Chapter 9: Echoes of the Past
The sun was just beginning to rise over the horizon when Izuku silently left Sanctuary. He didn't want to wake anyone, especially Eri, who was sleeping soundly on her makeshift bed. With his laser rifle slung over his shoulder and his Pip-Boy securely fastened to his wrist, he set out on the journey back to Vault 111.
There was something inside him that wouldn't let him rest. A feeling, a shadow of doubt. Was he really alone in that vault?
The journey was quiet, the only sound being the crunch of dry leaves under his boots, breaking the silence. When he finally reached the entrance of Vault 111, his heart was pounding in his chest.
**Izuku:** *(Whispering to himself)* *I just want to be sure...*
He approached the access panel and slid his Pip-Boy over it. With a mechanical click, the massive circular door slid open with a deafening roar. The echo of its opening resonated through the emptiness, enveloping Izuku in an oppressive feeling.
The vault was as cold and sterile as when he first woke up. Every hallway brought back confusing memories, blurry images of what had happened here… of the murder of his wife and the kidnapping of his son.
But now he had to focus on something else.
There was another cryogenic chamber.
He moved to the section opposite the one where he had woken up, his flashlight illuminating the frozen capsules. Frost covered the glass, obscuring the view of the inside.
And then he saw her.
One of the capsules still had active indicators. Izuku shivered as he approached and wiped the glass with his hand.
Inside, a woman with red hair rested in a frozen sleep.
**Izuku:** *(With his heart in his throat)* *God...*
He stared at her. He didn't know her, but the mere fact that she was here, frozen just like he had been, made him feel an immediate connection.
He took a deep breath and checked the capsule's controls. Most of them were locked by the vault's protocol, but his Pip-Boy allowed him access to the system.
**Izuku:** *I just hope this works...*
With a couple of commands, the capsule emitted a sharp beep. A cloud of cold vapor escaped from the seals as the temperature began to rise. Izuku took a step back, watching tensely.
Suddenly, the lid of the cryo-chamber opened with a hiss, releasing a cloud of white steam. The woman inside convulsed slightly, her muscles trying to respond after an unnatural slumber.
Izuku rushed forward to catch her before she fell.
**Izuku:** *Hey, take it easy! Breathe... breathe deeply.*
The woman's eyes flickered open frantically before focusing on him. Her lips trembled, her skin was freezing to the touch.
**Nora:** *(In a weak, confused voice)* *Where... where am I...?*
Izuku clenched his jaw. How could he explain everything that had happened?
**Izuku:** *(In a soft but firm voice)* *You're in Vault 111... but things have changed.*
Nora looked at him with fear and desperation. Her memories were fragmented, but then her eyes widened in panic.
**Nora:** *(Terrified)* *My baby! Shaun! Where's my son?*
Izuku felt his chest tighten. He knew exactly how she felt.
**Izuku:** *(In a somber tone)* *I don't know...*
The desperation in Nora's eyes mirrored the same pain he had felt when he first woke up. However, Izuku gently took her hand.
**Izuku:** *But I swear, I'll help you find him.*
The woman trembled, tears falling down her face, but she nodded.
**Nora:** *(Sobbing)* *I don't know what's going on...*
Izuku sighed.
**Izuku:** *It's a long road, but you don't have to do it alone.*
He helped her to her feet, though her legs still shook. He offered her his coat to keep her warm, and she accepted it gratefully.
**Nora:** *(Whispering)* *Thank you...*
Izuku nodded.
**Izuku:** *Let's go. I'll take you to Sanctuary.*
Together, they left behind the cold of cryostasis and headed into a world that was no longer the same.
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**End of Chapter 9.**