"She barred my way again and yet again,
And thrust me back where silent is the sun."
Wednesday crouched down to carefully examine the odd assortment of scattered papers. Just as she was about to pick one up she felt a sudden hand on her shoulder. Her eyes locked with Enid who gave a small serious nod. Wednesday sighed as she waited for Enid to sit behind her. She sat down herself and took a breath before touching the paper. Her body jerked back into Enid's as her head turned to the sky. A second later her eyes fluttered closed as her body went limp. The werewolf wrapped her arms protectively around her raven as she waited for her to return.
Wednesday slowly came to with small subtle jerks before gasping for air as her eyes flew open again. She would have thrashed around and bolted from the scene had there not been a powerful set of arms wrapped tight around her like the bars of a cage.
"The murderer-!" She blurted as a few fragments of the vision lingered before her. A growl in her ear before a sharp bite to her neck quickly grounded her back to their current reality. She closed her eyes as her breathing and heart began to slow. "Where…?" She needed no further words to find the answer to her question.
"It's Friday, 3pm, we're in the woods just behind the courthouse. You've been out for twenty minutes." Enid said, sniffing her over.
"Ah, right. Thank you." Wednesday said, opening her eyes again and patting Enid on the arm. Enid pressed a subtle kiss to the bite mark on her neck before letting go of her and getting up. Wednesday glanced down at the paper clutched tight in her fist that had caused the violent vision. She smoothed it out as best she could before scanning it over. "What would he need with…?" She furrowed her brow lost in thought as Enid paced around the perimeter.
"Enid could you-?" Wednesday turned to her as she held out the paper. Enid glanced at it then Wednesday, shaking her head. "No scent?" Wednesday asked to confirm.
"Nothing. And nothing on the other papers either." Enid said as she resumed her pacing. Wednesday scowled.
"He's taunting us." She said, bending down to collect the other papers.
"Stop!" Enid shouted as she rushed over to catch Wednesday's hand before she could touch the other papers. Wednesday raised her eyebrows.
"Surely they can't all-" She said, pulling herself free and reaching for another. Enid caught her hand then pushed her back with a small snarl. "Enid." Wednesday protested as the werewolf prevented her from getting close to the scattered papers. "They could be more clues." She tried to reason as she made to duck under her. However, Enid was far too familiar with her tricks by now and pushed her back again.
"They're bad ones." Enid growled.
"That is highly subjective." Wednesday argued. Enid refused to budge. "Must I reiterate that we are here to solve a mystery?"
"And I'm here to keep you safe." Enid said, as her claws slowly grew. Wednesday's eyes trailed down to them then flicked back to Enid's.
"Fine." Wednesday said, turning her back on her. "Let's head back empty handed because I'm obviously too fragile to-" She suddenly dodged around Enid and barely managed to snag a corner of one of the papers before the werewolf was on top of her.
"Wednes!" Enid yelped as the seer began to twist and contort violently as her eyes rolled back. "Wednes!" She shouted as the seizure only grew worse.
A pounding headache was Wednesday's first reminder that she was still alive. Her mind felt cloudy and sluggish as she started to regain consciousness. People were speaking above her but she couldn't quite process what they were saying. She kept her eyes closed as her senses felt utterly overwhelmed.
"-you didn't alert her?"
"I did but-!"
"You didn't stop her?"
"I tried but-!"
"You do know that this failure will have to be noted on your license?"
"…I know." Enid's voice sounded bitter and disappointed. Wednesday was still struggling to understand what they were saying but could feel guilt filling her chest like frigid water.
"To my knowledge you received your license early on at Nevermore Academy, perhaps a little too early, but please understand we hold much higher standards here at Alighieri Institute." The voice continued. Wednesday noticed a hand gripping hers. "I think it's best, for the time being, that we assign someone else to Ms. Addams-"
"No! Please!" Enid protested. The hand holding Wednesday's was starting to tremble slightly. "It was just a slip up!"
"We don't take second chances lightly."
"It won't happen again!" She pleaded. There was a tense pause.
"The ramifications will be greater if you stay on with Ms. Addams, having failed once before."
"I understand."
"In addition to the note on your permanent record you will be placed on probation and be required to take a remedial course on sensing, assessing, and preventing psychic seizures and psychosis."
"…I'll do it."
"It doesn't have to be a permanent reassignment Ms. Sinclair. Please consider your options."
"I have to stay with her."
"I understand you have a personal relationship with Ms. Addams but if that conflicts with your work…" She let the statement hang in the air to allow the gravity of the situation set in. "Well, nevertheless you needn't worry. There are plenty of highly qualified service wolves that can provide the assistance Ms. Addams needs." There was another stretch of silence. The hand gripping Wednesday's tightened briefly before releasing it completely.
"Thank you for letting me stay on." Enid said, forcing her voice to stay calm and neutral despite the turmoil of emotions raging inside her.
"Your remedial course will be in the south wing auditorium. Class starts at six am sharp and will be Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. You can pick up your textbook and accompanying workbook at the library later today." With that, Wednesday heard the sound of footsteps retreating and a door closing. The silence that hung in the air felt particularly uncomfortable. The low buzz of the fluorescent bulbs overhead and ticking of a nearby clock only added to the oppressive atmosphere.
"I know you're awake." Enid said finally. Breaking the silence didn't improve the tension filling the room but somehow made it worse. Wednesday said nothing as the regret and guilt gnawing at her insides made her throat feel tight. She fully understood now how much she had just damaged Enid's license and risked her reassignment. "I'm going back to our dorm." She heard the scrape of a chair being pushed back.
"Enid." Wednesday croaked, opening her eyes then quickly shielding them from the harsh light. Her mouth felt incredibly dry but she knew she had to say something, do something, to apologize. However, she could already hear Enid's footsteps becoming more distant. There was a short exchange of hushed words before a nurse hurried over to assess her.