《Gruama》 The Punisher and the Punished ??? POV Journal Report -Friday, 11:41 PM EST March the 21st 1985 -I have been relying on caffeine lately to keep me up and awake, My life has been a living nightmare I find objects in places where I did not put them. I hear strange sounds from all around me and my searching for a new place to stay closer to civilization is going horribly. -I see something when I sleep, Two dots of bright red in complete darkness with a smoke-like matter coming from both of them I''ve tried speaking with an expert and even gone to therapy. The therapist asks me questions I don''t feel comfortable or safe answering but if I don''t find a fix to this I will lose my mind. *Brrr-Brrr* "That''s my phone, maybe someone found an apartment for me to stay in." I walked slowly to the phone even though caffeine kept me awake I still felt weak due to the lack of energy. I eventually made it to my seat and sat down looking at the spark of hope that lies within the ringing of the phone. I pick up the phone and put it to my ear and hear nothing until. ¡°Do you remember me, Doctor Sean?" ... ...Doctor Sean??? My whole world starts flashing I get up with the phone in my hand and walk briskly to view the outside but with each step, something weighs on me that holds me from taking another step, I almost drop the phone in my hand due to how sweaty my palms have gotten. "w-w-who are you? How do you know me?" Nothing made sense as all as what flashed in my mind was the two red dots Huh? That''s weird, was the moon always this dark? "I suppose you wouldn''t remember me, but I remember you, doctor So much so I wasn''t surprised when I found you living alone in a cabin like a Hermit." "WHO ARE YOU?!?!" My attempt of intimidation seemed nothing more but a squeal of fright. every part of the human body can be used to identify what someone is feeling from a person''s voice to their eyes down to their palm. Those were all the more apparent I figured sitting down may calm my nerves but in truth, I needed to leave. ¡°You want to know who I am?" ... "I am DEATH The destroyer of Worlds" **Thud** The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Fear of the Unknown is one of the most primitive forms of fear but the most primitive is Fear of Death. Every Evolution humanity has gone through was built on avoiding death but as everything flashed from a long time ago, it all made sense who this was and the two red dots but as I was remembering I came to a realization those weren''t dots. They were eyes. The eyes of pure bloodlust I came to this realization too late as I saw something I saw The Reaper wearing long black clothes, holding a great Scythe. My soul is to be reaped, I would have imagined I would have lived a decent life before being shipped to the flames, and yet I stare at the sign of the end as with every moment the reaper''s arm is lifted and his Long weapon is illuminated by the Light of Midnight, it illuminates death itself but as I dawn my eyes on the form of death I feel nothing but guilt. **Slash** - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Connor Winters POV The sound of jazz music rocked through the building as I saw countless bodies move in an inconsistent fashion trying to dance, I must admit I''m not sure why I come here other than the penetrating music and a good drink I haven''t made any connections through this place despite my daily appearance. I take another gulp and try to stand up only to fall from my feet it seems I had too much to drink however before I attempt to get up a lady I knew rushes to my aid. "You sure do drink a lot, come on I will help you up." She said using both of her arms to try and pick me up, I help her by trying to stand up "Why are you drinking like this? Are you feeling lonely? You know if you are..." she said trying to touch me "Amanda I''m not paying for you because you''re too expensive," I said bluntly and blunt is what she deserved. All the money she siphons from men is admirable but I''m not falling for her tricks "Are you saying I''m not worth it? HMPH and I thought we had such good times together." She said crossing her arms and pouting in an attempt to make me feel bad for her. "It''s not my fault you cost more than a steak and wine at a good restaurant," I said while trying to pull a cigar out of my pocket when suddenly **Thud** "WELL I''M LEAVING LET THE STEAK AND WINE TAKE YOU HOME." She said walking away with her arms fisted up. At this point, I''d preferred to not go home alone however so I ran after her. "Hey, you''re walking me home? How sweet of you" I said as I matched my pace to hers she pulled out a cigarette and started smoking. "What? Steak and wine can''t walk you home?" She said with a smirk and a look of victory in her eyes. "The wine is too whiny and the steak is in the casino," I said taking out my cigar and lighting it up. "Why''s the steak at the casino?" Trying to grasp my incomplete joke "For the high stakes gambling," I said with a smirk, she rolled her eyes so hard I thought it would roll to the back of her head however as we walked in the night the street was empty and so our laughter and our steps were the only things that echoed on the lone path. Once we had reached my apartment I would have imagined she''d leave by now but this made more sense she wasn''t trying to walk me home to be kind, she''s after my money! "Why are you still here?" I questioned as I fell over on the couch as I entered my home. "Do you clean this place?" She asked trying to find the cleanest spot in the house to sit although that comment hurt It was sadly the truth that