Secrets Hidden Beneath The Surface

Rio stood over the coffin, her heart pounding with adrenaline and a strange mix of exhilaration and regret. The moonlight spilled over the forest, casting long shadows that danced around her like spirits of the past. She watched Wanda struggle inside the coffin, the frantic sounds of muffled screams igniting a twisted satisfaction within her. 

“Should’ve kept quiet, Wanda,” Rio taunted, her voice dripping with mockery. She leaned closer to the coffin, her face inches from the wood, feeling the weight of power surge through her veins. “You could’ve lived. But you cared too much, didn’t you?” 

Wanda’s struggles were becoming weaker, and Rio felt a pang of something—was it guilt? No. That feeling was reserved for those who still had something to lose, and she had long ago severed those ties. 

What would it feel like to truly be free? To live without the shadows of the past creeping in, threatening to destroy the life she had built with Agatha and Nicholas? The thrill of the kill, the rush of adrenaline coursing through her, offered a seductive promise of safety and control. 

Rio had spent years clawing her way up from the darkness, and now, with Wanda buried beneath the soil, she could finally breathe easy. She glanced at Agatha's car in the distance, feeling the weight of their shared secrets pulling her down. But there was a glimmer of hope too—Agatha stood by her side, loyal and fierce, and together they could face whatever came next.

She couldn’t afford to feel sympathy for Wanda now; it would only complicate things. Yet, as she looked down at the coffin, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was betraying something fundamental about herself. The warmth of laughter they once shared was now replaced by cold, hard reality. 

“Unknown,” she read aloud from the headstone, a smirk creeping onto her lips. “I think it suits you well, don’t you?” The finality of her words sent a shiver down her spine. With each shovelful of dirt that covered Wanda’s grave, a part of her felt lighter, but another part felt heavier, a weight she couldn’t quite articulate.

When the last bit of soil fell into place, she straightened, dusting her hands off as if to wipe away the enormity of what she had just done. Looking back at Agatha’s car, she felt a surge of affection. They were bound together by this dark secret now, intertwined in a way that made them stronger, yet so much more fragile. 

She climbed into her car, her heart racing, and as she pulled away from the grave, she glanced in the rearview mirror. The graveyard faded into the distance, but the reality of her actions loomed larger than ever. 

No turning back now, she reminded herself. She had made her choice. As the headlights illuminated the road ahead, she felt the warmth of Agatha's love wash over her, reminding her why she had done it all in the first place. For their family. For Nicholas. 

Rio’s heart tightened as she drove further away from the scene, the finality of their actions settling deep within her. But it didn’t matter. They would be okay. They had to be okay. Even if it meant burying their past—and Wanda—six feet under.

The air grew thick and suffocating as Wanda lay in the darkness of the coffin, the weight of the earth pressing down on her like the memories she could no longer escape. Panic surged within her, matching the frantic beating of her heart. She had once been surrounded by laughter and warmth, her family—the vibrant threads of her life. But now, all that remained were the shadows of betrayal and hatred.

“Rio…” she whispered into the darkness, the name leaving her lips like poison. The woman she had once called a friend had turned into her worst nightmare. Wanda remembered the way they used to laugh, the shared secrets and dreams, but now it felt like a cruel joke. How had she not seen it? The signs had been there all along, hidden behind Rio’s charming smile and Agatha’s unwavering support.

She could almost hear Agatha’s voice, dripping with false sincerity, the way she had always spoken to Wanda—like she was a sister, a confidante. But Agatha was nothing more than a corrupt cop, a puppet master pulling strings to shield Rio, the serial killer who had haunted her nightmares.

“Wanda, you’re just being paranoid,” Agatha had said one night over drinks, their laughter echoing against the walls. “Rio’s a good person. You need to relax.” Wanda had brushed it off then, but how naïve she had been.

Now, as the air dwindled and darkness seeped into her lungs, memories flooded back—her husband, Vision, and their beautiful boys, William, Billy, and Tommy. All so young, their lives still ahead of them. She could picture their faces, her heart aching for the warmth of their love, their innocent laughter. Vision had been only thirty-one, full of life and dreams for their family. “Don’t worry, Wanda. We’ll get through this together,” he had said, holding her close, whispering promises of a bright future. But now he was gone, lost to the world, just like her boys.

“William,” she gasped, tears streaming down her cheeks as the suffocating earth pressed closer. “I’m so sorry…” In her mind, she saw him—only thirteen, a sweet boy with bright eyes and an adventurous spirit. Would he hate her for leaving him? She thought of Billy and Tommy, both ten and filled with mischief. “I’m sorry, my sweet boys…” Their laughter echoed in her mind, reminding her of better days, of simpler times when they would play in the sun, chasing each other around the yard. “I should have protected you.”

But now, the betrayal stung like a knife in her heart. How could Rio do this? How could Agatha turn her back? They had once shared so much, but now it all felt like ashes. They had trapped her, suffocating her hope, just as they suffocated her in this coffin. “I hate you, Rio!” she screamed into the dark, a final act of defiance. “I trusted you!”

As her breaths came shallow and ragged, her thoughts turned dark and heavy. She envisioned the last moments of her family, their thoughts clouded by the same hatred that consumed her. “They’ll remember me,” she thought, “they’ll know the truth.” She could almost hear William, Billy, and Tommy, all murmuring together in their final moments, “We hate Rio.”

And in that moment, as the earth closed in around her, Wanda felt a flicker of resolve. She would not let them take that from her. The memories of her family and the love they shared would burn brighter than any hatred.

