Fallout: The New Day

Part Five: When The Time Comes

so we were walking along the road. it had a lot of potholes and holes where explosions went off. the grass was yellow, the dirt was glowing green. "so when the time comes" there was a pause. "when the time comes what are we gong to do with benny?" jess whispered. i looked at her. "i dont know" responded "i imagine it would be up to you"

she looked at the ground. "i dont know what i want to happen." "thats the good thing" i explained, "you dont have to choose now. we are still a while away" she looked at me like i was a little crazy making that comment but hugged me anyway. i like it when she touches me but i know that that feeling is wrong. she was Josh's wife... and i like her.

We walked up to a town and it was all lit up. "where are we?" i heard one of the children ask. "I have no idea. its not vegas, because we are to far away." we reached the wall and it seemed to have more of a orangish red glow. "i dont like the looks of this" i whispered to Jess. "ya... we can check it out anyway... if you want." she responded. i opened the gate and it seemed fine. it looked empty though.

I seen what was causing that glow. it was a flame thrower. i seen three bandits come around the corner of a building and two of thee were firing flamethrowers at building while the other was shooting single rounds into the back of defenseless civilians' heads. i backed away from the gate and told the others to start running. And thats when it happened.

I was running along and i seen a bandit start to look down his sights at Jess. i started to dig in and run faster. i jumped in front of Jess just in time for the bullet to hit me. as soon as it did i felt a sharp pain in my lower chest on the right side, and all went black...

-An hour later-

I opened my eyes and it was dark. out of the corner of my left eye there was a fire. oh no, were we in the city? i sat up quickly but winced in pain and grabbed my side. i had forgotten that i was shot. i slowly got up on one knee. i was able to get up on both feet but fell forward. i heard A women say "stop... dont move... you were shot and we can't get help..." I used what strength i had to look toward the fire.

It was Jess, and it was only a camp fire. i was relieved about that. she came over and put her hand on my neck. "The kids are safe, if you were worried." i had even forgotten about the kids. i only remembered that i was near a city on fire with Jess, and thats all i cared about. when i heard the word 'kids' i felt terrible that i had forgotten. "what happened after i passed out?" I asked.

She looked at me with relief "the raider shot you and i took out my pistol. he mocked me a little and i pulled the trigger. we three picked you up and started dragging you away from the city before the others came and investigated." she explained. "i was able to get this fire started a few hours ago, it wa...." and all went black.

-A Couple Weeks Later-

I opened my eyes and was instantly blinded. my eyes adjusted and i seen that i was in a hospital bed with clean sheets on top of me. Had i died and gone to heaven? there was no way this was real, these couldnt be clean, considering. then i looked at my hand. it was also clean, but i didnt remember bathing.

I sat there for about an hour just taking it all in when a doctor in pure white robes and a clipboard came in. "Ah, Mr.Zane, you're up. you've been out for a long time..." had i been asleep for that long? so long that they rebuilt everything? "...yes a few weeks... you had lost a lot of blood due to the wound that you had in your side. weve been watching you for going on 3 weeks now..." he had finally stopped. i had forgotten about my side. and Jess, what had happened to her?

"Doctor?" i asked "was there anyone with me when i came in?" he looked at me with a blank stair. i think hes on Jet, "ah yes, your son did but thats all we found at your side out there. Blake! had he stayed and Jess left him? or had worse happened? "Can i speak with him in private for a few minutes?" "sure," he said "son, you can see your father now," he ran in and hugged me. the doctor practically ran out the door. "what happened to your mom?" i asked. he looked up at me, eyes full of tears.

"Mommy waited here for you, she gave up hope and left a couple of days ago, but i stayed." my heart broke. i was just beginning to think that i loved her, and then she leaves, after i saved her life of all things. "Why did you stay?" i said choking back tears. "i always believed that you wouldn't leave us... you are too much like dad to." he said. "did your mom say where she would be going?" i asked. he shook his head "no, but i know what direction she left in" he explained

I didnt know if i wanted to know... she had all of this planned... she was going to drag me as far as she could, then leave me with one of the kids so i wouldn't kill myself... or was it for her? i could only hope to know when the time comes.