Second chance
Wednesday adjusted her collar, plucking her bag from its designated hook. “Alright…I'm heading out.”
Thing rose from his mini bathtub, tapping on the metal ledge wordily.
“Yes, I have my flashlight.”
More taps.
“And the signal jammer.”
A pause, followed by more taps.
She rolled her eyes. “Of course, I have the lock pick.”
He settled down, seemingly satisfied, before tapping another question.
“I don't see the need for that." Wednesday scrunched her nose. "This is a surgical extraction, I'm not staging a suicide…hopefully.”
She would like to avoid such an arduous solution if possible.
Thing kept pestering her. It seemed he intended to go through every conceivable tool she might need.
“Didn't I say to not move?” She spun around when he rattled off his seventh question. ”Don't tell me you're undermining my authority?”
Wednesday didn't get what all the fuss was about. She was sneaking into a county sheriff's office, not the Pentagon.
Thing rolled his fingers much to her amusement. Since when did he become so free-spoken? It wasn't that she minded really. She found his insight no matter how plucky, a welcome voice. But he could be plenty stubborn, an Addams family trait it would seem.
Thing lifted himself half out of his mixture of herbal brews and potions. He suddenly seized up, sliding right back in. Wednesday watched him carefully, taking cautious steps forward. He was still experiencing the side effects of what appeared to be a nasty electric shock. Numbness, seizures, pins and needles, and some slight swelling amongst other symptoms.
She spared no expense in his recovery, dousing him in every ointment and paste she had. She may have blown through her year's supply of Cohosh brew and marigold rubs but it was well worth it. She even spent up to two hours a day delivering physical therapy to him. The good news was he was getting better by the day. But she would only let him back on the field until he was felling 110%.
Thing got up more slowly this time, his sud-covered fingers striking the ledge adamantly.
Wednesday sighed.“ A radio would only serve to stress you out more.” She gently pushed him back into the warm water. “And You're supposed to be resting. If something dire happens I'll notify Mother, I give you my word.”
He still wasn't convinced. She had to give it to him, he was a tough hand to twist. “Thing, you've done all you can, now rest. That's an order.”
He made to get up but she sent him an 'end of conversation' glare. She watched him drum his fingers indignantly before settling down.
Wednesday nodded once, heading to their balcony. “I'll be back in approximately 90 minutes. If I don't return within then — which I highly doubt, please refrain from enacting any rescue protocols. If I'm not back by the break of dawn, that's when I give you permission to take matters into your own hand. Understand?”
She didn't wait for a response, twisting the creaking handle before stepping into the bitter winter wind. She turned over her shoulder at a particularly loud splash, Thing gesturing around his 'neck' area.
Wednesday rolled her eyes, snatching her snood from the chair Weems gifted her.
“Happy?” She scowled.
Thing sent a thumbs-up of approval.
Wednesday was pleased to find that the secret passageway leading to the west exit was actually secret. It sat behind the left pillar and required four taps on the 'O' engraving and seven on the 'H' one. It stood for Act 4 Scene 7. The part where Ophelia dies in the play. How fitting that the passage not only leads to the nearest exit but Xavier's dorms, Hamlet Hall. The same man whose testosterone filled-wrath contributed to her untimely demise.
Wednesday was only slightly disturbed that there were two paths onto their balcony. The fire escape and the passage. She half-heartedly wondered what previous Alumni were up to that required such an accommodation, though she had various innocuous ideas already.
She squeezed through the cramped cobwebs-filled tunnel. It didn't take long for her to realize it was just a forgotten maintenance corridor. If her mind map was correct it passed by the alchemy and English classes. She off-handedly wonder how Enid ventured through such a dusty maze without squirming. Speaking of, her roommate was currently at a hall-wide slumber party. Wednesday could make out muffled laughter and mind-numbing pop tunes through the walls.
This party was just one of two perfect reasons why tonight was the perfect night to sneak out.
