Faith was standing in in the middle of a clearing. In front of her was Joseph with a stern look on his face.
"Faith...Why did you fail me?" Asked Joseph in his creepy tone. Faith was visibly shaking with fear and even took a few steps back.
"I-I...I didnt fail you!" Tried Faith. The father then slowly walked up to her while Faith was frozen in fear.
"All i asked was that you lead the sinners through their pilgrimage...and you watched. You watched as they were murdered by the deputy." Joseph was now inches away from Faith and then he bent down a little to her level.
"You had every chance to get silence the deputy...but instead like a child, you decided to toy with her and eventually..." Started Joseph . Josephs hands then swiftly wrapped themselves around faith's neck and began to choke her as he lifted her off the ground.
"SHE GOT TIRED OF YOUR GAMES AND DECIDED TO KILL YOU!" yelled Joseph , a wild expression on his face. Then when Faith felt that she couldnt breath any longer.
She woke up, sitting up with cold sweats.
She was breathing heavily and wiping the tears from her eyes when she realized where she was. She was in a bed that wasnt her own. At first she was confused but then everything that happened the day before came flooding back to her. She put a hand to her chest and slowly began to breath to calm down.
Once she was calm she saw the piece of paper that was at the edge of the bed. The note read
"Hey Rachel, I have to deal with some resistance stuff but i shouldn't take long. Dont worry about someone bumping into you i made sure it was off limits for anyone to go near your gate . I lied and said something like the overwhelming amount of bliss in the air. Since Feeney's house is so close to your gate you should be dont try and run away or something, i genuinely want to help you and the resistance doesnt know your still alive so if they see you...it will get awkward and they'd probably shoot you. Also if your hungry feel free to make something, if you want ill make you something when i get back. See you soon.-Sam"
Faith felt strange. It had been a very very long time since anyone called her by her real name. The last person to call her by her real name other then the deputy was her old best friend, Tracey Lader.
Faith kinda liked being called Rachel it felt...nostalgic.
Faith put the note down and sighed. She did think about escaping. After all the cult was her home and family for 7 years. She couldn't abandon it so easily. Since Faith was the last herald to deal with, the resistance would surely be going for Joseph next. She had to be by his side and protect him,but she couldnt, she lost control of the henbane river and her bunker destroyed along with a vast majority of her bliss manufacture and distribution camps. She had no power. All she could do was pray that the remaining members of Edens gate were by Joseph's side protecting him and that God was watching over him.
However...There was something about Sam that made Faith want to stay.
'She gave me a chance despite everything ive done to her and her people...Maybe i should give her a chance too.' thought Faith. So, faith decided to stay and wait for Sam. In the meantime she knelt down closed her eyes and prayed for Joseph's safety.
* Meanwhile at the Hope county jail*
Sam ,Tracey and the sheriff were huddled around a table in the control room planning.
"With the Seed siblings taken care of , all thats left is Joseph. There are very few followers of Edens gate left , the rest have gathered to his little compound. Its a small army practically but with the Cougars, whitetail militia and the folks at Falls end, it should be an easy fight." Proposed Sheriff white horse.
Sam was nodding her head in agreement when in reality she was worried about Faith and was hoping all the resistance members steered clear from the Feeney home.
"Alright lets do it. But first-" Sam was cut off by the crackling of her radio strapped to her hip.
"Oh,Deputy?" A familiar voice came through the radio. It was The father himself.
Sam glanced at the radio and then to Whitehorse, who nodded at her. Sam slowly picked up the radio and answered.
"What do you want?" Said Sam voice on the other side took a deep breath.
" I believe that we are at the end of our journey... You took my family from me and now the collapse is upon us...But but is this story is going to end i believe that it should end where it began...This story began with you and me and i think it should end with you and me..."
Sams eyebrows furrowed.
"Your damn right its going to end between me and you." Growled Sam. Joseph let out a low chuckle.
"Good...meet me at my church tomorrow morning...Come alone, dont worry, you shall not be harmed." Said Joseph, cutting the line. Silence filled the was the first to speak.
"Your not actually going to go in alone are you?"
Sam shrugged.
"Hes not whole thing started with me cuffing him, it should end with me cuffing him...Or possibly putting a bullet in his head." Said Sam. Tracey and The sheriff glanced at each other before looking at Sam.
