the car speakers. 

“If you wanted to choose the music, you could have ran to the car faster,” Kane said as the song changed to something just as weird. Their father was used to the boys’ antics by now so he didn’t even lift an eyebrow. 

“This one time I agree with Hunter, what the hell is this? Have you been hanging out with the stoners?” Hank said, leaning over, trying to reach the radio. 

Enid must admit the songs were utterly bizarre. But she stopped caring about that as soon as her brothers started fighting over it. Being stuck in the middle seat meant she almost got hit in the face a few times before they finally arrived at the airport. She just hoped they’d sit differently in the plane. Because her brothers would just start fighting again. Like they always do.

She would probably be stuck between two of them, anyway. It was always like that. She cursed fate. Then, a miracle. As she handed her virtual ticket to the register, the lady at the front desk raised an eyebrow, “Ma’am, this ticket is for the first class line over there,” she pointed. 

“That can’t be possible, we only got economy,” Hank said. The lady looked even more confused as she scanned her brothers’ tickets. 

“These are economy, yes. Hers isn’t. It looks like it got upgraded at some point. Since you didn’t do it, I’m assuming your flight points were automatically transferred for an upgrade,” she said.

“Oh man, why do I never win something like that,” Hank said. 

As Enid looked for her seat, she couldn’t help but notice the passenger who sat right next to her. “Wednesday?” she asked, raising her eyebrows.

“I asked my mother if I could buy the tickets myself so I wouldn’t get stuck in economy again. As an excuse to change the airport of my departure,” her girlfriend said.

“And to mysteriously upgrade my seat with ‘fly points’? You should tell me before doing stuff like this,” Enid said, putting her luggage above her seat.

“And ruin the surprise? Never,” Wednesday said, interlocking their fingers as Enid sat down.

“You saved me from a terrible fate. God, if I had to witness more of my brothers’ bickering I would have gone insane,” she said.

“Insanity wouldn’t suit you,” Wednesday said, turning off her phone after texting her parents the flight details. “And it’s only for the duration of the flight,” she said.

“Not really. I usually split up from my brothers at the airport, anyway. They go hang out with their own friends and leave me with mine. But Yoko’s coming over from Europe so that won’t happen. I’ll probably just take an Uber.”

“Nonsense, Lurch is picking me up and I’m certain I can bring you as well,” Wednesday said.

“I could never repay all that you’ve done for me over the past few weeks as is, are you sure?”

“That is the Addam’s way of courting someone. You don’t have to repay me for anything, Enid. This relationship isn’t transactional. If I didn’t want to do it, I wouldn’t have.”

“God, what did I do to deserve you?” Enid smiled.

Wednesday pulled out a notebook from her bag, “Do you want to read the list or?”

Enid wasn’t sure if Wednesday was being smooth on purpose, wanting to mess with her knowing they were in public, or she was blissfully unaware of it all. After all, people usually keep the list of reasons they fell in love with their partners in their head, not on a list. Or at least Enid did.

Her brothers didn’t even bother to text her when they landed. She briefly saw them scramble to their own friend groups as she and Wednesday left the terminal in search for Lurch, but they didn’t look back towards her.

When Enid entered the vehicle, she was surprised to see the pristine condition it was in for being such an old car. It must cost a fortune to sustain it. She sat next to Wednesday, and as she did so she noticed something familiar on the seat facing them. “Thing!” she held out her hand for him to walk over to their side. 

“I’ve missed you, buddy,” Enid said, patting the small space next to her. Thing obeyed, to Wednesday’s dismay. 

“Don’t give the appendage too much attention, he’s vain enough as it is,” her girlfriend scoffed. 

Enid ignored her words. She knew that even if she might never admit it, Wednesday loved Thing. 

“What have you been up to?” she asked. 

He signed rapidly in response. 

“Oh, that sounds awesome. I’m glad you had fun with Fester. Tell me more about the heist,” she said. 

He continued signing as Wednesday rolled her eyes. Enid unconsciously shifted closer to her as the conversation continued. 

Thing began signing something faster than Enid could decipher. She only caught the word ‘finally’ before Thing was interrupted by Wednesday, “I’m not above breaking a few fingers.” 

Thing threw himself dramatically onto the red velvet seat, apologising.

“How long is it until we reach Nevermore again?” Enid asked, her eyes slightly dropping in on themselves. While she had slept on the plane, it wasn’t enough. She’d only slept for four hours at home and the steady rhythm of the car was lulling her back to sleep.

“Oh, we’re not going there yet. We’re going back to New Jersey. We’ll leave Sunday morning,” Wednesday said.

“Wait, you're bringing me home?” Enid asked, her face turning a light pink.

“Is that a problem? I can tell Lurch to reroute.”

“No, it’s alright. I just didn’t think I’d meet your parents this soon,” Enid said, turning her head to look out the window as they sped past a forest.

“They don’t know we’re together,” Wednesday pointed a finger towards Thing, who tapped slowly against the seat, swearing to keep the information a secret, “It’s not like you’re the first friend I bring home. Plus, you had nowhere else to go. Even if they suspect something they won’t bother you,” she continued.

“But they’ll bother you?” Enid raised an eyebrow.

“They always bother me.”

As the car stopped, Wednesday looked down to the sleeping werewolf on her shoulder and sighed. There was no way her parents wouldn’t catch on that the Addams curse had finally reached their eldest. She just hoped they wouldn’t make a big deal about it. “Enid, wake up, we’re here,” she said.

“Huh?” Enid said, rubbing her eyes. “Oh,” she distanced herself from the other girl as Lurch opened the door for them and Thing jumped onto Wednesday’s shoulder.

“Welcome home, my little deathtrap,” Gomez said as he and Morticia approached the car. 

“And I suppose this is our guest?” Morticia said, smiling at Enid.

“Yes Mrs Addams, I’m Wednesday’s roommate, Enid Sinclair,” she said. Despite looking down at her feet as she spoke, Enid’s distinctive smile shone brighter than the approaching sunset. To Wednesday’s eyes, anyway. She hoped her devotion for Enid wasn’t visible to the rest of her family.

“Skip the formalities, dear, call me Morticia.”

“Gomez,” her father introduced himself, “I sincerely hope that Thing didn’t cause any problems.”

“Why would he?” Enid asked.

“Outsiders would usually be terrified by the idea of a disembodied hand just walking around. Let alone being stuck with it for six hours,” Gomez said.

‘She knew about me from Wednesday’s first day at school. Yeah, I got caught that early,’ Thing signed. 

“Don’t be so down on yourself, Thing,” Enid said.

Her parents looked at each other and then back to Wednesday. “She can understand Thing?” Morticia whispered, quietly enough so Enid didn't hear a word. 

“Yes,” Wednesday answered as she hid her face, hoping Enid wouldn't understand the conversation.

Her father nodded, while her mother smiled even wider, if that was possible. It wasn’t a secret, only an Addams could communicate with Thing. And while that didn’t exclusively mean the relationship would be romantic, she knew her parents assumed so. And the fact that they were right vexed her. 

At first Wednesday tried to deny it, believing that the only reason Enid understood Thing was because they lived together. But when Enid left her heart in a million pieces after their fight, she had to admit to herself that they had formed a bond. She thought it was just friendship at first, and it was. Until that hug which unleashed the Addams' curse. 

