Bad Guy
“You, have you seen Enid Sinclair?”
The spectacled student gave him a weird look, shaking his head.
Caspian sniffled, glancing around the annoyed group he just butted in on. “Bloody useless thanks for nothing.” He grumbled, pushing past them.
“The fucks wrong with that guy?”
“Fucks wrong with your hair? You're supposed to style it after you wake up not before you blubbering idiot. ”
He barely registered the giggles and the immature 'oohs' as he trudged through the sea of teenagers.
He had to find her.
He jerked the shoulder of the nearest boy. “Whata bout you, have you seen her?” The boy scowled at Caspian, roughly shrugging his hand off.
“No? Well, have you seen a bloody dentist? I'm British but you've got some fucked up teeth.”
Caspian turned away to resume his search, but not before hearing him mutter under his breath.
“Huh? You say something? Say it to my face dick head…Yeah, that's what I thought… keep it walking.”
He sneered as they stalked away. People loved to talk, but when it came to confrontation, they were all quick to play dumb. And Caspian just so happened to be in a confrontational mood today.
He squinted at the huge clock in the quad, willing his throbbing mind to focus. It was lunchtime, so it's been roughly twelve hours since his night out with Enid. Four of which he actually slept for, the others were spent trying to drown out the memory.
He couldn't believe how stupid he was. What was he thinking, taking her out past curfew? Calling it a 'date'? What happened to respecting boundaries and the 'bro code' or however the Americans put it? He never wanted to hurt her or to make things difficult. But he did. Things were now needlessly complicated for everyone.
And now, she was nowhere to be found.
“Hey, hey you!” He yelled at a 1st year, freezing him in his tracks. “Yeah you, have you seen Enid? Werewolf? Runs Nevermore's gossip blog? About yay high, blond hair with bluish-greenish eyes?”
The boy was a statue, taking ages to even turn his head to gawk up at him. Even then, his wide eyes never met his.
“Hey, Hey! I'm talking to you!” He snapped his fingers. “Are you taking a fuckin piss kid I don't have all day.”
“You're probably scaring him.” Caspian swiveled his head, swaying a bit at the sudden movement. “Whatchu doin Caspian…” Bianca tried warily.
He barely opened his mouth before he heard scurrying behind him.
“Hey!… Oh great the wanker's ran off thanks a lot, Barclay.” He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. He should really get something to ease his migraine if he had to deal with any more deplorable classmates. “Have you seen Enid by chance?”
Bianca arched a brow. “I was about to ask you the same, she didn't show up to Pitch Slaps. Why do you need to see her?”
“That's none of your business is it?” He snapped, wincing at the sudden pain in his head.
“Oh, kayyyy someone's in a mood.”
Caspian huffed gruffly. “I need to talk to her about werewolf anatomy. If I don't pass the next test I'm in some serious trouble.”
“I didn't know you cared about your grades that much.” Bianca gave him a not-so-discreet once over.
He gestured to himself vaguely, already eyeing his next target to polity harass.
“If you want, I can try answering your-”
“No offense but the class is werewolf anatomy, not siren anatomy so thanks but no thanks love.”
Bianca didn't respond right away. “Okay well, I guess…wait,” She took a step closer, taking a tentative sniff at his collar. “Have you been drinking?”
Caspian stumbled back “What? No…No why would I do that?” He chuckled, running a hand through his unkempt hair. He could've sworn he Scourgify himself before leaving. “That's ridiculous, tomfoolery, nonsense talk-”
“I can smell it on you, it was that beer you brought to the Bash. You had more of it didn't you?” She narrowed her eyes accusingly.
He tried staring her down but her silvery blue ones overpowered his. “What of it then?” He sniffled. He had a few cases left over from what he nicked for the Bash. He may or may not have consumed some last night in an attempt to ease his worries. He was just glad Xavier was a heavy sleeper.
Bianca sighed, shaking her head disapprovingly. “Come with me.”
When it was clear Caspian had no intention of coming with her she snatched his arm.
“Hey! Get your hands off me Barcla-”
“I said,” She bit out calmly but firmly. “Come with me.”
He scoffed, but let her drag him through the bustling corridors and into the dining hall. She promptly sat him down, commanded him not to move, and left for the lunch line. He slouched against the wall, tracing at one of the grooves in the wooden panel. He replayed the last few moments with Enid over and over in his mind. Why did he have to bloody kiss her? But more importantly, why did she kiss back?
