𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕. it's crazy what you'll do for a friend

    Eve sat at the desk in her dorm room, typing away on a research assignment on the making of gargoyle statues. She chuckled to herself as she typed, finding the topic to be quite amusing considering that Rowan nearly smashed her to bits with a statue of that style.

    As she tore a complete page from her personalized typewriter, a melodious knock was heard at the door. Eve annoyedly threw a cardigan over her pajamas and opened the door, her face fell as she simultaneously allowed her surprising guest into her room.

    "Wednesday, what are you doing here?" she asked.

    Wednesday spun around on her heels, observing the room in all of its essence. "I'm in need of a new roommate and I decided to choose you," she emotionlessly replied.

    Eve crossed her arms over her chest and tilted her head to the side. "Why? I thought you were rooming with Enid."

    "I was until I found out how high her sensitivity for goriness is," she spoke as if it wasn't a normal reaction. "Plus, I figured that you'd prefer to be closer to the investigation."

    Eve shook her head, brushing a pesky strand of hair out of her face. "What investigation?"

    "My ongoing investigation to figure out what's killing all of the people in this cursed town," Wednesday replied as if it was obvious. "Your brother, included."

    The Monroe girl let her stomach drop, wrapping her arms around her stomach as if she was afraid her intestines would spill out of her. Her throat was dry and her eyes were crazed. This was the first time in the past year that someone had even entertained the idea of Daniel Monroe's death not being a miniscule little accident. Eve pulled her eyes upwards to meet Wednesday, her still gaze proving that she wasn't joking in the slightest

    "You think that Daniel was killed?" Eve questioned.

    "I'm practically positive," Wednesday replied. "Thing and I snuck into the County coroner's office and retrieved the autopsy reports of both the recent victims and suspicious deaths within the last year or so."

    "And what did you find?"

    "I found that your brother's autopsy report has been tampered with. I assume that the original report had been discarded and replaced with a new one a few months later," she replied. "Whatever was in the original report... they certainly didn't want anyone to see it."

    Evette felt lightheaded from the amount of shock that she consumed. Her mouth fell agape as she stared back at the braided-haired girl before her. For a split second, a spark of sympathy flew through Wednesday's dark gaze before returning to its stillness.

    "I'm not sure if you're aware but Eugene has been put into a coma after being attacked by the monster," Wednesday continued. "And if you're willing, I'd like to move into your room so we can continue this investigation together."

    Without a sliver of hesitation, Eve replied: "I'm in."

    It was parents weekend at Nevermore Academy, a specifically distasteful time of year for Evette.

    Her parents were either too busy or simply forgot to show up the majority of the time, leaving their daughter to sulk away in her bedroom and stare out of her window at the groups of happy reuniting families. Not this year, however.

    Jeremy Monroe had sent his daughter a messenger pigeon, a staple of his ability to communicate with animals, a trait that Daniel had also picked up. The message told her that both himself and her mother, Elena, would be visiting her that year. Evette didn't know if she should be excited or nervous, so the pit in her stomach as her parents drove up the driveway of the academy was a painful mixture of both.

    Her father stepped out of the old-fashioned car first, readjusting his coat so that it hung loosely from his wide frame. Her mother followed by hooking her arm with her husband's, proceeding to approach their daughter who waited patiently. Eve took a few steps forward, unsure of what to say at that moment.

    "Monroe, is that you?" Gomez Addams exuded as he, Morticia, and Pugsley traveled over to them.

    "Gomez," Jeremy replied as he shook his companion's hand firmly. "Long time, no see, my friend."

    "It's been far too long, hasn't it?" Morticia hummed.

    "Too long is never long enough," Elena joked, using the crude humor that both she and Morticia held between each other.

    Evette stood awkwardly with her hands laced together before both families made their way into the grand hall of the academy. Principal Weems stood in front of all of the visiting people, a wide smile playing over her face.

    "Nevermore was created as a safe haven for our children to learn and to grow, no matter who or what they are," Weems spoke.

    Eve shot a glance over to her parents who stood with Morticia and Gomez across the yard, pointing out the irony of their school being a 'safe haven.' Her parents avoided her gaze, leaving her to shake her head in disbelief as Wednesday came to stand beside her.

    "I realize most of you have probably heard about the unfortunate incident involving one of our students. But I'm happy to report that Eugene is on the mend and is expected to make a full recovery! So let's focus on the positive and make this Parents' Weekend our very best yet!" the Principal concluded, smiling as the groups of families applauded.

    "On the mend? Try in a coma," Wednesday spoke with a hint of disbelief and annoyance lingering in her tone. 

    Eve turned to look at her. "Have you visited him?"

