Homecoming

Chapter 3

The morning after

The imaginary audience inside of Nayeli's head that she liked to conjure up from time to time to try and talk some sense into herself was probably looking on in disappointment. She could see them shaking their heads as she laid in a cramped fetal position within the driver's seat of her car. After planning to stay at her old home had been a bust, and not having anyone else's contact info other than Whitehorse, she resorted to this. Sleeping in her car outside of the Sheriff's department. By dawn, the sun was already beaming down on her face, just from the way her car had been parked. Nayeli groaned, the inside of her eyelids illuminating a shade of red. A few minutes passed when something suddenly blocked the streak of sunlight beating down on her. Nayeli shifted in her seat, sitting up slightly, gazing out the window, startled to see someone standing right outside. They tapped lightly on the window and then indicated for her to lower the window.

Nayeli hesitantly obliged as their face became more clear after rubbing her eyes a little. Sheriff Whitehorse looked the exact same that he had ten years ago, albeit, quite a few more wrinkles, and a slightly larger belly. He placed both hands on the door as he leaned down.

"You know, I figured you'd be eager to get started on your first day but I didn't imagine this." He chuckled, gesturing to her sleeping quarters for the night.

"Believe me Earl, I'm eager, but this was unplanned," She whined as she sat up, her hair and clothes an absolute mess.

The Sheriff backed away from the car to allow her some room to get out. Despite her grogginess, she was overwhelmed by the sight of him. He was one of the few people who reminded her of her mother. She could still remember the way he would look at Sokanon. As though she was ethereal. His eyes looked tired, and she knew, just as she struggled, he too was not completely over Sokanon's death. Nayeli lunged at him, locking him into a bear hug. But she was no longer a teenager, and the two nearly toppled over. They laughed at the clumsiness and pulled away from one another.

"I'm so happy to see you." She murmured.

Whitehorse held her as a father would his child, placing one hand gently on top of her head.

"I missed you too, kiddo."

The night Sokanon passed had broken something in each of them. It was a somber moment. Whitehorse cleared his throat as their arms released from one another, leading her onward to the station.

"Listen, Nay, when you called that night, I have to admit, I was a bit hesitant about you coming back." He cautioned as they entered the building.

Nayeli looked at him quizzically as they headed to his office, "What do you mean by that?" She piqued.

He opened a cabinet, pulling out the standard deputy uniform, checking its size before placing it on his desk. He took a seat and sighed, removing his hat.

"Things ain't what you probably remember when you left."

Nayeli took a seat across from him, her mind flashing to the various Project at Eden's Gate propaganda she had seen the day prior.

"Does it have anything to do with Eden's Gate?" She asked, just out of mere curiosity.

A lot could change in a day, she thought, once again her mind going back to that night.

Imagine how much had changed when you've been away for ten years.

Whitehorse seemed hesitant to speak any more on the matter, but he simply nodded.

"Peggies is what we've been calling em'. Been buying people out of their properties and land. People been going missing, higher numbers than usual. Hell, sometimes we end up finding em' with the Peggies, safe and sound like they purposely left their old life behind." He explained.

Nayeli felt a lump form in her throat at the mention of Eden's Gate buying out properties.

Don't start Nay, she tried to tell herself, but oh, her mind was already taking off with a million possibilities. Could Sokanon's refusal to sell her shop be related to her death? Was Eden's Gate involved?

She pushed the thought to her imaginary folder of overthinking.

"Do you think they...I mean in this case, Joseph, is actually kidnapping people?"

In the short time she knew Joseph Seed the word kidnapper would have never crossed her mind on a list of terms to describe him.

"Honestly, I don't know. But the people who have disappeared and show up at Eden's Gate ain't seem like themselves, that's for sure. They seem almost complaisant." He placed his elbows on the desk, leaning toward her.

"Just promise me you'll keep your head on a swivel, okay? This Joseph Seed-" he paused, unsure if he was going to scare away his newest recruit away on her first day, "-he's not a man to be fucked with. Promise me you will be careful." his eyes pleaded.

Nayeli was disconcerted by his pleading but proceeded to nod her head, "Of course Sherriff."

Whitehorse bowed his head. "Now, go on and rest up. We'll get you started officially tomorrow."

Nayeli took her new uniform into her hands and proceeded to exit Whitehorse's office, proceeding down the hall. As she turned the corner, she bumped into a face she never expected to see in a deputy uniform. The two apologized quickly before pausing, realizing the other's identity.

"Pratt?" she exclaimed.

While Nayeli was happy to see him, he seemed to be less than enthused.

"Hey." before walking away from her.

Nayeli, with her brows furrowed, followed him.

"Pratt. Look at me, what's wrong? I haven't seen you in years and that's how you say hi?"

Pratt had a condescending smile spread across his face as he turned to her, "Well Nayeli, how am I supposed to greet the girl, whom I had very strong feelings for might I add, left the state without so much as a goodbye, let alone let me know she was leaving in the first place and now suddenly shows back up in town like nothing's changed."

Nayeli instantly felt a pang of sadness, and then anger. "Pratt, my mother died! I didn't have a choice in the matter." she pushed forward, disgusted as she bumped him with her shoulder, taking her leave, "I thought you of all people would understand." she murmured.

Nayeli stormed out of the station, questioning if coming back had been the right decision at all. Don't let anyone dictate your decision making she tried to tell herself. Clutching her uniform in agitation, her grip slowly released as she approached her car, noticing a note stuck under the windshield wiper on the driver's side. The newest addition to the Sheriff's department glanced around her surroundings curiously before picking up the note.

It was only a few words, but it was enough to make her blood run cold. She crumpled up the note and shoved it into her pants pocket, quickly getting into her car and just started driving. Her destination was unclear. All she could picture were the words written neatly on the crumpled paper shoved away.

You will say YES.