Chapter seven – Bait
I was put back in my cell with the crappy bed, it made me want to go back to the ranch so I could sleep in the comfy bed with the amazing sheets. I was aware that John spoiled me, giving me those luxurious things which made my stay comfortable at his house. The only difference this time was that the peggies didn't lock my cell, I could roam around if I wanted to. John made it clear the control room and the armory were strictly forbidden and if I dared to enter one of those rooms he'd punish me. That was okay though, I had no intention to sneak around in either one of those rooms. I was sitting on my bed, being given the book of Joseph to entertain myself. It was torture. I was bored out of my mind and starting a conversation with the peggies who were patrolling outside my cell was a lost cause. I got to my feet and walked to the guy who was about to pass my cell.
"Is John around?"
The guy narrowed his eyes at me, holding his weapon in front of him to warn me, "He's in his office."
"He has an office in here?" When the guy was about to continue his route I stopped him again, "Where is his office exactly?" I asked.
He gave me directions despite the suspicious looks he threw my way. He wanted to distrust me but was conflicted about his feelings since news about me being part of Eden's Gate spread like wildfire. It was entertaining to see a rainbow of emotions spread across his eyes, but I rather talk to John. I made my way to John's office, standing before it as I tried to come up with an excuse to see him. I stood in front of the metal door for what felt like ten or fifteen minutes when the door opened and John leaned against the doorpost.
"Have you made up your mind yet?"
I glanced up noticing the cameras, he had eyes everywhere so it wasn't odd that he knew I was standing in front of his office having doubts about my decision to see him.
John smirked, apparently he knew what I was thinking, "They told me you were heading my way."
I stared at him, he seemed to be in a good mood today. Three days ago he was angry and scary and he went straight to the confession room better known as the torture room. I didn't question him, it was clear what he'd do to relieve some of that anger. Screams which echoed through the bunker couldn't be unheard. He could be as sadistic as he could be charming. The question was which side of him was the real John.
"Can I enter?" I asked, my eyes trailing over his shoulder to his office.
He pushed the door open and stepped aside. I assumed that was him inviting me in so I walked past him, entering his office. He had bookcases behind his desk, filled with several thick books with fancy looking spines. My heart skipped a beat when I heard the door close behind me. John's footsteps echoed through the office as he made his way to his chair and sat down.
"Have you studied the book of Joseph?" He asked.
I could hear a smile in his voice, it was for his own amusement that they only handed me the stupid book of his brother to entertain myself with. I did flip through it since I had nothing else to do and I'd admit that there were parts that I agreed with, but now the drugs wore off I wasn't charmed by it. It could also be that I was mostly charmed by it all due to John and his smooth voice. I bit my lip, slowly approaching his desk and taking a seat in the chair before it.
"I flipped through it," I admitted to him.
His blue eyes glimmered, "That won't do, Gabriella. You really need to commit, embrace the words into your heart. Only then you'll see the importance of the project."
I leaned back in my chair, bouncing my leg as I scanned the office. I was restless and I knew it was because I hadn't touched the drugged water for three days straight. I missed the feeling of floating, feeling at peace in my mind. Holly was clear about the bliss though, it was dangerous shit and I should stay clear of it.
"When can we go back to the ranch?" I asked.
Mentioning the Seed ranch made all humor leave his eyes. He clenched his jaw, trying to control his anger which was now burning in his blue eyes.
"The resistance has been trying to overtake it. They haven't succeeded, but Jacob made it clear I should stay away from the ranch for a while. So we'll be staying in the bunker for a while."
"Do they believe I'm at the ranch?" I asked.
"It appears so, deputy Hudson has been seen amongst them and she made it clear she's taking you back. Their actions are always so predictable." The chuckle which followed was ominous, echoing through the small office, "It won't be long before their spirit is crushed again and they'll hide out in that seedy bar of theirs."
"But it might take a while before they give up," I concluded.
"A few days. So you might as well try and get comfortable." He laced his fingers together, resting his elbows on his desk as he viewed me with calm blue eyes. He found peace again, he didn't even need to pay a visit to his torture chamber to get rid of it, "Pray and read the book of Joseph in the meantime."
"I'm done with the book of Joseph." I told him firmly, "You pray and read it if you're so obsessed with it." He raised an eyebrow at me at hearing the anger in my voice, "If you want your ranch back you shouldn't be hiding in this bunker, you'd be doing the same thing as them. You need to take action."
