"I worry there is something broken in our generation,
there are too many sad eyes on happy faces."

~ Atticus

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Talking to the others- particularly Rafael, Miko, and Jack- got easier as the days passed but the fear was still there in the back of my mind. It was all becoming more and more real. Being targeted by the Decepticons and scar-face, and being away from the house. I was happy that I had grabbed the majority of my belongings so I wouldn't have to go back to that awful place, but the gravity of the situation began to set in.

"You need some clothes," Miko stated with a huff, "you can't just keep wearing my clothes. Mostly 'cause I can't get them back." Her hand motioned towards the holes cut into her Slash Monkey shirt that I had been wearing for several days now.

Rafael, who was sitting a few feet away from me, smiled knowingly. "You'll also have to go back to school. You've missed so much already."

To be honest, I had completely forgotten about school. It had become the least of my worries. Yet the thought of starting my grade all over again and graduating late made my insides turn. That would be an extra year in that prison.

"Oh, I know! Why don't we go shopping?" Miko suggested.

Jack raised an eyebrow as he stared at her. "I'm worried. What will she come back with? All black?"

The girl gasped and jumped to her feet, hands on her hips. "That, Jack, is very stereotypical."

"I was just saying-"

"Well, what you're saying is wrong. Come on, Hope. We'll go get you some stuff." Miko walked past me, motioning for me to follow. The others had become adjusted to being around me. They stopped reaching for my arm or standing too close. It was nice knowing they cared enough to give me some distance.

"Ratchet!" Miko shouted from across the base, stomping all the way.

The medic grumbled with the roll of his optics. He had his hands on a small vile as he turned. The look of concentration on his face morphed into annoyance.

"I am trying to work-"

"We're going shopping! Make us a groundbridge," she demanded.

Ratchet ignored the girl as he shook the vile gently. "Simply letting Hope leave the base is not wise. Especially with you, Miko."

"What is up with all this hate today?" Miko exclaimed with wide eyes. Her mouth turned into a pout as she crossed her arms and glared towards her guardian. "Tell him he's wrong, Bulkhead!"

Bulkhead nervously gulped while turning away. "I'm not a part of this conversation. I don't want to be stuck between a rock and a hard place."

"Coward," Miko grumbled in anger.

Rafael looked towards Ratchet and adjusted his glasses. "If Hope is going to be living here, she'll need some clothes and food. She has to leave the base, even if it's for a little while."

"I am afraid Rafael is right, my friend," Optimus' baritone voice agreed. I jumped as he walked towards Ratchet. Where did he come from? His heavy steps were always somehow so silent. That or I was never paying attention.

"You cannot expect her to remain safe outside of the base," Ratchet argued, "I require her for research purposes."

For a moment there I thought he cared.

"I doubt Megatron would attack out in the open," Bulkhead chimed in.

"Knockout may have already finished making holoforms. Anything is possible. Silas is also a threat. There is no guaranteed safety for Hope unless she remains here."

"Jeez Ratchet, you're kind of a killjoy," Miko said while glancing at me. While I was closest to Rafael, Miko was also becoming a friend to me. She always listened to what I had to say despite her habit of rambling when given the opportunity. I still hadn't spoken to anyone other than Wheeljack about being abused- even with my own guardian I didn't give much detail- but Miko was well aware of my anxiety in certain situations.

She moved her hand slowly, below the height of her hip, and held it out towards me. My eyes trailed along her arm and then towards the rest of her body. Her stance was relaxed, there was no anger in her eyes. The smallest smile was on her face. With trembling fingers, I held my hand out as well and let my fingertips touch hers. Right when she managed to hold my hand in hers, Ratchet huffed loudly, making me jerk my hand away.

"I simply worry about the future of Cybertron. If Hope is what I believe-"

"While certain circumstances might speak differently, Hope is a human child who will not be kept under our burden of war," Optimus said. For the first time since being at the base, I noticed the slightest warning in his tone. "She will be treated like the other children and given examinations for her own health."

We all stared at Ratchet now, who's face softened as he looked at me. The servo holding the vile slowly dropped until it was gently placed onto his workspace.

"You're right, as always," he said, "I apologize." When he turned to look at me, his face was back to normal but I noticed his optics change. They became brighter. Calmer. I couldn't help but smile a little.

"You require a few basic necessities, I assume. We cannot be sure if the Decepticons have developed any holoforms, so we will have to be very attentive. Wheeljack can-"

"I'm on it doc!" Wheeljack hummed happily as he strolled into the base. He held that familiar smirk as Ratchet clenched his servos.

"You do not even know what we-"

"What else would you need me for? Of course, you need me to look after Hope," he turned towards me and smiled. "How have you been, kid? Causing any trouble?"

"N-no. I'm just the same as I was yesterday."

"You need to let loose a little, kid," Wheeljack teased.

Optimus Prime spoke then, nodding at Miko, "Miko will join you to gather the things you need. Wheeljack will accompany the two of you for however long you need."

"Got it, boss bot." Wheeljack nodded in understanding and transformed.

"Watch after her," Bulkhead pointed to Miko as she practically followed towards Wheeljack's vehicle mode.

"When have you ever doubted me?"

"When you took her to fight an army of Deceptions by yourself, used her as a security camera, tried to get revenge-" Bulkhead counted on his digits.

"Aw, you worry too much, Bulk. We'll be gone for a few hours. Come on, Hope!"

I nodded slowly as I tucked in my wings and slipped on my jacket. My hand touched my pocket, which now held my necklace, before making my way to the others. Miko was already fiddling with the radio, humming loudly and stomping her foot to the beat.

Wheeljack's holoform suddenly appeared and slapped the girl's hand away. "No touching. Hope is in the front."

"Lame." Miko sat back and crossed her arms. Wheeljack glanced at me and winked, which made me blush. I need to stop doing that. You'll only embarrass yourself more.

I brought my hand to the radio, moving it back and forth until I reached one I liked. Miko looked absolutely horrified.

"What, are you crazy? Are you trying to melt my brain? Why on earth do you like bluegrass?"

"That's what it's called? I've never heard it before," I admitted. "I've never really had the time to listen to the radio."

Miko frowned and retreated, glancing at me from the corner of her eye as she placed her chin onto her palm. "Fine."

Wheeljack chuckled as he drove into the ground bridge that Ratchet opened, and drove into the swirling vortex.

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Sorry it took me so long to update! I have been stressing out a bit because I am planning on moving into an apartment soon. I get homesick easily (the apartment is only like two minutes from my house :/) but I have been a bit busy lately. Sorry it took so long for an update <3 Hope you liked this chapter! I kind of skimmed through this chapter so if there are mistakes I'm sorry.

Feel free to vote and comment!