Devil Snare
He was lying.
Every last word out of his mouth was a lie. Thing told her there was no record of a him arriving in town so there was no way he came in a car. The eye-witness accounts said he emerged from the forest, disoriented and wearing robes of all things. Plus, he conveniently left out his odd fascination with fireplaces and toilet bowls. He wasn’t even considered for Nevermore until the day of his arrival. Even her surprise addition last term took weeks to process and mountains to move. That was with considerable pull from her mother.
She wanted to ask him why he chose to lie about everything, but given his apparent rapport with Weem’s, that would have been unwise. Knowing the conniving principle, she’d never be in the same quadrant of the school as him if she gave away that she knew something was a foot.
And something was certainly a foot.
She saw straight through each of his curated responses the second he hesitated. Though, it took more tells to fully convince Wednesday. The way he shifted around, toyed with his food before eating it. Child’s play, it was almost laughable how text book it was.
Yet, reading him proved more difficult than she expected. Caspian was a decidedly crafty and stubborn lier. She almost want to commend him for his attempts to throw her off. Bombarding her with questions, needlessly prying into her family and love life to raise tempers in hopes to get her off her game.
She may have won their first encounter but at what cost? If he felt his secret is compromised he’d go to Weems. He was rather keen to take Xaviers arrival as a chance to leave. Only time will tell, if she never sees Caspian again then she got her answer. She was pulling on a very, very promising thread.
“Wednesday!”
Bianca’s hushed voice spat.
Wednesday looked at her confused, before a shrill voice rang through the room. “Wednesday Addam’s! Are you with us?”
“Of course Ms.”
The old teacher looked unconvinced. “Then perhaps you know the answer to Mr.Ottinger’s question.”
Wednesday sighed, turning to her fellow Hummer who gave her an apologetic look. “It’s a gross cultural inaccuracy that Latin merely died out as a language with the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 AD. It in fact evolved into a simpler form, Vulgar Latin, as a means to unite the fractured empire. Over the coming centuries Vulgar Latin evolved into the Romance languages. Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Romanian. Thus the use of Classical Latin as we know it fell out of practice.”
Murmurs erupted around the class, even Bianca gave her a small smile of approval.
“Silence!” The shrill voice said, hushing the group. “Well done Ms.Addams.” The teacher reluctantly admitted. Wednesday glared at her, hoping she was stupid enough to challenge her further.
“Now please recite that explanation for us in Latin.”
Wednesday didn't hesitate. "Crassa indiligentia culturale est quod Latina-”
The bell went off.
“Ah saved by the bell.”
“Was I? Or were you?” Wednesday shot back. The teacher promptly spun on her foot, muttering under her breath something about the nerve of this generation.
She was half way out the door when she got a notification. She promised Enid she would check her phone more often so she opened it.
Her brows furrowed. It was a message from her stalker.
Her eyes went wide.
Staring back at her was a picture of her and Caspian at breakfast today. The accompanying text read “New plaything 👀🤫 ”
“I have to go Bianca. Save me a seat in Botany.”
She didint wait for a response before she rushed off into the opposite direction toward the dinning hall.
She burst through the large main doors, some of the students eyeing her strangely before shrugging it off.
Wednesday looked at the picture again, then the table they were seated at. The picture was zoomed in considerably, she could tell by the muddiness of the final product. The angle was from the west side. Her body was turned away from the photographer. There was no way she could’ve saw who took it.
She spent a good few minutes walking around with her camera out, trying to get the exact angle. It took some time but she had it. She snapped a photo, comparing it to the one she received. It was a near identical match.
She was currently situated at the west side exit of the dinning hall. It was connected to the entrance courtyard, the other girl hall, and the west clock tower.
Her mind ran through all her suspects. Enid was sitting a couple tables down when she was waving her dow to sit with them. It was possible she could’ve gotten up and snapped the photo here.
Wednesday imagined Enid quietly getting up from her seat, a blank expression on her face as she snapped a photo before coldly exiting the hall.
She shuddered at the thought.
