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Chapter Text

"Hello! I'm Principal Weems and I'll be helping you through orientation today," a tall blonde-haired woman says. A young girl, with fiery, red hair stands in an office. She wears a jacket, long sleeve shirt, and leggings: all white. She says nothing, "Well, let's start, shall we? Go ahead and have a seat."

The girl obeys and sits down in a faux leather chair in the office. The principal opens her Macbook and begins to look up the student's information.

"What is your last name again?" she asks, smiling.

"Adler," the girl answers quietly. She does not smile, instead wearing a blank face.

"Right, I have all your information here. It says... your parents are no longer with you?" Principal Weems asks hesitantly.

"Correct."

"I'm very sorry about that... Nevermore will be your new family, I assure you," she smiles. The girl does not respond and after a moment of silence, the principal continues, "Well, your dorm hall is Othello Hall, shall we go meet new your roommate?"

"Okay."

"Lovely," the principal smiles. She stands up and leads the way out to the dorm halls. Othello Hall is named after Shakespeare's tragedy Othello. The girl only has two suitcases with her that she carries as they head to the dorm hall.

Lots of other students walk around campus, as it is the weekend before the semester begins. All kinds of outcasts are welcome at Nevermore Academy; vampires, werewolves, gorgons, sirens, psychics, shapeshifters, and many more.

Principal Weems leads the girl into the hall, taking her to a room on the first floor.

"This is your roommate, Enid Sinclair," she introduces her. Enid, a girl who has blonde hair but has dyed it at the tips, turns around. She's already moved in.

"Hi, it's nice to meet you!" she beams with excitement. She runs up to hug the other girl, who is dressed in all white. The redhead allows Enid to hug her but doesn't hug back. Enid jumps back, "Ow!"

"Sorry, I got nervous," the redhead meekly apologizes. She runs her gloved hands through her red hair. She avoids her roommate's gaze.

"Enid, this is Tana Adler. She has the psychic ability to control fire. She wears all white to protect herself and others from burns," Principal Weems explains.

"Oh, okay, that's so cool!" she smiles. Tana looks up, knowing Enid isn't going to yell at her, but she keeps her blank face.

"Well, I'll let you get settled in. Mrs. Thatcher should be stopping in to meet you soon," Principal Weems says. She leaves their room, shutting the door behind her.

"Do you need any help unpacking?" Enid asks as the redhead walks over to her bed.

"No thank you," Tana replies quietly. The blonde-haired girl sits back on her bed, her side of the room already set up. As the redhead unpacks, Enid grows uncomfortable with the silence.

"Do you wanna play 21 questions?"

"What is that?" Tana asks, turning to face her. Enid's jaw drops.

"You've never played 21 questions?" she exclaims. The redhead nods her head 'no', "Well basically, it's just a game to get to know other people. You go back and forth asking questions about each other until you've asked 21."

"Okay."

"Where are you from?" Enid starts.

"Anchorage, Alaska," Tana replies.

"Wow, that's far," she says, "Now you ask a question."

"Where... are you from?"

Enid laughs, "San Francisco, California. Do you have brothers or sisters?"

"No," Tana answers, "Do you have brothers or sisters?"

"I have four brothers," she explains, "you don't have to ask the same questions I do, by the way."

"Okay."

"Do you have social media?" Enid asks.

"No. Do you like unicorns?" Tana asks, looking at the stuffed animals lined up behind her.

"Yeah, I like all animals but unicorns are my favorite," she smiles, "Do you have a phone?"

"No," the redhead answers, "What is your... species?"

"Oh, I'm a werewolf," Enid answers. She holds her hands up and brings her claws out, "What kind of music do you like?"

"Classical. Do you shed?" Tana asks. Her roommate laughs.

"No, not like that. I haven't wolfed out yet," the girl becomes quiet before continuing, "What happens when it rains?"

"What do you mean?"

"Like, do your powers go away?" she elaborates.

"Oh, yes. I wouldn't be able to shower if I had my powers," the redhead explains, "Have you gone here your whole life?"

"Well, I went to a normie school in San Francisco for elementary and middle school. Then I transferred here, like my brothers," Enid explains, "How did you live in Alaska with your powers?"

"The cold doesn't affect them, actually, it makes them stronger," Tana explains, starting to warm up to her roommate, "the townspeople liked when we cleared the roads for free. Are the people here nice? Outside of Nevermore?"

"The locals, no," the blonde-haired girl sighs, "and there are cliques here at Nevermore, but we are all one big family. Do you do anything for fun? Like, we have a fencing team here."

The redhead shakes her head, "My powers are a little uncontrollable, so I don't really do sports."

"What about like art though?"

She shrugs, "I guess I've never tried. Do you fence?"

"Yeah, and I'm going to be competing in the Poe Cup again this year," she exclaims excitedly, "It's a canoe race with no rules! It's gonna be totally awesome. Do you like nail polish? My friend Yoko hosts mani-pedi parties sometimes. We could go together?"

Tana looks down, "I can't. It will just burn away."

"You could still come with if you want!" Enid offers. Tana nods.

"Okay. What does 'wolfing out' mean?" the redhead questions, referencing her question from earlier about shedding. Enid's bubbly smile fades.

"It's when we transform into actual wolves. It doesn't usually happen until you've hit puberty," she explains, "I'm a late bloomer."

"And what does that mean?"

"On full moons I don't transform," the blonde exclaims. She brings her hands up and pulls her claws out, "I only have claws. When will you be able to control your powers? Are you like sick right now or something?"

Tana looks away, "I don't know. They just got messed up. I used to be able to control them."

"Weird," Enid comments, "I'm sure there's someone here who can help you. Did you like your old school?"

"It was fine," she answers, "Are classes hard?"

"If you pay attention in class, no," her roommate answers, "Do you have a lot friends back home?"

Tana's slight smile suddenly drops, "no. I want to be done with this game."

"Oh, okay," Enid says, "I didn't mean to——"

"Let's not talk about it."

Silence falls between the two girls as Tana walks back to her bed, turning her back to Enid. The werewolf wonders if she was telling the truth or if something bad happened back home. The door to the room opens, scaring Tana. She turns to the door, with her red hair bursting into flames.

"Jesus!" Enid exclaims.

"Sorry," Tana says, running her hands through her hair to put out the flames. It returns to its normal red color, leaving Enid in awe of her roommate's powers.

"Sorry, Tana I didn't mean to spook you," a lady says, "I'm Mrs. Thatcher, your dorm mom, and culinary teacher."

"Hi," Enid says.

"Hello."

"Are you both settling in well?" she asks. Both girls nod, "Okay, there's only a couple of dorm rules. Lights out at 10:00 PM, keep music to a respectable volume, and no boys in the dorm please."

"Got it," Enid says.

"Okay."

"Oh and your uniform is at the registrar's office along with your class schedule. I can take you or Enid could show you where it is," Mrs. Thatcher says.

"Okay. Will you take me later?" Tana turns to her roommate. The werewolf smiles, knowing that Tana isn't too upset with her. She doesn't know why, but she just figures maybe the normies weren't nice to her.

"Sounds good, if you need me I'll be down the hall," Mrs. Thatcher says. She leaves the room and shuts the door behind her. Enid looks over at her roommate, who turns away from her to finish unpacking. She wants to ask more about Tana's powers but doesn't want to upset her.

"Tana?"

"Yes?"

"Can I ask you a question? About your hair?" Enid asks hesitantly.

"Go ahead," the girl answers, turning around.

"How is it not dead after... being on fire?!?" the werewolf exclaims. Tana shrugs.

"It's always done that. It becomes brighter when I get scared or excited, or any like big emotion. The only times it doesn't is when I'm sick or sad."

"Can you do it on command?"

Tana nods and her hair bursts into flames again.

"Holy cow! That's so cool!" Enid exclaims. Although her hair creates smoke, which trails up to the ceiling and sets off the fire alarm, "Oh no!"

Water bursts from the sprinklers above and lots of shouting erupt in Othello Hall. Enid and Tana begin to laugh and as the water comes down, Tana's hair is put out. The two run out of the dorm hall together. Mrs. Thatcher smiles knowing she can't be mad at the girl for showing off.

"Tana, you're so cool!"

Chapter Text

"Wednesday is certainly a unique name," Principal Weems says. A new student, Wednesday Addams, sits in her office on a regular school day in the fall semester, "I'm guessing it was the day of the week you were born?"

"I was born on Friday the 13th," the girl answers. She wears all black, her hair done in two braids. Her parents, sitting on both sides of her, matched in color scheme.

"Her name comes from a line from my favorite nursery rhyme, 'Wednesday's child is full of woe'," her mother explains.

"You always had a unique perspective on the world, Morticia," the blonde-haired principal replies.

"Hmm."

"Did your mother tell you we were roommates back in the day?" Principal Weems asks.

"And you graduated with your sanity intact?" Wednesday replies, "impressive."

"You've certainly had a very interesting educational journey," the principal moves on, "eight schools in five years."

"They haven't built one strong enough to hold me," the girl explains, "I bet this place won't be any different."

"I believe what our daughter is trying to say, is that she greatly appreciates the opportunity," her father says.

"Nevermore doesn't usually accept students mid-term, but given Wednesday's perfect grades and your family's long history with the school, I've spoken with the board and we've made an exception," Principal Weems says. Wednesday's parents smile with excitement while the girl, herself, would rather be dead.

"Larissa, what about Wednesday's, um... therapy sessions? The court ordered them," Morticia asks. Wednesday was expelled from her latest school for releasing piranhas in the school's pool while the boy's polo team was practicing.

"The school has a relationship with a therapist in Jericho. She can meet twice a week."

"Did you hear that, my little storm cloud?" Wednesday's father, Gomez, asks, "you're in excellent hands."

"We'll see if she survives the first session," Wednesday taunts.

"I've assigned you to your mother's old dorm. Ophelia Hall," Principal Weems announces. Morticia smiles, excited for her daughter to see what life was like for her back in the day.

"Refresh my memory," the girl turns to her mother, "Ophelia's the one who kills herself after being driven mad by her family, correct?"

Her mother nods with a smile.

"Should we go meet your new roommate?" the principal asks. The three adults stand up and begin to exit before Wednesday stands up, heavily sighing.

The four walk to Ophelia Hall with Wednesday's trunks, packed with all her personal items. They go into the building, up to the third floor. Principal Weems opens the door to Wednesday's room. The girl walks in and a blonde-haired girl, her new roommate, stands up.

On the back wall is a big circular window, covered in colorful vinyl, giving it a stained-glass look. Wednesday's roommate's side of the room is heavily decorated with color, stuffed animals, and all things girly.

"It's so... vivid," Wednesday's father comments.

"Howdy, roomie!" the girl exclaims excitedly.

"Wednesday, this is Enid Sinclair," Principal Weems introduces.

"Are you feeling okay?" the girl asks, "you look a little.. pale."

"Wednesday always looks half-dead," her father answers nonchalantly.

"Oh," Enid says softly, "Welcome to Ophelia Hall."

She goes in for a hug, to which Wednesday backs away, "Not a hugger. Got it."

"Please excuse Wednesday," Morticia says, "she's allergic to color."

"Oh, wow. What happens to you?" Enid questions.

"I break out into hives and then the flesh peels off my bones," Wednesday answers flatly.

"Luckily, we've special ordered you a uniform," Principal Weems adds, "Enid, please take Wednesday to the registrar's office to pick it up along with a copy of her schedule, and give her a tour along the way."

Enid smiles, excited for a new roommate. Wednesday just turns and tries not to murder her parents on site. The blonde happily skips out of the room behind her.

"Nevermore was founded in 1791 to educate people like us," Enid starts as the two walk down the stairs, "outcasts, freaks, monsters, fill in your favorite marginalized group here."

"You can save the sanitized sales pitch," Wednesday interrupts, "I don't plan on staying here for long."

"Why not?"

"This was my parents' idea," she says as they stop at the bottom of the stairs, "Oh look, there's my mother smirking at me."

A picture of the Nevermore Fencing Squad hangs on the wall, Morticia front and center.

"They've been looking for any excuse to send me here," Wednesday continues, "it's all a part of their nefarious, yet completely obvious plan."

"What plan?" Enid inquires.

"To turn me into a version of themselves," she answers.

"Well, in that case, perhaps you can clear something up," her roommate says, continuing to show her around, "Rumor's been swirling around that you killed a kid at your old school, and your parents pulled strings to get you off."

"Actually, it was two kids, but who's counting?" Wednesday says nonchalantly. Enid looks a little scared by the girl's statement but continues to walk with her. She opens two doors out to a courtyard where most of the students hang out.

"Welcome to the quad," she announces. Wednesday looks around and sighs.

"It's a pentagon," she corrects.

"The whole snarky Goth girl thing might have worked at normie school, but here things are different," Enid says, growing tired of the girl's comments, "Let me give you a wiki on Nevermore's social scene."

Enid begins to walk around the quad.

"I'm not interested in participating in tribal adolescent clichés," Wednesday comments.

"Well, then use it to fill your obviously bottomless pit of disdain," the blonde fires back, "there are many flavors of outcasts here, but the four main cliques are Fangs, Furs, Stoners, and Scales. Those are the Fangs, AKA vampires."

A group of students sit at a table, all wearing sunglasses and sipping on red beverages, presumably blood.

"Some of them have literally been here for decades," Enid exclaims. They continue walking and stop at a table of rowdy, hairy students, "That bunch of knuckleheads are Furs, AKA werewolves. Like me."

They all howl as the two girls pass by.

"Full moons get pretty loud around here. That's when Furs like, wolf out. I suggest you pick up some noise-canceling headphones," she says.

"I'm assuming Scales are sirens?" Wednesday asks, noticing a couple of girls sitting at the water feature in the middle of the quad.

"You catch on quick," Enid confirms, "and that girl, Bianca Barclay, is the closest thing Nevermore has to royalty. Although her crown's been slipping lately. She used to date our resident tortured artist, Xavier Thorpe. But they broke up at the beginning of the semester. Reason unknown."

"Fascinating," Wednesday sarcastically answers.

"I know, right? My blog is, like, the number one source for Nevermore gossip," the blonde explains.

"Yo, Enid!" a boy calls, "you're not gonna believe the dirt I heard about your new roommate. She eats human flesh. Totally chowed down on that kid she murdered. You better watch your back."

Enid takes a step back to reveal the shorter girl standing behind her.

"Quite the contrary," she says, "I actually fillet the bodies of my victims, then feed them to my menagerie of pets."

"Ajax, this is my new roommate, Wednesday," Enid introduces. The boy looks fearful, with his snakes popping out of his beanie.

"Whoa. You're in black and white," the gorgon comments, "like a living Instagram filter."

"Ignore him," the blonde interrupts, "Gorgons spend way too much time getting stoned."

She pushes the boy away, "he's cute but clueless."

Wednesday looks around once again, only this time someone catches her eye. A redheaded girl, dressed in an all-white Nevermore uniform.

"And what species is she?" she asks Enid. The blonde turns and her smile drops.

"Oh, that's Tana. She can control fire," the girl huffs.

"Is there something wrong with her?" Wednesday inquires.

Her roommate sighs, "No, I just... we don't need to talk about her."

Wednesday's interest becomes peaked by Enid's dislike for the random girl. She begins to walk over to her.

"Wednesday! What are you doing?" her roommate calls after her. She walks up to the redhead, bumping shoulders with her.

"Oh, sorry, am I in your way?" the redhead asks. She turns up and sees Enid coming up behind Wednesday, "I'll go, sorry to bother you."

Tana practically runs away. The whole quad watches the redhead before their eyes turn to Wednesday and Enid. The Addams girl lifts her eyebrows in confusion.

"You shouldn't hang out with her Wednesday," Enid says.

"Elaborate."

"At the beginning of the school year, she was roommates with me in Othello Hall. Two weeks after school started, a fire started in the hall. It burnt down and all the students had to be moved," the blonde girl explains.

"She set fire to a dorm? Bold move," Wednesday comments.

"It's not funny, Wednesday. I could've died," Enid exclaims, "come on, let's go."

***

Later that night, Enid comes in as Wednesday finishes 'decorating'.

"What the hell did you do to my room?" she asks.

"Dividing our room equally," Wednesday answers as she removes the last piece of vinyl on her side. She kicks it over to Enid's, "it looks like a rainbow vomited on your side."

"I——"

"Silence would be appreciated," the black-haired girl cuts her off, "This is my writing time."

The girl sits down at her desk, a typewriter on top of it.

"Your writing time?"

"I devote an hour a day to my novel," she explains, "Perhaps if you did the same, your blog might be coherent. I've read serial killer diaries with better punctuation."

"I write in my voice," the girl defends, "it's my truth. It's what my followers love."

"Your followers are clearly imbeciles," the black-haired girl insults. She gets up from her desk to face her roommate, "they respond to your stories with insipid little pictures."

"Uh, you mean, emojis?" Enid questions, "It's how people express their feelings. You know, I realize that's a foreign concept to you."

"When I look at you, the following emojis come to mind: rope, shovel, hole," Wednesday turns to go back to her desk, "by the way, there are two D's in Addams. If you're going to gossip about me, at least spell my name correctly."

Enid responds to her insults by turning her music on. Pop music.

"Turn that off," her roommate demands. Enid dances around her side of the room, ignoring Wednesday, "this is your final warning."

Before the Addams girl can get close, Enid brings her claws out.

"Don't mess with me," she threatens, "this kitty's got claws, and I'm not afraid to use them."

The door to their room opens, and a redheaded woman comes in.

"Good evening, girls," she greets as Enid puts her claws away, "oh, sorry about the mud. I wanted to make sure that Wednesday was settling in."

The woman takes a look around the room. Two polar opposite sides and the black duct tape down the middle of the room.

"Ah. Is this a bad time?" she questions, "I'm Ms. Thornhill, your dorm mom. Apologies, I wasn't here to greet you when you arrived. I trust Enid has given you the old Nevermore welcome."

"She's been smothering me with hospitality. I hope to return the favor," Wednesday says, "in her sleep."

Enid's smile drops.

"Well, here's a little welcome gift from my conservatory," Ms. Thornhill continues, giving her a black flower, "I try to match the right flower to each of my girls. And when I read your personal statement in your application, I immediately thought of this one."

"The black dahlia," the girl comments.

"Oh, you know it?" the teacher asks excitedly.

"Of course. It's named after my favorite unsolved murder," Ms. Thornhill's expression becomes more concerned with each statement that comes from the new student's mouth, "thank you."

"Okey-dokey. Before I leave, I want to go over a few house rules," Ms. Thornhill starts, "Lights off at 10:00, no loud music, and no boys, ever."

"What's the story about going into the local town?" Wednesday inquires.

"Passes to Jericho are a privilege, not a right. It's a brisk 25-minute walk, or there's a shuttle on the weekends," the teacher answers, "the locals are a tad bit wary about Nevermore, so please don't go making any waves, or perpetuating any outcast stereotypes. That means keep your claws to yourself, and no smothering people in their sleep. Are we clear?"

The girls don't answer.

"Great talk."

***

The next morning is Wednesday's first day of school. First up, fencing. Usually, fencing gear is all white, so blood is noticeable if it is drawn, but Wednesday does not wear color, only allowing white as an accent color. So naturally, heads turn when she walks in with an all-black suit.

She stops at a mat when a boy falls, losing the point to his opponent.

"Coach, Coach, she tripped me," the boy exclaims, taking his mask off.

"It was a clean strike, Rowan," the Coach argues. Bianca Barclay is under the other mask.

"Maybe if you whined less and practiced more, you wouldn't suck," she taunts, "Seriously, Coach, when am I gonna get some real competition? Anyone else want to challenge me?"

"I do," Wednesday announces. Bianca turns.

"Oh, you must be the psychopath they let in," she sneers.

"And you must be the self-appointed Queen Bee," the Addams girl fires back, "interesting thing about bees. Pull out their stingers, they drop dead."

"Ooh!" other students jeer.

"Rowan doesn't need you to come to his defense," she says, "he's not helpless, he's lazy."

Wednesday, having no interest in the boy at all says, "are we doing this or not?"

Bianca nods and Wednesday takes her place on the other side of the mat. Both put their masks on.

"En garde," the coach announces. Both take their stances, the other students watching. Bianca makes the first move and Wednesday doesn't flinch. When she strikes again, the Addams girl moves in to make her strike. The two begin swinging at each other, Wednesday playing a more defensive game. Her footwork is steady and their game draws the attention of everyone in the room.

The two grunt as they continue and after a minute, Wednesday pins Bianca.

"Point to Wednesday," the coach says. The two set up again and continue to fence. This time, Wednesday makes bolder strikes toward Bianca, backing her up to the end of the mat. Although in a matter of seconds, Bianca taps Wednesday.

"The score is even."

Wednesday takes her mask off, with her usual blank stare. Bianca takes hers off, a devilish smile on hers.

"That first point was clearly beginner's luck," she sneers, "let's finish this."

"For the final point, I would like to invoke a military challenge. No masks. No tips," Wednesday challenges.

"Ooo," the students murmur. Tana stands a couple of feet away from the coach, in her Nevermore uniform.

"Winner draws first blood."

"It's your decision, Bianca," the coach says. Bianca drops her look of disbelief and brings her sly grin back.

"Let's see if you bleed in black and white."

Bianca throws her mask down and Wednesday immediately lunges at the girl. This round is less like fencing and more like sword fighting. Aggressive swings and more defensive movement to avoid being slashed. The two dance around the room, avoiding the sharp metal swords. Contrary to Bianca's statement, Wednesday has had prior training in martial arts, which gives her the ability to think quickly on her feet.

Although it isn't fast enough and Bianca slashes the girl across the forehead. The Addams girl wipes the blood from the cut to confirm she's lost. Bianca has a giant grin on her face.

"Your face finally got that splash of color it so desperately needed," she taunts. Wednesday accepts her loss and is escorted to the infirmary by Rowan, the boy who lost to Bianca before her. The nurse places a bandage over the cut while Rowan gets a new inhaler.

"I know how you feel," he says to break the silence.

"I guarantee you don't," she fires back.

"My mother promised me I'd finally fit in somewhere," he explains, "I never thought it was possible to be an outcast in a school full of outcasts. Sorry... about the... nick."

"No good deed goes unpunished," she answers. She grabs her coat and leaves the infirmary. She pulls out her umbrella to cross to another building. As she's walking across she looks up to see a stone gargoyle, sliding off of the roof. She stands there as it falls down.

Luckily, someone pushes her out of the way but knocks her out in the process. She wakes up again in the infirmary, arms crossed as if she's lying in a coffin. Wednesday sits straight up to find the redhead, Tana, sitting in a chair beside her.

"You're awake," the redhead exclaims, "the... the nurse said you don't have a concussion, but you'll probably have a nasty bump."

"The last thing I remember, I was walking outside feeling a mixture of rage, pity, and self-disgust. I've never felt that way before," Wednesday explains.

"Losing to Bianca seems to have that effect on people," Tana replies. She had seen the match between the two, although she can't fence herself. Even with the gloves on, her powers get her heated physically and she heats up the metal.

"Then I looked up and saw that gargoyle coming down and I thought, 'Well, at least I'll have an imaginative death'. Then you tackled me out of the way," she frowns, "Why?"

Tana sighs, looking down, "I would feel bad if you died on your first day."

"Why? You don't know me."

"I've lost too many people," the girl responds quietly. She rubs her sleeve slightly. Wednesday furrows her eyebrows, "You know, I should go. Good to see you're okay!"

The redhead scurries away once again, leaving Wednesday with all sorts of questions. Why does Enid not like her? Who has she lost and why? Why is she so quiet?

Chapter Text

"Ay de mí, Llorona," La Llorona plays on Wednesday's record player as she works on her novel, "Llorona, tú eres mi chunca."

As she works peacefully without Enid in the room, she hears a faint squeaking coming from her bed.

"Ay de mí, Llorona," the record continues as she stands up and walks over to her bed. She throws her comforter off to find a single, severed hand.

"I knew it!" she says, as the hand turns to look for cover, "Hello, Thing."

He scurries under the comforter, but Wednesday grabs him instead.

"Did you really think my highly trained olfactory sense wouldn't pick up on the faint whiff of neroli and bergamot in your favorite hand lotion?" she questions, holding him tightly. He struggles in her grip, "I could do this all day."

She slams the hand down on the desk.

"Surrender?" the hand taps rapidly. She lets him go and he resumes his standing stance, "Mother and Father sent you to spy on me, didn't they?"

He signs 'no'.

"I'm not above breaking a few fingers," the girl threatens, "the fact that they thought I wouldn't find out just proves how much they underestimate me."

He begins to sign to her, trying to explain that her parents are only looking out for her, which she doesn't believe for even a millisecond.

"Oh, Thing, you poor, naive appendage," she sighs, "My parents aren't worried about me. They're evil puppeteers who want to pull my strings even from afar. The way I see it, you have two options. Option one."

She aggressively grabs the appendage and opens her desk drawer, "I lock you in here for the rest of the semester, and you go slowly insane trying to claw your way out, ruining your nails and your smooth, supple skin. And we both know how vain you are."

She slams him back down on the desk, "Option two. You pledge your undying loyalty to me."

Thing lowers his index finger, 'kneeling' to the girl.

"Our first order of business is to escape this teenage purgatory," Wednesday explains. He signs to ask if she has a plan, "Of course, I have a plan. And it begins now."

A knock on the door, sends Thing into hiding behind her typewriter, "Wednesday, are you ready to go to your first therapy session?"

Principal Weems pops her head in.

"Yes, I need to get my coat," the girl replies.

"I will wait for you downstairs," the blonde-haired woman answers. Once the door is shut, Thing scurries out from hiding. Wednesday opens her bag and he climbs in.

She leaves the dorm room and walks down to the main lobby, where Principal Weems waits. Tana, the redheaded girl, waits with her. Wednesday gives the principal a confused look.

"Tana's appointment is before yours so she'll be riding with us," she explains. The two turn and Wednesday brings up the rear. She expects the girl to take the front seat of the school-sanctioned van. But she gets into the back and Wednesday goes to the front.

The car ride into Jericho is silent. Principal Weems parks in front of the building and Tana exits.

"So what do you say? Want to go visit the Weathervane for hot chocolate?" she asks after a minute of silence.

"Principal Weems, this feeble attempt at bonding is beneath you," Wednesday retorts.

"Silence it is then," the principal sighs. The Addams girl watches the locals while the principal sits on her phone. An hour passes and Tana comes out, "Dr. Kinbott's office is on the second floor."

Wednesday opens the door to go inside, "Given your history, I'm sure you're intent on running away. I'm here to prevent that from happening."

The Addams girl peers to the backseat, Tana listening to the whole conversation. Although she quickly looks away.

"I wish you luck," Wednesday says before shutting the door. Dr. Kinbott, another blonde woman, welcomes the girl into her office.

"I read the notes from your school counselor," she starts.

"Mrs. Bronstein. She had a nervous breakdown after our last session and had to take a six-month sabbatical," Wednesday explains.

"Go ahead and take a seat," the therapist says. The Addams girl sits without taking her bag off, not expecting to stay long, "How did you feel about that?"

"Vindicated," she answers, "But someone who crochets for a hobby isn't a worthy adversary."

"Adversary?" Dr. Kinbott questions, "I hope we can forge a relationship based on trust and mutual respect. This is a safe space, Wednesday. A sanctuary where we can discuss anything. What you're thinking, feeling, your views on the world, personal philosophy."

"That's easy. I think that this is a waste of time. I see the world as a place that must be endured, and my personal philosophy is kill or be killed," she explains.

"So, for instance, when someone bullies your brother, your response is to dump piranha in the pool," the therapist starts, trying to get Wednesday to open up.

"You know the old saying, never bring a knife to a sword fight," she answers, "unless it's concealed."

"Point is, you assaulted a boy, and showed no remorse for your actions," the Dr. points out, "that's why you're here."

"He lost a testicle," she says as if it isn't a big deal, "I did the world a favor. People like Dalton shouldn't be allowed to procreate. I've answered all of your questions."

Wednesday stands up to leave.

"We're not done yet," Dr. Kinbott stops her, "therapy is a valuable tool to help you understand yourself. It can teach you new ways to deal with your emotions. It can also help you build a life that you want."

"I know the life that I want," Wednesday assures her.

"Tell me about it. Everything said in these sessions is strictly confidential," the doctor assures her, "do your plans involve becoming an author? I understand you've written three novels about a teen girl detective, Viper De La Muerte."

Wednesday becomes visibly uncomfortable.

"Can you tell me about her?"

"Viper is smart, perceptive, chronically misunderstood," the girl sighs, not wanting to talk about it. Probably because her fictional character is similar to her own self.

"Any luck getting your work published?" the therapist inquires.

"Editors are short-sighted, fear-based life forms. One once described my writing as gratuitously morbid and suggested I seek psychiatric help," Wednesday explains.

"Hmm."

"Ironic, isn't it?" she says flatly.

"How did you take that?"

"I sent her a 'thank you'. I've always been open to constructive criticism," the Addams girl explains.

"I'm glad to hear that. Because I was sent the manuscripts as a part of your psych evaluation. The relationship I found most intriguing was that of Viper and her mother, Dominica. Why don't we dig into that?" Dr. Kinbott suggests. Wednesday doesn't answer and her therapist can see she's uncomfortable with the subject, "part of this journey requires us going to uncomfortable places emotionally."

"I don't travel well," the girl fires back. Dr. Kinbott sighs, "Would you mind if I use the powder room first?"

She motions to the bathroom. Wednesday walks in with her backpack still on and locks the door. She looks around for a way to get out. She knocks over a candle in the process.

"Wednesday? Is everything okay?" Dr. Kinbott calls, "you can't hide in there for the rest of the session."

"I'm all right. Just preparing myself for our uncomfortable journey," the girl stalls, "Nail file."

Thing pops up from her bag with a nail file. She takes it and goes to the window. She picks the lock and slides the window open. She walks out onto the roof and over to the edge of the building. She spots the Nevermore van still in its place. She climbs over the edge of the building and slides down a pipe.

Principal Weems is not paying attention and doesn't notice her walking right behind the van. Wednesday hurriedly walks away from the van but knocks into one of the locals in the process. Her head is knocked back and she sees into the future.

The man drives in his truck and checks his phone. While he isn't paying attention to the road, he drifts over the lane and crashes. He dies in the crash, and his neck is snapped.

"Who let you out?" the man asks when Wednesday is pulled from her trance, "you goddamn weirdo."

Normally, she wouldn't tolerate that kind of attitude from a normie, but she is a little shaken up from her vision so she lets him live. Well, long enough for something else to kill him. She walks away towards the cafe called the 'Weathervane'. An employee stands behind a fuming espresso machine. And in a blast of steamy air, he looks up to find Wednesday behind the counter.

"Holy crap!" he explains, "do you make it a habit of scaring the hell out of people?"

"It's more of a hobby," she answers nonchalantly.

"You go to Nevermore. Didn't realize they changed the uniform," he comments.

"I need a quad over ice. It's an emergency," Wednesday orders. He gives her a confused look, "It's four shots of espresso."

"Yeah, I... I know what a quad is, but, spoiler alert, the espresso machine's having a seizure, so all we have is drip," he informs her, motioning over to the other counter, where a man fills his cup.

"But drip is for people who hate themselves and know their lives have no real purpose or meaning," she explains. The man puts his cup down and walks away, "what's wrong with your machine?"

"It's a temperamental beast with a mind of its own, and it doesn't help that the instructions are in Italian," the employee complains. Wednesday walks around the counter and takes the instructions from him.

"I need a tri-wing screwdriver and a four-millimeter Allen wrench," she explains.

"Wait, you read Italian?" he questions.

"Of course. It's the native tongue of Machiavelli," the Addams girl replies, "here's the deal. I'm going to fix your coffee machine, then you're going to make my coffee and call me a taxi."

"Uh, no taxis in Jericho," the employee says, "Try Uber?"

"I don't have a phone. I refuse to be a slave to technology," she informs him while working on the machine.

"Then you're out of luck. Where are you going anyway?" he asks.

"That's on a need-to-know basis. What about trains?" she questions.

"Nearest station is Burlington. It's half an hour away," he answers.

"You have a valve issue. I've seen it before," she explains.

"Where? You have one of these monsters at home?"

"Steam-powered guillotine. I built it when I was ten," she explains, "I wanted to decapitate my dolls more efficiently."

The employee nods slowly with wide eyes, "Sure. Grim Reaper Barbie... makes perfect sense."

In a matter of seconds, the machine stops hissing, the steam subsiding.

"Wow. Thanks. I never met a Nevermore kid who got theirs hands dirty," he comments, "I'm Tyler, by the way. I didn't catch your name, or is that on a need-to-know basis too?"

"Wednesday."

"I'll tell you what, Wednesday. To show my appreciation, how about I drive you to Burlington myself?"

"Perfect," she perks up, "put that quad in a to-go cup."

"Uh, but I don't get off for another hour," he informs her.

She holds up a twenty-dollar bill, "I'll sweeten the pot."

"Twenty whole dollars..." he says less than impressed, "tempting, but no."

She grabs another bill, "I'll make it forty."

"Uh... listen Wednesday, one fun fact about me... I can't be bought, so either wait or find someone else to drive you," Tyler says. She sighs softly and sits down at a booth.

Meanwhile, Dr. Kinbott comes out of the building. Principal Weems looks up from her phone and notices the doctor looking around.

"What happened?" she inquires.

"She went out through the bathroom window," the Dr. admits. She walks off to look for Wednesday. Principal Weems opens the back door.

"Come on, Tana, we're going for a little walk."

***

As Wednesday patiently waits with her quad in the booth, three high school boys walk in, dressed like Pilgrims.

"What's a Nevermore freak doing out in the wild?" one asks.

"This is our booth," another one says.

"Why are you three dressed like religious fanatics?" Wednesday ignores their comments.

"We're pilgrims," the first boy says as if it's obvious.

"Potato. Po-tah-to," she replies.

"We work at Pilgrim World," the third boy says, flipping over a flyer on the table. Wednesday looks over the flyer.

"It takes a special kind of stupid to devote an entire theme park to zealots responsible for mass genocide," she comments.

"My dad owns Pilgrim World," the third boy seethes, "who are you calling stupid?"

"If the buckled shoe fits," she fires back.

"Guys, back off," Tyler says, walking over to the booth.

"Stay out of this, Galpin," the third boy orders.

"Yes, stay out of this," Wednesday agrees, standing up to the Pilgrim boy.

"So tell me, freak... you ever been with a normie?" he questions.

"I've never found one that could handle me," she answers, "boo!"

He jumps back, "Hey!"

The second boy grabs her shoulder, to which she turns and knees him in the stomach. He then throws a punch, which she dodges, and it lands in the third boy's face.

"Ahh!" he groans as Wednesday catches the boy's arm and cracks it. She swings him at the third boy, who gets knocked to the floor before she throws the next boy to the floor. The first boy finally starts to throw punches and Wednesday dodges them effortlessly. She gives herself a couple of spins for momentum before jumping and kicking him in the face. All three boys lie on the floor. They don't have enough stamina to go after her again.

"So where'd you learn those kung fu moves?" Tyler asks.

"My uncle taught me," she answers, "he spent five years in a Tibetan Monastery."

"Was he a monk?"

"Prisoner."

The door to the Weathervane opens and a sheriff walks in.

"Dad!" Tyler exclaims.

"Tyler, what the hell's going on in here?" the sheriff asks.

"They were harassing a customer, and she put them in their place," the boy explains. The sheriff looks the girl up and down.

"This little thing took down three boys?" he questions, "did you help her?"

"Dad, I swear, I wasn't involved."

Principal Weems and Tana come through the doors of the Weathervane.

"Apologies, Sheriff. This one slipped away from me," she says, "Come on, Miss Addams, time to go."

Wednesday sighs, her plan being torn apart. She walks over and joins Tana.

"Wait a minute, hang on," the sheriff says, "You're an Addams? Don't tell me Gomez Addams is your father?"

Wednesday gives a light nod.

"That man belongs behind bars for murder," he says, "guessin' the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. And Tana Adler?"

Wednesday turns and finds the girl hiding behind Principal Weems.

"Maybe you should take them out one at a time? To prevent losing them," he suggests. Principal Weems gives a fake smile, annoyed with the normie sheriff.

"Okay, let's go, ladies," she turns Wednesday and leads her out with her hand on her shoulder, "your first day and you're already on Sheriff Galpin's radar."

"Well, it looks like I'm not the only one," Wednesday retorts as Tana looks down.

"This isn't about her."

"What did he mean about my father?" the Addams girl asks as they begin their drive back to Nevermore.

"I have no idea, but a word of advice," the principal changes the subject, "stop making enemies and start making a few friends. You're going to need them."

Principal Weems slows down, "Looks like an accident. I hope the driver's okay."

Wednesday sees the truck. The same one from her vision.

"He's dead. Broke his neck," she says.

"How can you tell from this angle?" the blonde questions. As they pass, they peer into the car and Wednesday is right. The driver's neck is snapped.

Chapter Text

Wednesday sits on the balcony of her dorm with her black cello. She plays Paint It, Black by The Rolling Stones. Thing stands atop her music stand, turning the pages of the score.

Tana walks out onto the balcony of her dorm, directly across the quad from Wednesday's. She listens to the song as she plays. When the Addams girl finishes the piece she huffs and Thing signs to her.

"No, I don't really feel better," she answers. He turns and motions for her to stand. She does and sees the redhead watching her from afar. Tana then runs back into her dorm, having been caught. Thing signs to Wednesday again, "I don't know who she is. But I'm going to find out."

She brings her cello inside and leaves the dorm to find Tana's. Although she only knows the relative location.

"Wednesday? Where are you off to?" Ms. Thornhill asks when she sees the girl leaving the building. Wednesday is quick to think on her feet.

"Oh, I was just looking for you," she lies.

"You are? Is everything okay?"

"Yes, um. I was wondering if you know what room Tana is in," Wednesday asks. Ms. Thornhill smiles.

"Are you making friends?"

"Uh, yes. Tana."

"She's in room 301 in Rosaline Hall," she answers, "Need me to show you where it is?"

"No!" the girl exclaims, "I, uh, want to find it for myself. To know campus better."

"Oh, okay, just knock on someone's door if you get lost. They'll be sure to help you out," she assures. Wednesday turns.

"I'm sure they would," she mutters. She leaves Ophelia Hall and crosses to Rosaline Hall. She knocks on the door three times. She hears shuffling in the room before the door opens.

"Hi...?" Tana greets, opening the door wide enough for her head to peek out.

"May I come in?" Wednesday asks.

"Uh, sure," the girl opens the door and allows her into the room. Her furniture is all white, along with her bedsheets and clothes. The two could not be more opposite, "Look if this is about me watching you... I was just enjoying the music, I didn't mean to be creepy."

"I'm not here about that."

"Oh.. okay," Tana sighs. Silence falls between the two. Wednesday looks around the girl's room. She doesn't have very many belongings other than what Nevermore has provided.

"Why does Sheriff Galpin know you?" Wednesday questions.

"What?"

"At the Weathervane, he mentioned you," she explains. Tana looks down.

"I would rather not talk about it," the girl says. The Addams girl sighs, respecting her boundaries.

"Why does Enid not like you?" she tries instead.

"How do you know Enid?" Tana asks

"I'm her roommate."

"Oh... I don't know why she doesn't like me..." the redhead lies.

"Does it, perhaps, have something to do with a fire?" Wednesday pushes. The girl's red hair sizzles, "I'm gonna take that as a yes."

"Why are you here? I don't need you to bully me too," she exclaims, getting upset. She goes to her window, looking out towards Wednesday's dorm.

"Bully you? Who's bullying you?"

"Why do you care? You keep asking me things that I don't want to talk about," the girl fires back, her hair glowing red now. She continues to face away from Wednesday.

"Ask me something then," she prompts. Tana pauses, composing herself before turning around.

"Why do you wear all black?"

"I'm allergic to color," she answers, "ask me another one."

"Why are you trying to run away?" the redhead asks. This is Wednesday's sensitive topic. She does not want to turn into her parents. She wants to be the exact opposite.

"Because my parents sent me here against my will," she answers, "do you want to keep going?"

"I—- What is the point of all of this?"

"Trust," Wednesday says, "Why do you wear all white?"

"Cause if I don't I'll hurt myself or someone else," Tana answers. She then ignites her red locks for Wednesday, who backs up. Her hair is lit for only a second before she runs her hands through it to put it out. Otherwise, she'll set off the fire alarms, "what power do you have?"

"I have visions," the girl answers. There is silence before Wednesday decides to ask, "Is it true you set Othello Hall on fire?"

Tana turns away from the girl and her hair sparks.

"I didn't."

"Why the sparks?" Wednesday questions.

"Because everyone else believes I did. But I didn't. Just because I'm the only one who controls fire, doesn't mean I go around setting fires for fun," she exclaims, upset, "can you go now?"

Her voice is softer and her red locks are dull now. Wednesday leaves the dorm hall, with more questions for the redhead than ones answered.

"Where were you?" Enid asks when she returns to the dorm room.

"That's on a need-to-know basis," the girl answers flatly. Wolves howl outside, loud enough for the black-haired girl to notice, "why aren't you wolfing out?"

"Because I can't," she answers quietly, fidgeting with her fingers. She brings her claws out again, "That's all I got. My mom says some wolves are late bloomers, but I've been to the best Lycanologist. I had to fly to Milwaukee, would you believe it? Yeah, she says there's a chance I may never... you know."

"What happens then?"

"I'd become a lone wolf," the blonde answers.

"Sounds perfect," Wednesday comments.

"Are you kidding me? My life would be officially over," Enid exclaims, "I'd be kicked out of my family pack with no prospect of finding a mate."

"I'm failing to see the problem here," the Addams girl admits.

"I could die alone," the werewolf says as if it's obvious.

"We all die alone, Enid."

"You really suck at this," she huffs. She becomes emotional, crying, "cheering people up."

"Why are you crying?" Wednesday genuinely questions.

"Because I'm upset! Haven't you ever cried, or are you above that too?" the Sinclair girl snaps. Wednesday begins to think.

"It was the week after Halloween," she begins to retell the story, "I was six years old. I took my pet scorpion, Nero, out for his afternoon stroll, and we were ambushed. They wondered what kind of freak would have a scorpion for a pet. Two of them held me down and made me watch... while the others ran Nero over until..."

She pauses, not being able to say anything.

"It was snowing when I buried what was left of him," she continues, "I cried my little black heart out. But tears don't fix anything. So I vowed to never do it again."

Enid looks over at Wednesday with a different perspective. She realizes that maybe there is a meaning to the girl's personality, that maybe she's built walls to protect herself. Walls that are bulletproof.

"Your secret's safe with me," she says, "Still think you're weird as shit, though."

"The feeling is incredibly mutual," Wednesday replies, "how would you like your single room back? You just need to show me how to use your computer."

Enid allows her to look up Tyler Galpin's house on her computer. She sends Thing out to his house with Enid's phone number written on him. It's about a half hour later when a number facetimes the blonde girl's computer.

"Uh... hi," Tyler greets. Wednesday knows the boy must be freaked out by Thing.

"That's Thing," she says. He looks nervously behind the camera.

"Is he, like, your pet?" Thing gives him the finger.

"He's sensitive," she informs him.

"Look, I know Nevermore is ground zero for all things weird, but this is next-level," Tyler comments, "so, what happened to not wanting to be a slave to technology?"

"Desperate times," Wednesday answers, "Are you still willing to help me escape?"

"Well, after what happened at the Weathervane today, I figured they'd have you in solitary," he admits.

"There's the Harvest Festival this weekend. Attendance is mandatory," she plans, "I'm going to use it as a cover. If you're still willing to drive me to the train station, I can make it worth your while."

The boy pauses, "I'm in. And no charge. Consider it a freebie."

"Why?"

"'Cause I wish I was going with you," he answers, "At least one of us will get out of this hellhole town."

***

"Are you sure you can trust that normie?" Enid asks when the two arrive at the Harvest Festival. They watch as Tyler gets yelled at by his dad, the sheriff.

"I trust that I can handle myself," Wednesday answers.

"Well, good luck and safe travels," the blonde smiles. She goes in for a hug but remembers, "Still not a hugger. Got it."

She walks off to catch up with Yoko and some of her other friends. Wednesday watches her walk off and sees Principal Weems sitting at a picnic table. The blonde woman has her eye on the girl.

Wednesday walks off to lose the Principal. She stops at a darts booth. She throws five in a row, popping every single balloon.

"Jeez, you get any better at this, you'll be taking home a whole pack," a boy from Nevermore says, "Xavier Thorpe."

"Pandas don't travel in packs. They prefer solitude," the girl answers. She throws another dart.

"All right. Subtle hint taken," the boy nods.

"You should know I'm waiting for someone," Wednesday informs him.

"Oh yeah, who's the lucky guy... or girl?" Xavier asks.

"What does it matter to you?" she questions. Tyler walks up.

"Didn't mean to interrupt," he announces.

"You're not," Xavier says coldly. He pushes past the two.

"This is gonna be trickier than I thought," Tyler says, "Dad hit me with a curfew. We need to go if I'm gonna make it back in time."

"I've got some dead weight I need to lose first," she explains, looking over to Principal Weems, who sits at a nearby table, "meet me behind the parking lot when the fireworks start."

Tyler nods and walks away. The booth owner gives Wednesday her prize. A giant stuffed panda.

"You see that sad, lonely woman over there?" she asks the owner, "she needs this pathetic validation more than I do."

She slips him a twenty-dollar bill.

"Would you mind distracting her?" The owner takes the money and walks off with the panda. He walks over to Principal Weems' table and sets the panda down on the table.

"I love you! I love you!" an animated voice from inside the stuffed animal says. Principal Weems smiles at the gift, but when she looks back, Wednesday is gone.

She hurries to the parking lot to find Tyler and leave before Principal Weems can find her. When she walks up to him, he pulls out a file, "Hey, before you leave, I wanted you to have this. It's your dad's police file from when he was at Nevermore. I think it's the reason my dad hates him. You okay?"

She stares at the file for a minute, "I'm not used to people engaging with me. Most see me coming and cross the street."

"You're not scary. You're just kinda..." he tries to think of the right word to describe her, "kooky."

She frowns, "I prefer spooky."

"Oh," he smiles.

"Now, my train leaves in an hour. We're burning moonlight," she turns to walk toward his car.

"Uh, right. Right," he follows her, but the three Pilgrim boys from the Weathervane stop them. Although Wednesday has no problem taking them down again, Tyler knows it's best to avoid keeping both of them out of trouble.

"Hey," one says. The three each hold baseball bats, although they don't know she can easily disarm them.

Tyler pulls her away, "Come on, Wednesday! Wednesday! We can lose them in the crowd."

The two begin running through crowds of people inside the festival grounds. Fireworks explode behind them. The Pilgrim boys walk, looking for the two, but have already lost them. While running, Wednesday runs into the boy from fencing, Rowan. She is sent into a vision.

Her vision shows a book, a raven, a fire being set to the quad, and then Rowan being murdered. Once the vision is over she turns to the boy. He has Tana by the wrist and pulls her away.

"Shit," he curses.

"Wednesday, we need to go," Tyler pulls her attention away from Rowan, "Wednesday, come on. Wednesday!"

"Rowan, come back!" the girl takes off after the boy. Tyler and Xavier both watch as she sprints away into the woods. Rowan takes a hit of his inhaler when Wednesday catches up to him and Tana. He still holds her wrist but it seems as if she's willingly walking with him.

"Rowan, wait!" she calls.

"What do you want?" he snaps towards her.

"I don't have time to explain, but you're in danger," she says, "Tana, you too if you don't come back to safety."

Rowan begins laughing. Wednesday furrows her brow.

"What?" she questions. Tana looks down like she's hiding something. Wednesday eyes her.

"Don't say anything," Rowan whispers to the redhead, "I think you've got it backwards."

He throws Wednesday back into a tree with his telekinetic powers. He has her in a chokehold against the tree.

"You're the one who's in danger."

"What are you doing?" Wednesday questions.

"Saving everyone from you," he says, "I have to kill you guys."

"The gargoyle, that was you?" she realizes.

"Yeah," he nods.

"It's always the quiet ones," the Addams girl mutters. Rowan uses his powers to pull out a folded piece of paper from his jacket pocket. It flies up to Wednesday and unfolds. It's a picture of the school on fire and two girls standing next to each other. One dressed in all black and the other in white, just like Tana.

"The girls in the picture. That's you guys," he says. The paper folds up and travels back to his pocket

"You want to kill us because of some picture?" Wednesday asks.

"My mother drew that picture twenty-five years ago when she was a student at Nevermore. She was a powerful Seer," he tears up, "told me about it before she died."

"Rowan, put her down," Tana says.

"No! My mother said it was my destiny to stop these girls if they ever came to Nevermore, because they will destroy the school and everyone in it!" he exclaims, "Tana was here first, she was fine until you showed up."

He begins to choke Wednesday.

"Rowan, stop!" Tana shouts, "Stop!"

She heats up but is powerless in her suit. Her wrist becomes bright red, trying to burn Rowan. It doesn't work so instead she ignites her hair and leans into him.

"Ah!" he lets go of Wednesday, who crashes to the ground. He then tackles Tana, "Bitch!"

He rips off her glove, pressing her flaming hand against her own neck.

"Ahhh!" she screams as her skin quickly burns away. Wednesday watches in horror. Although everything changes in a matter of seconds. A snarl takes Rowan's attention away from Tana. A gigantic monster comes stumbling from the woods, picking Rowan up and throwing him down. Then, Wednesday's vision comes true as the boy screams. The massive monster with gouging eyes kills him in seconds. It turns back to look at the girls before stampeding off into the distance. Once it's gone, Wednesday crawls to Tana.

"Tana, Tana, are you okay?" the redhead lies on the ground, lying still. The skin on her hand and neck bubbles, sizzling away. She just stares into the sky, whimpering. She can't produce tears since her body temperature is too high. Wednesday looks over at Rowan, his body is covered in gaping gashes from the monster, "hold on, just.. hold on."

Chapter Text

"How could you miss a dead body?" Wednesday asks skeptically when the sheriff comes into Nevermore the day after Rowan was murdered. Principal Weems walks behind them, leading them to her office so he can talk to Wednesday.

"'Cause it wasn't there," he fires back, "no footprints, no blood, no sign of a struggle. Nothing, nada. My search party looked all night."

"Well, your search party must have left their seeing-eye dogs at home," she insults, "I saw that monster kill Rowan right in front of me."

"Did you get a good look at this monster thing?"

"It didn't stick around for a chat," the Addams girl sarcastically answers.

"Maybe it was one of your classmates?" the sheriff suggests.

"Sheriff, I find that question offensive," Principal Weems says.

"Well, I don't care, 'cause I got three other dead bodies in the morgue," he snaps, "Hikers just ripped apart in the woods."

"The mayor said those were bear attacks," the blonde woman says.

"Well, the mayor and I disagree on that."

"So you automatically assume a Nevermore student is the murderer, even though there's no evidence a crime was even committed?" she questions.

"I'm sorry. I forgot, you only teach the good outcasts here, right?" he says sarcastically. She sighs and ignores the normie, taking them into her office.

"My guess is Rowan ran away," Principal Weems starts, "after attacking Tana, he probably didn't want to get in trouble. State troopers have put out an alert, and I've contacted his family, but they haven't heard from him either."

"Dead people are notoriously bad at returning calls," Wednesday comments.

"What were you doing out in the woods with him, Miss Addams?" the sheriff questions.

"I heard a noise in the forest and went to go investigate," she lies, "That's when I stumbled upon the attack."

"Rowan attacking Tana?" he asks. She nods, "then what happened?"

"The monster attacked him. I ran back, stumbled into Bianca Barclay, and I told her to go for help," Wednesday answers, truthful in that part, "next thing I remember, I was awaking in my dorm."

"And just to be clear, this monster wasn't a bear or some other wild animal?" Sheriff Galpin questions.

"I've hibernated with grizzlies," she comments, "I know the difference. You can ask Tana too."

"Actually, Tana is... still in the infirmary," Principal Weems starts, "She has fourth-degree burns... thank you, Sheriff. I think Miss Addams is done now."

"Actually, I would like to speak to Sheriff Galpin. Alone," the girl says. The man turns his head to the young Addams girl.

"I'm not sure I can allow that," the blonde woman answers.

"I'm sure I could take her to the station and get a formal statement," the sheriff suggests, his interest peaked. Principal Weems doesn't budge, "yeah, let's go."

"Fine," she gives in, "You have five minutes, and everything is off the record. Play nice... or I will call the mayor."

The tall woman leaves the office, leaving Wednesday and Sheriff Galpin alone.

"Someone is trying to cover up Rowan's murder," she insists when the door is closed, "that's the only reason to scrub the crime scene."

"Is that your professional opinion as the daughter of a murderer?" he questions.

"My father's twice the man you are, and the only thing he murders is the occasional opera in the shower," she fires back.

