Chapter 2: New Friends


Another restless night. Allie gave up once the first streaks of sunrise bleached the horizon, tearing through the curtains in the makeshift guest bedroom on the second floor of the Spread Eagle. She got dressed and checked her weapons, thinking back on the dream she had last night.

She had found herself in Faith's Bliss Valley once again. But besides the fluttering of endless blue butterflies, there was no life. She had frantically searched for a way out, for someone. Only to hear her brother calling her name.

She followed the sound of his voice through the high of the Bliss, through fields of tall grass and streams. But instead she had stumbled upon a replay of Burke shooting Virgil and then turning to her.

"I told you I didn't want to leave."

She had to watch him shoot himself again. The spraying blood, the thunderous gunshot that cracked her ears. It was enough to jolt her awake the first time. The echo of the trigger pull blared through her mind. After that, her night became a series of twist and turns in her twin sized bed. Her head pulsed and burned like she was high on Bliss again, making her stomach churn.

The rookie deputy made her way downstairs into the main lounge of the bar. Boomer followed after her with soft pants. She felt better once she was up and around, and she could hear a few townsfolk within the walls. She caught sight of Mary May talking with Nick Rye. As Allie walked towards them, she heard Sharky Boshaw grumble loudly at a table.

"I'm just sayin', if we gotta get up this early why don't we set fire to some of them peggies' outposts or vehicles while most of 'em are sleepin'?"

"You're such a dipshit," Adelaide Drubman said at the table next over, although she had a small smile on her aged face.

Allie shook her head and greeted the bar owner and pilot, and Boomer sat down at her side. They both responded with their own quiet mornings, and Allie was quick to pick up on some tension. She'd only met Nick Rye once, having helped rid Fall's End of peggies a couple days ago. She heard from Jerome and Mary May that he was an expert pilot and owned a large piece of property to the south that had a hangar and airstrip with a plane.

"You can't just run away, Nick," Mary May whispered.

"I'm not!" Nick sounded a little offended but dropped his voice again. "I just…have to think of Kim and the baby, ya know? I gotta keep them safe. Besides, the peggies have taken over all the airstrips and planes they can in the region…I know mine's next."

"We'll think of something, just…stick it out right now," Mary May replied.

Nick heaved a sigh, slowly nodding. "Fine, but I ain't holding out much longer."

Allie decided to join in. "Eden's Gate did the same thing over in the Henbane River region. But the Cougars managed to take some back. Might could hide your planes over there."

Nick dipped his head at her. "Thanks for the heads up. I'll talk it through with Kim. Well…I better head back home and check on her. Can't leave her alone for long with the baby close to bein' due and John's men skulkin' all over the place. I'll stop back by later. Holler over the radio if ya need anything."

The pilot left the bar. Allie watched him go before turning to the bar owner. Mary May's blonde hair was a mess, and she looked like she just got out of bed herself. Then Allie noticed the exhaustion in the woman's eyes and wondered if she had the same kind of night she had.

"Does the cult take pregnant women too?" she asked.

Mary May took a moment to answer, scowling. "Depends…The Father will…Faith did. John doesn't give a fuck. Jacob avoids 'em like the plague."

"Haven't seen many kids around…made me wonder."

"Kids are a different story. Now, most folks that had kids were able to get out, but some weren't so lucky," Mary May answered. "Most families with small kids get hauled to Joseph…the ones that don't fight back and get themselves killed anyway. Faith took in a lot of kids…guess the crazy bitch liked them…or liked to brainwash 'em early. Jacob and John won't touch kids. Not sure why, although I don't really care to. Jerome thinks that John sees children as not needing his "atonement" …that they don't carry sins like we do. I think he's givin' that piece of shit too much credit, but whatever. And I guess children don't really have much use in Jacob's indoctrination techniques, so maybe that's why he doesn't take them."

Allie petted Boomer on the head. "Well, I better get over to the church and see what Jerome has for me."

Mary May nodded. "Alright, good luck. I'll try and get over there after I finish up here. Nick kinda showed up outta the blue with his problems and I wasn't ready for it."

Allie left the bar with Boomer at her heels. She bumped into Addie just outside as she lit a cigarette.

"Oh hey, kid. I have to fly back to the marina to take care of some shit. Holler if ya need me, alrighty?"

