Retreat and Retaliation

[Sarah Bennett]

It was almost dark before Sarah reached the old church at the end of town. She found Reverend McJames working in the worn garden outside with his white sleeves rolled up and singing a version of "God is In His Holy Temple" in that old shakey voice of his. She walked briskly up the path to the church entrance and stood next to him. She was quite a mess considering she'd just run a half a mile after shooting John.

[cyrusmcjames]

Cyrus saw his lead missionary approaching in something of a hurry. Her hair was a mess and she was out of breath by the time he put his hoe down and walked to greet her. After removing his wide brimmed white hat, he took her by the arm and offered one of his skeletal smiles. "Ah if it isn't my dear Sarah. Dear Sarah, what has happened to you? Surely the heathens of this rotting town have not already bludgeoned you with the cold hands of their sins?"

He could tell almost instantly that something had indeed happened, some kind of altercation for her eyes were wild with panic. His smile faded and his expression became one of deep malice as he jerked her arm. "Surely YOU have not sinned, my dear?" he said, his voice a sharp yet gentle volume. "Perhaps you have taken the drink? Or maybe have committed the sin of intercourse? Yes, that's it isn't it? You little hussy, you have the stink of the devil on you! I command you to tell me what you have done this instant!"

[Sarah Bennett]

Sarah whimpered and winced as the Reverend's grip became tighter around her arm. She tried to pull away but the more she struggled the tighter it became. Tears began to form as she shook her head wildly and pleaded with him to release her.

"No, I swear! I swear to you I have not sinned once today, but I HAVE been sinned against!" she stopped struggling finally and stared into those sunken eyes of his, "That blasted sheriff and my bastard cousin accosted me in the street. I witnessed a murder and they pulled their weapons on me...ME, pastor! I....I got so panicked I...I accidentally shot my cousin in the shoulder to get away. Please, you must hide me!"

She was in hysterics now, sobbing wildly and had even fallen to her knees in front of him. "Please I beg your forgiveness and the forgiveness of our Lord."

[cyrusmcjames]

If he had wanted to, upon hearing her most unfortunate news Cyrus could have struck her dead right there. In fact he had a right mind to. But no, the Lord would punish her accordingly for her sins. It was not his duty to carry out what his Father and Savior could do perfectly well on their own. For now it was his duty to protect the sheep as it were, and she was one of them. He could not deny his anger that she had actually had the audacity to shoot a law man, no matter if he was a reformed outlaw or had a personal grudge. The fact was she had screwed up and possibly could have cost them many many converts in the process.

Instead of expressing his extreme...ah...disappointment, the Reverend simply smiled and ran a hand over her soft cheek. "My dear, you are indeed in luck for this day you are to be forgiven by our holy Lord and master. I shall take care of the law of man, but you must confess your sins to God this day and beg his forgiveness. Go now, child."

He released her arm and let it drop next to her as she sobbed then watched as she ran into the church immediately. For a moment he stared at the door with those wild, sunken eyes and finally picked his hoe back up and resumed his chores, singing even louder now than he had been.

[Jack Wakefield]

Wakefield's pace hadn't flagged the entire way and he wasn't winded, but he did wish he'd gotten on his horse instead of walking. He'd have gotten there faster.

When he saw Brimstone Joe working in the chapel garden, however, he recanted that wish.

The sheriff shined his badge, something he very rarely did, and took a deep breath before continuing toward the chapel doors. "Reverend," he said in a monotone as he passed the garden. He hoped the crazy old skeleton wouldn't try to talk to him. Just get in, cuff the woman, and get out.

[cyrusmcjames]

Cyrus looked up just in time to see the badge flash and he moved to stand right in front of the Sheriff's path. His smile widened making him look more like a walking corpse. He eyed the man in front of him. Dealing with sinful wenches like the blubbering female in the chapel was one thing, but he was fairly certain he could not take this man if it came to fisticuffs. Therefore, he used the only stalling resources he had: His voice.

"Well hello, Sheriff Wakefield. Fine evening isn't it? For this is indeed the day the Lord has made and we shall most certainly rejoice and be glad in it. What brings you to my Father's house this evening?"

He pulled out a cloth from his jacket and wiped his pale brow. Indeed he knew exactly what the man had come for, but he knew to protect both himself and the ingrate he must play ignorance. He eyed the man's weapon as well. He wouldn't DARE draw thaat crude piece of metal in his church, he would see to that.

[Jack Wakefield]

"It's not good news, Reverend," Wakefield said, pausing but tensed to keep walking as soon as the old man moved out of his way. "A woman came here, I believe, after attacking my deputy, and I've come to collect her." He looked over Cyrus' head to the chapel doors and wondered how hard this was going to be. "If you can tell me where she went, thank you kindly, but otherwise I'd appreciate it if you let me do my job."

[cyrusmcjames]

His instincts had never failed him, and this time was no different. Sarah was right inside and he would gladly have given her up if he were any other man. But no, she was subject to the Lord's will, not to the laws of man. And how DARE this filthy sinner try to push him aside. Regardless, his face remained impassive and the smile remained. "Ah yes, I think you might mean my dear Sarah. I believe she may still be in the church. Please wait here and I will go get her."

Before being dismissed he excused himself inside the church and disappeared for a moment. Instead of going to the Confessional Room, he took a left in the foyer and went into the closet to find a blunt instrument. This "lawman" would learn he couldn't just come up here and order him around.

