Protector (TFP) - MiniFighter - Transformers: Prime [Archive of Our Own] (2024)

Chapter 1: A New Start

Chapter Text

My mom always told me to move on and move forward. That to continue living, I have to let go of the emotions and regrets from the past and keep goingwithout looking back. Maybe that's why I didn't say anything the day my mom told me we were moving.

Even though it was almost a month ago, I still remember the day vividly. I was sitting in my room listening to music when my mother burst in, her mouth upturned in the biggest grin. I remember how she grabbed my hands in hers and told me the big news ofhow she got accepted for the doctor job. A job she's always wanted ever since she graduated med school.Of course, I was happy for her. Both of us squealed with joy at the announcement, and for a moment, everything seemed perfect.

That was until she told me the job wasn't in Montana and that we would be moving to a small town in Nevada in a month's time. The dread filled me almost immediately as she said those words, and I couldn't breathe for a second. I wanted to object. To fight till my last breath to stay in the place I considered home. How could she take me away from the place I loved and grew up in? There were so many memories embedded in the walls that they could tell my whole life story.

But I stopped myself once I saw the pleading look in her eyes. For my mom, it was time for her to move on and move forward, and staying in Montana, in the househe lived in, prevented her from doing just that. So with a heavy heart, I faked a smile and told her I was happy for her and that she deserved this fantastic opportunity. Icould tell that she knew I was faking, but the look in her deep blue hues expressed her gratitude.

The days flew by fast, and with the house sold and the car packed, I knew there was no turning back. As we drove on the long windingroad, my mom tried her best to keep a positive unbothered attitude. In a way, I think she was trying to comfort me, though I could tell she was nervous asherfingers tapped on the steering wheel.

It's been a little over ten hours since we left, and my body was already begging for me to leave the small vehicle. I stretched my limbs out once more to release the aching sensation in my bones, but the relief only lasted a moment. With an irritated sigh, my eyes wandered to the view that flew by, andalthough I amusually entranced by nature, the sandy environment that whipped pastdidn't impress me.

"How are you doing over there?"My attention lazily returned to the inside of the car at the sound of my mother's voice. My eyes met with stunning blue ones before her attention shifted back to the road.

"I'm good. Just excited to get to the new house." I replied, shiftingin my seat for the thousandth time. "How are you doing?" I asked, my voice softening at the question. For a second, I thought I saw a tinge of regret in my mother's eyes,but it quickly disappeared asa happy smileovertook her face.

"I'm excited as well. It willbe nice to lay in a bed and not be in this stuffy car!" She beamed. I nodded in agreement and couldn't help but let out a small smile.

"How much longer till we get there?" I questioned,the back of my head hitting the seat.

"Not long. We'll be there soon." She assured me, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Momseemed to notice my apparent disbelief as she looked at my slumped form. "What, you don't believe me?" She teased, her mouth sporting a cheeky grin. I sent her a playful glare, and I could tell she was holding back her laughter.

"You've been saying that for the past two hours." I reminded,blowing a stray strand of hair from my face. "So sorry if I'm a bit doubtful." I retorted. A contagious laugh escaped her, and I couldn't stop myself from being infected by it. My mom and I arevery similar, and it wasn't a surprise that people often mistook us for sisters. We shared the same wavy caramel-brown hair, and my face was practically a perfect mold of hers. I was even the same height as her, and you could barely tell us apart from a distance.

However, there was one key difference in our appearance, our eyes. While hers was a perfect spring sky, mine was a deep forest green, the color resemblingthat of my Dad's. My eyes were one of the few things I got from him. Though my mom likes to joke and say, I also got my annoying stubbornness and strong spirit from him as well. My hand unconsciously moved to the small white crystal that hung around my neck.It was agift dad gave me on my 10th birthday, and it was the last gift I ever got from him.

Before I knew it, memories from long ago flashed in my brain. Hiskind gaze, his hearty laugh, how mom would scold him about his messy blond hair, the feeling of being wrapped in his strong arms...My heart clenched, and I quickly pushed down any thought of him. Iwasn't going to allow myself to break down from the memory of him. He wasn't coming back, and I had to accept that. A giddy squeal interrupted my thoughts, and I flinched from the sudden noise.

"What is wrong with you?You almost gave me a heart attack!" I exclaimed, my hand resting on my chest to try andcalm my poundingheart. Mom only yanked my arm in response and giggled again. "What?" I wondered, my eyebrow lifting at her strange behavior.

"I can see the town!" She happily revealed, practically glowing in excitement. All the exhaustion quickly left my body at the news, and my gaze snapped to the window in front of me. Sure enough, the town's silhouette stood only a few miles away from us, and my lips turned into a smile at the sight.

"You were telling the truth," I murmured incredulously, my attention still fixed on the slowly growing town.

"I would never lie to you." She claimed, though she immediately burst out laughing at the blank stare I shot at her. A mixture of nervousness and excitement filled my gut as we got closer to our destination, and it wasn't long before we passed the sign welcoming us to Jasper, Nevada.

With a deep breath, I looked at the town around us,desperately taking in every new sight and sound. Even though it was a kind of town with not much to look at, I felt there was more to it than what meets the eye. So as we pulled up to our quaint two-story house, the smile on my face grew, andunknowingly something inside me stirred.

Chapter 2: Wrong Crowd

Chapter Text

Adrenaline surged through Astra's body like a bullet. Her feet slapped against the sidewalk, jettingpast the buildings around her. Even though her lungs burned with each breath, she didn't dare stop. The two carsspeeding behind her prevented her from that. The corners of her eyes became a blur as she continued to surge forward, and she barely registered the footsteps that followed her from close behind. Astra didn't know how far behind the carswere, but she didn't dare look for fear she would fall flat on her face. Instead, her piercing green eyes desperately searched for somewhere to go.

Finally, they landed on an alleyway that was to the right. Focusing on the alleyway,shesprinted quicker even though her legsscreamed at her for doing so. Her foot nearly slipped beneath her as she skidded into it and her heart dropped at the sight before her. She had made a grave mistake.

The alleyway was blocked off by a huge fence that was too tall and slick to climb. She pulled on the fence desperately, but it was no use; it wouldn't open. The heavy padlock on it made sure of that. Heavy breaths came behind her, but she didn't acknowledge them, even as they angrily hit the fence.

"Scrap." They muttered, their chestnutbrown eyes meeting Astra's. Pushing her messy hair out of her face, she desperately tried to search for another way out. But there was nothing. Bile rosein Astra'sthroat as she heard the growl of the engines as they approached. Her body trembled as she turned, watching as the twin cars movedcloser. She couldn't help but feel like they were predators who knew their prey was trapped. She felt a hand grab hers and quickly squeezed it in false reassurance. Astra tried taking a step back but was metwith resistance, her mind flooding with fear as she realized her backhadhit the fence. Only onethought filled her mind as the carspainfully inched forward.

I knew I should've said no.

~ᴇᴀʀʟɪᴇʀ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴅᴀʏ~

A loud beep echoed throughout my brain, drawing me from the peaceful darkness that enveloped my senses. I pulled my blankets over my head to dull the noise, but it didn't work; instead, it seemed to make it even louder. Reluctantly my arm moved from the warmth of the bed and hit the object responsible, finally silencing its terrible screech. Groggily my eyes opened, and I stole a glance at the alarm clock on my nightstand. An irritated groan escaped my lips, and I turned away from the object in spite. The blasted device had woken me up an hour early.

In reality, I knew that it wasn't the alarm's fault. I was the one who forgot to set it to the proper time zone. But the way it sat mockingly in front of me just made my hatred for itgrow. My eyes closed again to fall asleep, but it was no use. With a tired sigh, I rolled out of bed, the blankets around me joining me on the floor. As much as I wanted to fall back into dreamland, I couldn't. Once I wake up from slumber, it's almost impossible for me to fall back asleep—another thing I inherited from my dear old mom.

Pushing myself off the ground, I shuffled to my closet with a yawn and slipped on the pre-made outfit from last night. Usually, I didn't bother to plan my clothes, but today was special. Today was going to be my first day at Memorial High School. However, it was only the first day for me. For everyone else, it was the beginning of the second quarter. Which meant I was practically joining halfway through the year.

And onmy Sophom*oreyear, no less.I thought as I aggressively combed the rat's nest on my head. It's only been a few days since I moved to the small town of Jasper, and to be quite honest, it was pretty dull. After we had unpacked and put everything in place, I took the chance to wander around the town, and unsurprisingly, there was nothing noteworthy that I found.

Therewasn't even any nature that was nice to look at; the whole area just consisted of endless sand and rock. A massive difference from the beautiful landscape you would typically find in Western Montana. As I checked myself in the mirror, I couldn't help but let my gaze linger on the crystal that hung around my neck. My fingertips brushed against the white surface as a sadsmile made its way to my lips.

I wish he were here to see this.I thought.I stood there for a moment before I quickly tore my gaze from thecrystal and mademy way downstairs. Right when I entered the kitchen, I was immediately greeted by the faint smell of bacon and eggs. My eyes landed on the pre-prepared plate, and a grateful smile tugged the corners ofmy lips. Even though my mom had to leave early for work, it seemed she still wanted to wish me a happy first day. With a slight hum, I snatched thepiece of baconand headed to the garage.

With a quick pull, the door opened to reveal my stunning ride...the sad graybike I've had since Middle school. The garage door slid open with a quick press of a button, and I hopped on the rickety two-wheeler. I hurriedly adjusted the bag on my back and swallowed the nerves that raced up my throat.

You can do this, Astra. Like mom always says, move on and move forward.With that in mind, I pushed my foot forward andstarted my journey to school. Though I barely got past the driveway before the tire decided it was tired (unintentional pun) of being a part of the bicycle. When the wheeldetached from thebike, I immediately flew to the side, not even registering what had happened until I was already on the ground. With a grunt, I pushed myself up and inspected the damage. Luckily I had landed in the grass, so I came out unscathed, but the same thing couldn't be said for the bike. The lone tire was sprawled somewhere in the yard and the part holding it to the bike was nowhere to be found.

"Of course," I muttered, my foot nudging the broken piece of metal. "It's just my luck that this is the morning my bike decides to commit suicide." I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, letting the warm desert air fill my lungs. I sighed before my eyes opened, the green hues full of determination.

Guess I'm just going to have to walk.

I barely made it to the classroom before the bell rang, and I could've sworn I left skid marks in the hallways from running so fast. As my breath came out in heavy pants, I started to appreciatemy alarm clock for waking me up early. Even though everything in Jasper was close together, it still was a bit of a way to walk. It didn't help that I had gotten lost about three times before finally finding the school. When I looked up, I froze, my face heating up in embarrassment. In front of me, I was met with the dead stares of the students, the judgment practically radiating off of them. Clearing my throat, Iquickly ran my fingers through my hair, praying to any higher power that I didn't look like a total idiot.

"Astra Keller?" A voice asked. I drew my attention to the source of the voice and was met with the unimpressed face of the teacher.

"Yep, that's me," I confirmed, an awkward laugh escaping me at the emotionless look on herface. She stared blankly at me for a moment before shepointed to an empty seat in the back.

"Your seat is by Ms.Nakadai." She drawled tiredly, her dull gray eyes thenfocusedon the class. "This is Astra Keller, and she will join us for the rest of the year." With that, she turned to her desk without another word. Confused and awkwardly, I made my way to the empty desk, and right when my butt touched the seat, the teacher immediately started her lesson. I watched as the kids pulled out notebooks and a textbook from their bags, and I hurriedly did the same.

It only took about ten minutes before the boredom started to get to me, and although I wasn't the type of student to fall asleep in class, theteacher's droning voice was equivalent to a lullaby. My head rested in my hands as I stared blankly at the front of the room, and I could feel my mind slowly drifting away.

As I began blocking out the noises, I felt something touch my shoulder. Turning to the left, my eyes met with curious brown ones. The culprit was none other than a girl, the one the teacher had mentioned earlier. Her hair was pulled up in two buns on the side of her head, and she had a small braid trailing down her back. My eyes were drawn to thepink strands in her hair, which stood out amongst the black surrounding it. Once her chestnut eyes connected with mine, they sparkled with mischief, and a slight smirk made its way to her lips.

"Your name'sAstra, right?" She questioned. I couldn't help but notice her slight accent, but I couldn't place where it was from. Inodded in response, and I watched her nod as well. "Well, my name is Miko!" She exclaimed, her hand reaching towards me. I quickly shook itand shot her a welcoming smile.

"Nice to meet you, Miko," Miko happily returned my smile as she leaned back in her seat.

"Just warning you, this class is so boring." The girl grumbled, her arms moving behind her head. The teacher must've heard her because we were both shot with a warning glare. Miko seemed unfazed by the silent warning and quickly returned the gesture. I could barely conceal the grin that rose on my lips at the silly behavior, and I had to stop myself fromlaughing when Miko stuck her tongue out behind the teacher's back. As I desperately tried to hide my laughter in the back of my hand, I didn't notice the glint in Miko's eyes.

The rest of theclassconsisted of Miko doing weird things to make me smile. It was almost like a competition to see how fast she could get me to laugh out loud, and while I came close many times, she was never able to get more than a barely audible snort. Even though Miko distracted me from schoolwork, I couldn't let myself be mad about it. I didn't want to admit it,but it was a good distraction from my anxiousness and nerves.

The day flew by fast (thanks to Miko), and before I knew it, the bell announced the end of the school day. When the tiny bell sounded, Miko quickly leaped out of her desk, not even attempting to hide the look of pure joy on her face.

"Finally, we can leave this prison!" She rejoiced, not even noticing the gray eyes that struck her with another glare. With that, Miko hurriedly left the room; quicklyswingingmy bag over my shoulder, Ifollowed after her.

"Wow, your not even gonna wait for me?" I teased as I caught up to Miko. She paused momentarily and then shot me a sheepish grin as if she had just realized she had left me.

"Sorry bout that. I'm just excited to go hangout with Bul-" Her hand suddenly flew over her mouth before she could finish. I lifted an eyebrow at her strange behavior, but she continued talking before I could say anything about it. "Do you like Slash Monkey? They're my favorite band! Do you play the guitar? Because I play, having someone who can play with me would be nice."

I tried my best to answer her questions, and she seemed happy with most of them, especially when I told her I enjoyed her favorite song.'My fist. Your face.'I suspected she asked these questions to distract me, but I brushed it off. I wasn't going to judge; so far, she was the only friend I had made in school, and honestly, it wasn't my place to ask about her slip-up.

"You know, if it weren't for you, I probably would have fallen asleep in class," I admitted as we approached the doors leading to the outside world. I watched in amusem*nt as Miko's chest puffed up with pride.

"That's nothing. Just wait till I do something detention worthy." The girl bragged, her foot kicking open the doors in front of her. I couldn't help but laugh at that, and she seemed proud of herself for the sound that escaped me. Even though Miko was probably not the best influence, I couldn't help but be drawn to her. Maybe it was because of her straightforward personality or mischievous nature, but something about Miko intrigued me, and I had a feeling that we would soon be close friends.

The desert air greeted us when the doors opened, and Miko's attention landed elsewhere. I followed her gaze and saw two boys standing near the sidewalk. One was a lot shorter than the other, and even from here, I could see his browngravity-defying hair. The taller one had spiky black hair that covered his forehead, and I watched as he sent Miko a small wave. Mikogave them an energetic wave back and then latched her hand onto my arm, and I had no choice but to follow as she bounded over to the two males.

"Hey, Miko." The brown hair boy greeted. Now that I was closer to him, I could tell he was much younger than me. Possibly younger than any high schooler here.

I wonder if he skipped a couple of grades.I thought.

"Hey, Raf!"Miko said, finallyreleasing her grip from my arm. "Hello to you too, Jack." The taller one (apparently named Jack) ignored the smaller girl. Instead, his darkblue eyes trained on me.

"Miko, who's this?" Before the pink-haired girl could answer, I stuck my hand out.

"My name is Astra Keller," I explained, and Jack shook my hand.

"Nice to meet you, Astra. My nameis Jackson, but you can call me Jack." I looked at the smaller boy, whoshot me a nervous smile. He adjusted his blocky orange glasses and looked as if he was about to say something. But before he could even open his mouth, Miko talked for him.

"This is Raf, and he's the super smart kid around here," Miko said, slinging her arm over the smaller male's shoulder. If Raf was bothered by the interruption, he didn't show it. Instead, he just stuck out his hand.

"Hi, Astra." He politely greeted me as I returned the handshake.

"Don't worry, guys. Astra's cool." Mikowhispered to them, and I couldn't help but smile.

"Glad you think so." I mused. Just as I was about to say something else, the growl of an engine interrupted me. I watched as a fancy black car pulled up to us, and when the driver noticed us staring, he made the engine roar again. Miko scoffed from right next to me, and I noticed that the others had a similar look of annoyance on their faces.

"Do you know this guy?" I wondered, my eyes still trained on the sleek vehicle.

"Yeah. His name is Vince, and he's a useless lump of scrap." Miko growled, and the others nodded in agreement.

Scrap?I couldn't think too long about Miko's wording before my thoughts were pushed elsewhere, the blacked-out windows rollingdown to reveal a gingered-haired boy.

"Aw, it's Darby and hislittle gang of losers." Vince sneered. Jack adjusted his backpack with a sigh, not even attempting to hide the irritationon his face.

"What do you want, Vince?" Jack asked. The question seemed to amuse the redheadas his lips curled upwards.

"Just wanted to warn the newbie not to hang with the wrong crowd." Vince declared, his green eyes flickering over my figure. He didn't even try to hide his wandering stare, and when they stopped their painfully slow journey, the male shot me a wink. A shudder ran up my spine, and I tried my best to conceal my disgust. Luckily, his green hues finally left mine, instead resting on the taller male once more. "I wouldn't want her to get infected by you, weirdos." My eyebrows furrowed, and I felt Miko bristle in anger from next to me.

Who did this guy think he was?I wondered. I haven't known Miko, Jack, and Raf very long, but the way Vince talked to them rubbed me the wrong way, and I couldn't stand by and watch him berate them.

"Oh, and who is the right crowd?" I inquired, plastering a sickly sweet smile on my face as I tooka few steps toward him. His eyebrows lifted in surprise before his sickening grinreturned. He leaned closer to the window near me, and I resisted the urge to take a step back.

"Hop in my car, and you'll find out." Vince offered. Miko gagged from behind me, and I figured the boys were cringing as well. I leaned forward and saw Vincelean closer as well, he looked as if he was about to open the car door, but I stopped him.

"Hard pass," I said before pulling back and returning to Miko's side. "I would much rather hang with the 'wrong crowd' than hang out with you." Vince's smirk fell with thedeclaration, andhis face immediately contorted with anger. Before I could do anything else, I felt myself getting yankedto the side. Miko had a wide grin, and I realized shehad pulled me into a side hug.

"I knew you wouldn't switch to the dark side!" Miko rejoiced, finally releasing me from her tight grip. "As for you." The fiery girl crossed her arms with a victorious smile. "I suggest you drive back to whatever scrap pile you came from." The weird word stuck out to me once more, and I couldn't help but wonder if it was some slang unique to Jasper. Vince's eyebrows narrowed, and his hands clenched his steering wheel. It looked as if he was about to drive off, but his eyes shot to Jack's.

"Have fun showing her your pathetic two-wheeler, Darby." With those parting words, Vincerolled up his windows and drove off.

Pathetic two-wheeler?I was about to ask Jack about Vince's last remark, but I stopped myself. Jack's eyes held a wave of barely repressed anger as he watched the black car fade into the distance. I was about to mention something to Miko, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared, and his blue hues returned to their normal state. Miko didn't seem to notice the change in his behavior and scoffed.

"If only he knew." The pink-haired girl muttered, Raf nodding in agreement from beside her.

"What do you mean 'If only he knew'" I wondered. The three immediately stiffened as if they had forgotten I was there. They all shared a knowing look before Raf spoke up.

"It's an inside joke." I lifted an eyebrow at that and couldn't shake the feeling that they were hiding something. I was about to ask what the inside joke was when a honk stoppedme.

What is up with people interrupting me today?Looking at the loud noise, I instantly caught the gleam of three vehicles. The first was a black and yellow Camero, whose shiny hood reflected the light from the sun. The second was a giant green S.U.V. Last but not least, sneakily hiddenby the sidewalk was a beautiful blue and pink Motorcycle, and I wondered how I didn't notice it before. I watched in awe as the cars pulled up beside us.

Does everyone in Nevada own expensive cars?

"Looks like our ridesare here," Miko revealed, giving me a small pat on the shoulder. I didn't respond as I just stared at the three in disbelief. Miko looked at Jack, but he just shrugged, apparently unsure what was wrong with me. Miko finally stepped in front of me and waved her hand in front of my face. "Uh, Earth to Astra, are you okay?" This seemed to snap me out of my trance, and I quickly shook my head.

"Thoseare your rides?" I asked, pointing to the vehicles in front of me. When she gave me a quick nod, I made eye contact with Jack and moved toward the motorcycle.

"This is yours?" I questioned. He smiled at me and took a few steps toward the bike.

"Yeah, she's mine." He confirmed with a laugh.

"I don't even know what Vince is talking about. She's beautiful," I muttered, my fingertips running along the black leather seat. Jack seemed to hear me because he responded with a quick "thank you"and made his way next to me. As I continued to admire the vehicle, I suddenly felt like it was watching me,like it knewI was complimenting it. At the thought, I immediatelywithdrew my hand and took a step back. Jack looked at me strangely, but I turned to Miko and Raf before he could mention my weird behavior.

"You guys have nice cars as well. Is the green one yours, Miko?" Miko took the bait and wasted no time dragging me to her car to show me how cool "he" was. I was a little confused about them giving the cars genders but didn't think much of it. It wasn't like it was unheard of, and although it was a little strange, it seemed to fit the cars in a way. Miko's voice drifted away as my attention focused on S.U.V.The more I stared at it, the more I felt that something was different. I stole a glance at the Camero, my brows furrowing in confusion. It was almost as if something was radiating off of them.

"Like energy," I murmured.

"What did you say?" I jumped out of my stupor at Miko's question, my cheeks flushing.

"Ah, it's nothing," I hurriedlyexplained, my hand brushing against the crystal on my neck.I cursed myself at the habit and discreetly released the necklace. Ialways grabbed the crystal whenever I was nervous orlied, a terriblequirkIpicked up a few monthsafter my 10th birthday. Miko's brows furrowed, but she didn't say anything. Instead, she sentRaf a questioning look.

"I should probably get going. I have a bit of a journey to make." I joked, walking past the group. "See you guys tomorrow!" I only made it a couple of steps before someone stopped me.

"Wait, are you walking home?" Jack wondered, jumping onto his motorcycle. I turned with a sigh and shot hima strained smile.

"Yeah, usually I have a bike, but it decided to kill itself this morning," I said sheepishly. "But it's no big deal, and my house is only a fifteen-minute walk!" I hurriedly reassured them as they shot me worried stares.I didn't mention that I was terrible with directions and would probably take longer. But I didn't want them to think I was incapable of getting home. Jack seemed like he was going to say something, but he shook his headas if dismissing a thought.

"Well, if you're fine-" He started.

"I'll come with!" Miko interrupted, throwing her backpack in the back of her car. It seemed I wasn't the only one shocked by her declaration, and before I could even think of objecting, Jack beat me to it.

"Miko, you can't. We have to..." He paused for a split second and stole a glance at me. "Go torobotics club." He clumsily finished. Miko rolled her eyes and strolledup to me with a determined look.

"Jack, don't be such a downer. It's only a little walk." Miko retorted, slinging an arm over my shoulder. He looked as if he was going to say more, but a hand on his arm stopped him. Jack's eyes met Raf's, and the smaller one gave him a nod. Raf didn't even have to do anything else before the older guy caved.

"Fine." Jack sighed, tilting his motorcycle up. "But try not to get into trouble." He warned, throwing his helmet on. The girl's cheeks puffed in response, and her arms crossed.

"I don't find trouble. Trouble finds me!"

"That's what I'm afraid of," Jack muttered. Jack and Raf drove off, the green car following them close behind. The girl then focused on me; her mouth upturned in a smirk.

"So...where do you live?"

* * * * * *

I sighed, content as a cool gust of wind rustled through my hair, giving me quick relief from the heat surrounding me. The walk home was more relaxing than I thought it would be, and it didn't take long before we were only a mile away from my house. Miko was an excellent walking partner, and although she could have been better at giving directions, I was never bored around her.

I learned Mikowas originally from Japan and is a foreign exchange student. She told me about her Host parents (which she doesn't like) and how she enjoys her time in Jasper. Honestly, I was surprised by that. She seemed like the type of girl who loved adventure and danger, not the kind who would be content in a small boring town like this one. I was so surprised that I asked her about it. She only shot me a cheeky grin before responding.

"Jasper is more interesting than you think." Right now, Miko was quiet, her attention locked onto her phone as her fingers typed on her keyboard. As she did that, I studied my surroundings. There weren't that many people around, though that was to be expected. I purposely went this way because it was so secluded, not to mention it cut a whole five minutes off my walking time. I tried to remember the landmarks around this road but quickly gave up, knowing my memory sucked.

"Who are you texting?" I inquired, breaking the peaceful silence surrounding us. She lifted her head from her phone and sighed in annoyance.

"It's just Jack. He keeps texting to make sure I'm okay." Miko shut off her ringer and stuffed the pink phone in her pocket. "He's like a worried parent, and it's annoying." She grumbled with a slight shake of her head. I snorted softly at that and adjusted my backpack.

"At least you know he cares," I pointed out. "He may annoy you, but he seems like a good friend." Miko sighed and then proceeded to tell me everything about Jack that annoys her. Most of it consisting of his need to "tell her what to do." I chuckled slightly at her childish behavior, and as much as she complained about him, I could tell she cared for him. Inher own Miko way, of course. Just as we were about to round a corner, I paused, the feeling of dangerflooding my brain. Miko stopped walking as well, her sentence slowly trailing off.

"Astra?"She questioned, taking a step toward me. I didn't respond as I cautiously studied the area around us. But there was nothing.

Calm down. Nothing's there.I thought, but the feeling persisted. I felt likesomething was watching me, and that thought madechills rush up my spine.

"Astra!" Ahand grabbed my shoulder, and it took everything in my power not to flinch from the contact. "Are you good?" Miko wondered, her brown eyes full of worry. I forced a smile unto my face and laughed it off.

"Sorry, I was just trying to figure out where to go next." I lied, my hand unconsciouslydrifting to my necklace. Miko didn't seem convinced, but I didn't give her time to ask anything else. "I think it's this way!" I guessed, quickly walking in a random direction, hoping it would lead me to where I wanted to go.

The girl soon followed after me, her buns bobbing as she did. Miko still seemed suspicious of my behavior, but once I mentioned Slash Monkey, she immediately went into another rant. No matter how much I tried to focus on the conversation, I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching us.

You're just being paranoid.I reassured myself. I discreetly glanced behind me, hoping I would catch the person following us, but there was nothing except a common tumbleweed. I let out a breath at my foolishness and tried my best to swallow the lump in my throat.

There is nothing following us, Astra.I reminded myself, trying to force myself to listen to Miko. But no matter how much I tried, I couldn't. I looked behind me once more, and that's when I saw it. Down the street,a little ways away, werewhat looked to be two cars. They were a reasonable distanceaway, but even from here, I could tell they were the same car. Not just the same type. The exact same brand and style.

I've never seen a car that looked like that before.I thought. I took a deep breath to calm my growing nerves, but it did little to help.

It's just two random cars.I told myself, trying to slow down the thumping of my heart.They will pass me, and I'll see that everything is fine.But the feeling only grew as they drew closer.

"Astra. What'swrong with you?" Miko said, moving in front of me. I opened my mouth, but she quickly stopped me. "Don't even think about saying nothing's wrong." She demanded, crossing her arms. I sighed as I brushed a hand through my hair.

"You're going to think I'm stupid." I hesitated as I bit my lip in thought. Miko's foot tapped on the sidewalk impatiently, and I finally got the nerve to spit it out. "I keep thinking that the two cars back there are following us." I pointed behind me, and her eyes followed. As I rubbed the back of my neck sheepishly, my green hues drifted to the ground. "I know it's silly, and I'm probably overreacting..." My sentence trailed off when my eyes met back with Miko's. Her face was covered with fear as she stared at the vehicles that drove toward us.

"Miko?" I questioned, the panic coming back in full force. Almost as if she woke up from a trance, her eyes snapped to mine, and it was the first time I saw any hint of seriousness in them.

"We need to go!" She exclaimed, grabbing my hand. She immediately set off in a sprint, and my feet followed her. My adrenaline spiked as I heard an engine rev, and I foolishly turned to see what the noise was. I was greeted with the sight of the two purple cars barrelling toward us at full speed, and I immediately regretted my decision to look back.

I started to dead-sprint. Where that might be, I didn't know, but I knew I needed to get away from them. Miko reached into her pocket, grabbing a small pink block, and I didn't process what she was doing until she put the phone against her face. I didn't care to hear what she said when I heardthe squeal of wheels turning, and I pushed myself to runfaster. My feet moved in a blur, and I quickly passed the pink-haired girl. I cut through someone's property, not caring if it was considered trespassing, and I went to a different street. My brain was running a mile a minute, and my breathingquickened as the need for oxygen filled my lungs.

Adrenaline surged through mybody like a bullet. Myfeet slapped against the sidewalk, jettingpast the buildings around me. Even though mylungs burned with each breath, Ididn't dare stop. The two carsspeeding behind meprevented mefrom that. The corners of my eyes became blurred as Icontinued to surge forward, and Ibarely registered the footsteps that followed mefrom close behind. I didn't know how far behind the carswere, but I didn't dare look for fear of falling flat on myface. Instead, mypiercing green eyes desperately searched for somewhere to go.

Finally, they landed on an alleyway that was to the right. Focusing on the alleyway, Isprinted quicker, even though mylegsscreamed at mefor doing so. Myfoot nearly slipped beneath meas Iskidded into it, and myheart dropped at the sight before me. Ihad made a grave mistake. The alleyway was blocked off by a huge fence that was too tall and slick to climb. Ipulled on the fence desperately, but it was no use; it wouldn't open. The heavy padlock on it made sure of that. Heavy breaths came behind me, but Ididn't acknowledge her, even as she angrily hit the fence.

"Scrap," Mikomuttered, herchestnut-brown eyes meeting mine. Pushing mymessy hair out of myface, Idesperately tried to search for another way out. But there was nothing. Bile rosein my throat as Iheard the growl of the engines as they approached. My body trembled as Iturned, watching as the twin cars movedcloser, andIcouldn't help but feel like they were predators who knew their prey was trapped. Ifelt a hand grab mineand quickly squeezed it in false reassurance. Itried stepping back but was faced with resistance, my mind floodingwith fear as Irealized my backhadhit the fence. Only onethought filled mymind as the carspainfully inched forward.

I knew I should've said no.

~𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁~

I knew I should've walked home alone. If I did, then Miko wouldn't be in this mess.I thought, my eyes drifting to the girl beside me. I looked to the fence and back to our intertwined hands, and my gaze hardened.I may not make it, but I will make sure Miko does.I freed my hands from Miko's and leaned down, my hands linked together. Miko looked at me in pure confusion as she watched me squat in front of her.

"Miko. I am going to boost you over the fence." I explained. Miko's face lit up withrealization, shaking her head in disagreement.

"I'm not going to leave you!" She exclaimed, taking a step away from me.

"Miko, we don't have time for this." I could see the vehicles approaching us in my peripheral, and I knew we were running out of time. "There may be a way to open it from the other side, and you're the lightest out of both of us." I insisted, knowing full well I had just told her a blatant lie. She hesitated for a second before she nodded in agreement.

We both got into position, and with a running start, her foot made contact with my hand;with all the strength I could summon, I lifted her off the ground. Her foot leftmy hand, and I stumbled back from the force, watching in satisfaction as she barely reached the top. Miko grunted as she pulled herself up and over, and just like that, I could no longer see her. I heard shuffling on the other side and watched as the fence shook again.

"There's nothing over here!" Miko yelled desperately, the fence shaking once more. Any hope I could've had disappeared as the severity of the situation dawned on me.

"Miko, listen to me. I need you to run and get some help." I commanded, hoping my voice sounded more confident than I felt. The sounds of metal shifting on metal drowned out Miko's response, and I turned, freezing at the sight before me.

The cars were no longer infront of me. Instead, theywere replaced by two giant robots, the colors exactly like the previous vehicles.My heart leapedin my throat as their red-shaped visors fixated on my figure, the red glow piercing through my soul, and Iwas completely and utterly paralyzed with fearas I gapedat the tall piece of living metal.

There is no way this is real.Cold pinpricksof fear raced up my skin as it reached its metal claw toward me, and I tensed, waiting for the inevitable.But the cold talons never reached me as a blast of bright blue light hit the creature. It fell back with a loud clank, its figure hitting the robot behind it. I heard the sounds of clanging from behind me and whipped around,falling backward as a giant yellowand black robot rushed toward me.

A mixture of terror and amazement filled me as the yellow and black robot easily jumped over the fence and kicked the closet purple one. The furthest purple one's arm transformed, and a blast of red hit the yellow robot. It stumbled back, the momentumcausing the robot to fall in my direction.

My legs moved for me, and I barely managed to avoidhis metal body from squishing me. The yellow robot looked at me almost apologetically, his bright blue eyes somehow conveying a sense of worry. He made a series of beeps and whirrs, to which I numblynodded in response. The robot seemed content with my answer and focused back on the battle, his fist connecting with a purple face.

I scrambled back to the fence as they fought, trying my best to be as small as possible. I searched for a way out of the alleyway, and my attention landed on a charred hole in the fence. Collecting every last bit of energyI had, I pushed myselffrom the corner and rushed to the hole. I ignored the beeps that called after me as I slid through, barely registering the feeling of wood burning my hands. Right when my feet landed on the other side, I made a run for it.

The thought of Miko crossed my mind, and I only hoped she managed to get away. Not looking back, I sprinted out of the alleyway, somehow recognizing the street it opened up to, and my feet moved for me.Even when the sounds of battle were long gone and people started coming into view, I didn't stop running. I didn't know if anyone was following me, and honestly, I didn't care. The only thing I wanted was to go home to the place I felt some sort of safety.

When my bedroom door shut behind me and I heard the lock click, I allowed myself to rest. I crumbled to the carpet as I desperately tried to get oxygen to my lungs. Even though I eventually regained the oxygen I lost, my heart continued to pound relentlessly against my ribs. My thoughts ran rapidly as my brain tried to comprehend what I had just witnessed.

I knew I recognized the yellow robot from somewhere, and I racked my mind for an answer. I clenchedthe crystal around my neck, and my eyes widened as one thought ran through my mind.

Alien robots exist, and one of them is my friend's car.

Chapter 3: My Friends Car is An Alien Robot

Chapter Text

There are days the tiredness comes in both forms, physical and mental. My body neededto rest, yet my mind neededto move, to burn the anxiety right out. Once my eyes closed, my mind would open them once more. It became an endless battle as the night went on, and I didn't even know what time it was when my body finally won. The victory didn't last long as a blaring chirp jolted my eyes open. I rubbed my heavy eyelidswith a groan and went to bury my head in my pillow, but I was met with air. Confusion filled me as the fog in my brain started to lift, and I realized I was curled up in front of my bedroom door.

Why am I on the ground?I thought, slowly pulling myself up. Suddenly the memories of last night came flooding back, and I halted my movement, my eyes widening. Last night felt like a blur. All the running, the fear, seeing giant robots, figuring out that they can turn into cars. It was almost too much for mybrain to handle. The beeping persisted, and I quickly moved to silence its noise, the sound painfully reminding me of the yellow and black robot. I shook my head and took a deep breath to calm the panic rising in my chest, and when I no longer felt like I was about to burst into tears, I focused on my hands.

After the adrenaline had worn off last night, a steady pulse of pain shot through my hands.I vividly remembered the horror I felt as I inspected the damage and treated my burns as quickly as possible. My fingers brushed against the rough fabric, and I couldn't help but wince at the memory. Looking back, it was probably dumb of me to crawl through a burnt hole, but I didn't for a second regret my decision.

I gingerly unwrapped my palm, fully expecting the blisters and pain to flare up, but to my surprise, nothing was there. What was once a painful mess was now red, as if I had just slapped something. I carefully grazed a finger against my palm, but nothing happened, and what was once an unbearable pain was now nothing but a faint sting. I unwrapped my other hand, surprised when it was the same.

Wow, this burn cream worked better than I thought.However, a part of me couldn't help but think that it maybe wasn't the burn cream at all. Ibrushed a hand through my longhair and grimaced as it became covered with grease. With a sigh, I groggily went to the bathroom, my muscles screaming at me with each slightmovement. I didn't even look in the mirror as I passed, already knowing I looked awful.

Thoughts ran through my mind as the hot droplets of water covered my body, and with each passing second, I dreaded going to school. I knew I had to. I couldn't avoid the place forever, and a part of me wanted to ensure that Miko was alive. Even if there was a chance that she knew about the robot's existence all along, I still cared about her safety. It didn't take long before I was ready, and I cautiously headed downstairs. My attention immediately shot to the note on the counter, and I quickly read it.

I noticed when I came home that your bike broke and I promise we will go shopping for another onelater. So for today, you will have to walk, don't worry, I have already called the school and told them that you will arrive late. Love you, Hon. I hope you have a fantastic second day!

-Love, the Best Mom ever

Anxiety filled me at the thought of walking to the school again, and I crumbled the note.

What if they came back? What if they grabbed me this time?My breathing quickened as my imagination wandered, my brain coming up with every terrible scenario possible. I suddenly felt something hitmy cheek, and I snapped out of my panic. I stared at my hand in shock, the sting of the slap still lingering on it.

"I just slapped myself," I said aloud, my hand lifting to my cheek. "Now I am talking to myself," I murmured incredulously. I snorted in disbelief as I grabbed my backpack and left the house. I had to get a grip. I wasn't going to let my fear prevent me from walking to school.

Move on and move forward.I thought as I walked further away from the safety of my home. I repeated the mantra with each step, not letting myself fall into my thoughts for a moment. Even though I told myself I wasn't afraid, I still looked over my shoulder the whole way, and my speeding heart never slowed.

* * * * *

It wasn't long before I stood in front of the familiarclassroom doors. I could hear the teacher starting to ramble, and I took a deep breath. Without another thought, I pushed open the door and walked in. Chestnut eyes immediately snapped to mine, and a wave of relief crashed into me.

She's okay.I barely heard the words the teacher directed to me as I continued to stare at the pink-haired girl. Miko's eyes widened when she saw me, and her eyes flashed joyfully. The girl quickly shot me a smile, but I didn't have the energy to return it. What was once relief was now replaced with betrayal, and the happinessin my eyes faded. I tore my gaze from hers, went to my desk, and slumped into the seat without another thought. I could feel her eyes as I pulled my notebook from my bag. In fact, I could feel her stare throughout the whole class period. I didn't dare meet her gaze, though.

Instead, I focused on my schoolwork. Miko didn't attempt to talk to me for the first half of class; I was grateful for that. Even though I wasn'tnecessarilymad at the girl, I needed time to think about things. I mean, Raf's car can turn into a giant metal being, and I had a sneaking suspicion that Jack and Miko's vehicles were the same way.

As I wrote down the notes, a small folded-up piece of paper landed on my desk. My pencil paused, and I glanced at the girl next to me. Once she realized that I finally looked at her, Miko gave me a slight grin, her eyes pleading with me to open the letter. After a second of hesitation, I finally opened it. The letter was short and sweet, the contents only holding one sentence.

Meet me near the sidewalk after school, and Ipromise to explain everything.

I re-read it again and again until I finally re-folded it, focusing once more on my notes. Although I probably looked unbothered on the outside, my brain was a jumbled mess. I didn't know whether or not to accept the invitation. Either I could go and figure out everything that happened, or I could walk away and never pursue the subject again. I could tell Miko wanted to know my answer, and after what felt like 30 minutes, I re-opened the letter. Quickly scribbling my response, I threw it back to the girl. Miko hurriedly opened it, and a smile rose on her lips at what she saw.

