Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing pertaining to the Addams family, beyond this personalized work of fiction. Thank you. :)
That might have been the most awkward 30 seconds of my life, which considering who's room I'm setting foot into should really be saying something. I'm not sure what to expect from all this, but the sooner I can get my answers, the sooner we can just put this whole mess behind us. Of course in reality, I'd be delusional in expecting this wouldn't be even more awkward than both of the 2 adults giggling and laughing like somebody my own age.
Anyhow, I opened the door to be greeted by a room that I could only describe as belonging to Pugsley... yeah, that name really fits here to be frank.
The first thing I noticed was an overpowering stench of decay and musk, like the wood holding it together hadn't been changed for at least a decade or so. I could clearly make out the materials had been throughly warped with time, and some obvious signs of mold could be spotted periodically on various planks and boards. There were a strangely large number of traffic signs and STOP signs to be found on the walls in the room, and a bright, red one could be found directly above Pugsley's bed, overlooking the headboard of his otherwise medium sized, ordinary looking bed. I noticed some crudely made tables at some of the room's walls, which had various chemical sets infusing several concoctions together at once, of virtually all different colors.
I managed to regain my sense of awareness long enough to gently close the door behind me. I then took my first few steps forward inside what I could only assume as Pugsley's side of the bedroom. I immediately jumped back in fright as I nearly tripped over what looked to be a bear trap that lay right in the center of the room. Upon a closer inspection, I could clearly make out a rabbit was firmly caught within it's razor sharp, maw. I also made out a small amount of white stuffing protruding from the rabbit's clothed abdomen, easing my growing nerves by a fair amount. At least it wasn't a real rabbit, thank God.
Once I side-stepped the potential disaster awaiting me in the center of the room, I had a better look at the other features that were out of my notice given my previous position. There was what looked like the wooden door to a closet toward the right corner of the room itself, though it was closed leaving it's contents a total mystery to me, and most likely for the better. I could make out various posters of different horror movies and some heavy metal bands on the door, as well as much of the other walls I couldn't properly analyze from before. The horror movie content spanned across different eras from the 50s, and finally ending with the 80s such as Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, the Halloween series, and even Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The musical stuff consisted of popular acts like Metallica, Slayer, Korn, and Iron Maiden, along with a few other bands that I'm not at all familiar with.
Having taken all of these details in, I decided to stop beating around the bush, and just focus on the task of finding Wednesday, and finally getting some answers here. Just as I began to reach the next door that had a large "W" on it, I could feel something plastic hit me in the face whilst dangling. I briefly grimaced in disgust as I recognized that these were entrails, albeit plastic ones which dangled from the chandlier above my head. This final detail of the room gave me all the inspiration I could ever ask for in rushing through the next door to reach Wednesday's room. I had a solid grip on the door knob, and prepared to turn it when a low, somewhat sleepy voice called out to me from the right of the room itself.
"You lost?"
I felt my heart jump all at once into my throat, when I turned my head at it's side to see Pugsley comfortably secured in his bed. He had on some black pajamas with small, blood red, moons shown across the front and back, which reached his lower body as well. Instead of the normally agitated or borderline hateful look he's usually given me, his expression seemed a bit bored more than anything else, like he just wanted to enjoy a good night's sleep, and my mere presence distracted him from this singular goal. I wanted nothing more than to peacefully get out of his way, which in turn made the following reply all too easy to speak up about.
"Ohh hey! Sorry uhh, Pugsley right? I'm just hear to talk to Wednesday about something before I call it a night. This door leads to her bedroom, right?"
Pugsley's disinterested expression started to perk up a bit more at the mentioning of his sister's name. He began to look at me with a little more suspicion to his gaze as he seemed completely confused as to why I'd want to see her again.
"Provided that's all you're going to be doing, you can do as you like. It's only fair to warn you though; if she won't talk to me, her own flesh and blood, what makes you think you've got a chance in hell?"
"I guess I can't argue with that, but all I can say is what I have to ask her is of the utmost importance. Whether or not she accepts is another matter all together, but I suppose that's my problem in the end."
His expression told me he couldn't really argue with what I'd said, which suited me just fine as talking about this is just a blatant waste of time. He simply pointed his right index finger at the door in front of me, but imparted one last piece of advice before I went on my way.
"Don't say I didn't warn you."
