Not Alone

That night, the room was quiet except for the sounds of Wednesday’s heart monitor and ventilator which had almost become white noise. Enid lay in bed staring at the ceiling, breathing deep through her nose and out her mouth trying to calm her nerves so she could sleep. The tension in her battered body was uncomfortable and not even the medication she was given that was meant to help her sleep was strong enough to actually work.

But how could she sleep when sleep meant watching her best friend die, over and over in her dreams?  How could she sleep knowing that while her best friend was lying critically ill and comatose, the person who was essentially responsible for her condition was out there, probably plotting to finish the job? 

The one consolation was that with the heightened security in the hospital and around Nevermore, which was currently on lockdown, she would have to be a fool if she tried anything, and Laurel Gates was not a fool.  But for all Enid knew, she was able to escape because she had help from the inside, and while her thoughts would immediately go to Magnuson as a suspect, Deputy Santiago assured her that he was nowhere near where she was being held when she escaped. Somehow that was less reassuring. Maybe she wouldn’t try anything personally, but one of her followers might. Whether Laurel was in custody or not, Wednesday was still not safe. 

As desperate as Enid was to get some sleep, sleep made her vulnerable.  It made Wednesday vulnerable.  What if someone got past security and tried something and Enid slept right through it? Sure, Thing would protect her, he hadn’t left her side once except to hide when someone outside Wednesday’s family came in and even then, he stayed close.  But there was only so much he could do.

Not that Enid would be much help either.  She was sick, hurting, exhausted, literally running on empty with a broken ankle.  Not even her claws would be much good with her reflexes being so slow and her body so weak from the poison she took to dreamwalk in Wednesday’s mind.

But right now, it was just her and Thing and the officer assigned to guard their room while Wednesday’s family, including Lurch, went to the hotel and rested.  Originally, Morticia offered to stay and keep the first watch, but Enid had insisted they all go because they all looked completely exhausted, especially Morticia, and though still critical, Wednesday’s condition was stable. 

She genuinely thought she would be fine, but she was regretting it now.  She would’ve felt a lot better if one of them were there. 

Sure, Santiago promised that she would only assign people she knew well and trusted to guard them, but Enid didn’t know him.  And while Santiago had earned their trust, Enid couldn’t help but think in the back of her mind how it was only a few days ago when Enid would’ve trusted Thornhill with her life. 

“Anyone who tries anything would have to be an idiot,” Enid whispered quietly, trying to reassure herself that they were safe. She glanced at Wednesday across the room, still not sure if she was free from the cursed entity or not.  Enid was pretty sure, but that tiny trace of doubt seemed to scream the loudest when she tried to sleep.

Eventually, she gave up trying and heaving a deep sigh she slowly climbed out of bed, shakily grabbed the IV stand and hobbled to Wednesday’s side, easing into the seat next to her.

Thing pointed to her bed.

“I know, but I can’t sleep,” Enid yawned, taking Wednesday’s hand, “it’s just hard, with her being so sick and knowing she could still be in danger.”

She watched Thing sign his response, asking her if she thought Wednesday would be happy knowing she was running herself ragged with worry and stress over her.

“I know, I know, everyone keeps telling me that and I would love it if Wednesday woke up right now to tell me off,” Enid muttered, “and trust me, I would love to be sleeping right now.  But… I just can’t.  Not until…I don’t know.”

Thing moved from his spot on Wednesday’s uninjured shoulder to pat Enid’s hand.  She smiled at him.

“Thank you, Thing.  For always being there for us,” she said. “I don’t know what we’d have done without you.  You played as much of a part in saving her as I did.”

Thing disagreed.

“OK, OK, so you didn’t go into her mind to fight a curse or whatever, but we never would’ve made it this far without you,” Enid amended. “If you didn’t keep watch, I would’ve never known when she took a turn for the worse.  I would’ve slept through it and… maybe that’s why I can’t sleep? I don’t know.”  She released a shaky sigh, “Wednesday if you can hear me…if you’re…still in there…or something…is there any way you can give us a sign?”

As expected there was nothing.

“It’s OK,” Enid sniffed, “but if you can hear me…just know that I’m here, OK? We’ve got you and we’re going to keep you safe so just…focus on getting better.” She gave her bandaged hand a gentle squeeze and watched as Thing told her she should take her own advice.  “I know, I know…I just don’t know how I can when…” she sighed and looked at Wednesday again, her chin quivering as she tried not to cry.

Thing suddenly scurried out of sight and Enid’s slow and tired brain had a delayed reaction as for a split second she wondered what was wrong but then turned and saw Nurse Gina walking in.

