Chapter one
Rain
War never changes
The dull patter of rain hitting the roof was enough to soothe my nerves as I sat in my home in sanctuary. The radioactive, almost acid based rain was rhythmic, falling every few days due to the mist of the ocean only a mile or so away. Concord stood in the distance, no gunshots rang out into the air from there.
As I sat in my bed, a blanket strewn around me and my pillow on the floor, I couldn't help but remember before the war. I used to enjoy rainy days, spending my time in the dewy air as small droplets would pool on my cheeks and in my hair, thoroughly soaking my clothes.
I can't do that now, unlike the other citizens of the Commonwealth I am not as adept to radiation. My pip-boy sat on my nightstand, softly illuminating the dim room I held myself in. Everything before the war was so calm and tame, nothing usually came out of the ordinary. Neighbours gossip and the only upsetting topic was if someone's husband was being unfaithful or if someone's child was allergic to their cookies.
I never liked it. This life is more suited for me. On the land, weapon in hand and being entirely self providing. It provoked a sense of fiery selflessness inside of me whenever I helped a settler in need or whenever I went around on pointless journeys alone or with one of my many new friends.
The sound of Dogmeat trotting down the hall was comforting, and approaching friend who wished no harm. Pawing around my bed and then hopping up, pushing himself into my lap as I laughed wholeheartedly. "Alright! Alright! Here ya' go big boy!" I scratched behind his ears and patted his head, speaking softly to the german shepard with a smile. "Aren't you a good boy?" He instantly perked up, bathing my face in slobbery dog kisses.
Groaning at the wet sensation and pulling my head away from the assault I couldn't help but laugh as well. "Dogmeat!" I cried and he only crawled further into my lap, licking my face again as I fell over onto my back. "No!"
Dogmeat barked playfully, licking and pawing at me. "PShh! Help! Dogmeat- Stop!" I called, pushing Dogmeat's face away and trying to roll over. Alas, tangled in my blanket I am trapped.
"Dogmeat!" The familiar voice of Danse called and Dogmeat jumped over me. Cracking my eyes open again, breathing heavily and looking to my door frame. There he was, adorning his new black crewneck and black jeans and combat boots. I sat up and thanked him to which he curtly nodded back, giving a small "Your welcome" and then leaving.
Sighing softly and looking to my pip-boy, checking the time with a neutral face. 10:27 am. Might as well finally get up, right?
Sitting at the guard post at the bridge with my hood up and my .50 caliber sniper rifle resting in my gloved hands. The olive green combat rain coat was something I found not all that long ago but has come incredibly handy. The old vault suit from vault 111 was no longer of use to me and now I wear normal, everyday clothes.
A grey, males tank top adorned my chest, black jeans and black, rubber rain boots. Up the road I could see the Red Rocket station where Sturges has placed dibs on building a 'summer home'. Chuckling at the thought of such a domestic thing in this apocalyptic world, drawing a smile onto my face and bringing the scope to my eyes again.
Nothing, no movement. This is good, boring, but good. There'll be no fighting today. As per usual I had my pip-boy set to radio freedom which was primarily quiet as well. The classical american themed music was enough to draw my attention from the downpour of the rain around me. "Fowler" I almost jumped, turning around and looking to Danse who was now climbing the stairs of the tower. "God damn, sneak up on every girl you come into contact with?" I sighed deeply, setting my rifle against the wall. "No, I- I'm sorry" he stood by me as he said that, He's still wearing his outfit from earlier but his shoulders and hair is soaked thoroughly. Heavy fabric clinging to his broad shoulders. I breathed softly out my nose, "It's okay, just- make yourself known, okay? I almost thought you were a raider or something." I chuckled softly, nodding slightly and then looking to my friend. "So what brings you to me this time, Danse?" I smiled and he looked bashfully away, his laser rifle in his hands and his eyes trained on the ground.
It wasn't unusual for Danse to be silent, but this- when asked by a superior- was a different type of quiet. "Danse?" I asked, contemplating whether or not to initiate contact. He's still rather touchy and moody about his departure from the brotherhood. I couldn't blame him though. It's all he ever knew, all he ever wanted. "It's my turn to keep watch" He muttered loudly, looking away from me and only training his dark eyes on his gun.
I hummed softly, looking to the two folding chairs resting at the base of the tower. "I don't think so, I've been put on watch all day, remember? Rainy days I'm watch at this post" I corrected him, still looking at the two fold up chairs and formulating a idea. He made a 'oh' sound and shifted, "well then- I suppose" He turned to leave and I put my hands out, ushering his to stop which he did. "Wait! Wait, wait- just- how bout you do watch with me, eh? I'm sure Preston wouldn't mind at all." I offered a toothy smile which he returned softly. "Alright, Sentinel" He spoke, looking down again and I went to fetch the chairs.
