Energon Veggies Ch 2
Three alien life forms were hiding in plain sight as human children filed out of Jasper High. Each alien was waiting for one human in particular. Usually, the blue motorcycle, Arcee, would take Jack to work while the sports car and the green truck took Raf and Miko to their desert base.
But, something was different today. The living vehicles saw only two of their charges and they remained standing on the sidewalk rather than walking over. Jack and Raf stared at the school doors with a slight air of panic.
'Maybe, Miko got into trouble again,' they thought. But, if it had been trouble in school, Miko usually just got detention and that was the end of it. They noticed Raf had a black backpack in his arms along with his own on his back and Jack was holding Miko's bag, so Miko had to becoming.
Bulkhead was getting a bit edgy since Miko was his charge and he worried about her all the time since she had a healthy knack for getting herself into jams, but Jack noticed and waved his hand in a settle down and wait motion.
Just then, Miko came bounding out in her usual fashion except she was dragging an unfamiliar human along. The Autobots chuckled a little since the boy was obviously thrown by Miko's antics.
Before the two had even reached the bottom of the school steps, Jack set Miko's bag down next to Raf, jogged over to Arcee, and they took off for K.O. Burger. Bulkhead and Bumblebee continued to wait and watch their charges as well as the newcomer.
The mechs were curious as to the strange almost cautious exchange between Raf and the unnamed human. Raf handed him the backpack he been holding, so logic told them it belonged to their new friend. The kids seemed to say their good-byes and then parted ways.
Raf hopped into Bumblebee's backseat and they took off, but when Miko crawled into Bulkhead's passenger seat, she just tossed her bag into the backseat and sight. Bulkhead was instantly concerned by Miko's lack of enthusiasm over school being over and not getting detention.
"Hey, Miko, you okay? Did something happen today?"
"There's an understatement," Miko muttered.
Bulkhead pulled away from the school parking lot as Miko told him what had happened during study hall and by the end of her tale, he was mad at everyone who had been mean to the kid that had saved Miko.
"Wait, you said he was bleeding out of the back of his head," Bulkhead questioned and when Miko nodded, he continued, "Then shouldn't he go see a doctor or something to make sure everything in his processor is undamaged?"
"I offered to go with him while we were leaving the restroom to leave. He said he couldn't go see the hospital and when I asked him why, he just said it's complicated," Miko included air quotes with that last word.
"Something's not right here. This Carson kid sounds like a good person. Why is everyone like this to him?"
Miko actually scowled, "I don't know, but I'm gonna find out. Could you take me to my host parents' house to I can get something and then take me to his place?"
"Sure. Where does he live?"
Miko was silent for a second before responding, "Scrap! And, I don't even know his last name."
"Couldn't you just ask Jack or Raf?"
"I don't know. Those two were just as weird around Carson at first. At least, Raf warmed up to him. I don't know what Jack's deal with him is."
Miko pulled out her phone and texted both Jack and Raf, asking for Carson's address. Jack didn't respond, but Raf looked it up and sent it to her. While waiting, Miko had gone to her host home and swopped out some stuff.
"No use carrying heavy worthless textbooks around," Miko chirped as she jogged back to Bulkhead before her host parents realized she had been there.
Carson lived about five miles outside of the Jasper city limit in a rather large black painted house with vine plants growing up the side of the house. By the road was a black mail box, by the house was a shed and garage, and behind the house was a green house. In the driveway sat Carson's blue rusty truck, so Carson had to be home.
At first Miko smiled and Bulkhead commented about how interesting it looked compared to the homes in the city, but were silenced. As they got closer, they could see Vince and a couple of other thugs throwing soda cans at Carson's front porch. Carson was probably barricaded inside.
"Bulkhead, drop me off and get going."
"I can't drop you off here with this scrap going on!"
Miko scrunched her face, "Yes, you can because I'm still going to talk to Carson, but because of what's going on. He has probably called the cops and I can't be sitting you like this."
Bulkhead groaned and consented simply because he knew better then to argue with her, but he wasn't going to venture far just in case.
Miko hopped out and started sprinting toward litter hurdlers and swung her back at Vince. All the renegades stopped and glared.
