Last night, I couldn't sleep. Being restless, I tossed and turned constantly. My body would heat up causing sweat to appear on my forehead. Either it was because I was afraid of my reoccurring nightmare or because I couldn't stop thinking about my parents.

Optimus and I were on our way to my home to gather my belongings in order to move in the base. It would take a couple hours, at least, to reach our destination. My eyes were droopy and in the reflection of Optimus' window, I could vividly see the bags under my eyes.

Optimus, at the moment, was not using his holoform. Seeing a vehicle drive itself is gonna take some time getting used to. Optimus wasn't much of a talker either. He would only answer my occasional questions here and there, but nothing more. The silence was uncomfortable, but I didn't want to distract him from driving. I was surprised when he broke the silence this time.

"How was your recharge last night?" Optimus asked as the autobot symbol lit up on his steering wheel. I didn't want to worry him and make a big deal, so I told him the opposite of the truth. "Fine." I lied bluntly. Optimus stayed quiet for a couple of seconds and I stared out the window, only to see his mirror adjust in my direction. "Sophia, you look tired. From my observations, it looks like you did not recharge well."

I scoffed, "If you are so convinced, then why did you ask me in the first place?" After my response, Optimus sighed, "I just wanted to confirm." To make sure he couldn't see my face, I turned my head from the window. "I said I'm fine." I asserted. "Sophia, I can tell you that you are not fine. Humans do not function properly if they do not get the proper rest that they need." Optimus informed me as I stared at the road through the front window. I didn't respond and he continued, "Why don't you recharge until we reach your home..." Anger started to rise in me. Does he not get it? I don't want to sleep! I can't sleep for crying out loud. Not responding again, he broke the silence as he sighed my name, "Sophia--" He repeated. I interrupted, "I don't want to sleep. Hell, I can't sleep... even if I tried."

Sitting in the passenger seat, I heard a fizzling from my left ear. Turning my head, I saw Optimus' holoform staring at me with concern. "Don't you need to focus on driving?" I asked with an upset face. He look frustrated, "Do not change the subject." I rolled my tired eyes, "I'm not changing the subject. You asked and I answered."

Avoiding his gaze, I remained silent and I heard Optimus' holoform clear his throat. "Sophia, I promised your father I would protect you--"

"Exactly Optimus, he said to PROTECT me, not worry about every single little thing." He shook his head, "Protecting you comes with making sure you are alright. Your health is just as important." Bringing my knees up to my chest, I rested my chin on them. "I can take care of myself." I exclaimed.

Optimus pressed his lips together, "Very well." His holoform dissipated and Optimus drove quietly the rest of the way. I honestly did want to sleep, so I tried to close my eyes to rest, only for them to open again as I thought of my nightmares.

Hours had slowly passed and we reached my home. Optimus parked himself in my driveway, since Uncle Jesse's vehicle wasn't there. Guess he's actually doing something with his life. Or he's passed out at a bar. The passenger door opened by itself and Optimus' holoform held out his hand for me to climb down.

We walked in silence to the door, Optimus behind me. Finding the key in the pot next to the doormat, I stepped in and became overwhelmed with the scent of alcohol. Not only was I overwhelmed with the stench, but I became overwhelmed with emotions as well. I controlled them, but I felt my heart drop when I realized that I won't be living in this place anymore. Although Uncle Jesse created bad memories for me to remember, this is where my dad raised me.

Making my way farther into my home, I headed over to the piano before heading upstairs to gather my things. Ever since my dad left I haven't touched the thing, but my love for it never ceased. On top of the piano were pictures of my father and I when I was very young. I stood there in silence and picked up a picture frame to examine it. In the picture, I was on top of my dad laughing as he was lying on his stomach on the grass laughing as well. His smile warmed my heart and it was my favorite picture. In my mind, I decided I was going to take these pictures back with me.

"You look very much like your father." Optimus said from beside me. "Yeah... I get that a lot." I softly laughed as I stared at my father in the picture. Optimus looked at the piano, "Is this what humans call the piano?" He asked like a curious child. Giggling I nodded my head, "Yeah it is."

"Can you play it?" He asked me. I didn't dare touch or press a key. It would bring back too many memories for me to handle. "My father taught me. Ever since he left, I haven't pressed one key..." Optimus looked up at me, "I understand." He continued and changed the subject seeing that I was in a low mood, "You should start collecting your things. Do you need assistance?" Packing is going to be a struggle. I can't leave anything behind, so I agreed to let Optimus help me.

