Chapter Text
Song: "You're So Dark" - Artic Monkeys
It was raining when the Addams Family hearse made its way towards the school. Fitting, as the Addams Family brought doom and gloom wherever they went. The short break away from school was nothing short of uneventful for Wednesday Addams. Her days were filled with the usual waterboarding and electrocution of her brother Pugsley in between her scheduled writing and cello time. Pugsley was grateful to have her back home for the extended break, but was now saddened as their time together slowly came to a close. The night before Wednesday was scheduled to leave, Pugsley had been inconsolable with grief. As a way to ease his grief, Wednesday buried him in the family graveyard before she left. It helped, and their parents would be back from dropping off her off in time to dig him up before he ran out of oxygen.
While Gomez and Morticia were just as devastated as Pugsley, they were equally as excited to be bringing her back for her second semester at Nevermore. Morticia’s visions had shown Wednesday doing great things this semester.
Aside from torturing Pugsley, Wednesday texted Xavier occasionally during the break. Her first text to him was a simple two words (It works). Xavier was elated to have received a text from her although he knew better than to push his luck. He decided to send her pictures of his artwork and ask for her blunt feedback. While she didn’t enjoy the tedium of texting and found it difficult to get the hang of, she did enjoy his work. He sent her dark drawings of black dahlias, a night sky during a thunderstorm, and ravens, which seemed to be his favorite. Wednesday still did not want to become a slave to technology, but she had to admit it was convenient.
Daily she would receive a text from Enid. Thing had given Enid her number, something Wednesday severely punished him for. Enid would text Wednesday whatever random thing popped into her head, letting her know every excruciating detail of her day. Although this grated on Wednesday’s nerves, she did enjoy Enid’s distant company. She humored Enid by texting her horrifying observations of her day and pictures of Pugsley in the chair, much to Enid’s distaste.
However, there was one texting partner that was lacking in Wednesday’s newfound social circle. Her stalker who had started sending her threatening messages at the end of last semester. The texts from her stalker stopped as soon as she left the school grounds which was as disappointing as it was informative. Whoever this stalker was must be someone from the school. She couldn't wait to return and dive into her new mystery. After all, a girl’s very first stalker was always the most special.
Slowly the Addams Family hearse made its way up the winding road to the entrance of Nevermore. The castle-like building stood out against the contrast of the grey clouds creating an ominous sense of mystery. No one knew what still may be lurking in the shadows. Just before the hearse pulled around the final bend in the road, Wednesday received a text. It was the eyeball emoji sent to her by the stalker. Intriguing, Wednesday thought.
Xavier was leaning on his luggage when the hearse pulled up to the school. He presented her with a small smile and a wave. Wednesday did not reciprocate the smile or wave. Instead, she remained stoic and unreadable as she clambered out of the hearse. “Xavier. Have you been waiting for me?” she asked.
Stepping away from his luggage his smile grew. “Hi to you too, Wednesday," he said. "My dad's assistant just dropped me off, and I saw you coming up the road. I thought I would stick around and say hi before going up to my room.”
“I see. Well, you said hello, now you must go," she said, pushing him away before her parents could sink their claws in him.
“Wow, I see you really missed me. And I thought we were making leaps and bounds towards becoming real friends,” he said, rolling his eyes.
Just as she feared, her parents stepped out of the hearse, moving with embarrassing enthusiasm towards Xavier. “Wednesday, darling, would you care to introduce us to your handsome friend?" Morticia asked. Her intense stare had Xavier feeling like he was under a spell.
"Mother, Father, this is Xavier Thorpe," Wednesday said, teeth clenched and her fists balled at her sides.
Morticia gracefully stuck her hand out towards Xavier. He glanced down at her long slender fingers with razor sharp nails adorned with black nail polish. He smiled as he took her hand.
"I'm Wednesday's best friend," Xavier said, waggling his eyebrows at Wednesday. She rolled her eyes and thought about all the different ways she could break into his room and kill him in his sleep. "It's nice to meet you."
