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Chapter Text

It was Saturday morning at Nevermore. Enid stirs in her bed as she wakes up. She stretched her arms, her body slightly sore from doing her dance routine yesterday. She slowly starts to sit up, rubbing the crust out of her eyes. Her eyes slowly adjusted to the light pouring into the room.

She had grown to like the window design more in the last few weeks. It had originally angered her when Wednesday destroyed it. In fact, Wednesday got under her skin like that a lot. There was never a dull moment.

Two snaps from Thing brought her out of her early morning mental haze. “Oh, sorry, Thing. I just woke up.” He was up on Enid’s nightstand with a cup of coffee.

“Thanks. Wait, how did you get this here?"

He just stood there, motionless.

This got a chuckle out of her. She didn't bother asking where Wednesday was because she already knew. Saturdays were the days she went to the bee hut with Eugene.

“So what do you want to do today until she gets back?"

Thing drops to the floor, runs to Wednesday's side of the room, and comes with a deck of cards. “War. Of course, why do I even bother to ask?” She says it playfully. She takes out the cards and plays a couple of rounds with him. Her stomach had started to rumble.

“Come on, let's get some breakfast."

She had enjoyed her mornings with Thing. He seemed to appreciate Enid’s company as well. It beat going to the castle of doom, which was the bee hive for him, by a long shot.

The courtyard was mostly cleared out by now. A couple of tables were filled with outcasts who were still chatting away.

Enid approached the serving tables and started making two plates, knowing Wednesday would arrive at any moment. Thing crawling down her shoulder was the first sign that the goth was near.

"Howdy, roomy," Wednesday said from right behind her in a monotone voice.

Enid didn't jump out of her skin; her heart, however, skipped a beat or two. She mentally kicked herself for that. She could hear her coming. She knew she was there.

“Impressive.” Wednesday says, “A couple of months ago, that would have made you almost faint."

Enid shrugs and says, “Thing kind of gave you away.” Then she quickly added, “I also have better hearing now that I've wolfed out."

Wednesday nods once and says, “I'll keep that in mind from now on.”

Enid handed her her plate, and they collected their food. They walked up to the dorm room side by side, and Enid picked at her food as they did so.

They reached the dorm and went to their own sides to eat. Normally, Enid felt the need to word-vomit everywhere, but there was no urge to do so this morning. It was Saturday. The day that was planned for... nothing at all.

After breakfast, they both went to type, Wednesday at her typewriter and Enid on her blog. The sound of three pairs of fingers pushing another item. Thing was playing with his Rubik’s cube.

Enid had never felt comfortable in silence before. If it was silent, silence led to overthinking, and overthinking turned to panic.

But with Wednesday around, silence was a good thing. If overthinking started, she’d notice and tell Enid how fraudulent it was to waste energy on things like that. Also, if it wasn't silent during her writing time, the threats started.

The rest of the day was tame. The girls did their own activities in the presence of one another. Occasionally, Enid had a question about how to spell something, or Wednesday would make a comment about how nice the day was as it poured rain. Enid was not sure if her friend was serious or being sarcastic. But when Enid looked at the big window in the room, she noticed that her eyes gravitated more towards the colorless side.

Chapter Text

The anxiety was starting to sink into Enid’s bones. It was a full moon. First one since her face-off with the Hyde. She still can't remember all of it. She only has flashes of claws and teeth here and there. Growls echo in her ears every now and then.

The chilly air brought her back to reality. She was standing out on the balcony, rubbing her scars on her face self-consciously. Her fingers traced the scabs that were healing nicely. They would disappear eventually.

She’s leaning against the rail and looking down at the view. The sun was beginning to set. It was basically a ticking clock in front of her. She heard the window crack open. She turns around to find Wednesday still in her Nevermore uniform, Thing on her shoulder.

“What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in the cages?” Wednesday asks, raising an eyebrow at her.

Enid tries to hide her fear with sarcasm. “Why? Looking forward to having the night alone?”

Wednesday takes a minute to absorb the question. “Looking forward to it, not necessarily. I'd say expecting is more appropriate.” She crosses her arms as she says it.

Enid thought about how that remark was almost sweet but decided to keep the thought to herself.

“I was about to head that way.” She looks down and starts rubbing her hand, trying to get her palms to stop sweating.

Wednesday could sense something was bothering Enid. She knew the werewolf had been out here for a while.

Suddenly, Enid erupted. “What if I don't wolf out again? What if it was just the blood moon or adrenaline that triggered it? What if I can't control it? What if I hurt someone?” She paces back and forth between the window and the rail.

“What if you don't hurt someone?” Wednesday added disappointment to her face.

“Not helping!” Enid shrieked as she began to breathe heavier.

“You'll have to be patient. I'm not familiar with cheering people up, as you put it.” There was a long pause as Wednesday tried to think of a solution.

Enid starts to sniffle and cry softly.

“Why are you crying?"

Enid attempts to collect herself. Patience Enid, this is Wednesday after all. “Um, because of everything I listed off.” After a couple of deep breaths, she dug a little deeper and realized, “I'm scared to be alone when I turn back. It hurt last time, and not just because of the Hyde.”

Wednesday hadn't considered the physical transformation. She puts her hands together in front of her in a polite manner, like she always did.

“Then me and Thing will be there.”

-

Wednesday was now outside the cages, sitting under a tree with a blanket and a book.

“Thing, get this to Enid when she no longer has fur.” She pulled out one of Enid’s colorful robes, swearing she heard her flesh sizzle just by touching it.

Enid was now in the cages. She felt the wolf in her asking to escape her skin, but after a while of fighting it, the wolf wasn't asking anymore. Bones adjusted, senses heightened, and unfamiliar instincts arrived.

-

The transformation felt like it was in slow motion. Because it basically was. Enid felt her body getting smaller, slowly losing that wolf mentality. She could see she was still in the cages; that was a good sign. She shivered as her body lay on the icy cement. She missed her fur.

She was startled as she heard scattering noises. She was conflicted when she saw what looked like her robe dragging itself on the floor through the cage bars.

Thing walks out of it. She took the robe and covered herself up. “Thank you.”

She gets unchained and scoops up her little friend. She opens the door to find Wednesday sleeping with her arms on her shoulders, leaning on a tree with a book.

Enid was surprised the goth stayed out here all night. She realizes that they didn't really talk about it. Last night, when they got to the cages, she just assumed Wednesday had left. She starts to feel bad. The idea of Wednesday being out here all night worried her.

As if she could feel eyes on her, Wednesday opens her eyes and shoots up. “You're human again.” She looks at the robe she gave to Thing.

“You stayed out here all night?"

Wednesday looks away. “Don't ever mention it again."

Enid smiles and keeps her warm feelings to herself.

Chapter Text

Enid was excited for star constellations. Finally, a subject she was comfortable and confident in. As a werewolf, reading the stars and moon schedules was a need-to-know from a very early age.

It was a couple of weeks into the classes now, and she was killing it. It was like putting the last piece of a puzzle that only fit her brain. However, she had noticed Wednesday’s dismissive comments on the subject as the weeks went by. Enid also didn't exactly know what to say. She knew there were a lot of things that didn't make sense to her friend. But she couldn't understand Wednesday’s negative attitude toward the topic. Until today.

The class had some spare time before the next class started. They had been instructed to start their homework. Enid had been done for about 10 minutes now, when she couldn't help but notice Wednesday basically seething next to her.

