Following In His Footsteps

Chapter 7

Rose suppressed a yawn and rubbed her eyes to clear them of their bleariness. She adjusted the clipboard on her lap and scooted up to lean against her pillow. She had tucked herself into bed over two hours earlier, determined to get caught up on paperwork and lap reports. Jonas had teased her that afternoon after seeing her leaving the clinic with a large folder full of unattended work.

"Procrastination is a real bitch, isn't it?"

He laughed at her groaned reply. Now it was nearing eleven and she still had more to do. Rose lifted her head at the sound of a door sliding open and saw the hall light come on, alerting her to her father's entrance. He had been coming in later every night for the past year and it was beginning to worry her. When James was not in the clinic he was in the lab or in the reactor for no apparent reason. Whenever she tried to confront him about his hidden activities he would brush aside her concern and deflect it expertly to ask her about whatever patient she was currently seeing. Even at nineteen the people of the vault had become accustomed to seeing her at the clinic and naturally accepted her as the new resident physician. James slowly transferred primary care to his daughter and saw only the Overseer and a few other "serious" patients. Even Jonas handed off more and more responsibility to her when it came to dealing with the people; though this was due to his love for the lab part of the job as he had never been much of a "people's person."

Rose thought about getting up to see what her father was up to but he soon appeared in her doorway.

"You're still up?" He asked and stepped into the room. Rose lifted the remaining stack of papers in the air for display; her face somber in defeat. James chuckled and moved to sit on the edge of her bed.

"It always catches up with you."

"No kidding," she retorted softly before looking up to meet his gaze. She was surprised by how old he looked. He had always retained a youthful sense of purpose and energy but lately it was as if he was drained of all excitement and…life. She met his eyes and saw a great sadness, so overwhelming it was unbearable to look it at. James reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. He fingered it gently before handing it to her.

"I want you to have this."

Rose took the box and inspected it carefully. It was nothing special, just a plain black square with a loose fitting top.

"What is it?"

He simply smiled so she went ahead and opened it. Placed carefully inside was a thick gold band, similar to the one her father wore but much smaller in size. She lifted it up and could make out the name Catherine, carved on the inside.

"It's your mother's wedding ring," her father supplied, though she had already guessed as much. His voice was strained and she knew this was hard for him. "I've been meaning to give it to you for a while; but it never seemed to be the right time."

"What's going on, Dad?" She blurted out suddenly in an effort to quell the churning feeling in her stomach telling her that something wasn't right. He looked momentarily surprised but his calm demeanor quickly returned.

"Nothing is wrong, Honey." He took her hand and squeezed her fingers around the ring in her palm. "I just want you to have it."

Rose eyes him suspiciously but eventually nodded in gratitude.

"Thanks, Dad. This means a lot." She unhooked the silver chain from around her neck and slid the ring down the length of the necklace to sit alongside of the angel charm that currently hung there. Rose did not know where the necklace had originally come from but that she had it for as long as she could remember it.

"I am proud of you and I don't say it as often as I should. You are an incredible young woman and have become more than I could have ever dreamed for you."

"It's all because of what you've taught me."

James glanced down at his hands, a sad smile on his face.

"I know that there are things that I couldn't always help you with. I could never replace your mother and I'm sorry about that."

Rose reached over and wrapped her arms around her father's waist.

"Don't say that! You didn't need to replace her. You did a great job of raising me; no matter how challenging it was." He chuckled softly at that. "I couldn't have asked for a better father. Now will you please tell me what is going on?"

James extracted himself from her hug after a quick squeeze and got off the side of the bed. "Nothing at all, sweetheart. I just wanted to give you your mother's ring."

He bent down and kissed her forehead.

"Goodnight, darling. I love you."

"I love you too, dad."

After her father left her room Rose sat back and studied her mother's ring, the forgotten paperwork had been pushed to the floor. Her eyes grew heavy and she eventually drifted off to sleep, dreaming of blond hair and green eyes and a soft voice telling her "I'm so sorry."


"Rose! Get up! Rose!"

She was being shaken violently as she awoke from her sleep. Amata stood over her, an anxious expression on her face.

