Before anyone starts, yes I know it's been awhile since I've updated. Forgive me! But reads the chapter before you start cursing my name please! And please tell me what you guys think of the story so far, what you like and what you think I should improve on. Enjoy!
Weeks after the shot episode with Ratchet, the orphanage had still yet to be completed. The owner had decided to add more rooms for the orphans, additional washrooms, and an expansion for the kitchen, plus refurbishing the rooms already existing.
Everyone who lived in the building was relieved upon hearing this. They may not have been getting their own rooms, but no would no longer be sharing said room with half a dozen others. And no more awkward nights when sharing a bed was unavoidable, especially when the younger kids would be in another's bed unexpectedly in the morning.
The good news didn't stop there either. New clothing had been ordered for Jack and everyone else, some donated by sources unknown, and he was quick to change out of his dirty gray shirt and blue jeans. Children had been given bright shirts, with designs of popular characters, from superheroes to famous cartoon characters, and they delighted in showing off their new clothes.
It was a pleasant change to be taken care of properly for once, and nice to know that someone cared at least.
Today however, they were to spend outside while they worked one stripping the floors and painting the walls. Teenagers like himself were allowed free roam around town, so long as they returned before it got dark. The younger children had to remain under the hawk like gaze of the caretakers, much to their displeasure. Jack laughed as a young girl pouted, clearly upset at the restriction.
Jack was pleased at this though, glad to be free of the little ones for awhile. He hadn't been allowed time by himself for...well he couldn't even remember how long it had been! And it was a perfect day to stretch his legs too, seeing as it wasn't terribly hot and their was a pleasant breeze in the air, a few stray clouds blocked the bright sun. Perfect for a day in the park, which is exactly why he was going there. He only hoped that Vince and his bully friends wouldn't be there. Getting pummeled into the dirt wasn't high on his to do list.
He told the nearest patron that he was leaving, and promising that he would be back soon, and left through the iron wrought gates, and left the orphanage and headed to the city. He may not have any cash on him to spend on food or to see a movie, but he would be satisfied with just getting out for once, with no ankle biters trailing behind him.
So he headed to the park at leisurely pace, enjoying the relatively quiet walk as people walked pass him without a second glance, chattering to their friends. He received no pitying looks, as was common for him, and that too was greatly appreciated. Clothes did make the man it seemed.
Along the way, while passing an electronics store that had T.V.s at it's front window, an image on the news caught his eye. A woman was being broadcast across the screens, a small picture in the upper right of a government building. Part of the building had collapsed and smoke was rising from the debris.
"...No official word has arrived yet to explain the attack, though it appears to be the work of terrorists-" She went on to say, giving her own suspicions of what had really happened and the official report. Jack walked on, unconcerned. There was always something or other being blown up these days, and the government could rarely do anything right, corrupt and tainted as it was.
There weren't any more interruptions thankfully, and he made it to the park in what he imagined was record time. People, young and old, were enjoying the beautiful day, parents playing with their children. Elderly folks were relaxing under shaded benches, and Jack saw one couple have a picnic on the other side of the park. A teenager was playing Frisbee with his dog, the German Shepard easily catching the disk each time.
Jack walked around until he found a large enough tree, laying against its trunk and watching the fluffy white clouds that blotted the sky. A bird was circling above, and Jack supposed that it had found it's dinner for the day, though strangely, it never dived down to catch it. Maybe it was just stupid.
The teen dozed lazily in the shade, a nice breeze keeping it from becoming too hot to bear. It was the perfect day to be lazy, and he was going to do just that, and spent most of it relaxing in the park.
When his stomach began to growl Jack decided then that it was time to head out back to the orphanage. They would have a meal ready by then, and if not, he could pilfer something from the kitchens. The sun was starting to set anyway, and he rather not be late, or sorry.
The trip back was uneventful, and Jack found himself yawning from boredom. Nothing exciting ever happened in this town, he thought ruefully as he made a left turn on the sidewalk. His 'home' was in sight, and despite himself he couldn't help but feel bitter and angry.
Poor Jack, he thought. No parents, no family, and no prospect at a better future. No one who cared for his well being, or what was to happen to him in the future. Nothing to look forward to-
A hand grasped roughly onto Jacks hair, forcing him out of his dreary thoughts. Jack pulled at the arm of whoever held him, but he might as well have been trying to move a boulder. He tried to get a glance of his assailant through the corner of his eyes. He caught a flash of red.
