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#john did your suicidal ass walk around with a bullet you planned to shoot through your brain
Oh boi it's thinky thoughts time
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Saving, Mr. Holmes
Chapter Five- Beasts of The Past
Chapter One
Chapter Two 
Chapter Three 
Chapter Four
Words: 3,673
Warnings: Gore, Language, Sherlock fluff, mention of someone wanting to attempt suicide 
A/N: @onepissedofsquirrel
Baskerville was small and quaint. The walk to the hotel was short but scenic. It would have been refreshing if it were not for the countless “Baskerville Hound” signs littering every block. As we approached, Sherlock would pause momentarily and inspect them. His face held a quizzical look.
“Seems to be nothing more than a legend.” Sherlock stated matter of factly.
“There’s truth behind the craziest of legends Mr.Holmes.” I sing-songed as I continued to walk along. As we were walking we passed a small newspaper stand.I grabbed one and read carefully through some of the pages.
Sherlock sauntered to the front desk and sat his hands on top of the counter. “Three rooms for Holmes.” The man looked at Sherlock, then at the two of us. He turned around and grabbed three room keys. When he spun back around, John, Sherlock, and I had our hands outstretched. The man smiled and dropped a key in each of our hands.
John’s room sat across from mine, and Sherlocks was connected to mine with a small wooden door. I opened the door and slipped into his room. I sat at the small desk in his room and pulled out John’s Laptop from his bag, seeing as I carried it to the hotel. “So get this, Bob Frankland was a research scientist at the Baskerville Military Base near Dartmoor. He was well known for his input on Project H.O.U.N.D which was previously disbanded. Can we keep that door open?” I pointed to the door that connected our rooms.
He gave me an odd look but shrugged it off “I want to get a look at a couple things at this Reasearch Center… me and John will go. Why don’t you check out Dartmoor.”
“Alone?” I looked up at Sherlock the nerves bundled in my lower stomach.
“Don’t worry I was planning on picking up Henry on the way. The man who was in my sitting room.”
“Yes, Sherlock. I know who he is. I guess he is better than nothing.” I opened my purse and pulled my colt out of the hidden pocket. I dispensed the clip and loaded it with silver bullets before tucking it into the back waistband of my pants.
“Do you have any lore that points to what this could be?” I shrugged my shoulders.
“Just go to the research center. I’m not drawing any conclusions till I see the scene.” I turned and looked at him with a straight face. “Be safe. And give John those bullets and tell him to reload his clip.”
“Okay, and yeah, you to.” He said walking out of the room.
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Sherlock and John dropped us off at the edge of the wood, leaving the rest of the trek to Henry and I. Henry nervously chatted for a majority of the walk to Dartmoor. The area was quiet and serene.
“They call it Dewer’s Hollow.” he said “Careful… the hound could be anywhere. Just waiting to claim someone else…”
“Believe me, Henry. I’m not scared of the hound.” I spoke quietly while examining the area. I bent down to pick up a tuft of fur. I removed a small plastic bag from my pocket, placing the fur in it and sealing it shut. “I have all I need. We can leave now.” I voiced as I began retreating from Dartmoor, back through the woods.
Henry and I headed separate ways as he headed home and I headed to the hotel. When I arrived, I jogged up the stairs to my room and instantly took the door between our rooms. I ruffled through his bag until I found his microscope and slides. I knew he brought them with him. I removed the hair from my coat and prepared a slide, inspecting it under the microscope.
Sherlock entered his room hours later, and my nose was stuck deep in John’s laptop reading. “Hello, Kassie. I see leaving the door open did have purpose,” he pointed to his microscope. “You can stop though now. It wasn't a hound.” Sherlock bounced giddily on the balls of his feet. “I figured out what it is.”
“Correct. It’s not a hound. It’s a werewolf.” I stated matter-of-factly.
“No... It’s an acronym H.O.U.N.D. they were a C.I.A organization… imagine that! Oh this is just brilliant!” He sat down on my bed and I turned in my chair “It’s this anti-personnel chemical weapon. Oh and Lestrade is here. But more importantly I solved the case!”
“I found fur at the scene that’s normally a sign of a werewolf, Sherlock and that makes a lot more sense than a chemical weapon made by the C.I.A.”
His phone started to ring and he answered it “Yes? What? That’s amazing!” He stood while he hung up the phone. I looked over at him “I have no time with your pointless arguing right now Kassandra. Henry is about to commit suicide. Are you coming or not?” I sighed and nodded standing and sliding my colt back in the waistband of my jeans.
Sure enough Henry was in the middle of Dewer’s Hollow with a gun to his head. Lestrade was there with John trying to talk him off the ledge.
“Henry,” Sherlock said getting down with him “It’s all a hallucination.” Smoke started to fill the Dewer’s Hollow and I heard growling I got my gun out. Lestrade looked at me oddly.
“This is kinda my profession… hunting down nightmares.”
“Well no wonder you’re dating Sherlock.” he said
“They’re not dating yet… needs to happen soon for fucks sake.” John commented with a smart ass tone in his voice.
I looked at him “Really? Of all times? Massive hound coming our way.” That’s when I noticed the hound stalking toward Sherlock and Henry. A man walked out from behind Lestrade with a gas mask fastened tightly behind his head.
John shot at the dog causing it to dissipate into the fog. Moments later all of the fog began to clear. I didn’t notice the man remove a gun from his pocket. The man pulled off his mask and I saw Bob Frankland make a run for it. “Sherlock!” I yelled as I started to run after him. All four of us made it to the field before Sherlock stopped us all. Suddenly Frankland exploded.
“Landmine.” Sherlock said.
