The Wolf

Long Night

Angelicas POV

I was standing in the middle of the forest surrounded by Cultist & Joseph Seed walked up up to me!
"I am your father. And you are my children. And together we will march to Eden's Gate."
Then I woke up.

I woke up startled from my dream having it be 2:13am. I tried to catch my breath as I laid back down in the bed looking up at the ceiling. I couldn't fall back asleep no matter how hard I tried so I got up & grabbed the blanket I was sleeping with, as I wrapped it around me & walked outside my room.

The Veterans Center was dark & silent. There was a little light shining through the cracked door to Jacob's office. I peeked through the tiny crack in the door & saw Jacob sitting at his desk writing on a notepad.
I thought about walking in but I changed my mind so I walked downstairs & went outside to get some fresh air & take my mind off things.
There were Cultist all over the outside but there were none inside; Jacob's Orders.
I sat down on the ground right on the front porch as Cultist just gathered around the fires & talked watching for anything suspicious I guess.
A familiar Cultist walked up to me.

Cultist: hey...I'm sorry about earlier. Thank you for giving me mercy.

Me: sure...

Cultist: what are you doing awake this early?

Me: couldn't sleep.

Cultist: nightmare?

Me: something like that...

Cultist: I get it...Jacob has them too. But it's not my place to tell.

Me: i understand.

Cultist: what happened to your eye by the way?

Me: it was a cougar. It attacked me several years ago. Made me realize that I have to learn how to defend myself....I was too vulnerable at the time. I still kinda am today.

Cultist: well...you'll be safe with Jacob. Those who are special to him...will always be under his shadow.

Me: what was your punishment? For ya know...

Cultist: I had no punishment surprisingly. I had a warning. Why did you give me mercy? Most people would've said kill me.

Me: because I understand why you did it. Jacob is your leader. You were trying to protect him. You didn't know me & thought I was hiding something. But trust me...me & Jacob are...friends I think. I would never hurt him. Or you. Or your people. Unless I was protecting myself.

Cultist: I understand.

Me: does Joseph come here often?

Cultist: no. Mostly Jacob goes to him. He's come once or twice but I doubt he'll come anytime soon. Special occasions. Really special.

Me: ok.

Cultist: you worried about him?

Me: no...I've never met him. But I'm afraid of him.

Cultist: why is that?

Me: well...his beliefs scare me. But his willingness to die for his beliefs is what shows me how much determination & passion he has. I believe him...but sometimes I don't want to believe.

Cultist: you should come down to the church sometime. Maybe go to a sermon. You don't have to talk to anyone if you wish...but you can listen.

Me: I'll think about it. I'm not very social.

Cultist: I get it.

Jacobs POV

I was sitting at my desk writing out the trial plans. I thought a lot about Angelica & how I protected her like I protected my siblings. Was I going soft? Either way...she's my friend I guess. I'll protect her no matter what.

Angelicas POVS

Me: so how long you worked for Jacob?

Cultist: 5 months. I was one of his first group of people to complete all the way through the trials.

Me: how? I've heard it's impossible.

Cultist: well...certain people have the capabilities. I guess I just got lucky. Then I did some guarding at an outpost for awhile. Soon a deputy came along & tried to harm us so we added extra protection & protected our people better. I got moved to the Veterans Center because I volunteered. I'm very loyal to Jacob. He's done a lot for me, his family, my friends, & his people. I'm sure he'll do the same for you.

Me: where's this deputy?

Cultist: I don't know. Probably locked up somewhere or working with us by now. It was many months ago. He tried to kill Jacob but failed miserably.

Me: was he put through the trials?

Cultist: yes...he made it though. You should go get some rest. See you tomorrow.

Me: you too.

I got up with the blanket still wrapped around me as I walked inside the Veterans Center. The light in Jacob's office was turned off & I could see his bedroom door was wide open. I peaked inside as I saw him laying in his bed asleep already. I went back to my room as I thought about what all the Cultist had talked about. I didn't even know his name & he gave me very useful information on this Project.
I laid down & fell back asleep.

I woke up at 8:00am & saw the light shining through the windows. I sat up & put on my cloak as I re-braided my hair. I went downstairs & saw a plate of bacon & eggs on the table. Jacob was at the table reading a hunting magazine.
I sat down at the table as he put the magazine down.

Jacob: you're awake. Didn't want to disturb you.

Me: that's ok.

Jacob: so...ready to work?

Me: yes sir.

Jacob: alright. You're first job is to feed the Judges. When you're done eating, there's a bucket of meat down by their pin. Come see me when you're finished.

I finished eating as I placed my plate in the sink & walked out the front door to go feed the Judges. Once I finished I heard a prisoner calling me over. I walked over & looked at the prisoner. She was a small woman who was about in her mid 30s begging for me to let her out. She was very weak from her looks & was pretty much starved & dehydrated.

Prisoner: please...let me out.