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Chapter Text

Peter read the wanted fugitive poster with a mangled sense of pride. Never has he had this much money on his head before, this many feds after him. It made his stomach rush, his blood pressure rising so much it hurt.
Despite loving the surge of adrenaline being on the run gave him, he needed to find somewhere to lay low for a while. Somewhere he could start new and pretend to be a different man.. a good man. At least until his urges came back.

Peter shook his dark hair out, tugged his cap down and pulled his hood up. Glaring out onto the dark street, a plan forms in his head. Steeling himself against the brisk rain, he treads out onto the street and into the flood of pedestrians, quickly becoming just another figure in the gloom of the city.

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Ifer leant with her back to the wall of the Spread Eagle, slowly drinking a beer. 'So much for Ladies' Night' she thought, apparently if you were associated with the 'Project at Eden's Gate' you still had to pay.

Bullshit. She didn't make her brother's decisions for him. Why should she be penalised?

She looked out over the crowds of women here for the event. Hoping the alcohol would kick in quickly so she could blissfully ignore the blatant stares and poorly hidden whispers. She had been popular and well-liked just a few months ago. She still wasn't sure what had changed... she'd given riding lessons to half of these people's kids for god's sake.

Feeling a little suffocated, Ifer stepped outside. Looking up at the glittering night sky, she smiled, wondering what her horses were up to.

"Miss Carter!", Ifer perked up. Pastor Jeffries was coming up the road.

"Pastor" she smiled and bowed her head a little.

"How are the ponies?" he teased.

"All good, Pastor. Enjoying the last of the heat before winter rolls in"

"Great to hear, Ifer. How's your brother?"

The question held weight. A knowing look sent her way.

"Haven't heard from him in a while. I think he's doing well"
That wasn't a complete lie. Of course, she'd heard from him but the correspondence was few and far between. She knew he was swiftly climbing the ranks of a private militia in the mountains. What she didn't want the pastor to know was that she was seeing him tomorrow at his base.

"I see, well let's hope he's staying healthy and true to God. Have a good night Miss Carter, I hope to see you at church one of these days" He eyed her then waved goodbye and continued on his way. Greeting those outside the Spread Eagle too.

Ifer smiled and watched him go. The poor man had members of his church leaving left and right. She knew why he was suspicious of her, her brother had followed the wave of folk joining the new Church, Eden's Gate, and her guess was he didn't want to lose more from his community.
Ifer's older brother Harrison had never been one to seek out religion before but after the year they had, she understood. Gulping down the dregs of the beer she threw it into a nearby dumpster, wincing at the crash it made.
She'd had enough socialising for one night and started toward her truck to head home. "Horses are so much easier than people" she muttered as she got in the driver's seat and took off northbound.

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Passing Sunrise Farm, and then taking a left after Red's Farm Supply. Ifer drove up the dirt path onto her property, well technically, her parent's property. She's greeted by a loud whinny that can only be her horse, Sweep. As she parks the truck out front and gets out, the palomino trots up to the wooden fence, snorting and swishing her tail in greeting.

"Hello, pretty girl" Ifer coos, walking up and giving the horse a good ear scratch. Sweep nibbles at her jacket pockets, hoping for a treat or a cookie.
"Nope, got nothing for you sweetheart" Ifer empties her pockets and flattens out her hands, showing the greedy pony. Sweep snorts in protest and shakes her head.
"Yeah, yeah I know" She kisses Sweep on her pink nose and bids her goodnight, walking up the porch. Opening the door to her home, she turns and lightly salutes the picture of her father hanging on the wall next to the front door, she pulls the handgun out of her jeans and rests it on the table. Her dad looked so healthy here, his military portrait showing off his shining badges. "Lieutenant Colonel Carter" Ifer muttered under her breath while grinning at the image.

Ifer picked up the open letter lying next to the gun, it was from her brother, detailing how he's been doing. Harry spoke about his new friends at the base, their superiors, how much training he's been doing and how much stronger he is. He seemed happy, and proud of himself. 'It's given me purpose' was his last line before signing off. The base wasn't far, Stone Ridge Chalet it was called, North of their property and on the border of the Whitetails. Tomorrow she would ride up and visit him.
Closing the letter back up, she fingers the insignia on the front. A beautiful, intricate cross, the symbol of the Eden's Gate Church.

Ifer pondered the cross as she went to bed, she didn't see why the Fall's End locals had such an issue with the Church. In her eyes, they had a solid moral code and had helped multiple people in the County, she knew they had a recovering addict program, they'd even fixed up the abandoned Veteran's Centre and had it up and running again. Hell, they'd even reached out to her family asking if they would run equine therapy sessions for struggling members of the Church. Her family had gone through a rough patch so they hadn't been able to get back to them yet, but Ifer hoped it was something she could do soon. Her horses had saved her so many times and to share that special bond between humans and horses with more people was her dream.

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The next morning, the sun floods into Ifer's bedroom, she peels the curtain open and looks over the pasture, the horses are up and moving. Grazing the morning dew off the grass. Ifer smiles sweetly and calls out good morning to her steeds, a couple are already waiting at the gate for their breakfast.

Braiding her long golden brown hair, and fixing her fringe, she applies quick makeup. Maybe she'd meet a handsome soldier at the Chalet. In fact, most of the men Harry was training with were at high school with him, and she had crushed hard on her older brother's friends.

Sliding on jeans, chaps and her worn brown cowboy boots, she grabs her Stetson hat from her door and heads down to fetch the horse's grain.
After feeding herself and letting the horses have their breakfast, she heads into the stable to grab the halters. She needed to catch her horse Sweep and her brother's horse Coyote. Stepping into the pasture, she calls out their names, Sweep ran over almost immediately, but Coyote being a stubborn bugger like her brother pretended she didn't exist until Ifer presented him with food. Tying both horses in the crossties she begins grooming them. Brushing down Sweep, she admires her dapples that shone in the summer. The Palomino quarter horse stood quietly while getting her mane plaited, whereas Coyote stomped with frustration. Coyote was a much stockier horse compared to Sweep, with a thick, rich red chestnut coat. She tacked Sweep up in her custom western trail saddle, with a matching bridle and breastplate. Coyote got a western ranch saddle with a buck carving on the stirrup leather and a bitless bridle. Ifer packed trail essentials and an emergency first aid kit. She hooked her lasso onto the saddle horn and slid a large hunting knife into her boot.

She led them both out of the stable and mounted Sweep, tying Coyote's reins to her saddle.

"Ready to see Harry, Coyote?" she remarked as she scratched the big horse's head. She picked up her reins and clicked Sweep into a Walk. Heading down the trail, Ifer basked in the dappled sunlight leaking through the trees, the light breeze whisking past her and the horses reassured her as she plodded up towards the Whitetails.

Chapter Text

Horse Fact! : The American Quarter Horse (the breed that Sweep is) earned its name because it was bred to run quarter-mile races. They have very strong, muscled hindquarters that allow them to go from a standing stop to a gallop in a few seconds. They also earned their name in their ability to outrun other horse breeds in races of a quarter mile (or less). Even thoroughbreds!

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Surefooted, reliable, and gentle. That's how Ifer liked her horses. Sweep and Coyote were the definition of just that, with the personality to boot too.
They didn't bat an eye at the tractors chugging across the bridge, nor at the deer darting through the trees. Hiking their way up the trail to Stone Ridge Chalet, Ifer approaches a checkpoint where she is swiftly stopped by a couple of men in grey camo and red sweaters, handguns holstered at their hips. The Eden's Gate Cross is printed loudly in white on a red flag above them.

"Good Morning, Miss" The taller of the two approaches her, blonde hair tussled into a ponytail at the back. He had a clean-shaven face and kind eyes. The second man was a bit more rugged, with a full beard and quite obviously greasy hair.
"What's your business at Stone Ridge, Miss?" The blonde guy continues, Montana accent thick, coming up to stand beside Sweep, yet keeping a comfortable distance so as not to spook her.
"I'm visiting my brother, Harrison Carter? uh... Private Carter?" she added at the end. She smiled at the man hoping he knew her brother and knew she was visiting today.
"Oh yes, you're Ifer right? Harrison told us you'd be coming this morning. Bare with me for a moment" The blonde man stepped away and walked to the tower on the side of the trail. He came out a minute later with an ID card. "Here, temporary visitor ID card for ya, Miss Carter. This will let you come through the checkpoint with no trouble in the future. That is unless I'm working" He winked at the end of his sentence and sent Ifer a charming smirk. The other soldier just stared at Ifer and his partner, eyes empty.
Ifer giggled at his attempt at flirting, well not attempt, he succeeded. "Thank you very much, I look forward to it" She smiled sweetly at the man and raised her eyebrows, waiting for him to finish her sentence with his name.
"Corporal Hunt, Christopher, Chris" He grinned and reached his hand up, taking Ifer's hand and shaking it firmly.
"Pleasure to meet you, Corporal. I hope to see you soon" Ifer teased a salute and squeezed Sweep, pushing her on through the checkpoint, Coyote following behind. Ifer watched the second soldier as she rode by, he, in turn, watched back.
Ifer felt the soldiers' burning eyes into her back until she left their line of sight. She beamed and blushed while staring at her lap. Something about the confidence of soldiers was always so attractive to her. And that's not even mentioning the uniform. And he was a Corporal! Not recruit, not private, Corporal.
She shook her head to get those thoughts out and hoped it would wipe the red out of her face too. She scratched the neck of the mare and whispered good girl, letting her know she was the best mare ever.

Coming up to the Chalet, she heard the shouting of commands and controlled gunfire before she even saw the building. As soon as it came into view, she felt daunted by just how huge it was. It was a fucking mansion. She halted on top of the hill, heart-beat rising in her chest. She silently watched men go through drill runs, obstacle courses and target practice. All kinds of weapons were being used, Ifer was particularly interested in the men shooting compound bows at dummies. She had always wanted to try her hand at mounted archery. Sweep was becoming increasingly agitated at the sound of the guns so to prevent an accident, Ifer dismounted and soothed her before carrying on with the horses in hand. Coyote hadn't even blinked at the loud noises, Harry had trained him with mounted shooting a couple of years ago, hoping to compete in the sport. Their father's declining health had prevented him from ever contending.
Leading the horses down to the entrance she saw a familiar figure standing out front, arms crossed. Ifer's smile grew and grew the closer she got.