Once again, I couldn't reasonably debate with that point at all, so I just nodded my head in agreement and understanding, before widely opening the door in front of me.
The very first feature to catch my notice was the overwhelming presence of inky, darkness that covered the room at every corner. It was so dark that I couldn't even make out any objects or details about it, let alone the figure of another living thing inside of it. I began to wonder to myself whether or not Wednesday had just decided to turn in for the night, which while an inconvenience for me as I still had some questions that needed answering, gave me a chance to get everyone home even sooner than expected.
While barely giving it a single thought, I turned my back around to exit when I was suddenly greeted by the rather full face of Pugsley. I figured he would have turned his back and went to bed, but now here he was, staring me down dead in the eyes, with a somewhat annoyed expression on his face.
He dryly muttered a pretty straight-forward question after backing up a bit.
"What are you doing?"
"Oh! I was just gonna leave since Wednesday's room is completely dark. I figured she wanted to call it a night since it's pretty late right now after all, so I was going to head home with my friends and-"
"Uh huh... sure you were. Wednesday! You've got company that wants to speak with you."
Well, at least I'll be able to get this all out of the way. I just wish I could have resolved things without having to make the trip over here, but I'd like to think even things like this have to happen for some reason.
"Thanks man. You're a pretty cool d-"
Before I even had enough time to process what was happening, Pugsley gave me a good, firm, two handed shove causing me to practically fly backwards into the blackened, depths of the room itself. My vision went completely blank as I was now engulfed in total darkness, with not so much as a dot of light to be found. I painfully landed on my rear as I realized that I was now in the room of the person I feared more than anything else, without company, with no way to defend myself, and worst of all, with no vision whatsoever!!!
Besides a mild surge of pain and discomfort, I immediately flew to my feet in an effort to rush my way out of the room, before something less than pleasant were to happen to me. I had no idea why Pugsley would just shove me like that, but before I could get a chance to ask him, he quickly shut the door in my face, causing me to slam nose-first into it. Frantically, I latched both of my hands onto the door knob to pry open the wooden barrier that stood between us both, but Pugsley held it tight, far too tight for anything I'd be able to muscle up. While we were both about the same in height, he was far stockier than I was, and I wouldn't be surprised to learn if he had about 50 pounds of weight on me. I've always been a bit on the scrawny side, and right now is an unfortunate side effect of not bulking up enough.
"Hey, what gives?!? I just wanted to be polite and let her sleep for the night!! You didn't have to shove me around like that!!!"
"What's the matter Stewart? You've managed to survive a dark cavern, a monstrous green-house, an avalanche within a frozen tundra, and even an explosive pumpkin patch, but my sister is still the thing that scares you the most? I thought you said you weren't afraid anymore, or did you just say that because you thought we'd be so impressed by your "courage", we'd let you and your friends live?"
Why the hell was he doing this?!? I didn't survive a night in hell just to be trapped in a room with someone that I've went out of my way to avoid. This doesn't make any sense! Was all this just to lure me into a false sense of security? Whatever the reason was, all I know is I've got to bust out of this place at any cost, find Paul and my friends, and then get us all the hell back home!!!
"Just what the fuck is your problem man?!? Haven't I been petrified enough for one night? All I want to do is go home already, so LET ME OUT OF HERE!!!"
"No! Until you prove your words to my sister weren't just a sad little plea for your life, you aren't going anywhere I'm afraid. If you really want to see your friends and brother again, you're gonna have to hold down an actual discussion with her, in her own room, and preferably with no funny business in mind!! I'll be keeping guard at the door so I can hear every word of it!"
This is either the most cliched twist in horror movie history, or somebody is trying to play the absolute cruelest prank I've ever personally suffered. I had a feeling I was being set up for something like this, even before I set foot in the room, but this just wasn't fair! What does he even mean by "prove what I said" to her? I'm not an especially brave kid even by generic standards. I just happen to care about the people that are important to me more than my own life. If I was actually aware of the fact that they weren't planning on killing me, I probably would have just passed out on the spot, with not a word in edge wise.
Regardless, he seems pretty set on me proving my words weren't just a glorified bluff. It's not like I wasn't planning to speak to Wednesday in the first place, but doing so in the middle of a pitch-black room isn't exactly what I'd call an ideal location. I'm also in no condition to force this door open, seeing as how I can't overpower Pugsley, and it wouldn't be a smart move to charge at it with my knee in the condition it's still in. Even if there was some way I could miraculously force it open, what good would it do if I can't properly defend myself against the kid standing against it?
