ANTI-HERO. ✓

𝐢𝐢𝐢. 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫

- Woe is the Loneliest Number -
1x2

"How could you miss a dead body? It happens quite literally at the end of the bridge." Wednesday informs Sheriff Galpin. Vada is walking beside Principal Weems.

"Because it wasn't there." Galpin says as if it's a simple misunderstanding. "No footprints, no blood, no sign of a struggle. Nothing. My search party looked all night." He informs. Vada furrows her brows in confusion.

"Well, your search party must've left their seeing eye dogs at home." Wednesday sasses to him. "Vada and I saw the monster kill Rowan right in front of us." She looks back at Vada. Sheriff Galpin does the same.

Vada nods to show Wednesday is telling the truth. "Right. Well did you guys happen to get a good look at it?" He asks them.

Wednesday scoffs in annoyance. "It didn't stick around for a chat, Sheriff." She informs rather bitterly.

"Well, maybe it was one of your classmates." The sheriff says simply. Vada glares at him as she stands behind Principal Weems.

She turns and puts her hand on the railing. "Sheriff, you should know that I find that offensive." She informs with a small look of disappointment.

Galpin scoffs. "Well, I don't care cause I got three other dead bodies in the morgue. Hikers ripped apart in the woods. You and I both know those aren't bear attacks."

"So you automatically assume that a Nevermore student is a murderer, even though there's no evidence of a crime even being committed." Weems says calmly.

"I'm sorry. I forgot you only teach the good outcasts here, right?" The sheriff counters, earning a sigh from Weems as they all enter her office. Vada glances at Wednesday whom is staring straight ahead.

"My guess is that Rowan ran away. I've contacted authorities and they've put out an alert. I called his family but they haven't heard from him either." Weems says to them, sitting in her office chair.

Vada scoffs. "If he's dead, how is he supposed to call his family, Principal Weems?" She asks simply. Weems looks up but doesn't say anything.

"What were you two doing out in the woods with him?" Sheriff Galpin asks, taking a seat in one of the chairs.

Wednesday and Vada look to each other before Wednesday looks back at the man, crossing her arms. "We heard a noise in the forest and went to investigate. We stumbled upon the attack."

Galpin leans back. "Then what happened? How did you get that cut on your head?" He asks Vada.

"I tripped. When I went down, my head must've hit the tree or something. It's sort of hazy, Sheriff." Vada says simply, staring the man down.

"I ran into Bianca Barclay and I told her to go for help after Vada passes out." Wednesday says, glancing towards Vada. Vada nods in agreement.

"The next thing I remember, I am awaking in my dorm." She tells him.

Sheriff Galpin sighs. "Just to be clear, this monster wasn't a bear or some other kind of wild animal?" He asks.

"I've hibernated with grizzlies. I know the difference." Wednesday says calmly. Weems stands after a moment of silence. "Thank you, Sheriff."

Wednesday looks up. "Actually, Vada and I would like to talk to Sheriff Galpin.. alone."

With a few moments of unspoken arguing, Weems leaves the room. Wednesday turns to Galpin. "Someone is trying to cover up Rowan's murder."

Vada stands straight. "That's the only reason to scrub the crime scene." She adds.

"Oh, and is this your profession opinions as the daughter of a murderer and daughter of the devil?" Galpin asks.

Wednesday keeps calm. "My father is twice the man you are. The only thing he murders is the occasional opera in the shower." She informs.

Vada sighs. "Don't feed into him." She tells Wednesday. "He's just looking for one of us to snap so he can put the murder on us." She glares at the man. The sheriff glares back "It's been a long night and i'm tired of these games."

"It's the truth!" Both girls say at the same time. Wednesday sighs. "You can't reject my claims. We all know there is a monster out there and Rowan is his latest victim." She says.

The two stare at one another before another cop opens the door. "Sheriff? You're gonna want to see this." She opens the other side of the door to reveal Rowan, standing there with his arms to his sides, looking unharmed as ever.

Vada and Wednesday stare at the boy in complete shock and disbelief. Their eyes go to one another before back to Rowan whom steps in and waves a little.

*****

Therapy is the last thing Vada wants to do today. She has done her appointment first this time as Wednesday had to sit in the waiting room, the lady at the desk probably staring at her the whole time.

Vada is sitting there now, waiting for Wednesday to finish. She looks up when Wednesday comes out of the office, "Have fun?" She asks calmly. The other girl does not say anything as she walks for the door.

Vada follows her out of the door, looking up when she hears Tyler's voice but he isn't talking to her. "Guess you decided to stick around Jericho. Wait.. you guys see Dr. Kinbott too?" He asks. His eyes trail to Vada and he offers her a small smile.

"You should know, I'm legally required to be here." Wednesday says, heading down the steps. "Vada must be too. Correct?" She asks. Vada shrugs. "Sort of. My dad set it up for me." She explains, glancing at Tyler before looking away.

Tyler smiles as he follows the two girls. "Me too. Court ordered." He tells them, glancing between the two. "You know I heard what happened at the festival... kinda crazy.." He mentions.

Vada scoffs. "Everyone thinks we made it up. Even your father." She informs. Tyler looks away when his phone dings, looking down at it. He sighs. "Time to get in touch with my inner rebel.." He says. He does a small glance between the two before setting his eyes on Vada.

"For the record, I believe you guys." He says softly. Vada stares at him for a moment, not sure she should believe him.

Wednesday looks at Vada once Tyler walks off, raising her brows slightly. "What was that about?" She asks.

"I have no idea." Vada informs, turning to continue walking. They get a quick coffee before heading to Principal Weem's van.

Vada gets in the passenger seat and hands Weems her favorite brew. The woman looks at her and offers a kind smile. "Why, thank you Vada. How much do I owe you?"

"Don't worry about it. Consider it an apology for my tone this morning in your office." She says simply.

Weems looks at her for a moment longer before humming in delight. "Alright. Let's get on the road then, ladies. Shall we?" She starts the van after taking a sip of her drink and begins to drive to Nevermore.

Vada sips her own drink, thinking of Tyler the whole ride.