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opossum-writes · 1 month ago

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Mystery Man: Pt. 10

A/N: double digits, y’all 🎉

~CAELIN’S POV~

It’s late, the sun has gone to sleep, leaving the moon to keep watch over the world. I’m sat in my tent, my lantern softly illuminating the nylon walls of my temporary home in a pleasant yellow hue.

I’m planning my next course of action. Y/N found me using the clues I left. I’m not surprised, he’s always exceeded Druscilla and I’s expectations. I couldn’t be more proud. Although, I do feel guilty for not being honest, but it was the right thing. I need them to be safe.

I hear a twig snap outside of my tent. “Password?” I ask, baring my claws, just in case I need to defend myself against an attacker. “11/18/94.” I hear Druscilla’s voice answer. “Come in, my love. I’ve been needing to speak with you.” I reply, and Druscilla steps inside and sits next to me, having to slouch slightly because of her height.

“I know. Our daughter informed me. Didn’t I say not to speak to the kids? You’re supposed to he dead! Now you might actually die, because you couldn’t keep your mouth shut. You know the consequences! Now what’s stopping me from filing the divorce papers?” Druscilla scolds me. “Oh, please. You and I both know you won’t do that. The only reason I agreed to those terms was because I knew you were bluffing.” I chuckle, and Druscilla scoffs.

“Sometimes I hate how much you know me.” Druscilla groans. I smile at her, and look back down at my notes. “So, I believe I have found an acceptable course of action. We report your family to the police and you can act as a rat. I could explain that i’m being hunted by your family, provide evidence, and they would hopefully put me in the witness protection program. That way I can be safe, and you wouldn’t end up locked in a jail cell for murder.” I explain. Druscilla hums in response.

“It could work. But what about the kids? They’d end up following you whenever you get moved to a safer location. They are the happiest i’ve ever seen them at Nevermore.” Druscilla replies. “I know. I have a solution for that. Remember Larissa Weems? She’s always been a good friend. We grew up together. She’s the reason i’m able to stay on campus. We could give her custody of Y/N and Kat. That way they can stay at Nevermore, and away from danger.” I answer.

Druscilla sighs, and looks at her feet, saddened by the idea. Deep down, I know she agrees. I know her better than I know myself at times. “Okay. That works. I’ll speak her in the morning.” Druscilla says, and we say our goodbyes and she leaves. I know I can trust Larissa. I hope she agrees…

~Y/N’S POV~

It’s breakfast time, and i’m stuck with mother and Kat. Enid is sat at a nearby table with her family, clearly unhappy. It looks like her mother is bothering her. Thank god I wore my wolf skin coat today. “I just remembered that I have plans with someone.” I lie, and get up and walk over to the table before my family can question me or protest.

“Hey, Enid, I totally forgot that I borrowed your laptop last night. It’s in my dorm. Come with me, i’ll give it back.” I say to Enid, trying my best to give her a look that has “just go with it” written all over. Enid gets the hint, thank god, and stands up. “Oh, yeah. Of course! Lead the way, Y/N.” Enid smiles widely, her mood seemingly improving now that i’m here. “Excuse me, boy! How dare you interrupt a conversation between mother and daughter.” Enid’s mother scolds. “You talk a lot of shit for someone with a removable tongue.” I fake a smile at her, adjusting the collar of my coat to make sure she knows what it’s made of.

She clearly wants to say something, but she bites her tongue and just turns the other way to ignore me. I grab Enid’s hand and pull her away from all the people. “Sorry about that. You looked like you wanted to be anywhere except that table.” I apologize, smiling softly at the werewolf. “Phew.. jeez, any longer and I would’ve exploded. Thank you, Y/N.” Enid smiles, her face radiating gratitude.

