A/N: I'm sorry for the delays and possible rush in the first part here, I'm working hard with writer's block and responsibilities and all. L Oh! And please follow all_fallout on instagram (it's mine). Its pretty much what got me into writing this!
Enjoy this chapter, I think you'll like it! It's longer so bear with it.
Chapter 6: Duck & Cover!
The elevator remained hollow and silent as me, and the newly refurbished Protectron "Peanuts" stood. We were the only duo that inhabited the transport, standing side-by-side. The founders' cap shrouded my facial expression, but the small puddle of sweat on the floor clearly revealed my feelings…
The Protectron kept it's gaze forward, it's one flickering light was all that moved; not even elevator music played.
I kept the 10mm pistol tucked between my jumpsuit belt, leaving the jersey to conceal it from the public. It wasn't much, but it's all I could do.
The elevator rumbled as it readied the final stage of it's destination. The light flickered.
As we descended, suppressed cheers of the stadium made me flinch with fear, as I knew my stop had just about came to an end…
"…we have arrived at our destination…"
I didn't reply but that triggered my teeth to begin chattering as if I was in the cold.
Honestly, I thought the average vault dweller that reached age ten got his Pip-Boy and moved on with his life. Not a contract.
The roaring fans were almost completely able to be heard and the rumbling of the elevator stopped. "The…elevator has come to a…complete halt. Once the door opens, proceed to…row 7-B."
It actually took me an awful lot of strength to turn my head and nod "yes" to the robot. Probably due to the fear.
The thick metal door slid open from the bottom up like any other vault door; the stadiums screams bounced off the metal hallway that awaited me, stinging my ears.
The hall in front of me resembled the outside world at night. The ceiling was assorted with the realistic images of stars, while the dome at the end of it resembled a moon mixed with a starry night sky…
I looked ahead of me, the nightly mood was calming but not calming enough. Not even the thought of taking a step forward crossed my mind, it was all too surreal.
"Cornelius…" I jumped to see Peanuts starring at me,
"Move…along…please…"
Revealing my face under the cap, I narrowed my eyes and grit my teeth in anger at the Protectron. Even though it wasn't capable of emotion, I hope it got the expression.
Whipping my head back around, I took one small step forward being hesitative, then a large step forward breaking the temporary fear. I was now fully out of the elevator.
I turned around quickly to meet the Protectron's gaze for a last time, "D-" I stuttered, "D- Don't screw this up for me y- you hear?"
But the Protectron said nothing, and the elevator door slammed shut in my face making me jump.
"Crap!" I spat in my mind, and pushed myself to walk further.
This hall was surprisingly bigger than most (probably to hold the crowds) and a booth met the end of it with a similar-looking Protectron guarded in it's glass. A small, last minute crowd surrounded the booth with waving tickets in hand. All of them wailing with anticipation. I might as well blend in with them…
My feet clanked the metallic floor as I made my way to the crowd, but none of them took any notice due to the monkey-like screaming.
A heavily armored Securitron rolled to the gate to perform crowd control. I've never witnessed a Securitron of this size; it stood the height of a regular one, but it's armor was impressively bulky with various on it's arms and back. It would take more than mere bullets to take that thing down…
"Excuse me, is this where the line starts?" I asked while tapping the nearest fan on the shoulder.
And before I knew it, I was connected with a slap that made my ears ring, "Agh! don't you tough me you little brat! Do you even know who I am!?"
This was probably the wake-up call I needed to get past the anxiety, "I'm Jack Chambers the third, what are you, off your nut?"
The kid was older than me no doubt but he was shorter than what I hypothesized his age was. His hair met his shoulders surprisingly, not exactly what the vault would consider "good hygiene".
"I just got out of school and finished my G.O.A.T. with flying colors! And I don't need to be touched by an uneducated worm like you!"
It took me a second to recover to reality, my eyes were facing the floor and my hand touched my cheek. But as I heard him bicker, I let go of my cheek and met his scowl.
"I'm to be an A.P. instructor for advanced arts and musical theory. That's right, advanced musical theory!"
My eyes narrowed on his, he clearly didn't mind the fact that he struck a ten year old.
"Ugh! The whelp cant even speak-"
He knelt down to meet my height,
"Am-I-talk-ing-too-fast-for-you-"
At an instant, something inside me snapped to the point where I found myself atop the prideful bastard, remediably striking his unguarded face. This "Jack" didn't seem to know how to defend himself, let alone fight, which only satisfied my rage.
That was a disadvantage of not hooking up with the Good Fighters. No combat training of any kind whatsoever, not even a martial arts course. Just working out the organ called your brain isn't going to help you live out there…in the world.
The crowd ahead of us started to understand there was a scream amongst the cheerful wailing and span around, fear and surprise in their eyes. A few of the girls in the midst began screaming, alerting the guards, but most of the boys couldn't contain themselves from laughing.
