k*lling Faith (2025)

[bunniefuu]

Whoa.

That him?

Yeah.

How you know?

'Cause I drug him around

with my horse till he told me.

Looks like

somebody ran away from home.

Somebody with a big mouth.

I-I'll go back, talk to him.

Ain't gonna matter none.

Alright.

Let's get on with it, shall we?

I-I got money!

-Ain't enough.

-How do you know?

-It's never enough.

-Wait, wait!

I-I got something.

I-I got something real valuable.

Show me.

Where was that? They...

Here we go.

I think I...Here it is.

Did you check his pockets?

This is your own

damn fault, then, ain't it?

And that goes for you, too.

No. God!

Close. But it ain't God

you got all riled up.

It's worse.

It's said that

a great sickness

took hold of the country

that summer of 1849...

...taking Christian and heathen

with equal justice...

and k*lling horse, cow,

and anything with four legs

almost as swiftly

as the outlaw John Glanton

and his murderous g*ng,

who were slaughterin' their way

across the Western territories

in search of

valuable scalp bounties.

But this is not

his story of evil.

There was another.

No!

That's all I got.

We've been through this,

Miss Abraham.

Worthington.

You know that well as the next.

You signed the papers.

Yes.

Miss Worthington.

Like I was saying,

we've been through this.

And ain't no one gonna

escort you nowhere right now.

And that's fact.

On account of me being a Slate?

Slate. Injun. Two-headed

Mexican. Don't matter a shake.

It ain't safe

out there right now.

And you know that. No

matter how much silver you got.

What about you?

Surely this town

can survive five days

without your steady hand on

the tiller of justice, Deputy.

Acting Sheriff,

Miss Worthington.

You know that well as the next.

Has been since Sheriff Buford

went missin'.

She needs help.

Well, I'll see to it

Doc Steelbender comes

to take a look at her

as soon as

he is fully conscious

and in possession

of his faculties.

Ain't that right, Doc?

Yeah.

Now, you know that's not the

kind of help I'm talking about.

I need to get

her to Ross Corner.

How about it,

Doc? Little paid excursion?

Look after Miss Worthington?

The man

can't look after himself.

And you can't travel alone.

I'm not alone.

And how is she with a p*stol?

Now, I suggest you take

that little girl of yours home.

Before she causes a stir.

You know you're not

supposed to be in town with her.

It's a superstitious

lot we have here.

And you remember what happened

the last time they got riled up.

Thank you for

your time...Acting Sheriff.

The food.

Do you for five or six days.

And you could fill the bladders

out back where the pump is.

As long as

she doesn't touch anything.

Much appreciated.

I also need to get this

telegraph to Ross Corner.

Alert the preacher that

I'm on my way

and in need of his assistance.

You are in touch with

Ross Corner,

are you not, Mr. Grayson?

I'll see what I can do.

Oh. Miss Atwater.

Uh, pleased to see you.

I wish I could say the same.

Yes, well, we were just in town

picking up a few supplies and--

Then you come

alone. Or not at all.

That was the agreement.

Yes, ma'am.

You bring that...thing...

...into town one more time,

and I'll have

you both strung up.

On charges, that is.

How's the curing business, Doc?

Not as good as

the dying business.

Well, at least the sickness

seems to have abated.

It's a shame it took so many.

What's in Ross Corner?

Why don't you ask her?

I don't reckon I'm that curious.

Is that all there is?

Tell me, Bender.

What's it like to be a doctor

who can't save a life?

I'll let you know next

time you find yourself sick.

Would you like to recite us

a little scripture, Edward?

Oh, I surely would, Miss Sarah,

but you know I--

I ain't much of a reciter.

I'm more of a listener.

But y-you know what I heard the

other day outside the general?

I heard this--this--

this Tubman woman been--

She's been building a railroad

under the ground for--for years.

All this time,

they's been worried

about the sl*ves

escaping topside,

and she just goes

and builds a-a railroad

under the ground like that

sure as sunrise.

Is that so?

It certainly is so.

Because the two gents

playing checkers

out on the porch said it was.

And I-I believe

they was both speaking truth.

Although,

I have to admit that the--

the gent with the whiskers

did seem to be

using this conversation

as a--as

a distraction mechanism,

which made the other gent miss

several jumps and a king-me.

But I-I believed

his words nonetheless.

And y-you know

what else I heard?

How about we save

the rest for morning?

It's getting a little late.

