Chapter 14: Sacrifice

George Wilkes was on his way back from patrol. Despite being a chosen, he preferred to go on patrols on his own rather than have his soldiers do it. He had been trained by Jacob himself so he was very aware and astute. Jacob had taught him so well that Wilkes had begun to look at Jacob as a mentor. But Jacob was dead, another victim of the "Great Sinner'. Wilkes had been lucky to have been on another assignment that fateful day. It allowed him to be one of the few who were able to escape back to Joseph. The Father took such a liking to him that he put Wilkes in command of a group that would venture from the safety of The Father's compound. Things were grim but The Father was confident in Wilkes to get the job done. He was about to return from the western woods when he noticed something odd. Where were his people? Moving up a bit, he came across a body. Then another, and another. No bullet wounds at all. Just broken necks or arrows. Wilkes immediately recognized the work of that damned archer and deputy. They had struck again as they did many times in Jacob's region. As Wilkes quietly advanced, he saw one of them. It was the archer, who appeared to be scavenging from the bodies. Her back was to him. What an opportunity! Wilkes quickly crept up to her, his weapon ready just in case. Jacob had also taught him melee techniques which he used to knock Jess out temporarily. On instinct, he took out the handcuffs he was provided before the mission and cuffed her hands behind her back. Wilkes smiled to himself. He now had a prisoner, better yet, a hostage. He knew the "Great Sinner' would still be around. The two were always together. He came up with a brilliant idea. Wilkes picked up Jess who was slowly coming awake and held her in position.

Chris was searching a building when he heard a loud tell. "Sinner! I know you're still here. Come to the center of the outpost with no funny business or else!"

Chris was shocked, did they somehow miss one? He slowly made his way back to where he had left Jess. Sure enough, there was a cultist, a chosen no less. But what he had with him made Chris grow with despair. He had Jess, seemingly cuffed and held closely as a hostage. She looked like she had been knocked out and was slowly starting to come to. The chosen had one arm around her neck with the other holding a pistol.

"Sinner! Come out now! This is your final warning!"

Chris quickly stepped into his field of view. "Here I am." He held his hands up with one of them holding his SMG.

The chosen turned toward him with his shield. "There you are! Finally! This has been a long time coming."

Jess finally came to and realized she was in handcuffs and being held by a strong arm. "What the fuck is going on?"

The chosen tightened his grip. "Shut the fuck up and be quiet."

Jess ignored him and started struggling. "You fucking peggie bastard!"

Wilkes was losing his patience. "One more word out of you and I'll kill you and your friend!" Jess then noticed Chris standing across with his arms raised. It filled her with a sense of fear that she has not felt since…. that time.

"As I was saying, this has been a long time coming." Said the chosen regaining his composure. "The Father has grown tired of your brazen defiance! He has offered a reward to whoever could cleanse the world of your sinful self. God has smiled at me as I was the one who finally caught you unaware. There will be no escape for you this time unless you want your girlfriend here to have her brains splattered."

"What do you want?" Chris asked, his arms still raised.

"What I want you to do is turn around and kneel. I'll be merciful and end it quickly. Don't even try anything. No matter how good you are, that SMG will spray will hit your friend here. She'll be dead and I'll send you to join her. But do as I say and I promise that the girl will live."

"How could I trust you with that? I might as well take my chances since you're gonna kill us both anyways."

Wilkes smiled devilishly. "I wouldn't. Unlike you, The Father could use this one. He has commanded us to find a new 'Faith' since you took out the last one. This one is strong but with enough bliss and conditioning, she'll become an obedient 'Faith' to The Father."

Jess realized what he was saying and resumed struggling. "Fuck you! You might as well kill me!"

The chosen tightly gripped her neck to cut off air. "I will if your friend doesn't do as I say! So, what will it be sinner?"

Chris was trying his best to present a calm demeanor but seeing Jess getting tortured was making it very difficult. He did not have it in him to let Jess die. Being a bliss slave might be worse but he couldn't bring himself to be responsible for Jess' death. Chris clinged to the tiniest hope that one day, Jess would break free and escape. But he would die today. "Okay, I'll do as you ask but you better keep her alive."

Jess' eyes grew wide. "No Chris! I'd rather die! Fucking spray his ass and kill us both! Forget about me! Fucking shoot us!"

The chosen squeezed her neck. "Final warning! Any more defiance and you both die!"

"I'm sorry Jess….." Chris said almost tearing up.

"Don't do it Chris! Please!" She sobbed.

Chris kneeled down. He took one final look at Jess before turning around. The chosen aimed his pistol at Chris' head. "Burn in hell sinner!" Jess and Chris closed their eyes to wait for the inevitable. There was a pistol shot. Chris heard it but he was still alive. He waited a few moments then turned around. The chosen was on the ground, dead. Blood was pouring profusely from his head. Jess who had been released was sitting on the ground staring at the body. What the hell happened? Chris then looked past them and saw Faith. She was aiming her pistol right where the chosen had been. Her face was blank. Chris slowly got up and began to move towards her. Faith noticed his movement and started advancing to where Jess and the body was.

"Are you alright?" asked Faith. Jess looked up to see Faith looking down at her, a look of concern on her face. She holstered her pistol while awaiting a reply but Jess was still in shock.

"Are you alright?" This time it was Chris who offered his hand to Jess. She took it and was pulled up but said nothing.

Chris went over to Faith. "You didn't run…." He said somberly.

Faith gave him a sad, guilty look. "I couldn't leave you! When I saw what happened, I knew I had to at least try to save you guys or die trying! Luckily, I was able to get behind him to line up for a clear shot." Tears started to form in her eyes. "I know it was reckless and against what you told me but I couldn't leave you Chris! I love you too much! I'm sorr-" She was cut off by Chris suddenly embracing her. She hugged him tightly back.

"There's no need to apologize Faith. Thank you." He increased his grip slightly. "Thank you for saving her and me from a fate worse than death." The broke the embrace and Chris turned towards Jess who was still staring at the body. "Jess, don't you have something to say?"

Jess turned towards them, still bewildered by what happened. "Thanks…. for saving us."

Faith smiled back at her. "You're very welcome!"

Chris suddenly burst at laughing. "The fact that you got that out of Jess means you're moving up in the world." He elbowed Jess playfully but she didn't react. "Hey, you going to be alright?"

Jess turned towards him. "Yeah…I'm sorry. I just need some time alone. I'll meet you guys tomorrow before we leave."

Chris nodded and hugged Jess and returned it. "Take care of yourself Jess."

"You too" she then started walking off towards the woods. Chris knew this incident had left a major impression on Jess. Faith, a former member of the cult she so despised, came back for them and killed a cultist to save them. That had grayed Jess' view of the world. She would need time. Chris and Faith made their way back to the truck and headed home. Chris was in thought on the ride back. Faith had proven herself again. She could have run but she had instead chosen to risk herself to save them. Chris had learned his lesson. Faith would be with him from now on.