The harsh sunlight is almost enough to send Jayden back into the safety of his home, but he knows that he can't take the easy way out. Not this time. Not when the safety of Amata is on the line.
Even before his eyes adjust to the light he can hear the panting. With a kind smile he looks down, and there, as always, is his trusty sidekick, Dogmeat. He's told the dog at least a thousand times to leave, but Dogmeat just keeps coming back. At first Jayden wasn't sure what to make of his new pet. It was just another mouth to feed. But eventually, the dog found his way into Jayden's heart, and now they're inseparable.
"Hey boy," Jayden whispers, scratching Dogmeat on the neck. He stares back with intelligent and wary eyes. The poor beast has been through hell, and Jayden wonders if it's time to leave him behind. The journey back to the vault won't be an easy one. As if sensing his thoughts, Dogmeat barks enthusiastically, as if saying, "I'm good to go!" Jayden smiles and raises, but not before giving Dogmeat another friendly ruffle.
"We're going to go see and old friend Dogmeat. And yes, you can come, so stop giving me that look! It worked when you were a puppy but now it's just awkward," Jayden says with a grin. In response Dogmeat gives a long sorrowful howl, but retains a knowing smirk. Sometimes the dog seems more human than everyone else in Megaton.
Jayden laughs, something that hasn't happened in awhile. He hasn't even set foot out of Megaton and already he's beginning to feel changed. Beginning to feel like his old self.
Just as he's about to leave Megaton, he hears a voice call out from behind him. "Jayden! We have something for you!" With a sigh, Jayden turns around, trying not to roll his eyes. Time to accept another box of cereal or something, just great, another thing to weigh him down.
To his surprise the girl isn't alone this time. Standing beside her are Moira and Walter. The girl's holding something behind her back. All this time and I still don't know her name, Jayden thinks to himself.
"The people of Megaton have all chipped in to get you this," the girl declares, and holds out some sort of device. It's a metal frame with a circular attachment on top.
Walter beams and Moira runs up to hug Jayden. They still think of him as Megaton's saviour, something that he hasn't been for quite awhile.
"That's great and all, but what is it?" Jayden asks, trying to get out of Moira's grip. She's surprisingly strong for someone her size.
"It's a recording device. Moira and I spent the last couple weeks making it for you, to help you outta your funk," Walter explains.
"It's made to fit your Pip-Boy!" Moira bursts in, unable to control herself. Excitedly, she grabs Jayden's arm and motions for the girl to fit the recording device on. A quick snap and it's attached to the Pip-Boy, looking as if it had always belonged there.
"So? What do you think? It's great isn't it? We spent so much time on that thing, you wouldn't believe it! Walter took a bunch of scrap metal and I took some computer components and we made that! Isn't it great?" Moira exclaims, fumbling with the Pip-Boy.
Jayden winces and tries not to strangle her. She might have good intentions but she's still annoying as hell. "Just hold still Jayden, I still need to adjust some things..." Now she's pressing up closer and closer, and finally she's hit a nerve.
"Get off me!" Jayden yells, pushing her away. In one quick motion he grabs his shotgun from its holster and aims it at Moira. Dogmeat growls at Jayden. Even the dog knows that he's done something wrong.
Frowning, Jayden lowers his weapon and turns away. There's no excuse for what he did. What scares him is that he was seconds away from murdering her. He's spent enough time in Megaton. The residents are starting to get on his nerves, and Jayden just isn't sure if he can control his temper any longer. It's only a matter of time before another accident happens, and this time he might not be able to cover it up.