Chapter Text
The man stepped down from the small uplifted stage. Baring his wrists to the rookie Deputy with open palms. The deputy watched the man with wide eyes. The glow from the screens behind him made the man shine like a cryptic angel sent from God.
For a moment, Deputy weighed his options. To grab the man and cuff his wrists, or to let the Sheriff stop his shaking hands from dooming them all.
“God will not let you take me.” Joseph repeated softly, locking eyes with Deputy.
Deputy wanted to drop to his knees before the man. To beg forgiveness and prove devotion. But in that moment he tensed as his hands reached out on their own whim, and locked the cuffs around the man’s wrists.
“Sometimes the best thing to do.. is walk away,” Joseph frowned.
Deputy steeled his nerves, and moved behind Joseph. Placing a hand on his shoulder, the man’s skin was like fire under his gloves. Deputy walked the Father forward slowly through the crowd of cultists ready to snap.
All they had to do was make it to the chopper. Each step made his legs feel like lead, and when the helicopter was in sight he let out an early breath of relief.
They drew closer, and Deputy watched as Marshal Burke unholstered his pistol. It was a moment of slow motion as his finger curled around the trigger and fired off two shots in the air.
It was seconds and the helicopter was lifting into the air, but it was too late. Peggies crawled onto the group like zombies hungry for their flesh. Everyone was yelling, angry cultists and policemen alike.
Not Joseph, however. He was singing, calm and ready for what was to come. In that moment Deputy wished he was that strong willed. That secure in his beliefs that he could ignore the world falling apart around them. Blood splattered the windshield of the helicopter as someone leaped into the propellers.
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Deputy’s eyes opened on the ground. Hanging by the belt around his waist. He looked into the eyes of Joseph Seed, who was telling Nancy to forget calling anyone to help.
“No one is coming to save you.” Joseph whispered. Deputy slowly reached a hand toward the bleeding man, wiping blood from his nose.
Joseph watched Deputy’s hand with every movement. Then the Father began to leave the helicopter. He reached back and unhooked Deputy’s belt, letting him fall to the ground.
“Run.”
Peggies began to grab his fellow officers and pull them from the flames of the helicopter, as Joseph began another long speech.
Deputy watched the Marshal run off into the woods, and with one last glance at the man standing proud above his followers, Deputy pushed himself to his feet and ran.