“Oh! You’re the one Wednesday falsely accused of being a blood thirsty Hyde,” Gomez said jovially. Xavier's smile fell. “The food they served in prison was pretty good, no?” Morticia smiled and lightly patted her husband’s chest.
Xavier grimly thought back to the pile of gray mush they served him while he was awaiting his transport. It was supposed to be meatloaf and was about as tasty as cereal and orange juice. "Yeah, I like when my food stares back at me," he said.
Morticia and Gomez looked at each other and laughed. Wednesday’s frown deepened. She hated small talk. “I like this one,” Gomez said while turning to his daughter. “Do your best to keep this one alive, my little fly trap.” Immediately Wednesday tensed up knowing Xavier would never allow her to forget her father’s pet name for her. Stalker or not, she wished she would have stayed home to save herself from the embarrassment.
“Xavier, isn’t it time you made your way to your room?” Wednesday said. Something in her eyes told him that if he didn’t leave, he would have a very long, torturous semester.
Xavier grabbed his bags. “I should be getting along. It was nice meeting you," he said, nodding towards Morticia and Gomez. “I’ll see you later, my little fly trap.” Wednesday seethed. Later she would rain down hell fire upon him in revenge.
Wednesday turned towards her parents. “Let’s get this over with," she said.
Gomez reached for her and gave her a goodbye hug. Her arms stayed glued to her sides, but her body softened. She would miss her mother and father while she was gone. Although she found them insufferable, they were still great parents and she loved them dearly.
“Gomez, Lurch, would you mind giving Wednesday and I some privacy?” Morticia asked.
The two men nodded and headed back into the hearse, leaving Wednesday and Morticia alone. “Your father and I will call you next week. We are miserable without you already," she said. Her hand hovered over Wednesday's head, wanting to touch her yet wanting to respect her daughter's boundaries. "This semester is sure to teach you new things about yourself and the people around you, but only if you let it. Keep your mind and your eyes wide open. Take care, darling."
“Goodbye mother," Wednesday said.
Morticia blew Wednesday two air kisses on either side of her face then stepped into the hearse, giving one last wave goodbye before shutting the door behind her. Before the hearse was fully out of sight, Wednesday’s phone pinged. Another text from her stalker. It was photos of herself with Xavier and her family. Locking her phone and depositing it back in her coat pocket, Wednesday knew it was time for her to roll up her sleeves and get back to work. But first, she had to face the most horrifying evil of all. She trembled as she began her trek up to Ophelia Hall.
***
“EEEEK!!!” Enid shrieked as Wednesday opened the door of their shared room. Enid quickly ran across the room and threw her arms around Wednesday before she could utter a single protest.
“Enid," Wednesday warned sternly, her eyes narrowing in displeasure.
Reluctantly Enid pulled away, a giant smile plastered to her face. “I’ve been waiting for you all day! I can’t wait to catch up!” she said.
“Enid,” Wednesday repeated. “You texted me all throughout the extended break. What is there to catch up on?”
“Ajax broke up with me last night.” Enid burst into tears, hugging herself tightly.
Wednesday raised an eyebrow. “I’ll get my nail gun," she said.
“No!” Enid said, holding out her hands defensively. “I don’t think that will be necessary. He said he doesn’t see our relationship going anywhere and thinks we need some time apart. But I don’t understand what he means by our relationship isn’t going anywhere! We were doing fine last week and now all of a sudden, he needs time away from me. My heart is totally broken!” Enid walked to her bed and plopped down hard, her head dramatically falling into her hands.
“Relationships are an annoying distraction. Anyone foolish enough to indulge in such an activity deserves all the pain and misery brought on by what you refer to as ‘heartbreak,'" Wednesday said."
"Thanks. I... I think?" Enid said, sniffling and wiping away her tears. “Where’s Thing? Did he come with you?”
Right on cue, Wednesday’s bag began to shake. Thing opened the bag from the inside and climbed out. He made his way over to Enid and crawled onto the palm of her hands. “Oh my God, Thing! I’ve missed you so much. I can’t wait to continue our nightly routine!"
Wednesday’s phone pinged with a new text. Xavier’s name flashed across the screen.
Can you meet me at my art studio in thirty minutes? I have a new drawing I want to show you.
