Let's see how this goes. If all goes to plan this fic will rock but pray for me anyway. Hope you guys enjoy and please leave reviews it really helps !
"Will you shut up? We're gonna have a great time okay? Stop panicking Si," green eyes hold Simon's gaze captive and he has to pause before sighing.
The hue is somewhat calming which, considering their piercing colour, was weird. Not that he cared. Anything that could even vaguely soothe his social anxiety was a life saver. A day into a new college and he was already shitting himself. But they'd started together, he and Brady. The two had grown up together and well, they were often inseparable. The days were changing, however. Simon had noticed Brady's ever-growing desire to go and explore alone. She wasn't necessarily 'pushing him away', but she also kind of was. Honestly, it was like he was stuck in time, watching his friend grown up, leaving him behind. What if she met a guy here and went off with him? What if the guy was trouble and didn't treat her right? Woah, was that jealousy twisting in his gut? Guh. He was a lost puppy, following her around and god he must be so annoying!
"Si," Brady cocked her head, a brow arching in concern. "You okay?" She'd noticed his blank stare, drifting into his own thoughts again – though it wasn't unusual. She brushed a hand against the back of her neck; blonde ponytail hovering over sensitive skin. That was her excuse, anyway. It was really an act of insecurity – a sense of vulnerability and the first thing she'd do is rub the back of her neck. Like when people bite their nails, except a lot less germy.
"Yeah! I'm—what? Sorry, did I—"
"—Drift again?" Brady smirked softly. "Yeah, yeah you did. Everything okay?"
Simon nodded. "Just going through the motions, y'know? I'm just—I don't know, worried."
"You've got every right to be. New place, new people. We've just gotta adapt, Si. Go with the flow. Sam's here too, remember—"
"Right. Your friend," he grunted.
Brady rolled her eyes. "He's your friend too."
Simon gives a gasp. "Does he know that?"
"Stop acting like a kid. He tries to get along with you but—"
"—but what?" Simon interrupts.
"But you always shun him somehow. I don't know what it is but whenever he's around something in you changes."
"Well yeah because he tries to—" He paused, thinking over his words carefully. "He gets all—" Another pause before he sighs again. "I've known you longer." And finally, his gaze flicked to the floor and a pout lifted his lips.
Brady had to clench her teeth to stop herself from laughing. "Are you serious right now?" Her expression showed nothing other than pure surprise. "You're seriously jealous of Sam?"
Simon scoffed. "Jealous? No, not at all! I just don't like how he thinks he knows everything about you and takes you away from me to talk about stuff that I don't even know you're talking about!"
Arms fold across her chest and her expression falls tense. There were things she knew that she couldn't even think of discussing with Simon. Sam was the only one she could go to when it came to Optimus and well, anything Cybertronian based. She was under legal bindings to not discuss what she'd witnessed – what she'd been exposed to. Not only would discussing it with Simon put her in danger but also Simon and anyone associated with her, really. The risk was too big, one she wouldn't be willing to take – even for a friend like Simon. "You're my best friend, Si. C'mon, you really think anyone's gonna take your place?" Her smile is forced but believable.
He exhaled heavily, looking down the hall before looking back at Brady. "I just care about you, Salt. I worry. Try 'n' stop me." His smile was also forced, though Brady noticed it, causing her to frown gently. He turned and walked away from her. "I'll catch you later."
Salt was a nickname, ingeniously derived from her surname Salter. "You will," Brady confirmed. Then with a sigh, she walked in the opposite direction of her friend. Further down the hall she could see two faces she was familiar with. "Mikaela, hey!" She greeted.
The brunette acknowledged her with widening eyes before concern seemed to furrow her brows.
"Something wrong?" Brady looked to Leo who leaned against the wall beside them. She wasn't too familiar with Leo and his general life but they'd met before. She had also been made aware that he was Sam's roommate which hopefully meant he was close. "Where's Sam?"
Mikaela bit her bottom lip. "Something is wrong," she stated before walking towards a door. Leo sprung up from his leaning post and followed, Brady automatically doing the same. They reached the door and Mikaela opened it.