I have some things to prepare.

Yes, ma'am.

Come on, flapjack.

Let's get you in your jammies

so your mama can tuck you in

all snug as a bug.

Which is a funny expression

if you ask me,

because I-I have

never seen a snug bug.

Especially not in a rug, which

is the part of the expression

that I seem to have left off.

Alright.

I need you to get

a good night's sleep

because we're gonna go

on a long trip

and I need

you to be brave, okay?

I need you to be a big girl.

How about a smile for mama?

Papa?

I don't feel right, Papa!

Fell off your horse in

the middle of town again, Doc.

Speaking in tongues

like some kind of lunatic.

Yeah. Won't--Won't happen again.

No, it certainly will not.

Oh. Miss Atwater. What a--

What a pleasant surprise.

Mr. Steelbender.

Doctor.

Hm. Questionable.

Tell me. Why are you here?

Not this jail. We all

know you are an inebriate.

Why here? This town?

I don't know.

I suppose after the army,

I wanted a clean start.

Tired of g*ns

and k*lling people.

Seems you've succeeded

in k*lling people

without any g*ns,

Mr. Steelbender.

Doctor.

Hm.

The town has decided

it's time you moved along.

The whole town decided that

or is it just you?

I'm calling your note.

I ain't behind.

You are now.

As of this minute.

Unless you can pay in full?

I thought not.

One week.

See to it that the good...doctor

has departed by then.

Deputy.

Acting Sheriff.

Hm.

She can't do that.

I'm afraid she can.

Well, I ain't digging up my

whole family for that old witch.

She ain't the law.

She's the bank. Even better.

Now, promise me you won't

go doing something stupid.

-I can't.

-Why?

Where you off to?

To do something stupid.

I'm not a very good shot,

but I reckon at this range

I don't have to be.

I'd rather not test

that theory. It's Bender.

Well, what do you want?

To take you up on your offer.

We can leave at sunrise,

but I expect half up front.

Sunrise it is!

Come on! We gotta

go! Let's get a move on!

Gotcha!

What are you doing here,

you scoundrel?!

-Get off me!

-Don't you lie to me.

'Cause I saw you sneaking

around here last night

like some kind of

nefarious character!

I-I even recognize

your voice on account

-that I'm a good listener.

-Get off!

I bet you didn't know

there's a little drum

in each one of our ears.

Get off me, you idiot!

What did you call me?

-Stop it! Please!

-I called you an idiot!

No, he--he don't mean no harm.

He works the farm.

This--This here is--

Edward. Edward T. Yacht.

Pleased to meet you. I...

Edward, um,

that here's Dr. Steelbender.

He's agreed to escort me

on a little journey,

so I might be gone for a while.

Oh. G-Gone? Gone where?

Just keep doing

what you're doing. Alright?

And I need you to put

these documents in a safe place.

They mean nobody

can take our ranch away.

Well, why--why would anyone try

as hotheaded a thing

as that, Miss Sarah?

This here ranch, it's yours,

s-sure as sunrise.

Mr. Worthington, I mean, h-he

gave it to you on his deathbed.

God rest his soul.

And now I'm bestowing it to you.

In case I don't come back.

You understand?

Um...

I'm not certain

I do, Miss Sarah.

Take good care of the ranch.

And if anybody

asks any questions,

show 'em these here papers.

I-I'm still

struggling with something

you said a couple phrases back.

I-I could have sworn you said,

uh, "In case I don't come back."

And--And that--that just must be

me misreading

the verbal situation.

'Cause y-you always

come back, Miss Sarah.

S-Sure as sunrise.

Remember what I said, Edward.

Sweetpea,

let's get a move on, now!

Mr. Worthington said

for me to look after you!

What kind of name

is that? Edward Yacht?

Name he came with.

The name he came with?

Mr. Worthington, uh, took him in

after his wife passed.

Found him out living

on the streets with the pigs.

Asked him

his name. Edward goes...

"People call me idiot."

Without raising an eyebrow,

Mr. Worthington says,

"Well, that's

a right proud name,

but I don't much care

for nicknames like Eddie,

so from here on out,

your name's gonna be

Edward Yacht, not Eddie Yacht."

Huh.

Mr. Worthington was a good man.

He could be.

Is that why you took his name?

Man frees his sl*ves,

you take his name.

That's the custom.

You know where we're headed?

Mm-hmm.

S-Somewhat.

I beg pardon.

