The New Dawn - The Collapse Begins
Authors Note:
Welcome to Chapter 1 of my fanfic It begins with the Collapse from Rook's POV, to Jess's .
Rook drove through the burning forest with his Deputies and the 'Captured' Joseph Seed with him. None of them could believe this was happening. The Collapse is Real, Joseph was right. These thoughts were pouring into Rook's head.
As Rook was driving Pratt, stood up from the backseat shaking Whitehorse's shoulder. "We're not gonna make it... We're not gonna make it!" Rook turned to him, putting a hand on him trying to push him away."Pratt, stop it!"Rook yelled.
Hudson's eyes widened and she pointed a finger "LOOK OUT, TREE!" Rook turned back to the road seeing a tree falling in front of them. His eyes widened. "OH SHIT!" He quickly turned the wheel but it was too late. The tree fell on the truck causing it to crash,Rook hit his face hard on the wheel falling unconscious.
Rook awoke from the impact, he looked up and saw the forest burning around him. Blood poured out of his mouth,but he just wiped it off. He turned to his partners, seeing Whitehorse's body half-way through the window,Hudson and Pratt laying in the backseat; they were most likely dead. Joseph Seed wasn't in the backseat, he was gone. Rook tried to get out of the truck,but his body felt so heavy that he could barely move at all. Just then he heard somebody whistling 'Amazing Grace' Rook turned to his door seeing it open, then a man grabbed him pulling him out of the truck and placing him on his shoulder. ; after he did Rook passed out. He was barely conscious as the man carried him through the island, he looked around to see they arrived at Dutch's Bunker. Rook passed out again.
Rook's eyes opened, he looked around and saw that his hands were cuffed to a bed. He looked up and saw Joseph standing in front of a radio, and Dutch's body lying right behind him. "No Dutch!" Rook said with tears beginning to run down his face. He looked up to Joseph with his face quickly turning to anger. "You son of a bitch. I'll kill you!" Rook yelled,struggling to get out of the cuffs.
Joseph ignored his scream and continued listening to the radio broadcast.
"Attention. Attention. This is the Emergency Broadcast System. Take shelter immediately. Take shelter immediately. This is not a drill. Repeat. This is not a drill." The radio said
Joseph turned off the radio,then turned to Rook. "You know what this means?" He asked him.
Rook looked up at him, like he couldn't believe who was standing before him. Joseph began to slowly walk towards him, only needing to take a couple of steps to cross the small space the room provided.
"It means the politicians have been silenced," Joseph answered as he walked, "It means the corporations have been erased. It means the world has been cleansed by God's righteous fire."
Joseph stopped then raised his arms to the ceiling, as if waiting for the destruction above ground to come and embrace him. Rook sat, silent. Joseph lowered his arms and made the last few steps until he was standing right in front of the Deputy ."But most of all," Joseph said as he sat down in a chair next to the bedside, leaning in closer to him. "It means I was right. The Collapse has come."
The last line came out as a whisper, loud in the near silent room. A look of understanding, then horror, began to appear on Rook's face. Thoughts began raging through his head. Joseph Seed was right all along. Everything I fought for was for nothing. What have I done? So many are going to die now because of me.
"The world as we know it… is over. I waited so long… I waited so long for the prophecy God whispered in my ear to be fulfilled."Joseph continued then leaned closer to Rook, holding his hands out.
"I prepared my family for this moment," Joseph continued as he raised his hands towards Rook, who tried to move away from him. Joseph lowered his arms and leaned in even closer.
"And you took them from me." Anger quickly took over Joseph as he leaned even closer to Rook until their faces nearly touched each other. "I should kill you for what you've done,"Joseph growled.
Rook tried to move back more, only to be met with the wall right behind him. Rook seemed to shrink in on himself, hiding behind his arms away from Joseph. Joseph wanted to smile, wanted to feel pleased for the terror he was making the Deputy feel, as payment for the pain he brought onto him when he slaughtered his family, but instead, he forced those feelings away and continued.
"But you're all I have left now. You're my family, and when this world is ready to be born anew, we will step into the light" he said. The last sentence seemed to have made Rook tense up even more. Joseph continued to watch him, aware that he knows what he will say next.
"I am your Father, and you are my child. And together, we will march to Eden's Gate," he finished. He slowly leaned back into his chair,smiling as he watched the Deputy stay still.
