Chapter 1: The Empty Side of the Room
The iron gates of Nevermore Academy loomed before Wednesday Addams like a familiar nightmare welcoming, yet ominous. The crisp autumn air carried the scent of decaying leaves and distant thunderstorms, a perfume that suited her just fine. Her fingers tightened around the handle of her leather suitcase as she stepped forward, black lace shoes crunching against gravel.
The school buzzed with activity students reuniting after summer break, laughter bouncing off gothic arches but Wednesday paid them no mind. Her focus was singular: getting back to Ophelia Hall and reclaiming her side of their shared dormitory from whatever pastel horrors Enid Sinclair had inflicted upon it in her absence.
She climbed the spiral staircase methodically, each step echoing in time with an imagined dirge. At last, she reached 'their' room and turned the knob with practiced ease... only to freeze at the threshold.
Something was wrong.
Where there should have been blinding neon colors plastered over half the room (a crime against aesthetic decency), there stood only bare furniture a neatly made bed without its rainbow quilt and threadbare stuffed animals piled at its feet; a desk devoid of stickers or glitter pens; walls stripped clean except for faint outlines where posters once blazed their affront to minimalism.
Wednesday narrowed her eyes.
Her gaze swept toward what should’ve been Enid’s usual cacophony—the *absence* hummed louder than any noise ever could.
A slip of paper sat pinned under one claw mark on Enid’s desk when had that gotten there? Had that always existed?. She plucked it free between two fingers like handling evidence from a crime scene:
~Transfer Approved – Wolfcrest Preparatory Effective Immediately.~
Wolfcrest? A werewolf academy?
Wednesday's grip crumpled parchment edges before she forced stillness into herself again (this reaction was unplanned; this displeased her more than anticipated).
Then came Thing skittering up beside her leg urgently signing:
*Didn’t warn you because didn't know either.*
*She left fast.*
Something dark curled low in Wednesday's chest at those words anger? No… something worse: curiosity wrapped inside irritation wrapped inside… concern?. Disgusting.
Her head tilted slightly toward Thing as if considering interrogation tactics when
A knock rattled their door open further behind them revealing Principal Morticia Addams standing imposingly tall beneath frame shadows.
Wednesday sees her mother standing in the doorway looking at her waiting for her to speak.
"Wednesday dear, I see that you already know about Enid." She nods at the slip of paper clutched in the young Addams girl's cold hands.
"Mother, what are you still doing here?" Wednesday asked looking at her mother with coldness in her emotionless eyes.
"I'm Nevermore's new principal seems like we'll be in each other's presence more often. " Morticia says.
Wednesday rolls her eyes at the thought of her mother being Nevermore's new principal.
As Wednesday rolls her eyes, Morticia smiles at her daughter's familiar gesture. She takes a small step inside the room, her arms crossed elegantly in front of her chest.
"Now, I'm sure you have questions, Wednesday." She says, her voice as smooth and poised as always.
Wednesday's gaze flickers between her mother and the now empty side of the room. The absence of Enid's vibrant presence feels heavy in the air, and for some strange reason, it irritates her even more.
"Where is Enid, and tell me more about this werewolf academy"
Wednesday's voice cut through the air like a knife cold, precise, and demanding answers.
Morticia tilted her head slightly, unbothered by her daughter’s tone. "Wolfcrest Preparatory," she began smoothly, "is not a typical academy for lycanthropes. It specializes in… rehabilitation." The word curled darkly off her tongue as if tasting something unpleasant herself.
Wednesday did not blink. "Rehabilitation implies Enid required correction." Her fingers twitched at her sides a nearly imperceptible tell that Thing caught instantly from his perch on the desk (he tensed; this was dangerous territory).
"Her parents filed the transfer request," Morticia continued calmly, though something flickered behind her eyes was it pity? Disdain? "After last semester’s… incident with Tyler Galpin and Crackstone’s resurrection, they claimed Nevermore had 'compromised their daughter's primal development.' A disgrace to their lineage." She scoffed lightly at that last part (even Morticia found such archaic notions tedious).
