You need to stay clear of the huge robot in the middle of everything. If it's got red eyes, it's a bad guy, if blue, it's a friend. Oliver is a friend, and-
"What's his real name?"
Optimus Prime, Ironhide answered without hesitation.
"Optimus Prime," she repeated, "and… Ironhide?"
Yes. Now, avoid the big one in the middle. He goes by the name of Megatron, but I haven't the faintest idea why he's here.
Nicole glanced outside the port and saw this Megatron standing proud and tall, and ferociously roared.
"So good to see you, Ironhide and Optimus! Who knew selling information to this nasty rat could prove so…," he inhaled and exhaled deeply, "rewarding?"
Suddenly, at his large feet, Nicole saw Tom and Emma tremble, and a gasp escaped her lips. She retreated back behind the walls and took a hand to her heart. It felt ready to burst out of her chest and she turned her gaze towards the machine next to her.
"What shall we do," she whimpered and felt tears pressing on her eyes, "what the fuck are we going to do…"
Listen to me, you need to remain calm! Optimus and I are here to protect you, but you need to protect your mother. We will separate them, but I'm not sure if I can help you against Tom. You'll need to hold your own against him; I will be busy with Megatron.
As he said that, he cocked the guns that adorned his metallic frame, but Nicole was too far deep into her state of panic.
"But… I don't have any weapons! He's armed, and dangerous! I can't stand against him on my own, Please, Ian, I me, Ironhide…" she pleaded and fell to her knees in desperation.
Nicole…, a whisper within her ear, you need to trust yourself. I know that you can do this, and you must. You are stronger than you know and smarter than you think.
His words echoed within her mind, and despite her heart continuously racing, she felt herself calm.
There was no escaping the situation, no other way to help herself or her mother. Her hand was being forced to take action, and she hated and loved it at the same time. She finally let out a nod and rose.
"Yes, yes, I need to do this. But I have no weapons, I can't fight him without a gun or something."
Just as she said it, both a small gun and knife dropped before her. Nicole looked to Ironhide quizzically.
"Where did you save that?"
Ironhide rolled his mechanic eyes at Nicole.
I'll answer that question when this is over, Nicole. Now, Optimus will initiate the fight, but I'm afraid we lost the essence of surprise.
Nicole shrieked as she heard a sudden collision between metal, much similar to that of a car crash. She saw how Ironhide's metallic features turned into a smile.
I guess he did get some surprise on old Megatron!
His massive frame kneeled in front of Nicole and metallic eyes met organic ones.
I'm sorry that you had to find out this way. I promise to sha-
Ironhide, I need your assistance!
Optimus' voice rung loudly in Nicole's ears and she took a few steps back as Ironhide quickly rose, guns cocking at the sound of his leader in distress. He never took he eyes of her however.
Pay attention to what we are speaking of, it might be important for you to hear too.
Nicole nodded and saw Ironhide reaching out a hand. A single finger of his was large enough for her to affectionately rest her head upon. The feeling of betrayal was strong within her heart, but it seemed to know that the man she had fallen in love with, was right in front of her still.
At their touch, she felt a shiver going down her spine, and surge of electricity spread through her body. It wasn't unpleasant as the usual contact with electricity that caused her to withdraw in surprise and discomfort.
This… this she would be in touch with forever if she could.
Then, suddenly, the surge was gone, and the hand that brought it too.
She looked up to Ironhide and saw him walking towards the far end of the hall, not looking back. As he walked away, Nicole felt a fear greater than ever before. It was much larger than the fear she was about to face. She didn't care for the wrath of Tom or the hurt and sorrow he could cause her.
She was scared of his departure, scared if this was the last time she would ever see him again.
Losing him was equal to losing her life.
Ironhide!" she cried, and tried to stop her lip from trembling when he turned to face her, "please don't leave me behind…"
He stood only for a second, but his response echoed clearly within her ears.
I would never.
And just like that, he charged outside with a mighty roar. Nicole squeaked over the sound of guns firing, bullets flying and soaring through the air.
She found it hard to focus, and thoughts of Ironhide, Ian, her mom and everything in between flooded her mind.
'Keep it together, Nicole. You can't back out of this now!' she thought to herself, and looked at the weapons in front of her. With a shaking, but determined hand, she reached out and felt the weight of the gun and the knife in her hand.
She had very rarely been required to use weapons of any kind. Faint pictures of loading, aiming, firing and cleaning a gun occupied her mind. Her breathing was ragged as she struggled to pull the slide back on the gun.
A loud sigh escaped her lips as she succeeded, and she only grazed the trigger with her fingers. The loaded gun felt heavy in her hands, and she wondered if it soon would take a life.
Nicole, he is in the building farthest down, right hand side!
