"Are you ready?" Larissa asked as Adam came out of his bathroom, wearing the purple-striped Nevermore uniform. The bright purple color made a great blend with his pale skin, only ruined by the scars surrounding his face. He looked at his reflection from the broken mirror with melancholy. "I look repulsive." He muttered.
The revelation from yesterday still weighed heavily in his mind. In a fit of unseen rage, he broke the mirror with his fist. The glass shattered as if struck by a hammer. His fist was wounded, yet it went as fast as he had it. His skin stitched itself together unnaturally; he thought himself hallucinating, but the fleeting pain and the broken mirror said otherwise.
Adam looked at his hands, calloused. "Whose hand is this?' He thought. "Was he a carpenter? A soldier? A mason? For his hands to be rough like this." He closed his fist, the thought of his monstrosity crushing him. Larissa, seeing his state, placed her hand on his shoulder in comfort. "You are not the monster you believe you are, Adam." She said softly, comforting.
"Then what am I?" He said, turning his head to her. "Tell me, Larissa. What product of the devil am I?" He held Larissa's shoulders; his voice was laced with pain, but the sorrow of begging was what stood out most. She stayed silent, watching as he broke down. "I need to know…" he whispered, his gaze falling to the floor.
A hand patted his head, caressing his hair comfortingly. Akin to a mother consoling her child, "It is not our birth that defines our nature. If you believe yourself a monster, then a monster is all you'd ever be." She sat him down, holding his hand as she sat beside him. "You are but another child, with so much room for growth. Find it in your heart to accept yourself."
"What if I cannot?" He asked, his voice defeated. "You will." Larissa replied, smiling softly. "I believe you will. If you give yourself a chance." Adam met her gaze; his chest felt warm. To her, he felt not monstrous, but simply himself.
"You knew what I am. The moment we met, you knew, didn't you?" He asked pleadingly. Larissa's smile fell, nodding slowly. "I had an idea." She replied, unsure. "Then why keep it from me?!" He said, the volume of his voice turning high. Larissa stayed silent, staring at him apologetically. Then she stood up, going to her bag to take something out.
She pulled out a book, leather-bound and red. There was no cover, only a title - Frankenstein. She stared at it for a few moments before giving it to him. "Because I was scared of what it could mean. But I fear that what you told me of your abilities confirmed my suspicions." Adam took the book carefully, as if it held the secrets of the cosmos itself.
"The world thinks of this book as fiction, an imagination. But your existence defies that. The implications are terrifying, the possibilities. Read this with an open heart, Adam. Please." Adam was surprised with Larissa's tone. She was scared, afraid of the knowledge she'd imparted. Adam gulped, this book would either provide him answers or even more questions.
"I swear." He replied, "I… apologize for my outburst." He added meekly. Larissa nodded, forgiving him, "I understand." She glanced at the clock, "It's already time. Shall we go?" Adam nodded, wearing his mask and gloves, his fingers brushing the spine of the red leather book once more. The weight of it felt heavier than its size, like it carried the burden of his very existence. He slipped it carefully into his drawer and followed Larissa down the quiet hallway, the echo of their footsteps mixing with the muffled chatter of other students starting their day.
The few students left looked at them. The esteemed principal walking with a seemingly new student - his masked appearance creating an even more mystery for them.
As they walked, Adam's gaze lingered on the bright morning light filtering through the tall windows, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. For a fleeting moment, he felt almost 'human', like a simple student heading to class. But the truth of his origin clung to him like a shadow.
Larissa guided him to Jericho's river. His first day would coincidentally be in line with the Poe Cup. He'd be watching, seen by other students, but he wouldn't be attending class 'till tomorrow. Kind of teasing on the Principal's part.
After a bit of walking, they reached the docks. Adam could see 4 colorful tents in the middle, for the 4 teams of each dorm hall as Larissa explained on the way. He found the tradition wonderful. In fact, he found all traditions to be wonderful. It, in a way, symbolizes identity, a connection within a community that celebrates an event together.
Anyways, Adam could feel stares wherever he went. He could feel their eyes follow his path, curious. He could hear whispers, chatters around as some students leaned to their friends: "Who's he?" "OMG, do you see that?" "A new student?"
Adam met some of their gazes. Some turned in embarrassment, some turned in fear. His appearance didn't help. A mask that went around his whole head to his neck, black leather gloves that hid whatever was underneath, and his tall stature towering over every student he could see.
Soon, Larissa went to the podium, leaving him on his own. Adam saw her signaling something to her co-professor. A rousing fanfare track started playing from the speaker. 'Music?' Adam thought, relishing in the new sensation the sound brought to him.
The contestants started getting on their boats. 'The Thisbie, the Caliban, the Ophelia...' Adam paused, narrowing his eyes on one of Ophelia Hall's members, the second girl. 'Wednesday.' He thought, remembering the encounter last night. The gloomy girl left an impression on him, suddenly convulsing the moment she touched his hand. Perhaps it's a greeting he's not aware of?