She looked over and saw her friend staring down at the pages with her arms crossed. Her eyes looked like she was trying to make the pages catch fire with her mind.

Enid took a moment before finally asking her friend what was wrong.

Wednesday side-eyes her as if she had forgotten Enid was there at all.

“They all look the same."

Enid’s eyebrows lowered. “Can I see?” Wednesday looks at Enid skeptically.

“I know I'm technically a dog, but I promise I won't eat it." She jokes, even though she's sure Wednesday wouldn't mind that right about now.

Enid takes a look at the pages and isn't surprised to find most of the answers are filled in correctly except for about 3. Those 3 constellations look similar in that they all have a triangle shape with the tail of a couple stars.

"Okay, what do they look like to you?” She asks, looking up at her friend.

Without missing a beat, Wednesday replied, “A noose," in a matter-of-fact tone. Enid had expected an answer as dark as that one, but she still had to bite her lip, so stop the nervous gulp.

She decided to get into her backpack with her colored pencils and markers.

“What are you doing?” her friend asks in an accusatory tone.

“I'm helping you. Give me a sec.

“Must it involve color?"

"No, but you are going to let me have my fun with it.” Enid's eyes squinted at her friend.

Enid recognized the first constellation as Delphinus. Now that she thought about it, she could see how Wednesday saw a noose. She began drawing a dolphin around the constellation where it fit properly. She just colors in the image because it makes her happy. Also, to annoy Wednesday just a little.

She hands the page back to Wednesday and covers up her smirk on her face with her hands when she sees the goths reaction.

Her eyes go wide, and her lips part slightly.

"Delphinus," she says simply, writing in the answer.

Enid goes to take the paper back, and Wednesday looks nauseous. Enid couldn't help herself with her next comment.

“I thought you liked torture."

Wednesday's eyes shift around the room, clearly annoyed.

Enid begins drawing the second constellation, Leo minor. This time she was going to have a little more fun, drawing Thing on top of the little cub.

“Why do you handle this topic with such care?” Wednesday asks curiously.

Enid had to think for a minute. “I'm a werewolf. The moon is just a big star. Most astrologists and scientists end up being werewolves. I guess it's just a part of me, part of my culture. Kinda like fencing is a big deal in your family."

Wednesday takes Enid’s explanation in, blinking in thought.

“I hadn't taken that into consideration."

Enid hands the paper back and watches as Wednesday writes down the correct answer.

“You drew Thing’s stitches wrong. It's on his ring finger, not the pinky. If you are going to torture me, at least get the details right.”

Enid smiled and nodded, knowing Wednesday was just getting petty and desperate at that point.

Chapter Text

Enid had adapted to walking into her dorm and finding something odd happening; that time Wednesday was trying to contact the dead, for example. But no amount of preparation could prepare her for this.

She finds Wednesday and Ajax in their dorm. Ajax is on her side of the room, and Wednesday is on hers. She was about to ask what was going on when she realized Wednesday was not looking good. It wasn't until she actually studied on Wednesday that she realized what had happened.

She spoke to Ajax. “What the hell happened?!”

Ajax flinched at his girlfriend's raised voice. “She asked me to stone her. She said she wanted to record the experience. I don't know.” He puts his hands in the back pockets of his jeans and looks down, ashamed.

“And you did it? Just like that?” Enid spat in disbelief.

“It's Wednesday Addams; if I refused, she would have probably threatened to shave off my snakes or something!” He said it defensively.

Enid couldn't exactly argue with that. She knew he was right. Ajax wasn't the brightest person in the world, but he was far from stupid. Deep breaths, Enid.

"Okay, you need to get out of here before someone sees you. I'll take care of her when she wakes up. I'll do my best to hide her from the teachers till then."

Ajax nodded in agreement. “I'm sorry, I didn't know what else to do."

Enid smiled at him. “It's okay, just go before you get into trouble."

Ajax kisses her forehead and leaves quickly.

Enid turns to the stoned Wednesday and clamps her hands into fists.

“You are unbelievable. You know that? You couldn't just find a book that described the symptoms of being stoned? And you had to drag someone else into it? Out of all the gorgons in the school, you decided to ask him?!"

Enid felt woozy; she had spilled out her frustrated thoughts so fast. She felt silly talking to the stoned figure.

“Wednesday, this is frustrating for me because you could have gotten hurt. I know you’re not worried about physical pain and you enjoy torture, but this is not okay."

Her voice started to crack; she was so frustrated that tears were threatening to spill over. Then came the worry. She had read about being stoned and all the things that could kill her. Her friend was nothing but stone. Well, more than usual, anyway. What if the stone stops her heart? Does her heart even beat? It has to. Enid tries to think of all the time she had known Wednesday, if she ever heard it before. She finally recalls a moment. What if she never wakes up? How was she going to explain this?

Finally, Enid sits on her bed, taking off her backpack and throwing it on the floor. She rubs her temples, trying to calm herself down. It wears off in 12 hours, usually. She could handle that.

-

Enid woke up to the sound of a stone cracking. She jumped out of bed just in time to watch Wednesday collapse on her hands and knees, gasping for air. As calmly as she could, she wrapped Wednesday in a blanket. Being stoned can drop the body temperature.

Her friend was shaking and groaning slightly; her face showed no discomfort, but her body language said something different.

“Did you get what you needed?” she asks mockingly as she hands Wednesday a glass of water. “Drink. You are going to be dehydrated."

Wednesday took a couple drinks and set the glass down. “How do you know?” Her voice sounded strained.

“Because I looked it up in the library like a normal person!” Enid snapped; she got up and lowered the blinds.

“Your eyes are going to be sensitive for a couple of hours.” She saw Wednesday blinking more than normal. It was freaking her out a little bit.

Wednesday reached under her bed for a little notebook, attempting to write in it. Enid could see that her shaking was angering her roommate.

Enid rolled her eyes and got down on the floor, reaching out for the notepad. Wednesday glared at her as best she could, but she was still having difficulty with her expressions.

“You want to actually be able to read your notes, don't you?”

After a minute, Wednesday caves in and hands her the notepad. Enid recognizes Wednesday's reaction. She's trying to come up with a quick remark, but the brain fog is preventing her usual sharp tongue.

“Dehydration. Dry eyes. Muscle stiffness. Brain fog.

As Enid writes, she got more annoyed. All of this was in the books. Until the last one.

“Echos.”

Enid paused and looked up. “What?"

“I could hear everything. Multiple times. As long as the volume was high enough. Not a single book in the library mentioned that."

Enid was a little embarrassed now that she knew Wednesday probably heard every word of her rant. Wednesday, now staring at her, asks, “Why are you helping me if you are upset with me? Last time you left.", Her tone was monotone for the most part, but Enid could have sworn she heard a little shame in her friend's voice.

The blonde felt her anger and fear melt quickly after that.

“I was mad because you put yourself in danger. Sometimes the side effects go away, and sometimes they don't. I was mad because I care."

“I have no problem being in danger. In fact, I often seek it out."

"Yeah, I noticed.” Enid said it sarcastically. “That doesn't mean I'm ok with it."

Wednesday just stares at her. Enid attempted to hold the stare until she couldn't anymore.

“I'm going to get you some food."

After she left, Wednesday noticed Enid had used a pen with pink ink. She also added an additional side effect that she didn't mention.

Emotional response from roomy.

