Fallout Equestria: Black Smoke

Chapter One: Bar

“If I may give you some advice, never look back.”

It was raining.

The silver clouds have never rested with their endless streams of water. I was trotting in woods, making my way to a nearby town when first raindrops splashed on my hat. You really wanted to find a cover when clouds burst out their rage. And that's exactly what I did.

I hid in the nearest cave and pushed some dirt to the entrance. This area was quite often flooded even before the war and if I didn't want to wake up swimming with fish, it was the best thing I could do. The cave was big enough for me but I was wet and it was getting cold. I sat down and put down my saddle bag, which was full of junk. I managed to find some paper and notes and put them on the ground...

Sound from somewhere in the woods. It didn't sound close, but the cave make it sound pretty loud. I froze and held my breath. I was in no condition to fight. Even a small bloatsprite could take me out at this moment. My hooves were freezing. I kept my breath in for a few more seconds, trying to pick up any kind of sounds but nothing.

I sighed and broke down a bullet, then I poured the powder over the paper and made a spark. The fire made a long loud squeal and fire was born! Hell yeah! I threw some clothes and more papers into the fire and watched the rain. There was nothing more calming than the rhythm of depressed weather. I had a feeling someone was watching me. I tried to shake off the sensation.

There was nothing alive, no sounds. Only me. I pulled out Glint, my father's revolver.

Dad gave it this name because of the light of a torch that was reflecting from it the day he found it. This golden engraved gun with black lines on a mouth grip was like a mirror, that's why I had to put a rug around it in my holster. Bandits and thieves could smell valued things from miles. The cylinder was scratched a bit from the spinning. I used it quite a lot in my job...

No, I'm not doing it anymore. Past is in the past.

I looked at the barrel. An old colt or a young tan stallion with brown mane was staring at me through the lines of a curled wind. His cowpony hat was burnt on the edges. His eyes were full of memories which were slowly killing him. I saw the cloth around his body. His orange eyes were stabbing into my own. I saw myself.

“Good evening, Hollow Point,” I talked to my reflection, “looking more miserable than ever.”

I caressed the revolver. Glint and my cowpony hat were the only memories of my dad. The ragged cloth around my body was supposed to keep me from getting a cold while working on the farm but my mom have never finished it. Now it keeps me from getting a cold while sleeping in caves.

I miss my parents.

They left me five years ago or I left them. Maybe we just left each other. I don't remember, I was just a colt back then. Innocent little colt. My whole world was just a little corn farm. I remember how I used to run in circles every time my parents told me that traders are coming. They always had awesome stories; some of them even tried to teach me how to read, others how to carve figures from small pieces of wood. But what I loved the most were the legends and stories. I worked twice as hard so I could spend more time listening to fairy tales about Princess Celestia and her sister, about Twilight and her friends, about the great Crystal Empire and the list goes on.

I still remember that one day when I learnt traders are coming. I galloped outside to meet them. I was smiling and I kept shouting “Traders!” so swiftly I had to slow down a bit to catch my breath. Then I saw them but before I realized that these traders didn't have any brahmins or that they wore spiked armour, it was too late...

Ugh, i don't want to think about that now. The rain's not stopping any time soon. I think I could take a little nap.

I wrapped myself in the cloth my mom made and stared into the fire. The revolver cradled in my hooves was burning as well. Tiny flames danced on the barrel and cylinder and projected lights on the walls of the cave. I was so tired...but I couldn't sleep, not yet.

The fire could attract anything with normal eyesight. I could hear only drops of water splashing against trees and soil. I wasn't wet anymore, but the evening was still cold. I had to get some energy thought for the trip though, the town, or the ruins of town were really close. I know it because I was here about two years ago.

I curled against the wall as last of the hot flashing lights faded away.

*** *** ***

The morning was exactly how I expected it. Water was absolutely everywhere. It looked like a lake has spilled all over the place. I tried to step into the water.

“Sonuva-,” I gasped when I felt the cold water mixed with a slighty burning sensation.

I gritted my teeth and stepped into the water. It felt really uncomfortable at first but the longer I stayed and didn't move, my legs seemed to adjust to it. I trotted forward and soon the water was up to my knees. I had absolutely no idea where I was, but I knew where to go.

Tiny droplets of water were diving on my hat and in the water below. Dead trees stood like guards who lost their pride, but not their resolve. Maybe there would be birds singing if I was here centuries ago. Maybe trees would be blooming and everything would be bright green, just like in the stories I heard.