"Your serious?" Asked the sheriff. Sam nodded.
"What happens if its a trap and he oh i dont know KILLS YOU!?" Asked Tracey. Sam shrugged.
"He wont kill me, he would want to make me suffer first for killing his siblings and ruining his cult." Joked Sam.
"But if it really is a trap then...End it the American way." Sam said cryptically. The sheriff and Tracey raised an eyebrow .
"What the hell is the American way?" They said in unison. Sam smirked.
"Have every single member of the Resistance riddle Joseph and his compound with bullets, blow it up and throw a huge ass BBQ with lots of beer on whatever's left standing." Explained Sam.
The Sheriff and Tracey rolled their eyes but laughed.
"Will do." Said Tracey.
"Be careful out there Rook." Offered the Sheriff. Sam nodded and began to head out of the jail and back to the house where Faith was.
While Sam was parking the truck she drove over with, she heard a loud 'clank!' come from the home. Sam worried that a resistance member wandered in. Sam Rushed through the front door, Beretta in hand aiming in front of her.
When Sam got in the house she found herself face to face with a wide eyed Faith with her hands in the air and pots and pans laying at her feet.
Sam sighed a sigh of relief and holstered her weapon.
"You scared me." Said Sam.
"I scared you? Your not the one who almost got shot!" Exclaimed Faith. Sam rolled her eyes playfully.
"Hey, i thought someone attacked you or something and to be fair getting shot isnt as painful as...it...right..." Sam stopped her sentence mid way sheepishly as she saw the large pool of dried blood around Faiths wound on her dress.
Faith noticed what she was looking at and looked away.
" Do uhm...Do you want me to get you some clothes or something?" Asked Sam. Feeling a little bad since SHE was the cause of that large stain.
"Id rather not...This dress is...important to me." Said Faith softly, meeting Sams made Sam feel even worse.
"OK...Let me know if you want something else to wear the way what were you doing with the pots and pans?" Asked Sam curiously. Faith blushed heavily at that question.
"Well...You see i had no idea when you would be back ...And i was getting hungry so ...I was starting to make something but the pots and pans were on the top shelf so i had to get a chair and..." Faith stopped when she saw the the deputies lips curl up into a shit eating grin even thought she was biting her lower lip attempting to conceal it. Faith glared at her.
"If you make a short joke, i will kill you." Threatened Faith. Had she still had power over her through the bliss, it probably would have been a scary threat but now it was just adorable.
Sam tried her best to conceal her snicker.
"Oh my God! Your so adorable when your not a a scary hallucination." Said Sam in a baby voice, pinching Faith's very red cheek to which she got her hand slapped.
"Stop it..." Mumbled Faith. Sam giggled before putting her arms in the air in defeat.
"Alright, alright. Lemme make you something." Said Sam. She walked over to the fridge an opened it and then blocked her nose from the rancid smell that emanated from it.
"Smells like this guy hasnt cleaned out his fridge in a while." Commented Sam.
" killed him remember?" Said Faith accusingly.
"Oh yeah ... I forgot." Responded Sam closing the door.
"Well Rivers not to far from here, i could fish you something." Offered Sam. Faith shrugged.
"Thats fine with me." Sam noticed that the shorter of the two was keeping her distance.
"Something up?" Asked the deputy. Faith looked at her with a quizzical expression.
"Your standing pretty far away." Pointed out Sam .
"Considering we tried to kill each other for a few weeks...Im not exactly fully trusting you yet." Said Faith.
"But i saved you?" Pointed out Sam.
"I know...And im still asking myself why...Maybe your just keeping me alive to torture me with mind games like ive done to you and everybody else." Explained Faith with a slight hint of hostility. Sam raised an eyebrow.
"Mind game torture? Really?" She asked Sarcastically.
"I bet everyone in the Resistance would love to see me suffer...maybe they gave you the honor of doing it." Snapped Faith. Sam frowned. She was right. The resistance would prefer to have her suffer instead of help her had they known she was still alive.
Sam sighed.
"Look I told you wanted to help you and im sticking by that. Theres going to be trusts issues at the start I get it we did try to kill each other. But bare with me will you? Your already doing a great job so far." Said Sam.
