Edited: 10/5/2015, 12:42 a.m.

Uptown is not a kind place.

I thought it would be a little bit better ya know, seeing as all the assholes lived here, but it seems to be worse.

You have to traipse around on this rickety ass walkways and get glared at by mountains of slavers. No one is friendly in the slightest except for this one guy named Rex that really wants me to buy this sniper rifle.

"Come on, just pulled it out of some scabs hand."

"Yeah dude, I can still see his finger on the trigger."

"Oh shit," he flicked it away and I watched it fall down into a puddle below; Genevieve snickered beside me. "Now what do you say?"

I chuckled a little. "Look man, I'm just here to speak to Ashur."

He seemed to realize the seriousness and straightened his back; I didn't fail to notice the way most eyes turned on us. Genevieve didn't tense at my side, but I tensed at hers. Didn't like being the center of attention, out just a little bit of pressure on me, ya know?

"You're the one that won in the Pitt," Rex muttered skeptically, cautiously.

I nodded, my fingers twitching towards the gun on my hip; I missed the pistol I came out of the Vault with. It was always there, practically dean to my thigh while the rifle was always out of reach now. It was on my back now, thanks to Alexander and Charon retrieving it; can't forget Rex, who pointed it out to them. Well, not this Rex because he was a total, annoying and instant asshole.

"Yeah," I murmured.

"Heard you're a fresh scab," his eyes ran up and down over me. "Usually fresh scabs die the first hour."

I smirked a little. "Well, I'm not the typical scab," I growled. "Now get the hell out of my way."

He grumbled away, snatching a beer from the table and I didn't have the heart to tell him I saw a cigarette butt floating in there. But he didn't seem to mind, seeing as he swilled it down with a smack of his lips. I just wanted to get the hell out of there, so I climbed up as far as I could. Looking around, I saw the ridge of what I figured was Haven - Midea said it was a tall building with a man's face and a clear courtyard - so I nodded and continued to move forward, hopping down the ramps.

"You're handling this all like a pro," Genevieve commented, her rifle cradled in front of her.

I shrugged as we bounced along past the slavers, taking in each of their glared and even lustful glances. "I'm used to assholes groping me or hating me, glaring at me - its my element," I snickered.

Genevieve chuckled and I grinned, inhaling sharply when I saw the proud building of Haven clear view. I was nervous, but also a little excited to see that this would be over. But I was cautious because things just didn't go by this smoothly and I was just waiting for the shit to hit the fan.

And then I ran into a woman with purple hair. As I bumped into her, she sneered and raised a rifle to my face. Genevieve didn't even lift her gun, but I fucking wanted to. Instead, I curled my hands at my sides and waited for the worst.

"Fuckin scab," she growled, pressing it into my forehead. "I will fucking kill you."

I growled that time and raised my left hand, knocking the heel of my hand into the side of her head. Genevieve made an oooo noise behind me and a smirked as the slaver bitch stumbled and eventually got wrapped up in her own legs, tumbling to the hood of the trailer we were walking down. Several slavers around us snickered and whooped, hollered; it almost made me smirk.

"Fuck off you slaver bitch," I stomped away as she stood.

I knew that was a bad move, thinking she would attack, but she never did. I didn't even feel the thrill of someone standing behind me. I guess this Ashur guy told everyone he really wanted to see me, or she was so tweaked out she had already forgotten me. I know I made quite the impression whenever I volunteered for the role of scab fighting. I didn't think I made that much of an impression.

"Kid," Genevieve clasped a hand on my shoulder. "You have got some balls."

I didn't notice what we was walking under until I realized there was a person shaped shadow in front of us. I froze, hands splayed at my sides and I took a few steps back, looking up. It was made out of copper and metal pipes, twisted and welded together into a faceless slave tied by ropes. My eyes wavered and I stared at the intricate designs painted on the surface, my brow furrowing. What were these markings?

I shook my head, deciding against examining it for now and continued up the steps to Haven; two slavers were talking to the right of the door and when they looked at me, I saw they were twins down to their armor. Same faces, same hair color and style, same piercings in their face, same weapons in their hands.

They sneered at me in unison as I slipped through the doors and I was mildly surprised to find that air was blowing from the vents above my head. "Aw yeah," I groaned. "That's the good stuff."

Genevieve chuckled, but it wasn't her voice that followed.

"Yes, its pleasing isn't it?"

I looked over at a young Asian woman. She was dressed in a pristine white lab coat, a tattered black dress under that and she wore old, chipped heels. She had her hands folded in front of her, like Old Lady Palmer used to stand and I felt a twinge of nostalgia. I smiled gently and dusted my hands off against my shirt - of course, it didn't do a lot of good, I was covered in blood and dirt.