Everyone would be too busy fawning over themselves to notice her missing. Why the festivities couldn't wait for Friday tomorrow, she did not know. Perhaps everyone in Ophelia hall planned to skip classes that day.
The second reason was due to a road accident on Highway 89. Some tanker tipped over, spilling liters of oil everywhere. It ended up being a 10-vehicle collision. She knew this thanks to the FM transmitter her mother sent her.
She requested it before the Bash but after everything, it took a while for the American postal services to get through. But after some repairs (the device was probably used in the Vietnam War) she got it up and running.
It was just by pure happenstance that she caught wind of this opportunity. It's only been a few days since she started tapping into the police intercoms. She wasn't expecting much beyond the regular jargon so she had it playing in the background most of the time.
She was in the middle of writing her book when it happened. Viper Delemurte has just given up on trying to convince the wild-card foreigner to join her on the case. Viper has realized that the mystery of the strange visitor should remain just that, a mystery. A cautionary tale for searching in others for what they aren't capable of giving. How distractions, no matter how alluring, prevent you from completing your goals and reaching your potential.
Wednesday was busy putting the final touches on that chapter when the distressed calls started flooding in. It was perfect timing really. It was also perfect timing in another sense.
She needed to forget about Caspian Lee.
Even thinking about his name made her cringe. It was unpleasant to think about him, and not the good kind either. It was like formaldehyde poisoning without the satisfying high. A storm without the shocking thunder. Resentment, with no explosive anger.
See, anger was an emotion she could deal with swiftly. She understood the basics of it. But this, this was new. Like there was a snake in her chest that suffocated her lungs and burned her eyes. Even more so when she thought back to his attempted apologies at the start of the week.
She hated it.
She hated how little she understood the void-like emptiness in her. She hated that she had no one to blame but her neanderthalian feelings. Letting him squeeze past her defenses. She was angry at herself when she should be angry with him.
That in turn, made her angrier.
What gave him the right to make her feel this way? To leave her feeling so deplorably depleted and self-loathing? So Empty?
She had every right to knock him over the head, drag his lifeless corpse to the nearest cave and leave him to rot for what he did. But she couldn't bring herself to even begin phase 1 of that plan. She just felt…torn down. As if she just watched him topple the tower of bricks she's worked so hard to build up.
This is what she gets for letting anyone get close to her. For even trying to extend herself. Hurt and shameful self-deprecation.
Wednesday steeled her eyes, picking up her pace. She won't waste a single ounce of memory capacity on him anymore. She was finished. She won't spend any more time fretting about getting to know him. It was a waste of time and energy trying to appease to someone who obviously wasn't interested.
She'll focus on herself from now on. She knew she couldn't completely ignore him - if her visions were anything to go by their paths were bound to cross in the future. So she'll have to deal with him on a case-by-case basis till then. One step at a time.
She can't control his actions or thoughts, only her own. She can't change his mind about her. If he was so dead set on hating her then she'll just have to accept that.
If he won't open up, then good riddance Caspian Lee. His loss and her gain.
She'll happily move on to the next thing.
Which was actually the original thing.
Tyler and Crackstone.
Though, as her theory grows, room for Crackstone's puzzle piece shrinks. She doesn't see how he fits into the narrative anymore. Tyler solely targeted her in the attack. But Laurel specifically wanted all outcasts dead. Was Crackstone really gone for good? Was Tyler just some bloodthirsty murderer out for vengeance? It wasn't like he sided with Laurel out of her beliefs. She just controlled him to do her bidding. Was it that simple?
Weems's voice suddenly entered her mind.
'It was like looking at a jigsaw puzzle. Trying to put it together too early was like forcing all the pieces into one jumbled shape.'
Weems was right, but Wednesday was tired of waiting. It was about time she expedited the process by 'borrowing' all the files on Tyler, the attacks, and Laurel.