"Amata?" Rose mumbled sleepily and rolled over to check the time. Her Pip Boy displayed four am. "What's wrong?"

"Get up! You have to get out of here. Your dad is gone and my dad is after you!"

"What are you talking about? What do you mean my dad is gone?"

"He left the vault! I don't know how but he's gone and my father has gone crazy!"

Rose didn't want to believe her but a part of her knew that Amata's words were true. Hi behavior last night had seemed suspicious and she was right to suspect something was wrong. A righteous anger began to burn.

"How could he just leave me?" Rose asked herself more than Amata. Her friend bent down so she was eye level with her still seated friend.

"He didn't tell you he was leaving?"

Rose shook her head. "I had no idea. What am I supposed to do now?"

"I think you'll have to follow your dad but you need to do it now. My father's men will be coming for you any minute."

"How am I supposed to get out? Dad didn't tell me that either."

"I can help you escape. There's a secret tunnel directly under my father's office that will lead you to the vault exit. Take this pass card and it should let you in if I can't meet you."

"Where are you going?"

"I need to go find my father. Hopefully I can convince him not to come after you."

Rose got up and hugged her friend.

"Thank you, Amata."

Amata nodded and gave her a quick smile before passing a holster into her hand.

"This is my father's pistol; I hope you won't need it."

"I'll only use it as a last resort, I promise."

Amata nodded one more time and then snuck back out of Rose's apartment. Rose quickly dressed and packed a bag full of as many belongings as she could fit. Her fingers hesitated over the picture of her and her father from her tenth birthday. She knew she needed to save room in her pack for food and other necessities but she couldn't leave it behind to be smashed up by the Overseer's lackeys. After putting on her necklace, now adorned with her mother's ring, Rose cautiously crept towards her door and poked her head outside. It was dark save for the emergency lights blinking rapidly. It felt like an eternity as she moved slowly down the halls towards the Overseer's office. Rad roaches were everywhere, likely from her father opening the vault. She handled them easily with a borrowed police baton she found lying on the ground. She hoped nothing had happened to its owner.

Rose passed the Gomez apartment and couldn't help but look inside the window. She was disappointed to find that no one was inside. She was hoping to have a chance to say goodbye to Freddie before she left the vault. Rose rounded the corner and a tall figure ran into her. They both crashed to the floor and Rose scrambled for her police baton, ready to strike. She quickly put it away once she recognized her boyfriend.

"Freddie!" She cried out and threw herself into his arms. He held her tightly and pressed his head against her hair.

"I was so worried about you," he whispered as he stroked her back.

"I'm okay but I can't stay. The Overseer is after me." Rose removed herself from his arms and began to walk down the hallway, Freddie followed her closely.

"You can't just leave! It's not safe out there." He gestured ominously to the world outside the protection of their vault.

"I don't have a choice Freddie. The Overseer will probably kill me if he finds me."

"You don't know that. Maybe you can just explain why your dad left and tell him you had nothing to do with it."

"I didn't have anything to do with it but do you actually think the Overseer will believe me? You know how he is, I can't stay here."

Freddie frowned but did not reply. They continued walking until the Overseer's office was in sight. A loud voice carried down the hall.

"Your friend will not be in trouble if she just turns herself in, Amata." She recognized the Overseer's typical manipulating tone.

Rose and Freddie inched along the wall until they could see inside the window to the vault's makeshift prison. Amata was seated in one of the chairs in the center of the room. Her father loomed over her, a menacing glare on his face.

"You will just do what you did to Jonas!" Amata spit out and crossed her arms in defiance. Rose's heart sunk at her words. She had not thought about Jonas in her rush to escape.

"That was an accident. If Rose turns herself in I can promise that she will come to no harm."

Amata stood up suddenly and snarled in her father's face. "You are a liar!"

The Overseer did not even hesitate. His hand shot out and collided with her face, sending her stumbling back into her chair.

"Don't you dare speak to me like that!"

Rose could take no more and pulled out the pistol before she rushed into the room.

"Get away from her!" She shouted at the crazed man and cocked the pistol. He raised his hands in the air and slowly turned around to face her.

