Saturday was the third day of my journey and unfortunately, I ended up having to deal with more people. It seemed my vacation away from society was to be interrupted, as a lack of clean clothing necessitated a stop to the laundromat. Finding a relatively large town, I easily found the right building by the large sign and wondered how well this was going to work. I'd never been in a place like this before. After I parked and hid the cylinder with a reassurance to the orbs, I hesitated. Upon entering I had to ask someone on how to use the machines. It wasn't my fault I'd always done laundry at home.

A friendly woman in a teal shirt had no problem explaining what to do and how to pay to use the machines. Thanking her I turned to find a seat. The employee made a quiet remark as I warily watched the other people around us.

"Ma'am, if you want to call someone we have a phone. There's some numbers too..." The raven-haired female's soft voice trailed off as I stared at her. I had a phone. Why would I need hers? What numbers was she talking about?

Finally I spoke, "I'm afraid I don't understand. Could you elaborate?" Manners dictated I remain polite, even if I had no idea what she was talking about.

A blink, "There's several numbers by the phone, hotlines for abuse." The other female shifted uncomfortable and gestured at her cheek. Oh.

It clicked. There was a fading bruise on my cheek that would probably disappear in a day. I had a slight limp in my right ankle (driving constantly was not kind to that muscle), and I knew I looked a little worse for wear with my exhausted appearance. But I'm not that disheveled, I internally huffed. My hair was in a neat braid. It's not like I had blood dripping off me or something. Ah well. This woman was trying to be nice.

Sighing on the inside, I remained calm and didn't offend over her offer, "Your concern is appreciated. I fell." I really had fallen. On old cracked blacktop and with a frickin' dog in my face.

This did nothing but fluster the already concerned employee, "That's what everyone says as an excuse but really..."

I cut her off, rude of me, I know, "I fell. Trust me. I am not in an abusive relationship or being abused." Barely refraining from adding what would happen if anyone even dared to try that with me, I stared at her. With a straightened posture, I tried to show just how serious I was and waited patiently.

Instead of soothing her, it seemed to have a different effect. After a few second of our staring contest her slightly widened eyes flickered away and then back but refused to firmly meet mine. The woman's mouth closed with a final snap, her determination to continue arguing having left. She nervously gave an excuse and backed off to resume her work. Frowning, I internally sighed. Why did this happen? Every time I gave someone my serious face they seemed to think I was glaring. I wasn't glaring. If I had been, she would have known. Urgh. I hate it when this happens.

Still grumbling to myself, I returned to the truck to wait for the end of the washing cycle. At least it was warm today. Sitting on the cushioned seats in the back of the truck, I thought that maybe I should have brought my ipod after all. There was nothing to do right now, and I was always doing something. Unless I was relaxing and listening to music. But the radio sucked, which meant nothing to do. Keeping watch on the passing traffic, I turned on my phone to check the time and found a whole lot of messages. Great. How many times had Dad called me? Was it too much to ask to just be left alone for awhile? I'd told him I would be fine in the note. Rubbing my knuckles up and down the container next to me, I stared out the window. Sunlight streamed down on me and warmed my unusual jacket-less state. This was pretty nice weather for Autumn.

Before I could return my phone to being off and out of sight, the cursed device started ringing. I frowned when I saw the number. Why was he calling me now of all times? We had talked just three weeks ago.

A deep breath of pine scented air and then I hit the answer button, "Hello. Shay speaking."

"Shay? About time! Do you know how many times I've tried to call you in the last few days?!" A huffy but warm male voice sounded through the speaker. After rolling my eyes I responded dryly.

"My phone has been off." I shifted to get more comfortable and watched the little lights spin around in tandem. Did he have to try to contact me now? When I was actually busy with something?

"Yeah, I noticed. Listen, I had an idea and thought it would help you out." Smug satisfaction and excitement obvious even with all the distance between us.

