#Jacob Seed x Mara Jessop

[chobit92]

Far Cry 5: Reunited: Part Three

(Mara is giving Gabriel a bath. She wonders if Joseph and John are going to come back. She’s found herself wondering if they are really Jacob’s brothers. They must be. A part of her curses that uptight bitch at the homeless shelter for giving out her address to strangers. Cow. She feels like taking a drive over there to give the old bitch a piece of her mind. But what a waste of gas that would be. She finishes washing Gabriel and sits down on the loo seat leaving him to play with his toys. He isn’t going to go to bed yet anyway. He’s always been a pain to put to bed. Especially when Jacob isn’t here. Mara knows it’s partially her fault as some nights she lets him stay up until he falls asleep. It doesn’t help that Rachel comes in at stupid o clock in the morning either. It infuriates Mara when she wakes him up. Jacob doesn’t like being woken up either. She sighs and takes out a cigarette lighting it up. She cracks open the bathroom window and takes a drag. She doesn’t care what people think of her continuing to smoke when she’s pregnant. What she does is her business and it didn’t do Gabriel any harm. Her mother smoked through all of her pregnancies. She had three kids. Gabriel is staring at her. He takes after his father and doesn’t always speak much. He then points to something on the windowsill.).

Mara: What? Use your words honey.

(Gabriel looks at her for a moment.).

Gabriel: Whale.

(She sighs.).

Mara: Could I have the whale please?

(She picks up the plastic whale and puts it in the bath. Gabriel grabs it and puts it under the water filling it up. She knows what he’s gonna do, he does it every time. Seconds later he has taken aim and pressed the button so the whale squirts out water. It goes onto the floor and hits her.).

Mara: Stop that.

(Gabriel smiles. She finds herself smiling back at him. She finishes her cigarette and tosses the butt down the loo.).

Mara: Right come on time to get out now.

(Gabriel stands up and she lifts him out of the bath before wrapping him up in a towel.).

*

(Jacob is staring at his brothers trying to work out what to say.).

John: Could look happier to see us.

Joseph: John.

John: What?

Joseph: It’s good to see you again brother. I never lost hope that we would find each other again.

Jacob: Good to see you too Joe.

John: So...Met your wife. She’s a pistol isn’t she?

(Joseph sighs. Jacob frowns.).

Jacob: Hm.

Joseph: She told us to tell you she isn’t mad.

Jacob: Hm. Means she’s mad as hell.

Joseph: She seemed mad at someone called Lonny.

Jacob: Wouldn’t wanna be him.

Joseph: So what happened?

Jacob: Usual shit. He’s always gotta problem.

John: Mara told us he likes to get drunk and start fights.

Jacob: Yeah.

John: She said he thinks you’re a psycho because you got scared of some fireworks or something.

(Jacob narrows his eyes.).

Joseph: It’s nothing to be ashamed of brother. It’s perfectly understandable.

Jacob: What is?

(Nobody seems to know what to say.).

Joseph: I am sure you saw many things during your time in the army and experienced things that nobody should have to. It is perfectly understandable that there are some things you find hard to deal with now. I just wish that people like this Lonny understood that.

(Jacob says nothing. Joseph notices how haunted his older brother looks. How tired and broken he is. He sighs.).

Joseph: I am sorry it has taken me so long to find you.

Jacob: Not your fault.

John: Well we are back together now and once we get you out of here we will have to have a family dinner.

Jacob: Hm.

(Joseph reaches out to Jacob and grips his arm staring at him. Jacob doesn’t seem to know what to say or what to do. Then Jacob has moved forwards and is reaching for Joseph through the bars.).

Joseph: I am so sorry brother.

Jacob: What for?

Joseph: Leaving you alone for this long.

Jacob: Not your fault.

John: Least you’ve got a gorgeous wife to take care of you. Lucky.

Jacob: Hm. No idea what she sees in me.

Joseph: Well perhaps she sees something that you don’t.

Jacob: Can’t think what. I’m just a broken scarred old man.

Joseph: No. You are our brother. Our protector.

Jacob: Didn’t do you much good did I?

Joseph: Stop talking like that.

John: I almost can’t believe we’re together again. After all this time.

Joseph: I knew that we would be. I had faith.

(Jacob grips Joseph’s hand as if he’s going to suddenly disappear.).

Sheriff: Right that’s time I’m afraid. Come on.

Joseph: We will get this sorted out.

John: You mean I will.

Joseph: We will back tomorrow.

Jacob: Don’t worry about me. Don’t matter if I rot in here.

Joseph: Brother don’t talk like that. You matter. To us and to your wife and children.

John: We’ll get you out of here Jacob.

Jacob: It’s okay. Won’t be in here long. That Lonny prick can never be bothered to press charges. He hit me anyway I ain’t done nothin’.

Sheriff: Let’s go move it.

Joseph: Mara is making up the guest bedroom for us. You sit tight brother we will be together again. A family.

John: See you soon brother.

(Jacob nods and grips Joseph’s hand then John’s. He then sits back down on the bed as Joseph and John are led away by the Sheriff.).

[chobit92]

Far Cry 5: Reunited: Part Two

(Mara sits at the kitchen counter and sends a text to Rachel. She doesn’t get a reply and she sighs. She looks out of the window, it’s beginning to get dark now. Joseph and John have been gone for over four hours. She figures that they are catching up with Jacob and probably getting drunk together. She sighs. There is a knock at the door. She walks through the lounge and opens the front door. Joseph and John are stood there but she doesn’t see Jacob.).

Mara: Didn’t find him then?

Joseph: No.

John: We checked the local store and we went round all the bars. No sign.

(Mara sighs.).

Mara: Damnit Jake.

Joseph: Does he often do this?

Mara: Do what?

Joseph: Disappear?

Mara: He has done a few times. Not for a while though. Not for this long. He’s usually at the bar.

John: Well he isn’t.

Mara: Well maybe he’s taken off somewhere else. Have you checked the woods?

John: The woods?

Mara: Yeah. I found him in there once.

(John frowns.).

John: Why don’t you just call him and ask him where he is?

Mara: He doesn’t have a phone.

John: Of course not.

Mara: I bought him one but he never uses it. He’s not a fan of technology. He’ll come back.

John: You don’t sound too sure.

(She shrugs.).

Mara: Where are you staying?

John: No idea. We’ve driven out here from Atlanta.

Mara: Atlanta?

John: Yes. It’s where I’ve been living.

(Mara is looking down the road hoping to catch a glimpse of Jacob’s truck but the road is empty.).

Mara: Where’s your car then?

John: Just back there.

Mara: Hm.

(She sighs.).

Mara: You want to come in for a coffee?

John: I thought you’d never ask.

Mara: You can go sit in your car if you want.

Joseph: Coffee would be good thank you.

(Mara steps back and they go inside. She shuts the door behind them and goes to the kitchen.).

Mara: I’m sure he’ll be back soon.

(Joseph and John have stopped dead. Sat on the floor in the lounge playing with some cars is a small boy with red hair. The boy looks up at them as they walk in then goes back to playing with his cars.).

Mara: How do you take it?

John: Three sugars no milk.

Joseph: No sugar and just a little milk please.

(She makes the drinks and sets them down on the counter before sitting down. Joseph and John join her and sit staring at her. Joseph keeps looking at the little boy sat on the carpet in the next room. Mara looks at the clock.).

Mara: It’s getting late. I thought he’d be back by now.

(It’s nearing 9pm.).

John: Aren’t you going to put the little one to bed?

(She narrows her eyes again.).

Mara: No. Why, think it’s too late for him to be up? I’m sick of people commenting on my parenting like it’s anything to do with them.

John: I wasn’t.

Mara: Good.

John: Why are you so defensive?

Mara: I’m not. I’m just sick of people butting their noses in. Already had the neighbours sending child services round.

John: Really?

Mara: Bunch of no good busy bodies.

(She takes a sip of her coffee.).

Mara: He’s gotta have his bath first. He won’t want to go to bed anyway. Not until his dads home. I think he worries about him. They pick up on things kids.

Joseph: How old is he?

Mara: Three.

Joseph: What’s his name?

Mara: Gabriel.

Joseph: Gabriel.

John: He looks just like him.

Mara: Yeah.

(The landline suddenly rings and Mara gets up and answers it.).

Mara: Yes? What?

(Joseph turns to John.).

John: What? I didn’t mean anything by it.

Joseph: This is Jacob’s family. We must not judge them brother.

John: I wasn’t.

Mara: He did what? Godsake. Yeah well you can bet your ass that prick started it! Oh I will don’t worry. You stupid pricks you know he’s had problems. How am I meant to do that? Oh you must really love your job eh? Locking people up for defending themselves. Just because you don’t like them! Yes I will. Have you arrested Lonny have you? The drunk lout! He’s always making trouble but I guess you can get away with anything when your father is friends with the mayor eh? You just blame it on my husband instead!

(She hangs up and sighs. Gabriel is staring into the kitchen. Joseph smiles at him but the boy doesn’t smile back.).

John: Who was that?

(She sits back down at the counter.).

Mara: The police. Jacob’s been arrested.

John: Arrested?

Mara: Yes.

(Joseph looks at Gabriel, he is still sat there just staring into the kitchen.).

Joseph: What have they arrested him for?

Mara: Assault. It’s bullshit. Jacob doesn’t start fights. He usually ends them don’t get me wrong. He was probably just sat having a quiet drink on his own and that prick Lonny started on him. He’s done it before. He’s the thug.

John: Well don’t worry. I’m a lawyer.

Mara: Oh you are?

John: Yes. We’ll have him out in no time.

Mara: It was just a drunken bar fight. He’ll be back by tomorrow. They didn’t charge him last time.

Joseph: This has happened before?

Mara: Yes. It’s always Lonny that starts it. He even came up to the house once. Yelling that Jacob was a psycho. Ha! If only they knew.

John: What does that mean?

Mara: He served in the army. He saw many things. I don’t even think he’s told me everything. How can he? They just don’t understand the horrors he’s had to face. For his country, for them. Some people just have no respect. It all started at their fourth of July party. The fireworks they set him off. The bangs you know? He started yelling and he ran into the woods. I found him hiding in the bushes. Lonny and his friends all thought it was funny. They started calling him Old Mad Seed.

(Joseph sucks in a breath.).

Mara: Jacob heard them and he went mental. Gave Lonny a split lip. He’s never usually one for violence and he rarely loses his temper so it shocked me. He told me afterwards that everyone used to call his dad that. He hated his father.

Joseph: He wasn’t a very nice man.

Mara: So I’ve heard. Anyway after that one of our neighbours had a party for one of their daughters. This was a year later. Lonny was there with his wife, he’s a bit of a drinker Lonny. He can get nasty when he’s drunk too. There was some altercation between him and another neighbour and Jacob stepped in and broke it up. He told Lonny to go home. I don’t quite know what happened next, I was sat on the patio so I don’t know what was said but Lonny and another neighbour suddenly started punching Jacob calling him a psycho. It turned into a bit of a brawl and other neighbours and their friends had to break it up. I asked them what had happened afterwards and they told me that Jacob was saying things like they should have put Lonny on the barbecue coz he’s just a useless lump of meat anyway. Then he apparently said that he’d eaten human before and it wasn’t half bad.

(John’s mouth has dropped open.).

Mara: So yeah. Now whenever Lonny sees him he just has to start. I’m guessing that’s what happened tonight. Lonny lives at the bar.

John: Okay.

Mara: He didn’t start that fight tonight. He rarely gets drunk and when he does he just sits there quietly then stumbles into bed or falls asleep on the sofa.

Joseph: I believe you.

Mara: I don’t care if you believe me or not.

John: Well I think we should go to the police station.

Joseph: Yes.

John: Do you know where it is they’ve taken him?

Mara: Silver Creek station. It’s just opposite the post office. Back down the road and turn right. Keep heading towards town.

John: Right. You coming?

Mara: I would love to but I need to stay here and get little man sorted. Rachel’s stormed off so...

John: She usually do that?

Mara: Yeah. She’s difficult at the best of times.

John: Is she your daughter?

Mara: You cheeky...How old do you think I fucking am? She’s my sister.

Joseph: She has problems?

Mara: It’s none of your business.

John: Can’t you leave him with a neighbour or a friend?

Mara: Don’t have any. The neighbours all think we’re scum. I wouldn’t leave my son with them anyway and it’s too late to be taking him out now. Besides I wouldn’t want him to see his father in a jail cell. Boy don’t need that shit.

(Mara gets up and puts her mug in the sink. She then goes into the lounge.).

Mara: Come on little man bath time.

(Joseph watches as Gabriel puts down his cars and stands up. Mara lifts him up and carries him back to the kitchen. She opens a drawer and takes out a pen and paper. She writes something down then hands the paper to Joseph.).

Mara: That’s our landline number. Give me a call once you get there would yah? Tell him I’m not mad.

Joseph: We will.

(Joseph and John stand up.).

Mara: I’ll make up the guest bedroom.

Joseph: You don’t have to do that.

Mara: Well you gotta sleep somewhere. Unless you want to get Jacob’s tent and camp out on the lawn.

John: The guest bedroom will be fine thanks.

Joseph: Thank you.

Mara: Don’t expect a happy reunion will you? He’s probably different than the brother you remember.

Joseph: I understand. We are all different now. What matters is that we are back together.

(Mara walks down the hall and Joseph and John leave.).

*

(Joseph and John have been waiting for over twenty minutes.).

John: I can’t believe she didn’t come down here with us. She’s meant to be his wife.

Joseph: John she has a small child. Did you really expect her to drag him down here to a police station at this time of night?

John: Well...Yes. She should have come no matter what. He’s her husband.

(Joseph sighs.).

John: She could have left the kid with a neighbour.

Joseph: The neighbours do not seem to like them. You heard what she said.

John: Hm. I can understand why.

(Joseph shoots John a look.).

John: Oh don’t look at me like that. You’ve met the woman. She’s...I don’t know. A hard faced cow.

Joseph: I have told you already John we must not judge. She has let us into her home when we are complete strangers and from the sounds of it she is letting us stay.

John: Hm.

(John folds his arms then sighs.).

John: I just don’t get her. I mean she could be happier that her husband’s brothers have found him. That he’s found his family. She seems like she couldn’t care less.

Joseph: What did you expect John? How did you want her to react when we suddenly turned up on her doorstep?

John: I don’t know. But...I don’t know.

Joseph: It’s going to take time John. Time. We cannot expect to just waltz into other people’s lives so seamlessly. Even the life of our brother. We must get to know each other again and get to know his family.

John: Hm.

(John sighs.).   

John: Oh this is ridiculous we’ve been waiting nearly half an hour now. Excuse me.

(He walks back up to the desk.).

John: We want to see our brother now.

Woman: I have told the Sheriff you are here.

John: Well why are we still waiting?

Woman: Sir please just take a seat.

(John sighs. Joseph pats his arm. They wait another ten minutes before the Sheriff walks in.).

Sheriff: Evening gentleman I’m told that Jacob Seed is your older brother?

Joseph: Yes. He is. We would like to see him please.

Sheriff: I wasn’t aware he had brothers.

Joseph: We haven’t seen each other in a very long time. We were separated when we were children you see. We’ve been searching for him for many years.

Sheriff: That so?

John: Yes it is so. Now can we see him please?

Sheriff: I’m afraid not.

John: What? Why not?

Sheriff: You can’t just walk in here and expect to see a prisoner. Visiting hours are between three and five pm.

John: He’s our brother, we haven’t seen him in years.

Sheriff: I understand that but-

John: No. You don’t.

Joseph: Please. We have been separated for far too long. We need to see him. If only to reassure ourselves that we have finally found him after years of searching and coming to dead ends.

Woman: Could just give them ten minutes sir. It might do Mr Seed some good. He hasn’t said anything since his arrest.

Sheriff: He’s usually a man of few words.

(The Sheriff sighs.).

John: Come on his wife is worried too. She’s stuck at home with the baby while her husband is sat in here.

Sheriff: I highly doubt Mara is worried. But fine. If you think the best way to reunite with your so called brother is through prison bars that’s up to you.

Joseph: Thank you.

(The Sheriff leads them down the hall to the cells. There are six of them altogether but only one is occupied. Joseph and John stare through the bars at the man sat on the cot. He has a crop of red hair on his head and he is wearing beaten up dirty jeans and a battered old army jacket. Around his neck are a set of dog tags and a rabbits foot. He doesn’t look up as they walk in. The Sheriff bangs on the bars with his baton.).

Sheriff: Hey Seed. You got visitors.

Joseph: Jacob?

(The man slowly turns his head and stares at Joseph and John. He frowns.).

Sheriff: Does he even know you? I ain’t got time for bullshit it’s late.

Joseph: We are his brothers. I’m Joseph and this is John. Seed.

John: Technically I’m John Duncan but-

(John falls silent at the look on Joseph’s face.).

Sheriff: Are these your brothers Seed? They say they been looking for you for years.

(The man is still staring at them.).

John: Is he...I don’t know a little...Mad?

Sheriff: Ha! Been wondering that myself.

(The man ignores the Sheriff and gets up walking over to the bars. Joseph stares at him, the name tab on his army jacket reads J. Seed.).

Jacob: Joe.

[chobit92]

Far Cry 5: Reunited: Part One

This is an idea I have had for ages and I've been playing Far Cry 5 again and needed more Jacob...And Faith...And Joseph and John.

(Joseph and John Seed walk down the busy road leading into an industrial estate.).

John: What makes you think he’s going to be here?

Joseph: Have faith.

(They have been trying to track down their brother Jacob for months. They have discovered that after being discharged from the military he stayed in a hospital for a while. Since then however he seems to have dropped off the map.).

John: We must have searched every shelter in Georgia.

Joseph: We have not searched this one.

(They reach the doors of the shelter and Joseph pulls the door open walking inside. John follows him. The place is just as shabby and basic as all of the other shelters. Though this one is cleaner than some they have visited. Joseph walks up to the small desk and stands there waiting. The woman sat behind the desk looks tired and is clearly trying to do several things at once. She’s currently talking on the phone while tapping away at the computer. She then finishes the call and looks through several files before looking up at Joseph and John and smiling. The smile doesn’t reach her eyes however and Joseph thinks it might be forced.).

Woman: Afternoon. How can I help you?

Joseph: Hello. We’re looking for someone.

Woman: Ain’t we all?

John: Our brother, Jacob. Last name Seed. He was in the army.

Woman: Get a lot of guys come through here that are ex military.

Joseph: Please try to think madam. This isn’t a recent photo but...

(Joseph shows the woman a photo of a young soldier with red hair.).

Woman: Look I see so many faces every day sir. Some the same but a lot different.

Joseph: I appreciate that but-

Woman: I’m sorry. I can’t help you. But...Eileen might be able to. She remembers everything that woman. Eidetic memory or something.

(The woman gets up and goes down the hall. She returns a few minutes later with an older woman, mid fifties, with greying hair.).

Woman: This is Eileen.

Eileen: Hello, how can I help you?

Joseph: We’re looking for our brother Jacob. He was in the military and spent some time in a hospital but he was discharged a while ago. We can’t find an address for him so we’ve been looking around the shelters.

Eileen: Oh. Jacob...Do you have a photo?

Joseph: Yes.

(Joseph shows her the photo and she peers down at it.).

Joseph: It’s not a recent photo I’m afraid.

Eileen: Hmmm. He does seem familiar. Jacob. Red hair. Yes. There was a man here oh it was a long time ago now. He always wore a grubby old army jacket.

(The woman frowns.).

Eileen: I think it had J. Seed written on it.

Joseph: He was here?

Eileen: Well somebody matching your description was. He never spoke. Would just lie in bed all day, would hardly eat or drink. Poor thing. He had terrible nightmares too. Was always screaming. He would call out for someone called Joseph. John too.

Joseph: I’m Joseph and this is my brother John.

Eileen: Oh. I see.

Joseph: I take it he is no longer here.

Eileen: I’m afraid not.

Joseph: Do you know where he might have gone?

Eileen: I don’t, no. But...There might be something. A young girl was volunteering here at the time. She seemed to get on well with Jacob. Not sure how he would never speak to me or any of the others but she spent a lot of time in his room. She was always bringing him coffee and biscuits. Trying to get him to eat. They seemed to build up a bit of a rapport.

Woman: Oh I remember now. She was always in his room. Did no work whatsoever just sat in his room for her whole shift.

Eileen: Yes well she was only trying to help the poor man. She must have done some good too. He started to eat and drink a little. I would even hear them talking. Then one day he left. She was with him. She said she was going to drop him off. I didn’t ask where I’m sorry.

John: Does she still work here?

Eileen: No. She quit a few days after that.

John: What was her name?

Eileen: Her name was Mara.

John: Do you have an address or a contact number?

Eileen: If I did I’m afraid I couldn’t give it to you.

John: Why not?

Eileen: Look I want you to find your brother I do. But I can’t in good conscience just hand out people’s private information.

John: But she might know where our brother is. Please we just want to find him.

(John gives the woman a pleading look.).

Eileen: I’m sorry. I need to get back to work.

(Eileen walks off. John sighs.).

John: This is ridiculous. All we want to know is this woman’s phone number so that we can ask if she remembers our brother and where she dropped him off.

Woman: If she remembers. Even if she does he might not be where she dropped him off now. It was a long time ago.

John: But it’s the only lead we have. Please.

(The woman sighs.).

Woman: You better not tell anyone I gave you this.

(She opens up a filing cabinet and rifles through it. She then pulls out a sheet of paper.).

Woman: Mara Jessop. Here she is. Her volunteer application. Got her phone number and her address.

John: I’ll take both.

(The woman writes down the phone number and the address on a slip of paper then hands it to John.).

John: Thank you for all your help.

Woman: Don’t mention it. I never liked her anyway. Bit of a tart if you ask me.

(Joseph and John leave the shelter. John takes out his phone and dials the number. Then he sighs.).

John: The numbers no longer in service.

Joseph: Well then let’s try the address.

John: Do you think this woman will actually remember Jacob?

Joseph: Have faith John. We are going to find him.

*

(John drives through the residential streets of Silver Creek. Most of the area is covered with woodland and the houses are quite spaced out here.).

John: Whereabouts is this address?

Joseph: Um, Lakeview road. Number 27.

John: Hm.

(John frowns peering down at the navigation system display on the dashboard. He then turns off and drives down a bumpy dirt road. He then turns off again and sighs.).

John: This is Lakeview road.

(John pulls over and they get out of the car. He locks it up and they walk down the street. John looks at the houses and sighs again.).

John: How do we know this address even exists? Or that this woman even lives there anymore?

Joseph: Have faith. Ah there it is.

(Joseph stops in front of a large bungalow. The mailbox has number 27 painted on the side of it. The front lawn is tidy however the hot weather and lack of rain hasn’t done the grass much good. They are just about to walk up the drive when they hear a shout from behind them. They turn to see a man holding two bags of groceries.).

Man: I wouldn’t bother trying to sell them anything.

Joseph: We are not salesman.

Man: Must be bible thumpers then. I wouldn’t bother knocking the door they’ll slam it in your face they will. That’s if you’re lucky. Mad that lot. Mad.

(He walks off down the road. John shrugs and walks up the driveway, Joseph follows him. They walk up to the front door. There are some flowers in pots either side.).

John: So...What if she doesn’t live here anymore? What if she doesn’t even remember Jacob? She might not know where he is now.

Joseph: Brother. Have faith. We will find him.

John: What do you think about what that man said?

Joseph: Idle gossip.

John: Gossip usually comes from a shred of truth.

Joseph: No. It doesn’t. We must not listen to the opinions of others for they are just that, opinions, not fact.

(Joseph knocks on the door. They wait a few moments before Joseph knocks again.).

John: Well nobody’s home so what now?

(Before Joseph can answer the front door opens and a young woman stands there staring at them. Joseph smiles at her and glances at her very pregnant belly.).

Joseph: Afternoon.

Mara: I don’t want to buy anything. I wouldn’t waste my money.

John: Good because we’re not selling anything.

(Mara narrows her eyes at John.).

Joseph: John please. Ma’am are you Mara Jessop?

Mara: What’s it to yah?

Joseph: Well we’re looking for our brother and the woman at one of the homeless shelters we visited gave us this address. She said a Mara Jessop used to volunteer there.

Mara: So what if she did?

Joseph: Please, we would just like to find our brother. If you could just give us a few minutes of your time.

Mara: What makes you think I have a few minutes?

John: We just want to know if you know anything about where our brother might be.

Mara: What makes you think I know where he is?

Joseph: Are you Mara?

Mara: Might be.

John: Oh for heaven’s sake. Enough of this nonsense. Miss Jessop you used to look after a man named Jacob at the shelter yes?

(She stares at John for a moment.).

Mara: Jacob?

John: Yes. He’s our brother.

(She is silent for a moment. Her eyes narrow as she looks both of them up and down.).

Mara: Are you Joseph or John?

John: I’m John. This is Joseph.

Joseph: You remember him?

(The woman’s whole demeanour seems to change for a moment.).

Mara: I should do. I married him.

John: What?

(John’s mouth drops open and Joseph stares at Mara.).

Joseph: You are Jacob’s wife?

Mara: Yes.

John: So he’s here?

Mara: Not at the moment.

Joseph: Where is he?

Mara: He went to the store but he’s most likely stopped off at the bar on the way back.

Joseph: I see.

(Just then a young girl emerges from the back gate and walks down the driveway.).

Mara: Rachel! Where do you think you’re going?

Rachel: Out.

Mara: Look at the state of you. Get back inside now. You’re not hanging around with those thugs again!

(The girl, Rachel, just tilts her head and carries on walking. Mara sighs.).

Joseph: Is she alright?

Mara: What’s it to you?

Joseph: My apologies I was just concerned.

Mara: We don’t need your concern.

John: We’ve just told you that Jacob is our brother and you have made no effort to contact him to tell him that we’re here! You haven’t even invited us in.

Mara: Oh do forgive me. Where are my manners? Would you like to come in?

(Mara has said this very sarcastically and John looks furious but Joseph places a hand on his arm.).

Joseph: We are very sorry to turn up like this. But you see we have been searching for our brother for many years.

Mara: Have you? Is that why he was left in a shelter to rot?

John: We didn’t know where he was! You-

(Joseph once again silences John.).

Joseph: Which bar does he usually frequent?

Mara: A few of ‘em. There’s one about two miles that way that he likes.

Joseph: Perhaps we will head there and see if we can find him.

Mara: You do that.

(She smiles before closing the door.).

John: Jacob married that?!

Joseph: John. We must not judge. We should be grateful that he has found himself a family.

John: Grateful? She’s a stone cold bitch I tell you!

Joseph: I am sure that once we get to know her-

John: Get to know her? It doesn’t look like she wants to know us. We’ve just told her that we are here looking for our long lost brother and she couldn’t give a damn!

Joseph: Come. Let us see if we can track him down and bring him home.

[chobit92]

Valentine's Day: Jacob Seed x Mara Jessop

I've wrote this a dozen times now and I'm still not sure if I'm happy with it but oh well. Hope you guys enjoy.

Warning: Smut.

(Mara Jessop pulls up outside the St Francis Veteran’s Center and kills the engine before getting out of the truck. She sighs and pulls her long black coat more tightly around herself. She walks through the gates and several men turn to look at her. They go the raise their guns but stop when they see who it is. She walks up to the front steps and sees Terry. She’s known Terry for years; since they were teenagers, and she was surprised to see him again when she came back to town eight months ago. She was even more surprised to find that her sister had joined a damn cult. She guesses it isn’t so bad. Terry sees her and smiles.).

Terry: Hey Mara.

Mara: Hey.

Terry: What are you doing here?

Mara: Came to see Jacob.

Terry: Jacob?

(Terry’s friend and fellow Chosen, Barry frowns.).

Barry: What for?

Mara: I’ve got a present for him.

Terry: A present?

Mara: Yeah. It’s Valentine’s Day.

Barry: What?

(Mara smiles and pulls the top of her coat aside slightly. The men get a glimpse of red lace. Barry raises his eyebrows while Terry looks confused.).

Barry: Okay. I don’t think Jacob is really into that sort of thing.

Mara: He’s not?

(She sighs.).

Mara: He’s not gay is he?

Barry: I don’t think so. But I’ve never seen him show an interest in women.

Terry: He’s pretty much all about work.

Mara: Well all work and no play will make Jakey a very dull boy.

(Barry laughs.).

Barry: If you say so. He’s up in his office on the top floor. Good luck.

(Mara smiles and goes inside. She sees several men sorting through ammo. One of them gives her a cold stare while a few others regard her curiously. She is just heading to the stairs when Gus spots her.).

Gus: Ah Miss Mara.

Mara: Afternoon.

Gus: What brings you up here?

Mara: Just gonna see Jacob.

Gus: Uh huh. Okay.

(Mara walks up the stairs and nearly falls through a hole in the floor on the landing. She rights herself and scolds herself for wearing heels. She’s never been that good at walking in them. She walks up the next flight of stairs, her red heels making a right racket on the bare floors. She walks down the hall and stands outside a set of double doors. He must have heard her coming but she decides to knock on the door anyway.).

Jacob: Yes?

(Heart hammering in her chest she opens the door and closes it behind her before striding over to his desk. Jacob is sat behind it pen in hand. He has looked up and is staring at her frowning.).

Mara: Hey.

Jacob: What are you doing here?

Mara: Well...

Jacob: Has something happened?

Mara: No.

Jacob: Then why are you here?

Mara: I came to see you.

(He frowns again and puts his pen down. She runs her fingers over the piece of paper he was writing on moving closer to the desk.).

Mara: So this is what Jacob does. He sits on his own in his office and writes...Poems?

Jacob: I don’t have time for this. I’m busy now what do you want?

Mara: You.

Jacob: What?

Mara: Well it’s Valentine’s Day.

(He scoffs and shakes his head.).

Mara: And I got you a present.

Jacob: Oh you did? Well I don’t want it. Goodbye.

Mara: You don’t even know what it is. Look you fought for this country, for me, and then they tossed you away like garbage. So I think that you deserve a reward. So as it’s Valentine’s Day I thought I’d get you something.

Jacob: Do I look like the kind of man that gives a fuck about Valentine’s Day?

Mara: No. I’m not really one for it either to be honest but like I said I got you a present so...

(She undoes her coat and slips it off letting it drop to the floor. He stares at her and raises an eyebrow. She is wearing red lacy lingerie complete with stockings and suspenders. She leans against the desk in front of him and smiles.).

Mara: Do you like it?

(He chuckles and shakes his head.).

Mara: Well if you don’t want your present I’m sure I can find someone else to give it to. Terry seems to like me.

Jacob: What is this?

Mara: I just told you. It’s Valentine’s Day and I wanted to give you a little treat. You are always working after all. You devote yourself to protecting us and I don’t think you ever take any time for yourself to just...Relax.

(She moves closer to him and reaches out to touch him but he grabs her wrist with quick precision.).

Mara: What’s wrong?

Jacob: I haven’t got time for games.

Mara: There is no game. I just wanted to surprise you with something nice that’s all. And I must confess...I’ve kinda had the hots for you since I first met you.

(He chuckles and shakes his head.).

Mara: Why is that funny? What do you think you’re not handsome? Oh you’re not shy are you?

(He raises his eyebrows. He seems to think for a moment.).

Jacob: Hm. Come here then kitten. If this is what you want.

(She smiles and straddles him. The chair creaks beneath their combined weight. She kisses him and wraps her arms around him.).

(Terry takes the ammo crate from Gus and loads it onto the back of the truck.).

Barry: Well the little blonde bombshell hasn’t come back down.

Terry: Hm. Maybe Jacob has taken her up on her offer.

Barry: Hm. Maybe. That or he’s snapped her neck.

Terry: Don’t say that. I like Mara she’s cool.

Barry: Ah he’s jealous.

Terry: No I’m not.

Barry: You are. It’s Valentine’s Day and she’s dressed up in some sexy lingerie for Jacob. You wish it was for you don’t yah?

Terry: No.

Gus: Man give it up! You’re a terrible liar!

(The men laugh.).

(Mara lets out a small moan. Jacob has bent her over his desk and is fucking her from behind.).

