A Falice Story

18. Down on the Farm

FP pulls the van over and immediately shuts the headlights off. We're covered by a thick grove of trees and we agreed to park at a distance and walk, to remain as hidden as possible. Betty, Jughead and Gladys get out, shutting the doors quietly, and loading their guns into holsters under their clothing. I walk around to the back with FP, who hands me mine.

"Alright. We don't use these unless we absolutely have to," FP whispers. Jughead nods and checks the tracker, seeing where Polly is. "She's about a quarter of a mile straight ahead of us," he says quietly, making sense of how we should get to her. "If we cut through these trees I'm sure we can sneak in," Betty comments. 

"Do we have a plan if we get caught?" Gladys asks. FP shakes his head, "We'll just try to be as non-controversial as possible. They wouldn't have a reason to hurt us unless we give them one." Betty scowls, "Yeah, but if they're a freaky cult like I think they are they won't need a reason!" I shush my youngest daughter, "Don't even bring that up..." 

"Okay, okay. Let's get this done," Jughead says starting quietly towards where Polly is. Gladys follows as does Betty. FP grabs my hand and pulls me back, "Baby, listen. I need you to be extra careful. I know she's your baby and you want to protect her, but you need to protect this little one too," his hand meets mine on my tiny bump. I kiss his cheek, "I know. I'll be careful." He keeps his hand latched onto mine as we quietly make our way towards the others.

Jughead darts into a clump of trees, signaling us to stop. FP reaches his son, "What, Jug?" He looks at us with a horrified expression on his face, "Look..." he points to a clearing, and I now understand what he's so freaked out about. A large fire is crackling, while shadows of ghostly looking people are running around it screaming like banshees. 

"What the actual fu--" Gladys starts, but is cut off by FP, "We definitely underestimated this..." Jughead checks his phone, "We're close to Polly. She's over there to the right," he points towards an old barn in the distance. FP wraps his arm around my waist holding me protectively. "Let's go find her," I whisper. Jughead starts to move, "I'll go." FP kisses my forehead, "Stay here." I shake my head, "No FP, I want to see my daughter--" 

"It's too dangerous, Alice. Let Jug and I go, please. You three stay here and keep watch." I groan, and Betty grabs my arm, "Mom, it's okay. Let them go." We watch as the two of them disappear into the darkness. Betty turns toward me, "I can't wait to see Polly--and the twins," I can see her smile in the darkness and I stroke her hair, "Me too." 

"Oh shit," Gladys mutters. "What?" I whisper loudly. "Ssshhh, they're coming this way!" she answers. We duck down lower into the brush and keep an eye on the odd men and women wildly nearing towards where we're hiding.

Suddenly, I hear footsteps behind us and I pray it's FP and Jughead with Polly. "What the hell is that?" Gladys says, barely audible. We slowly turn, and my eyes lock with a tall, dark-haired man with bright eyes and a cunning smirk on his face. He's attractive beneath the weird 1960's clothing. "Well, look who we have here. Some beautiful ladies that have come to join us," he stoops down to take a better look at us, the devious smile still plastered on his face. "Edgar Evernever," he reaches out a hand and none of us take it. 

Edgar instead reaches up and strokes the side of my face. I slap his hand away. "Get your hand off of me!" He shifts back onto his heels, looking between the three of us, "So what brings you beauties out here?" We stay silent, not knowing how to answer and Gladys speaks up, "We were just traveling and we got a flat tire, we'll be leaving shortly." He smiles, "What a shame. Can I help you with that?" She shakes her head, "No, we already took care of it." 

"We just saw the fire and were curious as to what was going on," I comment, hoping he'll give us some insight into what this place is all about. Edgar nods, "We were just purifying some new souls who had come to join us. How lucky that you arrived here tonight..." he grins wildly again. "Uh, no. We're not here to join you, we're leaving--" He grabs Gladys shoulders, stopping her, "I don't think so. Come, you need to meet our friends."