Just you don't strike me as much

of a frontiersman.

I'm not much of

a doctor, neither.

Good girl.

You stay where

I can see you. Alright?

So?

So what?

So we gonna talk about it?

There ain't

nothing to talk about.

I just never got to offer

my condolences is all.

I mean, her taking

her life like that.

Lord knows my Joseph

was no saint, but your wife...

Your wife was a good woman.

Yeah. She was.

Until she wasn't.

What's so

important in Ross Corner?

Come on, now, Doctor.

Everyone within a hundred miles

knows about my little girl.

And you think the doctor there

is gonna help?

No.

If I thought a doctor

could help,

I would have taken her to you.

Going to see Preacher Ross.

What, and he's gonna cure her?

He gonna save her.

He's got the touch.

She's got the devil.

A powerful one. Make no mistake.

You sound like

those crackpots in town.

She's a carrier is all.

You're smart to keep

those hand covers on her.

Keep the sickness contained.

But she's no more

wicked than you or me.

You don't believe

in the devil, Doctor?

I wish I did. Then maybe I'd

believe in the good Lord, too.

Just tall tales and fiction

designed to get us through

the night.

No better than a campfire.

Hmm.

Toss your steel this way,

and things won't get a mess.

Gibson!

Took you long enough.

Button it.

Alright. Let's get you over

to your...your proper owner.

Ain't his nothing.

I'm a free woman.

Well.

Well, you hear that, Gibson?

She's a--She's a free woman.

Free as a feather.

Well, I reckon you're free--

you're free to go, then.

Ain't that right?

Didn't think so.

She's a quiet one.

What's wrong with you, little

bird? Cat got your tongue?

Oh, they wanna stand.

Okay. Stand. Come

on. Stand. Stand up!

Okay.

Toss your food bag.

Toss it to him.

Now the water.

Now...

Take off them clothes.

Seems your ears are workin'.

All of it.

Alright.

We're gonna take your things.

But we're gonna leave your

horses so you can get on home.

'Cause that's what

a mannered person does.

But to make sure

you ain't gonna follow,

we're gonna take

this little bird with us.

No!

I always

wanted me a little girl.

I'm very womanly in that way.

Don't.

You wait a day.

We're gonna let her loose

by the ravine

about two miles west of here.

But iffin you come

lookin' for her before,

let's just say...

there ain't gonna

be much left to find.

And that is

a promise, b*llet to Bible.

You call yourself a woman?

Maybe I do.

Maybe I don't.

Perhaps you'd

prefer iffin I was a man.

Is that it?

Go on. Show me.

Go ahead.

Go on.

Please.

Please.

Calm yourself.

We ain't gonna

take her to the ravine.

-We're gonna drop her in it.

-No.

Gotcha!

God damn, f*ck.

Go on, git!

It's gonna be

tender for a while.

Turn over.

That's the best I can do

without any water.

She take everything?

Yeah.

We'll find some on the way.

We're turning back.

What you mean?

Ain't no quitting

over a couple thieves.

They weren't thieves. Thieves

wouldn't leave those horses.

They were after your girl.

Why? Why--

Why would they be after her?

I don't know.

Maybe you should ask him.

Think he's alright?

It was his choice to follow.

I just want

to make sure he's okay.

He had the wind

knocked out of him is all.

Which, of course,

don't mean he's okay.

You know what else I heard?!

A few years back,

the United States government

laid claim to a place at the top

of the world called Ant-Artrica!

And that--that entire country

is made of ice!

Imagine that?

A whole country made of ice?

I-I say we bring some of

that ice down here right now,

and then we'd all

have us plenty of water.

That's what I say.

'Cause, you know, you know, you

know, ice is just frozen water!

Maybe you should

save your breath, Edward!

Don't you worry, Miss Sarah!

I-I can peddle this here bone

shaker all day iffin I have to,

and it seems I do at the moment.

Cannot ride a horse

if the heavens depended on it.

A-As I mentioned, in truth,

there weren't a horse

on the farm that weren't--

-Yah!

-...lying dead in the dirt.

You go right on ahead,

Doc Steelbender!

I-I can keep up as

long as I can see you!

I'm pretty good

at following tracks.

She needs water.

Well, we ain't gonna find none

standing idle.

I might climb that butte

and take a look around.

You wait here for the simpleton.

Edward.

Right. Mr. Yacht.

Annie?

Think it was

the Indians did that?