"Addams, it's been a long night and I'm tired of your games," Sheriff Galpin sighs.

"I'm not playing games. I'm telling the truth," Wednesday insists, "you want to reject my claims but you can't."

"Why is that?"

"Because you and I both know that there's a monster out there. And Rowan is his latest victim," she says. He remains silent, confirming her statements. An officer bursts into the room.

"Sheriff?"

"What?"

"You're gonna want to see this," she says, swinging the other door of the office open. Low and behold, Rowan stands, alive. Wednesday's eyes grow wide at the sight and any sense of truthfulness she had is now lost.

***

"Help me understand why you claim you witnessed a murder," Dr. Kinbott asks in Wednesday's next therapy session, "was it to gain attention?"

"Why should I bother telling you anything?" Wednesday fires back, "you've already decided I'm lying. I know what I saw."

"Your life's had a lot of upheavals recently," she says, "It's okay to be confused about things."

"Don't try and lure me into one of your psychological traps," the black-haired girl retorts.

"No one is trying to trap you," Dr. Kinbott assures, "I'm here to help you process your emotions."

"Emotions are a gateway trait," Wednesday cuts her off, "they lead to feelings, which trigger tears. I don't do tears."

The blonde tries a different topic of conversation, "tell me how you're adjusting to school. Made any friends?"

"Sartre said, 'Hell is other people'. He was my first crush," she answers.

"Wednesday, part of the reason your parents sent you to Nevermore, is so that you could find your people. Become part of a larger community," Dr. Kinbott explains.

"I like being an island," the girl reasons, "a well-fortified one surrounded by sharks."

"Have you considered your antisocial tendencies might be motivated by fear of rejection?"

"If you were to reject me right now, I would not be upset," she answers.

"You can't get rid of me that easily," the doctor says looking at the clock, "and look, you made it through an entire session without trying to escape. I'll take that as a win."

As Wednesday leaves the office, Tyler Galpin walks toward the building.

"Guess you decided to stick around Jericho. Wait, you see Dr. Kinbott too?" the boy asks.

"You should know I'm legally required to be here," she reasons.

"Uh, me too. Court ordered," Tyler explains, walking with Wednesday.

"Look at us. A couple of teenage tearaways," she says sarcastically. He laughs.

"Hey, you know when you ran off last night at the Harvest Festival, I wasn't sure what happened, and then I heard... kinda crazy," the brunette boy says.

"Everyone, including your father, believes I made it all up," Wednesday tells him.

"You know, I..." the boy's phone alert goes off, "time to get in touch with my inner rebel. You know, for the record, I believe you."

Tyler turns and heads back towards Dr. Kinbott's office building. She walks over to the school-sanctioned van, heading back to Nevermore with Principal Weems.

"Wednesday, there's someone who would like to speak with you," the blonde stops her from leaving when they arrive back at the boarding school. The girl furrows her eyebrows but follows the principal to the infirmary. She finds Tana in the bed, part of her face, neck, and arm bandaged, "I'll leave you two alone."

The principal leaves the infirmary. Wednesday awkwardly sits down in a chair next to her bed.

"Hey," the redhead quietly says, "I, uh, wanted to say thank you."

"For what exactly?" the Addams girl asks.

"You didn't leave me to die in the woods," Tana explains, "you could have, but you didn't."

"Why would I leave you in the woods?" Wednesday asks, although her attempt at being nice is shot down. Tana knows the girl's personality enough to know she doesn't care about anyone else. That Wednesday would rather be alone. So why is she being nice to Tana? Why her?

"I know who you are. It's not rocket science. You don't have to pretend you care about me cause I'm hurt. I know it probably pains you to do it," the redhead says, "I just wanted to thank you, that's all."

Wednesday is slightly offended by Tana's remarks, although they are true. Why is the Addams girl so offended by statements if she knows they are true? She stands up to leave but stops.

"Did you see it?" she asks, turning back to the redhead.

"See what?" Tana questions.

"The monster. The one that killed Rowan," Wednesday explains. Tana looks down.

"I... I wasn't paying attention... I couldn't, my flames... they..."

"Ok."

"Ok?"

"Yes... Get some rest," and with that Wednesday leaves the infirmary. She goes outside to find some sort of event going on. She spots her roommate, Enid.

"If Bianca Barclay wins again this year, I will literally scratch my own eyes out!" the girl exclaims.

"I would pay money to see that," Wednesday comments, announcing her arrival. The girl turns, a smile on her face.

"Howdy, roomie!" she greets, "I'm so glad you decided to stay."

"I thought you wanted your single room back?"

"Full disclosure, I don't like living solo and Thing gives a killer neck massage," Enid explains, "it's a win-win. So... why the change of heart?"

"I refuse to play the role of pawn in someone else's corrupt game," the Addams girl answers.

"You mean Rowan?"

"I witnessed his murder, Enid," she insists.

"It's just, we all saw him this morning," her roommate reasons, "very much, like, not dead."

"I know," Wednesday admits, "which leads me to believe I've been losing my mind. It's not nearly as fun as I had anticipated. You're Nevermore's gossip queen. What's Rowan's story?"

"Other than being a weird loner... uh... no offense," the blonde stops herself.

"None taken."

"Xavier Thorpe's his roommate," she continues, "You know, if you had a cell phone, you could just text him and ask him. Yoko. Come on! Flare those whiskers. The Poe Cup droops for no one."

"What is the Poe Cup anyways?" Wednesday inquires.

"My entire reason for living right now," Enid exclaims, "Part canoe race, part foot chase, no rules. Each dorm has to pick an Edgar Allen Poe short story for inspiration."

She notices Wednesday's slight interest in the Poe Cup. Although it is a very small interest... less than one percent.

"You could grab a brush!" her roommate suggests, "Ms. Thornhill's just ordered pizza. Want to take a stab at being social?"

"I do like stabbing," the girl perks up, "the social part, not so much. Besides, it'll cut into my writing time."

"No worries," Enid smiles, "Just as long as you're lakeside cheering us to victory on race day... Or you can just glare uncomfortably. Whatever works for you."

***

Back inside the dorm, Wednesday continues to work on her novel. Although, she's having trouble getting words onto the page, ones that she likes anyways. The picture of the two girls sits on her desk next to her. She picks it up, still thinking about Rowan and what he said. Her lamp shines over the paper and she notices a little watermark on the top right-hand corner.

She figures that Rowan would know what it is and since he is somehow alive, she could ask him. She bursts into Principal Weems' office.

"I need to speak with Rowan," she insists, "I can't find him."

"It won't be possible, I'm afraid. He's been expelled," Principal Weems informs her, not looking up from her computer.

"For what?"

"Attacking Tana. He'll be on the first train out this afternoon," she answers, "what were you doing out in the woods with him anyways?"

"I told you already. I heard a noise and I went to investigate," she lies. The blonde scoffs.

"That excuse might have placated the sheriff, but you can't fool me," she says, "you had a psychic vision, didn't you?"

Wednesday's expression goes from annoyed to blank, signaling the truth in Principal Weems' statement.

"I realized you might be having them when we passed by the accident and you knew that poor farmer had broken his neck," she explains, "your mother started having visions around your age. They were notoriously unreliable and dangerous. I remember at first, she thought she might be losing her mind. Have you spoken to her about them?"

Wednesday doesn't answer.

"Clearly the person withholding information here is you," Principal Weems continues.

"May I go now?" the Addams girl asks, not wanting to partake in the conversation anymore.

"Not until you've picked your extracurricular activity," the principal changes the subject, "We want our students to be well-rounded."

"I'd prefer to remain sharp-edged," Wednesday replies in her more normal tone.

"I took the liberty of putting together a list of clubs that have openings," the blonde ignores her remark. She hands her a sheet of paper.

"How thoughtful."

"You need to have picked one by the end of the day," she instructs, "I'll be keeping my eye on you. No doubt you'll find something that tickles your fancy."

"The last person who tickled me lost a finger," she scoffs. She takes the sheet and leaves. The Addams girl lets Thing out of her bag, "Weems is clearly trying to keep tabs on me. Keep an eye on Rowan. Don't let your fingers out of his sight."

The little appendage scurries away, while Wednesday walks into the quad.

"We got scales on scales on scales on scales on scales on scales on scales on scales on scales," a group of students sings. Bianca Barclay, conducting them, turns to Wednesday.

"Weems said you'd be stopping by," she greets, "but to be honest, after your performance at the Harvest Festival, drama club might be more your speed."

"After I passed out, who did you tell? The sheriff?" Wednesday asks.

"You think I'd trust normie cops?" the girl sneers, "I went straight to Weems and let her handle it. Anyways, let's get this audition over with. What are you? Alto, soprano, or just loco?"

The choir laughs with her. Bianca motions for a note to be played. Wednesday opens her mouth but no noise seemingly comes out. Although the piano player's glasses and a glass covering in Principal Weems' office cracks.

"What was that?" Bianca asks.

"A note only dogs can hear," Wednesday answers. The girl then leaves the quad as the choir continues singing. The Addams girl looks at the next club on the list: archery. She walks outside to the practice targets, finding Xavier Thorpe. He misses the middle.

"Huh, you actually showed up. Ever shot a bow and arrow before?" he asks.

"Only on live targets," she answers. He sighs.

"Okay," he grabs another arrow, "square stance. Load the arrow like this, yellow side out. Three fingers. Pull back and... let it fly. Any questions?"

"When's the last time you saw your roommate Rowan?" she asks.

"What, you mean the one that was killed by a monster?" Xavier jokes. He grabs another arrow, "The Harvest Festival. I haven't talked to him since. But his side of the room was all packed up this morning. Rowan's always been a little off, but, uh, the last couple of weeks he's been more erratic. You know, telekinesis can mess with your head. He's... it started to freak me out."

He draws the arrow back, "So what's the deal with you and Tyler?"

The girl glares at him, "Oh, I'm sorry, were you the only one who got to ask non-archery questions here?"

"There is no deal. He was doing me a favor driving me out of town," she explains truthfully. Xavier hands her the bow.

"Yeah, word of advice. Steer clear," he instructs.

"Why? Because he's a normie?"

"Cause Tyler and his friends are a bunch of jerks," the boy explains as Wednesday prepares to shoot the arrow, "they can't stand that this school's propping up their Podunk town."

"Says the boy whose life was served on a silver platter," she fires back.

"Hey, you know, girls in glass houses..."

"Should throw bigger stones," she finishes. She grabs an apple and tosses it into the air, "at least I'm not an elitist snob."

She quickly draws the arrow back and releases it. The arrow goes through the apple and hits the bull's eye on the target.

"Ouch," Xavier comments. Principal Weems watches from her office, noticing Wednesday's abilities. The girl decides to keep looking for clubs, coming across a club called 'The Nevermore Hummers'.

"Are you interested in the ancient art of beekeeping?" a boy comes up behind her in a bee suit, "Eugene. Eugene Ottinger. Founder and president of the Nevermore Hummers."

He holds out his hand, to which she shakes, "Wednesday. Wednesday Addams."

She notices the lack of student body in the club, "Am I late or is it only you?"

"The hive life isn't for everyone," he answers, "Tana would be here, but... well, I'm sure you know."

"Tana is in this club? How?" the Addams girl genuinely asks. Tana's abilities hold her back from doing a lot of extracurricular activities. Physical ones, mostly.

"She's actually very helpful in moving colonies. You see, smoke masks bees' alarm pheromones. This makes them believe their hive is on fire, so they eat lots of honey to store energy to move colonies. They essentially 'get drunk' off of honey so they don't sting," Eugene explains.

"Interesting, I'm not worried about being stung," she says.

"Perfect," he gets her a suit, "bees have been producing honey in the same way for 150 million years. They're nature's perfect community. All working together to achieve a common goal."

She looks around, noticing Thing hiding between hives.

"Fun fact, it's also one of the few ecosystems in which females dominate," Thing motions for Wednesday as he continues talking, "from the queen bee to her workers. There's no patriarchy in the hive!"

The boy turns around to find Wednesday gone.

"Rowan! We need to talk," the girl calls as he gets into Ms. Thornhill's car.

"Wednesday, I'm not allowed to speak to anyone," he informs her.

"You had a lot to say the other night when you tried to kill Tana and I," she retorts, "told us we are destined to destroy the school, remember? Where did you get that drawing?"

"I just went into the woods to clear my head. Then you and Tana came after me," he lies. Ms. Thornhill notices the Addams girl.

"Wednesday. You shouldn't be here," she scolds.

"Yeah, back off and leave me alone," Rowan adds. He gets into the car. Wednesday watches the back of the car as it leaves, Thing hitchhiking along the bumper.

Chapter Text

"I'm going to give you all the materials again..." Ms. Thornhill talks to a student before class in the conservatory.

"How do you lose him in a bathroom with no windows?" Wednesday whispers to Thing who stands behind a plant. He shrugs, "A lefty wouldn't have failed me."

The appendage hunkers down, knowing the girl is disappointed in him.

"Don't sulk. Now, I'm going to have to find new evidence myself," she says, not noticing Bianca watching her, "since you're the one who lost our only lead."

"I see you finally made a friend," the siren jokes, "even if it is a plant."

"I go for quality over quantity," Wednesday fires back. Bianca rolls her eyes and walks to her seat. The Addams girl follows. She looks around for an empty table to sit at.

"There's an open spot next to me," Xavier offers, "if you can stand sitting that close to an elitist snob."

Wednesday goes to sit next to him before the door to the conservatory opens. Tana walks in. Her neck and hand are still bandaged, but she's out of the infirmary. She takes an empty table in the back. Wednesday decides to sit next to her instead, Xavier rolling his eyes.

"Welcome back Tana. We're thrilled to have you and Wednesday join us on our journey into the world of carnivorous plants," Ms. Thornhill starts, "now... who can tell us the name of this beauty?"

Bianca raises her hand but Wednesday blurts out, "Dendrophylax Lindenii."

"Otherwise known as the ghost orchid," Bianca blurts out, not used to having someone else willingly answer.

"First discovered on the Isle of Wight in 1854," the Addams girl adds.

"Very good, Wednesday," Ms. Thornhill comments, impressed by her knowledge, "Looks like you may have competition for first chair, Bianca."

"Ooh!" the students snicker.

"Wednesday, perhaps you can identify the ghost orchid's greatest qualities," the redheaded teacher asks.

"Resilience and adaptability," she answers, "it's able to thrive in even the most hostile environments."

"But its mere presence can change the ecosystem, causing the established plants to reject it," Bianca adds.

"Usually because the native species is allowed to thrive unchecked," Wednesday fires back, "nothing a Weedwacker couldn't fix."

"You can most certainly try," the siren scoffs.

"Are we still talking about flowers?" Xavier questions, making the other students laugh.

"Thank you, ladies, for those illuminating insights," Ms. Thornhill says, "clearly the plants aren't the only carnivores in class today."

***

After class, Wednesday goes to find Enid to ask for a favor.

"I have to get back to the woods, but Weems has been watching me like a vulture circling a carcass," she says.

"And you want me to cover so that you can return to the scene of a crime that didn't happen?" her roommate questions as she works on her canoe for the Poe Cup.

"I have beekeeping club this afternoon. I need you as decoy," Wednesday confirms.

"Sorry. Two strikes," the blonde says, "I'm busy and bees totally creep me out. Why don't you ask Thing? Oh wait, you can't because he's mad at you."

"Why's he mad? He's the one who screwed up with Rowan," the Addams girl explains.

"All I know is that we spent an hour giving each other manis, and he really opened up," Enid says, "he feels like you don't respect him as a person."

"Well, technically, he's only a hand," Wednesday points out.

"Wednesday! He's your family," the blonde huffs, "and he would do anything for you. Go apologize and I'll reconsider helping you."

Wednesday stands still, surprised by the order from her roommate. Usually, she's the one giving orders, not the other way around. But she needs to look for evidence, so she heads back to Ophelia Hall. She quickly walks into her dorm, looking for Thing. She doesn't see him on her desk or bed. She turns when she hears the sound of pages flipping.

Thing stands on Enid's bed, looking through one of her magazines. Wednesday walks over to the appendage.

"I snapped at you. I'll check my tone in the future," she says to him, "Now chop-chop, before all our leads turn cold."

She turns to leave but stops when Thing flips another page in the magazine. She's going to have to be a little more sincere to be granted forgiveness.

"What is it that you want? Hand cream? Nail buffer? New cuticle scissors?" she questions, "consider it done."

He closes the magazine and throws it toward her. He motions for her to sit down. She sighs and sits down on her roommate's bed. He signs to her.

"I know I'm stubborn, single-minded, and obsessive," she says, "but those are all traits of great writers."

He signs back, pointing out that serial killers also have those traits.

"Yes. And serial killers. What's your point?" the girl asks. He asks her if she needs to say something, "I have nothing to get off my chest, and I am not submitting to your emotional blackmail."

He taps his fingers on the bed, knowing she's lying.

"Fine," she says through gritted teeth. She pulls out the drawing Rowan had, "When Rowan showed me this, it confirmed my greatest fear. That I'm going to be responsible for something terrible. Not good terrible, like Ivan. Bad terrible. And I can't let that happen. That's why I need to find out the truth."

He pats her hand.

"Breathe a word of this to anyone and I will end you," she threatens. He slowly scoots away from her. She gets up to go tell Enid, so she can go to the woods instead of the beekeeping club. There's only one problem: Tana.

"I am not staying here with her," Enid whispers outside of the shed.

"Why not? What do you have against her?" Wednesday asks.

"Nothing! I just... I can't do this, I'm sorry Wednesday," the werewolf turns to leave.

"Enid, wait," Wednesday orders, "Stay right here."

The Addams girl walks into the shed finding Eugene and Tana in their beekeeping suits.

"Tana, I need you to come with me," the black-haired girl orders.

She looks to Eugene, "Okay."

Wednesday leads her out of the shed, "Take off your suit."

"What?" the redhead questions. She notices Enid standing a couple of feet away, "What's Enid doing here?"

"Just do it," Wednesday huffs. Tana listens and takes the suit off. The Addams girl picks it up and walks to Enid, "Here. I'm taking her with me."

"Wednesday..."

The black-haired girl walks away, "Come on."

Tana looks at Enid confused. But she follows Wednesday anyways. The werewolf reluctantly puts the suit on.

"Wednesday? Where are we going?" Tana asks as she is led out into the woods. The Addams girl perks up when she hears the way Tana says her name. She's never cared for what people call her; Wednesday, psychopath, bitch, weirdo, but something about Tana... something about the sound of her voice makes Wednesday stop in her tracks.

She thinks for a moment before continuing, "I'm gathering evidence."

"And why do I have to be here?"

"Would you rather be back at the shed with Enid?" the Addams girl questions, "Exactly."

"Is this about Rowan's picture?" the redhead asks, "you can't really think we're going to destroy the school?"

"I don't know what I think. But I know someone's covering up his murder," she explains. The girl continues walking but is pulled back by Tana. Sheriff Galpin walks by with a sniffer dog. Wednesday's heart pounds as he passes and she notices Tana's grip on the sleeve of her uniform jacket. She wonders what her hands look like underneath their gloves. Although, once he's passed them, Wednesday rips her sleeve from Tana's grip.

"Sorry," the redhead whispers. The girl continues to walk in silence before stopping, "what is it?"

She kneels down, seeing a pair of cracked glasses. Rowan's glasses.

"These are Rowan's. I knew it was a cover-up," she comments. She picks them up and is sent into another vision.

She sees Rowan and Xavier fighting. She sees him moving the gargoyle. He's in a room, pulling a picture out of a book. The same picture that Wednesday has now, but it is only one-half of it. She sees them arguing again before Rowan uses his powers to throw Xavier against the wall of their dorm. She then sees the cover of the book the picture came from.

"Jesus Christ, are you alright?" Tana asks, kneeling down next to her, "what was that?"

"A vision."

"Are you sure you didn't break your neck? Should we go to the infirmary?"

"No," Wednesday orders, "but I need to get back to the library."

"O... okay," the redhead stutters as the girl stands up and walks off like nothing happened. The two girls walk in silence through the woods.

"You don't have to come with me," Wednesday tells her, as they walk into the main building. Tana looks down and walks away, knowing that was a less-than-subtle hint for her to go away. Thing climbs out of her backpack and to her shoulder, signing to her, "She doesn't need to know."

He stands on her shoulder.

"She has nothing to do with this. I can stop her from flaming the school if we really are destined to destroy Nevermore. I just need to figure out how to stop myself," the girl whispers. She walks into the basement where the library is and Thing jumps to the bookshelf, "I keep seeing the same purple book."

He scurries through the book and pushes a lilac-colored book out to her.

"The cover was darker," she comments, "more like a day-old contusion. Keep looking."

He gives her a thumbs up, climbing up a shelf to continue his search. Ms. Thornhill comes walking down the stairs.

"I don't usually find students in here looking for actual books," she comments, "most sneak in to make out."

"I accidentally walked in on two vampires fanging," the Addams girl admits, "I can't unsee that."

"Is there something I can help you find?" the teacher asks. Wednesday pauses, wondering if she should trust her. She pulls up a picture of the symbol from the drawing Rowan had.

"Have you seen this before? It's a watermark from a book I'm looking for."

"I think it's the symbol of an old student society. Um... The Nightshades," she answers.

"Like the deadly flower," Wednesday comments, "color me intrigued."

"I was told they disbanded years ago," Ms. Thornhill says.

"Any idea why?"

"Sorry," she shakes her head. Wednesday turns and puts the picture into her backpack, "I was very impressed with your answers in class today."

"My mother is a carnivorous plant aficionado," the Addams girl informs her, "I assume I get my red thumb from her."

"Are you and your mother close?" the redheaded teacher inquires.

Wednesday frowns at the thought of her mother, "Like two inmates sentenced to life on the same cell block."

"I know it can't be easy... showing up mid-semester," she says, "I've been here a year and a half, and I still feel like an outsider."

"Is that because you're the only normie on the staff?" Wednesday questions, "Enid told me."

"To tell you the truth, I've never really fit in anywhere," Ms. Thornhill explains, "too odd for the normies, not odd enough for the outcasts. I thought Nevermore would be different, but there's still a handful of teachers who will barely acknowledge me."

"I act as if I don't care if people dislike me," the Addams girl starts to open up, "deep down... I secretly enjoy it."

Ms. Thornhill chuckles at Wednesday's response. She was expecting something different but she was not surprised by her actual answer.

"Never lose that, Wednesday."

"Lose what?"

"The ability to not let others define you," the redheaded teacher smiles, "it's a gift."

"Doesn't always feel that way," she counters.

"The most interesting plants grow in the shade," and with that, Ms. Thornhill turns to leave, "and if you ever need anyone to talk to, the door to the conservatory is always open."

Later that night, Wednesday decides to sneak into Rowan's old dorm. Xavier walks in, going to his bathroom for a shower.

"That purple book has got to be around here somewhere," she says to Thing as he jumps on Xavier's nightstand, "start investigating."

The two begin to look through Xavier's belongings, in search of something left behind by Rowan. The black-haired girl looks through Xavier's sketchbook, finding a picture of her. She leaves it open, pulling a blue light out to search Rowan's side of the room.

She looks under his bed, finding two sets of floorboards that aren't connected and fingerprints around the cracks. She reaches in and lifts the board up. She pulls out a mask.

"Rowan's full of surprises," she comments. As she goes to leave, someone knocks on the door. Wednesday quickly dives under the bed as Xavier comes out of the bathroom. He opens the door to find Bianca Barclay standing in the hallway.

"You're not supposed to be up here," he says, pulling her into his room.

"Good to see you too," she comments.

"How'd you get past the Housemaster? Use your siren powers?" he asks, less than impressed.

"Not while wearing this," she answers, grabbing her gold amulet, "would it kill you to not think the worst of me for once?"

"What do you want, Bianca?" Xavier asks, leaning up against his bed frame. Wednesday can see their legs from under the bed.

"To see how you're doing," she answers, "I'm sorry about Rowan. I know you guys used to be close."

"Since when did you give a damn about Rowan?" he fires back.

"Mmm, you were the one afraid he'd do something to Wednesday and Tana," she points out, "isn't that why you've been following her around like an eager-eyed puppy? Or is there something more?"

Xavier moves away from his bed.

"Seriously, what do you see in her? She's weirder than Tana," she asks as he closes his sketchbook, "You suddenly have a thing for tragic goth girls with funeral-parlor fashion sense?"

"Maybe it's because she hasn't tried to manipulate me," the boy suggests.

"I make one mistake, and you can't forgive me," Bianca huffs, "she treats you like crap, but you can't get enough."

"Okay, why are you so fixated on Wednesday?" he questions.

"Because she thinks she's better than everyone else!" she exclaims, "I can't wait to crush Ophelia Hall tomorrow and watch her werewolf roommate crumble. It's gonna be a Poe Cup finale to remember."

"Yeah, I hate to think what you've got planned."

"My game's already started," she proudly says, "I like to win. Is that so wrong?"

"And you wonder why I broke up with you," Xavier comments.

"You used to love my killer instinct," she counters. She grabs his hand, "we were good together, Xavier."

"Were we?" he questions, "or is that just how you wanted me to feel?"

Her smile falters and she backs away from him, "Trust me, Wednesday Addams is not the girl of your dreams. She's the stuff of your nightmares."

Wednesday looks at Thing under the bed as the door opens and closes. Xavier sighs and goes back into the bathroom. When the door is closed, Wednesday quickly makes her escape back to Ophelia Hall. She walks into the room and finds Enid sobbing on the bed.

"Where have you been?" she exclaims, "I'm literally having a heart attack right now! Yoko's in the infirmary!"

"What happened?" her roommate inquires.

"Garlic bread incident at dinner," the girl paces back and forth, "She had a major allergic reaction, which means she's out of the Poe Cup and I don't have a co-pilot."

"It wasn't an accident. Bianca's behind it," Wednesday informs her.

"How do you know?"

"Doesn't matter. You and I are going to take her down tomorrow," the black-haired girl says. Enid turns, her face red from crying.

"Wait. You're joining the Black Cats?" the blonde asks. She gets excited, taking a step towards the Addams girl who in turn, backs away, "You're willing to do that? For me?"

"I want to humiliate Bianca so badly that the bitter taste of defeat burns in her throat," Wednesday answers.

"Yeah, but mostly you're doing it because we're friends, right?" Enid asks. Wednesday turns, not answering physically, but enough for the werewolf to understand.

"Tell me how she keeps winning."

"It's a real brain cramp. The past two years, no other boat has made it across the lake and back without sinking," she explains.

"Sounds like sabotage."

"There are no rules in the Poe Cup," the blonde elaborates, "and she is a siren, which makes her master of the water."

Wednesday turns, "Then we just need to beat her at her own game."

Chapter Text

On the morning of the Poe Cup, Wednesday briskly walks past Bianca to find Enid. The siren holds a high head, thinking this year will be like any other
and she will win.

"We're all set," Enid says to Wednesday.

"Good. Thing's in position," the Addams girl adds.

"You wanna tell me what you two were up to all night?"

"And spoil the surprise?" Wednesday asks sarcastically.

"Speaking of surprises, your costume is in the tent," the blonde smiles. Wednesday's normal blank face drops for slight fear.

"Costume?"

Enid takes her over to the changing tents. She comes out in a black suit with cat-ear headbands. Enid wears a similar costume.

"OMG, you look purr-fect!" the blonde exclaims, "Only thing, where are your whiskers?"

"Ask again, and you'll be down to eight lives," she replies. The entire school joins down by the water for the Poe Cup. Four boats from four halls compete. Enid looks over at Ajax, the gorgon she has a crush on. She waves to him, "Focus."

Xavier, who is on the same boat as Ajax, looks over at Wednesday. She looks at him, but then past him, spotting Tana standing in the grass. Her bandages are removed, but her skin is scarring. Tana looks away when she spots Wednesday looking.

"What do we have here?" Bianca's voice pulls the girl's attention away from the bank, "the runt of the litter."

"For the record, I don't believe I'm better than everyone else," Wednesday informs her, "just that I'm better than you."

"I want to welcome you all to the Edgar Allan Poe Cup," Principal Weems announces into a microphone, "this is one of Nevermore's proudest annual traditions, dating back 125 years. Each team must row across to Raven Island, pull a flag from Crackstone's Crypt, and hustle back without sinking or being sunk. The first team to cross the finish line with their flag wins the Poe Cup and bragging rights for a year, as well as some special privileges. Let the Poe Cup begin!"

Principal Weems fires the starting pistol and the teams begin to row.

"Go, go, go!"

"Move. Faster!"

"Come on, ladies. Let's go!"

The students and faculty on the banks cheer as the teams begin their journey to Raven Island. Xavier's boat, the Jokers, passes the Black Cats, taking first place.

"Oh, excuse us!" he comments. Bianca's boat, the Gold Bugs, is in fourth place. She nods to a student standing hidden along the bank. He quickly takes his shirt off and dives into the water.

Under the water, his legs merge together and his tail comes out. The siren boy swims quickly towards the boats. Another boat, behind the Black Cats, starts to pass them. Their boat is equipped with axes, that swing forward to take the girls out. Although they duck, preventing their heads from being cut off.

The siren catches up to the boats, beginning to push the boat with the axes attached to them.

"Turn! Turn!"

He pushes their boat into a buoy, sinking them.

"Come on, man. We lost 'cause of you."

Bianca's team laughs as they pass, taking third place, but still in last overall. While the Black Cats continue to row, Wednesday takes out her spyglass, seeing the siren's mermaid tail in the distance.

"Thing," she says. He pulls a lever on the bottom of the boat. It shoots a net out underwater, trapping the siren. The Jokers are the first to arrive at Raven Island.

"Let's go. It's over here!" Xavier pulls the gorgon out of the boat. The two run off to Crackstone's Crypt to find the flag. The others stay to guard the boat. The Black Cats arrive shortly after the boys have taken off into the woods.

"Stay here and make sure Bianca can't sabotage our boat," Wednesday orders. Enid sits down as the Addams girl takes off. Thing crawls along the bottom of the boat.

"Thing," Enid says, "I need you to distract a couple of jokers."

Thing crawls out of their boat and over to theirs. He flicks a rock at the remaining members of the team. When the two turn, he flips them off.

"What?"

"Come on," Thing scurries off into the woods.

"Go!"

"Let's get it!" the two boys follow the appendage as Enid sneaks over to their boat. She uses her claws to scratch their boat.

"Let's go, man!" Ajax says as he and Xavier retrieve their flag from the Crypt, "she's right there."

Wednesday comes running by.

"Later, Wednesday!" Xavier calls as they head back. She runs up to grab their flag, putting her hand on the stone of the Crypt. She is sent into another vision, this one more powerful as she falls to the ground.

She wakes up in the same woods, although an alternate version of it. She turns in circles, finding a girl, who looks just like her only with blonde hair, standing behind her. She holds a book and wears a white dress. Wednesday looks at her with wide eyes.

"You are the key," the girl says. Wednesday doesn't respond. She is pulled out of her vision by Bianca's voice.

"Taking a catnap?" she jokes. The siren and her teammate then run back towards the boats. Wednesday looks back at the Crypt before getting up to finish the race. The other two boats are already on their way back by the time Wednesday comes down to the bank.

"Come on!"

"Hurry up, we have to go!"

Wednesday jumps into the boat, trying to make up for the lost time. The Jokers, who were in the lead, begin to sink thanks to Enid's scratches in the boat. The Gold Bugs quickly pass them as Xavier stops paddling.

"What's going on?" he shouts. The bottom of their boat rapidly fills with water and they begin to tip. The Black Cats pass them as their boat sinks.

"See ya, jokers!"

"Cheaters!" Xavier shouts.

"I just asked myself, 'WWWD?' What Would Wednesday Do?" Enid says proudly. The Black Cats quickly catch up behind the Gold Bugs.

"The final two teams are the Gold Bugs..." Principal Weems announces, looking through binoculars, "and the Black Cats."

Wednesday pushes another lever as they continue to row. Arrows deploy from the sides of their boat. The girls swing their boat closer to Bianca's. Just as they are about to hit Bianca's boat, a force pushes them away. It pushes them towards the buoy, like the first team to be taken out.

Thing jumps up onto the edge of the canoe and dives into the water. He swims over to the siren and knocks him out with a single punch. The Black Cats join back in the race, once again rowing closer to the Gold Bugs. They puncture the side of the boat.

"Gotcha!" Enid shouts as they push away. Water quickly fills the bottom of the boat. Bianca grunts in frustration as the Black Cats arrive back at the docks. Wednesday and Enid run up to the bank, both carrying the flag. The crowd cheers them on.

"Whoo!" Enid exclaims, "Yeah, we did it! OMG, Wednesday, we did it! This is the greatest moment of my entire life!"

The werewolf shakes her roommate and although Wednesday never allows physical contact of any kind, she spares Enid.

"Admit it, you kinda got into the whole school spirit thing," the blonde says. Wednesday turns to see Bianca and her team pulling themselves out of the water.

"You didn't tell me it was a dark, vengeful spirit," she grins slightly. After a few minutes of celebration, the students head back to campus for the ceremony. Although Wednesday does not enjoy this part as much as she enjoyed showing Bianca up.

"The first Poe Cup took place in 1897 as a way to not only honor Nevermore's most famous alumni, but to celebrate those values that all outcasts share," Principal Weems says in the quad, "Community, perseverance, and determination. And we certainly saw those values on display today."

She then picks up the massive trophy and hands it to Enid, who could not be more excited. She lifts it into the air, "Whooo! Yeah!"

"Congratulations to Ophelia Hall!" Principal Weems announces. Wednesday walks away, uninterested in the celebration, "as a former resident, I will be happy to see the cup back on the mantle after all these years."

Wednesday walks the main building, staring at a statue of Edgar Allan Poe. He holds a book and the girl notices a familiar watermark on it.

"What are you doing down here?" Enid calls.

"Hiding," Wednesday answers, "people keep randomly smiling at me out there, it's unsettling."

Enid walks with her roommate, "It's called having your moment. You took down Bianca Barclay. Try to enjoy it. The girls wanna know if you wanna hang out later."

The black-haired girl doesn't answer.

"Oh, come on, it won't kill you," the blonde asks.

"I'll think about it," she answers. Enid nods and skips off to her friends who sit with the trophy.

"It's good to see you fitting in," Principal Weems approaches Wednesday, "just like your mother."

"My mother and I are two different people-slash-species-slash-everything," the Addams girl says.

"The last time Ophelia Hall won the Poe Cup, your mother captained the team," the blonde woman informs her, "I was her co-pilot. Maybe you two are more alike than you think."

Later that night, while Enid cuddles the Poe Cup trophy in bed, Wednesday sneaks back into the building with the statue. With her flashlight out, she begins to look for clues. She stands on the base of the statue, looking down at the book. There's a list of riddles.

The opposite of the moon. Sun.

A world between ours. Nether.

Two months before June. April.

A self-seeding flower. Pansy.

One more than one. Two.

Its leaves weep to the ground. Willow.

It melts in the sun. Ice.

Its beginning and end never found. Circle.

Every rule has one. Exception.

The answer will give a sharp, cracking sound.

Wednesday circles the first letter of all the answers.

Snap Twice.

She gets off of the base and turns to stand in front of the statue. She snaps twice and immediately, the wings of the bird that sits on Edgar's other arm moves. The arms swing inward and then the whole statue moves. It reveals a secret stairwell. She walks down the stairs, seeing portraits line the walls all the way to the bottom. At the bottom of the stairwell is an open room, with bookshelves surrounding it. The floor has the same watermark on it.

As she looks around, she spots a portrait of her parents. She walks to one of the bookshelves, the outside colors of each book match the one from her vision. She notices a lack of dust in front of one. She pulls it out from its place and begins to flip through the pages. She finds the other half of the drawing that was ripped from the page. A pilgrim with a scepter stands on the other side of the drawing.

She shuts the book and puts it in her backpack before turning to leave. Although before she can leave, a black hood is placed over her head. Hands tie her wrists up and she's sat down in a chair. When the hood comes off, she's surrounded by purple-hooded people in the center of the hidden library.

"Who dares breach our inner sanctum?" a voice asks.

"You can take the mask off, Bianca," Wednesday replies. The girl sighs, removing her hood and mask. The rest of them follow, revealing all students. Ajax and Xavier among them, "wait, I preferred you with it on."

Bianca makes a face at the girl.

"How did you get down here?" Xavier asks.

"Rowan showed me," she answers, "left pocket."

The boy walks forward, taking the drawing from Rowan out of her pocket.

"I tracked the watermark from the page to the Poe statue," she explains, "then I solved the riddle."

"Wait, there's a riddle?" one of the members asks. His eye is black and blue, probably because a certain appendage punched him, "I thought we just snapped twice."

The rest of the members sigh.

"Well, aren't you the brightest in the bunch?" Wednesday comments.

"The Nightshades are an elite social club," Bianca says, "emphasis on elite."

"We have roof parties, camp-outs, the occasional midnight skinny-dip," Enid's vampire friend Yoko says.

"And Yoko's an amateur mixologist," another member adds.

"She makes a killer virgin mojito. It can get pretty wild," Ajax says.

"Wow. Do you guys even have a bedtime?" Wednesday asks sarcastically, "Last I heard, the Nightshades had been disbanded."

"Yeah, the group kind of lost its charter 30 years ago after some normie kid died," Xavier explains.

"But we have a lot of wealthy alumni," Yoko adds, "so Weems looks the other way as long as nobody makes any waves."

"Someone like Rowan?" Wednesday questions. Bianca shakes her head.

"We booted that loser last semester," she says, "question is, what are we gonna do with her? Only members are allowed in this library."

"I say we invite her to pledge," Xavier suggests.

"What?"

"She is a legacy," he points out, motioning to her parents' portrait on the wall.

"After the crap she pulled in the Poe Cup, there's no way in hell," Bianca answers, "we talk about not making waves? She's a tsunami."

"Just because I beat you at your own game?" the Addams girl questions, "let me save you the trouble. I'm not interested in joining."

"You're seriously turning us down?" another member asks.

"Can you believe it?" she mocks.

"Untie her," Bianca orders Xavier.

"I freed myself five minutes ago," Wednesday announces, holding the rope up. She stands up, snatches the drawing back from Xavier, and walks towards the staircase. The siren with the black eye blocks her from leaving, "do you want a matching black eye?"

She slams the rope into his chest and he moves. She walks up the stairs, stopping before she gets all the way up.

"It's amateurs like you who give kidnapping a bad name," she comments. The Nightshades all huff as she's outsmarted them all.

***

The next day the Nevermore students will go into town for Outreach Day.

"All students will report for their volunteer jobs at 10:00 AM sharp, followed by a community lunch at 1:00," Principal Weems announces in the quad, "As you know, this year Outreach Day culminates in a very special event, the dedication of a new memorial statue in the town square, which will also include performances by Nevermore students. As representatives of our school, I trust you will all put your best face forward."

"Yeah!"

The staff begins handing out volunteer assignments to the students. Enid comes up to Wednesday as she is handed her assignment.

"Yes! I got Pilgrim World!" the blonde cheers, "I do have natural people skills and a love of performing, so it's kind of the obvi choice. What'd you get?"

"Uriah's Heap, whatever that is," the Addams girl answers. Enid frowns as they make their way outside to the busses.

"Ew. It's this weird, creepy antique store," the werewolf says, "you'll love it though. I'm crossing my claws Ajax and I will be outreaching together."

"Oh my god, I got the Weathervane," Xavier huffs next to Ajax, "Dude, trade with me. Come on, trade me!"

"Wednesday, don't worry about your cello," Principal Weems approaches, "I'll have it brought to the town square this afternoon."

"My cello?"

"I caught your rooftop serenade the other night," she explains, "Impressive. I volunteered you to accompany the Jericho High School marching band at the ceremony. I'm sure it won't be too challenging to play an uplifting Fleetwood Mac melody."

"As long as you promise to hang me as a witch afterward," the girl replies. Principal Weems is always surprised by her responses. When Wednesday gets off the bus on the main street in Jericho, she finds Xavier staring at a brick wall, painted white, "why are you staring at a blank wall?"

"It wasn't blank last Outreach Day," he huffs.

"Are you still stewing because I rejected your invitation?" she questions.

"I don't know, I did go out on a limb for you."

"Oh please," she sighs, "I'm just cannon fodder in whatever cold war you're waging with Bianca. I have more pressing issues on my mind."

"Yeah, like what?" the boy inquires.

"Tracking down the monster that killed your former roommate," Wednesday answers.

"Oh my god," Xavier huffs, "for the last time, Rowan was expelled. Everyone saw him leave."

"Have you spoken to him since?"

"I texted him a few times, but I never heard back," he admits, "I just figured he wanted to put Nevermore in his rearview mirror."

"Or he's dead," she suggests.

"I don't know why you care so much. It's not like you knew the guy," the boy huffs, walking away. Wednesday follows.

"I'm not sure why you care so little," she counters, "People can try and dismiss me and make a million other excuses, but I'm not gonna stop."

She pulls the stolen book from the Nightshades' library out of her backpack.

"Oh great. I guess you can add 'thief' to your resume," Xavier comments, "I don't know what the big deal is about an old Nightshade's journal anyways."

She puts the torn drawing next to the other side of the drawing in the book.

"You didn't seem surprised when I showed you this last night," Wednesday comments, "you've seen it before, haven't you?"

"Yeah," he admits, "a couple days before the Harvest Festival. It was open on Rowan's desk. So, I just assumed he stole it after we kicked him out of the Nightshades. Then I confronted him about it, and he kind of went ballistic on me."

Wednesday remembers her vision of him and Rowan arguing.

"He threw you against the wall with his telekinesis," she says. Xavier furrows his eyebrows.

"Yeah. How did you know that?" he questions.

"Lucky guess," she lies.

"It's weird that you are in this. I mean, this journal is like, what, 30 years old?" Xavier points out, "and what the hell's Crackstone doing in the picture?"

"You know who that is?"

"Yeah, it's Joseph Crackstone," he explains, "He's like, Jericho's founding father. He's kind of a big deal around here. Yeah, look."

Two workers hang banners on a light post for Pilgrim World, the theme park inspired by him. His picture is in the middle of the banner.

"That's him," Xavier answers, "And what's Tana got to do with this?"

"I'm not sure. But if we know one thing about her powers," the girl comments.

"Yeah, I mean, she probably did burn down Othello Hall."

"I keep hearing about this, but it doesn't seem there is any hard evidence," Wednesday says.

"Well, she did live in Othello Hall. One night two weeks after school started the building went down in flames and everyone had to evacuate," he explains.

"And where was Tana?"

"Evacuated with everyone else. Principal Weems took her straight to her office. But when we went to class the next day, Tana was there and nothing ever came of it."

Chapter Text

"Yes, all right. Everyone take a seat. We have a special announcement!" Principal Weems announces. The Nevermore students sit in bleachers in the town square of Jericho. Mayor Walker turns to speak to them.

"Welcome, welcome, Nevermore Academy," he says, "Now, on behalf of the entire Jericho community, we are so, so pleased to have you all here today. Your generosity and hard work are truly... outreachous!"

He chuckles at his pun. Principal Weems walks over to stand next to him.

"Okay, everyone. We'll see you back here at one o'clock for lunch. Enjoy!" she exclaims. The students stand up from the bleachers. From here they will go to their volunteering places. Wednesday makes quick work to catch up to Enid.

"Enid," she calls. The blonde turns and Wednesday holds out her paper, "Switch volunteer assignments."

"What? No. Uriah's Heap is definitely not my bag," the girl groans.

"It's an emergency," the Addams girl pleads, "I need to check out Pilgrim World."

"But Wednesday, this is not a fair trade," Enid argues, "Why would I agree to spend the entire day at some dumpy emporium of crapola?"

"Because Ajax is going to be volunteering there," the blonde suddenly becomes interested, "Thing sneaked a peek at his assignment. But if you're not interested —"

She pulls the paper away, to which Enid snatches it.

"No!" Enid trades papers, "Oh my god, thank you. You're the best!"

The werewolf trots off happily. Wednesday begins to walk to Pilgrim World, which is just outside of the main town square. What she doesn't know is that Tana is also going to be volunteering there.

"Welcome to Pilgrim World!" a character for the park announces, "Witch trials every day! Two o'clock! Four o'clock! Hey, man! Woman!"

Wednesday walks into the park, finding Bianca and Yoko taking a picture in one of the tourist attractions where you put your head on the body of a character. In this case, they are pilgrims. Eugene, leader of the beekeeping club takes their picture.

"Hey, Wednesday, want to grab a Hummers group photo?" he asks. She keeps her blank face, "guess not."

"Good morrow, my young Nevermore kin," an actress approaches the group, "I am Mistress Arlene. A real OC. Original colonist. Now prithee, put your cell phones on vibrate and make haste, for you are about to travel back in time to the year of our Lord 1625, to Jericho's first pilgrim settlement."

She turns and begins to show the group of students around the theme park. Eugene eagerly follows her, the rest... not so much. Wednesday stays at the back of the group and locks eyes with Tana. The redhead looks away quickly, avoiding her.

"Yonder. Behold, the meeting house. Inside is a collection of artifacts related to Jericho's most beloved and pious founder, Joseph Crackstone," the woman continues, "and beyond is our privy, America's first gender-neutral restroom."

Wednesday steps toward the front, "I haveth a query."

"Pray, be quick, child," the woman instructs.

"In the meeting house, which of Joseph Crackstone's artifacts are on display?"

"It is truly a treasure trove, including the original farm tools, tableware, even the Crackstone family chamber pot," she informs the group, thinking Wednesday is actually interested in the theme park.

"Sounds fascinating," the girl cuts her off, "I volunteer to work in there."

"Pray, no. That exhibit is being renovated," the pilgrim woman stops her from walking off, "Today, thou will all be working at the beating heart of Pilgrim World."

She leads the students over to a shop named Ye Olde Fudgery.

"Ye Olde Fudgery?" Eugene exclaims excitedly.

"More like ye olde diabetes in a box," Wednesday comments. The woman comes out with pilgrim costumes for all of them.

"Volunteers, prick up thine ears," she instructs, "Fudge is the lifeblood of our humble community. And samples equal sales, so grab a uniform and a box and make our forefathers proud."

Wednesday picks up a white stole that goes with the costume, "Are these for muzzling tourists?"

The woman grows wide eyes. Wednesday and Eugene both head off to the bathroom to change, but the Addams girl stops when she overhears Tana and the pilgrim woman.

"I really... can't wear this," Tana tries to explain.

"Hush now," the woman stops her. She pushes Tana away towards the bathrooms before handing out more uniforms to the next students. Wednesday walks over to the redhead.

"What happens when you don't wear white?" she questions.

"My body will literally burn the fabric off," she explains.

"Can you put it on over this?" Wednesday grabs at her all-white Nevermore uniform.

"I mean, I guess, but I'll be sweating," she groans. Wednesday turns and continues to the bathroom. When she comes out, she finds Tana standing at a table with cups. She's using her powers to make hot chocolate. Wednesday walks towards her and Tana sees, "They, uh... found a use for my powers."

She hands a steaming cup off to a tourist. She takes the next cup from another tourist, heating it up.

"I thought we aren't supposed to use our powers while we're out in public?" Wednesday questions.

"We aren't. Mistress Arlene asked me about the uniform again and I told her of my powers. Then she assigned me to do this," Tana explains as she hands the cup off. Lots of tourists are lined up to get hot chocolate from her.

"Of course, they'd exploit outcasts," Wednesday comments. Tana chuckles. Mistress Arlene comes by with a tray of fudge for Wednesday to give out. She leads the Addams girl inside to hand out the samples.

"Enjoy your 'authentic' pilgrim fudge made with cacao beans procured by the oppressed indigenous people of the Amazon," Wednesday says to a group of tourists in German, "All proceeds go to uphold this pathetic whitewashing of American history. Also, fudge wasn't invented for another 258 years."

She holds the sample tray out, "any takers?"

The group leaves the shop without taking a sample. Mistress Arlene witnesses the group leaving, glaring at her. Wednesday leaves the shop to find Eugene, who, rather than serving, is eating his own sampling tray.

But before Wednesday can find him, he is grabbed by one of the three boys from the Weathervane.

"Check out this greedy little freak," the second boy says.

"Please, I need to get back to the..." he says as his stomach starts to rumble. All the fudge he ate doesn't settle well. He throws up on the second boy.

"Yuck, man!"

"Come here!" the second boy grabs Eugene and drags him to the stocks, "get in there!"

"Howdy, Pilgrims," Wednesday greets. The boy is about to shut the top half of the stock, but the Addams girl holds it open, "let him go."

"What, do you want to end up in the stocks too?" he taunts.

"Remember what happened the last time we did this dance?" she threatens. He throws Eugene away from the stocks, but to the other two boys. They hold onto him as the second boy goes after Wednesday. He grabs her by the shoulder, but she pulls his ankle out from under him and he trips.

He stands back up and swings at her, which she ducks from. He goes to grab her other shoulder, but she catches his hand and bends his first two fingers backward. She then grabs his arms and swings him around, throwing him into the stocks. She then hits the foot lever to bring the top half down, fully enclosing him inside.

He looks fearfully at her. She looks up at the other two boys.

"Are you two still here?" she questions.

"I can't get into any more trouble with my dad," the third boy comments. The two boys decide to leave their friend.

"No, wait!"

Eugene smiles.

"Let's get you cleaned up," she says. He nods, groaning. Wednesday takes the boy over to a secluded area before cleaning the boy up thoroughly.

"Nobody's ever stood up for me before," he says.

"You said Hummers stick together," she comments.

"I know this might come as a shock, but I don't have any friends."

Although normally she would insult anyone for saying such a thing, because she could care less about friends, she doesn't.

"You remind me of my brother, sans the desire to strangle him every waking moment," she says in an awkward attempt to compliment him. She stands up, "Now follow me. I need to know more about this Crackstone. So we have a meeting house to break into."

The boy follows her around the park to the meeting house, which is locked up for renovations.

"Give me your retainer," she orders, holding her hand out.

"What? Why? Your teeth are really good," Eugene questions, "not as straight or white as Enid's, but still —-"

"Hand it over!"

He takes the wire retainer out of his mouth, rubbing it on his sleeve before giving it to her.

"What if Mistress Arlene catches us?" he asks.

"Hive code, deny everything," she instructs. She begins to bend the wire of the retainer.

"That's not hive code!" he exclaims, "what's the big deal anyways? The fudge is definitely the best thing about this place."

She picks the lock in seconds, "Stop talking. Keep watch."

She steps into the meeting house, a giant display of a pilgrim in the middle of the room, surrounded by velvet ropes. She takes her backpack off and dumps Thing out onto a display case.

She turns to look at Joseph Crackstone's mannequin when Thing tugs on her dress. He points over to a painting. She walks over to it and reads the information.

"The Old Meeting House, 1625," she looks up, seeing the founding father of Jericho, surrounded by pilgrims, and a fire burning in the middle. She looks closer at the painting and notices a figure that looks like the girl from her last vision, "Thing, this is the girl from my vision. She's even holding the same book. That black one she had outside Crackstone's crypt."

Wednesday turns and her attention is drawn to another display case. Outside the fudgery, Mistress Arlene approaches Tana.

"How now. Your Nevermore sister," she says, "the one with the dark eyes and the sour face, where has she hithered?"

"Uh, I... I don't know," the redhead answers nervously.

"You mean Wednesday Addams?" Bianca says, eavesdropping on the conversation, "Knowing her, she's hithered somewhere she shan't be."

Tana looks away from Mistress Arlene. She huffs before taking off to find her. Meanwhile, Wednesday finds the book she's looking for.

"This is the book!" she exclaims. She opens up the display case and takes it, "Codex Umbrarum. That's Latin for 'Book of Shadows'."

She opens the book only to find blank pages. A replica.

"Great. It's a fake," she huffs. She turns it over to find a barcode sticker on the back, "I don't know who Etsy is, but I doubt she was an outcast settler."

Suddenly, the door to the meeting house opens and Mistress Arlene drags Eugene in by the back of his collar.

"Just what the fudge are you doing in here, missy?" she angrily asks.

"Mistress Arlene," Wednesday exclaims innocently, "how now?"

"How now, indeed," the woman sneers, "I proclaimed the meeting house is under repair. I know thoust heard me."

"I told her the door was unlocked and you were dying to learn more about Crackstone," Eugene lies.

"Yes, and this display case was already open," she adds. Mistress Arlene lets go of Eugene.

"That book's a replica."

"You don't say," she remarks.

"The original one was stolen last month during the two o'clock witch trial," the woman explains.

"It was probably the only authentic thing you have in here," Wednesday comments, "yet you still charge $29.95 a ticket?"

"Hold thy tongue," she orders, "I'm reassigning you both. To fudge-churning duty."

"The original meeting house, the one in that painting, where is it?" Wednesday asks, ignoring her form of 'punishment'. Mistress Arlene sighs.

"How the hell should I know?" she says, breaking character, "I only moved here from Scottsdale in April."

