Chapter 11: Monstrous

Jasper, Nevada…

When the Autobots had first realized that Jack had left, the first reaction was panic at why he had left. Their second reaction, or rather Arcee's, was to swear they would have a nice long 'chat' with the teen once they found him. He had nearly been killed by those three vampiric vampire hunters.

There was no way any of them would let Jack endanger himself like that again. And if they did, they could be sure that June wouldn't rest until she found her son. June had always been concerned for her son to say the least. But ever since he had been turned, her concern had increased.

Because as powerful as Jack was, he was incredibly vulnerable too. The one thing that could keep him alive was difficult to get a hold of and he would go insane without it. June had sworn she wouldn't let that happen and would do whatever it took to protect her son and help him be as human as possible.

It was her duty as a mother to do what she believed was best for her child. All mothers had that innate need; to do what they thought was best for their children. And while some mothers forced themselves to leave their kids to themselves… June had trouble with that. She and Jack had always been close and June would move heaven and Earth to protect her son.

So needless to say, seeing him in the middle of what seemed to be a warzone, blood and ash spread everywhere, a mutilated corpse plastered against the wall from him, and the teen himself sitting on his knees, bloody tears streaking down his face.

It broke her heart.

Arcee pulled over and let June off her, the rest of the Autobots transforming behind her and looking at the scene in horror. The K.O Burger was in flaming ruins, the street had a massive crater resting in the middle of it, and Jacks pale face acted as a canvas to the ruby drops of blood splattered across from it. Something bad had happened here, that much was obvious.

But June didn't care about any of that. All she cared about was her little boy sitting in the middle of it all, with those red tears trailing down his face.

She ignored the Autobots and ran over to him, embracing him in a hug. When she had once hugged him in what felt like a different lifetime, she had always taken comfort in his natural warmth. But now, all she felt was the cold that enveloped his body, another sign of what he was.

"Jack, honey, are you okay?" June asked, pulling away from their hug.

Jack tilted his head up at her, his red eyes bloodshot, "I killed them. I killed them all." He whispered his voice so low she could barely hear him.

"Jack, I don't care about those monsters, all I care about is you." Said June.

A frown split his face, "Why? Why do you care about me!?" he shot up angrily, "I'm just another fucking monster! Look what I did to them all!" he gestured at the war torn town.

June slowly stood while Jack continued to rant "I tortured and slaughtered them and I liked it! I deserve to die as much as any of those freaks, maybe even more!"

The clothes he wore shifted slightly as he ranted, like a fire in the wind, "I'm a threat to everyone! What's to stop me from turning on one someone I care about and killing you, or Raf or Miko!?"

He looked at his mother with sad pleading eyes, "I shouldn't…" he fell back to his knees hanging his head, "I can't be around you….around anyone…"

Nothing but silence engulfed everyone, and Jack just sat there, waiting for someone to say anything. To tell him he was right, to be disgusted with him, or hell, maybe they'd put him out of his misery finally. All these options and more Jack considered, all of them more than likely.

So when he heard or felt none of them, and instead felt two warm arms wrap around him and hold him close, he looked up surprise at his mother, who still kept that kind and caring look on her face.

"I don't want to care about that Jack. You've lived like this for more than a month now. I know you're strong enough to keep yourself under control. You're stronger than you think you are."

She readjusted his jacket, "And staying here, acting like this won't help you realize that, so…" she hefted him to his feet, "Come on, we're going to base."

Jack looked at her and thought of what she said. Was he…could he be strong enough to control his urges now? He knew he was getting physically stronger all the time, but was he strong enough to resist his instincts…?

With a sniff, Jack used the sleeve of his jacket to wipe the tears off his face, "Yeah…that sounds like a good idea…"

MECH Forward Operating Base…

Silas cursed at the sight of destruction before him, and the remains of Mariana's men. Nothing more than blood stains and mutilated corpses now. All because of Jack and his freakish unnatural powers.

Mariana landed behind him with her fledgling Sierra, "Well, that was certainly a different change." She laughed.

"Millions of dollars worth of equipment and over thirty men dead," Silas growled, "What sort of plan was that!? He slaughtered your men, you said they were the best!"

"Some," Mariana corrected, "Some of the best available. Not the best. I have a few secret weapons of my own that I could use if I wanted."

"Then why didn't you!?" Silas demanded

"Because I didn't want to waste them on a mission like this," Mariana answered, twirling her hair on a finger, "That said though, MECH performed their part flawlessly."

