Descent

Chapter 21

Hope County, Montana

Prosperity and New Eden had not known peace in the past week since the disappearance of the notorious Mai Takoda Seed, the playful Roger Cadoret, and precious Malik Thomas Seed. Search parties had been sent all over the County, even extending to past state lines. Mai and Roger were gone for no longer than two days at a time during their raids, marking this particular departure a bit worrisome that they had yet to return. Malik's absence was even more pressing, as no one had seen him leave the settlement, and the chances of a small boy surviving in the wilderness with bears, cougars, and wolves preying about were slim to none.

No one felt the gravity of the situation more than former junior deputy Nayeli Lamb. She had been at the forefront of every search party that went out at every hour. Her perseverance could only last so long though before the panic began to set in. Try as she may keep up her facade, everyone around her could see her crumbling under the possibility that she may have very well lost the last of her family and no one saw it better than her best friend Vittoria.

The former Eden's Gate Priestess turned New Eden Leader knocked lightly on the door that led to Nayeli's room, once shared with the famous Jacob Seed. When there was no answer, Vittoria pushed lightly on it, the wooden door giving way to her touch. Vittoria peered into the room, seeing the Lamb sitting at the edge of her bed cradling a not so subtle red-colored rifle. Jacob's rifle. The Priestess approached cautiously, not wanting to spook the deputy who seemed unaware of her presence.

"Darling, what do you have there..." Vittoria gently called.

Nayeli's head popped up, immediately clutching onto the rifle. When she realized it was just her friend, she sighed heavily, setting the rifle down on the bed, though her fingers still danced about the grooves of the weapon.

"Jacob gave this to Mai." she stated out of the blue, "She hasn't touched it since...he..."

Vittoria scurried forward, taking a seat next to her friend coming to wrap her arms around her. Nayeli immediately laid her head on Vee's shoulder, allowing herself to begin crying. Fate seemed determined to keep tearing this family apart, but despite everything, they somehow managed to find their way back to one another. Who was to say this would be any different?

"How can I call myself a mother if I can't even protect my own children."

"Oh, honey." Vittoria cooed, "We're going to find them."

Nayeli looked to Vee with blood-shot eyes and then let her gaze drift down to the Priestess' stomach. Her pregnancy was obnoxiously obvious, her belly looking like it could burst any day now. Nayeli rested her hand on the dome-shaped belly, prompting Vittoria to rest her hand on the Lamb's. Nayeli was brought back to the day she realized she was first pregnant with Mai. It was a grim time.

"I just want my babies back." Nayeli sighed, "I need to know they're okay."

Before Vittoria could give her dearest friend any reassurances, they both curiously glanced at the door, hearing a mild humming sound coming from outside. The two women stood and went out into the foyer of the main building, seeing the other residents scurrying outside.

Nayeli's chest tightened with both anticipation and strained hope. Despite Vittoria's heavily pregnant state, the two women made their way down the stairs to the courtyard. It was a matter of seconds before Nayeli's eyes locked onto the so-called Big Potato itself, La Grosse Patate, making its way to the helipad. Oddly, as the aircraft drew near, she did not see Roger Cadoret at the help of the helicopter, but rather a familiar Highwayman lackey. Had she a weapon, Nayeli would have instantly drawn it. After all, it was Dove's betrayal on behalf of the Twins that had nearly torn Nayeli's family apart again. Before the spinning blades could come to a stop, Nayeli was already marching up to the pad, nearly yanking Dove out from the cockpit.