Hey guys, IronFist77 here! Since summer is here, I'm starting to write more so I decided to bring you this story. I'm also a filmographer so I won't be able to post the chapters as frequently as other authors. Expect one every 2-3 weeks. Please be patient with me! Have fun and enjoy the prologue!

Prologue-

"HELP!" cried a voice in the distance. I woke up, startled, wondering what was going on.

"Hello? Astrid? Niko? Is anyone alright?"

Something felt wrong. I hadn't felt like this in a long time. I got up out of bed, still suffering from a headache I had yesterday, and walked into the hallway. Everything was quiet. I missed the noise of the cars driving by when I lived in Monument. In Monument, it was loud, but here, it was quiet as outer space. I could each hear each step I took as I headed to Astrid's room. I slightly opened the door and peaked in.

There she was, beautiful Astrid. It was such a wonder that a month ago she had delivered our son (technically, it's her son but she wanted me to raise the child as his father), and now, nearly all of her baby fat had disappeared. I felt lucky, being with her, romantically that is. A few months ago, before the chemical spill at NORAD, the freakish hail storm, the earthquake, and yes, the lingering Drifts, I thought that I had no hope of being with Astrid. And now, I was a father, and a boyfriend.

Astrid was groaning, tossing and turning as if she was either, 1) in pain, or 2) having a nightmare. Being the gentleman that I am, I went in to check on her. I knelt beside her her and lightly tapped her shoulder.

"Astrid? Are you okay? Astrid?" She tossed and turned a bit, but then turned her head in my direction.

"Astrid? You okay?" She mumbled something indistinct and stretched out her arms. "Astrid? What did you say?"

After a bit of rolling around in bed, she slightly opened her eyes.

"Who's there? Hello?" She turned her head to face me. I spoke quietly, so I wouldn't wake up Charles (our son).

"It's me honey, Dean. You okay?" I propped her head on her pillow.

"Oh, Dean, hey babe. What time is it? What are you doing in here? Did you wake the baby?"

"No, I didn't. It's 1:30 in the morning right now. I heard noises and someone crying for help in the hallway, so I went out to check. I heard you groaning, so I came in to check on you. How are you feeling?"

"Not that great, I was just woke up from a nightmare."

"Would it make you feel better if you talked to me about it?"

With a slight smile, she nodded. "It's great that you're always here for me. I love you Dean."

"I love you too Astrid." We kissed and gave each other a hug, but I was eager to hear her story.

"Now tell me what happened."

"Well, explained Astrid, I don't remember much, I do remember being in the Greenway. But it was more scary. There was a giant leak somewhere in The Dump and all the O's had gone crazy Dean. You and I had killed everyone and well, when, it was you and me left. Then I, I-"

Knowing that she was about to cry, I put my finger on her lips quieting her. I kissed her on the forehead telling her everything was okay. I got into her bed, and laid next to her.

"It's okay, I know what happened. But here's the good thing, we're not in the Greenway anymore. We're home." I held her hand and continued. "We escaped from the Greenway and Monument and now we're home. So don't worry, everything's okay. You and I are together and we're a family. We saw the face of the devil and lived to tell the tale. So don't think about that because it will never happen. Okay?"

"Okay Dean. Thank you so much. You are such a great comforter. If everything was normal and we were together, I could see you being a counselor or a psychiatrist."

I laughed. She saw me doing a lot of things.

"Why don't you get some sleep while you still have the night? If you need me, I'll be in the room next door."

"Okay Dean. Goodnight. I'll see you in the morning. Love you babe."

I got up out of bed and kissed her. "Good night honey. Love you too." I walked to the other side of the room and found an antique CD player. Fortunately, the room had an electrical outlet as well.

"What are you doing Dean?"

"You'll see."

I left the room to get to mine, and grabbed a CD with music with Mozart on it. I went back to her room and put the CD in the player. I pressed the play button and turned the volume down to where it was hearable, but to where it wouldn't wake Charles up.

"That should help you sleep. Try focusing on something positive and it should help with the nightmares."

"Thanks Dean. You are such a wonder."

"I know I am." I smiled. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

I walked out the door heading back toward my room. Right before I got to my door I heard Astrid call my name. I walked back to her room and peeked my head through the door.

"Yes Astrid?"

"Happy Birthday babe."

I had totally forgot that it was my birthday today (it's still the next day at 1:45 in the morning).

"Thanks. Now get some sleep. I don't want the girl of my dreams to be dreaming when daylight comes."

Astrid chuckled. "Okay wonderboy. Now get out of here."

I headed back to my room. As I got back into bed, I closed my eyes and thought back to what I have been through. It was amazing that I had survived months dodging poison clouds, enduring an earthquake, being exposed to the chemicals, and helping my friends survive. I let my mind drift for a little while, letting my mind fall into a relaxed, blissful sleep. And now, in a few short hours, I would be celebrating my seventeenth birthday.

That's it for the prologue! Be sure to write reviews with suggestions on what I should do in the later chapters with the characters, overall situations, etc. This is IronFist77 signing off for now!