Rook felt a massive weight of guilt wash over him. This is all my fault. Now,so many were going to die now,because of me. Rook sat there for a few more moments,then looked up to Joseph. "You may have been right, but I will never forget all that you have done to the people of this county." Rook said sternly.
Joseph saw the anger on his face, but he could see the guilt washing over him. He leaned to the Deputy. "l will make you see the light Deputy, in time. But for now, we have to wait out the collapse together." Joseph placed his hands on Rook.
Finally, I have the Deputy right where I want him. He is still clouded by Sin,but I will break him and make him a member of my new family.
After the bombs dropped,Jess and Jerome went into the nearest Preppers bunker they could find. Jess climbed down first. When she climbed down,she looked around and saw that she couldn't see a damn thing. Jess began to feel around to the switch. Jerome closed up the hatch,and climbed down the ladder. When he climbed down he turned to Jess who was looking for the light switch. 'Goddammit, where's the fucking switch" She growled.
Jerome sighed as he went into the control room and flipped the switch,turning on the lights. Jerome came out of the room with a smirk on his face. "That's better."
Jess turned to him."Whatever" she sighed. She looked around the bunker and saw shelves of food,water,weapons and a pair of Hazmat Suits. She walked into the other room where she saw two bunk-beds. Jerome walked up right behind him. "I call the top bunk." Jess said,climbing up on the bunk."
"Be my guest, I'm gonna take the other bunk-bed,"Jerome shrugged,taking a seat on the mattress.
Jess pulled out her bow and quiver and placed them on the side of the bed and lied down on the bunk with her hands on her face. "I can't believe this. That son of a bitch was right." Jess said in anger.
"I'm just as surprised as you are Jess. Believe me." Jerome replied while removing his glasses and rubbing his eyes.
Jess stayed quiet for a moment until she spoke up. "What do we do now?"
"I don't know." Jerome replied.
"Do you think the others made it to any of the bunkers?" Jess asked.
"I'm not sure, but maybe some got to safety." Jerome said. Jerome wasn't sure if any got to safety, but he chose not to lose faith. Maybe some got to safety.
"Looks like we're stuck here." Jerome commented.
"Yeah" Jess sighed.
"Get comfortable Jess."
"Don't tell me what to do."Jess growled. Jess was very pissed right now. An hour she was trying to kill Rook, the man she loved. Now she's trapped in a bunker, while he's probably up there dying.
Jess stood up."We gotta find Rook."
"Jess you know we can't leave."
"I don't care!" She shouted,tears leaking from her eyes. She got up from the bed grabbing her bow and quiver. She began walking out, but Jerome grabbed her and turned her around."Jess,we're in no position to do anything."
"How do you know?" She shouted.
"If we go out there, we probably won't last long with that radiation." Jerome replied pointing to the hatch.
Jess began sobbing. "He needs me. He needs us."
"Maybe, but we're no good to him dead. We need to stay here. Jake would want us to survive."Jerome reasoned. "I don't like it just as much as you don't,but there's nothing we can do."
Jess then released a barrage of sadness as she dropped her weapons and cried into her hands. She knew Jerome was right but something could have happened to him. He could be injured or Joseph probably captured him,dozens of possibilities ran through her head. She needed to make sure Jake is OK.
Jerome placed a hand on her shoulder. "I know you and Jake have feelings for each other,but you can't help him if you're dead. The best way to help him is to stay here."
Jess stood there silently for a moment then nodded."Alright,but I'm doing it for Jake."
"I know,"Jerome nodded. "You're doing the right thing Jess"
"Well it doesn't feel like it."Jess commented.
Jess picked up her equipment and put it back beside the bed. She sat down wiping the tears from her eyes, calming down a little.
Jess turned to Jerome."How long do we have to say here?"Jess asked.
"Only time will tell Jess, but if I had to guess probably 5-6 years" Jerome guessed.
"Great" Jess sighed, laying back down on her bunk.
It would be years before they could leave the bunker, but for Jess it may be a little shorter than that.
7 Weeks have passed since the bombs have dropped. Jess hoped that each new day that came by would be the day she could leave the bunker. She was getting antsy from the space the bunker had,which wasn't much.