Mara: Um, you feel so good.

Jacob: You like that don’t you?

Mara: Yes.

(She is still wearing her lingerie but he’s yanked the panties aside. He’s also pulled the lace covering her breasts aside so that they are now exposed to the cool air. She moans again.).

Mara: I should have known you’d be into this fast and rough shit.

(He chuckles.).

Jacob: I’ve got things to do. Ain’t got all day. Besides you love it.

Mara: Um.

(It doesn’t take him long to reach climax and he lets out a groan. She is a little breathless and he yanks her up by her hair.).

Mara: Um.

(She turns and kisses him. He kisses her back and she grabs his army jacket shoving it off of his shoulders.).

Jacob: The fuck are you doing?

Mara: You’ve still got your clothes on.

Jacob: So?

Mara: I want them off.

Jacob: No.

Mara: Yes. I want to see all of you.

Jacob: You’ve had your fuck now fuck off.

Mara: Wow.

(She laughs.).

Mara: Like you didn’t enjoy yourself. Come on admit it.

(She slides her hands underneath his shirt and lets out a hum.).

Mara: God how can you be this enticing?

Jacob: Only you seem to think so.

Mara: I’m sure that’s not true.

(She kisses him again and tugs at his jacket. He shrugs out of it and she lifts his shirt up.).

Mara: You are shy aren’t you?

Jacob: Nope.

Mara: Then take your clothes off.

Jacob: Fine.

(He lifts his shirt over his head and tosses it onto the desk. She stares at him. His body is a roadmap of scars but she doesn’t think he is ugly. She runs her hands over his chest and starts kissing his scars.).

Mara: Handsome.

(He lets out a breath as her fingers brush over his skin. She then runs her fingers over his cock and shoves his jeans and pants down.).

Mara: Off.

Jacob: Who do you think you are coming in here and giving me orders?

Mara: Off.

(She kneels down and unlaces his boots. He lifts each foot so she can pull them off then he kicks off his jeans and boxers. His boxers have holes in them.).

Mara: I think you need new boxers.

Jacob: I think you need to stop talking.

Mara: Oh? Well maybe you need to give me something to shut me up.

(She smiles. He raises an eyebrow.).

Jacob: You’ve got some front I’ll give you that.

Mara: I’d rather you give me something else.

(She then takes him in her mouth. His mouth drops open and he runs his hand through her hair grabbing a fistful of it. She licks the end of his cock then stands up.).

Mara: Hm. Someone’s excited again.

(She takes his hands and walks backwards.).

Jacob: What are you doing?

Mara: Taking a handsome soldier to bed.

Jacob: Stop with this handsome shit. What are you really after?

Mara: I told you. I just want you. Now lie down and relax.

Jacob: Giving me orders again?

(He raises his eyebrow. She giggles.).

Mara: Jake you give out orders all day, you are always working and you are always taking care of your brothers and the project. Let someone take care of you for once.

(He grunts and allows himself to be guided onto the bed. He lies there flat on his back and she straddles him.).

Jacob: Um.

(His hands come up and cover her breasts. She lowers herself onto his erection taking him inside her.).

Jacob: Fuck you feel good kitten.

Mara: Kitten. What’s that all about?

Jacob: Dunno.

Mara: Hmmm. If I’m a kitten then you must be a grizzly bear.

Jacob: Oh yeah?

Mara: Yeah.

(She giggles and starts to ride him hard and fast.).

Jacob: I ain’t gonna last long if you keep this up.

(She lets out a loud moan and Jacob is pretty sure his men can hear them.).

Jacob: Fuck.

(She is rubbing her clitoris hard and he swats her hand away placing his own hand there making circles with his thumb. She moans loudly and shudders. He cums for a second time and lets out a groan. She sighs and keeps moving.).

Jacob: Fuck.

Mara: Um. Hm. Um.

(She moans loudly again and stops moving. She then moves off of him and lies down next to him letting out a hum.).

Jacob: Damn honey.

Mara: Um. Honey. I like that.

Jacob: Do you?

Mara: Um.

(She kisses his cheek.).

Mara: I need to shower now.

Jacob: No. You need to go coz I got things to do.

Mara: Um. Jacob and his all important business. You need to chill out more often.

Jacob: Oh do I?

Mara: Yep.

(She props herself up on her elbow and looks down at him.).

Mara: So handsome.

(She gets up and picks up his army jacket before putting it on.).

Jacob: Hey take that off.

(He sits up and she smiles.).

Mara: Looks good on me though don’t it?

(She sniffs the jacket and he frowns.).

Jacob: What are you doing?

Mara: It smells of you.

Jacob: Uh huh.

Mara: Sweat, dirt, pine needles and...what is that?

Jacob: Blood? Death?

Mara: No you idiot.

(She laughs.).

Mara: I think it’s those moonflowers. Like a sweet scent.

Jacob: Hm probably.

(She suddenly frowns and takes something out of the pocket. It’s his music box. She smiles and winds it up before opening it.).

Mara: I love this.

(He gets up and takes it from her closing it back up again.).

Mara: You look like you’re about to propose to me standing there with that box in your hand.

(He chuckles and shakes his head.).

Jacob: Is that what you want?

Mara: Well I wouldn’t say no.

(He raises his eyebrows.).

Mara: But this was just sex. Jacob doesn’t do feelings because he has a job to do. Nothing can get in the way of culling the herd.

(She smiles and takes his jacket off. She adjusts her lingerie and picks up her coat putting it back on and doing it up. Jacob hasn’t said anything. She wraps her arms around him and kisses him.).

Mara: You ever wanna relax again and have ‘just sex’ with me...You know how to find me.

(She smiles.).

Jacob: Hm. Might take you up on that.

Mara: Happy Valentine’s Day Jacob.

(She smiles and leaves the room closing the door behind her. Jacob lets out a breath.).

Jacob: Fuck.

(He chuckles and shakes his head.).

(Barry nudges Terry and he turns to see Mara walking down the front steps.).

Terry: Hey.

Barry: Didn’t think we’d see you again.

Terry: Shut up man.

Mara: What, why?

Barry: I take it Jacob liked his present.

Mara: He did. I think he liked it even more than he cared to admit.

(Barry lets out a whistle.).

Terry: So er...As it’s Valentine’s Day do I get a present?

(Barry grins.).

Mara: Well you see I would but...I don’t think Jacob would like to share his new toy.

(She smiles.).

Mara: See yah boys.

(She walks off heading towards the gates leaving Barry and Gus laughing at the look on Terry’s face.).

[chobit92]

Home: Jacob Seed/OC Chapter 36

(Next Day: Joseph is holding an early morning sermon. Mara is sitting at the back with her head down. She is so tired she didn’t get much sleep last night. She kept thinking about the way Joseph followed her to the shower and stayed there with her. Weird. She also kept thinking about the men and women that attacked the compound. She remembers the sounds they made as she stabbed and shot them. She remembers feeling their warm blood hit her face and run over hands. Her kill count is now 32. She is 26 years old and has a kill count of 32. It’s crazy to think. She was also kept awake with thoughts of Jacob. She lie there imagining him next to her holding her and whispering to her about how beautiful and perfect she is. She remembers him telling her that. Telling her that she was his now. But he was drunk and he lied. She sighs as tears sting her eyes. Joseph is now talking about last night’s attack. She then freezes as she hears her name.).

Joseph: Mara acted bravely and came to the aid of our brothers and sisters without a thought for her own wellbeing. (Several people turn to look at her. Others remain facing front. Mara looks up and sees John looking at her. Her sister is smiling at her. She smiles back.). Joseph: You showed great courage during last night’s attack Mara. I thank you. Evelyn: She saved my life. Joseph: She also defended our brother Jacob. We should all thank her for her swift action. (Mara sees Jacob glaring at his brother and wearing a scowl that would scare even Mike Tyson. Joseph then changes the subject and starts talking about the collapse and what still needs to be done. Mara tunes him out and looks at the floor. Once the sermon is over she is the first to leave the church. She leans against the wall outside. She sighs before heading over to the barn. She picks up the large basket filled with laundry and carries it to the laundry shed. She then starts scrubbing the clothes in the metal pail before hanging them on the wash lines that have been strung up about the place. Faith suddenly appears.). Faith: There you are. Mara: Hey sis. Faith: What’s wrong? Mara: Nothing. I really wish everyone would stop bloody asking me that. Faith: Well you’re acting funny. Mara: I’m not acting anything. Faith: Evelyn has told Holly that she has to sit down and talk to you and apologise. Mara: Oh great. This will go well. Faith: Just...Try sis. You belong here with us and Holly needs to accept that. She needs to stop acting like a jealous child. Mara: Tell her that. Faith: I have and so has the Father. Just sit down with her. (Mara sighs.). Mara: Fine. But if she doesn’t apologise and start acting like an adult I’m walking off. Okay? (Faith sighs.). Mara: What? Look sometimes people just don’t like you sis and you have to move on and get over it. Faith: I know but the Father wants the two of you to get along. We must all band together here. We are a family now. A big family. We all need to love each other. (Faith hugs her. Mara hugs her back and thinks about telling her sister everything. She’s her sister after all. Sisters tell each other everything and they always have but this time...It’s complicated. Faith will want to tell Joseph. She sighs.). Faith: She’s waiting for you in the mess hall. Mara: Okay. I’ll just finish this. Evelyn: It’s alright dear leave that I’ll do it in a little while. I’m coming with you to the mess hall. Come on. (Mara sighs and follows Evelyn to the mess hall. Faith follows them. They go inside and sit down opposite Holly and Tara. Nobody says anything. Evelyn sighs.). Evelyn: Oh for heaven’s sake girls. Just speak to each other. Mara: I don’t know what to say. If people don’t like me there isn’t anything I can do about that. Tara: I like you. You’re quite kickass. I heard about last night. Damn girl. (Mara smiles at Tara who smiles back. Her teeth pearly white against her dark skin.). Tara: Come on Holly you know you just jealous of the girl. Put it away and move on. Holly: I’d like to speak to Mara alone. Tara: Alright. Just don’t leave a crime scene in here ya’ll just remember I’m the cleaner around here. (Tara gets up. Mara has barely spoken to Tara before.). Tara: Mara I’m sorry I called you all those names girl. Holly’s my friend and...I thought you were just a daft little mare. But last night taking out all those guys respect girl. Um. (Tara leaves. Evelyn and Faith leave too.). Mara: Why do you hate me so much? What have I done? Holly: Have you and John ever slept together? Mara: That’s what this is about ain’t it? You haven’t got anything to worry about okay. He isn’t my type at all. He’s a notorious womanizer who flirts with everything that moves and fucks god knows how many different women a week. I know his type. Like I’d be drawn to that. I do have some self respect and dignity you know? Holly: John was like that. He isn’t anymore. Mara: Well good for him. But really it’s his business. If you’re seeing him that’s your business. I joined to be with my sister. I would do anything for my sister. My sister cares about Joseph and his brothers so...I care about them too. I have a lot in common with John, we understand each other, we’ve become friends. But that’s it. Holly: You don’t fancy him? Mara: We’re just friends. Now can we be bloody friends and put all this childish behaviour behind us? (Holly stares at her for a moment.). Holly: Okay. Mara: Good. You know if we actually talked to each other more we might actually become friends. (Tara and Evelyn walk back in.). Tara: Just checking you two ain’t killed each other. Mara: We haven’t. No crime scene here. Tara: What I like to hear. So we all good now coz Faith wants us to run the bliss shipment up to the Kellet farm. Holly: Okay. (Holly gets up and leaves with Tara. Mara sighs.).

[chobit92]

Jacob Seed Imagine:

Imagine getting kidnapped by Eli Palmer/Whitetail Militia and Jacob Seed personally comes to your rescue. He comes storming in taking everyone out like Bruce Willis before sweeping you up into his arms and kissing you...

This is going in my fic now...

I am in love with this idea...

[chobit92]

Home: Jacob Seed/OC Chapter 40

Sorry it has taken me so long to update this. Hope you enjoy!

Warnings: Sex, Swearing, Drug use, Alcoholism, Pregnancy, Attempted suicide.

(1 Week Later: John, Joseph and Faith are in the kitchen at John’s ranch. They are all cooking together for Sunday dinner.). John: Is Mara coming? Faith: I think so. She said she was. John: I didn’t see her at the sermon. Faith: She overslept. She said she was tired. John: Tired? Do I need to mark her with Sloth now too? Faith: No silly. She has been doing so much around the compound and for me and Lexi. I think we can forgive her for being a bit exhausted. John: Hm. (Akers enters the kitchen.). Akers: Mara’s here. Faith: Oh. (Faith goes to the lounge. Mara is sitting on the sofa. Jacob is sitting in the armchair flicking through one of John’s books.). Faith: Sis! (Faith rushes over and hugs her.). Mara: Hey. Faith: Are you okay? Mara: Yeah. Great. (She’s wearing black leggings and her long baggy black top that hangs off her shoulder. She is also wearing a large grey cardigan that has been knitted for her by Evelyn. Mara doesn’t mind that it’s too big as it hides her body. Not that she has much to hide right now. But she soon will. She curls up on the sofa and rests her head on her arm.). Faith: Are you still tired? Mara: I’m exhausted sis. Faith: Have you still been struggling to sleep? Mara: Nope. I seem to be sleeping a lot. Faith: Hm. Maybe you should see the doctor. Mara: Let’s not. Faith: Sis there is something wrong with you. We’ve all noticed you know? Mara: Noticed what? 

(Mara’s heart starts to race. She is aware of Jacob sitting there looking at them from over the top of the book.). Faith: You’ve been sleeping in for one. You don’t usually. You’ve also been eating more at breakfast then at dinner you don’t want anything. Mara: What are you talking about? You’re doing my fucking head in sis! I think there’s something wrong with you! (Mara gets up and leaves slamming the front door behind her. Faith looks confused.). Faith: I don’t understand. Why is she mad at me? Jacob: I don’t know. (John walks in.). John: Who keeps slamming my door? Faith: That would be my sister. She’s in a mood again. John: Want me to talk to her? Faith: Would you? John: Of course. (John leaves the chalet. He looks around as he walks around the grounds. He sees Mara over by the shed sitting on one of the sun loungers. He goes over to her and sits down on the other one. She is smoking a cigarette.). John: Now where did you get that from? Mara: Lonny. John: Really? Mara: Yep. I caught him drinking whiskey and I told him that I’d keep my mouth shut if he gave me some smokes. John: I see. So he’s still drinking? Mara: Everybody’s addicted to something. Everyone needs something. John: Hm. Why are you angry with your sister? Mara: I’m not. She just keeps banging on asking what’s wrong with me. There is nothing wrong with me I’m just tired. It annoys me when people keep asking the same fucking question. ‘Are you okay?’ ‘Are you okay?’ Uh it does my head in. (He chuckles.). John: Little Miss Wrath. Mara: You make it sound cute when you say it like that. John: It is cute. Like you. (He smiles at her. She smiles back.). Mara: Really? Thanks I guess. (There is silence for a moment. Mara thinks about telling John. He is the one who everyone confesses to after all. He listens to all. But would he understand? Would he help her? Would he look after her? She also wonders if Joseph would look after her. Because she knows Jacob isn’t going to. Suddenly she has tears rolling down her cheeks before she can stop them. John looks at her frowning before reaching over and taking hold of her hand.). John: Hey. What’s wrong? Mara: Nothing. John: Tell me. (She pulls her hand away from his and wipes her eyes.). Mara: Okay. But you have to promise not to laugh. John: I promise. Mara: You won’t laugh? John: I won’t laugh. Mara: It’s...That time of the month. I’ve got it really bad this time. They’re sometimes like that. That’s why I’ve been so tired this past week and I’ve been moody and hormonal and snapping at everyone like an alligator. Then randomly I just find myself crying over nothing like a complete mad woman. (John chuckles. She smacks him playfully.). Mara: You promised not to laugh you dickhead. (But she is laughing too. He chuckles.). Mara: You know what would help? (She smiles at him and takes hold of his hand again. He raises his eyebrows and grins.). John: Oh? Mara: Nothing like that you saucy git. (He chuckles.). John: How do you know I was thinking about something saucy? Mara: Because I know you. You are insatiable Jonny Appleseed. (He glares at her.). Mara: No don’t be like that I told you that’s your nickname now. Like mine is Little Miss Wrath. It’s our little thing now. John: Is it? Mara: Yep. (She squeezes his hand. He smiles and raises their hands to his lips pressing a soft kiss to the back of her hand.). Mara: What are you doing? John: Kissing your hand. Like a true gent. Which I am obviously. (She laughs. He grins like a child.). Mara: Oh I love you. (She laughs again. He raises his eyebrows.). John: What was that now? Mara: No. Nothing. John: You just told me that you loved me. Mara: No. No I didn’t. I said no such thing. (He leans over placing his lips close to her ear.). John: Yes you did. You loooove me. (She giggles.). Mara: It’s my hormones you see. John: Oh yeah? Mara: Yeah it is. Honest. John: Um. (Their lips are inches apart now. His eyes travel down to her lips then back up again.). Mara: You gonna try and kiss me again? Coz you remember what happened last time. John: Um. It was worth it though. To feel the softness of those beautiful lips. (Mara’s heart clenches tight and she feels a flutter in her abdomen. She wishes that Jacob could be like that. Showering her in compliments and holding her hand like John is. Though last time she spent the night with Jacob he did call her beautiful.). Mara: Uh huh. John: But I am dangerously close to sinning now and I must stop myself before I go too far. (He moves away from her and lets go of her hand.). John: So what was it that would help you with your awful menstrual cycle. (She laughs.). Mara: The way you said that. Most people call them periods you know? I could go into detail if you like. John: Oh? (He chuckles.). John: I think I know how it works. Mara: Well I was just thinking that after dinner and after the others have gone I could use your bathroom coz you have a proper bathtub and I haven’t had a proper bath in ages. I could have a nice hot bath which would help with the cramps and this constant feeling of being filthy that I have. I could also get a very good night’s sleep in that cosy spare room of yours. I usually sleep in a barn with a wall missing and five other people two of which snore loudly. Stop me if I’m being cheeky or taking the piss. John: Hm. You want to stay here the night and have a nice hot bath? Mara: That...Would be nice. Look forget I asked okay? It’s fine. (She throws the cigarette butt on the ground and gets up. He gets up and grabs her arm.). John: Hey. You can stay. Just as long as you don’t leave cigarette butts all over my lovely garden. Mara: Thanks. (She bends down and picks up the cigarette butt. John stares at her ass. Damn.). Mara: I’ll put it in the bin. Promise. (She smiles then wraps her arms around him.). Mara: I do love you, you know? You’re a good friend. John: Thank you. (She laughs.). Mara: You’re meant to say love you too. Dickhead. (She laughs and smacks him playfully. He grins.). John: Love you too dickhead. (She laughs harder. He chuckles. They go back inside and Mara goes to the kitchen putting her cigarette butt in the bin. She goes over to Faith and wraps her arms around her. She whispers in her ear.). Mara: I’m sorry I got all stressed out with you sis. I’ve got my monthly and it’s bad this time. It’s made me feel really ill and I’ve been moody and snappy and not feeling like eating and I’ve felt all hormonal and the slightest thing makes me cry seriously. I feel like a mad woman. I’m sorry sis. Faith: Why didn’t you just tell me that? Mara: Coz I’m an idiot and hormonal and snappy like an alligator. I just told John all about it and he didn’t even seem embarrassed you know? I couldn’t imagine explaining to Joe why I’m hormonal and moody. (Faith laughs.). Faith: Sis you do make me laugh. (Mara laughs.). Mara: Glad to be of assistance. Faith: You can start chopping the vegetables if you like. Mara: Oh yes let the raging hormonal moody cow use a knife. (Faith giggles. Mara smiles and starts chopping the vegetables. Joseph suddenly stands up from the table and goes over to Mara.). Mara: Joe seriously how long have you been sat there and why didn’t I see you? Wizard see? He’s got an invisibility cloak like Harry Potter. Faith: What? (Faith is giggling.). Mara: Joe’s a wizard. Joseph: I am not a wizard. Mara: You are. Just accept it Joe. (She smiles at him. He is wearing a white shirt with a black waistcoat.). Mara: I like that waistcoat by the way. It suits you. Joseph: Thank you. Are you unhappy Mara? Mara: What do you mean? Joseph: You seem to be unhappy I just wondered why that was. Mara: It’s...Hormones. Really not something a young girl speaks to her father about. (Faith giggles again.). Faith: Oh sis stop it! You’re making me spill water everywhere. Mara: Don’t be so clumsy then. Joseph: I see. Hormones. Mara: Yes us women are forever cursed with this thing called a period Joe. Gods way of taking the piss out of us women I’m sure. It makes us snappy, moody, hormonal and we feel like crying one minute and screaming the next. Joseph: I see. (Joseph decides to ignore the way she spoke about the lord. He really has no clue what to say to that anyway.). Faith: Lexi says that they are your bodies way of reminding you to hurry up and get pregnant. (Mara freezes.). Mara: What? Hurry up and get pregnant? Oh I see coz we’re women we have to pop out a few kids do we? Damn it’s like we don’t even get a fucking choice anymore. Faith: What are you on about now? Mara: Well don’t you ever feel like that sis? That being a woman is bloody hard in today’s society. Apparently we’re lower than the men, weaker than them and are only good for popping out kids. Makes me wish I hadn’t been born sometimes. Or that I’d been born a boy. (Faith is looking at Mara with a funny face.). Faith: Just ignore her Father. Hormones. (Mara giggles.). Mara: What it’s true. That’s how I feel. That because I am unfortunate enough to be a woman that means I have to have kids. Faith: You don’t have to have kids sis. Mara: Too right I fucking don’t. I won’t either. I’d need to find a man that wanted me first. (Mara laughs, Faith giggles and shakes her head.). Faith: Ah sis you are so strange and random. Mara: Oh thanks. Hear that Joe? I’m strange now. John: What on earth did you have in that cigarette Mara? (John has appeared in the doorway.). Mara: It must run in the family this wizardry. (John frowns.). John: What? Mara: The way you and your brothers just seem to appear out of nowhere. I think Joe is a wizard. (John laughs.). John: Seriously what was in that cigarette? Faith: You’re smoking again? Mara: What do you mean again sis? I never stopped smoking I just ran out of smokes. Faith: Where did you get them from? Mara: Lonny. Faith: Lonny gave you cigarettes? Mara: Yep. I caught him with whiskey so I said I’d keep my mouth shut if he gave me his smokes and he did. Though I haven’t kept my mouth shut so I am a tell tale and a liar. I’m doing so well today aren’t I? John: You were right to tell me about Lonny’s continued drinking. It must be addressed. Joseph: He continues to disappoint himself and the rest of us. Mara: Look I know he can be a dickhead but go easy on him okay? I know how hard it can be to change. How hard it can be to let go. I smoke coz it’s something to do and something to keep me sane. I think that I need a cigarette when really it’s just the addiction to the nicotine talking. Like Lonny with the booze. It’s really hard to quit something when you’ve depended on it and been addicted to it so long you know? John: Yes. It is. (Mara finishes chopping the vegetables and puts them in the pot.). Faith: Thanks sis. (Mara boils the kettle and makes herself a tea. She usually likes coffee but lately it’s been making her want to gag. She suddenly can’t stand the smell or the taste of coffee.). Mara: Anyone else having a hot drink? John: I’ll have coffee. Joseph: Tea will be fine. Mara: No sugar right Joe? Coz you’re sweet enough? Joseph: Yes. John: Are you trying to flirt with my brother Mara? (Faith tuts.). Mara: No. It’s just something people say innit? (Mara makes the drinks trying her best not to inhale the scent of coffee. She then picks up her tea and goes to the lounge. Jacob is still sat flicking through the book. He is sitting on the sofa now though. She sits down next to him and watches as he scratches at his chin. She sees a rash there.). Mara: Scratching it will make it worse you know? (He grunts.). Mara: You need some Sudocreme. Jacob: Don’t need nothing. Mara: Stubborn. What are you reading? Jacob: You can read can’t you? (He shows her the cover. She feels her cheeks turning red. She smiles.). Mara: Alright. You be all moody. Jacob: Hm. This coming from you. You’ve been in a mood since you got here. (She looks at the floor. She really wants to tell him. Maybe she should do it now. He can’t get mad and beat her if his brothers are here can he? If her sister is here? They wouldn’t allow it would they? Who is she kidding? Like that would matter to Jacob. Maybe she has him all wrong. Maybe if she simply tells him, if she simply talks to the guy he’d be alright with it. Maybe he’d accept it. Or maybe he’d just tell her he didn’t want nothing to do with it and that would be that. Maybe he wouldn’t get all mad and violent like she thinks he would.). Jacob: What’s up with you? You’ve gone really pale. Mara: I’m fine. Jacob: You’re a terrible liar. (Tell him. Just fucking tell him. But she’s so fucking scared.). Mara: I’m scared. (Jacob blinks at her.). Jacob: Fear is a weakness. Mara: You don’t understand. (Tell him! Just tell him now is your chance.). Mara: Jacob...I’m- (Joseph and John walk in. John is laughing.). John: Faith wants you to lay the table Mara. Mara: Yeah...Sure. (Jacob frowns staring at Mara. She looks so sad and defeated all of a sudden. Mara gets up and goes to the kitchen. She returns with cutlery and plates which she starts setting out on the table. Jacob gets up and puts the book back on the shelf where he found it and watches Mara lay the table. He watches as she wipes a tear from her eye. He frowns. She then straightens up and turns pulling the large grey cardigan around her. She smiles at him. John walks over.). John: That’s my best cutlery. We are not using my best cutlery for a Sunday dinner. Mara: Then when are we meant to use it? John: You’re not. Mara: Then what’s the point in it? John: That is a three thousand dollar cutlery set. Mara: What? Well they saw you coming didn’t they? I reckon you’ve been had. John: No I have not been had. Joseph: That’s enough John. They are only knives and forks. John: Yes Joseph. (John returns to the kitchen.). Mara: It’s so sad that he thinks he has to have all this expensive stuff to make himself happy. He thinks he has to always be better because he isn’t good enough and yet he is just fine the way he is. (Joseph regards Mara before smiling slightly.). Mara: What? Did I say something wrong? I’d just ignore me Joe I’m probably chatting a load of shit with all these hormones I’ve got raging away in me. Joseph: No. You said it just about right actually. Mara: Oh? Well that’s a first for me. (Faith comes in holding plates of food. John follows her and they both put plates on the table filled with meat, vegetables, potatoes and Yorkshire puddings. Faith then brings in a dish filled with stuffing. Once the table is set John brings in a jug of water. Mara finishes her tea and takes her mug to the kitchen. When she returns the others have sat down at the table. Faith has moved some of the plates and cutlery around. Joseph sits at the head of the table. Jacob sits to his right, John to his left. Faith sits next to John. She indicates the chair next to Jacob and Mara sits down next to him. Joseph then takes his brothers hands. Faith holds John’s hand then reaches over the table and takes Mara’s hand. Jacob places his hand on the table palm up and Mara places her hand on his. Joseph then says grace and they start to eat. Faith keeps glancing at Mara. She frowns as she watches Mara put stuffing inside her Yorkshire pudding then dip it in mince sauce before eating it. Mara sees Faith looking at her funny.). Mara: What? Faith: Nothing. Was that actually nice? Mara: What? Faith: The Yorkshire pudding, stuffing, mince sauce sandwich. Mara: Yep. (Faith then watches as Mara dips just about everything in the mince sauce before eating it including her carrots and potatoes.). Faith: You like mince sauce don’t you sis? (Mara shrugs. Once they have finished eating Faith takes the plates and cutlery to the kitchen. She returns with a strawberry cake and some ice cream.). John: What’s this? Faith: Dessert. John: We never have dessert. Faith: I learned how to bake. I’ve been practising so I thought I would make something as a treat. John: Hm. (Faith cuts the cake and places a slice on each of the small plates. Mara has never really liked cake. The look of it now makes her feel sick. Then she wishes that she had some mint ice cream instead of the vanilla that Faith has got. She suddenly really wants mint ice cream. She suddenly feels light headed and she really needs to pee. She constantly feels like she needs to pee lately. She sighs.). Mara: Excuse me. (She gets up and leaves the room going upstairs to the bathroom. She uses the loo then washes her hands. She then splashes water on her face before drying it with the towel. She sighs and stands in front of the mirror staring at herself. She has no idea what to do. She has thought about leaving. Disappearing. But that would mean abandoning her sister. She can’t do that. She lets out a sob and lifts her top staring at her stomach. She then stands side on. She looks bloated. Her breasts are falling out of the top of the bra. Her bras are all too small now. They were a little small on her to start with as they were Franky’s old bras. Her breasts are killing her. It doesn’t help that her bra is now cutting into her skin. She decides to just take her bra off. As soon as she does she lets out a small sigh of relief. That feels so much better. She drapes her bra over the towel rail before going back downstairs. She gets herself a glass of water and returns to the dining table. She sits back down next to Jacob.). Faith: Are you alright sis? Mara: I’m fine. Faith: I know you don’t like cake which is why I got the ice cream. Mara: Thanks sis. (Mara eats two small scoops of ice cream.). Joseph: Thank you for a lovely meal Faith. John: Thank you Faith. Mara: Thanks sis. (Jacob grunts and gets up leaving the room. Mara hears his thudding footsteps going upstairs.). Mara: Do you want me to help you with the washing up sis? Faith: Yes. Mara: I think John should help too though. Seeing as it’s his precious cutlery. (John glares at Mara.). Mara: What? This is your house so you should help with the washing up. Come on we’ll all do it it’ll be fun. (Mara gets up and picks up the plates and spoons taking them to the kitchen. Faith grabs the rest and joins her. John sighs before going to the kitchen. Mara fills the sink and grabs the sponge. Once the sink is full Mara dips her hand in it and splashes John.). John: Hey! (Faith giggles. Mara smiles. John steps forward. He grabs Mara and shoves her into the side. She cries out and grabs her stomach. Faith frowns.). Faith: Sis are you okay? You don’t need to be so rough John she was only messing around. John: So was I. I hardly touched her. Mara: I’m okay. Just...Be careful. (Faith frowns.). Faith: Sis are you hurt? Mara: What? No. I would have been the way he was shoving me into the counter. John: I hardly touched you. (Mara glares at him before splashing him with water again. She laughs before reaching up and spiking some of his hair up.). John: Hey! Off the hair! Mara: But it looks so good like that don’t it sis? Faith: I don’t know. Mara: Oh come on. (Faith giggles.). Mara: Spiky hair. (Jacob comes down the stairs to see John with his arms around Mara pushing her against the counter. She is giggling and messing with his hair. John starts laughing as Mara starts tickling him. Poking him in the ribs.). John: No. Stop. Stop it! (John laughs harder. Jacob has never seen his brother laugh like that. He feels weird though. Seeing John with his hands on Mara makes him feel weird. He has no idea why, it makes no logical sense to him. He isn’t interested in her. She was just a fuck. So why does he feel weird? Jacob clears his throat. John turns to him.). Mara: Jakey Baby. (John raises his eyebrows.). John: Jakey baby? How come he gets a nickname like that and I get...Johnny Appleseed? (Faith laughs. Mara smiles.). Mara: Coz he’s better looking than you. Faith: Oh! John: What? What? I don’t think so. Mara: I do. John: What has Jacob done to you? You can tell me. Did he pay you to say that? Did he threaten you? Mara: Jacob threaten me? (She laughs.). Mara: I’d like to see that. John: Oh. Brother she is asking for it. (Mara smiles at Jacob. His lips twitch slightly. Mara then turns back to the sink and starts washing up. A minute later she splashes John with water again.). John: Hey! I won’t let you stay. Mara: Oh. You want me to stay. John: I won’t let you if you keep ruining my clothes. Mara: What? They’re not ruined. It’s only water. You need more chill John. (Faith giggles. Mara continues washing up. Suddenly John walks up behind Mara and dunks her head in the sink. Faith gasps.). Faith: John! (John chuckles and lets go of Mara who straightens up coughing. She wipes her face on the tea towel then turns to John.). Mara: Dickhead! (John laughs harder. Mara finds herself laughing too. Jacob chuckles and shakes his head. Faith giggles. Joseph enters the kitchen and John immediately stops laughing.). Joseph: What is all the ruckus? Mara: We were just having a water fight. Well not really a fight. I kept splashing John with water and he got all annoyed so he dunked my head in the sink. John: Washing away some more of those sins. (Mara laughs before continuing to wash up while Faith dries. Jacob makes himself a cup of coffee. He feels weird again at the thought of Mara staying here with John. He can’t describe the feeling nor does he know what it means. He doesn’t even care about her. At all. So why would he be bothered? He feels someone poke him and turns to see Mara gazing up at him.). Mara: You okay handsome? (Jacob grunts and picks up his coffee before returning to the lounge. Mara shrugs and finishes washing up before drying her hands. Joseph walks over to Mara and lightly touches her arm. His fingers soft and gentle against her skin.). Mara: Why are you feeling me up? Faith: Sis! Mara: What? (Mara pulls away from him and Joseph sees how uncomfortable she is.). Joseph: Can we talk? Mara: If you like. Joseph: Outside. Mara: Okay. (Mara goes outside with Joseph following her. She takes a cigarette out of the pocket of her cardigan and lights it. Joseph regards her sternly.). Joseph: You should quit that awful habit. Mara: Um. Should. But I won’t coz I’m me. Lonny should quit drinking. But he won’t. That’s people for you Joe. Always doing shit that’s no good for us. (She walks across the grass then sits down on the ground cross legged. He does the same sitting opposite her.). Joseph: Put the cigarette out my child. Mara: You gonna spank me if I don’t? (He grits his teeth.). Joseph: There is always attitude with you. Mara: No there isn’t. That’s just how you see it Joe. It was a joke. Jeez you have no sense of humour. (She sighs.). Mara: Everyone is so serious. Joseph: The collapse isn’t a joke. We must prepare not waste time fooling around. Mara: But if you don’t have a laugh you’ll end up going mad. Everyone needs to crack a joke now and then. Everyone needs to laugh too it’s good for you. Maybe that’s why you and your brothers have such sad eyes. All you’ve had is drama and rubbish. You need fun and laughter for a change. Joseph: I have a purpose as do we all. The lords will must be done and those that can be saved must be saved. Mara: I’m sure the lord would understand if you took some time for yourself. To relax. After all I do think it slightly cheeky of him to ask this of you in the first place. I mean it isn’t exactly fair to ask one man to save the world not really. If God wants it saved so badly why doesn’t he help? Because he just doesn’t care not really. Joseph: You are not a believer? Mara: Not in God. I mean okay he exists but I don’t believe in him. I think the only person you can truly believe in is yourself. Coz everyone else just lets you down. Joseph: That is why we have faith. Mara: Must be nice. To be so sure of everything. To be sure everything will work out. (She takes another drag of the cigarette.). Joseph: It will. You will see. Mara: What is it you wanted to talk about anyway? Joseph: I wanted to talk about you. Mara: Me? Why? I think I’d bore you pretty fast Joe. (She smiles. He gazes at her and she feels like he is reading her mind again. She wonders if she should just tell him now while they are alone.). Joseph: I find you interesting. Mara: Really? No one’s ever interested in me. Joseph: Faith told me that you showed true faith. Mara: I did what? Joseph: You took the leap of faith. Mara: You mean when she drugged me again? Joseph: The Bliss is useful. Mara: It’s drugs. All drugs do is destroy. You lecture me on cigarettes and booze yet you want me doped up on some hallucinogenic? Joseph: Attitude. Mara: I’m just saying it like it is Joe. I don’t understand how you can have a problem with me smoking but not have a problem with drugs. Joseph: The Bliss is useful. It is more than just a drug. It is a path to the garden. It soothes those that are afraid. That are unsure. Mara: Ah you mean brainwashing now. Joseph: No. Merely making them see. Mara: Yeah well I’d rather not use it if it’s all the same to you. It just makes me very ill for days on end. Joseph: It effects everyone differently. Though I was pleased to hear that you showed faith in me. Mara: Should I have faith in you? Joseph: Yes. Mara: Can I trust you to look after me? Or are you just going to abandon me like all the others? Joseph: A father does not abandon his children. (She finds herself looking at the tattoo on his arm. It is of a pretty dark haired woman. She slowly reaches out and lifts his arm turning it slightly to see the tattoo better.). Joseph: She’s beautiful isn’t she? (Mara pulls her hand away. She wonders if a man would ever talk about her like that. What it would feel like if they did.). Joseph: She was my wife. (Whoa! She never would have guessed that this guy was married. This surprises her.). Mara: Did she leave you? Joseph: She died. In a car accident. Mara: Sorry. Has Jacob ever been married? (The question is out of her mouth before she can think. Joseph looks a little surprised.). Joseph: No. He hasn’t. Mara: Hm. He isn’t really the social type. Joseph: Jacob brought many demons home with him from the war. Mara: He told me. About some of it. Joseph: He did? Mara: Yeah. (She stares at the floor as she finishes the cigarette before putting it out in the grass.). Joseph: I am surprised he told you anything. He is usually a private person. Quiet. Mara: Very guarded you mean? Yeah I got that from him. He doesn’t do emotions either. It’s like he has no feelings for anyone or anything. The word nihilist comes to mind when I think about Jacob. I think he only told me stuff coz he was...Never mind. Joseph: What? Mara: Nothing. Joseph: Was he drunk by any chance? (She smiles at him.). Mara: See? You can read minds Joe. Wizard. (His lips twitch.). Joseph: I just know my brother. Mara: There’s nothing wrong with alcohol as long as you don’t drink too much too often. Otherwise it becomes a problem. Joseph: It should not be drunk at all. (She shrugs.). Joseph: Have you read my bible yet? (She is silent.). Mara: Not yet. Joseph: I am disappointed in you my child. Mara: Told you so. (He frowns.). Mara: What? I told you that I’m no good at anything. That I’m useless. That you wouldn’t want me. That it wouldn’t be long before you got rid of me. You didn’t listen. Joseph: Because that isn’t true my child. You just don’t help yourself. You must read it. You must understand. You must know your purpose. I fear that you won’t be saved if you continue to ignore what is coming. Mara: I’m not ignoring it. (She gets up.). Mara: Nice talk. (She walks off heading back to the chalet. Joseph sighs and follows her. Everyone is sitting in the lounge. Mara sits in the armchair. Joseph goes upstairs to use the bathroom. As he is leaving he notices the black lacy bra hanging on the towel rail. He frowns staring at it. Then he feels the familiar disappointment creep through him. John. He sighs and picks up the bra before returning downstairs. John is sitting with his arm draped around Mara and they are laughing together.). Mara: No seriously that’s how it goes! John: I don’t believe you. Mara: It does. (Faith giggles.). Joseph: John? John: Yes Joseph? (Joseph holds up the bra. Mara stares at it and she feels her cheeks turning red.). Joseph: Who’s is this? (John frowns looking confused.). John: I don’t know. Joseph: Is it Holly’s? John: Holly’s? Why would it be hers? Joseph: I know you have spent quite a few nights with her I am not blind John. John: It was a long time ago. I have been doing well. I am sin free I swear. I’m doing everything you want me to. Joseph: Then what is this doing in your bathroom? Do not lie to me brother. Who’s is it? (Mara’s face is burning. She sighs.). Mara: Mine. It’s mine. (Faith gasps. Joseph stares at her.). Joseph: Yours? Mara: Yeah. Now do you mind not waving it around? Jeez embarrass me much. (Mara gets up and snatches the bra off of Joseph.). Mara: Then I guess that’s what fathers are meant to do. Embarrass their daughters. Joseph: This is not a joke Mara. You must atone for your actions. Mara: What actions? Taking my bra off coz it’s too fucking small coz I can’t afford clothes that fit? It was cutting into my skin and my tits are already sore so I took it off. I left it in the bathroom coz I didn’t exactly want to carry it around the house with me. (There is silence. Mara sighs and shakes her head.). Mara: It’s always gonna be like this innit? I just constantly get accused of shit. Coz I must be up to no good at all times right? Joseph: I apologise. I made the wrong assumption. Mara: Yeah you did. Big time. To think that you go on at Holly for jumping to conclusions! Hypocrite! (Mara goes upstairs. Joseph goes after her. He sees her go into the bathroom and he follows her.). Joseph: Do not walk away from me my child. (He stands in the doorway staring at her.). Mara: Sorry. It was just...Embarrassing. I wasn’t expecting removing my bra would cause drama. Joseph: I apologise. Mara: It’s okay. You know it looked kinda funny. You standing there waving this bra around. (He stares at her.). Mara: You never smile Joe. Why do you never smile? (He smiles at her. She smiles back.). Mara: That’s better. Joseph: You should smile more often too. You always look so unhappy my child. Are you not happy with us? Mara: I guess I’m just waiting for it all to be ripped away. Everyone I get close to either dies or leaves me. So... (She shrugs.). Joseph: Nobody is leaving you. You are part of our family now. A part of us. You have a purpose here. You have been saved. You will join us in the new world. In the new Eden. (She wonders what he would think if he knew she had been fucking his brother. If he knew her secret.). Joseph: You look like you don’t have much faith. Mara: I guess not right now. I’m new at this...Trusting people thing. Having a family coz I’ve never had one before except for Bonnie and my sister. I’m just scared that you’re going to realise one day that you don’t want me after all. Then I’ll be alone on the streets again. (He wraps his arms around her pulling her close to him.). Joseph: Have faith. That is not going to happen. You are wanted here. You are welcome here. You have given up your sin and been cleansed. You have given yourself to me. To us. To the church. I have not forgotten how you protected us against that attack. Mara: That’s what you do for family isn’t it? (He smiles at her before pressing a kiss to her forehead. He then turns and leaves the bathroom. She hears his footsteps fade down the hall then the stairs. She closes the door and uses the loo before splashing water on her face. It’s so hard to know what to believe. The people in town telling her that these people are evil. Joseph doesn’t seem evil. He seems...Kind, calm and caring even. But then she remembers that men are the best manipulators. Her own father managed to hide the fact that he was a drug dealer for years. That priest hid the fact that he was a paedophile. She then remembers how John enjoyed hurting her. How he enjoyed every slice he made into her skin. How he nearly drowned her in the river. The pieces of human skin stapled to the wall. Jacob and the cages with people in them. She can see why some would call this family evil. But it’s so hard to see just one side. Especially when her sister is one of them. Then she reminds herself that she is one of them now too. She has defended them, fought for them, given herself to them. She sighs and goes back downstairs. Joseph and the others are saying goodbye to John. Mara hugs her sister.). Faith: What’s this for? Mara: You’re going aren’t you? Faith: Yes. Aren’t you coming too? Mara: No. Faith: Why? Mara: I need to speak to John about something. Faith: Is everything alright? Mara: Yeah course it is. (Mara smiles. Faith smiles back.). Faith: Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow. You could bring the truck over to my bunker from the compound. Steve’s loaded up some supplies for me. Mara: Um...I’ll try. Faith: What do you mean silly? (Mara looks embarrassed and awkward.). Mara: I’ve never driven a car before much less a truck. Faith: Oh. Well maybe you could take Steve with you and he could give you a driving lesson on the way over. It’s easy sis. Mara: That sounds awesome. Faith: Great. See you tomorrow. Mara: You will. (Joseph smiles at Mara. She smiles back before going to the kitchen. Jacob looks after her frowning not failing to notice how she was avoiding looking at him. Not that he cares. He then remembers that she was going to tell him something earlier before the others came in. He doubts it was anything important. He turns and leaves the chalet with Joseph and Faith. John closes the door behind them and goes to the kitchen. Mara has made herself a cup of tea.). Mara: Do you want a hot drink? John: I’ll have a tea. (She makes another cup of tea in his plane mug.). John: So...What did you want to talk me about? Mara: What? (She looks confused.). John: You told Faith that you needed to speak to me about something. Mara: Oh. No I just said that to shut her up. John: What do you mean? Mara: Well if I’d have said oh I’m staying here for the night they might have accused us of sleeping together again so I thought if I told her I just needed to talk to you it would sound less weird. John: I see. But you don’t need to lie Mara. We have nothing to hide. Mara: I know. But you know what people are like. Gossip. Gossip. Gossip. Jon: Oh yes. They do. Mara: It doesn’t help when Holly is constantly stirring. You know she accused me of sleeping with Jacob too? Right in front of Joseph. (Though Holly was right about that one. Oh if only she knew.). John: Did she? Mara: Yeah. I don’t know what her problem is John. I don’t understand how someone I barely know can hate me so much. John: She doesn’t hate you. Her sin is envy. She thinks that we are more than what we are. So she doesn’t like it that you and I have been spending time together. Mara: She’s in love with you. John: No. Mara: Why else would she be so bothered? She clearly cares for you John. I know the other night she waited up nearly all night for you to get back to the compound after going to find Lonny. She waited for you to get back so that she knew you were safe. Because she cares about you. John: It was...Just sex. Mara: For you maybe. That’s what you men don’t seem to realise. For you it’s just sex but for all you know for the woman it’s much more than that. We have feelings you know? John: I know that. But I believe I made it clear that we were not serious. Mara: I wasn’t blaming you for anything or trying to say you did anything wrong. You don’t need to explain to yourself to me John. It’s fine. It’s your business. I’m just saying that sometimes...Even when it starts as just sex...It can lead to more. One person starts to develop feelings and... (She shrugs. He frowns at her.). John: You sound like you are speaking from experience. Mara: Me? No. Nobody’s ever...No...Not me. I am not the girl that gets the guy. (She lets out a small laugh before picking up her mug and going to the lounge. He follows her and sits down.). John: I find that hard to believe you know? Mara: Well it’s the truth. There was only really Alex. I didn’t know any other guys and the one’s I did were...Not very nice. I thought Alex was nice and I thought he liked me. He gave me that impression you know? He genuinely acted like he liked me. But it was a joke. To him it was a joke. He found it funny when he kissed me and I thought...It hurt. (She shrugs.). Mara: So that’s what I am. Just the joke. You know I often wonder what it would be like to have someone that loved me. Someone that thought I was beautiful. John: I think you’re beautiful. (She looks at him and he can see that she looks so sad. He frowns.). Mara: Thanks. (She takes a sip of her tea.). John: Is that why you are sad? Because you want someone? Mara: Doesn’t everyone? I mean that’s life isn’t it? Everyone else seems to meet someone and get married and have...Kids. I just wonder if...That’ll ever be me. What if...There isn’t anyone for me? What if I never find that one person I am meant to share my life with? Or worse what if I meet him and he doesn’t want me? John: How would he not want you? He would be foolish not to want you. (She sips her tea and looks at the floor.). John: Besides you don’t need to worry about things like that. You don’t need a man...Or have lustful thoughts entered your mind? Mara: No. It would just be nice to have someone that loved me. Haven’t you ever wondered if you would ever get married? (He smiles and lets out a breath.). John: Marriage? Oh I don’t know. I hardly think it’s in the cards for me. I am far too busy helping my brother with the project. Mara: But do you want to get married? To find that someone who loves you and completes you and makes you happy. It must get lonely in this big house all by yourself. John: Yes I suppose it does at times. But marriage...I don’t know. It’s a big commitment. Mara: Not if it’s the right person. I don’t get people who talk about it like it’s awful and a chore. It tells me that they have married the wrong person. If two people love each other and make each other happy they will do anything for them, they wouldn’t see it as a chore would they? (He smiles.). John: You’ve been giving this a lot of thought. Is that what this is, a marriage proposal? (He chuckles.). Mara: No. Just forget I said anything. Must be the hormones. John: Ah yes. Blame them for everything. Mara: I will. (He chuckles. She finishes her tea and puts her mug on the side table. She then leans back and closes her eyes.). John: Tired? Mara: Yeah. John: I thought you wanted a bath. Mara: Is that okay? John: Of course. Mara: Thanks. (She gets up and goes upstairs. He takes the mugs to the kitchen and puts them in the sink. He then goes upstairs and into his study. He sits down at the desk and picks up a small paintbrush and finishes painting his latest finished plane model. 