The full picture has eluded her long enough. Tonight she was dead set on retrieving a very big puzzle piece. A piece that should finally shed some light on the situation.
She pressed through the exit confidently, only to waltz right into the last face she wanted to see.
“What -Addams?” Caspian paused, one foot outside his dorm hall.
You've got to be joking.
Wednesday blinked up at his furrowed brows as they exchanged startled looks. When Enid said the passage lead right to Hamlet Hall, it was no hyperbole. One step further and she'd have literally butted heads with him.
“You just came out of a wall,” He gawked, pointing behind her. “What on earth are you doing?”
“I…I” Her eyes shifted. “I came to suffocate you in your sleep.” She blurted out.
His face blanched as he gaped at her. Somewhere in the distance, an owl hooted. “Ah…I see.” He shifted awkwardly. ”I rather you…not, do that to me…respectfully.”
Wednesday tore her gaze away, clenching her jaw. Why did he have to foil everything good? This was the perfect plan. Everything was going her way for once but he just had to ruin it. He couldn't even give her this, could he?
She sniffled. “How unfortunate, I'll just need to come back another time I suppose-”
“Hold on just a minute…"
She stiffened.
"Do you really need to wear a jacket and a,” He made a funny look at her snood. “Scarf…hat-thing to suffocate me?”
She could practically hear the gears turn in his head. It wouldn't take long for someone like him to connect the dots.
Wednesday clutched her snood defensively. “What I choose to wear when I murder someone is none of your business! Now if you'll excuse me-”
“You were sneaking out. Weren't you?” he accused though it sounded more like a statement than a question.
“Hello? Is someone there?”
Their eyes widened, whipping their head down the hall.
Abner.
She instantly spun back around, only to find the entrance nowhere to be found. It was flush right into the wall. She swiftly eyed the 'H.H.' engraving, delving through all she knew about classical English literature.
When did Hamlet perish in the play? What act was it? What scene?
“In here!”
Wednesday craned back, Caspian waving his arm hurriedly.
She eyed the dark room, hissing. “Forget it!”
They exchanged alarmed looks as the sound of approaching footsteps drew near. She chewed on her bottom lip. If she got caught now she'd never get a chance like this again. Who knows how long it'll be until another incident draws this many police away?
“I don't see you having another choice!”
Wednesday took in a sharp breath, eyes shifting from the growing shadow before finally releasing her bottom lip.
She darted wordlessly into the open door.
“Who goes there?- Caspian?”
The boy swiftly shut the door behind him, engulfing her in darkness.
“Oh, evening Nurse Abner, I was jus-”
“It's past curfew what do you think you're doing?”
Caspian didn't respond right away. Wednesday spun around in the small space. It was a mud room for jackets and boots. It reeked of teenage sweat and mold.
She waltzes right to the opposite door, trying the handle. It was locked. After a quick survey, she deduced she could pick it, but it would create noise. And from the clarity of Caspian and Nurse Abner's voices, she rather not risk being heard.
“Well?”
“Oh, I ran out of toothpaste. One of the blokes in the other hall says he had some. All my mates are already asleep you see. Didn't want to disturb them on a school night.”
Judging by Enid's sleeping habits Wednesday highly doubted any of them were even in bed.
“Why couldn't you use theirs while they slept?” She practically heard Nurse Abner arch a suspicious brow.
“I rather ask permission, is that not the correct thing to do?”
“The correct thing to do is to respect the rules. They're there to protect you. With that truck spillage on the 89, the police are stretched thin tonight. Heavens forbid they receive a call about a missing student too.”
“Ah my sincerest apologies,” Caspian swooned, probably batting his eyelashes for extra effect. “I thought it was harmless, but I now see even venturing a few halls down is unacceptable. Next time I'll just nick my mates' belonging…without asking their permission, as per your suggestion.”
Wednesday rolled her eyes at the needless attitude. He just couldn't resist getting the last word, could he?
Nurse Abner was of course not amused.