“Why aren’t you in bed?” Gina asked with a sour frown. “You should be sleeping.”

“I know,” Enid muttered, wishing Lorraine the head day nurse was there instead.  She was kind and patient but night nurse Gina had the worst bedside manners. “But I can’t.”

“If you don’t get some rest you’re not going to get better you know,” she said, taking Wednesday’s chart and checking her over. “I know you’re worried about your girlfriend but…”

“Well, actually she’s not my…”

“I’m not an idiot.  I know she’s not your sister,” Gina snapped as she checked under the bandage on her shoulder and jotted down some notes.

“There’s no need to be so rude,” Enid snapped back.

“I’m just saying, it’s obvious,” Gina shrugged, though she still had a biting tone she backed off a little, “but whatever.  I know you’re worried, but sitting here, not sleeping, is not going to help her or yourself.”

“I can’t sleep.”

“You can if you try,” Gina said, “just go lie down, take slow breaths and you should fall asleep in no time.”

“I tried,” Enid sighed, “I can’t.  Even if I can it doesn’t last long.”

“Nightmares?”

“How’d you…?”

Gina rolled her eyes, “Like I said, I’m not an idiot.  It makes perfect sense. You watched your friend die almost 24 hours ago.  That and the attack at your school had to have been traumatic. I would be a mess in your shoes.”

Enid was taken aback by her sympathy, despite her snippy tone, “You don’t know the half of it.”

“I’m sure I don’t,” she replied.  “But considering the news about what happened at your school and the fact that there’s extra security, I can guess.  But if it helps, she’s getting better.”

“She is?” Enid perked up.

Gina nodded, “We still have to do more tests but look, her fever has gone down.  102.7º, still high, but it’s out of the danger zone.  And the infection is shrinking.  Her new medication is working.  I’m not her doctor so I can’t speak on her prognosis or make guarantees especially while she’s in this condition, but I can assure you the chances of her still being here in the morning are much better than they were yesterday.”

“Thank you for telling me that,” Enid said, her eyes watering.

“So, get some sleep.  Wednesday will be fine and if there are any changes you’d need to be concerned about I will let you know, OK?  Deal?”

Enid nodded, wincing when the action exacerbated the ache in her head.

“And between the two officers out there and myself, the odds of anyone who might be after her or you getting in are slim to none,” Gina added, “so get to bed.  I’m going to talk to your doctor about increasing the dose on your sleep medication in the meantime.”

“I…I don’t think that’s necessary,” Enid said.

“Then prove it,” Gina snapped, but she could tell that under her abrasive tone, she actually cared.  “Come on,” she said, motioning Enid to stand up.  Enid slowly rose to her feet and Gina held her steady.  She guided her back to her bed and motioned her to lie down.

Enid did as she was told and when her head hit the pillow she softly began to cry, “Thank you.  This… it really means a lot.”

“Hey, maybe you should be in a regular room, but since you’re here that makes you my patient.  Just because you’re not technically an ICU patient doesn’t mean I’m going to care any less,” Gina said, “now go to sleep.  Take slow deep breaths.  Focus on breathing.  Now I’m going to talk to your doctor to arrange getting you something stronger to help you sleep, I know you’d rather not, but it’s my opinion that it’s going to be necessary.  I think part of the reason you’re feeling so sick and fell and hurt yourself in the first place is because you haven’t been sleeping.”

“Yeah,” Enid agreed, even though Gina’s assessment was still way off about why she was sick.  Still, she wasn’t doing herself any favours by not sleeping.  She was so tired she was feeling dizzy and sometimes the walls rippled like waves.  She desperately needed to sleep but… “I’m just afraid.”

“I’ll let your doctor know.  I am confident that he’ll prescribe something that should give you a full, dreamless sleep,” Gina promised, “OK?”

She nodded hesitantly.

“You’re safe here,” Gina said, “Wednesday is safe.  We’re not letting anyone who’s not authorized enter this room.  Her parents would have my head if I allowed it and I’d rather keep it.”

Enid couldn’t help but smile, huffing through her nose, “That is true.”

Gina smiled back, “Good.  I’ll be back to check on you both shortly.  I’m hoping by then you’ll be asleep.”

She sighed, “I’ll try.”

“Good.”

As Gina left the room Enid closed her eyes, slowly breathing in and out, trying to focus on that, mentally reaching out to Wednesday, hoping that she’d reach back like before and let her in.  Maybe if she could find her way back in and could see for herself that the entity was gone then she would feel better.

But it didn’t happen. 

