17 Harvest Festival III

As the brightly colored carousel slowly spun, Ezra found himself sitting next to Enid, who was beaming with delight. Her golden hair shimmered under the festive lights as she enthusiastically pointed out the different fantastical creatures on the ride.

"I'm having so much fun!" she exclaimed, turning to Ezra with a wide grin. "I'm really glad we met and got to experience this together."

Ezra smiled back warmly. "Me too," he agreed. "I've really enjoyed spending time with you, Enid. You've made me feel so welcome here."

Enid's cheeks turned a rosy pink as she shyly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Well, I just really like you, Ezra," she said, her voice barely audible over the carousel's cheerful tune. "Not just as a friend either. I really like you in a… romantic way."

Ezra's eyes widened in surprise. He had been so focused on taking in the lively atmosphere of the carnival that her confession caught him completely off guard.

"Enid..." he started, turning to meet her earnest gaze, but before he could get another word out, Enid leaned in and pressed her lips against his in a gentle kiss.

Ezra froze for a second, stunned by the softness of Enid's lips. He closed his eyes, losing himself in the tenderness of the unexpected moment. Ezra could taste a sugary flavor in his mouth most likely from the candy apple she had eaten earlier, this mingled with the earthier notes of pine and cedar that seemed to cling to Enid's skin.

Without thinking, Ezra reached up and caressed Enid's face, kissing her back. He felt her sigh against him as she returned the kiss with equal enthusiasm, the carousel fading away around them.

When Enid finally pulled back, her eyes were shining. Ezra wasn't sure what to say. His mind was reeling. He cared for Enid but his precarious situation was holding him back. He began to think of his home and if he would ever truly be able to return. Still, the kiss had stirred up unexpectedly strong emotions within him.

Before he could gather his thoughts, the ride came to an end. Ezra and Enid stepped off, both slightly short of breath. As they waited for Wednesday to rejoin them, Ezra's mind whirled, still processing the exhilarating rush of emotions from their intimate encounter.

…

Ezra and Enid waited by the carousel for a few more minutes, but there was still no sign of Wednesday.

"She's been gone awhile," Enid said, frowning slightly. "I know she said she was just going to the bathroom, but maybe we should go check on her."

Ezra nodded, feeling a prickle of concern. It wasn't like Wednesday to just disappear without explanation.

The two of them made their way through the lively crowd, past game stalls and food carts billowing aromatic smoke. The bathroom was situated at the far end of the fairgrounds, an aging structure tucked partially out of sight behind some trees.

As they approached, Enid hesitated, uncertainty flashing across her face. "Um, I guess I'll go in and see if she's alright," she said.

"I'll wait right here," Ezra replied with an encouraging smile.

Enid disappeared through the door. Ezra leaned against the building, watching festival-goers meander by. A few moments later, Enid reemerged looking troubled.

"She's not in there," she told Ezra, her brow furrowed.

"That's odd. Where could she have gone?" Ezra mused. His initial concern was growing stronger. This didn't seem in character for Wednesday at all.

"Should we let someone know she's missing?" Enid asked anxiously.

Ezra considered for a moment. "Let's split up and look around just a bit more first. She can't have gone far."

Enid nodded and she hurried back towards the festival grounds. His eyes followed her blonde hair bouncing through the crowd until she was swallowed up by the sea of people.

Alone now, Ezra took a deep breath. His eyes scanned the quiet treeline bordering the festival. Somewhere, just out of sight, Wednesday waited. He could feel it.

Glancing around to ensure no one was near, Ezra slipped his hand into his jacket pocket. His fingers curled around the smooth wood of his wand.

"Appare Vestigium," Ezra murmured, giving his wand a slight flourish.

A thin trail of shimmering light burst from the wand's tip, arcing towards the woods. It was faint, but it was a start. Wednesday's signature.

Ezra glanced over his shoulder one last time before stepping off the paved path and into the trees. Unknown to him a certain blonde-haired werewolf spotted him heading into the forest.

Ezra moved slowly, carefully following the gleaming magical trail only he could see. It weaved between massive trunks and over gnarled roots, deeper into the forest.

The lively sounds of the festival soon faded, leaving only the crunch of leaves beneath Ezra's shoes and the occasional hoot of an owl. The shadows grew thicker the farther he went. Yet Ezra felt no fear, only heightened concern for Wednesday.

Ezra hurried through the dark forest, following the shimmering golden trail left by Ezra's tracking spell. The woods were eerily quiet, the sounds of the distant festival completely muted by the dense trees.

Suddenly, the trail veered sharply to the left. Ezra picked up his pace, practically running now. As he rounded a thick group of trees, he stumbled into a small clearing. There, he was met with a shocking scene.

Wednesday was pinned up against the massive trunk of an ancient oak tree, her feet dangling nearly a foot off the ground. Her pale hands clawed futilely at some invisible force compressing her slender neck. Standing before her with one arm thrust out was Rowan a fellow student from Nevermore, his face contorted in intense concentration. His outstretched fingers were curled in as if grasping some invisible object.

Without hesitation, he drew out his wand and aimed it at Rowan. "Stupefy!" he shouted. A jet of red light burst from the tip of his wand and struck Rowan squarely in the chest. The force of the spell sent Rowan flying backward. He hit the ground hard and tumbled several feet before coming to rest in a dazed heap.

The instant Rowan lost focus, Wednesday collapsed to the forest floor, gasping and coughing violently. Ezra rushed to her side. But was surprised to find Enid run up next to him. He briefly wondered when she arrived and what she had seen.

"Wednesday!" Enid yelled as she ran up to her roommate.

"Are you alright?" Ezra asked urgently, crouching down beside her.

Wednesday continued coughing, unable to respond. Enid gently helped prop her up against the tree and rubbed her back.

"Just try to breathe, take it slow," Enid soothed. then she turned to Ezra

"What did you do to Rowan? What was with that stick?"

Ezra mentally facepalmed cursing his luck, of course, she had to have witnessed him using magic. He was about to explain himself but at that moment Wednesday's coughing subsided. She took a few deep, shuddering breaths before lifting her head to look at Ezra and Enid. Her voice was hoarse and barely audible.

"Be...you..." she croaked out.

Enid and Ezra exchanged confused glances.

Wednesday suddenly lunged forward and shoved him hard to the side. Ezra sprawled out on the ground just as a massive clawed hand swiped through the air where he had been kneeling a split second before.

Enid screamed and Ezra looked up to see an enormous, hulking creature looming over them. It was huge, with grotesque bulging eyes and rows of jagged teeth protruding from its slack jaws. Its muscular frame was covered in greyish skin. Razor sharp claws extended from its massive hands and feet. The beast drew back its lips in a ferocious snarl, strings of saliva stretching between its yellowed fangs.

Ezra's mind raced as he quickly rolled back onto his feet, wand at the ready. What was this monster? Where had it come from? He positioned himself protectively in front of Enid and Wednesday as the creature eyed them, preparing to attack again.