I'll be there.

Time never felt slower as we moved through the classes, and every time an hour passed, my curiosity grew. Finally, after an eternity, the bell rang, declaring that we were free to go. Miko hurriedly removed herself from her seat and made her way to the door, and for a moment, I thought she was going to leave me again. But to my surprise, she stopped just before and turned to me, waiting for me to join her. This time I felt a tug on my lipsandfollowed after her.

It was an uncomfortable silence as we walked. Neither of us knew what to say to the other, and it wasn't long before we were on the sidewalk. I paused just as we were about to make it to the grass. Jack and Raf were already waiting for us, their gazes on our figures. But that wasn't what made me stop.

The three vehicles from yesterday sat patiently on the sidewalk; to the average eye, they just looked like ordinary pieces of metal. But I knew better. The thought of running entered my mind, but one look from Miko instantly removed it. Steeling my nerves, my legs moved forward toward the awaiting group. When I arrived, Jack and Raf greeted methough their words flew over my head.

"Miko said that she is going to explain what I..." My gaze drifted to the vehicles before returning my attention to the boys. "saw." I finished. They all glanced at each other before the oldest sighed, his stormy eyes meeting mine.

"It's a bit hard to explain, and I know this is a lot to ask. But we need you to come with us." Jack said, his hand scratching his neck sheepishly. I blinked, my mind slowlyprocessing what came out of his mouth.

"You want me to come with you?" I repeated, my hands reaching for my necklace. Once Jack nodded, I scoffed. "You must be joking." As much as I wanted to know what happened, I wasn't going to hop in a car with some people I had just met.

"Astra, I promise we will explain everything if you come with us." Miko re-stated, grabbing my hands in hers. I shook my head and slipped my hand away.

"I don't understand why you can't just explain here," I argued. "and honestly, as much as I'm curious about all of this," I gestured to the whole group before continuing. "I feel that the less I know, the better."

Did I even want toknow? What if getting involved put my life in danger, or even worse, my mother's?I pushed down my curiosity and took a couple more steps away from them.

"This was a mistake," I stated softly, clenching my backpack straps. I expected them to be shocked or offended, but no one said anything. A few awkward seconds passed before I turned my back on the trio, prepared to leave the mystery forever.

"I felt the same way." I stopped and looked back, my gaze running into Jack's. He seemed to take me stopping as a sign to continue and took a deep breath. "When I discovered their secret, I wanted nothing more than to forget they existed. I thought that I wouldbe safer, that my mom would be safer." He paused for a moment.

"But I was wrong." Jackglanced at his motorcycle, his eyes holding a pang of hidden guilt as if reliving the memory. "I promisethat you can trust them. All they want to do is help." He finished. I paused as I considered his words, and as much as I wanted to walk away, I couldn't bring myself to do it. My eyesdrifted to Miko and Raf, and both nodded in encouragement, and even the vehicles seemed to be begging me to go.

"Fine." I sighed, accepting defeat. "I'll come with you guys." Miko's face lit up at my words, and her hand latched onto my arm.

"I knew you would say yes!" She exclaimed. I didn't even get a chance to get another word out before Miko draggedme over to the Green S.U.V. She stopped me in front of the passenger door before bounding over to the driver's side, the door opening as she leaped in. My hand reached for myhandle, but the door shot open,the action almost making me flinch. I eyed it hesitantly before finally climbing in, the seatbelts buckling around us.

No turning back now.I thought as the door closed from behind me.

"Astra, I'd like you to meet Bulkhead, the biggest wreaker around!" Miko declared, her arms outstretched toward the inside of the car. I didn't know what a wreaker was, but from the excitement in Miko's eyes, I figured it was something impressive. I couldn't stop myself from jumping at the deep voice that responded.

"Um, Hey Astra. Nice to meet you." The dismembered voice greeted.

"Nice to meet you too," I mumbled awkwardly, my eyes drifting around the car in search of the source of the voice. A few seconds of silence passed before the car- I mean Bulkhead, moved forward. I gulped as a ping of anxiety crawled up my throat, and I wondered if I had made the right decision. Miko looked between Bulkhead and me before clapping her hands together.

"Don't worry; you'll get a proper introduction when we get to the base," Miko assured, shooting me a smile.

Base?It occurred to me at that moment that I had never asked where exactly they were taking me. I stole a glance outside the window as we approached the never-ending waves of sand.In the middle of the desert?

"Where exactly is Base?" I wondered, moving a strand of hair away from my face. The girl smirked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"It'sa secret." She teased, shooting me a slight wink. I snorted softly at her behavior before looking at the dashboard before me, hoping to get a helpfulresponse.

"Don't worry; it's not too far," Bulkhead answered, the symbol on the steering wheel glowing blue with each word. I nodded, not entirely sure if he could see me or not. My attention quickly focused on the outside world as my nerves grew. Witheach passing second, I could feel my heart beat faster, and I couldn't help but wonder what would happen when we made it to 'Base.'

A few minutes passed when I heard a loud sigh escape the pink-haired girl beside me. She looked extremely bored, her head resting on her hand. Suddenly she straightened in her seat, and I swore I could see the lightbulb that floated above her head.

"Bulkhead, we should-" Miko started.

"No." He interrupted. The girl immediately shrunk back in her seat at the answer.

"You don't know what I was going to say." The fiery girl grumbled, her cheeks puffed in annoyance.

"Knowing you, it wasn't good." The vehicle teased. Miko huffed, muttering something inaudible under her breath.

"I heard that!" Bulkhead scolded. The duo immediately launched into a playful argument, and a smile tugged at my lips. The tense air that was in the car disappeared, and I finally allowed myself to relax. As we continued our journey to the base, the butterflies in my stomach slowed,and I forgot I was in an alien robot. For a moment, everything seemed... normal.

* * * * *

When the stone wall opened, I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding in. I didn't want to admit it, but I thought my life would end when Bulkhead started speeding toward the giant rocky structure. However, a part of me was proud that I managed not to freak out visiblyin the process.

As we entered the base, my jaw opened as I admired the mixture of rock and metal around us. It was nothing I had ever seen; a small part of me didn't want to leave. As we went into what I assumed was the main area, I immediatelyspotted two giant figures watching us as we drove in. The first figure I saw was one of orange and white, and even though he was smaller than the second one, he still towered over me. The second figure was extremely tall, and his red and blue finish seemed to glisten from the overhanging lights.

As I continued to stare at the two beings, I suddenly felt a strange sensation, almost similar to the one I felt yesterday. My brows furrowed in confusion, and I focused on the taller figure. The weird feeling became stronger the closer I got to him, almost as if he was-

"Cool, right," Miko whispered, jolting me from my weird trance. I nodded in response before my gaze drifted back to the robots. But the feeling was gone once I did, like it was never even there in the first place.

The vehicles in front of us halted to a stop, and Bulkhead did the same. My anxiety grew as the doors swung open, and I had to take a deep breath to calm myself. Miko hurriedly jumped out of the vehicle, and when her feet landed on the ground, her Chestnut eyes caught mine, unsaid encouragement swimming through the hues. With a burst of confidence, I hopped out and made my way to the other humans. I had just reached Miko's side when the familiar sounds of shifting metal filled the room. I watched in wonder as the vehicles transformed into their actual forms, and I couldn't help but let my jaw drop at the sight.

Bulkhead was humungous; his green finish and his giant stature were nothing less than intimidating. Behind him was a smaller one with a slim build, and it was weird to think that Jack's motorcycle could turn into something like her. Lastly was one I had seen before. The yellow and black robot who saved my life. Even though they were all different, they all had twothings in common: their bright blue eyes and the strange symbol on their chest and shoulders.

"Woah," I murmured, watching as they all moved to the other two robots. The orange and white robot trained his eyes on me, his blue pupils studying my figure.

"So this is the other human that Miko managed to endanger." He muttered, shooting an accusing glareat the human girl. Miko crossed her arms with a defiant huff, returning the glare with full force.

"How would I have known Deceptions would chase after us?" Miko defended, rolling her eyes.

"That's why I am here," I voiced, interrupting their argument. I stiffened slightly when multiple pairs of eyes landed on me, but I did my best not to show my fear. "Because I saw these 'Decepticons.'" I continued. The red and blue giant nodded andtook a step toward me. He kneeled and leaned closer to me like he was trying to get closer to my level, and Itried my best not to be intimated."But why take me here? Why not just tell me never to talk about what I saw?" I wondered, my voice sounding more confident than I felt.

"You are here because the Decepticonsthink of you as one of our human allies." He answered, his voice surprisingly deep and smooth. I felt an arm sling around my shoulder and turned to the culprit.

"Which means they consider you their enemy," Miko whispered, leaning closer to my ear. I shuddered slightly and bitmy lip in thought.

"Who are you?... What are you?" I questioned, glancing at the rest of the robots around me. The mech's blue eyes focused back on me, his gaze somehow comforting.

"My name is Optimus Prime." He then moved his attention tothe others in the room. "This is Bulkhead, Arcee, Bumblebee, and our medic, Rachet." He announced, lookingat each of the respective robots. "We are autonomous robotic organisms from the planet Cybertron, also known as Autobots."My mind was bubbling with a million questions, and I resisted the urge to yell them out.

"Why are you here? Why are the Decepticons here?" Optimus's eyes had a tint of sadness as he told their story. He told me about the warand how Megatron destroyed his planet. He also said why the Autobots were on Earth and how their mission was to defendourplanetfrom Megatron's wrath and greed. It was silent when he finally finished,a solemn tensionfloating in the air.

They all went through so much.I thought. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to lose your planet to a terrible person like Megatron. To lose your friends, your family, and your home. It was crazy to think that giant metal Aliens were trying to take over Earth. It almost felt surreal. Like I was in a bad Sci-fi movie that I couldn't escape.

"So I'm in danger because they saw me with Miko," I commented, looking at the pink-haired girl next to me. She avoided my gaze, her eyes swimming withguilt. My green hues softened, and my hand rested on her shoulder. "I don't blame you. You couldn't have known." I comforted. She shot me a grateful smile, and the sadness lifted from her shoulders.

"It was none of our intentions to bring you into our struggle." Optimus expressed, lifting himself off the ground. "But now that you are, it is of vital importancethat you are safe." He finished, his face stoic. Confused, I tilted my head as I strained my neck to look up at him.

"Safe?" I inquired. Optimus nodded.

"It is imperative that we watch you. In case the Decepticons decide to use you against us." At first, I wanted to object, but I stopped myself. Instead, forcing my head to nod. A partof me knew that getting into an argument with the Prime wouldn't go well, even if I was stubborn at times.

"Great, another human," Ratchet muttered, turning back to the giant computer behind him. Miko huffed, pointing a finger at the mech.

"Watch it, Ratchet." The mech only grumbled, dismissively waving his hand in response. After poking her tongue behind the medic's back, she turned her attention to me.

"Now that you're here, I have so much I want to show you!" Miko beamed, grabbing my arm once more, and Ialmost got whiplash from how hard she pulled me. Just as we ascendedthe stairs, I stopped her, turning back to a particularAutobot.

"Bumblebee?" I called out, grabbing the mech's attention. "Thank you. For saving my life." The mech's optics softened for a moment before he responded with a mixture of whirrs and beeps. Even though I couldn't understand what he was saying, I had a feelingit was something like, "You're Welcome."I heard a mumble behind me, and I took that as my cue to return my focus to the pink-haired girl. With that, I was pushed up the stairs, the girl already blabbing about one of the many adventures she's been on since she met the bots. It wasn't long before we were all laughing, and as we continued to converse, a feeling of belonging took root in me, and I knew where I was, was where I was supposed to be.

* * * * * *

"So Raf comes in with this cute tiny Scraplet, and right when Ratchet sees it,he screams..." Miko paused, her mouth upturned in a smirk as she looked at said Bot. "Like a little girl." She finished. Ratchet removed his optics from his computer screen and lookeddown at our figures on the small couch; his eyes scrunched in annoyance.

"I did no such thing." The medic huffed, shooting the small girl a glare. Thehuman only waved the older mech off, an amusedlook in her eye.

"Anyways," Miko's focus landed on me, her eyes locked onto mine. "We were totes confused why the bots were freaking out until its mouth opened and it attacked Bee!" Miko revealed, her arms outstretched upwards. My eyes widened at the declaration, and I couldn't help but look at the yellow Bot. Bumblebee beepedat Miko, and Raf lowered his eyes, a guilty look overtaking his features.

"If I had known what it was, I would have never brought it over," Raf mumbled, adjusting the glasses on his face. Another set of chirps and whirrs came from Bumblebee, his optics filled with conviction. Whatever the Bot said made the younger boy perk up, a slight grin rising on his face. At that, the duostartedtheir conversation, one I could only hear one side of. Miko crossed her arms in front of her, a bored look in her eyes.

"I hate it when they do that. I can never understand what they're saying." She grumbled, glancing at her guardian behind her. Miko's words drifted away as I watched the conversation between Raf and Bumblebee. It had been a few hours since I was brought into the base, but it was clear that the relationship between the kids and their guardians was something to be envious of. Honestly, I was surprised that the Autobots didn't think of us humans as lesser beings, considering all one of them had to do was trip, and we would be dead.

But I could tell they truly cared for the other kids, and by all the different stories Miko told me, they weren't afraid to prove it. Suddenly Miko cleared her throat, her chestnut hues burrowing into my green ones. I shot her an apologetic smile and focused on her again, though it wasn't hard to, considering I wanted to know how the story ended. When the girl realized the attention was back on her, she grinned, a satisfied look in her eyes.

"As I was saying-" A suddenalarmdrowned out her words, the loud noise sending a piercing pain through my skull. I quickly cupped my hands over my ears, the movement doing little to stop the noise.

"What is that?" I asked, trying my best to suppress the panic that surfaced. It helped that no one was freaking out, everyoneseemingto be more annoyed than anything else. Ratchet calmly pressed a button on his keyboard, and the screeching noise stopped.

"That was theProximity sensor." Ratchet offhandedly explained, not even bothering to look at me as he did. He then looked at the others, and hisfaceplates scrunched in irritation. "It's Agent Fowler." He grumbled; at those words, Miko groaned, leaning her head against the back of the couch.

"Agent Fowler?" I wondered, pushing myself off the couch cushions. Optimus took a few steps forward, his optics moving to my form.

"Special Agent Fowler is our designated liaison to the outside world." He explained, and I nodded in response.It made sense that the government knew of their existence. They livedin a military silo, and I had a feeling the military wouldn't have turned a blind eye to that. "I think you should not meet him at this time." Optimus finished. I lifted a brow at that and opened my mouth to object.I was interrupted by the elevator doors opening, and beforeI could even move, a hand latched onto my arm, pullingme behind the couch. I landed with a grunt and watched in discontent as a wall of legs moved in front of me. Miko put a finger to her mouth before she turned her back on me, attempting to look "normal."

"PRIME!" A malevoice bellowed. I unconsciouslyshifted closer to the cushions, no longer wanting to meet the source. I heard the tapping get closer, and stiffened, only relaxing when the footstepspassed me.

"Agent Fowler." The Prime emotionlessly greeted, the name flowing like he'd said it a thousand times.

"Explain to me why I've gotten multiple reports of giant robots fighting on 5th street. One of them being of yellow and black design." Fowler seethed, shooting a pointed look at Bumblebee. He whirred something in response, but it went unnoticed, the man already diving into another rant. As he continued, my curiosity grew, and eventually, it got the best of me. I tried to peak from my hiding spot as discreetly as possible, but Jack's leg blocked my view. Filled with determination, I moved into an army crawl and slid slightly past the group, my head barely coming into sight.

My attention immediately landed on the agent as his hands pressed up against the railing. His back was facing me, but even from here, I could see his short black hair and slightly overweight figure.

Must not be in the field too often.My gaze landed on Optimus as he leaned toward the agent, and I suppressed the urge to laugh when I noticed the boredom and slight annoyance on the Prime's face.

"Care to explain Prime," Fowler growled, his tone much calmer than before.

"We have this under control." Optimus sighed, straightening himself out. Fowler only huffed in annoyance, his arms crossing in front of him.

"Under control! Exposing yourself to multiple civiliansis not control." The agent scolded, eyes glancing toward the group in front of me. My face paled, and I ducked my head back, praying that he didn't notice the sudden movement. I only relaxed when I heard him speak again and realized I had been holding my breath. Agent Fowler sighed, the sound almost sounding sad.

"My superiors aren't too happy about thisturn of events, and it isn't giving your team a good image." I felt a surge of guilt flow through me, and a tiny spike of anger sparked in my chest. I didn't know I was almost standing until a hand on my shoulder stopped me, and I met Jack's gaze. His darkeyes pleaded with me to stay hidden, and he gently pushed me behind him. I let him move me with a soundless sigh and retreated to my previous position, hiding once again. If I showed myself now,the Autobots would most likely get in more trouble, not to mention I wasn't exactly thrilled to meet the man.

"Who cares what they think!" Bulkhead growled, the thump of his footsteps echoingthroughout the silo. "We did what we were supposed to and protected Miko and her friend from the Decepticons." Thesilence that followed was so thick that I could've cut it with a butter knife, and I stuck my head out once more. Agent Fowler was tense, his hands white as he clutched the rail in front of him.

"What do you mean "Miko and her friend?"' Agent Fowler repeated, his voiceeerily calmer than before. Realization flashed across Bulkhead's face, and I watched as Arceeput a hand on her helm with a groan.

"I didn't-I mean... Scrap." Bulkhead mumbled, unable to come up with a proper excuse. Fowler's eyes flickered over the Autobot's suspiciously, and somehow his grip on the railing tightened. Reluctantly, I pushed myself off the ground and moved from my hiding place, much to the kid's dismay.

"Astra!" Raf whispered. The sound seemed to catch Agent Fowler's attention, and his gazesnapped to my figure. I froze as his eyes widened in surprise, obviously not expecting my presence. Though the shock was quickly replaced with something else, and he cursed under his breath. I shuffled as his chocolate brown eyes pierced into mine, and I uncomfortablycleared my throat.

"Don't blame the Autobots," I started, forcing my feet to move toward the man. The taps of my feet hitting metal filled the room as I approached, and the weight on my shoulders felt heavier as I got closer to his intense stare. "I was the reason they were seen in the first place," I explained, stopping only a foot away from Agent Fowler.

"Astra," The Prime began, but the raise of my hand stopped him from saying any more.

"If it weren't for the Autobots, I'd probably be six feet under right now." I continued, the confidence in me growing by the second. "So if you want someone to blame. Blame me." Agent Fowler didn't react to my declaration; instead, his eyes were slightly distant,as if he was lost in thought.

"What is your name?" Agent Fowler inquired, seeming to snap out of his stupor. His sudden question caught me off guard, and it took me a second to answer.

"Astra Keller," I responded, trying my best not to move when he took a step closer to me.

"Of course." The man mumbled, the words barely louder than a whisper. I raised an eyebrow at his strange behavior, but before I could comment on it, he was already turning toward the Prime.

"You brought another child into this mess!" Fowler fumed, a mixture of anger and disbelief plastered on his face.

Child?I thought, my eyebrows scrunching in annoyance.I'm 16. That's far from being a child!

"It's not like we brought her here for kicks." Acree reminded, her hands finding a place on her hips.

"As if we would willingly want another human around," Ratchet muttered, not looking away from his computer. I heard an indignant huff from behind,but before the fiery girl could respond, Optimus spoke.

"We did not mean to bring Astra into our battle, but now that the Decepticons have seen her. I fear she will become a target." Optimus informed, his face darkening at the thought. The agent's fingers reached to pinch the bridge of his nose, and he let out a tired sigh. Agent Fowler no longer looked angry. Instead, he seemedlike a man with too much on his plate and no energy to deal with it.

"Are you sure you will be able to protect her?" Fowler questioned, his eyes searching the Bot for any signs of uncertainty.

"No harm will come to her as long as Energon flows through my veins." Optimus Prime promised, his gaze moving to me. A warm feeling bubbled in my chest, andI didn't notice the small smile that graced my lips as I stared back. Fowler nodded, seeming content with the answer before he turned his attention back to me, and I stiffened slightly when his brown hues bore into my green ones.

"Don't get yourself into trouble like those three tend to." He warned, pointing a finger at the three kids standing in front of the couch. Miko huffed in annoyance and shot a dumbfounded look at Jack, only to find the boy nodding in agreement. I watched with an amused chuckle as the youngest boy tried to break up the now-arguing duo, the spiky-haired boy not having much luck.

"I'll try my best," I answered,though I had a feeling I was giving himempty words. With the ghost of a smile,he dipped his head slightly, andhis brown hues softenedas he glanced at me one last time. My eyes trailed after him as he strode back to the elevator, and I couldn't help but feel he was hiding something from me. Even when the metal doors slid shut and Fowler was out of view, the lump in my gut stayed.

"That was intense," I mumbled, my lips upturning when Bumblebee whirred in agreement. Raf stopped trying to separate the two teens and moved over to me, a small yawn escaping him as he did.

"I think Astra got off pretty easy." The smaller boy commented, rubbing his eyes under his glasses. The yawn sparked my sleepiness, and suddenly, my eyelids felt ten times heavier. My arms stretched above me as mymouth opened to release my yawn.

"What time is it?" I wondered, brushing away the strands of hair hiding in my peripheral. Raf reached for the phone in his pocket and glanced at the screen before answering nonchalantly.

"It's 7:00." The blood rushed from my face as the number registered in my brain, and I hurriedly grabbed my phone to confirm. The time was still an unchanging 7:00, and I slapped a hand against my forehead.

"I'm so dead!" I groaned, ignoring the looks of confusion as I quickly rushed to grab my backpack. Jack and Miko sensed my distress and stopped their bickering, the older one handing me a textbook from the couch.

"What's the rush?" Jack asked as I stuffed the book in my bag, cringing as the various papers crunched under its weight.

"My mom will be home any minute,and if she sees I'm not there, she will flip!" I explained, my eyes flickering around the room for anything else I could've forgotten. When I didn't see anything else, I sighed in relief before making my way to the stairs.

"Why is your curfew so much earlier than the other kids?" Arcee inquired. The question stopped me in my tracks, and I didn't realize my grip on my backpack straps tightened. It was a simple question. One that shouldn't have been hard to answer. But the reason lodged into my throat and refused to come out, and after a few seconds of silence, I finally responded witha simple.

"It's complicated." I ignored the various looks that were shot at me and instead replied to them with a question. "So, how am I getting home?" Before anyone could say anything, Miko jumpedto my side, a wide grin plastered on her face.

"Oh yeah! Who's going to be Astra's guardian?" The air immediately became heavy as the room filled with uncomfortable silence. The Autobots had an awkward look about them, and it was evident that they hadn't thought too much about it. Optimus's gazemoved to Ratchet and said Bot stiffened, the look of dread filling his blue optics. Before the Primecould even utter a single word, the mech shook his head; arms crossed in front of him.

"Optimus,I am far too busy to care for some..." His optics landed on me for a moment before flickeringback to Optimus's. "Human child."I immediately took offense, my brows furrowing at his behavior.

"I am not a child," I grumbled, shooting a sharp glare at the orange and white Bot. But it wasn't like I disagreed with him on the whole "him being my guardian." He was far too important to be away from the base, and if an emergency happened or if he was needed in some way, I didn't want it to be my fault he wasn't there to help.The Prime hummed in thought and glanced at me for a moment.

"Then perhaps I should watch her," Optimus said, the declaration halting all movement.

"Optimus, you can't!" Rachet objected, taking a step towards the large mech. "You don't have the time!"The rest of Ratchet's words faded as I got lost in my thoughts. It was obvious that the Autobots were short-staffed and that any available Guardian was already taken, and I knew it wasn't fair to ask one of them to take care of two kids.Both Ratchet andOptimus needed to be able to be on the field at a moment's notice, and I wasn't going to be the reason someone got hurt. My expression hardened as I made up my mind and took a step forward.

"I don't need a guardian." I interrupted, drawing attention to myself once again. "I can just go home with one of the other kid's guardians; that should be enough protection for me." I glanced at the clock again and grimaced when I saw the time read 7:15. "We aren't certain that the Decepticons will even target me in the first place, and I should have enough protection going to and from school, so I should be fine." I finished, hoping this would end the conversation.

"I'm pretty sure Astra lives near me anyways, so Bee and I can take you home," Raf added, looking toward his guardian for silent approval. The mech sent him a nod, and the boy turned back to me, his brown eyes more confident. Itwas silent for a moment as the Prime mulled over my words before a small sigh escaped him.

"Very well. For the time being, you may go with Bumblebee." I could tell the Prime felt conflicted by how his eyebrows furrowed slightly. The movement was so tiny that I would have missed it if I blinked, and in a split second, it was gone, the Prime back to his stoic nature. Bumblebee smoothly transformed into his vehicle mode, and his doors opened, inviting Raf and meinside. I gave Bumblebee and Raf a quick "Thank you" as I slid into the backseat, and the window rolled down as I said mygoodbye to the others.

It wasn't long before I made it to the familiar two-story house, and I sighed in relief when a particular white car wasn't in the driveway.

She must've gotten caught up in work.I thought as I slid out of the sleek vehicle. Taking a few steps away, I turned and waved back at the duo, a grateful smile making its way to my lips.

"Thanks for the ride," I said, walking backward toward my wooden door. I only turned back around when a small goodbye and a beep emitted from the car, and the sounds of them driving off filled my ears. The porch light flickered on as I got closer, and I smoothly pulled the key from my pocket,grinning slightlywhen it turned in the lock with a satisfyingclick. Opening the door, I swung my backpack off and let it hit the ground. With one swift kick, the door closed behind me, and after standing in front of it for a couple more seconds, I slid to the floor. My head hit the wood softly as I tried to collect my thoughts, and my knees pulled closer to my body.

I can't believe that actually happened.My eyes closed as I replayed the events that occurred only a few hours earlier, and it surprised me that I wasn't more overwhelmed or scared. The new information comforted me more than anything else. However, one thing continued to bother me.

Agent Fowler. I know I didn't recognize him in any way, and his name wasn't familiar either. But the way he looked at me didn't sit right with me. I sighed softly, resting my head on my knees, and I gave up when I couldn't figure it out, opting instead to stand back up. My feet draggedup the stairs, and my eyelids were heavy as I reached my bedroom door.

When he asked me for my name, it was like he already knew it.The look in his eyes was more than concern for a stranger. It was more like concern for someone you already knew or cared about.

Like he knew me before.As my hands reached for the doorknob, I froze. Mythoughts ran wildas the implications raced across my mind. I shook my head before I could spiral any further, and I pushed open the door with a chuckle.

That's not possible. I've never met him before in my life.But as I lay in bed staring at my ceiling, I couldn't get rid of the feeling that I'd seen him before.Maybe the answer was hidden in a time that I couldn't remember, lost in a memory hidden in my subconscious mind.My hands lifted above my head, and I stared at the palms for a moment before running a finger across the skin, remembering the pain from last night.

How did it heal so quickly?I turned my body to my side and pulled my hands under the covers, not wanting to dwell on it any longer. As my eyes fluttered shut, I willed my racing mind to slow, and eventually,I drifted to sleep, my dreams filled with broken flashesof the past.

Chapter 4: A Need For Speed

Chapter Text

ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪꜱ ʙᴀꜱᴇᴅ ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇᴘɪꜱᴏᴅᴇ ꜱᴘᴇᴇᴅ ᴍᴇᴛᴀʟ

The forest was usually peaceful. The only sounds interrupting the silence were the occasional howl of wolves and the rustle of wind that blew through the leaves. The crickets that typically sang their song were silentas the growl of multipleengines cut through the night. Cars made for speed challenged each other with each rev—thevehicles beggingto be used.

One man oozed confidence from every pore, his inky tattoos flowingup his body and resting on his neck as multiple piercings lay on his face. His arms hung nonchalantly outside his car as his gaze rested on the starter who stood in the middle of the runway, and he scoffed, unimpressed by the sight. The rumble of a car drew his attention to theside, and his eyes followed the red Aston Martin that pulled up beside him.

"Not from around here. European design?" The man taunted, his fingers calmy tapping against his black steering wheel. His brows furrowed as the competitor said nothing, the black tinted-out windows only revealing his reflection. "Sure is pretty." He commented, his first clenching as he glanced at the giant ring on his finger.

"Too pretty." With lips upturned in a malicious smirk, his ring scraped against the car next to him, leaving a big lighting-shaped scratch against the once flawless finish. The man chuckled as he brought his hand back to the steering wheel, his window rolling up as his focus went back to the starter in front of them. Little did he know that no one sat in the car's driver's seat, and he would soon pay tenfold for the damage he caused.

"Big Mistake." The Aston Martingrowled, gears shifting as the starter whipped his hand down, signaling the race had started. The vehicles shot forward, roaring past the starter and leaving a cloud of dust in their wake. The man's foot pressed on his accelerator, and his exhaust pipe lit into flames, pushing him further ahead of the others. He grinned in satisfaction as the cars in the rear-view mirror became smaller and smaller before disappearingentirelyas he rounded a corner. However, the grin waswiped off his face when the sounds of screeching tires filled his ears, and his eyes shot back at a familiar red vehicle quickly gaining on him. Before he knew it, the front of the Aston Martin rammed into the back of his car, whipping the man forward.

"Hey!" The man exclaimed, his eyes widening with fear when he saw the car come in for another hit. He had no control over his vehicle as it spun off the road, and his stomach dropped as he flewover a cliff, his car flipping mid-air and landing painfully against the unforgiving rock.

"Aw, dude." He groaned, his hand lifting to his head as a steady thud shot through his brain, and his vision blurred as he tried to move. A harsh light forced its way into the scene, and he glanced up, barely recognizing them as headlights. As his consciousness slowly retreated to the back of his brain, his ears processed one last sentence before fading to black.

"You scratch my paint; I scratch yours."

* * * * * *

The hallways were always a bustle of chatter and flowingfriends. Seeing the halls empty and quiet was rare, and I longed for the day I could experience sweet silence. I sighed in annoyance as a shoulder harshly collided with mine, and I swallowed down the few choice words I so desperately wanted to scream out. Usually, I wasn't bothered by the ruckus nature of High School, but today Miko was in detention, and I was left to walk out of the building by myself. Something I had realized was a dreadful experience without the pink-hairedgirl by my side.

Luckily today was Friday, which meant that in two seconds, I wouldhave officially survived my first week attending Memorial High School. I was proud of myself for not letting my grades drop despite all the crazy events this week. Granted, I have had to change a few things in my schedule to stay safe, but I have come to accept them. One of the more challenging things to get used to was going to the Autobot base daily.

I'm not saying I didn't enjoy it, but finding abelievable excusemade it hard. Mom always questioned why I came home later than usual, and I had to tellherthat I had joined the"robotics club." Convincing her was more difficultthan I thought, but I shouldn't have been surprised, considering I was a terrible liar. She onlybelieved me when I told hera few of my friends were in the club, and I just wanted an excuse to hang out with them more.

Finally, after what seemed to be an eternity, thedoors leading to freedom came into view, and my legs moved faster as I dodged and weaved through the students. I was only a few feet away when a hand landed on my shoulder, stopping me in my tracks. Turningon my heels, Imet with an unfamiliar face of a girl. I was immediately drawn to her dark Auburn hair pulled up in a simple ponytail, and I couldn't help but notice our similarly colored eyes. Theonly difference between ours was the shade. While mine was a dark jade, hers was a bright emerald that added to the girl's beauty.

"Finally, I caught up to you!" The mysterious girl exclaimed, her hand liftingfrom my shoulder. My brows furrowed in confusion as I racked my memory for any name to put tothe face, but I gave up when I drew a blank. The girl noticedmy trouble and laughed, hugging the textbooks to her persontighter. "Oh right, we haven't met. My name's Sierra!" The girl introduced, tucking astraystrand of hair behind her ear. Isent Sierra a polite smile and outstretched my hand toward her.

"Nice to meet you. My name's Astra." I replied, pulling my hand away when she returned my handshake. "Did you need me for something?" I wondered, confused by the sudden greeting. Sierra immediately perked at the subject change and pushed a piece of paper into my hands, her eyes studying me as I read the flyer. I scanned it several times before my attention returned to the girl in front of me. "It's a cheer flyer," I commented, unsure what she wanted from me.

"I'm the cheer team captain, and we need more girls on the team," Sierra said, a hopeful glint in her emerald hues. I already knew where this was going, but I allowed her to continue, even though I wanted nothing more than to leave. "So I was wondering if you were interested in joining?" I shuffled uncomfortably, my fingersabsentmindedly fidgetingwith the crystal as she waited for my response.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not looking for any clubs at the moment," I answered, sending her a sheepish grin. "I'm just trying to get used to the school, and I already have a busy schedule," I explained, hoping that would deter the older girl. But the smile on her face was steadfast, and she quickly interlocked her armin mine and strode through the door. I clumsily followed her, too surprised by the sudden action to pull away.

"What better way to get used to the school than by joining cheer? You can goto all the games and meet so many people!" Sierra pointed out, sending me another blinding grin. I didn't have a good enough comeback as she continued dragging me past the schoolyard, and I noticed, to my displeasure, that she was bringing me to a group of girls. I stopped my movement before she could get me any further, forcing a smile to my lips.

"I must admit it's tempting, but I'm not sure cheer is for me." I reiterated, sliding my arm out of hers. I didn't know why she was so determined for me to join, but I didn't have the energy to add another thing to my already full plate. The girlhummed in thought before her face brightened, and she invaded my personal space once more.

"If it's about not knowing the team, there's an easy fix for that!" Sierraannounced, slingingher bag forward and digging through it.

"It's not that," I mumbled, the smile on my face waveringwhen she blatantly ignored me. When she found what she was looking for, shesnatched the paper out of my hands and scribbled something on the piece before handing it back to me. I glanced at the unfamiliar street name on the corner of the paper before lifting an eyebrow, my eyes meeting back with hers.

"There's a street race happening tomorrow at 8:00, and the team and I are going to watch," Sierra explained, stuffing her pencil back into her backpack. "Youshould come withus!" She invited, another grin stretching at her lips. I shook my head,but before I could say anything, Sierra was talking again.

"Before you say no, just think about it." She insisted, backing away from me toward the group behind her. "I hope to see you there!" With one last wave in my direction, Sierra walked over to the girls, ending the strange conversation. My eyes followed her for a second before I focused on the flyer, re-reading it for what felt like the hundredth time. Even though I still had no interest in joining cheer,I couldn't help but be drawn back to the address in the corner.

Should I go?On one hand, it was probably dumb of me to go to what I figured was an illegal street race, and I knew that if I were caught, I would be grounded for the rest of my life. But I couldn't remember the last time I let loose and had a little fun.

It can't be that bad if people from school are coming.I thought, smoothly folding the paper and forcing it into my pocket. With a tired breath, I moved my legs toward Jack and Raf, figuring they were waiting for me. I knew I was right when I saw both of them already in their vehicles, the spiky-haired boy playing a game on his phone.

"Sorry I took so long. I was a bit distracted." I apologizedas I approached Jack. The boy didn't respond to me, instead opting to gape at me with a dumbfounded look in hiseyes. I lifted an eyebrowand moved closer tohim, the boy still not acknowledgingmy presence.

What's with everyone today?I wondered as I waved a hand in front of his face. I looked to Arcee for an explanation when he still didn't react and the motorcycle snorted in amusem*nt.

"Don't worry. He'll come too in a second." As if the words sparked something in his brain, Jack snapped out of his trance and leaned toward me.

"You know Sierra!?" He yelled, the disbelief evident on his face. A few students turned their heads toward us, and Jack shrunk in his seat, his cheeks heating in embarrassment. "You know Sierra?" He repeated, this time much quieter than before.

"Not really," I answered slowly, taken aback by his weird behavior. "I just met her a few minutes ago. She just wanted me to join the cheer team." I explained, purposely omitting the invite she had offered me only a few seconds earlier. "Should I not talk to her?" I inquired cautiously, unsure what triggered Jack's sudden alarm. He quickly shook his head, his eyes widening at my words.

"No, you should talk to her! She's not a bad person or anything. She is super nice and cool... and pretty." His jumbled sentencetrailed off as his attention moved over to the Auburn-haired girl, and a dreamy sigh escaped him as he leanedagainst the handlebars. Realization hit me like a train as everything made sense, and my lips upturned into a smirk.

"Oh, I get it now." I voiced, drawing his attention back to me."You have a crush on Sierra~" I teased, leaning closer to the now tomato-faced teen. I resisted the urge to laugh at his attempts to tell me otherwise, and once he saw the amused look on my face, he stopped, hiding his blushunder his hands.

"Am I that obvious?" Jack groaned, looking back toward me.

"Painfully," Acree responded, the answer causing a snort to escape me. Jack glared at us before sighing, his eyes downcast to the asphalt. My gaze softened as I placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, and his eyes met mine.

"It's only obvious to us. I highly doubt Sierra knows anything." I comforted, shooting him a small smile. "But even if she did, what's so bad about her knowing? The worst thing Sierracould do is tell you she doesn't like you back, and if that's the case, then itwasn't meant to be." I pointed out, removing my hand and returning it to my backpack strap.

"It's not that. It's just... she doesn't even know who I am. She will think I'm a creep if she finds out." Jack confessed, his cobalt eyes swimming with emotion. I was quiet for a second as I processed the new information, my eyes glancing toward the giggling girl. I didn't see the appeal. Granted, she was beautiful and seemed nice enough, but her smile seemed strained, not quite reaching her eyes.

Not to mention she's very persistent.

"Well, perhaps you just need to be a little bolder," I suggested, turning back toward Jack. He tilted his head in confusion, and I let out a breath, leaning closer to him. "I'm saying you should talk to her, Dummy. Do something that will make her remember you." I advised, flicking his forehead with my finger. He flinched from the contact and glared at me before letting a sigh escape him.

"You think that will work?" He asked, rubbing the spot I had assaulted. I shrugged and took a few steps away from him as he slid his helmet over his head.

"It's better than what you're doing now," I informed, making my way to the awaiting Autobot. Bumblebee opened the car door, and I quickly hopped in, scooting closer to the window as it rolled down."It's not like you have anything to lose."I finished, sending Raf a small "Hi" as he greeted me. As the window rolled up and we moved forward, I left the black-haired teen to his thoughts, not knowing my words would run through his head for the rest of the day.

* * * * * *

"Take that!" Miko cheered, her fingers rushing as her vehicle passed her opponent's, a co*cky smile pulling at her lips. Her competitor sitting next to her only furrowed his brows in concentration as his fingers suddenly became a blur, his honey-brown eyes full of determination. Miko's face fell as the yellow vehicle zoomed past her, and the sounds of victory soon filled the room. Raf smirked at the girl's defeated expression, unable to resist the urge to gloat.

"I told you I'd win." The boy grinned, watching in amusem*ntas Miko's hold on the controller tightened.

"I want a rematch!" Miko challenged a dangerous fire churning in her brown hues as she started a new game. I shook my head, the corners of my lips pulling upwardsas Miko groaned in frustration. The two kids had been playing the game since we arrived at the base, and the Pink-haired girl was not having too much luck against the younger boy. An excited hum sounded behind me as Bumblebee cheered for the Spiky-haired male, telling me that Raf had won yet again.

"Unfair." Miko groaned, trying her best to ignore the happy beeps from the yellow bot behind her. The girl sighed before her gaze met mine, and her controller lifted toward me. "Do you wanna play?" She questioned, obviously tired of the racing game. I shook my head, my eyes flickering down to the papers in front of me.

"As much as I want to, I can't. I got homework to do." I answered tiredly, slouching when I realized I wasn't even halfway through my assignments.

I'm never going to get this done.I thought, reluctantly forcing my pencil to start another equation.

"Boring." Miko drawled, tossing her controller on the small table in front of her. I couldn't help but silently agree with the girl, not wanting to do it myself.

"Do you kids always have to be so loud?" Ratchet commented, shooting an annoyed glare in our direction.

"Do you always have to be such a buzzkill?" Miko retorted, her eyes staring defiantly into blue optics. I stifled a snort at his dumbfounded expression, the mech muttering something about "how disrespectful human children are."

