A few hours had passed since I woke up, and now Ms. Darby was helping me sit up straight, checking on me to ensure I was okay. As she gently uncovered the blanket from my lower body, revealing the stump where my left leg used to be, I couldn't help but wince at the sight. "It was the only option to save you," she reassured me, her comforting embrace offering solace.
Though I knew I would be getting a prosthetic leg, I understood that life would never be quite the same again. Despite the challenges ahead, I felt immensely grateful for the unwavering support of Ms. Darby, Jack, and the promise of newfound friendship with Raf and Miko, who had recently entered my life.
With no visitors yet, I realized the rift between my father and me, and the absence of any other family except for Evan, who likely hadn't even heard the news. Knowing it was a school day, I anticipated the return of Raf, Jack, and Miko after classes, thanks to a message from Ms. Darby to Jack.
The realization of not being able to walk properly again was a painful one, but I held onto the hope that it was a sacrifice worth making for life itself. Ms. Darby assured me of a path to normalcy with a prosthetic leg, though she warned of the challenging journey ahead. Nevertheless, I found comfort in knowing she, Jack, and my new friends would be by my side every step of the way.
Speaking of friends, I heard someone knock on the door. Ms Darby opened the door and I saw someone run towards me at super speed.
I didn't have time to brace myself for impact as she hugged me tight.
"So glad you're okay!" She said, gripping onto me tighter. I'd recognize that voice anywhere.
"Miko, relax. I don't even think she can breathe by how tight you're hugging her," I heard a boy's voice scold her. Miko laughed and let go.
"Sorry about that," she apologized. I looked behind her and saw the two boys, Rafael and Jack. I smiled as they walked towards me.
When Jack came over to me, I pulled him towards me and hugged him tight.
"Hey, how come I'm not allowed to hug her tight, but she's allowed to hug Jack tight?" Miko complained, probably towards Raf, as he was the one who scolded her earlier.
I laughed and let go.
"I'm so glad you're okay! Do you have any idea how worried I-urh- we were for you? And that night, didn't Ratchet drop you off at your house?" He questioned, pulling a chair and sitting next to me.
Yeah but my father wouldn't open the door. I guess he wasn't home and I didn't have the keys. I wanted to go over to your house, but knew no one would be home and by the time I realized, I was far away from my house and it was dark. That was when I got the message from Miko. I was on the way back to my house, and got kidnapped. I sent that message to Miko while the black van was following me, just in case. Good thing I did.
Jack and Raf went quiet after they understood what I signed.
"What? What'd she say?" Miko asked. Raf quickly explained and her eyes softened with pity.
"The autobots spent the whole day looking for you. Arcee even blamed Ratchet for not dropping you off at home properly. Then when Jack's mom told us that you were alive, but in a coma, Ratchet felt guilty. He was quiet the entire two weeks and wouldn't even speak to me. Optimus was worried and concerned, but glad you were alive. He can't bear any human casualties," Raf explained.
I hung my head and scratched my hair.
I'm so sorry everyone went through all that because of me.
"Nah it's not your fault. We are more angry at the people who did it. Do you know who did it?" Jack asked.
I nodded.
Some organization called M.E.C.H. Their leader threatened to leave me to die and kill me if I don't reveal to them the location of the base, but I could never do that. Of course I knew where it was, but I wouldn't do that, considering one of them did save my life earlier that day. I was about to be used as an experiment, but I managed to hurt the 'doctor', and escaped. Their base of operations was located in the middle of a public park, so I managed to find help.
"All with a bullet wound in your leg?" Jack asked, surprised. I bit my lip and nodded.
"Uh, not to interrupt the pity party, but can you like use a notebook to communicate? Coz I don't really understand sign language," Miko suggested. I nodded and she took out a notebook from her pocket and a pen, and I wrote down everything I had signed and handed it to her.
Have you told them yet?
"No not yet. Arcee and Bumblebee brought us here. I think they figured it out though, considering how long we've been staying here," Jack shrugged.
"Wait a minute. The cons were after you for your relic, right? Do you have it?" Miko asked, raising her eyebrow.
Oh right.
I touched my neck, but was scared when I couldn't feel my necklace anymore, and started to panic.
"Don't worry Erin, it's right here. I kept it safe," Ms Darby spoke. Oh right. Almost forgot she was there.
She took it out from her pocket and handed it to me. It was wrapped in cloth and it had a red colour stain on it. Almost like blood.
So, enough about me. How are things going back with the autobots?
This time, I wrote down in Miko's notebook.
Raf, Jack and Miko looked at each other, their eyebrows furrowed.
"Well, things haven't been going really smooth for us either. Bumblebee lost his T-Cog, Wheeljack showed up again and Nemesis Prime attacked Optimus Prime and M.E.C.H is no more," Miko explained in one breath again.
I began writing.
Few questions. What's a T-Cog, who's Wheeljack and who's Nemesis Prime and what do you mean by M.E.C.H is no more?
"Oh right, you weren't there. Well, the T-cog, also known as the Transformation Cog, as the name states, is the organ that allows Cybertronians to scan and transform into their respective vehicle modes," Raf explained.
"Wheeljack is Bulkhead's best buddy in the war and we're part of The Wreckers," Miko explained.
"Nemesis Prime is a name Miko came up with. M.E.C.H basically built Nemesis as a knockoff of Optimus and impersonated him. Silas was the one controlling Nemesis. Optimus battled Nemesis and it fell on top of Silas, crushing him to death. Now, without a leader, M.E.C.H is hopefully no more," Jack explained.
Silas.
The guy who kidnapped me and threatened me.
I smiled. Karma is sweet.
Silas talked to me privately. He was the one who threatened me to surrender the relic and the location of the autobot base. I'm glad he's dead.
"Woah. You actually met Silas? Miko asked reading what I wrote.
I nodded. It was scary I had to admit.
"So, when do you plan on coming back to base?" Raf asked me. I groaned.
Do I have to?
"I'm afraid so Erin. You saw what happened without the autobot's protection. They can protect you well. I promise," Ms Darby put a hand on my shoulder. I just sighed.
"But you will go once you are healed. You'll still need to practice walking with your prosthetic leg," she informed me.
I nodded.
"Oh, right. I'm sorry about your leg," Raf looked at me sympathetically.
It's alright. I guess I'm just glad I'm alive. It's better than not.
Miko decided to detour the conversation and distract us by talking about the newest café downtown.
I was glad she was here. She's really good at changing the topic and knows exactly when.
But I felt something missing.
There was something gnawing at my heart.
I know it sounds quite cheesy, but really.
"Oh, and Erin," Ms Darby called. Four of us looked up at her.
"Someone missed you dearly, and has been visiting you everyday for the past two weeks," she smiled. At that moment, I heard a knock on the door.
Who else would visit me?
Definitely not my father.
She went to open the door.
My heart stopped when I saw who it was.
"Erin!" He called out and ran towards me and enveloped me into a huge bear hug.
I heard him shake and cry a little. Tears also started to pour down my cheeks.
After 4 months, he finally came back.
My brother.