(Dizzy)
The day is here! It's here and everyone knows I cannot keep my excitement in! Last night, forget sleep. I tried, I really did because I knew today would be really exhausting, but I just couldn't sleep. Because this is the first day of my new life. Today, I start my brand new adventure. It's me, and Cain, and…nothing but the whole wide world ahead of us. And I've never been more scared in my entire life.
Sure, it's going to be fun, I don't doubt that at all, but it's still scary. The furthest Cain and I have ever gone, is The Pitt, and…we all remember how that turned out. What scares me is, what if it happens again? What if someone kidnaps me? Or Cain? Or somehow we get separated? There won't be mom or dad out there to come and save us. It's just going to be me and him, and if something happens to one of us, the other is screwed. It's probably just jitters, though. I may not know a lot about the Wasteland, or the world itself, but I know my abilities, and I know Cain's. Since mom came around here and everything, the Capitol Wasteland became a safer place. But that's just this side of the country. There's a whole different side, the side Cain and I are going to, that hasn't been influenced by mom. There's a lot of dangerous we can't even imagine out there. A part of me, truthfully, doesn't want to go, and risk it all. But I'm the daughter of two amazing wanderers and adventurers. I wouldn't be much of an offspring if I didn't leave Megaton.
Going downstairs, I see mom making breakfast. Which really means she's eating some food from the gardens we have around town. She hasn't made a family breakfast in years, since I don't usually wake up until late afternoon, and Cain and dad usually leave by early morning.
"Hey."
I say, jumping into a chair at the table. Mom looks up at me, and it looks as if she didn't sleep last night, either. My daughter instincts tells me this is a lot harder for her than it is to me. Since hearing her share a more detailed story of her past, I see her and dad a lot differently. And I feel bad about being such a brat in the past. They worked their asses off for a life out here, for themselves, and ultimately, for me. Cain came first, but, his story is a bit different.
"Dizzy, you're all grown up now."
Mom says it like there's something caught in her throat. I realize quickly, that she's just trying not to cry. Getting up, I hug her.
"Hey, I'm going to be alright. I'll send word once we get to New Vegas."
"It takes weeks, maybe months, I don't remember, to get there on foot. Your father and I are going to be very worried."
"Well, isn't that natural? I'm your kid, you're gonna be worried, but, don't let it bring you down. You have to trust me, mom."
She smiles at me, I guess because of how much I've changed in the past few months. Sitting back down, I fold my arms on the table and light a cigarette.
"I remember, when you were just a toddler, you were so attached to your father. As a baby and learning to talk and walk, you were all about me. It was great to see you so attached to him, and wonderful to see him be a father, after everything he's gone through. But now, that baby that followed him around, and made him fight imaginary monsters, and toss her in the air is leaving. I'm worried about you, but I'm more worried about him. He needs you right now, Dizzy."
Mom locks eyes with me, and I realize she's right. Mom had a fairly normal childhood, inside the vault and everything. Sure bad things happened to her, but nothing like dad. And this is a whole new emotional turning point in dad's life.
"Where is he?"
"Around town, I think. Check near the Vault 101 entrance if you can't find him. Him and Cain apparently both like going there when they need to think."
Hugging her again, I smile and she kisses my cheek.
"I'll be back mom."
She smiles that motherly smile she has. Of course she only gets it every now and again. Mom isn't very 'motherly'. She never was. More of a friend than a mom, really. But that's good. She's a friend whenever, but a mom when she has to be. Deep down I think she's pretty happy to see Cain and I set off. It gives her alone time with dad, and lord knows she hasn't been getting much of it.
Dad isn't too hard to find. He's out and about, doing nothing around the town. Just watching it. When I find him he's walking towards the old saloon, and has his back turned. I walk right up next to him, and start mimicking his actions. I expected to get a laugh or chuckle or smile out of him. But I didn't. He looks at me from the corner of his eye, and then away again.
"What are you doing?"
His tone is kinda hurtful. I stop what I'm doing and fold my arms over my chest.
"Copying you."
"I see. Well. Don't you have to pack?"
"I already did, dad. I wanted to come hang out with you."
"I half expected you be gone by now."
I stop walking and look at him. I feel hurt, and it shows on my face.
"…You'd let me leave, without saying goodbye?"
Dad shrugs, putting his gun on his back.
"You fell in love, packed your bags. Thought you'd be up and gone by now. Wasn't about to argue it."
