Chapter 16: Retribution
After Kyle and Faith said their goodbyes to Pastor Jerome, they exited the church. Kyle constantly scanned the area around them, watching for people. Even though Faith was dressed differently than usual by not wearing her infamous white dress, she could still be recognized. Kyle wondered what would happen in that situation. Would they try to confront them, or worse, spread it around and organize a larger response? He shook is head to clear those thoughts. Now was not the time to be worried about that. Luckily, people were scares on the streets at this time and those he did see never paid any attention. Still, Faith noticed Kyle's worry.
"Is there something wrong?" She asked with a concerned look on her face.
Kyle tried to give a reassuring smile. "Everything's fine. Just being cautious."
That seemed to satisfy her and she asked no more questions. They eventually made it to the store where Kyle had left Jess. Their car was parked outside. Jess was leaning against the driver side door, arms crossed. She immediately spotted Kyle and Faith and her eyes narrowed. She waited for them to approach before saying anything.
"There you are. Hey, could you give me a hand with something in the shop? It was pretty big and I wanted to wait for you so we get move it together."
Kyle nodded then turned to Faith. "I'll just be a few minutes. Just hop in the back and keep out of sight for the time being. And here…" He gave her his pistol which she accepted hesitantly. "If you have to defend yourself…" He trailed off. Faith could see Jess scowling and gritting her teeth but took no action. She nodded at Kyle to let him know she understood then quickly opened the back door, hopped in and closed the door. As soon as Kyle saw, he headed inside the store with Jess who was still scowling.
"So what did you need help with moving?"
Jess' fury increased at she stuck a finger at Kyle's face. "There nothing to fucking move! I wouldn't have needed your help with anything. I'm here to fucking remind you how much of an idiot you are! Why the fuck is she here?"
Kyle knew Jess would be pissed with Faith showing up, but he underestimated how much it would affect her.
"She wanted to come with. I tried to tell her about the danger but she still wanted to come. It makes sense considering the guy we're going after is connected to her."
Jess closed her eyes to try to claim down but it didn't work. "What the fuck are you thinking? Of course she wants to come with! You tell her we're going to go fight the peggies and while we're risking our lives, she's going to change sides and shoot you in the back! Why the fuck did you give her that pistol anyways?!"
"Jess, you need to calm down…."
But Jess ignored him. "No Kyle, you need to fucking listen to me. I've been generous so far. I let her live when she showed up with you. I've restrained myself when she's around but this is crossing a line! Why the fuck are you doing this shit? Normally you're very intelligent, but when you're around her, you do a complete 180. Why are you going through all this shit for her? All we need is you and me to fucking just go and kick the peggies asses! I just don't get it.
Kyle sighed. He couldn't think of anything to say to Jess that might calm her down. He didn't expect her to be this mad. He wondered if she had kept it all down and was now blowing up about it.
Jess continued after a brief few moments of silence. "You still haven't answered my question. Why the fuck are we going through all of this Kyle? Do you like her or something?"
"Maybe I do…."
Jess was about to continue on her rant when she heard Kyle speak. Her anger suddenly changed into something different, a mixture of hurt and surprise. "Wait, did you just admit that you like her?"
Kyle looked guilty, like he had been hiding a secret. "I don't know Jess. Whenever I've been around her, I feel more at ease. At first, I thought it reminded me of that woman from the past. But now I'm feeling that its more than that."
Now it was Jess' turn to be stunned into silence. The surprise on her face vanished and was completely replaced by a hurt expression. Kyle noticed and a big part of him regretted what he had done. "Look Jess, I know we had that moment before I handed myself over to John. Truth is that I was surprised by it. I didn't think you had those types of feelings toward me. I didn't stop you because I didn't want to hurt you more than what I was doing by leaving."
He could see Jess' face contort as she thought about that memory. "Look, feelings are feelings. Just because I don't think about you in a romantic sense, it doesn't mean I don't care for you. Jess, in just a short amount of time, we've bonded tremendously. We understand and care for each other. Throughout my life, my line of work, I never really had friends. I never had someone I could confide in, trust to watch my back, to be able to turn to when I needed help. I can do all those things with you. That's special. You're special Jess."