Wednesday’s eyebrows raised in intrigue. Is this new drawing dark and disturbing? she texted back.
Instantly Xavier replied. Wouldn’t bother you if it wasn’t.
Internally Wednesday smiled to herself. She loved dark and disturbing.
“Is that Xavier?” Enid asked, her own eyebrows raised in a similar fashion. Quickly Wednesday fixed her face into her usual deep frown. “I know you guys have been texting during the break. Thing may have spilled the tea.”
Thing at least had the decency to look ashamed. When his friendship first began with Enid, Wednesday had made it explicitly clear that gossiping about her was punishable by death.
“He sent me pictures of his drawings, and I would merely respond with my harsh criticism. It is the least I can do to repay him for last semester’s indiscretions," she said.
“Sure. He did buy you the phone so flirting with him would be the least you could do.”
“I am not flirting."
“I’ll believe that when you don’t ‘Wednesday smile’ at your phone every time he texts you. Thing may have spilled that too.”
Wednesday’s face twisted into an evil look of vile contempt. “What else has Thing told you? Myself and my knife collection would love to know," she said. The thirst for revenge dripped off of every word.
Thing tapped furiously on Enid's bed, his fingers gesticulating wildly.
“Okay, fine. Enough about Xavier. I’m sorry I brought it up. Have you seen Eugene yet?” Enid asked, quickly changing the subject to Eugene to soften Wednesday up.
“Tomorrow afternoon is the first hive meeting. I shall see him then.”
“Well, when you do, can you let him know about the bonfire on Friday?” Enid asked, vibrating with excitement. “We figured after the disaster of last semester we would all get together to welcome in a better semester!”
“End the semester with fire, start the semester with fire. Excellent choice.”
Enid smiled, rolling her eyes, and thinking about how good it was to be back. "You’re going, right?” she asked.
“Can I start the fire?” Wednesday asked, suddenly interested in attending.
Enid’s eyes widened comically. “Only if you promise not to burn the school down.”
Wednesday's shoulders deflated. "What would be the point?"
“You know, I missed your chaotic personality. My days without you were super boring," Enid said, turning away to start unpacking. “So. How's your novel coming along?”
Wednesday began to unpack as well. First, she removed a crowbar, cyanide, and a shrunken head from her suitcase. Then she took out her weapons collection, laying them neatly across her bed. "I killed off a few characters. It should spice up my autobiography nicely," she said.
“Excuse me, what?"
Wednesday checked the time on her wristwatch. It was just about time to meet up with Xavier. “I must get going. I will be back later tonight. Don’t wait up," she said.
“Have fun with Xavier!” Enid said teasingly. Both Enid and Thing waved at her. Wednesday scowled but continued walking. When she got back, she would need to have a talk with Enid and Thing before this unacceptable behavior had a chance to continue.
***
Wednesday quietly let herself into Xavier’s shed. He had his music playing loudly with his back turned towards the door. He was deep in concertation on a new painting. His studio didn’t change much since the last time she had been inside. The paintings of the Hyde had been taken as evidence by the Jericho Police, instead being replaced by portraits of ravens. It looked like as soon as Xavier dropped off his luggage at his dorm, he came straight to the shed and immediately got to work cleaning up. She stood there silently watching him, wondering how long it would take for him to notice her presence. The thought of startling him brought her a small tinge of joy.
Eventually a new song started playing. Xavier turned around to skip the song when he finally noticed Wednesday. Jumping in surprise, he dropped his paintbrush and clutched his pounding chest. “Jesus Christ, can’t you knock?”
“What fun would that be?”
Xavier bent over and picked up his paintbrush, setting it in a cup of water. “You know, I didn’t think you’d show up," he said, smiling. "You never texted me back that you were coming.”
“I was preoccupied with Enid,” Wednesday said, taking a seat on a stool. “Now, show me your new drawing.”
“That’s gotta suck for you being stuck with Enid right now. Ajax told me about their breakup," Xavier said and wiped his paint stained hands on a clean rag. He crossed his arms on the table and leaned towards Wednesday, completely ignoring her demand.
