Wake the dead. Why did I have to use those words? I could have said: 'I hope we don't find a gazillion caps,' or 'I would hate to find some fresh food.' No, I had to say that I hope we don't wake the dead. And look where we are now, at the bottom of some pit, surrounded by those crazed creatures again, and me fresh out of explosives.

Here we were walking along, enjoying the gloomy mid-day sky when all of a sudden there was fucking earthquake. An earthquake that just so happened to open a fault-line directly below us, causing us, or should I say me, to fall into a sinkhole. Or should I say stink-hole. This place reeks. What is this crap? Oh, it's crap. Fuck. Look at me:ex-sanitation worker who just so happened to fall into a sewage system - in the middle of fucking nowhere! To make things worse, this isn't even run of the mill sewage. No, I'm not that lucky. I fell into two hundred-year old rotting sewage. Shouldn't this stuff have, I don't know, dried up by now? Fuckme. Well it can't get worse can it? Oh right, the ghouls. Fuck.

"Onion, get the fuck down here, now!"

"Miss, are you alright?"

"No, I am not alright. Stop asking if I am alright when I obviously am not alright!"

"No need to yell Miss. I am right here."

"And so are a dozen fucking ghouls!"

"Oh dear, not this again."

'Not this again'? How can he say it so nonchalantly? Oh yeah, he's a robot.

I looked around, luckily the ghouls were in front of me, leaving my back exposed. I glanced around, trying to map the place out. Thankfully it wasn't too deep that it cut off the light from above, but it was deep enough that it would take some effort to get out. I saw a small shimmer of hope, a loose pipe hanging down from near the surface. If it held, I could probably climb out. I had time to think. Wait, why did I have time to think? Last time they were on me within seconds. I looked back at them.

The ghouls were just standing there. It was mostly smaller species closer to my size. I think a couple of them were rabbits, but most of their features were missing. Some of them were hunched over, while others looked at the ready, yet they were still. Normally, I would be relieved that they were not trying to eat me, but it was actually kinda freaking me out. Maybe they were like that North fellow? Maybe if I tried to talk to them.

"Um, hello?"

Nothing. They did not respond, verbally or physically. Maybe they were all deaf?

"Hey Onion, go say hi."

"Excuse me Miss?"

"They don't seem to be attacking us, they are just, standing there. Maybe they are friendly?"

"Friendly or not, I have had enough being bait."

"Aww, come on."

"Miss? They are doing something."

I turned back to them. All of them seemed more alert now. Even the hunched over ones seemed to be standing up straighter. All at once they began to move, slowly to each side, cutting a path between them. Maybe they were friendly, and were inviting us in for a cup of coffee. I hope not, I hate coffee, maybe some nice carrot juice. Fuck, North was right, maybe I do like carrots a bit too much. I took a step. No response. I took another step. This time they turned their heads simultaneously towards the path. Before I could take another step I saw something glowing. There was a faint green glow coming from the path. It grew brighter and brighter until I saw its source. It was a ghoul. One much larger than the others. It was also glowing. It was a large green glowing ghoul. The radiation detector on my Pip-Boar started to tick furiously. This can't be good.

"Your plan Miss?"

"Um, try to get the hell out of here before we become a walking glow-stick?"

The glowing ghoul took a few steps past the others. Was it me or were they looking healthier now? At least as healthy as a rotting bag of bones could look. The glowing ghoul just stared at me for a minute before it raised its arm, pointing it directly at me. Its mouth opened and released loud raspy roar. Then the other ghouls started to run, right for us.

I turned and ran towards the pipe. My feet sloshing in the muck below. What I wouldn't give for my water-resistant jumpsuit. Oh right, I left it back in the Burrow because I never wanted to see it again. Of course, to be fair, I never thought I would be in a septic system ever again. Boy was I wrong. Too late to reminisce. I need to get to that pipe.

