SHADOW OF VENGEANCE

Funeral

Chapter 4

Funeral

Carlos froze in front of the bodies of Maria and Ana. The man stood still without blinking an eye. He even slapped his face repeatedly to make sure he wasn't dreaming.

“Our job is done.” The two officers left, but Carlos came to his senses. He blocked them and demanded an explanation for what had happened to his son and wife.

“They were already dead when we arrived.” One of the officers replied lightly.

“Damn it, what killed them and who did it?” Despite his injuries, Carlos was still able to push a man in front of him. '

“That's none of our business. We're just doing our job.”

“It's a matter of human life, you moron!” Carlos rebuked him.

“Mr. Carlos, just ask the doctor for an explanation, we're just following orders.” The other man also pushed the soldier's body. As a result, the wound on Carlos' back throbbed violently.

The two men left without looking back. Leaving Carlos sitting while enduring the pain in his body as well as his heart. He didn't know what to do.

“Why did you leave me?” Carlos began to sob. He wiped away the tears that fell. Although he was a Mexican soldier, he was also a human being with a heart.

“Honey, wake up, I'm back, we can still celebrate Ana's birthday even though it's late.” Carlos stroked Maria's head that felt cold as ice.

“Ana, Papa's back, we're going to buy your favorite doll and shoes.” The man moved to the next drawer. He was still devastated and couldn't believe what had happened.

Carlos hoped it was all a prank and he wouldn't be angry at all. However, silence was the only answer. Maria and Ana were gone forever.

“Mr. Carlos.” A man's voice made the soldier turn his head.

“Who are you?” Carlos wiped away his tears. He looked at the doctor's face like he had met him before.

“I examined your wife and son. I have something to explain. Put their bodies on the gurney.” The doctor ordered the several nurses who had come along.

The bodies of Maria and Ana were taken out, after that the doctor asked the nurses to leave. Carlos was still stunned. He moved when the blanket covering his wife's body was removed.

“Mrs. Maria was sexually assaulted before she was killed.” The doctor explained while showing the bruises on her thighs and arms. Carlos' eyes seemed to be holding back anger.

“How many people did it?”

“From the traces left behind there are three people.”

“I will search for you at all costs even to hell.”

“After that, Dona Maria was strangled until she ran out of breath.” The examining doctor pointed out the bluish marks on the neck. Carlos said nothing.

“And my daughter?”

“Ana, a little lucky.”

“Lucky you say?”

“My guess is that Ana died without witnessing the violence her mother received. She was poisoned.” The doctor noticed the color of Ana's blackened lips. Carlos took a deep breath, trying to calm the anger that ruled his heart.

After briefing Carlos, the doctor asked the nurses to put the body back into the drawer.

“We await your decision as to when they will be buried, Mr. Carlos.”

“Did the police not take the evidence needed for the investigation?”

“I don't know about that. I'm just doing my duty as a doctor.”

“Wait.” Carlos held back the doctor who wanted to leave. “I seem to have seen you in one place. I don't forget people easily.”

“Excus me!” The doctor dismissed Carlos' hand. Yes, they did meet when the doctor came at Anomaly's request.

Carlos sat pensively on the hospital chair. He firmly believed that his troubles were caused by the drug cartel network that he had eradicated some time ago.

“Martin.” Carlos said the name. The man who had threatened him.

“You will never live in peace.” Carlos's jaw hardened even more as the head of his hand tightened.

The case of the death of his wife and child will not be handed over to the Mexican police because it happened in a military environment. Carlos will go directly to his superiors and possibly even the defense minister to seek justice.

The problem was that Carlos' back, calves and several wounds on his body were very painful. He forgot Anomali's message to keep taking his medicine until it ran out.

The blond man decided to return home. He looked for the white plastic that contained several packets of medicine and then looked for water and gulped it down.

When he opened the refrigerator, he realized that there were pieces of Ana's birthday cake still stored there. A sight that made him feel even more guilty.

Carlos sat in front of the fridge and finished the rest of the cake even though it was starting to taste bad.

“Sorry, I came late.” Carlos swallowed the birthday cake heavily. He also gulped down a bottle of soda even though he had just taken some medicine. Shortly after, he fell asleep on the floor.

Carlos woke up after banging on his door several times. He opened the door and frowned when four men who were clearly soldiers appeared before him.

“Change your clothes, Mr. Carlos. The bodies of your wife and son will be buried, you must come as a family.”

“What? No! I haven't authorized the funeral. The killer hasn't been caught yet.” Carlos pointed to the face of the man in front of him.

“It's not up to you. Take him at all costs.” One of the men ordered.

Then the other three took Carlos by force and put him in the jeep. There he was given an all-black mourning outfit and ordered to change.

Soon the jeep arrived at the public cemetery. All the funeral arrangements had been made without a single flaw. Carlos only had to carry himself. Even his doctor and boss came with their families.

“What the hell. Disperse the cemetery!” Carlos almost made a scene, but one of the men escorting him pointed a gun at his back.

“I'll make you regret it forever!” Carlos threatened.

The funeral procession was solemn and full of sadness. Several relatives, friends and neighbors came to mourn. Strangely, Carlos was not allowed to move from where he stood.

Two coffins were carried by several men. The funeral began. Carlos' feelings were mixed together. He wanted to rebel but his life was also on the line. Until the coffin was covered with soil he was still like that.

When the mourners dispersed, Carlos was left alone without any explanation. He called his superiors to ask for clarity on who killed his wife and child, but he was not responded to at all.

“I swear in the name of God and our love, I will find out who killed you. I promise.” Carlos kissed the tombstones with Maria and Ana's names on them. He also scattered marigolds as a final gesture of respect.

“Rest in peace, darling. Someday we will be reunited.” The soldier left the cemetery. He returned home on foot. The world was no longer the same when the two women he loved died.

As if the misfortune that befell Carlos wasn't enough, by the time he got home all the evidence and mess from the abuse was gone. The house was neat and clean.