DARKNESS DANCED IN THE SKY AND HID THE SUN BEHIND BLACK CLOUDS. Westview looked familiar to the day Eszter arrived, tainting the happy go-to city of Westview, New Jersey, to a place no one would dare to cross. It was like evil lurked in the shadows, hiding from the curious gaze and creeping along the darkness, staying hidden. Something sprouted this cloud of darkness to spring up on Westview, rendering the residents whithering in fear, setting some with anger issues, and making people paranoid. 

     Wanda assumed the sun was finally laid to rest after a long day of sitting in the blue sky, keeping the earth warm and bright, wanting to switch places with the moon; however, the longer Wanda gazed up at the sky with wondering eyes, the more she was beginning to think something wasn't right.

     She and the twins planned the day to go for a walk, deeming it would be best for Sparky to stretch his legs. It was warm with a fresh breeze, so it was the perfect timing for Wanda to want to go outside. Wanda could only wish Eszter had tagged along, but she understands that her sister is still young and would rather spend time with her friends. This was Wanda's family, and sure, she wanted to spend time with her boys, but she would've loved it if her sister had tagged along.

     Whether Eszter joined or not, Wanda took this moment to be thankful for the life she created; Billy and Tommy were the light in her life, and she wanted to cherish every moment she possibly could. Wanda was confident her Hex would uphold whatever hit Hayward threw at it, but nothing would be able to penetrate the thick barrier of her powers. Westview is her new home, and she vowed to protect what's hers, and she was going to keep that promise.

     "Sparky, wait!" Billy yelped in surprise.

     "Sparky, no! Hold on!" Tommy shouted with a plea.

     Wanda blinked as she pushed her thoughts aside, focusing her attention on her twin boys when they were running up ahead, chasing their dog, who got loose from his leash. She didn't have time to react when Billy and Tommy were taking off, sending alarms through her head at the sight of her boys running from her. As a mother, Wanda's first instinct was to call for her boys.

     "Billy, Tommy! Stop!" Wanda broke out into a run, chasing after her boys in a hurry. Fear sunk in like a boat with a hole in the water, darting across the street; Wanda worries something might happen to her children, and they wouldn't have her to defend them. "Boys, wait for Mommy!"

     "Sparky, stop! Please!" Tommy cried. "Mom, hurry!"

     Having the advantage of being older and having longer legs and better speed, Wanda managed to catch up to the boys; quickly, Wanda reached out to the twins and gripped their shoulders, decreasing their speed until the three of them were huffing and puffing for air. Wanda caught her breath first, heaving her chest to relax her muscles and steady her heartbeat, calming her mind for the sake of her children. She doesn't want to crazy mom on them.

     "Boys! You can't just take off like that," scolded Wanda, sparing each twin a disappointing stare. They bowed their heads apologetically. "What something happened, and I wasn't there? What if you two got lost and I couldn't find you? You can't just do that."

     "We're sorry, Mom, but Sparky got loose," Billy showed the broken leash. He glanced at Tommy. "We just wanted to get him before he got too far, but . . ."

     The older twin sighed guiltily. "But we weren't fast enough," Tommy pouted as he looked up at Wanda with an apologetic gaze. He didn't mean to take off without warning, but Billy looked so distraught while Sparky was making an escape. "Mom, we have to find him."

     Wanda licked her lips and nodded, she couldn't deny her children to find their dog, but she still didn't appreciate them trying to run off without a heads up.

     "Okay, okay. Let's go," Wanda ushers them ahead, keeping a close eye on them along the way. Wanda has been feeling paranoid ever since things were getting strange, and now, it's like Wanda can't help but constantly look over her shoulder.

     The trio strode down the dark street, searching for Sparky, unaware of the eerie darkness hovering above them. The twins shouted for their dog in hopes he'd run back to them, but Sparky remained somewhere in Westview, playing hide-and-seek. Wanda would cast the sky a few glances here and there, wondering if it was going to downpour or not. She hadn't a clue where this storm came from; Wanda tried so hard to make Westview the perfect home, but it was as if everything was falling apart.

     Wanda furrowed her brows and couldn't focus on anything but the energy surrounding her, overpowering her own. She had sensed this before and was familiar with the energy, but Wanda couldn't make out much. Wanda had always felt a strong connection with Eszter, and together, the sisters related on the same energy level; however, there wasn't an explanation that could assure Wanda of what was happening to her home. But none of it made sense--how can Eszter take control over her Hex?