But as she now watched her parents welcome her lover to dinner like she was already part of the family, she wouldn’t change it for the world. Wednesday barely pays attention to her food as Enid’s laughter fills the entire dining room. Her eyes glow a sapphire blue in the chandelier light as she hands Morticia the salt. 

As odd as it is to see a cloud of colour in a sea of grey, Enid fits right in. She briefly hears her ask Grandmama about a specific crocheting pattern; Pugsley becomes overjoyed when he learns she had played his favourite video game; and when the subject of gardening comes up, Enid offers to help Morticia in the garden. They get along like a house on fire. Which brings a slight smile to Wednesday’s lips.

Not having enough time to show her the whole house for the night, Wednesday decides she’ll bring Enid to her favourite spot. 

“Of course your favourite place is the cemetery, what else did I expect?” Enid teased.

“Not just the cemetery,” she said as she walked through the Addams family mausoleum. As the greenhouse came into view, Wednesday leaned back against a grey tree. 

“What’s so special about a tree?” Enid asked.

“Do you trust me?” Wednesday asked, holding out her hand for Enid to grab. 

“Sure-” before Enid could finish her thoughts Wednesday grabbed her by the waist as the tree branches lifted them off the ground. Enid held on to Wednesday for dear life, closing her eyes.

“We’re steady now,” she said, looking over the dark cemetery from the height. “Ichabod would never hurt someone I care about,” Wednesday said as she pointed to the tree. 

“Is it sentient?” she asked. Wednesday nodded as Enid finally opened her eyes. “The view from up here is amazing,” she said.

“That's not even the best part of it,” she said as she took Enid’s hand in hers and guided it towards the starlit sky. The waning gibbous moon’s light danced off Enid’s eyes, and Wednesday couldn’t be more enamoured with the her if she tried. Making sure she doesn’t lose her balance, Enid placed a small kiss to Wednesday’s cheek before turning away to gaze at the sky once more.

“You know, I’ve realised something recently. Since wolfing out, I’ll never get to look at the full moon like I used to. This phase is the closest to it that I can still enjoy and yet, it’s just not the same,” she said.

“If I could, I’d find a temporary antidote to lycanthropy just for you,” Wednesday said.

“If only. But if anyone were to find one, it would be you,” Enid held her hand even tighter.

As the clock struck midnight, Wednesday stood at her desk, typing up a new draft of her manuscript. After all, she had missed her usual writing time and there was nothing that could stop her from writing for at least an hour every day. 

Almost nothing.

She heard a cheery knock at the door and when she opened it she found none other than Enid, standing there frightened with a white blanket in her hands. 

“Is there a guest room that doesn’t have ghosts?” she asked. 

“Given yours is the least haunted room on that wing, no,” she sighed, taking the blanket out of Enid’s hands and placing it on the bed. 

“What are you- are you sure?” Enid asked as she realised what Wednesday was suggesting.

“If you continue to interrupt my writing time, I’ll reconsider throwing you to the ghouls,” Wednesday said as she sat back at her desk. She didn’t mean it of course. But Enid didn’t need to know that.

“Alright, alright,” Enid said as she slipped under the covers, the crackling sound of the typewriter quickly dragging her to sleep.

Wednesday would be lying if she said she could continue her novel in peace as she gazed at Enid’s sleeping form. 

As moonlight cascaded onto her lover's face through the grad bay window, an unforeseen sense of fondness overtook every inch of her being. She’d long accepted her fate. She knew what it meant to fall victim to the Addams curse. She’d never be as insufferable as her parents in public, but that overwhelming sense of devotion was ever so present within her blood. 

She’d cherish the cotton candy cloud of joy that was Enid Sinclair until the end of time. Her younger self would recoil even at the thought of such a statement. Surely, if she were to fall victim to the curse, it would be for someone just as dark and twisted as herself. And while Enid was sharp in her own way, she was still Wednesday's polar opposite. She wouldn't have it any other way as she swore to protect for the rest of her life. 

Soon she too slipped under the covers, her thoughts only interrupted by the faint sound of an old sullen owl singing through the trees. 

When she woke up to rain hitting the window, she was no longer in her corpse-like position. She lay on her side, her head resting on Enid’s shoulder, while her left hand was draped over her waist.

Not moving an inch, she looked up to the grandfather clock on the opposite wall, which read 7:45 AM. She tried to detangle herself from Enid’s grasp only for her to grab her arm and hold her even closer. The action made her want to go right back to sleep, but she knew if her parents found them like this the engagement talk would never end.

She planted a small kiss on Enid’s chin. Enid rubbed her eyes, sinking into the mattress once more before realising she wasn’t alone. 

“Enid, come on, we’ll be late for breakfast,” she said while she got up.

Wednesday showed her around the manor over the afternoon, making sure to brush past the torture chambers rather quickly as she knew Enid would probably pass out. The family tree catalogue in one of the many hallways amazed Enid the most. It dated back to the 1600s and was at least a thousand pages long. Not to mention the hundreds of portraits plastered around every wall.

While the pack also kept records, it was unheard of for any one of them to be complete. Sometimes there were dozens of people missing from the records as they were erased the second they became a lone wolf. So Enid couldn’t help but feel a ping of jealousy as she noticed how close-knit and accepting Wednesday’s family was. 

As Enid helped Morticia with the gardening as she promised the previous night, Wednesday sat in the corner of the greenhouse, reading. Enid knew that was her way of avoiding engaging in a lengthy conversation with her mother. 

Enid hesitated a bit feeding the venus flytrap, but it didn’t even attempt to bite her. “She likes you,” Morticia said as she was cutting up the bud of a rose. 

She smiled as she began watering the rest of the flowers until she stumbled upon one she knew was carnivorous, “That’s the ghost orchid, right?” she said. 

Wednesday raised an eyebrow at her. Yeah, the reading excuse wasn’t working, but Morticia didn’t mention it. Enid did however. 

“What? I paid attention in class,” she defended herself. Morticia smiled as she handed her a tray. 

To be fair, she only paid attention because Wednesday was there. The girl intrigued her from the very start. It just took her forever to realise why.

“Speaking of class, I just don’t understand how they were able to replace staff that easily. With Weems dead and Laurel in prison,” Wednesday commented. 

“I may have an answer to that,” Mortica began. Both girls stared at her. “It just so happens I was offered the position previously occupied by Laurel Gates. They couldn’t find anyone else trustworthy enough for it, so I accepted. As for the principal, your fencing coach took the post,” she said, continuing to cut the roses.

“But what about Pubert? It’s a six-hour drive,” Wednesday asked.

“I won’t be moving, my little raven. There’s a new type of crystal ball that allows one’s physical form to be projected into the room. And Thing will come with you and assist in all of my lessons,” Morticia said.

“Like a hologram?” Enid asked.

“Yes, darling,” Mortica said as she took a rose apart and handed the petals to Wednesday, who pressed them in between the pages of her book. Oh, so that’s what they did with those roses. The whole family had their odd quirks, just as Wednesday did. 

She only spent a day and a half at the manor and yet she was amazed by how supportive Wednesday’s family was. While they probably suspected something, they said nothing. They treated her like one of their own. Like she belonged right in even if she was so aesthetically different from them. 

