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𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝟐:
𝐖𝐨𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫

𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 3:
𝙀𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙣𝙤𝙗 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙫𝙤𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙨

"HOW COULD YOU MISS A DEAD BODY?", Wednesday asked. Mrs Weems, Wednesday, Sheriff Galpin and Esha were walking though the corridors of Nevermore, going towards the principal office

"Cause it wasn't there" Sheriff answered "no footprints, no blood, no sign of a struggle. Nothing, Nada. My search party looked all night"

"Well, your search Party must have left their seeing-eye dogs at home" Esha argued "we saw that monster kill Rowan in front of us, are you implying that we were hallucinating? Both of us?" Esha said as they climbed the stairs that lead up to Mrs. Weems office

"Get a good look at this monster thing?" Sheriff inquired

"It didn't stick around for a chat" Wednesday answered, with her casual emotion less face

"Maybe it was one of your classmates" sheriff guessed

"What are you trying to say?" Esha gasped

"Sheriff, I find that question offensive" Weems said, clearly offended

"I don't care, 'cause I got three other dead body's in the morgue" sheriff now got defensive "Hikers just ripped apart in the woods"

"Mayor said those were bear attacks" Weems looked confused

"Well, the mayor and I disagree on that" Sheriff muttered

"Clearly" Esha scoffed

"So you automatically assume a Nevermore student is the murderer, even though there's no evidence a crime was even committed" Weems stared at sheriff with judging eyes

"I'm sorry. I forgot, you only teach the good outcasts here, right?" Sheriff said, his left hand moving animatedly around

"And I'm sorry, but I don't believe you just said what I think you said" Esha folded her hands over her chest

"Listen, Solace, you are in no position to even utter a word without being asked, got it, so shut up" Sheriff leaned down and glared at Esha

"And you are in no position to blame us students for what's happening because of you people" Esha and Sheriff Galpin continued to glare at each other, either one not backing off

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"And just to be clear, this monster wasn't a bear or some other wild animal?" Sheriff asked sitting on the vacant seat in Mrs. Weems office while she sat of her chair

"I've hibernated with grizzlies. I know the difference" Wednesday said, as Esha's lips twitched in amusement

"Thank you Sheriff, I think Miss. Addams and Miss. Solace are done now" Mrs. Weems said and got up

"Actually we would like to talk to sheriff Galpin, alone" Sheriff furrowed his eyebrows at what Wednesday said

"I'm not sure I can allow that" Mrs. Weems said with an eerie calmness to her voice

"I'm sure I can take them to the police station and get a formal statement" sheriff said, a smirk playing on his lips

After a few seconds of silence sheriff decided to break it

"Let's go" he said, getting up from his chair

"Fine" Mrs. Weems, said, walking towards the door "you have five minutes, and everything is off the record, play nice, or I will call the mayor" she said and walked out

"Someone is trying to cover up Rowan's murder" Wednesday continued

"Yes! That's the only reason too scrub the crime scene" Esha exclaimed, throwing Wednesday am impressed look

"Is that your professional opinion as the daughter of a murderer?" sheriff asked, and Esha's expression turned confused

"My father is twice the man you are, the only thing he murders is the occasional opera in the shower" Esha tried to contain her snicker

Did sheriff really think he could win over Wednesday and Esha?

"Addams, it's been a long night. I'm tired of your games" sheriff sighed

"Not as much as you pretend to" Esha mumbled

"I'm not playing games. I'm telling the truth" Wednesday started walking forward "you wanna reject my class but you can't"

"Why is that?" Sheriff asked

"Because you and us, we both know there a monster out there, and Rowan is his latest victim" Wednesday said lowly when the door opened

"Sheriff!" The assistant said

"What?" Sheriff barked

"You're gonna wanna see this" she scoffed and opened the door fully allowing them to see the unexpected

Rowan, was standing there, all well, no injury, no blood, fully Alive, fully breathing

'what the actual Heck?' was what Esha thought

She walked towards the apparent 'Rowan' and held his collar

"Ros! This is not the time for your tricks" she snarled at Rowan, Ros was her nickname for Aaron, adapted from his second name 'Armaros'

