Chapter 4: Savior

Chris groaned as the sunlight of the morning woke him up from his sleep, not that he got much. Although physically he had gotten through the tortures of Jacob and John, mentally they had still remained with him. Nightmares of killing faceless people were the worst. What if one of those people was someone he cared about? Jacob's conditioning was still there within him. Hopefully he would never have to go through that again. He got up from the couch and did a quick stretch. This morning required another visit to the jail to speak to the newly freed sheriff. They needed to figure out the plan for the final confrontation with Joseph. There was also the matter of Faith as well. Chris checked on her. She seemed to be having nightmares as well because she kept mumbling to herself. She said things like "No! No more! Please!" Or "Joseph! I tried! Forgive me!" Even with his nightmares, Chris could see that Faith's might be worse specially now that she was out of the comfort of the cult. He went over to the side of the bed and gently shook her shoulder to wake her up.

"No!" Faith shot up, shaking madly. Chris could see the fear plastered all over her face. She turned to look at him. She grew a bit calmer but her fear was soon replaced by shame as she laid back down.

"It's okay. You're safe" he continued to rub his hand on her shoulder in a soothing motion.

"I'm sorry" was all that she could whisper. She was clearly embarrassed by what Chris had witnessed.

"No need to apologize. You're not the only one having nightmares." She turned toward him with a confused look. "Anyways, I'm heading back to the jail today. Shouldn't be too long."

"You're leaving me again?" there was sadness in her voice.

"This is going to be the last time, I promise. I gotta go talk to the sheriff and check how he's doing. We also need to develop plans to confront Joseph and also a plan for you to get smuggled out."

"Smuggled out? What do you mean?"

"We'll discuss it later but I'm sure you don't want to stay around here so we'll get you somewhere safe."

She gave him a small smile, "Thank you."

"Let me give you some food so you don't starve while I'm gone." He gave his own smile as he walked off toward the kitchen. Faith didn't have much time to think before he returned with what seemed to be a breakfast burrito. "Here, I know it isn't much but I'll try to get you better food when we move." Faith nodded as she greedily grabbed the burrito and started biting into it. "Alright I'll be back soon." Chris' departure gave Faith more time to ponder. Leave the county? Where would she go? How would she able to feel safe if word leaked out about her actions? How would she even live by herself? The past memories of being alone haunted her. Just being alone now was already beginning to be unnerving. She hoped that Chris would be back soon to answer her questions as well as eliminate her loneliness.

On the ride to the jail, Chris ran through all scenarios. Should he tell the sheriff about Faith? Chris felt like he could definitely be trusted but they would need to have that conversation in private, away from the ears of the Cougars. Even with that issue settled, how would they confront Joseph? Chris would have to tell him the info he learned from Faith but what would they do with her when they went after Joseph? It would probably be a warzone and Chris didn't want to risk Faith in health or potentially seeing The Father.

"Just one thing at a time." he told himself calmly. He finally arrived at the jail and was perplexed by what he saw. There was very little activity. Where is everyone? As he walked in, all he saw was just a few people wandering about. He asked one of them where the sheriff was.

"He's in the main office deputy" Chris made his way over there and saw the sheriff looking over a map.

"About time you got here." he said without looking up.

"I'm glad to see you're back to normal sheriff." Was his reply.

"Yeah, you folks got me out of there. They were telling me on the way back how I was about to hang myself and such. I'm surprised you weren't with them considering all you've done so far. Which reminds me, what happened with Faith? They told me that no one was at the bunker besides me. I figure that means you took care of her and her forces."

"About that…." He looked around the office and went to close the door. That caused the sheriff to look up at him with a confused look. "She's still alive. I have her hidden away sheriff."

Whitehorse's mouth almost hit the floor. "You what? Did she surrender? Did she hit you with more bliss? What the hell happened?"

"Calm down sir. No, I'm not under any sort of bliss influence. I did what I needed to do. I chose to save her from death" the last line was almost a whisper.

Whitehorse pounded on the table "Dammit Rook. What the hell were you thinking? I guess that explains why Tracey went out with so many patrols. They know she's still alive and out there. They sent almost everyone here. I don't know why you saved her but if the Cougars find her, they are going to put many bullets through her brain." He threw up his hands in frustration. "All of this going on when we should be focusing on Joseph!"

Halfway through Whitehorse's comments, Chris got lost in thought. The Cougars were out there in force looking for Faith. He had left her all lone and unprotected. The sheriff snapped him out of his thoughts "Rook, did you hear me?!"

Chris looked at him with serious eyes. "I gotta go back sheriff. We'll talk later."

As he went to leave, Whitehorse asked "Why is she so damn important to you? Why did you keep her alive?"

There was a short pause. "Later, sheriff." Chris then rushed out as quick as he could to his truck. He started it then went full speed out of the jail toward the cabin. A million thoughts went through his head with his protective nature in overdrive. He hoped that he was not too late.

Faith finished eating and laid back in bed. The wound was not as bad as yesterday but it was still bothersome. Her mind was on past events.

"The Father saved me when I had nothing, not even the will to live. He gave me a purpose, a sense of belonging, of being wanted. So why do I feel conflicted? He was demanding, but I did everything he asked no matter what. At first it was out of gratitude but recently….."

Faith knew she wasn't the first of her position but would Joseph really replace her as he did the others? Was he only using her as a means to an end? Was Chris right? Chris…. he was an enigma to Faith. He was the only one outside the cult that cared for her, wanted to help her with no expectations of giving back. He killed three of his own allies to protect her. The cult had only protected her because of The Father's orders but Chris? Faith's thoughts were interrupted by hearing the door open. A sense of relief came over her as it meant that Chris was back. But something was wrong. There were multiple voices. They soon came into view, four men all armed with assault rifles. Two of them peeled off from the group and entered her room while having a conversation. They finally noticed Faith in the bed.

"What the? Who are you? We thought this place was deserted." He pointed his gun at her.

"Captain! We have a live one here!" the other shouted. Even with guns pointed at her, Faith did her best to remain calm even in this dire situation. Her gun that Chris had given to her was out of reach, dropped to the side of the bed. If she were to die this time, she would at least die defiant.

The other two men entered the room. The one who was most likely the captain spoke, "Check her arm." One of the other men stepped forward and roughly rolled up her sleeve to reveal a tattoo. "Huh, looks like its her but go radio command to confirm.

"Yes sir!" the one that came with him left.

"This is the end Faith." the captain taunted "As soon as he confirms that tattoo, you're as good as dead!" Faith then heard a noise. It was faint but it sounded like it came from outside. The other three men didn't seem to hear it however.

"Damn siren! I hope you burn in hell with your brothers and all the other peggies" one of the other men spit on her. Two of the three kept their guns on her but the captain seemed to be growing restless.

"What the hell is taking Wilson so long? Jake, go see what's holding him up." Another man left the room and a moment later there was another noise. This time it sounded like gunfire. Faith's hope grew as the other two grew worried. "What the hell was that? Who's there?" Both men readied their guns and ventured out into the hallway. They seemed to see something that was out of Faith's view. "Deputy?" Gunfire. Both men dropped immediately in a pool of blood. A moment later, Chris entered the room carrying his MG42. He immediately went over to Faith.

"Did they do anything? Did they hurt you?" his voice was laden with concern.

"No, I'm fine…thanks to you."

Chris nodded then headed towards the exit. "I'm gonna take care of this mess. Sit tight for a few more minutes."

"Always the hero huh?" It was Faith's turn to make him smile.

"You know it!" he then went off to do his task.