Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing pertaining to the Addams Family, beyond this personalized work of fiction. Thank you. :)
We exited the lab and walked out into an underground hall-way. I say "underground" because the only details were a damp, murky atmosphere, plain brick walls that lined up both of our sides at once, and a fair amount of lumination courtesy of a few light-bulbs placed along the hall-way. It was like it was dug out by a family that lived on this land centuries before the Addamses did, but I can't say it would surprise me if they did it themselves given everything else I've seen thusly.
The pain in my right knee resurfaced as mild discomfort from putting a bit too much weight on it. I never actually got to see how severe the injury was myself, but at least the intense pain I felt from before was gone now. I can say with confidence I'm not at 100 percent at the moment, but this is pure bliss compared to what I felt from earlier.
Grandmama continued to lead me through this seemingly endless maze of tunnels. I can distinctly hear an odd dripping sound constantly in the back of the tunnels, it was just audible enough to be noticeable, but faint enough to not be too distracting. Additionally, I could also make out gentle squeaking and scurrying noises coming from both the left and the right of me at times. I was too focused on getting to see Paul and the others again that I did what I could to not let it bother me, but all the same I wouldn't appreciate anything foreign climbing up to where my bandages are right now.
After about 10 minutes of walking, we finally came upon an old, rickety looking, elevator. It was painted black, but was rusted over considerably, and it honestly looked like it would plummet under our combined weight if we stepped foot in it. That said, this may as well be a ferris wheel ride compared to what I've been through tonight, so what's one last brush with death gonna do to me?
Grandmama opened the way for us both, allowing me in first given I'm still having trouble walking on my own. She soon joined me as well in the elevator, before pushing a couple of buttons and sending us toward the upper levels of the house. I could feel a bit of a coolness as the air began to produce a breeze, loosening up the rather damp, murky, somewhat humid atmosphere from before.
I could only rejoice at the fact that not only would I soon be reunited with Paul and my best friends, but we'd also all be going home in one piece, safe and sound. We might not have won the challenge, but we'd already raided enough candy from earlier tonight to last us a good number of years with some careful pacing. Truthfully, I never cared about winning the damn thing in the first place! If my friends weren't so determined to go, I'd of gleefully blown off the whole thing, no question about it. More to the point, if I possessed even half a clue on just what lied in store for us all here, I'd of sooner chained Paul to his bed before I'd ever allow him to come here, escort or NO escort!!
Well, I guess that isn't entirely true. This insanity all started with those gruesome night terrors I've suffered on and off. I came here partially on behalf of my friends so I could protect them, and also to seek out some answers as to why I've been having these nightmares to begin with.
When I first met Wednesday, I can't say we exactly "hit it off", mostly because we haven't shared enough dialogue to even hold one conversation. While she's always struck me as a bit off or weird, I never gave her much thought beyond that. For the most part, I just did what I could to give her as much space as possible, and that seemed to work for a while. Lately though, she's been glaring at me more than anything else in particular. Then with her family visiting me at my house, me suffering awful nightmares, and then finally this whole hell-ride of a challenge, nothing about it really adds up. I highly doubt she's holding any kind of hidden affections for me, and after tonight I'm pretty sure I've built up enough reason to get my first restraining order filled out. All I want is to know how to make them stop, and fast! Haven't I suffered enough already?!?
At long last, the ancient elevator sputtered and clattered to a stop. From here, I could recognize the hall-way in front of us as belonging to the first floor. This was a hall-way me and Tommy past through on our way to find the others, which means from here the Foyer couldn't be too far away. The compassionate elder woman took my hand once again and carefully helped me walk my way out of the elevator. We began to make our way through the hall-way, and back out into the foyer.
I realized that I was essentially back where me and my group started. It all felt so surreal to see the foyer once again. It was almost like we stepped into another dimension when we entered that first room, never to return to the previous world again. Now with me being back here, I felt so much closer to home I was tempted to run out those doors right now. However, not only would that be most unwise considering I can't even walk without support from another right now, I still have a little brother and 2 best friends to collect!
