Quick Note: Chapter contains mentions of a sensitive topic. I've had people complain on other websites about different stories where I didn't put a warning, and they got all mad at me.
Then again, if you have any grudge against what I'm about to discuss, why are you even reading this story?
Chapter 5: Three's a Crowd
~Mei's POV~
I dunno what possessed me to steal Charon's contract. I had asked about the guy when I was drunk, and old Az had been willing enough to share the information with a drunk. I remembered that he said he had it locked up in a special safe underneath his bed. I was pretty good at picking locks, something that I had picked up back in the Vault, so it was pretty easy to break in to it once everyone was asleep. Either Charon didn't notice me, or he pretended not to. Once the contract was in my hand, I had read it over and confidently walked up to Charon. He eyed it before waking up old Az. He tried to hide when he realized what was about to happen, but it was inevitable.
This probably wasn't my best idea, but Kari was the smart one, not me. Charon was still easily the best shot of us three, and I was surprised that Kari was able to take his gun away yesterday. Probably he was surprised that she had the nerve to stand up to him while completely sober. It probably did a number on his pride after that happened.
We soon found the Museum of Technology. It was infested with Super Mutants and, to my disappointment, turrets. Hikari had found a couple terminals and hacked into them. She discovered that she could turn the turrets off and save us the ammo if she was able to access them before we came across them. Charon and I took out the Super Mutants, as Kari was more in the way than a help with them. When we had the opportunity, maybe Charon could teach her how to shoot better.
When we entered a room, the ancient pre-war exhibit activated. I jumped, and Charon shot at it, but it kept going. Charon muttered something about it attracting Super Mutants. We continued down the hallways, and I could see that a wave of nostalgia flowed over Kari as we watched the Vault exhibit, though I ignored it. I was glad to be out of there.
After fighting our way through some more mutants, we found a door, but it was locked. No problemo for Super Mei.
"Cover me," I said as I took a bobby pin from my hair and my screw driver from of my pip-boy.
I could hear gunfire as I worked on the lock, and Kari let out a frightened squeak as she began to shoot her gun. It wasn't until Kari actually screamed until I turned around. Charon had slumped to the ground in front of Kari, a few bullets through his leg and left shoulder. I dropped what I was doing and finished the other mutie off before he could reload.
"Charon, I'm so sorry," Kari whispered as she pulled out her first-aid kit.
She began to make quick work of removing the bullets after she shot him with two rounds of med-x. She stitched the gushing holes up as fast as she could. I was amazed by her speed and precision. I guess working alongside dad kind of did that to her. I was also surprised that she didn't flinch as she worked. Every time she had seen blood, she turned paler and shook slightly, but I don't think she ever really noticed. She shot him up with a few stimpaks before he was able to walk on his feet again.
"That should hold up until we get the satellite and back to Underworld, but I want Doc Barrows to take a look at it and fix it up," she stated. "If you need, we can stop so you can sit in some irradiated water once we leave."
He nodded, and I wondered where Kari had received her knowledge of ghouls. She knows all of this stuff that I don't, and I was jealous.
We had soon found the stupid satellite for Three Dog, along with some pre-war holotapes. Kari stored them in her pip-boy, and I took the satellite. You wanna know the only thing that smells worse that a Super Mutant? A dead and rotting one with missing body parts, that's what. I covered my nose as we left, but Kari had a bad time ignoring the smell. Her face turned pale again, and then slightly greenish. I prayed that she would be able to keep herself together, for both of our sakes. I felt slightly proud of her when we made it out, everything still in our stomachs. We began to head back to Underworld, but only after Kari told Charon to sit and soak in an irradiated puddle.
~Hikari's POV~
While Mei tried to pick the lock, Charon and I watched for Super Mutants. I was pleasantly surprised at how good Charon's aim was, and his gun was more powerful than any other I had seen in my short time in the wastes. Well, besides the Fat Man, I guess.
I jumped in surprise when two Super Mutants attacked us. Charon quickly took out one of them, but there was no cover. I saw the bullets fly towards me. I closed my eyes to prepare for impact, but none came. I opened my eyes and saw Charon fall to the ground in front of me. I was shocked. Charon had just shielded me using his own body and seemingly no care for himself. The only people that I knew who would do that would be Mei and Dad. I guess I didn't realize how much of a hold his contract had over him. I screamed, and that was when Mei turned around and disposed of the second one while he reloaded.
I bent down to try to save Charon. I had seen my dad fix up a cut that I guessed to be a foot long when one of the Tunnel Snakes thought it would be funny to sneak up and scare Old Lady Palmer. That didn't end to well. I had helped him restrain Wally, who was freaking out. I had also fixed a few minor ones that needed stitches when both my dad and Jonas were gone.
I pulled the bullets out of Charon, whose breathing was slowing down. That caused me to go faster. When that was done, I sewed them up.
Once we got everything we needed, we headed out. I spotted a puddle in a hole nearby. I guessed it to be about three feet deep.
"Charon, please sit in the puddle to heal," I requested. "It'll make you better faster."
"Yes, Hikari."
I didn't really like how formal he was being, but I had given him free speech. It was up to him to use it, and, I think, it was only a matter of time before he took advantage of the freedom I had given him.
After resting for a day in Underworld, we headed to the old, decaying Washington Monument. I was kind of excited for the trip.
"I read about the Washington Monument in one of those pre-war books back in the vault, and it apparently was a monument to the first president, George Washington," I stated. "Its construction had begun in 1848, and it was open to the public in 1888. 40 years exactly. How they managed to build it back then is a mystery to me, but it's amazing. It towers over the Wasteland and withstood the bombs that had dropped not too far from it. While everything else around it remains almost completely uninhabitable, it's still standing, tall and proud. Like I said, pretty amazing. It's approximately 555 and a half feet tall and composed of marble. On the very top, it's believed to say, 'Laus Deo' on the top, which means, 'Praise be to God,' in Latin. It's probably worn-"
"Kari, zip it," Mei interrupted.
"Sorry," I muttered. I had a habit of regurgitating all of the facts that I had read when I got excited. I think someone back in the Vault called it, "Word Vomit."
There were Brotherhood knights guarding the monument. They had a terminal hooked up to the gate that barred us out of it, but they opened the gate from the terminal after we explained our purpose. They didn't trust Charon, though, and told us that only one of us could go up.
"You go," Mei stated. "You're better with computers and you seem so excited about it."
"But I hate heights!" I exclaimed. "You do it!"
"Come on, Kari. You can do it."
I felt the blood drain from my face.
"B-but-"
"Mist- Hikari, I believe that you would regret not being able to go to the top, from the sounds of things," Charon interjected.
"Yeah, but not as much as I'll be frightened," I said.
He gave me a glace that I read to say, "You'll regret it."
