October enjoyed the kidnapping and being tied up part before being shoved into a chair next to his sister.

The bag was removed from his head. He blinked at the sight of people wearing cloaks, like the ones in the memories.

"Who dares breach our inner sanctum?"

It was a female trying to make her voice deeper. It was also very familiar.

"You can take the mask off Bianca," Wednesday stated.

Bianca huffed in annoyance and all the others took off their masks.

Ajax was a part of it, along with Xavier, Yoko, and two others that October didn't know that names of.

Xavier asked, "How did you two get down here?"

"Rowan showed us," Wednesday said. She motioned to her pocket, "Left pocket."

Xavier walked over and took the ripped drawing out of Wednesday's jacket. "I tracked the watermark to the Poe statue. October used Rowan's memories to know to snap twice."

Bianca asked, "Rowan's memories?"

"I have psychometry," October admitted. "He solved the riddle."

"I told him to search the dorm room," Wednesday added.

"That explains why you were being so weird and creepy," Xavier stated.

"We prefer spooky and kooky," Wednesday corrected him.

"Wait, there's a riddle? I thought we just snapped twice," the guy who's name October didn't know stated. He was the male siren that Thing had punched in the face. He did seem kind of cute in a clueless way.

"Well, aren't you the brightest in the bunch," Wednesday told him.

"The Nightshades are an elite social club," Bianca stated, "Emphasis on elite."

"We have roof parties, campouts, the occasional midnight skinny dip," Yoko said.

October ignored whatever they were saying by playing with the rope that they used to bind his wrists. He asked, "Wasn't the Nightshades disbanded?"

"Yeah, the group kind of lost its charter thirty years ago after some normie kid died," Xavier stated.

"But we have a lot of wealthy alumni so Weems looks the other way as long as nobody makes any waves."

Wednesday asked, "Someone like Rowan?"

Bianca scoffed, "We booted that loser last semester. Question is, what are we gonna do with them? Only members are allowed in this library."

The room went quiet for a moment.

"I say we invite them to pledge," Xavier suggested. "They are a legacy." He pointed to the portrait.

"After the crap they pulled at the Poe Cup, there's no way in hell," Bianca argued. "We talk about not making waves? Those two combined are a hurricane."

"Just because I beat you at your game?" Wednesday said, "Let me save you the trouble. I'm not interested in joining."

"I'm not either," October added.

Yoko asked, "You're seriously turning us down?"

Wednesday sarcastically asked, "Can you believe it?"

"Untie them," Bianca said.

"I'll save you the hassle," October said, holding up the rope.

"We freed ourselves five minutes ago," Wednesday added holding up her rope. She snatched the picture from Xavier and they turned to leave but the male siren stood in their way, for whatever reason.

"Move before I make you move," October told him.

"And I'll give a matching black eye while at it," Wednesday added slapping the rope in his chest.

The message was received because he moved out of their way.

They went up the stairs, but Wednesday stopped and added, "It's amateurs like you who give kidnapping a bad name."

October snickered, before pushing her forward.

It seemed like the Nightshade society was in disbelief over them refusing.

"I can't believe you refused," Ajax told October the next morning.

"Your little secret society has no power," October replied.

"All students will report for their volunteer jobs at ten am sharp, followed by a community lunch at one," Principal Weems said. "As you know, this year Outreach Day culminates in a very special event, the dedication of a new memorial statue in the town square, which will also include performances by Nevermore students. As representatives of our school, I trust you all will put your best face forward."

The teachers passed out the volunteer jobs. It wasn't volunteering if they didn't pick out what job they wanted.

Enid came up to them, "Yes! I got Pilgrim World. I do have natural people skills and a love of performing, so it's kind of the obvi choice. What'd you two get?"

October opened his card and looked at it, "The Weathervane."

"Uriah's Heap, whatever that is," Wednesday stated.

October asked, "A character from David Copperfield?"

Enid looked disgusted, "No, but it's this weird, creepy antique store. You'll love it though. I'm crossing my claws hoping that Casper and I will be Outreaching together." She looked at the white-haired girl who was standing with Rebecca and Josh.

Wednesday asked, "Whose Casper?"

"She's co-president of the Séance Club," October told his sister. He was a bit surprised at how Enid moved on quickly, but judging from the way that Enid kept glancing at Wednesday, she was probably hoping for a different reaction.

October went to Ajax who was standing with Xavier.

Ajax asked him, "What did you get? I got Uriah's Heap."

"I got the Weathervane," October told him.

Xavier asked, "What did Wednesday get?"

October almost rolled his eyes, "Uriah's Heap."

"Hey, maybe you can switch with Wednesday," Ajax told October.

"Maybe," October replied. He went to look for Wednesday, but stopped when he spotted the principal and Wednesday talking.

He went into the building where talked with the sheriff. He looked at the banister pressed his fingers into the banister.

There were memories of Principal Weems and several others. He had to shove those memories to the side. He saw Detective Santiago and—

"What are you doing?"

That was Xavier.

