Woven in Shadows (agatha x rio)

Fractured Reflections

Chapter Sixteen: Fractured Reflections

The aftermath of the town's near destruction lingered like an unspoken tension between them. The air still smelled faintly of scorched magic, and the people of Westview buzzed with rumors about what had caused the strange phenomena. For now, no one suspected the three women hiding in Agatha's house.

Nessa sat on the couch, her knees pulled to her chest, her face pale and haunted. Agatha watched her from the doorway, her fingers idly tracing the edge of the doorframe. Rio stood off to the side, leaning against the wall, her arms crossed and her expression unreadable.

"She's rattled," Agatha murmured to Rio, her voice low.

Rio arched a brow. "You think? The kid nearly tore the town in half."

Agatha shot her a warning glance but said nothing. She stepped into the room, her heels clicking softly against the floor. Nessa barely looked up, her eyes distant.

"Nessa," Agatha said gently, sitting down across from her. "You need to talk to us. What happened back there?"

Nessa's lips pressed into a thin line, her hands gripping her knees tightly. "I don't know," she said finally, her voice small. "I just... I was so frustrated, and it felt like something inside me snapped. Like I wasn't even in control anymore."

Agatha's gaze softened. "That's what we're here for to help you learn control. But we need you to trust us."

Nessa's eyes darted to Rio, who was still silent, watching her with a detached coolness. "Why should I?" she blurted out. "I don't even know you two. You say you're my parents, but I don't feel like I belong here. I don't feel like I belong anywhere."

Agatha's breath hitched, the weight of those words hitting her like a blow. Before she could respond, Rio stepped forward, her voice cutting through the room like ice.

"Listen, sweetie," Rio said, her tone firm but not unkind. "I get it. You're overwhelmed, you're scared, and you probably think the world is out to get you. But feeling sorry for yourself isn't going to help anyone."

Nessa flinched, her eyes narrowing. "I'm not feeling sorry for myself!"

"Really?" Rio tilted her head, her sarcasm biting. "Because it looks a lot like pouting to me."

"Rio," Agatha snapped, glaring at her.

"What?" Rio shrugged, her eyes never leaving Nessa. "The kid needs to hear it. She's powerful more powerful than either of us expected. But power without control is a liability. You don't want to hurt people, do you sweetheart?"

Nessa's eyes widened, her anger faltering. "No, of course not."

"Then stop wallowing," Rio said, her voice softening just a fraction. "Let us teach you how to use what you've got before it uses you."

Agatha watched the exchange with a mix of irritation and reluctant admiration. Rio's methods were unorthodox, but she had a way of cutting through the noise and getting to the heart of the matter.

After a long moment, Nessa nodded slowly, her shoulders relaxing. "Okay," she said quietly. "I'll try."

"Good," Rio said, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. "Because if you break the town again, I'm billing you for the repairs."

A reluctant laugh escaped Nessa, and Agatha let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

"Now," Rio continued, her tone light but purposeful, "let's talk about that snap you felt. Agatha and I have felt something similar before right, love?"

Agatha blinked, caught off guard by the sudden inclusion. "Uh, yes," she said quickly. "It's like... a floodgate opening. The magic overwhelms you, and it feels impossible to control."

"That's an understatement," Rio muttered, earning her a glare from Agatha.

"Anyway," Agatha said pointedly, "we need to figure out what triggers it. If we can identify the source, we can work on containing it."

Rio nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Could be emotional. Could be tied to your surroundings. Or..." She trailed off, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"Or what?" Agatha pressed.

Rio hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Or someone could be amplifying her power. I felt... something, Agatha. When that vortex started, there was a resonance to it like an outside force was feeding into it."

Agatha's stomach dropped. "You think someone's targeting her?"

"Maybe," Rio said, her voice low. "Or maybe it's just the nature of what she is. Either way, we need to be prepared."

Nessa looked between them, her anxiety rising again. "What does that mean? Are you saying I'm... cursed or something?"

"No," Agatha said quickly, reaching out to take Nessa's hand. "You're not cursed. You're just... unique."

Rio smirked faintly. "That's one way to put it."

Agatha ignored her, focusing on Nessa. "We'll figure this out together. But you have to trust us, Nessa. Can you do that?"

Nessa hesitated, her eyes searching Agatha's face. Finally, she nodded. "I'll try."

"Good," Rio said, pushing off the wall and stretching. "Because I don't know about you two, but I'd prefer not to rebuild this town from scratch."

Agatha rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at her lips. For the first time in days, she felt a flicker of hope.

As the three of them settled into the strange new rhythm of their makeshift family, none of them noticed the faint shimmer of magic lingering in the air outside the house a subtle, ominous presence watching and waiting.

This chapter sets up new stakes, reinforces the dynamic between the characters, and hints at a larger, looming threat.