---Mara lies in the bath with her eyes closed trying to just relax for one minute. But she can’t. Because she knows she can’t hide this for long. She doesn’t know how to tell anyone, she doesn’t know what to say. She could see one of the doctors and just tell them to sort it for her. But then they might tell Joseph. Maybe she could go to Missoula and see a doctor there. She looks down at her stomach then places a hand on it. Tears fill her eyes. Maybe she should just tell Jacob. She suddenly finds herself imagining him smiling at her then kneeling down and pressing a kiss to her stomach. A sob escapes her throat. She knows it wouldn’t happen like that. She isn’t stupid she knows the kind of man Jacob is. Angry, broken and deranged. Locking people in cages and...Killing. Why did she have to like him?! She curses the day she met him. There has to be something wrong with her for her to like a man like that. But when she lay in his arms she felt safe and warm. It was nice. She liked it. She sighs as she tries to think of some plan but she has none. Would people even understand how she feels about Jacob? Would they think her mad for liking a man like that? Because she does have feelings for him. She’s only known him for three months but she’s somehow managed to develop feelings for him. She lies there sobbing. She finds herself thinking for a moment about just sliding under the bath water and staying there. She wouldn’t have to worry about anything. It will all be over. 

---John has finished painting the plane. He leaves it to dry and gets up going down the hall. He passes the bathroom and sees the door wide open. He frowns. Mara must be in his en suite. He goes into the bedroom and knocks on the bathroom door. There is no reply. He knocks again.). John: Mara? (Still no answer. He knocks again.). John: Mara? Have you fallen asleep in there again? (Still no answer. He tries to open the door but it’s locked. He bangs on the door hard.). John: Mara! (He stands there for a moment then he sighs angrily and kicks the door open. The lock falls to the floor and part of the frame splinters. He steps into the bathroom.). John: Wake up! You’ve made me break my door now! (He freezes as he sees Mara lying in the bath under the water. Her eyes are closed and she isn’t moving.). John: Mara! (He yanks her out of the bathtub and lies her on the bathroom floor. He then starts pumping her chest before giving her mouth to mouth.). John: Come on. Come on. (He continues to pump her chest before giving her mouth to mouth again. Just as he thinks all is lost she coughs and splutters. He rolls her onto her side and grabs a towel draping it over her. He can’t help but notice her naked body. He has seen everything now. He has seen all of her. His jeans are suddenly way too tight in the groin area and he reprimands himself for having such thoughts and feelings. This is really not the time. Mara moans as she lies there gasping.). John: Mara? Mara: Um? John: Are you okay? (She lies there then rolls onto her back. She blinks up at him frowning.). Mara: What are you doing in here? (She realises she is naked and sits up pulling the towel around her.). John: I had to kick the door in. Mara: What? Why? John: You wouldn’t answer me. It was lucky I did. You nearly drowned. Mara: What made you kick the door in? John: I told you. You wouldn’t answer me. I wanted to use my bathroom. My toothbrush and shower gel is in here. You were lucky I did. You could have died. Mara: I guess. I must have fallen asleep and slid under. John: You really need to stop falling asleep in bathtubs. It’s actually quite dangerous. Mara: So it would seem. Well...I’m gonna get dressed now. (She gets up and coughs again. He pats her on the back and wraps his arms around her.). John: Are you sure you’re okay? I can get a doctor. Mara: No. I’ll be fine. John: You know you could still drown. It happens. Someone nearly drowns and they say they are fine but then later they are found dead. All it takes is some water in your lungs and- Mara: I’m fine okay. You can stop worrying. (She starts to dry herself off. John stares as he watches her...Her large breasts, the curve of her hips. Her bare ass. He swallows hard.). John: What are you doing? Mara: Getting dressed. John: Showing me your naked body...Teasing me again. Mara: I’m not teasing you. You’ve already seen everything now so there’s no point trying to cover it up is there? (She throws the towel on the floor before putting her knickers and leggings on followed by her baggy black top and the cardigan. She sounded annoyed.). John: You are beautiful. (She freezes staring at the wall. Oh how she wants to hear Jacob say that to her.). Mara: Stop being an idiot. John: But I am not an idiot. Mara: Whatever you say. John: Aren’t you going to thank me for saving your life? Mara: Yeah great. Thanks. (She empties the bathwater then looks at herself in the mirror. She then picks the towel back up and starts drying her hair. It’s so long it always takes her ages to dry it even with a hairdryer.). Mara: Do you have a hairdryer? John: Yes. (He opens the cupboard under the sink and takes out a hairdryer. He plugs it into the wall socket.). Mara: Thanks. John: Are you going to be long? I need to take a shower. Mara: It takes ages to dry my hair. Can’t you use the other bathroom? John: This is my bathroom like I told you. I want to use this one. Mara: Okay. Have your shower. (She switches on the hairdryer and starts drying her hair. He stares at her frowning.). John: I said I’m going to have a shower! (He has to shout over the noise of the hairdryer. Mara turns it off.). Mara: Yeah I heard you the first time. Have your shower then. Don’t let me stop you. (He stares at her.). Mara: Oh I see. So it’s okay for you to have seen my entire body in all its horror but you won’t get undressed with me in the room coz you’re what? Shy? Seriously I ain’t even looking at you. I’m drying my hair. (She switches the dryer back on and turns away from him. He stands there for a moment then he smirks slightly. He then removes his shoes and socks, then his jeans and waistcoat. He then removes his shirt and his boxers. He stands there naked staring at Mara but she isn’t looking at him. He turns and opens the shower door and turns on the water. He closes the door and looks at Mara through the glass. She still hasn’t looked over at him. He shouldn’t even be doing this. If Joseph knew they were in the bathroom...Like this. It isn’t like they’ve done anything but he doubts his brother would see it that way. He sighs. He needs to stop these thoughts. He looks down at his erection before making the water colder. A cry leaves his lips as the ice cold water hits him. He stands there shivering willing himself to stop thinking about Mara’s breasts. The problem is now that he has seen them...Now that he has seen all of her...It is now twice as hard to resist her. He can still hear the hairdryer. He looks through the glass at Mara. She isn’t looking in his direction. She’s too busy drying her hair. He sighs and picks up his shower gel before making the water warmer. He then showers and washes his hair before switching off the water and stepping out of the shower. He grabs a towel and wraps it around his waist. Mara is still drying her hair. He supposes it’s so long it must take ages for it to dry. Her hair almost reaches her backside. He leans against the counter. She turns and looks at him before laughing and turning away. He frowns.). John: What’s funny? (She switches off the hairdryer and still laughing turns to him.). John: What? Mara: Your hair. (She laughs again.). John: What about it? Mara: You look kinda cute with your hair all stuck to your head like that. (He grins like the Cheshire cat.). John: You think I’m cute? I believe you have called me that before. Mara: Have I? I don’t remember. John: I am pretty sure you have. Mara: Whatever. Let me guess you are now going to tell me that you need the hairdryer. John: Yes actually I do. Mara: Help me dry my damn hair then. It’s so fucking long it’s unreal. (He chuckles.). John: You could always cut it. Mara: Cut it? No. I always regret it when I cut it. Besides how could you cut my hair? Look at it it’s so long and lovely. John: Hm. (She hands him the hairdryer and he takes it from her. She then turns around.). Mara: I think it’s only really the ends that still need drying. (He stands there for a moment. She wants him to finish drying her hair? He has his own hair to dry. But then he realises that he has the perfect excuse to run his hands through it. He smiles to himself before switching on the dryer and taking some of her hair in his hand as he dries it. Once he is done he switches the dryer off and puts it down. He then runs his fingers through her soft silky hair.). John: There. All done my dear. Mara: Thanks. (She turns to him and smiles. He leans against the counter.). John: So...What do you think? Mara: About what? John: About me. Mara: What do you mean? John: Well now that you have seen me naked what do you think? Mara: You what? I haven’t seen you naked you idiot. John: Alright. Fine. Mara: Are you worried about how you look or something is that it? I don’t think anyone is happy with how they look. I know I ain’t. I hate my body. It disgusts me. John: What? Why? There is nothing wrong with you. I have told you that you are beautiful. Mara: Only you seem to think so. John: I’m sure that’s not true. Mara: There’s nothing wrong with how you look either. So if you’re worried don’t be. Anyway haven’t you had like a hundred women? Surely that must tell you something. John: A hundred women? Who told you that? Mara: Everyone talks about you like you’re some womanizer always fucking everything that moves so... John: I see. So you are listening to rumours. Mara: It’s not a rumour if it’s true though is it? John: I suppose not. But it wasn’t a hundred! Mara: Okay. John: Actually it was probably more than that. (She sighs and shakes her head.). Mara: You are terrible. (He chuckles.). John: I was. I’m different now. Joseph has saved me. He has helped me see. Mara: So you are no longer taking drugs? John: No. Mara: Drinking? John: No. Mara: Fucking everything that moves? John: No. Mara: Holly begs to differ. John: I admit that yes I have...Slipped a little but... Mara: Hey it’s okay. It really doesn’t bother me. You do what you want. I do. (She shrugs. He raises his eyebrows at her.). Mara: What? You gonna get dressed or what? John: I don’t have to. (She stares at him then sighs and shakes her head.). Mara: You know...For someone who goes on about sin- John: No you’re right. I shouldn’t have said that. Mara: Look...I’m sure that one day you’re going to meet a woman and she’s going to love you and you’re going to love her. (She smiles at him.). Mara: Sometimes you just have to be patient. John: You think so? Mara: Yes. Bonnie always used to tell me that one day I would meet the right person and it would be right and good. I don’t know if I believe it though. Doesn’t seem like it’s in the cards for me. John: Hm. Mara: You should get dressed John. I’ll go and make you hot chocolate. (She leaves the bathroom. He sighs and dries himself off and dries his hair with the hairdryer. He then goes into his bedroom and opens a drawer. He takes out a pair of dark blue silk pyjama bottoms. He slips them on not bothering about underwear before going downstairs to the kitchen. It’s empty. He goes to the lounge and sees Mara lying on the sofa with her eyes closed. He walks over and nudges her.). Mara: Um? John: Tired? Mara: Yeah. (He sees the mug of hot chocolate on the table and picks it up sipping it. She moves so that he can sit down. She leans against him. He chuckles.). John: You are very confusing. Mara: How am I confusing? John: You try to tell me that you have no interest in me and yet...You keep getting close to me and wanting to stay over. (He smirks.). Mara: I don’t fancy you. I just...I like being with you coz you’re my friend. It’s been years since I’ve had a friend. My sister calls you her brother so I guess I kind of see you as a brother now too. John: Hm. Yes. We are all brothers and sisters here. Mara: Can I tell you something? John: You can tell me anything. Do you have a confession to make? Mara: I guess. (He looks down at her. She slides her arm through his and takes hold of his hand. He puts his hot chocolate down before putting his arm around her so that her head rests on his chest.). John: Tell me. (Her eyes fill with tears.). Mara: When you found me in the bath... John: Yes? Mara: I didn’t fall asleep in the bath. (He frowns.). John: What do you mean? (He thinks he already knows though.). Mara: I didn’t fall asleep in the bath John. (There is silence for a moment.). Mara: It wasn’t an accident. John: You tried to drown yourself? Why would you do that? Why would you throw away this gift we have given you? Mara: What gift? John: The gift of a new life. You have been saved. You have been given the Fathers blessing. You have been welcomed with open arms into our family. Why would you turn your back on that? Mara: I didn’t do it because of you silly. John: Why did you do it? Mara: Because I am unhappy. I am lost. I feel like I’m drowning all the time actually. John: Why? You are throwing away a great gift. You are turning your back on the Father and his teachings. You are turning your back on your sister. Does all this mean so little to you? Mara: No. I’m just a coward. But... (She looks up at him and their noses are almost touching she is so close to him. His breath catches in his throat. He can see her eyelashes and the tears rolling down her cheeks.). Mara: Clearly you were meant to save me from myself...Again. I never really thanked you did I? (He gazes at her. He can smell alcohol on her breath. Then she kisses him softly on the lips. He closes his eyes and kisses her back. Then she pulls away from him and stares at him.). Mara: I’m gonna go to bed. Don’t stay up too late. (She stands up.). Mara: Thank you...For saving me. Again. Night John. (She leaves the room. He sits there staring into the fire sipping his hot chocolate. She says she doesn’t fancy him yet she kisses him. She is very confusing. He finishes his hot chocolate and takes his mug to the kitchen. He then makes himself a coffee and returns to the lounge. He picks up a book and sits back down. He sits reading for a good few hours before his eyes become too heavy to continue. He puts the book down and takes the empty mug to the kitchen putting it in the sink. He then returns to the lounge and puts out the fire before going upstairs. He walks down the hall. Several of his spare bedrooms have their doors wide open except for one. He stops at the door staring at it. He then slowly opens it. Mara is lying in the double bed asleep. Her clothes are on the floor next to bed along with her shoes. He stands in the doorway staring at her before he closes it again and goes down the hall to his bedroom. He really needs to stop this. He goes into his bathroom and yanks his pyjama bottoms down before wrapping his hand tightly around his hard cock. He closes his eyes and tilts his head back as he starts pumping furiously.).

[chobit92]

Home: Jacob Seed/OC Chapter 34

Warnings: Sex, Violence

(1 Week Later: Mara is sitting on a boulder by the large pond outside the St Francis Veterans center. She is swigging a bottle of whiskey. She feels a lot better today save for the mild cramping she has in her abdomen. She hasn’t been to see a doctor. She doesn’t want to. She’s afraid of what they’ll say. She wipes away the tears that have been rolling down her cheeks and looks up at the large building. She sighs. Joseph held his usual Sunday sermon this morning and she sat at the back again. Her sister knows something’s wrong. She told her this morning that she’s worried about her and she asked if Holly was still being horrible to her. Mara told her everything was fine. But as usual in her life nothing ever is. She’s glad to be away from that damn compound for a while though. She hates it there. Nobody really talks to her only Evelyn and her sister when she pops by for a visit. She did the obstacle course again this afternoon several times. It’s gruelling and she is always exhausted afterwards. Today though was especially embarrassing. After the second run she threw up all over the floor. Nobody seemed to care or notice though. Nobody said anything. She probably shouldn’t be drinking whiskey. She’ll probably throw it back up in a minute but she doesn’t care. She takes another swig and rubs at her collarbone. She is wearing her black leggings and the knitted jumper of Edens Gate with the logo on it. The jumper is slightly too big for her and hangs off her shoulder slightly. She watches the pond and sees a fish break the surface disturbing the still water. She then looks at the floor and starts tearing up grass. A few minutes later she hears muffled footsteps then a voice that makes her jump and her heart starts to race.). 

