Chapter 2

Almost a whole month has passed since the incident with the dragon. My back has healed, though I had few more scars on my back in my collection. My walk was still hilariously bad, though. It was still early in the morning. The sun barely colored the sky in blue, but it already felt safer. Monsters never

attacked in the sunlight, even small and frail as this one. My father, Flower and I sat in front of the house, finishing breakfast from cheap cans of ratmeat. "You know, I've heard that in Megaton they have coffee," said Flower.

"That's ridicilous. There are no plants to make coffee from," I replied.

"Apparently, they are having shipments from some kind of Tree God or something."

"Tree God doesn't exist," said our Dad. "That God is just a guy whom tree grew out of his head because of radiation."

"That must've been hilarious to see."

"Bandit, you're so mean."

"I know."

"Girls, tomorrow I'll be leaving on a mission," said dad, throwing our cans into the garbage.

"What kind of a mission?"

"Some scientist wants to go to some abandoned Vault that has something to do with his research."

"Because nice asses can't really go fetch dangerous stuff for themselves."

"I'm not going alone. Five more mercenaries have signed up. It's some kind of big stuff."

"Still, don't go throwing your life away for some unimportant scientist," said Flower. "We still need you here."

"Of course, my girls. Listen, While I'm gone, i want you to take care of few stuff. Flower, you must lead the shop, and Bandit, go to Rivet City to fetch some parts for me."

"For bazooka, I guess?"

"Yes, for my lovely Fat Man that you killed."

"It has always been suicidal."

"But you will do it?"

"Sure. I haven't been out in the Wastelands for a long time. When should I go?"

"Tomorrow, at the same time I'll be going. If I'm not mistaking, there are three other people going to Rift, so you can travel together. It's safer to travel in groups."

"Yeah, yeah, I know." I threw my can into the garbage. "So, tomorrow. Is anyone special coming today?"

"Yes, Party Poison and Fun Ghoul will be coming for shipment."

"Enclave would destroy us if they knew about this," said Flower, stroking her beautiful golden hair.

"If they were ever to find out about this, we would be able to run away. DOn't worry about it, Flower." Flower sighed. We both knew that we probably wouldn't see them coming, but Dad was just stubborn as ever. Not that we didn't like the Killjoys. Well, Flower liked them, I thought they were tolerable. 'You're so full of shit,' is what Flower would tell me if I told her that.

Flower and I opened the shop. Grubb ran around like flying squirrel high on drugs, accesorizing our walls with badass guns, so our shop would look like something special. "Do you know who these guys are?" he asked me when I told him to calm down.

"Radiant Smile and Masked Guy? I know who they are. They came last month and bothered me about that dragon thing."

"They are the legends!" You didn't want to see him when he first found out who those guys were. He started screaming and laughing hysterically, jumping while waving with his hands and called it fangirling. I don't think I will ever understand what that means.

„Whatever, Grubb. Just don't try to rape them, I don't think they will appreciate it." He gasped in shock. That face was just hilarious.

„Why would I ever do something so dirty to someone as noble as them? They are the shiny spots of this darkness I call life! They are my heroes!"

„Wow, you really adore them," noticed Flower.

„Well, obviously," I said, rolling my eyes.

„Of course I adore them! They saved my life!"

Strange. He never told us that. Not that is our business.

Day passed slowly, as Flower and I were choking on stinking, hot air. Dad was working on air conditioner, but for some strange reasons, it would always act like it was possesed by some angry demon from fiery pit. I'm pretty sure it was trying to curse us. The bell rang as the door opened, and the five colorful figures entered our little shop, getting it a bit crowded. I never saw Grubb so excited in my life. I thought he was going to faint.