“So, how’ve you been holding up? A little birdie told me that your mom went all… crazy on you in the quad not too long ago.” Enid asks, her face shifting from grateful to concerned. “Oh… yeah. It’s nothing i’m not used to. Mother has always been a bit… how do I put it… like that one substitute teacher that is way meaner than the usual teacher. Does that make sense?” I explain, and Enid chuckles slightly. “Yeah, that’s one way to put it, I guess.” She replies, a soft smile returning to her face.

I can be myself around Enid. I don’t have to worry about respecting authority, or if my posture is perfectly straight. I can just… be. I can have fun. I can laugh. Something I can rarely afford. I think I’m starting to fall for this girl. That could either be a blessing or a curse, but I guess I won’t know which one it is yet.

But, I still can’t deny that I’m also falling for Wednesday. I wish I could make up my mind with just a snap of my fingers and be done with it, but, after all, this isn’t a storybook, or a silly fanfiction where the hero always gets the girl. It’s life. And i’m falling for two girls. And they couldn’t be more different.

Enid is so cheerful, her bright smile melts away any worries, and her laugh conquers a bad mood with ease. She’s kind, and a little sensitive. She’s caring, and funny, and absolutely adorable.

And Wednesday is, well… Wednesday. She’s harsh and judgmental, but god forbid anyone hurt her or someone she cares about. Her vengeance would be swift and lethal, but i’m sure she’s no stranger to torture either. She’s unlike anyone i’ve ever met before, and it’s… refreshing, in a way. She doesn’t beat around the bush, if she thinks i’m stupid, she isn’t shy to admit it. She’s quick to judge, and her words can cut like a well sharpened sushi knife. She’s cold, and unkind, but in her own weird and twisted way, she’s caring and… strangely loving.

I must be going crazy, because I’m starting to think she might feel the same. I mean, she has to, right? She would’ve pushed me off her when I kissed her at the rave’n if she didn’t. Ugh. This is all becoming a jumbled mess.

“…Y/N? You alright?” Enid asks, poking my cheek with her pointer finger, snapping me out of my thoughts. I clear my throat. “Uh, yeah. Sorry. I… just remembered that Kat need help with something, and i’ve gotta go. See you later.” I say, sprinting away from Enid. I don’t know why I ran. I don’t know much of anything anymore, to be honest.

I make it back to the quad, and it looks like Kat and mother have already left. I sigh, and sit down at the table my botany teacher, Ms. Thornhill, is at. A few other students are here. “Y/N, right?” A person sitting next to me asks. “Uh.. who are you?” I reply, raising an eyebrow at them curiously. “Willow Finch, at your service. You’ve got quite the reputation around here, tiger.” The person, now known as Willow, explains. I scoff. “Yeah. I doubt it’s a good one. I couldn’t care less.” I shrug.

“You and me both. I’ve been know as ‘Squeaker’ ever since I spoke to a stray rat during fencing. My dad thought i’d do better here. He thought I wouldn’t have any bullies to torment me. But, that’s neither here nor there. I hear you got stitches in the middle of class. Is that true? I mean… that big sewed up cut on your cheek is pretty telling.” Willow asks, and I nod.

“That’s correct. The only good thing that came out of that was a good friend and a cool looking scar.” I chuckle, and Willow smiles slightly. “Y’know, you seem like pretty good company. I’ve always wanted to speak to a tiger.” Willow says, and I shrug. “I’ll be sure to look for you next time I transform. I can’t make any sound except for meowing or hissing as a tiger, though.” I explain. “That won’t be a problem. I can speak to animals. You’d be surprised at just how much they have to say.” Willow replies, smirking slightly.

I chuckle. “Well, alright then.” Our conversation is cut short by the local town’s sheriff storming into the quad and right up to Wednesday’s father. Ms. Weems walks up to him. “Can I ask what this is about, sheriff?” She asks, a fake smile spreading across her face. “This seems bad…” I mumble, and stand up.

The sheriff arrests Mr. Addams. I wanna know why. As Mr. Addams is being walked out of the school, a really dumb idea crossed my mind.