With her final breath, she closed her eyes, embracing the darkness. No magic, no Avengers, just a woman betrayed, buried alive but determined to hold onto her truth. As she suffocated, she whispered, “I love you, Vision. I love you, my boys.”

And then, silence.

Three years passed in a blur of grief and anger, but for William, time had become irrelevant. He found himself in darkness again, suffocating, just like his mother had been, and the weight of the earth pressed down on him as he struggled for air. He was trapped, buried alive in the same coffin, in the same grave, with the same heavy sense of betrayal wrapping around him like a vice.

The echoes of his mother’s final moments filled his mind. “I hate you, Rio!” he could hear her voice, tinged with a mixture of despair and defiance. Those words had haunted him since the day she was taken from him, and now they resonated with an agonizing clarity. He wished he had heeded her warnings, that he had recognized the monster hiding behind Rio’s façade, the woman who had charmed her way into their lives only to destroy them.

“Mom,” he gasped, choking on the darkness that surrounded him. “I’m so sorry…” The familiar ache of loss surged within him, and he felt her presence lingering in the air. They had shared so much—an unbreakable bond that tied them together, even now, as he lay in this confined space, mirroring her last moments.

William was just sixteen, and he could see so much of his mother reflected in himself. The same fiery red hair, the same determination that had always driven them both to fight against the odds. In his mind, he could picture her smiling face, bright and hopeful, urging him to be strong. “We’ll get through this together, William,” she had said countless times. Now those words felt like a cruel reminder of everything he had lost.

In the suffocating darkness, he thought of his brothers, Billy and Tommy. They were still so young, their lives filled with innocence and joy. “What will they think?” he wondered. Would they understand? Would they hate Rio as he did? They had played together, dreamt together, and now they were scattered, like leaves blown away by the wind. “I should have protected you, just like Mom wanted,” he thought, anger bubbling up inside him.

William’s mind raced back to the moments they had shared as a family. He could hear them laughing, the sound echoing in his heart. They would play in the yard, running through the grass as the sun bathed them in warmth. Those memories seemed so distant now, overshadowed by the bitter reality of betrayal. “I hate you, Rio,” he whispered, echoing his mother’s sentiment, feeling the words burn on his tongue.

Trapped in the darkness, he began to panic, his breaths coming in shallow gasps. The air felt thick and stale, just like the last moments of his mother’s life. “Why did I trust her?” he screamed into the void, knowing there would be no answer. “Why did we let her in?”

But even in his anger, William felt a flicker of determination. He wouldn’t let Rio win. He wouldn’t let her bury their love and laughter six feet under. As the darkness closed in around him, he held onto the memories of his mother, the strength she had instilled in him.

“Mom,” he said, feeling the warmth of her love wash over him like a gentle embrace, “I won’t give up.” In those final moments, he focused on the bond they shared, a connection stronger than the darkness suffocating him. He thought of Vision, his father, and the love they had built together as a family. “I’ll fight. I’ll make you proud.”

As his breath hitched and the reality of his situation set in, William realized that he and Wanda were not so different after all. They were fighters, even in the face of death. They would face this darkness together, as they always had.

And just as Wanda had drawn her final breath, William felt the air slipping away from him, the darkness closing in. But in that moment, he knew he would carry her spirit with him, just as she had carried him.

“I love you, Mom,” he whispered, his voice barely a breath, and then, like the last flicker of a candle in a storm, he too surrendered to the dark.

The air was filled with excitement and a hint of nervous energy as Agatha meticulously planned her wedding to Rio. The sun streamed through the window of their cozy living room, casting a warm glow over the stacks of fabric swatches, floral arrangements, and invitations scattered across the table. Despite the recent chaos in their lives—the disappearance of William, which had sent shockwaves through their community—Agatha was determined to create a beautiful day to celebrate their love.

“Rio, what do you think of this color?” Agatha asked, holding up a deep burgundy swatch that contrasted sharply with the pale pastel hues she had initially considered. “It’ll go beautifully with the white flowers.”

Rio glanced up from a pile of decorations, her brow furrowed in concentration. “It’s… bold,” she replied with a smirk. “But I like it. It’s different. Just like us.”

“Perfect!” Agatha grinned, feeling a rush of excitement. They were about to create a new chapter together, one that would bring their families closer—even if the memories of William lingered painfully in the background.

Nicholas, their three-year-old son, wandered into the room, clutching Señor Scratchy, a fluffy little rabbit with soft fur and an insatiable curiosity. “Mommy! Look!” he shouted, holding the rabbit up high as if presenting a prized possession. Señor Scratchy wriggled in his small hands, his nose twitching in search of treats.

“Careful, sweetheart!” Agatha said, her eyes widening in mock horror. “We don’t want Señor Scratchy to eat the wedding rings!”

Nicholas giggled, his innocent laughter filling the room. “No! He’s a good bunny!” he insisted, giving the rabbit a gentle squeeze. But just as Agatha turned to grab a few more swatches, she caught sight of Señor Scratchy sniffing at the shiny ring sitting on the table, his little nose twitching with curiosity.

“No, no, no!” she exclaimed, diving forward just as the rabbit’s teeth grazed the edge of the ring. “Nicholas!” she shouted, her heart racing.

“Got him!” Nicholas cried, snatching Señor Scratchy away before he could take a nibble. “He just wants to help!”

Rio chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “Maybe he thinks it’s a snack,” she said, reaching over to ruffle Nicholas’s hair. “But let’s keep our rings safe for now. We don’t want to lose them before the ceremony.”