As he's thinking, Larissa started speaking, "I want to welcome you all to the Edgar Allan Poe Cup. This is one of Nevermore's proudest annual traditions dating back 125 years. Each team must row across to Raven Island, pull a flag from…"
—-
The thought of sinking Bianca's boat is making Wednesday ecstatic, just imagining the defeated look on her face - her life could end right there and then. She could feel her cold black heart getting giddy.
While she would never admit it, the bitter taste of defeat still lingers in her mind from that fencing class. It would've been better if she cheated, or in some way, played dirty. The thought of someone outclassing her in skill is what makes this 'revenge' taste sweeter.
All of a sudden, Wednesday felt a chill from behind her. She turned around, her head snapping to the audience's area. There, she saw someone new, but someone familiar nonetheless. The same man she met just last night, and the one who gave her another vision more mysterious than others - Adam Cain, wearing the traditional Nevermore uniform.
She met his gaze, his mismatched eyes meeting the darkness of hers. He nodded, greeting her quietly. She nodded slowly in return, turning back, focusing on the competition once more. He's a mystery, just another mystery she'd solve once all of this is over.
"…with their flag wins the cup and bragging rights for a year as well as some special privileges."
Weems raised her ceremonial pistol in the sky, "Let the Poe Cup begin!"
Not even a second later, each team rowed, as fast as they could, their paddles synchronized to achieve the perfect momentum. The order of their boats went as follows - the Amontillado's (Caliban) in front followed by the Black Cats (Ophelia), behind them are the Pit and the Pendulum (Thisbie) followed by the Gold Bugs (Pucks).
The Amontillado's stuck close to the Black Cats, blocking any other way to first. This is Xavier's strategy to win. Get to first and make sure the second trails just right behind them, block their way no matter what.
A series of screams erupted beside the Black Cat. The PATP's boat, who managed to catch up with them, was going out of control, like being carried by a strong wave towards the buoy.
"Those guys deserved that!" Yelled Enid. What kind of strategy involves decapitating their competitors in a school game!
'Bianca's already started.' Wednesday thought as she looked behind. A ripple underwater told her everything she needed to know. There's a siren in the lake, and it's coming for them now.
"Thing." Wednesday didn't need to explain further. Thing flipped a switch on the boat. A pressurized net gun fired under the boat, catching Kent, the siren, off-guard.
How Wednesday and Thing managed to put that thing under the boat, no one knows. Soon, the Black Cats reached Raven Island, the Amontillado's boat already docked, and the Gold Bugs still on their way.
Getting out of the boat, Wednesday turned to Enid, "Stay here and make sure Bianca can't sabotage our boat." Enid nodded, staying with her other teammates while Wednesday ran to Crackstone's Crypt.
Enid looked at the Amontillado's boat, and an idea popped up in her mind. She looked at Thing, "Thing, I need you to distract a couple of jokers."
Thing got off the boat, picked up a pebble, and flicked it to the two idiot teammates of Xavier and Ajax, flipping them off.
"What the hell?!" Said clown 1. "Let's go get it!" Clown 2 exclaimed. The two ran off to catch Thing while Enid sabotaged their boat, slashing it with her claws.
On the way to the crypt, Wednesday trailed behind Ajax and Xavier. Crackstone Crypt is, as the name describes, a grandiose crypt filled with angels and statues. Although Wednesday highly doubts there are angels where Crackstone's soul is right now.
Ajax and Xavier got their flags, running by Wednesday's side as they ran back to their boat, "Later, Wednesday!" Shouted Xavier, earning a groan from the girl.
Wednesday pulled the black flag. She tried to hold on to the wall of the crypt to get some support. As soon as she touched the crypt, her vision triggered. Her consciousness transported to a world of black and white, the same forest, the same crypt while her physical body fell to the ground.
Wednesday turned around, coming face to face with a girl who looks eerily similar to her, but blonde. "You are the key." The girl said, her tone eerily quiet before vanishing to smoke. Her surroundings changed again, finding herself still near the crypt but daylight vanished, replaced by darkness.
She looked around in full alert, her instincts flared. She could not pierce the deep veil of the night, her vision limited to only the crypt beside her. But she knew, she's not alone. Wednesday could hear crickets, the hooting of an owl, and the ripple of the river nearby - it's almost deafening. The moon shone brighter than any other night, but it did nothing to illuminate the forest.
Just when she thought this was nothing, a branch snapped, followed by a deep, guttural roar from behind. Like a beast, full of wrath, a monster - then her eyes opened. She woke up lying on the ground. "Taking a catnap?" A voice from behind said mockingly, Bianca, holding their team's flag.
'No time to think.' Wednesday thought as she glanced at the crypt one last time before running, the vision weighing in her mind. Soon, she got to the island's edge, only their boat left. "Hurry, we have to go!" Yelled Enid.
The Amontillado were mid-way across the lake, trailing behind the Gold Bugs who, all of a sudden, became faster even though they weren't rowing as fast.
Xavier felt water gushing below, "What's going on?!" He shouted. From their right, the Black Cats went by laughing. The Amontillado, realizing what had happened, gave up as they sank, "Cheaters!" Yelled joker 1.
