Crouching behind a thin canvas wall, I yawn while listening to the conversation unfolding inside the makeshift tent. Honestly, after hiding here for the past two hours, I’m beyond bored, ready to take all the gossip I’ve learned home to Theo so we can sell it to the highest bidder.
I know what you may be thinking: sounds like slimy business to be in. While you might not be wrong, to survive living in Fallout, you must do whatever it takes. ‘Whatever it takes’ to me is being the best hired spy in all of Fallout’s five sectors.
My boyfriend, Theo, is the brains of the operation while I’m the brute. He finds people looking for information, and then I weasel my way through the sectors, spying from the shadows and learning what I need.
This little operation we have going on makes us enough money to stay alive, but not much above that. That’s the norm, though,when you’re stuck living in Vagrant Sector—or “Misery”, as I like to call it.
They call our sector where everything comes to die. People, will, sanity, and most importantly,dreams. We are the misfits and outcasts of Fallout, full of poor and troubled souls. Poverty, crime, you name it—we’ve got it.
It’s not all bad, though. Some of us, including me and Theo, are good people who were just dealt a bad hand. Well, Theo is what I consider a good person, the best, actually. Me, on the other hand…I could still use some work.
He embodies everything that encompasses a warm cozy summer day, and I’m like the thunderstorm that rolls in at night, except when it comes tohim. He is the only person capable of stripping my thunderclouds away, the only person I can trust and be my authentic self around. I guess when you grow up in an abusive orphanage with no knowledge of your family, it kind of makes you a closed off, heartless bitch or something.
I met Theo in the orphanage, and I instantly clung to him like a lifeline. Theo is the first person to ever show me love and compassion. He protected me when no one else did.
It is a miracle to me how he can stay so positive and happy with his traumatic past. Most people would wither away to nothing if their mother and sister both died during childbirth. Then tack on your father passing away less than a month later of what they called “a broken heart” and one would assume you would be scarred for life. Not my Theo, though. He is kind to everyone, charming and bubbly in a non-annoying way. Most people like that get under my skin, but never Theo.
His smile is the first thing I see every morning when I open my eyes. His boisterous, infectious laugh is always running on repeat in my head when life gets tough. But most importantly, he wears his heart on his sleeve and lets those he cares about know withouta doubt that he will love you fiercely until his last breath. He is a miracle—no, he’smymiracle.
Slowly sinking into the shadows, I make sure the black scarf wrapped around my face and hair is hiding my features then start my trek back towards our “home” before I get caught and blow my whole cover. My usual all-black getup helps me blend in, sitting snugly against my skin like a glove, weapons strapped with while buckles encompassing me. You don’t get labeled the best spy in all the sectors if people know what you look like.
I’m an expert at blending in and fighting my way out of sticky situations, which has happened a time or two. I wish I could say I feel sorry for the poor souls I’ve had to take out, but as we’ve already established, I’m a heartless bitch, and I like it that way.
Gripping the tiny dagger hanging from my throat, I weave through the bustling streets of Misery’s Crossing, all the shops in full bloom trading or selling various goods for the day. Crumbling buildings surround me in every direction, selling items from dried meats, pastries, and weapons, to clothing and contraband.
All the potent smells of Misery’s Crossing hit me at once, assaulting me with its sticky, pungent air that seeps up from its rotting streets. I easily weave my way through the packed streets, taking shortcuts I’ve learned over years of walking this same route.
Still gripping my dagger necklace out of habit, my thumb glides over the indent I’ve rubbed into the handle, and I’m reminded of the day Theo gave it to me.
He pressed the tip of the tiny black metal dagger into my palm, the necklace chain dangling off the side of my hand, and told me to always wear it so I will never forget he always guards my heart.
I don’t know how I got so lucky to have caught his eye in the orphanage all those years ago, but I thank the Empress daily that I did. He is my chosen forever family, since my biological family wanted nothing to do with me, and I wouldn’t have it any otherway. Having Theo as family for the rest of my life sounds pretty fucking good to me.
Once out of Misery’s Crossing, I walk the dirt road leading to Squatters Village, where all the housing for Vagrants Sector is located. It’s nestled deep in the forest, surrounded by thick pine trees, a running stream, and dangerous creatures, and I keep my eyes peeled for any danger.
The walk from Misery’s Crossing to Squatters Village isn’t too long, but it’s still enough time to get yourself into a sticky situation. Deadly creatures prowling from above as well as Vigilantes are known to frequent this area.
I learned how to fight and defend myself from a young age. You learn quickly when you grow up in the sort of place I did, and I have the scars to prove it.
Rounding one last corner, I approach our shack of a house nestled right in the center of our village. It’s not much more than a rotting roof covering four questionable walls, but Theo makes it feel like a home.
Gripping the rusty door handle, I fling open our front door, and I’m immediately tackled to the ground by a six foot tall, lanky ray of sunshine staring down at me. His large hands bracket each side of my head, caging me in.
Peering up at him, I take in his warm, sun kissed skin peppered with freckles. His shaggy and disheveled auburn curly hair flops messily over his forehead, and his piercing hazel eyes remind me so much of the pine trees surrounding our shack, which happen to be wide with excitement.
I grab a lock of his unruly hair and give it a firm playful tug. The side of his lip tugs up in a smirk that warms my heart. “You know, most would think twice before tackling me to the ground for fear of losing their life,” I scold playfully.
He just winks while casually breathing over my lips, “Good thing I’m not most people then, princess.”
He pulls my scarf down and pecks me on the cheek, which makes me giggle like a schoolgirl. Pushing Theo off, I right myself again. Striding across the room, I plop down on our makeshift couch, which is just a bunch of giant pillows shoved together in a pile against the wall.
“So, fill me in, Nyxi girl. How did it go?” Theo prods while wiggling his eyebrows and plopping down next to me.
“Same old, same old.” I sigh, plastering my best overdramatic bored expression on my face. “I swear, these people get less and less secretive as the days go by. It’s like they want me to hear all their dirty secrets and pass them along to their enemies.”
“Or, hear me out. Maybe, just maybe, you are too damn good at your job, and they have zero idea a dangerous creature is even lurking in their shadows,” Theo whispers, grazing his lips against the shell of my ear.
Chills run down my spine, and I shove my shoulder into his before he continues. “I mean, half the time, even I have no idea you’re home.” He stops to tap his chin thoughtfully, and a smile splays his lips. “At least not until I hear your ear-splitting belting you like to call… What is it again? Singing?” he teases, and I just roll my eyes in return.
