Lunette was too busy eating her tacos to pay attention to Wednesday's actions. She savored each bite, enjoying the festive atmosphere around her.
Wednesday, meanwhile, continued her plan to get into the forest. After handing the money and panda plushie to the stand worker, she watched from a distance as the worker approached Principal Weems.
Lunette, with her mouth full, noticed the boba plushie again and hugged it closer, mumbling, "This is better than any plan." She didn't catch the quick glance Wednesday gave her before slipping away towards the forest.
As Wednesday walked into the forest, she unexpectedly bumped into Rowan. The impact triggered a vision, causing her to nearly hit the ground. Just as she was about to fall, Lunette, who had noticed Wednesday's sudden movement, rushed over and caught her just in time, lowering her down and resting her head on her lap.
"Gotcha," Lunette said, her tone nonchalant yet steady as she supported Wednesday. "Oh my God, she's fucking dead," Lunette muttered, poking Wednesday's stomach and face. "Bro, wake the fuck up."
"Wednesday," she called out quietly.
Wednesday gasped, her eyes snapping open.
"Morning. How was the afterlife? See anyone?" Lunette asked, her tone as casual as ever.
"No, and that was a vision," Wednesday replied sharply.
Without another word, Wednesday grabbed Lunette's wrist and started running into the forest after Rowan.
"If you wanna marry me, just say that," Lunette quipped, trying to keep up.
"Shut up and hurry up," Wednesday shot back, her eyes focused on the path ahead.
"Rowan, wait! Come back!" Wednesday called out as they caught sight of him.
Rowan stopped and turned around, glaring at her. "What do you want, Wednesday? Why are you following me?"
"I don't have time to explain, but you're in danger," Wednesday said urgently.
"No, I think you got it backwards. You're the one in danger," Rowan said, his voice filled with determination.
"You're the one who's in danger. What are you doing?" Wednesday asked, her voice calm but firm.
"Saving everyone from you. I have to kill you," Rowan declared, stepping closer.
"It's always the quiet ones," Wednesday remarked, her eyes narrowing.
"The girl in the picture. That's you," Rowan continued, his voice trembling with conviction.
"You want to kill me because of some picture?" Wednesday asked, incredulous.
"My mother drew that picture 25 years ago when she was a student at Nevermore." Rowan explained, his grip tightening.
"Rowan, put me down," Wednesday demanded.
"No! My mother said it was my destiny to stop this girl if she ever came to Nevermore because she will destroy the school and everyone in it," Rowan said, his voice breaking with emotion.
"Well, this does not look like Wednesday. Tell your mom she needs help. I know a therapist," Lunette whispered to Rowan, twisting and turning the paper.
"My mom was a powerful Seer," Rowan insisted.
"Are you sure about that? Doesn't look that way to me," Lunette said nonchalantly.
"She told me about it before she died," Rowan reiterated, his voice filled with conviction.
"Oh, my bad," Lunette replied, her tone still casual as she glanced at rowan
"Rowan, put me down now," Wednesday demanded, her voice icy and commanding.
"No, my mother said I had to do it," Rowan insisted, his grip unwavering.
"I mean, you really don't gotta listen to her. She's dead and has been dead for over 25 years," Lunette interjected, her tone nonchalant.
"Lunette, shut up," Wednesday snapped, her eyes fixed on Rowan.
"Fine," Lunette replied, rolling her eyes but stepping back slightly.
"Rowan!" Wednesday yelled out as Rowan pushed her head further into the tree stump.
"Rowan, let her go!" Lunette shouted, her voice filled with anger. She ran towards him, tackling Rowan to the ground. As they fell, Lunette's body slammed against the side of a rock, causing pain to explode in her side.
Wednesday felt her body drop onto the forest floor, gasping for air.
"Wednesday!" Lunette yelled, pushing through the pain as she quickly ran over to her, her anger and concern evident.
"Damn, you weren't supposed to fall yet," Lunette muttered, wincing from the pain in her side.
"What did you expect me to do, stay in the air?" Wednesday, her tone dry and sarcastic.
"Kind of," Lunette replied, her pain evident as she knelt beside Wednesday.
A loud, guttural roar erupted from the shadows, sending a chill down Lunette's spine. From the darkness emerged a monstrous figure, towering at nine feet tall, with grotesque features and eyes that glowed with malevolence. The monster's body was covered in matted fur, and its claws glistened with a deadly sharpness.
"Rowan, run!" Lunette screamed, yanking Wednesday away as the beast charged towards Rowan with terrifying speed. Before Rowan could react, the monster tackled him to the ground with a bone-crushing force, pinning him down as it clawed across his face. Rowan's blood-curdling scream pierced the night as crimson blood sprayed from the deep gashes.
The creature bent down, its mouth opening wide to reveal rows of razor-sharp teeth, glistening with saliva. Lunette and Wednesday stood frozen in horror, their bodies paralyzed with fear. They could only watch as the beast brought its clawed hand down, slashing into Rowan's stomach with brutal force. The sickening sound of tearing flesh and breaking bones filled the air as the monster's claws ripped through Rowan's abdomen, shredding his organs.
Blood splattered everywhere, staining the green grass a deep, horrific red. Rowan's innards spilled out, his face contorted in agony as life drained from his eyes. The creature continued its savage assault, slashing back and forth until Rowan's gut was completely cut open, leaving a gruesome mess of blood and gore.
Wednesday, her face pale and eyes wide with terror, grabbed Lunette's wrist and pulled her behind her. They both stared in shock, unable to tear their eyes away from the horrific scene. The monster, its fur matted with blood, slowly turned its gaze towards the two girls. It let out a deafening roar, the sound reverberating through the forest, before retreating back into the shadows, leaving behind the mutilated remains of Rowan.
Lunette and Wednesday stood there, their bodies trembling as the reality of what they had just witnessed sank in. The forest was eerily silent, the only sound being the distant rustle of leaves as the monster disappeared into the night.
Wednesday dropped to the ground, her legs refusing to support her. She crawled through the blood-soaked grass, her heart pounding in her chest, until she reached Rowan's mutilated body. The sight was almost too much to bear: his face was twisted in a grimace of agony, and his insides were splayed out grotesquely around him.
Lunette collapsed against a nearby tree, her own strength failing her. She buried her head in her hands and knees, trying to block out the horrific scene she had just witnessed. The metallic scent of blood filled the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of the forest, creating an overwhelming and nauseating mix.
For a moment, there was only the sound of their ragged breathing and the distant, eerie rustling of leaves. The world seemed to stand still, suspended in a nightmare that neither of them could escape from.
Wednesday, her hands shaking, reached out and closed Rowan's lifeless eyes. The reality of his death hit her hard, but she knew they couldn't stay there. They had to move, She turned her head, looking at Lunette, who was still trembling against the tree.
"Lunette," Wednesday called out, her voice hoarse and shaky. "We need to go."
Lunette lifted her head, her eyes red and filled with tears. She nodded slowly, forcing herself to stand. Her body ached, and her mind was a whirlwind of fear and confusion, but she knew Wednesday was right. They couldn't stay there.
With one last look at Rowan's body, they turned away, stumbling through the forest, each step taking them further from the nightmare they had just survived. The memory of the monster's roar and the sight of Rowan's gruesome end would haunt them, but for now, they had to focus on getting out alive.