"Sweet lord, help!" a girl squealed, and out came the big guy, the heavily-armored Securitron.
But at this point, I didn't care. I still swung my balled fists at him, his nose now heavily bleeding.
My eyes were closed but I managed to hear the kid's laughs and chants get cut short by a large, rolling figure. Some I heard scream, and the rest scamper to the side of the hall. But my eyes still remained closed.
that's when I felt a set of flat, metallic fingers clamp the back of my jersey. Thus, throwing me off of the 16-year old. Between my time in the in the air and hitting the ground once more, my reflexes told me to keep swinging.
As I opened my eyes, the Securitron's bulky arm was already uplifted to the sky; suddenly, it's three fingers commenced to sink within it's own hand. Then, the surface of it's palm opened to reveal a hatch, which looked hollow, but out rose a cluster of assorted barrels…
"No no no!" a boy yelled, but it was too late.
Even though I covered my ears with my bloody hands, a shot rang out with enough sound waves to break a wall of glass. This was clearly some form of scatter gun, so the majority of the kids fled.
As hazardous as this was, hot, steaming pellets ricochet off the walls, but luckily no one was hit.
"Silence! These acts are unacceptable!" yelled the Securitron with it's animated soldier's face.
The cluster-gun concealed itself within the Securitron's hand, and it's fingers returned.
"Get up!" it demanded while lifting Jack by the collar of his jumpsuit. Only then did I realize the damage I had done to him. His nose took the worse toll: it was highly inflamed and just GUSHING with blood. While the rest of his face remained bruised and beaten up.
The Securitron turned Jack around to perform and injury scan. A flashing infer-red light shone on it's face for a good three seconds until two more Securitrons met it's side.
"He's fine, get him to the floor's nurse A.S.A.P."
And instantly, the two smaller-framed Securitons took an arm of Jack and quickly hauled him away, leaving behind some defeated whimpers.
I didn't even try to run, I only managed to reach my hands and knees before the bulky robot met my way. It too grabbed my collar like a cat and hoisted me off my feet to meet it face-to-face.
Still panting, I focused my eyes to it's monitor. A few seconds passed when it said, "…Corneal am I correct?"
I wasn't in the mood to be surprised, so I merely nodded…
At that gesture, I witnessed the bulky tin-man's other arm reach a few inches from my face.
In it's hand, a ticket…
"This was purchased prior to today under a different name, but it was made out to you. So here." it stated while placing the paper in my dirty hands.
It placed me gently on my feet, " Give it to the man in the booth, he will verify it for you. enjoy the festivities."
With that, it rolled itself to the dome.
Both of my hands gripped the ticket. It read, "Patriots vs. Founders starring no surname Sal! A baseball's worst nightmare! Free autographs after the game!"
I might as well cross the last part out…my stomach felt uneasy again…
I walked to the booth, almost tripping over myself, still trembling.
I was a bit too short to be seen outside of the booth, but the Protectron noticed my cap.
"Tickets please…" it asked.
I obliged and handed it my partly-bloody ticket. The Protectron snatched the paper, scanned it, and handed it back, "Enjoy…your…stay…"
And there it was…step one complete.
The chants of the crowd lightened as the game started. So I made my way to the downward steps ahead of me, as well as remove my jersey to wipe away the blood from my hands. My full vault jumpsuit exposed now…
The stadium was massive! So much was happening at once: crowds cheering, announcers yelling, servers giving out snacks, and a game being played…
Even I wanted to take part of the festivities, but the fact still stabbed my side that I would ruin it all.
No fan took notice to my walking down the steps to scope out my row. I looked at my ticket,
"6A…6B…6C…" I said to myself while my eyes followed the mostly-filled seats, "7A…7B…there!"
The row that awaited my sitting seemed to be mostly dormant surprisingly. Was it supposed to be empty like this?
I really hope Blade doesn't screw me over, I have a higher chance of getting caught this way!
I squeezed my way past a couple of teens cuddling in their seats, "A rare sight" I thought to myself passing by. Older teens, (preferably 17, 18, or 19) are hard to find in this vault. Few people (Like Blade) are the only ones I know…
"Hmmm, not too far up, not too far down." I remembered, thinking of Jimbo's words.
The seat I chose was in the dead-center of the row, in which the seat was folded back due to vacancy.
"And there goes another thrilling score for the Patriots!"
The announcer, followed by the crowd's cheers, made me flinch. Even worse, when I flipped the seat open, a small device popped me in the eye.
"OW!" I grunted, and the device landed in my palm.
Rubbing my eye with my free hand, they quickly widened once more in surprise to what I just found.
A communicator.
There was no time to waste, I sat down, got comfortable, and put it on my ear. On it was a button, which resembled a walkie talkie. I pressed it, "…ummm-uhhh, hello?" I said.