"What are you talking about?" The Rowan asked

"You know fully well what I am talking about" Esha hissed

"What are you talking about, sweetheart?" She turned around, and what she saw shocked her more

Aaron was standing behind her, with a smug expression on his face

Esha's hand slipped of Rowan's collar, as she stepped back

She looked between Rowan and then Aaron, feeling a little dizzy. She didn't know who this Rowan was, before she had a hope, but now it was all gone

She looked back at Aaron, and held his arm, dragging him away to a different hallway

"Aaron? I thought that was you?" She asked Aaron. Her eyebrows furrowed, her head aching

"Well here I am! Tell me, what happened?" Esha explained everything that happened after she left him and Xavier at the harvest festival, as slowly Aaron's expression changed from being worried to confused to a final smug expression that always rested on his face

"Well, I should tell you something darling, but you have to promise me, you not a utter a single word of this to anyone" Esha nodded her head, her stomach filling up with butterflies at the nickname

"Have I ever mentioned that I get my powers from my mother?"

It all made sense!

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"If Bianca Barclay wins again this year, I will literally scratch my own eyes out" It was the poe cup season, and Ophelia hall was busy decorating their boat

Ophelia hall had the black cat story by Edgar Allan Poe and Yoko, Enid, Esha and other Ophelia hall members were painting the boat according to that

"I would pay money to see that" came a really familiar voice

Esha and Enid turned around and the notorious Addams standing behind them

"Oh, Hi! Living dead" Esha greeted and smiled wide

"Howdy roomie, I'm so glad you decided to stay" Enid said, skipping towards her roommate

"I thought you wanted you're single room back?" Wednesday asked

"full disclosure, I don't like living solo and thing, gives a killer neck massage" Enid said

"that he does" Esha points out

"its a win-win" Enid looks at her way, as both of them nod

"so, why the sudden change of heart?" Esha asked in faux confusion, she knew fully well why Wednesday was staying back

"I refuse to play the role of a pawn in someone else's corrupt game" Wednesday answered, eyeing the witch that she may or may not have grown to like

"You mean Rowan?" Enid asked, raising her left eyebrow

"We witnessed his murder Enid" Wednesday pressed, she was not going to back down, never had never will

"It's just, we all saw him this morning, very much, like, not dead" Enid tilted her head

"I know, which leads me to believe that I've been losing my mind" Wednesday looked down

"There she goes again, claiming that I'm losing my mind now" Esha complains to Enid

"Which is not nearly as fun as I had anticipated" Wednesday mutters to herself and the looks up "you're Nevermore's Gossip queen. What's Rowan's story?"

"Other than being a weird longer, uh... No offence" Enid says as she realizes that she may have described Wednesday

"None taken" Wednesday brushed it off

"Xavier Thorpe is his roommate" Esha says, and Wednesday and Enid turn to look at her "what? He is my best friend" she looks at Enid's face "boy best friend" she corrects herself

"Yoko, come on, Flare those whiskers, The Poe cup droops for no one" Enid reminds Yoko

"what is the Poe cup anyway?" Wednesday asks

"one of our entire reason for living right now" Enid jumps, and high fives Esha "part Canoe race, part foot chase, no rules"

"it's fun, honestly" Esha sighs "each dorm has to pick an Edgar Allan Poe short story for inspiration" Esha tells Wednesday

"you could grab a brush" The Blond haired girl offers "Ms. Thornhill just ordered pizza, want to take a stab at being social?" she asks

"I do like stabbing. The social part not so much, Besides it will cut into my writing time" Wednesday answers

"no worries, Just as long as you're lakeside, cheering us to victory on race day" Enid exclaims, as Wednesday stares at her awkwardly

"or you can just glare uncomfortably. Whatever works for you" Esha winks at Wednesday, as Wednesday grabs her hand and and drags her a little away from everyone

"So as he is your best friend, go talk to him, he probably know something" and Wednesday walks off

"Wednesday no-"Esha rushes towards the goth girl but couldn't catch her

"This girl is going to be the death of me" Esha mumbled to herself

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Esha POV

I was reminded by Mrs. Weems that my extra curricular activity was still pending, so I finally stopped being indecisive and choose archery

I've heard Xavier is in that club, perhaps Aaron too but I haven't talked to him since he told me his mother's secret

"Ah! You actually showed up, didn't think you were a bow and arrow girl" Xavier watches me walk towards him "or are you here for me?"

