This is going to be an annual fic. Meaning that I will update it once a year, at around this time. Feel free to tell me what you think.
Jack sighed as he stared out the window of the orphanage, bored at least halfway to death. It was pouring rain outside, so all the kids and the few teenagers had been cooped inside together, making it cramped and uncomfortable in the already small and uncomfortable building.
This was not a good thing. Small children tended to become bored very easily and teenagers, who weren't tolerable of their incessant whining and pouting, became easily annoyed. The adults in charge had it worst of all, having to listen to the complaints on both sides. There had already been a few fights and shouting could be heard on both floors of the orphanage, making peace and quiet unattainable.
Jack was one of the few who didn't whine, minding his own business as he stared outside. He knew that complaining wasn't going to help him -or anyone else- at all, and so remained quiet and spooned his lunch, (a meager bowl of a watery substance that had no business being called soup) and watched a small group of young children playing with marbles, laughing and chattering. He was saddened by their bright smiling faces and and innocent laughter. In a few years time they would be just as worn down and weary as the adults, and lose themselves in this ashen place.
Most here had arrived because their parents had died or were unsuitable or unable to care for them. Jack had been here for as long as he could remember, having been left on the doorstep as a baby. His first memory had been when he was four, watching jealously from afar as a another boy had been led away by a kind, round faced looking woman.
Adoption was a far off dream that Jack could never hope to reach.
Why had he been left here? Did his parents not want him, or had they died in the war that had ended shortly after his coming here? He didn't know and neither did anyone else, and if they did, they weren't sharing.
The years had come and gone, and no one had ever came to claim Jack or adopt him, forced to watch the others leave with new parents, some his friends, never to return.
The only ray of light in this oppressive and dark tunnel was that, in about two years time, he would finally be able to leave and never have to look at this wretched place ever again. It was what kept him going, day after day, and kept his nose in the books. He was hoping to earn a scholarship if he ever hoped to go to college and better himself.
If he could, he would have ran away right now, but he knew better. He had no way of supporting himself out there, and no one would hire a no name orphaned teen off the streets. He had to grit his teeth and bear it. Still, it didn't mean he had to like it. Two more years of bossy patrons and angst driven teens. Yay.
Jacks eyes flicked to the left as he saw a shadow in the corner of his eye, shuffling to the door. Who was unlucky enough to have business here on a rare rainy day like this?
His question was answered shortly after when two men entered the building. Odd was the only word to describe the eye catching pair, drawing attention from the others in the hall and room.
The shorter of the two had bright orange hair, streaked with white from age. He looked to be older and had sharp blue eyes that were scanning over the now silent room. There was a touch of impatience in his gait, looking appalled by the poor state of the walls and floors.
The other was tall and imposing, and though looked younger, had years of experience etched on his handsome, sun kissed face. A shock of vivid blue hair covered his head, a twelve o'clock shadow on his chin, predicting he would have a beard and goatee soon. His presence demanded respect and obedience.
They didn't have to wait long, as no one else was there, and were motioned toward the welcoming desk. The woman who greeted them, Mrs. Devaden, was among the kinder adults, if a little strange. She wasn't intimidated in the slightest by their arrival. Jack left, rolling his eyes as the little ones stared in awe.
"May I help you?" She asked as they approached, looking up. The blue haired man nodded.
"Yes. I believe we are expected?"
"Your names please?"
"Optimus Prime and Ratchet." He answered.
If she was surprised by the famous name, she didn't let on. She turned back to the computer, pressed in a few keys, and searched for today's appointments. "Ah yes, here you are." Mrs. Devaden replied after a brief moment. "You're here to inspect the building and check up on the care of the children yes?"
"Yes, now if we could hurry this along please. It's been a long drive in the rain and I rather this be over sooner rather than later." The orange haired man, Ratchet, huffed impatiently.
"I apologize." The patron replied dryly, not sounding sorry at all as she stood. "Right this way sir..."
Optimus and Ratchet followed here out of the room, into the hall, and through the main room, glancing around. Mrs. Devaden followed the gaze of her guests, roving over the shabby furniture and leaky roofs, pail buckets waiting below to catch the droplets of water.
"It is...not what I expected." Optimus admitted, locking eyes with Mrs. Devaden. She nodded in agreement, knowing exactly what he meant.
"It has become rundown in the last few years. We barely have the money to feed those here, let alone pay for repairs and replacements. There has been no funding for quite some time. It's been hard on those who work here and worse for those who live here."
"That is unfortunate." Optimus said sincerely.
