"Agatha?" Wanda is breathing quickly, just having woken up from a nightmare. The lump of blankets on the other bed stirs.
"Hmm?"
"I had a nightmare… again." Wanda's nightmares have slowly begun to get better in the weeks that Agatha has been here. She can't tell if it is just because Agatha is here or if the work they do during the day helps too. The last couple of nights, Wanda hasn't had any nightmares. It feels like a dream to get a full night's sleep and it makes the days so much better.
But tonight, Wanda had another nightmare. She is disappointed, but also confused. Normally her nightmares are about her loved ones dying, but that night she dreamt about a large monster in a lake. It told her it was almost ready to wake up and she would regret what she had done. The last time Wanda had a dream unrelated to losing her family, terrible things had happened afterwards, and she is nervous that the same thing will happen this time too.
"My nightmare was… different. Can I tell you about it?"
"Of course, Wanda." Agatha sits up in bed and turns to face Wanda.
Once Wanda finished telling Agatha about her dream, Agatha had some suggestions for what it could mean.
"Well, it could be just a normal nightmare—everyone has nightmares now and again. Or it could be a sign that something bad is going to happen, your subconscious warning you. It's possible that this sign is literal, but it could be a sort of metaphor too."
"You think it's possible that there is an actual sea monster that is going to wake up and cause trouble? Really, Agatha?" Wanda asks. Agatha can practically hear the sarcasm dripping off Wanda's tongue.
"Yes, Wanda. Haven't you been in this world long enough to know almost anything is possible?"
Wanda blanches, realizing this is true.
"Describe your sea monster to me."
"It was huge, as big as a small island, and it had lots of tentacles waving around in the water. It was hard to focus on what it was saying with all those tentacles waving in my face."
"Wanda, you've just described what could be a kraken—or worse—the Kraken."
"The Kraken? What's that?"
"Krakens are a species of large aquatic animals that have mild magic powers. They can disguise themselves as islands or flatten themselves at the bottom of lakes. They can sleep for hundreds of years, but if they are woken, then oh boy, are you in trouble. The Kraken is the biggest, most powerful, and oldest of all the krakens."
Wanda still has doubts that krakens are real.
"You're sure that krakens aren't some myth or something?"
"Wanda, when I was a young witch, my coven was called to Norway to deal with a kraken. It ended up being The Kraken and it took my entire coven just to put it to sleep. One witch died, and we were lucky no one else did."
Finally realizing the gravity of the situation, Wanda says, "Oh. I'm so sorry."
"It's fine, it was hundreds of years ago." Agatha brushes her off with a wave of her hand. "I just want you to understand that this is serious."
"I understand." Wanda rubs her eyes. "So what are we going to do about it?"
"We don't know for sure what your dream meant, so we'll just have to wait and see. Now, you need to make sure you sleep well for the rest of the night."
"As do you." Wanda retorts.
"Sleep tight, Wanda." Agatha lays back down on her bed.
"Don't let the bed bugs bite." Wanda replies, giggling. She lays back down on her pillow, and to her surprise, she falls asleep almost immediately.
Despite Wanda's nightmare, she sleeps surprisingly well for the rest of the night. The sun is streaming in through the window, but Agatha is still asleep. Wanda, wanting some time to think on her own, quietly climbs out of bed and walks to the door, being careful to avoid creaky floorboards. Before she leaves the room, she glances back at Agatha and watches her chest slowly rising and falling. Agatha's face is so peaceful. Wanda turns away quickly, leaving before Agatha can wake up.
She puts on a sweater and walks outside, squinting in the bright morning sunlight. She walks to some rocks beside the lake and sits down, peering out at the calm waters. She is so grateful to Agatha for helping her relearn how to control her magic. These past few weeks have been amazing. She doesn't feel so lonely anymore, or like something is missing. Agatha could never replace her family or Vision, but Agatha provides Wanda with something that she needs.
The only problem is, now that Agatha has taught Wanda all the skills she needs, Wanda doesn't need Agatha anymore. Wanda doesn't want Agatha to feel like she has to stay here against her will. Wanda resolves to talk to Agatha openly and find out what Agatha wants to do. She is crossing her fingers that Agatha will want to stay, but if she doesn't, Wanda won't pressure her to stay.
Her decision made, Wanda walks back to the cottage. She wonders if Agatha has woken up yet, and remembers the sun shining on her face while she slept. Once she is within sight of the cottage she can see smoke billowing out through the open windows of the cottage. Apparently Agatha is awake.
Wanda runs into the house, worrying about the smoke. She coughs when she enters the cottage, a plume of smoke blowing in her face.
"Agatha?" Wanda waves her hands in front of her face.
"Sorry, I burnt the toast." A faint voice calls from the kitchen and begins coughing. Wanda suspected as much. She takes a deep breath—at least as best as she can without coughing—raises her hands in front of herself, and allows her magic to spread throughout the cottage. She moves her hands behind her in a fluid motion, and both the smoke and the magic rush out of the cottage.
Wanda smiles. She remembers using her magic to do something similar before. She had been on a mission with Steve, Sam, and Nat. Those were good times. Wanda hopes she can see them again soon, now that she has gotten her powers under control, for the most part. Then she remembers—Steve and Nat are dead. How can it be that since that day only a few years ago, half of them on that mission had died? Wanda knows that Steve and Nat would want her to live her life to its fullest and not just hide herself away, but it's hard for her to remember.
Agatha pokes her head into the hallway.
"Thanks, Wanda. I just got distracted, and—what happened?" Agatha steps the rest of the way into the hallway once she gets a glimpse of Wanda's face.
"I—I remembered about Steve and Nat. I miss them so much, Agatha."