"Whatever helps you sleep at night" I smirk up at him and lean on my right leg

"Ever shot a bow and arrow before?" Xavier asks, looking down at me

I've always hated how much he towers over me

"I have my magic to help me, but I'm ready to try" I sass him, and look at the target

"It's simple, square stance, load the arrow like this, yellow side of, three fingers, pull back and let it fly" Xavier shoots the arrow though it doesn't land on the Bullseye

"You try" Xavier motivates me, as I pick up the bow and arrow

I get in position and pull back the arrow, ready to shoot it when a hand stops me

"You're standing wrong" Xavier breaths on my cheek, shifting my posture, his hand on my waist, as I turn my head to look at him

My eyes flicker to his lips when I let the arrow fly. We hear the nice of it hiring the board, and I turn my head back. I got the Bullseye

I smile brightly and look at the arrow proudly

"Don't let it get to you, I'm sure it's just beginners luck, though I am impressed" Xavier gives me a grin, as I nod my head at him "any questions?" He asks

"When's the last time you saw Rowan?" I ask him, I know I didn't ask what he was expecting

"You mean the one that was killed by a monster? The harvest festival, I haven't talked to him since, but this morning his side of the room was all packed up. Rowan's always been a little off , you know it, but this last week he's gotten a bit more erratic, you know his telekinesis, I think it messed with his head, it started to freak me out" Xavier sighs

"But you tell me, what is the deal with you and Tyler?" I give him a pointed look

"What? Did you expect that you were the only one asking non archery questions?" Xavier asks

"Well, Tyler's just a friend, we're close" I nod my head

"Well, you should steer clear, you know what happened with me" Xavier says and keeps his bow on the side

"Well, I don't remember when I asked you're opinion on who I should talk with" I furrow my eyebrows, what is he on about?

"I'm just saying that some people don't change! He could hurt you" Xavier exclaims "I care for you"

"And I know that! But Tyler's changed, he's not the same anymore, at least he doesn't question me on who I talk or don't talk with" I raise my voice "at least he's not the elitist Snob" I snap at Xavier and look at his face fall

I huff, and turn around, walking back into the school. I don't like when people try to dictate my life, who I talk with, who I kiss, or anything

People have already done that to me, they all tried to control me, who I fight against, who I fight with, I hated it, that's the reason I came to Nevermore, I don't want the same thing to happen to me here again

On my way, I spot Rowan, loading his bag into a car?

I quickly run towards him, and meet with Wednesday halfway, She was also going to Rowan

"where are you coming from?" I ask Wednesday, as she was still wearing her jacket while walking

"Bee keeping" She says and walks further. I stop dead on my tracks and grimace

"Ew!" I make a face but reach Wednesday and Rowan

"Wednesday, Esha, I'm not allowed to speak to anyone" He says, and looks at our way

"you had a lot to say, when you tried to kill us" Wednesday says

"told us that we were destined to destroy the school, remember?" I ask, and by the look on his face, I can see that Mrs. Weems is hella confused

"where did you get that drawing?" Wednesday says, and takes a step forward

"first of all, what you both are doing is creepy as fuck, but I just went into the woods to clear my head, Then you came after me" Rowan bites his lip, his voice was cracking

Caught him!