They had to get up early the next day, so they’d unpack in time, and yet Enid just could not sleep. She hugged her stuffed bear tighter as tears began to leave her eyes. Why couldn’t her own family be the same? Why was her mother so judgemental? Maybe her intentions weren’t vile. Maybe the pack mentality she had been raised with made her that way. Or maybe she just cared about appearances. It didn’t matter. Because it hurt Enid all the same. She was the biggest disappointment to them and yet had she been born into a different family she would have been accepted from the get-go. 

As much as Wednesday complained that her family wanted her to be just like them, Enid could tell it wasn’t true. Because they had welcomed her with open arms when she was their exact opposite. 

“Enid?” Wednesday whispered against her shoulder. Oh, right, she forgot about that.

“It’s nothing, go back to sleep,” she murmured as she turned around.

“Enid, you’re crying,” she said, as if it was a question, “do you want to talk about it?” she asked, wiping away Enid’s tears.

“Just,” she closed her eyes, not wanting to look at Wednesday as she admitted it, “your family is so welcoming. And I know how ridiculous it sounds but I’m a bit jealous. I just wish mine would be the same,” she said as she felt cold arms wrap around her.

“I cannot imagine how much that hurts, but if all else fails, you’ll always have a place in this family.” Enid caught Wednesday’s words as she finally fell asleep.

Chapter Text

Wednesday had left the Addams’ manor with a hefty supply of garlic; that vampire didn’t know what was coming for them. Though, in order not to be accused of trying to poison a fellow student, she hid it in lunch boxes, sandwiches and any food she could carry on her person. All of it was in vain, however, as the smell caught her red-handed. 

Since Nevermore had not made a public announcement about the new rules that were put in place, she wasn’t suspected of any malicious intent. Plus, without Weems, and after she had saved the school, the staff started treating her like an ordinary student instead of a ticking time bomb of terror.

Although with Thing’s assistance, she managed to smuggle in some of her weapons, when it came to anything that could be used against a specific type of outcast, she had no chance. After the betrayal of “Thornhill,” Nevermore had to take extra security measures inside its walls as well, not just outside. 

Only the principal had the pin to the security closet where the confiscated goods were taken, and that was because he was trusted, as he had been teaching at Nevermore for fifteen years. Trying to figure out the code would derail her current investigation, so she’d have to make do with her weapons. 

That wasn’t the only change that was made since last term, however. As half of the wing where they took their classes had been burnt down to a crisp and its furniture could not be replaced in time. their schedules had been changed. 

The one good thing about having classes from noon until sunset was that Wednesday no longer had to struggle to wake Enid in the morning. While Wednesday was a night owl herself, she’d at least wake up to her alarm. Enid, on the other hand, had to be physically dragged out of bed to get up even back when they started classes at nine. The personification of sunshine slept like the dead. Wednesday did not want to know how much worse it would be if she had to wake up at dawn. 

Out of all her classes that day, Botany class was the one Wednesday found to be the most bearable since she shared it with Enid. Unfortunately, it was the last class of the day before dinner. She’d been looking forward to it all day and, as much as she hated to admit it, she detested being separated from the other girl now, even if it was just for a few hours. 

It had gotten to the point that she could no longer deny the claim that she was slowly but surely becoming just like her father. Although unlike him, she kept her feelings and displays of affection private. It was in her nature, after all, Wednesday was a master in hiding her emotions from people, Enid was an exception. They had to avoid the word getting to Enid’s brothers as it was. If her stalker found out that Enid was her weakness, it wouldn't end well. Wednesday could never forgive herself. She promised that she’d never put Enid in danger again after what happened at the Gates’ manor. 

She could not lose her again.

But as she walked through the grand spruce doors, she found Enid already sitting in the seat beside hers. She couldn’t help the slight upturn of her lips as she sat down. Anyone else wouldn’t think twice about it as her expression seemed as blank as ever, but Enid had become the expert at deciphering her mannerisms. Enid smiled as Wednesday sat down next to her, her expression softening.

Before Wednesday could place her books on the table however, Xavier approached the desk, only to find it occupied. “Sinclair, you’re in my spot,” Xavier said, throwing his backpack on the floor while he leaned against the desk.

“I wasn’t aware it had your name written on it,” Wednesday said, crossing her arms. No one messed with the few she redeemed worthy of a place in her otherwise cold, black heart without having a death-wish. 

“Quit it, Thorpe, just sit next to me. If you keep acting like you have any power over who Addams spends her time with, you’ll end up in some crypt,” Yoko said from the desk behind them. 

As much as she hated how Enid had run to her during their fight, Wednesday must admit that Yoko was less bothersome than the rest of Enid’s friends. She didn’t demand anything from Wednesday like everyone else. As if she somehow knew that Enid was the only one allowed to follow her around like a lost puppy. Although as far as Wednesday knew, Enid hadn’t told her anything about their developing courtship. Yoko must have figured that out on her own. Wednesday didn’t know which option was worse. 

“Thanks, Tanaka. At least someone gets it,” she said.

“You haven’t told her about us, have you?” Wednesday whispered as she held Enid’s hand under the desk. 

Their private conversation was masked by their peers’ chatter, whose collective words overlapped until the room began to sound like one of Eugene’s hives. She was still cautious enough as she had promised Enid their love wouldn’t be discovered by her parents. And while they didn’t share the class with Enid’s older brothers, the gossip would spread throughout the student body like wildfire.

“I haven’t. We haven’t talked since break started. She’s been busy with a family trip,” Enid simply said as she opened her notebook. 

She watched Enid doodle plants in her notebook as her mother and Thing began the lesson. As soon as the hologram technology used started to become mundane, she began tuning out the lesson. She already knew everything her mother could teach. That, and as much as she’d never admit it aloud, Enid began to captivate her more than any poisonous plant ever could. 

Though there was one other thing on her mind. Her previous visions kept mentioning something about finding “Equilibrium” and she had no clue where to begin her search. Sure, her visions were always cryptic, but she could not figure it out for the life of her. The bell rang. She’d have to look further into it later.

Enid grabbed Wednesday’s hand and headed to the cafeteria in a hurry, leaving Thing to lock up and go back to the dorm. They had a date planned that night, after dinner when everyone else would be off school grounds. Wednesday impatiently awaited for a most treacherous death in the arms of her lover as her curse burnt every instance of herself that she knew and detested. Or as Enid would say, she was showing emotion and she hated that she tolerated it for once. 

Outside of the plate of food Enid had grabbed for her, she grabbed an energy drink from the vending machine. It had to suffice, they didn’t serve coffee this late. The cafeteria served the worst drip she had consumed in her life. In the mornings she wouldn’t even look towards the pot in which the disgustingly brown liquid boiled as it would trigger the awful memory of its taste. Instead, she always relied on her coffee-flavoured energy drink to stay awake.

As they walked towards the quad, Enid’s friends waved for the two roommates to join them, much to Wednesday’s dismay. Enid set down the trays on the table, in front of the only two seats available, which were next to Yoko and Xavier. Since Enid knew the boy’s feelings for her paramour, she immediately sat next to him, as opposed to her best friend. Wednesday stood with her back towards Tanaka as she turned towards Enid and Eugene, who sat a few chairs left of Xavier. 

“I’m surprised you two lovebirds didn’t arrange to sit together,” Yoko teased as she eyed Enid and Ajax, who sat on opposite ends of the table. 

