Wednesday was a curious child.
She was always observing the world around her because everything was fascinating.
But if that was a topic she liked the most...
It was death.
It was fascinating how all the animals had a basic instinct to survive.
Even people could change based on the state of their bodies.
How hungry does a man need to be to commit cannibalism?
How many days can someone survive without drinking water?
Better, how crazy would someone be without those two natural basic needs for a long time?
Just imagining it made her body react with ecstasy.
'What are you thinking...?'
A voice extremely similar to her own but more emotive came directly from her brain.
That was her little sister, Tuesday.
"Nothing," she said with regret, her expression blank.
Every time Wednesday was having a little fun, Tuesday would interrupt her thoughts.
Her sister always tried to catch her attention, as if she were being neglected.
'Are you thinking about weird things again, aren't you?!'
And for some reason, she could always recognize Wednesday's thoughts and intentions.
Something even their parents couldn't do.
"...I'm not."
For her, death was a natural process, and there was nothing wrong with thinking about ways to torture and kill someone.
That was what Grandmama had told her.
Instead, Tuesday was the only strange person here.
She would always hide from their family and avoid interacting.
She was alive but lived like a dead person.
Why? Wednesday couldn't understand.
She also liked to stay alone, but she had no problems interacting.
She had never seen anyone besides her family, though.
The Addams Mansion was closed off from the outside world. For some reason, their parents didn't like to meet "common people."
Because of this, the only people Wednesday interacted with were her family. But maybe it was because she was always in charge that her sister developed a social phobia.
'Why don't we do something different?' Tuesday suggested in a worried tone.
Why was she always so worried?
Did she do something wrong?
"Like what?" she asked, containing her doubts.
Wednesday was just playing with her doll, Marie Antoinette.
It was fun, but it was starting to get boring.
'Hmm...' she murmured in her mind as if thinking deeply. 'Ah, what about books?!'
"Books?"
Grandmama had taught her only orally about important topics like historical revolutions, ways to commit perfect crimes, and how to deceive people.
When she asked why she wasn't taught how to read, Grandmama simply said, "Read? Listen, child, this is something you need to know before anything else. Reading can wait."
That was why Wednesday still didn't know how to read, and she expected Tuesday was in the same situation.
"Can you read?" she asked curiously.
'Who do you think I am? I'm an adult. Of course I can read!'
Tuesday said as if she were proud of herself. Could she really read, or was it just an act?
"When did you learn how to read?"
The fact that Tuesday knew something Wednesday didn't made her anxious.
She was very competitive; the fact that her sister, who shared the same body as her, knew something she didn't only showed how dumb she felt.
'Well, I don't remember. It was a long time ago...' Tuesday said doubtfully.
A long time ago...
How behind was Wednesday compared to people her age? Tuesday was the only person she had to compare herself to.
They were only one year and six months apart, so Wednesday thought she should already know how to read at her age.
And Tuesday, in the same conditions as her, had somehow mastered it, even without being taught by Grandmama.
Wednesday's face turned bright red.
"Teach me."
Even though she was ashamed, she still asked for her help.
But she didn't want Tuesday to teach her everything.
For two reasons.
She wanted to understand reading on her own.
And internally, she didn't want Tuesday to think she was too dumb to learn reading before her.
She was the older sister, and the fact that her little sister was smarter had significantly hurt her pride.
'Let Papa handle it. I'll teach you from A to Z!'
"Papa...?"
What did she mean by calling herself that?
Was she calling herself "Papa" because, in her eyes, she was so stupid she couldn't see herself as an equal, but rather as a father figure?
Wednesday's face frowned with frustration.
This was a clear declaration of war.
She clenched her fists tightly, trying to contain her anger.
'Wednesday...? Are you okay?'
Hearing those words made Wednesday even more frustrated.
First, Tuesday called herself "Papa," and now she was asking about her condition after seeing she was affected by her words.
She obviously was doing it on purpose.
Wednesday had never felt this humiliated.
"Two weeks..."
'What?'
