No, I'm not a monster

˚₊𓆩༺🕷༻𓆪₊˚

𝔻ℝ. Kinbott's office was bathed in warm, artificial light, the soft hum of the clock on the wall the only sound between them. The scent of vanilla and old books lingered in the air, a stark contrast to the tension that filled the space.

She sat with perfect poise, hands neatly folded in her lap, her expression calm yet probing. "Help me understand why you claim you witnessed a murder," she said, her voice even, professional. "Was it to gain attention?"

Wednesday, seated stiffly across from her, met her gaze with an unwavering, blank stare. The accusation-whether intentional or not-settled between them like a challenge.

His voice when he finally spoke, was edged with something sharp, something cold. "Why should I bother telling you anything? You've already decided I'm lying." He leaned back slightly, his dark eyes narrowing. "I know what I saw. Lilith does also."

Dr. Kinbott barely flinched, though her fingers twitched slightly against her notepad. She kept her voice gentle, careful. "Your life's had a lot of upheaval recently. It's okay to be confused about things."

Wednesday's expression didn't shift, but his fingers curled slightly against the armrest of his chair. "Don't try and lure me into one of your psychological traps," he said, tilting his head, studying her with the same calculating stare a predator gives its prey.

Dr. Kinbott sighed, shaking her head slightly, her golden curls bouncing with the motion. "No one is trying to trap you, Wednesday," she reassured. "I'm here to help you process your emotions."

Wednesday's lips barely parted in what could have been mistaken for a smile-except there was no warmth in it, only cold amusement. "Emotions are a gateway trait," he said, his voice flat. "They lead to feelings, which trigger tears. I don't do tears."

A brief silence fell between them.

Dr. Kinbott looked away for a moment, something thoughtful flickering across her face before she turned back to him, offering a small, patient smile. "Tell me how you're adjusting to school."

"Sartre said, "Hell is other people." He was my first adoration."

"Wednesday, part of the reason your parents sent you to Nevermore is so you could find your people. Become part of a larger community." She spoke trying to explain to Wednesday, who replied, "I like being an island. A well-fortified one surrounded by sharks." Dr. Kinbott spoke with a little smile, "Well, it may seem Miss Winters found her way on the island, and I do presume that the two of you have gotten close." Wednesday looked away and spoke, "Miss Winters is just a pawn on the chess board. She is an acquaintance, noting of it." Dr. Kinbott looking at the Addams boy, not believing him before she spoke, "Have you considered your antisocial tendencies might be motivated by fear of rejection?" She asked as Wednesday caught sight of some little paintings that seemed to belong to Lilith as the paintings were facing the other direction and considering the dust, it was old, but it did seem to capture his attention before Wednesday spoke, "If you were to reject me, I would not be upset."

Dr. Kinbott spoke, "Maybe but what if Miss Winters rejected you, what would you think?" Wednesday sent the woman a glare before after a moment, he spoke, "I wouldn't be upset." Dr. Kinbott hummed before she glanced at the clock seeing what the time was before she faced Wednesday and spoke, "And look, you made it through an entire session without trying to escape." She smiled while Wednesday clinched his jaw before he spoke, "Those paintings, it's Lilith's isn't it?" Dr. Kinbott turned and looked at the canvases before she nodded at Wednesday, Dr. Kinbott spoke, "Wednesday, we are not her to discuss about another patient of mine." Wednesday looked at the paintings for a moment as he wonders, What kind of person Lilith is? All that Wednesday knew that he was captured.

As Wednesday left the building, Tyler's voice caught Wednesday's attention, "Guess you decided to stick around Jericho. Wait, you see Dr. Kinbott too?" Tyler asked as Wednesday looked at him before he spoke, "You should know I'm legally required to be here." Wednesday started walking while Tyler spoke as he decided to follow Wednesday, "Uh, me too. Court ordered." Wednesday spoke with sarcasm tone of voice as he and Tyler walked across the street, "Look at us. A couple of teenage tearaways." Tyler chuckled at the comment before he spoke stopping Wednesday in his tracks making him face Tyler, "Hey, when you and Lilith ran off last nigh at the Harvest Festival, I wasn't sure what happened, and then I heard...Kinda crazy."

Wednesday spoke with irritation, "Everyone, including your father, believe we made it all up. He believes Lilith did something." With that Tyler's phone pings noting a notification making Tyler look at it before he spoke, "You know, I..." He turned off his phone and faced Wednesday, "Time to get in touch with my inner rebel. You know, for the record, I believe you both." With that he smiled at Wednesday and left.

