As the government strikes against the disciples of the Paraclete's Gulch, Faulkner seeks refuge and an untraceable hiding place at his old childhood home in the Whisper Plains - but he is not alone there.[2]
| ATTENTION: SPOILERS AHEAD! Beyond this point, major plot spoilers are expected. Continue at your own risk. |
Description[]
The Radio Station[]
Faulkner and Rane have broken into a radio station, an alarm sounds in the background. Faulkner addresses the Parish of Tide and Flesh, announcing that he had rejected the title of ‘Katabasian’ in favour of ‘High Prophet’. He tells his followers that the Legislatures killed Roemont. Rane interrupts briefly to remind him of what to say. Faulkner tells his listeners that Roemont is dead, the Downriver Council have seized control and plan to legalise the Trawler-man’s faith. He brands himself as the true Children of the Water, and tells his followers to join them. He begins to confess that he wishes for a life free from the burdens he currently has, until he is cut off by Rane informing him that the authorities are there. Faulkner quickly finishes his broadcast, fleeing with Rane back to their car.
The Attack on the Gulch[]
Rane is informed that the Gulch has been targeted in an attack by the government. They relay that information to Faulkner. Faulkner asks if they followed the evacuation protocols. Rane replies that they do not know, but it sounds like some tried to hold out against their attackers. Faulkner asks if their defences held. He does not get an answer.
Once returning to the Gulch, Rane and Faulkner look for survivors. In Mason’s study, Faulkner finds a radio playing a broadcast from Greve. She has taken on the label of High Katabasian. She calls Faulkner a liar. She lists his sins: Bellwethers, the Wither Mark, Mason’s death and Roemont’s death. Greve says that he does not care about the Trawler-man. She calls for his followers to leave him. Faulkner turns off the radio as Rane approaches. Faulkner wonders how many stayed behind. Rane says they have to leave.
Faulkner Returns To His Childhood Home[]
They drive to Faulkner’s childhood home. He speaks to Rane about first hearing the Trawler-man. He is reminiscing. Rane asks if he is fine staying here. Faulkner replies that they are the only two people who know about this place. Rane is surprised that Carpenter doesn’t know about it. Faulkner seems to be lying. Rane asks Faulkner if he meant what he said during the broadcast, that he had not been chosen. Faulkner replies that he meant it, he thinks he is lying when he answers that way. Rane says that his response meant a lot to them. What Rane says is reminiscent of Thurrocks. Rane tells him that they’re glad that it’s Faulkner and not them, which Faulkner does not take as the compliment they mean it to be. As they talk, Faulkner’s Father leaves the house and begins to water the flowers. Faulkner runs over to his father. He calls Faulkner ‘Eddie’, and tells him that his Uncle Just is coming to visit.
On the phone, Eddie tells Faulkner that he has tried to house their father three times in three months but that he would always leave. He says that it wasn’t safe so they bring food and water and pay the phone bill so that they can check in on him. Faulkner is angry that his father has been left out in the woods alone with no one to look after him. He reveals that they have been looking at care homes, but they’re expensive and the government franchises have less than amazing reputations. He reveals that their father has dementia, which Faulkner refuses to accept. Eddie tries to prepare Faulkner for his father using his dead name, but Faulkner retorts that he actually thinks Faulkner is Eddie. Faulkner asks if his father is expecting another visitor. Eddie recalls that Uncle Just raised their father, but they never met him. Faulkner promises to take care of their father.
Faulkner picks up groceries for him and his father. When he returns he chops vegetables for their lunch. He tries to make conversation, but his father is too consumed in waiting for his Uncle Just. His father calls him ‘Charlie’. Faulkner’s father wants to leave and see if Uncle Just is lost.
The phone rings and Rane and Faulkner talk about finding another refuge. They have come across the Grand Aquifer. It’s enough for now. Faulkner gives Rane orders to make it magnificent and to get the word out to their people about it. Faulkner is dragged away from the phone call by his father opening the door.
The First Conversation Between the Father and Son[]
Faulkner’s father listens to the radio as they eat, but when Faulkner asks how the food is his father turns the radio off. He seems to be very lucid again. Faulkner is surprised and asks his father when they’re expecting Uncle Just. His father tells him that he’s been dead for years. He turns the radio back on.
Uncle Just[]
At night, Faulkner hears clattering in the kitchen and the sound of something breaking. Faulkner wakes up and goes to check on his father. His father is frantically cleaning up, he is anxious and terrified. He’s incredibly panicked at the idea of Uncle Just shouting at him. He tells Faulkner to help him clean. Faulkner tries to reason with him, to remind him that Uncle Just is dead, but this just further upsets him.