“Are you hearing impaired? I said show me your new drawing. Or do you not anything interesting to show me?” Wednesday asked. “Was this all just a ploy to get me alone with you?”
“Not everything has to be so businesslike. We can still talk and look at my stuff. That’s what friends do.”
Xavier and Enid were two of the only people who did not let Wednesday push them around. While this annoyed Wednesday immensely, she couldn't help but feel respect. Many are afraid of her; those two were not. Sighing, Wednesday consented to some small talk. “While it is horribly inconvenient that Enid is a slave to her feelings, I must admit I missed our in-person interactions," she said.
“Did you miss me?”
“I will leave.”
“Fair enough," Xavier said and stood up, walking to the table across from them. He picked up a crumpled-up piece of paper, smoothed it out, and handed it to Wednesday. “Sorry it’s so messy. I kind of just shoved it in my pocket and came here.”
On the page was a small raven with blood pouring from its gapping wound. It looked like it had been mid flight when its wings had been clipped. The eyes held a familiar fierceness that Wednesday couldn't put her finger on. "Is this from a vision?” Wednesday asked. She traced the blood with her finger, hoping it might trigger a vision of her own. No dice.
Xavier nodded. “I saw it last night. Wasn’t much to it to be honest," he said. "The bird was flying and then someone shot it out of the sky and clipped its wings. The end."
“You have a penchant for drawing ravens,” Wednesday said as she glanced up from the drawing. “What is the significance of ravens to you?”
Xavier shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve always drawn them, but I stopped briefly when I started having visions of the Hyde. Recently within the past few weeks though I’ve been seeing them again," he said.
Wednesday went to hand the paper back to Xavier, their fingers brushing, when her head violently shot backwards. In her vision she saw flashes. She saw herself in the woods. A dark figure was standing behind the trees taking photos of her - presumably her stalker. Then she saw her stalker again in the Nightshades library. They wore a black cloak over their head, concealing their identity. Then her vision brought her to an image of Nevermore engulfed in flames. As quickly as it came, her vision ended, throwing her back into reality. Blinking away the haze of her vision, her eyes adjusted to her surroundings.
“Wednesday, are you okay? What did you see?” Xavier asked. He was holding her upright to prevent her from falling backwards on the stool and cracking her head open.
Ignoring him, Wednesday asked, “Who else has my phone number?”
Xavier helped her sit back up and let go, taking a small step back. “Uh, I guess whoever you gave it to?”
“Not what I meant,” Wednesday snapped. “You gave me the phone, so who did you give my number to?”
“No one," he said, not like the accusatory tone of her voice. “The purpose of me gifting the phone to you was so that you and I could talk. I didn’t pass out your number to everyone and announce that Wednesday Addams was joining the 21st century.”
"I have a stalker, and I think they may be connected to my vision," she said. She pulled out her text messages and handed the phone to Xavier, his face scrunched up in confusion.
After scrolling through for a minute, Xavier handed the phone back. “Well, I’m not your stalker if that’s what you’re thinking. I would have no way to take any of these photos. But you know, it’s very on brand of you to have a stalker," he said.
“I know it’s not you, Xavier,” she said. He breathed a sigh of relief. “But I need your help in locating who this stalker. Can I trust you?”
Xavier looked at her for a moment. Her cold eyes bore into his as she waited impatiently for his answer. “Of course you can, Wednesday. You can always trust me," he said.
The two sat there in silence for a moment, staring at each other. She searched his face for any indication that he may know more than was he was letting on. She found none. “Tomorrow you will show me where you bought the phone. That is where I will begin my investigation," she said.
“What was your vision about?”
“That’s on a need-to-know basis," she said. “Do not tell anyone about the stalker or you will come back here tomorrow to find your shed in a pile of ash. Understood?”
“Yes ma'am.”
***
“Wednesday!” Enid called. The following afternoon Wednesday had been on her way to her Hive meeting with Eugene. She stopped and waited for Enid to catch up to her. “Did you hear the news?”
“What news?”
