"Don't ask her to be a rock
for you to lean upon.
Instead, build her wings,
and point her to the sky,
and she will teach you both how to fly."

~Atticus

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A bright light shined in my eyes when I first awoke. It moved slowly back and forth, making me squint and turn my head in the opposite direction.

"Look into the light, Hope. Follow the light," a soothing voice commanded. I recognized it right away. Nurse Darby stood above me, smiling gently as she held a small flashlight over my head.

Despite my surprise and confusion, I felt myself relax onto the mattress beneath me and did as she instructed. Nurse Darby flicked the light off after a few moments and adjusted the IV placed into my arm. I swallowed at the sight of the needle.

"Am I back at the- uh, not hospital?" I asked slowly. The room was completely different than before. It didn't look like a hospital room, but a bedroom. The walls were blush pink. A single dresser stood against the wall. Closet doors were open next to the dresser but the closet itself was completely empty.

June shook her head. "No, this place is different. You'll be safe here."

Safe. Somehow I didn't believe that. I raised my arm to inspect the IV and was almost shocked at how relaxed my body felt. There wasn't that familiar tiredness or pain. I slowly pushed myself up. June assisted me until I eased my body forward and allowed my back more room.

There were holes cut into the hospital gown I was wearing, much to my surprise. Realization hit as I stared at my wings, freed and vulnerable. Nurse Darby swallowed as I jerked my head towards her in alarm.

"W-we cut holes this time," she said slowly. Her eyes were wide with wonder as she continued, "Wheeljack suggested it."

"W-Wheeljack?"

Nurse Darby shook her head and smiled before standing to her feet. It was obvious her attention was still on my extra appendages, but she looked at me as she said, "I know we have a lot of explaining to do. But just know that everything will be okay. You're safe here with the Autobots."

Autobots? Starscream said something about the Autobots.

"How long have I been unconscious?" I asked.

"You've only been asleep for two days. The others brought you back. Ratchet and I have been working to make sure you are as comfortable as possible."

I tilted my head. "Ratchet?"

"Ep ep ep, why is she sitting up?" The familiar man suddenly barged into the room through a door I hadn't noticed before. He was wearing the same clothes he'd worn the day I had been hurt at school. This time a scowl was etched onto his face as he glared at me.

"She needed some room to stretch," June said as she nodded towards my wings.

"Yes, well- I do suppose you aren't the typical patient I am used to," he said. Within a few long steps, he was at my bedside and gently began poking and prodding at my previous injured areas.

"Impeccable healing," he muttered. His eyes reached mine as he lifted a hand towards my wing. "I suppose this is no longer hurting either? I know nothing about humans, let alone animal biology. Rafael suggested I search for information on the dislocation of wings on the avian species-"

"Rafael is here?" I cut in quickly, "can I see him?"

"Ep ep ep, you require rest-"

"Hope is completely healed," June said. "It seems she had made a full recovery in a matter of days."

Ratchet scowled at the woman before sighing softly and glancing at me. "Yes, I suppose you are correct. Optimus will want to speak with you anyway, so it is best for you to get ready."

I watched as June walked over towards the dresser and opened the first drawer, pulling out a pair of black jeans and a red t-shirt.

"Miko said you could wear some of her clothes. She's only a size larger than you, so they should fit fine. Don't worry, I made sure she gave you something- less intimidating."

"Thank you."

So many questions flew through my head, but I knew they had to wait for now. Ratchet did say Optimus, whoever that was, would make sure all my questions were answered.

Despite my discomfort, June helped me out of my hospital gown and led me towards a door directly opposite of the bed. A smile appeared on my lips when I realized it was a bathroom.

"Take your time. I'm sure you need some time to think." June smiled.

I nodded as she closed the door and glanced at the clean, white bathroom. The shower was huge. As I turned the knob, I sighed at how warm the water felt. Wasting no time, I grabbed the shampoo and lathered it into my tangled hair.

I felt skeptical about the conditioner, but I still found myself placing the smallest amount on my hand. It felt wrong using something that wasn't mine, but at this point I didn't care.

June was waiting for me as I exited the bathroom with the towel around me, and I noticed that she had cut holes into the back of the shirt. I wrapped the towel around my hair as she retrieved some undergarments and handed them to me.

Her eyes trailed over the last few fading bruises when I changed, but she didn't comment on them. Soon I was wearing Miko's clothes. It came as a shock, really. It felt nice wearing something that was clean. They even smelled nice.

Ratchet came in a few moments after June handed me my jacket- I was glad they hadn't disposed of it- and motioned me out the door. My steps echoed as they hit against the metal flooring. The ceiling in the hallway was incredibly high- I began to wonder how long it took to create this place. Years, probably.

"I would advise you to focus on your breathing. It appears many humans forget to do so when they are introduced to things they don't quite understand," Ratchet instructed.