I took a brief glance over my shoulder to see Onion floating just out of reach of the ghouls. Some of them were trying to reach for him, but failing every time. He was only distracting three of them, but at least that was three less chasing me. I jumped onto a large piece of concrete that had fallen down with us. I am lucky I didn't get crushed by any of this. I leaped off of it with all my might and landed on a small outcropping on the side of the sinkhole. I was still too far to reach the pipe, and everything was too slippery to risk a jump of that height. I saw one of the ghouls getting uncomfortably close and I pulled out my gun. I took aim and nailed him right in the forehead. He fell like a rock. One down, too many to go. I shot again and missed. I took aim again and hit my target. Another one down. Then the glowing one started to get close.

I tried to aim at the glowing ghoul, but at this range the aura of green made it hard to make out his features. I did not want to waste a bullet if I can't hit it right. I turned and tried to get a grip on the wall of the hole. I managed to pull myself up a bit before my grip slipped. My water-logged fur was making it hard to get a good grip with what little there was here. I turned towards the glowing ghoul, maybe if I just …

My thought was interrupted when I saw it stop between the two I killed. It closed its eyes as the green glow became brighter. Suddenly it shot out like a firework. My Pip-Boar spiked for a second as the radiation washed over me. It was not enough to do any irreparable harm to me, but it was enough to revive the two I killed. Wait, what?!

I watched as the two 'dead' ghouls slowly got back up. What. The. Fuck. The raised dead can raise the dead, really? That's not fair. That's really not fair.

"Onion! Things just got worse!"

"How can that be Miss?"

"The green fucker just revived the two I killed, that's how!"

"Shall I play the music now Miss?"

Something tells me that won't work this time. I looked around but there was nothing here. I doubt I will find a handy bag of explosives this time. Wait … Idea!

"Onion! Play something and try to distract them the best you can! I have an idea!"

When Onion turned on the music, it sounded louder than ever. The walls of the sinkhole reverberating it throughout. The glowing one and his two 'friends' looked towards the source of the sound long enough for me to find a way past them. I ran as hard as I could, almost tripping over a rock in the water. I ran as far away from any of the ghouls, which was not far enough for my taste. While they were distracted I dropped down my bag and dug out one of the slave collars. I knew this would come in handy. I saw a slab of concrete that was lying against the wall, leaving an opening large enough to use that as a temporary workspace, and hopefully keep me out of their attention for a minute or two.

I took out my screwdriver and started to work on taking the collar's access panel off. It was still disarmed, but if I just reversed the connections here and … here. The light on the collar turned green. Perfect. I tweaked it a little more before syncing it with my Pip-Boar. I only had one shot at this. I took the collar in one paw and went back out into the open space.

"Hey! Big, green, and ugly!"

I don't know if it understood what I said, but it worked. I got its attention. Now that I got itsattention, a thought occurred to me. This is a small scale explosive. How the hell am I supposed to get it on the ghoul that is emitting deadly radiation? I looked around me for a solution. I can't just run up to it, if it did not kill me, the radiation probably would. Can't drop down on it, there is no ceiling. Unless …

"Onion! Catch!"

I hope this worked. I really did. I tossed the collar with all my might towards Onion who was still floating inches above the ghouls. I probably should have warned him what I was going to do first. The collar fell short of him, landing on the ground outside the mass of ghouls around him.

"The collar! Grab it, quick!"

Now that I had his attention, he was able to zip down and pick it up with one of his grasping arms, before floating right back above the ghouls.

"Now is not the time to be accessories Miss!"

"It's a bomb!"

"A bomb! Why did you just give me a bomb Miss!?"

"You need to get it on the glowing ghoul! Can you do that!?"

"Yes Miss, I can try!"

"Well hurry!"

He better do more than try. I may not be able to take the radiation, but I am sure it would have little effect on a robot. He floated over to the glowing ghoul who was oblivious to him, his eyes locked onto me. I did my best to evade him and his 'friends' as Onion tried to find a good position to clasp it onto its neck. Thankfully these things were designed with a pressure latch, once it is pressed onto the wearers neck, it automatically latched close and tightened. Simple one paw, or in this case, one claw operation.

