Capítulo 78: Echoes of Tragedy

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"Mom!" In the calm morning beside the peaceful lake, a disheveled-haired boy, approximately ten years old, stood with an innocent smile. The sun, beaming in the sky, cast its golden light upon their village nestled near the serene lake.

As he stood there, a gentle breeze carried the earthy scent of the lake's waters. This scent was a part of their everyday life, a reminder of the predictable rhythms of their village by the lake.

His father, standing beside him on their sturdy fishing boat that also served as their home, was a man of rugged strength. His beard, weathered by countless adventures on the water, told stories of years spent under the relentless sun. His hands, rough and worn like aged leather, bore witness to their daily battles with the unpredictable lake.

Together, they embarked on their daily ritual, casting their fishing nets into the glistening lake. Above them, seagulls filled the sky, their cries blending with the soothing sound of the rippling waves. Each net cast held a quiet hope, a silent plea to the lake for its gifts.

On the shore, the boy's mother, with sun-kissed hair dancing in the breeze, waved to them with a smile filled with warmth and love. She was their guiding light, regardless of how far their fishing journeys took them.

Throughout the day, father and son worked side by side, their hands toughened by labor. With each net pull, they revealed a bounty of gleaming fish. The boy, deeply engaged, absorbed his father's stories, tales as endless as the lake itself. His father's deep voice wove vivid tales of grand adventures and mythical lake creatures, transporting the boy's imagination to the uncharted depths below the lake's surface. In those moments, their boat became a vessel of dreams, carrying them beyond the boundaries of their everyday lives.

Their modest catch of fish held more than just sustenance; it held cherished memories and shared experiences. To the boy, each fish represented a memory, a testament to their family's unity. With care and pride, they returned to the village market, arranging the day's catch in neat rows. The fish shimmered like treasures in the sunlight.

As the boy helped his parents arrange the fish, he could feel the warmth of their love enveloping him. His mother, the heart of their family, prepared a simple yet delicious lunch. The sandwiches were made from freshly baked bread, still warm from the village bakery, and filled with their catch of the day. As they sat together by their market stall, the three of them shared hearty laughter and stories, savoring not only the flavors of the lake but also the love that infused their meal.

Despite their modest life and lack of material wealth, the boy was content. His mother loved him, his father loved him, and every day was an adventure. They sold fish at the market, and customers thanked him for their purchase, making his heart swell with joy.

In those moments, the boy's heart overflowed with happiness, his spirit lifted by the love and togetherness of his parents. Surrounded by the gentle lake breeze, glistening fish, and the warmth of their shared laughter, he cherished each passing day, hoping for more moments of joy and smiles.

However, within this cherished memory, a sense of impending change loomed like an approaching storm on the horizon. As the once radiant sun began to set, its golden rays took on an eerie quality, casting long shadows over the bustling market. Nature itself seemed to hint at an impending shift.

The boy watched the sunset, replaced by the silvery glow of the moon, and glanced at his parents, their faces reflecting the fading light. For a moment, it felt like he was seeing something different, like stars in the night sky before a storm. The boy smiled, nestled between his parents, and drifted into sleep.

It was yet another day, bathed in the warm orange glow of the sun. The boy was with his parents, his wonderful father, and his loving mother, traveling in their truck. His father drove while his mother sat with him in the back, surrounded by the day's fresh catch of fish.

Even from a distance, the boy could hear the lively chatter of market-goers. It was another day of joy, helping his parents clean fish scales and handing them to smiling customers. With innocence in his heart, the boy grinned at his mother, unaware of the tragedy that loomed ahead.

The day had been filled with laughter and shared moments; their truck was full of fresh fish. "Mom, today was so much fun!" the boy exclaimed, his voice filled with happiness.

His mother tousled his hair and smiled warmly.

As the truck rumbled along, the boy's eyes sparkled with excitement. He felt a strong bond with his parents, sharing this adventure together. Their joy was infectious, and they cherished the simple pleasures life had to offer.

But then, everything changed, and the boy's excitement turned into uncertainty. The bustling market chatter around them seemed to fade as if the world was holding its breath.

The boy's eyes widened as his mother's face contorted in horror. He suddenly couldn't hear his mother shouting something, her voice urgent, but it was as if his ears had stopped working.

A blinding light filled the truck, hurting his eyes. The boy could hardly see as his mother pulled him close and shielded him. Pain coursed through his body as the world outside became a blur.

"Mom, it hurts! I can't see," he whimpered.

His eyes stung, and he wanted his mom to know, but she hugged him tightly. It hurt, but he thought it was because his mom had missed him. He hugged her back, whispering, "I love you, Mom." Then, a screeching sound reached his ears, followed by a loud crash.

Suddenly, he felt something push him away—it was his mother. He fell to the ground, pain coursing through his body, blood dripping over him. "Mom, it hurts. Why did you push me?" His little feet struggled to stand, and the world around him seemed hushed and distant. His ears rang, and his vision blurred as if dirt had entered his eyes.

Something was wrong. Why had his loving mother pushed him off the truck? With all his strength, he ran toward the direction she had pushed him, past the muddy ground from yesterday's rain, stepping on barely grown grass, bleeding from his hand to his hip. His heart raced as he moved forward.

Finally, he reached the spot where the truck had been, but all the fish he had caught with his dad lay dirty in the mud. His concern grew, and he rushed forward to find his mom. Her body lay in two parts—one on the truck's bed and the other pinned against the metal at the front.

Confusion and fear gripped him. 'Why is Mommy there? Why won't mommy respond?' The world around him blurred into a chaotic whirlwind of twisted metal and shattered glass. He couldn't comprehend what had happened. Why was Mommy silent?

'Where is Daddy?' he asked as he approached the driver's seat. There was no sign of his father—only the white car that had crashed into the driver's side. He could barely make out his father's clothing amidst the wreckage, but there was no daddy, only a collection of flesh and blood.

Tears streamed down the boy's face as his innocent soul struggled to understand the sudden turn of events. He stood there, a fragile figure amidst the wreckage, clutching his heart as grief and disbelief washed over him like relentless waves. The sounds of the world grew distant once more, drowned out by the overwhelming ache in his chest.

"MOMMY, MOMMY, WAKE UP, PLEASE, MOMMY!" he cried out in anguish.

In the distance, the sirens of approaching emergency vehicles wailed, growing louder as they neared. Concerned villagers surrounded him, offering comfort that was lost in the turmoil of emotions.

"UNCLE, HELP ME FIND MY DADDY. DADDY'S NOT HERE, AND MOMMY WON'T WAKE UP."

"DADDY, WHERE ARE YOU? MOMMY WON'T WAKE UP, DADDY!"

"AUNTY, PLEASE HELP MOMMY. PLEASE, AUNTY, PLEASE!"

Amidst the chaos and despair, the boy let out a heartbreaking scream. "MOMMY! MOMMY, WAKE UP, PLEASE, MOMMY!" His cries echoed through the air, an agonizing expression of anguish that touched the hearts of all who heard it. His small frame trembled under the weight of the tragedy before him, and he uttered unintelligible words—a jumbled chorus of disbelief and sorrow that spilled from his lips like a mournful lament.

"PLEASE, HELP ME FIND MY DADDY! PLEASE, PLEASE, UNCLE, HELP ME FIND DADDY!"

The villagers who had rushed to the scene were left in stunned silence, their faces reflecting the depth of the tragedy that had unfolded before them. They exchanged somber glances, their hearts heavy with empathy for the boy who had lost everything he held dear. It was a moment frozen in time, where words could do little to soothe the profound grief that enveloped them all.