Genevieve bowed her head a little as she let the woman pass, looking away and I found that very strange.

"Hi, my name is Nevaeh," I held out my hand.

The woman took it without protest, gesturing for me to follow her towards a large staircase behind her. "My name is Sandra, it's a pleasure to meet you. Ashur is really excited to meet you. Said you put up quite the fight in the Pitt."

I chuckled and stepped into the elevator with her, Genevieve at my back; something felt weird about this. "Not more than anyone that goes in there," I was proud my voice didn't shake.

"Oh no," she smiled quite sharply. "He said there was more of a fire in your eyes than like the usual brew."

Good, I was hoping to make an impression. I wanted him to know that I was the one that killed him, the woman he was so interested in, the stranger, the outsider, the one that he just let so willingly into his home. The one that came in and took away all of his work, his cure. But I wouldn't say anything, I was going to place nice and be the honored girl that came from his slums. I had played the part of perfect child most of my life, I could play perfect adult for a little bit.

When the doors to the elevator opened, slavers looked over at me and Sandra with sneers, one managed to pull Genevieve away from me and the way she looked at him, I couldn't even protest. They cradled scoped assault rifles in their hands and wore thick padded armor; one of them wore a helmet with a filter on it. I didn't look a single one of them in the eye, but I didn't make it obvious that I was avoiding their gazes.

The smaller I looked, the less of a threat I was and they wouldn't see me slip out of the building once I had the cure in my hands.

"Ashur, darling," Sandra smiled as we broke into a wide room. "Your champion is here."

There was a man standing behind an old desk, patchy power armor on his frame. There were deep scars running in the steel and on one shoulder was the skull of an old Brahmin. He looked away from an angry slaver, one that just grumbled his way out of the room and left us to our business. I stood on the opposite side of the desk, back straight with a small smile on my face.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ashur," I managed though I wanted to slit his throat.

He smiled widely and Sandra left the room. "Finally, someone with manners and not a single sore on their body," he shook his head. "I usually get junkies, it's disgusting."

Good thing I had ignored that flask of Alex's, I would have come in here wasted. "I agree," I shook my head. "That was why I wanted to speak to you, I heard of your cure and wanted to know if there was anything I could help with. My father was a scientist, a very good one. Taught me a lot."

Ashur clapped his hands together. "That is excellent, just excellent," he seemed like he was going to jizz in his pants. "Would you care to follow me then?"

I gestured for him to go first. "After you," you go Nevaeh!

He nodded once and I followed behind him as he led me through the doorway Sandra had disappeared through. The hallway was dimly lit, at the end I could see bright fluorescent lights burning, the close we got I could hear the whir of engines and was once again reminded of home. There, machines ran day and night. The water filter, the air conditioning, the heater, oxygen filter, televisions, radios - too much shit. But, now that I've been in the silence of the Wasteland, I wish I was back there. I had too much time to think and silence made you crazy.

But I've always been crazy.

Stepping into the room, I could smell how clean the air was compared to even the Vault and then saw Sandra, waving slightly while she wrote something down on her clipboard. She smiled and waved, putting down her notes and approaching Ashur. She placed a small hand on his right shoulder and pushed up to kiss his cheek before she walked over to a small pod. After she typed in a few numbers, it popped open; I was expecting a hiss and steam but I guess we can't always get what we want.

"This is my daughter, Marie," Ashur introduced the bundle in Sandra's arms.

The baby was beautiful.

Dark hair, pale skin and she was cooing gently.

I blinked slowly, stunned by her beauty. I didn't think a baby could be this pretty. . .hell, I didn't know there were babies in the Wasteland; then again, where would everyone come from? I heard Sandra and Ashur chuckle and looked up, feeling truly sheepish.

Then the baby opened her eyes.

They were large and a pale, pale blue, like her mothers.

"She's quite the sight, isn't she," Sandra cooed, rocking her arms.

I swallowed and smiled, nodding. "Yeah, she really is."

Ashur cleared his throat then. "This is our cure."

The air in the room grew tense and it felt like the breath had been snatched from my lungs. "Wh-What?"

Sandra nodded grimly. "Yes. . .our daughter is immune to everything. She heals like a ghoul. We believe our daughter can. . can save the world."

I looked to Sandra, saw the fear in her eyes. For her daughter. For the people she was trying to save.

"That some kind of special baby," I muttered, at a loss for words.

Ashur smiled. "Now that you've met what we're trying to protect, I would like to have a word with you."