“Tyler," Enid panted. Wednesday’s eyes widened before narrowing. Enid doubled over with her hands on her knees, admonishing herself for letting herself get so out of shape over the break. "Tyler escaped from prison again. He morphed into the Hyde and they weren’t able to hold him. Do you think he’s on his way?” The first time Tyler had escaped, the authorities were able to catch him within three days. This time they might not be so lucky.
“If he knows what’s good for him, he will stay away," Wednesday said. She had had enough of her past coming to haunt her. “Do you know when he escaped?”
“No.” Enid shook her head. “No one does. I just heard it from Yoko who heard it from Divina who heard it from Kent who read about it in the Jericho news.”
Wednesday rolled her eyes. “I see I will have to go directly to the source to gather accurate information.”
“Wednesday, I don’t think you should be alone right now. If psycho Tyler is loose, you’re in extreme danger. You're like a total target!”
“I do not need a chaperone," Wednesday said, her scowl deepening. “I pity whoever darkens my doorstep.” Wednesday turned and continued walking towards her destination, leaving Enid behind. Her phone pinged but she did not bother to open it. Right now she had more important questions that needed answering.
***
“Eugene!” Wednesday called. The bee shed’s door opened to reveal a smiling Eugene, pleased to be back with his Hive. "I apologize Eugene, but our hive meeting must wait. Tyler is on the loose again.”
His smile quickly dissipated. “Shit. What are you going to do?” he asked.
“I am going to pay Sheriff Galpin a visit.”
“Can I come with? Hummers stick together.”
Wednesday thought for a moment. Last time she involved Eugene, he was seriously injured and spent weeks in a coma. On the other hand, his campy can-do attitude may be useful. “Yes, but you must take the bee suit off first," she said.
Eugene looked down at himself, forgetting he was even wearing it. “Good call. Wait right here. Bee right back," he said. He opened the shed door and quickly disappeared inside.
Wednesday pulled out her phone. Two unread messages, one from Xavier and one from the stalker. She opened the stalker’s message first. Are you scared yet? The message read. A photo of her during her vision the previous night was attached to the message. These texts were starting to infuriate her. She didn’t like that the stalker felt like they had a leg up on her.
Next, she opened Xavier’s message. I guess you heard about Tyler. Enid told me you’re going to the source. I’m coming with you. The last thing Wednesday needed was an audience while she questioned Sheriff Galpin. She really didn’t want Eugene with her but at least he could be put to good use.
No, she responded.
Immediately he texted her back, It wasn’t a request.
Perhaps she had two stalkers. One with evil intent and the other was Xavier, determined to annoy her to death. She couldn’t tell which was worse. As Eugene came back out wearing his school uniform, Xavier walked up. “Hey Xavier. Come to join the hive?” Eugene asked, smiling brightly with his hands on his hips.
Xavier had a grave look on his face. “Sorry Eugene. I’m not here to join. Can I talk to Wednesday alone please? Just for a few minutes,” he said.
Eugene gave Wednesday and Xavier a confused look before once again walking back into the shed for the third time, hoping it would be the last.
“Look, Enid texted me panicking with all the details about Tyler escaping. She’s afraid he’s going to come looking for you, and I think she’s right. Until he’s back behind bars, I’m not leaving you alone," Xavier said.
“I can handle myself," Wednesday said. Despite their height difference, Wednesday was easily able to assert her dominance over Xavier. “I do not need your protection. Your presence will only hinder my investigation.”
“Yeah, maybe. Or maybe it's my turn to save your life. Who knows? All I know is that it’s dangerous for you to be alone right now. We already know you’re being tracked. We don’t know if it’s Tyler or someone else so you need to be careful. Let me help.”
“And how exactly will you help against a Hyde? Is your plan to draw a couple of spiders and make them crawl on the monster?” Wednesday taunted.
Xavier rolled his eyes. “You’re not the only one who gets visions.”
Wednesday crossed her arms defiantly over her chest. “Regardless of if I disagree, you still will not do as I say and leave me alone, correct?” she said.
Xavier gave her a cheeky grin. “Exactly. So either you suck it up and willingly let me help or I’ll be your worst nightmare. Your choice, Addams," he said, crossing his arms to mimic her.