"How so?" Asked Faith.
"Your still had plenty of time to leave here and go back to Joseph's compound with the rest of your group but you stayed. You even tried to make something for yourself." Explained Sam.
Faith listened to what Sam had to say and thought deeply. Why did she stay? She could have left. Maybe...Just maybe deep down, she did want to be helped.
"...Ok." Was all Faith could say. Sam smiled.
"Good. Now wait here, im sure i saw some fishing rods down in Feeney's bunker. Ill go get them and some bait and then head to the River to get us something. Get comfy ok?" Said Sam on her way out of the house.
With that Sam left Faith in the House and walked over to Feeneys little hole in the ground . When she got down the ladder she almost threw up from the smell.
"Jesus christ.I thought your friends would have taken care of you by now." Said Sam to the corpse with a hole in its head while pinching her nose shut.
The junior deputy found what she was looking for and climbed back out the Bunker. But before she did she turned to the corpse, made a pistol with her finger and pulled the imaginary trigger.
"Bang! Hehe, man that was one hell of a shot when i killed you Feeney." She Joked to the corpse.
An hour Later Sam came back with two trouts.
While Sam was cleaning and cooking the fish. Faith remained at the table , seemingly deep in thought.
When Sam was done cooking. She put down Faith's plate first along with some utensils.
"Here you go Rachel." Said Sam. She saw that the light brunette had a slight grimace on her face.
"Sorry...I just thought that-"
"Its fine." Said Faith, cutting her off.
"Its just...Its been so long since ive been called that...Sometimes i even forget its my real name." Explained Faith. Sam nodded.
"Its a pretty name. I like it, your parents picked it well." Commented Sam. This time she saw that Faith grew a sad and painful expression.
'Ok Parents:Bad territory. Bad territory Sam.' Thought the Deputy to herself.
"Im gonna...get my plate now." Sam said awkwardly. When Sam brought her plate of fish to the table she attempted to lighten the mood a little.
"Soooo. Tell me a little bit about yourself." Asked Sam, taking a bite of her fish. Faith was taken aback a little by this question.
"What?"
"You know, you. All i hear all the time is 'Faith is a liar this' and 'Faith is a manipulater that'. I wanna know more about the girl before she turned into 'Faith Seed' and theres really only one other person i know to ask buts kind of a sore subject." Explained Sam. Faith's grew a little wide in recognition.
"Tracey?" Faith asked softly. Sam nodded. The younger of the two sighed.
'She probably hates me...' Thought Faith.
"What do you want to know?" Asked the blonde. Sam thought for a moment and then asked.
"Was that story you told me about yourself when I first entered the bliss true?" A surge of painful memories flowed through Faiths mind.
"...Yes. Despite everyone calling me a liar, that story I told you and everyone else was true. The community seemed to ignore me for some reason when i tried so hard to be friendly. I was bullied at school when i did nothing to provoke anyone. I only really had one friend...Tracey." Explained Faith, looking down at her plate of food as she remembered her dark past.
"And that part about being abused by your family?" Sam knew this was a touchy subject because of earlier but she needed to know the truth. The same painful expression from before crossed Faith's face and her eyes slightly started to water.
"Yes...Its true...Can we change the subject now?" Faith asked wiping away a few stray tears. Sam nodded and placed a comforting hand on the younger girls shoulder.
"Thank you.I needed to know the truth...Anyway, have you always lived in Hope county?" Asked Sam . Faith took a quick breath to calm herself and supress the memories threatening to surge and the answered Sam's question.
"Yeah. Been here my whole life. My parents used too own the Jessop conservatory." Said Faith taking a bite from her meal. Sam noticed the key work 'parents' and tread carefully around it.
"Yeah i noticed it had your last name attached to it when i liberated it. Nice big house back there." Said Sam. For the first time since she battled Faith, the deputy saw her smile.
"Yeah it is...I remember me and Tracey used to run around in the yard when we were little kids." Said Faith. Then that soft smile faded to a frown.
"She hates me doesnt she?" Asked Faith.
"Well...She wasnt exactly too happy with you after you killed Virgil..." Explained Sam. Faith ran a hand through her hair anxiously.
"But..." Said Sam.
