Chapter Text
Hurk and Nick sat, silently perched behind a rock, watching the Judge. They had found reprieve from the usual day to day work to solve what could be considered the biggest mystery of all.
Who was the Judge, really?
All any of them knew was that they had been one of Joseph's guards for a while. Ever since they left the bunkers to be exact. Occasionally, they would see them skulking out in the woods. Usually when they were hunting, and they typically assumed that's what they were doing as well. But any attempt to make contact was futile, as whoever it was would take off before they could get close.
The masked figure crouched down along the side of the river, putting their hand in to let the cool water run between their fingers. They were completely oblivious to their two extra shadow, Nick staring into their back through the binoculars around his neck. Hurk nudged him, whispering softly "What are they doing? I can barely see."
"Nothing yet." He replied in hushed tones "Just…. Playing in the water."
Suddenly the Judge jerked back, making Nick jump and pull Hurk down. They sunk until the tops of their heads barely peek out from over the boulder, keeping the binoculars against his eyes. The pilot could see the Judge look around as if to check for people. Seemingly satisfied they sat the rest of the way on the ground, reaching up to pull of their hood. It revealed a head of short, dark hair, bits and pieces sticking up from the static.
Nick felt his heart thump wildly in his chest, waiting with baited breath as the figure loosened the straps holding the mask in place. When he lifted it off his face and turned to set it aside, Nick felt his heart jump in his chest. His face was like a blast from the past.
It's was the deputy. Nathan.
Hurk noticed him stiffen, reaching to take the binoculars from the pilot's hands "What happen, let me see!" He put the tool to his eyes, sucking in a sharp breath as he focused in on his face "Dep…."
Before they could say anything else, another body joined them, making them jump. Sharky kneeled down between them, looking between his two stunned friends "What's going on guys? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Hurk swallowed, unsure how to proceed "Uh, well."
Nick interrupted "Well…. Kind of. You….. You should look for yourself."
Something in his voice put the arsonist on edge, gingerly taking the binoculars from his friend. He turned his confused gaze from them to the stream. He visibly stiffened when his brain processed what he was looking at, the plastic falling from his hands to the ground with a soft thud "Nathan?" He croaked. In a flash he was on his feet, running down the hill now calling out the Deputy's name loud enough for him to hear.
The Judge's head snapped up, eyes going wide when he saw who was running at him. He wasted no time grabbing his mask and his bow, scrambling to his feet before taking off into the woods. He could hear Sharky still yelling for him past the trees.
Not caring if it soaked into his shoes, Sharky didn't hesitate to run through the spring after him. Or try to at least. Halfway across, his foot caught on a rock. It sent him toppling down face first into the freezing stream. He simply laid there, groaning softly until Hurk made it down the hill. He waded out to him, helping him to his feet. Nick wasn't far behind.
The look on Sharky's face made his cousin's stomach turn. He'd never seen a man look so defeated and confused at the same time "Why did he run from me?" Sharky said, voice barely above a whisper.
Nick looked towards the forest, a heavy feeling settling in his chest "I…. Don't know. None of this makes sense. Why is he with Joseph? Why has he never tried to let us know he was even alive!"
Hurk put an arm around his cousin "I'm not sure about any of that. But we should take you home and get you dried off cuz. We can try and figure this out later."