"You're late," Harry said sternly. He had always been freakishly tall but he had definitely gotten bigger. Harry had always towered over Ifer, not that she wasn't tall, standing at 5"10 herself but the lanky boy who left to join was completely changed. He must be over 200 lbs now.
"Oh go fuck yourself Harry, at least be happy to see me" Ifer laughed at his poor attempt at scaring her and dropped Sweep's reins, reaching out to hug her big brother. He immediately changed his tune picked the girl up and spun her around, barking out laughter. Harry finally let her go, at the risk of suffocating the poor woman.
"Christ Alive, when did this all happen?" Ifer half-shouted in disbelief, gesturing to all of him.
Harry looked very impressed with himself "Just training, I've been working out before and after too. Jacob puts us through some pretty gruelling shit. I want to be ready for anything thrown at me---I've also been eating like an extra 1000 calories a day" He mentioned quietly. Ifer laughed and grinned at the man again, never had he ever been this devoted to something.
"I think you're forgetting to say hello to someone Private Carter" Ifer gestured to his precious pony behind her as she leaned down to pick up Sweep's reins again. Harry did a double take at her title for him. "Oh my God, did I not tell you?" he stared at her, eyes elated.
"What? No, Tell me what?" Ifer puzzled, feeling bewildered.
"You are looking at the one, the only" he paused for dramatic effect "Sergeant Carter" He arrogantly opened his arms and closed his eyes, waiting for her reaction.
"What!!" Ifer shouted and hit his arm, making him flinch and laugh. "Fuck Off!" Sweep perked up and looked at Ifer like she was crazy. "When did- How did you- What?!"
"This morning" Harry stood proudly showing off the Sergeant patch on his camo jacket, however, he wasn't in the uniform grey camo, Harry wore a replica of their father's Air Force jacket. The original was framed and hung above the fireplace. "The big man called me in and promoted me just before you got here, I guess I have a talent for bossing around little girls" He poked and pinched at Ifer's arms and stomach, making her bat his hands away like an angry cat. By God, had they been annoying as kids, they were attached at the hip and always on horseback, terrorising neighbours or the Sunrise Farm folks. They had a real knack for pranking their neighbour Red. Their father always told them to quit it as Red was an angry veteran and wouldn't hesitate to threaten the two with a weapon if they continued. But it only encouraged them, seeing how much the old man could handle before he exploded and chased after them with a shotgun.
"Awe Harrison I'm so happy for you. Have you told Mum yet?"
"Nope, gonna give her a call this evening, so she can tell the old man"
Finally caught up, Harrison moved his attention to the impatient gelding staring at him. "Hello boy, Oh have I missed you" Harry cooed at the horse, giving him a good neck scratch to which Coyote wiggled his lips.

A shout caught all their attention and the four turned to face the sound. "Sergeant Carter! I see the cavalry's arrived!"
It was 4 soldiers, all coming over to congratulate Harrison on his promotion. Harry approached them warmly, thanking them. She recognised a couple as boys he went to high school with. "This your girlfriend Sarge?" one remarked quietly, not quietly enough. Ifer scrunched her face and gave the man her meanest stink-eye possible. (Which, unfortunately, wasn't very mean). Harry quickly shut that down, telling the men that this was Ifer, his sister. They all came over, introducing themselves; Cole, Lyle, Adam, and Diego. Lyle and Diego had been Harry's friends since high school and Ifer greeted them telling the boys how good it was to see them doing well. Lyle was the same height as Ifer, with a stockier build, and thighs as thick as tree trunks. Diego was only a little taller than Harrison, but not as built, he had a leaner, athletic look, with dark dreadlocks that were sun-bleached at the ends. They were both very handsome, she'd thought so since she was 16.

"Do you uh want a tour of the place?" Lyle asked Ifer rather sheepishly. Ifer looked to Harry with a questioning look. Was that possible? Was she even allowed in? Despite not being a soldier or a part of the Church. Harrison picked up the radio from his belt and took a step back, turning around and bringing the radio up to his mouth. Ifer heard the radio crackle and then *Sir, this is Sergeant Carter, permission to authorise a visitor*. A second later the radio buzzed with a voice she didn't recognise. "What for Sergeant? Who is the visitor" The voice was deep, not chest-deep, but throat-deep, rough and dry with a barely tangible southern inflection. By the way in which Harry was talking to him, she got the impression he was someone important, and powerful. Ifer noted how Harrison talked to this man on the radio like he did their dad; with respect. "Visitor is my sister, Ifer, sir, I would like to show her around, sir." A few seconds later, the voice responded "Alright Sergeant, permission granted." The radio crackled off again and Harry turned around with a mischievous grin, "Big man says yes".

After finding a fence to tie the horses to, Ifer tells them to not do anything stupid and leaves to follow Harrison and the other soldiers.
"Here is where we conduct most of our meetings, organise drills, operations and the like" Lyle points to a couple of large black tents, full of metal chairs and maps pinned to the inside. Boxes of rifles sat menacingly outside the tents. Reminding Ifer that this was not a summer camp where her brother had tea parties, this was an army camp with an active militia. Not like those Whitetail Boy Scouts, learning to tie knots and fish. The group passed the training grounds, and Ifer observed the complicated obstacle course. It looked intense and she could only imagine how hectic it would be while fully active, there were only a couple of guys running it at the moment. Everyone was probably in free time. Ifer's mind went blank staring at all of the equipment around them even though Harrison was explaining in detail what they did during each drill and what everything in the yard was for. She snapped out of it when Harry directed her inside.

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The redhead soldier leaned his elbows on the railing of the balcony. Watching the woman who had just walked into his base. He had no idea the newly appointed Sergeant Carter had a sister, especially not one so beautiful. "Ifer." Jacob pondered her name, wondering where it was from. It suited her, it had a sacred feeling to it. Like saying an angel's name, identifying it before you. When he laid his eyes on her looking over the base, atop a horse, he felt something stir in his chest. a thrill he had not felt for decades. The way she was so in sync with the animal was impressive. He was fond of Sergeant Carter and had given him a higher rank as a test. He wanted to see how Carter would cope with the new responsibility and power. Harrison Carter was by far his most impressive project. He was devoted and en route to becoming the next Chosen. Probably because of the young woman in his eyesight now, Jacob knew what had happened to the Carters' father and it only enforced the reason why he should promote Harrison. But now, watching his sister explore Jacob's facility, he had other motivations, another reason to keep him close. Jacob kept his eye trained on her the moment she appeared, watching every little mannerism, trying to pick her apart from afar.
"Jacob!" Suddenly his eyes were torn away by his shithead baby brother waving his hand in front of Jacob's face. Jacob growled, "What?". "We've been calling your name for like 2 minutes, What are you even looking at?" John stated, turning to follow Jacob's eyeline, but the woman had already walked inside the building, disappearing from view. "Ah, nothing." he flourishes his hand "Quit moping and sit down. Joe wants to start" John spoke in a cavalier manner, turning back and walking inside the office.
Jacob eyed his brothers sitting around his desk and took a deep breath in. Steeling himself for whatever it was that Joseph would ask of him this time.

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After the wholly uneventful tour, and waiting for Harry to change into more casual riding gear, Ifer wished Harry's friends goodbye and told them she would visit soon. She was so relieved to see Sweep again and even more relieved she hadn't gotten herself stuck in a fence somehow. Harrison picked a leaf out of Coyote's mane and stuck his foot in the stirrup, jumping up and swinging his leg around the gelding. He backed Coyote up and stuck his leg out, giving his sister a leg up onto her horse.
"Ready for a ride, slowpoke?" Harrison taunted his little sister.
"Oh? Slowpoke? Really? Sweep could smoke your chunky pony any day of the week, Cowboy" Ifer taunted back.
Harry's eyes narrowed. "You wanna race to prove that?"
"Fuck yeah I do, just don't choke on my dust" Ifer challenged. "On 3?" Harrison nodded and shifted in the saddle, turning Coyote towards the road. Ifer followed, sitting forward and loosening her reins.

"Three."
"Two."
"O--"
"GO" Harrison shouted, digging into Coyote's sides, the chestnut horse startled into a sprint.
"YOU- Fucker!" Ifer shrieked as Sweep reared and stomped her hooves, swiftly chasing after Coyote and almost pulling Ifer out of the saddle. Sweep was more athletic than Coyote and more competitive so it didn't take long to catch up to her brother. Hooves thundered down the trail as the steeds heaved and snorted with each stride.
"You're a dirty cheater, Harry" Ifer cried as she was now neck and neck with her brother.
"Ya snooze ya Lose, Ife" Harry laughed and kicked his spurs into Coyote's sides again and he sped up, pushing on down the hill towards the checkpoint.
"Come on Sweep, let's catch 'em" Ifer pushed the reins up Sweep's neck, giving her more leeway to lengthen her strides. Sensing the competition, Sweep accelerated, digging her hooves into the dirt. Ifer and Sweep zoomed by Harry and Coyote while passing the checkpoint. Ifer laughed out loud and looked over her shoulder at Harry's angry face and the shocked expressions of the guards.

With the road now in sight, Ifer felt confident of her win. Harry had never beaten her before and she was sure as shit he wouldn't beat her now.

Shouting words of encouragement to his horse, Harry desperately tried to catch up with his speed demon of a sister. But Coyote was not built for racing and his stubby legs couldn't possibly move any faster.
Approaching the concrete road, the indication of their finishing line. Ifer sat back, pulling the reins to her hip, Sweep slid to a stop, kicking up a dust cloud that surrounded the pair. Harry did the same and circled Coyote around, holding to a stop next to Ifer, coughing as a result of her little trick. The horses, now restless and hot, breathed heavily and shook their heads trying to pull their riders into taking off again.
Harry and Ifer barked out laughing, they hadn't raced each other in months. "Told you not to eat my dust" Ifer jeered. "I'm just out of practice" Harry heaved, still trying to get the dirt out of his mouth and eyes. "Sure" Ifer rolled her yes sarcastically and continued laughing. Ifer gave Sweep a hug around her neck, telling the mare what a good job she did and how fast she was.

