Glimmer of Hope

Chapter 1: Out with the Old, in with the New

“I’m sorry, but I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to leave,”Amata said to me, tears rolling down her face. I refocused my attention back to her. “As Overseer of Vault 101, it’s my job to rebuild and secure the safety of my people, but I can't do that with you here. The Wasteland’s changed you, corrupted you. I’m sorry, but its the only way--” I put my hand up, signaling her to stop.

“Its alright. I understand your concern.” By now her copper hair was matted over her face from the tears. I looked around at the other residents of the Vault. Some were crying, some weren't, some had looks of satisfaction, others pity. I looked over to Butch, the Vault’s trouble maker, as he was messing up his dark brown hair to hide the sadness. Without saying anything, I turned around to the Vault door, facing its massive titanium body, with the Vault’s number painted on it, 101. Dogmeat started to whine whilst he rubbed his head against my leg. I looked down at him, his beady, mismatched blue and brown eyes staring at me. I petted his head and kneeled down to him.

”Its going to be okay, boy, We’ll figure this out,” I whispered to him. He barked as if he understood me, his tail wagging in excitement. I turned back, only to face a sea of sky blue Vault 101 jumpsuits. Amata walking off, going back to the maintenance room. I sighed, knowing this is the last time I’ll see this place again. The only place I could ever call home.

I walked towards the door panel and pulled the switch for the door. The yellow alarm light started to flicker as the door crank started to pull the door out of its place. The metal door squeaked and screeched a teeth hurting screech as it was pulled out, then it rolled onto the side into some safety latches that clicked as soon it rested there. The residents started to wave as me and Dogmeat started to walk out into the caverns that harbored the little shack door. I heard people saying “goodbyes” and “we’ll miss you” amongst the crowd, but one voice called out louder than the rest of them.

“Hey!” It was Butch’s. I turned to him as he was running to me. “If you gotta goes, then take this.” He said with his Brooklyn accent. He was holding his Tunnel Snakes leather jacket. I looked down at it as if I was staring at the Holy Grail.

“I-I can't accept this.” I stammered.

“No, take it. You saved my mom’s life, its the least I could do. Besides, I won't need it, because when I get out, my new gang won't be called the Tunnel Snakes. It'll be something tough, and everyone will want to join.” He said sternly. I had no choice but to gladly accept his gift and put it in my pack. He ran back to join the rest of the Vault residents. As I looked, I could see Amata standing up there next to the panel, waving to me. I smiled and waved back to her as she pulled the lever for the door, closing the door to me forever. I turned back to the light of day and started to walk, the Vault door’s screeching echoing inside the cave. I stopped before the shack door and put my hand on it.

“Fate’s got a weird way of doing things. First my dad, then this? Damn.” I thought bitterly. I wiped the thought from my mind and pushed open the little shack door and stepped forward. As the sunlight blinded me, I shielded my eyes with my hand until they adjusted to the light. The sight of the Wasteland was an oddly comforting sight. It’s scorching heat and blinding sunlight had became my ecstasy over the course of these past three months. I breathed in deeply, inhaling a small amount of sand as well. The air smelled like blood, death, and radiation.

I walked forward and leaned on the “scenic overlook” sign that stood on the edge of the small cliff. It’s heat penetrated through my armored jumpsuit, but I didn't mind it. I had grown quite used to it. The thoughts of all that happened zipped through my mind. My dad’s death, my banishment from the Vault, me finding Dogmeat at the old junkyard and so forth. I grabbed the 10mm pistol Amata gave me the first time I left and I shot a few rounds into the air.