Destroyer

Chapter 2

Despite the abundance of rain clouds and fog the past few days, the night sky was surprisingly clear. Nayeli laid on her back, eyes wide open as she took in every single star that was within her eye's reach. She would always miss the beaches and cool ocean waters of California, but the light pollution there kept her from the beauty hanging just over her head. Simple moments like this made her forget just how fucked everything had become.

Boomer was snuggled up against her, watching as Grace sat idly across from the crackling fire. Nayeli had done as Dutch asked. She had gone to Rae Rae's but what she found there was fresh out of a nightmare. Dutch was speechless when she gave him the news over the radio. She imagined he had mourned after they disconnected. The only remnant left of Rae Rae was the furry creature who now claimed her as his master.

Nayeli turned to Grace, who had now taken up her rifle. Always on guard. Always so quiet. What ghosts from the war had she brought home with her, Nayeli wondered.

"Do you really think we can take on Fall's End with just the two of us?" the deputy asked. There was a slight whine from Boomer, as he lifted his head to looked at her inquisitively.

"Okay, the three of us."

Grace was intimidating, to say the least, so when she did not respond, Nayeli could feel herself become anxious, not wanting to annoy her by asking again. Grace made a snickering noise before finally responding.

"Figure so long as you know how to use that bow, we go in at sundown tomorrow. Quietly. By the time they realize what's happening, they'll all be dead."

Nayeli cleared her throat, a sign of being uncomfortable with the way Grace spoke. Grace was a veteran. She did her time in the military. She's been face to face with death on multiple occasions and taken the lives of those that would have taken hers. Nayeli had been playing cop for only a few months. When she did shoot to kill, it left her in shock. Every kill following the helicopter crash she got resulted in her feeling nauseous.

"Does it get easier?" Nayeli asked sheepishly. She turned her head to gage Grace's expression. There was none.

"No. It doesn't."

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"What do you mean, we lost Fall's End?" John sneered as the cultist before he got down on his knees, frightened.

"They took us by surprise. Came at sun fall, silent as night sir. I came here as fast as I could."

Jacob was leaning back in his chair, sharpening a knife when he heard the familiar sound of a slap, as the cultist fell to the ground. Jacob simply glanced up and went back to sharpening his knife. The sound of the hit brought back memories he had pushed back so far into his mind, he had forgotten they were there.

Joseph walked into John's great room only a few moments later, tailed by one Faith. Joseph glanced to the cultist on the ground before his eyes darted to John, visibly disappointed by his brother's behavior.

"John. Actions like this will not be tolerated, lest your wrath consume you." he spoke as he went to the man's side, gently assisting him to his feet.

John seemed flustered and embarrassed in Joseph's presence, not knowing that he was inbound to his ranch. "Forgive me brother, but we have received news that Fall's End is no longer in our grasps. The deputy and some help have stolen the town from us."

Joseph dismissed the cultist as he addressed the problem at hand, "Yes, I am well aware. This is quite the loss." Joseph remained standing as Faith took a seat near Jacob, who had the faintest of grins on his face. The girl had taken Fall's End with no casualties. That was impressive. He knew he had been right when he saw a fire in her all those years prior. Joseph seemed to notice as well.