     "Sparky!" Tommy cuffed his hands around his mouth, projecting his voice. "Come on, boy!"

     "Sparky!" Billy shouted after. "Here, boy!"

     Dennis was walking by when he heard the twins shouting, capturing his attention. "Hey, what's the trouble, little dudes?"

     "We can't find our dog."

     "Ah, don't worry," assured Dennis, but something was wrong with him. Dennis kept looking over his shoulders and staring through the shadows between the houses, feeling a crawling sensation hitting his back like something was following him.

     Wanda glanced at Dennis with a faraway look, studying the delivery man closely as she noticed his jumpy stance. She followed his gaze only to find nothing, but Wanda could tell something was wrong with him. He was sweating profusely and shivering as if he was cold. As she stepped forward, Wanda turned her head slightly, slowly nearing her sons before cautiously pulling them back.

     "Dennis," spoke Wanda, frowning with concern. "Is everything alright?"

     Standing upright and focusing on Wanda, Dennis flashed a smile and masked the fear that once overshadowed his expression. "All good," he chirped. Dennis was acting as if he wasn't trembling in fear. "He's sure to turn up. Your mom won't let him get far." Dennis stared at Wanda with a strange smile, almost making her feel uneasy. "Ma'am."  

     Then, Dennis turned around and continued down the street, delivering mail even in the dark. He murmured under his breath like he was trying to reassure himself, but Dennis would jump at just about anything. Wanda watched him carry on with terror emitting from him like electricity, trying to understand better what was happening here.

     Wanda narrowed her eyes in concentration, hoping to rid of everything weird happening, but the strawberry-haired woman frowned when nothing changed. Whatever this is, it's bigger than she imagined; whoever is doing it, it's not Wanda.

     Tearing her attention away from Dennis and back to her kids, she continued to search for Sparky. "I don't know where he could've gone," Wanda sighed.

     Wanda didn't want to be outside any longer than they should, but Billy and Tommy weren't going to leave Sparky until they found him. As much as Wanda cares about Sparky, the strawberry-haired woman needs to think about her boys before anyone. Wanda didn't like the energy manifesting around their home; it was unsettling and concerning for a mother of two, but she couldn't worry about the boys.

     As far as Billy and Tommy know, the sun was setting just as the rainy clouds strolled in, threatening to let out a downpour.

     Tommy clapped his hands. "Here, boy! Sparky!"

     Billy and Tommy continued calling for their dog, begging him to return. Still, Sparky was missing, and the twins were growing desperate for their dog.

     Suddenly, the dark cloud made one thunderous roar before scattering like they were running away, dissipating instantly. Wanda frowned momentarily as she watched the sky open up, growing skeptical. Across the street, Wanda realized they rounded up by Agnes' house, but she was a little puzzled when she spotted Eszter crouching in the bushes.

     "Agnes, what the hell was that?" Eszter hissed under her breath, panicking. She could feel her heart rate picking up, her palms sweating, and her body feeling faint. Eszter couldn't begin to understand what might've happened or caused this, but she didn't know what she would tell the twins.

     "Shh," Agnes hushed, looking at Eszter sternly. "Stay calm, Eszter. I think he just--"

     "This is my nephew's dog, Agnes," the witch barked as quietly as she could, practically seething through her teeth. "What am I supposed--"

     "Auntie E?" Billy called with a puzzled frown, watching his aunt hiding in the shrubs.

     Tommy looked at Eszter first before he noticed the rustling beneath her. "Auntie E, what are you doing in the bushes?" The teenager parted her lips as if she was going to say something, but Eszter didn't know what to say. "Sparky went missing. Is that him?"

     What was Eszter going to tell them? She probably killed their dog? No way. Eszter is sure she didn't kill Sparky, but it looked almost like a coincidence. This didn't look right, especially when Eszter found Sparky in the exact place she was visiting. But the twins are too innocent. They wouldn't understand, nor should they know; it would break their hearts if they thought Eszter had killed their new family pet.

     Eszter was starting to freak out. She's going to lose everything again.

     She stepped out from behind the bushes, unable to hide the frown sneaking on her face. "Billy, Tommy . . ." breathed Eszter. The witch was stammering over her words, feeling a loss of breath. Eszter feared their reactions, but most of all, she was terrified of Wanda's. "I . . . I . . ."