We all rode back to the hotel before splitting up to go to our separate ways. I put my gun under my pillow before walking back over to my bags. “See sometimes it is just people. People are also monsters, Kassie. You have to remember that.” Sherlock said as he leaned on the doorway.
“Did you want to watch me undress or something?” I said still a little aggravated about the way he acted earlier. He didn’t say anything but I made sure he couldn’t. I went to the door, “Good night Sherlock.” I pushed him out of the doorway and slammed it shut in his face. I locked it behind me and quickly climbed into bed not even getting changed out of my clothes. I feel asleep quickly with angry thoughts swarming my mind.
I was rudely awakened the next morning to Sherlock banging on the door between our rooms. “Kassie wake up there’s been another killing. The heart is missing.”
I stood and opened the door, shoving my journal into his hands. The journal opened to the page in my journal about werewolves. “Go ahead tell me I’m wrong. What if we had left last night, Sherlock? How many more people would be dying?” I huffed and I grabbed my laptop from my bag, pulling up the local news.
“What are you looking for?” Sherlock glared over my shoulder.
“Moon phases.” I looked at him angrily. “Tonight is the full moon. Where was the body?”
“Near Dewer’s Hollow.” He looked at me and fiddled with the edge of the table.
I took a deep breath and sighed pulling a pouch of silver bullets from my suitcase. “How’s Lestrade on the belief meter?”
“I wouldn’t know. Is it necessary for us to inform him?” I rolled my eyes.
“If you wanna kill this thing bring me John and Lestrade in ten.” He nodded and stalked out of the doorway. I quickly and quietly undressed and redressed. I pulled a pair of faded light blue skinny jeans over my legs before pulling a white t-shirt over my head. I pulled on fresh socks and my combat boots before lacing them up tightly. Lastly I slid my arms into my leather jacket. There was a knock on the main door and I opened it to see the Lieutenant, Detective, and Doctor all standing there. I invited them in and had them all sit down.
“Right, everyone but Sherlock has a gun. Correct?” Everyone nodded and I handed Sherlock my spare pistol. “Alright now that that is settled… we are dealing with a werewolf.” I tossed Lestrade the pouch of silver bullets. “Reload your gun lieutenant. Silver bullet to the heart. That’s the only way to kill it.” Lestrade looked at me disbelieving and not yet moving. “Lieutenant. Move. NOW. I know this is a large surprise to you. Yes they exist. So do thousands of other supernatural beings but we do not have time for the shock and awe effect. Someone could die.”
“Have you killed one before?” John questioned as he checked his gun and counted how many shots he had in his clip.
I looked away from them both, my heart plummeting into my stomach. “I haven’t seen one in a long time. The last one I heard of was killed by Sam and Dean while I was home in the bunker. They aren’t my favorite thing.”
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When night fell we all hiked silently into the woods. I ordered John to take the left and Lestrade to take the right. I looked to Sherlock next, “Stay with me.” Sherlock nodded and we began our way down the middle. I pulled out my colt, tightening my grip on the handle as we walked. I felt the sweat build on my skin as I tried to steady my breathing.
Suddenly the werewolf jumped from a large rock behind. Its feet hit the ground with a thud in front of us. I watched the beasts claws dig into the mud as I stood stunned. I knew I should’ve lifted my gun steadily, cocked the trigger and shot him right in the heart. I knew the anatomy of a werewolf, and after countless days at the shooting range I was the perfect shot. However, I couldn’t force my body into moving. No it wasn’t fear that made me freeze. It was recognition.
That night I stayed out later than I should’ve. My dad was at the table “Kassandra Madison.” He barked sternly. He only used my full name and that tone when I was in trouble. I heard the sound of my mother playing the grand piano in the living room.
“Sir?” I responded respectively. My father was in the military when he met my mother and retired days before I was born. Respect alone helped me dig my ways out of many punishments. That and the fact that I was his only daughter.
“I believe curfew is nine-thirty. What time would it be now?”
“Ten, Sir… but I can explain the movie ran late.” I noticed then that the music had stopped. I could just barely see my mother’s figure enter the room. She was in one of her longer nightgowns but she still looked gorgeous. She was so elegant and had a very sure grace around her.
“Darling give the girl a break it’s only thirty minutes passed.” My mother was always forgiving. “Go on upstairs baby girl… it’s fine. You’ll owe me thirty minutes on the piano tomorrow.”  
I went upstairs to my bedroom and sat down on the bed. Waiting for them to go to sleep. My boyfriend at the time was supposed to sneak in that night. I was going to give him everything that night. He was going to take it. The last thing standing of my innocence. I was in charge of the locks and had purposely left them open for my boyfriend. I saw the full moon reflected in my full length mirror. That’s when it happened. I heard a deep growl down stairs and the sound of someone rummaging through the house. My biggest fear that night, was that it was my boyfriend at the bottom of our stairs. I gained a new fear that night. I heard my parents walk down the stairs quietly before the bottom step creaked under their weight. I heard my mother scream followed by a deep howl. A wolf’s howl. I built the courage to open my door and slowly moved down the stairs, on the bottom step, I saw my mother’s lifeless body resting in a puddle of her own blood. All of the poise and grace that previously flowed through her was now crumpled on the floor with her corpse. I panicked and searched for my father as I hyperventilated.