„Hey, you! I remember you!" said the short guy with green mask, Fun Ghoul, the one that bought the gun last time they were here. Only, there were just two – redheaded Radiant Smile and him. He was talking to Grubb, and Grubb, paralyzed just stared in them in wonder. „You're that guy from few years ago! You were attacked by Super Mutants when you were trying to get on surface. Grubb, if I'm correct?" That was too much for him. Grubb fainted, falling like lady whose skin is too sensitive for sun. I couldn't help myself. I cought myself laughing hysterically, so much my stomack hurt. Flower hid her face and prayed to whatever god or godess was listening to opne the earth beneath her feet. Unfortunately for her, that didn't happen.

When I stopped laughing and helped Flower to bring Grubb back to life, I took a good look at our four guests. They took of their masks, and I could see their faces clearly. The guy on the left was dressed in red leather jacked and black pants. He had blond hair combed backwards, he was looking around the shop, holding his yellow motor helmet. He was one of those guys that don't know how to smile. Just like me. Next to him was a little girl with black curly hair, in black T-shirt, jeans, and blue jacket with red sleeves. The guy closest to the door wore sunglasses, and was dressed completely in black leather, with few red stripes on his pretty jacket. His black curly hair was EVERYWHERE. He had a face of sweetheart, kind of face I'd imagine Grubb would have if he wasn't a ghoul. Radiant Smile and the Masked Guy were standing next to each other, in pretty much the same clothes as the last time I saw them. Masked Guy had really cute face, face of the little trickster. You never trust face that's so cute. Ever.

„So, how can I help you, guys?" asked Flower while I was still giggling to myself.

„We were looking for your father."

„And whom should I announce to my father?"

„I am Party Poison, and this is Fun Ghoul, as you already know. The guy at the door is Jet Star, and these two are Kobra Kid and the Little Girl."

I was expecting for Grubb to come back to life and yell 'I love you!' and faint again, but that didn't happen. Flower left in the back of the shop and entered the house, calling Dad. I was trying to take care of Grubb, as he still didn't come to. I was getting little worried.

„Hey, is it true that you killed a dragon?" asked the Little Girl.

„Nope. It just happened to eat my Mini Nuke." I wasn't even being sarcastic.

„Do you think I'll be able to kill one?"

„If you're lucky eneough, you won't encounter one. But if you do, remember that they're not so fireproof on the inside."

„I think we should all keep that in mind," said Jet Star.

„So, what's going on in the Wastelands these days?" I haven't been outside for almost eight months. I must catch up on the news.

„It's wonderful," said Party Poison. „There's action behind every rock. There are so many things to discover out there, so many things to be done! And not to mention the fight for justice. It's basically the War!"

„Sounds awfully adventurous."

„You're not the danger loving tiype, eh?"

„I'm nothing loving type. I do things because I must."

„That's not true. Everybody loves unicorns," said Kobra Kid.

„What?"

„Err... Kobra Kid, go play with Sparkles," replied Jet Star. Kobra Kid didn't react.

„What do you mean, you must? You killed a dragon! You're a hero!" said Fun Ghoul.

„I'm not a hero. I didn't kill it on purpose, I was just trying to survive. Hero would give his life for someone else. I couldn't care less."

„That's not true. You probably need to find something that is worth fighting for," said Fun Ghoul and smiled. His words were comforting, but I refused to believe them. That moment, Flower and Dad came in.

„Spyke!"

„Party Poison! It's really good to see you!" said Dad and greeted all Killjoys present in the shop with a hug. They proceed to go into the back of the shop to discuss some serious bussines. Dad took Grubb and went to tuck him into the bed; he was still alive. The Little Girl stayed back, obviously displeased for being left behind. She played with a small BB gun Grubb put there, small eneough for her to use it. „Hey, Little Girl," I said. She looked at me. „Do you want to learn how to use that thing?" She nodded, replying with a smile.

.A.

Early in the morning, stood at the front door, waiting for Dad to come. I never like to say goodbyes; I feel like people are getting ready to go to their deaths and that saying a simple 'goodbye' is form of letting someone go. And I couldn't let go of Flower or Dad, nor could I allow them to let go of me. 'You just need to find something worht fighting for.' Shut the hell up.