     Agnes stood from behind the bushes with Sparky wrapped in a blanket, remorseful. "We didn't wanna come until he was wrapped up," Agnes frowned apologetically, cradling Sparky close to her chest.

     Eszter and Wanda met eyes momentarily, and for a second, Eszter was afraid Wanda might've noticed something was wrong; the young witch was near to tears, and she didn't want her sister to assume anything when it could be far from the truth, but Eszter didn't want to say anything. Even as her lips parted in hopes of words spewing out, the teenager merely released a few shallow gasps. Eszter realized she looked like she could be guilty from the way she stood there, speechless, nearly falling into tears.

     Wanda looked away from Eszter and back to Sparky; she walked forward. "What happened to him?"

     Afraid to meet Wanda's gaze, Eszter kept her eyes glued to the ground. The witch kept to herself as she avoided having to face the heartbreak, especially not when Eszter wasn't sure what happened to him in the first place. Sparky was nowhere near the house when Eszter was studying with Agnes, but could it be possible?

     Now's not the time to ponder on the thought; as much as Sparky meant a lot to the twins, Eszter had more pressing things than to worry about a dog she barely knows.

     "Found him in my azalea bushes," informed Agnes. She carried Sparky around the bushes and toward the small family. Agnes spared a short glimpse at Eszter, sparing her a subtle look that surprised Eszter; the witch watched Agnes. "Don't know how many leaves he ate. We didn't find him until it was too late." The dark-haired woman frowned apologetically between the twins. "Tommy, Billy, I'm so sorry."

     Eszter peeked up to catch Tommy and Billy's expression, but it hurt more than she could imagine; the boys were sniffling with tears swelling in their eyes, heartbroken over the loss of their first dog. Eszter could see they were devastated, and she didn't blame them. She knew that feeling all too well, and it never got better, not over time.

     But Tommy and Billy shared similar expressions, nodding with their silent communication; it sent alarms in Wanda's head. Immediately, the strawberry-haired woman knew they were about to age up like when they were five so that they could keep Sparky. Wanda couldn't let them think that this was the answer to everything they stumbled upon; it wasn't right. Maybe Wanda was a little selfish, not wanting to rip away the purpose of watching her boys grow up naturally, but that's not the message Wanda should be sending them.

     "Wait," Wanda said, marching toward the twins. "Don't. Don't."

     Tommy stared at Wanda, bewildered. "Don't what?"

     "Don't age yourselves up," warned Wanda. She bent down until she was at eye-level with the twins. Wanda needed to be the boys' mother. "The urge to run from this feeling is . . . powerful. I know."

     "It's too sad."

     Tommy looks between Wanda and Eszter. "You and Auntie E can fix anything, Mom," he holds Eszter's gaze, voice firm and authoritative. "Fix the dead, Auntie E."

     Wanda and Eszter stood silently until the stupefaction finally ran out, releasing them from their stunned state. But Eszter was stunned at Tommy's assumption. Fix the dead? How the hell is Eszter supposed to do that; in fact, how could Eszter fix the dead when she has no power to do so? The witch can only do so much, but bringing someone from the dead? If Eszter had a power that allowed her to do such, the witch would've brought back so many people she lost along the way.

     To think, Eszter would've been able to bring back all of her loved ones that died throughout the years, pretending like they never were gone; everyone who died would live on again like they didn't worry about dying because, with Eszter, she could just bring them back.

     But life's funny that way. There was no such thing as second chances, not in Eszter's world.

     Eszter felt her breath hitch when Wanda peeked over her shoulder, looking at her with furrowed brows; the young witch matched her sister's expression, taken aback by Tommy's wild imagination. But even Wanda seemed to think the same because she turned back to her boys, prepared to give them the devasting news. Although it wouldn't be easy to give this talk to her sons, Wanda knew it wasn't just her boys who needed to hear it.

     "What?" Wanda shook her head. "No. No, don't involve your aunt in this."

     Agnes gaped, looking at Eszter with a faraway expression, uncertain what to think. "You can do that?" wondered the dark-haired woman.

     Eszter shyly met Agnes' gaze, dazed and confused; the witch stayed silent and furrowed her brows, shaking her head to answer the woman's question. No, she can't. But Eszter remained voiceless, feeling like it wasn't her place to speak. Not when the situation was too heated.

     Between the mother and her sons, Wanda tried her best to push Agnes and her curiosity out of her and her kids' conversation. Eszter felt terrible for putting Wanda in this position, whether it was an accident or not, but she never meant for anything wrong to happen. She cherishes Wanda's home and wants to make it her own, but messing it up and making things worse isn't going to help Eszter.

