Okay, I want to apologize for taking so long with this chapter. I had an english project, spring break, and had a little bit of trouble putting this chapter together so sorry if this one is a little rocky at the beginning.
Thanks to the reviews I am eternally grateful for; JessieBWriting, AutobotCopperShow, SapphireSpark, Graceful-But-Forgetful-Writer, The Silvernote, xVentressx, Bee4ever, lizy2000, I Love Fairytale Endings, CastieLunaWinchester, Xarine, ehluvr3, Lunarburst23, Sigma, Guest (Oh don't worry, we haven't gotten to the part yet. They were a little preoccupied wiith embracing and reuniting with Charlie to actually regard the enviornment around them.) HTTYDTF For Life, Wicken25, KittyKat25 (I will try to work on that! But definitely months has passed since she's seen her family, I want to say around five.), and Harlie Ishmael!
Okay, now onto the story!
Chapter Twenty-Eight: Nadir
(Charlie's POV)
"Are you sure you don't want to ride with us?" My mother asked.
I shook my head, "I'll be fine."
"Where's Santiago's ride anyway?" Colton spoke up, his eyes glancing around the parking lot.
"Um," I hesitated for a moment, knowing what was going to come next, "That yellow Lambo."
When Colton's eyes landed on it, they widened to the size of saucers, and a similar facial expression crossed my mother's face.
"Absolutely not!"
Colton, ignored my mother's protest, "A Lamborghini?! A freaking Lamborghini!? That was your ride?! You didn't tell us your guy-friend was loaded!"
I sighed, "No, Colton. You can't ride with us."
All of his excitement quickly faded to disappointment, "What? Why not?"
I nervously ran my hand through my tangled hair, "He just has...issues with meeting new people. He just needs time to adjust, that's all."
Colton's eyebrows scrunched together, and frowned, "Is it because I tried to take a swing at him?"
I snorted, "Well, that's part of it."
His dejected frown didn't let up, and I sighed, bringing up to squeeze his shoulder comfortingly. It took a lt of coaxing, but fifeteen minutes later, I had both my mother and brother back in the 4Runner. I was walking back to the no doubt furious golden twin when a thought had struck me, something that I hadn't even noticed before.
Where's Dad?
He wasn't in the car...could he have been at the convenience store? The instantaneous urge to see him swelled in my chest, and my heart fluttered at the thought of being wrapped up in his arms again.
I turned around, about to make a bee-line for the convenience store, but the collar of my shirt was pulled harshly, and I staggered backwards, nearly tripping over my own feet. My back was slammed sternly into one of the gas station meters, and I hissed at the small burst of pain that raced up my spine.
"What the frag is wrong with you?!" Sunstreaker snarled, his normally cobalt blue eyes were so dark with fury that they looked purple. His hands were still in tight fists, and static laced the edges of his voice, "We don't have time to be taking all these slagging detours! "
I scowled, "They're not a 'detour', Sunstreaker. They're my family, and I haven't seen them in five months. You can handle one night."
"I can only barely tolerate you," He snarled, and the golden Lamborghini emitted a low, dangerous growl, "What makes you think I'll tolerate being around more of you?"
Okay, that one hurt.
It left a bitter feeling inside me, and my gazed switched to the ground. The reaction to his furious words had tears swelling up in my eyes, and they momentarily blurred my vision. But with a quick few blinks, and a harsh wipe, they were gone. I still refused to meet his burning gaze.
"Okay, fine. Go ahead and leave...but just know, if you do, this would've been all for nothing." I said slowly, trying to keep my voice neutral.
Sunstreaker's eyes narrowed, "What are you ta-"
"Saving me!" I interrupted fiercely, "Hiding me, wrapping up my wounds, and taking care of me! You said it was all for Sideswipe, so that he wouldn't be devastated and miserable! You went through all this trouble for me, but in the end leave me at a gas station the moment the circumstances change! I know how bad you want to see your brother, trust me, I do! He's your only family, as far as I'm concerned. You love him and you'll do anything to protect him and anything to be with him...don't you think I feel the same way about my family?"