How about Xavier? She tried recalling which side he entered from but she couldn’t remember. She can confidently rule out main entryway, the closest to his dormitories. As Caspian and Xavier would’ve most definitely came down together since it was Caspian’s first day. Which meant that Xavier wasn't in his room when Caspian woke up. It can also be ruled out that he was merely in the washroom. He had his bag with him that he could've left behind. The main selling point though, was Caspian’s look of shock when he saw him. Xavier usually spends his time in his art studio, but that was inconveniently on the opposite end of the school grounds on the east side. Besides, he mentioned that he’s been experimenting with oil pastels, a notoriously staining art form yet his hands we spotless. Unless…he detoured to the west boys washroom to vigorously wash it off. Yes, that could explain his entrance through the western side.
What about Bianca? She usually skips breakfast but she goes to the gym in the mornings. Plus, she is in the other girls hall. It’s possible that on her way back up, she passed by the entrance, spotted them and snapped a quick photo. No one would ever know she was there. But someones might've noticed the self proclaimed Queen Bee of Nevermore snapping a quick pic. Wednesday may need to integrate some of the fangs and furs that were near the entrance. But there was as small blip in this scenario Bianca was with her when the text was sent. But that doesn't completely rule her out. Wednesday recalls Enid mentioning something about setting up timed messages for her followers. It was entirely plausible the stalker could have done the same. To send this picture right after the second period. But why would they need to…
Wednesday’s phone buzzed. Another message from the stalker.
She opened it and her nostril flared. It was a picture of her standing on top of a bench, camera out, while a few flustered student protested around her. It was taken mere minutes ago.
Wednesday waited, blood boiling at the animated bouncing three dots.
The stalker played her like fiddle.
They knew she’d come directly here after the text was sent. They did this to lure her out.
Another message was sent.
“Picture purrrfect!📸”
Wednesday’s eye twitched as she angrily scanned the room. She hadn’t paid attention to the faces when she came in and now, most of them were gone. The warning bell rang and Wednesday pocketed her phone as she made her way to Botany.
He stalker was playing a dangerous game. A very dangerous game.
She was 3 minutes late to Botany.
“Ahh Ms…” The teacher checked her call sheet. “Addams I presume. Well take a seat take seat, we’ve barely started.” Wednesday scanned the nearly full class, narrowing her eyes at Bianca seated with a partner. Bianca just shrugged pointing to the only empty seat left.
Next to Caspian.
Wednesday felt her ears perk, a small smirk playing at her lips. Interesting.
If Caspian was aware he had the last seat in class, he didn't show it as he was hunched over his note book. Wednesday sat as quietly as she could next to him, hoping to scare him.
“Can I borrow an eraser?”
Wednesday reeled, suddenly staring into Caspian’s expectant eyes. His face was carefully neutral, appearing completely unbothered by her presence. A stark contrast to his demeanour this morning. Which was fake and tight.
Wednesday procured a small unused (she rarely made mistakes) white eraser from her bag and promptly slid it over to him.
He plucked it from the desk, turning back around.
Wednesday eyed him carefully before the teachers voice brought her back.
“Where was I…ah yes. Botany. I personally enjoy the science and harmony that comes with taking care of plants, but from my 35 years of teaching, I am well aware that a good portion of you do not share that same enthusiasm.”
“Thanks” he muttered, placing it in front of her before wiping away the shavings.
“You’re welcome.” her eyes narrowed, taking out her own supplies
The class went on as normal. Ms.Plonson was the teacher Weem’s drew out of retirement and she was fine enough. She was apparently 65 but had the energy of a young stallion as she hopped from pot to pot, enthusiastically sharing its details. Wednesday had to admit, after her last class she welcomed a teacher who seemed to care about keeping her students awake.
“Now enough of me talking. I want you to turn to your partner and talk about plants!”
“Ms. What do you mean talk about plants?” A disembodied voice questioned from behind Wednesday.
“Exactly what it sounds like. Any memories you have with plants, the good the bad, the ugly. Or any general thoughts you have about them. When you’re mind set on green, your thumb shall follow! Now go! Go! I’ll give you 10 minutes. And I want real discussion people!”
Wednesday saw Caspian turn in his chair towards her, his elbow propped up on the table casually.
“So, lets talk plants Addams. Do you want me to go first?”