Throughout Kyle speech, the emotion on Jess' face changed. It hurt gradually melted away as Jess was regaining a her composure bit by bit. Kyle could see that she was understanding where he would be coming from but he wouldn't make any more assumptions. "Jess, I know this is a lot to take in. I'm not lying when I said you were special to me. Faith is special in her own way to me as well. I can understand if this isn't something you want to hear. If you don't want to be around me anymore, that's fine. It will hurt but I will have to accept that."
Jess' eyes widened as if Kyle had said the most blasphemous thing in a church. But then she sighed and looked away towards the ground. "I guess I'll admit that I kind of saw this coming. I saw the change in you when you were with her. I didn't want to admit it but I was jealous. Jealous that you had bonded to her even though you and I and fought through thick and thin. I was so sure she had stolen you away with me with one of her tricks. But hearing you admit it, its probably genuine."
She turned to look at him. "Do you know how much you mean to me? After that incident with Cook, I didn't really have anyone. My parents were dead and my brother disappeared. Sure, I had Dutch, but we had grown distant. But then I met you and I felt a connection. I hadn't felt that in a long time…"
She took a deep breath then continued. "Now that I've thought about it, I understand where you're coming from. I know you're telling the truth. I'll just need to adapt a bit, that's all."
Kyle felt a great sense of relief wash over him. "So you'll still come with me?"
For the first time in the conversation, Jess smiled. "There's no one I'd rather be with to kick the cult's ass with."
Kyle returned the smile and like two connected minds, they both went to hug the other. They no longer had any illusions what it was. They both understood. After they broke, Kyle had the urge to ask one more question.
"You think she feels the same?"
Jess started to act like herself again and waved a hand dismissively. "She better or I'll fucking murder her." Kyle thought she was half joking.
Faith peeked out the window to see Kyle and Jess finally coming out of the store. They had been in there a while and they weren't carrying anything so she knew something was up. She suspected it had something to do with Jess as they went in after she had given Faith a mean look. But she now noticed that both had different expressions then when they went in. Jess's anger was gone. Kyle was no longer smiling and had the same serious look as her. Whatever they had talked about, it was important. Faith thought about asking what they had talking about but decided against it. She had a feeling it was about her and the fact that Kyle didn't say anything when he got in caused her worry. Faith assumed that she was sticking around as he didn't tell her otherwise. He looked back toward her to make sure everything was alright then started the car and began driving. Faith thought there would be silence the whole way until Kyle spoke up.
"You loaded everything up in the trunk, right?"
"Yeah, I got a shit ton of ammo for you and a few other surprises." Jess answered.
Kyle took his eyes off the road for a moment to glance at her. "What do you mean by surprises?"
"Oh, its stuff you'll like, trust me. When I told the guy that everything would be funded by Adelaide, he seemed much more willing to let me see all of his inventory."
"What else did you get?"
"You'll see when we get to where we're goin."
Faith felt left out so she decided to take a risk and ask a question. "So where are we headed to?"
Kyle turned his head back to glance at her. "We're headed to Elk Jaw Lodge. Apparently, our target is there to manage the bliss that Jacob has. It's the bliss they use on animals up here."
Faith knew about Jacob having bliss. He would occasionally ask Faith to send a few shipments of the stuff to him. She obviously didn't know who managed it but she had heard that he was doing a few experiments with dogs, wolves and some local wildlife. Faith wondered how well the place would be guarded. It seemed like an important area for Jacob's operations. But she had also heard that Kyle and Jess had torn through every stronghold they came across. Most of John's operation had been ravaged within a single day. The duo sitting in front of her would probably have no problem with whatever they would encounter. Still, Faith couldn't help but feel a bit worried.
"We're about there" Kyle announced snapping Faith out of her thoughts.
He slowed down the car and came to a stop a good distance away, enough to see the building but far enough where they wouldn't easily be spotted by the guards. Kyle and Jess got out and headed for the back. Faith stayed put. She heard open the trunk and gasp.
"Holy shit! You weren't kidding! How the hell did you manage to get all this?"
"I told you, the guy was much more generous when I told him we were being funded."
"This shit is a gold mine! Is that a fucking SCAR-H?" He snatched the weapon and examined it.
"That's what the guy said. I assumed you would like it and from the way you're fucking all giddy, I think I was right. Got plenty of ammo for it. There's one more surprise too. Look in the trunk again."
