Apologies
At the sound of the door opening, Wednesday paused her typing. “Eventful evening?”
“Mhm,” She heard Enid hum quietly, kicking off her shoes.
Wednesday’s hand lingered over the sliding cartridge. Enid has just come back from her date with Ajax behind the greenhouse. She would expect a night full of clashing lips and clumsy over-the-shirt groping would incite a more lively reaction from her. Wednesday’s eyes narrowed. “Shall I prime the nail gun?”
“What?…” There was a pause before Enid responded quickly. “Oh! No-no it was cool. We had snacks, watched a couple eps of Gossip Girl, made out-”
“Spare me the details Enid,” Wedneasdy cut in, shuddering. “I just wanted to make sure things went alright.”
“Yeah no, Ajax was a totes gentleman the whole night! it was really fun…” Enid’s voice petered out.
Wednesday quirked a brow at her rather distracted roommate. She turned to face her, unsurprised to find the girl staring off into space. “But?”
“Hm? Oh no, there's no ‘but’. I just - my mind has kinda been scrambled after everything. I mean, I literally missed the scene where Blair finally kissed Chuck. I’ll never be able to take that back.” Enid pouted, tossing her beret on the floor. She perched herself on her bed, eyes going unfocused yet again.
Wednesday could tell something was eating at the girl’s psyche, so much so that it was the only thing she could think about during her precious date night. As expected, Enid and Ajax resumed business as usual. Wednesday still thought Enid could do better, but the werewolf seemed content enough so she wouldn’t push it further. At least they didn’t flaunt their relationship like others did in this god-forsaken school. Wednesday could stomach Enid’s and Ajax’s small pecks and cuddles. It could be worst she reasoned, they could be like her parents.
Wednesday stared unblinkingly at the girl. “Do you have trouble sleeping because of it? I have various antidotes that may help. ”
Enid made a sour face. “Um, thanks but no thanks Wenya. I can still taste the last one you gave me, no matter how much I scrape my tongue and chug mouthwash.”
“But it prevented the hangover did it not?” Wednesday arched a small brow.
Enid huffed. “Yeah, I guess it did…Who knows what would’ve happened if I was hungover in the quad.” Enid absentmindedly grabbed one of her many unicorn plushies, hugging it to her chest.
Wednesday observed her roommate carefully. Wednesday never dealt with trauma the same way others seem to. It almost made her feel like she was missing out.
Almost, being the imperative word there.
She reckons a childhood full of administering pain and taking some in return, has somewhat desensitized her to the whole concept. She doesn’t even know what would account for traumatizing in her book. The death of her pet scorpion Nero had to be up there. Perhaps one of the many times she almost died last year deserved a spot on the list. Wednesday was never one to linger on such events. In her eyes, there was no need to mull over the specifics since one can’t change the past.
But even though Wednesday may not be able to convey every emotion on the spectrum, she was competent enough to read them on others. Enid apparently still thought about the quad often, it made her quieter, and she kept to herself more. Normally Wednesday would value these traits in a roommate, but it was evidently not Enid. And that fact didn’t sit well with her. She knew her friend couldn’t always be grotesquely optimistic 7-days a week. People were allowed to have bad days and to be depressed after certain circumstances. But trust her when Wednesday says, Enid was actually a big golden retriever puppy at heart.
Wednesday chewed on her bottom lip. “Do you…want to talk about it?”
“I thought it was your writing time?” Enid drawing her round eyes up.
“I’m ahead of schedule.”
“Well,” Enid brought her legs up into a crisscross. “I’m not sure what else is there to talk about. I mean we’ve practically said everything we needed to right?”
Wednesday thought back to the day Weems brought them into her office. After Wednesday left, she joined her peers huddled over Xavier's table in the dining hall. She listened as they bounced questions and revelations off each other for hours on end. She initially planned to keep the full extent of her knowledge a secret, but it proved futile. Xavier and Bianca refused to believe she was caught off guard by Tyler’s presence.
With Enid's insistence that it was for everyone's safety, Wednesday had no other choice. She reluctantly revealed that she had a sneaking suspicion he would come for her and that Crackstone’s legacy still lived on somehow. It was Ajax of all people who pressed her about how she knew, Wednesday only going as far as revealing that she found a carnivorous flower on Laurel Gates's tombstone. It seemed to satisfy the group, saving her from explaining how she got a hold of some rather incriminating files. They quickly shifted their attention from the Hyde to the resident wizard and the questions stopped coming her way.