Jacob: Any particular reason you’re hanging around outside my place? (She looks up at him and stares at him. She feels a flutter in her abdomen and a tightness in her chest.). Mara: Oh this is your place? Strange it looks abandoned to me. Jacob: Funny. I’m not in the mood. Mara: You always seem to be in a mood Jake. (His eyes narrow.). Mara: Is there any particular reason you don’t want me sitting here? Jacob: No. Mara: Then what’s the problem? Jacob: Why aren’t you at the compound? Mara: The compound...Hmmm. The place where nobody likes me. The place where I sit on my own all day. That’s when I’m not punching things and running stupid obstacle courses. Listening to Joe prat on about the collapse and sin and preparedness. So I thought well if I’m gonna sit on my tod again I might as well do it somewhere that has some nice scenery. I have always loved it up here. Ever since I was a kid. Jacob: Hm. Lots of mountains and scenery. Why this particular spot hm? Hoping to see me? (He smirks which really pisses her off but she tries not to show it. Fucking men.). Mara: Maybe. (She takes another swig of whiskey then holds the bottle out to him.). Mara: Drink? Jacob: What would Joseph say if he knew his little pure princess was downing whiskey like an old drunk. (She glares at him and he chuckles.). Mara: Couldn’t give a fuck. I’ll go and offer him one an all. Jacob: A drink or a fuck? (She glares at him again.). Mara: You what? Why do you act like such a prick? (His eyes narrow.). Jacob: Don’t talk to me like that. Mara: Or what? Hm? What you gonna do? (She stands up.). Mara: Well come on Mr big man. (He chuckles and shakes his head. She sighs and walks off.). Jacob: Where are you going? Mara: Away. (He grabs her arm and looks down at her. She looks tired and pale and sad.). Mara: What? Jacob: Why did you come here? Mara: I thought I already answered that question. Jacob: Hm. Mara: You wanna fuck again? (He stares at her.). Jacob: I think you’ve had too much to drink. Mara: Nope. I haven’t had enough. Sure you don’t want some? It’s good. Jacob: Where’d you get it? Mara: Nicked it. Jacob: Hm. (She takes another swig and goes to walk off. Just then a green truck races around the bend with a squeal of tyres nearly knocking Mara over.). Mara: Oi! Watch where you’re fucking going cunt! (Jacob almost laughs at Mara’s temper but he knows who the truck belongs to. Whitetail Militia. This lot are especially brazen driving up to his front door like this. A man suddenly gets out as Jacob draws his pistol stepping backwards preparing to use the boulder as cover if necessary. The man grabs Mara as she’s walking away and points a pistol at her head.). Man: Come with us quietly and we won’t shoot your friend. (There is silence for a moment. Then Mara starts laughing.). Man2: What’s so funny? Mara: You stupid assholes! You think Jakey here gives a fuck about me? He don’t give a fuck about anyone! He’d probably kill his own brothers if he had to! Using me as a bargaining chip! (Mara laughs again.). Mara: A dumb move indeed! (She suddenly stops laughing and brings the whiskey bottle up swinging it up into the man’s face so hard it smashes. He lets go off her and cries out stumbling back with his hands over his face. Mara then turns and jams what’s left of the bottle in his neck severing his carotid artery. Blood spurts everywhere as the man clutches neck gurgling as he slides down the truck. Jacob has aimed his pistol and shot the woman and the other man before they could do anything. The man on the back of the truck however has gotten on the mounted gun. He swings it to aim at Jacob making him duck down behind the boulder as bullets fly everywhere. Suddenly the gunfire ceases and Jacob slowly straightens up. He sees Mara yank the man off the back of the truck and he falls to his back on the ground. She then starts punching him. The man hits her back and grabs her shoving her to the ground. Jacob raises his pistol and shoots the man in the side of the head. He reaches Mara as she pulls herself to her feet. Her nose is bleeding.). Mara: Always drama with you. Every fucking time. Jacob: Can’t help that. Your nose is bleeding. Mara: No shit. Fucking pricks. Lost me whiskey now. (He chuckles and shakes his head.). Mara: Glad I’ve amused you. You know when I said you need to smile more I didn’t mean laugh at me. Jerk. (He chuckles.). Jacob: Come on. (She raises her eyebrows.). Mara: You got whiskey? (He chuckles again before walking off back to the Veterans Center. She follows him. As they enter the grounds Terry and Barry walk over.). Terry: Hey what happened? Mara: Pricks. Jacob: Whitetails. Didn’t you hear the gunfire? Terry: We were inside sir. Barry: Always gunfire around here. Jacob: Didn’t hear gunfire. You think of yourselves as soldiers? Terry: Sorry sir. (Jacob tuts and walks past them going inside. Mara follows him up to his office. She sits down and he grabs a first aid kit before dragging a chair over to her and sitting down opposite her. He dabs at her nose and wipes the blood away.). Mara: You gonna take care of me now handsome? (He stops what he is doing and stares at her. She presses a soft kiss to his lips but he moves away. She looks at the floor. He wipes the rest of the blood away and presses his fingers to her nose.). Jacob: It’s not broken. Mara: That’s alright then. (He holds the bandage on her nose for a few minutes and the bleeding finally stops.). Mara: Still pretty? (He blinks at her. She sighs.). Mara: Guess not. (She looks at her feet.). Mara: So...Whiskey? Jacob: Um. (He opens a drawer and pulls out a bottle of whiskey and two shot glasses.). Mara: Shots? (She lets out a giggle.). Mara: You want me drunk? (He doesn’t answer. He just pours two shots of whiskey then downs both of them. She giggles.). Mara: Hey share then. (He pours some more whiskey and she picks up a shot glass and downs it.). Mara: So what you been up to? Anything exciting? Bedded any more attractive women? (He scoffs and shakes his head.). Jacob: What is it with you? (He sits down opposite her. He appears to be studying her.). Mara: What do you mean? Jacob: Why would a young attractive woman like you want to hang out here with me? (She is silent for a moment.). Mara: Why would you assume that a young woman wouldn’t want to spend time with you? (He stares at her.). Jacob: So...You want to spend time with me? Ah yes because you have a crush on me. (He chuckles and shakes his head. She sighs.). Mara: You shouldn’t make fun you know? Why is it so insane to you that a woman would be attracted to you? (He stares at her. She stares at him.). Jacob: I’m not a good man. Mara: I figured that much out for myself. Jacob: I’m also old enough to be your father. Mara: No you’re not. Jacob: I am. Mara: Well you don’t look it. Jacob: Now you’re just taking the piss. Mara: I’m not. If you don’t want to believe me fine. (She takes a big gulp of whiskey from the bottle before putting it down and standing up.). Jacob: Where are you going? Mara: I’m going. Look I ain’t that stupid. You ain’t interested. I get it. (She goes to open the door but suddenly he is there pressing against her from behind. She lets out a small gasp as he leans down brushing her hair away from her ear and whispering to her.). Jacob: You need to understand something first. Mara: What? Jacob: This is just sex. It’s never gonna be anything else. Mara: I never expected anything else. Jacob: Well good. Coz having a crush on me and having some idea of us getting together is only gonna hurt you. Coz it’ll never happen. You’re right. I ain’t interested. I just wanna fuck. (He grabs her hair and yanks her backwards. 

---Joseph is heading back to his church when he decides to see how Mara is doing. He walks over to the barn where she sleeps and sees her bed is empty. He looks over at the two men snoring softly in their bunk then at the woman sleeping on the bottom bunk. He frowns and walks back towards the main gates with the large white archway. He looks up at the lookout tower where Mara can often be seen. Steve is sitting up there drinking tea from a flask. Joseph frowns before heading back towards his church. He sees Evelyn carrying some washing in a basket.). Joseph: Evelyn? Evelyn: Yes dear? Joseph: Have you seen Mara? Evelyn: Hm. Not since this afternoon. She said she was going for a walk. Said she had to get away from here for a few hours. I think she feels...Like she doesn’t belong. She’s been finding it hard to make friends. Holly hasn’t been helping silly girl. Joseph: I see. Evelyn: Oh I wouldn’t worry. She’s a young girl. They do this all the time dear. She’ll be back. You should get some rest you do way too much. (She gently pats his arm before smiling and bustling away. Joseph walks back to his church. Evelyn is the eldest member of Edens Gate at 69 years old. She’s also the only one that calls him dear. He enters his church closing the door behind him and walks past the pews to the front of the church. He sits down at his small desk and opens his leather notebook before picking up his fountain pen. He starts to write. After a few minutes he puts his pen down and frowns. He wonders where Mara has gone. It is rather late now. He prays nothing bad has happened to her. 

---Jacob is lying on his side in his bed. He is naked. Mara is lying on her side in front of him also naked. His cock is buried in her tight little cunt and he has one hand around her throat, the other is wrapped around her thigh holding her leg up slightly. She is moaning as he jerks his hips pumping in and out of her frantically chasing his release. He then starts tapping and slapping at her clitoris making her flinch and let out a whimper. He then slaps her clit harder making her shudder and cry out.). Mara: Oh! Oh. Oooh! (His other hand squeezes her throat as he continues to fuck her roughly while rubbing and tapping her clitoris. She shudders again and cries out loudly. Jacob wonders if his men can hear what they’re doing, he doesn’t really care. None of them would dare say a word. She whimpers again.). Mara: Stop. Stop. (He grips her throat tighter and whispers in her ear.). Jacob: Who do you think is in charge here kitten? (She giggles.). Mara: Let me guess...You. Jacob: That’s right. You don’t give me orders. (A few minutes later he climaxes with a groan sinking his teeth into her shoulder making her wince. He then moves away from her lying on his back panting hard. She lies there trembling. Fuck. The hell is wrong with her? Why does she like this guy? She rolls over and snuggles against him lying her head on his chest and throwing a leg over him.). Jacob: The fuck are you doing? Mara: Going to sleep. Jacob: No. (He pushes her away from him almost pushing her off of the small bed.). Jacob: Get dressed and get out. (She frowns. Now she is confused. He seemed to enjoy it. He wanted her. Now he is just kicking her out? Just sex he said. She can’t be surprised. She slowly gets up and gets dressed. She then goes over to the bed.). Jacob: What are you doing? Mara: I... (He looks up at her. She bends down and kisses his cheek brushing her fingers through his hair. He pushes her away. She then turns and goes to the door opening it. She turns back trying her damndest not to cry in front of him.). Mara: Night Jake. (He grunts in response. She leaves closing the door behind her. Nobody really pays any attention to her as she leaves the Veterans Center and walks down the road. She starts to sob. She doesn’t understand how he can be like that. So cold and...Emotionless. She supposes she can’t be mad at him or upset about it. She really has no right to be. He made it perfectly clear that it is just sex. That sex is all he’s interested in. At least he’s made it clear she supposes. A lot of men don’t. A lot of men lie to women and lead them on. She supposes that’s one thing about Jacob. He’s honest. But she wonders why his whole attitude has suddenly changed. The first time they made love he was drunk yes but...He held her. The following day he just left but he wasn’t as cold as he was just now. After she sucked him off he was sort of dismissive but he wasn’t mean. She wonders what’s changed. She told him she had a crush on him. Maybe he just doesn’t want her to get the wrong idea or lead her on. He’s just being honest. She sighs as she continues to walk not really knowing where she’s going. She can’t go back to the compound. She doesn’t want to either. It’s late...Her sister is probably asleep. She doesn’t really want to see her sister right now either. Her sister always knows something is wrong. She wouldn’t stop asking questions. She doesn’t know how to answer any of them. Then she wonders if John is still awake. He sometimes stays up rather late. She wonders if he would ask her loads of questions. She wonders if he would judge her. He doesn’t seem to be the type that judges people. Not really. He seems to like helping people become free of their pasts and their sins. He seems to like to listen to people and their stories. Besides he can’t really judge anyone. Not with all he has done. Drugs, booze, women, violence. No he can’t judge anyone. He has no right to. Even when she was telling him all about all the people she killed he didn’t seem shocked or angry. He didn’t seem to hate her for it. He said that he was going to free her from it. Free her from Wrath. She doesn’t feel free though. She feels no different. Those people are all still dead. She sees a man at the side of the road. Another man is sitting on an ATV. The man gets off of the ATV leaving the engine running. He goes over and embraces the other man and they start talking. Mara quickly walks over to the ATV and gets on it before speeding off.). Man: Hey! (She doesn’t look back. She just races away from the mountains at a break neck speed. Tears stinging her eyes.).

[chobit92]

Home: Jacob Seed/OC Chapter 33

(1 Month Later: Mara has been staying at Joseph’s compound for a month now. She hates it. She doesn’t fit in here at all. Besides Lexi and an elderly lady called Evelyn she has made no friends. Evelyn has been teaching her to knit and sew which Mara is terrible at. Mara is up on the lookout tower overlooking the compound. She is sitting on the railing her legs dangling in the air. She hasn’t seen Jacob or John much over the last month. Except for when they come to Joseph’s sermons. She sighs and rubs her head. She is so tired today and she’s been feeling like shit all weekend. The sun has long set, the compound lit by floodlights and she can see several people milling around the grounds. Everyone seems close here. Except her. She feels like an outsider. She feels like she doesn’t belong. She’s never had a home. She’s never felt home anywhere. This feels more like a prison than a home. She looks at the large black perimeter fence that surrounds Joseph’s island. She wonders if it’s designed to keep people out or in. Probably both. Joseph held his Sunday sermon this morning. She sat near the back away from everyone else. John hasn’t spoken to her since he kissed her. She wonders what Joseph said to him. She brushes her fingers over her chest where he carved her sin into her skin. It’s healing nicely now. She is wearing her leggings and baggy black top. They have given her new clothes. Knitted jumpers with the Edens Gate logo on them but she’s only worn one of them once. The jumper itches. She gets down from the lookout tower and walks over to where she sleeps. She doesn’t sleep in the little white bungalows like the others. She sleeps behind a chain link fence on the far side of the compound. Her bed is outside. The building has a roof and three walls. But the rest is open to the elements. It could be worse she supposes. She could be sleeping on the other side of the fence. Where all they get to sleep on is a thin blanket on the dirty floor. She walks over to her bunk bed and lies down. She closes her eyes willing her headache to go away. It’s been pounding all day. She is just dozing off when she is disturbed by her sisters voice.). 

Faith: Sis! It’s a bit early for bed isn’t it? Mara: Not really. Faith: Come on get up. We’re all having dinner together. Mara: Not sure if it’s a good idea for me to eat sis. (She sits up and notices that Joseph is with her.). Faith: Of course it’s a good idea to eat. Mara: Not when everything you’ve eaten has ended up coming back up. Faith: Oh. Are you not well? Mara: Must be coming down with something. (Faith walks over and puts her hand on Mara’s forehead frowning.). Faith: You do feel a little warm. (Mara gets up.). Mara: I’ll just have some water and maybe some soup or something. Faith: Yes. (Mara follows Faith and Joseph over to the canteen. Chatter fills the air as they walk inside. Mara sees Holly, Terry, Barry, Will, Jacob, John, Evelyn and Jason. Steve is also there along with two other guys and several women Mara has barely spoken to. Mara sits down away from the others and closes her eyes again. She is so tired.). Faith: I’ll get you some water sis. (Faith goes over to Holly who is at the counter serving up food. She comes back with a glass of water and sits down next to Mara.). Mara: Thanks. Faith: So...What have you been doing? Mara: Um...Not much really. Been doing the obstacle course thingy. Faith: Yes Steve said you’ve been doing really well. He told me you went for a run the other day and you beat him. Mara: I guess I did. Faith: Maybe that’s why you’re feeling a little run down. Not used to all the exercise. Mara: Maybe. Faith: Maybe you’ll feel better once you’ve had something to eat. A good night’s sleep wouldn’t hurt either. (Mara drinks the water.). Faith: Lets go and get some food. I told Holly to do you some soup. Mara: Thanks. She’s probably poisoned it. (Faith frowns.). Faith: She wouldn’t do that. Mara: Hm. She hasn’t stopped glaring at me since I walked in. If looks could kill I’d already be dead sis. (Mara stands up and walks towards the counter. She sways slightly and the room starts to spin. She feels lightheaded and dizzy again. She almost collapsed earlier. She hears Faith call her name and she sees several people staring at her as her vision blurs. She then feels her legs give way under her and the world goes black. Faith rushes forward.). Faith: Sis! (Several other people get up and look down at Mara who is lying face down on the floor.). Terry: The hell happened? Barry: She alright? (Evelyn bustles over pulling her shawl around her as she bends down and examines Mara.). Evelyn: She’s breathing. It looks like she just passed out. She’ll need to see a doctor I think this is the second time today. Faith: It is? Why didn’t you tell me? Evelyn: Has she been eating properly? (Nobody looks like they know or care. Faith looks around.). Faith: Well? Holly has she been eating? (Holly shifts slightly and looks down shrugging.). Evelyn: I know that look Holly. What have you done? Terry: Why would she have done something? It’s not Holly’s fault if Mara has been starving herself. Evelyn: Young girls don’t just starve themselves Terry. Silly girl. (Steve helps Evelyn roll Mara over onto her back.). Evelyn: Mara? Can you hear me? Somebody get me some water please. (A woman appears seconds later with a glass of water. Evelyn tips a little onto Mara’s head then her face.). Evelyn: Mara? (Holly looks as guilty as sin. Faith is studying her frowning.). Faith: So what did you do Holly? Have you been putting something in her dinner? Holly: I-What? No of course not. Faith: Then why are you looking so guilty? (Everyone stares at Holly.). Woman: It’s no secret that you don’t like the girl Holly. (Holly looks shocked.). Holly: What? No. I haven’t done anything. (The young woman behind the counter next to Holly looks at her awkwardly. Faith sees the glance and scrutinizes her.). Faith: Something you want to say Tess? (Tess looks up at Faith clearly afraid.). Tess: Well...I don’t want to tell tales but... Faith: But? (Holly glances at Tess. She too now looks afraid.). Tess: Holly hasn’t really been giving Mara anything to eat. (Several gasps are heard and several people shake their heads.). Evelyn: Holly. Holly: I...I’m sorry. I just thought that she was...That she needed to... Evelyn: To what? Starve to death? I am surprised at you Holly. I thought you were better than this. I am so disappointed in you girls. (Evelyn sounds upset. She sees herself as a motherly figure to the younger girls never having been able to have children of her own.). Joseph: As am I. (Mara stirs and opens her eyes.). Evelyn: Mara? Can you hear me? Mara: What...Happened? Where am I? Evelyn: You’re on the floor of the canteen dear. You collapsed. (Mara looks confused.). Mara: What? Evelyn: You collapsed. Holly has admitted what she did. (Mara frowns.). Mara: What? Evelyn: Steve can you help me get her onto a chair? (Steve steps forward and lifts Mara to her feet. She sways slightly and he helps her onto a chair. Mara sinks onto it and holds her head. Evelyn hands her the glass of water.). Evelyn: You should see the doctor. Mara: I’m fine. Evelyn: Fine? Oh yes collapsing all over the place is normal isn’t it? Mara: It is for me actually. Evelyn: Poppycock. (Holly brings over a bowl of soup. She puts it on the table.). Holly: I’m sorry. Mara: For what? (Mara looks at the bowl of soup and almost throws up. She pushes it away and stands up.). Mara: I just need to lie down. (She walks to the door. Evelyn follows her. Faith looks worried and follows Evelyn as she leaves the canteen. Holly looks at Joseph then at the floor.). Joseph: Mara is one of us now. She is family. She will be treated as such. Holly: Yes Father. Joseph: I expect your behaviour to improve Holly. If it does not I might see how wrong I was when I told you that you could be saved. (Holly looks scared. The room is silent. Nobody moves. Nobody speaks. Joseph turns and walks out of the canteen. Holly returns to the counter and glares at Tess before serving people with food.).

[chobit92]

Home: Jacob Seed/OC Chapter 31

Warnings: Violence, Sex 

(Three Days Later: Wednesday: Faith is sitting on the steps up at Joseph’s statue. She is clutching her radio in her hand. Lexi walks over to her.). Lexi: Still haven’t heard anything? Faith: No. She’s dead isn’t she? I know it. Lexi: You don’t know it. You can’t know it. Faith: But she’s been missing for five days! Lexi: Maybe she isn’t even missing. Faith: Then why hasn’t she contacted me? Lexi: Maybe she just needed time alone to think. Faith: You’re just saying that to make me feel better. But it doesn’t. Because I know that’s not what’s happened. Lexi: Just think positive. Faith: I’m trying. 

(---Jacob walks through the trees following Terry who has a Judge on a leash. The Judge is sniffing the ground and looking around. Barry walks over smoking a cigarette.). Barry: How long has she been missing now? Terry: I’m not sure. John said he hasn’t seen her since her atonement. He said she was going back to her trailer to get her stuff then meet up with Faith. Faith went to her trailer five days ago and found it burned down. Barry: Hm. You only want to find her so that you can be her knight in shining armour. (The other guys laugh.). Terry: No. Barry: Yes. Terry: No. Barry: She’d never be interested in you anyway. You could always ask Jacob if he could ‘condition’ her to fall in love with you. (Barry laughs hard. Terry sighs and shakes his head.). Embry: Can you do that? Make someone fall in love with you? Barry: Why? You got your eye on someone an all? (Barry laughs again.). Embry: No. I just wondered. Barry: You wonder about a lot kid. (Embry shrugs. They walk for a few more minutes. Suddenly the Judge goes mad and pulls Terry forward.). Barry: Oh hello what’s he after? (They let the Judge lead them through the trees until they come to an embankment. Terry looks down at the bottom and sees Mara lying face down in the dirt.). Terry: It’s Mara! Barry take him. (Barry takes the Judge’s leash and Terry clambers down the bank. Jacob follows him. They reach Mara and turn her over. Her head is bleeding, blood covers the side of her face. She also has a split lip and a black eye. Terry then sees that her leg is bleeding. The blood soaking her leggings.). Terry: She’s been shot. (Jacob lifts her up and she stirs slightly, her eyes slowly opening. He looks down at her as she blinks up at him.). Mara: Handsome. (Her voice is croaky and weak. Her eyes close again. Jacob carries her up the embankment and the others follow him back to the truck. 

---Mara wakes up. She lets out a groan. Everything hurts. She blinks several times and sees Terry sitting in a chair against the wall. She is thirsty, her mouth is so dry and she is hungry.). Terry: Well look who’s still in the land of the living. How you feeling? Mara: Um. Terry: Yeah that’s about the size of it eh? You hit your head on something. Mara: A rock. I fell. Terry: Fell? Clumsy aren’t yah? (She manages a smile.). Mara: Yeah. Wait...What day is it? Terry: Wednesday. You’ve been missing for a week. What happened? Mara: I need to go meet my sister. I was going to meet her. She must be worried. Is she worried? (She goes to get up but groans and nearly falls to the floor. Terry grabs her and puts her back on the bed.). Terry: Hey. Hey. You need to rest. Faith is on her way here to see you with the Father. Mara: Um. Great. Terry: What happened? (Mara then sees Jacob sitting on the bed opposite her. He is staring at her intently. She then sees writing on the wall and notices there are shackles on the bed. She also sees a sound system on a table against the wall. Sunlight streams through the boards over the windows.). Mara: Where am I? Terry: Grand View Hotel. Mara: Some hotel this is. This blanket is filthy. Is there even room service? (Terry laughs.). Terry: I’d almost forgotten how funny you were. Mara: Um. I went to my trailer after John took me through the atonement. I was going to get my stuff then go meet my sister. (She starts coughing. Terry offers her some water from a canteen. She takes a few sips.). Mara: Thanks. Terry: So you were going to meet Faith? Mara: Yeah. I didn’t really have a plan. I did think about just staying in the trailer but...I dunno. I opened the door and there were several of those whitetail guys there. They said Eli wanted me dead. Hm. He wants me so dead but he has to send others to do it. Pussyhole. He always was a cowardly prick. (Terry laughs.). Terry: He wants revenge for his brother. Mara: How do you know about that? Terry: John taped your confession and broadcasted it to everyone. Then Faith told us the priest was Eli’s brother Kevin. Mara: Oh. Yeah. Terry: How did you get away from the Whitetails? Mara: Sheer dumb luck I think. I told ‘em I didn’t want any trouble. They said it was too late. I didn’t really feel like a fight. I was tired and fed up. So I ran. They started shooting at me. I think I hit one of them. Hid in a cabin for a bit. Fell asleep. Then I started heading towards the Henbane. Ran into more Whitetails, got shot, stumbled. Ran out of ammo. Tried to run. Managed to get away. Then I fell. Which is when I hit my head I think because I can’t remember anything else. Terry: Damn. (Mara moves her leg. It hurts. She suddenly wonders if she can walk.). Mara: How’s my leg? Didn’t need to have it cut off did I? (Terry laughs and shakes his head.). Terry: No. You were lucky. The bullet didn’t actually enter your leg. It just left a nasty gash. Mara: Thank goodness for the Whitetails shitty aim. (Terry laughs again. Suddenly Only You by The Platters can be heard down the hall. Terry sighs.). Terry: What’s he playing at? I told him to wait. Mara: He’s got that loud enough ain’t he? Terry: Ain’t he just? (Terry gets up and leaves.). Terry: Hey Baz! (Mara lies there staring at the ceiling. Jacob gets up and walks over to her. She looks up at him.). Mara: There he is. My hero. (She smiles.). Mara: Oh go on. Give us a smile handsome. (He frowns and shakes his head.). Jacob: You’re lucky you’re not dead. Mara: Depends how you look at it. (He raises his eyebrows.). Jacob: You wanna be dead? Mara: You offering to do me in? Jacob: No. Your sister has been worried. The Father wants you alive. He is glad you have decided to join us. Mara: Bet him and my sister are the only ones. Jacob: Terry is pleased too. Mara: Coz he fancies me? Right. Jacob: He’s an idiot. Mara: Gee thanks. You really know how to shatter a girls confidence. Why is he an idiot if he fancies me? Coz I’m not pretty? Coz I’m not smart? Coz I’m homeless? Or is it coz you fancy me really and are a tiny bit jealous but you’re ashamed to admit it? (He chuckles.). Jacob: I never said I fancied you. I don’t know where you got that from. Mara: Well you didn’t seem to be completely turned off when you were fucking me. (He is silent for a moment.). Jacob: We’ve already had this conversation. It was a drunk fuck that’s it. (Tears sting her eyes.). Mara: Wow. You’re really good at shattering a girls confidence. (He frowns.). Jacob: I notice you left that out of your confession to John. Mara: Oh yeah...I was really gonna tell him that I slept with his brother after he got drunk coz I stupidly thought... Jacob: Thought what? Mara: Nothing. (She closes her eyes. Jacob hears footsteps then Faith and Joseph enter the room. Faith rushes to her sisters side.). Faith: Sis! (Mara opens her eyes again. She smiles.). Mara: Hey you. Faith: I’m so glad your okay. Mara: Depends how you define okay. Joseph: Faith has been very worried. I assured her that you would be found. Mara: God tell you that? Faith: Sis. Mara: What? I was only bleeding asking. I don’t know do I? Faith: Her mouths working so she must be fine. (Terry laughs from the doorway.). Terry: She’s tougher than she looks. Mara: Hm. Don’t know about that. Faith: How are you feeling? What happened? (Mara tells her the same thing she told Terry and Jacob. Faith sits stunned.). Faith: Eli wants you dead. He won’t stop looking. Mara: He ain’t even looking. He’s sending all these idiots out after me. Bloody coward. (Mara closes her eyes again.). Faith: Sis? Mara: Huh? Faith: Are you alright? No of course you’re not you’ve been shot and you’ve hit your head. Mara: I’m fine. Faith: I’m so proud of you. (She leans over and hugs Mara.). Mara: Eh? What you on about? Faith: You did it. You atoned for your sins and now we are together properly. I’m so happy. Mara: Hm. That’s good then. Faith: So other than all of that you are okay? Mara: Yeah. Just tired. Joseph: We will let you rest. But first I would like to welcome you to our family. (Joseph leans over the bed and presses his forehead to Mara’s. She turns her head away.). Mara: Can’t we just shake hands or hug instead? Faith: Sis. Mara: Sorry I just... Joseph: My apologies. I will leave you to rest. Faith will be back tomorrow to see how you are. I hope you can make it to my sermon on Sunday. We are going to John’s for dinner afterwards. Mara: Sounds nice. Faith: I’m going to go and get you something to eat. (Joseph pulls Jacob towards him and Mara watches as the brothers share a tender moment. She sees the way Jacob looks at Joseph. She finds herself wishing he would look at her like that. Then she scolds herself. Stupid. You don’t even know the guy. How can she care so much? Joseph then whispers to Jacob and Jacob nods. Joseph then leaves. Faith gets up and smiles at Jacob before leaving. Mara then hears The Platters again from somewhere down the hall. Mara closes her eyes and finds herself imagining going on a date with Jacob. Having dinner, him holding her hand across the table. Then finding somewhere high up in the mountains where the view is amazing and drinking under the stars. Then kissing and keeping each other warm. Him giving her his army jacket when she gets too cold. Her chest feels tight as she realises that she wants that. She wants to have another drink with him, just the two of them, and get to know him. Really get to know him.). Jacob: You still awake? Mara: Um. Like you could sleep on this thing. What’s with the shackles you into bondage? (He chuckles.). Jacob: Would you like that? Mara: Not really. I don’t get all that. Tied up like a prisoner and tortured with whips. Hardly romantic is it? (She sighs. Then she tries to get up again.). Jacob: Maybe you should just rest. Mara: I need the loo. I guess I could just wet the bed. Judging by the state of this mattress no one would notice. (He chuckles.). Jacob: Do you often complain so much? Mara: I’m not complaining. I’m just saying. (She sways slightly as she slowly puts her feet on the floor. She winces as she tries to get up. Fuck does her leg hurt. She suddenly realises she isn’t wearing any trousers and her leg has a bandage wrapped around it. She moves the grubby blanket.). Mara: Where are my trousers? (Jacob hands them to her. She snatches them.). Mara: Bunch of pervs. (He chuckles.). Jacob: Hardly. Had to patch up your wound somehow. Couldn’t do it through your leggings. (She struggles into the leggings then stands up. She loses her balance though and stumbles forward. Jacob catches her. She looks up at him.). Jacob: Clumsy aren’t yah? (She smiles as she clings to his jacket.). Mara: I just wanted to be in your arms again. You know you could carry me to the bathroom. Like a real gent. (He stares down at her.). Jacob: Or I could just watch you struggle. Mara: Charming. Thanks for all your help. (She buries her head in his barrel of a chest and stays clinging to his jacket. He takes his hands off of her.). Jacob: You gonna let go of me? Mara: No. Jacob: Why? Mara: Don’t want to. Your warm and you smell nice. This is nice. (He steps back. She sighs then limps to the door. Faith comes back with a tray.). Faith: Hey where are you going? Mara: To the toilet. (Mara leaves the room. Faith puts the tray on the bed. Just then they hear a shout. Faith frowns and leaves the room. Jacob follows her.). Terry: Shit! Barry grab him! (A man runs across the landing heading for Mara.). Man: Cull the weak! Faith: Sis watch out! (The man reaches Mara and grabs her.). Mara: What the fuck?! Get off of me you psycho! (Mara punches him then shoves him against the banister. The man lets out a yell as he goes flying over the banister and they hear a crash down below. Mara winces and rubs her neck then leans against the wall. Terry, Barry and Faith reach her. Jacob slowly walks over to them.). Faith: Sis are you alright?! Mara: No I’m not fucking alright! I’m getting fed up of people fucking attacking me! I’ll tell yah what the next cunt that fucking touches me I’m gonna rip his dick off! (Terry laughs. Mara then turns and limps down the hallway.). Terry: Where are you going? Mara: To take a fucking piss! Barry: Whoa. Your sister sure gets angry. Faith: Yes she does. She’s always had a temper. Terry: We best go move that body from the bottom of the stairwell Baz. Barry: Yeah. I can’t believe she just did that. She just threw him the fuck over! (Barry walks off chuckling. Jacob levels Terry with a cold glare.). Jacob: What was the prisoner doing out of restraints? Terry: I’m sorry sir. It won’t happen again. Jacob: It shouldn’t have happened at all. Terry: Of course sir. Sorry. (Terry quickly walks off.). Faith: I’m gonna go see if my sister is alright. (Faith walks off. Jacob sighs then looks over the banister. He can see the Whitetail militia members crumpled body several floors below. He chuckles to himself as he sees Mara in his mind just shoving the man over. He has to admit he has never met anyone like her. He goes back to the bedroom and fiddles with the sound system. Terry told him earlier that it wasn’t working. His thoughts soon drift back to Mara though. The way she calls him handsome all the time. He wonders if she means it. He wonders how she could mean it. He knows what he looks like. He finds himself thinking about that night again. He hasn’t kissed a woman in many many years. He hasn’t been touched in many many years, not by anyone other than his brothers. He tries to tell himself that he didn’t like it. That he isn’t bothered. But he fails...Because he did. He scolds himself for having such thoughts. For being so weak. He goes back to fiddling with the sound system. Faith and Mara come back. Mara is leaning against Faith and Faith helps her to the bed. Mara sits down and sits up against the rusty headboard. Faith puts the pillow behind her. Then she puts the tray of food on her lap. Mara frowns down at it.). Mara: What’s this? Faith: Muesli. Mara: Looks like something that’s been swept out of a pigeon loft. (Mara puts some on the spoon and takes a mouthful. She coughs slightly then pulls a funny face.). Mara: Tastes like something that’s been swept out of a pigeon loft. (Jacob finds himself chuckling. Barry suddenly walks in with a member of the Whitetail militia. The man is unconscious. Barry lies him on the bed opposite Mara and straps his arms and legs to it with the shackles. Mara fights the urge not to say anything. This is the man that she is developing a crush on? A man that keeps people chained to beds and in cages? She wonders what happened to these brothers to make them to turn out so angry and wrong. But then she wonders whether or not they are wrong. Maybe it’s everyone else that is.). Mara: A question that often drives me hazy. Am I or the others crazy? Barry: What? (Jacob frowns.). Mara: Nothing. (Mara supposes she can’t really say anything. She’s never really liked people anyway. The world is crazy these days. It’s all full of shit too. Maybe it is about time it ended.). Jacob: Why are you putting him in here? Barry: The other rooms are full and Embry hasn’t gotten around to cleaning the others up yet. Jacob: Cleaning? What’s the matter with him? Barry: He’s just a confused kid. Not sure why you recruited him sir. Jacob: Hm. Mara: I like Embry. I’ll have him if you don’t want him. Bet he’s a sweetie. Barry: Ah. I’ll tell him he’s got a little admirer. Might perk him up a bit. Mara: I didn’t mean like that you saucy git. (Barry chuckles.). Barry: Terry will be disappointed. (Mara sighs and rolls her eyes.). Mara: Tell Terry not to waste his time. (Barry chuckles.). Barry: Speakers not working? Jacob: No. Short in the wiring. Barry: Hm. Need some help? Jacob: No. (Barry leaves. Faith sits there looking at Mara.). Faith: You need to eat sis. Mara: I’m trying. (Mara grimaces as she eats more of the muesli. Faith giggles watching her.). Faith: You are funny sis. Mara: Am I? (Mara sighs.). Mara: I bet I look like shit eh? Faith: You could never look like shit sis. You always were the sexy one. Mara: Sexy? There’s a word I’ve never heard you use before. Faith: Well you are. Mara: No. I’ve always looked awful. The boys always used to like you. Faith: I think maybe you just gave off this vibe of ‘don’t even think about it’. (Mara laughs then coughs and splutters. Faith gets her some water which she gulps down.). Faith: You should take it easy. Mara: Nothing worth doing is ever easy. Faith: True. Mara: Do you ever think about...How things could have been different for us? Faith: What do you mean? Mara: I mean like if we were born to parents who loved us and cared for us and we went to school and had friends and nice family dinners and...Went to college and dated guys and had sleepovers with mates and gossiped about what a dickhead the guy was. (Faith laughs.). Faith: I don’t know. I’ve never really thought about all that. Mara: No? Hm. Well instead of all that normal shit we get all of this mess don’t we? Faith: What mess? Mara: Well the parents that completely messed us up before we’d even left kindergarten, psychiatric prisons, drugs, people trying to kill us, religious cults and the end of the world. (Faith stares at her sister. Then she starts laughing.). Faith: What are you on about? Have you been drinking? Mara: No. Where would I have gotten a drink from? I could do with one actually. Faith: Oh you are terrible. Anyway this isn’t a religious cult. Mara: What is it then? (Faith opens her mouth then closes it again.). Mara: Ahhh see. Faith: No. I don’t see. It’s not a religious cult. Joseph is just trying to save people. Mara: I understand that but that could still be construed as a cult sis. Not that I mind I don’t give a shit. (Faith laughs again and shakes her head.). Mara: As long as Joseph doesn’t turn out to be like Benjamin Cyrus. (Faith frowns.). Faith: I don’t think I’ve heard of Benjamin Cyrus. Mara: He was a cult leader from an episode of Criminal Minds. Faith: So he isn’t even a real person? Mara: No. (Faith laughs.). Mara: What? Well he was a head case. The things he was doing too. Good grief. I just like the bit at the end where he goes ‘God could have stopped me’ and the FBI agent walks in at that precise moment and puts a bullet in his head then says ‘He just did’. It is funny. (Faith laughs.). Faith: When did you watch that? Mara: Me and Franky used to stay at her friend’s apartment. He liked the show. Had the whole box set. Faith: So this Cyrus was the leader of a cult? What was he doing? Mara: Well he married a fourteen year old girl and said she had to bear him children. For me that is way too young. He also had sex with other fourteen year old girls and then he gave his whole church poison to drink, even the little kids, and said that they will be together or some shit then he planted bombs and blew everything up. (Faith laughs.). Faith: The things you watch. Joseph isn’t like that at all. Mara: No I have to admit he doesn’t strike me as the type of man that would fiddle with young girls. Faith: Definitely not. This is different anyway. It isn’t a cult. A lot of people call it that but- Mara: Well it is technically. I mean the word cult means a system of religious veneration and devotion directed towards a particular figure or object. It also describes something that is popular among a particular group of people. Faith: It’s like you swallowed a dictionary. (Mara laughs.). Mara: You know it makes sense sis. Faith: Well I suppose when you word it like that it does. Mara: Right then. Glad we’ve settled that debate. (Faith laughs.). Faith: I have forgotten how strong minded you are. Mara: Stubborn sis. Like you. Faith: I suppose. So...Are you happy? Mara: Happy? No. Faith: But we’re back together and you have atoned. You have joined us and- Mara: And what? I mean what do I do now? Just forget everything and what? Sit and knit? Faith: Knit? (Faith giggles.). Faith: I suppose you could knit if you wanted to. Mara: I don’t know how to knit. (They both burst out laughing.). Faith: Oh I love you sis. Mara: Love you too. But I really can’t eat anymore of this rubbish. Faith: Fine don’t eat it then. Don’t complain that you’re hungry. Mara: Hey I don’t complain...Much. (Faith laughs. Mara smiles. She has to admit that she is glad she is back with her sister. That they are free to see each other and just talk like this whenever they want. She is glad she is out of that basement and free to do what she wants. But she still isn’t happy. She wants a normal life with a proper home and someone that loves her. God she wants that. But nobody’s going to want her.). Faith: Sis are you okay? Mara: Yeah. Great. (Mara sighs.). Mara: I’m gonna try and get some sleep. Faith: Okay. (Faith picks up the tray and carries it out of the room. Mara closes her eyes. She hears movement then a shuffling sound. Then she hears the sound of something metal falling to the floor. She opens her eyes and sees Jacob bending down to pick something up. She had forgotten he was there. She watches as he lets out a grunt and reaches under the table. His ass is now up in the air and she stares. Damn he has a nice ass. She mentally damns Jacob for even existing, for making her feel these things. Jacob goes to get up and bangs his head on the table. He sighs. She can’t help but laugh. He turns to look at her. She smiles at him.). Mara: Are you okay? Jacob: Yeah. Glad you find it amusing. Mara: Sorry. I thought I was the clumsy one. Though the view was nice. (He frowns.). Jacob: What? (He looks slightly confused.). Mara: You have a great ass. I wouldn’t mind seeing more of it. (He stares at her. He looks like he doesn’t know what to say.). Mara: Need any help? (She slowly gets up and hobbles over to him. She looks at the speaker.). Mara: Why ain’t it working? Jacob: There’s a short in the wiring. (He watches as she fiddles around with the wires.). Jacob: You haven’t got a clue what you’re doing do yah? (Damn even his voice does something to her.). Mara: Not really. Jacob: You should be resting. You need to get your strength back. Mara: Hm. I remember when I said the same to you. I bet you didn’t rest did you? Mr stubborn. Jacob: Don’t have time. Mara: You must get free time. Jacob: Always busy doing shit. Mara: Maybe that’s why you seem so miserable. You need to do something for yourself. There must be something you like doing that doesn’t involve your brothers or this place or that derelict damn veterans center. Jacob: Hm. I like nature. Mara: Nature? Jacob: It’s one of the reasons I chose the mountains. Mara: Yeah I’ve always loved it up here. I used to find like the highest points and just sit there for ages looking down at the valley. I’d sometimes make a fire and sit up there all night. Jacob: Um. You like camping? Mara: Yeah. I mean I don’t really mind TV or technology but sometimes I like to just get away from it all and go back to how it used to be. Just nature and animals and nothing. Jacob: Hm. Our ancestors would be ashamed if they could see us now. Mara: Well they’d probably not believe how much people complain these days. You’d get ‘Oh well in my day there was no central heating’. ‘In my day you didn’t need to worry about what you were going to have for dinner you’d worry about whether there was going to be any dinner’. ‘In my day you had sabre tooth tigers and woolly mammoths and you should have seen the size of them you wouldn’t believe it’. (Jacob is just looking at her with raised eyebrows. She laughs.). Mara: What? (He just lets out a chuckle.). Mara: You know you should laugh more. Jacob: Should I? Mara: Yeah laughter is good for you. And you look even more handsome when you smile. Jacob: Do I? Mara: Yeah. Why do I get the feeling you don’t believe me? Jacob: Because I don’t. Mara: Well you are. Jacob: Um. You’re just saying that. Mara: Why would I do that? Jacob... (She sighs.). Mara: The first time I saw you in John’s kitchen...I thought wow. Your eyes, that hair...I was attracted to you the first moment I saw you. When you...Stayed...And got into bed with me...I couldn’t believe my luck. (She stares into space for a moment.). Mara: I’m gonna lie down. I feel quite dizzy. (She turns and hobbles back to the bed. She lies down and closes her eyes. Jacob stands there staring down at the wires spilling out of the speaker but not really seeing them. His mind is reeling. A woman has never been attracted to him. Ever. All he’s ever really had is pity fucks. Nobody has ever wanted him. Not his parents and not the army, they just threw him away. He sighs. It doesn’t matter anyway. He knows his purpose. He turns and looks at Mara. She is lying with her back to him. He goes back to fiddling with the speaker. 