It took a few attempts. The first time Onion almost dropped it, and the second he missed as the ghoul jumped off of the giant slab in the center. Luckily most of the other ghouls were still paying attention to Onion and the music. Unfortunately, they were hampering his efforts as well. One reached out like it was trying to grab the collar, like a child being taunted with a toy. Thankfully a robot never gives up, unlike myself who am now struggling to catch my breath from all the running.

"Any day now Onion! I don't know how much longer I can keep up this running!"

I guess that was all the encouragement he needed. Seconds later he was able to successfully latch the collar around the glowing ghouls neck. That was my cue. I ran as fast as I could until I was able to dive under that slab of concrete where I left my bag. I brought up my Pip-Boar and pushed the button. I could barely hear it over the echoing music, but I was able to hear a satisfying popping noise as the explosion decapitated the ghouls head. Revive from that fucker.

I poked my head out of the 'shelter' just as I saw the body collapse to the ground, it's head having landed a few inches away. The glowing that was emanating from his body slowly died down, leaving a slightly green corpse. All the ghouls stopped chasing me and Onion, and they just stood there, looking at the corpse. Were they mourning it? Did they even have the capability to mourn? Onion must have thought it was over, because he turned off the music. It was quiet once again.

Then they all charged me. What was I expecting? Their leader died so they would just die with it? Apparently not. At least I had time to count them finally. Ten. There were ten ghouls running at me, and I was on my last breath. I slammed my pawn down on the screen of my Pip-Boar. I was dead.

"Burrow-Tec Assisted Targeting System, Online."

Umm, that was new.

"Initiating First Boot Protocols. Please Wait."

Wait? For what? Why the fuck was my Pip-Boar talking to me? I didn't even know it could talk! Well whatever its doing, it better do it quick. I caught a second wind as I continued to run, keeping barely a few feet between me and those hungry maws. Hungry Maw? Fuck Olivia, stop thinking about food, it's not the time!

"User Detected. Springs, Olivia. Synchronizing Biological Environment. Please Wait."

Biological environment? Whatever it was doing, please be helpful. Please be helpful.

"Biological Environment Synchronized. Elevated Blood Levels Detected. Heart Rate Sixty Percent Above Normal Parameters. Muscle Fatigue Detected. Radiation Levels at Twenty Percent. Recommend Seeking Medical Treatment."

Medical treatment? You think! Tell me something I don't know you stupid piece of shit! Ok Olivia, calm down, I'm just running for my life while my fucking Pip-Boar is telling me what I already fucking know!

"Threats Detected. Would You Like To Activate The Burrow-Tec Assisted Targeting System At This Time?"

"YES! Whatever the fuck that is, fucking do it now!"

"Initializing B.A.T.S. Injection Of Serum X-241 Commencing."

Injecting what now? Did my Pip-Boar say it was injecting me with something! I did not tell it to do that! Did I just activate some fucking suicide pill? 'Run into trouble and your Pip-Boar is set to kill you before trouble does'. Like hell! I need to get this damn thing off of me before …

Wow. I feel, amazing! The pain in my muscles is gone, I feel like I can breathe again, and everything is moving so … slow? Did I just slow down time? What the hell is in this thing? I feel like I am moving in slow motion, but everything around me is moving even slower. I looked down at my Pip-Boar. On the screen was an image of the three closest ghouls to me, but it was not like a simple picture, it was a wire-frame rendering. Green reticles were highlighting parts of them, one on each leg, one on each arm, one on the chest, and one on the head. The one near me was flashing the head. Next to the reticle it read: '86% Chance to Hit'. Chance to hit? My gun! I pointed it towards the ghoul closest and shot. The bullet went straight into its head and it dropped. I think I am in love.