Sighing heavily, I turned my back to face the endless abyss of darkness that overlooked my surroundings at every turn. I took a few precious moments to center myself for what should be the most difficult discussion of all time for me. I was soon startled by the flash of lights appearing, which I quickly realized were candle lights given the low, glowing, almost ominous orange color of them. With the new source of light filling my once desolate vision, I could now make out actual details of the room I was in.
There was a large black bed that sat toward the upper right corner of the room. The way it was positioned away from the room's 3 windows, all dressed up in black curtains seemed almost purposeful, like she was trying to avoid direct contact with as much sun-light as possible. I briefly looked down at the ground where I was standing to check my current position in the room. I then quickly shifted my glance to the left and right, there was a large drawer to the right that was overseen by a medium sized vanity mirror. The top of the drawer had a couple of personal items strewn about it as well. A black brush, some nail polish containers that said "Black as Ink" on the front, and a grey, slightly dusty book that said "The Best of Edgar Allen Poe Vol.3" on the front cover. So far, the room was about as precise a description as I could imagine giving seeing as whom it belonged to.
I shifted my eyes to the upper right corner of the room to find a poster of a large raven. It had blood red eyes, spreading it's wings and flying over what looked like a cornfield of some kind, overlooked by a fairly ominous looking red sky. Beneath that poster I could make out the names of famous classical musicians, such as Beethoven, Ludwig, Tchaikovsky, and others I'm not familiar with at all. This genre of music isn't exactly my forte to be frank. The few names I am familiar with were all ones I learned in school.
Upon taking in all these details, I briefly snapped back to reality in knowing that Wednesday was still nowhere to be found. I couldn't even hear the presence of another person, creature, or thing anywhere in the room so far. There wasn't any tapping, footsteps, breathing, or anything of the sort to tip me off to someone, or something else being in the room.
Finally, I decided I'd waited in suspense long enough and walked over to where the door where the raven poster was. Before I could come into range of it however, I caught the faintest glimpse of some shelves positioned higher than everything I've seen thusly. The shelves had what looked to be dolls that sat in neat organization apart from one another. It wasn't until I got a better look at one crucial feature that I practically flung back in absolute horror. The dolls were all missing various limbs! Some were missing heads, others arms or legs that were placed at either their left or right, and some had their eyes neatly removed all together, leaving just two lifeless, pitch black, hollow holes to stare back at me.
I nearly soiled my costume for the 3rd time in one night, and jumping back after what I saw almost had me careen into the large drawer to the right of Wednesday's room. My still injured knee reactively throbbed in pain at the awkward angle I landed on when I jumped back, causing me to curse my easily high strung paranoia even more. I don't know how things like this continue to shock me, but it's probably best for us all that I just wait for Wednesday to come to me. After regaining my senses, I slowly walked over to the center of the room where I stood from before, and just sat right down in the spot. I took a deep breath in order to calm myself as much as possible, before steeling myself to hold a conversation with the figure of my very nightmares for weeks now.
A few minutes go by, and just before I could gather what few remaining cinders of courage I have left and try again at the same door, I hear a flushing noise coming from somewhere in the room. The sounds were somewhat muffled, but I could tell from the direction it was coming from that this had to have been from behind the door I tried entering only 5 minutes ago. Whatever the case, I forced myself back to my feet as I prepared to greet the one person I feared more than anything else in life right now. My heart was thundering in my chest like somebody rapidly pounding on a door with both hands. I've waited at least a week for this moment, to at long last get some damn answers as to why I've been haunted by this girl whether skateboarding or sleeping. This is it!! No more delays, distractions, or terrifying death traps to get in the way. I'm about to get the answers I rightfully deserve, and hopefully I can finally put all this insanity behind me when it's all said and done. I just want this whole ridiculous, God forsaken, mess to be over with already!