---Later: Jacob is loading up his large red truck. He puts his Judge on the backseat. The Judge just sits there looking at him. Terry then walks over.). Terry: I’ll bring the rest of the supplies over tomorrow. Jacob: Good. Is Faith still here? Terry: Nah she went back to her bunker I think. Something about the Angels. (Terry shrugs. Jacob grunts. Terry suddenly frowns.). Terry: She should be resting. (Jacob turns and sees Mara limping towards them with her holdall slung over her shoulder. She reaches the truck and opens the passenger door. She puts her holdall on the floor and gets in the passenger seat. Jacob leans into the truck.). Jacob: What are you doing? Mara: Give me a lift handsome. (She smiles at him.). Mara: I’ll make it worth your while. (Terry lets out a small cough. Jacob stares at her then raises his eyebrows.). Jacob: Oh really? Mara: If you like. (There is a low growl from the backseat and Mara turns to see the wolf snarling at her.). Mara: Oh hey Judge. Ah don’t be like that it’s only me. (The wolf continues to snarl at her. Jacob clicks his fingers and the wolf turns to look at him.). Terry: I’ll er...See you later then sir. Jacob: Yeah. (Jacob gets in the truck. He sees the look on Terry’s face and has to chuckle to himself. He looks a bit put out about Mara leaving.). Mara: What’s so funny? Jacob: Nothing. (Jacob starts the engine and pulls out of the hotels car park. Mara looks out of the window as they drive away.). Mara: Best be careful we don’t get ambushed by Whitetails. Every time I’m with you there’s drama. Jacob: No drama with me. Mara: There is. Jacob: No. That’s the Whitetails. Ain’t me. Mara: It is you. Did you fix that speaker? Jacob: Yeah. Mara: You good at fixing things then? Jacob: I’m alright. Ain’t an expert. Mara: Better than me. I used to want to be a mechanic. I could have had my own garage. Angels Autos or something cheesy like that. Jacob: Why? Mara: I don’t know. I just liked the idea of being able to fix cars. Which is kind of daft coz I don’t even know how to drive one. (She lets out a small laugh.). Jacob: You don’t know how to drive? (He sounds surprised.). Mara: No. Lessons cost money. Ain’t never had none of that. Jacob: Hm. Know that feeling. Mara: What feeling being skint all the time and wondering where you’re going to sleep next? Jacob: Yeah. Mara: It’s crap. Jacob: Yeah. (There is silence for a while. Mara finds herself looking at Jacob. He only has one hand on the steering wheel, his other hand is resting in his lap. She sits there imagining herself reaching over and taking hold of his hand. She wonders about just doing it. Then she wonders why she’s still flirting with him at all. It’s obvious to her that she’s wasting her time. He’s made it clear he isn’t interested. She turns and leans against the window as tears sting her eyes. She closes her eyes and tries to make the tears stop. She will not cry in front of him, she will not cry because of him, she will not cry at all.). Jacob: Where am I dropping you off? Mara: I don’t know. Trailers gone so... (She shrugs.). Jacob: I could drop you off at Joseph’s compound, they’ll have somewhere you can stay. Or your sisters bunker? Mara: A load of strangers or a bunker filled with drugs that make you ill. I’d rather sleep in the woods. (He raises his eyebrows.). Jacob: Well...Where do you want me to drop you off then? Mara: I dunno. Wherever I guess. Doesn’t really matter. (There is silence for a moment.). Mara: Can I just come back with you? (He is silent. She thinks she’s gone too far now. He won’t want her staying with him. Then she remembers that he keeps people in cages. Does things to them. Wheaty said that he brainwashes people to kill for him. She wonders if he’ll do that to her. Then she realises that he doesn’t really need to, she’s already killed for him.). Jacob: You want to come back to the veterans center? Mara: Why not? Ah yeah that’s right according to Wheaty I should stay away from big scary Jacob and his mansion of horrors. Jacob: Hm. You should. Mara: Always been a dumb bitch. Look just say so if you don’t want me to come back with you. Don’t have to worry about hurting my feelings or anything. (Shit. She has no idea why she said that. This guy is making her go mad.). Jacob: I wasn’t worried about hurting your feelings. I couldn’t give a shit how you feel. Mara: Why does that not surprise me. You don’t seem to care much about anything. Maybe your depressed. (He doesn’t answer but he does shoot her a cold glare. She glares back.). Mara: Oh is that Jacob’s scary face? Hm. (She giggles.). Mara: Sorry. It just makes you look sexy when you glare like that. (He chuckles and shakes his head.). Mara: Your blushing. Jacob: No I’m not. Mara: Yes you are. (She giggles.). Mara: You should believe me you know? Jacob: About what? Mara: That you’re a very handsome man. (He looks sceptical.). Mara: Seriously. A guy like you could have any woman he wanted. Jacob: Now you’re just being ridiculous and talking absolute shit. Mara: Who was it that stole your confidence? I would have thought a guy like you would be filled with confidence. Did a woman hurt you? (He sighs.). Jacob: Please stop talking. (She leans against the window again and looks out at the passing trees. It doesn’t take them long to reach the veterans center. Mara looks up as they drive past the sign. She then stares as the large building looms into view through the trees. It looks...Well like a derelict building would look. It looks dead and dreary and full of impending doom. Jacob drives through the large open gate and parks his truck. Mara sees dozens of cages and a few of them have people in them. Oh God. She schools her face to remain blank and uncaring as she gets out of the truck. She grabs her holdall and slings it over her shoulder. Jacob gets the Judge out of the truck and walks towards the front steps of the building. Two men look up as he approaches with Mara slowly following behind. Jacob hands the Judge’s leash to one of the men.). Jacob: Take him back to his kennel. Man: Yes sir. (The man walks off with the Judge. Jacob then goes inside. Mara follows him. The inside is worse than the outside. The paint on the walls is peeling and the floor is covered in stains. The ceiling is damp and there is mould growing in some places. Some of the rooms have no doors and in one hallway the radiator isn’t even attached to the wall. She can’t believe he lives here. It’s kinda sad. He starts walking up the stairs and she follows him. He then walks up another flight of stairs and walks down the hallway before opening a set of double doors. She follows him inside and looks around. There are several filing cabinets in front of the doors with TV screens and files all over them. Opposite that is a set of double doors that open onto a balcony. In the corner is another filing cabinet along with a table with another screen on it. On the wall is a target with several throwing knives embedded in it. On another wall is the large black logo of Edens Gate. There is a small bed with a filthy blanket and a rusted frame along with a small table and a metal lamp. Another table has rolled up maps on it along with an ashtray and some empty bottles of whiskey. Three pairs of boots sit under the table along with several large books. For some reason she expected Jacobs living space to be much neater and tidier what with him having been in the army. But the bed isn’t even made. She can’t believe he sleeps here.). Mara: So...You live here? Jacob: Most of the time yeah. Mara: That sucks. (He shrugs.). Jacob: Doesn’t bother me. (She puts her holdall on the floor and sits down in a chair.). Jacob: Why are you here? Mara: I don’t know. Nowhere else to go. Besides you’re the one that brought me here. Jacob: I told you, you could have gone to Joseph’s compound with the others. Mara: I doubt I’ll fit in there. Jacob: Hm. Mara: If you want me to go just say so. Do you want me to go? Jacob: No. (He stands there for a moment then sits down on the bed so that she has to turn to look at him.). Jacob: I was under the impression that you were gonna make it worth my while. (She stares at him for a moment then she lets out a small laugh and shakes her head.). Mara: Ah I see now. That’s the only reason you bought me back here. Of course. It wouldn’t be coz you liked my company or anything no. (She sits there for a moment arguing with herself. She should just leave. She should tell this dickhead to fuck right off. He wants to use her for sex again. If she lets him then she is a fucking idiot. But she wants him. She isn’t sure she is really up to it right now though. She still feels like shit. Then she has an idea. As soon as she has it she hates herself and feels stupid again. But she can’t seem to help it. She wants him. She wants to please him and...She’s never done this before and she is curious. She stands up and smiles at him.). Mara: Come here then handsome. (He looks at her for a moment before frowning and getting up. He walks over to her. She reaches out and runs her fingers over his belt before sliding her hands up over his biceps. She then grabs his jacket and pushes it off of his shoulders. He shrugs out of it and it drops to the floor. She then lifts his shirt up running her fingers up underneath it.). Mara: Off. Jacob: No. Mara: What? (She lifts his t-shirt but he pushes it back down. She frowns.). Mara: What’s the problem? It’s nothing I haven’t seen before. Is big scary Jacob shy? Jacob: No. Mara: Then what’s the problem? If you’re worried about how you look don’t be. Besides it’s a little late to be shy isn’t it? I saw you half naked when you were injured then I saw...All of you. Which was rather nice by the way. (He raises his eyebrows.). Jacob: Really? Mara: Yes. How many times do I have to tell you? I think you are gorgeous. (He stares at her. Then he chuckles.). Mara: You think that’s funny? It wasn’t a joke. (He notices that her cheeks have turned pink. Damn she looks cute when she’s embarrassed. He takes his shirt off and watches as she stares at his bare chest. But she doesn’t look at him like those other women did...With disgust, shock or pity. She is looking at him with lust and desire. She reaches out and runs her hands over his abdomen then his chest. Then she starts placing kisses on his chest. She then undoes his belt and jeans.). Mara: Sit down. (He sits down and watches her as she sinks to her knees and pulls him out of his boxers. She stares at his cock for a moment then she slowly slides her mouth over him. She sucks and licks at him while squeezing him with her hand. Her other hand slides over his chest, her fingers raking through the hair he has there. He lets out a groan as she slides her hand up and down his cock while sucking and licking at it. He runs his fingers through her hair. A minute later the door opens and a young man enters the room.). Man: Jacob sir- (The man stops dead when he sees what is happening. His mouth drops open. Mara doesn’t stop sucking him off though. Her nails dig into his chest and he groans then glares at the man.). Jacob: You ever heard of fucking knocking? Man: Y-Yes sir. Of course sir. S-sorry sir. (The young man hurriedly leaves the room closing the door behind him. Jacob tilts his head back and closes his eyes as she continues to suck and lick at him. Minutes later she tastes him in her mouth as he comes with a groan. She swallows and licks at him before pulling away from him and wiping her mouth. His chest is heaving and he is breathless.). Mara: Was...That okay? (He stares at her. She sounds so worried.). Jacob: Was it not obvious? (She shrugs. He tucks himself back inside his boxers then does his jeans and belt back up. She steps towards him then straddles him. The chair creaks under their combined weight.). Jacob: What are you doing? Mara: I’ve been wondering what it would be like to sit in your lap. Jacob: You have? Mara: Um. (She kisses him and runs her hands over his chest. He doesn’t kiss her back. He pushes her away and stands up.). Jacob: I have things to do. Mara: Okay. (She leans against the desk. He notices how tired she looks. How weak.). Mara: Well my body is screaming at me to get some rest so...Can I stay here or do you want me to go somewhere else? Jacob: There’s a spare room just down the hall. Mara: Thanks. (She picks up her holdall and limps to the door. He opens it and points to a door slightly further down the hall.). Mara: I’ll see you later then. Jacob: Guess you will. (She doesn’t really know what she was expecting. A kiss? A hug? She knows he isn’t that kind of man. That much is obvious. He seems cold and detached. She smiles at him and turns going into the room he indicated. She looks around. The bed is dirty and the floor is bare and could do with sweeping. The windows are boarded up like all the others. There is writing on the wall. She puts her holdall on the floor and lies down on the bed. She closes her eyes her head is swimming. It’s clear Jacob isn’t interested in her. He just wanted her to get him off. She realises that this is now the second time she has let him use her. She sighs.). Mara: What an idiot. (She liked it though. She liked the sounds he made when she was pleasuring him. She thought she was going to die of embarrassment when that man walked in. She hopes he doesn’t tell anyone what he saw. Oh that would be all she needed. For everyone to know that she dropped her knickers to some crazy ex soldier that likes treating people like animals. She sighs again and lies there thinking about Jacob...His hair...His eyes...His lips...It doesn’t take her long to fall asleep.).

[chobit92]

Home: Jacob Seed/OC Chapter 32

Warnings: Sex, Violence, Swearing

(Four Days Later: Sunday: Faith is arranging flowers into vases in Joseph’s church.). Lexi: Is your sister coming today? Faith: I don’t know. I went to the hotel a few days ago and Terry told me that she had gone to the veterans center with Jacob. Lexi: Oh. Faith: Then this morning when I stopped by Jacob said she was gone. Lexi: Gone? Where? Faith: He didn’t know. He said that she left. Lexi: Hm. Faith: Why would she leave? Lexi: Well Jacob isn’t the most hospitable Faith. I’m sure she’s still around. Faith: I know. Lexi: You doubt her? Faith: No. She’s my sister. But she can be... Lexi: Stubborn and strong willed? Like you? Faith: I suppose. Lexi: Look. I don’t know what your sister thinks of Edens Gate or The Collapse. I do know that she loves you. I bet she’ll be here. Faith: I don’t know. Lexi: You’ll see. 

(---Mara has just finished bathing herself in a small pond. She sighs as she wrings her hair out before tying it in a ponytail. She then dries herself as best she can with her small grubby towel which has holes in. She shoves it in her holdall then puts on a clean pair of black undies and a pair of leather look leggings that Franky gave her. She puts her thigh holster on and puts her revolver in it. Barry gave her some more bullets for it. She puts on a pair of socks before putting her black boots with the skull buckles on. She then puts on her baggy black top that hangs off of one shoulder. She takes out a small mirror and puts some black eye shadow on before adding some mascara and eye liner. She then zips up her holdall and slings it over her shoulder. She then starts walking. She thinks back to early this morning. All she wanted to do was to talk to Jacob. Get to know him better. After the other day he had hardly spoken to her. Then this morning he asked why she was still there. She said she had nowhere else to go and he told her to go to Joseph’s compound. She said she wanted to stay with him. He stared at her for ages before saying that she had no purpose. That she was useless to him. So she said ‘fine I’ll fuck off then shall I?’ before grabbing her stuff and leaving. She sighs as she walks out of the small crop of trees coming to the road. She walks along the side of the road heading out of the mountains towards Joseph’s compound. She is nervous. They aren’t going to want her. They are going to decide that they don’t want her after all. 

---Faith is standing next to John on Joseph’s left. Jacob is standing on his right. The church is filled with members of Edens Gate. Joseph is stood at the front. Faith keeps looking at the doors.). Lexi: She’ll be here Faith. Faith: But she isn’t. Lexi: She will be. (Joseph stands there for a few more minutes. The room is silent.). Faith: She isn’t coming. (Faith looks at the floor. Joseph seems to decide he isn’t waiting any longer and starts to speak.). Joseph: My children- (He is interrupted however by the door opening. Joseph stops speaking and everyone turns as Mara walks in. She is still limping slightly. Faith looks happy to see her.). Lexi: Told you she would be here. (Mara has no idea what to do. She feels so exposed. All eyes are on her as she makes her way to the front of the church. She has no idea what she is doing. She is going to just apologise for being late and sit down. Then she remembers that everyone seems to call Joseph Father. She finds that a little weird. She’s never had a father. She isn’t sure she even wants one. Let alone this guy that she’s only known for five minutes. She wonders if he’s angry that she’s late. He doesn’t look angry. She reaches him and Joseph steps towards her. He holds his arms out and places his hands on her upper arms moving closer to her. He then presses his forehead to hers.). Joseph: Welcome my child. Mara: Sorry I’m late...Father. (Joseph smiles before pressing a kiss to her forehead.). Joseph: You are forgiven. (He then gestures to the empty space next to Lexi. Mara walks over and sits down. Lexi smiles at her. Mara then looks up and sees Faith beaming at her. She then sees John grinning at her. She looks away from him making John frown. Joseph starts his sermon. Mara listens for a while but then she tunes it out. It’s all about coming together and preparing for the Collapse that will come. He talks about sin and about technology and about how people consume and consume. Mara finds herself looking at Jacob. His eyes seem to be slowly scanning the room. Her breath catches in her throat as his eyes linger on her. She smiles at him. He stares at her for a moment then looks away. She looks at the floor. Joseph seems to talk for ages. Then she hears her name.). Joseph: Our newest family member. I hope that you all make her feel welcome. (Mara just keeps staring at the floor. She has no idea what she is doing or what she’s meant to do. John said that everyone has their job. Jacob says she has no purpose. He isn’t wrong. There isn’t anything that she’s good at. Joseph finally finishes speaking. He then walks over to several people speaking to them before they leave. Others then start to leave each of them walking up to Joseph first. Mara just sits there. Joseph goes over to John. A minute later Joseph turns to Mara who is still sat there looking at the floor.). Faith: Sis are you alright? Mara: Yeah. (Mara looks up.). Joseph: Are you still coming to dinner? Mara: If I’m invited. Faith: Of course you are sis. Mara: Okay. (Mara gets up and slings her holdall back over her shoulder.). Faith: What did you think of the sermon? (Mara shrugs.). Mara: It was okay I guess. What have you been doing? Faith: Well I was gonna come and see you but Terry said you went with Jacob to the veterans center. Mara: Yeah I did. Faith: This morning he said you left. Mara: I did. Faith: Why? Mara: Coz he didn’t want me there. I don’t stay where I ain’t wanted sis. What would be the point in that? Faith: Oh. (Jacob is looking at Mara blankly. She can never tell what he is thinking. His expression is constantly cold and detached like he really couldn’t care less about anything. Mara thinks that the whole place could catch fire and Jacob would just stand there staring indifferently. Joseph has now put on a white shirt and a black vest. He then walks out of the church. Faith, Jacob, John and Mara follow him. They walk over to a large white truck. Jacob gets in the driver’s seat.). John: Shotgun. (Jacob smirks and shakes his head. John gets in the passenger seat. Faith gets in the back. Joseph gets in next to her. Mara then gets in so that Joseph is sitting between her and her sister. She feels a little uncomfortable. Jacob starts the engine and drives out of the compound. Mara looks out of the window. John fiddles with the radio and ‘Keep Your Rifle by Your Side’ comes on. John then starts humming. Faith looks at Mara.). Faith: You okay sis? Mara: Yeah. You ask me that every five minutes. Faith: You seem quiet and distant. I’m just checking. Mara: I’m fine. (Mara can feel Joseph’s leg pressed against hers. She goes back to looking out the window. She must have fallen asleep because the next thing she knows is Faith is shaking her awake.). Faith: Hey sis. Mara: Um? (Mara blinks several times. She sees they are now parked outside John’s ranch.). Faith: You fell asleep silly. (Faith giggles.). Mara: Yeah. Faith: Come on. (Mara gets out of the car and slings her holdall over her shoulder.). Faith: You can’t be tired surely. We’re not even halfway through the day. (Mara doesn’t say anything.). Faith: You do look exhausted. When was the last time you slept? Mara: Can’t remember. (Faith sighs.). Faith: You need to start taking better care of yourself. Look at you you’re wasting away. (Mara shrugs.). Mara: I’m fine. Faith: Hm. (They go inside and Mara sits down. John hangs his trench coat on a hook by the door. He then smiles at Mara but she isn’t looking at him.). John: Would you like a coffee? (Mara acts as thought he hasn’t even spoken.). Mara: Did you want me to help with the dinner sis? Faith: Um yes. You are quite good at chopping vegetables. Mara: That’s about all I’m good at. (Faith giggles. Mara gets up and follows Faith to the kitchen. John stands there frowning.). John: Hm. Jacob: What? John: She ignored me. Jacob: What? John: Mara. I just asked her if she wanted coffee and she completely ignored me. Jacob: So? Maybe she didn’t realise you were asking her. John: No that’s not it. There’s something wrong. Jacob: Like what? John: In the church I smiled at her and she turned away. (Jacob chuckles.). Jacob: You take everything so personally. John: No. I’m just wondering why she seems to be acting strangely. Jacob: She isn’t acting strangely. It’s all in your head. John: It is not. (John disappears into the kitchen. Mara and Faith are making a start on the roast dinner. John walks over to Mara and leans against the counter next to her. She doesn’t look at him. He pokes her. She turns away from him and grabs a large cooking pot. She then takes a small knife out of the drawer and starts peeling vegetables. John grabs her arm.). John: Hey. Mara: What do you want? John: Why are you ignoring me? Mara: Am I? John: Yes you are. Have I done something wrong? (Mara lets out a laugh.). Mara: You have to ask? Wow you really do have serious issues John. You know I actually feel sorry for you. (Mara puts the knife down and walks out of the kitchen. John stands there looking confused. Faith looks confused too.). John: I don’t understand. Faith: Why is she annoyed with you? John: I don’t know. (John goes back to the lounge. Joseph is clearing clutter off of the dining table.). John: Where’s Mara? Jacob: She went outside. (John walks to the door and leaves the chalet. He looks around frowning. Akers is sitting on the low wall.). Akers: You okay John? John: Have you seen Mara? (Akers points to the tower next to the hangar. Mara is at the top of it looking out over the grounds. John walks over and climbs the ladder to the top of the structure. He walks over and leans against the railing next to Mara. She is smoking a cigarette.). John: What have I done to upset you? (She doesn’t answer. He sighs.). John: Tell me. I don’t understand. (She sighs. She supposes she can’t really be mad at him. She told him to carve it into her skin rather than tattoo it. She can’t be mad at him for enjoying causing her pain either as she has enjoyed causing pain to others too.). Mara: I just...Thought you were different. John: What do you mean? Mara: Like...At first I thought you were just another dickhead bloke that loved himself but then...I thought you were just misunderstood. That there was more to you than just this guy who thinks he’s God’s gift. I thought I’d met a guy who wasn’t a complete asshole. I’d met a guy that understood me because he had been through similar shit. But then...In your bunker you were...Acting like you hated me. I knew it. I did. I knew that as soon as everybody knew who I really was I’d go back to being that psycho bitch that nobody bothered with. I told you we wouldn’t be friends anymore. John: What are you talking about? Of course we’re still friends. You confessed your sins and you have atoned. You are cleansed and will join us in Eden. Mara: You actually believe all of that crap? That there’s a happy ending for all of us? You know there isn’t a happy ending for people like us. (He frowns.). Mara: I’ve killed so many people and I don’t even care. You...You enjoy inflicting pain on others. You get off on torturing people. Tying them up, beating them. John: No. I am saving them. Mara: It’s so sad. I’m sure at some point in your life you were full of love, happiness and hope. But it was all ripped away from you by evil people. You think that what your foster parents did to you helped you? John: They made me see the power of yes. Mara: No John. They tortured you. Physically and mentally. No one should have to go through that. I shouldn’t have had to go through what my mother and father did to me. They were wrong. What they did to us was wrong. But you seem to have let it ruin you. Don’t let it ruin you. I’m trying not to let it all ruin me. I know it’s hard. John: You don’t understand. Mara: No I don’t. When I think about what you went through...You were just a child...It makes me sad and angry. Because it shouldn’t have happened. But it doesn’t matter now. You hate me just like everyone else. You liked hurting me just like my mother liked hurting me. John: It wasn’t the same. You atoned for your sins. You were the one that wanted me to carve it into your skin rather than have the tattoo. Mara: I know. John: Then why are you mad at me? Mara: I’m not mad at you. Not really. I’m just...Sad. John: Don’t be sad. Because sad spelt backwards is das. And das not good. (She smiles as a tear rolls down her cheek. Then she lets out a small laugh. She places her hand over his on the railing. He smiles back.). Mara: Still friends? John: Yes. Of course we are. (She puts her cigarette out. Then she squeezes his hand. He squeezes hers back. She then wraps her arms around him. He hesitates then wraps his arms around her.). Mara: Sorry for being a crazy hormonal weirdo. (He chuckles.). John: You’re not as bad as some women I have known. Mara: Oh really? John: Really. Mara: But I’m way prettier right? (She pulls back to look at him with a raised eyebrow. He stares at her.). John: Yes. (She smiles.). Mara: Awww. You’re just saying that. John: No. I have told you before...You are a very beautiful woman. (She still has tears in her eyes.). Mara: Thanks. (They still have their arms wrapped around each other.). Mara: We should probably go back inside. John: Yes. (She is still feeling weird at how John just cut into her without hesitation but she finds that she can’t be mad at him. She can’t hate him. She feels sorry for him. She just wants to wrap him up and take care of him. She gets the feeling that nobody has ever done that.). Mara: Would you mind if I stayed over again? We could have a drink and maybe you could show me how to make a model aeroplane. (He grins like a child.). John: I’d like that. (She smiles. 