I turned my attention back to my work, but no matter what I did, I couldn't focus, my thoughts turning back to the paper in my pocket. Even though my mind screamed at me that it wasn't a good idea, I couldn't stop myself from wanting to go to the race. I was naturally curious, which tended to get me in constant trouble as a child. As the old saying goes, "Curiosity killed the cat." But despite the warning, it didn't deter me; instead, it seemed to make my determination grow.

Anyways going might get Sierra off my back.I thought, tapping the pencil against my lips. At the thought of Sierra, Jack came to mind, and I glanced at the clock, my brows furrowing as I registered the time.

Where's Jack? He should've been back by now.As I was going to voice my question, my phone vibrated, and I grabbed the small device. Flicking it open, an unnamed notification appeared on the screen, the message only holding a video. Hesitating for a moment, I clicked it, my eyes widening as the video played. On it was a race containinga particular motorcycle whippingpast what I recognized to be Vince's car. I heard the cheers as Jack passed a mile marker, and the video ended, leaving me frozen in my seat. The video was only a few seconds long but conveyed its message. Jack had beaten Vince in a race, and he had stood up to the bully, and even though I should've felt proud, I couldn't help but remember the strict rule Optimus had set.

That under no circ*mstances were the Autobots allowed to race.As the video replayed, I racked my mind for why Jack would deliberatelybreak the Prime's rule, and I couldn't stop one name from popping into my head.

Sierra.I grimaced, running a hand through my hair as the advice I had given Jack only hours before invaded my thoughts.Oh, that idiot.I should've known that he would do something like this, especially after telling him to "be bold."

"Astra, did you see this!" Miko exclaimed, shoving a pink phone into my face, a familiar video flashing across the screen. I nodded and pushed the device back toward the girl, showing her the video on my phone.

"Yeah, I think everyone at school saw it." I guessed, watching as Raf made his way over to us. Both kids had proud smiles on their faces, and Miko pulled me up, my chair clattering on the ground.

"Finally, Vince's ego got knocked down a few pegs!" The pink-haired girl rejoiced, pulling me down the stairs. "We gotta congratulate Jack!" I sighed as I got dragged across the base, and I shot a pleading looka Raf, only getting a sympathetic shrug in return.

Traitor. I thought, sending the boy a betrayed glare. As we walked down the corridor, Acree and Jack's silhouettes came into view, their backs facing us. Miko went to movetoward them, but my hand wrapped around her arm before she could. The pink-haired girl looked at me in confusion, but I ignored it as I strained my ears to hear their conversation.Unluckily they were too far away for me to hear, and soon enough, Acree was walking away from Jack, a content smile on her face. Before I could do anything, Miko tore herself from my grip and rushed forward, and I swiftly followed her, a barely audible sigh escaping me.

"Dude!" Miko yelled, jolting the black-haired teenager as he whipped toward her direction, "Vroom, vroom vroom, and the winner is..." Miko declared, waiting for Jack to finish the sentence. The boynever did, his eyes flickering around in alarm before returning to the energetic girl.

"Miko, w-who told you?" Jack stammered, his eyes widening even more when he noticed my figure approaching the duo. Miko's hands dropped to her sides, her eyebrows lifting at the dumb question.

"Are you kidding? It's all over school!" Mikoexplained, her arms outstretched on either side of her as the smile returned to her face. His blue hues landed on me for confirmation, and I nodded, lifting my phone in the air.

"She's not wrong. Someone posted a video." I confirmed. Jack'sface paled, and visibly gulped, obviously not expecting the sudden popularity.

"You beat the pants off that blowhard bully Vince." Raf interrupted, his voice full of admiration. Jack's despair seemed to worsen at the sight of the smaller male, and his brows furrowed for a moment before pulling the three of us toward him.

"You guys have to keep this on the d- L," Jack stated, his gaze flickering to all of ours. "Especially from Optimus." The black-haired boy stressed, releasing his grip on us. The other two kids quickly agreed, but I stayed silent, my green hues piercing into Jack. He noticed my unwavering stare and stiffened, his grip on the motorcycle helmet tightening.

"Astra. Please." He pleaded, taking a small step in my direction. A few more seconds passed before my gaze softened, and with a reluctant sigh, I nodded. The tension left his shoulders, and he shot me a grateful smile, but I didn't return it.

"I won't say anything," I promised, though I didn't let him completely off the hook, my arms crossing in front of me. "As long as you don't do anything stupid for Sierra again." I finished, watching in slight amusem*nt as his eyes widened.

"How did you..." He started, trailing off when he saw my lips lifting in a smirk.

"Why else would you have done it?" I added, walking past the flabbergasted boy with a quick pat on his shoulder. "Now, let's go before the others get suspicious," I commented, already moving down the corridor.

The next day arrived faster than Icould blink, and as expected, the news of Jack and Vince's race was all over the school. No matter what class I was in or who I was with, I was bombarded with storiesabout what had happened, some of them tending to bemore unbelievable than others. I almost felt bad for the ginger-haired bully for how much he was getting teased, though I couldn't help but smile at the irony of the situation.

Maybe he will be nicer after he's tasted his own medicine.I thought as I lazily watched Raf play a game from the comfort of the red couch. I shook my head at the ridiculous thought, an amused chuckle escaping me. Even though people can change, it never happens that quickly.

"Raf?" A voice called out.The sudden sound caused the male to lose focus, and the sounds of virtual skidding could be heard before his car crashed, making the spiky-haired boy lose. I winced at Raf's loss and turned my attention to Jack, the older boy having a slightly guilty look in his eye. "Uh, is there any way I can borrow Bumblebee for an hour?" Jack wondered, pointing at the said bot. The Autobot buzzed with a nod, his servos clenching as his optics shined with determination.

"Jack, you know racing's against the rules. What if Optimus found out?" Raf reminded, placing his controller on the cushion next to him.

Race? I thought, my eyes narrowing as I stared at the teenage boy. Jack didn't seem to notice me as both he in Bumblebee sighed in disappointment.

"But Raf, he's got to get the girl," Miko insisted, coming to Jack's side. The boy's eyebrow lifted in confusion at her words, and Miko stepped toward him. "and beat the bully." Miko exasperatedly explained, leaning against Jack's shoulder. Raf's resolve started to fold as he adverted his gaze, his honey-brown eyes meeting the floor.

"Well... Okay then." The boy reluctantly agreed, his lips upturning as Jack and Bumblebee perked up, smiling. Just as Jack was about to celebrate, his eyes landed on mine, and he froze, my withering gaze piercing into him.

"I promise I can explain!" Jack started, his hands lifting defensively in front of him. I waved my hand for him to continue, and he adverted his eyes, his hand scratching the back of his neck. "Long story short, Vince challenged me to a rematch in front of Sierra, andI couldn't say no," Jack revealed, his hues looking back toward mine as much as I wanted to scold him and tell him not to do it.It wasn't my place too. I wasn't his mother, and if Raf was okay with it, I wasn't going to stop him.

"Where are you racing?" I began calmly, lifting myself off the couch as I moved toward him. Jack's hand lowered as his brows furrowed, obviously confused by my behavior.

"You're not going to stop me?" The boy inquired gently, brushing past my question. I shook my head and walked past him, rummaging through my backpack.

"I can't stop you from being an idiot," I answered, the black-haired teen cringing slightly at my blunt words. "But that doesn't mean I'm letting you go alone." I declared, pulling out the now crumpled cheer flyer from the bag's depths.

"What do you mean?" He wondered, watching me curiously as I stuffed the paper into my pocket. I sighed and turned back to the teenager, sliding a jacket over my shoulders.

"I mean. I am coming with you." I explained, his eyes followingme blankly as I made my way to the stairs. Once he processedwhat I had said, he immediately moved before me, shaking his head.

"It's too dangerous," Jack said, crossing his arms in front of him. "No way, am I letting you come."

* * * * * *

"I can't believe you talked me into letting you come," Jack mumbled, his eyes flickering nervously as we pulled into the street race. Bumblebee whirred in agreement, and I smirked, leaning back against the black leather seat.

"I told you I would," I responded, watching in awe as we slowly drove past the many cars surrounding us. "Anyways, without me, you wouldn't have known which street the race was gonna be on," I added, ignoring the steady rise of red on Jack's cheeks. The vehicle slowed to a stop, and the door opened, allowing me to hop onto the black asphalt. I straightened my jacket and turned back to Jack, surprised by the uneasiness on his face.

"Don't worry, Jack, I know you'll win," I assured, mistaking it as nervousness for the race. Jack seemed surprised at the sudden declaration before his gaze softened, a soft chuckle escaping him.

Did I say something funny?I wondered, tilting my head at his behavior. He seemed to notice my confusion and hurriedly tried to stifle his laughter behind the back of his hand.

"Thanks, Astra." He said, his attention being drawn forward at the growl of the engines at the starting line. He turned back to me, a conflicted look in his eye, before sighing. "Stay safe, won't you?" The black-haired boy pleaded, his blue eyes piercing into mine. I nodded, taking a few steps away from the car.

"Back at you," I remarked as the car door closed. Just before the car moved forward, our eyes met, both of us conveying our worry and faith in the other, and just like that, Jack and Bumblebee joined the other racers, leaving me standing alone.

He better win.I thought, watching from afar as Vince mentioned something to Jack.I shook my head, a small smile making its way to my lips.He will win.

"You came!" Before I could process the new voice, a set of arms wrapped around my torso, the force causing me to stumble. A group of girls surrounded us, and I let out a breath, now knowing who was currently attached to me like a baby koala.

"Hi, Sierra." I greeted blankly, discreetly pushing the girl's arms off me. Sierraseemed to get the hint and released me, giving me a full view of her beaming smile.

"The other girls thought you wouldn't show up, but I insisted you would! I'm glad I was right!" Sierra babbled, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. I wanted nothing more than to push the arm off, but I refrained myself from doing so. Instead, I forced my lips into a smile, throwing in a dry laugh to further convince the girl of my excitement to see her.

"I'm glad I didn't disappoint," I murmured, my hand clenching onto my necklace like a lifeline as she dragged me to the sidelines.

"I'm glad you didn't either." The girl added, her eyes flashing with an unsettling warningbefore reverting to her bubbly self. My smile faltered at the sudden personality change, and I barely registered her hand leaving my shoulder as she moved forward. I shook off my uneasiness, chalking it up to my imagination as I watched the girl move in front of the vehicles.

She must've volunteered to be the starter.I thought,cringingas she sent Jack a flirty wave, oblivious to the fuming redhead staring at her. Jack flushed when she did, and I rolled my eyes, my focus now moving to the other racers. They all looked to be pretty expensive cars, some of them seeming more illegal than others, but I wasn't concerned, knowing Bumblebee would be able to leave these bozos in the dust. Just as I was going to mark off the competition, a flash of red entered my vision, and I watched with new-found interest as a new racer pulled up.

The car seemed to be an Aston Martin, and by the looks of it, the vehicle appeared to be well-maintained, the shine of the finish practically blinding me. Even though it was a super nice car, that wasn't what drew me to the vehicle. Something about it seemed off, and I couldn't stop the warning bells from sounding in my mind as I continued to stare.Suddenly I blanched, my heart pounding against my ribs as I stared at the Aston Martin in horror.

There's no way.I thought, trying my best to subdue the panic that clawed its way up my throat. Radiating off of the car was the same energy I felt the day I met the Autobots. Energy I often felt at the base. It was almost as if I could feel it running through the car, the energy acting like veins full of blood.

He's one of them.My gaze shot to Jack's, and I waved my arms to get his attention, but I was too late. Sierra shot her hand to the ground, and the roaring vehicles flewforward, most of them leaving tire marks in their wake. I held my breath as I watched them go, the figures fading in the distance.

My fists clenched as the worry slithered up my spine, my gaze still lingering on the now-empty road. Every part of me hoped I was wrong, delusional in thinking that the Aston Martinwas a Decepticon. I mean, the "Energy" I felt wasn't real.

It couldn't be.I thought, my feet having a mind of their own as they started their way to the finish line. Whether or not I believed I could somehow "sense" energy, I knew Jack and Bumblebee were in danger, and no matter what,I had to make sure they were safe. I ignored the curses thrown at me as Ipushed past the crowd, and my speed quickened as my thoughts spiraled. A tall figure stood in my path, and I tried to maneuver my way around them but stopped when they moved in front of me. I tried to walk past them again, but they followed my movements, blocking my path.

"Can you move?" I growled, trying once again to walkpast the man. My attempt was futile as he moved in front of me once more, and I sighed in annoyance. "What's your problem?" I demanded,my eyes snapping to the man's face. My green hues met golden ones, and I faltered, my anger slowly disappearing. I didn't stop because the man was cute or becausehe looked to be around my age. I stopped because his eyes held a wave of concern, one that was so obviousI thought it was fake.

"Are you okay?" The man inquired, his deep voice snapping me out of my trance. "You seem to be in a panic." My anger slowly roseas the urgency of my situation returned, and my brows furrowed, my gaze set in a stern glare.

"I'm fine. I need you to move." I answered, not attempting to dull the bite in my voice. He shook his head, his hand running through the messy brown hair on his head.

"Are you sure? You can tell me if someone is harassing you." He informed, his amber hues glancing behind me as if looking for said "Harasser."

You're the only one harassing me.Once the stranger'seyes left my figure, I slid past him, not looking back as I shouted.

"I'm sure!" Even though the stranger's actions confused me, I pushed it down, The weird behavior was not at the top of my list of worries at the moment, and I only hoped the setback didn't take as much time as I thought. As I was weaving through the crowd, I had the sudden feeling someone was following me, and I looked over my shoulder, falteringwhen I saw "Golden eyes" right behind me.

"Why are you following me?" I said with simple directedness, my eyes narrowing in annoyance. Golden eyesgrinned, stuffing his hands in his sweatshirt, a blatant attempt to seem unthreatening.

"I can't just leave a frantic lady all alone. Especially in a place like this." He replied cheerfully, the ghost of a smirk rising on his lipsat the obvious irritation on my face. A scoff escaped me as I moved forward, trying my best to ignore his presence.

Maybe if I don't respond, he'll go away.I thoughthopefully, the hope disappearing when I heard a laugh escape him.

"You're awfully determined to get wherever you're going. Are you looking for someone?" He guessed, and I could onlyimagine the smirk on his face growing at my continued silence. "Though from the direction you're going, I'm guessing that you are heading to the finish line, and if that's the case, there is no way you'll make it before sunrise." He informed sassily. My feet stopped, and I whipped back toward him with obvious distaste.

"Okay, spit it out. What do you want from me?" I seethed, crossing my arms in front of me. Golden eyesseemed surprised by my hostility and quickly took a step back with a sheepish smile.

"I only want to help.I have a motorcycle, and I can drive you there." The stranger offered, pointing his finger toward a sleek black two-wheeler. My eyebrow arched at his offer, and I searched his eyes for any deception. He seemed to be honest, and even though he came off as creepy, nothing told me he was a pervert. But even so, the prospect of hopping on a random person's motorcycle made me uncomfortable. My mind drifted to the many serial killer cases I occasionally listened to, and I shivered.

But it's not like I have a choice. Either I go with "Golden eyes" or continue walking.I glanced at the darkened racetrack in front of me and let out a breath.There's no way I could get there in time if I walked.I turned back to the man in front of me and eyed him suspiciously before sighing, running a hand through caramellocks.

"What, you get a kick out of helping damsels in distress." I wondered, my voice less harsh than before. He seemed to lighten up from my words and smirked, guiding me to his vehicle.

"Something like that." Golden eyes said, a teasingtone sneaking its way into his voice. "The name's Nick." He revealed, grabbing his helmet and handing it to me.Nick hopped on his motorcycle, and with a flick of a wrist, the vehicle roared to life, his amber eyes turningto me as he shot me a comforting grin.I stared at the motorcycle helmet for a moment before slipping it over my head, the helmet quieting the world around me.

"Astra," I responded, sliding onto the grumbling motorcycle under me. "My name is Astra." I could almost feel Nick'ssmile as he kicked off the bike stand,the engine releasinga deafeninggrowl.

"Astra, you might want to hold on. It's going to be a bumpy ride." With that, we shot forward, and in fear of falling off, my hands quickly attached themselves to the backof his sweatshirt. I felt Nick's laugh instead of hearing it, and I couldn't help but shoot a glareat the back of his head.

Jerk.I thought, though, I didn't let go. In fact, when we hit a bump, I didn't hesitate to warp my arms tightly around his torso. I felt Nick stiffen under my touch, but I ignored it, my thoughts wandering back to Jack.Please be okay.I begged, my grip tightening as we sped down the track.

A few minutes passed before the finish line came into view, and I desperately searched for yellow and black in the sea of finished racers. My heart dropped when I couldn't find Bumblebee, which onlyworsened when the Aston Martin was nowhere in sight.

Great.I thought, loosening my grip as the motorcycle slowed, and once the vehicle stopped, I hopped off,hurriedly removingthe helmet from my head.

"Thanks for the ride," I said courteously, handing the helmet back to Nick. The boy flashed his pearly whites at me before starting his bike back up.

"No problem. I hope you find who you're looking for." Nick expressed, pulling the helmet over his light hair. "Hope to see you again, little damsel." He teased, making the bike rumble once more. My cheeks heated at the sudden nickname, and before I could yell at him, he was gone, his figure darting back down the track.

What a strange guy.My attention turned to the crowd, and I started forward, hoping the duo would be somewhere in the mob of people. I searched the whole area but found nothing, and my stress grew. My hand hovered over my pocket as I contemplated calling Miko. Even though I knew we would get into trouble for lying, I didn't care if that meant Jack and Bumblebee would stay safe.Just as my fingers wrapped around the object, my eyes caught flaming hues, and I stiffened as a familiar red-haired bully barreled his way to me.

"Keller, where is Darby,"Vince growled, his hand painfully grabbingonto my forearm. I didn't even have time to pull away as he dragged me closer to him, his face so close to mine that I could feel his breath brushing against my cheek. I grimaced as his hair tickled my nose, and I tried to step back but stopped when his grip tightened.

"I don't know." I disclosed, attempting to swallow my anger. I knew that I had to be smart. Vince was very aggressive and proud; if I snapped at him, I could end up in a fight. Not that I couldn't defend myself from him, but I didn't have the timeto teach the bully a lesson.

"Liar! I saw you with him earlier." He accused, the fire in his eyes still strong.

"Yeah, he brought me here but left me at the starting line. I'm trying to look for him as well." I explained through gritted teeth, relaxing slightly when his grip loosened. The anger in his green hues faltered as he stared at me, and he removed his hand from me. I sighed in relief as I rubbed my arm, my brows furrowing as it became sore to the touch.

That's going to bruise.I thought, taking a step away from the explosive teen. He noticed my movement, and his gaze hardened, quickly grabbingmy shoulder.

"Not so fast. You're going to help me find that quitter." Vince ordered, opening his car door.

Wait, what?Suddenly I flew to the side ontoleather seats, and before I knew it, a cardoor shut behind me, trapping me in the vehicle. I hurriedly tried pulling on the handle, but it didn't budge, the door unmoving. I groaned in annoyance and tried to climb out through the front seats, but Vince sat in the driver's seat and pushed me, and my back collided with the leather as the car rumbled to life. Without warning, Vince pressed the gas, andmy body shot forward, hitting the seat in front of me.

"Hang on, Keller." Vince sneered, pressing on the gas once more. I was expecting the sudden movement this time, and I steadied myself, not forgetting to send the ginger a harsh glare.

Did this kid kidnap me?I thought, my mind torn between strangling Vince or staying silent. After a moment of debate, I decided to remain quiet. Thoughnot without spewinga few curses under my breath.I figured that the boy wouldeventually find Jack and Bumblebee, and I knew I had no other way to get to them, so I suppressed my murderous urges and instead forced my gaze out the window.

I hope Jack and Bumblebee are okay.I thought, trying to keep myself balanced as the car swerved around a corner.I felt my phone slide out of my jacket, and I hurriedly reached for it before it decided to escape into the seat. As my hand gripped the phone, I thought of calling Jack, flicking the object open.Why didn't I think of this sooner?I scolded internally as I pressed his contact, bringing the black phone to my ear. My grip on my pants tightened as the ringing filled my ear, and dread filled me as it came to the last ring.

"Hey, it uh,Jack, leave a message at the beep."The device let out a small beep before it was silent, waiting to record my words. Instead of speaking, I closed the phone, stuffing the black objectinto my pocket in frustration.

"There he is," Vince growled, his knuckles turning white as he clenched the steering wheel. I barely processed what the ginger said before he slammed on the brakes, the tires screaming as he did. After I managed to steady myself, I glanced out the windshield and saw, to my relief, Bumblebee and Jack sitting underneath the bridge, only a few feet away from us.

They're okay!I didn't waste any time as I leaped out of the car, the redheadfollowing my lead. My heart felt lighter as I approached, and all my stress slowly faded out of my veins.That wasuntil my gaze met with Jack's. The boy's eyes were wide with fear as he watched us walk toward him, and I unknowingly stopped my movement, letting Vince walk right past me.

"Vince, you have to get out of here," Jack warned, his voice filled with panic."You win, okay.Congratulations. Now go!" Vince ignored his words, moving closer as he slammed his hands against the Autobots hood.

"No, start itback up, loser. We are finishing this race!"Vince demanded, his fists clenched as his murderous stare pierced into Jack. As Vince became more frustrated, I moved closer, fully prepared to take down the bully if he tried to doanything to my friend. Just as I was going to butt in, afamiliar feeling filled my chest, and the sudden overwhelming urge to look up filled me to my core. Following my instincts, my attention moved upward, and I froze, my blood running cold from the sight.

Abovewas a giant hand, the clawed fingertips reaching ominously down toward us. My heart stopped when I realized it was coming for Vince; the rambling boy was too caught up in his anger to notice, and before I even knew what I was doing, my legs weremovingfor me."Don't want to take it to the finish line? Fine. Then we have something to settle right here, right now-" Vince wasn't able to finish before I collided intohim, the boy flying to the side as I took his place.

I heard Jack yell my name as metal fingers squeezed around my torso, and before I could register the pain, I wasflung into the air. A scream escaped my throat at the sudden movement, and my stomach dropped as the feeling of falling took root. Metal sliding on metal filled the night, and instead of hitting solid concrete, I hit something soft. I grunted as I collided with the leather and tried to lift myself, but something wrapped around my body, holdingme against the seat. My heart pounded furiously as Istruggled against my restraints, but no matter what I did, the seatbelts didn't budge.

I'm trapped.I thought, trying to slow thefrantic breaths that tore at my lungs.

"Not the intended target, but this fleshy should work." A male voice concluded, the glovebox opening as a weird-looking taser moved in front of me. I squirmed as it approached and tried to move my head, but it didn't work, the device zapping me. Electricity moved through my body, but surprisingly it didn't hurt. If anything, it just felt... unnatural."Hmm, that should've knocked it out." The Decepticonmuttered, the object lifting to my face once more. "I'll just raise the voltage." He sneered, his voice holding an unhinged glee.

"Wait-" My sentence stopped as electricity filled me once more.And this time, I couldn't fight the darkness that welcomed me with open arms.

* * * * * *

My consciousness returned with a dull pain underlying my body's numbness, and I was envelopedin the smell of metal. Even before I open my eyes, I know I am not home. The air is heavy and cold, pressing against my skin like a sheet.

Where am I? Did the Decepticonscapture me?When I do decide to open my eyes, my vision is sleep-blurred and untrustworthy as I fight the fuzzy black edges that threaten to consume me. All I see are moving shades of light and dark before my vision clears further, revealing blobs of color. I try to rub the sleep-fogging vision with my hand, and while I do, one of the blobs speaks.

"Astra, are you alright?" I immediately recognized the voice, and when my hand moved from my face,a pair of worried optics entered my vision.I let out a breathof relief before sitting up, groaning slightly as I did.

"I'm okay, Optimus," I answered, sliding my legs over the side of the hospital gurney."Just a little sore," I added, wincing as I stretched my leg out. I was about to touch my leg to the ground when a giant digit stopped me, pushing me back up on the gurney. Tilting my head up to the perpetrator, I was surprised to see Ratchet, his optics holding a mix of concern and relief.

"Stay still. I'm going to scan you for any potential injuries." Ratchet directed hisarm plate lifting. I did what he asked as a green light washed over me, only moving when he nodded. "It looks like you don't have any sustaining injuries, and you're brain seems to have no residual damage." The medic said, a note of relief finding its way into his voice. An amused smile lifted my lips at his obvious worry, and he scoffed, turning his head away from me.

I knew he cared.I thought as my foot touched the floor beneath me. I didn't have any trouble as I stood, and when I was sure nothing was wrong with me, I stole a glance around me. My brows furrowed when I didn't see the other kids, and I turned back tothe Mechs.

"What happened?" I wondered, also noticing the absence of their Autobot guardians. "Where is everyone?"

"What happened?" Ratchet repeated his optics hardening."What happened was that you and Jack were careless,and because of that, you managed to get yourself captured by Knockout. Do you know how bad it could've been? You could've been tortured for information or, even worse, killed!" The mech snapped, his digit pointing accusingly at me. I cringed at his tone, my hand wrapping around my necklace in comfort.

"I'm sorry. It was wrong of me to disobey Optimus and keep things from you guys." I admitted, my eyes focusing on the ground. "I understand what could've happened to me. But..." My brows scrunched before looking up at the two Bots; my fist clenched in determination. "But I don't regret pushing Vince out of the way. He may be a jerk and a bully, but that doesn't mean he deserves to be taken for something he knows nothing about. I won't apologize for that." I confessed, trying my best not to advert my eyes from the surprised optics in front of me.The older bot tensed; his mouth opened to say something when he stopped. Ratchet'sgaze softened slightly whenthe Prime put a hand on his shoulder, and the medic sighed, releasingthe tension in his back.

"You humans. So troublesome."Ratchet grumbled, the annoyance not quite reaching his eyes.

"What about Vince? He's probably freaking out right now." I murmured. I still remember how I reacted to seeing a Decepticon for the first time, and a part of me felt bad for what the redhead could be dealing with. If he knew about the Decepticons, we would soon have another human in base. Optimus released his grip on Ratchet's shoulder, his blue optics meeting my gaze.

"Vince doesn't know about our existence. Jack convinced the boythat other human street racers knocked him out." The Prime explained, leaning toward me. I let out a breath of relief and smiled once morebefore my expression dropped, the sense of dread forming in my stomach. Going into my pocket, I pulled out my phone and stole a glance at the time.

Scrap.I thought, my fists clenched as I realized I was way past my curfew, andit worsened when I saw all the missed call notifications on my flip phone.

"I need to go home,"I informed, trying my best to keep the rising panic out of my voice. "It's way past my curfew, and my mom's probably worried sick." The last part faded into a mumble as guilt slithered up my spine. Optimus Prime nodded, a slight hum leaving him.

"I'll take you as I am going to be your guardian from now on." He said casually, shifting into his vehicle form.

"Makes sense," I replied simply as I started walking down the stairs. When I reached the bottom step, I froze, his words processing in my brain. "Wait. Did you say you were my guardian?" I questioned, taking a step toward the Prime.

"Yes." He answered, his truck door swinging open. Istared at the Semi Truckin disbelief, my mouth opening and closing as I tried to spit out the words that seemed stuck in my throat.

"What about your responsibilities?" I protested, spitting out the first question that came to mind.

"My main priority is to keep you, and all other humans, safe. Due to the events that happened tonight, I'm certain the Decepticons now know your face, and as such, precautions need to be taken." Optimus explained, his tone leaving no room for discussion. My guilt increased tenfold, and I fiddled with white crystal in thought. If I hadn't gone tonight or tried harder to convince Jack not to go, then maybe Optimus wouldn't be going out of his way to protect me.

It's all your fault.A small voice whispered, and my grip tightened on the necklace. With a slight shake of myhead, I dispelled the thoughts, forcing my feet to move to the awaiting Prime.Move on and Move forward.I thought as I pushed myself up into the passenger seat inside Optimus.You can't change the past. I have to be better for the future.I hadn't noticed the seatbelt sliding around me or when he started moving as my thoughts overtook me. Even though I felt guilt for how the situation played out, I couldn't help but feel a different emotion rising inside me, and deep down, I knew that today was only the start of the adventure that waited forme.

Chapter 5: Nightmares and Bullies

Chapter Text

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘭𝘦𝘥, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘶𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘳, 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘵𝘩. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥'𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘬𝘦, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮. 𝘈 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭'𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘳, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘶𝘥𝘥𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥, 𝘢𝘭𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘧 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮. 𝘚𝘶𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘧 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥, 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘴𝘰𝘧𝘵 𝘭𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥'𝘴 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘥𝘴 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘺. 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘦, 𝘯𝘰 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦, 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘯𝘶𝘨𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳'𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘴 𝘧𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳.

"𝘔𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘺?" 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘵, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭'𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘧𝘵 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘶𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘨. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭.

"𝘠𝘦𝘴, 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘦?" 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥, 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘺. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦, 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳.

"𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘋𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦? 𝘏𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘣𝘺 𝘯𝘰𝘸." 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘬. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘯𝘰 𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘢 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘢 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘬.

"𝘏𝘦'𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘰𝘯, 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘺." 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥, 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘰𝘧𝘵 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭'𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘴. 𝘐𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳'𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦, 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘤 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘵. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘸𝘢𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘺.

"𝘏𝘦 𝘶𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘳." 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘩𝘶𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘩𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘭𝘦𝘥, 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘺.

"𝘏𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬." 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯. 𝘏𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭'𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘴 𝘱𝘶𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘨𝘪𝘨𝘨𝘭𝘦.

"𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘰 𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘶𝘴!" 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘸𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥, 𝘢 𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘺𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴. 𝘚𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘩𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘦𝘥, 𝘣𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦.

"𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘴 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦." 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘥, 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘴𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳. "𝘏𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘢 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦. 𝘛𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦." 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘸𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦.

"𝘋𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘺'𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘰!" 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘥, 𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘴𝘰𝘧𝘵 𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦, 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.

"𝘠𝘦𝘢𝘩, 𝘩𝘦'𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘰." 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘩𝘶𝘨, 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘴 𝘸𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘧 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘳. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴, 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘶𝘨𝘪𝘯 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘵𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘸𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦. 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘵 𝘶𝘱 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳'𝘴 𝘭𝘢𝘱 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘰𝘳, 𝘴𝘭𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘳. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘢 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘪𝘵.

"𝘋𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘺!" 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘥, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘫𝘰𝘺 𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘭, 𝘮𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 6'2, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘶𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘺, 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘥𝘢𝘺. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴, 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘢 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦.

𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘳, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯, 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘳𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘮, 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥, 𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥. 𝘚𝘵𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥, 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘱𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴. 𝘏𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.

"𝘋𝘢𝘥!" 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘵, 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘳, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘯𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭, 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘴 𝘸𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱. 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦, 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥, 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘭𝘪𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘥. 𝘐𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘣𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘳, 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘪𝘵, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥, 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘵. 𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘩𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘤𝘢𝘷𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘧𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘶𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘶𝘳𝘬𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴.

𝘏𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱,𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘴 𝘴𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦, 𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘶𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘻𝘦. 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘴 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘸 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳, 𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬. 𝘊𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯. 𝘎𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘴 𝘧𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘥. 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘸𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘺 𝘭𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘏𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥, 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘳.

"𝘏𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘰?" 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥, 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘪𝘴𝘦. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘦. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘰 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘢 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳. 𝘚𝘶𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵.

"𝘈𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢." 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘢 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘫𝘰𝘭𝘵𝘦𝘥, 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦. 𝘏𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘻𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘢𝘸 𝘢 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘥, 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭'𝘴𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘐𝘯 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘪𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘳, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘶𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘧 𝘵𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘦. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘧 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘳. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦. 𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘥, 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳, 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧𝘢 𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭. 𝘔𝘦𝘴𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘳, 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘴, 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵. 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘱𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘮𝘰𝘰𝘵𝘩, 𝘤𝘰𝘰𝘭 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦, 𝘢 𝘫𝘰𝘭𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘺 𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘤𝘬.

"𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵 𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘦 𝘪𝘵." 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘬 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘵. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘣 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘣𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘸. 𝘏𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘧. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘦.

𝘉𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘮𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯'𝘴 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘸, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘭. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘴𝘯𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴' 𝘷𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥, 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘗𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘤 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘸𝘦𝘥 𝘶𝘱 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘴 𝘸𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘣𝘴, 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘥 𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳. 𝘐𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘱𝘶𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘳𝘢𝘯 𝘶𝘱 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘯𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘵. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘥, 𝘪𝘯𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘭𝘪𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘥. 𝘍𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺, 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘣𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘳𝘮, 𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘺, 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘣𝘢𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘴. 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘵, 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳.

My eyes snap open, and darkness consumes me. Cold pinpricks of fear rush up my body, and I squirm, trying to throw off the pressure around me, and surprisingly I escape easily. I realize I can breathe again and take the time to do so, greedily inhaling the air around me. I remember the crystal and hurriedly grab onto it, almost bursting into grateful tears when it was still there in one piece. When I feel I've gotten enough oxygen, I finally look at my surroundings, my heart pounding. A sigh of relief escaped me when I recognized the room, and my cheeks heated when I saw my blankets in a scattered pile near my door.

It was a dream.CautiouslyI force myself out of bed, shivering when the soles of my feet touch the cold floor. My mouth is dry, my tongue sticking to the roof of my mouth, and the urge to alleviate it with water fillsme. With a rub of my eyes, I glanced at the alarm clock, groaning when I noticed the alarm was about to go off.I wouldn't have been able to fall back asleep anyways.I thought, hitting the top of the device. Shuffling out my door, I found myself moving to the bathroom, but I stopped just before I made it into the room.

What if I saw something different in the mirror?

Swallowing my saliva, I push myself forward, stumbling into the bathroom. Slowly I look into the mirror, expecting glowing white eyes to stare back at me. But there was nothing,nothing except my raggedy self fearfully looking back. The sun shines bright through the window, washing away the lingering sense of horror, and I laugh, the sound not having too much humor.

"I'm going crazy," I murmured, reaching for my toothbrush. From sensing the energy and quick healing to these horrifyingdreams, I couldn't help but feel like something weird was happening. Something not wholly natural. Of course, I hadn't told anyone about the energy. If I did, I would be sent on a one-way train to an insane asylum, and the last thing I wanted was to be a confirmed crazy person.

Not like any of it is real, anyways.I reminded myself, spitting out the toothpaste in my mouth. The energy was nothing more than a figment of my imagination, and the quick healing was the burn cream. Even though the facts made sense, I couldn't help but doubt myself, and nothing wasmore terrifying than the thought that I couldn't trust my mind anymore.

The rest of my morning routine felt like a blur as I got myself ready, and by the time Ifinished, I still looked frazzled. I pulled at the bags underneath my eyes and sighed, pulling out concealer from my desk. The bags were gone with a quick swipe and a pat, and I almost looked normal. I forced a beaming smile onto my face and nodded, heading downstairs.

I didn't hear the sounds of dishes clattering or smell my mother's mouth-watering foods, and I figured she was either not home or wasn't awake. I guessed she had to leave early for work again, considering I couldn't remember the last time I woke up before she did. My thoughts were confirmed when I saw a note on the kitchen counter, and I swiped it up, quickly reading it.

I won't be home until Midnight tonight, so I won't be able to make dinner. There's leftover spaghetti in the fridge and some money if you want pizza. Make sure to be safe at yourrobotics club, and text me when you get back home!

Placing the letter back on the counter, I checked the fridge, and when I saw said rubber-made container, I shut the door in content. It wasn't unusual for Mom to be gone for work. Sometimes it was a day, and sometimes it was a week when she had to travel.

I always questioned why I had so many babysitters when I was younger. But as I grew older, I realized how taxing her job could be, and I never asked her again. Even when she came home battered and exhausted or when she would hole up in her room all day. I stayed silent, knowing she was working so hard for me so that I could live in comfort. Just as I was going to grab a box of cereal from the pantry, a sharp honk sounded from outside.

Is Bumblebeealready here?I thought, glancing at the clock on the wall.I must've taken more time than I thought to get ready.Instead of cereal,I swiftly swiped a granolabar and slid on my shoes. In one smooth motion, I flung my backpack on, opened the door, and stuffed the bar into my mouth. The chocolatey taste filled my mouth, and I waved at the gleaming yellow and black car, the vehicle responding with the flash of his lights.

"Good morning Astra." Raf greeted me as I slid into the backseat. Bumblebee beeped (which I took as a greeting) and then moved forward, driving us to the school. Raf and Bumblebee started talking, and I quickly blocked it out, my thoughts moving to the Nightmare I had. I gulped as I remembered the feeling of liquid going down my throat, and I had the sudden urge to down a bottle of water.

What could the dream mean?I thought as I watched the various buildings fly past us. Raf's quiet laugh drew me back into the car, and the ghost of a smile tugged at my lips.It doesn't matter. It was nothing but a nightmare. Nightmares don't have meanings.As Bumblebee and Raf continued talking, I tried to follow their conversation, but it was useless. It was common for me to be lost while they conversed.

Being invested in a conversation was hard when you could only hear one part. While most people would feel sad about being left out. I never held it against them. I understood they had a special connection that most people would kill for. If anything, it was endearing, and it would always brighten my day when I heard them speak.

I wish I had that with Optimus.The frown returned, and I shook my head, annoyed. I knew it was unfair of me to think that. It was hardly suitable to compare my couple of days with the other's kid's months of interaction with their guardians. Even if it had been months, I shouldn't be surprised. Optimus deals with a lot, and I couldn't even imagine what type of stress and responsibility he deals with daily. Even after I reminded myself of these facts, the feeling still lingered, and my frustration with myself grew.

"Are you okay?" A voice inquired, breaking me from my thoughts. Raf was facing me. His body turned around in his seat as he stared at me with those concerned doe eyes.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I answered quickly, my hand reaching for my necklace. "Why do you ask?" I wondered, tilting my head slightly. He stared at me doubtfully before sending me a pitiful smile.

"Well, we are at the school, and you didn't respond to me when I said your name," Raf explained, stepping out when Bumblebee opened the door for him. My cheeks heated when the Autobot chirped, seeming to agree with the smaller boy. The car door swung open, and I slid out, giving the Bot an embarrassed "Thank you" as I left. We both waved as the car drove off, the vehicle probably on its way to the base. When we could no longer see the Autobot, we turned around, facing the prison. I took a few steps forward with a tired sigh, already dreading the boring lectures.

"What were you thinking about?" Raf wondered, breaking the silence. I stumbled from the unexpected question before straightening myself out, hoping he didn't notice my slip-up.

"What do you mean?" I nervously replied, sweatdropping when the boy's eyebrow arched.

"You know what I mean. You seem... out of it." Raf explained, adjusting the backpack on his back. I stared at him for a moment before I sighed, running my fingers through my hair.

"Am I that obvious?" I muttered, talking to myself more than the boy next to me. He nodded, an amused smile tugging at his lips.

"Yeah, it kinda is. Especially since you're a terrible liar." I lifted an eyebrow athis words, and he shot me an almost apologetic look. "Every time you lie, you grab your necklace." The brown-haired boy explained. I paused, my mouth hanging open at his words. I often forgot how intelligent and observant Raf tended to be, but even then, I was surprised he noticed. He barely even knew me for three weeks and had already picked up on my terrible habit. Even some of my friends from Montana, whom I've known for years, never knew about it.

"It's creepy how observant you are," I said, trying my best to change the subject. Raf smirked, his brown hues meeting my green ones.

"Now you are trying to distract me so you can avoid answering." The boy informed, pushing through the front doors of the building. My chest rumbled as a chuckle escaped me, and I quickly followed after him.

Should I tell him about my Nightmare?I thought, glancing down at the boy next to me. I quickly dismissed the thought. I didn't want Raf to start worrying about me, and if I told him about the Nightmare, I would have to tell him things about my dad.And I'm not ready to share that with anyone yet.If I did, it would mean I accepted what had happened and lost hope.Something I promised myself I would never do.Raf turned his head to look at me, and his expression softened, a guilty look flashing across his face.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." The younger boy apologized, fidgetingwith theblocky glasses on his face. My chest warmed at his words, and my hand moved to his shoulder, stopping him in his tracks.

"No worries, Raf. You didn't make me uncomfortable, even though I'm not yet readyto share. I appreciate the concern." I said, my voice soft with affection. He seemed to brighten at my words and shot me a grin, and I couldn't help but return it.

"Hey, Brainiac!I need to have a little chat with you." A voice yelled, the sound wiping the smile off Raf's face. The boy's eyes darted behind me and widened, full of fear.I turned on my heel, suppressing a groan when a familiar head of orangehair came into view.