Chapter Text

Enid had never been the best at grief. In fact, she was terrible at it. She had always been better about the happier emotions. She thought about asking Wednesday how she handles it, but she would probably tell her she doesn't feel grief or sadness. She wasn't good at emotions, let alone a more complicated one like grief.

Enid never had a problem with Weems. She scared her, but everyone scared Enid just a little. Except maybe Ajax. And Kent. She thought about everything Weems did for the school. It couldn't have been easy to make some of those decisions. Her grief was eating at her as the days went by.

She was able to get through classes well enough. She decided to visit Weems for the afternoon. Maybe it would help. Maybe not. She couldn't explain why, but she had to go alone; she refused to draw attention to herself. As she planned her afternoon in her head, shame grew inside her. She didn't have the emotional energy to question it. She could have sworn she was getting heavier by the minute.

-

She walked through the graveyard, thinking about whether there was an afterlife. Her mother always told her that once you are in the ground, you turn to worm food, and that was it. She never admitted it to her mom or really herself until now; she couldn't believe it. She didn't know what she believed, but there was no way death was the end.

She approaches her former principal's headstone. She sat by it, and she felt her throat close up in that achy way. What was left of Weems couldn't just be in the ground. How could someone with as much power and strength as Weems be reduced to just a dead body underground? No.

She thought about what she could believe about the afterlife. She wanted Weems to be at peace.

“You would be proud, Principal Weems; my fencing has improved.” She smiled sadly.

Could she hear her? Enid would like to think so.

“I'm also doing my best to keep Wednesday out of trouble. It's harder than it looks.” She scoffed to herself a little.

Talking to her made her feel better. In this weird way. It made her feel like she was still here. It made her feel like she was still here. It made this growing hole in her chest more bearable.

However, each time she spoke to her out loud, she felt a growing sense of shame and embarrassment. This was stupid.

Enid gets up, turns around, and is startled to see Wednesday.

“What are you doing here?” she asks defensively.

Wednesday's eyebrows arch at her. “We are both in a cemetery, and you are asking what I'm doing here? What are you doing here?” Her eyes are slightly squinted.

Enid breathes deeply and tries to come up with a lie.

“Don't try to lie. Your ability to do so is mediocre at best."

That cut deep. But it was true.

“I was visiting Weems," she admitted reluctantly.

“I see.” She had a curiosity that Enid almost never saw on her friend's face.

She wipes her eyes, the drying tears on her face starting to itch.

“Sometimes when someone dies, visiting them and talking to them helps."

“I understand how grief works, Enid." Her face darkens just enough to make Enid uncomfortable.

"Yeah, I guess you would.” She rubs her arms, not really sure how to continue the conversation. Thankfully, Wednesday does.

“Do you think she can hear you when you talk to her?"

Enid’s stomach dropped at the question. They were both facing Weems's headstone now.

"Well, my mom says a corpse is just bug food," she shrugged uncomfortably.

“That's not what I asked.” Wednesday is observing every microexpression on Enid's face. She saw panic appear on her face after her statement.

“I believe something different than the rest of my family, and I don't want them to know about it.”

Wednesday blinks, and her face becomes stoic, putting something together.

“What do you believe?"

“If it's not the same as my family, then does it really matter?” She wasn't really talking to Wednesday. She wasn't sure why she was feeling the way she was.

There was resistance to talking about it. Enid wasn't used to the ability to be honest about her beliefs.

“Your beliefs are tantamount to theirs, Enid. The result is the same. We die alone," she says in a plain voice.

This statement caused a halt in Enid's train of thought. Her friend was right. But that didn't mean that's how her family viewed it. Still, she wanted to answer her friend's question. Even if it was just to finally say it out loud,

“I think Weems is still around, watching over us. I'd like to think she can hear me when I talk to her.” There was a long beat. “I think she's at peace and has a happy ending."

She turns to the goth. “Is this the part where I threaten you in a graphic way so you don't tell my secret?"

“Don't even attempt. Your threats are as hollow as your music choices.” They stood in silence for a few moments before she added, “I won't tell anyway. Your beliefs are your business."

Enid’s lips press together, and her head nods slightly. She watched Wednesday walk away. She noticed how she felt more stable in her stage of grief. She slowly started to feel foolish for thinking she couldn't tell Wednesday. She started to follow her companion.

Chapter Text

‘How does she do that?’ Enid thought to herself watching Wednesday be hugged passionately by Pugsley. She doesn't hug back; in fact, she just stands there stiff as a board as her family crowds her.

This parents weekend was going to be less pressure on Enid now that she's wolfed out. Hopefully. Her family hadn't gotten there yet. She decided to take a look at the tables full of food.

Once she gets there, she feels a tug on her leggings. She finds Thing waving and pointing her to the side a couple times before starting to climb up on her until he’s on her shoulder.

Pugsley was making a plate of his own, waving to both of them.

“Hello, I’m Pugsley. Wednesday’s brother.” He whispers that last part, looking around anxiously before continuing. “Um, she would threaten to cut off toes if I said that too loudly.”

Enid lifts her head; it all makes sense now.

“I’m Enid, the roommate," she leans in and whispers, “and her friend."

Pugsley’s eyes go wide. “I'm impressed. What did you do to gain that title?"

“Willingly go into a murder house, save her from a Hyde, and divide our room evenly with tape."

“You’re lucky to experience her affection.” He says this, grabbing what looked to be a squid tentacle. Enid could hear the disappointment in his voice. Enid started to shift uncomfortably. The thought of Pugsley feeling neglected dampened her mood.

“You experience it too. You just don't know how to read it."

“How do I read what?"

“Her actions, silly. Was there ever a time she did or said something horrible to someone that hurt you?"

“Piranhas in the pool.” He whispers, his eyes shifting around like a ping-pong ball.

“The what?” Enid grimaced at this information.

“The reason she came to this school. She dropped piranhas into the school pool after the bullies inside shoved me in a locker."

Enid thought about what it would be like to have a sibling care for her that much and to be willing to commit attempted murder. Her brothers were not loyal enough for that. In fact, all she remembered was rough housing and arguing, like, well, like animals. She couldn't remember sharing a hug with any of them. Swept up in her feelings and memories, she tells him, "Keep trying to show your affection. One day she might reach out.'' She decided not to mention Wednesday hugging her back. She didn't want to one-up him.

“Enid!"

She turned around to see her family entering the building. “It was nice to meet you.” She connected her and Pugsley’s shoulders so Thing could cross. She took off before Pugsley could reply. He was immediately startled to find Wednesday right behind him.

The rest of the day was all the same for Enid. Her brothers picked on her and tried to start roughhousing, playing frisbee manically. Her mother was loaded with questions like how long her claws are as a wolf and how tall she is. All the answers were still disappointing. Enid felt drained by the end of the day. She knew her limit. She said goodnight to her family, with her dad being the only one to give her a hug.

She gets up to the dorm and finds Wednesday typing away. She turns her chair to face her. “What did you say to Pugsley today? He appeared to have a flicker of hope in his eyes; it was unbearable."

Enid's breath held in her lungs for a little too long. She had prepared herself for this conversation, but that was before she had the emotional labor of her family. “I gave him some advice on reading your actions."

Wednesday's face changed. Not a whole lot, but Enid saw it. Before the conversation could continue, she went out onto the balcony. She starts to cry. Not a messy cry, just drained. She sits on the rail with her legs dangling. She's startled when the stealthiest person she's ever known mirrors her actions, minus the tears.

“You wouldn't want to trade families, would you?” She half-seriously jokes.