"I'm looking at memories," October told him. He now had a headache. "It hit me all of a sudden that I didn't even know Rowan's name. I never talked to him, but somehow he knew my name."

Xavier looked at him. "You're still on that? He got expelled."

"Yeah, but Principal Weems and some other people cleared out Rowan's side of your dorm," October told him. "I would think that he would do it himself."

"Everyone saw him leave," Xavier told him.

October told him, "Yeah, but have you spoken to him since?" Xavier hesitated. "Okay, probably not. He did throw you into a wall with his telekinesis because you argued over the fact that he tried to kill my sister and he ripped a page out of a book."

Xavier asked, "How do you know that?"

"Psychometry," October told him, wiggling his fingers.

"He hasn't answered his phone when I called or tried to FaceTime him," Xavier admitted. "Maybe he just wants to leave Nevermore behind."

"Or he died," October pointed out. Xavier made a face, "Oh please. There are students with no faces and my roommate is a goddamn gorgon. You have a vampire in your little secret society, my sister's roommate is a werewolf, and you dated a siren. How is it so hard to believe that monsters exist?" Xavier stayed silent. "People can insult me and call me crazy all they want, I don't give a shit about that, but I will not stand around and be called a liar."

Xavier stayed silent, "The bus will be here any minute."

October went back to the pentagon.

October sat with Enid on the way to Jericho.

Wednesday had taken his backpack and put the Nightshade book in it. He was about to follow the crowd to the square, when Wednesday grabbed his backpack and motioned to Xavier with her head. It looked like Xavier was staring at white paint coating a section of bricks.

"I have to talk to Enid and see if I can get her to swap jobs with me," Wednesday told him. "And I can't do that if I talk to Xavier."

So, October ended up going to where Xavier stood. "Are you enjoying watching the white square?"

"The white square wasn't there last Outreach Day," Xavier told him.

October asked, "So, you're watching paint dry? Sounds boring."

"Not as boring as chasing mythical monsters that supposedly killed my roommate," Xavier replied.

October replied, "Are you bitchy because my sister turned down your offer to join your little club?" Honestly, if he knew that Xavier was going to stew over that, he would've talked to Ajax, because at least the guy doesn't judge him. At least, not as obviously as Xavier is projecting.

"Well, I did go out on a limb for you both," Xavier told him.

"My sister doesn't need to be backed into some stupid love corner between you and Tyler because she has more important things to worry about," October replied.

Xavier replied, "Like what?"

"Tracking down the monster that killed Rowan," October replied. He took out the book and opened it.

"So, you can call yourself a thief," Xavier stated.

"Actually, Wednesday stole it," October said and opened it to the page that had the rip in it. 

"It's weird that Wednesday is in it, though," Xavier said. "This journal is like, what, thirty years old? What the hell is Crackstone doing in the picture with her?"

"I wish he had a different last name because I keep thinking Crackpot," October muttered. He looked at the picture, "You know who that is?"

"Yeah, it's Joseph Crackstone. He's like, Jericho's founding father," Xavier replied with a shrug. "He's a big deal around here." He pointed at a banner, "Yeah, look. That's him."

October looked at it, "Gee, I wonder why it took so long to click, maybe it's because I'm new." He stared at Crackstone some more. "God, did they really have to make him menacingly loom over everyone?"

"You know, he actually kind of does, now that you pointed it out," Xavier told him.

October closed the book and went to find Wednesday.

He didn't find Wednesday, but Enid found him. She grabbed his arm and made him sit next to her on the bleachers, while Eugene ended up sitting next to him.

"Welcome, welcome, Nevermore Academy," Mayor Walker greeted. "Now, on behalf of the entire Jericho community, we are so, so pleased to have you all here today. Your generosity and hard work are truly...outreachous!" He laughed as his own joke.

October wondered how long it took the mayor to come up with that.

Principal Weems went to stand next to him, to say, "Okay, everyone, we'll see you back here at one o'clock for lunch. Enjoy!"

They scattered and October went to the Weathervane with Enid following.

October asked, "So, you like Casper now?"

"She's cute, but not for me," Enid told him. "Besides, I think she has eyes for Eugene."

October asked, "You like 'em freaky, huh?"

"A little," Enid told him.

Wednesday shoved her way in between them.

"Enid, switch volunteer assignments," Wednesday told the blonde, handing her the envelope.

Enid said, "No way! Uriah's Heap is definitely not my bag."

"It's an emergency. I need to check out Pilgrim World," Wednesday said.

"Wednesday, this is not a fair trade," Enid said. "Why would I agree to spend the entire day at some dumpy emporium of crapola?"

"Oh, come on, Ajax isn't that bad. He's actually a blast to be around, you know, when he's high," October told her. "It won't be that bad. Just don't ask him to sing though. He's awful." Enid still didn't look interested. "Please?" Enid looked a little close to caving. "Do you want the Weathervane? I can switch with you if you want."

"Fine, I'll take the dumpy emporium of crapola," Enid grumbled, taking Wednesday's envelope.

