MELTDOWN 1

My Liver will take what my heart can't take.

"Hold still Orlov." The doctor said as he injected a syringe into my left arm, It felt strange and foreign... A metallic and cold object being inserted in my arm. But as soon as it started he was done in a few seconds, I could not get Eleanore off my mind.

My face was wrapped in bandages and reeked of Anti-biotics.

"Don't worry Alexi he is a trusted friend," Zarya assured me, "He is the family doc of mine but he migrated to the Red Zone to help a bunch of Stalkers."

I didn't answer. I was just staring blankly.

"H-Hey Orlov are you alright?"

Suddenly I was snapped back to reality and I answered: "Y-Yeah I have seen better days."

The doctor the said, "Well I need you to lift your shirt, We need to check for any injuries."

As I did as he said, Both of them were taken aback by what they saw.

"Where did that ugly scar come from?!" Zarya shout and point at my belly.

"Jesus you lost so much weight, You are a walking corpse!"

As I look down I can now see my ribs, My belly has an ugly looking stitch running across it, honestly, it looked like I was some sort of Frankenstein's monster.

"Alexi you need to eat, I suggest you gear up if you want to head back. " Zarya said

"Well, my work is done," The doctor said, "You need to feed him or else he will faint in the middle of a firefight."

I put my shirt back on. And I was lead out of the clinic, The buggy that we drove on had allot of Pre-War rounds apparently that old vehicle was an officers car.

"Since we are filthy rich I can treat you to a one of a kind restaurant Alexi!" Zarya explained, "I know men are supposed to be the ones to treat ladies but I don't mind dressing you up on a skirt!" She quipped.

I still stayed quiet.

She then said "Look what happened back there. It wasn't your fault."

I was taken aback and replied, "I wish I never met her, She could have lived."

"That's not true, She has given you a second chance. Don't waste your life!" She said and tried to shake me.

Well, She had good intentions but this made me feel a bit worse. I just stayed silent but my chest and body felt heavy as if I just wanted to lay down at the street as people passed by

"Look, I hope this makes you feel better. It cost me a lot of money from that Doc." She said.

I was puzzled she opened her bag and brought out a pair of dentures. It was false teeth for those who don't know.

"In my opinion, you would look much handsome with a slicked-back hair and importantly a complete set of teeth." She said and handed me the dentures.

"You got that for me?" I asked and picked the Dentures from her hand. She replied by saying "Davai! Its the least I can do to make you feel better Alexi."

After all this time of misery, this was the first genuine smile I have ever given to somebody. Thanks, Zarya I am forever in debt.

The town was are in is called 'Tank town' since there is a rusted T-90 tank at the middle of the road and has become quite an attraction, It is the barrier to the Black Zone.  Its a town populated by a lot of Stalkers. And most importantly this place was near both USRR and NUAF territories.

What is the Black zone? You might be asking. Well, my friend, it is the edge of hell itself. And I didn't even want to gaze into it.

"There is this place where my Uncle told me is awesome it's called 'The Red Baron' they serve the best Moscow Mule and Shashlik in the entire Badlands "