"'Flawlessly'?!" Silas snapped, rapidly losing what little patience he had with this...this leech in human skin.

He had of course planned to eliminate Mariana as soon as Jack was dealt with, but with the way things were going...he was tempted to put an incendiary round through her skull right at that minute. He probably would too, if he knew he wouldn't have gotten killed for the attempt.

"Just how long do you expect us to put up with this?" he sneered, "MECH's resources might be substantial, but our manpower is not limitless. I can't afford to lose any more men like this. If you want this brat dead so badly, why don't you just kill him yourself?"

"You will commit whatever resources are required, for as long as it is necessary. As for killing Jack, well, I could. But, the last Vampire to exhibit all three gifts almost managed to kill me. Given how determined Jack is to do me in, even if he is still inexperienced, I do not want to run the risk of facing him… yet." Marianna replied coolly.

Silas snorted as he turned to face her. "You're afraid of him. That's pathetic-"

What ever he was going to say next was cut off, as Marianna's iron-hard fingers wrapped around his throat and squeezed. Any attempt Silas made to break her grip was ill conceived, as the vampire's grip was like iron. Her lips were pulled back in a snarl, and her eyes were alight with feral fury.

"I fear nothing human! Especially not some whelp with delusions of destroying me!" she snarled, "I do not wish to kill Darby simply because he is far more valuable to me alive! But in order to make him more pliable to my will, he has to lose his grip on his sanity, only then will I be able to control him." she paused.

She didn't mention that Dracula had been in a similar state when she'd fought him, and the only reason she'd even won that fight was because of a certain idiot by the name of Abraham Van Helsing, who had weakened Dracula before the fight, thinking he was helping a 'defenseless' lady who was being attacked by a monster. Once Van Helsing had left, she'd finished off the Count. If Van Helsing hadn't done his part before hand, Marianna doubted that she would have survived that fight. Even though the Count had been injured and weakened, he'd managed to nearly decimate her with his incredible power.

But the difference between then and now? Mariana's power had doubled from her victory over the Count, and Jack himself was still far younger than Dracula had been. A difference of three hundred years in age was all she needed to know that Jack would never beat her in a head on fight, no matter his delusions.

"And the only way to force him to lose his mind is to force him to succumb to his powers, and the only way that can happen is to force him to use them. The more he uses them, the more control he will lose."

She let go of Silas, and the MECH director stepped back, rubbing his throat, glaring at her.

"But, Leland Bishop, if you're going to whine about it like a little bitch, then I see no reason in using you." she growled, putting emphasis on his true name.

Silas didn't say anything, he just glared at her.

'You'll get yours bitch. I promise. Either by my hand or Darby's. Regardless of who snuffs you, I'll have Jack's head right after yours.' Silas thought as he turned back to the screens.

"Funny thoughts Silas," Mariana murmured, "Funny thoughts."

Mariana motioned for Sierra to stand next to her, "Master?"

"I want you to accelerate your plans with Jack. Do whatever it takes to get him wrapped around your finger. And when the time comes, bring him to me." her master grinned widely. Her fangs were a flash of light in the dark.

Sierra bowed, "It will be done, my master."

Autobot HQ…

One of the first things that happened when they returned to base, after an eerily quiet ride on Arcee, was that Raf and Miko happily greeted Jack.

"Jack! You're okay!" Miko ran down the stairs with Raf and the girl gave him a bear hug.

Jack grunted from the hug, trying to catch his breath, "Yeah…I'm fine Miko… now let me go…can't…breathe…"

She released him…and then punched him in the arm, "Ow!" he yelped, rubbing his arm. Just because he'd been torn apart by bullet fire didn't mean he liked being punched.

"Lightweight," she muttered, shaking her fist to get the feeling back, "We thought you were dead."

Jack looked from her to Raf, "You…you were?" he still found it hard to believe anyone would actually care about him, given what he was…

"You're our friend Jack." Raf reminded him, "And you went missing with a bunch of vampire hunters looking for you. Why wouldn't we?"

June looked at her son, who gave her a brief glance. They exchanged a sort of message and Jack smiled faintly, "Don't know," he looked back at Raf, "Stupid thought I guess…"

The relatively happy reunion made Jack feel more at ease. Knowing his friends still care made his concerns earlier seem rather pointless. But the happiness he felt didn't last long as Arcee asked the question that had been bugging her for quite some time.

"Why did you leave base?" she asked, crossing her arms.

