We Stitch These Wounds

Jake Pitts began to stir about three days after Victor had brought him and the guys to the house in which they were staying. Slightly confused, the guitarist glanced around the room and went to scratch his head. A large goose egg lay on the right side, causing him to wince at the touch.

"Oh good, one of you are awake."

Startled, Jake turned to face an elderly man with coke bottle glasses and old timey clothing. The man smiled, allowing Jake to relax a tad.

"I was beginning to worry," the old man said while handing him a mug of coffee, "The five of you were in terrible shape when Victor brought you in here."
"Wait a second," Jake's face scrunched as he looked towards the man, "Who is Victor, and where are we exactly?"
"Why, Victor is the town's only robot inhabitant. And as for where you are, I'm assuming it is a long way from where you were. This is the Mojave Wasteland."
Jake's eyes widened as an eyebrow rose up slowly.
"Waste...land? What year is it?"
"2281."

He nodded; just great. Flung forward in time over 250 years, and no way of figuring out what happened.
"You five fellas came in with the lightning storm. I don't know how or why, but I think it might be for the best."
Turning to his right, he saw Andy laying motionless on a cot in the far corner. Bandage around his head, he slept soundly and quietly.
"Oh fuck, my head," a groan came from behind him.

Ashley Purdy and Christian Coma, better known as CC, were coming to. The man who spat out the slur was none other than Ash.
"Who are you kidding," CC rubbed his ribs gingerly, "My sides are killing me."
Jeremy Ferguson, or Jinxx as he was known, sat up slowly. Cuts and bruises danced across his face, left hand bandaged up heavily.
Doc Mitchell was soon slammed with questions; the 62 year old man was up to his eyebrows with hows, wheres, and whats.

"Can you guys shut up and give the man some air."
The four confused gentlemen glanced over towards the corner where Andy now sat, head in his hands taking off the bandage. The scar had healed nicely, but the fact that it was there at all made the front man frown.
"Ok," the 24 year old got up from the cot and slowly made his way towards the group, "So, where are we?"
Doc was happy to hear a hushed question and made his way over to Andy to help him sit down.
"Easy young man, I will answer your questions soon enough. I want to make sure all your dogs are barking first."
Andy furrowed his brow, confused by the figurative language. Deciding not to dwell on it, he let is go and allowed Doc Mitchell to perform his tests on the group of men.

Twenty minutes went by as the five men got the "a-ok" to be up and about, and were also told they could leave later that afternoon.
"Okay, calmly present your questions."
Andy crossed his arms and leaned back against the green vintage sofa he was seated on, thinking of the best way to form the questions without sounding too out of place.
"Okay, so who are you?"
"I am Doc Mitchell; I am the doctor here in Goodsprings and tend to the ailing and the accident prone."
The band chuckled, seeing as though most of them had found their way there "accidentally".
"Okay, awesome," Andy clasped his hand and leaned forward biting on his lip ring, "What year is it?"
"2281; about 200 or so years after the Great War and the bomb falling."
Andy pursed his lips; he had a feeling getting home wasn't in the cards anymore.
"When did we get here?"

Doc began to tell them group about Victor and how he had dug them out of shallow dug graves at the beginning of the week. Andy felt the scar on his head again and sighed heavily knowing that there was more to their story than what they had figured.

"Where are we located?"
"The Mojave Wasteland; Goodsprings, Nevada."
The young man was familiar with that name, but couldn't place the reasons as to why he was.
"To be honest, why and how seem like they will be rather redundant," Andy concluded and began to get up to grab the rest of his belongings, "But, do you know how we got here?"
"A lightning storm came through here the other day; same day you fellas blew in," he paused, "You don't look like you're from around here."
"Well, that is kind of funny. You see, last I knew it was 2014 and we were about to prepare to perform in Richmond, Virginia on Black Mass Tour North America 2015."
Doc's eyes squinted, and he headed towards his computer. Reaching for one of the wallets, he found the one with the face of the young man in front of him.
"Um, Andrew Dennis Biersack?"
"Yea, that would be me."
"It says here your tour bus disappeared further up the road on your way home to California, and you weren't heard from again."
"How do we get home, then?" A sudden fit of rage hit Andy, "And why the hell do I have this gash on my head?"
"Something about a chip," his band mates and Doc said in unison.