"Hey Sam y' bed buddy Alice—" Leo's sentence came to a sudden stop.
Brady glanced into the room, shock tearing into her expression at the sight of what too many of the guys at college described as the "hottest girl here", with her tongue several feet from her mouth, wrapped around Sam's neck who was on the floor, choking away. It was the kind of moment you'd scratch a record and say "I bet you're wondering how I got in this position?" Except this was real – believe it or not.
"Woah woah woah woah woah!" Leo exclaimed as the tongue, which was attached to a tubular length of metal?, retracted back into Alice's mouth.
The sound of Sam's screams filled the air as Mikaela threw the metal box she was carrying at the girl, but she dodged, sending the box off course and out of the window. Sam scrambled to his feet before slamming the door behind him. Brady couldn't recall her eyes ever being as wide as they were right now. Before she was even aware, the four were pushing through crowds of people until they were out of the building and racing for the library. Or as she believed, their lives.
Step, step, step, step – "she's coming!" The alarming screech that came from Mikaela had her running faster which she didn't think was possible but there was some kind of Decepticon on their tail so who cared!
"C'mon, c'mon!" Sam ushered to Leo although Brady couldn't see either of their locations as she was too busy making sure her own was far away from that THING! "She's an alien robot, you gotta move!"
Alien robot. Sure, nope, that was totally normal. Ha ha. Ha ha h a hahahha. She could already hear the cops and their responses.
What's your emergency?
Hello, yes, there's an alien robot attacking students at my college.
"FOR REAL?" Leo's response was that of someone who'd dreamt about the day they were involved in an alien war and then when they actually were, realised how totally screwed they were.
"Just run," Sam instructed and boy was Brady trying. They reached the library doors and one by one sprinted into the silent room before dropping behind tall shelving.
She could hear Leo's panic but was more focused on catching her breath in case they had to run again. Guilt gripped at her ankles; she should be worried about Simon and his safety, not to mention her other friends on the campus, but really, she only worried for herself at that moment. Brady's chest heaved as she peered over a shelf to watch in case Alice tried to sneak up on them. Mikaela snapped at Sam and further whispering ensued before Sam was vomiting right beside her. Could things get worse?
BOOM !
The doors to the library literally blew open and off their hinges and technically so did the wall. Wood obliterated and launched through the wide space, Brady dodging just in time to miss a chunk heading straight for her face.
Alright, so maybe they could.
She could hear bullets hitting practically everything around her, adrenaline pumping hard enough to send her over the shelving and down onto the floor below. Her body blocked the impact of the ground and she was back on her feet in seconds, racing towards Sam – ducking beneath a table. Then more explosions began, books and wood bursting through the room. Something hit her in the back of the head bringing out a sharp gasp but she grit her teeth and bared the pain as screams and cries rung in her ears. They were trapped, the robot wanted Sam and even Brady wasn't willing to give him up. God knows what they'd do to him. But with Sam being in the same room as the students there with them, they too were at risk.
They started to crawl under desks before she was pressed to the wall. A line of students formed against the brick, praying that their last minutes of life would be painless, but Brady wasn't going down. Not yet, no way. She didn't give up that easily. Something exploded beside her and her vision went hazy. More books showered their shredded pages from the air as splinters grazed her hands. It wasn't until Sam gripped her wrist, shouting for her to follow him, did she notice the giant hole that had now been blown into the wall. Her legs forced her to her feet and she was off again, running after the group into the open and out of the chaos – though not for long.
Silently, they concentrated on their exist, running from the premises and into the carpark where they were followed by a hoard of screaming teenagers. "It's a bomb!" Someone yelled and part of Brady wanted to respond with 'if only'. Far better than being ripped apart by a psychotic, alien robot. Maybe. Really, she'd rather experience neither.