---Holly walks into Johns chalet. Faith emerges from the kitchen.). Faith: Holly! (The two girls embrace each other. Holly then greets Joseph and Jacob.). Faith: What brings you here? Are you staying for dinner? Holly: No. I just drove John’s car back for him. I’ll get a lift back with Steve. Faith: Oh. Holly: So your sister has joined us. Faith: Yes. (Faith is beaming. Holly doesn’t look happy. Faith frowns.). Faith: Is something wrong? Holly: No. Though I think you need to talk to her about the rules. Faith: Rules? Holly: Well she clearly isn’t following them. Sleeping with John and all. Faith: What? Holly: You didn’t know that? Faith: Lies spread quicker than the truth Holly. Holly: Well they are at the top of his lookout tower getting...Cosy. I’m not the only one that has noticed something is going on. Talk to Akers. Anyway I have to go. Steve’s leaving in a minute. Just thought I’d say hi. (Holly leaves. Faith shakes her head and goes back to the kitchen. Joseph gets up and goes to the kitchen to help Faith with dinner. Jacob sits there frowning. Holly is clearly jealous of Mara. Jacob knows Holly has been sleeping with John. They must think him blind. He wouldn’t be surprised if Joseph knew too. He tries to ignore John’s behaviour. Jacob knows that Joseph gets deeply disappointed when John messes up. Jacob doesn’t care who his brother sleeps with. He isn’t into all this religious bullshit with its bullshit rules. It has always been a sore spot between him and Joseph. Jacob wonders if what Holly said was true. If it was it would mean that Mara not only dropped her knickers to him but to his brother as well. His chest suddenly feels tight and he frowns. He realises the thought of someone else having her makes him feel...Weird. He sits there confused. He is pulled from his thoughts by the door opening and he looks up to see John and Mara walk in. Mara smiles at him.). Mara: What are you doing sitting here on your own? Jacob: Hm. Not much. John: You could always help with the cooking. Actually scratch that I would rather you didn’t. (Jacob chuckles and shakes his head.). Mara: Is he trying to say you can’t cook? John: Oh don’t get me started on Jacob’s idea of cooking. All this survivalist nonsense. Mara: Well if it’s about survival it can’t be nonsense can it? (John gives Mara a funny look. She giggles.). Mara: Your face will stay like that. (John tuts and walks to the kitchen. Mara laughs.). Mara: So your cooking... Jacob: Nothing wrong with it. Mara: Maybe you could cook for me sometime. I can see for myself then. (She smiles at him before disappearing into the kitchen. Jacob sits there staring at the floor. What the hell is it with this woman? He deduces that she must have something seriously wrong with her. Or maybe she’s up to something. In the kitchen: Mara finishes chopping the vegetables and helps Faith with the potatoes and Yorkshire pudding.). Faith: Holly was here just now. Mara: Yeah I saw her. Gave me the death glare. John: Just ignore her. She is letting her sin control her actions again. Mara: Well...I don’t really understand. Why does she hate me? John: I already told you she is jealous of you. Mara: And I already told you that is utterly ridiculous. I am a homeless 26 year old who has never had a family or a boyfriend. I have been separated from my sister for eleven years and now I have come back to my home only to find it has turned into a warzone in my absence and that Eli Palmer now has a little army and is hell bent on killing me. Oh yes I can really see somebody being jealous of all of that. My life is so damn amazing and full of glamour. (Faith starts laughing. John chuckles too.). Faith: You do have a family though sis. Mara: Yeah. Now that I’ve got you back eh? (Faith smiles. John nudges Mara.). John: Hey you’re forgetting about me. Mara: You what? John: You have me too. Mara: Oh yay. Lucky me. (She says this sarcastically making John raise his eyebrows and his mouth drop open.). John: Why do you hurt me? (Mara laughs. Then she wraps her arms around John patting his back.). Mara: Awww is poor Johnny Appleseed’s feelings hurt? Faith: Johnny what? John: Don’t call me that. (Mara laughs.). Mara: Oh your face. Oh come on it suits you. Don’t you think sis? Faith: Um. I don’t know. What was it you called him? Mara: Johnny Appleseed. (Jacob has appeared in the doorway and he starts laughing. John crosses his arms. Mara laughs.). Mara: Look at his face. (Jacob finally stops laughing and shakes his head.). John: You haven’t laughed like that in...Ever. Jacob: I know. (Mara smiles at Jacob.). John: You know I am so glad I made your atonement as painful as possible. (Faith gasps. Mara laughs.). Mara: More than a tickle but way less than paying your taxes. (John starts laughing. Faith giggles. John leaves the kitchen. Jacob looks into the pot on the stove. Faith frowns at him.). Faith: You can’t have any until it’s finished. Jacob: I was just seeing if it was edible or not. Joseph: Come now Jacob. We must be grateful to the young ladies for cooking for us. Mara: Yes Jacob you must be grateful. Even though he’s probably right about it not being edible. (Mara laughs. Jacob makes himself a cup of coffee then leaves the kitchen. Mara then makes herself a coffee.). Mara: Anyone else want a hot drink? Faith: No thanks. Mara: Joe? Joseph: Tea please. (Mara makes a cup of tea.). Mara: Do you have sugar or are you sweet enough? (Faith giggles.). Joseph: Sweet enough. (Mara smiles at him.). Mara: Okay. Milk? Joseph: Yes please. (Mara opens the fridge.). Mara: Oooh John has chocolate. John I’m nicking your chocolate! (John shouts from the other room.). John: You even dream of it and you’ll wake up and apologise! (Mara laughs.). Mara: That’s my line! Thief! (Mara takes out the milk and adds some to the tea. Faith giggles.). Faith: I remember you always used to say that. Mara: Yeah I did. Faith: You said it to John? Mara: Yeah. Now he’s nicked it. (Faith giggles. Mara puts the tea on the counter in front of Joseph.). Joseph: Thank you. Faith: Sis? Mara: Yeah? Faith: Have you...You know? Mara: Um. I have no idea what you’re talking about sis. I think I’m gonna need a little more than ‘Have you, you know’. (Faith giggles.). Faith: Yes. Right. It’s just when Holly was here earlier- Mara: I’m really not interested what she thinks of me okay? She can say what she likes. Faith: No it’s just...She said- Joseph: I think we should ignore gossip and rumours Faith. Holly has allowed her sin to once again dictate her actions. I am disappointed but we should not continue to let her actions linger. Faith: Yes Father. Mara: No come on what did she say? Joseph: It really does not matter. Idle gossip and rumours have no place here. Mara: So she’s spreading shit about me? Hm. Guess she ain’t got anything interesting to talk about eh? Faith: It was nothing really. Mara: Hm. I don’t care. (Mara picks up her coffee and goes to the lounge. She sits down on the sofa next to Jacob.). Mara: You okay? Jacob: Fine. (Mara sits there. John comes in from outside and smiles as he sits down next to Mara draping an arm around her shoulders. She frowns at him.). Mara: What are you doing? John: Sitting down. In my home. Is that okay with you? Mara: No. John: Tough. (She giggles.). Mara: That’s okay. Being wedged on a sofa in between two handsome men. Hm. Not the worst thing that’s happened to me. (John raises his eyebrows and grins like the Cheshire cat.). John: Handsome huh? Mara: What? Oh don’t you start with the ‘no I’m not but thanks’ thing an all. I didn’t have you down for being insecure. John: I’m not. Women have always loved me. Mara: I can’t imagine why. (John looks shocked.). John: Why do you hurt me? (Mara laughs.). Mara: Sorry I just tell the truth. I’m not really into guys that love themselves and think they are God’s gift. John: Is that what you think of me? Mara: I know guys like you. Full of charm and charisma and ego. Think they can have any woman they want. Only the women that are usually attracted to a man like that are really only after sex or his bank balance. (John chuckles and shakes his head.). John: So...Between me and my older brother here which of us is the most handsome? (Mara smiles.). Mara: Jacob obviously. (John looks stunned.). John: What? Really? No you’re just saying that coz you don’t want to piss him off. (Mara laughs.). Mara: I think that ships already sailed my friend. John: Has it? (Mara shrugs.). John: No seriously. If you had to choose between us- Mara: Jacob. (John looks stunned. Jacob finds himself chuckling. John looks at Jacob.). John: What have you done to her? Jacob: Nothin’. (Joseph and Faith enter the room and John quickly moves his arm and slides away from Mara slightly. Joseph however has already noticed how close he was to her. He frowns at the pair of them. Mara smiles at him.). Mara: Alright? Joseph: Yes. (Mara sits sipping her coffee while Faith and Joseph sit down. There is silence.). John: I notice you didn’t make me a drink. Mara: You know where the kettle is. John: Oh. (Mara giggles and pokes John in the ribs making him flinch. She laughs again and grabs his waist squeezing making him squirm and chuckle.). John: Stop! Stop it. Mara: Ah Johnny Appleseed is ticklish. John: Stop calling me that. (Jacob is chuckling quietly. Mara gets up and goes to the kitchen. Faith and Joseph are looking at John.). John: Oh I was meant to tell you I have managed to finally procure Bradbury farm. Joseph: Oh? Mr Bradbury agreed to sell? John: Hm. He needed some persuasion but yes. Joseph: Hm. (Mara returns with a cup of coffee which she holds out to John.). John: Oh. Coffee. You know I was only joking don’t you? Mara: Now you tell me. Well I’ve just made it so now you’re drinking it. (John chuckles. He then notices Mara has a small piece of chocolate in her hand.). John: Hey you’re stealing my chocolate. Mara: I only took a small square of it. Chill out. John: You’re going to wake up and apologise. Mara: No I’m not. (She sits down next to John and pokes him again.). Mara: I’d snap you like a twig skinny. (John raises his eyebrows.). John: I’d like to see you try. (Joseph clears his throat and gets up.). Joseph: Could I have a private word with you Mara? (She finishes eating the chocolate and shrugs before getting up. She follows Joseph outside and across the grounds. They walk over to the two wooden deck chairs. Mara sits down.). Mara: What’s up Doc? (Joseph sits down and looks at her. He seems to be studying her. His blue eyes are piercing). Joseph: What is the nature of your relationship with my brother? (Mara stares at him. Oh God he knows. He knows that she slept with Jacob. Did Jacob tell him?). Mara: There isn’t one. (Joseph blinks slowly then takes a deep breath.). Joseph: Holly is under the impression that you and John have grown rather close. I have also seen this for myself. (Mara frowns.). Mara: What? Oh I see. The girl that hates me for some reason doesn’t like the idea that I am hanging out with John so now she’s decided to spread lies about me. I see. (Mara gets up and walks off. Joseph stands up and follows her.). Joseph: My child. Mara: What? (Mara leans against the white shed and folds her arms.). Joseph: Forgive me. I cannot help but notice that you and John seem to be- Mara: Seem to be what? Fucking? Is that what you want to say? What would it matter if we were? Joseph: Are you? Mara: No. It’s always the same isn’t it? Doesn’t matter where I go I’ve always got everyone on at me for something. Joseph: I will have a word with Holly about her behavior. She is letting her sin dictate her actions. I just wanted to make sure that wasn’t the case with you. Mara: My sin is Wrath not Lust. I’ve never even had a boyfriend. Never been given a valentine’s card. That’s how pathetic my life is. Twenty Six and I ain’t got no one so...You can just stop with your accusations can’t yah? Joseph: I was not accusing you of anything. I was only asking. You need to stop getting so angry and defensive. Mara: Angry and defensive? I don’t like people looking down their noses at me like they are somehow better. Would it have mattered to you if I had slept with John? What would have been the problem? Unless you think that I am not good enough for him or something. (Joseph stares at her for a moment.). Joseph: It is not that you wouldn’t be good enough Mara. You need to have more confidence in yourself. But Lust is a sin. John has had...Issues with this in the past. He has been getting better. I would hate for him to let Lust overtake him again when he’s been doing so well. But I know that he is not perfect and neither am I. Mara: What about love? Is that a sin too? (Joseph frowns.). Joseph: Are you telling me that you think you are in love with John? (Mara laughs.). Mara: Hell no. We’re just friends. That’s it. Nothing like that has happened between us. I can’t believe you think that. First my sister now you. I ain’t some cheap slag you know? I’m not an idiot either. I know the kind of man John is. He doesn’t love. He finds it hard. He just has sex with women then throws them away. I have no interest in being used. If I am to lay with a man it will be a man that loves me and respects me. (Joseph stares at her for a moment before smiling slightly.). Joseph: It is a rare gift to find someone who is still pure. (Mara doesn’t have the heart to tell him that she isn’t. Not anymore. She also can’t bring herself to tell him it was his older brother she slept with. She feels so stupid.). Joseph: You are wrong about John. Mara: Am I? Hm I don’t think so. I kinda get it though. I think that’s why we’re getting on so well. Because we get each other. At first I was kinda mad at him after the atonement. I was...Worried for him. He seems to really like hurting people. I mean really like it. I spoke to him about it. He didn’t seem to understand where I was coming from. Joseph: He has his problems. I try my best to help him. Mara: I’ve been trying to help him. I don’t think I’m getting very far though. Joseph: You shouldn’t let doubt creep in. I have rarely seen John smile like he has done today. I haven’t heard Jacob laugh like he did earlier either. (Mara smiles.). Mara: Smiling is good for you. Laughing is too. (Joseph smiles back.). Joseph: About the accusations made by Holly- Mara: Let’s just forget about them. (He smiles again. Mara notices he has a very soft smile. His eyes seem to soften too.). Joseph: Let’s do that. We should go back inside. (Joseph starts to walk back towards the chalet. Mara follows him. She suddenly gets the feeling that she’s being watched. She frowns and glances around. She looks into the trees and thinks she sees movement. She wonders if she’s just being paranoid. But then she sees a red light. She frowns. Then it moves and she doesn’t see it. She turns away from the trees and looks to where Akers is sat with another man playing cards by the hangar. Then she sees it, the telltale red dot of a laser sight on Joseph’s back. She doesn’t think. She lunges forward shoving Joseph with all the strength she has.). Mara: Joe get down! (Akers looks up as Joseph falls to the ground just as a gunshot rings out across the silent grounds. Mara feels pain in her shoulder before falling to the ground face first. She hears Akers shouting.). Akers: Shots fired! Shots fired! The Father is down! (Mara’s vision swims as the throbbing pain in her shoulder worsens then the world goes black. 

---Joseph is walking towards the chalet when suddenly he hears Mara yell from behind him.). Mara: Joe get down! (He then feels hands shoving into him hard pushing him to the ground. Seconds later he hears a loud bang and Mara cry out in pain before falling to the ground next to him. He realises it was a gunshot. He hears Akers yelling. He can’t see Mara’s face just her hair. He reaches out to her trying to see if she is still alive. Faith will be devastated if she isn’t. He too would be disappointed. Jacob suddenly comes racing out of the chalet his pistol drawn. He rushes to Joseph and bends down.). Jacob: Joseph! Are you alright? Joseph: I’m fine. I think Mara has been shot. (Jacob looks down at Mara and checks her pulse.). Jacob: She’s alive. Take her inside and stay there. (Jacob rushes off towards the trees following Akers and several other men. Gunfire can then be heard accompanied by shouting. Joseph slowly straightens up and lifts Mara into his arms before heading towards the chalet as fast as he can. John comes to the doorway holding a rifle.). Joseph: Get inside John. (John follows Joseph inside. Faith sees Mara limp in his arms and lets out a cry before rushing over.). Faith: What happened? John: I should go and help them. Joseph: They will be fine. (Joseph lies Mara on the sofa and examines her. He sees the wound where the bullet hit her. The bullet has only just nicked the top of her shoulder leaving a deep gash but it doesn’t appear to have hit anything major.). Faith: She was shot?! Oh. Joseph: She saved my life. Faith: She did? Joseph: She must have seen the gunman. She shoved me out of harm’s way and took the bullet instead. Faith: Oh sis. (Faith kneels next to the sofa and presses her head to her sisters. John had disappeared but returns with a first aid kit and some cloths which he presses to the wound. Faith then sees a wet patch on the front of Mara’s top. She moves her top down and frowns when she sees a bloody bandage covering most of Mara’s chest. John steps back a little as Faith fiddles with the bandage.). Faith: Her tattoo is bleeding? (John swallows hard. Joseph frowns watching as Faith removes the bandage. Mara’s skin comes off with it and Faith gasps loudly as she sees the word ‘Wrath’ carved into her sisters chest. The word is bleeding and some of it has scabbed badly. A lot of her skin around the letters has started peeling off. Tears fill Faiths eyes.). Faith: John...What have you done to her? John: I marked her with her sin. Faith: Her skins coming off! Did you burn this onto her? These are burns! (Joseph sighs as he looks at the awful wound on Mara’s chest then at his younger brother.). Joseph: I have told you before the consequences of using the atonement for your own fulfillment John. John: I didn’t. I only marked her with her sin. Faith: I thought you were going to give her the tattoo like everyone else. Why would you do this to her? (John opens his mouth to answer but Jacob and Akers walk in.). Akers: It appears several people were hiding in the trees across the way. We managed to neutralize them John. John: Good. Akers: Mara get shot? Faith: Yes. I think she’ll be okay. She has to be okay. (Akers and Jacob see the horrific scarring on Mara’s chest. Akers lets out a whistle.). Akers: Damn. I thought getting a tattoo on your chest was bad. Sod that! (Jacob finds himself staring at Mara’s chest. Faith presses the cloth to her shoulder then dabs at her chest gently. More skin peels off of the wound. Faith lets out a sob.). Faith: I’m sorry sis. I’m so sorry. Oh. Joseph: I don’t know what to say to you John. She atoned for her sins but you let yours inflict torture on Mara that was not necessary. Faith: How could you do this to my sister John? John: No. No I...She told me to. It’s what she wanted. Faith: What? John: Yes. She did. I was only going to give her the tattoo but she...She asked for it. Joseph: Nobody asks to be tortured John. I have watched you during the cleansing I have seen how you treat those that wish to be saved. John: No. Father I swear she told me to do it. (Mara lets out a moan and her eyes open slowly.). Faith: Sis? Sis? Mara: Um? (She blinks several times then moans reaching up for her shoulder.). Faith: You were shot sis. It’s okay the bullet didn’t hit anything major. It’s left a bit of a nasty gash though. You might need stitches. Mara: Um. Sick of being shot at sis. Always me that gets it innit? Faith: Oh sis. But you saved the Father. How did you know? Mara: I saw movement in the trees then a red light. I couldn’t work out what it was at first then it was gone. Thought I was seeing things. I realised what it was when I saw the red dot on Joe’s back. (Jacob is frowning.). Joseph: She shoved me to the ground. Saved my life. (Joseph goes over to Mara.). Joseph: Thank you child. Mara: Um...Now I’m the one that’s shot though eh? Can’t win can we? Joseph: But you are going to be fine. I am sorry about the wounds on your chest. My younger brother can get a little carried away. (Mara frowns.). Mara: What you on about? Faith: Sis your skins coming off. Mara: Oh yeah. I know. Keeps blistering and bleeding. I’ll be okay. John: I was telling them that you wanted me to do that rather than give you the tattoo. Mara: Okay. (Joseph is rummaging in the first aid kit and starts to patch up the wound on Mara’s shoulder.). Faith: I’m sorry sis it shouldn’t have been like that. He was meant to tattoo your sin on you not carve and burn it right through you. Mara: I told him to sis. Faith: What? (Joseph looks down at Mara frowning.). Mara: I told him to. I saw the scar on his chest and I asked why he gave people a tattoo when his sin looks like it was carved into his skin. Faith: Yes but not quite like yours sis. Yours is really deep and it looks like it was not only cut into your skin but whatever did it was hot too. Mara: It was. He put the screwdriver over a Bunsen burner. (Akers lets out a wince.). Akers: Christ. Faith: What? John why would you do that? Mara: I told you. I asked him to. Faith: Why? (Mara sighs.). Mara: Seemed like a good idea at the time sis. Faith: You’re so silly! Mara: So you keep telling me. Faith: Well you are. And you are silly too John. Have you even kept this clean? You could end up with a massive infection and what if it turns septic? Mara: Septic? What are you talking about now? You are being silly now sis. It’s fine. I am fine. Look it’s started to blister an’ that which is good I think coz it means the bloods clotting or whatever. Reckon it’ll look good once it’s all healed proper. Faith: It’s not there to look good sis. Mara: It isn’t? Well damn nobody told me. (Faith giggles and shakes her head.). Faith: I can’t take you anywhere. Mara: Guess not. Anyway why are you so worried about this? John’s only gonna cut it off again anyway. What he does innit? (There is silence for a moment.). Faith: Sis. Mara: What? Well you’re worried about this but yet he tattoos people, forcibly I might add, then slices it off of ‘em. What’s the difference? Faith: Well it is part of the atonement yes but- Mara: But what sis? Faith: Well usually it is a tattoo you see...Not...This. Mara: I really don’t see why it matters. I don’t get why you slice it off again though. Aren’t you supposed to carry it with you always and forever or something? John: No. Once you have atoned you are free from your sin. Mara: I’ll never be free of it. Won’t be long before someone else pisses me off. Joseph: Then you should not let anger control you child. You must take control of it. Not allow it to dictate your actions. Mara: It sounds easy when you say it like that Joe. Joseph: Nobody said it would be easy. Nothing worth doing ever is. (She smiles at him.). Mara: Bonnie used to say that. Joseph: Then she sounds like a very wise woman. Mara: She was. I wish you could have met her, you’d have liked her. (Joseph smiles.). Faith: I wish I could have met her too. Even just to say thank you for looking after you. Mara: Guess somebody had to eh? (Joseph finishes stitching up the wound on her shoulder.). Mara: Thanks. Joseph: You are welcome. (Mara sits up and winces. She sees Jacob staring at her chest and quickly pulls her top up. She doesn’t really think it looks good. At all. She can’t believe Jacob has seen it. Will he be turned off now? Then she laughs to herself, he ain’t interested in her anyway. Mara gets up. She sways slightly and Joseph wraps an arm around her to steady her.). Mara: I’m just gonna go up to the bathroom. Clean myself up. Faith: I’ll help you. (Faith picks up the first aid kit. John looks at the sofa.). John: You’ve got blood on my couch. Mara: Oh I’m so sorry I got shot when I was stopping your brother getting shot. (John stares at Mara for a moment.). John: Thank you. Mara: Uh huh. (Mara smiles.). Mara: You remind me of Bonnie. John: I do? Mara: Yeah. She was a bit of a neat freak. OCD if you will. The slightest crease on anything, the slightest smear or speck of dirt and she’d be there scrubbing. (Faith giggles.). John: I am not OCD. Mara: Really? (Mara giggles.). Mara: Look at his face now Rach. (Faith giggles. Mara turns and heads towards the kitchen. Faith follows her. John gets a cloth and scrubs at the sofa. Jacob goes over to Joseph.). Jacob: You sure you’re alright? Joseph: Yes. I am fine thanks to Mara. The lord was watching out for us. (Jacob grunts then sits down. Joseph goes to the kitchen to check on the dinner while Akers goes back outside. Mara comes back in about ten minutes later and sits down on the sofa next to John.). Mara: You manage to get the sofa clean? John: Yes. (She rests her head on his shoulder and looks up at him. He swallows hard.). Mara: Sorry for bleeding all over your couch. (He smiles at her.). John: I forgive you. (She smiles.). Mara: That’s good then. Hate to lose the only friend I got here over a bit of blood. (He smiles again then rests his forehead against hers.). Mara: Are you trying to kiss me again? (Jacob raises his eyebrows. Again?). John: Yes. Mara: I’ve already told you I’m not interested in you. Not in that way. John: Why do you hurt me? Mara: I’m not meaning to. I just...Don’t fancy you. (John looks down. Jacob suddenly clears his throat making John jump backwards.). Jacob: Forget that I was here? Mara: I didn’t. (She smiles at him. John says nothing. He just gets up and walks to the kitchen. Mara leans back and closes her eyes. She winces and lets out a sigh.). Jacob: You in pain? Mara: Always am. Girl can’t catch a break eh? Jacob: Hm. You saved my brother. Mara: Guess I did eh? Found my purpose. Bullet sponge. (Jacob stares at her then huffs a laugh.). Mara: Oh he does laugh. (She opens her eyes and smiles at him.). Jacob: Forget what I said this morning. (She raises her eyebrows.). Mara: Is that your version of an apology? Does big scary Jacob even apologize? (He huffs another laugh. She smiles.). Mara: I say something funny? Jacob: I’m scary huh? Mara: Not to me. (He raises an eyebrow.). Mara: Sorry to disappoint. Jacob: I’m not disappointed. Mara: I still think we should have dinner. I bet we’d have loads to talk about. Jacob: I doubt it. Mara: You could tell me all about what you do for Edens Gate. You could tell me more about yourself. That night...In my trailer...I liked listening to you talk. I liked hearing about your life. (He stares at her. Faith comes in and smiles at them.). Faith: You feeling okay sis? Mara: Yeah. Faith: Good. (Joseph comes in with a cup of coffee which he holds out to Mara.). Mara: Oh thanks. (She takes the mug and takes a sip. Joseph notices how tired Mara looks.). Joseph: Nobody would mind if you wanted to lie down before dinner. Mara: I’ll be okay. (Joseph gazes at Mara for a moment. His stare is so piercing Mara almost wonders if he can read minds or something. Which is ridiculous of course.). Joseph: You are a very strong young woman. (Mara lets out a small laugh.). Mara: I don’t know about that. Joseph: You should not doubt yourself. (Mara shrugs and takes another sip of coffee. Faith sits down on the stool.). John: That is a footstool it is not for sitting on. I do hope you don’t break it. Mara: You saying my sisters fat? (Mara is looking at John with raised eyebrows. Faith giggles. John starts chuckling.). John: No. Of course not. Mara: Well good. Johnny Appleseed. (Faith laughs. John scowls at her.). Mara: Your face is a picture. John: I wish you’d stop calling me that. Mara: Or what? Faith: Oooh. (Mara grins at him.). John: I’ll...Beat you up. (Mara laughs.). Mara: I’d like to see that slim jim. (Faith laughs harder. Jacob chuckles. Joseph is looking at them disapprovingly.). Mara: Hey relax Joe it’s just a bit of harmless teasing. All families are like this right? (Joseph smiles slightly before going back to the kitchen. Faith gets up and follows him.). John: I’m just going to check on Akers and see what the garden looks like. Mara: The gardens fine. Your flowers didn’t get shot. Just me. John: Hm. (He gets up and goes outside. Mara laughs to herself.). Jacob: You have a crush on him or something? Mara: No. I have a crush on you. But I have no purpose so... (She shrugs and sips more coffee. Jacob just stares at her. Joseph comes back in.). Joseph: Dinner is almost ready. Would you help with the plates and drinks? Mara: Sure. (Mara gets up and goes to the kitchen. 

