Chapter 2: Painful Reminder

Celia cocked an eyebrow at Sam's statement. "What do you need my help with?" she asked.

Sam first brought her up to speed with his adventures over the last three years, and introduced her to his guardian Bumblebee and the Wreckers: Roadbuster, Topspin, and Leadfoot. He explained they were Autobots who could transform into cars, which they showed her. She was quite surprised when she saw the Wreckers transform into three very familiar and nationally known racecars and Bumblebee transformed into a new Camaro.

Sam then turned to her, looking very nervous. "We fought off the last Decepticons on Earth in the last battle not too long ago," he said. "And the Autobots have gone to do various things. The Wreckers love to race, but now, they're suspended from the racetrack in town."

"Why is that?" Celia asked. "From what you told me, these Autobots follow the human rules."

"Yeah, but it's a bigger problem than following the racing rules."

Celia looked at him curiously. "What is this 'bigger problem', as you put it?" she asked.

Sam took another deep breath. "One of the owners of the racetrack found drugs in Roadbuster's part of the garage," he said. "Mostly opium and cocaine. Big sacks of it too."

"But what would robots need with drugs?" asked the young woman.

"Right," said Sam. "The police are investigating, but the owners are forbidding the Wreckers to race and they were hoping to win the upcoming race to earn the prize money and help the local shelter."

Celia knew of the local shelter that helped mostly troubled children but also helped adults too. "I would think their intentions would clear them of such a crime," she said. "But why would you come seek me when I can't do anything to help?"

"But you can," the boy insisted. "Roadbuster needs a human partner to race with him."

Celia's head snapped up and she shook her head. "No," she said firmly. "I can't help you."

"Celia, you're the best," Sam protested, but she shook her head again.

"Sam, that racing accident cost me not just my leg, but the life of an eleven-year-old child," she said tensely. "I can't race again."

"What happened?" asked Roadbuster curiously.

Celia took a shaky breath before her face became unemotional. "Claire was a fan of mine, the sister of someone I knew. She had wanted to ride in my racecar while I practiced. I got the okay from the owners, but in the middle of a turn, I misjudged my speed and I hit the concrete barrier. While the barrier gave way, the car flipped over and Claire was ejected and died instantly. What was left of the car damaged my right leg severely. My whole right leg is completely metal as a result of the surgery, and I've never raced again," she said.

"But I'm not asking you to get back into racing. Just race with Roadbuster in this race and help us prove he had nothing to do with the drugs," Sam begged her.

Fear filled her a minute before it turned to anger and she lifted her shotgun slightly in warning. "Leave," she said sternly.

"Celia, please. We could really use your help."

She shook her head at the boy's pleas and backed away. "Leave," she said again. "I can't help you."

She went back inside, locking her garage and locking her doors. "She's scared," said Bumblebee. "That, and the pain she feels about that young girl's death, are the reasons she doesn't want to race again."

"But she's the best," said Sam. "And she could really help the Wreckers."

Topspin shook his head. "It was a good try, mate," he said to Sam.

They left, but Celia began to feel guilty for refusing to help, but she just couldn't do it.

And no matter how many times she thought that, the guilt and urge to help wouldn't go away.


Looks like Celia is going to do a lot of thinking for a bit. Will she choose to help? What are Sam and the Wreckers going to do? Stay tuned to find out!

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