A minute went by when the candle lights that provided the only source of visibility I had right now, just went out inexplicably. I gasped in surprise as complete darkness flooded the room instantaneously, which sent my heart rate straight into overdrive. I anxiously darted about the room to see if I could make out the sight of Wednesday anywhere, but only found nothing as the room was just too dark to make out even minute details compared to what I could see from before. A cold sweat began to break out around my neck as the once warm blood coursing throughout my veins began to chill over and freeze in place for the umpteenth time this night. I turned my back to where I knew the door was positioned in a blind panic, totally oblivious to the light, creeping, footsteps that were silently gaining in sound with each passing second. I was so caught up in the fact that my world view had just been plunged into an abyss that I'd forgotten I have 4 other senses in place of sight.
I began to let out stammering, rushed breaths as I just waited for whatever, or whomever was now in the room with me to end my existence already. I can't fight what I can't see, and I don't even have a weapon of my own to make use of at the moment. I just closed my eyes and waited for the inevitable, only praying to myself that it wouldn't hurt too badly, and perhaps be over with even sooner.
Just then, a tiny little puff of wind gently collided with the back of my neck, causing whatever hair was there to slowly stand up.
... She's behind me right now isn't she?, I asked myself without saying a word.
"Hi."
At the very first decibel of that one simple phrase, I rocketed into the air like a saturday morning cartoon character taking something sharp and pointy to the rear. It was a miracle the top of my head didn't actually reach the room's ceiling, but the fact my legs could even propel me with that much force amazed me. I somehow landed on my feet without further injuring my still sore leg, and immediately turned my back to face whomever had just spoken that one word of greeting to me. Sure enough, Wednesday was staring back at me with her usual blank, emotionless, expression and empty stare that managed to put ice cold shivers down my spine even now. She was dressed in her bedroom attire with a long black night-gown that stretched all the way down to her ankles, while holding a small lantern in her left hand. I noticed she re-lit some of the lights that had just gone out, making the room visible once again, but this did little to ease the growing anxiety stirring inside my thundering heart at the moment.
Before I could even attempt to make a reply, she quickly gestured with her right hand over to some chairs that had been quietly pulled open, offering me a seat. I sat in the one closest to me which lined me up perfectly where she was. With us now staring each other down directly, I began to scramble internally as the thought of striking up a conversation with the girl of my literal nightmares was turning out almost frustratingly difficult. How should I go about this? Should I try to smooth the tension out by first asking her if she's enjoyed this year's Halloween, or should I just be bluntly direct and get right to the point of what I need to ask her? I decided to go the gentleman route and try to butter her up a bit. She might be more willing to give some answers if I appeal to her family's love of spookiness and macabre.
"So!... uh, this Halloween has turned out really eventful to say the least. I can promise you I've never been to this kind of Halloween party before, haha! Has the challenge been as fun for you as it's been for everyone else this year?
Wednesday offered no immediate reply, her expression of course remained ever painstakingly the same as it had always been. Her cold, blank, emotionless eyes were dead locked onto my own, causing me to grow increasingly paranoid as I felt as though I was being sized up by a hungry predator. My heart began to thump and pound like a machine gun clip being unloaded onto a small group of bad guys. It was thundering in my chest so abruptly it even started to hurt, but only just a bit. I used every ounce of self control or reason I had left to keep as casual an expression on as I could, while simultaneously thinking of where to take the conversation next. My toes curled up tightly as I was struggling for leads on what to say next, when suddenly Wednesday decided to do it for me, using the same quiet, almost indifferent tone to her voice she delivered that greeting with. She spoke up a bit louder this time, but it was nowhere near loud enough to be considered angry or intimidating in any way.
"... That wasn't bad."
Instantly puzzled, I began to wonder just what she could have meant by that. I quickly asked her to elaborate a bit before the conversation could drift too far away from it's intended purpose.
"Umm... what is?"
"Your story, the one you told me in class that day. I find psychology to be missing a lot from modern day horror, and your story focused more on building tension, and creating an unnerving atmosphere that it genuinely impressed me. As an Addams, I've too much pride to admit any fear, but when one of us tells you your story was actually scary, that's as meaningful a compliment as we could possibly offer you."
I-... Is she serious? THIS is the reason she's been haunting me for weeks now?!? Just to tell me my one time story that I used to shut Paul up when l was still in elementary school didn't completely suck? I had no idea how I was meant to take this. I was surprisingly flattered she'd praised a story I spent maybe 5 minutes at best coming up with, but on the other hand I began to realize all of this could have been avoided if I just hadn't been such a damn chicken in the first place.
