Chapter 257 - Sickness

After giving his 'last' parting words he hops back onto Dirt-Bird checks his Pipboy for the location of the Mojave Drive-in. Fortunately, his [Explorer] Perk easily gave him the ability to find it. Though, unfortunately, it was located all the way in Nipton.

If he didn't have Dirt-Bird he'd likely perish on the way there, even still he didn't know if he'd last long enough to complete the journey. He takes one last glance at Anja before starting the engine and driving off.​​

He was slightly worried about whether or not she'd make it to Karl and Boone, the NCR had already sent an ambush after him, so it wouldn't be out of character to send another for her to silence any potential witnesses.

He sighs and shakes his head, whatever will happen was out of his hands now. He could only hope that his companions would continue the work they were doing and wait for his return... IF, he returned.

After a day of driving, he soon arrived at the 188 trading post. He parked his vehicle next to the Slop and Shop before sitting down at one of the bar stools with a wheeze. He was getting weaker, he knew it was only matter of time before the virus overtook him.

Samuel walks into the shack through the backdoor and begins talking without looking at him, "Welcome to the Slop and Shop, what can I do for you-WAH! My God! Is that you Afton?" he suddenly exclaims after seeing the state he was in.

Afton weakly nods, "Save the questions, I jus need a drink and a meal." he says, tossing some caps onto the bar.

"You look like someone who's been attacked by a vampire and is half-way from turning..." Samuel says as he places purified water on the bar, along with some canned beans.

Afton snorts but ends up breaking into a cough, "I wish. Trust me, you don't want to know."

Samuel continues to try and get some information out of his, but Afton just takes the food and water away and slumps beside Dirt-Bird to get some rest.

The night quickly passes, but not without issue... Afton was awoken covered in cold-sweat more than once. Nightmares of excruciating pain and being conscious as he was turned into a Spore Carrier threatened to break his mind.

Feeling more tired than before he'd slept, he gets back on the road, this time headed to Novac, halfway through the drive Afton noticed that every time he coughed, a small number of Spores would be released, as if he had bad breath in an old cartoon.

Not willing to risk any spread of the fungus he covers his face with enough rags to suffocate someone. He'd need to burn it once he was either cured or about to die, but there wasn't much else he could do about it.

Soon enough he was nearing Novac... But honestly, he didn't want to face anyone there right now, not just because he didn't want to worry them with his almost unavoidable death, but because he didn't wish to risk spreading the fungus to them.

So, he took the first path on the right, cruising towards one of the shortcuts through the canyon. On his Pipboy he could see that an NCR Ranger Station was located there, so it should be empty of any bandits and brigands.

Night was about to fall as he spotted Ranger Station Charlie, but was confused when he saw thick plumes of black smoke coming from within. Unless Rangers were trying to communicate via smoke signals, it was obvious something wrong was occurring...

Were the situation different, Afton would be willing to check it out, but he honestly didn't think he was strong enough to handle more than a small group of thieves right now, let alone a potential military force.

Shaking his head, he drove past the station, ignoring the sounds of gunfire, and shouts of terror and pain.

Once the sun had finally set he made camp next to the canyon cliff-face, if any creatures came near then Dirt-Bird would take care of them...

The night passes but laser fire awakens Aftons from his uncomfortable slumber. He forces his eyes open and spots some Gecko's getting blasted to ashes by Dirt-Bird... Apparently, they'd come too close and the bike had swiftly reacted.

He groans and he gets to his feet, his vision was slowly blurring, he hadn't noticed it before, but now everything looked pretty fuzzy... It was difficult to focus on something a few meters away. Not only that, but he felt like a Xenomorph was trying to burrow its way out of his chest.

He sucked in a breath but began to cough, it felt like his lungs were restricted and only had 30% their usual capacity... He glanced down at his hands and noticed they were covered in black veins, not only that, but his reaction time was shot... It took half a second for his hand to respond and clench like he wanted them to...

"A-almost there." he mutters to himself, smacking himself on the chest a couple times and coughing heavily as a result, wrenching out a heavy amount of black blood.

Not willing to wait for his condition to worsen any further, he gets atop of Dirt-Bird and rapidly begins driving towards Nipton... He could barely see where he was going, so he was less driving and more retracing his steps.

Soon enough he reached the burnt town but didn't stop to reminisce, turning left the first chance he got and headed towards the Mojave Drive-in.

Afton almost had to press his face against his Pipboy to see where he was going, but soon enough he arrived at the Mojave Drive-in... And was immediately struck by the impression that he'd been scammed...

There was nothing here! Just a load of derelict vehicles from before the war... Wait, no that's not right. In the middle of the clearing he spotted black smoke rising from something in a small crater...

He fell off Dirt-Bird and crawled towards it after finding his legs not responding. His eyes had gotten to the point of almost complete blindness, so he traced his hands over the object, finding it to be some sort of satellite?

"Well... This is it... I guess." Afton mutters weakly to himself, no longer having the strength to move. He didn't think his adventure through this world would end like this... His last thoughts were on Veronica, Christine, and his parents as he finally passed out atop the satellite. Thoughts of burning his body not even crossing his mind.