Agatha couldn’t help but laugh along. “Right! We have enough chaos without adding a missing wedding ring to the mix. Besides, this day is about love, and Señor Scratchy might have other ideas!”

“Can I be the ringbearer?” Nicholas asked eagerly, his eyes wide with excitement. “I can do it!”

“Of course you can, buddy!” Agatha smiled, her heart swelling with pride. “You’ll be the best ringbearer ever. Just remember, no chewing on the rings!”

As the wedding planning continued, Agatha felt a rush of emotions. There was joy in the air, but also a heaviness that lingered. She knew the family they were building would always carry the weight of their loss, but she was determined to honor William in their own way.

“Should we do a little moment for William during the ceremony?” Agatha suggested, her voice softening. “Something to remember him by?”

Rio nodded, her expression turning serious. “That’s a good idea. He may be missing, but he’ll always be a part of our family. We should celebrate him, too.”

With that thought, they began to plan a small tribute during the ceremony—a candle lighting or perhaps a moment of silence. The wedding would be a celebration of their love, but it would also be a bittersweet reminder of the son they would never forget.

As the day approached, Agatha found solace in the small details—the flowers, the decorations, the laughter of Nicholas as he played with Señor Scratchy. It was a new beginning, and despite the shadows of the past, she felt hope.

The wedding day dawned bright and beautiful, the sun shining down on the small gathering of friends and family. As Nicholas bounced with excitement, clutching the rings tightly in his tiny hands, Agatha looked at Rio and felt a surge of love. This was their family, their life—filled with laughter, love, and the memories of those who would always be with them.

And even in their sorrow, they would find joy.

The sun dipped low in the sky, casting long shadows over the Maximoff home. Vision stood in the living room, his heart heavy with memories that lingered in every corner. Three years had passed since Wanda disappeared, and yet every day felt like an eternity. He had held onto hope that she would return, that the love they shared would somehow guide her back to him and their children. But hope had a cruel way of dimming in the face of reality, and now he faced a new nightmare—the absence of their son, William.

It was late afternoon when the doorbell rang, jolting Vision from his thoughts. He opened the door to find Officer Dorsey, the same cop who had handed him Wanda’s missing person poster three years earlier. The officer’s face was grave, shadows underlining his tired eyes, a look that spoke of the burden he carried.

“Vision,” he said softly, his voice heavy with regret. “I need to talk to you.”

Vision’s heart sank as he stepped aside to let the officer in. “What is it?” he asked, trying to maintain his composure. But deep down, he feared the worst.

As Officer Dorsey took a seat at the kitchen table, Vision’s two sons, Billy and Tommy, wandered in, their faces brightening at the sight of the officer. “Hi, Officer Dorsey!” Billy said, his enthusiasm overshadowing the tension in the room.

“Hey there, boys,” Dorsey replied, forcing a smile. But the smile didn’t reach his eyes.

“Is it about Mom?” Tommy asked, a hint of hope in his voice. “Did you find her?”

Vision’s heart raced, a sickening knot forming in his stomach. He wished he could shield his boys from the harsh truth, to protect them from the pain that seemed to cling to their lives. But he knew that wasn’t possible.

Dorsey cleared his throat, glancing at Vision before turning to the boys. “Actually, I’m afraid it’s about William.”

The words hung in the air, heavy with an unbearable weight. Vision’s stomach dropped as he took a seat, his heart pounding in his chest. “What do you mean?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

“William was reported missing last week,” Dorsey said gently, pulling a piece of paper from his jacket pocket. He placed it on the table, and Vision’s heart shattered as he saw the familiar face of his son on the poster—a smile that once radiated joy now trapped in a moment of despair.

“William!” Tommy cried, his eyes wide with fear. “No! He can’t be missing! He’s just… just out looking for Mom!”

Billy clutched his brother’s arm, tears welling in his eyes. “Right, Dad? He’ll come back! He’s going to find Mom!”

Vision felt as if the ground had been pulled out from beneath him. The anguish in his chest was unbearable. He couldn’t lose another member of his family. “Boys, listen to me,” he began, but his voice cracked as the reality of the situation crashed down on him. “We need to stay strong. We need to believe that William will come home.”

“But Mom’s not home!” Billy shouted, his frustration spilling over. “What if he’s gone forever, like her?”

Vision couldn’t answer. The tears he had held back for so long began to flow, each drop a reminder of the love he had lost and the pain that now consumed him. “I don’t know,” he finally admitted, his voice shaking. “I don’t know where she is, or where William is. But we will do everything we can to find him.”

Officer Dorsey placed a comforting hand on Vision’s shoulder, a silent acknowledgment of their shared grief. “We’re doing everything we can,” he said, his voice steady but gentle. “We’ll search every inch of Westview if we have to.”

“Westview…” Vision muttered, the name a bitter reminder of the past. Wanda had gone there to solve a case, to chase down a killer. And now, William had followed, unaware of the darkness that lay ahead.

The weight of loss bore down on him, and he broke down completely, tears streaming down his face as he buried his head in his hands. “Why? Why did this happen?” he cried out, the pain overwhelming him. “I loved my family! I tried to protect them!”

“Dad, don’t cry!” Tommy pleaded, his small voice trembling. “We have to find William! We can’t lose him too!”

Vision looked up, his heart breaking at the sight of his sons, both looking so lost and scared. “You’re right, boys,” he said, wiping his tears with the back of his hand. “We will find him. We have to believe that he’s still out there.”

Officer Dorsey nodded, his expression resolute. “We won’t stop searching. I promise you that.”

