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Chapter Six

Liars Never Win

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The cars drove busily down the highway. Each on their own journey, heading to their separate destinations. Each minding their own business, each keeping to their own time. A single, dark blue ram truck was one of these cars. Keeping a steady speed down the road, keeping the flow with the other cars. The large trucks blinkers flickered on, warning the other cars behind it was intending to turn into the right lane. As it squeezed into between two other cars, the driver behind the wheel knew that he would be arriving at his destination soon enough. By late night, maybe just before midnight, he would arriving.

The music in his truck was blaring loud, and reached to turn it up even louder as the song switched to a new tune. His words slurred with the lyrics, beautifully combining with the music. His voice, sweet and soft.

"Danger! Danger! Drawing near them was a white coat, danger! Danger! Drawing near them was a broad boat," His eyes shifted nervously from left to right as he surveyed the road. "and the water! Water! Running clear beneath a white throat…" He hummed softly to the rest of the song. Music always had helped him to keep the voice away, even better if he himself was talking or singing along. His fingers twitched on the wheel when he spotted a police car on the side of the road, but the officer was busy with giving someone else a ticket and didn't even second glance any of the cars on the road, let along him. He still felt sick as he passed the officer though. He would be where he needed to go in just a few hours though, so he kept on humming and twitching his fingers.

-O-

Rose's face lit up as she heard an all too familiar voice. Standing up and turning on her heel, she smiled at Kevin as he walked towards her. Glancing at Optimus's holo form she watched as he nodded for her to go on before rushing over to her old friend and embracing him in a hug. He returned it happily, laughing as he did so.

"I almost wasn't expecting you to come." He said as they pulled apart.

"Almost wasn't. But I think we decided to stay a bit longer."

"Well, why not make it for a few more days? I mean, your birthday is coming up, right?" He asked.

"You actually remembered my birthday?"

"How could I forget?" He smiled warmly at her. Blushing, she smiled back before glancing at the ground. While they there had never been any romantics between them, there possibly could have been if the variables had been set right. If it wasn't for August, who had always made sure Kevin wouldn't so much as glance at he like that, or if it wasn't for Rose herself, who had always pushed away all potential dates and had been too scared to ever commit to a true relationship. If it wasn't for their eighth grade dance, the one where Kevin tried in his best efforts to build up his courage and finally ask her to dance, but then August butted in and ruined it. But most of all, if it wasn't for Libby who had never been at that same dance. If she hadn't been there to cheer Kevin up after his attempts to ask Rose to dance had failed. If she hadn't been there to say should would dance with him instead, then maybe, just maybe Rose and Kevin could have been something more.

But they weren't.

And ever since that eighth grade year, Kevin and Libby have been inseparable. It was only in tenth grade he finally ask her out on an official date. Rose's two best friends. She didn't even feel any kind of negative emotions towards Libby for taking away her own potential chances at a happy relationship. Instead, she had felt happy knowing that she helped cause a beautiful couple. For the time being, she didn't mind if she was by herself

"So uh, I had thought I saw you driving away in a big rig yesterday." He glanced at the truck behind her. "That just proves it I guess. I just uh, well maybe an explanation would help me out a bit here." His eyes then landed on Optimus's holo form. 'Orion' walked over to the two young adults.

"Oh uh, it a long story." Rose sighed, trying to avoid answering it as she didn't really want to lie to her friend.

"I've got all day." Kevin glared at her almost now. "And I'd really like to hear about how you parents are in Colorado, that sounds interesting." Rose made a small sound, cracking a smile but inside she slumped. What would she tell him?

"I had offered her a ride as we happened to be heading the same way." He said curtly. "I know her father and was telling him about where I had to go and he asked me if I could take Delta Rose with me.f" Rose nearly felt like slapping her forehead as well as Optimus's but instead all she did was cringe a little at the glare Kevin sent her before she smiled warily.

"Alright, I mean no offence to you Orion, you seem like a nice guy and all, but I honestly have no idea what the fuck is going on here," He turned back to his friend and gave her a disappointing look. "you know better than to accept a ride from a stranger, and that's what you two are." He called their bullshit. Optimus seemed confused and looked to Rose. He had only been going along with what she had told him after and had thought his lie was sound proof. He didn't understand why the boy was so upset. "What are you doing Rose? Are you hitchhiking? Why does he keep lying?" He was doing his best not to yell at her, she could tell.