Agatha walks over to Wanda and brushes her hair behind her ear.
"It's hard. But you have to remember, they are still with you, Wanda."
"I know." Wanda frowns, trying to think of something to move the conversation along. "How did you manage to burn toast?"
"I was wondering where you had gone—hey! Don't change the subject! Classic Wanda." Agatha sighs and shakes her head. "Always trying to avoid your feelings."
"Fine. You got me. But Agatha, I can't always just wallow in my feelings. And I did tell you, this time."
"All right, I'll give you a pass for today." Agatha grabs Wanda's hand and turns around. "Come, it's time for breakfast."
When Agatha touches Wanda's hand, a shiver runs down her spine and her heart skips a beat. She sometimes feels this way around Agatha, but she isn't sure why. She can feel heat rising up her neck, but she ignores it as she allows Agatha to lead her into the kitchen.
"Wow, Agatha! What was the toast for?"
There is an extravagant breakfast on the table, complete with pancakes, fruit salad, and scrambled eggs.
"This is more than we could eat for breakfast in one week! What's the occasion?"
"Oh, I just felt like it." Agatha smiles, her eyes lighting up like they always did when Wanda expressed admiration about Agatha's cooking.
They sit down at the table and start enjoying the delicious breakfast.
"Agatha, these pancakes are amazing!" Wanda says, taking bite after bite of the fluffy pancakes.
"Thanks!" Agatha turns her face to look out the window, hiding the big smile spreading across her face and the blush deepening the colour of her cheeks.
"What is it?" Wanda turns her head as well, but nothing looks out of the ordinary.
"Can't I look out the window if I want?"
"I mean—yes. It's just a little—well—odd."
Agatha turns back to face Wanda. "I have something to talk to you about."
"So do I."
Agatha tilts her head, curious to know what Wanda wants to talk about.
"Do you want to go first or should I?" Wanda asks.
"Actually, I was thinking we could go for a walk and picnic and talk about it then." Agatha responds.
This response makes Wanda curious. She thought Agatha would say something about her dream, or about Steve and Nat, but now she isn't sure.
Once both Wanda and Agatha had eaten their fill of the delicious breakfast, they pack up the rest and throw some food into a basket for their lunch. Agatha made bread the previous day, so it doesn't take long. They change into clothes for the day. Wanda wears a long red dress with a warm cardigan and Agatha wears her usual witchy clothes.
They step outside—Agatha carrying the basket of food—and start walking.
"Where are we going?" Wanda asks.
"Let's walk around the lake. I'm sure we'll find a spot somewhere."
After a moment of hesitation, Wanda holds her hand out to Agatha who takes it immediately. Wanda uses her magic to fly them from the island to the mainland so they will have more area to walk. There is a rocky beach, and Wanda enjoys leaping from rock to rock while Agatha watches, smiling.
The weather has been quite warm for the last few days, and the lake water is surprisingly warm.
"Agatha, come feel how warm the water is!" Wanda calls, crouching down at the water's edge.
"You know Wanda, I'm okay."
"Come on, Agatha. It really is warm." Wanda tries to tempt Agatha.
"No thanks, Wanda."
"Your loss." Wanda removes her shoes and socks and wades in the water. She holds her dress up in one hand so it doesn't drag in the water. It is delightful to feel the water sloshing against her ankles and to feel the wet sand squishing between her toes.
After a few minutes pass, Agatha starts walking to the water. Wanda raises her eyebrows.
"Did you change your mind?"
"Yes. Now, don't make me change it again."
Agatha hands the picnic basket to Wanda and removes her shoes and socks before putting one toe in the water.
"Are you sure this is warm, Wanda?"
Wanda rolls her eyes.
"Yes! Just step in, Agatha."
"You'd better be telling the truth." Agatha mutters darkly. She steps in the water and gasps comically. "Oh my, Wanda! This water is so cold I think I'm going to get hypothermia!"
Wanda laughs, her nose and eyes scrunching up.
"I'm sure you'll be fine."
Wanda's words are true, as Agatha survives walking in the water until they decide to eat lunch. They spread a picnic blanket out in a sunny spot on the sand and start eating lunch. Agatha's bread rolls are delicious, as always, and the fact that the weather is perfect makes the picnic even better.
Wanda and Agatha are having so much fun that they completely forgot why they came out here in the first place—they both want to talk with each other. In the lull of activity during lunch, Agatha remembers and brings up the subject once again.
"So Wanda, we have to talk, remember?"
"Yes, I remember. Is it alright if I go first?" Wanda is resolute in her decision and wants to get the words out without any distractions.
"Of course, dear."
"Well, I just want to say that I'm very grateful for all your help. Now that I have more control over my magic, you don't have to be here anymore." Wanda pauses and quiet seems to engulf the pair. "You fulfilled your promise. If you do want to leave, I just ask that you don't do anything to the detriment of any humans."
Agatha chuckles. "Detriment? Big words, Wanda."
"So do you want to leave?" Wanda bites her nails while nervously awaiting Agatha's response.
Agatha blinks quickly, appearing to be confused by the question.
"Well—"
Agatha's sentence is cut off by a large wave that splashes over the women, soaking them and what is left of their food.
"What was that?" Wanda asks, standing up and wringing out her dress.
Before Agatha can answer, a creature as big as an island rises up in the middle of the lake. It's mouth breaches the surface of the water. The mouth opens a gaping hole in the creature's body, letting out a roar so loud that Wanda and Agatha slam their hands against their ears.
The creature swims toward the cottage, using its giant tentacles to propel itself at an immensely fast speed.
Wanda turns to Agatha, biting her lip.
Agatha's eyes are wide as she answers Wanda's unspoken question.
"That is The Kraken."