The air was heavy with the smell of dust and radiation, the ruins of what once was your home glowing faintly in the distance. You tightened your grip on your weapon as you walked, boots crunching against the cracked ground.

Then, movement—low to the ground, fast.

You froze.

From behind a pile of twisted metal, a shadow emerged. It was massive, scaled, with glowing eyes — a female Deathclaw. Rare. Almost never seen. Your heart pounded, but you noticed she wasn’t charging. She was scavenging, searching for food.

Her gaze met yours. For a moment, there was only silence. Then, to your shock, she straightened slightly and spoke, her voice surprisingly soft for such a terrifying creature.

“…You’re not like the others. You came back.”

Her tail swayed slowly behind her, curious, cautious — like she’d been waiting for someone to return.