Chapter 2

During the same time as Cody's kidnapping

Charlie Burns (aka Chief Burns) sighed as he finished looking through all the footage from all the cameras around the city, as there was nothing regarding Dr. Morocco. He left the command hub to the kitchen to start dinner when he spotted a note on the table addressed to him on it. He opened it and discovered it was from his youngest son, Cody.

Hi Dad,

You don't have to cook dinner tonight. Come down to the bunker with everyone including the Bots, I have a surprise for everyone. Also do you remember what today is?

Love, Cody

Chief smiled at his son's writing, he was curious on what his surprise is. As he walked to the elevator he spotted their calendar, and looked at today's date September 17th, and on it was this "Mom's Birthday and Memorial" which left him in shock. He had completely forgotten that it was his late wife's memorial.

He turned to look at a picture of their whole family one year before she died, "I'm sorry Abby, I didn't mean to forget your birthday/memorial, we've been working so hard lately." He apologized to her.

He continued on his way to the elevator, then went down to the garage. Walking out he saw his three eldest children and the Bots had finally stopped arguing.

Kade saw him first, "Hey dad, is dinner ready?" He asked him, as usual thinking with his stomach. Hearing him speak up the others turned to look at him.

Charlie shook his head at his oldest's never ending hunger, "No Kade, I'm not making dinner tonight. However, Cody has a surprise for all us down in the bunker, but I have to ask all of you something."

"Yes, Dad?" Danni asked for everyone.

"Do you three remember what today is?" he asked them, curious if they too had forgotten what today was to their family.

His kids gave him confused looks as they tried to remember, while the bots were confused on why he asked that question.

Graham turned his head to the calendar hanging on the wall next to his desk, he looked at today's date, when he did his own eyes widened as he remembered. "It's Mom's birthday/memorial," he replied, Kade and Danni's eyes widened as they finally remembered as well, all three of them looking down in sorrow as they became depressed.

"Memorial?" Chase asked, as he exchanged looks with Heatwave, Boulder, and Blades.

Chief looked at the bots with a sad smile, "Did the four of you ever wonder where's my wife and the kids' mother or Carrier in your terms?"

The four of them nodded, then turned their attention to Graham as he explained, "Our mother died over 7 years ago. She had Breast Cancer, she had been fighting with it for over two years, no matter what treatment she went through it didn't kill the cancer cells or stopped them from multiplying. All the treatments she endured did was buy her more time. When Cody was 5, her cancer developed into stage four, which meant it was terminal or fatal. It progressed rapidly, to the point that she went to the hospital, a week and a half of being there she died. Unfortunetly, the three of us were at school, and Dad was at work. The only one there to witness and be with her as she died was Cody, as he was too young to enter kindergarden. When all of us heard the news, we rushed to the hospital and to her room. What we found was heartbreaking..." Graham paused as he wiped the tears from his eyes, his dad and Kade placed a hand on each of his shoulders.

Danni continued where he left off, "We found Cody sobbing over her dead body, begging her not to leave us... to not leave him... As he clutched at the very last toy our mother had given him, an orca, her favorite animal. On its tail she had stiched "I'll love You Forever Cody, From Mommy". We too broke down into tears and cried with Cody, for we lost our beloved mother and wife. Cody wouldn't let go of her, he just kept begging for her to stay with us, to wake up, anything, even long after she went cold. Dad was finally able to get him to let go when he cried himself to sleep. Two days later we had her funeral, Cody didn't say any words for a long time; all did was tightly clutch the orca to his chest. It was over two weeks that he kept his silence and remained depressed."

"After the funeral, the four of us decided to throw a remembrance party on the day of memorial of her death. What makes it worse, our mom died on her birthday, so we celebrate both her birthday and her memorial. In the last 7 years, Cody has bought flowers with his allowance, to her grave every birthday and Christmas," Kade finished softly.

Heatwave and his team exchanged sad looks with each other, now they understand why the entire Burns family never answered any of their questions on where is Mrs. Burns. "We're sorry for your loss guys," Boulder sad sadly, with his team nodding as well as they each gave their words.

Graham smiled sadly at his partner, "It's okay, buddy. None of you knew."

