IX
They arrived in the middle of the afternoon. Layer was a bit sleepy from the long way they had to go to the mountains from here, but as soon as her feet touched the ground, she felt as awake as could be. Bucky jumped out pf the car as well, not leaving her side, acting like the good dog he had been raised as. She looked around : there was the church, right in front of her, pretty big for a so called "little and humble building"; facing the entrance were some little buildings, surely made to be living places for some of the peggies, they actually were some of them around, preparing the sermon to come. She couldn't help but notice some pretty sharped fences in some places, it lade her uneasy : why was it here ? This feeling of discomfort didn't get away, so she decided to stay close of her dad, knowing that she was in some kind of safe zone as long as he was at her reach, no one would challenge the soldier.
Jacob gently pet her head when he noticed her attitude, starting to walk toward the church, and so did the little girl, not ready to let him get more then a few feet away from her. She didn't liked it here at all, she was able to tell it right away, the atmosphere was putting her on the edge, and she hated it. She just wanted to go home, tonight she was suppose to learn about the stars with Gabriel, it was the only night in the week she was sleeping out of the Veteran center and she couldn't say it wasn't saddening her to think it wouldn't happen until next week. Plus Gabriel was kinda her only friend, the other men of his father were just bearing with her, even if they liked her a bit. Except Jens maybe, he was the second in hand, and he seemed to get attached to her too, like Gabriel he was mostly treating her as a simple kid, but....almost in a brotherly manner. She missed the both of them right now. She wasn't going to say it though, she decided to be strong tonight, and she would be, she didn't wanted to upset Jacob in any way. He was damn scary when he was upset at something, it has never been at her and she swore it would never be.
They were about to enter the church when a car park itself near their truck. It was way too fancy not to know who was in there. A young man with brown hair and beard, blue eyes -and way too classy and expensive clothes- got out of the vehicle, starting to walk toward them. Or, to be fair, he kinda jog toward the little girl, a big smile on his face. Layer run to him and jumped just close enough so he could catch her in his arm and hug her tightly.
_Uncle John !!
He kissed her cheek gently, still exaggerating the gesture to make her laugh, before putting her back on the ground, not without hugging her as tight as his muscles allowed him to, one last time.
_How are you doing little one
_I'm fine...
He smiled before walking to his big brother and hug him too, Jacob just pat him on the back, not really the cuddly type even when it cale to his family, she seemed to be an exception though. They began to talk, and se quickly found it boring to listen too so she just stopped paying attention to the meaning of their words. Instead she looked at the entrance of the church, wondering if her aunt Faith would be there too. Of course she would, she kinda had too of her dad was right, Joseph wanted to show the polices forces that he was above them, for that he needed to show that his whole family was behind him, even his adopted sister. Would they had the time to say a proper hello to each other though, she didn't knew. She was sitting on the steps of the church, and before she could find an answer to her question, the open door creaked, letting her uncle passing through.
The girl kept a straight face, fighting against the discomfort he was now inspiring her. He wouldn't hurt her, she was his niece, he had to understand that her place was with Jacob, in the mountains, roaming around the Veteran Center, not here. He would understand right ? He wouldn't take her away from her home...Would he ?
_Brothers !
The man greeted his siblings as he usually does, putting his hand on the back of their neck before pulling their head forward, connecting their foreheads. Layer could clearly say her father was annoyed by the gesture, but it most likely was because of the tiny argument they had earlier this day. John though, seemed almost scared, the child knew he wanted to please Joseph as much as he could, it seemed to be a matter of life or death to him. Joseph let go of them before turning to her, staring through his terrible yellow sunglasses he almost never got off his damn nose. He smile a bit
_I see our little guest is also here.
She frown mentally, wanting nothing else but to run and hide behind Jacob's or John's legs, he was creeping her out to a whole new level for some reason. The hair on the back of her neck raised and she could feel something was clearly off with him. She stay still anyway. She was string, she would NOT disappoint her father. The Soldier put himself between her and Joseph, letting his massive body being a barrier, protecting her, like a wolf would protect his new born pup.
_Yeah, and she will come back to the mountains with me after the sermon, I wasn't planning on letting her here.
Joseph's look got darker, being called out like that twice in a day didn't seemed to please him at all. He didn't say anything, just motioned them to follow him inside the church. John did immediately, almost running into his back since he was walking so fast, but Jacob waited. He turned around and kneeled in front of her to be at -almost- eye level with her. He put his hands on her shoulders, and just looked at her. She seemed so little and fragile right now, almost shaking in front of him. He couldn't help but stroke her cheek gently, trying to soothe her, she wanted so desperately to look strong in his eyes, he couldn't let her cry, he knew she would lower her self esteem if that happened.
_No matter what will happen now, I'll protect you okay ?
_I know dad, don't worry...
She forced a smile on her face, and give it back, but his was entirely real; he was so proud of her for standing despite being scared to death, mostly because he may have worry too much about Joseph. She was still weak, but it was because of her age, she would grow older, and she would be so much stringer, she would be so so much stronger then him, he just knew it. She already was gaining in strength everyday, which was a relief for him. He pet her shoulder
_Come on, let's go.
He took her hand and they entered the church together.
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