"Look at that, Amata. Your good friend has come to kill me. Still want to take her side?"

Amata's face paled and she clutched the growing red mark on her face. It would be a nasty bruise within a few hours. Rose approached the Overseer and he took a step back.

"I'm not going to kill you, though a lot of people would thank me if I did."

She kept moving till she was next to her friend. "Are you okay?" She asked Amata and the young woman nodded faintly, her eyes still burned on her father's figure.

"What is your plan then?" The Overseer questioned, his gaze going back and forth between her and Freddie who was helping Amata stand. "Are you going to destroy everything I worked so hard to protect, just like your father tried to do?"

"No. I'm going to leave and you will never have to deal with me again. But for now I don't need you trying to stop me. Keep moving." She backed him into one of the cells and locked the door, sealing him in for the meantime.

"If you come back here, I will kill you." His voice was cold and calculating and she knew he was serious. Rose refused to give him the satisfaction of a reply so she merely dipped her head towards him and handed the key to the cell door to Amata.

"Amata!" he called out as Rose and the others headed towards the door. "Amata, let me out of here!"

Amata flicked him off and closed the door shut behind him. Rose noticed the door to Jonas's apartment was wide open and she decided to go check on him. Amata's words from earlier still echoed in her ears.

"No Rose, don't go in there!" Amata called out but it was too late. Rose was already inside and found Jonas's body sprawled out on the floor.

"No, Jonas!" Rose cried and dropped to her knees, checking her father's long time friend for a pulse but she knew it was of no use. The blood pooled around his body was evidence enough of his death. Rose tried to swallow down the sob building in her throat but she could not contain the few tears that slipped down her cheeks. Freddie knelt down next to her and scooped her rigid body against his chest.

"I'm so sorry," he murmured against her curls. Rose did not, could not reply; she sat in his embrace trying to calm down. The sadness had immediately turned into a burning hatred and she had to suppress the urge to go back to the cell and exact revenge. From the corner of her eye Rose could see Amata wander over to the nearest desk and examine a small holotape.

"It's for you," she said softly and handed it to Rose. The message was from her father.

Hold on Jonas, I need to record this first. I don't know how to tell you this. I hope you'll understand but I know you're probably going to be angry. I thought about it for a long time but I figured it was best not to tell you. SO many things could have gone wrong and there's no telling how the Overseer will react when he finds out. It's best if he can just blame it all on me. Obviously you already know that I'm gone. It was something that I needed to do. You're an adult now. You're ready to be on your own. Maybe someday things will change and we can see each other again. I can't tell you why I left or where I'm going. I don't want you to follow me. God knows life in the vault isn't perfect but at least you will be safe. Just knowing that will be enough to keep me going. Goodbye. I love you.

Rose did not say anything for a long moment and Amata and Freddie exchanged concerned glances.

"I have to go," Rose finally spoke as she stood back up and gathered up her belongings.

"I can't believe you are still going. You heard your dad, you will be safer here," Freddie exclaimed.

"And if I stay the Overseer will kill me." Rose pressed a hand against his cheek and sighed. "I'm sorry but I have no other choice."

"Don't go," he whispered and kissed her palm.

"I'm sorry."

Footsteps echoed down the hall and Amata grabbed her arm.

"Come on! The hidden entrance is in the office."

Rose followed her through the nearby door with Freddie close on her heels. Once they were inside the office Amata locked the door behind them and plopped down in her father's chair and activated the computer terminal.

"It's locked," Freddie noted.

"Do you think this is the first time I've broken in here?" Amata quipped as her hands deftly worked the keys and within seconds she had full access. She pushed a button and the sound of a crank turning caught their attention. The three teenagers turned around to see the Overseer's desk slowly rise from the ground to reveal a secret staircase.

"Wow," Rose breathed. "How did my dad know this was here?"

Freddie just shrugged his mouth agape.

"Look at this!"

Rose walked back over to the terminal where Amata was still seated. She was pointing to a picture of what looked like a large base.

"This is what the last user accesses." Amata kept reading further. "It's some kind of small city, called Megaton. Maybe that's where your dad went?"

"It's the best lead I've got."