Tears are all sorts of welling in my eyes. This is my dad. He's my dad. He's big, scary, intimidating, mean and damnit he fights the monsters. He fights all the monsters. Even now. I have always been my father's little girl. What the hell makes him think…makes him think that I'd be so selfish as to leave without saying goodbye? Well, my entire childhood and teenage years, I guess. But still. Hasn't he seen the changes?
"So you just want me to go now then? Go right now? Fine! Fine! I'll just go get Cain and we'll leave and you won't ever see me again! Ever!"
I storm away so dad doesn't see me crying. Deep down, no matter how much I've changed, grown and matured, I'm still nothing but a big baby around my father. A big baby little girl-brat. I half expected dad to chase after me, or something, but he didn't. And by the time I got home and slammed the door, mom was giving me a look.
"What happened?"
She asked, in that whole 'more curious than motherly' way. Looking at her, with tears pouring out, I stomp my foot.
"I hate him! I hate him!"
Running up the stairs I slam my bedroom door and throw myself on the bed. Burying my face in my pillow I yell into it and kick my feet. In the midst of my tantrum, I hear my mom chuckle. Picking my head up, I look at her.
"What's so funny?"
I demand, sniffling my nose.
"You. I take it you found your father?"
"He thought I left without saying goodbye!"
Mom shrugs, and sits down on the bed.
"And you're both so stubborn…Dizzy, your father is just upset, and his way of dealing with this is to be cold."
"How could he think that? How? He's my dad!"
Lighting a cigarette, mom hands it to me. All of a sudden, her face changes from curious and mocking friend, to concerned mother.
"Because you've left before. Taken off in the middle of the night, making us both worry. More so him than me, but worry just the same. He tried his hardest to shelter you, and keep you safe. He didn't want you to see any of the things he saw. But the harder he tried, the more you rebelled. I told him everything happens for a reason, and in the end things would be okay, but you're his only child. His only daughter. Had you been a boy, maybe he would have been a bit more lenient. But you're not. He's overprotective of you. Watching his daughter grow up, being there and see you upset over Cain, all the things we've been through recently…it's hard for him, Dizzy. He never wanted this for you. He wanted a life I wasn't around to see. A pre-war life. A life with no killing, no remnants of war, no Wasteland. Normalcy."
"But this is normal to me. The pre-war is what's abnormal. This, this life, is mine. It's when I was born, so it's all I know."
"I know that, Dizzy, and deep down he does too. But…he's scared."
"Scared of what?"
"Of something happening to Cain, and you being alone. When Cain was…non-functioning, and your father saw you that upset, it tore him up inside. But he was there for you. He was there to do his best to fix it and protect you. With you leaving, he won't be. And it's very hard for someone like him to grasp. A first time parent, who only recently in his three-century old life has any grasp of normalcy. He has no idea how to parent, nobody does really, but he's an exception to the rule. He knows killing. And stealth. Parenting? Might as well throw someone who can't swim in the middle of an ocean."
Wiping my face off, mom's words make me stop crying. But they don't take the hurt away. I take a long drag of my cigarette, and look at my hands.
"I just want dad to be proud of me."
"He is, Dizzy. He's just having a hard time letting go. Go talk to him again. And this time, don't act your age and storm away. Act like someone who can survive out there in the Mojave Wasteland."
"You can't tell me you've never stormed away crying from dad."
"I have. Many times. But I'm not his daughter, either."
Mom and I get up. She leads the way downstairs. I put my cigarette out on the kitchen table, and look back at her. She gives me an encouraging look, and nods her head towards the door. Mom's right, and I know that. Shit, we both know that. But, talking to dad is a lot easier said than done. He doesn't do much talking.
Opening the door, I'm more than a bit shocked to see him standing in front of the house, looking out over the growing grass of Megaton. When he hears me open the door, he looks back at me, his face expressionless. At least, for a minute, I think it is. Looking a bit deeper, I see he's hurting, too. I don't say anything to him though, and hold my ground on the front porch. He upset me, so he should talk first. And I don't care how immature that sounds. I don't have to grow up until I leave later, and that's that.
"Thought you were leaving and I was never going to see you again?"
He says, cold and turning his back to me.
"Cain wasn't home. Can't leave without my traveling buddy."
"Well. He should be back soon. I passed him on my way here, he seemed to be finishing up at Gob's."
"What the hell do you care anyways? You thought I already left. Wouldn't make any difference to you."
Behind me the front door opens. Mom sticks her head out, obviously angry.