Wednesday's face shifts slightly again. As if she solved a case in her mind.

“I could murder them for you. My homicide skills have not been stretched in a while.”

Casually mentioning murdering her family makes Enid grin mournfully. “No, that's ok.”

No one is more caught off than Wednesday when this makes the werewolf grin. She thinks of a different way to comfort her friend.

If murder wasn't the answer,.

Wednesday huffs in some air before hesitantly scooting closer to her friend. She wraps her arm around Enid, placing her hand on her ribs and giving her a little squeeze.

The blonde wasn't expecting it. She tenses up almost as much as Wednesday. Only Wednesday Addams could make this simple task seem so unnatural. Enid forces herself to relax into it after a couple of seconds. She could have sworn her friend relaxed just a fraction as well.

This half-hug was definitely the best part of the day for Enid. Until she noticed, it looked like Wednesday wasn't breathing. It was like her body went into survival mode as she just stared straight ahead. They didn't have the adrenaline driving them to hold on like they did the night of Crackstone, and Enid appreciated the effort the goth was making regardless.

Enid pulled away first, putting her friend back into her comfort zone and breathing instantly after physical contact was broken. “Thanks."

The goth nodded awkwardly, clearly not knowing what the situation called for now. They took in the view of the forest they had in front of them before going back inside.

Chapter Text

It was a more quiet night in the dorm. Enid was updating her blog, Wednesday on the balcony for one of her midnight cello solos. Enid looked at the clock on her laptop, and sure enough, it was 11:57.

She yawned as she could hear Wednesday wrapping up the song, watching Thing flip the last page for her. Thing waved at Enid, and she waved back, of course. She was relaxed and caught off guard.

Enid didn't used to be afraid of spiders, but thanks to the work of her brothers, she's been permanently scared. She had always been told it was normal sibling rivalry. It wasn't until years later that she would realize it was more complicated than that.

She still had flashes every now and then of her being pinned to the ground. Four against one was hopeless. Her brothers were too busy repeating the names Enid’s mother called her in front of them. Doormat. Desperate little fur ball. At this point, Enid had learned that not reacting was her best weapon. She reached a new level of desperation when she saw a spider crawling towards them. She tried to alert them, but the shouting and name-calling were too overpowering. She became out of breath. She watched as the creature crawled closer to her brother’s foot, which was right in front of her face. She could still remember her brother’s barefoot gripping the ground beneath him. Enid’s senses went into overload. She could see the dust in the air. She could smell her own sweat. She could feel her heart rate spike when the scattering sound the spider was making got closer and closer.

Enid watched in horror as the spider crawled on top of his foot, spreading out its legs, and chomped. She swore she still hears her brother howling in pain to this day. The rest of the day was spent in hospitals, and the pack pups got into trouble for even being out in the wooded area.

This memory shoots up to the forefront when Enid sees the same kind of creature spread across her computer screen. Same scatter noise.

The jolt backwards from Enid scares them both, and the spider spreads its legs wider. Enid tried to keep her breathing under control, but her claws came out anyway.

Kill it. Kill it before it attacks, she thought. She gulps and raises her claws. With a force that made her heart skip a couple of beats, Wednesday, death grips her wrist.

“Don't."

If Enid was being honest, she realized she was probably more terrified of Wednesday's dark voice and lethal facial expression. She scooted further away from the laptop, Wednesday in between them now. The spider is still there, its pinchers rotating in different directions.

Wednesday starts to walk towards it, and Enid reaches to grab her friend's wrist but misses and whimpers instead. She props her legs up in her chair. She jumped out of her skin when Thing crawled onto her shoulder.

“Thing, now is not the time to crawl around like that!” The appendage apologizes by patting her shoulder in an attempt to soothe her.

"Wednesday, what are you doing?” Her friend had approached the laptop. She presented her hand to the spider, her fingers moving like a magician's fingers would, like she was its puppeteer.

Wednesday turns to Enid. “I used to train them.” Of course she did, Enid thinks to herself.

The raven turns back to the spider and continues. “The black nail polish can symbolize eyes for a spider.” Enid leans over to see.

The spider was slowly relaxing, and Wednesday’s hand was approaching very slowly. Over time, the spider started to crawl into her palm.

Enid still had adrenaline pumping through her, but she couldn't help but follow as Wednesday headed out the window onto the balcony with her new companion.

Wednesday sets her hand on the wall above them. Enid swore she saw gratitude in the creature's eyes towards Wednesday.

Without a pause to watch the spider take off, Wednesday faces Enid.

“You reek of fear. Not the typical kind, but the kind that's connected to a memory. Care to explain?” Her tone was flat, but there was a hint of concern that only Enid most of the time could catch.

Enid untangled the mess that was her brain at the moment and started to explain her story, Wednesday listening intently to every detail. When Enid finished Wednesday, she broke eye contact and slightly tightened her jaw. “The spider, the one that bit your brother, did it spread its legs out like this one did on your device before it bit down?”

Enid nodded almost shamefully. The memory was imprinted on her. She would never forget it.

“It's a defending stance.” Wednesday makes eye contact, waiting for Enid to piece it all together.

Her bright friend frowns. “Defending? But it approached us. It wouldn't need to defend itself if it crawled away instead of towards us.”

Wednesday huffs with a bit of frustration. “Sinclair, it wasn't defending itself.” She returns inside, leaving Enid with this new door that just opened her view of the memory.

Chapter Text

Enid was starting to regret asking Wednesday for tips on fencing as they approached the forest. “Your main faulty trait is your balance.”

“I'm clumsy. Got it. What else?” Enid asks as they deepen into the woods. She could start to hear the sound of rushing water in front of them.

“You're under the belief that speed is better, which is false. It just makes you unorganized. Your comfort zone is defense, which is acceptable, until it's time to strike.”

Enid couldn't argue with any of these statements. She's a lover, not a fighter. She had no shame in admitting that. As they got closer to the river, Enid started to get nervous as to what her friend's plan was. Needing a distraction, she says, “Question of the day: When did you start fencing?”

Enid was never one to shy away from questions. This had become overwhelming for Wednesday. The girls made a compromise of Wednesday being answering one question per day. Wednesday got a question as well, though she rarely used them.

Wednesday attempted to tell the truth with Enid’s questions. She had no practice opening up. One question a day was a challenge for her. She had an easier time answering the questions whose answers were facts like this one. “My father handed me a sword at 5 years old."

They reached the river and observed the surroundings. The river wasn't the fastest current ever, but it could still do some damage if caught in it. It couldn't have been deeper than to the chest. Between a fallen tree and a couple of boulders, they could cross.

Enid realized her friend's plan. “No. Absolutely not. No.” Enid tells her as Wednesday looks at her, deviously starting to approach the log. She climbs on to it and faces Enid, looking down on her.

“You perform well under pressure, Enid. We need to apply pressure. Think about it: your decision to sabotage the boat at the Poe Cup, your willingness to stand up for yourself to anyone who attempts to disrespect you, and your determination to investigate the upstairs of the Gates mansion to your dismay. You wolfed out when the school needed you. It's an impressive list, actually. You'd make a good hostage.”

Enid fell hard for Wednesday’s compliment, and Wednesday could practically see the dopamine rush in her brain.

Enid wasn't completely fooled, however. “You are insane.” Wednesday takes this compliment. “Perhaps, but that doesn't mean I'm incorrect.” She turns on the fallen tree and starts crossing the river with perfect balance.