After Harrison had recovered he looked to his sister with a soft look.
"Come to The Father's next sermon with me"
Ifer looked at him with a serious look. "I don't know Harry." Ifer thought about saying something else, like how God has never really appealed to her. What she really wanted to say was How can I still love God after all he's done to our family? How can God still love me with all the things I've done? Religion left a bad taste in her mouth, it was the excuse used to justify so many things that had happened to her. Words and passages were taken from the Book and twisted to suit an agenda, frankly, she was sick of it.
"Please, trust me, you'll love it. I want you to understand what we're doing here" he motioned to the building on the hill. "The Father saved me." Hearing how much Harry believed in this man, how much he trusted him, she nodded.
"Okay, I will. But promise me I don't have to join the Convent if I don't want to."
"Of course, The Father's word is for everyone to listen to." She nodded, believing him. "In that case," Harry continued "I want you to have this." The man reached into his pocket and pulled out a pendant on a thin leather cord, handing it to Ifer.
Ifer palmed it and twisted it around, her eyebrows raised. It was a cross, not just any cross, the cross of Eden's Gate, cast in shining silver with her last name printed into the back. It felt heavy in her hand.
"I made it myself, I thought that." Harry stuttered, finding the words. "It would remind you of me, so even from great lengths, we are still connected. Look, I have one too." He pulled his out of his shirt, they were identical.
"I love it, Harrison, Thank you." Ifer clipped the necklace on and reached out to hug him. She wasn't sure how she would explain this one to the folks at Falls End, so much for not being associated with Eden's Gate.
They embraced for a couple of seconds before the rumbling of an engine caught their attention. A sizable sleek black Range Rover came cruising down the trail. The siblings pulled their horses to the side of the road, to let this huge car pass. However, as it approached, the driver stopped and rolled down the window. The man who appeared was the last person Ifer was expecting to come down that hill. The sun glinted off his yellow aviators, blinding Ifer for a number of seconds. He wore a clean white button-up and a quilted vest, a worn brown rosary hung loose around his neck. His full beard and brown hair pulled into a bun left no questions of the man's identity. This was The Father.

Chapter Text

Horse fact!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! White horses are called grey horses. Because even though their coat colour is white, their skin under it is grey, which can be seen on the inside of their ears, around their eyes and their muzzle where there is less hair. And no horse is born white either! They are usually born bay or chestnut and then as they age they 'go grey' often resulting in dapples. Cremello coats exist which are actually 'pure white' because their skin is pink. But this is because their skin has no pigment, making them look 'albino'.

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The Father leaned out the window, moving his face into the light and taking off his yellow aviators. The man who sat next to him was polished in appearance, wearing a pale blue button-up that shone in the sun, over it was a loose black waistcoat. He had perfect, slicked-back hair and a nonchalant expression as he gazed down at a manila file in his hands. Reading it meticulously. Obviously, he couldn't care less who the driver had stopped to talk to. Ifer got the feeling it was a common occurrence as he looked completely exasperated.
"Harrison" The Father acknowledged Harrison with an affable tone, one of recognition. "Congratulations on your promotion."
Harrison smiled warmly, bowing his head. "Thank you, Father. Couldn't have done it without your guidance."
"Don't say that Sergeant, You earned that title with hard work and dedication. I couldn't think of a better man to be working alongside my brother." The Father spoke smoothly and kindly. He had the kind of eyes that drew her in, they were soft, and understanding. Ifer felt a warm energy exuding from him, a bright light that made her feel seen. "And this must be your sister, Ifer, who I've heard so much about" The Father moves his attention to Ifer, who's gazing at the man silently. She smiles sweetly at both him and her brother. "You know, Harrison never stops talking about you. He tells me all kinds of stories from when you two were little" Ifer blushes at this, only imagining the embarrassing tales he's heard. She briefly recalled the time her childhood horse had kicked her in the head, and she forgot how to spell her name for four hours. "I sure hope not, sir" Ifer replied jovially, giving him a knowing smile.
"Please, child, call me Joseph." He softened his features before noticing her necklace, his symbol lying on her collarbone. "Are you part of my flock, child?" He raised his eyebrows at the pendant.
Ifer looked down to where he was staring, picking up the pendant and thumbing it. "Oh! um... No, I'm not. This is a gift, from Harry."
"I understand." His face fell back into a peaceful portrait. He looked between the horses they were sitting on. "Ifer... Can I ask you a question, dear child?"
"Yes, sir- sorry, Joseph." she stammered back, suddenly feeling peerless as Joseph zeroes in on her.
"I seem to recall conducting correspondence with your Mother before she left the state. It was about practising equine therapy sessions out of your property. Do you remember this?"
"Yes, Joseph. I apologise for not responding to your letters. We had a rough go of it that year." Ifer's mother had not gone far, she was one state over, in Seattle. They moved to be closer to advanced medical facilities, the little clinic in Holland Valley just couldn't do what her husband needed anymore.
"I know, child, I know." The Father spoke with tenderness and sympathy, something Ifer was rarely given in Hope County. Everyone had their struggles going on, so why should they care about her individually? She should just pray and see what God leads her to. What she would've given to have someone like the Father there for her when she and Harry waved their dad off at the airport. Him, unable to wave back. "I was wondering if maybe we could continue where we left off with that arrangement. I have someone very important to me and the church in my care, I believe she will benefit greatly from you."
Ifer thought about his proposition, looking over at Harry who gave her a silent look of encouragement. It would feel great to be able to help someone in need, she had the facilities, and she had more than one suitable horse for the job. Working with horses gave Ifer peace unlike any other, and to share that with another person, she was more than happy to do. The equestrian eventually spoke. "I would love to, Joseph. Please come visit anytime to discuss the technicalities. And so I can better understand this person's needs" Beaming down at Joseph she felt genuinely happy. Ifer understood now. Why her brother loved this man. Why so many others loved this man. He was kinder to her in the last 5 minutes than Pastor Jerome had ever been.
The dark-haired man looked delighted at this news. "Thank you, child. You are doing a truly good thing. I must be going now, but it was gracious to see you Harrison, and a pleasure to meet you Ifer." The Father started the car again, peeling out of the woods and onto the road, turning right he drove South towards the Valley. "Goodbye, Father!" Harry called out.

"I get it," Ifer remarked, almost whispering it.
"You understand now? ...Ife you should have been there. When I told him about Dad. He just... I can't explain it. It was in his eyes, this unwavering grace. He held me, and just let me cry. No expectation. No judgement." revealed Harry, in a quiet yet resolute tone. "He directed me to Jacob, he's been more than a leader, he's been a friend".
"I'll be at the next sermon, right beside you." Ifer smiled at her brother, who's eyes were glassy. She'd seen him cry maybe twice in her whole life. The first time was when they lost their childhood horse, Darcy, the mare that taught them both to ride. The second and last, when their father got discharged from the Air Force, came home in a wheelchair and never walked again. Ifer faltered in her actions, mind immediately darting through all the memories from the past 2 years. She'd just been getting back into the normalcy of life when Harry met Joseph and decided to leave home for the mountains. She'd seen it as a betrayal at the time, but now, now she knew differently, her brother had found a purpose in the chaos of the universe and was stronger than ever.
Shaking his head, he moved on to a less sensitive subject. "Come on, let's go for a ride." Harry turned Coyote back to the road and started crossing. Ifer followed a moment later, watching her brother ride towards the river.

The rest of the Carter sibling's ride consisted of incessant competing and bickering. They had their moments of being sweet and well-mannered, but most of the time they acted like adult teenagers, trying to prove who was better than the other.
Who could ride their horse standing up for longer? Who could skip a stone further? Who could lasso the other the quickest?
As the hot Montana sun began its descent into the horizon, the air cooled, crickets chirped and it was time for Harrison to go back. Passing through the checkpoint once again, Ifer noticed Corporal Hunt wasn't there, replaced by another nameless soldier. Seeing Harry off at the gates, Ifer felt eyes on her this time. The lingering feeling of being watched followed her back down the hill where she came.
Riding home, under the dusky blue sky, she pondered what the next weeks would be like for her. She felt a change coming, she could sense it in the wind, the chill it brought to her bones as it glided through her hair.

Upon reaching the antiquated farmhouse, she untacked the horses and let them loose in the pasture. Rolling out fresh bales from the hay barn and scattering them in the field, she picked up her saddle from the stable and hauled it across to the house.
Sat in front of the TV, cleaning and polishing her leather tack, Ifer thought of Joseph Seed and the imprint he left on her, she felt strangely excited for the next breaking day. This was the start of that change, she thought. No more mourning the fleeting seconds, no more bracing against the wind.

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"No Pete."

"What? Why not?" The dark-haired man snapped at him.

"I don't know who you think I am Pete. But that? That's something I can't do." The man was big, not taller than Peter but definitely wider. He was bald and spoke with a slight New York accent, a reflection of their surroundings. Silvio, his name was. He had helped Pete out of a spot of trouble a while ago. Silvio was someone he knew he could rely on for what he needed. But apparently, Silvio was not having any of it. Fighting Pete off with a general disdain.

"It's a fucking passport, Silvio. Have you really become that much of a pussy?" He accused the man, trying to challenge his masculinity to get his way.

"Piss off, Pete. What you're asking is impossible. My fakes aren't that good. What are you even expecting to accomplish by moving to.." Silvio looked at the pamphlet in his hands. "Hope County, Montana."

"I'm figuring that part out later. Right now, I just need to get out of the city."

"What? Is hanging with some backcountry hicks going to wipe away the hell you've reaped here?" Silvio scrunched up the travel guide and shoved it in Pete's chest. "There's going to come a time when you will have to pay for your crimes Harding." He paused, getting into Pete's face. Voice low and threatening. "And I hope God shows you no mercy."

Pete stood down, taking a step back and lifting his hands in defeat. "It's just this one thing, Silvio. Then no more, you'll never hear from me again."

Silvio regarded the man with a biting stare. He looked like shit. Black trench coat soaked from the rain. His boots were caked in mud and dirt, and he wore a tattered blue knit jumper underneath, with suspicious red patches. His hair had not been cut in a while, nor had he shaved. "Tch" He clicked and spat on the ground. "I'm only doing this to get you to leave, don't think I'm showing you any kindness. Be back in 4 days, I'll have everything you need by then. After this, don't you dare darken my doorstep again." Silvio walked up to the man, his presence alone forcing him out of his house.

"Thanks Silvio, knew I could count on you" Peter remained cynical and arrogant, winking at the man before turning around and walking off, hands in his pockets.

"I mean it!" Silvio shouted after him, before slamming his front door. Regretting ever letting him in the first place.

