A/N: Ok, so we all can agree that Fallout 76 was crap. So, what I'm going to do for this story is, I'm going to create a story with original characters and other things like that. The only thing that isnt mine in this story is the world of FO76. Thank you for reading.

Brian's POV

It's been a few days since I stepped out of the vault. The landscape I once knew like the back of my hand has changed so much. But I still must press on. I've seen no one for the passed few days. This place seems so, barren. There are barely any good resources, and most of the animals have changed, I'm guessing because of a 20 year radiation bath. There is still some levels of radiation out here, but none that will be lethal right now.

In the distance, I see a structure. It looks like a small shack with some plants growing around it. I decide to go towards it since, it is getting dark, and it looks deserted. As I get closer, I see a light coming from inside the shack. There are some lit candles inside there, meaning there are, or have been people here. I dont know why, but it fills me with hope knowing that I'm not the only one who found a way to survive the nuclear fire.

As soon as I get close, a man with a sawed-off shotgun comes out. "Hold it right there friend. That's far enough."

I put my hands up and I say, "I'm sorry sir. I was just looking for some shelter for the night."

He says, "Well, you should probably move on. We don't need anybody coming up here stirring up trouble."

I say, "Please sir. I'm not looking to cause trouble. I just need some place to spend the night. I'll even sleep on the floor."

A woman pops up from inside the house. "Come on John. Are you saying we can't let the man just spend the night?"

John looks at the woman and says, "Abigail, we dont know this man. What if he..."

John is interrupted by the sound of cars coming to a halt behind me. Out of these cars come men in armor seemingly made out of spare parts. I back towards the house when I see the mounted turrets on the back of two of the trucks. I go to pull my gun and John stops me. "If you try that, they'll kill all of us."

The leader calls out to us, "ha ha, look what we have here boys. Our favorite family of nobodies. How's your boy? I was sure he'd pull through ok. even after we beat him near to death."

John clenches his fist. "What do you want shithead?"

The leader comes up to the house. "Now, is that any way to talk to the people who protect your home from those who would seek to take it from you?" He shakes his head at them. "For that, I'm gonna need twice our usual protection fee."

John says, "We dont have that many goddamn caps. We need more time. I haven't had a chance to go into town and sell the crops. If you give me a chance, I can have your caps by next week."

The leader says, "Hmmm... I dont know if I can do that Johnny boy." He reaches passed John and Grabs Abigail.

I immediately point my gun at him. "Let her go!"

He looks taken back, "And who the fuck, may I ask, are you?"

I say, "None of your goddamn business. Now let her go. You'll get your money."

He says, "you must be fucking blind or stupid. You are outnumbered friend." I look behind him to see every gun pointed at me. I lower my weapon. He nods, "Now, that's more like it." He turns back to John. "Now, I think I'm gonna take the little jewel with me. And you. You are going to get me my money, in five days. Or else, we will come back and I will kill her the same way I killed that boy of yours." He turns to me. "And you. You are lucky that I dont blow your brains out on the spot, but, I like to see myself as a decent, reasonable man. You get the fuck out of here and dont let me see you again." He turns to John, "Five days." He goes to his cars and he yells, "Alright boys, let's roll it out!"

They speed away taking Abigail with them. John goes back in the house and punches a wall, "Goddammit!" I stand in the doorway. He looks at me, "You. I need your help. I wont be able to get those caps in five days. The trip to town alone takes three."

I ask, "who were they?"

He answers, "Goddamn raiders. They come every month. They demand that we pay them for their protection. One day they came and we were short. That same man, beat our son Jack, within an inch of his life. Jack died soon after they left that day. And now I fear that, the same might happen to Abigail if I can't come up with those caps."

I say, "What do you need me to do?"

He looks at me and says, "Thank you sir. They have a base that is 12 hours due east of here. I need you to go, and scout out their base, find where they're keeping her, and, if you can, save her."

I say, "I'll see what I can do."

He says, "Thank you sir. You can stay here for tonight. Rest yourself for the journey."

I nod and I thank him. I go into a spare room that he showed me. There, I sleep until morning.