Back at Nevermore, Enid lay sprawled on her bed, staring up at the ceiling as if it might offer answers.
Tomorrow was Raven.
And Ethan was still in a cell—or at least, that's what her mind kept insisting. The point was, he wasn't here. Which meant her carefully imagined Raven plans were quietly collapsing.
She sighed and rolled onto her side, hugging a pillow.
'So… who was she supposed to go with?'
The thought of asking someone else made her stomach twist. She didn't have the energy. Or the mood.
Her thoughts drifted, reluctantly but inevitably, to Wednesday.
Going with Wednesday would be… weird. Very weird. No dancing. No smiling photos. Probably a lot of judging stares and morbid commentary.
But also—
Better than going alone.
Enid groaned softly and buried her face in the pillow.
Okay, she told herself. Worst case, we stand in a corner together and silently hate everyone.
'Honestly? That didn't sound that terrible.'
Decision half-made, Enid rolled onto her back again, staring at the ceiling.
She finally sat up, turning her head toward Wednesday.
Wednesday was seated at her desk, flipping through a stack of photos with focused precision, her attention entirely on whatever mystery currently occupied her mind.
Without looking up, Wednesday spoke.
"What."
Enid hesitated, shifting on the bed. "So… uh…"
Wednesday turned a page. "Spit it out."
Enid took a breath, bracing herself.
"Would you mind going to Raven with me?" Enid asked.
Wednesday turned slowly, deliberately, as if each degree of movement were a judgment.
"Aren't you going with Ethan?" she asked.
Enid scoffed. "Are you serious? You know what situation he's in."
Wednesday's gaze narrowed slightly. "He said he'd return today."
"But he didn't," Enid said, quieter now. "And I don't want to go alone."
Silence.
Wednesday looked at her for a long moment—not sympathetically, not warmly, but with the detached consideration she usually reserved for puzzles and corpses.
"Raven is pointless," Wednesday said at last. "It's loud, crowded, and built on forced social performance."
Enid's shoulders drooped. "So… no?"
Wednesday flipped one last photo, stacked the pile neatly, and finally stood.
"I didn't say no," she said. "I said it's unpleasant."
She met Enid's eyes again. "If the alternative is you spiraling for the next twenty-four hours, I suppose Raven is the lesser evil."
Enid blinked. Then smiled. "So that's a yes?"
"Don't read into it," Wednesday said coolly. "I'm only doing this because I don't want you moping around the room and disturbing my investigation."
That was all the permission Enid needed.
She jumped off the bed and wrapped her arms around Wednesday, hugging her tightly where she sat.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you," Enid said, voice bright and breathless.
Wednesday stiffened immediately. "You have five seconds."
Enid pulled back just enough to grin at her. She didn't miss the point—Wednesday hated crowds, hated dances, hated everything Raven represented.
And yet she was going anyway.
For her.
That mattered.
Enid smiled softly, a little more restrained this time. Whatever Wednesday wanted to call it—efficiency, damage control, inconvenience—Enid knew better.
In Wednesday's own way, this was friendship.
"So you're not going with me?" a voice said lightly. "I'm hurt."
Enid froze. "Okay… am I the only one hearing that?"
"No," Wednesday replied calmly. "It's coming from the balcony."
Enid crossed the room and pushed open the large circular window.
Ethan stood on the stone balcony, one hand resting against the cold stone.
"So," he said lightly, "I take it you aren't going with me."
Before Wednesday could respond, Enid rushed forward and wrapped her arms around him.
"Wow—you're real," Enid said, pulling back just enough to look at him. "You're released."
"Yes," Ethan replied calmly. "Didn't I say the charges were useless from the start?"
Enid let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "I was so worried."
Wednesday watched the exchange in silence, her expression unreadable.
"Now that I'm released," Ethan said lightly, "let's go Raven shopping."
"Since you've secured your Raven date," Wednesday replied, already reaching for her notebook, "I'll continue my investigation."
Ethan looked at her for a beat, then smiled. He leaned in and murmured something to Enid.
Enid's eyes flicked to Wednesday. She nodded once.
They both turned to face her.
"I don't like the way you're looking at me," Wednesday said.
That was all the warning she got.
Ethan took one arm. Enid took the other.
"You're coming with us," Ethan said. "You need something appropriate to wear."
"Yes," Enid added, tugging gently. "We're doing friend shopping. It's happening."
Wednesday stared at them, unimpressed. "This is coercion."
"Temporary," Ethan said.
"And necessary," Enid chimed in.
Like that, Wednesday was dragged along between Ethan and Enid. She definitely didn't look pleased—but she also wasn't given a chance to protest. They moved too quickly, too decisively, as if they'd anticipated every possible objection.
As they reached the corridor, Ethan glanced back. Thing had just emerged from the shadows, fingers flexing inquisitively.
"Thing," Ethan said, over his shoulder, "follow us."
Thing paused, then gave a quick affirmative gesture before scuttling after them.
*****
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