Of course, there was no reason to suspect she knew anything about the boy.
Wednesday, cracked one side of her neck. “I suppose we did speak about everything, but I’ve read that it could help nonetheless.”
Enid smiled gratefully. “Thanks, it’s just…the things Caspian said today that, I dunno, I just have more questions.”
Wednesday froze before she could crack the other side. “He’s awake now?”
Wednesday has been checking in on the boy’s state whenever she got the chance. Which earned her strange stares and hushed whispers. The accepted truth was that Caspian was merely struck by a rogue piece of debris that threw him into a coma. For a while, people believed it. But Wednesday’s frequent visits seemed to stoke the dying embers of gossip. She heard many rumors about them. From how it was she who intentionally pushed him to Caspian being her secret boyfriend.
Enid and Ajax had to hold both Wednesday and Xavier back whenever they heard the latter.
On the other side of things, Weems seems to be doing a great job of twisting the story. She publicly blamed law enforcement. Saying how if they weren’t so focused on keeping the poor children out of their town, they might have noticed a serial killer slipping through. The general census was Weems was justified in her accusations. It was a masterclass in narrative shifting the Wednesday could only applaud. The principal not only somehow got empathy from the parents, but the towns folk as well. But that means there’ll likely be an increase in security presence around Nevermore. But many high-profile beneficiaries like her mother were against any form of federal presence. Wednesday whole heartedly agreed. It would make her scheming incredibly more inconvenient.
“Yeah he’s up,” Enid said casually. Wednesday pivoted her head to look at the girl, who eyed her before opening her mouth. “Oh…I thought I messaged you guys.”
“You did not. When did you see him?” Wednesday tried sitting as still as possible, her eyes glued to her roommate.
“Before my date. But I’m guessing he’s probably sleeping now.” Enid checked her watch. It was just after curfew, Wednesday was out of luck. Oh well, she’ll just go bright and early tomorrow.
Enid sighed, running a hand through her hair. “We’ll talk about it when everyone else gets the chance to speak with him. A lot of what’s eating at me really doesn’t make any sense otherwise. Like man-eating spiders? Purebloods? Hogwash? Like who names a school that? They’re just asking to get clowned. Like Imagine you’re getting roasted and you hear a Hogwash student laugh a little too hard I mean-”
At Wednesday’s incredulous gaze, Enid strained a smile, waving her hand in the air. “See? Makes no sense.”
“You rarely do Enid.” Wednesday made a face, resting her arm on the back of the chair.
Enid rolled her eyes. “Whatever, I have to finish my Witchcraft and Wizardry homework I didn’t start.”
Wednesday sighed. “Isn’t it due tomorrow?”
“I know right?” Enid pouted, throwing her hands up. “You’d think Mr. Tolly would be more lenient after a legit act of terrorism, but nOOOooo! See this is what happens when you don’t do fun things when you’re young. You end up growing old and hating your life and making it everyone else's problem!” Enid fell back on her mattress with a frustrated sob. She stayed like that for a while, her hands covering her face.
Wednesday looked at the girl in pity “You’re not gonna start, are you?”
“Hey!” Enid shot up to give her a defiant glare. “I will! But….I’ve been meaning to clean up my closet for a while...” Enid snuck a glance towards the pile of clothes quite literally flowing out of her drawer. Wednesday wouldn’t be surprised if a snake was living amongst the fabrics. They do enjoy warm and dry environments after all.
“You do know productive procrastination is still procrastination?”
“Wednesday just shhh…” Enid closed her eyes as if she simply didn’t see her, she wouldn’t have to acknowledge her words. “I don’t need this kind of negativity right now.”
Wednesday let out an exasperated sigh. “I’ll spend half of the breakfast helping you finish whatever you have left, but not a second more. I don’t want to excuse this behavior.”
“Oh my god, you’re a lifesaver!” Enid bounced on her mattress giddily. “Thanks, Wenya, you’re the best!” Enid hopped off her bed and skipped over to her closet, apparently serious about tackling the issue.
Wednesday took it as her cue to turn back around. “I think I’ll go pay him a visit tomorrow.” She said after some time.