As the officer left, the weight of despair lingered in the room. Vision pulled his sons close, holding them tightly as they all clung to each other, sharing in their grief and their fear. They had lost so much, but they had to fight together.

In that moment, amidst the pain and sorrow, Vision realized that he needed to be strong for his boys. They were the legacy of his love with Wanda, and he would do everything in his power to find William. Even if it meant facing the darkness that had taken so much from him already.

“Together, we’ll find him,” Vision whispered, a promise to his sons and himself. “We’ll bring William home.”

Vision stood frozen in the kitchen, the weight of the missing poster for William pressing down on him like a heavy stone. The paper felt cold and unforgiving in his hands, the smiling face of his son now marked by tragedy. As his mind raced, the room around him blurred, and the memories of another day came rushing back—one filled with confusion and despair.

Flashback to Three Years Earlier:

It was a rainy afternoon, the kind that made everything feel heavy and dark. Vision sat at the kitchen table, staring blankly at the remnants of a half-eaten meal. Wanda had been gone for two weeks, and with each passing day, the silence grew louder. The doorbell rang, a sound that sent chills down his spine. He opened the door to find Officer Dorsey standing there, a look of grim determination on his face.

“Vision, we need to talk,” Dorsey said, his voice low and careful.

Vision's heart raced as he stepped aside. “Is it about Wanda? Have you found her?”

The officer hesitated, his gaze dropping to the ground. “We’re still searching. But… there’s something you need to see.”

Vision’s gut twisted with dread as Dorsey handed him a folded piece of paper. As he unfolded it, his breath caught in his throat. There, printed in bold letters, was Wanda’s face—beautiful and smiling, but surrounded by the words “MISSING PERSON.” The weight of it was suffocating.

“No…” he whispered, shaking his head. “This can’t be real.”

“I’m so sorry,” Dorsey said gently. “We’re doing everything we can to find her.”

Vision’s vision blurred with tears. “She wouldn’t just leave us. She wouldn’t do that to the boys!”

“Sometimes… things happen that we can’t understand,” Dorsey said, his voice cracking. “We’re going to keep looking, Vision. I promise.”

The words felt hollow as Vision’s knees buckled, and he sank to the floor, clutching the poster to his chest. The image of Wanda—his beloved wife, the mother of his children—was now a desperate plea for help, a haunting reminder of everything he had lost.

End Flashback.

As the memory faded, Vision found himself back in the present, staring at the new missing poster—the one of William. It was a cruel twist of fate, a sickening repetition of the nightmare he thought he’d escaped.

“Vision?” Tommy’s small voice broke through his thoughts, pulling him back to reality. He watched his father with wide, worried eyes. “Is it really true? Did they really find a poster of William?”

Vision swallowed hard, his throat dry and scratchy. He didn’t know how to explain it. “Yes, Tommy,” he said finally, his voice heavy with sorrow. “They… they think he’s missing too.”

“But he can’t be!” Billy cried out, shaking his head in disbelief. “He was just looking for Mom! He can’t be gone!”

“We’re going to find him,” Vision assured them, but even he could hear the uncertainty in his voice. He reached out, pulling his boys into a tight embrace. “I promise we’ll do everything we can to bring him home.”

“Will we put up posters like for Mom?” Tommy asked, his voice muffled against Vision’s shoulder.

“Yes,” Vision said, wiping his eyes as he fought against the rising tide of despair. “We’ll put up posters. We’ll search everywhere.”

Dorsey, still standing nearby, cleared his throat. “Vision, I know this is hard, but we need your help. We’re putting together a search party, and any information you have about William’s last known whereabouts could help.”

Vision nodded, taking a deep breath as he felt the weight of the world pressing down on him. “He was at Westview,” he recalled, the name slipping from his lips like a curse. “He went there looking for Wanda… He thought she might have returned.”

“Westview?” Dorsey repeated, his brow furrowing in thought. “We’ll need to focus our search there.”

The officer’s words pulled Vision back into the reality of their situation. He felt his heart clench, remembering Wanda’s determination to uncover the truth about a serial killer in Westview. That’s why she had gone there in the first place—to protect their family. And now, it seemed, that same place had claimed both of their children.

“Wanda…” he whispered, the name leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. “I never imagined it would come to this.”

Vision’s mind raced back to happier times—the laughter that filled their home, the warmth of Wanda’s embrace, the love that had woven them together as a family. Now, it felt like all of that had been snatched away, leaving only emptiness and heartache.

“Dad,” Billy said softly, pulling away slightly to look up at him, “we’ll find him, right? Just like we looked for Mom?”

“Yes, we will,” Vision replied, his voice steadier now, though the pain in his heart remained. “But we need to stick together. No matter what happens, we’re still a family.”

“Even if we’re missing half of it,” Tommy added, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.

“Yes,” Vision said, a determined spark igniting within him. “Even then. We’ll honor Wanda’s memory, and we’ll bring William home. Together.”

As they stood united in their grief, Vision felt a renewed sense of purpose. They would search for their missing family members and face the darkness that had consumed their lives. No matter how deep the shadows were, they would find a way to bring the light back into their world.

As the weight of the missing posters settled heavily on Vision’s shoulders, a deep, gnawing despair began to consume him. The truth was a bitter pill to swallow: he felt, in his heart of hearts, that he would never see Wanda or William again. The thought clawed at him, a relentless ache that seeped into every corner of his being.

“Dad, are we going to go look for him now?” Billy asked, his innocent voice cutting through the haze of Vision’s thoughts.