The small talk allowed us to drift through the hours and, before we knew it, it was seven ten. Standing and stretching, water dripping out of the folds of my rain coat and onto the ground in a spiral pattern. "We-ell" I yawned, stretching still and then stopping. "I'm off-" I smiled at him as he looked up to me from his chair and I turned to the steps, jumping down them and then looking back up to him. He's looking at me.
"You coming?" I asked, and his face fell somewhat. Eyebrows raised, eyes wide, and his mouth pulled apart slightly. It was brief but there, reminding me that he's not okay as he tries to say he is. His eyebrows knit together again and he resumes his normal expression.
The soft hum of voices and generators above the sound of the rumbling sky above was nothing unusual for Sanctuary Hills around this hour. Rain or snow, all year I'd suppose. It's only been six months since I have left the vault and I've made so many friends. Close and closer still.
Entering the bright lighting of the colonel bar, my ears being flooded by the sounds of settlers, caravan hands and odd balls getting along together in a drunken stupor. "Minnie!" Cait's slurred voice called as I passed Deacon who was telling an elaborate story to one of the caravan hands who couldn't believe it. Danse followed close behind and sat on the stool next to me at the counter.
Ordering a glass of Pinot Noir, bourbon and another beer for Cait who thanked me loudly. "Where ya been Minnie? Ditchin' us 'ow?" Cait's accent waved in my ears as she drunkenly slurred, finishing off her bottle as her new one slide to her. "Nah," I smiled, swirling my wine around in its glass and looking at the pink colored liquor, " I couldn't leave y'all not after all we've been through" I sipped off my glass and Hancock pulled up another stool. "That's great, general but listen 'ere" he started, sipping off of his own glass and then sighing "A ghoul walks into a bar- Bartender says 'we don't serve your kind here'" he smiled wickedly, "Ghoul says 'that's fine, is the human fresh?'" Cait snorted with us as we laughed.
"That's-" I giggled some more "That's clever Hancock but here's one" I cleared my throat, placing my glass on the counter, "What do you call a masturbating brahmin?" Hancock and Cait looked to each other quickly, confusion lacing their features and she spoke up "I dunno, wha?" I smiled widely watching Danse stare at me from the corner of my eye.
"Beef stroganoff" the collective groans and snickers of my friends was a great boost to my self esteem. "Are you serious?" Danse groaned, swallowing the amber colored liquid. "Why don't you try and joke around, Danse" Hancock laughed and he scoffed. "No, why would I do that?" He scowled softly, swishing this drink in its glass, the ice cubes hitting the sides with soft clinks that were almost unheard over the chatter. "For the 'ell of it, stiffy!" Cait smirked, "Oh come on Danse, it'll make you feel better" I offered a smile to which he sighed. "Alright- fine"
"What's the difference between ignorance and apathy?" He asked in a monotone voice, taking another sip off of his drink and we all exchanged looks. "What?" the ghoulish mayor asked, quirked an eyebrow upwards and Danse placed down his glass. "I don't know and I don't care" he spoke levely and we all looked to each other.
A second later Hancock and Cait started giggling, me following them in the small fit of laughter. A smile creeped onto Danse's face as we laughed and tried to re do the joke, not being able to keep a straight face. Giggles turned into soft gasps as our laughter died down, soft wheezing and light slaps against the counter. "God damn" Hancock wheezed, smiling widely at Danse who sat on his stool looking satisfied. "Didn't know you had it in you, brother" he joked, leaning over and lightly punching Danse on the arm.
The bright glow of the singular light bulb lamp that rested on my dresser was enough to allow me to navigate through my room. Pip-boy on the nightstand, coat hung up on the hanging coat rack pinned to the door, the arch top mirror that hung above the dresser reflecting my image in an opposite light. In the distance I could hear others entering their homes, doors shutting and brief, passing conversations of the road and drunken slurs of caravan hands entering the temporary homes that stand directly opposite of mine.
To think Sanctuary was a abandoned area only a matter of months ago was something to marvel at. Clean (for the sake of this land) and prosperous. Guarded and happy. Garvey says it was almost completely my doing but I don't think so. Hell, Mama Murphy did her share before I told her to stop and take her time and relax in a soft, comforting chair I dragged in from Lexington.
A knock sounded on my door and I told them to come in, turning to the frame as the door creaked open. "Hey," the familiar face of my ghoulish friend peeked through the door, "You got a minute?" his hat tipped upward and his face had an emotion I had come to recognize with time. "Yeah, of course." I motioned for him to come closer, which he did, shutting the door behind himself. His cloudy, black colored eyes casted downwards in a stare to the floor. He remains quiet, swallowing loudly and keeping his eyes off of me.
"Hancock?" He looks up quickly, eyes wide and his mouth threatening to fall agape. Taking a step closer to him, pulling him by his hands and bringing him to my bed and making him sit. Taking a seat next to him I breathed softly out a 'what's wrong?' while gripping his hand.