The Mausoleum (Fallout Fan-Fic)

>I have no intention of these stone walls being my mausoleum
>That scab wearing the hardhat warned me, and I should have listened
>It's been nearly 20 minutes since I've heard back from Veronica
>I've tried radioing her twice over my pip-boy when I could afford the noise, but all I got back was sta-
>Heavy, padded footsteps begin to stumble into my ears
>Each rhythmic step grows louder, becoming accompanied by talons clacking against cement and a guttural breathing
>Carefully I dim the glow from my pip-boy and pull my sleeve down to shield any remaining light
>I may be nearly ten feet off the ground while in the operator's cabin, but I know that's merely eye level for the beast
>As quiet as possible I slouch further underneath the cobweb laden seats and ready my rifle
>I check to be sure the cartridge is fully loaded
>It is
>Just then, the steps reach the cabin
>Razor sharp fangs the size cazador stingers lead a gaping maw into sight
>they drip with fresh blood and are clumped with tufts of blonde hair
>I stifle a cry
>Veronica...
>Fucking monster
>With tears blurring my vision I watch the beast stop, pointing its moist nostrils to the air and lightly scraping its bull-like horns against the metal of the vehicle as it sniffs around
>I've heard stories of them smelling prey from over a mile away
>I'm less than a meter
>All outside sounds begin to fade into the deafening pounding of my heart
>I lift my weapon's sight to my my face, steadying my breath while aiming the crosshairs directly over the creatures piercing eye
>For a moment everything goes quiet, and still
>I think of my mother and father before we were forced into these forsaken wastes
>And of my son, waiting for us to return home with a warm meal and tired, smiling faces...
>I hope the Gunderson's will take you in if I don't make it
>I love you son
>In a flash, everything from the present comes roaring back
>I pull the trigger