XxX
I had to get everyone out of here. Dad would have wanted that to be done first before anything else.
"Lee how do we get out of here?" I said trying my hardest to keep my voice calm, but it was so hard to do, seeing as how my father was just murdered in front of me like some kind of dog by the enclave.
"T-there's a sew gate we can use to get everyone out of here quickly, you just need to cover are escape and we make it no problem."
But there's so many problems that need to be addressed my dad's murdered, the project and at the end of the day what I'm going to do. What's left for me in the wasteland? I have nothing.
But all that's unimportant right now I have a goal, get the team out of here, dad would want that first.
"Alright I go first lead me there." I said as I walked with speed to the door leading out of this damn room with a dead saint and demons around him. Thankfully I didn't need to look around the memorial for the others because they made their way here during the madness, of all this. "When you step out make a left and go straight, the sew drains right their near the old Nuka-cola machine." I did as she told stepping on the dead officers head all the while there past the ruined walls and dead enclave soldiers in all there glory. No one was alive here but the team and I, but it didn't mean we shouldn't hurry. I bet all my caps they called for reinforcements as I shoot them down with my plasma rifle. Being shot down by ghost. Must have been a funny talk.
I lifted the sewer drain holding it as the team made it down one by one, before I led down the ladder slowly closing the cover, with a soft sound of metal on metal.
The sewer as I was excepting was dark, wet and always surprising cold, even when back on top it was downright boiling hot more so with the stealth suit on. Since power armor had A/C the Jerk-demons didn't have to worry about the gosh darn heat. Bet they wouldn't have felt it even if it was off. Enough about that. I turned to Lee and asked "do we just follow the tunnel?" "Yes I still remember the tunnels well so if we get off tracked I tell you which way to go." Off tracked? Like how my life has been going since leaving the vault in this hellish world? Stop trying to be funny Lee. It's just not you.
The tunnels as I expected wasn't empty but thankfully wasn't full with super mutants, just regular old feral ghouls, and demons.
For a small part of the walk was just agonizing slow even when I picked up the pace, the sight of enclave armor didn't even gain a real emotional response from me… it was just static. Moving though the motions. Get behind cover, aim and shoot at the demons firing back at me. If I was lucky I could get close enough to slide Stabhappy in the gap of the neck, blood flowing from the wound the body slowly losing control of itself. I wonder what the last thoughts of the demons was as I killed them. Family? Friends? Thoughts of me? It didn't really matter in the end. I kill them all and their family's.
And the brotherhood. The brotherhood useless pricks that they are were good for something at least killing all these ghouls that rushed out when the team and I find them behind the sandbags that had stacked up near the leader at the Pentagon, of all places. I didn't even notice we made it until the prick in the outdated armor talked to us. Lee handle it talking to the a-hole for the lot of us.
"Lee I go up first." I said to her when I walked past. I climbed the ladder at the speed that would have left a deathclaw looking slow. I pushed the lid off the hole and stepped aside, helping everyone else up and out of the sewer. And I watched as the team slow and cautious, make their way to the giant fortress that was the Pentagon. Watched as Lee talked to a helmetless prick with a minigun, watched as the giant gate lifted up letting them inside. Watched as they went in. One. By. One.
They were safe, secure. Now what?
Now what. What to do.
I want to go home. I'm tired of the wasteland, tired of this…crap, tired of the people here.
Project purity? I didn't care about it anymore. Dad was gone, killed by demons with his only child left behind in a cold, cold land. I hate it here.
So I turned my back on the citadel and walked back home to the vault. Home. Where I lived. Nothing was getting in my way, I moved past the patrols, climbed over the rubble blocking my way, sneak past the mutants killing the raiders. Past the ruined buildings. The towering walls of megaton and their little greeter. The old ruins of a forgotten town. And up the small "mountain" that rested over the ruins. I punched down that little wooden door, shattering it in pieces. Walking inside the dark cave.
And now here I stood. In front of the imposing door of vault one-o-one.
Home.
Taking off my helmet, I set it down by my feet, my hands slowly typing in different codes to open this several ton door, hoping for a miracle to happen, that just maybe it will open with the next word or phrase I type in. I couldn't tell how long I been standing here. But I feel the thirst in my throat, the hunger in my stomach and throbbing in my head for a lack of sleep. It's been to long. How many days? Or is just been a few hours? I couldn't tell the difference anymore. Didn't really care. I just wanted that damn door to open.