"Careful, Gabriella. One might think you're an unbeliever."
"Do you want your home back or not?" I asked him, getting to my feet and slamming my hands on his desk which made him chuckle, "You have what they want. Me. So why not use me to get what you want?"
He rolled his chair back, settling back in it while he rested his elbows on the armrests of his chair. He tilted his head to the side, his eyes scanning my face, "You always show initiative when it matters." He grinned at me, "I'm all ears, so do share your plan and maybe we'll go back home much sooner than planned."
I sat back down, guilt washing over me as I realized what I just did because I was sick and tired of sitting in my cell with nothing better to do. I didn't deserve the kindness of people I hadn't even met yet. It was probably because deputy Hudson couldn't sleep at night knowing I let her run while John had me in his torture chamber. I'd feel the same way as her, all I needed to do was make clear to her and her friends that I was part of Eden's Gate by choice. Hopefully, she'd accept it.
"The way I see it we have two options. We either use me as bait to lure them to the ranch to capture them or we send out another video message where I make clear to them that I am part of Eden's Gate by choice."
"They wouldn't buy that even if it's the truth." John brushed the peaceful approach off without even considering it, "Their hatred for the project runs so deep they don't accept anything else as the truth." He grabbed his radio, "Jacob might be able to work with your first suggestion." He pressed a button on his radio and spoke to his brother about our plan.
I wished he chose the second option but he didn't think it had a chance of succeeding and maybe he was right. I wouldn't trust the video either since it was more or less what Eden's Gate did to send out bullshit messages to brainwash people. The resistance wouldn't bother with it. While John spoke to his brother I trailed my eyes over the paperwork he had been going through. I noticed the same mistake he made on a contract in his office at the ranch the other day. He signed his name John D and scratched the D and then continued with Seed. It was a mistake he made often so it was a habit of his which he couldn't shake off. The scratched out D looked angry, it was something which annoyed him and he expressed it. John must have noticed me being nosy because he covered up the contract, reached across the desk and placed his finger under my chin to lift it up. His eyes warned me.
"We'll see you soon, brother." He then put his radio away and got to his feet, he walked around his desk and grabbed my arm, forcing me to stand up, "You should head back to your room, Jacob is on his way to the bunker. We'll get you when it's time to proceed with your plan." He made it a point to emphasize that it was my plan, he probably enjoyed that I betrayed the people who were trying to help me.
I had no choice to leave, John guided me back to my cell which he referred to as my room. It wasn't though, there was no privacy and it was so small it only fits in a bed. I sat down on the bed and glared at John who tossed me my copy of the book of Joseph.
"Get back to your reading."
I wanted to throw the book at his head but I gripped the edge of my bed tightly to make myself stay put.
"Top of your class, completing the program without any effort." John summarized my list of achievements from the file he had on me, "Yet only today you've shown me that side of you. It's quite dark, isn't it?"
In my head, I was hitting him with the book of Joseph, helping him commit it to heart by forcing it down his throat. I shook my head, trying to get rid of the violence which boiled within me.
"You're so easy to see through, you know that?" He asked me, stepping closer and placing his hand on the back of my head, "When this is over I might take you to my personal confession room again. I feel like you have a few things to confess to me."
He then released me and walked out of the cell, leaving me to it. I stared down at the white covered book, brushing my fingers over the symbol of Eden's Gate. If only I didn't accept this case to get acknowledged for my job, my pride is what got me here. My greed is what made me betray good people. I shouldn't fight it, confession with John is what I deserved.
A chosen guided me to John's office, whenever Jacob was around I had no freedom at all. I really got on his bad side when he caught me stabbing John. The Baptist himself was over it, he didn't hold it against me yet his older brother wasn't so forgiven. He liked to remind me of his power, liked to show me what would happen if I made the wrong move. His intimidation tactics were working because every time he was around I felt anxious and felt the need to hide.
"Ah, there you are." John stood in front of his desk, his ankles crossed while he had his arms folded across his chest, "Take a seat." He nodded to the chair right in front of him.
I didn't have to scan the room to know Jacob was standing beside the door, his eyes piercing my back. Swallowing the nerves I sat down in the chair, keeping my gaze on John.
"You think you're capable of acting like bait in this scenario?" Jacob spoke quietly yet it didn't make him less intimidating, "I have my doubts."
