Ethereal

Chapter 20: My Lover

She sat on her bed, holding a book in hand, wearing her pajamas and reading glasses. It was already late and the neighborhood was quiet, her home was dark except for her bedroom.

The lamp on the nightstand was open, giving the room a slight yellow glow as she read. Belle was peacefully sleeping on her right, her head on the blonde's lap. Her eyes remained on the words written, printed probably on the paper.

The cold wind knocked on her window, the moon shining brightly along with the burning stars that dotted the dark sky.

Her ears perked up upon hearing distinct voices coming from outside her bedroom, possibly from the living room. She shuts the book in her hand, setting it on the nightstand along with her glasses before swinging one leg over the bed. She reached under the mattress, pulling the pistol hidden under it before slipping out of the covers.

It was almost midnight, no one visits her at this time of the night. Not even Hela. Her footsteps were quiet, silent to be precise as she walked towards the door. As she twists the knob and pulled the door open, a faint light was seen on the floor.

She glanced at the windows, they were all locked and none was broken. She looked over to the living room to confirm her suspicion that the television was open, she was sure she turned that off after Belle watched her cartoons.

As she walked, her footsteps felt heavy each step. Her chest was beginning to feel tight. As she got close, a figure started emerging from the sofa. It started small before she got a better view and once she did, her eyes widened, her breath stopped, and she dropped her gun.

The sound of her gun dropping made the figure turn. It was a little boy, possibly at the age of seven. His eyes were wide with joy, his nose small, and a huge grin on his lips as he turned.

Serena covered her mouth, hands shaking. Her whole body shaking. Her eyes were wide as she stared at the little boy, her little boy.

"Henry?" she whispered, voice trembling

Henry grinned mischievously at her and somehow, that grin felt familiar "One more show, please Mommy!" he says, pouting with puppy eyes

"What..." Serena looked around, they were still in her apartment. She touched her cheek, it felt real. She took a step forward, a hand reached out.

Henry stared at her, confused "Mommy?"

As she got closer, she held in her breath. Her fingertips brushed against her little boy's cheek, he was warm. Without any hesitation, Henry leaned into her touch and came to hug her wrist.

"I love you, Mommy." he grinned

He loved grinning. He used it to get what he wants along with his puppy eyes. It was why Serena couldn't help but spoil her little boy, her love.

With thoughts clouded, Serena smiled and went closer. All she could think of was hugging her son again, showering his face with kisses, asking him how his day went, bonding with him. She just wanted to hold her little boy again.

But before she could fully reach out, a loud explosion blocked her ears. The windows shattered, and the force blew her away. She blinked as she felt her back hit a hard and cold surface. For a moment, everything went quiet before she heard a scream.

"Mommy!"

Her eyes snapped open, Serena quickly pulled herself up into a sitting position. Her chest was heaving up and down. Her throat felt dry. She was sweating and... her eyes darted on her arm when she felt a small droplet touch her skin.

She slowly brought a hand up, touching her cheek only to find it wet. Her vision was hazy and her head was throbbing. Her chest felt tight like her heart was going to explode any moment.