The dim afternoon light streamed through the large Gothic windows of Enid's room, tinting the stone walls with a warm golden glow. The air was thick with anticipation and a slight nervousness. Enid stood in front of the mirror, meticulously adjusting the details of her Sherlock Holmes costume. Her classic brown tweed trench coat hugged her body perfectly, and a smart deerstalker hat rested on her head, arranging her blond hair with a touch of sophistication. Beside it sat a small fake moustache that she decided not to wear after a brief consultation with Yoko, who suggested that perhaps it was too much.
Thing, faithful companion and accomplice, paced over the dresser, dressed in a tiny vest and top hat, imitating the unmistakable Watson. The small hand seemed to enjoy its role, making dramatic gestures and twirling around to make sure her costume was in order. Enid watched him and couldn't help but laugh softly, feeling a warmth in her heart at the adorable scene.
"You look amazing, Thing," Enid said, with a wide, genuine smile. The small hand bowed with an elegant movement of her hat, as if acknowledging the compliment.
Across the room, Yoko was looking at herself in the mirror, adjusting the last details of her costume. She had opted for a sleek, modern interpretation of Kogoro Akechi, a Japanese detective from the Taisho era. She wore a dark kimono with geometric patterns in shades of red and black, complemented by a silk haori (short jacket) that gave her a sophisticated and mysterious touch. Her round sunglasses rested on her nose, giving her an enigmatic air, while her red lips stood out on her pale, almost translucent skin, which gave away her vampiric nature. Her hair, loose and straight, cascaded over her shoulders, shining under the soft light of the room.
"What do you think, Enid?" "Do you think Wednesday will approve of this look?" Yoko asked in a slightly mocking tone, though her eyes, hidden behind her glasses, betrayed a hint of anxiety. Though Yoko didn't show it openly, she always cared about Wednesday's opinion, wanting to surprise her.
Enid watched her for a moment, taking in every detail before smiling approvingly. "You look amazing, Yoko. You'll definitely catch her eye. Though, knowing Wednesday, that can be both a blessing and a curse." They both laughed softly at the truth hidden in those words.
Despite their good relationship and how comfortable they felt together, there was something different in the atmosphere that night. A mix of excitement and curiosity was intertwined with a slight anxiety. They all knew Wednesday had something planned. She always did. But this time, she had been especially secretive, leaving Enid and Yoko completely in the dark about her costume.
The main hall of Nevermore was adorned with dim lighting and themed decorations. Large portraits of literary detectives hung on the walls, watching with inquisitive eyes the students who entered in their meticulously prepared costumes. There were those who opted for classics like Hercule Poirot, with his twirled moustaches and impeccable suits, and others who dressed up as Miss Marple, with her sly and mysterious air. Murmurs and laughter filled the air as the students exchanged compliments and guesses as to who would win the prize for best costume.
Enid and Yoko made their entrance together, immediately drawing attention. Enid, in her Sherlock Holmes costume, radiated a confident energy and a slightly playful air. She carried a magnifying glass in her hand, which she waved theatrically as she passed by her classmates, making small observations in a joking tone. Yoko, on the other hand, moved with a serene elegance, almost floating above the ground as her eyes scanned the crowd from behind her glasses.
"Have you seen Wednesday?" Enid asked, looking around with a mix of curiosity and anxiety. The tension in her voice was almost imperceptible, but Yoko picked it up immediately. They both knew that when Wednesday had something on her mind, it was best to be prepared for the unexpected.
"No, not yet. But you know how she is. She always makes a memorable entrance," Yoko replied, her voice calm and slightly amused. "Besides, she's probably just waiting for the perfect moment to show up and steal the show from us."
Enid laughed softly, though deep down she couldn't help but feel a small pang of unease. She couldn't imagine what costume Wednesday would show up in, but one thing was certain: it wouldn't be anything conventional.
The minutes passed and the party continued on its merry course. The students gathered in small groups, discussing their costumes, while the teachers, also in costume, kept watch from a distance, making sure everything was going smoothly. The atmosphere was festive, almost carefree, until the lights began to flicker.
At first, it was just a slight flicker, enough to make everyone stop and look around, confused. Then, suddenly, the lights went out completely, plunging the hall into a deep, silent darkness. An uneasy murmur ran through the crowd. Enid felt a chill run down her spine as Thing snuggled into her shoulder, clearly nervous.
"This isn't part of the plan, is it?" Yoko whispered, though she already knew the answer. There was a hint of anticipation in her voice, as if she were preparing for something unusual.
"No, it isn't," Enid replied, a mix of curiosity and concern in her eyes. Her heart began to beat faster, as if presenting what was about to happen.
Suddenly, a cold wind rose out of nowhere, causing the windows of the classroom to burst open, letting in a thick fog that quickly spread across the floor. The temperature dropped abruptly, and the students, who were previously laughing and chatting, now fell silent, staring in amazement at the scene unfolding before them.
The fog covered the floor like a ghostly blanket, rising to the students' knees. Nervous murmurs began to fill the room as most realized that something far stranger was afoot. A low, resonant sound, like the wailing of a cello, broke the silence, reverberating in every corner of the hall. The notes were dark and melancholic, filled with a sadness that seemed to belong to another time, another era.
Footsteps echoed in the distance, each one perfectly timed with the notes of the cello. The clicking of leather boots on the cobblestones could be heard, slow and deliberate. The dark figure began to emerge from the fog, barely visible at first, but then taking shape before the terrified eyes of those present.
