This is the proofread version, the next chapters will also be corrected :) Again, chodofaggins you make me so happy! Thanks for the support!
Chapter 3
Emily
You smelled horrendously by now and were actually quite happy to ditch your uniform and change into fresh clothes. Okay, fresh seemed to be an overstatement, most of them were used and dirty but still, it felt good to change. You picked the only fitting clothes: a pair of washed-out dirty blue jeans, a tank top, and a red flannel shirt to keep you warm. You thought about getting a jacket as well, but you could pick that up later before you'd leave this-you guessed from the looks and privacy of it-underground bunker. Since you weren't sure if you could take a shower here or comb your hair either-you didn't think this stranger had a comb or so since he was bald-you improvised a messy bun-ish like hairstyle, if one could consider it that. But your looks weren't really your problem at that point.
You heard the stranger who saved you talking in a room somewhere across the hall, but you were too nosy to just simply approach him. Instead, you started looking around his place.
It was simple but stacked with lots of useful and more than necessary things. Apparently he was a prepper, and by the look of it a damn good one, too. He had set this place up quite nicely. He had put you in, you guessed, his bedroom, and across from it was a little infirmary with two beds and enough equipment to treat even bigger wounds. Next to his bedroom was…a guestroom? There were two bunk beds in it. You guessed this room was intended for Robbie, Anne, and Ricky, based on the letter you just read. Robbie was his son, Anne must have been Robbies wife, and Ricky their son. You hoped that they never visited, because if they had… Nothing here indicated someone else was currently living with this man. You shook your head not wanting to think about it any more. It was none of your business.
The next room was locked. Woah…Damnit. It was stocked with guns, rifles… He really was prepared for everything. You hoped that he would give you a gun before you had to leave. Having snooped around this part of the hallway, you entered the ongoing hallway turning right. There were shelves filled with food, and at the end of it must have been the exit. But the room facing you caught your attention, not only because this stranger was inside but because of all the maps and information it contained.
He had a huge map of Hope County, with notes attached to it, and a board to your left. You would have called it the P.E.G. board since each all four members of the cult plus their background information was attached to it. You had to briefly read through some notes…
'JOHN SEED - THE BAPTIST
Youngest of the Seed brothers and maybe the most sadistic.' Oh great. 'In charge of recruiting for the cult - MARKING, CLEANSING, CONFESSION, ATONEMENT… those are the four steps he puts everyone through to become a member of Eden's Gate - if they survive. John tells everyone to accept ''THE POWER OF YES'' as a way to get his followers to do whatever the fuck he wants. Grade A psychopath.'
Well, you would keep that in mind.
'JACOB SEED - THE SOLDIER
Oldest brother of the Seeds. In charge of TRAINING their militia up in the Whitetail Mountains.
Only thing he believes in is ''SACRIFICE THE WEAK.'' Seems to be running a few psychological experiments up north-all sorts of nightmare stories about people turning on one another at the drop of a hat… Has been linked to the creation of the monster wolves up north the cult calls JUDGES.'
Monster Wolves? Seriously?!
'FAITH - THE SIREN
Don't know how she's related-seems like she just showed up one day… She'll spin you a sob story, but Faith is a LIAR and a MANIPULATOR. She'll poison your mind with BLISS if you give her the chance. Anyone who goes wandering into the Henbane River winds up either dead or ''WALKING THE PATH'' to become one of those brain-dead ANGELS doing all the cult's hard labor.'
So drugs too...
And finally,
'JOSEPH SEED - THE FATHER
Leader of the Project at Eden's Gate. He believes a great ''COLLAPSE'' is coming and thinks of himself as a modern-day Noah. Thinks God speaks to him-told him to ''SAVE AS MANY SOULS AS HE CAN.'' Now that he's started ''THE REAPING,'' his followers are willing to die for him. He's had his people build three massive BUNKERS to protect themselves when his ''PROPHECY'' comes true… The guy is an absolute nutjob.'