"What do you want, Vince," I asked calmly, instinctivelymovingin front of Raf, blocking him from the bully's sight. Vince's eyes narrowed in annoyance, and he triedto move around me, but I stopped him.

"I suggest you move out of the way, Keller," Vince warned, his fists clenching. I shook my head, my gaze hardening.

"What do you want," I repeated, crossing my arms in front of me. Our eyes clashed, and I didn't notice the halls becoming quiet the longer we stared at each other. After a moment, he adverted his gaze, his eyes moving to the boy behind me.

"Brainiac has something for me. Isn't that right?" Vince leered, a smirk pulling at his lips. I looked over my shoulder at Raf, and my heart broke at the sight. The boy was trembling, his hands clenching his backpack like a lifelineas his eyes wavered under Vince's stare. A flare of anger rose in my chest, and I whipped my head back to the redhead.

"Raf doesn't need to give you anything, Vince," I growled, taking a step toward the bully. "So leave him alone." Vince's smirk lowered from his lips as his brows furrowed, his eyes sparking in anger.

"Who do you think you are? You act brave 'cause you're new, but you're a nobody, Keller." The bully sneered, his face leaning closer to mine. I resisted the urge to move away from him as his breath fanned across my face, and I swallowed the words I wanted to spit out. I knew he wanted to get a rise out of me, and I wasn't going to let that happen. "So move unless you want to get punched." He threatened, his eyes flaming as if daring me to stand up to him. I scoffed, an amusedsmirk rising on my lips.

"You think you can intimidate me? I could care less what you think of me, Vince." I retorted, taking a step forward. He unconsciouslytook a step back to create distance, realizing too late what it had looked like to others. "I'm not looking for a fight, but if you mess with Raf ever again, I will give you one." I declared, my smile dropping. My usually warm gaze turnedcold, and the bully visibly flinched from the sudden change. Vince's green hues glanced around us,his eyes widening when he noticed the silent crowd watching us with bated breaths. I could tell his resolve was wavering, but with one last look at the crowd, it came back. His eyes flashed, and I watched as his armraised. I stiffened slightly, my body moving to deflect, when a voice stopped us.

"Hey! What's going on over here?" A male teacher yelled, his figure pushing past the mob of students. Vince shot me one last lookbefore stepping away, plastering a strained smile on his face.

"Nothing teach, just having a friendly conversation with the newbie." The redhead informed, shooting me a side glare. I eagerly returned it, nodding slightly.

"Yeah, Vince here was just about to leave," I added, sending the bully a sickly sweet grin. Hiseye twitched, but Vincetook a few more steps back, knowing he had to play the part toconvince the teacher. The adult seemed unconvinced but sighed, obviously too tired to deal with teenage nonsense.

"Everyone, head to class unless you want detention!" The teacher stated, facing the crowd. The students quickly departed, not without grumbling about wanting to see a fight. Once the mob was gone, the teacher left, leaving me with the bully.

"You better watch yourself from now on, Keller." Vince glowered, his shoulder colliding with mine as he walked past me. I didn't say anything, only glaring at the back of his head as he stomped to class. Once his frame went out of view, I turned my attention to the boy behind me, my gaze softening almost immediately.

"Are you okay?" Raf asked meekly, his eyes not meeting my gaze. A breath escaped me as I shook my head in disbelief, wondering how such a sweet kid could exist.

"I should be asking you that," I muttered, tapping the boy's nosehoping he would look at me. My plan worked, his innocent hues shamefully looking into mine. "What did he want from you?" I wondered. He sighed, shuffling uncomfortably under my stare.

"He wanted the homework I did for him," Rafanswered, his voice no louder than a whisper. My teeth gritted, my anger flaring once more as the implications ran across my mind.

"How long has he been bothering you?" I inquired softly, almost dreading the response. Raf was silent, his eyes becoming wet the more he thought about it.

"Ever since I joined high school." My eyes widened in shock, andhis honey-brown hues suddenly found interest in the tiles below us. I had figured that Vince had most likely bullied him before, but I didn't think it's been happening that long. Even though I wanted nothing more than to run after Vince and beat him to the ground, I did my best to suppress it, knowing Rafprobably didn't want or need that right now.

Why didn't anyone help him? I'm sure Jack or Miko would've done something by now.My thoughts stopped, and the frown on my face went lower.

"You haven't told Miko or Jack." It wasn't a question. I was sure that if they had known.Miko would've punched the kid by now, and the guilty look on Raf's face only confirmed my thoughts. "Why haven't you?" I wondered.

"Vince is my problem, not theirs. They don't need to get involved." Raf replied, his words sounding less confident than he wanted them to be.

"If he's messing with you, it becomes their problem," I argued, placing my hands on his shoulders. I wanted him to look at me so he knew he wasn't alone and didn't have to go through this all by himself. "You and I both know those two would do anything for you, whether it be defending you from a bully or helping you run from Decepticons." His eyes filled with moisture, but I didn't stop, a determined smile rising on my lips.

"We are a team now, Raf, and as your teammate, you can rely on me whenever you need it. Even if it is just as simple as needing someone to be there for you." I said, removing my hands from the boy.Before I could say anything more, his arms wrapped around my torso, his face burrowing into my neck. I hurriedly returned the gesture, rubbing comforting circles on his back.

"Thank you, Astra," Raf whispered, tightening his grip on my shirt.

"I should be thanking you. I needed an excuseto punch Vince in the face and finally found one." I joked, grinning, when I felt Raf's chest vibrate with laughter. I couldn't help but join him as he pulled away, and my heart warmed when I saw his smile return. His expression became serious when our giggles died, and his fists clenched in determination.

"I will tell them eventually." The spiky-haired boy promised, his eyes gleaming.

"I know you will," I replied, patting the smaller boy on the head. He shot me a playful glare and swiped at my hands, making me smile. Before I could say anything else, a sharp bell interrupted me, and my face paled.

"Scrap. I have to get to class before I get a week's worth of detention." I cursed, already taking a few panicky steps away from Raf. My class was across the school, and I doubted I could make it on time. "I'll talk to you after school!" I promised, now full-on sprinting to my class. I barely heard Raf's goodbye or the giggles that sounded after me as I slid out of view, and when I finally made it to the class, my teacher's annoyedface greeted me.

"You wouldn't happen to be willing to ignore my tardiness, would you?" I inquired sheepishly, throwing in an awkward grin. Her expression was unchanging as she glared at me, and I gulped. "I'm taking that as a no,"

"Detention after school, Ms. Keller." The teacher announced, turning away from me and restarting her lesson. I sighed, ignoring the judging stares I got as I shuffled to my desk in defeat.

"That was definitelya no."

* * * * * *

As the hour draws nearer, the heat in the classroom becomes less bearable, and I suppress the groan from escaping. Since mostly everyone was out of the school, they turned off the air-conditioning. While many think it's a way for the school to save money, I thought it was a deterrent so kidswouldn't want to get detention, and if that was the case, it was working. I never wanted to stay after school in this classroom everagain, and I didn't know how Miko was able to do this time and time again.

Detention was worse than what Miko made it out to be, and she sworethe heat was the worst part. I disagreed. The boredom was the worst. I didn't have any late assignments or homework in general, so the only thing I was left with was my thoughts. I usually wouldn't mind the silence or the time to think, but today I didn't want specific images to linger. The events from my Nightmarereplayed in my head, and I shivered despite the heat.

It's just a Nightmare, and Nightmares can't hurt you.I reminded myself, my hand clenching my arm in comfort. I glanced at the clock for the thousandth time and almost screamed in joy when there was only one more minute left of detention. My attention was glued onto the small device, and I tensed expectedly when I heard each click of the moving hands. After what seemed like the longest minute of my life, the clock hit four, and I wasted no time lifting myself from my seat.

As I dug through my backpack pocket, I burst through the front doors, relishing the fresh air that brushed against my cheeks. I only pulled my hand from the depths of the backpack when my hand curled around a rectangular shape. Black flip phone in hand, I practically skipped down the steps, dialing Miko's number from memory, and the phone only rang once before a cheery voice picked up.

"It looks like you survived your first detention! How do you feel?"Miko greeted cheerfully.I laughed, shaking my head even though I knew she couldn't see it.

"I don't know how you manage to do it, Miko. I think my respect for you has raised a couple of notches." I admitted, a smile pulling on my lips as I walked toward the sidewalk. I heard her snort and could practically feel her roll her eyes from here.

"I think you get impressed too easily."The girl paused for a moment before continuing. "But I'mamazing so your respect is only natural."I grinned, and I could hear her chuckle from the other side.

"Anyways, I need someone to pick me up," I said,searching the area around me. I suddenly felt a pulseof electricity run through me, and I stiffened. It was the same sort of thing I sometimes felt when I was near the Autobots, and that should've comforted me, but I couldn't helpbut remember that I felt the same way around Knockout."Is one of the Bots already here?" I wondered cautiously, my heart thumping as I waited for Miko's response.

"Yeah, Optimus is waiting nearby. How did you know?"Miko inquired. My gut unclenched as relief filled me, and I smiled in embarrassment when I saw a familiar vehicle across the street.

"I see him. I'll talk to you at the base." When I heard her say goodbye, I snapped my phone shut, already moving toward the Prime. I gulped down any nerves I felt as I got closer to the semi-truck and forced myself to look calm. It wasn't like I was afraid of Optimus, but I wasn't quite used to him being my guardian.

In fact, it's only been a couple of days since he declared himself as such, and so far, nothing has changed in my schedule. I still was picked up and dropped off by the other Autobots (Most of the time, it being Bumblebee),so it was a surprise to see the Prime waiting for me at school. Once I got close enough to the vehicle, the door swung open, and I hurriedlyslid in.

"Hello, Astra." Optimus greeted politely, the door closing behind me. "How was school?" I gently set my backpack on the floor before me and shuffled in my seat awkwardly before responding.

"It was... good, other than getting detention, of course,"I answered as I got myself buckled, and once I did, Optimus pulled forward, moving to the road.

"Detentionis a type of punishment?" Optimus asked. Though it didn't seem as if it was worded as a question, more like he was confirming something he already knew. I nodded in answer, unsure if he could see me. Apparently,he could because he was silent for a moment before asking, "What did you do to earn this detention?"His tone not unlike that of a disappointed parent. Vince's words from earlier today swirled in my mind, and my grip on the seatbelt tightened, my lips forming into a flat line.

"I was late to class," I answered dryly, adverting my gaze from the Autobot symbol on the steering wheel.

"I see," Optimus said, a hint of skepticism in his voice. I gulped slightly, hoping that he would move on from the subject, and thankfully my prayers were answered. "Will you need to be escorted home at 7:00 today?" My grip on the seatbelt released, and I shook my head.

"No, not today. My mother is working late at the hospital, so I can go home with Raf tonight." Optimus hummed in response, and then it fell silent, only the sounds of the road filling my ears. The silence wasn't awkward, but it wasn't comfortable either. Unanswered questions seemed to linger in the air, but I wasn't brave enough to point them out, so I shut my mouth instead.My gaze went outside the window, and I lazily watched the rocks and sand fly past, my thoughts wandering.

"Can I ask you a personal question, Astra?" Optimus's deep voice rumbled, pulling me back into the car. I tilted my head in confusion before saying a quick "sure," gesturing for him to continue. "Why is your curfew earlier than the others?" I froze at the question, my hand immediately clenching the crystal around my neck. My mind was like a pendulum clock, fighting between staying silent and telling him. It wasn't a terrible reason, but I didn't want him to think of me differently. I shuddered when I remembered the pity that constantly flashed in someone's eyes whenever I told them, and I hated how it never seemed to leave after I did.

It's not like I can see his eyes right now, and the longer Istay silent, the more suspicious it looks.With that in mind, I sighed, the tension in my body releasing.

"Six years ago, a month after my tenth Birthday, my father..." I paused, my eyes lowering to my lap. "My Fatherdidn't come home." Optimus didn't say anything, allowing me to collect my thoughts. "My mom and I waited in the living room for him like we did every night." I smiled slightly, the memories of me running into his arms when he finally got home filling my brain.

"We knew he would come home later, so we didn't worry when an hour passed. But one hour became two, then three, then four." I closed my eyes, taking a breath as the feelings and emotions from long ago returned. "By the next morning, my Mom had called the cops, reporting him missing. Even though the cops searched everywhere, he was nowhere to be found. The only hint of what happened to him was his car, which was still running in the parking lot outside his work." I felt the hot tears threatening to fall, and I wiped my face with my sleeve. "After that, I promised myself I would never let my mom wait for me as she did with him, and it's been an unspoken rule ever since." I finished. The heavy silence that followed made it harder to breathe, and I let in a shuddering breath. "It's silly, I know-"

"It's not." The Prime interrupted, and I looked up. "I'm sorry for your loss. It's never easy to lose someone close to you." His voice held a hint of pain, and my gaze softened. I didn't know how many friends and family Optimus had lost due to the war, but I felt it was more than I could fathom.

"What was your father's occupation?" Optimus asked, the rear-view mirror tilting toward me. I smiled, my gaze distant.

"He was a soldier in the Military. Or, as my mom used to say, "A hero." A thoughtful hum left Optimus, his steering wheel turning as he took a right.

"He sounds like a good man."

"He was." I agreed, fondly brushing my fingertips against the white crystal. The rest of the way, I told Optimus stories about my father, and although the Autobot didn't say much, I could tell he was listening, truly listening. It wasn't long before I had fully relaxed, the Nightmarefrom earlier completely forgotten.As the rocky mountain came into view, a tiny ping of disappointment sparked in my chest. But at the same time, I wascontent.Just as the rockopened, exposing the hidden tunnel, Optimus spoke.

"I enjoyed talking with you, Astra. It was..." He paused as if trying to find the right word. "Relaxing." He finished. I smiled softly, staring into the Autobot symbol on the steering wheel.

"It was relaxing for me as well." Optimus made it to the main hangar and stopped, waiting for me to get out. As I reached for the handle, I hesitated, returning to the mirror. "We should do it again," I added, and with that, I pushed the door open and hopped out. Once I was a safe distance away, the familiar sounds of metal rubbing against each other filled the room, and Optimus blue optics stared down at me.

"I would like that." The mech agreed the ghost of a smile on his lips. I grinned at the unspoken promise, and blue clashed with green as we stared at each other.

"Optimus," Ratchet called out, and both of us turned to him. The medic beckoned the Prime over, and he followed, shooting me one last glance before he did. As I made my way over to the human area,I couldn't stop the warm feeling from bubbling in my chest, and when my eyes landed on Optimus's, I smiled.

Chapter 6: Help Wanted

Chapter Text

On the screen, the actor is stoic underneath hisfedora hat. The only movement is the curling smoke from the barrel of his gun, the body in front of him coldand unmoving. The woman watching looks up at him through thick mascara, her eyes wide as she staresat the scene. Her brunette curls tumble down to her low-cut neckline, and if looks could kill, the guy would be dead on the concrete alley.

With the killer's mouth still a grim slash, his eyes unmoving, he lowers the gun. The woman's shock was replaced with horror, and a strangledscream escaped her lips. Hot tears cascaded her face in waves, leaving mascara streaks on her cheeks. She wants to look away from her brother's corpse, but she can't, and the woman looks as if she is going to puke. The man's brilliant yellow hues turned to his fiance, and his once warm eyes were full of unbridledhate.

"I can't believe you thought I loved you." He spat, his gaze dark.

I was engrossed in the film, barely noticing the chip that failed to make it into my slack-jawed mouth. Just as the woman was going to open her mouth, a commercial popped up, breaking the suspense inthe air. I groaned in annoyance, throwing the pillow I was holding at the small T.V. Raf snorted from beside me at my behavior, and I shot him a childish glare, throwing the other pillow at him.

"The movie will come back on in a little bit Astra." Raf reminded, still laughing as he removed the pillow from his face. I sighed, slumping againstthe couch.

"Yeah, but it was the best part! It should be illegal to do that." I mumbled, blowing a strand of hair away from my face. He only grinned, shaking his head. Just as Raf was going to say something, Miko's loud voice interrupted us. Our attention turned to the girl as she leaned over the railing, Bulkhead standing in front of her.

"Bulkhead, can I come with?" Miko begged, her voice filled with anticipation. On this Saturday morning, the Autobots had gotten an Energon signal a few moments earlier, and the Bots couldn't pass up the chance to investigate. Usually, they wouldn't be so reckless, but due to their own stash becoming alarmingly low, they had no choice but to go, even if there were signs of Decepticon activity.

The mech shook his head at Miko's request, and the hope in her eyes quickly faded.

"No, Miko. it's too dangerous." Bulkhead scolded, taking a step away from the female. Miko rolled her eyes with a scoff, her arms crossing in front of her.

"What's dangerous about searching for Energon." The pink-haired girl muttered, glaring at her guardian. I stifled a chuckle as I watched the familiarargument unfold, my show already forgotten. This was a regular occurrence around the base, and I was always amusedby the different ways Miko tried to convince Bulkhead to let her come.

"It's not the Energon I'm worried about. There could be Decepticons!" Bulkhead exasperatedly explained, gently tapping the girl with his giant digit. The girl huffed in annoyance, her mouth opening to rebut. Before she could say a word, a hand on her shoulderstopped her.

"Come on, Miko, let's watch T.V. with Astra and Raf," Jack insisted, not waiting for her to respond as he dragged her over to the couch. The green Autobot sent Jack a grateful look before turning back to the others. Arcee's arms were crossed, and her eyebrow lifted as she stared at her teammate. Bulkhead gave hera sheepish smile before transforming his hand into a club.

"Uh, rollout?" Bulkhead questioned, chuckling nervously when he got only blank stares in return. Ratchet broke the silence with a sigh, and with the push of a lever, the ground bridge started up. The Groundbridge swirled with a mix of green and purple, and I couldn't help but admire it in utter fascination.

I've always wondered what it was like going through the portal, and when I asked the others about it, they said it wasn't as great as it looked. Jack compared it to being on a roller coaster for a day straight, saying that his bones felt like they were vibrating. But even with the warning, curiosity flowed through me, and I stayed undeterred.

Acree and Bumblebee were the first to walk through, sending a wave to their charges before disappearing. I couldn't stop the worry from crawling up my spine as Bulkhead went through, and I made eye contact with blue optics. Hiding my concern, I gave my guardian an encouraging nod, smiling slightly when Optimusreturned it. I let out a breath when the Groundbridge de-activated, my eyeslingering where they once were.

"Don't worry, Astra, they'll be okay. They always are." Raf comforted, wrapping a hand around my arm.

"I know," I answered softly. I stared at the ground bridge a moment longer before turning my attention to the T.V. It was still going through commercials, and I suppressed another sigh. As I reached for my bag of chips,a body slumped onto me, a disappointed groan escaping them. Igrunted under the sudden weight,my gaze meetingwith Chestnut hues.

"Miko, it's for the best," I reminded the girl, shifting so her head would be in my lap.

"It's not fair. Iwanted to kick some deception butt!" Miko mumbled, puffing out her cheeks. I stifled a laughat her expression, instead running my hands through her pink and black locks. I must not havehidden my amusem*nt very well because Mikoshot me a glare, slightly leaning into my touch.

"Yeah, but I would be all alone if you left!" I pointed out, gently bopping her on the nose. Her nose scrunched, and she sighed, a small smile pulling at her lips. I felt a presence close behind me, and I turned to see Jack, his arms crossed over the back of the couch as he watched the show.

"You can sit on the couch if you want to, Jack." I offered, gesturing to the crammed furniture. He lifted an eyebrow before snorting, leaning further on the back.

"Even if I wanted to, there is no room on that thing." After a moment's consideration, I had no choice but to agree. With Raf and me on one side and Miko laying across the rest, even if Jack wanted to, he couldn't fit. I shot him an apologetic look, and he waved it off, a smile on his lips.

With that, I focused onthe T.V., my fingersbrushing aimlessly through Miko's hair. I felt myself starting to relax the longer I sat there, and my eyelids suddenly became heavier. I shook my head to jolt myself awake, but the action only sent confused glances in my direction. I internally cursed for not getting enough sleep, but I knew it wasn't my fault.

I've had the same terrible nightmare every night for the past couple of days. The memory of suffocating returned, and my fingers stopped moving on Miko's head. It was always the same. It would go from being warm and comforting to terrifying and blood-curdling. Every time I woke up, I thought I was drowning, and it took me a couple of seconds to realize that it was only a dream.

Maybe I need a distraction.I thought, continuing my movement through Miko's hair. I needed something to chill out and recharge. Something away from the Autobots and school. I didn't even notice themovie coming back on as I strained my brain for an idea.

Maybe I should take Sierra's offer and join cheer.I immediately grimaced at the thought and quickly dismissed it. Cheer would only bring me more stress. Not to mention I would have to be around Sierra's sickly sweet personality for an extended period of time.I don't think I would be able to survive that.

My forest hues flickered to Jack, and suddenly I had a perfect idea.I should get a job!It made sense. It would distract me from my "normal" life, and I would get paid. What could be better than that? The black-haired teen must've felt my stare because he looked down at me quizzically.

"Uh. Do you need something?" Jack inquired awkwardly, leaning slightly back from the proximity of our faces. I nodded, a smile forming on my lips.

"Do you know if there are any job openings anywhere?" I wondered, fidgetingwith a strand of my hair. He seemed taken off-guard by the random question and hesitated for a moment.

"Not that I can think of. Why the sudden interest?" I deflated at his answer, my eyes returning to the screen.

"I figured it would be a good idea to earn money. I have to start saving up for college at some point. " I replied, my hand fidgeting with the crystal around my neck. I didn't want to tell him the real reason I wanted a break from everything. Though a small part of me had a feeling Jack would understand more than anyone else. His cobalt hues studied me for a moment before he let out a breath.

"I could help you look before my shift." Jack offered. I perked, my gaze snapping at himas my disappointment faded.

"Really? Cause that would be amazing." I beamed a wide grin on my face. Jack's eyes widened, and he swiftly turned his head away from mine. He cleared his throat, quickly stepping away as he sheepishly rubbed a hand onthe back of his neck.

"We...we should probably go then. My shift starts in a couple of hours." Jack stammered. I raised an eyebrow at his strange behavior but brushed it off with a shrug.Miko whined when I stood up, but I hurriedly reassured her with a pat, saying I would be back soon. The girl pouted but allowed me to go, not without shooting Jack a glare for taking me away.

"Hey, Ratchet!" I called out, interrupting whatever the old medic was doing. The mech groaned, grumbling as he turned toward Jack and me. Jack smiled nervouslyat the look on Ratchet's face, but I stayed unfazed as I casually leaned against the railing.

"What do you want now?" He asked, his optics narrowed in annoyance.

"Can you Groundbridge us into town?" I wondered, my smile faltering at the blank lookon his face. The silence was almost deafening as we stared at each other, and I gulped. After an eternity, the medic vented, turning to his computer. I was about to take that as a no when Ratchet spoke.

"Fine. You better not get into any trouble." Ratchet warned, powering on the device. I grinned, shooting Jack a victorious smile as I rushed down the stairs. I heard the teen's clumsy footsteps from behind me as I made it to the bottom step, and I waved to Ratchet.

"Thanks, Ratchet, you won't regret this," I promised, anticipation filling me as I got closer to the portal.

"I already do." The mech grumbled. I could feel the wind on my cheeks as the portal swirled around me. It almost felt alive by how much energy came off it, and I swore I could reach out and capture the Energon in my hand. I didn't wait anylonger before running in, and I was consumed in blues, greens, and purple. Everything was a fantastic array of colors, and my eyes widened in awe as I admired the portalaround me.

I wincedas asharp pain went through my head and staggeredslightly. Suddenly the colors seemed less inviting, almost suffocating. The energy around me was overwhelming, and my eyes snapped shut to block it out, but it did little to help. Something pulsed inside my chest, like a bird trying to escape its cage, and my veins burned. Just as the sensations became unbearable, my feet touched solid ground, and the brightness around me disappeared.

Someone was calling out my name, but I couldn't hear them over the ringing. I tried to walk, but my feet were heavy, and I didn't know I was falling until a pair ofarms wrapped around my torso.

"Astra!" Jack's voice snapped me out of the pain, and with uneven breaths, I straightened myself out. My eyelids cautiously fluttered open, and I tensed, expecting the pain to re-appear, but it didn't.

What the heck just happened?To say I was confused was an understatement. One minute it felt like something was going to explode out of my body, and the next, it was like nothing had ever happened to me. I would'veplayed it off as an illusion of my mind if I couldn't still feel the phantom pain in my head and chest.

"Astra, are you okay?" My gaze moved to Jack's, his blue hues filled with concern. I wearily nodded, forcing a smile onto my face to try and ease his worry. We were in what looked like an alley, not unlike the one I was in when I first saw a Decepticon.

"Yeah. I'm fine." I noticed his arms were still wrapped around me, and I moved around them. His hands were outstretched as if he was expecting me to fall again, only lowering when he saw I could adequately stand alone. "The groundbridge just made me dizzy." I lied, my hand gripping my necklace. He looked unconvinced, slowly taking a step away from me.

"If you say so." The teen responded, his voice filled with uncertainty as he looked me over. An awkward silence came between us the longer we stood, and thetension between us grew. I coughed, breaking the thick layer of ice between us.

"We should probably get started." I pointed out, gesturing toward the town right outside the alley. The black-haired boy nodded,his eyes still holding a wave of concern.

"Right. Let's get going." He hesitantly agreed.

* * * * * *

The small rock flewin a jumbled mess down the sidewalk, and when its movement finally stopped, I kicked it again. Jack and I had searched for two hours with no luck. Every place we went to had enough workers or thought I was too "young" to be helpful.

I'm not young.I thought, huffing in annoyance. I glared at the theater behind me, making an inner promise never to go there.I didn't even want to work there in the first place.I told myself, hooking my fingers through the loop of my jeans. It was a lie. I really did want to work there, and when I saw the "Help Wanted" sign in the front, I thought my luck had changed, but right when they found out I was only 16, they didn't even wait to hear me out.

Not to mention that was the last stop we had. Jack took off almost the moment we walked out of the building, telling me he was going to be late for his job at K.O burger. When he left, I was supposed to call Miko and tell her I needed a groundbridge back, but I figured walking around for a bit longer couldn't hurt. So here I was. Wandering around the town in hopes an opportunity would fall right in front of my feet.

I let out a breath, myhand drifting to the center of my chest, not surprised when there was no pain. No matter what I did, I couldn't figure out why going through the groundbridge hurt. I knew for a fact none of the other kids ever felt like that. They said they becamedizzy whenever they described it, and their bones felt like they were vibrating—nothing like my experience.

I'mworryingtoo much. I bet my body just reacted differently.I reassured myself.I'mjust reading too much into it.I sighed, crossing my arms in front of me.

Lately, I have been reading too much into everything.I felt like anything weird happening to me meant something, which was crazy. Of course, strange things are going tohappen! I'm a part of a secret alien war. It would be weirder if I felt normal. I vaguely heard a motorcycle revving from behind me, and the pebble collided with my foot once more.

I should probably call Miko.I thought, my hand reaching for the phone in my pocket. Just as my fingers wrapped around the flip phone, a vehicle zoomedpast me, making my hair fly into my face. I spluttered, my hand shifting the brown strands away from my eyes.What kind of a jerk-

I froze, focusing on thefamiliar sleek black motorcycle in front of me. The helmet was covering the rider, but I had a feeling I knew who it was, and my eyes widened in shock.

"Nick?" I asked, my voice filled with disbelief. A chuckle came from the person, and he slid off his helmet, revealing his messy head of brown hair.

"We meet once again, little Damsel." Nick teased, flashing me his signature grin. My eyes rolled at the nickname, and his smile quickly shifted into a smirk.

"What do you want?" I mumbled dryly, sticking my phone back into my pocket. "Cause if you're going to kidnap me, you might want something bigger than abike." He snorted, leaning against the motorcycle handles in amusem*nt.

"What,A guy can't say hi to a friend?" He inquired, his grin widening at the dumbfounded look on my face.

"Friend? I barely know you." I walked past Golden eyes, continuing my previous journey down the sidewalk. "Anyways, how do I know your not some pervert praying on defenseless girls."I retorted, turning the corner as I disappeared from view. The rumble of an engine quickly followed me, and I watched as Nick drove beside me, keeping up with my movements.

"I'm 17. I bet I'm not even that much older than you," Nick guessed, his grin widening as I rolled my eyes."Anyways, if I wanted to do something to you, I would've done it at the race track." He pointed out. I stopped, turning to the boy next to me.

"That's reassuring," I muttered sarcastically. He shrugged,his bikeslowing to a stop.

"You have to admit I have a point." As much as I didn't want to, Icouldn't help but agree with him. Maybe Iwas being too hard on him. I mean, he wasn't wrong. If he had bad intentions, he would've done something earlier. With that in mind,I sighed, my expression becoming softer.

"Fine, I yield. What are you doing in town?" I inquired, trying my best to be polite. His face lit up, a cheeky grin rising at my friendlier tone.

"I came to meet up with an old friend. How about you?" He asked. I let out a breath, the frustration from earliercoming back.

"I was trying to find a job, but none of the businesses here seem to have any openings," I grumbled, my arms crossing in front of me. "Do you, by chance, know anyone who's hiring?" It probably wasn't wise to ask a random stranger for advice, but I figured I had nothing to lose. Not to mention Nick didn't seem too dangerous.

What's the harmin asking?I thought. He hummed, his brows scrunching as he brought a hand to his chin. After a few moments, he perked, digging his hands into his black leather jacket pocket.

"I think I do know someone." He revealed, flicking his flip phone open. My eyes widened, and I couldn't stop the once-squashed hope from blooming in my chest.

"Really!" I exclaimed. I watched in anticipation as he pulled off his gloved hand with his teeth, giving him better access to his keyboard as he typed. He only looked back at me when he was finished, a small smile pulling at his lips.

"One of my friend's father owns an antique shop off Maple Way, and he recently had to let go of his only worker. I just texted him, and he said he would be willing to interview you in about an hour." Nick explained, chuckling when he saw my growing smile. "All you have to do is wait in front of his shop till he shows up, and you should be golden." He finished, bopping me on the nose with his exposed hand.

"I don't even know how to begin thanking you," I saidsincerely, too grateful to be bothered by the sudden psychical contact. A mischievous glint flashed in his amber hues at my words, and he held his phone out toward me.

"Giving me your number would be a start." Nick teased, shaking the device slightly. I snorted, playfully rolling my eyes as I grabbed it from him. He observed me carefullyas I punched in the numbers, his lips forming a gentle smile. Once I finished, I returned it to him, our hands brushing against each other as we did.

"Doesthat make us even?" I wondered teasingly.

"Not quite. First, you have to admit we'refriends." Nick demanded,stiflinga laugh at my disgruntled expression. I scoffed, my eyebrow lifting.

"Are you serious?" I wondered. He didn't answer, his golden eyes boringinto me as he stared in anticipation. "Fine, fine. You win. We are now friends." I admitted, my eyes playfully narrowing at the triumphant look on his face.

"Now we're even." Golden eyes revealed, sliding his helmet back over his head. "Good luck, Little Damsel. I'll talk to you later." Nick promised, revving his engine before speeding off.

"Don't call me that!" I yelled after him, and I could only imaginethe laugh that escaped him as he faded from view.

He's so weird.I thought. But even so, I couldn't help but feel a bit flattered, and I stifled the girly squeal that wanted to come out. I shook my head, ignoring how my heart sped up at the thought of Nick.Let's focus on the interview Astra.I reminded myself, walking off toward Maple Way.

In this heat, I can barely formulate a thought. The sun's warmth was beating against my face as I saton the sidewalk, and a line of sweat ran down my spine. I curl my fingers around the thin fabric of my top, waving it in and out to create just a little airflow, but it's not enough, like an ice cube into hot soup. He's late. Whoever this Arther is, I'm just praying he isn't a creep.

Where is he?I thought, checking my phone for what felt like the hundredth time. So far, I have waited an hour and a half for this man, and he still hasn't shown up. Just when I think I should call Miko and leave, an old red Chevy pulls up, slightly blocking the sun in front of me. I lifted myself from the burning tarmac, brushing off the non-existent dust off my jeans.

The door opened to reveal an older man, maybe in his late 60s to 70s. His hair, once black,was overtaken by clumps of grey, and his face was weathered with wrinkles. Despite the heat beating down my neck, I turned my expression into something more pleasant.

"You must be Astra." The older man greeted, his voice rough and deep. I nodded, wiping my sweaty palms on my jeans before extending my hand for him to shake.

"That's me! You must be Arther, then?" I asked, my smile widening when he hummed. His hand gripped mine tightly, his calloused palmgiving me a sturdy shake. Suddenly his hazel gaze hardened, his slight smile turning to a stiff line. I stiffened from the sudden change, trying to keep my expression calm.

"Why do you want to work here? Be honest. I don't tolerate liars." He questioned. I gulped, somehow sweating more than before.

"Honestly, I want to get away from my crazy life for a couple of hours a day. To have a place where I can forget about school and friends." I admitted, my hand gripping my arm nervously. I couldn't help but internally grimace from my explanation, and I hoped I didn't sound like a total idiot. Myanxiety worsened when his bushy brows furrowed, his colored hues studying me. It seemed like an eternity of him just staring at me, and I resisted the urge to take a step away from his piercing gaze.

"You're hired." He finally declared, walking past me to the front of his shop. I froze, my brows lifting in disbelief.

Is he serious?Iturned, my mouth opening and closing like a fish out of the water as I watched him open the door with a click.

"Just like that?" I blurted, quickly closing my mouth when he turned back toward me. His eyes were no longer harsh. Instead, they seemed brighter, almost lighting up at my dumbfounded expression.

"Yes, just like that." He mused, swinging open the door and holding it open for me. I hesitated but quickly rushed in when the cool air-conditioning brushed against my cheeks. I let out an almost inaudible sigh at the temperature change and waved my arms to cool down my heated body. Once the thrill of the cold faded, my attention focused on the surroundings around me, and my eyes widened in awe.

Antiques adorned the room, the various objects seeming to take me to another time. I took a step forward with a bated breath, my fingertips running along a beautiful wooden table. Iwandered between them, taking in the curves of each object, letting my brain think as perhaps the makers did. To me, each one of them was a tiny time machine or maybe a window into other eras.

I had to admit I had a soft spot for these types of things. Howcan I resist peeking into the past, holding an object that has traveled through more time than a person can? I love the rough textures of the old clays, the fine woods' smoothness, and the later glazes' vibrancy. I could admire the maker's craft all day, and I couldn't help but wonder how long it took each person to create each masterpiece.

"Why?" I wondered, my gaze reluctantly moving from the small clay vase in front of me. His gaze was soft when I turned back to him, and my cheeks flushed in embarrassment when I realized what I had been doing. "Ah, sorry, I probably shouldn't have been touching." I apologized sheepishly, quickly stuffing my hands in my pocket. He waved me off, his lips lifting.

"I hired you because, for one, I need the help." He took a few steps forward, moving to the counter in the front. "Secondly, you reminded me of someone I once knew." He explained, his eyes distant. I lifted an eyebrow at that but didn't voice my confusion. I didn't want to discuss a touchy subject on my first day. I was lucky enough to land this job in the first place.

"So... when do I start?" I inquired, once again admiring the objects around me. He pulled out a small silver key, unlocking the money box with a smooth turn.

"As soon as possible." He answered. I felt a warm feeling growingin my chest, and I couldn't help but grin at the response.

"Then let's get started."

* * * * * *

🇮🇳 🇦 🇳🇪🇦🇷🇧🇾 🇭🇴🇸🇵🇮🇹🇦🇱

The hospital hallway had as much personality as an interstate. Various nurses and Doctors moved fast-paced to their destinations, some rolling patients on gurneys as they traveled. Anything that could shine did, and the air had a pure fragrance. One that wasn't sterile, just clean. Soft music was heard in the background, the volume at the right level to lift the patients and staff.

A particular female doctor reached the gray double doors, and without pause, she pushedthem open with her full body weight, though shedidn't have to try so hard as the doors swung open easily and soundlessly. Her footsteps were barely audible as she saw a nurse, giving thema polite smileas she passed.

The woman's footsteps faltered as something vibrated in her pocket. With one swift movement, she pulled the device out, her grip on the phone tightening as she saw a familiar name pop onto the screen. Her usually bright blue hues darkened, and she searched for somewhere private to go. The doctor's gaze landed on a supply closet, and she discreetly slid in, making sure the hallway was clear before she did. When the door shut, she pressedaccept, bringing the phone's surface to her ear.

"Grayson, this better be important." The woman scolded, her voice barely louder than a whisper. The caramel-hairedwoman heard a scarcely audible chuckle on the other end, and her brows furrowed. "Grayson." She warned.

"Hey, you know I wouldn't call for no reason Maya."The man on the other side spoke, his voice becoming more serious. "I called because I found something."Maya faltered at the news, biting her lip in thought.

"Okay, but be quick; I'm currently at work." Maya heard the roll of a gurney and froze, only breathing when the soundsfaded into the distance.

"I overheard some higher-ups talk about some project. I managed to hack into a file, but most of it's encrypted."The mysterious man explained. Maya let out a breath, her eyebrow lifting.

"Can you make out any of it?" Maya questioned. She heard the sounds of clacking, one that belonged to a keyboard, before he responded with an irritated sigh.

"Not much. I can only make out the words Project Chimeraand a single date for what seems like a beta test." Maya opened her mouth to say something, but Grayson cut her off."I know, I know. You said only to tell you things about Operation Bia, but there is someone on thisI thought might interest you." Maya's grip on the phone tightened, her teeth clenching as a single name came to mind.

"Silas." She spat out. The words feltlike poison in her mouth, leaving a burning aftertaste on her tongue. Maya couldn't see him but almost sensed Grayson'snod.

"As I said, it's mostly encrypted, but from what I can see. It's not good." Grayson mumbled, the chair he was in squeaking from underneath him."But there is another name I saw. Someone M.E.C.H. seems interested in."Maya sighed, rubbing a hand on her brow.

"Who?" She asked, almost dreading the answer.

"It's an old friend of yours. William Fowler."

Chapter 7: Creepy Crawlies

Chapter Text

ʙᴀꜱᴇᴅ ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇᴘɪꜱᴏᴅᴇ ᴘʀᴇᴅᴀᴛᴏʀʏ

Tall tree trunks surrounded us, their lanky overhanging limbs darkening the area below them. Shadows danced in my peripheral, but whenever I turned my head to the movement, it was still, and I couldn't stop the chills from running up myspine.

A stick cracked, interrupting the silence, and I turned toward it, trying my best to keep the fear on my face from showing. Ilet out a barely audible breath when my gaze met with blue hues, and I raised aneyebrow. Jack gave me a sheepish grin, revealing the broken wood underneath his shoe.

"Oops." He mumbled. I turned back around with a slight shake of my head, more annoyed at myself than at Jack for getting startled so easily. Usually, I wasn't so jumpy, but I couldn't help it.

The forest was nothing less than creepy. With its ominousfog and unsettling silence, I couldn't stop myself from being on edge. Arcee's footsteps thudded steadily ahead of me, and I moved faster to not stray too far behind the femme.

At least Arcee's with us.I thought positively. However, the thought didn't give me as much comfort as I thought it would.

Why was I in the woods, you ask? Earlier, Ratchet had detected an underground Energon deposit in thearea and asked Arcee to check it out. Initially, only Jack was going to go with her, but I somehow managed to convince the Autobotto let me come with them. So here I was, walking into what looked like thebeginning of every horror movie I'd seen.

I should have stayed at the base or tried harder to convince Arther not to let me take the day off.I thought, stuffing my hands into my coat pocket. Movement in my peripheral caught my attention, and I stifled my laughter as I watched Jack wave his arms from beside me, attempting to hit the many bugs flying around him.

"Ah!" He exclaimed, slapping a mosquito that had landed on his arm. "Really wish I packed some insect repellent. The mosquitos out here on this routine recon are the size of vampire bats... and they drink as much blood." The teen spat, hitting his neck, where he felt another bloodsucker. His eyes landed on me, his brows furrowing as I continued to walk unbothered.