He was angry at himself for letting his guard down yes. But he was ashamed to admit that, a part of him, the selfish part, was angry with her too.
The way she drew him in closer or how she moved her lips in tandem with his, only complicated things further. Even if she didn't initiate the kiss, why was she so flirty to begin with? Was he seeing things? Did he just imagine all the longing smiles and needless touches? All the times they locked eyes with each other from across the hall, or the lingering stares they'd exchange in class when they were supposed to be paying attention? How'd they'd lose track of time talking to each other, making them late for just about everything? Was he going crazy? Has he truly gone mad?
“Here,"Bianca slid into the open seat opposite him. "My very own hangover cure. I share it with no one.
“I don't need a hangover cure I need to see Enid-”
“You have the whole weekend to find her before classes, I think you'll survive. Now drink.”
“No.”
“I'm not gonna tell you twice.”
“Or what you'll make me?”
The instant the words left his mouth he winced. It was a rather low blow. He watched as Bianca visibly flinched, her pristine posture cracking. Although they never outright spoke about it, he learned from context clues that she was rather insecure about her powers.
Bianca recovered quickly, her silvery eyes going hard as stone as she appraised him. The right thing to do would be to apologize, instead, he sighed, snatching the mug. He scrutinized the contents, swirling it around before taking an experimental sip.
“Ugh!” He sputtered. “Bloody hell- What in the fuc- Ah shit!-” It was like someone doused pumpkin juice in hot sauce and poured in mint tea, cough syrup, and various other liquids that most definitely did not belong together.
“How is it?” She asks monotone, the corners of her mouth quirking upwards.
“Fuckin atrocious!”
“Good, it's supposed to be that way. Watch for the afterburn.”
“The afterbur- oh… oh!” Caspian gagged, reflexively drinking the closest thing he had. Not a smart move. “Ugh! Merlin's beard I think I just made it worst. What demon did you milk to make this?”
“It's best I don't tell you what's in it. It'll sober you up and clear your rank breath. It's better to drink it all in one go and not think about the taste.”
Despite what his body was telling him, he heeded her words, taking bigger gulps. He was about halfway through the concoction when he noticed Bianca studying him.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“I can feel you staring.”
“No, I wasn't-”
“Don't insult me Barclay I have two perfectly good eyes.” Caspian ground out, grimacing as the burning liquid coated his throat.
Bianca pressed her lips together, hesitating before dropping her voice a couple octaves. “What's really going on with you and Enid?”
He paused his chugging. “You were right it was nothing.”
“Caspian-”
“I just need to talk to her-”
“Hear me out-
“I really need to pass Bianca that class that's all-”
“Caspian!” She hissed, smacking the table lightly. He unconsciously shut his mouth, watching her from over the rim of the mug. “Does Ajax know?”
His stomach dropped, either from her words or the drink, perhaps a mixture of both. No, there was no way she knew what happened last night. Hell, he didn't even know what happened last night and he was there! “I-i dunno what you're on about, why would Ajax need to know about my academic integrity-”
“Listen.” She clasped her hands, leaning impossibly close. “I won't say anything to him because quite frankly this is none of my business. But as a mutual friend to both of you, I feel like my input has some weight.”
“Whatever you heard it's a lie-”
“I didn't hear anything.”
“Oh,” He relaxed, however, his relief was short-lived. “So what are you basing these baseless accusations on?”
“I have two perfectly good eyes.” Bianca shot him a smirk. “I notice things, especially when people think no one else is looking.”
He narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean by that?” He would've never taken Bianca for a gossip.
She brushed it off. “That's beside the point. Talk things out, all three of you. Make sure you're all on the same page with who's feeling what. Trust me, I know how messy these things can get.”
“What like you and Xavier last term?” He blurted out before he could stop himself.
He watched as yet again her eyes flickered coldly. She leaned back, setting her jaw. “What did he tell you?”
Caspian scowled, more to himself than anything. He never liked digging up past drama but here he was. He was a little unfiltered today it would seem. “Something about breaking up with you because he thought you used your siren song on him. And then you guys got back together for the Rave'n just so he could get back at Addams.” He shook his head. “Tsk, tsk, very messy indeed Barclay.”
“And do you believe him?” Bianca questioned icily.
“Believe what? Believe he wants to hook up with Add-”
“No, do you believe I abused my power? That I manipulated him.”
Caspian genuinely thought about it for a moment. He appraised the girl in front of him, then the drink, then her again. “No.”
