[ A Farcry Fanfic ] Remember The Sins

[7] Never Again

Max was pulled from his prayers,
"Sorry sinner, but it's time for your baptism" the guard grabbed his collar and pushed him into the water. He was grouped together with the rest of the hostages. One cultist walked over to him and grabbed his arms folding them behind his back, Max instinctively pushed back, knocking the cultist into the water.

"Fuck. He's resisting! I need some bliss over here!" The cultist hurriedly ran back to Max and grabbed him again. This time another one came over, this one was holding a barrel, Max was being held under the water as the other cultist poured whatever was in that barrel on him, he got it in his eyes and his mouth. When he was brought up for air, he felt a wave of calm, his felt like he didn't control his movements,  his vision seemed fuzzy, and it was littered with stars, he couldn't focus on much, he was simply zoned out, John's voice was echoing around him
"I spent my entire life looking for more things to say yes to. I'm telling you all now, that you need to embrace the power of yes. We must wash ourselves of sin, rip that sin from our souls, for only then can we walk in the light of God"
he could see the soft outline of someone walking twords him, only once the person was less than 2 feet away could he focus, it was Joseph. His yellow sunglasses seemed hypnotic Max couldn't help out stare back at him

"You needed clearity, you needed to have the veil removed, I'm glad you choose to do this willingly, it's so much easier on everyone when you just accept us, I am going to take you to John's bunker personally, normally you would confess to him, but the Voice chose you for a reason, I believe that this might be a special case where John's..  personality might not be the best to use."  Joseph's voice seemed to echo in Max's mind

Max tried to speak, but couldn't make himself talk, he couldn't find the words for what he needed to say. Joseph guided Max into a van driving off twords John's bunker, up the hill.

_____________________________________________

Hope was being pulled into a group, they were all huddled around one person he wasn't wearing a shirt and he was holding a Bible up, he was preaching, the man was covered in tattoos the one that stuck out to Hope was the one displayed over his chest "Only Joseph can judge me" it sent a chill up her spine, how could they worship a man the way they do.

"This is the one guys! She's staying with John" Carmen gathered the crowd around.

People were cheering twords hope, but she didn't understand why, it's not like she saved anyone.

"Why are you happy to see me?" Hope was confused by everything

"Your living with John, you tamed a Judge with only commands, you've survived the Whitetails, you're a legend around here."

"All of that was just luck! I didn't have anything to do with it"

"Look, you're here by the grace and of God, Joseph said you are here for a reason" Hope nodded.
Carmen took hope around the camp and introduced her to everyone. Some people bowed before her, she didn't like people worshipping her.
By the time they had met everyone Hope was exhausted she let out a loud yawn, Carmen took notice

"Come on, that's enough socialization for now, I'll drive you back to the ranch, we can learn more about each other that way" Carmen let out a light laugh

"Sounds like a plan" Hope sighed and followed behind, she was looking for John'

Carmen led Hope to a beat up Ford focus.
The front was tagged with the word Sinner in white spray paint

"Is this your car?"

"No, this is just one of the many donated cars we have." Carmen started the car and Hope clicked the seat belt in place.
They talked most of the ride there. Well, Carmen talked most of the ride, Hope just sat quietly and listened. Carmen talked about many things from how last night's sermon went, to how the sky looked that night. They continued towards the ranch when they heard a single gun shot ring through the woods. Carmen pulled to the side of the road and took out her pistol, it was a D50 it was a large gun by itself but in her hands it looked even larger

"Stay in the car, im going to check it out" Carmen demanded at Hope. "Anyone out there? Show yourself!"  A young man came walking through the trees

"I'm here, I need help!" The man yelled out.
"I'm with the Whitetails, I got lost and I can't seem to find the way back, a couple of Peggies found me, thankfully my Pa taught me how to shoot!" He showed his rifle

"Come here, now." Carmen demanded again. The boy could tell something was wrong and looked to the car, he noticed the word painted across the hood.

"I'm sorry I have to do this, but I'm taking as many as you can with me" the boys courage suprised Carmen, he pulled his rifle up and was about to shoot, but Carmen was quicker, with one swift bang, the boy was on the ground. Hope noticed Carmen stare at him for a minute and then she walked back, Carmen was oddly quiet the rest of the ride.

Hope was dropped off outside the ranch, she walked in and found John sitting by the fireplace. He was going over stacks of paper.
"Hey, what happened back there?" Hope asked as she sat besides him
"Nothing, just lost myself for a moment, scared me"John flicked through the paperwork
"What is all that?"
"It's everything, land deeds, what people owe us, it's everything. Im still a lawyer you know." He never looked up from the papers.  He sighed and continued writing. Hope say silently besides him
_____________________________________________