Grandmama and I turned around to see Gomez and Morticia, staring down at us from the 2nd floor. They both seemed deep in thought at something, which I could only guess as to what that is. I'm not seeing a better time to ask questions given how close they are in my proximity, so I'd better start splurging when the time comes. Grandmama helped me up the steps to the best of her abilities, which admittedly was rather difficult given I'm now putting even more weight on an already injured area. That said, we managed to get up the stair-case at our own pace.
Finally, we both stood down Gomez and Morticia as they turned around to face us directly. Gomez himself had a stern, yet mournful look on his face, like he was about to deliver a particularly grim sort of news to a friend. Morticia looked even sadder than he did, almost like she could be driven to tears with just the right push. I know exactly what I want to ask the both of them, but I have to focus on the most important issue right now, locating Paul, Jason, and Tommy right now. Once I know they're all safe, I should be able to ask away with reckless abandon on why I've been having these nightmares for weeks.
Before either of them asked me a thing, Grandmama pat me on the back gently, and told them she'd brought me to them as requested.
"I've done all I can by him. This blessed boy is in your hands now my dears. It was a tremendous pleasure getting to make your acquaintance young Stewart!"
She regarded me one last time with such a warm smile. I couldn't help but reach out and hug her. It was thanks to her I'm even walking right now, how I could ever possibly hope to repay her is genuinely beyond me.
"Thank you ma'am... for everything."
She warmly returned my embrace with her own, before casually walking her way back down the steps. With Grandmama leaving me to both Gomez and Morticia, I was intimidated by both of their presences. While Morticia was alot more gentle with me when I first met the family, I couldn't quite shake off the terrifying rantings Gomez unleashed upon me within my own house. That said, he looks far more depressed about something than he does seething or insulted, which could either mean he's going to deliver a heartful apology to me, or he has some horrid news that he has to tell me.
Whatever the case might be here, I can't say I'm feeling the most comfortable at the current moment in time.
With not a word spared, Gomez turned his attention from the railing he was leaning on, to face me directly. He let out a small, but audible sigh as his eyes carried a deep sense of disappointment. It took him about a minute, but he addressed me in a far more formal and calm tone than he did back at my house.
"Greetings Stewart, it is a pleasure to be able to make your acquaintance again on our family's most holiest of days and occassions. I imagine you must be curious as to why you are still here, injured and shaken up, but still very much alive?"
He couldn't have summed up my current feelings any more accurately if he tried. I didn't really feel like answering his question as I still had a very important one of my own to ask, but it wouldn't be a smart move on my part to agitate either of these people right now. Not when they know where Paul and my friends are right now. I simply nodded my head, and allowed him to explain just why Wednesday and Pugsley didn't finish us off when they caught us.
"You see my boy... this "challenge" of ours dates back further in our family's legacy than you could even begin to imagine. Originally, it was a re-telling of the event when our ancestors, the ones that made this challenge possible, went through a horrifying ordeal that nearly cost them their very lives."
I hate to admit it, but I can't help but be at least somewhat intrigued at this confession from Gomez. I can't quite determine if this is his way of apologizing, or he thinks I'm worthy enough of relaying this story to. I am by all accounts, a total stranger to these people. I'm also nothing particularly special at all, hell I shouldn't even be alive right now, let alone standing up on my own 2 feet! That said, as long as they can lead me to where Paul, Jason, and Tommy are, I'm perfectly fine with hearing them out for at least a little while.
"Our family is made up of the dreads and rejects of other communities. As such, they made their livings by looting from large mansions that carried wealth or artifacts of immeasurable value. With no allegiance to anyone, no laws or boundaries to follow besides the codes they set for themselves, and not even a remote concept regarding the meaning of the word fear, they lived out their days in hedonistic bliss. They simply took as they desired, and nothing was capable of hindering their efforts in any way. That was... until they discovered a mansion far grander and more luxurious than any other in which they encountered before."
I'm growing more and more invested in this story as Gomez tells it, but I hope he wraps it up soon as I've still got to find Paul and my friends before I leave here. I took a quick glance at Morticia to see where she stood on this whole thing. Like I mentioned already, she looked even sadder than Gomez had earlier. Her eyes were closed, and her mouth was currently formed in a depressing frown that looked like she was trying to hold back tears with everything she had. I couldn't help but feel some degree of sympathy for her. I'd wager all the candy hidden in this mansion that she's the reason any of us are still alive right now.