The deputy nodded. "Sure. Fly safe. I'll let ya know what our next move is."

"Don't do anything I would do!" she shouted as she walked to the field behind the general store where her helicopter was parked.

Allie walked to the church where she found Pastor Jerome alone inside reading through his bible. He sat on the edge of a table, staring down into the ink with his shotgun propped up nearby.

"Morning," Allie greeted.

She glanced around the main sitting area. It was still a mess from when the cultists had control. Some pews were toppled over. Blood and paint were smeared along the walls, windows were busted. It looked as though someone had attempted to scrub the Eden's Gate symbol and a nearby scripture off the wall.

Outside, a chopper started. The blades thrummed and it lifted and flew away, and Allie knew that Adelaide was well on her way back to the marina in the Henbane region.

"Morning, Miss Lucas. Sleep well?" Jerome greeted.

Her green eyes went back to him, and she weakly shrugged. "Not really. You can call me Allie by the way."

Jerome motioned for her to come over to him. She complied, glancing back at Boomer, who was sniffing around the floorboards of the old church.

"Well, I've been going over in my head on where Miss Hudson most likely is being held."

"Where?"

"John's bunker. It's the only place we don't have some sort of eyes on. Haven't received any updates from the scouts from our other locations either."

Allie couldn't believe how many bunkers and missile silos that in-the-middle-of-nowhere Hope County had. She wondered exactly how many that Eden's Gate possessed…or have taken. Or built.

She didn't like the look on Jerome's face, and it made her heart fall. "I take it that's bad?"

Jerome barely nodded. "It has the highest security and congregation of peggies than anywhere else in Holland Valley. We'd be dead before even reaching the gates."

"So I don't have any choice but to get John's attention, huh?"

"Are you sure you want to do that?"

The voice caught Allie off guard, and she turned. Mary May walked through the main aisle of the church over to them, a rifle slung over her shoulder.

"I can't just leave Hudson like that. Besides, I need to take John out if I'm gonna face the Father."

The bar owner glared at Allie. "You sound like you think it's gonna be easy. Don't you think we would've done it by now if it was? John used to come around like clockwork, like a fuckin' tax collector, dragging people off for his "cleansing" or "atonement" shit. Half the people never came back. We never could get the right chance then…and now he hasn't come around since you guys tried to arrest the Father."

Mary May sat down on the edge of a pew, staring across the mess of the church. "Worse yet…John is starving us out. They took most of our supplies and food. It's been a struggle to get the food and guns we have now. Still, got lots of people seeking Eden's Gate out willingly because they're desperate."

"Which is what John wants," Jerome added. "He's been trying to tear the Resistance down from within for weeks now. He knows tactics…I'll give him that."

"Do you need me to go hunting?" Allie suggested.

She hadn't realized there had been little food around here. Between getting over the Bliss sickness and the stress, she hardly had any appetite since arriving to Holland Valley.

Mary May shook her head, twitching her lips. "We have hunters out there helping with that. But I guess if you want to draw John's sights onto you…well, you're gonna have to do somethin' bigger."

"What's the best way I can do that while also helping you guys out?" Allie asked.

"Outposts are a good start. There are many the cult have claimed that have a shit ton of food stored…weapons too."

Jerome cleared his throat, sitting down his bible and standing. "Sunrise Farm isn't far from here. It's one of the main locations the cult stockpiles food before hauling it off to their bunkers."

Allie nodded. "Alright, I'll grab Sharky and head that way."

Mary May snorted. "Are you serious? We don't need him burnin' the place to the ground. That won't help anyone. What happened to Addie?"

"She had to fly back to the marina. Even though it's been taken back from Eden's Gate, it's right on the edge of Jacob's territory, and so they get into a lot more trouble than the other outposts in the region. I think she just wants to check in on everyone."

"Alright, well, guess I better tag along then. Outposts are always crawlin' with peggies. You'll need help, and well, I don't trust Sharky."

Before Allison could defend Sharky from all his help in the Henbane region, Jerome interrupted them.

"We can introduce her to Grace. I'm sure she would love to help."

"Oh good idea, Jerome."

"Grace?" Allie echoed.

Mary May seemed enthused now, getting to her feet. "She's an ex-Army sniper. Hell of a soldier and will have your back in a pinch. She's been fighting the cult for months now."

Allie smiled. "Great, where can I find her?"

