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The Freeling’s all sat around the kitchen table, plates half full as soft Saturday morning light spilled through the windows, the calm of the morning already fading as their usual noise took over.
Esther leaned forward, voice low but intense. “I’m telling you, something followed me on my way back.”
Ben looked up from his pancakes, already getting stressed about a possible new monster. “What exactly followed you?.”
“I’m still figuring that out,” Esther said seriously. “But it whispered something to me.”
Abaddon straightened slightly, interested, leaving his own plate of pancakes sitting completely untouched in front of him. “What did it say?”
Esther paused. Her confidence flickered just slightly. “…ummm I didn't exactly catch what it said.”
Ben blinked. “So it whispered… nothing?”
“That’s not the point,” Esther snapped. “something was there.”
Abaddon nodded seriously. “Then clearly it values actions more than words.”
“Exactly,” Esther said smugly, as if he had just proven her case in court.
At the head of the table, Nathan smiled hearing the children's conversation. He leaned back slightly in his chair, clearly entertained by the escalating absurdity. “Okay but was it, like, a scary whisper or just an overly dramatic one?”
“It was a threatening whisper,” Esther said immediately, without hesitation.
“You just said you didn’t hear it though,” Ben muttered.
Abaddon leaned closer to Esther, his expression sharpening with focus. “We should locate it and confront it directly.”
Esther grinned. “Finally, someone’s making sense.”
Katherine set her mug down with a sharp clink and sighed. “Okay, no one’s confronting anything.” Esther mumbled something under her breath.
“Abaddon, eat your pancakes,” Katherine then said, looking at the demon boy who looked back at her with a disgusted expression.
“I do not want to consume these panned-cakes. I require Fruit Loops.” He kicked the table to get his point across, making it rattle as the syrup bottle wobbled slightly.
“Abby, they're called pancakes not panned-cakes,” Nathan chuckled at his ward, shaking his head slightly.
“That is what I said,” Abaddon shot back, annoyed at being corrected when he clearly made no mistake.
“Okay well we don't have any more Fruit Loops, Abaddon. You finished the box yesterday, remember,” Katherine sighed, rubbing her forehead as she spoke.
Abaddon paused, genuinely thinking, his expression shifting as he searched his memory.
“Oh yes, I suppose I did,” Abaddon then said with an unimpressed look on his face as he stabbed a pancake with his fork and began to eat, accepting the defeat.
“Anyways, I guess I’ll buy some more today. I need to go grocery shopping and buy a few things, and Esther you're coming with me,” the woman turned to her daughter who was zoned out.
“What, why do I have to come?” Esther suddenly shouted, snapping back into the conversation.
“You stay cooped up in the hotel all day, you need to get out more,” Katherine replied. She sometimes worried for Esther, the girl had a demon for a best friend and was very antisocial at times. “And you need some new shoes.”
“But mummmm, me and Abaddon were going to go look for that creature. What if it attacks us while we sleep?” Esther groaned. She really did not want to go out shopping today.
“Sorry Esther, you’re coming whether you like it or not,” Katherine watched her daughter sulk back in defeat.
“Mum, can I come too? I want to go to the party store and see if they have some things for this new magic trick I wanna learn,” Ben asked.
“Of course you can come, sweetie,” Katherine smiled at her son, then realised what that meant—if Ben was going to come with them, there would be no one who could physically stop Abaddon from trashing the hotel. Her smile faded slightly as the implication settled in.
“Abaddon, that means you will have to come too,” she looked at the demon boy who had syrup all down his doublet and could feel all her energy draining. This was going to be a long day.
“No matriarch, I am not going to accompany you to the market. I have better things to do,” the boy crossed his arms and glared at the woman, as though the entire concept of errands was beneath him.
“Well tough, you have to come because there is no one here to watch you and make sure you don't trash the place.”
“Hey! Kathy, I’m right here, you know. I can watch him,” Nathan said, a little hurt that his sister didn't trust him.
“I mean someone corporeal Nathan, remember what happened last time,” Katherine turned to her brother. “You couldn't stop him from trashing the place while he chased and attacked a moth.”
“I thought it was one of the Mothman’s minions and deemed it a threat matriarch. My attack was warranted,” Abaddon justified, as if this explanation should permanently settle the matter.
“Oh yeah," Nathan said smiling at the memory "I guess you're right. Sorry bud, but looks like you're going to have to go with Kathy,”
“Come on Abs, it will be fun,” Esther asked him. “Maybe mum will buy you that knife we saw on that ad.”
“What? Esther, I am not buying him a knife,” Katherine said, exasperated.
“Welp, it was worth a shot,” Esther shrugged her shoulders, unbothered by the rejection.
Nathan got up and hovered a hand on the syrup-covered boy’s shoulder, wishing he could actually feel the boy for a second. “Abby, if you go with her and be good, I'm pretty sure she will get you a packet of gummy bears like I used to when you'd come with me.”
“Hmmm, I do like those gummied bears, they are nice and chewy,” Abaddon said, looking up at the mustached man, considering it. “Very well, I suppose I will come.” he huffed and turned back towards his plate.
Katherine sat there in shock. “Wow Nathan, you really know how to convince him to listen.”
Nathan smiled as he sat back down in his seat. “He's easy to look after once you get to know him, right Abs?”
Abaddon just grunted in response, too immersed in spreading leftover syrup around his plate.
“Okay Abaddon, get up you need to get changed and cleaned up. Look at you there syrup all down your doublet,” Katherine said as she got up and started stacking the dirty plates up. The chair scraped softly against the kitchen floor as she moved towards the sink
“I will only allow you to remove the stickiness off my vessels garments. I will not be changing them,” Abaddon said as he got up. His expression stayed stubborn as he looked down at the sticky fabric, clearly unconcerned with how it looked.
He normally didn't mind getting his vessel’s clothes dirty, but he didn't want to get the vents sticky with the sweet syrup while he crawled in them. It would easily attract intruders in his domain.
“No, you have to get changed, Abaddon. Everyone in town recognises you because of your pilgrim clothes and I don’t want them to know I am housing a demon in the hotel. It will drive away the already little business we get.” Katherine didn’t even turn around as she spoke, already beginning to rinse plates under the tap, trying to sound more final than negotiable.