Dressed entirely in black, with a long cloak that swayed in the wind and a top hat that hid part of his face, the figure approached slowly, giving off an air of menace and mystery. His face was in shadow, only a faint glint of his dark eyes shining beneath the brim of his hat. A pair of black leather gloves covered his hands, and in one of them he held a long silver knife that reflected the dim candlelight.
"In the dark streets of Whitechapel, where the fog hides the horrors of the night, a shadow glides, stalking its victims. A name spoken with fear and reverence: Jack the Ripper," said a spectral voice, low and echoing. There was no need to guess whose voice it was; everyone knew. Enid's heart skipped a beat as she recognized Wednesday's somber, unmistakable tone.
The entire room was transfixed, caught in the spell of Jack the Ripper's apparition. Even the teachers, who normally remained calm in strange situations, fell silent, unable to intervene. It was as if reality itself had been distorted, transporting everyone back to a dark and dangerous time.
Enid watched, caught between fascination and horror, as Wednesday slowly made her way across the room. Her rendition of Jack the Ripper was as terrifying as it was perfect, a lethal mix of elegance and evil. The cello continued to play, increasing the tension with each note. Thing, on her shoulder, clung to Enid tightly, feeling the same mix of emotions.
"They always wondered who he was, what face was hidden behind the mask of death," Wednesday continued, her voice echoing through the room. "But Jack the Ripper is not just a man, he is a symbol, a shadow in the night. A mystery that must never be solved."
Suddenly, the lights flickered again, and for a brief moment, the entire room seemed to be plunged into Victorian London. The stone walls of the hall transformed into dark alleys, shadows danced with menacing movement, and the air smelled of smoke and damp. It all seemed so real that the students began to whisper, some frightened, others completely fascinated.
Then, as quickly as it had begun, the lights came back on. The hall returned to its normal state, but the atmosphere was still charged with a strange electricity. Wednesday stood in the center of the room, her figure still shrouded in shadow, as everyone present tried to process what they had just witnessed.
Enid, feeling like she could finally move, approached Wednesday with a mixture of awe and admiration. "Wednesday… that was… amazing," she said, her voice almost shaking with emotion. It wasn't easy to impress Enid, but Wednesday had managed it, once again.
Wednesday looked at her, her expression serious and enigmatic, but her eyes held a slight glint of satisfaction. "I knew you would appreciate it," she replied, in her usual tone, though with a hint of something else, perhaps a hint of pride. "Jack the Ripper is the ultimate enigma. A murderer who was never caught, an unsolved mystery. There is no detective who can rival him."
Yoko, who had been watching everything from a distance, joined them, her enigmatic smile intact. "I must admit, Wednesday, you exceeded all my expectations," she said, bowing her head slightly in respect. "But, Jack the Ripper? I knew you would choose something dark, but this is… almost too perfect."
"I like a challenge," Wednesday replied, her tone unfazed, as she put the knife back into the sheath she wore under her cloak. "Besides, it's a reminder that even the best detectives sometimes fail."
Enid laughed softly, still in awe of Wednesday's attention to detail. "It's so… you. Dark, mysterious, and scary, but with a touch of cool that I just can't resist."
Thing, having recovered from the shock, jumped onto Wednesday's shoulder, excitedly pointing at her costume. Wednesday watched with a slight nod, accepting her little friend's nod of approval.
"I must say, Thing did an impressive job as Watson," Wednesday said, a slight curve to her lips that could have been interpreted as a smile. "Although Holmes and Watson were always a bit too conventional for my taste."
Yoko smiled at the comment, acknowledging Wednesday's dry humor. "Well, maybe we could say that tonight you've solved the mystery of how to make a costume party truly unforgettable."
As the party continued and the students returned to their chatter and laughter, the trio decided to take a moment to get away from the bustle. They made their way to a quiet corner, where the lighting was softer and the atmosphere more intimate. The three of them sat together, feeling the comfort of each other's company amidst the chaos of the party.
Enid leaned towards Wednesday, gently taking her gloved hand. "Sometimes I forget how much you surprise me," she said with a sincerity that made Yoko raise an eyebrow, curious. "I can't help it, I just… I love you."
Yoko, observing the connection between them, joined in the gesture, taking Wednesday's other hand. "You have a unique way of showing your feelings, Wednesday. And although it may not be the most conventional sometimes… I think that's why we love you so much."
Wednesday, normally stoic, let her barriers down for a brief moment. She looked at both of them, her dark eyes revealing a flash of emotion that she rarely showed. "They know me better than anyone else," she admitted, her voice barely audible, almost a whisper. "And yet, they're here. It's… acceptable."
Enid smiled, understanding what that word really meant coming from Wednesday. "We'll always be here," she replied, squeezing her hand tenderly.
The moment was interrupted by a murmur from the crowd; some students were still commenting on Jack the Ripper's appearance, clearly shocked. Wednesday couldn't help but feel a hint of pride in knowing she'd left a lasting mark.
"Looks like you got what you wanted, as always," Yoko commented with a smile, leaning in slightly to kiss Wednesday's cheek.
"That's right," Wednesday replied, accepting Yoko's gesture with a calmness typical of her. "But the real mystery is what the future holds. After all, there's nothing more intriguing than the unknown."
And with that reflection, the three girls fell silent, enjoying each other's company, aware that, as different as each one was, together they formed a unique bond, one that not even the enigma of Jack the Ripper could unravel.