Darkness at the Heart of My Love (2024 Version)

The Way Home.

I sit alone in the back of my families hearse, looking at this little black box in my hand, on my way home from the shortened semester at Nevermore. I still am not sure why Xavier thought I would enjoy having a "mobile device", but it also has given me some starting points to begin my investigation into my stalker. The only person I am aware of who had access to the phone prior to it being given to me, was Xavier. I knew I couldn't trust him. Just as I was about to put the device in my bag, it lights up once again with another message from the unknown number. More pictures of me, this time, it's a picture of myself as I am getting into the Addams hearse while Lurch loads my luggage into the trunk. I sigh slightly frustratedly. The stalker was within a few yards of me and I didn't even notice.

"Thing. Did you see anyone- or anything- out of place between the dorm and the hearse?" I ask as my backpack opens and the severed hand crawls onto my shoulder. As Thing taps out 'No', I decide to set my phone back down on the seat next to me. I don't know who this stalker is, however, I have an extended break to figure out who my suspects will be. It cannot be more difficult then what I have already been through. Surviving assassination attempts, getting stabbed, the Hyde, defeating Crackstone, saving the school. However, despite my success, I am unsure why that has not scared this stalker of mine off. Despite that, I was looking forward to a relaxing break. Or my version of a relaxing break, before the next semester resumes in a few weeks. I am not thrilled the roommate situation stays the same, but I also find myself not wanting a new roommate. Enid, unfortunately, is the most tolerable person, or- wolf, at that school. Now that I realize it, I didn't bother waiting to say goodbye to her. Before I left, she received a message from that stupid gorgon she calls a boyfriend, Ajax. She said he needed to talk about important, but before I could get a chance to investigate it further she ran out of the room, possibly in tears? I am unsure though. All I know and care about is the fact that Lurch showed up on time and I was making sure to not spend the entirety of my break at Nevermore.

I lay my head against the headrest, allowing myself to rest my eyes as we travel back to the Addams mansion. I was lucky enough to convince my family to allow me to travel back without disruption. But as I sit there pondering, my mind can't help but think back to that night and the memories of Tyler holding me against the tree stump, underneath a blood moon. Alone, so close to death, when a massive wolf came to my aid. I have always had a massive fascination with werewolves, ever since I was a kid. But I had little time to even marvel over the majestic creature that stood before me that night, since my priorities were to find and defeat Crackstone. However, the colorful fur made it clear that it was none other than Enid who came to my aid. Deep down, somewhere in my cold, black heart, I think I felt... Scared? I felt something when I decided to leave her behind. But I cannot help but feel angry at the fact that she put herself in danger. She could have died and although I love death and watching people suffer, if Enid would have gotten hurt more than she did, or worse... I shake that thought from my mind, it makes me feel... Something. But I do have to admit... If it wasn't for Enid handling Tyler, I may have never been able to save the school, but nonetheless, she's smarter than to put herself in danger like that. I still don't know what I felt that night, let alone what I'm feeling now. I have never been good with emotions, especially after the incident with Nero. But something in me burns when I think back to Enid taking on a Hyde all by herself.

I open my eyes and look out the window, trying to forget the recent thoughts that just travelled through my mind. But even as I try to forget them, more start to flood back from that night. One thing I never understood, and hated even more than feelings, was physical touch. Both combined makes me want to hurl and it confuses me how my parents are so touchy and close. It's sickening, and not in a good way. But after defeating Crackstone, after the few breaths I was able to take after it was all over, the only thing that crossed my mind, was wondering if Enid was okay. I was in too much pain to run, but my mind had no problem racing with the thought if ENid was hurt or killed. It gave me a headache. But as I slowly made my way to the front gates where all the students should have been evacuated to, silently limping, pain radiating with every step. Finally, as I exited the fog at the front gates, I saw Enid, her face bloody and cut, in a pink robe covering herself. She runs up and....

Hugs me.

I hate hugs, even hugs that last less than 5 seconds. The ONLY hugs I can barely tolerate are from my family, but even then I never return the affection and its under my terms. However, she knew how much I hated them, but hugged me anyways. I think she did it out of fear or relief, but I am uncertain. After a few seconds, she realized her mistake and she let me go, backing away slightly. But seeing her face, her cuts that would become scars, the blood, and those blue eyes full of tears... something inside me felt like it was on fire and it caused me to do something I would never have imagined I'd do in a million years, even if my life depended on it.

I hugged Enid. I hugged the colorful wolf.

Not only did I hug Enid with my own free will, I hugged her in front of the entire school, or most of the school, but nonetheless, I hugged her. I am still not sure why or how, or what got into me, but I did it. Alas, some reason, beyond my comprehension, I don't quite regret doing it. Granted, I should not have done it in front of the rest of the students, who have now seen me at a weak point, but realizing she was okay and wasn't hurt too badly from the fight between her and the Hyde, made me feel something, something strong enough to make myself hug her back.

I immediately get a headache. Feelings. I rest my head against the headrest once more. I do not want to think about this the entire car ride. But as I finally find my mind drifting away from those previous thoughts, I am disturbed again.

*Buzz Buzz*

I look at the black box on the seat next to me, expecting to see more texts from the stalker but I raise an eyebrow as I notice the message is actually from Enid. I hesitate before opening her message but only for a moment. When I open it, I am met with a long paragraph.

Wednesday... I know, I know... But please just read this and don't ignore me right away... I know you said not to bother you during the break, and I really don't want to be a nuisance, but I promise this is important... And before you even think about closing this or ignoring me, just hear me out. YES, I did exactly what you told me to do before texting you. I took the issue I am currently struggling with, broke it down, followed every step you gave me, and ran all the possible scenarios, from the worst-case to the best-case ones. I pinky promise I really tried to handle it on my own, just like you told me to do, but here is the thing... Yoko and Divina are already gone, they left for their trip to Japan a few hours ago. Xavier gives me the creeps and I don't trust him very much. And Ajax... Well... That's another story... But I'm alone and the only people left are the staff at Nevermore and they can't really help with this due to the situation I found myself in... Can you please call me? I'm really at a loss and I promise I won't keep you too long...

I sigh and throw my head back in annoyance. I am not even 30 minutes away from Nevermore and Enid is already having a "crisis." Although, it did, suprise me, that Enid used correct grammar and punctuation.

"You need to call her" Thing taps out on my shoulder.

"I am not calling her. I told her not to bother me unless it was an emergency." I say setting the phone down. But after a a few moments of Thing angrily tapping on my shoulder I decide to give Enid a call. Just to prove she was over reacting.

"I swear, to you Thing. If this is not important, I will cut off three of your fingers and use them as piranha bait." Thing gives me a shaky thumbs up in response as I start to dial the number.