Kyle shuffled through the trunk. "Jess, please tell me I'm seeing things. I'm seeing a shit load of frag grenades and an equal amount of C-4."
Jess laughed, something that Faith thought she'd never hear. "You bet your ass that what you're seeing is real. I knew you would like the rifle but I also knew you would like the explosives."
"We have enough ordinance here that we could probably blow up one of their bunkers." He took out some ammo for his new rifle and began loading it. "Let me guess, you're not going to use any of this."
"Right you are. All I need is my bow."
"Come on. You at least gotta use the grenades. We have plenty for both of us."
"Not now. Besides, I don't wanna risk blowing the guy we're after up. We do need to interrogate him right?"
"I guess we do. Alright." Faith thought he sounded like a child who just got lectured. She thought it was funny and giggled a bit. She was surprised when he suddenly opened the back door by her. He still had a smile on his face.
"I need you to wait here while we're gone. Stay out of sight until we get back. You still have that pistol I gave you right?"
Faith nodded.
"Good. We'll be back."
Kyle then closed the door and he and Jess slowly made their way toward the lodge. Faith positioned herself so she could see what they were doing. Kyle had told her to stay out of sight, but she wanted to see what they would do to actually get in the building. She watched as the duo continued forward slowly then suddenly stopped. Kyle made a gesture; Jess nodded and readied her bow. After a few moments, the pair continued on their way. They stopped two more times, each time Kyle pointing at something and Jess shooting at it with her bow. Faith was glad she had good eyesight as they were almost at the lodge. They stopped at a side door, exchanged glances then went in. Faith was disappointed she couldn't she them anymore so she listened for sound. At first there was none, and she wondered if they were just going to go in stealthily. Then she heard a gunshot followed by several more. All hell broke loose.
Where at first the gunshots were sporadic, now they were continuous. But Faith still couldn't tell what was exactly going on. Were Kyle and Jess making progress? Were they pinned down by gunfire? Her question was partial answered when she saw a body fall out of a window. At first her heart jumped thinking it was Kyle but it was soon apparent that it had been an Eden's Gate member. There was more gunfire and then Faith noticed a man running out of the front door. He did not look like a typical Eden's Gate member. He had the attire of one but usually most of the members they accepted had facial hair. This man was clean shaven. Faith suspected that this was the man that Kyle and Jess were after. But already he had made a mistake. Instead of escaping by boat on the water the lodge was next to, the man took one of the trucks that were parked nearby and sped off to the north. Kyle appeared shortly and ran to the car that Faith was in. She noticed that there was a mark on his shoulder.
"Where did he go?!" Kyle asked frantically
"He went north!" Faith answered.
Kyle started the car and took off toward where the man had fled.
"What about Jess?"
"There's no time. Jess can take care of herself and we'll come back for her. But we need to get this guy."
Faith noticed that Kyle was tensed up as he accelerated to catch up with the fleeing man. They soon spotted him, his truck taking sharp turns in order to shake off the pursuit. Kyle was able to keep up with him, matching the turns. They were gaining on the man. Faith was beginning to notice where the man was headed. He was not going in different directions in order to escape but he was headed for a particular destination. Faith soon realized it.
"Kyle! He's headed for Jacob's main base at the veteran's center! You need to stop him before he gets there!"
Kyle didn't answer her but he continued to slam his foot on the gas to catch up. He finally got besides the man's vehicle and the cultist started firing shots at Kyle. Faith instinctively ducked as Kyle took evasive action but also sideswiped the man's car. This continued for a few seconds until one of Kyle's swipes forced the man off the road and he ran into a tree. Kyle saw what happened and spun around the car to come back. He parked alongside the wrecked truck and got out. Faith assumed he would go straight to the man but he went to open her door first.
"Stay here. Don't come out until I give the word. He might be injured but might still try to resist."
Faith nodded in understanding and Kyle left her to go to the driver's side of the ruined truck. The man seemed like he wanted to escape but was too injured to do so. Kyle pulled him out of the truck and swiped his gun away. He then dragged him around the back until Faith could see him. The man's face was bloodied and is arms were limp at his sides. He was in really bad shape but when Faith looked to Kyle, he had no pity on his face. There was only anger and hate which Faith was unused to from him. Kyle propped the man against the back of the truck.
"So where's your partner?" Kyle demanded.
