Beyond the Vault

Welcome To The Neighborhood

Goodneighbor. 

People in Diamond city kept talking shit about the place, but I wanted to see for myself. 

I trod along the ruined streets of what used to be the east coast, my eyes on what used to be the road as Dogmeat trotted by my side. My mind always drifted back to the man's face, and I hated myself by the minute.

How could I have just lost track of him like that?

Soon enough, I reached what looked like the stranger's description of the Goodneighbor gate. It didn't seem like much, given its appearance as a junk wall with a door, but I've been told not to let looks deceive me. Taking in a deep breath, as well as the tang of the irradiated atmosphere, I rested my hand on the doorknob, and turned it, opening the door to this supposed refuge.

The door opened, revealing a relatively peaceful setting with a couple shops by the old state house. I walked in, but a rugged hand rested firmly on my shoulder, stopping me. I looked at who was touching me, and saw a rough man in a leather jacket and pants. He possessed a look on his face, and I felt anxious. "What do you want?"

With a grin, he replied, "Hold up. First time in Goodneighbor? Can't go walking around without insurance."

I don't have time for this shit.

"Unless it's 'keep dumb assholes away from me'  insurance, you can fuck off."

"Now, don't be like that. I think you might like what I have on offer."

"I don't right now."

The man smirked, his hand reaching for my waist as he whispered, "That's fine, sweetheart. You can make it up to me in other ways..."

Dogmeat growled at the stranger, but I gently patted his head. I then took the combat knife from my boot and jabbed it into his forearm. He screamed in pain holding the fresh wound as he glared at me. "You fucking bitch!"

He ran towards me again, pistol drawn, but I crouched down, sweeping his feet off the ground and taking his gun. As the guy hit the ground, he looked up at me. Bastard didn't have any time to get up before I held his pipe pistol up and pulled the trigger. 

In the span of two seconds, he fell back onto the ground. Eyes glazed over. Dogmeat growled at the corpse, but then snuffed, as if saying 'Good riddance'. I knelt down and scratched his head, but a figure started walking toward us. 

What he said threw me off guard. Even more than his gravelly voice.

"Whoa ho ho! I like you already, sweetheart! Walk into a new place and make a show of dominance. Nice."

Before me stood a tall ghoul, his eyes completely black, dressed on one of those sixteenth century coats, but a little different. It was more worn down, ripped in a few places.  He wore the classy tricorn hat, making him look like some cheesy cartoon pirate, and the american flag tied around his waist like a belt provided the finishing touch. 

He strutted toward us, stopping when the body was at his feet. His face alone showed me that he was impressed. Not what I would expect.

"So I'm not in trouble?"

"Nah, I saw the scene, you're good. Just don't let this incident make a bad impression."

He gestured to the background. People, mostly ghouls, walked around, going about their business. The old state house was the hardest thing to miss. I always remembered when Nate and I came here for a road trip. 

"Focus, Juno," I thought to myself. "You got work to do."

I snapped back to reality. Clearing my throat as the ghoul continued, "Goodneighbor's of the people, for the people, you dig? Everyone's welcome."