Work Text:
"Bianca...Davina...and Kent?!" Enid whipped around to glare at Ajax, "Seriously? Even Kent is here? How exclusive is this club?"
The colorful blonde tried to ignore the smirks passed between Davina and Kent as they glanced at once another. She was pissed. But she didn't have time to worry about secret societies and being left out. Wednesday was in trouble, and she needed help.
I hear you whisper underneath your breath
I hear your SOS
As the group spoke in rapid-fire responses back and forth, Enid nodded along, waiting until every other job was spoken for before making it clear that she would be the one going out in search of Wednesday. The group split up in different directions and with Thing perched on Enid's shoulder, she burst out of the school toward Crackstone's tomb. Running as fast as her boots and legs would allow, Enid cursed the moon.
I will send out and army to find you...
"What if I don't get there in time? What if she's hurt? What if---"
Thing pointed in the next direction.
Tears streamed down Enid's face as she began to panic, a million thoughts zooming through her mind at once. "What am I going to do when I get there? I can't--I'm not strong enough..."
Crack!
Just then, Enid tripped over a branch, and screamed out in excruciating pain. She searched around but did not see the branch she tripped over. Bewildered, she tried to stand again. But then she heard it again.
There is no distance that cannot be covered
Over and over
You are not defenseless
Crack! Crack! CrrRZCh!
Her bones? Why...
Enid could feel the shift happening throughout her body. Now?! she thought, Wednesday is in trouble, I can't be wolfing out now! She could be hurt!
The pain was excruciating. Screams poured into the area around her until her throat begged for her to stop. A sharp, blinding pain came as her claws grew larger and burst forth from her skin. Her epidermis began to sear and sizzle as patches of fur sprouted from within her. Blood dribbled into her mouth from her gums as her canines began to pierce through.
I'll be your shelter
I'll be your armor
It was as Enid let out her last scream of distress that she felt the full moon finally begin to cease its transformation of her body. Her high-pitched scream descended into a deep and formidable howl that could be heard for miles. Enid felt nothing short of strength coursing through her as she ran at top speed through the forest, panting as she wove through the trees.
She could smell Wednesday's scent.
It was the scent of burning libraries. Spilled ink. A faint hint of Jasmine. The fresh scent of rosehips. And it wasn't far away.
"Laurel said you were dead."
Tyler.
Cappuccinos. Awesome spray. Cheap Old Spice deodorant. Sweat. Enid was getting closer and closer. She could hear the conversation between them. Tense and unyielding.
"I'm feeling much better now."
"You're like a cockroach."
"Please, flattery will get you nowhere."
Wednesday's voice sounded flat. But Enid could hear the oscillating shakiness beneath it. She rounded a hill, pushing herself farther and faster, desperate to make it to her dark-haired friend's side in time.
"This will not end well for you."
Enid nearly shook with fear at the roar of the beast that Tyler became. She could hear the snap and crackle of his bones as they shattered and repaired themselves. She could smell his foamy mouth through which the scent of slaughtered corpses remained. Wednesday's heartbeat was loud enough for Enid to know that she was nearly close enough to protect her. She could see her from across a small clearing.
Tyler picked the short girl up, slamming her against a broken tree trunk and raising his three foot clawed hand in the air. Attempting to catch her breath, Wednesday's eyes rose to meet Tyler's. Enid knew she'd never let her killer have the satisfaction of seeing her afraid. Enid could practically see the gory, bloodied remains of her beloved friend already on the ground if she couldn't reach her in time. But just as his claws began to swipe through the air, her body launched itself into the air, slamming into the monster. Her focus was on fighting back. She growled and snarled, burying her claws and teeth inside the monster as he rolled.
In the middle of the hardest fight,
It's true, I will rescue you...
Wednesday jumped down from the tree trunk, staring in shock at her protector. Enid whipped around to look at her, grateful to see her sweaty, warm-toned face illuminated by the moonlight above.
"Enid?"
No words could have been said. But a silent understanding passed between them before Tyler rose again, knocking her clean off her feet and sending her sprawling across the forest. Wednesday watched for a few seconds as the two gigantic beasts fought against one another. Tyler's gaze followed Wednesday's but Enid let out a long growl before burying her teeth inside the arm of the horrific beast. Blood pooled out from the wound as Enid closed her muzzle and began to beat Tyler hard against the tree trunks until the monster grew so unconscious that he shifted back into the smaller human version of himself.
When Enid looked around again, Wednesday was gone.
Panic immediately swelled inside her as she zipped around the clearing, searching. Had Tyler knocked her down somewhere without her realizing it? She had been bleeding. What if she had fainted somewhere? Enid was so close to a panic attack that she could hardly see anything but red as Tyler tried to rise to his feet. Before he could even think of shifting, Enid gripped his thin body in her claws, leaned into his face, and growled.
Tyler scurried back up against the trunk of the tree behind him, "Shit!"
Enid could feel herself beginning to shift back. Without a second thought, she raised her paw and sliced his arm. The young man let out a wail. For a few seconds, Enid considered throwing him around a few more times, to make sure he got the message.
But there wasn't time.
She hurried off into the dead of night, eager to get away before he caught her in her vulnerable human form. As she reached the edge of the forest, her body contorted, causing her to whimper and fall into the surrounding leaves. Thing appeared beside her as she morphed back, bare against the moonlight.
When she was able to see and think straight, Enid could see that Thing had pulled her coat along with him. Gratefully, she staggered to her feet, pulling the long, bright pink coat over herself.
"We have to go find Wednesday," Enid limped forward. "S-she could be hurt..."
But when she tried to walk, her body would not allow it.
She stumbled, falling down against the thick piles of leaves around her. Thing signed desperately for her to wait. To take a deep breath and sit for some time to allow her body the chance to catch up. But Enid refused, crawling on her hands and knees through the forest floor in no particular direction.
"I have to know she's okay, Thing. I have to!"
I will never stop...
Thing followed the determined blonde as she half crawled, half stumbled through the forest. When her legs and feet would finally allow, Enid continued the rest of the way on foot, completely unaware of the blood and mud that covered her body.
Marching to reach you...
When she reached the edge of the forest, Ajax ran to her. But she couldn't focus on him. Her eyes searched the crowd of Nevermore students, scanning every uniform, every face, every hairstyle for her.
For Wednesday.
Tears joined the mixture of blood and mud as she asked where Wednesday was. Was she too late? Had Wednesday died without any protection, trying in vain to save their school? Enid's thoughts raced, filling her with shame and regret for not taking the things Wednesday had been saying all semester more seriously.
In the middle of the hardest fight
I will rescue you.
Heads began to turn and the crowd began to split as Wednesday appeared, blood dribbling down the side of her face and limping. Enid's heart swelled with relief as she burst into a run, slamming against her best friend. Wednesday remained limp and wide-eyed for several seconds, staring at the bloody blonde that held her so dearly.
Enid pulled back for a second, taking her in.
She had never realized how much she loved her until right then.
"I thought I lost you."
When Wednesday hugged her back, a kaleidoscope of butterflies burst inside both girls as they stood in front of the whole school, holding one another. And then a wave of peaceful calm.
"Don't ever scare me like that again."
Wednesday closed her eyes and Enid buried her face into her shoulder, breathing in the smell of her perfume, gripping her with the tightness of someone who would struggle to ever let her go again. Every beat of her heart as she pulled away whispered the same words...
I can't lose you.
I need you.
I love you.