Stop Raiding My Heart

Chapter 32

Storms, and vertibird malfunctions kept the Nuka World raiders from arriving. Three months had passed. Gage plotted everyday how he was going to slaughter the man who stole his everything. He was sitting on the bed early in the morning. Violet was still sleeping soundly behind him. He gently stood up and then turned around to tuck the child in slightly. She stirred slightly and looked up at her father.

"When is mommy coming back?" She asked sleepily. He sighed and sat back on the bed. "She's the toughest raider. Why is she still gone?"

"Violet, your mother is making a great sacrifice as we speak. I am trying to get her back. I know you miss her. I do too, but she'd want you to be strong and keep your head up" Gage said as Violet slipped from the blanket and sat on her dad's lap. She snuggled into the raider.

"Daddy why do people hurt other people?"

"It's the human experience I reckon. I mean war is what turned the earth into a nuclear wasteland" he said as he held the girl close. "Soon we will save your mother. I promise Violet" he said trying to keep his fear from his voice.

Iza was chained to the bed post by a single handcuff. Her clothes stripped from her. Her hair was cut and covered with dirt and mud. She was given a cloth shirt that went down to her thighs. The white fabric had turned brown and black from years of caked on filth. She sat there two months pregnant. Max entered the dark bedroom; it was devoid of all light. "Ah the mighty raider" Max greeted as he approached the bed. Iza avoided his gaze. "Today Caeser is visiting. I expect you will keep your tongue. It'd be a shame to have a slave who tries to fight. I've also sent word to your husband that you're pregnant and alive."

"Gage will avenge for all that you've done. He is a violent man who is loyal only to me."

"If that's the case, why are you still here?"

"He has a plan if I know him. He's just waiting for everything to come together. He knows our band is too small to take Vegas."

"Yeah, and in his delay, here you sit almost naked and alone" Max walked to the woman and gripped her face. "With my child inside of you."

"It also could be my husband's. We happen to have sex before we left Nuka World. I could be further along than I think."

A man in gold legion armor entered the room. He was bald and old. "Caeser welcome to the Lucky 38" Max greeted as he let go of Iza.

"Is this the woman who thought she could do away with us?" His voice was stout as he gestured to the woman. Max nodded. "Raiders led by a woman. Thought raiders are lawless creatures that plague this earth." He said as he walked closer. He went to grab her chin to look at her face, but she bit his hand. He pulled away and rubbed the now bleeding abrasion. "Still got some life in her I see."

"I apologize for her actions she will be punished accordingly." Max assured. "Come let's talk in the other room" he said as he led Caeser out of the room and shut the door behind them.

A raider knocked on the room door and Gage stood up and walked to the door opening it. "Gage this letter came in" the raider said handing it to Gage. "It's about the boss." The raider was not wearing his mask, and he was paler than a ghost when he spoke the last words. "It's not good."

Gage quickly unfolded the paper and read the message.

"Dear Porter Gage,
Your Over boss is still alive within my company, but she is not how you left her. I have broken her spirit. She has become a shell of a cruel woman. Speaking of shells, I have impregnated her. She tells me I will pay for my actions, but she cannot do much while in chains. I attached a picture below so that you can see she is being kept alive.
Max"

"Where's the picture?" Gage asked the raider impatience. His face was broken yet filled with rage.

"It came with a few. All of them worse than the one before. Gage, I think it smart you don't see them."

"I order you to give me the goddamn pictures. I want to know how much pain this guy deserves."

"Gage" The raider grabbed his shoulder. "He took pictures of him rapping her, her chained in a dark room almost naked. Her covered in bruises and her hair was cut. Her eyes are so broken. Are you sure you want to see those?" Gage nodded and the man handed Gage a stack of pictures.

"Any word on the raiders?"

"Soon, they are three days away last I heard."

"Good you are dismissed" Gage said as he shuffled through the horrific pictures. Tears fought over his pride to the corners of his eyes. He felt defeated. He couldn't protect her. He wiped his eyes once Violet entered the front room.

"Daddy why are you crying?"

"It's nothing Violet" he said as he hid the pictures. He walked to his daughter and picked her up and she wiped his cheek. Another knock befell the door. Gage once again opened it, and Mason and Nisha stood on the other side. "Good you're here."

         "Brief us on the situation." Mason said looking at Gage.

          Gage sighed and hands Mason the stack of pictures. "This update arrived today" he said as he handed the letter to Nisha. She read the paper, and a burning rage flooded her. "When can we move in?"

"Sunrise tomorrow. The raiders are ready at a moment's notice though." Mason answered.

"I will tear them limb from limb." Nisha muttered under her mask.

"They will reap what they've sowed. They will know true fear at the hands of the raiders" Gage said. Violet entered the room from the door behind her father.