Conquerors

Chapter 22

"Wanna get some air with me?" Gage asks, flicking his head towards the door.

"Yeah, it's kinda stuffy in here."

"Shall I air out the apartment, madam?" Codsworth asks, peeking up from his charging station.

"Tomorrow, Codsworth. Get some rest."

"Of course, ma'am." He responds and powers back down.

"What kinda accent is that?" Gage asks as he climbs to his feet.

"British. He's supposed to resemble an old Englishman." I respond, grabbing my pants from the bed.

"British?"

I pull down my shorts, not bothering to go behind the curtain in my hazy brain. I step into the legs and pull them up. "A country across the ocean. It's called England. They sound like him."

"I met a wasteland fella who sounded like him. Think he's from there?" Gage questions.

I turn around, catching his gaze. His eyes snap up, meeting mine. "More than likely. Unless he was raised by mister handy robots."

I follow Gage out the door, Dogmeat on our heels, and into the cool, late night air. I give Dogmeat a moment to do his business.

We sit in the lawn chairs sitting outside his door. I lean my head back as the cool night air blows over my skin and through my hair. The stars and moon are bright, bathing us in white light.

"Do you think we could conquer the world?"

"Nuka world? Of course, we can."

"No," I say, my voice soft. "I mean, the earth."

"Let's just stick to the Commonwealth and then move from there." Gage says with a chuckle. "We should probably take a break from the booze for the night. Think you've had enough."

I sigh deeply, leaning into the back of the chair, my body feeling tingly and numb, my brain hazy.

"Yeah, you're probably right." I reply, peering over at him. I find his eyes already on me, but he looks away when I meet his gaze. "Since when are you shy, Gage?"

"I ain't shy, boss." He responds, his voice is quiet.

Dogmeat runs over to me, sitting by my feet. I run my fingers over his rough fur.

"You need a bath." I tell him. "You're filthy."

His pins his ears back, closing his eyes, enjoying the scratches on his head. His tongue hangs out of his mouth, drool dripping onto the concrete path below.

"We need to get you a collar. Maybe some armour to protect you, too. How does that sound?" I say.

He grunts in response, more focused on my fingers in his fur than my words.

After we cool off Gage and I head back inside. He locks the door behind us. Dogmeat hops onto the bed, curling up on the foot and laying his head down.

"Sounds like a good idea, boy." Gage says, peering over at him. "You tired boss?"

"Yeah, I could sleep." I respond, walking over to the bed. I pull my pants off, tossing them aside. I climb under the covers.

"Night, boss." Gage says, turning off the lights and the radio. He undresses and lies down on the couch. The TV drones quietly in the background, reruns of the silver shroud on holotape playing.

I rest my head on the pillows, letting my eyes slip closed, thinking about our plans for tomorrow.

I don't remember falling asleep. But when I wake up I'm in my bed back home. My eyes widen. I fling back the yellow comforter, jumping to my feet. I walk out of mine and Nate's room, crossing the hall to Shaun's room. I peer into his crib, finding it empty.

I leave his room, walking down the hall, peering into the bathroom as I pass by, no one in sight.

"Hello?" I call, but get no response.

The living room and kitchen show no signs of life. The TV plays a warning of nuclear detonations across America, and to seek immediate shelter.

I open the door, walking outside in my bare feet. I walk down the street, peering around the neighbourhood, but there isn't a soul in sight. Cars are still parked in driveways as usual.

I continue down the road in Sanctuary Hills. There are no military or Vault Tec personnel helping people to the vault. Am I alone?

"Hello?!" I shout loudly, hoping to find some sign of life. But I am met with silence.

As I round the bend I see a figure standing by the bridge, a tall man with dark hair. He turns as get closer.

I stop dead in my tracks, my eyes widening.

"N-Nate?" I say, my voice barely making a sound.

I notice a bundle in his arms. It's our baby boy, Shaun. I start to run to him, pushing him as fast as my legs will carry me, but I feel like I am barely moving.

Suddenly I hear a loud explosion, the sky behind Nate erupting into a blinding light, a mushroom cloud blasting into the sky.

"Nate!" I scream, reaching out for him.

The shock wave comes quickly, but so does the heat, Shaun and Nate disappear into the explosion behind them.

I wake with a start, sitting upright in bed, my heart hammering against my sternum. I breathe hard, my body in a panic.

"Boss, what's wrong?" Gage says, rushing over to me quickly. He sits beside me in bed as I begin to unravel.

"I had... I had a dream about Nate and Shaun." I say, my voice wavering. Tears well up in my eyes, blurring my vision. My throat tightens painfully. I begin to sob bitterly.

Gage pulls me into his arms, holding me tight. "I'm so sorry, boss." He says, letting me cry into his chest. "We'll find your baby. I promise."

My chest aches, my throat burning as I sob loudly. I hold onto him tight, feeling as if my world is falling apart all over again.

"You're okay, boss. I gotcha." He says soothingly, running his fingers through my hair.

I find Gage's presence very comforting, and his tight hold on me helps me calm down. My sobs turn to hiccups, my eyes burning from the salty tears. I feel numb and exhausted as my body comes down from the panic attack.

"You alright, boss?" He asks me, his voice soft.

"Yeah, I will." I respond, pulling away from him enough to look at him.

"Poor thing." He says, his brow furrowed. He reaches up to wipe tears off my cheeks with his fingers. "It's still early, boss. You should try to get some more sleep."

"You're probably right." I respond, my body feeling drained.

He starts to lift out of bed, but I grab his bicep.

"Can you stay here with me? I'm too anxious I'll have another nightmare." I ask sheepishly.

"'Course, boss." He says, sliding into bed beside me. "If you want me to go back to the couch at any point just let me know."

"I'd rather you stay here for now." I respond, laying back down.

"Okay, boss." He says, laying down beside me. "Good night."

"Night, Gage." I say, letting myself close my eyes, despite my anxiety telling me not to. I soon feel myself drifting off again, Gage's comforting presence beside me helping me stay calm.