"I'll learn to read in two weeks," she said, her eyes cold and competitive.
'O-Oh, I'm glad you're excited...' Tuesday said with a hint of concern.
Being excited about reading was good, but if she had too many expectations, she might end up frustrated.
Tuesday himself had many troubles learning to read in his childhood, and he didn't want Wednesday to suffer the same.
But hearing his doubtful tone, Wednesday thought he was only doubting her potential instead of really concerned.
"One week!"
She said with a rarely stressed tone.
'Wednesday, it's okay. Reading isn't easy; it will probably take some months.'
He said, trying to calm the little and innocently excited Wednesday.
Right after that, Wednesday studied reading non-stop.
Every time she answered something correctly, Tuesday would praise her.
Her face frowned with each praise.
Tuesday thought Wednesday would learn to read in a few months because she was a clever child.
He never would have expected that thanks to his "praises", she would shortcut her learning.
Wednesday mastered reading not in two or one week, but in three days.
*
'Fascinating...' she thought.
Reading proved to be an activity more fun than she expected.
Wednesday had explored many fairy tales.
The Addams Mansion was full of old books. Many fairy tales had dark endings that children shouldn't learn.
Tuesday had used those books only to have word references since Wednesday couldn't understand them.
As expected of the Addams, none of their books were normal.
Tuesday had many problems trying to select the best options for Wednesday and still couldn't find anything appropriate for her age.
There were books related to non-fiction about the economy, science, and many other topics. But they were so complicated for the little Wednesday that he decided to use those grotesque "fairy tales".
'This woman cut her feet to use a crystal glass slipper just to date a deluded man? Pft...'
Wednesday laughed with her own thoughts.
What she was reading was an adultered version of Cinderella.
Different of the well-known beautiful tale, this book was full of descriptions that children shouldn't read.
Suddenly Wednesday lost control of her right hand.
Bam!
The entire book was closed before she could keep reading the next line.
'L- Let's stop for now.' Tuesday said with an anxious tone.
"I don't want."
Wednesday opened the book again with a frown face.
Bam!
Just to have the book closed again.
'Let's do another thing!' her sister said in her mind.
Again, she was cutting her fun.
"Ha... Like what?" she asked stressed while massaging her temples.
Her sister was both mature and childish.
Was she just boring, can't she enjoy the book too?
Wednesday always struggled to make "concessions" with her sister.
Because this body didn't belong to her only.
'Marie Antoinette! Let's play with her again.'
"No, it's boring." she said, quickly cutting her suggestion and trying to read the book again.
Her left hand was stopped by her right hand.
'And what about we explore the house?!'
Listening to her words, Wednesday's attention was successfully caught.
"Really?"
In normal circumstances, Tuesday would avoid exploring the mansion. So, even living in this mansion since she was born Wednesday didn't know all the places of her house.
'Yes?' Tuesday answered with a doubtful tone again. She didn't seem sure about her suggestion either.
Wasn't she expecting much from her? Anyway, she always could read a book.
Wednesday's hand was extended to the book again.
'Yes, really! Let's explore everything!!' she said in her mind.
Suddenly she seemed very excited about it. Was the book so tiring to read?
It was a shame their tastes were so different.
Wednesday closed the book and breathed deeply trying to regulate her emotions.
"So, it's all yours"
In her words, Tuesday was in the command of the body.
Wednesday had given up from her control.
"M- Me?!" he pointed at himself with surprise.
'Isn't you who want to explore the mansion?'
She said as if it was logical.
"Don't you want to do it too?!" he said, his face showing a clear sign of anxiety.
'I don't, I want to read.'
Wednesday's words were sincere and straight.
She was a bit interested but she wasn't in the mood to go.
There wasn't anything more frustrating than being interrupted while reading, that's why she told Tuesday to go alone.
Even knowing her sister was scared.
'You do it.'
Interrupting her hobbies had a price.
Did Tuesday want to explore the mansion? Good.
Do it alone then.
"..."
At her words Tuesday became silent.
Why did he always give trouble to himself?