I glanced over my shoulder, meeting his clear blue eyes, "I'd do it if it means I can get out of here." I tore my gaze away keeping the words of dying of boredom due to reading the book of Joseph all day long to myself.
John chuckled when I looked up to meet his gaze I could tell he knew what I was thinking. The man always knew how people would react and what they'd do. He was good at reading people which were a skill which helped him out in his career as a lawyer. It made him dangerous as a Herald.
"If we're going through with this I need your cooperation." Jacob moved to me and held up a pair of cuffs in front of me, "If you even think about crossing us I'll hunt you down and make you regret breaking our trust."
I looked at John who didn't speak up at all, he merely viewed the situation. When it came to his brothers John rarely spoke up to them. I noticed that he didn't feel uncomfortable around Jacob though. When he was around Joseph his personality changed entirely, he kept more to himself. Trailing my eyes to Jacob I held my hands up. The man didn't hesitate to cuff me and then grabbed my arm, pulling me up.
"We'll move to the ranch with John's convoy. My hunters will surround the ranch when the resistance makes their move they'll head in." Fear washed over me, the gleam in Jacob's eyes told me he felt me tense up, "We won't kill them, they'll get captured because that's what Joseph wants."
"All I have to do is look like a prisoner?" I asked.
"Make it believable." Jacob then released my arm and stepped back, nodding to the chosen who had guided me to John's office, "We're heading out, prepare yourself."
The chosen guided me out of the bunker, I heard footsteps behind me so I knew John and Jacob were right on our trail. It was intimidating to see John's convoy parked in front of the bunker. The heavily armed peggies all looked our way. Jacob stepped forward, his hands folded behind his back as he briefed John's men. He paced back and forth, glancing at each one of them as he gave orders.
"Your first priority will be John's safety." Jacob stated loud and clear, "If the mission fails you'll focus on getting John out of there and bring him back to the bunker."
It was clear he wanted his brother safe, nothing else mattered. I didn't matter. It was clear then and it made me anxious. I could die tonight and no one would care. I felt a hand on my shoulder, John's cologne wrapping around me as he leaned in close.
"We won't fail." He sounded confident about it, "Jacob is good at what he does."
I didn't doubt that, but the anxious feeling is something I couldn't shake off. John placed his hand on my lower back and moved me to the awaiting truck. He held the door open while I climbed inside, he climbed in after me and closed the door. I inhaled deeply when he held up a blindfold, it got him all excited to see me so helpless.
"Do you trust me?"
Oddly enough I did, I didn't fear John as much as I should.
"I do."
Chuckling he reached for me, putting the blindfold on, "We're taking a detour, Jacob wants to make sure the resistance gets word of the move."
"Then why am I already blindfolded?" I asked him, turning my head in the direction of his voice.
"Because it's fun." He leaned in, I could feel his lips at my ear which made me tremble, "Are you now wishing you could be back in your room getting familiar with the words of the father?"
Leaning in I could hear him inhale sharply, "I'll take being cuffed and blindfolded." I felt my nose brush against the side of his cheek so I was getting closer to his ear, "It's very exciting, isn't it?" I whispered.
I gasped when I felt John's hand on my lower back and pull me closer to him. My front was pressed against his side I then felt his lips brush against my jaw and slowly trail up. My head moved, there were chosen sitting in the driver's seat and the passenger seat, this was highly inappropriate. I knew I started it by teasing him but I didn't mean to take it this far.
"It's not so fun now, is it?" He whispered.
I felt his hand trail down to my side and brush against my thigh, "John." I whispered, hoping he got the warning and the chosen didn't catch what we were doing.
He chuckled, pulling away from me and letting me settle in my seat again. He was definitely having a lot more fun than me. Maybe it wasn't so bad reading that stupid book over and over again. A little less excitement would be good.
We took the long way over to the Seed ranch, the drive took a while and the peggies were restless over the radio. Anxious about the vans which had been spotted, the resistance was on the move. Jacob was in a chopper a little away from the convoy, he kept everyone calm by giving orders without sounding worried. They were weak and we were strong is what he repeated. I was restless much like the men who were armed to protect us.
"They're making their move." John told me, "Just like you predicted." The smile clear in his voice, "Now we just need them to close in on us so Jacob's hunters can move in to capture them."
The car slowed down which meant that we were probably at the ranch. A door opened and I felt someone tuck on my arm, the grip was so tight it hurt so I tried to pull back.
"Get out of the truck, marshal," John ordered.