I sighed and took the dish from Mei. Gosh, she was strong. That thing weighed too much. I managed to get inside the building, shaking not only from the strain, but from fright. I had acrophobia, which I had discovered back in Megaton when climbing up those scrap metal walkways, and the crumbling building was no better.
There were no stairs in sight, so I entered the old elevator that appeared to be in working order. I pressed the button to go to the top, and the doors shut in front of me. The elevator screeched and groaned into life. I leaned against the side and hoped that nothing would give way, causing me to plummet back to earth. I sighed in relief when the elevator dinged and opened back up. I cautiously stepped out. I saw in the corner across the room my reason for going up there. The old satellite dish was shot with many holes on the old machine. I unhooked it, but the weight made me drop it. It fell all the way down to the ground and shattered into a million pieces. I stared at it for a while, hoping that it wouldn't be me that fell next.
I swallowed hard and took the new, heavier dish out of my pip-boy. I held it in my shaking hands before leaning out of the window to place it in the old hook. I tried to hook it, but I was shaking it.
"Mei, I can't do this!" I shouted.
I could barely see her, Charon, and two other knights by the gate.
"Yes, you can!" Mei shouted. "We believe you can!"
"No, it's too heavy! I can't fit it into the slot, and I'm shaking too bad!"
"Kari, remember what this is for! You can do it!"
She was right. I had to do this, for Dad. We had to find him, and Three-Dog was the one with the information we needed. I steeled myself before reaching out farther. The satellite still wouldn't reach. I reached out farther and farther until it hooked, but I was out too far and lost my balance. I fell forward, tumbling out the window. I think I screamed, but I don't really remember, as I blacked out.
~Mei's POV~
I saw Kari lose her balance as she placed the dish on. She let out a shout, and all I could do was stare in shock as she plummeted towards the pavement below. I ran forward, but I knew I wasn't fast enough. All I knew at the time was that I had to somehow get to my sister before she hit the ground. She was the only one that really loved me out in the wastes. She was too close to the ground for me to catch and I prayed that she would somehow be okay.
That was when I saw her fall right into Charon's arms. He dipped slightly; I think it had something to do with stopping momentum. Her eyes were closed and her mouth was slightly agape. I wasn't even aware that he had run ahead of me, but I was glad he did.
"I-is she okay?" I questioned.
He didn't pay attention to me and set her on the ground. He placed the side of his head where his ear should have been on her chest, then sighed and nodded. Good. She would be okay. She worried me.
"We should make camp until she wakes," Charon stated in a gravelly voice.
All I could manage was a nod. He led us into a nearby underground tunnel and switched Kari into one arm, pulling out his shotgun with the other. He killed the radroaches and ferals before I had the chance to. We stopped after we were a ways into the tunnel and he set Kari on the ground. I sat next to her, waiting for her to wake up.
"I'm going to find things to make a fire. Don't let anything harm her," Charon said.
I nodded, unable to think of something to say. I was running low on ammo, but I knew Kari had plenty and wouldn't object if I borrowed some if needed. I shot a few radroaches before I reloaded with my penultimate magazine. I hoped Charon would be back soon.
"Mei?" I heard Kari call in the darkness.
"Kari? Kari, I'm right here," I replied.
"Mei, where am I?"
"We're underground," I stated. "Charon has gone off to find some things to make fire."
"O-okay," she said in a soft voice, which echoed off of the walls.
Not quite soon enough for me, Charon returned with a pile of old wood. He placed it next to Kari, but far enough away that she would not be harmed by it. He knelt by it and took two weird items from his pouch on his pants. He banged them together, causing sparks to fly off of them. The wood caught fire almost instantaneously. The small tunnel was illuminated and I saw just how scared Kari was. Apparently, she had a fear of the dark as well as heights, because she relaxed slightly when the light appeared.
"Flint and steel," Kari said. "I'm surprised that it survived the war."
Charon nodded. "I've had them since before the war."
"You're that old?" I questioned.
He shot me what I think was a glare, but then again, he might just look that way. Whatever. He turned his attention to one of the radroaches that had been shot and he began to pull off its shell thing. Kari would probably know the right term. He then gutted it, stuck the edible pieces over the fire, and held them there for some time. I guess he didn't know that we had real food. Whatever. If he wanted to do that, then let him. It saved us food.
When the meat was cooked, he handed a piece to each of us, but Kari claimed that she wasn't hungry. She was probably too sick to her stomach and scared to eat.
"Please, Hikari, you must eat something. We need you healthy for tomorrow."
She shook her head.
"Kari, if you wanna make it back to Three Dog to get the information, you need something in your stomach-" she opened her mouth as she was about to say something- "And don't say that you aren't hungry because I know you too well. The last time we ate was right when we arrived back at Underworld yesterday. Eat."
She frowned, but took the portion from Charon. She nibbled on it before I began to eat mine and Charon his. I had never had radroach before, but it tasted rubbery and bland and a lot like old feet. Dad had tried to make some after our tenth birthday, but he muttered something about still tasting too bad and threw it away, telling us that he wouldn't feed us anything he wouldn't eat. Well, times had definitely changed since then. I could see why he wouldn't let us try any then.
We ended up spending the night in the tunnel before Charon woke us up the following morning. I didn't really like him, but I didn't like people in general. Still, he had saved Kari twice, so that made him okay in my book.
In the morning, we headed over to the metro tunnel that took us back to GNR. Everything in there was dead, but Charon was on constant alert. He killed a single radroach by the time that we had made it out of the tunnel. By the time we reached GNR, there had been no other attacks or threats of any kind.
~Hikari's POV~
We finally made it to GNR. I was excited to find out where our dad had headed next, but I was kind of nervous, too. We also had some holotapes of music that I had already recorded in my pip-boy to trade for caps. We climbed to the top before coming across the disc jockey. Charon, to my displeasure, received many looks of distrust and loathing from the knights. Were ghouls really that disliked by people?
"Well, well," Three Dog said. "Welcome back. I've been receiving more and more listeners, according to my charts. I take it that you guys got the new dish installed. You guys want the information now?"
I nodded.
"Well, he said he was heading to Rivet City to meet up with Dr. Li. He needed to know if it was still around, so he stopped in to check in with me. Nice man, he is. I hope you two turn out just like him."
"Thank you," I said. "And we have a few holotapes."
"Great, great," he said. "Let's see them."
I pulled them out of my pip-boy and handed them to him.
"Wonderful! I'll give you... Five hundred for all of them."
"Done," Mei said.
Three Dog went to the back and came back with a sack of caps and a smile across his face. Mei grabbed them and stored them in her pip-boy.
"There are only four hundred in there," she said as she stared at her screen.
"Well, your device must be mistaken," he said.