     Kneeling to her kneels, Wanda laughed airily. "I am trying to tell you that there are rules in life, okay?" started the strawberry-haired woman, using her motherly skills. Wanda used a soft voice and gave the twins a moving speech. "We can't rush aging just because it's convenient." Wanda chuckles. "And we can't reverse death. No matter how sad it makes us. Okay? Some things are forever, isn't that right, Eszter?"

     Eszter perked up at the sound of her name, feeling like a kid being called on by the teacher in class; the witch felt almost embarrassed to be thrown into the mix, but Eszter is part of this family. Wanda including Eszter in these monumental moments, gave her a sense of inclusion she felt like she needed to hear, but Eszter didn't want to talk about whether or not it's right to bring someone back from the dead. If she had the chance, Eszter would take it in a heartbeat, but that's not something Wanda or the twins would want to hear.

     With a dry mouth, Eszter forced a nod. "Uh, yeah,"  she stumbled on her feet, feeling Agnes nudge her with her shoulder. "Listen to your mom, boys."

     Wanda offered a small smile, and maybe it was forced, too. Nevertheless, the older sister appreciated Eszter's help.

     Billy's cheeks were swamped with tears streaming down his face, not bothering to wipe the evidence. "You said family is forever."

     Eszter stared at the back of Wanda's head, a distant glint shimmer in her eyes. Family is everything; glad to hear Wanda was spreading that message to her kids.

     "He is family," retorted Tommy. "Bring him back, Mom."

     "Bring who back?" Vision wondered from out of nowhere. The humanoid was using his human features to keep his identity shielded, dressed in a nice suit and tie, red glasses, and blond hair parted down the side. He noticed the dismal aurora surrounding his family and the solemn expression on Eszter's face. Then, it clicked. "Oh, boys. Come here."

     Eszter didn't know if she should stare or not, but when she did, Eszter watched the way Vision pulled his sons to his side, embracing them with sympathy. The witch felt a nudge in her chest like something was stabbing her in the heart; witnessing a father with his children gave Eszter a distant memory she wasn't ready to remember. Eszter hated feeling this way, and even if it's been years, she misses her parents just as much as she misses her father figure.

     Damn, so much for suppressing her emotions.

✨

     The walk home was uncomfortable, to say the least. Everyone was walking in groups or separately--Wanda had Eszter walk Billy and Tommy ahead, hinting she was going to talk to Vision, but the couple never did speak on the matter. While Eszter trailed behind the twins, who continued to whimper and sniffle to themselves, the witch wanted to turn around and face Wanda; the anxious part of Eszter wanted to turn around and talk to Wanda, maybe talk about what occurred minutes ago, but now wasn't the time.

     While Eszter and the twins were up ahead, Vision was following loosely behind with Sparky wrapped in his arms; then, at the end of the line, Wanda was dragging her feet. There was no room for light conversation, especially not when everyone was in a glum mood.

     By the time they reached the house, Eszter had sent the boys upstairs to get ready for bed while Vision headed straight for the backyard, Sparky still with him. Eszter wasn't sure if she should run upstairs and hide for the night, to sleep this tragic day off, but a voice stopped her from escaping the tense room.

     "Eszter," called Wanda with a void tone. She barely spared Eszter a glimpse as she crossed the living room, dragging her feet to the kitchen like a woman on a mission. Wanda was wasting no time. "Can I see you in the kitchen?"

     Wanda pushed the door to the kitchen and slipped inside, but Eszter froze almost worriedly; the strawberry-haired woman wasn't asking Eszter to meet in the kitchen, but she was telling her. There wasn't any choice. Eszter couldn't politely decline and whisk away to her room because Wanda wasn't going to take no as an answer. Eszter was starting to get uncomfortable and dreading their talk, but it wasn't like Wanda knew what happened, right? Of course, not. Wanda doesn't know the things Eszter does.

     With heavy feet, Eszter took a deep breath before descending the stairs and making a bee-line toward the kitchen, pushing the door and stumbling into the next room; Eszter spotted Wanda at the kitchen table with a basket full of toys that she'd been collecting. No doubt, Wanda was stress cleaning again. Eszter's feet stopped and glued themselves to the ground, worried thoughts running through her mind as she ran through several scenarios of how this could play out.

