Chapter 11 "The Devil is Not Your Friend – I Mean System."

Minutes turned into hours, and night transitioned to day. As the sun graced the skies, the early birds flew high into the sky, tweeting happily. "Hmm..." Wade moaned, shifting slightly. "So cold," he mumbled, reaching for his blanket. His hands patted around, trying to find the soft fabric he used every night. But as he as grasped at open air, a small frown formed between his brows. As soon as Wade opened his eyes, the first thing that hit him was the blinding light. It made his ears ring, followed by a splitting headache that took his breath away. Nausea overwhelmed him, and without missing a beat, the contents of his stomach were expelled, hitting the grass with enough force to splatter around.

"Gross." The screen displayed, drawing Wade's attention towards it. 

"Whose fault do you think it is …" Wade mumbled, trying hard not to vomit again. Squinting, he looked around, trying to figure out where he was. "Where am I?"

"The field."

"Oh ok," Wade responded. "Oh OK!" He yelled, shooting right up. "No, no, no… Idril. Shit, shit, I'm dead. What am I going to do?! I fucking slept out man!" Wade said, freaking out. Not once in his life had he ever worried about curfew, but things were different now – Not only did he sneak out, he had also failed to return. He looked around, trying to find Zaos' precious bow. "Why didn't you wake me?" Wade accused. 

"Did you forget you almost died? If not for the system, you would have passed the river of no return long ago." The system responded.

Wade paused, not sure he had heard correctly. "Someone is chatty." He mumbled, picking the arrows from the ground. "What happened yesterday?" He asked, remembering the moment a large amount of energy had flowed into his body, granting him strength he could have never imagined. He also remembered the pain that had come after that; something he wished never to feel again. Fortunately, it was all over. "You know what, we will discuss it later. I got to get home now." Wade said, swallowing the lump in his throat. 

Wade decided that the best course of action was to find a legitimate cover for why he didn't come home. Thinking about it for a few minutes, he decided to go hunting before heading home. 

With a resolute nod, Wade took a deep breath and adjusted the strap of his bow on his shoulder. The weight of the weapon was a comforting reminder as he began to walk further into the field. The scent of nature enveloped him, a mixture of fragrances filling the air. The sweet aroma of wildflowers mingled with the earthy scent of damp soil, teased his senses. The distant chirping of birds and the soft rustle of leaves added a melodic backdrop to his quest, as if nature itself was whispering its secrets to him.

As Wade ventured further into the wilderness, the ambiance around him transformed. The meadow gave way to a dense thicket of trees. Shafts of fading sunlight pierced through the canopy above, casting a unique pattern on the forest floor. The minutes turned into hours as Wade wandered deeper into the wilderness, his senses sharpened and attuned to every sound and movement. He moved with a stealthy grace, his steps calculated and precise. The silence of the woods was broken only by the occasional call of a distant animal, a reminder that he was not alone in this vast, untamed realm. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Wade found a suitable spot to set up his hunting perch. He climbed a sturdy tree, his muscles flexing with every movement. From his elevated vantage point, he could survey the surrounding area, his eyes scanning for any sign of game.

Time stood still as he waited patiently, his focus unwavering. And then, it happened. A majestic deer emerged from the forest, its graceful form illuminated by the light coming from above. Wade's breath caught in his throat as he held his bow in position. With a steady hand, Wade took aim and let go of the string. The whip of the arrow shattered the silence, echoing through the forest like thunder. The deer fell to the ground, its once vibrant eyes now lifeless, forever frozen in a moment of captured beauty.

"Nice shot." The system said sarcastically 

"You can never be happy for me, uh." Wade grinned, rubbing the underside of his nose. "I was just born with perfect aim." He boasted, laughing to the sky with his hands akimbo.

"... don't you have to get home?"

"Tch," Wade replied, clicking his tongue. With the deer slung over his shoulder, he began the long trek back home. With nothing to distract his thoughts, Wade trembled at the thought of Idril's fury. Despite his cover, he couldn't shake off the fear.

The walk back home was dead silent, the dread building up in Wade's belly with each step.

***

Wade finally made it home, but he remained outside the door, scared to go in. He placed his ear close to the door, trying to eavesdrop for any sounds coming from within. There was nothing.

"I'm screwed, I'm screwed," Wade groaned, resting his forehead against the wooden door. "How am I going to go in?" he wondered aloud, anxiety gnawing at his thoughts.

"You could just open the door?" the system suggested.

Wade's sarcastic response was quick, "Yeah, thanks a bunch. I didn't know that."

".."

Although the system didn't say anything, Wade could have sworn that the system said "you b**ch" or something along the line. 

But for now, he kept his focus on what lay behind the door. As he contemplated his next move, the door swung open by itself, pushing Wade forward and nearly causing him to stumble. "Uowh!" Wade exclaimed, his hands in front of him. Immediately, his first thought was to survey the room, causing his heart to race wildly. But there was still no sign of anyone around.