I don't think nothin'.

All's I know is we need to

find a different way around.

Hm.

Won't make

it another day in this heat.

I'm aware of the situation.

Weren't your fault, you know.

I used to blame myself,

thinking there was something I

did to drive him into her arms,

but...they was just moths

to a flame is what I think.

I'd rather not

discuss the matter.

You think that's gonna

make like it didn't happen?

What, put a feed bag

over your head? Well, it did.

Weren't your fault and

weren't mine. Was his and hers.

Well, they surely paid for it,

didn't they?

I'm sorry.

She couldn't look me in the eye

once the shame set in.

I had to pry this out of

her fingers

when I found her by the river.

I can still smell that gunpowder

in her hair.

Hm.

Ain't no running from it, is it?

I think that's why I left that

old noose up all these years.

My way of atoning.

To the l*nch m*b?

To you.

We--You best

sleep. I'll keep a look.

That's it.

There we are.

That's all I got, I'm afraid.

Yeah?

I just want to take a look

inside your mouth.

Can you open up

your mouth for me?

I'm not gonna hurt ya.

I'll tell you what. If

you let me take a little peek...

I'll...

I'll let you hold

this for a little while.

Used to belong to

someone very special to me.

Can I take a look

inside your mouth?

It's not gonna be hurt.

There we go.

Doctor!

Found a way around!

Get up!

Hey! Y--

You ever hear about t-the game

they play up in New York City?!

In their pajamas?

Seems a bunch of grown men

stand around in--in a field

whacking a ball with a stick.

Just running

around like schoolchildren.

Call themselves

the--the Knickerbockers.

I examined her, you know.

Told you. Ain't

that kind of sickness.

Well, I didn't see any sign

of the devil, neither.

Now you're just

trying to get a rise.

People come from all over,

pay money to watch 'em do it.

It's like--like

going to the circus

to see a--see

a two-headed goat.

All I know is...

some preacher hocus-pocus

ain't gonna make

a damn bit of difference.

I heard he healed a b*llet hole

just by touching it.

- Tall tales and fiction.

- Now, if you have a--

If a two-headed goat

could whack a ball with a stick,

t-that'd be

something I'd pay to see.

Especially if it was...

w-wearing...pajamas...

Edward!

He's gonna be alright, ain't he?

Here.

Breathe this in.

Breathe it in. Breathe it in.

You alright?

Sorry, Doc.

I do tend to go

on a bit, don't I?

Excuse us.

We're looking for some water.

Well, now, that's something

we have plenty of.

Stanton,

get these folks some water.

Can't you see

they're about to drop?

Easy, now. Not so fast.

There, now. Little

girl's got the hang of it.

We appreciate your hospitality.

Oh, there's plenty of food there

for everyone...

but not till it's

cooked and ready.

Got enough troubles without

everyone getting food-sick.

What's wrong with them?

Well...

Emma there, my niece...

just seen too much life,

the best I can describe it.

Stanton...

Well, he's my eldest, and...

I just got tired of

looking at him, I suppose.

You know, he got

the sickness a while back

and just keeps

getting worse and worse.

Don't know how

much longer he's got,

but judging by the liquid

oozing out of him,

I'd say...maybe a week or two.

Ain't that right, Stanton?

Well...

now that we're all acquainted...

If you don't mind,

I'd like you to put your weapons

over there near the barrel.

That's where we keep ours

when they're not in use.

Uh, I might hang on to mine,

if you don't mind.

Got some

sentiment attached to that?

It's the last

thing my wife ever held.

Well, we can't take that away

from a man, now, can we?

If you don't mind,

Stanton will hold onto his, too.

Got some

sentiment there as well.

Ain't that right, Stanton?

Well, look at us.

All civilized and such.

Name's Maggie.

Now, I'd ask yours,

but I have a feeling I wouldn't

get a straight answer.

Much appreciated.

What brings

you out this way, ma'am?

Well, them horses.

Till they died and we ate 'em.

You have to forgive an old woman

a piece of humor.

There ain't been

much to talk to out here.

No, we come out west for gold.

Well, I-I know all about

the--the rush for gold.

I-I heard in--in February

a whole boatload of people

pulled right up on--

on the sands of Frisco

and dropped to all fours

and just started digging

before they even had a proper

meal or washed their armpits.

Yes. Gold fever. Mm-hmm.

We caught it, as well.

Started out with 12 wagons,

a proper family.

