It was like all the oxygen in the room had been sucked out. No one dared to breathe. Then all the pieces fit themselves together in my head.
Her special attention towards me, her insistence on helping me with the case, knowing who Tyler was at the dance, her knowledge of the Nightshades, being the only normie who would willingly work at Nevermore. It gave Laurel Gates all the resources and knowledge she needed to finally get rid of all the outcasts, including her best resource of all. A killing machine that she could control.
"Thornhill." I breathed out. My face contorted from surprised to anger. Enid and Ajax stood, unable to move.
"That was her. The woman from the cave who tortured and experimented on me. That was her name. I remember now." He clutched his head, falling to his knees, a small growl escaping his lips. My eyes widened as I knew what was happening. Enid and Ajax stepped in front of Eugene. I grabbed Tyler's shoulders bringing him down to my level.
"Tyler, I'm right here. She's not. Don't let the memory of her control you anymore." As I finished talking, his body stopped growing and his eyes returned to their normal dark brown color. This time he stayed conscious and looked me right in the eye.
"I guess I owe you for saving me. Again." He chuckled his normal warm laugh.
"If you're not careful you're gonna owe me too many favors." A small smile played across my lips that only he could see. I put my forehead against his and everything was back to normal again. After the quick exchange we turned to face everyone. Enid's face was lit up like a Christmas tree, Ajax had a smug but approving smile and Eugene was plain ol confused.
"Okay. We've wasted enough time. We have to take down Thornhill before she finishes her plan."
"But how? If we tell Weems she'll never believe us?"
"I think I've got an idea that just might work. But it's gonna take all of us. Tyler?" He turned to face me. "Do you think you're strong enough to hold off Thornhills influence?"
"After today, definitely."
"Good. Cause I'm gonna need you to pretend to be on her side. She doesn't know that you're on our side so we're gonna use that to our advantage. Enid and Ajax?" They both looked over at me.
"You two are gonna get Weems and convince her to lock down the school. Whatever Laurel is up to, it evolves all the outcasts at school. Maybe get Xavier and Bianca too. They could be of some help. After that bring Weems to the greenhouse but stay out of sight so we can continue to the next part of our plan." They both nod.
"But how do we get back to Nevermore without Tyler? I don't have a car." Ajax says this as he scratches his head.
"Call my dad. Tell him we figured out who the killer is, this involves catching him. He'll drive you back." Enid pulls out her phone and calls the sheriff as her and Ajax head out. I look at Eugene next.
"And you. You stay put this time. Last time we almost lost you. I don't wanna see you dead, let alone in a coma again. Got it?" Eugene goes to say something but sees I'm serious.
"Okay. But please call me if you need help?" I nod and he lays back down in his hospital bed.
I turn and look at Tyler, his expression a mix of determination and anger.
"We are going to get her. I promise."
"With you leading us, I know we will." His kind words made me slightly blush but I pushed it away because we had work to do. I grabbed Tyler's hand and headed out the door.
Nevermore - Front Courtyard - Night
After a speedy ride back to Nevermore, we finally parked in the front of the school and got out. I saw Enid, Ajax and Principal Weems heading down the path towards us and hoped this was good news.
"Ms. Addams. What is this preposterous story you have for me this time? And how does it involve something as extreme as locking down the school? And why are you all out past curfew? And why is the sheriff's son here in the middle of the night?"
"Principal Weems, I know you have a lot of questions but right now I just need you to listen. Tyler is the Hyde that's been killing people. But he's been controlled by Laurel Gates, who faked her death and changed her identity." She didn't say anything and began to laugh.
"That is the most insane thing I've ever heard. You really thought that little story would stop you from getting out of trouble for being off school grounds after I specifically forbade it." I could tell she expected us all to confess to that being our plan but our faces told a different story. She placed her hands on her hips, huffing a sigh of annoyance.
"Let's say I entertain this insane theory. Who is this supposed Laurel Gates?"
"Ms. Thornhill. I know it sounds crazy but Eugene just confirmed she was the one who blew up the cave in the woods the night he was hurt. I wanted you here so we could prove it to you." Her face was a mix of shock and horror.
"That is a rather hefty accusation Wednesday. And you have a way to prove this is real?" I nod my head, expression unchanged. She ponders it for a second then makes her decision.
"If you're wrong about this, I can no longer help you. You will be expelled." She cocks an eyebrow at me. "Are you willing to risk that?"