I turned my attention squarely back on Gomez as he continued to delve into his family's fascinating back-story.
"Upon discovering it's existence within a small clearing in the very heart of the forest in which it sat, our ancestors were all too anxious to loot it for themselves. They thought the job would be as effortless as all the rest had been, having no earthly idea on what unholy terrors laid in wait for them upon setting foot inside. While the mansion itself was indeed abandoned, it was in fact anything but empty. Whomever inhabited it before had long since left it's premise for unknown reasons. However, what remained in the place of human contact were countless deadly traps, horrid monstrosities beyond what mere words could convey, and the horrid stench of decay from the many looters that tried as they did... and failed miserably."
"Whoah... so then their survival, and their story was what led to the inspiration for this whole challenge thing?"
Gomez managed a slight smirk, before nodding his head in the affirmative. He seemed almost proud at the fact I was able to piece together the story's purpose. Even though I'd like to find the guys and just go home already, I decided to just let him wrap it up before I pose my own question.
"Anyway, our ancestors realized there was no way they could survive the endless source of danger that surrounded them at every turn. It was then that in their fear of death, they had begun to understand that no treasure or precious valuable could exceed the innate value that is life. Upon coming to terms with this realization, they began to cut their proverbial losses and leave the mansion at once, before this latest liberation of the wealth of others, would be the last one they'd ever experience."
As I slowly took each word from Gomez's story in, I think I'm starting to get what this challenge really is. It's not just some deadly "game" they like to play every Halloween night, it's more of a test if anything else!
"As they turned their perogatives from greed to mere survival, they had stepped in to help one another when their lives were directly threatened by the many threats and dangers within the mansion itself. This allowed them to bond with each other over time, as they all understood that they shared one common goal in mind: survival, and had grown to understand that their survival depended on their collective unity and cooperation. Though their experiences within the mansion were both barbaric and mortifying, eventually they had won their freedom by outlasting the horrors of the mansion. Once they'd exited the front doors, they all breathed a sigh of collective relief over the fact that their nightmare was finally over."
"So what happened next? Did they give up looting private property and turn their lives around from that day forward?"
Gomez regarded my question with a warm chuckle, and sly smile. At least on the surface, he seemed to appreciate the sincerity of my curiosity. He began to continue the story as he'd done before.
"That wouldn't be too far from the truth, yes. You see as the legend goes, our ancestors were soon greeted by the spirit of the deceased owner of the mansion they had attempted to pillage. Although she was quite furious at how they defiled her resting place with greed and selfishness, she soon praised them for their bravery, and their learning of the fact that life has value beyond any treasure or valuable offered from this world. Once she'd finished commending them, she then rewarded their efforts by bestowing upon them the mansion in which she lived her life in. Even greater still, the inumerous horrors of the mansion transformed into the most comfortable and lavish of furniture. Then the traps they had spent the entire night avoiding fearing for their lives had turned into riches and gold beyond their wildest imaginations. One could argue that they had achieved great wealth in both material gain, as well as spiritual enrichment."
It's all beginning to make sense now! This mansion is in fact the one their ancestors were given all those centuries ago. Those descriptions from before about those monstrosities and traps within the mansion turning into riches explains why they're all so wealthy to this day as well. While I'd normally be more skeptical on the concept of riches and furniture coming from evil monsters and traps, I'm in no position to be arguing after the things I've seen tonight.
Gomez was in the process of finishing his explanations on his family's legacy, as I started to come to a breakthrough on how this challenge came to be.
"So it was from that day forward, our ancestors finally ceased their looting of the valuables from others. With the mansion in a deep, secluded, part of the forest, and nearby natural resources from which they can gather food and drink aplenty, they could live out the remainder of their lives in peace and prosperity. To show their appreciation for the lessons learned from trying to loot the mansion, they then devised a way to test other looters and theives in much the same way that they were tested. Based on that decision, the mansion of survival was born as a way to honor the experiences that they shared with others. Of course as time went on, we future generations of Addamses have adopted the old ways that reward children of all ages with candy beyond their wildest dreams, as holidays like Halloween became more commercialized in the future. This in turn is where we are now. As it's now been our turn to uphold our family's most sacred traditions, we've been holding this challenge annually every Halloween for the last 5 decades now."
