Punishment Halls

Seated comfortably behind the wheel of the patrol car, Officer Alain Konradsson found his thoughts drifting aimlessly as the soft hum of the engine provided a soothing background to the quiet night. The fluorescent glow from the gas station’s signs emitted a stark, white light over the convenience store’s parking lot, illuminating the vehicle windshield.

It had been a blissfully uneventful couple of hours so far, with Sunday already giving into the early hours of Monday. With no official dispatch yet to occupy their attention, Alain’s attention was divided between the steady flow of traffic on the nearby road and the amusing sight of his partner in the distance, obsessively rummaging through his ever-growing stash of snacks.

Despite his constant warnings about his over-abundant intake of sugar and caffeine, especially during their night shifts, Manny seemed undeterred in his quest to indulge his sweet tooth, as usual.

Not like he minded it too much. Since both of them were around the same age, and just as inexperienced when it came to navigating the nuances of their new careers, the mutually agreed laissez-faire approach to their nocturnal duties facilitated a bond of camaraderie between the rookie CPD officers.

Whether it was old high school stories or awful jokes, the relaxed atmosphere allowed them to pass the time more enjoyably —at least until the inevitable call to action came over the radio, reminding him of the duties he had sworn to uphold.

And sure enough, one of such messages would soon come to put that conviction to the test.

"Attention Unit 43-16, we have a potential 10-32, suspicious person stalking at 2059 Psalm Street.”

A ‘Stalker’, was it? Nothing out of the ordinary. Calls like those rarely led to anything substantial. The mere wail of a police siren in the distance typically ensured that anyone with a hint of common sense would flee from danger, either to themselves or others.

Hardly something that warranted him to hurry Manny’s little shopping adventure before embarking towards the place

“Victim is a young female, identified as Callista Nilsson, reporting a male subject loitering near her proper…”

Wait… Did he hear that right? Callista Nilsson? That Callista Nilsson?

“Unit 43-16 acknowledging, en route to 2059 Psalm Street.” Alain’s voice echoed through the radio, steady and composed —not hinting at the unexpected stream of emotions that coursed through him like a tidal wave.

Without sparing another second after finally absorbing the announcement, Alain stirred the patrol car back into motion. The engine, already awake, responded in a powerful rumble, eager to propel him forward as his foot pressed down on the accelerator. Leaving dark tire marks in its wake, he surged out of the parking lot and onto the highway.

As the vehicle lurched forward, he gave one final glance at the convenience store. He understood that leaving Manfred behind wasn’t a particularly smart choice, however, when instincts took control of the steering wheel, Alain often found it challenging to suppress their influence.

The lingering trepidation soon dissolved, replaced by a growing excitement as his mind became flooded with long-neglected feelings and memories. These were sentiments that he now had the chance to rectify, tinged as they were with bittersweet nostalgia.

To hear that name again… After all these years…

Yet he didn’t have much opportunity to reminisce before his antics ended up earning him a phone call from his partner, interrupting his internal monologue.

“Al? What. The hell. Happened?” Manny’s voice, despite natural traces of worry, was thankfully kept from sounding overly angered —a marker that this wasn’t the first time that he had to deal with Alain acting according to impulses. He was, understandably, probably just annoyed from being ditched, even when that didn’t stop an attempt to crack jokes. “There were bathrooms in the store, just so you know.”

“Listen, buddy…” Alain hesitated for a moment as the streetlights blurred overhead, a consequence of his rapid journey through the city. “Something came up.”

>> “Something I have to take care of by myself.”

If this were anyone else, Alain was certain it would land him in hot waters with their superiors, particularly because he didn’t exactly want to share the full extent of his reasoning. Fortunately, he and Manfred had developed a friendship strong enough to understand the situation without needing a detailed explanation.

“I bet this is another attempt to show off to some random girl.” A wry chuckle echoed from the other end of the call, a sound mirrored by a faint smile from Alain. “Alright... I won’t rat you out to Chief Malvirta.”

>> “But next time, you’re the one buying the beers.”

“Thanks ‘bud. I promise I’ll make it up to you.”

With the ending conversation allowing him the free reign he required for the reunion about to unfold, Alain felt a heart-warming bout of gratitude for having met a partner like Manfred —someone who was not only supportive but also trustworthy.

He was all too aware of the potential complications his impulsiveness could create for both of them, yet Manny always had his back regardless as a steadfast ally. This bond, which had allowed them to function effectively as a team, now also served to bolster Alain's confidence as he prepared for what was to come. He knew he would need every ounce of it.

And that was because his relationship with Callista could be best described as more one-sided than he cared to admit.