You could hear a pin drop to the floor in the silence that settled over the group as they all turned to look at Enid. Apparently Yoko was the last one to know as Kent and Xavier exchanged a look, which Bianca, Divina and Eugene quickly caught on to. Wednesday could physically see the gears turning in Enid’s brain as she struggled to come up with an excuse that wouldn't expose their relationship. Before she could say something however, Ajax broke the silence.

“Actually, Yoko, we broke up less than a week after the break started. Long distance wasn’t exactly working,” Ajax said, clearing his throat.

“Girl, why didn’t you tell me?” Yoko asked, turning towards Enid.

“You were busy with the European trip and I had my own problems,” Enid said, looking down at her food. 

Enid didn’t want to admit the real reason why she lost feelings for Ajax: her. She also avoided unlocking her phone around others as their picture from Alcatraz was her background. It was easy to put two and two together and neither of them wanted to come out at dinner.

“What problems?” Yoko asked.

“Her mother ruined her birthday. You’d know that, Tanaka, if you bothered to call her instead of a two-second text message,” Wednesday retaliated, not even looking in her direction as she ate her food. 

“And what would you know about internet etiquette, Wednesday?” Xavier said.

“Just because I didn’t talk to you, doesn’t mean I didn’t use the phone. I know exactly what your intentions were and decided I’d be nice for once and let you off the hook and ignore it. But if you are so adamant on getting a direct response, the answer is no,” Wednesday said, taking a French fry off of Enid’s plate as she held on to her chair with her other hand. 

Wednesday’s anger would usually be concealed by her cold demeanour, but not this time. She stared down the salt and pepper on the table like she was trying to set them on fire, just so she wouldn’t disfigure Xavier with one of her hidden weapons right then and there. 

Enid brushed their shoulders together for a brief second before turning to her food again. An unspoken gesture of affection that was meant to alleviate her anger. And luckily for the bastard who was now watching the floor as if it was a Van Gogh painting, it was working.

“We told you it was a bad idea, Thorpe,” Yoko said.

“Wait, you guys knew about Wednesday’s phone?” Enid asked, taking a sip out of her strawberry smoothie.

“Yeah, Xavier stored it in the Nightshades library until he gifted it to her. He even made me check if the UI wasn’t too colourful,” Divina said.

Wednesday spent the rest of dinner watching the others interact with each other, but mostly Enid, as expected. She hadn’t told her what they were doing for their date yet. Just that it would be in the forest. And as much as she hated to admit it, Wednesday could not wait. 

She turned to the side and grabbed the aluminium can sitting to her right. She immediately noticed its almond-like taste as she took a sip.  It was probably just expired. After all, it had been sitting in the vending machine for at least a month after the fire. But that wasn’t about to stop Wednesday from getting her caffeine kick.

Enid guided her to a clearing in the forest, away from anyone else. The orange lights that were spread around the tree branches reflected onto the iced-over lake, creating the illusion of a lava pool.

“Welcome to my secret spot, I’m sure it doesn’t compare to stargazing with Ichabod but-” Enid said, throwing her backpack off of her shoulder, pulling out two pairs of skates. “I thought skating here could be a cool first official date. Since, you know, we got together while skating?” she continued, smiling. 

“That would be exquisite, il mio dolce rompighiaccio,” Wednesday said as she took Enid’s hand.

They had no music now, the speakers on Enid’s phone were not loud enough, yet somehow their rhythm hadn’t changed at all. 

Enid joined their hands as they began the all too familiar dance. Wednesday didn't pay any attention to their moves however, only to the feeling of having Enid embracing her. The pink light of her skates reflected onto her soft features like flames dancing against snow on a cold winter night. 

The inevitable spiders crawling their way through her black heart didn’t disappear just because her feelings were reciprocated. In fact, they grew ravenous. For one, right now she wanted to dip Enid and kiss those ravishing raspberry gashes on her cheek, but Enid had other plans. She grabbed Wednesday’s waist with one hand and her hand with the other, spinning her around. Neither of them fell this time around. But that would be the least of their problems.

As the earth pulled her towards its core, Wednesday instinctively pushed the flat part of the blade across the ice, stopping. Everything was spinning around her, even though she should have adjusted to her environment by now.

Enid stopped and placed her hand on Wednesday’s back, expecting her to go into another vision. But that didn’t happen. Instead, her breath hurried along with her heart rate as she stood still.

No exercise had this effect on her. And she knew this wasn’t because of the curse. While her infatuation was strong, her heart was never this unsteady. Then one of her father’s lessons on poisons flashed before her eyes. 

Almonds.

“Enid, I don’t think I’m up for this at the moment,” she said as she caught her breath. 

She couldn’t tell Enid until she was certain it was true. She had been exposed to cyanide all of her childhood and as such she was fairly immune. But she was experiencing symptoms, which meant that either she wasn’t as tolerant as she believed, or the dose was higher than what would kill an ordinary person.

Enid took off her skates. She put them in her backpack, which she quickly threw over her shoulder. Before Wednesday could follow up her lover’s actions, Enid lifted her up, wrapping one hand around her waist and the other around her knees.

“Enid, put me down,” she said. She knew her paramour was capable of getting her to safety and while she appreciated her concern, it wasn’t that serious. That would be such a cowardly way to go, and she was an Addams, she wouldn’t die from a little cyanide. 

“You don’t look okay, I’m taking you to the nurse,” Enid said, as she ran barefoot through the woods.

Enid ran across the school hallway, panting as she opened the door. The nurse turned away from her computer to look towards the couple. “Are you alright, miss? Or is it just her?” she said. 

“Just her,” Enid said, dropping her down on one of the beds. She took off Wednesday’s skates and put them in her backpack.

Wednesday detested public vulnerability. However, given her current condition, she could accept it as long as Enid was in the room. 

“You can sit on that chair,” the nurse pointed to the corner of the room. 

“Are you well enough to tell me what’s wrong?” the nurse asked.

“I believe I have ingested poison about half an hour ago. Cyanide, if I had to guess. My drink had a strong almond-like taste,” she whispered between breaths. 

Her illness wasn’t the only reason she was being quiet about this. She didn’t want Enid to know right away. She knew she’d have to tell her at some point, but she didn’t want to do it while she was still experiencing symptoms. It would worry her paramour too much. She could survive any ordinary poison. She had built a resistance to it. Even if the dosage was enough to kill a horse, as long as she got the antidote in time she’d be fine. Her symptoms were the early onset ones, anyway. 

The nurse took a step back for a moment, before nodding and fetching a stethoscope, a drip, an IV bag and a few syringes which she laid on the table next to her. She listened to Wednesday’s accelerating heart rate while she struggled to keep her breathing steady. She immediately moved to administer the antidote and Enid winced as she saw the drip go into Wednesday’s arm. The nurse then emptied the contents of the syringes into the IV. 

From Wednesday’s own knowledge, she assumed it was sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate. She doubted they had hydroxocobalamin on school grounds. Her theory was confirmed when the nurse pulled out her phone and put on a thirty-minute timer as opposed to a fifteen-minute one. The nurse took a blood drop from her finger, which she immediately put into a machine. 

“The test should be done by tomorrow to confirm it, but given your condition and statement I’m almost certain it’s positive. After the treatment, you’ll recover in your room, here’s a note for your classes,” she said as she placed it on the side table. 

“You’ll talk to the principal tomorrow about the results and how to go forward,” she said, keeping it vague since Enid was in the room. 