You could only agree, seeing as your last encounter with Joseph couldn't have been worse. He did scare you, the way he had stared at you as if he could see something inside you but not really you. A piercing stare but blank at the same time… He creeped you out big time. And he seemed so sure, of everything. Like he really believed all his crap. That would be even more dangerous.
''Ready to work?'' The stranger addressed you, so you turned to face him. ''I didn't properly introduce myself back there. Most folks call me Dutch…''
You just nodded and replied, ''Emily…''
Dutch continued. ''I been trying to piece together what's happening up top. It ain't good. Little I can gather is that your partners are alive…for now.'' Not bad, considering…
''Seems they've been split up…each one handed off to a different member of Joseph's 'family.' You want 'em back, I get it-I got friends that been taken, too. Problem is, there ain't no help coming. Nobody knows what's going on here, and they won't know until it's too late. There's gotta be people out there willing to fight back against this cult. We just…we need to show 'em how… We need to build us a resistance. So the first thing we're gonna do is get control of this island. Once we get some breathing room, we can figure out whats coming next.''
A resistance? You knew you had to help these people, and even if you wanted to leave this whole mess you couldn't. This island Dutch positioned himself on was the center of this cult madness. You were surrounded, and, as Dutch previously pointed out, all roads leading out of here were closed. So if you wanted to ditch all of them, the people living here, your partners…you still had to get through one area controlled by the cult. You had to fight your way through this madness, so why not meanwhile help others defend and protect themselves? And you wanted your partners back.
''There's a gun and map in the safe over there. Take 'em. I'll give you a call on your radio once you get your bearings.''
You picked up what he had offered you and turned to leave. ''Be careful out there-it's crawlin' with Peggies. Those fuckers are willing to die for that psychopath that's leadin' em.''
And with that you headed out.
John
He was angry. They controlled almost everything in this goddamn area, but still she slipped away. Someone else had taken her. He needed to be smart about this. He knew everyone living here who hadn't joined them already was against them. And they had her. No chance she would come to him willingly after they had talked to her, that much he was sure of.
At least he knew who she was. Deputy Ronan, Nancy told him since Deputy Hudson was rather stubborn.
He once knew Deputy Ronan as Em'. She used to live in Hope County, Fall's End to be exact, but they left after her brother Thomas' death.
Thomas was his friend back in his school days. They used to stray around, discovered places and enjoyed their freedom. They were so young back then…
''We're ready.'' Everything was set up and they were ready to roll. John had a plan, to get to the young Deputy. He would show her that he could free her. From sin, all her burdens, and he wanted her to know that he would find her, that he had that power. He would broadcast a little advertisement for his cause, and sweet Deputy Hudson would play a part in it as well, to underlie it for Em.
''Let's start.''
''We are all sinners. Every one of us. You. Me. Even the Father knows deeply of sin. It's a poison that clouds our minds. What if I told you, you could be free from sin? What if I told you that everything you ever dreamed could come true? What if I told you that everything could be overcome if you embraced an idea: That freedom from sin can come from the power of just one word…" Enter Deputy Hudson. She looked desperate. This was perfect!
'' YES!'' The crowd around him watching cheered for him.
''Yes I am a sinner. Yes I wish to be unburdened. Yes… I must be redeemed.'' He made sure to be very close to her. John wanted Em to see her partners hopeless face. ''If you're watching this, know that you have been selected. You will be cleansed. You will confess your sins, and you will be offered atonement. Don't worry you don't have to do anything. We'll come for you. Welcome to Eden's Gate.''
Cut.
This went exactly as planned. He wondered how long it would take to find her and how they would meet again. Maybe he was wrong, and after this she might even come to him. He still needed to find her, and he still didn't know why she was so important to him.
Also I just realized my 'Thanks' to everyone who reviewed and commented is now gone... That does not mean I'm not grateful.
This is my first shared story ever and I'm so happy about all the reviews and followers :) You guys are so great!
Thank You so much!
