[center][sub][h1][img]https://i.postimg.cc/FHxsDqvr/punisher2.png[/img]
[b][color=white] T H E  P U N I S H E R[/color]
[color=black]T H E  P U N I S H E R[/color][/b][/h1][/sub]
[sub][h2][b][color=white] I S S U E  # 4[/color]
[color=black]I S S U E  # 4[/color][/b][/h2][/sub]
[sup][h3][b][color=white] R O O M  S E R V I C E[/color]
[color=black]R O O M  S E R V I C E[/color][/b][/h3][/sup][/center]

Dave and I had spent the rest of last night poring over all the files the NYPD had on the Saint family: known members, safehouses that had been raided, any businesses owned by the organization. We were hoping to find out who had pulled the hit on my family but our efforts seemed fruitless. Then, after two hours of scrolling, we found a place: the Royal Palace, a hotel in lower Manhattan owned by Howard Saint. Reading the name of the place made me remember something I heard as I laid bleeding out on my kitchen floor...

[b][i]"Get me a room at the Palace."[/i][/b]

I had Dave hack his way into the Royal Palace's guest list and cross reference that list with the list of known and suspected members of the Saint family. Finally, we got a hit: Timothy De Luca, a hitman who was linked to the murders of several cops and journalists, staying in room 417. It only took one look at his mugshot for me to confirm it was him.

That was how I found myself strolling through the front door of the Royal Palace Hotel just after midnight, walking past the receptionist, who didn't even look up from her phone, and into the elevator. I hit the button for the fourth floor and pull out my pistol as the elevator closes, checking to make sure it's fully loaded. The door opens with a ding and I step out into the hall. Not a soul in sight. I walk down the hall, checking the room numbers as I go.

Room 417.

I knock on the door.

Silence.

I bang on the door.

[b]"Who the hell is it?"[/b]

Same voice. It's him.

[color=black][b]"Room service."[/b][/color]

[b]"What? I didn't order any room service."[/b]

[color=black][b]"Compliments of Mr. and Mrs. Castle."[/b][/color]

[b]"... Castle?"[/b] I kick the door open and aim my pistol at De Luca's head. [b]"Oh fu-"[/b] The gunshot echoes throughout the entire building. His brains splatter against the window and his body slumps to the floor. I take in a shuddering breath, then turn away and walk back to the elevator. I hit the button for the ground floor and the door slides shut.

This should be where I stop. The man who killed my family is dead. I've avenged them, haven't I? There's no reason to go gunning for the Saints anymore. In fact, there's no reason for me to keep going at all. I look down at the pistol in my hand, thinking about how easily I could stick it under my chin and end it all. Finish what Howard Saint started. Reunite with my family.

But I can hear a voice howling my name. Screaming that it isn't over yet, that it will never be over. I can't back out of this. The police will review the camera footage, see me gun down De Luca, and launch a manhunt for me. I had already left behind my family's apartment in anticipation of this. No. There is no going back. Frank Castle is dead and something terrible has taken his place.

The elevator opens with a ding and I look out into the lobby to see the receptionist cowering behind her desk. I stop in front of it on my out and she looks up at me with terror in her eyes, tears streaming down her face.

[color=black][b]"Cops on their way?"[/b][/color]

She doesn't respond.

[color=black][b]"Tell me. Now."[/b][/color]

She nods rapidly, shivering in fear.

[color=black][b]"Good. Tell them that The Punisher did what they couldn't."[/b][/color]

I stalk out of the lobby and onto the streets, getting in my car and driving off into the night.