“Why do I keep following her?” Enid asks herself out loud in disbelief as she starts to climb. All she could hear was the river flowing. She slowly moves her feet, crossing the log. The trunk was barely tall enough so that Enid’s shoes didn't get wet. She watched as Wednesday jumped from one boulder to another like she was a cat.

Enid wasn't scared of getting wet, but rather of getting swept into the current. She jumped from boulder to boulder well enough, but when her foot slipped on the last boulder, she improvised and jumped premeditatedly. Luckily, Wednesday was there to grab her, as she just lacked a couple inches. Once Enid’s breakfast was back where it should be, she looked up a Wednesday who was looking content. She walks off, leaving Enid on her own.

-

It was approaching the end of the day. Enid’s muscles were starting to lock up. “One more time.” Wednesday says not even breathless from the activity. There was no sign of being winded or challenged at all.

Enid sighed, getting up from the ground and dusting herself off. Not that it mattered, really. She was just going to drop again in a couple of seconds.

Sure enough, a couple of strikes later, Wednesday gets the upper hand, knocking her friend to the ground. “Too eager. Pace yourself.” Enid nods and gets up again.

Wednesday supposed that was enough for the day. She had also adjusted her writing time today that she needed to get to. She looks over at Thing, who’s by her bag, flipping through a magazine, pausing to give her a thumbs up.

The group packed up with ease, and the sun started to set. Enid groans, remembering the crossing of the river. Her shoes were still wet from standing on the rocks. Wednesday goes first. As if she's done this a dozen times, she makes it to the tree trunk in the water with grace.

“Show off," Enid says. She's only sure Wednesday heard her when she turned to face her. “Question of the day: Do you intend on getting back to the school before moonlight?” Wednesday shot back with a smirk. It took Enid way too long to realize she was teasing her back. She was actually being playful back. Her heart swelled at this, giving Wednesday a very unimpressed facial expression.

Right before Enid was about to make her first move to cross, Wednesday's head shot up, all smugness gone from her face, looking directly above her. Enid had never gotten a real answer as to what was happening, but she's seen this before.

The next couple of seconds happened in slow motion for Enid. She watched helplessly as Wednesday fell back, hitting her head. She rolled into the river, her body disappearing under the log, away from Enid’s sight.

Chapter Text

She was going to kill her if this was a joke, was her first thought as she jumped from boulder to boulder as fast as she could. She jumps for the edge of the tree and ends up half in the water, knocking the air out of her lunges, but makes it up regardless.

“Wednesday!"

She looked in the water, finding Wednesday submerged under water pinned by the current. A little tint of red surrounds the area.

Without thinking, she jumps in, the water sending a shock through her body due to the temperature change. Her eyes are closed as she feels around for her friend. She grabbed a hand and pulled. She's surprised it weighs nothing until she realizes its Thing.

She continues reaching until she is able to pull Wednesday high enough so her head is above water. The raven coughs up water, her eyes staying in the back of her head. Enid lifts Thing onto the top of the log.

“Go get help!” Thing scatters back and forth for a minute in panic before taking off towards the school. Enid’s claws are sinking into the log; she's pushing against the current so hard. She looks behind Wednesday to see her bag. She yanks her claws out of the log with one of her hands. She goes through the bag, hoping for something to help. Luckily, she finds a rope.

"Okay, I know you hate physical contact, but I'm going to need you to get over it for a couple of minutes.” She tosses the swords before she turns her body facing the current, water going up her nose. She pulls Wednesday's arms over her shoulders, tying them together around her. Shifting their body weights, Enid begins clawing towards the edge. Her claws break off a couple of times, causing her body to slam into the log. A roar of pain and frustration slips out of her. But she keeps going.

Once they were not in the middle of the river, it should have been easier. She didn't notice a difference; her body had been pushing to the edge. It didn't help that they had been out there for hours beforehand. They reached the other side of the river when Enid rolled, setting Wednesday down, ducking so they were no longer connected.

It was then that Enid finally had a second to think. Between the sore muscles from fencing, her broken claws, her bruised ribs, and the probable hypothermia setting in from the cold water. It's not a bad day's work. Right before she finally fades, she thinks of a small positive to consider.

Her list just got even more impressive.

-

Only a couple of hours had passed when Enid woke up. The headache was agony, but the painkillers took the majority of it away. Then came the questions.

“What were you doing in the woods?” the nurse asks, writing everything down.

“It was my fault. I asked her for tips on fencing, and we just ended up there."

“How did she fall?” The nurse asked, never looking up from her clipboard.

“She just kind of looked like she was in a trance and collapsed. I don't know.” She looked up at the nurse, who didn't seem surprised, and nodded her head.

Enid scoffs in confusion. “That doesn't seem concerning to you?” The nurse looks at Enid, just as baffled.

“Well no. It says in her student file that she's a seer. It sounds like she had a vision. I wouldn't worry too much about it.” The nurse clearly didn't know how much of a bombshell this was since she just turned away.

A seer? As in, she can see parts of the past or future. It all clicked for her. How Wednesday was right based on no evidence. She just knew. Enid always thought she just had a lot of faith in her gut feelings.

She looked over on the other side of the room, where Wednesday was on one of those stretcher beds. They had pumped her with fluids, so she looked more lively than normal. It freaked Enid out that she looked like that. Or was she supposed to feel better about her friend's not looking like herself? Who the hell knows?

The longer she had the information, the longer it hurt. Yet another secret was kept from her. She couldn't help but get irritated at Wednesday. If she had known this information, she would have been way more careful. At least she would have been more prepared.

Of course, the longer she thought about it, the more it made sense. Wednesday never told her. She never asked.

Not an hour later, Wednesday woke up. She looks right at Enid first, then looks down at her IV and pulls it out nonchalantly. Enid clears her throat to get the nurse's attention. Wednesday didn't say much, but yes or no to questions like are you feeling woozy or if she felt pain.

They were both released and told to keep an eye on each other for the night. Enid had a thousand questions circling in her mind, but she finally landed on what the first question was going to be. Wednesday seemed to know something was up when she complimented Enid on her bravery, and Enid gave no reply.

They finally reached their dorm. Wednesday, walking in first and Enid closing the door. She stands there, putting her full weight on the door and her forehead as well. She turns around to find Wednesday staring at her. It felt like hours before Enid checked the clock. 12:21.

“Question of the day: When were you going to tell me you had visions?"

Chapter Text

“Who told you? Or did you figure it out on your own?” Her tone suggested she was angry.

“It doesn't really matter, does it?” Enid’s tone matched hers.

Wednesday turns away, blocking herself. “The date wasn't set as to when I would tell you.”

Enid nods and tries not to take it personally. She was unsuccessful. ‘The date wasn't set.’ It was like she was a doctor's appointment.

“Okay. Who else knows?”

“One question every 24 hours. That was the agreement.” Wednesday replied sternly, whipping around and facing her again. Enid studied her friend's face and caught a glimpse of dread in her eyes. Of what?

Enid was starting to feel like a pressure cooker. She had so many questions. She was starting to regret not asking her first gut reaction question, but the truth was, she was terrified of the answer.

“Okay.” No, it's not; none of this was okay.

“Are you going to bother answering mine, or should I start a witch hunt?” Wednesday's eyes screamed fury.

“Someone who works at the school.” Enid answered simply.

“Who?” Enid tilts her head as if to say ‘gotcha.’ Wednesday was just as stuck as Enid.