"She's been hanging around the Lamb of God Church for the past couple of days, I heard," Jerome answered. "Wants to keep the cult from taking it. John isn't interested in the church right now, but Grace doesn't want peggies coming in and vandalizing it though. Her father is buried there."

"Where's that located?"

Jerome grabbed his shotgun and bulletproof vest. "C'mon, I'll take you."

Mary May folded her arms. "I keep forgetting you're new 'round these parts." She looked to the pastor. "You sure, Jerome? We need you here."

"You'll be fine without me for a bit. You're needed here as well, but we can't just stand aside and let Allison do this all by herself. We have to work together. If the Project was gonna come and try and take back Fall's End, I think they would've done it by now. Just keep on guard. And if John shows up you keep your head down and holler at me over the radio."

Mary May swallowed, barely nodding.

The three of them left the church, Boomer sticking close to Allie. Jerome led them over to his car, which was parked across the street of the church nearby the old beat up bus that was acting as a barricade. Allie checked her supplies again before tossing the bag into the back of the car. Her handgun and rifle were full on ammo, and hopefully it would remain that way. She didn't have the ammo for a gunfight, nor the outfit. She wore blue jeans, boots, and a dark red flannel shirt.

"Hey Allie girl, hold up!"

They saw Sharky jogging across the street, having come from the Spread Eagle. Jerome paused getting into the driver's seat of the car, Allie beside him. Mary folded her arms as Sharky caught up.

"You leavin' without me? Cuz, ya know, I thought we were a team."

Allie laughed, but before she could say anything Mary May beat her to it. "Just because there ain't any law 'round these parts right now doesn't mean you have free range to burn shit to the ground, Sharky."

"Dammit woman," Sharky groaned. "Are ya still upset about that little fire I started at your daddy's barn? I said I was sorry, I didn't mean to. I-I thought I was on a different farm and I was a little drunk and-"

"Little fire?! It destroyed the whole barn and all the hay inside!"

Before an argument broke out, Allie trying not to laugh, Jerome cleared his throat. "Mary…let it go. Got more important matters at hand."

Mary May sighed. "Right. Well, be careful out there. If something comes up, radio me."

The bar owner took her leave. Sharky watched her go, and then turned to the Junior Deputy with a poorly executed pout. "I'm comin', right, Shorty? Got clean underwear and everything."

Sharky had saved her ass a few times in the Henbane River region. At first sight, Sharky came off as a pyromaniac hick with charm, and it was true. But he was thoughtful, held deep insight about life, and he sure as hell was loyal and tough. And quite funny. He was always able to soothe her nerves with his funny jokes and ramblings while trekking through the Henbane region with Blissed-out Angels charging them and Chosen hunting them. In the middle of a cult sovereign state, he was one of her best friends.

Allison playfully slapped him on the arm with a smile. "Stay here for now, bud. Keep watch over the town. We'll be back."

"Aw, that's no fun."

Jerome shook his head. "It's not about fun, Mr. Boshaw."

The pyromaniac waved the pastor off. "Yeah, yeah, it's about savin' the county and all that. I know. Fine, guess I'll have a beer and wait for y'all."

Allie chuckled, and went over to the passenger side of the car to get in. Jerome had already slid inside and started it up. Boomer jumped through the window into the back seat, eager to get going and barked it out loud.


As soon as Jerome pulled over to the side of the road across from the Lamb of God Church, they saw trouble. Cult members were spread out across the church's property and cemetery. A few shot at the bell tower. Allie grabbed her pistol, cocking it, as she hurried to join Jerome. Boomer snarled, hackles raising while keeping to her side.

A peggie's head was blown straight off from a thunderous shot. Allie spotted the sniper hunkered down in the bell tower. She only took a shot when she had an opening, and they always hit true.

Already riled up and pissed, the cult members didn't hesitate upon opening fire on Jerome and Allie when they were spotted. They ducked behind headstones, taking cover. A passing bullet cracked the stone just inches above the deputy's head. Boomer charged in, biting onto one man's arm and distracting him long enough for Allie to take a shot. Jerome rose up above his headstone, shooting his shotgun. The spread caught two cultists as they ran over.

Another loud boom of a sniper round echoed, taking out a peggie as he ran for his truck. The grounds of the church became deathly quiet. Allie could only hear her blood pumping at first as she caught her breath. She slowly rose from out of cover as Jerome did the same.