I was getting hungry and I had no food. It was time to move forward. I waded through the water in the direction where I remembered the town. I kept Glint in alert because I never knew if something would jump at me from somewhere. The mouth grip was soft and the trigger was very light. If something appeared in front of me, the next second it would vanish into the water.

Luckily, there was nothing on my way to the town. No creature likes cold water. Only I am crazy enough to walk this way. I tried to trot as fast and as quiet as I could. If there were no monsters here, there was always an option of a bandit ambush.

Hill appeared and I could finally step out from the pool. There was a path that led to the place I wanted go to. You know, even when this place looked creepy as hell and not friendly, it still had some beauty in it. Rocks and trees were all around the dirt path. I could see three fallen trees. There was something suspicious about them. They were in the perfect strategic position and I saw faded tracks for dragging them.

I put my revolver back into the holster on my side, this was too risky. I grabbed my hat and waved as high as I could, looking at the fallen trees. Suddenly, one head popped out. Then another, and another. Soon, the forest had dozen or so ponies who were aiming at me.

“State yo' business!" one of them shouted. He had an orange bandana tied around his neck.

Another thing I should get. The dust was just annoying. I looked around. Three figures behind the fallen trees, two on a tree behind me, dark silhouette lying on the ground covered with dirt and few straws of grass moved even when there was no wind. This was already lost fight, no point in making things more aggressive.

“Trade!” I shouted back and waved my saddle bag to him.

One of the ponies behind the tree moved to the stallion who was talking to me before and whispered something. The stallion whispered back and meanwhile they were talking, I was trying to locate everyone in the forest. Ponies on the tree had rifles of some kind, the pony hidden in the dirt had something small, probably SMG. I didn't see anyone in the grass, but I expected them to have pistols or shotguns.

“Let him through!” the stallion shouted and everyone came out of their covers.

Suddenly, there were a dozen more ponies around me. Not everyone had a gun, but every one of them had an armour. I trotted forward, trying to not look surprised. The stallion was waiting in front of me. He had a red mane and yellow coat. The bandana around his neck was in the same shade as his mane and tail. His cutie mark was a rolled paper with a compass and a ruler.

“G'morning, trader!” he smiled like he wasn't pointing a rifle just seconds ago, “Sorry fo' the welcome. We're not expecting traders any soon because of the flooding.”

I waved a hoof. “Don't worry about it. You did the good thing. What's your name?”

He put his right legs in front of his left ones and bowed. “Muh name is Wrench Leap, I arrived in the Rockside last year."

“Rockside?”

“Eyup. After I arrived, the town look desolated. Buildings were falling like card castles. Ponies wanted to go away, so Ah helped them rebuild it. Rockside has established trading routes to other places. But we also had to set up defences. One of our scouts saw a light last night in the forest. We thought those raider folks are comin'. Everything you see here is the half of the town. What do you say 'bout this? Were you surprised?” he blabbered so fast it take me a while understanding what he was asking.

“It was quite... impressing,” I saw little stars in his eyes, “excuse me but I need to go to Rockside now. I have got quite heavy saddle bags.”

“Oh, let me show you around the town!“ he was already trotting forward.

I sighed and followed him. “Excuse me but I already-”

He pointed forward and suddenly I forgot what I wanted to say. The city I remember had two ruined buildings and about four or so ponies who were willing to give their leg for some food. This city had lots of small wooden structures, ponies were walking back and forth, talking about silly stuff that made them laugh. This city actually look like a city! Wrench caught my confused look and smiled widely.

“Excuse you but you already what? he asked.

“Just lead me.” I groaned.

We stepped into the maze of low buildings. Ponies weren't paying any attention to us. Or they were ignoring us. I watched everyone from below my hat warily. I didn't trust anypony here.

“Over here we've the city hall. It doesn't look like those fancy buildin' before the war and it can hold up only six ponies includin' the mayor but it's better than nothin'!”

He pointed his hoof to the left. “That buildin' with two floors? That's our bar. A place where we can relieve our stress from everyday stress.”

That caught my interest. I definitely have to visit that later. “Umm, Wrench? The shop? Trading stuff? Remember?”

“Oh right! This way,” he lead me to a small brown structure with a big sign saying ‘Pap's caps’, “if you need anything, old Pap has it. I will wait outside.”