“You do that, but I suggest having a few questions in mind beforehand. The new Nurse is a stickler with time - HUH! My gloves! That’s where they were.” Wednesday felt the corners of her mouth tug up as she heard Enid yelp, followed by the sound of clothes hitting the floor.
Thing suddenly scampered from around her typewriter, tapping as quietly as he could.
Wednesday reluctantly admitted he had a point. First, she’d need to be in his good graces before she can start spewing questions. That requires the dreaded apology for her actions of kidnap and attempted high-pain-tolerance interrogation. Not only will the world know she failed to get the job done, but she has to admit it as well.
However, Wednesday genuinely felt remorseful for her acts. She should’ve stuck to her original plan of befriending the boy and slowly gaining his trust naturally. She has to admit, what she did was extremely impulsive and amateur. She hates to say it, but she let her fear and panic get the better of her in that regard.
Wednesday removed the paper in her typewriter, replacing it with a blank sheet. She glanced at the hand as she cracked her knuckles. “Well then, if that’s what it takes I’ll do what I do best.”
Wednesday decided she’ll spend the rest of the night writing a formal apology to Caspian Lee.
“Caspian, I regret the pain and annoyance I’ve caused you thus far. Please believe me when I say I meant no harm by it. I was merely curious and had a feeling that you weren’t being completely honest. Ironically, you ended up not being, but I digress. Due to what I’ve been through last term, I let my fear guide my actions rather than my thoughts. But that is no excuse for my mistreatment of you, who had nothing to do with my experiences last term. And it led me to do things and treat you in ways I now see were wrong. I do hope you can forgive me for all that I’ve put you through emotionally and physically, and I hope that in time, we can turn a new leaf. If the offer still stands, I want to start over with you. Now more than ever…”
Wednesday hesitated, looking over her paper at the expectant hand who gestured for her to continue.
Wednesday chewed on her bottom lip, furrowing her brows in concentration. “Caspian Lee…I am sor-” She cleared her throat, taking in a deep breath she tried again. “I’m sor-…I wanted to apol-”
Wednesday pouted, staring at the words harder as if they would somehow click in her mind. “CaspianLeeImSorry.” She let out a rushed breath.
A small proud smile played at her lip as she glanced at Thing for approval. “See? Nothing to it.”
Thing propped himself up, shaking his body in an ‘iffy’ gesture making her smile to fall.
Wednesday glared at him. “Well at least I’m trying,” she murmured before staring reluctantly back. “Do you think it’s a little…much? Or is it not enough?”
Thing tapped quickly on the stone floor.
“You’re right, I am overthinking this.” Wednesday carefully folded the paper slotting it in her bag neatly. She’s spent hours last night rewriting it, she’s barely gotten any sleep because of the fact. In turn, Wednesday already memorized the entire piece, but she couldn’t help but shake the feeling that she wasn’t nearly prepared enough.
Wednesday huffed. “So this is what rock bottom feels like.” She wondered aloud, leaning her head against the wall. She was currently sitting on the cold stone floor of the hallway, legs splayed out tiredly. She’s been waiting outside the infirmary doors since daybreak. It was currently 1st period and Wednesday decided to skip chemistry. She hasn't brushed up on her medical knowledge yet, but she was sure 12 hours of sleep was enough for a person who slept for 4 days straight.
The sound of the door creaking open brought her out of her reverie, the Nurse almost tripping on her legs.
“Oh, my heavens!” She brought a hand to her chest, startled as Wednesday gracefully picked herself off the floor. “Ms. Addams, you’re still here, don’t you have classes?”
Over the last couple of days, Wednesday and Nurse Abner has developed a sort of routine. Wednesday would always show up first thing in the morning, ask if he was up and be on her way. The rest of her visits throughout the day were dictated by her timetable, but her last visit was always right before the 6th period.
“I have a spare, is he awake yet?” Wednesday tried sneaking a peak behind the nurse before the door closed.
“Why matter of fact he is, he’s just finished cleaning up.” The nurse shot her brows up exasperatedly. ”I’ll go tell him he has a visitor.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Wednesday said quickly, halting the woman in her tracks. “I um…rather surprise him.”