"What do you think you're doing, Orient," Vince growled.
"One, I'm not an orient. I'm Japanese. Second, what do you think you're doing," Miko gestured to the mess in Carson's yard, "Didn't anyone ever tell you Go Green plus usually you throw a few things then you leave to avoid the cops."
They all started laughing.
Miko glared daggers before shouting, "What's so funny you jerks?"
"The cops aren't going to come. Even if pasty did call them. Yeah, they might chase us off, but then, they take advantage of opportunity and snoop around for proof that he does drugs," one the delinquents chuckled.
Miko stood there stunned, 'Not even the cops will help him? What happened to make even them not trust him either?'
"MIKO!'
All the teens standing turned to see Carson coming out the front door and running towards them.
Vince smirked, "Well, here's a rare opportunity."
The boys started throwing the cans directly at Carson and unfortunately none of them missed. Carson was pelted by them all over including his head, but he kept coming. Miko was pissed and pulled her bag back to try to hit Vince as hard as she could, but he saw it and knocked her down.
"Nice try, geisha whore," Vince sneered and pulled a fist back.
"Leave her alone," Carson yelled angrily.
Vince knew Carson had been close and turned his fist toward Carson, hitting him squarely in the stomach. A scream rang out, but it wasn't Carson or Miko. All thugs were stunned silent as they saw Vince grab the hand he had used against Carson. Vince was almost crying in pain and Carson wasn't the least bit fazed.
Carson quickly helped Miko up and guided her back toward his house. The gang had started to yell in anger and continued throwing things at them, but Carson made sure to put himself between Miko and flying cans.
Once inside, Carson locked the door and guide Miko to apart of the house that didn't have front windows. Miko had pulled out her cell.
"Please," Carson frantically begged, "Don't call the police."
"Don't worry, I'm not," Miko smiled gently before speaking into her phone, "If you're still close by and wanna help, by all means, give 'em hell!"
With that a loud screech and several honks could be heard. Carson could see out one of the front windows and saw a giant green truck whiz by, scaring off the thugs after nearly hitting them. Carson turned back to Miko in stunned amazement.
"Friend of yours," he was still panting a bit.
"Yep, he always has my back," she smiled triumphantly, "And he happened to be the guy that gave me a ride out here."
"Is he coming back?'
Miko looked at her watch before answering, "Probably not, he has work."
Carson edged toward the window to check and make sure they were safe, and then he turned back to her and smiled, "Thank him for me next time you see."
"Sure thing. Hey, I don't want to pry, but is that normal?"
Carson's smile turned sad as he gazed down, "Unfortunately, yes, which is why you probably shouldn't have come. They'll be back and Vince will probably cry whiplash and bring the police with him."
"ARE YOU SERIOUS," Miko shrieked, making Carson jumped, "THEY WON'T COME HELP YOU WHEN YOU'RE BEING ATTACKED, BUT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH YOU HAVING ABS OF STEEL!"
Carson had been stunned by the outburst, but came forward and patted Miko on the head.
"You really don't know what's going on do you," Carson asked, but he already knew the answer.
"No," Miko huffed playfully at the hand on her head, "Which is partially why I came showed up. That and you took a conk to the head today. And, now you've been used for target practice. Are you sure you don't want to go to the hospital or something?"
Carson saddened, "No, going to the hospital started all this."
"What do you mean?"
Carson looked thoughtful at Miko before answering, "Nope."
"What do you 'nope'," she scowled.
"You're angry enough as it. If I give you more ammunition, you might do something foolish," he teased, "How about something to eat instead? I was making ziti al forno."
With that, Carson started walking toward the kitchen that was decorating with sunflowers. Miko huffed, but followed Carson to the kitchen.
"Oh boy, I wasn't that hungry, but if you're offering, who am I to say no. What you cooking?"
Miko sat down at the table. She pulled her bag into her lap and ruffled through it before pulling out her sketch pad and colored pencils. Carson chuckled as he went over to the stove to find his water boiling, so he took the box of ziti noodles and carefully poured them into the pot. Miko watched Carson proceed to slice tomatoes and shred some cheese.
