''Well, I gotta hand it to you, this was a great idea,'' I mumbled, soaking up the heat in the steam room.
''One of my best, we both needed it.'' She agreed.
We sat in comfortable silence, and I couldn't help but close my eyes, almost falling asleep a few times. Until mum cleared her throat, making me give her eye contact.
''Did you know you left your phone last night? After you'd gone, I saw you'd left it on the counter.''
''Oh yeah, I just went out for a while wanting some fresh air and some silence,'' I answered.
''I've never known you not to have it when you go out; it's unlike you to forget it.'' She questioned.
''Oh, yeah, I must have forgotten to pick it up.''
''And, by the way, I didn't get a chance to tell you as you went straight upstairs until morning that Officer Cade came over about an hour and a half after you left.'' Her revelation made me choke on my sip of water.
''Did he? What did he want?'' I questioned, trying to sound not bothered.
''I'm not sure he only asked where you were. I figured he wanted to speak to you.''
''How did he seem?'' I hesitantly asked.
''He was pleasant enough, but he seemed a little put out when I told him you left your phone here and went out.''
Shit
''Did he say anything else?''
''No, he left pretty much as soon as I finished talking.''
''Oh.''
''Is whatever's wrong had something to do with him? You've been hanging out recently, so I wondered if you and him were-''
''Something or nothing, mum, but don't worry, I'm alright,'' I assured, smiling softly back at her. ''Anyways, enough of that, I think my pores have been purged enough in this heat; what say we head for the ice shower? Before I fall asleep in here and be found looking like shrivelled up pancake tomorrow morning?'' I suggested.
''Good idea.''
By the poolside, I relished in the calming atmosphere, the spa music, the gentle lapping of the pool water, the soft comfort of the lounge chair, making me sink ever deeper into relaxation. Forgetting my problems and focusing on enjoying the present moment, moments like these helped me reflect on life and be grateful for everything I had. But, before long, my mind soon wandered back to Barricade as it always did these days, like he bound his way into every fibre of me and I was far too tangled to be unravelled; I felt the sting of tears in my eyes. You're stuck inside my head, and I would rather think of anything instead. It's you. It's always you.
Sucking in a deep breath and counting down from ten did I only allow a single tear to fall before I launched myself off the chair, diving into the deep end of the pool, knowing only too well it wasn't the only thing I had fallen deeply into.
After being pampered from head to toe, my soothed muscles and soft baby skin left me feeling much better than I had the past few days, if only I could do this every day. I sat on an open balcony, a gentle breeze made the afternoon heat comfortable, and fresh fruit juice and healthy dining were perfect. Everything felt perfect, yet as I sat with my eyes closed, enjoying the sun on my face, a feeling washed over me, I could sense it, being watched, once again the centre of someone's attention.
Through steady breaths, I grounded myself, not to panic or react, and when I was ready, I opened my eyes, the brightness of sunlight stung as I scanned the area. No one was nearby, our balcony was empty, and the surrounding grounds lay almost bear with only a few guests passed out after a hard day pampering on the deck. No one was watching, and yet I felt their presence, I knew they were there, and I had a feeling who.
A once over the neatly kept gardens so well hidden in the shadows I almost missed them but further, inspection revealed the looming figure of Barricade, watching silently from afar. I stood from the chair, leaning over the railing. Our eyes connected instantly, his expression one of deep thought, and I felt my heart race and drop to my stomach in a wave of nausea, not understanding his intentions.
Mums voice broke our stare-off, and once I turned back, he had vanished.
''What you are looking at?
''N-nothing.'' I stuttered and went back to my chair, trying to hold my nerves. The sight of a police car racing away from the spa only made it all the more difficult.
The next evening I drove out for late hours Christmas shopping, organising presents and getting the stress out of the way. Still, before heading home, I came to a stop at the hill, giving me a view over Tranquility, singing to my favourite songs and thinking things over until the stars twinkled in the moonlit night. Only when my throat was parched did I realise I'd forgotten my water. Damn.
By the time I'd reached back downhill into the city, I couldn't wait and drove into the mall now deserted parking lot; the supermarket would still be open. But, walking around here was so much easier this time, much less stimulus to deal with, grab a bottle, and leave for the due date with my bed.
Oh, look, the alcohol section, and as luck would have it, my favourite bottle of red on special, that'll come in handy for later.
Just as I was finishing up, my phone began ringing, but before I could reach for it. I suddenly felt presents beside me, a feeling of dread and the smell of alcohol reached my nose before I even saw who it was.
