The Raiders were exactly as mom and dad said they'd be: child's play. It wasn't hard, to finish them off. Hell, if anything, it was fun. I never in my life, got to see mom and dad in action. Now, I saw it first hand. Of course they fell back, and let Dizzy and I take control of the situation, but still. Their aim, their movements, their accuracy, it was all so amazing to my eyes. Probably because after growing up and hearing their stories, I finally got to see it in real life. It was nothing, like the tales they told me of taking down organized crime, but it was still new to me, and inside, I felt like a small child again.

Dizzy, however, was not as precise nor careful. Instead after she fired her first shot she ran up and down the rotting catwalks like a Raider on Psycho. She was hardly quiet, and got a bit too much enjoyment out of the whole ordeal. Mom laughed at this as we made our way out, claiming Dizzy is more like her than ever before now. To be honest, though, I don't quite agree.

Dizzy is calculating. She's like my father, in a way. She'll do something, to cover and hide something else. Her running like a madwoman probably distracted the Raiders. She didn't miss her targets, and in her eyes I saw someone cold, someone planning. As if almost, she knew what she was getting into from the very beginning. I'm sure in time, I'll know why she pulled the stunt by running around with a Molerat with no head.

As we emerge into the Capital Wasteland once more, I take with me from the excursion a bit more knowledge about the people, the land. It's easy to die out here, and much easier to kill. Dizzy and my parents are behind me, she's being scolded for her actions, and lectured on the fact that stealth is always the best option. Although, from what my father told me, my mother was never stealthy.

They're lost, in their own little world, as I lead the way back to Megaton. It doesn't bother me in the least. I'm also lost, in my own thoughts. My thoughts, on what comes next. Dizzy spoke of going to Rivet City, to see if the doctors there could possibly help me. Help me, to be immune to radiation and be as immortal as my mother and father are. I haven't brought the subject up myself, because really, I'm not sure if I want it or not. Seeing Dizzy in there, and how truly capable she is at surviving when presented with the situation, made me see things differently. Made me wonder…if perhaps, she truly does need me. Seeing all that blood…makes me wonder, about many different things. Things…I'm not sure I ever thought of before.

Glancing back, I notice the tone of their conversation has changed. All of them, my father included, smile happy. As if…they're proud of something. I'm too far to hear what they're talking about, and I find myself curious. Curious, as to what can make Dizzy smile and shine, as bright as she is right now. Sadness overcomes me, as I realize that maybe…she's going to leave. Leave, without me, since she's proven although noisy, she's able to survive. Stopping, I wait for them to get closer.

I only see Dizzy, as they walk. I only see her, laughing, smiling, shining. I don't think, she needs me anymore, after going through what she did. I was there, beside her, but to her, she was alone.

"Hey Cain, guess what?"

She runs up to me, grabbing my arm in excitement. We continue walking, and I look down at her.

"What?"

"Mom says we're going to get home in time for the celebration, and that I can go to The Pitt all by myself!"

The celebration she's talking about is one the citizens of Megaton have every year. No one knows where it came from, only that one day people just started to have an annual party. Dad hates it, because people get drunk and violent and his job gets harder. Mom and Dizzy love it, though. They always have fun. Truthfully, I'm a bit more preoccupied with Dizzy going to The Pitt all by herself.

"What? Really?"

She nods at me, still beaming. The sun is going to set soon.

"Yeah! They said I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself."

Without thinking I turn and face my parents.

"Are you fucking kidding me?"

I demand, tearing my arm from Dizzy's touch. I don't mean to be so angry. In fact, I'm not even sure where it came from. Dizzy going alone anywhere in the Capital Wasteland or not, is stupid and insane. Just because she shot a few Raiders doesn't mean she can live out here on her own. What the hell are they thinking?

"I think you better handle this."

My mom says to my father as they come to me. Mom goes up, and leads Dizzy ahead of us, so that we can talk in private. My father stops walking in front of me, his eyes meeting mine. For a silent moment, we stare at one another. As much as I want to prove I'm stronger than him, better, wiser, anything…I know I'm not. I know deep down, my father will always surpass me in everything I try to do. So instead of challenging him more, I look away, and we begin to walk.

"…Dad, are you insane?"

I ask, running my fingers through my hair. I feel so frustrated.

"Dizzy needs this."

"Needs what, dad? Impending death?"

"No. She needs to see a bit of the world on her own."

"And what's that going to do?"

I yell a bit too loud. He looks at me, the shotgun on his back shining in the late-afternoon sun. Lighting two cigarettes, he hands me one. Reluctantly, I take it.

"…Dad I…I just don't want her…to be alone out here."

"If she asks you to go with her, than go. If not, I suggest you stay."

"What if she dies?"

"She won't. I know my daughter, and I know my son."

He says nothing more, before dropping the subject. There's no room for argument. No room to prove a point that doesn't exist. I stop walking. I stop walking, and let everyone else go on ahead, as I stare out at the sparkling river.

Dizzy…alone out here…without me. I'm not sure, what bothers me more. The fact that she'll be alone, or I will. Looking down at my hands, I feel as if we've just gotten it all back. Gotten the connection we had, the secrecy, the everything we once shared so long ago. And now, all of a sudden, it's gone. And there's nothing I can do to stop it. Knowing Dizzy…I know she won't ask me to go with her. She'll take this as a personal challenge, and go off on into The Pitt without me. Thinking, in her stupid and idiotic mind, that she can do it.

But Dizzy isn't mom. She can't do it. At least, not alone. She just thinks she can, and there's a big different between those two things. Especially when your life hangs in the balance. Mom did it, because she had to. She didn't have anything else, no other choice. And mom back then, didn't have people…like Dizzy does. A family. If mom died back then, out here, I don't think anyone would have noticed, because no one knew her. If Dizzy died out here, everyone would notice. I would notice.

"Cain?"

I jump, and look to my right. Dizzy stands there, looking up at me. Mom and dad continue on ahead, and I say nothing.

"They said they'd meet us in Megaton. I'm gonna leave a day after we get back, so, if you wanna, we can sit and talk for a bit."

Silence. It's warmer, when Dizzy is near me. Although these feelings I bear are shameful, and I can never act upon them, I still feel obligated to keep her warm, safe. Protect her, from all I can. Sometimes, I feel that Dizzy, is the only thing I really like about myself. When she isn't running rampant and screaming about inane things.

"Yeah…yeah let's sit here, and talk. We…have a lot to talk about."