"I think the two of you need to go on a nice walk and talk this over."
Dad snorts at her, with his back still turned. Next thing I know, something is flying over me. It's an ashtray, and it hits dad right in the back of his head. I have to bite my cheek to prevent laughter.
"You're over three-hundred years old Charon! Act like it and take your kid for a walk! I'm sick of this bickering!"
Rubbing the back of his head, dad gives mom a mean look over his shoulder. He's greeted with a bowl to his forehead.
"I have a house full of object to throw and thanks to you, I won't miss. Now go!"
Mom slams the door, and dad kicks away the objects laying at his feet.
"I regret the day I taught her how to aim."
He says, and by now I'm drawing blood from my cheek to stop the laughter.
"She's your daughter, too!"
Dad hollers back, as if I'm not even there. Mom opens the door at lightning speed, wide so he can see the multiple objects she has in her hands.
"I didn't have an immaculate conception, Charon! You have to pull your own weight!"
"I have for eighteen years!"
"I birthed her! She needs her father!"
"And why is that? She has it all figured out by now, I'm sure."
"Charon…"
Mom gives him this look, and it chills me to the bone. Dad sighs, putting his hands up.
"Going, I'm going. Come on, Dizzy. Make your mother happy."
I follow him, smiling back at mom. But mom is too busy being angry at dad, and shuts the door, yelling something about their life together and how she's surprised she hasn't killed him in his sleep yet. Really, I don't want to follow him to make mom happy. I want to follow him because he's my dad and I want him to be happy with me. He said he was proud of me, and knew I'd be okay on my own. But right now, he's making me question all of that.
"I can't go any further."
I tell him as we near the pathway that leads up to Vault 101. Cain isn't home, and we haven't touched base all day. So any further and he might get sick. Dad looks at me, saying nothing. He sits on a boulder, and I sit on the ground. The sun is hot, but nothing we're not use to. In the distance I hear the roar of a Yao Guai, and sigh.
"Aren't we supposed to talk about stuff?"
I ask him, challenging him almost. Dad lights a cigarette, showing no more emotion. Not even hidden pain, from either my departure or where mom hit him.
"What do you want to talk about?"
"I don't know, dad. Anything. I won't see you for a while after this."
He looks at me, and our eyes meet. I have to use every ounce of my emotional strength to not cry, and not look away. He's my dad, and the only one I have. I'm lucky, though, because I hear a noise that distracts me. Dad hears it too, and gets up.
"What's that?"
It sounded like a strange gunshot, but I can't tell. When I'm focused on one thing, it's hard to digest anything other than whatever I'm focused on. Taking the gun from his back, dad sees something that he's…well seemingly angry at. Out here it takes a lot, and I mean a lot to get him angry at something that's not me. Or mom. Following his line of sight, though, I see it's just a person. I go to say something along the lines of 'calm down' or whatever, but dad lets out this guttural growl. And then I see it.
I see that look in his blue eyes. One I've seen many times before, when he thought I was in danger both as a child, and when I would sneak away from home at night. The look he gets, when mom gets yelled at by a passerby or newcomer who hasn't yet learned my father is to be respected and feared equally. It's a look, that, I really miss. It's the look only someone who loves you so much, that they don't know how to say it. They don't know how to tell you they care and love you. It spills over, and makes them angry at you, at me, for leaving. Because really, they just love you so much, the thought of anything bad happening to you, kills them inside. And when you hurt, they feel it ten times worse.
But why would some stranger, walking towards us, give dad such a look? Give him an anger that even I can't provoke in him? As the man gets closer, I see he's older. I've never seen him in my life before, but he wears a strange hat. Dad stands in front of me, blocking any good view I may have. So I go and sit on the boulder he was just on. Although he's looking straight ahead, with his gun at the ready, I feel his eyes on me. And slowly, dad gets closer to the boulder, as I bring my knees to my chin.
"It's been quite the long time, Charon."
The man says, far enough away so that he's not a threat, but close enough to hear. Dad says nothing, his fingers dancing around the trigger of his gun. I have mine, too, but dad is dad. He can handle just about anything.
"What are you doing here?"
"Ah, came round to just see the Capitol Wasteland once again. It's been long enough, figured if you were still around you may have well forgotten about me."
"I forget nobody I let live."
"Water under the bridge. My hand healed up nicely. Dezbe, is that you?"
The man says to me, and I look him right in the eye. He takes a step back.