Unsatisfied with the information found at Pilgrim World, Wednesday makes an escape back to the main town square. She goes to the Weathervane, knowing a certain local would know where the old meeting house would be.

Xavier, who was assigned to work there, notices the girl staring at a bulletin board, "I thought you were supposed to be at Pilgrim World?"

She turns and approaches him at the counter, "I deserted it while my sanity was still intact."

"Oh yeah? You want a coffee?" he offers, "It's one of the many perks of this wonderful assignment."

"I'm actually here for Tyler," she informs him. His smile drops.

"I told you he was bad news."

"Twice," she remembers, "But who I speak to is my business."

She rings the bell on the counter. He comes out from the kitchen, confused seeing the two stand there, "you rang?"

Wednesday looks at Xavier to leave. He scoffs and walks away.

"Want the usual?" he asks.

"And some help," she adds. She takes out a map of Jericho and places it on a booth table, "You know the original pilgrim meeting house, the one from the 1600s? Do you know if it's still around?"

"What's left of it is out in Cobham Woods, but it's pretty much a ruin," he answers.

"Show me."

He points to a wooded area on the map, "There, but, look, it's kind of sketchy. Squatters and meth heads use that place as a crash pad. My dad has it cleared out every couple weeks. What's this about?"

"Nothing," she lies. She folds her map back up.

"You're really becoming obsessed with this whole 'monster in the woods' thing," he smiles.

"Would you rather I develop an obsession with horses and boy bands?" she asks rhetorically, "thank you for the help."

She turns to leave when he stops her, "Hey, listen, the ruins are kind of tricky to find. I could take you this afternoon. My shift ends at 2:00."

"Principal Weems would hang, draw, and quarter me if I miss the big statue dedication," Wednesday says, "And as enticing as that sounds, I'd prefer to keep a low profile. Besides, I know my way around the great outdoors."

"Don't tell me you were a Girl Scout," he jokes.

"I could eat Girl Scouts for breakfast," she fires back, "Actually, I have an uncle who went to prison for that."

She turns and leaves the Weathervane, passing by Xavier on her way out. Tana runs into the girl on the way out of the Weathervane.

"Oh, I'm— I'm sorry, Wednesday..." the girl says quietly. Wednesday gets a weird flip-flop feeling in her stomach, "Are... is everything all right?"

"Yes."

She turns and walks down the sidewalk, "Wait!"

Wednesday turns to the sound of the same voice.

"Can... can I, maybe.. come with you?" the redhead asks nervously. The Addams girl lifts her eyebrows slightly. She's unsure of why Tana suddenly has an interest in her. She'd been avoiding her before.

"If you rat me out to Principal Weems, I'll..." she stops herself, "I'll.. never forgive you."

"Okay."

Wednesday turns and continues down the sidewalk, Tana now by her side. The two, complete opposites, attract attention as they walk out of the main town square. Wednesday questions herself. Her normal threat didn't seem right with Tana. She's never not threatened to kill or torture someone.

"So... where are we going?" Tana asks as they begin their journey into the woods beyond Jericho.

"I want to visit the original meeting house," Wednesday answers honestly. She trusts Tana, even though she could easily tell Principal Weems what she's up to. But even Wednesday can tell that Tana is being hovered over by Principal Weems too.

"Can I ask why?"

Wednesday's expression softens for a mere moment. She's never met anyone who asks if they can question her. Most of the time people question her and she shuts them down anyways.

"Joseph Crackstone," she pulls out the complete drawing from the Nightshades journal, "He's somehow a part of this. The meeting house should give me answers. Why are you not at Pilgrim World?"

"I had to escape," the redhead answers.

"You're starting to sound like me," Wednesday comments, slightly jealous.

"No, I mean..." the girl stops her. She slides her gloves off and opens her palms. Her skin is burnt and blackened, "This is why I'm not supposed to use my powers."

Wednesday's eyes widen at the sight.

"You need to go back to the infirmary," Wednesday says, "To get them wrapped."

Tana pulls her hands away, "No. I don't want to."

The Addams girl furrows her eyebrows.

"Let's just go," Tana looks down. Wednesday can tell there's something else going on, but she isn't sure of what it could be. She leads the girl out to the ruins, where the original Meeting House is. Although, all that's left are the boards that stand straight out from the ground, looking more like a broken enclosure. She drops her backpack to the ground and Thing scurries out, "What is that?"

Wednesday turns, "Oh. That's Thing."

"The hand?"

"Yes."

"Where's the rest of him?"

"That's on a need-to-know basis," Wednesday answers. Thing signs to her, "I was expecting more too."

A bearded crackhead comes up behind Wednesday, "Who you talking to, little girl?"

Wednesday turns, while Tana backs away.

"Use the words 'little' and 'girl' to address me again and I can't guarantee your safety," she threatens.

"Wednesday..." Tana calls nervously.

"This is my place. Get out!" he yells.

"Thing, a hand here?" she looks down. The appendage scurries over to the crackhead man. He crawls up his pant leg and grabs at his throat.

"Ah! Ah! Hey!"

Wednesday watches as the crackhead struggles. Then, she turns and continues to investigate the Meeting House.

Thing forces the man out of the Meeting House, "Get off! Get off!"

He finally throws the appendage to the ground and runs off. Thing then returns to the Meeting House after fulfilling his duty.

"There's nothing here," Wednesday comments.

"What did you expect?" Tana asks. Thing signs to Wednesday.

"No, I can't just touch something," she ignores Tana, "my visions seem to happen spontaneously."

The appendage continues and suggests calling Wednesday's mother on the crystal ball.

"I would rather dye my hair pink than ask my mother for advice," she comments. He then goes over to touch a board, "oh, you want me to prove it to you?"

She touches a plank, no vision.

"No."

She places two hands on another board.

"Nothing."

Then she walks over to where the crackhead made his nest.

"Ah, I bet this will give us some real insight," she holds up a Taco Bell bag. She fakes getting another vision before throwing the bag down, "my visions are about as predictable as shark attacks. Let's go."

Tana walks out of the Meeting House, Wednesday picks up her bag and follows behind her. She grasps the handle of the door and is sent into another vision.

She falls to the ground, now in another version of Jericho. It's 1625 and a group of pilgrims surrounds a girl with pitchforks and torches.

"Burn her! Burn her!"

Wednesday hides behind a barrel, observing.

"Burn her! Devil spawn!"

In the middle of the circle is the girl from Wednesday's previous vision. She wears a dirty white dress and has blonde braids.

"Beast!"

"Witch!"

"Repent!"

The pilgrims grab at her and swing their torches at her face. One throws her to the ground, "Begone!"

"Witch!"

"Stand aside!" Joseph Crackstone shouts. He approaches the girl, "Goody Addams! You have been judged before God and found guilty. You are a witch, a sorceress, Lucifer's mistress herself. For your sins, you will burn this night, and suffer the flames of eternal hellfire."

"I am innocent," she proclaims, "It is you, Joseph Crackstone, that should be tried. We were here before you, living in harmony with nature and the native folk. But you have stolen our land. You have slaughtered the innocent. You have robbed us of our peaceful spirit. You are the true monster. All of you!"

She stands up and quickly cuts him across the face with a crude knife. One of the other pilgrims grabs her.

"Punish her! Punish her!"

"The Devil ne'er sent such a demon," Joseph says. He backhands her across the face, "and I will send you back!"

The pilgrims cheer.

"No! No!"

The doors to the Meeting House open, all outcasts locked inside. They throw Goody in with them.

"You are abominations in the Devil's grip!" Joseph yells, "I will not stop till I have expunged this New World of every outcast. Godless creatures!"

Wednesday moves inside the meeting house with all the other outcasts. Joseph Crackstone and the pilgrims leave, locking them all inside. All the outcasts shout in fear, knowing their fate. Most of them are chained together in lines, the chains then running to the floor.

"Set it ablaze!"

The pilgrims all use their torches to set fire to the Meeting House. The outcasts inside scream as the wood ignites quickly. Wednesday stands up to find Goody.

"Mother!" Goody gasps, "Mother!"

Goody is the only outcast who isn't chained to the floor. She tries to break the lock on the woman's wrists. Smoke begins to fill the inside.

"There is no time, child," her mother says, "leave me. Save yourself. He's chained us all to the floor."

"I shan't leave without you."

"Run," her mother orders, "Avenge us. Find the others and save our future."

She begins to cough, "Please. My sweet lamb. Run. Run as fast as you can. You are our only hope."

As the air becomes cloudy, Goody separates from her mother. The other outcasts quickly succumb to the death of smoke inhalation, better to be dead instead burning alive. She pushes through the outcasts, looking for an escape. Joseph Crackstone watches outside the Meeting House, his scepter in hand.

Wednesday follows as Goody finds a trap door. She goes inside, saving herself. Wednesday herself begins coughing as the smoke becomes too much for her to handle. Her vision changes and suddenly she is no longer in the burning meeting house. Goody comes running up to her.

"He won't stop until he's killed us all!" she shouts. She gasps, peering behind Wednesday, "He's here."

The Addams girl turns to find Joseph Crackstone coming for them.

"There will be no escape for you," he snarls.

"Wednesday!"

The girl finally wakes from her vision, Tana kneeling next to her, soaking wet.

"I saw her!" she exclaims, "the girl from my visions."

"Who? What?" the redhead questions.

"Her name is Goody Addams, and I believe she's my ancestor from 400 years ago," she explains. Wednesday then looks over, growing quiet.

"What? What is it?"

The girl stands up with no explanation and peers through a rotting board.

"I thought I heard something. Must've been the bearded man from earlier," she says. She turns back to look, only to meet face-to-face with the monster. It snarls and takes off, "Come on! Come on!"

She pulls Tana up and runs out of the Meeting House.

"Wednesday!" Tana shouts.

"Don't look back," she holds the girl's gloved hand, although it's wet now. The Addams girl slows her pace when she sees footprints in the mud. Monster tracks that turn into human footprints, "the monster's human."

Chapter Text

"Was that the monster you saw the other night at the Harvest Festival?" Tana asks on their way back to Jericho.

"Yes," Wednesday answers. She looks down at their hands, "You can let go of my hand now."

Tana quickly pulls her hand away, "Sorry. Why are your visions so... violent?"

"When they happen, it feels like I'm touching live wire. I usually enjoy that sensation," she comments.

"And that means what?"

"I'm not sure. I can't control them," Wednesday admits. Tana shivers, "What is it?"

"What?" she turns to the black-haired girl, "Oh, nothing, it's just the rain."

"Cold?"

"Are you not?" the redhead questions.

"No. The weather is tolerable right now."

"Not for me. Brings my core temperature down and I can't use my powers to heat myself back up," Tana explains.

"Will you die?" Wednesday asks, a small hint of concern in her voice.

"No, I'll probably just be sick later like a normie."

By the time they get back to Jericho, the weather clears, and Wednesday sulks. She prepares for her performance with the Jericho High Marching Band. Although, she's got a better celebration in mind.

"Thank you. It is my honor to celebrate our town's history and Jericho's noble forefather, Joseph Crackstone," Mayor Walker announces to the Nevermore students and locals of Jericho, "Now, he believed that with a happy heart and an open ear, there was nothing our town couldn't achieve. So together as one, our community and our friends at Nevermore Academy, we've built a monument to celebrate his memory. Now, may the spirit of Joseph Crackstone be memorialized for eternity."

The band begins playing Don't Stop by Fleetwood Mac, Wednesday playing along with her cello. Principal Weems and Mayor Walker stand at the podium as reporters snap pictures. The mayor then hits a giant red button and an added water feature to the monument turns on.

The crowd cheers and Thing makes his way out from under the bleachers. He lights a match and throws it in a line of gunpowder. He scurries away as it scorches along the ground and towards the monument. Wednesday watches while playing as the line of gunpowder ignites. The trail finally goes into the monument and it bursts into flames.

Everyone begins to scream and run away. Wednesday sits at her cello, playing staccato notes with a smirk on her face. Sheriff Galpin stands up and looks at the Addams girl. She then begins to play Winter by Antonio Vivaldi while chaos ensues all around her. Principal Weems follows the crowd but turns back to see Wednesday still sitting with her cello. She smirks as the monument blazes away.

***

"That was a disaster!" Principal Weems exclaims in her office. Wednesday sits in a chair while the blonde paces around the room, "The mayor is furious! I've lost count of the angry phone calls, emails, and people in the town, alumni, and parents. They want answers and so do I!"

"I would lead the inquisition, but I left my thumbscrews and rack at home," Wednesday comments.

"Miss Addams..." the principal seethes, "You're already on thin ice. Wafer-thin ice."

"I swear on my late scorpion's soul, my hands are clean," she tells truthfully because, in reality, Thing dumped the lighter fluid into the monument water feature. He lit the match.

"I may not have hard evidence, but I see you," Principal Weems says, "you're a trouble magnet."

"If trouble means standing up to lies, decades of discrimination, centuries of treating outcasts like second-class citizens, or worse..." she stands up and approaches the principal.

"What are you talking about?"

"Jericho. Why does this town even have an Outreach Day?" she questions, "don't you know its real history with outcasts? The actual story of Joseph Crackstone?"

"I do. To an extent," the blonde woman admits.

"Then why be complicit in its cover-up? Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it."

"That's where you and I differ," Principal Weems replies, "Where you see doom, I see opportunity. Maybe this is a chance to rewrite the wrongs, to start a new chapter in the normie-outcast relations."

"Nothing has changed since Crackstone," Wednesday retorts, "they still hate us. Only now they sugarcoat it with platitudes and smiles. If you're unwilling to fight for the truth—-"

"You don't think I want the truth?" she steps forward, towering over the young girl, "Of course I do. But the world isn't always black and white. There are shades of grey."

"Maybe for you," she fires back, "but it's either they write our story or we do. You can't have it both ways."

Principal Weems pauses, "You're exhausting."

"I know."

The blonde woman sighs, "Goodnight, Miss Addams."

Wednesday turns to leave.

"But you should know..." the principal calls after her, "I don't tire easily."

Wednesday looks at her with wild eyes before leaving her office.

***

Back at the dorm, Enid is busy planning her date with Ajax.

"Too much?" she asks Wednesday for her opinion on a top. Of course, it's very colorful, so she takes a split second to view it before turning back around like she's walked in on someone naked.

"I feel like you just napalmed me, Enid," she answers.

"I'm so glad I have my date with Ajax tonight," the blonde girl says, "get my mind off that train wreck of an afternoon. I literally think I have PTSD. I mean, I didn't even get to do my dance routine."

"What a tragedy," Wednesday sarcastically replies.

"You know, I bet Tana did it," the Addams girl turns at the mention of the redhead, "god, she's a psycho."

"What makes you think she did it?"

"The fire! Duh," Enid exclaims. She notices Wednesday's sudden interest in the conversation at the mention of Tana, "Did you see her do it?"

"No."

"Then why don't you think she did it?"

Wednesday turns back around, "You're going to be late."

Enid looks at her phone and grabs her coat, despite her suspicion about the fire.

"Wish me luck," she says.

"If he breaks your heart, I'll nail-gun his," Wednesday answers. Enid smiles and leaves the dorm. A few minutes later, there's a knock on the door. She huffs before answering it. She opens the door to find Tana with a worried look on her face. Wednesday peers down at her hands, palms bleeding.

"Can... can you help?" she asks. For once, Wednesday doesn't ask questions, just pulls the redhead into the room.

"Sit," she orders, pointing to her bed, "Thing, first aid."

He scurries under the bed and drags out a black trunk with a white cross on it. Wednesday grabs one of her towels, black of course, and walks back to Tana. She kneels down in front of her hand and goes to hold the girl's hand.

She gasps and pulls away. Tana's not wearing her gloves, therefore, she's hot.

"Sorry! I... here," she gently pulls her white gloves out from her jacket pocket, although red stains the white as the blood drips on her clothes. Wednesday slips the glove on, noticing the difference in their hand size. Tana is only a couple of inches taller than her, yet, her hands seem massive compared to hers.

She gently grabs the back of Tana's hand again, this time protected from the heat. Wednesday, who usually likes pain, places the towel on the open wound.

"Ah!" Tana winces. Normally, Wednesday would find a sense of pleasure in the pain of others, but she doesn't. She finds herself retracting the towel and looking up at the redhead. The pain on her face doesn't make Wednesday smile like it normally does, "Sorry. I'm fine."

Wednesday lets her expression soften to neutral, "I'll be gentler."

And she is when she brings the towel back. She wipes away the blood and sets the towel down next to her. While still holding her hand, she grabs a tube of natural aloe vera, harvested from plants back home. She squeezes some out onto the redhead's hand. Without thinking, she uses her non-gloved hand to spread the aloe vera. Only this time, the gel creates a barrier and doesn't affect Wednesday.

Thing hands her a gauze pad to put over her palm. She then wraps her hand gently, being careful not to brush her fingers with her non-gloved hand. Tana stares at her while she does this, complete silence between them.

"The other one," Wednesday instructs. Tana lifts her other hand and the Addams girl repeats the same process. When she's done, she stands up and grabs the black towel, "you should give me your jacket. You need to wash it soon or the blood will stain."

"I'll get a new one," Tana says.

"A new uniform?"

"Yeah, I'll ask Principal Weems to order another one," she explains.

"Nonsense. The blood will come out. Wash it on cold. Or give it to a vampire I suppose, if it's dry clean only," Wednesday suggests.

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"I.. I..." she looks down, playing with the hem of her sleeve, still sitting on Wednesday's bed. The Addams girl still wears Tana's glove. She pulls on the redhead's sleeve.

"Take it off, Tana," she orders lowly. She pulls one arm out of the sleeve. The girl's white collared shirt is burnt on the forearms, with barely any material left. On her arms are fresh burns. Wednesday becomes confused, "I thought you are safe in white?"

The girl avoids her gaze, "I am... I did this to myself."

Wednesday's eyes look at the burns, then at her head, and then back at the burns, "Why?"

"My parents... they, they died because of me," she says quietly, "where we lived, the locals were pretty okay with us. We were the only outcast family in town. One day, after school, I was hanging out with my friend Julia. I took my glove off for a second to clear the ice from the ground. Then I accidentally touched the wooden playground."

Wednesday stands and listens to the girl as she tells her story.

"A couple of kids were hurt, but no one died. But that didn't matter. The locals were furious," she continues, "and they wanted us gone. My friend's dad showed up at our house in the middle of the night. He set our house on fire. I passed out after inhaling the smoke. My mom managed to get me out and my dad never made it out. My mom died in the hospital three days later. The hospital called Nevermore after she died. That's why I have to wear white. The fire messed up my powers. I could barely control them then and now..."

"That was not your fault, Tana.."

"Yes it was!" her hair bursts into flames. She goes to smooth it out when Wednesday stops her.

"Don't!" the Addams girl grabs her hand, she would hurt herself even more. Wednesday runs her gloved hand through the redhead's hair to put the flames out. Tana watches her intently while she does this, "...you're going to kill yourself. Doing this."

"Maybe I should," she answers quietly, looking away, "Then that drawing won't come true."

"Stop it," Wednesday orders. Tana avoids her gaze, wanting to cry, "is this why you didn't want to go to the infirmary?"

Tana nods, "it was an accident."

"What was an accident?"

"Othello Hall," she admits, "My hand touched the bed and it went downhill from there."

"The fire alarms?"

"They didn't go off that night," she elaborates, "I ran out, shouting 'fire' and that got a lot of attention. That's why Enid hates me."

"Elaborate."

"The night before the fire, she was talking about her parents. When she asked about mine I got upset. She tried to comfort me, but I didn't want that," Tana explains, "I don't deserve it."

While she is explaining, Wednesday kneels back down and begins to inspect the redhead's arms. Tana becomes nervous at Wednesday's gentle touch as she wraps them up, "We got into a fight and she left for Yoko's dorm. The next night I accidentally set fire to the hall right as she was coming back. She thinks I was trying to hurt her."

Tana pauses for a moment, "Why do you care? You don't care about anyone else, yet you're being nice to me. Why?"

Wednesday's face doesn't come up with any slight expression. Tana nods, not needing verbal confirmation to answer her question. Wednesday finishes covering her other arm.

"Thank you," she says standing up to leave the dorm.

"Tana," the Addams girl blurts out, "I'm going out. You  may come with... As a partner in the investigation."

Wednesday won't say it outright, but she doesn't want Tana to be in her room alone.

"I don't know..."

Wednesday stares at Tana. She approaches and gently grabs her bandaged hand. She says nothing, dragging her out of the dorm with Thing following behind.

Wednesday has nothing against death. Nothing against murder for revenge. But she does have a problem with suicide and self-harm, especially if it is motivated by others. Even if she isn't fond of people, she doesn't want Tana to die by her own hand. Especially since Tana is one of the few people she seems to tolerate. Maybe more than tolerate.

"The morgue?" Tana whispers. Thing sits on Wednesday's shoulder as they walk up to the Jericho County Coroner-Medical Examiner's office.

"For the investigation," the Addams girl answers. She looks at her shoulder, "Find a way in."

Thing slides down her arm and plops to the cement. He scurries off around the building, looking for an accessible entrance. The two girls held hands the entire way to the coroners. Wednesday initially held it to keep her from going back to her room. She expected Tana would let go whenever she was ready to let go. Tana, on the other hand, let Wednesday lead her and she didn't know if she was allowed to let go.

Thing finds an air vent and crawls inside. It goes straight into the building and he quickly scurries through to find a hatch. He opens a hatch just before the corner of the autopsy room. A security camera is right below. He jumps from the hatch to the security camera, tampering with the lens.

Black bubblegum is put over the lens to black out the footage. He then drops to the floor and scurries to let the girls inside. He opens the garage door to let them into the back, that way they aren't picked up by other security cameras.

Wednesday finally lets go of Tana's hand.

"While I do the autopsy, you find the files of the monster's other victims and make copies," she orders Thing. Then she walks off.

"Wednesday!" Tana exclaims, "What do I do?"

"You can't do anything if you're hurt," she replies with slight sarcasm. She realizes it may have sounded harsh, "Come with me."

The redhead follows her to the freezers.

"Don't pout," Wednesday comments at Thing's sign, "your scalpel skills are questionable."

She rolls out a set of tools, "Do you remember on my 13th birthday when Uncle Fester gave me that cadaver? You sliced right through that man's carotid."

He shrugs before hopping off the autopsy table and scurrying off to the photocopy room. She opens a freezer, while Tana watches. She's very much grossed out.

"No."

She opens another freezer, "No. Magnificent hematoma."

She opens up another one, "There you are."

"Are you really gonna cut that guy open?" Tana asks as she wheels the slab out.

"Yes," Wednesday huffs, "Are you queasy?"

"Uh.. yeah.."

"Turn around, face the wall," she orders. Tana does so as Wednesday gets out her tape recorder, "Thursday, 7:23 PM. The body is that of a fifty-year-old male. Lacerations and defensive wounds appear on both hands. What remains of the chest and torso indicates a frenzied attack. Subject has been almost entirely disemboweled."

While she continues, Thing notices a car pull up.

"This is curious. Subject's left foot is missing. It appears to have been chewed off at the ankle."

Thing comes bursting through the door.

"Have you seen a left foot anywhere?" she asks. He signs frantically, telling her someone is here.

"Calm down. Who's coming?" he doesn't answer. She slams the man back in the freezer, "Tana, get in."

The redhead turns, "What?"

"Get in the freezer."

"Wednesday, I'll... my powers," she stammers as Wednesday pulls out an empty slab.

"Now, Tana or we'll both get caught," the girl frowns with worry as she lies down on the slab, "Keep your eyes closed and arms still."

She shuts Tana in the freezer before hopping into one herself.

"Appreciate you coming back to the office, Doc," Sheriff Galpin says to the head coroner.

"No problem, Sheriff," he answers as they walk into the back, "whatever I can do to help. Whatever or whoever is responsible for these killings... In all my years, I've never seen injuries like them. I thought you should see this before I issued my report on the latest victim. It's a real noodle-scratcher."

He opens a freezer, revealing a foot with two toes missing.

"The killer cut off two toes from the victim's left foot," he explains, "Best guess, they used a surgical saw. The final autopsy report's still pending."

"Minute you're done, send it straight to my desk," the sheriff says, "media blackout on the toes."

"Sure thing, Sheriff," he answers. The sheriff turns to leave, "Been a busy couple of weeks, huh? At least I'm going out in style. Friday's my last day."

"Happy retirement, Doc," Sheriff Galpin congratulates him. He turns to leave again.

"Gonna surprise Mrs. Anwar with a four-week cruise," he adds. The sheriff smiles lightly, "excited to trade rib shears for Mai Tais."

The sheriff waits to see if he has anything else to say.

"See yourself out. I'll lock up," the coroner says. Sheriff Galpin finally leaves. Before the coroner leaves, he notices a freezer door ajar. He pulls the slab out, Wednesday lying down on it, "I don't remember this one coming in."

He pokes her cheek, "Full rigor. You've been dead a while. Guess you won't mind waiting another day for me to cut you open," he slides the slab back into the freezer. He shuts the door fully and leaves the office. When he leaves, Thing jumps out of his hiding place in a display skeleton. He opens Wednesday's freezer first.

"Five more minutes," she says, "I was just getting comfortable."

Thing signs to her, asking about Tana. Wednesday forgot about Tana and her powers. She climbs out of the freezer and goes to Tana's. She slides the slab out.

"Tana. Tana," she shakes the girl lightly. Thing signs to check her temperature. She gently touches her forehead for a second, expecting heat, but it's cold. Like freezing-metal cold, "She's dropped in temperature. Get the photocopies and let's get out of here."

Thing jumps off the slab as Wednesday grabs her supplies and puts them in her backpack. She then carefully scoops the redhead into her arms, bridal style.

Now, if it were anyone else, Wednesday would have used unethical methods to wake the person. Or she would have left them in the morgue. Thing comes back with a stack of papers and photos. He climbs up Wednesday and shoves them into her backpack. He lets her out the garage door before shutting it and escaping through the air vent.

Wednesday carries Tana the whole way back to Nevermore. As more time passes and Tana doesn't wake up, Wednesday wonders if she should take the girl to the infirmary. Her hair is a dull red, a sign that she's not at her normal body temperature. Although with the blood still on her jacket, it would be suspicious.

Instead, she opts to take the redhead back to Rosaline Hall. She takes off Tana's bloodied jacket and gloves before lying the girl down in bed. Wednesday covers Tana up and crosses her arms so her hands don't set anything on fire before taking the girl's clothes to the laundry room.

"Stay here with her," she instructs Thing. He sits down next to her on the bed. Wednesday waits up in the laundry room while the bloodied clothes go through the washer and dryer. After the clothes are blood-free, she returns to Tana's dorm. The bright, fiery color in her hair is back. This time when she goes to feel her forehead, she stops before she even makes contact because she can feel the heat radiating off of it.

Wednesday hangs the jacket up. She takes a deep breath before lifting the girl's wrists. Her flesh sizzles from the heat as she puts Tana's gloves back on. Wednesday grins slightly from the burns on her hands as she doesn't mind the pain. She looks around Tana's room, bare walls and very few possessions of her own.

"Let's go," she whispers to Thing. She turns to leave, Thing scurrying past her, "... Goodnight, Tana."

Chapter Text

"When I suggested giving your side of the room a makeover, I did not have Ted Bundy's Pinterest in mind," Enid comments. Wednesday spent all morning compiling all the files from the coroner's, along with the pictures taken.

"Still not as creepy as your stuffed unicorn collection," Wednesday retorts.

"Is this why you snuck out last night?"

"Tan— Thing and I may have made an unsanctioned trip to the county morgue, to copy the files of the monster's victims," she stutters. She does not want to tell Enid that she was with Tana, now knowing the reason Enid dislikes her. Wednesday knows that and she knows that Enid would make a big deal out of the two hanging out. So she leaves it out altogether. After all, it isn't any of Enid's business.

"Okay, there are so many levels of ew in that statement and I don't even know where to begin," Enid comments.

"I need to get inside its head," Wednesday whispers to herself, "discover any patterns or anomalies. I've already made a big discovery."

She takes a couple of photos off the board and turns to her roommate, "Turns out all of the monster's victims have had body parts surgically removed."

She hands Enid the photos, "The first one a kidney, the second a finger——"

"Wednesday, I don't really feel——"

"Third a gall bladder," Wednesday holds her finger up to grab another photo, "And the bearded man from the meeting house, two toes."

She hands a nauseous Enid the photo, "Do you understand what this means? These murders aren't mindless. He's collecting trophies like a seasoned serial killer."

Enid faints behind her.

"It's quite impressive actually," she turns around, Enid no longer standing. She peers down, "Fetch the smelling salts. Again."

***

"While most plants reward their pollinators with sweet nectar, many carnivorous varieties turn to sexual trickery or deception," Ms. Thornhill lectures. Tana and Wednesday sit behind Xavier. As he reaches down for a notebook, Wednesday notices three long scratches on his neck, "the orchid produces a pheromone that mimics a female insect, luring the males in. Now, once the plant is pollinated, what do the male insects get in exchange?"

"Nada. Just like all the guys at the Rave'N," Bianca comments, earning laughter from the other students.

"Okay, okay. I know you're all excited about Saturday, which is why I haven't assigned any homework," Ms. Thornhill says as the students cheer, "But I do still need volunteers for the decorating committee."

A couple of students raise their hands, "anyone interested, come and see me up here."

Wednesday, although could care less about whatever the Rave'N is, wears a confused expression.

"It's the school dance," Tana informs her, "disco balls, spiked punch, a DJ, all that."

"I would rather stick needles in my eyes," she comments, "I'll probably do that anyway."

"Or you could go with someone and have fun," the redhead suggests.

"Are you going to the school dance?" Wednesday questions.

"... No one's ever asked me before," she answers disappointedly. With that, she leaves. Wednesday goes to follow but catches another glimpse of Xavier's cuts. She follows him out to the woods. He goes into a shed. He stays inside the shed for a while, with no noise coming from it.

A half-hour later, he comes out and leaves, perfectly normal, the same as when he went in. Once Xavier is out of sight, Wednesday goes into the shed. There are canvases lining the walls. She finds the cord for light and pulls it. A large canvas sits below the light, the monster shown on the canvas. When she turns, she notices most of the other canvases are of the monster. Bulging eyes and razor-sharp teeth, the same as she saw in the woods.

"I suppose every artist needs a muse," she comments. She picks up a couple of sketches, one of the monster and one with circles around it, "Xavier, you just became that much more interesting."

She turns the light off and turns to leave, taking the sketches with her. Although when she shuts the door, the psychic comes from around the corner.

"Wednesday," he calls. She turns.

"Xavier. Hello," she greets.

"What are you doing?" he asks.

"Nothing," she lies, "I just saw you come out this way. What is this place?"

"It's kind of my private art studio," Xavier explains, "I cleared it out, fixed it up, so Weems let me use it."

"How very entrepreneurial," she replies sarcastically, "I would love to see inside. Why don't you give me a tour?"

He shakes his head, "Not right now. It's a total mess."

"I shadowed a crime scene photographer last summer," she says, "I'm not easily fazed."

"Maybe another time," he quickly shuts down, "why were you looking for me?"

She pauses, "I wanted to go over Ms. Thornhill's homework assignment."

"She didn't give us homework," Xavier replies, catching her in a lie, "Remember? Why are you really out here?"

She has a blank face, unable to come up with another reason. He grins.

"Is this about a certain dance, perhaps?" he asks, smiling, "I'm all ears."

Wednesday grows wide eyes. In the spur of the moment, she goes along with it. In her mind, she sees it as an opportunity to see if Xavier is the killer.

"Are you really going to make me ask?" she questions.

"Oh, absolutely," he answers. She huffs.

"Would you..." she starts, but even she can't manage to spit the words out, "Would—— Would you possibly consider going to the Rave'N dance with a certain... Would—— Would you go to the dance with me?"

He chuckles when she finally gets the words out, "Yes, Wednesday, I would love to go to the dance with you. I thought you'd never ask."

"Neither did I," she whispers to herself through gritted teeth. She leaves to go back to the dorm to tell Enid the awful news.

"Oh my God! Wednesday Addams is going to the Rave'N!" Enid squeals with excitement, "my whole world is tilted! You know what you need now?"

"A bullet to the head?"

"A dress," Enid smiles.

"I already have one," Wednesday says.

"Not the one you showed up here in!" her roommate questions, "that thing was a fashion emergency, not even lightning could resuscitate. Thing, back me up here."

The appendage gives the blonde a thumbs up.

"You need something that screams, 'First date. Stand back, bitches! I have arrived!' And I know just the place!" she exclaims excitedly. The girl practically drags Wednesday out to Jericho to go shopping.

"What kind of dystopian hellscape is this?" the Addams girl questions when they arrive at the store called Hawte Kewture.

"Our first roomie shopping spree!" she says, "The dance committee's suggesting all white to match the theme, but that's not gonna fly with us."

"Well, I have more pressing business than to worry about a dress for a dance I don't even want to attend," Wednesday tells her.

"But I thought we were bonding," the werewolf says disappointedly.

"I feel I'll only slow you down," she explains, "You're a gazelle. I'm a wounded fawn. Cut me loose and go run with the pack."

She looks over at her friends who rush into the very colorful store.

"Are you sure?" Enid asks. Wednesday nods and the blonde spends no more time trying to get her to join. She happily skips off into the store. Wednesday continues down the sidewalks in Jericho, passing by Uriah's Heap. Thing taps her shoulder.

"I'm going to see Galpin. I'm not stopping——" she turns her attention to the storefront window. A gothic black dress is on display in the front. It is totally Wednesday's style, even having a collar. The front door opens and her therapist, Dr. Kinbott, comes out.

"Hi, Wednesday," she greets, "That dress will certainly turn some heads."

"Are you collecting more exotic trinkets for your office?" Wednesday flatly asks, politely engaging in the conversation even though she'd rather ram her head into the pole. For fun, of course.

"Those are souvenirs from my travels," the blonde woman corrects her, "That's how I step outside of my comfort zone. Speaking of which, are you going to the Rave'N this weekend?"

"I'm not required to answer your questions out in the wild, am I?" Wednesday questions as a not-so-subtle answer to her question. Dr. Kinbott nods.

"I look forward to talking all about it at our next session," she replies. Wednesday turns and continues towards the police station. She goes into his office, completely ignoring the front desk. She slaps the sketch of the monster down on his desk.

"We both know that there's a monster out there," she starts, "If we're going to stop it, I think it's time we both put our differences aside and begin to work together."

"And this is your stake for me to deal you in?" he questions. He pulls up the photo, taken from the old Meeting House, the bearded man being the latest victim. He sighs, knowing the two are almost identical, "I'm sorry, you gotta do better than that. You got some nice detail though."

"I didn't draw it," she informs him.

"Well, I need to know who did."

"Unless we're exchanging intel, I'm not at liberty to say," Wednesday remarks. The sheriff sighs.

"Why would I share information about an ongoing murder investigation with a high school kid?" he asks rhetorically.

"Because I go to Nevermore and you don't," she points out, "don't you want some eyes and ears behind those ivy-colored walls?"

"Listen, Velma," he jokes, "why don't you and the Scooby gang stick to your homework and leave the investigating to the professionals."

The phone rings and he answers it on speaker, "What?"

"Mayor Walker's on line two," the receptionist says. Sheriff Galpin groans as Wednesday turns to leave, "He's looking for an update."

"Hey, Addams," he calls to her. She stops in her tracks and turns, "Let me see that sketch again."

She holds it out and he snatches it from her hands.

"The person who drew this, that your suspect?" he asks. She nods, "when you bring me some concrete evidence, maybe we'll talk."

He hands the sketch back to her and then answers the phone as she leaves.

"Yes, Mayor. Everything's going splendidly," he lies. She walks back towards the town square, Tyler coming from around the corner.

"Don't want to ask what trouble you're in now," he jokes.

"Nothing I can't handle," she vaguely answers, "your father's in particularly frustrating form today. Avoid."

"Yeah, welcome to my world," he comments, "You guys have the Rave'N coming up this weekend, right? It was all the buzz at the Weathervane today."

Wednesday sighs, "I must be the only one not obsessed with this stupid dance."

"So, you're not going?"

"Actually, I was forced to ask someone as an act of self-preservation," she admits.

"Sure, that happens, I guess," Tyler says, "So, who is it?"

"Xavier," she answers. Tyler blinks for a couple of seconds, not only disappointed that he can't go to the dance with her, but also because she's going with Xavier.

"Got it. Hope you two have fun."

He begins to walk away from her and she turns, "I'm not sure why you're becoming upset."

"Yeah, that's kind of the problem," he fires back, "I mean, call me crazy, Wednesday, but you keep giving me these signals."

"It's not my fault I can't interpret your emotional Morse code," she answers.

"Then let me spell it out. I thought we liked each other, but then you pull something like this, and I have no idea where I stand. I mean, am I in the 'more-than-friend zone' or just a pawn in some game you're playing?"

She gulps, "I'm just dealing with a lot right now. I need to prioritize."

He nods slowly, "thanks for clearing that up. I guess, give me a call if I ever move up your to-do list."

He turns slowly, leaving her. Thing slowly crawls up her shoulder.

"Not one word," she threatens. He slowly backs down.

***

The next day at the beekeeping club, Wednesday puts up her investigation board in the shed.

"Enid wouldn't let me keep this in our dorm," she says.

"No worries," Eugene tells her, "Mi colmena es su colmena. I assume this is the creature that's been rampaging in the woods."

Wednesday raises her eyebrows, "You've heard about it before?"

"Rumors. Mr. Fitts banned me from bug-hunting until further notice," he explains, "claimed a bear was on the loose, which I knew was a lie. Didn't match their hibernation schedules. Speaking of monsters with sharp claws, could you give this to your roomie?"

He hands her a jar of honey, "Put in a good word for me? I hear she's still sans a date for the Rave'N."

"Eugene," Wednesday cuts him off.

"I know the chances of her asking me are next to zero, but I don't care," he continues, "I'll keep putting myself out there until Enid finally... sees me."

"And if she never does?"

"She will," he assures her, "I'm playing the long game. My moms say people will appreciate me when I'm older. I know they're probably just trying to make me feel better, but——"

"Listen, people like me and you, we're different," Wednesday cuts him off, "we're original thinkers, intrepid outliers in this vast cesspool of adolescence. We don't need these inane rites of passage to validate who we are."

"So you're not going to the Rave'N either?"

She panics, "Actually, I am. With Xavier."

"You are?" Tana asks, coming into the shed.

"I am. It's not like I like Xavier. I just have ulterior motives," the Addams girl explains.

"You like someone else?" the redhead questions.

Wednesday goes silent, "That's on a need-to-know basis. I'm focused on the investigation right now. These sketches are the closest thing I have to a lead to try and stop this thing."

The three peer at the board.

"That circle," Eugene says, "I think I know where that is."

"Show me," Wednesday orders. The three take the sketch and head out into the woods. Tana walks next to Wednesday as Eugene leads them. Soon enough, they stand in front of the mouth of a cave. He holds the drawing up to compare, "It's definitely a match. What were you doing out here?"

"Collecting specimens," the boy answers, "this place is ground zero for horny gypsy moths. You think it's in there?"

"Only one way to find out," she answers. She starts up the hill to the mouth with the rest of the Hummers, following her.

"I'm not a huge fan of enclosed spaces," the boy comments, "I'm claustrophobic."

"If you hear me screaming bloody murder, there's a good chance I'm just enjoying myself," Wednesday tells him. She then walks into the cave.

"Wednesday, wait!" Tana calls. She follows her in, leaving Eugene up at the surface. As they get deeper into the cave, the light diminishes. Tana ignites her hair, making herself a human torch.

"Thanks," Wednesday comments as the light from her hair illuminates the cave. She nods in response, "This is definitely its lair."

Tana notices bones on the ground, "Are those human?"

Wednesday kneels down and picks up a skull, "No, I think it's got a taste for venison."

Tana continues to explore the cave, her flames burning brightly, "Wednesday, check this out."

The Addams girl perks up right away and walks over to the redhead. There are shackles mounted to the wall and scratches on the wall around it. Wednesday looks around the wall.

"Yahtzee," she comments. She pulls out a pocket knife to pick something out of the rock.

"What is that?" the redhead asks.

"Concrete proof," Wednesday answers. What looks to be a giant claw, falls out of the rock. She picks it up and puts it in a bag, "Let's go."

On the way back, Wednesday asks Tana, "Are you going to the Rave'N?"

"No. Didn't I already tell you?" she responds rather coldly.

"Is that anger or upset?"

"What?" she questions.

"The emotion in your voice. It is either angry or upset and I do not understand," Wednesday explains.

"I'm not upset or angry. I just... I hate the Rave'N," she lies.

"You and me both."

***

Back on campus, Wednesday leaves the Hummers to go back to Xavier's art studio to collect DNA evidence. Thing stands in the doorway.

"All right, I won't be long," Wednesday tells him, "I just need to find something to match against the claw's DNA."

He scurries out of the doorway. The Addams girl shuts the door and turns on the single light in the middle of the room. She holds open a plastic bag, looking for anything that might have Xavier's DNA on it. She begins to dig through his trash with a stick. She pulls up a cloth with blood stains on it, assuming it's the shirt he was wearing when he got the cuts on his neck. She shoves the cloth in the bag and the door swings open.

"What the hell are you doing?" Xavier asks.

"How do you know what the monster looks like?" she asks, "Or are all these just self-portraits?"

The psychic scoffs, "Oh, what, you think it's me?"

"I'm just trying to uncover the truth," she replies, "and your art seems to have a recurring motif."

Xavier looks at all his recent creations. He knows this looks bad.

"Yeah," he gulps, "this creature's been haunting my dreams for the past couple weeks. I try to block it out, but I can't. So I just... come in here and paint it. When I was painting this one, the claws reached out of the canvas and took a swipe at me. That's how I got these scratches."

"I thought you were able to control your ability?" Wednesday questions.

He shakes his head, "Not when it comes to this thing."

"Maybe it's just your guilty conscience," the Addams girl suggests.

"I told you I'm not the monster, okay?" he insists. Wednesday grabs the sketches she stole.

"So you just happened to draw pictures of it, down to the location of its lair in the woods?" she asks, "those are some pretty vivid dreams."

"You were in here," Xavier realizes, "Before, when I caught you outside. That's the only reason you asked me to the Rave'N isn't it?"

Wednesday doesn't lie this time. She stays silent.

"To try and cover," the boy scoffs, "you are unbelievable!"

"It's nothing personal," she says.

"No, it never is with you, is it?" he exclaims, "I mean, do you even care about anyone or anything at all, Wednesday?"

She doesn't answer. There is one person she cares about, even if she doesn't want to admit it. But it's not him.

"Get out!"

Chapter Text

"Yeah, I know Inez is usually three sheets to the wind, but she keeps calling the mayor and she's BS-ing that there's lights on at the old Gates place. So do a drive-by and make sure there's no squatters," Sheriff Galpin talks on the phone as Wednesday walks into his office. He hangs up the call. She slams the two bags down on the desk.

"That's the claw of the monster and that's a dried blood sample from a potential suspect," she explains, "he used it to dab scratches on his neck. Run the DNA test and see if they match."

"I'm sorry, do I work for you?" he answers sarcastically.

"You asked for concrete evidence. That's it."

"Where'd you get this?" the sheriff asks, picking up the bag with the claw in it, "and who's the suspect?

"Run the test first, then I'll explain everything," she negotiates.

He shakes his finger at her, "I'm not playing games, Addams."

"Neither am I, Sheriff."

He pauses before picking up the phone to page the receptionist, "Bernice, bring me a DNA authorization form, please. Is that all?"

"What has Tana Adler done?" Wednesday questions. The Sheriff's eyes go wide.

"What do you want with her?"

The Addams girl falls silent, "Just curious. She seems afraid of you."

"Well, she should be. She's lucky she wasn't sent to a juvenile detention center for arson," he comments.

"Why wasn't she?"

"Go ask the Mayor or your principal," he scoffs, "they're the ones who 'serve' justice between Jericho and Nevermore."

Wednesday leaves the Sheriff's office with more questions about Tana. Rowan was expelled immediately after the incident, but yet Tana wasn't. Although she does highlight a key difference between the two situations, the main factor has to do with a monster in the woods.

***

"Why so glum?" Wednesday asks Eugene in the quad.

"Saw Enid at lunch. Asked if she got my honey," he explains.

"It's not like I didn't warn you," the girl says quietly.

"Wednesday," Tana comes up to the two. The Addams girl merely looks at the redhead.

"You know, I figured since we all don't have dates to the dance——"

"We should go together!" Eugene suggests with a smile. Tana's hair sparks a little, but Wednesday doesn't realize it's from jealousy and not excitement.

"What? No, I was going to suggest we stake out the cave and identify the monster," she says. She looks over at Xavier who works on a mural in the quad, "whoever it may be."

Wednesday, Tana and Eugene walk out of the quad. Meanwhile, Thing writes a note at Wednesday's typewriter. He scurries off to Rosaline Hall and leaves it under the door of a familiar redhead.

Just as Wednesday is getting ready to leave to go to the cave with Eugene, there's a knock on her door.

"I'm coming, Eugene!" she shouts, "Hey, did you happen to grab any extra batteries for the flash——"

She opens the door, but Eugene is not behind the door.

"Tana."

"I... I got your invite," she holds up the note. She stands in an all-white dress and long white gloves that run up her forearms, "I... I mean, you don't have to take me to the Rave'N cause I've never been asked I just——"

Wednesday realizes Thing sent the note for her.

"No. Stop," she orders. Tana closes her mouth, her eyes sparkling, "Wait here."

She shuts the door in her face and turns to the appendage.

"Really? You couldn't have told me you were going to send that note like an hour ago before I started preparing for the stakeout?" the girl questions as she goes to her closet to look for a dress. Thing snaps twice to get Wednesday's attention. He points down at her bed, the black dress from Uriah's Heap lying on it, "How'd you pay for it?"

He opens his palm.

"Five-finger discount, of course," she huffs. Although this is not the ideal situation, she does like the dress. And she does like the idea of going with Tana, more than going with Xavier, "Thing, don't look."

He turns around on her bed frame. Tana waits on the main floor of the dorm, looking at the picture of the fencing team with Wednesday's mother in it. She turns when she hears heels clicking down the stairs.

Tana approaches the girl, still taller than her, even in heels. Her hair brightens.

"Wow, you look..."

"Unrecognizable? Ridiculous?" Wednesday guesses, "A classic example of female objectification for the male gaze?"

"Beautiful," Tana answers, "And if you haven't noticed... I'm a female... with a female gaze."

"Wednesday?" Eugene walks up to the two, "What's going on?"

"She wants to take me to the Rave'N," Tana smiles.

"What happened to staking out the cave?" he asks. Wednesday is hesitant to tell the truth in that she didn't originally plan to take Tana to the Rave'N, "I guess I can go check out the woods by myself..."

"Don't go alone," Wednesday orders, "It's too dangerous. Stand down. We'll go together tomorrow night, understood?"

The boy nods. Wednesday turns and walks out of the dorm. Tana follows.

***

"Is that an abominable snowman?" Lucas Walker, son of Mayor Walker, asks Enid. He heard she needed a date to the dance the day she went out to find a dress.

"Oh my god! You can't say that, it's offensive!" she exclaims to the normie, "the correct name is Yeti."

"Oh, sorry. Do any go here?" he asks.

"Not anymore. They've been extinct since the 1950s," she explains, "our science teacher, Ms. Thornhill chaired the dance committee this year. She wanted the Rave'N to feel relevant. So our theme is climate crisis meets extinction event. But in a fun way!"

"Okay," he smiles, "the last theme of our dance was Hawaiian nights."

"Yeti-tini?" she hands him a drink.

"Yeah——"

The drink spills all over his pants.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry! Let me fix that!" she exclaims. She drops down to wipe his pants and from the other side, it looks suspicious.

"Enid?" Ajax calls. Lucas turns and Enid comes out from behind the boy, "I thought that was you. Is that your date?"

Lucas shyly waves, "Yes, and he's having the best time with me. We are both loving this dance... together."

The gorgon feels a stab of jealousy, "Sweet."

He and his date walk off together. Enid's smile drops. She really wanted to go with Ajax, but he stood her up on their date.

Bianca asked Xavier after finding out he and Wednesday were no longer going together. He sulks at a table when Bianca walks over.

"Does your mood have to do with a certain pig-tailed goth girl?" she questions. He sighs, "She's not here. We are."

He nods, "You're right. I'm sorry. I do really like being here with you, so... I appreciate the last-minute invitation."

"So no more talking about Wednesday Addams," the siren smiles, "deal?"

He nods. She excitedly stands up to go dance with him.

"Yo, check it out!" Ajax comments as he walks past the two. Bianca and Xavier turn to the entrance, seeing Wednesday and Tana walk in, "Wednesday totally busted out of her cocoon. And she got Tana to come."

"Great," Bianca seethes.

"Do you see Bianca's face?" a student murmurs.

"Is that Tana?"

"Wednesday Addams. Tana Adler, what a lovely surprise!" Ms. Thornhill greets the two. Tana has her hand around Wednesday's bicep.

"I'm going to go get us some drinks," Wednesday says. Tana lets go of the girl's arm. At the punch bowl, Enid walks up to her roommate.

"OMG! I love the look! Interesting choice of date though," she frowns. Wednesday looks at Lucas.

"I could say the same."

"It's not what it looks like," Enid explains.

"Good, because that pilgrim already has two strikes in my book," the Addams girl threatens.

"Lucas is trying to make his ex jealous. I'm trying to make Ajax jealous," the blonde says, "it's a win-win."

Lucas notices the Addams girl glaring at him. He approaches with his hands up.

"Wednesday, I come in peace," he smiles.

"That's a shame. I brought my pocket mace," she answers, "the medieval kind."

The two walk away as Xavier walks over.

"I can't believe you brought her," he comments.

"Why are you bringing this up?" she defends, "as if this dance weren't tedious enough."

"Because you don't know what she did to Nevermore," Xavier says.

"Quite the contrary," she cuts him off, "I heard from the fiery, redhead herself. Now, if you'll excuse me, this is her first dance and although I would rather be stabbing my own eyes out, I want to make it a good experience for her."

The Addams girl walks off with two Yeti-tinis. Meanwhile, Enid finds Lucas on his phone.

"I'm so sorry about your pants," she apologizes again, "Are those the playoffs? Who's winning, the Penguins or the Ducks?"

"You follow pro hockey?" he asks, impressed.

"Lifelong Sharks fan," Enid smiles, "I grew up with older brothers. It was like, 'Watch hockey or we'll go all Tang Lung on you'."

"You mean Tang Lung from Way of the Dragon?" Lucas asks excitedly.

"Only the best kung fu movie ever made!" she exclaims.

"You are different!" he smiles.

"You up for getting down?" Enid asks.

"Yeah," he gets a notification on his phone, "actually, I'll be right back."

He runs off the dance floor. A giant truck pulls up outside of the building where the dance is being held. The two other Pilgrim boys who are usually hanging out with Lucas, get out of the truck.

"Let's go," one says. He opens the back and pulls out a line of hose.

"Come on," another says.

"You got it? Take it," he hands the hose off, "Keep feeding it, come on, let's go."

The two start to drag the hose toward the building.

"Move! Move! I'll do it," one boy says, opening the pipe to the fire alarms. Lucas comes out from the back, unhappy.

"I was thinking maybe this isn't such a good idea," he says, "I don't want my dad to get any blowback, you know?"

"Dude, you're the whole reason we're even doing this!" one exclaims, "to get revenge on those freaks for nuking Crackstone's fountain!"

"Yeah, don't tell me you've gone soft like Tyler," the other says, "Come on, let's go!"

The two go inside, leaving the third to hook up the hose.

"I... I don't know how to dance," Tana says to Wednesday in the middle of the dance floor.

"Just feel the music," Wednesday instructs. The redhead is nervous and although the Addams girl is bad with emotions, she can tell. She grabs her hands instead.

"What are you doing?"

"Relax," she orders. She begins to sway the girl back and forth to the music.

"Hey, uh, I never said thank you," Tana says.

"Do tell."

"Letting me out of the freezer at the morgue... carrying me back... washing my jacket... should I go on?" the redhead asks.

"Let's just not mention it," Wednesday says.

"Oh. Okay."

Tana likes Wednesday, and as much as Wednesday will deny it, she likes Tana. She's significantly different than the rest of the student body, tolerable for Wednesday. And for Tana, Wednesday is currently the only person besides the school nurse who cares about her.

After a couple of dances, Wednesday walks out to the main hall of the building to take her heels off. Bianca sits a couple of feet away, sulking.

"Whoever invented high heels clearly had a side hustle as a torturer," she comments.

"As my dear mother always says, 'Fire tests gold, suffering tests a woman'," the siren sighs.

"Speaking of suffering, where's your date?" she asks, "I didn't see you and Xavier on the dance floor."