My voice was so soft by the time I was done ranting that it was barely over a whisper. But I knew Sunstreaker heard every word I said, so I didn't care. His gaze wasn't on me either. His arms were crossed, and he was glaring circles into the ground.
I scoffed, shaking my head to myself, "What am I even saying? Of course you don't care. You hate humans, me especially. How could I forget that? You drill it in to me every time I try to be friendly or caring to you. My mistake."
The tense silence in the air was so thick that it was almost suffocating. But I stood my ground, my arms crossed as I stared at Sunstreaker. By the look on his troubled face, I could tell he was having a heated internal argument. The silence went on, and I apprehensively shifted my weight from one leg to the other.
Finally, the terse silence was broken.
"Fine." Sunstreaker uttered. It was said without any hints of malice or irritation, and I was a little wary.
"You sure?" I asked, raising an eyebrow, "I'm not trying to slow you down or stop you from finding Sideswipe. You don't have to stay."
"I am staying. Don't make me reconsider it." He said firmly.
I couldn't help the small smile that curved the edges of my lips. I don't know whay I was so happy that he was staying, "I won't."
Giving an exasperated sigh, his holoform disintegrated, leaving those shimmering blue sparks in his wake. I stared at them for a moment, enticed by their iridescence, before I finally walked over to the Lambo. The door flew open automatically, and I slipped inside. As soon as I was buckled, his powerful engine roared to life, and he followed behind my mother's car.
"Alright, somebody's gonna tell me what the slag just happened, since someone over here locked me in his alt mode!" Quickshift grumbled loudly, from the driver's seat. He climbed over into my lap and looked up at me expectantly with those wide, silver eyes.
"Sorry Peanut," I teased softly, "There are too many humans out, and you can't be exposed."
The red minibot pouted, "Doesn't mean ya got ta leave me trapped with dark and broody."
Sunstreaker's engine growled.
"I can still squish you, you little runt." His voice crackled over the dashboard.
Quickshift actually ignored the larger transformer, and instead focused on me with his arms on his hips, "So...ya gonna tell me what happened?"
I smiled down at him, petting the top of his head affectionately, "We reached an understanding."
His engine gave an indignant rev.
"...Of some sorts."
A few hours later, we arrived at a hotel I assumed my mom and Colton were staying at. Quickshift wasn't very excited about having to stay in Sunstreaker while we rest, but a promise to play hide and seek with him later had him satisfied. I was surprised when Sunstreaker's holoform materialized and stepped out of the driver's seat. His sapphire eyes scrutinized the small building as my family climbed out of the 4Runner.
"You're coming in?" I asked, not at all hiding the disbelief in my voice.
He gave a curt nod, and crossed his arms when he was done scrutinizing our environment. I couldn't help but smile at the way his lips pursed in a small pout. It was actually kind of...cute. Hiding my smile, I waved Quickshift goodbye before following my mother and brother through the sliding double doors and into the lobby. It was definitely a contrast from the dim, cluttered warehouse.
Classical music wafted in the background, and the hardwood floors were so glossy I could see my reflection. My mother gave the concierge a friendly greeting before we followed her up the elevator to the second floor. The hallways were brilliantly lit, with beige wallpaper and a scarlet carpet. People walked down the halls, and I wasn't oblivious to the questionable looks they sent me.
I probably looked like I wrestled with an alligator, crawled out of a sewer, and jumped into a dirt pile. I was paler than snow, scars and bruises littered my arms, and I wasn't even going to get started on the appearance of my hair. Looks didn't matter when I was running from Decepticons like hell, or I was trying to avoid getting squished or shot at.
I should be relieved I was around humans again, but instead of feeling welcomed, I felt like an outcast. It was becoming clear as we reached the door that I didn't even want to be here. Sure, I wanted to stay with my family for at least one more night, but something deep inside my chest was longing to go somewhere else.
To be somewhere else, with someone else.
I didn't belong here, and the realization hit me like a punch to the face.
I don't belong here...