She eventually dozed off and in her mind, she was still awake in the ICU at Wednesday’s side. Except Wednesday was conscious and fine, wondering why Enid was freaking out so much over something as minor as an arrow to the shoulder.  But just when Enid started to convince herself that the whole ordeal had just been a dream and of course Wednesday was OK, a dark fog swept into the room and Laurel Gates, Tyler and Magnuson burst in and while Tyler and Magnuson pinned Enid down, Laurel stabbed Wednesday in the gut.  As Wednesday died in her arms they stood over her and Laurel laughed.

Her laughter still rang in her ears when Enid woke up with a shaky gasp only to see Nurse Gina standing over her, attaching something to her IV.

“It’s OK,” Gina soothed, “it was only a dream.  This will help you sleep.”

“I don’…” she murmured, so tired she couldn’t think or speak. All she could think about was making sure Wednesday was OK and safe, “No…I…”

“You’re safe, Enid,” Gina stated in a matter-of-fact tone, “and so is Wednesday.  No one who’s not authorized is getting in on my watch. You’re OK and Wednesday is continuing to improve.  Focus on that as you fall back to sleep.”

“Swear it?” Enid asked softly.

“I swear.”

Enid sighed, her eyes fluttering closed with that reassurance. Coming from the snarky nurse who never held back on what she thought... it meant a lot.  She wouldn’t lie or sugar coat and maybe she wasn’t so bad after all. Besides, Enid was too drowsy and tired to question it. 

The next thing she knew it was morning.

~~W~F~A~~

Enid was discharged the following day in the late afternoon.  She was confident that the poison was out of her system since she was able to eat without her stomach cramping in protest, some of her more superficial wounds from fighting the Hyde were gone, and having a drug-induced full night’s sleep helped a lot.  Except she didn’t feel rested, and the deeper cuts and bruises and her ankle were going to take more time to heal.

There was talk that with the damage from the fire, the murder of Principal Weems and now Laurel Gates escaping police custody, classes might not resume for the term at all.  While normally Enid would be completely on board with the term ending early and an extended vacation, she was apprehensive about the thought.  If they decided not to resume classes there was no way Enid was going to convince her mother to let her stay and she did not want to go home.

Not only did she not want to leave Wednesday’s side after all they had been through together, but her mother did not know that Enid had been hospitalized and she didn’t know about Enid’s injuries.  If she found out, Enid would never hear the end of it.   The term was supposed to end in a few weeks and with her werewolf genes, Enid was counting on being healed by then.  But if she had to go home in a few days there was no hiding her broken ankle or some of the deeper wounds that required stitches.  

She considered just telling her but she was afraid of how she would react.  But if she didn’t and was sent home before she fully healed, her reaction would be so much worse.  Enid didn’t know what to do so she did nothing.  She had too much to worry about and could only hope that she would be healed before her mother saw her. 

Wednesday meanwhile was slowly, but surely getting better.  While it was too soon to tell, her doctors expressed concern that she might not make a full recovery and if she did it would take a long time to get there.  They believed that the nerve damage to her shoulder was permanent which would affect her ability to fully use her arm, and her illness had taken a toll on her whole body. Her organs had been shutting down and while she was getting better internally, there was still concern about her lungs, heart and brain which had gone through the worst of it.  The prolonged high fever and lack of oxygen had caused some damage to her brain, but until she woke up, there was no telling how severe it would be or what it would look like. 

Morticia was confident that Grandmama would be able to help with any long-term complications once she returned from her extended vacation in the Amazon.  She encouraged everyone to focus on the fact she was getting better.  The rest, they could worry about if or when the issue arose. All that mattered was that she was getting better.  She was going to live.

But for Enid that was easier said than done.  The cursed entity had destroyed her mind, made her forget everything that made her who she was.  She had no way of knowing if the entity was even completely gone let alone if her mind had recovered, or even could recover from the damage it did. And if there was damage to her brain…then what?  Would she even be Wednesday? 

As the days went by Enid rarely left Wednesday’s side until finally, Morticia tapped her on the shoulder as she dozed lightly in the chair by Wednesday's bed and said, “Enid, darling, we’re going to take you home.  You’ve barely slept, it’s not healthy.”

“I’m OK,” she protested, though it was true.  Sometimes if she looked at them long enough, the walls seemed to ripple like waves in her vision and her head had been pounding from exhaustion.  She would sometimes blackout for a few seconds and she struggled to think or concentrate. Except for the drug-induced sleep she had while hospitalized, she barely slept more than a couple of hours at a time. 

“I don’t want to leave her,” she said.

“I know, but she’s not going anywhere and if there are any significant changes, for better or worse, you’ll be the first to know,” Morticia promised.

