Chapter 1: Fate Or God's Plan?
"Oh come on Donkey, you can do this...please, I'm too far off for you to quit now," Mary frowned as she tried the key to her affectionally named Jeep. The jeep grumbled a few times before giving up completely. She let out an annoyed grunt and got out of the jeep, map in hand since there was no service in the area. Her green eyes studied the map closely, a frown curling over her lips as she realized she had no idea where she was. Well, that was not completely true, it was just odd to be in the middle of so many open plains with a tiny path for vehicles running thru it...but no other landmarks besides the one that was her destination. It was also getting dark.
She was far away from her home in Baltimore City Maryland but she had to come to Hope County Montana. This place...this 'Edens Gate', was where her mother had spent the last 10 years of her life. It was anger that kept Mary from seeing her mother in the last years of her life, anger stemming from her mother (Karen) abandoning her and her father to find her 'true path'. Karen left her family 20 years ago tho and after hopping around she seemingly found a new home at Edens Gate. A month ago Mary received a letter saying that her mother had passed, was buried on their land and that she was welcomed to visit her mothers grave. Mary fought herself for weeks about going but she knew she had to, much closure was needed.
Mary knew better than to push her poor little 'Donkey' too much but for some reason, she felt like driving the entire way. Hell, she was surprised the jeep made it this far but now she was stuck walking for the next 5 miles. 2 hours of walking, just about, she realized. She moved to the trunk of the jeep and started to load her important items into the duffel bag she was planning on carrying with her on her walk. It was getting to be 5:00, she had to hurry before she ended up walking in a decent amount of darkness...not blatantly dangerous but she didn't trust the wildlife here.
Just as she slugged the duffel bag onto her shoulder, three jeeps and a tow truck pulled up from the direction she was heading in. Frowning at the small convoys sudden appearance, Mary stepped back, her arm moving in front of her eyes to block the headlights that blinded her for a moment. The lights dimmed and 3 men started to walk towards her. 2 of them had very serious looking guns on them and one of them mostly obscured, stood behind them. She cringed away from them slightly seeing the guns but they looked Mary over and hung the gun on their backs.
"Do you have the letter inviting you here?" one of them asked.
Mary nodded and pulled the folded letter from her back jeans pocket, holding it out towards the men. The man (with the gun) who hadn't spoken yet took it and the 3 formed a small huddle. After some soft and calm talking, the two men with guns stepped aside to allow the 3rd man to step forward.
"Everyday I see proof of our lives unfolding according to God's Plan..." said the stranger in a warm yet compelling tone.
"Excuse me?" Mary asked, confused.
The man stepped into one of the headlights so she could better see him. There before her stood a man wearing a pair of orange-tinted aviator glasses, his face also covered with a trimmed beard/mustache combo and his hair pulled back into a tiny bun..dark brown hair and blue eyes but that was a guess due to the glasses. He was tall, nothing spectacular about him otherwise but the white shirt that was under his grey jacket seemed to be fitted to his figure...showing off his toned upper body some.
"God's Plan, Mary Winters. Your mother Karen found us...now, we found you," he said now only an arm's length away from her. A smile pulled at his lips, "Its all according to his plan."
A look of confusion came over her face as he spoke her name but then she realized, "Oh..oh, you must be Joseph Seed."
"Father Joseph Seed," he said, taking her hand to hold it between his in greeting. "After hearing about you from your mother for years...it is nice to face to the name and stories. Come," he said and let go of her hand, "my family will get your bags," he said..2 more people appearing to grab her things from the jeep, "and we'll get you back to our home so you can eat and rest. You must be tired, especially in your condition," he said, his hand lightly resting on her pregnant stomach. Mary was about 6 months along and just started to show. She didn't like strangers touching her stomach and it showed on her face, luckily Joseph pulled away the moment he noticed. "I apologize," he said warmly and motioned for her to follow him to the car he was being driven in.
"It's alright," she said cautiously and followed him to the car. She sat down with a soft grunt.
The ride was quick and before too long they were within the Edens Gate compound. Joseph opened the door for her, even giving her a hand so getting up was easier.
"Thank you," she mused.
"We have a cabin for our guests, I'm sure my family will have your car fixed very soon. Until then, you are our guest so please feel free to walk around," he said as he led her to the cabin he spoke of.
Mary kept quieted and subdued but she was very aware of the many many people holding guns in this place, as well as buildings and areas that looked...almost sinister.
They arrived at the cabin and he unlocked the door for her. Inside it was a normal nice little cabin with everything she would need including food and other simple amenities.
"Make yourself comfortable here. Once you're awake tomorrow, I'll come and get you so you can see your mothers grave," he told her.
"Thank you...I know I've been quiet but...I do appreciate this," she told him earnestly.
"No matter one's path, God is always welcoming to anyone who truly has a loving and forgiving heart," he told her with a smile then left.
Mary shut the door behind her and frowned, rolling her eyes some.
"What did you get yourself into mom?" she asked herself, shaking her head.
((So! This is my first video-game related Fanfic! Odd seeing how many video games I play haha. I hope everyone likes it. I don't think Im terribly clever concerning my story, Im sure its been done, but I hope it makes ya'll smile or laugh at some point or just become intrigued. Of course, reviews and favorting always keep me going so please show as much love as you can. Thank you everyone!)))