The rest of the night was fairly silent. Neither of them was getting what they wanted from the other. It was a comfortable silence, but tension still hung in the air. It was a quiet war that they were both a part of. They both had so much to say, yet they remained silent.

As hard as Enid tried, she couldn't let the questions rest. Every time she thought they would come to a halt, one would start a whole new avalanche.

Enid knew Wednesday was a very private being and lacked a lot of social cues, but not telling her about something like her visions was a big deal to her. Enid never liked secrets. They were messy.

The next day, after classes, Enid decided to go to the library. At least then she could actually do something productive. Wednesday couldn't control the flow of Enid’s book rental.

Wednesday gave her a look of suspicion at the break in routine when she didn't follow her to their dorm after classes. Enid gave her a wink of comfort, knowing she was putting together what she was going to do. Enid was going to respect Wednesday's boundaries with the one question a day, but at least this way she can get what she needs as well.

She's stumped when the library doesn't have much on seers until she realizes she's in the wrong library. As she heads for the Edgar Allen Poe statue, she keeps looking over her shoulder, making sure no one can see her. She snaps twice and watches as the statue slowly moves back, giving her access to the Nightshades library. She has no idea where to start, so she just starts on one side, combing through books. The table of contents of book number 37 was the lucky one. After only about 30 minutes, she had found some answers.

Yes, it hurts Wednesday when she gets a vision. She doesn't have that much control over it, whether she sees or when it happens. They can be in the past or the future. She read about the connections between doves and ravens. She decided it was safe to make an educated guess that Wednesday was the raven.

Suddenly, Wednesday's eagerness to contact Goody made sense. Wednesday is a control freak. If her visions were becoming more unpredictable, she would search for some form of stability.

Realistically, there wasn't a lot of information in this library either. Her eyes are starting to cross. She's so tired, but she keeps reading and taking notes. She doesn't even react when Thing climbs down from the stairs where she's been sitting. He approached cautiously now that he’s in grabbing distance.

“It's okay, Thing. I'm not mad at you. I'm not even really mad at her.” She starts to shift uncomfortably. “It just scared the shit out of me.” Thing taps her wrist a couple of times to comfort her. She has a little tug of war with asking Thing questions.

No, she can't do that to him. Or maybe she could.

“Okay. I'm going to ask a lot of questions. I don't need you to answer them. Just listen, okay?”

He gave her a thumbs up and waited patiently.

“Why couldn't she just tell me? Is it that she thought I wouldn't keep it a secret? Is it because she doesn't trust me? I thought we were finally getting somewhere after our argument and her agreeing with one question a day, then I got this curveball. I mean, I even got her to postpone her writing time by a couple of hours without bribery. Also, what if I hadn't been there to see it? She would probably be dead, Thing, and that might be a good thing from where you're from, but for me, that's a HUGE buzzkill! It's probably because she's not used to trusting someone. I get it. I do. It just feels like a monstrous step backwards.” She struggled to keep from crying at this point.

Thing just listens. He's good at that.

She slammed the book she had in her lap shut and started putting them in the correct order on the shelf. It was time to call it a night. She grabs Thing, letting him rest in her hands as they walk up the stairs. “Thanks for listening," she tells the hand.

The night is chilly, and the moon is near full now. In only a couple of days, she will have claws and teeth the size of forks.

She drags her feet just a little as she walks through the courtyard, letting her be tempted by the moonlight just for a minute.

Enid steps into the dorm with as much stealth as she can, which for Wednesday might as well have been a Minotaur in a china shop. Wednesday was on her bed, reading a book. Enid set her bag down and flopped onto her bed, so she's lying on her stomach. She stays there for a minute before looking over at Wednesday, who’s staring at her. She looks like a wild animal trapped in a cage. Enid looks at the clock. 11:44.

“Relax . It can wait till morning," she says, fighting a yawn. Wednesday's eyes squint with skepticism. Enid rolls over, knowing nothing she said was going to make her friend believe her, so she figured the fastest way to put her at ease was to fall asleep. And she was doing excellent.

-

Enid had the decency to wait to ask her question until they were walking to class. She walks, thinking of what to ask, and that one question burns in her mind again. The one she's scared to ask. She hits the panic button and goes with a question she already asked.

“Who else knows?” Enid shrugs, trying to signify that it's not a big deal. Wednesday didn't need clarification on what she was asking. “A decent amount of the Nightshades at this point, my parents and Weems when she was alive.” They made it to class and started setting down their bags.

The answer wasn't making this easier for Enid. She sulks a little. She attempts to hide it so Wednesday won't get annoyed. Wednesday can read her like a book. She had a suspicion that wasn't what the werewolf wanted to ask. After Enid’s attempt at a surprise party, Wednesday studied her friend's actions before it was revealed she was fooling her. She has a better idea of what Enid’s tells were. The nonchalant shrug at walking into a seance was one of them. Enid’s shrug to this question stuck out to Wednesday like a hand reaching out of the grave in a cemetery.

She asks her question, hoping for more insight as to what that could be.

“What have you learned?"

This sets alarm bells in Enid’s head. Was there something Wednesday didn't want her to know? If so, why not? Enid stutters a little as she answers, "Uh, not much. Just that it hurts, and you can't really control when it happens or what you see.” Enid shrugs, trying to appear casual. She couldn't read Wednesday's expression at all, but her eyes were darker than normal, and her cold stare was less cold.

“If it makes you feel better, the only reason anyone holds the knowledge of my visions is either due to guesses or inconvenient timing.” Her voice was low and firm.

Enid was starting to get nauseous. There were a lot of emotions at the moment. Betrayal wasn't at the forefront so much as surprise and worry. Still, Enid met Wednesday half way.

“I admit that might make it a little better. I still would have appreciated a little more of a heads-up. I know fear is like an addiction for you, but watching your eyes roll in the back of your head and then watching you collapse? So not okay."

Wednesday stops and considers for a moment observing Enid’s bandaged fingers from the claws ripped out. Wednesday was feeling a negative emotion. She was good at those. She kept a secret, and it cost her. Now she owes Enid two favors. Wednesday wasn't someone who needed to learn a lesson twice. Her jaw tightens.

“I'm the one who set the Crackstone statue on fire. I'll never apologize for my actions that day.” She looks straight ahead as she says it. “I do, however, regret disrupting your dance routine. I know you were disturbingly excited about it."

Enid was stunned. She can hear her own words echoing in her head.

Anger, confusion, then realization.

What kind of twisted psycho would want to sabotage such a life-firming event?

She's trying Enid decided. She could practically hear Wednesday.

Take the win, Enid.

Chapter Text

“So, what did you see that day at the river?"

There's that shrug again. It was really starting to make Wednesday concerned, and as impressive as that was, it was also..distracting to her.

“My concussion prevented me from seeing anything significant.” Wednesday's look became unreadable as she debated her next move. It had been days of not getting to the point. Enid was avoiding something. Something more than eye contact from Wednesday, using her painting nails as a shield. She was overanalyzing every detail. In fact, she’s painted that same nail three times.

Wednesday sits in the arm chair and just watches her. Whatever was eating at Enid's mind was starting to eat at hers as well. As much as Wednesday didn't want to admit it, perhaps what troubled her the most was that Enid never had a problem expressing just what she felt or thought. It mirrored herself a bit, minus the over-the-top emotions. This restraint from asking a question was out of pattern. Out of character.

Finally, Wednesday closes her book and asks, “What have you been wanting to ask me all week but won't?”