"She wasnt happy at the celebration of your 'Death' either. She told me how she missed the old you and how she wished their was another way...She even shed a tear for you." Said Sam. This cheered up Faith a little bit.
"Really?She...She cried over my death?" Sam nodded.
"Wow...Does...Does she know that im still alive?" Asked Faith. Sam shook her head.
"No, im the only one that knows your still alive. And it might have to be that way for a while, atleast until things die down and i get my plan rolling." Explained Sam.
"Plan?" Asked Faith.
"Im still working on the details but...Theres something important i need to talk to you about." Faith knew what was coming and braced herself for the question.
"Its about Joseph isnt it?" Sam nodded. Faith sighed.
"Earlier on my radio he asked me to go to his compound alone tomorrow morning. He says to come alone and i wont be also said that 'It began with me and you so it should end with me and you'. Is this a trap?" Asked Sam. Faith thought for a while before shaking her head.
"No, Joseph is not one to lie. If he says you wont be harmed if you go alone then you wont be harmed."Said Faith confidently.
"So you think he just wants to talk after everything i did to his cult and family?" Faith shrugged.
"Probably. Maybe he got a message from God not to harm you and hes giving you one last chance to join him. Despite everything you did to him, he would never ever deny a demand for God." Explained Faith.
"Hmm...Good to know." Replied Sam.
Faith grew silent. Sam could feel the question that was coming and prepared for it.
"Are...Are you going to..." Faith couldn't meet Sam's eye nor finish her question. Sam gave her a comforting look despite Faith not looking at her.
"Im going to try and do the right thing and take him in alive." Said Sam. Faith looked up with a half happy half shocked expression.
"Thank you." Was all that Faith could say.
"...Can i ask you something?" Asked Sam taking the last bite from her fish. Faith gave her a nod.
"If what you told me was true. About him threatening you and plying you with drugs when you were 17...Why are you standing by and supporting him?" Asked Sam . Faith frowned.
"Yes...Joseph has done Many ... bad things to me . But he also saved me from a very difficult time in my life. He saved me when i was at my worst, he got me sober when i was using drugs, he gave me a new family that actually cared about me, he gave me so many friends that i could rely on. He gave me purpose and made me realize how special i was even though i wanted to die!." Explained Faith passionately. Then a small tear rolled down her eye.
"Im...Im sorry about that. You probably dont want to hear this stuff. You and everyone else probably think were just a bunch of crazy psychopaths." Said Faith. Sam shook her head.
"Thats not true. I think everyone had a reason for joining. Im sure Some were sick psychos who enjoyed torturing and killing people like the cook. Some were lost and wanted to be a part of something just like you. Maybe some truly believed that the world was on the brink of the apocalypse. Maybe some had mental illnesses. Maybe others were just attracted to Joseph's charisma. Who knows, point is. Its very easy to judge others unless you have both sides to a story." Said Sam sympathetically.
Faith just stared. How can her cults biggest enemy be so...Understanding. She questioned Sam on this.
"How can you be so understanding despite everything we have done done to you and your people?" Asked Faith. Sam smirked.
"Well i wasnt born an angel but i did learn when i was younger that everyone is capable of great evils, some more then others. I also learned a great deal of forgiveness..." Sam trailed off and their was a short awkward silence that filled the room.
"But thats a story for another time." Said the junior deputy. Faith nodded and began to eat again slowly.
When Faith finished her meal, Sam got up and put both their plates in the sink.
"Soooo. I feel kinda bad that i messed up your favorite dress. So ill do you a favor. Give it to me and ill bring it into town to have it cleaned and repair that little hole i put in it."
Faith looked a bit hesitant and put a hand on the red stain.
"You...You promise you will give it back?" She asked in a voice that was barely a whisper.
"I promise." Sam said Reassuringly. Faith took a moment and then nodded.
"Do you have any spare clothes?" Faith Asked. Sam nodded.
"Yeah i got like three pairs of what im wearing in the back of my truck. It gets really dirty and sweaty here in the county when your running around and getting shot at." Joked Sam. She then headed out to the truck to get clothes. She brought back a red flannel blouse, blue jeans and she hesitated getting the pare combat boots since Faith seemed to enjoy walking barefoot and a pair of white socks.