Be that as it may, I reminded myself to play it cool and just continue on with the conversation. At least we were getting better acquainted, but I couldn't let that distract me from my true goal here. After giving thanks, I went ahead and pushed forward with asking her why I've been having these nightmares for weeks now.
"Anyway, the reason I've been wanting to talk with you is... well, you see lately I've been having these disturbing and vivid nightmares for weeks now. They all begin and end the same way; I'm walking aimlessly on the sidewalk, passing by different streets and neighborhoods I've never once saw before at all, when finally I come across an old, decrepit, abandoned looking mansion. I suddenly stop walking and I can see a thin, human shaped figure dancing around some tombstones to the right of the mansion. Then the gate suddenly opens up, and the figure disappears into the background of the mansion, and I start to walk through the gates yet again."
I paused for a moment to catch my breath, while Wednesday looks a bit bashful at everything I've said so far. I couldn't even begin to imagine how as none of this was exactly pleasant to recall, but I digress. She almost seemed... "familiar" with the story I was telling her, which was prompting me to ask her new questions as to how she could possibly know anything about it, but that can all wait until I'm done telling her my side of the story.
"... Anyway, so I start walking anew and cross toward the right side of the mansion to where the figure disappeared to. I soon found myself crossing past multiple tombstones with lit up Jack O' Lanterns on top of them. Finally, I overhear the whimpers of a voice all too familiar to me. I turn in the direction of it to find my only brother, Paul, tied to a wooden stake while also being gagged. My big brother instinct immediately kicked into overdrive and I ran toward where he was to get him down. After that, I got him on my back and did my best to leg it out of there."
Now instead of bashful, Wednesday was beginning to look guilty, almost like she knew who was responsible for tying Paul up to that stake without me even needing to explain it to her. I was starting to get a bit weirded out by how much this story seemed to be affecting her on a personal level, but there wasn't much left of it to talk about thankfully. I proceeded to wrap up what little remained of the dream itself.
"We managed to get past the tombstones and towards the front gate, but before I could push through it, I tripped from a stone on the ground and landed harshly on my right knee. The pain felt so real at that moment, I told myself mentally that it couldn't have been a dream. They aren't supposed to cause any real pain or trauma, no matter how scary they can be. My right knee was in so much agony I couldn't even will myself to stand up right, and that prompted me to tell Paul to go on without me. He began to sob loudly and tried to force me up himself, but there was no way he could force me up and get us both out of there on his own. He finally took my advice and ran out of there, but not before giving me one last painful look of regret before running off into the night."
I took another look at Wednesday to see how this part of the story affected her, and she looked as if though she was on the verge of crying. A surge of regret began to flood me in place of the terror and anxiety that have pretty much become my bed fellows as of late. While I'm pretty adamant on getting whatever answers I can in this moment, making a girl cry, even one as terrifying to me as Wednesday, is never going to be on my list of priorities. I abruptly stopped regaling her with my horror show of a dream pattern, and immediately asked her if she was okay.
"Uhh... Are you alright, Wednesday? Should I keep on going, or do you think you get the picture by now?"
She offered no verbal response, instead swiping her left hand across one of her eyes, and gesturing for me to finally finish up the remainder of the dream itself.
"Alright then... well, I squirmed on the ground for a few agonizing moments, before picking up the sound of light foot-steps crunching some of the leaves on the ground. I turn my back to see the dark, thin, shadowy figure staring directly into my eyes, and with some improved visibility I could see it was... well, it was you, Wednesday. I then furiously clawed at the ground in a desperate attempt to get away from you at that moment, but I soon gave up as I knew I couldn't stop you from doing whatever to me. You grabbed me by one of my ankles and dragged me all the way to the back of the mansion. When we got there, you pushed a large, metallic sounding, contraption of some kind to where I was laying, and somehow placed me on it by yourself. When you began to strap my limbs in place, it took me a minute to realize I was being strapped into a medieval torture rack. By that point, I was practically hyperventilating with fear and panic, wordlessly begging you with tears streaming down both my cheeks for you to take some mercy on me, when suddenly you whispered a single question into one of my ears that has stuck with me, even to this very day. You asked me if I was scared, right before pulling a crank which caused me an immeasurable amount of pain, and then finally, just like every other time since then... I wake up."
