Friday Addams || Xavier Thorpe

8

Dr. Kinbott realized that Wednesday had escaped as soon as I asked to leave. She had to have known my sister would take her only time in Jericho as a chance to escape, especially after bringing up a very uncomfortable topic. She was concerned for the safety of my sister and her mental health, as she nodded her head and led me downstairs to where Principal Weems' vehicle sat, the woman unaware of my twin's escape. She rolled down the passenger window at the sight of us. "What is the problem? Where is Wednesday?" She asked, scanning our faces and seeing the frustration in Dr. Kinbott's expression and the absence of Wednesday.

"Ms. Addams has escaped through the bathroom. Friday has no need to stay and would be better suited to help search for her sister."

The tall principal's expression almost mimicked the therapists but with added disappointment. I could tell that she wanted this to work for Wednesday just as much as our parents did. "Thank you for notifying me, Valerie. We will have her back for her next session. Friday, come on." She rolled up the window as I opened the door and hopped inside. I gave Dr. Kinbott a small smile and a wave for having put up with my sister.

"Where would be the most likely place for Wednesday to hide?" Principal Weems questioned. I knew the traits of where she would go but did not want to give away the place I thought was most likely. While I did want my sister to stay, I did want her to give a chance for her plan to possibly work.

I shrugged, "I don't know this town. But, knowing her, she will want to find an escape route and a way to leave as soon as possible." It was a half-truth. She would search for the quickest way out but she would also have to speak with some people to find it. Neither of us had entirely known the layout of Jericho.

"Are you sure that's all you know, Friday?" She could tell I wasn't being completely truthful. I nodded, staring out the window as the buildings passed by. "You know that your parents and I just want what's best for her, right?"

"Yes, but I'm also aligned with her interests, as much as my mother would like me to prevent her from escaping. She should be able to decide her own fate."

"Sometimes the freedom to decide at a young age does not work out so well." I was silent after that until we reached a coffee shop named the 'Weathervane.' We noticed some commotion inside and spotted a dark-haired girl, matching the description of my sister. The sheriff was inside, speaking with her and a lanky boy stood next to him. Three boys dressed as pilgrims were scattered on the floor, groaning as we walked in.

"Apologies Sheriff. This one slipped away from me. Come on, Miss Addams, time to go," the Principal put her usual cheery smile on her face to seem friendly in front of the Sheriff. I wondered if ever was joyful or if it was all fake smiles to suit her at the right moments. Sheriff Galpin's eyes followed my twin and eventually turned to me at the mention of our surname. I stared at the dirty-blond boy for a moment, feeling as if something was off about him.

"Wait a minute, hang on. You're an Addams? And I'm guessing you are too?" He asked with a slight nod of his head in my direction, which I responded to with a bob of my head. "Don't tell me Gomez Addams is your father? That man belongs behind bars for murder. Guessin' the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I'm gonna keep my eye on you." He pointed specifically to Wednesday, who I assume took out the boys that had been on the floor.

"Okay." Principal Weems put one arm around me and a hand on Wednesday's shoulder to lead us out of the building. We entered the vehicle, my mind spinning with thoughts of how my father could have committed murder. He may have seemed tough, but Pugsley and I definitely inherited our softness from him and he wasn't capable of murder.

As soon as she was on the road heading back to Nevermore, surrounded by tall trees, Weems began to scold Wednesday. "Your first day and you're already on Sheriff Galpin's radar. Wish I could say I was surprised."