"These devices are probably the most advanced pieces of technology out here in the wastes," Mei stated. "And we had a deal. 100 more or I blow your head off."
He glared and frowned, but went into the back room with another sack full. She put them in and nodded. There was no cheating Mei out of anything, but I noticed that she was becoming more violent with each passing day.
"Good day," Mei said before we headed out. "Well, to Rivet City next?"
"I'd actually like to go see Gob and deliver a message from Carol to him," I said. "We can head to Rivet City after."
She sighed, but agreed.
"Are you going to join us, Charon?" I asked.
"If that is what you wish."
"Charon, I want to know what you want," I said.
"I want whatever my master or mistress wants."
I sighed, but wasn't about to fight him over it. Let him be.
"If any time you wish to leave, just let me know and you'll be free to go."
"I do not wish that."
"Very well."
Mei had already started to head over to the other metro station and Charon and I quickly caught up before heading in. As we passed through the room that the three of us had killed all of the Raiders in, I fought the urge to vomit. Even after having been exposed to that kind of stuff before, I still hadn't gotten over it. I felt as though I was about to pass out. I could feel my knees give out from under me, but a strong pair of arms caught me and lifted me back up. I muttered a word of thanks, but Charon kept walking, me in his arms.
"You can put me down, now," I said.
"You are slowing us down," he said in a monotone voice. "It would be in our best interest to travel like this for a while. We will arrive faster."
True, I wasn't the most in-shape person, but I didn't need to be carried. Things went by us faster, and my pip-boy said we would arrive to Megaton in a few hours. I hoped that Charon would put me down, soon. I felt as though I was a useless and helpless little girl; just a hindrance in their path.
After an hour or so, we exited into the sun. It was beginning to fade, but there was enough light out for a couple more hours. It was then that Charon put me down and pulled out his gun. I pulled out mine and crouched down like Mei and Charon had done. They began to fire and I went up and activated V.A.T.S. Time slowed as the green flowed over my vision.
I looked at our targets. Five Raiders and two dogs. Mei was working on one of the dogs and Charon had almost taken out a Raider. I focused on the other dog, figuring that it would be better to take it out quickly. I shot in slow motion, the blood flying everywhere as the bullets sprayed through its head. It slumped to the ground, and I ducked back down on the stairs, using them for cover. I poked my head and gun up, shooting a Raider in the leg, causing him to fall over. Charon finished him off with a shot to the head. I finished my magazine off on the fourth Raider, and Charon blew apart the final Raider.
I had received no injuries, but my companions were not as lucky. Mei had run out of ammo and taken a couple hits to the shoulder. She shot herself up with some med-x as I tended to the wound. Charon had gone a short ways away to heal himself in a puddle.
When we were ready, we set off towards Megaton. I couldn't help but smile as the giant scrap-metal town came into view. I began to run towards it since my pip-boy indicated no threats nearby. I could hear Mei and Charon run behind me.
We approached the gate as the sun was just a sliver on the horizon. I was excited to be able to sleep in an actual bed, even if there were no blankets. The only thing they had were sheets, and that only does so much.
Lucas Simms gave us a funny look as we entered the town and approached us.
"The ghoul is with you two?" he questioned.
"Yes," I said. "He is completely harmless unless someone poses a threat to any of us. He's like a mercenary."
"Very well, but the other residents probably won't take too kindly to another one of his kind being here," he replied. "And I can't stop people from being prejudiced."
I nodded. If anyone tried to harm Charon, I had a feeling that they would walk away with a missing limb. I could tell that Mei was thinking the same way, but she smirked.
Gob greeted us with a smile, but then noticed Charon and frowned.
"Welcome back kid," he greeted, never taking his eyes off Charon. "It's good to see you in one piece."
"What's wrong, Gob?" I questioned.
"Him," he replied, still eyeing Charon. "You got his contract?"
"Yes, I do," I stated.
"Least he won't harm you," Gob said with a sigh before looking at me. "You're still as pale as usual. No burn, tan, or anything. You been inside this whole time?"
"Pretty close to it," I said. "I spent a lot of time in Underworld or underground in the metro stations. By the way, I talked with Carol."
His face lit up and he cracked a smile. I forgot just how much I had missed Gob.
"What did she say?" he asked.
"She said that she loves and misses you, but it's much too dangerous for you to leave here, what with all of the Raiders and Slavers."
"That's great," he muttered. "Anything else?"
"No, that's it. She was really happy to hear from you, though. She's very kind and sweet."
"Well, thank you," he replied. "I just wish I had something more to give you."
"I don't need anything other than a long rest in a bed. Where's Nova?"
"She's upstairs with a client," he sighed. "She's been up there a long time, so she should be down soon. Anyway, how did you get Charon's contract off old Az? He'd never let it go."
"I stole it," Mei stated. "Wasn't that hard. He told me exactly where it was, broke in later that night. I had found a stealth boy on a Raider that had fallen off of a roof and used it to sneak past Charon and into his private quarters. When I showed the contract to Charon, he blew the old guy's head off. I have to admit, that was pretty good."
Gob stared in disbelief, but shook his head as though to clear it and said. "Serves him right."
"Awwoo! Hey there Capital Wasteland! This is Three Dog and you can heeaar me! I know some of you may be thinking, 'How can you know that, Three Dog, when you're up in your fancy radio tower?' Well, I recruited the saints from one-oh-one to fix my satellite dish, and now I'm broadcastin' to you stronger than ever! If you're listening, kids, thanks. This is Three Dog, bow-wow, bringin' you the truth, no matter how bad it hurts! And now, some music!"
I had completely forgotten about that, and noticed just how clear it came in now. There was a ton of static before and it faded in and out.
"You guys are the ones who fixed it?" Gob questioned.
"Obviously," Mei stated. "Didn't you hear Three Dog? Kari nearly died because she fell off of the top of the Washington Monument and because she was almost shot down by some mutants when retrieving the dish."
Gob seemed shocked and turned to me. I nodded and felt my face heat up. We fell into an awkward silence before Nova came back downstairs.
"Hey, kids," she said in her deep, warm voice. "Welcome back. Need anything?"
"A room," I said. "We've got the caps for the night."
"Great, I'll go get your room prepared."
She left us and headed back up the stairs and into a different room than the one she came out of.
"So, how long are you two staying?" Gob asked.
"I dunno. Probably after tomorrow," I replied. "I was hoping to find a way to make some more caps and stock up on more supplies. We're running low on stimpaks."
"I can sell you a couple cheap," he said in a low voice. "Twenty five caps each."
"Great. We'll have 398 left after the room, so we'll need about two-hundred for supplies, which leaves us with 198 caps. How many do you have?"
"Five," he replied. "Moriarty likes to keep some on hand to sell."
"Great. I'll take them all."