Jacks faint smile faded and he hung his head. The others all gave him questioning looks as well. Last Jack had told them, he had no intention of leaving the base anytime soon. Not with the hunters on the loose.

But then he disappeared and went into Jasper where he killed all three vampire hunters while turning the area into the equivalent of a war zone. So obviously, they wanted to know why this had happened.

"Well…" Jack sighed, not sure if he really should tell them or not…after all, Sierra was part of the club, and they'd agreed to keep their respective vampirism a secret from each other.

But these were his friends, he could trust them…right?

"When I went up top, I got a call from a friend…" he started, looking at the confused expressions on the bots faceplates.

This was not going to get easier.

"She told me that she was being attacked by someone and needed my help, so…I went to go and help her." Jack hung his head, "Turns out it was a trap by those three vampires…"

Optimus frowned while Bulkhead and Arcee exchanged looks, "Who is this 'friend' of yours Jack?" June asked.

"She…" Jacks hand tightened, "It's Sierra."

That was not the answer they were expecting.

"Wait, Sierra?" Arcee asked, raising an optical ridge, "As in 'street racing' Sierra?"

He nodded, "Yeah…."

"Wait, you two are an item!?" Miko exclaimed, rather shocked.

"No, well maybe, I don't know!" Jack quickly corrected, "Either way, she called me for help. What was I suppose to do, just sit here and say no?"

Optimus nodded. That was a very valid point Jack had, but something didn't add up for the Prime, "If Sierra was indeed in trouble, then why would she have called you for assistance without knowing that you are in fact a vampire."

Jack paused. He hadn't even realized that rather colossal hole in his story. It was so obvious, yet somehow he'd missed it. Not good.

"Jack," June approached her son carefully, "Is there something you're not telling us?"

He backed away, "N-no, there i-isn't…" he stuttered.

"Okay, that's a load of scrap." Bulkhead growled, "You're lying to us, it's plain on that pale face of yours."

"I'm not lying!" Jack hissed while glaring at Bulkhead.

"Then why are you being so defensive Jack?" Arcee asked, kneeling down.

"I'm not!" he protested, "I just don't like when I'm called a liar!"

"Then stop lying to us." Miko butted in, crossing her arms, "You're awful at it."

Jack glared at her and was about to say something when June put a hand on his shoulder. She knew that they wouldn't get answers like this by prying. Jack was too secretive for that. The only way to get to him was to ask calmly and politely in the right manner.

"Jack, if you want us to help, to understand, you need to trust us with whatever secret your keeping June said." Jack looked at his mother's pleading face and clenched his eyes.

He let out a pained sigh, "Sierra's a vampire too."

The entire base fell dead silent as the bots heard this. That red head that had caused them some trouble…was a vampire too?

"How do you know?" Arcee asked.

That was something Jack was never going to give away. They would never get that full answer from him if he could help it.

"A few weeks ago… I sorta found her hiding behind the school clutching at her stomach. She looked pretty vampiric so…I gave her some of my medication," Jack lied, "We've been working out what we know of Mariana since."

The bots seemed to buy it at first to Jacks relief…until…

"How do we know Sierra's not just a double agent?" Arcee asked.

"W-what do you mean?" Jack didn't like the sound of that.

"Think about it Jack," Arcee explained, "After you're turned, she shows up as a starving vampire? Seems a bit to convenient."

Realization spread across Jacks face, before he scowled and clenched his fists, "You think she's working for Mariana!?" he couldn't believe this! She'd created the club for the others, been there for all of them. There was no way she worked for that cold hearted bitch.

"Jack, think about it," Raf said, "She shows up, and then calls you into a trap. It seems pretty likely."

Jack glared at them, "You guys can't seriously think that Sierra works for her!?" he wanted to believe they didn't but….

One look at their faces made his glare deepen, "I can't believe this! You think I wouldn't know if she was working with Mariana? That I wouldn't make sure!?"

"Jack, we can't be too careful." Arcee said, "You even said that Mariana was manipulative. Who's to say she wouldn't do something like this?"

"No!" Jack couldn't, no wouldn't believe it, "You're wrong! Sierra would never work for Mariana willingly."

The others didn't looked convinced, "Guys, I'm sure of this…" the teen said, his voice lowering, "You know I wouldn't believe her unless I was sure. Right…?"