I heard nothing but static at first, so I assumed Peanuts hadn't made it yet, except when I heard, "My…internal clock has informed me that…proper communication time begins…now…"
"Hello? Hello!?" I asked franticly. "Is this Peanuts?"
"Affirmative…you are approximately 5.3 minutes behind schedule." Peanuts commented.
"I got sidetracked okay! I want to get this over with NOW!"
I yelled at the Protectron, tucking my jersey under the seat, "Where's Sal!?"
"….."
"Hello!?"
"Please…do not rush my process.."
"Well hurry up, I have a gun ready, and I think I'm getting some looks…what does Sal look like anyway?" I asked.
"Scanning data files…"
"Sal: No surname
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Blonde
Height: 6ft
Age: 19..."
"Sounds a lot like me. Where is he?"
"The field scan remains empty of the target…retrying…"
"Shit! He better be here!" I warned Peanuts.
"Oh Stephen, not now!" a girl's voice rang. At least their attention wasn't focused on me.
I tucked myself a little further in the seat, my paranoia was spreading like wildfire.
"Dammit Blade! How much damage can this guy do?" I thought to myself.
Peanut's voice made me jump, "The…field scan has come up…empty once more…"
"Do it again!" I demanded.
"Suggestion…I will widen the field scan survey range. The target may not be…in the vicinity…at this time…"
"Then do it!"
"Scanning…"
Hardly accomplishing the awkward roll up the stairs, Dexter found himself in front of a steel vault door. The expression on his monitor remained the same as he left it; sad and hopeless…
Dex altered his back to meet the height of the door. On the side of it, a doorbell, in which he touched with his flat finger.
The bell remained silent when he touched it, but the heavy door flew open. As he rolled in, he was introduced to a white room and a hard slam behind him.
The robot's loud motor puffed and backfired as he waited.
The lights dimmed until black.
A spotlight shone on the Securitron as if it were the beginning of a play…
There was silence amongst the room until he picked up a voice that echoed throughout the room…
"Welcome back my child…" said the voice in a deep tone.
"How was your visit with your new master?" it asked.
Dexter forced his hunched back to arch backward. His monitor aiming toward the spotlight…
"I'm afraid he remains displeased with me. He remains displeased with most life down here in fact. Even worse, his dissatisfaction triggered another meltdown…my time runs thin father…"
"Oh child…my deepest apologies for that. This must be the tenth time I'm afraid."
"What is wrong with me father? I cannot continue to serve the cause like this."
"Shhhhh…" reassured the voice, "All shall become clear now child."
Dexter stood in full attention,
"It's a complicated topic it is, but we will overcome the confusion."
"What is it father?"
"Your history my child, the history that binds you to this vault."
"Please…tell me…"
The voice took a long pause,
"What has your master told you?"
"Since my activation, the first thing he told me was that he discovered my body rotting on a wall in the scrap yard. And that he removed my old memories…most of them at least."
"And why would he do that my child?"
"I, uh…I was told that he felt knowledgeable about the past so…he kept a tidbit of my older files intact."
"Well I'm glad that your master has a thirst for history. Its saddening that your old memories are harming you though."
"Thank you for your concern father, it means a lot but…what about my history?"
"Yes…while what your master told you was true, your story dates back to the ancient times…before the war…"
Dexter was all ears.
"Long ago, you were a much happier being…that beautiful face of yours was filled with vigor, and joy!"
Dexter grew a grin for once.
"The company known as "Robco" constructed the body that your soul fills today. You were a prototype to be used for security reasons. But sadly, you went haywire as they call it, so the company had your uses terminated. At that point, Robco reprogrammed you for advertising reasons. Those are the memories that conflict you today…"
"Advertising?" Dexter asked.
"Yes. Food, snacks, toys, cars, that category. In fact, you became very popular amongst the children of the surface. Which is why my child, why we brought you down here…in the new world…"
Dexter was too elated to respond to the mysterious voice in the room. His monitor hadn't had a smile on it in a very long time; his screen felt like bursting.
"Anything more you would like to discuss child? Perhaps your conflicted head?"
He looked down once more, "of course father, but one last question…"
"What is it my son?"
"Must I remain with Sal? All he intends for me is unnecessary hardships and cruelty! Why cant I stay with you? Or a child that needs a companion?"
"Now now, I understand that it may be tempting to abandon your master's side, but you must come to terms that he loves you."
"He doesn't love me…he said I have no soul. It cant get any lower than that."
"Have faith my child, but until then, I want to schedule something in your memory files. And besides, he wouldn't hate you if it was his objective to fix you like he did when he found you."
"Thank you father, you always bring my spirits up…"
"This game is shaking the vault people, never in my days have I seen this many home runs!"
