Scars From the Past
Wednesday Addams
The end of the week had approached, and it was now the weekend. Dreadfully for Pugsley, he has to return to school. Summer break is technically over for him. I have never been so enraptured until the day I finished school. There were so many mindless teenagers that needed to return to preschool. It was purgatory to be surrounded by goons. I almost feel bad for my brother.
Speaking of education, it has me pondering what it would be like if Enid and I attended the same school together. There's a possibility neither of us would have met nor would we be in this predicament. If only Goody had warned me, I would've been prepared. However, it's not as insufferable as I expected it to be. The position I'm in could have turned for the worst.
Unlike anyone else, Enid recognizes my boundaries. She resumes to be annoying as ever, but I have a slight respect for her. That's more than I have ever given to anybody other than my family. To tell the truth, I am leisurely adjusting to the werewolf. Thing and Pugsley had grown to feel comfortable around her. So far, I'm coming into last place, but I'm finishing the race.
"Hey Enid. Do you think you can come with Lurch and I tomorrow to drop me off at school? It's like a ten minute drive," Pugsley asked neutrally.
"Of course! Anything for my future brother-in-law," Enid put an arm around my brother's head before rubbing the top of it with her knuckles.
Both of them laughed as they split apart. It was the first I heard Enid sound contented. The way she laughed turned out to be consoling and appealing. Weird.
"So, what's something fun that we can do before your summer break is over?" The werewolf questioned Pugsley.
"Ooh ooh! I know! How about a rockball fight?" Pugsley grinned excitedly.
"A rockball fight?"
"Yeah! It's like a snowball fight but with rocks. We keep track of how many times we hit someone with a rock. One point equals one hit. Whoever has the most, wins," my brother explained.
"Um. Okay? Do we wear protective gear or anything like that?" Sinclair inquired cautiously.
"Yup. We wear a face shield attached to a helmet to protect our heads, and that's pretty much it."
"Better than nothing. Wanna join us Wednesday? The more people, the merrier," the blonde whipped her head to my direction.
"If I do join, I'll win easily," I replied smoothly.
"Maybe. Maybe not. It all depends on the new player, aka me," Enid pointed at herself with the most confident smile I have ever seen.
"Keep up with the confidence. It's something that suits you for once," was the last thing I said before leaving to gather my equipment for our little battle.
Whenever my family and I play a rockball fight, we always take our designated rocks carved with our initials and our gear to a closet next door to the foyer. I exited the living room and went through the foyer to the guest room. There, a closet is shown nearby. I opened the door for it and entered the spacious room. Quickly, I found what I was looking for.
I picked up three face shields made out of metal and grabbed a bucket filled with our own rocks. I left the closet and came out to the foyer where Pugsley and Enid were goofing around. I almost groaned in annoyance at the two acting like children. They both chortled like never before, and again, the feeling crawled when my ears listened to Enid's laughter filled with euphoria. Something is deeply wrong with me.
"From what I'm seeing, neither of you will help me with the equipment," I remarked.
"So sorry Wednesday. I was showing Pugsley a video and the way he mocked it was hilarious," Enid wiped her tears away and came to me to help.
"I find you to be out of the ordinary," I declared nonchalantly.
"Thanks!" Enid beamed.
The lycanthrope grabbed a helmet and the bucket from me as her hand slightly brushed over my own. For unknown reasons, it sent a shiver down my spine. My body never reacted that way before. I'm either becoming ill or being mind controlled by Enid. One of those options is troubling.
I pretended like she didn't touch my hand and carried what I had to the front door. Pugsley opened it for Enid and I to exit the mansion. The weather is predictable as the air feels warm and slightly humid. Thunderstorms and lightning would be better, but I am not Mother Nature.
The three of us walked further down next to the house where barricades had been built. This is like a playground, however it is way better than a children's park.
"Gear up, dog. You will never stop whining if your face gets ruined by stones being thrown at you," I uttered as I tossed a face covering to Sinclair.
"You are right Wens. I don't wanna ruin my pretty face before our wedding happens," the werewolf joked around before applying the face shield over head completely.
