Chapter 6:
Faith looked at the radio in her hands and felt her heart beat violently with nerves in her chest. On the other end of the line was the person who was progressively dismantling her operations. But she was the one who had sent her Priestess out to find Tyler and give him the radio frequency. She usually never made an effort to connect with people outside of the Project. Especially people like Tyler. Whose drive and motivations were completely opposite to hers. But he was different, and she could feel it.
"Faith?" Came the voice of the Junior Deputy. "What's this all about?" He didn't sound angry, but he didn't seem happy about this nonetheless. Faith pushed the talk button.
"Tyler," she started. "It's good to hear you again."
"Um," Tyler said. Faith could hear the slight hesitance in her voice. "We've only met in person twice. Both of those you weren't even there." Faith just nodded to his words in agreement.
"I know this might seem a little bit strange, but…" she began. The nerves in her stomach sparked violently. "What are you doing tomorrow night?" There was a brief period of silence. The Deputy then responded.
"Every second of every day I'm trying to find a way to burn your operation to the ground." He paused. "Yeah, I'm probably not doing all that much tomorrow, why may I ask?" Faith smiled slightly at Tyler's weak attempt at humour. Sarcasm usually is hiding something dark that broods around. Her thoughts drifted to an old friend.
"I was hoping you and I could meet, in person." She closed her eyes and held her breath as she waited for his response. The radio crackled back on.
"Is this a set up?" Tyler asked. His voice was filled with doubt. Faith quickly moved to snuff those flames of doubt.
"No, no!" She spilled out quickly. "I just want to meet you. In the flesh." The Deputy responded almost instantly.
"I think I'm ok with that," he agreed. Faith's face broke into a wide grin. "Where did you want me to meet you?"
"Well…" she said as she thought of a place in her head. "You know where the old Conservatory is?" She heard ruffled movement from the other end of the comms.
"Heard of it, just ain't got a damn clue where it's at." Tyler said.
"Ok, just keep following the road past the Hope County Jail, cross the river and turn right onto the dirt road." She instructed.
"Is it safe for me?" Tyler asked. Faith giggled at his caution. He seemed like the kind of person who was more "act now, think later"
"Of course silly," she teased playfully. "I won't hurt you or your friends. You have my word."
"Ok," Tyler said. "I'll meet you at the Conservatory, in the evening?"
"Yep, that sounds like a plan." Faith said.
Tyler opened his eyes and was met by the harsh glare of the sun. He could hear the faint sound of music coming from the radio. He was not a fan of the Henbane River's taste in music. The only thing his phone was useful for now was being a toe to play his playlist on his phone. Tyler recognised the song almost instantly. Florida Georgia Line's latest single Simple. However, the song wasn't the only thing he could hear. Seb was sitting in a folding chair on the porch they were sleeping on. And he was singing? Tyler raised his head and groaned
"You like this sorta stuff?" Seb jumped slightly in surprise. He then laughed.
"Dude, I listed to FGL all the time, heard this song on the radio about a month before the cult rolled on in," he said. "I've been hooked ever since."
"Well that's one more thing we got in common." Tyler said as he got off the floor. Seb nodded and laughed under his breath. The two spent the rest of the early morning getting their equipment ready for the day. Tyler loaded the rifles and headed down to the Youth Camp to restock on spare ammo. Seb got their log book updated and planned out their day. The conversation Tyler had on the radio with Faith came as a late surprise but that just meant that they couldn't tackle Joseph's statue today. Tyler returned back from the Youth Camp and the two walked down to the forest that they had hidden their pickup truck. As they started driving, Tyler broke the long silence.
"So what's on the list today?" He asked. Seb opened their book and looked at the day number.
"Day 43," he whistled as he read out the number. "First off, head to the Water Treatment plant that Virgil briefed us on. Second, go find this doctor guy. And finally we go visit Faith at the Conservatory. Then we can spend the rest of the evening doing some recon." Seb finished talking and returned their book to his satchel.
The drive to the Water plant was very straightforward. Seb had his binoculars and was updating his map as they went by. Tyler soon saw the sign that signalled Deep North Water Treatment Plant, so he parked their truck and pocketed the keys. They unloaded their weapons and walked towards the plant. There was loads of open space. Cultist were everywhere pouring Bliss into the water systems. Tyler got out his AK-M and proceeded downhill with Seb close behind him. As soon as they reached the fence, Tyler vaulted over and let the lead fly all over. There were maybe 13 cultists in total. Each angry and started shooting at him on sight. Tyler slid into cover behind the nearest wooden box. He heard the bullets hitting the other side, so he raised his gun above his head and shot from behind cover to try and paint the area with bullets.