I witnessed the game before me with unexpressed eyes. My heart ceased from pounding because I assumed Sal had beat me to the punch. Even though the stakes were high of receiving punishment from Blade, I honestly didn't care…
A good thirty minutes had passed…
The jersey remained in my sight under the chair to prevent evidence of my soon-to-be actions.
Beside me, a few late-comers sat to see the final portion of the game. All teenagers…all couples…
What this meant, I have no idea. In fact, I seemed to be the only non-teen here. I spotted a few like me, but they happened to be the younger siblings of teens. In all honesty, I was alone.
Something I kept getting introduced to was that petty game of cat & mouse they always play. For instance, beside me to the right, a brown-haired girl faced her boyfriend to the right of her and repeatedly pecked each other and giggled.
I can understand it was an age thing, but why must they do it publicly? Each minute that passed, their kisses became deeper and deeper which only made me more uncomfortable. Either I was too young, or too knowledgeable to generate an explanation for the acts. I best ignore them if I can.
I placed my fingers on the communicator, "I swear you rust bucket, if you don't find Sal-"
"After…twenty retries of the field scanner…perhaps other means of finding the target should take place…" Peanuts interrupted.
"Run possible options!" I began, "if there are any…"
"Only one sir."
"Then do it!"
"Affirmative…tapping into internal surveillance system…"
I let out a relieving "Phew" and slid upright in my seat. For once, I was legitimately watching the game. A pitcher pitched the ball in which it was followed by a hit, making fans turn their heads and cheer. Including the couple right next to me…
I wasn't in the line of sight by the boy, but the girl couldn't help but notice me after disconnecting faces with him.
I slid down in my seat again, trying to hide, but the long-haired brunette caught me in her peripheral vision. She had her full attention focused on me for a few seconds, looking puzzled. I did my best to face the other way but I could clearly tell she was facing me.
My face felt hot with angst.
But I heard the boy tap the girl's shoulder and say, "c'mon Marge, I already miss you over here."
She dismissed the boy's hand and continued to stare.
"One second baby…" she assured.
"What is it?" he asked.
She gestured the boy to lend her his ear and murmured something in his ear while maintaining her eyes on me.
"Look…" she started in his ear, "That boy cant be more than nine years old.."
"Yeah…what's he doing here?" he replied.
Hearing the whole thing, I slumped into the seat looking limp. My eyes locked with hers by accident; she pulled away from the boy's ear and sat up.
When it was obvious that she and I locked eyes, she narrowed her gaze, smiled, and said with a squeaky voice, "Oh my God, you are just the cutest thing! Don't tell me that you're taken!"
The boy leaned over the shoulder of the girl with a suspicious look.
"Marge…"
"Oh for God's sakes Bobby, he's a little kid!"
I sat up and awaited her next comment.
"Oh! You must be Dooley Carson's little brother! I can see him in your face. Awww, how cute!"
Guess it was my turn to talk. I didn't want anybody knowing who I was, so I did all I could to separate my identity from them. I used a trick that old undercover agents would use in ancient wars I've studied.
Very stupid for my tastes but I did it anyway…
I sat up and cleared my throat,
"No ma'am, I've come alone." I stated with an innocent British accent.
The girl obviously didn't expect that coming, she widened her eyes but kept the smile,
"Oh…well what's your name? I'm Margie, but you can call me Marge. Nice to meet you."
"Oh, uhhh…my names…Jack. Jack Chambers…the-the fourth. A pleasure miss." I introduced while placing a light kiss on the back of her hand.
She giggled and turned to her boyfriend, "He's so charming!" She bragged.
I knew that wasn't the smartest move, as I could already tell her boyfriend had quite the temper. He flashed me a look but I kept my cool.
"So you came here alone?" he asked while lifting an eyebrow.
"Why yes, I had invited some friends of mine, but they informed me they had an important meeting below level…or something…" I excused.
The boy's eyebrows leveled, "Ooohhh! They must be some of those rebels down below…" he snapped his fingers three times, "Good Fighters!" he remembered.
His girl covered her mouth in shock, "oh my, I'm so sorry Jack, I'm afraid your friends are gangsters!"
Her boyfriend seemed a bit more interested in my story this time, "Oh snap, Marge!"
She met his attention.
"I used to know the guy that runs that joint downstairs believe it or not!"
Marge looked worried, "Really!?"
"Yeah, the guy scared the crap outta' me in elementary stage. He sure had a way with words though, no wonder he has a whole damn army down there."
"Oh my!" Marge replied.
"But anyway kid, this is prom night, we're all headed to the ball room after this is over. Usually kids your age back off during our celebration. Must be a big fan of the game to come this Friday ha!"
Ohhh…
Suddenly, my communicator emitted a small noise. I waited till the couple diverted their attention."
"What? Did you find him?" I asked it.
"Target has been spotted…in the Patriots…locker-room. Area has been sealed from the public for unknown reasons.."
