Abigails Sin

The Crash

Montana Hope County was home to a wide variety of species. Vast mountains, valleys and beautiful rivers. A large canyon surrounded by high cliffs and mountains that needed a plane to scale their height. It was mostly farm land and forest. Of late it had become a war zone. It had started out peaceful enough, religion brought by the Seed family to save the people of Montana. Some people had joined them willingly at the beginning because what they saw on the new these days scared them more than a cult ever could. Now things were starting to turn illegal which meant law enforcement had to intervene. Even if they weren't all that willing.

I reached back and pulled loosely on my long black hair to tighten the high ponytail. The wind was blowing through the helicopter furiously making my hair whip around my face wildly. I accidentally elbowed Matthew as I returned my arms to my sides. He gave me a look before returning his attention to the Marshall. He was speaking over the radio but I could barely hear him, my nerves attacking my brain before his words got the chance to settle in. All of a sudden my knee was jerked and I turned my head to see the Sheriff had pushed my leg to get my attention

"did you get all that Abigail?" his stern voice had a tinge of sorrow mixed in but I nodded my head looking back out over the small area our helicopter was preparing to land on. It was dark outside but I could clearly see the outline of The Father's compound. To say I was scared was an understatement. Though I had the training and the guts, when faced with a cult that was growing in numbers every single day I couldn't help but wonder how many different ways this could go wrong.

"This is your last chance to turn back Marshall" Sheriff informed him. The marshall dismissed him with a wave of his hand as he leaped out of the helicopter gracefully clearing the foot of space before his boots thudded to the ground. We all followed him, taking off our headsets and pushing our shoulders back to stand taller. The Sheriff was commanding us to keep our guns holstered but my attention was on the gathering crowd. I could feel the beads of sweat dipping down my forehead, locking eyes with strangers all holding their weapons at the ready.

"Are you okay?" Matthew asked me

"would it make you feel more confident if I said yes?"

"I suppose not" his emerald eyes scanned the crowd as did mine while we walked forward. Towards the church. I watched the different emotions play across Matts face but fear was never one of them. Instinctively I walked closer towards him. The arrest warrant for the Father had been no surprise to anyone at the station but when the U.S Marshall had showed up demanding we take action on it, that is when the surprise had come. The Father controlled everything and no matter what we did we were met with violence. I didn't think there was anything that could be done without many casualties and this would be no different. Rabid dogs leaped at the small chain link fence separating them from us.

"Keep it holstered and follow my lead Marshall" Sheriff was standing in front of the large wooden doors to a church. Words and sentences had been etched into the solid wood "death to sinners" and "cull the weak". A small shiver went down my spine and I tried to contain my fear as the heavy wooden doors creaked open. Soft voices carried out to me when the doors slid open, and when they saw us their voices grew louder. The people inside looked like wild animals. Their eyes  wide as they examined us and whispered among themselves. A very low light inside the church made it hard to distinguish what their looks might mean. My guess was anything but friendly.  Matthew stiffened beside me and Hudson, the other deputy looked as if she might hurl. Her black hair was braided back exposing her tan skin and I wondered why she had volunteered to come on this, maybe the same reason as I did. To see if any peace could be found. Her hand rested lightly on her holstered pistol which made Matthew follow suit. I slowly raised my hand to mirror them.