Now it's just us.

Got plenty of water, but...

That there is last of the food.

What happened?

Well, I'm not so sure

where to start on that. I...

We survived two onslaughts.

The first one...

most of the men was k*lled.

Just outright butchered.

Being scalped is probably

as close to being r*ped

as a man will ever get.

Just having the flesh ripped off

the top of your head like that?

Them Injuns is an inhuman

set of creatures, you ask me.

The second attack was worse.

Mostly because it was inflicted

on us by white men.

Descended on us

like a posse from hell...

just whoopin' and hollerin'.

Worse than any Injun.

Leader had black eyes.

Like a doll.

They r*ped all the women.

k*lled all the horses.

Maybe they r*ped the horses,

too. Wouldn't surprise me.

But they left us alone

on account of Stanton.

It seems like the one thing

that everybody respects

is the sickness.

And then...

They just vanished.

They took all the scalps

they could collect

and disappeared like vapor.

Never knew who they were.

Maybe they was ghosts.

Just gonna relieve myself.

I think the good Lord sent

you to us. That's what I think.

And I think that

with some food in your belly

and a good night's sleep...

we're gonna be

like one big family.

That's what I think.

Here you go, darlin'.

Bless you.

And there's some for you.

-Thank you.

-And you come on with me. Ooh!

Oh. No, no.

That's fine. She's, uh...

Now, you're not

gonna deny an old woman

the small

pleasure of holding a child.

My goodness. There you go.

Alright.

Now let us give thanks.

Papa?

Amen.

Amen.

Don't eat that.

Leave it.

-What's wrong?

-Nothing's wrong.

We're just leaving is all.

It appears that

your friend

ain't too fond of my cookin'.

I don't blame him.

Emma ain't too fond

of it, neither. Poor girl.

There was no choice!

It was God's truth!

Gather up the girl,

and let's be on our way.

No, you sit down

right where you are!

And I'd appreciate you

not pointing your g*n at my son.

Now, the fact of the matter is,

you may get a shot off

before he does

in his current state of affairs,

but not before I twist

this little rabbit's neck.

And I can assure you...

my state of

affairs is quite acute.

Intelligent decision.

We may make it out west after

all. Ain't that right, Stanton?

In the morning...

we're gonna hitch up our horses.

And who knows,

maybe your huntin' luck

is better than ours,

and we won't have to resort

to any...unfortunate measures.

Now, you best be grateful.

A less refined

group of individuals

might simply choose

to leave you behind to...

Leave you behind to...

Mama?

Mama!

What'd you do?

What'd you do to her?!

Mama!

Ooh.

Pardon the intrusion.

I suggest we depart immediately.

Come back!

You sheep f*ck-- Ohh!

We call this "irony."

I thought it was a buzzard.

Thank you again for

allowing me to accompany you.

Oh. We're the ones

should be grateful.

Is it, uh, "Chief"?

William. William Shakespeare.

- Is that so?

- It is.

Why have you been tracking us,

Mr. Shakespeare?

I needed traveling companions,

preferably white.

Safer that way.

What happened to your people?

My people vanquished me.

I thought when Injuns vanquish

you, they do it with a blade.

You are a suspicious man.

Only when it comes to Injuns.

I assure you,

it's not the "Injuns"

you should be concerned about.

Oh, my God.

Oh. Uh, forgive me.

It's quite alright, ma'am.

The Quechan are, for

the most part, peaceful farmers.

When they took me in, they were

dazzled by my verbal skills.

Thought I could protect them.

But they were wrong.

There was no negotiating

with the White Riders.

Only running.

And after the slaughter,

my people banished me.

Said I could not return

unless I bring stronger magic.

W-What kind of magic?

Bakotahl.

What's a...Bakotahl?

More of a "who," lad.

Bakotahl is the evil half

of the great

Quechan creator Kokomaht.

His...dark twin, if you will.

Legend has it

that Bakotahl was born blind,

and this angered him,

so he unleashed

a great evil onto the world

and then

disappeared into hiding.

The Quechan believe that

Bakotahl still walks amongst us

in disguise, and, if captured,

his spirit can be harnessed

as a powerful magic.

A living talisman, if you will.

Well, perhaps that

magic talisman of yours

can find us some water.

Wait here.

I don't trust him.

You don't trust nobody.

You know, the first time

I-I saw an Injun, I was--

Shut up.

Whoo! Come on, flapjack!