“I find it hilarious how you rather seek permission from your peers than your superiors.” She warned.
“Well, professors tend not to retaliate with a dousing cold water come morning.”
Wednesday cringed. It sounded like he was speaking from experience. But If there was ever a time she wanted him to keep his mouth shut, it was right this instant.
If Caspian could just hold back this one time…
“No offense, but I rather suffer detention than constantly sleep with one eye open.”
She mentally faced palmed. Of course, he couldn't.
Deafening silence followed his words.
She strained her ears, Wednesday only hearing her own breathing and heart beat for a good while.
“Mister…Lee!” Nurse Abner practically bites out.
She gulped, well here it comes.
“Back in my day-Oh now I'll tell you, back in my day we'd have you punished for such insulting insubordination! Books over your head for hours on end and god forbid you to drop them because THWACK”
Wednesday jumped.
“Right in the behind! You, kids, have no respect for your elders! You don't know how lucky your generation has it. You're a bunch of soft fat yellow belly snowflake-”
“Nurse Abner-”
“Don't 'Nurse Abner' me young man!”
She actually heard Caspian's mouth clamp shut.
“In the force, it'd be 2 weeks of barrack scrubbing! 2 weeks I say! My commanding officer once put me on washroom duty for 3 months for a 'misdemeanor'. I was simply humming while preparing MY equipment! HUMMING? Can you believe it?”
Wednesday gulped as her stringent voice grew louder and louder. Whoever was sleeping is sure to be awake now.
“I later found out it was only supposed to be a 2-week punishment, but she just 'forgot'. She was a salty sergeant with such a thick French accent you never knew if she wanted the morphine or 'mon fille'. Oh! Don't even get me started on basic. My drill sergeant chewed me out for having eye gunk on my uniform at 4:30 am! Do you know what they called me from then on out?”
There was a pause. “Absentminded?”
“Crusties Mr. Lee.! I was Private Crusties for 6 weeks, I -”
She heard the old woman cut herself off, taking a calming breath.
Now that she mentioned it, Wednesday always saw her in perfect uniform. Not a spec of dust or rheum on her collar. Her infirmary was always well organized and pristine, rivaling herself in cleanliness. When she was tending to her injured palm, she was quick and precise. And after some thought, Wednesday doesn't recall ever hearing her hum or even whistle.
“That sounds…” Caspian treaded carefully. “Terrible, I am so sorry.”
Abner cleared her throat. “There's no exception for the curfew. Now head on back, right this instance! If I ever catch you breaking the rules again, it's straight to the principal office with you! Doesn't matter the ungodly hour you hear me? ”
“I now understand the gravity of my error, thank you for your generosity-”
“Straight to bed Mr.Lee.”
“Of course…” Wednesday rushed to the corner of the room as Caspian opened the door. “Have a lovely night.”
He swiftly punched in the combination to the other door, opened it as loudly as possible, and slammed it shut.
Only then did Nurse Abner's shadow leave the small crack between the door and the floor.
Wednesday let out a breath, pushing herself off the wall.
They just stood for a while, basking in the darkness and awkward silence. Nurse Abner seemed to have quite a mouth on her when she gets riled up. Wednesday always thought of her as a bored woman who rather do anything but work. She even caught her dozing off one time. But it would seem she had an intricate history in the military. It was commendable she served. Being a woman and an outcast at that, made the feat more impressive. Perhaps she should look into her past when she got the chance?
“Wow…” Caspian breathed out, running a hand through his hair. “Charming isn't she?”
She glanced at him, the interaction clearly replaying in his glazed-over eyes.
She dryly realized Caspian probably had no clue what a drill sergeant or private was.
“Why did you help me?” She tonelessly clipped.
He blinked up. “What?”
“Why did you help me?"
He gave her a strange look. “Does there have to be a reason?”
Wednesday took in a breath.
There always was a reason.