Time passes. Faulkner’s father waters his plants. Rane and Faulkner discuss their situation. It appears that their numbers have swelled to 600. They’re excavating the Aquifer. The Order of the Sunken Lugs have joined their ranks, along with others who never trusted the Katabasians’ Council. Faulkner asks if Rane has had a family member with dementia. They say that their Great-Aunt had it but they were very young at the time. Faulkner confesses that it’s not the forgetting that frightens him, but the going back. He fears becoming a scared, helpless child again. Faulkner says he’s worse at night, and that he hasn’t been sleeping. His sympathy for his father’s current situation doesn’t prevent him from acknowledging his own hurt and anger. He is frustrated further by the fact that he can’t express what he wants to because of his father’s condition. Rane tells him that he has to meet him in his version of the world. Faulkner doesn’t want to join him somewhere that is inflicting pain on him.
Outside, Faulkner’s father continues to water his plants. A rising shout calls to him from the forest. Faulkner sees his father fall and leaves his phone call. Faulkner’s father seems to think that the angel tormenting him is Uncle Just. Faulkner sees it, and as it begins to shout he manoeuvres his father inside. Once inside, he calls Eddie to discuss the situation. Eddie doesn’t seem to believe him. Faulkner is outraged that Eddie doesn’t want to come pick him up. Eddie, fairly, tells Faulkner that he’s always lying to him. Their argument isn’t going anywhere. Eddie is exhausted, he’s stressed because of his job and the war. But, he proposes they meet and talk. After the phone call with Eddie, Faulkner calls Rane and asks for warding marks. He asks for a car to pick them up as quickly as possible. Rane agrees. Faulkner busies himself with putting up defensive sigils and warding marks. The storm outside worsens.
The Stand Against Uncle Just[]
The radio plays, but keeps cutting out. Faulkner’s father turns it off. His father walks downstairs and sees Faulkner drawing the sigils. He tells his father about the sigil he’s drawing, but his father keeps watching for Uncle Just. Faulkner is increasingly frantic. Faulkner tells him that they’ll sleep on the kitchen floor tonight, together. His father can see the angel in the trees, and Faulkner pleads with him not to look. Faulkner’s father begins sweeping. He’s distressed and agitated. Faulkner pleads with his father to tell him what happened. He doesn’t get a response that he can understand.
Faulkner keeps watch as his father sleeps. We can hear Uncle Just outside. Faulkner speaks to the Trawler-man. He offers him an ultimatum. He tells him to keep his father safe until the morning. Faulkner sees himself as the only hope the Trawler-man has of surviving. He tells his god to make offerings to him. After his speech, Uncle Just howls. The house shakes. Faulkner’s father is cowering from him in the bathtub. He begs his Uncle not to shout. Faulkner tries to comfort him but his father flinches away from him. Faulkner keeps repeating that he’s not him, and that he loves him.
The Last Conversation Between the Father and Son[]
Faulkner’s father wakes his son. The angel hasn’t returned. His father is lucid again, and asks Faulkner about the trouble he has found himself in. They speak about it for a bit. They talk about Faulkner’s transition, his father compliments him before apologising for being unable to do it for him. His father asks him if he’s happier now. Faulkner lies at first, before beginning to cry. It is his father’s turn to comfort him. He doesn’t like the part he plays anymore. His father tells him he will find a new part to play. That he’ll become someone else that he can’t wait to meet. Faulkner has been running from his past, and now there’s more to run from. He blames himself for the death of Charlie. He blames himself for helping him and not trying to save him. Faulkner’s father tells him that’s not correct. That Faulkner didn’t kill Charlie, but he did. He accepts that he failed them, and that he knew it the whole time. He tells his son that he can’t stand to share the blame with everyone else. That he is not solely responsible. He says that it’s not his weight to carry alone.
The whistling begins again. His father gets to his feet and announces his decision to leave. Faulkner pleads with him not to go. His father tells him that every god is a god of death. He opens the door and steps outside.
Aftermath[]
Once again, Faulkner has been abandoned by his father. This time for good. The door swings on its hinges. Faulkner has once again slept alone on the kitchen floor. Faulkner searches for his father in the woods. He’s alone.
Eddie calls. He apologises for not getting there. He says he aims to be there either tomorrow or the day after. Rane pulls up to the house as he hangs up. They call for Faulkner.
At the water-butt, Faulkner plunges into the water. And slowly, he begins to drown. Rane dives in, grabs Faulkner and pulls him out of the water. Faulkner begs them to let him go. Rane asks Faulkner if he heard the music. Faulkner does not reply.
Trivia[]
- Faulkner is transgender.
- The Parish of Tide and Flesh helped Faulkner start taking testosterone.