Chapter 79 "The honour is still mine.”

John helped Sara as she prepared to leave. “What’s the plan, Boss?” He asked, worried for his friend.

“Nearest outpost is a few hundred miles from here. We’ll head north then cut west.” Sara let out a deep sigh. “They’ll disband the chapter. At which point I’ll tell them to go fuck themselves.”

“That’ll go over well.” He almost wished he could see her say that to high command.

“What about you?” She asked.

“I’m leaving with Rosie.” He forced himself to say. “But as soon as I can I’ll be back. Make sure they’re buried, remembered. Honoured.” His first thought after leaving was coming back. He tried to ignore it.

“Can you ask your friend to watch out for Matthew? Tell him to reach out.” Sara asked him. He felt like he’d let her down already.

“I’ll make sure he’s looked after.” He had to stop himself from promising.

“Well then.” She stood, dusting off her fatigues. “You stand relieved, Captain Blake.” She threw him a wink.

“Thank you sir.” He stood and saluted to show respect. “It was an honour, Sara.”

“No, John. The honour is still mine.” Sara turned and started her long walk.

John got into his Vertibird. Lady Luck seeing to the wounded in the cabin. He flew slow and steady, the quiet giving him time to think. Time he would have gladly done without.

He landed and helped get the wounded inside. Pandemonium greeted him as he stepped into the atrium. Piles and piles of stuff everywhere. People arguing. Chickens and goats running loose.

He caught sight of Sheriff Bob in the midst of a crowd of people. “We’re the last ones in.” John said with a heavy heart. “I need to find Louisa.” John saw Bob throw up his hands. He started heading upstairs.

Every few feet some he half knew stopped him. Asking after people he didn’t know. Asking him questions about the Vault he couldn’t answer. He saw fear and confusion on each and every face. He’d brought them here, now he hurried to leave them. He felt more disappointed with himself with every step.

“John.” He wanted to ignore the voice, but couldn’t. He turned and saw Carol, forcing a smile. “I need to talk to someone about cold storage for the food.”

“I don’t know Carol, I need to go.” He took a step and froze, hating himself. “Talk to Sheriff Bob. Everything will work out.”

“Good luck John.” She put out her hand and he hugged her.

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“I’ll see you soon.”

He found Louisa and Wallace in a residence on the top floor. Sheets hung over the open door frame and window. He peered through the gap, seeing Louisa trying to lift Wallace’s mood. They didn’t like this place. John couldn’t blame them.

“Hello.” He stepped into the sparse room. A far cry from the warmth of the Rest. “It’s over. We got him.”

“Good.” Louisa took comfort in that if nothing else. He looked to Wallace, quiet and meek in the corner. “Rosie’s topside if you want to come and say goodbye.” He nodded and dragged himself up.

John felt even more protective getting them through the bustling crowds. “I’ll catch up.” Things got too much for Louisa as the lift opened at the Vault door. “Give her my love.” She didn’t want Wallace to see her break.

John took him up and out to the stone path he’d stumbled down a lifetime ago. He found Rosie and Fenris waiting. Rosie knelt, getting on Wallace’s level. “You know why I have to go right?” She asked.

“I know. I understand.” He shifted his feet awkwardly.

“You know what that means right?” She lifted his head so he could see tears in her eyes too. “Means you’re the smartest person there.” He laughed and brought on a sob “Don’t let anyone tell you different.” She hugged him tight.

John walked him back to the lift. No idea how to say goodbye to the bright boy that had given so much. Hating himself for even considering it. As they stood at the threshold, Wallace took his hand. He tugged at it to get John’s attention, getting him to lean in.

“How do you not be scared down there?” Wallace asked him, assuming there must be an answer. John’s heart broke. He saw Rosie had been right. He couldn’t leave these people. Wallace least of all.

“I tell you what, give me five minutes and we’ll talk all about it.” John fought back tears as Wallace hugged him. John left Wallace with his mother and headed out to Rosie.

John found Rosie at the Velo, playing with the dog. He watched her for a moment, took a deep breath and stepped out.

“You were right.” He felt clarity for the first time in days. “I’m so sorry Rosie. I can’t leave.”

“I know.” She smiled and took his hand, having already figured all this out. “You are who you are, John. It hurts but I wouldn’t change it.” She pulled him in for a kiss followed by a long embrace.

“Can you take Fen?” John would feel better knowing Rosie had him. “Too much of the wild in him. I won’t see him caged.” He looked at her.

“Of course.” She smiled and looked to the west. “You know I thought I’d find somewhere and sleep for days. But now I’m kind of excited to see what’s out there.”

“Where will you go?” John asked, putting on a brave face.

“There’s a place Virgil mentioned. Where he went to school. I might head there. I might not, I...I don't know.” She had an excited tone. It faded as she looked up at the Vault. “You’ll watch out for Matthew right?”

“Absolutely.” John found a sense of calm in the idea of helping others. “I’ll set up comms.”

“It’s a few years, John. Seems a fair price considering what others paid.” Rosie had the right answer, as usual.

“I love you.” He told her. “Now and always.”

“I love you.” She told him. “Now and always.”

John watched as the Velo climbed, taking Rosie on her grand adventure. He had left her, now she had left him. “A fair price.” He said to himself.

John walked up the path that once seemed difficult. He walked through the cave and beyond the Vault door that kept him imprisoned for most of his life. He gave a nod to the guards and the door Rosie defeated began to close.

Instead of cold and loneliness, he felt the warmth of family at his side. “Come on, let’s get started.” John took the hands of Wallace and Louisa. Finding hope in helping them, until the Vault door opened once again.