Compass | Xavier & Wednesday

Chapter Six - Stalker

Silence fills the room.

Immediate regrets rushes through Wednesday.

Xavier's staring at her as if she's suddenly grown a second head. At this point she feels as if she might've.

"What?" Xavier said, although he most definitely heard her.

"I- I'm" she starts, faltering under his gaze. She glances back at the art of the Hyde scattered around the room. The memory of him in the cell due to her mistakes flashes in her mind.

"I'm sorry." Wednesday repeats finally meeting Xavier's eyes.

"You're sorry for what," he asks. Wednesday wished he would yell or get mad. That would be so much easier.

Instead he's looking at her with so much softness and patience she thinks she may die. It's disgusting.

Anyone else would never even get close to an apology for her. She reminds herself owes Xavier nothing further yet she continues.

"For last year. I'm sorry for last year." Wednesday feels trapped by her own words. She's only despised herself this much twice before, when she failed to get the piranhas to consume the vile boy and when Bianca beat her. 

The day Xavier had saved her.

The boy says nothing, waiting for her to continue.

This is torture. I shouldn't have even come, Wednesday thinks to herself, wanting nothing more but to turn around and make a run for the doors.

Yet something in Xavier's eyes makes her stay, the way he makes her feel so seen, so vulnerable makes her speak.

"For accusing you, for not trusting you. For getting you arrested. I fear my investigation led me astray."

Xavier steps closer, "but why. Why me. I was nothing but kind to you."

Again, she itches to run.

"I thought of you often."

Xavier's eyebrows raise and an expression flashes across his face that Wednesday again can't quite name.

She was beginning to get irritated at his silence. "The monster consumed my every waking moment as well, so it only made sense. I am not always a fool."

A soft smile spreads across his face. She feels the ridiculous urge to return one, and is immediately horrified. What has happened to her?

"Thank you for your apology Wednesday. It means a lot." Xavier says, reaching out and softly touching her arm.

She doesn't move away. If anything, every molecule and fiber of her body seem to be fighting to get closer.

"We will never speak of this." Wednesday adds, with a threatening stare for good measure.

He laughs, "I wouldn't dream of it."

She nods, as he's about to say something else. Her phone goes off.

They both stop, confused as to why anyone other than Xavier himself would be texting Wednesday Addams.

"Who's that?" He asks his jaw clenching, "I didn't realize you gave anyone else your number."

She wordlessly pulls out her phone.

The stalker.

She's quite nearly forgotten due to her recent stomach illness.

It was photos of her and Xavier.

From him helping with her bags until right now. At least ten of them. Some close up as if they were right outside.

She races to the window, unable to see anything through there, she yanks open the door running outside.

There's no one.

"Wednesday what is going on?" Xavier calls, following after her. "You can't just run out again."

Wednesday turns back to him, "who did you tell you got me a phone."

"No one. Wednesday I don't understand. Are you okay?"

She could shut him out. She could lie and say it's nothing, or even begin to believe it's him. Who else even knew she had a phone?

But look how that ended up last time.

"The day I left Nevermore I received a text message. One I had believed to be from you, but it turns out someone had been watching me. They sent me a photo of us. You giving me my phone, and then a photo of me and Tyler. Just now they sent an impressive amount of photos of us in from the past day. So please, who has my number Xavier."

The boys face changes from frustrated to concerned with the blink of an eye. His hand going to rest on Wednesdays arm yet again.

"No one I swear to you Wednesday, someone could've gone in my room and gotten it though." He hesitates and then adds, "let me help this time. Please."

Something in the look he is giving her makes it impossible for her to say no. She whispers a barely audible "okay" and let's him lead her back inside the shed.

He immediately covers the windows and turns back to her. "What's the photo of you and Tyler."

Even the mention of Tyler's name made Wednesdays heart sink. As much as she would like to deny what occurred had any profound impact, it's clear it did.

It takes her what feels like eternity to find the words to reply. "It's nothing special, it's us at the Weathervane when he was attempting to convince me that birthdays can bring any sort of joy." 

Despite her best efforts, her harsh words don't have their usual edge to them and Xavier catches that.

"I'm sorry I shouldn't have asked."

She shakes her head, "no. I find its likely rather important to the investigation. Besides I feel nothing for the monster asides from the deep rooted urge to make him scream for mercy."

Yet again, her words fall flat.

"We will figure this out okay? Im here if you need anything, you know that," Xavier attempts to reassure her.

He half expects her to shut him out, to leave the art shed and never return, but it seems Wednesday is full of surprises today. She whispers "thank you" so very quiet it's barely audible.

He goes to say something, goes to say a million things but stops. Instead he moves closer. His hand moving towards hers.

Wednesday freezes.

His hand stops, resting on top of hers.

For a minute neither of them move, Xavier not daring to speak a word.

Slowly Wednesday turns her hand, her palm up, fingers sliding between Xavier's.

He doesn't dare let go.

They stay like that for what seems like eternity, yet no time at all.

Eventually she gets up, saying she has to get to bed.

They make plans to meet up tomorrow, same time, same place.

It's becoming a routine for them.

Wednesday loves routines.