“I don’t want to go back there,” Enid confessed, “you didn’t see the state of our room…you didn’t see the pictures…”

Morticia looked at her with pure sympathy, “I know.  With the police surveillance and Officer Magnuson forbidden from going near there, it’s perfectly safe, but I know it doesn’t feel like it.  You’ll be sleeping in Yoko’s room.”

“But…” she glanced at Wednesday.

“I know you shared a significant trauma together, in this world and in her Mindscape, and I know that you can’t bear the thought of leaving her which is an admirable testament to your bond, but she’s getting better and you… you’ve been through a lot and how do you expect to heal? Besides you…and I mean this in the kindest way possible...you stink, darling.”

Enid flushed from embarrassment.  It had been a few days since she showered.  She had been in such an exhausted and worried fog that it wasn’t something she even thought about, “I…um, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be, dearest Enid,” Morticia soothed. “You’re a mess.  You need to take a shower and take care of yourself.  We’re worried about you and how much you’re suffering – no, how much you’re letting yourself suffer.  You’ve done your part and went above and beyond, this is your time to heal.  You don’t deserve to suffer like this dear.  She’s getting better and it’s because of you.”

Reluctantly, Enid agreed to return to Nevermore to shower and sleep and they would let her know if there were any changes and pick her up in the morning.

While Gomez and Pugsley stayed with Wednesday, Morticia took Enid back to her dorm to get a change of clothes.  Deputy Santiago had already investigated their room and allowed them access but it was still a mess.  Enid wanted to cry when she saw it.  Now that there was no urgency to find Wednesday’s necklace and race to save her from the curse that had befallen her she had a chance to look around more closely.

She glanced at the empty spot where the pictures of Wednesday had been.  Those were now in evidence.  Enid shivered at the memory of finding them.  She didn’t deserve this.   Any of it. 

“Oh,” Morticia said softly, noticing the broken crystal ball, “that shouldn’t be lying in shards like that.  It should be cleaned as soon as possible.  I hope Deputy Santiago and her team were careful not to cut themselves – though I’d imagine we’d hear about it if they did.” 

“Yeah, I heard once that magic objects can be unpredictable when broken?”

“Yes,” Morticia said as she slowly walked through Wednesday’s side of the room, “and it could be weaponized.  It makes me wonder if that was what they actually wanted when they broke in.”

“Weaponized how?”

“Once a magic item is broken…in raw form it’s unpredictable, but it can be retooled and transformed be reshaped for almost any purpose,” she said, “whoever broke in here…I’m concerned they might’ve known that.”

“Ms. Th—Laurel Gates knew how to bring someone back from the dead, I wouldn’t be surprised if she knew.”

“That’s what concerns me.  She might’ve been in custody at the time your room was ransacked, but she could’ve sent someone on her behalf and the pictures could’ve been a misdirection.  But if it makes you feel any better, unless they have a skilled witch or wizard in their midst – something I doubt – a magic piece to a crystal ball is useless to them and they’re far more likely to hurt themselves with it than others,” she sighed and turned to Enid.  “Come on, let me take you to Yoko’s room.”

“I’m OK to go on my own…”

“I know, but I want to,” Morticia said.  She carried Enid’s to-go bag she had packed, guided Enid out of the room and brought her to Yoko’s room where she was waiting.

“Oh E,” Yoko exclaimed at the sight of her, “how are you holding up?  You look terrible.”

Enid’s body trembled from a sudden burst of emotion but she kept her calm, “I’m fine…we’re…fine.”

“And Wednesday?”

“She’s got a long road ahead of her but she’s getting better,” Morticia said, “thank you for asking, Yoko.”

“The curse is gone?”

“Contained.”

“I’ve been talking to Bianca and we’re going to keep looking for a way to destroy it without hurting her,” Yoko promised.

Morticia smiled and took her by the hands, “Thank you.  We’re not giving up and I am so grateful that neither are you.  We are so humbled by the kindness you and your friends have shown us.” Her voice broke, “It means so much to us.”

“Oh Mrs. Addams, come here,” Yoko said, giving her a hug. “I can’t imagine how hard it’s been. But if there’s anything you need, the Nightshades have your back.  I have your back.”

“Thank you, dear.”

~~W~F~A~~

Later Enid had showered and was sitting on Yoko’s desk chair while she did Enid’s hair, putting it up in a French braid.  They had been pretending everything was normal talking about nothing in particular but then Enid went quiet.

Yoko sighed, “Hey, how are you holding up?  Are you feeling better after…that ritual?”

“Mostly,” Enid said, “but…I’m so tired.”

