Skip to content
Novel Catalog
Chapter 60
Henrick jogged down the sidewalk, his small backpack bouncing lightly with each step. The cool morning air brushed against his face as he breathed in deeply, enjoying the freedom of the moment. The hustle and bustle of River City was already alive around him, but in these quiet morning hours, it felt peaceful. The rhythmic thump of his feet on the pavement matched the steady beat of his heart, and for a brief moment, Henrick felt a sense of calm he rarely experienced.
As he jogged, his mind wandered back to his mother. She had been so tired the night before, her shoulders heavy with the weight of searching for a house. She always seemed so strong, but Henrick could tell that lately, things had been difficult for her. He wanted to help, to take care of her as she had always done for him. She deserved a peaceful place to live, a home where they could finally settle down.
Henrick smiled to himself as he picked up his pace, imagining the surprise on his mother’s face when he brought her breakfast. It wasn’t much, but he hoped it would bring her some comfort.
He paused for a moment at a park bench, catching his breath as he looked around at the familiar surroundings. He loved River City—its vibrancy, the energy in the air. It was a place where he could imagine himself growing up, building memories with his mother.
He glanced at the sky, the first hints of dawn breaking through the horizon. The city seemed to wake up slowly, as if it were stretching itself awake. Henrick took one last deep breath, feeling the fresh air fill his lungs before he turned toward the nearby breakfast stand. The day was just beginning, and Henrick was determined to make it a good one for his mother.
As he walked toward the stand, a thought lingered in his mind—a feeling he couldn’t quite place. It was a strange pull, like something was calling him, something he couldn’t yet understand. Perhaps it was the way the world seemed to shift in River City, how everything felt like it was on the verge of change. Maybe it was the way the light hit the buildings or how the streets felt new, full of possibility.
Henrick shook his head, dismissing the feeling as he approached the stand. He focused on the task at hand—getting the breakfast for his mother. But deep down, he couldn’t shake the thought that his life was on the cusp of something much bigger than he had ever imagined.
As he handed the vendor the money and took the bags of food, his phone buzzed in his pocket. Henrick pulled it out, checking the screen. A message from his mother: I love you, Henrick. Be safe.
He smiled, tucking the phone back into his pocket, his heart swelling with affection. Everything he did, he did for her. She was his world.
Unbeknownst to him, in the distance, a pair of eyes watched him as he walked away, a connection beginning to form between Henrick and the man who would soon learn that this child may hold the key to an even bigger mystery.