"We had a little tiff," Bianca explains, "about you, actually."

Wednesday doesn't say anything. Bianca shakes her head.

"You don't know what it's like," she sighs.

"Being beautiful and popular?" Wednesday questions.

"Never knowing people's true feelings," she elaborates, "if someone likes me for me."

"What about your amulet?"

"It's not foolproof," she says, "It's a mild prophylactic, so to speak. That's why Xavier broke up with me. He could never fully trust me. The worst part is I could never trust his feelings either. I never knew if they were real or not."

Wednesday doesn't comment.

"You're lucky," Bianca says.

"Do tell."

"You don't care what people think of you," she explains.

"Honestly, I wish I cared a little more."

"Wednesday?" Tana comes out to find her sitting with Bianca, "Is everything all right?"

Bianca smiles, "Everything's fine. Wednesday was telling me how much fun she is having with you."

The Addams girl glares at Bianca with confusion, but she looks back to find the most genuine smile on the redhead's face.

"You are?" she looks at Wednesday.

"Yes. I am glad to be here with you instead of stabbing needles into eyes," she monotonously answers. The girl's hair sparks. Wednesday stands up and approaches Tana, her heels in hand. They walk back in, where the dance floor is.

"Yo, yo, yo!" the DJ announces, "Almost eleven o'clockity, so haul it out on the dance floor one last time before the Rave'N says 'Nevermore'!"

Wednesday puts her black heels on a table before being dragged back out to the dance floor with Tana. It quickly becomes crowded and all the students celebrate the last dance as Physical by Dua Lipa begins to play.

"When I got you next to me," the upbeat song plays, "All night, I'll riot with you."

"Wednesday!" Enid calls. The black-haired girl dances with Tana next to Enid. Kent, Davina, Yoko, and Ajax all dance together. Tana's hair begins to shine bright red and she smiles from ear to ear.

"I know you got my back. And you know I got you," the students cheer, "So come on, come on!"

"Spin!" Wednesday orders. She lifts her arm and Tana twirls around multiple times for the entire student body to see.

"Tana! Oh my god!" Yoko comments. Wednesday catches the small of her back and dips her down. The two make brief eye contact before the Addams girl pulls her back up. The students cheer for them.

"Light out, follow the noise," the music continues, "Baby, keep on dancing like you ain't got a choice. So come on. Come on. Come on! Let's get physical."

Bianca and Davina dance together, laughing. Enid, Wednesday, and Tana all dance together, holding hands. Wednesday holds a neutral expression, while Enid and Tana smile. For one night, Enid enjoys herself and doesn't let her feelings for Tana get in the way.

Lucas and his friend peer out behind the curtains, watching all the students dance. Lucas nods and the boy pulls the fire alarm. The sprinklers begin to spray, although at first, no one notices. A drop of red appears on Tana's chest.

"Tana?"

The girl doesn't respond, holding hands with Wednesday. Her eyes are closed and she can barely hear Wednesday over the noise.

"Tana, you're bleeding," Wednesday lets go of her hands to inspect. More red drops appear. The redhead looks up as the sprinklers burst. Red begins to stain every single student at the Rave'N. With almost everyone wearing white, it's quickly noticeable.

Although Tana looks mortified, Wednesday, for once, cracks a smile. Chaos begins to ensue, with kids screaming and running. Students slip and fall into each other from the blood. Wednesday pops a finger into her mouth to taste it. She frowns.

"They couldn't even spring for real pigs' blood," she complains, "it's only paint."

Ms. Thornhill, trying to get all the students out, bumps into Wednesday's back, sending her into another vision.

She sees Eugene running through the woods and the monster chasing him.

"Wednesday!" she asks, "are you okay?"

"Eugene is in the woods. He's in danger," she states as she runs off.

"Wednesday!" Tana calls, "Wednesday, wait!"

Outside, the three Pilgrim boys pack up the hose. Lucas isn't as happy with their prank as the others. Enid runs out of the back door, catching them.

"You did this?" she questions, covered in red paint. She begins to cry, "I can't believe I fell for your crap."

"Enid, look. After Crackstone's statue——"

"I thought you were different," she cuts him off. The two boys laugh at her, "I thought you liked me."

"Wolf out," one starts to chant.

"Wolf out," the other joins in.

"Wolf out! Wolf out!"

Ajax comes out the back door.

"Get away from her!" he shouts. The Pilgrim boys get in the truck. The gorgon turns back to her, "Are you okay?"

"I didn't even wanna go with him," she admits, "I wanted to go with you."

"So then why didn't you ask me?"

"'Cause you blew me off the other night and you never told me why," she explains. Ajax sighs.

"I was too embarrassed to tell you," he starts, "but I... accidentally looked in the mirror and kind of stoned myself with my snakes."

Enid smiles and goes to grab his face to kiss him, but she gets a little excited, her claws coming out.

"Woah. We should, uh... we should probably take it slow. Right?"

"Totally agree," she answers. The two pause for a moment before kissing.

***

Out in the woods, Eugene hides behind a tree. It's quiet before he hears the monster again. He takes off running as its monstrous footsteps shake the ground.

At the same time, Wednesday and Tana run through the forest, trying to find Eugene.

"Eugene!"

"Eugene!" Tana shouts.

"Eugene?"

The boy trips and falls, just like in Wednesday's vision. His glasses fall off, rendering him blind. Wednesday and Tana stop, still searching.

"Eugene?"

"Wednesday! Over here!" they finally hear him call. He gets ahold of his glasses as the two take off toward his voice. Although by the time he puts them back on, it's too late, "Ahh!"

"Eugene?"

The two arrive just after the monster has hurt Eugene. All three of them are covered in blood, only Eugene's is real blood. Ms. Thornhill arrives seconds after.

"Oh my god!" she exclaims, "is he alive?"

Chapter Text

"Ah, the fetid air of teenage angst," Gomez Addams says as he steps out of his family's car. It's Parents' Weekend at Nevermore and the two parents can't wait to see what their daughter is up to. Pugsley is brought along, of course, siblings are also welcome, "these were the best years of our lives, were they not, Tish?"

"Yes, they certainly were, mi cariño," she smiles, the tone of her voice always calm, "I hope Wednesday's happy to see us."

The family looks around, waiting to see if Wednesday will come to find them.

"I left a dozen messages on her crystal ball. Still no reply," Morticia says.

"Fret not, my plum-lipped cupid," Gomez assures, "I'm sure she's dying to see us."

He lifts her hand and kisses it. Their affection is always on display, no matter who is around.

"Come on," Pugsley says, "Let's go."

***

"Nevermore was created as a safe haven for our children," Principal Weems announces in the quad to all the families, "to learn and to grow, no matter who or what they are."

The families applaud the woman.

"I realize most of you have heard about the unfortunate incident involving one of our students," she continues, "but I'm happy to report that Eugene is on the mend and is expected to make a full recovery. So let's focus on the positive and make this Parents' Weekend our very best yet."

Enid and Wednesday stand in the back of the crowd, avoiding their families.

"On the mend?" Wednesday questions, knowing Principal Weems is sugarcoating his condition, "Try in a coma."

"Have you been to see him?" Enid asks. The Addams girl turns to glare at her, "You're his friend."

"I'm the reason he's in the hospital," she points out.

"That is not your fault, okay?" the werewolf assures her, "The monster hasn't attacked anyone in the past week. Maybe you finally scared it off."

"Or maybe it went into hiding to avoid this weekend," Wednesday suggests. Her family walks into the quad.

"Look at this. Some things never change," Morticia comments, looking around. She and Gomez are hand in hand, Pugsley eats something.

"I knew I should have worn my plague mask," the girl comments.

"Would you look at my family?" Enid comments, looking in the opposite direction of Wednesday. The group of wolves jump around on one of the tables, "Talk about toxic pack mentality. I give my mom thirty seconds before her judge-y claws come out. Let's get this over with."

The two girls walk in opposite directions to their families.

"There she is!" Gomez smiles. Her mother opens her arms for a hug, "Oh, how we missed those accusing eyes and youthful sneer."

Gomez hugs her, even though she hates physical touch.

"How are you, my little rain cloud?" Morticia asks.

"I thought Thing was filling you in on my every move," she accuses. Her parents' eyes widen, "I uncovered your feeble subterfuge almost immediately."

"So, how's the little fella doing?" Gomez admits, "Does he still have all his fingers?"

"Relax. I haven't snapped any of his digits. Yet," she comments.

"So tell us everything," Morticia smiles.

"Since you've abandoned me here, I've been hunted, haunted... and the target of an attempted murder," Wednesday explains.

"Ah, Nevermore. I love you so!" Gomez exclaims, he and Morticia smiling. While everyone else catches up with their families, Tana sits at a table by herself.

***

"Let's get down to the matter at hand, shall we? Mm?" Principal Weems says to Morticia and Gomez in her office. Wednesday stands in the back, her parents sitting in chairs, "Unfortunately, Wednesday's assimilation has been rocky at best."

"Because I refuse to embrace the culture of dishonesty and denial permeating this school," Wednesday buts in, "starting with the monster that killed Rowan and put Eugene in the ICU. Although I do hear he's on the mend."

"We've always encouraged Wednesday to speak her mind," Gomez defends his daughter, "Sometimes her sharp tongue can cut deep."

"Apparently her therapist feels she hasn't been very open to the process," Principal Weems adds, "Their time together has not yielded the results we'd hoped."

"I'm not a lab rat," Wednesday says.

"Dr. Kinbott and I have spoken, and we both agree it would be most beneficial for you all to attend a family session this weekend."

Morticia gives a blank stare to her usual smile.

"No," Wednesday says.

"I thought that might be your reaction, but I'm certain your parents can see the wisdom in it," Principal Weems replies.

"Um, not to side with Wednesday, but, um, we're only here for the weekend," Morticia says, not wanting to go to a therapy session either. For once, Wednesday is happy with her mother's response.

"Oh, come on," Gomez buts in, "What can it hurt? To be honest, I've always been a big fan of head-shrinking."

"It's not that kind of head-shrinking, mon chéri," his wife argues.

"Well, that is disappointing," he comments, "but anything for our little girl."

"Ah," Principal Weems sighs. Before Wednesday can kill them all, they're in the car, on their way into town.

***

In Dr. Kinbott's office, Wednesday sits on the ottoman between her parents. Pugsley takes the floor. He takes potpourri from a bowl and eats it.

"So, who wants to start?" Dr. Kinbott asks. Wednesday and her mother have blank faces and Gomez looks extremely nervous, "Maybe we can discuss what it's like having Wednesday away from home?"

"I mean, for me..." Pugsley says, "it's been hard not having Wednesday around. I never thought I'd miss being waterboarded so much."

Morticia smiles at her son.

"Morticia, Gomez," Dr. Kinbott says, "how have you been coping?"

"It's been torture for us too," Morticia exclaims.

"Fortunately, my brother Fester's rack fits two people," Gomez says.

"Nothing like a good stretch to bring out the best in each other," his wife adds, reaching over for his hand.

"Querida mía," he whispers before kissing her hand.

"Um..." the doctor says uncomfortably.

"Enough!" Wednesday exclaims. He lets go of her hand. The girl pulls out a file and stands up, "I think it's high time my parents faced the music. It seems they've been lying to me. Keeping secrets. Murderous secrets that need to be addressed."

She holds up a file, with a man's picture inside.

"Who was Garrett Gates, and why are you accused of murdering him?" she asks.

"Whoa," Pugsley smiles.

"Those charges were dropped. Your father is an innocent man," Morticia says, ignoring her daughter's question.

"Local sheriff doesn't seem too convinced," she counters. The two parents stand up and her mother towers over her.

"Wednesday, stop," she instructs, "this is neither the time nor the place."

"Actually!" Dr. Kinbott buts in, "This is exactly the place. These sessions are——"

"Doctor," Morticia cuts her off, "this does not concern you."

She turns back to her daughter, "And I refuse to debate a decades-old witch-hunt with you right now."

She storms away.

"I—-"

"Darling, maybe we should——"

"No. This session is over," Morticia snaps at Gomez.

"Have it your way, Mother," Wednesday sneers.

"Wednes... Wednesday?" Dr. Kinbott asks. She walks over to her mother. Pugsley remains, eating the potpourri.

"If you refuse to tell me the truth, I'll just have to excavate it myself," Wednesday threatens, pushing past her mother. Morticia follows her as Dr. Kinbott and Pugsley stand up. Gomez goes to follow his wife out. Pugsley hands the bowl of potpourri back.

"Thanks for the candy," he says.

"Actually, that's potpourri," Dr. Kinbott informs him, "Uh, why don't you take the bowl?"

He smiles and turns to leave with his father. Outside, Morticia scolds Wednesday.

"What were you thinking?" she asks sternly, "How could you ambush your father like that? Wednesday."

She stops walking and turns to her mother, "How could I? You insisted I go to this school. Did you really think I wouldn't find out your secret?"

"You don't know the full story," her mother says, "your father did nothing wrong."

"I'll be the judge of that," she argues. Wednesday turns and continues walking away, the rest of her family waiting at the car.

"Potpourri?" Pugsley offers the bowl to his dad. He takes some and eats it.

"Mm!" Gomez mumbles, liking the taste. Pugsley nods as the two eat.

***

"Tana and I harvested hive number three," Wednesday says to Eugene in his hospital room. She places a jar of honey on his bedside table. Tana stands next to the girl, "the bees miss you, Eugene."

The boy lies still, an oxygen mask over his mouth and nose. He has cuts all over his face and hands.

"We all do," she says quietly. Thing comes out from behind the monitor, "Thanks for keeping an eye on him. Any updates?"

He shakes 'no'.

"He didn't deserve this," Wednesday comments, "I should be in that bed."

"Wednesday," Tana says, "This isn't your fault. No one should be in that bed."

"Hey," a woman's voice says. The two girls turn and Thing hides again, "You must be Wednesday and Tana?"

"Tana," the redhead nods. Wednesday stays silent. Two women come into the room.

"We're Eugene's moms. Sue and Janet," a curly-haired woman introduces herself.

"You guys were all he could talk about lately," Janet, his other mom says, "He was so happy to have Wednesday join the Hummers."

"Eugene hasn't had the easiest time fitting in at Nevermore," Sue explains.

"Neither have we," Tana turns to Wednesday.

"He was so happy to have you guys as friends. Real friends," Janet adds.

"Well, we brought him some honey," Wednesday finally says. She grabs Tana's wrist to leave.

"Eugene loves those dang bees like they're his kids," Sue smiles, stopping the Addams girl from leaving, "his fuzzy-buzzy babies."

The two moms go over to his bed, "He's gonna be okay, right?"

"We should go," Wednesday says.

"Nice to meet you," Tana calls before being dragged out of the room by the Addams girl. Wednesday lets go of her wrist as they walk through the hall, "Where are we going?"

"I don't care where you go, I'm going to solve a murder," she explains.

"Can I come with?" the redhead asks.

"Why? Don't you have family you should be with?" Wednesday asks. Tana stops walking in the hospital. The Addams girl then remembers. She didn't mean to snap at the girl, she was just heated from her therapy session with her parents, "You may come with."

Tana gulps, suppressing the feeling, ".. thanks."

They walk back into town, up to Crackstone's fountain, which no longer works. The bronze is melted and grotesque-looking.

"Is that your mom?" Tana asks, seeing a woman in a black dress walk toward the cemetery. Wednesday doesn't answer, just follows. The redhead then follows behind her.

Wednesday watches from afar as her mother walks into the cemetery, a rose in hand. She goes out to a headstone. She then rips the petals off the rose, throwing just the stem down before throwing the petals over her shoulder. She then leaves.

"Wednesday?"

"Quiet," the girl orders. She opens the gate to the cemetery and walks in, with the redhead close behind her. She walks over to the headstone her mother was at.

"Is he family?" Tana asks, looking at the headstone that reads 'Garrett Gates'. Wednesday walks away without saying anything. Tana sighs and continues to follow the Addams girl.

"Wednesday!" Gomez calls from the car, "Have you made a friend?"

She turns to Tana, "I have."

"Does she need a ride back to Nevermore?" he asks, "It's time for lunch."

Wednesday turns back to look at her. The redhead expects she will be taking the shuttle back to Nevermore but is surprised when the Addams girl says, "I suppose she can sit next to me."

Lurch opens the back door and the girls get in.

"I'm Pugsley," the boy introduces. He sits next to his father and Morticia next to him. Tana and Wednesday sit on the opposite side.

"Tana," she greets.

"So.. how did you meet our little scorpion?" Gomez asks, smiling. Her mother has a neutral face, still upset with Wednesday over the murder.

"I, uh.." Tana stutters, looking to Wednesday for help, "she sat next to me in class."

"And she didn't threaten to kill you?" Pugsley questions. The redhead shakes her head, "wow."

"What lovely red hair you have," Morticia comments, "Usually Wednesday strays away from color."

Her daughter glares at her. They arrive at Nevermore and Wednesday is quick to push Tana out of the car.

"It was nice to meet you, Tana. Tell your parents we say hi," Gomez smiles. Tana's smile fades.

"Father," Wednesday glares. She looks at Tana, seeing her disappointment. The Addams girl knows she will have no one to eat with and on any other day would eat with her. Today, however, her family is here and she doesn't want them to corrupt the girl. But now, her father has made an impossible comment, "Tana's... going to eat with us."

"I am?" she asks quietly. Wednesday turns away from her family and grabs the girl's wrist.

"You are."

***

"I am famished," Morticia says in the buffet line, "You're not hungry, darling?"

"My appetite eludes me, Mother," the girl comments. She walks next to Tana in the buffet line, but doesn't hold a plate herself, "the same way the truth eludes you."

Wednesday walks to a table with Tana.

"Will you eat this if I don't finish?" the redhead asks. Wednesday sighs, knowing Tana is trying to get her to eat for her mother's sake.

"I suppose it would be better to not waste," she agrees. The redhead grins slightly as she begins to eat. Gomez walks around the buffet line to Morticia.

"We need to tell her," he whispers. She glares at him.

"She'll never believe us," his wife hisses, "we must stay strong. And hope that something more morbid comes along to distract her.

It's only a couple of minutes into lunch when Sheriff Galpin bursts into the quad.

"Can I ask what this is about, Sheriff?" Principal Weems approaches him. He passes her without saying anything. The rest of the quad falls silent, students and their families whispering.

"Gomez Addams," he calls. Wednesday's father stands up.

"How can I help you, Sheriff?" he asks.

"You're under arrest for the murder of Garrett Gates," he pulls his handcuffs out. He handcuffs Gomez, "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law."

"Dad?" Pugsley calls as the Sheriff drags him away.

"You have the right to an attorney," he continues reading him his rights, "if you cannot afford one, one will be appointed for you."

Wednesday, in shock, looks at her mother who has tears in her eyes.

***

Gomez is walked into the visitation room. He sits down across a window from Wednesday. Thing climbs up onto the table and presses himself against the glass. Gomez puts his palm to the window.

"My little tormenta, how's your mother?" Gomez asks.

"Devastated. She hates you in orange," Wednesday comments, "I caught her laying a rose on a grave earlier today. The headstone read 'Garrett Gates'. The very boy you've been arrested for murdering. Care to explain?"

Gomez sighs before starting, "Garrett was infatuated with your mother. He mistook her kindness for interest. His infatuation turned into obsession and he started stalking her."

"Why didn't you call the police?" his daughter interrupts.

"We tried," Gomez explains, "but his family were the oldest and richest in Jericho. No one believed us. Garrett's father, an outcast-hating bigot, was furious that your mother had accused his only son. It all came to a head the night of the Rave'N Dance. Your mother and I stepped out to catch our breath. And that's when I saw him."

Gomez remembers the night well, "He had broken into the school. His twisted love for your mother made him insane. His eyes bore into me, brimming with murderous intent."

Wednesday listens to her father recount the story. Morticia pushed Gomez away, trying to protect him. Garrett didn't stop though. He took a display sword and chased Gomez up to the balcony. Her father was quick to grab a pipe from the recent construction and began to fight Garrett.

"My life flashed before my eyes," he exclaims, "Driven by jealousy and hate, Garrett was unstoppable."

He says that Garrett began to punch him after Gomez got the sword away from him. He got on top of him and began to hit him over and over. With one swift move, he pushed Garrett off of him and went for his throat. He kicked Gomez off of him and he happened to land next to the sword.

"When I saw the sword, my survival instinct kicked in," Gomez explains. He picked the sword up and Garrett walked into it, "It was a terrible accident."

Garrett would then fall off the unfinished balcony for a young Larissa Weems to find.

"Thank you for being so honest with me," Wednesday comments. Although she doesn't believe him fully.

"I'm sorry I wasn't a better father," he apologizes, becoming emotional.

"Could we please do without the overt display of emotion?" she cuts him off from crying. He nods and pulls himself together.

"I know they make you feel uncomfortable."

"How many fathers hand their daughter a fencing blade when she's five years old?" Wednesday asks.

"Your saber strokes were an essay in perfection," he comments.

"Or teach her how to swim with sharks?"

"They found you as cold-blooded as I do," he defends.

"The right way to flay a rattlesnake?" she questions.

"They really do taste like chicken when prepared properly," he comments.

"The point I'm trying to make is, you taught me how to be strong and independent," she says, "How to navigate myself in a world full of treachery and prejudice. You are the reason I understand how imperative it is that I never lose sight of myself..."

He stares at her blankly.

"So as far as fatherhood goes, I would say you've been more than adequate," Wednesday comments. He smiles and nods.

"Gracias, Wednesday."

***

"We need to talk," Wednesday says to Sheriff Galpin, spooking the older man who did not hear her come in. But to be honest, no one ever hears her approach with her footsteps barely even denting the leaves she walks on.

"How the hell did you get in?" he questions, "Bernice? Bernice!"

"Bernice may or may not have received a call that her tabby cat Swifty is being held for ransom," the Addams girl suggests, "My father did not kill Garrett Gates."

Galpin smirks, "Well, I have his signed confession and he identified the saber he used to do it. Both of which I'm about to deliver to the District Attorney."

"Don't you find the timing a tad bit convenient?" she questions, "the coroner kills himself out of remorse for a decades-old murder case, the very weekend my father, your prime suspect, deigns to return to town."

"All I see is a guilty man who's finally going to pay for his crime," he dismisses her suspicions, "and cuffing him myself, oh, that was the icing on the cake."

"Sheriff, how are you failing to see that someone is desperately trying to derail my investigation?" Wednesday exclaims, "I found the monster's cave, and I gave you the DNA evidence. Did you even bother to test it?"

"This may come as a shock, but the world doesn't revolve around you, Addams," Sheriff Galpin says. He sits down at his desk and pulls out a file, "Here. DNA results. No match. Inconclusive."

"So you truly believe this is all some coincidence?" she questions, "Whoever hurt Eugene, also murdered the coroner."

"Unfortunately, someone sabotaged the security camera in the morgue, so we don't know what happened," he informs her, "they stuck bubblegum on the lens. Black bubblegum. Maybe I should run DNA on that."

"Someone is trying to throw me off my game. This is all a distraction," she ignores his comment.

"No, this is about justice being served!" he replies, "Garrett Gates' family deserves closure, even if none of them are around to take comfort in it."

"What happened to them?"

"His mother hung herself in the backyard," he answers, "His father drank himself to an early grave. Even his little sister didn't escape. She was orphaned, sent overseas, ended up drowning. Every last one of them's gone. So your father doesn't just have Garrett's blood on his hands, he's got the whole damn family's."

Chapter Text

The next day, Wednesday finds her brother down at a fishing hole by himself. The rest of the Addams family is visually upset about Gomez's arrest. Wednesday shows it in a different way.

"Go away," Pugsley says.

"You forgot your fishing gear," Wednesday informs him. She carries a pole and a satchel. She sits down next to him. He glares at her.

"Stop trying to be nice," he replies, "it doesn't suit you."

"Father packed your favorite bait," she ignores him. She feels the slightest bit of guilt, but in reality, this is Principal Weems' fault. She was the one who suggested family therapy and if the Addams family hadn't gone into Jericho, Sheriff Galpin might not have known he was here.

Pugsley peeks into the satchel, smiling down at the grenades inside of it. He pulls one out but ultimately lowers his hands to his lap, not wanting to fish. Wednesday watches subtly at her brother's behavior. She loves tormenting him, but this kind of torment isn't fun.

"What'll happen to him now?" her brother asks.

"Well, he's confessed, so there won't be a trial," she explains, "After he's sentenced, he'll be sent to a state penitentiary, where he'll lose his mind being separated from Mother. Did you know they haven't spent a night apart since they tied the knot?"

"I always thought I'd be the first one in the family behind bars," Pugsley comments.

"Lurch and I had a bet going," she replies. She looks over at him, "Come on. Let's see if the fish are biting."

He looks at the grenade in his hands. He then pulls the pin and launches it into the fishing hole. The water bursts from the explosion and soon, plenty of fish float to the surface, dead.

"That's quite a catch," she comments, trying to cheer her brother up.

"I'm gonna miss him, Wednesday," Pugsley exclaims, getting emotional.

"It's not over yet," she assures him, "He's innocent."

"Well, if anyone can figure out who really committed the crime... it's you," he says, "You have to find out the truth and free Dad."

"Well, until that happens, we both know Mother will be falling apart," Wednesday comments, "Which means we have to be strong. And by 'we', I mean you. Now, give me one of those."

He reaches into the satchel and gives her a grenade. She pulls the pin and throws it out into the water. Again, water bursts into the air and the siblings are unfazed by the explosion.

"Where is Mother anyway?" Wednesday asks.

"She said she wanted to be alone," her brother answers, "somewhere where no one would find her."

Morticia stands in the Nightshades' Library, eyes full of sorrow and sadness. She thinks she will be alone in the old library, but Wednesday knows this is where she would find her. Reliving her days at Nevermore.

"Hello, Mother," she greets from the top of the stairs.

"Hello, Wednesday," she breathlessly says as her daughter comes down the stairs, "so you're a Nightshade. That didn't take long."

"Actually, I rejected them," her daughter admits.

"Why? Because I was a member?"

"I'll never live up to your legacy here," she says, "so why try? I win the Poe Cup, you claimed it four times. I join the fencing team, you captained it. Why would you send me somewhere I could only ever exist in your shadow?"

"It's not a competition, Wednesday," Morticia says.

"Everything is a competition, Mother," she counters, "but mostly I rejected them because they're a trivial social club."

"We used to be so much more," her mother explains, "Our mission was to protect outcasts from harm and bigotry. In fact, the group was started by an ancestor of your father's from Mexico. One of the first settlers in America."

"Goody," Wednesday blurts out. Morticia's expression falls blank and she realizes Wednesday might have had a vision, "I saw her painting at Pilgrim World."

"Oh," she answers, "how ironic since she was the one who killed Joseph Crackstone. The Nightshades were her secret, but deadly, answer to his oppression. I know why you've come here, Wednesday. So go on. Ask."

"Father didn't kill Garrett Gates, did he?" her daughter asks.

"No," Morticia answers truthfully. She begins to retell the story, most of it the same. Garrett chased Gomez up to the unfinished balcony, "by the time I made it up the stairs, I found your father fighting for his life. It was terrifying."

Gomez shoved Garrett into a pillar but was not spared. Garrett grabbed him again and threw him down. The two fought, just like how Gomez described it. Only when Gomez was kicked off of Garrett, it was not him who grabbed the sword, but Morticia.

"I'll never forget the way he looked at me," she tells Wednesday, "He was even foaming at the mouth. It was like I was staring into the eyes of a rabid beast."

Morticia, in fear, picked up the sword. Garrett walked into it and fell back off the balcony.

"It was only when I heard the scream that I realized what I'd done," Morticia explains, "your father was so... calm and brave."

Gomez then took the sword from his then-girlfriend, telling her to go. He walked over to the edge, sword in hand, making it look like he killed Garrett.

"Your father took the blame in order to protect me," she says. Tears fall from her eyes as she finishes telling the story, "I was so grateful when they cleared him of any wrongdoing. But I knew, someday this would come back to haunt us."

"You said Garrett was foaming at the mouth," Wednesday remembers, "His eyes didn't look human."

"I've never seen someone so blinded by rage," her mother confirms.

"Maybe it wasn't rage at all," she suspects, "Foaming saliva, dilated pupils, mental confusion. What are those all textbook symptoms of?"

Her mother thinks for a moment before she realizes, "But how can that be?"

"There's only one way to find out," Wednesday smirks. The two exit the Nightshades Library, going to dig up Garrett's grave when Tana spots them.

"Wednesday!" she calls. Morticia stops and turns, smiling at the redhead. Wednesday looks to her mother and glares, signaling for her mother to stay away while she talks to her, "Is everything okay? With your dad, I mean?"

"Peachy."

Tana thought Wednesday might open up, seeing as though the two are fond of each other. Well, maybe not fond, but Wednesday can tolerate her. She is Tana's only friend. Eugene is nice to her, but they don't see each other outside of class and the Hummers.

"I see," she answers. She turns to walk away, slightly disappointed.

"T-Tana, wait," Wednesday blurts. The redhead turns back with hope in her eyes that the Addams girl will talk to her, "I have to take care of business tonight, but tomorrow... you can help me with my investigation."

This is Wednesday's version of asking Tana to hang out tomorrow. The redhead beams.

"Really?"

"Yes. But this is strictly for the investigation," she warns the girl.

"Got it," she smiles. She waves to Morticia before heading off to her dorm hall.

"You have quite the... acquaintance," she comments. Wednesday continues walking out of the building, ignoring her mother's attempt at talking about Tana, "What species is she?"

The Addams girl huffs, "she controls fire. Well, not really control."

"Interesting. Does she satisfy your need to commit arson?" her mother ponders. Wednesday scowls.

"She is not a toy," she sternly answers. She hesitates before adding, "I simply tolerate her company. That's all."

Morticia smirks, leaving the conversation at that, knowing she would push over Wednesday's limits of socializing.

The two Addams women go back out to Jericho to the cemetery where Garrett Gates is buried. Morticia stands guard as Wednesday begins to dig up his coffin. She looks fairly pleased.

"Ah, this reminds me of when you got your first grave-digging kit," Morticia smiles, "you were so happy, you nearly smiled."

"Are you sure you don't want to join?" her daughter asks, having dug three feet down already.

Morticia looks at her clean, manicured hands, "Um... no that's okay, darling. I don't want to spoil your fun."

Wednesday flashes a quick grin before heaving a shovel full of dirt over her shoulder. She goes down to bring more dirt up but hits something instead. She puts the shovel aside and clears the dirt off Garrett Gates' coffin.

"Moment of truth," she comments before opening the top half of the coffin. She breathes in the smell of corpse, grinning, "Hello, Garrett. I was right."

Behind them, the police arrive.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" Office Santiago questions sarcastically, "Guess there's gonna be an Addams family reunion in lockup tonight."

Morticia raises her hands in surrender, Wednesday doing the same from inside the hole.

"You're both under arrest," the officer declares.

***

"Get comfortable. You can post bail in the morning," Sheriff Galpin says as he closes the cell door. Wednesday and Morticia sit in one cell, Gomez in the cell next to theirs. Her parents can't keep their hands off of each other, even through the bars.

"Not even the long arm of the law could keep us apart," Gomez says.

"At least we'll have one last night together," Morticia adds.

"Yes," he answers as they continue to kiss.

"I've seen jackals with more self-control than you two," Wednesday comments from the other side of the cell, avoiding her parents' PDA, "neither one of you are strong enough to serve hard time. And thanks to me, you won't have to."

"I knew our little jailbird would have an escape plan," Gomez smiles. She holds out one of Garrett's fingers.

"It's a souvenir from our outing," she explains, "I borrowed it from Garrett. He died from Nightshade poisoning."

Morticia inspects the finger, the remaining skin blue.

"The remarkable preservation of soft tissue and blue tint confirms it," her daughter adds.

"Which means Garrett was dying——"

"Before you stabbed him," Wednesday cuts her mother off. The parents gasp.

"You look even more ravishing as an innocent woman," Gomez says to his wife.

"Yes," she smiles. The two go back in for another kiss that would turn into a full make-out.

"For once, could you two get off of each other and focus," their daughter asks. Wednesday takes the finger from her mother and is sent into a vision.

She is sent back to the night of the Rave'N in 1990 when her parents were students. Garrett Gates' dad yells at him, "Prove to me you're still worthy to be called my son!"

He hands him the vial of Nightshade poison, "Kill all those outcasts! Sneak into that dance and spike the punch bowl."

She sees Garrett put the vial into his shirt pocket. She then sees the moment he hits the pillar and the vial shatters, poisoning him.

"Wednesday," Morticia pulls her from the vision, "did you have a vision? What happened? What did you see?"

"The night Garrett died, he had a vial of Nightshade poison that broke in his pocket," Wednesday explains to her parents, "he wasn't just trying to kill Father. He was going to use the Nightshade poison to murder the entire school."

***

"Thank you for seeing us at such short notice, Mr. Mayor," Morticia says to Mayor Walker in his office the next morning. The two Addams women posted bail and requested to see him, immediately.

"Yes, well, veiled threats have that effect," he comments.

"Garrett Gates wasn't killed by a stab wound," Wednesday starts. She approaches the mayor's desk, putting the finger down as evidence. He stifles a gag.

"That blue sheen is a telltale sign of Nightshade poisoning," Morticia says.

"But you already knew that didn't you?" her daughter suggests, "because back when you were sheriff, you were in charge of the case and covered it up."

The mayor sighs, "Ansel Gates hated outcasts and Nevermore. He claimed the land the school was built on was stolen from his family over 200 years ago. Garrett went there that night to spike the punch and kill all the kids at that dance. Ansel confessed the whole thing to me in a drunken stupor. It was his idea."

"Why did you instruct Dr. Anwar to falsify the autopsy report?" Wednesday questions, "you knew the truth about how he really died."

"Listen, my job was to keep the peace," he explains, "now, if there had been a trial, both Jericho's and Nevermore's reputations would have been trashed."

"I think the only reputation you were worried about ruining was your own," Morticia suggests, "I remember Garrett bragging to me that his father had the sheriff in his pocket. One year later, you get elected mayor. Hm. No doubt with the full support of Ansel Gates."

"I resent your implication," he cuts her off.

"What I resent is that you could have prevented Garrett's death if you had done your job when I lodged my complaint about him stalking me," she argues, "but no. Men like you have no idea what it feels like not to be believed."

The mayor sighs and knows both of them are right. His error has finally caught up with him too.

"What do you want?" he asks. Morticia looks over to her daughter.

"All charges dropped," she starts.

"My father will be released immediately with a full and unequivocal apology from the sheriff's office," Wednesday adds, "do we have a deal?"

"Let me make a phone call."

The two women leave the office as he calls the sheriff's office. They walk outside, Morticia beaming from ear to ear.

"You were very impressive in there," Wednesday compliments. Her mother smiles.

"When did your visions begin?" she questions.

"A few months ago," she answers, "Before I left for Nevermore."

"I'm sorry you didn't feel you could tell me," her mother says, "I know we've had our difficulties lately. Navigating the treacherous shoals of our mother-daughter relationship. But I'm always here for you, Wednesday. Always."

Wednesday turns to her mother, deciding she can trust her more now than before.

"Sometimes when I touch someone or something, I get these very violent glimpses from the past or future," she explains, "I don't know how to control it."

"Our psychic ability resides on the spectrum of who we are," Morticia explains, "given my disposition, my visions tend to be positive. That makes me a Dove."

"And for someone like me? Who sees the world through a darker lens?"

"You're a Raven. Your visions are more potent, more powerful," she explains, "But without the proper training, they can lead to madness. If I could help you, I would, Wednesday. But we're not trained by the living. Somebody from our bloodline reaches out from beyond to help us when we're ready."

"Goody has," Wednesday says, "I've seen her before."

"Be careful, Wednesday," her mother advises, "Goody was a witch of great strength, but her vengeance pushed her too far, and even she couldn't save herself."

Gomez walks out of the town hall, with Sheriff Galpin following behind him. Lurch holds his sport coat out for him to put back on, now that he's out of the hideous orange jumpsuit.

"Sorry about all this," Galpin apologizes because he has to. If it were up to him, he would let Gomez go without saying anything.

"I don't hold grudges," Gomez replies, "only blood debts."

The two shake hands before Galpin disappears back into the building. Gomez walks towards his family, Pugsley running to him.

"Dad!" he takes his son into a hug, "I missed you so much, Dad. I missed you so much."

Morticia approaches and Gomez opens his arms for his wife, "Querida."

"Mi amor," she smiles. Wednesday hesitantly approaches, allowing her mother to rest her arm around the girl's shoulder.

"Don't crowd me," Wednesday orders. The family returns to Nevermore where it's finally time for the families to leave. Pugsley hugs his sister once again, "Don't push it."

"Well, at least we can't say Parents' Weekend wasn't a nail-biter," Gomez comments.

"I knew you didn't have what it takes to be a murderer," she replies. His smile drops.

"As much as that stings, gracias, my little death trap," he gives her a kiss on the cheek. Finally, Morticia approaches.

"As I leafed through the pages of this yearbook, I was reminded of all the wonderful times I had here," she hands the book to Wednesday, "But they were just that. Mine. You have your own path to blaze. I don't want to be a stranger in your life, Darling. If you need me for anything, anything at all, I'm only a crystal ball away."

"Thank you, Mother," her daughter says sincerely. Morticia knows Wednesday does not like physical touch, so she does not attempt to engage in it. Although Wednesday takes a step forward towards her mother, who air kisses her and barely runs her hands over her face.

As Lurch drives the family car out of Nevermore's long driveway, she looks through the yearbook. She finds something she wasn't expecting.

"I knew it," Wednesday says, bursting into Principal Weems' office, "I did witness Rowan getting murdered that night."

"Excuse me?" the principal questions.

"When Rowan appeared the next morning, it was you," she states, "You see when you participated in the talent show with my mother, not only did you impersonate Judy Garland, you became her."

Wednesday puts the yearbook down, showing the principal's ability: shapeshifting.

"You're a shape-shifter," she says. Principal Weems scoffs, knowing she's been caught.

"That's a fascinating theory," she dismisses the girl.

"I'm curious to find out how Sheriff Galpin feels when I tell him," Wednesday threatens. This causes the blonde woman to rise from her desk.

"You won't tell a soul, Miss Addams," she threatens, "and it wouldn't matter much if you did. Rowan's father already knows what happened and he fully supports my decision to not involve the authorities."

"Why would he agree to that?"

"Because Rowan was not in his right mind," she explains, "his telekinetic abilities were driving him mad and he attempted to murder you twice and assaulted Tana. His tragic death allowed us to rectify the situation without casting the school or Rowan in an unflattering light."

"You and Mayor Walker are the same, aren't you?" Wednesday says, "Burying bodies to cover your dirty secrets."

"I did what I needed to do to shield this school from controversy," Principal Weems defends, "and protect its students from harm."

"Tell that to Eugene," Wednesday snaps, "how are you protecting him?"

Their attention is pulled away from each other with students shouting outside. The two walk out to the balcony outside of the principal's office.

"What on earth?" the principal comments. Outside, the lawn burns with the message 'Fire Will Rain'. Wednesday's heart flips, knowing who the blame will be put on.

Chapter Text

"Tana, we need to talk," Wednesday bursts into the Hummers' shed. Tana jumps, her hair sparking.

"How... how did you know I would be here?" she questions. Wednesday's eyes draw up and down.

"Because I know you didn't set that fire," the Addams girl admits. Tana lets out a breath she was holding, relieved that Wednesday believes her, "Principal Weems is already looking for you."

"Oh god," the redhead panics, "I'm gonna get detention for sure. Or what if they expel me? I don't have anywhere to go, Wednesday! I'll die out there!"

"Tana," she gets the girl to stop pacing, "You're not going to be expelled. Where were you before the fire started?"

"In my dorm. Alone," she explains.

"Did your dorm mother see you?"

"Maybe? I'm not sure," Tana sighs. Wednesday thinks for a moment.

"Let's go," she grabs Tana's wrist.

"Where are we going?"

"To Weems."

"Wednesday! Are you crazy?" she rips her arm from the girl's grip, "I'm gonna get in trouble."

Wednesday gives her a glare, "No you aren't. Let's go. Now."

Wednesday is new to having friends and although she is protecting Tana, she is showing it in a weird way. A stern, orderly way. The redhead sighs and follows the Addams girl out of the shed.

***

"Miss Addams, I don't have anything to discuss with you right now," Principal Weems sighs from her desk. Wednesday stands in the doorway, Tana hiding next to her.

"Yes you do," she says. She pulls the redhead in by the wrist.

"Tana Adler."

"Principal Weems, I swear I didn't——"

"Save it, Miss Adler, you are——"

"Principal Weems," Wednesday cuts the blonde woman off, "Tana didn't do it."

"Really?" the woman sneers, "In case you haven't noticed, there's a fire outside."

"Just because she's the only pyrokinetic student doesn't mean she's responsible for every fire," she defends the redhead, "There is no proof she set those fires."

Wednesday rips the gloves off of Tana's hands, "No burns. No smell of smoke. Someone else did this."

The principal stands up and walks over to the redhead, who is extremely intimidated by her. She inspects the girl's palms, while Tana nervously looks over at Wednesday.

"Where were you, Tana?" Principal Weems asks.

"My... my dorm room," she stutters, "I swear."

Principal Weems eyes the redhead, who gulps. She then turns her attention to Wednesday.

"And how are you so sure? You were in here when the fire was started," she asks. Wednesday looks down before answering.

"B-Because... Tana is my friend," she stutters. The redhead turns to Wednesday, who avoids her gaze, "In addition, she is incapable of controlling her powers. She would not be able to set fire as complex as this."

Principal Weems thinks for a moment, caught off guard by Wednesday's statement.

"I will be checking with your dorm mother for confirmation," she decides. Tana sighs.

"Thank you, Principal Weems," she says. The blonde looks to Wednesday.

"You're welcome."

The two girls leave the principal's office.

"Wednesday," Tana stops her, "Thank you."

She doesn't hug Wednesday, just smiles.

"Everyone is innocent until proven guilty," she replies, "Come on."

Tana gives the girl a confused look, "I said you could help with the investigation, did I not?"

The redhead smiles, "Oh, yes! Right."

Wednesday turns and heads off to her dorm with Tana. When they get back to Ophelia Hall, she grabs all of the candles in her shared room, even using some of Enid's.

"What exactly are we doing?" Tana asks as Wednesday collects them all.

"I'm going to perform a séance. I need to speak with a relative," she answers nonchalantly, "You're going to practice using your powers by lighting the candles."

Her eyes grow wide, "Me? Lighting the candles?"

"You are the one with pyrokinetic abilities."

"But, they don't work right. I could set the dorm on fire," she explains.

"Thing, fire extinguisher," she orders. The appendage comes out from behind her typewriter. He scurries off to find one, "That's why it is called 'practice'."

He slowly drags the giant metal canister over as Wednesday finishes arranging the candles in a circle. She takes the fire extinguisher from Thing and looks at Tana.

"Any day now," Wednesday instructs. Tana nervously takes her gloves off and approaches the circle of candles. She sends a spark flying and it misses the candle. Wednesday watches from behind with the extinguisher ready.

Usually, she would not be this patient with anyone, opting to light the candles by hand with her pocket flame thrower or what others would call "a lighter".

Tana takes a deep breath and lights one candle. She smiles.

"Good," Wednesday comments from behind her, "Continue."

The redhead takes another deep breath and focuses on channeling her powers. She lights another candle and her confidence builds. She continues to light each candle without a problem, her hands building hotter with each flame she throws.

She is surprised when she finishes the circle and finds her hands do not hurt as they have been before. Her powers are healing as she focuses on using them the right way.

"I did it," Tana proudly says.

"You did," the Addams girl compliments, "stand aside now. I need silence."

Tana backs away, listening to her. Wednesday notices the change of expression and that she must have had a harsher tone.

"You... may sit on the bed," she offers. Tana grins at the permission given. Wednesday carefully steps into the circle and sits down. She closes her eyes and takes off her necklace given to her by her mother and begins to chant.

The door swings open after a minute and the candles are put out by the burst of air. Tana's heart races as Wednesday turns.

"Sorry," Enid apologizes, walking into the room, "I didn't mean to interrupt your... Uh, do I even want to know?"

"I was reaching into the black maw of death to contact a relative," Wednesday explains.

"Feels very on-brand for you," the blonde comments, "you have a relative named Goody?"

"She was one of the original outcasts," she informs her, "Been attempting to summon her, but she seems to be ignoring my entreaties."

"Oh, you thought about using one of my scented candles?" Enid notices, "the aroma of steak tartare is to die for... hey! What is she doing in here?"

The blonde finally notices the redhead sitting on Wednesday's bed.

"Enid..." Wednesday warns.

"No, Wednesday, she probably set the grass on fire," the blonde scowls.

"Enid!" she cuts her off, "Tana didn't set the grass on fire."

"How do you know?"

She doesn't know about Tana and her broken powers. She doesn't know about her past or how Othello Hall actually burned down.

Wednesday turns to Tana, "Tell her."

"Tell me what?" Enid questions. The Addams girl approaches Tana.

"Show her the burns," she whispers. Although the redhead doesn't want to, she trusts the girl. She stands up and takes her jacket off. Then she rolls up her sleeves, the burns now scars.

"What happened?" Enid asks quietly.

"I burned myself," the redhead explains, "... that's how I set Othello Hall on fire... It was an accident."

Enid remains quiet and Wednesday stands behind Tana.

"So, you weren't mad at me?" Enid asks. The redhead nods her head 'no'.

"I was never mad at you, I just didn't want to talk about my parents. Or my old life," she explains.

"I'm sorry," the blonde whispers. Tana rolls her sleeves down.

"It's okay."

It's silent when a piece of paper slides under the door.

"Maybe Goody answered you after all," Enid says. Wednesday walks over and picks up the paper.

"I doubt she communicates in magazine cutouts," she retorts. The paper reads 'if you want answers meet inside Crackstone's Crypt, midnight.'

***

Wednesday leads with Enid and Tana following behind her. Enid carries a flashlight and Tana ignites her hair with a dull blaze, providing light for them. Enid hears a noise and her claws deploy.

"You insisted on coming along," Wednesday comments. She stands in the entryway of the crypt, looking up at the engravement on the stone. The two doors are set slightly apart as if someone is already inside, "seems like our wannabe Deep Throat is already here."

"Ew," Enid mutters, "what died?"

"Smells like childhood," her roommate comments, "Come on."

"Second thoughts. Why don't I just stay out here with Tana?" the werewolf asks nervously. Tana walks past her, putting her hair out.

"We're safer together than apart," the redhead says, motioning for the girl to follow. Enid stands still, "holler if you hear something."

Tana walks inside and the two doors slam shut. Enid turns around, her back to the doors. Wednesday makes her way around the crypt, looking for clues and waiting for the mysterious person to come out.

Tana ignites her hair again, providing a stronger light than Wednesday's flashlight. Something clatters in the distance.

"Enid?' Wednesday calls. Someone coughs, followed by hushing. Wednesday pushes Tana behind her, "whoever you are, show yourself. Try anything and you'll lose limbs."

"Surprise!" Bianca, Xavier, Ajax, Yoko, Davina, and Kent jump out from behind the crypt, "Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you!"

Enid comes into the crypt with a cake, "Happy birthday, dear Wednesday!"

The cake is black with a black figure on top, holding a pink balloon. Sparklers serve as candles and the cake reads 'Happy 16th Birthday Wednesday'. Thing sits on a ledge with a black party hat on his severed wrist.

"Happy birthday to you!" the group finishes singing. She turns and points her flashlight to Thing.

"I should have known you were behind this," she groans. She then turns to Tana, her hair still flaming, "And you. Were you a part of this?"

"What? No, no, I swear Wednesday," she insists. Wednesday believes her and turns back to Thing.

"What part of 'no party under the penalty of death' do you not understand?" the Addams girl seethes.

"I thought my cake design was pretty inspired," Xavier says.

"The pink balloon was my little touch," Enid adds, "Why don't you make a wish?"

The girl looks back at Thing before noticing an engravement on the wall of the crypt. She ignores the cake and walks closer to it.

"Wait, it's Latin," Wednesday says, "Fire will rain... when I rise."

"Kay' that's not really a wish," her roommate comments.

"The first part of that was burned onto Nevermore's lawn," she ignores Enid again, "It can't be a coincidence."

"Uh, yeah, especially not with Miss Living Torch over here," Bianca laughs at Tana. Wednesday turns with a scowl.

"She didn't do this."

Bianca and Wednesday hold eye contact for a long time, waiting for the other to make the first move.

"Wait, we're never eating that cake, are we?" Ajax whispers. By now, the sparklers have burnt out. Wednesday turns away from Bianca and returns to the ledge. She touches the stone and falls to the floor, to the alternate version she's been to before.

"Crackstone is coming," a voice says. Wednesday wakes up outside of a house with gates in front of it, in the parallel world, "Crackstone is coming."

Goody Addams stands on the other side of the gate as Wednesday approaches, "Goody."

"You're the Raven in my bloodline," she says, "Wednesday."

She teleports to the girl's side.

"I was told you could teach me how to control my ability," Wednesday explains.

"There is no controlling a raging river," Goody answers, "You must learn to navigate it without drowning. Time is not on our side. To stop Crackstone, this place you must seek."

"Do you always speak in riddles?"

"Do you always seek simple answers?" Goody fires back, "the path of a Raven is a solitary one. You end up alone, unable to trust others, only seeing the darkness within them."

"Is that supposed to scare me?" Wednesday asks her ancestor skeptically.

"It should."

"Wednesday!" Enid shakes the girl. She awakens on the floor of Crackstone's Crypt, vaguely seeing the bright orange light of Tana's hair, "Everyone else left, are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

***

Later that night, Wednesday draws a picture of the gates she saw in her vision. Thing climbs onto her right shoulder, "Careful. That's my cold shoulder."

"Don't blame Thing. The party was my idea," Enid says, "I believe everyone deserves to be celebrated on their birthday."

"I prefer to be vilified."

"What happened?" her roommate asks, "It looked like you were having a seizure."

"I wasn't that lucky," she mutters, not wanting Enid to know about her visions.

"Can I at least get some kudos for pulling one over on you?" the werewolf asks. Wednesday huffs, putting her pencil down.

"The subterfuge was impressive," she grants. Thing drags a trunk out from under Wednesday's bed. She stands up from her desk to inspect. She picks up a note from the top, "May your 16th be as sour and misery-filled as your desire. Your ever-doting mother and father."

"They asked Thing to hide it before they left on Parents' Weekend," Enid explains. Wednesday opens the case and finds a taxidermy kit inside, including dead squirrels for practice, "Ew! That's so gross."

"I would've preferred live squirrels," she says as she looks at the squirrels. Enid walks away and comes back with a gift of her own.

"While we're still accepting presents..." she holds out a gift wrapped in black wrapping paper. the blonde stands excitedly while her roommate unwraps the gift. She pulls out a black scarf-looking item, "Well, do you like it?"

"What is it exactly?"

"It's a snood, silly," the blonde smiles, "I made it in your signature colors. And you want to know what the best part is?"

She holds up her own pink version, "I have one too! We can wear them together to class."

"Oh, Enid, this is far too unique to wear to something like class," Wednesday stutters, not wanting to wear the article of clothing, "I suggest we wait for a more special occasion, like a funeral."

"Oh," the girl exclaims, not expecting that answer.

***

The next day, Wednesday stands in front of the now-singed grass.

"Last night in the crypt, you had another vision, didn't you?" Xavier asks, walking up next to her.

"I didn't realize we were back on speaking terms," she comments.

"I showed up to your surprise party. I figured that would have been a hint," he explains, "What'd you see?"

"Who said I was ready to speak with you?" she cuts him off. He sighs.

"You still think I'm the monster?" the psychic questions.

"Haven't ruled it out," Wednesday admits.

"Yeah, well, when you change your mind and you want my help, you know where to find me," he taunts, walking away.

"Hey," Tana calls to the Addams girl.

"Hello."

"I'm going to go visit Eugene... if you want to come with me," Tana offers. She is unsure of how Wednesday will respond. Although at this point, she has told Principal Weems they are friends and defended her a number of times without prompt, so it's a safe bet that Wednesday truly does enjoy her company.

"I suppose I could accompany you to the hospital," she sighs. The redhead grins and follows Wednesday.

***

"I haven't always been against birthdays," Wednesday says to Eugene in the hospital. Tana sits next to her, letting the girl talk to him first, "Each one reminds me I'm a year closer to death's cold embrace. What's not to like about that? Besides, my parents always made sure my birthdays were memorable. The perfect surprise. The perfect cake. The perfect party games. But now parties and presents and games, it... it all feels so trivial. Goody warned me I was destined to be alone, and that I would be sorry for it."

A voice clears and the two girls turn to find Dr. Kinbott entering with a bouquet of flowers, "Dr. Kinbott."