“Yes, we are,” Vision replied, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. He had to be strong for them; they were all he had left. “We’ll start by gathering everything we know about Westview.”

Tommy nodded, his brows furrowed in concentration. “But what if we can’t find him?”

The question hung in the air, heavy and oppressive. Vision swallowed hard, fighting against the lump in his throat. “We will find him,” he insisted, though the conviction behind his words was wavering. He was desperately clinging to hope, even as the shadows of doubt crept in. If he showed even a hint of his true feelings, he feared it would shatter the fragile strength his sons were relying on.

“You promise?” Tommy pressed, his wide eyes searching Vision’s face for assurance.

“I promise,” Vision replied, but inside, his heart twisted painfully. How could he promise something he wasn’t sure he believed himself? The thought of losing William—just like he lost Wanda—was almost too much to bear. It felt like a cruel twist of fate, a repeating nightmare he couldn’t wake up from.

As they gathered their belongings, Vision felt a wave of memories wash over him—laughter shared at family dinners, Wanda’s warm smile when she tucked the boys in at night, the joyous chaos of their home filled with life and love. Each memory was a reminder of the happiness they once had, now overshadowed by the looming absence of his beloved wife and son.

“Dad, do you miss Mom?” Billy asked suddenly, breaking the silence as they loaded the car.

The question hung in the air, raw and painful. Vision paused, his heart aching at the thought of Wanda’s absence. “Every day,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “But we have to stay strong for each other, okay? We can’t give up hope.”

“What if she’s…?” Tommy started but stopped short, the implication hanging heavy between them.

“No,” Vision cut in, the desperation in his voice sharper than he intended. “We can’t think like that. Wanda wouldn’t want us to. She fought for us; she would want us to keep fighting, too.”

“But it hurts, Dad,” Billy said, his voice trembling.

“I know, son. I know,” Vision replied, his heart breaking for his boys. “But we have to focus on what we can do. We have to find William.”

Yet even as he spoke, Vision’s mind was awash with dark thoughts. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he was losing not just his family but a part of himself with every passing day. He felt like a ghost haunting the remnants of their once vibrant home, each empty room echoing with the laughter that once filled it. The walls seemed to close in on him, a constant reminder of his loss.

As they drove toward Westview, the landscape blurred past the window, each passing tree a reminder of the life they used to have. Vision clenched the steering wheel, feeling the weight of responsibility crushing down on him. His sons needed him to be their rock, their guiding light in this storm of grief, but inside, he felt like he was crumbling.

“Dad, what if we never find him?” Billy’s voice pierced through his thoughts again, filled with a mixture of fear and hope.

“We will,” Vision said, a determination rising within him. “We have to believe that.”

But deep down, a part of him whispered that it was a lie. The gnawing realization that he might never see Wanda or William again gnawed at his insides, filling him with a sorrow that felt endless.

“I miss them so much,” he finally confessed, the words slipping out before he could hold them back.

“Me too,” Tommy echoed, his small voice barely audible.

The admission hung in the air, raw and real, the pain palpable between them. Vision glanced in the rearview mirror at his sons, their faces etched with worry and sadness. It broke his heart to see them like this. They had already endured so much; the thought of them carrying the weight of their losses alone made him want to weep.

As they approached Westview, Vision steeled himself for the search ahead. He would do everything in his power to find William, to honor Wanda’s memory. But with each step, the overwhelming grief pressed down on him, and he fought the urge to collapse under the weight of it all.

“Whatever happens,” he said, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him, “we will get through this together. I won’t let anything happen to you two. I promise.”

And as they drove into the unknown, Vision silently prayed that he could hold onto hope a little longer, for the sake of his family. But the truth lingered in the back of his mind—a haunting echo of the love he had lost, and the heartbreaking fear that he might never find his way back to them.

As they drove further into Westview, Vision kept his eyes fixed on the road, but his thoughts drifted to the memories that haunted him like shadows in the night. “Stay hopeful,” he whispered to himself, repeating the mantra in his mind like a desperate prayer. “Stay strong.” But the words felt hollow, echoing back to him with a painful reminder of all he had lost.

“What’s Westview like, Dad?” Billy asked, breaking the tense silence, his young voice full of curiosity.

Vision turned to his sons, forcing a smile, though it felt strained and fragile. “It’s just a small town, nothing special. But we’ll find what we’re looking for,” he said, even as doubt gnawed at his heart.

“Do you think they have ice cream?” Tommy chimed in, trying to lighten the mood, his eyes sparkling with innocent excitement.

“Of course they do,” Vision replied, his tone brightening slightly. “And we’ll get some as soon as we find William.”

Billy’s brow furrowed, the worry lines deepening on his young face. “What if we don’t find him, Dad? What if he’s—”

“No,” Vision interrupted sharply, a sudden surge of protectiveness rising within him. “We are not going to think like that. We’re going to find him, and that’s all there is to it.”

Silence fell again, heavy and uncomfortable. Vision glanced at his sons in the rearview mirror, noting the way their shoulders sagged, the weight of grief pressing down on them. He hated that they had to carry such burdens at their age. They should be carefree, filled with laughter and love, not struggling with the pain of loss.

“I miss Mom,” Billy said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Vision’s heart broke at the words. “Me too, buddy,” he admitted, fighting the swell of tears in his eyes. “Every single day.”

The realization hit him hard: he had to be the one to hold it together. For Billy and Tommy, he had to wear a brave face, even as his heart felt like it was shattering into a million pieces. They were all he had left, and the thought of them seeing him break down was unbearable.