I don''t clean this place often. "What a nice way of avoiding the question," I said to try and steer the conversation back to why she was being a total creep and coming into my house. "Maybe I can wear you down and get you to pay after all." She said with an unapologetic smirk. She''s a succubus to the core. "Well, that''s too bad because I plan on sleeping," I said pulling a pillow and placing it directly under my head. "What right on the couch?" She asked confused "well that isn''t fair I don''t get a spot next to you to try my tricks." She pouted "Yea that''s The Whole point of it," I said and closed my eyes trying to block her out of existence however like a demon whispering in your ear she can not leave which is ironic because she did start whispering in my ear. "Aww come on I will listen to anything you want to say. Like why you''re drinking so much or about your past." As she said the last part I was reminded I don''t remember any of it, not a single aspect from before the last 3 years was a memory in my mind it was all empty. "Can''t tell you what I don''t remember," I said trying to push her away but she latches on to me tight where it would require enough force to knock her down just to get her off me. "come on you gotta remember something or other?" She said looking me in the eyes I quickly put my hand on the center of her face when her guard was down and pushed her away. "You know if no one remembers a memory that did happen did it even happen at all?" I said as I sat up, she grabbed the controller and opened the TV "Well well didn''t know drinking makes you all philosophical" She switched to a news channel that was reporting a murder however one symbol that the killer behind was what was being discussed "Doctor Sean received a phone call just before his death" a Red-eye that seemed familiar however I paid it no mind people familiarize things all the time she switched off the channel and got up. "Well I guess I won''t be able to wear you down" she got up and dusted herself off and started walking to the door. "Well, you didn''t put up much of a fight," I said with a smirk, she looked back at me and said "I know when to give up Connor, have a good sleep maybe I will try again tomorrow" she followed that statement up with a wink and left I laid down on my couch and slept ... Wait? Where am I? I felt as if my body existed and did not exist I was standing in complete darkness, the only sounds I hear are screams and the sound of metalwork being done I feel like a dominating force holding me down and yet I feel a strong urge to move. all sounds dwindle however the darkness seems to grow darker I start hearing the screams of a man I feel my mind flashing a thousand times as space condenses yet expands and time moves forward and backward and all that''s left in this darkness is me. ...and two red dots? I hear ringing as a storm grows as I am teleported to a desert I feel a strong force blowing me back and sand flying past me the sand reddens my eye and a mirror appears in front of me as my pupil and iris turn red and my sclera turns black. Lifting my head I looked, and behold, a pale horse; and he who sat on it had the name Death, and Hell was following with him. ... I rise from my couch to realize it was but a dream however it felt so real, they say dreams are a portal to the subconscious could this help me find out about my past? No that''s a silly thought after all it was just a dream. Right?? I get up to try and begin my day however I hear ringing from the phone. "Doctor Sean received a phone call just before his death." Echoed in my head however, I paid it no heed and picked up the phone. "Who''s this?" I heard nothing but silence and then "Who else would be calling you? Don''t tell me you''ve replaced me already??" I hear Amanda''s voice and I''m immediately disappointed. "What do you want Amanda?" I said taking a breath in she continues speaking "I was thinking we can go to the bar later what do you say?" She requests me to go with her although I would have rejected even if I didn''t have plans I did have plans "Sorry no I have plans maybe another day though," I said and I heard radio silence for a moment "Stop lying we all know you don''t do anything and besides what could be more important than hanging out with me?" She says energetically trying to persuade me but the first comment offended me enough to accept any of her words after. "I do have plans, bye now." I close the phone before she can respond. I have to go to Doctor Sean''s house. Confrontation Connor Winter''s POV I made my way to Doctor Sean''s house and discovered it was but a mere cabin in the woods. I treaded the nearby area slowly to assure myself that there were no cops. I found the yellow tape that is made to urge people to not enter, I ignored it and went inside. I found most of the house has been cleared even the body was missing however this might give me a chance to ex0lore more freely. The darkness of night made this cabin lack any hint of light, but I prepared for this situation and brought a flashlight knowing that if I opened the lights in this house it would alert any cops nearby. I pulled the flashlight out and turned it on and attempted to search through the living room The sounds of creaking were the only thing that echoed through the room as the silence of this empty house filled the air. Death may bring wailing and screams on its arrival but when it leaves it leaves nothing, but silence. I investigated around the white chalk and through the living room but found no details however I can not pretend it wasn''t the expected result after all if a professional team came in with advanced tools, and found nothing what good was I? I looked for a while through all rooms, but found nothing is it even possible for a human to not leave a single trace? What a waste of effort I really should think about my actions before I go ahead with them. I decided to take my useless self back to my house I laid down on the couch and accepted there was nothing for me in this case. Useless ringing from the phone filled the house probably Amanda I rise from the couch and pick up the call. "What do you want Amanda?" I say but hear nothing from her. "Professor Connor Winters..." a chill runs down my spine my whole body freezes as I hear something that sounds more similar to the air than a man.