When she woke up, the sun barely began to rise over the horizon. The birds were just awakening, but their joyful singing was already heard. The woman sighed quietly, falling over to the other side, not having much desire to get up at such an early hour. She tried to fall asleep again, but it was for nothing. Hudson's and John's faces hit her memory again, causing Irina to get out of bed, cursing under her breath. She rubbed her face with her hand, blinking rapidly, wanting to revive herself. She dressed her trousers, still soaked in dried blood in some places and pulled from the wardrobe the first shirt that she was able to find. A tiger's skull pierced by a spear? Why not. In any case, Irina never was that kind of woman who stood in front of the wardrobe for half an hour, wondering what to wear.
She looked at herself in the mirror, quickly improving the arrangement of unruly hair. Her face, although still pulsing with fatigue, looked a little better. The girl stroked the golden dragon earpiece onn her right earlobe, then slowly descended the stairs. To her surprise, in the bar there were probably all the residents of Fall's End, gathered in front of the TV screen.
- Oh, you're just in time. John send a message to everyone in the Valley. It should interest you. - Mary May pointed to the screen. Irina came closer and stood a bit behind her friend of years of carefree youth, carefully staring at the TV set. John Seed made his speech. Freedom from sin. Mhm, sure. Irina was not really interested in this stupid bullshittery, at least until Hudson appeared on the screen, with tape on her lips and tears streaming down her beaten face. Carter clenched her fists, but said nothing. The message ended and people slowly began to leave. Only Mary remained in the bar and sighed heavily.
- You know, Dep... I have a feeling that this message was meant to be sent to you. Personally. - May put a glass of whiskey in front of a woman, in the other hand holding an open bottle of beer and drinking it cautiously.
- He didn't say my name even once, so I don't really think so. He was just staring right at the camera, but that is not surprising. - She murmured in response, enjoying the taste of her favorite alcohol. Faigrave chuckled lightly.
- You see, but you do not observe. - She sighed again, seeing Carter's questioning look, apparently not understanding the words of the barmaid. - Have you seen how they made that place? There were flowers and other decorations, that is, they prepared it carefully. The shots were taken from various sides, so there was a whole damn film crew there. So how do you think, how many times did they shoot this? It certainly didn't work out the first time, it never does. John is probably an idealist, so if he noticed any mistake or understatement, he told them to start all over again. He devoted a lot of his time to this. He wouldn't do it without a reason. He certainly planned the speech carefully as well, each word must have meaning and value. And he certainly wants to get to you. After what you said yesterday, I have no doubt about it and Pastor probably thinks the same. John would not waste precious time trying to get to people in the Valley while you're somewhere in the region, trust me. This whole message was sent to you. He is counting on you to go against him again.
Deputy shuddered. She didn't wanted to think about John at this moment, she wanted to bury herself in some bunker deep underground, away from the rest of the world. But she couldn't do it. Not when Pratt and Whitehorse were somewhere in this accursed county. Hudson, of course, needed help as well, but Carter was mainly interested in the other two. Whitehorse was a mentor to her, almost a father. Pratt, in turn, was a good friend. Joey... She just existed. But that didn't mean that Irina was going to leave her behind, no. John would kill her, sooner or later and said that it was God's will, or something like that. Joseph wouldn't be probably bothered by it, too.
- I know. - She sighed, squeezing an empty glass in her hand. - And although I totally don't want it, sooner or later it will happen. The thing is, I doubt I would be able to return after another confrontation with him. I will not be surprised if I stay in this bunker for the rest of my life, to his big amusement. I can try to fight with him, but I can't run. I've got his full attention and he will do anything to stop me. And I'm so fucking scared, May.
- I know. I know how- I know what he is. - Mary murmured in response, remembering her own meetings with John Seed. Not a single one was pleasant in any way. - But remember. Whatever you want, whatever you need, we will give you if we can. Fall's End is your home. If you will need something from the general store, like weapons or ammo, I will make sure that Mike will give you anything. Because if we won't try to fight with the cult, they will crush us.
- Fine. But I still need a plan, I can't get into John's bunker just like that, banging on drums and shouting "release Hudson or die." - Irina looked out the window, hearing the sounds of the passing car and immediately sharpening her vigilance. As it turned out, however, it was just an ordinary car not belonging to the Eden's Gate.
