Chapter Text
Act I: The Interview
Chapter I: The Beginning of Something Glorious
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"And though your beginning was small, your latter days will be very great."
Job 8:7
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“Ah! There’s nothing better than an early-morning walk! I’m so glad you decided to join me! It’s no good to be cooped up like that, you know. Body, mind, and spirit are all important.”
Honestly? Algernon was rethinking his life right now.
He'd caught wind of rumors about a dangerous cult in Sleepy Peak when he had been sifting through cases. Commissions. Whatever one wished to call his "work". He had decided to follow them up, emailing the leader and asking if they could meet and talk. Algernon had expressed a deep interest in their church, and had proclaimed himself a devout Christian with a need to grow closer to God. And what better way, he’d written, than to meet with a prophet of The Lord?
Yeah. Bad idea, Algernon now realized.
He had barely heard the other speak over his own mind racing. He had no clue how he was going to get out of this one.
“Yeah,” He mumbled, nodding. “Nature’s uh, good for the soul.”
His hand fumbled with the index cards in his coat pocket. He was only going to ask some questions, act polite, and then promptly get the hell out of dodge.
It was clear that Daniel really was enjoying their walk. It was a cool and cloudless day out, and it would be hard not to, provided one wasn’t fearing for their personal safety. It seemed that Algernon wasn’t as lucky.
“What’s wrong, friend? You seem awfully distracted.” He came to a stop to give him a proper look, fists planted on his hips as his head tipped slightly to the side. “Gosh, I hope my friends back at the complex didn’t trouble you. They’re just so excited to meet new people! We don’t often get visitors, you know.”
His voice was chipper, and the smile returned after a moment; he was a pleasant man, but he was a touch energetic for this early in the morning. “We’re always excited to meet new people - it’s one of the greatest joys in life, don’t you think? All the possibilities for the future! Just think,” he said, beckoning for Algernon to follow as they headed down the path. It was a small, public park down in Sleepy Peak. Nothing to worry about, Daniel had assured him. “You could meet someone who’ll stay in your life forever!”
Algernon was more than relieved it had been a public location they had arranged to talk in. He didn’t know if he could handle being at that complex any longer - just meeting there had been enough. He could sense something beneath the surface wasn’t right, but he kept up that smile and kept his chin high like he’d been looking forward to this moment for most of his life.
But now his chin was slightly tucked in, his eyes darting around. In his opposite coat pocket, he’d slipped a tape recorder (old fashioned, and he knew it was) and pressed record, masking his motions by pulling out a mint and popping it in his mouth.
“Nothing’s wrong, I apologize,” He said with a small chuckle, “I’m just a bit of a heavy sleeper, takes a few hours to get into the groove of things, y'know?”
The word ‘forever’ rung like a bell in his ears. He ignored this, and continued walking.
“Anyways, I’m glad you think so,” Algernon scratched the side of his neck, “Meeting people always is a bit life changing, isn’t it? A real eye-opener?”
While meeting new people was exciting, the pastor also knew that for some, it was a little scary. Daniel was more than accustomed to meeting strangers in more public places. He was fully aware that the compound could be intimidating, especially if one already had doubt in their heart.
“It sure is! You never know what people are going to bring into your life. If you’re lucky, it’s something wonderful! I try my best to be someone who can bring good things into the lives of other people. That’s why we have the compound!” He was strangely forthright with it. He talked about it like it was his pride and joy - and of course, it was.
“Everyone you met back there fell on hard times before they came to stay with us,” he said sadly. “No one likes being lost and aimless, and that’s what our church gives back to the people who join us. They find a sense of purpose and belonging within the church, in worship and community! We support one another and make sure that none of our members ever fall on hard times again.”
Daniel didn’t seem too particularly perturbed by his new friend’s behavior. Not everyone was a morning person, after all, and this was nothing more a friendly chat. This man had come to Daniel with a desire to grow closer to God, and Daniel had assured him that this was the first steps to the closest, purest relationship a human being could have with The Great Creator - and that Daniel would help him achieve it.
“We trust that God has does what’s best for everyone,” he gave a brief nod, “that’s why He brought us together!” Daniel beamed at Algernon, looking squarely at him with a wide, warm grin.
His actions were a lot less comforting than they were likely intended to be. Algernon had come to ask questions and get answers and leave.
And now he could see that this was not going to happen.
Masquerading as a Methodist longing for a closer connection to God had been a bad idea. Algernon mentally jotted that down.