The garage became silent as everyone bowed their heads in respect of their mother. After 5 minutes, everyone raised their heads, they all heard the music coming from somewhere.

"So what are we having for dinner?" Kade asked, making everyone laugh for his way to defuse the somber feeling in the room.

"Where's that music coming from?" Danni wondered.

The chief laughed as he went to controls to lower them down into the bunker, "I think it's part of Cody's surprise, shall we go see what it is?" His kids and the bots smiled as they moved to the ramp.

As they were going down, they saw decurations everywhere. When they were completely in the bunker they were able to see two large posters, one saying "Mom's Memorial and Birthday" and "Thank You, Everyone For Your Hard Work!". As they looked around, they saw cards for each of them, while a large card for the bots. There was a table set up with hotdogs, hamburgers, a fruit salad, a veggie tray, a birthday cake, and cookies on the table. While on the table made for the bots, was energon cubes and cybertronian candies.

Kade's eyes were wide with shock, "Wow! I didn't know Cody knew how to cook let alone bake!" He exclaimed as he opened the container of cookies and grabbed two. He quickly put one whole cookie into the his mouth and moaned at how good it tasted.

Heatwave started to remove each of the candies, while placing a rust stick in his mouth, and he too moaned at how good the candy tasted. "These taste so good! Almost like the candy shops we had on Cybertron!" he cheered.

After hearing how good the food was, the rest of the Burns family dug into the cookies, while the bots did the same with the candies.

When chief tasted his cookie, his eyes widened in disbelief and remorse, "This is your mother's recipe, for her sugar cookies." He cried as he savored his cookie. His kids agreed as they now remembered how great her cookies were.

"Where did Cody find her recipe book?" Graham asked as he ate another cookie.

"Yeah, and why hasn't he made any before this?" Kade whined with a mouthful of cookies, as he started to pile food onto a plate.

"I don't know. Maybe the card has an explanation." Danni, answered as she grabbed the handmade card adressed to them. She began to read, "'Hi guys, I hope you like my surprise. I've been working on the decorations for the last week, I made the cake early this morning and I make the cookies in cooking class. I know all of you have been very busy with rescue work that all of you may have forgotten what day it is today, so I did everything for you and mom. This is not just a birthday/memorial party for mom, but an appreciation party for all of you, to thank you for your hard work. I hope all you like it. Love Cody." She finished reading with a smile, her dad and brothers smiled in happiness as well, for they really do appreciate what their youngest family member had done for them.

Blades picked up their card and began to read, "Hey guys, I hope you like my surprise. I've been working on the candies for over two weeks, I had called Bumblebee to find out what kind of treats Cybertronians like. So he sent me these recipes and thankfully he translated them so I could understand on how to make them. I hope I did a good job on them, i pulled out some energon cubes for you to drink as well. Enjoy the party guys, everyone in the family (this includes all the Rescue Bots) needed some kind of a break. Love Cody." He finished reading to discover Heatwave and Chase were blushing while Boulder and himself were sporting large smiles.

"I can't believe Cody went through the trouble of making Cybertronian candies just for us," Chase said in astonishment.

The Burns family smiled and laughed at seeing their expressions, "You've been living with us for over a year and half, does it really surprise you that Cody would go out of his way to try and make something for all of you to enjoy?" Danni asked them with a smile.

Boulder laughed, "No, I suppose it shouldn't by now."

An Hour Later (But it's too late)

Everyone was enjoying Cody's party, but both chief and Heatwave had finally noticed that Cody was nowhere in sight.

"Guys!" Heatwave shouted gaining everyone's attention, "Have any of you seen, Cody?"

The entire team's eyes widened in shock as they were enjoying themselves that they've completely forgotten about Cody. "I haven't seen him since we all yelled at him to go somewhere else," Kade said in horror.

Chief Burns, Danni, and Kade raced to elevator while the bots checked the bunker; Graham went to check the security footage. Chief and Kade got off at the garage, with Kade looked outside, their dad looking aroung the garage.