"Why aren't any of them attacking you?" He wondered. I shrugged, looking toward him with a teasing smile.

"Maybe your blood is just more delicious than mine." I mused. Jack rolled his eyes at my explanation, and I couldn't help but snort quietly. It felt good to tease the male like this, especially since it's been weird talking to him lately.

Ever since the incident with the Groundbridge, an awkward silence had fallen between us, and it only worsened when I asked him not to tell anyone about it. It wasn't like I couldn't trust the others, but I didn't want them to worry about me, especially when they had better, more importantthings to focus on. With Megatron gone and Starscream in charge, the Autobots had a real chance of ending the war, and I wasn't going to distract them for something that didn't matter.

"Why am I the only one who has to suffer." The black-haired boy muttered, once again slapping a spot on his body. Arcee stopped her movement, looking overher shoulder toward the both of us.

"Quite the outdoorsman, aren't you, Jack." The femme taunted, the devicein her hand blinking as it scanned the area around them for Energon.

"You wouldn't be making fun of my survival kit?" Jack asked, his lips lifting into a playful smirk.

"Maybe," Acree answered, a small smile on her face.

"I may not have stinger-proof skin, Arcee, but in a pinch, I can use my multifunction pocket knife and magnesium fire starter to cook up some freeze-dried Mac-and-Cheese." The teen bragged, patting the fanny pack that rested on his hip. I chuckled at his statement, my amusem*nt rising when he sent me a narrowed glare.

"You have your tools. I have mine," Arcee remarked, shaking her device to emphasize her point. Just as she said the words, a beep emittedfrom the scanner, and the femme's playful demeanor faded. "That's odd, Ratchet's satellitescans were accurate, but the subterranean Energon deposits don't cause this type of surge." Arcee started forward once more, this time walking faster than before.

Jack and I shared a look as we hurriedly rushed after the two-wheeler, her attention locked on the device in her hand. It continued to beep louder and more frequently the farther we traveled, and soon enough, Arcee stopped, her gaze lifting from the scanner. Jack and I caught up to her a few seconds later, and my eyes widened at the sight before me.

The thick trees were toppled over. The trunks snapped as if they were only thin twigs, and rocks usually found underground were unearthed into messy piles around us. My gaze landed on the two giant marks in the ground, the skidmarks leading to the black billowing smoke that swirled over the treetops.

What happened here?I thought, looking down into one of the giant indents on the ground. Jack seemed to have a similar train of thoughtas he asked Arcee the same question. The bot's optics were narrowed, her gaze traveling down the clearing.

"Crash landing." Arcee moved her attention to us,her optics hard. "Stay behind me. Low and close." She commanded, not even waiting for us to respond as she moved forward. We cautiously followed the two-wheeler as she crouched, weaving behind various trees and rocks as we moved through the woods.

Eventually, she ceased her movement, her body stiff as she kneeled next to a tree. There was no activity near or around the ship, and I couldn't help but once again be disturbed by the unusual silence. It was like the forest knew to be quiet, warning us of the unseen dangers ahead. The air seemed to get heavier as we stared at the smoking metal, and I couldn't stop the goosebumps from traveling up my neckthe more I looked at it.

"Autobot or Decpeticon?" Jack whispered, looking up at his guardian. Arcee tilted her head slightly before stealing a glance at Jack.

"Can't tell." It was less than a second of silence before the Autobot spoke again. "Wait here." With that, Arcee stood, her right servoshifting into a blaster as she approached the crash sight.

"I have a feeling this isn't an Autobot ship," I mumbled, vaguely aware of Jack noddingin agreement from beside me. We watched with bated breaths as Arcee moved toward the ship's entrance, her back pressed against the metal. Jack's brows were furrowed, his face displaying an unmistakable worry for his guardian as she slipped inside, disappearing from view. Pushing down my emotions, I forced myself to look calm, despite the knot forming in my stomach.

"Arcee is strong. She's capable of defending herself." I comforted him quietly,drawing his attention away from the crash. His cobalt huesfocused on me for a moment, his hands unclenching as he nodded. With that, we fell silent, drawing what little comfort we could from each other's presence.

The tension in the air became thicker as time went on, and although it feltlike we had been waiting an eternity, I knew only a minute had passed. My face stayed stoicdespite my growing anxiety, my fingers fiddling with my necklace as I watched the ship's entrance.

Suddenly a figure stumbled out, leaning against the metal for support. My breath caught in my throat as I recognized the blue sheen, and I quickly stood, following Jack as he rushed to his guardian. Arcee stared into the distance, her optics wide as her body trembled. We were only a couple of feet away when the femmeshook her head, snapping herself out of the trance as Jack approached.

"Arcee!" Jack called out; his voice laced with concern. I couldn't help but be worried as well. The usually put-together two-wheeler had a strange look in her optics, one that seemed unnatural on her face. "Arcee, what's wrong?" Jack inquired, his dark hues scanning the figure of the femme for any damage.

"I know who this ship belongs to." She revealed gravely, the waver in her voice almost unnoticeable.

She's afraid.I realized, my body tensing as I quickly scanned our surroundings. Nothing was noteworthy; onlythe trees and the occasional leaves swaying came into view.What... or who is she afraid of?Arcee immediately pressed a finger to the side of her head, her body straightening.

"Arcee to base. I need a groundbridge ASAP." She called, the urgency evident in her voice.

"W-wait. Why? Who's ship is that?" Jack wondered, his panic growing as Arcee continued to ignore him.

"Base. Do you read?" She asked, moving away from the ship, and we quickly followed her. "Scrap. The Com link's dead. The ships got to be transmitting a high-frequency scrambler pulse." She cursed angrily. Arceestarted moving faster, and Jack and I had almost to run to keep up.

"Arcee?" When he again got no response, his steps quickened, "O-Okay, you're kind of freaking me out here." He stuttered. She slowed to a stop, her back still facing us.

"Wait here." The femme ordered sharply, leaving us behind as she moved further into the woods.

"What's wrong with her?" Jack murmured, his eyes trailing after Arcee's figure. I let out a breath, shaking my head slightly.

"I don't know, but it's best if we stick together. I believe that whatever, or whoever, Acree's afraid of, is still out there." The black-haired teen swiftly agreed, and not another word was spoken as we took off in the direction Arcee disappeared in.

It wasn't hard to track her due to the giant footsteps in the dirt, and it wasn't long before we approached her kneeling figure. One of her servos was brushing against a strange hole in the ground, her gaze again distant. I observed the spot more closely, and as I glanced up the trail, I noticed several more ahead.

"They'refootprints," I whispered. A sense of dread filled me at the realization, and my brows furrowed. I was right. Someone was in the woods with us. Jack approached his guardian wearily as if walking up to a wounded animal.

"Arcee?" Once again, she didn't respond, instead shifting into her vehicle mode.

"Climb on." Jack looked at me for a moment before sliding on, and I didn't hesitate as I lifted myself behind him. Jack was barely able to put on his helmet before Arcee took off. My arms desperately wrapped around Jack's torso at the sudden movement, the force almost throwing me off completely.

"Whoa. Whoa!" Jack screamed out, clutching onto the handlebars for dear life. My grip on his shirt tightened as we haphazardly sped through the woods, and I barely had time to register the giant ravine in front of us.

"Jack!" I warned,my grip on his clothes somehow becoming tighter.

"Arcee!" The teen exclaimed before we were sailing through the air. My eyes snapped shutas the weightlessness filled my gut, and I could barely process Jack's screams as we made it across. We landed with a harsh thump that jolted me thoroughly, and my stomach lurched when Acree suddenly stopped, her tires screeching. Jack tore off his helmet as if it was poisonous, his face showing annoyance and fear.

"Okay, was that really necessary!?" He demanded, pushing himself off the bike. I quickly followed after him, my stomach feeling nauseousas I did.

"Arcee to base."When there was no response, the motorcycle drove forward, ignoring Jack for what seemed like the thousandth time. "Scrap!"

"Look, I've seen danger before-" Jack started.

"Wait here. I mean it this time." She interrupted. Jack scoffed, running a hand through his black hair.

"Okay, First you cut me out, and now you're ditching me?" His gaze lifted as Arcee transformed, the femme standing at her full height. "I thought I was your partner!"

"Tell us what's going on. Maybe we can help." I offered, taking a step toward the two-wheeler. Arcee's optics hardened, full of an emotion I couldn't quite place as she stared at the both of us.

"No, you're both just kids. You're only here because this was supposed to be a no-risk." She took a step toward us, leaning closer to our faces. "Got it." She snapped. I could only watch as she smoothly transformed, jumping the ravine quickly before speeding off into the distance. We both were silent as she left, and even though I knew Arcee didn't mean what she said, it still stung.

I can't imagine how Jack feels right now.I thought. Jack stepped toward the ravine, and his cobalt hues narrowed in determination as he lowered himself to the ground. I hesitated for a second before walking toward him, stopping in front of the older boy. His gaze met mine as he got a proper foothold on the side of the ravine, his eyebrow arching as I went to join him.

"You're not going to stop me?" He asked, his dark hues searching my face for any reaction. I shook my head, sliding myself over the side.

"Arcee is my friend, and it's obvious she needs our help," I replied, my hands curling around a protruding rock as I moved further down the ravine. "More importantly, she needs you. Her partner." He paused, a ghost of a smile rising on his lips before he continued downward.

Luckily the ravine wasn't too deep, and it wasn't long before we made it to the other side. Jack extended a hand as I pulled myself over to the edge, and I graciously took it. As we stood, our gazes landed on tire tracks, and with one last look, we trudged through the forest.

* * * * * *

"Where did she drive off to?" Jack mumbled, stopping in the middle of a tiny clearing. We were utterly lost. The tire tracks we had followed eventually faded until nothing was left, and for the past 30 minutes, we had been walking in a random direction. Even if we wanted to, I didn't think we could find our way back to the ravine.

I let out a breath, my eyes searching the undergrowth for any sign of tracks or disturbed greenery. Unluckily there seemed to be little to no indication of where the Two-wheeler ranoff to, and even with my limited knowledge of tracking, I was still lost. I sighed in frustration, fiddling with my necklace as I watched Jack try and pick a direction to continue moving in.

"I have no-" I paused, my breath catching. Something contracted in my chest, but it wasn't painful. Instead, it felt like something was pulling me in, like a moth to a flame. I turned, staring into the distance before I took a hesitant step forward. It was the same feeling I got at the base, except it was faint, and it took all my concentration to keep it alive.

"We should go this way," I said abruptly, pointing a finger where I felt the energy. Jack opened his mouth to ask why but stopped himself when he saw the look in my eyes.

"Okay." He agreed. My concentration broke, and the feeling disappeared as if it had never existed.

Maybe I'm going crazy. There's no way I could sense Arcee somehow.I thought, but even with my doubts, I strode forward.

As much as I wanted to screamAcree's name until she revealed herself, I knew it wasn't a good idea. We had no cluewho was with us in these woods, and I wanted to avoid drawing their attention to us. That's why we tried to be quiet, even though the silence became almost suffocating.

Suddenly a loud crash pierced the silence around us, causing me to jump from the sudden noise. Jack didn't even look at me before he sprinted forward, running toward the sound. I hurriedly followed him, my heart thumping as my feet pounded against the dirt below.

Please be okay, Arcee.I thought, my feet moving faster as we rushed through the woods. I heard clangs of metal hitting metal as metal appendages hit each other, and I heard muffled talking ahead.

Wait, there are two different voices.I slowed at the realization and quickly grabbed Jack's arm, stopping him in his tracks. He shot me a confused look,his face showingsubdued panic as the sounds of what I recognized as fighting continued. He tried to pull his arm away from me, but my grip was steadfast, and eventually, his struggles stopped.

"Astra, what are you-" I put my finger to my lips, effectively shutting him up.

"We have to be careful about this, Jack. I want to run in as much as you do, but we don't know who we are dealing with or how dangerous they are." I whispered sternly, releasing my hand from his arm. His mind seemed to clear from my words, and he let out a barely audible sigh.

"You're right." He reluctantly agreed, his gaze flickering back to me. "Let's go." He whispered urgently, this time cautiously moving toward the battle. The voices became clearer the closer we got, and eventually, I could see two distinctive blurs. I immediately recognized the blue two-wheeler, but I had never seen the one she was fighting.

The other femme didn't look like a normal Cybertronian. Instead of a humanoid look, she resembled a spider with her six extra appendages. Even though I couldn't see the symbol on her chest, she was clearly a Decepticon. With the dark purple color scheme and glowing lilac optics. It was obvious.

I watched in a mixture of awe and worry as the battle continued, both oblivious to the set of eyes that were watching them. Arcee jumped for the other, her smaller frame landing on the spider with her servo wrapped around the Decepticons' throat. Just as the two-wheeler was going to punch her, Acree was thrown into the stone behind her.

The Decepticon had barely lifted her head before Arcee shot blasts of Energon toward her. With reflexes I could barely make out, the spider lifted itself and situated herself between two trees, her palms outstretched toward Arcee. My eyes widened in disbelief as a thick white substance expelled from the Decepticons servos, wrapping around Arcee's blasters and pinning her arms together.

Though the Autobot didn't stay trapped for long, with a strained grunt, she threw her arms down, the force causing the female Decepticon to fall from the tree. What I only could assume was spider webs were still wrapped around the Autobots arms, but she quickly removed them as two blades retracted from her forearms, and the blaster fire resumed again. My throat was tickling with fearful anticipation as the battle continued, and I couldn't bring myself to look away.

With one powerful kick, Arcee knocked the Decepticon to the ground, her blasters aimed at the spider's face. I let out a breath of relief at Arcee's win, but it was quickly squashed when the sounds of tumbling rock attracted not only my attention but the other's as well. My breath caught in my throat as I watched in disbelief as Jack slid down the hill toward the battling duo.

Scrap.I didn't even have time to warn Arcee as the Decepticon hit her, the force causing the Autobot to stumble off. Using Acree's distracted and vulnerable state, the spider shot webs at her again, pinning Acree against the rock behind her. My eyes widened as I watched Jack run toward the battle, and I didn't waste a moment before sprinting after the idiotic teen.

"Arcee!" Jack yelled, moving closer to his guardian. At the sound of his voice, the Decepticon's head whipped back with a hiss, her optics gleaming. Just as I was preparing for the worst, a blast of blue hit the Decepticon straight on, flinging the spider into a nearby tree.

"I told you both to wait for me!" Arcee exclaimed, struggling against her bindings as she watched us run toward her.

"Well, partners don't ditch partners." Jack snapped back, grunting as he pulled against the webs. I quickly joined him, realizing with a start that the substance was much stronger than I had anticipated.

"We aren't going to leave you," I added sternly, using all my strength to pull off a strand.

"Get this through your head. You're not my partner. You're both a liability!" The two-wheeler shot back, her optics set in a harsh glare. Jack stopped his rescue attempts, his gaze hardening as he stared at his guardian.

"I don't believe you. I can see it in your eyes. You're afraid, Arcee." Jack paused, pulling on another strand of webbing. "You're never afraid." He finished. Acree's turned away, her optics shaky as she stared into the distance once more as if lost in a memory from long ago. Suddenly she snapped out of it, her voice becoming panicky.

"You're right, Jack. I am afraid. Of losing you!" Footsteps sounded behind us, and I turned, my body stiffening as I watched the Decepticon nonchalantly stalk toward us. "Both of you," Acree added, her attention landing on me for a moment before returning to Jack. Jack looked up in disbelief, his blue hues soft as he stared at his guardian.

"You sure have trouble hanging on to your partners. Don't you?" My brows furrowed at that, my gaze hard as I glared at the Decepticon. "We both know what happened to Tailgate, but I recently picked up some Decepticon radio chatter regarding the passing of Cliffjumper." The femme taunted as she slowly moved closer. I faltered for a moment as Arcee panted slightly as if trying her best to control herself from breaking down. The Decepticon continued speaking, obviously finding unhinged joy from the Autobot's distress.

"At some point, you really have to ask yourself, Arcee. Is it them, or is it me?" The spider mocked, her head tilting slightly as her lilac optics lit up. My nails bit into my palms as she talked, my teeth grinding against each other as my hatred for her grew. Acree removed her attention from her enemy, turning to both of us.

"Do you get it now, Jack? She's not interested in me, she hunts indigenous species, and she's on Earth. That means humans." My chest tightened, my breaths coming out faster as I took a hesitant step away from Arcee. "Run!" The two-wheeler screamed before getting silenced by another web covering her. Her warning sparked something in me, and I turned to Jack.

"We have to go!" I commanded, pulling Jack's arm as I reluctantly sprinted from Arcee. The guilt and worry were evident on the teen's face as we ran, but I knew we had to keep moving. I wasn't going to let the Decepticon kill Jack, even if it was the last thing I would do.

Just as we reached the top of the hill, Jack stopped, his stormy hues looking back toward his trapped guardian. To my relief, Acree still looked alive, but the relief was quickly shortlived when the Decepticon turned, her lilac optics meeting with my forest ones.

"We need to keep going!" I breathed out, forcing Jack's feet to move. As we haphazardly sprinted through the woods, Acree screamed our names, and I couldn't help but feel the horror slithering up my spine as they echoed throughout the darkening valley.

* * * * * *

My lungs burned, each gasp for air reminding me of my exhaustion. It was no longer light. Instead, the shadows grew until it was completely covering my vision. As we ran through the moonlight-lit woods, I prayed to any higher power that I wouldn't faceplant on a hidden root.

The Decepticon was playing with us. That much was obvious. I knew we would've been killed before we had even made it up the hill if she wanted to. But she enjoyed the thrill of the hunt, and that fact only added to the sheer terror coursing through my veins. The steady thump of her footsteps echoed as we sprinted, once again reminding me she was behind us even if we couldn't see her.

I looked behind me for a moment, only to ensure Jack was still following me, and once I was satisfied, I looked forward once more. His pants were barely audible over my own, and I knew we couldn't keep up our pace much longer. I already felt as if I was going to pass out at any moment, and with each stride, I could feel my legs threatening to give up from underneath me.

The Decepticon chuckled behind us, causing my heart to skip a beat.

"That's the spirit, you two. Play hard to get." She called out playfully, her voice piercing through the silence of the foggy woods. No more sounds could be heard from the Decepticon, the area around us becoming eerily quiet. I jumped over a fallen log, and my steps faltered as I made it to the other side. Jack fell to the ground, his chest heaving desperately as the terror coursed through him. I stopped in my tracks, quickly rushing back to the fallen boy.

"I know you're tired, but we have to-" A stick cracking immediately silenced me, and we both tensed. I kneeled, my gaze flickering desperately around me as I tried to get a glimpse of the spider. My heart was hammering in my chest as I continued to stare, my mouth becoming dry as the silence became suffocating. I barely felt Jack grab my arm, quickly dragging me under the log.

My heart was pounding so loud that I was sure Jack could hear it. Steady clinks and thumps approached us, and I threw my hand to my lips to silence any noise I could. She let out a large hiss, and I stifled a scream when her long sharp fingers landed on the log. It felt like an eternity before she lifted herself, one of her long legs landing uncomfortably close to me as she walked past us.

Jack and I exchanged a quick look, both of us letting out an inaudible sigh. Her two sharp legs landed before us, and I waited for them to continue forward.

"Hello." My heart leaped out of my chest, and I shot backward. We both screamed as her lilac optics unblinkingly stared at us, her mouth upturned in a smirk. We both scrambled from underneath the log, and I barely dodged the arm that reached for me. With another shot of adrenaline, we took off in a dead sprint, our previous exhaustion forgotten. As I heard her take chase, my chest tingled, and before I knew what I was doing, I was pushing Jack to the side.

My back painfully collided with a nearby tree, knocking the air out of my lungs. With a strained inhale, I tried to move, but it was no use. I was covered in a familiar sticky substance.

"Astra!" Jack called out, rushing to my side. I shook my head, gaze snapping to the Decepticon steadily approaching us.

"Forget about me!" He ignored me, his cobalt hues flashing in horror and desperation as he tried to remove the webbing of my body. "Jack, listen to me. You need to run. You can't get me out in time!" I ordered forcefully, my panic rising as I noticed her getting closer. His eyes met mine, and I was surprised to see them become glassy.

"No-"

"Jack." I interrupted, my voice soft yet stern. "She can't get you too." I pleaded. I was strangely calm, like a person standing in the eye of a storm as they watched the world being destroyed around them. He knew I was right, so hesitantly, he drew back, running off into the darkest part of the woods until I could no longer see him.

"Ah- looks like a caught a human... Astra was it?" The Deception taunted, stopping in front of me. I mustered up my courage and shot her an unrelenting glare, which only served to amuse her. "My designation is Arachnid." She introduced smoothly, to which I scowled.

"Why tell me that?" I muttered uncertainly. My breath hitched when she leaned closer, her mouth twitching into a malicious grin.

"I thought you'd want to know the name of the Decepticon who will kill you and your other human companion." Arachnid drawled, her optics lightening up as I stiffened, and she extended one of her clawed fingers toward me.

"Don't you lay a hand on him," I growled. I felt my veins burn as anger filled me, and something contracted in my chest as my gaze drilled into her. I wasn't going to let her hurt Jack, even if it was the last thing I did. Her clawed hand slowed until stopping completely, her head tilting slightly.

"Interesting." She mumbled thoughtfully, her gaze unblinking as she watched me with a newfound interest. Arachnid looked as if she was going to say more when suddenly, her head turned to the side as if hearing something in the distance. "Hate to cut this short, but I have a bigger prize to catch." She stepped back, her optics flashing in curiosity as she smiled, the sight sending shivers down my spine.

"Don't fret too much little human. I'll be back." She promised before leaving, her footsteps slowly fading until I could no longer hear them.

I'm alive.I thought incredulously.How am I alive?Once I was sure she was gone, I pushed against the webbing, grunting in frustration when nothing happened. I pushed harder, and my eyes snapped shut as I put every last of my strength behind it. I swear my vision became white before I fell forward, landing face-first in the dirt.

I lifted myself to my elbows and didn't realize I was shaking until I looked at my hands. All the fear and panic I had suppressed came back in full force, and a choked sob escaped my lips as I held myself.

I could've died.I took a shaky breath, trying to get a hold of myself.No, I should've died.I corrected, forcing myself up from the dirt.

Why didn't she kill me?I pushed down the lingering thoughts and took another deep breath. An explosion echoed through the forest, jolting me out of my panic as a wave of wind pushed into me. I saw the mix of smoke and fire erupt over the trees, and my eyes widened when I heard Arachnid scream Jack's name.

Jack.I thought. Not wasting another second, I darted toward the now-exploded ship.

* * * * * *

Jack thought he had killed Arachnid. But as he lay stuck to the tree behind him with the Decepticon rubbing his neck threateningly, he knew he was very wrong. Astra came to mind as he was about to be killed, and even as the fear coursed through his veins, he couldn't help but feel immense guilt.

Jack closed his eyes, awaiting the inevitable, when the growl of a familiar vehicle sounded beside him. His cobalt hues shot open as the light blinded him, and he couldn't stop the smile that rose on his lips.

Acree transformed smoothly, her fist connecting with Arachnid's face. The Decepticon flew to the side and slid against the dirt with a grunt. The two-wheeler didn't give Arachnid any time to recover as she attacked, blocking and landing her hits. With one last powerful kick to the torso, Arachnid flew into the forest, crashing into the trees that came into her path. Once the sounds of wood splitting stopped and the dust settled, the only sound was Arcee's tense breathing as she stared at the destruction she had caused.

"Jack!" Arcee quickly moved to her partner, undoing the trap that kept him against the tree. "Are you okay?" She wondered, checking him for any injuries. He nodded, a slight smirk rising on his lips.

"Yeah, of course." He panted, reaching into his back pocket. "Survival kit." His guardian couldn't help but smile. But it faded as a drilling noise sounded through the valley. The Autobot straightened, her servos transforming into blasters as she shot at the spider. Though it did little to stop Arachnid from escaping, and soon enough, all that was left of the Decepticon was the giant hole she left behind.

"So much for closure." Arcee sighed, her servos reverting to their standard form.

"Now Arachnid's stuck here on Earth." Jack paused, looking back down into the hole. "I'm not so sure that's a good thing."

"I'm sorry you had to face my demons today. You were pretty fearless there, Jack." She apologized, smiling slightly. He shook his head, adverting his gaze to the ground.

"Actually, I was terrified. Astra was the one-" He stopped, his eyes widening in fear. "Astra's still out there!" He yelled, his guilt crashing down on him. "We have to find her." He exclaimed, his panic rising. Acree's optics hardened, and they both turned to look for the girl when they froze.

"That won't be necessary." I breathed out, my chest heaving as I tiredly smiled at the both of them. Arcee visibly untensed as her optics landed on my unscathed figure. I didn't have enough time to react as a pair of arms wrapped around me, and I stiffened. "J-Jack." I stammered, not expecting the sudden affection.

"You're okay." He whispered, his voice wavering slightly. I sighed, my eyes softening as I returned the hug.

"Of course. It's not like you can get rid of me that easily." I joked, pulling away from the teen. His chest rumbled slightly, his cheeks heating in embarrassment as he took a sudden step away from me. Arcee smirked as she watched the two humans below her, and after a moment, her finger lifted to the com link.

"Ratchet requesting groundbridge," Arcee called out, all of us sighing in relief when the mech responded. A buzzing sounded next to Jack, and he slapped the bug, effectively killing it. "Need to get my partner away from any oversized insects," Acree added, and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Partner, huh?" Jack teased. Arcee raised an eyebrow, her hand on her hip.

"Junior partner." She emphasized. "I can still pull rank." I watched the duo in amusem*nt, my eyelids becoming heavy as the rising sun greeted us from behind. As I ran my fingers through my tangled caramel hair, one thought came to mind causing my hands to freeze and my heart to skip a beat.

What did Arachnid see that made her spare me?

Chapter 8: A Nice Talk

Chapter Text

Hot air immediately surrounded my body like a thick fog, my nose scrunching from the feeling as I finally left the small antique store. Year-long heat was something I was still getting used to, and I could say with certainty that I didn't like it. I stretched my arms above me, sighing softly as my muscles screamed in relief. As much as I loved working at the tiny shop, sitting in one place for an extended period was not doing my body any favors.

With a exhale, I scanned the area around me until they caught a familiar red and blue. Wasting no time, I rushed to the Semi-truck, my tired demeanor disappearing as I climbed inside.

"Hey, Optimus." I greeted, sliding into the familiar seats.

"Hello Astra, how was work?" The Prime asked, the door closing behind me.

"Good, there was a fair amount of customers today," I chirped, leaning back against the seat. Optimus hummed, the vehicle lurching forward. "I'm surprised to see you, though," I commented, drawing the mech's attention. "I thought you were out searching for Energon with Bulkhead."

"We came back early." He vaguely answered. I raised an eyebrow at that, my head tilting.

"Is that a good or a bad thing?"

"It... didn't go as planned." The Prime revealed a slight hesitancy in his tone.

"I see.."I didn't have to ask him to know they didn't get any Energon, and I couldn't help but be worried. I knew the Autobots were running dangerously low, and I didn't want to know what would happen if they completely ran out. Even though Optimus tried to hide it, I knew he was concerned as well.

My gaze lazily traveled up the road when a wave of deja vu hit me. I squinted, my green hues landing on a barely noticeable trail ahead. My face lit up in realization, and I couldn't stop the small smile from rising.

"You see that trail up there?" I asked, straightening myself as I pointed to the obscure road.

"Yes."

"Turn there." His mirror tilted in my direction, and I could practically feel the confusion coming from him in waves. I smirked, my green hues bright. "Just trust me," I added, my smile widening as he turned. I knew the dirt path would go on for a couple more minutes, so I got comfortable again.

"Where are we going?" Optimus inquired. I shook my head, zipping my lips with my fingers.

"You'll see," I teased.

We silently traveled up the rugged trail. If you could even call it a trail anymore, the dirt road had ended a few minutes back, and now it was nothing but flat desert rock as we traveled upwards. I knew my request was strange, but I had a feeling that Optimus needed to relax, even if it was just for a moment.Eventually, we reached our destination, and right when he stopped, I hopped out.

Immediately the wind blew through my long hair, tangling it up in a frenzy behind me. I sighed in contentment, taking a deep breath as I stared at the view before me. We were on top of one of the flats, miles up from the ground, and as much as I hated the desert, I had to admit it was beautiful from this height.

Almost in a trance, I moved to the edge, getting myself comfortable as I sat on the warmed rock. I barely heard Optimus transform from behind me, my mind more entranced by the rolling sands to notice. It was only when the vibrations of his footsteps came closer did I pull myself from the landscape.

Optimus silently sat beside me, his optics softening slightly. The sun was setting, basking the sky in a deep orange and pink, the colors reflecting off his finish. I basked in the peace for a moment, allowing my mind to wander from the questions that constantly ran through my thoughts.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" I murmured, breaking the quiet air between us.

"Yes. It is." He answered softly. I smiled, thoughtfully rubbing the crystal around my neck. Being in nature always comforted me. It allowed me to forget and get away from everything, even if it was just for a moment. In a way, it reminded me of Dad. I pulled my knees to my chest as something contracted inside me, a frown pulling at my lips.

"Do you miss it?" Even though I didn't look, I could feel Optimus's gaze. "Cybertron." I finished, turning to look at the bot. The light in his eye diminished slightly, his attention returning to the view before us.

"Yes... I do." His voice was somber; his optics focused on a point in the distance. My fingers nervously tapped my legs as I debated asking the question that ran through my thoughts. It was one I had ever since I'd heard of the new planet, though I never asked for fear of bringing up unsavory memories. After a few more minutes, I opened my mouth.

"What was Cybertron like?" I inquired, tilting my head towards him. He let out what sounded like a sigh, and for a moment, I thought I'd have said something to trouble him. Just as I started to backtrack, he spoke.

"It was a big planet, slightly bigger than this galaxy's Saturn." I untensed as he spoke, my gaze locked unto his figure. "There were towering cities made of metal, with technology that surpassed that of this world." His mouth quirked slightly as if the cities were sitting before him. "Beyond the city were vast metallic plains, spiraling mountains made from metal, and even bottomless neon-lit chasm, something you could see even miles away from the planet."

I listened intently as Optimus told me how Cybertron was before the war. He told stories about his time before he became a Prime. When he was nothing more than a lowly librarian named Orian. AsOptimus continued to tell me about his planet and how Cybertronians used to live, I couldn't help but notice how much lighter he seemed. His usually stoic expression was gone, and his whole countenance was relaxed.

As he talked, the stars slowly showed their faces, and I couldn't help but stare at them, wondering which one led to his home. Despite my want to listen, I couldn't stop the heaviness that drew my eyelids shut. My head lightly hit a cool surface as my breathing slowed, and I barely processed the fact that my guardian had stopped talking. If I were looking at him would've noticed the gentle smile on his lips as his optics stared at my slumbering figure.

As my consciousness faded, I imagined the world Optimus spoke of, and I couldn't help but think it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

* * * * * *

Fowler sighed, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table. His dark hues watched the waiter as she walked past, the woman barely giving him so much as a glance. With a long sigh, he looked at his watch, his brows furrowing in annoyance as he returned to his methodical tapping.

Why was Fowler here, you ask? One of his old friends had contacted him and asked him to meet them at this tiny restaurant in the middle of nowhere. Why his friend insisted on meeting him was unknown, but his thoughts ran rampant at the endless possibilities. He only hoped that this meeting was about anything other than her daughter.

I don't need to deal with that mess. Agent Fowler thought, sipping the glass of water in front of him.A body sliding into the booth drew him from his thoughts, and his gaze met with stunning blue ones.

"It's not like you to be late," Fowler commented lightly. The woman in front of him let out an amused breath, moving a strand of caramel hair out of her face. She was tired, Fowler noted carefully. Her usually vibrant eyes seemed dull, and the bags underneath her eyes only confirmed his suspicions.

"I apologize, Will. It's harder than you think to get out of a shift." She teased softly, a small smile lifting her lips. Though it quickly faded, her fingers intertwining in front of her. "You must be wondering why I asked to meet you after so many years."

"Well, I know it wasn't to catch up." The Agent retorted. The woman ignored him, her lips drawn in a tense line. His playful demeanor disappeared as a thick tension came between them. He unconsciously straightened, suddenly feeling the slightest bit unnerved.

"It's about M.E.C.H." He stiffened, trying to hide the slight panic rising inside him.Her icy hues were locked onto him, carefully studying the man's expression. She leaned closer, careful to keep her voice barely above a whisper. "What do you know about Project Chimera?" His brows furrowed in confusion before a stark realization filled him.

"I take it you're still looking into M.E.C.H." It wasn't a question, and he knew he was right by the flash of guilt in her eyes. He scoffed. "Maya, It's not only illegal, but it's also incredibly dangerous. If these people knew what you were doing-"

"So you don't deny you know something."

"I didn't say that." He stated, taking another sip of his drink. Maya's jaw clenched, her blue eyes flashing. She could quickly tell he was lying to her, but at this rate, Maya knew he wouldn't tell her anything. Her gaze dropped to the table, her hands clenching as she tried to stop them from shaking.

"You promised." She spat lowly. "You promised me that if you found anything, you would tell me." Fowler's gaze softened, his hand reaching hers.

"Maya, you have to understand-" Her eyes flicked up to his, pulling away from his grasp.

"No, William. You have to understand that I can't just let this go. Those monsters took David away from me. I refuse to let the same thing happen to my daughter," She snapped. Her anger slowly faded, her shoulders dropping in defeat. "If you know anything about what they are planning, I need you to tell me, Will." Fowler adverted in gaze, unable to look into hers.

"As a Federal Agent, you know I can't discuss these things with a civilian." He spoke firmly, a hint of warning in his voice.

"I see." Maya gritted out. After less than a second, she lifted herself from the table, her face a mixture of anger and defeat. "If you change your mind, you know where to find me." With that, she walked off, leaving the Agent alone once more. Fowler sighed, guilt bubbling inside him as he leaned his face in his hands.

As much as it pained him, Maya could never know the truth her daughter already knew. Having four children in the mix was already dangerous enough, and he couldn't allow any more civilians to know. With a groan, he grabbed the cup before him, downing the drink in one gulp. He glanced outside as the cup hit the table, watching his old friend enter her car and drive off.

I promise you, Maya. I won't let her get hurt, even if it's the last thing I do.

Chapter 9: Diseases and Mind Games

Chapter Text

ʙᴀꜱᴇᴅ ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇᴘɪꜱᴏᴅᴇ ꜱɪᴄᴋ ᴍɪɴᴅ

"Optimus, you're not going to believe this," Ratchet called out, his optics locked on the screen before him. "I've just pinpointed the location of the Decepticon warship." The Autobots looked at the Medic in shock, each moving closer to the monitor.

"How did you penetrate their clocking technology?" Optimus inquired, taking a step closer. Ratchet briefly turned to the Prime before focusingon the green monitor.

"I didn't. I was experimenting with variable frequency wavelengths when I stumbled upon it." With that, he moved back toward the others, his faceplates furrowing. "Even still, their ship must be experiencing some kind of electromagnetic breach." Arcee stared at thescreen, her blue optics hardening.

"With Megatron deceased and the element of surprise," Her closed fist hit her servo, showcasing her point.

"We can cause some serious damage." Bulkhead finished. Just as he said those words, a sharpping sounded asanother signal appeared on the screen. Ratchet looked at the monitorin confusion, his voice unsure.

"Also, in anotherfrequency... an Autobot emergency beacon." He revealed his optics widening in disbelief. Each of them turned to Optimus, waiting for his decision. The Prime's gaze filled with determination, his optics landing on the Autobot signal.

"The Decepticons can wait. There may be Autobots in distress." He declared, his attention landing on the Medic. "Ratchet, bring your medical kit." The older bot didn't waste a moment as he swiftly swiped his kit, flicking on the groundbridge with one smooth movement.

The Groundbridge opened into a desert, the moonlight barely illuminating the sand below it. As the pair emerged from the swirling color, they studied the area around them cautiously. Laying in the perfect mounds of sand was a downed Cybertronian ship, various pieces scattered throughout the desert. Optimus and Ratchet moved closer, stopping as the Groundbridge closed behind them.

"A crash landing buried here for centuries." The Prime spoke, his voice grave. There were no visible entry points in the ship, all lost to time, so they had to make one. The laser tore through the rusted metal wall, and the side quickly gave way, falling into the ship with a loud clang. The Prime was the first to step in, his opticsscanning the area cautiously as Ratchet followed from behind.

"If they traveled in Stasis mode, there may be survivors," Ratchet commented, his flashlight illuminating the dark shadows around them. As he took another step, the ship rocked, tipping ominously to the side. Both briefly lost balance, Ratchet hanging onto the wall for support as the ship stopped its creaks. After a brief moment, they continued, the small hope of finding survivors dwindling as they did.

Ratchet couldn't help but feel uneasy as the darkness surrounded them, his tiny light only revealing what was right in front of them. It was quiet, too quiet. The only sounds that pierced through the silence were their loud footsteps and the occasional groans of the ship.

A door that seemed to have been closed for centuries sat at the end of the hallway, and without a word, Optimus grabbed the ends and pulled it apart. The metal screamed as it moved, and Ratchet's hope was snuffed out when it opened.

Inside the room were three bodies. Their metalwas rusted and battered, and the eyesockets-which would usually be a bright blue, were an ominous black. Optimus shone his light on the third body, his brows furrowing when he noticed the oldEnergon that pooled underneath the dead mech. The Prime shook his head as disappointment and grief filled him at the sight.

"Optimus!" Ratchet's voice drew the Prime'sattention away from the scene, and his gaze landed on that of the Medic. Ratchet was kneeling over one of the bodies, the green light from his scanner washing over it.

"These Autobots didn't perish in the crash." Ratchet stood, taking quick steps toward Optimus. "They're displaying the effects of a virus." Optimus turned away as realization filled him.

"This is a plague ship." He revealed gravely. He stepped toward a body, but Ratchet swiftly stopped him, placing a hand on his chest.

"Don't touch anything," Ratchet warned, his opticslanding on the Energonpool before him. "The virus could still be active." He finished wearily. The ship rumbled, the tremor more powerfulthan before. They waved their arms to keep their balance, but it didn't little to help. They both fell to thewall with a painful grunt, their backs clanging against the metal.

Once the grumbles of the ship stopped, Optimus lifted himself, and he was about to ask Ratchet if he was okay when the sounds of metal sliding stopped him. His attention moved upward, and he shined his flashlight on the pipes. Stuck in the ceiling was another dead body, his mouth hanging open in a silent scream.

Before the Prime could react, a few droplets of Energon landed on his head and neck. Optimus groaned, moving his arms to prevent any more from falling onto him, but it was too late. The infected Energon had already found its mark. Ratchets optics widened, his faceplates shifting into an expression of horror.

"No." The Medic whispered.

* * * * * *

"Thanks for your purchase! I hope you have a good rest of your day." I grinned, sliding the tiny wooden box toward the customer. With a curt nod, they grabbed the antique and left, leaving the shop empty again. My forced smile fell as the door closed, my stiff posture fading with a small breath.

With one glance, you could tell I was tired. If the bags under my eyes didn't say enough, how my eyelids fought to stay open was a good indicator. My body and mind ached from last week's events, and I couldn't stop the slight shudder that ran up my spine whenever I thought of Arachnid. Her purple optics still invaded my thoughts, and every time I closed my eyes, I could still hear the words she said to me.

Yet another thing to lose sleep over.I thought bitterly, my fingers tapping against the counter below me. Not to mention all the cuts and bruises I had gotten on my body had healed alarmingly. And instead of confronting the strange things happening around me, I happily ignored them in hopes everything would return to normal.

Was this healthy? No, it wasn't. But as they say, ignorance is bliss, and for now, my mental health was better off thinking I was normal. Though I knew that was nothing more than a pipe dream considering my life was anything less than average.

No regular teenager has to deal with potentially getting killed by Decepticons on a daily basis.I thought, brushing the nonexistent dust off the counter before me. Before I could dwell on my pessimistic thoughts any longer, a sudden vibration tickled my leg. After one look to ensure there weren't any customers, I pulled my phone from the confines of my pocket.