"I don't know what you're talking about." The man's reply earned him a hard punch to the left side of his face. When he recovered, Kyle propped him up again.
"I know you two worked as a team! Where is he?"
"I don't know who you're talking about! What do you want?" The man took another shot to his face and this made Faith grimace a bit.
"Let me remind you then. It was you who sold the drugs, to get her in a worse shape then she already was. When she was ready your partner would swoop in. Ring a bell?"
The man desperately looked around for assistance and saw Faith. He recognized her instantly.
"Lady Faith! Please help me! Tell him I don't know what he's…." The man received a sharp blow to the gut then another two punches to the face which was now getting swollen.
"Don't you dare look at her again! I know damn well what you did! It was all part of the plan of Joseph's right? The whole recruitment plan?"
The man's eyes grew wide as he suddenly realized what Kyle was talking about. He put his hands in front of his face like he was expecting more punches. "I…..I was only following orders from The Father. I don't know anything else." His hands proved useless as the man received a knee to the stomach which knocked the wind out of him. He held himself up by his hands and knees, gasping for air.
"You're a fucking piece of shit. Not only for doing what you did, but fucking denying that you did it." He kicked the man in the ribs, knocking him fully on the ground. Kyle gave him a few more punches before he propped him up again.
"I can do this all-fucking day. Admit what you did!" Kyle's voice was full of rage.
"Okay, okay! The Father wanted a specific girl to be his Faith ok? So he identified someone and he told me to go and persuade her to take the drugs. I was told to keep checking in on her to monitor her condition. When she was really hooked, I was to tell Richards that she was ready."
"Where is he?"
"I can't tell you! We all swore to secrecy about it! The Father will punish me if I say anything!"
"His punishment will pale what I will do to you if you don't tell me." Kyle held him by the throat and threatened more punches.
The man grew frightened and his fear overrode his sense of loyalty. "Wait! Okay, I'll tell you. Joseph split us up when everything was done. I got sent here. Richards got put under Faith. Last I heard, he was in charge of maintaining Joseph's statue in the Henbene. He's probably there! He has facial hair but he's completely bald. You can spot him easy! It's the truth!"
Kyle let the man go and he dropped to the ground. After attempting to recover he looked up at Faith again. His eyes grew wide. "Wait, you're Ra-" The man never finished as Kyle shot him in the head with his rifle.
Faith jumped at Kyle executing the man. She had been uneasy with this whole interrogation. She was seeing a side of Kyle that she had never seen before, one that was full of anger, hate. A part of her understood why he did it. She reminded herself that Kyle was doing this for her. He chased this man for her, so he could confirm what he had learned. Faith knew that the man probably deserved what he got. He had been part of an insidious scheme and Faith guess that she was probably not the first or last. She looked up at Kyle who was starring at the body. The anger had not left him. When he looked at Faith, his eyes softened a bit.
"Let's go."
Kyle motioned her to get in the passenger seat which she obeyed. Her hands still held the 1911 that Kyle had given her and she was shaking. Kyle started the car and began driving back to the lodge.
"I'm sorry you had to see that." He said finally.
Faith didn't know what to respond. One part of her wanted to scold him for being so brutal, telling him that he should have let the man go. But the other part of her wanted to thank him, for doing all this for her. She went for a third option.
"Its fine. I guess I was just was shocked at hearing all that happened out loud you know? You sure made him talk." There was some sadness to her words.
Kyle looked over her with guilt in his eyes and sighed. "Stuff I learned from job experience. Sometimes I needed to get information out of a target before killing them, to make people talk when I had no intention of letting them go free. That piece of shit deserved what he got. But I regret that you had to witness it."
Faith tried to understand Kyle's point of view. Before this, she had only known the kind side of him. But now she had witnessed things from his past, who he was before he met her. It wasn't so much showing his true colors as it was that he was revealing who he was to her. Kyle was someone who could be kind, but he could also be ruthless when a person threatened those he cared about. That's the impression she got.
"Its alright, really. What's done is done. Sometime things to be done a certain way. Its how life is." She smiled at him to try to cheer him up.
He saw her smile and immediately turned away, embarrassed. "You're right. Thank you."
They made it back to the lodge where Jess was waiting outside. She didn't seem to be injured at all but she was a little bit dirtier. Faith also noticed that there were more Eden's Gate trucks around then there were last time. Kyle parked the car but left it running when he got out to greet Jess.
