Reminder, I do not own Fallout, only my original characters.
The vault life. It was so simple. Great air conditioning, fresh food, Mr. Handy's to help you out. Anyone would wish for it. But sometimes you would feel closed in and trapped at times. That's what Phillip thought as he lived in Vault 37. He was your average bookworm, always having a book in his nose. A complete introvert so to say. Unless you had an outgoing brother like Dawn. "Dogpile!" Cried the brunette as he slammed into the blond. Phillip groaned out, glancing at his brother in irritation, who only grinned playfully. Then Phillip grabbed his book and proceeded to hit his brother who raised his arms in defense. "Alright, alright, I give! Mercy, bro, mercy!" The two were inseparable in their own way. Phillip and Dawn were the sons of Moira and Gregor Turner.
Today was a normal day. Lunch started as Dawn helped himself to his meal, Phillip having his nose in his book. His mother glanced at him, frowning. "Phillip, dear, eat before your food gets cold." Said blond nodded. "After I finished this one chapter, mom." He told her. She sighed out. Dawn raised an eyebrow. "Dude, if you're not gonna eat, I guess I'll help myself-" Phillip grabbed his plate and pulled it away from the brunette, narrowing his eyes. Dawn raised his hands in defense, showing no signs of theft. Gregor chuckled, getting up from his seat as Moira conversed with the other vault-livers. "I'm gonna go see if they have any more muffins left. I'll grab ya one if there's any." He then left for said muffin. As Dawn finished his food he cleared his throat, getting his brother's attention. "You up for some batting later? I think the game room's clear from the girls today."
Phillip thought for a moment, "Didn't we just do that yesterday?" He wondered, which Dawn slumped onto the table with a huff. "Yeah. It's getting boring here! There's nothing to do…" He whined out, making Phillip chuckle. "Well, we could always try the gamejoys?" He suggested. The brunette rolled his eyes, "Those are for babies." The blond shrugged, returning to his book. A couple of seconds passed before Dawn spoke up again. "Ever wonder what's outside?" Phillip looked up from his book, blinking at his brother. Dawn was only an infant when he came into the vault so he's never seen the outside before, and Phillip was only three when he came, so he also didn't know. "We've been told that we're better in here. Not to worry about what's outside." Dawn raised his head, eyes gleaming bright.
"Think of it, dude! It's gotta be better than in here! I mean, what's worse than being here?" He asked, making his brother think for a moment. Meanwhile, in the entrance area of the Vault two vault scientists along with the overseer conversed over reports. "Everything's in order?" The overseer asked, which the female scientist nodded. But as she went to speak a knock interrupted them. The overseer glanced at the vault door then to the scientists. "There's no one outside, right?" He asked. Another knock erupted, then a voice came after. "Hello? Is anyone there? Can you open up?" It was a female voice. One of the scientist's eyes widened. "It sounds like a child." The overseer blinked as the knocking continued. He then snapped his fingers, "Open the door. Open it now!" The scientists rushed to the control panel, activating the doors controls as the door slowly opened.
As soon as it opened, an average sized German shepherd rushed in, followed by a girl in her mid 20's. It was Kareen, covered in dirt and cuts as she wore a black coat over her vault suit, in her arms was a sawed off shotgun. A small duffle bag hung over her shoulder. The three adults stared at her, slightly confused as there was a girl and a dog outside the vault. The overseer carefully walked over to her. "Hello, may I ask who you are?" Kareen looked at him, eyes unreadable. "Is Moira and Gregor here?" The overseer gave her a look. "They are indeed, may I ask why?" She put her weapon away as she glanced around. "I'm looking for them. There's something I need to ask them." With that the overseer saw the look in her eyes, the look of loss and mourning. He nodded, leading the way.
Back with the boys, Dawn had his head on the table again, only going on about what the outside would be like as Phillip listened as he read. But the moment changed as the overseer entered the room, a new face in the form of Kareen right behind him. Dawn's eyes lit up when he spotted her. He straightened up, nudging Phillip for his attention. "Dude! Dude!" Said blond glanced up. "Look!" The brunette pointed, which he turned to see said female. His eyes too widened, his mother too gaped at the girl. "There were more muffins!" Gregor said happily, late to the party as he noticed Kareen. "Who's the kid?" He questioned. Kareen's eyes glanced over to them, whispered to the overseer who nodded, then headed over to them. "Dude! Act cool, she's coming over!" Dawn whispered. "I can see that, Dawn!" Phillip whispered back through gritted teeth.