After receiving instruction to head to the saloon and their effects, the five men said their goodbyes with the doctor and walked down the road.
"This place looks demolished," CC looked around in shock of the scenery, "I remember the Goodsprings we used to ride through."
"This isn't the real Goodsprings," Jake glanced around, "Ashley, what game were you playing on the bus the other night?"
"Fallout..."
"... New Vegas; ah, that explains it all. But why here, and how?"

Jake placed his forehead in his hand and cradled it. They were stuck playing out a video game as though it were reality; but, this was reality. Nothing looking fake or pixelated, the men just excepted their current state of being and headed towards the saloon. CC was hungry, Andy and Ashley said they could use a drink, and Jinxx wanted to find a map or book to tell them about the the current area. Jake just wanted to go home, but didn't see how that was possible now.

Passing the Goodsprings General Store, Andy made a mental note to stop in there for supplies later. Doc had given them each a pistol, CC some dynamite, Jinxx a contraption he called a laser pistol, Jake boxing tape and brass knuckles, Ash a shotgun, and Andy an ax; with all of that, they still needed provisions and first aide kits and armor.

Walking into the saloon, the troop received some strange looks; Ashley and CC snickered as the five of them waltzed up to the counter. Trudy, the owner, looked up from washing the various dishes scattered about and smiled.

"Well, I was beginning to wonder when I was going to see you fellas," Trudy said as she finally put down the last high ball glass, "The whole town has been talkin'."
"Nice to meet you ma'am," Andy nodded towards the older woman politely, "Is there anything you can tell us about what happened the other night?"
"Well, a man named Benny came through here talking about some chip a courier had," she looked around and motioned for Andy to follow her while the other guys got settled and comfortable, "He said the courier was there one minute, holding said chip. Suddenly the courier dissipated, being replaced with the five of you and this chip in your hand. He shot and hit you square in the head."
"That explains the scar," Andy scoffed and rubbed the rough patch on his head.
"The two Great Khans he had with him made quick work of your friends," she glanced over the front man's shoulder, "Didn't seem to keep 'em down long though."
"How can I find them?"
"Do you know what you're asking?" Trudy narrowed her gaze at the 24 year old who stood his ground firmly, "You want to die young, huh, son?"
"How do you know it will be me dying young," he cleared his throat, "No disrespect of course. I have had a shitty experience as it is, and I just want to pay him a visit of sorts. And find out how we even got here in the first place."
"Well, if you want help..."

In an instant, three men in prison jump suits entered the place and started causing a ruckus. One bumped into Ashley roughly, causing the bassist to get on the defensive. Andy hurried back to his friends and held Ashley off long enough for the leader of the small troop who entered to center in on Trudy.

Trudy was taken to the back for some time; the two other men sat around and rummaged through the saloon front. Lucky for the saloon, most of the goods were kept under lock and key and the two escapees couldn't fend for themselves successfully.
The group of five watched as Trudy hurried back to the front.
"I know you have Ringo," the one man who was following her kept saying, "And you're going to tell us where he's hidin'."
"I don't know who this Ringo is, and I sure as hell wouldn't help you if I did. Now if you're not going to buy anything, get out!"
"Bitch," was all the one man said and stormed out, running into Andy in the process.
"Move out of my way, creep."
Chuckling, Andy felt it refreshing his aura was still alive and kicking, even now so far in the future.

