Diamond city , 11 years ago
Tud tud tud "Who is it ?"
"It's Zwicky, sir" heavy footsteps move in my direction
"Good evening mister Zwicky, something wrong ?" And quickly dad sees me
"I am afraid so sir, found him getting into a fight at the school, and outside of it" Ah fuck this
"But pa he always picks on me ! He deserves it !" They look at each other and then at me
"Thank you mister, can I offer you something ?"
"Oh no , no it's alright. Just watch out for our kid here, have a good evening sir"
I go inside home and close the door. See mom walking to us
"Who was it, dear ?" I see him tensing the jaw and scowling
"Mister Zwicky. He done it, again"
Pa he's always picking on me and i hate this -"
"How many times have i told you not to use your hands ? You never listen"
"But he is always pushing me around !"
"This doesn't matter. You are a lost cause (sigh) Only villains use their hands. You have to. Use. Words"
"But i don't want to be a pussy like that ! They don't fucking listen to the words !"
"Language ! Get out of my sight and into your room"
As i walk away i see mom burying her face in her hands and leaving. Getting in my room I take the backpack and put food in it. I want to leave and now. I try to pull the door handle but it won't open
"Dear he's trying to leave !"
I try to pull harder as mom is holding my arm and soon dad comes pulling me away from the door, getting a slap from ma and my hands restricted. They look almost guilty
"YOU ARE A LOST CAUSE BOY ! YOU SHAME OUR NAME !"
He lifts my face "LISTEN TO ME" "HEY YOU"
"Listen to me" ... why your voice sound like a grandpa dad ?
- PRESENT DAY
"Listen to me" And why can't I move my arms ?
I open my eyes to see I'm sitting on - fuck i remember now the caught me
"Listen to me kid" Lifting my head up i can see the older guy, what was his name? And see 3 other people, 2 men and a woman. I am fucked anyway so ... "Don't want to go to school now..." And get grabbed by the jaw and released after
"Smartass huh ? You got my friend in a panic attack you know" I look at his face. Graying hair, scar on the left cheek and another under the right eye along a graying md-long goatee on a serious face
"Yeah you fuck, got our friend really crazy , WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT ?!"
"Calm down Desi, let me do it"
"Yeah sorry, will check on her" She leaves and they return on me
"So. You took the blade kid, do you even know what is it ?" His tone calm
"Did he sent you ? Here to finish it or get it back ?"
"He, whom ?"
"Him. The killer , the soul tainter" What killer ? I want it for myself. And he notices my silence
"Listen i came here to loot. Saw the blade and want it. Would have got more" To the point
"Hmm and these other knives huh ?" Of course
"I need the money" To the point
"Honest, sharp. But why this blade ?"
"As a trophy. People won't with me and that"
He lets out a short laugh and at that point I hear barking, a sad and high pitch bark "BOSS COME SEE THIS !"
"Good check now" One them with a ponytail leaves
"WHAT IS IT JULIAN ?"
"A DOG BOSS , WANTS TO GO INSIDE !" Oh yes , ha !
"What's so funny ? He stands up and watches the other "Dog yours ?"
"It is, my friend found me" I smile and he frowns
"JULIAN LET IT IN !"
"WHAT ! BOSS !" The guard replies from outside
"JUST LET IT"
He sighs and watches as the dog circles and barks at them
"Calm, stay, STAY" He stops barking and puts in front of me "Came for me ? Owe you one"
The old guy finally speaks "So did he send you ?" Again ?
"Again, who"
He takes a paper from a table and shows it to me. And red heart shape ? It smells... blood ?!
"Is it blood ?!"
"Yes"
"Who sent it ? Your lover ?" He looks pissed now ...
"Watch it now..."
"Who sent it ?" He closes his eyes and breathes
"Him" Him. Fucking. Who
"The artist , Pickman" Oh. That sick psycho. No way I'm with him
"Yeah I get it now. That psycho killer, unluckily i met him"
"You have ?"
"Yes, I made the mistake to save him from some raiders. I was a wounded man being picked on by them. He went psycho on them before and after they died , and told me about his galley. I had some nightmares and probably will have them again now ..."
"Well well, have balls huh ? Should have shot him then. Wounded him in a fight but he escaped that time"
"Hard to kill ?"
"Much. Should finish someday soon our paths cross. Well now, you have no ties to that or raiders i guess, so I'll let you and your dog live for today. We got our belongings back. Also nice knife you got, need to take care of it though. And your pins"
"It had some use. Saw your weapons and blades, hope to get on that level"
"Now, will get you and that dog of yours out of here. Follow me"
He unties me and i follow him out as the others watch at me with disgust. And getting past the glaring and big guard, the old one stops to talk
"Gave you a second chance kid, use it well" I am really lucky then
"Thank you"
"Don't let your intentions be dark. We ever meet again , I hope you learnt your lesson. Been different this time"
He looks at me and says "Albert"
"What ?"
"Albert. That's my name" How fucking dumb of me. It feels like i have already seen this guy
"Uhh yeah, mine is Ulysses"
"That's a classical name of old. Wandering type ?"
"Yeah need a bigger purpose than me. I'm very ambitious"
"Aah youth. Strive for it kid, be a good one. Join the minutemen i would suggest but it's a hard spot around" That got me interested of course, the minutemen, a useful force. Is he the general ? Worth a try
"Maybe you'll see me soon" He probably catch the hint
"Hope for it , the good way. Until then , safe travel, wanderer"
With that i nudge dogmeat and we are off to home. That went very well and maybe he is the general, or a minutemen. I heard from many people that the general is a wise person and I saw it once. Blue coat and hat, sword at the side and rifle , passing through Goodneighbor and the settlements. I would like this, and want it. Hope to become important and change things, for me too
I arrive at home and find the hidden entrance. Getting water and some squirrel bits I lay on the bed after some cleaning.
"That went well dogmeat huh ? Must be my luck"
It looks at me before laying on its cot. While thinking about this i get some creeps thinking about that serial killer... I don't want any attention from him. And after different times dozing off and jolting awake, i fall asleep