My father looked up at me, locking his eyes on mine. I heard his deep bellowing voice scream to me “Run Kassie, Run!” I was frozen in place. I couldn’t run and I watched as the beast bit into my father's throat and ripping out a chunk of his flesh. I watched as the blood splattered the walls and pooled under the beast, still holding my lifeless father’s body. Then the beast turned to me, I backed into the corner as it stalked toward me tauntingly slow. I was only sixteen but in that moment I was content with dying. It was then I realized it wasn’t that I couldn’t run. I I realized I had no need to. Who was I to run to? My parents were right here dead. Their blood splattered over the walls. That’s when I heard the gunshot and watched the monster fall in front of me. Where the beast once stood was a tall man with short hair, emerald green eyes, and freckles staring at me. He was wearing old tattered jeans and a black t-shirt under a green button up.To wrap it all up, he wore heavy boots and an old worn brown leather jacket.
“You okay kid?” he asked stepping closer to me. I retreated into the corner farther, shaking slightly. A taller man walked into the room with long almost shoulder length hair came in. “We won't hurt you.” He was in a plaid shirt and jeans. His face seemed to hold a deeper concern than the man next to him.
Those two men saved my life that night in more ways than one. They killed the beast and had taken me in giving me a knew home and a new family. And I came to know them as Sam and Dean Winchester.
A gunshot pulled me from my trance. I looked around frantically before my eyes fell on Sherlock with his gun up. “Like that right?” Sherlock questioned making sure he had done what was needed. I nodded slowly and tried to even out my breath. I looked at the now dead beast. I felt sick to my stomach from the memories, and couldn’t leave quick enough.
The ride back to the hotel was a massive blur. I could feel Sherlock’s eyes on me as we rode back. Once we arrived at the hotel, Sherlock never left my side. “It doesn’t take a master of deduction to know that something is bothering you, Kassie.” His tone was softer than I had ever heard it before. Like he were afraid his words alone would break me.
I rolled my eyes as they watered, threatening to form tears. “Why don’t you figure it out. That’s what you’re famous for isn’t it? For being the great Detective Sherlock Holmes. For knowing everything under the sun just by making your stupid deductions. Why don’t you fucking figure it out! Huh? Why don’t you!?” Sherlock sat stunned where he stood. He stared at me and I could see the pain I had caused behind his eyes. “I’m sorry… I didn’t mean any of it. I promise. Something happened tonight, and it’s hard for me to deal with… I’m sorry, Sherlock.” My eyes filled with tears before I could fight it. I stood in front of the main door into my room.
“Kas…” I looked up to face Sherlock as I opened my door. “You can tell me anything. I know you have not been in my company for very long, but I do care. In my own special way. It’s hard for me to express it. I promise I do though.”
I stepped to the side of my door holding it open. “You’ll need to sit and I will need a drink.” Sherlock stalked to a chair in the corner as I rifled through my duffle bag, finding the flask dean gave me a few years back for Christmas. I walked quietly to the edge of the bed before sitting carefully. I threw back the flask and gulped down the burning liquor. As it coated my throat, it drowned the pain in my heart. I started from the top. I told him everything. From witnessing my parents being slaughtered in my childhood home to the Winchesters saving me and giving me a home. Tears streamed down my face despite how many times I tried to swallow them down. “I’m sorry.” He apologized almost robotically. I didn’t take any offense. I knew that is all he could really say when someone drops something like that on you. I stood from my spot on the bed and he stood quickly as well. I looked at Sherlock, my mind running a thousand miles an hour. I dropped the now empty flask on the floor, as I took two short steps to be stood in front of him. I reached my arms around his torso, hugging him tightly as tears continued to fall. He carefully and hesitantly wrapped his arms around my shoulders, tightening his hold on me when he became more sure of his actions. I nuzzled into his neck briefly, before I felt his fingers under my chin. He gently tilted my head back as he leaned in close. His lips were barely on mine. I could see the hesitation in his eyes. “Please, Mr. Holmes. Kiss me.” Sherlock’s lips pressed against mine in a gentle grazing touch. It started a fire within me that hadn’t burned in years. His hand slowly slipped from around my body finding it’s place gently on my cheek. Sherlocks kissed and touched me as though he were afraid I would break. I kissed him sweetly. Running my hands through his hair gingerly. He pulled away slightly causing me to look into his brilliant blue eyes. I felt the small fire burn brighter as it warmed my chest. For the first time since that night I felt complete again. The piece of me that had been lost when my parents died was now filled with none other than the Sherlock Holmes. I smiled softly and pulled away. “There’s so much you have yet to learn about me, Mr. Holmes.” Sherlock smiled and laced his fingers in mine. “Things I would love to hear, whenever you are ready, Ms. Carter.”
In order to help him understand the way I have lived for years and to bring him full circle with the things that go bump in the night, I let him read my journal. As he had questions I would answer them. As he read, he kept his fingers laced with mine and would every so often kiss the top of my hand. Every so often after reading about certain creatures, he would lean over and kiss me softly. “You’re amazing” he would whisper. Around midnight he yawned and stretched. “We have a train to catch in the morning…” He stood slowly and I walked with him to the door that separated our rooms. We kissed once more before he entered his room and closed the door behind him. I listened closely, and never heard him lock the door. My phone buzzed a second later, a text from Sherlock.
I’m just a door away if you need me…
I slowly peeled my clothes off from the hunt, dropping them into a pile beside my bed. I pulled and oversized t-shirt over my head. From the tears and the coffee stain on the bottom left of the shirt, I knew it was one I had stolen from Dean. I didn’t bother to put on pants or shorts for that matter. I knew what awaited me tonight. I climbed into the bed and quietly slid into a deep sleep. That’s when I saw it, all over again. My parents being butchered in front of my eyes. It felt too real. Like I was there all over again. I jolted awake, in a cold sweat. I noticed my hand was wrapped tightly around the Colt, as I pointed it into the nothingness of my room. I tried to fall asleep again, but it was pointless. I stood quietly and tiptoed to the door. I silently entered Sherlock’s room and found him lying in bed with his eyes closed. He had his blue silk striped pajama bottoms on paired with a gray t-shirt. It looked different on him than his usual tie. I slowly climbed into his bed, lying my head on his chest.  