I trotted inside and I think I heard hooves dancing on a wooden plank outside. As my eyes adjusted to the dim light inside, I was greeted by sacks of food and shelves full of things. I saw weapons in some locked cases. I took a closer look. I recognised a nine-millimeter pistol and SMG, both in pristine quality. One gun looked a lot like a shotgun, but it was made from steel and shorter. I also saw a thin knife. I don't know how anyone could use that. It was so thin it could fall through a hole in my saddle bag. Or maybe I just don't know anything about anything and it's just a very big toothpick.

“Ya buyin' anythin'?” a voice made me jump in my mind as I looked behind the counter. A very old stallion appeared; tired magenta eyes were watching me through thick glasses, and few remains of something that I thought was mane once around his horn. His dark green coat almost merged with the wooden wall behind him. I'm not sure if I just overlooked him or he trotted there.

“Actually, I wanted to sell some things,” I tapped my saddle bag, my eyes still on the locked cases.

“Ah well,” he lifted a paper and a piece of a brick which he intended to write with, “whadaya got?”

“Cooking pots, dishes, duct tapes, ammo and stuff like that,” I said while figuring out what the hell I was looking at. This gun looked like a revolver, but the barrel was so big I could stick my hoof in it.

“Ah think we could make a use of som' of it,” he nodded, “what's yo' name?”

“Name's Hollow Point.”

I heard the brick and paper falling down. I turned my head and saw his eyes were filled with fear. I raised my eyebrow as his horn glew. Then it struck me.

I jumped to the side and drew Glint. He levitated his shotgun and aimed right at me.

“Yo' bastard,” he cried, “you killed my son! I still remember yo' fucking glowing eyes! Yo' end now!” His eyes were filled with tears.

I bit Glint and Wrench rushed in. “What in the-” The old unicorn was watching me with his blazing eyes and I thought those eyes will burn me alive. I couldn't kill him. I begged in my mind for him to pull the trigger. Do it. End my sad life.

But he didn't.

The longer I stared into his eyes, the more I started to remember what happened when I was here the last time.

It was just like this. I had this exact stance and he was looking at me with those same eyes. My eyes were different. No mercy, no pity. I had no business with him. I just got paid for the one that was sleeping on the ground, wrapped in the crimson blanket of Death. I had no regrets back then. Only caps.

I regret everything I've ever done. I thought this moment would wake my soul from the endless nightmare of my short life. I thought this moment was my redemption.

But it wasn't.

I felt pressure in my mouth as an orange glow surrounded Glint and Pap's shotgun. In a second, both of our weapons were in the air, aiming where nopony stood.

“What the hay is going on here?!”

A greyish mare was standing in the doors. She had amber curly mane and her horn glew in the same colour as Glint and the shotgun. Her brown eyes twitched with exhaustion. Her body was covered with black armour. Pap collapsed on the floor and broke down into sobs. I pushed my hat deeper into my face and sighed.

The mare bit her lower lip in frustration and returned the shotgun to Pap, then she pointed at me and gestured me to follow her. I pulled the belt holding my saddle bags and took some .357 ammo for Glint. I loaded the ammo into a bandolier that was wrapped around my left hoof so I could reload faster. Then I left my saddle bags in the shop and followed the grey mare. It was the least I could do for a father whose son's life I took.

The mare wasn't talking. She just trotted towards the City Hall with Glint floating beside her. Ponies around were watching us. I tried to look as much uninterested as I could and it was working. She didn't talk to me or look at me.

She opened the door with her magic and we stepped inside. The whole place was bigger on the inside than it seemed. I saw at least four ponies sitting behind desks and writing with pieces of bricks. I could only guess if they were approving shipments of supplies or they were playing Tic Tac Hoof. There was a small separated room. The mare I assured was a security of some kind stopped in front of the doors into the small room and leaned towards me.

“Stay here. Don't go anywhere,” she hissed.

“Like I had a place to go,” I hissed back, my eyes glared into hers dangerously as she disappeared with Glint into the small room.

I closed my eyes and focused on the door in front of me. I heard some soft rumbling. Two ponies were arguing about something. I heard hooves smashing angrily against the desk and then nothing. I opened my eyes and doors opened at the same time.

“Get in, don't try any funny business,” she simply said and smashed doors closed behind her, she hadn't had Glint with her anymore.

I did as she said. I trotted into the room; dark brown desks were taking most of the room, there were a few pre-war posters and one closet. I saw a dark blue unicorn stallion sitting behind the desk. He was quite fit and young with confidence in his eyes, yet he still seemed older than me and he had trustworthy yellow eyes. His grey mane was cut short and I couldn't see his cutie mark because he had a cloth over it.