''Oh hell to the no.'' I blurted out without thinking before raising my finger to them, ''I am in no mood for this bullshit, Mark.'' I growled out, giving a warning.
''I-I just want to t-talk.'' He slurred
''Nothing to discuss, no is NO. Do you know how sad this is getting? How are you even funding yourself?''
''That cop, it's that cop! You fucking him or what?'' He seethed through clenched teeth intoxicated and had a look in his eye I'd never seen before. A look that scared me and told me one thing RUN.
Running, I found myself running as fast as I could out the complex straight past my car; I hadn't gained enough distance to make it inside without being caught before I could get it unlocked. Instead, my legs took me over the main road down a path still with him hot on my heels fueled by rage; all I did was keep going cutting across the empty street into a multi-story parking lot. Breathless and panicked, I hid behind one of the cars, moving as quietly as possible to gain space between us, keeping as quiet as possible and out of sight. As the seconds passed, panic kept creeping up; what should I do? Call the police and risk him hearing me? Run to where? Everyone was sleeping.
After a few minutes of tense silence, I could hear footsteps coming closer; he was closing in, and I readied myself looking left and right before making a break for it. Leaping out, I took off, making way back out but was pushed violently to the ground; Mark's weight bared on top of me. I struggled, kicked, scratched, and screamed. I'd never seen him as unhinged as now and never thought he was capable of such acts. My life was in danger, and I wondered if he was on more than just alcohol.
''Get off! Don't touch me!'' I screamed
''Do you let him touch you?!''
''Fuck you!!'' I screamed, struggling to free myself from him; even though I knew this move was stupid and could cost me dearly, I couldn't resist. ''I want him to, everywhere.'' I taunted him.
I didn't think his face could get any angrier, but it did big time, smacking my head down onto the concrete floor making me dazed. Blood ran down my head as he continued fighting for control but then-
Through the terror, like thunder over the land, carried by the wind, a rumble powerful and fierce so familiar it was unmistakable and edging ever nearer. Each passing second seemed to slow as I struggled to free myself but focused on that sound, as strong as the sea is stormy, and it was about to hit with full force.
Distracted by said noise, I punched Marks' face while he was off guard; he fell backwards.
The sound got louder.
Grabbing my shirt, he roughly pulled me up to him, and his blood spots fell onto my face. ''You fucking bitch-''
Then it happened, the moment he came into view, tires screeching to a stop, engine revving, and sirens blaring the numbers reading 643 confirmed who it was, Barricade.
Without warning, the car moved forwards, stopping within inches of the impact of us; Mark stumbled over in fright though I didn't move, only staring into the grill, sensing his optics without seeing them. His engine revved only then did I roll out the way, Mark began backing up, but with each step back, the car only followed until a burst of power hit Mark, knocking him back over intentionally.
Smacking his hand to the hood, ''Are you a fucking lunatic? Good luck having a job by morning!.'' Mark retaliated, pulling himself up moving round to the window. Barricade's holoform was activated, and he was furious. A hologram of pure rage, his solid form got out of his alt mode, slamming his fist into Mark's face knocking him to the ground before forcefully pulling him up and slamming him onto the hood, Barricades massive form dominating over him.
''Firstly, you stalk her. Strike one. '' Barricade glared, leaning his face millimetres from Marks.
''Secondly, you harass her. Strike two.'' Barricade continued, punching Mark square in the face
''Thirdly, you attack her.' Strike three.''
''And lastly, you touch her. Strike four.''
He growled, teeth clenched threateningly. "She's mine."
Those two words made my heart skip, but before I could think any more of it, Barricade went for another hit; covered with blood Mark was close to passing out.
Barricade raised his hand, ready for the final blow. ''No Barricade, please! Don't kill him,'' I begged, pausing his movement while Mark looked at me with hope. Then, finally, I walked towards them with a harsh glare and bitter tongue. ''I want him to remember what he's done, wake up in jail, charged with assault.'' Marks face fell, the dawn of realisation I wasn't backing him.
As if the present moment were frozen in time, so thick with tension you couldn't breathe as none of us reacted. Suddenly Barricade looked at me, eyes still harsh but softened slightly; the car door opened, motioning me to get in.
I wasted no time following his instructions. Mark tried to reach for me but was harshly spun and handcuffed before being thrown into the back seat. The seat belt wrapped around me tightly, securing me in place as we rushed through the city.
"Come on then, big boy, fight me for her!"
It was stunned silence for tense seconds, but the more I processed his sentence, I ended up starting to laugh. Both guys looked at me, Mark with a scowl; Barricade's smug smirk widened and began laughing too.
