Antihero ✷ Tyler Galpin

𝐱𝐥𝐢𝐢. 𝐛𝐚𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠

- Call of the Woe -
2x3

It's the evening when Vada and Wednesday decide to head to the cabin. Wednesday sits at her tent with Thing. "Galpin's cabin is approximately two and a half miles east from the camp. Be on alert for our black winged tormentor's return."

Thing moves gracefully in a form of a nod, watching the girls head off.

Vada walks beside the girl, glancing around. "If we leave now, we can get back before anyone realizes we're even gone."

As if on cue, Dort cuts the two of them off. "Joining the campfire festivities this evening, Ms Addams and Ms Morningstar?"

Wednesday stares at him. "I usually enjoy cruel and unusual punishments, but not tonight."

Dort lifts his brows. "Most people would have FOMO. Fear Of Missing Out." He explains.

"I have FOBI. Fear Of Being Included." She deadpans, causing Vada to smirk.

"Well, I just wanted to say thank you for standing up to those Normies. Both of you. For ones who professes to be antisocial, you two accomplished in one afternoon what a thousand trust exercises never could. So thank you."

Vada watches him. "Trust is for the weak, Principal Dort. Betrayal and Anger leave a better taste."

"I'll keep that in mind.." He watches the girls head off.

Wednesday and Vada walk in the dark woods, keeping pace and staying vigilant for any trouble.

They come across the cabin rather quickly and Vada teleports inside before unlocking the door for Wednesday.

The place is cluttered with guns and games all over. It's clear this place isn't just a safe house, but somewhere Galpin and Bradbury used to vacation—maybe for hunting or family trips.

Vada points her flashlight at a photo of Tyler and his dad on a hunting trip. Tyler is standing with a deer he had shot, smiling at the camera while Donovan points proudly. She slowly takes it from its pin and looks closer.

Tyler isn't gone. Not this version of him. There's good. It's always been there, but he needs help finding it again. He needs guidance. The kind she can provide.

She glances at Wednesday before pocketing the photo and looking at the others, which didn't feature Tyler.

Her eyes catch on a paper that is behind the mirror. She makes a clicking noise to Wednesday and the girl comes over, pulling it out into a hidden investigation board.

Together, they stare at the many newspaper articles taped and tacked to the board.

"Patricia Redcar. Bronte Wigan, Julian Meiojas." Wednesday reads, furrowing her dark brows slightly.

"These are all Outcast obituaries." Vada speaks up, looking over at her. "Some died more than 15 years ago. All Willow Hill patients.."

Wednesday moves her flashlight up to a large red word written, all strings going to it. "Lois. If she's the one targeting Outcasts, Enid could be her next victim."

Vada watches the girl put her hands against the word. "Wednesday, don't." She warns, not wanting the girl to get hurt.

She doesn't listen, closing her eyes. She seems frustrated that nothing shows though. "We need to take these."

"Okay.." She whispers, helping the girl unpack the papers and put them in her bag.

Neither girl seem to notice the crow sitting outside the window, watching closely.

They return to camp rather quickly. Wednesday informs Vada she needs to speak with her mother, so Vada finds herself wandering the woods boredly.

"There you are!" Bruno jumps out quickly.

Vada jumps and kicks him between the legs quickly, causing him to fall to the ground with a groan. "Shit! Bruno! Why would you sneak up on me?!" She kneels down quickly.

"I.. thought it would.. be funny.... Not.. funny." He groans out, fighting for breath.

"I'm so sorry." She helps him up slowly and goes toward the lunch hall, finding some frozen peas in the kitchen freezer. "Here."

"Thanks.." he sits down and puts the bag against his lower parts, wincing.

Vada crosses her arms and watches him, feeling guilty. She knows it isn't really her fault considering she was just defending herself, but he looks in pain.

"You know, you have a mean kick.. you ever play soccer?"

"Once. I broke a girl's leg. Quite gruesome." She explains and sits beside him. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'll live." He smiles a little, looking over at her and thinking. "Where were you? You weren't at the campfire.."

"I was exploring with Wednesday."

"Exploring what?"

"It doesn't matter."

"Is it about Tyler?"

Vada hesitates and looks over at him. "So what if it did?"

"I'm not trying to be mean, Vada.. but don't you think it's time to move on? I mean.. he's locked up and for who knows how long? Your chances with him are... none. It's time to find someone who can be there for you, provide for you. Have you ever had a real boyfriend? I mean, before him?"

Vada looks away, staying silent. Tyler was her first boyfriend. Her first love.

"Exactly. You're so hooked on one part of him that you won't let yourself explore other relationships. What if that side you fell for was him acting?" Bruno asks.

"He wasn't acting." She stands. "He loves me and I love him and I will do anything I have to, to get him free. Even if I have to break some rules."

"You're being ridiculous.."

"You're being hypocritical. You won't explore other girls because you're so hooked on a version of me that you're convinced you can fix. I don't need fixing and I don't need you, Bruno. I'm sorry if that's harsh, but I will never date you. I will never love you. I love Tyler."

"You're going to get yourself killed."

"Then so be it. Don't get in my way." She snaps, walking out quickly. She knows she's harsh, but she can't stand Bruno trying to talk her into abandoning Tyler. He doesn't know him. He doesn't know the good Tyler is capable of. No one does. No one but her.

That's when she heard the screaming, felt the chest pains of death passing through her. She looks around and comes face to face with a zombie. "What the fuck are you supposed to be?"

It groans in response and moves towards her. She takes a slow step back. "No. Not food."

It groans again, reaching for her. She shakes her head and takes another step back. But before she can do much, a knife goes by her and pins the zombie to the tree behind it.

Looking over, she sees Wednesday and Morticia. "Oh.. hey."

"Quite the mishap, dear." Morticia hums, coming closer. "Are you alright?"

"Miserable, thanks for asking." She replies.

Cop sirens fill the parking lot and red and blue lights flicker as Dort announces their quick closing to the weekend and for everyone to load the buses.

Wednesday looks at Vada. "You're upset."

"No."

"Don't lie."

"I'm upset. But it's none of your concern." Vada responds and looks at the girl. "We need to focus more on the case."

Wednesday stares for a moment before nodding once. "Fine. I hope you're ready to get your hands dirty."

"Why?"

"We're going to be taking a trip to Willow Hill very soon."