---A while later the dinner has been dished up and they are all seated at the table. Joseph is at the head of the table with John on his left and Jacob on his right. Faith is seated at the other end. Akers and two other men are also sat at the table. Mara is sitting in between Faith and Akers. Which she is glad about as sitting next to Jacob after her earlier admission would be mortifying. She can’t even look at him. She has no idea why she said it or why she thought it was a good idea to say it. Stupid. They all take each other’s hands while Joseph says grace. Another reason Mara is glad she isn’t next to Jacob. Holding his hand after that? Hell no. But a part of her also wishes she was sat next to him. That she could feel the warmth radiate from his body. That she could smell him. Touch him. She mentally scolds herself and pushes these thoughts away before slamming a great big steel door on them. She instead focuses on eating. Once they have had dinner she helps Faith take the plates and cutlery to the kitchen and fills the sink before starting to wash up. Faith grabs a tea towel, which has the black cross logo of Edens Gate emblazoned on it, and starts to dry up. She can hear the men chatting in the other room. Then she hears Akers laughing. She can’t make out what is being said. Jacob suddenly appears and places several empty glasses on the side next to the sink. Mara can feel his warm body behind her. All she wants to do is move back slightly and press her back against him. But she doesn’t. She carries on washing up. Jacob boils the kettle and makes himself a coffee.). Mara: You’ll be awake all night if you drink too much caffeine now. (Jacob just grunts in response.). Jacob: Don’t get much sleep anyway. (Jacob stirs the drink as Lonny enters the kitchen.). Lonny: Evening all. (Mara stiffens. Something which Jacob doesn’t fail to notice. Faith smiles awkwardly at Lonny.). Faith: Evening Lonny. Lonny: Looks like I missed a lovely dinner. Faith: It was lovely. Lonny: Ah look. Mara. (Mara doesn’t answer.). Lonny: Evening Mara! (Faith stands there awkwardly holding the now damp tea towel.). Mara: Evening. Prick! (Lonny glares at Mara’s back. Mara has her hands in the sink. She has stopped washing up.). Lonny: Nice to see a woman serving her true purpose eh Jacob? (Mara tenses up.). Lonny: In the kitchen...Cleaning. Bout all they’re good for eh Jacob? Well...That and a fuck. (Lonny laughs. Faith gasps. Mara is shaking and takes a deep breath.). Faith: Sis. (Mara feels her hand curl around the knife in the sink. God she wants to stick it in this prick. She wants to cut his dick off and feed it to him. Rage courses through her. Faith must sense something’s up because she touches Mara’s shoulder lightly.). Faith: Just ignore him sis. (Will has stepped into the kitchen behind Lonny. Mara doesn’t see him of course. She’s too busy trying not to gut the prick on John’s polished kitchen floor.). Will: I think you should leave the girls alone Lonny. Lonny: Yeah. One of them might bitch slap me eh? Or hit me with her handbag. (Lonny laughs.). Lonny: Useless. Will: That’s enough Lon! Why do you continue to do this? Lonny: Do what? (Will sighs and leads Lonny out of the kitchen. Faith looks at Mara then gasps as she looks at the sink.). Faith: Sis! (Faith steps forward and takes hold of Mara’s hand. Mara had curled her hand around the blade of the knife so hard it has cut her hand. Faith grabs some kitchen roll from the dispenser and wraps it around Mara’s hand. Mara just continues to stare out the window. Jacob steps forward and looks in the sink. The water is red. Joseph comes in with John. When he sees Mara’s bloody hand he frowns and steps forward.). Joseph: What happened? Faith: Um... Mara: Cut myself. No big deal. Joseph: You should be more careful. (Joseph examines her wound and frowns before looking at her. Mara doesn’t say anything. She just looks away and pulls her hand away from Joseph’s soft touch.). Faith: Lonny was...Being mean again Father. He was saying...Things. It made Mara angry...That’s why you gripped that knife so hard wasn’t it sis? Coz you wanted to stab him. Mara: Should have stabbed him. Prick! (Mara walks out of the back door slamming it behind her. Faith sighs.). Faith: She did really well. I mean...The Mara I know would have stabbed him...But she didn’t. Will: She just cut herself instead. Silly girl. (Faith jumps at the sound of Wills voice materializing suddenly from the doorway.). Will: Though with the way Lonny has been behaving towards her I would agree with you Faith. She showed remarkable restraint. I myself have wanted to throttle him on several occasions I am not ashamed to admit. Joseph: His behavior of late has been unacceptable. I thought he would have improved after our talk. It seems not. John go and find Mara. John: Yes Joseph. (John leaves the chalet. He finds Mara over by the hangar walking around in a circle.). John: Mara? (He walks over to her. She walks off around the side of the hangar out of view of the rest of the property. He frowns and follows her. He sees her leaning against the wall. He stands next to her resting one arm on the wall and leaning close to her.). John: You’re angry. Mara: Yep. Told yah it wouldn’t take long. (He chuckles.). John: Oh Little Miss Wrath. (He brushes a strand of her hair behind her ear. She stares at the floor for a moment then she smiles.). Mara: Little Miss Wrath? Hm. I like that. John: You do? Mara: Yeah. But only you get to call me that. Just like I call you Johnny Appleseed. (He sighs.). Mara: Oh come on. It isn’t a bad name. I think it’s cute. (He grins like a child.). John: Cute? Mara: Yeah. Sorry. John: Just stop calling me by that silly awful name. Mara: That isn’t what I was apologizing for. I’m always gonna call you that now. It’s our thing now. John: Hm. What were you apologizing for then? (Tears fill her eyes.). Mara: I wanted to stab him. John: Lonny. Mara: Yeah. He was...Saying how women were only good for...He just kept all on and...All I could think about was sticking that knife in him again and again. Until he shut the fuck up. John: Hm. Mara: You know what it’s like. I feel like you’re the only one that gets me. John: Yes. Mara: I’m either pissed off or sad. Most of the time it isn’t really a problem. But you get someone like Lonny...Perving over my sister like that. The way he grabbed my crotch like he thought he had the right. I start to wonder whether there are any nice men out there. Is anyone nice or are they all just sick bastards? John: Everyone is filled with sin. It seeps off of them. Mara: I’m not really talking about sin I just mean in general. Men think they can do whatever the fuck they want. A woman gets raped and the man gets away with it. Eventually women stop reporting it altogether coz there’s really no point. The world is run by men. Us women are just tools. Meat. John: You almost sound like Jacob. Mara: Hm. His opinion on everyone is pretty clear. I think he’s sad and angry too. He’s seen a lot and had to put up with a lot. It’s hard to let go of the past when it fills your head even when it isn’t wanted. John: Hm. Mara: Sorry. I’m just rambling and talking bollocks. John: No. You watched videos of your sister being violated. Mara: If it affected me badly imagine how it’s affected her. John: But she is fine now. She is safe and happy. Mara: Are you safe John? Are you happy? (He stares at her for a moment.). John: I... (His eyes are filled with sadness. He looks down.). Mara: Oh poor baby. (She wraps her arms around him.). Mara: Let’s forget about assholes like Lonny and our shitty parents and make a little model plane. We could always get some booze and have a dance about. Always cheers me up music. John: Not allowed alcohol. Mara: Rules were meant to be broken. (He chuckles.). John: Oh you sinner. Mara: I did try to warn you about me you know? Won’t be long before you all decide to get rid of me anyway. Might as well have a drink. John: Why do you think that? Mara: Coz nobody has ever wanted me. Nobody cares about me. I’m useless at everything. John: That’s not true. I want you. Mara: You want me? John: Yes. Mara: What do you mean by that? John: What do you think I mean? Mara: I don’t know what to think. I’ve never really understood men. You’re never sure of what they mean or if they’re even telling the truth. They are chameleons after all saying whatever you want to hear to get what they want. John: Hm. Well I want you. Mara: As...A girlfriend? A friend? A fuck? What exactly is it that you want? (He swallows hard. Then he moves closer to her and his lips brush hers. She moves back but he grabs her head and presses his lips to hers. She tries to move but he pushes his body against hers pressing her into the wall as his tongue slides into her mouth. She pushes him away from her then slaps him. He stares at her.). Mara: The hell are you on? What you think I’m just a cheap tart yeah? Is that how all us women are seen is it? (She is crying now.). Mara: You men really are all the same. You don’t care about me. You just want what you want. Well I ain’t a cheap whore. I have already told you that I am not interested in being used. If I am to be with a man it will be a man that actually gives a damn about me. That loves me and treats me with respect. But that ain’t gonna happen. Coz no such man exists. (She walks off heading back towards the chalet leaving him stood there. He sighs. Mara enters the chalet and Faith and Joseph look up.). Faith: Sis are you alright? Mara: Nope. Faith: Your hand is still bleeding. Come here. (Faith guides her to a chair and retrieves the first aid kit. She bandages Mara’s hand.). Faith: You might need stitches. Mara: No it’ll be fine. Faith: Why are you so upset? Mara: It’s nothing. Faith: Is this because of Lonny? Mara: Not just him. Just men in general. Bastards. Faith: Not all of them. Mara: They are. Faith: Come on forget about Lonny. Mara: I have. Faith: Then what’s wrong? Mara: Nothing. John was just being a dickhead. (Faith looks a little stunned.). Faith: He was? Mara: Yeah. But that’s men for yah sis. All the same. (Mara gets up and goes to the kitchen. John walks in.). Faith: Is everything okay? John: Yes. Why wouldn’t it be? Faith: Your cheeks red. John: Is it? Jacob: Looks like somebody slapped you. Faith: My sister slapped you? John: Yes she did. (Joseph frowns.). Faith: Why? John: I... (John looks uncomfortable. Jacob can guess what happened. He has seen the way his baby brother looks at Mara. John’s weakness is women.). Faith: What? (Mara emerges from the kitchen with a glass of water. She laughs when she sees John.). Mara: I really slapped yah didn’t I? Look at your cheek. (She laughs again.). Faith: Why did you slap him? Mara: It doesn’t matter. It’s all done and dusted now eh? (Joseph is frowning looking between John and Mara. Mara downs the rest of the water and returns to the kitchen. Joseph follows her. She is rinsing the glass in the sink which has been cleaned up, as has the counter.). Joseph: What happened? Why did you slap John? (Mara sighs.). Mara: Look he’s been...Since I met him he’s been...I dunno flirting I guess. I’ve told him many times that I am not interested. Outside just now...He kissed me and he...Pinned me against the wall. So I slapped him. I thought he wasn’t gonna let me go. (Joseph lets out a small sigh.). Mara: I don’t get him. One minute we’re talking like mates and the next he’s...Trying to hurt me. (Mara shakes her head.). Mara: I’m gonna head off, find a place to sleep. (Joseph frowns.). Joseph: What are you talking about? You will stay with us. Mara: Where? Joseph: At my compound. Mara: Right. Joseph: I will have a word with John. Mara: Hm. (She leaves the kitchen. Joseph follows her.). Joseph: We must get going. Jacob are you driving us back? Jacob: Yeah. (Jacob gets up.). Joseph: John before I leave I need a word with you. John: What is it? Joseph: Privately. (Jacob walks to the door. Faith and Mara follow him.). John: I thought you were spending the night here? You wanted me to show you how to build a model aeroplane. (Mara clearly looks uncomfortable.). Mara: Sorry John. Maybe another time eh? (She leaves with the others. John frowns.). Joseph: She feels uncomfortable around you now. John: Why? Joseph: You do not know? Brother I have tried my best to help you but you don’t help yourself. You will end up being locked out of Eden if you continue to let your sins overtake you. John: But...I have been doing everything you want. Joseph: You have. But Mara tells me that you kissed her. She said she has told you she is not interested. John: Joseph I- Joseph: You made her feel uncomfortable John. She has already been through a lot. Men have not given her any reason to trust them but she should be able to. She should not feel uncomfortable around us. She is family now. John: Yes Joseph. Joseph: I cannot keep making allowances for your behavior John. I do hope you show some improvement otherwise I am afraid you will not be able to be saved. John: Yes Joseph. (Joseph presses his forehead to John’s before leaving. John stands there for a moment before swiping the lamp off the table smashing it. He then kicks the table over before sinking to the floor.).

[chobit92]

Home: Jacob Seed/OC Chapter 26

Warnings: Mature Themes. 

 (2 days Later: John is in his sports car on his way back from another of Joseph’s sermons. Church on a Tuesday. It only used to be Sundays. He turns onto the winding dirt road that leads to his ranch. He pulls in and parks his car. The guards he has posted outside look up. Akers gives him a wave then points to the large chalet. John frowns and turns his head to see Mara sitting on the steps. He smiles, immediately cheered up at the sight of her. She just can’t seem to keep away. He switches off the engine and gets out of the car walking over to the steps. Mara looks up at him wearily. She looks tired. She also has a split lip and a black eye. He frowns.).

John: What happened? Are you alright? Mara: Yeah. Great. Where’ve you been? Hot date? (He blinks several times then chuckles.). John: No. Joseph held a sermon. We missed you there. Mara: How am I meant to know when he’s holding a damn sermon? All that God stuff is a load of crap anyway. People only follow all that to make themselves feel better. John: There’s no making a believer out of you is there? Mara: For those who believe no proof is necessary. For those who do not believe, no proof is possible. (He tilts his head raising his eyebrows.). John: Hm. Where did you hear that? Mara: It’s a quote by Stuart Chase. John: Hm. So what brings you here? Mara: I dunno. What brings you here? John: I live here. (She laughs then stands up.). Mara: You want me to piss off? John: No. Come in. (She follows him inside and to the kitchen. He puts the kettle on and rubs his eyes before yawning.). Mara: Tired? John: Yes. Mara: Hm. Should’ve gone to bed earlier. (He chuckles.). John: I could say the same to you. Mara: What? John: You look exhausted. Mara: Jeez. You really know how to make a girl feel good about herself. (She laughs. He smiles.). Mara: I know I look like shit. I don’t need people telling me. John: I wouldn’t have gone that far. You just look tired is all. Mara: So I don’t look like shit then? John: No. I have already told you haven’t I? You are a beautiful young woman. (She looks sad for a moment. John frowns.). Mara: Thanks. John: What happened to your face? (She sits down at the table.). Mara: You should see the other guy right? John: Hm. (She sighs.). Mara: Got into a fight. John: With who? Mara: Guy called Wheaty. He’s a few years younger than me. We used to hang out in the woods when we were kids. His parents were dickheads too. John: Hm. So why did you fight with him? (Mara sighs.). Mara: He’s with the Whitetail Militia. John: Ah. I see. Mara: I’d gone for a walk and I saw him hanging out with some other guys with a tent in the woods. At first I couldn’t believe it. Hadn’t seen him for years. Didn’t know he still lived around here. But then he started talking about Rachel. About how Joseph had brainwashed her and that we couldn’t help her. So I told him to fuck off. Then I told him that me and my sister were just fine. So yeah...We then ended up having a massive argument. Won’t be long before Eli hears that I’m back in town. Hope he shits himself. (John frowns.). John: You know Eli? Mara: Yeah. Crazy doomsday prepper. It’s kinda funny though isn’t it? That he doesn’t believe in Edens Gate or the Collapse but yet he has a doomsday bunker. (John smiles.). John: Indeed. Mara: So he calls Joseph crazy for thinking the worlds gonna end but he has a bunker you know just in case. Hm. Make what you want of that. (She smiles and gets up. John smiles.). Mara: Are you having tea or coffee? John: It’s alright I can make it. (He gets up. She takes his plane mug out of the cupboard and puts it on the side. He goes over and reaches for the sugar at the same time she does. His hand ends up on top of hers. She pulls her hand away.). John: I said I can make it. (She moves away from the side and leans against it. John makes two cups of coffee then turns to her. He frowns at her. She is leaning against the side with her eyes half closed. Then she slides to the floor.). John: Are you alright? Mara: What? Yeah. (She struggles to get back on her feet so he steps forward and lifts her up. She falls again as her knees buckle and she ends up pressed against his chest. He wraps his arms around her.). John: Whoa. Are you drunk? Mara: Um. I wish. (She sighs.). Mara: I just...Need to lie down. John: What’s wrong with you? Mara: Dehydration, malnutrition, heartbreak. Dealers choice. John: Heartbreak? (He raises an eyebrow looking intrigued.). Mara: Yep. Nothing unusual. (Then she collapses. He stops her from falling.). John: Mara? Mara? (She appears to have passed out. He lifts her up and carries her upstairs. She smells of lavender. So sweet, so enticing. He carries her to his bedroom and lies her on his bed. He brushes her hair out of her face gazing down at her. So beautiful. He finds himself looking forward to smelling her on his sheets later. He stands there for a moment thinking then he removes his shoes and lies down next to her. He reaches out and brushes his fingers over her cheek then down her arm. A few minutes later she stirs and opens her eyes. She turns and blinks at him.). Mara: What happened? John: You passed out my dear. Mara: Why am I in your bed? John: I carried you here. Mara: And got into bed with me? You fancy me or something? John: What would give you that idea? Mara: You called me beautiful, you asked me to shower with you, you asked me to go to bed with you and now you have gotten into bed with me. What else am I meant to think? John: Hm. (She sighs. He frowns as he notices tears in her eyes.). John: What’s wrong? Mara: Nothing. (She finds herself thinking about Jacob again. How he used her and how she was stupid enough to let him.). John: Why are you upset? Mara: I’m just tired, thirsty and I need to eat before I pass out again. Ain’t easy being alone and having nothing you know? John: Then I will cook you something. Mara: You’re gonna cook? John: Yes. I can cook you know? Mara: Oh really? John: Yes. Cheeky. (She giggles. He stares at her. Damn she is pretty.). Mara: You don’t have to do this you know? John: I want to. Mara: Thank you. John: I am only doing this to make you say yes of course. (She laughs.). Mara: Oh of course. John: Your sister wants you to join us. She is worried she is going to lose you. Mara: She might yet. At this rate I’ll starve to death. John: Nonsense. Join us and you will be well looked after. Mara: Where would I live? John: Depends. Your sister probably wants you to stay with her. But there is also Joseph’s compound. That’s where most of Edens Gate stay. Or you could stay at my bunker with my people. Mara: A bunker. I think not. I don’t really do underground. John: Well once the collapse comes you will have no choice if you want to survive it. Mara: What would I do? Just sit around waiting for the world to end? John: No. There are things that need to be done. A lot of work that needs doing. There’s a job for everyone. Mara: But what would be mine? Cooking? Cleaning? Knitting? Typical women’s shit. John: What is it you would want to do? (She is silent for several minutes. She has no idea what she wants to do.). Mara: I just want to be me. I know I ain’t much but...That’s all I am. All I got. (There is silence for several minutes.). Mara: What are you gonna do for dinner? (He doesn’t answer. She turns to face him and sighs when she sees he has fallen asleep. She nudges him.). Mara: Oi. John. (He makes a cute little noise before rolling onto his back. She laughs and shakes her head. This guy is terrible. She thinks about all she has heard about this family. Yet so far she hasn’t seen anything heinous at all. Except for the cages outside the hotel where Jacob’s men hang out. She isn’t stupid. She knows this family is far from normal. But maybe they are just like herself. Sad, broken, angry and lost. She slowly reaches out and takes his hand in hers. His hand is so unlike Jacob's. His hand is warm and soft. She doesn’t know why she is holding his hand or why she is still lying here with him. All she has heard about him from Mary May Fairgrave. How he likes hurting people. Torturing them. What he sees as atonement. Why does her sister have to be with these people? Then she laughs at herself. She’s the one that dropped her knickers to the sickest one of all of them. She’s seen all the mutilated bodies strung up around the mountains. She knows it was Jacob and his men. Jacob really doesn’t seem to like people. But then she doesn’t like people much either. She can’t help but feel that there is something more to him than just a psycho killer. There has to be a reason why he does what he does. Just like there was a reason that she did what she did. She realises again that she can’t think of these people as psychos not after what she has done. She wonders why Jacob slept with her. Does he just randomly fuck any woman when he feels like it? The thought of him being with another woman makes her chest feel tight. But why? She doesn’t even know him. It was a stupid drunk mistake. That’s all it was. She doesn’t even know if it’s possible to fall for someone on sight. I mean people say it was love at first sight but was it really? How can it be? Why she even finds him attractive is a mystery to her. He likes killing people. How on earth can anyone be attracted to that? But that night...Damn she liked it. The feel of him against her, warm and...Hard. The smell of him and his lips...Oh his lips...The way he took her from behind like an animal...The groans that came from him. She liked it...She did. She sighs as tears sting her eyes. The hell is wrong with her? She has never felt like this in all her life. Never. She told him to piss off...But if he had come on to her again she wouldn’t have pushed him off. She would end up sleeping with him again. The flutter in her abdomen and between her legs at the thought of him tells her as much. Damn him! Damn him! John fidgets slightly and mumbles incoherently. She had almost forgotten he was there. Tears sting her eyes as she realises what an absolute mess her life is. It always has been but she had hoped that by now she would at least have a home and someone that cared about her. But she isn’t going to have that. Ever. Now with this cult and her sister. Eli Palmer and...Jacob. Her life is only going to be even more of a mess. Tears roll onto the pillow and she closes her eyes.

---John wakes up. He blinks several times. It’s dark out now. Damn. Trust him to fall asleep. He frowns and looks down. His mouth opens slightly as he sees Mara curled up against him with her head on his chest. Her hand is wrapped around his bunker key. He swallows hard. He lies there for a moment just listening to her breathing. He can see right down her top. He stares at her large round breasts squashed into a bra that looks too small. He sighs. He needs to stop this. He can’t. He won’t. But God does he want to. Does he want her. His jeans suddenly feel way too tight. Damn her. Damn her! Mara fidgets and he feels her breasts pressing against him. A small noise escapes his throat. He then pushes her off of him and shakes her. She stirs and blinks up at him frowning.). Mara: Where am I? (She sits up and looks around.). Mara: Damn. I fell asleep. John: You and me both. Though I’m not complaining. Mara: Told you that you should have gone to bed earlier. John: Hm. Mara: Sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep. John: I don’t mind. I quite enjoyed waking up to you lying on me. Mara: I...What? John: Don’t play dumb with me. Mara: I’m not. I fell asleep. If you touched me I swear- John: Excuse me. You were the one that was all curled up against me. Mara: I was? John: Yes. Mara: Sorry. John: I don’t mind. Mara: Is the offer for dinner still available? John: Of course. Mara: Thanks. (She smiles at him. He suddenly decides that he doesn’t care if it is a sin. He wants this woman. He leans over to kiss her but she chooses that exact moment to get up. She turns and looks at him. She frowns as she sees him leaning across the bed.). Mara: What are you doing? Don’t tell me your still tired. Come on we need to get dinner before I pass out again. I’ll help you if you like. Not that I’ll be much good. Don’t really cook much. John: I can teach you then. Mara: Okay. Good. (She goes into the bathroom. He sits there waiting. He swallows hard. His jeans are still feeling way too tight. He presses his hand down hard on his crotch.). John: Stop. Stop it. (He presses down harder and a small squeak leaves his lips.). John: Go down. Go down. (He hears the toilet flush then running water. The door then opens and he looks up at her. She smiles at him.). Mara: You okay? John: Yes. Why don’t you go and choose something to eat. I’ll be down in a moment. Mara: Okay. (She goes downstairs. She looks around the kitchen then starts opening cupboards. She finds some spaghetti and supposes that will do. Just then she hears the radio from her handbag crackle to life. Her sisters voice materialises. She opens her bag and takes out the radio.

---Faith Seed is sitting in the front pew of Joseph’s church. She has been trying to reach her sister for hours. She went to Mara’s trailer but she wasn’t there. Joseph is sat on a chair at the front of the church watching her. Jacob is busy repairing one of the TVs. Terry is helping him. Suddenly the radio in Faith’s hand crackles and Mara’s voice can be heard.). Mara: Hey sis. How are you? Faith: I’m good. How are you? Mara: Still alive. Faith: Don’t talk like that. Why wouldn’t you still be alive? Mara: I don’t know. Between the starvation, dehydration and Eli Palmer and his band of merry men I’ve got a challenge on my hands eh? Faith: But Eli doesn’t know your back yet does he? Mara: Oh he will do now. I ran into Wheaty do you remember him? Faith: Yes. What happened? Mara: Well he told me that Joseph had brainwashed you and that we couldn’t help you. I kinda told him that I’d already met up with you and that we were doing just fine. Well he didn’t like that. Then he told me I should get out of the mountains coz you know Jacob Seed is a real bad scary guy. (Terry looks up chuckling. Jacob turns his head and looks at the radio. Faith giggles.). Faith: What did you say? Mara: Well me being me I told him not to worry coz me and Jacob had already met and were becoming fast friends. Best friends actually. I also told him that I’d hung out with Jacob’s guys at the hotel too. How we had a right laugh. (Terry laughs.). Terry: Yeah we did. Faith: Sis. Mara: I know. Well he liked that even less. Got into a bit of a fight but...Hey. So anyway probably won’t be long before Eli hears that I’m back. Hope he shits himself. (Faith giggles again.). Faith: I don’t know about that sis. He might. Did you say anything about Joseph? Mara: No. Should I have done? Yeah actually I could have thrown in for good measure how I love Joseph’s hair eh? Would have really ticked ‘em off. (Faith laughs again.). Faith: You are ridiculous sister! (They can hear Mara laughing.). Faith: Joseph heard you. He’s smiling. Mara: Oh really? Hey Joe! Oh yeah that reminds me. Saw John earlier, he told me you were having a sermon. He then had a pop at me for not bloody being there. How was I meant to know there was one on? Faith: I have been trying to contact you all day. Mara: You have? Sorry. Faith: Would you have come if I’d invited you? Mara: Ain’t got nothing else to do have I? Except sit here and wait to see what kills me first. Eli fucking Palmer, starvation or those poxy wolves that keep bounding about out here. (Terry laughs again.). Terry: Oh she’s great. Faith: Why are you starving? Mara: Ain’t got much choice have I? I haven’t found anything yet. I will though. I will. Faith: I could bring you something. Mara: No. No. I’ll work it out. Don’t worry. Faith: But if you’re hungry I have food sis. Mara: No. No. They managed it in 10,000 BC or whatever I’m sure I can manage now what with gas ovens and microwaves and shops and the like. (Terry laughs.). Faith: You are so stubborn. You just won’t accept help will you? Mara: I would if I really needed it. But I don’t right now. I’m at a friend’s place and he’s cooking me dinner. (Faith raises her eyebrows.). Faith: Oh he is, is he? Who is this friend? Mara: Oh you know him really well. Faith: I do? Mara: Yeah. He’s got his own song, his own region, his own great big sign. Likes the word Yes. Remember him now? (Terry laughs and shakes his head.). Terry: She’s so funny. (Faith sighs and shakes her head.). Faith: John? You are at John’s place? Mara: Yep. He’s cooking me dinner. I asked him why he was being so nice to me and he told me he’s only doing it so that I say yes to him. Bless his little heart. (Terry laughs again.). Faith: Well isn’t that like...Blackmail? Mara: Pretty much. I don’t give a shit. He’s cooking me dinner. Terry: She must really be hungry then. Mara: Anyway I’m gonna go now and I’ll catch you later. Gotta help with the dinner eh? Faith: Okay sis. I just wondered how you were doing. Mara: I’m fine. I’ll see you soon okay? Faith: Okay. Mara: Love you lots with jelly tots! (Faith giggles.). Faith: Love you too.

(---Mara shoves the radio back in her bag. John comes down the stairs and enters the kitchen grinning.). Mara: You look happy. John: I am happy. Mara: Are you? John: Yes. Mara: Hm. John: Have you chosen something for dinner? Mara: Spaghetti. John: Spaghetti? Mara: Yeah. You don’t want that? John: I don’t mind. Mara: Where are your saucepans? John: What are we having with it? Mara: I have no idea. Like I told you I don’t really cook. John: You mean you can’t cook? Mara: I don’t know. Probably not. I’m useless at everything else why not cooking too? John: What do you usually do for food? Mara: Well...Usually I look through bins, you’d be amazed what some people throw out. Especially restaurants. They waste food like nobody’s business. I found a half eaten portion of chips once with ketchup and everything. I sometimes...Steal from the shop. Just things like sandwiches and crisps. John: You shouldn’t steal. Mara: What else am I meant to do? I don’t have any money. I have nothing. I don’t even have a proper home. I never have. John: But you could have one. With us. In Eden. Mara: It must be so nice to be so sure of everything. John: But I am sure. (She finds a saucepan and fills it with water. She then puts it on the stove and puts the spaghetti in it. She then switches on the hob and opens several drawers until she finds a spoon to stir it with.). Mara: What do you want with it? John: Why don’t we have spaghetti Bolognese? I think I’ve got some mince meat. Mara: I haven’t had spaghetti Bolognese in ages. (He takes some mince meat out of the fridge and opens the packet. He smiles at her.). John: Then that’s what we will have. (John busies himself with the meat and rummages in cupboards. Once they have cooked the dinner John takes out plates and dishes it up. They then sit down at the small table in the kitchen. It doesn’t take long for Mara to finish the meal. She feels a little better after finally eating something proper.). John: You must have been so hungry. Mara: Always am. Should be used to it by now. John: If you say yes- Mara: What? My life will suddenly be better? Everything will be magically fixed? John: Yes. You will be cleansed and- Mara: And what? I’ll suddenly be wanted? I’ll suddenly have a proper home with people that give a damn about me? My sister will be fine and not the mess that I know she still is? John: Your sister isn’t a mess. She is doing much better now. You would have a home. Mara: Yeah...Some dank dark bunker with a load of people I don’t even know. You know you make it all sound so perfect John but you must be able to see that nothing ever is. I say yes and am cleansed or whatever then I join you. You know what happens next? John: You will be saved from the coming collapse. You will have a family. Mara: No. I’ll get rejected again. Coz that’s all that happens to me. My father never wanted me. Called me the abortion my mother should have had. My mother...Called me useless, a waste of space. She thought I was the devil. Even carved it into my damn back! So that everyone would know what I was. I was six years old. Then Franky...I thought I had a mate in Franky. I really liked her and thought I could trust her. But no...She left one day and never came back. Bonnie and Alex...I thought finally I have a family. I have a proper mom that actually loves me. She died. Cancer. Alex...I thought he liked me...Turned out he was only having a laugh. Taking the piss. Then he died. So you see... (She sniffs and gets up.). Mara: You got any whiskey? John: No. Mara: I bet you have. John: Bet I haven’t. You shouldn’t want one either. Is that what you do when things get tough? You drink? Mara: You gonna sit there judging me now huh? John: Not at all. I myself have struggled with vices such as alcohol. Drugs too. (She stares at him.). Mara: I ain’t some alcoholic. John: You may think you’re not. I didn’t think I was. Oh no I didn’t think I had any problems. I was a lawyer, had my own law firm in Atlanta. I was addicted to cocaine, alcohol, women. Anything to ease the pain. Mara: Pain of what? John: Everything. I thought I was on top of the world. Had it all. Cars, a high paid job, tons of money, women. I didn’t realise how close to hitting rock bottom I was until Joseph found me. I atoned for my sins and I try not to let sin overcome me again. I am not saying anyone is perfect. Nobody is without sin. Sin sometimes overtakes me. But then I atone. You...You won’t even try. Mara: Tch. You want a confession? Huh? I’ve killed nineteen people. Nineteen. Still think I’m worth saving? Still want me in your house? Coz nobody wants me they never have. So why the hell would you?! (She storms up the stairs. He stands there for a moment then follows her. He looks in the bathroom but it’s empty. He then goes to his bedroom. His bathroom door is shut. He tries to open it but it’s locked. He knocks on it.). John: Mara? Please open the door. Mara: What for? So you can kick me out now? John: No. I told you that were welcome to stay the night and you still are. Please come out. (The door opens and she stands there staring at him.). Mara: Can I have a bath? John: Of course. Mara: Thanks. John: I would like to hear more of your confession though. (She sighs. She moves and sits down on the bed. She stares at the floor. This guy really isn’t giving up. Mary told her what John does to the sinners. She can only imagine what he’s going to do to her once he hears the full story. But she can’t help but feel that she has no choice but to join these people. Her sister is a part of their family. They aren’t just going to let her go and she gets the feeling that her sister wouldn’t want to leave anyway. She sighs again.). Mara: Alright. (John’s eyes seem to light up. He smiles.). Mara: On one condition. John: Oh? Mara: We wait until tomorrow. John: Tomorrow? Why? Mara: Because I want a bath and I need to sleep. Looking at you I would say you need sleep too. And...I want us to...Be friends for a while longer. Coz it’s the last time I’m gonna have a friend. John: You consider me a friend? (John looks pleased.). Mara: Yeah I guess so. Least I thought so. John: Hm. We are friends. We still will be. Mara: No we won’t. I told you...I don’t get the happy ending. I don’t get a family or friends. John: You do. I give you my word that you will be welcomed into our family with open arms once you have been cleansed of your sins. If you give me your word that you will confess and atone tomorrow like you say. Mara: I give you my word. (He smiles at her then kneels down and cups her face with his hands. He smiles again.). John: You won’t regret it. I promise. (She smiles back.). Mara: Okay. If you say so. John: I do say so. (She smiles again. This is the first time Mara has seen John look genuinely happy. He stares at her for a moment and she frowns. He looks like he’s trying to decide on something. He swallows hard then moves so that his lips are inches away from hers. She freezes.). Mara: What are you doing you silly sod? (He lets out a shaky laugh.). John: I really want to kiss you. Mara: John...No. I already told you I’m not that kind of girl. (He looks down then suddenly stands up.). John: I shouldn’t have... (He seems to struggle with himself for a moment, his hands clenching into fists, then he turns to leave. She gets up and grabs his wrist.). Mara: John...Look...It’s not...I’m sure you’re a nice guy, really. It’s just...I’m the kind of girl that wants a man who is going to love her and take care of her. I’m not the kind of girl that just...You know. (He stares at her.). John: I’ll leave you to have your bath. (He leaves the room. He goes downstairs and leans against the dining table. He sighs and runs a hand through his hair. He wanted to kiss her so badly. He sighs again then smiles as he remembers that she is going to confess tomorrow. He finally got her to say yes. He goes to the kitchen and puts the plates in the sink then makes himself a hot chocolate in his plane mug. He wonders who she has killed. She said she has killed nineteen people. He knows she was arrested. But she was in a psychiatric unit instead of prison. He drinks his hot chocolate then looks at the clock. 1.34am. He makes sure the doors are closed and switches off the lights going upstairs. He goes to his bedroom and stops dead in the doorway. Mara is curled up in his bed asleep. He swallows hard then closes the bedroom door. He goes into the bathroom and brushes his teeth then uses the loo. He then switches off the light and removes his shoes and socks. He then removes his clothes leaving him in just his boxers. He stands there for a moment staring at Mara in the light coming from the small lamp. He climbs into bed next to her sliding under the covers with her. He lies there for a few minutes.). Mara: You gonna turn the lamp off? (He reaches over and turns off the lamp. The only light now comes from the balcony doors.). John: Why are you in my bed? Mara: Coz we’re friends and... (She feels so stupid. She isn’t interested in John, at all. Not like that. All she can think about is Jacob and how he used her.). John: And... Mara: I just wondered what it would be like to share a bed with someone. To be held...Just once. (He can tell that she is crying.). Mara: You think that’s stupid don’t you? Pathetic. (He swallows hard.). John: No. (He moves closer to her and wraps his arms around her pulling her against him. She closes her eyes and remembers Jacob holding her like this. Tears roll onto the pillow.). John: Why are you crying? Mara: Coz I’m an idiot. John: No you’re not. (He kisses the back of her neck.). Mara: Hey no funny business. John: Hm. You’ll be the death of me. Mara: Nah you’ll live. John: You make me want to sin so badly. Mara: What? John: I want you. Mara: Why? John: Because...You are so beautiful. Mara: I don’t know about that. I do know that we should be sleeping. So sleep. John: Yes boss. (She giggles.). Mara: Goodnight John. Thanks for letting me stay. John: You’re welcome. Mara: Now sleep. If I am going through this atonement tomorrow then I need to sleep. John: Hm. (She can’t actually believe what she is doing. That she has actually agreed to let John carve her sin into her skin. She must be mad. But suddenly she decides that she doesn’t care if she survives it or not.).

