It had been the thought on everyone's mind. When would it happen? Would I live long enough to see the day?

Many of the richer folk never had it cross their mind, they were prepared for the future. They lived their life carefree, as if nothing was wrong, as if there was nothing ahead of them. The constant fear always stuck to those who had family in the services. Would this be their last tour? Is this the last time seeing their newborn baby? Many things were difficult in 2077, but no one was truly prepared for the final war; The Great War...

Thursday.

October 21st, 2077

Being rich was a luxury back then, but not being able to afford gas or television was the life of young Freya. A journalist working with one of the most esteemed magazine companies of her time. Sure she was lucky, but it barely paid the bills like they had promised her. Many days were spent behind a cover on how to be a great housewife or seven moves that make him yours. Nothing that was truly worth the time of readers, or her for that matter.

The bustling office was home to her, she was here more than her own home that is. Many people were talking about the Halloween party at Anita's house. Party of the century, they named it. Hardly… It just people getting drunk, hooking up and regretting it Monday. Freya usually stayed away from social events, she had one friend in the office, and while she may have been immature, she was married, had a kid on the way, and a world class husband who served in the military, which was more than Freya could say about herself.

Freya looked up from her terminal catching the occasional groping of her fellow office mates, and dirty whispers from the office pervert. It was a typical day for her. At seven O'Clock, everyone arrived, ready to do their job, by lunchtime it was 'Lolligag until the boss catches us, and make some shitty excuse as to why I was away from my desk because Barbara had some juicy intel about the latest makeup trend and I just had to know it.' The time was now twelve.

"Freya!" A voice called out pulling the young blonde's chair back without warning, causing her to flinch and reach for the nearest thing to steady herself once more.

"Jules... I told you to stop doing that." Freya growled placing her hand over her chest to feel her own rapid heartbeat. This was something that happened often, true. But Julie had stopped doing it a few weeks before when she had gotten a lead on one of America's top singers, something about drug abuse and the dangers or something like that. This, however, was the first time she had heard from Julie in quite a few weeks.

"I know, but we haven't spoken in over a week, and I wanted to surprise you." She took a deep breath, the two were as different as fire and ice.

Julie was a vibrant, fiery girl, always looking for the gold at the end of the rainbow, while Freya was a silent sheet of ice focused and cold. She normally believed that you couldn't find fortune, you had to work for it.

"How did that interview go anyway?" Freya mused with a smile.

"It went great, he's a real swell guy in a bad situation, but very down to earth, very... Smart." Julie kept on, but Freya had lost interest now.

Freya's attention was turned to the news on their office T.V. talking about the unveiling of the newest Vault-Tec vault, their apparent final vault. Vault 122. They were showing the interior of the Vault and the many new things they had installed since their last unveiling. Freya's attention was dragged back by Jules taking a seat on top of her desk.

"Do you think it's gonna happen, Frey?" Her voice was short of excitement, definitely, a side of her Freya had not seen many times. This was a time where Freya had to be positive, for her.

"If it does, I'm sure we will all be prepared before then." A genuine smile followed her words before Jules jumped off the desk threw her entire body around Freya's small frame.

"I knew you would have the answer, you always do! Ryan and I sent our applications in last week for the Vault-tec program! You should do the same..." She paused searching Freya's face. "Oh my God, what if we got in the same vault? Wouldn't that be swell, surviving the apocalypse together." She held her arms out as if she were placing the words up herself.

"Maybe." Freya laughed looking at the note on her desk. Vault-Tec had sent out pamphlets the day before.

"Well... I better get back to work then. Are we still on for the 23rd?" She asked smiling wide.

"Of course, we are..."

She walked away slowly with the same smile on her face, Freya laid back smiling, while she had no social life, she was thankful she had a friend like Julie.

Friday

October 22nd, 2077

The news hit Freya like a bullet. She searched Julie's face for some sort of hint to a joke, maybe she was trying to be funny, it was a dim day after all. There was no crack in her emotion, she was as serious as the day she was born. Tears began to pour out of Julie's eyes, she had already lost hope…

"Hey, I'm here for you... We can fight this, don't worry." Freya hugged her not sure what else to say to her.

Julie had been turned away from the Vault due to a type of cancer she had just found out about on the 21st; and while Freya knew about the doctors appointment Julie had been scheduled to go to, it was news Freya never saw happening in her lifetime.

"I know, but what if the bombs come down? I have nowhere safe to go, and Ryan's family hasn't spoken to us since him and I got married; they're the only ones that would have anything close to safety." She was frantic while running her fingers through her hair, she wiped any remaining tears in her eyes.

Freya finally lets go of her and stares her down intensely.

"The military doesn't give you another option?" She inquired.

"No... Not for those with a low life expectancy... I'm not even sure how much longer I have." She frowned placing her hand on her stomach. "Ryan and I might not even meet Junior..."

Freya had no idea what to say other than words of encouragement, which is probably all Julie needed. Freya wrapped her arms around the only person who had meant something to her in a long time. They sat together, silent, in that empty lunchroom... Nothing else could be done.

Current day.

Saturday.

October 23rd, 2077

This morning was quiet, normally I didn't mind it much, but yesterday had been so horrible, I mostly expected Jules to have called me by now, but there was no phone call. Plan B… Call her and check in to see if she's okay; we were supposed to go to the movies together today, but I wasn't so sure she was feeling up to it. I dial her.

One ring...

Two rings…

Three rings...

No answer yet, strange. Maybe she was busy or still asleep?

I pull myself out of bed, headed down the hallway to my darkened kitchen and opened the door to my fridge. I pull out some milk and pour myself some cereal.