Wednesday could feel a tension headache forming. “If you insist on riding my coattails like a lost puppy, you must pledge you undying loyalty to me," she said.
“Scouts honor.” Xavier saluted.
“Eugene!” Wednesday called over her shoulder. “We have a new member of the Hive.”
***
“Sheriff Galpin,” Wednesday said as she stormed into his office.
He was sitting hunched over his desk, coffee cup in one hand and a stack of papers in the other. He looked tired and like he had aged fifty years overnight. "Addams, I’ve been expecting you,” he replied while setting down both the coffee cup and the papers. He stood up and shoved his hands into his front pockets. “Let’s get this over with.”
“When did Tyler escape?”
“Listen, you helped us last time, but we will not be partnering up again. You have nothing to worry about when it comes to your safety. I have it handled," he said, dismissing her and sitting back down.
Wednesday took out her six inch blade from her boot and slammed it directly into Sheriff Galpin’s desk. Xavier, who was standing at the door, stared at her with wide, shocked eyes. Sheriff Galpin didn't even blink. “I am not asking to partner up. I asked when did he escape. I will give you one more chance before I lose my patience, Sheriff," she said.
“One, you do not give me orders," Sheriff Galpin said, his voice rising. "Two, I will give you one more chance to leave my office before I call in my biggest cops to drag you and your friend out. Is that understood?”
Wednesday leaned over the desk to glare directly into his eyes. Sheriff Galpin showed little reaction on the outside but on the inside he felt unsettled by her fierce, unblinking stare. “I suddenly started to receive cryptic text messages and photos of myself around Nevermore shortly after your son escapes his cell," she said. "This is my business, and I will get the answers I require. Let’s try a new question. Maybe you can answer this: do you have the balls to take your own son down when he comes back to Nevermore to finish what he started?”
“Wednesday,” Xavier warned while putting his hand on her shoulder. She brushed his hand off easily and continued to stare down the Sheriff.
Sheriff Galpin stood up again and leaned towards Wednesday with his hands firmly planted on his desk. “You’re out of line!" he said.
“I’d say I’m in line," she said. "It’s a fair question to ask when my life as well as others are in jeopardy. Do you want more blood on your hands?” A tense minute went by as they stared each other down. Having made her point, Wednesday took a step back.
Sheriff Galpin sighed. As much as he hated Wednesday Addams, he knew she was right. Possibly this could be the reason why he hated her so much. “Fine. He escaped last night at around midnight," he said, giving in. He put his hands on his hips and looked at the floor. "He morphed into the Hyde and killed all the guards. I have no idea where he went or where he’s going. I talked to him a few times after his arrest. It felt like he and I were finally beginning to act like father and son, despite a plexiglass wall between us. He seemed to be fighting against his darker side without Laurel controlling him. I thought maybe he was getting better."
“Where is Laurel?”
“Where she belongs. In a maximum-security prison.”
“Have you alerted the prison staff that your son is loose and will come looking to break out his master?”
Sheriff Galpin scrubbed his face with his hand. “Yes, Addams. This isn’t my first rodeo," he said.
“What are you doing to find Tyler?” Wednesday asked, doubting he even had a plan. His small-town police force would be easy for Tyler to evade.
“We are doing our best. I’ve got every cop out there looking for him. Even the surrounding jurisdictions have joined the search," he said and took a deep breath. “When we do find him, I will personally lock him back up.”
Wednesday grabbed the knife and pulled it out of his desk. She turned around and started walking away. At the last moment she stopped and turned to face Sheriff Galpin one more time. Her voice grew softer as the anger left her body. “I mean this in the most respectful way," she said. He met her eyes with the sadness of a defeated father. "Maybe it’s time to hang up your badge, Sheriff.” He breathed loudly out of his nose and turned to look away. As much as he hated Wednesday Addams, she was always right.
Wednesday and Xavier walked out of Sheriff Galpin's office, grabbing Eugene on their way out. He was chatting animatedly to the Sheriff’s secretary about the bee’s hibernation cycle. The secretary looked like she was about to fall asleep. When he saw Wednesday and Xavier, he said his goodbyes and the secretary breathed a sigh of relief.
