And now, a note from our Author: Yay! Chapter two is out and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. I take reviews as an important part of writing, so honest feedback is always welcomed, constructive criticism that is. Also let me know who your favorite character so far is! Thank you so much and as usual I do not own fallout or anything pertaining to it except my characters!

Day one in the vault...

The girl in the mirror only stared back at what seemed to be a hollowed out version of myself. The light blonde hair, dark green eyes, the full lips, were all there, it just didn't feel like me. I pulled my long hair to one side of my head where it rested on my left shoulder. The lights in the vault were dull, not too dark, but nothing to get excited about really. I began to realize all the flaws I had. My eyes were puffy and bloodshot from the tears I had cried a few hours before, not that they had stopped.

I kept repeating the words from that letter over and over in my head, all I could think about was that maybe, just maybe she had gotten out, but if she hadn't… God I hoped it was painless and quick…

My heart broke silently with that thought, I was already on the verge of tears just feeling the crumpled piece of paper in my pocket. I held back the tears that were forcing themselves upon me, I hated being weak like this.

"Hey… You've been in there a while… Are you okay?" it was the voice of my new roommate.

I quickly fixed my hair up and tried to look somewhat presentable, a lazy bun with stray hairs around my face, there was no telling how rude the people down here were. I opened the door coming face to face with my roommate.

"Hey, yeah I'm fine." I said trying to avoid any questions about the redness in my eyes or the puffiness of my cheeks.

"That's good, anyway, my name is Madeline. It's nice to meet you officially." She held her hand out for an old fashioned hand shake.

I took her hand and gave my best smile.

"Freya…" I simply said, how long would she be in my life before I killed her off too?

"Like the Norse goddess? That's so cool!" She smiled a rather wide smile.

I was taken aback, she knew where my name was referenced from, I was impressed to say the least.

"Exactly like her, my mother was obsessed with her before I was born" I explained feeling rather boring describing the origin of my own name.

"You don't have to explain anything to me." She held up her hand in a scout's honor type way. "I majored in mythology, my favoriteThe subject to be honest."

She gave me a smile that I swear looked like Julie's for a moment.

"Attention all vault dwellers." I needed to get used to the new title, it was going to stick to us like glue, at least until we returned to the surface."We would like you all to join us in the main hall to go over orientation and living. Thank you for your time, and have a great day, underground." I swear, if they never mentioned the whole, underground thing, we'd be a lot less anxious.

"Well, guess we'd better go then, sounds important." Madeline said turning quickly to leave our room. I followed soon after.

Main hall.

We all took our seats in the main hall, the overseer walked through a different door and took a seat at the opposite end of the table. He was a handsome man, dark hair, steely blue eyes, surprisingly thicker lips, and very tan for someone who would be underground for the rest of his life. He was wearing what I assume would be the stereotypical overseer attire.

"Thank you for joining me today." His voice was deep. "I am overseer Owen Glades, I'm please to meet you all today. " He gave a genuine smile that said 'Yes I'm single, and no, you can't handle me.' I stared with intent, he was gorgeous, straight forward, and every female thought the same thing. "Right, so down to buisness everyone. First off, I'm sure you've all noticed that you have roommates, well due to the terror of The Great War, Vault-Tec suggests that we keep most of you in close quarters so that those of you that may have lost someone or are feeling lost, won't feel so hopeless. Unfortunately, only ten of you made it to the vault, that leaves us with five to each room until we are given the okay from vault-Tec to return to the surface. Next a mandatory medical exam will be necessary for this vault, blood will be taken to give us medical records. You will also be required to take the G.O.A.T exam, you will be trained by a Vault-Tec employee so that you can take over one day, we aren't sure how long we'll be down here, but we must prepare if the threat of permanent living underground is required."

We all gave each other collective glances. Madeline was across the table from me staring longingly at the overseer, she was the only one now. A continual confusion still loomed over the ten of us. One of the other women, named Jamie raised her hand.

"Yes?" Owen pointed in her general direction.

"What is a G.O.A.T exam?" She asked sounding as if she hoped she weren't the only one confused by this new information, to be fair, she wasn't.