He half-wondered what hard times had led those poor people to seek out an obvious cult. The compound was not a normal religious thing. Compounds were not normal. And sure, Algernon could understand being on hard times and seeking a source of comfort, but was this the comfort they had wanted? He couldn’t help but wonder if anyone back there was genuinely happy.
Anyone other than his smiling guide, who Algernon was trying not to shrink away from. He instead made his body language more open, more warm, like he was welcoming everything Daniel said. He walked with his shoulders slightly back, and craned his neck and kept his eyes on Daniel no matter what, unless he was looking ahead or at the ground or sky. He made sure to give the other his full attention. When he finished this interview, he knew he was going to have quite the story to tell.
“I believe that’s true,” he nodded, “Maybe God wanted me to meet you so I could get closer to Him?”
Being agreeable was something Algernon had practiced. He had to be, because when he was on the phone with his family he often had to bite his tongue and nod along.
But being agreeable with parents and being agreeable with a religious zealot were two different things.
As far as Daniel was concerned, there was nothing outright sinister about their compound. They were simply a group of devout Christians, and there was no shame or law against communal living. If anything, it strengthened the community, each of their members knowing they had others to turn to should their Faith be shaken again. A spiritual safety-net, as it were.
Daniel’s movements were gentle; he kept his hands clasped in front of him, waist level, unless he was making some absent little gesture as they spoke. He realized that there were unavoidable circumstances that worked against his favor; despite his slim build, he still cut an intimidating figure. He’d been told that his gaze was a touch too sharp to be comfortable. But these things aside, he tried his best to keep himself warm and approachable.
Which made recognizing those efforts a little bit easier.
“They say that God works in mysterious ways, you know, but sometimes things are so clear! God might have led you to me, but you came looking for me. You took the first steps, and God’s guiding hand brought you here for a reason.” Daniel slowed to a stop, turning towards Algernon. “And you know,” he sighed, his hands separating. He held his palms up, gesturing towards his companion. “I understand it, really. I can tell you’re nervous. But you don’t have to be, friend. The last thing I want to do is make you nervous, or feel unsafe.” There was a sympathetic tone in his voice and concern on his features as he looked down at the man.
Algernon felt as weak and helpless as a mouse - gosh, his brain snapped back to memories of “Flowers for Algernon” - and he shuddered. He knew his tape recorder was still going, (thank goodness), so at least he knew he had evidence if anything got too out of hand.
Even if the other made himself as approachable as possible, Algernon could sense a radiating… something from him, like voids of Lovecraft novels. Like cosmicism itself, like Algernon knew that just from being in this man’s presence, anything he did or said was insignificant. He took in a breath. He tilted up the brim of his black cap just a little, letting in more light from the bright sun which felt colder on his skin than before.
“Right,” He nodded. “I think that may be possible. I guess sometime we gotta take initiative, right?” He forced a mildly twitching smile, shoving his hands in his coat pockets. The black polyester made rustling and shuffling noises any time he moved, low sounds to jar him back to the reality of the world around the two of them. Algernon moved over to a bench, the dull and dark jade color starkly shadowed in the morning light. He sat down, gesturing to the space next to him.
“Want to sit down? While we do, I’d like to ask a few questions, if that’s alright. I just want to be informed.” He tried to keep any hint of skepticism out of his voice. He tried his best to keep his voice as neutral and his words so well chosen as though he’d scripted them, but trying was merely an effort. He did have a hint of doubt in his voice, and he did have a knife-edge to his words, like he was unsure that he was listening to a prophet of God.
He just hoped it wasn’t obvious he didn’t believe Daniel.
“Of course, friend! We must learn not to question God,” he said, sitting himself down next to Algernon with something like delicacy. Wearing all white, it was warranted. “but I wouldn’t expect anyone to walk blindly into a situation like yours. I’m here to answer whatever questions you might have, and ease the worries you seem to have!”
He did seem to really mean it. By all accounts, Daniel was a perfectly pleasant young man. And why shouldn’t he be? A Prophet of God should be a kind and trustworthy person, after all.
Daniel had sat down with Algernon a thousand times before - people who were scared, who were looking for a place of belonging but couldn’t bring themselves to walk into welcoming arms without doubt. It was human nature - a natural instinct for survival. Daniel would never fault another person for it, especially not someone who had yet to see the light.
Daniel kept his hands in his lap, giving a bright smile. He, for one, was very curious as to why Algernon was lying to him - but he wasn’t the one asking questions right now - his companion came first and foremost as the pastor and Prophet gave Algernon his full attention.
“Now, what kind of questions do you have for me? I’m an open book!”