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. "I suppose you don''t go by doctor anymore, however, professor is what I remember you by, so forgive me for any confusion." I couldn''t muster one ounce of courage to reply something about the voice seemed familiar but unfamiliar at the same time however I was unsure if calling it a voice was the right thing it didn''t sound like it had a voice more like a frequency of sounds. "I imagine you have been looking for answers and I want to meet you at Bonapple 5th street a abandoned building will have the eye, I have a hostage. Amanda" The call closed and my breath soon calmed as I sat down considering the situation and decided there are no funny tricks I can do other than bring a weapon and confront him otherwise Amanda will die. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - I had made it to the building and saw an eye symbol staring at me, and I detected people watching me it seems he planned in case I involved the cops however I didn''t plan on doing so. I slowly went up the staircase of the abandoned building with each step I took everything felt wrong I broke out in a sweat and my gun started making noises from how shaky I was the smell of dust and stone filled the air as the cold approached from behind me I went up the last steps and saw Amanda tied up in a chair. A deafening silence fell over the scene as I saw only a tall figure with his beige trench coat being blown by the cold wind coming from behind me as the moon illuminated only his back his front was covered by the curtain of blackness. "Silver point." These were the only two words he said before he released Amanda who ran towards me and held on to me however I still had my gun aimed at it. "No one knows whether death is really the greatest blessing a man can have, but they fear it is the greatest curse, as if they knew well" "What? Do you think you''re giving your victims an exit from life? Just who do you think you are?" I said trying to muster up all my courage but my voice shook as he stood with his arms still by his sides the cold air blew but he didn''t move an inch. "Black hair, blue eyes, and not staring at me, you haven''t changed." I noticed him shaking, was he afraid? "I said- I felt a sudden foreign object enter my body with every system and bone warning me of impending doom which was reached when I look down and see a knife in my stomach. The feeling of cold steel on my skin was the least of my distractions as the pain rushed through every cell of my body and I felt liquid running over my shirt. "Amanda?" I said stumbling as it seemed the earth itself got stabbed with how infrequent its movement has become I fall on my bottom and any attempts to rise become irrelevant as I feel my strength fading. "Well, you didn''t think the tv news channel was a coincidence right?" She said with a focused look in her eye uncaring, I attempt to lean on a wall as my chest feels heavy and I heave as I try to absorb all the air I fade in and out of the realm of reality. "So where''s my mo-" the loud sound of a bang filled the air replacing the sound of my heaving I could see blood from a foreign location. "Amanda?" I whisper but the cold air blows the words into a distant land as I hear slow steps fading away as blackness invades all that surrounds me I attempt to straighten myself to investigate the scene but it''s no use. I instinctively try to reach for something to calm the bleeding however I''d fare better with the knife with my state currently I couldn''t even shut my wound. Blood from Amanda''s bullet wounded head I hear sirens in the distance. "Get him in the Ambulance quickly" I heard voices saying as I faded to the realm of dreams. Continuation of Eradication Jack Duffy POV Today I realized there may be hope. In three days my son would have his fifth birthday and he sure did grow up quickly I remember his birth like it was yesterday. I and my wife Albertha were discussing plans for his birthday we had already invited a lot of guests from our neighborhood and the families of the friends he made he is a surprisingly bright kid for his age. However, as I and her were talking we heard him rushing toward us. "DAD," he said jumping into my arms his light figure making it easy to throw him in the air but he already grew well for a boy his age. "there''s my little guy, why are you up so early anyway?" It was just before I got off to work. Albertha makes me sandwiches and coffee early so I can head to work filled with energy. "I thought I''d catch you before you go to work," he said with a cheery smile, he''s been happier than usual since his birthday is coming up you can see the excitement in his eyes. "Well ain''t that just sweet I have to go Alberta put him back to bed," I said getting up with a bag in hand. "Alright off to bed John," she said guiding him to bed. "But I''m not tired," he said, his voice becoming fainter as Albertha guided him upstairs. I left the house and went inside the car playing the music as the sun shined down on this town. Deciding on living in Silverpoint was a great idea. "?? I''m a believer meeting the reaper??" "Reaper" "This must be done, professor." "He is alive" Sounds of violent rage echoed through my skull as even the brightest light of day could not clear my vision. The sounds of machines and ringing pressured my head As I heard loud honking I quickly swerved the vehicle, it seems I was almost about to meet my punishment, and how ironic my past killing me. