-Come Fly with Me Pt. 3-

Damn, being unconscious every once in a while is a bothersome. I thought. I quickly opened my eyes and groaned, lifting my head up as I noticed I am on a chair against the wall. "Damn my headaches..." I mumbled, lifting my upper body forward and surveyed the area around me. "Where am I?"

"Don't worry, you're here with us." A rapsy, female voice called from my right. I turned to witness two ghouls standing before me, wearing the robe those dead ghouls in the hallways are wearing. But, what's very peculiar about these ghouls is that they are not attacking me on sight...and it talks like us, but with some raspy voice. "If you are wondering what we are, our leader will tell you everything about us." The two walked away to the stairs through the right doorway.

I remained quiet while watching the ghouls walking away from sight as I slowly pushed myself up to my feet, hoping for some wave of dizziness to overflow me. But confusion shrouded me about the memory of some unfamiliar place with people I have never seen before, talking about me holding some 'knowledge'. But something else popped up in my mind. "Wait, where's Boone!?" I asked, frantically.

"Over here..." Boone's voice from behind me made my skin jumped. I twist my body around to see Boone leaning against the edge of the doorway with his arms crossed over his chest. His eyes behind his sunglasses are unreadable for me to find out his mood, but his posture suggested that he is rather unmoved about my awakening. "If you got time standing around, why don't you make time into continuing our objective."

I blinked twice, though I wish I can be happy that he came to get me there are questions to be answered. "Wait, how did you know where to find me and carry all the way over here?"

Boone clenched his teeth, seems like he's rather annoyed. "Like I would carry a frightened girl from that office all the way over here. Those ghouls found you there and one of them carried you over here and set you down on that chair." He looked away. "Now, why don't we move along and meet up with their 'leader'."

I nodded. "Of course. But...I heard you said my name a while ago. Were you the one that said 'Wake up' before I lost consciousness?" I had to ask.

Boone turned with his back towards me. "You've been probably dreaming that I said that. Let's get going..." He walked away from me.

I have never seen him or hear him deny anything. I repeated the words Manny told me back in Novac echoed in my subconscious, which kind of got me wondering as soon as I started walking. Maybe there is something about him that he isn't telling me, and I should probably ask him about...when the time is right... I thought with a sigh. I entered through the doorway, seeing Boone standing quietly with his arms still folded, and noticed some guy in a white coat coming down from another set of stairs.

The guy eyed me and wrinkled his nose. "Holy fuck, aren't you one ugly bitch!" His voice is raspy like those ghouls, except he is not a ghoul. He was the same guy that talked through the intercom just as me and Boone entered the building...and he called me a smoothskin? "Why don't you get away from me and head upstairs and talked to Jason before I end up throwing up just by looking at you!"

"What did you fucking say!" Boone took out his metal weapon from his side, sounded like he is pissed off at that guy. "You better take back what you said!"

The guy turned and eyed Boone. "Easy there, smoothskin! I didn't know what this has to do to you, but why I don't seem to understand the fact you are defending this ugly woman from me. It is not like I am going to touch her or anything, she is revolting!"

"Excuse me!?" It sounded like Boone was saying the same thing I am saying in unison, which kind of baffled me. I eyed Boone, who was looking at me as well while he put his weapon back to his side. "I'm...not defending her! Why would I defend a someone if she is only a stranger to me!?" Boone still sounded tick as he walked to me and grabbed my left arm. "Let's head upstairs before I end up losing my mind!" He, then, dragged me to the stairs and upwards to their second floor. He mumbled something under his breath, but I couldn't make out what he is saying.

I hate being the one to stay silent for too long, I have to know. "Boone, what is up with you lately?" I asked. "Why are you acting so differently all of a sudden!?" I felt his hand releasing his hold of my arm once we got up to the second floor, but didn't say a word nor turning his to see me. "Boone?" I spoke again.

"Welcome, welcome all, wanderers!" A voice that sounded almost like a robot sounded to our right. A tall, glowing ghoul appeared with about four ghouls with the same robes came walking towards us. The ghoul only wore an orange formal clothing, except parts of his right sleeve and shoulder, upper front right pants leg, lower left pants leg, and on the front tux and left upper back sleeves are missing. Those exposed skin are glowing with a bright yellowish green. "I am Jason Bright, leader of the Bright Followers. We are blessed to have a couple of guests attending this wonderful day, where we await for the Great Journey to our home of the Far Beyond to finally flourish!"