At least some of the staff had the decency to not spill all her secrets in front of anyone who’s listening. She would tell Enid at some point, but she soon realised she couldn’t tell her the whole truth for now. She’d just say it was food poisoning because as her thoughts were becoming clearer and she started thinking back to the dinner, a hypothesis came to mind. And it wasn’t something that would be easy for her lover to accept. She could not risk having another fight because of this.

After she was stabilised, Enid yet again had the job of helping her girlfriend walk. And while Wednesday always said she hated being vulnerable, Enid could tell that if she was there, her girlfriend didn’t mind. The slight upturn of her lips as she lay her head on her shoulder said enough.

“Are you better now? What happened?” she asked as she helped Wednesday sit down, “All I heard was something about dinner?” she continued.

“I’m fine, yes. My energy drink was most likely expired, and I got a treacherous case of food poisoning. They took a test for any possible underlying conditions, but I’m fine,” Wednesday said.

“Never trust cafeteria food again, got it,” Enid laughed as she walked to her side of the room. 

Whenever she was sick, Enid would watch random movies to make herself forget about the pain. She grabbed her laptop and sat down next to Wednesday, who scooted over towards the wall, although she was frowning. 

“Enid, is this really necessary?” Wednesday said as Enid pulled up a movie that looked like a typical romantic comedy.

“It will help you forget about the pain. Don’t look at me like that-” she paused as Wednesday scoffed, “trust me you’ll like this one. Our date didn’t turn out like it should have, so consider this a second chance. With no chance of you getting sick,” she said.

Wednesday rolled her eyes, but drew closer to Enid nonetheless as the movie began. Enid knew “The half of it” would be right up Wednesday’s alley. 

It wasn’t overly romantic since it was more about discovering yourself and friendships, although it did have romance. And it was full of quotes from old people Wednesday probably knew. And sooner rather than later, her theory would be confirmed. 

“This is, surprisingly, bearable,” she admitted. ”I like how they implemented so much philosophy and literature into it, especially Sartre,” Wednesday said about half an hour into the movie. 

“I thought you’d be able to relate to her, writer and all,” Enid said. 

“I’m an inadequate writer for as much as I’d like to, I’m afraid any love letter I’d try to write would fail to capture my feelings for you into words,” Wednesday said as she buried her face on Enid’s shoulder. 

“Your actions speak for themselves, mi amour,” Enid said in broken Spanish as kissed her temple.

Wednesday essentially froze in place. Two simple words spun her world around as her curse was adamant on presenting itself once again. As much as Wednesday tried to appear suave around her paramour, it was all an act. Her rationality would crumble into dust the moment Enid tried to court her the Addams way. Or more accurately, the Wednesday way, as her curse was different from that of her relatives. But the language aspect remained. 

Before the movie credits could roll, Enid was already fast asleep, the light of the moon falling directly on her face. Wednesday could never understand how she managed to be this lucky. And curse be damned, she gave into her impulses and kissed her lover’s scarred cheek before resting her head on her shoulder and allowing slumber to overtake her as Thing took away the computer. 

Enid was fierce, strong, and she could take care of herself. But she got those ravishing gashes protecting her. And if Enid knew who Wednesday believed to be her stalker ―Enid’s vampire best friend― she might not react rationally. 

Wednesday could hide all of her emotions from those she wasn’t close to most of the time. Enid, however, wore her heart on her sleeve and as endearing as it was, it was also dangerous. 

Tomorrow’s meeting would assess her suspicions about the poison. If they were true, and she didn’t have a heart condition at the age of sixteen ― one that wasn’t her curse ― she would set out to find evidence. The police wouldn’t even have a suspect until it was too late. And with that, she finally fell victim to the land of woeful nightmares. 

The next day, Enid was somehow running late even though it was noon. Honestly, Wednesday wasn’t surprised, but she was rushed into the principal's office before she could find out if her girlfriend had made it to class in time. 

As she entered the room, the principal was pacing around his desk while Sherif Galpin sat across from him. It was in her best interest to keep the poisoned arrow from Alcatraz, and it now looked like she could finally make use of the only hard evidence she possessed. 

“Miss Addams, sit down please,” he said. 

She never bothered to learn the name of their fencing coach. However, since he was now the principal and she’ll have to address him on a regular basis, she looked down at the desk for the name tag: Vlad Heydrich. 

It was fairly obvious what he was about to say next, but she followed the order, anyway. She didn’t want to bicker with him like she did with Weems. 

She needed allies now. 

And unlike Weems, Heydrich didn’t seem to care all that much about hiding the school's true colours if it meant protecting its students.

“It's a miracle you’re alive. The doctors said no one has ever lived with that much cyanide in their system, until now,” he said.

“I’ve built a resistance over the years,” she said.

“I’m sure you have but this is extremely serious, do you have any clue as to what caused it? I have brought Sheriff Galpin here for the upcoming investigation,” Principal Heydrich said.

“I have been stalked by an Unknown Number since the Crackstone incident,” she said, turning her phone to Galpin to examine it. “My food must have been poisoned at some point during the day. I believe they’re connected.” 

“Do you have any clue of who it might be?” Heydrich asked.

“No, only that they’re a vampire, through my visions. I was also attacked by the same person in San Francisco,” she lied, handing in the plastic bag in which she had been keeping the poisoned arrow.

She knew the school would do nothing until they had clear evidence, so she didn’t tell the whole truth. They’d have to test the fingerprints on the arrow against every single vampire in the school. That would take way too long. So Wednesday had to find her own evidence. 

Alone. 

She wouldn’t risk losing Enid over this.

“Alright, Addams, we’ll look into it. I wouldn’t believe you after what you pulled last time, but I have no other choice. Believe me, I will find out if you’re lying,” Galpin said.

“Sheriff, that’s enough. We’ll update you as the investigation goes further. I have also informed Mrs. Addams of the situation. You may go now,” he said.

Great, now Mother knows she was incompetent enough to be poisoned by something as inconsequential as cyanide.

As she could be caught easily during the day, she decided she’d postpone investigating for any further evidence until nighttime. 

So, she spent most of her free day catching up on her writing time. Enid had distracted her immensely for the last few weeks. Back in Oakland, she’d get half a page done then one word would remind her of Enid and it would be over. She wasn’t as disastrous now, given her feelings were reciprocated. But this poison attempt had compromised yet another day of writing.

Though, as she turned another page to the side, she began to notice a pattern. Ever since Viper’s mystery came to a close, her writing shifted slightly. She paid more attention to the emotions and body language of her characters. Her latest struggle was not letting her devotion for Enid reflect into her narrative. This was not a love story. 

She kept up her momentum for hours until she heard the door creaking slowly as Enid walked in. 

Class without Wednesday had been hell. Not only was it utterly boring, but everyone kept asking why she was missing. Wednesday never missed a class. And “She’s sick,” didn’t cut it. She found it bizarre how Yoko in particular kept asking about her condition. So she just said that Wednesday was resting. She knew her girlfriend well enough to know that she liked her privacy. 

The gossip going around about her breakup with Ajax did not help her mood in the slightest. Despite the both of them saying they ended on good terms, everyone seemed to be all up in their business about the little details. When neither of them answered, all hell broke loose. Enid’s werewolf hearing helped her decipher some of the rumours but it wasn’t until she asked Ajax about the situation that she understood them. 