A figure slid down the ladder that led up to the bell tower and walked over to them. "Thanks for the help, but I could've handled them on my own." She then noticed Jerome and her dark eyes flashed. "Oh, Pastor Jerome. Didn't expect you."

"Hey Grace, how you holding up?"

Grace shrugged. "Been better."

The beautiful black woman was dressed in dirty army attire, a bulletproof vest, a cap and a torn American Flag scarf around her neck. Grace looked Allison over, but hardly gave a reaction.

"Who's this?"

"This is Junior Deputy Allison Lucas. She's one of the deputies that went to try and arrest the Father with that marshal a little over a week ago. Been helping to try and stop Eden's Gate since. Even managed to take down Faith."

Grace had nodded at her with the introduction but her eyes shot up in surprise when she heard about Faith. The sniper looked to Allie once more.

"You're the one who killed Faith?"

Allison nodded, not sure if Grace was just surprised or skeptical of her feat. Allie was surprised herself. The Bliss had saturated her so much that Faith nearly entrapped her forever. She still didn't know how she managed to walk away.

"Yep, that would be me."

The sniper grinned at her. "I think you and I are gonna be fast friends. 'Bout time someone took that bitch out."

Allie smiled back. Jerome cut to the chase after that. "Good. Was hoping you'd come help us liberate some outposts."

Grace frowned. "As much fun as that sounds, I can't just leave my father's grave and this church to get wrecked by peggies. Besides, getting put on John's radar isn't something I'm too eager to do."

"I'll be the one drawing his attention," Allie said. "We need to get some supplies back to the Resistance if we're going to have a fighting chance against Eden's Gate. And I need John to come after me if I want any chance at ending him and getting my partner, Hudson, back."

Grace put a hand on her hip, slightly shaking her head. "Well…you got guts. I'll give you that."

"Kid, it's Dutch! You there?"

Her radio crackled on her belt. She wasn't expecting Dutch to be contacting her. She grabbed it up and excused herself from Jerome and Grace, going over to the side of the church to be alone. She put the walky-talky to her mouth, hitting the button.

"Allie here. What's up?"

"Glad to hear you still have your head. Sorry I haven't been able to make contact the last couple of days, but I've been searching through any intel I can find to locate your brother."

Her heart jumped into her throat. "Did you find him?!"

"No, not yet, but he's definitely here in Hope County. I got Eli looking into it as well. You ask any of your new friends yet?"

"No, just Whitehorse and the Cougars. They couldn't find anything for me."

"Alright, well Eli should get back to me soon and I'll holler at you on any news he has. You still in Holland Valley?"

Allie glanced over to the front side of the church, watching Jerome and Grace talk next to a large, decorated headstone. "Yeah. I've recovered from the Bliss and I'm about to start causing mayhem to get John's attention."

Dutch's snorted loudly on the other side of the radio. "Don't think I've ever heard of anyone willingly wanting to get caught by the Reaper, kid. Just…be careful, alright? I know you handled yourself pretty well against Faith, but John's a whole different ball game."

"Got it. Thanks, Dutch."

"Ask Mary May or Jerome about your brother. They might know of him or know where you can find him, you never know. Dutch out."

Allie closed her eyes, green eyes falling to the dirt. She hadn't realized it, but Boomer had come over with her, and was patiently sitting next to the church. Pulling back a strand of her brown hair, she walked back to Jerome and Grace.

She would have to tell them about Aiden, ask them if they could help her find him. According to Dutch, he was for sure in Hope County. That didn't mean finding him was going to be easy. She hadn't seen her younger brother in a little over three years and wasn't sure what he would look like now. He probably grew a beard and got tatted up like the other cultists.

She tried to picture him like that, but couldn't. He was younger by four years, making him 23. He was 20 when she last saw him. He had always been clean cut and shaven, tall and skinny. He was always shy and polite. Allison just couldn't picture him being a part of this.

It wouldn't deter her from finding him. She wouldn't give up on him. While fighting with the Resistance to take down Eden's Gate, she would search for him. She would bring him back with her.

"Sorry about that," Allie stated when she reached Grace and Jerome. "Dutch was just updating me on a few things. So, we ready to go to Sunrise Farm?"

Jerome looked to Grace, who slowly smiled. "Let's do this."


