31. Closure

Frank walked into the room. Several people were staring at him in fear and shock.

Adam followed him and flashed towards these men. He disarmed them and threw away their weapons.

Seated behind them was Frank Costa. His eyes were red as he stared at Adam and Frank.

He gritted his teeth, "So you are the Punisher! I thought I told those fools to kill everyone. It seems like they missed one."

Frank was eerily calm when he heard those words.

Adam shook his head. Idiot. Death is already at your doorsteps, you could have made it easier, why the heck did you those words.

He walked out and came back with several men tied on a rope. He threw them inside and took a last look at Frank before leaving.

...

Coming out of the manor he looked at the dark skies and sighed as he disappeared into the darkness.

...

Next day.

The manor was cordoned by the police. No one was able to step in, the reporters could only watch from outside and guess what happened inside.

George Stacy had a serious look on his face. Infront of him laid several bodies mangled beyond recognition.

A medical officer stood beside him and explained, "Sir, whoever tortured them was simply inhumane. I don't know what kind of hatred he had but this is beyond limit. The murderer kept these people awake as he stripped their flesh."

George rubbed his forehead, "They took out more than thirty heavily armed guards. Snuck, past the surveillance, moved through the manor, killed off every other guards inside, broke into this locker that's obviously been reinforced, tortured these guys and left."

"Who can pull off such a stunt?"

No one could answer him. George checked for other evidence, coming up with nothing he ordered his men to clear the area and to bag the bodies.

As he went out the reporters swarmed him.

"Captain Stacy, what happened inside?"

"Captain! Is the Costa Family dead?"

"Captain! Is there any lead on who did this?"

George obviously had experience with reporters, he calmly stated, "The Costa Family was murdered, everyone including Frank Costa is dead. We are looking into the murderer and will keep you updated. That's all for now."

He pushed through the crowd and left. The reporters were excited, they relayed this news to their agency.

Soon New York city was taken by storm.

Costa crime family was murdered!

...

Frank stood before a grave, he placed a bunch of flowers on the cold stone.

He stood silently for some time and left. Walking out of the cemetery he saw a good looking young man waiting for him.

"Frank, where are you off to?"

Adam sincerely asked.

Frank knew who this young man was, "Don't know. Don't worry, I won't kill myself, that's an insult to their memory."

Adam breathed out a sigh, "Alright, then come to this address tomorrow. And... you better come lest I need to drag you there."

He handed him an address and left. Frank looked at the piece of paper in his hands and was lost in thought.

...

Adam's Restaurant.

William and George were busy while Adam was taking orders when Frank walked in.

Adam spotted him and smiled, he pointed to a vacant table. Frank nodded, he went to the table and sat down.

Few minutes later Adam sat down opposite to him, "I was worried you wouldn't come."

Frank said calmly, "Otherwise you would drag me here."

Adam laughed lightly. William just happened to be on break and walked by.

"Dad, come here for a bit."

William looked at Frank and sat down beside Adam.

"Dad, this is Frank, a friend of mine. Our restaurant needs a waiter, right? How about giving it to him."

Adam said what he was thinking.

William had no objections, "I am ok with it."

Adam clapped his hands, "Alright, that's settles it."

Frank looked at Adam and didn't speak. After few minutes William left, only then did he speak.

"What are you doing?"

Adam shrugged, "Nothing. Anyway, you work here now. Be here before 12 or...

"You will drag me here."

Frank finished his words.

Adam smiled, "Yeah, that."

He stood up and went back to his work. Frank sat there for a while, he was lost in thought.

Hours went by.

Adam nudged his shoulder, "Hey, the shop is closing."

Frank woke up from his thoughts.

Adam looked at him at said with a sigh, "Go home. Have a good sleep and be here tomorrow."

Frank didn't reply. He silently walked away. Watching his receding figure Adam felt sad.

William walked to him and said, "Your friend, he lost someone?"

Adam nodded.

William sighed, he then patted his son's shoulder, "It's good what you did."

...

Frank sat alone in his house, he felt suffocated. This place used to be filled with laughter, but now it was silent.

He couldn't remain there anymore. Grabbing his coat he left, he was lost. He didn't know what to do next. Without knowing he was already standing before the cemetery.

He walked inside and stood before his family. The emotions he kept bottled up inside burst out. He kneeled down and cried silently.

After a while he calmed himself. He took out a picture and sat there looking at it. At some point he fell asleep.

The next day Frank woke up, he remembered he was in the cemetery. At some point someone had placed thick coat over him.

"Ah, you are awake."

Frank looked up to see the owner of that voice. A woman stood before him, her head was covered in clothes, he could only see a pair of pale green eyes.

"Thank you."

Frank thanked the woman. He gave her coat back.

"It's alright."

She took back her coat and walked away.

Before she disappeared Frank heard her speak, "To get over the past you first have to accept that the past is over. No matter how many times you revisit it, regret it... it's over. Calm yourself and live, that's justice for yourself and for the ones you lost."

Frank abruptly stood up. He searched for that woman and found that she had disappeared.