Rated M for gratuitous profanity, violence, and ghoul sex.
The Fallout universe rights are currently owned by Bethesda Studios. I receive no money for this. It is merely a creative outlet, dream space, respite from the real world, and something to tide me over until Fallout 4 is released.
Chapter Twelve: Scrounger
After seasoning the food as much as she was able to, Greta took the food out of the room to cook it over an open flame. Carol and Kate prattled on about Gob while Charon slouched in a nearby seat. Kate refused to make eye contact with him. He watched her, trying to sort her out. It almost made him want to retreat to his corner in the former The 9th Circle.
But what he had no way of knowing was that she wasn't angry at him. She was enraged at her inability to free him from that goddamned piece of paper. That instead of freeing him, she had become a goddamned slave owner. He was her responsibility now. How could she have possibly foreseen any of this?
Greta brought the food back. Eggs and cram for Kate. Salisbury steak for Charon. They ate silently as Carol carried on. Kate finished eating before Charon did. She half-listened to Carol as she waited for him to finish. It was her turn to stare at him and try to figure him out.
"Are you ready to go?" she asked as soon as he put his fork down.
Charon wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Certainly."
She frowned, then looked up at him in horror. "Where's my bag?"
Charon tilted his head. "What bag?"
Her laugh was panicked. "My bag. The bag that had all of my caps and everything that I need. There were caps and ammo and stimpaks and—Oh fuck! Where's my gun?"
Before he knew what he was doing, Charon leaned across the table and grabbed her forearm. When he looked down and saw her arm in his hand, he let go quickly and withdrew his hand. "Where did you have them last?"
"At the bar," she said, panicked.
Charon stood up. "Then I'll go get them for you. Don't worry."
He left the hotel, crossed the second floor, and entered the bar. The bar that he had hoped that he'd never set foot in again. He grinned cruelly and gave a satisfied grunt when he looked at the spot where Ahzrukhal's head had been. He surveyed the dried blood on the floorboards, pleased with himself.
All he found was her empty pack next to the overturned stools.
The blood drained from his face. He swore and kicked the wall. Charon ran his hands through what remained of his hair. He hadn't even seen her with a bag or a gun the previous night. He walked every inch of the bar, looking in every container and every crevice. Which meant no caps. No stimpaks. No ammo. No gun. He closed his eyes, tilted his head back, and grunted. The fuckers from last night had probably cleared it out as soon as the room was empty.
She had wasted her caps on him after all.
He sighed and forced himself to unball his fists and calm his mind. While Carol and Greta had been kind to Kate, caps and kindness had limits.
But then Charon's eyes lit up, and he dashed to the light fixture that never worked. While Ahzrukhal hadn't ever given him money, Charon scavenged where he could while he was out on errands for Ahzrukhal. When the bar was empty and Ahzrukhal was asleep, he hid the extra caps in the burned out light fixture. While Ahzrukhal's orders usually involved Charon procuring the debts that Ahzrukhal was owed, he never said that Charon had to turn in any additional caps that he found along the way. Sometimes Charon took quite the detour during his errands in his search for raiders and riches. Besides the people specified by Ahzrukhal's commands, Charon refrained from harming innocents. But raider pricks were always fair game.
He shoved his hand inside and was rewarded with the texture and clink of cold, lightweight metal. Charon snatched her bag from the floor and dragged the nearest table under the light fixture. He dropped handfuls of caps onto the table. He hadn't had a good reason for keeping the caps. He had no idea how long it would be between Ahzrukhal and his next master, and he had never had high hopes for whomever would come after Ahzrukhal. He relished defying Ahzrukhal. He felt good having a secret to keep from him.
Once all of the caps were on the table, he counted them. It was far from the 1500 that she had offered Ahzrukhal, but at least there were too many to fit into his pockets. The 1500 could have been a bluff on her part, but given Kate, he doubted it. She seemed too honest. Too earnest. While good with words, she was still too trusting. Still uncertain how to run a conversation and mock a seller into a deal. Not that he could blame her. Ahzrukhal had far too much experience on her. That fucker was a dirty low-life years before the bombs dropped. Charon knew. Ahzrukhal loved to regale anyone that would listen to his stories about all of the ingenious ways that he had fucked people over.
