Chapter One: The Collapse
As the only child of Joseph Seed, naturally Mary lived in the shadow of her father wherever she went. The Father, ironically enough, hardly had any time to actually be a father to her, seeing as he constantly had all his other children to tend to. Although Joseph loved her dearly, it was often hard for her to see him as anything other than a living god, much less a caregiver. Growing up, she spent much of her time with her uncle, John Seed, and the two had developed a close bond over the years. Joseph encouraged this, for he found her kind, compassionate heart to be a good influence on John, who was constantly at war with his own demons. If not for Mary's friendship, he feared John would have succumbed to his sins long ago. John's heart was so full of hate and pain, Mary was the only person he let in love for. She had saved him in a way that not even Joseph himself could.
Nevertheless, when it came to sinners, Mary had a hard time grasping what often needed to be done. Those who refused to see the light must be shown it one way or the other, even if it means being dragged to it. No one was better to teach this lesson to Mary than John. Most members of the Seed family were disliked by the community outside Eden's Gate, but most agreed Mary was a good person at heart, just misguided by her twisted family. She was just on the wrong side of things. But Mary didn't see it that way. She loved her family, and whatever her misgivings of the cult's offenses to the people of Hope County, she believed in the word of the Father above all else. She knew which side she was on. When the day of the collapse came she would do her best to watch over her family, particularly John, but she knew not all would embrace the Father's message. Many would fight back, and for them salvation would come hard, perhaps not at all. John once told her there were only two paths left: salvation and death. She didn't want to believe it, but she had to face facts. In this particular instance, John was right. If they could not be saved, they would die one way or another. She would just have to save as many as she could, and stop John from destroying lives for no reason, including his own. As John taught her, sometimes violence could not be avoided. She would do must be done. She would no longer be afraid.
On the fateful day the collapse began, like many others, she was with John, her closest friend. She was practicing her shooting. For the longest time, she avoided guns and violence, but she had visions the day of the collapse was nearing, and the transition would not be a wholly peaceful one, if at all. She didn't like guns and shooting like many others did, she was a gentle soul at heart, but a fight was coming whether she liked it or not, and she had to prepare for it. She had asked John to teach her. They were at the compound, John watching as Mary shot at targets he had placed in the trees.
"Who would have thought that you'd end up being a good shot?" smiled John, after watching her hit the far off target. "With you at my side, those sinners won't stand a chance."
"John, I don't actually want to shoot anyone. I'll defend myself, I'll defend you and my faith, but I want to save these people, not kill them."
John nodded, "I know Mary, I know. We'll try our best, but we have to be realistic. Not all will embrace salvation, many will resist."
"And I will do what must be done," said Mary.
"I'm glad to hear it."
"But so must you, John. When they want to repent, you must let them."
John only smiled, "Mary, Mary, what are you implying? I always have the best intentions at heart."
Mary outstretched her hand, placing it on his shoulder. "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions."
"Mary, Mary, quite contrary," he joked, shaking his head. "The road to Hell is paved with sin."
Mary was about to respond, when a familiar sound caught their attention. They both looked up to see a helicopter in the distance, advancing fast. Mary had seen plenty of helicopters by now, but she suddenly felt her heart sink. She could tell something was wrong.
"That's not one of ours," John said as it flew overhead, coming in for a landing.
"It's the locusts," Mary said, closing her eyes with dread. "They're here for my father. I told you John, it has begun."
John often wondered if Mary had inherited Joseph's prophetic abilities, and it appeared this time she was correct. The father was in danger. They rushed to the church, but they knew they could not stop the Collapse. Mary could only watch with the others, standing alongside John, Jacob, and Faith as the police took Joseph away.
"God will not let them take me," he said.
Mary had no choice but to trust in the word of her father, no matter how hard it was to watch the sinners take him. Of course, she should have known not to doubt, for the Father had been correct yet again. The locusts had come to their garden, and they had failed, just as Joseph said they would. Mary was overjoyed to see her father unharmed, but the feeling was bittersweet. She knew what this meant. A seal had been broken. The Collapse was coming. Their greatest moment, and the day she both anticipated and dreaded had finally arrived.
