Chapter 1: Carla's Favor

Character: Craig Boone, Manny Vargas, Ranger Andy, Cliff Briscoe, Carla Boone (Mentioned)

Word Prompt: Denial

TW: Drug Use, Self-Harm

Summary: An open door glanced at him. Carla still didn't want to go home.

Fallout New Vegas (c) Obsidian Entertainment

Gallows Humor: Carla's Favor (c) bruderup

The red pill was swallowed up, Boone laughed again.

Carla? Was kidnapped? Of course not! It might be that his wife was gossiping with Jeannie May. Talking about Manny's clothes, or the scorching heat, or Cliff Briscoe who often failed to sell dinosaur toys. For sure. She would come back again, wouldn't she? Sleeping next to Boone and complaining about her desire to move. Though this place was perfect for survival.

But Carla didn't want to come back yet. Boone sipped the liquor so much that his throat could no longer drink. Hot and burning and bitter. You idiot! Money should be saved! Having a child is costly, and Boone used it to get drunk. Carla would have been disappointed to see him this way, but it was her fault that she didn't come back.

Boone had refused to work for several days. More time spent with sleeping and crying and taking drugs. Usually Carla would cook his food before leaving. But now Carla was not here.

Cliff Briscoe came to his room in an evening which had a sparkling orange sky. Asking how he's doing, but not asking how Carla is. What was the reason Boone didn't go to guard their little town? He said that the Legion is starting to square off, plus the ghouls are still around.

Boone shook his head while laughing occasionally. "Carla's still not home, my good friend, so I want to wait for her at our home." The shop owner was speechless, let out a tired sigh before returning to Dinky the T-Rex. Offered him some help too in case Boone wanted a friend to talk to. No, Boone didn't need friends to talk to, all Boone needed was Carla.

And in fact, Carla still didn't want to come back.

Where is she?

Ah, she was kidnapped.

Of course not, you dumbass! Who wants to kidnap her? Carla might be gossiping with Jeannie May. Talking about Manny's clothes, or the scorching heat, or Cliff Briscoe who often failed to sell dinosaur toys, or childcare procedures. The old woman had grandchildren, surely Carla would learn from her.

But again, Carla didn't come back. Where is she? Pregnant women should not go far alone, poor fetus and their mother, they would tire more easily.

Should be more rest at home. In their lovely room.

Boone was unmoved in another room, head hurt and confused tremendously. The irradiated water had not stopped flowing, even soaked the floor. Hey, the bathroom glass is cracked! Hey, the water's changed color! Hey, a knife in the sink is bleeding! Hey, there was a small sharp shard stuck in his knuckle! Hey, there was a feeling of screaming pain in his right wrist! Hey, he's dizzy!

"Oh God, Boone! What are you doing?!" Ranger Andy stopped his actions and Manny Vargas screamed, pulling him onto the bed and forcing the exhausted body to sit up, a first aid kit filled with medicine and bandages.

Their faces were miserable.

An open door glanced at him, Carla still didn't want to go home.

"Manny."

"Yes, Boone?"

"Where's Carla?"

No answer, either from Ranger Andy or Manny. Boone looked at his wrist which was now covered in a clean bandage. Ranger Andy did have excellent medical skills. The pain doesn't want to stop, he must take the red pill again.

"Just sleep, ok? Take a rest."

Like keeping a baby, Manny pulled the blanket over Boone's body. Turned off his room lights and made sure everything is safe. Drugs, liquor, knives, and even firearms stored in other places that were not reachable. A sad day made him tired too, slowly Boone's eyelids closed perfectly. Need to rest. Not working today.

The Ranger and the former NCR sniper closed Boone's door, returned to their jobs without saying anything else. This night was quieter than usual.