It was safe to say she didn't expect that answer. “Really?”
“Well if you must know, “ He let out a tired sigh, massaging his temples. “From my limited knowledge about you, I'd like to think you're above using your powers for such an immature reason as getting 'a boy'. For someone as independent and academics focus as you, I simply don't buy it. Though, since you are so academics focus, perhaps you have no energy left to expend on actually going through the process of courting a male companion.”
He took a sip of his mug, only grimacing slightly this time.
“But I still don't see the need for such a relationship considering a person of your goals. Unless you’re madly in love which I highly doubt, you two don’t strike me as the Romeo and Juliet type. More likely you are a particularly lonely individual. But that can't be, you're undoubtedly the most popular girl in school. The Queen Bee. But how does the saying go? 'It's lonely at the top'? Tell me Barclay, is it really that lonely? Or maybe it's more complicated than that? Is it lonely, perhaps, somewhere other than Nevermore? Oh, I'm sorry,” he faked a worried hand on his chest. “You don't want to talk about it do you? I kinda know what that feels like.”
He set his mug down, sitting back with an indigent cross of his arms. He just watched Bianca slowly unravel before him. Her eyes widened in horror and her shoulders slumped inward. He gnawed at his lips guilty. He was more of a cruel Slytherin than he thought. He didn't know how to feel about that revelation. It’s not like he particularly enjoys the new pit in his stomach.
Bianca sat there for a while, just staring at him. He was worried he actually crossed a line. His more sober self would chastise him for basically taking out his frustrations on the poor siren. She was only trying to help. But no matter how much he tried he couldn't bring himself to care at the moment. The anger, the self-loathing, and the despair were like an addictive poison. One that didn't adhere to any logic or reason.
Suddenly, Bianca chuckled, her posture returning and eyes gleaming with unshaken confidence. It nearly gave him whiplash how fast she recovered. “I see the hangover cure hasn't quite kicked in yet. Give it an hour or so, it'll sober you up better than a slap to the face. Which I would love to do right now.”
Caspian let out a small breath, somewhat relieved. “Haha very funny.” He grumbled polishing off the drink.
Her smile fell. “I'm being deadly serious.”
“So what's new with you?” He cleared his throat, trying to shrug off the chill in his spine. “Or do you just go around giving unwanted advice?”
Bianca tilted her head, smiling absurdly. “First of all, screw you asshole.” He sniffled. He probably deserved that. “Secondly, I didn't particularly enjoy being the target of a terrorist attack but C'est La vie. Life, or should I say school goes on. And you being a dimensional traveler is interesting, but since I can't tell anyone, doesn't really affect me. Don't get me wrong, life-changing news, I could topple the entire Christian faith if I wanted to, but I can't. So I've just been…getting by. It isn't too early to think about college y'know?”
“Bold of you to assume I know what college is.”
Before she could respond he jumped out of his seat. “Aww fuck me!”
“What?”
“I need to see Addams about our stupid corn assignment.” Caspian searched around frantically for his bag, only realizing moments later he didn't have one. It was Saturday. That also meant he was the only kid in uniform. Perhaps alcohol wasn't the best choice to numb the pain. It seemingly numbed his sympathy along with his common sense.
“Ahh the Botany one? Corn…not a bad choice.” Bianca shrugged.
“Don't inflate her ego she already has enough of that.”
She arched a bemused brow. He spun on his heel but not before her voice rang up again. “Um, thanks Bianca for helping me with my hangover?”
Caspian let out a long sigh, turning back around to face her. “Thanks, Bianca for making me drink Thestral piss, such a pleasurable experience!”
Bianca rolled her eyes, dismissing him with a wave. “Ok man, I don't wanna deal with you like this anymore. I don't know if it's the alcohol or the totally non-existent thing with Enid that's making you a pricky bitch, but you better check yourself before someone else does.”
“And what is that supposed to mean?”
“No one at this school's a fighter but nobody likes a smart-ass Caspian.”
He chuckled, briskly walking away from her “Oh by all means Barclay when you meet this mystery bloke who's got the balls to throw down,” He spun around briefly, flashing his wand.
“Send them my way.”
How was it that out of all the people in this god forsaken school, he just had to come across the only group who wasn't eating lunch?
“If you were any slower you'd be walking backwards.” Caspian scowled, passing by the moseying volleyball team.
He caught some stray insults but he didn't care. His mind was too preoccupied with the dreaded path he was taking. Rather, retracing, form last night.