    Wednesday shook her head. "I'm the reason he's in the hospital."

    "You can't blame yourself for that," Eve replied. "It hasn't killed anyone in the past week, alright? Maybe the monster is finally gone. Maybe you scared it off."

    "Or maybe it went into hiding to avoid this weekend," Wednesday replied.

    Both the Monroe and Adams families began to search the crowd for their daughters. Enid hesitantly joined their group and stood beside Eve.

    "I knew I should've worn my plague mask," Wednesday murmured.

    "I'm surprised my parents would leave their up-scale life of scheming long enough to see me," Eve added.

    "Well, look at my family," Enid complained. The three girls turned to look at her brothers who were diving over a picnic table while growling and howling amongst each other. "Talk about a toxic pack mentality. I give my mom thirty seconds before her judge-y claws come out."

    The three girls exchanged glances before making their way to their respective families.

    "There she is," Jeremy smiled at his daughter. "Being back here reminds me of when your mother and I attended Nevermore. How has it been treating you, my darling?"

    "Besides being accused of murdering my own brother and losing my social status entirely, I'd say pretty well," Eve snarkily replied.

    Her parents shot worrisome looks at each other before bringing their eyes to meet their daughter's once again.

    "Tell us everything," Elena spoke.

    "Since you left me here to rot, I've been teased, mocked, dethroned, made a fool of, and been made the target of an attempted murder," Eve replied. "Oh. I have a perfectly fake boyfriend now, also."

    Jeremy's eyeballs nearly rolled out of their sockets with how much they enlarged. "And when were you planning on telling us this?"

    "Whenever you let your messenger pigeons stay around long enough for me to write back," she scoffed. "Evidently, you weren't too enthused to be hearing from me, either."

    "Never mind your father. Sometimes, I believe that he thinks we're still stuck in the early twentieth century!" Elena laughed. "Who is he?"

    Eve looked up at the upper deck of the yard, finding Xavier leaning on the stone railing and looking down at her. He waved lazily and she returned his gesture.

    "Up there," she replied to her mother while still looking up at him.

    Eve's shoulders fell as she realized why Xavier was alone on the deck for yet another year. His father was a no-show. "I think they're about to serve lunch. Grab me a plate?" she asked her parents, receiving nods in return.

    She raced up the staircase and up to the balcony, finding Xavier turning around to meet her. His hair was pulled out of his face, leaving Eve to make no mistake about how sunken his eye bags were. He looked exhausted. She wrapped her arms around his slender frame, receiving a ghostly hug in return.

    "No-show?" she asked.

    Xavier nodded. "Yeah. I got a text this morning."

    Bianca was walking along the inner rim of the  balcony, catching Eve's sight.

    "And what about you?" Eve asked. "Do you have anyone meeting you?"

    Bianca hesitantly shook her head and walked over to the pair. She leaned against the railing and looked down at the dozens of happy families.

    "Gabrielle hasn't shown her face since I started here. Probably sunning herself somewhere in the Seychelles," she replied.

    "My darling daughter!" a woman's voice exclaimed. "I made it. Wouldn't miss this for the world."

    Bianca turned around, a horrified expression falling over her face. Xavier straightened his posture and smiled at both of them.

    "I guess you misjudged her," he said, descending down the staircase.

    Eve turned to Bianca, receiving a nod that told her that it was okay for her to leave her with her mother.

    Eve sat beside her father, across from her mother. The conversation was dull and lifeless, just as it was unfortunately expected to be. After conversing face-to-face with her own parents for months, the relationship between them was understandably strained.

    The teen's mind burned with questions as she stuffed underdone steak into her mouth. She finally decided that she would formally confront her parents about Daniel's death and Wednesday's findings.

    "What's on your mind, dear?" Elena inquired. "You look troubled."

    Eve cleared her throat. "I have something to ask you guys, and I need you to promise that you won't lie to me anymore."

    Jeremy and Elena looked at each other before nodding.

    "I know that Daniel's autopsy report has been tampered with because there was something on the original that you or someone else didn't want to be seen," Eve spoke, lowering her voice to avoid nearby families from eavesdropping. "What was it?"

    Jeremy choked on the water in his cup, Elena wiping her mouth with a cloth napkin to avoid showing how startled she was. Eve stood her ground and rested her forearms on the table, leaning forward.

    "I don't know what you're talking about," Jeremy said.

    Elena sighed. "Honey, come on. I think it's time that she knows."

    "Time that I know what?"

    Jeremy heavily sighed and slouched into his seat. Eve's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Her parents had always been pristine and proper, a trait that they had passed down to her. Seeing them in a state of such uncertainty and restlessness was a sight for sore eyes.