One message from Golden Eyes.

Are you still at work?

I snorted at the name, opening the notification with a barely noticeable smile.

Yeah. I don't get off for another 30 minutes.

What are you doing?

...

Nothing too important.

I raised an eyebrow at the vague response, and it wasn't long before a stark realization filled me.

You're illegally racing again, aren't you

... uh, would you believe me if I said no.

Nope.

I swear you're going to get

arrested one of these days.

I didn't know you cared so much about me, little damsel.

I hesitated, rolling my eyes. After Nick had given me his number, we texted back and forth, and even though I'd had his number for a few weeks, I didn't know much about him. All I knew was that he wasted most of his time illegally racing or working at his mysterious job he refused to tell me about, and by his secrecy, I could only assume it was something illegal as well.

I knew his strangeness should've deterred me, but I couldn't help but be curious, and as much as I didn't want to admit it, I was attached to the weirdo. Just as I was going to give him a witty response, a sharp cough interrupted me. I visibly flinched, quickly snapping my phone shut.

"Hard at work, I see?" I slowly turned toward the voice, a sheepish smile making its way to my lips. In front of the counter was Arthur, the older man staring into my very soul. "Let me guess. You're texting Nick again." I chuckled awkwardly, sliding my phone on the counter.

"It won't happen again," I promised, my cheeks heating in embarrassment. He was silent for a moment before he sighed, crossing his arms in front of him.

"Don't look so tense, Astra. I don't bite, you know?" He joked, his lips lifting. I smiled, allowing myself to relax once again.

"Sorry, I'm just jumpy today." He lifted an eyebrow at that, his hazel hues studying me momentarily. He seemed as if he was going to say something but only shook his head.

"Well, I came here to tell you to start preparing for closing. I'm sure you can get it done without being distracted." He teased, pointedly looking at the black phone in front of me. I sent him a playful glare as I grabbed the phone, purposefully putting it on the cash register. He smirked at my dramatic show and threw the keys at me- something I had barely caught, much to my chagrin- before taking over the counter.

It was almost impressive how fast I managed to lock up the valuable antiques and clean everything, the cleanup not taking more than ten minutes. I still had 20 minutes left of my shift, so I decided to bug Arthur, watching him as he started counting the money he had made for the day.

As my gaze followed his hands, my thoughts returned to Nick, the curiosity in my stirring. I knew I shouldn't look so much into the boy's life through Arthur, but I figured the older man knew him somehow and could give me some insight. After a minute of debate, I awkwardly cleared my throat.

"Yes?" Arthur wondered, his attention still locked onto the bills below him.

"Can I ask you a somewhat personal question?" I wondered, gently fiddling with my crystal.

"Depends on what it is." He responded lightly. I smiled, feeling a little bit less awkward.

"How exactly do you know Nick?" His demeanor shifted, his hazel eyes meeting mine. His hands had stopped their movement, and I couldn't help but stiffen slightly at the sudden change.

"Why do you want to know?" He asked carefully. I shrugged, not quite knowing myself.

"I'm curious. I don't know a lot about him." I answered, releasing my hold on my necklace. It was the truth, though some of me wondered why Arthur seemed so off-put by my question. The older man regarded me cautiously, his gaze studying me. I didn't know what he was searching for on my face, but it seemed he didn't find it, and his eyes softened.

"I was a family friend. I've technically known the kid since he was a baby. However, I was closer to Nick's mother than him. I hadn't heard from the little bugger in years until he texted me about the job opening." He admitted, once again, resuming his task. My brows furrowed, my finger wrapping around a strand of my hair.

"He said he asked his friend's father about the job," I revealed, watching the man before me. If Arthur was bothered by the information, he didn't show it. Instead, he only let out a deep sigh.

"Nick likes to hide how close he is to people.A habit he developed from his bastard of a father." Arthur's sentence fell into a low mutter, though I still heard it. A million questions danced through my head, though I knew better than to ask them. Nick's past was a sensitive topic for both of them, and I figured if I wanted to know anything else, I would have to ask Nick myself.

The sharp ring of the shop door broke the growing tension, and we both turned to the newcomer. My head tilted in confusion when I saw Jack, his black locks in a ruffled mess. He went to open his mouth, but when he noticed we weren't alone, he snapped it shut, seeming to think about his following words carefully.

"Jack?" I questioned, a sense of dread filling me. The more I looked at him, the more I became concerned. His eyes were filled with an emotion I had seen many times before, one that I had come to hate.

Pity.Jack walked closer to me, quickly eyeing Arthur as he approached.

"Astra, something bad happened to your...driver, and I need you to come with me," Jack explained, his voice filled with urgency. My heart felt like it had stopped, my lungs tightening as the blood rushed out of my face. In a daze, I quickly grabbed my phone, briefly looking at Arthur.

"S-Sorry, I have to-"

"It's okay. Go." I gave my boss a grateful nod as I hurriedly followed Jack as he led me to Arcee, my thoughts circling in my head in a frenzy. Jack briefly explained the situation as we jogged to the awaiting motorcycle.

"Optimus was hurt on a recon with Ratchet. I don't know much, but he doesn't look good." The words felt like they were suffocating me as he talked, and I moved faster. Just as I was about to slide onto Arcee, a hand on my shoulder stopped me.

"Are you sure you want to see him?" Jack asked carefully. His question didn't even spark the slightest bit of hesitation as I slide onto the motorcycle.

"Take me to him."

* * * * * *

No... Myheartbeat slowed as I stared at the figure in front of me. Optimus was unmoving, optics flickering weakly. My face felt numb as Ratchet checked his vitals, the Medic's face scrunched in a mixture of frustration and despair. I barely felt Jack pull me toward the other humans; My gaze stuck on the abnormal veins of rusted black and green on my guardian's face.

This isn't real.The words Cybonic Plauge were said, and I could only grip the railing before me.

"It's only contagious if contact is made with the infected Energon," Ratchet spoke. His words felt muddied as I struggled to swallow the growing saliva in my mouth.

This can't be happening.

"What's a plague doing in an Autobot spaceship?" Miko wondered from beside me. I was holding onto the slightest bit of hope that everything was going to be okay. That any moment Ratchet was going to tell us all that there was a cure, that there was something.

"Its passengers were infected. The virus wiped out millions on Cybertron during the Great War." Arcee explained.

Millions...My stomach dropped, the fear flashing across my face for a moment. I quickly killed the emotions stirring inside me, forcing myself to become stoic as I watched Optimus.

"Sardonic Plague was engineered in the Decepticon's biological warfare program. By Megatron himself." Ratchet revealed gravely. I felt Raf lean closer to the railing, his hand resting on my shoulder.

"Y-you have a cure, don't you?" The younger boy asked. I stiffened, the conversation becoming clearer as if I had pushed my head out of water. Ratchet was about to speak when a soft groan escaped Optimus. My eyes widened as he moved, his optics moving toward the others.

"No... cure." He mumbled weakly. My blood went cold, my heart pounding so loudly that it was the only thing I could hear as Ratchet spoke to Optimus. The words repeated in my head in an endless loop, taunting me with the meaning. My hands were clenching the railing so tight that it hurt. I fought the panic that traveled up my spine as I desperately tried to compose myself.

"Would Megatron make a disease without a cure? I-I mean, what if he caught it by accident?" Jack stammered hopefully. I successfully overcame my panic, grasping Jack's words like a lifeline.

"It's not like we can ask Megatron Jack. He's pushing up lug nuts." Bulkhead grumbled.

"But... We might be able to access the Decepticon database." Ratchet brought his digit to his chin, his optics lighting up. "For the moment, we still have a fix on their warships location." The smallest emblem of hope filled me, and that was enough to push back the crippling despair that threatened to overtake me. Arcee's optics hardened, beckoning Bumblebee toward her.

"Bumblebee, with me." Just as they started walking, Ratchet stopped her.

"Arcee." The Medic called out, turning toward her. "Quickly." The weight of his words hung in the air as he started up the groundbridge, and I watched as the duo went through and disappeared. I didn't know Miko's hand was in my own until I pulled it out of hers, taking a hesitant step back.

"Astra?" Miko questioned softly. Despite myself, I sent her a reassuring smile.

"I'm okay, Miko. I'm not the one who's hurt." Raf's gaze was locked on my hand, and I realized I had reached for my necklace. I quickly let go, something which didn't go past the smaller male. They all stared at me worriedly, none of them buying the unfazed act I was trying to pull off. I adverted my gaze, unable to stomach seeing the sickening pity in their eyes.

"Astra, it's okay to be upset-." Jack started, his voice laced with concern. I shook my head, stopping him from saying any more.

"Jack. Optimus is going to be fine. Bumblebee and Arcee will get the cure."

They have to.Before they could say anything else, I went down to Optimus. I knew the others were trying to help, but freaking out or crying would do nothing. Ratchet watched me momentarily, his optics filled with an emotion I couldn't place before he moved over to the monitor, again checking his vitals.

I pulled myself onto the medical berth beside him, my face blank as I took in his weaker form. I knew there was nothing I could do to help, nothing I could do to make it better. But that knowledge only served to make my heart ache.

To the outside world, I seemed emotionless, my eyes giving away none of the pain or restlessness I felt swarming inside me. The helplessness I felt only brought back memories from long ago and reminded me how utterly pathetic I was. I mean, whattype of person couldn't even help the people they cared about?

"Ratchet..." Optimus's voice stirred me from my thoughts as the mech slowly faced his old friend. "Were you...?"Once filled with life, his voice was drowned out by a low static, reducing it to a faint whisper.

"Infected. No." The Medic answered, the regret heavy in his voice. Optimus groaned in relief, his head rolling back. He must've noticed my presence beside him because his optics slowly moved to my figure. I sent him a weak smile, hoping the small action would bring him the slightest bit of reassurance. His faceplates weakly furrowed, his mouth opening to something, but I quickly stopped him.

"Don't. You need to conserve your energy." I gently reprimanded. He let out a shuddering sigh, his optics falling shut as he tried to fall back into recharge. I placed a hand on his shoulder, trying to comfort the both of us.

"If it's here, I don't see it."The Com-Link sparked to life as Acree's voice sounded across it. Ratchet immediately jumped to attention, his faceplates furrowing.

"Are you certain, Arcee?" The mech questioned firmly.

"I searched every file. Nothing."I shuffled uncomfortably, my throat tightening.

"Well, search again. Clearly, you missed something," Ratchet snapped.

"I scanned the entire Database!" Arcee shot back. I gulped, shakily inhaling as Ratchet and Arcee continued to argue. I desperately tried to hang onto hope, but it slowly faded the longer Arcee talked. My gaze landed back on Optimus, and my heart broke at the pain sprawled across his face.

I never thought that the mighty Prime could get hurt, that he would ever be taken down by something as mundane as a million-year-old virus. But seeing him in this state only reminded me that the Autobots could die, that the beings I've come to know and love could disappear in an instant.

"What is it? What's going on?" Ratchet inquired. The two-wheeler gasped in disbelief, and the silence that followed filled the room as everyone waited in anticipation.

"It's Megatron... He's alive." I inhaled sharply, my hand gripping my necklace.

He can't be...

"What!" Jack muttered in disbelief. The rest had similar looks of confusion and horror sprawled across their faces.

"That's not possible." Ratchet choked out, his servos clenching. Bulkhead took a step closer to the Medic, his faceplates wide with surprise.

"Well, I'm staring right at him."Arcee paused, and the sounds of servos shifting could be heard on her side."Good news. Megatron isn't exactly staring back."Optimus's optics opened, his blue hues flickering weakly.

"Megatron..." Optimus rasped out. We all turned to the Prime, most of us surprised by his sudden outburst.

"He's critical. Hooked up to life support. Time to finish this once and for all."Ratchet's optics widened at the sound of her blaster charging up, and he whipped back toward the screen.

"Wait! Don't!" He warned.

"One good reason. Fast."

"Megatron may be Optimus's only hope of survival." I turned to Ratchet with wide eyes, my hope blossoming once more.

"What are you talking about?"Arcee questioned skeptically. The mech ignored her question, stiffly leaning towards the comm link.

"Does he display brainwave activity?"

"Spiking hard. His sick mind is still at work." She muttered, the pure disgust evident in her voice. Ratchet had the opposite reaction, his optics lighting up as an idea came to him.

"Perfect!" He exclaimed. "If a cure exists, Megatron may be the only one who knows it. You must enter his brain and find it." I tilted my head, the confusion on my face evident. I knew Cybertronains were extremely different from humans, but going into someone's mind, or more accurately, someone's consciousness was unheard of.

"Enter Megatron's Brain? Ratchet, are you out of your fragging mind!"

"The Decepticons should have all the equipment you need for a cortical psychic patch." The mech explained, undeterred by her apparent aversion to the idea.

"No way."The femme objected."Have you ever even performed the procedure?"A moment of silence passed.

"No." The Medic stated. "But I have thoroughly studied the theoretical literature invented by Decepticons, outlawed by Autobots." He said the last part in spite, his fist gently hitting the table below him.

"Whoa. Can't we just haul Megatron through the Groundbridge? Buy us some time to figure this out."I understood Arcee's hesitance, but one look at Optimus showed that there wasn't much time left. I swallowed thickly as the virus spread further across Optimus's face, and the mech softly groaned in pain.

"Time is one thing that Optimus does not have. One of you must try this! I willnotallow Optimus to pass, knowing Megatron will outlive him!" The emotion in his voice was raw as he slowly regained his composure, his fists unclenching slowly.

"Ratchet. I would lay down my life for Optimus. Anytime. Anywhere. But a mind-body split-"Acree was interrupted by a familiar string of chirps and whirrs."You will?"Arcee spoke carefully. Raf's grabbed the railing in front of him, and Jack placed a comforting hand on the younger boy's shoulder.

"Are you sure, Bumblebee?" He asked worriedly. Bulkhead turned to the boy, a confident smirk on his face.

"Bee's the best scout there is." The wreaker reassured him. Raf still seemed unsure, obvious concern crossing his face. His brown hues landed on my figure, and I nodded, sending the boy a soft smile. Miko and Jack quickly wrapped their arms around Raf, though I could tell it did little to comfort him.

I couldn't blame him. The thought of Bumblebee taking part in a risky procedure made my stomach churn. I knew Optimus wouldn't want someone to sacrifice their life for his, and if this didn't work, we would be losing not only Optimus but Bumblebee as well. But, even though the thought scared me, letting Optimus die when there was a chance we could save him frightened me even more.

"Ratchet, we're ready."

"Initiate cortical psychic patch." At Ratchet's words, the femme did what he asked, and we all held our breath in anticipation. The screen in front of Ratchet glitched briefly before filling it with a deep orange color.

"Communication downlink activated. This will allow us to see and hear everything Bumblebee does within Megatron's subconscious mind." Ratchet explained, briefly turning toward the others.

"Whoa, where's that?" Jack wondered, the three kids leaning over the railing to get a better look. Bumblebee buzzed, and Raf immediately translated.

"Bee says it looks like Kaon. The Decpiticon capital back on Cybertron." A faint beeping drew my attention from the screen, and I glanced at the vitals behind me. I didn't understand much about a Cybertronain's anatomy, but the red slowly taking over more of Optimus's body didn't seem good. Bulkhead walked closer, his faceplates furrowing in concern as he called out to Ratchet.

"Ratch, Optimus's vitals..." The Medic didn't even look back, his gaze lowering.

"I know." He mumbled. I lowered to the ground, pulling my knees to my chest as I absentmindedly watched Bumblebee converse with Megatron. I studied Megatron carefully, or as carefully as possible, from where I was sitting. The more I watched him, the more it was evident that he was genuinely obsessed with destroying Optimus.My belief only hardened as I watched him continuously slaughter the Prime, obviously taking great pleasure in the twisted act.

"Astra..."I quickly turned, releasing my grip on my knees. My guardian's head was tilted slightly in my direction, his dull optics staring at me.

"Optimus, you should be resting." I scolded, though my heart wasn't in it, as I saw him grimace slightly. I let out a breath, shuffling myself to face the mech. "It's going to be okay. Bumblebee's going to get the cure." He didn't say anything, only venting out slowly.

"I'm... sorry."He mumbled, wincing as he moved his head back in place. I quirked a brow, scooting an inch closer.

"What in the world do you have to be sorry for?" I wondered incredulously. If anyone should be apologizing, it should be Megatron for creating the disgusting virus in the first place.

"For... worrying..."His sentence weakly trailed off, but I understood what he meant.

"Don't apologize. We all care about you, so of course, we will worry. You didn't purposefully get infected, so you have nothing to apologize for." I stated.He looked at me momentarily, his optics softening before they slowly fell shut again.

"Arcee, we have the formula! Disconnect Bumblebee now!" I jolted in surprise at the outburst and whipped toward the screen. I smiled as I saw the cure, and my tension dissipated. I hurriedly moved off the medical bench as Ratchet worked and joined the other humans.

It was only a few more moments until Bumblebee and Arcee appeared through the groundbridge, and we waited in anticipation as Ratchet prepared the cure. I hadn't realized how much of an emotional toll Optimus's near-death experience had on me until Ratchet helped lift the mech to his pedes.

"That's it. Steady." Ratchet told the Prime. It was then it hit me that danger had fully passed, and I finally allowed myself to let go of my worries. Everyone around me clapped and cheered at his recovery, and I couldn't help but join in, a broad grin on my face.

"Please. Reserve the heroes' welcome for my physician and my scout." Optimus declared, gesturing towards the two of them. Bee's optics widened in surprise as we clapped and cheered for him, and he bashfully whirred at the attention. Eventually, he gave in and dramatically bowed, and it only caused the others to laugh.

As he rose back up, I felt my chest contract, and my claps slowed. The energy I felt was dark, almost painful, filling the room with its stench. If I had been paying attention, I would've noticed how robotic Bumblebee had seemed or how his optics seemed lifeless. But I wasn't looking, and as quickly as it came, it dissipated, and soon enough, it was forgotten.

* * * * * *

Ratchet's heavy footsteps echoed in the base as he returned to the medical bay. The base was quiet, as all the others had left with their human charges, and with all the events that happened earlier today, he was thankful for the silence. His workplace was dark, but even from here, he could see the slumbering figure of his old friend.

Optimus's optics opened as he flicked on a few lights, and the medic figured the mech hadn't been asleep at all. Ratchet opened his mouth to say something when the Prime slowly shook his head, his blue gaze shifting slightly to the left. Fast asleep, lying between the Primes neck cables and shoulders was Astra. Her expression seemed relaxed as she soundlessly slept, and Ratchet watched as the girl shuffled closer to her guardian.

The medic couldn't stifle the small chuckle that escaped him as his optics softened at the sight. He shifted his attention to his computer, but his thoughts were still stuck on the strange human girl. She hadn't gone with the other humans to her house, saying her mom was out of town, so it 'wouldn't matter if she stayed.' It was apparent to everyone she was still worried about Optimus and wanted to stay by his side.

It wasn't like anyone put much of a fight for her to go, and as much as the medic hated to admit it. They were all becoming attached. She was slowly but surely worming her way into the hearts of the whole Autobot team. The medic glanced at the heartwarming scene before focusing on his computer. The old bot's steady typing filled the military silo, and the girl's soft snores lulled the two mechs into a sense of peace.

Little did they know the peace wouldn't last, and darker dreams were about to come to fruition.

Chapter 10: All In your Head

Chapter Text

"Follow the light." Optimus optics went to the side as Ratchet looked over the mech. "Good," Ratchet said with a smile, turning off the flashlight with a click. "I wouldn't advise anything strenuous, Optimus, but it appears that your systems have fully recovered from the Cybonic plague." I grinned from the railing above, watching as my guardian got released from the device holding him.

I didn't know exactly what time it was, but I knew it was incredibly early. In normal circ*mstances, I would've been asleep right now, waiting for my alarm for school to go off. But despite myself, I was still worried about Optimus, and I couldn't bring myself to leave him. I had even been determined to stay up all night till I was sure everything was fine, but regrettably, I fell asleep, only waking up when my guardian had to be examined.

Some guard I am.I thought, my frustration disappearing as a small smile rose on Optimus's faceplates.

"Thanks to your medical expertise, old friend." The Prime complimented, gently placing a hand on the medic's shoulder. Ratchet shook his head, looking back at Bumblebee.

"It was your scout who braved unknown territory to locate the cure." Bumblebee whirred, shaking his hands bashfully, as his optics landed on the concrete below him.

"Lucky for us, Megatron was still alive," Arcee added. Bee buzzed something to the femme, and she let out a tired sigh. "Yeah, I actually said that." She muttered in disbelief. Ratchet ignored the two, turning back to Optimus.

"What matters is that you are on the mend Optimus. While Megatron..." Bumblebee finished Ratchet's sentence with a chirp, Arcee seeming to agree with whatever the scout said as she nodded.

"Bee's Right. Did my best to finish Megatron's story. Couldn't stick around long enough to see how it ended." The femme murmured darkly. My brows knitted, leaning against the railing with a frown. As much as I wanted to believe Megatron was gone, I knew better than to get my hopes up. If I had learned anything from TV shows or movies, the villain never dies easily.

I shook off my thoughts, stifling a yawn as I did. Lazily I listened to the others talk, my gaze never leaving Optimus's form for even a few seconds.As I stared, the air suddenly thickened, the pressure lingering on my chest. Knuckles white, I carefully sucked in a breath, the weight on my chest somehow becoming heavier.

In my confusion and panic, my gaze flickered upwards, landing on a particular scout. The mech stared into his servos, his optics blank as he seemed lost in his thoughts. Suddenly, as if cold water had been dumped on him, he snapped out of it.If I were paying attention, I would've noticed a flicker of white light fade into my necklace, and as suddenly as the feeling came, it was gone.

Strange.

"Astra?" I tore my gaze from the yellow mech, reluctantly turning toward Ratchet.

"Did you need something?" I wondered, my voice only wavering slightly. It seemed he didn't notice my discomfort, only venting as he pointed to the groundbridge.

"I asked if you wanted to be ground bridged home. You have a couple of hours until you need to head to school." He repeated. My gaze flickered to my guardian, uncertainty flitting across my face. Optimus's optics softened in understanding, taking a step toward me as he outstretched his servo.

"I'll see you after work." The Prime promised, patiently waiting for me to step onto his servo. I hesitated momentarily before gently sliding over the railing and onto his palm. The metal was warmer than I thought it would be as I grabbed onto his finger. My grip only tightened as he gently lowered me to the concrete below him, and I waited until he was still before jumping off.

His words reassured me more than I wanted to admit, and the awaiting comfort of my bed only convinced me further. So with a tired goodbye, I stepped into the groundbridge, bracing myself for the headache I was about to endure. It didn't hurt as much as the first time, but it still felt like someone was sticking a hot knife through my brain, and it only subsided when I fully emerged from the portal.

Unsurprisingly, it was still dark, the stars glittering bright above me. Barely conscious, I shuffled to my room. My head didn't even hit the pillow for a second before I was fast asleep, quickly forgetting all of my worries.

* * * * * *

"Basketball by way of Cybertron! Let the games begin!" Miko blew the tiny whistle, announcing the start of the match. I sat between Raf and Jack on a ledge, all of us watching in anticipation as Bumblebee and Bulkhead started. The scout twirled the metal ball on his fingertips and attempted to throw it over Bulkhead, but before it could make it into the basket, it was interrupted by the wreaker. With agility surprising for his size, the green mech twisted himself and shot the ball into the basket.

"Go Bulk!" The black-haired girl cheered, and I whooped alongside her. Raf sent me a betrayed glare, and I quickly amended it by cheering for Bumblebee as well.

"Come on. Best two out of three." Bulkhead offered as he threw the ball to Bee. The smaller mech caught it and smoothly dodged his competitor with a twirl, now having a clear opening.

"Bee! You're in the clear. Dunk it, Bee!" Raf yelled out, a wide grin on his face. I shook my head in amusem*nt as the scout ran up to the basket, only for him to stop just before. The air suddenly thickened, my lungs becoming tight. A sharp cough escaped me at the sudden change, and I felt Jack's concerned gaze on me. I quickly waved him off, giving him a strained smile.

Again?What's happening to me?I thought, quickly composing myself.

"Bumbleebee, quit hogging the ball!" Bulkhead lightly scolded. An unsettling feeling washed over me as Bumblebee suddenly whipped around, throwing the ball straight at the wreaker's head. Bulkhead luckily managed to duck in time, the metal slamming behind him. We all jolted at the sound, blinking at the smaller mech in shock. Miko slid down the ladder, blowing her whistle like a referee.

"Flagrant foul!"

"Dodgeball, by the way of Cybertron." Jack quipped, gently nudging my shoulder in an attempt to lighten the mood. Normally I would've smiled, but the uncomfortable feeling in my chest lingered before once again fading, and I didn't miss how Bumblebee's optics seemed to widen as it did.

"Uh, Bee? Hoops over there?" The wreaker pointed out, rubbing the back of his head. The scout whirred in confusion, looking at the hoop behind him. Raf's brows furrowed, scooting closer to the edge.

"Bee, you okay?" The boy questioned gently. Bee buzzed in confirmation, lifting three fingers up. Raf slowly nodded, a hesitant smile rising on his lips. "Yeah... three out of five."

I cautiously watched the two as they continued their game, everything seeming to go back to normal. For the rest of the match, there were no strange feelings or shifts in Bee's personality, and despite myself, I pushed back the suspicion rising in me with a sigh.

I'm definitely going crazy. A slight vibration interrupted my thoughts, and I checked my phone with practiced ease. Unsurprisingly, there was a message from Nick, and I opened it with a barely noticeable smirk.

One message from Golden Eyes

Hey, I heard from Arthur that something happened. Are you okay?

My gaze softened slightly, not noticing Jack's curious gaze hovering over my shoulder.

Yeah, everything's fine. A family friend had to go to the hospital, but he's okay now.

I'm glad he's alright, but that's not what I asked.

Are youokay?

I paused, my brows furrowing slightly. Of course, I was fine. I wasn't the one who was injured. I wasn't the one who was on their deathbed less than a day ago. I re-read the message several times, my grip on the phone tightening.

It was a simple question I could easily answer, but for some reason, I couldn't bring myself to respond.With a small exhale, I closed the messaging app, stealing a quick look at the time as I did. Ignoring Jack's blatant stare, I excused myself, going over to a particular grumpy medic.

"Do you mind Groundbridging me to work?" I asked, gently kicking the mech's pede to gain his attention. Usually, Optimus would take me, but he was currently getting some well-needed rest, and I wasn't going to be the one to take that from him. Ratchet glanced down at me, not even trying to hide the annoyance on his faceplates.

"You have two perfectly healthy legs. Can't you walk?" He remarked, turning back to his computer. I crossed my arms, raising an eyebrow as I stared disbelieving up at the medic.

"No. I won't make it on time." I explained simply. The mech fully turned to me, crossing his arms as well.

"The groundbridge is only being used for emergencies." He emphasized. "We don't have enough Energon for you to be wasting it." After a moment's reflection, I knew Ratchet was right. Optimus did mention -albeit not directly- that the Autobots were running low on Energon, and I didn't want to use valuable resources for something as dumb as "being late for work."

"You're right." I sighed, missing the surprise that flashed across his face. "Forget I even asked." With that, I turned away from the medic, my gaze landing on Bumblebee and Bulkhead.

Optimus is out of the question, and Arcee is on patrol. So I should go over and ask Bumblebee or Bulkhead to give me a ride.My forest hues landed on their happy faces, and my shoulders fell.I'm just going to tell Arthur I can't come in today.I decided. I knew he wouldn't be mad. In fact, Arthur did text me saying that I could skip work today. But just as I was going to make a call, a voice stopped me.

"I can take you." I turned around in surprise, an eyebrow raised as I stared at Ratchet.

"Wait... Really?" The medic rolled his eyes at my disbelieving tone before shifting into his vehicle form.

"Are you going to climb in or not?" The ambulance in front of me grumbled, his door opening. I nodded, quickly sliding into the passenger side. I didn't know what elicited Ratchet's sudden generosity, but I wasn't going to complain, and after a quick thanks on my side, we took off.

We drove in silence, the awkward tension almost suffocating. Trying to distract myself, I stared out the window, once again watching the desert.

Now that I thought about it, this was the first time I had really had some one-on-one time with Ratchet. I really only talked to the mech if I needed to be ground bridged somewhere or if he was annoyed at us for being too loud or touching his things. Looking at it from a surface level, it seemed the medic didn't care too much about me. Or, really, any of the humans.

But even as the thought crossed my mind, I knew it was wrong. Ratchet did care. It was obvious by the way his optics held a hidden warmth whenever he talked to the others. Or how much he had worried about me when Knockout had almost kidnapped me. Even his offer to take me to work showed that he genuinely cared, not only for his teammates but for the humans as well.

"How are you holding up?" Ratchet awkwardly asked, cutting through the thick atmosphere. I stared at the dashboard in confusion, and the ambulance vented, obviously uncomfortable. "I know the past 24 hours have been a bit... stressful." The medic clarified. I nodded in agreement, allowing myself to lean back in the seat.

"I'm fine," I mumbled. I sensed Ratchet's skepticism, and I forced myself to smile. "Ratchet, really, other than being a bit tired. I'm okay." He seemed to want to say more but, thankfully, didn't push anymore.

To be honest, I wasn't sure if I was lying to everyone or not. Logically, I was fine. Optimus was alive and well, and everything at base seemed to be back to normal. But despite everything, the heaviness in my gut didn't seem to go away. I let out a sigh as my thoughts were brought back to a certain Autobot.

"Do you think somethings off about Bee?" I carefully asked. For a moment, I thought Ratchet wouldn't answer, but after a few seconds, he spoke.

"No, why?" I shifted in my seat, once again playing with the necklace hanging around my neck.

"It's probably nothing... I've just noticed that he's been acting a bit off."

"He's probably still recovering. Bumblebee didn't seem to have any physical side effects, but I wouldn't be surprised if there were some minor mental effects from the operation." He must've noticed the skeptical look on my face because his mirrors turned to me.

"Astra, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Bumblebee is stronger than you think." I nodded, dropping the topic. Trying to take my mind off my growing worry, I fell into comfortable small talk with Ratchet.

Even as we talked, Bumblebee still came to my mind, and as much as I wanted to be reassured by the mech's explanation, I couldn't ignore my gut feeling telling me something was wrong. But, like always, I tried my best to push down my suspicions, not knowing that soon, my worst fears were coming to fruition.

* * * * * *

The following day was the same as always. My alarm still woke me up at an ungodly hour, and reluctantly, I pulled myself out of the warm confines of my bed. In what seemed like record time, I was ready for school, mindlessly sitting at the counter while I waited for Bumblebee and Raf. A breath escaped me as I glanced out the window, my brows furrowing when there was still no sign of the yellow muscle car.

They're late.I thought, looking at the clock for what seemed like the millionth time. It was strange they hadn't shown up yet, even stranger, that they didn't even bother to send a text to warn me. Fingers tapping against the cool countertop, I leaned against my hand as my worry grew.

I straightened as a vibration shook the countertop, unsurprised to find my phone was the cause of it. Quickly, I accepted the call, not even having to look at the contact to know it was Raf.

"Hey Raf, is everything all right? You guys are running a bit late." I wondered, lazily looking out the window once more.

"Astra. Bumblebee never picked me up."I paused, my forehead creasing."I can't even get in touch with him 'cause his comlinks off again."

"That's weird," I mumbled, more so talking to myself than Raf. The heavy feeling I had tried to suppress swiftly returned, and I stood. "He probably went on a mission and forgot to tell you." It was obvious none of us believed the lame explanation as the younger boy sighed.

"Maybe. But that doesn't sound like something he would do."I silently agreed with him, my stomach clenching at the uneasiness in his voice. Shaking off my confusion, I headed outside, my feet guiding me to the boy's house.

"I'm on my way over," I assured him, hoping my presence would comfort him. "I'm sure it's all some sort of misunderstanding," I murmured. At that moment, I was glad Raf couldn't see me as I fiddled with the crystal on my neck.

"Hopefully, you're right. See you soon."The boy said, a note of relief in his voice as he hung up. Stuffing my phone in my pocket, I forced myself to walk faster, and soon enough, Raf's anxious figure came into view. Right when I got within earshot, the younger boy was saying goodbye to someone on the phone, and by the look on his face, whatever he had just heard wasn't good.

"What's wrong?" I questioned, my mouth dry, as his honey hues turned to me in obvious concern.

"I just called Ratchet. Apparently, something's wrong with Bee. He's sending a groundbridge to come to pick us up." Raf quietly explained, anxiously playing with his fingers. Silently, I wrapped my arm around the boy, gently pulling him to my side. The brown-haired boy didn't move, his shoulder lowering as he released a shaky breath.

"Don't worry, Raf. I'm here for you." It wasn't long before the familiar shine of the groundbridge appeared, and we didn't waste a second before rushing in. As we made it to the other side, Raf immediately left my side, running toward his guardian. Bumblebee's optics were dark, his head limp as he was held up in the scanner Optimus used only a day earlier.

I usually would've run up with the younger boy, but the steady spike of pain from the groundbridge lingered. Frozen in my spot, I tried my best to regain my bearings before walking up beside Raf. Luckily, no one noticed my weird behavior as I finally listened to the conversation.

"Bumblebee's complaining of intermittent visions, waking nightmares if you will," Ratchet explained, looking down at the both of us. A bit confused, I stole a look at the powered-down mech as Raf took a step forward.

"But you said Bee was fine when you checked him over," Raf said, obviously concerned.

"Physically. But the experience he endured seems to have a temporary effect on his psyche. This induced power-down will force Bumblebee's mind to rest and recover." Raf seemed to want to say more, but I stopped him with a slight shake of my head.The computer's beeping broke the heavy tension in the air, and everyone moved closer to the monitor. Without any words, Ratchet answered the call, and I was surprised to see Fowler's face appear on the screen.

"Prime! You spotted any Decepticons wearing hula skirts lately?" Fowler wondered, his face appearing on the screen in front of Ratchet. I raised an eyebrow at the weird sentence, silently wondering if Fowler had finally lost his mind. Optimus leaned down slightly, his faceplates shifting into that of barely concealed exasperation.

"No Special Agent, Fowler. Why?" Optimus asked.

"Because I was hoping you'd have a lead on the 'cons that busted into the Kauai naval observatory. Place looked like it was hit by an army of wreaking balls." Fowler revealed, his voice filled with barely concealed anger.

"Why would 'cons break into an observatory?" Arcee wondered skeptically, raising a faceplate.

"Does the Hiot-Nikogosian ring any bells?" Raf's brown eyes lit up in recognition, quickly taking a step forward.

"The space telescope!" The agent confirmed his words with a nod, barely sparing the kid a glance.

"As of last night, it's missing its primary lens," Fowler stated, a hint of frustration in his voice. The group did not miss the implications as they all shared a knowing glance, and I sighed once more, feeling the familiar heaviness in my gut.

Great, another thing to worry about. Just what we needed.I thought, crossing my arms in annoyance.

"It's difficult to guess Starscream's intent without knowing where the lens has been taken," My Guardian said thoughtfully, his voice hardening as his optics narrowed. I unconsciously stiffened, immediately recognizing the look on his faceplates. He always wore it before battle, whenever he feared the worst.

"Good thing the lens has a tracking device," Fowler added. The screen glitched for a moment before his face disappeared, instead being replaced with the location of the lens, the red square beeping gently on the map.

"The artic? Great, another chance to freeze out sparkplugs off." Arcee grumbled, crossing her arms. Bulkhead ignored the femme, letting out an impressed whistle.

"That's an nd7 class. Biggest unminable energon deposit there is." Bulkhead murmured. I shifted on my feet, my eyes widening as the map zoomed in to reveal the giant cluster of Energon.

"Unminable until Starscream melts his way down to it," The Prime's words felt heavy, the urgency of the situation becoming increasingly apparent.

"With the help of the lens," Arcee added, her optics lighting up slightly as Starscream's plan became clear. I stiffened, my eyes widening in realization as the potential dangers flooded my thoughts. Fowler's reappearance on the screen was accompanied by the clear distress on his face.

"Melting a glacier that size would cause sea levels to rise and demolish coastal cities!" Raf and I shared a glance of worry as the others quickly powered on the Groundbridge, all of their faceplates filled with determination. Optimus's gaze met my own, only giving me a reassuring nod before stepping through the portal.

With everyone but Ratchet, Raf, and Bumblebee gone, the base felt unnaturally quiet as Raf and I sat underneath Bumblebee. To fill the silence, Raf immediately started telling the powered-down mech about his day and anything else that came to the boy's mind. My lips lifted at Raf's animated expression, my heart warming. Even though I knew Raf wasn't talking to me, I still listened, a few snorts leaving me as he mentioned something about the glaring match I had with Vince today.

"Rapheal. I'm afraid Bumblebee can't hear you in power-down mode." Raf stopped his chatter, staring at the medic as Ratchet tilted his head to the groundbridge. "It's getting late. Why don't I bridge you two home to your family." I didn't say anything, looking to Raf for his answer.

"Because I told Bumblebee I'd stay. He's family, too." The boy explained simply. Ratchet scoffed in disbelief, staring down at Raf.

"Don't be ridiculous. You're not even the same species." The mech said incredulously. I sent the medic a warning, looking about to tell him off when Raf spoke once again.

"That's being related. It's not the same thing. Here, I'll show you." At Ratchet's disbelieving stare, the younger boy reached into his pocket for his phone before showing the medic the screen. "This is my family." Ratchet kneeled to get a closer look, humming in thought.

"yes, very nice." He grumbled. Raf drew his phone back with a slight shake of his head.

"Verylarge.Sometimes, I can shout, and no one hears me." The boy's eyes met the floor, his brows furrowing in thought, and his voice softened. "But Bumblebee always listens," the medic's optics widened in surprise as Raf continued. "and I can understand him. I'm not sure why, but I do." Ratchet didn't say anymore after that, seemingly lost in thought as he stared at Bumblebee's still form on the medical berth.

The look in Ratchet's optics was hauntingly similar to Arcee's when Arachnid came to Earth. The thought that Rachet once had family came to mind, and my brows furrowed. I slowly shook my head, stopping myself from questioning it anymore. It was Ratchet's business, and I felt the answer would be too painful to hear. Gently, I nudged Raf's shoulder, sending him a strained smile.

"I've always wondered what it was like to have siblings," I said, breaking the gentle silence. "Being an only child gets boring sometimes," I added playfully, not missing Raf's slight smile, his eyes reflecting the faint light from the control panels.

"Is it just you and your mom?" He asked. I nodded, leaning back on my hands, and Raf hesitantly continued. "If you don't mind me asking, what happened to your dad?" I glanced at him, my grin faltering for a moment.

"He's no longer with us. One day, he was at work, and the next, he just... disappeared, and we never saw him again," I murmured softly, the memory casting a shadow on the otherwise tranquil moment.

"I'm sorry, Astra. I didn't mean to-." I stopped him with a wave, trying to seem unbothered as I fiddled with the necklace. Something which didn't go past the younger boy.

"Don't worry about it. It happened a long time ago." I murmured reassuringly. Raf shifted awkwardly, fiddling with his fingers in thought.

"Do you think he's still alive?" He wondered, unsure whether or not to continue. I let out a breath, shifting so I was hugging my knees.

"I don't know. When I was younger, I wanted to believe that he was. That he was still kicking out there somewhere. But if he was, that means he abandoned us, and I know he would never do that." A tense silence followed after that as my memories scratched their way back up to the surface, and my grip on my pants became tighter. I didn't want to tell Raf I clung to the foolish hope that he was alive. He was somewhere out there looking for us as much as we looked for him.

"Thanks for staying with me. You didn't have to." Raf murmured gratefully, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Don't mention it. I told you I was your teammate, didn't I?" I grinned cheekily, bumping his shoulder with mine. He smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes as his attention moved to Bumblebee again. I followed his gaze, my expression becoming softer.

"Bee's strong. He's going to be fine, Raf," I said confidently.

"I know," he whispered, his gaze never leaving the Autobot. I couldn't help but feel bad for Raf, relating to his predicament more than I would like. It wasn't even two days ago when I was in the same position—staring at Optimus's seemingly lifeless body, worrying if he would make it.