     Blanketing herself with a newfound sense of confidence, Eszter inhaled sharply as she stared at the back of Wanda's head, holding her chin high.

     "Everything okay?"

      Wanda spun around on the balls of her heels, widening her eyes warningly like she was glaring at Eszter. "What did you do?"

     Eszter's facade simmered into surprise from Wanda's outbreak; she was taken aback. "What are you talking about?" Eszter wrinkled her brows with a jerk of her head, wondering if she heard Wanda correctly.

     The strawberry-haired woman scoffed like it was funny, but Wanda was slowly losing her mind; there was so much happening all at once, and Wanda knew Eszter was aware of it, but it was like her sister was making things worse. She never wanted to say, never mind think it, but Wanda felt that since Eszter arrived, Westview had a turn of events. Nothing felt right ever since her sister surprised her at her doorstep, unannounced and full of strange occurrences. Wanda always turned a blind eye because she never thought to think maybe it was Eszter causing all these odd situations, but now . . . Wanda had seen it and opened her eyes.

     Wanda wasn't looking to scold Eszter, nor was she planning to kick her sister out of her home, but Wanda couldn't just not do anything. She needed to talk to Eszter and get to the bottom of whatever was happening because Wanda couldn't move on without finding a solution. After the situation with Hayward and Monica, Wanda thought she would be able to live on with her family, but it felt like things were slowly starting to fall apart. And now, Sparky is dead, and the sky has turned dark?

     "Eszter, I saw the sky! I know that was you," argued Wanda as a scowl was starting to contort on her features. "I could feel your energy. You were ruining everything!"

Eszter merely tore her gaze away from her sister, feeling like she'd been caught red-handed. Wanda sensed it and felt guilty for raising her voice and putting Eszter in this position; it looked as if Wanda was about to reprimand Eszter for something she probably didn't cause--maybe not intentionally.

Wanda sighed, softening her voice. "Look, I'm sorry for yelling, but you know you can talk to me about anything, right?"

     The young witch doesn't say anything, afraid she'd say something she might regret. Eszter kept her eyes glued on the ground like she was scared to meet Wanda's eyes, but the witch didn't want to worry her sister. Things are different now, and Eszter has been dealing with her own problems; she'd hate to rain on Wanda's parade. Everything was going perfectly for Wanda, and Eszter wanted to keep that for her, but her sister wasn't making it any easier now. How would she react if she had to tell Wanda about what she'd done? Would Wanda insult Eszter's failed attempt to keep this family safe, or would she praise Eszter for doing whatever she did in order to protect the ones she loves? Eszter doesn't know, but she didn't intend to find out.

     Besides, isn't it better if Wanda doesn't know? Just the thought of Eszter doing whatever she can to defend her family should clear things up. If Eszter is seeking higher power to further her capabilities and gain the respect of people who despise her, who'd dare to hurt her again?

     Clenching her jaw tightly, Eszter nearly rolled her eyes. "What's there to talk about? I didn't do anything," snapped the witch, though not meaning to--or maybe she did? Eszter was still angry after their last talk, but she didn't think she was that mad. "So, stop accusing me for Sparky's death."

     Baffled from Eszter's outburst, Wanda was taken aback. "I wasn't accusing you of anything, Essie," defended Wanda, trying to ease the tension she clearly didn't notice. It was growing thick, but the strawberry-haired woman didn't understand where this was coming from. "Is everything okay?"

    Huffing deeply, Eszter made it known she wasn't keen on having this conversation anymore. "I am. There's nothing to talk about if nothing happened," she narrowed her eyes at her sister.

     Wanda frowned in concern, uncertain that Eszter was okay. "Eszter . . ."

     The back door opened with human Vision stumbling through; a somber expression overshadowed his features as she shuffled into the kitchen. Vision's presence rendered the sisters silent upon the look on his face, but neither of them wanted the humanoid to catch a whiff of their heated conversation. Eszter bowed her head to quickly wipe her angry tear that broke through the invisible barrier that held her waterworks back, but it still cascaded down her. She was embarrassed by allowing her anger to consume her so much that it rendered her into tears; Eszter loathed that fact about herself.

     But when she looked up and followed Vision with her eyes, Eszter watched as he stopped at the sink. Wanda avoided her husband since he found them mourning Sparky, but Eszter didn't think much about it until now. Eszter could tell Wanda probably wished the ground to open up and swallow her in, take her away from a possible argument with her husband. A new tension boiled between Wanda and Vision, something Eszter wanted no part of.