“I can tell,” she said.  “Wednesday’s mom says you haven’t been sleeping well.”

“Can you blame me?” Enid snapped, “After everything?”

Yoko leaned back, tying off the braid, “Hey, I’m just concerned.”

Enid gently felt the braid in her hair and then covered her face with her hands, “I know, I’m sorry.  I’m just tired of people bringing it up as though I have some sort of control over it.  I’ve tried but it’s been impossible to sleep longer than a couple of hours lately.  The only full night’s sleep I’ve gotten was when I was hospitalized and given heavy drugs.”

Yoko hugged her, “How can I help?”

“I don’t know,” Enid whimpered, “it’s just…the moment I fall asleep it’s like…the nightmares are horrible.”

“I can only imagine,” Yoko said, squeezing her tight while being mindful of her injuries. “How much do you remember?”  She pulled away from Enid, trying to catch her gaze. She knew all about the ritual and what Enid had to do to save Wednesday from the curse.

“When I’m awake, not a lot. Not unless I concentrate and think about it hard enough and then…I remember more than I would like.  But sometimes bits and pieces will suddenly jump out at me and the memory’s so fresh it’s like for a split second I’m there all over again,” Enid explained, feeling a chill as she tried not to think about it, “the problem is that…when I sleep…it’s like I’m back there but…but it’s different.”

“So…what happened then?  In Wednesday’s mind?”

The emotions that Enid had managed to contain bubbled to the surface but she just sniffed, her chin quivering, her voice shaky and small, “I um…I’d rather not talk about it if that’s OK?”

Yoko hugged her again, “Of course.”

“Uh…how are things here?” she asked, trying to change the subject.

“Tense,” Yoko said.  “People are scared.  There’s still some confusion about what all happened but everyone’s pretty shaken up about the fact that Ms. Thornhill was the one who murdered Principal Weems and that she escaped custody.  There were some rumours about Wednesday’s involvement, but the Nightshades set the record straight.”

“What kind of rumours?”

Yoko sighed, seemingly unsure of how much she should mention, “Some were saying she was one of the people behind the attack and the ambulance the other night was her parents paying the police to cover up her arrest.”

“She’s the one who saved everyone!” Enid cried, “She almost died!”

“I know, sweetie, I know.  Like I said, we set the records straight.  They know now that she’s a hero and that you and Wednesday were hurt, but only the Nightshades know how bad it really is,” Yoko assured her.  “But ultimately people are confused and scared and on edge – especially when word got out about the break-in in your room and Ms. Thornhill’s escape.”

“Do people know about…?”

“No,” Yoko said as though reading her mind, “only the Nightshades and the police know about the pictures.”

Enid nodded.  She was glad to hear that.  The pictures were disturbing and she didn’t feel comfortable with people asking her about them.

“There’s still no word about when or if classes will resume this term, but some of us are going home now.  Divina’s parents arranged for her and Kent to finish their term remotely,” Yoko said. “Their parents are scared even though everyone says that Nevermore is safe.  And it is!  There’s no way that Ms. Thornhill or whatever the fuck her name is will attack now with all the heightened security!”

“Divina’s going home?”

“Yeah.  She and Kent are leaving tomorrow morning,” Yoko said sadly.

“Are you going to go to her?”

“No,” Yoko said with a sigh, “you need me.  I know you can’t be alone right now”

“But you and Divina…”

“I’ll see her tomorrow before she leaves.”

“Why not invite her here?”

“She needs to pack.”

Enid sniffed, her tired mind unable to hold back her emotions, “I’m sorry Yoko.  I never meant to be such a burden.”

“Hush,” Yoko said, “you’re not.”

“But I am!” she sobbed.  “I’m terrified to be alone and I’m scared for Wednesday and now you can’t be spending Divina’s last night with her and…”

“Enid, babe…” Yoko sighed, “if I were the one in your shoes, would you want me to feel like a burden?”

“Of course not,” she cried. 

“I know you’d be doing whatever you could to be there for me,” Yoko soothed, hugging her again.

“But you should be with Divina,” Enid sniffed, trying to reel it in.  “I know that’s where you’d rather be – there’s no point in denying it.”

Yoko sighed, “Yeah.  But I can see her tomorrow and she’ll be back in January so…”

“Yoko…go to her.  I…I’ll be fine,” she whimpered.  Except she wouldn’t be.  She was too scared and worried and overwhelmed…

“Enid – I… are you sure? No…I don’t want to leave you alone but…maybe I could call Ajax,” Yoko offered. “He can stay here with you tonight. That work?”

