Breaking Point: A Deranged Thriller

By Lux

The story revolves around Frank Gunther, a decorated combat veteran who grapples with PTSD. Frank is bothered even in his dreams of the ambush and the graphic details at war that never seem to fade. His only goal is to lead a semi-normal life, but it turns into a tumultuous journey marked by failed relations

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Carhole Ltd
• Release date: Feb 16, 2024
• ISBN: 9798990089204

Book preview

COPYRIGHT PAGE

Copyright © 2024 thecarholeltd All rights reserved

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

Cover design by: Tenebris Lux

Printed in the United States of America

CONTENT WARNING

This book contains graphic depictions of death, murder, and dismemberment.

It references alcohol abuse, suicide, drug use, sexual assault, prostitution, and adult language.

It may be offensive to some readers and is inappropriate for children.

READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

The thoughts, actions, and/or beliefs of characters in this book do not portray the thoughts, actions and/or beliefs of the author.

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to D, who helped me navigate emotions throughout the trials of life.

To the reader as well. Thank you for reading this story, even after that Content Warning!

CONTENT

CONTENT WARNING

DEDICATION

PREFACE

CHAPTER 1: FRANK GUNTHER

CHAPTER 2: ESCALATION

CHAPTER 3: REVELATIONS

CHAPTER 4: RECONNOITER

CHAPTER 5: RETRIBUTION

PREFACE

In shadowy realms where vendettas breed and the past casts it along, a Breaking Point emerges as a gripping tale of vengeance.

As the pages unfold, the relentless pursuit of retribution becomes a bone chilling symphony, weaving through the intricate corridors of suspense.

Brace yourself for a journey where secrets unravel, and the line between justice and revenge blurs into a pulse-pounding dance of deception.

CHAPTER 1: FRANK GUNTHER

Wodariga! Stop! Wodariga motherfucker! Staff SGT Kelley yelled.

The assassins did not stop. As they ran, they turned their Russian Ak’s over their shoulders and fired blindly behind them. Bullets bounced off the only paved road in this God forsaken country. The bullets broke the sound barrier as they flew by Sgt Gunther as he stood in the turret of his up armored Humvee.

All within seconds this took place during a standard patrol near FOB Salerno in Afghanistan.

The 4-truck section rolled up on a dead local police chief, assassinated by four insurgents. The ‘terps translated the witness statements that the assassins are hiding in the tunnel beneath the road.

They made a run for it, while praying and spraying .762 rounds behind them.

Light ‘em up! Screamed SSG Kelley as he began to draw his M4 to engage the enemy.

The M2 Browning .50 caliber machine gun ripped through them from the turret of Sgt Gunther. The first target was hit in the head, removing the top right part of his skull. The man fell, with half of his brain at his feet.

The second target was hit in the back, blowing out a fist sized hole through his chest.

The third target was shot through the base of his neck, blowing out his teeth, lips, and nose.

The fourth target was shot in the leg and took small arms fire to the back.

After the bodies were down, the leg unit went to clear the bodies. They approached target four first. As they got close, the man pulled the pin of a pineapple grenade.

With his last bit of strength, he threw the grenade, but the man sustained too much damage to throw it far.

The clearing team dove into the prone position yelling, Grenade!

The dying man had blown himself up.

The faces. The grey skin that was once a chestnut brown, and hazed eyes….

Frank Gunther woke up, drenched in sweat. He does not know why it’s his legs that sweat the most. Maybe it’s his fight or flight response while he relives the trauma, and his body wants to run this time instead of fight. That was 20 years ago.

He feels shame that this memory stands out the most and haunts his dreams. It is only one dark stain on his soul.

The horrors of war have left an indelible mark on Sgt Gunther's psyche, manifesting in vivid nightmares that continue to torment him even after two decades. The intensity of the dream reflects the traumatic nature of the event he experienced in Afghanistan.

It was a harrowing encounter with assassins in Afghanistan. Frank Gunther and his team stumbled upon the aftermath of an assassination and were ambushed by the insurgents.

In the ensuing firefight, Frank's quick reflexes and the firepower of his M2 Browning .50 caliber machine gun proved decisive in neutralizing the threat. However, the memory that haunts him the most is the dying insurgent's desperate attempt to take out Gunther's team with a grenade, resulting in a tragic self-inflicted death.

The dream serves as a reminder of the brutal realities of war and the lasting impact it can have on those who experience it.

Frank’s recurring nightmares and physical reactions are common symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition that affects many veterans. It is a testament to the psychological toll that war can exact on individuals long after the physical battles have ended.

Frank went down to the closet in the second-floor hallway to get clothes for the day. He put the clothes in the bathroom, brushed his teeth, and went down to the kitchen and started a pot of coffee.

He took a shower while the coffee was brewing. Frank tossed his clothes in the laundry and headed out for the day.

After Frank came back from deployment, he seemed fine. He was awarded for positioning himself to accurately engage the enemy, resulting in four enemy KIA’s and zero friendly casualties , among other things.

He came back to a cheating wife, who was one of seventeen in Dragon Company spouses that were caught by MP’s