The door swung open, and My mother set her keys on the counter. Colton walked immediately to the couch and flipped on the TV. Sunstreaker and I awkwardly hung back by the door.
"Sorry it's so cluttered in here. Obviously, we were not expecting company." Mom said with a sheepish smile.
"How long have you been here?" I asked, letting my gaze drift across the small room. The main room was divided between a living room and kitchen, and the two doors on either sides suggests that was where the bedrooms were.
"Almost a month now."
My eyes widened, and I whirled around, "What?!"
"Yes," She said, shaking her head with a sad sigh, "Our part of the town wasn't too destroyed in the...terrorist attack, but they had us evacuated. At least, until the damaged places were repaired."
"So you've been living here ever since?" I couldn't help the guilt that washed over me. I really hoped my family would've been left out of the aftermath, but I guess seeing them here living and breathing was enough for now. Suddenly, the thought that had slipped from my mind returned.
He wasn't at the convenient store. Was he here?
I wandered into the kitchen part, as she quickly grabbed all the spices needed. She set up the crockpot, and took out the frozen meat.
"Charlie, could you take out the pitcher of lemonade? It's in the fridge."
I loved it when my mother cooked. She was always so in her element when she was did, it was familiar and content swelled in my chest for a moment. It was so easy to forget about all the chaos around us when I was with my mother, and I'm sure it was the same for others. She just had that natural effect on people that made them feel nice and safe. I wish I could give that effect.
She hummed softly, and I tent down to retrieve the glass pitcher. As content as I was in this moment, there was still a question on my mind. Colton was staring at the screen and mom was cooking, which was normal things they did...but couldn't they tell what was missing? Where was he?
"Mom," I finally said, closing the fridge.
"Yes, sweetheart?" She asked in that gentle, soft voice.
"...Where's Dad?"
In that moment, whatever content, kind of peace that we were in had shattered, and replaced it was silence so thick that it became hard to breath. Colton's head swung towards us, shock and then resigned grief flashed in his eyes. My mother on the other hand had completely froze in chopping the potatoes. Dread pooled in the pits of my stomach, and I immediately knew something was wrong.
My gaze hardened, "What mom? What happened to him?"
My mind was racing with a milling questions. Did he get hurt? Is he okay? Is he resting? What was going on?
"What happened?!" I snapped, nearly losing my grip on the pitcher.
My mother flinched, before turning around slowly. Her eyes were red and tears were already forming. The look on her face said it all, and it was in that moment, that my heart felt like it was torn right out of my chest.
"No..."
The glass shattered into a million pieces, and even Sunstreaker flinched. My mind just kept racing, denial clouded my judgement.
"He was in Kennewick that day," My mother's voice was so soft it was barely a whisper, "On a business meeting."
"No!" I yelled, tears already formed in the corner of my eyes. I shook my head, "No, No!"
"He d-didn't come back home that night. Or the night after that."
"No!" I said, backing away from her and the tiny shards of glass. This couldn't be true!
"W-We got a call, Charlie," Her lips quivered, "Th-They found his body in the wr-wreckage." She sniffled hard, her cheeks blotchy, "There was nothing we could do...he was gone."
A tear rolled down my cheek. My chest felt like it was constricting in on itself, and I couldn't breathe. I wheezed, trying to catch my breath as my frantic heart pounded in my ears.
"I'm so sorry Charlie." She whimpered.
That's what killed me. It was like an explosion of emotions erupted within me, images of my dad flashed across my mind, and the horrible battle. All that damage...all those dead bodies. My dad was one of them.
I ran, faster than I've ever ran in my life. I swung the door opened, ignoring the calls of my name as I raced down to hall.
"Charlie!" I heard my mother call out, but it was too late.
I was already too far gone, the gruesome images kept flashing up inside my head. The tears ran rampart down my face and blurred my vision slightly, but I didn't even take a pause to wipe them. I just kept running, until my calves began to ache and my lungs burned for air. I collapsed somewhere, in a quiet little garden that was a little ways off from the entrance, not even caring about the perplexed looks thrown my way.
My dad...he's gone.