“Are you okay?”
“Just didn’t want to be alone.” He nodded and laid perfectly still, as if he were scared to move. “Would you mind running your fingers through my hair, Mr. Holmes.” I felt his long fingers gently brush through my hair twirling some of the strands as I feel asleep to the sound of his heartbeat.
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rainythefox · 6 years
Text
Reap What You Sow (Far Cry 5 fanfic)
Chapter 5: The Cleansing
Allison spent the entire morning driving around with Merle, Boomer, and Mary May looking for his stolen Deathwish vehicle. Jerome remained in Fall's End with the other Resistance members and civilians seeking peace and shelter from Eden's Gate. Jerome told the junior deputy that taking on an outpost would be suicide right now as she was marked. If she did one little thing to raise attention out of the cult, John's Chosen would show up to take her.
So, she took the subtle route for now, following leads to where the Deathwish was located. Boomer panted as he had his head out the window in the back seat of the car they drove around in, enjoying the ride.
Merle drove, talking with Mary May in the passenger seat as they took back roads to avoid convoys and areas thick with peggies. Allie remained quiet in the backseat, eyes carefully surveying the passing by landscape, lost in thought.
"Wonder if Eli has had any luck getting to Jacob," Merle said, catching Allie's attention.
"The Whitetail Militia are so spread out, Jacob's been able to divide and conquer lately. I hope there's a change soon, or we'll never get rid of him. If only we could bomb the shit out of that church at the compound right now."
"What's going on at the church?" Allie asked.
"It's Sunday," Mary May replied, glancing back at the deputy. "The Father holds big sermons on Sundays and Wednesdays. The heralds are always there with him on those days. Would be nice to just drop a bomb on them and say fuck you, but Chosen are always patrolling in helicopters and planes around that area."
"It's Sunday? Damn, I've lost track of the days," Allie groaned. "Can't believe it's been nearly two weeks since we've tried to arrest Joseph Seed."
"Yeah, well, time flies when you're havin' fun fighting crazy cultists in rural Montana, don't you know that?" Merle snorted sarcastically.
"That's one way of puttin' it," Mary sighed.
"Rook, you there? It's Whitehorse, over."
Allie grabbed the radio and answered. "I'm here. What's up, Sheriff?"
"Just wanted to let you know…Jacob and John have followers coming into Henbane River to try and push back. Not sure what the Father has planned, but the Cougars have been in heavy gunfights the past few days. John has upped the roadblocks between here and the valley, so passage between the regions will be really risky for awhile. If you have anyone wanting to cross over the borders, tell them to be careful. I would hate for anyone to get captured or killed."
Allie glanced to Mary May, who had turned to face her in the backseat. "Okay, will do. You be careful over there."
"Heh, well, the fact that Jacob's been spotted in the region a few times have many people scared and on edge. Not sure what he's up to, but it can't be anything good. I'll try and cross into the valley soon and help you there. The Cougars know of a few spots where we may be able to cross without getting spotted by sentries at the roadblocks. Just hang in there, alright?"
"I'll do what I can, considering I've been marked by John. But I'm hoping it will get me to Hudson."
"Jesus, kid," Whitehorse gulped. "That's the damn Reaper, I hope you know. He takes people and they're never seen again. Please be careful. Don't get yourself killed, I'd never forgive myself."
"I'll do my best, Sheriff."
"I'll contact you later, Allison. Be careful. Whitehorse out."
"Same to you, Sheriff."
They continued hunting down leads to the Deathwish after that. After another hour, the trail went cold, and Mary suggested heading back to Fall's End to regroup. Merle reluctantly agreed, turning the car around to do just that.
Merle took another dirt road to avoid being spotted. As he and Mary May talked about the days when the Seeds were nothing but strange newcomers to Hope County, Allie heard the roar of a diesel truck. She looked out of her window, but couldn't get a word out as a truck rammed into the side of their car. The collision sent Merle sliding off the road, and he fought to remain control of the vehicle.
Allison was thrown to the opposite side of the car, against Boomer, who barked and snarled outside the window. Allie recovered with a bang to her head, grabbing for her gun. The semi-truck chased them down on the dirt road.
Peggies on ATVs came around from behind the truck, taking shots on the car. They hunkered down while Merle kept them on the road, flooring it. Dust trailed up behind the wheels of the car, but it didn't deter the cultists.
Allie leaned outside the window of the driver side of the backseat, popping shots at the chasing cultists. Mary followed suit from the passenger seat. The bullets that struck the car hardly did any damage, and Allie thought that was strange until she saw the greenish smoke bellowing up from the holes. The familiar aroma started to fill the car, and she knew exactly what it was. Bliss. They were shooting at them with Bliss bullets.
"Hang on!" Merle hollered, veering off of the dirt road onto normal asphalt. The car's tires squealed, catching the harder surface.
The peggies on ATVs kept up easily, but once the semi-truck was able to get out onto the road, it caught up fast, and its nose smashed into the back-end of the car.
"We have to shake them before the Bliss engulfs us!" Mary May yelled.
"Got it," Allie replied, leaning out of the window once more.
She shot two peggies off of their four-wheelers. The semi-truck blared its horn, keeping on their ass. Mary shot the remaining cultists off the ATVs, and Allie shook off the Bliss as it started to affect her. She focused on the driver of the semi-truck, pulling the trigger.