Abaddon went still for a moment, watching her as he processed the idea.
“No, I will not change.” He started stomping his feet and Katherine could see a tantrum brewing, a tantrum she really did not want to deal with.
“I’ll buy you an extra box of Fruit Loops”
The boy suddenly stopped stomping. Tilting his head slightly as he thought about her offer.
“But you have to make sure you're on your best behaviour. You can't bite or attack anyone” she quickly added seeing he was actually considering it
“Wow Abby I’d say that's a pretty good deal” Nathan said from his seat trying to get the demon to agree.
“Yeah mum never gives me anything for changing my clothes your so lucky” Esther piped up
“Seriously Esther” Katherine smiled as she dried her hands on a towel while the girl just shrugged
“I… accept these terms” he said slowly. Katherine sighed, feeling the tension in her shoulders dropping instantly.
“Okay come on I have some of Ben's old clothes that should fit you. Esther, Ben get ready we are leaving once I get him changed” Katherine said as she started to go up to the attic with Abaddon following her.
Katherine was on her knees going through Ben’s old clothes, pulling folded shirts and small jumpers from the storage box one by one. The attic was quiet except for the soft rustle of fabric and the distant creak of the hotel settling. Dust floated lazily in the warm light coming through the small attic window, catching on the edges of the boxes stacked around her.
A small ache settled in her chest.
She hadn’t noticed how quickly Ben grew. The clothes were still here, neatly kept, folded and preserved with care, but the child they belonged to kept moving further away.
“There is a lot of clothing with depictions of dinosaurs on them,” Abaddon suddenly said, sitting cross-legged next to Katherine.
His voice broke the quiet pulling Katherine out of her thoughts.
“Yeah, Ben used to love dinosaurs, they were his favourite,” Katherine replied softly. Another wave of nostalgia hit her as she pulled out a dusty blue shirt with a cartoon T-rex on it and its matching grey shorts. She held it up for a moment longer than necessary. This used to be Ben’s favourite thing to wear when he was around seven—back when getting dressed was still something she had to help him with, back when he’d get excited over the simplest things.
“I like dinosaurs too. They are fierce and powerful creatures. It's a shame the asteroid destroyed them all,” Abaddon said, with a serious look on his face. His gaze lingered on the shirt, studying it with genuine interest. “I will ask Benjamin what his favourite one is.”
“Okay,” Katherine said with a small, distracted smile. “Then try this on. It should fit you. You are— I mean your vessel is seven, right?” She corrected herself mid-sentence, already pulling the rest of the clothes aside and setting the dinosaur outfit neatly in front of him.
“Hmm, no. I believe my vessel is nine years old,” Abaddon replied after a moment of thought, tilting his head slightly as he recalled it.
Katherine paused.
That surprised her more than she expected. Abaddon was much smaller than Ben and Esther were at his age—his vessel’s age. She really needed to stop confusing his age, but it was still difficult sometimes, remembering that the small boy who had tantrums over taking baths and eating sugar was a ten-thousand-year-old demon.
“Okay, well your vessel is a bit on the smaller side so it should still fit,” she said, holding the clothes out to him. She gave him a quick once-over double-checking her judgement. As she did, a thought lingered in the back of her mind. She really needed to start giving him more proper meals. Not just cereal and whatever sugary thing he was fixated on that day.
Her brow furrowed slightly. Could he even gain weight?
She helped him change into the shirt, gently guiding his arms through the sleeves as the soft fabric settled over his shoulders. The dinosaur print looked slightly faded with age, but it still fit him surprisingly well. When it came to the shorts, Katherine turned around to give him some privacy, moving a few steps away and crouching near another box as she searched through it for a pair of socks and shoes.
“Here you go bud,” she said, turning around and handing him a pair of long socks and trainers.
The trainers were slightly worn, the laces a little frayed, but still perfectly usable. She held them out to him before going back to the boxes, stacking lids and pushing things back into place.
Once she finished putting the boxes away she got up, brushing a bit of dust off her hands, and glanced over at Abaddon. He had finished putting the shoes on and was standing completely still in a corner of the attic, staring intently at a spider hanging down. His head was tilted slightly, eyes narrowed, as he observed it.
“Abaddon, tie your laces and come on Ben and Esther are probably waiting,” Katherine said as she got up and walked towards the boy.
“I do not know how to tie them matriarch,” Abaddon said, turning to her with a hint of embarrassment.
It was subtle, barely there, but noticeable in the way his voice dropped slightly, his gaze shifting just briefly away from hers.
“Oh. Here let me help you then,” Katherine got down and tied up his laces, pulling them snug and double-knotting them so they wouldn’t come undone. Her movements were quick but careful, the kind that came from doing it countless times before. “I guess we could buy you some velcro ones when we go buy Esther's shoes.”
“I shall see if these velcro ones are worthy of my vessel's feet,” Abaddon said intensely as he shook his feet a little, testing out the shoes.
Katherine watched him for a moment, arms loosely crossed, before realising what was coming next. Getting him in the booster seat.
She exhaled quietly through her nose.
The last time she took him out. He had argued the entire way to the car, refused to sit in the seat then tried to gnaw through the seatbelt. She really did not have the time or energy to repeat that today.
Katherine tilted her head slightly, thinking.
Then, slowly, an idea formed.
“Abaddon,” she said, her tone shifting to a calmer one. “Since you are… technically royalty in your realm…”
His attention snapped to her instantly.
“…it would make sense that you don’t to walk places yourself.”
There was a brief pause as he processed that.
His posture straightened, chin lifting slightly.
“That is correct,” he said, voice steady with quiet certainty.
Katherine nodded, as if she had expected nothing less. “Then I should carry you downstairs. It would be more appropriate.”
Abaddon considered it, then gave a small, approving nod. “Very well. Carry me peasant.”
Katherine didn’t waste the opportunity.
She stepped forward and lifted him, settling him easily on her hip in one smooth motion. It was instinctive—familiar. She’d done it countless times before with Ben when he was younger, when he would cling to her and insist on being carried after long days. Esther had been different, far more independent, never one to stay in her arms for long before wriggling free. Still, the muscle memory was there, even if it had been a while.