He's preaching to the choir there, now isn't he? I can understand and even respect being proud of where you're from, and the traditions that come with it, but the dangers I had to go through were far beyond what I had any intention of signing up for voluntarily.
"With all due respect though... Mr. Addams, don't the horrors in each room seem a bit... much?"
"You are quite correct my boy, and they are deliberately so. Our ancestors were pushed to the very brinks of their reasoning, but even so they persisted and pushed onward to survival. It was only after they'd abandoned their greed and chose life, did they truly begin to appreciate what life even is to us all. As we Addamses have sworn a personal oath of responsibility and dedication, we have taken it upon ourselves to honor their memories in the most thorough way imaginable... However."
I wa surprised at how much emotion there was to that last word. I guess it was his way of admitting things didn't go quite as well as he would have liked. There was a genuine sadness to it's delivery, almost to the point of being shameful at what had actually gone down.
"... You must understand! It was never mine, nor any of our intentions to see anyone of our guests become injured. I wanted so desperately to believe that you children could have learned to value life over material gain, and that was why we promised you all with candy beyond your wildest imagination. When you saw the dangers you must survive before claiming the prize, eventually you would become more invested in merely surviving, than collecting candy, and that in turn would prompt you all to cooperate as one. With the amount of fights and betrayals that have taken place here tonight... it only serves to prove just how much of a damned fool I've been!"
Gomez slammed his right fist into the railing overlooking the 2nd floor. His face demonstrated a considerable amount of sorrow and guilt over how his own plan so miserably blew up in his face. To some degree, I couldn't help but feel sympathy for him. The fact that he confirmed he wasn't trying to hurt me, my little bro, my friends, or anyone else wasn't hurting matters either. He soon straightened himself out, and then opted to finish the rest of his explanation.
"Although the majority of our guests have fallen short of what I'd intended to bring about, you never stopped caring. Not even for a second did you compete for your own selfish gain! With practically every moment of your time spent here, you put the needs and safety of your friends and younger sibling before yourself. You've even risked life and limb to protect them, even at the cost of your own well being! Was there even a second you considered playing to win the prize?"
I was pretty shocked at the fact he'd ask me that, but truthfully it's not like I have anything to hide. I never even wanted to come here from the start! I only came because my friends wanted to go, and eventually Paul essentially black-mailed me into taking him with us, to pay him back for the way he helped me with the Addamses when they visited us. If I had any self-motives for coming, it would be to get an explanation for the weird visions and disturbing dreams I've been having lately, but that's about as far it goes. Of course, that was all before I had any idea of what this challenge was about. If I'd of known I would be running for my life constantly without a moment's rest, ducking and dodging things I was led to believe only existed in cheesy monster movies and B rate horror flicks, I might of just got myself grounded purposely!
"Well... to be honest sir, I mostly came here because my friends really wanted to go. My little brother Paul also threatened to get me grounded if I didn't bring him along for the ride as well. I went just to make sure they would be safe, to protect them in any way I possibly could. That also goes for Paul too of course, you see Paul means alot to me, more than I could ever hope to put into words. We may argue alot, and it's rare we ever agree on much of anything, but he's still family. He's still my little brother! I couldn't forgive myself if something had happened to him that I could have stopped. In fact, if I'd known just how serious you guys were being when you said survival, I probably would have chained him to his bed before ever letting him come here tonight, heh! The only self motivation I could have for coming here is... well, it's sort of difficult to explain."
I paused for a second to reclaim some lost breath after explaining my reasons for attending this challenge. Gomez seemed to be genuinely curious at what I'd stated last however, and began to question me on what I was getting at here.
"Whatever do you mean? Were you simply curious at to what our home looked like... or did you wish to see my daughter Wednesday again?"
