Red Rocket Truck Stop
11.10.2287 | 12:28 PM
Elora sat on a weathered bench, digging around in her bag for some cigarettes. It’s been a long day and she could use the nicotine to soothe her nerves. All day she’s been on edge, thinking about her son all alone in the Commonwealth.
This world wasn’t like her own, and for that, she was nervous for her son. Wherever he might be, she hoped he was safe.
Piper idly stood by, staring off into the trees, pipe-pistol aimed and ready. Occasionally, she’d glance at Elora, watching as she fumbled with her empty packs of cigarettes. Piper frowned when she saw there was no more spare cigarettes, no doubt some Raider swiped it off her during a fight.
Piper has been keeping an eye on Elora’s smoking habits, wondering how long she’d last until they stop for a smoke break. Piper wouldn’t have minded if the smell didn’t give her migraines, but she stayed silent. This was a mother who lost her baby. Piper had no right to tell the grieving parent how to cope. Instead, Piper wanted to be there for her.
“Hey,” Piper called out to Elora, “I’m going to talk to Mercy. I’ll be right back.” Piper waited for the nod from Elora before slipping off to find a pack of cigarettes.
-
Elora watched as Piper made her way into the settlement, before focusing on the treelines again. The occasional breeze caused the mutfruit plants in front of her to shake. An overgrown piece, plump and juicy, snapped off the branch it was barely dangling onto, landing on the back of Avery’s head.
Avery groaned in annoyance, but yanked the purple fruit off, before tossing it into the wooden basket next to her.
“Are you okay?” Elora asked. The fruit looked heavy.
Avery didn’t look up but she nodded, continuing to yank at the roots, digging around for any stowaway insects.
Behind her, plucking ripe tomatoes out of the ground, was Avery’s son Matthew. He was sunburnt on his arms, but his visor protected his face. Judging by the scarring, he’s been scratching at his burns. He yanked out a ripe tomato, tossing it in with the rest before sighing. “Can I take a break, Ma?”
“Only for a little bit.” Avery said, still tearing at the mutfruit roots. With the permission he needed granted, Matthew made his way towards the weathered bench where Elora sat.
Elora tensed. She hasn’t been near another child since Shaun was in his crib, or, God, when he was taken… Elora shook, her mind remembering the moment over and over.
“Shaun!” Elora shouted in protective anger, fists pounding at the cyrochamber door.
“Ma’am, are you okay?” The kid’s voice broke the silence and pulled Elora from the flashback of losing Shaun. She nodded, remaining silent. The boy shrugged, at relaxed a bit, stretching his legs out.
Shaun was about his age by now, according to the whispers around Diamond City, but still, Elora missed her baby. She never got to see him grow up.
-
Piper turned around the corner, holding a pack of cigarettes. She stood by, watching over Elora. Piper could tell Elora was lost in a flashback, no doubt thinking about her missing son. She waited until Matthew went back to harvesting tomatoes before she approached the sole survivor.
“Hey Blue,” Piper started, “I got you something.” She sat down where Matthew once sat, sliding over the pack of cigarettes. “These are normally the type of thing I write warnings about but it looked like you needed one.” It was sweet when Piper tried to cheer Elora up, even if Piper couldn’t see the small smile under the gas mask the vault dweller always wore.
Elora held her hand open after a moment of hesitation, watching as Piper placed the pack softly in her hand. The reporter went even as far as closing Elora’s trembling fingers around the pack for reassurance.
“I’m here for you, Blue.”