Jess woke up in her bed feeling the sunlight reflecting off my eyes. Jess rubbed her eyes,clearing the feeling of sleep from her mind. Jess looked at the ceiling for a moment then got up from her bed, then suddenly she felt her stomach churn again. Jess quickly ran to the bathroom and threw up in the toilet. When she was finished she cleaned the toilet. This has been happening for 5 days in a row. Every morning she would get sick and vomit.
Jerome walked up to Jess with a worried look on his face."Are you OK Jess?"
"Yeah I'm fine."Jess lied.
Jerome clearly didn't believe her; she's been puking for five days in a row. "You're lying Jess, come sit down." Jerome said, grabbing a chair.
She sighed and sat down. Jerome began feeling her head. "You're not burning up." He commented then moved on with her eyes. When Jerome grabbed her eyelid she swatted his hand off. "I'll do it." Jess opened her eyelid and Jerome took a look at it. "Your eyes are healthy." Jess let go of her eyes and sighed. Jerome did a few more tests and said that I was healthy. Jess wondered what was wrong with her,but deep down she already knew why this was happening.
A little while later, Jess found a pregnancy test in a pack that she found that probably belonged to whoever owned this bunker. She took the test and waited for the result. When it was finished Jess was scared to look at it,but she had to. The test read 'positive' this couldn't be, Jess took the 2nd test out of the box she needed to be sure. She took the test again, waited and got the same result 'Positive'. Tears began running down her face as she breathed heavily.
The thought ran down her spine,like a cold chill. How could this be, me and Jake were careful but there it was the test said 'Positive' I'm pregnant.
Jess sat down on the bottom bunk of my bunk-bed as she processed this."How can I be pregnant?" She asked herself. Jess never imagined herself having a baby ever, especially at a time like this. Jess had her reasons of course but she could never explain them. Jess tried to think of some options,but there weren't many; she couldn't terminate the pregnancy, nor could she raise this baby alone. Jess didn't know how to be a mom and she didn't want to raise this baby alone,without Rook.
With not many options available to her she began crying. Jerome then walked up right behind her."Are you OK Jess?" Her eyes widened in surprise,she quickly turned around going in for a punch but stopped when she saw it's Jerome. "Jeez Jerome don't scare me like that."
"Sorry, but I saw you crying. What's wrong?"Jerome asked.
Jess wasn't sure if she should tell him. This was her matter,not his. However, If she kept it secret he would find out eventually. She thought about it for a few more moments and realized that this was the best time as any to tell him. Jess turned to Jerome and decided not to beat around the bush. "I'm pregnant"
Jerome's eyes widened in surprise. "What... are... are you sure?" Jess grabbed the pregnancy tests she took and showed them to Jerome."I'm sure" Jess placed a hand on her stomach."I'm pregnant." Jerome looked at me surprised for a few more moments then asked."How far along are you?" Jess shrugged "I don't know, 7 weeks probably."
"Me and Rook had sex the day he confronted the father,but we were careful we didn't mean to." Tears formed in her eyes."We didn't mean to."Jess repeated sobbing.
"He doesn't even know." Jess stated.
Jerome moved to sit by Jess on the bed. He glanced at her."How do you feel about this?" Jerome asked,but he clearly knew the answer.
"Terrified.I'm terrified Jerome."Jess was scared by this,more than she's been compared to anything else in her life. Jerome put a hand on her shoulder. "It will be OK Jess,you won't be alone. I'll be here to help if you need it." Jess appreciated the offer, but she wasn't sure if Jerome could help her. "How can you help me?"
"Many pregnant women used to come to my church,they would come seeking guidance in raising their children. Some of them were like you, mean but had a good heart deep inside. You need to have faith right now, you're no good to this baby like this." Jerome informed.
"I know, but how can I be a mom Jerome? Look at me, I'm a killer and I enjoy it. It's not just that,I don't want this baby to grow up to be exactly like me."
"There's a saying Jess, 'Kids give us a chance to be better than we used to be' maybe this child will be a blessing for you." Jerome suggested.
"Or a curse for it." Jess opposed.
"Sometimes things happen that we aren't prepared for,but that doesn't mean we should give up."
"Then what should we do?"
"The best we can." Jerome finished.
Jess appreciated Jerome's words and she knew he was right. She needed to be strong right now, not physically but mentally.
"You're right Jerome,but I can't do this alone. Can you help me?"
Jerome placed his other hand on her shoulder. "Of course I will." He said happily. Jess hugged him. "Thank you."