Why on earth did Wednesday feel the need to change their meeting location from the library to the Botany class?
He vowed to never set foot in that room for the foreseeable future. He planned to just skip Botany altogether, only going for tests and asking Bianca for her notes. Though, after his interaction with her today, he guesses he'd have to beg for her notes or he can forget passing. He really should apologize to her.
His pace slowed as he approached the doors to the greenhouse. Caspian took in a frustrated sigh, combing a hand through his messy hair. He'd just have to convince the girl to relocate their study place back to the library where they agreed. Why she moved it in the first place was beyond him.
He had the door halfway open before suddenly getting shoved in the back.
“Bitch.”
Oh so now the volleyball team had the courtesy to walk at an acceptable pace.
“What was that jerk wad-”
“Hello.”
He whipped his head around. The first thing he noticed was Wednesday, sitting unbelievably upright in her seat. He felt a pang of contempt when he noticed she was sitting where Enid sat hours before. Even though it was technically her spot, it still irked him.
He then noticed the scattered trays and baking sheets that littered the desks around her.
“What's the hell this?” He cautiously approached the front of the room. He couldn't help but salivate at the various savoury aromas wafting through his nose. It smelt familiar somehow. Like the great hall on a rainy Sunday morning.
Wednesday rose gracefully. Unlike him, she chose to leave the uniform at home. She wore a white button-down shirt, the collar oversized and the cuffs flared. On top of that, she dawned a checkered wool vest that looked rather comfy on her. Her black pleated trousers were pressed, not a wrinkle in sight, stopping right at her ankles where her black platform shoes began.
It was slightly jarring at first, seeing her so…normal looking. He rarely saw her in anything but her Nevermore garb as he made a conscious effort to avoid her on weekends. It was casual yet dressed up. Never in his wildest dreams would he take Wednesday Addams as a fashionista but here he was.
She approached him, both of them stopping a couple desks apart. “I've um-” She cleared her throat, eyes darting around. “I've prepared something for you.”
Caspian blinked. What?
“I do hope you haven't eaten lunch yet, if so I brought Tupperware so you can bring it back if…” her voice died down as she slightly shook her head. “Anyway, as you can see here we have a traditional 20th-century Anglo-Saxon spread of dishes. From your accent, I estimated you originate somewhere in South Eastern England? Surry perhaps?”
She sent him a brief questioning look before tearing his gaze away. “That's neither here nor there I suppose…” she coughed. “So for starters, we have a selection of split pea soup, scotch eggs, and Yorkshire pudding. For the main, shepherd pie, toad in the hole, or vegetarian mince. For tea well, someone unfortunately forgot it,” She sent a scathing glare to her side.
Only then did Caspian realize they weren't alone. Thing stood on the desk doing what he can only describe as 'staring' threateningly at him.
“But we still have scones and a variety of biscuits. Dessert is Eton mess and sticky toffee pudding.” She cleared her throat for the third time.
Caspian just stood there dumbfounded. Tea? Sticky toffee pudding? Anglo-Saxons? What human still refers to the British as Anglo-Saxons? He darted his blank eyes between her and the dishes.
Wednesday began to shift in her place slightly, her hands fidgeting with something behind her back. Her face was more paler than usual making her freckles and dark eyes stand out more. Her bottom lip was chewed raw like she's been going at all night. In fact, she must've. It didn't look like she got a wink of sleep.
“Well, I suppose…” She carefully swung her hands forward, presenting him with a paper plate. “Here.”
He stared at the white Styrofoam disk. He stared at it for so long his eyes went unfocused. He went a little longer until they started to burn.
He stared at it until he started laughing.
It started as a snicker really, but it soon boiled over to full-blown cramp-inducing fits. He had no clue how long it lasted, but when he thought he was done, he caught one look on her dumbfounded face and started all over again.
“I don't see what's so funny-”
“Oh really, you can't see what's funny- She can't see what's funny.” He sarcastically remarked to no one, wiping his tears. His life was truly a comedy. Once cruel, tragic comedy. “You hear that! She can't see what's funny! - That's exactly the problem with you!” He spat out abruptly.
Wednesday's brows furrowed, pouting her bottom lip. “I don't under-”
“No!” He barked, advancing towards her. How Wednesday didn't back away when he was mere inches from her face was beyond him. “You don't get to talk! I'm fresh outta patience and quite frankly, bloody annoyed. So why don't you take this hint yeah? And piss off!”