"It's the Generalized Occupational Aptitude Test. Basically, it just tells you what area of expertise you would best excel at based on your mental and physical skills." He explained placing his hand on a stack of manuals. One of the Vault-Tec security guards took the stack of books then began dispersing them to us individually. Two-hundred and sixty pages of 'obey the overseer and follow the rules, blue cover with an obnoxiously golden, shiny Vault-Tec logo on the front.

"Well… We know where most of the funds went." The man next to me smiled while flipping through the thick pages.

A smile cracked on my face while I tried not to make any sound at his joke.

"Ahh, so you do have other expressions then?" He shot a glance to me. "The name's Connor."

"Freya…" I said opening my own book to the table of contents.

"Woman of few words… I can respect that, but you'll open up soon."

I was honestly shocked this guy thought that, he obviously didn't know me at all, of course he didn't, none of us really knew each other, we all have different backgrounds. Still, the thought that he acted like he knew me. I rolled my eyes and kept skimming the contents of this boring book.

"We should be getting an okay from Vault-Tec to leave the vault in five days. In the meantime, I'd like you all to participate in the friendship exercises to ensure we all get along this week." Owen announced standing from his chair. "You are all dismissed, please meet in the medical rooms right away."

I closed my book while standing up from my chair, I didn't like needles, nor did I like doctors, so this would not be a good day. The entire ten of us shuffled into the small, well small for ten people, medical room. I was caught by the side of the woman who had asked about the G.O.A.T exam earlier, Jamie Ambers. Poor soul got to go first.

"Jamie Ambers." The doctor announced. As she walked to the exam room, the sudden shock of it all seemed to hit us, the whole underground idea seemed so, far fetched.

"What if we're down here forever? What if we run out of food and Vault-Tec never saves us, we'll all die." One woman screeched with great worry.

"Shut up Becky, don't be so down, we gotta take it as we go." A man replied leaning against the wall.

Whispers erupted through the room about the vault, things like reproduction, oxygen, food, water, basic stuff. I was already worried to begin with, so this was not helping my anxiousness.

"Hey!" My voice was louder than I anticipated, I didn't know I was even speaking. "Don't you think the creators of this vault thought of this stuff before they built it? Why don't we just give them a little credit here?" I said, arms folded tight.

Whispers continued as I got a thumbs up from Connor. Damn it, he was right, I was opening up even if I didn't intend to. I ignored the continual gestures he was giving me while I waited for the door to open. I wanted to get this over with and go to bed, it was already 6:39, and the day had worn me out. A good thirty minutes passed before Ambers came out looking paler than before she had entered. My stomach turned as they called my name.

"Freya Fillmore…" The doctor's voice traveled over the mass of people.

I did a little number I call, the walk of shame. It's were you refuse to look at anyone directly, and walk as quickly as you can to get out of prying eyes. I found myself inside the exam room where I promptly climbed to the top of the table. It was the usual check up, temperature, ear check, eye check. He had me do a physical, bending over, testing flexibility, height, weight. Then came the needles.

"Doc I gotta be honest, this is my least favorite part." I said, a quiver in my voice.

"I'll be gentle, calm down and find a spot on the wall to distract you." He suggested in a half joking half calming manner.

I turned my attention to a poster on the wall. It was plastered with the same representative that had been on it for years, the little blonde boy with his thumb sticking straight up, that same fake smile I had seen everywhere around town before this. The words read 'A healthy vault, is a happy vault.' I studied it close feeling as if they were trying to brainwash us with kindness, if not they were bordering on the lines.

"So what's the point of wasting all these resources if we're going back up to the surface soon?" I asked keeping my eyes on the poster, smug bitch.

"Wasting resources? You'll be down here longer than a few days." The doc said in an unconcerned manner, eventually he realized what he said and backed away. "I mean, we might be, you never know."

I turned my attention to him now, he was sweating like he was nervous as hell.

"I'm done, you may go… But please remember, you heard me wrong." He said putting my blood vials away quickly and carefully.

My eyebrow was still raised at the thought, this man knew more and was not letting in on it…

I hopped off the bed and made my way out the door with the doc close behind. I looked out at the worried crowd who seemed more or less happy to see I'd returned. I felt slightly woozy, but noticed that Ambers wasn't there, which must mean we were free to go. I carried myself through the crowd and too the door just in time to hear him call Connors name.

"Connor Fontaine…"

"Aww shit doc…" He replied in a more joking manner. I truly would kill this man before our time in the vault was over, if we lasted that long.