"Nice shot!" Seb yelled at him as he hit a cultist in the head. Soon there were none left standing.
"C'mon!" Tyler called to Seb. "Find the other pump access. I'll go down this one. Tyler ran over to one of the pools and hit the button on the control panel which lowered the water levels. He lowered himself into the empty pool and headed straight fo the empty pipe. As he snuck through it, he heard the alarm of the control panel ring out loud and the water began to rise. Quickly, Tyler scampered forward and got himself into a large open room. The pump room he thought to himself.
He rose upwards with the water and vaulted up and planted a remote explosive on the pump. He got to a safe distance and hit the detonator. The pump ignited and all three exploded. The heat from the last almost knocked him off his feet. He left the building and saw Seb waiting for him
"You done already?" Tyler asked.
"Yeah," Seb replied. "It wasn't a problem." Tyler's radio crackled on his hip and he heard Virgils voice.
"I just heard the Peggies talking on the radio. They're stinking mad about their water treatment. I don't think they like you very much. Keep up the good work Deputy." He then closed off.
"Well, that was fun." Tyler said as he holstered his assault rifle. "What's next on your list?" Seb opened it up and said,
"Well we either go find that doctor or we go do some recon, any order is fine." Tyler starts walking in the direction of where they left their car.
"The doctor can probably wait another day. Let's do some recon instead."
"What the fuck is going on up there?" Seb calls out from the car. Tyler was hiding behind a log. They heard a loud scream and what they thought was the sound of gunfire from the top of a hill on the northeastern side of Rock Bass Lake.
"Don't know man, come over here." Tyler said as he took out his handgun. Both of them began trekking up the hill, guns out and aware of their surroundings. A loud scream came from the right hand side. Both Tyler and Seb snapped their heads in the direction and quickly started heading towards the sounds. Through the trees, they could see a civilian on their knees with a look of total fear printed all over their face. Behind her was a cult priestess with her eyes looking upwards. In her hand, the infamous Peggie mayonnaise coloured book of rambles written by Joseph himself.
"By god," Seb whispered to Tyler. "The fuck's that thing behind them?" Tyler had also noticed this strange structure. It was a Bliss-green church like structure, ironically spewing Bliss from the top of the spire. In the front of the structure, Tyler saw what looked like a giant gas tanker.
"Looks like some kinda memorial or shrine," Tyler responded after a small amount of silence. "But whatever it is, it's getting blown sky high."
"What's the plan?" Seb asked.
"Well," Tyler started. "I'm going to go see if I can help our friend over there." Seb nodded and Tyler changed his pistol ammunition for armour piercing rounds, seeing as all VIP's were close to having superhuman bullet resistance. Tyler snuck over to some bushes near the shrine and brought his handgun up to his eyes. He aimed for the head and pulled the trigger twice. The suppressed gun hissed twice and Tyler saw the VIP keel over in a pool of their own blood. Tyler ran out of his cover and helped the civilian up. The gratitude was evident on her face before she even said her thanks.
"Oh my god," she half-cried-half-squealed. "Thanks a million Deputy!" Tyler nodded and rubbed her shoulder in comfort.
"That's alright." He comforted the woman. What did they do to her? These people were ruthless in their faith. "How'd they get you?" The woman looked at Tyler with distant terror as she recalled her capture.
"Well, them Peggie bastards jumped me while I was fishing by the Brewery. They rolled in with their boats and trucks, took all the workers and shot them all. Captured us folk who heard the commotion. That place is apparently important to them."
"Where is the Brewery may I ask?" Tyler questioned the woman without being forceful.
"Due east from here," she said. "Can't miss it with all the smoke billowing up into the sky." Tyler thanked the woman and guided her to the direction of the road. Now he had to deal with the structure in front of him. Seb walked up to him and placed something in his hand.
"Try this, on the front." Seb said. Tyler looked down and saw a remote explosive in his hand. He walked through the cloud of Bliss and held his breath. He felt his vision dance and waver. That was unavoidable he learnt, but he could avoid inhaling the Bliss to prevent being fully intoxicated. He got to the wooden structure and planted the explosive. He ran back out of the Bliss and felt the effects get ripped away from him.