The drive to Sunrise Farm was quiet. Grace rode in the passenger seat with Jerome at the wheel while Allie stuck to the back seat with Boomer. She watched the many fields and farms of the valley pass by. Jerome was careful to take the back roads to keep out of sight of any convoys that may have been driving through.

They drove by a farm house that was half-way burnt down, old smoke billowing up in the wind. The word 'SINNER' was painted on the remains of the roof, looking like it was about to collapse into the rubble below.

It hadn't been the first house she saw that way, and she had seen many more with 'SINNER' painted on their sides.

"Is that what happens to people who resist the cult?" she asked.

Jerome looked up in the rear-view mirror, and then his eyes went out towards the remains of the small farmhouse and its empty property.

"Yes," Grace said tartly, turning to look at the deputy. "Those that resist or fight back get all they ever had taken from them and destroyed."

"Why paint the word 'SINNER' if you're just gonna burn it down?" Allie asked, shaking her head.

"That was there long before the fire," Grace stated. "It's John's calling card, so to speak. People ain't the only thing he marks. You'll see it all over the valley. Typical move on his part as far as scare tactics go. See, the guy's a lawyer, can find any loophole in the book and has been using that to buy up all the land and businesses within Hope County. But for those he cannot take out from under people's noses, he does this shit. Pins them in a corner, scares them, marks them for his "cleansing". They either hightail it after that and he buys it up from the banks or they stay and fight and end up dead, and he still buys it in the end."

"Jesus," Allie hissed.

"We're here," Jerome said.

They gathered their supplies and weapons and left the car parked on the side of a dirt road. Jerome told them they would go through the woods to come out on the back end of the farm. It would be the only way to give them cover, since the farm itself was surrounded by crop fields. They remained quiet in their trek through the forest. They came out onto a bluff surrounded by trees. They could see Sunrise Farm up ahead, with two large red barns, a windmill, and lots of peggies. The fields surrounding the farm had a variety of crops. Allison grabbed her binoculars to scope the place out. Grace did the same using the scope of her sniper rifle.

Allie could see stockpiles of food, and it just wasn't crops from the farm. There was tons of non-perishables and canned items. The peggies were lax, standing around and talking mostly. Allie scanned each one of their faces, making sure her brother wasn't down there.

"Want me to start shooting?" Grace asked. "Got a good shot."

"Wait!" Allie hissed, still scanning for her brother.

"What is it?" Jerome asked, looking concerned.

"N-nothing," she replied, lowering her binoculars. "Just wasn't ready."

"They have quite a few people down there that are captive. Probably more of John's marked, ready to be shipped for cleansing," Grace informed, still peering through her scope. "If we release them, they can help us take the farm back."

"Good idea," Jerome said. He turned to the deputy. "They have an alarm system. Every outpost has them to call for backup if they need it."

"Yeah, I know. I saw them at the outposts in Henbane River."

Jerome nodded. "Good, then you know what to do. Take out that alarm system. I will rescue the civilians. Grace, cover us."

"Got it."

"Boomer, stay."

The cattle dog cocked his head, whining. He slowly sat down on his haunches next to Grace. Allie and Jerome took a path down the bluff into the back field of the farm. They stayed low, using farm equipment and hay bales for cover. There weren't any snipers or spotters out that they could see. As they made their way closer to the farm, they split up.

Allie went towards the tall beacon that housed the alarm system. It sat grounded beside one side of the bigger barn. Allie heard cultists talking and laughing and stayed low and quiet. She peeked around the side of the barn. Many were standing around talking, while others were hauling food onto a truck.

She sneaked around the building, reaching the beacon. She used a knife and cut the wires, killing the alarm system. She quickly stepped back around to the backside of the barn, keeping her knife drawn. She stuck to the side of the building, making her way towards where Jerome was freeing the captives.

By the time she could reach the second barn, she heard a yell. A ringing boom followed after, and then their cover was blown. She heard Jerome's shotgun go off. She ran the rest of the way, coming around the other side of the second barn. She shot a peggie that was on his way into entering where Jerome and the citizens were.

Allie took cover behind some crates, drawing the opposing fire on her to let Jerome and the captives get to their own cover. Another peggie's head was blown off from sniper fire from the bluff. Allie took out two that were moving from cover to cover. The freed citizens picked up the weapons dropped by the dead cultists to help them fight.