Last one in's

a rotten road apple!

Gonna have to be

quicker than that.

Ohh!

Ah. These will make a fine stew.

No shepherd's pie, mind you.

You're probably wondering about

my history, Dr. Steelbender.

Don't really concern me.

Don't come across

many Indians

who speak proper English,

I'll wager.

I've not come across

many English who speak

proper English, neither.

Wit.

You would do

well in London, sir.

Is that where you're from?

My village

was raided by trappers

back when I was a boy.

French. Horrible people.

Never bathe,

far as I could tell.

They rounded us up

and sold us to the British.

"Red savages," they called us.

I ended up in the custody of

a naval officer named Wilkinson.

Went to work in the manor.

His wife was so kind to me.

On Sundays, she used to

teach me the king's tongue.

"If you're going to live

with us, you're gonna be

a proper gentleman,"

she used to say.

Even named me

after her favorite author.

Well, like I said,

it don't really concern me.

I-I didn't--

I didn't mean nothing.

I-I swear. I...

Y-You know that, right?

I'd tear my

heart out for your ma.

Would just tear--

tear it right out, I would.

I suggest

you keep your sidearm dry.

I've seen a wet p*stol

blow a man's hand clean off.

You don't much care

for my kind, do you, Doctor?

Well, on the contrary.

If it weren't for Injuns,

I wouldn't be able to put food

on the table.

There's not a lot of money

in doctorin',

but there's certainly money

in making chains

to lock up Injuns.

Bit of a blacksmith,

are you, Doctor?

When I have to be.

There. See? Now we're having

a right proper conversation.

There's an old Quechan saying--

"Even the stiffest reed

will eventually

bend to the wind."

We have a saying, too.

"Some steel don't bend."

Everything alright, Edward?

I don't believe

I've ever seen you this quiet.

I'm just tired

is all, Miss Sarah.

Well, here. Have some stew.

Our friend made it special.

Thank you, ma'am.

Alright. Eat up. Get some rest.

We'll be at

Ross Corner soon enough.

Here you are.

- Oh. Thank you.

- Mm-hmm.

It's pretty good.

Needs a little something.

Uh-huh.

Never claimed to be a lady. Hm.

I don't--I don't drink.

Well, aren't you full of

surprises, Dr. Steelbender?

I promised my daughter.

And "Bender" is fine.

Alright. Bender.

Where's Chief William?

I don't know. He's out there

somewhere taking watch.

Still don't trust him?

Nope.

Well, he hasn't k*lled us yet.

So that's something.

Mm-hmm.

I'll wager you believe me now.

About what?

The old woman. My girl.

I believe people get sick.

And judging by her companions,

I'd say she was carrying for

a while.

You got it all

figured out, don't you?

Well--Well, all except him.

Why are you so

attached to that halfwit?

I got my reasons.

Uh-huh.

And don't

you call him no halfwit.

I'm just sayin' a fact.

He's sweet on you, you know.

Don't be silly.

Well, a man has eyes...

What make

you such an expert on people?

'Cause I'm a doctor.

I have a certificate

and everything.

Mm-hmm. Mm-kay.

You're such an expert on people,

why you ain't got

more of them around?

Ah.

I forgot myself. I'm sorry.

It don't matter.

It's, uh...

It's hard to say.

Edward...

Was right after

they hanged my Joseph.

Sheriff Buford came callin'.

Asked who was responsible

for such a crime.

Like he ain't know.

Said we should pray together.

That God would see justice done.

So we knelt.

Prayed in silence.

Next thing

I know, I'm on all fours.

With the good sheriff behind me

serving up a dose

of God's justice.

He would have k*lled me after.

If it weren't for Edward.

We buried him in the foothills.

Edward and me.

The sheriff's disappearance

became a mystery, and...

Nine months later,

had me that baby girl.

White as chalk on bone.

Townsfolk whispered, but they...

They pretty much let us be.

Until people and animals

started dying, and...

the truth about my little girl

started spreading.

No more truth than the lies

coming out of Ross Corner.

What is the matter with you?

Why'd you even come with us?!

I told you. I needed the money.

Oh, you needed the money?

You needed the money?

Then here. Take it!

I relieve you of your contract.

I understand trying all you can

to save what's yours.

That, I couldn't do.

I'd tear my heart out...

...for her.

You...

You know I...

I would.

Oh, my God. Oh, my...

He said it right to our face.