He nodded and pulled them out from underneath the counter. Mei paid him the one-hundred and twenty five caps before he handed them to me. He then stuck the caps in a register below the counter.
"Thanks, kid."
"I'll take a beer," Mei added.
"No, you will not," I stated. "Remember what happened the last time you got drunk?"
"Yep. You went crazy and we got Charon. Everything's okay now, though," she said. "You don't even remember going crazy."
"I said no," I replied.
"I'm the one with the caps, remember?" Mei pointed out.
I forgot about that. She was the one who had taken the five-hundred from Three Dog, and all I had were the leftovers, a measly sum of 18 caps.
"Gob, don't let her buy any," I pleaded. "She's a terrible drunk, and I really can't deal with her drunk."
"I'm sorry, kid," he replied. "Moriarty will have my head on a platter if I refuse a customer."
I bit my lower lip.
"Hikari, I may be of assistance," Charon piped up from behind.
"How so?" I asked.
"I can hold her back and prevent her from drinking. I was there the last time she drank, and I do not think it would be best if she did it again. It would only prove to slow us down."
"Mei, stop," I said. "I don't want to have Charon hold you back, but I will!"
"Kari, you're too nice," she said as she pulled out some caps. "Besides, we'll still have enough caps if I have a couple drinks."
"Mei, please," I begged. "Don't do this to me and yourself. Drinking can destroy you! You could become addicted, it can destroy your liver, it can cause your blood pressure to increase, it can lead to mental disturbance, and it can lead to heart failure, not to mention the fact that it can cause weight problems and regular stomach aches-"
"Fine! I won't drink! Just shut up!" she caved. "You're like a walking encyclopedia!"
It seemed that all of that reading useless books back in the Vault had come in handy. It was then that the back door had opened.
"God, you two sure know how to argue," Moriarty stated. "Find daddy yet?"
"No. He headed to Rivet City," I stated. "We're just waiting for Nova to finish up so we can rent the room."
"Who's that?" he asked, gesturing to Charon.
"That's Charon," Mei stated. "Don't mess with him or us, or he'll blow your leg off."
Moriarty eyed him carefully before saying, "Got a letter for you while you were gone, Mei. I'm not a postal service."
He walked forward and pulled the letter out of his pocket. Mei read it, and her face turned red before she crumpled it up and threw it into her pip-boy.
"The nerve of some people," she muttered.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Nothing of importance," she said. "Let's go pay Nova, now."
I nodded and followed her upstairs. Nova was just coming out of the room when Mei thrust the caps at her. We entered the room and sat on the edge of the bed. Charon stood there uncomfortably.
"Charon, we can all fit on this bed," I stated. "Come on."
He tried to get into bed with his armor on, but I asked him to at least take the top part off so he would be more comfortable.
"There may be danger here," he responded.
"There is no danger here," I said. "Simms wouldn't let anyone in he didn't trust. Plus, Nova, Gob, and Moriarty wouldn't let anyone suspicious in, or they would at least keep an eye on them."
"I'd rather not," he insisted.
"Fine," I gave in with a sigh. "I was just trying to make you more comfortable, but I guess not."
I rolled over into the middle of the bed and up against Mei. I could feel Charon shift into the bed, but he was laying on the very edge. I rolled over to face him.
"Charon, I want you to get comfortable, okay?"
"Yes, Hikari."
He just lay there, staring off into space.
"Kari, just leave him be," Mei said. "He'll be fine. He doesn't want you worrying about him and it makes him uncomfortable. He'll be fine sooner or later. Just try to go to sleep."
I decided not to argue and rolled back over after shutting off my pip-boy. I needed to sleep, and the sooner, the better.
~Mei's POV~
I read the letter, and felt my face flare up.
Beloved Mei,
I must beg your indulgence a little while longer. I am not yet able to send for you. Stay in Megaton. Once my business has concluded, I will send for you, and we will live happily as man and woman. The memory of your beauty and sweet aroma lingers in my memory...
Have patience my love. Soon. Soon we shall be together once again!
Your's very truly,
Burke
Honestly, who did he think he was, writing letters like that? He even misspelled a word. He put, "Your's," instead of, "Yours." Gosh, he was making me feel like Kari, knowing things that nobody else seemed to care about. He made me want to shoot him. "Happily as man and woman?" God, how corny.
"The nerve of some people," I muttered.
"What is it?" Kari asked.
"Nothing of importance," I replied. "Let's go pay Nova, now."
She nodded and followed me upstairs. Nova was just coming out of the room when I thrust the caps at her. We entered the room and sat on the edge of the bed. Charon stood there uncomfortably.
"Charon, we can all fit on this bed," Kari stated. "Come on."
He tried to get into bed with his armor on, but she asked him to at least take the top part off.
"There may be danger here," he responded.
"There is no danger here," she said. "Simms wouldn't let anyone in he didn't trust. Plus, Nova, Gob, and Moriarty wouldn't let anyone suspicious in, or they would at least keep an eye on them."
Yeah, right. How naive, my little sister.
"I'd rather not," he insisted.
"Fine," she gave in with a sigh. "I was just trying to make you more comfortable, but I guess not."
She got into bed and I could feel her warmth against my back, and I could feel Charon shift into the bed, but he was laying on the very edge. Kari rolled over to face him.
"Charon, I want you to get comfortable, okay?"
"Yes, Hikari."
"Kari, just leave him be," I intervened. "He'll be fine. He doesn't want you worrying about him and it makes him uncomfortable. He'll be fine sooner or later. Just try to go to sleep."
I felt her roll back over against my back, and hoped that we could all go to sleep. Charon was uncomfortable doing what he wanted. It was probably because he was so used to doing whatever his employer wanted for God knows how many years. It just became embedded into his brain, and she was going to be the one to break him out of it. She may not realize it, but she is sometimes even more stubborn than me. She was just a more subtle kind of stubborn.
We were so alike, yet so different. Even our names... My full name was Meimei, but I hated it. I liked Mei a lot better. Meimei and Hikari... Dark and Light. Haha, mom and dad. Haha. Kari was the sweet, quiet one that wanted to make people smile. I was more sadistic and couldn't care less about people. I don't care about people, and they don't care about me. It was a mutual relationship. Kari was the other way around. She cared, and so did they. We were just like our names, but we didn't look it. I had the blond hair and blue eyes and a light tan while she had the dark hair and eyes and was the palest person I knew.
I sighed and tried to sleep, but my thoughts kept falling upon a new thought... Whether I should disarm the bomb or not, whether I should listen to Mr. Burke's stupid letter, if Dad was still alive, how everyone was fairing in the Vault, but not that I cared about them. I was just curious.