[Jack Wakefield]

He didn't like depending on others to do his job, especially those who weren't fellow lawmen -- especially creepy fanatics. But he was on Cyrus' territory and there was no reason he couldn't be civil. Until he was given a reason. He adjusted his hat and waited patiently. If she'd run out the back and this preacher man was stalling him... Well, it wasn't as if he'd never had to chase down the people he needed to detain.

[cyrusmcjames]

Cyrus found a candlestick holder and wrapped his long bony fingers around it. In order to protect his lamb, he would have to make sure that he was quick with the strike. The old Sheriff wouldn't stand a chance so long as the reverend was fast on his feet. This was ridding the world of one more sinner. The Lord would forgive him for the means in which he did it so long as the reason was there. Yes, it had to be now. The time was now, time to take out the meddling man.

He opened the door to the chapel and quickly brought the candlestick down, aiming for the back of his head.

[Jack Wakefield]

It was fortunate for the sheriff that he wasn't turned completely away from the door and that he was taller than Cyrus, or he might have been taken out then and there. He jerked away just enough and the candlestick thudded against his shoulder rather than his head. He clenched his teeth and staggered out of the way, fists ready. It had been a while since he'd gotten into a physical fight. The last time might have even been back when he was a Ranger. Being hit with a candlestick holder, though, that was a first.

"I don't want to hurt you, Reverend, that's why I'm not pulling my gun," he said loudly, "But since you don't feel the same, I'll do what I have to."

[cyrusmcjames]

The old man's eyes were wild with dark intent. The smile on his face broadened, yes the sinner's wing was clipped. Now all he had to do was finish the job. Yes. Send this man to hell and fast before the last train to the underworld left.

"And I shall smite thee with GREAT justice," he called, holding the candlestick in the air as if it were the great sword of God itself. "Sheriff, I shall not let you pass through these gates and corrupt those who follow the path of riteousness. Now as I see it, you can go ahead and shoot me. But what will the good citizens of this town, think when they find their sheriff has not only tresspassed on these grounds without a warrant but also has assaulted and pulled a gun on the owner of the premisis?"

He raised the stick and readied to strike once more....this time with intent to kill.

[John Gray]

John waited about ten minutes after he'd gotten himself stitched up before he started to get nervous. Wakefield should have been back by now. Yes he'd been told to stay put, yes Wakefield could have handled it on his own no doubt, but John couldn't stand the thought that something was wrong. It had taken too long for him to get back.

John grabbed his black duster and slipped only his right arm into it as his left was in a sling he'd made from some scraps of a towel he'd found lying around. He was still VERY thankful that Sarah hadn't clipped him on the right shoulder. He was perfectly capable of shooting with his left hand, but if you wanted accuracy, the right arm was the one you wanted him using as it was the most stable. He trudged out of the Jail House and made his way up towards the church. It was getting pretty dark now but he could still see the outline of the old place ahead of him. As he got closer, he saw two figures in the front talking. Immediately he saw the unmistakable shine of Wakefield's badge. In front of him though was the hunched figure of Reverend McJames, aka Brimstone Joe.

Before he got right to the building, John decided to hang back in the shadows. He crouched and watched the two men exchange words. Something wasn't right about all this. It was so simple for the minister to abide by the law and just let Wakefield do his job. No harm would come to Sarah. "You old fool get out of the way," he whispered to himself.

Finally it seemed like things were about to turn around. The old minister turned and left Wakefield outside. John wanted to walk up and assist his boss but about that time he saw the minister appear again, this time with....with a candlestick! "damn!" he hissed and unholstered his Colt SAA, but a bit too late. Wakefield had already been hit in the shoulder.
Now the old fool was coming back for another blow, spouting off his holy shpeal. He couldn't let Wakefield take another blow like the one he'd gotten.

John jumped out of his hiding spot and yelled, "Cyrus McJames drop that thing before I personally unleash hell and her fury upon your high and mighty ass!" To show his sincerity, John fired a shot right in the minister's path.

[cyrusmcjames]

Cyrus stepped back instinctively when the shot hit the ground in front of him. The man was wearing a black duster and had one arm in a sling. "Ah, so the rumor was true. Our dear Sheriff has hired outlaws to assist him with law and order."

He recoiled a bit. This was getting out of hand. He was now outnumbered and out gunned. How dare the outlaw interfere with his "cleansing". God's work would NOT be interrupted, especially by the dregs of society. Knowing when to call his own defeat, he took a deep breath, the old minister began to laugh. It wasn't a normal laugh, but a sinister cackle, one that echoed in the night. The candlestick dropped to the ground and the man continued to laugh as he said, "Glory Hallelujah! Saints be praised! I have SEEN the light and the way is clear. Excuse me while I go retrieve dear Sarah."

He turned to go back inside then paused, "Perhaps this time you two will come with me?" There was no sense in fighting this, he thought. The day would come, their time would come soon on his day of judgement and when that day came the truth would be a simple matter...

Repent or Perish.

[Jack Wakefield]

Wakefield really didn't want to shoot the man -- he was serious when he said that was why he wasn't pulling out his pistol. But as it was, he was facing an armed opponent with no weapon, and that was a disadvantage no matter how old the opponent was. He went for his gun.

Then he didn't have to do anything with it, because his lawless miscreant of a deputy took care of that for him.

The cackle this lunatic bag of bones could summon was chilling, especially in the darkness. Wakefield's shoulder let out a throb. He ignored it. He pulled his handcuffs from their place in his belt and glanced at John, starting to follow Cyrus inside. It was time to finish this business and get back to town, where at least people didn't look like the undead.