Chapter 27: So I'll Bear It Trembling Onwards

Image Description: Two distant figures run towards the edge of a sheer cliff. A caption reads, “Well, who amongst us should be denied a second chance?” - Dennis

## Credits

### Featured Voices

* William A. Wellman as Neshite Reporter
* Graham Rowat as Dennis Duplass
* Jasper Locke as Corvin
* JV Hampton Van-Sant as Gage
* Méabh de Brún as Carpenter
* B. Narr as Faulkner
* Cait Gallagher as Thurrocks
* Lucille Valentine as Paige
* Jimmie Yamaguchi as Hayward
* The Host from We Are Not Meant To Know as Neshite Police Captain

## Episode Guide

On either side of the border, two separate groups of fugitives find themselves running for their lives.

## Description

### The First Saint Of The Many Below

The episode begins, much like the previous episode, with the news. They tell us of a deadly tragedy at the Besserail Correctional Facility where a mass hallowing either went wrong or came under attack. The concrete of the sacrificial chamber itself erupted. Footage of the incident is shown. There is a vast tree-like structure shown on screen, it is a saint of some kind. It used to be Esther Grammen. Prison personnel were impaled on the branches of the tree. The branches are covered in white crocus flowers. There’s muffled chanting.

Dennis asks the bartender to change the channel, and the bartender complains of the Peninsulans. Corvin enters and Dennis calls out to him. Corvin tells him to grab a pew with him in the back, and Dennis agrees. Beforehand, he grabs Corvin a drink. Dennis acknowledges that things got a little out of hand with his experiment. They didn’t know this would happen, or that Esther would go through with it. Dennis promises they’re leaving town, heading East, and that no one will know Corvin helped them. He lies that he has a gift for him, also, in the form of money. He realises something is wrong. Corvin tells him he’s too late, and that the authorities already came to the repair shop. They came to him with sketches of Paige and Dennis, and that they have proof that they are agents of the Peninsula. They threatened Corvin with being convicted of the crime if he didn’t cooperate. So he did, he told them Dennis’ name. Corvin tells him to turn himself in. Dennis leaves to warn Paige and Hayward. He knew this would happen. He contemplates what he’s going to do about it.

### Race To The Paraclete's Gulch

Gage narrates. They have managed to get the story out of the Homesick Corpse. How he would venture out of his safe home to deliver handwritten Verses to the faithful, how government agents caught up to him. How they experimented on him. Gage wonders how terrible it is to live and die, and continue singing prayers to the same god.

Carpenter watched the procession of jeeps heading north. Faulkner, Thurrocks and Carpenter have abandoned their coach. The jeeps do not follow them into the hills, but continue onwards. They realise that they are heading towards the Paraclete’s Gulch, although they believe it was revealed to them by Brother Tapper.

Faulkner phones Mason. He warns him of Mercer and Gage heading towards the Gulch. Mason has heard about them. Faulkner gives up on the coded messages, and tells him explicitly that they are heading to kill the Parish. Mason hangs up on him. Faulkner grows in frustration. Carpenter asks Faulkner what Mason said. He told them to find a place to hide and wait for things to blow over. Carpenter comments that Mason isn’t one for a courageous last-stand. Faulkner tells Carpenter that she was right about Mason. Carpenter gently mocks Faulkner, reminding him that he thinks they’re due a prophet to change things. Faulkner asks how many pilgrimages Carpenter went on. This was Faulkner’s second pilgrimage, and Sister Thurrocks is the only survivor. He still believes Brother Tapper to be alive, too. He comments that he didn’t even mess up. He tried to act in the same way Carpenter would have, and yet his acolytes still died. Carpenter reminds him that Sister Thurrocks isn’t the only survivor. He survived as well.Faulkner reveals to Carpenter that he doesn’t pray like he used to anymore. He’s become disillusioned. He wonders if there was ever a plan for anyone. Carpenter suggests getting the engine started in a truck she saw, out pace Mercer and Gage to the Gulch. Convince Mason to change his mind, and save the day.

Faulkner and Carpenter help Thurrocks to the truck. Faulkner says Carpenter doesn’t have to join them. Carpenter responds that the plan was her idea. Faulkner gets the engine started. Carpenter talks about searching for another god, to see if there’s something out there that will mean something for her. Faulkner is sympathetic. Carpenter and Faulkner seem to fall back into their established banter. They begin to drive. They discuss Paige, glad she’s back in the CLS. Carpenter expresses relief that Hayward didn’t get to her.

### The Birth Of A Prophet

Paige and Hayward are skimming stones. Hayward wonders if Paige’s father will turn them in. Paige says he won’t until he’s bled them dry. Hayward says he’s sure he wants to go with them. Hayward says that he learnt growing up that you lose the first fight. But you act like every failure is its own success. Hayward has failed at pretty much everything he’s ever done. Paige tells him he doesn’t have to be chipper about it, 9 people are dead because of them. Hayward says next time they’ll think twice. Paige says he must feel the weight of it. He says he feels it less than the weight that came before. Paige can’t shrug it off as easily. Hayward wonders how much harm he’s caused over the years. Paige expresses that she doesn’t feel connected to their god. She’s only seeing it from a distance. Hayward takes a ring off his finger, Paige asks if it’s a wedding band. Hayward is surprised that she thought he was married, she says she suspected he was divorced. It's a family heirloom, his moms. He wore it to fit in with those he worked with. He throws the wedding band into the water. They hear a car pull in and Dennis runs towards them. He immediately apologises and explains the situation.

Police sirens. Dennis opens a can of beer as they get closer, he’s sat in front of his house. The police officers get out. Dennis tells them he’s the one that called it in. He leads the officers to the basement. Dennis’ con man skills are working. Dennis offers the police officer beets. The police officer is not interested. Dennis boasts that he’s trapped them, he’s stalling. It becomes clear that there is not an informant on site. Dennis knocks into the police captain. There’s gun fire and Dennis is shot. The police captain tells his officers to let him bleed. The door to the basement is stuck. Dennis is in shock. Dennis keeps trying to get the captain’s attention. Dennis removes his handcuffs. He talks about his daughter’s god with pride. He’s shot again and he dies. As the police captain walks away, Dennis begins to change. He’s becoming a saint. The branches impale the officers, he’s taking them with him. The saint roars in triumph.

Paige and Hayward are making their escape. Paige hears the roar and calls out for her father. She’s shocked and furious. Paige tells him to turn back, as Hayward responds that it’s too late. Her god rises in her, and she keeps repeating her desire to turn back. It’s Hayward’s turn to be horrified. She continues in this state. The sea has become a memorial garden for her god, a frozen act of vengeance. Hayward continues, him and his prophet.

## Trivia

* Back in the seminary Faulkner dated someone called Joe Quaid, but things between them didn't work out, leaving Faulkner to sit alone during lessons.
* Dennis Duplass' last words are "Fuck the bronze."

## References

1. ↑ Episode Release Announcement on Tumblr
2. ↑ Official episode synopsis at https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/5fec690f8211cf453a1b89e2