"I wasn't hitchhiking." She grew upset. "Yeah okay, I don't actually know him, he's not an old family friend. Orion and I ran in to each other and found that we were just both going in the same direction."

"And what direction is that exactly?" Kevin folded his arms over his chest.

"Her parents are having a business meeting down in Colorado." Optimus spoke up now. Kevin's arms fell. The eighteen year old stared at the older male, squinting his eyes at him and opening his mouth before shutting it and opening it again. He looked over to Rose now but she didn't look back. Instead she was looking at the ground, shuffling her feet.

"Rose," He finally said softly. It a moment, but slowly she brought her head up and shifted her large brown eyes to look at her old friend. "What's really going on." He asked, his voice only just over a whisper. "Did you really tell him this?" The girl glanced over to the holo form next to her who was staring intently at her, confusion laced in his gaze as well as a serious harness that made her feel bad for being caught in a lie. Licking her lips nervously, she looked back to Kevin. His green eyes mixed with many emotions, but none of which she could decipher at the moment. Sighing though she finally nodded.

Optimus looked between the two of them, blinking before deciding to speak up. "Am I missing something?" He asked, eye brows furrowing together.

"Yes. In fact, you are." Kevin's eyes never left Rose as she looked back to the ground. "But I don't think I should be the one to tell you." She looked up now with a gulp before turning her head to look at the Prime who was staring at her, his own gaze never wavering.

"I um, my parents aren't really in Colorado." She swallowed as a shudder passed through her. She felt her cheeks grow hot with the possibility of tears but she kept a straight face on as she looked at the hologram. He only starred at her, something in gaze changing.

"We will talk about this later." He said sternly.

"Hey wait, she doesn't have to talk about anything if she doesn't want to." Kevin suddenly butted in, pushing himself between Rose and Optimus, not liking the way Orion had sounded like he was ordering her around. "Who are you even?"

"Kevin, stop it's alright," Rose tried to move around her friend, but he wouldn't let her.

"No, it's not. I didn't know before that you didn't even him. Rose, what's going on? Where are you going?" He was becoming angry again. She starred at him, her expression scrunching up into her own frown.

"I don't know. But it shouldn't matter to you." She growled, pushing him aside and stepping over to Optimus's holo. "You never even called me when I left. No one did." She growled.

"I, I'm sorry." He said with a change in the tone of his voice. "We all are, but you just moved away so quickly and none of us even knew why until a week after you were already gone." He slumped his stance. "I'll admit we didn't call you, but none of us knew what to say, and you took down your facebook, we figured you didn't want anyone around for a little while."

"Then I guess that's my fault. . ." She looked at the ground.

"Don't beat yourself up, no one knew how to handle it. Look, I'm sorry I'm getting worked up. I'm sure you have your own reasons for doing whatever it is you're doing. I'm not going to press anymore on you." He sighed. "But, maybe whatever it is can wait just a few more days?" He glanced up at her. "We were all talking about maybe throwing you a birthday party this weekend, just for good time's sake." He said. Rose blinked, a party? It did sound nice to be with her friends again, especially on her birthday, but she knew there were more pressing matters.

"I believe that sounds like a good idea." Optimus put in, looking down at the girl and giving his approval that it would be okay for them to stay in the two for just a few more days. At least until the Decepticons appeared again. Or little to his knowledge, someone else.

"Alright, I can stay. But only until by Birthday." She offered her friend a smile now. He smiled back before tugging her into a hug.

"I'm sorry, I'm just worried." He said.

"You're always worried." She huffed humorously as they pulled apart.

"Alright, well I better go. Gotta tell the others that you're sticking around." He grinned.

"Okay, see you later then." She waved to him. Walking away, he waved back before climbing into his car and turning on the engine. She watched as he drove away and out of the park parking lot before sighing and turning to Optimus who was now staring at her. His eyes glaring into her own and she cringed a little.

"Get in." He said, his voice commanding and holding no patience as the hologram fizzled away. Rose swallowed, before doing as he said and walking over to the waiting truck door. As it opened for her, she climbed into the passenger seat and looked down at the floor. She expected him to start driving away as the door closed, but he didn't. He instead stayed right where he was. The silence around them lasted for many seconds, but it felt more like hours and Rose wished he would speak soon, but at the same time, she wished he wouldn't.

"You lied to me." He finally spoke.

"I know." She whispered.