It felt like forever until I fell into an uneasy sleep. When I woke up, I was warm and comfortable and I didn't want to get up, but I had to. I slipped out of bed and noticed that with my absence, Kari rolled over and clung to Charon. The ghoul had a peaceful look about him when he slept, almost a though he was human. Once Kari touched him, he flinched and woke up. The situation I found myself in was a rather awkward one, so I left to go and shower. Kari would be just fine if she was left alone with him.
The shower was nice and cool, and it washed away the dirt and grime I had attracted from the week that we had spent out there. Had it really only been a week? It felt like forever. I did the math in my head to make sure everything was right.
Day one, escape from the Vault and work in Megaton. Day two, head to DC, sleep in Metro Station. Day three, arrive in Underworld. Day four, spend the day in Underworld waiting to recover. Day five, install the satellite. Day 6, talk to Three Dog. Day seven, wake up here. Damn. It really had.
I sighed and got out not too much later. I was getting kind of high on the Geiger counter, and I didn't want to end up a ghoul. Kari had the rad-aways and I probably should have taken a rad-x, but I didn't want to wake her.
~Hikari's POV~
I woke up unusually warm, and I was quite content until I realized there was a person that wasn't Mei next to me. I guessed it was Charon, but his armor was gone. I could feel his pulse beneath his shirt that he was wearing and selfishly snuggled deeper, trying to stay comfortable until it was time for me to get up. I felt Charon stiffen under my touch.
"Miss Hikari, I think you should get up now," he stated.
"But I don't wanna," I said, still half-asleep.
"The rude one has left, to some other location," I heard him say. "You should get up."
"Alright," I said with a yawn. "I need a shower, anyways. And please, call her Mei."
"Very well," he replied as he stood up, taking away the warmth.
I sat up and stretched in the bed before getting up and heading out, Charon in tow. It seemed that he would follow me anywhere.
"Good morning, kid," Gob greeted. "Sleep well?"
"Morning," I replied. "'nd yeah, thanks."
"So, are you staying for another night?"
"Maybe," I replied. "It depends on if we get enough caps. Know any place that we could earn any?"
"I hear that Lucy needs a message delivered," he said. "You could check there."
"Will do. Thanks."
He nodded before Charon and I headed out to the bathroom.
"Charon, you can't come in here," I told him. "Why don't you go and look around or something?"
"I must not leave you," he stated. "I must protect you."
"Charon, I'll be right here. It's safe here."
"I will stand guard then," he said.
"Fine," I replied. It seemed as though there was no reasoning with him. "If you're going to be staying right here, will you hold my rifle?"
"You should keep it with you in case you are attacked," he said.
"Charon, no one-" I began, but thought of something else. "Why don't you fix it for my while I'm in the shower? You can stand guard and make sure nobody comes in, as well."
"Very well," he agreed. "But be quick."
I nodded before entering the bathroom.
I took a rad-x before I entered the recently used shower and let the cold water run down my skin. I shivered slightly and wished it was warmer, but I couldn't change things. I scrubbed myself down with abraxo cleaner, which was very uncomfortable, and rinsed off all of the dirt that had accumulated since I had left Megaton last. I hated feeling dirty, but when all of the water sources were irradiated, I had no choice but to bathe as little as possible.
I got out and dried myself off with an old towel I had bought from Moira for a couple caps the last time I was in Megaton. I then pulled out another outfit. I washed my under clothes and stored them in my pip-boy to dry and selected an old jumpsuit from the Vault to wear. I needed to have Moira fix my armored one.
I heard Charon rap on the door and tell me to hurry up.
"I'm coming," I replied before zipping up my jumpsuit.
I opened the door, and he handed my rifle back to me.
"Your rifle was nearly jammed, and I'm surprised that it hasn't broken yet. I was able to fix it, though."
"Thank you, Charon," I said. "I appreciate it."
He nodded and didn't say another word. We then decided, well, I decided, to go try to find Mei and see what she thought about delivering a message for Lucy West. It sounded like an easy enough task, but it depended on where she wanted it delivered.
I found her standing down by the bomb, staring in thought.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"Nothing," she said. "Why?"
"You look troubled."
"I'm fine. What're we going to do now?"
"Well, I hear Lucy West needs a message delivered, so I figured that we could maybe check it out."
She nodded. "After we stock up on supplies, though."
"Of course."
"Well, where does she live?"
"Dunno," I stated. "Somewhere here, I guess. If you want to do it, then we should go talk to Gob to get more information."
"Yeah," she said in a dead kind of voice. "That sounds good."
"Mei, there's something wrong with you," I stated.
She shrugged. "Nothing that I notice."
"Do you want to talk?" I asked.
She shook her head. "It's nothing, I promise. Let's go find this Lucy West person."
"Mei, there is something bothering you," I said. "You really should talk to someone, even if it's not me."
Again, she shook her head. "Nothing is wrong and I don't need your help. Let's go."
I frowned as she turned her back and headed up the hill to the saloon. I had no choice but to follow her. I couldn't make her talk to me.
"Hey, kids," Gob greeted. "What's up?"
"Where can we find Lucy West?" Mei asked.
"She's either here or at her house," he answered, "And she's not here. Her house is the one down to the right after you exit. She's tall and blond, though she usually has her hair up."
"Thanks," I said.
He smiled and nodded before we left. Her house was the only on to the right, so I knocked on the door. After a moment, the person in question answered.
"Can I help you?" she questioned.
"Are Lucy West?" I asked.
"Yes," she cautiously replied. "Why?"
"We hear that you need a message delivered, and I was wondering if we could be of any assistance," I said.
"That would be wonderful. Yes. I need a letter delivered to Arefu. It's not too far from here, but with the Raiders and other harmful creatures, I can't make it."
"How much will you give us?" Mei asked.
"Oh, I'm afraid I don't have any money, but my father will be more than happy to pay you once you arrive."
"Whatever. Where's the letter and where's Arefu?" Mei inquired.
I pulled my pip-boy and she showed us right where it was located.
"Not too far," Mei stated. "Well, all we need is the letter and we'll be on our way."
"Please give this to Davis or Matilda West, either of which will be more than happy to pay you," she replied as she handed me the letter. "But... try to stay away from my brother, Ian."
"Why?" Mei asked.
"Mei," I said. "Let's just do as she says and go."
Mei shot me a frustrated look before she turned and walked away. I was rather shocked by her behavior. She needed an attitude adjustment. I was just trying to help, and what went on in Lucy's family was her own business.
I sighed and stored the letter in my pip-boy before chasing after her. The walk to Arefu was quiet and uneventful, other than when we killed a few Raiders. I noticed that the normally quiet Charon was uncharacteristically loud as he let out string after string of curses while he blew the heads off whatever creatures attacked us. It was kind of... comforting, in a way. I don't really know how, though. Mei didn't even bother to aim her gun properly, and a bullet grazed Charon's shoulder. Nothing a bit of radiation couldn't heal, but it was still very odd. She was firing off randomly into the distance, claiming she saw a mole rat or something. But when we got closer, there was nothing there. Something was seriously wrong with Mei. I just wish she's let me know what it was.