This gets the wolf’s attention immediately, almost dropping her nail polish all over the bed as she turns to the raven. Wednesday couldn't help but be full of herself for just a second, giving a puny smirk. As if to say, ‘you aren't fooling anyone.'

Enid moved to sit up, knowing this conversation wasn't going to let up anytime soon. In a pathetic attempt to put a stop to the conversation, she states, “To answer that, I'd need to ask you a second question.” She presented it as a threat. Wednesday's response was immediate. “I'm aware, Sinclair. Get on with it.”

Shit Enid thought. She rubs her hands together, trying to keep her claws under control.

One-one thousand. Two-one thousand.

Wednesday waits, staring daggers. She could do this all day. She watches as Enid fails to get the words out a couple of times. Normally, making people uncomfortable would give Wednesday a sick pleasure. But not now. Instead, she was brainstorming how to make it easier for the wolf. She starts to approach Enid, but when she sees what's happening, she says nothing. Enid’s breathing became erratic. Anxiety attack. Her claws were out. A defensive gesture. Not towards Wednesday, but because of her. She was the threat. Wednesday’s next actions surprised both of them.

She sat down on the floor, making herself smaller than the wolf. Looking up at her. “Enid, we can approach the topic at a later time. We don't have to do this right now." Enid could hear Wednesday talking but wasn't able to make sense of the words. How could her mind be spiraling if she couldn't even have a full thought? This is what she imagined drowning feeling like.

“Why couldn't you just tell me?” she asks through tears, not looking at the raven. Wednesday practically flinches away. She knew exactly why, but words were failing her at the moment. She opened her mouth a couple of times to reply, but that was as far as she got. It was like her brain needed a push. Wednesday decided she would need to reroute her approach.

“I'm having difficulty forming a proper response. Would you be okay if I retreated to my typewriter?” She glances at the wolf’s claws, slightly relieved to see them shorter than they were before. The dictionary must have just not existed at the moment since Enid couldn't find a response other than making eye contact and nodding her head.

Wednesday got up and reached for her hand. She squeezed for a microsecond before letting go and strolling to her side of the room. Thing stood on her desk, waiting for orders.

“Keep Enid calm and distracted. Try that colorful card game you two are obsessed with.” Thing motions a salute and struts off to find the Uno cards.

Wednesday sits down at her typewriter and huffs. This was the only time she could recall being hesitant to write. She sighs and tightens her jaw. She has to do this. Before her roommate turned into a puddle, She had felt this feeling before. Guilt. It was horrible. Not good, horrible. But a horrible thing made existing more dreadful than usual. Next came shame and self-judgment.

What a disgustingly human response!

Her fingers just hover over the letters. Why are her eyes slightly twitching? Before she could add it to the list of actions that encouraged her self-disgust, she heard something unexpected. A laugh. Specifically Enid’s. She turns to see Enid and Thing playing their card game on the bed, arguing about something evolving—how many cards to draw. Enid noticed the familiar sound of keys being pushed. Her claws returned to their usual state, tears drying on her face. Breathing became natural again for both the wolf and the raven.

Wednesday had to write it a couple of times before finally her answer felt satisfactory. She hands the note to Enid and returns to the armchair. Mostly a desperate attempt at familiarity but also a concern about triggering Enid again. What was this world coming to for her to be this gentle with someone? She returns to her book, knowing it was pointless.

Enid played with the note in her hand for a couple of seconds. Her courage finally overtook her and she read it:

Enid, first, I'd like to express my actions, which have nothing to do with you. There is no shortcoming to you, but rather to me. My knowledge of my visions suggests I will see destructive, corrupt, negative, and violent things. All of which you are not. Weems knew about my visions, and she’s deceased. Xavier knew about my visions and was then framed for being a monstrous killing machine. The point I am trying to make is that when people know about my visions, harm follows. I thought if I kept you and my visions separate, I wouldn’t have to worry about your safety. It was my desperate attempt at controlling what I could, which wasn't much to begin with. It's no secret that I have no experience with personal relationships. So I would like to express my gratitude to you for being as patient as you have been. I apologize for the harm I caused.

Enid read it over and over again, her smile growing slightly wider each time.

It had nothing to do with me.

It wasn't that she didn't do enough or wasn't worth the trouble of explaining.

Guarding, Shielding, That's what the raven was doing in her own way. Enid was worth protecting.

Chapter Text

It had been a while since Enid had taken this route. Now that there wasn't a rampaging monster killing people in the woods, she felt safe enough to venture a little deeper into the woods. As long as she could still see the school and had one headphone in and one out, she was okay. It was a nice little treat to go for a run in the woods. At the end of the day, she was still a wolf, she thinks as she steps on a log, jumping over it. She would have to return to the dorm soon though, or Wednesday would be starting to interrogate innocent folks.

She begins to head back, looking down and watching where her feet land. She knows it's a bad habit; she can practically head Wednesday scolding her for not being alert to her surroundings. If she hadn't done that, she wouldn't have been able to see that she was about to stop on something. She pulls her foot back just before it was supposed to make contact with whatever it was, bending her body at an awkward angle, making her lose her balance. She tumbles to the ground, losing her only headphone that's now a distant chirp.

The black spec she avoided had darted away onto the closest tree before turning back and observing her on the ground with big brown eyes. It was a tiny black gecko.

“Oh, hello there.” Her tone is excited and inviting as she gets herself off the ground. The reptile blinks his eyes and opens them wider, making Enid feel a little uneasy.

“You remind me of someone,” she confesses, walking closer to the tree. She sticks her hand out, and the tiny creature has no problem climbing onto her hand. His head tilts before his tongue launches to his eyes, giving it a generous lick.

“Oookay, less so now.” Enid grimaced as she took her new friend to her dorm.

-

When Enid entered the dorm Wednesday was at her typewriter, aggressively clicking the keys. Enid ended up being a little late, but she’s sure she will hear all about it once her writing hour is up. She takes her finger and runs it on the gecko's head in an attempt to pet him. His skin feels almost rubbery. She had to admit she knew nothing about gecko’s, what they ate, or what they would need to survive, but she was willing to bet her roommate did.

She waited patiently until the clicking of the typewriter came to a close and Wednesday exited her chair. “Sooooooo… I found something.” She begins hiding the gecko in her hands.

Wednesday, already looking dull in the eyes, just waits for her to show her. This wasn't the first time Enid had brought something home with her; this was, however, the first living thing she had brought home.

Enid uncups her hands, revealing the reptile who tilts his head at Wednesday. She watches her expression go from dull to walled to furious in seconds, taking an immense step back.

“No,” she says, firm and unmoving. Enid thought this might happen. She knows this isn't the first pet to come into Wednesday’s life.

“But it's cold outside; it will snow in a couple of days and-”

“No!” Wednesday roars, making Enid flinch slightly. “He’s not allowed in this room.”

Enid can feel her heart being compressed by the situation. It's not fair to the little guy, it's not fair to her, and it's not even fair to Wednesday, who’s retreated so far back; she’s back to her side of the room where the tape used to be. She knew her battles, and this wasn't one she was going to win. She wipes her eyes with one hand while the gecko is in the other, still staring at Wednesday. She finds an old shoe box under her bed and places him in it.

“At least tell me what they eat.” She pleads, not willing to let Wednesday see her tears.

“Insects.” the goth said bitterly, her arms crossed.

Insects, gross. Great.

Without another word, Enid exits through the window with her new pet.