I rolled my eyes and ignored Enid's response while I was next to put on the shield. I then reached into the bucket and collected my rocks designed for me. Pugsley did the same, and Enid chose to take my father's rocks. All of the pebbles are the size of a golf ball. Something Pugsley and I can endure.
"Just because you're good at a rockball fight doesn't mean you'll win this time. Enid is probably the same level as you," my brother patted the lycanthrope on the shoulder.
"I can tell Wednesday has good aim. Back where I live, we don't get snow unless we go up in the mountains during winter. I do like a good snowball fight. This time, I am going against the experts. But who knows if I am any better," Enid sounded cocky.
"Do not turn hysterical if you lose. I may look effortless to conquer, but I can outdo anything," I glanced at Enid through the protective shield.
"I can't wait to see what you have to show," the blonde's smile could be sensed through her gear.
"Too bad we are on our own. Enid and I would make a great team," Pugsley ranted.
"Maybe next time Pugs," Enid ruffled my brother's hair.
"It will happen," Pugsley grinned before he ran to his defense with the rocks and mask.
"You made a nickname for him," I stated the obvious.
"Mhm. At least he's not offended by it unlike you Wens," the lycan bumped our shoulders together for one second.
"Go hide behind your barrier or else I'll start throwing my stones at you," I threatened mildly.
"Your threats don't scare me Wednesday, but keep at 'em. It's entertaining to hear them," Enid expressed as she patted my head before running off to one of the barriers.
Sinclair must be asking for a death wish. First, her hand grazed lightly against mine. Then, she bumped shoulders with me. Lastly, she chose to pat my head like nothing. Yet, I didn't do anything to prevent it from happening. What am I doing?
"Come on Wednesday! Stop staring into space and let's get this battle going," Pugsley shouted from across the yard.
I snapped out of my thoughts and carried my rocks to my assigned barricade. I dropped them on the ground and peeked my head over the wall protecting me. I hid my head swiftly and put my hand up in the air, counting down from five to one by dropping my fingers one by one. After all my fingers were down, I heard a rock flying into my barrier.
I looked over and found Pugsley not wasting any time to throw his stones towards Enid and I. Shockingly, the vivid girl moved from one barrier to another, tossing two pebbles over and onto Pugsley. I snatched three rocks and threw two at my sibling and the third to Enid. They all landed on them. Three points for me.
I checked through the side of my barrier to make sure the coast is clear. Once it was open, I took my rocks and sprinted over to the defense Enid was previously on. Though, my timing turned out to be incorrect, almost. Puglsey noticed I was open and hurled his stone in my direction. That wasn't the only thing coming towards me. Enid also ran to me without her pebbles.
I didn't understand what the werewolf had planned until my brother's rock was a few feet away from me. Before I predicted what was about to occur, Enid tackled me to the ground and took the hit to her stomach. As the both of us landed on the dried grass, my rocks scattered behind the blockade. Enid lifted her body that was on top of mine and checked if I was okay.
"Are you hurt anywhere?"
"Besides you pushing me to the ground, I am not injured," I plainly told her while I sat myself up with Enid too close to me.
"Oh. Good," Enid responded as she took off the face shield.
"Why did you take the hit for me?" I furrowed my brows out of curiosity.
"My werewolf instinct kicked in, and I had the urge to block the blow for you," her lips curled up in pride.
I removed the gear away from my head and said, "I don't need your protection. I could've dodged it."
"Well, it did not look like you had enough time to do so. At least you're not hurt," Enid got up from the ground.
I was about to open my mouth to speak but footsteps were heard. It belonged to Pugsley who darted over to us with his mask withdrawn.
"That was epic Enid! What you just did reminded me of those terrible action movies I've watched, but you did it better," Pugsley's face lit up.
"Why thank you. I don't even know how you guys are able to withstand rocks hitting you. I already feel bruises forming," Enid claimed.
"Unlucky for you, we do not bruise so easily," I mentioned while rising to my feet.
"Well I do. Especially when I have pale skin, it's very noticeable," Enid lifted the hem of her long sleeve shirt to reveal a few bruises on her toned stomach and one specifically had blood drawn.
My eyes lingered a little longer on her body than anticipated before I realized what I was doing. I averted them to the ground where I felt a tingling sensation in the pit of my abdominal area. Then came a warm feeling rising to my face. Did something awaken in me?
