The storm from the night before had left the air damp and heavy. The sky above Nevermore was still a dull gray, as though the clouds refused to leave. The smell of wet soil clung to the courtyard, mixing with the nervous chatter of students.
Lila Marrow was still missing.
The news spread like wildfire, and with each retelling, the story grew darker. Some whispered she had been taken by a Hyde, others said the woods had swallowed her, and a few claimed it was a ghost. Every rumor fed the fear that curled through the school like smoke.
Wednesday Addams moved through the crowd with calm, even steps. Her expression was flat, unreadable. Where others showed worry, she carried nothing but silence. Her dark eyes studied the panic around her like a scientist observing rats in a maze.
Beside her, Enid fidgeted with the strap of her bag, her face pale. Her usual bright smile was nowhere to be seen.
"This is bad, Wednesday," she muttered, her voice shaking. "Really bad. Lila's still gone. What if she's—"
"Dead?" Wednesday finished smoothly, her tone calm, almost casual. "She is."
Enid froze, staring at her roommate. Her stomach dropped. "Don't say that! You don't know that—"
Wednesday finally turned to her. Her eyes were steady, her face calm, but her words cut like a knife. "The world is not a fairy tale, Enid. When someone disappears into the night, they don't return whole. If they return at all."
Enid hugged herself, rubbing her arms as though the air had suddenly grown cold. Fear and sadness twisted inside her chest. "You sound like you don't care."
Wednesday's lips curved, the faintest flicker of amusement. "On the contrary. I care deeply. Just not in the way you'd prefer."
Enid's throat tightened. She didn't know whether to argue or fall silent. In the end, she just shook her head, eyes clouded with unease.
In the Great Hall
The entire school had been gathered. The long tables were filled, but no one ate. The air was heavy, tense. Even the teachers shifted uncomfortably.
Dr. Helena Grieve stood at the front. Her posture was straight, her hands clasped neatly behind her back. She looked calm, but her dark eyes carried an edge of steel.
"Lila Marrow has not been found," she said firmly. Her voice carried through the hall, steady but cold. "The authorities are searching the surrounding forest. Until further notice, no student is to leave the grounds without supervision."
Whispers spread quickly, sharp with fear. Some students shook their heads, others leaned into their friends, eyes wide.
Bianca stood, her arms crossed tightly. Her voice was calm, but anger burned underneath. "And what if she's already dead? Are we supposed to just sit and wait while whoever did this chooses another victim?"
Gasps filled the hall. The fear grew louder.
Dr. Grieve's expression didn't falter, though her jaw tightened slightly. "Our priority is order. Panic will not help us."
Wednesday's voice cut through the noise, calm and sharp. "Perhaps the better question is: who benefits from her disappearance?"
The hall fell silent. All eyes turned toward her.
Her pale face was unreadable, but her dark gaze held a glimmer of something the others couldn't place. Curiosity? Amusement?
Dr. Grieve's tone was measured. "Do you have a theory, Miss Addams?"
Wednesday leaned back slightly, her voice flat but clear. "Not yet. But I will."
Students shifted uncomfortably, their unease deepening. Some looked to her with hope—she had solved things before. But others frowned, suspicious of how calm she seemed.
Enid's hands twisted together nervously under the table. She leaned closer, whispering with worry. "Why do you sound like you're enjoying this?"
Wednesday turned her head just slightly, her lips curving in a faint, almost secret smile. "Because nothing is more fascinating than a mystery I've already written."
Enid's chest tightened. The words made her blood run cold.
Afternoon – The Quad
Rain dripped from the eaves of the buildings. The grass was still damp, and the gray sky refused to clear.
Wednesday sat at a stone bench, notebook open in her lap. Her pale fingers moved steadily across the page, her expression calm, focused.
Xavier stormed toward her, his sketchbook clutched tightly. His face was flushed, his jaw tense. Anger burned in his eyes.
"Wednesday," he said sharply, his voice tight. "I know you. You've solved things like this before. But this time—" He broke off, struggling to steady his breathing. "This time you don't even look worried."
Wednesday didn't look up. Her voice was flat, almost dismissive. "Worry is wasted energy. It achieves nothing but wrinkles."
Xavier slammed his sketchbook shut, frustration spilling over. "Don't give me that! You act like this is a game. A girl is missing! Maybe worse." His voice cracked with anger and fear. "Why do you sound like you know something?"
Wednesday lifted her gaze slowly, her eyes dark and piercing. Her tone was calm, but sharper now. "Perhaps because I pay attention while others are too busy drowning in their emotions."
Xavier stepped closer, his voice rising. "No. It's more than that. You're… different this time. It's like you're—" He stopped, swallowing hard. "It's like you're hiding something."
Wednesday stood. She stepped close, so close he could feel the chill of her presence. Her voice dropped to a whisper, low and cutting. "Careful, Xavier. Accusations without proof are the quickest way to make yourself look weak."
Xavier's breath caught. He froze, his anger flickering into doubt. His mouth opened, but no words came. His grip on the sketchbook tightened until his knuckles went white.
Finally, he turned and stormed off, frustration radiating from him.
Wednesday watched him leave, her face calm. Her lips curved faintly. Almost like she was pleased.
Enid hurried over, her eyes wide with worry. "You didn't have to do that! He's scared, Wednesday. He's not thinking straight."
Wednesday's gaze flicked to her, her voice smooth. "Fear sharpens the mind. If he's frightened, he'll see the truth faster."
Enid stared at her, her stomach twisting. Her voice was small. "You talk like you're… controlling everyone."
Wednesday tilted her head, her faint smile returning. "Perhaps I am."
Enid's breath caught. Her chest tightened with unease. She wanted to argue, but the way Wednesday said it—so calm, so sure—made her skin crawl.
Night – Enid's Room
Rain tapped steadily against the window. The room was dim, shadows stretching long across the walls.
Enid sat curled on her bed, her arms wrapped around her knees. She stared at Wednesday, who sat at her typewriter once again, the clicking filling the silence like a heartbeat.
Enid's voice was soft, trembling slightly. "Why do you write things like that? Your stories… they're too close. It's almost like you know what's going to happen."
Wednesday didn't stop typing. Her voice was calm, smooth. "Because I do."
Enid's breath caught. Fear crawled up her spine. She hugged herself tighter, her voice breaking. "You're scaring me, Wednesday."
Finally, Wednesday stopped. The typewriter fell silent. She rose slowly, turning to face Enid.
Her pale face was calm, her eyes steady, glimmering with something unreadable. She stepped closer, her voice soft but sharp.
"Good. Fear means you're finally paying attention."
Enid's heart raced. Her hands trembled. She wanted to move, to run—but she couldn't.
Wednesday stopped just a step away. And for the first time that day, she smiled.
It was not the smile of a friend.
It was the smile of a predator.