- We will think about something. I think that at this moment the best you can do is see what you can do for people in the Valley. You can also take another risk and see what's happening alongside the Henbane, or try to carefully investigate Jacob's actions. We have heard that he is doing some kind of fucked up psychological experiments, but I don't know what exactly is going on. - Barmaid took a bottle of whiskey and poured another portion of the drink into the Irina's empty glass. Deputy couldn't hold her smile.
- I'm about to find out, then. Though I probably shouldn't be so curious... Are you trying to get me drunk? - She chuckled, but gladly brought now filled glass to her lips. - It won't help me in trying not to get caught.
- Yeah, true. But it will help you feel better.
And suddenly there was a familiar noise made by radio in the bar, that was held behind the counter. Mary pulled it out and put it between her and Irina. After a moment on the other side they could hear the screams, the shooting sounds and the man's voice.
"Hello? Fall's End? This is Nick Rye! Damn Peggies have come to my area! John fucking Seed is with them! They're trying to break into my hangar and take Carmina! If you can, send someone to help!"
- I'm gonna go help him. Hold on, Nick!
"Yeah, whatever! Just get in here fast... Whoever you are!"
The signal was interrupted, so Irina quickly got up and moved to the exit from the bar, throwing Mary another look.
- I have to get there quickly. Is there a car here that I can take? And weapons? - She asked hurriedly. Fairgrave threw her keys in her direction. - Take mine. Black Ford, next to the church. There is a weapon and ammo inside. Just don't get killed.
- I won't. But I hope to get someone else killed.
When she arrived in less than ten minutes, she felt like she had just visited hell. Dozens members of Eden's Gate were running around the Rye's estate. Nick, armed with only a rifle tried to resist their attacks. Near the hangar two barrels were burning, and Irina was sure that they would explode at any moment. The sounds of shooting, the screams and barking of the dog created a nightmarish musical performance.
- Hey! Get over here! - Nick shouted, pointing to the front door to his house. - My pregnant wife is inside, don't let those fuckers get to her!
Carter nodded and hurried toward the house, where two men were already standing and trying to break the door and enter the house. Irina raised her rifle and began firing. At first she felt strange and shuddered. She didn't have a weapon in her hands for several years, so accuracy wasn't her sin for sure, at least not at the beginning. Nevertheless, the element of surprise did its own and the two intruders soon fell to the ground, drowning in their own blood. Suddenly, in front of her, something that looked like a gray-black stain ran with incredible speed. And in addition it was barking. The woman looked to the left, seeing the dog rushing toward Peggies, throwing himself at one of them and thrusting his jaw into the throat, with a few jerks of his head turning this part of man's body into a bleeding, torn slush.
- Yeah! Go get them Boomer! - Rye said with satisfaction, but soon his mood broke down again. And no wonder - from a hangar marked with the name "Rye & Son's Aviation" a yellow, small plane was brought, which was quickly picked up by no one else like John Seed. Irina looked at him, stopping at the edge of the runway just a few meters from the Baptist. He apparently noticed her, because he looked straight in her direction, then quickly took off.
- Damn it! Hey, young one, help me get rid of the rest of Peggies, we need to get this plane back!
Irina took refuge behind a stack of boxes and metal parts probably pulled out of the workshop nearby, then quickly began firing towards the intruders. The dog, which with surprising speed eliminated his targets and at the same time avoided shots proved to be extremely useful and effective. Carter replaced the magazine in her rifle once again, struggling for a moment with the mechanism. She swore under her breath. Lack of contact with the weapon for quite a long period of time did its work, which made the woman feel like a goddamn novice. She knew that if she came out of it alive, she would have to renew her knowledge and skills, otherwise she had absolutely no chances in fighting the armed cult that was in the whole county.
Finally, all Peggies have been eliminated. One who survived escaped to the forest, hobbling and leaving his weapon behind him. Well, apparently not everyone was so fanatically devoted to Joseph and the whole project. Irina breathed heavily, wiping sweat from her forehead and walked over to the property owner. Ash, blood and gunpowder were in the air.