Jinxx, who was at first just sitting back and watching the chaos unfold, couldn't take the woman being pestered any longer.
"Excuse me but what was that all about," he asked Trudy calmly, flipping his shoulder length, straight black hair out of his eyes.
"That man goes by the name of Joe Cobb; he is with a gang called the Powder Gangers. They have overrun the prison down by Primm, and are threatening to take the town if we don't give them Ringo."
"I take it you lied to him, then? Ringo is here?"
She looked square into Jinxx's eyes and nodded slowly.
"He's a courier with the Crimson Caravan Company. Said they were after him due to the love of gambling."
"Then why don't you fight them? Have the town fight back." Ashley butted in, leaning on the violinist's shoulder gently.
"I was hoping Ringo would leave in the dead of night, and that he would take the Powder Gangers with him. But now it looks like we bit off more than we can chew."
"If we help with the Powder Gangers, will you help us find who hurt Andy or help us find who knows how we got here?"
"I think I can do that for you. Go find Sunny Smiles first; she needs help with the water supply; once you have her on your side, you will have your start of the town militia."

The band of misfits were about to retreat outdoors as Sunny tapped Jake on the shoulder.
"I over heard you talking to Trudy. Help me with the water supply, and I will help fight and give you pointers on who to enlist in this town militia of yours."
Her smile was genuine as she held her hand out for a shake. Jake looked back at the rest of the guys who nodded in agreement. Shaking on it, the fivesome followed her with weapons in hand.
"I hear you have geckos running rampant out here," Jake said as he remembered this being a part of the opening sequence.
"Yea," she sighed and shook her head as they crossed the road and headed towards a group of hills and small cliffs on the other side, "They have been hanging around our water supply and making it impossible for us to get fresh water. I keep running them off, but they keep coming back."
"I think we can help," Jinxx said as he loaded a SEC charge into his laser pistol.
"I hope so," she sighed.
Flinging out her hand, the band of brothers stopped suddenly.
"Ok," she whispered, "The noise ahead are the geckos. Low and slow, fellas."
Ashley cocked back his shot gun, and went in first followed closely behind by CC and Jinxx. Before the group of five plus Sunny and her dog, Cheyenne, knew it, all three wells had been cleared and Jake learned how to make a healing poultice with some ingredients he had found earlier.
"Thank you guys," Sunny praised the fivesome, "I will definitely help, but you might want to try enlisting Trudy, too. Once she is in, everyone else should follow."
"Well, looks like we get to play the heroes again, but in a different way."
"Hopefully we find our bus," CC said, "It would be neat to see what happened to it."
"One step at a time, dude," Andy clapped his friend on the back, "One step at a time."
The young men headed back to the saloon, the mood a bit lighter than earlier. Each man kept checking for cell phone signal out of habit but had no such luck. Coming up to the door, CC's stomach growled loudly.
"Before we do anything," he looked down at his midsection, "Could we eat something?"
Laughing, Jake held open the door for the rest of the guys to enter. Andy walked in and stood at the juke box in the billiard room, taking a glance at the music available. Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, and various other artists were all that were listed. It didn't dawn on him til a few minutes and grumbles later that CDs were more than likely destroyed when the bombs fell. Clicking over to Something's Gotta Give by Bing Crosby, he sighed and made his way back to the others. CC munched away happily on a bowl of hot ramen noodles as the others opted for different food items. Patting his pocket, he realized he still had his lighter and pack of smokes. Relieved, Andy pulled a Marlboro out and lite it, inhaling and exhaling slowly.