If there's a god please answer. I did half the work, time for you to do the other half.
My demands weren't answered in the end. In a fit of rage I resulted to simply punching the door, but really, even with all the strength I gained in the wasteland it simply will never be enough to slam this door down in front of me. I will always be weak. To slow save dad. To weak to finish project purity. To weak for the wasteland. I grabbed my helmet and turned around walking back outside, were the freezing cold air hit my armor. I shivered. Even in the Chinese stealth suit can't keep me warm against the wind.
I just walked back to the tree that over looked the town and just… stared at the sky. At the stars. The endless expanse of space. It was terrifying. And beautiful. I miss the ceilings of the vault. Leaning on the tree I wondered what's the next step. I didn't care about project purity, let the enclave have it. Dad messed that thing up pretty good. What I remember from talking with dad is the need for a G.E.C.K., something I doubt the enclave has since its pre-war tech. But who knows. Maybe they did have one.
Not like they even know the passcode to turn the damn thing on. Only dad and I know. And now I was the only one. I smiled.
They going to lose so, many people trying to change those codes. But still what now? I just stayed leaning on the tree. Doing nothing. I think I just cry.
Xxx
Louise wasn't so sure about the realm of humans anymore. This place was hot, and violent. After the mess with Gensokyo, Lady Shinki made sure the doors that place was closed. But still wanting to let her people enjoy visiting other worlds she opened a portal to somewhere else. They only problem was that the human realm is very different, then Gensokyo was. She remember story's told from other demons that visited the place.
The sky was blue, trees were green and warm brown, and giant light was in the sky.
This place not so much. She was tired of being here. How long has it been? Thirty decades? The story's she can tell the others wouldn't be nice ones, that's for sure. The humans here can scare demons after all. She wondered what the others she came here with were doing. She knew one was a courier. Another was going to a place called Texas. Another for some reason wanted join a army called the legion.
She wiped her hand across her forehead getting the sweat off. She was going to see her dear old friend Catherine, And try to convince her come with her to Makai. But did she want to anymore was the question. Last time they spoke she met a human male and was absolutely smitten with the boy even if he was a bit naïve. Catherine did mention that she was talking that James boy to have a child with her. But he wasn't very… open to the idea, not that she can blame him, really she wouldn't want to bring a baby to this world either.
She looked down at the plain looking wristband on her glowing in a light only her eyes can see. She was close now to meeting Catherine and James again. She smiled imaging the look on his face when he sees she hasn't aged even a day! Well maybe the graying hair and wrinkles. But still maybe he be open to the idea of going to Makai? They can raise a child there. Lady Shinki would be so happy to have new children in her home. A human one to boot!
Louise nearly fell because of a loose rock she stepped on climbing this "mountain" really why couldn't they live somewhere more open? Louise thought annoyed with all the back tracking she was doing getting to the spot they set up. Finally she found what looked like a cave entrance. And other then that was a tree with a tall man leaning on it. She frowned and glance back down on her wristband. What? He was too tall be James and even if he was James the wristband shouldn't be pointing in his direction. The wristbands were used to keep track of finding your partner that came with you to the human realm. The band was connected to ones very being there soul. And each other but it had only so much access to each other, only gave directions and if the other was alive. So there's no possible way for it can be stolen. It would simply come back to the owner.
So who is he? Why does he have Catherine's signature? Oh Catherine what did you do? She slowly walked over to him.
"Excuse me sir, but would you know a Catherine? I'm looking for her you see. Or maybe a James Gomez?" Louis said to the boy who's only response was to turn his head to her direction, blank brown eyes staring into her yellow ones.
XxX
Her eyes were like a ghouls. Two yellow glowing eyes starring at me in the night, I starred at her for a good few seconds before I realized something was so very wrong that came out of her mouth. Or was I simply losing it? I'm going insane. I'm losing my fucking mind. How else can this lady of the waste just ask me for two people who are dead. One for nearly twenty years and another stuck in a vault for the same amount of time. And the way she looks and dressed like she came from pre-war America.
"You have to say that again miss." I said slow and cautious my mind moving slowly in the face of my mental insanity. I'm crazy.