A warm, clear, blush formed on my cheeks as while Gomez wasn't entirely wrong, he didn't quite understand what I was getting at either. I would have been more annoyed at the fact someone assumed I had a crush on a person I haven't even held down a single conversation with, but I can't afford to be distracted from what really matters right now!
"Well... you see, while I wouldn't say I came here to see Wednesday, the reason does concern her all the same. I've been having these weird hallucinations whenever I'm by myself on a typical day. They never last for very long, but everytime they form the same, omnious, shadowy, figure that's shaped alot like Wednesday herself. Then ontop of that, I've also had these awful nightmares where I walk through poorly lit streets beyond my control. I always end up in the same place every time, in front of an old, deteriorating, mansion which reminds me alot of your own home actually. No offense or anything like that!"
Gomez and Morticia looked at each other with surprisingly bright smiles on their faces, before looking back at me and simultaneously replying with a simple phrase. They were almost gleeful about it in fact, which isn't something you'd normally associate with them whatsoever.
"None taken!!"
If I can admit anything about them I admire, at least they don't try to hide whom they really are. That takes guts, which not many people have in spades exactly. Regardless, I continued explaining my predicament to them, hoping to get even one decent answer out of it.
"Anyway, when I arrive at the mansion, I'm usually noticed by some weird, human-like figure wearing all black. She dances by the tombstones toward the right of the mansion, before disappearing behind the tombstones. Then I slowly follow to where she disappeared to, only to find myself in the back yard of the mansion, where my little brother Paul is tied to a stake, crying and begging me to free him."
While the both of them were more or less flippant at the situation I was describing to them, they seemed to be taking me a bit more seriously when I mentioned what happens to Paul in these dreams. They both gave me a concerned stare and worried look as I began to delve into the more disturbing details of the nightmares I've been having non-stop.
"I do so immediately of course, then I run off with him to leave the mansion as quickly as we can. Every time I almost leave the mansion though, I end up tripping and hurting my right knee. I then tell Paul to go on without me, which he does so while sobbing. Then, the human-like figure I mentioned before reveals itself as Wednesday, and slowly walks her way toward me. With my right knee hurt and myself completely exhausted, I'm in no position to run away, let alone defend myself. She then slowly drags me by one of my ankles to the back yard of the mansion, where a medieval style torture rack is waiting for me. Despite my pleas and begging for mercy, she straps me into it, and proceeds to ask me whether or not I'm scared, before pulling a crank which then leads to me waking up every time."
They both seemed a mixture of confused, concerned, and were struggling to decide on a proper answer to give me. They began quietly muttering to each other, presumably on what to say regarding what I'd just confessed to them. With how many times this awful nightmare has persisted throughout the weeks leading up to tonight, it only seems natural I can reiterate it's events detail by detail at this point. As great as it would be to hear why this has happened, and how to stop them from happening, I'd be way more relieved to see the faces of Paul, Jason, and Tommy right now.
"If it's not too much trouble, I'm more interested in knowing where friends and little brother are at the moment. Could you please just take me to where they are?"
Gomez and Morticia both snapped out of their personal dialogues with each other, and turned around to face me once again. Gomez soon put his left hand on my right shoulder as he gestured to the hall-way overlooking where they were standing.
"Ahh! Yes yes of course, we'll lead you to them right now. I can assure you, they're all quite safe and content where they are presently."
With this, they both began to lead me down the hall-way, which had many familiar details I've become pretty used to seeing by this point. Some old, gothic style, antique furniture, a couple of old, dusty mirrors with visible smudges, and some large portraits of various figures, presumably of their ancestors which they've mentioned a few times by now. Along the way to where the rest of my group was, I couldn't help but wonder why Gomez and Morticia didn't just lay down some ground rules so that groups couldn't fight one another for keys or whatever, for fear of being disqualified.
"If there's one thing I still can't seem to work out, it's why you didn't just make it so groups couldn't fight each other over keys and stuff. Why not just disqualify any participating groups or players that fight amongst themselves, or try to steal keys from rival groups or players?"
Gomez's formerly happy expression was again twisted into a depressing frown. He briefly shook his head a couple of times, before giving me a solemn answer to my question.
