Beauty's Web

Chapter (4 part 2)

A/N: I think I am starting to like spiders

Sorry for any incoming errors             

Astrid Pov

As I approached Max's room, my heart raced like a wild animal trapped in my chest. My hand trembled as I reached for the doorknob, my palm slick with sweat. I hesitated, my mind screaming warnings, but my motherly instincts propelled me forward. The creaking door seemed to echo through the silent room like a death knell.

Before me, a chilling scene unfolded. Max's father cradled my child, his eyes gleaming with an unnatural intensity. My voice quivered as I asked, "What are you doing with Mark?" I struggled to maintain a neutral tone, but fear and anger seeped into my words like poison.

His response boomed through the room, "What concern is it of yours that I want to bond with my son?" The air seemed to vibrate with tension as Max stirred, his innocent eyes fluttering open. I took a step forward, my voice barely above a whisper, "I was just curious..." My words trailed off as I searched for a way to defuse the situation.

But he pounced, his grip on my wrist like a vice. "You dare question my parenting?" he sneered, his eyes blazing with malevolence. I winced as he pulled me close, his hold tightening until I felt a bone crack. "You're hurting me!" I cried out, my voice laced with pain and fear.

His response was a snarl, "If I ever see it in my house again, I'll kill it!" The evil in his voice sent shivers down my spine. With a dismissive flick of his wrist, he discarded me on the bed, leaving me crumpled and hurting. I scrambled to gather Max, my heart pounding in my chest. We fled the room, seeking sanctuary in our own space.

But the nightmare didn't end there. As I laid Max on our bed, I felt myself being yanked back into my own bed, drenched in cold sweat. Lily's concerned face swam into view, a tray with a glass of water in her hands. The room seemed to spin around me, a jarring juxtaposition of reality and the horror I'd just faced.Did I see more memories again?" I questioned myself as I sat up. Lily stopped me in time, preventing me from straining myself. "Where is Erebus? I need to ask him something," I said, my mind racing. Lily handed me the glass of water, and with one gulp, I finished it. "He's outside, but you can clean up and wait downstairs, okay?" she replied . She took the glass from me, placing it on the tray, and left the room. As Lily left the room, I slowly swung my legs over the side of the bed, my head still spinning. I tried to stand up, but a wave of dizziness washed over me, forcing me to sit back down. I took a few deep breaths, trying to calm my racing heart.

What was happening to me? I thought I was going crazy. Memories that weren't mine kept flashing through my mind, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.

I slowly got up again, this time more carefully, and made my way to the bathroom. I needed to splash some water on my face and try to clear my head.

As I stood in front of the sink, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My eyes looked haunted, my skin pale. I looked like I had seen a ghost.

I splashed some water on my face, feeling a slight revival. I took a few more deep breaths and tried to focus. I needed to talk to Erebus, find out what was going on.

I made my way downstairs, my heart still racing. Lily was in the kitchen, preparing breakfast. She smiled at me as I entered. "Feeling better?" she asked.

I nodded, trying to smile back. "Yeah, thanks. Where's Erebus?"

Lily gestured towards the garden. "He's outside, in the garden. He said he needed some fresh air."

I nodded, making my way towards the door. I needed to talk to him, find out what was happening to me.

As I stepped out into the garden, I saw Erebus pacing back and forth, his eyes fixed on the ground. He looked up as I approached him.

"Hey," he said, his voice soft. "How are you feeling?"

I took a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts. "I don't know what's happening to me," I said, my voice shaking. "I keep seeing memories that aren't mine. And I feel like I'm losing my mind."

Erebus's expression turned serious. "We need to talk," he said, his voice firm but gentle. "There's something I need to tell you.""You know the time I told you how we met? I'd like to continue the story after your husband basically dragged you away from me. I started to wonder who you are, so I asked Lily to look you up, but she found nothing - not even a name.  Even though I knew you were someone I couldn't have, I tried my best to find out even the smallest details about you. You could say I fell in love at first sight - corny, right? But I did. Two months passed, and still, nothing about you or your past. Until I visited back that place where you and I met, that wonderful place where I fell in love. You were at the same spot, oozing with beauty. I approached you, and I got your name: Astrid Winters, the wife of Riven Winters, the mother of Max Winters. As if on cue, tears spilled from my eyes as the name of a son I don't even remember came up. I was so seared by the emotions that I was feeling. But if I have a son, then why is he not here with me? I whispered, holding my chest. Each word that I spilled was like venom to my heart.

"Well," Erebus said, his voice gruff. "I don't know. The only person I saw the day you were...dying, I took you in."

"So, what happened to my son, and why don't I remember him?" I said to myself as my consciousness started to fade away and drift back into the past, where I may find some answers...

To be continued....

A/N: I am finally back and will be updating more often

Max...such a nice child