Daughter of a Witch

Rainy Evening by the Fire

The rain had picked up since dusk, a relentless, calming patter against the house that made the warmth inside feel all the cozier. Y/n had watched it come in slowly, first with a light mist that softened the sky, then growing into steady drops that cascaded down the windows. The low rumble of thunder followed, growing louder as it neared, adding a thrilling edge to the comfort of their home.

Nestled under a mound of blankets on the couch, Y/n sipped from her warm mug, savoring the taste of chamomile and honey. Agatha had dimmed the lights, and the living room was lit mainly by the golden glow of the crackling fire. As it filled the room with a gentle, flickering light, shadows danced along the walls, casting them all in an amber haze that made Y/n feel like they'd been transported back in time.

Agatha sat beside her, occasionally glancing out the window with a thoughtful look, while Rio leaned back against the couch, a mischievous glint in her eye. Y/n knew that looked good-it meant a story was coming, one that Rio would put her whole heart into telling. The longer she took to start, the more Y/n's anticipation grew. Finally, Rio leaned forward, her gaze flickering over the room as though they were in on a secret together.

"Well," she started, her tone dark and low, "I can't think of a better night for a ghost story, can you?"

Y/n felt her heartbeat quicken, half with excitement, half with that strange thrill of fear. But she knew Rio's stories by now. Sure, They would be spooky, but more than that-they would be funny, inventive, and expertly told. Agatha, clearly ready to humor her, gave Rio an amused look, leaning back as if to say, "Here we go."

Rio's expression grew more serious, though the sparkle of amusement still shone in her eyes. "Alright, listen closely," she said, glancing dramatically between Agatha and Y/n. "This one's from a long, long time ago... In fact, some people would say it's not a story at all, but something that happened right here on a night just like this one."

Y/n suppressed a giggle and caught up in the tension Rio was building. "What happened?"

Rio leaned forward, lowering her voice. "There was a mansion on the outskirts of town, a place that stood alone on a hill with ivy climbing up its walls and broken shutters that clattered whenever the wind picked up. They say that you could see the light flickering in one of the top windows on stormy nights, as if someone-or something-was still inside, haunting the place."

Y/n leaned in, her mug forgotten as she listened, fully caught in the eerie image Rio was painting. Lightning flickered outside, and it was easy to picture the scene for a split second: a grand, desolate mansion standing in the storm, a single candle lit in the uppermost window.

Rio's eyes flashed with excitement as she continued. "People said it was cursed. They told stories about a woman in white who roamed the halls at night, drifting from room to room, as if she were searching for something-or someone."

Y/n's eyes grew wide, and even Agatha seemed intrigued despite herself, her lips curving into a faint smile as she watched Rio tell her tale.

"One stormy night, a group of travelers came to town. They'd lost their way in the rain and sought somewhere to stay the night. When they heard about the mansion, they thought it was nonsense-a ghost story to scare the locals. So they decided to go up there and see for themselves."

Y/n couldn't hold back a gasp. "Did they find anything?"

"Oh, they found more than they bargained for," Rio said, her voice taking on an ominous edge. "As they wandered through the empty rooms, they heard strange sounds-footsteps echoing, doors creaking open on their own. And then, in the middle of the night...they heard it. A loud, echoing knock from the attic above."

Y/n gripped her blanket a little tighter, her heart racing. "Did they go up?"

Rio held Y/n's gaze, lowering her voice to a whisper. "They were never seen again."

The fire crackled, filling the sudden silence that fell over the room. Y/n glanced at the room's dark corners, feeling a delightful little thrill at the idea of a ghostly presence lingering in the shadows. But when she looked back, she caught Agatha shaking her head with a small laugh.

"Alright, that's enough spooky tales," Agatha said, patting Y/n's knee. "I think Rio has done her fair share of storytelling tonight."

Rio laughed, holding her hands up in mock surrender. "Guilty as charged. But admit it-you both enjoyed it."

Y/n grinned. "Yeah, you're right."

Rio settled back into the couch, stretching out her legs with a contented sigh. "But I think your mama might have a story of her own to tell tonight," she said, nudging Agatha playfully. "One that doesn't involve ghosts but does involve one very memorable storm."

Agatha rolled her eyes, though a soft smile crept over her face as she turned to Y/n. "Alright," she said, her voice taking on a warm, nostalgic tone. "Once upon a time, your mom here thought it would be romantic to go for a walk during a summer storm."

"Ah, I know this one," Y/n said, already excited to hear the story again. "Tell it!"

Agatha chuckled, wrapping her arm around Y/n. "We were back in Salem. It had been raining on and off all day, and Rio got this brilliant idea to stroll out to the old woods after sunset."

Rio looked proudly unrepentant, her arms crossed as she reclined on the couch. "It was beautiful out there-dark, quiet, the whole forest to ourselves."

Agatha raised an eyebrow, smiling as she turned back to Y/n. "So, I went along with it. We made it maybe half a mile in before the rain started pouring down. I mean really pouring-so much that it was hard to see, and the mud was almost impossible to walk through."

Rio shrugged. "A little rain never hurt anybody, right?"

"Yes, well, after about five minutes, you were knee-deep in mud and refusing to admit that we were lost," Agatha replied, laughing softly. "I kept asking if we should go back, and she kept saying 'just a little farther.'"

Y/n could hardly keep from laughing as she pictured the scene: her moms in the woods, drenched and stubborn, each refusing to let the other one call it quits.

"We eventually turned around," Agatha continued, her voice softening as she looked at Rio. "But by that point, we were soaked. And when we finally got back to the cottage, it had stopped raining."

Rio chuckled, leaning against Agatha's shoulder. "It was worth it. We saw the stars break through the clouds on the way back. You looked so beautiful in that starlight, Aggie."

Agatha gave her a soft, nostalgic smile. "Well, you made it worth it, Rio."

They shared a tender look, and Y/n felt her heart swell as she watched them, knowing that their love had carried them through centuries, through storms and struggles she could hardly imagine.

Outside, the rain continued to fall, but inside, they were wrapped in warmth and laughter. Agatha reached over and tucked a strand of hair behind Y/n's ear, her smile gentle and full of love. "We've had a lot of storms over the years," she said softly, "but they always pass, and we always find our way back home."

Y/n leaned her head against Agatha's shoulder, feeling more at peace than ever. She was grateful for the stories, the laughter, and most of all, the love surrounding her.

As the fire crackled and the rain pattered softly, Rio leaned forward, casting one last, dramatic glance around the room. "And you know," she said, lowering her voice again for effect, "I think that woman in white may still be looking for her lost travelers..."

Y/n laughed, rolling her eyes. "Goodnight, ghost lady!"

Agatha chuckled, and Rio settled back with a contented sigh, her arms wrapped around them both. In that quiet moment, with the storm outside and the fire flickering low, they felt safe and happy in their own little world.

Eventually, Y/n's eyes began to droop, lulled by the warmth and the gentle rhythm of her mom's voice. As she drifted off, she thought of the stories, the laughter, and the love that had brought them all here together, their family bound as tightly as the blankets wrapped around them.

No storm could shake them. They were home, together, where they belonged.