Then it wore off. Fuck.

"B.A.T.S. Terminated. Threats Still Detected. Please Wait Thirty Seconds While The System Refreshes."

It has a cool-down? Of course it does.

"Onion! Turn your music back on! I need thirty seconds!"

"Miss? What is going on!"

"Music! Now!"

The music kicked on but unfortunately only two seemed to be distracted by it as I continued to run, would it be too much for a third breath? My legs were sore, I could barely keep myself up, having to occasionally drag my hand along the wall to prevent me from falling. I nearly tripped twice, once over my own legs. I couldn't keep this up. Why the hell was thirty seconds taking so long! When I got back to my 'shelter' I tried to dive into it, hoping to buy me time. Unfortunately, I only succeeded in bashing my knee on the concrete. That was it. I was finished.

"Imminent Threat Detected. Activate B.A.T.S.?"

"YES!"

I felt the prick of the injection again as time once again slowed. I felt no pain in my knee, and I could think and breath clearly. I did not hesitate this time. I checked my Pip-Boar's visual targeting and took aim at the highest chance to hit areas. I pulled the trigger. Dead. Pulled it again. Dead. I was able to take down two more before my shots stopped. I needed to reload. Five more to go. I was able to reload my gun before the chemicals wore off. The pain in my knee returned. Thirty more seconds. I just needed to live thirty more seconds.

There were only three more on me, with the other two still trying to grab Onion. I could handle three. I got up and put my bad knee against the wall as I ran as fast as I could, ignoring the pain and using the wall as support. I counted down in my head. Twenty-five. I kept running, keeping my gun in my outside paw. My legs wanted to give up, but I wouldn't let them. By sheer will alone I was able to keep going. Twenty. Just as two of them got close enough that I could smell them, I pushed against the wall and started across the sinkhole. Fifteen. I ran passed Onion and got the attention of the other two. I had all five on me. I think Onion was objecting, but I ignored him, putting all my concentration into ignoring the pain, and counting. Ten. When I got to the other side I braced myself against the wall, gun held in both hands facing towards the five ghouls. Five. Four. Three. They were getting very close. Two. I could see into their dead eyes. One.

"Imminent Threat Detected. Activate B.A.T.S.?"

"Yes."

They were within a couple feet of me but to them, I must have been yards away when the serum kicked in. I checked the hit chances and pulled my trigger. One. Dead. Two. Dead. Three. Dead. Four. Dead. Five. Miss. Miss! What the fuck, I was in the zone too! Six. Dead. Thank you!

When the chemicals wore off, and I felt the pain and exhaustion flood back to me, I did the only thing I knew. I collapsed. I really hope this isn't a common occurrence. I was in pain, I was gasping for air, but I was still conscious. That's a plus. I put my head down to rest a moment only to remember where I was, and what I was laying in.

"Miss! I am relieved to see you are ok!"

"My knee feels like it is broken, my legs feel as if they are about to fall off, I am both mentally and physically exhausted, and I am lying in a pool of two hundred-year old filth. Yes, I am doing dandy."

"You're alive, and that's all that matters."

I was alive. Either I was extremely lucky, or fate was still watching over me. And laughing. I am sure it's laughing. Hell, I would be laughing too if it weren't me.

"No Imminent Threats Detected. Shutting Down B.A.T.S. It Is Advised That You Seek Immediate Medical Attention."

"Who was that Miss?"

"Onion meet Pip-Boar, Pip-Boar meet Onion."

When I was younger I tended to skip out on many of my 'required' education. There was advanced language. I was already reading from mechanical engineering texts when my 'classmates' were still trying to comprehend 'One Mouse, Two Mouse, Red Mouse, Blue Mouse' by Dr. Moose. I did not have time for that. Then there were the math classes. Thanks to my mother, I was creating complex algorithms, in my sleep. Literally! Sometimes I would wake up knowing the answer to an equation that boggled me the night before. My mother taught me everything I needed to know before most started to learn about it, I had no need for school when I already knew everything. Of course when I turned fourteen and finally received my Pip-Boar, I was supposed to take: 'Pip-Boar and You', a class that taught you everything to know about the Pip-Boar. I managed to find a way out of it as well. Boy was I stupid.