"Maybe she went out?" the system suggested, but Wade knew better. That tone wasn't one of care. The devil was praying for his downfall. 

"That might-" Before Wade could finish his word, a sound echoed from the direction of the kitchen. He dashed forward, heading towards the sound. 

Wade's heart raced as he stood by the kitchen doorway. But then it increased even more, beating so fast he wondered if it would burst out of his chest. 

The kitchen windows were closed, but Wade could clearly spot someone violently chopping vegetables within. The rhythmic thuds of the knife against the cutting board reverberated through the room, creating a tense atmosphere that seemed to consume the air. His fear intensified as he realized the impending doom that awaited him in the kitchen. His throat suddenly felt dry, and his left eye twitched uncontrollably, a physical manifestation of the mounting anxiety within him.

"Who is that monster?" the system asked, showing genuine concern for the first time. 

Wade's voice quivered as he responded, his words barely above a whisper, "My mother - Idril."

The aroma of freshly chopped vegetables wafted through the kitchen, a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere that permeated the space. It was as if Idril's actions were a calculated attempt to mask her true rage, a normal chore that seemed threatening at the same time. But Wade knew better. The kitchen, once a place of warmth and nourishment, had become a battleground. To anyone reading this out there, please don't fight with your mom. 

Summoning every ounce of courage he possessed, Wade stepped forward, his footsteps barely audible against the tiled floor. His heart pounded in his chest, threatening to burst free from its confines. With each step, the kitchen grew closer, Idril's presence looming like a dark specter, ready to consume him whole. As Wade finally entered the kitchen, his eyes locked onto Idril's back, her figure tense and unmoving. The sound of the knife meeting the cutting board ceased, and for a brief moment, silence filled the room, allowing Wade to gather his thoughts. His mother turned slowly, her face expressionless. "You're back." She said calmly. 

"I'm screwed." Wade thought, closing his eyes while invisible tears rolled down his cheeks. Idril remained silent, returning to her cooking. Wade's heart raced as he thought of what to do next. He remembered that Idril was fond of him when he acted cute.

"I need to do this!" Wade thought, gathering the courage to proceed. He has to do his best to appease her anger.

"Where's your pride as a twenty-five-year-old man?" the system mocked.

"Staying alive is more important," Wade responded through gritted teeth. He had decided to put his pride aside and, in a calculated move, he approached Idril from behind. He wrapped his arms around her waist, rubbing his cheek against her back.

"Mommy, Cirdan is sorry. I'm so sorry, I won't do it ever again," Wade said in a baby voice, his pride sinking to the lowest depth of hell. He could almost sense the system showing the most disgusted look possible.

Idril stopped chopping vegetables, and, without any immediate response, she asked, "Do you know what you did wrong?"

Wade wasn't a master at understanding females, but as a forever virgin, ahem, as a single person all his life, he understood relationships better than those in one. And right now the best thing was to admit that he was wrong. 

"Why are you so proud about being single all your life?" The system mocked. 

"Shut up Bing 1.0." Wade cussed inwardly, before reverting back to his sweet demeanor as he turned to Idril. "I shouldn't have sneaked out or stayed out that late." He said. 

Idril turned around, her expression a mix of anger, relief, and concern. Her hand rose, as if she was about to strike him. Wade closed his eyes, waiting for the pain, but instead, she knelt down to his height, embracing him tightly. "Don't you ever disappear without telling me anything," she whispered, hugging him even tighter.

Ah." Wade mumbled, his voice barely audible as he processed the sight before him. His eyes widened slightly, the realization hitting him like a sudden gust of wind. Idril was trembling. Her usually cheerful demeanor had crumbled, revealing the vulnerability that lay beneath. A pang of guilt surged through Wade's chest, his heart clenching with a myriad of emotions. Warmth. Love? Love for a woman he could now call his mom.

"I'm sorry," Wade whispered, apologizing sincerely. Without hesitation, he tightened his grip around Idril, enveloping her in a protective embrace. On a closer look, Wade noticed the dirt on Idril's clothes and the disheveled state of her appearance. It spoke volumes of her sleepless night and the desperate search that had consumed her every thought. She had stayed out all night, tirelessly combing through the forest, desperately hoping to find him. The realization struck Wade like a bolt of lightning, searing through his soul. The room seemed to fade into the background as Wade and Idril held onto each other, their connection transcending words. The ambiance around them shifted, becoming a sanctuary where only their shared love and understanding existed.

Time stood still as they clung to one another, the weight of their past mistakes and miscommunications slowly dissipating in the face of their unspoken bond. In this fragile moment, Wade knew that he would do whatever it took to protect Idril, to never let her worry or suffer like this again. He had found a home, a family, in the most unexpected of places, and he would cherish it with all his heart.

Finally, as the tremors of emotion began to subside, Idril pulled away slightly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. A small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corners of her lips, a mixture of relief and affection illuminating her face. "So where did you go to?" She asked

"Ah, yes, I brought deer." He responded, pointing in the opposite direction.