[chobit92]

Home: Jacob Seed/OC Chapter 37

(2 weeks later: Mara parks the ATV outside the Hope County Clinic in Holland Valley. She walks up to the door and goes inside. She freezes in the doorway. The foyer is a wreck and there’s blood splattered up the walls.). Mara: Hello? (She walks into the small office. It’s been trashed as has the other office. She goes into the main room. The examination table has been turned over and the medical equipment is gone. The three large cabinets that are usually filled with various medicines are broken and empty. There’s something written on the wall in black paint. Mara lets out a small wail and starts to sob sinking to the floor. She isn’t going to have her appointment with the doctor. The only other doctors in the county now are members of Edens Gate. 

---Joseph has just finished his sermon. Most have left the church to carry out their daily tasks. Faith, John, Jacob, Joseph, Terry and Evelyn remain.). Terry: Why would Mara miss a sermon? Faith: There’s something wrong with her. She’s been acting really weird lately. Evelyn: She’s gone from being homeless and starving with nobody to having her sister back and living with all these strangers. It’s a big change. Terry: You said that everything with Holly was fine now. Evelyn: It is. They were sewing together yesterday afternoon and talking too. Faith: Then where has she gone? Evelyn: I don’t know dear. (Lexi walks in.). Lexi: Mara’s just pulled up. Evelyn: Well tell her to get in here would you dear? Lexi: Yeah. (Lexi leaves and a minute later Mara walks in.). Evelyn: Hello dear. Where were you today? Mara: What? Evelyn: Are you alright dear? You look very pale. Mara: Do I? I’m fine. Just not feeling well. Evelyn: Still? Mara: It’s being around that bliss shit. Evelyn: Hm. You’ll get used to it dear. Faith: Why weren’t you at the sermon? Mara: Because I’ve spent most of the morning with my head over the bog. Do you need me to do something coz if you don’t I’m just gonna go lie down for a bit. (She turns and walks to the door.). Faith: Sis! (Mara leaves.). Faith: See what I mean? She’s acting funny. Evelyn: Hm. I’ll go talk to her. Joseph: I’ll talk to her. (Joseph leaves the church. He catches up to Mara on her way to the barn.). Joseph: Mara? Mara: What do you want Joe? Look I’m sorry I missed your sermon but I figured you wouldn’t want me throwing up all over the floor. It would have looked like a scene from the exorcist. Joseph: My child? (He grabs her arm and turns her to face him.). Joseph: Where is this attitude coming from? Mara: What attitude? I just don’t feel well. (They reach the barn and she climbs onto the top bunk and lies down with her back to him.). Joseph: Talk to me child. What is wrong? Mara: Nothing. I just don’t feel well. Joseph: You need to eat something and drink some water. I’ll leave you to rest but I expect to see you this afternoon. We need to talk about this attitude of yours. Mara: Whatever Joe. (Joseph grits his teeth and bows his head. He doesn’t want to do this but she is forcing his hand. He grabs her and yanks her off of the bunk bed.). Mara: Hey! Joseph: Get up now and follow me. (Mara sighs angrily and follows him over to the obstacle course.). Joseph: Steve! (Steve jogs over.). Steve: Yes Father? Joseph: I want Mara to run this course until she collapses from exhaustion. Steve: Yes Father. (Joseph stares at Mara and she gets the feeling he’s reading her mind again.). Mara: You trying to kill us Joe? Joseph: You will do as your told, there will be no more attitude, no more missing sermons. Mara: I wasn’t feeling- Joseph: Do you want a place with us or not? Mara: There’s no place for me. Never was. Joseph: That’s not true. You have a place here with us. You are throwing it away. Now run the course. (Mara sighs.). Joseph: Without any attitude. (Mara really doesn’t feel like running. She feels lightheaded and sick. She starts running the course but a few minutes later she has collapsed in the dirt.). Joseph: Up you get Mara. (She doesn’t move. Steve walks over to her and rolls her over.). Steve: She’s passed out. (Joseph sighs and lifts her up carrying over to the barn and lying her down on the bottom bunk. He brushes her hair out of her face. A minute later she stirs then sits up before throwing up on the floor. She then starts to sob. Joseph frowns.). Joseph: Why are you crying? Mara: Coz it’s all crap innit? Joseph: What is? Mara: My life. Just one big joke Joe. Joseph: No. You have a new life now. Mara: Until it’s gone. Happiness doesn’t last for me. Joseph: It can if you let it. (She leans against him and he puts an arm around her.). Mara: Sorry. Joseph: For? Mara: Acting like a stroppy teenager giving her dad attitude. (Joseph can’t help but smile slightly.). Joseph: You are forgiven my child. (She looks up at him. He looks down at her, their noses are inches apart.). Mara: How do you do that? Joseph: Do what? Mara: Be so calm all the time. Joseph: There is no need to be angry. It achieves nothing. (He brushes a hand through her hair. She closes her eyes.). Mara: I need to pee. (She giggles.). Mara: Sorry. (She gets up and sways slightly. He gets up and supports her. She leans against him.). Mara: How can you be so warm when you walk around wearing nothing? You know I think you’re a wizard Joe. Joseph: I’m a what? Mara: A wizard. (Then she laughs.). Mara: You just quoted Harry Potter. Joseph: I did? Mara: Yeah. (They walk over to the toilets and she goes inside the small cubicle. The toilets are wooden and are just really holes in the ground. When she is done she goes over to the spigot and washes her hands.). Mara: Guess I’d better get back to the course. Joseph: I have a better idea. Mara: You do? Joseph: I don’t want you collapsing on me again. (She follows him back to his church. They go inside and Faith, John and Jacob look up.). Faith: Sis. Mara: Hey. (Joseph picks up a white book and hands it to Mara.). Joseph: I don’t think you have yet read my word. Everybody reads it. So that they understand. (Mara takes the book and looks at the floor.). Mara: Okay. Joseph: You need to be resting and I thought it a perfect opportunity for you to read. (Mara doesn’t say anything.). Faith: Just read it sis. Okay? (Mara can feel her cheeks burning and she knows she’s blushing.). Mara: I’ll see you later then. (She turns and starts to walk off.). Faith: Sis? Mara: Yeah? Faith: I was thinking...We should spend the day together tomorrow. We don’t see each other often enough. Mara: Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow then. (Mara leaves.). Faith: There’s something wrong. The way she’s acting...It’s like she just doesn’t care anymore...About anything. John: Maybe she’s done something wrong. Faith: Like what? She’s been doing everything to help everyone here and she’s been trying to fit in. (John shrugs.). Faith: Trust you to think the worst of her John. John: I wasn’t. I was just making a suggestion. Faith: I’ll talk to her tomorrow. I will find out what’s wrong. John: Hm. I can talk to her. Faith: No. I’ll do it. We’re sisters we tell each other everything. John: Clearly not. (Holly has walked in and has been listening.). Holly: Are you talking about Mara? Faith: It’s very rude to eavesdrop you know? Holly: I couldn’t help but overhear. Faith: How are you two getting on now? (Holly smiles. But inside she is boiling with rage. She saw Mara yesterday talking to John and they were close...Very close. They were laughing together and then Mara hugged him. In front of everyone! Hugged him! Mara has told her, assured her, that there is nothing going on but Holly doesn’t believe her. She wants Mara gone.). Holly: Yes...I’m still getting to know her but we’re okay. I realise how wrong it was to treat her that way. I let my sin get the better of me but we’re all good now. Faith: Good. Holly: Though... Faith: What? Holly: Well...She’s been acting weird right? Faith: Yes. Do you know why? Holly: Well...She doesn’t want to be here. Faith: What? Holly: Well we’ve noticed her sneaking off several times. When I asked her about it she didn’t say much. Evelyn told me that she had a doctor’s appointment a couple of weeks ago but- Joseph: She did. She has already told me where she was. The doctor at the clinic in Holland Valley confirmed to us that she had been to see him. He also told me what he treated her for. Holly: Oh. Joseph: She had an infection and he gave her antibiotics. Holly: She could have just seen a doctor here. Joseph: She wasn’t aware of that. I also think that she was embarrassed. (Jacob is frowning.). Holly: I see. Well this morning when she was meant to be here she wasn’t. Joseph: She wasn’t feeling well. Holly: Yes but where was she? She wasn’t here. If she was unwell why wasn’t she in bed? She left the compound again. When she came back she seemed very upset and...Scared. (Everyone looks confused.). Holly: I think she’s meeting up with someone. John: You mean you think she is going to betray us? How? Holly: I don’t know. But she doesn’t want to be here. She only joined for you Faith. She isn’t happy and I’m worried that she’s planning something. Faith: What? Holly: Well she keeps sneaking away and not telling anyone where she’s been. So I think she’s thinking of leaving and she’s been meeting someone who’s gonna help her. Faith: I don’t believe you. Holly: Well I’m sorry I know she’s your sister but you have to consider- Faith: Yes she’s my sister and there is no proof whatsoever of what you are saying. All we have is your word, your assumptions, there could be a perfectly good explanation as to why Mara keeps sneaking off and it could have nothing to do with the fact that she is thinking of leaving us. Leaving me. Holly: Could always follow her. John: Hm. Could keep an eye on her. Clearly there’s something going on. Faith: I trust my sister. I don’t believe you. (Faith walks off leaving the church.). Holly: I didn’t mean to upset her. It’s just strange that Mara keeps sneaking off isn’t it? Joseph: Hm. You should not make assumptions and spread rumours Holly. Unless you are sure of the truth. This is how innocent people get punished for things they have not done. This is how people’s good names are slandered by all. It all starts with one rumour, one piece of gossip. Holly: Yes Father. I understand. Joseph: Good. (Holly leaves.). Joseph: What do you think Jacob? Jacob: About what? Women gossiping? I ain’t really interested. It’s pathetic. Joseph: No. I meant what do you think about Mara? Do you think she would leave us? That she would betray her family? (Jacob thinks. He doesn’t know her all that well but he is yet to see her run from anything.). Jacob: I don’t know. What’s it matter? Ain’t like nothings gonna happen. Don’t matter if she runs or if she tries to bring people here. They won’t budge us. Joseph: No. But I will be deeply disappointed if Holly is right about Mara. Jacob: You just said so yourself that it is just gossip Joe. Joseph: Yes. It is. Jacob: Holly doesn’t like Mara. She’s jealous of her because she’s such good friends with John. I think that says more about Holly than it does Mara. (Jacob shrugs before leaving the church.).

[chobit92]

Home: Jacob Seed/OC Chapter 28

Warnings: Violence, Child Abuse, Rape, Drugs 

 (2 days later: Friday: Faith is sitting in Joseph’s church arranging flowers into bunches. Joseph is writing in a book. Just then Lexi walks in with a man.). Lexi: Faith your sister has agreed to join us. Faith: What? She has? How do you know? Man: You need to see this. (The man turns on the TV and tunes it to a channel. Faith gasps as she sees Mara on the screen sat in a chair. Her surroundings are dark but she can just make out where she is.). Faith: Is she... Man: John’s bunker. Lexi: Will saw it in the canteen he just came and told us. (Faith stands up and watches as Mara looks at the camera.). John: Are you going to confess? Mara: Yes. John: You will confess and you will atone? Mara: Yes. (Faith watches in shock as John moves into view. Faith gasps as John grabs Mara’s hair and yanks her head back. She then stares as John jams the screwdriver into her sisters neck making her bleed.). Lexi: John ain’t playing. Man: She don’t look too scared though. John: Confess. Mara: Just remember that you asked for it.

(John takes the screwdriver away from Mara’s neck and disappears from view. Mara sighs and looks at the camera.). Mara: Um...I don’t know if there’s a specific way of doing this. Things your meant to say. I’m just gonna start at the beginning. (Joseph is looking at the TV. Will walks in.). Will: Have you seen it? Faith: Yes. I don’t understand why he is broadcasting it. Will: I don’t know. Mara: Some of you may think I’m mad. Some of you might think I’m a monster. Maybe some of you will understand what I did. I was born to parents who did nothing but sell drugs and abuse. My mother always wished that she had just had an abortion. I was never wanted. By her or my father. She kept me locked in the basement. Coming into this bunker today was the hardest thing I’ve done in years. All I can see is that basement. Still hear my mom screaming about what a mistake I am. How useless I am. She believed that I was the devil. Hell maybe she was right. Faith: No sis she wasn’t. (Will rubs Faiths shoulder.). Mara: She would whip me until my back was red raw. She would starve me for days and give me no water. It was dark down there and damp. I was always cold, always hungry and always in pain. Alone in the dark. (Tears roll down Mara’s cheeks. Faith is also crying. Will puts his arm around her.). Will: You know what she did don’t you Faith? Faith: Yes. (Faith lets out a sob and buries her head in Wills Jacket.). Mara: I was never allowed out of the basement because my mother didn’t want anyone to know I existed. In fact nobody did. My mother never told anyone she was pregnant. She never went to a doctor. She gave birth at home. She said it was agony. That I was a little bitch for putting her through so much pain. As if I had somehow decided to be there. She told me that the pain was Gods punishment for giving birth to the devil. She was delusional. Probably all the drugs she took. I was surprised when my father let me out of the basement. It was a strange experience. Being kept underground then suddenly seeing the rest of the house. The window and...Outside. It was confusing. My dad was friends with the priest who used to run the church in Falls End. Some priest he was, turned out he liked children. He liked them a lot. Will: Ah hell. (Joseph is watching the screen with interest.). Mara: I didn’t like him second I saw him. The way he looked at me. The way he spoke. My dad told me to help my mom so I went to the living room. Mom was there and I helped her clean the living room then I was shoved back down in the basement. My sister wasn’t kept in the basement like me. She had her own room. I thought she was loved and cared for. John: You were jealous of her? Mara: No. Worse than that. I was happy for her. I thought she was loved and cared for. She wasn’t. Least in the basement I was left alone most of the time. My baby sister went through hell and I didn’t even know anything about it. I had no clue. That priest came down to the basement one day and started touching me. I had found a large nail, I was using it to draw on the wall. I stuck it in his face, took a load of skin off and left him with a nasty scar. He screamed. My mom came down and got real angry with me. Called me ‘Devil’ again. Then she carved the word into my back. I was six years old. Man: Damn. (Will lets out a breath. Faith is still crying.). Mara: My sister sometimes visited me in the basement. She would sneak me a drink or some food. I remember being so happy that she was okay. She was never dirty, always dressed nice. While my parents were out we would sit and talk to each other for ages. We would play games and cuddle. Over time me and my sister grew close. She was sad that I was kept in the basement. But I looked forward to her visits. When I was a teenager I was finally let out of the basement. I think my mom hoped I would leave the house and not come back. My father told me to piss off to my face. ‘Go on go you little bitch’ he spat. I finally got to see the world. Well...Hope County anyway. It was hard at first. Especially talking to people. But I met some nice people who became my friends. Most people knew who my parents were. They were the ones that dealt drugs to everyone. Even young kids who were still in school. I learned that the drugs my dad sold had already killed two kids. I wondered why the police hadn’t arrested him. Turned out the Sheriff at the time and my dad were best mates. Just like he was best mates with the priest too. Could get away with whatever he wanted. I finally thought that things could be okay. I’d managed to make friends and I was finally out of the basement. I still had to sleep down there though. I thought that once I was a bit older I could take my sister and go. Get our own place together. It’s amazing what you think is possible when you’re a kid. When I was fourteen my sister told me that she was being bullied at school. She showed me bruises on her ribs and a cut on her arm where they’d attacked her. So I went up the school when it finished and waited. I saw my sister walking out and then I saw them. Three of ‘em. One of ‘em grabbed her and pulled her hair while the other one pulled out a little flick knife. I marched over to them and punched the first one. I got the knife off the other one and stuck it in his arm. He was crying like a baby. The other one ran off. Oh my mom was furious when she heard what I’d done. Locked me back in the basement after whipping me again. The boys didn’t bully my sister again though. When I was fifteen my parents went away for the weekend. They took my sister with them and left me on my own. (Mara sighs.). Mara: It was Saturday night and I was looking around the house. I’d found my dad’s whiskey and decided to have some. I was looking around upstairs and that’s when I found them. In my parents’ wardrobe there was a box of tapes. I was curious as to what they were, they didn’t have anything written on them. Curiosity killed the cat though right? I couldn’t believe what I was watching. My baby sister being violated over and over again by my dad and that priest. My mom was there watching. Who does that to their daughter? In the first video she could only be about six. There were over thirty tapes. All filled with images of my baby sister being raped repeatedly. I couldn’t watch it all. I went to the church in Falls End. He looked surprised when he saw me. He looked even more surprised when he saw the kitchen knife I’d bought with me. (Will sighs. Faith is still crying quietly.). Mara: I lost count of how many times I stabbed that dirty raping bastard. I should have cut his dick off. He had this ornate cross on his table. I don’t really know what made me do it but I thought it was fitting. I picked up the cross and shoved it through his chest. Then I went back home. The priest wasn’t found until the morning. Sunday. Church day. Not that day. Church was closed, surrounded by crime scene tape. Who would do such a thing? (Mara laughs.). John: You let your anger take control of you. Your sin is wrath. Mara: Yeah. You can put the screwdriver down though. I ain’t finished yet. I walked around town and listened to what everyone was saying about the grisly murder. I even heard that people were coming forward to say that the priest had abused them. He hadn’t just done it to my sister. He was a paedophile. Not a priest. I ended up hanging out with Wheaty in the woods. I didn’t get home until late. My parents were back by then. They had heard about their beloved friend being killed. My father had lost his temper. He thought it was all my sisters fault. My father was worried that they would find drugs in the church and other things...When I came home my father had beaten my sister so badly I could hardly recognise her. She was curled up in the corner of the lounge sobbing. Her little dress was covered in blood. She had a lot of broken bones, her jaw, her nose. She was broken. So was I, I guess. I was tired. I’d had enough. Seeing my sister like that was awful. I was supposed to protect her. I had one fucking job. I failed. My dad noticed that I was back and he started shouting and swearing at me. Then he said that he would drown me first. Mom was upstairs running the bath. She was going to drown my sister. (Faith is sobbing.). Mara: I wasn’t going to fail her again. I went to the kitchen and got the knife. Same one I used on the priest. I went back to the lounge and my dad just stared at me. I told him I was the one who killed his friend. Gave him what he deserved. He said he always knew I was a head case. That I wasn’t normal. That I was different. A mistake. He said I was nothing but demon spawn. So I thought alright then...I’ll show him then. My father started yelling that I was done for now. He’d drown me himself and nobody would know coz nobody really knew I existed. I then did the unthinkable, the unforgiveable, the ultimate sin. I started stabbing my father. Will: Jesus. Man: My God. Mara: My sister could only watch in horror screaming from the floor as I stabbed daddy again and again. My mother came flying down the stairs and she screamed when she saw what I had done. She pointed at me and screamed ‘I knew it, Devil’. I guess you can’t kill a monster without becoming one. I stabbed my mother repeatedly before slitting her throat. My sister was crying and I hugged her and told her everything was going to be fine. I called an ambulance for my sister. When they saw my parents they were horrified. The police arrived a little while later. My sister was screaming for me. Begging for me not to be taken away. I told her I loved her and that I’d see her again. I thought I was going to prison but oh no. They thought I was insane. They found out I’d killed the priest too. I was placed in a psychiatric facility. I was released when I was eighteen. I was stunned. I never thought I’d see the light of day again. Seemed a bit stupid to me. I told them I’d been locked in a basement for years. So what do they do? Why they lock me in a tiny room of course. Coz that makes sense. I had nowhere to live and no money so...I lived on the streets. I was sleeping in an abandoned apartment block that had turned into a den for junkies and gang members. The leader of the gang was always there dealing drugs. One day though I noticed that he had two young girls handcuffed to an old bed with a rusty frame. I spoke to them. Turned out they had run away from their abusive parents. Sisters. They reminded me so much of my sister and me. They were just trying to get somewhere better. They didn’t though. Ivan was the leader of the local gang. Into all kinds of shit. Nobody messed with him. Those that did ended up dead. One of the girls was seventeen the other was twelve. I didn’t want to get involved. I was on my own and had myself to look out for. But later that night I saw a man in the room with Ivan and the girls. He was handing Ivan a large wad of cash and the girls were crying. Their trousers were around their ankles. Ivan was selling them to dirty pervs. Pimping them out. I weren’t having that. You should know what happened next John. Seeing as you know me well by now. John: You killed them. Mara: Yeah. That’s where I got the revolver from. I took it from Ivan. Then I used it to help the girls escape after stabbing Ivan and the perv. One of Ivan’s mates always watched the door of the crack den. Knew he wouldn’t just let us leave. He had a gun too. He raised it to shoot me but luckily for me I was quicker. Shot him in the head. His blood spattered the wall and I didn’t even care. I still don’t. I gave the girls the money that perv had given to Ivan and told them about a shelter I knew about that wasn’t far. I hope they went there. I hope they were okay. I met Franky not long after and we hung out for a bit just trying to get by on the streets. Until she buggered off. Then I met Bonnie and Alex and stayed with them. I kept looking for my sister. Came here seven years ago then again four years ago. I always hoped to find her. I hoped to see her again and I did. Came back here and met up with her again. Killed more people. Thirteen members of the Whitetail Militia. Also killed that guy that came to your ranch and threatened to shoot us. It gets hard to keep count after a while. I am a killer. That’s it. Now I am going to be that psycho girl again that everyone looks at funny. The girl that killed her parents. Coz you know there must be something wrong with me right? I must be insane. Normal people don’t kill people. Except they seem to forget that way back when they probably did. All the time. People have always killed people. We’re good at destruction. It’s what we do. (Mara finally stops talking. She just sits there looking blank.). John: That is your full confession? Mara: That’s everything. John: No other sins? Mara: Not that I know of. Ain’t got anything to be greedy with and I have no Lust in my life. Ain’t never even had a boyfriend. Never will neither. Not now. Can’t have much pride coz I hate myself. John: Hm. I see. (The camera moves and John’s face can now be seen. He smiles.). John: I told you dear Faith that your sister would join us. That she would say yes. (Faith gasps.). John: You might not want to watch this next part though. (The video feed suddenly disappears and ‘No Signal’ now displays on the blank screen. Faith lets out a whimper and Will wraps his arms around her.

 ---Jacob sits in the makeshift mess hall of the veterans center. Terry came racing into his office telling him about the broadcast. Everyone sat watching as Mara confessed to John. Jacob couldn’t stop staring at her. He tells himself that he is intrigued by her. The way she has killed without hesitation that’s all that draws him to her. Nothing else. She would probably be no good to him anyway. Not really. Not like his men. She wouldn’t be able to pass the trials. She is pretty though. He can’t deny that. So beautiful. He tries to remember what she felt like. What she smelled like but he can’t. He barely remembers much about that night. Only that he fucked her. That she cried his name and called him a grizzly bear. He gets up and goes back up to his office. He sighs as he flicks through the days reports. He didn’t get much sleep last night and he is tired. He struggles to sleep. He didn’t struggle when Mara was sleeping next to him though. He didn’t have any nightmares either. He sighs and picks up the report about the latest Militia sightings.

  ---John walks into Josephs church. Faith looks up her eyes red from crying. Joseph stands up and greets him.). Faith: Why did you broadcast it? John: Your sisters confession? I thought you would want to see it. Faith: How did you get here so quickly? John: I didn’t. Faith: But we were just watching you with my sister in your bunker. John: That was filmed two days ago. It wasn’t live. Faith: Two days...Where is she now? John: I don’t know. After her atonement I baptised her in the river. I also gave her the Edens Gate tattoo. She wanted it on the back of her neck. Then she left for the Whitetail Mountains. She said she was going to collect her things then meet up with you in the Henbane. Faith: I haven’t seen her. John: Hm. I’m sure she’ll be back. She wouldn’t leave you. She cares for you too much. Faith: I know.

 ---11.23pm. Mara stumbles into the bathroom. She groans in pain and wipes the dirty mirror and pulls her top down. She stares at the word ‘Wrath’ carved across her chest. She sighs. Now she hates her body even more. The word ‘Devil’ on her back along with all the scars from the whip now this. Tears sting her eyes. John has serious issues. He enjoyed slicing into her skin. He enjoyed the way she cried out in pain. She didn’t mind the pain. She has found that she likes it. That’s why she cuts herself sometimes. But she didn’t scream though. Wouldn’t give him that satisfaction. She still isn’t sure about John. He seems to honestly believe that he has helped her. Saved her. She almost wishes he had drowned her in the river. For a moment she thought he was going to. He held her under way longer than was necessary. She winces as she runs a damp cloth over her chest. Damn is it sore. She also rubs the back of her neck which itches slightly from the latest tattoo John has given her. The black cross logo of Edens Gate. There’s no going back now. She is officially a member whatever the hell that means. She goes back to the kitchen area and puts her things in her holdall. She doesn’t own much. Her drawings and pens, some clothes and shoes, the iPod that Franky gave her that she can’t charge. She grabs the blanket from the bed and shoves it into the holdall. She just about manages to fit it in there. She then slings the holdall across her body but it rubs against the scarring on her chest. She moves it so that it is over her shoulder. She takes one last look around the trailer. She sighs then opens the door. She stops dead when she sees several militia standing outside with their guns aimed at her.). Man: Time to die peggie bitch!

[chobit92]

Home: Jacob Seed/OC Chapter 16

(Jacob drives through the gates of the St Francis Veterans Center and parks his truck. He gets out grabbing his rifle slinging it over his shoulder and walks up to the entrance. Several men greet him. He grunts at them and goes inside. He goes to the kitchens and makes himself a coffee and some toast. He takes them up to his office and sits at his desk. He thinks about Mara. She looked really hurt this morning when he just got up and left. He tries to remember last night. He suddenly has the image of him threatening Mara with his knife. She grabbed him and cut herself. If you’re gonna threaten someone with a knife may as well cut them a little. Damn. Did that actually happen? He remembers her asking him to stay. They drank some more. They drank a lot. He told her how humanity was in crisis. They drank more. Then...She was kissing him. He remembers she was on top of him at one point. Then they were in bed. His head is still pounding. It’s like looking through someone else’s glasses. Everything is blurry. She was a virgin. He remembers that. He thinks she called him grizzly bear. Did she say that? I’m sure she said that. He finishes his toast and drinks his coffee. Damn. He can’t believe he took her virginity. Joseph wouldn’t be pleased if he knew. Joseph loved the fact that she was a virgin. That she was pure. Jacob sighs. He doesn’t much care. But his brother will. He will be disappointed. Joseph would expect this sort of behaviour from John but not from Jacob. He remembers Mara’s giggle. She giggled a lot. Then he hears her voice sighing his name softly. She was on all fours and he was taking her from behind. She was moaning. He then recalls her firing his pistol and laughing. He removes his pistol from its holster and inspects it. One bullet missing. Then he realises that his knife is missing. He sighs. Damnit.).

[chobit92]

Home: Jacob Seed/OC Chapter 27

Sorry it has taken so long for me to post the next chapter. Enjoy!

Warnings: Swearing, Violence. 

 (Next Day: Wednesday. Mara is tied to a chair in John’s bunker. It took her ages to actually walk down here. She hates being underground. In the end John carried her down here and told her not to worry. She doesn’t know where he’s gone or why she’s tied up. She’s agreed to do this already why the fuck has he tied her up? She looks around the room and sees a camera. He’s going to film it? Jesus Christ. Her heart rate increases as memories of being down in that basement with her mother come flooding back. The whip, the pain, the shouts of devil. She can’t help but feel like she’s back there. That her mother is going to walk in any moment. But it isn’t her mother that walks in. It’s John. He is whistling and carrying a tool box. He then sets up his tattoo gun.).

John: Sorry for keeping you waiting. Mara: You just want to make it worse don’t you? John: What? Mara: You seem to forget that my mom tied me up in a basement and sliced me up too. (John looks at her.). John: Ah...I see. That’s why you were hesitant to come down here. Why you don’t like being underground. Mara: You are smart. John: You don’t need to worry. Your mother isn’t here now. You are with me. Mara: Is that any better? John: Yes. I am going to cleanse you of your sins. Mara: Why am I tied up? I have already agreed to do this. What you don’t believe me? You don’t trust me? Thought we were mates. (She looks sad. He picks up a small knife and walks over to her cutting the rope around her wrists. She rubs them.). Mara: Thank you. So I’m curious...Why do you film it? I thought confessions were meant to be private. John: They are. It’s just you and me here. But... Mara: But what? Ah you like to re-watch the pain you inflict on people. (John doesn’t answer. There is silence for a minute.). John: Sin must be exposed so it may be absolved. Mara: Well this is gonna go well then. (He frowns.). John: What do you mean? Mara: Well if everyone’s gonna know then I’m buggered. I’m back to being that psycho bitch who killed those people. John: You won’t regret this. Promise. You will see. (She sighs and sits there staring into space. He sets up the camera and pulls a small table over. He places the tattoo gun on it along with a scalpel. He then picks up a large screwdriver. She watches him then notices the Bunsen burner on the work table across the room. She also notices the pieces of skin hanging there with sins written on them. The hell has she gotten herself into?). John: Right then. Mara: So...You’re using the tattoo gun? John: Yes. Everybody gets the tattoo. Mara: How come yours is carved onto you rather than tattooed? (He frowns.). Mara: Do I get to choose? John: Choose what? Mara: Well I don’t want the tattoo. John: The tattoo is part of your atonement. I told you we have to expose the sin so that it may be absolved. Mara: Yeah. But why can’t I have it like you have yours? (He stares at her. She points to his chest where the word ‘Sloth’ is carved into the skin.). Mara: Yours isn’t a tattoo. You’ve used something sharp to cut it into the skin. I was wondering if I could choose to do that too. I mean if you and Joseph can have them carved onto you then why do I have to get just a tattoo? I don’t understand. John: It was Joseph that had the idea of using the tattoo gun instead. I find it is a good idea as- Mara: You can cut the tattoo off again? But why is yours carved onto your skin with a line through it? You can’t have it like that then do it differently to someone else. Seeing as this is ‘my atonement’ like you keep saying I don’t see why I can’t choose how I do it. Why can’t I have it like yours? (He stares at her for a moment. Then he smiles.). John: So you would rather I cut your sin into you than tattoo it? Mara: Yeah. Like yours. I thought that’s what you were doing. (John swallows hard.). Mara: You could use the scalpel. Or you could put the screwdriver over the Bunsen burner and use that. (He lets out a breath and smiles at her.). John: Damn. (He chuckles.). John: Nobody has ever asked that. Mara: Nobody has ever asked if they could have their sin cut into their skin like you have rather than tattooed? Hm well that’s strange. John: Alright. Mara: So what happens now? I mean I don’t really know how this works. John: You confess. Mara: Okay. Well you might want to make yourself a cup of coffee or something coz we could be here a while. John: That’s alright. Mara: So I guess I just start at the beginning and tell you what happened right? I dunno. John: Yes. You will confess everything. Every thought, every action, every feeling. Mara: Okay. You better be ready for this. John: I am. (He goes over to the camera and starts recording. She looks at the small blinking red light for a moment then she sighs.). John: Are you going to confess your sins? (She frowns. Why is he asking her again? She is here isn’t she? Then she realises this is for the camera. She then remembers that he wanted her to say yes to atonement.). Mara: Yes. (John smiles and his eyes light up.). John: You will confess and you will atone? Mara: Yes. (He moves so that he is behind her chair. He suddenly grabs her hair and yanks her head back pressing the screwdriver into her throat. He presses so hard he draws blood. Mara feels it run down her neck and disappear under her top. He then hisses in her ear.). John: Confess. Mara: Just remember that you asked for it.