“By all means.” She said, barley pivoting in her own chair to face him.
“My earliest memories with plants was….My mothers garden. She loved daffodils and I helped her plant a bunch.”
“How generous of you.” Wednesday muttered, staring as he ran his hand through his hair with a chuckle. What angle are you playing at Caspian Lee?
“I guess you can say that. You’re turn.” He flashed a smirk, no doubt realizing the irony in the familiarness of the situation.
“My earliest memory of fauna was my mothers giant carnivorous plant, Cleopatra. An African strangler plant from Eastern Camoros. One time my mother tried putting Cleopatra on a low calorie diet. So naturally, I tried feeding my new born brother to it. I vividly remember dangling him by his foot over its salivating serrated teeth. I failed to realize my brother was simply too big for the plant. I know now I should've cut him up in chunks before hand. A mistake I have yet to live down.”
Caspian’s facade cracked a bit, his grin turning sour, before laughing. “I bet your mother never let you live that one down either.”
“She reminds me every time she gets the chance.” Wednesday’s eyes narrowed.
They continued like this. Caspian would tell an innocent story about plants, and Wednesday would counter it with an increasingly more grotesque one. His smile would falter, then he would laugh, crack something witty, and repeat.
She can feel her mind on the cusp of a conclusion as to his strange change in attitude. The way he was seated, sprawled out in front of her. How he laughed so easily when she recounted pouring vials of venomous Peruvian vine toxins on passing school children.
In the middle of one of his dull stories, it hit her like a bunch of bricks.
He was being overtly laid back with her on purpose. It was all for show.
He wanted her to see that her earlier questioning had no effect on him. That he was not threatened or intimidated by her prying because he supposedly had nothing to hide.
“He’s…very intense, even when lounging…”
She recalled Enid’s words. Her eyes quickly found his, currently crinkled up in laughter. She waited patiently for it to die down.
“My turn now.” She recounted a gory story about a giant Venus fly trap almost eating her Uncle. The whole time she was studying his eyes. Really watching them.
What she found almost made her stumbled over her words.
Sure enough, he was staring at her with an intensity that rivalled that of a panther eyeing its prey. Everything about him was relaxed, content, comfortable. His smile had a warming effect even she, couldn’t ignore entirely. But his eyes were focused, calculating, and guarded.
His body was open but his mind was shut. Thats why he threw out so many shallow stories of frolicking through daisy field fields. They were all half baked. He was too focused on appearing nonchalant.
“I’d like to meet you’re uncle, I'm sure he has a different side of the story.”
“Uncle Fester is an enigma, but he’ll attest to everything I said.”
“Ok my turn, where to start…”
“How about something real for a change?”
His perfect smile faltered. “What do you mean?”
Wednesday suddenly spun to face him, resting a calm hand on the desk. This change in posture seemed to unnerve him. Good.
“Something with weight, with stakes.”
Caspian seemed at a loss for words, his body frozen in its carefully sculpted position. “What, you want me to tell you, a memory like yours? Where I was almost eaten by a plant or something?” He chuckled, void of humour.
She raised a brow. “I’m sure you have some strange event in your life associated with greenery. It doesn't have to be man eating plant or an encounter with a venomous spur. Additionally, I want a detailed explanation as to the events transpiring around it, just like what I've been giving to you. Only fair right?”
She wanted to see if he could still keep up his demeanour while curating a fake story with adequate supporting details. All while she was scrutinized every bit of him. Most of her victims tend to crack under this kind of pleasure, what would Caspian do?
He opened his mouth before clamping It shut. His carefully guarded eyes staring blankly at her for a second before going solid with determination. He sat up straighter.
“I was out with my mates,” He started slowly, looking as if he was about to recount a ghost story. “We were exploring the woods near our school. It was nearing dusk but… we didin’t care. We felt invincible.”
“Why?”
“Why not?” He grinned, his eyes unfocused. “we were younger then. Unsure of the horrors of the world…We were walking down a forgotten path when we heard a rustling in the black trees.”
“What was it?” She heard herself whisper, leaning in.
“We sure didn't stick around to found out. We walked faster, and faster until suddenly, we heard footsteps behind us.” He glanced at her harshly. “So we ran.”