She's his g*dd*mn talisman!

Hey! Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!

We gotta go.

We gotta go. He took her.

-He took her.

-Who? Who?

-We--We gotta find her.

-Edward?!

-No! Come on. Come on.

-No!

He's gone. Let's go.

It was them

bounty hunters, most likely.

'Course.

Unless it was another tribe.

-'Course.

-Least he got his due.

The chief.

Not like the boy

did that to himself.

'Course.

Come on, sweetpea.

Let's get you all washed up.

Come on. Come to Mama.

Good girl.

Ohh...

Don't go too far.

Just taking

her down to the river.

No!

Stop! She's just a girl!

Has to be.

Sarah!

And we both know it.

Sarah! Stop!

Stop! Aah!

Sarah!

That's far enough, now.

You just turn right back around.

Take that unholy

creature with you.

-Please.

-"Please" don't work here.

If you noticed...

I didn't use the word.

Now, you best retreat.

And don't let her touch nothin'

on the way out!

Sheriff!

Alright. That's enough

posturin' for one day.

Can't you see this fella's

in need of some hospitality?

Welcome! I'm Ross.

Preacher Ross or Doc Ross.

Whichever you prefer.

It makes no difference

in the eyes of the Lord.

And I answer to both.

-I'm--

-I know who you are, Doctor.

And I know why you've come.

Let us help you.

We can carry this weight.

Fine. Yes.

As you will. Alright.

Now, you all know this child.

And you've

heard all the stories.

But this girl is

not to be feared.

In truth, she's to be praised.

For she carries in her all

that is wicked in this world,

and she soaked

it in like a sponge.

So, yes, this girl

should be praised,

for what she has contained...

...is the devil himself.

And come tomorrow in our church,

I shall release

her from this evil...

...through the righteous power

these hands have been granted!

You all know this power!

Do it now.

Cure her or k*ll her!

Makes no difference.

Preacher said tomorrow!

My predilection is today.

It's alright.

We're a family here, so...

let's put it to a vote.

All in favor of

Willard's predilection here?

Huh?

No?

Then it's settled!

Tomorrow it is.

Now I want

you all to go and pray,

for I need every ounce of faith

come morning.

Come, Doctor. You'll

be comfortable in our home.

She'll just be over here,

you know? Right in eyesight.

Here.

Your mama fixed, uh...

fixed him for ya.

She loves you very much,

no matter what.

There we are. Almost done.

There you go.

Here. Go ahead.

No.

What?

No bad habits, Doctor?

I got plenty of those.

That's right. Um...

Perhaps then instead

you might prefer...

...a little of this?

You see...

that is the wonder

of modern invention.

Right here.

You ask it questions,

and it answers.

I believe that one

day everyone will have

one of these

devices in their home.

And who knows--maybe even

we'll walk around with them,

tapping out messages.

I don't know

what your play is, Ross.

All I know is I made a promise

to that young girl's mother.

Oh. I-I'm very sorry. I...

Yes. These are

simple people, and I...

But I don't

often have an occasion

to converse with someone

of intellect and reason.

As you can see, my confidant,

he's not much on idle

conversation.

He had his tongue cut out

when he was a boy.

There is such

evil in this world.

I'm not

particularly one for evil.

Hmm.

Sure.

This girl...

she simply has a sickness.

Just as your poor daughter did.

Right? Am I right?

That's right.

I will tell you, Doctor.

And others

here will attest to this.

Miracles do happen.

And I have seen them.

These hands...

have been part of them.

I'm sure you've

heard my stories.

Just as I heard of yours.

Tall tales and fictions.

Yeah.

Faith is the currency of fools.

That's your belief.

Am I right, Doctor?

Well, what if you're wrong?

What if there is

evil in this world?

I'm not saying bad men.

I am saying true evil.

Evil of the purest form.

Well, doesn't that also mean

there is good?

Well, if there's shadow,

there must be a light.

And if there is a hell,

then there must be a heaven.

And if you can accept this,

your loved ones,

your dear daughter...

she's not dead and gone.

She's here.

She's living

eternal. And she's at peace.

Can you allow yourself

just that flicker of hope,

you know,

for the briefest moment?

Could you also allow yourself

to believe, to hope,

to even...

even pray for evil?

I promise you.

Tomorrow

we shall free that girl.

And in the aftermath...

...you shall believe...

anew.

On that...

you have my word.

b*llet to Bible.

Tomorrow.

