Solitude was not foreign to Pugsley. He had adjusted well as a loner all his life, with Eugene's friendship as an exception during the previous months. He wasn't sure if he could really describe the peculiar insect-loving boy as a friend. Whatever Pugsley chose to call it, he was painfully aware of the empty space in his life that Eugene once filled. But he already left Jericho with his parents who decided the town was no longer safe. At least he didn't forget to stop by Pugsley's house to bid him a last farewell, smiling meekly as he handed him one of his oldest and most precious honey jars.
Pugsley closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, the pleasant scent of the woods and the damp earth filling his chest, allowing the feelings of loneliness to pass, the cool night breeze comforting him. He was sitting on the ground with the back of his head resting against a tree. It became a daily habit since Nevermore Academy was closed for the summer, going out for runs in the forest to clear his mind, which helped him calm the anxiety that threatened to overtake him daily. He didn't know how long he could contain the dread inside him before it completely broke him down. Was it the fear for his older sister who was heading straight into a journey that was too dangerous even for her? Or was it the secret that he was hiding ever since Isaac Night almost killed him?
He felt a lump form in his throat and tears threatening to well up in his eyes. No. He was not letting the fear overtake him again. He squeezed his eyes shut, pressing the base of his palms against his eyelids, shuddering at the thought that he never even cried as a child, but he often found himself crying alone now as a 15-year-old. It was ridiculous, especially for a member of the Addams family. He used to laugh at death, destruction and all sorts of grotesque and dangerous things. But Pugsley knew the transformation that Isaac unknowingly caused was so severe he could barely even recognise himself.
He looked down at his trembling hands, a sinking feeling in his stomach that he might be on the verge of panic despite the night run in the woods, his thoughts taking him back to the day after he miraculously escaped death. It all came crashing down upon him that morning, an overwhelming awareness of everything. He realized he could absorb the details of everything around him in seconds. All it took was briefly glancing at the page of an open book left at the breakfast table, and he could recall every single word. Then came the realisation that he was able to process all the information that was pouring into his mind, making calculations, noticing patterns and finding connections at a staggering speed. He developed superhuman intelligence when his electrokinesis was used as a power source for Isaac's machine, and he could only conclude that the incident formed new connections in his brain. It would make anyone else delirious with happiness, but Pugsley was utterly horrified.
The awareness that dawned upon him, along with his newfound genius, brought an intense and gripping fear of death. As an Addams family member, he regularly walked the line between life and death without thinking much about the consequences of that line breaking. But in his current state, he simply found it insane that his life was constantly in danger. His hand grenade collection, the poison cupboard, the deadly traps in every corner of his house... the gruesomeness of his family became traumatizing to him instead of being a normal part of his identity. But all that pales in comparison to the trauma of being tied up under Isaac's machine, pain searing through his bones, feeling helpless as the world outside was oblivious to his screams.
Pugsley hugged his knees to his chest to contain his emotions, leaves breaking under his shoes as he curled up into an infantile position, trying to block the flooding of flashbacks from that night. He could only assume that the incident, along with countless other childhood memories, caused him to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. His old self would just shrug it off and continue happily to risk his life again, addicted to the rush of stepping so close to death. But Pugsley realised that he lost the ability to embrace death with open arms in a trade-off with his new intellectual ability. An exchange he never even wanted. It was almost like a wretched curse. How was he supposed to continue living with his family in his current state? Barely containing his horror at so much absurdity that they consider normal?
Before he could reminisce further on his new reality, he was snapped out of his thoughts by slow footsteps approaching from a distance behind him. He quickly straightened himself, taking slow breaths to regain his composure and ease the tightening in his chest, blinking a few times to make sure his eyes didn't look watery. He turned his head around to see who it was. And surely enough, it was Wednesday, as if on cue with his dark thoughts about his family.
Pugsley stood up to face her, she walked towards him among the tall trees, the moonlight accentuating the pale glow of her features which contrasted with her black braided hair and her black attire, looking as ethereal as ever. He swallowed hard as she stopped in front of him, her face unreadable.
"Hey Sis!" he managed to blurt out as cheerfully as he could, hoping she didn't notice how nervous he felt.
She crossed her arms slowly, her eyes examining his face, his clothes, and then inspected the surrounding woods before looking back at his face again, "What are doing here Pugsley?" She finally asked "Since when do you go out for runs in the forest? And…" She paused, tilting her head as she glanced at his clothes again, her eyes narrowed," Why do you dress differently?"