Kareen approached them, glancing at the two adults. "Are you Moira and Gregor?" Moira nodded, getting up and going over to the girl. "Yes. We are. You poor thing, you're covered in dirt… and cuts!" She placed a gentle hand on the ravenette's cheeks, who was unaffected as she continued. "My name is Kareen Banks. You lived across from me and my family?" Moira's eyes widened as Gregor laughed out. "Stephen's daughter! My, have you grown! How's your old man anyway?" Phillip and Dawn stared at her as she glanced down, eyes filled with grief. "I'm sorry… They're… They're dead…" Moira covered her mouth in horror as Gregor's face morphed to shock as he sat down. "My god… I'm… I'm so sorry kid." He placed a hand on his forehead. Both boys also looked in disbelief. Moira then looked at her. "Didn't Dahlia have another kid? The last time we saw each other she was pregnant."
The girl's shoulders shook as she clenched her fists. "Someone took her…" Moira gave her a comforting hug as she cried. After she calmed down, they sat her down as she explained everything to them. Gregor grew furious, Moira was heartbroken, and Phillip felt bad for her. Dawn however, was focused on something else. "I wanna ask something…" Kareen turned to him, nodding. "Sure." He glanced to where she came from then pointed. "Don't mean to change the subject, but… You… you were outside, right? You've been outside." Phillip stared at him. The brunette stands up, "So that means we can go outside, right?" The ravenette turns to Phillip, frowning. "Was he born inside the vault?" The blond shook a hand with a look. "He was a baby, so I guess?" Kareen nodded, turning back to Dawn. "I'm gonna be blunt here, you're better inside than out there." Dawn gawked at her. "Seriously? Everyone says that! It can't be that bad!" The female's eyes glared harshly at him.
"Yes, it is. It's a wasteland out there. No green unless you count the water from the radiation!" Her shout got everyone's attention. One of the girls with pink highlights, Sabrina, glanced over at her. "The hell do you mean?" Kareen turned to her. "It's bare. Hardly anyone but few that managed to survive the bombing. Not to mention the dangerous creatures out for human blood." She then removed her coat and uncovered her shoulder, revealing a large healing knife wound. "And there are people out there that have lost all sense of humanity, killing for sport." She covers back up, putting her coat in her arms. "Trust me, you're safer in here than out there. I have a reason to be out there. I have to find my sister." Sabrina rolls her eyes. "From what you're saying, she could already be dead."
A sawed off shotgun slammed onto the table near her, Kareen's eyes glaring harshly with rage. "No way in hell. I'm not giving up on her, I know she's out there." She placed the gun away, rubbing her shoulder. "It was getting dark, so I'm staying here for the night then leaving in the morning." Moira stood up, placing a hand on her shoulder. "If you need a shower, you can use ours. And we have spare mattresses, you can share a room with our boys." Kareen's eyes turned to said boys, which Dawn waved, and Phillip shrunk and flushed slightly. She nodded, "Thank you." Later after a long needed shower, Kareen had her hair in a towel as she sat on the extra mattress on the floor that was in between Phillip and Dawn's beds. The blond was sitting in his own bed, still reading. The door opened revealed Dawn, who walked in and jumped face first onto his bed with a groan.
The female looked up, glancing at the brunette. Then she looked away as she stretched out. Phillip's eyes shifted to the dog that lied down near the girl with curiosity. "What's with the dog?" He questioned, breaking the ice. Her brown eyes glossed over to him. "Found him tied to a telephone pole, near a police station. He might've been with the canine unit, I think. I'm not sure how the little guy managed to survive." She reached a hand to brush the soft fur on its back. "Only thing it had was a collar with the name "Percy". Decided to bring him along. Makes a good traveling buddy." A smile reached her features as she gazed at the sleeping animal. Dawn muffled something out, his face still planted in the comforter. The ravenette craned her neck to him, "What was that?" He raised his head, looking at her. "How long have you been outside?" His brother looked up from his book, nodding.
"I'm quite curious as well. You came in wearing a vault suit, so you were in a vault." Kareen shook her head. "Never got to experience it. I was frozen for a long time. I entered when you two were just learning to walk. So in other words…" She narrowed her eyes, "I'm a hella lot older than you." Dawn gave her a look. "How old were you when you went in?" She stared at her nails, not glancing as she responded. "20. So I would be about in my mid 40's." Both boys nodded at her. It went quiet afterwards. Phillip turned a page quietly, Kareen took her shotgun in her hands and messing with it. "... So you're leaving in the morning?" The brunette asked her, which she nodded. "Yup. I have a small lead to go on, so I gotta head out as soon as possible." Dawn blinked at her, glancing away with a strange look as Phillip noticed.
