The Calling

The three’s return was met with an awkward silence; an unease quickly broken. Marcy Long immediately railed against their rash plan, decrying them of their recent escapade. Moon expected this to happen nor did take it personally; she had counseled Preston not to go, she understood that she wasn’t doing this out of malice or hate. It was fear that made her scorn them; they nearly died at Jamaica PLains, nearly died at Lexington, it was only natural to chew out your protectors after they practically abandoned them for a few days. Preston felt guilty for making his people anxious and afraid; a paragon who probably should’ve thought this out a little more, but hey at the very least he helped more people then hurt(?). Jun Long was nowhere to be found; he was probably at the farm, or in the house, or something. Sturges held a very critical glance at Moon; he was a sensible man, he probably understood that Preston was quite the paragon and wouldn’t be able to change his mind. Moon however, he didn’t take her for recklessness. Mama Murphy gave nothing but love; tears of relief flowed down her face.

Reginald walked up to Preston, pulling him aside; probably nothing too important. Though Moon just wanted to be left alone for a bit; shutting herself in her old home. Codsworth tried to cheer her up though Moon, giving the last of her effort, politely declined his overtures to comfort her. Moon entered the remains of Shaun’s room, falling to her knees, she wept. Removed her blood stained clothes; she continued to cry for the family she lost. Mama Murphy and the rest of the settlers came by the house; Codsworth politely shooed them away.

The next day came, Moon had cleaned her clothes and for the most part returned to society. Though the weight of previous days could be seen on her. Preston walked up to her, “Moon… I know you haven’t had the greatest of days recently, and healing takes time; but we are all concerned for you. If there’s anything that I or the Citizens of Sanctuary can do for you, you just have to ask.” Moon got out of her daze and faced Preston, “I do have something I wish to ask.” “Anything, you already did so much for me.” Moon with sadness in her eyes; very much visible to all, “Then follow me.” Silently, Moon led Preston to the entrance of Vault 111. “Wait, this is a Vault. Is this the Vault you come from?” “Yes.” “I thought you came from Vault 81 or found your clothes off of a dead lonesome drifter.” “No.” Moon pressed the button to start the platform descending sequence. The two entered the vault and made it to the cryo chamber, “What happened here?” Preston peeked into one of the chambers, recoiling immediately. He scanned the room, hoping that he could find something that could refute what he saw; though he saw two open chambers. “How old are you?” “Codsworth says over 200 years have passed.” “ No!” “Impractical, had the proof not been here; I would not believe myself.” “Then if I may ask. Why, why are we here?” Moon marched over to the open chamber that held her husband. Her husband had started to decompose by now; though due to the factors such as the place being a natural refrigerator, his body had been relatively preserved. Preston came closer to his pod, shifting his head so he could get a better look. “Oh, oh my Lord. Is this?” “His name was Nate, and he is the man I fell in love with; we had a son that we will never see grow up.” “You want me to help you bury him?” “If you kindly could?” Preston grabbed his upper chest while Moon grabbed his legs. The two bumbled about getting this one hundred and thirty something, or so, stiff corpse out of the vault.

The two left the vault taking the corpse near the vault; burying next to a tree. Moon kneeled over his grave, praying for him. Preston did his best to shovel the dirt after making the grave. Time flew by, Moon remained by his side, still praying for her husband. Preston stood silent; he knew that now wasn’t a good time to speak. The sun was setting before Moon broke the silence, “Thank you.” “You’ve been a friend to me, I had to be a friend to you.” “My husband, he was a good man; he fought for his country, for me.” “He sounds like a good man.” “He was no saint; he told me that himself.” “Sounds like an honest man.” “He was the man I fell in love with.” “He sounds like he was everything to you.” “He was the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with; he and my son.” “Your son, was he a good kid?” “I don’t know, I never got to see him grow up.” “Did you bury him?” “No, he disappeared.” “Disappeared?” “He was in the chamber with his father.” “Wait… I didn't see a body in there.” “Huh, what are you saying?” “Well you say your son was in the chamber with your husband; but now he’s gone.” “Yes, he was with his father when we got in our chambers. What are you going on about?” “Well: the bullet holes tell me that there was a struggle, two people, one body, only two chambers were released; it reeks of something.” “Are you implying that my son is alive?” “I can’t be sure, so much time has passed and we don’t know when your husband was shot.” “Wait wait wait wait… who would even want to take my child?” “It can’t be salvagers nor raiders… it might be…” “What? Who?” “It could be the Institute.” “The Fuck. Stop fucking with me.” “I know you are skeptical of all of this, but the Institute has walking robots; they would have the resources to salvage your place without tearing down the place.” “I don’t believe you! My son is gone! Nothing can bring him back.” “All I am saying is there is a possibility that he lives.” “That is such an improbable case.” “Us defeating the raiders at Corvega was improbable, now look at where we are.” “So you want me to believe that my son lives, after God knows, so long.” “You want to believe, don't you.” “Yes! Yes I do!” “Then I promise you, I will not stop searching for your son, so long as you don’t give up on the hope that your son lives.” “It is scientifically impossible that my son lives.” “Miracles happen; I would know, for you are one of them.”

Moon stared Preston, eyes locked. A **** could be seen within those eyes, yet behind those solemn eyes was a fire; a will that wished to grow. “You promise to keep those words.” “So long as hope lives in you, I will fight for you!” “Alright, at least we can try.” “You don’t sound too sure.” “It has been a long day, and hope has been shot dead lying in this grave right here.” “Don’t give up.” “Just give me time to process this.” “Alright, but we are here for you if you need us.” Preston walked away returning to the settlement; Moon followed him a tad bit later. Her mind wasn’t ready for the bombshells; though her soul, a fire started that wouldn’t be put out.