- Thanks for the help. It would be hard for me to deal with all this without you. I'm Nick, but you probably already know that. - He said and offered her a fist-bump. Deputy accepted it and smiled gently.
- Irina. Irina Carter. Younger friend from the yard. - She said cheerfully, scratching behind the ear the dog who came to her, messing her pants with saliva dripping from his mouth. It didn't bother her, however.
- ...Irina? The same that ran around the Valley together with Mary May? And then she tried to get my Kim into it as well? - He asked in disbelief, pulling the sunglasses from his nose, as if he wanted to look more closely at the woman.
- The one and only. It's good to see you. And congratulations, by the way. I always thought that you and Kim would get married someday. - Rookie admitted, sighing heavily and looked up in the sky. - We should go and get your plane back. I saw that John flew away in it.
- Yeah. That bastard has been trying to convince us to join this whole cult for over a year now. I had refused him about five times, so he apparently lost his patience and decided to deprive us of the possibility of escaping from the county. I was going to take Kim and get away from here before it gets really hot. John probably expected that. Carmina is probably already at his ranch, which is guarded better than the misers' wallet. - He explained reluctantly, casting a sad glance at the open and gaping emptiness of the hangar, in which his family's pride had been standing until recently.
- It's already hot right now. In a way, it's my fault. My return to Hope County has been associated with a number of disasters, and John will probably do everything to try and get me. - She explained, stroking Boomer's head, then checking the magazine in her rifle. - Damn it, I don't have any ammo anymore, and I won't go there without a weapon. Do you have something? With a silencer perhaps, I want to go there quietly.
- You mean "we will go there quietly"? - Nick sked with uncertainty, squeezing harder the weapon held in his hands.
- No, Nick. If you have a wife now and from what I heard also a child in the near future, you can't take a risk that something would happen to you. And you certainly shouldn't leave Kim alone. - She replied, not going to negotiate in that matter. She wouldn't forgive herself if anything happened to Nick during the mission. Kim's reaction would probably be far from positive as well. Irina imagined that she would reunite with her old friends in a much different way.
- Alright. But if something bad happens, you just get your ass from there, you hear me? Carmina has a great value to me, but I won't risk your life to get her back. I will find another way, sooner or later. Just... Be careful. - He said, motioning his hand towards the warehouse. Irina walked behind him and chuckled sadly.
- Don't worry, it's gonna be fine. I can take care of myself.
Oh, how wrong she was.
Nick was right. John's gigantic house was heavily guarded by about two dozen Peggies, who probably wouldn't have thought long before firing a shot if any of them saw the intruder. It was only now that Irina realised that she found herself in great danger. As if that was not enough, she intended to go straight into the dragon's den. To get to the hangar, which was on the other side of the ranch, she had to show exceptional caution and intuition. One mistake and everything would went for nothing, probably including her life as well.
She decided to circle the ranch from the left side. In this way she would certainly not have get to her goal faster, but it would was safer way. However, she had to avoid snipers on the roof, who surely had binoculars with them and looked for any threats in the sky or on the ground. Probably they expected someone to try to get the plane back. But did they expected only one person who would undertake an almost suicidal mission? It was hard to tell. Deputy walked cautiously, on slightly bent legs, hiding behind a line of trees and shrubs and observing the surroundings. It was possible that patrols went through the forest from time to time. It was known that John's place of residence was exceptionally well protected. The Project couldn't afford to lose one of its heralds. Irina had only one advantage over them and it was her experience in silent approaching to the target. She was never good at loud attacks full of explosions and chaos. She preferred to act quietly, patiently but effectively. Although she never stood before such a difficult task as now. Her heart beat extremely fast, which she couldn't control in any way. She felt the dryness in her throat and immediately start missing the alcohol, which took vigilance but gave courage instead. Well, nothing was for free, wasn't it?
When she finally managed to get to the other side of the ranch she began to walk along the wall of the house, surrounded by shrubs and stones, which made her task a bit easier. Nevertheless, she still had to avoid the six members of Eden's Gate, not raising any suspicions and make sure that she covered her tracks. She didn't saw dogs anywhere nearby, but who knows if Peggies didn't use them from time to time.