Being given a moment to contemplate as he drove in silence, teenage years long gone resurfaced in his head with terrifying force. Alain could still remember her quite vividly, impervious to the passage of time. If anything, being apart from her for that long only pronounced even more the features that he quietly admired from afar during high school.

The melodious softness of her voice, the warm brightness of her amber eyes that carried within a boundless mixture of laid-back charm and gentleness, just as well as the natural sophistication with which she navigated every interaction —all of them qualities that painted a graceful picture that continued to leave him breathless even now, half a decade after believing he had lost for good his chance to get closer to her.

Two relationships with other women during his transition from adolescence to adulthood had failed to ignite in Alain even a fraction of the feelings his high school crush still evoked in his heart. So… If fate had conspired to bring Callista back into his life, he vowed to do everything within his power to keep her there.

Things would be different this time around. Gone was the anxious, insecure teenager he had once been; in his place now stood a resolute, strong individual —a guardian of law and order.

There was a creep stalking her? Well, it would be better if he stayed around to confront him properly. This was an opportunity for Alain to demonstrate to Callista that she would never have to fear anything or anyone if he was by her side. What better way to prove his worth than to make short work of her problems all by himself?

With a renewed sense of purpose, Alain firmly pressed down on the accelerator once more, the patrol car's engine roaring in response as it approached towards her house. He was determined to leave a lasting impression on the woman he had always loved, once and for all.

“Dispatch, this is unit 43-16. Arrived at 2059 Psalm Street. Code 4, no further assistance required. Will assess situation.” He reported as he stepped outside of the vehicle, his heart pounding in anticipation as he could barely keep his anticipation in check.

Alain had purposefully left the siren off during the approach, not wanting to scare away his potential foil or bring too much attention from the other residents in the neighborhood.

He was fully aware how his reckless behavior could bring along a fair share of dangers… But honestly, he prospect of impressing Callista was too enticing to resist, even at the cost of putting his career on the line.

As he stood outside her door, taking in the opulent surroundings, Alain felt a pang of doubt creep in. Was she truly living in such a beautiful home all by herself?

He knew even as a teenager that her family landed more on the well-off side of the spectrum, and even if that wasn’t what drew him to her, he found himself questioning whether he was worthy of her respect after all.

Reminding himself that he was there with a mission, Alain took a deep breath and rang the doorbell, only to be startled when it opened almost immediately, as if she had been waiting right on the other side for his arrival.

Callista peeked from behind with eyes that seemed to be on the verge of tears, and her hands trembled as she clutched the door frame for support. She had changed since he last saw her, but only in subtle ways that someone who had paid as much attention to her as Alain had would notice, aside of course from the way her skin paled from the frightening experience.

Alain could still see in her the girl he had known in high school, and his heart ached for Callista even as it was bewitched by her the same way.

Her silky and long light brown hair, which used to flow freely down her back, was now arranged into a tidy shoulder-length cut that framed her delicate features. Her clothes were modest and understated, a simple blouse and slacks that accentuated her slender figure without drawing attention to her curves. Her porcelain skin was as flawless as ever, but it seemed sharper, more angular, than he remembered. She had grown taller too —though Alain still towered over her, making her look petite and fragile.

The faint yet alluring scent of a unique perfume lingered on her and it reached him even in the distance, bringing back all the neglected feelings from his memories. Was it the same one that she used to wear back then? Or was that her natural aroma instead?

“You got here… So quickly.” She murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, yet it managed to break the spell he had fallen into as he drank from her sight. Callista was just as beautiful as he remembered her to be, if not even more.

“Hey there, miss.” Despite his overabundant musings, Alain forced himself to sound energetic and upbeat, hoping to put Callista at ease. He tried to keep his tone light, even though his hands were starting to sweat. “Heard you had an… Unwelcome guest.”

The police officer’s eyes were bright and cheerful, expecting that despite of the tension taking over her shoulders, the heavy atmosphere would dissipate as soon as she recognized him —yet he was given an arched eyebrow and a brief silence instead.

“Huh?” His smile began to fade as Callista appeared unsure of how to respond, her lips trembling nervously before she finally managed to speak as she opened the door fully to allow him entry. “Yes, he chased me all the way here while I was walking my dog.”

>> “But I don’t know where he is now… Or what he wants.”

Alain wasn’t accustomed to hearing vulnerability in Callista’s voice. It sharply contrasted the confidence she typically displayed in his memories, and it stirred even more his already strong desire to protect her.

But there was another issue that demanded his immediate attention, perhaps even more pressing than dealing with the stalker.