The next day came fast as Kareen stood at the vault door. She bid the overseer goodbye and thanks. Percy sat at her side, tongue out as his tail wagged happily. "Ready to head out, boy?" She asked, a bark soon after. She turned her attention to the vault door, but didn't move. "I know you're there… You two are not good at hiding." Her head didn't turn as both Phillip and Dawn poked out from behind the metal crates. "Come on!" Whined the brunette. His brother stared at him, "I told you this was a bad idea." He received a glare as Dawn walked up to the girl. She crossed her arms with a frown. "What are you doing here?" The brunette smiled at her. "I wanna come with." The girl blinked, "No." Dawn gaped at her as she turned to the vault door controls. "Hey! Hold on a minute!" He quickly stepped in front of her.
Kareen halted as he took a breath in, then exhaled as he looked at her. "Listen. I was born here. But I've read stories about the outside. The others may enjoy this life, but I can't stand it anymore!" He glared at the floor, clenching his fists. "It feels like I'm in a prison. Forever behind these metal walls as there is a world out there! Just waiting for me!" He threw an arm out to the door, "I can't just stay in here all my life when I know there's more out there! It's tearing me inside just thinking about it!" Phillip approached his brother. "Dawn…" The brunette turned to him. "You know I'm right, Phil! I know you don't want to have your nose in that book all your life!" He blinked, glancing down at the book clutched in his hand. His brother had a point. Dawn turned back to Kareen. "So take us with you!" Phillip raised a finger, "Dawn?" He was ignored as the brunette continued. "We'll leave a note for our parents! They'll understand!"
The ravenette raised a brow, "Why don't you tell them yourselves?" Dawn blinked a couple of times, before slowly turning to see both parents standing behind them. A pin could be heard from the killing silence as the boy swallowed nervously. "Mom… Dad… Hey, how are you…?" His voice cracked a bit, sweat rolling down his face. Gregor crossed his arms, straight-faced. Dawn let out a shaky chuckle. Moira let out a sigh, walking over to her son as she knelt down. "Dawn…" Said boy shut his eyes, waiting for her to finish. The woman stared at him as her expression turned soft with a smile. "We both know we can't keep you in here." The brunette opened his eyes as him and his brother stared in confusion. "W-what?" Gregor nodded. "I agree with your mother, you boys won't learn if you stay cooped up in here." Moira turned and smiled at her husband.
"We both had a feeling something like this might happen. But…" She turned her attention to the ravenette. "We know you would be in good hands." Said female let out a sigh. "I don't mind the extra weight, just as long as they agree to what they're about to do." She looked at both boys with serious and sternness. "Once you decide, there might be no going back. Are you sure you want to come with me?" Dawn turned to his parents, then to his brother who looked at the floor before looking up at him. Soon they nodded, turning to Kareen. "We're sure." The girl nodded. "Alright." She turned and pressed a couple of buttons, before the door to the vault started to open. As it fully opened, Kareen stepped to the edge of the exit and looked to them. "Need anything before you leave?" She asked. Dawn took this moment to rush out of the room for a minute, then came back just as quick. "Now I'm ready." The boys turned to their parents.
It was a brief exchange of tearful goodbyes. The two went to Kareen, before nodding and taking their first step out. As the door began to close, Moira hugged her husband sadly. "You think we should have told Dawn…" Gregor shook his head, frowning. "I sadly wouldn't have the heart to tell him. But I know one thing… I don't regret the day we first got him." The blond woman nodded, a tear escaping her eye. A vivid memory of them both holding an infant, wrapped in a white cloth as it cried washed over them. "Please!" A voice echoed in the memory, "He needs to get in! Someone please take him!" Both parents shared a tear as they exited the room.
The three stood outside the vault door, inside a cave entrance. Kareen took the lead as the boys followed behind. Light blinded their eyes as they exited the cave. Phillip and Dawn adjusted as their eyes widened. "Welcome to the Wasteland boys. Hope it's what you expected…" Kareen announced. Before them is what she explained exactly. The once lush green grass was dried up or void on the solid cracked earth. The water afar wasn't crystal blue but a foggy dark green. Trees were bare of leaves and about to die any second. The air was heavy and unclean. They have entered the Wasteland.
Welcome to the Wasteland, where the food is free and so are the bullets in your head!
I wanna add this, my characters' s.p.e.c.i.a.l. perk levels for reference.
Kareen:
S(trength): 8
P(erception): 8
E(ndurance): 6
C(harisma): 10
I(ntelligance): 7
A(gility): 8
L(uck): 9
Phillip:
S(trength): 5
P(erception): 7
E(ndurance): 6
C(harisma): 3
I(ntelligance): 9
A(gility): 8
L(uck): 7
Dawn:
S(trength): 10
P(erception): 5
E(ndurance): 7
C(harisma): 7
I(ntelligance): 3
A(gility): 8
L(uck): 6
