Hide and Seek
Chapter 6


Warning: Violence and other oddities. Takes place during DotM, so there's going to be spoilers.


Watching in utter horror, Erin flinched as the brightly coloured robot grabbed the head of the crimson eyed beast. It gave a cry and tried to escape from its captor but couldn't; the girl unsure if it was because of the grasp of the other robot or maybe other damages to its form. She didn't get a chance to ponder the thought for the blue eyed one shot another hook from its other hand, which promptly attracted - and quite possibly went through - the neck of the wailing creature. Her hands clamped over her mouth to muffle a gasp as the body went limp and the noises stopped.

The bright coloured robot ripped both hooks back and soon the body fell to the ground, the enemy's helm still grasped tightly in one of the alien's servos. It dropped the head and allowed it to roll before it stepped onto the body, hovering over it for mere seconds and then shoving its hand through the chest. It was horrifying to watch; maybe not as gruesome as a human's death but still a reminder of what these creatures could do. She remembered what the smaller robot, Laserbeak, had done to two adult humans and could only imagine what this one could do to her. It would be like stepping on an ant.

However, before she could linger on this thought for very long, another robot had shown up. It was a different model than the other she'd seen, although, just as large and held the same azure eyes as the other robot. She watched - between curiosity and fear - as it glanced at the corpse on the ground then looked back at the killer. It frowned, much to her surprise, and speak with slight annoyance: "Was that really necessary?"

"Yes," was the reply in what appeared to be an Italian accent. "You never know with those Decepticons. The slagger could have been playing dead!"

"Watch your language," the other one seemed to tease before turning its helm, giving the hiding girl a better look at it. "Besides, it's illogical that it could have been playing offline without its head."

There was no reply from the brightly coloured robot. It only turned its head and stared ahead, but only for a mere second before taking off in that direction. The remaining alien shook its helm and merely seemed to stand there, as if it didn't know whether or not to follow him. Erin only watched it, not entirely sure if she should make herself known. It truly didn't appear to be as aggressive as the other one and it did have the blue eyes that Carly had told her to go to.

Shifting, she went to slip back into her spot but had ended up knocking over one of the large cans behind her. It clang to the ground and startled both beings that remained; Erin ended up jumping from her hiding spot and the robot turning his large head towards the sound. There was an awkward moment between them before the alien turned its entire body towards the alley and lowered itself. "What do we have here?"

"Please don't hurt me," she whimpered and backed away, in slight panic at being caught.

"Hurt you," it echoed with surprise. "Why would I do something such as that? It would be unlawful and just downright rude!"

"But the others-"

"There is no time for that. We have to get you out of here," it replied as it's large hand extended down to her, a smile upon its faceplates. When she didn't move, mainly because she was still frightened, he shuttered his optics and added in a startled tone, "Oh! I understand now, I didn't introduce myself. I'm Wheeljack, but the humans call me Que. Who are you, little one?"

"Erin," she spoke, feeling an unnerving sense of calm now. She found herself moving towards it, trusting the gentle and truthfulness in its tone, but soon stopped down at a flash of colour. "Oh my God," she shouted and nearly ran back into her hiding place. "It's coming back! It's going to get me!"

"Wait, Erin," Wheeljack called out, nearly grabbing her but stopping himself as to not startle her.

Stopping, she turned, "It's-"

"What is this," a voice echoed from behind Wheeljack. "A human?"

"Her name is Erin," the other robot commented as the girl moved forward to get a better look, obviously she was still frightened of the giant. "Why don't you quit scaring her and introduce yourself?"

"We don't have time for this," he snorted in a distinct Italian accent. "Just get her to safety. I'll cover you." When neither moved - Wheeljack because he wanted his way, the girl because she was still frightened - the robot growled, then scanned the area. "The humans call me Dino."

"There we go," Wheeljack commented happily as he lowered his hand, "Come now, little one, we must be going!"

"Um," she whispered as she stepped closer to the giant's palm, unsure of what to do.

"Alternate Mode," the other Autobot spoke quickly. "You'll move faster and it will be safer, less frightening for the human."

"Very well," was the cheeky response.

Erin wasn't sure what was going on but as the robot began to, for lack of better words, fold itself into a different form, she couldn't help but gasp. It was unnerving to watch the pieces fall into place but what was the most frightening for her was what the robot turned into. She should have known, because Carly did tell her about her boyfriend's car, but it could possibly be the fact that it didn't look alien. Matter of fact, it looked vaguely like her father's vehicle and it was, for lacking of better words in the moment, creepy.

