September 22nd 2076

Charon

I have requested a brief leave from General Nale which he has granted without hesitation. Anna has given me too much to think about and I don't know what to do with the information.

I am to become something out of a science fiction movie. Something that causes people to scream. My appearance will change and I will have a vastly extended life style. I have never cared much for physical appearance however this is the me that Anna knows and if she was able to recognise me in Anchorage it can't be too bad, can it ?

I am sitting at the Paradise Falls Mall watching everyone go about their business. Couples are having food at the food court. Women are carrying bags filled with clothes and other items and men stand talking away to one another. All oblivious that they may a year to live. It is a daunting aspect to know the future but I suppose in this sense Anna has given me the opportunity to survive. I know when to get out of the city. Survival may lead to a horrendous ownership but it also leads to her. I do not know why i put myself through such torture for her , but I do, and even in the present I find myself not minding.

When my thoughts are taken to Anna I realise that I haven't really thought about things from her perspective. The world she knows is a nuclear wasteland. She hardly knows how to work in this age. It explains her fascination at the museums and the fact that she has to be dragged along DC because she keeps stopping to stare at things. I feel my lips twitch and realise what I can do.

If Anna wants to see everything intact, I will show her it.

Anna

It is pitch black and the air is thick. I've have done what Charon calls my 'coping mechanism'. The covers are thrown tightly over me and I have created a small dark secure world for myself. In essence like a vault. I don't want to get out of bed or move, I just want Charon to come back. I feel terrible for what I have done.

I hear the door lock activate and shove the covers off of myself. I stand at the foot of the bed to see Charon walk in with a white bag.

"I'm so sorry."

Charon walks up to me slowly placing the bag on the table as he walks past. He stands tall in front of me and I cannot work out his thought process. Instead of speaking his arms reach out and pull me in by my waist and I am pressed against a warm firm chest. My eyes close and I take in the feel and scent that is Charon.

"So a year huh ?"

I nod into his clothing.

"Well we better not waste it."

I stand back to see Charon surprisingly smiling down at me.

"You're not mad ?"

" I was but not at you and not anymore."

"I'm sorry I told you."

He places his hand on the side of my face and I lean into it.

"I can handle it" he repeats and suddenly I don't see the pre war Charon who is new and inexperienced. I see my Charon who is a force to be reckoned with and has took on so much but still keep going.

"Yeah you can" I smile. I give his arms a comforting squeeze "so what's in the bag ?"

"Breakfast. We have a big day ahead of us."

Suddenly I am confused I did not know we were on duty.

"Doing what ?"

"Anna have you ever heard of a zoo ?"

Anna

"What's that ?"

"A giraffe."

"Why is its neck so long ?"

"So it can eat things that are high up."

"Like you." I poke Charon's side and laugh. "You are a giraffe."

Charon snorts "that is the most intimidating thing I have ever been called." He rolls his eyes.

Animals are amazing. I have seen them before obviously, we did have a dog and there are the occasional small rodent like thing in the wasteland but these animals are huge and colourful and are quite happy to sit behind fences not running to or from humans.

There are things called tigers which are apparently meant to be quite scary but they are nowhere near as big as a deathclaw. All the tigers seem to do is pace about. They seem quite cuddly to me and when I tell Charon this he looks at me like I've gone mad.

"If you want to cuddle that go ahead."

Penguins make me laugh. They have tiny legs and small bodies and when they move they shuffle. It is adorable and hilarious and I find myself laughing so much I can't stand. At first Charon snorts but once I explain my thoughts on them complete with hand gestures we are both laughing so much tears roll down our face. When we walk away from their area I make sure to imitate their walk and hold my hands by my side and shuffle. I smile as I hear Charon's booming laugh behind me.

We make our way to another animal which is incased behind glass.

"I know this one !" I find myself squealing "that's a Yao Guai."

"What the fuck is a Yao Guai ?"

"That in there !" I gesture towards the glass where indeed a Yao Guai is sleeping. "I mean it's a bit on the small side but it is definitely one."

Charon points towards the same animal "that's a bear."

I frown and look at the animal and I feel as Charon walks up behind me.

"I guess I'm not the only one affected by radiation then."

I place my head on his chest behind me and he wraps his arms around me.

"I guess not. Where to next then ?"

Charon looks thoughtful. We have been here all day and I can feel the tiredness approaching. I have walked for miles on end before but usually the walks aren't as exciting as this.

"I know" Charon speaks and I am lead away from the 'bear.'

We enter a cold dark building with strange sounds like a cave. It is not as busy as the other exhibitions there are only a few people scattered at posters and signs. Charon stands behind me and covers my eyes.

"Keep walking" he whispers into my ear.

I shiver from the sensation "what if I fall ?"

"I won't let you just keep walking."

I take myself blindly to the next part and feel Charon tug slightly as we reach a corner. Suddenly I am halted and then his hands disappear from my eyes.

Anna

I am immersed in a blue light as I take in the water in front of me. There is colour everywhere as creatures dance in the water. It is so beautiful I can only stand staring. I can't believe that people are walking past it giving it a fleeting glance. I would stay here all day if I could.

Charon

Anna is standing in awe and I know I have picked the right place. I remember seeing an aquarium as a child during my training and I loved it. I remember imagining the small fish moving behind the class whenever training got particularly brutal. The display takes up the entire wall and Anna is covered in the cool blue light. I walk up beside her and she clutches my hand.

"It's amazing" she whispers.

I smile slightly and look down at her wide eyes and parted lips. To someone who has not seen much life this would be a welcome change.

"Didn't they teach you about this stuff in the vault ?"

She shakes her head still keeping her eyes forward mesmerised by the sight.

"It doesn't exist anymore. Why would they ?"

"What do they teach you ?"

"How to be an upstanding citizen and then when you take a goat you specialise."

"What did you do ?"

Anna gives a small chuckle "marriage councillor."

"Sounds exciting."

"It really wasn't. People came to me to complain and I really couldn't have cared."

"Didn't you help them ?"

Anna grins "that's a change. Usually you're telling me I help too many people."

I smile. I wonder what we do in the Wasteland. What kind of things happen which cause us to be such an unlikely team. Anna turns towards me still smiling softly.

"This is amazing."

She looks at me with such kindness that I do not control the actions I do next. I caress her cheek and tilt her chin gently then I am leaning down as my lips press against hers. Anna responds well and her arms wrap around me, one hand finds it way into my hair and the other clutches my shoulder tightly. My hand stays by her neck holding her close and the other wraps around waist. She parts her lips with a sigh and I am suddenly brought into the sweet taste that is Anna.

Suddenly I realise exactly what my future self has gotten himself into and I know that I am home.