"You good? Sorry about ditching you so suddenly. Bastard tried to run and we had to hunt him down." Kyle looked around and saw what Faith had noticed. "More of them come?
Jess smiled, like she relished the danger. "Yeah, reinforcements came but they didn't know what was going on so I lured them inside and took care of all of them. More will probably be coming." She glanced at Faith for a few seconds before turning her attention back to Kyle. "I imagine you got what you wanted?"
"Yeah, we learned his partner is at Joseph's statue in the Henbene. Hop in."
Kyle went back to the driver's door while Jess made her way to the right back passenger door. Faith examined her to try to see if she was annoyed about losing her front seat but Jess gave no indication on her face.
"Do you know how to get there?" Jess asked as both of them got in.
"I know how to get there." Faith decided to be pro-active, and she saw this as a way to be helpful. "I can guide you there."
Kyle looked at her sternly. "Its in your hands then."
They left the lodge and headed south. Faith directed him to stay on the road until they reached the Henbene, then she showed him that there was a dirt path off to the side that led to the base of the statue. Along the way, they saw many patrols but they seemed to be headed in the direction of the lodge. The cult was slow to react. They went to put out the fire not realizing that it had spread past them. The dirt path led toa series of junctions. At each junction there was a sign that read pilgrimage. Faith told Kyle to follow those signs.
"Pilgrimage?" He asked.
"Its where we had many of our new members go when they joined us. There's usually preaching at the base of the statue and with all the décor and The Father's presence in the statue, it was usually a powerful statement for people."
Jess huffed in anger and Faith ignored her. She was only explaining because Kyle had asked. "I imagine there going to be some members around the base of the statue. Its probably nothing you can't handle but better to let you know."
"Obvious that Joseph would have guards at his fucking statue. What a prideful bastard."
Faith kept silent. She knew what was around the statue but also the inside of it. It had taken years to build and The Father at that time insisted it be hollowed out in order to store weaponry and other boxes there. She also knew that her personal copy of 'The book of Joseph" was at that top but no need to let on that information.
Kyle stopped the car at the last junction where they could see the stairs leading up to the statue. "All right, we'll stop here. Everyone out."
Faith was surprised that Kyle wanted her to come with. After all, there would probably be some combat and Faith had no experience with a gun. They grouped together outside the car and Jess looked like she wanted to protest Faith coming but Kyle beat her to it. "Faith's coming Jess. No sense in leaving her here exposed. Besides there might be more she can tell us if the guy tries running or something. Here's how will do it. You take point and I'll be right behind you. Faith will stay back behind me out of danger but close enough to give us any info if we need it. Is that fine with you?"
Jess huffed but said nothing as she got in position. Kyle then turned to Faith. "You still have the pistol I gave you?"
"Yes."
"Alright, just try to stay out of the fighting. If you have to use it, don't hesitate. Stay behind me."
Faith nodded and the trio started moving towards the steps with Jess leading the way. Faith felt strange about returning here. She never would have guessed that she would be coming back here as a member of the other side. Everything seemed so familiar but at the same time, it seemed alien to her. She started hearing the automated preaching from The Father from the speakers that were set around the area. Jess moved slowly, expecting trouble around any corner.
They didn't run into anyone until they got to the last set of stairs to the statue. There was just a lone cultist with his back turned, gazing at the statue. Jess turned back to Kyle like she wanted confirmation to take him out and he nodded back at her. Jess crept up to the man, grabbed him, and slit his throat with her knife. He slumped down dead, his AK-47 falling beside him. Kyle looked at Faith like he expected her to take the gun but soon realized his error and took the gun himself, wrapping the strap over his right shoulder. Faith crept closer to him so he could hear her whisper.
"That opening over there leads to the inside but there's usually no one there unless they're storing something. Anyone here would be over there." The pointed to an area where they was a semi-circle of stone seats. Kyle relayed the information to Jess who turned to head in that direction. As the group got closer, they indeed saw people. There was a group of six, all sitting on the steps, rifles at their side. They were listening to a preacher. Faith noticed that the preacher matched the description of the man they were looking for. She was about to tell Kyle but he had already realized it too. He whispered something to Jess then came back to Faith.
"We're about to go in." He said solemnly.