Charon spotted a collapsed highway up ahead, and it looked like there was a settlement up there. We climbed up and over the decaying road and up the wooden planks. As we neared the top, a gun shot rang through the air. Charon had pulled me down quickly, covering my body his.
"What the hell!" Mei shouted. "I'm tired of people shooting us for no fucking reason!"
"Sorry!" an old voice shouted from atop the ruins. "Thought you were the Family. Hurry up and get up here!"
Charon pulled himself off of me and helped me up, but he walked directly in front of me, his gun at the ready.
"What the hell! Why did you shoot at us?" Mei scolded in a loud voice.
"Not so loud," he said. "We don't want them hearing you..."
"Great, another insane person!"
"Look, we've just come to deliver a letter for Lucy West to her parents," I intervened.
"Well, their house is near the back of the town, but be careful," he warned. "You never know when they'll strike..."
Mei rolled her eyes and strode away. As he said, their house was at the back of the village. I knocked, but there was no answer.
"Hello?" I called. "Mr. and Mrs. West?"
Still no answer.
"Just open the door, Hikari," Mei snapped. "It's not that hard."
I can't even remember the last time Mei had called me by my first name when addressing me. She had always called me Kari, even when we were little. There was definitely something wrong, and I would figure out what exactly soon.
She pushed by me and opened the door. I would have fallen backwards had Charon not been there to catch me. I muttered a word of thanks before following her in. The smell washed over me like a wave on a pre-war beach. It smelt of blood and rotting flesh. I back-stepped to avoid the smell, but Mei was indifferent to it.
"Hikari, you have to come take a look at this," she stated. "I can't tell what happened, and you're the medical expert."
I closed my eyes and nose to brace myself before stepping into the house. In the dim light of Mei's pip-boy, the mess didn't look as I thought it would have. I bent down to examine the bodies of Mr. and Mrs. West. The skin was covered in lacerations, and their necks had bite marks in them, but those wounds weren't as old as the other ones. They also had residue on them, which looked similar to the stuff they used to fuel trains back in pre-war times.
"Where's that Ian person that Lucy warned us to stay away from?" Mei asked. "His body isn't here."
"I dunno," I replied. "But it looks like someone tried to... eat them, and then suck their blood from their neck... But there is residue on them from a train yard... Let's go ask the guy at the front about this."
Mei nodded and we left the house. I took a deep breath of fresh air to clear my nauseated stomach.
"Did you find them okay?"
"They're dead," Mei said with a sour look on her face. "Well, the parents are. I don't know where the kid is."
"I examined the bodies, though," I stated. "It looks as though someone tried to eat Mr. and Mrs. West, and then drink their blood. It appears that there is some residue from a train yard. Is there anything like that nearby?"
"Y-yes," he replied. "The Family must be living in the old Meresti Station. My God, they must have killed them and taken Ian! Would you do me a favor and check up on the other residents? I'd do it myself, but I can't really leave my post in case they come back. I'm Evan King."
"I'm Hikari, and this is my sister, Mei, and our guard, Charon."
"Whatever," Mei said.
I knocked on the first door. A woman answered through a grate.
"Oh, who is it? Is this the mailman? I do love those home and garden magazines," she greeted.
"Um, no. Evan King sent me to check up on everyone," I replied as Mei went off to find another house.
"Oh, he's such a dear! Here, let me unlock the door for you-" There was a click before she opened the door- "I'm Brailee Ewers! Welcome to our home!"
"Brailee! What have I told you about letting people in!" a man shouted from inside the house. "Who the hell are you?"
"I'm Hikari," I stated. "Evan King sent me to check up on everyone."
"Pfft. Wonderful. I suppose he's still on the lookout for the Family. I guess he still doesn't realize that they only come at night. I'm Ken. Don't mind my wife. She's dumber than a bag of hammers."
"Pardon, but who are the Family?"
"They're a cult that comes here every so often and they try to kill us. They've already killed all of our Brahmin. What else is there to know?"
"Well, they've killed the Wests, so that's why I was sent," I stated. "It seems that you are safe for the moment, so I'll see myself out."
"Sure, leave," he said. "Just like everyone else."
I exited the house and met up with Mei, who had just checked in with the other resident, who was fine.
"Good to know everyone else is okay," Evan stated. "Now, I think the place you want is Meresti Station. It's northwest of here, about ten minutes away."
"Wait, why do we have to go?" Mei asked. "It's your problem, not ours."
"Mei, we have to deliver the letter, and it appears that Lucy's only relative left to take the letter is Ian," I replied. "We should go there."
"No. No way," she said. "You can go with your body guard. I'm going back to Megaton."
"Fine," I said. "If that's the way you want it, then so be it. Come on, Charon. We don't need her."
I was upset, but tore away from her and headed to Meresti Station. She left towards Megaton. Charon followed close behind me.
"It's not really my place," Charon said, "But I don't think that we should let your sister wander off into the wasted alone. It's not safe."
"I don't care," I replied.
Okay, so I did care, but I was too angry with her and I didn't know what her problem was. She wanted to be left alone, then so be it. I was going to help out the people of Arefu.
"I think you do," he stated. "You are angry and are letting your emotions get in the way of your judgement. She is hurt, and you know it."
"She won't let me in," I reminded. "I tried to talk to her, but she pushed me away."
"She is just as angry as you, as well as frightened and hurt by something."
I sighed. "You're right, but I need to help these people. I'll take care of it once I'm done here."
After that, we fell into silence as we entered the station. It was dark and filled with plenty of radiation-mutated creatures, which Charon quickly disposed of. I began to wonder just how much ammo he had with him.
We came across a couple of ghouls, which had surprised us. Murphy and Barrett is they had introduced themselves as. They were doing some research on Jet, trying to make it stronger for ghouls. He said he needed Sugar Bombs for it, and he'd pay me. I had a couple boxes on me, so I traded them for thirty caps total. I could buy more food when I got back to Megaton with the caps.
We pressed on, and I had activated a few traps, which Charon quickly responded to by pulling me out of the way of, or even taking the hits himself. I quickly tended to his wounds with some radiated water, promptly apologizing for my clumsiness. I felt kind of bad for him. He was bound by his contract to protect me, and I wasn't the most stable person around.
Soon, I could see a barrel in the distance that was alight. Just behind it was a barricade.
"Stop right there," a man from behind it said. "Who are you and what do you want?"
"I-I'm Hikari, and this is my body guard, Charon. We have a message for Ian West from his sister in Megaton."
"Hurry up," he said. "And don't try anything."
