The Old Therebefore

episode two , woe is the loneliest number

EDGER ALLEN POE once said "all that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream". It was no question the man was strange, and plagued with his addiction to opioids. Josephine on the other hand, understood perfectly the situation that Poe's quote would apply to.

That situation was the fever dream that was the harvest festival. First she had been making sure that none one was having the forbidden tango in the bathrooms and the next she was trying to stop a student, from murdering another student. It was safe to say that the past day and half was an emotional whirlwind.

Principal Weems was leading, Josephine, Wednesday and Sheriff Gladpin (who insisted on investigating even though Weems had it under control) to her office, since Josephine and Wednesday were the only survivors to witness the monster attack.

"How do you miss a large creature with protruding eyes?" Wednesday asked in annoyance as Josephine walked through the halls next to the goth girl. Josephine was annoyed because the sheriff was dead-set on taking their statements. Not only this but Rowan died late last night, cause was unknown as he had been making a fast recovery just an hour before.

"Not only that, but how could Rowan be doing so good last night then die an hour later?" Josephine signed as she held a large bag in her arms, it had evidence from last night, on paper, along with the pictures and notes she had taken about its physical anatomy.

"What's the deaf kid saying?" The sheriff asked insensitively as Josephine held her temper, but her whole body was shaking with anger. Wednesday placed her hand on Josephine's shoulder to keep her somewhat calm.

"First of all, Josephine isn't deaf. Second, she was saying; sheriff, that what happened to Rowan's sudden death last night, with all the progress he made, can't be a coincidence. Not only that but if you had looked for the monster all of last night, you must have left your seeing eye dogs at home." Wednesday retorted as she finally got a good look at Josephine, at least, since last night.

Josephine's hair was slightly ruffled and eye eyes were dropping ever so slightly. Her uniform want perfectly pressed and her tie was not in a full, perfect, Windsor not. Josephine's hair was pulled out of the way with a bandanna that matched the uniform purple-blue, and black color theme. She looked exhausted, yet so beautiful.

"So, did you get a good look at the monster?" The sheriff asked as Josephine leaned her head on Wednesday's shoulder. And for a moment, the latter girl was glad she didn't leave.

"It didn't stick around for a chat." Wednesday said as she sat Josephine in a chair before standing behind there, as there was only one chair.

"Maybe it was one of your classmates?" The sheriff suggested as Principal Weems scowled.

"Sheriff, I find that question offensive." Principal Weems stated to sheriff Gladpin gave Weems a dirty look.

"Well guess what, I don't care 'cause I got three other dead bodies in the morgue. Hikers just ripped apart in the woods." The sheriff said blandly as he looked at Weems with distaste.

"The mayor said those were bear attacks." Weems clarified as the Sheriff rolled his eyes and stated at both Josephine and Wednesday.

"Well, the mayor and I disagree on that." The sheriff said as Josephine started to fall asleep.

"So you automatically assume a Nevermore student is the murderer, even though there's no evidence a crime was even committed?" Wednesday said quickly, like a freshly sharpened knife going through a tomato, it cut through the rock tenstion in the air.

"I'm sorry. I forgot, you only teach the good outcasts here, right?" The sheriff said sarcastically as Weems sighed at the conversation. "What were you doing out in the woods with him, Ms. Addams? Miss... Monroe, was it?" The sheriff said as Josephine groaned.

"I heard a noise in the forest and went to go investigate. That's when I stumbled upon the attack. As for Josephine, she didn't tell me why she followed." Wednesday said as she held Josephine's hand, pulling her around and into the raven haired girl's arms.

"Then what happened?" The sheriff asked quickly as he watched the two girls, who were very obviously emotionally attached, especially after the attack.

"Then, Josephine took pictures for proof before seeing, Bianca Barclay, and Josephine told her to go for help. Bianca's came back with Weems, I then woke up in my dorm the next morning." Wednesday explained.

"And just to be clear, this monster wasn't a bear or some other wild animal?" The sheriff asked again, almost as if he had known what the monster was.

"I've hibernated with grizzlies. I ought know the difference." Wednesday clarified.

"Thank you, Sheriff. I think Miss Addams and Miss Monroe are most definitely done now." Weems said as she watched Josephine hug Wednesday closer.

"Actually, I would like to speak to Sheriff Galpin. Alone." Wednesday asked as she watched Josephine's breathing get heavier.

"I'm not sure I can allow that." Weems said skeptically.

"I'm sure I could take her to the station and get a formal statement." The sheriff said, desperate for more information.

"Yeah, let's go." Wednesday said in a non-chalant tone.

"Fine. You have five minutes, and everything is off the record." Weems said as she grabbed Josephine, with a glare form Wednesday. "Don't worry Miss Addams, I will be bringing Miss Monroe back to her dorm. I assure you she will sleep better in her own bed." Weems graves Josephine bridal style before looking at the sheriff. " Play nice... or I will call the mayor." Weems settled as the sheriff just rolled his eyes.

Weems opened the door and left, carrying the brunette haired girl to her dorm. Where she found Yoko and Diviana once again, "role-playing". Weems made a note to ask if Josephine wanted to switch dorms with anyone, she assumed it would be the Addams girl.

Wednesday started into the sheriff's soul, if he had one, of course. "Someone is trying to cover up Rowan's murder. That's the only reason to scrub the crime scene." Wednesday stated.

"Is that your professional opinion as the daughter of a murderer? Or your opinion as a friend of a certified criminal?" The sheriff asked as Wednesday raised an eyebrow, at his last comment. Yet she kept her straight face.

"My father's twice the man you are, and the only thing he murders is the occasional opera in the shower. As for Josephine, she couldn't possibly hurt a fly, she feels bad for looking at someone wrong." Wednesday clarified as the sheriff gave a deadpan kind of look.

"It's been a long night. I'm tired of your games." The sheriff stated as Wednesday held in a sigh.

"I am well aware it has been a long evening. Josephine stayed up all night caring for Rowan, only for him to die. I am not playing games, sheriff." Wednesday told the sheriff as she gave a him a glare. "I'm telling the truth. You want to reject my claims but you can't." Wednesday said.

The sheriff scoffed and looked at Wednesday with a raised eyebrow and a smug look. "And why is that?" The sheriff asked.

"Because you and I both know there's a monster out there. And Rowan is his latest victim." Wednesday said.

Fun fact!

— Josephine wants to be a medic because
she has been hurt by so many people.
So she wants to help people who have
experienced trauma similar to hers.