"Whoa. Sorry miss, seem to have mistaken you for someone else. Got another lady friend now then, Charon? So where's Dez at? Gal like her wouldn't fall to the dangers of the Wasteland."
"Dezbe is my mom. She's my mom."
I say to him, still unsure of who he is or how he knows my parents. Dad lowers his head, but not his gun.
"You need my permission, Cassidy, before speaking to my daughter."
"Daughter? Ah, didn't know ghouls had it in 'em to reproduce. Huh, I see it now. The eyes. You have the same eyes…"
"What is your business here? You are not welcome in Megaton."
"Like I said before, I just wanted to see this place again. Hey, hey, look, holding a grudge isn't healthy. Come now, lower your weapon."
Cassidy gets closer, but dad doesn't lower his weapon. I figure this is someone from my parents' past that they didn't like. Not sure what gave me that idea. Cassidy holds out his hand, I guess for me to shake. He takes off his strange hat, and smiles at me.
"Names Cassidy Rose, miss. I knew your mother way back when, before you were born. It's nice to meet you."
All fast and swift, dad grabs Cassidy's wrist.
"I broke your hand once, I will do it again. You do not speak to my daughter. You do not venture into my town. You turn, and you leave, because this time, I will not spare your life."
By the look of fear on Cassidy's face, he heeds dad's warning.
"Alright, alright. You win. Eighteen and some odd years later, you still got that youthful strength. An older man like me can't fight you fair. It was good to meet you, miss."
Dad lets him go, and he turns to walk back the way he came. Once he's out of earshot, dad looks at me and puts his gun on his back.
"If you see him again, kill him."
"Who was he?"
"A man in love with your mother."
"You didn't have to scare him, you know. I don't think he would have hurt me."
"You're my daughter. I do what I have to do."
"But you didn't have to be mean. Maybe he's changed and not in love with mom anymore."
"Hm. Even then, he's not trustworthy."
Dad has a hard time forgiving people of his past. I get that. Forgiveness isn't one of his many loving qualities. But still. He really didn't have to go and scare him off. Maybe Cassidy was here to make amends? I don't know. Hell I only know his name.
"Hey dad?"
"Hm?"
"Why are you so mad at me?"
Dad looks at me, and sighs. I feel my eyes watering. I just want to know what made him so angry. I wanted to spend time with him before I left.
"I am not mad at you, Dizzy."
Tears fall down my cheeks, and I sniff my nose. Dad frowns, knowing he made me cry.
"Hey. Stop crying."
But I don't. I don't stop crying, and dad comes over and wraps me in a hug.
"Stop crying, please stop crying."
"You're so mad at me. You don't want me to go."
"No, I don't. I want you to stay here, so I can keep an eye on you."
He lets me go, and stares at the ground. I wipe my face with the back of my hand, knowing that I cry far too much.
"You're an adult now. Yet, you're still a child to me. You're my daughter, and…"
"And?"
"And I never wanted this day to come. I wanted to protect you, and keep you from this. Do you remember, what I would call you as a child?"
Nodding, I smile, the tears slowing.
"Yeah. You'd call me Squeaky."
"Because you'd squeak, whenever you were terrified or excited. At night it was hard to tell the difference, but just the same, you'd come to me. To show me what made you so happy, or scared you so much."
"I remember…"
"You were born, and I never imagined, it would have happened so soon. When Gob came running, to tell me you were on the way, I cannot express how I felt. When you were in my arms for the first time, you were so small. I held you, and the moon shone in through the clinic window, and I wanted nothing more than to give you the life I never had."
"Dad, you did. You have me a wonderful life. And this is part of it. Letting me go, to see the world on my own."
He shakes his head.
"I know that. I know, but I will not be there to save you if you're in trouble. Who will fight for you? Who will save you and comfort you when you are alone in the Wasteland?"
"I will, dad. You taught me that. You taught me to be brave, and know when to be scared."
Dad looks at me, and I see he's trying not to cry.
"I knew nothing of parenting when you were born. I only knew that I had to protect you. That I had no other purpose than to do just that. I never…knew the joy, the overwhelming emotions, that came with holding your newborn child. And it feels as if I was holding you yesterday. And now, you're grown."
"I need you right now, dad. I need your advice, and I need you to support me in this."
Without warning he hugs me. And I quickly realize it's to hide the tears coming from his eyes. I hug him back, trying to hide my own, too.