Faith nodded and Kyle and Jess got into position to get better shots at everyone. Jess started everything with an arrow to the closest cultist, dropping her with the shot in the head. Before, the cultists could react, Kyle aimed and gunned two more down. The rest including the preacher scattered. Jess moved up into better cover and Kyle did the same. Faith made sure to follow him as to not be separated. The three remaining cultists opened fired while the preacher started running towards the statue.
"Kyle! He's running!" Faith yelled.
Kyle grunted and sprayed a burst of automatic fire to keep the cultists pinned down. "Jess, keep them occupied! We're going after him!"
Kyle didn't wait for confirmation as he immediately went after his target with Faith following close by. One of the cultists popped up to take aim at Kyle's back but Jess instantly put him down with an arrow to the throat. This kept the remaining two cultists in cover. Faith and Kyle saw the man run into the base of the statue. When they reached the inside, Kyle stopped as he gazed all around him at the seemingly unless crates of ammunition and bliss flowers. He soon snapped out of his stock and looked around for where the man had gone.
"There's a series of ladders that lead to the top." Faith told him. As soon as she informed him of that, they heard noise as the man's feet connection with the metal ladder bars. He was indeed trying to escape by going up. But like the last one, his panic had ensured that he had taken the wrong path. Kyle spotted the nearest ladder by him and proceeded to resume the chase. Faith followed him but she was slower in climbing the ladder. She was ok with heights but she remembered that there will many ladders. Kyle was soon quickly out of sight as he furiously chased after his target. Faith worried that everything would be over by the time she reached the top. However, when she reached the top, Kyle was aiming his rifle at the man who held out Faith's book at him like a shield.
"Stay back sinner!" The man shouted.
Kyle kept his sights on him then noticed Faith had joined him. He moved over to be close to her while still aiming his gun at the man. "Its all over." He said simply.
The man was shaking but tried to act brave. "No, The Father will come save me. He'll send his birds and…" He was silenced by Kyle shooting him in the leg, making him drop the book. Kyle quickly went over to pick the man up and make sure he didn't have any weapons. But he was completely unarmed.
"Do you know why we're here? He asked the man.
"Because you aim to defile The Father's creations. You're a heathen who only seeks to destroy!" The man shouted.
Weirdly, Kyle just smirked at him and motioned over to where Faith was standing. The man looker over. He didn't seem to have any recognition. "Who is this hea….?"
Then it hit him like a ton of breaks. He had not realized it at first because she was not wearing her white dress, but he soon recognized Faith's appearance. "Lady Faith!"
"Yes, Faith. The one created by you and Joseph." Kyle said.
Before the man could respond, Kyle hit him in the back of the head, dropping him again. Kyle quickly picked him up and held him by the scruff of his cloths.
"This is your doing! You started all this! You came for her and led her to Joseph! You surrendered her to him!" Kyle yelled.
"I.." But the man received several punches to the gut and face before he could continue. Kyle picked him back up after he was done. "Look at her!"
The mans looked at Faith. "She is now free from your fucking cult, from Joseph's fucking arrogance, his manipulating, his bullshit!
The man looked back at Kyle with fear. "How did you find me?"
Instead of punching him, Kyle decided to answer. "Your partner in crime was willing to talk. He told us exactly where you were. He's been taken care of. Now there's just one more loose end before we go after Joseph."
The man thrashed in fear. "Please let me go! It was part of the process. The Father's word is absolute!" He turned to Faith. "Lady Faith! Please! I ask for your forgiveness!"
But Faith said nothing. She continued to look at him, and it soon hardened into a stare. The man saw that his pleas where being ignored when suddenly something was shoved into his arms. It was the book of Joseph! The man felt a sense of relief as he thought that Kyle had seen sense and was going to be let go. Suddenly he was turned around and quickly led to the edge. Before the man could struggle again, Kyle threw him off the edge. The man screamed as he and his book plummeted to the cliffs. Kyle watched him fall and waited for him to hit the bottom before he turned to look at Faith.
"Let's get back to Jess." He said.
They made their way down the ladder back to where they had first encountered the cultists. Kyle had his hand on his gun just in case by Jess was standing around, looking bored as she waited. The bodies of the last cultists had arrowing sticking out of them.
"I'm guessing that scream was your doing?" She asked with a devious smirk.