“Good morning, please have a seat,” he pointed at a chair in front of the desk and actually smiled, “I heard quite a lot about you on the radio.”

I’ve been on a radio? “What exactly did you hear about me, if you don't mind me asking?”

He crossed his hooves and rested his chin on them. “Truth be told, not nice things. Youngest bounty hunter in the Equestrian Wasteland that could make professionals fold their ears. DJ-PON3 then had a twenty-minute long speech on how education is important for children.”

“So, you know who I am. What do you want from me? I'm not doing any of these stuff anymore,” I said and glanced at Glint.

“I heard you scared the old Pap to death,” he smiled.

“Your past always catches up with you,” I said quietly.

He chuckled and looked out of window that was behind him. The whole city was on a hill and this window had a nice view on the forest below.

“My name is Rising Leap. I assume you already met my brother?”

Wait, what? They were brothers? But they didn't look anything alike! And Wrench was an earth pony. He caught my look and shook his head.

“When my brother and I arrived here last year, this place was a mess. I don't think I have to describe it to you since you've been here already?”

I shook my head. He really didn't have to. Before I arrived here two years ago, the population of this town was four ponies. After I left, it was minus one. His face, tears streaming down his cheeks, it all keeps coming back to me... but it wasn't the worst I've ever done.

“Listen, ‘Hollow’, I need help,“ the way he said my name crawled down my spine, “I know you are quite young, but I also know you know how to handle your gun.”

He pushed Glint towards me. “I don't care about your past. Past is there to teach you how to make your future right. What do you want from life?”

I took touched the golden revolver's barrel and looked at Rising. “I'm not in a mood for deep questions.”

“Your life is in front of you, Hollow. Don't let it slip away just because you dropped it a few times,” he said as he stroked his forehead. I think he was as exhausted as that security pony.

I took Glint and put it into the holster on my left side. Maybe he was right, but I really didn't want to think about it now. I turned and walk to the door.

“One more thing,” I stopped, “like I said, we could really use your help. If you feel like making caps or two, stop by here. I will tell you more. Have a pleasant day in Rockside.”

“Thank you,” I said and walked outside.

*** *** ***

The town was blooming. I strolled down the dirt street and looked around. It was really lively. I could see ponies walking from house to house, ponies trading, I could see carts being pulled into and out of the town by muscular stallions. I passed the shop I was in before. Nopony was inside. I tried to remember where the bar is.

There was happiness all around me but it couldn't reach me. I could make this happiness greater or longer. I could somehow make up for what I did to that old trader in the past. But did I really deserve that? Did I deserve Pap to forgive me? I killed way too many ponies. It didn't matter if they were healthy or sick, rich or poor, good or bad, old or...

Stop thinking about that, Hollow.

I finally found the biggest of the small buildings around. The bar. It was made from wood and as I guessed, it was built on the base of the original building that was here two years ago. The place around me just seemed a bit similar. I stepped inside and warmth wrapped around my body. The first thing I saw was a stone fireplace on my left, it was placed right in the corner of the room right next to the stairs to the second floor. The surroundings of the fireplace were made from stone as well. There were tables with chairs everywhere and I saw a counter sticked in the middle of the wall on the right. There was an unicorn behind it.

Of course there was an unicorn! It was like the unicorns got all the important jobs in this city. Just because they could grab things with magic and earth ponies were needed for jobs that... Wait, that actually made sense. Nevermind.

I trotted towards the counter and sit on one of bar stools that were in front of it. The unicorn was a bit old as Pap and he seems familiar as well as this place.

He had a light grey coat deformed in some places from injuries. He had a red mane that almost completely covered his horn, he also had a moustache in the same colour. His green eyes were focused on a dirty glass when he finally looked at me. I noticed something wrong with his eyes; I know he was looking at me, but it seemed like he didn't see me, like there was a fog in his eyes.

I moved my head a little back and his eyes followed it. Okay, so he could see me. “Hello.”

“Why hellow there,” he smiled, “you must be that Hollow fella.”

So, everypony in this town knew about me now?

“Yes, I am,” I expected him to throw that dirty glass at my head, “how do you know?”

“Ah well, news are spreading around this town like a group o' ghouls on a dead brahmin,” okay, mental image, go away, “what can I get cha?”

“Give me something to kill the thirst,” I said.

He didn't even move. He wrapped his magic around a clean glass and a bottle of honey-like colour liquid. He poured some into the glass and put both the glass and the bottle in front of me. “So, you here to do d' business?”