"Rapheal. Astra." We both perked at the call of our names. Ratchet was holding a device Bumblebee had apparently broken earlier, a hint of lingering annoyance in his optics as he stared at the object. "I'm going to the supply vault to see if I can find parts to repair this." His gaze lifted from the broken metal, instead meeting my gaze. "You know what that means."

"Don't touch anything."Raf and I spoke simultaneously, a smirk playing on both of our faces as Ratchet nodded. His optics, usually stern, lit up with hidden amusem*nt as he walked away. As Ratchet's footsteps faded, the dark energy returned, and I stifled a cough at the sudden change. Trying my best not to alarm Raf, I glanced at Bumblebee, my eyes widening as his optics were wide open.

"Wait till you see this new laptop I'm saving up for Bee," Raf spoke, oblivious to his guardian's sudden awareness. I stiffened, the feeling becoming stronger as something in my chest contracted, flaring a warning of danger.

"Raf... something's wrong." My words were our only warning when the mech suddenly stepped forward. We both jumped, Raf's brown eyes widening in surprise and confusion as he slowly shut the laptop before him.

"Bee?" Bumblebee ignored the call of his name, seeming more robotic than I'd ever seen him as he walked to Ratchet's desk, his movements precise and calculated. "Bumblebee, wait!" Raf's voice held desperation, and he rushed after the Autobot. His action forced my own as I ran after my friend, hoping with all my heart that the heavy feeling in my gut was wrong. The bot pressed a few things on Ratchet's screen as he activated a groundbridge, the portal whirring as it came to life with an electric hum.

Where is he going?I thought, running slowly to a stop as I watched Bumblebee walk into the portal, ignoring Raf's desperate pleas. Rapid metal footsteps sounded behind us as Ratchet stared down at us, taking in the situation.

"What did you do?" The medic questioned accusingly. Raf shook his head, looking up at the medic with a panicked look in his light brown eyes.

"N-Nothing. Bumblebee just got up-"

"He was in power-down!" The mech interrupted, his faceplate furrowing in disbelief. Though his anger quickly faded, his optics shifted into concern. "Where does he think he's off two." He muttered questionly. I let out a breath, my gaze hardening as the thickness in my chest lifted.

"Something's wrong, Ratchet. I don't know how to explain it, but he doesn't seem like himself. " I said urgently, trying to put what I felt into words. Ratchet didn't say anything, instead quickly going to his desk. Raf and I shared a knowing look before we followed, climbing up the railing in front of Ratchet. One look at the coordinates and Ratchet stiffened, his optics widening.

"These are the coordinates for the site of our previous battle with Megatron's undead." I stiffened, my brows furrowing in confusion as I shot Ratchet a skeptical look.

"You fought zombies?" I was met with blank stares at my question, and I scratched the back of my neck sheepishly. "Right, a story for another time," I muttered. Raf became more and more unsure, his lips pulling into a frown.

"Maybe we should call Optimus." He suggested softly, and I quickly nodded in agreement, but the mech soon dismissed the idea.

"Optimus is busy preventing a polar ice cap from melting. We need to handle this on our own."Ratchet's sentence turned grave, and a thick silence followed as a rush of worry filled me. We had no backup if something went wrong, and there was very little I could do if Ratchet needed help.

I hope it doesn't come to that.The thought sent a shiver down my spine as I fiddled with the crystal in thought, my lips pursing. With a heavy tension in the air, Ratchet activated the groundbridge, seeming as if he was going to go after the mech himself when a familiar scout entered the ground bridge. Immediately, the thickness returned, like a 30 pound weight was suddenly put on my chest, stealing my breath. Raf immediately steadied me, softly calling out my name in concern.

"Bumblebee," Ratchet called out warily, reaching out a careful hand to stop the scout. "What have you been doing?" When Bumblebee didn't say anything, Ratchet caught his arm as he tried to walk past, forcing the mech to reveal what he was holding.

In Bee's grasp was a giant purple shard, the crystal emitting a soft glow. A sharp pain went through my skull, and my eyes pinched shut as the energy around me swiftly became overwhelming.

"Dark Energon?" Ratchet exclaimed incredulously. Just as Ratchet went to meet the scout's gaze, a fist went flying into the medic's face. Ratchet flew back into his desk, slumping to the floor with a pained grunt. I forced my eyes to open, pushing down the pain as fear filled me.

"Ratchet!" I shouted, pushing Raf behind me as Bee's lifeless optics fell on us.

"Bee! What are you doing?"The young boy's words fell on deaf processors, Bumblebee's faceplates furrowing as he slowly approached us. I sent the mech a sharp glare, taking a few more steps back as he got closer.

"Don't come any closer, Bee!" I growled, but that did little to deter him.My mouth went suddenly dry, a sharp taste of terror flooding my senses as a primal fear gripped me with icy fingers, turning my muscles to stone. With barely a flick of his digits, Bumblebee tossed me away like I was a pest, throwing my body through the air. My back collided with the cold, unforgiving metal, the impact an explosion of pain that sucked the very breath from my lungs.Darkness crowded my vision as I gasped for air, my frantic heartbeat pounding in my ears, drowning out all other sounds.

Raf's alarmed scream pierced through my growing disorientation, drawing me from the comforts of unconsciousness, I let out a pained cry as the mech grabbed Raf, the fogginess of my vision quickly fading away.

Please don't hurt him.I pleaded, trying my best to get back on my feet.

"Bumblebee, please, I know you're in there!" The kid exclaimed desperately. It was like Bumblebee couldn't hear a single word as he put Raf on the ledge of the went we were on just a day earlier. "You have to fight whatever's making you do this!" Bumblebee only turned away, running out of the groundbridge once more.

Ratchet groaned, and Raf straightened, his eyes wide with worry. "Ratchet, are you okay?" The mech slowly rose to his pedes, slowly shaking his head.

"I'm fine." His blue optics suddenly landed on me, his eyes widening slightly. "Astra, are you-" I didn't let him finish, waving him off with a grim smile.

"I'm all good, just a little bruised." I tried to shoot him a thumbs up, but the sudden movement caused another jolt of pain, and I tried my best to hide my wince. He seemed unconvinced but didn't push it.

"More important, is Bumblebee okay," Ratchet's voice held a heavy weight as he approached Raf, wearing the same expression of a concerned parent as he spoke, his gaze filled with worry. "I fear the time spent in Megatron's mindscape is causing him to think like a Decepticon." The boy bristled at that, his brows furrowing in anger.

"Bee's not a con!" He protested, walking onto Ratchet's outstretched hand. I leaned against the railing, watching the older Autobot return to where I stood, my unease growing.

"Agreed. But we need to know exactly what Bumblebee intends to do with that shard."The medic suddenly halted, his brows furrowing deeper as if struck by a startling revelation. "The only one who knew of the dark Energon... was Megatron." A chill coursed through me, my breath catching as the pieces of the puzzle started to fall into place. Bumblebee wasn't acting like he was a Decepticon. His actions mimicked that of someone being controlled.

And he wasn't in control... because Megatron was.Ratchet seemed to come to the same conclusion, his gaze darkening.

"Bumblebee has Megatron's memories?" Raf asked, clearly confused.

"Worse. Megatron is occupying Bumblebee's mind." Ratchet murmured gravely. Raf made a noise of surprise, his fists clenching as his eyes widened.Ratchet resumed walking, his optics bearing the weight of his realization "How could I have been such a fool! The cortical psychic patch acted as a two-way conduit. When Bumblebee returned to his mind, Megatron followed." Ratchet explained, gently setting Raf next to me.

"And now Bumblebee—Megatron—has bridged to nearly the same coordinates Optimus used." I ran a hand through my hair, my mind racing with worry for Bumblebee and Optimus. The mech activated the groundbridge for the fifth time that day, turning his back to us as he faced the portal.

"Stay here." The medic couldn't even take one step when Raf stopped him.

"No! Bumblebee needs me." Raf said, his eyes filled with determination. The tension in the medic's shoulders dropped, his clenched fists releasing as he turned back to Raf with a rueful smile.

"Of course he does." He whispered, putting a servo out for Raf to get on. Raf didn't hesitate, and I went to follow, to which Raf sent me a questioning look.

"You don't have to come to Astra. You're already hurt." He said gently, eyeing my probably battered-looking form. I shook my head, a smirk rising as I hopped on.

"Bumblebee's my friend too, and besides, I told you before we were teammates, and teammates don't abandon each other." The younger boy nodded gratefully, a small smile on his lips. Ratchet only sighed, grumbling something under his breath as he placed us on his shoulder and walked through the groundbridge.

As we made it to the other side, Ratchet immediately went on full alert, his steps light as he warily searched the metal hallways around us. "The Decepticon Warship." He whispered before looking down a hallway and swiftly running through it.

My grip tightened as we ran, my anxiety traveling up my spine as I swallowed my growing apprehension. The energy I have been trying my best to ignore seemed everywhere around here, and it was hard to convince myself it was a figment of my imagination when I felt like I could reach out and touch it.

As Ratchet rounded a corner, he suddenly stopped, his optics widening in subdued horror. In front of us were dead Decepticons, their lifeless bodies carelessly sprawled across the dark hallway.

"Did Bumblebee do this?" Raf's wondered softly. I shook my head, forcing myself to look away from the dead mechs.

"Not Bumblebee. Megatron." I reminded him. Ratchet nodded in agreement, still staring at the massacre before him.

"I fear Megatron's mind is dominant; clearly, he came here for one purpose. To use the Dark Energon to resurrect his own body." My face paled, my breath quickening.

"No, Bumblebee won't let him. Like he didn't let Megatron hurt me back at the base." Raf argued confidently. As much as I wanted to believe in Bee, the bruised ribs I had filled me with doubt. Ratchet's gaze went somber, venting out slowly.

"I hope you're right." With that, Ratchet gently placed us on the ground, waving us forward as he cautiously descended the hallway. Silently, the mech peaked around the corner, gritting his teeth at the sight before him. I quickly rushed forward, avoiding one of the medic's legs as I looked around the corner.

In the middle of the control room was Megatron's lifeless body, giant black tubes sticking out of him, presumably keeping him alive. Beside the Warlord was Bumblebee, the scout already having the cordial physic patch in both him and Megatron. Without wasting another second, Ratchet rushed forward.

"Ratchet, don't hurt Bumblebee!" Raf yelled as the medic lunged at the scout.

"That's not Bumblebee!" The older mech cried out, throwing a punch towards the yellow guardian. Bee swiftly dodged Ratchet's first two attacks before sidestepping and punching Ratchet in the side. Throwing the medic into the wall, with a harsh clang, Ratchet fell to the floor. Content that Ratchet wasn't getting back up Bee's optics shifted, the Dark Energon in his hand glowing slightly as he faced back towards Megatron.

I have to do something.It seemed Raf thought the same thing as the male shot past you, grabbing the mech's attention.

"Bumblebee, no. Remember who you are! Remember me!" He pleaded, taking another step closer. Slowly, I made my way to both of them, my gaze locked on the cord on Bee's neck, hoping my movement wouldn't cause Bumblebee to attack. "I know you always listen to me no matter what." Bee's optics shifted, the blue in his optics contracting in size.

"Come on, fight it, Bee! I know you can!" I shouted in encouragement. Bumblebee stumbled slightly, shaking his head. "It's working," I murmured, watching as Bumblebee seemed to fight with himself, as his posture loosened, a few nonsensical beeps escaping the mech.

"That's right, Bee. It's me!" Raf pointed to himself, a smile on his lips as his eyes filled with hope. Suddenly, panicked whirrs escaped the scout, and he stumbled before falling to his knees with a harsh thud, covering his head with a servo. Raf gasped, holding onto the mech's arm. In less than a second, the younger boy was smacked away, crying out as he collided with the metal ground.

"Raf!" I exclaimed worriedly, only letting out a breath when I saw him shift. It seemed Ratchet had awakened as he hovered over Megatron's body, clutching a black tube.

"Farewell, Megatron." Ratchet spat, pulling it out of his chest. Sparks flew as it disconnected, the machinery around the warlord powering down. Immediately, Bumblebee attacked the medic. Ratchet could only avoid one hit until the scout overtook him, throwing the older mech over his shoulder and into the opposite wall.

"Bumblebee!" Raf yelled out. The mech froze, slowly turning toward the boy as the Dark Energon glowed with power in his servo. After a moment of tense silence, the mech's optics landed on his figure. From Bumblebee came a voice you'd only heard through a screen, but it still sent shivers down your spine as the hairs rose on your arms.

"Bumblebee can't hear you anymore!" Megatron growled.

"As much as I want you to leave Bumblebee's body. I can't let you back to your own!"With that fierce declaration, the young boy rushed forward, and without a second thought, I followed. We both leaped onto the cable, my arms clutching the wire as if our lives depended on it. Desperation coursed through me as I tried to use our combined body weight to wrench the cable from Bee's head.

But it did nothing.The cable thrashed back and forth, and Raf was the first to be flung off, my body following a few seconds later, my back painfully meeting cold metal.

My ribs are going to be broken after this.I thought, helplessly watching Bumblebee as he stood before Megatron and plunged the Dark Energon into the hole in his chest. I watched in a mixture of horror and awe as a bright purple glow emitted from the Decpeticon's chest. I rose to my feet, my eyes wide as Megatron's red optics suddenly shot open, the Dark Energon's radiant light gradually subsiding.

Megatron rose, his footsteps slow and thundering as his towering form loomed over us. I stumbled backward, instinctively pushing Raf behind me, even though I knew it would do little to help. A small group of Decepticons rushed into the room as Megatron stood in his full glory.

"Decepticons. You're rightful lord and master has returned!" We could only watch, immobilized by fear, as Megatron advanced, his menacing gaze not even sparing a glance in my direction. Instead, he focused his hateful stare on the Decepticons before us. "Finish these pests! I have my own extermination to perform." With that chilling command, he walked past the group of Decepticons, allowing him through before charging up their weapons and firing.

I didn't even have time to react before we were bombarded with gunfire. In less than a second, Ratchet snatched us both before rolling behind a metal wall. I barely even processed anything as we escaped, as fear, adrenaline, and the weird energy overwhelmed my senses. Soon enough, we made it off the ship, Ratchet's pedes crunching in the thick snow as he ducked behind a large chunk of ice. Bumblebee quickly followed, peaking his head out, and whirred in what I could only guess was confirmation that we were safe as Ratchet slumped in relief.

"Thank the All-spark," Ratchet murmured under his breath, slowly lifting us closer to his face. "Are you both alright?" We nodded in unison, and the medic visibly relaxed. A shrill scream interrupted the silence, our attention being drawn to the Decepticon ship flying away, a billowing black smoke swirling above it.

"Ratchet, we need a Bridge," Optimus's voice called out a few feet ahead of us. We all shared a knowing glance before revealing ourselves, our presence met by the surprised gazes of the rest of the Autobot team.

"You are not the only ones," Ratchet sighed, his voice heavy with the weight of the situation. Optimus made eye contact with me and I shrugged, to which he vented, extending a servo to me. Getting the sign, I slid off of Ratchet's shoulders. With a weary smile, I climbed up onto Optimus's shoulder and let out a relieved sigh.

"Are you injured?" My guardian wondered, his voice low with worry. I shook my head, rubbing my aching back with a slight wince.

"Other than a few bruised ribs, I'm okay. I should be asking you the same question, considering fighting Decepticons is not what I consider 'taking it easy,'" I lightly scolded, my playful glare softening as a small smile played on his mouth.

"After what you've been through, perhaps I'm not the only one who should be 'taking it easy,'" Optimus mused with a gentle chuckle. I snorted at that, exhaustion finally catching up as a sudden yawn escaped me. The weight of the day's events crashed over me like a tidal wave, my eyelids suddenly becoming heavier.

As Optimus and the Autobots prepared to ride back, Ratchet glanced at Astra, his optics filled with a rare sense of concern. "You've had quite the week," he remarked.

I gave a tired nod, leaning against Optimus's sturdy shoulder. "Tell me about it. But I know I'm not the only one." I gave him a pointed look, one he rolled his optics to, a small smile rising on his faceplate.

The steady hum of Optimus's unusually warm metal against my cheek proved too soothing, lulling me toward the embrace of sleep. I couldn't help but yawn once more, a sign that rest was long overdue. The battle might have been won, but the war continued, and we were all acutely aware of the challenges that lay ahead now that Megatron was alive once more. With Optimus's protective presence beside me, I closed my eyes, drifting into the realm of dreams.

Chapter 11: Not a Chapter but Interesting Nonetheless

Chapter Text

I apologize to those of you who thought this was a new chapter... Well, it kinda is, just not for this book but a completely different one. Recently, I have been toying with the idea of making a Cybertronian character, one that was with Optimus and Megatron and all the others from the beginning. Not to spoil anything, but it would essentially follow the Main Character who was raised in Kaon. This book would dive into the reasons for the war, how it led up to it, and potentially dive into romantic and platonic relationships with your favorite characters!

Now be aware, I would be following TFP cannon as put in the books and show. I'm not basing this book off of any other adaptation, and it's also not going to be 100% accurate as that would probably be boring and also a LOT of work.Now I understand how this could be boring and I wanted to ask you guys if you would even be interested in a concept like this, especially because I haven't really seen it be done. So, I wrote the first part of Chapter One for you guys to review and read!

I beg of you to comment your criticisms and what you like about the first half of the chapter. Tell me if you would be interested in continuing reading a book like this and if it's even worth the effort to make because this book will take a lot of research and time for me to get it right. I appreciate all of you, and if you have any questions, feel free to comment. I'll try my best to answerunless it spoils a lot lol.

Chapter One

In the dim-lit streets of Kaon, where shadows clung to every twisted metal structure, I moved with cautious grace. My pedes tapped softly against the worn street, the sound lost in the hum of the crumbling city. The flickering glow beneath my dirtied white and gold armor caught the attention of a passerby, and I wrapped my arms around myself, willing the white glow to dim.

Thankfully, they paid me no attention, continuing their walk without a second glance. I vented in relief, instinctively ducking into the refuge of the narrow alleyways, avoiding the sparse crowd like a phantom in the shadows.

In a city where most kept to themselves, my presence always seemed to draw unwanted attention. Unlike everyone's blue optics, mine gleamed a bright white. If that wasn't strange enough, a faint white luminescence escaped through the seams and cracks of my frame, constantly casting a faint glow.

While my appearance wasn't necessarily too startling—most merely raised an optical ridge and carried on—it wasn't a secret that I was considered peculiar. In Kaon, where anonymity was a prized possession, being seen as strange was frankly dangerous. Kaon is nothing short of a hellscape. The city looked as if it was bombed in orbit and then clumsily stitched back together. Home of pollution, the black market, and, let's not forget, gladiator fights.

As I passed by mechs too buzzed on high grade to pay me any mind, unease settled over me, rattling through my entire frame. My optics darted in every direction, acutely aware that in Kaon, the unseen often fared better than those who drew too much attention.

A few more tense moments passed before I spotted the weathered shop in the distance. It wasn't nice by any means, the rusted sign dangled precariously, a show to the vorns of neglect, and the flickering light around it only added to its unsettling aura. Any sane Cybertronian would've walked away, but I didn't have the pleasure of being picky. I desperately needed Energon, and the lure of a two-credit deal was too tempting to resist.

With that in mind, I pushed open the door, its rusty hinges groaning in protest. The shop's interior was dimly lit, revealing shelves cluttered with salvaged goods and the air heavy with the scent of aged metal. Behind the counter stood the shop vendor. He was a tall, wide old mech whose red and rusted exterior gave evidence of a life filled with battle. Deep scars adorned his frame, and as he wiped a container clean, his optics, both imposing and knowing, locked onto mine.

My white glow brightened, a flicker of uncertainty washing through me at his stare. He seemed shocked for a moment, looking me up and down as if contemplating something before venting. "Are you going to come in, or are you just going to stand gaping at the door," he snapped, his voice rough and deep. Hurriedly, I snapped out of my stupor, quickly closing the door and taking a few steps inside.

I tried my best to look unfazed, keeping my expression flat as I approached the counter. I carefully placed two credits, earned through odd jobs and scavenging, on the uneven surface. The shop vendor eyed the credits before looking back at me, a silent acknowledgment passing between us. "One pint of Energon," I stated, trying to sound confident despite the wariness that clung to my voice.

The mech watched me for a moment before scooping up the credits and stuffing them in a box behind him. "Alright." He turned away, pulling a lever on a machine with a distinct clank and placing a cup underneath it. A stream of bright blue Energon flowed into the cup, followed by the hum of the machinery.

"I usually don't get such young visitors, especially in these parts," the stranger commented, not sparing a glance in my direction. I shifted, trying my best to look casual as I scanned the dimly lit shop. "I'm older than I look," I lied easily, a practiced response to the suspicions that often accompanied my presence.

This time, he did look at me, his optic ridge lifted. "Really? 'Cause to me, you don't look few more vorns older than a sparkling." I stayed silent, not trusting myself to speak, as he continued to stare into what felt like my very spark.

"Where's your sire? Are they nearby?" His question cut through the air, and I glared at the back of the mech's head, irritation bubbling beneath my surface.

"My sire's working in the mines," another lie, and I had a feeling he didn't fully believe this one. He turned to face me, Energon in hand, his piercing optics narrowing slightly. "Is that so?" he murmured, a subtle hint of skepticism in his tone. I only nodded, trying to look relaxed as I gestured toward the drink.

"The Energon?" I prompted, attempting to steer the conversation away from my non-existent sire. The mech placed the drink on the table with a small thud. Eagerly, I took a quick sip, feeling the Energon coursing through my fuel lines like a surge. A soft hum of contentment slipped from my vocalizer as I chugged the rest.

As I lowered the now empty cup, I suddenly realized that the mech behind the counter hadn't stopped staring. His optics, weathered by experiences carved into the metal of his frame, bore into mine with an intensity that hinted at curiosity.

I immediately looked away, suddenly feeling uncomfortable.Despite my systems clamoring for more Energon, I knew I couldn't afford it. Just as I was about to push the empty cup back to the mech, another one appeared in front of me. I paused for a moment; my processor frozen in disbelief. Cautiously, Itried to hand it back, my optic ridge furrowed in confusion.

"I think there's been a mistake; I can only afford-" He stopped me with a wave of his hand, already turning away.

"That one's on me, kid," he declared gruffly.Surprised by his unexpected kindness, I hesitantly accepted the second drink. The warm sensation as I drank spread through my frame, reliving the fatigue that unknowingly had become a constant companion.

"What's your designation?" the mech wondered, his gaze fixed on me as I slid the now two empty cups toward him. I stared at him, my instincts spiking with caution. As much as I liked this mech, one lesson I could never forget was never to trust anyone, especially someone you just met. But after a brief internal debate, I relented, hoping this wouldn't come to bite me in the arse later.

"Call me Light," I murmured, my voice carrying a hint of vulnerability. To my surprise, he chuckled at that, a sound that I hadn't heard in so long that caught me off guard.My faceplates must've mirrored my shock because he quickly tried to stifle it with an apologetic grin.

"Sorry, kid. I just never heard of a designation being so literal. It really fits," he explained, pointing to the soft glow emanating from beneath my armor. I huffed, crossing my arms defensively.

"Oh yeah? What's yours then?"

He smiled, extending a worn servo in greeting. "The designation's Salvage." Despite myself, I couldn't help but return the smile. "Thank you, Salvage," I said, my voice carrying a note of gratitude. "For the free drink." He nodded, drawing back as he efficiently collected the empty cups.

"No problem, kid. Anytime your 'sire' is in the mines, feel free to come back." As I paused, giving Salvage a less sincere smile, I slid off my seat. As much as I appreciated this unexpected kindness, the lessons I had learned on the unforgiving streets of Kaon had etched a cautious skepticism in my core.

Trust was a luxury rarely afforded in this city, where betrayal could lurk around every corroded corner, and alliances could dissolve with the flicker of a damaged light. So, even though I didn't plan on coming back, I still nodded and waved as I left. The door clanked loudly behind me as I faced the streets once more, and the warmth I had felt quickly faded.

Venting slightly, I slinked into the shadows once more, my steps peppier and lighter than before. Salvage had proven to be a kind mech despite his terrifying exterior, and a sliver of hope flickered within me. Perhaps, if I was desperate enough, I would find my way back to his dimly lit shop.

As I walked, the city's harsh reality seemed to relent, if only for a moment. However, my brief respite was abruptly shattered by the distinct clatter of footsteps echoing from behind me. I swiftly turned, my spark dimming in dread as I faced a trio of drunk mechs.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" one of them sneered, his voice carrying a dangerous edge that resonated through the narrow alley. I took a few hesitant steps back, a desperate attempt to put some distance between us, but it only seemed to amuse them.

"Look at this glowing little thing," another one said, quickly circling me. Panic gripped me as I instinctively tried to conceal the soft glow coming from my frame, yet my efforts only seemed to perk their interest.

"Bet she'd fetch a good price in the black market," the last one added, his optics flickering with a disturbing gleam. The alley walls suddenly felt like they were closing in on me as the mechs closed the distance, their predatory grins widening. Immediately I tried to run for it, but I was stopped.

"Where do you think you're going, little glowstick?" another one jeered, blocking my path. Fear flickered in my optics, but I attempted to muster the slightest bit of courage. "Leave me alone," I growled.

They erupted into laughter, the sound echoing off the alley walls in cruel mockery. "Look at this little one trying to play tough," one sneered, the glint in his optics intensifying. Suddenly, he grabbed my arm, sending a chill through my circuits as I recoiled in desperation. In a surge of adrenaline-fueled panic, I twisted away, delivering a swift kick to the mech's midsection before making a desperate run. Curses echoed from behind me, spurring me to move even faster.

For a fleeting moment, I allowed myself the hope that they wouldn't pursue, but that hope was swiftly shattered by the echoing footsteps quickly closing in behind me.

Chapter 12: A Rude Awakening

Chapter Text

ᴛʀɪɢɢᴇʀ ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢ:
ɪɴᴛᴇɴᴛɪᴏɴ ᴏꜰ ᴄᴏᴍᴍɪᴛᴛɪɴɢ ꜱᴇxᴜᴀʟ ᴠɪᴏʟᴇɴᴄᴇ

School. A place hated by teens all over the world. One teenager, in particular, cursed under her breath with each step as she got closer to the building, her hatred running deep in her veins. I snorted as I watched Miko trudging towards the school building, her discontent audible through a chorus of grumbles and complaints.

"Why the long face?" I teased, gently tapping her shoulder with my own. Chestnut hues met mine with a death glare, and as 'intimidating' as it was, I was trying my best not to laugh in the poor girl's face.

"Why does school even exist? Why do tests exist!" She groaned, her expression falling. Miko had a math test today, and while she normally wouldn't care, her parents were threatening to send her back to Japan if her grades didn't improve. Of course, none of us wanted this to happen, so we forced, helped Miko with studying. And although I was worried, I couldn't help but snicker as she dramatically sighed.

"It's only a minor quiz, Miko; I believe in you." Raf quipped from beside us, his face barely visible past the project he was carrying. The pink-haired girl only muttered something under her breath, to which I playfully shot a glare at her, silencing the teen.

"Anyways! Raf. Have I ever told you how smart you are?" I said, not so subtly changing the subject as I finally got a proper look at the diagram in his hands. Raf was proudly holding a mini version of a highly detailed replica of the muscles of the human body. From the looks of it, it was made out of a mixture of clay and wires.A soft blush adorned his cheeks as his lips curled up at the praise.

It must've taken him forever.I thought, adjusting the backpack on my back. Miko straightened at the change of subject, nodding in agreement.

"Yeah... seriously," Miko murmured. Suddenly, she brightened, leaning closer to the smaller teen. "Any chance I can steal your smarts for the day?" He rolled his eyes, and I shook my head, a small chuckle escaping me.

"Pretty sure that's not how it works." He said, smirking up at the now downtrodden girl. She faked a pout, crossing her arms with a huff.

"Unfair." She grumbled. Just as Raf went to say something, his shoulder jerked to the side. Time seemed to slow as the boy's grip on his project slipped, his honey eyes widening in horror as the diagram fell. I tried to reach for it, but it was too late. In a split second, the diagram landed with a sickening thud, pieces flying and rolling across the hallway.

Frozen in place, we all couldn't do anything but stare. My hand was still outstretched, my fingers twitching uselessly as I inspected the damage. It was, to put it bluntly, unsalvageable. The arms were completely detached, the head and torso seemed to be smushed, and bits of metal wire were sticking out.

"Scrap," I muttered, leaning down to collect what looked to be a hand. I cringed, brows furrowing in sympathy. A sharp bark of laughter exploded from behind me, and I turned, a scowl already on my face. In all his mirth was Vince, two of his lackeys beside him, as he harshly kicked a stray clay piece.

"I didn't know you were such a butterfingers, Brainiac. You should be a bit more careful next time." Vince smirked, half-fiving one of his brainless friends. My glare sharpened as I stood, and I was already stepping toward him, but Miko beat me to it.

"Are you serious? You clearly knocked it out of his hands, you useless lump of scrap!" She growled, poking a finger towards his chest. He only laughed, shrugging innocently as he looked my friend up and down.

"So? It's not like you have any proof. Even if you did, It's not like a teacher would believe a freak like you." His grin sharpened, his two friends snickering like it was the funniest joke they'd ever heard. Before Miko could strangle Vince to death, I stepped forward, fixing him with the nastiest glare I could. The bully visibly stiffened, his grin dropping as his gaze hardened.

"Wanna repeat that?" My pulse quickened as I stalked forward, fists clenched in a futile attempt to contain the anger bubbling within me. The locker-lined corridor seemed to narrow, shadows dancing ominously as I closed the distance.His friends stepped back, and Vince shot them a betrayed glare. I ignored the two, keeping my attention on the annoying ring leader as he desperately tried to keep up his tough-guy act.

"Stay out of this, Keller." He snapped, and while he tried to act unbothered, the way his voice rose in pitch gave away his growing fear. A humorless chuckle escaped me as his back hit the lockers behind him with a small thud. I stopped, the grin still on my face as I leaned closer.

"You think you can mess with my friends and get away with it?" My smile fell, the air around me growing colder. Vince's face paled, frozen as he gaped at me. Before I could say another word, a tug on my sleeve stopped me. I stared in shock as Raf gently pulled me back, a small smile rising on his lips.

"Astra don't. It's not worth it." At my silence, he nervously tugged a bit harder. "I can always remake it." He reassured me, his eyes staring desperately into my own. I paused, my expression unchanging as I glared at the bully in front of me. Finally, I adverted my gaze, my fists unclenching. My friend's pleas managed to douse the growing flames inside me, and I sighed, my face softening.

"You're right." I relented, stepping back even more. As much as I wanted to punch Vince, I knew not only would it bring me unwanted trouble, but Optimus would disapprove. Before Raf could pull me further away, I stared at Vince, and he flinched, my eyes cold.

"This is your second strike, and I promise you, I won't be as forgiving when you reach the third." With that, I allowed Vince to slink away, the boy cursing under his breath as he did so.

I hadn't realized how tense I was until the bully turned the corner, disappearing from view. Brushing off my lingering sense of anger, I kneeled, helping Raf collect the remnants of his diagram. To say it was disheartening to pick up the scattered pieces was an understatement. It was as if I could feel all the wasted time disappearing into thin air right in front of me.

"I'm sorry, Raf. I can't imagine how you must feel." I muttered, placing a piece onto the base of his project.

"It's alright," Raf sighed, trying to mask his disappointment. "It's just a project. I can always start over." I patted his shoulder, a flicker of frustration rushing through me.

"But you put so much effort into this. It's not fair that Vince can just ruin it." he only sighed, collecting the last of his destroyed project. It hurt to see his hard work so effortlessly destroyed, but a part of me couldn't help but admire his ability to keep his composure.

Much better than I can.I thought, my gaze flickering to the set of lockers. Honestly, if Raf didn't stop me, I had no idea what I would've done.Probably would've punched him.Miko scowled, her eyes dark, as she crossed her arms.

"We need to do something about Vince. He can't keep getting away with this." Raf, however, shook his head, trying to quell his friend's growing anger.

"Let's not stoop to his level, Miko. We'll figure something out, but revenge won't solve anything." Miko looked as if she was going to object, but thebell's shrill ring interrupted her. We exchanged glances, Raf still clutching the remnants of his project. The hallway began to fill with students heading to their respective classes, leaving behind the scattered debris of Raf's hard work.

"We should probably get to class, especially since I don't want to get any more detention," I muttered, shuddering at the memory. The weight of the encounter with Vince still lingered, leaving a sour taste in my mouth. The joke, however, seemed to lift the mood, and Raf couldn't help but snort as he started his journey to class.

"I'll see you later?" he wondered, pausing for a moment. I grinned sheepishly, shoulders relaxing slightly.

"Actually, I've got work tonight, so probably not," He nodded understandingly, waving as he turned.

"See you tomorrow then!" With those parting words, we exchanged goodbyes. Miko still seemed disgruntled, her frustration evident, but I chose to ignore it for the time being. I only hoped she wouldn't do anything stupid.

Quickly, I rushed to my class, praying to any higher power that I'd make it in time.Luckily, I did, the teacher not even sparing me a second glance as I stealthily snuck into her classroom. While the day had started somewhat intensely, the rest had been as boring as usual, and it wasn't long before I was in my last-period class.

The history class seemed to stretch on indefinitely, each minute dragging on as the teacher droned on and on.I let out a breath as the teacher continued to talk, barely paying attention. My notes, which had started as neat bullet points, now were abstract doodles, evidence of my non-existent interest.

Miko, my partner in academic suffering, leaned back in her chair, seeming to feel the same overwhelming boredom I felt. However, the girl wasn't even trying to pretend she was paying attention. Instead, she busied herself with some game on her flip phone, the soft keys of the pad barely audible over the lecture.

How is this class not over yet?I thought, my head gently thudding against the notebook as I laid on my notes in defeat. At this rate, I'm going to die of boredom. If I die, make sure to tell my mother I love her and give Miko my slash monkey poster; I know she'll cherish it forever-

A gentle tap on the side of my head interrupted my dramatic inner monologue. Slowly lifting my head, I spotted a crumpled ball of paper on the ground. I deadpanned, staring at the smirking perpetrator sitting at the desk beside me. Miko met my stare with a cheeky grin, her eyes sparking with a glint of mischief.

Never mind, you no longer get the poster.Watching the teacher for a moment, Miko waited until her back was turned before leaning closer to me. "Vince needs a taste of his own medicine," she whispered. I only shook my head, turning my attention back to my notes.

"Don't even think about it," Miko groaned, throwing her hands up in the air as she shot me a disbelieving stare.

"You didn't even consider it!" The girl angrily whispered, quickly stealing a glance at the teacher. However, the teacher continued to talk, unaware of our "discreet" conversation. After making sure the coast was clear, I answered her.

"As much as I don't like Vince, Raf said to leave him be." I quietly reminded her, tapping her nose with my pencil. Her face scrunched, her brows furrowing as she crossed her arms.

"Raf is too nice for his own good. Anyway, it doesn't have to be super big. Just something to get back at him." As much as I was trying to act uninterested, I couldn't help but be tempted. Miko wasn't wrong, and the images of Raf's project from this morning sparked the tiniest flame of anger. Her smile grew as she watched my determination slowly waver, an evil glint in her eye.

"Come on... I know you wanna." Chestnut hues locked mine in a silent exchange, both locked in a battle of will. Finally, after a moment, I sighed, slumping in defeat.

"Fine. I'm in."

* * * * * *

As I exited the school building, the sun painted the sky in warm hues, casting a comforting glow over the campus. The evening air greeted me as I stepped outside, and for a moment, the chaos of the day faded into the background. With a final glance back at the school, I took a deep breath, the dry air filling my lungs.

Lazily, I checked my phone to check the time, and I straightened. I darted across the lush green expanse of the school grounds, my steps quick and determined as I weaved through straggling students.

"Scrap, I'm going to be late for work," I muttered to myself, my mind racing as I turned the corner with a burst of speed. Optimus, the ever-watchful guardian, was on patrol, and Raf and Miko had already left, leaving only Jack and Arcee behind.

"Hey, wait!" I called out, stopping Jack before he could put on his helmet. His eyes met mine, curiosity dancing in the cobalt hues. "You're headed to work, right?" I inquired, hopefully.

Jack gave a nonchalant nod, "Yeah?"

A wave of relief washed over me, and I blurted out, "Can you take me with you? I've got work soon, and it isn't too far from KO Burger." Jack considered it for a moment, his gaze dropping to the motorcycle beneath him.

"Fine with me. You good with it, 'Cee?" he asked.

"Hop on, kid," Arcee said. Quickly, I hopped on the back of the motorcycle, securing myself behind Jack. The engine revved, the low hum vibrating through the air. The thought of accidentally flying off the vehicle came to mind, and I wrapped my arms around the boy's torso, and immediately he stiffened. In an instant, I removed my grip, drawing my hands into my chest.

"Scrap. Sorry, I should've asked before grabbing you like that." I apologized sincerely, instead grabbing hte metal behind me. However, to my surprise, he shook his head.

"No, it's fine. Just startled me, is all." He seemed to look down, his voice softening. "You can hang onto me if you want." I waited a moment, giving the teen an opportunity to change his mind, before hesitantly grabbing onto him once more. Unfortunately, his helmet covered his face; the only emotion I could see was my own as I stared at the black sheen.

"Are you guys ready now?" Arcee teased. I jumped, unable to stop my cheeks from heating as I nodded, and even though I couldn't see the femme face, I knew she was smirking.As we sped away from the school, the wind whipped through my hair, and I couldn't stop the airy laugh from escaping me. A newfound sense of energy flowed like electricity through me as we rode, my focus sharpening as the world turned into a blur around us. Times like this, I felt alive.

It wasn't long before we made it to the small, white, and somewhat rundown building that was KO Burger. Arcee gracefully slowed to a stop in the parking lot, and I slid off the motorcycle, feeling the solid ground beneath my feet again. Flashing Jack and Arcee a grateful smile, I couldn't help but express my appreciation.

"Thank you for taking me." The black-haired teen waved me off; his cheeks splashed with the tiniest bit of red as he took off his helmet.

"It was no problem. If you ever need another ride, just ask, and we'll take you." Jack replied, tucking his helmet underneath his arm as Arcee snorted.

"I know Jack really enjoys riding with you," The mirrors on Arcee tilted to emphasize her point, and Jack's face transformed into a tomato red, shooting his guardian an incredulous look.

"A-Arcee!" He spluttered, not even trying to hide his growing embarrassment. A sharp laugh escaped me at the harmless joke, to which Jack paused, his embarrassment fading. At my continued laughter, he deadpanned, sarcastically rolling his eyes.

"Ha. Ha. You're both awful people." My giggles only grew, and my stomach started to hurt as I folded in half. As much as Jack tried to act annoyed, the small smile on his lips gave him away. "Shouldn't you be going to work now?" At Jack's question, I stifled my amusem*nt, wiping the tears from my eyes as I checked my phone once more.

"Yeah, I-" I paused, my eyes widening with realization.

"What?" Jack wondered. Awkwardly, I scratched the back of my neck. Sending the duo a sheepish grin.

"It seems my shift actually doesn't start for another 30 minutes. So... I guess I got time to spare." Jack shook his head, his lips quirking into an amused smirk. I shot him a playful glare. "Not a word," I mumbled. He chuckled a that, tucking his helmet near Arcee as he turned to walk into KO Burger.

"No worries. You can hang out inside until your shift begins," he suggested, a casual grin playing on his face. I brightened at that, tilting my head to the side.

"Really?"

"Yeah. I'll find the mental strength to deal with you for a half hour." He quipped, holding the door open as he gestured for me to go inside.

"How generous of you," I grumbled, childishly sticking my tongue at him while I passed. The door chimed as we entered, the cozy warmth of the burger joint enveloping us.The enticing aroma of grilling meat and fries wafted through the air, and immediately I salivated.

The place was quaint, nothing you wouldn't expect from a small town. The walls were adorned with vintage posters, and the wooden booths showed signs of wear and tear from continued use.