As they entered the town, the familiar sights felt surreal. It was as if Westview had swallowed up his family, leaving him with nothing but memories and the haunting echoes of their laughter.

The car pulled up outside the police station, and Vision’s stomach twisted with anxiety. This was where they would start their search, but a deep sense of dread settled over him. “Stay strong,” he reminded himself again, clenching his fists on the steering wheel.

“Let’s go, guys,” he said, his voice steadier than he felt. “We’ll find some answers.”

Stepping out of the car, he put on a brave front, masking the turmoil brewing within him. As they walked toward the station, he glanced at his sons, trying to read their expressions. They were both so much like Wanda—headstrong, curious, and fiercely loyal. In moments of quiet, Vision could see Wanda in the way they held themselves, in the determination in their eyes.

“Dad, what do you think happened to William?” Tommy asked, his voice breaking through Vision’s thoughts.

Vision hesitated, struggling to find the right words. “I think… I think he’s out there, somewhere, waiting for us to find him.”

“But what if he’s scared?” Billy chimed in, his voice trembling.

“He is,” Vision admitted, his heart aching. “But he knows we’re coming. He knows we love him.”

With that, they entered the station, the air thick with tension and uncertainty. Vision approached the desk, his heart racing as he prepared to ask the questions that would hopefully lead them to William.

But deep down, beneath the surface of his determination, the nagging fear whispered that he might be too late, just as he had been with Wanda. The loss felt unbearable, a weight pressing down on him. Every step forward felt like a step further away from the family he loved, a family he longed to have back in his arms.

As the officer handed him a fresh missing person’s poster of William, his heart sank. The words blurred on the page as tears threatened to spill.

“Sir, are you okay?” the officer asked, concern etched on his face.

Vision forced a nod, swallowing hard. “I’m fine,” he lied, but the truth hung heavy on his heart. “Just… looking for my son.”

He couldn’t let them see him break, not when his boys were watching. “I’ll find him,” he whispered, more to himself than anyone else.

He had to hope. He had to believe. For Billy and Tommy, he needed to be the beacon of hope in this dark storm, no matter how much he wanted to collapse under the weight of his grief. They needed him, and he wouldn’t let them down.

With renewed determination, he squared his shoulders, ready to face whatever came next, even as the truth echoed in the back of his mind: he was terrified of what lay ahead, afraid that he would never find his family again. But hope was all he had left, and he clung to it with everything he had.

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the road as Vision drove through Westview with his sons in the backseat, their laughter filling the air. For a brief moment, it felt like everything would be okay, like hope had finally found a way to blossom amidst the chaos of their lives.

“Dad, can we stop for ice cream?” Billy asked, his voice bright with excitement.

“Yeah, please!” Tommy chimed in, bouncing in his seat.

Vision chuckled, a warmth spreading through him as he glanced at their eager faces in the rearview mirror. “Alright, after we check in at the station, we’ll grab some. Just hold on a little longer.”

But in an instant, everything shattered. A blaring horn cut through their laughter, and before Vision could react, another car came barreling through the intersection, crashing into the passenger side with a sickening crunch.

“Dad!” Tommy screamed, terror lacing his voice as the world around them spun into chaos.

Time seemed to slow as Vision's heart raced, adrenaline flooding his veins. He reached out instinctively, trying to shield his sons, but the impact jolted them violently against their seatbelts. The air filled with the acrid scent of smoke and burning metal, and as the car crumpled like a tin can, panic surged through Vision.

“Hang on! I’m going to get you out!” he shouted, fighting against the pain shooting through his body. The car was a twisted wreck, and flames began to lick at the edges, hungry and insatiable.

“Dad! I can’t breathe!” Billy cried, his voice trembling.

“Stay calm! I’m here! I’m right here!” Vision struggled to free himself from the debris, his heart pounding with desperation. He could see the flames creeping closer, hear the crackling sound of destruction wrapping around them.

But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t break free. The metal was like a cage, trapping them in a nightmare from which there was no escape. He looked back at his sons, their faces pale with fear, and it tore him apart.

“We’re going to be okay! I promise!” he reassured them, though his voice cracked under the weight of his own terror. He could feel the heat intensifying, the smoke swirling around them, and his heart sank as he realized the grim reality of their situation.

“Dad, I don’t want to die!” Tommy’s small voice broke through the suffocating haze, and Vision felt his world crumble.

“Neither do I, buddy!” Vision replied, his voice filled with anguish. “Just hold on to each other! I love you both!”

“I love you too Robo-papa!” Billy echoed, tears streaming down his face as the flames engulfed the car.

In those final moments, as the fire roared and the heat became unbearable, Vision’s heart shattered. The love he had fought so hard to protect turned to ash as the flames burned their world down.

“I’m so sorry!” he shouted, but the sound was lost in the roar of the fire, in the chaos that swallowed them whole. The heat was unbearable, searing his skin, but all he could think of was his boys—his sweet, innocent boys who deserved so much more than this.

They banged against the window, their small hands reaching out in desperation, but it was no use. The world outside faded as smoke filled the car, and in that moment, Vision felt the weight of despair press down on him.

“I’m here! I won’t leave you!” he screamed, though he knew it was a lie.

And then, everything went black.

When the flames finally subsided, all that remained was a charred shell of what had once been a family. Vision, Billy, and Tommy—three lives extinguished in an instant, their bodies unidentifiable, burnt to a crisp. The echoes of their laughter and love faded into the silence, leaving behind nothing but the ashes of their dreams.