"Gotta get that box!" Mikaela called out to Sam who was quick to grab the metal container. Brady followed the brunette to a car, not hesitating on clambering onto a back seat. The door was slammed behind her and she scanned for the crazy metal bitch hunting them down. Leo climbed in beside her and Sam entered the passenger seat. The box was passed into the back and was placed between herself and Leo – a voice inside it causing her to raise her brows. There were more important matters taking place right now, questions later !
Mikaela began hotwiring the car when Brady spotted Alice coming closer. "Oh shit!" She cursed, unable to form words due to the shock. Only able to bring herself to point at the incoming alien, Brady tried to find something she could use as a weapon – even if it were a book it'd be better than nothing. Her search was short lived, however, when Alice – or robot Alice – launched itself onto the car's hood. Windows shattered around her, eyes closing on instinct as she tried to hold back from yelling. The snake-shit-thing tongue was through the windshield of the car now, swinging left and right in some kind of attempt to behead either Sam or Mikaela. The car's engine snarled to life and they were suddenly reversing and Brady felt as though she was on a boat for a moment, nausea and vertigo clawing at her stomach. "Fuckin' go!" She shouted to Mikaela – and holy shit did she! The car raced down the road, dodging on-coming traffic as the robot smacked at the window and clawed at Sam.
"Kiss this bitch!" Mikaela slammed on the breaks, ramming the car into a lamp post which squished the psycho attached to its front. She reversed, and then ran Alice the fuck over!
Brady found herself almost disappointed by the quick change of pace; Leo beside her demanding further knowledge of the situation.
"Are you part of this shit too, huh?" He poked her shoulder roughly. "D'you know all about this crazy ass—"
"That thing you saw back there—" Sam interrupted. "—that was a—" And suddenly everyone in the car was yelling "WOAH, WOAH, WOAH!" at the incoming helicopter. Mikaela once again slammed on the breaks, bringing the car to a screeching halt. Something came through the roof but Brady couldn't see what it was as she'd ducked and thrown her arms over her head to protect herself.
"OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD!" Leo managed to shout right into her ear and everything happened so fast she barely had time to blink. The car started to rise in to the air, bringing back Brady's nausea which swiftly vanished when something hit the car, sending it swinging in circles as they got higher and higher from the ground. One glance outside the window had her gagging and panic gripped at her gut when she realised Sam was actually hanging out of the car – feet dangling several tens of feet from the ground.
"SAM!" She screamed along with the other's but she could no longer see him, only his hands clutching onto the door. She couldn't reach for him either without being launched out of the car too. Another glance out the window and she saw water. What if the helicopter dropped them here!? No way could she swim the distance back to the city – she could barely swim a length!
Mikaela and Leo managed to grab Sam's arms, heaving him back into his seat. The door slammed shut and all Brady could think about was how vulnerable they all were. There was no way out. No way to survive. They were all going to die. Bam, the end—
There was a loud clang before they were free-falling inside of the car. Cutting through the air, crashing into the roof of a building which collapsed beneath the force of their weight. They hit the ground head on, the front of the car impacting with the concrete which set off the airbags, before rolling onto the roof. A few seconds of what felt like peace quivered around them before what sounded like a chainsaw hissed and the car was being cut in half. Brady caught sight of the blade which only just missed her skin and she too followed the others in a scream of complete horror. Both halves of the car rolled onto their sides and Brady practically threw herself from the death trap, stumbling into the Decepticon SIC himself, Starscream, who spat at them in disgust. Standing her ground, Brady felt her guts harden and managed to spit back at him – though it wasn't as effective. She didn't want to even imagine how Leo felt right now. At least Brady had seen a Cybertronian up close before. Optimus Prime, to be precise. The Autobot leader and herself had formed quite the friendship. He had shown her around NEST and even allowed her up on his shoulder. Their relationship was similar to what Sam and Bee had, though not as casual.
To come face to face with the Decepticon Lord himself, however? Yeah, totally different matter. Unable to form words, Brady bit her tongue and allowed her expression ease into something of a stubborn manner. She could feel her legs vaguely trembling but no way would she give this vile monster the gratification of instilling fear within her. No, she was stronger than that – braver.