I nodded and walked passed him, but he kept his gun on me the whole time. I went through the only door at the end of the tunnel. Inside were a bunch of people who looked like they were just trying to make it through. They eyed Charon and me with curiosity as we passed. Up at the top of the stairs was a man who seemed to be in charge.
"Welcome to Meresti," he said in a smooth, deep voice. "My name is Vance. How may I be of service to you?"
"I'm Hikari, and this is Charon. We are looking for Ian West. I was given a letter to deliver to him from his sister."
"Ah. Young Ian is meditating right now and should not be disturbed, but I did not know any of his family survived."
"Yes, I saw the bodies of his parents. What happened to them?"
"I think Ian should let you know," he replied. "You people do not understand us, and I think it would be best if you go to the terminal to learn more about us before you make any decision about us."
"Very well."
He gave me the password and I went over to the nearest terminal. I read all of their laws. It seemed as though they were vampires, which I had read about back in the Vault. They were interesting, yet terrifying mythical beings. I returned to Vance once I was finished reading.
"You seem to be vampires, or at least, you follow their fictional traditions," I stated.
"I see you are... open to us," he said. "All members of my flock were at one point what you would call cannibals. I have trained them to shun the skin and drink only of the blood."
"And what of Ian West?"
"We are in the process of turning him," Vance said. "It would be unwise for him to know that part of him family survives."
"But he has the right to know," I reminded him. "This is his life, and he should be the one who chooses if he stays or goes."
"I cannot argue with you there," he replied. "Here is the passcode to the terminal that holds him in his room. You will find it at the end of this tunnel."
"Thank you."
At the end of the tunnel was indeed where the terminal was. I unlocked it and a boy a couple years younger than I was sitting on the bed. He looked frightened and stared at me with wide eyes.
"Wh-who are you? What do you want?" he questioned. "Vance doesn't want anyone in here."
"It's okay. I have permission from Vance. I'm Hikari," I said in a soft voice as I neared him. "I have a letter for you from your sister, Lucy. Do you want to read it?"
He nodded and I pulled it out of my pip-boy. He eyed my pip-boy with curiosity, but he immediately turned to the letter.
"She... She misses me," he said. "She asks about me, and she wants to see me..."
"Ian, what happened?" I asked as I sat next to him.
"I-I killed them," he whispered. "Mom and Dad, their dead because of me. I-I don't really know what came over me. I've sort of always had the hunger for flesh. When I was little, I saw a scavenger harassing the Brahmin. I told him to stop, but he pushed me. I fell and I think I hit my head. The next thing I knew, I was on top of him, ripping his throat out with my teeth. Lucy... She pulled me off, and she cleaned me up. We swore never to tell anyone about that incident. Every time I felt the urges come, she would hold me, and they would disappear. With her gone, I snapped, and now, Mom and Dad..."
"It's okay, Ian. You have someone who loves and misses you," I said, putting an arm around him and pulling him close. "She wants you to come home, and she'll help you through this."
He nodded and pulled away. "You're right. Will you tell Vance that I'm leaving? I need a moment to collect my things."
"Of course."
I left him alone and went to talk to Vance.
"So, has he made his decision yet?" he asked.
"Ian wants to go live with his sister," I stated.
"As much as it saddens me to lose a member of my flock, it is his choice," he replied.
"There is still the issue of Arefu to discuss," I stated. "The attacks need to stop."
"And what do you propose?"
"You can live off of any source of blood. Wouldn't that include blood packs?"
"Yes, but after the war, there are very few left," he said. "Surely you would know this."
"What if the members of Arefu donated blood packs, and in return, you could offer them protection?" I suggested.
"That sounds like a good deal."
"Great. I'll go back and talk to Evan King and tell him about the proposition, and then I'll come back and tell you his answer and take Ian back to Megaton."
"Very well."
"You are too kind to them," Charon stated after we emerged into the sunlight. "And you were too close to Ian West when he could have killed you."
I shrugged. "Maybe, but I can't let things go on like this."
Evan King agreed to the proposition and I quickly returned to Vance. He immediately sent out two people to help guard Arefu. I then met up with Ian West. He had a small pack with him, and he smiled lightly when I approached.
"I appreciate this," he stated. "Where is my sister?"
"She is in Megaton," I responded. "I'm heading there anyway, so it's no trouble."
"Thank you," he said. "I've been alive long enough to know that people require payment for these kinds of things, but I have nothing."
"It's alright. I don't really need any payment."
He smiled more pronounced before the three of us headed back to Megaton.
~Mei's POV~
I didn't really mean to snap at Kari, it just sort of... slipped out. It wasn't her fault that any of this happened to me. I regretted it, but there was nothing I could do. She was off to the train station to find Ian, if he was still alive.
I felt bad for abandoning them, but I needed time on my own... I needed to think, maybe talk to someone, but not Kari. It wasn't her burden to carry. It was mine. I knew exactly what she would say and do, and I didn't really need her input on this.
I decided if I would talk to anyone, they had to have some sort of experience in that area. I wandered up to Moriarty's to find the person I had in mind. I approached them where they stood in their usual spot.
"Hey, sugar," Nova greeted. "What can I do for you?"
"I need... advice, someone to talk to, I don't know... Something."
"Tell me what happened, hon," she said.
"Is there anywhere more private that we could go to?" I requested.
"Sure. Come on," she replied. "I never get business this time of day, anyway, but we need to make it quick."
I nodded and followed her up to an old, empty room. She sat on the bed and patted the edge.
"What is it?" she asked as I sat down next to her.
I sighed. I had never had to deal with anything this big before. I didn't really know how to word it. I guess the best way would be to come right out and say it.
"Y-you know that guy? Mr. Burke?" I asked. "He was here about a week ago?"
"Yeah, I remember him. What about it?"
"Well, he asked me to blow up Megaton," I replied. "I seduced him and told him that I lived here, that he didn't want to hurt me. He gave in and left, but he told me to do it if I changed my mind. He sent me a letter, telling me that he'd send someone for me soon. I thought it was all a bluff, but it wasn't."
I paused, but she told me to go on.
"I had just gotten out of the shower this morning when I saw him. He ran up to me and... and he kissed me," I said. "I told him to stop, but he didn't listen. He grabbed me, and he took me down to his house. He threatened me, saying I should have detonated the bomb. He said he would kill me. That didn't really bother me. I've been threatened before, and I've killed. That was when he started to threaten Kari. Nobody does that in front of me and gets away with it. I punched him, and he got mad. He... he threw me... onto the bed, and he said, 'You shouldn't have done that, my little song bird. Now you'll have to pay, and then you'll destroy Megaton.' I was frightened. Truly frightened. He... he forced me do things with him. As if I wasn't already stressed out... He told me that he would shoot me and Kari if I didn't. I still fought him, but he was stronger... It hurt a lot. I tried to scream, but he wouldn't let me. I was so terrified..."
