Wendy

I punch buttons, turn dials, knobs – this thing is impossible!

"They give 'em to 'em in the vault when they're ten, she said. Give yourself a little time to get used to it." Charon says. "Don't bother with the map. She didn't.'

We dump Virgil's pack and take what he says we need, shoving the rest underneath the bed in the room that Virgil and I shared, for the short time I've been here. Charon distributed the packs, and I feel guilty that I'm not strong enough to carry more. "What's wrong? He asks.

"I'm sorry I can't carry more. I'm…weak."

He nods. "That's okay. I can carry a lot."

"But I want to carry my share. I feel…guilty."

He laughs. "Look at me. I can carry a lot more than you."

I consider his massive frame. "Well…yeah. I just feel bad." He shakes his head. "Look – you gotta start giving me orders."

"But, I can't – "

"Yes, you can. If we're gonna find Virgil, you'll have to." I'm so confused. Why didn't Virgil tell me about this before? Of course, we couldn't have predicted those Brotherhood people showing up at our door, or the Enclave kidnapping him. He sighs. "Remember how you felt when Mallie died? When you had to take over everything?" I nod. "Do it again. Do it to me."

I must have a pained expression on my face, because he says, "You have to. I have no purpose. No direction, without orders. You're doing me a favor." This is crazy.

I consider his advice. "Well, you know more about this than I do. Teach me."

"About what?" he asks.

"How to survive. Out there." He nods, opens the door, and we head east, where Virgil disappeared.

Virgil

I hope they're alive. I hope I did the right thing. Out of all the things I own, that contract had to be the most valuable. I regret not telling her about it before.

The vertibird is loud. Someone hands me a helmet, with a microphone in it.

"Get comfortable, Thomas. It'll be a while before we get there." The officer says. The microphone is small, tinny, a poor replacement for a real, live human voice. I have so many questions. It's driving me crazy.

"My name isn't Thomas." I say, authoritatively. For as long as I can remember, I've been called Virgil – after Dad's favorite poem, Dante's Inferno.

"Oh, yes it is. Your father named you." He smiles. "I was there."

I sit, shocked.

"You have a lot of questions, I know. It'd be a lot easier if they waited. Although, if you have any I'm authorized to answer, then I'd be glad to."

I think for a bit. "What's my father's name?"

"Joseph Autumn." He says, as if I'm supposed to know the name. He elaborates. "Maleficent knew your grandfather." Hmmm….

By his tone, I take it that she killed him. "So…this is the reason why you came for her?"

"I'm sorry – not only do I not know, I wouldn't be authorized to tell you if I did." His speech is clipped, formal.

"You didn't ask?"

"It is not my place to ask questions, son. I follow orders."

"Why?"

"Why do I follow orders, son? For the greater good. For a brighter future for America." He smiles.

I think for a bit. It's overwhelming. Mom dies; now this.

"Who was my mother?"

"Her name was Jeanette."

I was hoping for more. Time to prime the pump. "She left…wherever we were. Why?"

"Son, I have no idea. You'll have to ask her."

"I can't. She's dead."

"I'm very sorry." He says, politely.

"It's fine. I don't remember her. Mal was the only mother I ever knew."

His eyebrows raise. "Maleficent? I read her dossier. Didn't take her for the mothering type."

I know. She used to be a horrible person. New subject. "Where are we going?"

"Why, Raven Rock, son. Everyone will be excited for your return. Your father hasn't seen you in…eighteen years, perhaps. You are nineteen now, correct?" He asks. I nod.

He smiles. No doubt, his career is going to benefit from this. "Wonderful. Just wonderful."