He did it on purpose. I realized then that I needed to trust him, he was provoking me to get the reaction he needed out of me.
"No!" I kicked which made him laugh and grab the front of my shirt
"This is not the right time to play." He helped me out of the truck and grabbed my chin, "Don't worry, there will be plenty of time to play around in the confession room later."
Jacob's voice was heard over the radio, "They're making their move, get ready."
John grabbed my wrist and spun me around, pushing me up against the truck. It knocked the air out of me but as he stood closer I realized he was shielding me. Jacob would do anything in his power to keep his little brother safe so if that meant John was shielding me it also meant that I'd be safe. Knowing that and knowing how it felt to be touched by this man made my blood boil. I wasn't supposed to feel this way about this guy, wasn't lust a sin?
"Head to the ranch, slowly," Jacob ordered.
John trailed his hand up and gripped my arm, dragging me with him to the ranch. He took his sweet time but that was the plan. As we walked up the steps loud bangs were heard around us, the sounds of gunshots. Then yelling and people throwing orders back and forth. The resistance was here.
"She's with that son of a bitch!" I recognized that voice, it was the deputy.
"If it isn't deputy Hudson." John turned so I turned, his grip on my arm tightening, "Are you ready to come back and confess your sins?" He asked, "The marshal and I are getting to know each other quite well." He pulled me to him and ran his hand over my head, the grip on my arm so tight it made me whimper, "It's liberating to let go of your sins, isn't that right, marshal?"
"Let go of her, you sick fuck!" She ordered I heard the safety of a gun being pulled back which meant the deputy was probably threatening John now, "Move away from her, slowly." The deputy ordered.
John laughed, probably stalling time so Jacob and his hunters had time to move in and capture those who were surrounding the ranch.
"My, my, you haven't lost your fight yet. If only the marshal hadn't come between us we would have had more time together to make you believe in the project and see the truth in the words of the father."
"You need to accept that we'll never believe in anything that fucking psychopath says!"
John released me, "I'll take off her cuffs, then I'll move away."
"Don't you move!" Hudson warned him.
"Relax, deputy, I'll only make things easier for you." He moved behind me and released me from my cuffs, I then felt his fingers brush against my hair, he took my blindfold off and stepped back, "You're free, marshal." I could hear the amusement in his voice. He was enjoying this a little too much.
I moved slowly to Hudson standing at her side, "You okay, marshal?" She asked.
"Yeah, I'm good." I breathed.
Deputy Hudson was pointing a shotgun at John's head and she looked ready to pull the trigger. She was angry, a deep hatred for the man wanting her to get this over with. She had no idea what they'd do to her if she did pull that trigger. Jacob and Joseph would show her no mercy. She was better off captured than killing John Seed. Footsteps coming closer made her lower her guard.
"What's that?" She asked.
Jacob's hunters were in the house, closing in on us.
"Your people still not giving up?" Hudson spat at him, "Let's just get this over-"
I grabbed the gun strapped to her side and pointed it at her, it surprised her so much she lowered her guard and regarded me with disbelief. She screamed out in pain when an arrow pierced right through her thigh making her stumble forward. I kicked the shotgun towards John, keeping the gun pointed at her head.
"Are you fucking serious, marshal?!" Tears were streaming down her cheeks, "You're making a mistake. Everything they're telling you is a lie!" She breathed in deeply, "They're messing with your head. Did you have too much bliss to separate the truth from lies?!"
I did consume a bit too much bliss water, that wasn't a lie. But I didn't feel different.
"Hush now, deputy Hudson." John placed his hand on my shoulder, "You shouldn't have come back here. You see, Jacob is going to take you all in and then the father will decide if you need to walk the pilgrimage or if it's best to be handed over to Jacob." He lowered himself and grabbed her face in his hand, making her look him in the eyes, "To be blessed or culled, those are your options now."
Hudson shifted her teary gaze to me, "Marshal." She begged.
It made me lower my gun, my heart squeezing tightly with guilt. I didn't have time to respond, the hunters collected her and dragged her out of the house only her blood was left. I gasped when John wrapped his hand around the gun and took it from me.
"You've done good, Gabriella." His voice gentle, my heart skipping a beat when his lips pressed against my temple, "The father will be proud of you."
He let go of me and walked away, probably meeting up with his brother. I couldn't move though, my body was frozen as I stared at Hudson's blood on the floor. I couldn't help but think I made the wrong choice.