Rose adjusted the pack on her shoulders and took a deep breath before descending down the stairs; her friends followed after a moment's hesitation. The dark tunnel led farther underneath the vault and after a short walk they came upon the exit of the vault. Rose stopped at the crane controls and activated it. Alarms began blaring as the vault seal was pulled away from the exit. Rose turned back to her friends and Amata hugged her briefly.

"Be safe out there and I hope you find your dad."

"Thanks Amata, for everything."

Amata nodded and stepped away, giving Rose and Freddie some semblance of privacy.

"You don't have to go." Freddie took her hands in his and held them tight.

"Goodbye Freddie," she whispered and turned to leave. He pulled her back and kissed her soundly, holding her as if he would never let go. Rose finally broke away and with one final, longing look took a step towards the great unknown.

The vault seal rolled back into position behind her, forever removing Rose from her home. As she drew nearer to the cave entrance her sense grew overwhelmed. She was unprepared for the smell. The putrid stench of decay, rot and death flooded her nostrils and it was only through pure will that she was able to keep the contents in her stomach down. The sun blinded her as she stepped out into the open sky. Rose covered her eyes until she was able to adjust. Her skin tingled from the unfamiliar warmth of the blazing ball of light. What caught her off guard was the wind. She knew of its existence but she had never felt it before. It whipped about her face and tossed dust and dirt about the landscape. Rose had never experienced anything like it.

Once her eyesight was restored she surveyed the land before her and grew desperately disappointed. The resemblance to the pictures she had seen of United States desert areas was uncanny. Before the war, Washington D.C had not been one of these desert locations. The foliage was sparse and brown in a constant state of death, never entering the stages of regrowth and renewal that plants were supposed to. There was no color, aside from the same tan that decorated everything in sight. Rose couldn't fight the longing to turn around and beg for reentrance into the vault. Instead she put one foot in front of the other and followed a rocky path down into a carved up concrete road, leading to a desolate, lifeless town. Rose walked down the streets of the little town until she came across a large billboard.

"Welcome to Springvale," she read aloud and glanced around at the crumbling buildings that once held the families of old. She wandered around for a while, unsure of where exactly she was and how to get to Megaton. The sound of movement startled her and she turned around quickly, pistol in hand. She was met by a woman, not much older than herself, with short blond hair and dusty clothes. The woman had her hands raised in peace and was studying Rose with a quizzical gaze.

"Are you a raider?" The woman asked.

Rose shook her head and kept her weapon pointed at the stranger.

"Are you?" She asked in return. The woman also shook her head.

"Did Moriarty send you here?"

"I don't know who that is," Rose answered. The woman frowned and seemed to consider that for a moment before taking a step closer, hands still raised.

"What are you doing here then?"

"I don't know," Rose mumbled to herself but the woman still heard her.

"You don't know?" She asked in disbelief.

"I'm looking for my father," Rose explained. "I think he went to Megaton but I don't know where that is."

The woman moved closer until she was just a few paces away. Rose lowered her weapon but kept it ready in hand.

"You must not be from around here."

Rose shook her head and pointed up to the hill she had just come from. "I'm from vault 101."

"Oh you poor little fool." The woman extended her hand. "My name is Silver."

Rose accepted it and shook her hand firmly. "Rose."

Silver released her hand and pointed in the direction of the other side of the town.

"You see that big hunk of metal up there?" Rose nodded. "That's Megaton."

"Thank you Ms. Silver."

The woman laughed.

"It's just Silver, sweet thing." Silver patted her on the shoulder briefly at Rose's embarrassed glance. "Let me give you a bit of advice kid. People will take advantage of you in a heartbeat; you need to be more careful. I know you are naïve about the world up here, but do everything you can to hide it. Stay smart and stay hidden and you will survive out here."

"Thank you again, Silver."

"No problem, Kid. Now you better get going, Megaton is a good miles walk from here."

Rose thanked her again and began walking in the direction of Megaton and hopefully towards finding her father.

Yay, finally out of the vault. SOOOO sorry for the delay but I just did not like anything I wrote for this and had to keep rewriting it. Thanks for all the reviews and favs/follows!