He was caught off guard by her questions. He didn't think Wednesday would be the first person to notice how he had changed. Not because she was incapable of doing so. On the contrary, Pugsley was always inwardly impressed by her wits and her sharp observation… He simply believed she would never care to look at him closely enough.
"Umm…" He stammered, feeling his heart pounding, "What about my clothes?" He decided to steer the conversation to the easiest of her questions. He wore a charcoal hoodie and pants with a white t-shirt, a simple outfit, "I always wear that kind of clothes." He said as he looked down at his attire to evade her gaze.
"No Pugsley.", she replied sharply, forcing him to look up at her, "You did not normally dress like any regular teenage boy, and you never did something so mundane as running every day for exercise." She looked suspicious and slightly puzzled, "What are you hiding?"
"Nothing Wednesday!" He suddenly felt exasperated, "And even if I'm hiding something, it doesn't concern you, okay? Go poke your nose into someone else's life!"
Pugsley wasn't sure what angered him the most, was it his sister's habit to pry persistently for information that should not concern her, or the fact he was being interrogated for ordinary, human behaviour. Things like running in the fresh air or dressing in a way that was not fit for funerals.
She said, as if reading his thoughts, "It is the cause of your behaviour that intrigues me, Pugsley. You've been trying to keep a façade the past few weeks, but your composure is not as unwavering as you think."
"Why do you care?"
"Because you are my brother." She stated as a matter of fact, "However unpleasant that reality is, it remains unavoidable. And I feel obliged to help members of my family when I see them…" her mouth twisted slightly, looking more confused than inquisitive, "struggling for some reason."
Pugsley knew there was no point in arguing anymore, she could see his inner turmoil as clear as day, "How about protecting yourself Wednesday?" he said in a strained voice, his throat constricting, "You are the one throwing herself in death traps, over and over again. And I think this time it won't be fun, and you won't make it out alive"
She seemed even more puzzled, "Are you referring to the trip I'm planning to find Enid?"
"Yes!"
"And that bothers you, Pugsley?"
There she was, typical Wednesday Addams. Instead of asking why he thought the trip was dangerous, she was still more interested in his new behaviour, as if her safety was beside the point.
"Wednesday…", he said more softly, "Look, it doesn't matter how I feel about this. This journey you're planning… it's very dangerous."
She waited patiently for his explanation
He hesitated briefly, "Tyler was seen there too. Close to the area where Enid was spotted near the Canadian border."
"How did you know?"
"Someone there reported they have seen a monster with the same description of a Hyde. And someone else saw Tyler in his human form."
She inhaled deeply and pressed on, "I'm certain that I have not come across such reports on any news outlet, and I have been following very closely."
"They're private police reports."
Wednesday raised an eyebrow.
"I hacked them. The police stations in that area. That's how I know."
Pugsley saw her eyes widen with surprise, "That's my secret." He lied, "I spent many months learning how to become a hacker."
If Wednesday believed him, she didn't let it show. Instead, she seemed lost in thought for long moment, before finally saying, "I appreciate your concerns for my safety. But it will not stop me from finding Enid."
"Then let me go with you.", Pugsley spoke anxiously, "There's something big happening there. I don't know what it is yet. But there are other outcasts who were spotted there too, not just Tyler and Enid."
Before she could respond, they both heard someone gasp. But there was no one around.
Wednesday sighed in frustration, "I thought you were past the stage of stalking me a long time ago, Agnes." She said through gritted teeth.
The redhead materialised out of thin air next to Wednesday, her wide eyes filled with astonishment as she looked intently at Pugsley.
Pugsley turned to Wednesday in disbelief, "Does she break into our house too to eavesdrop on you? Oh my God!"
Wednesday clenched her jaw, mirroring her brother's annoyance. But Agnes smiled, seemingly lost in wonder, "I want to go too.", she said absently, "I want to join you guys on your journey to search for Enid."
She was still looking at Pugsley, as if she was seeing him for the first time, and it was beginning to make him uncomfortable.
Wednesday rolled her eyes, abruptly turning to leave.
"Wait!", Pugsley called after her, "Are you letting me go with you or not?"
She stopped to glance at him over her shoulder, "I'm sure you will be useful, my dear brother. Especially with your new...hacking skills." She paused for a moment, "We prepare for our trip tomorrow."
Agnes followed Wednesday with her eyes still on Pugsley, giving him an excited wave before turning to leave as well.