The Devil's Web | Sequel

One Too Many

Another unusual encounter...great,just what I needed.

I shook the creepiness out of my system quicky,I had to,how else will I function the dinner tonight? I can't deal with the hateful glares and my own hallucinations at the same time, I'm only grateful for the fact that my medication helped me with the hearing ones,I don't know why it didn't help with everything else.

I might need to double my dose.I am so excited about it, there's nothing better than walking around drugged from happy pills,hooray.

I went back in my room and took two more pills,my therapist said if the hallucinations and panic attacks become unbearable I can take one more but only four hours apart from the first dose.I check the time on the phone and shrug.

"I took the first one an hour ago, I'm sure it will be fine, it's not a big dose anyways."

Who knows,maybe my therapist doesn't even care about me or my troubles, maybe she's taking the easier route to money, just call it trauma and toss some pills in my face,I wouldn't be surprised.

I go in the bathroom and splash some water on my face,but the image of that man standing in the middle of the road appears in my head again, replaying like a broken record.

God, Adelaine snap out of these hallucinations, you're going to go crazy.

Or to be more correct, you'll go crazier.

I grab a towel and dry my face with it while staring at my reflection in the mirror,I don't even recognize myself anymore,these two days have been one of the hardest days this month,I was doing so good,I knew it was going a little too well.

That's what I get for walking around telling everyone I feel brand new.Jinx is real people, take my word for it.

I hear a knock on the door and a small voice calls out for me, the little sound that makes everything so much easier to deal with.

"Mama? Me and Princess are ready, nanny wanted me to let you know—Oh no,mama are you okay?"He rushes in the bathroom panicked, concern written all over his face.

"You look scared mama, what happened? Did you see something again?"

I squat down and plaster a fake smile.

"Mama's okay,I was just feeling a little sick so wanted to refresh myself, I'm alright"I reassure him,but he shakes his head,not believing my words.

"I will call nanny––".

"No ,no , it's okay,I promise".

"It doesn't look okay,maybe we should stay home, auntie's food will make you more sick".

I cup his face with my hands, planting a small kiss on his forehead."Baby,I promise you, I'm okay,I missed the family gatherings,and I'm sure everyone is looking forward to seeing us"I say bitterly.It's definitely not true, but he doesn't need to know that.

"Are you sure".

I nodded stiffly."I am sure,now let's go before Princess starts exploring the car engine."

"She already is,we had to talk her out of taking the tires off and taking them in the garage for 'testing'"

I laugh, shaking my head.

"And what have you been doing in the meantime?"He sniffles as we walk down the stairs."Uhhh,eating, fueling myself because I know I won't eat anything auntie cooks for us."

I wanted to give him a gentle smack on the head but I can't blame the kid,I have yet to meet the person that willingly ate a full plate of Dove and Khalin's pasta.

We hurried out of the house and I locked the door with shaky hands.Yep,I should have taken another pill.

God, help me survive this day without having a meltdown.

"Everybody ready?"Nancy screeches happily and I give her a half nod.

There is absolutely nothing good or exciting happening now,why on Earth is she so thrilled?

I shake the suspicion off once again and sit in the car, saying a silent prayer before twisting the key and hearing the annoying engine sound.

Here we go.

                             _________

I was so grateful for every stop sign, every elder crossing the street and big thank you to all four red lights we had to stop on,now if there was a car accident or some road work it would have been perfect, but I guess this is as good as it'll get.We are ten minutes late,which means we won't have to stay there for two hours but for one hour and fifty minutes...that's not enough but it's a start.

I parked the car on the big driveway and paused for a second, taking deep breaths and giving myself a mental pep talk.

You can do this,they won't blame you for his disappearance,they won't give you any dirty glares,and they most certainly won't give you the spoiled cheese that will cause you to spend a week in excruciating pain.

I let out a breath of relief and turned to Nancy, that's now staring at me with stunned eyes.

"What?"

"You said that out loud."

I raise a brow and smile"Sorry,my nerves have been a bit—all over the place, that's all, let's go"I say, jumping out of the car before she spoke another word.

I don't know if it's the medication,but I cannot bare to listen to a single word right now.

I wipe the sweat off my forehead and open the door for Princess and Evander, Princess runs out and bolts inside the house, Evander gives her his 'she's crazy' look before turning to me,his face immediately falling.

"Mama,you look a little nauseous"I sure am.

I shake my head, closing the car door.

"Everything is perfectly fine Evander,you need to relax".

"No,mama,you need to relax,grandma and auntie Khalin won't be mean to you this time,I will make sure of it."He says,his face stoic but determined,I can't help but notice how similar it is to...

"Behave,I know you're looking out for me and I appreciate it so much,but you need to be nice to your grandma and aunties, if not then they will think I am turning you against them,and that would be even worse—"A loud whistle cuts me off and I turning around,my lips forming into a smile.

"Nasius."

He walks over to us,hands in pockets,face serious,and posture unusually straight,or stiff but the little sparkle in his eyes soothes his bad boy look,makes it clear he's sweet and caring.It is hard to believe that this man isn't married yet, apart from looking like a model,his personality is heaven sent,an angel in human form.

"How's mu favourite sister-in-law?"

"You mean your only sister in law? And I'm good, thank you for asking."

He throws me a nod before looking down at Nasius.

"What's up champ? Why the long face?"

He rolls his eyes and walks past him,I swallow the lump in my throat and laugh forcefully.

"Just one of those days, Princess has been very hyper today so he's stressing."

"Fair enough, do you have a minute to talk before we head inside? There's something I need to discuss"I shiver nervously at his tone but quickly mask it.

"Of course,is everything okay?"

He scans my face for a few seconds before speaking"Remember Clay Morris?"

The colour from my face drains and I narrow my eyes"I thought we agreed on not talking about anything related to Kingston."

I nods apologetically"We did,but this is important, I ran into Clay yesterday at the store and he told me something..."He pauses.

"What did he tell you?"

His shoulders slump and he looks at me intensely"He saw Kingston in the hotel four hours away from here."