Chapter 3
Gylt

AN: Warning: sensitive material like mental illness, self-harm, and any mentionable is in this story.

Viewer discretion is still advised.

It had been days since Knock Out was unconscious and it took a while to explain to both Denny and Russell about his condition. Bumblebee love humans, he really does, but they can be annoying if you don't give them the right information they need, which in a sense they were doing right now. At least he was glad that he sent Grimlock and Strongarm to patrol since he couldn't find Sideswipe in the midst of the vintage shop.

"So, you're saying that this big, red and silver Sideswipe look-alike was your friend?"

"He's not just a friend, Russell." Bumblebee vented, feeling bitter taste in his mouth plate, "he's was...a family, a brother. We were really close."

Yes, Bumblebee mused to himself, they were very close, much closer than Optimus Prime and Ratchet and much closer than Orion Pax and Megatronous. It was funny to see how much their relationship had improved through time, but Bumblebee pushed that thought away, as he needed to focus on helping his friend to recover.

"So...what happened to the big guy? I never saw Fixit being so spooked by this." Oh, Denny, such a kind human.

"I think..." Bumblebee looked at Russell, debating if this information is worth mentioning, "this matter is best discussed when Russell is not here."

"What! Why?" The human child cried out, but Denny, understanding the situation held his son's shoulder. Bumblebee's at least glad at that, he's not good when it comes to talking serious subject with young children (There are things he doesn't tell Raf either when he was on field).

"Why don't you go on a field trip with Sideswipe for a while?" Denny convinced, "I'll tell you about it when you came back."

Accepting the advice, Russell ran off to find his supposedly guardian, calling for his name to go on a road trip. As Russell had disappeared along with the roar of engine (Bumblebee really need to keep a hold of this red teenager), the main vintage field was silent with only the leader and the father.

"So..." Denny cut in, "What happened to Fixit and the big guy in the back? 'Cause I have a feeling that this is something serious."

Bumblebee cycled and vented again to help ease his tension.

"Fixit is trying to...accept to the concept that Alchemore might've house mechs and femmes who're mentally ill and not just convicts like Thunderhoof and Steeljaw."

He saw Denny's eyes widen at that notion. He couldn't blame the human, he at first thought that they were all convicts that had done many terrible things, but Grimlock was enough proof that he wasn't arrested for doing high crimes; just property damage, but seeing Knock Out was more enough proof that there is more that Alchemore is hiding.

Now that Bumblebee had said that, he wondered if Steeljaw was arrested for something he hadn't done. Thunderhoof makes sense as a Mafia boss, but he was pretty sure that Maifa bosses don't stay in 'high security prison' unless it's a high crime.

Pushing that thought to his 'think later' area, he continued, "As for Knock Out..." he paused, "He's...in critical condition, both mentally and physically. I've never seen so many scars of self-harm in my life Denny. It's terrifying and it made me hurt even more that I didn't try enough to help him"

Denny didn't say anything, but he patted Bumblebee's leg armor to help him feel assured. Bumblebee felt thankful for that, as he knew that this information would probably rattle Russell's mind.

"We'll just have to try much harder then." Denny replied, "Try harder to help your old friend to understand that he's not alone in this world. He did the same with you right? You should do the same."

Bumblebee nodded his helm in thanks. Yes, he'll help Knock Out recover from his condition. But he was skeptic on how much trust Knock Out had on him; he failed his old friend for not trying hard enough and the guilt he had for not staying with his friend much longer still lingered.

He then felt guilty when his thoughts ran back to Terrashock and Filtch. Filth probably was Kleptomaniac when it comes to something shiny and she might've have limited education, based on her broken sentences that Denny had explained while he was alone. Terrashock must've been suffering from either panic attack or had Anxiety Disorder when they captured him. That thought made him angry with himself for being ignorant of their condition.

If only Jazz was here, he would've asked him to request them to provide a medical officer or psychologist to help their condition. Because arresting someone with medical issues, wasn't an excuse to send them to prison.

He'd love to bring Terrashock and Filtch out from their capsule to help with their condition, but they neither have experienced medical officer (other an Fixit) nor do they have psychologist to help with their condition. He felt his spark twisting at this thought, but he knew that he was making a right choice, as he wanted to help them one by one.

Right now, Knock Out is his top priority.