A/N: I'm back! Lord, it's been too long! School and work have just wiped all my writing juices away… Alright, that sounded wrong. Anyways, here's a little something, something. Read and enjoy, kids ;) Replies at the bottom of the page! Thanks for reviewing. Should be expected a TON of stories and updates soon. Ask if curious ;D. Thanks for reading!"
Scarlett POV
"It feels like you left home a long time ago, but I know you're still out there. I just hope you're still alive to hear this. Things got worse after you left. My father's gone mad with power… If you can hear this, please stop looking for your dad and help stop mine. I changed the door password to my name. If you're hearing this, and if you still care enough to help me, you should remember it."
I stare at my Pip-Boy, the bright blue screen lighting up my face in the darkness of the Metro Tunnel. I'd listened to the recording almost ten times now and still felt weary about returning to Vault 101. It'd been two years now, two unsuccessful years of searching for my father since I'd left, leaving behind the safe, selfish life anyone fighting to survive in the harsh, baron Wastes could wish for. Sighing with frustration, I look up and realize that Charon had been watching me from across the room the whole time.
"You don't seem too happy about returning." He states while cleaning his combat shotgun. I purse my lips and shrug lightly, trying to appear calm and casual. He knows me more than I know myself, though, and tilts his head questioningly.
"When I left, I really didn't think about the consequences. I just wanted to find my dad and make sure he was okay," I start, cracking a smile because after all this hard work, I still haven't found him, "I never intended to go back."
"Isn't it a better life?" Charon asks, eyes narrowed in curiosity, and places his shotgun down carefully.
"Yeah," I murmur, "But I would have chosen to travel the Wastes for the rest of my life than spend it underground, even if it meant risking my life."
Charon doesn't answer, and focuses on a few posters hanging on the wall instead. I don't mind; just a few conversations a day are a big accomplishment on his part. My mind scurries back to the vault. Is Amata asking for my help because she knows I have the power to make change, or is there something she's not telling me? Will she be hesitant to allow my access, even if I agree to help? I pull my knees to my chest and hug them tightly, wishing I'd never heard the recording in the first place.
"If you're afraid… you know, to go back to the Vault," Charon adds, "I wasn't planning on letting you go alone."
My throat tightens with affection, and I smile and nod my thanks. Charon opens his arms wide, and I slide across the room and curl into his side, resting my head on his shoulder. His strong arms hold me protectively, like I'd shatter if he let go.
"Thank you, Charon." I whisper, yawning tiredly.
"Anytime, Smoothskin," I hear while drifting into sleep, "Anytime."
SakuraPheonix13 – I know, Scarlett is a freaking badass. She scares me half to death! Thanks for the reviews :D
Guest - I think Charon was just trying to be the gentlemanly kind of ghoul here, but who am I kidding, I would have been peeing my pants with laughter if I saw that! Thanks for the review!
