"Who's there," a scared voice shouted down the overpass, "Identify yourself."
"I'm Aiden, and this is Gob, we come from Megaton. Lucy West is worried about her parents, and I told her I'd check on them," Aiden called up the bridge.
"Come up, but slowly, and mind your hands," The voice called down. Aiden and Gob exchanged humored glances and began the ascent to Arefu. They found themselves standing before an older gentleman who was aiming a gun at Gob.
"Get away from that ghoul, boy. He's dangerous." The man beckoned for Aiden to come behind the sandbag. Gob looked down dejectedly, clearly hurt. Aiden felt a tinge of annoyance in his chest. He grabbed the barrel of the gun and pulled. The gun slipped easily out of the old timers feeble grasp. The old man, clearly startled, shouted out.
"What are you doing, boy? That ghoul will eat you alive," He said backing up.
"Look, old man, I'm going to say this once. Gob here, he's my friend and I don't like it when people hurt my friends. You better get your fucking tongue in check or I'll make you look ten times worse than a ghoul," Aiden said, rage burning behind his eyes. The man must have noticed, because he nodded his head slowly and mumbled a hasty apology.
"Sorry, I- I just been under a lot of stress lately, first with the Family, and then a ghoul comes waltzing up the ramp… I was just trying to protect who ever is left here," The old man muttered. "The name's Evan King, I'm the mayor of Arefu." He held out his hand, but Aiden ignored it.
"What family?" He asked, his arms folded on his chest.
"THE Family, boy, they're a gang who have been terrorizing us. They come here and taunt us, telling us to come outside. That was the extent of it until a couple nights ago when they attacked. They slaughtered all of our Brahmin," King pointed down to the paddock, Aiden didn't look.
"Where do the Wests live?" Aiden asked, still glaring at the old man.
"They're the very last house at the end of the overpass," King indicated behind him, "Could you check on everybody, to make sure they're okay? I don't want to leave the entrance."
"I don't care what happens to bigots," he said coldly, and walked by King. And anyone who ignores their own kid. Together with Gob, he walked down to the end of the overpass. There's only like, four houses here; I can't imagine why Lucy would leave. Bigots and cramped corridors. Fun times.
"It's okay," a voice whispered. Aiden wheeled around and looked at Gob.
"What did you say?" He asked.
"It's okay… you know… I'm used to being treated like this…" Gob whispered. "There's no use being as mad as you are."
"I'm not mad," Aiden said, but all the same he felt his rage slipping away. He sighed, "Look, Gob, you have feelings and emotions too. It's not okay for people to treat you like this because you look different. That would be like saying every person you see is a raider. It's stupid."
"I guess…" Gob said, sounding marginally more cheerful. "You're the fourth ever smooth skin to be nice to me, you know.
"Only four?" Aiden repeated incredulously.
"Ya, Simms, Lucy, you, and Nova… She's the… adult entertainment at the bar," Gob said, his face screwed up in pain.
"Adult entertainment?" Aiden again repeated, though this time with curiosity.
"Ya, guy's pay her and then they… they… you know… fuck her…" His voice trailed off at the end, almost as if the thought was killing him.
"You like her?" Aiden asked.
"I… I think I love her… but she's a smooth skin and I'm a decaying, walking meat bag," he looked at the ground again. Aiden looked at him; he was at a loss for words. What could he say to cheer his friend up?
"You know, Lucy told me Nova liked you too," He said lying quickly.
"…Really…?" Gob asked, hope and desperation abundant in his voice.
"Oh yeah, she thinks you're the nicest guy ever," He lied again. I hope Nova's not picky… I'll have to talk to her about this…I guess we should get to checking on Lucy's family first… At the thought of Lucy, though, his chest gave off a fresh burst of pain and he hastily said, "Come on, let's fuck Lucy's parents up." Gob chuckled and Aiden felt a little happiness to see him laugh. He knocked on the West's door. No answer.
"Open up, I have a message from your daughter," He shouted, pounding on the door. No answer again. "You had your chance, I'm coming in." He opened the door and the most revolting odor ever conceived invaded his nostrils; he leaned over the edge of the overpass and began to throw up.
