XII

"Mary…? Mary, are you still awake?"

Kyle sat up in the bed. The guest bed wasn't very big but it was enough. It was late in the night and yet Kyle couldn't sleep. He glanced over at Mary. She was snuggled into her blankets and pillows, sleeping soundly. Kyle sighed, looking around the dark room. After a moment, he got out of bed and changed out of his PJs. A walk might do him well.

The town was peaceful at night with no one about. The street lights kept the streets in that eerie light like in a black and white mystery film. He liked the feeling though it was awfully lonely. He smiled nonetheless, wondering about. All the stores seemed closed, lights off and closed signs out. It felt like the end of the world. It felt surprisingly wonderful. Kyle even wore a smile.

He perked, listening to the near silent noises in the night. It sounded like fight. Unnaturally, Kyle followed the noise, slightly driven by something to follow it to a source. Running down the road, he at last turned down as alley way where two people were in the middle of fighting. Two women to be specific. One woman wore mostly black and purple with hints of gold. The other was dressed mostly in blue and silver. Kyle looked around, unsure what to do. The woman dressed in black shoved the other off, slamming her into the wall. Kyle let out a small yelp, stepping back. This gained the woman's attention.

"A witness…can't have that…" she hissed, dropping the other.

She moved toward Kyle. He didn't move. He couldn't. Fear had struck him paralyzed. Air barely escaped his lungs. As the woman approached, his head began to pound, and he began to panic. He dug into his pockets, hoping for anything. He froze again. His keychain.

"Stop!" ordered Kyle, pulling the keychain out. He held it out, arm shaking.

The woman laughed. "Who do you think you are?"

"Run!" ordered the other woman.

Kyle glanced at the woman against the wall. He recognized her from earlier today with the group that had run him down. He couldn't think about it longer as the second woman rushed him, knocking him down and throwing him into the alley way. He felt a sharp pain in his shoulder as he slammed against the wall. The woman laughed again.

"Don't you know better than to challenge Airachnid," she laughed.

Kyle froze, eyes flickering red. Airachnid. An image flickered across his eyes. Eyes flickering, soon they stayed red. A twisted grin appeared on his lip. He stood up, tightening his grip on the keychain. It began to glow, growing to proper size. He spun it around then pointed it at Airachnid.

"I never did like you, Airachnid," smirked Kyle. "This is just a good excuse."

Airachnid perked, looking at Kyle cautiously. "Do I know you?"

"I'll answer that after I've knocked you out," hummed Kyle, lunging.

"Knock Out?" gasped Airachnid, dodging Kyle's first attack.

Kyle quickly moved his arm swiftly, hitting Airachnid in the side. She collapsed to the ground. She hissed, kicking him in the leg. He stumbled, but kept his balance. Airachnid leapt up, shoving him into the nearest wall. He kicked her swiftly but wasn't enough to knock her away.

"Knock Out, we're on the same team," she whispered.

"I really don't care," he hummed, shoving her down.

He took up his weapon, aiming to strike straight in the chest and finish the fight. The other woman sat in wait, expecting the worse from the fighting two. Weapon raised, he prepared to lower it quickly. Halfway, he stopped, screaming. The weapon fell from his hand as he stumbled back.

"No! I won't!" shouted Kyle, holding onto his head. "Get out of my head!"

"Ha! You haven't broken completely free Knock Out," Airachnid cackled, kicking Kyle over. "That human half of you still clings to life. Let me take care of it for you."

She leaned in, cutting his cheek with her nail. Something fired from behind. They both turned back, watching the other woman. She pointed her gun at them now. Airachnid glanced between Kyle and the girl. She shook her head.

"Isn't worth it," she hissed, walking away. "Enjoy your human, Arcee…"

Kyle watched as Arcee stared at Airachnid. The other was soon gone. Arcee shook her head, groaning. She slid her gun back into hiding, glancing at Kyle. He sat up, rubbing his cheek. The blood remained on his hand.

"What…what happened?" he whispered.

"You saved my life, I guess," she shrugged, turning to him. "Who are you?"

"Kyle."

"No…Who are you?"

"I don't know what you want me to say…"

"She called you Knock Out…are you a Decepticon?" howled Arcee.

"Don't call me that…" whispered Kyle, turning away.

"What?"

"Don't call me that!?" shouted Kyle, glaring at her. "I don't want to be this 'Knock Out." I don't want to be a Decepticon!"

"What do you want to be?" argued Arcee.

Kyle paused, looking around. "I…I want to be human."

Arcee rolled her eyes, marching away. She stopped at the end of the alley, glancing back at Kyle. She looked almost sorrowful. Kyle slowly got to his feet, stumbling toward her. She shook her head, turning away. Kyle stopped, watching her.

"You're a Decepticon…I don't know if I can trust you," sighed Arcee.

"I don't want to be a Decepticon," pleaded Kyle. "What are you? Can't a join your team or something?"

"I'm an Autobot," Arcee smiled. "I still don't know."

"Please," begging Kyle, stumbling forward.

"I'll look into it," she nodded, disappearing.

"Please!" Kyle called, chasing after her. He fell at the entrance of the alley. "I just want to be with Mary…I love her. I don't want to lose her…I don't…I don't want to lose her…"