Wednesday's Week

The Semester's Woe

I've only ever had nightmares. What's not to like about our biggest fears manifesting in our own conscious to plague us? When I was a child, they were so violant, I'd fight back in my sleep. But a trusted torture tie down cured me of that. Until today.

My eyes flew open to the scene that unfolded before me. I was in the tree outside of our home. The moon scowled down at me and various dark things lurked beneath. A delightful whisper crawled up my back. In my right hand, I clutched a knife backwards with the blade digging into my palm. I shifted it to my left hand curiously. How odd? What was I dreaming about?

"Wednesday, may I have my pillow back now?" Pugsly stood at the open window with a big yawn across his mouth.

I scowled, "What pillow?" But then of course I soon realized he meant the pillow I had viciously stabbed into the tree beside me. Feathers slowly sunk into the darkness, "You let me take this?"

"No, you ripped it out from under my head," he frowned as he realized it was not salvageable and turned back to his room. I crawled down from the tree and back into my room. I did not remember what I was dreaming about. How disappointing.
Well the day would be arriving soon. No point in chasing after nightmares. I lit the black candle beside my bed space and moved it to the desk. I slid away the needles and pulled the type writer close to me. My fingertips rested against the keys, but made no indent.

Before i could reprimand myself, the desk drawer was open and the little phone was in my hand. 30% battery. I hadn't charged it at all. Or used it. I opened the contacts. There were only three numbers. Enid, Xavier, and my stalker. I chose the latter. Still no new texts. Just the photos.

"I'm watching you," I read out loud again. How infuriating. I would watch them right back if I knew who it was. Coward.

I shoved the phone down on the hard wood and turned back to the type writer. I hadn't written anything on this extended break. The phone lit up.
Text from Xavier

I shoved it in the drawer and stood up. Maybe I should have just gone back to bed. The mirror across the room disclosed that i resembled a wild forest witch rather than a meticulous writer. Brushing it would hopefully be painful.

"You couldn't sleep either." A melodious voice belonging to my mother sounded at the door frame. Pugsly had already set off the trap arrow so mother did not have to avoid anything as she stepped into my room.

I cracked my neck, "On the contrary, I slept a whole two hours."

"Ive waited all break for you to come and talk to me about it all and now I am coming to you on the last weekend." She floated across the room and perched on the bed side. "Let's talk."

I grabbed the brush off of my nightstand, "Thus is beneath you. Don't play the part of the suburban mother now."

She threw her hands up,"Your father and I want you to forge your own path. However we don't want your path to be so secluded."

"Its part of having a completely unique path, mother. It can't cross over others," I sighed.

She laughed dryly, "That isn't your best take, Wednesday." She took the brush from my hands and set it down, letting her fingers weave through my jet black her to braid it down. "No one can be unique with no one else to stand out from."

Today I'd be dropped at the train station to go back to Nevermore. My parents had agreed to let me solo this trip and I wasn't going to mess that up by arguing with my mother. I simply sat there in silence until she left. Hopefully she would have enough conversation with the dead and father to leave me alone.

My bag was packed. Only the essentials. Clothes, a jar of spiders, a full dissecting kit, Goody Addams book of shadows, and Enid's snood. I had to bring it back or else she threatened a more colorful one. I shuddered at the idea and jumped on my suit case to lock it.

I dragged it down from my tower. My father was swinging his sword wildly as Pugsly tried to eat breakfast. "Where is Thing." I asked.

"Lazy old hand. He refuses to wake up before the sun." My father laughed. Thing had taken quite nicely to the vacation. He was happy to be home and I reassured him he could stay, but my parents refused. Too bad they didn't know he was my spy, not theirs.

A scuttling sounded from the hallway. Speak of the devil-

Thing came in, carrying my phone with it. I snatched it out of his grasp and threw it deep in my pocket before anyone else noticed. As far as my family is concerned, I still reject technology.

"The train leaves at seven and town is an hour away," their father reminded them. The Addams family mansion was far away from civilization. It was a haven of sinister darkness. The last solicitor they had lost a tongue.

A mourning tune eminated through the house walls. Lurch was playing the organ. "He is sad you are leaving," my mother exclaimed as she entered the room with a handful of dead roses.

"He always plays sad music," I rolled my eyes. She was in such a mood lately. She was the one obsessed with Nevermore. Secretly, i think she is jealous.
I grabbed a bubbling liquid from the table, smelled it, and then took a swig. Burning hot. "We had better get going."

By the time Lurch was done with his song and her bags in the car, the had barely an hour left before the train left. I pushed my family in the car and slammed the door shut. This time I sat in the front with Lurch and made Puglsy endure our parents over affection. I smoothed out my black leather pants and set my eyes on the road before us. Our spooky estate melted away to vibrant green fields and overall jolly life. I threw my sunglasses on before I puked. They dulled the setting.

The town closest to our home was not at all like Jericho. Jericho was clinging to an old antiqueness while this town embraced modern in a cheep and efficient way. No decor, just color. All signs trying to alert your attention. And the people all looked identical.

The train however would always be the same, no matter what town it stopped in. I lugged one of my bags onto the platform, Lurch had the other.

"Promise to keep us updated," my mother begged. "Especially if you have any visions."

"My little scorpion is going to have that school in the palm of her hands," my dad gushed. Pugsly simply nodded at me. We had been practicing his emotionless skills. I turned to face the oncoming train.

"Wednesday! A familiar voice called out. I turned from the train to see the last person I expected. Xavier.

I looked up at him in confusion. "What are you doing here?"

He tussled his brown long hair. It seemed to have grown a half inch longer. Xavier looked down at me expectantly, "What do you mean? Didn't you get my text?"

I turned away from him and my family and pulled the phone from my pocket. Text from Xavier.
"Guess what? My aunt lives in your home town. Your mom asked that you ride the train with me." Fury would not describe what I felt.

I moved past Xavier. "You have betrayed my trust." I pointed at my mother. "A babysitter? I already have Thing! I was stabbed and survived! I fought a zombie pilgrim! And you still go over my head like I am a child."And then I was on the train.

Xavier had pushed me. The doors closed. "If you ever lay hands on me like that again, I will kill you," I seethed.

He pursed his lips, "Cant we just ride on this train as friends. Consider this getting back at you for imprisoning me."