As I sat nervously on the weathered couch, I began to have second thoughts about this whole proposal.
"P-perhaps this isn't the best idea... You could always ask someone else, couldn't you?" I looked up at the figure hopefully, a weak smile tugged at my wrinkled, rotting lips. The figure shook their head slowly, looking into my yellowed eyes with a sympathetic, yet enthusiastic smile.
"Please, it's important for people to learn your story". I smiled and let out a croaked, chuckle. I suppose everyone knew what a way with words this Lone Wanderer had, especially when that girl, Moira, was involved.
"I still don't quite see what my story will add to this 'Wasteland Survival Guide'... I thought Moira published that blasted book a few months ago anyway?" I frowned slightly... Well, whatever skin and muscle I had left twitched slightly as I spoke. But, as ever, the Lone Wanderer was persistent, simply gripping their pencil and paper tight as they let out a grumbled "Please".
I sighed and scratched nervously at my scalp, a few chunks of skin dropping onto my dress with soft thuds. I had gotten used to the sound, although there wasn't much to feel.
I straightened my back and with a sharp sigh, began to relay my story to the enthusiastic Vault Dweller. The story of how America was forever changed.
"C'mon, Miss, we gotta get to class, hurry"
Clarissa... Yes, her name was Clarissa. She was the one tugging my dress before class... I smile to myself at the thought of her rosey cheeks and shaggy hair as she giggled, her hands playfully dragging me to class. I was a teacher at that time... One of around 17 teachers and 82 students... It almost makes you smile, to think how all these people... All of them... You think they're immortal... You think nothing will ever change, that they'll be there forever. Laughing, playing, teaching forever... With... With children coming and going, faces fading and blurring with time... I-... I can't do this, I don't like thinking about it.
"Please, it's ok... I'm here for you" The Vault Dweller looked up from her paper, almost unfased as to how distressed I was. I let out a soft sigh, closed my eyes and continued.
"I should never give up so easily"
"C'mon, c'mon we're gonna be late" She always smiled at me, giggling as she passed the thresh-hold into the classroom... It made me smile too... You don't really see such happiness these days...
"I'm the teacher, I decide when we're late or not" I said, smiling down at the giggling girl.
"Are we late, Miss?" She looked up at me with such big eyes, it was almost as if she were terrifyed I'd say "Yes".
"No, Clarissa" I chuckled. "We can't make the teacher late for her own class, now can we?"
I watched her as she grinned and ran to her desk, where I followed after, standing at my desk expectantly as my gaze followed each child. A few boys gathered in the corner, tinkering with an old radio... Even old for those times. The sound crackled out almost at a whisper, I could tell they were all straining to hear whatever radio play was being performed... Something about a monkey...
Other children sat around whispering and gossipping to one another. The atmosphere... It was always so vibrant, so... happy... What's the word I'm looking for... Nostalgic, perhaps? Ah, but I digress...
"Goodmorning, everyone" It was almost as if the children had just seen a ghost. They all stood still then, as if finally realising I was there, they ran quickly to their desks, stumbling past chairs and children alike.
"Goodmorning" They would reply. I smiled and indicated for them to sit as I did the same... If there's one thing ghouls like me, and I'm sure Vault Dwellers like you miss, is the soft, comfotable feeling of an undamaged chair. The support from one of those could straighten out my old, brittle back.
"Goodmorning Students" The voice of the Principal echoed throughout the corridors and classrooms. I always hated those stupid speaker systems.
"And welcome to another day of school. As your parents may have told you, there are some scary stories coming from overseas, but I assure you all now... That these threats are rumors, you are all very much safe" Children's murmers rose up gradually, almost deafening even to a young woman like myself at the time. Through the ever-rising sea of noise I remember thinking to myself how stupid that schools were always effected by such pointless things, like mild outbreaks of flu and sickness, spreading fear across the school, yet... Nuclear war and nationwide panic were to be dismissed as rumor... It almost makes you laugh even today.
My thought was cut short by a sharp change in volume at the back of the classroom. "Not that blasted radio again" I marched to the back of the classroom, children covering their ears from the loud, monotone noise... It wasn't until the pitched changed that I realised the noise wasn't coming from the radio... Oh God... Why didn't I react quicker? The screams... The children, they just screamed and I stood there, watching.
"Calm down, please, you're getting too worked up again" The Vault Dweller's arm was on mine, I noticed quickly that my fingers had dug deep into my flesh in a panic state. I looked up at her. If I were able to cry, I imagine I would have cried until my sunken eyes, slid from their putrid sockets.
"Sorry... I... I don't quite know what came over me" I looked away, avoiding those hardened eyes. My arms lowered slowly as I tried to calm myself and recollect my thoughts.
My mind was racing, I had so much more to tell. The Dweller had to know of the heart-ache that followed, of the time the bombs fell. They all had to know... They had to...
"Can you give me a minute please?" I murmered. "I need some time to think"
The Vault Dweller nodded and we sat there for a while in silence.