"Come here, Boy," His gaze was fixated on Sam, though it momentarily shifted onto her, seemingly observing her for what felt like far too long. She noticed how his optical ridges raised – if only a little – before he was staring back at Sam again. The growl that vibrated from Megatron's chassis was low, so guttural that she could've sworn the floor was shaking beneath her. "Closer—" He rumbled.
Sam raised his hands and walked towards the towering Warlord. Brady could hear Mikaela muttering for him to stay but if he refused Megatron's demands – four humans against two Decepticons would go to shit real quick.
"You remember me, don't you?" Patronising. Brady actually felt frustrated by how patronised the asshole made her feel. Of course, she was well aware of the 'thing' Sam had been through with Megatron. The Warlord was obviously pissed, you know, after having Sam shove the AllSpark into his chest, ultimately killing him …
"I did what you said, okay? Just don't hurt—" Sam was interrupted by Megatron's servo slamming down to where he stood. "SHUT UP," Megatron bellowed, long claws grappling him and pulling him into the railings which broke under the pressure – causing Sam to practically fly through the air before landing harshly on a concrete surface. With the other two panicking beside her, Brady was aware that this wouldn't stop, and she wouldn't stand and watch Sam die at the hands of the Decepticons.
"Stay here—" She whispered to Mikaela and Leo before subtly making her way down a path that would bring her closer to Megatron and Sam. With her wits about her, Brady looked to Starscream who was far too entertained by Megatron's current doings to be focussing on the humans. Rolling her eyes, she scanned the ceiling and sides of the building for heavy objects and sure enough, several cables were holding distraction material directly above Megatron. All she needed to do, was cut the cables near her.
"—we have some delicate work to do," A shiver ran up her spine at the tone of Megatron's voice. Something about it managed to slip into her thoughts like a snake through bars. She'd noticed it had got to her before, though she'd managed to brush it off. Now, however, she was more interested in what the hell was wrong with her? Attracted to a genocidal, robotic, psycho's voice? Sure, why not. Believe it or not, there really were worse things in the world. What did Megatron mean by delicate work, though? And why did he need Sam for it?
Hesitation is a hole in the head. Really, so was bad timing. "Stop getting distracted," she grumbled quietly. Casting her gaze over the side and to Sam's position, she took her eyes off the path she was walking and tripped on some metal that had flown from the steps Megatron had wrecked. Pain pulsed within her knee and by assessing the joint, she noticed a shard of metal had implanted itself through the skin on impact. "Fuck!" Brady whimpered, hoping no one had heard her.
Megatron's continued monologue showed that clearly nothing had been interrupted. A frown curved soft lips and brows furrowed as she gripped the shard and yanked it from her leg. Blood began to drip and really, she was stuck for ideas on what to do; there wasn't time to bandage shit right now. Clenching her teeth, she took the bloodied shard and hopped towards the cables, wrapping her hand around one. Another glance over to Sam revealed something she immediately regretted witnessing. Something was crawling inside of the boy's mouth, making him gag and wretch. Brady wanted to vomit right there and then, holy shit that had to be one of the most disgusting things she'd ever seen!
Gulping bile, she began to saw at the cables, watching as the wires slowly but surely started to fray. CLUNK. One cable was down, so she sawed at the next. Her concentration was growing stronger until she heard something nearing her position. Looking about the room, she noticed something flying through the air towards her, sending her dropping to her knees again. With the adrenaline surging through her, she'd forgotten about her bleeding knee. Until now, of course, as when she hit the ground for a second time she had to bite her lip to stop the scream attempting to force its way out. The pain was back but relief washed over her when whatever was flying towards her swooped over her and down to Sam.