"Watch out, Dizzy. Life…out there is tricky. You're going to love, and hate, and you're going to fight. But if you're strong, everything will pass. And when things get hard, unbearable, or when you're just lonely, I am right here. I am your father, and I have always been here. I know I am cold. I know I am seemingly emotionless, but I have always loved you, and I am going to be here for you, even when you are miles and miles from me. I am here, and I love you. More than I can say right now."
"I know, dad. I know. And if I ever need you, you'll know. I promise. I promise I'll be okay, too."
"You're my daughter. My only daughter. Please, be safe."
He holds me tighter, and I realize how much I'm gonna miss him. I'm gonna miss my dad more than anything.
"When I get there, you and mom should come visit."
Dad lets me go, wiping his face so I don't see him so upset.
"How long do you intend to stay, Dizzy?"
"In New Vegas? I don't know. If I like it, maybe a few years. If not, a few days, then Cain and I will probably head back here."
"I was looking everywhere for you!"
Dad and I look over to see Cain walking towards us. I smile, happy to see he isn't sick or anything. Maybe a bit tired, but not sick.
"Dad and I came out here to talk."
"Yeah that's what Dez told me."
Before Cain can get closer to me, dad steps between us.
"Charon."
Cain says, and dad nods.
"You are leaving with my daughter today, Cain."
"I am."
This is an exchange between men. I watch quietly, not making any noise whatsoever. Nope. Silent.
"You are responsible for her well-being, and her safe arrival and return. Do not let me down. You are made in my image, but that does not mean you are safe if she is harmed. And not just by your programming, but by me. I have raised you as my son, and see you as such, but Dizzy is my daughter. You will die, before anything happens to her, just as I would for Dezbe."
"I understand. You may trust me."
Reaching up, I put my hand on dad's shoulder. He looks down at me.
"Let's get you home to your mother. I'll help you get your things. If you do not leave now, I will force you to stay."
Nodding, I follow him without protest. On the way home, dad doesn't let Cain near me. He stays between us, watching everything silently. I can't imagine how difficult this must be for him. How hard it must be to see his only daughter venture off like this. The thought of it makes me want to stay home. But here, I can't make my own life. Everybody needs to spread their wings. Everybody needs to leave home. But then again, everyone also returns home, too.
When we all walk through the door, mom's flipping through something at the kitchen table. She glances up, smiling.
"Have you made nice?"
I nod, and sit down.
"Good, because I think it's time you both start heading out. I've readied your things."
Mom points to two packs laying between the living room and the kitchen.
"You're eager to get rid of us."
Cain says, and mom laughs.
"I'm eager for you two to get out, get some life experience, and get to New Vegas. I expect you to send word the second you reach New Vegas, or better yet, the Mojave Wasteland. I need you to tell me who is in charge of the Kings, how the robots are, and if Mr. House relinquished power."
Mom gets up, and starts writing things down on a piece of paper on the counter. Cain and I exchange confused glances.
"I also need you to stay away from the NCR and Creaser's Legion. One is good, the other bad, but both insane and stupid. Law works in New Vegas, so be careful. There are repercussions to your actions there, unlike here. Be wary of the Powder Gangers, and if you run into Rose of Sharon Cassidy, tell her I can still outdrink her. If the stone-cold bitch is alive. Now, if you see Raul, send him my love."
Mom starts tearing up as she hands me the paper. I'm not sure what to think of it all, but dad scoffs at her.
"You still think about Raul?"
"Jealousy is ugly, Charon."
"Hm."
Raul? I don't know him, but if I happen to run into someone who looks like a 'Raul' I'll deliver the message. Whatever went on between him and mom isn't my business.
"Anything else?"
I ask mom, who shakes her head and wipes her eyes.
"No, no that's it. Just stay close to one another and keep each other safe."
"We will, mom, don't worry."
I guess it's time to go now. I didn't expect it so soon. I figured we'd leave later. But mom and dad are right. We have to leave now.
"I just want one more moment alone with my daughter."
Dad says, and I nod. Cain and mom start to gather everything, and put the pack on Cain's back while he asks about ammunition. I follow dad outside, my gun still strapped to my hip.
"What is it, dad?"
He sits in a chair, and I sit in the one across from him. He sighs, rubbing his hand down his face.
"It's a big world out there."
"I know, and I'll be safe."
"I don't expect anything less from my daughter. But I'm more concerned about...what awaits in New Vegas."
I raise an eyebrow at him.