Then the sobs came, and it shook me to my core. White, burning hot agony was inside me, and I couldn't stop crying. My mind took me back to the last time that I had seen my dad and had a moment with him. It brought me back to that fateful night, when the moon was large in the sky and I was in the garage, drawing Autobot symbols on a sketchpad.
His soothing voice, his caring touch.
The agony was almost too much to bear, and I doubled over again, sobbing and screaming into the night sky. I had felt so many things at once. Grief, anger, frustration, and helplessness. I had tried so hard, to keep the ones that I loved safe. I stayed away, I didn't want them to be involved, and then this happens. And then they go and kill the person I was the most closest to on the planet.
It was my fault. I brought this all on my family.
I failed him.
I cried for what felt likes hours, wrapping my knees to my chest and shaking myself back and forth. Every time a memory of him came to mind, it was like another dagger to the heart. My shaky hands wiped away as much tears as possible, my cheeks were wet and felt cold against the icy wind. My lips were cracked and tasted bitter, along with the feeling inside of me.
He's gone...forever.
I sobbed all over again.
Time seemed to be a meaningless blur as I sat there and grieved in the quiet garden. By the times the sobs faded into quiet whimpers and harsh sniffles, the moon was out and casting it's pale glow on everything around me. But my head was in-between my knees, and I was shaking, sniveling, wailing mess.
I tensed at the sound of footsteps, and fell quiet.
The footsteps seemed reluctant for a moment, before they continued and walked straight towards me. The agonizingly slow steps seemed to irritate me, and this time my hands shook in anger, as I whipped around and prepared to snap at them. But whatever vicious remark died in my throat at the sight of Sunstreaker's holoform, who's eyes glowed like sapphire gems in the night.
I just turned away from him, and rested my head on top of my hands, "Leave me alone."
He didn't respond, but he didn't leave either.
He took another step closer.
"I said leave me alone!" I snapped angrily, and Sunstreaker paused. I gave him the iciest, most threatening glare I could muster, expecting to be met with a glare of equal hostility.
Instead, his mouth was in a firm line, and a troubled look crossed his face. He was having another internal battle about something, I could tell from his scrunched up eyebrows. I just sighed, turning around again.
There was a long silence, before it was interrupted.
"I am...sorry for your loss." He mumbled quietly.
My gaze swung back to him. He looked just as surprised as I felt that the words came out of his mouth. It was so strange, seeing Sunstreaker so uneasy and at a loss for words. But why would he act like this?
"You don't have to act like you care." I said, a little more coldly than I intended to.
"Primus femme," He suddenly growled in frustration, "Can't you see I'm trying to do for you?"
My gaze hardened, and I scoffed, "I don't want your pity or sympathy. It's not worth it because you don't care! You never did, you were such an asshole on base, and the only reason I let you push me around was because I was scared! But I can assure you I'm not that same, scared little girl anymore, and I sure as hell won't let you push me around or castigate me! I'm grieving, and right now I really don't feel like begin bothered. So why don't you just leave. Me. Alone!" By now, I was standing right next to him. Our heated gazes locked on each other; one a burning blue and the other a hard hazel.
It was the anguish from his death that had me riled up, I know, but I couldn't care less. I had to take it out on someone, even if it meant I might get squished in the end. feeling even bolder, I gave him a harsh shove to the chest. Instead of staggering like I wanted him to, he snatched my hands in one wrist. He glared hard at me, and every muscle tightened in my body.
But then, I really got a look at him. The moonlight highlighted his although angry, very handsome features. His shape cheek bones, curly blonde hair, and glittering blue eyes that was filled with so much emotion. He looked a lot like Sideswipe, and yet different. He was much more mature looking, and suddenly my thought process did a one-eighty on me.
I just wanted to feel something, anything other than the pain. The suffocating, aching pain that weighed down on my chest.
And without another thought, I leaned in, and our lips touched.
Hoped worth it! I've got butterflies and I don't even know why lol! And of course, there's Charlie over there with her wacky emotions. Can't wait to hear your reviews ;)