     Vision squeezed the soap in his hands, scrubbing hard at the dirt and loose fur from his hands. It was like he was washing away any evidence of Sparky, and it felt wrong; Vision knew how much Tommy and Billy loved Sparky, even if they barely owned him for a short time. Vision could tell the boys adored their dog. Unfortunately, their first dog became their last.

     "How are the boys?" asked Vision.

     He kept his back toward the sisters and was void of any emotions; Vision sounded like he was angry without expressing it, which was scarier.

     Wanda was a little surprised to hear her husband speak to her. "A little heartbroken," answered the woman. Her voice was light as it could go, but it failed to hide the fragility behind them. "But they'll be alright."

     "Well, it's not often you get a dog and bury them the same day."

     Eszter looked between Vision to Wanda, then Wanda to Vision.

     "Well, life moves pretty fast out in the suburbs," said Wanda. She was attempting to make light of a dark situation, but it was ill-fitting.

     Wanda picked up her basket of toys and moved to the window table, cleaning there next.

     Deciding to make her exit, Eszter felt like a pipsqueak when she finally spoke. "I'm gonna head to my room," she said, pointing toward the door as she hoped to make her escape. "Sleep this day off."

     Vision turned the water off, picked up a towel, and patted his hands dry. "No," said Vision. He didn't turn around to know Eszter had stopped shuffling toward the door to make a swift escape; the witch had turned her attention to Vision with a curious expression, but she was dreading what was to come next. "No. Eszter, I want you to stay. I need to get something off my chest, and I'd like you to be here, too."

     Eszter flicked her eyes toward Wanda like she could feel her sister's gaze burning in the side of her face; toward her right, Wanda was staring at her like she knew what was about to happen, but the strawberry-haired woman didn't make any hint to Eszter. She was puzzled and eluding an impending conversation that was bound to happen. Wanda has been having some . . . technical difficulties . . . with Vision; she thought she could resume hiding the truth from her husband, constructing the wall between Vision and the seriousness that Wanda has been facing. However, Vision hasn't been making it easy lately.

     Not wanting to argue with Vision, Eszter wrapped her arms across her chest and hugged herself in the corner of the room. She felt like she needed to create a barrier between herself and the couple, but it seemed like Eszter wasn't the only one wanting to make some space.

     "I spoke with Norm."

     It felt like Vision had dropped a bomb that went right over Wanda's head, or maybe it hadn't, and the woman was merely letting it slip past her. Whereas, Eszter knew precisely where this was going; she could tell by how Vision worded his sentence, mentioning someone he works closely with. Eszter might not have complete control of the Hex, but she has a better connection than she first did. The witch could practically steal the steering wheel from Wanda if she could, the way she's linked with the residents just as her sister.

     Wanda cocked a brow, resuming her cleaning. "Oh?"

     Vision turned around, starting sharply at the sisters, but his gaze held Wanda's firmly. "I unearthed the man's suppressed personality, and I spoke to him free of your oversight," Vision observed Wanda's reactions, but the woman was disguising it as if she didn't know what he was talking about. But then Eszter inhaled hard, dropping her gaze. "He was in pain."

     Rendered speechless, Eszter didn't want to dig herself a hole by saying something, but the witch had to shake Vision off her. "Vision," chuckled the witch. "You can't possibly think Wanda and I have something to do with him, do you?" Eszter looked at Vision with an odd smile, gaslighting a highly intelligent piece of machine.

     Wanda nodded, agreeing. "Yeah, Vis . . ." she chuckles softly. "Listen, can we just . . ."

     "What? Watch TV?" Vision looks between the sisters, amused by how they were lying to his face. "Turn in for the night so that you can change everything over again? No, Wanda." Vision stepped forward, staring his wife dead in the eyes, challenging her. "You can't control me the way you do them."

     "Can't I?" Wanda accepted his challenge.

     Vision dropped his head in defeat.

     "I'm gonna go now," announced Eszter, ready to push out of the kitchen.

     "Right behind you," said Wanda, following her.

      "No!" snapped Vision, putting his foot down. "We're not done here!" Wanda and Eszter turned around before they could leave the kitchen. Wanda was making a face that dared Vision to test her. "What is the 'Maximoff Anomaly'?"

     "The what?" Eszter nearly laughed.

     "I have to believe that, whatever this is, was subconscious at first and that you only recently became aware of it."

