Chapter III

"We just have to get some ammo," Kaori explained as we began to ascend the staircase-like ramp to Rivet City.

"Why didn't we just stay here last night," I began, "instead of-"

"Well, if it ain't little Catherine!" chimed in a loud male voice, followed by booming laughter.

Drawing my shotgun faster than Kaori could react, I spun around on my heels and took aim at the source of the voice.

"Stand down, Charon," Kaori muttered, pushing the barrel of the shotgun toward the ground with one slender finger, her emerald eyes heavy-lidded in mock annoyance. The corners of her velvety amaranth lips curled up in amusement.

"Well," a second man said, blowing a cloud of smoke from between his lips and flicking a cigarette butt over his shoulder, "You have definitely grown up, Catherine... Filled out." He winked and turned to the other man, who just smiled and shook his head.

My fingers twitched in agitation and I pulled my combat knife from its sheath, "She isn't interested."

Kaori laughed coldly and snatched the knife from my grip at a nearly imperceptible speed, revealing a gracefulness that was previously absent. In one smooth, elegant motion, she pressed the blade to my throat and drew my body against hers. It seemed close combat was her specialty. She then growled close to my left ear and said, "I think I know threats when I see them, and I doubt my brother is one."

The smoking man raised an eyebrow, "Kinky." He blew a ring of smoke into the air, "Yeah, Mike, you're gonna need to keep me away from this girl when I'm drunk."

Kaori released me and returned to her usual bubbly demeanor instantly, locking eyes with Mike for a split second before rushing over and embracing him, laughing.

"Where's my hug?" the other man asked jokingly.

Kaori ignored the man and stared intently at her brother, her scarlet eyelashes sharply contrasting with her green eyes. An eerie silence followed, one that nothing dared break. The ramp beneath our feet didn't creak, the ship didn't groan, the wind didn't blow, all for what seemed like ages.

Mike's voice punctured the silence abruptly, "Why did you leave the vault?"

Kaori blinked and looked away guiltily, "Amata said she couldn't tug at her father's heartstrings to keep me safe anymore. Things in there are starting to fall apart, and they got worse after people saw I didn't leave with you."

"I see," he replied, running a hand through his dark brown hair. I noticed his eyes were identical to his sister's, the only evidence of their relation. He was rugged and scarred, tanned and muscular; she was tall and lean, soft and pale, scarless and pure. Then again, maybe he had been like her when he'd left that vault, too. It could have been years since then.

"Speaking of vaults," began the other man smoothly, blowing out a smoke ring and watching it float away, "let me introduce you to the man who helped your brother escape from one." He tipped his black cowboy hat gentlemanly as he continued, "Morgan Hollister, package courier."

"Kaori Vance," replied Kaori with a warm smile, fingering the strap of her satchel with both hands. She glanced sideways at me and jerked her chin toward Mike and Morgan. She wanted me to introduce myself, it seemed.

"Kaori Vance?" inquired Mike just as I'd opened my mouth," You mean Catherine Ryan?" He stepped over to me and placed a hand on my shoulder, "Sorry. Didn't mean to interrupt."

"Yes, Kaori," she said, her ears and cheeks reddening, becoming a slightly lighter shade than her hair before biting her lip and adding, "And this is my friend, Charon. I bought his contract yesterday, and although I don't agree with this sort of thing, I have my reasons for buying it... And changing my name as well."

Mike gestured toward the creaking, rusty ship before us, "Let's go inside. Seems we got some catching up to do."

Kaori and Mike walked off ahead of Morgan and I, although we followed close behind them.

As we entered the ship and began to descend the staircase to The Muddy Rudder, I clenched my fists and felt a flash of anger jolt its way through my body. It was hard not to noticed the absence of ghouls in Rivet City. At least, it was hard for me not to. The humans probably didn't even give it a thought. It's not something they usually care about.

Mike opened the door and led his sister in, before stepping inside himself.

Morgan put a hand on my shoulder and stopped me before I could go inside. He looked at me seriously, "I have to ask, is she your girl? I noticed the way you look at her and, well, I'm not stupid. What's between you two?"

I blinked, feeling the familiar pain in my chest that hadn't shown itself since I was human, "She is my employer," I began, the feeling intensifying until it was a thick, aching lump that occupied the entire center of my body, "I am contractually obligated to protect her through all forms of danger, and to obey her wishes. That is all."

It was a good lie, the sort that was nearly impossible to see through. Of course, most of it was true, but I'd protect her even if my contract was still in Ahzrukhal's hands.

That was a better lie, because for a second, I had believed it myself.

That crumpled piece of paper was my soul, and I HAD to listen to its owner, regardless of my emotions.

Morgan shot me an unconvinced look, then shrugged and walked into the bar. I followed behind with a bored sigh. When I took my seat, the one on Kaori's left, Morgan patted my back before taking his own seat across the table from me, "Sounds like you could use a few rounds on me."