“I hope you don’t take offense to anything I ask. I’m kind of dumb, and… well, golly, it’s not like I talk to Prophets every day.” He joked, rubbing the back of his neck.
He slid a hand into one coat pocket, pulling out some note cards with questions. He shifted them and made sure they were even before holding the first one up, glancing from it to Daniel, then at his card. His handwriting was neat and small, and he wished he had prepared more questions. But he had not predicted he’d even get to talk to the man.
He was shifting slightly on the bench, like he was sitting on pins and needles very literally. “Okay, so! Uh, what first…” He cleared his throat, “I mean, when did you first discover you are a Prophet?”
Algernon had wished he had phrased it better. ‘When did God first speak to you?’ or ‘When did you first hear God?’ but that was all he could do. He looked at Daniel and he felt this shiver up his spine. Was there a breeze? He didn’t feel or hear anything else. It was like Algernon was focused in this moment, on what the supposed Prophet had to say.
Somehow he felt that 'question God’ also, by extension, meant questioning him.
“God’s calling doesn’t always come like one might expect,” he said, with such ease that Algernon could only assumed this wasn’t the first time Daniel had answered this. Not even close. “It took me a long time to accept my place as a servant of God. I thought I was going crazy,” he chuckled, with the slightest tip of his head. “But there were the same dreams, every night. A person - someone that I knew, but could never remember - came to me every night and told me stories. I kept waking up in the middle of the night to write them down. Made finals week a nightmare.” He gave the man a grin along with his good-natured joke.
There was a moment’s pause as he noted Algernon shifting uncomfortably at his side. His smile never faltered, and his gaze never adjusted to betray his notice. He pretended like nothing was awry, like Algernon’s discomfort and distrust weren’t obvious, and instead carried on.
“Now at that point, I was worried. Who wouldn’t be? And I had enough snippets of stories to write a book.” He gave a heavy sigh. “Unfortunately, I was about two thousand years too late. I’ll never forget what it felt like the first time I realized those frenzied stories I wrote were pieces of scripture - scripture I’d never heard of before, mind you - and then one morning, I woke up, and the only thing I had left to write that day was what made me embrace my servitude to God.
“ ’And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I ill pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.’ Act 2:17.” There was a tone of finality in his words. “And so I welcomed my duties as a messenger of the Lord.”
Whatever Algernon had expected, it certainly wasn’t that. The way the other delivered the words with such grace and ease. The way he seemed so casual about this that Algernon might assume he was talking about his work day. Hell, in a way, he was.
There was a shiver racing up his spine. It was like his heart was a drum and his chest cavity echoed the beat up into his skull, loud, loud, like thunder snapping and banging up on the roof of the sky. Begging God to bring down the hailstorm. Begging God for destruction and a reenactment of Noah’s Ark.
He remembered reading that passage as a child. Prophecy. The End Times and the End of Days. It had scared the ever living wits out of him, the idea that someone might walk among them one day speaking the word of God, the idea people would start having visions and speaking in tongues. He was trying not to let the other get to him, but gosh, that was… close to home. Too close.
The sunlight of morning hit the other’s blinding white clothes and Algernon caught himself squinting. He lowered the brim of his cap. The light certainly made the other seem divine in Algernon’s eyes, but… well, sunlight and clothing were so material. From where Algernon sat, he felt more like he was in the presence of a powerful politician or something along those lines.
Something he definitely kept to himself.
He shuffled through his note cards. He hoped and prayed silently that the tape recorder was getting all of this from inside his coat. He pulled out one note card and cleared his throat.
“That was… fascinating. I’m actually very impressed you remembered that passage, I’ve never been great at reciting Scripture.” He smiled and hoped his eyes didn’t betray not only his distrust, but his skepticism. Anyone could memorize Scripture. It only took motivation and conviction.
He looked at his note card. Should he even ask this one? It was probably something the man got a thousand times a day. He didn’t want to be rude, and he had no interest in getting on his wrong side.
He set that one aside. Pulled another. Cleared his throat and spoke.
“So… did God tell you to gather other people and spread the word? And follow up if I can, uh, after you accepted your role as a messenger…” He lowered his note card, completely winging it now, “…Did you… I mean, were you afraid? People probably haven’t been kind to you.”
Daniel considered this question for a moment.
“Well, of course I was.” He said solemnly. “When you come to a world like ours as a Prophet of God, it’s not… received well. People have always accused me of being a fraud, a false Prophet, cruel things like that. But none of that changed what I was chosen to do in life! I was given the word of God,” he said, a tone of pride in his voice, “that Man was straying further and further from His light. It’s my job, as a Messenger, to bring people back into the light to bask in God’s Grace!”