One was that Ajax stoned her on accident, or she wolfed out on him during her first transformation. Sure both were quite plausible, but they were still annoying. 

The biggest rumour was that one of them cheated. Although, no one made a guess as to whom they cheated with. But yet again, people couldn’t decide who messed up first. As if that didn’t prove that no one did anything wrong. Ajax had said nothing about her confessing she lost feelings for him. And she sure as hell didn’t say anything.

Sure, the real reason why she left him was because she realised her feelings for Wednesday, but she didn’t act on those feelings while she was still with him. He wasn’t her mate either way, and that was her reason when asked. But that didn’t stop the whole school, especially the werewolves, from talking. Her brothers kept asking who the mysterious new guy was. And as annoying as it was, at least no one figured out she was with Wednesday yet. 

But all her anger washed away as soon as she walked through the door, the slight upturn of Wednesday’s lips setting her heart on fire as she looked towards her. 

Enid sat down on Wednesday’s bed and pulled out her laptop from her backpack, patting the space next to her. She needed a distraction right now. 

“If we’re doing this again, we’re watching ‘No exit’,” Wednesday said as she joined her, not even questioning her.

“And I suppose that is?” Enid asked.

“A play by Sartre, the ‘Hell is other people’ one,” Wednesday said.

“Ah, alright, I’ll see what I can find,” Enid said as she typed the title down on her laptop. 

Most results were black and white interpretations that were quite blurry, and as such she went with a modern interpretation. 

For the first few minutes, just like the characters, Enid was trying to grasp the not-so-traditional depiction of hell as Wednesday watched in silence. But then one thing caught her eye. 

“Inez likes Estelle? Isn’t this play like, old?” Enid asked.

Given how her own mother reacted to such topics in the twenty-first century, Enid was surprised to know this old play was aired at all.

“Since they’re all suffering eternal damnation, I don’t think the closed-minded audience cared,” Wednesday said, staring blankly.

"I'm your Estelle, aren't I?" Enid said, changing the topic. 

"In the way of being enamoured with you, maybe, although Estelle is supposed to be Inez’s psychological torturer, and you will never be that,” Wednesday said, holding Enid’s hand. 

“You're nothing like her outside of appearance. You're smart, compassionate and you’re not vain like her," she continued, placing a soft kiss to her knuckles.

Only Wednesday Addams would find an existential play about hell romantic, but if it meant being complimented by her lover for an hour straight, Enid couldn't complain.

“You’re not too bad yourself,” Enid said, cupping her cheek before brushing the few loose strands of the hair that fell out of her braids behind her ear. 

Enid mostly turned her focus towards Inez’s story, as opposed to the other two characters. She reminded her the most of Wednesday, although, somehow, Inez acted more like a “homicidal maniac” than Wednesday ever had. 

She was extremely cruel, just like she confessed. Where Wednesday only resorted to violence when people messed with her or others, Inez didn't care who she hurt, not even those she supposedly loved. She liked making people suffer for no reason in particular. Like Florence, who she called a fool and essentially tortured despite them being lovers. Enid now knew that Wednesday would never want to hurt her, especially not intentionally. 

“So Florence killed both herself and Inez, that’s… dark,” she said. 

But Enid knew this was probably the least gruesome piece of media Wednesday enjoyed.

“I think it’s romantic,” Wednesday said. “Dying together,” she clarified.

“I wouldn’t wish, in my darkest nightmares, to live in a world without you. If you were to pass first, I’d join you in the eternal anguish. No inferno would be worse than a world without you,” Wednesday said, as she turned her head towards Enid’s side of the room, hiding the emotion on her face.

As concerning as that statement was, it was also comforting to hear that she meant that much to the other girl.

“Hell might be other people, but you, Enid Sinclair, are my paradise,” Wednesday said as she placed a small peck on Enid’s lips. 

If Enid didn’t know any better she’d think she was in paradise right now.

“You truly are the only one I’d wish to spend eternity with,” she said, taking her hand into her own once again. 

It was Wednesday's way of saying ‘I love you’ and Enid would have melted away if she weren’t sitting down. 

“You said you couldn’t express your feelings through words,” she finally said.

“I can’t express it, I didn’t lie about that. What I said only begins to scratch the surface of what you mean to me.”

Enid didn’t mind that Wednesday would tiptoe around confessing she loved her for once. It was more romantic this way. And if she was saving those three words for a special occasion, like their wedding day, Enid couldn’t complain.

“I love you too,” Enid whispered as she held the other girl closer, pretending to fall asleep into her warm embrace.

Enid didn’t buy the food poisoning speech for more than a few minutes. She couldn’t guess what had actually happened, but she’d ask questions later. She had to make sure Wednesday was fine first, and it seemed like she was. Her medical history wasn’t any of Enid’s business, if she wasn’t ready to talk about it, that was fine. 

Still, something seemed to be afoot, and if Enid had to guess, she’d say it had something to do with Wednesday’s stalker. She knew Wednesday would want to find out who was after her once they returned; she got that sparkle in her eyes that she always had when she wanted to investigate something. And as adorable as it was, she needed to distract her for her own safety. 

Although her intentions were pure and her plan was good in theory, she made the terrible mistake of actually falling asleep as the final act drew closer.  

As much as she could stare at Enid’s ethereal beauty forever, Wednesday had a plan to pursue. She slowly detangled herself from her lover’s embrace as she placed her pillow in her place, holding onto the drawer that held her mother’s necklace for balance as she got up. She doubted she’d need the charm today, or that it still worked given Goody had left her for good. 

Her lack of garlic supplies meant she had to take a different weapon to protect herself, so she picked up an axe from the back of her closet. She could have gotten a stake, but she decided killing Yoko would be a bad idea. Not only would Enid get mad at her, but she’d be expelled and would never see her again as is. So as much as she hated the cowardice of it, she had to do minimal damage until she could gather enough evidence and flee the scene.

As she headed towards the door, Thing ran to block her way in protest. ‘This is a bad idea, just go back to sleep and let the authorities take care of it for once,’ he said.

But Wednesday knew him all too well, she tightened her grip on him, walking slowly so she wouldn’t wake Enid, and locked him in her desk drawer. The appendage wouldn’t interfere with her affairs.

She grabbed a flashlight and left the room, making sure the door didn’t creak. She ran down the stairs in a similar fashion, it was midnight by now and she couldn’t afford to be found. 

She snapped her fingers twice as she reached the Edgar Allan Poe statue that led her to the Nightshade’s library. She figured if there was any place Yoko would leave evidence, outside of her dorm room, it would be the Nightshade’s secret hideout. 

She also had to find whatever “Equilibrium” was and since in her first vision it was presented as a book, searching for an ancient spell book wouldn’t be the worst idea. She soon found out that the Nightshade library held many journals of remarkable outcasts, but this “Equilibrium” wasn’t one of them. She’d have to revisit the clue later.

Wednesday turned the library upside down yet she could not find any traces of cyanide or nightshade containers. Yoko must have thrown them away or hid them in her room. Maybe Tanaka wasn’t as obtuse as she led on.

As such, Wednesday decided she would try to find any information about vampire weaknesses that she didn’t already know. She didn't find anything of interest until she noticed no dust on one of the shelves. She took said book off the shelf; “Vampire history and culture” the title read. She sat down at one of the two rusty desks in the room to read it, placing her phone down to her side. A pencil fell out of the book as it opened to reveal an underlined page. 