"Hi, Tana. Wednesday, I haven't seen you since our session with your family," she says, "which was... certainly one I won't forget. How are things going with them?"

"My mother and I spent some quality time together," Wednesday answers, "got our hands dirty."

"Gardening?"

"Grave-digging."

"What?" Tana exclaims.

"And I managed to keep my father out of prison," Wednesday informs her therapist, ignoring Tana's comment. Dr. Kinbott smiles, "What brings you here?"

"Eugene's moms, I'm working with them," she explains, "trauma like this leaves emotional scars on the whole family. They had to head home for a few days, so I promised I'd check in on him."

She puts the bouquet in a vase sitting on a cart.

"And Tana, how are you?" Dr. Kinbott asks.

"I'm good," the girl hesitantly answers. Wednesday gives her a strange look. Dr. Kinbott seems interested in what the redhead has to say.

"Any new news about your friend?" she inquires with a smirk. Tana's eyes widen.

"No! I'm sorry, I... can we talk about this later?" the redhead asks quietly in comparison to her volume at in the beginning. Both Dr. Kinbott and Wednesday are surprised, having never heard the girl so adamant about something.

"Of course, I'll see you both at our next sessions," she smiles. Wednesday and Tana leave the hospital room.

"You have another friend?" Wednesday questions when they step outside.

"What?" Tana questions, not remembering the conversation from two minutes ago, "uh, no. I... I lied."

Wednesday can tell she's hiding something, from the sound of her voice and the clear confusion to her question. Maybe she actually did lie to Dr. Kinbott... or she's hiding something else, from both of them.

***

In the Weathervane, the two girls sit at a booth. Wednesday reads a book on the history of Jericho, specifically the pilgrims. Tyler slides a cappuccino over to Wednesday, with the foam reading 'Happy Birthday'. Tana sits next to her, reading a book of her own for class.

"I know you're usually a quad kind of girl, but I've been working on that all week," he sits down across the booth from them.

"Birthday, yes. Happy, never," Wednesday comments, "Is there anyone Thing didn't tell?"

"Me apparently," Tana mutters.

"Well, who do you think delivered the cake?" Tyler asks, "Yeah, I went with the 98% dark chocolate ganache knowing your preferred color palette."

Wednesday stares blankly at him.

"Oh, is that, uh... that Enid's gift?" he questions, looking at the snood.

"It's perfect if you're fleeing a war-torn country on foot," she comments.

"Come on. Don't you like a day that's all about you?" Tyler asks.

"Every day is all about me," Wednesday answers, "This one just comes with cake and a bad song."

"So, if I asked you out to a non-birthday, song-free dinner... would that be something you're interested in?" he asks. Tana looks up, holding back the need to spark.

"I have a tight deadline," she turns him down. Tana remembers to breathe, relieved that she turned him down, even if it's not cause she doesn't like him, "emphasis on dead."

"Term paper?" he inquires, guessing from the book.

"It's about how whitewashing the sins of our past will come back to kill us all," she explains. He nods.

"Oh."

She takes out the drawing of the gates and shows it to him, "Have you seen that before?"

"Uh... what's that supposed to be?" Tyler asks. The drawing is crude, but even he should be able to tell. She snatches the drawing back from him.

"Never mind," she sits back and continues to read. The awkward silence sends him out of the booth, as his dad walks in.

"Tall, black, two sugars, to go?" he asks. His father nods. Sheriff Galpin walks right past Wednesday's booth, prompting the girl to stand up.

"That threat burned onto the lawn at school, it's also etched on the wall inside Crackstone's Crypt," Wednesday explains to him. Tana remains seated in the booth, not wanting to interact with the sheriff.

"Don't tell me you've been out there digging up more bodies?"

"There's a connection there. I know it," she insists.

"All right, well, I'll make sure to put out an APB on the dead pilgrim," he sarcastically answers.

"I figured since you no longer have an old vendetta to obsess over, you're free to solve some real crime," Wednesday taunts.

"Your father and I buried the hatchet. Maybe you should do the same," he suggests.

"I don't bury hatchets. I sharpen them."

Chapter Text

Later that night, Wednesday walks into Xavier's art studio, in an attempt to figure out what the gates from her drawing are. She brings Thing for backup. Xavier turns to see her walking in.

"I need your help," she states. He smiles, "Don't gloat."

"What, do you want some drawing lessons?" he asks. She hands him the drawing of the gates she saw in her vision, "Your line work's a little shaky."

Thing scurries through the studio, but Xavier doesn't question it.

"I saw that in a vision. Do you recognize it?" Wednesday asks. He folds the drawing up and motions to one of his pieces. It's a slightly better drawing of the same gates with more detail and shading, "When did you draw this?"

"Couple days ago," he answers, "I started having those dreams again, like before."

"Was the monster in them?"

"No, but, I could feel it in the shadows," he explains, "You know, kind of lurking in my mind."

"Do you know where this is?" she asks.

"Yeah. It's the old Gates mansion. I pass it when I go running. Why?" Xavier questions. His question is left unanswered when Thing snaps. Both of their heads turn to him in front of a piece covered by a tarp. He pulls the tarp off and it reveals a painting of Wednesday playing the cello on her balcony. Wednesday's eyes grow wide and she walks over to the painting. Xavier looks down, embarrassed, "Okay, listen... After the dance, I just wanted to forget about you, but I couldn't. So I started painting and that's what came out, alright?"

He lifts his hand, using his abilities to make the Wednesday in the painting play the cello.

"I can hear you up there playing," he says as the painting begins to play Cello Concerto in E minor by Edward Elgar, "I can tell how you get lost in the music. I feel like it's the only time I get to see the real you."

She becomes extremely uncomfortable, not only by the fact that he painted her but the fact that he is even remotely interested in her. She leaves the studio with Thing following. She sets off to find the Gates mansion by herself. The sun is about to set as she arrives, the drawing the exact same as the real version. There's a chain on the gates, but the lock is undone.

She looks around before pushing the gate open and walking up the driveway to the house. The paint is wearing away on the outside and the foliage is overgrown. No one has lived here since the Gates family. She walks up to the front door, a stone archway leading into the house. She goes for the door handle when she sees a figure move inside the house through the frosted glass. She runs to hide in the bushes when Mayor Walker comes out of the house. He locks the front door before walking down the driveway.

"I need a distraction," Wednesday says to Thing who sits on her shoulder. He scurries down and follows the mayor.

"Sheriff, pick up your damn phone, it's Noble," the mayor says walking past Wednesday in the bushes, "Listen, I might have figured out who's behind all of this."

A pebble hits him in the back, causing him to turn away from Wednesday's hiding place.

"It's a long shot. I'm gonna have to lay it out for you," he continues as Wednesday runs behind his back to his car, "We'll do it over pie at the Weathervane, just like the old days. See you soon."

Thing throws another pebble, giving Wednesday some extra time. The Addams girl opens the trunk of his car and climbs in the back. The mayor looks around suspiciously for the source of the pebbles but does not find it. He gets into his car as Thing climbs on the tailpipe. He begins to drive into Jericho to go to the Weathervane. The Gates mansion is just outside of Jericho, isolated in the woods. It's dark by the time the mayor arrives in the town square.

He parks across the street from the Weathervane and inside the Sheriff sits at the booth, waiting for him. Sheriff Galpin acknowledges the mayor through the window as he walks across the street. The town square is pretty quiet, as is the whole town of Jericho itself. Wednesday peeks over the backseat through the windshield as the mayor is struck by a car.

"No!" the sheriff jumps up from his booth in the Weathervane. The car continues driving, speeding off before the sheriff can stop it, "Noble!"

Wednesday jumps out from the back of his car as Sheriff Galpin kneels down next to him.

"Call 911!" he shouts as locals come running out to the scene, "Get an ambulance!"

***

"He's alive," Sheriff Galpin says to Wednesday in a booth inside the Weathervane. The ambulance carrying the mayor drives away, additional police outside taking statements from witnesses, "Barely. I'll take you back after I get your statement."

"I already gave it to your deputy," Wednesday informs him, "Blue Cadillac with no license plates."

"Yeah, I know," he answers. He turns on an audio recorder, "I want a better one. What were you doing in the back of the mayor's SUV?"

"I saw him coming out of the Gates mansion," she answers truthfully.

"The Gates mansion. What the hell were you doing there?" he questions.

"House hunting," she answers sarcastically. He looks away, knowing she was probably not going to tell him, "I overheard the voicemail he left you. I was intrigued."

"Back when the mayor was sheriff, he used to have a lot of wild theories on cases that he couldn't solve," Sheriff Galpin explains, "So... we'd dissect them over pie, sitting right back there in that booth. Most of the time they went nowhere."

"Call me old-fashioned, but when someone is run over on their way to give the police key information, it usually means they were onto something," she speculates, "and all signs point to the Gates family and that house."

"The Gates family," he questions, "How? They're all dead. Every last one of them. And I don't believe in ghosts."

"Maybe you should," she answers. She stops the recorder and slides it back over to him. She gets out of the booth and leaves the Weathervane. When she arrives back at Nevermore, she winds up in the principal's office once again.

"How do you manage to end up at the center of every terrible thing that happens here?" Principal Weems exclaims, pacing back and forth in her office.

"Incredible luck."

"As of now, the school is on full lockdown," she explains, "and your off-campus privileges are revoked until further notice."

Wednesday doesn't argue, just leaves the office and heads back to her dorm. She begins working on her novel when her dorm mother, Ms. Thornhill, walks in.

"Wednesday, I just heard what happened to Mayor Walker," she exclaims, "Are you all right? I... I can't imagine witnessing something like that."

"It was on my bucket list," Wednesday nonchalantly answers. She isn't fazed by it at all, "You can tell the warden I'm still in my cell."

Ms. Thornhill sighs. Although she should know that Wednesday is extremely intelligent and even if she really was concerned for Wednesday, the girl wouldn't care.

"Principal Weems is only looking out for your best interests," she explains, "You could have been seriously hurt or worse."

The Addams girl could make a comment about pain or death, but she chooses not to. She remains silent.

"Oh. How goes the novel?" Ms. Thornhill asks, looking at the typewriter.

"Viper's investigation has been thwarted on several fronts," Wednesday explains, "but she's plotting her next course of action."

She begins to type away, the sound of the keys clacking makes for a nice ambiance.

"Sounds intriguing," the teacher comments, "I saw this on my bookshelf and thought of you."

She hands her a copy of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.

"Mary Shelley wrote it on a dare when she was only 19," she informs her.

"I know," Wednesday comments, "She's both my literary hero and nemesis, and I have two years and 364 days to beat her."

"Well, I think it's very smart that you're focusing on literary monsters, and leaving whatever real ones might be out there to the authorities," she states as a warning.

"'No man chooses evil because it is evil'," she quotes, "'He only mistakes it for happiness, the good he seeks'. Mary Shelley wrote that line to describe people like Weems, who do bad things under the guise of protecting the greater good. Did she put you up to this? Encourage me to pursue other interests?"

Ms. Thornhill frowns, having hoped for a nice bonding moment between her and her student. Again, the culture of Nevermore is something that Wednesday will never want to take a part in and the only people who suffer from her lack thereof are the ones surrounding her. They should really stop trying to engage with her and let her choose to engage instead.

"No," the teacher sighs, "But she will expel you if you continue to defy her."

"So you're only looking out for my best interests?"

"Always," the redheaded teacher smiles, "I think we're a lot alike."

"We aren't," she quickly cuts her off. She stands up and holds the book out to her, "I don't need your help or your pity. I already have a mother and a therapist. That's enough torture, even for me."

Ms. Thornhill sighs, hurt by Wednesday's words. She leaves her dorm room.

***

The next day she uses the pay phone in the quad to call Tyler Galpin, "Hello?"

"I've reconsidered your offer," Wednesday states.

"My offer?"

"The non-birthday dinner," she explains.

"Really? That's great. Um..." he smiles in his house, "When are you free?"

"Pick me up outside the Nevermore gates at 8:00," she instructs, "cut your lights."

She hangs up the phone.

"Uh... Wednesday?" he questions. She turns around to find Tana at one of the tables, eating alone. She sits down across the table, silent. She doesn't know how to engage in social conversation. Well, she doesn't know how to start it anyways.

"Hey," Tana looks up from her food, "How are you?"

Wednesday's eyes widen. She doesn't actually know when someone asked how she was actually doing. She would probably give them a vague answer anyways.

"I'm feeling troubled."

"Do... do you want to talk about it?" the redhead asks, "I mean, I heard what happened to Mayor Walker, but you don't have to talk about it or anything."

Wednesday looks at her, taking a quick glance down at her sandwich, "Sorry, I should have asked if you want some."

She offers her plate to Wednesday.

"No, Tana. You eat it," she states. Tana pulls her plate back, always a little fearful of Wednesday's commands, "Every time I get close to new information, my investigation is thrown off its tracks."

"Oh. Is it because we are on lockdown?" she asks. Wednesday nods, "Well, maybe Principal Weems will let up if nothing bad happens for the next day or so."

"I can't wait that long. The monster could be out there, planning another attack," she states.

"True. I'm assuming you have a plan to escape lockdown?" Tana grins. Wednesday is taken aback by the girl's comment. For as much as she hates others, Tana is making it extremely hard for Wednesday to hate her.

"I do actually," she says. Tana doesn't say anything, not wanting to invite herself to whatever trouble Wednesday is going to get into next. Although, Tana would love to spend more time with Wednesday, even if it means possibly getting in trouble. The Addams girl was waiting for Tana to ask to come along or even just question more about the investigation, but she doesn't. She both admires and despises this because she wants Tana to come along. She just doesn't want to be the one to ask, "And... y-you are allowed to come along. Your hair proves itself worthy as a source of light and doesn't waste my batteries."

Tana smiles knowing that the words weren't exactly "Do you want to come along?", but that is what the Addams girl meant.

"Ok," she answers, "When?"

"Come to my dorm room at 8 PM."

***

At five minutes to 8:00, Wednesday stands up from her desk and turns to Enid's side of the room. She lies on her bed, bored out of her mind.

"I've been thinking about my less-than-enthusiastic response to your surprise soirée," Wednesday starts. Enid sits up and turns over her shoulder, "And I must admit, I regret not showing my gratitude towards you more appropriately."

Her roommate smiles and fully sits up to face her, "You really mean it?"

"Take the win, Enid," she states, "If only there were a way for us to get off campus and have a little birthday redo. Tana and I were talking about it earlier. Just us best friends. Too bad the school is on lockdown."

Wednesday walks over to their window, "Would you look at that full moon..."

With Wednesday's guiding words, Enid plots, "Oh, how about I say I'm about to wolf out and get a pass to the lupin cages? And say you volunteer to lock me in."

The Addams girl turns with wide eyes, her plan working, "My deviousness has finally rubbed off on you. Thing? You know what to do, right?"

He gives a thumbs up. Tana knocks on the door. Wednesday is quick to answer it, "Don't question anything."

"What?" she asks as the Addams girl pulls her into the room.

"Tana!" Enid smiles, "You know, I'm really glad you were able to forgive me for all the stuff I did in the past. I'm so glad you talked Wednesday into this girls' night!"

Tana looks at her with wide eyes, now understanding Wednesday's command.

"Yeah! I'm glad too. I actually even got her a late birthday present," she smiles. Wednesday turns with wide eyes. That sentence was unprompted, but the redhead holds a white box with a white ribbon on top. The Addams girl stares at the gift, still hating the idea of gifts for her birthday.

"Wednesday," Enid nudges her, "Don't be rude, open the gift."

She snaps out of her mind, clearing her throat, "My apologies."

She steps forward to the redhead, their eyes locked with each other. She takes the box from Tana's gloved hands and opens the top. She grabs a little black book and opens the cover to find out it's a journal. She pulls out a black feather pen.

"Aw, that's cute, you can write all your novel ideas down in there," Enid comments. Tana grins as Wednesday looks down at the gift and then back at her.

"Oh, and watch this. Can I?" she asks, looking at the pen. Wednesday gives her the pen back and she hits a button. The black feather then turns white.

"Oh my god, that is so cool!" Enid exclaims.

"It's, uh... a symbol for our, uh... friendship..." Tana explains, "white for me, black for you."

She hands the pen back to Wednesday.

"Thank you, Tana," she says. The girls maintain eye contact for an absurd amount of time before Wednesday turns and sets the journal next to her typewriter, "All right, let's go."

"Oh, we should wear our snoods," Enid suggests. Wednesday turns and Tana grows confused.

"Oh, I... I believe I left mine at fencing," the Addams girl lies. She didn't leave it at fencing and she didn't do it accidentally.

"Actually, you left yours at the Weathervane," her roommate replies, walking over with the two scarves, "Luckily, Bianca brought it back."

"Like a monkey's paw," Wednesday comments. She takes the scarf from Enid and the three girls leave the dorm room.

***

Outside the Nevermore gates, Tyler waits in his car for Wednesday. His lights are off, just like she instructed. He sits back and looks over, Wednesday scaring him once again. She opens the door and gets into the passenger seat.

"Let's go."

"Uh... uh..." he stutters, "Hi. Nice to see you too."

The back doors open with Tana and Enid get in the back.

"Wait, he's our Uber driver?" Enid questions.

"Uber driver?" he questions, "I thought we were going on a date."

"A date?" Tana exclaims.

"I thought this was a girls' night out," Enid huffs. All three look to the Addams girl.

"There's been a change of plans," she explains nonchalantly.

"Okay, what's up with the weird matching hoodie-scarf things?" Tyler questions.

"Don't ask," Wednesday orders, "just drive."

The three sit back, becoming more unfazed by Wednesday's tricks. Tana was unfazed until Tyler mentioned "date". As they drive away from Nevermore, Xavier walks to the window on Enid and Wednesday's balcony.

"Hey, Wednesday?" he calls, hearing the typewriter going from inside. He knocks on the window and looks inside, "Are you guys in here? Listen, I know you're still mad about the painting, okay, but I just want to talk to you for a second."

He can hear the typewriter and assumes that she is inside. He pushes the window open and walks into her dorm room. He finds Thing typing instead of her.

"Where is she, Thing?" he asks. The appendage turns and backs away for a second, but then goes to tell him.

***

"Seriously, you wanna go in there?" Enid questions as the four walk toward the Gates mansion. Tana ignites her hair and Tyler jumps back.

"Jesus!"

Wednesday and Enid turn, unfazed by her abilities.

"Oh, yeah. Tana controls fire," Enid explains. He nods and continues to follow them, keeping a distance from her, "This place is creepy AF."

"I know," Wednesday grins. She goes up to the lock and begins to pick it with a bobby pin.

"Okay, this isn't what I signed on for," Tyler comments.

"Ditto," Enid agrees.

"I didn't want to celebrate my birthday by going to a dinner or a surprise party," Wednesday states as she unlocks the chain, "I want to do this."

"Then you shoulda just said so. You didn't have to trick us," Tyler replies. She pushes the gates open, the metal creaking loudly in the quiet of the woods.

"If you want to go, you can," she offers, "I'm going to go check out the garage."

She walks through the gates and Tana doesn't hesitate in following. Wednesday gave her the least amount of knowledge in the plan and is unfazed by her trickery, although, Wednesday didn't need to trick her. She knew that Tana would most likely willingly follow her, so she just decided to be vague instead of tricking her. Enid and Tyler look at each other before following behind the two girls with their flashlights.

Wednesday pushes against the double doors of the garage but they don't budge. She tugs on them some more before Tyler offers, "Here, let me try."

She stands back as the boy goes up to the door. He is also unable to open the doors.

"This is pointless," he huffs.

"Can I try?" Enid asks. Wednesday takes her flashlight and the blonde walks up to the door. She opens the door on the first try.

"Whoa," Tyler comments. Enid shrugs.

"It's a werewolf thing," she says. Wednesday walks into the garage. Tana smooths her hair down, putting out her flames before following. Once again, Tyler and Enid bring up the rear. Wednesday flips a light switch and an overhead light flickers on. A car sits in the garage, a tarp covering it. She pulls the cover back slightly.

"This is the car that hit the mayor," Wednesday discovers.

"Okay. This just took a dark turn," Enid exclaims, frightened by it, "We need to call Tyler's dad, right freaking now."

Wednesday turns, "Why? So he can take me back to Nevermore and get me expelled? It's not gonna happen."

She continues towards the door leading into the house. Enid follows, knowing Wednesday has a point and not only will Wednesday get in trouble, but she and Tana would too.

Chapter Text

"This is the night I'm gonna die," Tyler comments as he walks into the Gates mansion behind Enid. He, Wednesday, and Enid all hold flashlights as they walk through the dark house. Tana is unable to use her hair for light as she would surely set the old wood ablaze. The four are quiet, the only sound provided by the creaking of the old wooden floorboards and their own heavy breathing. Well, Enid and Tyler's. Wednesday feels a rush of serotonin from the creepy house and Tana feels safer standing behind the unfearful girl.

They walk into what looks like an office, where a giant portrait of the Gates family hangs on a wall. They continue into another room, probably the library. The furniture remains, meaning the house was never cleared out. Cobwebs and dust cover the shelving and furniture in the room. Wednesday walks over to the bookshelf, noticing a book out of place. She pushes it back and begins to pull on other books. After pulling on a couple, she begins to look down the row of shelves.

"Seen enough?" Tyler asks when her flashlight shines in his face. She outlines one of the shelves, noticing one shelf has matching columns on either side of it. She reaches up and presses on one of them. Gears begin to turn and the bookshelf slides away, its only purpose being a decoy. Behind the bookshelf is a altar to Joseph Crackstone, a portrait of him on the wall behind it. A surplus of candles sits on the shelf in the little room.

"Who doesn't have a spooky built-in altar in their family library?" Enid whimpers.

"Ours is in the living room," Wednesday states. Tyler turns to her with wide eyes, "More seating for year-long Dia de los Muertos."

Tyler nods although he wasn't confused by the placement, but by the implication itself. Enid whimpers from behind them. Wednesday steps into the room, looking at the walls. The words "Blood will rain" and "When I rise" are smeared on the walls opposite each other in what appears to be blood. Although, it could very well be red paint. She begins to grab the wicks, checking the temperatures. She wipes one candle and fresh wax sticks to her finger.

"They're still warm," she reports to the three. Enid whimpers in response, "All right Tyler, you check the rest of the ground floor with Enid. Tana and I will search upstairs."

"We will?" Enid exclaims as Wednesday walks out of the room. Tana follows her upstairs.

"All right, you go left, I go right," she instructs Tana.

"Wait," she stops Wednesday, "I don't have a light."

She thinks for a moment, "Can you use your powers? Not your hair, your powers?"

Tana gulps, still nervous to use them, but when Wednesday instructed her to use them before with the candles in her dorm room, she was able to use them without injury. Wednesday gives her more confidence and she nods.

"Good," the Addams girl then turns and continues down the right hallway. Tana turns and takes off one of her gloves. She holds up her index finger and takes a deep breath. She then uses her powers to sprout a single flame from the top of her finger, making her finger a live candle. She smiles and walks down the left hallway.

"Wednesday, you need to see this!" Tana calls from down the hall. The Addams girl rushes to the sound of her voice. She doesn't sound like she's in trouble, more like she's got something useful for the investigation. After all, she takes her role in "helping" very seriously. Wednesday walks into what looks to be Laurel Gates' old room, "The bed's made. No dust or cobwebs..."

Tana's discovery does prove to be useful. Unlike the rest of the house, the room is well taken care of and appears to not be run over by the crackheads Tyler's dad speaks of. She turns to the bedside table, noticing a vase of flowers. She recognizes them.

"LG?" Tana questions. Wednesday approaches to find her inspecting an old jewelry box, a little ballerina standing in the middle. The initials are engraved on the outside of the box.

"Laurel Gates," Wednesday states.

"Looks like somebody moved back into their old room," she suggests.

"It's not possible. She died 25 years ago, drowned overseas," the girl says. Something shatters downstairs.

"Wednesday! The monster!" Enid shouts from the main floor.

"Let's go," Wednesday says.

"Guys! Get out! It's here!" Tyler shouts. The monster snarls, "Ahhh! Go!"

Enid runs up the stairs to Tana and Wednesday, who see the shadow of the monster on the wall.

"The dumbwaiter. Go!" Wednesday turns around to open the little elevator. She shoves Enid and Tana inside before herself. The monster begins climbing the stairs as Wednesday shuts the doors.

"Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god," Enid pants as they fall silent. They listen for the monster but don't hear anything. They wait another moment before the monster attacks the dumbwaiter. Enid and Tana scream as Wednesday pulls off her snood. She goes to tie it around the handles of the doors, to keep the monster from getting in, "No, no, no. Not your snood!"

"Stop," she orders. She finishes tying the snood up as the monster snarls outside the dumbwaiter. It slices the metal and the girls see its face through the cuts. Wednesday backs up into Tana, grabbing her wrist.

"Oh my god," Enid whispers. The monster stares at the girls, noticing the rope holding the dumbwaiter is close to snapping. When it does, the elevator drops to the floor and Enid screams the whole way down. The dumbwaiter hits the ground with the door busting off. Wednesday falls out, Tana on top of her, and Enid on top of them both.

Enid coughs from being slammed to the ground as she gets off of Tana. The redhead gets off Wednesday, "Sorry. D-did I hurt you?"

Wednesday looks at her arm, knowing Tana landed on her and didn't have one of her gloves on. But to their surprise, Wednesday remains unharmed. The girl then looks around the cellar they have fallen into. She turns on a light and finds what looks to be a crude operation table.

Unfortunately, the monster remains upstairs and its footsteps shake the house, signaling its movement to them. Wednesday grabs the girls by their wrists and drags them toward a window. She boosts Enid up as the monster becomes closer to finding them. Wednesday turns back as the monster breaks into the cellar. She walks toward some shelving, noticing various body parts preserved in jars. The same body parts missing from all of the monster's victims.

"Wednesday!" Tana calls.

"What are you doing?" Enid shouts from outside.

"These are the body parts missing from the monster's victims," she exclaims.

"Wednesday, we have to go!" Tana exclaims as the monster slowly walks towards them. Her heart begins to race a little bit.

"Come on!" Enid shouts. The monster pushes some shelving over. Wednesday runs back and boosts Tana up. The two girls then pull the Addams girl out of the cellar, the window shutting before the monster can get them.

"You okay?" Wednesday asks a shaken-up Enid.

"Since when do you care?" she snaps, her voice cracking. Enid begins to run away from the mansion, knowing the monster is still in there. She turns back to find Tana and Wednesday not following, "Wednesday, what the hell are you thinking?"

"We have to go back for Tyler!" she calls.

"The monster's back there!" Enid protests, although running to catch up with them. She does not want to be alone in the woods. Tyler sits outside the front door, his chest having three gashes on it from the monster's claws.

"Enid, hold this," Wednesday instructs, giving her the flashlight.

"That thing is still inside!"

"You're hurt. Can you walk?" she asks, ignoring her roommate. Xavier shows up behind them, "Where'd you come from?"

Xavier takes off his scarf without hesitation, seeing the gashes on Tyler's chest, "Here. Take this."

He presses the fabric onto the gashes, making the boy wince in pain.

"What happened to him?" Xavier asks, not answering Wednesday's question. No one answers him.

***

Tyler winces as Wednesday puts small strips of bandages over his gashes in his house. Enid, Tana, and Xavier sit at his table while the Addams girl takes care of his wounds. Although she isn't as careful as she was with Tana.

"Thanks, Doc," the boy jokes. She glares at him.

"Not to make this about me, but I am having a full-blown panic attack right now," Enid exclaims, her eyes wild with fear, "We need to get back before Weems realizes we've been gone."

The front door opens and Sheriff Galpin walks in. Wednesday stands up, prepared for the man to blow up on her.

"What the hell happened?" he questions. He angrily walks toward his boy, "This was you, wasn't it?"

"Wait, Dad, please. I'm okay," Tyler defends.

"Sheriff, I understand you're upset," Wednesday says rather calmly, "but I think you need to see something."

***

Sheriff Galpin and Wednesday go back to the Gates mansion. Enid, Tana, and Xavier have already been dropped off at Nevermore. The two walk down into the cellar to find all of Wednesday's evidence missing.

"It was all here," she exclaims, "The... the... the body parts and the blue Cadillac, the altar, and the bedroom filled with fresh roses."

"Yeah, well, it's all gone now," he sighs.

"Somebody cleared this place out after we left," she speculates, "Listen, yesterday I told you all signs pointed to this house, and I was right."

"Is that your justification for almost getting my son and your friends killed? Huh?" he questions her. She looks down, "Now, you listen to me. From this point forward, you are forbidden from seeing Tyler, and you are forbidden from pursuing anything to do with this case, understood?"

***

When Wednesday walks into her dorm building, Principal Weems waits at the top of the stairs for her, "You directly violated my explicit order and left campus during a lockdown. Not to mention putting your peers and yourself in danger."

"Which is grounds for expulsion. I know," Wednesday states, "and you have every right to exercise that option. I do believe it would be a grave error on your part."

The principal scoffs at her audacity.

"I think contrition might be in order right now, Miss Addams. Not hubris," she replies.

"I'll never apologize for trying to uncover a truth," she states. She pulls out the picture Rowan gave her and shows it to Principal Weems.

"What is this?"

"It's a warning from Rowan," she explains. The blonde woman takes the picture and examines it.

"Is this why he tried to kill you and hurt Tana?" Principal Weems asks in a calmer, neutral tone.

Wednesday nods, "his mother drew it before she died. Said Tana and I were destined to destroy the school. But I think we're meant to save it. Now you know what's at stake. Everything you vowed to protect, no less. I think I deserve another chance."

She pauses.

"Please."

Principal Weems stares down at her before giving the picture back, "One more infraction... One more step out of line and you will be expelled. No ifs, no buts."

"Enid, Tana, and Xavier are spared as well," Wednesday negotiates.

"And no more negotiation!" she exclaims, "Good night."

Principal Weems walks away and Wednesday walks to her room. She opens the door to find Enid packing and Tana standing behind her.

"She didn't mean to---"

"Where are you going?" Wednesday asks. Tana stops talking and looks down.

"Yoko's room," Enid says, "Thornhill said I could crash there for a few nights."

"There's no need," Wednesday replies, "I spoke with Weems. You, Tana, and Xavier won't be punished."

"Am I supposed to thank you?" the werewolf huffs, her back still turned to Wednesday.

"I already apologized. It's over."

Enid finally turns to face her, "Over? Tonight was just the icing on the birthday cake you couldn't even be bothered to cut. You'll use anyone to get what you want, even if it means putting them in danger. We could have died tonight because of your stupid obsession."

"But we didn't," Wednesday cuts her off, "and now I'm one step closer to solving this case. That is what is important."

Enid takes a couple of deep breaths, "I've tried really, really, really hard to be your friend. Always put myself out there. Thought of your feelings. Told people, 'I know she gives off serial killer vibes, but she's really just shy'."

"I never asked you to do that."

"You didn't have to because that's what friends do! They don't have to be asked," she exclaims angrily, "and the fact that you don't know that says everything."

She grabs her duffel bag and suitcase, "you want to be alone, Wednesday? Be alone. Good luck, Tana."

The door slams shut, leaving the two girls to stare at each other. Wednesday looks down.

"I guess you think that of me too?" she asks.

"No, Wednesday, I don't. I---"

"Leave," she orders quietly, "Please."

She avoids eye contact with the redhead. Tana sighs and leaves the dorm room, heading back to her own. It begins to rain outside, lightning flashing through the window. Wednesday walks and sits down with her back to the window. She pulls her knees up to her chest, not knowing exactly what she's feeling, just that it doesn't feel good.

She takes out her souvenir from the Gates mansion: Laurel's jewelry box. She sets it down and opens it up, looking at the ballerina inside. When she closes it again to pull it away, the bottom drops out and some pictures fall to the floor.

She turns them over, finding pictures of her.

One from when she was playing cello on the balcony. One from Parents' Weekend, as she and Tana get into the family car. And finally, one of her and Tyler in his car. Enid and Tana are in the backseat.

That picture was taken tonight.

Chapter Text

Mayor Walker was murdered, dying in the hospital and today is his funeral. Locals and students from Nevermore attend his funeral in the rain. Wednesday stands in the back with Tana next to her. She hasn't told Tana about the photos from the jewelry box yet, but she figures the killer is attending the funeral. The same person who's been meddling with her investigation.

Lucas and his mom stand up, walking away as the ceremony ends. Ajax wraps his arm around Enid as people begin to leave.

"Come on," Tana quietly says to the girl. Wednesday turns her head, looking past the redhead and seeing something lurking in the distance. The figure disappears into the woods. Wednesday takes off, "Wednesday."

Tana runs after her and nobody seems to notice the two. Wednesday follows the figure deep into the woods but loses sight of them.

"What's wrong? Did you see the monster?" Tana asks when she catches up with the Addams girl.

"Shh," she orders. She turns in circles, looking for something, or someone. A person drops down from above. Wednesday takes a long sword out from her umbrella and goes to stab the person. Although they catch it with their hands and electricity runs through the metal, causing Wednesday to drop the sword.

"Still as sharp as ever, my pig-tailed protégé," a familiar voice says.

"Uncle Fester," she smiles. The man takes his bowler hat off and laughs. Tana looks over to Wednesday, a little on edge, "Tana, this is my Uncle Fester. This is m-my friend, Tana."

"Nice to meet you," he sticks his hand out to shake hers. She unknowingly reaches out before Wednesday stops her. She knows that he will use his powers to generate electricity to shock her.

"Not on her," she warns through gritted teeth. He pulls his hand back and nods, "Let's go."

The three begin to walk back towards Nevermore.

"How long have you been stalking me?" Wednesday asks. She stands in between her uncle and friend.

"Just blew into town this morning and was hit by a wave of nostalgia," he explains.

"I thought you didn't go to Nevermore," she asks.

"I didn't. Your dad got all the brains," Fester answers, "But I used to drop in on him. Usually from the ceiling with a dagger clutched between my teeth. Just to keep him on his toes."

"Of course," the Addams girl nods.

"He filled me in on what's been going on," he continues, "monsters, murder, mayhem. What fun! I told him I had a job in Boston, but I'd be checking up on you."

"What kind of job?"

"The kind that means I need somewhere to lay low for a couple days," he replies, meaning he needs her to hide him.

"You're lucky you are one of the family members I can tolerate," she grins. He smiles and they continue on their way to Nevermore. They stop at the shed, "This place belongs to a friend."

"You've actually made friends," Fester comments in disbelief, "that poor kid will be going home in a body bag."

Tana and Wednesday both look away at his joke. They know that he doesn't know about Eugene. He looks over at the bee boxes.

"I like a hideout that comes with snacks," he comments looking at a box with the sign 'Sleeping bees! Do not Disturb!'

"Those bees are hibernating," Wednesday states, "they're practically Eugene's children."

He opens the lid, "ooh."

"That means do not eat them!" she scolds. He turns back to find her glaring. He disappointedly puts the bee back.

"You know, when you give me that death stare of disapproval, you remind me of your mother," he comments, "speaking of scary things, you know what kind of a monster you're dealing with?"

"I haven't been able to identify it," she admits. She pulls out Xavier's sketch of the monster.

"Oooh. It's called a Hyde," Fester explains.

"As in Jekyll and Hyde?"

"Mm-hmm," he nods.

"You've seen one before?" Tana asks.

"Oh yeah," he says, "In '83, during my vacay at the Zurich Institute for the Criminally Insane. It's where I got my first lobotomy. But you know lobotomies. They're like tattoos. Can't just get one."

Tana grows wide eyes.

"Tell me about the Hyde," Wednesday says.

"Ah. Olga Malacova. Jeez. She had it all," he explains, "Beauty, brains, and a penchant for necrophilia. Olga was a concert pianist, until one night she transformed in the middle of a Chopin sonata. Massacred a dozen audience members. And three music critics."

"What triggered her?" his niece asks, "Or did she just change on her own?"

"No idea," Fester shrugs, "I only saw her in group electroshock therapy."

"There's never been any mention of Hydes in any outcast book," she says confused, "and Nevermore is reputed for having the best collection."

"You try Nathaniel Faulkner's diary?" her uncle asks. She turns with wide eyes, "mm! Before he founded Nevermore, Faulkner traveled the world, cataloging every outcast community."

"How do you know this?" she asks.

"You think your parents can't keep their hands off each other now, oy vey," he comments, "I showed up unannounced one night in Gomez's dorm room. Let's just say I wasn't interrupting a pillow fight."

"Uncle Fester!" Wednesday exclaims as Tana looks away, uncomfortable to say the least, "the diary, where is it?"

"Nightshades Library," he explains, "Your dad parked me there and said I should settle in for a long stretch. And that's when I found this nifty little safe. I was hoping for a stash of cash or jewels but instead, I found a diary."

"We'll sneak into the Nightshades Library tonight," his niece plots, "in the meantime, lay low."

Tana turns and walks out of the shed. Wednesday stops at the doorway, "If you are discovered, I will disown you and collect all the reward money tied to your capture."

"I'd expect nothing less."

She shuts the door behind her but stands in front of it. Tana grows confused.

"What are you doing?"

Wednesday swings the door open again, "Leave the bees alone!"

The two then head back to the main campus.

"I apologize for my uncle," she says as they walk through the woods.

"It's fine. Your family is definitely interesting," the redhead comments.

"Interesting is a mellow choice of word," the Addams girl mutters. She turns to Tana before they part ways, "I expect to see you in front of the Edgar Allen Poe statue tonight."

Tana grins slightly, "Of course."

***

Wednesday is busy working on her novel in her dorm room alone when Enid comes in.

"Hi," the blonde nervously says, "Sorry, I figured you were still at Mayor Walker's wake."

"As soon as the dirt hits the coffin, I'm out," she informs her roommate.

"I can't seem to find my bottle of silver moon nail polish," Enid states, "Do you mind if I look around? Yoko's hosting a mani-pedi party for her crew."

"This is the third time in 24 hours you've forgotten something," Wednesday comments, standing on her side of the dorm with her arms crossed.

"So," her roommate ignores her, "how is everything going?"

"Solitude suits me. With no annoying distractions, I'm almost finished with my novel," she explains.

"Was I an annoying distraction?"

"You definitely had some annoying habits," she retorts.

"Such as?"

"You giggle when you text, which is a 24/7 addiction," Wednesday starts.

"Well, at least it's not a migraine-inducing typewriter hammering into my head," Enid insults.

"When you're not grinding your canines, you growl in your sleep."

"As opposed to late-night cello solos?" the werewolf fires back.

"You over-commit to clubs and activities and then complain about them nonstop," the Addams girl continues. The two get closer and closer to each other.

"I'd take that over your obsession with all things creepy and dead."

"You could gas an entire small village with the amount of perfume you spritz," Wednesday states, "and that's just off the top of my head."

"Guess I'm the lucky one with the new bestie that doesn't try to find ways to endanger literally everybody she comes into contact with," Enid states, "in fact, Yoko and I are so in sync that she's begging me to be her new roomie. Permanently."

Wednesday turns away from her, "Don't let me hold you back."

"Enjoy your solitude, Wednesday," her roommate angrily says, "I don't know how Tana puts up with you."

The Addams girl turns, but Enid is already gone.

***

"Where's your uncle?" Tana asks when Wednesday walks into the room where the Edgar Allen Poe statue is.

"He should be here already," she states. She snaps her fingers and the statue moves.

"Woah," the redhead comments. She follows Wednesday into the Nightshades Library.

"Uncle Fester?" Wednesday calls when they reach the bottom of the steps. Xavier steps out from one of the hallways.

"Who's Uncle Fester?" he asks.

"What are you doing here?" she asks, ignoring his question.

"Since I'm an actual Nightshade, I don't have to explain myself," he retorts, "What's your excuse for creeping around in the middle of the night?"

"Research."

"On the monster?" he asks, "I'll save you some time. There's nothing in here matching that thing."

"Isn't that convenient?" she comments.

"You know what your problem is?" Xavier asks.

"I would love to hear your piercing insight."

He crosses his arms, "You don't know who your real friends are. I've been on your side since day one. I believed your theories when nobody else did. And what do I get in return? Just nothing but suspicion and lies."

"Fine. You want honesty? Here it is," she cuts him off, "When the monster attacked, you were right there."

"I didn't realize proximity was a crime," he huffs.

"Then there's your drawing obsession," she continues, "you have drawn the monster dozens of times, yet you've never seen it. Or so you claim. You even drew where it lived. Then when Eugene went to investigate, you tried to kill him so he wouldn't spill your secret."

"You think I would hurt Eugene?" Xavier questions.

"You were right there after Tyler had been attacked at the Gates mansion."

"If I am the monster, then why haven't I killed you?" he questions. Wednesday pauses, not wanting to bring it up in front of Tana.

"Because for some reason I cannot fathom or indulge, you seem to like me," she admits.

"What's to like?" he retorts. He retreats up the stairs, leaving the girls alone in the library.

Fester jumps down from the ceiling behind her.

"How long have you been lurking?" Wednesday asks.

"Long enough to feel the tension between you two," he comments, sparking electricity between his fingers. Tana's hair brightens a little and Wednesday gives him a look of disgust, "Yowza! Seriously, you could cut it with an executioner's axe."

"Enough," she cuts him off, "I am not even remotely interested in his friendship, let alone a romantic relationship."

Thing comes running out from hiding.

"I'd recognize the patter of those fingertips anywhere," Fester comments. The little appendage shakes on a table in the library, "Hello, Thing."

He slaps the table.

"You can't still be mad about the Kalamazoo job," he questions, "it wasn't my fault."

Thing lunges at his neck, strangling the man.

"You said you could crack that safe in thirty seconds," Fester chokes, "Five minutes later, we were still standing there. You're all thumbs."

"Enough," Wednesday yells at the appendage. Fester turns, one of Thing's fingers hooked in his mouth, "Let him go."

Thing pulls his finger out of Fester's mouth, only to put it into the man's ear.

"Show me the diary," Wednesday orders. Fester shocks Thing, who drops to the floor. They walk over to a portrait of Ignatius Itt, better known as 'Iggy".

"Here we are," Fester says, "Iggy was Faulkner's right hand. Trained a generation of Nightshades. And behind Iggy Itt..."

He pulls the portrait away to reveal the safe. Thing walks up to the safe, "Do I have time for a snooze, or can you crack this one quickly?"

Thing turns back, insulted by the man. He sits on his wrist and cracks his knuckles before beginning to work on the safe. The dial clicks and spins as Thing tries to figure out the combination. He rattles the knob but it doesn't open. He tries again.

"This is turning into a replay of Kalamazoo," Fester comments. Thing spins the dial more and finally the safe opens. He turns and 'bows' to the audience. Wednesday opens the safe and pulls out the diary.

"Let's get out of here before someone discovers you," Wednesday orders. They all go back up to Wednesday's dorm room. Tana goes to sit on her bed but stops when the girl glares at her. She expects her to scold her but instead, she says, "sit."

Tana sits down as Fester explores her dorm room, "These are some sweet digs. How'd you swing your own single?"

"Single?" Tana questions Wednesday, "Enid is moving out?"

"My former roommate can't handle my toxic personality," she explains while flipping through the pages of the diary at her desk.

"Mmm," he nods.

"Here it is," Wednesday announces. Tana stands up and approaches, looking into the diary, "Faulkner describes Hydes as artists by nature, but equally vindictive in temperament. Born of the mutation, the Hyde lays dormant until unleashed by a traumatic event or unlocked through chemical inducement or hypnosis. This act causes the Hyde to develop an immediate bond with its liberator, who the creature now sees as its master. It becomes the willing instrument of whatever nefarious agenda this new master might propose."

"Anyone willing to unlock a Hyde is a next-level sicko," Fester comments.

"That means I'm not looking for one killer but two," she adds, "the monster and its master."

Suddenly, someone knocks on the door. Wednesday is quick to hide the diary and go to answer the door until Ms. Thornhill lets herself in.

"I didn't mean to startle you," she says. Wednesday turns back to find that Fester has hidden and that his cover is not blown.

"I was just working on my novel," Wednesday lies. Tana stands behind her.

"With Tana?" she smiles. The Addams girl nods, "Enid has requested to room with Yoko for the rest of the school year."

Wednesday's eyes widen, "she did?"

"When there's a falling out, I like to get both girls' perspectives on what happened," she explains, "You two seemed as thick as thieves."

"Ultimately, thieves turn on each other, I've seen it with my own eyes," the Addams girl dismisses her.

"Deflect all you want, but you and I both know that you care about Enid," Ms. Thornhill states, "and you have to admit she managed to bring out a spark of warmth in you."

Wednesday glares at her.

"Oh, don't worry. Just a tiny spark," the teacher states, "barely perceptible to the average eye, but... I noticed. Part of the dorm experience is making friends with people that you wouldn't normally connect with. And those friendships often turn into lifelong bonds."

"I would rather buy a rope," Wednesday comments, "Besides, I have another friend... Tana."

Ms. Thornhill turns, realizing Tana is still in the room.

"Maybe you would want to move into her dorm? Or she could move into yours?" she suggests. Tana's face blushes, making eye contact with her. Wednesday doesn't answer her, "I'll let you think about it."

Ms. Thornhill leaves the room and Wednesday sighs. Tana looks down, wondering if Wednesday doesn't actually like her.

"Uncle Fester?" Wednesday calls out. She turns to find one of Enid's stuffed animals falling out of its place. She walks over to the pile, "Uncle Fester?"

She removes a pink stuffed animal to find him hiding in the pile, "Hey! Being a solo lobo by yourself has its perks. You get to live by your own rules, do whatever you want. Just look at me."

She drops the stuffed animal and walks away muttering, "I'm going to go into anaphylaxis because of you."

***

"Hi. Um, I need to talk to you. No, like... like, right now. Yeah, I know where that is. Okay, I can meet you there in, like, twenty minutes. Okay. Bye," Xavier talks on the phone outside of his art studio the next day. He turns to find Wednesday standing behind him.

"Who're you talking to?"

"It's none of your goddamn business," he exclaims.

"I know what you are, Xavier," she accuses.

"Can you stay the hell away from me?" he pushes past her and goes into his studio. She walks away but doesn't leave, hiding in the brush nearby with her uncle. She waits for him to leave a couple of minutes later on his bike.

"Did you place the tracker?" she asks him. He nods, holding up a piece of equipment that's attached to Xavier's bike.

"Don't worry. Uncle Fester's got you covered," he comments.

"Okay. Let's hit the road," she instructs. The two begin to walk out into the woods where his mode of transportation is hidden. He uncovers a motorcycle with a sidecar attached to it. The body is a spotted print, like a dalmatian. The sidecar has a decal reading, 'Penny's Pooch Patrol'.

She glares at her uncle, "What? I picked it up on my way out of town. You know me. I like to travel incognito. Come on, let's roll!"

He picks up two helmets, also having the same spotted print on them and dog ears on the sides. He tosses one to her and she reluctantly gets in. At least it is only black and white, with no actual color on it.

She holds the tracker and directs her uncle on where to go. They stop a couple of yards away from where his location is on the tracker. Xavier leans his bike up against a tree and walks over to a parked car. Wednesday looks through her spyglass, the person he's meeting is Dr. Kinbott, the therapist.

***

"Principal Weems, it is imperative I speak with you about Dr. Kinboot," Wednesday bursts into her office back at Nevermore.

"Wednesday," the principal greets, "We were just talking about you."

"Speak of the devil," the Dr. announces her presence from behind the girl. She holds a tray with two cups on it.

"And she shall appear."

"Dr. Kinbott was just discussing your assessment," Principal Weems starts, "I need to sign off on it before she hands it into the court."

Dr. Kinbott crosses and sits down in one of the chairs in front of the principal's desk.

"Well, what's the verdict, Doctor? Am I cured?" Wednesday asks. The blonde woman stands up straight and faces the Addams girl.

"I'm glad you find it amusing because the judge assigned to your case won't," she harshly answers. She's grown fed up with Wednesday's lack of cooperation.

"I've explained to Dr. Kinbott that you've recently been taking small but meaningful steps towards embracing your new Nevermore family," Principal Weems explains in a nicer tone.

"Yes," Wednesday agrees, "You know, I think I've actually reached the half-hug stage. I've been reading about hypnotherapy. I think it might be a good technique to unlock my inner Wednesday. Are you a devotee?"

Dr. Kinbott's expression changes because before she was unimpressed with Wednesday's progress and lack of motivation in their sessions.

"Yes, very much so," she answers, "I applaud your new willingness to delve deep into yourself. I'm seeing you on Monday. We can start then."

"What did you so urgently need to discuss, Wednesday?" Principal Weems asks. The Addams girl turns her attention back to her principal, but she can't discuss her theories now. Not with the suspect standing in the room.

"It can wait," she answers, "Now if you'll excuse me, I have some homework I need to finish."

***

"Kinbott has to be Xavier's master," Wednesday says to her uncle and Tana in the Weathervane. He sits across from them in their booth, picking up a bottle of ketchup. The redhead leans over Wednesday's shoulder, reading the diary with her, "The Hyde lays dormant until unleashed by a traumatic event or unlocked through chemical inducement or hypnosis."

"Mmm!" Fester mumbles as he drinks the ketchup straight from the bottle.

"Are you listening?" she questions.

"I am," Tana answers, "But she's a normie."

"She must've figured out he's a Hyde and used hypnotherapy to unlock him," Wednesday suggests, "That would explain their secret sessions."

"I think the kid behind the counter has clocked me," Fester says. Tyler stands behind the counter, working as always, "Yeah. He's walking over. I'm gonna put him in a Romanian sleeper hold. Cover me."

"Relax," his niece orders, "He's not interested in you."

"Uh, made you a quad. On the house," he hands Wednesday a mug.

"Hey, thanks kid," Fester takes the mug, "Need a refill on this puppy too."

He hands Tyler the now-empty ketchup bottle.

"Uh--"

"Tyler, this is my Uncle Fester," Wednesday introduces.

"Oh. Uh... Hi, it's nice to---" he extends his hand for a handshake. Fester grabs his hand and shocks him. The boy pulls his hand back and Fester laughs. Tyler nervously laughs before noticing the diary open on the table, "Is that..."

"It's called a Hyde," she says.

"Whoa, that's it. From that night," he explains.

"Your father gave you explicit instructions not to be near me," she says.

"Yeah, my dad's not here and I'm on a break," the boy explains.

"Well, apparently a Hyde needs to be unlocked by someone. Its master," the Addams girl explains.

"Holy shit."

"Tyler!" Sheriff Galpin calls, "What'd I say?"

"Uh... for the record, Wednesday was trying to keep her distance. I was the one that sat down with her," he explains to his father. He looks over at Wednesday and Tana, then back to his son.

"All right. Putting these up around town. It's a bank robbery suspect and he's a real creep," he hands his son a flyer, "You haven't seen him, have you?"

The flyer shows a man in all-black with a bowler hat. It's Uncle Fester, who has disappeared on a dime.

"No," Wednesday lies.

"Yeah, he'd be pretty hard to miss," Tyler lies, "I'll pin it on the bulletin board."

Sheriff Galpin takes one more look at the girls before turning to leave, "Ah, why waste my breath?"

"Thank you, but you didn't have to do that," Wednesday says once his father is out the door.

"Yeah, your family's very... colorful," he comments.

"Ironic, considering Fester's the black sheep," she retorts, "He's harmless."

"So, about rescheduling our date..." Tyler smiles. Tana looks over at the two, trying not to eavesdrop but she just happens to always be around.

"Well, between the monster and my uncle I don't think I have time," she tries to let him down easily.

"Come on, you owe me," he pushes. Wednesday looks over at the redhead.

"I can't sneak off of campus, all eyes are on me," she says, "Tana, let's go."

She quickly grabs her wrist and pulls her out of the booth, along with the diary. The Addams girl pushes past Tyler, leaving him disappointed.

"What about your uncle?" Tana asks as they briskly walk out of Jericho.

"He can get back on his own," she answers. She grips the redhead's wrist.

"Uh, Wednesday?" Wednesday stops abruptly and turns to the redhead, who she was dragging along, "You're kinda hurting my wrist."

Wednesday looks down and sees her death grip on the girl's wrist.

"Oh. My apologies," she lets go of the girl's wrist and continues walking. As they walk through the woods to go back to Jericho, Tana takes a deep breath.

"Wednesday, can I ask you a question?" she asks.

"Speak."

"Why do you keep turning down Xavier and Tyler? They're both into you," she hesitantly asks. Wednesday looks down, fear in her eyes. In simple terms, she just isn't interested in them. In complex terms, she isn't interested in them because she's interested in someone else.

"Because I refuse to fall in love and become a housewife like my mother," Wednesday answers. Her answer is somewhat truthful in that she could never fully depend on someone else.

"Oh."

Wednesday notices the change of tone in her friend's voice.

"You are allowed to date them. I'm sure you would make a great partner," Wednesday continues, thinking that Tana is interested in them. Although, she would be slightly envious if either of the boys were to court Tana, only because she knows that she could do it better. She would strive to be the perfect partner and would only want the best for her.

