September 21st 2076

Charon

I am woken by a loud scream. I sit up quickly from my bed grabbing my gun from the side. There is nothing in the room. For a brief moment I think I have dreamt the scream and move to go back into bed until Anna begins to thrash widely, it is evident she is having an intense nightmare. I slowly walk towards her bed and gently shake her arm.

"Anna ?"

Her eyes snap open and my wrist is twisted so quickly I don't have time in my semi sleep state to react. I am thrown to the ground and feel a cold sharpness against my neck. I look up to Anna straddling my chest, she blinks twice and her mouth forms a small o. I don't think of the fact she's in an over sized shirt that has slipped over her shoulder and I try not let me eyes scan the smooth legs by my chin.

"Good morning to you too"

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry."

She quickly jumps off me and holds out her hand to help me up. Instead I pull her back down releasing a quick giggle from her and sit her down on the floor beside me. There is some questions I need to ask.

"I was taught that when I was 8" I mention to her.

"You taught me when I was 19."

I sit thoughtfully and run my hand through my hair.

"Why would I teach you that Anna ? That's more than just normal defence."

"A week before we met I was attacked..."

I hear bones click as my fists clench.

"I was so naive and traumatised that I hardly slept. You taught me so that I would sleep better knowing that I could defend myself. I think it was one of the big indicators to you that I had no idea how to survive out of the vault."

Anna laughs lightly bringing her knees to chin. She looks at me puzzled.

"Charon ? What's wrong ?"

I didn't realise my face has portrayed anything but internally I was reeling. She's from a vault. It explains so much that I've wanted to know and so much that I don't want to hear.

"You're from a vault."

My voice sounds strangled. Anna frowns then quickly throws her hand to her mouth.

"I didn't mean to... I just."

"The bombs fall."

It's not a question. It's a statement. There is only reason the vaults would be populated and there is only one reason why people would come out and be 'attacked.' Especially when they end up meeting someone that doesn't have a vault space. I work out that there must be at least a 20 year gap minimum between now and Anna meeting me. If I meet her at 19 it means she isn't even born yet.

"Tell me everything."

"You said you didn't wanna know anymore future stuff." She speaks quickly and looks at me with wide concerned eyes.

"This is a bit more important that 'future stuff."

She hums slightly and plays with the hem of her night shirt. I can tell she is debating what to do. Eventually she sighs and clasps her hands together.

"What do you want to know ?"

I think quickly. I can ask about my life, our life or what happens with the bombs but instead I think it's more logical to get the whole story.

"Tell me your story. In order."

She nods slowly.

"You sure ?"

"I think so."

"I was raised in Vault 101..."

"The one down by Springvale ?"

"Yeah. We were there because outside was apparently unliveable , it is don't worry it just takes some time. It was all due to the Great War. When I was 19 my dad left and the vault didn't take to that too kindly. So I was kicked out into the Wasteland and left to fend for myself."

She pauses and makes a gesture which implies she's open for questions.

"When is the Great War ?"

"October 23rd 2077."

I hear my pulse increase and sit staring at the floor. We have just over a year left before everything is fucked up. I wonder if I want to hear more but conclude I am already in deep enough that I might as well get my bearings.

"How many die ?"

"Billions."

"Fuck" I clench the back of my neck with hands and rock slightly. Anna gently touches my knee and her face is full of concern.

"I'm sorry I shouldn't have told you."

"It's okay I asked. Keep going."

"The Wasteland is cruel and dangerous but there is potential for so much more. When we meet we kick some serious ass."

She gives me a small smile and rubs her thumb soothingly on my knee.

"How do we meet ?"

"The Museum of History becomes a home for many...people." I notice her slight hesitation at the word. "A woman named Carol tells me to buy your contract when she sees the bad shape I'm in. She knows I need to be protected and trained. So I do."

"You become my contract holder ?"

The statement is so bizarre I hardly believe it. I have never been instructed by a woman before and certainly never bought off. All previous contract holders meet their end.

"I still am up till the moment I came back here."

I do not know how I look at her but her lips part slightly and she wraps her arms around my neck resting her chin on my shoulder. I still continue with the words I was going to say.

"Am I ever free of it ?"

