(Dizzy)

In my head, there is a place. A place that exists, because it is in my head. There's really nothing of importance in this place, and it lacks a lot of detail. But Cain is there, and I'm there, and in my place, that's all that matters. Because Cain and I are there, and we're happy together, and there's nothing wrong with anything whatsoever. And in that world…in that world, anyone can come in if they want. They can walk right in, and they'll be happy forever.

When Zack and I get back home, mom is sitting in the living room by herself. She sees me, and I know instantly she's been crying. She's smoking cigarette after cigarette, the ashtray in front of her slowly filling. I want to comfort her, but I don't know how.

"They're all still upstairs."

Mom's already coarse voice, is even worse. From the crying. From the smoking. There's never been this much sadness in my house before.

"Is there any news?"

Eager, and hopeful, I ask. But mom slowly shakes her head, sadness inside her. She puts out the cigarette in her hand, and instantly lights another one. I don't want to look at her, because of how much it bothers me. So pushing it way deep down, I put on the strongest face I have, and climb up the stairs.

Each step is harder than the last, and I can feel my heart beating with each and every climb. When I finally get to Cain's bedroom, I hear the whispering talks of dad, Gob, and Barrows. Zack is still downstairs, talking to mom, and trying to help. I don't knock, before I open the door.

"…I miss dad."

I say, and everyone looks at me. I notice a machine is on Cain's arm, and I look directly at my dad.

"Your mother's Pip-Boy. To help us determine…his status."

I don't ask, and walk over towards them. Instead of standing and getting in the way, I walk around everyone. Climbing on the other side of the bed, I watch. They look at the Pip-Boy, and it makes a noise.

"…He's…he's not dead."

Dad says, with more relief than anything.

"He isn't? Dad? Daddy?"

He looks at me, and nods.

"No…no he's…it's not reading what's wrong, but, he's alive."

"As alive as one can be for his state."

Gob says, staring at the screen. I don't know what they're looking at, and even if I did I wouldn't know how to read it. But together, they determine Cain is in some sort of coma. How to get him out is the real challenge. But I don't hear their words, I'm too busy, feeling the sadness dripping away.

"But it's temporary. If we don't figure it out, the failsafe mechanism keeping him alive will wear out. The whirring we're hearing, tells us he's alive. That there's brainwave functions. That's about as far as we've gotten. When the whirring dies…Cain will, too."

Gob tells nobody in particular. He's just kind of talking to himself, really. I put my hand on Cain's bare arm, and rub him up and down. Because he feels so cold to the touch. His eyes are closed like he's sleeping, and the cuts all over him aren't healing.

"Dad…let me go to Rivet City, please? If I go, I can bring someone back."

"Absolutely not."

"But it'll help Cain!"

"No. Out of the question. You will stay here, where you are safe."

"Why? Dad, why?"

"Because I'm not losing another child!"

His anger and loudness surprise me, but it gets the point across. I nod, obedient, as he stares at me menacingly. Dad is really worried, and upset, like Zack said. I guess I really didn't want to admit it. I didn't want to see dad as a person, but instead the hero he's always been in my mind.

"…there has to be something, I can do, to help."

My voice goes unnoticed, as I stare at Cain. Dad use to tell me stories. About princesses, and princes. I don't know what they are, but the stories made me smile. Most of the time, it was a kiss that would wake the princess or something like that. I know it won't work, but I give it a shot.

Kissing Cain's cold lips, I wish and hope with everything in me that it works. But when I open my eyes, nothings changed. Everything is as it was, except everyone is staring at me.

"It worked in the stories. Right, dad?"

"…Yeah, in the stories."

Something beeps, and everyone looks at the Pip-Boy thingy.

"Huh. Dizzy, you might have done some good there."

Barrows says, and I feel my heart begin to race.

"Magic?"

"No, no not magic. Science. Chemical bonds…saliva…no that wouldn't work. There was a jump in the readings, but, that's it. If the chemical bond could wake him, it wouldn't be prejudiced. Be it saliva, or tears, he would have woken. Dizzy has been with him since returning?"

Barrows asks, and I nod even though his question isn't directed at me.

"Right, then, tears would have done something. It's a chemical."

It doesn't look, like there's any hope left to have. Everyone tries different things. Barrows takes his blood, even though he can't find any at first. Gob tries everything from small electrical currents, to suggesting we try and connect him to a terminal. In the end, everything is the same as it was this morning, and everyone feels defeated.

"…If you want, Dizzy, I will bring him to Rivet City."

Dad says, while everyone starts to leave. I look at dad, my hand still on Cain's bare arm.

"Why is it up to me?"

"Because you love him."

Looking down, I nod. I love Cain. I do.

"…Not right now. It's too much. I know time isn't on our side, but, as long as he whirrs then…"

"Then there is time."

"Yeah."

Dad hugs me, and goes downstairs. I've kept calm and quiet all day, since coming back from my walk with Zack. But now, I don't think I can hold it in any more. I didn't even know it was possible, to cry this much, in such a short time.

"I love you…I love you…I love you…"

I say, quiet, crying. My face buries into Cain's chest. I thought, that when you're in love, nothing could go wrong. But it's not true. When you're in love, everything can go wrong. All at once, in a split second.

"…Please…anything, I'll give anything, if you just come back. If you just wake up."

But he doesn't. He just lays there, and after a while, the only thing I can really do is lay with him.