The Wolf and the Woe
Arc 1: Rise of the Hydra
Chapter 1: Color is the New Woe
"Sometimes I wonder what it would be like, dead. Well, I can. I'm sure I would enjoy it. Then again… someone wouldn't."
"Awwww. Since when did you become so sweet, Weds?" Enid teased, rubbing her head against Wednesday's shoulder.
Her colorful hair brushed against Wednesday's pale skin, leaving faint blotchy rashes.
"Keep it up and the only color will be black and white," Wednesday replied flatly.
"You say that, but you still let me kiss that allergic face of yours." Enid leaned in and planted a kiss.
Wednesday kissed back for a moment, leaning in—then tazed her.
"OWWW! That burnt through my clothes, you gothy gremlin!" Enid yelped, smacking at her sweater like she was on fire.
Without another word, Wednesday pulled her back in and kissed her again. They both fell onto the bed, Enid giggling.
Thing peeked up from the desk, giving them a proud little thumbs-up.
Time passed, light spilling into the room. Enid lay curled in Wednesday's arms, smiling.
The door creaked open. Isadora stepped inside, her eyes widening.
"Ladies…" she muttered.
Wednesday opened her eyes, glaring. "Kill me."
Meanwhile, in a dark alleyway, a man with a briefcase hurried forward.
The walls dripped with rot, graffiti scrawled in green: Beware the Hydra.
Every echo of his footsteps was matched by the pounding of his own heart.
"I told you already, Galpin! I'm being hunted! So get over here!" he shouted into the phone.
On the other end, Galpin sighed. "Listen, if she's actually out there, you're already dead. Just tell me you got the case, Daniel."
Before Daniel could answer, a cold, feminine voice slithered through the shadows.
"…Did you know snakes love to strangle before eating?"
Daniel's eyes widened. He bolted.
"And running," the voice hissed, echoing across the walls, "…only makes us more excited."
From the darkness, three heads lunged — a Hydra roaring as it sank its teeth into him. Bones cracked. Flesh shredded.
The briefcase clattered to the ground, picked up by unseen feet. A black Hydra card slipped from the figure's hands, resting on Daniel's lifeless body.
His insides were gone. Only hollow flesh remained.
The next day at Nevermore.
"So when did they become a couple?" Bianca asked, arms crossed.
"Ever since Enid dumped me," Ajax muttered.
Both of them watched as Wednesday and Enid entered the courtyard, holding hands.
"Hey Weds, can I please see your novel?!" Enid bounced excitedly.
"Thing. Remind me to strangle her later," Wednesday muttered, handing the book over.
Thing dramatically flexed his fingers in agreement.
Enid flipped through. "So gory… you really like horror."
"You like color. I like fear. Yet somehow, we work," Wednesday said as they walked together.
Meanwhile, at Willow Hill Hospital…
Dr. Fairburn stormed down the halls, Judy trailing behind.
"We must contain this," Fairburn snapped.
"It wasn't my fault, I swear," Judy stammered.
"At this point, I don't care. Do you have any idea what was released? A Hyde we can handle. But a Hydra? Why did you even let her out of her cell?"
Judy stayed silent.
They entered a blood-soaked room. Guards lay torn open, organs and hearts ripped away.
The cell door nearby read: Drakos.
"If the public finds out, it'll be Tyler all over again," Fairburn muttered.
"Except this time…" Judy whispered, staring at the carnage, "…no one is safe."
On a jagged rock formation far outside the academy, snakes slithered.
A girl no older than sixteen stood tall, scales glinting across her arms.
"Tyler. Laurel. Crackstone…" she hissed. "None of them… were quite like me."
Her eyes drifted toward the castle-like silhouette of Nevermore.
"Outcasts… maybe I should stay a little longer. Eh, Wednesday?"
Later, 8:00 PM.
Wednesday and Enid sat in a café. Enid wore her rainbow sweater; Wednesday, her uniform, unchanged.
"Feels weird being in the café your ex worked at, huh?" Enid teased.
"Feels like fate. I like fate. Mainly when it involves a spear impaling someone," Wednesday replied.
"This is a date, not an execution," Enid said, sipping a neon-bright coffee.
Wednesday gagged.
"EWWWW!" Enid squealed, laughing.
"You read my mind," Wednesday said flatly.
"I mean, you are my girlfriend," Enid grinned.
"Say that out loud again and I'll strangle you," Wednesday warned.
Enid just chuckled, taking Wednesday's hand and pressing it to her neck.
Wednesday looked away.
"I love you, Weds," Enid said softly.
"Don't make me say it."
"I love you too, my colorful princess who I wish was in a body bag. That's what you would say."
"I hate feeling like a happy person," Wednesday muttered.
Enid kissed her cheek. "Then try being happy."
For once, Wednesday let the faintest smile slip. A second stretched into a lifetime—at least for Enid Sinclair.
Back at Nevermore, Principal Barry and Isadora argued in the office.
"Kissing in dorms is one thing. Sleeping together is another," Isadora sighed.
"Respectfully, none of this matters. If I stop Wednesday from having fun, she'll destroy my reputation by sabotaging every event," Barry said.
"Fine. But I won't stop complaining," Isadora huffed.
"Better to keep her happy… for now," Barry muttered.
Later that night, Enid and Wednesday cuddled in bed.
"I wanna die," Wednesday whispered.
"Not on my watch, kitten," Enid teased.
Wednesday gagged.
Enid rolled her eyes as her phone buzzed. A text from Ajax: You dumped me for the goth?
Enid typed back: At least I didn't cheat, so that's okay, right?
Ajax: Way to make me feel better. I loved you.
Enid sighed. I did too. Or at least I thought I did. I just wanted love. I pulled you in. I'm sorry.
Ajax: Enjoy your edgy time, I guess.
Enid chuckled, setting the phone aside.
"School is tomorrow," she muttered.
"Torture after torture. Lovely," Wednesday said.
Enid snuggled closer. "Cutie."
"Mutt," Wednesday replied.
They both giggled in the dark.