Barricade and Pierce are traveling down the highway heading to an unknown destination. Meanwhile, Pierce is unable to sleep and Barricade intends to find out why. Pierce is a keeper of secrets and tries his best to hide his discomfort from Barricade, but fails.

Chapter Twenty-One

Pierce and Barricade

Pierce didn't say anything to Barricade and lay on his side, keeping an eye on the holoform. He was tired, but felt afraid to sleep especially with the holoform's glare focused at him. Pierce drew himself up into a ball and tried to make himself smaller. He was so very afraid and wished it didn't hurt his body when he did that. The remainder of the bruises from his stepfather hurt and couldn't find a good place to sleep on the uncomfortable backseat. He moved his legs away from his body, but couldn't stretch them out like he did on his bed. There wasn't a lot of room for his legs. He wished he could just fall asleep.

"If you do not go to sleep, I will sedate you myself." Barricade growled.

Pierce knew better than to talk back to the Mech, but did it anyway! His stepfather taught him any kind of back talk would be dealt with a belt across his back. "Well, if you would stop at a motel, I'd sleep more comfortably!"

Barricade revved his engine as he spoke, "I do not think so! I will not have you escaping me again."

Pierce didn't say anything and began to feel exhausted. All he wanted was to sleep. He was trying to fight it, but moaned when he went to lay down on the seat. "Sit up." Barricade ordered.

Pierce hesitantly sat up and felt a warm hand on his back. He flinched. The hand rolled up his shirt. Barricade growled, "Who gave this bruise?"

"I deserve it." Pierce said.

"Lay on your stomach."

Pierce lay on his stomach and Barricade looked at the bruises lining all over his back. "These look fresh. Why did you not tell me you had these?"

Pierce flinched, "No one listens to me." He really felt like crying and held his tears in check. It was sign of weakness when he did cry. He cried only when he was alone and his stepfather wasn't there. Barricade rolled the shirt back.

"Who did this to you and answer me truthfully."

Pierce hesitated. "My stepfather." He said so softly that Barricade almost missed hearing what Pierce said. "He does this when I back talk him."

"Lay on your stomach if this hurts you."

Pierce nodded. "Yes, sir."

Pierce lay his head on the seat, but couldn't get comfortable enough. He tried to lay on his side, but that was bad, too. Suddenly, the seat became softer. Almost like sinking into a soft foam mattress. "Thank you." He said finally succumbing to sleep. When Barricade checked the time, it was after 3:00. The kid wouldn't wake up in time for breakfast.

Rage flowed through his Energon lines. How could someone 'use' a child as a punching bag? He sent several officers to the house and silently took pictures of the bruises on Pierces' back while he slept.

"Pierce. I will protect you." He muttered and made a promise not to let anyone hurt his pet.

Sorry this chapter's short. Please R and R. Thank you for the reviews.