He looked at Bulkhead and Miko. They looked thoroughly unconvinced. Ratchet and Optimus were stone faced as usual, and Bee and Raf looked worried. He looked to Arcee and June, his closest friend and family. Neither one could meet his eyes. They didn't believe him.

Jacks fists clenched and without a word he sprinted off down the halls, "Jack wait!" June called after her son. After the talk they'd just had, just convinced him that she did trust him and then the one time he needed her…

Why had she choked?

"June…let him go." Optimus rumbled, watching the teen run, "He needs to be alone."

"But what if he gets hurt!" June argued.

Optimus vented heavily, "I don't believe Jackson is in any danger. No creature in Jasper could harm him. His abilities make him top powerful for anyone sort of Mariana to handle. He will be fine."

June looked down the hall that Jack ran out of longingly, "I hope you're right…" she murmured.

Outskirts of Jasper…

Jack snarled and ripped a ground post out of the ground. He had run to the same spot the trio of vampires had attacked him what felt like a lifetime ago. In reality… it had only been a few hours ago.

He crushed the post from the fence in his hand, slivers of woods punching through his skin, "Shit." he cursed, pulling at the splinters.

He didn't really care all that much though. All of his rage was still at everyone else. They didn't know Sierra like he did, hadn't spent months with her! How dare they even suggest she work with Mariana!

No, what made him angry, made him really angry was that they didn't trust him! He could understand the Bots suspicion. With vampires it was a given. But they knew him, trusted him. Why on this one thing though did they not trust him?

"Damn it!" he yelled. Grabbing the remains of the post, he flung it at the abandoned house. A window shattered but Jack didn't care. He was angry.

"I thought they trusted me, I thought they understood." he hissed.

"People rarely do…" Sierra said from behind him.

Jack looked back at her with no signs of surprise, "Was wondering when you would say something."

"You knew I was here?" She asked rather surprised.

He tapped his ear, "Vampire hearing, remember?"

"Oh, right." she smiled.

Jack didn't return it, and the frown on his face remained, "Something wrong…?"

"Well…it's nothing." Jack said, shaking off his friends distrust, "Nothing you need to worry about."

Sierra walked up to him and put her hands on his shoulders, "You sure?"

"Positive." he confirmed, "I just…needed some air."

"Well…" Sierra smiled, "If you're done getting some air…why don't you come to my place?"

Jack hesitated for a moment, "I…well are you sure that's a good idea?"

Instead of answering, Sierra smirked and pressed herself against Jack while nibbling along the bite mark on his neck. Immediately his eyes went wide and he let out a sigh of pleasure. When Sierra stopped, he let out a disappointed moan.

"We can continue back at my place…" she teased.

Jacks face lit up in a smile, "Then what are we waiting here for? Lead on."

Sierra smiled and turned. WIth barely any effort she leapt onto the nearest house and ran off, with Jack in hot pursuit.

"This is too easy…"she murmured. Be they man or vampire all males had a single weakness. A pretty face.

And if tonight worked out well enough, Mariana would reward her well. She licked her lips and felt a warm feeling pass over her. Quite well indeed.

Sierra's House…

Jack had to admit, Sierra's place was quite nice. It was a fair ways out of Jasper, on the south end of town away from the hustle and bustle.

It was a large, tan, two story building ,with multiple rooms, windows, and a three doored garage. The lawn was surrounded in a nice hedge fence that was neatly trimmed, like the lawn itself. A cobblestone path lead up to two mahogany doors.

"This is a very nice place Sierra." Jack craned his neck back to look at it.

"It's okay," Sierra shrugged, leading him up the path, "A little too big for my tastes honestly."
Jack wasn't sure he agreed with her on that, but he wasn't going to argue with her.

Sierra reached into a pocket on her shirt and pulled out a small ring of keys. She plugged it into the door and twisted to the right. There was a click and the door swung open. Stepping to the side, Sierra spread her arm wide welcoming him into her home.

Jack looked around as he walked in and had to admit the house was as nice on the outside as it was on the inside. The floors were hardwood and shone in the gentle lights of the house, and the entrance opened up into the kitchen. An island rested in the center of the kitchen with a large set of knives resting in the center of it.

The walls were a nice tan creamy color, with a white trim running along the base. Two halls went to the left and to the right. Lights were spaced about ten feet apart down each hall filling them with a soft pleasant glow that even Jacks vampiric eyes could handle.

"This is very nice Sierra…" Jack said while examining the room.

"Glad you like it…" Sierra smiled closing the door behind him.

