To My Beloved Daughter

A breeze swept through the irradiated trees of Boston as Bex and her Mr. Handy companion, Buttersworth, walked through what was once her old neighborhood. It was the year 2100, about 24 years after the Great War had started and ended, leaving the world in nuclear ruin. Bex's old childhood house was the only house in the neighborhood that was still mostly intact, the others having been incinerated or blown apart when the shockwave from the first nuclear bomb that hit Boston came rushing in-just in time.

Bex remembered that moment clearly-she was just two years old when the bombs fell-leaving her mother, father, and older brother Dustin running to the vault-good thing her father was a recently retired lieutenant in the Navy, leaving the family with an open spot in the local Vault. Ten years after the bombs had dropped and it was deemed safe to be outside, Bex's father had gone to Diamond City and had become a security guard, eventually working with the local detective Nick Valentine. Bex's father even managed to become friends with the Minutemen, a small but mighty militia whose goal was to protect the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth was what was left of the state of Massacheusetts after the bombs fell, and Bex found their cause admirable. Sadly, Bex's father was brutally killed when trying to defend a group of settlers in Quincy against a group of Raiders. Bex spent the last 14 years alone, with her mother passing away from radiation sickness after one journey too many shortly after.

Now, at the ripe old age of 26, Bex and Buttersworth felt like they were ready to explore the Commonwealth-or what was left of it.

"Ready, Buttersworth?"

"As you wish, ma'am," the robot replied. "I've got my flamethrower and shears ready in case of bloatflies and radroaches!"

Bex nodded, pulled out her 10-mm pistol, and went inside the house.

The house looked exactly as Bex remembered it. White pristine walls, covered in photos of her parents and Dustin. Bex's mind momentarily went to as to where Dustin's whereabouts were. When Bex was 16, Dustin, who was 19 at the time, left the Vault to travel to Goodneighbor in order to find a well-paying job. The last time Bex heard from him Dustin had found work in Diamond City as a security guard, much like her father. Bex shook her head to clear her mind.

"Ma'am? Be careful!"

Bex looked up to see flames shoot out and a radroach fell to the ground, incinerated.

"Sorry, Butters."

"Are you okay, ma'am? You look a little...preoccupied."

"Yeah, I'm fine, just...thinking, that's all."

Bex then walked to her old room, which was in the furthest left corner of the house. She smiled sadly as she noticed her old childhood bed, toys, and everything else in the room-perfectly preserved the way it was on that fateful day. The pastel pink and yellow striped walls were a little dusty, but still intact. Bex then walked to her parents room, which was right across the hall. Her parents' room was a complete contrast to her room, with wooden floors, white walls, and minimalist decor. She stopped in front of the dresser and stared at her reflection in the mirror, with her golden amber eyes looking tired and her copper hair thrown up into what could be described as a birds nest.

Without thinking, she opened the drawer, and caught a glimpse of something shiny. Inside the drawer, tucked away neatly behind her mother's makeup, was a heart-shaped locket.

"Ma'am?"

Buttersworth hovered behind Bex.

"Oh dear...your parents left this behind shortly before the bombs fell..."

Bex picked up the locket, letting the silver chain fall in between her fingers. She fiddled around for the latch, and with a gentle click, the locket opened, and a folded up piece of paper small enough to fit inside the locket fell out and onto the dresser. Bex picked up the paper, and examined the locket's contents. It contained a picture of her, Dustin, and her parents. Bex examined the photo, her eyes slightly brimming with tears before shutting the locket and carefully opening the folded up paper.

"October 23, 2076

Dear Rebecca and Dustin,

At the time of writing this note, the bombs have fallen all around the world. Boston and Philadelphia were hit first. By the time you read this, it will have been a while since then. Just know that when you read this, I bet that you will have become wonderful people. Rebecca, I know that you will do great, whatever you choose to do. Dustin, you are more rambunctious, but I'm so proud of you.

Love,

Mom and Dad"

A rustle came from the dresser, confusing Bex for a second before discovering there was a second note, tucked away where the locket had been. Bex picked it up and started to read.

"November 30, 2086

My beloved Bex,

By the time you read this note, your dad and I will no longer be alive. Your dad was killed trying to help the Minutemen take back Quincy. When I heard about his death, I swore to avenge his death. However, that meant the risk of radiation. I went out with nothing but a set of T-51 power armor, several packets of Radaway, and a lot of Stimpaks. I managed to avenge your father-I found those damned Raiders hiding away near the theater they hide out at between Goodneighbor and Diamond City-but during the struggle, I broke parts of my power armor and radiation kicked in. I am sorry I never got to see the woman you became, but I know whatever you'e doing now, it's a good thing. I'm so proud of you Bex.

Love,

Mom"

A tear splashed onto the note.

"Ma'am, shall we take our leave?"

"Yes, Buttersworth"

Without another word, Bex turned around and left, with Buttersworth in tow. Her footsteps echoed through the empty corridor and out the door as she walked out of her old neighborhood without looking back.

To the future.