I nodded numbly, smiling at Sandra before I followed Ashur back into the main room. He stopped behind his desk, back to me while I stood off to the side.

Do it now. . before it's too late. . .

My fingers twitched towards my rifle but I couldn't find myself doing anything.

He turned to me with a serious face. "I believe you have met our mutual friend, Werhner."

I tensed. "I. . .yes. . ."

"And what did he offer you?"

I swallowed thickly. "The cure. . .he offered me money and other things for the cure."

"But. . .?"

"But," I was shaking. "I thought it was going to be a simple vial, maybe some notes. . .but now. . .it's a child. . ."

"And you can't take it," there was amusement in his eyes, amusement for what he thought was my weakness.

I shook my head. "No. . .no I can't."

He nodded slowly. "Well it seems that we have come to an agreement."

"And what's that," I hated how small my voice was, defeated.

"That Werhn -"

"Boss!"

Ashur grit his teeth, raising a finger before he turned to the intercom behind him. "What is it," he growled into the speaker.

I heard a gunshot, but outside the doors. "The workers, they've turned. They're headed for Haven!"

Ashur growled and pulled the rifle from his back, turning to me. "You stay here, I have to go handle this."

"Sure you don't need help," I'll do bad things.

He shook his head. "I don't want you run off by these vermin. Stay here, protect my daughter."

He loved his little girl.

I'll do bad things.

"Yes sir."

I was numb, watching him and his men file out of the room.

When the doors closed, I turned to the hallway, approached Sandra in Marie's room. She was working on some sort of machine, Marie was tucked away in her crib again. I swallowed thickly, putting on a smile that would fool anyone.

"Hey," Sandra looked up, smiling till her eyes crinkled in the corner.

"Oh, hello Nevaeh," her brow furrowed as she stood straight. "I thought Ashur was talking to you?"

I sighed. "Slaves are freaking out," I rubbed my arms, putting on a sheepish smile. "Do you. . .do you mind if I hold the baby? I've never seen one before. . ."

Sandra smiled proudly, putting down the wrench she had been using. "Well of course," I watched her wash her hands and she walked over to the crib. "Should've asked if you wanted to hold her before I closed her up but Ashur was in such a hurry to speak to you."

I didn't say anything, just watched her press in the code. I looked over to the many bottle of formula and closed my eyes, my fingers curling at my sides. When I heard the crib pop open, I smiled at Sandra, who cradled her baby so gently in her arms. She passed her to me and my arms fit awkwardly around Marie, but I managed. Once I got situated with her I smiled, rubbing a dirty thumb across her right cheek.

"Hello there baby," I muttered in sorrow.

Sandra smiled, folding her hands in front of her again. "You're a natural," she chewed on her lip for a moment. "Would you like to feed her?"

My heart picked up its pace. "Uh. . .yeah."

I'm gonna do a bad, bad thing, Sandra. . .

Sandra smiled again and turned, walking over to the formula. I watched her mix it for a moment and then shook my head, pulling Marie's face a little closer to my chest. She looked up at me with such wide eyes; it was like she was some sort of alien. I shrugged my gun from my back and aimed it at the back of Sandra's head, closing one eye before I pulled the trigger; Marie didn't even squirm, didn't make a damn noise. But Sandra did. She let out a strangled cry and crumpled to the floor like a rag doll, a smoking hole in the back of her head.

My hand shook for a moment and then I heard the pounding steps. I twisted to the door, ready to fire, when I saw it was just Charon and Alex.

I let out a strangled sob, shaking and letting my rifle clatter down to the floor before I rushed into Charon. He grabbed me, Alex smoothly coming in to slide the baby from my arms and I let myself lean into Charon, gripping his armor tightly. Genevieve was there, talking to Alexander and going through the room in a flurry; her cheeks were red.

"I did the wrong thing, Charon," I sobbed, hearing Alex rummaging around the formula bottles. "They loved their baby and I -"

"It doesn't matter now, Nevaeh," Charon whispered against my hair. "We got the baby, it's over."

Was it? We got the cure, but could I really hand the baby over to Werhner, let him experiment on her?

"Get the crib," I managed, standing on my own feet but wobbly. "Put her in it, lock it, I know the code. Alex - you carry her. Charon - you guard him," I picked up my rifle. "Gen, guard me."

Alex did as I instructed, Charon on the other hand stared at me in confusion. "We are bringing it to Werhner," he repeated.

I rocked my jaw back and forth, Genevieve sweeping in front of me; her rifle gave soft puffs as she took out the turret in the corner of the main room.

"I know what I'm going to do with her," I murmured.