It was like a red veil came over his eyes, lava rushing through his veins. It sprung up so fast, like a flash flood or freak lightning strike. One moment he was mildly irate, the next it was like he was possessed.
This rage was consuming and demanding. It didn't blossom or fester like how it normally comes to him. No, this was different. This was irrational, it was instantaneous, it was dangerous. It seized his mind hostage, blinded his vision, clenched his fist, and locked his jaw.
Caspian can only imagine what he looked like now, but from Wednesday's rapid switch from mildly confused to genuinely alarmed, he could guess it wasn't pretty.
“Tell me why on earth would I eat any of this shit!” He seethed through barred teeth.
Wednesday locked her jaw, her brown eyes igniting. “I thought I'd do something nice but I'm quickly realizing what a horrible mistake that was-”
“I never asked you to do that!”
“You didn't have to!”
“Because I didn't want you to!” He cried out manically, the laughing returning in full force. “Merlin's beard why do you insist on making everything so complicated! You try to kill me, I save your ass, and then you're what indebted to me? Are you my house elf now Addams is that what you are? If I knew it was gonna be like this I would've left you to fend for yourself in the Quad!”
His heart was beating so fast he wasn't sure his chest could keep up. He let in a shaky breath. Being angry at her felt good. Screaming felt good.
“Can we just fucking go back to hating each other?? When things made bloody sense and there weren't all these shades of grey? Where there were no mixed signals and weird exchanges in class? Where-where I didn't have to second guess every sodding thing I say to you and second guess every sodding thing you say to me? ” He hiccuped. He didn't even know what he was saying anymore, the words just kept tumbling out. “Can we go back to when it was clear where we stood with each other? Forget everything that happened and go back to the start because fuck me, everything's royally fucked. I can't see myself seeing you every day if we continue from where we are now, but I want to see you I really do but I can't if I still feel like this. Like-like I'm nothing more but a distraction for you.”
Caspian took in a deep breath, blinking rapidly. He rubbed at his warm face, the fire in him dying down to a simmer. Why did she have to make things so bloody complicated? Why couldn't she just act normal around him? Why did she have to kiss him? Why couldn't they start over?
“Um…” Wednesday hesitated. “Are we still talking about the food?“
Caspian froze, removing his hands from his face. Wednesday stood there, eyeing him tentatively.
The red came back in full force.
“O-of course I am! What type of bloody questi- w-what else would I be talking about?” He seethed, scanning around for the nearest object to strangle. “Look at this, you call this lump of Graphorn crap Yorkshire pudding?”
He laughed coldly. He took a bite, quickly spitting it out before hurling it at the girl's feet. “Blugh! You call that food, what icebox did you find this in?”
Wednesday said nothing.
“I asked you a question, which cheap American shop did you dig this up from?”
She continued to stay silent. She gazed intently at the mushed-up pastry at her feet as if it was telling her its dying breath. She was breathing heavily, her palms clenching and unclenching.
“You’re being mean.” She murmured.
“What was that?”
“You're being mean!” She let out a little louder, voice shaky but resolute. She took a small step back.
“I’m mean? I’M MEAN?” Something in him snapped. He took two steps towards her.
In all his time at Nevermore, Wednesday Addams has never looked so small as she did right now. Gaping up at him as he towered over her suddenly. He bore down into those deep brown eyes that plagued his every turn. They weren't a chocolate void anymore. They were a mirror. He saw himself. Saw his twisted face and flared nostrils. His red face and wild eyes. He began to panic.
It horrified him.
The room felt like it was closing in on itself, yet he grew larger and larger, threatening to burst at the seams.
He had to get out. He had to leave.
Yet, he made no effort to move.
He wanted to stay. He wasn't paralyzed by his anger, he was driven by it.
“I’m not the bad guy here, you are! Trying to-to do what? Trick and poison me with a pathetic excuse for food-“
“It’s not a trick!” She cried out, taking a cautionary step back but he just closed the distance.
“YOU are the mean one here! You're the one giving me songs to listen to, offering me pencils, talking about the weather, suggesting books. What do you think you're bloody doing! Y’know what the problem is with you Addams you really wanna know?” He chuckled, his voice dripping with venom. “You are toxic! You don't feel anything for anyone and you'll hurt those just for your sick pleasure. You've never been truly sorry for anyone other than yourself, you've never cared for anyone else's feelings, and you've never even admitted you were wrong because you never are right? I bet if your mother dropped dead right now you wouldn't shed a fuckin tear that's how emotionally degenerate you are. In fact, you'd probably be the one to orchestrate her murder- HEY!”
