Blurred Deception • MacCready

02 | Two Flightless Birds

"Why are the different gang leaders coming here??" I asked, following the leader of our gang, trailing behind Kaz.

Viper's been running Layton towers for almost a year now, since our last leader gained a really bad chem addiction and overdosed on psycho. She is a very opinionated woman, and if she doesn't want something to happen there is no chance in hell you can convince her otherwise.

We climb the weathered staircase on the east building. The rusted metal producing cautious creaks of warning under our weight.

"My question exactly" Bosco's deep, gruff voice fills the air as he shakes his head. "My place is much bigger and more suited for a meeting then this shit hole, heck even Red Tourette's cluttered stockpile would have been better then this!!"

I hear Kaz exhale sharply at the sound of our home being criticised. He balls his fists, tensing up and I can tell he's biting back his anger. I place my hand of his shoulder, rubbing my fingers into his toned back. He seems to relax at my touch, turning his neck to look at me, mouthing "thank you" under his breath.

Viper's stormy gray eyes no the other hand, pierce the tattered mascot head, as if just her sight could burn right through it and singe Bosco's charcoal hawk. Her short, choppy blonde hair blows in the breeze as we reach the end of the stairs and our feet meet the roof tops.

The blonde simply took a deep breath and in a soft, almost delicate tone stated, " I'm sure your damp, run down high school would be an awesome meeting place, ya jackass." She bumped him as she waltzed pass, heading in Bookers direction.

"And I heard theres a nasty beast making itself at home in your basement." Kaz chuckles as he pulls me pass the raider boss.

Bosco rolls his eyes, "there might be, but my men are looking into it, scab face."

We both froze. Of course Bosco would have the nerve to pry at that sensitive spot in my friend. Anger boiling up inside, sends me turning sharply on my heel to face the devilish smirk plastered across the dickheads face.

"Why don't you just shut for fucking mout..." I start to shout, however Kaz has managed to pull me away from the son of a bitch before my mouth gets me into trouble. There's no strain from his strong arms, which wrap around my torso, as he drags me away. Of course not, Kaz is at least a head taller then me and around double my muscle size, though most people are.

I flip Bosco the finger as he resigns to the dinged up sofa perched near the smoking fire in the centre of the rooftop.

"Oh if I still had my rifle in my hand I would've shot that prick where the sun don't shine!" I huff as we take a seat on the edge of the smaller rooftop, away from Bosco's piecing eyes, our legs dangling over the lip of the building.

The sunrise is amazing from here, if Kaz and I aren't on guard duty in the morning we're perched here like hounds that dare to fly. Up here the Commonwealth doesn't look so dangerous and that sense draws me to it, to leave the raiders behind me and explore every inch of the place laid out before me. If only I could.

"Calm down, he's not worth it." Kaz's voice interrupts me from my thoughts. "He's just mad cause he had to walk like what?.....three blocks to get here." I laugh at the goofy smile that plays across his face.

The little watered down sinkhole looks smaller from up here. It affects a majority of the land below us, expanding ever so slowly, pulling down trees and the rugged landscape with it.

"We could do it you know." Kaz leans back on his palms, relaxing.

"Do what??" I watch him. His feet swing aimlessly over the edge as he stares off into the distance.

"Get out of here and explore what the Commonwealth has to offer." He turns towards me. "It wouldn't be hard, we'd just have to decide and not hesitate."

Our eyes meet and for a moment I feel like we could actually do it.

The sound of distant gunshots snaps me back to reality and breaks our shared gaze.

"There'd be no point, we wouldn't have enough supplies to last us a week and we can't exactly just waltz into Diamond City and stock up on some, we're raiders Kaz!" My gaze shifts towards the horizon and I let out a sigh.

"I prefer raider with charm." He states, that goofy smile finds its way back to his face and I can't help but grin at it.

Viper approaches us, sitting down next to me, legs crossed beneath her. Kaz gives me a sideways glance and sits straighter.

"I just realised that I didn't answer your question earlier." She started, catching our attention. "Some of the raider bosses our gathering here as I am holding a meeting."

"A meeting here, why??" Kaz asks, leaning closer so he can hear.

Meetings are rare among raiders as some of the leaders despise each other. I guess we're just not as civilised as the many other factions in the Commonwealth, but who can blame us, we're raiders after all. Half the maniacs in this faction are bat shit crazy or have their heads strewed on the wrong way. Most of the time their to doped up or drunk to aim straight, with their words and their weapons.

Meetings are also very small, raider wise. Only the decision makers and their body guards are allowed to be there, I guess the less people the better if a fight breaks out. You would have had to done something very bad to be called to one of these meetings, generally a bullet to the brains was how you'd end up.

"My mouth is sealed on this one, nosy." Viper laughs.

I freeze at her next sentence and the blood in my veins runs cold. Kaz's eyes widen and I can tell he's just as confused as I am.

My throat locked down on my breath, restricting my ability to breath as Viper clearly stated...

"Though I can tell you, Kaylin is requested to be there."