Few other people came. Most of them were dressed like me – black leather clothes, light backpacks, guns and bullets, hidden blades... Most of them were mercenaries Dad mentioned yesterday, and some of them were probably guys going to the Rivet City with me. Well, it was obvious who are mercenaries, and who are travelers, because they separated themselves in two groups. I was standing close to the group of four people. An asian guy, a black guy, blonde guy and a girl who is obviously his twin sister. They barely spoke in my presence. They still haven't gotten over that Dragon Slayer. I could see they were glad that I was with them, but didn't know how to talk to me. Wich is good. I'm in no mood to talk to them.

I thought of my yesterday tutoring with the Little Girl. She was a real talent for that, and she was so hyped up to hold a gun in her hands, her excitement was radiating on me. I even gave her that gun for free. I don't think that Killjoys were very happy about it, but hey, kids' gotta take care of herself.

My Dad was the last one to arrive, together with that sissy scientist. „You have everything you need?" he asked.

„Yes."

„Travel light."

„I know."

„Try to avoid trouble. Fight only if you have no other choice."

„I know."

„Come back in one piece, okay?"

„Okay." He sighed.

„You look so much like your mother. She would be very proud."

„Thanks, dad." He patted my shoulder. He wasn't much for goodbyes either. Well, that's one thing I've inherited from him.

„Shall we go?" asked one of the mercenaries.

„We're all set."

The door opened, and the two groups went into the deserts of Wasteland, as the morning sun shone upon us, guiding us.

.A.

„Have you ever been to Rivet City before?" asked the Yukimura, the asian guy of the group. He was trying to start conversations and break the ice. I got the impression no one here actually knew each other.

„No," said the black guy, Chris. „I've never been further than Megaton."

„Jovanka and I often go to Rivet City. It's pretty far, It would take at least five days to get there," said Stallin.

„We could go with shortcuts, underground," suggested Jovanka.

„Underground is way too dangerous. It's swarming with Raiders and ghouls. Under the sky you at least have a place to run off to." Blonde twins were children of a hardcore communist. In our little city, it doesn't matter who believes in what, as long as you work to keep the walls up, but the rest of the world is not really tolerant of commies. I told them to change their names if they want to stay alive. They didn't take it very well.

„Both paths are dangerous," said Chris. He was rather tall and muscular. Fist fight with him would be painful. „But I'd rather stick above the ground."

„Nights get dark," said Jovanka. „You can't see at all."

„Bandit, you're silent. What do you think?" asked Yukimura.

„Besides that Jovanka and Stallin should change their names?" I'm going to get killed in my sleep. „Whatever. We're going to die either way if we're not careful."

„Whats wrong with our names?" asked Jovanka.

„If you really go around as much as you brag you do, you'd know that most people kill commies on sight. And you have names that commies adore."

„You're an ugly ass bitch, you know that?" said Stallin.

„Yes, but you could never afford to kiss it." I am going to get myself killed. I'd like one dragon, please!

„You little..." Stallin tred to hit me, and just as I was about to dodge him, Chris grabbed his fist.

„Don't let her provoke you. She's just a bitch, but she's right. If anybody asks you your names, think of somthing else to reply with."

„Barbie and Ken would suit you."

„You should shut the fuck up. You don't have to act all high and mighty just because you killed a goddamn dragon! You're not a hero at all!" Well, someone gets it. But I decided to keep my mouth shut, since I didn't want to see this giant break my neck.

We continued to walk in silence, and got to the first ruined city. I fell behind a bit, trying to avoid the deadly vibe coming from three jerks up ahead. I've never been people person, and that's why all my excursions ended up like this. Only two people that could put up with my sharp tounge (beside my family) were Grubb (but he could put up with anything) and Gabriel, for the sake of staying together with Flower. He must be celebrating right now.