"You have put yourself in the middle of a war because of your careless actions, because of a lie." He continued. She only slumped even more, her ears heating up in guilt.

"I hadn't meant to." She said quietly.

"So now, I am trusting you to tell me the truth and am offering you a second chance." She hated how disappointed he sounded at her. How angry he was at her for lying to him.

"I don't know where I'm going." She finally managed to choke out. "I just, I don't know. I don't know. . ." She frowned, eye brows furrowing. "I thought I would come here anyways, where else would I go? He might not even be after me I suppose, but I saw what he did, there is no way he would just let that lie on its own." She paused. "I bet he's already found me again. I bet he's on his way, if not already here."

"Who?" The Prime asked, his voice less stern that had been before, but still powerful.

"No one. Just," She sighed. "I'm in a lot of trouble, that's all. But I think it'll be over in a couple of days." She was positive it would be.

"Rose, if you are in any danger, I need you to tell me. Now." His message was clear and she sighed again, shifting in her seat.

"Alright." She nodded after a moment's hesitation, and after putting on a straight face she sucked in a breath. "My mom died three months ago, here, in Maverick. It was a heart attack that no one expected. We were already panning on moving, so just a few days later we went back to New York. I walked in on something I shouldn't have there, I had to leave." She said vaguely.

The truck remained silent for many more moments before finally venting. "I condone my deepest apologies for your loss," He said with understanding. "but you still have not explained who it is that is on their way to find you." Rose's face twisted a little now. She had been hoping that maybe he wouldn't bring it up, but of course he would.

"He's not a problem I don't think. How could he possibly know where I am anyways?" She tried to shrug it off.

Optimus stayed silent for a moment, as if he wasn't pleased with her answer, but after a little bit he finally spoke again. "Thank you for telling me." His engine turned on and the semi roared to life. "That is everything, correct?" He then asked.

"Pretty much." Rose confirmed. But as he pulled out of the parking space and drove slowly out of the park, something was still nagging at the girl. Maybe she should have told him what she saw. Maybe she should have told him who was following her. But maybe it was best she left it untold. Maybe things would run smoothly on its own.

Yes, things would. She knew they would. Besides, why should she be scared? She had Optimus and Smokescreen to protect her. And even when the Prime had told her he was not allowed to harm humans, he wouldn't necessarily have to harm anyone in order to keep her safe.

Letting herself relax in the seat, she glanced out the window and watched as the town rolled slowly by. The sun was still high in the sky, but she knew that in a matter of only four or so hours it would be setting. And with the setting sun, would end her fourth day with the Autobots. For a brief moment, she wondered where Smokescreen was and wanted to ask, but decided not to. He was probably still patrolling.

Suddenly though, she was thrown forwards, hitting the dash board with a thump and a short scream. There was a honk from the car behind them and groaning, Rose sat up and looked out the front window. A small, silver Honda had cut them off and was now angled oddly in front of them. Rose groaned again.

"I apologize," Optimus began as Rose sat back in her seat, rubbing her head. "I had all but forgotten about a seat belt." Said belt wrapped around her as he said this, clicking into place and tightening around her.

"No, no. It's fine. I forgot too." She waved him off.

Optimus made no sounds to reply, but instead continued to drive down the commercial road. Neither said anything more, but Optimus kept glancing over at the small human he carried within him. He felt as if he should say something more about what she had said and her confession to him. but that topic was now over and it was too late for him to offer her any more condolences.

While he was still quite crossed at her for lying to him, he believed he had a better understanding of why she did now, and could not really blame her for not wanting to tell him her personal matters. It was still all quite off putting to the Prime and he had yet to really put a finger on it all yet, he knew there was more to know. She had been quite vague near the end of explanation. But, he would not push it. Not for now at least. She was keeping something from him, and while he felt like it would be good for him to know what was troubling her, it really was none of his business. Not at the moment anyways. It was not his place to intrude any further on her personal life than he already did. And so for the time being, he would let that small gap remain until she was ready to tell him.

Considering they had only just met days ago, that small gap might stay there for quite some time.

What he could put together though, was that whatever she had witnessed had shook her. Someone was coming, and for this, he worried. Not for his own safety, but for hers.

But maybe he would be able to learn about her if he played the cards right.