He seemed very content with the role he’d been given. He seemed to have embraced it fully since he was gifted his purpose. He’d certainly grown into his role - a kind and charismatic leader, someone who was easy to follow, easy to trust.
“And no, not everyone has been kind, exactly, but it’s a test of Faith that every Prophet must go through. It’s tough at times, sure, but I have to trust that God’s plan for me is just. He put me on this Earth to lead others to Salvation. And every so often I come across one of God’s children - like yourself,” he said with a grin, “who are seeking to embrace the word that God has sent for us, to live our lives as He intends us to.
He glanced down at the note cards that Algernon was holding. He couldn’t help but notice the one he had put aside. But his only job here was to answer Algernon’s questions, to bring another one of God’s children back to the Holy Sanctuary of the compound.
The wheels in Algernon’s mind were cranking, clanging and turning. He tried not to come across as nervous, but his mouth was dry. No matter what the other said, he felt like there was more beneath the surface, and he was only skimming the top to be poured into Algernon’s ears. Enough to convince, not enough to fill in all the holes.
There was a part of Algernon that wanted to fling himself into the arms of the Prophet, to tell him he was wrong and he was a sinner and to repent, to be one of his followers. A desperate part that wanted comfort, sanctuary. Support. Something he had very seldom had. Something he’d longed for all of his life. Approval.
He tried to stomp that small part out before it overrode his rational mind. Support. But at what cost? He thought back to the followers he’d met in the compound. Are they aware of their rights? Do they even know that there’s more out there?
Algernon could see the appeal. If one was sick or in despair and found a small community of people who believed like them, acted like them, sympathized with them… hell, it was perfect. He almost wanted to go back, but then he remembered the looks on all of their faces. Strange. Void-happy. Like they were on some sort of spiritual drug.
And their dealer was this preacher, whose air had turned to ice and back to warm kindness with a moments notice.
He felt like he was playing with knives. Like he was juggling them without the proper experience.
Like using a lighter at a gas station.
He latched onto the word Holy and he held tight, snatching it up in his mind and turning it over. Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty. Holy… canonized.
“Are you an ordained minister? Are you certified?” Algernon had set his cards down. Winging it. “I mean… did you ever complete a Theology course? How-” He felt like he was choking, but he tried not to show it in his voice or his demeanor; “How do you know that everything you ever- I mean, the messages you ever received… how do you know it’s verified by Scripture?”
Daniel could see that Algernon was teetering on a very dangerous precipice. Something he’d seen at least a dozen times before, the nearly-desperate balancing act just moments before they fell, a child of God, into his Holy ranks.
The questions were weak, the inquisitor even weaker. Nothing shook the preacher’s composure; not the tremble in Algernon’s voice, or the slight pallor in his cheeks. Not the precarious nature of their friendly little chat. By the time he’d abandoned his note cards, a gentle, satisfied sort of smile bloomed on his features.
“I’m ordained, yes,” he said, smoothly, “but I broke off very early after realizing that the church refused to preach God’s new word. And I won’t lie, friend, it’s difficult, but I trust in the Lord’s words. The scripture that he has laid out before us,” Daniel said, “isn’t just an account of the past, but a guide on how we should lead our lives now, in God’s name.”
He regarded his companion, gauging his will, his wants, what he needed in his life so badly that it brought him here. A desire to be closer to God, he said, but there was always more than that. Something deep down that drove him to seek that relationship. A need for security? Companionship? Hope?
Whatever it was, Daniel was here to provide it - and Algernon knew it, clear as day. Even if they parted ways here today, Daniel had already planted the seed of longing, of wondering how much better his life could have been with the church to provide for him. He was under this man’s skin, and all he had to do now was turn that longing to trust, trust to addiction, blind and content.
“A pure and righteous soul is the only way to His grace. But we’ve forgotten how to deserve His grace. And that’s what he’s imparted on me. I only preach His word, so that sinners, like you - like me - will reach His kingdom deserving to be cleansed of their sins. God’s guiding hand leads his children to me,” he said, gesturing to Algernon, then back at himself “and I lead them to Salvation.”
Algernon’s choices were weighed. He could go with the cult leader. He could go and be one of his followers and be… whatever they felt they were. When he spotted the smile on the other’s features he felt ashamed. Not at his own actions, no, but that he could come across so weak. He made a mental note to himself to keep his composure. A steely look in his oak brown eyes showed that Algernon was not going down to the metaphorical river to be Baptized without a fight.
He’d rather die a heretic if it came down to it.