"Woah! How are you bleeding?" Pugsley pointed out the wound.
"When I pushed Wednesday, my shirt did go up a little bit, and I felt the rock hit my skin. The rock did feel sharp," the taller girl answered.
"I feel bad now," my brother appeared guilty.
"Eh. Don't be. I need to clean this one up and bandage it after. You guys have bandages, right?" The blonde questioned.
"Wednesday has some in her bathroom. She can help patch you up. She's really good at it," Pugsley now had an amused look.
I knew what he was doing. He's trying to set me up with Enid. I'll be positive to wipe his smile off of his face.
"Awesome! Lead the way Wednesday," Sinclair told me graciously.
I sighed laboriously before I left the yard along with Enid treading behind me. Per usual, she talked about nonsense while I listened torturously. As we made it inside the house, I got a glimpse of Lurch reading a novel and Thing flipping through a magazine in the living room. I continued bringing Enid and I upstairs to my bedroom where we went in. A couple more steps and we made it to the spacious bathroom.
I opened my cabinet filled with medical supplies in case of an emergency. During my search for the bandage, ointments, and medical tape, I heard the sink running. I turned my head to find the lycanthrope using water and soap to wash away any bacteria from her laceration. Quickly, I was capable of finding what I needed.
I ripped off the big patch of gauze that would fit perfectly on Enid's injury and squeezed out some antibiotic cream on the bandage without touching it. After that, I carefully put tape on all four sides of the gauze pad. It was ready to be used.
"Did you finish cleaning your wound?" I asked the werewolf.
"Yeah. I just got done drying it," Enid informed me.
"Good because I'm ready to put the bandage on you and get it over with."
"Let's not waste any time then," Enid raised her shirt up after leaning into the counter.
If only I glued Pugsley's mouth shut, I wouldn't do this voluntarily. Although, I can leave it to Enid to do it herself. But here I am in this awful predicament while I almost crouched to get a better view of the gash. The same feeling minutes ago emerged again. This time, it became intense. During the process of applying the bandage on Enid's abdominal area, my heart was racing.
What made it worse is the fact my hands were slightly trembling. I was able to stick the gauze directly on the cut, making Enid flex her muscle a bit, and her breath hitched from what I believe is the ointment touching the wound. My fingertips were pressed against her stomach as I gently smoothed out the bandage.
Noticeably, the heat rose to my face. I knew my ears felt like they were on fire. They must be visibly red. It no longer mattered now that I finished fixing Enid up. I pulled myself away from her and began returning the supplies back into the cabinet to calm myself down.
"Thank you Wednesday. Your brother is right about you. You're an expert at patching people's injuries," I heard the blonde behind me.
"Pugsley had to put me on the spot. That fiend. However, I had to repay you for taking the stone for me. Your action reminded me of my father who always protects my mother from anything coming in her way," I disclosed.
"Gomez would be proud of me, heh," I figured Enid had quirked her lips upward.
"I believe so," I closed the cabinet and whirled my head to find Enid staring at herself from the mirror.
Her head inclined towards the mirror with her hand grazing over the cicatrix above and next to her left eye. The old marks were the third thing I noticed when I first met the werewolf. I didn't feel curious enough to ask her what happened until today.
"What's the story behind the scars on your face?"
"Oh, these? Um, let's just say I wasn't in a good situation," Sinclair looked away from the mirror and gazed into my eyes.
"Were you in an altercation with somebody?" I interrogated the older girl further.
"Y-yeah... with my mom," her smile slowly faded.
"Your mother did this to you?" A hint of rage was heard from my voice.
"She did. She got upset and grew furious when I wasn't able to wolf out after I turned sixteen. I tried everything I could to transform in front of her, but it was no use. My mom decided to claw my face and call me a disgrace for taking years not being able to shift. She told me that I would be a lone wolf forever until I was able to wolf out a few months before my seventeenth birthday," Enid explained the background of her scars.
"Your mother is extremely vile. Not even I would go to that extent. If she comes back here, I will knock her unconscious with a shovel and dissect her like a taxidermy she will become," I'm ready for my idea to come true.