"You are correct once again, but while that might have made for a safer outcome, what exactly would it have proven? It could have resulted in less fights and betrayals such as what happened to your own group inevitably, but the children in question would have learned nothing in the process. They would merely be following the rules as a means to not lose the game and claim the prize, rather than any sort of loyalty to their comrades, let alone moral decency amongst themselves. This lesson is one the individual, or group of individuals must learn themselves. It cannot be directly instructed, but it may be prompted given certain conditions or circumstances. I was warned of course that this might back-fire, but my own pride and dedication toward upholding family traditions led me to believe otherwise."
As Gomez's words began to sink in, I saw his expression once again shrivel into a saddened grimace. He really was taking this thing hard, like some kind of deep, personal, failure he couldn't justify to himself. Morticia's own expression closely mirrored Gomez's, but she began to brighten up a bit as she tried to speak some words of encouragement to her husband.
"Ohh darling, no one is as hard on themselves as you are. Even if he is only 1 person, I believe this young man has been most essential in proving your point. Let us not forget some of his other friends also rallied behind him as well. As he stepped into save them, they would go onto honor his bravery eventually!"
In spite of everything I willingly put myself through on behalf of my friends and little bro, I think Gomez is a good man. He's clearly eccentric, but his heart's in the right place even if his methods are... "questionable", suffice it to say. In an act of good will, I decided to join Morticia in cheering up the unorthodox, but well meaning family man to the best of my immediate abilities.
"She's right sir! Not that I'm anything special myself, but I do value the lives of everyone who's important to me, even more than my own life! If you ask me, what really matters is your intentions, and I think you've got noble ones to be sure!"
Gomez's expression seemed to perk up at what I'd just told him, granting me a burst of relief as I seem to be doing a decent job at keeping the peace so far. Now don't get me wrong, I'm nowhere near as on edge or unsettled by this family as I was since the beginning, but that doesn't mean I can just rest easy right now. I've gotta find my boys, somehow get us all back home safe and soundly, and THEN spend the majority of my weekend sleeping like a baby. The second I reach my bed, I'm essentially hibernating until school begins again on Monday.
Anyway, after moving up a few more flights of stairs, we finally reached the 4th floor. Gomez and Morticia quickly darted ahead of me to continue leading me to where my little brother and friends were. They walked down the hall-way and stopped about a 1/3rd of the way through, stepping to the side of the door-way of the room which had to be the one my friends were in!
Without even thinking about things, I charged down the hall-way to greet Paul and the others face to face. I couldn't believe what was about to happen! Not only was I still alive, I was about to see the faces of my friends and little bro once again! I did my best to hold back my rising emotions from clouding my reason. There should be plenty of time for mushy sentimentality after we've all returned home.
Once I reached the door, the first thing that greeted me was the smiling face of Paul. He met my embrace head-on with his own as we shared an emotional reunion. My arms firmly locked around his back as did his arms around my own as I attempted to convey to him, that at least for this moment in time, all was right with the world, and everything was going to be okay. It's the least anybody should be expected to do for someone they truly care about, at least in my opinion.
"I thought you were dead... I thought I lost you, damn it!"
"The feeling's more mutual than you'll ever know, little brother."
We gave our hug a good 5 minutes or so, before finally breaking apart. Once I got a hold of my emotions again, I gently asked Paul how Jason and Tommy were holding up.
"How are the boys doing? You been annoying them the whole way through?"
"What, you getting jealous or something? They're holding up just fine bro. After we got separated, I was found by this old looking, bald headed, pale guy. He was wearing this large black cloak that covered his entire body, and was missing some of his teeth. He was a weird dude to be sure, but he led me back to this room where I met up with Jason and Tommy again. Then they told me how Wednesday and Pugsley brought the both of them here first, right after you passed out that is. We never stopped thinking about you, even after we all met up here and were forced to wait. How's your knee doing right now actually? Any better than before?"
"It's still kinda sore, but at least I can walk on it without any trouble now. I'm more concerned with getting us all back home at the moment. Let's go back in and greet the guys, and then we'll all be on our way back home. Sound like a plan to you?"
Paul gave me his trademark mischeivous smile, before responding to my offer in kind.
"I never thought these words would leave my lips, but I couldn't agree more with you. Let's do it Stewart!"