I started to pant and wheeze a bit as that last part of the dream is always the hardest to remember personally. The pain from my injury just felt so unnaturally real, even though anybody with remote sentience would tell you it couldn't be. After regaining my breath and focusing my thoughts on Wednesday, I looked at her to see she wasn't even looking at me anymore. In fact, she wasn't even looking at anything in particular. Her face was in her hands, and I could swear I heard some faint grumbles coming from her, being partially muffled from the fact her mouth was covered at the moment. Please tell me she isn't about to cry right now! I didn't come here for this, hell I'm not even as angry as I probably should be after everything that's happened! All I want are some clear, straight-forward answers, and I'll walk right out of those doors as soon as I can find my friends and brother, never to be seen again.
"Uhh... Wednesday? Hey listen, please don't be upset! I'm not trying to turn this into an interrogation here. I'm also not trying to blame you or anybody in particular, all I want to know is why am I having these dreams, and how can I make them stop?"
"... I'm sorry."
"_"
... Say what now?
"What do you mean? What could you possibly be sorry for?"
"... It was me. I'm the reason you've been having these dreams."
My head almost did a 360 at hearing this confession from her. I don't even know if I was meant to be surprised as I couldn't piece together any other reason why I'd be having nightmares like this! Still though, how could somebody else just "make" you have bad dreams like this? A random nightmare is one thing, even if it was terrifyingly vivid and I could feel the pain of my right knee colliding with the hard ground every, damn, time, but for whole weeks on end?!? I mean, just what even gives here?!?
"... I knew you were afraid of me. From the moment we met, you've went out of your way to avoid me. You've always been friendly with me though, which I appreciate, but I knew I couldn't just walk up and invite you to my family's annual Halloween challenge. You probably have noticed already, but the other kids in school are even more scared of me than you are. It's been pretty hard trying to fit in or make friends since Pugsley can't come to school with me anymore, so that's why I decided to try an old trick my grandmother taught me a couple of years ago. I snuck a bit of potion I asked my grandmother to make in your milk carton that day. It contained a powerful hallucinogenic drug that can cause nightmares based on the greatest fears the victim possesses. It must have manifested in the 2 things you fear most of all..."
A major piece of the puzzle was finally dumped square in my lap. In just this one instance, everything was beginning to make sense. That's not to say I have a clue in hell as to how she snuck the drug into my milk that day, but at least it put things into a perspective I could actually make sense of. Now that I knew why I've been having this nightmare over and over again, it was time now to discern how I could stop having it for good.
"Aside from the fact you thought you had to drug me just to get me to come to your house, I can appreciate your honesty at least. If you don't mind my asking though, how can I get this nightmare to stop finally?"
"Oh, don't worry about that. I asked Grandma to produce a special tonic that should purge whatever remains of the drug in your system. You should be back to your old self in just a day if you take it after dinner or something like that."
I'd say that takes care of that concern! I think my time here is just about finished up then. I just have to bid Wednesday a good night, find my crew, and get the hell back home never to return again! I began to do just that as Wednesday told me how to stop the nightmares from happening.
"That's great!! I think that'll be the night for me then. Thanks again for listening to what I had to say, and I hope you and your family have even scarier Halloweens than this one in the future. Not that I know how that'd happen exactly, but then again, I'm not an Addams!"
I lifted myself up from the chair I'd been squatting on for about 10 minutes now, somewhat abruptly as I was in a hurry to get out of this place already! I have no idea how in THE hell I'm expected to explain even half of what's happened here, but maybe I can convince my folks to go easy on Paul while they're grounding me into oblivion.
Just before I started to advance toward the door that her brother practically hurled me through before, I felt a soft hand grasp my left wrist as I proceeded to make my way out of the room. I turned my head to find out we were now basically staring each other dead in the eyes, causing me to blush a bit as it wasn't often a girl my age got this close to me.
"I just want you to know, that I'm really sorry for everything I've put you through. I can understand if you'd never want to see me again, but for what it's worth, you've impressed me more than anyone who's ever accepted our challenge before. Your little brother should be blessed to have a sibling like you."
Even though I was still in a hurry to leave this place, my face couldn't help but turn beet red at everything she just told me. Besides my own parents, I can't remember a single time anyone has ever flattered me to such a regard before.
"Wow... Thanks Wednesday. That actually means a lot coming from you!"
