Wednesday

Chapter 4: Outcasts vs. Cadets

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The students of Nevermore were now submerged inside the thick forests of Camp Jericho, several tents pitched around the small clearing of the camp.

Gomez and Morticia sat outside their large black tent that looked like a smaller version of their home, observing the campsite.

"You have the look of a predator." Gomez complimented. "Allow me to be your helpless prey."

Moricia gave him a small, apologetic smile. "Not now, Caro Mio."

Gomez sighed in agony. "Tish, I hate seeing you so out of sorts. Maybe you should give Wednesday the book."

"I know your instinct is to give into him, but we can't. I can deal with the venomous resentment, but I won't lose him. And darling, I need your full support."

Gomez took her hand and kissed it, silently telling her that she had it.

...

Eugene walked through the campsite and approached the tent that he and Pugsley would be sharing.

"Hey, thanks for setting up the tent. Out here, the world is my terrarium." He said. Eugene looked around and noticed Pugsley had set up fireworks. "What's with the bottle rockets?"

"Uh...early warning system..."

"For what?" Eugene marched into the tent and yelped in surprise when he saw Slurp chained up inside the coffin. "What's Slurp doing here?!"

"It's like you said. We couldn't leave him on his own."

"So you brought him camping in the woods with all our classmates?"

"Relax, if he tried to escape, we'll know." Pugsley's said, gesturing to the rockets.

Eugene shook his head. "That's it. I'm bunking with some of the other guys. I'm not sleeping with a zombie."

Pugsley narrowed his eyes. "Zombies don't sleep. Duh."

"Hello? Hello, boys. I come bearing gifts."

Their eyes widened at the sound of Gomez outside their tent and rushed out to greet him.

Gomez handed Pugsley's a small tin container. "So, your mother packed some homemade trail mix. Extra earthworms, bugs, dirt, toenails. Everything you'd find on the trail."

Pugsley smiled awkwardly. "Thanks."

A growl came from inside the tent, and Pugsley quickly put his hand on his stomach. "My stomach. Good timing with the snacks."

Gomez nodded. "So, are you going to invite me in so I can inspect your tent?"

"Uh, no...no. Eugene just let one rip." Pugsley lied.

Eugene side-eyed him, but went along with it. "Yeah. It smells like something died in there."

Gomez looked like he didn't quite believe them, but didn't press the issue. "So, if you get into trouble, remember the first rule of camping. Leave no trace. Especially the bodies."