With a fist bump shared amongst blood brothers, we went right in to greet Jason and Tommy whom were currently sitting on a bed with a pitch-black bed spread. The room itself looked like a guest room that flew straight out of the Addamses imaginations alright. It had old walls with peeling paint and noticeable holes within places. There were plastic bats hanging on a chandlier, which twirled about aimlessly on the candles which had been long since burnt out and melted. A couple of windows toward the left wall, which overlooked the rest of the mansion itself, granting the person in question the best view of the mansion from this height. A medium sized TV sitting directly opposite of the bed itself, which looked about 10 years out of date, and a closet toward the right wall of the room. It was nothing too out of the ordinary, but considering whom the Addamses are, it's debatable if that word even applies here.
Upon noticing us, Jason and Tommy practically flew off their positions from the center of the bed, and landed feet first in the center of the room itself. They embraced me as well, followed by Paul whom seemed as glad as I was that we were all going to be alright after all. Just as before, we gave our group hug a good 5 minutes of time, before splitting apart and getting into the details about each of our respective survivals.
"Stewart!! Dude, we were all so worried about you! Did Wednesday and Pugsley save you guys as well? All I can remember before we got separated was you distracting Wednesday and Pugsley long enough for us to get away. They caught up to us eventually after we got lost in the maze even more, but that was still a ballsy move on your part man! You're alot braver than you give yourself credit for."
I was getting a bit overwhelmed by all that was going on, but I managed to keep myself focused on the task at hand. I answered Jason's question to the best of my abilities, before getting us out of this room, and onward to the sanctity of our homes.
"Honestly, I don't remember all that much after passing out. I just remember Wednesday and Pugsley cornered me at the end of that weird mirror wall thing, and then I fainted out of sheer exhaustion. When I came to, I was in the basement of their mansion, lying down helplessly on some weird operating table. From there, I met the grandma of the family, who in turn is the reason I'm even capable of standing up right by now. After she explained the situation to me, and how you guys were all safe, she led me back up to the foyer again, where I met Gomez and Morticia again. They explained to me the history of the challenge and what it's true purpose is. Then, they led me all the way back up here, to where you guys are! Did they ever check in with you, or have you all been here alone this whole time?"
"Nah, they haven't visited us even once since we were brought up here. I guess they were busy checking out the other guests in the mean time... anyway enough about that! What are we gonna do about Bobby and Marcus? You know Bobby tried to basically murder you AND Paul at the same time, right? Marcus then ran off with him, which then left us to carry you off to safety by ourselves pretty much."
I know the entire story by heart at this point, and I'm no less enraged at what Bobby tried to do to Paul than I was back then. That said, all the anger and righteous fury in the world isn't gonna get us all home safely in one piece. I'd have more than enough time to think up a way to get even with Bobby at least once we're all back home. I can't allow my emotions to take priority over what's truly important right now, not when the well being of the people I care for is at risk!
"Believe me dude, I want to get even with those back-stabbing, scum as much as anyone, but we can't focus on that. We've got to work on a way to get us all back home right now. I don't have the foggiest on how I'll be explaining why I've been gone from home for hours on end to my folks, but I guess that one's on me for agreeing to come here to begin with. As for you and Tommy, I'd suggest you both start brain-storming an explanation as soon as possible, otherwise we're all looking at grounded until the day we leave for college status by tomorrow morning."
They all collectively perked up at that statement as we'd all completely forgotten the people waiting for us at home, admist all the chaos throughout the night. I wasn't in any panic as even getting grounded was preferable over what could have happened tonight. This fear's been in the back of my mind since the moment everyone but me made the decision to come here, but I really could have lost everything tonight. My brother, my friends, and even my own life, but somehow we managed to see this challenge through in the end. If that's not a sign of divine intervention, or some kind of cosmic, "something or other" that decided I was just way too much fun to let die so soon, I don't think I'm meant to know what is.
Before I could continue the conversation, Gomez suddenly burst into the room with news about where we'd all be going from here.
