Beyond the Vault

Lost Track

I stayed in Diamond city for a good couple days, getting my shit together.

Also started understanding the place better.

In my time here, I did the interview with Piper. It wasn't much. Just asking me some questions. She did offer to come with me for whatever I was after, but I declined. Girl had her little sister with her.

Leaving the kid alone wasn't worth the risk.

I would know.

I walked through the streets of diamond city, stepping aside as kids ran around and making way for others. As I rounded the corner, past Moe's 'Swatter' stand, I saw a man sitting on the ground, shaking.

His gray, medium lenth hair was a mess, and he looked like he was literally dressed in rags. The way he trembled on the ground, he looked like he was going through a withdrawal. Saw lots of people like him when I was going through cop training at the police academy.

I kneeled down to him, but before I could say anything, he shook his head and muttered, "Can't drink liquor anymore... Nuka Cola... Need a Nuka Cola."

Dogmeat nudged my backpack, and I paused a bit before sighing. I then took off my backpack and went through it, luckily finding a couple Nuka Cola bottles, and pulling one out for him.

"Here."

His eyes lit up, and he hesitantly reached for the bottle, before taking it from me after I opened the bottle, taking the cap from it. He greedily drank the liquid, before downing it all and looking at me with gratitude. "Thank you, thank you!"

I smiled before standing back up, but his voice rang out as he shouted out, "Wait, wait! You're looking for someone, right? Uh, Nick, that Valentine guy."

My eyes widened and I turned to him. "...Yes, why?"

"I might know where he is. Heard rumors, see. Said he's near Boston Common."

"The common?"

He nodded, and I sighed, looking at the exit to the town as I muttered, "Better than nothing. Thank you."

He nodded, and I wated no time, making my way for the entrance. On my way there, a hand rested on my shoulder. I turned to see Piper, her hand on my shoulder as she looked at me with a sincere expression. "You heading out, blue?"

"Yeah. Nick's missing, apparently. I have to find him."

Piper nodded as she replied, "Okay. I won't stop you, but just be careful. Okay? Raiders like to move around sometimes, and some are by the bridge."

"Right. Thanks, Piper."

With that, I resumed walking to the gate, Dogmeat following by me as we left Piper behind.

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I hadn't noticed how much a world could change until I witnessed it.

People always talked about what the world would look like ages from now. Kept thinking it'd be like the cartoons about the future.

The usual ideas of the future. Flying cars, buildings so tall they could reach space, holograms and sliding doors. But we have this.

Guess there was no use in complaining. Done's done.

The dog and I walked through the old streets of Boston, moving through the broken and crumbling landscape.

As I looked around, I kept seeing what this city looked like before the war. People walking and driving along the roads and sidewalks. Then I would blink, and the wasteland would still be as broken as ever. Dogmeat would lick my hand from time to time, maybe to ground me, who the hell knows?