Brady sighed heavily, her expression creasing up as she pushed herself back to her feet and over to the cables. Grabbing the half cut wiring, she continued to saw, and it wasn't long before that cable was cut in half too. There was only one left, but her motivation faltered when she could hear the sound of an actual saw followed by Sam's shouting. Practically ripping the last cable apart, the heavy material above Megatron's head was released, hitting the Warlord directly on the helm. Then everything started to blur. Her adrenaline completely took over when the roof started to collapse and Optimus Prime dropped in through it like a true hero. Beside her, the window and brick work obliterated and Bumblebee appeared through the rubble. Gunfire deafened her but didn't stop her as she sprinted back over to Leo and Mikaela who were already making their way towards the exit of the building – which really, was multi-choice now.
Stuck between Starscream and Bumblebee's stand-off, Brady continued to run – explosions every few metres behind her. Terror pushed her faster and faster until she was outside but no way was that the end of it.
Why did she allow herself to get caught up in these situations?
Why didn't she just move somewhere nice and quiet and get a relaxing job and some non-anxious and paranoid friends?
Of course she was asking herself these questions as she was climbing onto one of Optimus Prime's seats – beside Sam Witwicky, her alien-bad-news-magnet friend.
It was only a matter of seconds before Optimus slammed on the speed and shit Brady wasn't even aware trucks could go so fast! Brady laughed loudly, "we're going to die haha it's fine, everything's fine!"
"Brady you gotta chill okay we can't—oh shit your leg!" Sam's brows rose at the sight of Brady's blood soaked leg. A deep gash upon pale skin drew attention like a spotlight and a sharp gasp left her as Sam prodded at the skin around the wound.
"What the fuck are you doing!?" Brady hissed, slapping his hand away.
Sam raised his hands in defence. "Sorry I'm—haha—I'm freakin' out a little okay sorry if I crossed the line I mean the line's real hard to define right now we're bein' chased by a metal can of just pure rage okay Brady and you're frickin' bleeding out all over Optimus and—"
Brady scowled. "Oh no shit you're right, whoops, sorry Optimus I got a little blood on you from the giant fucking gash in my leg I accidentally got that's my bad really!"
"Woah, okay you don't need to be rude okay I'm sorry look Salter I'm sorry okay I'm just a little sensitive right now y'know?"
"You are not at fault, Brady, and Sam, please calm down I will keep both of you safe—" Optimus's voice was an instant drug to Brady. Something about it possessed such gravity and power but it was so gentle at the same time. The two humans fell silent as Optimus sped down dirt tracks and through a forest.
"Here he comes!" Sam warned. Brady's eyes widened at the incoming orb of blue light before it hit Optimus, causing him to transform – launching both Sam and Brady out and into the dirt and tall grass.
Brady didn't see what happened to Optimus next as both she and Sam raced for a hiding place at Prime's command. Trees collapsed around them as they ran, both stopping momentarily to look for Optimus who was caught in mid-fight with Megatron. A tree was thrown at the Warlord and dirt sprayed through the air like a wave.
"Decepticons!" Brady heard Megatron call out for back up and yelped when Starscream landed right behind them, breaking through trees with impossible ease. "Come here, Boy!" The SIC spat.
"You gotta run now!" Brady yelled, grabbing Sam's arm and yanking him along with her – away from Starscream. It was seconds before he was right behind them, however, his long legs making humans look so pathetic. Like a rabid dog he followed and had it not been for the stone cold fear that ripped through her she would've given up to the pain in her leg. But thanks to the fear, her leg was the least of her problems as she raced through falling trees with Sam beside her – his grip yanking her along now. Just when she thought Starscream was the only issue they'd face, Megatron joined the chase and that only made her run faster.
Optimus was once again involved but she couldn't see how. She followed Sam to a fallen tree, leaping over it before landing in the dirt. At this rate, her wound would be infected in no time and she'd probably die from septicaemia but why not enjoy the thrill! Pressing her back against the cool soil, she scowled when Sam ran down to the stump – a distance away from her. Grunting, she was on her feet again, limping towards her friend. They both peeked over the tree, the sound of Megatron trying to convince Optimus being a familiar conversation. Again, Sam was sprinting closer to the deadly robots but Brady stayed seated this time, watching as all hell broke loose. More so than it already had. Megatron shot at Optimus, launching the Prime through the air before hitting the ground – skidding to a halt right beside her.