“Cal, don’t you recognize me?” Alain asked with a tone of disbelief as he pointed at his face. It would surely be a heavy blow to his ego if she had actually forgotten him entirely. “It’s me, Alain Konradsson. From high school?”

“Excuse me?…” There was a hint of incredulity in Callista’s voice as she struggled to understand where the conversation had drifted. She closed her eyes and sighed deeply, trying to collect her thoughts and steady herself. “I’m sorry… I’m just not in the right state of mind right now.”

Realizing that he was likely pushing too hard, Alain forced himself to back off and simply stepped inside her apartment. He supposed he was being insensitive, considering her current circumstances.

So what if she couldn’t remember him right away? He had also changed quite a bit since high school, after all. Even his parents hadn’t recognized him when he first visited them in uniform.

"Well, don't you worry," The young officer said adopting a confident tone and a renewed smile. "I'm here to take care of it all. You're safe now."

In gentle motions, Alain covered Callista’s shoulders with one of his arms while guiding them both back inside. Now that he had the chance to be her hero, he was determined to do everything in his power to make it count.

And as he began to take in the details of her home, Alain couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The house was small and sparsely furnished, giving it a sense of emptiness that was only amplified by the many darkened corners. Despite its size, it didn't feel cozy or welcoming at all —it seemed cold and sterile, almost as if it wasn't actually lived in.

Not like he was given the chance to actually on why the place gave him such an unsettling feeling, ending up distracted by a couple of excited yelps and tail wags sent in his direction. Looking down, he saw a furry creature with long ears leaping up to greet him.

“Hey there little friend. You’re not too much of a guard, are you?” Alain said with a relaxed smile kneeling down to give the dog a bunch of pats. Its fur was soft under his fingers, and he could get a notion of the animal's friendliness as it nuzzled against him. "How about we give you some training once this is all over?"

"Choccy, no! Behave yourself!" Callista interjected, quickly moving to nestle the dog inside her arms. Their fingers brushed just slightly in the midst of the moment, in a touch that left Alain’s fingers feeling a bit electrified.

What had he been thinking before? There was nothing wrong or sterile about Callista’s place —all it took to turn it into something warm and alive was her presence alone.

But with those weird ideas pushed out of his system...

“Choccy? Really?” The police officer asked with a smirk, taking a great effort to prevent himself from laughing out loud.

“Sir Chocolate Milk the First, officer.” She replied feigning indignation as her cheeks flushed a rosy pink. The sight of her clinging tightly to ‘Choccy’, looking both adorably embarrassed and overly serious at the same time felt like another bullet aimed straight at his heart. “I’d appreciate it if you call him by his full name.”

This was a side of Callista he had never seen before. The professional, no-nonsense attitude she used to bring into the classroom and take over the chalkboard back in high school was nowhere to be found; and this level of playful cuteness made her all the more endearing in his eyes.

Was this how the real Callista was behind all pretenses?

“Alright. I’ll make sure to address him properly in my report.” Alain acknowledged her request with a hint of amusement, as his attention turned elsewhere inside the large and mostly vacant hall. He figured it was high time to finally start asking the important questions. “Now, about this stalker you reported…”

> “When and where exactly was the last time you saw him?”

There was a clear shift in Alain’s tone as he brought them back to the reason that had reunited them. His seriousness didn’t escape Callista, who held her dog firmly as if seeking comfort from him.

“It was around twenty minutes ago. He was… Standing outside of my house, staring in through the window.” As she recalled her stressful experience, the officer noted how her shoulders were still trembling slightly; gradually igniting a mounting sense of anger toward the person causing her distress. “I’m sure he saw me looking at him… And then he just disappeared.”

>> “I’ve heard some strange noises coming from outside the house.”

>> “But I was too afraid to check.”

Alain doubted that the stalker was still around. It was likely just the wind or some other random noise, and whoever had been following her so openly would have been intimidated once he arrived at the scene.

But he still nodded, taking note of the information. He could sense the fear in her voice and he didn’t want to understate it, making a mental note to check around the vicinity for any potential lead.

“Don’t worry, I’ll do everything I can to find him so he never bothers you again.” He reassured her with a kind smile and a comforting squeeze of her shoulder, hoping that his confidence could help lift her spirits. “You can count on me, Cal.”

Alain silently congratulated himself, maintaining his stoic demeanor even as his heart raced. ‘Yes, I’m doing well. That was a good line. Maybe now…’

He began to slowly slide his hand down her arm, aiming to pull her toward him into a closer embrace. It was a small gesture, but one that signaled a shift from his duties as a mere enforcer of the law into something more personal and deep, as he so much desired. In the grander narrative he envisioned for the two of them, this was but a first step forward.