"Get in," the colourful robot stated for the other one, as the car door opened. "We don't have time for you to gawk at him."

"Wh-what," she yelped and turned her attention to the nearly smirking alien. Embarrassed due to that expression and her own actions, she swiftly climbed into the vehicle mode of the friendly alien. Once she was inside, the door closed and the seat belt strapped her in. "Wheeljack...?"

"Safety first," it - no, he, she was sure now thanks to the other robot - chuckled cheerfully before the engine revved. Then the tone of his voice, which had been coming from the speakers she realised, changed to one of seriousness. "You might want to close your eyes and hold on tight. I'm sure what you may see would disturb or frighten you, and that is not what I want."

"I want to keep them open," she spoke before she could think. "I'm not afraid. I know you and Dino won't let anything happen to me."

"Well if that's the case then why not tell Mirage that we're ready."

Confused, the girl questioned, "Mirage?"

"That is his real name," the speakers answered. "The humans call him Dino but Mirage is his translated name. I figured that since you enjoy calling me Wheeljack instead of Que, you'd be pleased to do the same."

"Oh," she whispered as the window rolled down, her head turned to it and noted that the brightly coloured Autobot was staring ahead. Taking a deep breath, she stuck her head out the window and called for him; "Mirage, we're ready whenever you are."

There was a moment of silence from the giant but then what sounded like a chuckle echoed. He nodded at the human girl and took off straight ahead, graceful yet fast. Wheeljack's engine revved and he sped off, burning rubber mind you, after the other Autobot. Erin squealed a bit as she was thrown back against the seat, her head whipping around to keep track of where they were going and where the brightly coloured robot was.

However, she wished she hadn't taken to watching him. He was truly vicious; ripping, tearing, slicing through enemies, he took no time to stop or speak. Erin realised, as she viewed him ramming the blade through the throat of a Decepticon, that this was truly war and he was nothing more than a warrior. She felt herself looking away in disgust - it may not have been humans but it was this being's own species - and it seemed that Wheeljack felt her discomfort and ill will.

"I warned you," the robot added, surprised when the girl turned her sights to the radio.

"I know but-" She paused when she noticed something out of the corner of her eye. Coming at them was a giant alien, silver and racing on wheeled feet, it lifted long bladed hands with mace in its movements. She tensed and pushed herself against the seat, screaming; "Wheeljack!"

"Erin, hold on!"

"Where's Mirage," she wailed as she searched, only to find him tied up. The protector was currently battling three Decepticons, two were close to coming down but the third seemed tougher. However, that wasn't the only thing she noticed; behind them, another giant was coming and looked equally as macing as the one in front. "Oh my god, do something!"

"I said hold on," he muttered and hit the breaks.

"What are you-" She watched in both awe and fear as the one in front leaped over top of the inventor. She turned quickly, just in time to see the silver robot land on the Decepticon that had been coming up behind them. The long blades sliced clean through the enemy, she was horrified as the sparking corpse fell to the street.

"Damn, I'm good," the silver robot spoke clear as day.

"What," she whispered, only to yelp a moment later when both the newcomer and Mirage stood beside the Autobot she was currently inside. She could hear them; clicks, beeps, echoes of what she could only guess was an ancient language that she didn't understand. Her heart pounded and she felt like screaming for the giant she'd befriended to quickly speed away, before anything else could happen, but she didn't get the chance to. The robotic vehicle sped off, tires squealing against the pavement, with Mirage soon following behind them while the other took off in another direction.

As her fingers clung to the sides of the inventor's seat, Erin couldn't help wanting to scream. She closed her eyes tightly and cursed herself for agreeing to get in the car - just what did she get herself into?


Author's Note: Thoughts? Considers? Constructive Criticism?

I do apologise for any mistakes because my mind is off in lala-land because of Halloween coming up. It's, obviously, my favourite holiday. Not to mention, my computer is literally having a spasm about staying connected to the internet.

I would like to thank the ones who have been reviewing, favouriting, alerting this fic. I love you guys for it. =)

In other news, this story is going to be ending soon. I may make a sequel as well. It all matters on the fans' wishes. I want you all to wait until the end to answer. ;] Probably only four to five chapters left.