"Optimus!" She cried out. "C'mon you gotta get up, get up Optimus get up!" It sounded fairly pathetic really, the begging and whining. But at the end of it all, Optimus was their only hope. And he was her friend. She couldn't lose him, not yet.
"Is the future of our race not worth a single human life?" Megatron questioned.
The Prime pushed himself up, spitting metal from his mouth as he got into a fighting stance. "You'll never stop at one," Optimus stated as his hands transformed into blades. "I'll take you all on!" And then he threw himself back into the fight, three Decepticons against one Autobot seeming like laughable odds until he kicked Megatron's tin can ass, ripped off Starscream's arm and slapped him with it before jumping onto Grindor and ripping his face in two – offlining him in the process.
"Sam! Where are you?!" Urgency was evident in Optimus's call but it quickly turned to strained shouts of pain as Megatron gripped a shoulder, his sword tearing through the Prime's chest. "NO!" He cried out.
Brady could only watch – her jaw dropped and eyes wide. No way could Optimus die! It just wasn't—there was just no way—
Sure enough, as if to answer her question, Megatron's canon blew a hole straight through Optimus's spark, the sound causing Brady to scream her disbelief. "You are so weak!" Megatron sneered.
"You fucking monster!" Brady howled, attempting to race over to the Warlord with adrenaline fuelled confidence. Sam grabbed her and held her back, well aware that she would be the cause of her own death.
Fire caught onto trees and began to grow, the sound of Megatron's sword being unsheathed from Optimus's chest rang out through the forest and everything seemed to slow down as he fell to the ground with an undignified boom.
"Sam, run," Optimus managed to force out before his cerulean optics offlined and life seemed to be whisked off into the breeze and away.
And just as he'd been told, Sam turned and started to run away – dragging Brady with him. Autobots started to arrive, firing at the Decepticons and as they neared Bumblebee, Sam's grip started to ease allowing Brady to slip from him and run back to Optimus.
"Brady, no!" Sam yelled after her, hoping she'd stop and come back but being as stubborn as she was, Brady didn't even hesitate as she made her way over to her dead friend.
"Optimus please don't!" She sobbed. "Please come back please you can't be dead Optimus!" She collapsed onto the metal of his arm, gripping it close to her when she suddenly felt something shadowing her form. It was then that she was lifted high into the air causing nausea to taunt her stomach as she came face to face with Megatron. Screaming, she mentally slapped herself for feeling such fear. "Put me down you jackass piece of tin can motherfucking shit! Put me down, don't touch me you bug-ass metal man I'm gonna kill you for what you did put me down!"
Of course, Megatron could only bring himself to laugh at the pathetic insect within his palm but a blast to the shoulder brought him back to the current situation. If the worm gets hit it will die, therefore, he must take it out of firing range. His grip tightened around the girl's form as his jets fire up, lifting them into the air.
Panic struck her hard at the realisation that she was alone and utterly defenceless right now in the hold of the Warlord that wanted to bring the entire human race to extinction. She kicked and clawed at whatever she could but it only bought her pain. She would be covered in cuts and bruises by the next morning – if she even lived for that long. Soon enough, she fell limp in his hold, acknowledging that even if she were to get free, she'd only fall a heart-stopping height straight to her death. At least it would be quick and hopefully painless, right? Compared to whatever Megatron might inflict upon her.
Exhaling defeat, her head lolled against the cool metal of Megatron's servo. The wind was rough but at least her hair was up and out of her face. They'd been flying in silence for over fifteen minutes and Brady had been zoning in and out of sleep until she felt the vicious pain drilling at her knee again – though it was worse than before. Bruising had started to set in and she was pretty certain she'd lost a lot of blood which made her understand a little better that the reason she was shaking and shivering was due to the slow but dangerous onset of shock. "Please—" she whispered but the wind was so harsh she was pretty sure it had muffled her from Megatron's hearing. Nonetheless, crimson optics met her sharp, green gaze and it was that cruel glow that followed her into darkness.