"I suppose since you have told me about yourself, you deserve to know a little about me." He broke the long silence that had overwhelmed the cab of the truck. Rose's attention perked and she looked at the steering wheel expectantly. "What is the human saying? And eye for and eye?" He mused over the expression but this only made her cringe a little. "Anyways, ask me what you wish." He then said. Rose only blinked. She had already asked him many questions, but they had been more about the Autobots and Decepticons and Cybertron. Not him specifically.

"Uh," She took a moment to think of what she wanted to think, but her mind was remaining a black nothingness. "What did you do?" She finally asked. "Before the war started, who was Optimus Prime?" She rephrased.

"I was a clerk at the hall of icon by the name of, Orion Pax." He replied with the simple statement. She understood now why he called his hologram Orion. Rose waited for him to continue for a few moments, but then frowned a little when she realized that was it.

"Friends, family, girlfriend?" She prodded a little.

"Yes, I had them as well." He said. Rose did her best not groan a little. Well there went her chance about finding out more about him. As if sensing her disappointment in his dim lighted answer, Optimus turned on his holo form and sighed. The blond girl glanced over to him before looking away again.

"My mentor went by the name of Alpha Trion." He said after many moment of silence. "He found me as a sparkling and raised me as his own." A drop of sorrow was detected in his voice and Rose once again made herself look up at him. Her dark eyes searched his face and she could see the troubled look he carried. "I have not seen him since we evacuated off world." He sighed after his long pause. She bit the inside of her lip and she found herself squeezing the seat a little.

In turn, the hologram turned to look at her and she gave him a small, reassuring smile.

"I'm sure he's out there." She said. He glanced at her for a moment, his expression somewhat hard before he warmed up slightly as he pulled off of the main road and began to head towards the forest drive again.

"What are we going to the forest again for? It's still pretty early."

"Smokescreen privately commed me to meet him there."

The drive was short enough. And nearly as soon as Optimus pulled over only just a few miles out of town Smokescreen came too and paused before transforming. Rose reached for the seat belt buckle so she could get out. As soon as she was on the ground he transformed.

"Alright, well there are no signs of the Decepticons." Smokescreen said, interrupting the two. "I think we lost them."

"I would not count on it. They are most likely waiting for a more preferable time to attack." Optimus contradicted.

"What kind of time would that be?" Smokescreen frowned.

"Most likely one where our guard is dropped." The Prime predicted.

"Yeah well, I'm always ready to kick some 'Con aft." He jumped side to side, punching the air a few times with enthusiasm. "But anyways, while we are here, why don't we walk around a bit? I did some snooping around and found that the area on this side of the road isn't really often used." He said, jerking a thumb behind him, the opposite way of the gorge.

"Yeah and there's a reason." Rose frowned at him. Turning their attention to the human, both Cybertronian's waited for her to continue. "There's this house out there, most of the area of the woods over there was owned by a farmer, but once they died the land became state property."

"So?" Smokescreen snorted, undeterred.

"There have been a lot of accidents in those woods. A lot of people go missing. It's not off limits, there are a few old trails and kids sometimes like to dare each other to go into the house, but it's just, it's not a good a place." She stared at the forest, a shiver running down her spine. "And it's weird, it's only in the property that belonged to the couple. The house itself has been abandoned for years, but when I was little there were rumors that someone had moved in. Right around then was when everything bad started to happen. Of course, police checked it out, and nothing in that place had been used for years. But, who knows?" She shrugged.

Smokescreen seemed a little more uncertain about going into the forest now, but then shook his head to clear the unwanted thoughts. "Well, I'm sure we'll be fine. After all, it's only myths and legends right?" Rose only stared at him.

"For now, I believe it would be best to stay in vehicular form." Optimus said as he placed Rose on the ground. Transforming, he allowed her climb in as Smokescreen also changed into his own car mode. Together, the three rode into town, driving in silence as Rose slowly watched the darkness fill the sky. They were soon parked on the far edge of town. She had already climbed onto the bed in the back and was staring up at the semi's ceiling. Thinking. Thinking about what she had told Optimus. Thinking about what she hadn't told him.

-O-

The man glanced at the towns sign. He shuddered at it, not liking the thought that came to him. He hated this place now, he thought that she would hate it too. He twitched his fingers. He glanced in the rear view mirror but only saw himself. The tape over his eye was not pleasant and not good medical work on his part. He thought about taking it off to look at the gruesome wreckage underneath it, but stopped himself. He didn't he would have the stomach to look at it. He wondered if his eye would become infected if it already hadn't. He felt angry and sad about it, but what was the old saying?

And eye for an eye.