"No, no, I'm not interested in b--" Tana stops herself before she outs herself to Wednesday, but it's too late. Neither of the boys' names starts with a B and Wednesday isn't stupid.

"You are not interested in boys?"

Tana looks down to avoid her gaze, "uh, yeah. I... I am bisexual."

She looks up to see if the Addams girl approves but finds her furrowing her eyebrows.

"It's when you like boys and girls," she explains.

"But you just said you weren't interested in them?"

"Well, I mean, not them specifically. I am more interested in girls right now," the redhead explains. Wednesday's face returns to neutral, "You're not upset?"

"I don't care for emotions," she reminds Tana, "and even if I did, why would I be upset?"

"Well, b-because... I don't know..."

Wednesday slowly begins to realize what Tana is trying to say. She stops walking and turns to her.

"Are you interested in me?"

Tana's heart skips three beats. She nods. Wednesday is somewhat relieved but also terrified of knowing this information. In reality, she does not know how to love. She would have to do copious amounts of research before even thinking about dating and one thing she fears most is failure. She's never failed at anything before and she doesn't want to start by failing to be the best partner.

"I'm sorry. I should have never said anything," Tana begins to walk away. Wednesday grabs her wrist.

"Tana. I need to see you tonight," Wednesday prompts.

"Uh, ok. Where?"

"I will stop by your dorm room," she answers. Tana nods and they continue walking. Tana does not know what Wednesday has planned and even Wednesday, herself, does not know what she's about to get herself into.

Chapter Text

Before Wednesday heads off to Tana's dorm, she finds Enid's bottle of silver moon nail polish on the floor. She picks it up and looks at it. Thing gets on the girl's desk and signs to her.

"I don't miss her," she states, "Friends are a liability and can be exploited. That makes them weaknesses."

Thing signs Tana's name.

"She doesn't count," Wednesday states, "Your job is to guard that diary while I'm gone."

He gives a half-hearted thumbs up.

"I'll be back as soon as I can," she says. He signs to ask what she's going to do with Tana, "I'm going to show her that I appreciate her. It's not a date. Watch that diary!"

Wednesday walks over to Rosaline Hall. She carries a white flower in her hand.

"Hey," Tana opens the door. She lets Wednesday into her room.

"I brought you this," she thrusts her hand out, "It's a Triantha occidentalis."

Tana blushes, "Oh. Thank you. What's the occasion?"

Wednesday pauses. She doesn't quite know how to express her feelings and she doesn't even know what she is feeling at all.

"I wanted to express appreciation for your interest in me."

Tana nods, "And that's it?"

"Should there be more?" the Addams girl questions.

"You don't want to be more?"

Wednesday frowns, feeling guilty for saying this, "I'm really not friend material, let alone more-than-friend material. I will ignore you, stomp on your heart, and always put my needs and interests first."

"Maybe with someone else, but think about it," Tana says, "you always invite me to go with you. You took me to the dance. You helped me with my powers. You carried me back here after we went to the morgue. Call me crazy, but I think you put my needs before your own."

She's right. And Wednesday knows that. But she's terrified. Terrified that she won't be the person Tana thinks she is.

"I almost got you killed."

"I survived," she counters.

"Beginner's luck," Wednesday argues.

"I'm tougher than you think," she grins. She walks toward the girl, opening her arms.

"You're making a mistake."

"Probably," Tana whispers as she wraps her arms around the Addams girl. For once, Wednesday doesn't object although she doesn't wrap her arms around Tana. She lets the girl in white hug her.

She knows Tana is playing a dangerous game, one that Wednesday has never played before. For Wednesday, she's allowing the girl to do something she wouldn't dare let her own mother do. She's allowing Tana to love her.

"I need to go back now," Wednesday says after Tana releases her, "You may come with."

Tana smiles, "Ok."

The girls go back to Wednesday's dorm in Ophelia Hall. Although, when the Addams girl opens the door, she finds her dorm room disheveled. Pages of her novel are thrown about the room and her records are taken out of their sleeves. Even Enid's side of the dorm is torn apart. Her cello is lying on the ground and the furniture is turned over.

"Wednesday? What happened?" Tana quietly asks.

"The diary," she comments, "Thing?"

Tana and Wednesday look for the appendage, hearing what sounds to be water droplets. The Addams girl turns, finding Thing stabbed into the wall. Blood drops onto the metal horn of her record player.

"Thing..." she rushes over to him.

"Oh my god," Tana comments. She pulls the knife out of him and holds him. Wednesday stares at the lifeless hand, "Wednesday?"

"Come on," the girl grabs a towel and wraps Thing up in it. She takes off from her dorm room with Tana following. The girls run to the Hummers' shed, finding Fester inside, "Fester? Fester, help! Help! Help! Thing's not moving."

"He was stabbed!" Tana exclaims. Fester, who was sleeping, sits up and gasps at the sight.

"Get him on the table!" he shouts. Tana brushes some supplies off of the table for Wednesday, who sets the appendage down. Her towel and hands are covered in his blood. Fester stands up and rubs his hands together. He is going to use them as defibrillators. Wednesday kneels down next to the table with Tana behind her.

Fester uses his index fingers to send a shock through the hand. He doesn't move. Fester warms his hands up again. He gives him another shock. Wednesday grabs Tana's hand, squeezing it hard.

"Oh, come on, Thing," Fester cries. He shocks him again. Wednesday, who never cries, tears up at the sight. He lies lifeless on the table, "He's gone, Wednesday."

"No, he's not," she pulls the towel closer to her, "Thing. If you can hear me... if you die, I will kill you."

She pushes the towel back to Fester, "Go again."

Fester hesitates and Wednesday slams the table.

"Now! Again, please!" she shouts. Tana jumps at her volume as Fester warms his hands up again. Wednesday's hand makes its way back into Tana's as Fester shocks Thing again. He doesn't move and Fester tries again.

Finally, Thing moves one of his digits. Wednesday gasps as he begins to regain consciousness.

"For a minute, we thought you'd picked your last lock, buddy," Fester says as he stumbles to roll over.

"Who did this to you?" Wednesday asks. He signs to her, saying they got him from behind so he didn't see, "knife from behind the back. Cowards. I promise that whoever did this to you will suffer."

She sniffles, "and it will be slow, long, and excruciatingly painful."

He slowly lifts his pinky, asking her to promise. She grants his promise, linking her pinky with the appendage. She looks up, realizing she's let herself be vulnerable around others. She quickly puts her mask back on.

"I'll stitch him back up," she says, "They found your motorbike, so... the sheriff won't be far. You need to go. Maybe next time steal something a little less conspicuous."

"Well, where's the fun in that?" her uncle asks, "All right. I'll lay low here tonight, keep an eye on the patient, and I'll skedaddle in the morning."

Wednesday sighs, "I guess I'll see you at your arraignment or the next family reunion."

"You'll always be my favorite, Wednesday," he replies.

"Be sure to tell Pugsley that," she comments, "It will give him a complex. Thing, lie down."

The appendage flips over so his palm is facing up. Wednesday finds the first aid kit in the shed and begins to stitch him back up. He signs to her as she works on him.

"I'm not asking her to do that," she whispers. Tana, who was sitting behind her, perks up.

"Ask me to do what?" the redhead asks. Wednesday turns to her.

"Nothing."

Thing taps rapidly, looking at Fester.

"Don't..."

"He's wondering if you can warm him up a little bit," Fester says.

"Fester!"

Tana smiles, "It's okay, Wednesday, I'm happy to help."

She stands up and walks to the table. Wednesday is almost finished with the stitches. Tana takes her glove off and places her hand, palm up, on the table. She takes a deep breath and slowly warms her hand. Not too hot, warm like fresh clothes from the dryer. Thing stumbles weakly over to her palm. He crawls into her hand and lets himself collapse, warming up from his assault. After a minute he crawls back to finish his operation. He signs 'thank you' to the girl.

"You're welcome," she says.

***

"I'm guessing it's not some kind of random prank," Principal Weems says to Wednesday and Tana in her office. Ms. Thornhill also stands in the back of the office, being the dorm mother, she should have prevented intruders.

"Whoever ransacked my room also stole Nathaniel Faulker's diary," Wednesday informs her.

"That's supposed to be safely locked in the Nightshades Library," she replies.

"So you do know about that diary," the Addams girl says, "which means you also know the monster we're after is called a Hyde."

Ms. Thornhill looks at Principal Weems, who walks closer to Wednesday.

"Thank you, Ms. Thornhill. I'll take it from here," she says, "You too, Tana."

The redhead turns to Wednesday, who nods.

"Of course. If you need anything, I'll be right down the hall," Ms. Thornhill answers. Tana disappointedly leaves the office with the teacher. Principal Weems pauses before continuing her discussion with Wednesday.

"Faulkner spent years studying Hydes," she starts, "He wanted to determine if they were just mindless killers or conscious of their actions."

"What was his conclusion?"

"He was killed by a Hyde before he could reach one," the principal answers, "Others tried to carry on his research, but the Hydes were too unpredictable and violent. They were officially banned from Nevermore 30 years ago."

Wednesday realizes that Principal Weems knew the monster was a Hyde. She was lying to the police.

"All this time, you've known the monster was a Hyde," she says, "Why didn't you tell the sheriff?"

"Because then Nevermore is done," Principal Weems answers, "Over. Shut for good. And that's not happening on my watch. But I'm not the only one withholding. If you suspect someone you need to tell me."

"Why?" Wednesday questions, "All you've ever done is gaslight and obstruct me. You don't care how many people die, as long as your reputation is safe."

"I am protecting our Nevermore family, which also includes you, Ms. Addams," she counters. Wednesday turns and leaves without saying anything else. If she was going to tell anyone, she was going to tell the sheriff, but even he is growing warry of her accusations.

***

"Come with me," Bianca Barclay walks up to her in the quad the next day, "I have information about Mayor Walker's murder."

Wednesday follows the siren down to the Nightshades Library. His son, Lucas, waits in the library for them. He hands the Addams girl a file.

"Printed these off my dad's computer," he explains, "seems he was trying to track down someone. Laurel Gates? Looks like he started right after Outreach Day."

"He must have recognized her there," she suggests.

"According to the British police report, Laurel was presumed drowned, but no body was ever recovered," Lucas continues. She opens the file and takes a look.

"Apparently the Gates mansion was purchased a year ago by a 90-year-old candy heiress," Wednesday states, "she then mysteriously died and gave all of her belongings to her caregiver, Teresa L. Glau. It's an anagram for Laurel Gates."

"Laurel secretly buys her old house and then comes back to Jericho as someone else," Bianca pieces together, "Why?"

"Revenge on all the people she blames for her family's misfortunes," Wednesday suggests, "Your father. The coroner. My parents. Most of all, Nevermore."

"How exactly does the monster fit into all of this?" the siren asks.

"The monster is called a Hyde. It's been doing Laurel's bidding," she explains, "she controls it."

"You know who Laurel is, don't you?" Lucas asks.

***

"Wednesday? We don't have an appointment scheduled for today," Dr. Kinbott says when she walks into her office.

"I wanted to return something," she says.

"Uh..."

"I found it in your old childhood room," Wednesday adds as she pulls out the jewelry box. She hands it to the blonde woman who grows confused, "I know you're Laurel Gates, and you've come back to Jericho to seek your revenge. And so did Mayor Walker, which is why you had to kill him."

Dr. Kinbott is left speechless, having no idea what she's talking about.

"Who better to slide in and out of the hospital undetected than a psychiatrist under the guise of visiting another patient?" she accuses.

"You're not actually accusing me of murdering the mayor?" Dr. Kinbott asks.

"The roses you left in Eugene's room were your mistake," Wednesday explains, "They're the same variety I found near your childhood bed."

"I honestly have no idea what you're talking about," she states.

"There's only one reason an overqualified psychiatrist like yourself would settle in the inconsequential backwater that is Jericho," the Addams girl continues, "It allowed you to crawl through the troubled, young minds of outcasts until you found one that you can manipulate to exact your revenge."

Dr. Kinbott shakes her head in disbelief, "You know what? I don't have time to deal with your delusional fantasies. I have a patient emergency."

She gives Wednesday the jewelry box back, "Who? Xavier? I know all about the secret sessions you've been holding in your car. I also found the cave in the woods where you've been holding sessions to unlock his Hyde."

"You are so out of line," Dr. Kinbott exclaims.

"Do you know how violently unpredictable a Hyde can be?" she questions, "Or was it your plan to have Xavier committed before he could turn on you too?"

"Wednesday, you need help," she pulls her phone out, "More help than I can give you."

"Who you calling? Xavier?" Wednesday fires back.

"Judge Reynolds," the doctor answers, "I'm going to recommend you stay in a juvenile psychiatric facility for observation."

"Oh please," she comments, "you and I both know I'd be running that place in a week."

She sets the jewelry box down on her desk, "Time's up, Laurel."

She leaves Dr. Kinbott's office. Instead of calling Judge Reynolds, she calls Principal Weems.

"Principal Weems, it's Valerie Kinbott," she urgently says into the phone, "Wednesday Addams just barged into my office."

"I wasn't aware that Wednesday had a session today," the principal replies on the other end of the call.

"She didn't and her behavior was completely irrational," she exclaims. She stops talking when she hears a glass break.

"Dr. Kinbott?"

The blonde woman walks toward the bathroom, hearing crashing and thumping.

"Dr. Kinbott?"

She slowly walks to the door and opens it. The Hyde snarls behind the door and she screams.

***

"She's gone," Sheriff Galpin says to Wednesday and Principal Weems in the Jericho General Hospital, "Dr. Kinbott's dead."

Wednesday looks up at Principal Weems and then back at the sheriff, "This ends now."

Later that night, she waits for Xavier to show up at his studio. He turns the light on to find her sitting in the corner.

"Okay. You know what? You need to stay out of my space," he scoffs.

"You need to take your own advice," she fires back. She holds a knife in her right hand and stabs it into his stool, "You left that in my room. Actually, you left it in Thing. How long have you been seeing Kinbott?"

"Have you...? What am I saying? Of course, you have. You've been spying on me, right?" he questions. He pulls the knife out of the stool, "Cause I'm the villain in your fantasy. My father thinks that my mental health is a PR problem that he needs to manage. He wanted to keep his troubled son out of the tabloids. I wasn't in your room. Believe me or don't believe me. I don't care."

She walks around him, not caring for his tone.

"Your painting's been improving," she comments, "I enjoy this one in particular."

She uncovers a huge canvas, a painting of Dr. Kinbott slashed by the monster, "Feels like you really lived it."

"What do you want?"

"I'm asking the questions," she states. She goes over and picks up an inhaler, "What is Rowan's inhaler doing in your shed? Or Eugene's glasses?"

"Whoa, whoa," he tries to stop her.

"Or these stalker images you took of me?" she holds up the same set of photos from the jewelry box.

"No, no, no. I---"

"Don't forget your latest addition," Wednesday cuts him off, "Kinbott's necklace."

"No, no. Somebody planted that stuff!" he exclaims.

"Freeze!" Sheriff Galpin bursts into the shed, gun aimed at Xavier, "Drop the knife. Get down on your knees."

More officers come into the shed as Xavier does as told. He raises his hands up in surrender.

"Cuff him."

"You have the right to remain silent," an officer grabs his arm.

"What?" Xavier asks.

"Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law," the officer continues as he is handcuffed, "you have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you."

"Appreciate the help, Addams," Sheriff Galpin says.

"You!" Xavier shouts, "You framed me! I'm being set up. I shoulda let Rowan kill you."

Outside of the shed, police cars flash their lights. Xavier is put into a squad car and it drives away.

***

Wednesday returns to her dorm to find Enid unpacking.

"Hey," she greets.

"You're back," Wednesday comments.

"Tana told me," she explains, "I'm gone for a few days, the place gets trashed and Thing almost dies. Someone has gotta look out for you two."

"What happened to rooming with Yoko?" she inquires.

"Yoko's great. I just decided I needed a few more boundaries," the werewolf states, grabbing the black duct tape. Wednesday had peeled it off when Enid left.

"Skip the tape," she says softly.

"Don't tell me Wednesday Addams is mellowing out," Enid jokes.

"Never. More like evolving," she explains.

"Well, one inch of duct tape at a time," her roommate smiles.

"Why the sudden change of heart?"

"Because we work," Enid explains, "We shouldn't, but we do. It's like some sort of weird, friendship anomaly. Everything you said about me is true. But I don't apologize for it. Not anymore. It's just who I am."

Wednesday nods.

"Thing said he missed you."

She grins, "I missed him too. I'm sorry about Xavier."

"I'm not," she fires back, "He's a liar and a killer. Besides... there's nothing quite like the feeling of being proven right."

"Except maybe someone to share it with," Enid suggests, "Thing may have blabbed about something with Tana..."

"I'm going to rip his stitches out," she mutters under his breath.

"Okay, I won't ask, but she may have left a note for you," she smiles. Wednesday turns to her desk. She picks up a small piece of paper.

Meet me at the Weathervane -Tana

Wednesday furrows her eyebrows. Tana never gives orders Wednesday, it's the other way around. But she figures it must be important as Tana never initiates, she lets Wednesday take the lead.

***

Tyler is cleaning up when Wednesday arrives.

"We're closed," he says, not noticing it's Wednesday.

"Then you should lock your doors," she comments, "There are some real sick people out there."

"Yeah, my dad told me what happened with Xavier," the boy replies, "Pretty nuts. That guy always seemed so normal. You know, for an outcast."

"Is Tana here?"

"Tana? No, no one has been here for an hour," he comments. Wednesday furrows her brow.

"She told me to meet her here," the girl sighs.

Wednesday turns but Tyler stops her, putting his hand on her shoulder. She's sent into a vision.

She sees Dr. Kinbott being murdered by the monster. After the monster kills her, he shifts back into his human form.

Tyler.

Wednesday turns over on the floor of the Weathervane. She knows it is not Xavier, that it is Tyler.

"You okay?" he asks. For once in her life, she feels fear.

"I need to go," she states.

"What?" he questions, not realizing her vision was about him, "Wh... What's wrong?"

She bursts through the doors of the Weathervane.

"Wednesday!"

Chapter Text

"Thing gave me your note," Tyler says as Wednesday approaches him the next night. They stand just outside of a stone gazebo in the dark, "I was surprised you wanted to see me again after you ran out the other night. So, uh, is everything okay?"

"When you put your hand on my shoulder the other night, you opened my eyes, and suddenly it all made sense," she explains. He scoffs, "Xavier warned me about you, but I didn't listen."

"Ironic now, huh?"

"Ironic would've been framing Xavier for murder while the real Hyde helped me put him away," she retorts.

"Wait... you don't think---"

"I don't think," she cuts him off, "I know. Kinbott probably discovered your secret during one of your sessions. So she unlocked you. Why'd you kill her? I thought Hydes were typically loyal to their masters."

"Wednesday, seriously, this is nuts," he dismisses her claims.

"On Outreach Day, I told you I was visiting the old Meeting House," she continues, "Did Kinbott send you to spy on me? The night of the Rave'N, Eugene went out to see your cave in the woods. Eugene probably saw her torching it. Then she sent you to clean up her mess. I have to hand it to you, Tyler. Wounding yourself that night at the Gates mansion, that was a masterstroke of misdirection."

"Okay, stop," he cuts her off, "Do you know how insane you sound right now? I'm not a monster. A... And if you really thought I was, why would you risk bringing me out to the woods to confront me alone?"

"Who said I was alone?" she questions. The Nightshades, minus Xavier, step out from the gazebo.

"Okay, I don't know what kind of sick joke you're playing Wednesday, but I'm out of here," Tyler says.

"Actually..." Bianca steps in front of him, "You're coming with us."

She uses her siren song to compel him to willingly go with them. They take him to Xavier's art studio. He wakes up chained to a chair. He is surrounded by every painting and work of art Xavier created. Countless canvasses with the monster on them, as well as the new painting of the deceased Dr. Kinbott.

"Welcome back," Wednesday greets.

"Where the hell am I?" Tyler asks as he pulls at the chains.

"Somewhere no one can hear your screams," she answers.

"What's with the chains?"

"Don't ask stupid questions."

"Wednesday, this is crazy. I'm a normie," he claims.

"That's only half true," she counters. She picks up the picture of the Nevermore Fencing Squad, the one her mother is in. She points to a lady in the back of the picture, "Do you recognize her? Perhaps if I hadn't been so distracted by my own mother hogging this photo, I would've noticed yours sooner. Your father fell in love and married an outcast."

"Fine," he agrees, "my mom was an outcast. That doesn't make me a monster."

Wednesday grabs Tyler's mom's file with her medical records inside, "According to her personal medical records---"

"You stole her medical records?"

"Technically, Thing did," she answers, "He took them from your garage. Your father's quite the pack rat. Her postpartum depression triggered her condition."

"My mom had severe bipolar disorder."

"We both know that's a lie," Wednesday states, "she was a Hyde. And your father has been living his life in dread, never really quite sure whether or not she passed her condition on to you."

"Are you really all gonna stand there and let her do this to me?" Tyler cries to the Nightshades.

"Uh, guys?" Ajax says, "Enid just texted. Thornhill's suspicious. How long until he morphs into that... thing?"

"I'm not the monster!" Tyler exclaims. Wednesday swings her backpack up onto the table.

"You are," Wednesday states, "I saw it in a vision at the Weathervane."

"Wait, you're basing all this off some vision you had?" he questions, "I mean, is that something you can trust?"

She pulls out a long blade.

"Wednesday, what are you doing?" Bianca questions.

"Just some light torture," she answers nonchalantly, "Don't worry, I won't leave a mark."

She continues to pull weapons out of her backpack.

"Wednesday, hold on," Bianca says. The Nightshades begin to question the situation.

"Wait. Are... are you being serious?" Ajax asks.

"There's only one thing that a Hyde understands," she states, "Pain."

She walks up to Tyler and tases him on the neck.

"Wait! No! Wednesday!"

"Wednesday!"

Bianca pushes her away from the boy as he pants from the pain.

"That's it. I'm out!" Yoko announces.

"Us too!" Divina says.

"No," Ajax shakes his head.

"Wait," Bianca says.

"No, I'm done," he leaves with the others.

"Wednesday," Bianca turns to her, "I didn't sign up for this. Let's go to Weems, explain everything."

"Weems won't help," she states, "and Tyler here is always one step ahead of his father."

"Then you're on your own."

Bianca turns to leave as Wednesday holds up two tasers, one in each hand.

"No, don't leave me here with her, please!" Tyler cries, "I'm begging you, please!"

Bianca leaves as Wednesday sets off both tasers. He groans when she uses them both on him.

"What is Kinbott, or should I say, Laurel Gates, using you for?" Wednesday asks.

"Wednesday please," he weakly says.

"Tyler, the body parts in the basement of the Gates mansion," she continues, "what was she collecting them for?"

"I don't understand. Why are you doing this?" he whimpers. Unsatisfied with his answer, she goes over to the table with the weapons. Police sirens wail in the distance. She picks up a hammer as they grow louder.

"Let's test your reflexes," she states. She raises the hammer.

"I'm in here!"

"Get away from my son! Drop it!" Sheriff Galpin bursts into the room. She turns with her hands up, "Drop it!"

***

"Sheriff Galpin isn't pressing kidnapping charges," Principal Weems states when she walks into the Sheriff's office to pick up Wednesday, "which is a miracle given the circumstances."

"Of course, he's not," she fires back, "How long have you known?"

"Excuse me?" he questions the girl.

"When I gave you that claw from the cave, did you already know the truth?" Wednesday questions.

"Wednesday, that's enough," Principal Weems cuts her off.

"Xavier Thorpe is our Hyde," Sheriff Galpin states, "We've got evidence, thanks to you and that's why I'm giving you one last pass."

"Tyler is going to turn on you too," she states.

"Let's go!" Principal Weems shouts.

"Get out," Sheriff Galpin adds. She walks out of the office when Tyler stops her.

"We... Wednesday, wait."

"Tyler! No, no, what are you doing?" his father stops him.

"I need to talk to her, Dad," he insists, "She was my friend. We're in a police station. What's gonna happen?"

"Make it quick," he says. He begins to walk over, but she stops him.

"What do you want?" she asks.

"To ask a question," Tyler answers, "What does it feel like?"

"What does what feel like?"

His expression changes, "To lose."

His eyes become wild and he furrows his brow, "You know, at first, I'd wake up naked, covered in blood, no idea what happened. But over time, I started to remember... everything. The sound of their screams, the panic in their eyes, and a fear so primal I could taste it."

At this point, he's standing over the girl. He sighs, "and it was delicious."

She backs away, but he grabs her and whispers into her ear, "You have no idea what's coming."

He walks away like nothing happened. He knows that no one will believe her now and that he's won.

***

"The quid pro quo for Sheriff Galpin not pressing charges is your immediate expulsion from Nevermore," Principal Weems explains in her office to Wednesday.

"The others had nothing to do with this," she states, "I acted alone."

"For someone who claims to have no friends, you certainly go out of your way to protect them," the principal comments.

"They didn't have the guts to do what needed to be done," Wednesday states.

"You mean kidnapping and torture?" she exclaims, "I should hope not."

"You do realize that Tyler brutally disemboweled six people, then harvested a variety of their body parts for good measure," the Addams girl explains.

"Perhaps if you'd come to me with your suspicions rather than take matters into your own hands, we could've worked together," she explains.

"Oh, yes, because trust and cooperation have always been the hallmarks of our relationship," Wednesday points out. Principal Weems chuckles.

"I admire your ability to be your own person and trust your own instincts," she starts, "but that also makes you impatient and impulsive. Your actions have put me and the school in an impossible position."

"Tyler is the Hyde," Wednesday exclaims, "and he has framed Xavier. He confessed everything to me!"

"I wish I could believe you," the principal states.

"You know, his mother was an outcast," she continues to state her case, "she was a student here, you must remember her. She was a Hyde!"

"Yes, Francois. She was a lovely woman," the blonde woman recalls, "I didn't ask what she identified as."

"Well, then give me more time, and I can prove to you that they are Hydes," Wednesday bargains.

"There is no more time, and there are no more deals, Wednesday," Principal Weems states, "Pack your steamer trunks. We will have them shipped. And say your goodbyes. You'll be on the afternoon train tomorrow. I'm sorry Nevermore didn't work out for you, Wednesday. I'm sure your mother will be very disappointed. And so am I."

***

"Xavier... I'm not sure how much time we have," Wednesday calls to the boy. He stands inside a prison cell. His wrists and ankles are chained. His waist and neck are chained together, and his whole body is chained to the floor, "Thing distracted the guards and is looping the cameras."

"What are you doing here?" he asks.

"I know you're not the Hyde," she admits, "Tyler used me to frame you. He is the actual Hyde."

"How do you know?"

"I saw it in a vision when he touched my shoulder. I should've believed you. But since you seem to have some sort of psychic connection to the Hyde, I was curious to know if you've drawn anything recently that might shed some light on this situation?" she asks.

"You want my help?" he scoffs. She doesn't answer because she doesn't want to admit she was very wrong, "You ruined my life!"

She doesn't say anything. She already knows it.

"No," he shakes his head, "I tried being your friend. Look where that got me."

"This isn't about us, Xavier."

"No, it's about you!" he exclaims, "Every time you get involved, people get hurt. You're toxic. All you ever do is make things worse."

Wednesday takes a moment to try and push away the words he's stabbed her with. She pulls out the picture once again.

"Tyler warned me that something bad was coming. I think---"

"No! You've already shown me that. I don't care!" he exclaims, "Do you want to stop this? Then leave. Go far away and never come back. Do you understand? That can't happen if you're not here. That's how you save everyone, okay? So, go. Leave!"

***

"I can't believe I'm actually going to miss your creepy, lifeless eyes waking me up every morning," Enid holds up a taxidermied squirrel sitting in an electric chair. She helps Wednesday pack up her things, "It won't be the same without you."

Wednesday sighs, "So I assume you'll be moving in with Yoko? Leaving me in the past."

"Not ever," Enid states, "What about you? Will you forget about me?"

"Enid... the mark you have left on me is indelible," she says, "Anytime I grow nauseous at the sight of a rainbow or hear a pop song that makes my ears bleed, I'll think of you."

The werewolf nods, trying to suppress her tears, "Thanks. I guess."

"I always believed relying on other people to be a sign of weakness," she states, "that inevitably they would lead me to disappointment. Turns out I've been the disappointment."

"Are you kidding me?" her roommate exclaims, "I've learned so much from you. Part of it is admittedly criminal behavior, but... most people spend their entire lives pretending to give zero effs, and you literally never had an eff to give."

The girl becomes teary-eyed, "Any chance you've got some sort of sneaky plan to elude Weems?"

Wednesday shakes her head, "Xavier's right. This prophecy cannot come true if I'm not here. But it kills me to leave when Tyler is still walking around free. "

"What about Tana?"

"The prophecy has both of us in it, so---"

"No, I'm not talking about the picture," Enid exclaims, "You're going to say goodbye to her at least, right?"

Wednesday looks down before turning to her desk. She picks up a black envelope.

"I need you to give this to her."

"Wednesday---"

"Please," she says. Her voice is less demanding and Enid nods, taking the envelope from her hands.

"If Tyler tries anything, we have a school full of gorgons, vampires, and werewolves, ready and waiting," she reassures the Addams girl, "We've got this, Wednesday. I promise. On a good note, I got a text from Eugene's moms. He woke up last night. Maybe Weems will let you drop by on your way to the station."

Thing snaps to get her attention. He points to the door, signaling that it's time to go. Wednesday closes her last trunk.

"I think we're all set," she comments.

"Thing," Enid says, "I'm going to miss our makeup tutorials. And you better keep sending me moisturizing tips. Stay in touch, okay?"

She fist bumps the appendage. He then scurries into her backpack. Enid begins to cry as Wednesday looks over at her side of the dorm. It's empty and barren now, looking like it was before she arrived.

"So, we're gonna..." her roommate goes for a hug, to which Wednesday backs away, "You're right. Not hugging is kind of our thing."

***

"The plan wasn't to get you expelled," Bianca approaches Wednesday as she comes down the stairs from her dorm. The rest of the Nightshades stand behind her, "We're sorry."

"The Nightshades need to be ready for what's coming," Wednesday states, "Or a lot of people are going to die."

The members of the society all look confused. Ms. Thornhill runs out with a plant in her arms.

"I'm so glad I caught you," she says, "I was weeding my wolfsbane, and I just completely lost track of time. This is a parting gift."

"White oleander, one of nature's deadliest," Wednesday comments.

"It also symbolizes destiny and renewal," she adds, "You're a very talented young woman, Wednesday. I can't wait to see what you do next."

"Wednesday," Principal Weems greets, "This time I'm personally escorting you to your train."

"I have one final favor," she states, "To see Eugene."

***

"Wednesday!" the boy cheers when she walks into his hospital room. Principal Weems stands outside talking with his moms. She is relieved to see him awake.

"Eugene," she greets, "Glad to see you're finally awake."

"I heard you visited all the time," he smiles.

"Don't ever mention it again," she quickly threatens. He chuckles, "Listen, I've been meaning to tell you... I shouldn't have gone to the dance. I should have been with you."

He shrugs, "when the dance floor calls, you gotta answer. It's not your fault. It's the monster's."

"It's actually called a Hyde," she informs him, "and it's still out there. Which means you can't go back to Nevermore. Not even to check on your bees. And you have to listen to me this time. I thought Hummers were supposed to stick together."

"That night in the woods, someone set fire to that cave," he states.

"Yes, Dr. Kinbott," Wednesday answers.

"It's so crazy that it was her," he comments, "I don't really remember any of it. I just saw someone wearing black and those boots."

"What about her boots?"

"There was an explosion of light and just for a moment," Eugene recalls, "I saw that they weren't black. They were red."

Wednesday's eyes grow wide and she realizes that not only had she been wrong about Xavier, but she had also been wrong about Dr. Kinbott.

***

"Wednesday," Ms. Thornhill gasps when the girl walks into her conservatory, "I thought you'd be halfway to New Jersey by now."

"You can drop the act, Laurel," she states, "I should have known it was you. Faking your death, securing a job at Nevermore, unlocking a Hyde. Typically, I have great admiration for well-executed revenge plots. But yours was a bit extreme, even for my high standards."

Ms. Thornhill acts innocent like she has no idea what Wednesday is talking about, "Oh, dear. Weems was right. You do need psychiatric help."

She picks up a tray, having a syringe of Nightshade poison with her.

"Can't throw out wild accusations without consequences," she continues.

"They may be wild... but they're true," Wednesday states, "Tyler told me everything."

Wednesday turns and Tyler walks in, glaring at Ms. Thornhill.

"You know, initially I incorrectly accused Dr. Kinbott of using hypnosis to unlock him," the Addams girl admits, "But you used a plant-derived chemical, didn't you?"

The redheaded teacher scoffs.

"I know your father kept tabs on all the outcasts in town," Wednesday continues, "So I assume he told you all about the Galpin family secret when you were just a girl. That's why you targeted Tyler. You manipulated him by showing him what his mother truly was. Now, what Tyler didn't realize is that the truth wouldn't free him. It would enslave him to you. Now, that was scary at first, so you used the cave and the shackles. But eventually, he willingly became your servant. And when Kinbott came close to discovering the truth, you had Tyler kill her and pin it on Xavier."

Ms. Thornhill, who had kept up her act of being clueless, takes her glasses off and groans, "Ugh. That's enough. Tyler, honey, make Mama happy and shut her up. Permanently."

"He's not on your side," Wednesday says.

"Tyler will do anything for me," she exclaims. She begins to walk over to him and changes her tone, "Remember what I told you? I showed you who you really are."

She strokes his cheek, "What they did to your mother... the outcasts made you a monster."

"If you only hate outcasts, why is he killing normies as well?" Wednesday questions.

"They're just pawns in a bigger game," she admits, "Just like you, Wednesday. Once again, you've underestimated the situation. You were never getting on that train. I sent Tyler to intercept you."

"I never made it to the station," the Addams girl admits. She looks to Tyler, "Heard enough?"

Ms. Thornhill turns with panic in her eyes. Tyler morphs into Principal Weems, Wednesday's elaborate plan to prove to the principal that she is right.

"Your slave is probably still at the station," Wednesday grins.

"Please don't make this more difficult than it already is, Marilyn," Principal Weems states. She reaches for the syringe in her pocket.

"My name is Laurel!" she stabs the syringe into Principal Weems' neck and injects the poison. The blonde woman groans and stumbles to the floor. Wednesday rushes to her side as she begins to gasp for air, the poison quickly taking effect.

"Principal Weems! Principal Weems!"

The woman shakes and begins to foam from the mouth. She gasps for air before her body stops convulsing and she takes her last breath.

"Nightshade poisoning," she realizes.

"A fitting end, don't you think?" Ms. Thornhill comments from behind the girl. Before Wednesday can escape, her former teacher knocks her out with a shovel. Little does she know, that Thing has witnessed the entire encounter. It's up to him to warn the others.

Chapter Text

Enid's cell phone rings while she and Ajax are kissing each other. The ringtone is Flight of the Bumblebee, signaling that Eugene is calling. She chuckles and gets up to answer it.

"Hey! Eugene, how are you?" she answers his facetime call.

"Have you seen Wednesday?" he asks.

"No, she left this afternoon. Didn't she swing by to see you?"

"Listen," he starts, "Principal Weems and her went and confronted Ms. Thornhill. But I haven't heard a peep from either of them."

"Why would they confront Ms. Thornhill?" Enid questions.

"Because she's behind everything that happened," he explains, "she's the bad guy... bad woman. I, uh, she's just a really bad person."

"Okay. Ajax and I will go check out the conservatory," she replies.

"Yo. Bee boy, welcome back," Ajax comments from behind her.

"What's he doing in your room?"

"Um..."

The door to her dorm room opens and Thing scurries inside, "Wha...?"

He urgently taps the bed and begins to sign, too fast for them to understand.

"Slow down! What happened?" Enid asks, tossing her phone on the bed. He begins to explain everything that just happened, "Principal Weems?"

"Enid, what the hell is going on?" Ajax asks.

"What about Wednesday?" she ignores the gorgon, "Tyler and Thornhill took her? Where? Crackstone's Crypt, what the heck?"

He signs her to get help from the Nightshades.

"Who are the Nightshades?" she asks. He points to Ajax. The boy sighs.

"I'll... I'll explain on the way," he states. Someone knocks on the door. Enid urgently gets up to open it.

"Tana!" Enid smiles.

"Hi," she replies. She did not understand why the blonde was happy to see her.

"Come on, Wednesday needs our help. No time to explain," she grabs the redhead's wrist and drags her down the hall. Ajax and Thing follow them.

"Guys? Guys?"

***

Wednesday wakes up in Crackstone's Crypt. Her arms are shackled and she's chained to the ceiling. Blood has dried on her face from where Ms. Thornhill, Laurel Gates, hit her. She looks up to find Tyler standing in front of her.

"Kind of a déja vu thing we got going on, huh?" he jokes.

"Except I won't cry and whine like a child," she retorts. Hundreds of candles illuminate the crypt.

"Tyler, go wait by the boat," Laurel instructs.

"Yes," Wednesday agrees, "Listen to your master and be a good little Hyde."

He pushes past her and leaves the Crypt.

"I have to admit..." Laurel starts, "that shape-shifting stunt with Weems almost worked."

She begins to put metal lids on the jars with the body parts on them.

"But as my father always said, 'If you want to outsmart an outcast, you got to out-think 'em.' You know, we have roots that go all the way back to Joseph Crackstone," she states.

"So you come from a line of psychotic killers too," Wednesday comments.

"Joseph Crackstone was a visionary," she approaches her, "dedicated to protecting normies from outcasts until his life was cut short by your ancestor, Goody Addams. And then, to add insult to injury, they stole his land to build that abomination of a school."

She turns back to finish preparing the jars, "But, throughout the centuries, my family has remained committed to Crackstone's mission. My brother died serving that cause. I decided to take a different approach. The supernatural."

"Tyler's been collecting all of these body parts to resurrect Crackstone," the Addams girl pieces together.

"The one man who nearly succeeded in eradicating the outcasts," Laural confirms.

"You can't wake the dead," Wednesday states, "Believe me, I've tried."

"I believe your ancestor Goody Addams would disagree," she counters holding up her spell book.

"Goody's Book of Shadows," she says, "You're the one that stole the original from Pilgrim World."

"It wasn't enough for Goody to kill Crackstone," Laurel explains, "she had to curse his soul too."

"What does all of this have to do with me?"

"My dear Wednesday," Laurel grins, "you are the key. Your arrival at Nevermore set the chubby wheels of my plan in motion. Goody sealed Crackstone in his sarcophagus with a blood lock. Only one of her direct descendants can open it. A living descendant on the night of a blood moon. So... I bided my time, and I made you feel special until you were ready to be sacrificed."

***

Xavier kicks the back of the seat in the squad car. He is about to be transferred to a juvenile detention center, "Damn it!"

"Quiet!" Sheriff Galpin hushes him, "Santiago, what's up?"

"Sheriff, we got a situation," the officer replies on the radio, "Eugene Ottinger's mom just called, frantic. Something's going on at Nevermore."

"Get a couple of cars over there ASAP," he orders.

"That's just it, I can't," she replies, "the tires on the squad cars have been slashed. Every damn one of them."

"All right, I'm on my way," he says. Meanwhile, Laurel drags Wednesday up to Crackstone's sarcophagus. The Addams girl does not make it easy and although it pains her to resist, she knows she needs to do it to save the school. She grabs one of Wednesday's hands and slashes her palm. Wednesday groans in pain as she feels blood seep out. Laurel presses her hand to the lock and it begins to burn her.

Wednesday groans in pain as she is stuck to the lock. She uses her last bit of strength to rip herself from the lock, throwing her body to the ground. Laurel grabs her by the chain keeping her wrists together and drags her away from the sarcophagus. She then turns and grabs Goody's Book of Shadows. She begins to chant in Latin, unlocking Crackstone from his curse. While she does this, Wednesday grabs a pocket knife from her boot and begins to free herself from the shackles.

As Laurel finishes the chant, the body parts illuminate in their jars around the crypt. Light flashes as the lock shoots sparks to the metal tops of the jars. Smoke begins to pour down from the sarcophagus and Laurel anxiously waits for him to appear. A cloud of smoke comes down from the sarcophagus and Joseph Crackstone appears. His clothes are old and tattered, his skin dry and his hair gray. Laurel smiles at the sight.

"I am of your blood," Laurel greets. He holds his scepter in his right hand, "I have summoned you to rid the world of outcasts once and for all."

He switches his hands, holding his right out for Laurel. She notices the ring on his finger and approaches to kiss it. His fingernails are grotesquely black and extremely long too.

"My vengeance will be swift and true," his voice is distorted. Laurel kisses the ring on his hand as Wednesday stands up.

"As will mine," she states. He turns and uses his scepter to hold her still.

"Goody Addams," he says, "You haunt me still. You will suffer the same fate you bequeathed me."

He pulls out a dagger and stabs her in the abdomen.

"Now burn in the eternal fires of hell," he states, twisting the knife inside of her, "where you belong."

He leaves the knife in her as she grunts in pain. She stumbles backward and collapses against the wall.

"Sweet dreams, Wednesday," Laurel follows Crackstone out of the crypt. When the door closes, the gust of air takes out all of the light in the crypt, leaving her in the darkness.

***

"I can't believe you're in a secret society and you didn't tell me," Enid says to Ajax as they wait in the Nightshades library with Tana. The rest of the members should arrive shortly and they can fill them in on what's going on.

"Because, you know, it's secret," he answers. She stares at him in disbelief as the others come down the stairs.

"Bianca, Davina, and Kent?" she questions, "Seriously, even Kent is here? How exclusive is this club?"

"So, what's the deal with Thornhill being a psycho?" Bianca asks.

"She murdered Weems and then took Wednesday to Crackstone's Crypt," Ajax explains.

"We have to get everyone in the school to safety before it's too late," Enid adds. The boy holds up the picture of Crackstone with Wednesday and Tana.

"Because this is what's coming," he says.

"So, do we pull the fire alarms?" Kent suggests.

"We don't want to cause a panic and alert Tyler or Thornhill," Davina argues, "So how do we get everyone out?"

"We'll use our siren song to convince them," Bianca says. The two girls rip their amulets off. Thing scurries over to Enid. She picks him up.

"Thing and I will go look for Wednesday," she says.

"What about you?" Bianca asks Tana, who stands behind Enid and Ajax.

"I'm going to stay here," she says quietly, "To fight."

"Tana," Enid turns around.

"No," she stops her, "I'm in that picture, you're not. If Wednesday were here, she'd stop this. I have to do this. For Wednesday."

***

Wednesday slowly bleeds out on the floor of Crackstone's Crypt. She's about to fall unconscious when a voice calls for her, "Wednesday."

The girl turns her head and sees Goody kneeling next to her.

"Are you here to take me to the other side?" she weakly asks.

"Listen, Crackstone must be stabbed through his black heart," she instructs, "It is the only way he will be vanquished now and forever."

"Is your spectral vision impaired?" Wednesday insults, "I'm dying."

"Your necklace," Goody says, "It is a powerful talisman."

"My mother told me it's for conjuring visions."

"It is also a conduit for conjuring spirits," Goody adds, "It will allow me to pass through you and heal you. Just know, once I do, you will never see me again."

Wednesday pulls the necklace from under her sweater, "the school needs you, Wednesday."

Goody grabs the knife and pulls it out of the girl, who groans. She then places both hands on her body. Her powers begin to heal the girl and Goody's spirit goes into Wednesday. The girl sits up and gasps for air, being healed by her ancestor. She lifts her hand up to watch the cut Laurel gave her close itself. She wastes no time, leaving the crypt to go help Nevermore.

***

"Why are we stopping in the middle of the woods?" Xavier asks when Sheriff Galpin stops the squad car. He holds up his phone and directions on the screen, "You tracking your little monster?"

"You shut it," he orders. He turns off the car and opens the door.

"Hey, wait. Wait!" Sheriff Galpin gets out of the car, "Hey! What about me?"

He locks the car, "Oh, you asshole!"

Meanwhile, back at Nevermore, the Nightshades make quick work to start evacuating the school. The students chatter nervously as they leave their dorm rooms in their pajamas. The sirens are especially useful as everyone follows their direction with no questions asked.

"Come on, let's move quickly and calmly, all right?"

"Good job! Let's keep moving!"

"Bianca!" the coach of the fencing team calls to her, "What the hell's going on?"

She uses her siren song, "Danger is on its way. No time to delay."

He quickly turns to the students, "Follow me. Come on, faster."

In the woods, Enid runs toward the crypt to help Wednesday. Although she stumbles over a branch and a miracle happens. Thing watches as she begins to finally wolf out.

"Oh my god," she feels her ears, "Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god! It's happening! Thing, I'm wolfing out!"

She stands up and howls at the blood moon. Wednesday can hear Enid's howl in the distance but before she finds her, Tyler steps out in front of her.

"Laurel said you were dead," he says.

"I'm feeling much better now," she replies.

"You're like a cockroach," Tyler states.

"Please, flattery will get you nowhere," she retorts he grabs her by the collar, "this will not end well for you."

He takes a deep breath before he transforms into a Hyde. Before she can run, he grabs her and slams her against a tree. She chokes under his claws. He raises his other hand, ready to slash her. But before he can, something slams into him. Wednesday drops to the ground. She looks up to find a werewolf fighting him. Although this werewolf has blonde hair, the tips are dyed at the ends.

"Enid?" she questions. The werewolf bares its teeth as the Hyde stands up, "Enid!"

He knocks her back a few yards away but she stands up, ready to fight.

"I need to get back to the school!" Wednesday yells as she takes off into the woods. Crackstone breaks into the quad as students escape.

"I can't tell you how I've longed for this moment," Laurel says to the pilgrim, "what it means for my family."

"Silence, woman!" he yells, "Be gone, or I will cut thy tongue from thy wretched mouth!"

"Never meet your heroes," she comments. Bianca and Ajax run out onto the balcony of the quad, looking down at Crackstone.

"I will expunge you abominations from this Earth!" Crackstone shouts. He presses his scepter into the ground, sending an explosion of flames throughout the quad. Bianca and Ajax drop to the ground. What he doesn't expect is one girl, standing on the other side of the quad, who does not fear the flames. In fact, they only make her stronger.

***

Xavier sits in the squad car alone, unable to escape. He sits in silence until something thumps the car. He then hears pattering on top of the car. He turns to see Thing sliding down the back windshield.

"Yes!" he exclaims, "Yes! Yes, Thing!"

Meanwhile, Sheriff Galpin searches the woods for his son, knowing he is the monster. Although his cell phone does not have service and he can no longer track him. He does, however, hear the fight taking place between Tyler and Enid in the distance.

Tyler pins the werewolf up against a tree and grabs her face with his claw. He tries to snap her head from its neck when he is shot with a gun. His own father stands a couple of yards away with his gun drawn. Enid falls to the ground. Tyler roars at his father in retaliation.

"Tyler," he says calmly, "Son, is that really you?"

He goes to attack his father, but Enid scratches him. She runs up and jumps on him, scratching him left and right. He throws her off but she kicks him across the forest and as he slams into a tree stump, he is left wounded to the point where he can no longer fight. Enid breathes heavily from the fight. Sheriff Galpin runs to his son, who has returned to his human form. There are gashes all over his body from the fight as his father lifts him into his arms.

Thing walks over to Enid as she grunts and snarls in wolf form. She kneels down to the ground as she begins to return to human form. He lies down on top of her hand in support.

Outside of Nevermore, students run down the driveway of the campus. Wednesday runs into the main building as smoke fills the inside. She finds the same sword that killed Garrett Gates. She takes it into her hands and runs to the quad.

"What is this?" Crackstone questions Tana. She is left unharmed by the explosion of flames, "Hast thou decided to be the first to go?"

"No," Tana states, "You are."

The girl rips her gloves off and takes off her jacket, leaving her bare arms out. She takes a deep breath as he lifts his scepter. But before he can stop her, she ignites both her hands and her hair. Wednesday stops on the balcony, looking down at the scene. Tana doesn't notice her.

"Ah!" she opens her mouth and blasts Joseph Crackstone back with flames shooting out from her mouth. Wednesday, herself, steps back in awe of the girl's powers. Crackstone thumps into the pillar behind him. He is set on fire and his skin burns, making it even more dead than it already was. He is quick to use his scepter to put the flames out.

Before she can flame him again, he throws her with a flick of his scepter. She flies across the quad, slamming into a pillar. Her flames extinguish as she drops to the ground.

"Hahaha," he grins.

"Howdy, pilgrim," Wednesday greets from behind him.

"How canst thy heart still beat?" he questions. She holds up the sword, "What demon sorcery is this?"

Xavier runs out into the quad with his bow and arrow, "Stay away from her!"

He releases an arrow, but Crackstone stops it before it reaches his face. He slowly turns the arrow around so it faces Wednesday, before releasing it. She accepts her fate, but Tana uses her last ounces of strength to push her out of the way; taking the arrow to her shoulder instead.

"No!" Wednesday shouts. Xavier runs over to the girl. Some more kids run out into the quad.

"I got her. Go. Get them out of here," Wednesday orders Xavier. He hesitates, "Now!"

"Okay!"

"Hold still," the Addams girl instructs as Tana winces. She pulls the arrow out of her shoulder.

"Come on, guys. Let's go! Go!" Xavier shouts. He and the students run out of the quad. Wednesday throws the arrow to the ground and grabs the sword. She stands up to fight Crackstone. They begin to fight, Wednesday doing a backflip to kick his pilgrim hat off.

The two continue to fight until one swing of the scepter breaks the sword. She can no longer use it to fight him. He uses his scepter to hold her against a table. He begins to choke her with its power.

"I will send you back to hell," he grins. The tip of the scepter turns red as he moves it closer to her chest.

"Ah!" the tip of the sword that broke off stabs through his chest. It is pulled out as he drops to the ground. He turns to find Bianca behind him. Although, she didn't stab him in the heart and he throws her across the quad. Tana sits up and shoots a flame from her hand, sending Crackstone to the ground. This gives Wednesday the opportunity to grab the arrow and stab him in the heart. She twists it for good measure.

He begins to gasp for air and his body withers away in a cloud of black smoke. Bianca stands up and watches the prophecy come true. As Crackstone withers away, Tana and Wednesday stand a couple of feet away from him.

They were never destined to destroy the school.

They were destined to save it.

He explodes and all the fire in the quad is put out. His ring drops to the ground. Wednesday sighs heavily as Bianca nods.

Although, it isn't over.

A gun cocks, turning the girls' attention to Laurel Gates, who's still alive. She points a gun at Wednesday.

"You brought a gun to a sword fight," the Addams girl comments, "It's probably the first smart decision you've made today."

"I might not get to kill all the outcasts," she says, "but at least I'll get to kill you, Wednesday."

A bee lands on the barrel of the gun. Another flies next to her head. And another. And another. Laurel gasps and swats at the bees. Hundreds come swarming in. She panics and begins shooting at the bees, who only swarm her. She turns and covers her head as they begin to sting her.

"Ahh!" she screams as the bees sting her. She falls to the ground.

"Yeah, that's what you get for messing with Nevermore," Eugene walks into the quad. He controls the bees, "Bitch."

Wednesday's eyes widen at his appearance, "Hummers stick together, right?"

She turns back to Laurel, who whimpers on the ground.

"I'll take it from here," the girl says.

"Maybe we should call the sheriff?" the boy suggests.

"Turn around, Eugene," she orders. Laurel reaches for her gun before looking up at her student. Wednesday knocks her out with a kick to the head.

Chapter Text

"Tana! Tana!" Wednesday kneels down next to the redhead. Her hair is pale and her white tank top is bloody at the shoulder, "Help me!"

"Her powers, Wednesday," Eugene says. Bianca kneels down next to Wednesday. The siren helps lift her up.

"Come on! Come on!" she takes Tana into her arms. Eugene and Bianca run out of the quad. The entire student body waits outside the gates of Nevermore.

Outside, Enid stumbles in from the woods.

"Enid?" Ajax mutters. The two run to each other. He takes her under his arm and the student body watches as the girl comes out from the woods covered in blood. The students part ways as the two walk toward the gates.

"Where's Wednesday?" she asks. The Nightshades all look at each other, not knowing if the girl is alive. The blonde girl panics for a moment before seeing three figures in the distance. She walks closer to see if it's her. She runs up to meet the three, with the rest of the student body following.

Enid runs up and hugs the girl, who still holds Tana. She pushes her away, but only for a second. Bianca takes Tana from Wednesday's arms. The Addams girl then grants her roommate a hug, both of them needing it.

Xavier walks over to Bianca to check on Tana.

"Wednesday, Wednesday," he calls, "She's not breathing."

"What?"

"Oh my god," students begin to murmur, "What happened to her?"

Enid releases Wednesday, who rushes to Bianca.