____________________________________________

A couple weeks had passed since Ifer last saw Harrison. But in that time she's been able to set up an adequate space for equine therapy. She's had a number of phone calls from Joseph Seed about the subject. He planned to drive to the ranch midday today with the woman who Ifer would be helping.
Ifer woke up earlier than usual and busied herself with chores, feeding the horses, refilling water troughs, reorganising the tack room. She'd been reading up on psychology books, trying to ensure she had the safest space possible for today's guest. She fetched some spare riding clothes from her bedroom and stowed them away in the stable. Seeing as she still had an hour to kill before the Father arrived, Ifer decided on exercising some of the horses. Getting her lunging rope and halter from the tack room, Ifer started towards the horse pasture that stretched in an L shape around the big stable. Upon hearing tires grinding against the dirt road leading up to the ranch, she stopped in her tracks and panicked, thinking the Father had come early.

As the vehicle came into view, it wasn't Joseph Seed driving. It was her brother. With Mr Seed himself in the passengers seat. 'Shit' she thought and ran up to the front of the house. Ifer was nowhere near ready for Joseph to arrive yet. She was still in her chore clothes, all dirty and covered in horse shit. She watched Joseph climb out of the car, open his arms wide in a welcoming gesture and approach her. He reached out to the woman, holding her elbows gently and leaning forward slightly to touch his forehead against hers. Ifer just closed her eyes and allowed herself to drink in his warm energy. "Miss Carter, I want to thank you for opening up your home to us." He retracted his head but still held onto her arms. "And may I say what a magnificent home it is. God is truly present here."
Ifer felt his faith through his arms, communicating it's strength through the blood in his veins. He left an imprint on her skin that had her rubbing absent mindlessly where he'd held her. She couldn't remember the last time she was held so tenderly. Well, she could. But it wasn't with the kind of tenderness Joseph carried himself with, that man's embrace was more wanton and sensual.
Ifer watched her brother step out of the white truck, circling the vehicle and opened the side door. The woman who came out looked nothing like Ifer had expected.
She was blonde, as far as she could tell, but her hair was dull and flat, falling over her face in an unflattering manner. The woman hid her features from Ifer, ashamed of what she would think. Ifer watched as her brother held out a hand for the woman to take, she was hesitant and a bit shaky but eventually took his hand and let him lead her to where Ifer and Joseph stood. Joseph opened an arm to the despondent girl. She looked about the same age as Ifer. Harrison smiled at Ifer as they approached, nodding in nonverbal communication, as if to ask if she was alright. Ifer nodded back but still her attention was focused on the girl next to him. She wore multiple layers, despite it still being hot out, and Ifer noticed how she would scratch at her arms. She stood restlessly in the arms of the Father, bouncing on the balls of her feet, still not looking up at Ifer. A part of Ifer was glad about it though, she wasn't exactly presentable right now.

"Ifer, this is Faith" The Father smiled down at the girl, Faith, her name was. A beautiful name. It was at this that Faith looked up through her hair at Ifer. Her eyes were sunken in and her skin was pale and muted. There was no brightness to her at all.
Ifer, however, was the opposite. Living up to her name, her face aglow with a rosy gleam. She made sure to smile kindly at Faith, opening herself up visually and spiritually. This girl was obviously in a lot of discomfort, judging by the sheen on her forehead.
"Hi, Faith. It's nice to meet you" Ifer said with a conviction that she hoped would signal she didn't a reply.
"Hello" Faith replied, a bit hoarse in her throat.
"Would you like to come meet the horses?" Ifer nodded her head in the direction of the pasture. Faith's eyes lit up slightly and she nodded, looking up to Joseph, almost for permission, he stepped back and allowed her to follow Ifer to the pasture.
Looking back at her brother and the Father, who were heading into the house, she thought about the young woman on her heels. Judging by her appearance and mannerisms, Ifer guessed drug use, she was no stranger to it. A good friend of hers, Hazel, was an ex-heroin addict so she knew the toll it took on someone's body, especially while in withdrawals.
She took Faith through the stables first, hanging up the lunging rope and grabbing a rope halter, pointing and explaining the tack room, wash stall and feed room. Faith stood silently. Leading her back out of the building, the two approached the horse pasture. Ifer stood on one of the posts and looked over her herd, all grazing or relaxing.
"Anyone take your fancy?" She asked the girl next to her, who just stood in awe of the beasts. Ifer started pointing and labelling each horse explaining a little about each of their personalities and history. "That's Sweep, my perfect angel, I've had her for 4 years now. Got her for my 18th birthday" she said while pointing to the palomino who was laying down and enjoying the sun. "That's Ranger" she pointed to a blue roan. "He's a Mustang, a wild horse, rescued from an auction. We tried to rewild him but he liked the scratches and treats too much. He's in training but is geared up to be an amazing trail horse." She talked some more about the horses in the pasture before glancing at Faith again. The young woman had her gaze set on Harvey, a big grey Gypsy Cob who was grazing to the right of the women. "That's Harvey, he's been around since me and Harry were kids. Big boy. He's as sweet as can be though" Faith continued to admire the horse, the full feathers on his feet, his mane plaited in a running braid down his crested neck. His white coat almost shimmered in the daylight. His large, sweet eyes reflected the world around him. "I think Harvey would be perfect for you" Ifer smiled at Faith, then whistled and clicked her tongue. "Harv!" She called to the cob, who was already making his way over to the girl. "Hi handsome boy" she uttered when he got to the fence, craning his big head over the wood and sniffing at Faith, the girl retracted in fear and just stood still as Harvey inspected her. Ifer giggled and told her he was just seeing if she had any treats, then pulled one out of her pocket and told Faith to lay her palm flat. Ifer placed the cookie on Faith's palm and Harvey immediately reached for it, wiggling his lips in anticipation. "Here, hold your arm out." Ifer held Faith's palm while she stretched her arm out to give the treat to Harvey. The old gelding happily ate it out of her hands, munching loudly with alert ears and eyes. Faith giggled at the sensation, the first pleasant noise she'd made since she came here. "It tickles," she muttered more to herself than to Ifer. "Let's go get him tacked up then." So far, so good, Ifer thought, opening the pasture gate and tying the halter around Harvey's head.

Leading the big horse out of the pasture, Ifer motioned Faith to follow her. "When we lead horses, we traditionally always walk on their left side" Ifer started explaining to Faith as the girl came up beside her. "Do you know why?" Faith shook her head, still not talking, but her pale green eyes glinted with curiosity. "Because, in the days of cavalry and chivalry, Knights in armour would carry their swords on their left sides. And leading and mounting from the left made sure they weren't obstructed by a sword." Faith nodded, seemingly very happy to listen to Ifer. "Have you ridden a horse before?" Ifer asked as she tied Harvey in the crossties. "Not that I can remember, maybe once when I was very young. Pony rides at the fair." "Okay, that's fine, I'm going to be leading you in hand today so don't think I'm throwing you in the deep end with old Harv here."

Ifer showed Faith how to groom a horse, remarking bitterly about how hard it was to keep grey horses clean, and that she'd arrived on a good day for Harv because he hadn't rolled in horse poop yet. "Just you wait though, by tonight he'll be a bay." Throwing his saddle on, Ifer decided on an English-western hybrid saddle, deep enough to provide support, but with a close contact seat. Harvey is a big, wide horse, and a western saddle on him would be marginally uncomfortable. Tightening the girth, Ifer built up her resolve. "Can I ask a sensitive question, Faith?" She turned and looked at the girl, who just stood there, sleeves over her hands and fidgeting. She nodded, barely discernible. "You don't have to answer either, if I'm crossing a line you can say so." Ifer paused, tone turning soft and quiet. "When was the last time you used?" Faith's head shot up, sickly green eyes boring into the woman opposite her. Was she that obvious? Did she look like a junkie to everyone she met? Was she really that hollow? "Sorry, that crossed a boundary. I didn't mean to make you feel bad, just...I've seen the signs before, and I want to know the best ways in which I can help you. A close friend of mine went through the same thing" Ifer bowed her head, attempting to explain herself, she felt her stomach turn with guilt, thinking she'd ruined the chances of getting Faith to trust her.

"7 days.... a week ago" Faith exhaled.
"Thank you for trusting me, Faith" Ifer reached out to hold the girl's hand, smiling. "I know how much withdrawals suck" The atmosphere between them changed at that moment. The thick air around Faith settled. She visibly relaxed, her shoulders loosened and her arms fell to her sides. "Now let's get you on this hunk" She tugged her hand towards Harvey and untied him, taking the reins in her right hand and holding Faith in her left. They walked in silence together to the arena, fresh sand raked in a pretty swirling pattern.
Parking Harvey at the mounting block, she told Faith how to get on. "Hold the reins in your left hand, You can hold onto his mane as well if you feel unstable, it won't hurt him." Faith followed her instructions as she spoke, albeit with a little hesitation. "Now put your left foot in the stirrup, yep just like that. And bring your right leg over him." Faith jumped a little and swung her leg over, now sitting on the large animal. "Comfortable?" Faith shifted and squeaked a yes. "Ok, now both feet in the stirrups, heels down and toes up. Pick up the reins in both hands and run them through your pinky and thumb, hold them close to his neck. You got it!" She praised faith as she got settled in the saddle.
"Ok, we ready? Give him a little kick and click your tongue" Faith did as Ifer said and Harvey began to walk off, away from the mounting block, following the familiar lines of the arena. Big hooves moved in tandem, and Faith became rigid, feeling like she could fall off as she moved back and forth in the saddle.
"Relax" Ifer laughed and put a hand on her knee "Move your hips with his movements, watch his shoulders, when his right leg moves forward, your right hip should move with it." Leading the pair around the arena, Ifer let them get used to each other, Faith softened and a peaceful smile painted her face.
"He's lovely" Faith spoke quietly, her hands deep in Harvey's coat. "He's a good boy" replied Ifer, rubbing the cobs nose.
"Horses hold the wisdom of healing in their hearts and offer it to anyone humble enough to listen." Ifer looked up at Faith, sharing some of the insight that her horses have taught her. "Did you know that horses synchronise their heartbearts with the other horses in their herd, and they do it with their riders too, your heartbeats right now, are beating as one." Faith looked down in awe. Her mind was calm, everything was peaceful. Her body had stilled as soon as she sat on the horse, no recurring effects of the withdrawals, she hadn't even felt sick. "Can I- Can I come again? Soon?" Faith spoke meekly, but with more volume than she had when she arrived. "Of course, Faith. You're always welcome here." The rest of the session went smoothly, Faith opened up about her drug use, and spoke of the Father. How he's been helping her with her addiction. Giving her a positive outlet to all of the emotions she's harboured for years. A new vice; The Project. When it was time for Faith go home, Joseph came and watched as Ifer helped her off the white horse. The care and tenderness each hand gave. Her profound ability she had to communicate with such a large animal, filled him with a sense of wonderment. He would have to pray tonight, he hoped God gave him a vision of a future with her in it, leading his herd like she did her horses. Ifer let Faith lead Harvey back into the stables, taught her how to untack him and let Faith smother the big gelding with affection before she left to join Joseph at the car. "You should come back next week Faith, I'd love to have you." Ifer repeated her offer, smiling and giving the young woman a hug. "Thank you for your aid, my child, and for the gentle hand with which you conducted." Joseph stood over her again, An imposing force in any other situation, but Ifer only felt calm, like his body was shielding her from any hateful force. "Thank you for bringing Faith to me Joseph, I hope I can continue to help her in the future." And with that, they left, Harrison gave his sister a hug before getting into the vehicle and chaperoning the Father back to the compound.