"Think you can beat me?'' Barricade challenged.
''For her.''
''As you wish,'' Barricade chuckled, a sly smile on his lips before his hologram flickered and disappeared.
Mark instantly froze all arrogance, and the dominant male act vanished, leaving behind a frail, weak and completely off his face man trembling in the back seat. A growl met any attempt Mark made to reach for me through the speakers; he was shocked at what he was witnessing, a car driving itself, growling through its audio system, and a woman who had complete trust in it.
Mark began to smack and kick anywhere ''Let me out!'' Mark screamed; his wish was granted in the form of skidding and the door flying open, allowing Mark to fall out onto the dusty surface while I stayed secured. Once at a stop, the belt released me, and I got out, knowing what was about to happen.
The sudden sounds of his alt mode transforming from car to alien came into being. Leaving both my and Mark's jaws dropping in awe, I didn't think I'd ever get used to it. But then, red optics met Green eyes, and that's when Mark knew how fucked up he was. With the highest pitch scream of any man, Mark took off, followed by a snarling Decepticon hell bend on showing him who was boss.
Heavy footsteps lingered closely behind, teasing Mark into more panic that death was only a step behind him. Running for his life wasn't enough; human strides stood no chance, and Mark was soon flung into the air only to be caught in a vice-like grip of Barricade's hand. In one last act of desperation and defiance, Mark punched Barricade's face- to no effect.
''I think I win, don't you?'' Barricade chuckled darkly.
When Mark failed to reply, Barricade shook him violently ''Do you agree?!''
''Y-yes.'' Mark cowered, terrified.
''Take this as your final warning; you will never approach, stalk or attack my femme in any circumstance; the price for ignoring said warning is death. Do you understand me?'' Barricade's optics lit up in a threatening aura of light, illuminating Marks quivering figure.
''Consider yourself lucky; you got off lightly. You stood no chance against me.'' His smug tone teased, no doubt feeding his ego. But, in this case, I was more than happy to let him have it.
With Mark well and truly beaten in more ways than one, passing out in Barricade's hand soon after his showdown, I called the real police and had him taken into custody; I truly hoped this would be the end of it. I was so tired, anxious and emotionally drained. Unfortunately, though, I knew I had one more round on the rollercoaster of emotions. Barricade had not run off like I expected him but stayed in the shadows waiting until we were alone.
Silence filled the air, we were alone, and his holoform walked over, no longer expressing anger, but much to my relief, he seemed concerned. Checking me over as gently as he could, I avoided his gaze but knew it was only a matter of time before I had to face whatever was coming.
Finally, I met his eyes, but he won for breaking the ice first. ''I suppose I need to explain a few things.'' Looking emotionally vulnerable for the first time. I nodded; wanting the relief of knowing what was going on, he led me to his alt mode, where he transformed, taking me into his hand holding me at his optic level.
''You must understand, it was not my intention to hurt you, but I needed to process things.'' He began, ''I'm a Decepticon, a big bad alien who loves fighting, killing Autobots and hating humans, but then I met you, and slowly you turned my world upside down. I'll always be that con, but you've changed my perceptions somewhat, and for the first time, I wanted something more than war, and that was something I never expected to happen.'' He admitted.
''I understand.'' I teared up, expecting him to break whatever this was, but now he explained I did understand his dilemma and what emotions he must have been dealing with.
''You have been a pain in my skidplate from day one; you're the most stubborn, sarcastic, and difficult human I've dealt with.'' He stated as fact, and it was probably validated '' And, I can't stay away from you. Believe me, I've tried, but despite everything, I like you very much, and I want you.''
''In what way?'' I breathed.
''Everyway.''
I cried out, overwhelmed with what I was feeling, hearing and seeing.
''I was afraid you didn't feel the same, and it was a game,'' I admitted.
''No game, this had no benefits to Decepticon cause it's only a hindrance. Check your phone; it was me calling before you had to flee that insect to tell you that despite the risk and the obvious differences that I choose you, I promise within all my power to protect you if you would consider-.''
''Are you asking me out?'' I beamed, unable to hold my smile.
''That's a human custom, is it not?''
I smiled as happy tears ran down my face. ''Despite the differences, danger and how crazy this is.... yes.'' I wholeheartedly accepted.
So, we finally got there; I couldn't leave you on a knife-edge and wanted to give you some vunerable, protective and sweet moments, along with our badass Decepticon. I hope you enjoyed it, and apologies for taking so long. After the last chapter, I wanted to give you this and have been swamped with family, work and illness, so it's taken a little longer.
Merry Christmas, and wishing everyone the best!. xx