𝕎𝕆𝔼 𝕀𝕊 𝕋ℍ𝔼 𝕃𝕃𝕆ℕ𝔼𝕃𝕀𝔼𝕊𝕋 ℕ𝕌𝕄𝔹𝔼ℝ

Through all the pain and the sorrows

•───⋅⋆⁺‧₊☽⛦☾₊‧⁺⋆⋅───•

"This story is about to take a dark turn. Usually I love dark turns."

𝕀ℕ the dark forest, bright red and blue lights flashed intermittently as a group of officers and police dogs scoured the area, their flashlights piercing through the dense foliage. The air was filled with the low murmur of radios and the occasional bark of the dogs as they searched for any sign of Rowan's body.

The trees cast long, eerie shadows in the glow of the flashing lights, adding to the sense of urgency and tension that permeated the scene. Officers moved methodically, combing through the underbrush and calling out to each other as they covered ground. The police dogs, noses to the ground, sniffed intently, their handlers encouraging them with firm commands.

The night was thick with the scent of damp earth and pine, the only sounds the rustling of leaves and the distant call of an owl. The forest, usually serene, now felt ominous and foreboding, each step forward revealing more of its hidden depths.

As they ventured deeper into the forest, the officers maintained a tight formation, ensuring no area went unchecked. Their flashlights created shifting patterns of light and shadow, illuminating the rugged terrain and the gnarled roots that crisscrossed their path.

"Like when the carousel brakes mysteriously failed at my eighth birthday party."

As the police officers scouted the dark forest for any traces that might lead them to Rowan's murderer, they moved with careful precision, scrutinizing every inch of the terrain. The search dogs sniffed the ground eagerly, their keen senses alert for any scent that could point them in the right direction. The lead officer, a stern man with a weathered face, shone his flashlight on the surrounding underbrush, illuminating the twisted roots and fallen leaves. He knelt to inspect a suspicious patch of dirt, but after a moment of examination, he shook his head and stood up, his expression grim.

The other officers spread out, their own flashlights creating a web of light that flickered and danced among the trees. They moved methodically, checking every possible hiding spot and marking their progress with bright tape. The radio crackled with updates, each one reporting the same disappointing news: no evidence, no clues, nothing.

The police dogs, usually so reliable in their tracking, seemed equally stymied. They circled back to their handlers, noses still to the ground but finding no scent trail to follow. One of the handlers patted his dog's head, murmuring words of encouragement even as frustration etched his features.

Despite the exhaustive search, it was as if Rowan's body and any evidence of his murderer had simply vanished into thin air. The officers regrouped, exchanging worried glances as they shared their lack of findings. The forest, silent except for the rustle of leaves and the distant call of nocturnal animals, seemed to mock their efforts with its impenetrable darkness.

"But not this one."

˚₊𓆩༺🕷༻𓆪₊˚

"How could you miss a dead body?" Wednesday demanded angrily as he, Sheriff Galpin, and Principal Weems walked briskly down the school's hall leading to the principal's office.

Sheriff Galpin, clearly irritated, responded, "Because it wasn't there. No footprints, no blood, no sign of a struggle. Nothing, nada. My search party looked all night." Wednesday's eyes narrowed as he replied, "Well, your search party must have left their seeing eye dogs at home. Lilith and I saw that monster kill Rowan right in front of us."

"Get a good look at this monster thing?" Sheriff Galpin asked, his tone edged with skepticism.

Wednesday replied with biting sarcasm, "It didn't stick around for a chat."

However, the sheriff pressed further, suggesting, "Maybe it was one of your classmates?"

Principal Weems snapped, turning towards him with indignation, "Sheriff, I find that question offensive."

Wednesday glared at the sheriff, ready to defend Lilith if she was implicated. The tension in his stance was unmistakable. Sheriff Galpin, unfazed, snapped back, "Well, I don't care, because I've got three other dead bodies in the morgue. Hikers just ripped apart in the woods." Principal Weems turned to him, her expression serious. "The mayor said those were bear attacks."

The sheriff spoke with a firm tone, "Well, the mayor and I disagree on that."