In the Black Cat's boat, "I just asked myself, 'WWWD?' - What Would Wednesday Do?" Wednesday raised her eyebrow, a bit proud that she had managed to influence her roommate with her mischief.
Soon, they managed to reach the Gold Bug. Wednesday activated the second switch on their boat, and spears suddenly protruded from the side. Their boat came closer and closer to the Gold Bugs'.
Their momentum halted inches away from their enemy's boat. Kent. Their canoe started going the other way, to the buoy. Kent hesitated for a second before jumping into the water. His 'eyes' caught the side of the siren before launching himself with a strong punch, knocking the boy out.
The Black Cats, now recovered, proceeded with their plan. They rowed beside the Gold Bugs, and the spear punctured the other's boat. Now, only one was left, and victory was guaranteed.
They reached the docks, wasting no time before running for the finish line. The Black Cats won! Their fellow students' applause rang around them, clapping for their victory.
"OMG, Wednesday! We did it! This is the greatest moment of my entire life!" Enid said, shaking Wednesday too strong for the other girl's comfort, but she allowed it. No use spoiling this moment.
"Admit it, you kinda got into the whole school spirit thing." Enid said. Wednesday glanced at Bianca's bitter figure climbing the docks, "You didn't tell me it was a dark, vengeful spirit."
As Wednesday was relishing in the victory, she caught site of Adam at the corner of her eyes. The former stranger, now her new school-mate, watched as the others clapped and celebrate. He did the same, only in a measured, awkward way, as if he's copying something he's only seen for the first time.
Wednesday narrowed her eyes, taking note of this… behavior. While it didn't trigger any alarm, it is still certainly strange. Right now, she's got a lot in her plate - the cover-up, the monster, the prophecy, and now this, a new student being admitted just a few days after Rowan's death. All of it sounded fishy to her, like there's some sort of red string connecting it all together.
She'd find it, uncover it all. After all, it's only a matter of time before the truth outs itself.
—-
"The first Poe Cup took place in 1897 as a way to not only honor Nevermore's most famous alumni, but to celebrate…"
Adam watched as Larissa made her speech, her closing remark for this event. To her right were the winners this year - the Black Cats. The captain, Enid Sinclair as he heard from the other students, is giddy and looked to him as if she's vibrating in excitement. A stark contrast to the person beside her, scowling and frowning, killing everyone that mets her gaze - Wednesday Addams.
Their personalities reminded him of some of Plutarch's subjects. In a sense, having someone who's the complete opposite of you is good, it balances what you cannot control of yourself. 'An anchor.' Adam thought.
Larissa handed the gigantic trophy to the colorful girl, Enid raised it high, "Whoo!" She shouted and the others cheered with her. Adam clapped, learning of the gesture just earlier. He found it fascinating how the body could convey emotions with actions other than speech, a secondary form of connection that he's foreign to.
"Congratulations to Ophelia Hall!" Larissa excitedly announced to the mic, "as a former resident, I will be…" Adam's eyes followed the fleeing figure of the raven-haired girl. 'Why is she leaving?' He asked himself.
He weaved through the crowd of students, some bumping into him, some awkwardly moved to the side to let him pass. Soon, he reached the corner where she turned, entering a hallway. Adam saw the girl sitting under a bronze statue of Edgar Allan Poe himself, a book to his right and a raven to his left.
Wednesday's eyes met his, hearing his footstep, she turned her head from the statue to him. "You." she said, "Why are you here?" Adam stayed silent, thinking, "Why did you leave?" Wednesday tilted her head at the question, "…"
After a second of silence, "It's unsettling. The way people keep randomly smiling at me." She said, her voice having a tinge of exhaustion. Adam, confused, spoke again, "Joy.. is often what people respond to celebration."
"Well, I'm not 'often' like other people." She retorted, her tone sharp. Adam nodded, oblivious to her attitude, "I see, I understand." he replied, "Do you find being alike to others distasteful?"
"I find it appalling." Wednesday answered. She stood up, a deep scowl forming in her face, "Enough. Why are you here? Why did you follow me?" She asked, stepping closer to him. Adam simply watched, lowering his gaze to match hers, "I… wanted to ask, to understand." He replied, "I am simply curious."
His genuine tone caught Wednesday off-guard. She opened her mouth, but before she could say anything, "What are you doing down here?!" A voice said from behind Adam. The two turned to see Enid frowning, arms crossed, looking for Wednesday, "Oh.. and you.." she added, looking at Adam.
"I am Adam, Adam Cain." He introduced himself, "I'm Enid Sinclair! Nice to meet you!" She exclaimed, her frown replaced by an overly excited smile, "Are you a transferee?! Where are you from?! Do you have an insta?! Or facebook?! Or-" the colorful girl bombarded him with questions, with words he's never even read of.
Adam felt himself cornered, pressured, another feeling learned today. Before she could hit him with anymore questions, Wednesday intervened, "Enid!" She shouted, getting the attention of the girl.
"Let's. Go." She said, threateningly, slowly, dragging the girl with her as they left. Enid tried to resist, but ultimately resigned, allowing her roommate to drag her out. Wednesday turned around, gave Ada one last look and she saw, in his eyes, a firmament, brimming with life.
—-