Danni went upstairs and headed directly to his room, "Cody, are you in here?" She called out. What she found was his orca on his bed, she picked it up, feeling it was wet. 'Oh Cody, you were crying.' She thought herself as she placed the stuffed animal back on his bed she continued to look around until a specific scent crossed her nose. "I know that scent! But why is it in here?!" She cried as she followed it under her brother's bed. Reaching under the bed she pulled out two things that shocked her. A large medical kit and a bag filled with bloodied bandages and used gaze pads.

Being in a state of horrified shock, she opened the kit only to see a used Iodine bottle a bloody needle, and biodegradable thread that has a bloody handprint on its well used spool. "I have to show Dad!" she screamed, grabbing the items and raced back the elevators.

The bots came up with nothing there was no sign of Cody anywhere in the bunker, while Kade and Chief also confirmed that he wasn't outside nor in the garage. Graham looked the footage, "Dad there isn't any footage of Cody coming home nor are there anything on our security footage, like its been eraced."

"But why would Cody delete that?" Blades wondered.

Just the elevator came back down, Danni ran out, "Dad! You have to see this!" she screamed as she placed the items she carried onto a spare table.

When everyone saw them they too became horrified and scared, at seeing the bloody first aid kit and the bag full of bloody bandages.

"Where did you find these?" Chief asked her, in a voice none of them heard in a long time.

"I found these under his bed, Dad. These contained fresh blood as I could still smell it clearly." She answered him.

"Why didn't he tell us he was hurt?" Kade wondered aloud.

"I don't know..." his father replied.

Gragam quickly called the Greens, "Doc, Frankie, is Cody at the lab?" he with desperation.

Doc Green shared a worried look with his daughter, "No he's not here." he answered.

"The last time I saw Cody, he was walking home from school why?" Frankie added.

"Did he get hurt at school?" Graham pressed.

"During gym class he tripped and fell, scraping his hands and knees on the track field, as he was going too fast that he forgot to slow down first. He went to the nurse with a couple bandages in his hands." Frankie explained, "I thought Cody told you about it already?"

The Burns family exchanged looks with the bots, "No, he didn't tell us at all. Did he get hurt at any other time today?" Chief questioned.

"No, sir. Not that I'm aware of, we split off from each other as we left for home. Why where's Cody?" She asked him, worry writen all over her face.

"Cody is missing, for over an hour and he's not here at the firehouse. We found evidence that he was hurt badly at some point during the walk home." Kade explained.

"Oh dear," Doc said in worry. "We'll help you search for Cody, immedietly. Frankie to the car!" He ushered his daughter.

"Thanks Doc! Alright, everyone head out he has to be somewhere on the island," Chief ordered.

"Why can't we look for him by his commtab, commlink, or his phone?" Danni asked.

"Because I found his commtab and commlink on the couch, and his phone is going straight to voicemail," Graham answered her as he held up the two items in question.

"Oh..."

"Rescue Bots, roll to the rescue!" Heatwave ordered as he, Blades, and Chase transformed then left with their partners.

Boulder noticed that Graham wasn't following them so he remained behind, "What is it Graham?"

"Look, on each of the cards there some blood on them. And by the entrance to the tunnels there's drops of blood leading into the tunnels. I don't think he left the firehouse by topside, I think he left via the tunnels." Graham explained as he opened the tunnel door.

"You're right, Graham. There's a small blood trail leading into the tunnels, should we tell the others?" Boulder asked.

Graham shook his head, "No, if he's anywhere above ground the others will find him. You and I will follow this blood trail to see which way he went. Sadly, Cody knows all these tunnels like the back of his hand."

Boulder transformed and his partner climbed in, "You're right again. My sensors can keep track of the trail. Let's go." With that they followed the samthe trail.

30 Minutes later

"Wait a nanosec, I know where he went!" Boulder cheered as put on the speed.

GraHam held onto the controls, "Where did he go Boulder?"

"Stargaze Hill, same hill he took us to the day before we met Bumblebee on Wayword Island," he answerd his partner. "I remember the route."

They came out of the tunnel then proceeded towards the hill, "Graham, I see something!" Boulder exclaimed as he pulled to stop right to the objects.