"b*llet to Bible"?

Where's the girl?

She's sleeping.

No. No, no. It don't--

It don't have to be...

Yeah,

I'm afraid it does, Doctor.

I-I tried to keep it

from coming to this.

I sent Miss White

here to keep that girl

from ever

showing up on my doorstep.

Well, we all know

how that turned out, don't we?

- She's just a girl.

- Yeah.

I've got a whole town

full of people that believes

that she's the devil.

They're fools.

On that we both agree.

But how's it gonna look

when I wave my hands

over that little thing...

and then a week later,

a flock of

sheep just drop dead...

a child gets ill...

schoolmarms just start

choking up blood?

The good

people of this community

will think me a charlatan

and string me up.

There is one thing

that I do believe, Doctor.

The ignorant.

You never fear

the ignorant getting smart.

You fear

the ignorant getting scared.

Please. We'll disappear.

Oh, oh, no.

It's too late for that.

"Cure her or k*ll her."

You--You heard it yourself.

Since I can't cure her...

...I got this.

You evil son of a b*tch.

Come, Doctor.

We both know there's no evil.

There's just very bad men.

I say we put a b*llet in him.

The desert does

the k*lling, Miss White.

We merely set things in motion.

Well, look who it is.

You should be asleep, child.

It's late. Here.

Come on. Get up on here.

There we go.

You know...

Why don't

I read you a story, huh?

You like stories, don't you? Hm?

Yeah.

My father, he used to read

to me when I couldn't sleep.

You know?

Ah, back...

That was a long, long time ago.

Yes.

Back when things were simpler.

Hm? Oh!

Now, look. Now,

that is one of my favorites.

Alright. Here we go.

Ain't your fault.

Annie.

You did the best you could.

Well, I couldn't--

I couldn't save you.

You tried.

But I lost you.

And I lost your mother.

Everyone.

What was it you always told me?

About being a Steelbender?

That some steel don't bend.

So break it.

What the hell is that?

The sheriff wants to know

if we're in the need of more

reliable security.

Tell that f*ck' gimp

he's a f*ck' gimp.

Yeah...

You're alive.

Hardly.

How did you find me?

You're an easy horse to track.

Well...

My sweetpea. Where is she?

Is she alright?

She--She will be.

Oh, God forgive me.

Uh, I-I don't know

what came over me.

That wasn't you.

Wasn't it?

I'm the one

should be in that pit.

Stop it. That's idiot talk.

We--Come on.

I-I can't.

I can't. I can't. Not...

-She's your daughter.

-I can't!

You go.

Please go.

Don't.

Throw it over here.

Well, well, well!

Look what the cat--

You gonna sh**t me, Doctor?

I'm not a k*ller.

I think Miss White

would beg to differ.

The sheriff's on his way.

We'll be gone. Wake up.

She's already gone, Doctor.

Wake up.

Wake up. Wake up.

Wake--

Come on.

Hey. Here. Breathe this in.

Yeah. See? There--

There was a glimmer of hope.

Quiet!

T-There's no shame in it.

I saw it in your eyes.

-Please. Please.

-Clear as day.

I said quiet!

Look.

Doctor.

It's another miracle.

You stay right there.

Yes. They move.

Who are you?

Oh, I've been so

many different people.

I kind of lose track.

Who are you?

Oh.

That's right. You're a poor man.

You don't have

any family, do you?

Don't you come any closer.

And that...

that is too much

for one soul to bear.

Is there a comfort...

possible for you now?

Is there?

No comfort?

Ah!

It's a shame

that it has to come to this.

Once word gets out

about what you've done here,

taking that little girl's life

like you did,

they're going to

have to take yours...

and they're

gonna put this evil to rest.

There you go.

No. There's no need to beg.

No. No begging.

There's some things

I've grown immune to.

So have I.

h*-h*!

You're gonna

need that chair now.

Oh! God damn!

Come on. Come on.

Come on. Come on.

Oh, no.

No.

Ross!

Ross!

Ross!

Ross!

Ross!

Ross!

I don't feel right, Papa.

No! No! No!

Some say

the ghost of Preacher Ross

still walks these hills.

Others say he wriggled away,

like a worm cut into pieces.

But I couldn't tell you,

and I was witness.

And in truth, perhaps we need

people like him in this world.

The horror they inflict.

For their very existence,

be it truly evil or not,

may be the only hope

that tethers us

to proof of the divine.