Wednesday swallowed the unease in her throat. There was a chance Caspian would deny her visit so she couldn’t risk it. She recalled when she made Thing effectively sign out a 2000-word persuasive essay as to what happened in the nightshade club. At the end of the day, they both agreed that if he wasn’t let loose, they probably wouldn’t be alive right now. But Thing also mentioned his extreme disliking for the various tools she had planned to use. Wednesday was sure that a mere set of pliers would’ve gotten Caspian to talk, but what could she say, she was a thorough individual.
The nurse looked at her carefully before yawning. “Very well Ms. Addams. Wait here while I fetch his breakfast…and my second coffee for that matter.”
Wednesday watched the nurse amble down the hall and around the corner. Thing tapped against the stone floor. “I want you to keep watch outside the door,” Wednesday said, straitening out her uniform.
She toyed with the idea of just picking the lock and going through herself, but she thought against it. Not a very good first impression of a changed person.
So she opted to wait patiently outside of the nurse's office, practicing her apology in her head. Wednesday wondered if she should sit or stand. Maybe it would be better if she eased into it instead of just jumping right in it. Wednesday was out of her wheelhouse, she cursed herself for not doing more research on how to deliver an effective apology. She usually never had to deal with such things.
The nurse eventually did end up coming back, tray in hand. “Be a dear and open the door. Uh- the red one.” She gestured to her dangling key chain which Wednesday snatched up.
“Caspian’s a very lucky boy to have such dedicated…friends such as you and Ms.Sinclair.”
Wednesday paused in her sifting, shooting the nurse her deadliest glare. It would appear the gossip has entered the teacher's lounge. Don’t they have anything else better to speak about?
To her surprise, the woman just chuckled. Not the response Wednesday usually got from her death stares. “It never ceases to amaze me how brilliant yet blind you kids are at this age.”
Wednesday opted to stay silent, finally procuring the red key. She deduced Nurse Abner was a complete lunatic with a death wish. How can she make such a bold assumption off on a few actions of hers? If only she knew the real reason why she was this adamant.
“Thank you, hun. Just wait out here while I get him settled.”
Wednesday huffed, crossing her arms as she actively tried to avoid Thing looking at her. She didn’t have Enid here, so she had to rely on ancient Tibetan monk techniques to calm her nerves and temper.
After a moment the Nurse came walking out, sipping on her coffee. “No more than 10 minutes.”
Wednesday took in one last breath before ducking into the room. He was in the farthest bed near the window. She can make out his silhouette from behind the drawn curtain. She slowly inhaled through her nose and out her mouth.
Time to get this over with.
Wednesday tiptoed as quietly as she could, pausing right outside the curtain. She hesitated, wringing her hands. Wednesday was starting to have second thoughts about the whole ordeal. What did she hope to accomplish exactly? The best-case scenario was he’d accept her apology without further questions. However, something tells her that wasn’t going to happen. Maybe she should’ve let Nurse Abner introduce her to him? It would've given Caspian some time to steel himself. Wednesday has never felt as inadequate and ill-prepared as she did right now and it frightened her to no end (though she rather die than admit that out loud). It was safe to say she was out of her league of expertise.
“Nurse Abner?” Caspian’s inquiring voice tore her from her inner ramblings.
With one last calming breath and straitening of her posture, she stepped out into the open. “Hello.”
Caspian stared at her blankly, pausing mid-bite of a piece of toast. Wednesday willed with all her might to stare at the boy head-on. In their prolonged silence, she took the time to observe him. He was dressed in hospital garb, a white bandage wrapped around his head. His left leg was in a flexible mesh of some sort. She briefly mused it was probably filled with various burn-relief pastes. Most likely Aloe, Calendula officinalis, or Centella Asiatic based. Her eyes danced over to his leg where his foot was neatly wrapped in a cast. But other than a few cuts and bruises here, there were no other noticeable injuries.
Wednesday cleared her throat. “I just-” But she was suddenly winded, being dragged forward like a doll.
Her eyes went wide as she was pulled through the space by an unseen force. It all happened so fast, she just saw Caspian make a quick movement with his hand, and in a blink of an eye, she was suddenly sitting in a chair off to his side.
“What's the meaning of-” She tried to choke out, but suddenly her lips locked. Her back straightened as she was suddenly staring at Caspian’s smug face. She tried opening her mouth to speak again but only to find, she couldn’t.
In fact, she couldn’t move her whole body at all.
The only thing she could do was breathe through her nose and blink. Which she did rapidly, her mind going into fight or flight mode.