"Lay her down," she instructs. Bianca kneels down and Wednesday checks her pulse, "Tana, don't do this to me."

The girl tears up and begins to perform CPR. She starts with chest compressions.

"Tana, wake up. Wake up," Wednesday orders. She's panicking and the students can see that. The redhead's body jerks with each compression, "Stop playing sick tricks on me. Wake up! Wake up!"

"Someone get help!" some of the students run off to find the remaining teachers, "Come on! Come on, let's hurry!"

Wednesday tilts her head back and breathes into her mouth. Her chest rises and falls but then stops. She goes back to compressions.

"Tana! Don't do this!" Wednesday shouts. Enid turns to Ajax and cries. Xavier kneels down, noticing that Wednesday is becoming fatigued.

"Trade me," he says. He takes over for compression as Wednesday examines her face.

"Tana, wake up!"

"Rescue breaths, now," Xavier instructs. The Addams girl leans back down to give Tana's lungs air. The boy goes back to compressions as the students watch hopelessly, "Come on, Tana. Come on."

She won't let Tana give up. After everything they went through, Wednesday won't let her leave. She would never forgive herself if she couldn't bring the girl back. She gets an idea, stemming from her knowledge of Tana's powers.

"Who has a lighter?" she looks up. The students grow wide eyes, "Who has a lighter? Give one to me, now!"

"I do!" A gorgon pushes his way through the students and tosses a lighter to the Addams girl. Xavier stops doing compressions.

"Wednesday, what are you doing?" he asks.

"Back up," she orders.

"Wednesday..." Bianca says.

"Back up!" she yells. Xavier shuffles away as she sparks a flame. The students watch as she brings the flame to the girl's chest. They gasp when she lights her tank top on fire.

"Oh my god!" the students murmur, "She's gonna burn her."

"Wednesday!"

"Stop!" she yells. Wednesday knows the clothes are protectants and that if she is correct in her theory, the fire should warm her heart. Her tank top erupts in flames and Wednesday leans over her. She presses her own hands in the flames, continuing chest compressions.

"Oh!"

"Oh my god!" the students gasp, "What the fuck?"

Wednesday grunts in pain as the flames burn her skin. The students watch in horror, "Tana! Come on! I... I... Please!"

Her skin burns away and she gives two rescue breaths. The fire simmers away, although her tank top remains, not being affected by the fire. Wednesday sits back on her heels, tears running down her face. The Nightshades look down, thinking that Tana is gone.

"Oh shit," the students murmur, "She really is dead."

The student body falls silent. Almost every single student believed she burnt down Othello hall on purpose. That she was lucky to be spared expulsion.

They don't know her at all. They don't know her like Wednesday does. The Addams girl sits still and for the first time, hates death.

But Tana isn't dead. Her hair brightens. Wednesday looks up, watching the crimson color brighten to carmine. The redhead then coughs and the students gasp.

"Tana!" Wednesday exclaims. She moves closer to the redhead but doesn't know how to lift her up. She doesn't know if she can do so without hurting her and even then would Tana not want Wednesday to hold her? After all, she is the reason she got hurt. Xavier kneels down next to her and lifts her gently. He pushes Tana into Wednesday's lap. Xavier and the other Nightshades could sense something more between the two, especially when Wednesday began to do the flaming CPR.

"Oh, thank god," one student comments, "I'm so glad she's okay."

"She used her powers to save us," another replies, "She's got mad respect from me."

"Yeah, Tana and Wednesday saved the school," someone else says. The students cheer behind them. Wednesday closes her eyes for a moment and when she opens them again, Tana has a small grin on her face.

"You did it," she coughs. Wednesday cradles her neck even though her arms are in severe pain from the burns. Tana's voice is hoarse from using her powers.

"We did it."

***

"I hate to admit it, but I am gonna miss Principal Weems," Enid says the next day. She stands next to Wednesday in the office. Mrs. Thatcher, who was Principal Weems' second-in-command, declared the semester over due to the unique situation. All of the students will be leaving for winter break.

"She could be a real pain," the Addams girl agrees, "But she was tough. And she died for the one thing she truly loved, this school. For that, I have immense respect."

"She was one of us," her roommate comments. The two girls leave the office and prepare to leave campus altogether, "Now that classes are canceled for the rest of the semester, you have to come visit me in San Francisco. I can pretty much guarantee fog and drizzle every day."

"Sounds tempting," Wednesday replies. The two pass by Bianca, "Bianca. I owe you a thank-you."

"We're getting that fencing title next year," the siren states, "so don't let killing one supernatural pilgrim get to your head."

She smiles and walks away. Enid runs off to find her family and Wednesday spots Xavier at the top of the stairs. He waves lightly and she goes up to meet him.

"I hear you're a free man now," she jokes.

"Yup. All charges dismissed," he nods. He holds up a black box with a ribbon tied around it, "listen. When I was in the cell I said a lot of... things. Being your friend should come with a warning label. But... I was wrong about the prophecy. So... Welcome to the 21st-century, Addams."

She opens the box and finds an iPhone. She looks up at him.

"My number's in there already," Xavier explains.

"That's a bold move," she comments, "I hope you're not expecting me to call you."

"No, never," he shakes his head, "I'd settle for a text, though."

She looks down.

"You know what a text is, right?" Xavier asks while grinning.

"Goodbye, Xavier," she walks away with the box.

"Hey, are you going to be back next semester?" he asks as she walks down the stairs, "Yes? No? Maybe?"

She leaves him with no answer as she heads outside. She finds Tana sitting with her two suitcases. Wednesday walks over to her.

"Hey," Tana smiles, although her voice is still hoarse.

"How are you feeling?" Wednesday asks.

"Better. How are your hands?" the redhead asks. The Addams girl holds her palms out. They are healing from the burns Wednesday acquired while performing CPR.

"I like the pain," the Addams girl comments. Tana grabs them gently. She looks up at Wednesday.

"Thank you. For saving me," the girl says quietly. Wednesday looks down at her lips, then back at her eyes.

"I... I quite enjoy your company, Tana. I don't think I would ever be able to tolerate the world without you in it," Wednesday states, although she was not expecting it to come out that way. Her heart takes over her mind and sometimes her heart is a little less intelligent when it comes to explaining. The Addams girl blushes when she sees Tana's expression. The redhead smiles.

"I enjoy your company too, Wednesday... You've saved my life. Twice now," Tana looks down at Wednesday's lips now, then back to her eyes. For once, they don't look quite as empty. Wednesday leans forward a little bit, but then back, afraid to go on. Tana notices this and whispers, "you are allowed to kiss me."

The Addams girl proceeds, closing her eyes. Tana leans down and the two kiss. Enid stands a couple of yards away. She gives Thing a five-dollar bill. They both knew Cupid's arrow wouldn't miss, especially when shot by Wednesday. When Tana pulls away, her hair is smoking. She runs her hand, ungloved, through her hair.

Since the fight, she's been in full control of her powers. She still wears white to prevent overheating, but she can now do all the activities she couldn't do before. She can get her nails painted, go to fencing, and even hold someone's hand. She would have never gotten this far without Wednesday's help. But now, without Nevermore, she'll be put into foster care. Who knows where she will end up and if her foster family will be accepting of outcasts?

Lurch pulls up in the Addams family car. He gets out and begins to load Wednesday's belongings into the trunk.

"This is goodbye then?" Tana sighs.

"No," Wednesday states. She grabs the girl's wrist and drags her over to the car.

"Wednesday! What are you doing?" she questions. The Addams girl stops when she opens the back door.

"Your safety is at risk in a foster family. I won't allow you to go somewhere you might be hurt," she states. Tana's eyes grow wide.

"How did you know I was going into foster care?" she asks.

"Well, I guess I shouldn't have assumed you didn't have any other family," Wednesday admits, "But you just confirmed it."

The redhead chuckles. Enid walks over carrying Thing in her hands.

"She's not letting you go to the foster home, is she?" Enid questions. Tana grins.

"I guess not," the redhead answers.

"Well," the blonde smiles, "When Wednesday comes to visit me over break you can tag along!"

Tana turns to Wednesday.

"Get in the car," she orders. Tana turns to Enid.

"Hug?"

Enid lights up, "Of course! I have to give all my besties a hug before they leave."

"We're best friends now?" Tana grins.

"Yeah," the blonde answers, "If that's okay with you."

"Yeah, totally."

Enid looks at Wednesday and expects to just say goodbye.

"You may have a hug," the Addams girl grants.

"Really?"

"You have five seconds," she says, "Five, four..."

Enid is quick to give Wednesday a hug before she gets to one.

"Well, I'll see you next semester," the blonde smiles and turns to head back to her family. Thing, who was sitting on Wednesday's shoulder, climbs into her bag. She motions for Tana to get into the car.

"Where are you even taking me?"

"Home."

***

After loading everything into the trunk, Lurch drives the two girls back to the Addams' home. Tana falls asleep on Wednesday's shoulder within an hour of the drive. If this were Pugsley, she would grab his nose and pinch it. But when she looks over to see that the redhead's eyes are peacefully closed and her chest is rising and falling on its own, she just sighs. The only downside is the girl's red hair, which acts as a space heater, but Wednesday figures she can tolerate the heat if it means Tana is happy and safe.

She receives a text on her new phone. She unlocks the phone and sees the text is not from Xavier. It is from an unknown number.

There's a picture of her sitting at the booth in the Weathervane with Tyler and Tana.

Then a photo of Xavier giving her the phone.

I'm watching you👀

Then, the unknown number sends a cartoon of her being killed with a dagger to the head.

She turns her phone off and watches as an armored vehicle passes with its lights on and sirens blaring. Rowan said she was destined to destroy the school, but she saved it. But now, it seems as though she might be a pawn in a bigger game.

Chapter Text

It's late when Lurch pulls up to the Addams family home in Westfield, New Jersey. Tana had mostly slept the whole way and Wednesday too, eventually. When Lurch opens the driver's side door and the lights overhead turn on, Tana opens her eyes to see that Wednesday has fallen asleep next to her. The Addams girl's head was tilted to the side away from her.

"Wednesday," Tana lightly brushes her thigh. The girl's head snaps back into position, "Oh, jeez."

"We're here," Wednesday comments. Lurch grunts as he opens the back door to let the two out. The Addams girl grabs her backpack before stepping out of the vehicle. Tana follows as Lurch begins to take their luggage out of the trunk.

Wednesday's house reminds Tana of Nevermore. It's gothic and secluded in the forest of New Jersey. Wednesday walks towards the front door of the towering house. Tana is quick to catch up with the girl.

"Welcome home, my little scorpion," Gomez greets her in the living room. He sits next to Morticia, with his hand on her thigh. Pugsley sits on the floor and another woman with grey hair sits in another chair. She's significantly older than the other adults.

"My little rain cloud!" Morticia grins. Tana walks in from the foyer, "Tana... what a lovely surprise."

"Who is this?" the woman with grey hair asks.

"Grandmama, this is... t-this is Tana. Tana Adler," Wednesday introduces. Her grandmother smiles.

"Hi," the redhead shyly waves, "It's nice to meet you."

Lurch brings in the luggage and shuts the door behind him. Morticia notices the white suitcases next to Wednesday's black trunks.

"Wednesday, please come with me to the kitchen," her mother instructs. She stands up, wearing her long black dress, and walks down the hallway to the kitchen. Tana goes to follow but Wednesday turns around.

"Wait here," she instructs the redhead. Tana's eyes grow wide as she is left with the remaining family members in the living room. She's only ever met them once and now here she is, just standing in their home.

"What are her suitcases doing her?" Morticia asks. She isn't upset that Wednesday has brought a friend to their house, she's merely interested in the implication of doing so.

"Tana has no living relatives and was going to be sent into foster care," her daughter explains, "The foster care system is corrupt already as it is. For the sake of safety, I brought her here as she would be more at risk in a foster home with normies."

Morticia grins, "Very well. Shall I have Lurch prepare the guest room for her?"

"Yes," Wednesday answers.

"Wonderful," her mother smiles, "I'm very proud of you, my dark cloud. You've made quite the friend."

Wednesday glares at her mother, not commenting on her observation. She simply turns and leaves the kitchen. She goes back out into the living room to find Tana still standing in the entryway.

"Lurch, please take Tana's things to the guest room," Morticia orders.

"She's staying here?" Pugsley asks excitedly.

"She is," she answers.

"If you do anything to disturb her, I will waterboard you in the bathtub," Wednesday threatens.

"I'm not scared of you," he scoffs. Wednesday pulls out a knife from her pocket.

"Want to test me?" she asks, "I would love to test out my taxidermy kit on a larger subject."

The boy quickly stands up and runs off, giggling as Wednesday goes after him. Tana, however, looks concerned for the younger boy.

"Oh, don't worry Tana. This is just how they entertain each other," Morticia smiles. Pugsley screams upstairs and Gomez puts his hand to his heart.

"Oh, he's so happy to have Wednesday around again," he comments.

"Come, Darling," Morticia holds her hand out to Tana, "Let me show you around the house."

Tana's ungloved hand grabs Morticia's and they walk down the hallway into the kitchen.

"This is the kitchen. Whatever dietary needs you have, Gomez can cater to them. And you are welcome to eat whenever and however much you wish," she explains. With Wednesday's comments about foster care, Morticia wants to make sure that the girl feels safe within their home. The taller woman leads her into Wednesday and Puglsey's old playroom. It's filled with grenades, guillotines, swords, knives, and other things of that nature, "This is the old playroom. Wednesday and Pugsley don't use it much anymore."

"Playroom?" Tana mutters. They walk into another hallway off the main hallway.

"Your room is going to be right here," Morticia opens a door. The room is quite large and reminds her of the dorm rooms back at Nevermore. There is a queen-sized bed in the middle with nightstands on either side. A large wardrobe is off to the side with an additional dresser next to it. Of course, the color scheme is mostly in black and shades of grey but includes red as an accent color.

Tana doesn't mention her need for white sheets and blankets. She just figures she will sleep on the floor or figure something out later. She already feels like a burden to be staying at Wednesday's house. She wouldn't want them to have to go out of their way for anything.

"Wow, this is great. Thank you," Tana smiles. Morticia grins and they continue on their tour. Her room is next to other rooms for additional guests and servants. They walk back through the living room into the dining room.

"Here is the dining room. Again, we will serve three meals a day and if you need any accommodation, my love will be happy to serve you," she explains. The next room they visit is the sunroom, "this is the sunroom. Wednesday doesn't visit it often but you are more than welcome to relax out here."

"Thank you," Tana answers. The room next to the sunroom is Morticia's conservatory, "Wow, you really are a carnivorous plant aficionado."

Morticia turns with a confused look on her face.

"Wednesday told me she gained her knowledge of plants through her mother," the girl explains. Morticia smiles.

"I see," she replies, "You and Wednesday are good friends?"

Tana thinks back to their kiss. It makes her hair burn brighter, "I would like to think so."

Morticia notices the change in hair color. She is knowledgeable about other outcast species and knows that pyrokinetics tend to have uncontrollable reactions when they feel emotions. Whether that be smoking, flaming, or in this case, a change of brightness.

"You are the first," she informs Tana. The girl's heart flutters, "Let's continue."

Morticia goes back through the living room to the staircase. The staircase has a couple of steps that go up before there is a landing. From there, it splits off to the left and right, making the hallway continuous as it leads back to the staircase. The second floor of the Addams' house is mostly just bedrooms. Pugsley and Wednesday's rooms are across from each other, on opposite ends of the house, at the top of the staircase.

Pugsley's door is ajar and Morticia and Tana see shuffling within. Morticia walks toward the door and opens it to reveal Wednesday sitting on top of her brother with a fistful of hair in her hand. Even with the wraps on her hands from the healing burns, she still is able to overthrow her brother.

"Are you having fun, my little storm clouds?" Morticia asks. Wednesday just glares, as she normally does, and Pugsley smiles, "Very well."

She leaves the room and Tana nervously follows. She knew Wednesday was dark and somewhat violent in her threats, but she didn't know that she tortured her brother for fun. And that he enjoys it.

"The next bedrooms are my sister's and mother's," Morticia explains. The doors are closed and she does not intrude on their privacy, "And here we have Cousin Itt's room and Gomez's brother Fester."

Again, the doors remain closed and they continue down the hallway.

"This is the master bedroom, for Gomez and I," she opens the door and lets the redhead briefly look inside, "And of course, Wednesday's room."

Morticia doesn't open the girl's door.

"I'm sure you must be exhausted from the drive. Feel free to do anything you like around here," Morticia says, "There is plenty to explore outside if you want."

"Okay," Tana answers, "Thank you."

Tana retreats back downstairs. She walks directly to her new room. Her suitcases are sitting next to the bed. She leaves the door open a couple of inches and a sliver of light peaks into the room. She turns the lamps on in the room, creating a soft light for her.

She decides to wash up before bed even though she could fall asleep at any moment. She goes to close the door to the room but sees Wednesday standing outside, her arm raised as if she were about to knock on the door.

"Oh, hey," Tana greets.

"Hello," Wednesday answers, "Has my mother driven you insane with her tour?"

"No, it was fine," the redhead answers. She opens the door all the way, "Wanna come in?"

"Since you invited me," the Addams girl answers. She walks into Tana's room and notices her suitcases are still standing upright, "Do you need assistance in unpacking?"

"What?" Tana is always confused by Wednesday's verbiage but is quickly picking up, "Oh, no. I just... was going to shower and unpack tomorrow. I'm really tired."

"I see," she nods, "I shall see you in the morning then?"

She turns to leave but Tana says, "Wait. Can you help me with the shower?"

Wednesday turns around and walks to Tana's bathroom. She turns the water on and sits on the edge of the bathtub.

"This controls the temperature," she points to a knob, "and this will make the water go to the showerhead."

"Okay, thank you," Tana says. Wednesday stands up.

"Have a good night."

The Addams girl leaves her room and shuts the door behind her. Tana walks out and puts her suitcase on the bed. She opens it up and grabs her nightgown. She goes back into her bathroom and locks the door behind her.

***

"Wednesday?" Morticia calls the girl into her room. Wednesday approaches her mother who sits on the bed, "How is she?"

"She's freshening up before bed," Wednesday informs her mother, "Odd that she does it before bed."

"Some people like to be clean for the next day," her mother explains. Wednesday is very particular in her schedule. Always shower in the morning. Stay in her day clothes until she is ready to stay in bed for the night. She doesn't like anyone to see her in her bedclothes. Never take her braids out until she's ready for bed. When she was living with Enid at Nevermore, she slept in her braids. She's never let anyone see her without her braids. Not even her mother, "I'm going to assume you'll tend to her while she's here."

"Yes, Mother. She is mi... my f-friend," Wednesday stutters. Her mother tries to hold back the grin that wants to spread across her face.

"Very well. If she needs anything, we will be happy to provide for her," Morticia smiles, "Goodnight my little rain cloud."

She blows air kisses to her daughter. Wednesday turns and retreats to her room. She locks the door before going to her own bathroom to change. She starts by taking out her braids and brushing through them. Her black locks bounce as they free from their restraints.

Once she's brushed through her hair, she grabs her first-aid kit. She takes off the wraps and discards them. She begins to clean the burns to prevent infection. She applies anti-biotic lotion to her hands before wrapping them back up in fresh wraps. She then changes out of her day clothes into a black pajama shirt and pants set.

***

Tana was feeling okay up until this point. She sits down as the water from the shower head runs over her body. She begins to have flashbacks from the night Crackstone was resurrected. She remembers waking up with Wednesday hovering over her and the rest of the school watching them.

That night, she, Wednesday, and Enid went to Jericho's hospital. Wednesday stayed with Tana the entire time. In the process of fighting Crackstone and having Wednesday perform CPR on her, all her ribs were broken. In addition to sustaining a concussion and needing stitches for her shoulder. Wednesday sat through it all with a cut on her face and burnt hands.

***

"You should get checked on," Tana says to Wednesday. The Addams girl sits next to her hospital bed as the nurse preps Tana's arm for an IV.

"I will after you're finished," the Addams girl answers, "Look at me."

Tana raises her eyebrows and turns her head to look at the nurse. Wednesday stops her by nudging her chin back towards her. Tana then feels a prick in her arm and realizes the nurse is putting the IV in. Tana's jaw clenches and her hair begins to light up.

"Breathe," Wednesday instructs. Tana takes a deep breath as the nurse finishes the IV.

"Okay, good job," the nurse says, "We're going to get some fluids in you and send you off for a CT."

"CT?" Tana questions. She looks at Wednesday.

"A computed tomography scan," she explains, "For your head."

"Yep, it doesn't hurt," the nurse confirms, "Can I take a look at your hands?"

Wednesday glares, "I'm not leaving her."

"Wednesday..."

"You don't have to leave, I'll do it right here," the nurse explains. Wednesday sighs and thrusts her hands out toward the nurse. The nurse collects some supplies to clean the burns. She sits down on a rolling stool and wheels herself in front of Wednesday, "Okay, this might sting a little."

The nurse begins to clean the burns and Wednesday doesn't flinch. Tana watches her expression, expecting her to grimace or wince, but she doesn't flinch. She blinks once. It's not that Wednesday didn't feel the pain, because she definitely did. She is just numb. She almost lost Tana, Enid, and Eugene because of Crackstone. She almost died herself.

"Enid," Tana smiles. The blonde werewolf walks into her hospital room with stitches across her face. She smiles lightly. She looks at Wednesday as the nurse begins to wrap her hands, "Are you okay?"

"I am, now that I have stitches," she answers softly, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah," the redhead answers. The nurse stands up.

"Alright, I'm going to wheel you down to radiology now," she says. Tana's heart rate picks up.

"Radiology?" Enid questions as the nurse lifts the brakes on the hospital bed.

"She has a concussion," Wednesday says. She stands up, "I'll wait right outside the room."

"O-okay," Tana answers. Wednesday and Enid follow behind as the nurse wheels the bed down the hallway. Once Tana disappears into the radiology department, Enid turns to Wednesday.

"Are you okay?"

"I am fine, Enid," Wednesday huffs.

"Okay, okay," she answers, "Tonight's been a lot on everyone you know? You don't have to pretend like you aren't overwhelmed."

"I am not overwhelmed," the Addams girl gently crosses her arms over her body, "I am... empty."

Enid's eyes soften, "You aren't the only one. We all feel like that."

"It's neither a good feeling nor bad," Wednesday elaborates. Enid nods, "and to think I was going to cause your death. And Tana's. And Eugene's."

"You didn't though," the blonde assures her, "You saved us all, Wednesday. You saved the school."

Chapter Text

Tana sits in the bathtub still, holding her knees as she remembers that night. No one has talked about it since, especially since they were sent home only a day after the event. Tana cries in the shower. What she really wants to do is scream. She wants to be angry and set fire to the old Gates Mansion. She wishes she set Crackstone ablaze.

But it's over. Now she just has to deal with the "after".

She eventually stands up and turns off the water. She dries off with her white towel and looks at herself in the mirror. Her upper chest is severely bruised from her broken ribs. She looks at the stitches in her shoulder. Then she looks down at her forearms and the scars of the burns she inflicted on herself.

Although she knew she was going to fall into a spiraling headspace if she kept focusing on all the parts of herself she didn't like. So she puts on her nightgown and leaves the bathroom. She looks at the bed and knows she can't sleep on the sheets without overheating. She sighs and lies down in the corner of the room. She shivers as she isn't able to heat herself up until her hair dries. She closes her eyes and tries to sleep, but she knows she probably won't. Crackstone and Thornhill haunt her dreams now. She remembers seeing Wednesday held against the table in the quad. She fell unconscious thinking Wednesday would be killed. It was a miracle that she woke under Wednesday but now it's a nightmare that follows her.

Wednesday lies down in her bed and is unable to fall asleep as well. She feels extremely guilty but won't admit that to anyone. Well, except for Enid, because it was in the moment that she revealed her guilt. As she lies in the darkness of her room, she wonders if Tana is as restless as she is. She ponders going downstairs to check on the redhead but ultimately decides against it. She already let her hair down and changed into her night clothes, she couldn't let Tana see her like this.

So she just closes her eyes and lies in silence, while Tana lies on the floor in her room, sleeping with the lamps still on.

***

The next morning, Wednesday wakes up at six in the morning. Once Wednesday is awake, it is nearly impossible for her to go back to sleep. Some mornings at Nevermore she would wake at three or four in the morning and have to sit in the darkness to avoid waking Enid. She gets out of bed and heads into her bathroom to shower.

After showering and making herself presentable for the day, she heads downstairs. It's eight now and her father is awake, preparing breakfast.

"Good morning, my viper," he greets.

"Good morning, Father," she answers.

"What do you plan to do with your first day off?"

"I'm not sure. I finished my novel, but perhaps I could start another one," Wednesday ponders.

"Another investigation for Viper De La Muerte?" he smiles. He's always been supportive of whatever Wednesday partakes in. Her novels are her pride and he loves hearing the updates on her storylines.

"Maybe. Or maybe a new character," she says, "Like a subplot character."

"I see," Gomez answers. Pugsley comes into the kitchen.

"What's for breakfast?"

"Eggs, beans, bacon, sausage, the usual spread," he answers. He takes a couple of different dishes with him to the dining room. Pugsley follows him but Wednesday diverts off to a different hallway. The hallway that leads to Tana's room. She stops in front of her door. She hesitates before knocking.

No answer, no sound of movement. Wednesday thinks for a moment before knocking again.

"Tana?" she calls out. No answer. For a moment, she thinks logically about the fact that the redhead might still be asleep. But then panic sets in. What if something happened during the night? A broken rib could puncture her lung or her concussion could cause death. She goes to open the door but pauses for a moment. Her mother always taught her to respect privacy but her mind takes over and she grasps the doorknob.

She swings the door open and finds the redhead asleep in the corner. Although from this angle, it looks like she's collapsed.

"Tana?" Wednesday says, but her name leaves Wednesday's throat as a quiet whisper. She steps into the room and approaches the redhead. She quickly assesses Tana. Her hair is its natural color and her chest is rising and falling on its own. She does not appear to have any injuries that she would have sustained in a fall. She gently nudges her arm.

"Hmm?" Tana mumbles. Wednesday lets out a breath she didn't know she was holding in. Tana opens her eyes, "Wednesday?"

The Addams girl blinks twice, "Did you fall?"

"What?" Tana forgets she slept on the floor, "Oh! Um... n-no..."

She can't come up with a lie as to why she's on the floor.

"Did you fall out of bed... and roll all the way over to the corner?" the Addams girl tries to guess. Although if Tana answered yes, Wednesday wouldn't believe her.

"No..." the redhead answers, "I... I slept here."

Wednesday furrows her eyebrows, "Is the bed not comfy? Do you require additional back support?"

"Uh, no," she answers, "The sheets are black. I'll overheat. And I could set the bed on fire."

Wednesday remembers her powers. She can control them now, but they still have limitations.

"What happened to your linens at school?" Wednesday inquires.

"Those belong to Nevermore," Tana explains, "I don't have any bedding. Just my clothes and backpack."

Wednesday nods, "Very well. I'll have Lurch take you out to select linens after breakfast."

"Wednesday, I can't ask you to do that," Tana says.

"You didn't ask me, I'm telling you," the Addams girl points out, "If my mother and father found out you were sleeping on the floor, they would make me wear pink. And I don't want to do that."

Tana chuckles, "Okay."

***

"How did you sleep, Tana?" Gomez asks at the table. The redhead sits next to Wednesday as they eat.

"Uh, good," she answers.

"She's lying," Wednesday states. Tana turns red.

"Wednesday!" her mother scolds.

"I forgot about Tana's powers. She needs white linens in order to sleep on the bed. It was my mistake in assuming she brought her linens from Nevermore," the Addams girl explains, "I'll have Lurch take her to obtain new linens."

Morticia nods, now understanding Wednesday's rationale. Her mother questions why Tana didn't say anything when she gave her a tour of the house.

"Very well," Gomez says, "If she needs anything else, don't hesitate to buy it."

"Of course," Wednesday answers.

***

"I thought you weren't going to tell your mom?" Tana asks in the back of the family car. Lurch begins driving the two to the local mall where Tana can find sheets and blankets for her bed.

"I wasn't until you lied."

"You lie all the time, what's the difference if I do it?" the redhead questions.

"Have I lied to you?" Wednesday asks the redhead. She begins to think. She can't actually remember a time when Wednesday's lied to her.

"No..."

"Precisely," the Addams girl states, "I give you the respect of truthfulness and I hope you do the same in return."

"Okay," Tana answers. Lurch pulls up to the unloading zone in front of the mall in town. Wednesday groans, "Do you want to wait here?"

"No," Wednesday says, "I don't trust normies."

"You think I can't handle them?" she asks.

"You are perfectly capable of handling normies when you are healthy," she reasons, "but your ribs are all broken, you are healing from a traumatic brain injury, and you have stitches in your left shoulder."

"Okay, you got me there," Tana smiles. Wednesday nods and Lurch opens the door.

"We'll be back soon," she tells the man. He grunts and gets back into the car. As they walk into the shopping mall, the other patrons whisper.

"Is Wednesday back from boarding school?"

"Is that Wednesday Addams?"

"Who's with Wednesday?"

"That can't be Wednesday's sister. She's dressed in all white."

The two girls walk into a JC Penney. They walk around the store until they find the section with bedding. Tana picks up a sheet set that is all white.

"Okay, got it," she turns to Wednesday.

"You need blankets," Wednesday states. She turns and begins to look for blankets that are all white. It takes them a little bit to find an all-white comforter. Tana holds the two items as Wednesday continues looking through the items.

"What are you looking for?" Tana asks.

"You need more than one blanket, yes?"

"I mean, I wouldn't mind an extra," she answers, "but I won't die if I don't have one."

"You had a comforter and two extra blankets at Nevermore," Wednesday states as she looks through the blankets. She feels the texture of each, unsatisfied with the selection, "I am trying to replicate what you previously had."

Tana's eyes grow wide. She didn't know that Wednesday had studied her room so extensively down to the texture of the blankets she was given. She didn't even know what kind of fabric her blankets were.

"Ah, waffle weave," she comments. She pulls out a white blanket from the shelf. She then continues searching for a second blanket, "I'm not sure this is the exact texture of cotton, but it might be the best we can get."

Tana touches the blanket. It feels exactly like her old one from Nevermore, "It's perfect."

Wednesday's eyebrows raise a little, signaling that she's happy that Tana is happy.

"Very well, that should give you the perfect conditions for sleeping," Wednesday states. She carries the two blankets for Tana. The redhead follows her to the checkout. Wednesday pays with cash.

"How much cash do you carry?" Tana asks.

"Mother and Father only supplement me with cash when I need it. We don't use banking systems," she explains, "We don't like to leave a paper trail."

Tana nods. She wouldn't expect any less from the Addams family. The two girls leave the store. Wednesday looks Tana up and down for a moment before walking off in a different direction to a different store.

"Where are we going now?" Tana asks.

"I believe some new shoes are in order," Wednesday states. The redhead looks down at her shoes. They are incredibly dirty for one and are falling apart. They walk into a shoe store and Wednesday leads Tana over to a selection that is all white, "Do you know your size?"

"A seven," she answers.

"Okay. Do you see any that you would like?" Wednesday asks.

"Uh, which ones are the cheapest?" Tana asks hesitantly. Wednesday frowns.

"Pick ones you like," she insists. She picks up a pair, "What do you think of these?"

"They're cute," she answers, "Do you like them?"

Wednesday pauses, "I do believe they suit you."

"Okay," she answers. She takes the shoe from Wednesday, "I'll go ask for a size."

Wednesday nods and stands tall in her place. Tana walks over to a store associate.

"Do you have these in a seven?" she asks.

"Let me check for you," the associate asks. She takes the shoe from Tana and walks to the back. Tana walks back to Wednesday. A couple of seconds later, the associate comes out with a box, "Here you go."

"Thank you," Tana says. She takes off her old shoes and puts on the new ones. Wednesday watches intently, "I like them."

"Wonderful. Would like you like to select more or is one pair enough?" she asks.

"One pair is enough for me," the redhead says. Wednesday nods and Tana takes the shoe off. She puts the shoe back in the box and Wednesday takes it. Tana quickly puts her old shoes back on and finds Wednesday at the counter.

The two leave the store. Wednesday leads and Tana follows. They leave the mall and get back into the car to go back to the house.

"Thank you," Tana says in the car, "for the sheets and blankets, and shoes."

"I can't let you go uncared for," Wednesday says before she can stop herself. Tana blushes, "I mean, I-I would be a bad host if... if you didn't feel comfortable at the house."

"Wednesday," Wednesday's heart skips two beats, "I understand. Thank you for letting me stay with you."

Wednesday nods in an attempt to keep herself from saying anything else. They haven't really talked about the kiss since it happened, just like they haven't talked about the fight with Crackstone.

***

"Did you find everything you need?" Morticia asks when the two girls walk into the living room with the bags from their outing.

"Yes," Wednesday answers.

"Yeah," Tana answers.

"Very good," she grins. She watches as her daughter leads the other girl back to the room. She knows there is something more between the two, but she isn't going to push them. Wednesday waits in front of Tana's door.

"What are you doing?" she asks.

"We don't usually enter someone else's room without their consent," Wednesday explains.

"Oh," the redhead opens the door and walks in, "Come in."

Wednesday nods and enters the room. She notices Tana's suitcase open on the bed.

"You should put your clothes away and I can prepare your bed," she says.

"Are you sure?" Tana asks, "You don't have to do that for me."

"I can help," she insists. Tana takes her suitcase off the bed and opens the top drawer of the set of dressers. Wednesday begins to strip the bed of its sheets and blankets.

"So," Tana tries to initiate conversation, "How are you?"

"We've been together all day," Wednesday states.

"I know, but... you don't talk about your emotions on a regular basis."

"Correct," she answers. She doesn't want to talk about her feelings, but Tana's look of disappointment makes her say otherwise, "I am fine."

"That's good," Tana smiles.

"Are you hurting?"

Tana's heart skips two beats. She wondered how Wednesday knew she was struggling. She did find Tana sleeping on the floor, but it seems as if Wednesday reads Tana like a book.

"What?"

"Your healing process?" Wednesday asks. Tana sighs and realizes she wasn't talking about her emotions, "Your stitches are due to come out soon."

"Oh, yeah. It doesn't hurt. My ribs are sore, but that's a given," she explains. Wednesday finishes putting the new sheets on her bed. She then gets the blankets out and begins to make the bed.

"Grandmama is a witch. If you would like, I'm sure she would heal you with a spell," Wednesday offers.

"Uh, I think I'll just heal on my own. No offense to your grandma," Tana says.

"Finished."

Tana turns around to see a bed she can actually sleep in. She smiles and sits down on the bed. The white color not only protects her from overheating and burning things down, but it also cools her in the process.

"Satisfied?"

Tana nods, "Thank you."

"I'm going to begin a new novel. I'm going to go to my room," she announces.

"Okay," Tana smiles. Wednesday pauses because she was expecting the girl to ask to see her room, "See you later?"

Wednesday nods and retreats to her room. Tana lies back on her bed, overwhelmed with comfort. The blankets all smell like Wednesday because she was the one to handle them. She drifts off to sleep as Wednesday leaves, shutting the door behind her.

Chapter Text

Wednesday walks downstairs promptly at six for dinner. She walks through the living room and goes down the hallway to Tana's room. She knocks on the door lightly. No answer. Once again Wednesday is left to think of the worst. She grasps the door knob and opens the door to peek her head in.

"Tana?" she spots the redhead on her bed, asleep. Wednesday sighs and closes the door. She then meets the rest of her family in the dining room.

"Where is Tana?" Gomez asks.

"She's sleeping," Wednesday answers, "If she wakes later, I will prepare a meal for her."

"Very good, dear," Morticia answers.

"Where does this little girl come from?" Grandmama asks.

Wednesday blanks, "I actually am not sure."

How is it that Wednesday and Tana have grown close but yet the girl doesn't even know where she's from? Wednesday kissed Tana but doesn't know where her family lived.

"So she doesn't have a family?" Grandmama asks.

"No," Wednesday answers, "The normies of whatever town she lived in previously set fire to her house. Her parents both died in the fire."

"You need to find out where she lives!" the older woman insists, "I'll put a curse on the town!"

She begins to laugh manically and Morticia smiles.

"I do believe she would not approve of such violence," the Addams girl states. Grandmama sighs.

"That's no fun," she comments.

"You can have fun in other ways," Wednesday states, "I know a couple of people you can put a hex on."

She smiles, "Wonderful."

***

"No! No! Stop it!"

Wednesday and Morticia are quick to leave their rooms to the sound of screaming. Wednesday rushes into Tana's room without knocking. Tana's eyes are squeezed shut but she's thrashing around in her bed.

"She's having a nightmare," Wednesday states. She turns to her mother, unsure of what to do. She's never actually encountered a nightmare situation where she wants to help. When Pugsley has nightmares, she usually antagonizes him more by speaking to him in a spooky voice.

She doesn't know how to help and in this situation, she does not want to make it worse. Morticia walks over to Tana's bed.

"Tana. Tana, sweetheart," she says in a soft, soothing voice. She touches her arm and the redhead's eyes shoot open, "Tana, it's Morticia."

Tana sits up and turns abruptly. She forgets where she is for a moment until her eyes land on Wednesday. The girl had not realized she left her room with her bedclothes on and her hair undone. Only Morticia has ever seen her hair down. Wednesday blushes but doesn't try to hide her hair. She knows it is too late.

Wednesday doesn't know what to say, "You were screaming."

"Uh, yeah," Tana looks up at Morticia, "I'm sorry."

"You don't need to be sorry," she assures her, "Is everything all right?"

"Uh, yeah. I'm okay now," the girl shyly says.

"Is there anything I can do to help you?" the taller woman asks.

"Um, I'm okay, thank you," Tana answers.

"Mother, may I speak to her alone?" Wednesday asks.

"Of course," Morticia answers. She gives Tana's arm a loving squeeze, "Sleep well, dear."

She leaves the room and shuts the door behind her. Wednesday approaches the bed.

"What were you dreaming about?" Wednesday asks. Tana can't help but look at the girl's long locks of hair.

"I, uh," she shakes her head to focus less on Wednesday's hair and more on her question, "I had a dream about that night."

"At Nevermore?"

"Yeah," she gulps, "Crackstone killed you... and I could only watch..."

Wednesday's expression doesn't change.

"I didn't die. Crackstone did," the Addams girl states. This is her best attempt at being there for Tana.

"I know," she answers, "but I wonder what would have happened if you didn't. If the rest of us would have survived? Or if Crackstone would have succeeded in his mission?"

Wednesday gulps, "I don't know what would have happened..."

She pauses, "but I would die before I could watch you get hurt again."

Tana's heart skips two beats. Her face turns bright red and her hair does the same.

"I... I would do the same," the redhead answers.

"I know you would," Wednesday states, "you pushed me out of the way of that gargoyle on my first day."

Tana smiles. It was one of the first times she interacted with Wednesday. Even though she was admittedly scared of the girl before, she was glad that Wednesday continued to try to get to know her.

"Are you feeling better?" Wednesday asks. The redhead nods, "Are you hungry? You slept through dinner."

"I'm okay," Tana answers.

"Are you sure?"

"... yeah," she answers hesitantly. In all honesty, she could go for some food but she didn't want to wake anyone else up.

Wednesday pauses and studies her face. She then turns.

"I'll prepare you something," she says. She leaves before Tana can object.

"Wednesday! Wait!" Tana gets out of bed and follows the girl out to the kitchen, "Wednesday, you don't have to make me anything, seriously."

"You should eat," the Addams girl says. She begins to grab dishes to make some pasta for Tana, "You didn't eat lunch or dinner."

"You're going to wake up your parents," the girl exclaims. Wednesday is not careful about how much noise she makes.

"And?" she questions, "I'll make enough to feed them as well."

Wednesday stares at Tana, noticing she's just watching her. She motions to the island.

"Sit."

Tana sits down as Wednesday begins to boil water. The redhead's eyes fall back on Wednesday's hair. Outside of its braided form, her hair looks so much longer. Wednesday catches Tana's glimpse at her hair.

"If you tell anyone you've seen me without my hair braided, I will not be happy," Wednesday states coldly. Tana's eyes revert to Wednesday's.

"I won't tell. I didn't think you ever took your braids out," she comments.

"Only for bed and showering," the Addams girl replies. The girl pauses and Tana furrows her eyebrows at Wednesday's expression. She looks almost... confused.

"Is... is something wrong?" Tana asks. Wednesday sighs.

"W-W-would you... go into my room and fetch me a hooded sweatshirt?" she asks.

Tana's eyes widen. She hasn't been inside Wednesday's room yet. Or even seen what the inside looks like. She knows that Wednesday's family is very respectful when it comes to privacy and she's surprised that the girl has asked her to complete such a task.

"You want me to go into your room?" Tana asks. Wednesday nods, "Okay."

Tana leaves the kitchen and tiptoes through the house. She approaches the stairs while Wednesday continues to cook. The floorboards creek quietly as she walks up the stairs. At the landing, she turns right and looks at Wednesday's bedroom door that awaits.

She pauses before grasping the doorknob and pushing the door open. Her room is quite large and is the darkest of all the rooms in the house. A small desk lamp remains lit and Tana takes a look around. Wednesday doesn't come off as girly in any sense so the redhead grins a little at the girl's black bed canopy. She recognizes the black chair that was in her dorm room at Nevermore.

Tana smiles as she spots a familiar journal on Wednesday's desk. It's the black journal she gave to Wednesday for her birthday. The matching pen sits beside it. Tana turns and walks over to a large wardrobe. She opens the door and begins to look for a hooded sweatshirt for her.

"What are you doing in here?" Pugsley scares Tana so badly that her hair bursts into flames for a moment, "Cool!"

She smooths her hair out, "Sorry, you scared me. Wednesday asked me to get her a sweatshirt."

"Where is Wednesday?" he asks.

"In the kitchen," she answers nonchalantly. He walks out of the room and Tana follows, closing the door behind her, "Don't go in there yet."

"Why not?" the boy asks. He stops on the stairs, "She has her braids out, doesn't she?"

Tana nods.

"Go first. She'd kill you if you let me in without her hair being covered," he instructs. She continues walking down the stairs after her. She walks into the kitchen first and he waits in the hallway.

"Here," Tana hands her the sweatshirt, "Pugsley's waiting in the hall. He told me you'd kill me if I let him see you with your hair down."

Wednesday sighs as she puts the sweatshirt on, "I wouldn't kill you. I'd kill him. He knows better."

"Can I come in now?" the boy calls from the hallway.

"Only if you want me to stab you," Wednesday states, "And as much as I'd like to do that, blood on the knife is a biohazard and this meal is for Tana."

Pugsley walks into the kitchen anyways with a smug grin on his face, "You'd do anything for Tana."

She takes another knife out of the chopping block and throws it at him. It goes right past him and stabs into the wall next to him.

"Jesus!" Tana exclaims, "You almost killed him."

"I wasn't aiming for his head," Wednesday informs her. She locks eyes with her brother, "That was merely a warning."

He pulls the knife out of the wall, "Can I have some of whatever you're making?"

"Ragu bolognese," she sighs, "And after Tana has eaten."

Tana sits back down at the island and Pugsley next to her. Wednesday gets out a plate and prepares the meal for the girl. She sets the plate in front of Tana. The redhead gets nervous, feeling Wednesday's eyes on her and knowing Pugsley wants some food as well.

"I suppose I didn't ask you if you could eat pasta," Wednesday states, "I can make gluten-free noodles if that would help."

"Oh, no, it's not that," Tana says, "Having you watch me eat is a little... it makes me a little nervous."

"Pugsley, get out," Wednesday orders.

"What? Come on, at least let me have some!" the boy whines.

"Yeah, he can have some," Tana adds. She doesn't want to make this any more difficult. Wednesday looks at her and the redhead nods approvingly.

"Serve yourself and take it to the dining room," the Addams girl states.

"Yes!" Pugsley gets up and goes to find a plate. Wednesday takes his place at the island. She stares forward, to make Tana feel less nervous. The boy quickly fills his plate and leaves the kitchen, leaving the two girls alone. Tana begins to eat and silence fills the room.

"Thank you, Wednesday," Tana looks at her, "It's good."

Wednesday blushes. She is very capable of keeping a blank face and not smiling, but when it comes to Tana, her body cannot hold back a blush, "I'm glad it satisfies your hunger."

"Do you ever like... not talk like that?" the redhead asks innocently.

"Like what?"

"Like... so proper?"

"Would you rather I talk like all the other trivial adolescents we attend school with?" Wednesday questions.

"Do I talk like a trivial adolescent?" Tana asks. Wednesday pauses.

"No."

"Then you could try to talk like me," the redhead suggests.

"I suppose I could try to match your dialect. But I am not you and you are not me," Wednesday states, "I would take away your individuality and I am quite fond of it."

Tana blushes and a noodle slips off of her fork before it reaches her mouth. Wednesday blushes as well. She keeps slipping when talking to Tana. She keeps letting little details leave her mouth and of course, she likes Tana, she just doesn't know what to do about it. And with every slightly nice thing she says to Tana, the more she draws the redhead in. The only problem is herself and her mindset that she will never be good enough to be loved or to love someone else.

"Thanks," Tana meekly replies. She smiles from ear to ear. She hasn't felt happy in a long time since her parents died and she moved to Nevermore. The redhead turns to Wednesday, with sauce at the corner of her mouth.

Wednesday's eyes widen and she reaches up instinctively to clean the girl's face. She doesn't even realize she's initiating physical contact until her cold thumb runs over Tana's warmer bottom lip. Both girls freeze, their eyes locked with each other. Tana gulps and Wednesday just stares. Both of their hearts beat immensely fast.

"Wednesday?" Tana asks in a voice so soft and sweet Wednesday could swear she was being stabbed in the heart right then and there. And if anyone should know one thing about Wednesday, she loves stabbing. And to be stabbed by the girl who makes her heart skip two beats and spill out little emotion-filled statements, it's the hell Wednesday dreams of, "What are we?"

Wednesday pauses, "I... I don't know."

Tana's heart sinks a little. Both girls have never been in a relationship before, but even Tana can tell that Wednesday likes her at least a little bit. Although, she understands Wednesday's individuality enough to know that she doesn't trust anyone. And a good relationship should be built on mutual trust and respect. Tana wonders if Wednesday doesn't trust her. It didn't make complete sense, as Wednesday spent so much time with her at Nevermore and invited the girl to live in her house.

A part of her also wonders if after they kissed, Wednesday decided she didn't want Tana. Although, this is an unlikely possibility, as Wednesday has proven more than enough times that she cares for the redhead.

"Okay," Tana answers. The redhead's acceptance of literally everything Wednesday says, puzzles Wednesday herself.

"Okay?" Wednesday questions.

"Look, Wednesday," the redhead starts, "You know that I like you... but if you don't feel the same then... I don't know. I'll... I'll be whatever you want me to be, Wednesday. A friend or not a friend. I'm thankful you even let me stay here."

Wednesday's eyes shift nervously from Tana's eyes to the wall. She doesn't know what to say or how to respond.

"Tana... I do enjoy your company. I enjoy your presence. I... I just don't know if I can be the person you expect me to be," Wednesday states, "If I can be the best... suitor for you."

Tana smiles lightly, "Wednesday, you've already proved yourself to me."

"I feel as though... I haven't."

"Well," Tana says, "I will be whatever you want me to be, Wednesday."

Chapter Text

Tana stands up and takes her plate to the sink.

"I should do that," Wednesday stands up.

"Stay," the redhead orders. Wednesday, for once, listens to the girl. She stays put at the island as Tana washes not only her plate, but all the dishes used to make the meal, "it's only fair."

When she's finished, they leave the kitchen. Wednesday is about to head to the staircase when Tana stops her.

"Will you... will you come to my room with me?" she asks softly, "I'm afraid to go to sleep."

Wednesday nods and the two silently walk back to Tana's room. Wednesday shuts the door to Tana's room as the redhead gets into bed. Wednesday stands guard in front of the door.

"You can sit if you want," Tana says.

"Would it help if I did?"

Tana nods, "You don't have to stay all night. Just until I fall asleep?"

Wednesday approaches and Tana scoots over to allow her room to sit. She sits on the right side of Tana. Wednesday reaches over to turn off the lamp.

"Wait!" Tana exclaims, "I..."

"You aren't going to fall asleep with the lights on," Wednesday says, "I am right here. Nothing is going to hurt you."

Tana's breath is shaky as she stares into Wednesday's eyes. The Addams girl can tell that she's afraid. She's afraid of what happened that night and Wednesday knows it's her fault. The prophecy wouldn't have come true if Wednesday had never gone to Nevermore.

"Close your eyes, Tana. You need sleep," she orders. Tana leans back on her back. Wednesday sits atop the comforter, leaving Tana trapped underneath with no way to pull the comforter up. Tana just closes her eyes and Wednesday shuts the light off.

The redhead takes a deep breath and opens her eyes to darkness. Her heart rate picks up and her breathing too. That is until she feels Wednesday's cold hand on hers. Tana closes her eyes with peace of mind that someone is next to her.

Wednesday sits up straight, her hand on Tana's. In a few minutes, Wednesday notices her breathing has gone from manual to automatic. She's fallen asleep. She's free to go back to her room now as long as she doesn't wake Tana up.

Wednesday waits a couple of minutes to make sure Tana won't wake up if she moves. After ten minutes pass, Wednesday herself falls asleep, sitting upright with her hoodie on and Tana lying next to her.

***

Tana shifts underneath the comforter, trying to pull more up. She can't get more and she huffs, turning over to see what the problem is. It's Wednesday. Wednesday is the problem. Her eyes widen as she realizes Wednesday fell asleep in bed with her.

It's early morning as the light peaks through the curtains. Wednesday is still asleep, sitting up straight with her eyes closed. Tana lies down and tries not to wake Wednesday. She would be just as tired as she is, having cooked for her in the middle of the night. She falls back asleep within minutes.

"Wednesday?" Morticia calls as she comes down the stairs into the living room. Pugsley isn't awake yet and she knows Gomez is in the kitchen preparing breakfast. Wednesday's door to her room was left open and she figures the girl has just started her day early, "Good morning, mon cherí."

"How was your sleep, my love?" Gomez asks.

"Wonderful," she smiles, "Did Wednesday run off already this morning?"

"Not that I know of," he answers, "Her door was open when I got up."

"Yeah, it's still open," Morticia adds.

"Hmm. It looks like our little raven had a midnight snack," he comments, looking at the dishes in the dish drying rack.

"I wonder if it was more than her," Morticia grins, "Tana had a nightmare last night. Wednesday requested to speak with her alone."

"Did she?"

"She did," she replies, "I'm not sure what is going on between the two. I'm just happy Wednesday is opening her black heart to someone. You know how much I worry for her."

"I do, cara mia," Gomez responds.

***

Wednesday wakes up an hour after the rest of the family has finished breakfast. Tana is asleep once again and Wednesday doesn't know that the girl was already awake. She quietly and gently lifts herself from Tana's bed. Still, in her hooded sweatshirt, she leaves the room. She walks out to the living room, where Morticia and Grandmama sit.

"Where did you come from?" Grandmama questions. Morticia grins slightly.

"Tana's room."

"Did you spend the night with her?" Morticia asks. Grandmama gasps, thinking Wednesday has found her soulmate.

"I did. But only for the purpose of keeping her safe," Wednesday explains, "she was afraid to go to sleep after her nightmare and asked me to stay with her."

Morticia nods, "I see."

"And your braids?" Grandmama asks. She knows the braids are an important piece of vulnerability for Wednesday. Showing her hair undone is reserved for important people, like her mother or in the case her grandmama is referring to, a lover.

"She saw them on accident," Wednesday admits. She couldn't lie to Grandmama Addams. Even if she did, Morticia was there and would expose Wednesday for lying, "Only because I was concerned for her immediate safety."

"Right," Grandmama says skeptically.

"It's true," Morticia agrees, "the girl was screaming bloody murder."

"And not in a good way," Wednesday adds.

"Very well then," Grandmama sighs. Wednesday retreats to her room to get ready for the day. Her routine is off as it's much later than she normally wakes up, but she continues with her routine of showering first. When she is finished getting ready, she returns to the living room.

"Wednesday, Tana's doctor called. Said she needed to get her stitches out," Morticia states, "I don't know if she's awake yet."

Wednesday nods, "I will go check."

The Addams girl walks off toward the redhead's room. She knocks on the door. Tana, who was almost dressed, gets scared by the knock.

"O-one second!" she calls. Wednesday waits patiently with her arms crossed in front of her. Tana pulls her shirt on carefully before opening the door, "H-hey."

"My mother has informed me that your doctor called. He said you need to get your stitches out," she states, "Lurch can drive you to get them removed."

Tana frowns, "Okay, I guess."

"You wish to keep them?" the Addams girl asks confused.

"No, I just... I don't like doctors," she admits. Wednesday nods, remembering her refusal to go to the infirmary at Nevermore.