The shootout lasted for a little over an hour, but they managed to kill all of the cultists. Grace and Boomer joined Allie and Jerome as they walked around, taking in the stockpile of food and supplies.

"Better call Mary May, Whitehorse, and Eli," Jerome said, looking relieved as he patted the tops of some cans. "We better distribute this food out amongst the Resistance as fast as we can before the peggies come back."

Allie nodded, knowing they didn't have the numbers right now in this region to keep the outpost for very long. Allie and Grace helped the freed citizens stock food onto the trucks that were already there at the farm. Mary May showed up a while later with another truck and a few other people to help.

In the hours that followed they gathered up all the food, weapons, and supplies they could haul. Allison was sweating by the time it was over. She walked down the driveway of the Sunrise Farm for the main road, watching as Jerome pulled in with his car to pick her up. Some straggling citizens walked with her. She lost track of how many times they thanked her for helping save their lives and taking back the farm. Grace had taken a ride with Mary May to drop off their supply truck for Eli at a secret location.

A horrible smell caught her attention just as she reached the main road. Looking up, her eyes widened as she saw the corpse of man strung up on a pillar by the road. Blood had seeped down the pillar and caked, creating stains and a sticky puddle on the ground. The body was wrapped in barbed wire, and his guts trailed out of his stomach, picked and ate away by animals. The word 'SINNER' was painted on the board above his head.

"I had a feeling that's what happened to Bert," a man next to her said, shaking his head.

"Yeah, he always said he would go out fighting," said a woman. "We need to get him down…bury him."

"Why did they do that to him? Because he wouldn't give in?" Allie asked, feeling sick to her stomach.

The man nodded slowly, looking pale as he looked the body over. "Yeah…John will kill anyone he deems unworthy or who will not back down to him. Then he'll have this done to them and put up as a warning…he's the fucking devil."

"You guys stay vigilant. Once the word gets out that we took this place, there will be reinforcements to take it back. Best not be around when that happens," Jerome said, having got out of the car to join them.

"But we have weapons now, and there are quite a few of us. We can defend it!" hollered one man.

Jerome shook his head, although he twitched a smile. "We don't have the numbers…yet. Do not risk yourselves. We will get our chance."

The citizens grew somber but nodded. As they worked to get their dead friend from off the post, Allie followed Jerome into the car with Boomer at her heels. They got into the pastor's car and left for Fall's End.

Allie was sick at what she saw. She fiddled with her fingers as she looked out the passenger window, trying to focus on the passing fields and wilderness.

"Something the matter?" Jerome asked.

Like any good pastor, he could tell when people were troubled. And troubled was one of many things Allie was feeling right now.

"That…poor guy on the post."

Jerome was quiet for a moment. "Yeah…"

"Faith would turn people like that…people who would resist and fight back…she would turn them into these things called Angels. Blissed out zombies…there was nothing left in them. Just drugged slaves she controlled like puppets on strings."

Jerome deeply nodded. "I've seen them. I know you said you've been in law enforcement for three years, but…the things you see here, because of Joseph Seed and his crazy followers, probably nothing coulda prepared you for it."

"I've seen some crazy shit in my life," Allie said, heaving a sigh. "But this…this tops all of that…by a hard fucking mile."

"Agreed."

"I saw Faith make people do things…make them kill people. She made Marshal Burke commit suicide. I've seen those Angels…and the Bliss…I barely came back from that myself. What the hell am I supposed to expect with John and Jacob? With the Father? Jesus, I think I'll be dead before then. Think we need actual trained army veterans here, not rookies like me."

"You're here for a reason," Jerome said, looking across at her with wise eyes. "We all are. What you've done so far…it's been something. It's inspired them…to get them to fight back. It's given them hope. You won't be alone in this, Allison. We will take back Hope County together…all of us."

Allie closed her eyes. Though his words touched her, gave her hope and strength, she felt the crude feeling in her stomach again. And as she looked out the window, she saw yet another house halfway burned down with the word 'SINNER' painted on the roof.

"I hope so."


The convoy slipped off the asphalt onto the dirt driveway, roaring engines echoing along crop fields. There were five trucks in total, all white with the Eden's Gate symbol painted on the doors. Three of the trucks had mounted machine guns. Each truck had five followers on board.