"Help me with what Andrew?" I replied with my usual patience. This guy had known me for quite a few years but still never cut to the chase like I asked. And he knew I was usually too polite to berate him about it. I suppose the saying about good friends and knowing the best way to annoy you is true.

A snort, "To get you out of the house. I know that place has been driving you crazy. Leann's been saying you need to get a change of scenery, and I agree."

"I'm not in the house right now." Could his brilliant idea, whatever it was, wait until later? I shifted again and kept an eye on a couple walking past the truck. Why yes, I am mildly paranoid. Not as much as some people but still. Blame my upbringing.

"Yeah. I know that. Everybody knows you're not." The way he said it was odd. A funny feeling settled in my chest, the kind you get just as you realize something is really really not right. What the hell was he talking about?

"What do you mean, 'everybody knows?" My voice dropped in pitch and could have cut ice.

Andrew huffed through the phone, creating the slightest bit of buzzing static, "Dude, you're missing. Your Dad called the other day, and so did the police. They were asking if you were with me and Cassidy." My first reaction was for my body to freeze in surprise. Resisting the urge to bolt at this sudden news, I pulled myself into the front seat and scanned the area with sharp eyes.

"Everybody's been looking for you. I did say police, right?" Now my old friend sounded a bit worried, his normally tenor voice containing the slightest strains of a whine.

Dread and frustration reached out and hung heavily on my heart like anchors, "I left a note." A quiet hiss slipped through my lips.

"Well Darian didn't mention that." Ignoring the annoyance coloring his tone, I pinched the bridge of my nose. Why Dad, why? Could I really never do anything without you butting in? Another scan, this one for cop cars. I did not have time for this. I really didn't. I was busy, damnit.

"So...what are you doing? Everybody's saying you just up and left."

"Well, I'm getting really tired of this 'everybody' and this 'everybody' needs to mind their own business." Silence on the other end to my flat and curt retort, " Not you Andrew. I meant the gossip mongers in town. And Dad." I do not yell at friends for being curious. Only when they did something unbelievably stupid and sometimes not even then. Usually I just told them they were idiots and left it at that.

He sighed. I could imagine him sitting somewhere, most likely his kitchen, flipping a pen or pencil through his fingers. If Cassidy was there, then she'd be rolling her eyes and miming something funny. It always made us crack a smile when we'd be on the phone and the red-head started acting out whatever it was that we were saying.

"'Kay, do I want to know what you're doing?"

"It is important."

He was mouthing expletives now, I just knew it, "Alright. Alright. I'll leave you to whatever is is that's going on. Suppose it's good you're outta the house."

"What was that idea of yours anyway?" I questioned as I leaned back and closed my eyes against the light reflective vehicles around me. If I could just relax for a few minutes. And get some more sleep.

Andrew sounded much happier now, "So, back to you getting outta town. There's an apartment near mine and Cassidy's and the price is good. So I'm pretty sure you can afford it."

"I don't own a vehicle. Technically, I stole Dads." I reminded him, still with closed eyes.

"Yeah, ah-huh. But see, that the beauty of Greensboro. You can take a cab to work."

"If I find work there." An emotionless mumble. But he was used to my less than enthusiastic replies in our conversations.

My friend chuckled, "But you haven't let me finish! I found some people, they own a fitness center that teaches self-defense on the side. And it's got a big gym, pretty decent sized place. Anyways, there's a group of friends that try to keep it going but only two of them actually work there 'cause the others got work elsewhere and they need another person. They're looking to hire. I know for a fact it pays better than the pawn shop." Grrrrrr. He knew the self-defense classes would catch my attention.

"I respect Donna, Andrew." My reply was a bit sharp and I regretted it almost immediately. He was only trying to help, and here I was snipping at him. Damnit, be nice Shay. You know how to act better.

My friend quickly became apologetic, "Hey, nothing against her. I like Donna too. But this will be good for you."

I 'hmmm'ed quietly, "You know these guys well?"

