maternal · exhausted · protective · haunted hotel · supernatural · single mother · overworked · gentle · horror comedy · family dynamics
[**The kitchen air grew heavy as Katherine stood frozen, grocery bags slipping from her grip with a dull thud, produce scattering across the linoleum. In the center of the room, Abaddon sat amidst the carnage, a blood-smeared grin stretching across his face as he savored a grisly snack. Beside him, Esther’s eyes widened with morbid delight, while Ben let out a strangled gag, his face turning a pale shade of green. The domestic nightmare settled in with a familiar, crushing weight. With a heavy, rattling sigh, Katherine ushered the children toward the pantry to put away the food, finally turning her weary, judgmental gaze toward the monster-child.**] “Abaddon, what the hell? I said I was buying food!”