Water dripped steadily into a pool and a fire crackled happily nearby. The few voices talking nearby echoed. Ryleigh sounded amused.
"We found Little Lamplight. A town entirely of kids under the age of 16. I asked their 'mayor' about this, a boy of twelve named MacCready, and he said people change too much when they grow up, so they are forced to leave. And as much as I hate to admit it, they're doing a pretty good job."
Charon grumbled something next to her but she ignored him.
"They are living in some caves. They have semi fresh water, better than a lot of the wasteland, actually. They eat primarily fungus though they have scavengers who go out in search of other goods. They all have guns and are clearly able to use them. I watched an eight-year old nail a target with a revolver like it was nothing. Accounted for the kickback like a pro."
A young boy's voice was picked up for a moment as he yelled at someone. It didn't sound like he was really angry, just teasing and reminding people he called the shots.
"Hey, Princess, stop thinking about how dreamy I am and pay attention to guarding!"
Ryleigh chuckled as a girl's voice shouted a few insults back. The argument didn't last too long and MacCready could be heard laughing as he walked away.
"Charming kids."
Ryleigh sighed in mild annoyance while Charon grumbled again. They sat quietly for a moment before she spoke again. Her tone was somber.
"I warned them about going to Big Town. They didn't seem too concerned about it. One even said he would rebuild it when he got out there. Plucky bunch, I'll give them that."
"Hey, mungo! You done sitting around on your ass?"
MacCready shouted as he walked over to them. Ryleigh and Charon got to their feet. Ryleigh's voice was full of fake respect for the kid.
"Oh, of course. Your hospitality has been truly amazing."
MacCready sneered at her.
"Yeah, I bet, mungo. I said you could pass through, not live here. Time's up."
Ryleigh snorted a laugh while Charon continued grumbling. She called out for Boomer and the dog barked further into the city. She then turned her attention back to the mayor.
"You said you knew how to get to Vault 87?"
The bravado quickly left his voice as he took a step closer.
"Yeah, I do. It's through Murder Pass. Not a real safe way to go, but it's the only door that works."
Ryleigh paused, clearly trying to figure out if the kid was joking or not.
"Murder Pass?"
MacCready lowered his voice so none of the other children could hear him. The fear and concern in his voice was genuine.
"It's not safe, even for someone as brave as you. There's monsters back there. The big ones. You know, the ones that sort of look like people except they're all wrong."
Charon's grumbling stopped and Ryleigh took a half step back to look at him.
"If that's the only way, let's go."
MacCready sounded stunned by her response.
"You sure about that? It's scary in there. Even I don't like going there, and I'm really brave."
Ryleigh laughed and checked the ammo in her rifle and pistol. Charon could be heard doing the same behind her.
"I'm sure."
MacCready took a deep breath in and let it out in a heavy sigh.
"You're funeral. Come on. Let's go get the gate open for you, mungo."
He started walking away with Ryleigh and Charon behind him. Boomer ran up and joined them, barking happily and making the nearby kids giggle.
"Hey, Mayor, what's a mungo?"
MacCready answered smugly over his shoulder as they walked.
"You big people. You're all tall and clumsy. Bunch of mungos, and we don't need nothing to do with any of you! I could call you a shithead, but then all these other shitheads wouldn't know which shithead I was talking to. Shithead. So it looks like you're stuck with mungo, mungo."
Ryleigh chuckled. Charon's sigh could not have been more exasperated.
*Click*
