Wednesday

Chapter 5: Tick Tock

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Enid and Bruno began climbing the stairs to Enid's dorm, having a nice conversation.

"So, you didn't have your driving lesson?"

Enid shrugged, not realizing Wednesday had hijacked her lesson. "Nope. He was a no show."

Enid opened the door and led Bruno inside, but paused when she saw (Y/n) kneeling on the floor beside an open box.

"Oh! (Y/n). Hey! I thought you'd be out with Wednesday..." she greeted awkwardly.

(Y/n) looked up at her. "Uh, no, he's busy doing...I'm not entirely sure what."

Enid noticed her eyes darting between her and Bruno with slight suspicion.

"Uh, we were just going to study for Orloff's anatomy test." She excused. "He may be a head in a jar but..."

"Yeah, well, I kind of have a...situation here." (Y/n) said, pointing inside the open trunk.

Enid furrowed her brows and came forward looking inside the trunk. Thing was in there, surrounded by empty bottles of alcohol.

"Thing! Have you been drinking? How is that even...?" Enid shook her head. "You know what, doesn't matter. What happened?"

(Y/n) held up a small wrapped present with a card that had Thing's name on it. "I stopped by to give him this package, and found him like this."

Enid took the package and opened it, revealing a picture of Thing with a wig and fake mustache. "It's his mugshot from the Normal, Illinois police station."

(Y/n) looked surprised. "There's a town called Normal?"

"Apparently. Who's Fernando Fingertips?"

Thing pointed at himself.

"Your first alias? Yeah, very catchy." (Y/n) took out the card and read it to him. "Found this while cleaning out an old safe house. Happy Birthday to my buddy from another body. Snickers and wet willies, your partner in crime, Fester."

Enid gasped. "Thing! Is it your birthday?"

Thing slurred something to them.

"No, Wednesday didn't tell us!"

"Thing, if we would've known we would've done something for you." (Y/n) insisted. "Did the whole family forget your birthday?"

Thing nodded.

"You know what? You are an honorary member of the Wolf Pack." Enid told him. "Why don't we take you out tonight to celebrate?"

Thing started to look excited, happy at the idea, when they heard a loud thud.

Enid and (Y/n) turned and saw Bruno lying on the ground, unconscious.

"Oh my god, Bruno? Are you okay?" Enid cried, running over to him. "What happened—?!"

Another thud was heard and Enid collapsed to the ground as well.

"Enid?!" (Y/n) exclaimed. "Who are you? What do you want?!" She turned to Thing. "Thing, get Wednesday—!"

Thing looked up at her as something hard collided with the back of her head and her face disappeared from view as she fell to the floor. The top of the trunk closed, and the mystery assailant locked Thing inside, preventing him from getting help.

...

Principal Dort was playing mini golf in his office when a knock was heard outside his door.

"Yes?"

The door opened and Bianca stepped inside.

"Did you speak with Mrs. Addams?" He asked her.

"I gave her the donor list. She's going through the names, and we'll meet at the end of the week to discuss strategy." Bianca reported.

"And you drew her attention to numero uno on that list?" Principal Dort checked.

Bianca nodded. "Unfortunately, she and her mother are estranged."

"How estranged?"

"She refuses to call her."

Principal Dort sighed. "Hester Frump is the linchpin to this whole campaign. She is the 50-foot shark that will signal the other big fish that Nevermore is worth preserving."

"Then why don't you have that conversation with Mrs. Addams?" Bianca wondered.

"Because you can be so much more persuasive." He hinted.

Bianca's brows shot up. "You're not seriously asking me to siren song her?"

"Of course not. I'm ordering you." He stated flatly.

Bianca removed her necklace and stared at him. "You will never try and coerce me again."

A hazy look came over Principal Dort's eyes, but then he smiled. "Nice try, Ms. Barclay." He pulled out a small pocket watch. "Little souvenir I picked up in the Florida Keys. Beautiful isn't it? This here is made up of itty-bitty bits of Corinthian coral, making me impervious to your siren song." He revealed.

"I keep it on me at all times. You see, the key to winning in both golf and life is keeping your eye on the ball. So let me help you focus. We both know i hold your future in my hand. I could either lift you up, or crush you. Understood? Now use your gift, and get Morticia Addams and her beloved mother on our side."

...

Wednesday opened the door to (Y/n)'s dorm, hoping to check on her. He paused in the doorway when he saw nobody inside. All he saw was (Y/n)'s bag lying on the ground.

He heard some noises coming from the trunk, and opened it up. "Thing?"

Thing looked at him and began signing frantically.

"Wait, where's (Y/n) and Enid?"

Before Thing could answer, he heard a buzzing sound. He looked over to (Y/n)'s bag and pulled out her phone, answering the call and putting the phone to his ear.

"Do I have your attention now?" A distorted voice spoke.

"Who are you, and where are they?" Wednesday demanded to know.

"The game has just begun. You have 30 minutes to find your werewolf friend, and your girlfriend, or I put them down. Involve anyone else, and game over. I am watching. Tick tock, Mr. Addams."

A card was slipped under the door. Wednesday hung up the phone and rushed to the door, opening it. He looked around but didn't see anyone outside. He slammed the door and picked up the card, looking at it. There were only two words written on the back:

PLAY DEAD

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