The morning of the election came. I should have felt hope and pride for my brother's big day, but it was replaced with shock, nausea, and rage. Guy's sickening campaign involved promising the people a new act to be put into place if he won the election — a no-ghouls policy.
I decided then and there not to vote at all. There was no way I'd vote against my brother. Not for all the money in the world. But I couldn't rightly stand behind him, either. I don't know what came over him. I never thought he was that kind of person. And all I could do was hope that the people weren't stupid enough to vote him in, for the ghouls' sake.
I was dead wrong. The ballots were closed by two o'clock that afternoon, and he won the votes of all the upper stands snobs and a few citizens in the field and lower stands who were just assholes and racists.
During the inauguration speech, Nick, Piper, Nat, and I all stood in the back of the crowd. Part of me believed that he wasn't gonna really do it. It was just a ploy. He pulled one over on 'em and was gonna yell "gotcha!" But I found myself sorely disappointed twice.
"Dear citizens of Diamond City," he said in a grey three-piece suit and hat on stage. "I've thought long and hard about my inaugural address. It is very important to me that I get the message across to everyone. The year 2282 will bring in many changes. It pains me to say that these changes will not be suitable for everyone. However, change is necessary for growth, and I believe that this fine city will grow even more with the steps that I want to make with everyone. To begin, our city guard will, starting today, put the safety of our people ahead of all else. They are to patrol the Wall and the city within and arrest those willing to violate our way of peace, and that is their only goal. The safety of the city as a whole is all that matters. Secondly, I would like to raise the chem tax to a whopping twenty-five percent."
"That bastard," I muttered. It's like he was specifically targeting me or something.
I glanced at Piper who was taking notes as usual, but her face told me everything. She knew what was next, as did I.
"Here it comes," muttered Nick. "Be ready to act fast."
"Lastly, I would like to act on my running slogan, 'Mankind for McDonough,' at the behest of my voters. There will be a new act implicated in Diamond City — the anti-ghoul decree of 2282. From this day forth, ghouls will be banned from city limits."
The crowd murmured with a mix of bad and good responses, but I could already see the ghoul residents getting uncomfortable and backing away from the prying eyes of the crowd surrounding them.
"Any material possessions the ghouls have left behind will be given to those less fortunate in the field. The homes will be put up for sale after inspection and cleaning."
His eyes met mine from his perch on the stage. I stared daggers into him, hopin' he felt at least a tiny twinge of guilt.
"The anti-ghoul decree takes place immediately. And thank you again, fair citizens. I won't let you down."
He scurried off of the platform as the crowd slowly broke into chaos and made his way to the lift under the mayoral office.
"That asshole," I growled. "He actually went through with it."
"John, I hate to say it, but things are about to get ugly. We need to get the girls back home."
"I can take care of myself and Nat," said Piper. "You two do what you need to do."
"What's happening?" asked Nat.
"Don't worry, sweetie, big sis will take care of it. Just come with me."

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FO4 | Book 0: The Diaries of Anarchy ✔️
FanfictionWho is the John McDonough that hides behind the ghoulish Mayor Hancock of Goodneighbor? Our story begins with a sickly little boy at the age of seven who grew up in an old house on the waterfront, accompanied by his entitled older brother, his submi...