"Heard you cleared the geckos for us," Trudy spoke from behind the bar, "They're tough sons of bitches."
Chuckling, Andy nodded in agreement.
"Actually, I wanted to know if you would help us," his blue eyes locked with hers, "It would mean a lot to us, especially since you have the most pull around here."
Blushing, the middle aged woman gulped hard.
"You've talked me into it," she smiled sweetly at the young man, "I usually don't get into these types of affairs, but i can't help but like you; all of you."
A crackling sound popped from behind her, causing her to jump out of her skin.
"What was that?" Andy was concerned; he didn't want to get shot again, or at least any time soon.
"Oh, one of those damned Khan's knocked the radio down when Benny was in here earlier. Didn't even bother to pay for it."
Getting up to bring back his plate, Jinxx looked over towards the broken contraption and rubbed his chin.
"Hmm," he pondered aloud, "I could probably fix that."
"You are more than welcome to try."
"Do you have a magazine or book that could help me with doing it properly."
"Sure; it is 3 caps."
Patting his pocket, he pulled out three beer bottle caps from the bus party the other night and smiled.
"Thank you, ma'am."
While Jinxx worked on the radio, Andy looked at her wares. Buying up the stimpaks, beer, all magazines, and bobbypins, he stuffed everything in his pack. It seemed to disappear like an entire table did in a bag of holding during Pathfinder games. Hearing a click and the voice of a man who dubbed himself "Mr. New Vegas", Andy looked up to see Trudy praising Jinxx for fixing her radio.
Turning around to face the guys, he opened one of the beers and took a swig. Age had made it much stronger but to him it was the best he had had in a long time. He handed a fifth of whiskey to Ashley with a smile and finished his beverage in peace.
After speaking with Trudy again before leaving the saloon, she mentioned we should speak to Doc Mitchell about Doctor's bags and stimpaks, Easy Pete about Dynamite, and Chet at the general store for armor and ammo. It was decided that Andy and Ashley would visit Chet seeing as though their natural charisma was through the roof, CC would go find Easy Pete about dynamite, and Jinxx would go speak with Doc Mitchell about the medical supplies. Jake, on the other hand, opted for exploring the old school house and visiting their "graves" in the grave yard for clues about who did this to them.
Heading off in separate directions, CC didn't have to look to far for Easy Pete. The old prospector sat outside of the saloon on a wooden bench, chewing tobacco peacefully.
"How's it going?" CC smiled at the old man who only looked up him, face looking like a leather hide.
"It's going," Pete said gruffly, "What can this old man do for ya, son?"
"I heard you knew things about dynamite, and had some we could use." CC paused and looked up as Ashley and Andy entered the General store, "We could also use your help."
"Do you know how to use dynamite son," the old man's gazed narrowed, "do you have the know how? These things aren't toys."
"I may have dabbled in such things," he pulled up his vest revealing his belt was lined with a few dynamite sticks.
"Alright, well, I would rather die for this town than any other. I'm in," he placed his hands on his knees to get up, "Just say the word, and I will be there."
Andy and Ashley were looking around the store casually as they made their way to the sales counter. Chet was eyeing them carefully as he unloaded specialty ammo from crates to be stocked. Looking up, Ashley nodded towards the man and Andy made his way up front, caps jingling in his pockets.
