Destiny. It's a funny thing. It promises you everything, but gives you nothing. It only mocks us.

I've had my fair share of crying, back in Sanctuary. When I left, I promised myself I wouldn't shed another tear. There were many reasons why I broke the promise I made to myself on that particular day. I cried because I was overcome with happiness. I cried because I couldn't believe destiny would be so kind, yet so cruel towards me. There it was, blessing me with this man who walked into my life, yet offering me a million ways to destroy everything we've built together.

We were on our way home, when suddenly a man crossed our path. He halted in his steps in front of us, in complete silence. Crazy stare in the eyes. Specks of dried blood on his face. A scar ran from the right corner of his lip to the middle of his cheek. I'll never forget that face. Guy had written bad news all over him.

'The fuck do you want?' I reloaded my shotgun, pointed it at him.

'Get lost, pal.' MacCready stood next to me, backing me up.

'Relax. Just hand over all your caps and everybody walks out of this alive.' The man grinned while he calmly stated his intentions, as if he casually asked for directions to Diamond City. I could tell he was high on chems. Arms and legs jittery, dilated pupils, smacking his lips.

'What? No way.' I answered, shook my head. Nearly laughed. He was unarmed, and that was the sole reason I hadn't shot him yet.

Finger on the trigger. 'Last warning.' I told him. 'We're not doing this.' I prepared to leave, but he took a step in my direction, blocking my way.

The raider cackled maniacally. 'Or what?'

'What, are you deaf? Move.' MacCready was holding his rifle in front of him and pushed the raider aside. But he immediately stepped back. His eye twitched again.

'Just leave it. He's just a junkie.' I tugged Mac's wrist, but he abruptly pulled away his hand and kept staring the man down. He looked past MacCready and his eyes ran over my body, inspecting me. He licked his lips.

'How about this, though guy? You let me have a little go with your girlfriend and I won't cut your throat.'

MacCready placed himself between me and the raider.

'You shut your fucking mouth.' MacCready raised his voice. Everything happened so fast. The raider punched him in the head and all I could do was watch my lover instantly collapse in the dirt. He kicked his rifle away with his foot.

Before I realized what had happened, his dirty hands reached for me, clasping them firmly around my neck. He was strong, insanely strong. Fucked up by the chems no doubt. I fell on the ground, flat on my back. My gun, out of reach. He pushed himself on me, suffocating my body with his weight. I desperately tried to get him off me, but no matter where I placed my hands, he was unstoppable. My legs kicked around wildly on the ground in frustration, dust flying up. I scratched his hands with my fingernails. Slapped his face. He didn't flinch. It was as if he didn't feel pain.

'Why don't you fucking die already, you bitch!' He hissed at me, spit flying out of his mouth, landing in my eyes. He shook his arms violently, applying more pressure. He didn't stop choking me, I couldn't breathe. I opened my mouth, but couldn't produce a sound. Nothing. Panic coursed through my body. I felt my heartbeat in my ears, loud thuds, increasing in speed.

'Mac...'

Full of despair I tried to call out his name, but I could only manage to let out a miserable silent gurgle. I watched him lay on the ground, laying still. My face felt like it was swollen. His right hand reached for his back pocket. But even with one hand, he had full control over me. He showed me a knife, proudly as if he was showing off a trophy he had just won.

'I'll make this quick.' The sharp blade cut into my cheek. I wanted to scream, but I couldn't. My vision blurred out, but out of the corner of my eye I could see MacCready regain consciousness. I reached out my trembling hand towards him, stretching my fingertips so far I was afraid my skin would to rip open. I felt my blood running down my face. It was warm and thick.

He got up so fast, nearly stumbled over his own legs.

'Get away from her!' He screamed from the top of his lungs. From behind he grabbed the man by his collar and managed to pull him off me in two struggling tries.

I rolled on my side and gasped for air. Precious air, filling my lungs. I couldn't stop coughing. I thought I was going to vomit.

'Fucking asshole! You'll pay for this!' He screamed, sitting on top of him. Blood gushed out of the raider's nose. He cried out in pain, begged for forgiveness. But MacCready kept mercilessly pounding his fists on his face. Blinded by rage, he didn't stop.

'Mac... Stop...' I spoke whilst rubbing my throat, my voice hoarse. Barely audible.

He held his fist up in the air and looked down at the man under him. MacCready was out of breath, his face red and flustered. When he saw the gash on my face, his eyes grew wide.

'You're bleeding...' he gasped, rushing towards me. His hands were shaking, covered in blood.

'Come here.' He let himself fall on his knees, pulled me close against his chest. He held me tight while I listened to his heartbeat. Out of all the thoughts that could've run through my mind during that moment, I thought about Lucy. And how he lost her. In that moment, I realized I had willingly signed up for that scenario to happen all over again.

He let go of me, looked me in the eyes. 'How long was I out? What else did he do to you?' His sad expression changed into one of pure hatred, anger. He turned around. 'Maybe I should just kill him right now!' he yelled desperately.

I grabbed his wrist. 'No. Let him suffer.' I took a brief glance at the raider laying on the ground, now harmless. He was squirming in agony, blood gushing out of his mouth. His eye were red and swollen. He tried to talk, but he couldn't.

'How's your head? How hard did he hit you?' He ignored my questions completely. Instead he lifted me up from the dirt, placed me on the hood of an old car stranded next to the road. He seemed to have regained his calm.

'Stay still.' He commanded me and reached inside his coat.

'This will hurt. A lot. But if we don't do this now, it will get infected.' He uncorked a tiny bottle with his teeth.

'Just do it.' I mumbled. I looked away, he held back my hair and carefully poured alcohol over my cheek. I had cuts before, but never on my face. It was as if a million burning needles stung into the wound all at once. I clenched my teeth, shut my eyes.

Then he took a napkin out of his pocket and gently dabbed it against my wound. And I just sat there, trembling like a lost deer. In silence, he cleared my cheek of all the blood and grime.

'I'm sorry.' He suddenly told me. His green eyes were averted to the ground, his head bowed. It looked like he was deeply ashamed of what happened. I refused to accept his apology. Didn't want to hear a single word of it. I lifted his face up towards mine.

'What for? For saving me?' My voice came on stronger, louder and angrier than I felt.

'Yeah, some savior I am.' He scoffed and rolled his eyes, rubbing the exact spot where the raider had hit him. He threw the napkin away, it was completely drenched by my blood.

'No. You stepped in, you took a risk. It... it could've gone so differently.' I sniffle. 'Promise me. Never to do that again.'

'Don't cry.' He whispered and kissed me on my forehead. I fought so hard to stop the tears, didn't dare to shut my eyes. But when I heard him say those words, my lips twitched and I simply let go. Tears streamed down my face, but I didn't make a sound.

'Listen to me, Catherine.' He cupped my cheek, ran his thumb over my cheekbone.

'You are worth every risk I take.'

I bow my head against his chest, grab hold of his coat with both hands. I held it so tight as if he'd slip away from me if I would dare to let go.

'I'll never allow something bad to happen to you. Not while I'm alive.'

He placed his arm around my neck and kissed me on my temple. A strong, short kiss.

'I love you, you fool.' I whimpered.

'Come. Keep close to me, we're getting the hell out of here.' He placed his arm around my shoulder and I put my arm around his waist. I walked past the man who tried to kill me. He was still breathing. By the grimace he made I could tell he was in a lot of pain.

A few seconds later I hear him move. When I turn my head I see he had rolled around to his side, coughing and wheezing.

'You bastards... You deserve each other.'