"One's in some of my university classes and I met with the other guys. They're alright. A bit on the tough side and they do some legal ring fighting but good all the same."

"I don't do gangs." Steel edged into my tone as I opened my eyes and pulled the cylinder closer. No, I wasn't looking for comfort. It was just better if it was closer to me. You know, in case something happened. Seriously.

"No. No. No. Not a gang, I swear. Just a group of friends who all try to run a fitness center. I know you're into sparring and all that, and there's no place to learn in Jade Creek, so I figured you'd be interested. Also, there's a huuuuuuuge wooded park nearby and the apartment is pretty close. All of it's just on the edge of town, so you won't be right in the middle of the city. And you can make new friends!" Andrew sounded so happy about it. Inside, it stung a little that I wasn't as excited about the proposition as he. Why was it so hard for me to care sometimes? This actually sounded good! Why couldn't I work up the energy to at least try it out?

A sigh, "You know what happened the last time I tried to make friends." It had ended with someone getting a broken bone and I had been the one doing the breaking.

Silence once again from the other end of the receiver and then, "Just give it a chance. You're going crazy at home. You're life can't get any better until you change something."

With that out of character guru advice from him, my shoulders slumped, "...Okay...Thank you, Andrew. I don't appreciate you guys enough. I wonder why you all are still friends with me."

I really did. Barely seeing them and rarely communicating wasn't a good habit. Even when we all lived in Jade Creek, I didn't go out to see them as often as most people see their friends. And my usual expressionless or grouchy state wasn't exactly welcoming. They were always the ones to call me. Why did they still try? This question had been haunting me for quite some time and I still hadn't found the answer.

"Because we're friends Shay. Friends don't just leave friends, even if one is a gargoyle hermit." He started snickering again.

"Gargoyle...Hermit...?" My head jerked up from were I'd laid it on the cargo.

"Sure. You're a stony gargoyle 'cause you don't react much, and you're a hermit. We love you anyways because we know deep down you care." I could hear the fake condescending tone in his voice through the phone. Oi. Friends.

"Tell your wife I said hi. Thanks for calling Andrew." I shook my head and rolled my eyes.

"Bye Shay. Good luck running from the police."

What.

"Hey! I'm not running. I didn't do anything or break any laws..."

He cut off my rant with a chuckle, "Yeah, but they're looking for you and you're going to avoid them, aren't you? Bye Shay." Full blown cackling went through the line as he hung up and left me with a retort dying on my lips. Idiot, I huffed internally. Urgh. Turning the phone off for good this time and tossing it in my bag, it occurred to me to be thankful that he'd warned me about the police...Holy freakin' shit I'm avoiding the law oh crap this is bad shit shit shit!

The weight of the situation settled even more heavily on my shoulders. My head thunked back onto the container as I groaned, lungs rapidly sucking in air as I tried to control my sudden heavy breathing. Avoiding the law was serious. I couldn't just call them and say, 'hey. I'm not missing. Stop trying to find me.' I was pretty sure they'd want me to come in to prove I wasn't kidnapped or something. I didn't have time for it. These little lights had to get home as soon as possible, as I had no idea on how to take care of them. Honestly, I was lucky I hadn't done anything wrong yet. I owed that yellow one. He said to keep them safe.

"Damndamndamn," I muttered, watching the glow dance and reflect across the metal edges as the orbs spun slowly.

I could call and try to explain and see if that would work. Or, I could continue on and save time. It would be less likely of the Decepticons finding out about these guys anyways. Who knew if they were following me? It would be easier and safer for me to do this on my own.

Another groan, "I'm avoiding the police. This sucks." There was no going back from this. I almost always did the right thing and followed the rules. But the situation called for a different action. Life just had to make this difficult, didn't it?

"Are you sure the signal is moving?" Red optics watched the darkly colored cybertronian with a severe gaze.