Turning 

       Vampire blood is necessary to turn a human into a vampire. In order to begin the transition, the human must have vampire blood in their system at the time of their death. 

       Otherwise, if the vampire drains the human of all of their blood, they die and never transform. That however, has been outlawed in vampire society for over a century. 

       If there is evidence that they have attempted to commit such an act but were caught before the human suffered enough damage, they will be prosecuted for attempted murder. 

       If a vampire wishes to feed off a human and not turn them, they have to make sure they never drink more than two litres of blood so the human may live. Although the indicated amount is under half a litre as to not cause any major harm. As such, a litre and above is strictly prohibited, although the charges differ depending on circumstantial evidence. 

Mind Control

         Mind control can be a useful tool in times of need. If one is starving and has no other resources of getting fed, one can feed off an unwilling human using mind control to paralyse their victim.

        Be careful, however, as this ability requires great strength and can easily tire one out. The most powerful can use it once or twice a day, but the average vampire can only use it when they’re starving to death. 

         Even in the case of starvation, one has to not kill its victim. The only way for a victim to protest is if they possess something of weakness, like gar-

She was interrupted by the sudden light of her phone screen as it lit up beside her. 

[Unknown Number]

Hello, Addams.

She looked up to see Yoko standing on the staircase with a small phone in her hands, which definitely wasn’t the latest technology. Since Enid didn’t know the number when asked, Wednesday gathered it had to be a burner. Smart, but not smart enough for Wednesday Addams. 

As Yoko ran towards her, Wednesday left the flashlight on the desk and pulled her axe out of her bag. Or well, tried to, as a grey cloud drew over her eyes, her vision began to blur, and her body froze in place. Then, her axe fell to the cold stone floor.

Oh shit. 

She failed to realise the dust and ink smell could be due to standing in a library. But since most of her visions came true, Wednesday guessed she probably couldn’t have stopped this from happening. 

“I have a single question, why? Every foe has a reason, what’s yours? Do you need a witch’s blood to get more power?” Wednesday asked. 

She was glad she could at least talk in this state. She doubted she could distract Yoko until morning, but stalling was her only way of survival.

“I always agreed with Rowan, but I had to keep my mouth shut when they unjustly excluded him from the Nightshades. Defeating Crackstone was a matter of luck, you will forever be the one who brings the Grim Reaper everywhere she goes. And poor Enid decided she’d fall for you, I see it, don’t deny it,” Yoko said as she picked up the axe from the ground and hid it in a secret doorway. 

“That still doesn’t explain your sudden appreciation for noxious substances,” Wednesday said.

Yoko barely paid attention in Laurel’s class last term, and even less so when Morticia became her replacement. She’d scroll through social media for most of class, and when her phone was confiscated she’d send notes to Divina under the desks.

“I found all the pictures Laurel took of you when I raided her lab for any poison I could find to use against you. But that was clearly useless, wasn’t it? I’m surprised you didn’t figure it out sooner, especially after Alcatraz. I just had to lie about where I was to cover my tracks,” Yoko said as she walked towards her. 

Yoko’s tracks were obvious after the cyanide attempt, but that had to go unsaid. For once insults and threats couldn’t get her out of a situation. 

“You’re lucky the Frumps had security due to your cousin’s fame, otherwise I would have gotten you on day one. If only I would have known all I needed to do was wait for you to explore the library, I wouldn’t have had to pretend I liked that screaming they call music just to find out where you were staying,” Yoko said as she grabbed Wednesday’s arm, examining it. 

“Nightshade wouldn’t have killed me, and you know that.”

“Although you’re resistant to poison, even you, Wednesday Addams, cannot survive being drained of all blood,” Yoko said as she loosened the grasp she had on her hand, now breathing down on her neck. 

“Did you starve yourself for all of this?” Wednesday said as she observed the hunger present in every action Yoko took. She must have been the one who underlined the lines of that book.  

“Of course, who do you think I am, Dracula? I can’t just summon that much power at will,” Yoko retaliated. 

“You're nothing but bad news, Addams. You bring death and suffering everywhere you go. And I won't let you hurt her,” she said as she sank her fangs into her neck. 

Aside from the initial pain, Wednesday didn’t feel much for the first few minutes, she just looked around the room, hoping to find a way out through the grey cloud covering her eyes. But she couldn’t even move a finger towards the door where Yoko hid her axe. Losing blood rapidly, her heart rate began to increase and the air in her lungs felt insufficient. She doubted she’d be able to manoeuvre the axe in such a state anyway. 

Enid was her only hope, although she will lecture her about this for the rest of their lives... 

Maybe death wouldn’t be so bad after all... However, before she could finish that thought, she heard footsteps approaching from the staircase. 

Just as she was about to catch a squirrel in her dream, Enid was woken up by a persistent knocking noise. Turning over to find Wednesday’s scent long gone, she abruptly opened her eyes and just as she had guessed, her lover was no longer sleeping next to her. 

As the noise intensified, she got up, rubbing the sleep off her eyes, and walked towards the shaking desk drawer. As she opened it, Thing jumped out. Of course Wednesday would go investigate when no one else could interfere. They’d have to talk about this, but right now she was in danger and making sure she came out of it alive was the priority.

“Any idea where she could be?” Enid said as she put on a coat and her shoes. 

‘No, I’m sorry.’

Smell it is, then. And unlike Wednesday, she actually had a plan. While she didn’t know who exactly the stalker could be, she knew they were a vampire, and as such she’d need garlic for protection. The only place on campus that held such an ingredient was only accessible to staff. And she needed backup anyway. 

“I believe you owe Wednesday a favour for saving the school last semester and I’m requesting it now,” Enid said as she broke into Principal Heydrich’s office. 

Although it was nighttime, by the looks of it he was in the middle of a war with a pile of papers, so she doubted he minded the interruption. 

“Miss Sinclair, what’s going on? It’s past curfew.”

“Does ‘Wednesday got herself into trouble again’ ring a bell?”

“It does. What do you believe happened this time?”

“She wanted to find more information on her stalker. I need garlic from the confiscated items room in case they found her,” Enid said.

“And what exactly is your plan? A clove of garlic can only weaken a vampire so much,” Principal Heydrich said. “Also if that is the case, I need to come with you and notify the proper authorities.”

“Well, I’ll gather a bunch of it and wrap it up in a wreath using a rope,” Enid said. 

While it wasn’t a foolproof plan, a wreath of garlic would weaken a vampire enough so they couldn’t fight anymore, but it was all they had. 

“Alright, but we’ll return it if there’s no threat,” he said as he opened the door.

After taking her sweet time putting the wreaths together—since she had to make one for him as well—Enid followed Wednesday’s all too familiar ink scent, which led her to the Edgar Allan Poe statue. She remembered the location of the Nightshades’ library as she snapped twice. 

She turned to the principal, gesturing for him to put on the garlic wreath as she did the same. He was reluctant at first, but she could hear him call for backup as he entered the room. As she headed down the stairs Enid’s heart fell into her stomach.

“Yoko?” Enid asked, her trembling voice echoing through the silent library.

While she usually didn’t understand much of vampire culture, she knew that mind control was only used for two single reasons: turning and death. Every clue, including the axe scratches on the ground, pointed to the latter. Not that Enid wouldn’t be furious with the former as well. But that didn’t matter now. She had to save Wednesday. Again.