"It is my pleasure, Jess." Jess let go and Jerome said one more thing."You know, this kids father always looked out for others and I think that maybe one day this kid will look out for others as well."
Jess scoffed. "OK, can we please stop with this mushy crap. I think I've had enough for one day." Jerome chuckled. "OK, I'll leave you alone now." As Jerome got up and walked out Jess said."Hey Jerome." Jerome turned back to Jess. "Yes?"
"Thank you for everything you did Jake."
"It's my pleasure." Jerome then walked out of the room,leaving Jess alone. She put a hand on her chest. "I think it would be better for you if you were raised by someone like Jerome" She whispered to her stomach."If your father could see you, I think he would be happy."
8 Months Later
Months have passed, Jess's pregnancy has progressed nicely. She wasn't excited to be a parent,but she was gonna do this for Rook. Jerome was always around to help her when she needed it. The effects of pregnancy were hell for her, all the pains,cravings and the mood swings. She couldn't wait for this baby to be out of her, so she could start training, and exercising.
After 9 months of pregnancy,the day Jess has been waiting for has arrived the baby is coming. It was probably the afternoon, Jess laid in her bed. She was in her 9th hour of Labor,Jerome was right beside her,holding her hand,helping her through the process. Jess was struggling through the process,but she felt a little better knowing that Jerome was right beside her, through her long hours of labor.
Jess breathed heavily, she glanced at Jerome."How... much... much...longer?" She asked between breaths.
"I don't know Jess, I don't have any experience in this." Jerome answered.
"THIS FUCKING HURTS" Jess shouted dealing with the overwhelming pain. "I would guess so, just keep pushing."
"I'm pushing as hard as I can" Jess objected.
"I know,but you have to keep fighting." Jess took a few more breaths then kept pushing and pushing as hard as she could.
Jess's labor went on for hours,and,the sounds of her screams filled the room, the pain was overwhelming her.
More hours passed, as she progressed. Jess really wished Rook was here. He should be the one by her side helping her through this,not Jerome. She didn't have anything
"It's almost over Jess,you just need to push a little more." Jess felt very relieved, her labor was almost over and this baby was almost out of her. But a sad look crossed her face, Jerome noticed it. "What's wrong?" Jess took a few more breaths before talking. "I really wish Rook was here. He should be the one by my side helping me through this,not you. Don't get me wrong Jerome, you're great I just wish Jack could be here to see his baby's birth."
"It's OK Jess, I understand. Jake did a lot of good things for us and you're right,he should be the one here instead of me. Maybe one day he'll meet this kid, but let's get back to delivering it."Jerome suggested.
"OK" Jess took a few more breaths,then gave one last push.
Finally it was over, Jess breathed heavily, then she heard crying. She looked up to see Jerome pulling out the baby. In that moment, There it was, there he was. Jerome held the newborn child in his arms, he looked at it and said. "It's a Boy."
Jess smiled at him, she felt really weak now the birth just took a lot out of her. Jess looked at him for a quick moment seeing his little face and tiny body. Jess then succumbed to her exhaustion and passed out, falling asleep.
Jerome cleaned up the baby,wrapped it up in a blanket then placed it on the basket. He then injected some medicine into Jess to help her."You'll be just fine Jess" Jerome whispered as he put a fresh blanket over her and walked away,allowing her to sleep.
The baby stopped crying a little while later. Jerome decided to get some sleep. It was going to be a long day tomorrow,as he drifted off he wondered what the future had in store for this boy.
Jess sluggishly woke up, her eyelids slowly opening, she slowly looked around seeing that she was in her bed,she slowly sat up looking around,but not seeing Jerome or her baby anywhere. She sat up from her bed, put some clothes but just then Jerome came in with her baby in hand.
"Jess, You're awake."
"Yeah" Jess stated as she rubbed her eyelids.
"You shouldn't be up Jess, you just had a Kid." Jerome said with concern filling his voice.
Jess just waved him off. "I'm fine, I may feel a little weak, but I'll live."
Jerome sighed. "Fine, but sit down at least."
"Fine" Jess complied with Jerome's concerns sitting back down on the bed. "So, how is my son doing?"
Jerome walked up to Jess with her son in hand."He's doing just fine." Jess looked at her newborn, she gently caressed his head. Jerome held out her baby. "Why don't you hold him."