I didn't look at him. I examined the glass of golden liquid carefully. “No, I'm not doing things like that anymore. I wish I never was,” I said quietly.

His smile didn't fade a bit. “Somethin' happened?”

“Lots of things happened,” I sighed, “I guess you're one of the former citizens?”

“Yep, I'm surprised yo' remember me.” he said, but he didn't looked surprised at all, he just kept smiling.

“Then why?” I looked into his eyes, but I don't think he could see my eyes.

“Why what?” he asked as purple-glowing cloth rubbed the dirty glass back and forth.

“Why aren't you freaking out? I'm sure you know how I killed Pap's son. I met him a few hours ago and he broke down. Almost killed me. I wish he had,” I hissed quietly and the barpony rose his eyebrows. I wished he wouldn't look like a father to which son is complaining about stuff.

“Why should I? I know how it feels to regret things. I was a bandit before, I killed, robbed, raped mares and even after it all I got my second chance. Why shouldn't you get one too?

“A bandit?”

He nodded. “T'was long time ago. I was with a group of other fellas. Ah don't want to say I was forced into becoming a part of them because the vision of food, supplies and safety was tempting as hell fo' me. But ah also don't want to say I sympathised with things they were doing. Yo' still with me?”

I took a sip of the drink that was laying in front of me. It tasted sweet, with a little bit hint of alcohol. “I'm still with you.”

“I didn't sympathised with those things at all, but Ah still was doin' them. Sometimes I enjoyed it, sometimes a bit of guilty bit into me,” his horn glowed as his purple magic lifted a glass of black liquid to his lips and he drank it whole with a sigh, “but one day, I was alone.”

“One day, my ‘friends’ were nowhere to be found. Ah was sick and so thirsty I drank my piss to stay alive. Once you sneezed, you were the enemy. O' course they were so kind they didn't kill me in muh sleep. Or maybe they just wanted me to suffer. I crawled through the wasteland till I met Pap and his son. They both helped me and when I came to my mind, I told them who I am. They didn't care at all.”

I poured the sweet gold drink into my glass again and drank it whole, he did as well. “They just saw a pony in need of help. At that time, I realized that everything I've dun in muh life is just big pile of horseshite. I got my second chance here, and then another chance when those two Leap fellas came here. I worked my coat off. So dun'th tell me you don't deserve a second chance. It's not up to you to decide. You just do everything you can to deserve it. While we are at it, why don't yo' tell me your story? It will ease up yo' chest”

He took the empty bottle I left there and took another one. I wasn't drunk, but I felt good. Really good. “Last year I went to a town. I don't remember the name, but there was a big board with bounties. I took one. There were lots of things written on the paper. Nice sketch of the pony, age, where he lives and stuff like that. It seemed like fast caps, so I took it. It was just a few-hour trot to the place. As far as I know he wasn't even armed. But so many things went wrong that day. I was in his house and he was looking at me. Right into my eyes. He hadn't had a fancy house, it was just a small wooden structure. Quite like these in this town.”

I took another sip to water my throat. “I was aiming at him with Glint. He closed eyes and I pulled the trigger and then-”

I stopped as I heard doors slamming on the right of me. A group of ponies walked inside the room. I didn't turn my head that way, I just saw them with the corner of my eye. I heard hooves trotting behind me and up the stairs. Four hooves stopped behind me. I saw one stallion and one mare in front of the doors and one stallion trotted to me.

“Hollow Point?” the stallion asked. I saw he was an unicorn.

“May I help you?” I asked, not looking away from my drink.

“We would like to hire you,” he was speaking quite loudly.

“And if I refuse?” I said and I finally looked at the light yellow stallion. He was wearing dark blue armour with many pouches. His snow-white mane was cut short and his eyes were glaring at me with turquoise light. I know he wasn't messing around.

“We didn't give you a choice,” he said evenly as before.

I looked around. Two ponies at the entrance held rifles. The one pony I heard trotting was staring at me from the second floor, he also had a weapon. Box-shaped weapon. I had no idea what kind of weapon that is. Behind me, there was one bulky stallion about twice as high as me. He didn't have any weapons but I think his main weapon were his hooves. I saw one unicorn mare sitting at a table on left of me, wearing the same armour as them.

A group of seven ponies. Suddenly I was in the same situation I was in the late morning. I sighed and looked at the barpony. He just kept smiling.

“Just do what you have to do,” he said. I noticed his horn was glowing faintly.