"Sorry I forgot to introduce myself, my name's Louise Cromwell, currently an explorer of DC. But still you wouldn't happen to know the two I mention do you?" What she said sounds like a question but the look in her eye says she believes I know the two. She isn't wrong but she's not right. James I know since he's my dad, Catherine? I knew only her voice. I never really cared. I starred at her for a bit longer thinking what should I say to "her" before realizing it didn't matter in the end.
"Yes I know them.. there my parents." I said after a pause for some reason saying it was difficult. Still looking at her I saw she placed her hands at her mouth before quickly walking over and grabbing my hands shaking them.
"Oh my goodness so that's why! What's your name? How old are you? Did Catherine talk about me? She better have were nearly sisters! And you have her warm brown eyes but have your daddy's strong face. And your tall! Taller then both of them for sure." What? Really. My mind must be lacking in imagination since my dead mothers best friend find me in the wasteland? It's something out of a poorly written book. But if I'm going insane why not humor myself. Not like I had anything else to do but talk with my imagination. I'm crazy.
"Miss Cromwell your going have to calm down please. I'm very confused with this… bomb you dropped in my lap." Was that something I would say if this happened in the vault? Would I have been as calm as I am now. No I wouldn't wasn't even a question, so what's wrong with this? What did she represent in my head? Guilt in not getting to see dad before he pas- killed by the demons? Or was this mental trauma trying to keep me ground before I go over the moon. I didn't know, I can fix physical wounds, not mental ones like dad could have. He would have been able to figure it out.
"Dearie just call me Louise. None of that miss stuff from my nephew, but before you answer any of my questions… where's Catherine? And James? Why are you out here by yourself, even with as big as you are I doubt Catherine would have let you gone far from Rivet city, she would have had you at her hip if she could."
She wanted to know? Not like I shouldn't tell her. Admitting it to myself is the first step of acceptance after all.
"Dead. The both of them, dad was killed by de- enclave, Catherine passed away after she gave birth to me." Catherine? Why was it hard to call her mother. "So Louise what are you doing here of all places? Why did you check here?" I wanted to know what made up trash I spit out of my mind.
"What? Catherine… passed away. How long ago was this?" Louise replied back like she didn't fully understood what was told to her at this news. She looked like she was going say something else, But she said nothing and instead lowered herself to the ground finally taking a seat on her briefcase she was carrying in her hand.
"She passed away nineteen years ago. My dad came up with the bright idea to come here to this vault in the cave behind you." Good admit it to myself but immediately keep the guilt down. Not the same as acceptance. Maybe if I… learn to live with it I can face the demons again. But not now. Everything's to raw and fresh to just throw myself at the violence, with a muddle mind filled with anger and hate. I needed to be focus. The outside lasted this long without purity, it can last a bit longer. No need to rush now. She looked up at me sad eyes starring at my face and eyes looking for something. Sadness. Grief. She wasn't going to find that. All I needed was the hatred.
"Why are you bottling it all up inside you? It's hurting you. You're heart and mind, reaching the soul she gave you. Why don't you let go? Just let it all out the pain you feel, for James." She said trying to convince me… to what? Let the hate free. And the sadness to come in my head slowing me down. No. I didn't need that.
"Bit too late for that kind touching feeling stuff." I replied back to her voice cold, uncaring. She starred at me for what felt like hours but I know was only seconds, was she caught off guard with my reply. Maybe she was. I didn't care what my own mind thought of myself. God that sounds weird.
She kept starring before standing up a fierce look in her eye, that seemed she came to a decision, and she was not going to let anyone change her mind. "You're going with me to Makai right now. I'm not leaving you here by yourself." She said but I have no idea what Makai is. Wasn't anything in Gorman the bargain, or any fantasy novels back home. What did Makai mean to her. What did it mean to me?
Before I could say anything to her she went and grabbed my hand pulling me along from the tree and walking away from the only place I ever called home. For now. I wonder were was I going. I'm I so out of it I'm not even aware of myself moving to random locations? From an outside view it must be strange. Me walking forward with an arm out muttering too myself like an addict high on chems.
"Since you seem to have made the choice for me, I my as well go. Not like you didn't stop to ask me any questions or whatever." He was being a pain but still, he was a bit muffled at this treatment what was he a kid?
"What's there to ask? I'm taking you home were your mom and I came from. It's a much better place then here with all these horrid people, acting like monsters because it's easy, fun destroying because their to lazy build." He had these same thoughts. But he can understand why it was easy to destroy. Who can build up humanity from ashes? Not I. Defiantly not the enclave since I seen what they do to people who try to change things for the better. Had to be a person who saw things with logic not emotion with outdated pre-war ideas, or a military idealist cult like the brotherhood barely able to walk with how the supermutants were pushing them around.