“This is how this is going to go alright?” Caspian said nonchalantly, jabbing at his hash browns. “You’re gonna sit there, and I’m going to finish my breakfast while I decide if I should kick you out or not.” He took a sip of orange juice and continued eating as if nothing happened.
Wednesday’s mind raced with fury. An aggressive reaction from him was never out of the cards but she would’ve never thought in a million years he’d try such a brazen stunt. Wednesday immediately regretted not bringing Thing along, but she guess he would’ve stunned him too. But the longer she sat there the more her reality dawned on her.
She was trapped and couldn’t move, at the whims of a powerful wizard who she's now positive, she’s enraged. Wednesday didn’t think Caspian would do anything drastic, like outright kill her on the spot. That would pose too much of a problem for him but quite frankly, she didn’t know what Caspian was capable of. More importantly, what lengths he was willing to go to. A thought flashed across her mind. If he can immobilize her so effortlessly, she was sure he’d be able to stage her death as a natural accident or just an unlucky coincidence. He could probably dispose of her body in an instant. Wednesday’s nostrils flared as her eyes went wide.
“You look like you have something to say, nod if you do.” He chuckled, taking a bite out of a green apple.
She locked eyes with him, doing her best to throw every single dagger she could muster. In focusing all her rage in her stare, she must’ve stopped breathing as Caspian suddenly looked slightly alarmed.
He released the spell on her, and Wednesday gasped for air as she feels her body sag. She caught her breath.
“You enjoy this don’t you?” Wednesday sneered vehemently, clutching the chair for support.
Caspian chuckled, “Oh, believe me, Addams,” He scowled at her, cutting away at his breakfast sausage. “I do.”
Wednesday finally felt her body stabilize. “Is this what you do with all that power?” She clenched her fist tightly, her fingernails making small crescent imprints in her palm but she didn’t care. “You use your magic on girls so you can do what you please?”
Caspian scoffed, taking a long sip from his glass. “One, that’s disgusting, I seldom treat anyone this way much less a lady. And Two, you are no innocent girl Addams.
“Casp-”
Wednesday was suddenly petrified again, her posture going impossibly straight even for her standards. He smiled satisfied with himself, before going back to his meal.
This was beyond humiliating for her, it was dehumanizing and not in a good way. Taking someone's ability to completely function with a simple flick of a wrist? At least with traditional methods of immobilization, there was a personal aspect. Effort and serious thought had to be put into it.
When she drugged Caspian, she felt his resistance, reminding her that he was a living being. She felt the warmth of his body as she dragged his dead weight to the library. When strapping him in the chair, she felt the rhythmic beating of his heart and the pulse on his wrist. She had to get physical with him, human contact was key to the whole dance and song. Otherwise, it was no different than prodding at a lifeless corpse.
Wednesday couldn’t help but recall a forgotten memory that laid dormant in the back of her mind. It was one of her earliest memories of her and Pugsly. She couldn’t be more than 9 and he 7. Wednesday just learned about waterboarding from a book and practiced it religiously on him. During her 5th attempt, he got fed up and whined to do the same to her. Wednesday obliged much to his surprise.
She vividly remembers lying there, a damp cloth over her face, hearing Pugsly beg for her to get up.
He changed his mind, he didn’t want to do it anymore and his hiccuping cries echoed throughout their shared room. Wednesday tried to tell him it was ok, that she could handle it. She even went as far as to say it wasn’t his fault and she wasn’t trying to punish him, she just wanted to know what it felt like. She did, but Pugsly was too emotional to listen. Her memory ended with her rocking a tear-stricken Pugsly on the floor.
It was the first and last time she’s ever consoled her brother that way.
When push came to shove, Pugsly wasn’t able to do it. To hold her down, pin the cloth over her face and pour the water. And Wednesday never held it against him. If torture were easy, if hurting others were easy, everyone would do it.
But no, this felt wrong, unnatural.
It felt cold and indifferent. Anyone with magic can do anything they wanted without as much as a second thought. Caspian can do whatever he pleases to her without ever getting his hand dirty. Without ever feeling the beating of her heart or the heat of her life. She was in all meaning of the word, vulnerable.
“Blimey I’m stuffed! I think I can fall asleep right about now.” She looked up at him, blinking frantically as his eyes drifted towards her. “Oh! you’re still here.”