A muscle tightened in Wednesday’s jaw (so this was punishment masquerading as education). Wolfcrest wasn't just any school; rumors painted it as a place where young werewolves were broken into compliance forced transformations under threat of silver cages until they could howl on command like good little pets for proud bloodlines who cared more about pedigree than personhood.
"And you allowed this?" Wednesday hissed quietly but venomously enough to make even Morticia pause briefly before replying:
"I have only just assumed my role here; the paperwork was finalized over summer break by Weems' interim replacement." A beat passed before she added carefully (testing waters), "But. If you believe an injustice has occurred..."
Thing scrambled up Wednesday’s sleeve then tapping rapidly against collarbone bone:
*Not gonna sit still for this are you?*
The corner of Wednesday’s mouth twitched (oh no no no) already turning toward door while snapping suitcase shut one-handed without looking down once because there would be packing done tonight but not books nor clothes oh nonono plans needed research required schematics drafted-
Because if Wolfcrest thought they could keep what belonged strictly speaking originally nowhere except right beside HER side room prison-cell pastel nightmare sunshine girl then let them try let them ALL TRY
“Where,” came out razor-sharp between teeth clenched too tight suddenly
Morticia watched her daughter's rapidfire motions with a strange mixture of resignation and pride. She recognized that determined gleam in Wednesday's eyes all too well.
As Wednesday slammed her suitcase shut, Morticia's voice cut through the room like a warning, "Wednesday. You intend to what? Storm the gates of Wolfcrest and liberate your erstwhile roommate? This is no simple rescue mission. I'm certain Enid's parents will raise objections as well."
Wednesday turns around "if Esther Sinclair has any objections with me saving Enid, I dare her to try to stop me" she spoke with fire and determination.
Morticia let out a soft laugh at her daughter's fierce resolve. "Ah, you truly have come to care for the insufferably cheerful girl, haven't you?" She said with a touch of affection in her voice.
Though, her expression quickly turned more serious. "However, this isn't just about Enid's parents. Wolfcrest isn't just a school, it's a deeply ingrained institution that's been around for centuries. They have their own rules, and their own methods of discipline. And they won't just let you take away one of their students without a fight."
Morticia was right and Wednesday knew it even though she didn't like when her mother was right. "Tell me mother did Enid go willingly to this werewolf rehabilitation academy?" She waits for Morticia to answer.
Morticia sighed, knowing that her daughter was not one to be easily dissuaded. "No, my dear. From what I've learned, Enid was initially reluctant to attend Wolfcrest. It was a decision forced upon her by her parents, who believed it was necessary for her to receive, as they put it, 'proper werewolf education.'"
She watched her daughter's face carefully, gauging her reaction.
"Esther never really cared about Enid, but thought she would be less strict now that Enid had finally wolfed out guess that woman has no heart"
Morticia nodded grimly, her expression hardening at the mention of Esther Sinclair. "Unfortunately, Esther has always cared more about maintaining appearances and preserving her bloodline's legacy. She never truly understood or valued the person Enid is."
Wednesday's fingers clenched into tight fists, her knuckles going white. The thought of Enid being subjected to whatever Wolfcrest had in store for her ignited a fierce protectiveness within her.
"Mother you will give me Wolfcrest's location now" Wednesday's voice was sharp.
Morticia studied her daughter's firm expression for a moment, recognizing the resolve in her eyes. "Very well, my dear. I'll provide you with the information you need."
She took a step closer, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper, "Wolfcrest Preparatory is located just outside of Jericho, a few miles east of the town limits. It's an isolated estate, surrounded by dense woods and fortified walls. Access is strictly controlled."
Wednesday immediately leaves the dorm room Thing scurried behind her. She needed to save Enid. Enid would do the same for her. She remembers how Enid had saved her life when Tyler tried to kill her. She had risked her own life for her.
"She saved my life. I have to return the favor," she thought to herself, her hand balling into a fist at her side.
The path ahead was uncertain and dangerous, but Wednesday was resolute in her mission to save her 'insufferably cheerful' former roommate.
