His heartbeat hastened as he stepped on into fresh air for the first time in his life. His right hand was formed in a death grip over the 10mm pistol Amata had given him as his left hand shielded the sun from his eyes. It was bright, brighter than he had ever imagined it would be. Once his eyes adjusted to the brightness, he stepped forward towards the edge of the cliff, and his eyes caught sight of a sign reading Scenic Overlook, and decided to check it out. He scrambled up over rocks and in less than a minute, he found himself looking out over the Wasteland.
It was beautiful, in a destructive sort of way. At least it was compared to the confines of the Vault. The air seemed thicker however, and breathing made him feel sick though he just chalked it up to never breathing it before. As far as his eyes could see, he saw ruins of what must have once been glorious buildings, and he imagined in his minds eye buildings that touched the sky. I think I could like this place.
He saw a village not too far ahead and decided that this would be his first step. He stepped slowly and carefully down the cliff, nearly falling twice. Once he reached the bottom he looked up at the climb he had just done, and his chest swelled with a small sense of achievement. This could be easier than I thought.
He arrived at the village shortly later, but every house was boarded up as far as he could tell. He holstered his pistol and sat on a low wall in front of one of these abandoned houses. Running his hands through his black hair he exhaled sharply. Why would Dad leave without telling me? His stomach began to growl and he placed a hand on it. Shit, I'm hungry. He looked left and right down the barren and desolate road.
Where the hell am I going to find food in a place like this? Sure, the Vault was filled with assholes, but at least there was never a worry for food. Dammit Dad! He punched his hand into his fist. I've got to find some food. He made a choice to continue down the road, deeper into the seemingly empty village. House after house he found the doors and windows nailed shut, and he soon found his mind wandering to days gone by.
It was the day of the G.O.A.T. and he had just left his Dad's office, having unsuccessfully played sick. He dragged his feet, looking up at the artificial lighting in the Vault. Maybe I just won't go. I mean, it's not like it matters. We live and die in this Vault, who cares what I do for a living. His thoughts were cut short by voices drifting down the hall and he recognized it as that stupid gang The Tunnel Snakes and a girl. Amata? He quickened his pace and the four people came into his view.
"Just leave me alone, Butch," Amata sounded on the verge of tears.
"I don't think so, you sniveling little bitch," Butch laughed wickedly.
"Hey Butch, why don't you just fuck off," He found himself shouting.
Paul stepped in front of him, blocking his path to Butch.
"This is Tunnel Snake business," Paul said, "So just mind your own, punk." In what seemed like under a second, he had pushed Paul into Wally knocking them both over and had landed a wild haymaker to the side of Butch's head.
"Run Amata!" he shouted. Arms grabbed him from behind and threw him to the floor, and Paul and Wally began to stomp on him. Before he knew it, Butch was crouched overtop of him, dangling a switchblade in front of his face.
"I'm gonna cut you so fucking bad your own daddy won't recognize you," Butch spat in his face. Paul and Wally laughed.
"Whatever Butch, you and your gang are nothing but a bunch of bitches," he laughed and Butch's face lowered to his.
"Let's see if you're so tough after your bleeding on the floor," Butch smiled. There was a sickening crunch as his forehead connected with the bridge of Butch's nose. He rose quickly, catching Paul by surprise with a knee to the stomach and swung wildly at Wally.
"Aiden!" His hand stopped mid-swing at the sound of his name. Wally used this to his advantage and punched him in the face so hard his head smashed into the floor with a crash.
He awoke hours later in the medical wing, his body aching and his face bloody from his encounter with The Tunnel Snakes. He felt arms around him helping him up and he looked over and saw Amata, whose eyes were all red and puffy.
"How are you feeling?" she asked weakly.
"Like Andy went to town on my body," he put his head in his hands and shook his head slowly, "What the hell happened?"
"Butch and the rest of the Snakes were bullying me, and you came running in and told me to run. I ran straight to the classroom and got Mr. Brotch. When we both arrived, we saw Paul throwing up and Butch was holding his nose lying on the floor. You were about to hit Wally when Mr. Brotch called your name and you stopped. Wally hit you in the face harder than I've ever seen him hit anyone before, even harder than the time they put Freddie in the hospital," her eyes began to water again, "What were you thinking?! They could have killed you."
"Better me than you," he said without looking up, "You'll probably be the next Overseer and I'll end up mopping floors." She grabbed his hand in both of hers and he felt his heart race.
"Aiden, I know you'll be so much more than that," he looked up and saw Amata smiling, "Just don't throw your life away like that."
He was brought back to the present by movement out of the corner of his eye, and he saw a door that wasn't boarded shut. He drew his pistol and opened the door slowly. It was dark, and as his eyes adjusted he felt something cold and steel pressed against his temple.
