Henry dreams of his parents to help cope with the things he's done. He is not being haunted. If anything, whatever he sees and tells himself is the result of his conscience weighing heavily on him. In sleep, he tends to see them in snatches here and there, primarily after doing something bloody or generally un-Christian. He sees Pa after killing Istvan and he sees Ma, too, after coring Markvart's throat like a fruit, and they both tumble off the shadow of guilt versus desire — that is, him doing the very thing he knows he shouldn't. With his parents, there is no telling how either of them would really view Henry's vengeful desires (though he's more than an inkling that they wouldn't like it) but to the core of him, Henry wishes very much that they'd at least understand him, and in doing so, will still hold him close as their dear boy. He lives to see to delivering justice, but still young, wants very much to do so knowing he's not spurned by his folks. He wants to do right by Skalitz, or right in the way he's come to understand it, and there's still very much a part of him that seeks out approval and, on top of it all, unconditional love. It's the root for his parents still dotingem upon him after murder. It's why he thinks of mom holding his face and his father telling him warmly what he man he's become. Henry isn't haunted, but the love of his family is still very much a part of him, and these dreams he has are a way to reckon with his doubts and guilt.
