"I suppose I could remove the stitches here for you," Wednesday suggests. Tana's eyes widen.

"You know how to do that?"

"I know how to do lots of things," she replies, "But if you wish to seek help from a man with a piece of paper that deems him a professional, I could accompany you to the doctor's office."

Tana ponders her options. She trusts Wednesday more than any normie doctor.

"Will it hurt?" she asks.

"Not for you, no," Wednesday answers.

"Okay," she answers, "You can take them out."

Wednesday nods, "Very well. Go sit on the bed, I'll retrieve my medical supplies."

Tana nods and the two part ways. The redhead leaves the door open and sits down on the bed. She takes a deep breath wondering if she's making the right choice by letting a sixteen-year-old take her stitches out.

"Shall I have Lurch prepare the car?" Morticia asks as Wednesday returns to the living room.

"No. Tana has requested I remove her stitches," she walks through the living room to the stairs.

"I see," her mother grins. Wednesday ignores her and goes to her room. She grabs her medical bag and returns downstairs. She stops at the doorway, even though the door is open.

"You can come in," Tana says. Wednesday then takes a step through the door. She approaches the bed. She sets her medical bag down before going to the bathroom. She washes her hands thoroughly and even puts hand sanitizer on. Tana watches intently as she prepares her tools.

"I need you to remove your shirt," Wednesday states. Tana gulps. She forgot the stitches were in her shoulder. Wednesday wonders why she is hesitant but then remembers what she asked, "I will turn away, but I will have to look at you to remove the stitches."

"I, uh, I'm sorry. You don't have to turn away," Tana stutters. She sits up and pulls her white long sleeve off. Wednesday can't help but notice that her bra is white. It makes sense, but for some reason, it caught Wednesday's attention. The redhead's hair brightens along with her face.

Wednesday looks up into her eyes, "Can you lie down?"

Tana nods and does so while Wednesday pulls up a chair next to the bed. Tana turns her head to face her.

"Ready?" the Addams girl asks. Tana nods. Wednesday reaches over and begins to remove the stitches. The redhead watches as she gently removes the stitches. Her eyes are locked on Wednesday. She never noticed how she has freckles that decorate her skin. Or that her jawline could slice a piece of paper if needed.

She forgets that Wednesday is basically operating on her until she feels one of the stitches slide out from her skin. It doesn't hurt, but it's an uncomfortable feeling, to say the least. Wednesday stops, noticing the slight twitch from it.

"Did I hurt you?" she asks.

"No, it was just a weird feeling," Tana replies, "I'm okay."

Wednesday nods and returns to the girl's shoulder. The wound is smaller now but will still need to be covered since the stitches are coming out. Wednesday finishes removing the stitches and grabs some antibiotic cream. It's cold when it touches Tana's skin, making her hair burn.

"Oh, that's cold," she comments. Wednesday continues to cover the wound before covering it with a gauze pad and some skin tape.

"There," she says, proud of her operation, "You'll have to change the bandage before you go to sleep and then again when you wake up."

"Just put more of that stuff on it?" she asks, sitting up.

"Yes," she answers as she packs up her bag.

"Can I see your hands?" Tana asks. Wednesday stands up straight.

"My hands?"

"Yes," she answers, "I want to see how they are healing."

Wednesday walks over and shows Tana her palms. The burns are now healed, but her skin is discolored. Tana frowns. If it wasn't for her, she wouldn't have burned her hands.

"This... this is my fault," she says softly. Wednesday pulls her hands away.

"Nonsense," she states, "I did that all on my own."

"If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't have burned your hands, Wednesday," Tana argues.

"Why are you saying that?" Wednesday questions, "I do not blame you. You have no reason to believe you caused this."

"You did fire CPR because of me, Wednesday."

"You would have died if I didn't," she states.

"Maybe I should have."

Wednesday sits down on the bed, "Why are you saying that? Have I done something to upset you?"

"No..." Tana looks down.

"Then what is bothering you?"

Tana gulps and looks up at Wednesday. Their eyes lock. Tana's hair sparks. Wednesday moves in. She looks at Tana nervously. Tana leans in. Their eyes close and their lips finally speak for all the words they can't say.

Chapter Text

Both girls pull away slowly. Tana's hair is smoking and Wednesday can't hide a blush even though she's terrified. She's kissed her twice now and that can only mean one thing.

She's found her soulmate.

She never imagined she would meet her soulmate and didn't even care that she would die alone. She would have actually preferred it before she met Tana.

"I... I, uh... should probably put my shirt back on now," Tana stutters. She didn't realize she had been shirtless still until she felt the warmth of her hair on her bare back. Wednesday nods and scoots back as the redhead puts her shirt on.

Wednesday doesn't know what to say.

"Tana?" Wednesday starts.

"Hmm?"

"You... you should know, the Addams family has a love curse."

"A love curse?" Tana questions.

"Yes. Once a member of the family meets their soulmate, they are bonded forever. Tethered to each other by love," Wednesday explains, "They are completely devoted to their other."

"Okay?" the redhead questions, "And this curse is a bad thing?"

"Well... I had never planned to fall in love," she begins, "I don't like the idea of being a housewife like my mother or having children."

"Oh."

"Oh?"

Tana pauses, "I told you I'd be whatever you want me to be, Wednesday. Even if it means you'll never like me as I like you."

Wednesday's heart begins to beat faster. This is not how she envisioned this conversation to go. Frankly, she didn't envision having a conversation like this at all.

"Tana..." she gulps, "you've tethered me."

Tana's jaw drops, "What?"

"We've kissed twice. It isn't a coincidence considering I don't do physical contact whatsoever," Wednesday states.

"I... uh, I don't know what to say."

"If you wish to pursue other people... t-that is fine. It will kill me but I do enjoy the idea of dying," she stutters. Tana chuckles and shakes her head.

"No, Wednesday, that's not what I mean," she explains, "You know I like you."

"For a reason that I don't understand."

"Now, you stop," she scolds, "You're an amazing person, Wednesday. You've saved my life more than once and let me stay here with you."

Wednesday looks down and gulps, "So I take it you are okay with the curse?"

Tana smiles and nods, "Yeah. I am."

"I will die if you leave, just so you know. There will be no other person for me now," Wednesday warns her.

"I don't think there's ever been anyone else for me."

"Are you sure you want to do this?" the Addams girl asks once more.

"What are you afraid of?"

Wednesday's heart skips two beats.

"I am afraid of love. I am afraid I will not love you as you should be loved," she states.

"You literally just told me you're going to be tethered to me," Tana points out. Wednesday stays silent, "Look, Wednesday, I'm new to this whole love thing too. But I'm willing to learn how to love you if you are willing to learn how to love me?"

Wednesday nods. Tana smiles. She doesn't lean in for a kiss or even grab her hand. She's going to let Wednesday decide where they go as far as physical contact. They sit in silence until someone knocks on Tana's door.

"Come in," Tana calls. Morticia opens the door.

"Wednesday, Enid has been calling your phone for the past couple of minutes," she says to her daughter. Wednesday sighs.

"Okay. I will return her call," Wednesday answers. Morticia smiles and walks down the hallway. The Addams girl stands up, "Do you wish to come with me?"

"Where?"

"To my room."

Tana smiles, "Sure."

***

"Wednesday, I've been texting you for days and you don't answer," Enid says as soon as Wednesday calls her back. Tana chuckles lightly.

"I did not ask for a cellphone, Enid. You know that," she replies.

"Okay, but you could at least tell me you aren't dead," Enid says.

"What if I want to be?"

"Wednesday!"

"Why are you calling?" Wednesday asks bluntly.

"Yoko, Divina, and Bianca are coming to visit for a couple of days. I wanted to see if maybe you and Tana wanted to come?" Enid hesitates in asking. She knows that she isn't a social person and that she doesn't really like them either. Wednesday turns to Tana because she knew Tana heard Enid.

"Well?"

"You want me to decide?" Tana asks.

"Hi, Tana!" Enid calls.

"Hi," she answers, "Wednesday, I don't think I should decide."

"Why not?" she asks.

"You're not a social person and I guess I am. More than you, anyway," she explains, "I don't want you to do something you don't want to."

"Do you want to go?" Wednesday asks. Tana opens her mouth to say something probably along the lines of considering Wednesday's needs, "I'm asking you and only you."

"I mean... it would be fun to see Enid since we're friends again," Tana meekly answers.

"We will see you in two days, Enid," Wednesday states.

"Yes! We should ----"

Wednesday ends the call.

"Wednesday, did you just end the call?" Tana asks.

"Yes," she answers as if she didn't do anything wrong, "I answered her question."

"She might have wanted to keep talking," she adds. Enid immediately calls back. Wednesday answers.

"My apologies. I did not know it was standard to keep talking after answering the question you propose."

***

"So, Tana, where are you from?" Grandmama asks that night at the dinner table.

"Anchorage, Alaska," she answers.

"Alaska? Isn't that a little... cold?"

The redhead chuckles, "Yeah, but it made our powers stronger."

"Your parents were both pyros?" she asks. Morticia glances over at the older woman, knowing it's a sensitive subject.

"Uh, yeah," Tana answers, "They died though. I mean, I guess you probably already knew that considering that's why I'm here."

"Yes," Morticia says, "So polite for Wednesday to give you a new home."

"Mother," Wednesday says with a glare.

"What? I just want her to know she's always welcome here," she smiles, "You're the first guest Wednesday has ever brought home."

Wednesday stabs her knife into the table.

"Uh, I'm happy to be here," Tana hesitantly says. She's not exactly sure what's going on between Wednesday and her family, but she can sense the tension, "Thank you again for letting me stay here."

"Of course," Gomez smiles, "Our family is your family."

"Oh, she's family all right," Pugsley mutters under his breath. Wednesday takes Tana's knife from her right hand and throws it at her brother. He dodges and begins to laugh.

"Wednesday!" Morticia scolds.

"I didn't even hit him," she scowls.

"Is there something I'm missing here?" Tana asks, turning to Wednesday.

"No, I don't think so," Morticia answers before Wednesday can answer, "Unless there's something I'm missing too."

"Mother, not now," Wednesday cuts her off.

"Why not now?" Grandmama asks, "We're all here?"

Tana's eyes widen and she blushes as she realizes what's going on. They're trying to get Wednesday to admit that they're soulmates. Tana looks down, trying not to give it away because clearly, Wednesday doesn't want to say it. Was it that obvious? Or was there a part of the curse where her family members would know right away? Tana didn't understand how they knew, but she was not going to be the one to tell Wednesday's family.

"You all make me want to climb into the oven," Wednesday scowls, "If you must know, Tana... Tana is my soulmate."

Morticia smirks and Gomez smiles.

"Wonderful, my little storm cloud," he cheers. Grandmama grins as well.

"All right, that's enough."

"When did you know?" Grandmama asks.

"Probably when she let Tana see her without her braids," Pugsley teases. Wednesday stands up with her fork in hand. Pugsley gets up and runs out of the dining room, once again giggling as his sister chases him. Tana sits awkwardly with her family.

"Welcome to the family, Tana," Gomez cheers.

"Uh, thank you?"

"Wednesday will make an excellent lover, I'm sure of it. She has her father's passion," Morticia comments. Tana can't even hide her emotions now. Her hair begins smoking. Grandmama grins.

"So that's your tell, huh?" she teases, "You burst into a ball of flame for Wednesday?"

"Uh, I mean... I guess?"

"All right, we're scaring her," Morticia cuts the older woman off, "I'll have Lurch start preparing your things."

Tana's eyes grow wide. Is she being kicked out?

"I... Do I have to leave? I mean, it's no problem, I just... it's a little unexpected and ----"

"No, Tana, you're moving to Wednesday's room," Morticia says.

"To Wednesday's room?"

"Why, yes of course," Gomez answers, "You're soulmates aren't you?"

"Well, I mean, yeah. I just... we're... we're teenagers," Tana states. Grandmama chuckles.

"You know, out of all creatures, Wednesday certainly has a grounding soulmate," she states.

"Is that a good thing?" the redhead questions.

"Oh, yes, dear," she answers, "Wednesday is so independent and can be brute sometimes, but not with you. She's more sensible."

"Oh."

Wednesday comes in and her clothes look disheveled.

"Wednesday, you did not tell Tana about her new living situation?" Morticia questions.

"I didn't because I didn't plan on letting you know," she fires back. She holds her hand out to Tana, "Let's talk alone."

Chapter Text

"Soulmates usually begin living together after they've been tethered," Wednesday explains in Tana's room. Tana sits on her bed and Wednesday in the chair next to it.

"I mean, aren't we already living together?" Tana asks.

"Well, sharing a room is more intimate."

"We would share a bed?" the redhead asks.

"Yes, but if you do not wish to follow traditions, that is okay," Wednesday says.

"Is that why you didn't want to tell your parents?"

"In part. I don't want them to get the idea that I am going to turn into them," she explains.

"You mean becoming a housewife?" Tana asks. Wednesday nods.

"Although if that is what you desire..." she gags, "I would do everything in my power to satisfy your needs."

Tana chuckles slightly, "No, Wednesday, I don't want you to be a housewife."

"Thank you."

"I guess I'm just a little scared," Tana admits.

"Of the curse?"

"No, of moving into your room. I know you say it's a curse, but what if you decide you don't like me anymore?" she looks down. Wednesday reaches out and brings her chin up so that Tana looks her in the eyes.

"It's impossible, Tana. I would die without you," she answers. She means it literally too. Once an Addams has found their soulmate, it's physically impossible for them to be attracted to anyone else. Even being away from their soulmate makes them physically ill. At least for Wednesday, that's what it will be like.

If Tana partakes in the bonding ritual, she will feel the effects of the curse too, but since she hasn't, she doesn't know what it's like. This is why Morticia had talked about Tana moving up to her room because it will physically pain Wednesday to be away from her. But Wednesday likes the pain, so if it made Tana uncomfortable, she would take the pain.

"You don't have to move into my room if you do not want to," Wednesday states.

"I mean, I've never... like slept with anyone else," Tana explains, "You fell asleep in my bed, but like we weren't like, cuddling together."

"If you do not wish to cuddle, I won't cuddle you. I want you to feel comfortable, Tana," the Addams girl states, "I wanted to keep this private for this exact reason. My mother and father didn't take it slow when they bonded."

"Would you be upset if I wanted to stay down here?" Tana asks. Wednesday's heart does hurt a little bit, but she would rather Tana be comfortable. After all, Tana has not been officially bonded to Wednesday, so she could decide to not like Wednesday and it would have no effect on Tana.

"No," she answers, "Whatever you decide, I am okay with."

Tana smiles and nods. Then, a grin spreads across her face, "Does that mean you'll let me do your makeup?"

Wednesday takes a deep breath, "I suppose so."

She stands up and sits on the bed.

"I was kidding," Tana laughs, "I don't have any makeup."

"Oh," she replies. She was fully ready for Tana to do her makeup. Maybe because she wanted to feel the girl's fingertips grace her skin, "Would you like some?"

"You have makeup?" Tana questions. She always thought Wednesday left her skin natural.

"No," she answers, "but we could acquire some. At the mall, presumably."

"I... I don't have any money."

"I didn't ask if you had money," Wednesday states, "Do you wish for makeup?"

"I mean, sure," she answers.

"Is there anything else you wish to have?" the Addams girl asks. Tana shrugs.

"I don't need anything else," the redhead answers. Wednesday glares at her for a minute before standing up.

"Wait here," she instructs. Tana watches as she leaves the room, closing the door behind her. Did Wednesday just ground her? The Addams girl retreats to her room upstairs and grabs her phone.

"Wednesday?" Enid answers her phone call, surprised that she is even calling.

"Enid, I am taking Tana to the mall to acquire some makeup. I asked her if there was anything else she desires, but she did not specify anything else," Wednesday explains. She is quick and gets straight to the point.

"Okay... I'm missing the problem here," the blonde states.

"I believe she is not answering truthfully on the basis that she does not have money to be able to purchase items."

"You mean 'cause she's broke?"

"She's intact and healing well," Wednesday scoffs, not understanding the trivial adolescent lingo.

"No, I mean, like she doesn't want you to buy things for her?" Enid asks.

"Oh. Yes."

"And... you want to buy things for her?"

"Yes, but I am not sure of what to get her," Wednesday admits. If she were buying things, she would buy Tana a knife or a sledgehammer. Or maybe a katana. But she knows that Tana is not interested in weaponry or anything macabre.

"Well for starters, she doesn't even have a phone and you do," Enid points out. Wednesday grabs her notebook. She writes down "Cellphone".

"And what else?"

"Well, you said makeup... does she have nail polish?" Enid asks.

"I have black."

"But maybe you should get other colors for her," the werewolf suggests. Wednesday writes down "nail polish" and in parentheses puts "colors", "You could ask her what stores she wants to go to and let her pick."

"Okay. Thank you for your input, Enid. This has been helpful," Wednesday states, "This is where we end the phone call, correct?"

"Well, yeah, but can I ask you a question?"

"Speak."

"Are you and Tana... like... is there anything going on between you two?" Enid asks hesitantly. She knows Wednesday wouldn't have called unless it was really important and Enid can sense that Tana is important. Well, it's not that hard to sense, but still, Enid wants to know. Wednesday's eyes widen.

"If you must know... there is," she grumbles. Wednesday really starts to think about how the love curse actually works and if everyone around them can see it because it's so obvious with Morticia and Gomez. Those two can barely keep their hands off of each other at any given time, so it's strange that everyone can tell Wednesday and Tana are soulmates. Strange to Wednesday and Tana, at least.

"O-M-G!" Enid squeals.

"If you tell a single soul, I will kill off your entire bloodline and mount your head on my living room wall," she threatens.

"I won't, I won't," Enid sighs.

"I mean it, Enid."

"I know. I promise I won't tell anyone else. I know you like your privacy," she explains, "I gotta go now. I'll see you in a couple of days. Bye."

Enid ends the phone call and Wednesday sighs. She takes her notebook and walks back downstairs. She knocks on Tana's door.

"Come in," the girl calls. Wednesday opens the door and finds the redhead in the exact same place she left her in.

"Let's go," Wednesday says. Tana stands up and follows her out of the room.

"Where are we going?"

"To the mall. To find makeup," Wednesday explains as they walk out of their house to the family car. Lurch opens the door and the girls get into the car, "And a cell phone."

"A cell phone?"

"Yes," Wednesday answers, "I have one. It doesn't seem fair that I have one and you don't."

Lurch begins the drive to the mall as the girls sit in silence. Tana catches Wednesday's eyes looking at her hands that sit on her lap. Does Wednesday want to hold hands? Tana looks up at Wednesday's face, waiting for her eyes to dart back up. When Wednesday does finally look up, she realizes Tana has caught her staring.

"M-My apologies," she quickly apologizes.

"It's fine. You were just looking at my hands," Tana grins a little, "Seems like maybe... you wanted to... hold it?"

Wednesday blushes. She reaches over and grabs the redhead's hand. Obviously, the redhead's hand is warm against her freezing skin.

"Just so you know," the redhead begins, "If you want to like, hold my hand or hug, or whatever, you don't need to ask. For like physical contact, I mean."

Wednesday nods, her face still a light shade of pink, "Noted."

Lurch pulls up to the entrance and grunts as he gets out of the driver's seat. Wednesday lets go of Tana's hand as she gets out of the car. It doesn't surprise the redhead. She's barely been in Wednesday's hometown and she can already tell that the people are wary of her. Tana doesn't know how people would respond to seeing two girls holding hands in addition to Wednesday's overall presence. This place might not be as progressive as Jericho.

Wednesday takes Tana to a Verizon store first. An associate comes up to them, "Can I help you?"

Wednesday takes out her own phone given to her by Xavier, "I need to get this phone for her."

The associate takes the phone, "An iPhone 13? Sure, we have those in stock. Come on over here and we'll get started."

Wednesday follows behind Tana as she follows the associate. He's a normie but doesn't seem to care that the two are obviously outcasts.

"We have a couple of different color options. White, black, space grey, blue, gold, silver---"

"White," Tana cuts him off. He chuckles.

"I guess I could've guessed that," he smiles, looking Tana up and down. Wednesday holds back the need to scowl, "Right now we have a bundle so you can get a screen protector, a case, and a wireless charger or a set of earbuds. Is that something you would be interested in?"

Tana turns back to Wednesday since she is the one paying. The Addams girl nods approvingly.

"Yeah, that would be great," she answers.

"Awesome. Do you wanna get a wireless charger or a set of earbuds?" he asks.

"The earbuds please."

"Right on," he walks over to a wall of phone cases, "This row is all going to be for the iPhone 13. While I set up the phone, you can pick out the case."

"Thanks," she smiles. Wednesday stands behind Tana with her arms crossed. The redhead pulls a clear case off the wall, "What do you think of this?"

Wednesday nods but Tana can tell something is off.

"Is something wrong?"

"No."

"Are you sure?" she glares at the Addams girl, "You said no lying."

Wednesday sighs, realizing she's right, "It seems as though that boy fancies your company."

Tana grins as she realizes Wednesday is jealous, "He's just being friendly."

The two walk back over to the counter. Tana hands the associate the phone case and he brushes his fingers with hers.

"Ow!" he pulls his fingers away.

"Oh, sorry, that's my fault. I can't control it sometimes," Tana lies. He nods and continues to prep her phone. The redhead turns back to Wednesday.

"You didn't inform me that your powers weren't working," Wednesday comments. The redhead takes a quick peek over her shoulder to make sure the associate can't hear her.

"They're working. That was just to keep him from getting friendlier," she grins. Wednesday didn't show it, but on the inside, she was smiling. Tana knew she was feeling jealous and decided to take matters into her own hands and let the boy know she wasn't interested. No one has ever gone out of their way to make Wednesday feel more comfortable except for Tana. Even though they weren't officially tethered together, Wednesday knows that she's in for a world of hurt if Tana ever leaves.

Chapter Text

Lurch helps Wednesday load all of the bags into the car when they finally decide to stop shopping. Along with a cell phone, the two girls visited multiple shops. Wednesday did have to wait outside of Claire's because of all the color. God, it made her physically ill. Tana got a couple of new pairs of earrings from the store before picking out two colors of nail polish. White of course, but also red. It was one color that matched her personality and her hair.

They went to Sephora next so Tana could get makeup. She got all the basics, which was pretty expensive, but Wednesday didn't care. Tana's smile was real and Wednesday was finally seeing it. Not that her smiles weren't real before, but it was like Tana was getting her happiness back. After losing her family and the only home she's ever known, she wasn't sure she was ever going to be the same. Now, she's met her soulmate and is even living with her.

When Wednesday asked her what stores she wanted to go to, Tana took Wednesday to the bookstore Barnes and Noble. Wednesday did let the corners of her mouth turn slightly upward in a small grin when they walked in. She's a writer, which means her love for the profession comes from reading. Tana didn't have a lot of her own books at Nevermore besides her textbooks, so she was glad that Wednesday was allowing her to pick out some books.

Some of her favorites include A Court of Thorns and Roses, Dance of Thieves, and of course, Firestarter. After the bookstore, they went to Macy's, where Tana picked out a couple of new outfits as she had only ten complete outfits in total before. Now, the two are riding back to the house.

"Thank you," Tana smiles. Wednesday nods.

"I would like for you to not feel afraid to ask for things you need," she states, "As a p-partner... I will provide for you for as long as we both shall live."

Wednesday was hesitant to say "partner" but only because it doesn't feel real to her. Everything that Tana makes her feel, she thinks is a nightmare. A good one that she enjoys, of course.

"Okay," the redhead blushes. Lurch stops the car and gets out of the car to let the girls out. Wednesday doesn't allow Tana to carry any of the bags inside. She and Lurch grab them all.

"Hello, my little raven," Morticia smiles from the living room, "Is that for Tana?"

"Yes," Wednesday answers as she walks through the living room with the redhead. Morticia grins but doesn't say anything else. Tana opens the door and Lurch puts the rest of the bags on the floor before leaving. The girls begin to put things away without speaking. Once all the bags are empty, Tana sits on her bed.

"So..." she grins, "Can I still do your makeup?"

Wednesday sighs, but secretly she's smiling, "I suppose so."

She sits down on Tana's bed. The redhead excitedly gets out all the new makeup that was bought for her. She gets out the new brushes and foundation. Tana's skin is fair enough to where Wednesday's is only slightly darker. This foundation will only make her look a little less pale.

"It might be easier if you lay down," Tana suggests. Wednesday lies down on the bed. Her body looks so small on Tana's bed. The Addams girl brushes her bangs out of her face in preparation for Tana. The redhead sits in the chair next to the bed and begins to put foundation on Wednesday's face. Tana can't help but get butterflies in her stomach as Wednesday's eyes stare up into hers. Wednesday notices that Tana's arm is at an awkward angle and she seems to be struggling because of it.

"Tana?"

"Yes?"

"Wo-would it help if you were directly over me?" Wednesday asks. Her cheeks flush under the foundation.

"What do you mean?"

"If... if you wanted to sit... o-on my lap, do... do you think that would be better?" she hesitantly asks, "Be better to apply the makeup?"

Tana's hair begins smoking.

"Are you sure that's okay?"

Wednesday nods. Tana puts all of the supplies on the bed next to Wednesday. She climbs up on the bed and sits on Wednesday's lap, her legs straddling her waist. The redhead's hair bursts into full flames for a moment.

"Oh my god!" she shrieks as she smoothes her hair, "I... I'm sorry, I guess I'm just... nervous."

Wednesday nods, knowing it wasn't nervousness making her hair like that. She was excited.

"I understand."

"Okay," Tana takes a deep breath before grabbing the brush again. She leans down over Wednesday and continues applying the foundation, blending it into her skin. Wednesday's emotions are all over the place. She's incredibly nervous and excited. She feels happy but also like she's going to explode. It's torture. And she likes it.

"Can you close your eyes?" Tana asks. Wednesday does so without saying anything. The redhead begins to put eyeliner on the girl, who has no idea what she's doing. Tana's hand shakes a little as this is the closest she's been to Wednesday's face with her eyes open. When they kissed she of course closed her eyes. It would be creepy if she didn't. Now, while applying her makeup, she can map out every little detail of Wednesday's face.

The way her eyelashes curly up naturally and how her cheekbones are defined. Wednesday's skin is also so clear for a teenager. Tana has her occasional breakout, but Wednesday has no acne scars. The girl wonders if Wednesday has ever had a pimple. She finishes the eyeliner.

"Okay, you can open your eyes now," Tana instructs. In all honesty, she could have left her eyes closed, but Tana wants to see her eyes. Oftentimes, Wednesday's eyes bore into the souls of others, sucking the life out of whoever she gazes on. Not Tana. Her eyes gaze upon her like she's the most beautiful piece of art. It was clear even her body felt the same way because her eyes always looked a lighter shade of brown whenever she held eye contact with Tana.

So when Wednesday's eyes open, Tana can't help but stare into them and let the butterflies in her stomach flutter for a second longer. Wednesday doesn't need concealer so Tana skips adding it and goes straight for highlighter. She applies it to her cheekbones, jawline, and nose.

Wednesday looks up at her soulmate. If anyone were to catch the scene, Wednesday wouldn't be able to do anything because she doesn't want it to stop. She too maps out Tana's face in her mind. Staring at the freckles that pepper Tana's face and how her hair waves naturally. Wednesday's hands were at her sides and she moved them at the moment, accidentally brushing against Tana's legs.

Tana ignores the flip her stomach does and continues with the makeup. It's almost finished. She takes out a lip gloss and begins to apply it to Wednesday's lips. The Addams girl parts her lips slightly for the redhead as she concentrates. Tana puts the wand back in the little tube and then brushes her finger along Wednesday's lip to even out the coat.

Wednesday feels like she's being suffocated. She holds her breath as she feels Tana's touch on her lips. This girl has her in a chokehold and Wednesday knows it. The redhead pulls her finger away but doesn't sit up.

"T-There. All done," she whispers and smiles.

"Thank you."

The two hold eye contact for an abnormal amount of time. Tana leans back a little and Wednesday moves her hands to rest on top of Tana's thighs. The redhead looks down at Wednesday's manicured hands.

"You're burning up," Wednesday comments. Tana's eyes widen and she quickly realizes she might be burning Wednesday's lap.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry, let me get up and ----"

"Tana," the Addams girl pulls Tana's gaze back to her face, "Take a deep breath."

The redhead nods and does so. She notices how Wednesday's hands rest atop her thighs like she doesn't want her to leave.

"Should... should I get up now?" Tana hesitantly asks.

"If you wish to yes," Wednesday replies. The redhead chuckles.

"No, I'm asking you, Wednesday. Am I hurting you?"

Wednesday scans over Tana's face, "No, you are not hurting me."

"So... you want me to stay?"

"Yes," the Addams girl answers. Tana smiles and leans down.

"Is... is this okay?" the redhead lies down on top of Wednesday completely, placing her head in the crook of Wednesday's neck. The Addams girl cannot contain herself as her stomach flutters and her face blushes under all the makeup. The feeling is something undescribable for Wednesday. There's pressure from Tana's body lying on top of her, but she likes it.

"Yes. It's perfect."

Chapter Text

Wednesday and Tana wait in the terminal for their flight out to San Francisco. Lurch dropped them off at the airport and everything went smoothly, except for security. Nobody thought to explain to Wednesday that weapons are not allowed in carry-on bags. Lurch had to come back and take all of Wednesday's pocket weaponry, she couldn't allow the idiotic airport workers to confiscate her expensive weaponry.

"Have you ever been on a plane?" Tana asks.

"No. You have, I'm assuming?" Wednesday asks. The redhead nods. She remembers flying on a plane alone to mainland America. She sat alone in her row because the normies did not want to sit next to an outcast.

"Yeah, only once though, after leaving Alaska," Tana explains.

"Would you ever like to go back?"

"To Alaska?" she asks. Wednesday nods, "I don't know. There's nothing left for me there."

"I understand. If you ever wish to go, I would accompany you," Wednesday states. She knows that Alaska and everything in the past is a sensitive subject, but maybe Wednesday could replace the negative thoughts of Alaska with positive ones. She would also love to meet the people who caused Tana so much pain. She would just like to have a little... chat with them.

"Now loading Flight 8647 to San Francisco. We'll start boarding first-class passengers now," the attendant at the front of their zone calls. Wednesday stands up.

"We're flying first-class?" Tana questions with wide eyes.

"Of course. I won't be caught stuck next to some idiotic normies for the next six hours," she answers. Tana stands up and follows Wednesday to the front of the line. The attendant scans their boarding passes and they head down the air bridge. Wednesday touches the outside of the plane before stepping inside.

"Why'd you touch the outside?" Tana asks as they sit down in their seats.

"It's for good luck. The Internet says most passengers touch the outside as a way of thanking the plane for getting them to their destination safely," the Addams girl explains. Tana smiles.

"I didn't know you were superstitious," she comments.

"I'm not but if it is a ritual that will keep this plane from crashing while you are a passenger in it, I will partake," Wednesday explains. The redhead's hair begins smoking and Tana is quick to put it out.

"Okay, this is gonna sound weird, but I'm going to need you to not say anything like that for the next six hours," Tana says as more passengers board the plane. Wednesday bought out the seat next to them so they wouldn't have a random normie sitting with them.

"I don't understand."

"I need to keep my hair under control and you are saying things that make me... blush," Tana tries to explain.

"I am doing that?" Wednesday questions.

"Well, yeah. You are making me feel happy and that's good, but it's cute and it makes my hair smoke," she adds.

"Noted. I will refrain from saying anything that shall make you feel happy," the Addams girl states. There's a pause before Wednesday looks at Tana, "Dead puppies."

"Wednesday!" Tana can't help but laugh at Wednesday's attempts to keep her from feeling happy. Dead puppies will do it, but the seriousness makes Tana smile.

"Did it work?" she asks in all seriousness. The redhead can't hold back her giggles and the flight attendant in front of them notices. She gives Tana a loving smile.

"You two are awfully young to be flying by yourselves aren't you?" she asks. Wednesday doesn't know how to engage in the conversation so she looks over at Tana.

"Yeah, I guess," Tana answers, "We're visiting a friend."

"You guys go to Nevermore?" the flight attendant asks. Tana's smile drops and she turns to Wednesday.

"Who wants to know?" Wednesday glares.

"Nobody in particular," the flight attendant answers. She brings her hand up and shows her claws, letting the two know she is also an outcast, "I used to go there."

Tana and Wednesday both relax. After the abrupt ending of the semester, they don't want anyone to know who they are. Most people can tell they are outcasts, but they don't need to know that they go to Nevermore specifically. After this semester, they are sure that they won't be having any more normie teachers.

"Oh," Tana says, "We didn't mean to come off rude. There was just a... situation that happened at the end of the semester."

"I know," she answers, "I keep up with Nevermore news. If you two need anything, let me know. I'll be your girl."

"Thank you," the redhead smiles. She walks down the aisle as they begin to prepare to take off. Wednesday listens intently to all of the instructions the flight attendants present. Most normal people just put their headphones in and ignore the safety instructions. After the instructions have been presented, the plane gets ready to go down the runway.

Wednesday isn't nervous about being on the plane at all. Even though she's never been on one, she doesn't think anything of it when the giant metal contraption takes off at ramming speeds. She doesn't even blink when it lifts off the ground and they are suddenly in the air. Tana gets a little nervous because she doesn't like the feeling of going up. Wednesday notices the redhead's nervousness and grabs her right hand.

She doesn't say anything because she doesn't want Tana's hair to start smoking. She just stares straight ahead as the plane continues through the clouds. Tana relaxes a little bit as the plane levels out. She then takes out her new phone and puts on a movie.

"Do you wanna watch?" she turns to Wednesday with an earbud in her hand. The Addams girl takes the earbud and puts it in her left ear. Of course, Tana knows that Wednesday wouldn't care to watch anything other than horror, so she plays Insidious. Although, for Tana, Wednesday would watch anything.

As time passes on the long flight, the movie ends, and Tana ends up falling asleep. Wednesday notices and carefully pulls the earbud out of Tana's ear. She then grabs the girl's phone and turns it off. She runs her hand across Tana's forehead to make sure she won't overheat. Although she says she's in full control of her powers, she can still overheat pretty easily.

When she touches the redhead's forehead, her head snaps back in a vision. She sees Tana in her room at home, in her bed. She also sees a calendar and... a crying baby? A baby with flames for hair.

When she comes back to reality she is left confused. The flight attendant must have seen her have the vision because she asks, "Are you a seer?"

"I am," Wednesday answers.

"What did you see?" she asks quietly, so as to not disturb Tana. Wednesday is hesitant to answer, "I'm sorry, I should mind my own business. Is there anything I can get for you to drink?"

"Water please, for her," Wednesday answers, looking over at her girlfriend. Wednesday holds her hand and lets Tana's head rest on her shoulder. The flight attendant pulls two water bottles out of her beverage cart, "Thank you."

"Of course, let me know if there's anything I can do to make your flight more pleasurable," she smiles. She continues down the aisle and helps other passengers. Wednesday puts the water bottles in the seat next to her and goes back to staring straight ahead of her.

After another hour passes, Wednesday pulls their intertwined hands into her lap. Her arm is hurting slightly on the armrest. When she pulls Tana's arm over, her forearm becomes exposed and Wednesday gazes down on her now-healed burns. Wednesday furrows her eyebrows, remembering the night that Tana came to her for help.

Wednesday suddenly has the uncontrollable urge to touch Tana's arm. Her right arm reaches down and lightly grazes the healed skin. Her head shoots back and she's sent into another vision.

It's the night Tana hurt herself. Wednesday watches as the redhead sits on her bed back in Rosaline Hall. She's wearing long sleeves and is staring down at her arms. Wednesday watches as she takes off her gloves and grabs her arm. She grunts in pain as her hand heats up. Smoke comes from her arm and the flesh sizzles away.

The girl winces and pulls her arm away to reveal the burns. She takes a couple of short breaths before repeating the process. Wednesday wants to stop this vision. She doesn't want to see Tana hurt herself. Why is her mind showing her this?

Just before Wednesday closes her eyes, an apparition comes out from the bathroom. It makes no eye contact with Wednesday or with Tana. In fact, Tana doesn't even acknowledge it. The apparition goes to the redhead and places its hand on the small of her back. Tana unknowingly stands up and lets the apparition guide her out of her dorm with tears streaming down her face. Wednesday follows behind, confused once again.

The apparition guides Tana all the way to Wednesday's dorm. Then, just as she remembers it, Tana goes into her dorm room for help.

Wednesday finally wakes from her vision. She hasn't had visions since leaving Nevermore and she didn't question it because if a vision were to occur, it would have happened for a reason. So why now? Tana has spurred two visions in the last three hours. And who was the apparition? Why did it guide her to Wednesday? Why Wednesday out of all people?

Chapter Text

Enid, Bianca, Yoko, and Divina wait at the airport for Tana and Wednesday. Enid is anxious to see the two girls again. She misses her friends. Her home life has gotten a little better since she finally wolfed out, but her mother is still her mother. Her personality hasn't changed and now she criticizes Enid for wanting to court outside of her species.

"There they are!" Yoko comments. She points to the two girls who are wearing their signature colors. Tana spots the girls and gives them a wave. Enid squeals excitedly and runs over to them.

"Okay, I know you're not a hugger," Enid points to Wednesday before turning to Tana, "but can I give you a hug?"

The redhead nods and opens her arm for her werewolf friend. Yoko, Davina, and Bianca walk over to catch up with them.

"I'm glad you're here, Wednesday. It's good to see you," Enid says.

"How are you?" Wednesday asks. Enid gives a light smile.

"I'm good," she answers. She stands back and lets the other girls greet each them. Tana and Wednesday aren't as close with the other three, but maybe this trip will change that, "Yoko, Divina, Bianca, good to see you."

"Wow, Wednesday Addams being friendly?" Bianca jokes.

"I know, right?" Yoko agrees.

"I believe I can still make the next flight back to New Jersey," the Addams girl sighs. Tana prevents her from turning around.

"Guys," Enid whines, "Be nice."

"We're just not used to it," Divina comments, "How is your summer break going?"

"Good," Wednesday answers, "You as well?"

She nods, "Although being stuck back home with Kent is making me lose brain cells."

The other girls laugh and Enid asks, "Should we get going? I can't wait to show you my house!"

As they leave the airport, Wednesday wheels both her and Tana's suitcases out. They get into an Uber and begin their drive to Enid's house.

"So, tonight we could go to the beach and there's usually campfire spots," Enid suggests, "How does that sound for everyone?"

"Good," Yoko and Divina answer. Bianca nods in agreement.

"That's good, I just have a question," Tana says in the van. She looks at the Uber driver before whispering, "Are the normies nice here?"

Enid nods, "Yeah, don't worry about that. Everyone's really progressive here."

"Okay, good," she answers, "I've never been to the beach before."

"Wait, really?" Yoko asks.

"Yeah."

"She's from Alaska, remember?" Enid points out.

"Oh, yeah. I kind of forgot about that," Divina laughs.

"We can go after I give you guys the tour," the blonde says. She turns to Tana and Wednesday who sit next to each other in the back, "I'm gonna say sorry in advance about my mom. She's a little... judgemental."

"A little is an understatement," Bianca mutters.

"Your mother will not deter me, Enid," Wednesday states, "I enjoy criticism, especially when I can counter it."

"Okay, but let's maybe not get into a fight with my mother," the werewolf suggests.

"Yeah, we're gonna be here for four days with her," Tana points out.

"I won't physically harm her," Wednesday states, "Maybe I'll just inflict the same emotional damage she gives you."

Yoko and Divina burst out into laughter. Bianca looks at Enid who just sighs. The Uber driver pulls into Enid's driveway. Her house is storybook-styled and perfectly reflects her family's pack. Wednesday gets their luggage from the back and rolls it into the house. Enid's brothers are all in the living room, wrestling like always.

"Ignore them," Enid states, "We're going up to my room first."

The girls all follow the werewolf up the first flight of stairs. The second floor of the house is where her brothers' and her parent's rooms are. A third flight of stairs takes the girls up to a loft that is all Enid's space.

"This is the loft," Enid says. It is decorated just like Wednesday imagined, which was similar to her room at Nevermore. There are stuffed animals everywhere, vinyl records hung on the walls, and a giant pink beanbag, "and this is my room."

Her room is a carbon copy of what it looks like at Nevermore from the lights to the pastel-colored curtains. The room isn't as big as her dorm room in Nevermore, obviously, but it's enough room for most of her stuffed animals. Wednesday winces at the amount of color in her room. Tana grins at her girlfriend.

"You can leave your suitcases in here and then we can leave, Wednesday," Enid comments, knowing the color is overwhelming for her. Wednesday lets go of the suitcases and immediately pushes through the girls to get out of the room, "This is the guest room. I'll leave you guys to figure out who's staying where."

"We might have to stay in here or Wednesday will asphyxiate in her sleep," Tana grins.

"I wouldn't mind that," Wednesday replies without missing a beat. Yoko and Davina once again laugh.

"Wednesday!" Enid scolds.

"God, I missed this," Bianca smiles.

"Anyways..." the blonde leads her friends down the stairs to the second floor, "My brother's rooms are down here. And my parents. Nothing too exciting."

They continue back down to the ground floor, "Here's the living room."

One of her brothers crashes through the coffee table.

"Seriously?!" Enid exclaims. The two brothers look up to find their sister glaring at them, "Take it outside."

"What's going on?" a female voice asks.

"They broke the coffee table... again," she answers. Enid's mother, Esther, comes from another room. She's smiling.

"Oh, don't worry about that, they're just having fun," she smiles. The two boys continue wrestling on top of what was once a standing coffee table.

"Mom, that's the fifth coffee table they've broken. This month."

Esther smiles as she watches the boys wrestle. It's clear to Wednesday who is favored in this household. It sickens her.

"More friends?" she finally acknowledges someone other than her idiotic sons.

"Yes," Enid turns to Wednesday and Tana, "This is my old roommate, Wednesday. And our friend, Tana."

Esther doesn't hide the fact that she's looking both girls up and down.

"My, what fun colors you have on," she comments. Enid rolls her eyes.

"Better than the color that your head wears," Wednesday retorts, talking about her grey hair. Esther furrows her eyebrows and everyone stays silent, waiting to see what she'll say.

"Well... it's nice to meet you," she strains to say.

"Nice to meet you too," Tana says softly. Esther smiles and walks toward the stairs. The girls stay silent until they see her disappear on the second floor.

"Damn, Wednesday, really had to roast her hair?" Yoko jokes. Wednesday furrows her eyebrows.

"I did not set her hair on fire."

Bianca slaps her forehead and Divina sighs.

"No, she means like, how you insulted her hair," Tana explains.

"Oh," Wednesday answers, "I was simply making an observation."

"Okay!" Enid says, "Let's continue."

She leads them into the kitchen.

"This is the kitchen, obviously," Enid says, "You can help yourself to anything here. We do eat a lot of meat. Chicken, mostly, but we do have beef, lamb, fish, and other food obviously."

"Can I ask you a question?" Tana asks Yoko.

"Of course."

"Do you have like... spare blood you brought with you?" she inquires, "I'm sorry if that's offensive, I'm just genuinely curious."

"I did bring extra blood, but there's also places I can get it at here," Yoko answers, "Like Enid said, San Francisco is very progressive."

Tana nods and looks toward Enid, "That's pretty much the whole house, besides the bathrooms, but you'll look at those when you have to pee. Should we get ready to go to the beach?"

"Yes!" Bianca cheers.

"Get ready?" Wednesday questions.

"Well, do you want to change shoes or clothes? It's too cold to swim, but we can walk along the water," Enid explains.

"I suppose I should put on better attire to be outside," Wednesday sighs. Tana smiles and the girls head back up to the loft to get ready for their evening. 

Chapter Text

Yoko, Divina, Bianca, and Enid wait in the living room area of the loft for Tana and Wednesday. The four girls have already been accustomed to San Francisco's fall weather. Enid wears a pink skirt with a white frilly long-sleeve blouse. Yoko has black skinny jeans on with a black and red sweater on top. Bianca wears green cargo pants with a pink zip-up hoodie. Divina just wears jeans and a hoodie with a puffer vest over it.

Tana comes out of the bathroom. She wears white sweatpants and a white crewneck sweatshirt with the Adidas logo on it.

"Ooo, I love that sweater!" Enid smiles.

"Thanks. It... it used to be my Dad's," Tana explains.

"It's cute," Bianca smiles, "Was he tall? It's giant on you."

"Yeah, he was 6'4". I didn't get his height, obviously," The redhead smiles. It's been so long since she's thought about her parents. It sounds horrible to say, but Tana didn't want to think about them after what happened. It was easy to do since she was thrown into the whole new environment that is Nevermore Academy. Then, the fire and the falling out with Enid sent her into isolation much like she felt before. She had no idea that her life would turn around when the new girl and a monster would come to town.

"Dang!" Divina comments.

"Well, at least you're taller than Wednesday," Bianca jokes. The girl comes out of the guest bedroom in a black turtleneck shirt and black pants. Nobody is surprised or really sure that Wednesday had changed at all.

"I do not being smaller in stature, contrary to popular belief," Wednesday joins right in on their conversation, "Being smaller makes me more agile."

"Okay, Addams," Bianca laughs.

"I was also thinking, we could grill at the fire pits?" Enid asks, changing the subject.

"That sounds fun!" Yoko smiles.

"Cool, we can pack the stuff up and head to the beach," The werewolf leads the girls back downstairs to the kitchen, "What is everyone feeling? We have steak, chicken, pork, whatever you want really."

"I could go for a steak," Yoko tilts her head to the side, "Rare, of course."

"Steak sounds good," Divina agrees. Bianca nods.

"Enid," Wednesday says. The werewolf turns from her freezer to face Wednesday, "Since you are hosting, I would like to request that I prepare the meal?"

"Oh, hell no! You're gonna poison us!" Bianca immediately objects.

"Bianca!" Enid whines.

"What? I'm sorry but you want a girl who likes all things death to prepare a meal for us?" The siren asks.

"She's never poisoned me," Tana points out.

"Well, that's because——"

"If I wanted to kill you, it would've been done already, Barclay," Wednesday cuts Enid off before she says something she shouldn't, "And I wouldn't do it by poisoning you. Far too passive for me."

The girls fall silent. Divina sighs, "Well, that's relieving to know."

"You promise you're not gonna kill us? Or drug us?" Enid asks.

"I swear. On my late scorpion's soul," Wednesday looks up briefly. Enid looks over to Bianca, who was the one to object in the first place.

"Fine," She gives in. Enid smiles and claps her hands excitedly.

"I'll pack up the steaks," She says.

"Can I take a look at your spice selection?" Wednesday inquires. Enid nods and shows her the spice cabinet. Wednesday begins to lift up little containers and examine them closely. The werewolf works on packing up the frozen steaks in a cooler while Wednesday pulls out a plethora of different spices. Enid then grabs some sauces from their fridge before putting them in the cooler.

The girls then leave the house to head to the beach, which is a short walk away from the house.

"Wow," Tana comments when they step onto the sand.

"What do you think?" Enid asks excitedly.

"It's amazing," the redhead says.

"Are there sharks?" Wednesday asks.

"Not this close to shore. It's rare," the werewolf answers.

"Well, that's a disappointment," Wednesday says as she walks through the sand. The others follow her with confused expressions. All of them other than Tana, of course. Enid takes the girls to a fire pit with a grill sitting over it. Bianca, Divina, and Yoko grab some extra chairs for them.

"Do you wanna walk down to the water?" Enid asks Wednesday and Tana.

"Sure," Tana smiles.

"First, you need to apply SPF 50. Redheads are very susceptible to burning and I will not let you develop melanoma on my watch," Wednesday states.

"We aren't going swimming though," Divina states confused.

"She could still sunburn her face," Wednesday points out.

Tana laughs, "Okay, Wednesday."

Wednesday pulls sunscreen out of her backpack and hands it to Tana. She begins to rub some on her face. Divina and Yoko take off for the water, leaving Bianca, Enid, Wednesday, and Tana behind.

Tana approaches Wednesday with a small handful of sunscreen, "What are you doing?"

"If I can't get melanoma, then neither can you," Tana smiles. Wednesday huffs, but it's different than her normal huff. It's almost playful and anyone would know that kind of huff is reserved only for Tana.

"No sharks and no melanoma? I'm starting to question why I came on this trip," Wednesday huffs with her eyes closed and arms crossed as Tana gently rubs the sunscreen in. Although secretly, she loves the feeling of Tana's hands on her bare skin.

"Maybe a lobster will grab your foot," Bianca jokes. Enid and Tana laugh along with the siren.

"Okay, we're ready," Tana states. The group begins to walk through the sand down to the water. Yoko and Divina stand in the cold water as it rushes up over their ankles.

"And look at this shell!" Divina excitedly picks up another one. Yoko smiles as her girlfriend gives her the shell. Her right hand is already full of shells Divina has found.

"What are you doing?" Enid asks. Bianca sighs.

"She's collecting shells," the siren answers. Divina looks back with a playful scowl.

"I need them!" She exclaims. The other girls laugh at her. Tana stands at the edge, where the sand is still dry but the water inches up slowly. Wednesday notices the girl's hesitation, as Wednesday is already standing in the cold ocean water. She likes the shocking cold of the water.

"Are you afraid?" Wednesday asks quietly. Enid and the others are cracking jokes at Divina and her shell-collecting.

"I don't wanna get too cold," Tana explains. Wednesday nods.

"Come in now and we can leave whenever you are ready," She instructs. She holds her hand out for the redhead. Tana takes a deep breath and steps into the water. Her hair instantly dulls slightly. She squeezes Wednesday's hand from how cold the water is. Tana looks up at the waves.

"I wish I could swim," She comments.

"I can teach you," Wednesday states.

"You can swim?"

"Yes, I prefer the act of drowning better, but I can swim," Wednesday answers. Tana looks down and bends down to pick up a small conch.

"This is cool," She gives the shell to Wednesday. The girl slips the shell into her pocket, "Wait, shouldn't we put that back? It's not ours."

"The shells belong to nobody. As long as there is no life inside of it, you can take all the shells you want," Wednesday says, "Look at the siren. She's got a plethora of them."

Tana looks over at Divina who digs through the sand, "I guess that's true."

"Do you not want this one? I can put it back if you don't want it."

"No! No, I wanna keep it," Tana objects.

"Let's go catch up with the others. I'm sure there are more over there," Wednesday suggests. The two walk over hand in hand. Tana looks down at Bianca and Divina's scaled feet.

"Woah," she comments.

"Oh, yeah," Bianca smiles, "Since we aren't in the water fully, we just get little scales like this."

Divina grins and splashes up water at Bianca's exposed arm. The patch of skin where the water hits her arm turns into scales.

"D! Not funny!" Bianca exclaims. Yoko kicks water at Divina's face and her exposed neck turns into scales.

"Payback's a bitch, sweetheart," The vampire grins. Tana reaches down and finds a piece of dead coral.

"Hey, look at this!" She exclaims excitedly.

"Hydrocoral," Wednesday comments, "Very common in San Francisco."

"Does this have life on it?"

"No, it's dead. It must have broken off from the reef and washed ashore," Bianca explains. Without hesitation, Wednesday thrusts her hand out to Tana. The redhead plops the piece of coral into her girlfriend's hand.

"Oh, no, Divina's rubbed off on Tana," Enid jokes. The girls laugh and Tana shivers.

"Time to go up?" Wednesday suggests.

"Wait, can I look for more?" The redhead asks.

"Of course. I'm going to take these up to the fire pit," The Addams girl states.

"Will you take these too?" Yoko asks with a handful of shells and coral pieces. Wednesday sighs but reluctantly agrees.

"So, how's living with Wednesday?" Bianca asks immediately when the Addams girl heads up to the fire pit.

"It's good. Her family is really nice," Tana smiles.

"That's surprising," Yoko comments.

"They're not as... morbid as you think," The redhead counters. Bianca grins slyly but nods. Wednesday heads back down to the water as Tana continues to collect more shells and things.

"Hey, Tana! I think you'll like this one," Divina calls. Tana jogs over to the siren as she holds up a piece of coral, "It's a fire coral. Isn't it cool?"

Divina gives her the coral, "Yeah, it is. Thank you!"

"Tana!" Wednesday calls. She holds out a blanket, ready to wrap Tana up. The redhead walks over to her and is buried in the white fabric. Tana didn't even realize Wednesday had packed it.

"What's this for?" Tana asks with a small smile.

"To warm you up faster," The girl answers as if it's obvious. The smile on Tana's face grows, "I'm going to begin preparing dinner."

"Okay, we'll come up there in a few minutes," Yoko calls. Wednesday and Tana walk up the beach to the fire pit. Since it's still warm outside with the sun, it doesn't take long for Tana's hair to brighten, signaling she's back to her normal temperature. She takes it off and folds it up before sitting in one of the beach chairs to watch Wednesday begin cooking.