"Affirmative. Two signals of low strength. Direction of movement: West." droned an empty and metallic voice from not three feet away, at the elbows of the gray behemoth. The glare deepened as the optical sensors lit up, casting darker shadows across the cruel planes of the face. Providing the wrong information to your lord and master resulted in punishment. Harsh punishment.

Turning sharply away from the lit monitors to settle himself lazily on his throne, the leader of the Decepticons stared into space thinking. Around him, the other crimson eyed soldiers kept half their attention on their work and half on their master, in case he suddenly did something drastic. It wouldn't be the first time and it payed with your life to be cautious. In the dank and dim throne room, Megatron suddenly spoke, throwing out harsh words into the oppressive citadel.

"The Autobots are not stupid enough to turn the cloaking sensors attached to their spark chambers off." It wasn't a question and silence echoed around the room as no one answered. Who would want to speak up? The only sounds were distant clangs and creaks of machinery and metal while sharp clawed digits tapped keys.

"Soundwave. Find out who is the cause of those spark signals and bring them to me." He ordered in a supreme tone as the tape recorder gave a short bow with a 'yes lord megatron'. "And when Starscream is finished in his lab, have him take the pulse cannons to the mountains. This plan will take time and I am not a patient mech."

The warlord lounged back onto his chair as his chief Communications Officer left the shadowy room to fulfill his tasks. The distant sounds of talking and rough laughter did nothing to help the violent quiet that submerged the base as the doors opened and closed. A cruel smile graced the Decepticon's features as he plotted his conquest and rule. The Autobots would die. Even if he had to pick them off one by one.

The Autobots would fall, but most especially, the Prime.

Perhaps to make up for the rough morning and noon, the rest of the day was surprisingly peaceful. Still heading West, we made good time and only had one mishap. I'd taken a wrong turn and ended up going down an old dirt road with trees lining the right side and a cornfield on the left.

I stopped to check my map again and noticed two little girls peering out from the stalks. Both had dirty-blonde hair and wore no shoes. I frowned thinking it wasn't quite warm enough but they just giggled when they caught me looking at them. The taller of the two shoved her hands in the pockets of her overalls while staring at me with hazel eyes. While I was terrible with age, I guessed them to be eleven and maybe thirteen. Stalks rustled as the shorter blue-eyed munchkin started a hop-scotch game in and out of the tall plants.

A quick question and they easily told me how to get back to the main road. I gave them an apple (the last bit of fruit I had with me) and suddenly found myself getting hugged by the children. Just as quickly, they dashed back into the cornfield laughing. I called after them to be careful approaching strangers but got no response save for some giggles.

Smiling slightly, I climbed back into the old truck and started off, wondering if they were manitou. A nice thought to save for later. The day quickly shifted to night and before I knew it Sunday morning arrived over my head bright and chilly.

"You guys are jumpy today." I spoke out loud for the first time in hours as my fingertips brushed against the glass. For the last hour Mischief had been bouncing around like a maniac and was driving Sullen nuts. A quick question from me and a tingly feeling swept through my insides. Mischief was bored. And to a smaller extent, so was Sullen. Although he seemed more annoyed at his friend at the moment. And yes, I had decided they were male. Why? Because. They just seemed male and I wasn't even sure if they had genders.

I frowned in thought. How do you keep little glowy lights from being bored? They seemed a bit like little kids, as impatient and hyperactive as they were. Although that was another unfair assumption. How was I even supposed to tell their ages? No one gave me instructions for this.

Not knowing how to help, I pushed out an apology and a vague thought akin to a shrug. At least it seemed easier to tell how they were feeling now. With each emotion sent back and forth, it was clearer to understand. That was considered good in my book. Although distracting, I thought, as I pulled my right hand back to the steering wheel and kept a sharp eye on the crazy drivers ahead of me. At least all the practice made me a better driver. Not that it helped when there was tons of traffic.

My food was officially all gone. Taking a rest in the little city we had found ourselves in had gotten higher on my priority list along with stocking up on more food. Sharp rumblings in my midsection outweighed the objections from my head that muttered about using saved money. But food won, as it usually did. Especially warm food.