"It's called Ziti al Forno. It's an Italian dish my father taught me to make," Carson informed.
"So your dad is a chef?"
"No, actually he is landscaper or simply put he's a professional gardener. My mother is a professional interior decorating and right now, they are both in France because they were hired to help construct a hotel with botanical garden inside."
"Oh, so you're by yourself? That's good because I was wondering if I was gonna have to tear a new one into them for not helping you with these rumors, but if they're clear across the sea, I guess it can't be helped."
"Even if they were here right now, you shouldn't assume they know everything that's going on."
Miko stopped coloring and looked up at Carson, "You haven't told them."
"I can't. They're busy and one can't rely on their parents to take care of their problems forever, so," Carson fell silent.
He put the cooked noodles and all the other ingredients he had prepared into a casserole dish and carefully placed it into the oven. He had just set the timer when the doorbell rang. He cautiously headed toward the front door. Carson looked through the peephole and sighed in frustration.
'Why did he have to show up while Miko is still here,' Carson mused hopelessly.
Miko stood up and started to head toward Carson when she saw his shoulders slumped and he sighed deeply. She knew why when Carson opened the door and there stood a cop.
"Carson," the officer grumbled, "I hear you've been causing problems again."
Carson was about to respond, but Miko growled in annoyed frustration before stepping in.
"He's causing trouble! Do you not see what those thugs did to his yard? They should be arrested for extreme littering, assault on me, and attempted assault on him. It's not Carson's fault he has a rock hard drying rack," Miko fumed.
The officer just looked at Miko for a brief second before turning back to Carson.
"So you're adding under aged activities to your list of delinquencies."
Carson and Miko were confused then Carson flinched back and it hit Miko.
"YOU SICK WEIRDO," she shrieked, "UNLESS YOU'RE GONNA DO YOUR JOB AND HELP THE REAL VICTIM THEN GET OUT OF HERE!"
Miko pushed Carson back and was about to shut the door, but stopped.
"Oh, and by the way, the only thing in these pants is Pusheen panties."
The officer actually looked stunned which caused Miko to smirk as she slammed the door in his face. Carson was horror struck by many things that had just occurred.
"Miko, I'm so sorry he said that," Carson babbled, but Miko just blew it all off.
"Let's just go have some of that pasta your making and you tell me all this is about once and for all."
Carson was going to protest, but Miko cut him off again, "No, I want to know what's going on and I want to help you. I can tell you a good person and you don't deserve to be treated like this."
Carson didn't know what to say. He really didn't, but before he could come up with anything Miko had taken his hand and was dragging him toward the kitchen. Miko sat back down at the table and Carson got out two plates and forks, and a serving spatula.
"So I noticed there was a green house out back," Miko was trying to be smart about easing Carson into talking, "I'm assuming someone around here uses?"
Carson perked up a bit, "Yeah, my family grows our own veggies. We got the green house because the sun would just dry and shrivel anything we tried to plant."
"So the tomatoes you were cutting early, you grew yourself," Miko was impressed.
"Yeah, I can't remember the last time we bought store vegetables. At least, I know they're clean since I don't use pesticide or anything of that sort," he mused.
"Then how do you keep the bugs away?"
"Bug traps and there are types of candles and incense one can order that has a weird smell that deflects bugs."
The timer went off, so Carson got back to work by shutting off the timer, getting on oven mittens, and carefully pulling out the dish and setting on the stove top.
"Come up here and tell me how much you want because I've learned to never assume when it comes to women and food," Carson joked. Miko smiled as she got up to help.
"This smells awesome! Don't be afraid to pack it on. 'cause I've got a fast metabolism and I work out."
Miko struck a pose and at first Carson just stared dumbfounded before he busted up laughing.
A/N: Sorry for the wait and holy crap this thing is long, but I'm trying to develop Carson's character. Any questions just ask.
FUN TIME: Carson doesn't have a last name because I can't think of anything that sounds go, so I'll let you peeps suggest/vote.
Reviews are nice, but I know what I'm going to do now. The only question now is which of the three possible endings I have floating in my brain should be the main canon ending and thus written first.
A dark ending
B neutral ending
C happy ending