Her first instinct was to take out the ear pieces – he was shouting, and she wanted to make him stop. But she realized he couldn't help it. He was speaking with his mind, and with it, he was able to whisper, as well as shout.
"Farthest down, right hand side, thanks!" she shouted back, and stood.
She had no clue where to put the knife or the gun, but quickly made the decision to carefully stop it down her pants.
'It seems to be what they do in the movies anyways', she thought and looked outside the gate of the building. The earth shook as the behemoths fought and Nicole felt she was closer to becoming deaf with each gunshot. She gasped as she saw Optimus Prime falling atop the building, completely destroying it, all the while Ironhide did the best to keep the attention of Megatron.
If it wasn't for his sheer size, Ironhide could almost seem nimble and agile as he dodged, fired and swung his metallic limbs at his opponent. With ease, Ironhide grabbed a dysfunctional light pole and struck Megatron's face. The black enemy toppled backwards and landed hard on his back.
Nicole lost focus as she watched the battle, but reminded herself of what her purpose at this place was. She went in the direction that Ironhide had given her, dashing from building to building. As she was opposite the building where Ironhide claimed her ex-husband and mother hid, she felt vulnerable at the thought of crossing the open field. Absentmindedly, her hand reached for the gun lodged in her jeans for protection.
Suddenly, she heard a gunshot that was different from the ones Ironhide, Optimus Prime and Megatron fired. It didn't have a clear ring to it as if it was fired from the outside, but rather echoed ominously through a building.
'Mom!' she thought, and any need for protection that she had felt before, was long gone.
Nicole ran straight across the open space between the rows of buildings, and then stood next to the door, slightly opened. It seemed foolish to just burst in through the door, but she realized that she had little other opportunity.
Nicole, watch out!
She turned her head quickly and saw something coming towards her with great speed. With a gasp she went inside the building, and fell on her knees as the force of the nearby explosion knocked her over.
"Still falling before my feet, huh?"
Nicole recognized Tom's slimy voice, and looked up to face him. He had the usual charming, however false smile plastered upon his face. At the sight of him, Nicole felt the same old fear spreading within herself, and her heart began to pound hard to prove it. She struggled to find any words to reply, and he let out a laugh at her silence.
"And still at a loss for words when you see me?"
A tremble began to take over her body as she looked at him, and she hated every second of it. All of the confidence and reassurance Nicole had found in herself on this journey had vanished. But worst of all, it seemed he knew.
He calmly strode towards her with the same smile on his face.
"It is so nice to see you, my dear. It's been far too long," he said and stroked her cheek as he stood, "and your bruises have healed so nicely!"
He leaned in close, pushed his nose against her hair and inhaled sharply. Nicole still sat on her knees, frozen as he breathed, but quickly felt heat spreading across her cheek as Tom slapped her.
"They always looked nice on you," he seethed and slapped her again, "let's refresh them, shall we?"
Tom forced Nicole on her feet, and he began to circle around her, eyeing her as she stood.
"You are beautiful, even if your clothes are worn and dirty," he commented as he quietly inspected her, "but you seemed to have gained a little weight."
She felt him grabbing a hold of her stomach, squeezing a fold of skin gently, before clamping down on it hard. The pain caused Nicole to wince and take a small step back, but she felt Tom's harsh hands on her waist and bringing her close to him. As they stood face to face, Nicole felt herself fall into their old ways. His grabby and rough hands all over her trembling body, while she just stood as a deer caught in the headlights.
She felt weak and spineless, and she resented herself for it. Why was she doing this to herself all over? Where was her strength and will?
Nicole, remember what you are.
As if on cue, Ironhide spoke softly in her ear, but his breathing was ragged. She wanted to reply, but would rather have it stay unknown to Tom that she was in close contact with the robots fighting just outside. Nicole bit on her lip to remain quiet, and listened.
You are a soldier. Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather facing it and doing what must be done for the sake of yourself and your loved ones.
She wanted him to keep speaking. His voice was soothing and affirming that it was ok for her to be afraid. The element of this that was not acceptable, was to have the horrible history repeat itself. Her chest heaved with the large breath she took, before pulling the gun out of her jeans, and aiming it at Tom.
"Stop it!" she shouted, stepped back and hoped for some sort of reaction from him, but he stood perfectly still. His face was without expression, but she could tell from the way his chest rose and fell, that his wrath was growing. Her hands trembled as she held him at gunpoint.
"Nicole, what are you doing…" he seethed and stepped closer, but before he could get too close, Nicole pushed the tip of the gun under his chin.
"I'm standing up for myself," she replied and tried to keep her hands steady, "and where is my mom?"
Tom laughed in her face, but stopped as soon as Nicole proceeded to push the gun harder against the soft flesh. A smug smile remained on his face, though.
"You couldn't kill a fly, let alone a man," he spat, before eyeing Nicole and her waist, "I saw those the minute you walked in. I just didn't think you'd know how to use them."