Abaddon didn’t resist. If anything, he seemed entirely content like this was exactly how things were meant to be.
Katherine adjusted her hold slightly, making sure he was secure before turning toward the attic stairs, already planning ahead.
If she kept this up, kept him in this mindset, getting him into the car might actually be easy.
She started down the stairs, the old wood creaking softly beneath her steps shifting him slightly on her hip as she reached the bottom step. Then made her way to the lobby.
“Esther, Ben come on let's go,” Katherine called out, her voice carrying easily through the hotel as she paused near the lobby entrance.
Footsteps echoed from down the hall before Ben appeared first, slightly out of breath, with Esther following behind at a slower pace.
“Hey mum if you're getting Ben some stupid magic thing and Abaddon gummy bears what are you gonna get me,” Esther asked her mum when she came into the lobby, folding her arms as she spoke, already expecting the answer wouldn’t be good enough.
“Esther, I'm getting you new shoes, remember,” Katherine replied as she shifted Abaddon again and made her way out of the hotel, pushing the door open with her shoulder. A cool breeze drifted in from outside, a contrast to the warmth inside.
“That doesn't count mum,” Esther rolled her eyes, following her mother, dragging her feet against the floor.
Katherine sighed softly under her breath, stepping fully outside now, adjusting her grip again as Abaddon began to squirm, clearly getting bored of being held.
“Okay I guess you can get a sweet too or something.”
That seemed to please the girl for now.
She paused just outside the entrance, turning her head slightly back toward the building.
“NATHAN WE’RE LEAVING”
Her voice echoed faintly up through the stairwell.
There was a short delay before his response came back, louder than necessary.
“OKAY, HAVE FUN EVERYONE”
Katherine shook her head slightly, a small, tired smile slipping through, before turning back towards the car that sat just outside the hotel, sunlight reflecting faintly off the windows. She approached it slowly, already bracing herself for a fight.
She opened the back door with her free hand and felt Abaddon go completely rigid when the booster seat came into view.
“Alright, Abaddon, you know you've got to sit here.” She said keeping her voice calm.
“No,” he said flatly.
Katherine closed her eyes for half a second.
Here we go. But before she could argue Ben stepped forward, already climbing into the back of the car, quickly picking up on the tension.
“It’s not that bad Abs,” Ben said, settling into the middle seat. “It’s just so the seat belt fits properly.”
Abaddon didn’t budge.
“No it is beneath me, I am the Cobra King, not some mortal child,” he replied, his tone firm, crossing his arms as much as he could while being held.
Ben leaned a little, resting his arm on the back of the seat.
“Think of it like…” he hesitated for a second unsure on what to say, “like a throne or something.”
That got Abaddon’s attention.
Ben continued, more confident now. “It raises you up so you’re sitting higher than everyone else.”
Abaddon looked at the seat again, observing it as though it was the first time he had seen it.
“…It is elevated,” Abaddon admitted, slowly resistance fading.
“Yeah,” Ben nodded. “So you can see everything better.”
Katherine quickly took the opportunity settling him into the booster seat before he could change his mind. Ben then leaned over and helped pull the seatbelt across.
“Here,” he said, guiding it into place. “It goes like this.”
Abaddon watched closely, surprisingly focused, as the belt clicked into place.
“There,” Ben added. “Now you’re good.”
Abaddon shifted once in the seat, inspecting the belt.
“…Acceptable,” he decided.
Katherine let out a quiet breath she hadn’t realised she’d been holding.
“Thank you Ben,” she said with genuine relief as she shut the car door firmly before anything could change. She turned, brushing her hands together lightly as if shaking off the tension, and immediately noticed Esther wasn’t in the car.
“Esther what are you doing get in,” she called, out as she spotted her daughter crouched near the front steps of the hotel.
Esther was bent down, peering underneath the wooden steps with intense focus, completely absorbed. Hands hovering just under the step, like she was waiting for something to move. A small glass jar sat beside her, the lid loosely screwed on, faint shapes shifting inside.
“Oops sorry mum I thought you and Abaddon would fight over the seat a bit longer and I wanted to see if there were any more good spiders I could add to my jar,” she said, glancing up briefly before carefully picking up the jar and jogging over.
She moved quickly, circling around the car and pulling open the front passenger door, already halfway inside before Katherine stopped her.
“Esther—no. The jar stays here.”
Esther froze, halfway into the seat, turning back with an annoyed look. “But mum—”
“No spiders in the car,” Katherine said firmly, holding the passenger door open so Esther couldn’t just ignore her. “Leave it by the front door. You can get it when we come back.”
Esther huffed but didn’t argue further, climbing back out with the jar still clutched in her hands. She walked it back over to the steps, setting it down carefully in the shade like she was placing something fragile and important, before finally turning back.
She jogged back to the car and climbed into the front passenger seat properly this time, pulling the door shut behind her with a bit more force than necessary.
Katherine just watched her for a second before shaking her head slightly and moving around to the driver’s side.
The engine started with a familiar low hum as Katherine turned the key, the car vibrating gently beneath them. She adjusted her mirrors out of habit before pulling away from the hotel rolling onto the main road.
For a while, they sat in silence before Ben spoke up.
“So what shop are we going to first?” he asked, leaning forward slightly between the seats.
“The shoe shop,” Katherine replied. “That’s the main reason we all came out.”
Esther groaned softly, letting her head fall back against the seat.
“Of course that's where we go first”
“You’re the one who needs them,” Katherine said, glancing at her briefly before returning her focus to the road.
“I have shoes.”
“You have worn-out shoes.”
“They’re still shoes.”
Katherine didn’t respond to that knowing arguing would lead to nowhere.
In the back, Abaddon shifted, sliding slightly further down in the seat. His head tipped back against the headrest at an angle, eyes half-lidded as he looked out the window watching things pass in a detached sort of way.
One foot kicked against the back of Esther's seat.
Ben glanced over at him. “You okay?”
“I am bored,” Abaddon replied, voice casual, not moving from his slouched position.
A beat passed.
“…There are more people today,” he added, almost absently.
Katherine caught that in the mirror.
“Yeah,” she said. “It’s the weekend.”