"Ahh, my dear guests!! My sincerest gratitude with all your patiences so far. I merely wished to inform you all that we've decided to reward your courageous efforts this night! Though you all might not have succeeded in winning the challenge, your actions tonight have helped realize the true purpose of what this game was meant to bring out. For me at least, there is no greater victory or honor to be had than that. As such, we will lead you toward our secret vault where all the candy we promised you from the beginning lie dormant inside!"
I myself couldn't care less at this point at ever being promised candy or sweets for the rest of my days. That of course, didn't stop Jason, Tommy, or even Paul from nearly fainting at the thought of getting to indulge in candy none of us ever even knew existed. I could even see Jason's mouth begin to water at the idea, just goes to show what really matters in the end... apparently?
Anyway, Jason and Tommy immediately dashed ahead to follow Gomez out of the room, and back out into the hall-way. Paul started to chase right after them, but not before stopping to notice I wasn't doing the same right behind him.
"You coming with or what? Don't tell me you're too moral to accept a little snack after what we've all been through."
That's my brother for you, as self-indulgent as ever. I guess I'd have to be delusional to expect this event would have squashed any of that out of him, but then I suppose I'd be out of a job as big brother. At any rate, I have personal business at hand with Wednesday, which is far more important than me stuffing my face with candy right now.
"Flattering, but nah you guys can go on ahead. Feel free to save me any spare bits and pieces you don't want though, like we both know you will."
Paul looked genuinely surprised at my honest answer, but barely gave it any thought before shrugging his shoulders and replying in earnest.
"Suit yourself man, and uhhh... no promises, by the way."
He gave me a cocky grin, but I could tell by the look in his eyes that there was something akin to "brotherly love" by it. It's not much, but I can tell our relationship is somehow stronger than what it was before. He soon ran off to join the others, shortly afterward. With the others out of the way, now I can concentrate on getting some concrete answers for the hallucinations and nightmares I've been having.
I slowly made my way outside the room, and into the hall-way, where I was cordially greeted by Gomez and Morticia once again. They looked confused as to why I hadn't ran off with the others to get my proverbial sweet tooth on, but this is probably the best shot I'm going to get right now for answers. I can't allow myself to be distracted from this anymore!
"Ohh Stewart! Not to impede your well deserved reward, but while you and your loved ones were catching up, our daughter had found us in the hall-way. She stated to us both that she seeks an audience with you personally. I understand completely if you rather join with your friends in claiming your prize instead."
This couldn't have happened at a better time. They don't seem to realize that I've been wanting to talk to Wednesday since I got here. The fact that she too wants to talk with me as well just means we'll all be heading home alot sooner, which is truthfully the best news I've received all night.
"That's great Mr. Addams! I was actually going to talk to her myself, while my friends went off to check out the candy. Where can I find her?"
Gomez said nothing, but gave me a mischievous smirk as he pointed to a door toward the wall at his back. It had the initials "WP" on it's center in black ink. I guess she wants to talk to me in her bedroom then. It'd be more private no doubt, but also a bit... "intimate" for my tastes. That said, the sooner I can settle this, the sooner it means we'll be heading for home after the others have had their fill of sweets.
I flashed a thumbs up toward both Gomez and Morticia as they both gave me a surprisingly playful smirk, whilst holding back some audible giggles and laughter in the process. It was like they were setting me up for the mother of all pranks, but I don't think anyone can disagree that we've all had more than enough fun and games for one night. I couldn't resist asking them just what it was they were cracking up about.
"Is... everything okay Mr and Mrs Addams?"
"Heh, oh nothing my good lad, nothing at all! We just both sincerely hope you have an... interesting time with our daughter."
Morticia's arm was wrapped around Gomez as she used her husband's frame to balance herself. Her own grin rivalled his as she replied, mirroring Gomez's own words closely enough.
"That's Addams talk for... have fun!"
Oooooookaaaaaaaay...
A/N: I have decided to extend the length of the story by at least one more chapter for the present time. You can expect the full-length of Stewart's final discussion with Wednesday in firm detail in the next chapter, and any other loose ends within the story to be tied up there. As always, an endless amount of thanks and appreciation go out toward anyone whom could be bothered to give this story even a passing glance. Peace and blessings be upon all, and till next time! :)