ornery

Reena had never attended a seance, but she would guess they were all similar to the one Wednesday was trying to conduct in their bedroom. Wednesday was in a circle of lit candles, muttering under her breath and trying to contact Goody Addams, while Reena sat a few feet away.

Unfortunately, the door to their room opened and the wind blew all the candles out.

Reena groaned. "Seriously? We've been at this for hours."

Enid, happy as ever, came walking in. "Sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt your... Uh, do I even want to know?"

"I was reaching into the black maw of death to contact a relative," Wednesday explained as she stood up.

"Feels very on-brand for you. You have a relative named Goody?"

"She was one of the original outcasts. Been attempting to summon her, but she seems to be ignoring my entreaties."

"She's important to our investigation, but it seems like she doesn't want to be," Reena added.

"Oh, you thought about using one of my scented candles?" Enid suggested. "The aroma of steak tartare is to die for."

"I think we'll pass," Reena rejected.

A paper slid under their door and Enid smiled. "Maybe Goody answered you after all."

Wednesday picked the note up and inspected it. "I doubt she communicates in magazine cutouts."

Reena looked over her shoulder. "'If you want answers, meet inside Crackstone's Crypt. Midnight.' Seems like we'll be sneaking out again."

"I doubt this will lead to anything good," Wednesday shared. "Although, it couldn't hurt to try."

* * *

The three girls set off to the crypt, and it was clear Enid was scared. "You insisted on coming along. Reena and I were fine on our own."

"We've done this plenty of times," Reena agreed.

Wednesday signed her flashlight on the door, which was cracked open. "Seems like our wannabe dееp thrоat is already here."

Enid cringed. "Ew. What died?"

"Come on." 

"Second thoughts. Why don't I just stay out here?" Wednesday and Reena didn't hear the rest of what Enid said as they'd already gone inside.

"This shit sure is creepy," Reena muttered. "Why's Crackstone need a whole crypt?"

"He was a horrible, selfish person who many idolized during his time," Wednesday answered, and then turned around quickly when she heard a clatter. "Enid?" Then, someone coughed. "Whoever you are, show yourself. Try anything and you'll lose limbs."

"I've been waiting to get back into action," Reena mentioned.

Suddenly, a group of their friends came out from their hiding spot. "Suprise! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, dear Wednesday! Happy birthday to you!"

While they were singing, Enid came in with a cake and Thing appeared. "I should have known you were behind this. What part of 'no party under the penalty of death' do you not understand?"

Xavier smiled. "I thought my cake design was pretty inspired."

"The pink balloon was my little touch," Enid brought their attention to the balloon in the grim reaper's hand.

Reena held her hands up. "If anything, I had nothing to do with this."

"Only because we know you would've told Wednesday if you knew," Enid pointed out.

"Yeah, because she hates parties," Reena replied.

"Oh, whatever. Why don't you make a wish?" Enid encouraged.

Some writing on the wall caught Reena's eye. "Hold that thought, Enid. Wednesday, look at this."

"Wait, it's Latin," Wednesday realized. "Fire will rain... when I rise."

Enid frowned. "That's not really a wish."

"The first part of that was burned onto Nevermore's lawn. It can't be a coincidence."

"Wait, we're never eating that cake, are we?" Ajax mumbled.

As Wednesday was running her hands along the words, her neck snapped back.

"Is that a..." Xavier trailed off.

"Vision?" Reena finished. "It is."

* * *

Wednesday sat at her desk drawing something from her vision, and Thing tried to sit on her shoulder. "Careful, that's my cold shoulder."

"Don't blame Thing," Enid demanded. "The party was my idea. Everyone deserves to be celebrated on their birthday."

"I prefer to be vilified."

"What happened? It looked like you were having a seizure."

"I wasn't that lucky."

"Can I at least get some kudos for pulling one over on you?"

"The subterfuge was impressive."

"I have to admit, it was surprising you were able to trick us both," Reena confessed. "It's just never going to happen again, so enjoy it."

Thing dragged something out from under Wednesday's bed, and she opened the letter on top. "'May your 16th be as sour and misery-filled as your desire. Your ever-doting mother and father.'"

