"It has to be done now, or the damage will be catastrophic."
Fear gripped my heart and wouldn't let go. But I had to do this. It was either one life, or millions. I took a deep breath, and tried to calm myself. Dogmeat nudged my thigh, as if reading my emotions. I knelt down to him and hugged him so hard, his breath became shallow wheezes. "Looks like it's time for us to say goodbye, old buddy. Take care of yourself, okay?" Dogmeat whined loudly and pushed his muzzle into me repeatedly. I kissed his head, and he licked my cheek in return. I then stood up and faced the huge, lumbering Super Mutant. "Fawkes, you're a gentle soul. Don't let anyone take that from you." I say firmly while looking into his green eyes. He nods slowly and tentatively pats my shoulder. "Thank you my friend. Your kindness will not be forgotten." Sarah turned around and looked at me. "E.J., Are you…." I nodded and clenched my fists.
"I'll do it. I'll start the Purifier."
She looked at me hard, "You're going to have to be quick about it. If the radiation is bad enough, you won't have much time." She pauses then adds, "I won't forget what you've done here. No one will. Thank you." I grab her shoulder and give it a shake, and she mirrors me. "Alright, open her up, Lyons."
The bulkhead slides open, and I can already feel the radiation. When the emergency bulkhead goes down, I'm nearly knocked off my feet. Stumbling, I advance towards the control panel. Weakly, I reach for the keypad.
2
My skin feels like it's being seared off, and my vision starts to blur badly.
1
My lungs stop responding, and I'm staying conscious on borrowed time.
6
The reactor explodes, taking all the remaining impurities out.
All the impurities….and my heartbeat.
White.
Quiet.
My skin doesn't burn anymore. I can't feel anything. I'm…beyond feeling somehow. I try to move my head, which I succeed in doing. I manage to sit up. I feel my face, my hair, my skin. They're not seared off, or in pain. I stand up and look around in the white void.
It's so quiet here, and peaceful.
The whiteness is shattered when I see something…someone walking towards me. As he nears, my heart soars. I run to him faster, and faster, and faster still. His arms are outstretched, and I slam into his chest, hugging him tightly.
"That's my girl." He says, soothingly.
"Daddy! Daddy!" I whimper into his arms, feeling the warm tears on my cheeks. All at once, I'm back to the old days, when I would cry and he'd hold me and comfort me. He puts his hands on my shoulders and holds me back. He then sweeps his arm out to the side, directing my attention to the woman standing next to him.
Her smooth brown skin, the little curl in her hair, and I feel like I'm looking at my own hazel eyes.
My dad doesn't need to say it.
I know.
"Hi, Mom." I smile widely as the tears flow once more.
She smiles and hugs me tightly, not letting go.
"My baby girl…my Eliana Josephine."
"Mom…mom…" I whimper into her shoulder.
Dad joins in on the embrace too, both embracing the people whom he loved most and sacrificed everything even his own life for.
My time in the Capital Wasteland is done.
My time on Earth is done.
For now,
Forever,
This is more than enough.
-THE END-
