TITLE: It's a Long, Long Road

CHAPTER: 2

Thank you all the kind words. It means so much to know you're enjoying the story.


Once I reached the outskirts of D.C., I finally raised my head enough to appreciate the fine weather. The exercise put a spring in my step and raised my spirits. That got me feeling better about life in general. I left those gloomy thoughts behind me and took out across the landscape. My quickened pace set a good time and with just two stops, I made it to the outskirts of Annapolis by sundown. Both times the women running the small settlement store offered to give me a little something extra to brighten my day. And, of course, anything I decided to purchase would be free of charge. Just for the price of a little company.

What is it with women, anyway? I got the caps; I don't need to see your tits. Have a little class about yourself, am I right?

The first shopkeeper, a toothless, used up stick with dirty hair looked me up and down with a grin that made my stomach roll. I think I saw something moving in her hair, and she smelled like… Well, you know how it smells when you walk through a building where Mutants live? 'Nuf said?

Now, the second one. She was something to make a man pause for another look. The second one had firm curves under her coveralls. I could tell when she bent over to reach for some cans of pork and beans she wasn't wearing much else. Her natural good looks, red hair and green eyes that smile of hers got me feeling generous. I didn't even have to tell her I was the Lone Wanderer. Truthfully, I am not a vain man and my looks are not something I focus on. Survival is usually first on my list. But I have heard more than one woman say my black hair and blue eyes caught their fancy.

After telling Dogmeat to stay put, I followed her into the backroom. We spent two hours together and let's just say I brightened her day and managed not to call her Moira when I came deep inside her with an orgasm so powerful it made my ears ring. With a final kiss, I promised to stop by some day and see her again. Hey, I'm not some love 'em and leave 'em bastard. And I left enough caps to pay for my supplies.

When she kissed me goodbye she let me know the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and the Naval Academy up the road were safe zones. For no other reason than it was simply closer to the road, I headed to the stadium. I took the signs of blossoming flowers and crops growing in the field as an indication of civilization, and that was my first mistake. A mistake I discovered rather painfully a minute later when I heard the crack of a Hunting Rifle. A second later the bullet knocked Lucas Sims' hat from my head. I threw myself down and rolled between some rusty cars. Ten years in the Wasteland taught me if someone had me in their scope, these cars were now easy targets, and I'd better get moving.

When I tried to stand, to my surprise I crumpled back down to my knees. Shit. I don't even want to look. My pant leg is torn, and there's a foot-long gash on my lower leg from the bent fender of one of these rusty cars. Shit. Shit. Shit.

Dogmeat whined and began trotting in a circle me guarding our perimeter. Sometimes he drives me crazy. Then there're times like these, and there's been more than one where he will probably save my life. Why did it have to be a rusty piece of metal and more importantly, who just shot at me? Anyone who survived for long out here knew what LockJaw could do to you, and there was not much any kind of cure.

I used up the last of the purified water from my canteen to wash it out. Squeezed out as much blood and dirt as possible. Bit down on the leather sleeve of my jacket and poured the remainder of a good bottle of whiskey over the wound. I managed to keep the scream to a groan, but just barely. Dogmeat ran up to me snuffling my face and worrying over me.

"Get back to work," I hissed at him through the burning pain of the alcohol. "And don't get yourself shot!" He just licked my hand and ran off. By that time, the pain from the whiskey subsided so my hands were steady enough to aim down the scope of my sniper rifle.

Well, fuckity-fuck, fuck, so much for a safe zone. She'd promised me this was a safe zone. I began to experience some not-so-nice-feelings about my Moira stand-in. Had she set me up? Naked in the afterglow of some unforgettable sex and she's still scheming. You can't trust 'em. Ever.

Down the center of my scope, I saw two Super Mutants guarding the main gates. A couple of Brutes by the look of 'em. I couldn't take them both down with one shot and with no way to run the surviving Brute would happily serve me up to his Mutant buddies for dinner. Sorry boys, not today.

With night coming on and the temperature dropping, I knew I had to get out of here and under some cover. I tried to stand, but it was just no good. Maybe if I could get off the ground and into one of the cars I might survive the night. That is if the Mutants don't see me, the night doesn't get too cold, or infection doesn't set in. With a great deal more optimism than I had a right to, I managed to pull myself into a car with some of the seat still intact and wrapped my arms around Dogmeat to keep warm.

That's all I remember until I felt someone poking my leg with something sharp woke me up.

The morning sun blinded me, but I could see enough to know the someone turned out to be a kid. A boy of about ten, with a thatch of bright yellow hair cut short on the sides and blue eyes that studied my every move. The thing poking me in the leg was a mean looking knife with serrated edges and just enough blood on the blade to convince me he knew how to use it. I could barely get my eyes open to focus on the small gang of boys keeping a wary eye on my growling dog. You can always trust a dog. Remember I said that.

"You sick, mister?"

"Where you from?" I responded. I ask the questions. "There's Mutants up there at those gates."

"They can't see us from there. 'Sides they have to stay by the gate to make sure no one goes in or out."

In or out? "How do you know that?" I asked struggling to sit up. I shivered hard, broke out in goose pimples and felt my head start to pound.

"You're sick. You should come with us. We live at the SNav'cadmy"

"The what?"

One of the young boys responded. "That's what the sign says. Anyway, Mister you better come with us, 'cause a herd of mole rats come through here about this time looking for food and they ain't nearly too friendly."

No shit.

The leader plucked up his courage and braved my dog's bared teeth. "We ain't no gang, Mister and we ain't lookin' for trouble."

Another boy stepped up, "We're midshipmen! And that means we got honor, courage, commitment."

Well, I'll be damned if that's not the cutest thing I ever heard. "Okay, men. Lead the way."

They talked non-stop while we walked the few miles to The Academy. And I finally got an answer to in or out. Seems the Mutants allow a group of humans to live inside the stadium protected and well feed. The price? Every month or so, one or two of them get the honor of being the main course. Ah, the wasteland. Never a dull moment.

I figured it was about two miles across the open country. But the boys seemed to know the best way, and we experienced no trouble. With my hand on one boy's shoulder and Dogmeat on the other side, I stumbled through the massive front doors. The infection and fever in full bloom. It was warm in here, and I smelled food cooking. Real food. What a treat.

A stranger's hands guided me to the Infirmary. I think it was the Infirmary. Could be a torture chamber for all I knew because the fever kept me from thinking clearly.

"You just lay back, Mister and we'll have you ship-shape in no time."

I had no idea what ship shape meant. I'd settle for waking up with all my body parts.

"Those boys…" I murmured, trying to stay awake. "Good boys."

I felt a needle puncture my skin. "That they are, sir. Now you just let this work and get some sleep. Your dog is resting right here under the exam table."

Damn it felt good to be warm. Good thing I'm the trusting type, right?