He swung the pack over his shoulder and looked over the bar once more. All leftover bottles of liquor, food, and anything else of value had been scavenged. He could only imagine how pleased Kate would be for him to turn up with empty bottles and cleaner. He sighed, dreading how he was about to make her day even worse.
Besides what she had mentioned, he had no idea what else she could have had in the bag. Perhaps he would be able to scrounge up some of the other necessities for her. He could always take out a few raiders for her. He'd be more than happy to do that, although he suspected that she might object to that. Killing for the sake of killing. He considered robbing Tulip, but Carol told Kate all about how Tulip had gone on at length about the sweet smoothskin that had visited her the night before. If she and Kate were on good terms, he imagined that Kate would frown upon him robbing Tulip. While in the service of Ahzrukhal, he was forced to ignore his morals for years. As much as it frustrated him to admit it, some things had been easier under such a malevolent prick.
He moved to leave the bar, but he stopped in front of the door. He set down his shotgun and Kate's pack. He picked up a nearby table and swung it into the walls of his corner, spraying drywall and dust everywhere. He stopped once he was pleased with the amount of exposed beams that he saw and the degree to which the table bent and splintered. He brushed off his armor, picked up the shotgun and the bag, and walked out of the bar.
When he reentered the hotel, Kate rushed to him with hopeful eyes. "Did you find my bag?" she asked, hands clasped.
He sighed and dropped the bag on the table in front of her.
Kate's face dropped, and she covered her mouth with a hand. "Oh no."
Charon kicked himself. He should have gone back to the bar last night, but he was too focused on her safety. Besides, she hadn't said a damned thing about her stuff being in there. Not that she had been in a mind to, but still. While survivability in the wasteland depended mostly on a good weapon, full clip, and the skills to use it properly, there were things that she would need in the wasteland that could either only be bought for a high price or could be found in extremely rare cases. He would make sure that she managed, though. In addition to danger, he would keep his eye out for any suspect places for stashes.
"This is all that I found," Charon said.
Kate looked between Charon and the bag, horrified. "That's it? How—how much is in there?"
Charon sighed. "384 caps."
Kate's jaw ticked. "You're fucking kidding me!" she shouted. She flung the bag on the floor. She stepped into his face, fists balled. "Tell me that you're fucking kidding me!"
Charon was taken aback, remorseful that he hadn't killed more raiders while in Ahzrukhal's service Besides his armor, his shotgun, and his ammo, that was everything that he had. "If being honest is what you wish of me, I am unable to say yes," he answered meekly.
Kate scoffed, turning around and hugging her arms to her chest. Tears prickled her eyes. "That's the fucking amount of caps I needed to make 2000. Three hundred and eighty fucking four goddamned caps." She kicked at the wall, howling with anger.
Greta started to move forward, but Carol pulled her back by the shoulders.
Kate slumped against the wall, crying.
Charon felt sick. Not that there was any way that he could have gotten the caps to her without Ahzrukhal and everyone else seeing. The irony was heart-breaking. Of course, what fool expected God to be in The 9th Circle.
He wanted to point out to her that she had his contract, which was the most valuable thing that she could have. What could be more valuable than a man that would sacrifice his life for her if need be? He didn't even need his shotgun to kill. He should be able to replenish what she needed soon enough. But he knew that it would just make sadder and angrier. He was loathe to do either. So he stood there. Useless.
Greta sighed. "If it makes you feel any better, kid, I bet that the minute you told him that you had 2000 caps, that bastard would have started coming up with a bunch of bullshit fees just to get more out of you. He'd probably charge you tax for not being an Underworld resident or something stupid like that."
Carol lowered herself by Kate and put an arm around her shoulders. "Oh, honey. We'll help you in whatever way we can."