"You always think of torturing anyone when given the chance. But thanks for being thoughtful. It means a lot to me," the blonde flashed a grin with her canines showing.
"I expected you to think I'm psychotic," I lowered my brows in uncertainty.
"Technically, you are, but I don't mind it. That's how your personality is, and nobody should change it. Y'know... I finally adapted to being here and hanging out with you guys. I've been bored and alone after my brothers left so I'm grateful to have met you and your family," Enid's face brightened.
"Did you consume poison? All of a sudden you've turned sappy," I studied her face.
"I didn't have any poison. I just felt comfortable enough to tell you what I am feeling. I trust you with whatever information I'm willing to share. I want you to know that," she inched closer to me.
"I must say I'm on the same boat. You're fairly loyal and trustworthy. It's arduous to find you deceiving. Thing and Pugsley enjoy your company. I despise admitting it, but you're not terribly as dreadful as I pictured you to be. Tell anyone about what I said and you won't see tomorrow," I warned Enid.
"You don't need to worry about it. I'm happy to hear we are on the same page. You brought out a lot of new things about me that I never knew I had. Hopefully you feel the exact thing as I do. You don't have to confess about it though," the lycanthrope brought up.
Exactly. I wouldn't confess it to her. These feelings I've never sensed before are concerning. First, I need to confirm the emotions are not hallucinations. Second, I need to find an expert to guide me through each reaction my entire anatomy has felt. And lastly, Enid and my parents cannot find out about it. Feelings are a sign of weakness, and that's something I'm not.
There is a need to hide my emotions in a pit of darkness. Enid has something to do with this. Maybe she's not only a werewolf but something more. Whatever it is, it's affecting me.
"Actions speak louder than words. You won't get a confession out of me. To change the subject, I will be grabbing Lurch and Thing to help one another fix lunch. Do you have any preferences?" I asked in an inoffensive manner.
"I never thought you would ask that. I'm craving macaroni and cheese. I will go with you to help and make lunch if that's okay."
"The more hands, the better," I plainly declared.
"You got it," Enid nodded.
———————————
Yesterday was comforting in some way. It didn't seem overwhelming or obnoxious. Besides my brother asking me a million questions about what Enid and I were up to in the bathroom, Pugsley and I discussed school. He wasn't happy that I am no longer attending considering I had graduated. I made sure he was aware that if anyone were to mess with him, I would put them in a hole filled with snakes.
Even Enid joined in on the conversation and cheered him up. Pugsley was fine after reassuring him and ran off to prepare his backpack. Not a lot of events transpired during dinner other than Thing swinging on the chandelier above us too hard to the point where it fell down. Enid caught it on time thanks to her strength and reflex.
Lurch decided to repair it as all of us were heading to our bedrooms for bed. Enid and Pugsley were the first to sleep while I worked on my novel. I felt infuriated because I wasn't able to fully concentrate on building my plot. My mind betrayed me since it kept replaying the moment between Enid and I in the bathroom.
I wanted to slam my face against my desk over and over until I stopped thinking about the werewolf. What's unacceptable is what I perceived in the morning. Waking up to a quiet room felt different. Because my brother and Sinclair left, I was alone with Thing who did not wake up at the same time I did.
Usually, Enid would be in the room, greeting me and setting off her giddy mood. That wasn't the case when I awoke from my slumber. I would commit the most heinous crime to receive a day of solitude. Nevertheless, without her, it didn't feel right. She's like a missing piece to my life. It's unsettling.
Why? Because I never had that sensation about somebody before. It makes me appear clingy and lovesick. I seriously need to get rid of these feelings or else it will be hard to prevent them from forming hugely. However, a familiar entity in particular thinks otherwise.
"Acknowledge the truth or live through the lies. Choose wisely or face the consequences Wednesday Addams. Your future lies in your hands and heart," my ancestor, Goody Addams, was visible to my eyes.
She stood by the doorframe of my room. Her face was nothing but expressionless. Goody's eyes did tell a different story. I recognized the look. It's as if she's pleading with me to choose the correct path. I was about to ask my ancestor what she meant until she disintegrated into thin air. While I sat up in my bed, Thing steadily woke up. I must search for answers on why Goody was summoned. There is a reason, and it's my duty to dig deep for it.