Sam lived in a classic residential area. My hood went up and I slid down in my seat as we pulled to a stop on one of the back roads, just outside the ring of homes. I got out reluctantly, staying in the shadows.
"You two stay here, you've gotta watch them." Sam told us as he hurried away.
I shooed him away, before turning to the autobots, "You guys have to stay hidden. People here aren't accustomed to robots, or aliens. Especially not robot aliens."
"And you are?" Mikaela asked. I stiffened when I realised how close she was, but a quick once over told me she wasn't a threat to me.
"Well, usually they don't come together." I laughed at her wide eyes, "Look, just know I've been through some shit, okay. You get used to it. After all these years I just learned to roll with it, unless it involves humans."
Mikaela rolled her eyes, "You know, not all of us are so bad. Sam and I, well we're not gonna hurt you. We're not those… those scientists. What they did to you was terrible, but we're not them."
I sighed and looked away. She was being way too sincere. It was sickening. My voice was quiet, "Look, I know, alright. But a lifetime of fearing and running from humans is a bit hard to get over."
"Wait, how old are you?" Mikaela asked, a little confused, "You make it sound like you're 80 or something."
"47." I deadpanned
"You look twenty." Her eyes were so wide, "There's no way you're 47."
"I know. But I assure you I am 47 years old. I stopped aging roughly, well, twenty seven years ago. My flock and I, my family, we were designed to be better than the human race. The scientists had found the cure to aging, and guess who got stuck with it. They couldn't really implement it to the general population, because the way they activated it is… not fun." Mikaela looked thoughtful, and looked as if she was about to ask a question. It didn't take me long to pick up on what she was wondering. "They picked us off one by one." My voice grew quiet once more. I didn't realise the autobots were also listening attentively, "Divide and conquer, that was what they did. They managed to wiggle their way into our life and then broke it apart. By the time I realised what was happening, I was one of the last left. Three bullets later left me alone." My hand trailed over a dent in my arm, a scar on the other, and one in the center of my chest, "I couldn't do anything to stop them as I watched the youngest… They tore her apart. So yes, I do hold a certain hatred for humanity, Mikaela. And I'm sorry for judging you before actually getting to know you, just because of your species, but I have my reasons to be skeptical."
Mikaela blinked away some tears in her eyes. Her hand was wavering just above my shoulder. When I made no move to break it, like I nearly had with Sam's, she gently rested it there. "I understand now, Rahab. And God am I so sorry. I really can't blame you for acting the way you did." I nodded and looked up at the endless sky. My echolocation always seemed to focus on it whenever I looked up. It was just a bunch of nothingness to me. I always wondered if that was what it was like to be truly blind.
Before anything else could be said, I spread my wings and landed in a nearby tree. Too many wounds had been reopened. I needed to get my head on straight before I helped them. Mikaela was right, she and Sam, and most of the human population were not going to hurt me. They weren't some evil douchebags who were going to stick me in a dog crate and tear me apart and put me back together just for the fun of it. What I said about Megatron having his way with the world was wrong. This place, it was beautiful. I can imagine how the autobots felt when everything they knew was torn apart just. What I said was uncalled for. My head hit the tree behind me and I pulled my hood down. I was such and idiot. My eyes slid shut as I let my mind wander.
When I heard movement below, I turned my head towards Sam's house and sighed. I made my way over there and watched as Mikela was raised to the window by Ironhide. "So much for hiding." I followed Mikaela up soon after with a three powerful flaps.
"Yeah, no. It's definitely gone." He ran a hand through his sweaty hair.
"What do you mean?" Mikaela asked.
"My glasses were in the bag," he turned in a circle, "In my backpack, and now it's not there."
"Well, they're going to be pissed," I said from my perch. The two teens turned towards me in surprise, before melting into hectics once more.
"You could help." Sam stated, exasperation in his voice.
I leaned against his wall, tapping my finger against it. "Yeah I can. The sooner this is over with, the sooner I can go back to my life of running...for my life. Anyways, shut up."
"What are you…?" Sam started.
"Hush." I closed my eyes as I continued looking. "What does your bag look like?"
"It's a school bag. The glasses are round and small." Sam was confused, but still answered.
I nodded once, leaning my head against the wall. "It's not in this room."
"No duh"
"Quiet, please." I growled swinging my blank stare at him. When he made no move to keep talking I took a breath and leaned back up against the wall. The soundwaves from my taps flew throughout the house. I whistled lowly, this family had a bit of a squirrel infestation in their walls. "It's in the kitchen." I retook my perch on the window, considering taking up a job in freeing the squirrels from the unjustness of humanity. I mean, who would let squirrels eat installation, isn't that poisonous?
"How do you know?" Mikaela asked.
"It's a secret," I winked and told them to go get the glasses. They left and I looked back to the autobots, all of whom, in response to Sam's previous hysterics, had gone into their alt. Modes. Now imagine if a bunch of over talkative teenagers just happened to come walking by. "You know, this is Sam's backyard, not a truck stop." They transformed back. "There goes that flower garden. Such a pretty fleeting thing." I yawned as I waited for the return of the two kids.
"Where did they go?" Optimus asked, slightly irritated.
"The glasses are in the kitchen. They went to get them."
There was raised voices downstairs, then Mikaela's quiet one. Sounds like the parents have met the girlfriend. I thought. My focus snapped to attentions, "Ratchet! Watch out for the…" Ratchet then walked into the telephone poll. It shook everything. "...Wires."
I heard an older male's voice, "Earthquake! Everyone under the table."
"Wow, tingly." Ratchet shook his head as he stood, "You've gotta try that."
My eye twitched, but I took a deep breath. Come on Ra, I thought to myself, These idiots are robots, but not only that, they're aliens. They're not going to know everything about this dingy little planet. I leaned my head against the wood. Just as I was going to check my metaphorical watch, a noise caught my sensitive ears. I stood abruptly and flew to the top of the house. My senses zoned in from where the soft sound of vehicles was coming from. I could faintly make out voices, but is was as if hearing them through water. "Shit!" I jumped onto Optimus' shoulder, "You've Gotta leave. Sector Seven is here. If they get a hold of anyone of you, they'll tear you apart."
"The glasses." Optimus turned towards the house.
"Sam will keep them safe," I stood, scanning with my ears, "You have to go now!" I readied my wings, "These people are not nice."
"Are they to ones who did that to you?" Ratchet asked.
"No," My body shook in fear. I clenched my fists and took a few deep breaths, "but I had I run in with them multiple times. They're first action was to shoot, and if you weren't dead torture you while they asked questions." All the autobots shared a look. My anxiety was bubbling. I could 'see' the cars now, "We have to go!" I hissed, "If they dub you a threat, they won't hesitate to kill you! You may be freaking aliens, but I've seen these people bring down a near demigod! We Need To Go! Sam has the glasses, come on. He'll be fine. They won't kill any humans with so many witnesses. However, we won't be fine. We'll be dead." He must have seen the fear on my face and nodded. The others turned into their respective vehicles and I climbed in Optimus' cab. We left just before they arrived.