Enid stiffened.  She would like that but…through the whole ordeal, Ajax was mostly quiet.  He sent a “Get Well Soon” text when she was in the hospital, and asked if she was OK maybe once in the last few days and when she said she was fine he sent a thumbs-up emoji. Even Bianca was more attentive to what she was going through than he was and they weren’t even friends.  She knew Ajax meant well and struggled to communicate but she had hoped that out of everyone, her own boyfriend would’ve been the one who stepped in to be her rock when everything was falling apart.  But even though she knew he cared, it sure felt like he couldn’t be bothered.

“That sounds great,” she said, forcing a smile. 

 Yoko smiled, “OK.  Lie down sweetie, get comfortable and I’ll text him to come over.  It looks like you can barely keep your eyes open right now.”

Enid wiped away her tears, “Thanks.”

Overcome with exhaustion she did as she was told, resting her head on the pillow and closing her eyes, trying to think of anything besides Wednesday and how scared she was hoping to trick herself into not having another nightmare.  So far it hadn’t worked, but as she always did when she tried to sleep she hoped that this would be the time it would.  She didn’t know what else to do.

She dozed lightly but a light knock on the door brought her back to awareness.  She tried to ignore it and kept her eyes closed as Yoko answered the door and she listened to her and Ajax speaking in hushed tones.

“She’s asleep,” Yoko whispered.

“She OK?”

“I think so for now.  She keeps having nightmares that wake her up,” she explained. “Poor girl’s a wreck.”

“So, what do I do?” Ajax asked softly.

Enid listened to her sigh, “Ajax, just get in there and take care of your girlfriend!  Like you’re supposed to do!”

“OK,” he said defensively.

“Don’t think we haven’t noticed how absent you’ve been with her lately,” Yoko chided him.  “You like her right?  You care about her?”

“Of course!”

“Then get in there and show it!”

“But I don’t know what to do, this isn’t something I’m good at.”

“Just read the room, OK?  She’s been through hell and she’s scared, just be there for her.  If she wakes up from a nightmare, comfort her. It’s not that complicated.”

Enid listened as they entered, still pretending to be asleep. 

“OK, so I’ll be in Divina’s room, text me if you need anything,” Yoko said, “be gentle with her. She’s been through a lot.”

She listened to Ajax as he sat in Yoko’s desk chair and Yoko left, closing the door behind her.  She felt embarrassed about needing a babysitter, but she really didn’t feel safe alone and she tried to justify it with the fact she wouldn’t hesitate to help if someone else were in her position. 

She contemplated pretending to just wake up so she could talk to Ajax, but she was so tired and didn’t feel like moving.  She tried to focus on a happy place to try and control what she dreamt about in hopes that the memories of the Mindscape might stay away for once.  She focused her thoughts as far away from everything that had been happening as possible as she drifted to sleep. 

She pictured a beach at sunset. The gentle breeze, the salt in the air, the soft warm sand, the spray of the waves as they crashed to shore…she drifted into the fantasy and fiddled with a shell as she watched the waves, listening to music in the distance.

At first, it was simply pop music but then it shifted into something else.  Cello music. She had never cared for cello music or classical music in general until Wednesday came along.  And her imagined generic happy place shifted into a memory. 

She was working on her homework, Taylor Swift blasting through her headphones when she could hear her roommate practicing. At first, she was annoyed because she could hear the cello through her noise-cancelling headphones but then she eventually turned off her music and lowered her headphones to listen. 

She had been playing something slow, peaceful and romantic. It was familiar but she couldn’t place it, it didn’t sound like some of the covers Wednesday liked to play.  The melody drew her in and made her eyes water with tears she couldn’t explain and she got up from her desk and followed the sound onto the balcony where Wednesday was so lost in the music she didn’t seem to notice her.  When it was over Enid breathed a shaky, “Wow.”

Startled, Wednesday jumped a little. “How long have you been standing there?” she demanded.

“Not very long – Wednesday, that was beautiful,” Enid exclaimed. She half expected her to tell her to leave her alone while she practiced like she usually preferred but Wednesday turned back to the sheet music and said quietly.

“Thank you.”

“What’s it called?”

“The Swan by Camille Saint Saens,” she replied.

“I love it.”

“Me too.  It makes me sad and I like that it makes me sad,” she said, “it leaves me grieving a life that was never mine, like a nostalgia for something you yourself never experienced.” 

“I think I know the feeling,” Enid replied.

“It’s strange, I think I am experiencing it right now but...I don’t know why.”

“What do you mean?”

She hesitated a moment before deciding to share, “The other day I had a vision that I suppose has stuck with me and affected me more than I anticipated.”