Yet also one that was not ignored by the sinister watchful eye lurking in the shadows just beyond grasp.

By the time the corner of his eyes caught wind of the silhouette approaching, it was already too late to forestall the impending disaster.

“Get the fuck away from her right now!” Even when muffled from behind the thick glass wall that connected the living room to the reigning blackness that enveloped Callista’s backyard, a harsh shout still managed to pierce through —no, perhaps it was more fitting to call it a desperate roar instead.

The crystal barrier between them and the dimly lit figure was abruptly shattered with a deafening crash as he barged inside, in complete disregard for his own safety. Alain instinctively flinched, preparing for impact. Amidst the flying glass shards, his reflexes kicked in almost immediately after, swiftly pushing Callista back towards the entrance to position himself between her and the aggressor.

He had mere split seconds to analyze everything before him, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the charging figure. The fact that he had smashed through the glass without showing any sign of injury led Alain to assume he was holding a weapon, even though he didn’t witness the event fully unfold amidst the chaos —and so he tried to reach for his gun with every muscle and nerve on edge, each movement feeling painfully slow in the throes of the sudden ambush.

However, before he could fully draw, the two men collided in a haywire struggle, their bodies falling to the ground in a frenzied tangle. With a visceral growl of exertion, Alain fought back against the intruder’s fierce attempts to overpower him.

In the end, it would be Alain the one to come out on top, his greater size and superior strength giving him the advantage as he maneuvered himself into a dominant position over the stalker. He twisted the man’s arm behind his back into a painful lock, while also pressing a knee harshly onto the opposite shoulder blade.

Breathing heavily as an aftermath from the encounter, his hands gripped the intruder tightly, eliciting anguished cries of pain from him. With his teeth clenched, the adrenaline coursing through his veins gradually gave way to raw anger.

“Hah… So you didn’t run away after all, you piece of shit?” Alain snarled, increasing more pressure on the man’s arm than necessary. “Maybe you should have; that was another one of the many mistakes you’ve made tonight.”

Beneath him lay the man responsible for all of Callista’s anguish and the thrashing of her home. There was no way Alain could forgive him —despite him being the reason why they had reunited in the first place.

“You have no idea what I’m about to do to you.”

>> “And it’s far more severe than what I should be doing as a member of the police.”

For Officer Alain Konradsson harbored a deep-seated hatred for criminals that bordered on obsession. It was an intense disdain that fueled his determination to pursue justice, and defined his identity.

He was all too familiar with the position Callista had been thrust into, as he had also experienced when he was just seven years old. Back then, he was a terrified boy, tied up and helpless while his family became victims of the ruthless perpetrators who ransacked their house.

Now it was different, as the indelible mark that was left on him manifested itself as unchecked aggression, threatening to dislocate the shoulder of the stalker in the thirst of making him suffer for his crimes.

And that was exactly how things should’ve unfolded, if not for the cryptic words that escaped from the man beneath him in a hushed plea —a call not meant for Alain, but for an entity beyond the realms of his understanding.

“I beg you… Spellbound.”

The experience that followed was unlike anything Alain had ever endured. A chilling laughter resonated inside his head, one distinctly feminine in nature — yet so utterly devoid of humanity as well. It echoed inside his head like a pulsating ache, as if countless tiny fingers were gripping and tearing at his brain from every direction.

His senses were thrown into complete disarray, and he had to muster every ounce of his willpower to suppress the uncontrollable urge to vomit. The sheer agony that rippled through his limbs as all muscles contracted, accompanied by an overpowering nausea, caused in him a wave of sickness that threatened to push him to the brink of shock.

As his grip on the criminal weakened, the police officer could feel an invisible force exerting pressure on his chest, pushing him backward. He retched involuntarily, an acrid taste rising in his throat as he tried to struggle against the unseen assailant, fighting to maintain his footing —but it was an exercise in futility.

Alain’s legs suddenly lost contact with the ground. Suspended in midair, he was completely at the mercy of whatever this creature could be. The world spun around him as a pair of ghostly hands that felt like fabric clamped down on his neck, wrenching his head back so violently that he felt his neck muscles shredding.

In his severely disoriented state, it was the piercing pain that informed him he had been slammed into a table, the sharp edge digging painfully into his lower back before the furniture collapsed under an overwhelming force. The subsequent blows that his skull sustained were ones that he was barely aware of, as his vision swam and darkness began to consume it.

Unlike his previous encounter with Callista’s stalker, this wasn’t a battle that could be won through determination and grit alone. It eluded comprehension, and escaped the boundaries of mortal resistance.

Then, just as suddenly as it had begun, everything faded to a deep, impenetrable black.