„You shouldn't fall behind like that," said Yukimura.

„Don't you worry about me. Go ahead and gossip with three hypocrites."

„Why are you always so mean?"

„I'm not mean. I'm honest. It hurts."

„Well, why can't you find some other way to say what you're thinking? There are nice words too, you know?"

„People don't deserve nice words. People are as big scum as the monsters they fight with."

„Oh." He was quiet for a little while, but then continued to talk. „By the way, I've noticed you think you know more than the rest of us about the Capital Wasteland. Why is that?"

„You might want to rephrase that. I've crossed every inch of the Capital Wasteland. From mercenary jobs to shipments and deliveries for my father."

„Wow! Really?"

„Yes. Flower and I were outside of the border once."

„And how's outside?"

„Wasted. Just like the Wasteland. Flower says she saw glowing ghouls, but she was high on drugs back then."

„Really? Glowing ghouls?" he sounded as if he was amused.

„Don't get excited. She was just hallucinating. How about you, Yukimura? You never said about your adventures."

„I go around..." He didn't want to say anything else. Good. I didn't want to know anyway.

.A.

Stallin and I were holding the guard while the rest of the group slept. Well, he held the guard, and I just couldn't sleep. Is it any wonder with people like this? We hid in the ruins of the skyscraper, close to the entrance so we could escape in case danger comes near. We did check the first two floors, but we weren't sure if we were completely alone in here. Yukimura seemed a bit lost, but he knew what he was doing. I can't say that Stallin and Jovanka were so bad, but I still disliked them a lot. As for Chris – he didn't talk much. He did his part of the job in silence. It wasn't completely dark – few lights were still burning, and that's what has been bothering me. Someone had changed these cieling lights. I just hoped they weren't hostile. I took a look at Stallin. He looked as if he was nearly asleep, and even though he held his eyes opened, his head was still shaking up and down. Poor kid. I stood up and shoke his shoulder, and he flinched pointing gun at me. So jumpy. „Times up. My turn to hold a guard."

„What?" he whoke his head, trying to stay awake. „I'm supposed to guard two more hours."

„Yeah, and that's exactly what's gonna kill us. Go to sleep. I'll guard. I can't fall asleep anyway." I didn't have to persuade him much longer. He layed next to his sister and fell asleep the moment he hit the ground. It soon became pretty quiet. One light, the one closest to us, would turn on and off on ocasions. Chris would sneeze in his sleep from time to time, and wind would howl through the shattered windows, but that was about it. And that's what I found weird. Every single time those creatures would attack at night. Sure, they didn't come out immediately, but... And then I heard a tiny little growl, coming from outside. I jumped on my feet and sneaked a peak through the broken window. There was a whole lot of feral ghouls approaching the building. God dammit! Why does it always have to be feral ghouls? The growls became louder and soon the whole wonderful choir of deadly zombie growls could be heard. During that choir that was slowly becoming louder and louder, I woke everybody up. „Couldn't you wake us up sooner?" asked Jovanka. I rolled my eyes. I woke them up as soon as I spotted the rotten bastards. We all took our stuff, taking our hideouts and praying no ghouls would come to our little skyscraper. Of course, that wouldn't happen. They came in exactly in our skyscraper.

„We have to get past through them!" whispered Jovanka.

„We could try to sneak out," suggested Yukimura.

„That's not exactly an option!" whispered Stallin from his hideout, holding a gun ready.

„We could try a diversion. Bandit and I could keep them busy while you escape."

„I'm gonna go with no," I said. Shit I ain't selling my ass so they could save themselves.

„Then what do you suggest we do?" asked Chris. I tiny little growl came to our ears.

„Um.. Guys... I think they found us." Stalling was staring right into the ghoul that was barely few steps away from him, and the ghoul was staring back.

„What do you mean, you think?" asked Jovanka. The ghoul roared, and Stallin shot the bastard in the head for getting too much attention.

