The Addams hearse rolled through the front of Nevermore Academy, the iron gates yawning open with a groan that sounded almost alive. Mist pooled on the cobblestone driveway that led furtehr through the woods. Inside the car, Pugsley pressed his hands into his lap, trying not to chew the inside of his cheek. Earlier he had hit two bullseyes with electricity on road signs they had driven past on the way there. Lurch was at the wheel, turning it with his deadpan expression. Morticia and Gomez were sitting next to each other in the back, while Wednesday sat next to Pugsley.

“Charming,” Morticia murmured, surveying the grounds with a faint smile. “The scent of despair clings to the air. Simply perfect.”

“Glorious!” Gomez declared, flourishing his rapier with enough enthusiasm to nearly poke a hole in the roof. “Pugsley, mi hijo, you’ll thrive here! Adventure! Danger! The occasional dismemberment!”

Pugsley sat up straight his seat, replying, “Yeah. Sounds fun.” He replied, a strain in his voice.

Wednesday, studied her brother’s slouched posture with her usual clinical calm. “Remember, no eye contact without permission and that all requests for bullying assistance must be submitted in writing. And most importantly, report to me every day.”

“Okay,” Pugsley muttered, voice cracking as he tried to smile.

The hearse door groaned open. Lurch unfolded his massive frame from the seat of the car and went to the back to retrieve their luggage. He soon hoisted a stack of Wednesday and Pugsley’s luggage onto one shoulder before placing it down on the pavement. Pugsley hesitated at the curb when he stepped out of the car. His backpack straps dug into his palms as he murmured something to himself.

Morticia touched his cheek gently before gliding past, her presence cool and reassuring. Gomez spoke up when he stepped out. “You’ll find your place, my darling boy. Remember, there’s nothing wrong with being different. It’s a family tradition. Be an Addams.”

Gomez swept Morticia onto his arm, already laughing at some inside joke only he seemed to know. Wednesday strode ahead, unbothered, her braids almost glued in place in front of her shoulders.

That left Pugsley staring up at the castle before him, his footsteps uncertain where to lead him. His stomach twisted as he glanced up at the high towers of Nevermore. Students were already mingling from the windows or walking in the same direction Wednesday was, through a tall archway and into a courtyard. He tugged his blazer sleeves down over his hands, before making a crooked smile.

As he climbed the short flight of stairs, he took a deep breath as he reached the top. His eyes skimmed around a space littered with students around the walls, pillars, and outdoor seating, with a group of icey-eyed individuals standing next to the fountain in the centre. The quad was bustling with new and old students alike, yet all were outcasts. The vast majority of this year’s student body was built up of DaVinci outcasts and werewolf teenagers.

He noticed a few people smiling and trying to get Wednesday’s attention as she walked past them all, eyes darting around as she ignored them, leaving only a melancholic presence behind as she walked up another set of stairs to get to Ophelia Hall. Pugsley knew that he was meant to be in the same dorm room as one of Wednesday’s ‘friends’ in Caliban Hall, courtesy of her request so she knew he would be with someone she mildly trusted.