She held a pistol with a silencer in her right hand, and in the left a knife that she could stab someone with if she was forced to do so. But she didn't really wanted to kill anyone. Although her past was definitely not clean, Irina was not a fan of taking human lifes. Sometimes, however... There was simply no other choice. The woman held her breath and hid between the bushes, waiting for the two patrolling Peggies to calmly walk past her. All this seemed to last longer than it should have, which irritated and worried Carter. However, she had to wait. The mistakes were not acceptable this time.
In the end she managed to break through the patrols and finally stood in front of the hangar. The problem? It was an open area, and on the other side of the runway stood three men talking to each other. If they turned to her now, the whole mission would fail. Blonde haired woman took a deep breath. She wanted to get inside by one of the windows, but these were closed from the inside, while the attempt to break the glass would immediately alert everyone in the area. She had only one option and couldn't wait any longer. Pulling her finger closer to the trigger of the gun, she carefully opened the front door, slipping inwardly smoothly and closing it behind her. She looked around carefully. The hangar was quite dark and nobody was inside. Nick's plane stood in the middle and was in quite a good state. Now all that Rookie had to do was to open the hangar door and get on the plane as soon as possible, preparing for not a very pleasant take off. It was good that at least the vehicle was armed with a machine gun - it could definitely be extremely helpful.
Unfortunately, Irina wasn't able to check the effectiveness of the gun. She heard the rustling behind her and immediately turned in that direction, but the attacker was faster and managed to knock her gun out of her hand. Despite this, the woman managed to cut him with the knife held in the other hand. The wound on man's chest was not too serious but it quickly began to bleed, and the wounded snarled furiously and took a step back. At that moment, Deputy realized that she felt a strong smell of familiar cologne around her.
- YOU FUCKER. - She cursed and heard a dark chuckle. John jumped towards her again, with an agility and speed unusual for a lawyer dodging another blow and grabbing the woman's wrist and twisting it, forcing her to drop her knife. Irina gasped with pain, but managed to hit a man in the face with her free hand. John hissed and winced, then kicked the woman centrally in the stomach, sending her to the ground next to the plane which she was planning to escape in just a few moments ago.
- It was too easy! I thought I would have to wait longer for you, and meanwhile you came back to me the next day after your escape. You must have missed me too, apparently. - He said with a wide smile, then pressed her to the ground and sat on her abdomen, sore from the kick he welcomed her with. Irina moaned softly, feeling the weight of the man pressing exactly where the beautiful bruise had already begun to form. John grabbed her wrists and put them behind her head. She tried to struggle, but it was pointless - the man obly pressed his body harder, with all his weight, causing in another waves of pain. - Aaaaah. My little wraith. Still trying to fight...
- Get off me! - She hissed through clenched teeth, looking at him furiously. He looked so happy and proud of himself it only made her anger worse.
- Oh, come on, that's no fun. And you didn't confessed yet. Should I baptize you in holy water, my dear wraith? - He asked with amusement and mocking smile. She tried to free her hands from his grip, but that was another struggle that made no sense in her current situation.
- Stop treating me like your property. - She said furiously, looking at his smiling face. She wanted to hit him again, this time much harder. And with something that would have detached his head from his body.
- I see that you still don't understand. So let me explain your current situation. - He said in a calm, typical voice, leaning towards her face and stroking her left ear with his lips, then biting her earlobe until it started to bleed. - You belong to me. You're mine. And I can do anything with you.
- You're insane. - She whispered nervously, feeling her heart begin to beat even faster than before. John brazenly violated her private space at every opportunity and broke nearly all physical barriers. And he did it with pure premeditation. It amused him.
- And you're a sinner. So, we should go back to our conversation from yesterday, don't you think? - He said, then released her hands and quickly pulled a strange greenish powder out of the pocket of his coat, which he then approached to the woman's face. When she realized that it was Bliss, it was already too late. In a desperate attempt to stop the man Irina grabbed his wrist with one hand, the other touching his right hip, painfully piercing her fingers into his body. It was just a defensive reflex, completely unplanned. And again completely useless. John literally strew powder into her face. Her pupils had immediately blown to hell, after which the woman simply lost consciousness. Or at least... That's how she felt.