“How’d it go? Hey, is that a knife if your hand?” Eugene asked as they walked out into the cool air.
Wednesday stopped and shoved Xavier against the building, holding the knife up to his throat. “If you want to continue this investigation with me, do not ever attempt to stand in my way again or I will not hesitate to cut all of your precious fingers off one by one," she said.
“Uh guys? What’s going on? What happened?”
Xavier didn't cower from her. Instead, he became angry and matched Wednesday’s energy. “You stuck a knife in the Sheriff’s desk and then kicked him while he’s down. Someone had to bring you down a notch or you would have ended up in jail," he said.
“Dude, you did what?” Eugene asked, flabbergasted.
“My interrogating methods brought results. I didn’t say anything that was untrue," Wednesday said.
Xavier rolled his eyes. "Look, you’re right. You did get some results, but I still don’t agree with your methods. We will have to agree to disagree," he said, brushing his loose hanging hair out of his face, completely unperturbed by the knife at his throat. “I guess I shouldn’t have expected any less from you. You are bat shit crazy.”
Taking the compliment, Wednesday backed off and put the knife away. “This is your first pass, Xavier. I will not make another exception," she warned.
“Gee thanks," he said sarcastically. Together they started walking back in the direction of Nevermore. “So, you think Sheriff Galpin is telling the truth?”
“He seemed a little too pitiful to be deceptive. I don’t think he knows where Tyler is. Neither do I think Tyler is my stalker.”
“Woah, wait," Eugene said, halting his stride. “You have a stalker? Is someone going to fill me in?”
Wednesday and Xavier kept walking. “Come, Eugene. I’ll explain on the way,” she said.
Sighing, Eugene hurried to catch up. Being friends with Wednesday was exhausting.
***
Song: "Violet Tree" - M83
Wednesday was back in her room later that night working on the sequel to her novel. She had attempted to write the latest chapter at least three times. Each time ended up being crumpled and tossed to the side. Thing and Enid laid on Enid's bed painting each other’s nails, ignoring the angry typing coming from Wednesday's side of the room. Wednesday elected not to share the details of her interrogation with the Sheriff or reveal that she had a stalker. At least not yet. She had too much on her mind and did not feel like sharing.
Another page was ripped out of the typewriter and thrown across the room. Wednesday groaned and threw her hands up. Thing and Enid barely acknowledged her. Just like Eugene at the police station, they both agreed it was better not to get in Wednesday’s way.
As she was about to begin typing again, her phone pinged.
I’m sorry about today. Still friends? – Xavier
I don’t need your apology. - Wednesday
So is that a yes? – Xavier
I will block your number if you continue texting me during my writing time. – Wednesday
Understood. Sweet dreams, my little fly trap. Xavier included a black heart emoji in his text.
He is insufferable, Wednesday thought to herself. His text messages and his lack of a reaction to having a knife pressed against his jugular made Wednesday feel a strange flutter in the pit of her stomach. It was probably indigestion from the food served at dinner. It would take a while before she was used to the kitchen staff's cooking. It was all under seasoned food with limited imagination. No one could whip up a meal quite like Lurch.
“Ooo, is Wednesday Addams smiling?” Enid teased. Thing and Enid had agreed long ago that Wednesday does in fact smile in her own way. Her mouth never moves, but her eyes will light up in a barely noticeable way. The two have dubbed this the Wednesday Addams smile, completely unique to only her.
Whatever trace of a smile she had left her face. Her phone lit up with a new text as she was considering dumping out Enid's shampoo and replacing it with Nair. The new text message had been sent by her stalker. She opened the text and saw photos of herself with Enid, Eugene and Xavier, Sheriff Galpin, and of herself moments ago while she was texting Xavier. Her stalker was close. She jumped to her feet and ran out the door in a streak of black and gray.
“Wednesday? Where are you going?” Enid called after her. When Wednesday didn’t respond, she immediately opened her phone and began to dial Xavier’s number.
Wednesday had no time to explain. She wasn't about to let her stalker get away so easily.