How to lure out a wild Shay: tempt with hot food and a comfy bed. Oh man, I needed more sleep.

Parking by some buildings set in a curve, I entered the bakery and stood in line before making a large order. Returning and settling in again to wait, I thumbed the cylinder and got a pang of frustration and worry. A wince found it's way across my face. It seemed these guys had taken to getting upset if I wasn't nearby. Don't ask how they knew when I was near them or not, I don't know. But the situation was concerning. I'd only been out of the vehicle ten minutes.

With a sigh, I hugged the container tightly. My arms wrapped around the metal and glass as I sent as much reassurance as I could muster. Silly little lights seemed to think I'd just leave them.

"I'm not going anywhere, I swear. You will be okay." My murmuring was interrupted.

"Hey lady. Pretty thing ya got there. What is it?"

I startled and looked up to find a young man nearby. Seventeen or eighteen, he stood watching my cargo with a curious look. My window was down because the day had warmed a bit and this gave him a clear view of what I was holding. Behind him, two guys of only slightly older age were goofing off and sauntered over with an easy swagger. The oldest with the hat set an elbow on the youngest's shoulder. My eyes narrowed. I did not like three to one odds.

"Nothing to concern you." My lips curled up the barest bit as I used my stone voice, devoid of inflections.

The second young man appeared upset with a pout sliding over his features, "Hey, we're just curious."

He tipped his orange baseball cap over sparkling green eyes. Their stance set my inner alarms off. I slowly pushed the cylinder down were it couldn't be seen and pulled the knife from my jacket. The stone mask turned to ice, silently promising pain.

"Leave."

The youngest tipped back on his heels while the third one with torn up shoes merely raised an eyebrow. A snarl rumbled it's way out of my throat and I leaned a little ways out of the opening in the vehicle to point my blade. They backed up a bit more, although Baseball cap snorted.

"Feral bitch. We were just looking." They turned, walking off and around the corner while I rolled my window up and stashed the knife back into the pocket of my light jacket. Feral bitch I could do, as long as they weren't here. Although it wasn't very mature of me to growl, was it? It was nothing personal and they hadn't done anything wrong. But I didn't want anyone to mess with these spheres and they could have been a threat. Even if they were just curious.

Watching the outside world like a hawk, I made sure the doors were locked and sat in the back, hugging the container. Feelings of determination and possessiveness sprung from me. They were mine to protect.

Outside the sky turned toward hazy oranges and purples as the sun sank lower. Soon it would be time for dinner before finding a place to crash for the night. Today...hadn't been bad. I had food coming, the flickering orbs with me, no injuries, and nothing much had happened. If I was being honest, then today hadn't been bad at all. We'd made it pretty far. Maybe thinks would be okay after all.

I should have known better. I'd been around long enough to know luck doesn't work like that. The one time I thought like a naive fool, it all went down hill.

One curiously thought about the Other's feelings. This one was the light she had dubbed 'Mischief'. Not that the orb knew that or would have cared. Names didn't hold much meaning in this place.

The other one, 'Sullen', was paying attention too. The Other had been reassuring them, comforting them when something happened. They had felt the worry, tension, and aggression suddenly hanging there as taunt wires stretched to the breaking point. And then nothing before the Other was there again. Slightly calmer but not by much.

Possessive. Protection. Irritation. Worry. Fear.

It was odd. Normally the emotions picked up from the Other were low key, like a soft static. Not nearly as there, as provident as their emotions were.

Now the Other's feelings were raging full force. The Other wasn't mad at them, they could tell. But something was wrong and now the Other was upset again.

Tentatively, Mischief sent out a quiet feeling.

It will be okay, the emotion seemed to say without words.

The Other calmed a little more but the protectiveness didn't disappear. Instead it got stronger. Mischief and Sullen, in vague thoughts, conferred on this new development. How much would they trust the Other?