If I Could (a Wednesday Addams story)

Four

"If your hunch is right, Xavier, I'm not sure how likely it'd be that your father would hide evidence in plain sight." Wednesday said in a hushed tone, going ahead of Xavier through the dense forest, flashlight shining on the ground as they carefully stepped through the brush. 

"I wouldn't exactly call this plain sight." Xavier remarked back, gesturing to the closely dense trees surrounding them. 

"What I mean is that it's a well-know forest, versus a more obscure location, like an abandoned warehouse, a crypt, and so on." Wednesday explained, lifting a black combat boot so it wouldn't snap a twig that was on the ground, and turning a corner, as Xavier followed closely, while still giving her some space. 

"Well, I'm glad it's not a crypt. I know I overheard him mention this area though." Xavier said, not elaborating on the why he was relieved it wasn't a crypt.

Wednesday stopped walking for just a moment, tensing slightly at remembering what she had endured the previous semester: Thornhill, Joseph Crackstone,... Tyler... The Hyde. 

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring up the crypt." Xavier said in a low voice, sincere in his apology. 

Wednesday glanced back at him, shaking her head. "It's fine. We should keep going." she said hurriedly, continuing ahead as Xavier followed close behind her, also staying on high alert as they walked towards the center of the forest. 

Xavier's eyebrows furrowed in concern as he followed the dark-haired girl. If Wednesday wasn't talking to anyone about what had happened at that time, hadn't fully processed it, maybe she shouldn't been talking to a therapist?

Dr. Kinbott... 

Then again, Xavier could understand why she would be wary of seeing therapists after everything. 

Maybe she could use a friend to talk to. 

Xavier knew he could be a listening ear if she needed, but he also didn't want to rush her into saying anything. 

"Would you hand me the notebook?" Wednesday asked after a moment, breaking Xavier out of his reverie. 

He blinked, turning to see that her boot had stomped on something metal and hollow sounding, covered by moss and old leaves. 

He dug into his gray coat and pulled out a small burgundy leather notebook, filled with various sayings and codes.