„FIRE!" yelled Chris. We all jumped out of our hideouts, shooting the damned bastards. I was glad that those lights were still burning. I wouldn't be able to shoot them in complete darkness. But the hell was loosed upon us. There were five ghouls on each member of the group, and they just kept coming if we killed one of them. Our best chances were to try to keep them in the distance as long as we had ammo. Most of the guys were running low. „We gotta fight through!" I yelled. That was our only chance of escaping. Of course, nobody listens to ginger. Chris was the first one to run out of ammo. He took the pipe from the ground, crashing the skull of every mindless zombie that dared to come close. Their infected blood covered as he teared their skulls open. That was incredibly sexy. You should've seen him. First one to fall was Stallin. He pushed Jovanka away as two ghouls jumped on him. He was torn to pieces by hungry, angry ghouls. That's when Jovanka went breserk. „NO!" she screamed, wasting ammo on the group of ghouls that turned her brother into bloody gore. When she lost her ammo, she used her gun as a bat. Chris was pushed down by two ghouls himself, and one of then hit him with a stone in the head until there was nothing left but the discusting, mashed brain in the pool of blood and crushed skull. Jovanka was still going breserk, and it seemed all ghouls tried to get to her and kept their distance at the same time. That's where I saw my chance. I pulled Yukimura, who was still trying to cover her. „There's nothing you can do for her now," I said.

„We can't just live her like that!"

„Whatever. You go ahead and be a ghoul meal. I'm getting outta here." If he wants to die, who am I to stop him? I fought my way through few ghouls, cutting them with my machette, and I knew that Yukimura followed. We got outside under the weak moonlight of our three moons. We could hear Jovanka's dying screams, and we knew we were next if we don't hurry.

„We should've helped her!" said Yukimura while we were running away.

„It's too late. Now stop using your head and use your god damned legs and run! We're not out of this yet." Just as I said that, I turned around and shot the ghouls that got to close to Yukimura, and at the same time, I could feel someone hitting my head from behind. I stood my ground and recieved another hit. „No! Stop!" yelled Yukimura as three ghouls jumped on him, but I could barely hear him. I tried to get up to help him, and I felt another hit, and I united my face with the dirt as the world went black.

.A.

I woke up in the small, dirty prison cell recalling being dragged by those hideous ghouls underground. The memories were blurry and unclear, but I managed to memorise part of the way out. First three steps underground, in fact. The light from the corridor was weak. I looked around, and felt relieved to see Yukimura laying in the opposite corner. He wasn't seriously injured, and he was breathing. I gently woke him up, afraid if he might have few broken bones. He jumped back and hit the wall. „Ouch!" he said scratching his head.

„I see you're just fine."

„What happened? Where are we? Haven't the ghouls killed us?"

„Obviously, they imprisoned us. They'll probably do some wacko experiments on us."

„They're mindless. They can't experiment!"

„But people that control them can."

„Shit. That's even worse than dying."

„Not if you keep your sanity."

„What if they turn us into ghouls? I don't want to look like a corpse!" I found that slightly insulting. I wasn't the ghoul myself, but still. I liked some of the ghouls.

„That's not the worst that can happen to you."

„Well, you don't give a damn how you look like because you look like shit anyway!"

„That makes two of us." Yukimura opened his mouth to start to yell at me, but he didn't say anything. He probably came to conclusion i won't react. After all, I am a dragon slayer, I don't react to shit peasants say.

„I'm sorry. I didn't really mean it," he said instead. I was awestruck. Did he just apologize? I never heard an apology in my life!

„Um... It's okay. I get that a lot anyway." We sat together in awkward silence, both taking the corners of the cell to ourselves. „I don't understand. Why didn't you help Jovanka? Just because you didn't like her?"

„Pretty much. I don't want to risk my life to save to save someone who will later make my life as miserable as humanly possible."

„She wouldn't do that. She would be grateful."

„No, she wouldn't. I saw how people are grateful after you give your life for them."