Abaddon hummed quietly in response, one hand coming up to idly tug at the seatbelt before letting it fall back into place.
The town grew busier as they drove—more cars, more movement, people crossing streets, shop fronts passing in a steady rhythm.
The car slowed as they approached the shop, indicator clicking steadily as Katherine turned into the car park. She found a space and pulled in smoothly, turning off the engine.
The sudden quiet settled over them.
Katherine sat there for a second, hands still on the wheel, mentally preparing.
“Okay you guys know the rules,” she started, turning slightly in her seat to look directly at Esther. Her tone shifted into that familiar, firm voice that meant she wasn’t joking. “Remember no black magic.”
Esther immediately made a face.
Katherine then twisted around a bit more to face the back properly, her eyes landing on Abaddon, who was still slouched in the booster seat, looking entirely unbothered.
“and no biting, hitting or attacking anyone.”
The two younger kids groaned simultaneously with shared annoyance.
“What about Ben's rules mum,” Esther then asked, turning in her seat just enough to look at her brother with a pointed expression.
Katherine paused only briefly, already reaching down to grab her bag from the floor of the passenger-side .
“I doubt Ben would attack or torment anyone so he doesn't need rules,” Katherine replied as she got her bag and started to make her way out of the car, pushing the door open.
“Thank you mum,” Ben said, sounding pleased as he unbuckled his own seatbelt and leaned over, reaching to help Abaddon with his.
“Whatever,” Esther just rolled her eyes as she got out of the car herself, slamming the door shut.
Katherine stepped around to the back of the car, adjusting her bag on her shoulder as she mentally ran through everything they needed to get done.
Her eyes landed on Abaddon the second he was free of the car.
He was already walking away. His attention caught on something across the car park.
Katherine’s hand shot out, gently but firmly catching the back of his shirt before he could go any further.
“Nope.”
Abaddon looked back at her slowly.
“Unhand me,” he said in an offended tone.
“You were walking away,” Katherine replied flatly as she reached into her bag, already knowing what she had to do.
Abaddon narrowed his eyes slightly as she pulled something out. A small harness. With a strap.
“…What is that,” he asked, tone immediately suspicious.
Katherine didn’t hesitate. “It’s to make sure you don’t wander off.”
“I do not wander.”
Katherine raised an eyebrow. “Yes you do.”
“No I do not.”
“You literally were just about to.” she said, already crouching down in front of him. “And I'm not dealing with that today.”
The moment she tried to slip the harness over his shoulders he stepped back.
“No.”
Katherine sighed. “Abaddon—”
“I will not wear that,” he said firmly, crossing his arms.
Ben hovered nearby, watching the situation with mild concern.
“It’s just so you don’t get lost,” he said carefully.
“I do not get lost,” Abaddon snapped, more irritated now. “And I will not be restrained like some kind of-” he gestured sharply at the harness, “-animal.”
Esther, leaning against the car, perked up slightly.
“I used to have one of those,” she said casually.
Abaddon paused.
Katherine glanced at her, then immediately picked up on it.
“Oh yeah,” she added quickly. “Esther used to wear one all the time when she was younger.”
Esther shrugged. “Mhm. Mum wouldn’t let me go anywhere without it.”
Abaddon looked between them. His expression shifted, still not fully convinced “…You restrained her as well?”
“Yes,” Katherine said, not missing a beat. “Because she also used to wander off.”
“I did not wander,” Esther said automatically, mirroring Abbadon.
“You absolutely did,” Katherine replied.
Esther hesitated.
“…Okay, maybe a bit.”
Ben nodded. “You got lost in that garden centre once.”
“That place was confusing,” Esther muttered.
Abaddon looked back at the harness. Then at Esther. “…And you accepted this?”
Esther shrugged again. “Didn’t have much of a choice.”
Another pause.
The resistance didn’t disappear—but it softened slightly, turning into reluctant consideration instead of outright refusal. Abaddon looked down at the harness again.
“…It is still undignified.”
Katherine stepped forward a little. “So was Esther running off and getting lost.”
Abaddon exhaled slowly “…Very well,” he said stiffly. “If she endured it, I suppose I will tolerate it.”
“Good,” Katherine said quickly, moving before he could change his mind.
She slipped the harness over his shoulders and he tensed immediately.
“I do not like it.” Abaddon went still, staring down at the strap now attached to him.
Esther snorted. “You’ll live.”
Katherine gave the leash a small test tug.
Abaddon resisted instantly, feet planting into the ground.
“Abaddon.”
“No.”
“Walk.”
“No.”
Katherine gave the leash a firmer pull.
He stumbled forward a step, clearly not expecting it, then straightened immediately, glaring.
“You… You pulled me.”
“Yes,” she said calmly. “And I’ll do it again.”
“…This is unacceptable. I am only allowing this as I require those gummed bears” he said seriously, glaring up at her.
“Yeah, yeah just keep walking.” Katherine said pulling him along as they walked to the first shop
They made their way into the shop, the cool, air-conditioned breeze hitting them the moment they stepped through the doors, a sharp contrast to the warmth outside.
Katherine didn’t slow down, guiding them straight toward the kids’ section, the leash still loosely in her hand as Abaddon trailed beside her.
“Okay Esther you go ahead and pick a pair of shoes,” Katherine said as they walked between the aisles, rows of brightly coloured trainers lining the walls. “and Ben you hold Abaddon's leash while I go find some velcro shoes for him”
She turned, already passing the strap into his hands.
Ben gulped as his mum handed him the leash strapped to the feral demon child. His grip tightened slightly, like he wasn’t entirely sure how much force he was supposed to use.
“But mum what if he runs away or... or attacks me”
Katherine barely glanced back. “Ben he knows not to do that he’ll behave. Just don't let go,” she dismissed, already walking off toward another section, scanning shelves for smaller sizes.
Ben slowly looked down at the leash in his hand. Then at Abaddon who looked back at him with a serious expression.
“…You have been given control,” Abaddon said.
Ben blinked. “I—no, not really—”
Abaddon tilted his head slightly, studying him, his gaze sharp in a way that didn’t quite match the small body he was in.
“…You are weaker than the matriarch.”
