I had no idea where I was going. All I knew is that it was south from where I was. I had a Super Mutant following me there, too. Looking out toward the hot wasteland; miles of sun-baked dirt claiming the life of any poor bastard who forgot to pack water, I looked up at my behemoth companion and set off.
For about an hour we walked in silence. I never encountered a Mutant up close, so this was a first, and I don't know too much about them to begin with, so I wasn't too sure they could communicate aside from grunts and groans. "Do you talk big guy?"
He looked down toward me as we moved. I would have been afraid that I had insulted him if I hadn't known that they always looked angry. "Me Genie. You friend. Right?" he replied in his frozen sneer.
"Yup, I guess you can say that. I'm your friend. So, Genie, have you ever seen more than a basement full of barrels and whiskey?"
"No. I always been trapped down there. My old not anymore friends, they look like me, punished me for being friendly to puny. When bigger puny, Redding, find me he give me name and food."
"That's interesting; never realized you guys knew more than killing and eating." I looked up again to make sure I hadn't insulted him, but still no success in trying to read his expression.
As evening approached, we came closer to another small settlement called Dansfield. As far as small settlements were concerned, however, this was a metropolis. The entire town was inside a tall building about sixteen stories. The place used to be a hospital, so it's a great area to find medical attention. Of course, it's better to find a Mister Gutsy that's still working properly than trust any of the people who read what they know from a two hundred year old book.
"Hey, big guy, listen, I have to stop by here to get some supplies for our trip, but the thing is the people there likely won't react too well to your being around. So, stay here and wait for me, and I'll be back before you know it. Okay?"
"Okay, friend, but please come back."
"Yeah, no problem, I'll be back." I looked at the big, friendly giant with a reassuring look. I was astonished by this one. I could have sworn that these were killing machines but this one doesn't have a deadly bone in his body.
As I reached the only working entrance to Dansfield guards on various lookout points aimed their guns at me. I wasn't too concerned that they'd shoot me; it's probably just protocol. That's when someone fired a shot that landed in the dirt in front of my foot stopping me in my tracks.
"That's close enough," someone shouted from one of the windows. I couldn't make out from where the voice was. "Place any firearms and other weapons you may have on to the ground in front of you and step back two paces with your hands in the air." I obeyed. "Good. Now wait there. I'll be down shortly."
I sat there quietly in the setting sun with my hands in the air. A light wind picked up behind me further adding to the unsettling calm. My arms began to have a numb feeling starting at the fingers and working its way down. A bead of sweat started to trickle down my nose irritating it. I didn't dare scratch, however.
The doors of Dansfield slowly opened with a loud metal-against-metal screech and behind them three figures waited until the door opened. Two tall, well-built, similar-looking men, possibly twins, walked just behind a shorter, skinnier individual. He donned a cowboy hat with a comically large brim and brandished a shiny revolver in his right hand. The large guards carried some homemade contraption that resembled a giant crossbow that shot harpoons. One of the guards was left-handed so the two mirrored each other constantly. The three men stopped about seven feet in front of me.
"Hi, there," the smaller one said unenthusiastically. He was the voice earlier. "Now, what is your business here in my town?" The right-handed guard shifted a little.
"I just wanted to buy some supplies…possibly trade some of my own things." I said without taking my gaze off the large man. "Is that a problem?" I looked at the midget cowboy.
"Just makin' sure you won't be a nuisance to the townfolk that's all." He holstered his pistol and put his thumbs in his pockets. "We've had some growing bandit trouble, lately. We had to put up more sentries and even install the new doors. It used to be open for people to come and go but not anymore."
"Oh, well, that's too bad." I don't know if I was really concerned or if I just wanted to lower my sore arms.
"Yes, it is. Now, you can go about your business but you must get what you need quickly and go. We also have to confiscate your weapons during your time inside. Understood?"
"No problem." I assumed it was safe to lower my arms. When I did, the blood rushed quickly to my fingers emitting a sudden warm sensation about my arm. It felt odd, but comforting. I reached out my hand to shake with the little guard. "I haven't had the pleasure."
"I'm Dan." He said without taking notice of my advance, possible intentionally. He spat at the ground. "And these two here are my brothers, Dover and Jim."