"Everyone, converge on Boulder's location!" Graham shouted through his commlink. He got out of his cab and rushed to the objects which he soon discovered were Cody's jacket and cellphone. He picked them up, he felt the inside of the jacket to both new and old bloodstains as well as a tears stains. He pull the phone close trying get it to turn on when he realized the phone was out of power. He pulled out his portable battery and cord to charge it then wait for it change.

Everyone showed up after 20 minutes, by then Cody's phone was 100% charged, Graham was just turning it on when his family got out of their partners, and the Greens getting out of their van.

"You found his jacket and phone but not Cody?!" Kade shouted, his voice full of worry and concern.

"Calm down Kade!" His father ordered him, his own voice echoing his own.

Graham was scrolling through Cody's phone, "Guys there's a video!"

"Play it Graham!"

At first all they heard was Cody crying and sobbing.

"Why... why is it only me... how much pain... do I have to endure... Mommy I miss you so much... I don't know how many beatings I can take from those two... they're making sure I don't leave until I'm beaten and bloody... With these injuries I'm not sure how much longer I can hide my scars from my family especially the bots... Momma I'm tired of being our family's and others' whipping boy... What did I do to do "earn" all of this..." Cody didn't speak again as he broke down into more heart wrenching sobs.

Hearing Cody's words, everyone in the clearing didn't know that Cody was suffering so much. The Burns' family held their heads down in shame, as did the Rescue Bots, and Frankie turned into her father's side crying, as she feels like she failed her best friend. They heard the sound of heavy steps, coming from the video.

"Guys, leave me alone! I don't want to go back home yet, so leave me alone." He said towards the noise, his voice full of sorrow.

"I'm not the ones you believe I am." A mechanical voice replied, as Arrowhead walked out of the trees.

Cody stared at the new Cybertronian he's never seen this bot before, "Who are you, you're not an Autobot," he asked as he stared at the insignia, not knowing its the Decepticon's insigina.

Arrowhead narrowed his optics, 'So this child is in contact with the Autobots, this might be troublesome.' He chuckled, "No young one, I'm a Neutral. I'm not a part of any faction." He lied slightly.

Cody tilted his head, "I didn't know there were any neutrals."

"There are several of us Cybertronians that are neutral in the great war. Tell me young one, why are you crying, also why are you injured?" Arrowhead asked him.

Cody flinched, "It's my mother's memorial and birthday today. I made dinner and dessert for my family; they've been working so hard, I didn't know if they remembered it so I did this for them. But when they came home... they... everyone... was very angry and took it out on me. When I was just going to tell them that I made dinner for them, my entire family took their anger out on me. Even my father, he's... never took his anger out on me before... I've been bullied by a group of older kids the last two years, this last year they been attacking me every other day. At first they only hit me a few times but now... they've been attacking me and they don't stop until they see me bleeding."

Arrowhead leaned against the trees, "That's pretty bad youngling. You just wanted to honor your carrier's death and show your appreciation of their hard work. Even if they are exhausted, frustraited, angry, worried, or all of the above. None of them should have took it out on you. Nor should those children taken their own jelousy out on you and attack you for absolutely no reason."

Cody looked at the blue, black, and silver Cybertronian jet, feeling slightly better after finally taking about what's been happening to him, "Thanks, for listening to me. What's your name?" he asked him.

Arrowhead walked towards him then kneeled in front of him, "I'm Arrowhead, and what's your's?"

"Cody Burns."

"Well Cody Burns, I don't think you would have to worry about it any more." Arrowhead said suddenly.

Cody looked at him, "What do mean?"

"This." Arrowhead shot at him with a stun bolt.

Cody screamed in pain as he fell to the ground, his phone fell to the ground still recording. He felt a large warm metal hand picking him up, then two fingers placing something around his neck, they moved towards his back rubbing up and down in a soothing motion.

"I'm sorry young one, but you fit the age range I need. Sleep, Cody." Arrowhead soothed him. Cody couldn't stay conscious any more, exhaustion and the rubbing of his back made it irresistible, so he fell asleep in the warm hand.

AN: Once again this chapter is not complete. im posting what I got done . Still working on it . Is this enough to help point out his family's negligence concerning him?