Philophobic : Tyler Galpin

16: Not-So Normie

Friday, October 26th

[victoria's pov]

Instead of going home last night, I slept in Enid's dorm again. Tyler had texted me, asking me if I needed a ride home and I replied with "not tonight." Today would be a normal school day, which was boring to say the least considering yesterday's exciting events.

Upon searching for the shed, Wednesday had another vision that brought her back into the past about Joseph Crackstone–which led to Thing blowing up Crackstone's statue. Most of the people worshiped the man like an idol, so I didn't mind.

My mother, on the other hand, wasn't so happy about it and interrogated Wednesday as soon as we stepped onto Nevermore just last night. And just like Wednesday promised, her hands were clean.

"Victoria," Wednesday said, catching my attention in the middle of the hallway.

I turned around and saw her approaching me with haste and the usual expression of grim on her face.

"Wednesday," I noted as she walked beside me–I was making my way to class.

"I have to tell you something," Wednesday informed. "Now."

"What is it?" I asked, concerned.

Wednesday looked around before leading me aside where it was quiet. As we both ducked so only I could hear her, Shanks hopped at our feet.

"I have a theory that Rowan might be the monster," Wednesday said.

"What?"

"Just hear me out. Yesterday at the shed, I discovered the monster is human too. There were tracks that turned into human feet," Wednesday explained. "And yes, Rowan did get attacked by one of the monsters. But the thing is, I think there's two."

"That's-" I paused. "That could make sense... that's probably why he's been missing. And that would explain the animal attacks..."

"I told your mother this morning," Wednesday ordered. "But the thing is, she said Rowan's been expelled. She doesn't believe Rowan is one of the monsters."

"Since when?" I asked.

"The night of the Poe Cup competition," Wednesday said, recalling my mother's words. "He's just gone though. Xavier told me his things weren't even gone until we got back from Outreach Day. Something's not adding up..."

"Did my mother say what he got expelled for?"

Wednesday shook her head. "No. She didn't."

"If Rowan's gone now–wherever he is, that means the other monster's still lurking in town," I said, fearing the idea of two monsters in town.

"I think it's lurking in the school," Wednesday said eerily. "The chances of an outcast being behind all of these attacks make more sense..."

I thought about it for a second. If there were two monsters lurking and if Rowan was apparently one of them–who was the one who attacked us at the Harvest Festival? And why?

"Not just that," Wednesday said. "But there was another attack last night on some homeless man. Which means Rowan couldn't have done it since Weems said he's gone."

"But we have to consider the fact that it may not be true," I added.

"Correct," Wednesday nodded. "Which is why we're going to do some fact checking tonight."

I knew what was coming. "Let me guess–breaking and entering?"

Wednesday grinned. "More like entering. Maybe some breaking if we have time."