"Hit it." Tyler instructed. Seb hit the button on the remote and the shrine went up in a fiery explosion. The wood was splintered all over and all that was left was cinders and smoke. Tyler's radio buzzed and he heard Traceys voice.
"I see you've found those shrines that Faith built. They're all along that little pilgrimage of hers. If you see anymore, blast those shrines to dust." She cut off almost instantly after. Tyler nodded and pulled out the log book from Seb's satchel and wrote down under cult properties, Shrines and under Cult Outposts, Brewery?
Where to next boss?" Asked Seb as he returned the book to his satchel. Tyler's thoughts were interrupted by his radio crackling again. He picked it up, this time a bit more frustrated.
"What now?" He huffed into the comms.
"Good to hear ya partner!" Came a cheery voice from the other end. All frustrations left Tyler and he smiled with joy.
"Nick!" He exclaimed. "How the hell've you been?"
"Well, I think we all cleaned up most of the mess here in the Valley," Nick reported. "We all should be right to come on over and give you a hand to kick some Peggie ass!" Tyler would be lying if he said he didn't miss Nick's enthusiasm. It was enlightening.
"Great to hear," Tyler said. "Me and my new friend Seb are camping out just north of the old Youth Camp by one of the old cabins. We have some things to finish off today but we'll come meet y'all tonight."
"Can do Tyler," Nick said. "I'll round up everyone and we'll head over now. Take care of yourself." He closed the channel and Tyler had a smile all over his face. He turned over to look at Seb who was standing now pretty awkwardly around.
"Remember the friends I told you about?" Tyler asked Seb.
"Yeah," he sighed. Tyler knew that something had bothered Seb.
"Hey," Tyler asked. "Is everything alright?" Seb sighed and looked at Tyler.
"Listen Tyler, for years I've been living the life of a hunter and fisherman. Just me with nature and the water. I've had limited human interactions up until now. You've been a great friend and I just don't wanna have that change." Seb finished his explanation and looked up. Tyler was taken aback.
"Wow," Tyler said. He was truly lost for words. "I had no idea that you really cared about this." He motioned between them both. "Just know this Seb, no matter what happens. I'm never going to let you go. One of the things I value most in life is loyalty. You give, you get. You've been nothing but loyal to me so you should have nothing to worry about." Seb smiled and walked up to Tyler and wrapped his arms around him. Not with affection, but with gratitude.
"Thanks man," he said. "That means a lot to me."
"Don't worry about it," Tyler said as he looked at the faulty wristwatch on his arm. "We got a Seed waiting for us at the Conservatory."
It was well and truly dark. Tyler started focusing more on the road once they crossed the river, but about about three minutes later they arrived at what appeared to be a Georgian style house and Atrium. There were alarm towers visible and there were plenty of guards patrolling the grounds. Tyler and Seb hopped out of the car and walked along the driveway and they saw a cultist by the garage. He was looking at them and waved them over.
"Over here Deputy!" He shouted over the sound of the music around the outpost. Both men walked towards the cultist. "Faith is waiting for inside." He motioned with his hand in the direction of the house. Tyler nodded at the man as to say thanks and Seb followed in pursuit. They entered the house and looked around. They house had been fully converted into a research laboratory. Crates of Bliss flowers and chemistry instruments littered the almost all the space. They headed up the staircase and immediately heard a soft voice to their right.
"Tyler, it's so good to finally meet you." Tyler looked into the room right if the stairs. Faith Seed was sitting on the open window ledge. She had a gentle smile on her face and the moonlight shone through the glass which illuminated the room enough for them both to see each other. Tyler motioned to Seb to wait outside.
"Faith," Tyler greeted the woman and sat down on one of the mattresses on the floor. "Good to meet you, in the flesh nonetheless." He heard Faith laugh at his cheap humour and watched as she got off the window ledge and sat down next to Tyler.
"So…" Tyler started. "Why'd you want to meet with me?" He asked.
Faith just looked up at him and smiled.
"I don't really know." She said. "I guess I'm just curious is all." It was now Tyler's turn to look at Faith but with confusion.
"This is not what I expected," Tyler admitted. "You sure this ain't a setup?" He asked. Faith laughed and squeezed his hand in reassurance.
"No silly," she giggled. "I want to learn about you Tyler, not about the Deputy. So tell me, what is your last name, Tyler…?" She asked. Tyler didn't fail to notice that her hand was still holding his hand.