"I've never been, Dizzy, but your mother tells me about it. Sex, chems, temptations lie around every corner. Either you will flourish, or you will perish. There is no middle ground, for someone with your qualities. Do not think, for one second, anyone there can be trusted. You must play it safe, and do not mess with any of the gangs. They are organized, and they are large in numbers. Deathclaws breed like cattle there. There are giant flies, and worse still, men wanting to take advantage of you."
"I love Cain, dad."
"I know. I know you do. But your love is going to be tested. For both of you. Keep your head about you, and if you need me, I will be there."
"Dad, you brought me up well. Whatever is out there, I bet I can face it. And if I fall and break my leg, then at least I learned my limits."
"You're smarter than your mother was at your age…"
I smile at him. Dad stands up, and takes a deep breath in. Before he can speak though, I throw myself at him. Wrap my arms around his neck, and hug him as tight as I can. I pick my feet off the ground, and smile as I rub my face against the hard and worn leather of his chest piece.
"Thanks for not giving up on me, dad."
"It wasn't perfect, or easy raising you, Dizzy. But it was worth it, every bit."
He hugs me back and when I let go, he lifts me in the air. His arms under my arms, he raises me high above his head, and I can't help but laugh. I weigh nothing to my dad, as he holds me high up, smiling at me.
"Until the day comes, where I cannot lift you above me with ease, you will always be my little girl, Dizzy."
He sets me down, and I smile at him as I regain balance.
"That's alright with me. After all, someone has to fight the monsters under my bed."
"I have one more piece of advice for you, Dizzy."
"What's that?"
"Learn from the good, as well as the bad. Fall down, get hurt, break a leg, and know that no matter how horrible things get, the sun will continue to rise tomorrow, whether or not you're wanting to see it. The stronger you are, the more you endure, the better the ending."
"Is that how you feel about you and mom, and everything you went through?"
Dad grows silent, and looks at the house. He looks around at Megaton, and the blossoming grass.
"…Yes. I own a town, Dizzy. I have a wife. A beautiful daughter. A normal life here in the Capitol Wasteland. And because of all the pain and suffering I went through alone, and with your mother, I am able to see the value of this in a way…nobody else can. I do not wish pain upon you, but out there, I want you to know how to appreciate everything. Even the smallest things. Even if you lose everything, and come home with nothing, half-dead and broken, smile still. Because Cain loves you, I love you, and your mother loves you. And nothing will change that."
"Don't worry dad. New Vegas should be scared of me. I'm going to own that town."
"Please don't."
The front door opens. Cain and mom come out. Cain hands me my pack, and I assume it's the lighter one of the two. And then, the moment is here. This is it. Gob arrives when he sees us all standing on the edge of town, and Zack drives up in his truck. There's not a dry eye around, as all of us hug one another. Nobody wants to let go, but we have to. The temptation to go off, spread my wings, and soar like those things in the sky I never get to see, is immeasurable. Cain smiles at me, and I smile back. Mom and dad hold one another close, while Gob just smiles. It's my turn now. My turn to have adventure, to cry, to live, to feel pain and excitement and all those horrible and nasty but wonderful things that comes with life. Play shoot 'em up with enemies, fight with Cain against a starry sky, and run wild and free like it's nobody's business. I'm not as tough as my dad, or as witty as my mom. I'm just Dizzy. Me, and nothing else. I have a lot to learn, and a lot to see. I know whatever happens, I have Megaton to come home to. And if anything bad happens I fear for that person's life because dad isn't one to simply 'forget' things.
Waving goodbye, Cain and I begin to walk off, when Zack calls to us.
"What the fuck you two walking for?"
Cain and I look at him, confused.
"You two actually think I'm going to sit around Megaton while you go off to New Vegas and become some legendary gangbangers? No. No way. I want in on this, and you're not arguing it. Get in."
I look at Cain, and I smile. Zack opens the passenger side door to the truck, waiting for us. We both grew up with Zack. We all get along. Him having a truck and a couple gallons of fuel in the back does make the walking distance a lot less. So, what else do you expect us to do? Tossing our packs into the back, Cain and I steal a quick kiss and hop in, Gob howling with laughter in the background.
"Sorry dad! But I can't help it! I'll be back before you know it! With or without these two try-hards!"
The three of us laugh, as Zack guns it over the harsh and rocky terrain of the Capitol Wasteland. Mom says the Mojave Wasteland is a lot smoother and flatter. She says that there's adventure and lore and amazing times to be had. And with my boyfriend and our best friend, I can't wait. We're going to make post-apocalyptic history.