Kinda cute.I thought as Jack led us to an empty booth, the vinyl seat crackling slightly as I slid into it. Jack sat across from me; his face relaxed as he looked around at the restaurant. It wasn't even a few seconds before the waitress approached, a friendly familiarity in her eyes as she greeted Jack.

"Hey, Jack. The usual?" she asked, pencil poised over her notepad.

"Yeah, thanks, Liz," he replied, his gaze momentarily meeting mine. "What about you, Astra? Hungry?" The menu, adorned with faded images of mouthwatering burgers and crispy fries, did nothing but tempt me. A casual nod and a playful grin signaled my agreement, and Jack met the waitress's gaze once more.

"Two specials, Liz. Extra fries, please," he requested, and she scribbled it down with a wink before heading to the kitchen. After she left, Jack and I fell into a comfortable silence.

Lazily, I glanced at the menu, mentally marking which meals seemed good so I could try them the next time I came.The low hum of conversations and the occasional clink of dishes filled the air, creating a soothing backdrop to our quiet moment.

Letting out a contented sigh, I couldn't help but remark, "It's nice to finally relax for once." Jack nodded in agreement, leaning back in his seat.

"Yeah, it's been intense at the base lately. With everything that happened. Not to mention Megatron coming back."A moment of heavy silence enveloped us as I fidgeted with the menu, my fingers tightening around the laminated surface.

"I feel so useless. Not being able to help. I know this isn't our war, but it isn't fair that the bots have to do this alone." Jack's gaze softened as he released a breath.

"Trust me. I understand how you feel. But, I think we help in our own ways, whether it be by giving support or stupidly rushing into danger." Ahalf-smile played on my lips as I lightly laughed, leaning my head against my hand.

"I guess that's true," I mumbled. Jack was right. I knew he was. Just from the stories, Miko has told me, all of them have helped the Autobots more times than I could count in their many adventures. But when it really mattered, we couldn't fight in the same way. The experience of Bumblebee being practically possessed was a rude awakening on how utterly defenseless we humans were against the Decepticons.

Jack seemed to notice my growing distress, his face shifting into something more comforting. Before he could say more, a plate appeared before him, interrupting the conversation.

"Here you guys go. I hope you enjoy the food, and just wave me down if you need anything." The waitress chirped, donning the customer service smile. I mustered a grateful smile, my stomach emitting a low growl as the aroma of fast food surrounded me.

"Thanks," Jack replied, offering a hesitant grin. Before he could resume our conversation, I snatched a fry off my plate, stuffing it into my mouth with an air of nonchalance. I hummed with delight as I ate. Unware of Jack's eyes softening slightly at the sight as we both ate.

A few minutes late, the door chimed, and instinctively, heads turned toward the source. Lazily, I glanced at the newcomer, drink to my lips. Immediately, I choked, exploding in a fit of coughs. Jack's brows pinched in concern. However, his eyes held a hint of amusem*nt as he watched me splutter to regain my breath, unaware of the boy I recognized standing at the front door.

"Uh, you good?" Jack inquired, suppressing a laugh. Waving him off, I blushed, cheeks bright red, as I calmed my coughing fit. Unfortunately, my suffering drew the attention of the newcomer, and my embarrassment deepened as he looked over in my direction. His eyes, a warm shade of amber, scanned the room until they found me.

A grin stretched across his face, and he made his way through the tables with a purposeful stride. The air seemed to hum with a newfound energy as he closed the distance. I tried my best to look as normal as possible, wiping away any sort of tears and saliva that could've come from my coughing fit.

"Long time no see, Astra. How's everything going?" Nick greeted with a charming smile, his eyes locking onto mine.Jack seemed shocked to see him, cautiously eyeing the newcomer.

"Everything's good, can't complain," I responded cheerfully, brushing off Jack's silent scrutiny. Nick chuckled, a few strands of his hair falling casually across his forehead as he leaned against the side of my booth.

"What about that family friend of yours? I take it he's doing better?" I nodded, my shoulders dropping as my gaze softened.

"Yeah, he's doing great now."

"I'm glad." He responded softly, gazing down at me with an expression I couldn't quite place.

Feeling a bit warm, I cleared my throat and gestured toward Jack. "It seems I haven't introduced you guys yet. Jack, this is Nick; he's the one that helped me out during the race."The air in the burger joint seemed to thicken as Nick's amber eyes locked onto Jack, his smile twitching slightly.

"Nice to meet you, Jack." Jack reciprocated with a somewhat forced smile, shaking Nick's hand with a little more intensity then deemed normal. My brows furrowed, eyes darting between the two boys as they held eye contact.

"Nice to meet you, too." Jack gritted out, his stormy eyes swirling.

What is happening right now?Trying to alleviate the tension, I interrupted. "So, Nick. How have you been?" Nick promptly shifted his attention back to me, his forced grin relaxing slightly.

"I'm doing good. Been a bit busy lately, so sorry if I've been bad at texting you back." I waved off his apology, shooting him a teasing smirk.

"It's fine. It was nice to have a break from your constant chatter." Nick chuckled, the sound deep and smooth, but before he could answer, someone stopped him.

"You guys seem close," Jack remarked, his voice neutral as he stared at us. I had no idea why Jack was acting so strange, but just as I was about to respond, Nick beat me to it.

"Oh, we are." His gaze locked onto the black-haired teen as he leaned closer to me, his amber eyes flashing. Jack's stormy grey eyes, usually calm and collected, flickered with an unsettling intensity. His jaw tightened, and his hands gripped the fork with an almost aggressive force. It was as if an invisible storm brewed beneath his composed exterior, a storm ready to break free.

Nick, on the other hand, reveled in the discomfort. A smug grin played on his lips as he leaned closer to me. I wasn't an idiot. It was obvious that Nick was trying to rile up Jack. Not to mention that Jack had been on edge the moment Nick had walked in. The question was, why?

That doesn't matter right now. I just gotta separate these two before they kill each other.I clapped my hands, startling the two boys. "Well, it was nice catching up with you, Nick, but I gotta go to work." The dirty blond boy blinked owlishly at me before happily pulling back.

"Of course, of course. It was nice to see you again, Astra." The boy turned on his heel, about to go to his own booth, when he stopped turning back to me. "Oh, by the way, be careful going to work, alright? I heard there's been a string of robberies recently." With that, he went near the front, smoothly sliding into a booth as Liz walked up to him with her fake grin in place.

Strange.I thought, and when I was sure Nick wasn't paying attention, my smile fell, shooting the teen in front of me an incredulous look. "Are you going to tell me what that was all about?" Jack blanched, at least having the decency to look ashamed, as he poked his food with a fork.

"Sorry. I don't know what came over me." He mumbled, not having the courage to look me in the eye. Deciding it was time to excuse myself from the booth and the increasingly awkward situation, I stood up, my chair scraping slightly against the worn-out floor. I let out a breath, rummaging through my wallet and placing a twenty on the table.

"I'll see you later, Jack."My gaze lingered on him for a moment. His troubled expression didn't escape me, but I chose not to press him any further and forced myself to look away with pursed lips. Turning away from the table, I felt a knot of frustration and confusion tightening in my chest, but quickly forced it down.

As I made my way toward the exit, the low hum of conversations and the occasional clink of dishes provided a soundtrack to my departure. The light chime of the door signaled my exit, and I stepped out into the cool evening air.

Once outside, I took a deep breath, hoping to dispel the lingering tension from the restaurant. The distant hum of traffic and the faint glow of streetlights framed the exterior of KO Burger, and I fiddled with my necklace in thought. Quickly, I fished my phone out of my pocket, checking the time. It seemed I had left a the perfect time, leaving myself ten minutes to get to work.

At least there's that.I thought, trying to focus on something positive. Despite the lingering unease, I felt a small sense of relief as I distanced myself from the restaurant, the building disappearing completely as I turned the corner.

The walk to work was pretty mundane; the only thing of even the slightest bit of interest was the group of guys who were spraying graffiti on a nearby wall, but I paid them no mind, instead slipping inside the antique shop. Immediately, the scent of old clutter filled me, and I allowed myself to relax, tossing my backpack behind the register.

"One more minute, and you would've been late," Arthur commented grouchily, wiping down the front counter as he glanced at me. His grey eyebrow lifted, and I only grinned, leaning against the counter.

"Key word, "would've"." It seemed Arthur wasn't in the mood for my sass because a pencil went flying toward my head. With reflexes honed by months of dodging the older man's projectiles, I swiftly sidestepped, a hearty laugh escaping me as I danced away to the back corner.

"Just get to work!" he shouted after me, a gruff tone failing to conceal the twinkle in his eye. Unbeknownst to him, as I made my escape, I caught a glimpse of the warm smile playing on his lips and the subtle bounce of his shoulders as he chuckled.

* * * * * *

The evening air was cool, a much-needed reprieve from the constant Nevada heat. Arthur had just shut down the shop for the day, warning me to be careful as I started my trek back home. For a moment, I debated whether or not to go to base today, but the sharp yawn escaping me made it clear how tired I was. Stretching my arms above my head, my back popped with a satisfying crack, and I sighed.

It wasn't too busy today. Not that I expected it to be busy on a Tuesday afternoon. For that, I was glad considering me and Miko were planning on getting our 'revenge' tonight.

How did she even get me to agree to this? I thought as I flipped open my phone and dialed my friend's number from memory.It only rang for a second before she picked up.

"Hey, Miko. Are we still on for tonight?" I asked, casually leaning against the side of a street lamp. I heard a deep groan on the other side and a bit of shuffling before Miko answered in a hushed frenzy.

"Bulkhead had to go on a mission, so our plan is gonna be rescheduled for tomorrow...Totally unfair." The last part came out in a low grumble, and I stifled a laugh as I brushed a stray light brown strand out of my face.

"No worries. Anyways, that just means we have more time to plan." I chirped happily. A cool chill rushed brushed against my cheeks and I shivered. Unconsciously, I shifted on my feet, suddenly feeling a bit uneasy being so out in the open. "I'm guessing Optimus is too busy to pick me up?" It wasn't a question so much as an observation, one which Miko only confirmed.

"Everyone's totally busy. But Bumblebee's here, and I bet he wouldn't mind picking you up."I shook my head despite Miko's inability to see it, cautiously studying my surroundings. Nothing of interest caught my attention, so I pushed myself off the street lamp, quickly crossing the street with light steps.

"I'll be fine. My house isn't too far anyways." I assured her, making it to the other side of the road with no trouble. She hummed, obviously distracted, before casually responding.

"Alrighty, just call me if anything comes up. See you tomorrow."

Returning the sentiment, I hung up, stuffing the phone in my back pocket. Nonchalantly, I started my walk home, hands stuffed in my pockets as I lazily watched my surroundings. The only sound in the area was my footsteps against the sidewalk and the slight rustle of my backpack.

Suddenly, the feeling of being watched filled me, breaking the peace. The hair on my arms stood at attention, and a cascade of goosebumps raced up my spine. Nick's ominous warning echoed in my mind, and a surge of anxiety propelled me to quicken my steps. A bit of movement caught my attention, and discreetly, I stole a glance behind me.

My brow pinched as the group of graffiti artists from earlier was following me. One was staring what seemed like straight into my soul, the male adorned in a black hoodie as he said something to one of his friends. I swallowed nervously, my hands clenching into fists as my attention shifted back in front of me.

It's just a coincidence. Not everything is out to get me.The thought did very little to comfort me, as my focus sharpened, overly aware of every rustle and sound around me. Ahead, only a few feet in front of me was an alleyway. Trying to seem unfazed, I slipped into it, trying to lose my pursuers. Immediately when I disappeared from view, a shout sounded, followed by the clamor of rapidly approaching footsteps.

My instincts screamed as I slipped off my backpack, breaking out in a full-blown sprint as I rushed for the end of the alley. The shouts became louder, and I made the mistake of looking over my shoulder. My heart jumped into my throat at the sight of three full-grown men chasing after me, like a lion chasing a gazelle. I forced myself to move faster, only to rapidly skid to a stop, my heart pounding like a drum.

Another man blocked my only exit, a gleam of metal in his hand as he watched me, his gaze locked onto my every movement. My breath caught, my green eyes darting around, searching for anything that could serve as a makeshift weapon. Unfortunately, there was nothing but the acrid scent of garbage and the distant hum of traffic in the distance.

They must've planned this out. Just my luck.I thought, my blood turning cold as a sharp bark of laughter rumbled behind me. My mouth felt like cotton as I slowly turned, warily keeping an eye on the guy still behind me. The one I noticed earlier slowed to a stop a couple of feet ahead of me; his stance relaxed as he stared down at me.

"All we want is your money, girly. Give it to us, and we'll be on our way."the one in the black hoodie declared, his features obscured by the eerie shadows cast by a flickering neon sign. A pocketknife gleamed in the dim light as he advanced, and I stepped back. Adrenaline pumped through my veins as I shakily reached into my pocket.

As much as it pains me, my money isn't worth my life.I thought, tossing the leather waller over to the supposed "leader." He easily caught it, quickly giving it a once-through before throwing it to one of his lackeys. The silence was palpable as his friend fingered through all the twenties, scoffing in disappointment.

What? Did they expect me to carry hundreds on me?My fingers twitched, itching in anticipation as I waited for something to happen. When it was still quiet, I forced myself to speak.

"I gave you what you wanted. Can I go now?"I snapped, meeting the man's slimy grin with a sharp glare. He shifted on his feet, his eyes traveling up and down my body as he hummed in thought. He tilted his head, his finger resting on his chin with a twisted twinkle in his eye.

"You're awfully pretty, you know. Not to mention, the wallet's pretty bare." He turned to look at his accomplices, his dark hues glinting.

"I think we should be compensated for our efforts." A ring of low chuckles surrounded me, my eyes widening as a shot of disgust flashed across my face.

A hand from behind grabbed my shoulder, and immediately, I slammed my elbow into something soft. A low grunt of pain followed, and I twisted, kicking the male back as he stumbled. It didn't do as much damage as I had hoped, as he quickly recovered, but I didn't give him time to catch me as I tried rushing for the exit.

Before I could make it even a couple of steps, a crushing grip seized my arm, slamming me into the wall beside me. My back stung, and my breath was knocked out of my lungs.Sharply, I inhaled, throwing another punch. However, he easily dodged, pinning me to the rough brick behind. Gasping for breath, I resisted, trying my best to escape, but it was no use. Effortlessly, he restrained me, a predatory grin etched on his face as he leaned closer, his hot breath fanning across my cheeks.

His dark eyes shifted to my chest, and his fingers traced a path from my stomach to the crystal pendant hanging around my neck. A nauseous feeling churned in my throat as he lifted me, securing both my wrists in one hand. His grip tightened as I struggled once more, no doubt leaving bruises.

"This looks awfully expensive," he remarked, his fingers encircling the necklace. In an instant, he yanked it from my neck, severing the delicate chain. My breath hitched, replaced by an overwhelming surge of animalistic anger as I watched him caress the stolen object in his filthy hands.

"Give it back!" I growled, my glare sharpening into something dangerous. My veins felt like they were burning, my lungs heaving desperately for air as my chest tightened. Black hoodie paused, his smirk slowly fading into something akin to fear and shock.

"The fu-" He didn't get to finish before an unseen force slammed him into the opposite wall with a sickening thud. I froze, my back sliding against the brick as I regained my footing.

It felt like there was a hand thrust into the middle of my chest, and I clenched my shirt like a lifeline as I fell to my knees. A glint of pure light illuminated the alleyway, brightening the shadows that had seemed so menacing only moments earlier.

Where is the light coming from?Time seemed to slow as I looked down, my gut heavy. Shaily, I raised my hands, twisting them around in morbid fascination and fear as white light danced across my cheeks.

My arms and hands were glowing. Literally emitting a bright white light. The glow slithered underneath my skin in a familiar fashion, as though the blood in my veins had suddenly changed color. It was a sight I had seen in many sleepless nights, a terror I was unable to forget.

My thoughts were muddied, drowning out the pure fear and confusion as I tried to shake off the disorienting haze. I could almost taste the excess energy flowing through my body, and I clenched my fists as I stood, gaze leveling onto my attackers. They all seemed to flinch, the tension in the air thick as they all stared at me, staggering back with wide eyes. Black hoodie scoffed, already standing.

"Don't just stand there!" His words seemed to snap them all out of their stupor, and suddenly, one rushed toward me, pocketknife poised like a viper ready to strike. My palms tingled with a warmth I hadn't felt before as I swiftly dodged. White clouded my vision, and instinctively, my hand shot out a burst of what I could only describe as energy shot out of my hands like lightning.

The light connected with human flesh quicker than I could process as the guy screamed out in pain, falling to his knees as his bloody knife clattered against the asphalt. Slowly, I turned on my heel, my eyes narrowing as my eyes met those of my attackers.

"Run." I spat, my palms lighting up as I took a step forward. They scrambled back, some grabbing their fallen friend and dragging him away, sharp, panicked curses following them the whole way. I could barely hear them as they scurried away, the pumping of the blood in my ears too loud to even think.

An eerie silence settled over the alleyway as I stood there, only able to hear my breath as I tried to calm myself. My fingers trembled as I lifted them in front of me, the soft white glow unwavering. I choked in a breath, each breath shorter than the last as numbing fear infected every inch of my body, almost as if being dunked in cold water.

"T-This can't be happening. This isn't real." I let out a broken laugh as I slid down to my knees.Desperately, I stuffed my hands underneath my arms, praying to any higher power that it would all stop. "It h-has to be another nightmare.This isn't possible."I murmured, the weight on my chest only getting worse the more I spiraled. My caramel hair fell in front of my face, acting like a curtain as I tried to block out the rest of the world.

A glint of white from my peripheral caught my attention, and I immediately turned, the smallest bit of relief filling me as a familiar crystal lay on the asphalt. Scrambling over, I snatched the necklace up, wrapping the chain around my palm like a lifeline. Shakily, I breathed out, letting my eyes fall shut.

"I'm fine. I'm gonna be okay. Calm down, Astra." It was then the weight in my chest seemed to lift, the haze in my mind slowly clearing away. Hesitantly, I forced my eyes open, my brow furrowing as I stared at the small necklace in my hand. The crystal was glowing, the brightness fading in and out like a heartbeat. The energy in my veins seemed to respond in kind, slowly moving toward the rock like a moth being drawn to a flame.

Shifting to sit on my butt, I watched as the glow from my body slowly but surely faded, the crystal only getting brighter by the second. Theglow inside me intensified before gradually fading away, leaving only the radiant brilliance of the necklace itself. A strange calm washed over me as the pain in my chest completely subsided, and the coursing electricity in my veins was all but non-existent.

It stopped it...Hastily, I slid the necklace back over my neck, gently cradling the object in my palm. Millions of questions spun in my mind like a thunderous storm, threatening to overwhelm me with its intensity as pieces from the past couple of months came together like a puzzle.

All the weird things, all the energy I felt, Arachnid's strange reaction- Instead of falling victim to my panic, I shook my head, forcing myself to my feet. All I want is to go home, sleep, and forget any of this ever happened.I thought, taking a step forward.

It was then the pain hit me like a freight train. I stumbled, leaning against the wall beside me in an attempt to stay upright. My vision blurred for a moment, my focus coming in and out of view. I let out a groan, clutching my side as a wave of stinging pain attacked me. It felt like a million pins in needles in my side as I shifted, like the whole side of my body had fallen asleep. The movement only served me more discomfort as I hissed, lifting my hand.

My fingers felt slick, covered in some sort of liquid, and it was then that I smelled iron. Black spots invaded my vision once more as I grunted, my palm covered in thick crimson as I pressed on the wound. This time with more urgency. My gaze fell on the fallen knife from one of the attackers, swallowing thickly as I realized what covered the weapon.

"Blood," I whispered, my fingers becoming numb as hazily reached into my pocket. "It's my blood."

Chapter 13: Blood and Tears

Chapter Text

The hallway, like the rest of the hospital, was devoid of any warmth or character, its fluorescent lights casting a harsh glare on the sterile walls. Maya sighed as she settled into her chair at the front desk, her fingers automatically finding their way to the bridge of her nose as she squeezed her eyes shut.

The transition from the dim, comforting darkness outside to the clinical brightness indoors felt jarring, almost abrasive to her senses, threatening to trigger one of her infamous migraines. Maya knew her break wasn't going to last more than another minute, but she tried her best to enjoy the few moments of attempted rest as much as she could.

The abrupt beep of her pager shattered the silence, and Maya groaned, reluctantly pushing herself to her feet. Her brows furrowed slightly as she glanced down at the pager, its insistent beeping summoning her to the trauma center. In an instant, the exhaustion that had weighed heavily on her dissipated, replaced by a surge of adrenaline as she hurriedly made her way through the corridors, her brown hair bouncing slightly in its bun with each determined stride.

As she burst through the double doors, the chaos of the hospital engulfed her, the cacophony of voices and blaring alarms assaulting her senses. The flashing lights from the ambulance outside engulfed the room with flashes of blue and red, and medical personnel rushed past her with bandages in hand. Amidst the flurry of activity, a team of nurses and technicians surrounded a gurney, hastily transferring a patient onto it.

Maya's training kicked in instinctively as she approached. "What do we have?" she inquired, her voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins. But as she drew closer to the patient's side, a wave of horror washed over her, freezing her in place.

"Astra Keller, 16 years old, a stab wound to the abdomen," a nurse informed her, rattling off the critical details with practiced efficiency. "Blood pressure dropping, pulse weak." The nurse faltered as Maya remained unresponsive, her gaze fixed on the unconscious figure before her.

"Snap out of it, Doc. We have a patient!" The nurse's voice broke through Maya's stupor, jolting her back to reality. Shaking off her daze, Maya quickly composed herself, her mind already racing through the necessary steps.

"Let's get her hooked up to the monitors, start two large-bore IV lines, and grab the AB-negative blood from the blood bank," she directed, her tone authoritative and composed despite the terror twisting her gut.

The medical team sprang into action, but one nurse couldn't hide her confusion as she glanced at Maya. "How do you know the patient's blood type?" Maya's eyes hardened, her lips pressing into a thin line as she met the nurse's gaze.

"Because that's my daughter."

* * * * * *

The acrid smellof bleach clawed at my nostrils as I gradually regained consciousness. It stabbed through the fog of my mind, mingling with the antiseptic scent of disinfectant that hung heavy in the air.Slowly, I peeled my eyelids apart, wincing at the harsh brightness that greeted me, only further worsening the throbbing ache behind my temples.

What... what happened?As my senses sharpened, I took in the sterile room around me. The walls, painted a sickly shade of green, seemed to close in on me, suffocating in their lack of warmth. The incessant beeping of monitors filled the air like a relentless drumbeat, accompanied by the occasional shuffle of footsteps outside my room.

I'm in a hospital.My mind felt sluggish, as if my brain had become covered in fog as a wave or dizziness swept through me.

"Hey, sweetheart, you're awake," The sound of my mother's voice cut through the haze, drawing my attention to her familiar figure seated beside my bed. Her usually pristine bun had unraveled, stray tendrils framing her worn face. I was surprised to see she was not wearing her doctor's coat; instead, she was wearing civilian clothes.

"How are you feeling?"Her voice was gentle, tinged with an undercurrent of worry as she intently studied me. I tried to respond, but my throat felt dry and scratchy, my tongue feeling like sandpaper in my mouth.With a soft groan, I shifted in the bed, a jolt of pain shooting through my abdomen.Mom's hand immediately reached out to steady me, carefully forcing me to lay back down.

"Easy, easy," she murmured, her fingers gentle against my arm. "You were injured, but you're going to be okay. You're safe now."Her words were warm, but beneath her calm exterior, I sensed a flicker of fear. I nodded weakly, still trying to make sense of what had happened. Fragments of memories flashed through my mind: the alley, the sound of footsteps behind me, the sudden stab of pain, the light.

My breath quickened, a lump forming in my throat as I hurriedly reached for my neck. Once my fingers connected with my necklace, I closed my eyes in relief. Mom seemed to notice but didn't say anything, only pursing her lips in worry as she gently grabbed my hand.

"What happened, sweetie? You told 911 you were stabbed?" She asked carefully. Her eyes were almost pleading with me to tell her it wasn't true, and for a moment, I almost did. Instead, I sighed, nodding as I carefully forced myself to sit up, ignoring the alarm in my mother's blue eyes.

"I was walking home from work when this group of guys started tailing me. I tried to lose them, but one managed to get in front of me." I began, my voice barely above a whisper.Memories, as clear as a movie, flashed across my mind, and I flinched.

"They asked for my wallet, so I gave it to them, but they still wouldn't let me leave." The lump in my throat became bigger, almost choking me. My eyes became glossy, and I unconsciously hugged myself. Mom's expression mirrored my own, her eyes dark with anguish as she listened.

"He said I was pretty, and he tried to..." My sentence faded into silence, unable to say the words out loud. Mom's breath hitched, and suddenly, I was engulfed in her embrace. Immediately, my hands gripped her shirt, my eyes burning as I plunged my face into her shoulder; my senses engulfed in the sweet scent of caramel.

"I'm here now, sweetie. No one's going to hurt you." She mumbled, her fingers stroking through my hair as if she was afraid I was going to disappear at any second. I don't know how long we stayed that way as my mom whispered sweet nothings into my ear, and for this one second, I allowed myself to forget.

A knock sounded on the door, and reluctantly, my grip loosened as I pulled back. Mom sighed, stroking my face one last time before sitting back down on the chair, forcing a neutral smile on her face. "You can come in." She called out. At the confirmation, a nurse, followed by two police officers, came through the door.

"There are a couple of police officers here," the nurse said awkwardly, opening the door further. She must've seen something off about my expression because she immediately backtracked. "If it's not a good time, I can-" I interrupted her with a shake of my head, waving for the police officers to come in.

"It's as good a time as any," I dryly joked, forcing a smile to my face. The lady unsurely nodded, gesturing for the police officers to come inside.

"We just need to ask your daughter a few questions," one of the officers explained, his tone carefully neutral. My mother's eyes met mine, and I grabbed her hand with a slight nod. The conversation felt like a blur as they questioned me. They pestered me about any detail I could remember, forcing me to walk through each moment of the attack and what led up to it.

Of course, I left out the part of me glowing and throwing the guy into a wall. The last thing I needed was to be deemed crazy or, worse, forced to be some experiment. The officers seemed satisfied with my story, and quickly after, they left, saying something about catching the guys who did this, but I barely listened, too busy lost in my own thoughts.

When the officers left, the nurse returned to the room, clipboard and pills in hand. "Now for the good news: you have been cleared to go home, Astra." I blinked in surprise, stealing a look at my mom.

"Already?" The nurse grinned at my dumbfounded stare, handing the form to my mom to sign.

"Much to everyone's surprise, your injuries weren't as bad as we originally thought they were. Not to mention, you have been healing quite nicely. As long as you don't do anything strenuous for the next couple of months, you should be good to go." As much as I was relieved to hear the good news, my gut twisted, a lump forming in my throat.

I knew I wasn't lucky. This only confirmed the glowy thing had something to do with healing my burned hands and my bruised ribs. Instead of saying any of this, I smiled, trying my best to look happy. The nurse lifted the pills in her hand, shaking it gently.

"Take this every 5 hours. It should help with any pain." Mom gently grabbed the bottle, placing it in her purse as she handed the form back to the nurse.

"Thank you," Mom said, a faint tremor in her voice. Her eyes were brimming with unshed tears as she stood beside me, her hand lingering on my shoulder for reassurance. The nurse nodded, her eyes flashing with sympathy.

"No problem, Maya. Don't worry about getting your shifts covered either; the others and I figured it out." Mom's shoulders dropped in relief, once again reiterating her thanks as another nurse wheeled in a black wheelchair. Deadpanning, I stared at my mom, who only gave me a strained but encouraging smile. Reluctantly, I pushed myself upright, every movement sending a jolt of pain through my body as I tentatively placed my feet on the cool tile floor.

As my mother's trembling hand hovered over my arm, I couldn't bear to see her look at me like I was going to break apart. With a soft smile, I gently brushed off her touch, silently reassuring her I could manage on my own. Slowly, I lowered myself into the wheelchair, letting out a breath as the throbbing pain in my abdomen faded.

As the nurse wheeled the chair out of the room, my mother walked beside me, her steps hesitant yet determined, her eyes never leaving my face. Exiting the hospital, we were greeted by the soft glow of streetlights casting long shadows across the empty parking lot. The cool air brushed against my cheeks, and to my surprise, it was almost sunrise.

I must've been out all night.I thought, mindlessly fiddling with my necklace. As my mother helped me into the car, her touch gentle yet firm, I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. Nomatter how hard I looked, no human or Cybertronian was there. Letting out an annoyed sigh, my head thudded against the car seat as my mom slid into the driver's seat.

Don't let this affect you. Move on and move forward.I reminded myself. However, no matter what I told myself, my hands still trembled, and fear refused to leave me. The rest of the drive was a blur, and in what felt like a second, I was already home.The engine purred to a stop as we entered the driveway. My mom stood beside me as she took the keys out of the ignition, sending me a weary smile as she unbuckled herself.

"We’re home,” she said tiredly, the bags underneath her eyes more prominent than before. I nodded, a small breath escaping me as the twist in my gut loosened slightly. Quickly and gently, my mom helped me out of the car, grabbing her purse as she closed the car door with her foot. As my mom helped me walk inside, my chest contracted.

Someone's watching me.My thoughts are muddied, and goosebumps run up my spine as I stop, ignoring the questioning glance my mom shoots me with. Forcing myself to look down the street, my panic slowed, a wave of relief crashing into me. Just a little way down the street was a familiar red and blue semi-truck. Immediately, my chest tightens in a different way, and guilt punches me in the gut.

I hadn't even thought of Optimus or the others this entire time, and even though Optimus couldn't always stay and watch throughout the whole night, he always checked on me at least once. Slowly, I turn to the woman beside me, sending her a strained smile as we move toward the front door. "You don't happen to have my phone... do you?"

"It's in my purse. I'll give it to you when you get settled in," she said gently. It would be useless to try and argue, so I only nod. Besides, one more minute wasn't going to kill me. With a light click, the front door opens, and despite myself, relief flows through me.

Slowly, my mom brings me to the stairs without another word, lifting me up with each step to try and alleviate the pain. Of course, each time I take a step, it hurts, but I try not to wince, opting to ignore it. It wasn't long before we made it up the steps and into my room. Of course, my mom fussed over me in a way I hadn't experienced since I was a child. She placed my pain medication and phone on my nightstand before tucking me with a couple of extra blankets folded in my closet.

"Do you need anything else?"

"I'm good," I pat the blankest wrapped around me. "Nice and comfy. Speaking of, I'm tired, and I bet you are too." From my not-so-subtle hint, she chuckles, adjusting my pillow behind me. A fleeting hesitation lingers in her blue eyes, but I place a reassuring hand on her arm, offering the best smile I can muster.

"I'll be fine, Mom. I just plan on sleeping anyway." I fibbed, the words slipping easily from my lips. She reluctantly returned my smile, her smile softening as she brushed a strand of my hair behind my ear.

"If you need anything, sweetie, just text or call down to me, and I'll come right up," she whispered, placing a gentle kiss on my cheek before slipping out of the room, stealing one last glance at me before closing the door behind her.

Once I was certain she had descended the stairs, I reached for my phone, wincing slightly at the movement. My heart sank as I scrolled through a plethora of messages, many from Miko asking if I had gotten home safely. Jack even texted, asking me to respond as soon as I could.

"Great."With a resigned sigh, I quickly reply with a quick "I'm okay" and a "Sorry for not responding sooner." Glancing at the time, I realized it was around five in the morning, and I knew they would most likely not see it for another couple of hours. Briefly, I debated texting her the truth but immediately thought better of it. This conversation was better to have in person, and there would be no point in making her worry until I was able to fully explain.

I'm going to have to explain this to everyone.Unease washed over me, my throat contracting as the glint of a knife flashed in my head. The weight of the attack and the weird abilities seemed like a weight on top of me, seeming to push me further into the mattress. My breaths became shallow, each inhale becoming more and more of a struggle.

As the phantom buzz of energy filled me, my hands trembled uncontrollably. Trying to control myself, I gripthe fabric of my sheets, seeking some semblance of stability in the midst of the storm raging within me.

I squeezed my eyes shut, willing the panic to subside, but it only seemed to intensify, spiraling out of control like a whirlwind tearing through my mind. Thoughts raced through my head, each one more terrifying than the last, as my blood rushed into my ears, creating a roar in my head. Fear clenched at my heart like a vice, threatening to crush me beneath its weight.

Just when I thought I couldn't bear it any longer, a faint tapping echoed through the room, pulling me back from the brink of despair. My eyes snap open, drawn toward the sound like a moth to a flame. Cautiously, my feet touched down on the wooden floor, and slowly, I approached the closed blinds. Hesitantly, I pulled them up, and to my surprise, I was met with a giant digit. Releasing a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding, I slid open the window, disbelief on my face as I stared at my guardian.

"What are you doing here?" I whispered, anxiety threading through my voice as I stole a look toward my doorway. Optimus shifts to get a bit closer to my level, his optics twisting in obvious worry.

"You're usually home much earlier than this," Optimus replied, his voice a gentle rumble. Another surge of guilt washed over me, tempering the anger I had felt moments before as my shoulders relaxed. I tried to smile, but it looked more like a grimace.

"Yeah. I hoped you wouldn't notice," I mumbled, the words barely audible as they escaped my lips. Despite my attempt to downplay the situation, Optimus wasn't fooled, his optic ridge furrowing slightly. His gaze swept over me, lingering on the bruises and scratches on my face. I shift, suddenly feeling uncomfortable under his stare, like from one look, he'd know what happened.

The tension in the air thickened as he silently studied me, his expression unreadable. Without a word, his servo moved in front of my window, open and flat in an invitation I'd seen many times before. For a moment, I hesitate, shooting a cautious glance toward my door. I half-expected my mom to burst into the room at any moment, but when no interruption came, I steeled myself, lifting myself over the ledge. Of course, I did this ungracefully, a sharp hiss escaping my lips as a sudden pang of pain shot through my side.

As I tiptoed onto his outstretched palm, his thumb curled up to give me a handhold, and I gratefully grabbed it, my fingers curling around the digit like a lifeline. A wave of pins and needles washed over me, the sensation painful as I tried and failed to suppress a groan.Optimus lifts me a fraction closer to him once he sees I'm settled, his movements eerily gentle and deliberate. It's then he sees the full extent of my injuries, and his frown deepens in realization.

"You're hurt." While most would describe the towering Prime as stoic, the concern radiating off him was suffocating. Quickly, I wave him off with a strained smile. Perhaps I was putting off the inevitable, but at that moment, I didn't care.

"I'm fine, big guy." My attempt seemed to fall flat, failing to lighten the worry that lingering in my guardian's optics. His narrowed gaze bore into mine, a knot of discomfort forming in the pit of my stomach. Suddenly, I felt like a child getting scolded.

"What happened, Astra?" Stiffening involuntarily, my attention flickers away from his probing stare. Instead, I find myself focusing on the intricate lines of the living metal beneath me. I hear him vent, not out of annoyance but of something else, and shame eats at me.

I know I have to tell him; it would be cruel not to. Yet, a part of me longs to bury the memories in a corner of my mind I could never reach. To sear away the trauma that accompanies attacks like mine. But it wasn't just the physical pain that haunted me; it was the realization that a deep-rooted fear only found in my nightmares was real, and if I faced it, the world as I knew it would be shattered.

Green clashes with blue as I meet his stare, trying to look calm despite the turbulent emotions swirling within me. "Don't freak out." I began, my voice barely above a whisper. "I promise I'm fine. But, I...I may have been stabbed." His optics subtly widened, an almost invisible flicker of surprise dancing across his faceplates.

Before I could stop myself, I told the story once more. I couldn't bring myself to tell him about the sensation of the pervert's hand against my stomach or the sickening stench of his breath as it brushed against my cheek. Nor could I find the courage to tell him of the energy that had coursed through me.

"And then," I concluded, my voice faltering slightly, "I managed to... to fend them off. But not before I got stabbed in the side." I shifted my shirt up slightly, showing him the bandages wrapped around my torso.

Something flickered in Optimus' gaze, a fleeting emotion that I couldn't quite decipher. Hurriedly, I dropped the fabric of my shirt, flashing him a reassuring smile. "But I promise I'm okay," I insisted, fiddling with the crystal on my neck. "I got taken to the hospital, and they said my injuries were practically a flesh wound. No major damage."

For a moment, silence hung heavy in the air. Then, with a soft exhale, Optimus reached out a digit, his touch gentle as it brushed against the top of my head. I felt a surge of warmth wash over me, the anxiety that had gripped me slowly unwinding and fading into nothingness.

"I'm sorry; I should've been there," he murmured softly, the pressure of his touch leaving me as quickly as it had come. My brows furrowed in confusion as an emotion I recognize flashes across his face.

Guilt.

"Don't do that. Don't blame yourself." My voice took on a hardness that surprised even me, and the intensity of my words seemed to catch him off guard."While tragic, stuff like this happens, and often, there is nothing you can do to stop it." I couldn't bear to see Optimus burdened by the weight of responsibility for something beyond his control. I knew all too well how crushing the weight of guilt and self-blame can be.

"Anyway, it's going to take more than a few street thugs to rattle me," I say, smirking at him. My attempt at humor seems to lighten the mood, and the tension between us dissipates.

"I know." He rumbles, his lips lifted in amusem*nt, a small smile so very rarely seen on his faceplates. In that moment, as we stood together beneath the moonlit sky, peace I hadn't felt in what seemed like days overtook me. And this time, when I smiled, it was genuine.

* * * * * *

With a weary sigh, Maya sank into the couch's cushion. Exhaustion presses down on her with each breath, like a weighted blanket wrapped around her. She rubbed her temples in an attempt to soothe the throbbing ache that pulsed behind her eyes.

Shaking her head, Maya's gaze drifted towards the stairway, her thoughts falling back to Astra. Part of her wanted to check on her to ensure that she was resting peacefully after the ordeal she had experienced. But another part, a voice of reason, urged her to let her daughter get some much-needed sleep.

With a resigned sigh, she forced herself to settle into the couch, her feet moving to sit on the coffee table in front of her. Lazily, she reached for the remote, the soft click of the power button making the TV flicker to life. However, the attempt to distract herself proved useless, the channels failing to push what happened tonight to the back of her mind. With a frustrated groan, Maya switched the TV off completely, carelessly tossing the remote aside.

One thing, in particular, refused to escape Maya thoughts as a nagging sense of unease crept up her spine. The woman straightened, her brows furrowing in thought as she lightly tapped the phone hidden in her pocket.Astra had said something... strange as she was being rushed away to surgery.

If it were anyone else, Maya would have written it off as delirious ramblings of a girl who had lost too much blood. Honestly, at first, she didn't pay any attention to her daughter as she talked; in fact, it comforted Maya more that she was still able to talk. It was only when she quietly listed names she got interested, especially when she mumbled something that sounded eerily like "Fowler."

Silently, Maya grabbed her phone, the familiar weight comforting in her hand as she dialed a number from memory. As she waited for the call to connect, she absentmindedly ran a hand through her hair, dislodging the hair tie that held her locks in a messy bun.Strands of hair fell around her face in disarray, framing her features in a halo of unruly curls as the call finally connected.

"Sorry, I know it's early." She apologized, her voice betraying the exhaustion that clung to her like a second skin. There was a pulse of silence on the other end of the line before a familiar voice came through the receiver.

"No, it's alright. Maya, is everything okay? Did something go wrong with her surgery?" Maya shook her head instinctively, even though she knew he couldn't see it.

"No, no. Everything's fine, Grayson." She reassured him, the words sounding hollow even to her own ears. "Astra was released from thehospital, and she should make a full recovery. But that's not why I called you." Maya took a deep breath, the grip on her phone tightening. "I need you to look into something... something that I think may be involved in Project Chimera."

"Of course. What do you want me to look into?" The distinct clack of a keyboard filled her ears, and she hesitated, her gaze drifting toward the stairway once more. Perhaps this was an invasion of her daughter's privacy, but Maya couldn't find it in herself to care.

"Optimus Prime." Maya's throat tightened, her eyes hardening. "I need you to look into Optimus Prime."