I extended my right hand to her out of a sense of politeness, which she accepted without hesitation. I finally got a real look at her face and hair for the first time since I've known her. It was far from my first time having looked at her of course, but I guess I never really took the time to truly study her features before. I have to admit, she really is pretty cute. Not that I can concern myself with that right now, but it was nice to know Paul wasn't lying to me... for once.
I then briskly made my way out of her room, and back out to Pugsley's bedroom, where he was staring me down with both of his arms crossed. Seriously, this again? I mean c'mon man, if you wanted to punch my lights out that badly, you've had more than enough opportunities to do so throughout tonight alone.
To my utter shock however, he instead gave me his right hand. This could either be a miracle, or I'm walking into the most obvious trap imaginable right now. Regardless, I decided to accept it just to keep things as friendly as they could be given I'm almost out of here anyway.
"I hate to admit it, but everything you've done tonight was really brave Stewart. I'm sorry I've been so harsh to you when you've done nothing to deserve it. It's just on the day you passed out, Wednesday came back home so depressed she hasn't spoken to anyone until tonight. I've known her all my life, and when someone whom you've known since forever just randomly decides to stop talking to you... well, I trust you could imagine what that'd feel like? What with you being an older brother and all..."
For as rude as he's been all the times we've ever interacted, I couldn't deny Pugsley had a good point here. Even though me and Paul are usually at each other's throats, we've never fully given each other the silent treatment before. We're both essentially each other's best friends when our own friends can't be there to hang out with us. It never even crossed my mind to just ignore him whenever he's being a pain in the ass. It might actually be worth trying out some time! It could be nice to have an ace in the hole over his head for a change...
"Ahh, it's all right man! No hard feelings whatsoever, and I'm sorry to hear Wednesday decided to just stop talking to you like that. I hope everything can return to normal for you after this whole evening has finally concluded. It's definitely been a Halloween I can't see myself forgetting anytime soon, haha!"
With that, he let my hand go and offered me a warm smile before gently stepping aside, and allowing me to exit his very disturbing bedroom. I was instantly greeted with Gomez and Morticia's beaming faces as they seemed all too glad to see me once again.
"Ahh finally, you've returned to us! Come follow us both to where your friends are. They should be most elated to see you join them once again I imagine!"
With this, Gomez grabbed one of my shoulders with a light, but firm grasp, and his beloved wife soon followed his example. They led me through the hall-way, to a sealed off room next to where the stair-case which led to this hall-way stood. After reciting what I could only assume was a family known password, the door quickly opened up to reveal a rather desolate looking corridor which had the door of a large, steel, vault all the way at the other end. We approached the vault door in a matter of moments, before Morticia gently covered my eyes as Gomez began to undo the vault's lock. I could hear a loud groan as the probably decades old vault finally opened up to reveal what could only be described as a sugar addict's paradise. There were huge mountains of candy practically toppling over one another, and each contained products that just as advertised, I had no clue as to where on earth they could be from. I was utterly overwhelmed at the sight! It was like getting the world's best sugar high without even taking the first bite yet.
Gomez and Morticia walked in front of me to address my now gaping maw as it begun to almost salivate with drool.
"Judging by your entranced reaction, it seems our promises were in fact all too valid."
I just barely snapped out of my hunger induced coma to realize I was drooling over candy that I told myself I didn't even need before. I recomposed myself in just a few seconds before asking where my friends even were.
"O-Oh! Sorry, I just didn't expect all this would be so much to take in. Where are my friends right now though? They seemed pretty excited at collecting some candy before we've all gotta head home."
"They've been waiting for you this whole time my dear boy, and besides the rewards they've collected, we have you another prize we'd like you to have!"
Gomez pulled out a small brown bag that felt like it could have been made by bat leather or something. Not that I'd know what that would even feel like exactly, but it makes about as much sense as anything else does with this family. My memories rushed back to the tonic Wednesday mentioned before I left her room! This must be it then, what else could it be?
"This bag contains a special tonic that should clear up the unfortunate night terrors you've been suffering. Please ensure you take it after having consumed some solid food as when taken on an empty stomach, it may produce unwanted side effects that you would rather not endure."
I didn't have to be told that twice. I gently took the small bag from Gomez's hand before turning my attention to the whereabouts of my friends.
"Thanks so much sir! If my friends are done collecting candy, I think it's about time we all returned home though. Would it be too much to ask for if we could all have a ride back?"