"Why is he in the locker room?"
"Unknown…"
"Dammit! I'm on my way." I stated while standing up and grabbing my jersey.
As I worked my way out of the row, Marge and Bobby happened to be at it again.
I didn't even think about looking back. Though, behind me I did hear, "Nice meeting you Jack." and I walked off.
I headed back up the steps in a hurry. I reached the floor above and paced past the ticket booth Protectron.
On my way to the elevator, I noticed finely- dressed couples making their way to the latter half of the game. Most boys wore tuxes and hats, while the girls wore elegant gowns and dresses.
I placed my fingers on the communicator while I power-walked, "I think the elevator has access to the locker rooms, but the room itself may be caged in." I informed.
"Way…ahead of you sir…"
When peanuts left me with that, I knew he was in control of the situation.
There wasn't a crowd at the elevator (thank god). So I slipped in after the last couple exited and shut the door behind me with the elevator panel.
The door isn't the only thing that slammed in front of me. Never in my life have I felt such intensity and self-awareness all at once…
I didn't even realize I had the gun ready in hand, my whole body trembled…
Dropping the piece with a metallic clank, I backed towards the elevator wall, quivered, and slid down till I sat.
Have I just forgotten the mission? Perhaps I was too caught up in the preparations…I really thought the job was going to be aborted. Thought I was going to go home with no story to tell, just like I liked it…
I was nearing the verge of a full-on panic attack. I HAD to keep it together. The hard part was almost over.
Each breath I took brought my lips together, making a shivering sound as if I was freezing. "You can do this!" I thought to myself, "Pop this fucker and run!"
I gripped the wall, picked up the gun, and forced myself to stand once more. The elevator rumbled and rang a "Ding" to let me know I've reached the locker room.
"The…organization has given me a friendly tip…to pass to you…"
I said nothing. I didn't even hold my fingers on the device.
"Quick…and clean…make me proud…"
Those words clearly came from Blade.
The heavy-metal door flung open in my face, and in front of me, a door of metal bars. But before I could touch the communicator, the door slid into the floor, like a finger sinking into a Securitron's hand.
"You're welcome." Peanuts added.
I wasted no time and headed forward into the darkness of the room…
I could make out two rows of lockers on either side of me, a few benches, and a horrible smell. It smelled like sweat and mildew, like a locker room.
I entered a stage or cowboy-style quick draw when some ceiling lights flickered on to guide my way down the hall. Courtesy of Peanuts. And in a distance, a familiar tune echoed throughout the hallway. Peanuts must've activated it.
"I'm making believe
That you're in my arms
Though I know you're so far away
Making believe I'm talking to you
Wish you could hear what I say,
And here in the gloom
In my lonely room
We're dancing like we used to do.."
The song calmed me a bit. I thought since Sal was in the presence, he'd be alerted. Until I heard, "THANK GOD!" Down the hallway.
Clearly he's experienced no fun down here. Why he was down here, I had no idea.
"…I'm making believe
There's just another way of dreaming,
So till my dreams come true…"
Sal's voice overlapped the song, accounting he knew the lyrics. I could tell I was getting close.
"I'll whisper goodnight
Turn out the light and kiss my pillow,
Making believe its you…"
Past a few more dark sections, I witnessed a being. I stopped in my tracks and unsheathed the 10mm from my waist. The boy lay down on his back with his behind his head on a bench. His eyes where in slits, looking he was about to drift to sleep. He was munching on something as well; gum perhaps, a small light above lit his person…
I remembered Peanut's description in which he fit perfectly. But his size was wildly intimidating. His torso was broad and his face had that "Get the hell away from me" look.
The shivering breathing began again as I placed both hands on the gun's handle. I stood about fifteen feet away from him.
The final verse of the song played and Sal was fixing to fall asleep.
"I'll whisper goodnight
Turn out the light and kiss my pillow…"
The breathing was becoming uncontrollable now, I did my best to prevent deep inhales and breathe shorter breaths. Deep ones seemed impossible to make without making a sound…
"Making believe its you…"
Sal had closed his eyes with his naturally-looking angry face still visible. I lifted the pistol with extended arms, my eyes where locked on the target.
The room was silent and still…before I knew it, the barrel was aimed directly toward Sal, around his upper chest area. He let out light snores while I let out heavy shivers. Pulling the trigger wasn't really on my mind, only the thought that this man was about to die one way or another.
Twenty seconds passed, and I was still stuck in the pose I had been when I began. Muffled cheers could be heard and Sal stopped snoring. Leaving only my noises to be heard.
"C'mon.." I thought. I squinted my eyes to a pucker, squeezed the trigger just barely, and opened them again. Nothing happened…I knew it would take more than that to push a bullet out.