"Thanks, Enid," October told her.

Enid went to the store.

"Apparently the pilgrim in the book is Joseph Crackpot," October told Wednesday.

Wednesday gave him a strange look, "You mean Crackstone?"

"Yeah, him," October replied.

"Torture some people for me in the Weathervane," Wednesday told him.

"Will do," October told her.

The manager had made October and Xavier change out of their school uniforms and into something more 'appropriate' for the coffee shop: a coffee-brown shirt that had the Weathervane logo on it and some regular dark jeans. After a few minutes of it, October's left arm sprouted a rather large rash and the manager had to put some ointment on it and wrap his arm up.

Xavier seemed amused by the development.

October found that he would rather be doing stuff other than serve rude ass customers at the Weathervane, but at least the nicer customers were German.

He had things he'd rather be doing, like sleeping, doing a word search or Sudoku puzzle, maybe even light some stop signs on fire, maybe even tear down the Joseph Crackstone banners that menacingly loomed over him; maybe he should get started on that stupid essay for English class.

He watched as Mayor Walker walk in and head to the booth that Principal Weems was sitting at. Then Miss Thornhill came in and ordered a donut with pink icing and marshmallows, so he had to get that for her.

"Principal Weems," Mayor Walker greeted. He looked out the window, "Looks like another successful Outreach Day upon us." Principal Weems nodded.

Mayor Walker looked over at the counter where October was handing a plate over to Miss Thornhill, who then went to stand with the two talking adults. 

October put his elbow on the counter, and put his chin on his hand, bored out of his mind. He kind of wished that Enid had switched with him, because at least Uriah's Heap might have had some cool things he could look at. Or see if someone worked at a bakery. That would've been more exciting. He liked helping Grandmama in the kitchen.

Xavier asked, "Are you bored already?"

"Yes," October said. "I could be out there lighting street signs on fire, but I'm here."

"Yeah, working a normal job must be so hard when you can be out there, terrorizing people," Xavier said.

"I don't terrorize people, that's Wednesday's job," October told him. "I don't mind working; as long as it's something I enjoy doing."

Xavier asked, "Like what do you enjoy doing if it's not terrorizing people or trying to scare people's parents?"

"I used to bake things with my grandmother. I liked helping her," October told him. He motioned to Miss Thornhill, "Her name is Marilyn."

Xavier seemed thrown off, "Yeah, so?"

"She seems more like a Christina to me," October told him.

Xavier asked, "What did you bake with your grandmother?"

"Cookies, brownies, and shit like that," October told him confused. "What? Did you think we boiled severed heads?" Xavier stayed silent. "Wow. Surprised it's so normal? I mean, my dad would have me fence with him and sometimes I would watch him play golf in the mornings." Granted his dad would hit the golf ball right through the neighbor's kitchen window. "And I would help my mom in her greenhouse. And all of us would watch comedies together." He looked at Xavier, "Did you paint with your mother or father?"

"My mother's dead," Xavier told him.

Okay, what does one say to that? "Oh, shit man, sorry about that." He tried to imagine his life without his mom being a part of his life. "It must be rough."

"I did," Xavier said. "Paint with my mom while she was still alive. Painting makes me feel a little closer to her. But I do enjoy painting a lot."

October nodded. "That's good. That you paint for yourself too, I mean. What about your dad?" Xavier was quiet. "Sorry."

"He doesn't like that I paint," Xavier said.

October waited for him to continue, but Xavier didn't. He looked at his right arm, sure he was getting a rash on it too. "Does it look like I'm getting another rash?"

Xavier looked, "Yeah."

He ended up developing another rash, this time, on his right arm and had to get it 'tended to' by the manager, who just sighed.

He returned to hear Wednesday saying, "I'm actually here for Tyler and October."

"I told you he was bad news," Xavier said.

"Twice," Wednesday replied, ringing the bell. "But who I speak to is my business." October went to the counter. Wednesday looked at the ace bandages, "What happened to your arms?"

"I got some pretty bad rashes," October told her.

Wednesday handed him a baggie, "Here's your fudge."

"Thanks," October told her.

Xavier jokingly asked, "And I didn't get any?"

"You can share with my brother," Wednesday told him.

Tyler came out from the back, "You rang?"

Wednesday looked at Xavier, who scoffed, and walked away.

Tyler asked, "Want the usual?"

Poor guy, October mused, unrequited love sucked.

He went to get a few dishes that Xavier didn't get too. He was returning to the counter, when he heard, "Don't tell me you were a Girl Scout."

"Our mom became a Girl Scout for a day, but she quit when she found out that Girl Scout cookies weren't made with real Girl Scouts," October told Tyler.

"I can eat Girl Scouts for breakfast," Wednesday said.

"We have an uncle who went to prison for doing just that actually," October told Tyler.

Wednesday turned and walked away. October definitely noticed Xavier and Tyler watching her.

He should've switched volunteer jobs with Enid. At least he wouldn't be developing a rash on his neck.