In front of Nevermore Academy, a buzz of activity filled the air as students from various groups gathered to work on preparations for the upcoming event. Lilith stood in the midst of it all, her fingers stained with the vibrant colours of paint. She was helping Enid and the others in their group prepare a canoe for the event. The task was simple, but Enid's frantic energy turned it into something more chaotic.

"Ladies, come on!" Enid barked, pacing back and forth with a nervous energy that was unmistakable. "Let's work on those teeth. More scowl. This kitty is taking no prisoners. If Bianca Barclay wins again this year, I will literally scratch my own eyes out!" Enid's words were half a joke, half a very real threat.

Lilith chuckled softly, her eyes gleaming with amusement as she paused her work, the paintbrush dangling from her fingertips. "Enid. Breathe," she said, her voice calm and soothing, a stark contrast to the frenzy around her.

Enid took a deep breath in and out, trying to calm herself. "Sorry, bestie. It's just I can't take another loss, especially if it's Bianca." Her voice carried a quiet desperation that Lilith recognized all too well. She was used to Enid's spirited nature, but the pressure of competition always seemed to get the best of her.

Lilith shook her head, her expression softening with affection as she went back to painting. "You've got this. Just don't let her get under your fur."

But then, Lilith noticed the gleam in Enid's eyes. That glint meant something was coming, and Lilith already knew what it was.

Enid opened her mouth to speak, but Lilith interrupted with a knowing smile. "No."

Enid furrowed her brow, her lips pouting in mock offense. "You don't even know what I was going to say."

Lilith raised an eyebrow, looking at Enid with amusement. "Yeah, you want me to use my witch powers to help you win, which, I do recall, you told me no the last time I suggested it."

Enid's pout deepened, her arms crossing in defiance. "You're no fun," she muttered, but it didn't stop Lilith from chuckling. The playful exchange had become something of a routine, a harmless battle of wills between the two friends. Enid could pout all she wanted, but Lilith's refusal was final.

Just then, a voice broke through the light-hearted tension, smooth and cool. "I'd pay money to see that."

Lilith turned toward the voice, a smile forming on her lips as she spotted Wednesday standing a few feet away. His expression was unreadable as always, but the casual tone in his voice gave her a clue that he might just be entertaining the thought.

"Hey there, dark sleeping beauty," Lilith greeted, her smile teasing and her eyes sparkling. "What do I owe the pleasure?" Her voice was playful, but there was a subtle undercurrent of curiosity. She couldn't help but be drawn to Wednesday, his enigmatic nature always keeping her on edge.

Wednesday regarded her for a moment, the usual coolness in his gaze giving nothing away. "It's about Rowan. You've seen him?"

At the mention of Rowan, Lilith's demeanour shifted slightly, her playful smile faltering just for a second. She straightened up, placing the paintbrush down on the table, her expression becoming more serious. "You mean Frankenstein?" she said, her voice low, almost weary. "Yeah, I've seen him. We saw him get killed, and if it were a witch's doing, I would know besides I used my readings and they all have the saw result which is death. So, it must be something else."

Wednesday hummed thoughtfully, his gaze moving from her to the ground as he processed her words. There was a long pause before he turned back to face her, his expression still inscrutable. "How... are you alright?"

Lilith's gaze flickered up to meet his, her eyes catching his in a moment of shared silence. She tilted her head slightly, studying him with a teasing smile. "Aw, does Wednesday Addams have a heart?" she teased, pouting in a playful mimic of innocence.

Wednesday's glare could have cut through glass, but Lilith wasn't fazed. She chuckled at the reaction, letting the playful moment linger before her expression softened, a hint of seriousness creeping into her voice. "I'm alright. I wasn't the one to pass out," she added, her tone light but with an edge of truth.

Wednesday studied her for a moment, his sharp eyes searching for any sign of vulnerability. "The look on your face said otherwise," he remarked, his voice tinged with something almost... concerned.

Lilith's smile softened, but it wasn't a typical grin-it was something warmer, something that made Wednesday's stomach tighten just slightly. "I wasn't scared for myself," she said quietly, her voice steady, but there was an undercurrent of emotion there that she didn't often show. "I was afraid for you. Even though I know you can take care of yourself, but still..."

Her words lingered in the air, the weight of them hanging between them like a challenge. For a brief moment, there was something in the way their gazes locked-a silent understanding that passed between them. Wednesday, the ever-mysterious, ever-guarded boy, and Lilith, the enigmatic witch who never quite let anyone in.

In that brief, quiet exchange, something shifted, subtle but undeniable. Wednesday didn't speak, but for the first time, there was a softness in his gaze that wasn't just irritation or indifference.

˚₊𓆩༺🕷༻𓆪₊˚

By: SilverMist707