The Harbinger-- Hannah, she didn't like to think about what life had been before accepting what her calling was, what her /purpose/ was but yet seeing Alex stood before her as the Father had the bringer of death and the Herald Staci's presence thinking on it. She had waited until everyone else had left the church, Staci included before speaking towards where Alex--the Father was now moving to sit in a pew, "Did you know?" She gave a pause, "Did you know that this was going to happen to us?"
@sinnersfolly // ( a wild ask! )
It wasn’t his first sermon given, but it was the first in the bunker. The collapsehad come just as Joseph foresaw and just as the Voice had warned him of. Itdidn’t take long after Joseph’s death for the explosions. The bombs went offand they were ready for it. There had been plenty of time to save the Project’speople, to safeguard and protect. Those outside of the Project may have theirown bunkers to retreat to, but some may not have enough supplies to last the timeit would take for the earth to be safe once more. They weren’t Alex’s concernbut he couldn’t help but worry forthem. When they had all gathered into their bunkers, he’d gone to the room withthe radios and found a frequency to contact Dutch. The old man had survived,had some people with him. Word was there were pockets of survivors across Hope County.
That was good. Even better was the fact that the newheralds had survived as well, had each taken to their bunker and reported agood number of supplies. They’d have to be careful with rationing but they were prepared. The Seed siblings had seteverything up and left it for the next generation to inherit the earth. Alex doesn’tknow how to feel about that so he does his best not to. Sometimes that’sdifficult, especially while standing at a podium, speaking Joseph’s words –– a hintof his own personality mixing into them and turning the sermons into something else. Something hopeful and morereminiscent of forgiveness. A lesson that should carry into the world to comeso they can take the right steps forward.
They look at him for guidance and he has to delegate itto the people he trusts. Like Sara turned Faith. Staci, who turned tormentor.
And trickling on down from there, to those like Hannah who assisted the heralds.He sees her lingering while he speaks with some of the believers. She’s patient.Once the last of the faithful leave the room they’d set up as the church ofsorts, he takes a seat in a pew. Alex feels decades older than he is. Doubly sowhen there are men and women twice his age calling him Father now. He rubs hishands over his face, slouching forward. Hannah doesn’t approach, but pitchesher voice to be heard in the silence. “Didyou know?” He waits for her to clarify. “Did you knowthat this was going to happen to us?”
Alex gestures for her to take a seat. If not besidehim, then somewhere near enough to where he can look at her when he talks. Hewaits for her to approach, doesn’t force her to sit if she doesn’t, but doeslift his chin, hands dropping to hang between his knees. “Joseph was the one that knew everything.” His lips twist to oneside, a bit of a sardonic smile to be seen, gone in a flash. “No. If I had known I . . . Inever would’ve brought you both here. To endure what happened.” His eyes godistant and his fingers roll through the bracelet of sorts at his left wrist.Like Joseph’s and so very unlike Joseph’s. “Ididn’t believe in any of this untilJoseph took me from John, showed mewhat I’d forgotten.” It’s a story he hasn’t shared with anyone. Not withJohn, not with Faith nor Staci. Nobody.He tilts forward, stands up and walks towards the podium where his copy of thebook was. He takes it in hand, flipping it open and taking out a polaroid frominside. It’s held out for her to grasp, to look at for herself. The colors are faded but it’sa picture of a younger Joseph Seed, surrounded by children. Alex taps at a child nearlyout of frame, beanie tugged on over errant curls and a confused look on hisface.
“I had met himwhen I was a kid, on vacation with my parents. Tried to run away with the Project.” His smileis less twisted, more bemused this time. “Heknew and I knew back when Iwas younger. Before I grew up. I couldn’t keep ignoring fate.” Once she’s done,he takes the picture back, sets it inside the cover of the book. A heavy sigh follows,exhaustion weighing his shoulders down, showing the circles beneath his eyesand the gaunt cut to his cheekbones that hadn’t been there before he took this burden. “But no, I never knew. I wish I had. Wish alot of things.” He closes his eyes, breathes out, turns his back to Hannahand walks towards the podium again where he’ll go over the verses once more. “Wish I could’ve done more.” This hemurmurs to himself.
