Chapter 46 - Eleanor

Not everyone is out to get you.

W ho were these group of bandits surrounding Callahan? There was two men and two women. Both pairs looked so different from each other. One couple wore long brown leather dusters and cowboy hats. They looked tough as nails and wore guns on their hips. The second pair were dressed similar to Riot, with ripped jeans, bright jackets that reminded me of space men, and flashy bows and shoes. I was so confused. Were they robbing Callahan?

"Hey, you there!" Riot yanked a gun from his hip, cocked it, and pointed it at the group. "Get away from the bunker boy."

The group turned to look at us and the moment they saw Riot, they relaxed and burst into laughter. Relief flooded over me as well. Riot put his gun away and laughed with them.

"That's my gang. Come on, I'll introduce you." He tugged me along. I noticed he hadn't dropped my hand once since he took it before we visited the tattoo shop and I hadn't tried to pull away either. The others pulled Callahan along and we met in the middle.

"I see you met Cal. This is his... companion, Eleanor," Riot introduced us.

Companion? I looked toward Cal, who was looking at the ground. What had he told him exactly? Did Riot know about us...

"This is my sister, Cherry Pop, and her partner, Soda Pop." He pointed to the pair in bright clothing. "And this is Boone and Bonnie. We go way back. Been friends since we were kids. They're staying over at Heathen Heights while they're in the area." The pair in cowboy hats smiled at me.

"Eleanor, huh?" Boone asked. "That name sounds familiar."

Riot elbowed him and Boone shut his mouth.

Cherry interrupted. "We found Callahan pushing buttons, trying to get the PHUCK station to work. Naturally, we grew curious. We were about to head back to Heathen Heights. Now that we're all acquainted, why don't we ride back together?"

"I bought some good booze," Bonnie added.

"Sounds good to me," Soda agreed. As a group, we went to Scissors bar where, reluctantly, Riot let go of my hand. I felt the absence of his warmth instantly, and a twang of sadness washed over me. I gave him a small smile as I joined Callahan on his 4-wheeler and a moment later we were heading back to Heathen Heights.

We were there in a flash and my space was instantly flooded by Cherry and Bonnie.

"How did you get here?"

"When did you get here?"

"Are you wearing Riot's shirt?"

"How old are you?"

"Did Riot buy that bear for you?"

Riot pushed them back. "Will you let the woman breathe? Don't worry about how she got here. She's here now and that's all that matters.

"Where is she sleeping?" Cherry crossed her arms.

Riot paused. I'd slept in his room last night. But now it wasn't exactly an emergency, where would I sleep?

"I'll air out one of the spare rooms. Leave her alone before I go get a broom."

The girls backed away, sharing looks that made them giggle. Callahan reached for me protectively, and we all went inside just as the sun was setting. Someone turned the radio on and a song I'd never heard before blared loudly into the room.

"Is this a song from the future?" I asked Cal. While Riot was in the shower, Callahan had explained to me that the bunker had lied to us about what year the bombs had gone off. He'd briefly told me about the new music, movies, and other media that we'd see up here. This must be one of those things. Whatever the song was, it was catchy.

"'Love is a Battlefield'?" Cherry grinned. "I love Pat Benatar. Atlas Adam always plays the good stuff. Come, sit by me Eleanor. I need to know everything."

I liked Cherry's bubbly energy. I abandoned Cal's side and joined her on the couch. I pulled my shirt down over my knees, and couldn't help but notice everyone's eyes were drawn to my thighs. I blushed, realizing I may have given them a peak at my panties.

A large brown bottle was passed around the newly formed circle. I sat between Bonnie and Cherry, and Riot, Callahan, and sat directly across from me, with Boone beside Bonnie and Soda next to Cherry. I tried to pass the bottle to Cherry, but she pushed it back.

"No, you have to take a drink. Have you ever had alcohol?"

I shook my head furiously, which caused laughter.

"How old are you, again?"

"She's 18," Riot interceded. "An adult. Now, will you cut that shit out?"

The circle grew quiet. "You're 18?" Bonnie stared at me, eyes incredulous. I blushed sheepishly.

"I know, I was the shortest Young Lady in my class."

Cherry quickly helped break the tension. "You are pretty short. I'm almost a full head higher. That's alright. Maybe once you get named it'll be incorporated."

"Named?"

"Everyone gets a name eventually. I'm not actually Cherry Pop. My mother named me Blair." She stuck out her tongue.

"Drink up, shorty," Bonnie gently urged the bottle to my lips. I drank quickly and gagged as it burned my throat and belly. I coughed and the room chuckled as I passed it to Cherry.

"Please don't name me shorty."

We went a few more rounds of sharing the bottle until it was empty. They called them shots, and I'd had four of them before the bottle was drained. Boone tossed it aside and pulled another bottle from his bag.

"Please no more," I groaned, which caused laughter from everyone but Callahan. My vision was doubled and everything was spinning.His face was grim and he looked ready to go into Daddy mode.

"Okay, fine, why don't we play a game? Truth or dare anyone?" Cherry suggested.

"Truth or dare?" I blinked, trying to steady myself, but I was definitely wobbling.

"It's fun. Especially with more people. Here, you start, truth or dare?" Boone asked me.

"You don't have to play," Callahan said sharply.

"I know, Daddy." The title slipped from my lips and I was instantly mortified. My already warm face was now red hot. "Uh, truth," I said quickly, hoping people would move on.

Boone tapped his furry chin. "Eleanor, are you a virgin?"

I gasped, but the room just giggled more.

"You gotta answer, or you gotta do the dare," Boone warned.

"No," I said softly, which drew sounds of 'ooh' from the circle. It felt silly. I doubted anyone here were virgins, but staying pure had been so thickly ingrained in me, it still felt shameful.

"Was it Callahan?" Bonnie asked quickly.

"Uh-uh, she already went." Riot came to my defense. "Eleanor, your turn, ask someone ‘truth or dare'."

I looked around. I didn't know any of these people. What would I ask?

"Cherry, truth or dare?"

"Truth."

I thought for a moment. My mind was still struggling from the alcohol. "Why are you so nosy?" I blurted.

She gasped dramatically and fell back in laughter. As did everyone else. Was everything I said a joke to them? Why?

"Maybe I just want to know a bit about the girl my big brother has been obsessed with for--"

"Cherry," Riot warned and she shut up.

"Riot, truth or dare?" She spat instead.

"Dare." His eyes were blazing with unspoken rage for his sister.

"I dare you to take your gloves off."

"No."

"Fine, I dare you to kiss Eleanor."

The circle grew quiet as everyone looked around from Riot to me to Callahan.

"With tongue," Cherry added.

I didn't know what to do. This was all new territory for me, and the alcohol was making my mouth heavy. I couldn't form words. Riot glared at his sister for a long time before jumping to his feet and storming across the room. He grabbed my hands and pulled me to my feet. He gripped my face with both hands and tilted my head up.

Before I could speak his lips were on mine. They were warm and soft and the longer they stayed on mine, the more relaxed mine grew. His tongue probed slowly, and my lips parted to let mine touch his. Soon, our tongues were entangled and the room was spinning. But not from the alcohol. I was drunk on Riot Ritalin.