The windshield cracked and the driver's head exploded in a spray of red within the cab. The semi-truck went off the road, crashing over into the trees. They caught their breaths as all became quiet once more.
"Get us back to Fall's End, quick!" Mary ordered.
"I'm goin', I'm goin'!" Merle snapped back.
Allie felt sick. The Bliss that seeped into the cab of the car wasn't strong, but it was enough to mildly disturb her. She felt her head start to pound, and her vision just barely started to blur in and out. She groaned.
"Stick your head outside the window, get air, Allie!" Mary said urgently.
The junior deputy nodded and did as she was told. She knew that ambush was from John's Chosen trying to nab her. There would be no other explanation of the Bliss bullets. It was to knock her out instead of kill her.
The beat-up car rolled into Fall's End and parked near the general store. Allie got out, coughing. She let her dog jump out of the backseat. He ran a few strides before bounding back over to her, tail wagging and whining.
Allison pet Boomer for a moment before reaching into the car for her weapons and supplies. Mary and Merle unloaded as well, and they went into the bar to sit down. Mary was quick to bring Allie some water, looking worried. Nick and Kim came over to her, having noticed their arrival.
"I'm fine," Allie said, drinking the water.
"What happened?"
They looked over, seeing Jerome coming over to them. Merle sat his guns down on the pool table, turning to lean on it. "Ambush party for Allison. Chased us down the road some, but we got 'em."
Grace entered into the bar with Sharky and Hurk Jr. just as the pastor sat down to look Allison over, a worried sigh leaving his lips. "Yeah, we've had convoys slowly driving by all afternoon while you were out. They know she's been here, probably have known it all along."
"Wouldn't doubt it," Mary huffed, crossing her arms. "John knows this would be the best place to find her. He knows we would harbor her."
"Damn, Allie, you alright?" Sharky asked.
"Shoulda took me along I woulda blown them suckers sky-high if they messed with you," Hurk Jr. added.
Allie nodded, giving them all a reassuring smile. "I'm fine. The Bliss just has me feeling drunk right now."
People were running into the bar, crying out. It caught all of their attention quite quickly. Allie jumped up as Mary walked over to the window, pushing the blinds down to see.
"Shit," she seethed, turning back to them. "Got a full convoy pulling into town."
Everyone looked to Allison. She slowly nodded, knowing what it meant. They were here for her. She got to her feet, telling Boomer to stay. She sat her weapons and radio down on the table, her throat going dry.
"We can fight for her, can't we?" Sharky asked, tensing.
"No, no fighting," Allison said with a shake of her head. "I don't want-"
"Deputy, we know you're in that sinner's nest, the Spread Eagle. Come on out." A cultist had spoke through a megaphone outside to her. You've been marked by John. It's time for you to cleanse your soul."
Grace slowly raised her rifle, wanting to shoot out the window at the speaking cultist, but Allie stopped her.
"Everyone stay inside. I'll go with them willingly in exchange for everyone else to be left alone."
"How do you expect to get out of this? You'll be in the same boat as Hudson, not able to escape," Nick said, restless.
"I'll find a way."
Her words were bullshit. Allison had no idea what to expect once allowing the peggies to take her to John. But she couldn't allow anyone else in this town to get hurt, and she couldn't abandon any chance at helping Hudson.
The junior deputy walked to the door, slowly stepping out. There were more Resistance members out here, guns aimed out at the line of trucks on the main street of the town. Cultists stood around the trucks, their own guns aimed. The one with the megaphone stood in the center, and he was a tan-skinned man with a large build and a long beard. The Eden's Gate symbol was tattooed in red on his face.
Allison held her hands up, slowly walking out towards the road. "I'm Allison Lucas…I'm the one you are here for. I will go willingly, but only if leave everyone else here alone."
The Chosen looked her over, then glanced to the others behind her. Mary May, Jerome, Grace, Sharky, and Hurk Jr. had also exited the bar, getting their own weapons ready.
The larger man slowly nodded at her. "John told me to get you to him by any means necessary. If you wish to come peacefully, we will leave peacefully. I don't want to see any bloodshed. Do you?"
Allie shook her head. "No."
She motioned for her friends to lower their weapons. They reluctantly obeyed, uncertainty in their eyes. The peggies in turn lowered their own weapons. The Chosen motioned for a truck with a door already open for her. Allie took in a deep breath, nerves itchy. This was it. There was no turning back now. And yet, as noble as she felt her cause was to be caught by John Seed, she felt she had made a very big mistake.
She walked towards the cab of the truck, slowly climbing in where the Chosen shut the door for her. She stared out at her allies as the cultists climbed into the trucks and the convoy started out. Closing her eyes, she felt defeated.
And just like that, she was trapped.
It was quiet. The three brothers sat around each other, but no words came. It seemed this had started happening a lot since Faith died. The sermon went on all morning, no distractions, no problems, with an ever-growing congregation seeping in and praising them. Now the church was empty of followers, with only the light of day to seep in from the windows, casting shadows as the brothers sat around each other by the alter.
Jacob was no good when it came to talking to people, and so John had taken up more of Faith's duties than anyone. He opened the sermon, just as Faith would do. He helped Joseph in his preaching. Faith had been important to their cause, to Joseph, and it was quite apparent now that she was gone.
Joseph had called this Faith "special" compared to the others, but John perceived it was because he had had her wrapped around his little finger. John and Faith had gotten along just fine, but he wouldn't deny that there were times it seemed as though they had to fight over each other to get Joseph's attention. Jacob and her also had got along, but John knew deep down that Jacob hadn't cared for her like he said he did. His mindset was similar to John's in that aspect. She hadn't been blood, therefore not near as much loyalty would come from them.
