Half Moon

  I stayed at the hospital with Cosmic all day, Ratchet constantly comming me, making sure I was alright.

  I wanted to see Anti after Galaxy was drugged with more sedatives to keep her heart rate normal.

  Plus the doctors told us she needed the rest.

  Cosmic was a little reluctant to go, but as I walked out of her room, he followed.

  I got a little confused on where to go, but Cosmic led me through the halls, which led us to a sign hanging from the cieling.

  Demon Extraction Center

  Oh no...

  Anti was possessed.

  Hopefully whoever did it left residue behind, so we can find them.

  Residue happens when someone gets possessed by an entity, and when that entity leaves the body, they leave behind residue that can lead us directly to them.

  Like a fingerprint.

  I'll kill whoever did this.

  No child of his age deserves that trauma.

  We arrive to a room with the blue curtain drawn to the side, a nurse writing something on her clipboard with a white quill.

  Her round face was gentle, with black eyes with a brown pixie cut.

  She smiles at us half-heartedly.

  Bad news is coming.

  "Any residue left behind?" I ask, anxious.  I have to take care of this.

  She shakes her head.  "I'm afraid not. Whoever did this knew what they were doing."

I growl underneath my breath.

  I was supposed to watch him. To make sure he didn't get hurt.

  Look where he is now.

  Pale face, covered in heavy blankets.  Connected to three different machines.

  All because I didn't look after him.

  Stop it.  I scold myself.

  I couldn't have known anything if the entity was that good to not leave any residue.

  I sigh, walking over to his bed and holding his hand.

  Cosmic walked over to the other side of the bed, pulling up a chair.

  I just kneeled.  My stomach wouldn't let me stay for long.

  I felt like getting sick.

  He opened his eyes a little, squeezing my hand.

  "Hey." I whisper, rubbing his forehead.

  The edges of his lips curved upwards a little.

  He turned his head, and his father gripped his other hand.

  The nurse walked out, glancing at ne over her shoulder before she left.

  "Hi, Daddy." Anti whimpered, gripping both our hands equally tight.

  Anti looked around the room, then rubbed his head.

  "Where's Mommy?"  He asked, his green eyes looking into mine.

  That I couldn't take.

  I let go of his hand, running out of the room and barreling down the hallway.

  I couldn't tell him. I can't do it.

  I wasn't that strong.

  I slumped against a wall and lost it.

  Chilling tears spilled out of my eyes and onto the floor.

  I wrapped my arms around my knees and cried silently.

  No one needed to hear me.

  No one needed to hear my suffering.

  No one wanted to hear my useless words.

No one wanted to see my worthless tears.

  I cried more, my tears dripping off my cheek.

  I rubbed off my tears, wanting to stop looking like a fool.

  I walk back to Anti's room, and Cosmic noticed I was crying.

  "I'm going back to base."  I state, my body detirmined to leave.

  But my heart wanted to stay.  I wanted to comfort them all.

  But there's only so much I can do.

  I feel more tears coming.

  I don't want anyone to see me cry.

  He nods understandingly.  "I'll be here if you need me."

I hug him tightly before I turn on my heel and walk out.

  I walk out of the doors and open a portal to base.

  I am near the groundbridge, m portal just a few feet up from the ground.

I jump down, my feet stinging from the impact.

  Ratchet is the only one there.

  He looks at me with worry.

  "What happened?"

  I wince.

  I can't tell him.

  I need time alone.

  "Ill be up on the roof." I say, teleporting up to the helepad.

  Nightshade isn't here.  Must be eating or something like that.

  A strong wind knocks into me, almost driving me to fall.

  This is perfect.

  I open my wings a little, taking a little flutter to get my toes an inch off the ground.

  I keep my wings stiff, so the wind wont open them further.

  I stay in place, the wind keeping me calm.

  I stay like that for a good few seconds before I decide to fly a little farther.

  I drop, walking to the edge of the rockface.

  I lean forwards until I am propelling towards the ground.

  I level out, climbing higher.

  I climb into the clouds, stopping for a moment, enjoying the split second free-fall.

  I dive, doing a few corkscrews and loops.

  I feel my body relax, almost forgetting everything.

  I circle above the base, noticing a blue dot on the roof.

  I put my hand near my holster.

  The dot moves around, following.

  I realize it as Arcee, and circle lower.

  I land when I get close enough, and she looks worried.

  "Ratchet told me." Was all she had to say.

  I turn away, my knees getting weak.

  My lip starts to quiver.

  I slump to my knees, banging my fist weakly into the rock.

  I feel her walk close, but I roll to the side, taking off as fast as I could.

I don't need her seeing me cry.

  I wipe my tears with my sleeve, and I see a helicopter.

  Fowler.

  I climb higher than him, going in the opposite direction of town.

  I feel my body tense, knowing she was only trying to make me feel better.

  I turn around, preparing an apology.

  I hear a engine.

  Starscream.

  I look under my arm, and no one is in the cockpit.  With that red symbol that I saw on his chest.

  I was right.

  Time for evasive maneuvers.

  I twist and turn, acting frantic.

  I was actually fine.

  It's what I was taught. Keep calm.  And I'll get away.

  I grab both daggers from thier sleeves.

  I get him up to my heels, but I flip over him, throwing one of my daggers at his engine.

  He dodges it, spinning out of control and screaming like the coward he was.

  I call back my dagger, diving into one of my portals.

  I was back on the roof with Arcee still standing on the roof.

  I can't stand to see her face.

  I keep my eyes on the ground and sit on the edge.

  We don't say anything to each other.

  We just sit and stare at the setting sun.

After a while I couldnt bear the silence.

  I told her what happened.

  By the end of it, my body was shaking with fear.

  She patted my back, letting me know it was alright.

  We went back down, and everyone is back from thier scouting.

  I just stayed away from everyone, including the kids.

  But something bothered me.

  Where was Nightshade?

  He should have been back by now.

  I hear the clatter of hooves, and Nightshade is there, tired but with a full belly.

  I was getting tired, too.

  I teleported to my room, snuggling with Nightshade, not bothering to change.

  I think of my armor.

  Lets go see if it still fits.