He let out a hollow chuckle, placing a finger on his chin. “What to do with you…I could either cast you out, or let you waste away till Nurse Abner comes back, or I can go to Weems and tell everything. What do you suggest?”
He dabbed at his mouth with a napkin, forehead puckered in thought. “All compelling choices really, nothing stopping me from doing all three. But I suppose I’ll never find out why in bloody hell, you thought it was a good idea to come to me. Perhaps you wanted to catch a quick glimpse of me in a precarious position of sorts?”
He sneered her way, his eyes going cold with hate. “Or more likely, you planned on finishing what you started in that library hmm? I’m in a weakened state, already can’t move or fight back. Let me guess, you got a couple of those torture devices in that sack of yours.”
Wednesday’s eyes widened as her bag was suddenly ripped from her hands, flying into his awaiting ones. He dumped out the contents unceremoniously onto the bed. She can only watch as her favorite books, school supplies, and other miscellaneous object clattered onto the floor.
“You don’t mind if I,” Caspian held one of her books up. “Have a rummage through?” He didn’t even finish as he flipped through the pages.
Wednesday was now extremely glad she decided to keep her journal and case files safely secured in her room.
“Who’s Viper Delemurte?” He snorted, flipping through the pages casually.
Wednesday’s eyes twitched, she could strangle him if she could.
He tossed it to the side, going for another one of her books, repeating the process. Whatever he was hoping to find he was apparently out of luck. Wednesday can guess he wanted something to hold over her for blackmail. That’s what she would do.
Caspian ran a hand through his hair, rolling a couple of her chapsticks in his palm before tossing them haphazardly to the wayside. He bent down to skim through her story journal more carefully when a paper fell out of her bag
Wednesday inhaled sharply. It was her apology.
Caspian noticed her reaction, a condescending smirk forming on his lips. “What do we have here?”
He carefully unfolded it, giving her one last shit-eating grin before he began to read. As his eyes scanned the page, his smirk fell from his lips, his brows knitting in confusion. He tore his eyes away, looking at her oddly before digging his nose back into the paper, seemingly re-reading the passage.
“What is this?” his voice was rough, flicking the paper as if it offended him. He looked up at her, a mixture of confusion, hate, and disbelief coloring his eyes. When he realized she couldn't respond he flicked his wand, releasing her once more.
“It’s my apology!” Wednesday heaved out, clutching at her stomach. She tried not to double over at her suddenly feeling of her entire body. She wiggles her toes to make sure blood was still flowing.
“Your apology?” Caspian’s voice was strident, saying the word ‘apology’ as if it left a bitter taste in his mouth. He stared at her with wild eyes, glancing back at the paper.
“Caspian, I regret the pain and annoyance I’ve caused you thus far. Please believe me when I say I meant no harm by it. I was merely curious and had a feeling that you weren’t being - What is this rubbish?”
Caspian laughed bitterly, causing her chest to tighten. Wednesday bit the inside of her cheek until she tasted blood.
“You expect me to believe that you, Wednesday Addams, not only took precious time out of your satan worship to come up with this, but you came here to do what? Give it to me to read?”
Caspian balled up the paper, throwing it at Wednesday who flinched to catch it.
“I never planned to give It to you! I was going to recite the whole thing...” She growled, mustering up every ounce of spite and hate she had for him, but she couldn’t meet his eyes for some reason. She blinked rapidly, cradling the paper close to her chest.
“Oh wow, that makes it 100 times better. It’s insulting you expect me to believe there’s a sliver of remorse in you. You’re selfish Addams. I failed to see that before but it’s abundantly clear now. You only do things if they benefit you, no one else. You don't have the emotional capability to care for anyone but yourself.” He spat out, his chest rising and falling erratically.
Wednesday cringed, swallowing the metallic taste in her mouth. It wasn’t often that she was completely caught off guard like this. Caspian was being a grade-A prick, she guessed she pushed him farther than she thought. Wednesday was usually the one in control of it all. The situation, the conversation, and her emotions. All of which were completely out of her hands at the moment.
Wednesday tried to think rationally. Caspian knew that Nurse Abner would eventually come back, so he wasn’t trying to actively do her any harm. Unless he was merely toying with her before finishing the job. But he did mention the three options he has, and none of them involved hurting her. She had no choice but to trust his word.
“I deserved that,” Wednesday steadied her breath. Caspian gave her a strange look before his indigent facade drew back up.