"Well, seeing as you learnt my name before I told you," Tyler said. "I sorta guessed you already knew. But anyway, my last name is Williams." Faith played the name out on her tongue before looking over at him.
"I like that." She grinned. Each time she smiled, Tyler couldn't help but notice his heart skip a beat and a small blush appear on his face. Quickly trying to draw attention off himself, he responded with a question of his own.
"You have my name," he said. "Are you who I think you are Faith?" Shit, subtle move dumbass he thought to himself. Faith looked at him again with that questioning look again.
"What do you mean by that, Tyler?" She asks.
"Well, you ain't a blood relative of Joseph's are you?" Tyler asks, speaking with care to make sure she heard him correctly. "Your name isn't Faith is it?"
"You're correct," she admits. "I gave up that life when I was 17. I'm a woman born anew." Tyler tried to stifle a snigger of humour. Out of all the siblings, she is by far the most devoted to her position. Well, at first glance at least.
"So, Rachel Jessop huh?" Tyler asked. Faith nodded her head and looked again at Tyler.
"I gave up that life and the name. You are to never call me that." She had a distinct sternness to her voice as she said this. "Anyways," she said as she immediately let the smile take over her face. "You from Hope County, Tyler?" Tyler scoffed and sighed at the same time. The sound startled Faith.
"Oh no goddamn way," he said as he chuckled to himself. "I'm from Nashville, Tennessee." Faith shuffled closer to him and then the floodgate of questions burst.
"What's it like? Do you all live on farms? Or wait no, you live in the city don't you? What's it like compared to Hope County?" She could've gone on for hours but was stopped by Tyler putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Damn, settle down there." He laughed. Faith let the events playback through her head and eventually buried her head into her hands. Tyler tried to pull her hands away from her face put she wouldn't let go. By now Tyler guessed she was doing it just to annoy him. Faith stood up quickly and climbed over the window ledge.
"C'mon Tyler," she said as she reached out a hand to help him over the frame. "I wanna show you something." Tyler took her hand and vaulted over the frame and onto scaffolding that wrapped around the corner of the building.
"Where are we going?" Tyler asked as Faith let go of his hands.
"To the radio tower. I know you've climbed one of these before with a rope." She climbed down the ladder and Tyler followed in close pursuit. They reached the radio tower and Faith stopped at the base and looked up.
"C'mon cowboy," she giggled, "Let's get up." Tyler took out his grappling hook and threw it up to the platform and made sure it was fastened on something secure. Faith jumped on Tyler's back and Tyler struggled to pull them both up but eventually got up with Faith on his back. He let her climb up before climbing over the edge himself. His breath was taken away in an instant. Not only could he get a good view of the Conservatory, he could see a large part of the central hills of the Henbane River.
"Wow.." was all Tyler managed to get out.
"I know, beautiful isn't it?" Faith asks from right next to him. She looks over at him and smiles before looping her right arm through Tyler's left. "You know something Tyler," she said. "Even though I have a family. One that loves me and cares for me, it can get lonely very easily. Thanks for coming here today. I hope you and I can try and be at least friends through all this. Is that possible?" She asked this last part and Tyler noticed the slight hesitation in her voice. Tyler looked down at Faith and she smiled back at him.
"I never thought I'd be saying this," he started. "I'd love that Faith." Faith squealed with joy and crushed her arms around the Deputy's waist.
"Thank you so much Tyler," she says. Voice filled with joy. "This means a lot to me."
Faith and Tyler soon descended the tower and returned to the room in the house where they met in. Faith was a bit sad that Tyler had to leave, but she was grateful that she not only managed to learn about someone new, she also made a friend. Family have come and gone for her but a real friend hasn't been around for a long time. As she watched Tyler leave the room, her thoughts lingered on a few thoughts. The first being that Tyler seemed to be nothing like the way John and Jacob made him out to be. He was a kind man with a good sense of humour. Not that his jokes were all to good though. The other thought was just how gorgeous his eyes were. A brightish blue, even more so than hers. She could get lost in them for hours. And finally, his hair funny enough. His light sandy brown hair which swept across from right to left. Faith smiled contently and lay back on the mattress and shut her eyes. Her dreams tonight would be more than pleasant.
Note:
Hey there, hope you are all having a great day. I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter just as much as I loved writing it. I looked down at a report on this story today and was surprised to see that my goal of at most 100 reads was tripled. Anyway. Sorry this one wasn't released yesterday as it took longer and future chapters will be about this length roughly.