Mind Games

Chapter 45 - Ryan

A/N: Hi guys! I'm pleasantly surprised to see votes and readership shooting up despite my long writer's block! 
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Something was wrong.

His vision felt blurry. His head still ached. The room was dimly lit, but he could see the pale glow of dawn through the lacy curtains.

He didn't seem to be in any immediate danger, but his skin crawled.

He felt disorientated. He wasn't sure where he was or why was he here.

And that feeling. Of crawling. Like someone was watching him.

Sudden panic coursed through him. He jumped up from the couch, looking around him wildly.

Then his vision swam and his feet gave way. He flopped back on the couch and gripped his head. Willing it to focus.

That feeling. It wouldn't go away.

"Hello, son." said a benign voice right in front of him.

He looked up slowly, his flesh breaking into goosebumps.

It was his father. His dead father. Sitting in the arm chair across him and smiling mildly.

"It's Amy." His mind screamed.

He hadn't heard of her ever taking a male form.

But this couldn't be his father!

Or could it?

Frustrated tears filled his eyes.

His father's imposter leaned forward. "I'm sorry, son. I never got a chance to tell you that."

Ryan blinked. "You are not my father." He said angrily.

The figure smiled. "I'm close to what your father was. I knew his mind. I knew his heart. He made a lot of mistakes, but you were not one of them. He loved you more than anything in his world, you know."

Ryan looked at the figure skeptically.  It looked kindly. It looked genuinely apologetic. It didn't have the hard glint he always saw in Amy's eyes.

His mind swirled. "I don't trust you." He said, coldly.

The figure smiled sadly.

"I understand, son. I don't expect ypu to forgive me. I will let you go now."

Ryan heard a click and saw the front door swing open.

"Go, son. Have a happy life. I love you, always."

Ryan got up uncertainly. The figure didn't move.

It watched as Ryan moved towards the door jerkily.

He turned back and looked at his father for the last time. Memories flooded through him.

Playing basketball together, learning fishing, playing video games... good times... fun times...

Then he wordlessly turned away and shuffled through the door.

The figure watched as he hobbled down the street faster and faster. To the house where his dead friend awaited him.

The figure shook it's head sadly.

Then it smiled.