My mind unable to react to what I had heard, my memories seemed to be a jumbled mess.
"Maybe her death was just a bad dream..."
When I thought of this hypothesis my mind seemed to agree, images forming, a sad nightmare I had where my parents died trying to save me.
I walked slowly down the stairs to the living room, where a beautiful meal was laid out on the dining table.
The familiar smell entered my nostrils, recalling a long-lost taste.
"What's wrong, son? Why are you so pale? Are you ill?"
In the kitchen, a beautiful woman was setting the table. Her sweet appearance, brown eyes and kind face made Henry's heart warm.
"I'm fine, Mom, just a bad dream."
"Good son, could you please call your father? He's in the living room watching."
Walking into the living room Henrique found a figure sitting in an armchair, he had a strong appearance, deep-set eyes and black hair, his face contained a happy but tired smile.
"Dad, I've come to call you for dinner."
His father, hearing the familiar voice, got up from his armchair, walked towards Henry, stroked his messy hair and walked slowly to the table.
His gaze contained a tired look, perhaps drawn from his heavy work constructing buildings and houses.
"Let's all say a prayer, give thanks for supper and pray for health and peace."
"Amen..."
After the big supper, Henry returned to his room with a strange feeling in his heart, he felt as if it was the first time he had seen his parents for a long time...
Unable to take his eyes off his mother and father during dinner, his thoughts quickly became hazy as a numbness took over his body and he fell into a deep sleep.
~~~ Nine days later - São Paulo, Brazil..~~~~
On the small basketball court, Henrique ran quickly, dodging his father's foul attempts.
Robert, who was trying to retrieve the ball, ran quickly to keep up with Henrique, but the difference in physique was apparent when their attempts to steal the ball were ineffective.
They remained at an impasse for several minutes of the game, Henrique maintaining an advantage by controlling the attack while his more experienced father Robert stood out in defense, using his heavier body as a shield.
They were both panting heavily, but there was a slight smile on both of their faces, showing a strong obsession with winning the match.
"You really are much better than before son, I feel like you're LeBron James hahah!"
"Dad, you're also very fit for your age, I'm giving it my all and I can't score though..."
The two continued their little basketball contest, with applause resounding around the court and Anna cheering on her son and husband with excitement.
Her eyes sparkled with happiness at the recent family activities. Henrique had previously been very withdrawn, but in recent days he had been forcing the two of them to go out everywhere, increasing the family's bond.
"I think that's enough, my loves, let's go home and have a wonderful shrimp empanada today."
Anna, who was watching the match, decided to interfere, she knew that father and son were obsessed with winning, spending the whole day without giving in to each other.
"Mom, as always, I can't help saying that your food is wonderful."
"I have to agree with him, wife!"
Henry, who heard Anna's words, quickly put his clothes back on.
He set off eagerly for home, his mouth salivating in the car as he imagined the wonderful empanada his mother would make...
"Come and eat, dear, dinner's ready... Son of a bitch! You'll end up knocking over the table! "
Before Anna had finished her words, Henry ran downstairs, eager for his meal.
However, he soon received a gentle reprimand from his mother, slowing down his movements.
Placing the first spoonful in his mouth, he felt the shrimp melt on his tongue, marveling at his mind and speeding up his hands, which left afterimages.
After a long, wonderful meal with his mother and father, he left the table and headed for the living room to accompany his father.
The next few days were full of news, Robert, even though tired from work, showed complete attention to his wife and son.
He even presented Henry with his favorite collector's doll, the great demon hunter Dean, which he treasured.
Every day, after sunset, he would go fishing with his father, and at night he would try to help his mother with the housework.
"Son, sleep with the angels and always remember that Mom and Dad will be with you..."
"Mom, I'll be praying to always be with you, good night."
Anna hugged her son warmly, kissing his forehead gently as her hands wandered slowly through his hair.
Finally caressing his face and saying goodbye with a smile, she wandered off towards her bedroom.
Henrique lay on his bed, turning on his side, looking at the wall which was full of photos of the happiest moments with his family, a big smile forming on his face.
He slowly closed his eyes as he gazed at the pictures on the wall, falling into deep darkness as exhaustion overtook him.
Bip Bip
[ Only 03:25:45 left until mission failure. ]
[ Punishment: Removal from the system, Host will be trapped in the Nightmare Hour world forever. ]
"What's that?"
Henrique exclaimed, startled by the noise when he woke up. Opening his eyes, he was faced with a screen containing some information.
Reading the words in front of him, he was confused, things like nightmare time and being trapped in the world, he couldn't understand the words.
"AAAHHHHHHH!!!"
Before his mind could formulate a thought, a massive headache stopped his imagination.
His head seemed to split in half as a great deal of information entered his mind, making him roar in pain in the process.
"My God, Son, what happened?"
"Henry, what's happening to you?"
Anna and Robert, who heard the cries of pain, quickly ran towards Henrique's room.
Opening the door, they saw their son holding his head tightly, writhing as he roared in pain with tears streaming down his face.
Never having encountered this situation before, they went into shock, trying to find some effective way to help.
Fortunately, Anna and Robert noticed that the cries of pain soon subsided, easing the anxiety in their hearts.
They both waited to the side, watching Henry's reaction, prepared to call the emergency services if necessary.
"I can't believe Freddy did this to me... I'll do him a hundred favors, No! A thousand times worse..."
"But maybe I should also thank him in a way, even if this world is fake, I've managed to create new memories that I'll take with me..."
Henry stammered in a low voice, leaving Anna and Robert confused by their son's strange behavior.
Raising his head slowly, he looked at the people in front of him, his heart feeling a pang of pain at the sight of his parents, even though he knew they weren't real.
Freddy must have known it was impossible to win, so he created this little dream world with his remaining strength.
Hiding his old memories in the hope of trapping him, fortunately he must not have seen anything related to the system.
Henry knew that the plan would have succeeded if it hadn't been for the system's interference.
It managed to break down the thin barrier between his memories, and perhaps he would stay in this world until Freddy tired of it and killed him.
"Henrique, are you all right? Why were you whispering after screaming in pain?"
"Son, you've got Mom worried, I thought I was going to lose you..."
Listening to his mother's sweet voice, even though he knew it wasn't real, Henrique couldn't help but remember her tragic death.
For a moment he wondered if it was worth leaving this reality behind, leaving it all behind...
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.I thought I'd delve a little deeper into Henry's past, now you know why he's gaining strength, if you like it, drop some stones or comment, it helps me a lot.
Happy reading and have a good weekend.