_________________________________________________

Ifer, Ifer, Ifer. The name rung in his head like an altar bell. How sweet it sounded on his tongue. Surely God's plan for his family involved her. It had to.
If it didn't, he would make it involve her. Ifer, Ifer, Ifer. It rang again. Bringing with it, clarity. Then the Voice came.

“Behold, he goes up like clouds, and his chariots like the whirlwind; his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe to us, for we are ruined!”

It was a warning. A warning that if the Carter's became their enemies when the collapse came, they were surely done for.
Joseph stood up from where he kneeled in his church. Thanking the voice for it's guidance, he picked up a radio and switched to Jacob's channel.

_________________________________________________

Over the course of the next few months, Ifer saw Faith every week, which then moved to twice every week, then three times a week, and soon the blonde woman was at the Carter's horse ranch every other day. Ifer and Faith became very fast friends, sharing a love for animals and nature led them to traipsing around the ranch identifying wild flowers and weaving them into flower crowns for both themselves and the horses, singing country songs together and spending evenings wrapped up in front of the softly crackling fireplace, Faith reading the Book of Joseph, Ifer knitting herself a new jumper for winter.
Autumn was out in full force, the leaves morphed into amber versions of their previous selves, descending to the ground in a perverted kind of rain, decaying into the rich Montana soil to be reborn the following Spring. Eden's Gate had made progress in recent months, their followers numbered in the thousands. Thanks to Faith, who's saccharine voice projected the teachings of the Father from the deepest corners of the Henbane to the highest mountains of the Whitetails. Faith had changed like the changing of the season. Her dull straw hair had grown into the shining golden it was now, flowing with her movements as if she was constantly suspended in water. She no longer covered her skin, the red raw puncture marks that used to litter her arms had faded, leaving only grey spots in their wake. Donning herself in a myriad of white dresses, a testament to her purity reclaimed. Her body no longer struggled to keep itself standing.

Ifer had repeatedly attended the church with her brother and Faith, always sat up front, her body became weightless listening to the words of the Father, he was captivating. Hanging on every breath, his speeches washed over her like a sweet summer breeze. The only thing that could tear her eyes from the golden swaddled figure of Joseph was his brother. Jacob Seed. The Head of Security. The man her brother answered to directly. The sheer staggering size of the man was enough to make anyone stare. He stood stone-still at the pulpit, icy blue eyes glaring out over the crowds, always scanning, always searching. Ifer would feast her eyes on his figure when he wasn't looking, clinging to his chest as it rose and fell with every calculated breath. She couldn't deny the way her stomach coiled at the sight of him, the burning in her skin when his heavy combat boots thudded into Joseph's church, shaking the wooden planks and echoing in her ears. Always fighting the urge to watch his every move. He's a veteran, like her father, ruthless in the training of his soldiers, as she'd learnt from Harrison. Even in the biting October wind, he wore his signature army jacket rolled up to his elbows, exposing the raised scars that covered his arms. Unfazed by the changes in the air, he was stoic to every stimuli.

Except her eyes, he felt them burning into him every time he stood up on the pew with his brothers. He would occasionally catch her, light pink blush dusting over her cheeks immediately and those big brown eyes darted back to Joseph, or Faith, who always sat next to her. She was probably scared of him, much like every other follower of his little brother. He was aware of what he looked like, not exactly easy on the eyes. She was the sister of one of his best soldiers, presumably she'd heard of his trails and code of ethics, thinking he was a monster for the way he viewed the world. She had grit, he would give her that. The lifestyle she lived required it. But with how much time she spent with Faith, his new prospect of a 'sister', she likely lived with her head in the clouds. He recalled an exchange with Joseph in the summer, the prophet had called him, asking him about the progress of Harrison Carter. Joseph revealed the Voice had told him that they must save the souls of the Carters, for they will lead in the march to New Eden. 'They will be the Horsemen that protect our flock, The Revelator's , that will be their purpose when the collapse comes'.
It was hard to believe, that this scrawny woman would play such a big part in Joseph's plan. But he trusted his brother. So, he ramped up Harrison's training, now on the path of the Chosen, and he exceeded every challenge thrown at him, always coming out on top. Ever the warrior. Now it was a waiting game, to see what Joseph had planned for the girl.

____________________________________

Today marked 3 months clean for Faith. Her and Ifer were celebrating with a trail ride. They were taking a journey that would lead them east through the forests of Holland Valley, up the river towards the North and then across to Joseph's compound. Hopefully in time for his midday sermon.
Saddling up their horses, Ifer chose Sweep, her trusted steed. And Faith, obviously chose Harvey. She had found a companion in Harvey, the old gelding loved being spoiled by her, he would lay down and let her do anything to him. She also fell in love with liberty, while Ifer preferred the strength and security of a saddle and bridle, Faith loved to hop on bareback and with just a neck-rope.

The crisp autumnal morning left frost on the leaf littered ground, the scent of petrichor hung in the air, rain was approaching. The crunching of leaves under hooves, blackbirds chanting a chorus as the girls left the warmth of the Carter residence and ventured into the amber countryside. Wrapping her carhartt jacket tighter around her chest, Ifer braced against the bitter morning wind but Faith let it run through her like a racehorse through the gate, spurring her on through the trees. Cantering down the valley. Breaking through the brush, into a clearing, Faith slowed down at a patch of flowers, white trumpet-like bulbs sprouted from bushes, encasing the clearing in a lush fence of white and green.
"What are these Ife?" She leant down from her position atop the pale horse, picking a flower and holding it up to her nose.
"Brugmansia." Ifer replied after inspecting the bushes. "Angel's Trumpets" Faith seemed fascinated by the blossoms. "We use them as a home remedy for nausea and motion sickness"
"They have this thing called.. uhh.. scopo.. scopolamine in them" Ifer struggled to find the word, then explained how her mother harvested them every time they bloomed and would make a tincture for when her or Harrison were sick.
"Really? Huh" Faith replied after a long pause, she picked up more and asked Ifer to stow them in her saddlebag, since she was tackless.

The ride was supposed to go smoothly, but it was going anything but so. No sooner had they left the Valley when they were approached by a car bearing the symbol of the Hope County Sheriffs Office. One Deputy Staci Pratt stepped out, leaving an unfamiliar face lurking in the passenger seat. Ifer had always hated him. She spent her teenage years fighting off his advances, just the sight of his conceited grin and eyes that did little to hide his intentions made her stomach twist in disgust and something else she couldn't quite place. The Pratt's were the only competition the Carter's faced in Hope County. Staci's parents raised all-American thoroughbreds, racehorses destined to be champions of the track, raking in thousands of dollars every time their yearlings shipped off to Kentucky. High-strung, unstable and skilled, the Pratt family directly paralleled with the equines they raised, Staci was no exception. Ifer's ragtag herd of rescues, mixed breeds and cow-horses were mutts compared to the pure-blooded pedigree of the Pratt's.

"Good morning cowgirls" Stacy tipped his Sheriffs Department branded trucker cap. Ifer rolled her eyes in Faith's direction, basically pleading for this conversation to be over. Faith had her eyes narrowed at the man as soon as the cop car pulled up. Natural distrust of cops, Ifer guessed, considering where she came from only a couple months ago.
"Hey aren't you that junkie we brought in?" His finger went up, pointing at Faith, shit-eating grin on his face.
Faith stared, eyes aghast, as if the man before her had just ripped through her; exposing her insides for all to see. He stared through her, negligent of the damage he'd just caused to Faith's resolve.
"Watch it, Staci" Ifer spat at the deputy, venom oozing from her mouth. Turning her horse so her body blocked her friend and Staci was in biting distance.

Faith had all but crumpled in on herself. 'Junkie'. That was all she'd ever be to these people. No matter how much good she tried to do. No matter how many people she forgave and forgot. She'd be nothing but a dirty user, a freeloader, druggie, burnout. An addict. All the names she'd ever been called swarmed in her head like a mob of hornets. Stinging ever inch of her body.

"Calm down, just trying to make friendly conversation" The deputy held up his hands in fake innocence. He was being anything but friendly. His time spent on top of the school hierarchy and now with the power he held in law enforcement, had turned him into a power-hungry beast. Ifer always held the impression that those who were attracted to law enforcement professions were exactly the type of people who should not be in law enforcement. Staci Pratt was one of those people.

"What do you want Deputy?" Ifer rasped out after a long exhale. Growing increasingly irritated with the interaction.
"Me and the rest of the department are holding a welcome party tomorrow night for our new deputy here", he motioned to the man still sitting lounging in the patrol car. "Wanted to invite
you two lovely ladies" The emphasis on lovely had her lip twisting up in a snarl, teeth baring like a wildcat.
"We're good, thank you Staci" Ifer answered for the both of them, knowing well that Faith wouldn't want to be around so much alcohol, and herself not wanting to be around the pricks of the
Sheriffs department. "If you don't mind, we'll be going now. We are late." She cut off Staci's persuasion attempt as soon as his mouth opened. Leaving him to fester in whatever he was trying to say next. Sweep walked on, and Faith quickly followed.
Once out of earshot, she looked back at the girl. She looked like an orphaned fawn, body frozen, eyes staring forward. If she stayed still the predator wouldn't close it's jaws around her, not wanting to feast on dead meat.
"You're not a junkie, Faith" Ifer halted and reached out, stroking her arm hesitantly.
"You're the sweetest, kindest, most caring person I've ever met"
Faith looked up to meet Ifer's eyes. They were full of empathy.
"You're brave, selfless and beautiful"
Faith's hand locked with Ifer's.
"Staci is an asshole. Don't listen to him. He's insignificant. You're actually doing something with your life. He's a miserable self-loathing bastard who has nothing better to do than terrorise women"
Faith nodded, cementing Ifer's words into her brain.
"Cowboy up" Ifer winked. The phrase she had been told anytime she felt down, felt like a failure. It was like a ringing mantra. No matter how many times you fall down. You get right back in the saddle, and you cowboy up.