She walked up behind him and kissed him behind the neck, "Give me one minute to…spruce up, and I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere," she purred.

With that said she walked down the left hall putting a slight sway into her hips. Jack watched her go, mesmerized. Once she was gone, he shook himself.

"Come on Darby, snap out of it. Yes this is the greatest thing to happen in your life ever, but you need to stop acting like a drooling idiot," he scolded himself.

Deciding to examine her kitchen more in detail, Jack walked around the room while he waited. The counters were made of granite, while the cupboards were made of black oak. Graceful silver handles jut from each one, contrasting them nicely. The walls in the kitchen he noticed were actually a stark white that faded into the tan of the hallway walls.

The fridge was a large silver two door fridge. As if to make sure, Jack put a finger on it and was glad to see that it was not. Turning to the island in the center of the kitchen, Jack saw a note resting on it.

Seeing no harm, he picked it up and scanned it quickly, "Sierra, your mother and I are out on late 'business'. We'll be home later tonight. Foods in the fridge and there's a message for you on the machine…"

Frowning, Jack set the note on the table, "Food…do they know?"

Looking over at the fridge, Jack also saw the messaging machine resting next to it. He didn't really see the harm in it…

He pressed a button on the machine and listened to it list off the date 'One new message today at 7:23 PM.'

The voice that came over the machine made Jack freeze and his blood go cold, "Sierra, it's Vince. I'm just calling to make sure you know the plan. Our master is sending the big three after Darby tonight. You should be on standby in case she needs you to mess with the fucks head again. Anyway, that's all." the message ended with a definitive click.

Jacks mind was racing. That…it couldn't be…it had to be faked…but that voice the sincerity behind it. Sierra was…she was working for Mariana!? The bots…everyone…they were right.

No, they couldn't be… There was one other way to be sure.

Jack walked over to the fridge and opened it up. He nearly gagged at what he saw. Someone had converted it into a full walk in freezer, where three humans lay dead, their bodies covered in frost.

His hands flew to his mouth and Jack backed away, "N-no…she…oh god…"

He bumped into the table and looked around for a way out of here…when he saw two red eyed figures standing at the doorway. Sierra's parents.

Her father was tall and lean, with ungodly pale skin and blood red hair. His face was clean shaven, with a crooked nose and hollow cheeks. He wore a button up shirt and denim jeans with black boots.

Her mother was shorter and more rounded, with deep black hair that flashed red in the light. Her face was smooth and flawless. Also ungodly pale. She wore a black blouse and black slacks with red shoes.

Mr. Thompson narrowed his eyes, "Margret, it seems that someone didn't mind their own business." he said looking to his wife, "What should we do about that?"

Margret grinned, exposing many fanged teeth, "I say we invite him over for 'dinner', wouldn't you agree Jonathan?"

John nodded, "I agree completely dear."

Jack had time to back up as they bared their fangs…and lunged…

Las Vegas Airport…

The bustling airport was one always filled with the odd individual. Entertainers, business men passing through, tourists. But none were stranger than the man who stepped off the plane from New York.

He was an older individual, in his early sixties or late seventies. Despite this, his hair was still a lustrous black mane smoothly tied back behind him. He wore a well pressed black suit with black gloves and carried a small briefcase with him.

But most peculiar about him was a small monocle that adorned his clean shaven and slightly wrinkled face. From all basic appearances the man appeared to be a stereotypical English butler.

Said man stepped out of the airport into the moonlit parking lot, ignoring the few people passing by him. Reaching into his pocked, he pulled a phone out and flicked it open. With the press of a button he dialed a number he really knew by heart and put the phone to his ear.

After two tones, a female voice answered, "Yes?"

"Sir," the man replied in a distinctly British accent, "I've arrived in the targets general location and am requesting your final orders on the say."

"You know your orders." The woman replied, "You are to search and destroy soldier. Search. And. Destroy. Mariana has escaped our organization one too many times. Her reign ends, and you will be her angel of death."

A faint smile spread across his face, "By your orders sir. It shall be done."

A/N: So who is this new player that has entered the field? What is his purpose? And will Jack ultimately be up to the challenge if he survives Sierra's parents? Well, all these questions and more will be answered tomorrow! So what'd you guys think huh? Any guesses on the new guy? Anything about the chapter you liked or didn't like? Please let me review what you thought, or heck, just give me an idea even. I'm always open to new ideas. In the meantime, I'll see you guys all in the next chapter! Cao!