"Afternoon," Chet's voice was not exactly welcoming, "So you are the men responsible for this talk of a town militia?"
"Wow," Ashley looked at Andy, "Word gets around fast."
"I have ears you know, and as long as the Powder Gangers don't interfere with business, I don't care what happens to Ringo."
"But you do care what happens to your precious store, right?" Andy's eye brow was arched, face solemn and serious.
"Well, yea I..."
"And you would hate to see it burned to the ground right?" Ashley added as he glared at him next to Andy.
"Okay, fine, what do you want?"
"Decent ammo and armor for the towns folk."
"Okay, okay," he groaned, "But I'm staying in my shop. No sense in leaving it wide open for the Powder Gangers to control."
"Good enough," Ashley smiled sarcastically, "Thanks for your contribution."
Leaving, the two men laughed at the store owner slung slurs in their direction.
Jinxx had just made it to Doc Mitchell's as Ashley and Andy exited the general store. Snickering to himself, he shook his head at the quick work they had made of the shop keep. Doc appeared from around the corner to the living room and was startled by the violinist's presence.
"Son," his hand still lay on his chest, "Next time, make your presence known. I almost had a heart attack."
The two men laughed it off and Jinxx was lead in the living room.
"Now, I can't imagine you are hurt again already."
"No sir," Jinxx held out a list of items they would need for the militia, "We need your help."
"Now, I don't have much to spare..."
"Please," Jinxx pleaded, "We are trying to do something right and good, and it would be a shame if these towns folk who are fighting for a cause don't have the proper care in case of an injury."
"Well, I can spare a few more stimpaks, plus three doctor's bags for those who need them."
"Will you be in the fight?"
Doc bit his lip lightly; his eyes weren't like they once were and neither was his shooting hand, but this was his home.
"I'm not worth a lick, but my home is worth protecting. Yes, I will help."
Smiling, the two men shook hands and after a few more moments of small talk, the younger man left Doc Mitchell's home.
While all the bartering and persuading was being taken care of, Jake had found the school house with ease. He had one problem, however; it was overrun by giant praying mantis'.
"Well, here goes nothing I guess."
With one punch and kick a piece, the guitarist had felled the four that stood between him and the front door. Gathering the xander root and jalapenos from around the grounds, he made his way inside.
"What the fuck," he glanced towards the front of the now empty school house, "More mantis'."
Making examples of each giant bug, he was clear to rummage through the school house freely. Finding bobby pins and various other items they might need down the line, Jake slowly moved towards the counter by the safe. He gathered up the random bits of ammo laying around and pulled out the magazine about lock-picking before making the attempt to crack the safe. With a single attempt, the young man had the safe opened and cleaned it of its contents.
A five minute jog towards the hill holding the cemetery, Jake stopped to catch his breath. To his right, a large scorpion was making its way towards him. Rolling his eyes, he made quick work of the arachnid. Reaching the top, he gazed at the scene in shock. Blood covered the dirt near one of the graves, and dirt was scattered around messily. Picking up a randomly placed snow globe and various ingredients for recipes, and taking down the four bloat flies that shot slime in his direction, he slowly made his way towards the bloodied grave. Cigarette butts line the ground and they weren't Andy's or CC's. Picking them up, he put them in his pocket. He had a feeling they would be useful eventually.