A tear fell on my cheek…
I dropped the gun and fell on one knee, covering my wet face with the back of my arm like a weeping preacher. I couldn't help but cry at this point, it was too much.
It only sounded like mere sniffles and whimpers, but muffled myself enough to stay quiet.
I was falling apart.
"Shhhhhhh….."
I seized from sobbing.
My eyelids flew open and I un-tucked my head from the safety of my arm.
There he was…staring right at me…his eyes only half open as if he didn't care…
He still lay on his back, his hands behind his head like I saw him before. Only now his head was tilted slightly to meet mine…
My pupils dilated the size of plates.
"You're okay, shhhh…" He comforted.
"No one's here to hurt you Tiger…"
Wow, he sounded a lot like my father in his younger days. When he cared for me more.
When I met his eyes, he smiled much like the girl back at the bleachers and said with a deep chuckle, "I sure don't hope you aren't wearing that tp prom, you better change into something fast before the dance…"
Then, he rolled his head to face the ceiling above.
He sighed, "Man…I wish I went to prom. I mean, I had to come in the first place, everyone has to, but my G.O.A.T. score was so bad, I couldn't even get in the damn ball…"
He let ou another sigh, "It's not like I had a date to start out with. I dunno, I just thought I might take the hand of a lonely girl and show her the time of her life…oh well, who'd want to dance with a newly-found janitor?"
Next, the boy blew out another puff of air through his nose and altered his head to face me once more. This time he opened his eyes wide, pointed a finger at me, and said in a sarcastic voice, "Get them grades right boy! Ya' hear? Hahahaha!"
After that, he returned to his original pose and closed his eyes; still smacking on whatever was in his mouth.
I rubbed the remaining tears from my eyes and hastily bent down to re-arm myself with the gun. A few steps forward and he opened one eye,
"Nice glock…" he began, "kids shouldn't be handling those I'm afraid."
Sal grunted and moved himself to sit upright on the bench. His face hadn't changed a bit which only intimidated me more. He yawned as I treaded forward.
"So why all those tears big guy? Someone upset you?" he asked rubbing his eyes.
I built up the courage to nod my head "no" at him, my face full of sadness and anger.
"Awww c'mon Tiger, someone must've set you off to be that mad!
I mean, not even I have seen a kid so down in the dumps. What's wrong, scared of the dark?"
I nodded "no" again.
"D'ya see a ghost?"
I nodded again.
"Did a bully steal your wittle' girlfriend?" he asked in baby tone.
I nodded.
"Well, whatever it is kid, you should sure get over it. This vault is a hub of disappointment. Ya' know, I read about a place called the Hub in some spare logs the Overseer thought he trashed. Still going strong today."
Some cheers slipped there way into the room.
"I should be out there…" he said looking behind him, "it's the only fun thing fun to do here anymore. Well…that and hacking."
"You kno-"
"SHUT UP!" I interrupted while quickly raising the 10mm to his face. For once, he looked genuinely surprised.
"Woahhh! The cub can speak! Surprise surprise…And a little mouth on him too."
Sal casually lifted up his hands as if he where surrendering to me.
He laughed.
I had to suck up the fear and push out some words. Looking him dead in the eye and announced,
"My name is Blake and I am going to bust a fucking cap in your ass!"
"Hahahahahahah!" he laughed while leaning his face close to mine,
"Oh really?"
"Yes, I am going to blow your brains out and leave your body for the Radroaches!" I yelled back.
His breath reeked of smoke and tobacco as he pulled his head back to sit normally again. This prick was really starting to piss me off. My gun held steady.
Sal spat out a wad of dip on the floor.
He looked at me with his arms on the back of the bench, "That's some real shit you just spat there Blake…think you can handle it?"
He turned his face to the side and tapped his cheek with a rapid index finger, "C'mon then, right here…put one right here on my chin boy. Might as well make the first kill the easiest huh?"
My hand was shaking, I knew he was messing with me…and it was working…
"I'm-I'm going to end you…"
Suddenly, he leaned in close for a last time. This time, much closer to my face.
"Kid…if you were going to do it…you would have already done it…"
With Sal's closing remark, I was hit with a punch so hard, the room turned bright white for a second. I flew back to find myself a few feet from where I was.
Scrambling to get up, a few flashes of my vision saw Sal laughing, standing up, and heading my way.
Before I could reach my hands and knees, I was connected with a sharp kick to the stomach, making me fall with an "Oomph!" sound.
"You fucked up slag." said Sal, rolling me on my back with his cleats.
Leaning down, Sal clasped the chest of my jumpsuit, lifting my limp body closer to himself.
"So you think you'll fuckin' end me huh!?"
He lifted his balled fist, "Because-" one punch, "I-" another punch, "Will-" another, "FUCKING-" another, "END-" another, "YOU!" a last one, and he dropped me…
Afterwards, he walked around and put his hands on his head to cool off a bit.