"Carol," Greta said with a warning.
"What?" Carol asked, looking towards Greta.
"In case you didn't notice, she was just trying to take down one of our walls. And we don't have much in the way of caps, remember? We traded most of them with her last night."
Kate gaped, shaking her head. "Oh, god. I'm sorry so, Carol. I just—everything. Everything has gone wrong."
Greta glowered at Charon. "None of this was supposed to happen."
Kate wiped at her eyes and her nose. "All those times that I almost died out there. I may as well have," she said, laughing cynically.
Charon stepped in between Kate and Carol and lifted Kate to her feet.
Kate struggled. "What the fuck are you doing? Leave me alone!"
Charon's hands burned, and he jerked them back. Instead, he leaned against the wall and got into her face as close as he could. "Good people never deserve to die. Ever. Do you hear me?"
Kate stared at him blankly and nodded slowly.
"So go ahead and put those thoughts out of your mind right now. We are going to go do whatever it is that that asshole is making you do before he tells you where your dad is. Don't worry about the stuff you had. We'll replace it. We just need to get you back to your dad. I'm sure that he's worried about you."
Kate scoffed and shook her head. "If he's so worried about me, he probably shouldn't have run out of the goddamned vault without even fucking telling me."
Charon covered his eyes and sighed. He dropped his hand. "What you did for me will be for naught if you give up now instead of allowing me to help you find your place out here in the wasteland."
"It's already for naught."
"No. But you saved me from that bastard. Doesn't matter if you couldn't free me. No one can. But you tried."
Kate wiped her eyes with the heels of her hands. She stared up at him for a long time, but once again, she couldn't read his guarded eyes. "Aren't you pissed at me?"
Charon scoffed and pulled his head back. "Why would I be pissed at you?"
Kate shrugged and looked down. "I've been a bitch to you all morning."
Charon shrugged, nonplussed. "Not everyone is a morning person."
The corner of Kate's mouth twitched, but she refused to smile. "Does that also excuse how I've been moping about my little girl problems?"
Charon smiled sympathetically. "If it makes you feel any better, I am angry and concerned about your so-called 'little girl problems' as well. Come on, smoothskin. The sooner we get out of here, the better you'll feel. As soon as you say your goodbyes, we can take care of Three Dog's bullshit." His lips slid into a grin, and his eyes narrowed. "We can stop by Tulip's on the way out. She owes me a favor."
Kate nodded and sighed. "Yeah. Okay." Wincing, she turned to Carol. "Thank you so much for everything. I'm so sorry about the wall."
Carol chuckled. "Oh, dear. This place is falling apart. What's one more wall?" Carol held her hand out to Kate, but Kate pulled her into a hug.
"I'll tell Gob that you said hi and that you're thinking about him, okay?" Kate said into her shoulder.
Carol patted Kate's back. "I would be positively thrilled if you'd do that." She pushed back from Kate and held her at arm's length. "You'll come back if you're in the area though, right? You know, after awhile. I mean, I hope that you haven't gotten a nasty impression about all of us."
Sadness passed over Kate's eyes, but she reeled it in as soon as she could. "No. Don't worry. I'll definitely come back to see you. And you too, Greta."
Greta smirked at her. "So long as you leave our walls alone next time. And unlike Carol, I don't hug."
Kate raised an eyebrow. "Handshake?"
Greta shook her head and sucked air through her teeth. "You should have asked me ten minutes ago before you decided to take out all of your rage on our home."
Carol poked Greta in the ribs. "What did I tell you about being nice?" she snapped.
Kate smiled sadly. "I'll be on my best behavior next time. Promise."
Carol beamed at Charon. "You be sure to take care of our little smoothskin."
Greta snorted. "Don't forget to reel him in when you need to. Remember, he's got to do whatever you say. Don't let him try to pull any shit with you."
Kate frowned. "That's not the way things are going to be."
Greta snorted. "Trust me, kid. No matter what you think, things are never how you think they're going to be. Isn't that right, 'employee?'" she said, challenging Charon with her eyes.