I could feel the tears falling down my face, but furiously wiped them away. I refused to cry. It was a sign of weakness.
"He told me to detonate the bomb, or he'd come back again... I feel like... like it's all my fault..."
"Hon, I'm so sorry," Nova whispered as she rubbed my back. "It's not your fault. If it makes you feel dirty, try taking a shower. That helped me at the beginning. The cool water eases away the pain and the burden it brings. And you shouldn't beat yourself up about this. He is at fault, not you, not anyone else. This is something that only time can heal, hon. You can tell Simms that he wanted you to blow up Megaton, and he'll shoot Burke on the spot if he comes near here. It'll be okay."
I was shaking with anger and fright, but I would overcome this. I had to. I nodded and half smiled. It made me feel better to talk about it with someone.
"Thanks for listening," I said, wiping the tears that were falling again. "And I think it's pretty obvious that I don't want this getting out."
"Secret's safe with me," she stated.
"Thank you."
"Well, I need to be getting back to work, but just let me know if you need anything, Sugar. I know how you feel."
I nodded and she stood up to leave. I glanced down at my pip-boy. Kari should be back soon, but I wasn't really ready to apologize just yet. Like Nova said, this would take time.
I decided to take her advice and take a long shower and purchased some rad-x and a rad-away from Doc Church. For the second time that day, I took a long, cool shower. Nova was right. It did make me feel better. I would probably tell Simms about Burke after I was finished.
After my talk with Simms, I spotted Kari off in the distance, along with Charon and another person. I guessed him to be Ian West. He looked younger than I was, and he had no hope of recovering his parents. The only thing he had left was his sister, like me. She was the only person that really understood me and I had made her upset. I felt horrible and approached her.
"I'm sorry," I stated before I pulled her in for a hug.
She returned it without a word. I took the silence as an, "Apology accepted."
She smiled at me before we took Ian up to his sister's house. She was saddened by the news of her parents' death, but she was happy to have Ian back. In return for Kari's assistance, she gave us one-hundred caps. Kari thanked her before we headed up to Moriarty's. We sat in our usual spot at the bar next to Gob.
"Hey, kids," he greeted. "How'd it go, Kari?"
"It went a lot better than I had expected," she replied. "The Wests were dead, but Ian, Lucy's brother, survived. He was taken by the Family. I went to get him back, preparing myself for the worst, but they were quite civil and easily reasoned with. They're like pre-war vampires, living off blood, not skin. They turn cannibals and teach them to control the urges that they get to eat people. I came up with the idea for the people of Arefu to donate blood packs and in return, the family would guard them. Both leaders agreed, and Ian's back with Lucy."
"That's great, kid. I guess you really are a saint, just like Three Dog says."
She blushed lightly. "I don't know if I'm a saint, but I try to do the right thing."
I had a new respect for my sister. Sure, she wasn't the best shooter, but she was great at solving arguments. I knew that pack in the Vault, though. She was the problem solver, walking encyclopedia, and doctor-in-training.
"Well, we got some more caps, so I think we're going to head out tomorrow," she said. "We need to stock up supplies before we leave, though. Mei, can I have the caps, now?"
I nodded and pulled them out of my pip-boy and handed the sack to her. We had 283 caps left to buy supplies, according to Kari. I would let her take care of that stuff. I was more for the shooting and killing aspect.
I waited at the bar while Kari went off with Charon to Craterside to stock up on more supplies. Gob tried to talk to me, but I wasn't very social and brushed him off, feeling a lot more like my usual self. I listened to the radio, but Three Dogs music was repetitive, even with the music we had given him.
Moriarty came out of the back and smirked at me.
"Still here, eh?"
"Yup," I said as I leaned against the counter. "Kari's gone off to get supplies and we'll be leaving tomorrow."
"Well, tha's good to know."
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked.
"Oh, nothin'. Tha' sis o' yours is too friendly with everyone, is all. Don' really like it."
He cuffed Gob in the back of the head, which caused the glass to fall from his hands.
"Watch it, you rotting bag of flesh!" the Irishman shouted before throwing a punch.
I glared at him, and he laughed.
"What, have I offended you? Too bad, lassie. Nothin' you can do about it. Nobody in this town, not even Simms is better than me or has a faster, steadier hand."
He hit Gob again.
"You'd better stop that," I warned.
He hit him again, this time in the gut.
"Or what? Nobody can out-shoot me, and nobody has the balls to. You don' like is, lassie, then you can lea-"
Bang! Bang! Two shots rang out from pistol that I had in my pip-boy. Blew his yammering head clean off his shoulders and shut his garbage-shooting mouth.
"I told you to stop," I said to his corpse.
People started to panic, but Gob just stood there, covered in blood and in shock. Everyone else ran out.
"Come on, Gob," I said. "Let's go find Kari."
He stared at me like a pre-war deer in the headlights of a pre-war car.
"Come on, Gob," I repeated. "You're free. Now let's go find Kari and get you out of here."
He shook his head as though to clear his thoughts and came around the corner.
"You're more than free to come, Nova," I added.
She nodded slowly and followed me out of the building. People were panicking below, and I thought it would be best to try not to raise awareness of my presence.
I entered Craterside and found Kari chatting with Moira and Charon and Moira's merc staring each other down.
"Kari, we gotta go," I said.
"What?" she said, whirling around. Then, she spotted Gob. "Oh-oh God, Gob, are you alright?"
"Kari, did you not hear me? Wrap this up. We have to go. Simms is gonna have my head if we don't."
"What did you do?" she questioned.
"I... may have shot Moriarty and made his head burst open..." I admitted. "But we have to go. They're probably going to try to kill me, and maybe you, I don't know. The point is, we have to leave. Now! And we need more 10mm ammo."
"O-okay," she replied. "Moira, I need what she just said. Got any left?"
"Sure! Let me just grab some. That'll be twenty caps for all I've got!"
"Okay, sure," she said. "I have to go. I hope to see you soon."
"You take care now," she said with a smile.
I handed my .32mm pistol to Gob and told Kari to give Nova her 10mm pistol and the ammo. She did, and then handed me more magazines for my assault rifle. I thanked her and the five of us silently left the now panic-crazed town of Megaton.
After notes:
That makes five chapters uploaded in one night. I feel so accomplished.
This was originally going to be a Burke/LW story, but I realized that he was a creeper and a bigot, so I changed it. Thank you, common sense.
And I don't like Moriarty, either, in case I didn't make that too clear in this chapter.
This is my second longest chapter, only to number 10, I think. I don't really know for sure.
Anywho, go ahead and drop a review, pm, something to motivate me. Much appreciated, HikariMei.