We headed upstairs and walked into my room. I grabbed a suitcase from my closet and a couple of boxes to start packing. Before I did so, I quickly changed into a different set of clothes for the trip back to the base.

After about an hour or so, I had finished packing up what I needed from my room and had already placed it in Optimus' alt mode. Of course, with Optimus' help. His holoform began walking back to the driver's seat to leave, but I decided that I needed something to wake me up. "Hey Optimus?" I asked to grab his attention. He turned his head to me, "Yes Sophia?"

"I'm going to go make myself a cup of coffee to wake me up a little." I told him. He nodded his head and spoke, "Alright. I'll be here waiting. We will leave as soon as you are ready." Quickly, I walked back into the house and began making myself a cup of coffee. The stupid coffee maker malfunctioned, so I had to fix it. It took me a good 20 minutes to get it back up and running. I hope Optimus doesn't mind waiting. Relieved that the coffee machine began to work again, I pressed some buttons and I heard the machine brew coffee and pour it into the cup set underneath it. I leaned against the kitchen counter waiting for my cup of coffee to finish, yawning occasionally.

A couple of minutes passed before I heard the entrance door open behind me. "Sorry Optimus the machine wasn't--" I stopped myself. Instead of Optimus standing in the doorway, Uncle Jesse was. "Hello Sophia... Did you miss me?" He growled as he walked towards me. "I have a question for you..." He slowly hissed as he made his way around the kitchen counter. "Since when did you ever have the power to control your life? Actually since when could you yell at me... Is the real question?" My heart began to race. I stood there like a deer in headlights. I had forgotten that I had raised my voice at him the day Ironhide and Will came to my house. I gathered my courage and retorted, "Ever since I got away from the likes of you."

He chucked lowly as he looked at me from under his eyebrows like a hungry animal. That's what he always did before he abused me. I tried to walk past him. "Now where do you think you are going?" He barked as he quickly grabbed my throat and slammed me against the wall, choking me. "Cat got your tongue huh?" He snickered. I struggled as I grabbed his arm in hopes of escaping. I could hurt him easily, but I refused to give myself away to a maniac like him. "You are such a little bitch." As he growled that phrase he slammed my head back into the wall, making me fall to the floor. My eyes began to water and my head hurt so much that everything around me was spinning. He kicked me several times in the stomach then bent down to punch me. He whispered into my ear, "Your mother is dead because of you. I should have killed you when I had the chance."

My lungs hurt to breath as he punched me in my abdomen multiple times, but I managed to scream. He unzipped his pants and unzipped mine as well. A couple of moments passed as I laid on the floor, waiting for what was next. I braced myself only to hear my Uncle yell before I heard a thump on the floor. "Sophia!" I recognized that voice...Optimus. He kneeled down to pick me up, wrapping my arm around his neck for support. I looked to see Uncle Jesse sprawled out on the floor. "Is he..."

"Dead?" Optimus interrupted, "No, just unconscious." Optimus managed to carry me the rest of the way and he placed me on the bed in the back of his alt mode. The truck started driving, but his holoform kneeled by the side of the bed. "Can you move?" He asked me concerned. " I sat up on my elbows, "Yeah I'm fine. It's nothing new." I argued with all my dignity.

"What do you mean it is nothing new? You have suffered like this before?!" He asked in disbelief. I tried to calm him down. "Optimus it's nothing to worry about."

Dodging that statement, he continued to press on."Who is that man?" Optimus asked with a stern tone. I sighed as I reached up to press my palm to my forehead, "My uncle, my mom's brother. He blames me for her death... that's why he does this." Optimus' face began to fill with anger, "A being does not have the right to oppress another." I weakly smiled trying to hide my tears, "Tell me about it."

Optimus looked away, "He was going to kill you." A tear slipped from the corner of my eye, "That was the worse thing he has ever done to me physically..." I admitted to Optimus. Excluding the time I found out about my father's death, I would never get this emotional in front of anybody. Maybe it was because I had nobody. But with Optimus I couldn't contain my own emotions. Without a second thought, I would just be emotionally truthful when I'm with him. Even though, he gets on my nerves when he thinks I can't handle myself.

Optimus was quick to wipe away my tears and he laid on the bed to embrace me, tucking my head under his chin. "I'm here...I'm here." He whispered to reassure me.

For minutes we just laid there in the same position as I softly cried into his shirt. Being incredibly tired and mentally drained, I managed to fall asleep.