„What do you mean? What happened?"

„You are too curious. I don't want to talk about it."

„Why not? You are going to die anyway. There is no shame in sharing your life story with me." I sighed. Well, he was right. Someone might as well know.

„Okay. It happened about two or three years ago, back when my family and I still lived in the Big City. I had five brothers and two sisters. I was second youngest one. There was this raid, the one just like we had few months ago, just scratch the dragon and replace super mutants with vampires. They killed most of the town, including most of my family. One of them nearly killed me, and it took me six months to be able to walk again. But that's not all. My eldest brother, Jonathan, he could've survived. But he didn't. Why? He saved an ass of the same jerk who nearly raped my sister afterwards. Jonathan got dragged away, and I don't know if they turned him or killed him."

„Wow. That was tough."

„Yes. It was. My brother was a hero, and I do respect heroes. But I wouldn't go down that path. A hero believes and dies for his cause. I don't believe in anything, and I don't have any cause. If I were to die for someone, it would be only those whom I love, and only if there is not other way around. Hero would save anyone, he would give his life for humanity. I would never do that."

„Because you hate people."

„Yes."

„But you like persons."

„Probably." He raised an eyebrow and smiled. „Okay! Yes. I loke some persons. Jerk."

„Bitch."

„Asshole."

„Goat." We giggled. He would make a really awesome friend. I just felt sorry I hadn't met him sooner.

.A.

I don't know how long we've been in that cell. It seemed as if time has no say in this place. It could've been hours. It could've been days, maybe even months. We heard noise of footsteps and pulled back into our corners, as if we could hide. Four ghouls dressed in lab coats turned up, and stopped in front of our cell. I'm pretty sure one of them was a female. „Howdy," said Yukimura. „We have learned our place. We shan't hurt your little pets no more. Can we go now?"

„Very funny, smoothskin. Take him."

„What are you going to do with him?" I asked.

„We will put him under a large amount of radiation, to see how much will he be able to hold on before he turns into a ghoul," said probable female one. She unlocked the cell and three male ghouls came in. They really shouldn't have done this. I wasn't going to let them take him. He was pretty likeable, after all. I jumped at one of them, and with swift movements, I broke his neck. Yes! My martial art skills actually came in handy! The second one grabbed me from behind, while the third one tried to put me down. Yukimura jumped on him. I kicked the third ghoul in the crotch, and broke free of the second one's grip. I turned around and hit him with an elbow. I grabbed his head and pushed it through the bars. He screamed, as he tried to get his head out, as if he was going crazy. Yukimura and the third one were wrestling, while female one was screaming for help. Her eyes widdened in horror as something big came into the corridor. I could soon see it. Large green skinned grotesque figure walked down the hall. His small, black eyes stared wildly at us. He showed his sharp teeth in a sinister smile . or was it to growl? His arms were big and strong, muscles big beyond belief. He was dressed in ragged armored suit, too small for his size, with holes on the knees and elbows. It was the super mutant, carrying a large, black backpack. He glared at us, growling. He grabbed screaming ghouless and squeezed her head, crushing her skull. Few drops of blood splattered me, and I pulled back into the cell. The super mutant took the gun and shot the gasping ghoul that was fighting Yukimura a while ago. „Here," said the mutant, handing me the gun over. „You will need this."

I seriously had no idea how to react to this. What. The. Hell.

Yukimura, however, knew exactly what to do. He grabbed the gun out of my hands and pointed it at the super mutant. He was shaking. „G-Get lost, or I-I'll..."

„Shoot? There is no need for that. I am a friend."

„A friend? I never saw a friendly super mutant."

„Your mother said the very same thing to me when she first met me."

„My mother? You knew my mother?"

„Yes!" he said loudly. „And I know you, though you may not remember me, Bandit."

„Whoa... His level of speech... It's incredible! Fantastic!" said Yukimura, lowering his gun. „And he knows your name!"