“Thanks Abs,” Ben muttered, shifting his weight as he adjusted his grip on the leash.
“Okay, why don't we just sit down and wait for mum to come back?” he then said, gesturing to the small seating area in the middle of the shop with low benches meant for tired parents and impatient kids trying on shoes.
“No, I wish to stay here,” Abaddon said flatly.
Ben stared at him, confused, glancing around the aisle they were standing in, rows of neatly arranged shoes on either side with people occasionally passing by.
“Why though”
“Because why not Benjamin," Abaddon said as he sat down on the floor cross-legged without hesitation.
Ben blinked again, clearly thrown off.
“Seriously Abaddon I just don’t get you sometimes”
He sighed and sat down next to him anyway, the leash still wrapped firmly in his hand. The carpet beneath them was slightly rough, patterned in a way that probably hid years of dirt and wear. Abaddon had already started picking at it, idly pulling at a loose thread with quiet focus. Ben, on the other hand, reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, unlocking it quickly before glancing sideways to make sure Abaddon didn’t suddenly decide to bolt.
“What are you doing on the miniature prison box?” Abaddon asked a second later, craning his neck to look at Ben's phone, clearly already bored of picking at the carpet.
“Huh, oh I'm watching Youtube” Ben replied, turning the phone slightly so his demon cousin could see better.
“What is you-tube?” Abaddon questioned as he scooted closer to the boy, his earlier stubbornness already fading into curiosity.
“It's just a place where you can watch videos” Ben said, then an idea clicked in his brain. His expression shifted slightly as he thought about it. “Here, why don't you watch with me” he said as he searched up Bluey, quickly scrolling before tapping on an episode of it.
He’d seen clips of it online and people always said kids loved it. And, well… Abaddon does act like one so it should have the same effect.
“Why would I want to watch with you? This is juvenile” Abaddon scoffed, though he didn’t look away from the screen as the episode started playing.
“Just try it Abby, who knows maybe you'll like it” Ben said hopefully, settling back slightly.
Maybe this could actually work. If Abaddon found something that kept him still and distracted his mum would definitely have one less thing to worry about.
To say Abaddon was hooked was an understatement. He was so immersed in the show he didn’t even realise he had scooted closer to Ben, eventually leaning fully against him, his head resting on Ben’s shoulder as he watched the screen.
To anyone walking by, they looked like two ordinary brothers sitting on the floor, quietly waiting while their mum shopped.
Ben smiled slightly as Abaddon giggled, for the hundredth time, at something that had just happened on the screen. The sound caught him off guard at first. He didn’t even know Abaddon could giggle. He’d heard him laugh before but that was loud, sharp, and a bit unsettling, but this? This was different, lighter, softer and more youthful.
…Kind of cute, if he was being honest.
“Ben, how do they make this so entertaining,” Abaddon asked, his voice still slightly high from laughing so much, eyes not leaving the screen for a second.
“I don't know bud,” Ben replied, glancing down at him briefly before looking back at the phone. Even he couldn’t deny he was finding it funny too.
“Hi Ben.”
Ben looked up, blinking slightly as he was pulled out of the moment. Standing in front of them was Christine Price, a girl from his school who was in a few of his classes.
“Oh hi Christine,” Ben said, giving a small wave with the hand that held the leash as another burst of giggles came from Abaddon beside him.
Christine’s attention immediately shifted downward.
“Awww I didn't know you had a little brother, I've never seen him in school before,” she cooed, crouching down in front of Abaddon.
Abaddon hadn’t even noticed her. His eyes were still glued to the screen, completely absorbed, a small smile lingering on his face as the episode continued.
“Oh yeah he's homeschooled,” Ben explained. He didn’t even bother to correct her, the demon had basically become his younger brother/cousin at this point anyway.
“Well he is absolutely adorable, what's his name?” she asked, her attention still fixed on Abaddon, her voice softening as she watched him.
“Aba— Abby,” Ben quickly corrected himself, the slip almost immediate. His grip tightened slightly on the leash for a second as he recovered, forcing a casual expression. He knew Christine was fairly religious—she’d definitely question it if she heard a name like that.
Christine smiled. “That’s cute.”
They spoke about school for a moment before a faint voice calling Christine's name was heard
“Well I've got to go, I think my mum is calling me. Bye Ben. Bye Abby,” Christine said, standing back up and giving them a small wave.
“Bye,” Ben waved back, watching her leave before letting his hand drop again.
He glanced down at Abaddon who was still completely hooked on the screen smiling. Ben shook his head slightly, a small smile tugging at his face.
“Sorry that took so long boys, Esther here decided she wanted to sneak into the back,” Katherine said slightly out of breath as she finally made her way back over to them, a box in her hands.
“There wasn't even anything interesting there,” Esther huffed, rolling her eyes as she stood beside them with a box in her hands too, clearly unimpressed by her failed 'exploration'.
“Why are you guys on the floor?” she questioned, glancing between them.
“Don't even ask,” Ben muttered, already shifting as he handed his mum the leash and started to get up, brushing off his jeans.
“Benjamin what are you doing I want to continue watching,” Abaddon growled immediately
“Abaddon you can watch later right now can you please get up and try on the shoes I chose,” Katherine pleaded with him, holding up the box slightly as if that might help persuade him faster.
“Wait, what were you even watching,” Esther questioned again with a smirk tugging at her face as she looked between the two of them.
“A blue canine called Bluey,” Abaddon grumbled as he finally pushed himself up off the floor and reached for Ben’s phone, trying to grab it.
“Hey!” Ben croaked, quickly lifting the phone up out of reach. “you can't just grab my phone, I’ll let you watch later I swear”
“No I want to watch now,” Abaddon insisted, stomping his foot once in frustration, drawing a few glances from passing shoppers.
“Wait, did you really like watching it?” Esther smirked, clearly wanting to annoy the demon with the short questions.
“Yes Esther, I did enjoy it,” Abaddon sneered, still staring at Ben’s phone.
“Okay enough,” Katherine cut in firmly, stepping between them before it escalated further. “Abaddon if you don't listen you get no gummy bears”
Abaddon let out an irritated groan as Katherine gently pulled the leash and guided him back toward the seating area.