But John did admit that this Faith had done her job well. Very well.
John was leaned forward, elbows on his knees with his inked palms together. Jacob petted Gideon as the wolf sat beside him, but his eyes switched back and forth between John and Joseph. The Father had his long legs out, his body slouched back as he played with the rosary necklace always wrapped around his left hand. He stared at the ceiling, presumably lost in thought.
"Do you remember…that creek we used to play in all the time, Jacob?"
It caught them off guard. Joseph hardly ever brought up the past, their past especially. But the Father looked to his older brother, composed. Jacob slowly lowered his hand from the Judge, his blue eyes glancing to John for a split moment, either from being uncomfortable or to gauge John's reaction to the question.
"Yeah. I do."
John closed his eyes, not sure where this would go. Joseph was ten years older than him, Jacob was twelve. They had long had a bond before he was even born, and it was implied that John's birth was partly the cause of their family's demise. John had overheard Joseph talking to Faith before, and he had said their home had always been broken, but when John came along, broken became "more broken".
"You always caught more fish than me," Joseph sighed, sitting up, a light laugh catching his throat.
"Yeah, but you sure could beat me at skipping rocks though," Jacob replied, careful with his words, as though bringing up the past was a dangerous feat. It was.
Joseph's eyes fell to the floor, and he clenched his left hand for a moment. John hated this. He wanted to walk out but couldn't. Instead, he drowned in his distressing silence.
"There was a snake near the water one time…" Joseph's eyes went up to Jacob's. "Venomous."
Jacob nodded. "Yeah. Water moccasin. I remember."
"Do you remember what you did?"
Jacob thinned his lips. "I know I got bit."
"Do you remember why?"
Jacob closed his eyes, and John couldn't tell if his oldest brother was genuinely trying to remember, or wishing for Joseph to change the subject. Either way, the ex-soldier cleared his throat.
"Uh, I know you were about to step on it. I…I pushed you out of the way and tried to stomp on it but it got me."
Joseph nodded. "Even back then…as much as we fought or had to deal with…you always looked out for me…out for us," he motioned at John. "I just…did you even think about it when you stomped on the snake?"
Jacob pursed lips for a moment, then a single shake of his head. "Nope…just acted."
Joseph lightly laughed, leaning back in his chair. "Sounds about right."
Jacob boldly tested the waters, and John mentally kicked him for it. "What brought that up?"
Joseph looked to the floor again, his left hand with the rosary necklace twitching on his knee. "I don't know…the snake on the path…I thought about it this morning. I think, perhaps, it's a sign. A sign from God that a snake will come onto our paths. Just…be careful, brothers."
John slowly rose from his chair onto his feet. He nodded at them, a silent goodbye to them so he could leave, mostly to get air. He hated the past. He hated when they brought it up. He wouldn't ever admit to it. He claimed that he accepted all that happened to them, to him, growing up, that it didn't bother him anymore, and he felt it made him a better person after he atoned. It wasn't even the abuse physically, mentally, or emotionally he received that bothered him anymore. It was when Joseph and Jacob talked about how it was before John was born. Like he had been some sort of harbinger of ill will, or a curse upon the family.
Envy.
The word came to his mind, habit from being the Baptist. It wasn't the first time the word came to him for himself either. But when it came to his past, his brothers, Envy and Wrath were bedfellows. A pair he had to snuff out with his other sins, and always seemed to try and dig their way back to him.
"John."
The Baptist stopped mid-stride before he could even reach the edge of the chancel. He slowly turned to look back at the Father, and the look he received irked him so. Pity. That's what was in Joseph's eyes.
"I try not to bring up the past unless it is important," Joseph said calmly. "I know it still hurts you…it hurts all of us. But we have atoned, we have moved forward. Do not let it burn you, brother. We do not blame you for what happened…we never have. But I know you blame yourself. I ask that you do not do that."
Fuck, John hated Joseph's perception.
He let out a long, even breath. "Yes, Joseph."
"I haven't mentioned it, and I should now," Joseph added. "Thank you for helping take over Faith's duties. You don't understand how much it means to me."
A moment of silence. "Anything for you."
With that, John left the church, nerves and mind exasperated.
Allison should've known better. In the drive to treacherous territory, trapped within the convoy full of cultists, they grabbed a hold of her. They doused her with Bliss. She tried to fight it, struggling in their strong hold on her neck and arms, pressing her face into soaked cloths.
She was forced to inhale a large amount, and the aroma went straight to her senses. Her eyesight blurred in and out of focus, her ears rang, and the peggies' voices echoed faintly when they talked. It was a worse feeling than being drunk or high, and Allie hated it. Allie had in one point in her life struggled with drug addiction, and there was nothing she could compare this drug to.
"Just in case you decide to try anything," a peggie said to her, his voice sounding faded even though he sat right beside her.
Allison could feel herself losing consciousness. The more she fought it, the sicker the Bliss made her. The last thing she saw before blacking out in the truck was farmland passing by, with a large farmhouse that had the word 'SINNER' painted upon the roof.
When she came to, it was half-consciousness. Her mind was so clouded by Bliss, she struggled to get her bearings and hardly could move. She was able to see that it was dark now, with stars twinkling bleakly through her half-closed lids. Groaning, she tried to move. She saw an unconscious man next to her. Footsteps on gravel crunched through her mind, making her wince.
"This one?" a faint voice asked.
"No, this one."
Peggies were over her, but Allie couldn't bring herself to move. Shadow fell over her, and she felt the stare of eyes on her.
"Don't seem very worthy."