Now or never, I guess. I turn to Willow, and realize they are standing up as well. “Can I punch you? I want to figure out why he’s being arrested.” I ask. Willow looks at me, very confused, but they shrug and nod their head. “Why not?” They mumble. “Sheriff Galpin! You’re forgetting something!” I shout to him, and he stops and sighs. “What?” He asks me, clearly annoyed. “Me!” I reply, and quickly punch Willow in the face, making sure to not use all my strength.

Almost everyone gasps, and people start staring at me, shocked. A deputy that’s with Galpin walks over to me and quickly cuffs me. “You are under arrest for assault, you have the right to remain silent. Everything you say can and will be used against you in court.” The deputy explains, escorting me out with Sheriff Galpin and Mr. Addams.

The creaky barred door to my cell shuts behind the deputy with a loud bang. I’m locked in a holding cell, and right next to my cell is Mr. Addams. “What’re you in for?” I ask him, walking up to the bars separating us. “Oh, you’re Wednesday’s friend, right? Y’know, I wasn’t sure about you at first, but after that little show you gave everyone earlier i’d be happy to have you as a son-in-law.” He says, smiling at me.

“Wait, what? No, Wednesday and are just friends! We’re not dating!” I say, my eyes widening at his statement. “Oh, you can’t fool me. I know a smitten boy when I see one. After all, I was enraptured just like you are now when I was your age.” He explains, flashing me a knowing smirk. I sigh. “I guess I can’t fool everyone. I do have feelings for Wednesday, but… I also have feelings for another girl and it’s one big confusing mess. But that isn’t important! The only reason I punched somebody was to get exactly where I am now to ask you what you did.” I say.

“It’s important. I’ve been in that situation before, you know. When I was your age, there were two girls who liked me. My now wife, Morticia, and Larissa Weems. And you wanna know how I chose who I wanted to be with?” Mr. Addams says. “..How?” I ask, and he smiles at me. “I followed my heart, and it led me right to Tish. We’ve been together ever since.” He says.

Huh. That seems like pretty sound advice. “Thank you for telling me that, Mr. Addams. When the time comes, i’ll follow your advice.” I say, scratching the back of my neck. “Anytime. And, please. Call me Gomez.” Gomez smiles at me. I nod.

Right as i’m about to ask him why he was arrested, a deputy guiding my mother walks in. “You’re getting out, kid. But if you pull another stunt like this one, you won’t be so lucky as you are today.” The deputy explains, and they open up the cell door.

“Y/N Ashcroft, you are lucky that my job pays well. If it didn’t, you wouldn’t be as privileged as you are.” Mother scolds me. “Oh, hello Druscilla! How are you?” Gomez asks, and mother turns to look at him and smiles widely. “Ah, hello Gomez! I hope Y/N behaved himself in his cell. Are your teenage antics finally catching up to you?” Mother asks, laughing.

Gomez laughs and sticks his hands up. “It’s something else, Dru. This time i’m not as guilty as I am for what you’re referring to!” Gomez laughs, and mother smiles at him. “Ah! Well, I hope things go well. It’d a shame for an innocent man to be convicted of a crime he isn’t guilty of.” Mother says.

The two old friends say their goodbyes, and mother escorts me to the car. Once inside, she turns to face me, her expression stern and cold. “You’re lucky that Gomez put me in a good mood. Otherwise, your ears would be bleeding from hearing me rattle on about my unwavering disappointment in your actions. Really? Punching someone in front of the town’s sheriff?! I thought you’d at least have the common sense to wait until he’s gone!” Mother scolds me.

“That was the point! I wanted to be arrested. It was a dumb plan to get me with Gomez so I can ask what he did. If it’s about the monster in the woods, I need to find out. It was just a small move in a bigger game of chess.” I explain. Mother sighs, and starts the car. “You sound just like your father. Next time, don’t get caught, and please, don’t get yourself killed hunting down that monster. You’re strong, but everyone has limits. You’d be smart to keep that in mind.” She explains, and starts driving…

To Be Continued…

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