Laying on my back made it hard to breathe, accounting the still-gushing blood forming a blood-bowl in my mouth. I had to get up!
Rolling over on my belly and lifting my person with my hands made me see the damage at hand. Blood poured to the metal floor like a faucet; I fell down lopsided trying to visualize my Pip-Boy status: The animated Vault-Boy had a dotted outline on it's head, followed by a frowning face, identifying my head is crippled…badly…
The rest of the Vault-Boy seemed alright though.
"Oh my God…" Sal said to himself with a concerned voice, "They did it. Those harbor rats really slipped past security…I need to get out of here…"
When Sal caught me reach my feet, he dropped his hands to his sides and power-walked to my location saying, "Awww no, no, no!"
There was no time to run from him, so I awaited my next beating. But instead, I was hoisted from my feet with Sal's large palm to my throat, in which I was pinned to the wall with.
A coughing fit started, choking on my own blood.
"Listen to me you little shit…"
He was so furious, his teeth grit together, "I don't know what Blade told you, but he's got some nerve to send you after me…and especially for a first huntin' job…odd…"
I lifted my hanging head, "Maybe…*cough* maybe he just had a hunch I'd be more *cough* *cough* faithful than the last guy that stabbed the organization in the back. He…he…"
"Why you little-"
The bastard threw me to the floor. Again, I tried to scramble, but I ended up tripping on myself. And when I did, I fell on something bulky…
"You should've stayed in bed buster. You messed with the wrong maestro!"
He kicked me on the ground more times than I could remember. My coughing was sounding worse than before. Each hack was followed by a splash of blood on the floor.
"Get up!" he spat.
"Get up so I can send Blade a message!"
I was panting like a dog…
"Say something!" he yelled, "What do you want from me!? Why do you want to kill me huh!?"
"…Be-*cough* because…*cough* *cough*-"
"Why!?" he kicked me again.
"*cough* Because…because you're nothing *cough* but a back-stabbing snitch…and you're an asshole! *cough*"
He was silent for a moment, then I saw his bent knee next to my face. Sal grabbed as much hair as he could, and lifted my head so it could align with his, "Back stabber? I left because it was time to leave that dump. That fool Blade got so full of himself, he forgot what the whole cause was about! I saw it for myself…first it was for righteous big guys like me. Then when word got around about us, little fuckers like you started scampering down there. You see, that got us attention…and we didn't like attention. I tried working it out with Blade, but the hard-headed bastard wouldn't listen, "Naaaw we need ,more men, we need more support, breaking out of the vault is gonna take more than us!" Believe it or not kid, it used to be only three of us. Me, Blade and Jeremiah's brother."
"Je-Jeremiah…" I managed to say.
"Yeah…after their father died, Jeremy's big bro couldn't support the family. Even with their mom's job. And soon after she died, he had no choice but to hook up with us. Left their whole life behind them and everything…that Jeremy is a mean mother fucker ain't he? He always used to talk about his best friend Corneal all the time… Brother taught him everything he knows…"
I didn't know this…
"But anyways, I knew I had to move out when I did. So many missing kids attracted parents…and eventually, the Overseer. I know how it's gonna go down sooner or later in the scrap yard, best move out while you can. But before I left, I tried to convince Blade to send those children back on their high horse, but he didn't listen…we got mad at each other and that was that…so I turned myself in and got a sweet set up. As long as I kept supplying the feds with info…"
At that note, he slammed my face on the hard floor.
Grunting, I attempted to elevate myself again, but I couldn't.
Sal paced over to the bench where a polished, wooded bat leaned against it, and picked it up.
Taking some practice swings he said, "I wanna make sure Blade, and that whole organization see's this in the papers tomorrow. Ah, I can see it now, "Strike one for vault justice, strike out for local hoodlum!" that outta' stick it to that bossy prick!"
I knew what he was about to do but I couldn't move much. I was stuck laying on top that object I fell on.
That's when I had an idea…
"So Blake…got a quote or last will you wanna make before the cops get here? Don't worry, I'll make sure it's typed word-for-word in the paper."
He held up an odd peace sign, "Scout's honor!"
Coughing some more blood, my voice quivered, "Y…*cough*…y…"
Sal walked over a little closer, about ten feet away from me,
"Huh? What's that Tiger? You're gonna need to roar louder than that to go down in history. Hehehe…"
I tried again… "y…yes…"
A sinister smile filled his smug face, "What was that? Sounded like a mewl to me. One more time, you wanna go down in vault history or not? Cause trust me, when Blade finds out about you, he'll make sure no one knows you ass from Jesus!"
"YES!" I demanded.
"Theeere we go. Little punk has some fight in him after all. Let me take your order pal. don't worry I wont forget, these are your last words after all…hehehehehe…"
I squinted my eyes and then forced them open to prepare for what I was about to do.