Katherine sat down first and motioned for Abaddon to sit beside her. “These should fit and they light up so that should be fun,” she said, lifting one of his legs carefully onto her lap, starting to untie the laces of his old trainers.
“Mum, why are you even getting him shoes when all he wears are those old timey buckled ones,” Ben asked, sitting down next to them.
“I’m hoping he likes them enough to stop wearing those and he doesn't know how to do laces so he can't use your old ones,” Katherine explained as she moved his other leg onto her lap as well, working on the second shoe.
“Okay here Abaddon you just have to pull the strap tight and place it on,” she said, demonstrating quickly before handing them to him so he could try.
“Matriarch they feel rigid,” Abaddon said once they were on, getting up shifting his feet slightly.
“You just need to walk a bit and get used to them. But it seems like a perfect fit,” Katherine told him, checking the sizing properly before nodding to herself.
“Go on Abs walk a bit, see how it is,” Esther encouraged as he took a few steps, shoes lighting up with each one.
“Esther they- they are glowing. How are they glowing?” Abaddon sputtered, eyes wide as he looked down at his feet in disbelief.
“Yeah dude what do you expect they’re light up ones,” Esther said, snickering lightly at his reaction.
“So they glow every time I take a step,” Abaddon questioned, cautiously taking another step testing to see if he was right.
“Yes Abaddon they glow when you walk. So do you like them?” Katherine asked, hoping this would finally be a win.
“I believe they are worthy,” Abaddon said after a pause, still looking mildly suspicious of the shoes.
“Okay great take them off so I can go pay,” Katherine said, standing up and taking Esther's shoes from her hands as she gathered everything together.
“Very well,” Abaddon said, immediately sitting down and starting to undo the velcro, kicking the shoes off once he was done.
“Ben can you help him do his laces,” Katherine sighed as she picked up the shoes.
“Of course mum,” Ben said as he got his old trainers and made his way to Abaddon as Katherine placed the leash back into his hands.
They made their way out of the shop and back toward the car, the cool, artificial air of the store quickly fading as they stepped outside into the warmer, busier atmosphere of the car park.
“Right,” she said, glancing between them as she adjusted her grip on the shopping bag and Abaddon’s leash. “Next stop, the party shop.”
Ben perked up instantly, his whole expression brightening as he picked up his pace slightly. Behind him, Esther and Abaddon trailed along at a much slower speed, both clearly less enthusiastic.
They reached the car, and Katherine unlocked it with a quick press of the key and moved straight to the back, lifting the boot and placing the bag inside. Once everything was settled, she closed the boot and turned her attention back to Abaddon.
“Okay this can come off now,” Katherine told him.
She bent down slightly, guiding his arms up gently so she could slip the harness off. Abaddon immediately rolled his shoulders, like he was shaking off the feeling of it.
“…Finally,” he muttered
Katherine gave a small smile, folding the leash up loosely in her hands.
“In your seat you go,” she said as she opened the door for him, earning an immediate groan in response.
Abaddon dragged his feet slightly but climbed in anyway.
“Esther help him with his seat belt please,” she then told her daughter, who was sitting in the back this time, already buckled in.
Esther leaned over with a small sigh, grabbing the belt and pulling it across Abaddon while he half-heartedly resisted.
“Stay still,” she muttered.
“I am still,” he argued, despite actively moving.
She clicked it into place anyway.
Once everyone was seated Katherine started the car. The engine hummed to life as she pulled out of the parking space and began driving toward the party store.
“Ben, give me your prison box. I wish to complete the story arc I was on” Abaddon demanded a moment later, making grabby hands toward Ben and kicking his seat. The pre-teen looked back and sighed, already expecting this.
“They are called episodes Abs,” he said as he handed over the phone, clearly not wanting to start an argument.
“Seriously, Abaddon you better not turn into one of those I-Pad kids,” Esther said, amused, leaning over slightly as she took the phone from Abaddon to turn the episode he was watching back on.
“What is that,” Abaddon asked, watching her movements closely.
“Nothing dude,” Esther dismissed, not being bothered to explain. The moment the video started playing again, Abaddon snatched the phone back, completely focused.
Esther shifted into the middle seat, leaning on the booster seat so she could see the screen too.
“Esther, are you watching with him,” Katherine smiled slightly, glancing up into the mirror and catching the two of them sitting close together, quietly watching.
“Yeah mum thought I'd see what the hype is about. The shows okay I guess,” Esther said, not looking up trying to sound unimpressed.
Katherine’s smile lingered for a moment before she turned her attention back to the road.
After a few minutes, they pulled into the parking lot of the party shop, the car slowing before coming to a stop.
“Okay we’re here now, Abaddon give Ben his phone back,” Katherine told him as she parked and turned off the engine.
“No, I do not wish to get out again, I want to stay here and watch,” Abaddon shouted immediately, clutching the phone tighter as he began kicking the back of Ben’s seat repeatedly.
“Mum can't we just leave him here,” Ben winced slightly as the kicks continued.
“No we can't leave him alone in the car,” Katherine sighed, rubbing her temples.
“I'll stay mum, I don't want to go either,” Esther said, raising her voice slightly so she could be heard over Abaddon’s protests.
“I don't know if I trust you two to stay in the car on your own,” she said skeptically, glancing back at them
Abaddon had stopped shouting, completely distracted again as the episode continued playing, while Esther just looked back at her with wide, innocent eyes.
“Come on mum, we will be on our best behavior. We swear we won't go out or do anything bad," Esther said.
Katherine narrowed her eyes slightly, clearly debating it. Then exhaled.
“Okay but if I hear ine complaint I'll ground you both,” Katherine said firmly as she opened her door.
Ben quickly unbuckled and got out with her, shutting the door behind him.
The shop doors swung open as Katherine and Ben stepped back out, the noise and bright chaos of the store fading behind them. Ben carried a small bag clutching tightly in his hands, trying (and failing) to hide how pleased he was with whatever he’d picked out.
“Remember,” Katherine said as they walked across the car park, “don't do any tricks in front of the older ghosts they get all freaked out.”
“I know,” Ben replied quickly.
They reached the car, and Katherine unlocked it, already bracing herself slightly as she opened the door on Abaddon's side.