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. After a long day of work, I headed to the cafe, caffeine has become a very needed desire for me to continue my daily life I almost become a beast when I see my coffee. "One Black Coffee if you may," I said to the waitress as she paced along to the kitchen. I always had a strong sense of observation which is why I noticed a tall ginger man switching the channels to the news station. "One man was found injured and another killed for what the police is calling the Red eye murder" As I stared into the eyes I saw and remembered. Those eyes inspected prey down right to the soul and it''s no wonder why they haunted the depth of my sleep the comfort of my wife by my side is what kept me sane in the night. "Here''s your coffee cup sir." Said the waitress with a smile. "Thank you," I said as she put my cup down I pick it up and look inside to see Me? Is this how I''ve always looked? Like a beast? "Yes, Jack this is how we always looked like. Inside and out. That''s how they all saw us too." "No this isn''t me I''m changed." trying to rationalize this situation but you can''t rationalize insanity "Insanity? THIS IS REALITY" said the voice as reality itself shook "You can''t escape from your sins." "Sir Sir" I heard a soft voice calling out to me and a hand touching my shoulder as the waitress from before was looking towards me "You haven''t taken a sip from your drink." She said with a worried expression however this coffee seemed too rotten to consume I handed her the money and took my way to the exit to return home. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Connor Winter''s POV The sound of constant beeping filled the deafening silence as I stumbled back through the gates of reality and stared upon the white light shining brightly from the hospital room? I suddenly bolted up as I realized the place I was in my memories of what transpired coming back to me. The white tiles of the hospital floor make it more clear. Amanda betrayed Me and the killer shot her square in the face. I suppose trusting a killer isn''t a good idea. However I trod upon the possibility that he may have implanted her from the beginning but the thought quickly vanished from my head, would someone wait this long and set up a plan this elaborate just to injure someone? A nurse entered the room to check on me I suppose but she was alerted as soon as she realized I was awake. "Oh, you''re awake how are you feeling?" She said grabbing a chair and sitting down beside me "Not the greatest but what happened? Did they catch him? Who called me in here?" I said frantically trying to find out if this matter has been resolved but I was curious about how I''m still alive. "It was an anonymous phone call, the police are suspecting the killer might have made the call." Wait What? Why would he attempt to injure me or kill me if he''s going to have me fixed up? This doesn''t make sense. "What sense does that make?" I said scoffing off that statement "I don''t know but the police are gonna come here soon to question you, so you can ask them or tell them whatever you need." She said as she rose from her chair to leave the room. Wait. "What does silverpoint mean?" I said before she left trying to grasp perhaps the most important question. "You mean silverpoint as in the town?" She said looking back at me. Wait town? Is he going to be at silverpoint? Is the next victim going to be at silverpoint? Well, the only thing that mattered is that I need to be in silverpoint. "Nothing I''m just tired" she proceeded to exit the room. I have to leave this place soon and get to silverpoint. Third-person POV Two officers entered the hospital room to be shocked by the absence of the patient. They approached the nurse who was taking care of him. "where is Connor Winters?" He said frantically to the startled nurse. "He''s not in his room? Asked the nurse with a worried expression as she paced to the room and opened the door only to find the bed empty "Why would he run away?" Said one of the officers attempting to picture Connor''s viewpoint. "I don''t know but..." said the nurse a bit hesitant but she quickly regained her determination. "he said something about Silverpoint?" She said looking one of the officers in the eye. "I see well we will alert the station of this and look for him in Silverpoint. Thank you for your help." He said as he and the other officer walked away "Hey, what if Connor killed that girl Barry?" Asked the other officer "What the hell are you talking about Jones?" with some curiosity yet full of boredom Barry replied. "Well maybe that girl stabbed him in self-defense and he killed her maybe he killed Doctor Sean as well?" Officer Jones began expanding on his theory. "You bring up some interesting theories Jones." Officer Barry said walking off As Connor Winters traveled to Silverpoint it dawned on him that perhaps he might have bitten off more than he can chew. Maybe he is chasing death itself. Only time will tell.