And ironically enough, there was no reason for her to be here anymore. She just remembered when Hamlet died. Act 5 scene 2.
She sauntered to the exit.
“Wait!”
He flicked the lights on, blinding her for a second.
“You’re sneaking out to town, right? What she said about the authorities being stretched thin, you knew that, didn't you?”
She paused, her nostrils flaring. There was no point in denying it now. “Correct, 10 points to Hamlet Hall.” She twisted the handle.
“Let me come with you!”
Wednesday hesitated, narrowing her eyes.
“Let me help you sneak out or...in wherever your going.”
“And why would you do that?” She ground out, turning around cautiously
He sighed before dropping his shoulders. “I have some business to attend to, I've-um” He bit his lip. “I've come into possession of a few rare gemstones…I wish to return them as soon as possible.”
“Does this have to do with the missing jewelry?" Wednesday arched a brow. "Having buyers regret? Or should I say thief's remorse?”
Caspian somehow being a petty thief didn't shock her.
It was actually the least shocking thing about him. Just add 'cat-burglar’ to his list of growing titles. Right beside wizard, dimension hopper, alcoholic, future murderer, Grade A-asshole, food critic, and arachnophobe.
He frowned. “I wasn't the one who ransacked them alright? It was Gerald.”
“Your pet?” She had so, so, many questions.
“It's what he does,.” He waved it off like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “But that's beside the point. I was waiting for the right time to return them but with the increased police presence, I didn't know when…Until now. And I figured since you're already going...” He gestured suggestively.
Wednesday sized him up. Was he really inferring that they work together? After everything they've been through? All that she's done to him, and he to her?
Especially he to her?
After all the times he turned her down, brushed her off, insulted her. Threatened her? After what he did to Thing? Has he gone mad? Was there a gas leak somewhere she wasn't aware of?
He raised his hands in defense as her chest began to rise rapidly. “I can tell you're a little apprehensive-”
“Just a tad bit.” She seethed, her anger flaring.
He does her one favor and what, all is forgiven? Did he really expect her to jump to his oh-so-capable hands just because he can wave a wand around?
The more she stared at him the more red she saw. Did he forget all the times he mistreated her in the past? Was this some kind of sick joke to him?
“It's funny really, because last time I checked,” She marched up to him. “ You insulted my culinary skills, called me emotionally degenerated, said I was going to murder my own mother, and oh yes, how could I forget.” She chuckled darkly, jabbing him in the chest. “You tased my friend with the magical equivalent of 10 million volts of electricity! So forgive me for being a little apprehensive when you suddenly offer your help like some hetero-typical knight in shining armor!. You're toxic Caspian Lee!”
She felt her bottom lip tremble angrily as she glared up into his wide eyes. She felt the rush of adrenaline course through her veins, her balled-up fist shaking.
If anger was a drug then at this moment, she was severely addicted.
How dare he…How dare he make her feel like this? Make her lose control? Make her toss the reins to her brilliant mind so easily? He didn't deserve to be one of the very few people to incite such a visceral reaction. Why? What gave him the right? What makes him so special?
She welcomed the anger. She welcomed the way the room seemed to spin around her. The feel of her fingernails digging painfully into her palms. She felt like her glare could scorch the earth and her breath could burn skin. She relished in his alarmed reaction, it feeding into her growing resentment.
She felt wrath and rage surge up from the depths of her stomach. It frothed and toiled angrily like a bubbling cauldron. She felt vindicated. This is how she should feel when she thought of him.
Not emptiness.
Not hurt.
Not sadness.
Caspian blinked his shimmering eyes. She felt his cool shaky breath kiss her forehead. “You're right…And I deserved every bit of that-”
“You deserve worst!”
“I deserve worst!” He agreed pleadingly. “You're absolutely right! Plenty worst. But I wanna help now. I owe it to Thing and I owe it to you...”
Wednesday clenched her jaw tighter. She spun abruptly away, hell-bent on leaving. She felt angry tears threaten to spill out at any moment.
She couldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing her cry. She mustn't. She's given so much to him already. She wanted to keep this to herself, please let her keep this to herself.
She wrenched the door open violently, the cool air of the hall blasting her warm face.
“Wednesday please!”
She froze.
Wednesday…
Her name sounded strange coming from his lips. Not the bad kind of strange, just different. This was the seventh time he has ever said her name to her face yet it still sounded foreign.
“Wednesday…”
That was number eight.
Wednesday felt a knot in her stomach, she didn't know what emotion it was. She was already so very exhausted and her internal data bank on the subject was limited as is. But whatever it was, it rooted her to her spot.
“I know I've apologized countless times already,” He whispered, his voice taut. “But it doesn't help…does it? It doesn't take away the words I said...How I acted... The pain I caused...”
She stared numbly at the hallway. It was right there. The only thing running through her mind was one word.
Leave.
Leaving was the right thing to do. She had no more to give him. No more chances. She owed nothing to him. Not anymore. There was no logical reason for her to stay.
And yet, she did.
Maybe she was more masochistic than she thought.
His soft footsteps grew near, sending shivers down her spine. She counted them.
1…2…3
Until he was at her side.
“Apologies…Sorries,” He wet his lips. “They can only do so much. But actions, actions speak volumes.”
Wednesday mustered up the courage to glance at his eyes. They were swimming with sincerity, more than she'd ever received in her entire life from anyone outside her family.
No.
She tore her eyes away defiantly.
This was just another trick. Another false forgiveness. Come tomorrow they would be right at each other throats again for some reason or another. She'd be facing his cold shoulder and he'd be facing hers. They've done this dance too many times. She knew all the steps. She knew all the traps. She won't be fooled, not a again.
Caspian seems to sense her resolve harden. He opened his mouth, then clamped it shut, only to open it again but no words came out.
She saw him back away, only to lean on the door frame wearily.
Something shifted between them. Like the very air itself sobered up. It was like the world after a hurricane. Somber Mother Nature left picking up the pieces of her wrath.
His chuckle drew her attention.
It wasn't a cruel one like she's been accustomed to. Nor was it one of disbelief which he often lets out with their friends.
It wasn't even bitter.
It was melancholic. Gruff and void of any humor. Like he just found out the meaning to a joke someone told him a long, long time ago.
He slowly turned his face up. “Sorry, it just…It's funny…I now see what you were trying to do all along. The food? The pencil led? The music? Your attempts at conversation?… I get it,” He muttered, suddenly seeming a lot smaller than she ever recalled him being.
Against her better judgment, Wednesday waited for him to continue.
“It took me all this,” He gestured to them sadly, “To happen, to finally understand...but I get it now…And right now I'm trying to do the same. I'm done saying I'm sorry. If you'd let me, I want to show you that I am.”
She fought against his soothing voice. The calming of the storm. The simmering of the cauldron in her chest.
She couldn't be done with her anger.
She can't allow it.
She wanted wild unbridled rage for as long as Caspian walked the earth. The kind that made one forget all rational thought. The bloodlust werewolves on the hunt get. The kind that drove him to hurt Thing.
She needed that.
She deserved that.
He owed her that.
But try as she might, she wasn't getting it. Her feeble body was giving in to his infectious serenity. Her mind wanted one thing, but something else —perhaps whatever took its reigns — wanted something entirely different.
She was tired.
Tired of trying.
Tired of fighting.
Tired of apologizing.
Tired of going back and forth with no end in sight.
She wanted over.
To stop. She'd admit that Caspian Lee was one big mistake. A severe oversight on her part. She'd admit that Thing was right all along. She shouldn't have gotten sidetracked with him. She'd admit to all of that if it meant this could stop.
But he wouldn't let her lick her wounds in peace. He wouldn't let her go. He wouldn't let her give up.
Wednesday scoffed bitterly to herself. He couldn't even give her that, could he?
