On the screen, the actor is stoic underneath his fedora hat. The only movement is the curling smoke from the barrel of his gun, the body in front of him cold and unmoving. The woman watching looks up at him through thick mascara, her eyes wide as she stares at 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 strangled scream 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 unbridled hate.
"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 in the 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 against the 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 familiar argument unfold, my show already forgotten. This was a regular occurrence around the base, and I was always amused by 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 shoulder stopped 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 her a 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 Optimus returned it. I let out a breath when the Groundbridge de-activated, my eyes lingering 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. Just as I was reaching for my bag of chips, a body slumped onto me, a disappointed groan escaping them. I grunted under the sudden weight, my gaze meeting with 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. I wanted to kick some deception butt!" Miko mumbled, puffing out her cheeks. I stifled a laugh at her expression, instead running my hands through her pink and black locks. I must not have hidden my amusement very well because Miko shot 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 on the T.V., my fingers brushing 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.
Every Night for the past couple of days, I've had the same terrible nightmare. 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 the movie 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, fidgeting with 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 him as 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 on the 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 nervously at 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 look on 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 any longer 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 portal around me.
I winced as a sharp pain went through my head, and I staggered slightly. 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 of arms 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've played 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 the tension 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 flew in 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, my hand 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 became dizzy whenever they described it, and their bones felt like they were vibrating—nothing like my experience.
I'm worrying too much. I bet my body just reacted differently. I reassured myself. I'm just 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 to happen! 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 zoomed past 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 the familiar 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 a bike." He snorted, leaning against the motorcycle handles in amusement.
"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 bike slowing to a stop.
"You have to admit I have a point." As much as I didn't want to, I couldn't help but agree with him. Maybe I was 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 earlier coming 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 harm in 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 said sincerely, 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 carefully as 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.
"Does that make us even?" I wondered teasingly.
"Not quite. First, you have to admit we're friends." Nick demanded, stifling a laugh at my disgruntled expression. I scoffed, my eyebrow lifting.
"Are you serious?" I wondered. He didn't answer, his golden eyes boring into 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 imagine the 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 sat on 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 palm giving 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 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. My anxiety 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? I turned, 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 I felt the cool air-conditioning brush 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. I wandered 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. How can 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 I 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 growing in 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 emotionally.
A particular female doctor reached the gray double doors, and without pause, she pushed them open with her full body weigh, though she didn'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 them a polite smile as 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 pressed accept, 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-haired woman 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 sounds faded 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 Chimera and 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 this I 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 felt like poison in her mouth, leaving a burning aftertaste on her tongue. Maya couldn't see him, but she could almost see Grayson nod.
"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."
ᴛʜᴀɴᴋꜱ ꜰᴏʀ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ. ɪ ʜᴏᴘᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴇɴᴊᴏʏᴇᴅ ɪᴛ! ɪ ᴀᴘᴏʟᴏɢɪᴢᴇ ɪꜰ ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ᴋɪɴᴅᴀ ʙᴏʀɪɴɢ. ᴛʀᴜꜱᴛ ᴍᴇ; ɪᴛ'ꜱ ɪᴍᴘᴏʀᴛᴀɴᴛ ꜰᴏʀ ʟᴀᴛᴇʀ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀꜱ ᴛᴏ ᴄᴏᴍᴇ. ʜᴏᴘᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴀɴ ᴀᴍᴀᴢɪɴɢ ᴅᴀʏ/ɴɪɢʜᴛ!