John got out of the passenger side, just as many others were jumping out, guns in hand. He popped his neck, reaching in to grab the eviction letters. He motioned to his followers to take point. It was late afternoon, the sun just starting to dip behind the mountains. John was ready to get this over with.

The farmhouse was small, but had nearly 20 acres of land. It wasn't much. John was used to claiming much larger properties. But, for whatever reason, Joseph wanted it. The crops had already been taken…all that was left were the people.

The Dapper family was average around here. Frank and his wife Debra. They had three kids, a teen-aged daughter and son, and a younger son. Not unlike many John had seen in his years in Hope County.

Frank was under his truck when they pulled in, his older son helping him. His wife was doing yard work outside, but as soon as she saw the trucks pull in, she pulled her daughter and youngest son indoors. Frank got up off the ground, using a rag to wipe his hands as he glowered at John and his men.

"Ah, Mr. Dapper. I'm surprised you're still here. Your judgement seemed better when we met last."

"Fuck off, John. We ain't leaving," Frank spat, keeping his older son behind him.

John winced, feigning hurt. "See, I was afraid you were going to say that. I have something that states otherwise."

He held out the papers, smiling. Frank glared at the documents and then back at the Baptist. Finally, the old farmer snatched them up, looking them over. Frank's face fell, the blood draining from his face. He looked over to John, clutching the papers hard.

"H-how? This land has been in my family for over thirty years! There's…there's no way!"

John shrugged. "I told you it would come down to this, but you didn't listen. So, what's it going to be, Mr. Dapper? I've given you plenty of opportunity to walk away and you just keep…pushing me."

Frank hesitated, but his glared hardened on John. "I told you…we ain't leaving."

He crumbled the papers and stomped on them. His older son grabbed a shotgun that was propped up against the bumper of the truck, aiming it at John. John's followers in turn, aimed their weapons on the father and his son. John shook his head, softly chuckling.

"I gave you the chance to walk away with your family intact, and you squander it. My generosity only goes so far. You leave me no choice but to show force. I'm done being nice," John said.

He dipped his head at four of his followers, gesturing for the house.

They immediately set forth towards the house, Frank yelling out after them. His son kept the gun on John, but his eyes widened in fear watching those men enter his house, hearing his mother and sister scream. They could hear the struggle inside the house, glass breaking, cries of pain, furniture being knocked over.

"Shoot him, Jesse!" Frank yelled.

"Don't listen to him, kid. You kill me, your whole family is dead," John stated coolly. He glared at Frank. "Telling your son to commit murder? What kind of father are you?"

Frank's wife, daughter, and youngest son were dragged out of the home, held hostage. The women screamed and fought. The young boy, around ten years old, cried and fought but didn't manage much against his captors.

"Last chance!" John snapped, temper rising.

"Give him the fucking farm, dad!" the daughter yelled out.

"At least someone in this damn family has sense," John said, shaking his head.

"Dad, what do I do?!" Jesse asked, finger on the trigger as he aimed at John.

John rolled his eyes, waving at another follower. The follower didn't hesitate, shooting the kid in the hand, making the shotgun fall to the ground. Jesse cried out in pain, and didn't have time to react as three cultists came upon him and started beating on him.

Frank attacked them, trying to get them off his son. His wife and daughter and youngest son screamed to the side. Two more cultist joined in on the frenzy, grabbing onto Frank and beating him down as well. John laughed as he watched, thoroughly amused.

"Alright, alright, knock it off," John said.

His men stopped, but they kept Frank and Jesse contained. John tsked at them, walking over and kneeling in front of Frank, who had been forced to his knees.

"You had your chance," John whispered. "You could've just left. Now I feel I need to make every single one of your family atone. You put them in this situation, Frank. This is all on you. Now…will you do the right thing for once, and accept atonement?"

John watched him closely, reading him like a book. He saw the old farmer's eyes go to his wife and kids. He watched his eyes fall to the shotgun just inches from his knee on the ground. His eyes came back to meet John's deep blue eyes. The Baptist's smile grew more sinister.

"Yes," Frank whispered.

"I love that answer," John purred, patting Frank on the head.

He stood to his full height, nodding to his followers. They let the old farmer go. The followers that held Jesse, Frank's wife, daughter, and youngest son didn't budge. As John turned around, he heard it, felt it, just as he had expected it. Frank grabbed the shotgun with a wild cry. His followers cracked a boot to his skull, and wrestled the shotgun from his hands. His family cried out again.

