May 1st 2277

Anna

I've been outside for almost 2 months and everything still terrifies me. I have no one that cares out here, no one to help me. I've lost the only thing that I can call 'home', they don't want me anymore. Every lead I have for Dad ends up passing me off to someone else. To say I'm frustrated and exhausted would be an understatement.

I want to go to sleep and open my eyes and be home. Not out here, home.

I thought I could trust the people out here. The residents of Megaton seemed nice enough but last week proved how drastically alone I am out here. I was attacked by a group of raider, I think they're called, and now every time I close my eyes or try to sleep, I hear their howls and taunts.

I want to go home.

I'm currently in the metro station. If my Pip Boy is correct I should be somewhere near the Museum of Technology.

I take a deep breath and head out onto the ramp. I can hear the assault rifle rattling in my hands.

Stop shaking.

What I see only terrifies me. Yes the Museum is there but in between us is trenches filled with super mutants. I take in my options, I can walk away tell Three Dog exactly where to go and be nice and safe in my Megaton shack. That leaves me at a dead end with finding Dad.

I take a deep breath. I never was one for thinking of my choices. Just as in about to take the sprint of life a bullet hits two meters from my feet. I turn sharply holding my gun to where I think it should go.

"I think you should get some help before you do that Tourist."

It's a ghoul with reddish hair and she is giving me a knowing smirk. For some reason I instantly relax. She walks forward and I lower my weapon.

"Where would I find that ?"

She grins at me.

"Behind me, Underworld. I think you'll find the hired help inside."


Charon

Anna once gave me a look of sheer emptional pain. It was when I had first met her and asked who she was. I did not understand it at the time. Now I can only understand that pain. There is nothing like looking at the person you love and they have no idea who you are.

Anna looks at me quickly then quickly down to the floor as she walks past. No emotional reunion. No exchange of words held in for so long. Just a quick glance, with fear in her eyes.

It is taking every ounce of my control to stay against the wall. This Anna is pale, smooth and littered with purple to yellow bruises. Fresh. She has no defining scars that I can see yet but I know where they will appear eventually. This Anna is brand new, timid and small and I now see why she needed my help.

I listen very closely to her footsteps, loud and distinct, I apparently teach her stealth too. I clench my fists as Azrukhal greets her. I suddenly have no problem breaking the contract if he tries to touch her.

I strain to hear what they are saying then the words "caps" and "deal" reach my ears.

I smirk slightly to myself as I try to casually load two shells into my shotgun. I know exactly where these are going.


May 6th 2277

Anna

Charon is a big guy. I have to tilt my neck to look up at him clearly even then I don't think he's entirely comfortable with the eye contact. He doesn't talk much but I don't mind. It's just nice to know that someone is watching my back.

I like him.

He doesn't ask me to do any ridiculous favors or tasks. He doesn't look at me like I'm a complete idiot who stumbled from a vault. He just gets on with things.

We're currently in the Metro heading back to Three Dog.

"Charon ?"

"Yeah" his rough voice echoes in the tunnel behind me confirming he's still there.

"Just checking."


Charon

My exterior is calm but my insides are screaming. Anna is simply a few feet in front of me. I could easily reach out and touch her, but I can't.

General Nale had kept the formalities of the contract informal outside of war zones and meetings. This allowed me to leave with Anna and talk freely to her. Anna does not understand the contract she currently poses. She has not given me any clear orders other than to watch her back. With the transition of a new contract holder the rules have changed once again and now I am in stuck in combat mode as if in default setting.

She turns around to look at me and my heart sinks. She is my Anna and even after 200 years of waiting I cannot do anything but watch and wait. She gives me a small frightened smile and quickly turns her attention to the front again.

I know that soon she will work out the complications of the contract. I will be able to speak as I wish do and as I wish but for now I wait as I walk behind her.


May 8th 2277

Anna

The raider is slamming my face into the ground. Dirt fills my mouth and my screams become muffled. I'm trying my hardest to fight back but I can't. I can't fight. I don't know how. I scream as loud as I can. Someone will come help, won't they ?

I launch myself off of the bed I was apparently just sleeping on. My skin is covered with sweat and my throat feels hoarse. I panic turning around to find the raider. I need to leave.

Strong arms grab my shoulders and I scream again once more.

"It's me. You're dreaming."

I focus my eyes and look up into Charon's concerned face. Oh. I was having a nightmare. Suddenly I am mortified and try to wriggle free from his grasp.

"I'm sorry. Go back to sleep. It's stupid."

He gives me a strange almost sad look then turns to leave and I find myself grabbing his wrist.

"Charon ?" I don't even know why I'm bothering. I'll get a one word reply. "If we were attacked by raiders, you would be able to fight them off wouldn't you ?"

"Yes."

I knew it. He's not exactly the master of conversation but I got the answer I needed. I let go of his wrist and stand waiting for him to go. "This is about the attack isn't it ?"

I am stunned by his question.

"How did you know ?"

I notice his throat as he swallows before replying "just a hunch."

I sigh and drop down onto the corner of the borrowed Galaxy News bed.

"I was attacked not long before I met you. Raiders. I had actually walked up to them believe or not, thinking they could help me." There are tears in my eyes and I feel stupid for letting Charon see me like this. "Silly girl. They threw me about. I was asking for it I guess. I went to them."

I hear a small crack as Charon's fists clench.

"Nobody asks for that."

I wipe the tears from my cheek and give him a small smile. As much as I like Charon's silence it's nice to have someone to talk to. I watch curiously as he bends one knee to crouch in front of me.

"You needed help when you went to them. Thats all you wanted. If you need help all you have to do is ask."

For a brief second I don't understand then I realise what he is doing. Previously I had went to the wrong people in my naive ways. Advice is not given freely in the wastes. You will be made to work or do terrible deeds before information is passed. Out in the Wasteland there is good and bad but there is also those in between. I have watched in horror as Charon ripped the head from the shoulders from a feral ghoul and filled a super mutants chest with slugs but he is good man and I know what I must do.

"Help me...survive... out here."

He nods with a slight smirk and I feel the slight change in our companionship.