“We ran and ran, I started hearing chanting in the trees near by. I remember, grabbing my friends and pulling us down a ditch. I was expecting a hard fall but it was…surprisingly soft…”
He paused, his fingers rubbing lightly against his leg as if he could still feel it.
“It was a vine like root that cushioned our fall. We hid in that ditch for what felt like hours. My friends decided to fall asleep but I just couldn’t. I heard some of the most…” he swallowed, his gaze miles away. “unsettling noises pass above us until it all finally went quiet.”
“I looked to my friends relieved only to find… they were gone. I tried getting up but I felt one of the vines wrap around my legs and I realized too late… I just pulled my friends into a pile of Devil Snare.”
“Devil snare?” Wednesday’s brows shot up, brain flipping through the various botany books she had growing up. “I’ve never heard of that before.”
“Well it suffocates you and consumes your rotting flesh.” he whispered as he involuntarily shuddered.
“How did you get out?” She heard herself ask in a gruff voice.
“One of Devil’s snare’s few weakness is light…So a blinding one came outta no where and…it was all over.”
He sat back in his chair, clapping his hand. The sound brought Wednesday back to earth, she snapped back into position as she apparently drew alarmingly close to the boy.
She turned away more confused than when she entered the class. When he spoke about that story, it seemed so real. Not even the greatest actress, Dolores del Río, could fake the fear of god Caspian had. Her mind started to swirl but she grounded herself.
No, this was perfect. Caspian Lee just slipped up. He gave her a real glimpse into his past. She now knows he went to school near a dangerous forest that had an unusual plant called Devil snare. She’d need to search that up. But once she found out it’s country of origin it won't be hard to narrow down the school he previously attended. And from there…It would all be clear.
His friends died on his watch, maybe thats why he got transferred here suddenly? Maybe Weem’s had a personal connection with one of those kids or Caspian for that matter? Suddenly, Enid’s theory of Caspian being related to Weem’s didn’t sound so far fetched.
“So, how's that for a story?” She heard him say.
“That was…Riveting.” She admitted, watching him pick at a notch in the table.
“Yeah…Till this day it’s one of my scariest nightmares.”
Wednesday stiffened. Nightmares?
She slowly turned to face him, her eyes boring holes into the side of his skull. “Come again?”
He looked over at her, visibly shaken up. “Definitely one of my scariest. I think I might dream about it tonight”
Wednesday twitched, she began to feel her heart start to race as the blood pooled to her cheeks.
“That was just a dream?”
Caspian blinked. “Well yeah of course it was…wait you thought that really happened to me?”
On the outside she was as cold and uncaring as ever, but she felt like her eyes were ablaze. “You cheat. You we’re suppose to tell me a real memory.” She snarled.
“Yeah," He said bluntly. "and that nightmare was a real memory for me. It still spooks me to this day.”
Wednesday seethed. “You know thats not what I meant. I wanted a real story, something you lived through.”
“Well I didn’t know that. Did you wanna hear about that time I fell off a tree and got a nasty splinter? See, not that riveting.”
“But it would've been real.” She hissed back, her chest rising erratically as she thought of countless ways to murder Caspian in his sleep.
“Yeah real boring.” He rolled his eyes.
“So you’re friends, the woods, the chanting, it was all just make belief?”
“Felt pretty real to me in the moment, but yeah none of it happened. The school, the footsteps, my missing friends.”
“Devil snare?” She knew she was grasping at straws but she couldn't accept defeat without a fight.
Caspian paused, eyes darting her way. “Ok that was real...kinda, My mother use to tell me stories with it growing up. I dunno where she got them from though. I always suspected it was a family tradition sort of thing.”
“Let me hear you recount that story now.”
”Ok class, times up! I hope you’d all had thought provoking discussions about plants. But if you would turn you’re attention to the board…” Their teacher began to say.
Wednesday sat motionless, staring daggers into Caspian as he flipped to a fresh page in his notebook.
“Perhaps next time Addams. But don’t count on it.”
Caspian Lee was proving to be annoyingly frustrating to deal with. But she liked a challenge. In fact, she craved one.