All the King's Men [Far Cry 5] (Joseph x OC fanfic)

Chapter Thirty One

Before I had to take up a temporary residence up in the Whitetail Mountains, I had to make a quick stop to see a familiar face in Holland Valley. Too bad I had some company along the way. "Is there a reason why you're seeing the Pastor?" Sharky questioned as he, myself, and Hurk arrived in front of the church where I knew Jerome is currently in. "I mean, he's a chill guy to be around and all but—"

"I need to talk to him about something. Something on a personal level," I answered.

"And you can't tell me?" Sharky questioned. "I thought you were able to tell me anything and everything?" He added.

"I can," I answered. I let out a sigh. "It's just this time, it's something I can't tell you. Or anyone. Hope you understand," I explained as I walked up to the doors, looking down at the cousins at the bottom of the stairs. "Stay out here in case any Peggies decide to show up," I ordered before walking inside the church.

Hurk looked at Sharky. "Is something up with our dude, Sharky?" He questioned.

Sharky shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe all of this of what's going on is getting to her head. She's so close to taking down the cult, it just probably got to her. Of course, when it happened, it's against big brother Jacob. Probably one of the worst ones to go head-to-head with, even worse than Broseph," Sharky explained.

I walked up towards the front of the church, remembering the events during John's atonement where I saw me almost getting my sins ripped out of my body and almost dying from the loss of blood I would've endured as a result. "Hello, Lilith," Jerome greeted when he saw me walk up to him. "Nice seeing you again around these parts. I figured you were too busy taking down Faith and Jacob that you forgot about the Valley," he explained.

Shrugging my shoulders, I took a seat on the ground in front of him. "Well, I took down Faith. I just need to deal with Jacob before going one-on-one with Joseph," I explained.

Jerome took notice in the tone of voice I showed him. "Lilith, what's wrong?" He questioned. "Everything alright?" I didn't give a response to the Pastor. "Lily, I've watched you grow up in this town. You were one of the few people that stuck by my side after Joseph took everyone from me and brought him over to Eden's Gate even though you're not a person of religious faith yourself. You've seen me at my lowest points in life as I've done the same with you. I've helped you with getting into college whenever Earl wasn't able too. I will promise you that whatever you tell me will stay between the two of us. I'll carry your words to my grave until you feel like it's safe to tell everyone else. I won't even tell Earl, I promise," Jerome explained.

A sigh of nervousness left my mouth before looking up at Jerome, tears threatening to pour out of my eyes. "Jerome, I fucked up," I declared.

"How'd you fuck up?" Jerome questioned, sounding very curious about my statement.

"I'd fallen in love with the enemy," I declared, sounding embarrassed to even say what I said.

Jerome just stared at me. "Wait, wait, wait, wait: are you admitting to me that you fell in love with Joseph Seed? The man that has terrorized Hope County for years? A man that would've theoretically burned Hope County to the ground if it isn't for you helping us with what you do?" Jerome questioned.

I slowly nodded my head in a 'yes' motion. "I don't know why Jerome. There's just something about him that won't leave my head. At first, I despised him for what he did trust me. However, as time went on, something changed."

"What changed?" Jerome questioned. I just looked at the Pastor, not giving a response. "Lilith, what changed?" He questioned again.

"Us having sex multiple times," I answered. "And me liking it," I quickly added. "Also doesn't help that he seems to be a different person around me. He's not The Father to me. He seems to be just a regular man with a troubled past and just wants to be...normal," I explained.

Jerome let out a sigh as he just looked at me, not wanting to give any response to what I had said. What he's doing to me is what's making me more terrified than me admitting everything to him. "To be honest, I kind of wasn't expecting that."

"What were you expecting?" I questioned.

"You telling me that you love Sharky as more than a friend. Man, if you two ever dated, that would spell trouble for everyone else," Jerome explained as he let out a small chuckle and a smile came across his face.

I rolled my eyes and a small laugh came out of my mouth. "Oh Goddamnit," I commented. "Sorry," I immediately apologized, realizing what I had just said.

"It's alright, Lily. However, I do have to ask—"

"Don't worry, my number one intention is to destroy the cult and taking each one of them down. I'm not going to let my heart get in the way of such a thing since I'm so close." Even though I wish I wouldn't have to deal with this if I realized sooner what my heart wanted.

Jerome got up from where he was sitting and joined me on the floor. "Look at this from this perspective. If you were any other person who developed feelings for anyone associated with the cult; even I would have no problem taking you out because our number one goal is to take down the cult. However, if I did that with you, I can guarantee you that Earl will have my head if he found out his daughter is hurt or killed. I also know that you have your head on straight and knows right from wrong and know when to put facts over feelings." Jerome placed a hand on his shoulder. "I trust you to do the right thing, Lily. Remember, you do have help if you need it. However, just don't tell that to everyone else. They're not going to be as trusting as I am."

*_*_*

Shocked looks came across both Sharky's and Hurk's faces as we were on the hunt for Cheeseburger on behalf of Wade back at the F.A.N.G Center after we took it back from the cult. "Okay, I understand your love for Boomer because that dog is adorable. I kind of understand you wanting Peaches because you need a cougar to help you if we're not there to do that. However...why on Earth would you want a big old' loveable grizzly bear?" Hurk questioned.

"Who doesn't want a big old' loveable grizzly bear?" I responded. "Besides, it's cool," I added.

After we found the Cheeseburger and defended the Linero Building Supplies site from the cult, I radioed Wade. "Hey Wade, it's Lily. We found Cheeseburger. He's safe, happy, content with his salmon. Also, to be quite honest," I looked over at Cheeseburger as he's looking at Sharky like he was a snack to the bear. "He's looking at our good pal Sharky like he's a snack," I commented with a small laugh.

"Oh geez, well Sharky's going to make Cheeseburger a permanently drunk bear," Wade commented.

"Bullshit no he won't!" Sharky yelled out loud enough so Wade can hear at the other end.

Wade let out a laugh. "Don't worry Sharky, Cheeseburger won't eat you. Lilith, I trust you with Cheeseburger; you don't have to bring him back to me," Wade stated out.

"Yes!" I cheered, allowing laughter to come from the three men.

As I ended the radio communication between Wade and myself, I looked up at Sharky and Hurk and opened my mouth to tell them something. However, no words were able to leave my mouth. Instead, I felt a sharp pain radiate throughout my thigh. I looked down and found an arrow impaled into my thigh. Then, in what felt like an instant moment, my vision went from seeing red in the corners of my eye to fully seeing black.