The white walls that led to my room made me more sick to my stomach, I felt as if I was walking forever, like I'd never make it to my room.

"Hey Fillmore…" I heard someone call me. "Your walking past the girls dorm." It was Ambers.

I snapped back to reality realizing that she in fact was right, I had been so tranced by the tunnel I had lost my train of thought. I immediately turned to the room ignoring any further conversation from her, I was simply tired and past ready for bed, besides there was no objection on her end. I pulled my sheets back, pulled my room dividing curtains around my bed and stripped down to my underwear, I had no time for pajamas, plus they couldn't see us. I curled into my bed, snuggled up to my pillow and soon fell asleep. I tried most of the day not to think of the bombs, maybe it was a practice run again, maybe they stepped up their game with the bombs by adding flashing effects. Or maybe this was some dream I'd wake up from. I thought not to worry about it so much, I had more pressing matters, like the G.O.A.T.

Three days later…

"Good morning all Vault dwellers. We've been able to grade your exams and would like to see you all in the main hall. Thank you." Owens voice echoed in our room. There was a few slight groans and the sound of blankets being pulled away. It was the third day of our torture, today was our second friendship exercise.

Yesterday's was trust falls, in order to trust everyone in the vault we had to trust ourselves. I felt sorry for those who got paired with Connor, he dropped three of the seven people who paired with him. I had gotten sick and got to opt out of trusting him, I don't think I could. I heaved a deep sigh and pulled myself out of bed. I slid the cookie cutter vault suit on, it was mandatory dress wear. I pulled the zipper up, pulled my curtain wall away and joined my roommates in the hall that led to the main hall. The boys were coming in about the same time. We all sat down in unison and gave each other good morning nods.

Owen walked in with an energy that could silence everyone, not that he needed to, we were all tired, this had to be the earliest we'd ever been up.

"Glad to see your bright and shiny faces this morning, I hope you're all excited to hear this news." He had to be joking right? We were far from bright and shiny, obviously he had taken some drugs or something. "I believe I'll go in alphabetical order, yes?" No one answered, we all stayed silent while we watched his every movement."O…Kay then. Miss. Ambers , you've received the job of medical assistant." He paused for dramatic effect apparently.

Ambers showed no emotion, almost like she had expected it.

"Freya Fillmore… Marriage counselor." He gave a small smile. That means I have to talk to people… I roll my eyes pleasantly annoyed by this choice,

"Connor Fontaine…" He began.

"Yes ma'am… I mean sir…" He gave an evil smile which received a glare from the overseer.

"Engineering track."

Another smile curved on his face before turning to me. "Smartest one in here doll face."

"Yet when you speak, it's just a garbled mess of stupid..." I smiled back with my arms still crossed.

"Lucy Grant… Hairdresser." The overseer raised his voice over ours. Another small silence.

"Axon Glades…" All eyes shot to him. He gave a stare to Owen, his brother. "Doctor…" He said watching him close.

He gave a nod to acknowledge he had received the information.

"Jon Kemp… Repairman." Finally, someone who seemed happy with his choice of job.

"Madeline McClain." Her entire head moved, her red hair flowed with it, her eyes were intense and focused on Owen. "Teacher…"

Her eyes lit up while a smile followed it. "That's wonderful Overseer…"

"I'm glad you think so." He nodded happily.

There was an awkward silence as I caught Connor staring me down once more. Why was he so annoying?

"Klein Octave… Nuclear Track." A pleasant nod.

"Becky Roberts… Cafeteria manager." A disgusted look crossed her tan skin, not much of a career in this place, then again neither was mine.

"Austin vermillion… Waste management." There was a laugh across the table, I didn't even have to look, I knew already.

"Fuck you Connor." He retorted.

"Alright!" The overseer yelled leaning on the table now, there was a smirk on Axons face. "Everybody report to the friendship classes today, you can discuss this problem there. You are dismissed."

Madeline was at my side instantly, pulling me up from my chair. We all silently left the room and stayed that way until we arrived at the auditorium.

"Good morning everyone, I hope you're ready to become super friends together." Most of the crowd was composed of groans while the other chose not to react to our torment, which is what this was.

"Alright, I'm going to group you up, and I want you to sit on the ground next to your assigned partner.