"Your Pip-Boar started to talk to you Miss?"

"Yup. Don't know how either. Guess I spent way too much time in the Burrow tinkering with everything else that I never once thought: 'Hey, why don't I learn more about this thing that everyone is required to wear.'"

"Well I suggest that you should learn more about it once we get someplace a little safer Miss."

"And what if I want to sit here, surrounded by filth and corpses? I'm starting to find it rather charming."

"As charming as that ghoul sneaking up behind you?"

What!? I thought I killed them all! I didn't even think, I just jumped up, pulled out my gun and fired. There was nothing there.

"Oh you little …, you made me waste a bullet."

"Since you are apparently rested enough to leave Miss, shouldn't we do so post haste? I feel like I may rust if I remain here much longer."

"I think your right. Plus, we wasted enough daylight down here, and I really should find some way of cleaning up."

"I highly doubt we would find any running water, especially none that isn't contaminated Miss."

"Love your optimism Onion."

"Someone has to be."

Since I left Burrow Seventy-Six, I have had back-and forth feelings. At times I was glad to have left, wanting nothing to do with that place. Other times I wish I never left, none so much as I did when I was un the remnants of Beaverton. No matter what my feelings were, there was one thing I always could agree on, the one thing that I missed dearly from the Burrow. Water. None of this contaminated crap, but clean, running water. Sure I still had a few bottles of purified water, but I didn't want to waste them on something as benign as a bath. Sure I was covered head to feet in filth, filth that was slowly drying into a chitinous-like shell. There are other probably are much worse off than I am, but it would be nice to feel clean again.

It was amazing how easy it was climbing out of this sinkhole when there was nothing trying to maul you to death. Since my legs still hurt I took it slowly, not wanting them to give out and end up plummeting back into the abyss. Onion had a much easier time, drifting up to the top like he was some kind of fishing bobber in water. Damn it Olivia, stop thinking of water!

When I got to the top I noticed two things. First, while it was still the afternoon, the clouds were making it seem much darker. Second, whatever caused that earthquake sure did a number here. This was not the only sinkhole that formed. From here I could see at least two others, although neither of them were as large as this one. A huge fault-line had formed that split this land into two. It wasn't wide enough to risk falling into, but I would rather avoid it all together.

"I say we steer clear of this area. If a small rumble did this, I would hate to see what would happen if a larger one hit, and I really do not want to deal with anything else that might be trapped beneath us."

"I agree Miss. It will, however, add a significant time to our journey by avoiding this area."

"How significant?"

"At least an hour Miss. Based upon my readings from when the earthquake hit and the directions of this fault, the epicenter resides in the direction we were previously traveling. It would be safer to give this entire area a wide berth. Plus I would rather not see what resides in those other sinkholes."

"Looks like we are taking the scenic route."

"From rust to waste."

"Heh, that sounds like the name of a book. Maybe I will write one. One of these days. 'The Adventures of Olivia Springs: Book One: From Rust to Waste'."

"If a printing press even exists."

"And there you go, destroying my dreams."

"Miss? I see something just ahead."

"It's not another threat is it? I don't think I can handle anything else today."

"No Miss, it's some kind of sign."

He was right. There was a large green sign handing over the road not too far ahead of us. It had been faded over the years, and by some miracle was still intact. I pulled out the scope and focused on the sign. I left the Burrow to get away from the mice and rats that always looked down on us larger rabbits. Although, after barely escaping that rhino ghoul, I can kinda relate to them. Size can be dangerous, especially if you are one of the smaller ones. Still, I didn't miss them.

"What does it say Miss?"

"'Little Rodentia: Three Miles'."