    "Everyone in this town has been lying to you," Elena began. "Daniel- He hadn't just fallen down the well by accident. He-He was pushed."

    Eve's eyes widened. "Go on."

    "The roar that you heard coming from the woods.. You didn't imagine that. It was real," Elena continued. "Your brother... he was mauled. Gutted. Multiple of his organs had been... taken."

    "God, I think I'm going to be sick." Eve clasped her hand over her mouth to halt her gagging until she could recover from the news.

    "We're so sorry, Evie," Elena said, almost in a begging tone of voice. The mother felt as if she had done so much damage that they must beg to be forgiven.

    Eve shook her head. "Sorry doesn't cut it anymore. Maybe before you let me take the blame. Before I was ostracized by everyone I knew. Before I woke up every night in a cold sweat from reliving his death. Before my parents used their status to forget about my existence. But now? That doesn't cut it."

    The teen stood from the table and turned towards the entrance of Ophelia Hall. Her parents stood up from their seats and watched their daughter take a few steps away from them. Suddenly, the crowd of families began to whisper about themselves at the same time.

    Eve turned around after hearing Principal Weems's voice: "Can I ask what this is about, Sheriff?"

    "Gomez Addams and Jeremy Monroe!" Sheriff Galpin exclaimed.

    Both men traveled over to the badged man and stood parallel to him. Jeremy towered over both of the men, standing at a height of around six foot four in contrast to the other two. Even despite the physical appearance of the men before him, the Sheriff held his head high and continued to speak.

    "How can we help you, Sheriff?" Gomez asked.

    "You're under arrest for the murder of Garrett Gates," Sheriff Galpin spoke to Gomez, handcuffing him and passing him onto one of his deputies.

    "And you?" the Sheriff spoke to Jeremy. "You're being arrested as an accessory to the murder."

    Both Gomez and Jeremy looked back at their families only to be met with concerned looks. Eve hurriedly followed behind the Sheriff as he dragged her father away, but Wednesday caught onto her sleeve.

    "Dad?" Pugsley called out.

    All eyes were glued to the remaining family members, the children standing in a daze of confusion while the mothers watched their husbands be dragged away with a sense of knowingness.

    Wednesday and Evette traveled into the visiting room, finding their fathers sitting behind the thick glass in orange jumpsuits. They took a seat opposite of their fathers.

    "Hi," Jeremy spoke. "How are you and your mother?"

    "I'm fine. Mother, however, is a wreck. She hates the idea of ruining your shared estate with a criminal offense," Evette neutrally replied. "I know she misses you, though."

    Things crawled across Evette's lap and leapt onto the small table in front of Wednesday, pressing against the glass to be closer to Gomez.

    "I caught my mother laying a rose on a grave earlier today. The headstone read 'Garrett Gates,'" Wednesday spoke to her father. "The very reason as you both have been arrested for murder. Do either of you care to explain?"

    Gomez spoke first, going on to explain Garrett's infatuation with Morticia. Garett turned obsessive, stalking and tormenting Morticia in all aspects of her life. The Gates family was furious that someone could accuse their son of such heinous things. The tension came to a head at the night of the Rave'N Dance where Garrett had broken into the school and attempted to murder Gomez out of wicked jealousy. During the fight, Gomez had accidentally stabbed Garrett and sent him falling to his death off of the balcony.

    "It was a terrible accident," Jeremy added.

    "And how do you come into the picture?" Eve asked.

    Jeremy cleared his throat, explaining that Gomez had hurriedly come to him for aid begging to get Morticia out of the picture. Considering that they had been great friends for the majority of their lives, he obliged. He helped Morticia flee the scene and helped Gomez destroy the evidence that would link any wrongdoing to her. Almost as if she hadn't ever been there to begin with.

    Eve and Wednesday sat in silence as they stared back at their fathers, almost as if their testimonies were too convincing.

    "Thank you for being so honest with us," Wednesday flatly said. "We need to get going."

    The teens stood up and began to exit the room.

    "I'm sorry I wasn't a better father," Jeremy slowly said to his daughter.

    "Talk to me about it after we get you out of here," Eve replied.

    Wednesday and Evette exited the county jail, revealing a gray sky full of heavy rain clouds.

    "Do you have a plan?" Eve asked.

    "Of course I do."

Notes.
there wasn't much of Xavier in this chapter but there was a whole lot of Wednesday so I hope that makes up for it 🤞

also Jeremy is a real one for doing all of that for Morticia and Gomez like gd. perhaps this sets up something between Wednesday and Eve...

as always ty for reading & those who interact with my work, you give me motivation to continue this story <3