"Madeline and Connor, Jamie and Klein, Jon and Lucy, Becky and Austin, and Freya and…" Axon… His eyes were dark when he looked at me, at least he was quiet. "Please be seated and face your partner, get close, knees together…"

I didn't even see him move over here, he was so silent. We both sat down and scooted closely not saying a word, I just wanted this to be over.

"Now everyone, take a moment to breathe. I want all the females to close their eyes, and you lovely men, I want you to take a look at them, take in everything you see, from the curves of their eyebrows, to the softness of their face."

I closed my eyes seeing the emptiness of my mind. I began to wonder what he saw, if he was even doing this activity. My heart beat slowly as I tried to calm my nerves, I hated this activity, I felt so vulnerable.

"You need to relax…" He said in a hushed tone, just like his brother, his voice was rich like chocolate, only his was higher pitched.

"I can't, I hate being judged…" I replied honestly feeling my heart rate pick up.

"Who's judging, I'm just admiring the view." He chuckled lightly. Great another Connor…

I ignored this response and focused on my heart rate that was finally slowing. And then…

"Please take your partners hands."

Damn you…

"Aww Madeline, your hands are so soft, wanna use em later on me?" Connor laughed before I heard a sharp sound of skin hitting skin. Axon lost it, he began laughing loudly losing hold of my hand.

"Everyone focus!" Our teacher yelled. Axon quickly took my hands again. "Now, girls open your eyes, boys close yours."

"Enjoy the view." Axon smiled.

I rolled my eyes as the teacher repeated the instructions to us, I already knew them though, it was simple… Judge them.

For starters, Axon had this beautiful, blonde, spiky hair. Shaved on the sides, dark blonde eyebrows, soft skin, tanned nicely. Thinner lips than his brothers, but he had laugh lines unlike him. His nose was about average, but this man, much like his brother was beautiful, it ran in the family. Before long, he opened his eyes and I was greeted with hazel green eyes.

"Like what you see?" He asked in a snarky manner.

"I see an asshole if that's what you mean." I took both my hands away before he could react.

"If that's your thing." He smiled.

Later that day

Cafeteria…

"So, Owen is like… Really hot, or is it just me?" Maddie asked leaning in closer to me and Lucy.

"Most definitely, and Axons not so bad himself, but he suffers from baby face." They both continued their gossip as I tuned them out. I played with the food on my plate.

I was getting better with the Julie situation. I missed her, but I was trying to move on. I sighed and dropped my fork on the plate getting a concerned look from Maddie. I leaned back in the chair that my body rested on. I was exhausted from this week, and it wasn't even over yet.

"All vault dwellers please report to the auditorium… Immediately." Owen announced as we all picked ourselves up. The entire single file line arrived within minutes and took our seats. Owen seemed upset and concerned, this only made Axon feel the same. I sat in the third row and was joined by Connor and Maddie.

"I have received word from vault Tec." Honestly these pauses were redundant. "Unfortunately… The world is uninhabitable for humans." He said hanging his head low.

Whispers broke out amongst the ten of us. Many were worried about the safety of the vault, some were concerned about us living here long term.

"With that being said, I have been ordered to initiate order 57b."

57b? What the hell does that mean.

"Project: Birth…" He sighed looking out among our small group. "There are few of you, but if we stick to protocol, we can reproduce with one another without birth defects…"

Reproduction? Protocol? Seriously… This was horrible… Not only that, but they choose who we get stuck with? I took a deep sigh even more annoyed than I was with my job, which I started training tomorrow, but with this looming over my head, I'd be unable to focus.

"So basically, Project: Sex, right?" Connor giggled like a teenager.

The overseer ignored him and focused on his next words…

"It may take a few weeks, but eventually you will be paired up with your new partner, so get used to each other while you can. Please sleep well tonight." He bowed and walked away from the microphone.

I sunk into my chair trying to find the light at the end of this tunnel, it was not there. I listened to Conner talk to Jon about the girls he wouldn't mind being paired with, I ignored them. I got up and returned to my room, where I wanted to be. I pulled the covers over my head, if I listened close enough, I could hear Axon and Owen yelling at eachother, it was muffled by other people talking about this sudden protocol.

I closed my eyes trying to put myself in a different part of my mind, but I was unable to. I soon found sleep while thinking about this situation.