"W-why would I need to-" I stopped short as we entered a large room, probably twice as high as the hallway. A gasp escaped my lips as I slowly turned and took in my surroundings.

What surprised me the most were the giant robots standing in front of me. They were each a different pattern of colors- one was yellow and black while the other was all green. The robot I recognized to be Arcee stood next to the tallest of them all; a giant blue and red robot that had its back facing me.

June caught hold of my arm as my steps faltered. Ratchet rolled his eyes at me before his form fizzled out of existence. An orange and white ambulance sitting at the foot of the red and blue robot began to transform, leaving me speechless.

"I told you to breathe, human," Ratchet's voice spoke.

"Y-you're Ratchet," I whispered.

"I'm glad your processors are functioning properly," he said whilst rolling his eyes.

June pat my back in a comforting manner. "They are only here to help you, Hope. Arcee saved you, and so did Wheeljack."

Despite Ratchet's warning, I felt my chest heave as I struggled to breathe. June glanced at the tall red and blue robot before nodding at Ratchet. The orange and white robot raised his arm and pulled on a large lever.

"You said Rafael would be here. W-where is he?" I pulled away from June. A swirling portal opened the moment I finished my sentence, and soon three small figures walked in followed by a tall African American male.

"You've brought the civilian here? Are you crazy Prime?" Agent Fowler snapped.

"I apologize for acting without permission, Agent Fowler. While I agreed to keep a distance before, Starscream specifically targeted the child. It is unsafe for her without protection," this 'Prime' stated.

Rafael was smiling nervously as he approached, and I was shocked to see Miko and Jack from school following close behind.

"Hi Hope-"

"Hope! Oh my gosh is it true screamer attacked you? You must have been terrified! Bulkhead would have smashed that 'con in the helm, I'm sure of it!" Miko violently shoved Rafael to the side as she rushed forward. "It's kind of lucky we wear the same size! Shocking honestly, you look so much smaller than me- but, of course,"

The three stopped short when they grew closer. I had tucked my wings behind me as tightly as possible, but it was obvious they had seen them.

"W-Woah. Hope-" Rafael stuttered out. He adjusted his glasses, but they fell down his nose farther.

Miko wasn't frozen for long. She was upon me in an instant, grasping my shoulders and using her hand to touch over the joint connecting my wings to my back.

"Miko-" June began to scold her, but was ignored.

"I knew, but- woah! That's so cool! Can you carry someone on your back? I would totally help test that out."

My mouth was open, but I couldn't force any words out. In one quick movement, I yanked away and shoved her. June gasped at my sudden attack- if you could even call it that- and the green robot took a giant stomp forward.

He looked over top of me, making me gulp for air and flap once, trying to take for the air. Nurse Darby grabbed my hand at the lady second.

"Bulkhead, step back. You are scaring the child," the red and blue robot ordered.

"But she-"

"Oh, Bulk, stop already! I'm fine." Miko hopped up from her spot on the ground. "I'm sorry- I didn't ask permission. No one has actually seen them, have they?"

She wasn't scared of me? Or even mad? Guilt washed over me but Miko looked unfazed. The smile was still there but it had faded the slightest bit. Slowly, I shook my head in reply.

"That's okay! I won't touch them if you don't want me too. I'm just glad you're okay. Rafael was scared senseless-"

"Miko!" The boy was dark red. Jack stifled a laugh but quickly covered it with a cough into his fist.

"Are we finished?" Ratchet drawled out, "This is an important moment, but as always you humans somehow push aside the inevitable."

"Yes," Agent Fowler, the man I'd talked to before, nodded from a level above. He was leaned over a metal railing. "I would love to continue with yet another introduction to the human race. Maybe we'll have a hundred by the time the war is over."

Ratchet shivered- I found it strange a robot could even do that- and made a noise of disgust. "The very thought makes my metal plating crawl," he said.

"I think we're getting a bit off-topic here," June said hastily. "Kids, why don't you go take a seat."

"Lame." Miko huffed while crossing her arms. Their eyes were still on me as they slowly climbed up the stairs to join Agent Fowler. My breathing was still heavy, but I managed to slowly turn again and make eye contact with the red and blue robot.

His eyes were kind, in a way, and similar to Jack- Wheeljack's- electric blue eyes. I raised a trembling hand and waved as best as I could. The robot smiled and kneeled down. June placed the palm of her hands on my shoulders as I attempted to step backward.

"Hello, young one. I am Optimus Prime."

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Hey guys! I am planning on editing this chapter tomorrow! So I'm sorry if there are mistakes! I just didn't want to update a day late. Thank you for your patience! I will also make sure to add a poem at the beginning.

Honestly, I wasn't all too happy with this chapter, but how did you like it?

I am surprised I've so far kept on track with updates. Hallelujah.

Feel free to vote and comment!