Wednesday spun on her heel. She was trying to leave. Good. They should separate. Things were escalating far quicker than he expected. He was blinded by rage. She was making the right choice. The smart choice. But there was just one problem.
He didn't want her to.
He wasn't finished with her.
It was like everything, all his bottled up anger, frustrations came pouring out. Everything with her, Enid, the useless students, Bianca, Ajax, his current situation. He just let it all go.
He took to steps, yanking her arm. “Don't fuckin walk away from me when I'm talking to you-”
And then, it happened.
He barely registered the surprising flash of genuine fright in Wednesday's eyes before a fast-moving object came hurling at him. Caspian dodged whatever it was, quickly drawing his wand. He wasted no time, blindly pointing it at his attacker They looked over to what he hit and… It was like someone sucked out all the air in the room.
Time stopped as their eyes landed on Thing's twitching, curled-up form lying on the floor.
Caspian felt the blood drain from his face. The anger that once fuelled him dissipated just as fast as it arrived, leaving him cold and lifeless.
What has he done?
“Thing!”
It was like he blinked and Wednesday somehow already wrenched herself free. He stood frozen, watching her crumble to her knees over the hand.
What has he done?
“Thing, get up…get up.“
The hand twitched
“I order you to get up!” She tried, her shoulders shaking slightly.
Thing continued to writhe around in pain.
Wednesday's voice cracked. “Thing please get up? Can you hear me? please get up.”
He always wanted to see a different side of Wednesday. The small part of him, the dark part he'd hide from the world, secretly hoped for this. To see her distraught. Broken. At her worst.
He wanted to hit himself for ever thinking that way. How foolish he was.
Because right now, it hurt to see her like this. It hurt more than any jinx he's endured, than Tyler's claws in his ankles, than the fall he took when he first landed in this strange world. It all paled in comparison to the gnawing guilt and shame he felt eating at his bones watching her.
Wednesday's usually confident demeanor was wavering and hunched over. Her hands, so precise and calm, were now jittery and unsure as she ghosted helplessly over Thing. Her cool and monotonous voice was thick and taught. Like the slightest crack would shatter it into a million pieces.
It was unnatural, it scared him. He didn't like seeing her like this. Not one bit.
He caused this. He did this.
“What did you do to him!”
Caspian blinked. Suddenly she was in his face her abused bottom lip quivering. “I-I dunno-”
“What did you do!” She lunged forward. But all he could do was stare at Thing.
He caused this. He did this.
He didn't resist when she expertly twisted his arm, his wand clattering to the floor. It was only when he felt the cool kiss of metal did he tear his gaze away from the twitching appendage.
He gazed down into Wednesday's watery eyes.
He did that to her. He caused that. He did this.
He wanted to say something, anything. To explain that he wasn't aware of what spell he used but he doubts it was anything lethal. To tell her everything was going to be ok. To say he wanted to try and help Thing. He wanted to say all those things to this imposter Wednesday in front of him.
But all he could do was stare. All he could do was fuckin stare.
Wednesday pressed the knife deeper into his flesh, making him cringe. For a moment he was sure she was going to break his skin but she suddenly pulled back.
“Get out…” She whispered coldly, shaking.
He gulped, tasting metal in his mouth. “A-Addams-”
“LEAVE!” Her arm was a blur. He instinctively ducked, the blade barely grazing his right ear as it lodged itself in the wall behind him.
She bolted to Thing's side, carefully picking him up. The hand reacted with a particularly violent twitch. Wednesday tried and failed to stifle a sob as she bee-lined straight for the door.
“Addams!”
She stopped dead in her tracks.
That night when he'd replay this moment in his head, Caspian wished he could say the reason he let her storm out those doors was simple. It was because she looked like she was about to murder him. She just scared him into submission. He would rather admit to that than the truth.
The truth.That he hated himself just as much as she did at that moment.
Caspian stayed clutching the table for a good while, staring at the vacant spot. The image of Wednesday's burning eyes and grief stricken face ingrained itself in his mind. He felt his stomach churn, bile threatening to rise in his throat. He felt like he was gonna be sick. The hangover cure worked like a charm. But Bianca grossly underplayed its effect.
It was worst than a slap in the face, it was a punch to the gut. A cruel, cold punch to the gut.
What has he done?