"Don't call him that!" Kate snapped before Charon could respond.
Greta's lips twisted. "Then what is he?"
"He's my companion," Kate said, crossing her arms.
Charon felt warmth trickle through his chest. The longer he was around her, the stranger she got. But even if couldn't begin to comprehend it, he found that he liked her type of strange.
Greta rolled her eyes and tsked. "Whatever. Just keep yourself safe."
Carol waved at Charon with a polite smile. "You two be careful."
Charon nodded. "Yeah."
His eyes met Greta's.
"Bye," she said.
"Bye," he said. He looked at Kate. "Let's go, smoothskin." Charon opened the door to the hotel and held it open for Kate.
Rusty stood outside the door with his fist up and ready to knock.
"Move," Charon hissed, baring his teeth.
"Oh—hi, Charon," Rusty stammered. "I was just hoping to—" He peered past Charon to grin and wave at Kate. "Um, hi, Kate. Uh, how are you—you know—this morning and all?"
Charon crossed his arms and growled. Rusty cringed, but he didn't move. Charon was torn between the desire to belt Rusty and the desire to brag to him how Kate had touched him several times. With people watching. How he had even woken beside her—more or less. He was fairly certain that the sting of that would far outlast a simple punch to the face.
"Hi, Rusty," Kate said, eyes narrowing.
Rusty looked down and rubbed the back of his neck. "Look. Um. Listen. About last night. I'm sorry that I—uh—that I didn't—um—that Ahzrukhal—"
To Charon's displeasure, Kate walked past him and up to the wretch. She smacked her hand down on Rusty's shoulder, and he cringed from the pain. She pinched his shoulder, narrowing her eyes. "I understand. No hard feelings."
Rusty's eyes brightened. "Oh wow! You really mean it? Wow, cause I really thought that you'd be—"
"No. I understand. After all, there can't be light without dark," Kate mused.
Rusty smiled and nodded as he tried to figure out what she was talking about.
"Likewise, there can be no heroes without cowards," she sneered, withdrawing her hand and pushing past him.
Rusty looked lost, still trying to sort out what Kate was talking about.
Charon smirked and clapped his hand on Rusty's back, knocking the wind out of the ghoul. "Looks like you're not going to get that drink after all. Too bad," Charon mocked.
"Come on, Charon. We've got legitimately important things to worry about," Kate called without bothering to look back.
He followed her down the stairs and into Tulip's.
"Hi, Kate," Tulip said kindly. She turned to Charon, eyes flashing with desire. "Hi, Charon." She looked between them. "Um. Is she your new employer?"
"Companion," Kate said quickly.
Tulip hung her head and traced patterns on her counter. "Oh. I didn't know. Um, congratulations, I guess."
Kate frowned and looked at Charon. Charon smirked.
"We'll talk later," he mumbled. He had no problem letting that bitch think the worse. He looked at Tulip. "It seems that Kate has endured some misfortune since she arrived at Underworld. She has lost almost all of her caps and supplies."
Tulip scoffed. "And what did you want me to do about it?"
Charon cleared his throat. "Well, being that you owe me a few favors, I was hoping to call them in now to help ensure that she will be safe in the wastes."
"Isn't that your problem now? I mean, isn't that what your so-called 'job' is all about?"
Charon narrowed his eyes. "No. As I said, you owe me some favors; so for right now, it is your problem."
Kate stepped forward. "We're not trying to cause you any trouble, Tulip. Charon just said that you owed him a favor, so we just thought—"
"She's right," Charon cut in. "We don't mean to put you out. Oh, but that reminds me. Did you hear that Ahzrukhal died last night because some upsetting shit happened between him and Kate here? If you don't feel like helping us out now, perhaps you would like to explain to Kate—"
Tulip plastered a smile onto her face and pulled Kate up to the counter. "I'm sorry, sweetie. I guess I'm just in a mood today. Now tell me. What was it you needed? I'll be glad to help."