Chapter Two – Home Bound
I know fear. I know fear like no one else does. It wasn't my first drill instructor or even the first time someone tried to kill me. It was when my son was born, the first time I held him in my arms. Emotions ran through me like a powerful, rushing waterfall. What if I couldn't protect him? What if I made a mistake and he grew up to be evil? Fatherhood, now that was fear.
The barrel of the rifle pressed in to Hawksmoore's back as he was led from the large lift that led down in to the depths of Vault 111, the weapon's holder remaining silent. Images flashed across his mind, he remembered the utter panic of running here with his wife and child. He remembered that they only just managed to enter the Vault before the explosion that had evidently shattered the world around him. He began to babble incoherently, his hands shaking as he tried to explain his situation to the armed man but Hawksmoore was only met with silence.
They came to a wooden bridge that looked like it had recently been constructed which led through the tree line, the ridge dotted with various brown, decaying tree's. "Stop here." Instructed the armed man, the barrel of the rifle still pressed firmly in to Hawksmoore's back. He felt his hands pulled behind his back roughly, his wrists then tied firmly together. Pushed forward again, Hawksmoore began to feel like cattle, his feet pounding through the mud and up the ridge, through the trees. He let out a short gasp as he took in the sight that came before him as they got to the top of the ridge. Sanctuary, his home was gone but something else had taken its place. A high concrete wall surrounded the various houses, it sturdy and secure with its foundations buried deep in to the ground. Two large wooden watch towers stood at the entrance gate, they both manned by figures in armor and wide brimmed hats. The guards at the top of each watchtower held a rifle closely to their chest. A short whistle went up from a watchtower which was then followed a series of other whistles. The armed vault dweller appeared by Hawksmoore's side, gripping his arm firmly while dragging him forward. He held up his hand in greeting to the guards while pushing Hawksmoore to his knees in front of a large wooden gate.
Hawksmoore leant back on his heels, his wrists starting to hurt as they were held tight against his back, he looked from left to right wildly, trying to search for anything that was familiar. The armed vault dweller appeared in front of him, his rifle held lazily over his left shoulder. A lit cigarette hung from his mouth as the vault dweller sized him up, his eyes shrewd and narrowed but not hostile. The wooden gate swung open to reveal something truly terrifying. Hawksmoore had no idea what the thing was but it struck him with immense fear, making him start back in fear, causing him to fall on his back. Chuckling, the vault dweller pulled Hawksmoore back on to his knees, making Hawksmoore take in the sight of the thing again. It looked like a man but it was over seven feet tall with light green skin that seemed to barely be able to stretch over its large muscles, the tattered remains of a vault suit covered the body, hiding it's modesty. "Found this one coming out of the Vault up the hill, looks like he woke up from one of those pods by the way he's looking at you. Thought I told you to stop scaring folks, Fawkes?" Letting out a large chuckle, the green monster sized Hawksmoore up, stomping its way over to peer in to his face. "We checked each pod for survivors. I wonder how this one managed to survive." Letting out a cry of disgust, Hawksmoore moved his face away from the thing, looking at the rifle toting man and speaking, his voice hoarse and harsh "That thing speaks!? What the fuck is going on? Who are you people?"
A bird squawked above their heads as the man with the rifle eyed Hawksmoore, he nodded to Fawkes and the mutant backed off. "He calls himself Fawkes and he's a friend. I'm Charles. You show some respect. I know you must be frightened but you need to calm the fuck down. Now I want you to tell me the last thing you remember." Hawksmoore letting out an irritated sigh before shaking his head and stared at the man, he spoke again "The last thing I remember was entering that place with my wife and son. We were… we were separated. I need to find them." Charles gripped his rifle, his fingers tensing around the barrel as he kept his eyes on Hawksmoore, his eyes seemed to glaze over for a second before he narrowed his eyes again. "I know a thing about trying to find family. Well, you know the bombs dropped and this is what we got left with. The year is 2287". Wide eyed, Hawksmoore stared at Charles in disbelief. 2287? That makes it over 200 years since I went inside… 200 years… Shaking his head, Hawksmoore struggled to his feet and began to pace back and forth, his voice rising as he spoke "2287? 2287!? That's total bullshit! Why would Vault-Tec do this? Answer me that huh. You work for them don't you? This is a fucking joke. Tell me where my fucking son is now!" Hawksmoore began pummeling his tied hands against Charlie's chest, his cries becoming weaker along with his pummeling. Charlie took the shots to his chest with ease, his rile had been slung over his shoulder and his arms quickly wrapped around Hawksmoore, his grip holding the man firmly. Charlie patted him on the back gently, keeping Hawksmoore close as he let the man cry out his frustration and anger at his situation.
His grip on Hawksmoore's shoulder's, Charlie held the man in front of him, his gaze steely and determined. "We will find your family and we will get you answers. What I need you to do now is rest and we'll come up with a plan. This is my place and you'll be safe here. Follow Fawkes and he'll get you settled. Keep that fucking chin up. Y'hear me?" Keeping his eyes level with Hawksmoore, the anguished man gave a small nod. "That's good, Fawkes… take him inside." Charlie pushed Hawksmoore toward the mutant who proceeded to lead the man through the gate. Turning to walk down the leaf covered road, Charlie gritted his teeth and scanned his eyes over the darkening sky, his thoughts drifting back to when he first ventured from his vault. He cast his eyes up to the sky, his voice low and wrought with emotion. "This is how I earn it huh Dad? This is how I make it up to you." He gave himself a small nod and a smile then turned to head back through the gate, his rifle dangling over his shoulder.
A/N – Sorry for the long update folks, got some stuff going on. A short chapter but I'm working on the next. As always, please review and let me know what you think!