Mary stood, watching as Joseph approached from the burning wreckage, like a savior resurrected. His eyes were locked on hers the whole way. She prepared herself. What would he ask of her? Everyone knew where to go and what to do, all except Mary. She had no region of influence of her own, despite being a Herald. She was a converter, not a soldier. Her compassion and charisma had managed to sway much of the population to join Eden's Gate willingly, rather than forcefully. She was a symbol of peace and forgiveness in a time of great conflict. She was a Herald with no forces, and no experience commanding them. What place could she possibly have in these violent, turbulent times? But Joseph did have a task for her.
John Seed was loved by few, and feared by many, but no one loved and wanted to help John more than Mary, and only Joseph himself could match her desire. She had a certain power over him that not even Joseph possessed. Not only could she save as many sinners as possible, but she could stop John from destroying himself, as he had foreseen in a vision.
"Mary," said Joseph, looking into his daughter's calming, ocean blue eyes. "I know you feel you are lacking purpose, but you are not, my daughter. Your purpose is clear. Go to Holland Valley with John. Watch over him and do what you do best. I worry about John, I fear the path he is going down will mean his end." Mary listened to his words very carefully. For once, Joseph was speaking as if the matter was out of his control, and that thought terrified her. If he could not control it, what hope did she have? He had never been this candid with her. He grasped onto her shoulders. "You must steer him straight Mary, you must steer them all down the right path. The sinners and the flock alike. You have always been a beacon of light my daughter. Their fate is in your hands."
The Father's words echoed in Mary's head. She could only nod in response as he now left her presence. This was the greatest responsibility she had ever been given. Her mind was an overwhelmed blur as she approached her uncle John, who was preparing for the journey to Fall's End. When John laid eyes on his niece, she was visibly shaken.
"Mary, what's wrong?" he asked, greatly concerned for his friend. She had been acting strange all day, although now he knew why.
"I'm just nervous that's all," Mary said. "Father has spoken his will. I am to accompany you to Fall's End."
She wasn't sure how John would react to the news, but she was happy to see his face light up.
"Of course! You and I will make the perfect team. With our charismas combined, the sinners will have to say yes, one way or another."
Mary knew all about John's "Yes" campaign. It was simplistic and a bit rudimentary, but it seemed to work well for him. She decided not to tell John the real reason Joseph had sent her, for she feared he would take it the wrong way. She just smiled and nodded.
"The more willing converts the better right?"
"Truer words have not been spoken," he agreed, climbing into his car. "You can ride with me, we'll be at Fall's End in no time at all."
"Salvation waits for no one," Mary said excitedly, running to the other side of John's car. He would be leading the convoy of armed men and women, ready to spread the word of God, through whatever means necessary. Mary had her reservations about eh Cult's methods, but in end she was loyal to Joseph. John started the car and they were off to Holland Valley.
"There's a revolver in the glove compartment, take it," John said to Mary. "Just in case."
Mary nodded, breathing in deeply. She opened the compartment, to find the loaded gun lying on top of a copy of Eden's Gate's holy book. The held the holy text to her chest in one hand and the revolver in the other.
"You worried?" John asked, being able to feel her emotions without looking at her.
"Yes," Mary admitted. "But I am ready to do the Father's work, whatever is required of me."
For a few long moments they were both silent, watching the countryside roll by. The calm before the storm. Finally Mary spoke again.
"John, do you remember what you told me? That there are only two paths left, salvation and death?"
"Yes, of course. What about it?" asked John, a smile appearing on his face.
"Promise me something. Swear to me that we'll only use the path of death if there is no other way, John. If they give us no other choice. Salvation must be pursued at every turn."
"That's why you're here Mary, don't you remember?"
"Swear to me!" Mary pressed him, not letting him dodge this.
John's smile disappeared, closing his eyes for a brief moment. Mary was a pain sometimes, but she cared about him deeply. He just wasn't sure he deserved her concern.
"Do you swear?" Mary asked again, waiting for an answer.
John glanced over to her, his smile returning.
"Yes."