“How do I,” She cleared her raspy throat. “How do I know you won't just stab me in the back. Literally and figuratively?”
His smile fell, and he took a small step forward. ”I never wanted to hurt anyone-”
“But you did.” Caspian's eyes faltered as she took a step back. “You did...”
He swallowed, stepping back as well. “I did,” he blinked furiously combing his hand through his hair till it was a ruffled mess. “I did…”
By this point her inner cauldron has come to a standstill, her ascent to a wrathful high came crashing down. She was so tired. So very tired.
“I don't…” He hesitated, voice thick. “ I don't want you to look at me like I'm some…monster Wednesday.”
That was the Ninth time.
“I…It took me hurting someone to realize that….that for the better part of you knowing me …I was.”
Wednesday took in a deep breath, rubbing at her nose. It was a miracle none of them let a tear slip. They were so stubborn it was nearly laughable.
She flinched as he suddenly stuffed his hand in his pocket. He paused, eyeing her stiffen guiltily before slowing his movement. It wasn't his wand he procured, it was a crumpled piece of paper.
She frowned, watching intently as he unfolded it. But she recognized that egg-shell parchment anywhere.
She let out an audible gasp. It was her apology. Did he keep it all this time?
“I can't take all the credit,” he murmured as if reading her mind. “It was Gerald who kept it safe….You're a very talented writer…”
He flashed a small smile, playing with the creases of the paper, before biting his lip. He tentatively took a small step toward her. When she didn't move back he took another one.
1…2…3
Wednesday glared forward at his chest as he stood just a breath away.
“I want to make this right between us. If the offer still stands,” He held out her note. “I'd like to start over, now more than ever.”
Her lips parted slightly, darting her eyes down from the paper and up to his hopeful one. Big mistake. Because as hard as she tried, she couldn't tear them away.
Wave after wave of emotions washed over her.
Queasiness, remembering the way her body felt under his spells. Anger at how he rag-dolled her. Frustration at the way he would talk to her. Humiliated when she'd be so brazenly turned down without a second thought.
She's given so much just for it all to be thrown right back at her face.
And he's given her nothing at all.
Until now.
Should she take it? Just like that? Technically it was her paper to begin with. He literally echoed the ending of her apology back to her. But then again, that meant he read it. He accepted it. And now….he was offering it back.
What would this make her if she took it? Weak? A fool? Insane as per Einstein's definition?
She couldn't help but hear her mother and Ms. Lindsay echo through her mind.
'Wednesday, these things take time….let him come around on his own.'
'Like therapy, friendship takes meaningful proactivity to work.'
Wednesday swallowed thickly. “How long will it take to get what you need?”
“5 minutes tops.” His eyes turned serious.
She gnawed on her bottom lip. Was she really about to trust this boy again? Bring him on this important mission? To let him into her defenses?
Was she really going to give him more?
She released her bottom lip solemnly, taking the paper. “You have 2.”
Caspian let out a sigh, his eyes fluttering. He grinned gratefully, opening his mouth like he had more to say but she promptly spun away from him. She didn't trust her waning composure. Not one bit.
She heard him punch in the combination before racing up the stairs, the door closing with a thump.
The room felt exponentially more empty and cold. The rancid smell was more repugnant and the white noise more prominent.
She let out a shuddering sigh, hugging her sides. She took big gulps to ease the lump in her throat. She opened the crumpled sheet of paper, ensuring it was in fact her apology before pocketing it.
She had to gather some semblance of control. She was too…messy, too unpredictable for her liking. When he got back down here she had to be fully in control. She was on a mission that required her full attention. She will not let anything compromise that. Not him, not her emotions, not anything. She must.
For her pride. For Thing. For the case.
Wednesday glanced over her shoulder at the closed door before swallowing her emotions. Just for tonight.
She sincerely hopes she won't end up regretting this.
Regret giving Caspian a second chance.