Kyle remained stoic. "Yeah, its done. We should probably report this stash to the jail. They could probably use the ammunition. They started walking back towards the car when Faith suddenly had an idea.
"Wait!" Kyle and Jess turned around to look at her.
"We should destroy the statue."
Kyle and even Jess looked at her with confusion but it was Kyle. "Why…and how?"
Faith mustered up more confidence. "It'd send a message to Joseph. Seeing his statue destroyed would show him that things are not under his control. It would signal for him that his fate will follow the statues'." She thought for a second then continued. "As for how we take it down, that statue is filled with ammunition and explosives. I we plant the C-4 along the base, the resulting chain reaction will cause more explosion and topple it."
Faith waited nervously while the two pondered her plan. Kyle smiled, confirmed that he agreed with the plan. "Jess?"
Jess thought a bit more than also showed a small grin which amazing Faith. "Doesn't sound like a bad plan. I'm game."
Faith was overjoyed to gain their approval but she tried to stay as humble as possible. Jess and Kyle went back to the truck and moved it closer to the statue. Then Faith kept a watch out while they planted the C-4 along the base of the statue and a few on the inside. When they were done, Kyle motioned for Faith to get in the car. She got in the back to allow Jess to sit up front this time. Once everyone was in, Kyle handed her the detonator with a grin.
"You do the honors."
Faith gripped it and looked for the button. When she did, she waited for Kyle to nod then hit the switch. There was a series of explosions as Kyle sped the vehicle away. He drove it to a safe distance at the base of the cliff then got out with Jess. Faith joined them. They watched as explosions continued happening all along the statue. Finally, the statue started tipping to the side as soon completely fell over the cliff. Faith watched the whole thing with exuberating satisfaction.
Joseph Seed watched out his compound window as the statue of himself that took years to build, fell onto the earth. The statue had been the culmination of the cult's control on the area. It was a symbol that this was their home. But now it had crumbled. Jacob had told him that there was an incident taking place up north that he was investigating. Joseph called John to have him meet them at the compound. John was at first reluctant, claiming he had work to do but Joseph sternly reminded him that it was important. Jacob arrived first but didn't say anything. He just stood next to Joseph and watched what he was looking at. John showed up shortly afterward.
"So what's so important that we couldn…." He was stopped as he gazed in shock at the place where Joseph's statue once stood. All three Seed brothers now looked to the same spot in silence. After a few more moments, Joseph turned to Jacob.
"What news do you bring?"
"The Lodge was attacking. Everyone there was dead including my first responders who had gone there to check everything out. But there's another thing."
"Go on."
"That was the place where Henderson was stationed. We didn't find his body there, so we hoped he escaped. But we found his body along the road, gunshot to the back of the head."
"I see."
"There's more brother. I'm guessing that Henderson opened his mouth and led to this." He gestured towards where the statue had been. "I'm guessing Richards is dead too."
"So the Great sinner has struck us again…." Joseph sighed.
"Yes brother, I'm afraid so. Also, this is unconfirmed but one of second responders who was scoping out the lodge saw the sinner come back to pick up the archer."
"And?" Joseph questioned
"The individual also claimed he saw Faith in the car Joseph."
Joseph stood in silence. Had Faith really betrayed him? After everything he did for her? The report was unconfirmed but there was a chance that it could be true. Regardless, the sinner had struck again. Joseph felt shame. But there would be no more. The sinner may have discovered some secrets, but he would be righteously punished for his transgression. He will pay the ultimate price.
"John.."
John snapped out of his shock and turned to Joseph. "Yes brother?"
"Get 'it" ready. Make an announcement in Holland. The sinner must hand Faith over or we will ravage everything they hold dear. If the sinner hands her over, take both alive if possible and bring them straight to me. Faith takes priority, if you have to kill the sinner, don't hesitate. Once its done, unleash our fury on those who defy us."
John had an evil grin. "And if he refuses?"
"Then use 'it' to destroy everything. Destroy all those who defy us. Bring the hammer of revelation down upon them."
"It will be done brother."
"Good, now go."
When John left, Joseph turned to Jacob. "I am entrusting John to a great responsibility. This would give him a chance to recover himself. But I need you to settle the other two regions. Our enemies may grow bold from this act and launch more attacks."
Jacob simply nodded and left to carry out Joseph's will. The Father watched him leave then turned back to where his statue once stood. There would be retribution.