As she stepped towards her former friend, Yoko hissed and turned away from her victim as the garlic wreath did its job. Yoko whipped the blood off her face with her blazer sleeve as Enid caught Wednesday’s weakened body. 

Enid pressed her fingers to Wednesday’s wrist, a pulse was present, but it was weak.

Two teachers ran down the stairs as they apprehended Yoko, taking her to the Lupin cages until security arrived. This wasn’t something the local police could handle—it was a violation of the vampire code of conduct—which meant the human law system wouldn’t get involved. Or at least that’s what Principal Heydrich said. 

“Call an ambulance,” she said as she turned to him. 

“Yes, blood loss, a lot by the looks of it, alright. Enid, what's her blood type?” he asked as he was talking with the 911 operator. 

“What’s your type?” she asked her weakened lover. 

“You?” Wednesday whispered in her confused state.

“Blood type, dummy.”

“O negative,” she said before fainting.

“Of course it is. Why do I even have to ask?” Enid mumbled as she took the phone to talk to the person on the other line. 

Enid picked Wednesday up just like she had the previous day, going up the stairs and into the school’s yard, where an ambulance waited for them. 

“You found her just in time, she’s lost a lot of blood, but not enough to kill her,” the nurse said as she prompted Wednesday onto the stretcher after checking her vitals. 

“She won’t be able to take visitors until she’s stabilised. We’ll call once she’s better,” she said when Enid tried to get in the ambulance with her. 

As much as Enid hated that she couldn’t be there for Wednesday for the time being, it was a relief. An injured Wednesday wasn’t something she’d wish to see for hours on end, doubting if she was going to make it. As such, her sadness turned to anger towards the person who was responsible for all of this. 

She sneaked towards the Lupin cages, although she doubted the staff cared about her having a little chat with Yoko before she went to trial. She had known Yoko since they were kids. The few times they talked about vampire powers, she said she found draining someone of all of their blood to be barbaric, cruel and downright psychotic. Yet, here she was five years later. 

Enid could not understand why Yoko would do this to Wednesday, and by extension, to her. Yoko knew how much Wednesday meant to her, granted not the full extent of it, but still. Yoko’s stalking game went from internet harassment to attempted murder, thrice. 

“What are you doing here? It’s not a full moon,” Yoko asked as Enid walked through the doors. It was fairly obvious Enid wasn’t here to bail her out.

“Were you the one who attacked us in Alcatraz?” Enid asked.

“Yes,” Yoko said.

“And you went forward with it even if I was there?” 

She knew that she hated Wednesday already, but you’d think having your best friend so physically close to the person you’re trying to kill would make you drop your weapon and try another time.

“My aim has always been good, it would have never hit you,” she said.

“What about your trip to Europe? How could you have been in Alcatraz that night if you were packing?” Enid asked.

“There was no trip. I lied, Enid. She endangers everyone she comes into contact with, being around her could have killed you. I couldn’t allow that to happen,” Yoko said.

“So you went on a killing spree? Do you know how hypocritical that sounds?” Enid said, staring right into her eyes.

“She almost destroyed the school last month. You fought a Hyde because of her and have the scars to prove it. You can’t tell me she doesn’t put you in danger on a daily basis,” Yoko said, gripping the bars as she spoke.

“No, she doesn’t. Even if that was the case, she doesn’t do that intentionally and a conversation can easily solve that issue. If Crackstone didn’t target all outcasts, nothing would have happened last semester. And you just have a vendetta against her. I can take care of myself, Yoko. I’m not some weak child,” Enid said as she approached the exit. 

She was done with this. If Yoko did succeed, Enid would have ended up mourning for years, having lost Wednesday at the hands of her best friend. Yoko must have taken that into consideration, and decided to do so anyway. What friend does that?

“Love makes you blind, Enid.”

She didn’t even care that Yoko figured it out, in fact, that made it worse. As such, Enid’s last words to her former best friend as she slammed the door were: “So be it.”

The next thing she knew, Wednesday was in the middle of a forest. Half of the trees were tall and old, their leaves falling as if it were the middle of autumn, while the other half had freshly planted saplings accompanied by small spring flowers.

Opposites. 

As she turned around, she stepped onto a beach at sunset. The waves crashed against the shore and the moon started to rise and as day turned to night, a storm approached. Yet the sun never left, instead the moon stood alongside it. As did the storm that broke only on the east side of the landscape before her. 

Balance, also known as Equilibrium.

Maybe it’s not a book after all, instead, it represents a state of mind. 

Trying to catch prey that could easily kill the poor bird, the raven stopped in its tracks as a wolf jumped in front of it, preventing it from going forward. The wolf then shook its head in the raven’s direction, who flew onto its back as they left the forest.

And as she opened her eyes, the sun outside the hospital window blinded her. Adjusting to the daylight, she looked down to see Enid sleeping in the chair next to her bed. It hit her like a ton of bricks.

Enid is her Equilibrium, the one who balances out all of her darkness, her light, the one who knows how to save her from the danger she inflicts on herself, the one she trusts the most, her safety net.  

The one person who managed to make a home into her cold heart, is the same one who’s the key to understanding her emotions, and as a result, her visions. 

From that day on, Wednesday decided all of her visions that seemed dangerous would have to get Enid’s stamp of approval if she wished to investigate. They’d work together, as a team, to solve Nevermore’s many mysteries. Because as much as she hated to admit it, sometimes, even Wednesday Addams needed help.

Wednesday wished to know what happened after she passed out. So, to test her theory, she closed her eyes and held Enid’s hand gently enough so as to not wake her up, her neck never falling backwards. And as the events of the day that passed flashed before her eyes, she felt her hand being squeezed tighter as she looked over to the chair next to her. 

“You’re awake,” Enid said as tears fell down her face. “Never do that to me again.” 

“Never. I promise,” Wednesday said as she wiped away her lover’s tears, holding her face into both of her hands as she kissed her. 

It was a stormy day when Wednesday was discharged from the hospital. She entered the empty dorm room, leaving her bags on her bed. She opened the window and stepped onto the balcony with her cello in hand. Lightning struck the sky as she began her song. A few minutes later, she turned around as she heard the window creek open. 

“Thought you only enjoyed playing at night,” Enid said, leaning against the Wednesday's side of the window.

“I prefer it, but there’s something special about playing during a storm,” she said, resting the bow on the music stand. 

Silently, they both leaned against the railing, watching the storm in the distance. Enid shifted closer to her, brushing their shoulders together. 

“Promise me something, never get caught if you do something illegal. I cannot go through this again. Not with you,” Enid said as they locked eyes, a silent tear falling down her cheek.

Never in her wildest nightmares would she wish to be separated from her sunshine ever again. She knew it when they walked through Alcatraz and then later when they watched No Exit. And now, because of her impulses, Enid almost lost her. And if the curse affected her paramour nearly as much as it did Wednesday herself, she couldn’t put her through that. 

“Never, mi sol,” Wednesday said as she held Enid’s hand. 

“When I absentmindedly venture into danger, you're the one who pulls me down to earth and grounds me,” she said, placing a small kiss on the back of Enid’s hand. 

“And as I sulk in my sorrow, you're the one that comforts me then lifts me off the ground and into the land of endless possibilities,” Enid said, pulling her into a kiss as the rain poured down.