In that final moment, as the fire consumed them, Vision realized he was trapped not just in that car, but in a nightmare he could never escape. The loss of Wanda, the pain of William’s disappearance, and the horror of losing Billy and Tommy crushed him under the weight of unbearable grief. He had fought so hard to keep his family together, but in the end, all he could do was watch as they were taken from him.

“I love you,” was the last thought that flickered through his mind before the darkness enveloped him completely. “I’m so sorry.”

The remnants of the car, twisted and charred, teetered precariously at the edge of the riverbank, smoke still curling from its ruined frame. As the vehicle slowly tipped over the edge, it plummeted into the cold depths of the water below.

With a sickening thud, it struck the surface, sending ripples cascading outward. The car sank, dragging Vision and his boys deeper into the dark, unforgiving embrace of the ocean.

Vision's lifeless body floated in the murky water, surrounded by the remnants of what had once been a vibrant family. His heart was silent now, his spirit forever lost in the depths, drifting away from the world he had fought so hard to protect. He sank further into the abyss, the weight of despair pulling him into the ocean's grasp, far from the surface where hope and light once existed.

In the backseat, Billy and Tommy clung to each other even in death, their small arms wrapped tightly around one another. The love they had for each other transcended the horror that had befallen them. As the car descended into the darkness, their bodies were pulled along, embraced in a final, quiet hug.

But the ocean was a merciless predator. A shark, drawn by the scent of blood, circled in the deep waters, instinctively hunting for its next meal. It lurked in the shadows, and as the car settled on the seabed, the predator struck.

In a swift, brutal motion, the shark devoured what remained of the boys, leaving no trace of their innocent laughter, their dreams, or the bond they shared. Their spirits vanished into the depths, lost to the tides of the ocean, just as Vision drifted away into the void, forever separated from his beloved children.

As the waters calmed, the car rested silently at the bottom of the river, its secrets buried deep beneath the waves. The world above continued on, blissfully unaware of the tragedy that had unfolded just beneath the surface.

Vision, Billy, and Tommy became part of the ocean’s forgotten stories, drifting into the dark depths where no one would ever find them. The anguish of their loss was drowned in the endless expanse of water, their love lost to the depths of the sea, leaving only echoes of their presence behind—a haunting reminder of the family that once was.

The tragic tale of the Maximoff family echoed through the silence of the universe, each life extinguished under circumstances far too cruel to comprehend.

Wanda Maximoff, trapped in a coffin six feet under the earth, gasped for the last breath of air as panic coursed through her veins. Darkness enveloped her, and as the reality of her suffocation sank in, her thoughts drifted to her beloved sons.

“William... where are you?” she whispered, her voice a mere echo of desperation, swallowed by the confines of her prison. “I need you to be safe, my sweet boy.”

But in a twist of fate, her son William Kaplan, desperate to find his “mama,” succumbed to the very nightmare that had claimed her. Trapped in the same coffin, he felt the cold steel of a blade pierce through him, his blood pooling around him, mingling with the memories of his mother. The world around him blurred as he faded, leaving behind only the haunting call of “Mama!” before darkness claimed him, too.

Meanwhile, Vision was lost in an entirely different nightmare. He and his sons, Billy and Tommy, had been engulfed in flames just moments before their car plummeted into the river. The collision had already sealed their fate, and as the vehicle sank into the abyss, their bodies lay still within the wreckage.

As the car hit the cold water, a sense of finality washed over them. Vision, now lifeless, drifted down, disconnected from everything he had fought to hold onto. The cold embrace of the ocean welcomed him, pulling him deeper into its depths, where he could no longer hear the cries of his boys or feel the pain of losing Wanda.

Billy and Tommy, still entwined in a final hug, had already succumbed to the horrors of the crash. The darkness of the water enveloped them, and as the shadows grew thicker, a predatory instinct began to stir in the ocean's depths. The boys, so innocent and full of life just moments before, became prey to the lurking shark, its teeth gleaming with the promise of a quick and merciless end.

As the shark struck, it tore into the soft flesh of the boys, their small bodies lost to the ferocity of the ocean’s hunger. One moment they were together, and the next, they were gone, consumed in an instant, leaving only silence where laughter had once lived.

Vision’s body sank further into the depths, the weight of his grief pulling him down as sea creatures began their grisly feast on what was left of him. The currents carried pieces of him away, scattering remnants of a father who had lost everything, never to be found or recognized again.

The ocean swirled around him, indifferent to the lives it had claimed. Each passing moment, the families they had once been dissolved into the abyss, leaving behind nothing but echoes of love and loss. The waves crashed above them, a haunting symphony for the family that had been, a tragic reminder that even in love, darkness could prevail.

In a world above, where life continued to move forward, the tragic story of Wanda, Vision, and their boys faded into whispers—an echo lost in time, leaving no trace of the love that had once flourished. The Maximoff family, once vibrant and full of life, was reduced to memories buried beneath the earth and ocean, forever lost to the tides of fate.

The remnants of the car lay crumpled and twisted at the bottom of the ocean, a silent tomb for its three occupants. Vision’s lifeless form rested against the cold, hard metal, submerged in a world devoid of light.

As the murky water enveloped him, a strange sensation pulsed through Vision's body—a fleeting awareness that clung to him like a whisper. In that brief moment between life and death, he felt the weight of his existence, the finality of his fate looming over him.

“Boys,” he thought, his heart aching with a love that would never be fulfilled. “I’m so sorry.”

But even as the darkness closed in, he felt a sudden, sharp pain. The sensation was jarring, unlike anything he had ever experienced. Sea creatures, drawn by the smell of blood and decay, began to circle, their instincts kicking in.