„Yeah, but I don't know his."

„You were too young to remember. My name is Fawkes."

„Sure. Fawkes. Listen, if you really knew my mother, you'd know how she pulled of that trick with turning on the Project Purity without getting herself killed." I always wanted to know how she pulled off that one. She was a trickster, and she'd always find another way around.

„I was the one to turn it on. Your mother always wanted to avoid death, if she could find another way around. At first, I did not want to rob her of her destiny, but then she persuaded me." Damn it. I knew that she wasn't the one to actually turn on the project.

„And by persuading you, I suppose she threathened she'll never have anything to do with you if she survived."

„She put the gun to my head and said if she's going to die, she's taking me with her." Well, sometimes she'd do that too.

„Wow. You and your mother are so similar!" said Yukimura.

„Never mention that again, Asian boy." He just giggled. What a female.

In the corridor, three feral ghouls started growling and hissing. Fawkes shot all three of them. „We should get our equipment back and get the hell out of here," I said.

„There is no need for that." Fawkes put down the backpack he was carrying. „I know my way around these tunnels. I often sneak in to steal some equipment. You can help yourself with all these."

I was so glad to find my machette, I could've kissed this super mutant. And I don't even kiss normal people. Yukimura and I both took our weapons of choice. I sticked to my belongings, though I did take some extra ammo. Yukimura had a hard time choosing between two rifles, and in the end, he took a laser gun. I was pretty sure I heard him saying „Ha! That's for making me choose you, now neither of you will have me." What a strange guy.

„Are you ready? Let's go," said Fawkes, and under his lead, we saw the light of the day sooner than we expected.

.A.

„You know, you are about the most epic thing I've ver seen in my entire life," said Yukimura. We were quite far from the ghouls hideout, and it was pretty much safe for us to keep our guns down.

„You are very kind. But what are you doing out here?"

„We were going to Rivet City. Bandit for some shipment, and I have some message for my aunt to deliver. Something about trees."

„Oh, you mean that Oasis stuff Three Dog has been talking about?" I asked. „He was high on jet."

„Kill my hopes and dreams, why don't you?" It was my time to giggle.

„What sort of shipment do you have to take care of?"

„Bazooka for my father, since I destroyed his last one."

„Spyke! Oh, I remember him very well. He was the best gunslinger I have ever met. He was overprotective though, and sometimes had jelousy issues."

„Overprotective? That is not my father. Jelousy issues? Oh hell yes."

„You should have seen him. Back then, he was so confused. He wasn't even sure if he loved Selene, but no other man was allowed to look at her."

„Yeah, I know, but he always denied that." We continued to walk in silence. He was remembering all those adventures he shared with my parents, and I was remembering how my mother used to cuddle me and tell me stories of their bravery. She never mentioned Fawkes. Or maybe she did, but I just don't remember. Does he know that my mother is dead? He probably does. How did he react when he heard that news? The mind of the super mutant was a mystery to me, even if it's this friendly kind of mutant.

„So... What are we going to do now?" asked Yukimura, breaking the silence.

„Finish our quests, of course," I said. „I go and get my father's bazooka, and you go and get that tree."

„What are you going to do?"

„I shall escort you. In this place, you have a lot of time to spare."

„Okay. Rivet City it is," said Yukimura.

„You seem to be way too excited over this."

„So what? I have the right to be!"

„Sure. You tell yourself that."

„As the matter of the fact, I will." I smiled – but it was more of a twitch, really. I was glad that he had survived, even if he was annoying and noisy. And I was glad to have met Fawkes. He might seem to be amonster, but there is such a kind person hiding behind that big, ugly mask. I never believed I could ever feel tolerance for... Well, anyone. But something in me changed a lot. I am not such a hateful person I was a month ago. Could it be that I'm, I don't know, letting the world to get close to me, opening my mind and heart? Or is this just a pile of bullshit? Yeah, I't a pile of bullshit.