"Yes, well, no one gives a damn about a few hungry orphans as long as they can continue on with their normal lives. They can't be bothered to help those less fortunate than themselves." She said spitefully. Optimus and Ratchet were quite shocked by how passionate she was about the topic. They opened their mouths to speak, but before they could get the word out she continued her mantra.
"We do what we can though, making sure there's enough food and blankets to go around. It's a bit of a miracle really that we can manage to care for all the orphans staying with us. It's crowded as it is. We've simply no more room to spare."
Optimus stared at her, lost for words.
"...I see." He managed finally as they entered the crowded dining hall.
It was a pitiful sight, seeing small children eating food that looked like it came from a can of mystery meat out of cracked bowls and chipped plates. They teens among them were weary and tired looking, worn down by the dreariness of their lives.
One in particular caught his attention. The teenager had short dark hair, pale skin, was around five foot six with stormy blue eyes. He was comforting a small boy who had managed to hurt his hand, murmuring soft words and smiling warmly, wiping away a few tears from the rosy cheek. He brushed a hand through the little ones hair, muttering a few inaudible words. The boy laughed and sniffled at the same time as he was lifted and placed on chair. Jack pushed his bowl to the child, and while the boy scrunched his nose in disgust, he ate it dutifully at the teens urging. A full tummy was better than an empty one.
"Pardon me miss." Optimus directed at their guide. "Who is that young man over there?" Mrs. Devaden turned her head to where Optimus was looking.
"Oh, that's Jack. He's been here ever since he was a baby." She explained. "He's a sweet boy, but never had much luck with the adults or visitors. He's a little awkward around people he doesn't know."
"No last name?" Ratchet asked.
"We don't know sir. There was no note when he was left on our doorstep, and no one has ever called to claim him as their son."
Optimus hummed in thought. "May we speak with him?" He asked suddenly, getting a surprise look from the woman.
"Ah yes, though he might be a little..." She struggled for the right words, then decided to the hell with it. "I'll just let you find out for yourself. This way please."
Optimus and Ratchet eyed each other, silently agreeing that the woman was, while good natured and friendly, odd and had an eccentric personality. She led them to the table with a look of uncertainty. Jack had looked up by then, his eyes filled with mistrust and resentment.
"Jack?" She greeted, smiling kindly down at him. "Would you mind talking with these two?"
"Yes I would." Jack answered bluntly. "I was in the middle of something, so if it's not important, I'd like to get back to it."
Optimus raised a curious brow. "We won't take much of your time. If you would answer a few of our questions this will be over soon."
Jack grumbled incoherently. He just wanted them to leave, was that so much to ask for? Apparently yes when the two invited themselves to sit down, and he blew out a sigh. "Fine. Just make it quick alright?" He snapped. Mrs. Devaden gave Optimus the 'I told you so look,'.
"Yes, I will try my best." Said Optimus, unperturbed by Jacks rudeness.
So Optimus began to play twenty questions with him, (or at least it seemed that way to Jack) asking him what he thought of the orphanage, how he felt about the caretakers, and whether or not he thought they were neglectful. On and on it went, the hours seeming to drag on slowly, Jack growing more uncomfortable and irritated by the minute. He wasn't used to anyone paying attention to him, or even talking to him. Unless you counted when people would stop and stare at him when Vince would beat him up at school, and Jack wouldn't have.
It finally ended with Optimus asking about his time in the orphanage, eliciting a glare from the teen. Optimus realized that this was a question to far, and cleared his throat.
"Thank you for your time Jack. We appreciate it very much."
"Yeah whatever..." Jack grumbled. "I'm leaving now."
And with that he got up and left without another word, not waiting for a reply. Ratchet looked to Mrs. Devaden, hoping for an answer.
"Jack is a sensitive boy." She explained simply.
"So it would seem." Optimus said, glancing to the corner where Jack had disappeared. "Thank you for allowing us to visit Mrs. Devaden."
"Anytime." She replied and it was obvious that she had meant it.
Optimus and Ratchet gathered themselves, giving a quick farewell as they left. Ratchet shifted as they opened the door, stepping out into the rain. Not a single drop of water glistened in his hair, or even dampened his clothes. This held true for Optimus as well.
"We shall have to visit again old friend."
"I suppose it wouldn't hurt..." He grumbled, shuffling his clothes.
They disappeared in the rain, leaving no trace that they had been there at all, not even footsteps in the muddy ground. Engines revved in the dark and two vehicles could be heard driving away.
If anyone can figure out how Jack came to be in the orphanage I'll give them a cyber cookie!