"Oh Frank, you disappoint me," John chastised, turning back to the old farmer. He grinned, kneeling next to him once more. "Pride…that's what you are. And because you cannot swallow it, you are not worthy of atonement…you are not worthy of the Father's sanctuary or his word of salvation. Let's hope your family can swallow theirs…"

Frank didn't see it until it was too late. John slashed the knife across the old farmer's throat. John held him steady, glaring him down with a smirk as he gurgled and bled out. The women cried out behind him, louder than they had been before. John let Frank go, and his body slumped over.

He stood up, flicking the warm blood from his hands. He handed the knife to one of his followers to clean and nodded at them. "You know what to do with him."

"Yes, Brother John."

"I'm…gonna kill you, you bastard!" Jesse cried out, trying to fight his captors. Tears streamed down his face as he gawked at his father's dead body.

"Jesse, shut up!" his mother cried.

John took the towel that was handed to him from a follower. He wiped the blood from his hands, shaking his head. "Such drama! Frank did this to all of you. I gave you so many chances to leave, it's not even fucking funny. Don't worry, the rest of you will be fine…so long as you atone of course. Take them away. Bring me the youngest boy."

"NO!" Jesse yelled out, frantic.

The teenager was beat down until he was knocked out, before his body was hauled off with his fighting sister and mother. The young boy was dragged over to John, crying and reaching out for his mother and sister as they were forced into the convoy trucks.

"You four, take this one to Joseph. Make sure he gets there safely," John said. "If my brother comes back and tells me that he arrived in less than perfect condition, there will be consequences."

"Yes, Brother John."

It was just about dark now. John walked back to his convoy truck and got in. He watched as the four followers took the young boy into the last convoy truck and went off on their own way. Lowering his eyes, John sighed. The truck carrying the remaining Dappers left on its own way as well, leaving three trucks.

His men returned to his truck, the driver getting in and starting the engine. He looked to the cult lawyer, turning the headlights on.

"Where to, Brother John?"

"Take me to my ranch," he answered simply.

He nodded and took off, another truck following behind them. It left only one truck behind at the Dapper farm. They would tie the body up for display and then take everything useful they could find off the property. It wasn't the first time they done it…far from it.

The men in John's truck were quiet as they drove along the dark roads, only the whispering of the cult radio shifting through the truck. John kept to his own thoughts until his radio went off.

"Brother John, Brother John!"

John inwardly growled, hoping it wasn't something he would have to end up dealing with. He felt like sitting at home for once. He picked the radio up from off the dashboard and put it up to his lips.

"What is it?"

"You aren't going to believe this."

He glanced to his driver, their eyes meeting momentarily. "Try me."

"Sunrise Farm…it's been taken back by the Resistance. And they took everything! The food and supplies are gone!"

This caught his attention, as well as the other cultists in the truck. He swallowed rising agitation, his fingers grinding into the walky-talky a little harder. "The alarm didn't go off?"

"Wires were cut. Found out that the little takeover was led by that junior deputy that's been going around causing mayhem…the one who killed Sister Faith."

John paused, as if making sure he heard the follower correctly. Soon, a smile spread onto his face and he lightly chuckled, much to the surprise of his fellow truck passengers. "Oh, really?"

"W-what…do you want us t-to do?" the follower stammered on the other end.

"Find the food and supplies of course. I'm sure they left a trail. Take the farm back over. If you find any leads on "little miss hero" you contact me."

"Yes, sir."

He should have been pissed about the food and supplies. And really, John was, but what overtook him instead was a sense of giddy joy. He wasn't expecting the deputy to start causing trouble so soon after the mess she left in Henbane River. With her in his region, she would become his responsibility, his purpose to fulfill for Joseph. It was something he could do to prove that he wasn't straying…that he was still on the path. He was trusted to handle this, and would do it. He wouldn't give Jacob the satisfaction of getting the deputy himself.

Keep on causing trouble, little miss deputy. I'll find you soon enough. John smirked.


A/N: And there's Chapter 2! Might see some skips in the timeline to come, but not much. I got so much planned for this story, I can't even keep it straight xD I will get it figured out though, don't you worry! Thanks to those who have started following/favorite this story! Thanks for reading and reviewing! :)