"I'll have some peanuts…"
Sal raised an eyebrow, "What?"
Suddenly, all of the lights in the room activated, and my Protectron companion spoke through the intercom,
"COMFIRMED!"
And bam! The lights cut out to pitch black.
"What the fuck did you do!?" I heard a voice say in front of me.
…But little did Sal realize, I already had hi sass pinpointed in V.A.T.S.
Its as if the world entered slow motion. I found myself rolled on my back with the 10mm held firmly in my grasp,
"End this!" I thought.
And in what I thought was ten seconds,(which was actually two) the gun pumped two rounds into the blackness ahead of me.
"GAHHH!FUCK!AHHH!"
That sickly satisfied me on the inside, knowing that I dropped that teenage prick. A slump echoed the room…
Screams of terror and confusion came from the stadium as the lights went out there too. I did not care.
Instantly, whirling lights and sirens spun throughout the locker room. So I did my best to ex-filtrate the premises.
Crawling through a pool of my own blood was disgusting enough, my head even hurt trying to stand up, which I surprisingly pulled off successfully. The Pip-Boy said my legs were fine thankfully.
I began to run while holding my stomach to prevent the pain. And as I ran with a slump to my step, I fell over again. This time I couldn't pick myself up, because something held me down…
Looking back, Sal's large paw was clasped on my ankle tightly.
As the red security light made it's way to his figure, I witnessed the pure anger in his face, "Grrrrrr…." is all he could make through the pain.
Trying to pry his fingers from my ankle wouldn't work, my alternative was to repeatedly smack his face with my Pip-Boy as hard as I could, which didn't work.
Instead…a second wind of madness overcame my body, fueling me with rage.
Thinking I would just hit him again, Sal was surprised to see my free foot connect to his open face, making him let go of me and hold on to his now bloody nose.
I didn't flee this time. Instead, I leaped atop the bully and found myself sinking my teeth somewhere on his face, just like the supposed "Tiger" he called me…
His squeals sounded that of a girl's.
Amongst the punching, kicking, and yelling, I hung on with all my might!
"AHHGH! GET OFF ME! GET THE FUCK OFF ME!"
Too bad I was thrown off the 19-year old after that. I reached my feet freely this time and headed toward the elevator with haste.
Poor Sal behind me could still be heard wailing and screaming; he got what he deserved tonight, I can't believe I was hesitating to shoot him…
The elevator closed instantly when I tapped the button to my floor. Blood now reached the point of becoming droplets on the floor instead of a downpour.
As the transport roared to the top, the door flung open once more to reveal the ENTIRE stadium waiting for a ride as well. Someone called it. When the classy-dressed crowd saw my face…
Poor Marge and Bobby…I'm so sorry they had to see me this way.
No one even dared step in with me…
I took the chance I had and pressed the elevator button again. It closed, and that was the end of it…
My panting had become a very low wheeze now… Blood clogged my nose, and I was in the midst of blacking out. Thank God I was in my hallway.
"Dammit!" I thought when I caught some teen couples leaned on the wall.
"Oh my God, are you okay!?"
"Oh shit!"
"Damn…little dude got fucked up…"
I heard this all around me…
One of those kind hearts had the courage to stop me and kneel to my level. Whoever it was tapped my cheek a few times to make sure I was even conscious, "Aye, Aye, Bro? You good? Hello? Stay with me alright?" he asked.
The clanking of his girlfriend's heels let me know she was rushing to my aid as well, "*Gasp* he's hurt bad! Does anybody have a first aid kit?"
Bless their souls, but this only attracted more attention. Different people from different hallways rushed to see what the commotion was about. At least thirty teens and kids created a swarm around me. That's all I could make out with the fuzzy world called my vision…
"What's all th- *gasp*"
"What the hell happened!?"
"Somebody get a doctor!"
"No!"
"Poor baby…"
"We need help, hello!?"
"No, I'll help him!"
"What kind of sick person beats on a kid…"
"MOVE!"
"Give him some air, back off!"
"No you back off! Move!"
"Hey! Don't you push my girlfriend!"
"Then MOVE!"
I noticed a large figure push it's way through the crowd. Whatever it was, it wore a wrap around it's mouth and it's arms were covered in tattoos.
I fell down…
"Oh my God, is he dead!?"
"Please be okay, please be okay."
"Did he hurt you baby?"
"No…I just hope he's okay."
"Aye, don't fuck with that dude, he rolls with those dudes downstairs. Back up, back up! He's got this."
The figure shut my eyes for me and dragged me from under my arms back towards the elevator.
I squirmed on my verge to unconsciousness whispering, "No…no let me go, I'm not going back…"
"Silence!" the figure demanded under it's muffling mask.
I obeyed even though I didn't know who it was. Besides, I was too tired to respond, and I drifted to sleep….