"It is not for us to judge. Take her to the waters, the cleansing begins soon."
She felt hands take a hold of her under her armpits, heaving her up from the ground. The motion made her stomach lurch, the faint sparkles of the Bliss in her vision flashing. She tried to speak, but only managed a few groans before blackness overtook her once again.
And then, just like that, she was drowning. Water surrounded her, she was completely submerged. Panicking, Allie opened her mouth, sucking in water as she grabbed the set of hands that held her under.
She was pulled up to the surface. Gasping for air, Allie's mind reeled, trying to remember where she was and how she got here. It took but a split second to recall, and the junior deputy looked around her. A cultist held her tightly in a sparkling blue river, the water was ice cold. She wasn't the only one here, she wasn't the only one getting baptized. Then she heard the voice, and it sounded a little different than it did on a broadcast or over a radio, but it was the same distinct voice. John Seed…
"We must wash away our past. We must expose our sins. We must atone…"
Her vision cleared. The cultist started pulling her forward. Allie stumbled a few steps, until she realized he was taking her towards John, his dark form just ahead in nearly knee-deep water. He anointed two others who was brought to him from the water. Allie tried to lock her legs, to prevent herself from getting any closer, but the cultist shoved her along, water sloshing in their steps.
"For only then…may we stand in the light of God and walk through his Gate unto Eden."
John slowly closed the Book of Joseph, his deep blue eyes landing on her with intensity. He looked satisfied as she was hauled over to him. Allie was shaking now, and she wanted to believe it was from being drenched in ice cold water, but she knew deep down that it was partly coming face to face with him.
John motioned for the follower that held her to stop. "Not this one."
He held the book out. The follower let her go and stepped aside, taking the bible and putting it to his chest. John stepped over to her, the water swilling between their legs as he got close. Allison glared up at him, tensing. He was taller than her by several inches, although he wasn't quite as tall as the Father.
"This one's not clean," John said, looking her up and down. She wasn't sure if he was sizing her up or checking her out. Either way, she was uncomfortable.
Just as she was about to spit out a rebuke to his words, his hands clamped around her throat-hard, and she was shoved back into the water. He was stronger than he looked. Allie fought against him, fought for breath. She choked on water, choked on his fingers fastened harshly around her windpipe. His dark form towered over her within the water. Just as she was about to suck in a dangerous amount of liquid, he pulled her up to stand once more.
Allison coughed. His hands had eased their dangerous hold on her neck, but they remained there like a harness keeping her attached to him. He chuckled softly, letting out a deep breath. Her glare intensified on him as she strained to get air. His sinister smile faltered her, and she felt his fingers start to tighten around her neck once more. He pushed her down towards the water again, and she cried out.
"Do you mock the Cleansing, John?"
The silky-smooth voice, it had stopped him, but it felt like a knife grazed her heart as the hairs on her arms and neck stood on end. And she saw him behind John, on the shore, dressed in more clothing than she had ever seen him before. The Father.
"No Joseph," John said, and Allie immediately detected something along the lines of fear or uneasiness in his voice as his hold became gentle.
"Shh!" Joseph snapped, and he sounded displeased with his next words. "You have to love them, John. Do not let your sin prevent that…bring her to me."
Between John and the other follower who held her before, there was no use in fighting. They kept a sharp hold on her, guiding her out of the river and onto the shore. Allison walked towards the Father, her pulse escalating tenfold. The high of the Bliss around her created strange drifts, and Joseph blurred in her vision as she was brought to him. He held his arms out to her, and it seemed like she slid to him like a magnet, the thrum of Bliss high wafting her outer senses. Her vision cleared when he grabbed ahold of her shoulders.
Joseph was quiet for a moment, taking her in, a ghost of a smile on his lips. She felt him reach up to touch her throat, his fingers tracing along something she wasn't quite sure about, until she saw a knowing smile form there. Deep down, it confirmed her fears about the dream she had with speaking to him. But she kept telling herself that it was just impossible.
His eyes came back up to hers, and she felt his fingers glide lightly across her skin, making her shiver, as they came back down to her shoulders.
"Despite all that you have done, you are not beyond salvation," he said gently. "You are not here by accident or by chance. You are here by the grace of God. You've been given a gift…"
Another omniscient smile. Her stomach churned.
"Now it remains to be seen whether you choose to embrace it…or cast it aside." He leaned in closer, lips near her temple. "I can save you," he murmured.
He said it in the exact same way he had in her dream.
The Father pulled away from her, turning to his brother. Allie felt out of breath, and wasn't sure if it was from almost drowning, the Bliss, or the Father. Probably all three. John stood stoically to the side, his deep blue eyes slightly lowered. They turned up to meet Joseph's a moment later. Joseph motioned to Allison, but his eyes never left John's. Allie felt the strain between them.
"She shall reach the Atonement," Joseph said softly, although Allie felt the trace of warning in his tone. He touched John's head, pulling him forward and putting their foreheads together. The Father's eyes shut, and so did John's. "Or the Gates of Eden shall be shut to you, John."
"Yes, Joseph," John whispered.
The Father stepped back, looking his brother over, lovingly patting his head. Joseph turned and left as quietly as he had arrived, getting into the cab of a truck parked within the shadows of the trees and being chauffeured away.
Allison tried to move, but the peggie who held her immediately tightened his grip, reminding her that she was still captive. She looked to John, who had watched his brother go with a solemn stare. But that stare changed as soon as his eyes met hers once more. He clenched a jaw, and she saw a tattooed hand flex at his side. She had the uncanny feeling he was keeping himself from putting his hands around her throat again.