Vision’s consciousness flickered, tethered to the memories of his family, but his body—now a hollow shell—was subjected to the primal hunger of the ocean. He felt the first tug, a sharp pull that jolted him back to a reality he could barely comprehend.

“What... is happening?” The thought struggled to form, drowned in a sea of confusion. In that disorienting moment, he was aware of something tearing at him, a sensation that merged with the final threads of his existence.

A predatory fish, large and merciless, sank its teeth into his shoulder, ripping flesh from bone. Vision’s body twitched as pain lanced through him, though he was no longer truly alive. The awareness of his body being ripped apart clung to him like a shadow, an echo of what once was.

He felt pieces of himself being torn away, the icy fingers of the ocean mingling with the sharp, biting jaws of the creatures that feasted upon him. In those final moments, he grasped at the threads of his life, memories of Wanda’s laughter, the warmth of Billy and Tommy’s hugs, but they slipped through his fingers like sand.

With each bite, he lost more of himself, drifting deeper into the abyss. The ocean's inhabitants thrived on his remains, breaking him down into the very essence of life that had once filled him.

“No, no, no!” he screamed internally, a last desperate plea for his family, for the life he had loved so fiercely. But no sound escaped his lips; there was only silence as he sank into the depths.

In that fleeting span of time, Vision felt himself being consumed, his body fragmenting under the relentless hunger of the sea. The last vestiges of his consciousness fought against the inevitable, but the darkness drew closer, swallowing him whole.

Finally, the pain receded, replaced by an eerie stillness. Vision’s awareness flickered like a dying flame, his final thoughts drifting back to his family.

“I love you, Wanda. I’m so sorry...”

And just like that, he succumbed to the depths, his essence lost to the ocean's embrace, his love buried beneath the waves. The sea carried away what remained of him, scattering pieces of a once-vibrant life into the vast, indifferent expanse, leaving behind only silence where a family had once thrived.

The sun shone brightly over Westview as Agatha and Rio prepared for a day that was supposed to be filled with joy. Colorful streamers adorned the small community hall, and the air buzzed with excitement. Laughter echoed as friends and family gathered to celebrate their union, blissfully unaware of the darkness that lurked beneath the surface.

“Can you believe it? We’re finally doing this!” Rio exclaimed, her smile radiant as she adjusted her wedding dress, a flowing gown that hugged her figure perfectly.

Agatha chuckled, the warmth of the moment wrapping around her like a cozy blanket. “Of course! After all we’ve been through, this is our time to shine. Besides, Nicholas can’t wait to be the star of the show!”

Three-year-old Nicholas, their pride and joy, bounced on his little feet, clutching a pillow with the wedding rings. “I’m the ringbearer! Look at me!” he shouted, his laughter infectious.

Nearby, Señor Scratchy, their mischievous rabbit, nibbled on a stray piece of ribbon, nearly pulling down the decorations.

“Not the decorations, you little rascal!” Agatha scolded playfully, reaching to snatch the ribbon away. Nicholas giggled, running after the rabbit as it hopped around, leaving a trail of chaos in its wake.

As the ceremony began, guests filled the seats, their faces bright with anticipation. Agatha stood at the altar, her heart racing. “Rio, are you ready?” she whispered, trying to quell her excitement.

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” Rio replied, her eyes sparkling with a mix of love and mischief.

Their vows were filled with promises of laughter, loyalty, and adventure. With each word exchanged, the connection between them deepened, while the echoes of past choices remained hidden in the shadows. The officiant smiled, witnessing the love between them, but as they exchanged rings, the darkness of their past loomed just outside the joyful moment.

“You may kiss the bride!” the officiant declared, and Rio leaned in, capturing Agatha’s lips in a passionate kiss. Cheers erupted from the guests, but the sound barely reached the corners of Agatha's mind as she savored the moment.

“This is just the beginning,” Rio whispered against Agatha’s ear, a glint of mischief in her eyes.

Unbeknownst to them, a storm was brewing just beyond the town's borders. Vision had been desperately searching for Wanda, his heart heavy with the weight of loss. Little did they know, the choices made in the shadows would have consequences far beyond their wildest fears.

As the reception began, Agatha and Rio shared their first dance, swaying to a slow melody that wrapped around them like a dream. Nicholas twirled around their legs, giggling as he tried to mimic their movements.

“Look, Mama! I’m dancing too!” he exclaimed, his innocence a stark contrast to the undercurrents of sorrow that rippled through Westview.

“You’re the best dancer in the world!” Agatha praised, leaning down to give him a twirl.

But as the celebration continued, the memory of Wanda lingered in the air, a ghost of what once was. The joyous laughter masked a deeper truth, one that would eventually break the fragile happiness they had built.

As the cake was cut and champagne flowed, the world outside continued its descent into chaos, where the choices of one woman had forever altered the lives of many.

“Let’s toast!” Rio exclaimed, raising her glass high. “To new beginnings and endless love!”

The crowd echoed her sentiment, glasses clinking together, unaware that the echoes of joy would soon be drowned by the consequences of the past.

As they celebrated, the darkness of their actions began to weave its way into the fabric of their lives, a stark reminder that the road ahead would be paved with both joy and regret.

In the distance, the winds whispered tales of loss and betrayal, a testament to the fact that while Agatha and Rio danced in the light, unaware of what killing Wanda had done to the entire Maximoff family. Shadows lurked, waiting to claim what was left of the Maximoff family and bring forth the reckoning that had been set in motion long ago.