Back in town after all tasks were complete, the group decided to find Ringo. The only place they hadn't been besides a few abandoned bungalows was the run-down gas station on the edge of town.
"I hope this guy is easy to talk to," Ashley huffed, "I would hate to try and lay down the charms on another dude. My self respect dropped a few notches."
"You have no idea how bad that made you sound just now," Andy managed to hold back his laughter as his best friend expressed his unintentional homophobia.
Realizing how it sounded, the two men dove into a debate for what seemed to be forever until they reached the gas station.
"What's that?" Jinxx pointed at the soda machine outside of the store front.
"Sunset Sarsaparilla?" CC read the machine and kicked it with force.
Five bottles popped out of the slot, causing the wild drummer to smile.
"Good job," Jake patted CC on the shoulder, "You figured out how to bypass the money slot. I'm proud of you."
Not sure to take that as a compliment, the drummer unscrewed the cap and took a swig. Hearing a ticking noise, he frowned and looked around.
"Do you guys hear that?" He looked up at the rest of the band, "I heard a ticking sound."
"What did it sound like?" Jinxx asked as CC took another swig.
That is when he and Jake noticed it; the metal object on CC's wrist.
"I think the noise you are hearing is from this," Jake placed CC's wrist in front of his eyes, "This... is called a PipBoy."
"Ah," he looked down at the contraption and sighed, "So, what is it?"
"Jake do you want to explain this to him?" Ashley asked, Andy nodding in agreement.
"Yea man," Jinxx shrugged, "I don't really play video games often, let alone this one."
"Well," he looked down at his own wrist, "It looked like we all have one."
The group of men pulled up barrels and crates and sat in front of the old gas station for about thirty minutes, trying to figure out the new literally metal wristbands they now donned. Jinxx discovered the PipBoys tracked radiation levels in food and drink they consumed that wasn't treated along with radiation levels they were experiencing in certain areas. CC realized he could keep track of the amount of items them carried by clicking over to the right once; the weight of each item was included in the amount. Jinxx sighed in relief when he discovered the map one notch over from the items slot. Andy and Ashley giggled like school girls as they discovered the radio.
"Hello, this is Mister New Vegas, fanning the flames of your passion..."
"He is a pretty sassy guy, isn't he?" Ashley chuckled and finally turned off the radio.
Getting back to the task at hand, the fivesome entered the gas station only to be held up at gun point by who they could only assume was Ringo.
"Don't come any closer," the olive skinned man in the corner had his pistol trained on Andy's face, "Go back to your buddies and tell them I'm not going with out a fight."
"If you are going to shoot that thing, you better not miss," Andy growled in response, "I was already shot once this week, and I would hate for you to meet the same fate of that fella."
"Oh you aren't with the Powder Gangers," Ringo withdrew his pistol timidly, "I'm sorry; no one here has been too accommodating. Well, except for Sunny who holed me up here."
The six men stood around and got familiar with each other for a few minutes before Ringo asked what they were doing there.
"We have put together a militia to fight off the Powder Gangers," CC smiled proudly, placing his hands on his hips, "Sunny is supposed to be coming to get us here when the Powder Ga-"
Before CC could finish his sentence, Sunny burst through the door with Cheyenne in tow.
"The Powder Gangers are here, and look like they are ready to blow the town up. Did you find everyone?"
"Yes we did, Sunny," Jake cracked his knuckles and began warming up his extremities.
"Okay, so we're ready," the brunette sighed nervously, "We're really doing this."
"Hell yea," Ashley shouted enthusiastically, "Let's take 'em down!"
Sunny and Cheyenne ran ahead as the Black Veil Brides and Ringo took up the rear. Doc Mitchell was exiting his house slowly, adorned in fancy leather armor that looked hand made. Easy Pete stood by, handing towns folk with a good arm and eye sticks of dynamite. Trudy was loading her rifle along with Sunny, Cheyenne growling at the sight of the men marching towards them in leather and powder blue prison uniforms.
CC lit a stick of dynamite and tossed it in the direction of one of the escapees, blowing him up completely. Cackling wildly, the drummer ran towards the next man and tackled him to the ground.
"For Goodsprings!" Ashley hollered as his shot gun slug entered the torso of an inmate, falling to the ground lifelessly.
Joe Cobb was a coward of a man; he stood towards the back with nothing but a pistol, watching his men get torn to bits by the towns folk plus their visitors. Before long, he was face to face with Andy, Jinxx pointing the laser pistol to his head.
"Say Goodbye, Cobb," Andy smirked and swung his axe with great force, removing the criminal's head completely.
Jake, who had been wrestling another man for a baseball bat, had broken his jaw and neck, killing him instantly. As Andy looked around for Ringo, the four other men looted the bodies of all they had available. Ammo, armor, clothing, food, and anything else that they found useful was plucked from the bodies of the fallen prison mates.
Finally, Andy located Ringo who was tending to a wound on his left thigh. Helping the man tie off the bandage, Ringo clapped the front man on the back and smiled.
"If it weren't for you, I'd be dead. Here is all the caps I have, in thanks for the help!"
A bag of four-hundred and twenty-five caps was placed in Andy's hands; the rock star was still getting used to the idea of paying for things with bottle caps.
"I thought this was a free service?" Andy's eye brow rose up slightly.
"Well, I didn't think I was going to walk away with my life. If you ever find the Crimson Caravan Company, stop by and play a game of Caravan sometime."
With that, the courier was gone. The guys gathered up the rest of their new found belongings from the dead and secured the wounded. After receiving warm embraces from Trudy and Sunny, they began to set off towards the gas station.
Someone cleared their throat calmly behind them.
"Umm, guys," Sunny pointed south-west, "Primm is that way; you should start there. That is where they said they were heading. Then take highway 93 to New Vegas. The I-15 is swarming with critters that would get mad if you shoot 'em."
Smiling, the band of brothers began their journey home.
Or so they thought.

Notes

And so it begins...