“Alright, alright, I'm coming,” I said as I finished my glass and I stood up.

Then I kicked the bar stool and sent it flying right into the face of the pony behind me. The white-maned stallion's eyes widened as he watched the bulky stallion collapse. I kicked the bottle of the sweet goodness I drank earlier into him as I was turning and I drew Glint out quickly.

He dodged it but I didn't stop turning. I used the momentum of my body and raised my head. The pony on the second floor was getting into my aim. He was already aiming at me as I sent a bullet into his head. The mare at the table was just getting up, I ignored her and let the gravity get me back, facing the unicorn in front of me.

He was drawing out a combat shotgun, but he still wasn't my target. I jumped to the side as two rifle bullets came at me. First one hit the counter and the second one teared into my shoulder. At the same time I sent two bullets at the ponies in front of the door and sprayed the wall behind them with blood.

I jumped back and shotgun shell peppered the place I was standing second ago. I turned my head and fired at the unicorn stallion's head. Before he could fall to the ground, I kicked the table behind me in the direction where the unicorn mare was. That little motion saved my head from a nine-millimeter bullet. As the wooden table fell down to the ground, cracked from the bullets of the magenta unicorn mare’s pistol, I already had her in my sights. I pulled the trigger with my tongue as my bullet drilled into her hoof.

I heard hooves launching themselves from the wooden floor and then a gunshot. As I turned, the bulky stallion fell on the ground with a large wound in his side. The barpony grinned as I looked at him and a shotgun floating beside him. I couldn't help myself but smile.

It all took ten seconds.

The mare I shot in her hoof was screaming in pain. I trotted to her, aiming Glint at her head. At closer look I saw that her magenta coat had a reddish shade. Her crimpy orange mane covered half of her dirty face. The light-pink look of her uncovered eye was piercing me through. Her armour was much lighter than those of others.

“P-please don't,” she gasped, tears rolling down her cheeks.

“Tfell me one good reasen tu not tu,” I said with Glint in my mouth.

She just looked down and weeped. I sighed and holstered my gun. I was no better than her. I took the pistol away from her and shouted at the barpony. He rushed with an yellow box with pink butterflies on it. He smiled at me before he started wrapping the mare's hoof with healing bandages.

I looked at the mess behind me. Today I took five lives and spared one. I sighed and made my way to the white-maned unicorn who was talking to me earlier and searched him. I found some shotgun shells and one healing potion. There was something on his hoof that caught my interest. Some kind of green device. It looked like its batteries were out. I tried to push the device out of his hoof, but it didn't even move.

“Excuse me? I need a hoof here!” I shouted at the barpony, he finished patching the mare up and whispered something to her. She just hugged her tail and lay there.

“Ahm here, I'm here. By the way, muh name is Broken Bottle. Yo’ can call me Bottle,” he said as he trotted to me.

“What's this?” I asked and pointed at the strange hoof device.

“Oh this. This is a Pip-Buck. A device used in Stables to ease up life,” he said as he examined it closely.

So, Stables were real? “So, what does this Pip-F”

“Pip-Buck”

“Yeah, that, what does it do? What is its value?” I asked while searching other bodies.

His horn glew as he wrapped his magic around a screwdriver of some kind. In a minute, the Pip-Buck was off the unicorn's hoof. “Ah wouldn't sell it. This little thing can make yo' life a lot easier. It sorts your saddle bags, shows your injuries, has got a map, a radio, it helps you with aiming and stuff like that.”

He put the Pip-Buck on the counter and trotted upstairs for something. I made a small pile from everything I got from them. Then I sat at the counter and examined the device. It had a green screen and a few buttons. Nothing more. It looked more like a toy. I flipped it over and saw the lock on it. It could be opened with a special kind of key. I wondered where Bottle got that his.

Bottle came back with a pair of saddle bags. “Here, take these. I know you left yo’ in Pap's shop.”

I accepted them without hesitation and put the Pip-Buck into them. “Thank you for helping me, Bottle.”

“Muh pleasure,” he said and put the loot from the bodies into them as well, “drop by anytime.”

“Oh, and one more thing, Hollow?”

I looked at him while I was strapping the saddle bags on me.

“Ah would go visit a doc with that,” he said in a worry.

Wait, wha-? I suddenly felt a stab in my shoulder. As I looked down I saw a pool of blood underneath me. My head was feeling lightheaded and my vision was fading away quickly.

“Oh, shucks,” I managed to say before I blacked out.