Weems replied with disbelief and seriousness as she accused, "So you automatically assume a Nevermore student is the murderer, even though there's no evidence a crime was even committed."

Sheriff Galpin retorted with sarcasm, "I'm sorry, I forgot you only teach the good outcasts here, right?" With that said, Principal Weems led Wednesday and the sheriff into her office to talk more about the matter. As they entered the office, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Principal Weems took her seat behind the desk, gesturing for the others to sit as well.

"My guess is that Rowan ran away. State troopers have put out an alert, and I've contacted his family, but they haven't heard from him either."

"Dead people are notoriously bad at returning calls," Wednesday pointed out, leaning his arm on the chair's armrest and resting his chin in his hand. The sheriff, taking a seat, asked, "What were you doing out in the woods, Mr. Addams?"

Wednesday sighed but explained, "I was at Lilith's side at the Harvest Festival playing some stand games when we heard a noise in the forest, and we went to investigate. That's when we stumbled upon the attack." The sheriff frowned, his eyes narrowing. "You and Lilith just decided to wander into the woods because you heard a noise?" Wednesday nodded, his expression unwavering. "We're curious by nature. Investigating strange occurrences isn't out of character for us."

"Then what happened?"

"Then we ran into Bianca Barclay, and I told her to go for help. Next thing I remember, I was awaken in my dorm."

"And just to be clear, this monster wasn't a bear or some other wild animal? Nor a certain creature that is something from the supernatural? Brought by a witch?" The sheriff spoke accusingly, making Wednesday send a cold death glare before he replied, "No. It wasn't. A creature summoned by a witch is a shadow creature with an ash fire texture to it. So, don't accuse something you don't understand. I've also hibernated with grizzlies. I know the difference."

Wednesday's confident and protective tone silenced the sheriff's accusation about witches. Principal Weems stood up from her desk and interjected, "Thank you, Sheriff. I think Mr. Addams is done now."

"Actually, I'd like to speak to Sheriff Galpin alone." Wednesday requested. 

Principal Weems looked at Wednesday and spoke, "I'm not sure I can allow that."

However, the sheriff let a small smile show and spoke to her, "Well, I'm sure I could take him down to the station and get a formal statement. Yeah, let's go."

Weems looked between him and Wednesday before she reluctantly replied, "Fine. You have five minutes, and everything is off the record. Play nice or I will call the mayor." She threatened but mainly sent a warning look to Wednesday before she exited the room, leaving the two alone.

Wednesday turned to face the sheriff and spoke, "Someone is trying to cover up Rowan's murder. It's the only reason to scrub the crime scene." The sheriff looked at him and spoke harshly, "Am I supposed to believe the claims of the son of a murderer, and his little witch of a girlfriend?" Wednesday sent the man a look and retorted, "My father is twice the man you are. And the only thing he murders is the occasional opera in the shower. Also, Lilith is not my girlfriend." The sheriff rolled his eyes and spoke with exhaustion and annoyance in his tone, "Addams, it's been a long night and I'm tired of your games."

Wednesday held his ground, his eyes cold and unwavering. "I'm not playing games. I'm telling the truth. You want to reject my claims, but you can't."

The sheriff looked at him and asked, "Why is that?"

Wednesday replied with a stern tone, "Because you and I both know there's a monster out there. And Rowan is its latest victim."

Just as he finished speaking, a police officer opened the door, capturing their attention before the officer spoke, "Sheriff?"

"What?"

"You're gonna want to see this." The officer opened the door, revealing Rowan standing there, making Wednesday's eyes widen in complete shock and confusion. Rowan stood there, seemingly unharmed, his expression neutral.

"Edgar Allan Poe said, 'Believe nothing you hear, and half of what what you see.' Clearly Nevermore's most famous alumni picked that up here."

Rowan stepped inside the office, his gaze settling on Wednesday. A smile spread across Rowan's face as he waved cheerfully. Wednesday, still in shock, stared at him with narrowed eyes, trying to process the surreal scene before him.

"No wonder he became a drug-addled man."

•───⋅⋆⁺‧₊☽⛦☾₊‧⁺⋆⋅───•

By: SilverMist707

I hope you all enjoyed and so sorry for the delay. <3