I pick the phone up and dial Jules one more time, getting the same results. I couldn't for the life of me figured out where she could be, the only option would be to go next door and see where she had gone. Their car was gone, but that was normal, Jules and I don't work Saturdays but her husband does, so maybe he was gone. I finish off the rest of my cereal, put on one of my casual dresses, before marching over to her house, I needed to know why she wasn't answering, it just wasn't like her. The wind was blowing wildly for Florida, but it was a nice breeze. The Vault-Tec salesman was in town this week, not surprising, they were always trying to make a quick buck with the poor folk here. My shoes clicked as I neared her door seeing a small envelope taped to the door... With my name on it.

My stomach instantly drops, my throat was closed at the thought of what this letter might say inside. I quickly grab it and run back to my own house shutting the door quickly. I tore the envelope open noticing the intricate cursive that I had known Jules for. My heart began beating quickly in anticipation, I didn't want to continue, but I had to know.

'Hey there Frey,

I'll bet you're wondering where I've gone, and I can assure you that I'm safe and sound with Ryan... After the news, I have to admit, this is the hardest choice I've ever made, mostly because his family hates me, but they've offered a huge sum of money to pay for my treatments if we move in with them and help out some... I think it's a great opportunity to get on his parent's good side, while getting the help I need too... I want you to promise me that if that Vault-Tec salesman comes around this weekend to offer you a spot in that Vault, you better damn take it, I can't bare the thought of you dying, even if I myself die, my life would be a complete void if you disappeared from it, I imagine you feel the same way... I'm sorry I couldn't tell you in person, but I wouldn't have been able to, this is the only way I could get everything out without my voice cracking like a broken record. Freya... Here's to meeting up later on in life. Thank you for being the greatest friend a girl could ask for. Stay safe.

Love Jules.

P.s. We bought a spot for you in Vault 42, with our savings, Ryan insisted on it since we would be living for free at his parents… Please take their offer... Make us proud, Freya!'

My heart shatters with each tiny letter... Tears now pour out of my eyes as I try to find the words to make myself feel better, there are no words to do such a thing. I fold the paper up and slide it into my pocket remembering each word; all she asked was that I tell the man yes, it couldn't be that hard. My legs shake as I stand up from the couch, I shuffle down my hallway to the bathroom so I could clean myself up. It look like I have an allergic reaction, my dark hazel eyes are bloodshot, puffy, and watery all at once. I do my best to make myself look appropriate before I hear the doorbell rang, who on earth could that be? I smooth my dress out and make my way to the door seeing the man smiling widely.

"Good morning, Vault-tec!" The man greeted with great vigor.

"Good morning..." I give my most enthusiastic smile.

"I'm here to tell you, that you have been selected for entry into Vault 42. I uhh... Just need to clear up some information before we continue." He hands me a clipboard with the Vault-Tec symbol on it. I skim through the already filled out paper, such as Marital status, Full name, Number, Address, etc.

"Everything is correct yes." I give him his clipboard back with a grin.

"Should the threat of nuclear annihilation ever occur, there will be guides set up around the neighborhood. Your specific vault is located in the Florida community bank. It's only right down the street from here, I'm sure you're aware of this though. "

"Yes, sir I am."

"Alright! Thank you again for your cooperation, but most of all, Thank you for being prepared for the future!" He finished his speech turning away from the door.

I close the door thinking intently as to why this Vault thing was such a big deal, it was as if the world were actually ending, but I highly doubted that.

I pull my hair into a bun and stare myself down in the mirror looking at each flaw, too many memories with Jules make it hard to forget what is going on. Maybe a walk would help that, nothing else seemed to be doing anything. I make my way out of the door, the breeze was truly exuberating. There were too many thoughts on my mind to worry about an impending doom that would never come. I begin making my way along the sidewalk that led to the bank just outside our little neighborhood. I find a nearby bench and take a seat. There were families here, there was no way an atomic bomb would drop.

I study those in the neighborhood, the children playing chase with their parents, the couples embracing each other as if it was their last day on earth. Nothing but tears of joy.

My thoughts come crashing down when someone brushes past me in a hurry screaming. She barely bothers to look my direction before arriving at her house, pulling the door open, and slamming it rather hard. It is then that I realize that everyone is acting strangely. The parents chasing their children who think it's a game. Tears of sadness. Couples hugging one last time. Then I see it, the thing everyone else has processed by now.

A bright flash in the distance, very far off. My jaw drops. There was no way this was happening. I pull myself up from the bench watching the smoke from the bomb spread, then tiny structures tumbling to the ground from the force. My stomach drops farther than I can comprehend, and my legs shake violently. I turn to run to the bank, but my eyes want confirmation… So I look again… The same sight is there. People around me are yelling before my mind allows my legs to take action. Mostly unintelligible, but one word stands out, 'more'.

I take off towards the bank that is covered by a mass group of people all begging to get in. I push past many of them before coming to a gate with a rather agitated soldier, a clipboard in his hand.

"My name is Freya Fillmore, I was told I was on the list." I urge, my knees numb from the continuous shaking.

He pulled up a piece of paper on his vault-tec approved clipboard, his dark eyes scanned slowly.

"Right this way." He steps aside letting me through. Behind him was a man in a trench coat no taller than me. This man led me and a few others to a white building with gold plated lettering on the outside. I'm directed by Vault-Tec security into the doors of the establishment. He leads me down various hallways, twisting and turning before arriving at two large steel doors that are covering another steel door. There was a sudden shout for people to get in just as a large boom shook the ground. My eyes are wide as I stand with nineteen other people besides me. Then the doors close…

Surprised by these events, all we can do is stare at each other. There are no more than twenty of us. Really? Only twenty?

We all slowly turn to see a group of the same security team giving us bright smiles.

"Welcome to Vault 42... Your new future, underground." one of them mused.