They began trotting along the river, only the sound of hooves and leather squeaking filled the air between them. Dark clouds gathered above, a cruel foreboding of the things to come.
Like everything in their lives, riding to Joseph's island was not proving to be easy. Ten minutes barely passed before another figure blocked their path.
"Wilson" Ifer groaned. Once again halting the horses. "If this is trivial it can wait. We really have somewhere to be"
Wilson was another man like Staci, with too much money under his hands to care about consequences. He openly carried wherever he went, linking his presence with one of a threat. He drank too much and fell to temptation too often. Even from the distance of which they were standing, the two women could smell the stench of alcohol on him, the way his body almost hovered, bloodshot eyes staring them down. He was a threat now.

"Move off Wilson" Ifer said sternly, shoulders squared.
"Y-You kidnapped my ...brother" his words slurred to the point they were almost indecipherable.
"You're drunk Wilson. Go home" Ifer raised her voice at him, hoping he would gain some sense and leave them alone. Faith's eyes suddenly shot open, all colour drained from her face as dread settled heavily in her stomach. Whites of her eyes blurred into the skin. Two pinpricks of green flickered between the man and his hand.
"Ifer... He's got a gun" Faith barely audible, whispered to her.

Ifer's blood turned cold. Freezing her muscles and veins. She gripped tighter on the reins. She hadn't packed her handgun, not that she was a great shot anyway. Thunder echoed through the sky. The rumbling roar set everyone on edge. A wrong move now could spell disaster.
"Move off Wilson!" She had escalated into shouting. Standing her ground. Yet her heart felt like it was beating out of her chest, hands shaking with fear. The horses were feeling the tension in the air rise, hooves stomped on stone, hot air blew out of their noses, rising in tendrils around their heads like dragon smoke.
"You fucking... peggie fuck... you kidnapped my brother and now he's dead." He raised the gun, speech still warbled. "You're going to fucking pay fucking peggies" The sleek black handgun wobbled in his hands as he pointed the business end at Faith, an omen of death in the hands of a fool. Ifer's thoughts flipped into survival mode, heart beating in her ears, maybe if she could charge at Wilson his fight or flight would kick in and he'd drop the gun. As soon as the plan came to her head, it left.
The blast of the gun rang out around her. An ear-splitting screech reverberated through her head, slicing at her brain and leaving her deaf to the clamour of the aftermath. Faith's pained howl ripped her throat as the bullet ripped her abdomen, clearing its mark through her body. Horses shrieked, rearing and throwing their riders off, galloping in opposite directions through trees and brush. Hitting the ground, Faith continued to wail, grabbing at her side, desperately clawing the blood back inside her body. But nothing could stop it from flowing from the wound. Winded, all air forced out of her lungs on impact with the rocky shore, Ifer scrambled towards Faith, eyes wild, adrenaline the only thing coursing through her veins.
"Shit, shit, shit. Faith. Faith please" pleading with no one to respond. Ifer's eyes shot around, screaming for help, but Wilson had already cleared off in his drunken rage. Whistling for her horses, no one responded. She was alone. Her friend would bleed to death in her arms.

She whistled again, what came out was spittle.

Rain started to fall.

Dripping off her nose onto Faith's face. The rainwater mixed with the blood, staining her entire white dress in a macabre pink. Ifer tried desperately to quell the bleeding but she couldn't tell where the wound was now. Faith just stared with her mouth open, occasionally blinking and sucking in air, holding onto life by a thread.
As all hope left her heart, the pounding of hooves shook the ground she knelt on. A chorus of trumpets. Harvey's white form broke through the amber landscape. An angel. Eyes still wide and mouth agape, Harvey had answered her call.
Reaching out to grab his neck rope, she tried to calm him through her own babbling. Picking up Faith's increasingly weakening body, still moaning and gasping, she hauled her over the horse, blood trickled down his withers, creating a sickening red and white marble. Grabbing his mane and jumping up behind Faith she immediately kicked him into a gallop. One arm wrapped tightly around Faith, the other gripped the wet hairs of the horse. Rainfall beat down harder, striking her face, blurring the line between it and her tears.
"You're going to be okay Faith" she cried, more to herself than the girl in front of her. Hooves bellowed down the concrete roads. Digging her spurs into the gelding's sides. There was only one place she could go, where she knew Faith could be saved.
Barrelling down the bridge to Joseph's compound, careening around corners. A blur of white. A torrential downpour crashed through the trees, scores of energy streaked across the sky, only adding to the urgency of shelter. No one would search for them in a storm. Ifer could only pray Sweep was safe and had found cover.
Faith started getting limper, head rolling heavily on her shoulders.
'No No No No No, Faith!?" she jostled her, trying to get her to keep her eyes open. She was losing too much blood. "I'm sorry, forgive me for this" Ifer had to do all she could to keep her friend alive. Gripping Faith's waist, she shoved her thumb in the exit wound. Faith shot upright, yowling into the storm. "Stay with me Faith. Please God"
Approaching the whitewashed buildings and lush gardens she started screaming for help again. For anyone to come to her aid. Swerving Harvey into the compound, his legs sunk into the inches of mud in the ground, his previously snow-white coat was marred with blood and dirt. She found no one outside to help her. Her horse paced with panic outside the doors to the church. She screamed her throat raw for help. For someone, anyone.

Chapter Text

"Bless the name of those who have dealt you blows. Be grateful to those who have cause you harm. For it is these sufferings that have lead you to me"

Joseph stood, proudly and unashamed at the pulpit of his church. Arms outstretched, spiritually embracing every member of his flock. Shirtless, scars and sins on display for all to see. His brothers around him, Jacob occupying more space than he needs to with wide legs and even wider shoulders, John to his left, breaking a leg and lounging against the wall. The pew in front of him had two spaces reserved. Reserved for the women who had not yet turned up. The pounding of rain on the church roof indicated they had maybe gotten caught in the storm and turned back, although it was unlikely for Faith to not show up to a sermon, no matter the weather. The empty space unnerved him, a spot of dread made home in his stomach, gradually growing in size as the minutes ticked on. But he kept going, commanding words to his flock like an orchestral conductor.

Then, he heard it. The screaming. The desperate pleas for help. They were muted, drowned out by the rain. The hooves came next. Heavy plates hammering the ground, getting louder and louder. Joseph felt the vibrations through the floor of his church. His flock heard it too, shooting out of their seats and rushing to windows, peering out in worry. Jacob stood to attention, brow furrowed, solid boots thumping down past the pews.
Thundering hooves stopped, and then the screams started again. Joseph rushed out of his church, his brothers and followers closely behind, only to be met with a gory sight.

A wide-eyed, white horse. No longer white. Streaks of blood smothered its body, mane flat and soaked from the downpour. Hot air misted out of its nose in fatigue. A figure sat upon it, illuminated in ethereal blue with a bundle of red in it's arms.

Ifer

"Help her! She's been shot!" The girl shouted out at the audience below her, trying to move the now unconscious woman in her lap to the gaping mouths of the shocked churchgoers.
Jacob was the first to step up, his tall frame reaching over the blood-soaked horse, large hands wrapped around the frail woman, head lolling over his shoulder as he pulled her off the horse.
Joseph stood in silent awe. His body too shocked to move. Rain pelted down his forehead as he watched his brother handle the situation.

"Now I saw Heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on him was called faithful and true. With justice, he judges and makes war. And his name is the Word of God."

Joseph whispered to no one, approaching the horse and cradling its head in his hands, pulling it towards the ground. Following the pressure, Harvey lay down, body settling and giving into exhaustion. Allowing Ifer to slide off his back and scramble after Jacob, who held Faith in his arms, one arm under her back, a large hand splayed over her bullet wound, the other arm giving leverage to her legs. He held her at a slight angle, head down, ensuring blood was still being pumped to her brain. He had sprinted off to a nearby building, built with the same uniform whitewashed planks as all the others. Ordering for medical assistance. Two women burst out the doors of the building at his call, one with hands full of stark white gauze, the other with an Ambu bag. They immediately began treating Faith's injuries, ushering her into the building, Jacob following. As Ifer got closer, she felt her legs stiffen and her stomach drop, falling to her knees she emptied the contents of her stomach onto the wet dirt. She heaved and shivered, the shock of what had just happened finally setting in. Her hands shook and she pushed the wet hair from her face, she stared at the entrance of the medical wing, eyes red and tired. She didn't want to be there to witness the aftermath of her decision. She should have just taken her to the clinic or called an ambulance. Why did she bring Faith here? There was only so much the Project could do. They surely didn't have the personnel able to handle gunshot wounds. She had dug Faith's grave for her, and she would be there to bury her.
Lightning struck above her shaking body, striking a death sentence over the sky. Breath shallow, Ifer stared at the door, waiting for someone to come out and tell her Faith didn't make it, that she'd killed her with this decision. Then a hand appeared on her back, warm and firm. Bringing with it awareness of her racing heart. Joseph's face came into frame, blocking the view of the building. His blue eyes full of pride. He saw straight through her.
"You did the right thing, Ifer"
Her eyes focused on his for a minute. Brown meeting blue. She slowly shook her head, denying his assurance. Hands shaking as they gripped the cold grass.
"You made the right decision, Faith will live because of you" He stared intently, ensuring she heard and understood him. "Come now, let's get you cleaned up and warm."
Ifer stared at her hands, stained red with blood, already drying and cracking in her palms. Joseph pulled her up, holding her close to his body. He called out to one of his faithful. But Ifer didn't hear it, hypnotised by how the blood split her fingers into segments of caked crimson. Ushering her into the church and those praying and waiting to speak to him were quickly dismissed.
He sat her down on the front pew, the faithful entered and placed a clean jumper and blanket next to where she sat. Handing a bucket of warm water and a cloth to Joseph, he left again.

