SHADOW OF VENGEANCE

Traitor

Chapter 5

Traitor

Carlos couldn't close his eyes all night. He had to feel the pain alone without being able to share it with anyone.

He stood in his room staring at his wedding photo with Maria five years ago. A very sweet and happy life since their daughter was born.

Only by taking medicine was Carlos able to close his eyes. Even when he slept, he couldn't calm down. The nightmare in the 30-story building came again.

“Juan.” Carlos snapped out of his sleep. The blond-haired man remembered his promise to avenge his best friend.

Carlos got up and looked out the window. The sun had risen quite high. He went to the bathroom to clean himself up.

The cold water stung when it hit the wound on his back. He looked in the mirror and saw the long stitches. Sometimes the itching was excruciating.

After putting on some neat clothes, Carlos came out of the room. The plastic bag containing his medicine fell down. He picked it up and it made him think of Anomaly.

“Who is that woman? May be she can help me find Maria and Ana's killers.” Carlos then remembered when he woke up and saw a doctor.

“That doctor, it's him. He must know where Anomaly is.” Carlos quickened his pace. He went to the garage and took out the car. The one that wasn't damaged at all during the crime at his house.

“They're only after my wife and son.” The soldier drove his car to the military base where he served.

Carlos walked straight without greeting anyone. Everything had changed since he joined the operation against the drug cartels. The soldiers looked at him differently.

“I'd like to see Major General Mateo.” Carlos saluted his senior first.

“Major General Mateo is away, Carlos.”

“Where did he go. I need to see him right now.”

“To meet the Minister of Defense in his office.”

“Okay, thank you.”

“Wait, Carlos.” The senior held Carlos back.

“What?”

“About the death of your wife and daughter. It's best to forget it. Don't look for the culprit again. Even if you find out, you won't be able to avenge it.”

“Stay away from me. This is none of your business.” Carlos brushed off the hand on his shoulder.

Although the man before him was a senior, he didn't care at all. Justice for his wife and daughter had to be served.

Immediately, the soldier with blond hair went to the Office of the Minister of Defense. When he got there, he couldn't immediately enter and had to undergo several checks first. As a result, Carlos was not given permission to enter.

The man didn't care at all. He barged in and pushed anyone who dared to get in his way. Carlos had to meet with Mateo and the Minister of Defense.

Carlos broke down the door of the Defense Minister's room. The few people inside were shocked because they were in a secret meeting.

Carlos was even more surprised when he saw Anomali standing not far from the Minister of Defense. She was wearing a white shirt and a gray skirt and blazer.

“Anomaly.” Carlos looked at her sharply. The man became suspicious.

“Do you know her?” The Minister of Defense asked his secretary.

“No, Mr. Luis.” Anomali replied flatly.

“Carlos, what are you doing?” Mateo stood up and walked towards his subordinate.

“I came to ask for justice for the death of my wife and daughter. You see, my wife and daughter died while I was being treated.” Carlos looked at Anomaly but the woman wore an expression of complete indifference.

“I know you're still very much in mourning. We will definitely seek justice but you must wait patiently. You should rest to let your wounds heal.” Mateo tried to persuade Carlos.

“I'm fine, she helped me that time.” Carlos pointed at Anomaly.

“I don't recognize you at all, maybe you're the wrong person.” Anomaly did not want to admit what he had done.

“Very good, it's all full of lies. You, you're just as deceitful. You didn't send help for us at the building. You wanted us dead, damn you!” Carlos shouted in front of the Minister of Defense.

“Carlos, you can't be disrespectful in front of the Minister of Defense.” Mateo pushed him.

“To hell with manners. You got my best friend and my friends dead!” As if that wasn't enough, Carlos took out all his frustration on Luis.

“Get him out of my sight.” Luis pounded on the table.

“Someone please take this troublemaker away.” Anomaly called out to some men. Carlos smiled sadly. Just a while ago he was helped and now he was thrown away.

“Don't ever let this demon into my office again or I'll demote all of you.” Luis threatened everyone in his room.

“I just want justice for my wife and daughter.” Carlos screamed until his face turned red. Three male soldiers tried to restrain him.

“Your case will be handled by a military court, I hope you know your manners and wait.” Mateo looked at Carlos.

"This case should have been closed by now. All of you are cowards."

"Carlos, they're just a wife and child. You can find another woman and have more children. Don't make things difficult."

"What?" Carlos's defenses weakened slightly.

At that moment, the three other soldiers began to loosen their grip, and three powerful punches flew towards Mateo. Carlos hit him hard enough that his senior's face bled.

"Throw him in prison and don't let him out without my orders. Let him rot!" Ordered the Minister of Defense. Carlos's body was dragged away as he struggled. Anomali could only watch straight ahead.

The soldier was quickly thrown into a solitary, cold, and sunless prison cell. Carlos sat in the corner of the room, waiting for news about his life. However, a week later, nothing had happened to him. He just ate, drank, slept, and occasionally shouted to be freed.

"Mr. Carlos." Anomali's voice made the man open his eyes.

"You, a w***e!" Carlos cursed without reason.

"I'm not a w***e, I'm the Minister of Defense's secretary."

"Oh, yeah? How many times have you slept with him? Cheap! You helped me, but at the same time, you destroyed my family." The soldier hit the iron bars to vent his anger.

"We've never met before, Mr. Carlos." Anomali's words made Carlos smile.

"I'm here to do my job. You're being given a military disciplinary sentence for daring to hit your superior without clear reason. You'll be imprisoned for two years."

"What? Hey, open these bars and let me hit Mateo one more time until he's dead." Carlos didn't accept the one-sided decision. He hadn't even gone through a trial.

"That's not all. Based on the decree issued by the Minister of Defense, you were dishonorably dismissed, Mr. Carlos. You are no longer a Mexican soldier when you get out of prison. Live your punishment well and after that you are free." Anomali handed over the decree of the Minister of Defense to Carlos.

To be continued…