Chapter 7: The silence of the cottage is abruptly shattered by Abigail’s terrified screams, reverberating through the house and unsettling everyone inside. Frank and Tammy rush to her room in a panic, only to find the young girl cowering in fear, her wide eyes fixed on something invisible in her surroundings. Her hysteria presents an immediate challenge for Frank, who feels his concern growing, especially given the upcoming wedding and the emotional strain it could impose on Abigail. The sudden outburst creates an air of unease, compelling Frank to question what lies beneath the surface of Abigail’s reaction and whether she’ll be able to handle the emotional complexities of the event ahead.

In an attempt to calm her, Tammy speaks gently to Abigail, trying to soothe her fears. Yet, despite her efforts, the child remains unresponsive, her fear all-consuming. Frank, who has been observing the situation carefully, begins to examine the room, searching for the source of Abigail’s panic. His gaze falls on an unexplored closet door. Hesitant but determined, Frank opens it and is immediately met with an unsettling sight: a large nest of daddy longlegs, the spiders scattering across the darkened space. What initially seemed like an insignificant issue quickly transforms into a nightmare as Frank tries to comprehend the magnitude of what he’s dealing with. The spiders begin to flee, overwhelming him with their unexpected presence, but Frank’s instincts kick in. He quickly slams the door shut, trying to keep the creatures contained while offering reassurances to Abigail, even as she trembles with fear.

Despite his own revulsion, Frank chooses to address the situation himself rather than call for professional help. Armed with nothing but his shoe, he begins the task of eradicating the spiders, the grotesque sounds of squashing bodies filling the air. His mind is filled with conflicting emotions—disgust at the mess, concern for Abigail, and an underlying sense of responsibility to resolve the chaos. As he works to eliminate the spiders, he can’t help but feel a growing tension within himself. He works feverishly, all while knowing that the deeper issue isn’t just the spiders, but Abigail’s growing fear and his own feelings of inadequacy as a parent. Once the task is completed, Frank tries to reassure Abigail, but her anxiety refuses to subside, and she continues to resist returning to the room, her fears too strong to ignore.

Tammy, witnessing the escalating tension between Frank and Abigail, suggests that they switch rooms to ease Abigail’s distress. Frank, still caught up in his own concerns and frustrations, initially resists, feeling that he has earned the right to stay in the more comfortable room. His internal battle between his own desires and Abigail’s needs becomes apparent, especially as he recalls her troubled past of living in conditions that lacked the stability and comfort he now had. Despite his reluctance, Frank begins to realize that his attachment to the room pales in comparison to Abigail’s well-being. The traumatic experiences Abigail has faced must be taken into account, and the room swap, although uncomfortable for Frank, would be a necessary sacrifice to help her feel safe.

The chapter concludes with Frank coming to terms with the room swap, a decision that highlights his internal conflict and the gradual shift in his perspective. His moment of reluctant acceptance is a turning point, not only in his relationship with Abigail but in his understanding of what it means to be a parent. The chapter offers a poignant exploration of personal sacrifice and the weight of responsibility that comes with caring for loved ones, especially in the face of deep-seated fears and past trauma. As Frank reluctantly gives up his preferred space for Abigail’s comfort, it becomes clear that the chapter represents more than just a change of rooms—it signifies a shift in Frank’s emotional growth and his readiness to prioritize his daughter’s needs above his own.