After the encounter, Wednesday returned to her dorm.
She pushed the door open to find Enid still wide awake, sitting cross-legged on her bed, her face completely obscured beneath a thick white mask.
Enid looked up instantly. "Oh! Wednesday, you're back!"
Wednesday paused, assessing her roommate like a specimen.
"May I ask why you currently resemble a prematurely embalmed corpse?"
Enid gasped. "Rude. This is a hydrating face mask. I'm taking care of my skin." She sat up straighter. "Tomorrow is Outreach Day. Jericho. Social interaction."
She leaned forward, eyes glittering with misplaced optimism.
"And if I end up in the same group as Ethan, I need to look cute."
Wednesday blinked once. "Your survival instincts continue to disappoint me."
Enid flopped onto her stomach. "Sooo… did you get the thing you snuck out to get?"
"Yes."
Wednesday crossed the room, sat at her desk, and pulled the book from her bag. She opened it to the torn section, carefully fitting the missing page back into place.
The full illustration finally came into view.
Her eyes narrowed.
On one side stood a figure unmistakably meant to be her.
But opposite her—another figure in pilgrim clothing, staring back like a silent threat carved into prophecy.
A new hypothesis stitched itself together in her mind.
According to Rowan, she was destined to destroy the school. His mother's visions had shown her standing amidst the burning quad. But the presence of this second figure—this unknown pilgrim—shifted the narrative.
If she was truly the destroyer…
Why was someone else drawn into the prophecy?
And who was he supposed to be?
"What are you looking at?" Enid asked, stepping behind her.
She leaned in, then immediately winced. "Ugh—why are you looking at Crackstone's picture?"
"You know this man?"
Enid nodded. "Yeah. Joseph Crackstone. Founding father of Jericho. Old-timey pilgrim guy."
Wednesday's eyes stayed on the page.
The mystery was deepening in a way she found almost… satisfying.
Why had Rowan's mother seen Crackstone tied to her future?
Why would a man who'd been dead for centuries appear in a prophecy involving her?
Something wasn't aligning.
"Where can I go to learn more about him?" Wednesday asked, still studying the drawing.
"Pilgrim World," Enid answered immediately. "Yoko said they've got a whole collection of stuff connected to Crackstone's history. Like… way too much of it."
Wednesday closed the book.
Enid let out a dreamy sigh, kicking her feet in the air. "Ahhh, I really hope I get placed in the same group as Ethan tomorrow. Maybe then I can finally ask him out. And to Raven."
Her voice made it sound as if she were floating on a glitter-covered cloud.
Wednesday looked at her, unimpressed.
The comparison that formed in her mind was immediate and accurate.
Enid resembled a cheerful rabbit eagerly delivering herself to a tiger.
***
The Next Day — The Quad
Students gathered in the Quad in their uniforms with bags slung over their shoulders, lining up in loose groups as Principal Weems addressed them. Wednesday stood with her usual composure, while Enid shifted excitedly beside her.
"All students will report for their volunteer jobs at 10:00 a.m. sharp," Weems announced. "Followed by a community lunch at 1:00."
"As you know, this year Outreach Day culminates in a very special event—the dedication of a new memorial statue in the town square, which will also include performances by Nevermore students."
A few students cheered.
Enid elbowed her gently. "So what assignment did you get?"
"Pilgrim World," Wednesday replied.
"Yay! We actually get to be together this time!"
She immediately turned toward where Ethan was standing, receiving his own assignment.
Enid clasped her hands dramatically.
"Please be Pilgrim World. Please be Pilgrim World."
She whispered it like a prayer.
Ethan finally finished reading his assignment and walked toward them. Enid practically jumped in front of him.
"What did you get, Ethan?" she asked, eyes wide with hope.
Ethan shrugged. "Some weird antique store."
Enid deflated instantly. "Oh… great."
She forced a smile that looked more like a grimace.
"But I'm not going. I'm going to Pilgrim World to eat some fudge," Ethan said, as if it were the most logical decision in the world. He had no intention of spending his day dusting antiques when eating sugar was an option.
"You can do that?" Enid asked, genuinely shocked. Principal Weems treated Outreach Day like a military operation.
"Yes, he can," Wednesday answered before Ethan could. "He's a rich, loaded guy who sponsors this school."
Enid blinked. "He does?"
"That means he's coming with us," Wednesday continued. "So stop sulking."
Enid's face lit up immediately.