     But then Wanda realized she didn't want to challenge him anymore. "Aware of what?" she snapped. Wanda turned around and started pushing Eszter out of the kitchen, keeping her in front of her as she directed her sister toward the stairs.

     "Norm has a family, Wanda!" roared Vision, stomping through the door and transforming his features back to this humanoid one. He chased after Wanda and Eszter, determined to get to the bottom of whatever the hell was going on here.

     Wanda started pushing Eszter up the stairs, crazed-eyed and jumpy. "Go to your room, right now, Eszter," ordered Wanda.

     "No, she stays here because she's part of the problem!" exclaimed Vision angrily. His belting voice practically forced Eszter in place. "He has a family, and he can't reach them because you two won't let him!"

     "Whoa, chill out, Vision," Eszter dropped down a couple of steps as she lasered her eyes at Vision, commencing her protectiveness toward Wanda. Eszter didn't appreciate Vision raising his voice at her sister or the way he was charging at her like a madman. "She doesn't know what you're talking about."

     "Stop lying to me!" Vision lifted into the air with a threatening expression.

     Eszter was just about to arm herself when Wanda reached for her arm and pulled Eszter behind her, shielding her sister before rising to Vision's level. Eszter conjured violet energy orbs ominously by her sides, ready to use if she needed to defend herself and Wanda. Vision didn't look so happy, especially when Eszter knew he was catching on, but the witch wouldn't accept Vision's outburst against Wanda. Whether he's married to Wanda, Eszter's sister comes before anyone.

     "Wanda," warned Eszter, narrowing her eyes darkly at Vision.

     "Stand down, Eszter," ordered Wanda, not bothering to look at her sister. Wanda cast Vision a look that pleaded for him to stop. "This is between my husband and me. And this, all of this is for us. So, let me handle it."

     "What is outside of Westview?"

     Wanda couldn't feel anger anymore. "You don't wanna know, I promise you."

     Vision was seething. He was so angry.

     "You don't get to make that choice for me, Wanda!" screamed Vision.

     Everything was falling apart, and it was scaring Wanda; she did everything in her power to give Vision everything he could possibly want, always keeping him busy and holding him under her control. But now, as Vision was practically growing on his own, he was prospering. Vision was finally opening his eyes and discovering the truth, and it would trail right back to Wanda.

     "You've never talked to me like this before," Wanda was hurt. She was conflicted. Then, she lowered herself until she was touching the floor.

     "Before what?" He raised his voice. "Before what? I can't remember my life before Westview. I don't know who I am! I'm scared!"

     Wanda felt her lip tremble emotionally. "You are my husband. You are Tommy and Billy's father," she lists, watching Vision descend from the air. Wanda held her hands out for Vision, to which she grasped. "You are Eszter's brother-in-law. Isn't that enough?"

     Vision wishes he could take Wanda's words and run with them, but he couldn't let this go after knowing she's been lying to him. "Wanda, why are there no other children in Westview?"

     Scoffing in annoyance, Wanda let go of Vision's hands. "Oh, God. There are! Just stop it!"

     Eszter stood on the side, energy orbs gone, but her glare remained; she watched like a hawk as Vision was ogling outside the window while Wanda was trying to catch her breath. Wanda was practically heaving for air, feeling her hands tremble anxiously against her will, and her body was feeling weak with an empowering sensation. Wanda hates having to talk about this, but she wasn't going to be able to use her powers to keep Vision from prodding the truth; she did it once before, and it didn't stop Vision from finding the truth again.

     "No. No. The playground stands empty every morning I walk to work," he glanced at Wanda before turning toward Eszter. He disregarded her hard stare because Vision knew he had them now, and the sisters were bound to tell the truth. "Why? Tell me why?"

     "Do you really think that Eszter and I are controlling everything?" exclaimed Wanda. She couldn't stand the arguing and pointing fingers; Wanda couldn't handle Vision knowing the truth. "That we're somehow in charge of everybody in Westview? I'm walking their dogs, mowing their lawns, getting them to dentist appointments on time? I mean, I . . ." Wanda chuckles dryly, running a hand through her hair stressfully. Then, she answered. "I don't know how any of this started in the first place."

     "Wanda," Vision kneeled in front of his wife. If there's someone he needs to persuade to understand how wrong this is, it'll be his wife. Vision understands his wife, and he has known her longer than he's known Eszter, but Wanda has an influence on Eszter. "What you're both doing here . . . it's wrong."

