Chapter 6: Conditioning

If there was one good thing about this Montana warzone, it was that it usually had good weather. Chris was awakened by the sun rising to the clear skies. Luckily, he had no nightmares this time around. In fact, he slept rather well. He got up and grabbed the radio off the table and set it to the frequency he used to get in contact with his friends. "Hey guys, this is Chris. Sorry if I woke you. There's something important we need to discuss. Meet at 8-bit in two hours. Chris out."

Hopefully everyone heard that, but they were usually good about these kinds of things. Chris decided to let Faith sleep a bit more and went to shower and change. He was glad they would finally be leaving. They had been in one place for too long and it had caused problems. After loading all his gear into the truck, he made his way to Faith's room. To his surprise, she was already awake.

"Good morning" she gave him a smile.

"Morning! We're headed out as soon as you're ready. I'll get us some breakfast while you get ready." He went off to the kitchen while Faith headed for the showers. As she showered, she ran through all her information on Joseph, the chosen guarding him, what he was having her old comrades doing, etc. After Faith had finished getting ready, she ran into Chris bringing two bagels with cream cheese in them. After eating, they made their way to the truck. Faith could tell that Chris was unusually nervous. His eyes darted every which way and he kept looking at her on the ride there, making sure she was okay.

"When we get there, stay outside until I give you the signal to come in. I want them to be a ready first." A bit over-protective but Faith didn't mind. She knew he only had good intentions and was just concerned for how things would go. Upon arrival, they noticed a few vehicles were already parked outside. Looks like everyone was here already. Chris took one deep breath and headed inside. His companions were all mingling with each other, well except Jess who was leaning against a wall off to the side. She noticed him first but Nick was the one who spoke up. "Hey Chris! You finally made it!" Chris greeted everyone then asked them all for their attention.

"So we all know Joseph's the last one standing right? Well I think its about time we start thinking on ending this thing once and for all. I have someone who wants to help us out with that. Come on in." When Faith made her appearance, she felt the enormous weight of all eyes being on her.

"Faith…" Nick started.

"Seed" Grace finished.

All were stunned except for Jess who was in a fury.

"You fucking liar! She never ran away! You've had her this whole fucking time!" She took a few aggressive steps toward Faith but was cut off swiftly by Chris. "Get the fuck out of my way Chris. I'm going to finish what you couldn't."

Chris held her back. He was scary serious. "Jess, you need to calm the fuck down. I had my reasons for doing what I did." He spoke calmly but firmly.

"Why'd you not kill her Chris? What, you think she's innocent in all this? She's responsible for the marshal, Virgil, and many more people's deaths. She created fucking zombies with her damn bliss! And you want to fucking protect her?! I thought you were better than that Chris!"

Faith noticed Chris' expression change as he now became very defensive.

"Jess Black! How long have we been fighting together?! I helped free you; I helped you get revenge for your family killing The Cook; I always kept you upright; I was always loyal even when you let your damn thirst for killing peggies take over; I've ALWAYS had your back! So this one fucking time, I need you to have my back!"

Jess clearly didn't expect Chris to react so harshly. Her anger modified a bit into something resembling regret. She took one more glance at Faith before turning back to Chris.

"Fine, whatever." It was Jess' way of conceding and she walked back to her place against the wall. Judging by their angry conversation with each other, Faith figured there was a strong bond between Chris and Jess. Perhaps selfishly, she felt a little proud that Chris defended her despite that bond. He was still recovering from his outburst when Hurk approached him.

"Hey man! You gotta see this! Joseph is on tv!" All but Faith made a circle around the tv. She stayed behind Chris so she was unable to see but could hear what was going on. Joseph was staring right at the camera. He had a look that was a mix of seriousness and calmness.

"These sinners keep sinking to new depths. The one who drags them all down, the most egregious sinner of them all, is the deputy. He has killed my flock, murdered my brothers…still it is not enough for him. Now he has taken my sister, Faith, hostage. He prevents her from returning to us, where she belongs. I tell you this, he will not escape judgement. And I promise that we will get out sister back. Deputy, I know you're watching this. So I present to you a gift. Let it remind you of the sin you bear."

'Only You' starting playing. Everyone was confused but Jess as she knew what effect the music would have on Chris. She saw right away how he was grabbing his head and grunting.

"We have to restrain Chris now! Nick, Hurk, Sharky, get your asses over here. Two of you get his right side, and the other help me hold his left." Chris was yelling in anger as the four did their best to hold him against the wall.

"How long does this last?' Sharky yelled.

"I don't know!" Jess knew the previous times had only ended with a bunch of people dead. Whatever effect this was having on Chris drove him into a frenzy and made him much stronger. They were barely holding him back.

Faith had listened to Joseph's broadcast in silence. She was just as confused as everyone else about the song until she saw Chris reaction and Jess leaping into action. Then Faith remembered what Chris was told her. This was what Jacob had done. The anger Faith felt soon turned into concern as she saw his friends barely kept him against the wall. She needed to do something. Faith had every intention of proving that she wanted to help and now was the time, even if it was dangerous. She walked up right up to where Chris was, showing no fear. Nick noticed her out of the corner of his eye.

"Hey! Stay back! He's dangerous!" Jess noticed her too but only gave her a look that asked 'what are you doing?' Faith pressed her hand against Chris' chest and began to rub soothingly.

"Ssssh…its okay" She repeated this two more times. It seemed to be having an effect. Faith then moved her hand to his cheek and stroked it gently.

"Ssssh…. everything is okay. I'm here for you."

Chris was in a nightmare. The song has caused a trigger that brought up the effects from Jacob's torture. He kept hearing 'cull the herd' from Jacob's voice. He struggled to move and realized he was being held by four shadowy figures. Chris had an urge for blood. He wanted to kill them all and anyone else who stood in his way. He fought back with all of his strength to break free. He felt he was about to break free when he heard another voice, Faith's.

"Ssssh…. its okay." He looked slightly down to see that she had appeared right before him, her hand on his chest. He was confused. Where the hell had she come from? Suddenly, he felt her hand on his cheek. It felt so gentle….and loving.

"Ssssh… everything is okay. I'm here for you." With those words, the nightmare ended. When Chris opened his eyes, he saw his friends who had been holding him back. Their faces were filled with concern and shock. He then looked in front of himself and there was Faith. Her blue eyes were staring right into Chris' and she had a smile on her face. Her hand was still on his cheek. It was at that moment that Chris knew his feelings were real. Faith had brought him back from the darkness into looking at paradise.