"Great Journey and Far Beyond?" I spoke, confused. "I'm sorry, but I think you've made mistake there. Boone and I here to take care of a predicament with the ghouls running amok in Novac, and we're trying to get rid of that problem."

Jason Bright doesn't look too satisfied about what I told him. "And they've been shooting therm down like animals, haven't they..." He crossed his arms and sighed. "Those ghouls there are of my flock, even after the madness consumed their minds, we never let them wander free. We kept them safe on the first floor, and kept them contained. Somehow...those demons must've let them out. But, now they are lost forever, denied the salvation and healing glow of the Far Beyond..."

"Demons?" I asked, feeling like the word isn't a good thing. "What are those?"

Jason shook his head and sighed. "I'm afraid I can't tell you much of such. The demons appeared out of nowhere...except it might be more accurate to say they never actually 'appeared' at all. The demons are invisible. Where one of them stands, the most one sees is the air shimmering, like sunlight on water."

"Invisible..." Boone appeared to my left side with his arms crossed. "They're probably playing such a prank to scare off anyone for their territory..." Boone sounded like he doesn't believe one bit from Jason.

Jason turned to Boone. "Believe what you want, second wanderer, but I have seen it with my own eyes. They set upon us as we were on our way to worship oner morning. We had just entered the basement. My flock fought bravely, and killed a few, but at such as cost. Nearly half of us died or went missing. The rest of us retreated here. Oner of the demons raved at us, but they have not tried to attack us since. Still, their demonic presence brought all progress to the Great Beyond toward our home of the Far Beyond to a standstill.

"The Far Beyond?" I questioned again. "I have never heard of a place like that before. What's is like?"

Jason can only smile a little at my comment. "That, wanderer, I have only glimpsed visions, ones that are truly miraculous. It is a place of light and healing, and I know my soul that my flock will be safe there." He walked up to me and grabbed both my hands, somehow sending a surge through my arms. "Please, wanderer, bear in mind that every feral ghoul you spare now is one that can we can save later. Once the way is clear, our feral brothers and sisters will accompany us on the Great Journey." His brows lowered with concern. "If there are any left..."

I twitched my eye and gulp. Shit, that is bad...I can't let him know about it! I just only smiled, hoping he would buy it just one bit. "Oh, no worries! We have spared them, as to wish to never harm an innocent but reasonless soul! We are but a couple of good nature souls!"

"Your lie is as bland as the barren wasteland." Boone spoke. "You saw me sniped four ghouls that were charging after us and you weren't fast enough to draw out your shotgun on time. And you've considered me good natured?" I saw him pressing the bridge of his nose with his fingers.

Jason eyed once again at Boone. "And there is still more out there. But this is why we wish to achieve the Great Journey: to rid ourselves away from the barbarity of the wasteland, especially the violence and the bigotry of its human inhabitants. The creator has promised to my flock a new land: a place of safety and healing...a paradise in thr Far Beyond. But now you have come." Jason eyed back at me as he held my hands up higher. "Once again, the creator has sent two humans to help us across an seemingly and insurmountable obstacle. Preparations for the Great Journey will proceed once the demons have been rid of. Please, wanderers, I ask of your help."

Seems like everywhere I go, I have another problem to take care of that either cleaves me injured, or near death. But, I hate how I am a good nature soul when it comes to helping others. "Okay, I'll go take care of your 'demon' problem for you."

Jason's face look thrilled. "Praise the creator! Bless you, wanderer, bless us all! As soon as the underground has been rid of those demons, preparations for the Great Journey can resume!" Jason reached into his pocket and gave me a small, silver key. "Here is the key to the basement. I wish you two good luck." He, along with his followers, walked away.

"One of them told me the way to get there while you were passed out." Boone murmured to me. "I'll lead the way this time...just hope you don't pass out again." He turned around and made his way back down the stairs.

I groaned, hate being left standing without any notice. "Boone, can you at least wait for me to walk along so we don't end up being lost again!?" I said, through my clenched, annoyed teeth. "Seriously, it's like every time you don't want me around you for some reason. If you hate me that much, why don't you stay back in Novac and I can handle the problem myself!"