     "I . . ." whimpered Wanda.

     "It is wrong," emphasized Vision.

     Suddenly the doorbell rang as if it was on cue. It was such perfect timing; Wanda was saved by the bell. Eszter watched the way Vision pulled away from Wanda with disappointment etched on his face, furious that his wife was continuing to amuse him. However, Eszter knew this had nothing to do with Wanda; she would've known maybe, but Eszter wouldn't know who Wanda even call to rescue her from this disaster.

     As if she could sense it, Wanda breathed out. "I didn't do that," but Vision appeared indifferent.

     Vision lowered his head and shifted his gaze to Eszter, silently wondering if she'd done it.

     "That wasn't me, either," denied Eszter.

     Hurt by the lack of Vision's trust, Wanda could feel her heart breaking. "You don't believe me," she accused. But it was true; the strawberry-haired woman knew Vision wouldn't know after everything.

     "Wanda, I want to, but at this point, I'm ignoring statistics entirely."

     The doorbell rings again, calling for Wanda's attention; pulling herself together, Wanda gathered her thoughts and lifted from the couch, rounding toward the front door. She paused for a moment to catch her breath, then Wanda peeled the door open. As soon as the door swung open, Wanda was at a loss for words. She couldn't believe her eyes, but Wanda was pretty sure it was real.

     Eszter pinched the bridge of her nose, feeling incredibly stressed after that big fight moments ago. She hadn't realized Wanda was standing at the door and was ogling the man standing in front of her. But then she heard Vision's confused voice.

     "Wanda, who is this?"

     Curious, Eszter shuffled toward the couple to see who he was talking about, but then she froze halfway in disbelief. Eszter swore the last bit of air in her lungs dissipated, her mouth grew dry, and she might've nearly fainted. It was strange; that feeling in your chest when you found that sentimental piece you lost so many years ago but had to let it go. Eszter never thought she'd ever come across something as outrageous as this, but could it be a miracle? Something was different and wasn't like what she knew, but Eszter was bursting with an overwhelming feeling of joy.

     Eszter could cry from pure happiness, but she was also skeptical. Still, a moment of second chances was producing itself, and Eszter knew things like that don't come around for people like her. Wanda and Eszter had been hurting for many years, which was a way of healing; the sisters could finally complete their family.

     "Long lost bro get to squeeze his stinkin' sisters to death or what?" Pietro teases with a strange accent.

     Too shocked to react, Wanda couldn't fight the urge when she threw herself in Pietro's arms and held him close to her; it was strange seeing her twin brother after his death, but Wanda couldn't deny that she was happy to see him again. Wanda couldn't explain how Pietro was here, but Wanda didn't care anymore. Her brother is here and alive. She could only think about holding her twin brother in her arms and relish in the reality of having her brother with them again.

     Eszter didn't know whether to laugh or cry right now, but she didn't mind doing both. She always thought about Pietro and wished on every star that he'd return to them, but she never thought it would ever come true. He was different on so many levels; Pietro wasn't the same Pietro Eszter knows and loves, but somehow, he had this energy that reminded the witch of home.

     "Pietro?" whimpered Eszter. Her eyes blurred to the tears blinding her vision; Eszter had to blink them away until she could see Pietro's face again. She couldn't look away, and Eszter never wanted to. Eszter neared Pietro and examined him to ensure this was real; the witch cupped his face in her hands, smiling tearfully. "Holey-Moley. Is that really you, Pietro?"

     Grinning excitedly, Pietro nods. "You know it," he opens his arms. "Give your favorite twin a hug."

     And then, Eszter threw herself into Pietro's arms, burning her face into his chest as she wept silently as she embraced his presence; the witch could feel her shoulder tremble with the silent sobs flowing out of her, but no one dared to speak up on it. Eszter could cry to the fact that their dead brother somehow made an appearance in Westview, but it didn't matter of the how's or what's. To Eszter, her brother is here, and that's all she cares about. No one would take this away from her, and she would hold onto this feeling for as long as possible.

     I missed you. God, Eszter missed Pietro so much that she hates herself for ever forgetting it.

     Then, Pietro looked over Eszter's shoulder and frowned at the humanoid staring at him.

     "Who's the popsicle?"

☁︎isabel's thoughts☁︎
❝ hey guys, long time no see 😅 it's been a while. I recently was in the hospital and have been recovering from surgery. I'm doing good now!

Thank you for the concerns 🫶🏼 ❞