Black Magic

Chapter 7: Lifeless Woman

EUGENE'S POV

I stood there with my shotgun in hand, watching the new members as they struggled to follow General Matt's instructions.

They were clearly inexperienced, but I couldn't help feeling frustrated with their lack of progress.

Matt, ever the optimist, was trying to motivate them with his usual encouraging words.

"Alright, folks, let's try this again," Matt said, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "Remember, teamwork is key. Focus on each other's strengths and learn from one another."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. These newbies needed a tougher approach, and I was the one to provide it.

I raised the shotgun, and the trainees flinched. "LISTEN UP!" I barked, my voice booming across the training ground. "YOU'RE NOT HERE TO MAKE FRIENDS; YOU'RE HERE TO LEARN DISCIPLINE AND SURVIVAL. IF YOU CAN'T KEEP UP, I WON'T HESITATE TO USE THIS SHOTGUN TO GET THE POINT ACROSS."

Their eyes widened in terror, and I could see the determination setting in. I knew this was the push they needed to step up their game.

Matt watched me with a mixture of concern and disapproval, but I paid him no mind.

These recruits needed to understand that the real world was harsh and unforgiving.

As the training continued, I noticed their performance improving significantly.

They were working together more efficiently, and their confidence grew with each passing minute.

I felt a sense of pride in their progress, even if my methods were unconventional.

However, as the sun began to set, Matt approached me with a stern look. "Eugene, we can't push them this hard all the time. They're just learning. We need to strike a balance between discipline and encouragement."

I hesitated for a moment, my mind still fixated on the importance of instilling fear in the new members.

But as I looked at their faces, glowing with accomplishment, I realized Matt had a point.

Our goal was to prepare them for the challenges they would face, not break them down.

"You're right," I conceded, lowering my voice to a more reasonable tone. "I'll remember that in the future. But sometimes, a little fear can be a powerful motivator."

Matt nodded, understanding the essence of my statement. "Just make sure you don't cross the line, Eugene. We're here to protect and guide these recruits, not break them."

Then, one of the officers called me in and I didn't know why.

The world around me seemed to freeze as I heard the devastating news from him.

"Your wife is in danger!"

My wife, Florence, in danger?

Impossible. I tried to shake off the feeling, but the words echoed in my mind like a nightmare. I knew I had to act quickly.

With a heavy heart, I ran towards the area mentioned, my legs carrying me faster than I thought possible.

The sight that awaited me was one I'd never wish upon my worst enemy. Florence, my beloved wife, her lifeless body lying on the ground, her head severed.

My eyes welled up with tears, but I fought to keep my composure. I couldn't fall apart; I had to think of our daughter, Eleanor.

I screamed in anguish as they took Florence's head, the sound piercing the air.

My heart ached for my little girl, who adored her mother so deeply. I feared the moment she would find out, the pain she would feel, and the fear that would consume her.

I cried out, my voice trembling with despair, praying that she was safe and unaware of the tragedy that had befallen us.

"NOOOO!!!! FLORENCE! NO!!!!!!!! WHAT HAVE YOU'VE DONE TO HER?!!!!!"

Matt, my comrade and friend, appeared beside me, trying to console me in this unbearable moment.

His hand on my shoulder, he whispered words of comfort, trying to ease the turmoil within me. But his efforts were in vain; the pain of losing Florence was too immense to be soothed so quickly.

The world around me was spinning, my heart aching with a pain I never thought I'd experience.

The loss of Florence, the love of my life, had left me shattered, my emotions overwhelming me. I couldn't hold back the tears any longer.

I screamed and cried, my anguish consuming me, until my body finally gave out.

The ground seemed to rise to meet me as I collapsed, my consciousness slipping away.

In the back of my mind, I could hear Matt's voice, trying to console me, but it was too late. The weight of my grief was too heavy to bear.

As I fell into unconsciousness, the image of Florence's lifeless body and severed head haunted my thoughts.

I could hear Eleanor's laughter and the sound of her innocent giggles, and I feared for her safety. The thought of her finding out about her mother's tragic end filled me with dread.

In that moment of fainting, I felt a sense of relief, if only for a brief second.

My mind and heart were exhausted from the torrent of emotions. But I knew that when I awoke, the pain would still be there, waiting for me to face it once again.

And I closed my eyes, as I laid on the ground out of frustration and stress.