"Look, I don't have any money so just let me go-!" Jack cried out, feebly trying to talk his way out of this. He was given a chuckle in return, and the man spoke in a suave voice.
"Think this is our guy Breakdown? Seems rather scrawny, even for a human." Jack heard the man sneer, his heart pulsing rapidly. Okay so there were two men, and one at least was incredibly strong. He didn't like his chances.
"Looks like him to me. Fits the picture that Laserbeak sent us." Another replied in a calm voice, though it was anything but to Jack. He gasped as he was thrown over a broad shoulder and had the wind knocked out of him. When his eyes came back into focus he saw a grinning young man with the most startling red eyes. The one who held him spoke again.
"We should get out of here quick." He directed to his partner, oblivious to Jacks struggling.
"What's the hurry? We got what we came for. Just sit back and enjoy the ride." The redhead replied casually. As if on cue a sports car as red as the mans hair pulled up, and behind it a blue jeep. Jack felt his eyes go wide as the doors opened, revealing no driver. What the hell was going on?! "Easiest gig I've ever had." He whistled as 'Breakdown' threw Jack inside the car, which shut of it's on accord and locked itself. Jack kicked against the doors, tried pulling the lock up, and banged his fists against the glass, none of which gave way.
Then he felt seatbelts sliding across his body, restraining his arms and legs. The scream he was about to make was cut short as another wrapped around his mouth.
"Quit squirming fleshie!" He heard the man yell at him. Only he was alone in the car. The voice seemed to come from all around him. When he struggled anyway, he flinched as a device was put close to his face. It crackled electricity and he backed away as best he could. "Sit quietly or this will be very unpleasant."
Jack was instantly still.
The car began to move as there was one last chuckle and his thoughts ran a mile a minute. Who, or what, was kidnapping him? And why kidnap him at all? He was a nobody! What was going to happen to him? No one knew where he was and he doubted that anyone knew who his kidnapper was. He shivered involuntarily, deathly afraid of his fate.
Was he going to be killed? Ran through his head over and over like a broken record. It was a horrible thought, one he was unable to push away. Jack didn't know what to do. Talking his way out was definitely out of the question, if only for the fact he was currently gagged. He could barely move his arms. He legs were tightly bound. He wriggled his wrist, the belts rubbing painfully against his skin.
Damn it! Jack cursed inwardly. There was no way out!
All too suddenly the car jerked violently, swerving sharply to the right. "Scrap!" Came the voice again, only this time it was angry. Jack was jolted around as the car made a quick turn and sped off again. Jack thought he heard shooting outside and held his breath.
"Breakdown, distract them!"
There was no reply, and whether that was a good thing or not, Jack didn't he did know was that a few seconds later was that the was stopped by an incredible force, and he winced as there was a sharp sound of grinding metal, and he was forcibly removed from the inside, and placed (tossed) to the ground.
Jack stared in astonishment. Giant, metal beings stood in front of him. Cybertronians! He thought automatically. So then the car was actually-
"Gah!" He heard, and the red car transformed before his eyes. "You'll pay for that!"
But the Cybertronian, seeing the arrival of two others, quickly fled upon being outnumbered and outmatched, transforming into a car once more and driving off. The jeep was no where to be seen.
Jack gulped, trying to crawl away unnoticed. It proved pointless when a large green foot slammed into the ground five feet in front of him. The blue and red one, who was also the largest, held out a hand to motion the metal monster to stop. The green one backed off.
"Jackson Darby. We mean you no harm." Came the deep voice of the leader. It sounded familiar and Jack thought that he should have been able remember where he had heard it before.
"You...How do you know my name?!" He demanded, forgetting his place for a brief moment.
"Because you and I have met before." The robot replied in his rumbling voice. "My name is Optimus Prime."
Realization gleamed in Jacks eyes, as well as confusion. "How...that's not possible!" He argued.
"Right now what's possible or not is unimportant. Right now we must get you to safety." Jack tried to bolt as a hand grabbed him, but was lifted in the large metal hand. He stared defiantly at Optimus.
"Who...What are you?" He asked in a hushed whispered. A ghost of a smile appeared on Optimus face.
"We are Autobots."
