Chapter 10

Later in the police chief's office, Weems spoke with Chief Galphin about the incident. "I really am so sorry about these two, they have a history of acting up and I just wanted to give them a chance to redeem themselves."

Chief Galpin looked at Wednesday and Enid, they were on opposite sides of the room to keep the peace. "If they have a history of trouble, they should spend some time inside a cell. They need to learn they can't get out of everything scot-free. It ain't right."

"I understand completely, but I do plead that it isn't too much time. They will fall behind on school." Principal Weems tried to keep a happy smile, but this whole situation was a mess.

"You see what you caused, Wednesday? We're in trouble because of you!" Enid whispered so the two adults wouldn't hear.

"Well, Enid, it isn't my fault that you're unable to handle your emotions." Wednesday replied in the same way.

Galpin looked at the two kids, "No I don't want to keep them for long, no longer than a few days should do the trick. I see kids like these ones all the time, including the damage I say about 5 days should be long enough."

Enid's eyes widened, "Wait you mean like- 5 days? In a prison cell?!"

Wednesday scoffed at her. "Yeah, if you paid more attention, you wouldn't need to ask such foolish questions."

Principal Weems glared at them. "That is quite enough, if you two do not come back to Nevermore with your behavior changed, you will have further consequences. Perhaps even expulsion. Considering these circumstances, you're lucky you're in there for less than a week. You should be grateful that Chief Galpin is doing this for you." Weems lectured.

"I just can't handle you kids.." She whispered, just loud enough to be heard.

Wednesday knew that her troubles had only just begun now that she was stuck in a cell next to her biggest annoyance. Not only that, but for 5 days she had to endure it. She didn't want to have to talk to Enid, and she most definitely didn't want to think about feelings..

The buzzing of the air conditioner was the only thing that filled the cold silence.

"You did this! This is your fault! Now, I'm going to miss parent weekend! What am I gonna do if I wolf out and they aren't here to see it? Huh?" Enid rambled frantically, breaking the silence as she paced back and forth.

"Do you realize that both of us are stuck in these cells? I'm missing out on my precious writing time, I'm going to be way behind schedule. Also, the chances of you wolfing out in here are slim, considering there won't be a full moon anytime soon." Wednesday retorted.

"Okay, well wolfing out is like, so much more important than some miserable book you're writing that'll depress anyone!" Enid stopped pacing, used to always have the room split in half, she was surprised when she found herself standing right over Wednesday. Well as close as she could get without the bars in the way, "wolfing out is like- it's the most important thing a werewolf can do for the first time." Wednesday, though not wanting to think about her or talk to her, listened to her as it was the only thing she could do. Enid had a tone she had never heard before, she would describe it as obsessive. To Enid, this really was an important thing.

Wednesday looked away, "Hmph. I would say having a writing career as an author is much more important than some shapeshifting talent. And for the last time- it's a novel, not a book."

Enid stared at the floor for a few seconds, trying to hold her tears back. "..You'll never understand what it means to me- no, to my family."

Wednesday looked puzzled, even for her emotionless face, "Why would your family care if you were able to occasionally become a dangerous beast for a single night? That just sounds idiotic."

"Because It's something that's supposed to happen to me! If it doesn't, how will I look to everyone? All I'll be is an embarrassment to my family.! You don't care enough to fit in, so I don't expect you to understand!" Enid cried.

They both didn't know what to say. There was tension in the air that hung over both their heads, but neither of them could seem to muster up the courage to break it. Enid walked to the side, sitting by the bars that connected their cells. She peeked over at Wednesday to see if she was looking, and she wasn't. She was of course paying attention to no one other than herself. Enid curled up into a little ball on the floor.

With the silence, Wednesday thought of ideas for her novel that she would write down when she exited this hellscape. She didn't focus her mind on anything to do with Enid, she just needed to get through the next 4 days without anything happening.

Her ideas eventually hit a dead end, and she couldn't create any more dark ideas. She needed inspiration. She looked around the room, scanning for anything worth noting and incorporating into her novel. The rusted cell bar was not worth noting, she couldn't do anything with that. Neither was the rough concrete wall. She scanned the bars once more, looking for anything. Her eyes then landed on the girl she was doomed to share this sentence with, her bright clothes contrasted her composure and red face. Wednesday noted how she held herself, claws gripping her arms as she kept herself from rocking. She almost sympathized with her. When Nero was murdered by those stupid children, Wednesday felt different. For a long time, Nero was the only thing that kept her from feeling different; from caring that she didn't fit in. She only stopped caring after his death, when she decided it was useless.

She got up from her spot on the bed and hesitantly walked to the cell bars, carefully placing every step she made in case she changed her mind. She reached Enid where the only thing separating them were the bars. Wednesday sat beside the bars. Enid glanced up but tried to hide that she noticed, slightly turning away. Wednesday wanted to speak up, but for the first time, she felt a lump in her throat stopping her. She also felt like the silence was needed, just for a moment. This silence wasn't one of peace, more of despair. The silence got thicker, Wednesday swore she could hear her own blood flow. "You're right. I don't care enough to fit in, and I don't get why it's important..." Wednesday started, Enid looking up at her but mostly covering her face with her arms. "But I- understand. That it's a major key in..your life."

Enid took her face out of her arms and wiped her tears before looking at Wednesday.

"I once felt the same," Wednesday continued. "I had a pet scorpion. His name was Nero, and I didn't feel at peace with the fact that I would never belong until I met him." Enid just listened. Just slightly opening up like this was odd for such an independent girl. "Eventually, as all things do, he passed away. That is when I learned how useless these feelings are. I wish you well in finding the same conclusion."

Enid cracked a slight smile but it quickly faded away, "I feel like I should say sorry, not just about your scorpion but- like about what I said before." Wednesday looked about as surprised as one could using only their eyes, "I was just mad and took it out on you. I am still mad at you, though." Enid looked away and Wednesday did the same, just more silence between them.

"And I wouldn't chide you for it." Was all Wednesday had to say, before she went over to the coarse bed and flat pillow. Lying her body to rest, but her mind couldn't help but wander. After a while Enid did the same. Both eventually drifting off.

But they wouldn't stay asleep for too long. Loud footsteps of two different speeds awoke one of the sleeping girls, the pigtailed goth sat up. Then she swore she froze in place. Coming around the corner she saw her father, Pugsley, and the most annoying one- her mother.