But in the end these thoughts didn't matter. No person like that existed.
XxX
We walked for a few hours Louise and I it could have been much faster if I did a bit of killing along the way even said so to Louise. Her response was "I'm not going to have my nephew go on a killing spree." Dad didn't mind me killing all those supermutants in the memorial and dumping the corpses outside. He didn't care about lot of things. Except project purity. And me.
But still after finally reaching our destination a little pier not to far from Arlington library, with rotting wood and dead giant crabs all over place it looked like the same old wasteland. The only difference was the running boat. Working in and itself was amazing the thing about it I didn't believe in was the condition. It looked pre-war. Clean and well built, paint was good the wood perfect no rust on the railings and stairs, it was best looking thing out here. Not even the vault looked this good. Until I realized this was all in my head and in reality I was looking at shit and not a pre-war boat.
"We have to take this boat to point lookout a little place a home away from home some residents use when they want to leave Makai but still want be near by. It take a day to reach unlike the month or three before, like with Tobars father before Lady Shinki got involved with the traveling having some of us fix it for him." Louise told me when I asked a question about the boat and where it's taking us.
"That's… interesting. No sea mutants we have to watch out for on the way there?" I had no idea what kind of mutants live in the sea in this day and age but I know one thing I wanted be ignorant to what's down there. So long as those monsters doesn't brother us I didn't care.
"No Tobars father had the ship covered in wards to keep things like that away from his boat. Now come on go into the room on the left and rest, I know you're tired so when you wake up I get you something to eat."
Get me something to eat? "I can get that myself when I wake up so don't worry Louise." I said to the woman she turned her head to look at me with something in her eyes I couldn't place. Worry, concern, and something else I only saw in dad's and Amata's eyes when they looked at me. I didn't want to give it a name though. Before I walked away she suddenly turned and grabbed one of my hands and giving a squeeze so hard it felt as if she wanted to take my hand, before she let go and walked away probably to talk to that man I saw sitting up top. That was weird. Whatever.
Finally in front of the door that held the bunks on this boat I walked inside set my bag under the bunk and as soon as my body hit the bed I was out.
XxX
Tobars cold eyes stared at Louise as walked up the steps to meet him at the second level of the boat once she was close enough he talked.
"You do know the rule about bringing someone back to Makai has changed not too long ago right? Why bring that boy here?" Tobar said in a calm voice.
"I don't see why I have to explain myself. But knowing you wouldn't get this boat moving without an answer the reason is that I don't want him dying in a place like this." Louise replied coldly to Tobars prodding.
"A person as old as you just forgot. Now you condemned him, lead him from a path he's supposed to walk all by his lonesome. Now he's here. You have no idea what you done." Tobar said voice uncaring.
"I don't know and I don't care I won't leave him here all by himself with both his parents dead… no he won't stay here anymore. I deal with the consequences of my actions." Louise said not fearing the actions she caused in the wasteland by showing this kindness to her nephew.
Tobar pulled out a cigarette and lite it with a flame from the tip of his finger his pure white eyes staring at Louise with amusement. "One little act of kindness has doomed this shithole." He smiled.
"Like I said I don't care just start the boat already please? I deal with the mess when we reach point lookout." Louise said then she walked away as the boat started to move as she went down the steps she went into the bunk room and sit down on a bed across from the son of Catharine and James, Who's face was set into a harsh frown in his sleep. She stared at his face only thinking she made the right decision to bring him home.
XxX
A/N: Chapter one of wonderland and dreams. Damn another story after what two years since lost son and dead father? If I get any readers from that story I be honest in telling you it might just stay as a one shot.
My reason? I'm just not that good of a writer planning out a plot and a whole lot of other stuff. So any other story's I type down and post would at max reach two chapters if I get any good ideas to a part two for said story. And why do I have two stories of the lone wanderer instead of courier six like everyone else does? I want more stories of the lone wanderer and I hope my would inspire others to write more for the LW since that person needs more attention. But expect another fallout fic coming in say four months with a franchise that's never been done Before! And try to make it as long as lost son was maybe even longer. So review be it with love, hate or somewhere in the middle I welcome it all with open arms.