The Punisher: "Different Gifts"
Part 1
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Marc Booker hated when his parents fought. Thats what they did now. The sounds emenating from the kitchen made poor Marc cringe everytime. It was like when they fought, every yell,cry,sob, was like a punch from Daredevil or The Thing.
He sat on the couch shivering, it was very cold, and he only had tatters of an old Big-Bird blanket to keep him warm in the lonely apartment.
He stared at the ghost of a Christmas Tree. It's needles lying in piles on the floor. His parents had barley any money, and certainly not enough for a real Christmas this year.
Marc had always held a special place in his heart for Christmas Trees. The smell,and the sight of them always reminded him of what Christmas should be like...
"What it could have been like if it hadn't been for Dad's accident.." Marc thought. Then immedietley felt ashamed. His Father couldn't have helped getting in that accident,having his hand..torn off..
The thought of it made him sick.
3 weeks ago, the hospital had called his house. His Mother had picked up the phone then rushed off. It seemed that his Father had been in an accident, his hand had been torn off. When his Father had came back to the house, he hadn't spoken. He sat and stared and did nothing.
The hospital bill had wiped out all Christmas funds,and then some. Leaving Marc's family with barely anything,save a brokedown apartment in the projects.
Marc shifted his weight on the couch and his ear inclined more toward the kitchen. He thought his parents were arguing about the accident. Marc frowned.
Everytime he asked his Mother about what exactly happened, she shrugged him off,and changed the subject. Marc had had a feeling that something wasn't right about this "accident". That he wasn't hearing the whole story. He usaully was very talented at ignoring their fights,but this time, his ear listened in on the dull roar coming from the kitchen.
" YOU WHAT?" Marc's Father screamed, his voice full of fear.
" I will not let this go on anymore, Rich,especially after what they did to you.." His Mother replied. Her voice toned down to the pitch and whisper of a calm sea.
"That man's a monster! His killed hundred's, no thousands of people!" his Father replied,voice turning from dull roar to minor tremor.
"They didn't all deserve it?" His Mother replied."He's the only one who cares, the police do nothing,Rick!"
"But...but..hes an animal.." His Father's sliding into an almost monotone.
"He saved Lekeesha,baby. She was being raped,and he SAVED HER. HE can save us too.." His Mother said.
Marc was entirley confused now,who were they talking about?
"I did what I thought was right,Ricky, I dont wanna live in fear anymore..I don't wanna be afraid...for our son. We shouldnt have to live like this...There the animals Baby,look what they did to you,for a lousy watch.."
Thats when Marc heard something he thought he'd never hear, his Father sobing. Marc, still confused, tried to listen in, because now the voices were becoming near whispers, and a calm swept over the house.
" How..How did you find HIM?" He heard his Father ask, voice full of curiosity.
"I didn't... He found me.." His Mother replied.
"WHAT?" His Father yelled."How?"
" Well,I was outside the hospital the night you were attacked. I was crying, and i Heard footsteps behind me. I thought it was those bastards who hurt you,back to finish the job. But it was him.."
Marc leaned in,his interest peaked now. Who was it?
His Mother continued," He asked me if I knew who did it, I told him that I did. He asked, if I had told the police, I told him no.He asked why,and I told him that they would do nothing. There was something about him then Baby, he seemed to..understand...Like he knew it was true..Anyway, he asked if I knew where Obeda lives. I told him..."
Things grew quiet then. Then his Father spoke.
"Do you really think he'll do something about Obeda, about his gang?" His Father asked, and Marc heard something there he thought he'd never hear, hope.
"Baby,"his mother replied, "I think a Man like The Punisher would go to the ends of the Earth for a man like Obeda."
Then his Father started to sob againj,and then he heard his Mother join in.
"Merry Christmas,Baby", his Mother Whispered.
An erie calm creeped over the house as Marc sunk back in his cold seat.
Pulling the tattered mess of a blanket around him, he smiled.
He knew about the Punisher.
Marc slept soundly in front of his beautiful Christmas tree.