"They asked Thing to hide it before they left on Parents' Weekend." Enid gagged when Wednesday opened the box and there were taxidermied squirrels inside. "They asked Thing to hide it before they left on Parents' Weekend. Ew! That's so gross."

"I would've preferred live squirrels," Wednesday shared.

"While we're still accepting presents..." Enid handed Wednesday her gift. She opened it and held it up, not sure what it was. "Well, do you like it?"

"What is it exactly?"

"It's a snood, silly. I made it in your signature colors. And you want to know what the best part is? I have one too! We can wear them together to class."

"Oh, Enid, this is far too unique to wear to something like class," Wednesday politely denied. "I suggest we wait for a more special occasion, like a funeral."

"Oh," Enid mumbled.

Reena cleared her throat and held out a small gift to Wednesday. "I know you hate gifts, but I had to pay my mom extra to send it ASAP."

Wednesday carefully unwrapped it, revealing the cover of a book. The Home and the World by Rabindranath Tagore.

"Everyone in my family's read it, but I wasn't sure if you had so I got your home phone number and asked your mom," Reena went on. "She wasn't exactly sure, so it's totally fine if you--"

"Reena," Wednesday cut her off. "I haven't read it. Thank you."

Reena smiled. "Right. You're welcome."

Enid gasped. "Wait! Reena, I forgot to give you your snood!"

The girl went to get it, and Reena panicked. "Enid, really, there's no need."

It was too late because a dark red snood was placed in her hands. "Now we can all match!"

"Lovely," Reena muttered.

* * *

Wednesday and Reena were observing the burned grass when Xavier approached them. "In the crypt, you had another vision, didn't you?"

"I didn't realize we were back on speaking terms," Wednesday replied.

"I showed up to your surprise party. I figured that would have been a hint. What did you see?"

"Who said I was ready to speak with you?"

Reena sighed. "If it means anything, I'll gladly speak to you, Xavier. Wednesday is just stubborn."

"Still think I'm the monster?" Xavier figured it out.

"Haven't ruled it out," Wednesday confirmed.

"When you change your mind and you want my help, you know where to find me." Xavier stalked away.

Reena nudged the girl next to her. "Come on, Wednesday. He's not the monster. His story checks out."

"We can never be too sure," Wednesday shot back.

* * *

Wednesday and Reena made another trip into town to visit Eugene. The two had different plans afterward, but they were going to see him and then spilt apart.

That day, Wednesday was talking about her birthday. "I haven't always been against birthdays. Each one reminds me I'm a year closer to death's cold embrace. What's not to like about that? Besides, my parents always made sure my birthdays were memorable. The perfect surprise. The perfect cake. The perfect party games. But now parties and presents and games, it... it all feels so trivial."

"Childhood has only been over for a few years, yet everything seems so different," Reena agreed. "I stopped having traditional parties at ten 'cause I said I was too grown up for them. I still regret not taking in my childhood years."

"Goody warned me I was destined to be alone, and that I would be sorry for it," Wednesday continued and turned hearing Dr. Kinbott clear her throat behind them. "Dr. Kinbott."

Dr. Kinbott smiled. "I haven't seen you since our session with your family, which was... certainly one I won't forget. How are things with them?"

"My mother and I spent some quality time together. Got our hands dirty."

"Gardening?"

"Grave-digging."

Reena nodded. "I joined them. It was a fun outing."

"Hmm," Dr. Kinbott hummed. 

"And I managed to keep my father out of prison," Wednesday added. "What brings you here?"

"Eugene's moms, I'm working with them," Dr. Kinbott explained. "Trauma like this leaves emotional scars on the whole family. They had to head home for a few days, so I promised I'd check in on him."

"We'll leave you to it." The two girls went to leave.

"Who's Goody?" Dr. Kinbott stopped them.

"She's a very distant cousin. Very distant," Wednesday emphasized.

"Sounds like she doesn't see you for who you really are."

"She sees more than you know. I want to assure you I remain as cold and heartless as the first day we met."

"I doubt a cold, heartless person would be sitting by her friend's bedside feeling guilt for his condition," Dr. Kinbott shot back.

"I didn't ask for a free session," Wednesday pointed out.

"Consider it my birthday gift." Dr. Kinbott chucked as the two finally left.

Reena shook her head. "I'm skipping our next session. She always acts like she knows more than everyone.