Kindness in the Wastelands

When I opened the doctors door, I cursed as the light burned my eyes. My eyes quickly adjusted, the pain fading. Finally, I got my first look at Goodsprings. It was a run-down little village, a broken, shattered and crumbled, but still recognizable. Quite astounding, considering what happened two hundred years ago. Still, as I looked around, I could see homes, some still standing, but more broken, fallen under the weight of the years in the wasteland. Trucks and vehicles littered the road, and poles carrying electric wires stretched into the sky. Reminders of a time long passed. In the distance, I spotted a water tower, and, idly, I wondered if it had any clean water left in it. I severely doubted it though.

The doc, after asking some questions and having me fill out some kinda form, had ushered me out. Given me what he told me was my things, a nine millimeter pistol, and  a straight razor, as well as some stimpacks, and dressed me in an old vault uniform. Vault 21. Fitting, considering where we were, though I suspect that was the reason. He told me I was also carrying an old 9mm sub machine gun, but it had gotten broken over the course of me getting shot, buried, dug up, and brought here. It took me mere minutes to fix the thing. He recommended I ask the town about the people who’d shot me, as he didn’t have any information himself, and to visit a “Sunny Smiles.” He said that she’d be able to help me learn how to survive out in the wastelands.  I decided to take his advice, and headed for what appeared to be a saloon in the distance.

Out front of the Saloon, I saw what appeared to be some broken motorcyles, and an old black man in a tan cowboy hat, sitting in a chair out front of the saloon front door. Giving my best smile, I moved towards him, waving.

“Hey there old timer.” I greeted.

“Howdy.” He responded. “What can easy Pete do for ya?”

The two of us chatted for a short time, and I found out, while he didn’t know who the people that shot me were, he didn’t trust the leader. Said he had cold eyes, like those of a snake. Ignoring the immensily helpful advice of “don’t trust the man who shot you in the head.” I smiled, thanked him, and walked inside the saloon.

Once inside, I was greeted by a loud barking and snarling. A black dog stood, poised to attack, growling at me. I rose my hands up, keeping quite aware were my gun was, and smiled, trying to give my best calming doggy voice.

“Heey, easy boy, I ain’t here to hurt ya.” The dog seemed unimpressed, and started to lunge!

“Cheyenne, stay!” An order barked out from the woman next to the dog. The woman had a rifle on her back, and was wearing what appeared to be some kinda leather armor. Looking up from her pet, she smiled at me. “Don’t worry, she won’t bite unless I tell her to.”

This well-armed woman was, evidently, Sunny Smiles. Protector of Goodsprings. She agreed, after hearing what had happened to me, to show me a few things, in light of what had happened to me. She told me to meet her out behind the saloon, and, with that, she turned on her heel, and headed for the back door. It was then, I saw her.

She was sitting in the corner of the room, seemingly afraid to look at anyone or anything. She was wearing what looked like a thrown together mesh of leather and cloth, something less to protect her, and more to preserve her modesty. However, even more than these facts, one thing is what caught my eye more than anything. Her long, braided hair was pink. And I don’t mind kinda off red, no, it was pink. Where she’d find hair-dye to do that, and why, I’ll never know, I found myself thinking. Insane hair dye or not, I’m not the type of man to let a woman be scared and worried, and  I made my way over to the frightened woman. I gave a soft smile, trying to be as approachable as possible.

“Hey the-“

I was cut off by a surprised shriek from the girl, as she whirled around and pressed her back into the wall. It was then I saw the two things I’d always remember about this woman, for as long as I live. I honestly doubt that getting shot in the head again would make me forget these. One was her beauty. Despite being utterly coated in dirt, her face shined through with a beauty that didn’t seem to belong in this world. It was delicate, though tainted at the moment by fear and, well, dirt. Her body seemed built not for combat, like she hasn’t fought a day in her life. And yet, she seemed fit. No muscle, but far from emaciated. It was strange, but I wasn’t complaining. Simply put, her body was astounding. Even more than her hair, even more than her body, though, was her eyes. Her eyes struck me dumb. Through the fear I saw in them, I saw the most beautiful orbs of emerald green, with a kindness and love shining through even the fear. I stood, staring at the woman for a moment, my eyes locked on hers unable to speak. From behind me, I heard the voice of an older sounding woman.

“Sweetie, you ok?” The voice was laced with concern, and a touch of warning. I understood how this looked; Strange, armed man comes up to this beautiful woman, and she screams. Turning, I kept that same smile. It didn’t escape my notice that she was holding a revolver aimed at my chest.

“It’s fine, I’m sorry, I kinda snuck up on the poor girl.” The woman raised her eyebrow, and looked over my shoulder at the frightened woman. She must have nodded, or maybe the older woman could see I honestly meant no harm. Either way, she sighed, and lowered the gun, leaving the room. I turned back to the beautiful woman, and smiled again.

“I’m sorry for scaring you.” I told her, trying to use my sweetest tone. “I didn’t mean to sneak up on you like that.”

“O-Oh…no...” She responded, her eyes pulling away and locking onto the ground. “I-It’s my fault. I’m just…kind of deep in thought right now…” She said quietly, refusing to look at me. I stood there in silence for a moment, the only interaction between us being the woman looking up at me, before her eyes darting back down to the ground. She did this in the span of roughly three seconds, and she did it eight or nine times.  Finally I sighed, and, gave her a short wave.

“Well then, I guess I’ll be off then. You take care, alright?” The woman gave a short nod, before seeming to ignore me again, being much more fascinated with the floor, it seemed. I shook my head, heading past her and leaving the saloon to meet Sunny Smiles.

The gunshots rang out, one after another, after another. I felt that familiar pain in my temples again, but this time, it felt…right. My whole body was doused with what felt like warmth. Like that familiar feeling one gets when doing something he’s done a thousand times. Did that mean I was a trained gunner? Well, the 9mm pistol that was found with me would suggest it… Sunny smiled, nodding in an impressed manner.

“Wow, that’s pretty good. Didn’t need a word of advice, did you?”

“I guess not… I don’t know, it just…felt right. I guess I’m a pretty damn good shot.”

“I guess.” She responded. “Say, you mind putting that good shot to use? I’ve got to go chase geckos away from our water supply. The darn critters are attracted to it. Why don’t you come along, give me a hand?” I stood from my crouching position, shouldering the rifle she had given me.

“I don’t see why not.” I responded. “Let’s go.” Sunny nodded, and we made our way southeast, heading to keep the town safe.