"Umm... I'm not that I should - "Jess tried to refuse,but Jerome just held him out. She sighed, reluctantly taking the baby from his arms. She carefully held him by his armpits,trying not to drop him. The baby looked at Jess and cooed, she looked at him for a moment and saw he looked a lot like Jake,but had a lot of her features. He has her brown hair, he has Rooks brown eyes and her Caucasian skin.
Jess pulled him in,cuddling him. Jerome looked at her with a smile on his face. "So what are you gonna name him?" Jerome asked curiously.
Her eyes widened, she never thought about that, she was so focused on having him that she never thought about it. Then a realization came into her mind, she was a huntress and she loved hunting,that is when she figured out the perfect name for him. "Hunter." Jess declared.
"Hunter Rook."
"Not a bad name." Jerome commented.
Jess smiled. "I think it's perfect." Jess said. Jerome got up from his bed and walked up to them. "I believe he'll grow up to do great things." Jerome said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "So do I."
"I just wish that I will be there to see it."
"What?!" Jerome said, surprised.
"Jerome, I... I can't be here, if I stay I'm just gonna ruin Little Hunter here,he's better off with you." Jess stated.
"But, Jess you can't leave him. What life will he have without you?"Jerome asked.
"A safe one. Jerome I can't be a mom, I was never fond of kids, I don't even know how to raise one and if I did raise him he'll just turn into me, 'A Killer' who has a hard time putting her trust in others. It took me awhile to start trusting Rook and his friends."
"But, you're not just a killer, many people may not see it but you're a good person deep inside. And it may have taken you awhile to trust others,but you actually started trusting others." Jerome protested
"Maybe, but I don't know who I am right now. Ever since the Collapse began, I don't even know who I am anymore. I mean when I became attached to Rook, I felt happy for the first in a long time. Rook gave me a purpose, to stop Eden's Gate and to live for once. Now I just feel empty again." Jess stated.
Jerome wanted to say something but Jess cut him off. "And before you say anything,there's nothing you can say that will change my mind. I have to do this. As soon I'm able to, I'm leaving." It was clear to Jerome that there was no changing her mind, so he agreed.
Jess didn't want to leave her newborn son but she was in no position to raise a baby.
"How are you even gonna get out of the Bunker?" Jerome asked
"I'll use one of the Hazmat suits hanging by the door" Jess answered
"Alright, but Jess, if Rook is gone, you'll be Hunter's only Birth parent, so when you leave, promise you'll come back."
She nodded."I promise."
Days Later...
Jess has fully recovered from giving birth to Hunter and doing what she said she was gonna do. She was leaving the bunker.
Jess was putting on one of the Hazmat suits as Jerome approached her,carrying Hunter in his arms. "Still sure you want to do this,it's not too late to change your mind."
"I'm sure Jerome." Jess then grabbed Hunter from Jerome's arms, she cuddled him for a moment,then placed a kiss on his head and gave him back to Jerome. She looked up at Jerome "Please take care of him."She begged him.
"I promise. I'll raise him and keep him safe." Jerome reassured.
Jess was about to leave, but before she touched the door to the hatch,she turned back to Jerome."I have one more thing to say."
"Of course,what is it?" Jerome asked.
"Don't tell anybody he's Rook's son." Jess requested.
"What,why?" Jerome was surprised by her request. Lie to people about Hunter.
Jess lightly grasped Hunter's head then raised her head. "Because, if people know he's Jake's son, they'll probably treat him like some hero, and I don't want that for him. I want him to be treated like everybody else 'normal'. Please do that for me." Jess requested.
Jerome stayed silent for a moment, then sighed. "I won't lie for you, but I will lie for Rook." Jess hugged Jerome."Thank you"
"Your welcome, I hope you find what you're looking for." Jess broke the hug and looked at Jerome with a smile on her face.
"So do I." Jess put on the Gas mask but before she left,she pulled out her knife and handed it to Jerome. "Give this to him when he's old enough."Jess requested.
He took the knife from her hands."I will."
Jess gave one final goodbye to them. She grabbed her weapons and headed out of the bunker. Jerome watched as she left and when she was gone,Jerome held up little Hunter. "It's OK Hunter, I'll take good care of you." Hunter looked up at him and smiled. "I know, don't lose faith."
This is my second chapter. I hope you like it. Let me know what you think.