She brought her eyes to meet his flaming one. “I wrote out my apology because I wanted to do it right…I’ve never done it before.”’ She admitted softly before shaking her head. “I came here to make amends-”
“Make amends?” Caspian spat out, suddenly very angry. “Then you’re a bigger fool than I thought. Get out of my sight!”
“But you haven’t even -”
“Oh I read it all right and I’ve seen enough. Out Addams!”
“But-”
“Depulso!”
She was suddenly sent to the ground at the foot of his bed. He hiss out another spell that sent her and her items skidding across the room.
Wednesday burst through the doors, landing in pile on the floor.
Thing scampered to her, tapping frantically but Wednesday didn’t respond right away.
Everything happened so fast, it was all so unexpected. The tension and emotions were so unexpectedly raw. It seemed he had zero patience left for her after all.
Thing tugged on her arm frantically, tapping into her skin.
“What do you think?” She snapped, picking herself up from the floor. Wednesday let out a shuddering breath, blinking a few times to gather herself. She began to absentmindedly gather her things off the floor replaying the interaction over and over in her head. The way her body felt under his spell, the shouting back and forth, his enraged face.
Wednesday just took in, that was potentially a very, very dangerous situation for her.
Safe to say it wasn’t boding well for Caspian in her quest to find out if he was a good person or not. Lashing out in anger, taking advantage of someone, using your power for selfish reasons. All definite ‘bad’ traits. But as she thought about it more, one question kept popping up in her mind.
Why?
Throwing her around like a rag doll, dumping out her bag, and silencing her. It was clear he was fed up with her antics. Wednesday just assumed he was taking out his pent-up anger and frustrations out. That he was being cruel.
But would a truly cruel individual stop at just that?
He could’ve humiliated her in a multitude of ways. Wednesday can think of 10 things she would’ve done in his situation. And that was without the aid of magic.
It was all so...theatrical. Meant to incite negative emotions from her, but not meant to hurt her. Physically at least.
It suddenly clicked for Wednesday.
It was all for show. Well, at least a portion of it was, she was pretty sure he was furious wth her. Wednesday recalls their first Botany class together. Back then, he wanted her to see that he was unbothered by her prying. When that failed, he pulled the Devil Snare story to throw her off his scent. That was meant to show Wednesday that he wasn’t an as easy target.
Caspian was all about appearances and sending a message.
He wanted her to see that he was not to be messed with any longer. He wanted to show her the full extent of his power and more importantly, how he wasn’t afraid to use it. If Caspian meant to scare her or not was completely up to interpretation. But the fact of the matter was, he drew a deep line in the sand.
If she messes with the bull, she’ll get the horns. A message she received clear as day.
Thing shook with rage, bolting for the door knob. “Thing don’t bother.” She said.
Wednesday sighed when the hand didn’t stop in its pursuit. She snatched him up before he could twist the knob. “I said, don’t bother. You know I don’t tolerate insubordination.”
Things violently jabbed on her flesh. Wednesday struggled to make out his Morse code it was so messy. Something about how he’ll make sure Caspian never sees the light of day for what he did to her and how he’ll gladly rip his eyes out.
Wednesday couldn’t help but smile a little at how Thing was so quick to defend her. He was always loyal to her and her family. Ever since last term, she’d made it a point to give him more time to express himself and do as he pleases. Sometimes she’d even join in his manicures when he pleaded extra hard. She rarely had the heart to turn him down. After his near death, Wednesday realized how much he really means to her. He was her family.
She stroked the hand until he calmed done, his morse code becoming at least somewhat coherent.
Wednesday snorted at a rather inventive way to torture Caspian that involved clamps and rubbing alcohol. “I don’t doubt it, but I give you strict orders not to retaliate. Do you understand?…. Hey,” Wednesday brought Thing up to her eyes. “Do you understand?”
Thing paused, before reluctantly nodding his fingers.
Wednesday nodded once. “We should get going, I’ll be late for class.” She strode down the hall, head hell high.
Caspian may have made it deftly clear that he was not to be taken lightly anymore. But it seemed there was a miscommunication between them.
Wednesday was no longer interested in prying the truth using sheer force. She was going to kill him with the most appalling and vomit-inducing method that, at the mere thought, had even her squirming.
Wednesday was going to win him over with kindness.