*** Disclaimer ***
The following story may contain themes of hypnosis, mind control, non-consent, paranormal, cheating, cuckoldry, voyeurism, incest, gang bangs, and other forms of debauchery. This may not be the story for you.
This is a work of fiction. All characters depicted are at least 18 years of age. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
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Debauchery Falls chapter 07
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"Captain Graver... I mean... Jack. I'm scared." Lucy had curled into herself in the front seat. She brought her knees to her chest and was hugging them tightly. Her borrowed boots resting on the edge of the seat. She was rocking back and forth slightly, wishing she'd kept her baggy hoodie, like a comfort blanket. The outfit that she'd felt sexy and cute in earlier, now made her feel foolish, like she was trying to be one of these hot glamorous women, which she definitely didn't feel like.
Graver felt bad for her, but he nothing to say. No sage advice that would help her overcome fear. Fear was normal. It was healthy. Confidence only came after the scary parts passed.
He patted her on the knee, and checked his pistol.
They were parked in the woods, at the base of the mountain. They'd been watching the cultists sift through the rubble of the exploded camp, and when they'd come up empty, they'd returned to town. Graver had cautiously followed, and during that time, they'd spotted a line of Sheriff's department cruisers coming back from the direction of the firefight with Galloway's team.
Oddly, the little convoy wasn't returning to the substation, but cut north, to an isolated hunting cabin. Graver didn't like the look of it. Something was horribly off about the Sheriff.
They'd driven into the trees to watch for a while and get a headcount. Six deputies, including the Sheriff. Half a dozen cultists, including one priest. Four prisoners: Lieutenant Galloway, Sergeant Quinn, and two civilians.
After several minutes, most of the group departed in cars and pickup trucks. Except for the four prisoners, and the Sheriff. Two deputies had also stayed behind. Rough and tumble types. They bore scars, shaved heads, stubble, and prison tattoos. They were also gripping weapons. Graver recognized those weapons-- the ones belonging to his men.
"Where are you going?" Lucy asked, when Graver reached for the door handle.
Graver's face was set with icy determination. Those big gentle eyes of his were gone. Now there was an intensity that frightened Lucy.
"To get my guns back," he said to her, then stepped out into the night.
***
Halley, Jessup, and Brubaker crouched in a cluster of dense reeds that were growing along the rushing Jernigan Creek. They had been cautiously following the silhouettes from the wreckage.
At a certain point, they'd given up their search for survivors, and had returned to the town. The trio had soundlessly followed, slipping through the trees and the shadows, watching as they crossed the bridge like monks on a pilgrimage.
Jessup was aiming his rifle on them, the entire time.
"They don't know where we are," Halley whispered. "You shoot these pricks, and they will."
Halley waited until they'd crossed the bridge and were out of sight. She wanted to make sure they wouldn't get caught, then she made her move.
"Wait," Jessup protested, wanting to insist that he go first. Halley didn't wait.
Brubaker just shrugged. "She can take care of herself. Like you should be doing, Junior."
Jessup frowned but followed half a second later. His boot slid on the wet embankment and he skidded a little in the dirt. He hurried to catch up to Halley and Brubaker. They waited for him on the other side of the bridge, watching for the hooded shapes. They hadn't been noticed as the three slipped north into town.
"Where are we going?" Jessup asked. Unlike Graver and Lucy, Halley's team hadn't seen the convoy of Sheriff's vehicles cutting north.
Halley paused from the bushes as she considered her options. They could head for the hillside where Galloway's firefight had been. But the sounds had stopped. It was over.
She decided their priority was to contact the outside world. They'd need additional help. She eyed the Sheriff's department with doubt. Nothing about it felt right. She didn't trust it.
Instead, she looked to the two-story hotel and bar. It was the strongest looking building in town, and though the lights were off, it would probably afford the most resources, and most options.
She kept them to the shadows, creeping stealthily along a row of trimmed hedges that lined the lane. They walked in a crouch, their boots thumping softly in the dirt. Halley could hear the soft jingle of weapons and equipment rattling. The two men followed close behind her.
She called a halt at the corner and pointed out the hotel. A sign designating it the Lantern Glow Inn gave it a warm homey feeling, despite the driving rain and the lights being off.
"That's our goal," she explained to the men her reason for wanting to secure the building.
Jessup nodded. "Okay... so here's the plan," he said, drawing a rough map in the dirt with his finger. He had puffed up his chest slightly, trying to take charge. "Halley, you hang back. Brubaker and I will secure it. I'll take the back and Brubaker will take the--"
"Or," Halley said dryly, "We skip all that shit, and just go in together."
Jessup stammered. "But I thought--"
But Halley was already moving away from him.
"She's not impressed, dude," Brubaker said, much to Jessup's embarrassment.
"Oh fuck off," Jessup responded.
"Remember your first day of training with the shotguns? The pellets ricocheted off the target post, and one of them hit you in the eye? You almost pissed yourself because you thought you were blind. And me, being the sympathetic prick that I am, I brought you an eye patch from a Halloween costume and the Cookie Monster's 'no more tears' shampoo the next day. Remember that?" Brubaker grinned.
"Yeah, I remember. What's your point?" Jessup scowled.
"My point is, that's how you're seen around here. You need to just deal with that. Because the harder you try to *act* like one of the grownups, the less you'll be seen as one. If you want to be seen as one of them, *be* one of the grownups. That means shutting your mouth, quietly pulling your weight, and stepping up only when you're asked to." Brubaker patted the younger man on the shoulder and followed Halley.
Jessup sighed.
They crossed the street together, dashing through the dark like a trio of rebellious kids breaking curfew, and paused on the rickety porch steps of the hotel and tavern. After a careful look through the windows, they found it acceptable.
"Looks like a good place to talk over drinks," Halley remarked, allowing a smile across her normally stoic features. She caught Jessup's eye, and for a second, she looked amazingly lively. Hardly the dry tough-talking boss that Jessup had already been crushing on. With her wet hair sweeping across one eye, she reminded him of some sexy bombshell-- Jessica Rabbit or something.
Maybe it was just the way she held eye contact, or his own pounding heart, or the circumstances-- the danger and the adrenaline making him crazy with lust, but he decided to throw caution to the wind and just go for it.
"Something on your mind?" Halley cocked an eyebrow, noticing the hesitant way that Jessup kept looking at her, then looking away.
"Um... well... I was thinking that we might die and all..." he stammered. "So I was just figuring... oh what the hell!" he said at last and leaned his face toward Halley's, shutting his eyes and pursing his lips.
"What the hell are you doing?" she asked pulling her face away. Jessup's kiss met nothing but air.
He stopped, looking horrified.
"Were you trying to...?" Halley said, then she gasped and couldn't help but laugh. "Oh my god. You were. You were trying to snake a kiss." She chuckled harder. Jessup reddened, he backed away, visibly embarrassed at the abrupt rejection. "And I thought you were going to ask me for a raise." Her face became serious. "But 'no' to both. Now knock it off and follow me."
Halley slipped into the bar, her gun drawn.
Brubaker was shaking his head sadly, having witnessed the whole thing. "Wow, that was painful."