"Here you go." Said Sam gently laying the pile of clothes next to Faith on the couch. There was a few awkward moments of silence before Faith finally spoke up.
"Uhm...Can i get some privacy?" She asked in a hushed tone. Sam blushed bright red and stammered.
"Er-Right!...Sorry about uhm...Yeah..." She got out as she got out of the house.
Faith took a deep breath and began to strip. She took her dress off and gently folded it and placed it on the couch. She was standing in the the middle of the house in her white underwear.
She was blushing bright red and was praying that Sam wasn't peeking. Faith then put on the outfit that the deputy gave her. It felt awkward for her to wear something that wasnt her dress, much more to put someone else's clothes on, but it was better then being in her underwear.
When she was done the young brunette looked in the mirror. Despite being smaller and younger then the deputy, the clothes were a good fit.
Satisfied, Faith then opened the front door and saw that Sam was sitting on the front steps, back turned towards the door.
"Im done." Said Faith, grabbing Sams attention. Sam turned around and stared for a few moments. When the staring got awkward Faith crossed her arms and blushed looking away.
"W-what?" She asked. Sam shook her head and snapped back to reality.
"Sorry its just im so used to only seeing you in that dress. Never could picture you in everyday clothes...It looks good on you." Said Sam.
"Thanks. This i used to wear stuff like this to school back when i was younger." Said Faith.
Sam nodded and headed inside.
"So ill drop this off by one of the resistance members to clean and repair before i head out tomorrow." Said Sam gently grabbing the white dress.
"Dont you think they will find it weird that you have my dress ?" Asked Faith. Sam shrugged.
"Ill tell em i want to keep it as a trophy." Said Sam. Faith raised her eyebrow and scoffed.
"A trophy? Really?" Sam shrugged again.
"You got a better reason for me having your dress other then the fact your still alive and im helping you?" Sam said sarcastically. Faith opened her mouth to say something but closed it in pursed her lips in defeat. Sam smirked in victory.
The junior deputy then walked out to her truck and walked back.
"Here i got you some stuff to pass the time." Said Sam holding some Magazines on hunting and fishing as well as a radio tuned in to the Peggie tunes.
Faith Smiled and bit her loved those songs. She used to sing them all the time along with the cults choir.
"You dont mind Edens gate music?" Asked Faith. Sam raised an eyebrow.
"Mind it? I may be at war with your cult but goddamn i will admit you guys have some great songs." Said Sam. This made Faith giggle. There was something in that giggle that gave Sam a feeling that she couldn't quite pin down what it was. Was she feeling...Butterflies?
"Id let you fish or go for a hike or something but...Id rather you stay here safe and sound then have the chance of you running into a resistance member." Said Sam.
Faith nodded.
"I understand."
Sam nodded and headed for the door.
"I have to go. Gotta prepare for tomorrow morning. Will you be ok on your own for the night?" Asked Sam in concern . Faith nodded,
"I should be fine..." Said Faith softly.A slight pain in her voice as she knew what she was 'preparing' for.
"When will you be back?" The younger of the two asked.
"If all goes well i should be back here by lunch tomorrow." Answered Sam.
"Ok...Uhm good night i guess?" Said Faith. Sam smiled.
"Good night Rachel." She said as she turned and walked towards the door. Before she opened it she hesitated.
'What happens if someone finds her while im not here...' The thought made Sam nervous. She couldnt leave Faith there defenseless...But at the same time she wondered if she could be trusted yet?
Sam sighed and ran a hand through her brown hair and muttered a 'Fuck it'.
She turned around suddenly and pulled out her personal m1911. The same one Dutch gave her when this whole thing started. At first Sam quickly pulling out a pistol scared Faith. But then she set it on the table.
"Use this only if you absolutely have too...Im trusting you Rachel." Said Sam. Faith , still a little shaken,looked at Sam in the eye and nodded her head.
"Ill use it only if i have too.I promise." Said Faith. Sam nodded, satisfied with her answer. Turned around an walked out the door confidently.
Authors note: HOLY CRAP! This thing is almost 5000 words long! This has to be my biggest chapter yet in any story. Hope you guys enjoyed, im really pouring my heart and soul into this story. See you soon (^3^)/)