"As awful as being expelled from here sounds-" I say a little more sarcastically than I mean to. "-I would bet my life on it. I would never get my friends involved if I wasn't absolutely certain."
"Well I'm glad to see a normie threatening to kill us all is enough to admit you made some friends." I look at her with an unchanged expression. "Enid and Ajax, I want you to go door to door and start putting the school in lockdown. Grab Bianca and Xavier as well. This isn't the first time we've gone into lockdown." They nod at Weems and run inside.
"Now about this plan of yours." I let a small smile escape as I motion for them to follow me. Time to end this game once and for all Laurel.
Nevermore - Conservatory - Night
A small humming can be heard as I make my way into the center room of the observatory where all the classes took place. I saw Thornhill working on some kind of experiment. I could see a beaker of blue liquid. My mind flashes back to the vision of Garrett being given a vial of blue liquid from his father to kill the outcasts thirty years ago. Nightshade poisoning. I clear my throat to get her attention. She jumps, her startled expression making me feel very happy.
"Wednesday! What are you doing here? I thought you would be halfway to New Jersey by now." She says this, regaining her cheery composure.
"You can drop the act Laurel-" I can see the slightest tinge of surprise in her expression but it disappears just as fast.
"I should have known it was you. Faking your death, securing a job at Nevermore, unlocking a Hyde. Typically, I have great admiration for well-executed revenge plots. But yours was a bit extreme, even for my high standards."
Thornhill shook her head and sighed. "Oh, dear. Weems was right. You need psychiatric help. Can't throw out wild accusations without consequences."
"They may be wild. But they're true. Tyler told me everything." This time she stopped what she was doing and turned around, her face changing from its usual cheery manner to annoyed and curious. As planned Tyler walked around the corner, his expression emotionless. This time Thornhills face was full of surprise.
"Initially I incorrectly accused Kinbott of using hypnosis to unlock him. But you used a plant-derived chemical, didn't you? Nightshade perhaps?" This time Thornhill scoffed in annoyance and I knew I was right.
"I know your father kept tabs on all the outcasts in town. So I assume he told you about the Galpin family secret when you were just a girl. That's why you targeted Tyler. You manipulated him by showing him what his mother truly was. What Tyler didn't realize is that the truth wouldn't free him." She laughs a bit, not sarcastically however. Much darker.
"It would enslave him to you. That was scary at first so you used the chains in the cave and nightshade poison to make him subservient to you. And when Kinbott came close to discovering the truth, you had Tyler kill her and pin it on Xavier." Knowing she was beaten, Thornhill's face turned back to one of annoyance.
"Ugh. That's enough. You are a real pain in my ass Wednesday. I hope you know that. Tyler, honey, make mama happy and shut her up. Permanently." I see Tyler look at her and look at me. I told him not to show any outward emotions other than the ones Thornhill tells him to.
"He's not on your side." She looks back at me and chuckles.
"Tyler will do anything for me." She makes her way over to Tyler, her hand placing itself over his heart.
"Remember what I told you? I showed you who you really are. What they did to your mother..." She moves her hand up to his face and I feel anger boil inside me. I see Tyler shake his head a little, her influence still getting under his skin. He finally stops and looks at me. I raise an eyebrow at him but he doesn't respond.
"If you only hate outcasts, why are you killing normies as well?" I was genuinely curious as I hadn't quite figured out the victim's involvement in all this.
"They're just pawns in a bigger game. Just like you Wednesday. Once again you have underestimated the situation. You were never getting on that train. I sent Tyler to intercept you."
I looked behind her and saw Weems approaching, standing next to Tyler.
"I never made it to the station. Heard enough?" Thornhill flipped around and gasped as she saw Weems standing there, her face in pure shock.
"I'm sorry for not believing you Wednesday." I give her a short but understanding nod. "Don't make this any harder than it has to be Marilyn." Weems' expression changed from hurt to determination. I see Thornhill's hand reach into her pocket and pull out a syringe full of nightshade poison.
"My name is Laurel!" As she swings the syringe I reach out my hand and swat it away, the syringe shattering on the floor. She turns to me and grimaces. "I was hoping to do this the easy way. Tyler. Take care of her." Tyler turns toward Weem's and starts to growl.
"Principal Weems, run!" She turns and runs out of the conservatory, with Tyler hot on her tail. I turn back towards Laurel but before I can react I catch a quick image of a shovel and my vision goes dark. Before I lose consciousness I can hear one last thing.
"I've still got plans for you Wednesday."