“What was it about?” Enid asked, wanting to make the most out of this rare time when she seemed willing to open up.  “I mean, if you don’t mind my asking.”

“I…I watched my ancestors get burned alive.”

“How awful!”

Wednesday paused, staring intently at nothing, “It was. I felt the heat, I breathed in the smoke, I heard their screams until the sound quite literally died away and there was nothing I could do about it.”

“I’m so sorry!”

“Why?  It happened centuries ago.”

“Maybe but still…”

“But it showed me the truth about the town’s hero Joseph Crackstone and how he was a homicidal monster hell-bent on destroying our kind,” she said.

“Is that why you burned the statue?”

Wednesday smirked, “Excuse me but I was playing my cello the whole time.”

Enid giggled, “OK is that why you had Thing burn the statue?”

“A monster like that should not be celebrated,” she stated. “But… I suppose the vision has stuck with me more than the others.  It was like I was there, experiencing it with them – only I had the ability to escape. The smoke…it was unbearable, disorienting.”

Enid hummed with sympathy, not sure what to say.  She glanced out over the balcony and noticed a cloud of smoky fog rolling into the courtyard and it seemed out of place in her memory.  Something else had briefly distracted her that night though she couldn’t completely remember what it was.  But Wednesday continued to speak, drawing her back to the conversation.

“I’m still not completely certain why I had that vision, or why it was so vivid and visceral.  Xavier says they’re not to be trusted, that they’re tied to my emotions and can be misinterpreted, but I disagree.  I think my visions are different somehow, but I’m not sure why,” she admitted. “It was like I was there, Enid.  There’s no room for misinterpretation, Joseph Crackstone committed genocide against our people and only my ancestor survived the slaughter.  I can’t help but feel like…if I didn’t follow her out I might’ve perished in the fire as well, as impossible as it may sound.”

She shuddered and Enid instinctively put her hand on her shoulder to comfort her but she flinched and shook it off, “I don’t know how this vision connects to what’s happening now but I believe that it is connected somehow – like history is about to repeat itself.  It seems every day I am one step closer to figuring out this mystery but then something new comes along and I’m thrown two steps back.”

The smoke was getting closer.  Enid didn’t know where it was coming from, just that it didn’t belong in this memory.  So why was it there?

“But…playing my cello clears my head,” she said with a sigh. “It helps me focus.  In a way, I think it keeps me sane.  It grounds me back in reality when my visions start to take a toll.  I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t play again.”

Enid frowned.  She didn’t remember Wednesday saying that.  She vaguely recalled her declaring that she was going to solve the mystery behind the murders and bring the culprit to justice, not a quiet admission of vulnerability.

“What if I can’t play again?” Wednesday’s voice quivered as she spoke and Enid could hear the sound of the bow clatter against the floor of the balcony.

Enid turned to her and watched in horror as Wednesday became frail and gaunt and covered in scars, her clothes tearing away into tatters, blood spilling from her hand and shoulder.  The smoky fog was seeping onto the balcony from every angle.  “Wednesday!” she tried to get to her, wrap her arms around her and protect her but she couldn’t move.

“What if I can’t play again?” she quietly asked again.  “What if I go mad?  What if I lose everything that makes me who I am?” 

“Wednesday…”

She choked out a sob looking her in the eyes with despair, “There’s no way out.”

Enid shook her head, “No…no…”

“I think I should prefer to die.”

In one swift motion, she jumped off the balcony into the smoky, black abyss.

Enid woke with a gasp.  It took her a moment to figure out where she was and that it was only a dream.

Nothing more than a dream.

Or so she hoped.

“Enid?  Are you OK?” Ajax asked from where he was at Yoko’s desk playing a game on his phone.

“Y-yeah…” she said, “I…it was just a nightmare.”

He put his phone aside and sat on the bed beside her and she grabbed onto him, and he took her into his arms.  She started to cry and he rubbed her back, soothing her gently. After she was done crying he kissed her neck and then her ear and cheek and she pulled away before he could kiss her lips.

“Ajax…not right now,” she said, “I can’t right now.”

“Oh,” he said quietly, “I uh…sorry.”

“It’s OK,” she said.

“Do you um…want to talk about it?”

“Not really.”

“What do you need me to do?”

Enid looked him in the eyes, frustrated.  She didn’t know.  She didn’t know what she wanted or what she needed.  She just needed Wednesday to be OK.  She needed her to wake up and remember them and be OK.  She needed to scream and cry and let everything out, her pain, her fear, her anger so maybe she might be able to sleep through the night without Wednesday’s horrific mindscape creeping its way in. But she sighed, reigning it in.