Gomez happily chuckled at this sincere request, before responding to it in kind with his somewhat jolly disposition.
"You believe we would have you go back the way you came on foot? Nonsense child! I plan to drive you back to all your homes personally!"
My heart swelled with a mixture of relief and gratitude at this. There's no way in hell I have the energy to ride all the way back home on my skate-board, but I didn't want to be an inconvenience to anyone given they'd already been so kind with me as is. With this new info in mind, I decided to focus my attention squarely on where I could find my friends now.
Gomez and Morticia began to lead me around the side of one of the massive mountains of candy. I could make out the smiling faces of my friends and brother immediately as their pockets had been stuffed with plenty of treats to last them at least a few months if not more. Paul predictably stored as much as he could carry within his costume, which suggested he actually thought about me for once! Maybe things are starting to change after all...
"I see you guys have been busy. Anyone else ready to go home?"
Everyone gave me a resounding thumbs up at that question before walking up to where I was standing. Paul had a mischievous grin on his face before bringing something interesting to my attention.
"You curious at all about what happened to Bobby, Marcus, and all the other losers that didn't follow the rules as planned?"
My right eyebrow instantly raised itself up at this. Just what was Paul getting at here, and how were any of us supposed to know about what happened to the other kids?
"I'm not sure how that's relevant to us getting out of here, but I'll bite. What happened to everyone else Paul?"
Jason and Tommy just shared an equally devious, knowing look as they regarded what Paul said as if they knew exactly what it was he meant.
"Oh you'll see Stew... you'll see." Jason stated, with a hint of laughter to his tone of voice.
Now I was beyond curious as to what they were getting at here. I was just as anxious to get some payback on Bobby and Marcus as anyone else, but as the old saying goes, there's a time and place for everything. Am I the only one among this group that understands this simple fact? Sighing inwardly, I decided to go ask Gomez and Morticia what it was they could have meant.
I approached both of them in less than a minute before gently asking what my goofy friends were prattling on about.
"I'm sorry Mr and Ms Addams, but my friends say they "know" what happened to all the other contestants whom participated in the challenge? Do you have any idea what they could mean by it?"
Gomez and Morticia simply looked at one another with knowing smirks, before turning to look at me and answer.
"I believe you will be most... satisfied with what we've prepared for your treacherous friends, as well as the other children that fought with one another throughout tonight. Follow me if you would to see for yourself."
Gomez led me to an odd looking mine cart track of some kind, with my friends and bro quickly following behind me as he did so. From this point, I could see the gagged faces of Bobby and Marcus tied together, along side a bunch of other kids I didn't recognise all about to go on what looked like the ride of their lives. I swallowed a rather noticeably loud gulp as though this was meant for me instead of everyone else present in those carts. I wanted to get revenge on Bobby and Marcus as much as anyone, but I'm not even close to being this sadistic!
"Umm... excuse me Mr. Addams, but what exactly is all this?"
"Hoh-Hoh-Hoh... let us say child, these children will all be going on the ride of their lives for what they've done here tonight!"
I could see the fear and panic evident in both Bobby and Marcus's eyes. They were practically calling out to me in a desperate plea for their lives, but after what they tried to pull tonight, I just don't have any sympathy left in me by this point. It's one thing to try and take me out, but you never try to take out friends or loved ones too. Not in my book you don't!
"I see... well, make sure to give em some extra scares on the part of all of us. I'd most appreciate it by far!" I said without even a trace of sympathy left in my voice.
"Now then! With all this being said, I believe it's about time we got you boys home, safe and sound. Our butler Lurch will drive you home himself. We've already contacted all your parents, and it's thanks to them we now have the directions to all your homes!"
Gulp... okay, now I'm positive I'm getting grounded for life.
A/N: What a wonderful experience writing this sequel has been!! I do apologize for how long it's taken me to update and push this chapter out, but if there was a better time to finish it up than right around Halloween, I couldn't honestly tell you! I've suffered writer's block amongst a number of personal issues that have made putting words to text far harder than they have any right to be, but thankfully for me the next chapter will be the final one. I sincerely thank any and all that have had the patience to keep up with it all, and rest assured the final chapter is just around the corner! Peace and blessings be upon you all, and I look forward to seeing you again in chapter 13!!! :)