Firstly, only Wednesday followed him, Then I came there, but Mrs. Weems doesn't know that, and now Rowan also, doesn't

"Wednesday, Esha" I hear a sickly sweet voice "you both shouldn't be here" She shakes her head

"yeah, Back off, and leave me alone" Rowan spits at us, and sits in the car. The car takes of, as I look down, when I spot Thing, on the back of the car

"yes!" I cheer slightly, as Wednesday looks at me, slightly proud

I turn around, and I am met with Aaron's face, just 2 inches away from mine, and gasp

"what the bloody hell?" I hiss at him

"you should come with me" He says, and grabs my hand, dragging me towards the principle office

He opens the door, and we see that the room is empty. Aaron and I look at each other, Victory expression on our faces

The bell rings, as I panic, it's class time, I quickly kiss his cheek and walk away

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"I see you've finally made a friend" I head turns around at the sharp voice, and see Bianca with her siren friends, look at Wednesday, who looked like she was taking to the Venus flytrap "even if it is a plant. Beware, Esha, she seems to replace you" Bianca's blue eyes catch mine

"I go for quality over quantity" I smirk at Bianca, as she rolls her eyes, and goes to sit on her chair

I look over at the classroom, and see Xavier sitting alone, and drawing as usual, This is the moment to apologize

After what happened with Xavier, I thought back, and realized that what I said really must have hurt him, and I shouldn't have said that

"the chair next to mine is free, if you wanna sit next to the elitist snob" Xavier says, and I break out from my daydream

I quickly go over to sit with him, and look at his drawing, He had drawn a spider, I grimace at it, but still look at his face, He had his hair in a manbun, He looked fine

"listen Xavier, I'm really sorry for what I said, I didn't mean to, you know how I hate when people try to order me around" He looks up, and scans my face, trying to decipher if I was really guilty

"its ok, trouble. I shouldn't have said that" He accepts my apology, and hovers his hand on the spider

"Xavier no-" Before I can finish my sentence, the spider had came to life, and starts crawling towards me "Xavier" I warn him, to take away the spider, but he just chuckles lightly, as the spider crawls on my arm

I try to get away from it, while feeling it's 6 legs poke my arm, When suddenly someone touches the spider, and it vanishes away

I look up, and see Aaron, as he slides beside me, and I am sandwiched between my two bestfriends

"couldn't you sit somewhere else?" I ask in annoyance, as Xavier slams his book shut

"I couldn't find any other seat" Aaron trails off, when we hear a voice

"I doubt Miss. Solace is impressed by you're tricks Mr. Weems, and Mr. Thorpe" Ms. Thornhill says, and walked in front of her desk

"admit it you're a little impressed" Xavier says, and smirks at Aaron

"Wednesday, We're Thrilled to have you join us on our journey into the world of carnivorous plants" She claps her hands "Now, Who can tell us, the name of this beauty?" Bianca raises her hand, but Wednesday answers instead

"Dendrophylax lindenii" Bianca looks at her in confusion

"otherwise known as the ghost orchid" She looks at Ms. Thornhill, clearly proud of herself

"first discovered on the isle of Wight in 1854" Ms. Thornhll looks at Wednesday, impressed

"very good, Wednesday, Looks like you may have competition for first chair, Bianca" Ms. Thornhill says

"ohh!" Aaron and the other people make a noise

"Esha, perhaps you can identify the ghost orchid's greatest qualities" Ms. Thornhill asks me

I am good at botanical class, but I never make an attempt to answer any question unless asked

"Resiliance and adaptability" I answer "it's able to thrive in even the most hostile environments"

"but, it's mere presence can change the entire ecosystem, causing the established plants to reject it" Bianca interrupts me

"just like you?" I ask teasingly as everyone hoots at my response "but, usually, because the native species are allowed to thrive unchecked" I say, and look at Ms. Thornhill, while Bianca glares holed into my face

"nothing a Weedwacker couldn't fix" Wednesday says

"you can most certainly try" Bianca looks at both of us

"are we still talking about flowers?" Xavier ask, interrupting our subtle fight

"I didn't think we were since the start" Aaron responses to Xavier as some students snicker

"thank you ladies. for those illuminating insights" Bianca looks slowly looks away from our direction "Clearly the plants aren't the only carnivorous in class today"

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