"You will confess," he said, a trace of malice in his words. "Every sin you've ever committed…no matter how petty, no matter how small." His tattooed hand went around her throat as he leaned into her, his lips brushing her ear. "I will pull from you," he whispered.
Besides the lingering aroma of Bliss, of the shifting pines in the wind and wet earth, she smelled his cologne. He had put just enough pressure to barely shut her air supply off, but Allie refused to show that it hindered her. He let her go and stepped back.
"Then we'll see if you're worthy of Atonement."
A curt nod was a silent cue to the follower to take her away. Allison fought, still half-high on Bliss and adrenaline from nearly drowning. She coughed some more as the follower brought her to more cultists who took her to a truck. They bound her arms behind her back and shoved her into the backseat of the truck, the door nearly slamming shut on her wet legs. A cultist was in the truck beside her already and pointed a gun to her head.
She saw the other civilians who had been baptized getting put into white vans. There were two vans parked, and each gained three civilians locked into the back before they pulled out of the area and onto a dirt road and was gone. Allie felt as though she would be taken to a different location than those prisoners, and only hoped that she would be taken to Hudson.
The front passenger door to the truck opened, and Allie saw John climb in. A driver also got in. She was shoved into the middle as a second cultist got in on the other side of the back seat. The truck started up and moved along a path, pulling out onto a dirt road and going in the opposite direction as the white vans.
"Uh, Brother John? Why is this one coming with us? Shouldn't she be going with the others to the bunker?"
The cursed within her head. She wasn't going to where Hudson would be after all. She had got into this mess for no reason.
John turned to look at the cultists and junior deputy in the back seat. He glared momentarily at the one who had asked the question, the follower whom had the gun to her temple. His deep blue eyes found hers soon, and she saw the corner of his mouth creep up into a miniscule smirk.
"No. She is a personal project. She'll be coming to the ranch with me."
She felt sick at his words, a sliver of fear creeping there, but she matched his smirk with a hardened glare, showing no fear. It only caused his smirk to slowly widen. It was short-lived, however, as a voice came on over a handheld radio that sat on the dashboard of the truck.
"John, we have a problem up here!"
John scowled, grabbing the radio and turning to face the front of the truck. "What is it?"
"Resistance ambush. They took out the vans…the cleansed have been taken. They're trying to push us back. I think…I think they're looking for something."
John slowly turned to face her once more, a satisfied grin curling on his face as he talked into the radio, his eyes never leaving Allie's. "I have an idea what it is. Call the nearest outpost for support. Is it Jerome leading them?"
"Yes sir."
John lightly chuckled, the sound making Allison's heart grow cold. "Capture him if you can, kill him if you must. If he is killed, bring me his head."
"You got it."
John tossed the radio onto the dashboard, where it landed with a loud clank. He laughed, the sound filling the cab of the truck and making everyone go on edge.
"They've never been so brazen to attack a Cleansing that they know I'm at," John said, rubbing his beard. "Has to be you, Deputy. You're giving these "Resistance" members misguided intentions. It didn't work so well with the Cougars, what makes you think it will be different here?"
"It's Allison, you piece of shit, and I haven't misguided anyone. If anything, I've helped given them hope that they can fight back. That if Faith Seed can be killed, so can you, Jacob, and yes, even the Father."
"Hope?" John scoffed, turning to peer at her. "We offer the only hope left in this crumbling world. The word of the Father, the promise of salvation within Eden's Gate. You and your little "Resistance" are nothing but the blind leading the blind. But don't worry, I'll guide you back to the correct path."
"I killed Faith…I can kill you too."
John sharply inhaled, and just like that the relaxed playfulness he had was gone, and he reached out and snagged her. He pulled her up to him, allowing her very little air with his hands once more around her throat.
"All you managed to do with killing Faith was give Joseph some grief, and I do not appreciate that one bit," John hissed. "You've just handed more work over to Jacob and myself. It's done nothing to help your little crusade, though. We still have all the Bliss, all the resources over there, and we will get what was taken from us back in one way or another."
He let her go. Allie gasped for air, pushing herself away from him, her back hitting the seat hard. The gun went back to her head as she glared at the youngest Seed brother. The Baptist snickered at her.
"I'll break you long before you managed much damage in my territory," he said. "I promise you that."
He turned back around, facing the front of the truck. It was then that the large ranch came into view. The multi-story cedar ranch house stood out, several security lights guiding their way over the driveway. The house had a hangar and tower next to it as well as a large airstrip. Decorating landscaping trees and flora were planted around the house and front courtyard. Several peggies patrolled the property from near the house, all the way out into the woodlands and airstrip.
As shitty as a person that John Seed was, Allison had to admit that he had good tastes. The truck stopped in a circular driveway. The followers pushed her out of the vehicle. The cold air seeped into her wet clothes, and she started shivering once more. The large property had beautiful mountain views, surrounded by lush Montana wilderness. The moon saturated them with pale light.
Facing the ranch house, hands still bound behind her back with cultists keeping a grip on her shoulders, Allie wondered what was going to happen to her now. She knew whatever it was, was not going to be good.
The soft crunch of gravel came around. John Seed stepped around to her front, glancing from his large house back to her, lightly smiling, tapping the tips of his fingers together. His deep blue eyes, she hated how mesmerizing they were, bore into hers.
He stepped closer to her, again his eyes trailing her as he seemed to be thinking. He reached up to touch her face and she leaned away from his touch.
A light chuckle as he grabbed a strand of her wet hair, tugging.
"How does that song go again?" he said to her. "Oh right…You're in my world now, you can stay, but you belong to me."
To read the full story, go here: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12917971/1/Reap-What-You-Sow
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