Joseph kneeled before Ifer, still shaking, now more from her cold temperature than shock. Dipping the towel cloth into the water and wringing it out, he offered his hand. Ifer gingerly put her hand in his, and he got to work cleaning the ruby liquid off her hands and arms.
"We've taken care of your horse, it's safe and sheltered." Ifer's eyes glinted with concern. "Sweep… She's still out there" she murmured and grabbed at Joseph's hands.
"We'll send someone out to get her when the storm clears, You'll have to trust her instincts to keep her safe." Joseph's hands squeezed hers in reassurance. "Can you put this on for me?" Joseph handed the soft jumper to her, the woollen texture melted through his fingertips.
She felt more lucid now, although that didn't stop the panic still creeping through her bones. She felt sick while she shed her thick Carhartt jacket, ruined by incessant violence. The fabric stuck to the skin of her chest as she peeled it off, blood still jammy. Joseph immediately started wiping it off her. Starting with her collarbones and then moving to her slightly exposed cleavage, asking for permission with a gentle look. Ifer stared at the floor with empty eyes, clutching the wool jumper, the pressure of Joseph's hands grounding her.

Ifer heard the door of the small church open with a long creak, she turned around slowly, dreading the figure would be Faith's pale body, drenched in blood, pained screams echoing through the drafty church. What she saw instead was Jacob Seed, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, forearms and hands a sickening crimson. Ifer tried not to notice how it made him even more attractive, his hair wet and pushed back over his head, shoulders dark from the rain. The pattering of water outside increased in volume before it became muted again with the closing of the wide doors.
Steps pronounced as he walked between rows of benches, he wrung a white cloth through his hands, wiping any evidence of the incident. He stopped a few feet away from the two, iced over blue eyes landed on Ifer. The two words that came out of his mouth were ones she wasn't expecting to hear.

"She's stable."

His gravelly voice cut through the air like a serrated knife. Slicing the palpable tension in twain. Those two words fell over her like a lacy veil, flitting and floating around her head. The dread crawled out of her stomach with a long and shaky exhale. Panic rises like hot air and is overtaken by the cool feeling of relief.

"She wants to see you Joe" Jacob nodded to his brother, who stroked Ifer's head before leaving, patting his brother on the shoulder as he went. Jacob looked to Ifer again, who had averted his gaze and was staring at the floor. He made his way to the front pew, picking up the thick blanket and placing it over her bare shoulders, large hands bringing warmth and direly needed pressure to her tired body. Sitting closely beside her.
Ifer felt the heat radiating off him when he sat, but didn't dare look up, grabbing the edges of the blanket she pulled it tighter around her, suddenly feeling very vulnerable under the careful eye of the soldier.
"You saved her life," Jacob spoke in a tone she hadn't heard from him before, it was quiet, tender and proud.

"Ifer"

He looked down at her, tentatively placing his hand on her thigh. The grounding effect of his physical presence came over her again. He said her name like a prayer. A plea to look at him, so she did. Wet brown eyes searched his, and found the frozen lake that expanded his eyes. His hard edge was evident, years of work in the army would do that to someone, she could only imagine the kinds of horrors he'd witnessed. "Faith's going to live because of you."
Maybe it was the finality of his statement and the uncharacteristically soft look in his eyes, or the adrenaline seeping out of her blood that consequently caused her chest to rack with a sob. Her hand fluttered over her mouth like a branch in the wind, chest caving while muffled cries leaked from her lips. Tears started to steadily stream down her face, the gentle patter of drops hitting the wood indistinguishable from the downpour outside. Ifer curled over the side of the pew in an effort to hide herself from Jacob. She felt exposed. Her back is defenceless and weak. Ifer imagined Jacob staring at her back, spine splitting and ribs cracked open under his severing gaze. Her guts and organs beating and bleeding in her body, at his mercy to judge, pick apart and dissect. She continued to cry into the silent air, trying desperately to calm down and compose herself in front of the soldier. Jacob's large hand reached out, and splayed it across the back of her head, his fingers smoothing down the damp hair. He spoke hushed and rough. "You're okay, sweetheart."
Ifer flinched at the surprise contact but surrendered under his hand, her body slowly turning into his. Jacob pulled the weeping girl into his chest, muttering a low, "Come here." Not long after she laid her head on Jacob's shoulder, Ifer's sobs and incoherent mumbling ceased to long drawn-out sighs and the occasional sniffle. Her heart beat deep inside her chest, hidden under sharp ribs and warm skin; protected from prying eyes. Jacob rubbed small circles with his thumb on her shoulder, the calloused pads of his fingers burning hotter than she thought they would, his gaze settled patiently on her tear-stricken face, eyes, lips and cheeks puffy and red. "I-uh, I'm sorry, I didn't- um." Ifer stuttered, trying to explain to Jacob what came over her, why she had practically broken down in his arms. Her train of thought was derailed by the slow creaking of large wooden doors. The brother of Jacob Seed stood silhouetted by floodlights and storm clouds, Joseph's (now dressed) illuminated figure lowered his umbrella, stepped onto God's threshold and called for her. It echoed and wrung around the beams of the building, sounding more like an omnipresent spirit than a man. Jacob withdrew his arm, picked up her jacket and stood, looking down at her in expectance.
"Let's go, Pup"

Shaky legs weakened under pressure as Ifer pushed herself up, reaching for her jacket from Jacob, he only pulled it away and told her he'd take care of it, before nodding in the direction of Joseph.
Ifer stepped through the Church, following the voice of The Father. Looking back at Jacob, she offered him a grateful smile, a smile she knew was ruined by her drooping eyes.
Joseph watched their interaction carefully, nodding to his older brother as he stepped out of his church with Ifer in tow. The once harsh rain had lapsed, leaving behind a drizzling steel blue sky. A cold damp mist settled over the buildings and surrounded her and the Father. Petrichor haunted the air, reminding Ifer of her Father, and their early morning hunting lessons. Joseph led her outside the compound, up to a small house, she was not surprised to find it shared the same off-white wood finish. But it was nicer, homelier. The cross of Eden's Gate was still presented boldly between two vine-stricken windows, but soft yellow lights glowed from inside. Joseph led her up and through the home, waiting for her when she stopped and stared at the multiple family portraits that adorned the walls. He opened the door to a perfectly clean, immaculately made guest bedroom. A soft sage bedspread greeted her upon entry, foxgloves and tulips on polished cabinets, lace curtains drawn over the worn frames. "John did the interiors," said Joseph, walking up to the wardrobe and pulling out a towel and a white linen nightgown, placing them on the spotless bed.
"Get some rest, child, you've done enough today" Joseph spoke fondly and thankfully over her shoulder.
"Ifer." She turned to face The Father. "Who did this to Faith." It wasn't a question, it was a demand.
"Wilson. Wilson Ford." Ifer managed. His name felt like poison in her mouth.
With that, Joseph thanked her, kissed her forehead and left. Leaving Ifer alone in the bedroom. She stood there dumbfounded for a few minutes after he left. Her nervous system trying to process the traumatic event. Fatigue eventually forced her into the light nightgown, she lay down in the soft duvet and let consciousness slip away.

Chapter Text

Deep in Holland Valley, slow, swirling smoke rose from the burning end of the cigarette on Harrison's lips. It was a new vice with the young sergeant in its grip. It's more of an excuse to get away from the insufferable recruits at the Chalet than a need for nicotine. The Project at Eden's Gate was growing exponentially in size, Harrison couldn't be happier with the success of the Father and the souls they were saving, but all these boys were treating it like summer camp. A fun six-month jaunt, that included guns. Scrawny, irresponsible... and weak. It pissed him off. The cigarettes allowed him to leave whatever room he was in and get some much-needed respite.
He leaned, tense against the gates to the Ford property, inside its walls was a man who belonged in the deepest abdomen of hell. The sweet, earthy smell of petrichor in the cool wind directly juxtaposes the resentment prickling his chest with unbearable heat. The large estate loomed behind him, panelled logs lit up in a golden hue, spreading warmth through the cold night. Excessively huge, the building screamed wealth, especially compared to the average home in Hope County. He even had a fucking airfield.

Harrison was waiting for his commander and organiser of this little late-night visit. Jacob Seed.
As soon as he got Jacob's call he was geared up and ready to hurt the skiving bastard. No one threatened his family and got away with it. Harrison had dreamed of putting a bullet through Wilson's thick skull since they were in school. Rich kid asshole; Untouchable. Not anymore, Eden's Gate was coming for him.

The churning of wheels on gravel, and the blinding brightness of headlights interrupted Harrison's vengeful thoughts as a raised pickup broke through the treeline. Joining Harry's quad bike in front of the gates. The Soldier stepped out, boots crunching on stones. Tall and pale, Bright red hair unmistakable. He stood like a twisted tree, cold eyes staring at the exorbitant house. Jacob picked up his radio and mumbled a few words before walking up to Harrison who now stood to attention.

"They'll kill ya, you know" Jacob gestured to the now-crushed cigarette butt on the ground, displeased look on his face. "Got a spare?" Jacob grinned at the young man. Harrison held out his pack, letting Jacob take one before lighting another for himself. Tobacco smoke engulfed the air around their heads. Side-by-side, the men glared into the distance.
"What do you think?" Jacob broke the silence, blowing out smoke, head turned to the sergeant. Harrison raised his eyebrows, taking another hit and thinking about his question for a couple of seconds. Tactical mind running through every scenario.
"Sneak in from the back, catch him unawares" He replied, voice tilted in pitch at the end. Jacob nodded and studied the mud around his boots for a second, before looking back at him.
"You think he deserves that?" Jacob's frigid look gave him a bitter feeling.
"No." Harry stated. Resentment building in his face, lips curling downwards and fists curling up.
"Then don't give him the luxury of not seeing his death coming," Jacob said blankly. So emotionless at the mention of ending a man's life that it shocked Harrison. Jacob could be so nonchalant, he was snarky and smart-mouthed but detached when it came to death. Being surrounded by it in the war would do that to you. He'd seen it in his father, indifferent to the doom of the grave.

Just as their cigarettes burnt out, more cars could be heard grumbling up the gravelled roads. White trucks, plastered with Joseph's cross, all loaded up with huge surround speakers in their beds. Unidentifiable lackeys poured out, rifles in hand.

"We-" Jacob gestured to himself and the man beside him. "-are going to drive the bastard out."

_____________________________________________________

Positioned at the side entrance to Wilson's house, Harrison watched Jacob slink around the back of the building.
Set those Sinners free was blaring from the trucks at the gates. Loud and clear, an obvious threat of what was to come.

