The Tragedy
The evening was serene as Thomas Alfred, a wealthy and well-respected businessman, made his way home after a long day. His thoughts were consumed by the warmth and safety of his family—his wife, Catherine, and their young son, Lucas. He could already picture their smiling faces and the comfort of their home. There was a calmness in his heart, a sense of peace that only family could bring. That evening, Thomas decided to surprise them with a trip, a vacation to Illinois. He believed it would be the perfect way to strengthen the bond they shared, to create memories that would last a lifetime. The whole family eagerly boarded the train, their excitement high as they settled into their seats, ready for a night of rest before their adventure began.
As the train chugged along through the dark, desolate landscape, an unsettling silence filled the air. The rhythmic clattering of the train wheels was suddenly interrupted when a figure appeared out of nowhere. A man stood at the front of the train, bathed in the dim light from the station lanterns. It was none other than Vance Malcolm, the infamous bandit whose name struck fear into the hearts of all who heard it.
The train screeched to a halt, and chaos erupted. A group of ruthless bandits stormed the carriages, weapons drawn, terror and death in their wake. Thomas's family huddled together in a corner, frozen in fear as the bandits began their rampage. Gunshots rang out as innocent passengers were gunned down in cold blood, their screams echoing through the night.
Instinctively, Thomas grabbed one of the bandits' pistols and fired back, his hands trembling but his resolve unwavering. A shot rang out, and one of the bandits collapsed, a bullet through his skull. But before Thomas could react, a sharp pain tore through his shoulder as another bullet struck him. The force sent him sprawling to the ground, and his vision blurred with blood.
As he struggled to stay conscious, Vance Malcolm stepped forward, his shadow casting an oppressive presence over the fallen Thomas. The bandit leader's cold eyes gleamed with malicious satisfaction as he stood above him, towering over the broken man.
Thomas's wife, Catherine, in a desperate bid to protect her family, lunged at Vance, fury in her eyes. But in one swift motion, Vance grabbed her by the hair and slammed her head into the ground with brutal force. She crumpled, unconscious, her body lying lifeless at his feet.
Before Thomas could even react, Vance raised his revolver and fired a single shot into Catherine's skull, her blood splattering the ground. Thomas's heart sank, and his breath caught in his throat as he watched in horror. His son, Lucas, wide-eyed and trembling, was frozen in shock. The little boy's fragile mind couldn't process the terror unfolding around him, and in his shock, he collapsed, his young life extinguished in an instant.
The bandits stood around, laughing and reveling in the destruction they had wrought, savoring Thomas's despair. He was a man broken beyond repair, his family stolen from him in a cruel instant. The cold laughter of the bandits echoed in his ears, but it was Vance's voice that pierced through the madness.
"You're the lucky one, stranger," Vance sneered, his gun aimed at Thomas's chest. "You are gone die with your family ."
Without hesitation, Vance fired three bullets into Thomas's torso, the pain unbearable as each shot sent waves of agony through him. But even as his life drained away, Thomas clung to the faint flicker of rage deep within him. The bandits looted whatever they could, their laughter still echoing in the distance as they disappeared into the night, leaving Thomas gasping for air on the cold, bloody floor.
Through the haze of pain and fading consciousness, Thomas made a vow. He would hunt down Vance Malcolm, no matter the cost. He would make him pay for the atrocities he had committed. And when Thomas Alfred finally rose from the ashes of his tragedy, it would be as a force to be reckoned with.
~BlackBlueKnight