Inside, Esther and Abaddon were exactly where they’d left them.
Esther in the middle leaning, eyes fixed on the screen, while Abaddon sat slouched beside her, still completely absorbed, the phone held tightly in his hands.
Neither of them looked up.
Ben leaned in through the door. “Hey we’re back.”
No response.
“…Guys?”
Abaddon didn’t even blink, his attention still locked onto the screen.
Esther lifted a hand vaguely in acknowledgement without looking away.
“Hi.”
Ben glanced at his mum.
Katherine sighed.
“Alright, that’s enough,” she said, reaching in and taking the phone from Abaddon’s hands.
The reaction was immediate.
“Hey—”
“We’re done for now,” she said firmly, shutting that down before it could escalate. “We still have one more stop.”
Abaddon stared at her, clearly offended.
“…You have interrupted it.”
“You’ll survive, remember the gummy bears,” Katherine replied, already stepping back and closing the door again while Abaddon slouched back into his seat again, arms crossed now, clearly still annoyed.
Ben climbed back into the car, followed by Katherine, who started the engine once everyone was seated again.
“Where are we going now?” Ben asked, buckling himself in.
“Grocery store,” Katherine said, pulling out of the parking space.
A collective groan came from the back.
“I forgot about that,” Esther muttered.
The car pulled out of the lot, merging back onto the road as the party shop disappeared behind them.
Katherine pulled into the grocery store parking lot and parked the car, the engine going quiet as she glanced back at the two youngest in the rearview mirror.
They were both slouched over, clearly still disappointed about the phone being taken away.
“Okay you two I want this to be a quick shop - meaning no funny business got it,” she said, turning slightly in her seat so they knew she meant it.
“Yes mum,” Esther huffed.
Abaddon didn’t answer, giving a light, absent-minded kick to the back of Ben’s seat which Katherine took as a yes.
“Ben, can you go get a shopping cart with the child seat while I get Abaddon out,” Katherine said, turning back to him.
“Yes ma'am," he said, already unbuckling and climbing out of the car, jogging off toward the cart return.
Katherine got out as well, closing her door before walking around to open the door to where Abaddon sat.
He looked up at her immediately.
“Are you going to leash me again,” he asked skeptically.
“Nope,” Katherine said, reaching in and unbuckling him, lifting him up and settling him on her hip like before. “You're going to be in a carriage”
“A carriage? I see no horses here though,” Abaddon said, twisting slightly to look around the parking lot, scanning for anything resembling one.
“I think she means she's gonna put you in the child seat of the shopping cart,” Esther said, climbing out of the car and slamming the door shut behind her.
“Put me in what?” he said immediately starting to squirm in Katherine’s hold.
Right then, Ben came back, pushing a shopping cart toward them.
“Ben, perfect timing,” Katherine exhaled, clearly relieved as she moved quickly before Abaddon could escalate further.
She flipped open the child seat and, in one smooth motion, sat him down in it.
“No, release me I do not want to be restrained again,” Abaddon protested immediately, kicking his legs wildly and flailing his arms, the cart rattling slightly from the movement.
Katherine kept a steady grip on him just long enough to make sure he was secure before stepping back slightly.
“But Abaddon you're not trapped, see you're just sitting here and I'm gonna push you,” Katherine said, trying to keep her voice calm despite the small scene he was causing.
“Yeah Abby you're lucky you can fit there and be pushed, look at us we have to walk,” Ben chimed in, resting his hands on the cart handle, trying to help calm him down again.
“Ben’s right I lowkey miss the times when I could still fit there and be pushed” Esther added nodding her head.
Abaddon paused, still breathing a little heavy from the flailing. He looked at the three people in front of him, then the cart, before finally looking back up again.
“…So you are saying this is a privilege?” he asked, narrowing his eyes slightly.
“Yep,” Ben said quickly. “It is.”
Abaddon straightened just slightly in the seat, lifting his chin up.
“…Very well,” he declared. “Onward my noble steed.”
Katherine smiled as she finally started pushing the cart toward the store. The wheels rattled softly against the pavement as they moved.
Ben followed just behind, laughing at Abaddon's words, while Esther jogged a few steps to catch up, quickly falling into place beside her mum.
“Hey mum, do you think I could sit in the basket,” Esther said, glancing at the cart.
Katherine let out a small, amused breath. “No Esther where would I put the groceries then,” she replied, steering them toward the entrance.
“Oh yeah, I forgot about that. Ughhh you're so lucky Abs,” she groaned, dragging her feet slightly while Abaddon gave her a smug look.
To Katherine’s relief, the main part of the shopping went smoothly, with only one argument between the kids over what ice cream flavour to choose. Ben wanted strawberry, while Esther and Abaddon both insisted on chocolate. It went back and forth for a bit, neither side willing to give in, until eventually Katherine caved and got both.
“Okay, all that's left is getting milk, butter, and some gummy bears,” Katherine said mostly to herself, steering the cart toward the sweets aisle. Her voice had that tired tone almost every parent has after taking their kids out.
“Finally, I’ve been waiting for eons,” Abaddon said, leaning back in his seat dramatically, kicking his legs out slightly.
Once they reached the start of the aisle, Katherine slowed the cart to a stop and looked between them.
“Ben, you’re in charge. Make sure they each get one thing, okay? I’m going to grab the milk and butter,” she said.
“You got it, mum,” Ben replied, moving to the front of the cart and taking the handle.
“Just stay here. I’ll be back in a minute and then we’ll go pay,” Katherine added before turning and walking off down the aisle.
“Ben, steer me to the gummy bears,” Abaddon said, kicking his feet slightly against the cart.
Ben chuckled in amusement pushing the cart forward "Yes your majesty,”
The shelves around them were bright with rows of sweets in every colour imaginable stacked neatly.
Ben guided the cart to a stop in front of a section with various gummy bear packets.
“There," he said simply waiting for the two to pick out what they wanted.
“I want something sour,” Esther said, reaching out and grabbing a pack of Sour Patch Kids.
“Okay, Abs, what are you getting?” Ben asked, turning slightly toward the boy who was still scanning the rows of candy with intense focus.
“Hmmm… those light grey ones,” he said, pointing confidently at a packet of Haribo gummy bears.