"Do you want to find out?" Nicole replied and removed the safety. Tom's face remained void of emotion as she spoke.
He reacted faster than she had thought possible, and before she knew it, her gun was on the floor. She felt an arm across her throat, and she couldn't help but hold on to it desperately.
"And what did we just find out?" he sweetly asked, and hearing him gloat, made Nicole sick.
His other arm began moving towards her waist, and it felt slimy and sticky to the touch. She squirmed under the sensation of his gross fingers, but the arm at her throat just tightened.
"Stand still, let me feel you like I once did…" he mumbled as his hand worked itself inside her jeans.
But he didn't get much further. Before her fear could take over and leave her motionless, Nicole first stepped hard on Tom's left foot, and when he took a small step back, she struck.
Like a whirlwind, she managed to hit him hard in the groin and he fell to the floor in pain. A swift kick to his chest and Tom laid heaving after breath as well as his hands on his crotch.
Nicole ran towards the gun and kneeled down to pick it up, before continuing towards the stacked containers nearby. Her feet pounded on the concrete and everything was a colorful blur as she sped past containers of every color. She needed to find her mom, and fast, so she stopped running and listened.
It was dead quiet, and all Nicole heard was the sound of her own heavy breathing. No footsteps on the other side of the containers, no groans of pain from Tom.
"Ironhide, it's me, can you help me?" she pleaded and looked to her left and to her right in oncoming bursts of panic.
I'm a little occupied right now!
Again with the shouting, but she knew he didn't mean it, and he was fighting an evil alien robot, yet still managing to speak with her.
"I'm sorry to bother you right now, but is it possible for you to tell me where my mom is?"
A large explosion shook the ground and the containers surrounding Nicole trembled.
"Ironhide!" she called and felt ill as the link between them was quiet. The quiet seconds were agonizingly long.
I can't detect her precisely, but she is in there, maybe in one of those containers. I see someone else too, so be careful!
Nicole wanted to ensure his safety, but she saw a looming shadow coming from the left, and she sprung into a sprint.
"It's always so thrilling when you make me chase you!" Tom shouted as he calmly pursued Nicole down the passage, not even bothering to increase his pace. He was arrogantly confident that he would get her back.
Nicole tried to think fast as she attempted to distance herself from Tom, and she thought of how she would find her mother in this maze of containers. Countless ideas ran through her mind, but they all seemed impossible. She didn't have the time to go knocking on every container in sight, nor could she with Tom right on her ass.
Tom would have to show her willingly, and her mind worked fast to figure out a way. She doubted she would be able to outgun him.
It was a matter of outsmarting him.
I had made my decision, and I stopped running. It was more than just stopping to physically run from him as he chased me, but also to stop running from the past. A past that I couldn't deny we shared.
I expected to start shaking and trembling as I stopped, but I was unusually calm. This running had to stop, and I had confidence that I would be able to outsmart him.
"Aw, are we done with the chase already?" he whined, and my muscles tensed at his words.
I took a shaky breath and readied myself for the act.
Dramatically, I started to weep, and fell to my knees. I quickly took out my only link to Ironhide and stopped it down my pocket, and it was terrifying to know I wouldn't able to hear him if he spoke to me. I pushed the gun away from me and towards Tom, who calmly stopped it with his foot. He seemed confused at my tears, but as I heard him coming closer, it felt like I had returned to my old life.
His scared wife, trembling under his presence and ready to do whatever to receive his acceptance again. If it meant doing housework in humiliating attire, involuntary sex whenever he wanted or anything else he desired. I was happily obliging, because I didn't know better.
But now, I do, I fucking do, and he was oblivious to it.
I felt his hand stroking my hair the way he used to, and I could feel how he desired to lull me into this false safe reality and just take me home and return me where I belonged.
"I'm so sorry, Tom, please… take me home, I'm sorry I was ever disobedient. I love you so much…" I cried and looked up to him.
"Oh, honey…" he mumbled as he leaned down and placed little pecks on my cheeks. My tears were wiped away by his sudden signs of affections, but they disappeared rather suddenly too. I felt a hand around my neck and a sudden force beginning to drag me back. A raspy whine escaped my throat and an equally raspy reply came from him as he removed his hand.
"I'm sorry, but you've got to be punished, Nicole," he grabbed my hair and forced his tongue into my mouth before pulling away, "get on all fours, bitch."
With fresh tears running down my face, I obliged without hesitation. Tom put a blindfold over my eyes, and barked at me to go forward. With my vision gone, every gunshot was louder and every tremor was stronger. Tom had been unusually calm despite the whole robot ordeal, not including how he trembled when he stood next to the massive black robot. I wondered if he knew about the true appearance of his information dealer, but that was not the problem right now.
All I could focus on, was how he'd lead me to my mom.