Her face is still red and puffy when she meets Eugene at his bee hut. He was hesitant about handing over some of his grasshoppers, but it wasn't like they were rare ones.

“Have you named him yet?” Eugene asks as he feeds it. He offered, knowing it wouldn't be in Enid’s wheelhouse considering bugs.

“No, I was thinking Wednesday might want to..but I guess not,” she says, giving him a humorless smile.

“I see,” was all he could say.

Enid wasn't mad at Wednesday. She knew it might have hit a sore spot for her; it was a gamble, but she refused to abandon the gecko. He did nothing wrong. Wednesday said he wasn't allowed in their dorm room; she never said anything about their balcony.

-

Wednesday scoffs, sleep still lingering around her. This was the third time she’s woken up tonight to Enid anxiously whining. The past couple days have been strange. Enid has moved her bed over to the window so she’s able to see the shoe box that's pitifully sitting outside on the balcony. Enid has remained persistent in caring for the reptile. She has continued to ask Eugene for insects to feed him and has managed to find a tupperware container small enough for him.

Wednesday has reached a breaking point; she would never be able to write under these conditions. The rantings of a woman gone mad aren't the muse she was going for this week in her writing. She required sleep.

She gets up from her bed and approaches Enid, who’s still staring out the window vigorously.

“Bring him in.” Her voice is ghostly.

Enid’s head snaps in her direction. “Really?” She’s already almost in tears of joy.

“He stays on your side,” she states solidly. “And tomorrow you throw away that ridiculous shoe box. I'll buy the proper equipment.”

Enid shoots out of bed, slamming against her in a tight hug. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” she all but launches out of the window to pick up the practically falling apart box.

Regret is already building in Wednesday’s stomach as Enid sits on her bed and shows her the lizard again. They battle over who will blink first. The reptile has the advantage; Wednesday still has sleep in her eyes. She returns to her own bed and falls into a deep sleep the rest of the night.

-

It's now two weeks later. A 20-gallon tank stands proudly on Enid’s side of the room, displaying the perfect home for the creature. Wednesday is impressed; just the other day, she witnessed Enid feed her pet with only a grimace. Wednesday has been able to write to her heart's desire. Overall, it wasn't so bad having him inside; he was quiet and was no burden on Wednesday at all because there were times she had forgotten such a thing was there.

Enid comes to the dorm in a rush. “Crap. Crap. Crap,” she whispers to herself as she begins packing her backpack with an outfit. “Hey, can you feed him?” she asks Wednesday, pointing to the cage.

This irritated her. “He still doesn't have a name?”

“I forgot it's a full moon and the clock is ticking, and I so don't have time.” She says it too fast to comprehend, completely steamrolling through her question.

“And don't let him lie to you; he only needs six." If you give him 7, he won't finish it.”

Before Wednesday can answer Enid, she’s out the door for the night, leaving the two alone.

Wednesday contemplated not feeding him. It's not like he will starve; it takes 7 to 14 days for that. Of course she couldn't do that to Enid, so she slowly makes her way towards the cage. Of course, the gecko is there, gawking at her and her at him. She couldn't agree with him more; this is an awkward interaction. However, she’s determined to get it over with so she can get back to her own activities.

It takes a moment before she finds the container of live crickets. She opened the little door on top of the cage before opening the lid of the container. The crickets are fast to hop out, creating the gecko’s excitement. Wednesday is fast to close the container, but alas she counts how many escaped, she finds seven in the cage.

She finds herself watching the chaos the gecko created, eating two instantly with no hunting required as they hop around the cage, each displaying their own strategy for survival. She watches as they try every tactic, from hiding to staying so still as not to be seen. It didn't appear to matter. This gecko was a natural hunter; Wednesday couldn't help but be impressed.

There’s only one left, the 7th cricket, and his only strategy was to hop and run chaotically. The gecko just can't seem to catch it. He clearly wants to, his mouth opening, getting ready to launch his tongue when he gets close, but this cricket is too wild and unpredictable.

This irks Wednesday. She leaves momentarily for her first aid kit, which contains a pair of tweezers perfect for this task. She returns to the cage with a still-determined gecko pursuing the target.

Wednesday catches the cricket easily with the tweezers, sure not to squeeze too hard and not wanting to break its leg.

The vermin’s continuation of struggle was fruitless; the gecko is now aware of its help. Wednesday remains still watching as the lizard approaches his tempting snack with his tongue out and tries not to sneer at the idea of them committing murder together.

The parasite’s death is quick and efficient, but it also breaks whatever bewitchment she was under. She put the lid back on the cage in a hurry, wanting to put whatever that was to rest before it haunted her. This is why she refused to house him in the first place. She will have to talk to Enid about this.

She proceeded with the night’s activities, disgusted by her actions. It wasn't until around midnight that she even looked at Enid’s side of the room again. She looks at the cage to find the lid isn't on properly. It's ajar, placed crooked on top. She rushes over to it, searching for the pet. There weren't many places to look. Once she checked under the log and in the water bowl, she knew the gravity of her situation.

She’s lost Enid’s pet. She immediately looks at the floor, panic starting to set in. She didn't step on him, did she? She retraces her steps. No murder has occurred to her luck.

He’s watching her, mocking her; she’s sure of it as she scans Enid’s side of the room. He couldn't have gone far. It would be effortless to find him on this side, a speck of black in a sea of pastel and bright colors.

After a thorough search, she concludes that he has to be on her side. A rage sets in her at the thought of him climbing all over her things. It takes her a few minutes, but eventually she finds him on her typewriter, of all places. She picks him up with quick reflexes and stares at him, leaning in close.

“If you ever do that again, I'll be sure you join my taxidermy collection.”

The reptile just stares back with as much monotone as Wednesday wishes she was portraying. She puts him back in the cage, making sure it's secure this time.

As she sits back down with her book, she considers whether or not to tell Enid about it or not. It might just make her worried about him because of her threats. Her worries dissipate as her book takes her on a murder mystery.

She begins to feel like she’s sinking into her seat when suddenly she feels something climbing on her. She originally assumed it was Thing but when she spotted it, she froze as she watched the lizard climb into her lap.

They both stared at each other for a long time. She has no idea how he got out now. A part of her is furious and ready to follow through on her threat; the other part of her is mildly impressed that he was able to do it at all.

She watches as he gives his eye a lick before closing his eyes and curving up on her. She convinces herself she doesn't move him because her book is just starting to get good and she can keep an eye on him right where he is.

-

Enid was nervous to come home. Would she still have a lizard? Would she still have a lizard? Would she still have a best friend? Did they kill each other? At first, she thought this was a good idea, pretending to leave in a hurry. She would leave early for the next couple of full moons and see what happened. Wednesday had an open wound; she knew, but she also wasn't interested in having a companion before she met Enid. She just needed a little push then, and maybe she just needs one now too. She just couldn't be the one to do it.

The door creaks as she slowly opens their dorm door. It's silent except for a soothing pace of breathing.

Wednesday is in her writing chair reading a book—some book of shadows, no doubt—with her eyes and fingers scanning the page. At first, Enid doesn't see the gecko curled up against Wednesday’s neck since he blends in with her shirt. He’s awake and staring off in the distance like he does.

“Ivan was terrible.” Wednesday says, the first acknowledgement of Enid being home.

Before she could say anything, Wednesday stood up and placed the lizard in Enid’s hands. “I'm going to get him more crickets from Eugene.” And she was gone like a phantom into the early dawn.