She leans back and holds my face with a comforting smile and strokes hair away from my forehead.

"The last order I ever gave you was free will."

I close my eyes and relief washes over me.

"Thank god."


Anna

Charon looks like a puppy. His eyes are sad and lost and I just want to hold him. I feel terrible for telling him all of this and giving him a huge burden but at the same time it is a relief to have him closer to my Charon, someone I can confine in with no more secrets.

"Do you get my contract from The General ?"

His voice is so hopeful it breaks my heart and all I can do is shake my head sadly.

"Who then ?"

I am still holding Charon's face in my hands and looking into his vulnerable eyes. I can't do it. I can't tell him about Azrukhal.

"It doesn't matter."

He frowns and pushes away slightly "of course it matters. Who is it Anna ?"

"A bar owner."

"I don't do bar work. I'm for combat purposes only."

"You guard the bar."

"That sounds extremely boring."

I snort slightly at this. Charon has used many colourful words to describe his employment to Azrukhal but 'boring' is just so childlike and simple I can't help let out the sound of amusement.

"You said Nale was one of the nicest I ever had. What's the bar tender ?"

The worst. He will make you do things so horrible you have nightmares. He will have you in slavery for 2 centuries filled with pain and solitude. Your employment to him rivals your training in hardship.

I didn't realise I had started crying until I felt Charon's thumb brush my cheek.

"That bad ?"

It saddens me that Charon isn't being sarcastic or humorous. Yet again he's been able to absorb so much from no words. I don't reply I simply sit looking at his somber face and try to stop myself from tearing anymore.

"I can handle it."

He gives a firm nod and I smile slightly. He will handle it but he still has to go through it.

"I won't tell you about him or what happens." My voice breaks and I have to cough to clear it "but no matter how bad things get, just remember this. You take your shotgun and you shoot him in the head. Twice."

Charon smirks " I can handle it."

I place my chin on his shoulder again and bring myself into a tight hug. I want to protect young Charon so much from the pain he is about to endure. He will have to witness rape, put innocent people down and even kidnap others. Charon's first words to me were far too light. Azrukhal was much much more than just an evil bastard.

"How long do I have to endure it for ?"

I don't know what to say. I can't lie and say a set number of years when he's going to yearn for that year to come and when it does and I am not there it will just devastate him. I can't tell the truth and let Charon know that he has a long time to wait. Especially without revealing that he becomes a ghoul.

"Anna. Please tell me the truth."

I am beginning to panic and Charon holds my shoulders and gives me a gentle shake.

"Tell me.

The urgency in his voice scares me.

"200 years" it's hardly a whisper and I'm horrified that it even comes out of my mouth.

"That's impossible."

I don't reply. I can't and he understands all to well that with my reaction I am not lying.

"Anna no human can live that long."

He shakes me harder.

"Tell me !"

"Human. No human..."

"So what I'm not a human. You're not making any sense."

His look is bordering panic and aggression, his hands still squeeze my shoulders tight.

"The bomb...it causes radiation. Some people have adverse...effects."

"So I become what ? A monster ? Some radiation product."

"No. Charon you are not a monster don't you dare."

I can't help the tears that fall as I try to get Charon to calm down.

"What am I !?"

"Charon, please."

"Tell me !"

He shakes me hard and it begins to send a searing pain to my fingertips.

"They call it a...a ghoul. It just makes you live a lot longer."

Charon stares horrified.

"Ghoul sounds a bit more dangerous than immortality Anna."

"You will lose some hair, skin. It exposes muscle. You are still you and that is the you that I know and CHOOSE to stay with."

I move to comfort him but instead I am pushed away as Charon rises from the floor.

"Even death can't put me out of my misery. I thought that I had 40 years of putting up with this contract if even that. Now I know I have 200 fucking more years of following orders and I become some kind of monster !"

Charon roars and water glasses that had been sitting delicately on the table are launched across to the wall.

"I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have said. I'm sorry. Charon please listen."

I know I am sobbing. I know I probably look weak and pathetic and I can't believe that I was so selfish to tell him.

"I think I've heard enough of your story Anna."

I look up in time to see Charon stomp out of the hotel room with a slam of the door and then I am left alone.