“Just…hold me?”

He seemed to relax, “I can do that.”

Enid spared him a small smile and curled up in his arms. But as they lay there, side by side, it didn’t feel right.  It didn’t feel comfortable.  It didn’t feel comforting or safe.  It didn’t even feel romantic.  It was just awkward and while he was trying, he was trying so hard to be what she needed and being so sweet about it, he wasn’t helping.

But he was trying so she stayed quiet.   

She couldn’t sleep the rest of the night.

~~W~F~A~~

The next morning Lurch picked her up to take her to the hospital and when she arrived she immediately noticed a significant change in Wednesday’s progress.  The ventilator was gone, replaced by a nasal cannula feeding her oxygen.

“She’s breathing on her own!” Enid exclaimed.

“Yes,” Morticia said, “and if all goes well, they’re hoping to start the process of waking her from her coma as early as this afternoon.”

A tiny laugh escaped her as she hugged Wednesday’s family, “Oh, this is great!” 

“Our Scorpion is a fighter,” Gomez said, “and once she’s awake, she’ll be fighting to get back on her feet in no time, I’m sure of it.”

They all agreed, but it was clear that no one dared speak the thing they all feared, that when she woke up it wouldn’t be her anymore.  But there was also a silent agreement that whatever happened, whether she was her normal grumpy self or the broken thing that Enid knew in the Mindscape or something somewhere in between, they wouldn’t give up on her. They would do whatever it took to support her and help her heal.

It was late in the afternoon when they stopped giving Wednesday the drugs that kept her in a coma.  Lorraine kindly explained that the process would take time and with waking would come pain but they increased her pain medication and it might be a while before she was coherent enough to speak or hold a conversation, but she assured them, “She’s doing so well considering all she had been through.  I know it’s hard, but the worst is over now.  If all goes well she will be out of the ICU soon and into a regular room for the next phase of her recovery.”

It took several hours before the medication that kept her under wore off enough for Wednesday to finally show signs of life.

Thing noticed it first and snapped to get everyone’s attention when her fingers twitched.  Morticia took her hand and gave it a squeeze, “Wednesday?  Darling?”

It took some time between her fingers twitching and her showing any other signs of waking but when she did, she seemed to be in distress, in the throes of a nightmare releasing a soft groan as her head rocked back and forth.  Her heart rate increased and Morticia gently cupped her cheek in her hand, “It’s OK baby,” she soothed, brushing her bangs back, “we’re here.  You’re OK…”

Her eyes fluttered but didn’t open.

“Hey, Storm Cloud,” Gomez said softly, “open your eyes.”

They exchanged glances and focused their attention back on her.

Pugsley moved to the other side of her, reaching to clutch the fingers in her left hand, careful not to jostle her arm in the sling, “Sis?”

Enid watched in anticipation, stepping back to let her family have their time.  “Should I let them know she’s waking up?”

“Not yet,” Morticia said, motioning her to join them, “Wednesday…open your eyes, wake up darling.”

Enid moved to stand behind Pugsley. 

Wednesday furrowed her brow as though in pain, her breath quickening, her heart rate increasing. 

“Darling, wake up, you’re dreaming,” Morticia soothed.

It seemed to take a huge amount of effort but her eyes finally fluttered open, but her panic didn’t seem to ease.  Her dark eyes rested on Morticia, then Gomez and she seemed confused and disoriented and scared.

“Wednesday?” she said, “Deep breaths.  You’re OK.  You’re safe.”

Still in a panic, she turned her eyes to Pugsley and then she spotted Enid behind him.  Her eyes widened, her breathing calmed, and though she seemed confused she could not take her eyes off her.

Morticia nodded to Enid, silently signalling her to get closer. She stepped forward as Pugsley stepped back, “Hey Wednesday.”

Her lips moved but no sound came out.  But it looked like she was trying to say, “It’s you.”

“It’s me,” she smiled, unable to hold back her tears, “you’re safe.  Look, we got you out.  You’re out. You’re not there anymore. You’re going to be OK.”

The panic in her breathing seemed to subside a little as a hopeful, but uncertain look crossed her face. 

“I’ve got you,” Enid said, taking over for Morticia to finger-comb her bangs from her face as she and Gomez held her bandaged hand.  “We’ve got you.  Me and your family. We’re right here.”

She glanced at them briefly and then locked her gaze on Enid again.

“You’re safe,” Enid said again.

Wednesday blinked heavily, slowly exhaling in a quiet sigh. She was visibly overtaken by exhaustion and quickly drifted back to sleep.