The following weeks passed so peacefully that all the wariness Ragnar had built over the years slowly melted away.
These weeks were ones he would love to never forget.
Ragnar had settled in with his family, his
Uncle also came by a couple of times as well as him going over to stay at his uncle's.
It was a peaceful and comfortable time for him, strangely or not so strangely his tense muscles and his alert instincts began to dull.
He was more relaxed, he smiled more.The witty edge he had sharpened over the years was now hidden behind a charming smile.
He got his family back, he got his home back and that was enough, he was no longer rebellious for a teenager. Although his parents noticed this glaring change, they also accepted it with a smile and gave glory to the Creator for bringing about the change in their son.
Classes were smooth sailing and he had become no different from the other kids who hadn't the slightest clue of the tribulations he had weathered. Ragnar himself seemed to have forgotten about them.
All his blades were hidden, his instincts asleep. He was now just a 13-year-old teenager and with this knowledge he knew he had time to change everything.
The decision to change the future made him turn over a new leaf. He was currently a model student, the epitome of holiness, free in mind and body, he wanted to be as worthy as he could be for the day of ascension .
Although he found it difficult to understand how he knew such information, his greatest desire was to never be separated from his family again. That longing held such a firm grip on him that every step he took was one towards holiness—the kind of son his parents had always wished he would become.
This particular Thursday was no different.
He went to school and back. Did his homework, studied for some time and sketched for another period of time.
He did some exercises and left home to go help his uncle with housework. He rode on his bike with a blissful smile while humming a Christian song joyfully.
He arrived at his uncle's and went straight to the garden where he always was.
"Uncle!!!" He called out.
His uncle raised his head with a sickle in hand, his thick beard blocking out his mouth as a deep voice thundered..
"JOHANSSON..HAHA MY BOY, YOURE HERE, COME ..."
Ragnar hopped over happily as he was dragged into a bear hug.
"How are my brother and his wife?". He asked boisterously.
"They're well uncle, I came to help." Ragnar replied cheerfully.
"HAHA, Of course you came to help.." he ruffled the boy's hair and rushed away to get some equipments.
"Come boy..." He gestured towards Ragnar.
" Come change, I don't want that woman on my neck because you got stained haha."
"Hahaha." Ragnar also laughed along as he rushed towards his uncle. The two chatted away cheerfully as they got ready and returned to the garden.
They both tended to the garden till dusk and Ragnar was once again cycling home with a basket filled with fresh fruits.
" Mom! Dad! I'm home." He announced as soon as he got off his bike.
His mom was already on the doorstep waiting to help him in.
" Just on time baby, dinner is ready." She said while taking the basket from him.
" Take off your shoes, don't mud up my house." She reminded with a stern yet joking voice.
" C'mon give the boy a break." His father chipped in from the sitting room.
" Come son." He tapped the space beside him, receiving Ragnar with his other hand and pulled him into a cuddle.
They both watched TV as his mother served dinner.
It was another wonderful end of the day as Ragnar once again retreated to his bed with no monsters to be worried about.
He closed his eyes gently after receiving a soft peck on the cheek from his mother.
"Goodnight mom."
She smiled and left, closing the door quietly behind her.
Hearing that she left, he raised his hand and gave a gentle caress to the spot she kissed.
His lips curved into a smile as he drifted away into deep sleep.
Ragnar woke up in the middle of the night because he was thirsty. He strode down stairs while scratching the back of his head and yawning heavily.
His footsteps came to an abrupt halt as he heard some noise in the house.
He looked back towards his parent's room and it was shut, he couldn't tell if they were inside.
He shrugged and continued on his way down.
He went into the kitchen. Drank the water and headed back to his room. But he suddenly changed his mind, he made his way to his parent's room to see if they were asleep.
He just wanted to make sure. Atleast that was what he told himself.
He stood before their door and placed his ears on it, leaning into it.
He did that because he knew how unhinged his parents can be, though they don't hide it doesn't mean he should also intrude on them anytime he wishes.
He heard no sound making him sigh in relief.
"Thank God they're doing nothing weird."
He turned the knob slowly, trying to make it as quiet as he could. With one gentle push, the door was open enough for him to poke his small head in.
He was taken aback by what he saw.
The room was dimly lit by a single bedside lamp.
There his mother and father sat on the bed motionlessly.
Their gazes were distant, their posture stiff.
Ragnar pushed the door open wide and walked in.
He came to the side of their bed and shook his father.
But he got no response.
"Dad?"
Still no response.
He walked over to his mom and the results were the same. The eerie sight made his hair stand on end.
He could feel a chill crawl up his spine.
With a gulp, he walked back to the other end of the room.
He found the light switch and turned it on.
With the lights on he could see it all clearly, but there was a change he didn't expect.
"Son?" His dad called out.
Ragnar jumped in fright and turned towards his dad only to see him patting his mother's hair.
"Go back to sleep hunny , it's just Ragnar, I'll take care of it."
He drew the blanket over her, covering her properly.
"Son, what are you doing?" He turned back to Ragnar who was looking at him with an expression mixed with fear and confusion.
For a brief moment, Ragnar could have sworn they had been sitting upright.
His dad came and lifted him up, he walked back to the bed and laid down, placing Ragnar on his chest while giving him gentle pats on the back.
Ragnar was still trying to think on what he saw but he also fell into deep sleep without even knowing it.