Boone snatched my left arm, making me face his irritated glare. "For one thing, Varges pushed me into working with you to handle this problem together after fucking teasing me that there is some kind of 'connection' between us, which we don't! Once this thing is over, I would like to head back to Novac peacefully and go back to the life I rather have!"

I lowered my brows. "Varges...made you work with me!?" I felt a fluster of disbelief encumbering myself. "Damn..." I said, looking away. "I...I didn't know that he would do that for his amusement. If I have known he did that, I would've just left you alone. He even asked me if I happened to like you even though you are married with another."

"What did you say?" Boone asked immediately, catching my attention tight then and there. I glared at his cold, but serious expression closely though his sunglasses. The silence was long...but awkward at the same time the longer we've stared at each other. "Fucking tell me, Crimson, I'm losing mind here!" He growled.

I gasped, my eyes widen even more at how he said my name. My heart began to pound, and I felt some heat swept across my face. "You...you said my name..."

"So what?" Boone shrugged his shoulders. "A name is a name, no big deal. It's not like you name is that special anyway... But you haven't answered my question." He let his hand from my left arm drop. "What did you say to Manny when he asked you if you liked me?"

I can only lower and shake my head side to side at him. "I only told him to fuck off. I am not some damn fucking whore who would try to swoon some damage person into having a relationship with." I lifted my head back up to him. "I'm not that kind of person that would do that to anyone who is under that martial status, otherwise people will think of me badly. I rather stay away from their business..."

"Then why did you say you felt bad for me?" Boone added. "And why decline the offer of caps that I was going to give you? Are you trying some way to use or manipulate my psychological damage?"

My eyes widen. "Fuck, no! I would never stoop down to that kind of level!" I clenched my teeth, almost felt them grind upon contact, but I eased myself with my head held low again. "No, Boone. Reason why is that I can never imagine losing someone that dear in the hands of the Legion for money. Just seeing that Bill of Sales that Jeannie May Crawford have really hit me hard. And as much as I want the caps, but I rather let you have it. Trading a piece of paper for caps isn't right." I growled a bit, feeling like I should change the subject. "Maybe we should continue on our mission, Boone..." I began walking down to the foot of the stairs.

"Craig..." Boone spoke, making me stop at my tracks. I turned and see his face, but his sunglasses in his right hand. "Crimson, if you don't mind. I'd like to be called Craig. Boone is just my last name, and what the people in Novac call me." He clarified, his voice all calm and serene. His eyes, his cold but calm green eyes illuminated by the light from above us piercing directly at me.

I couldn't help by smile and nod my head. "Alright, Craig." Just the name I spoke just made me feel nervous, and at the same time made me calm than before. "I promise that when this is over, I'll make sure you won't be bothered any longer by Manny. Shall we head on to the basement?"

Boone- I mean, Craig- put his sunglasses back on his face and nodded. "Follow me. The metal door isn't that far from here." He descended down the stairs with me following him. Though it is great that we are being called by our first names and that our situations have been settled, but our companionship is temporary. Once everything is settled here, I continue on my journey solo.

-Craig-

I have no idea what is going on with me right now. I have never felt anything like this since Carla was still alive. What am I still thinking...this companionship is still temporary. I have nothing to do with her in my life. I heard a high pitch tapping sound bounced off the walls just as soon as we made our way through the hallway. I noticed a small bottle cap with a glowing blue star on it. I picked it up and put it in one of my pockets.

"What was that, Craig?" Crimson, from behind me, spoke after a short silence. I have her call me by my first name, since my last name has been overused by my higher authorities and the people of Novac.

I didn't have to eye her to answer. "Just a bottle cap, nothing more..." I spoke, monotonously.

"Okay..." She replied, being silent once again. Though, just having a small conversation with her tends to keep me calm, even the most idiotic ones that made me irritated. Of course, the only reason she is here is to get answers from Varges so she can continue her vendetta. Once that is done, we part ways and our lives continue as usual. But...someone is probably going to find Crawford's killer in a matter of moments, and they are going to suspect me as the murderer. Probably, if Crimson allows it, I can travel along with her. Of course, with what she told me, if she rather leave me alone, at least I know it is worth a shot.