Wilson trudged out of whatever alcohol-induced hole he had dug himself. Storming through his home, cursing, he roughly pulled on a jacket and charged through the cold air down to the gates to his property. "Get the fuck off my property! Filthy Peggies!" Borderline foaming at the mouth, he raged at the men. The hunters and soldiers paid him no mind, some laughing at him while continuing to chat. "Are you even listening?! I said get the hell off my property or I'll call the police."
Some soldiers laughed even more at the red-faced man. Wilson was shocked, usually, the threat of police was enough to scare peggies or drunk teens that came snooping around his place. "That's it! I'm calling Whitehorse." Wilson spat through the chain-link fence one more time, barely audible over the loud sounds of a choir. He spun in a flurry, leaving behind the mist of his breath and stormed back up to the massive wood lodge.

Pushing through the double doors, he stumbled past taxidermy deer, wolves, you name it, every kind of animal found it Hope County was stuffed and mounted under his roof. He tripped across plush fur carpets and finally into the kitchen, where he picked up his half-empty bottle of Sam Adam's and picked up the landline phone.
Wilson dialled the infamous 9-1-1, a call very frequently made from this exact phone. He should have it on speed dial. He then waited for the lilting voice of Nancy to pick up on the other end. He imagined her groaning once he started talking about trespassers on his land.

But the singsong greeting never met his ears. Instead, only a droning static could be heard, a haunting, empty sound. Then, every light, in and around his house, turned off. Snuffing out in a dull electric snap.
"Fine, If this is how they want to play. I'll give them a taste of their own medicine." Wilson swigged down the rest of the beer, now warm, and chucked the empty bottle to the ground, it smashed in a piercing explosion, glass launching across the kitchen. He started through the living room, lit up only by the beaming headlights on the driveway. Wilson swore he saw a shadow move in the dark, but it only spurred him on quicker. Reaching his wall of firearms, he grabbed the pristine double-barrel shotgun.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you"

A booming voice cut through the night and Wilson tentatively stepped around the large fireplace, neck craning to the direction of the voice. Jacob Seed. Wilson immediately raised the shotgun and aimed it at the Soldier's face. Jacob just sat still, legs up and ankles crossed on the glass coffee table, littered with empty bottles of beer and spirits. A discarded cigarette still smoking in the ashtray.

"And what exactly, should I not do?" Wilson stood his ground, safe behind the barrel of a gun. Jacob's blue eyes shone in the dark, like a predator, reflective and emotionless. Wilson watched as Jacob's eyes flitted across the room, landing just past him.
He felt the cold metal of a gun press against the back of his head. His skin grew hot and sweat formed on his neck, falling in rivulets down his back.

"See? That's why I wouldn't do that" Jacob's deep voice sounded again. The man behind Wilson reached around his rotund belly and snatched the shotgun from his sweaty grip. Shoving him in the direction of the Seed and kicking him in the back of the legs, causing him to buckle to his knees in front of the Soldier. This was the first time Wilson had seen Jacob Seed up close, and he was monstrous. Tall and pale, like the figure of death itself. Burn scars blistered his arms and he had the face of a beast. A wolfish grin slapped across his expression.

"You don't scare me, Peggie" Wilson spitted out of quivering lips. The statement is more to convince himself than Jacob. The man behind Wilson slowly stepped around the pudgy blonde man and took his place beside Jacob, handgun still aimed at his forehead. Wilson stared at the tall brunette for a while before his face broke in recognition.

"Fucking Harrison Carter. Of course, you're a peggie too. Tell me, Is that pretty sister of yours still around? I wonder what else she can ride." The vulgar comment earned him a pistol whip to the forehead. "You don't get to talk about my sister." Harrison barked at him, face furious. Fresh, hot blood spilt down his face, dripping into his open mouth. Wiping it off, he spat the remaining blood onto Harrison's boots.
"Fuck! What do you want from me? You already took my brother."
Jacob barked out a laugh, sending Wilson into pure panic. "Now what could I possibly want from the likes of you?" Jacob recoiled his legs and leant on his elbows so he was level with the man. "Mr. Ford. I'm not here to take anything from you. I'm here to give something to you." At that moment, Wilson saw the monster of the north. His teeth grew sharp and yellow, pointed like rotted stakes. The burns that scarred his cheeks became deep holes full of abominations of the earth. The hunting knife in his hand, unseen by Wilson, glinted under the invasive headlights.
"Restrain him," Jacob said calmly to his partner in threatening. Harrison got to work.
Wilson's bruised and battered body thrashed and wailed against the coarse rope, and the chair he sat on scraped against the hardwood floors; a grating symphony. Jacob paced around the chair, spinning his knife in his calloused hands. He hummed once. And the room went silent, Wilson stopped screaming and even Sergeant Carter, from his front-row seat on the sofa, stopped breathing.
"Earlier today, Mr. Ford, you made a grave mistake." Jacob turned, staring down Wilson with icy eyes. "You shot someone very important to my family. Do you know who that was?" Wilson just stared at his lap, he had been stripped from the waist up, chest open and vulnerable, concealed weapons thrown to the floor. "Luckily for you, she survived. So did the other witness to your little... stunt." Jacob came to stand in front of the simpering mess and pressed the knife to his collarbone, just enough pressure to break the skin and open the faucet of blood, trickling down Wilson's sweaty chest.
"And they both were able to tell me the name of the man who attacked them. So, what I'm going to give to you Wilson." The name tasted like dirt on Jacob's tongue.
"Is an ultimatum. You can join us at Eden's Gate, be cleansed of your sins, seek forgiveness from The Father and fulfil your true purpose, or I can get Sergeant Carter here to stick a knife in your throat and bleed you like a stuck pig." Jacob's mouth curled up in a disgusted sneer and he dragged the point of the knife up Wilson's throat till it rested on his Adam's apple. "So what'll it be?" Jacob finalised.
"I'll never join you, that Peggie slut deserved it." Wilson showed his final act of defiance in the face of death. Always trying to keep his pride.
"Wrong answer. Sergeant!" Jacob held out his knife to the eldest Carter who was now up and striding to Wilson with vengeance in his eyes.

"W-w-wait! Wait! Please! fuck wait I'm sorry! I'm sorry okay!? Is that what you want?! I'm sorry!" Wilson pleaded with the soldiers, harsh reality slapping him in the face.

Jacob held a hand out in front of Harrison, pausing his warpath momentarily. "Mr. Ford, you know what we want. You make the decision." he paused. "You know, if my baby brother were here he would say your sin is pride, rearing its ugly head even when confronted with your mortality. Come to think of it actually, I think this place is perfect for John. It's certainly gaudy enough." Jacob continued with his monologue. Ever the dramatic. "Hmm, new deal. You join us and sign over your house, or you die. Sound fair?"
Wilson felt broken. His brother joined Eden's Gate with the promise of a cleaner life, a life with God and The Father. Then he became a doomsday-prepping freak with the word Lust cut into his skin. He gave his life to that stupid church and look where it got him, rotting in a ditch in the Henbane. Empty eyes stared up at the two men in front of him. Menacing. Evil. Maybe he could just say yes and run away. He had enough money to make it anywhere. Yes. That's what he'd do. He'd tell these dogs that he would join them and then under the cover of dawn, he'd drive straight out of this godforsaken county.
"Fine. I'll join you. I'll even sign over the lease. Just-.. Leave me alone." Wilson had to suppress a grin. His master plan fell into place.
"That's the spirit!" Jacob exclaimed, clapping him on the back roughly. "No need for more bloodshed tonight" Harrison only stared at Wilson. It was uncharacteristic of him to back down just when things started escalating. Despite how much he hated him, he knew him well. Harrison glanced at Jacob from the corner of his peripherals and they locked eyes. Something in his look told him he knew. He knew that this was easier than expected. The look told him to stand down and trust him. That he would ensure justice was served.
"Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Ford. I knew we would work this out." Jacob had a sickly sweet smile on his face. "I look forward to working with you Ford. Untie him, Carter."
After everything had been said and done, Jacob and Harrison called off the lackeys, the music stopped and the headlights faded into the distance. The lights came on in a cacophony of zaps. Wilson was giddy. He couldn't show it of course but he felt like he had won. He'd never felt prouder of himself.
Jacob had a hand on Harrisons shoulder as they walked out the door. Calling behind him to Wilson he said "Someone will be around in the morning with the legal documents! Then you will be transported to our Church. Goodnight Mr. Ford" Jacob shut the door behind him and sauntered down the driveway to his truck.
"Sir?" Harrison still stood outside the mansion. Metres away from Jacob. "Are we just going to leave? What about Faith? and Ifer?" Harrison wanted to trust his superior but something didn't feel right. Surely Wilson would just escape the County before they arrived in the morning. They still had six hours until dawn, that was more than enough time to gather his shit and leave. Jacob beckoned him over with a patient expression.
"Do you trust me, Sergeant?"
"Of course, Sir"
"Then don't question me," Jacob said sternly. "We'll get him. He'll learn his purpose. He is weak. And the weak must be culled."
Harrison stood straight. "Understood, sir."
"Come, stick your ATV in the back and ride back with me. I'm sure your sister will want to see you when she wakes up."
The pair loaded up Harrison's ATV and started the car. They drove in silence. Halfway back to the compound Harrison spoke up again.
"Don't take this the wrong way, sir, but Wilson's useless, apart from his money. What exactly would his purpose be?" He questioned. Jacob pondered his question and replied with one word.

"Meat."

Chapter Text

Hello ALL!!!
This is metamorphised. Behold.
I am here to give an update on this fic and where its heading <3
Thank you so much for all the love and kudos, it truly does inspire me to continue writing.
This started as a super self-indulgent fic that i started just for me but im totally surprised
with how much appreciation its got from my fc5 girlies who wanted horses in MONTANA.
My FMC rn is kind of passive and bland cos i was sort of making a blank slate and the things that happened
to her, did exactly that, they just happened to her. I'm keeping the idea of her as a sort of prophecy to Joseph,
the idea of the 'Lightbringer' and 'leader of the blind'. The characters will stay the same, maybe bring the Carter's parents back,
her joining of the cult is kind of immediate so im gonna slow that shit down.
This story needs a rework in terms of plot and depth
so I'm working on that rn. BTW i do this all for my own love of this narrative and not to please readers
or something like that. Truly excited to begin reworking it xx
Stay tuned and please do give me your thoughts on what could be changed or just something you'd
like to see or stop seeing in a Jacob Seed x Original character fic.
(can't believe he's still my favourite fictional man after all these years)
Thank you for reading! (you can also find me on tumblr @metamorphised )