“Abaddon, that’s gold, not light grey,” Ben corrected gently, already reaching for the packet and handing it over to him.
“Man, sometimes I forget he’s colour blind,” Esther said, leaning casually against the cart, watching him with mild amusement.
Abaddon ignored them both, instead turning the packet over in his hands with intense concentration. After a moment, he began trying to tear it open.
“Woah there Abaddon, you can’t open it until mum pays for them,” Ben said quickly, placing his hand over Abaddon’s to gently stop him.
Abaddon paused, looking at him with immediate offence.
“Why must I wait,” he said.
“Cause I’m pretty sure it’s illegal to eat stuff without paying,” Ben replied, trying to keep a straight face.
“Wait really,” Esther said, genuinely surprised, straightening slightly from where she was leaning against the cart.
“Excuse me, not to budge in but did you kidnap that child over there?” a middle-aged woman asked as she approached the trio, pointing directly at Abaddon.
She looked like the classic “Karen”, with a sharp blonde bob, and a snide expression settled on her face.
“I am not kidnapped, I am right where I want to be. No one can kidnap the great Abaddon,” Abaddon growled immediately, glaring at her with clear offence at the accusation.
“I'm sorry ma'am but he is not kidnapped, he is my cousin,” Ben said, stepping slightly forward without even thinking about it. His tone stayed polite, but his stance subtly shifted a little closer to the cart, between her and the others.
"Oh is he a boy?” she replied, sounding surprised.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Esther asked immediately, her voice sharpening as she stepped up beside Ben.
“Well it’s just his hair is so unruly and long. Boys should have short hair,” she said as if it were an obvious fact. Her gaze flicked between them again. “Also, are you sure he isn’t kidnapped? He doesn’t look like you two at all.”
“Yes, he isn’t kidnapped, and not that it’s any of your business, he's adopted,” Esther said firmly, stepping towards the women.
“Young lady, you need to calm down. I’m simply concerned for the wellbeing of this child,” she replied, her tone sharpening slightly.
“There is nothing wrong with my vessel’s hair. I like it long,” Abaddon said defensively, crossing his arms and glaring up at her from the cart seat.
“And your hair is extremely short for a girl too. What is wrong with your family?” she added bluntly.
“Okay ma’am, I think that’s enough comments about my family,” Ben said, getting in front of Esther, his voice still calm but firmer than before. “There’s no need to insult us. Please just go.”
“Yeah, who do you think you are? You can’t just come here and be rude to some kids,” Esther chimed in.
“Well I’m just stating the truth. Does your mother not care about your appearances?” she said dismissively, crossing her arms as if she’d won the argument.
“Excuse me. What do you mean by that?” Katherine said as she walked up from behind the woman, holding a bottle of milk in one hand and a bar of butter in the other.
She placed them into the cart a little more firmly than necessary before straightening up.
“Mum, this woman just came up to us and asked if we kidnapped Abby and then started being rude about mine and his hair,” Esther quickly explained, stepping slightly closer to her mum now that she was there.
Katherine’s expression shifted immediately.
She looked down at Abaddon briefly, then at Esther and Ben a quick check to make sure everyone was fine.
Then she looked back at the woman.
“I'm sorry, what seems to be the problem with my nephews and daughters hair?” Katherine asked calmly.
The woman hesitated for a moment, clearly not expecting direct confrontation.
“Oh, it’s just… boys should have shorter hair and girls should have longer hair you know,” she said, trying to sound confident again. “And I was just concerned because he doesn’t look like them and so I thought he was kidnapped”
“Well I am not kidnapped,” Abaddon muttered from the cart.
Katherine didn’t take her eyes off the woman.
“And,” she said evenly, “ Times have changed. Hair length doesn’t determine gender, and looks certainly doesn’t determine family.”
Esther nodded immediately. “Yeah. This isn’t the 1800s.”
“It’s just hair.” Ben added,
The woman shifted awkwardly, still trying to regain control of the conversation.
“I was only concerned,” she insisted. “He doesn’t look like them, and I just think it’s strange—”
“Stop,” Katherine said flatly.
The woman blinked, caught off guard.
Katherine gestured lightly toward the children. “You don’t approach strangers in a shop and start questioning their family or making accusations based on what you think you’re seeing.”
The woman frowned, still trying to defend herself.
“I’m just saying he doesn’t look like them,” she replied. “It looks suspicious.”
Katherine’s expression sharpened immediately.
“It’s a child shopping with his family,” she said evenly. “There is nothing suspicious about that.”
“And for the record,” she added, “my nephew being adopted is not something you get to use as a reason to question his place in this family.”
The woman shifted awkwardly, her confidence finally breaking.
“…I didn’t mean—”
“I don’t care what you meant,” Katherine said simply, in a tone that insinuated she was done with this conversation. “Please leave us alone.”
The woman just huffed, turned, and walked away without another word.
Katherine watched until she was gone. Only then did she exhale, the tension leaving her shoulders. She turned back to the cart immediately, her expression softening.
“Are you all okay?” she asked.
Ben nodded. “Yeah, we’re fine.”
Esther shrugged. “She was stupidly rude”
Abaddon leaned back slightly in the cart.
“That was an unnecessary interaction,” he declared.
Katherine gave the faintest exhale—almost a sigh, almost amusement.
“Yeah,” she agreed simply. “It was.”
“Come on, let’s just pay and go home,” Esther said, already beginning to push the cart.
“Don’t crash into anyone with the cart,” Katherine instructed, watching her cautiously, clearly aware of what Esther was like.
“Okay, but that woman is an exception—if I see her again I’m ramming into her,” Esther said as she sped the cart down the aisle, earning a burst of laughter from Abaddon.
“Yes, I would like to crash my carriage into that woman,” he added with a snicker.
Katherine shook her head slightly, watching the two of them make their way toward the checkout line before turning her attention to Ben as he walked beside her.
“Well done, Ben. You handled that situation really well. I’m proud of you,” Katherine said softly.
“Thanks, mum. But any older brother would protect their younger siblings like that,” he replied a little sheepishly.
“Still,” she said gently, reaching over to ruffle his hair, “you did good.”