Destroyer

Chapter 9

The melody of Faith's humming filled the corridor of the dilapidated church. She gracefully twirled, setting the table they had set up for their weekly family dinner. They had set it up on the stage, moving the podium so it would not interfere with the Seed's ability to move around if need be. Joseph had come up with the idea of having a weekly family dinner, long before coming to Hope County when the siblings had reunited for the first time in years. Being separated as children, and seeing as their childhoods lacked any organizational, familial gatherings, this was Joseph's way to ensure they had something of normalcy following the collapse. It was the idea- no, belief that they would still be able to have moments like this in the new Eden as a family.

Jacob had spent the better half of the time daydreaming as he waited for Faith and Joseph to finish prepping, sharpening his blade. He had been having trouble sleeping the past few days. No, trouble was the wrong word for it. He was purposely staying awake, replaying the night he shared with Nayeli, afraid he would forget some detail if he closed his eyes for too long. Her skin was soft beyond anything he had imagined, especially under his calloused hands. Her hair smooth as silk despite the filth as he ran his fingers through it, embracing every part of her body as they moved in unison, her wet core grinding against him. It was something he was not willing to give up so easily. For the sake of this project and his siblings, however, he had to.

He began to mentally berate himself, feeling foolish for wasting such valuable time on such a fleeting moment.

You better get your shit together. There's no room for weakness. For sentiment.

He placed his knife away as he brought his gaze up to the empty chair across him where John usually sat signifying the youngest Seed was running late. How very unlike him. The punctual lawyer was at no time ever late. Something was up.

Faith was setting down the main course as Joseph took his place at the head of the table, both of them either just not acknowledging John's absence or just came to expect it with his irrational behavior lately. Faith took her place across from Joseph, just as the church doors opened and shut behind a-waltzing John. Jacob has seen this euphoria multiple times, and it always came after successfully wooing an unfortunate woman or a successful atonement.

"Brothers! Sister!" He took his designated spot, inhaling the scent of the roasted duck before them.

"As always, Faith, it smells delicious."

He took her hand and kissed the top of it as he beamed with joy. Jacob sensed that whichever one of the two situations happened that made John in such a euphoric state was one that had to be witnessed for oneself. Jacob did take notice that John's face, particularly his nose was swollen with purple and red bruising all around it. Faith was the first to point it out.

"John, what happened to you?" she asked.

John's seemed unfazed by the comment as he raised a hand, his fingers gently brushing against his nose. "I had- a bit of trouble with a subject today, but nothing to be concerned with."

Joseph cleared his throat, commanding the attention of the dinner session.

"Well, I'm glad your injuries were not more severe, and we thank you for joining us brother though your tardiness has been noted. Would you mind leading us into prayer?"

John's euphoric grin collapsed a bit, a dog with his legs between his legs. If there was anyone John had fear of disappointing it was Joseph.

"Of course, Joseph."

The siblings outstretched their hands to one another, bowing their heads. Despite his role within Eden's Gate, his religious beliefs were nowhere on par with Joseph and John. He simply did what he had to do because he loved them, or felt obligated to love, even if John was a little shit sometimes.