"life's a journey, to find the people 

weird like you."

~Atticus 

A satisfied sound left Ratchet's mouth as he nodded at my previously injured wing. Though the Autobot hadn't quite gotten his holoform to work yet, Miko offered to help with my examination. Her awe-struck eyes never left my wings and her hands brushed against my feathers as she felt around to make sure everything was in place. 

"It feels fine to me," she said happily. 

Ratchet glanced at the monitors and nodded. "As it should. Though I must say, it healed much faster than I anticipated. It's only been about two weeks." 

I gently pulled away from Miko and rolled my shoulder to test for pain. When there wasn't any, I slowly extended my wing out- barely avoiding Miko's head- and pulled it back in a few times before smiling and looking at Ratchet. 

"Actually, my healing has been a bit slow here recently. An injury like this normally takes a few days tops." 

Ratchet's look of disbelief made me want to shrink back but I forced myself to sit straight as he shook his helm in amazement. 

"It makes sense. You were in a bad condition when we first found you. Sometimes it takes a body extra long to heal if a string of serious trauma has been left untreated," he said. I noticed the tone in his voice and looked down at my lap. Despite wanting to, I had yet to go into full detail on Mason's abuse. It was embarrassing to say the least, especially in the moments he attempted to sexually assault me. 

While Agent Fowler was quick to push for more information both Wheeljack and Optimus Prime were the ones to step forward and tell him that I needed to take my time. I appreciated that- more than they could probably ever know. 

"Can I try it out?" I asked hopefully. 

Most of the other Autobots were out on patrol- including Wheeljack. He said it was too dangerous for me to be out on patrol for now. Knowing my guardian's constant plea to get me out of the base, I figured it was best not to argue if this was where he decided to put his foot - ped- down.

"Oh! Oh! I want to watch!" Miko squealed as she jumped up and down. My face burned bright red at the attention. 

"Trust me Miko, it isn't that exciting," I said shyly. 

Miko clapped her hands in front of her and leaned in. Over the time that we had begun to spend together, she had taken notice of what I did and did not react to when it came to touch. She grew accustomed to simply keeping her distance and not touching or hugging me without permission. Knowing how easy it was for her to tackle Jack or Rafael when she was excited, I was surprised she had somehow found the restraint with me. 

"No. Absolutely not. I cannot fathom how Wheeljack would react if something happened to you," Ratchet rolled his optics as he spoke.

"Please?" Miko drawled out. She pouted and even made a show out of batting her eyelashes. 

"No." 

"Ugh." 

I watched Miko stomp away and couldn't help but smile at the girl's antics. She was always so loud and outgoing. I wonder what it feels like to talk all the time? I wondered. 

"I do apologize for keeping you inside for now," Ratchet finally stated as he began to work again. 

I stretched my wing out again and shrugged. "It's okay Ratchet. I have homework to do anyway." 

Agent Fowler's solution to my absence at school was to have Rafael go around to my classes and gather homework for me to do at home. Wheeljack tagged along in case Vince tried to make a move on the boy again. When a teacher approached the two and asked why I was gone, Wheeljack then informed the teacher that I was sick with the Bubonic plague.

Luckily for me, Rafael defused the situation, calling Wheeljack out for his jokes and telling him to go back out to the car- or, rather, him. As of now, I am getting over the flu and am planning on returning to school in two weeks. 

Ratchet sighed and turned toward me after a few moments of silence. "I do require to run some tests. Would you rather I wait until Wheeljack returns?" 

My stomach plummeted and I suddenly felt sick as I nodded. I knew my face was probably as white as a sheet. Ratchet nodded and turned away. 

"He won't return for a few more hours. I suggest you rest for the time being." 

"O-okay," I gave a small smile and slowly climbed off of the examination table. The sound of my shoes hitting the metal floor echoed down the hallway. I guess it wouldn't hurt to lay down for a little bit.

As I entered my new room, something jumped out from the side. I squeaked in terror and stumbled, falling onto my butt and flapping my wings in instinct. It took a moment, but I finally noticed the intruder's hot pink pigtails and swinging hair as Miko jumped up and down. A grimace was on her face as she held out her hand to me.

"Sorry, sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. I figured we could plan in here where old doc bot can't hear us," she said quietly. 

I stared at her open hand for a moment before slowly taking it and pulling myself up and giving her a skeptical look. "What do you mean plan?" 

The girl skipped to my bed and hopped on, exaggerating as she flopped backward. "To go flying of course! Well, not me obviously, since I don't have wings-" she shook her head, "no Miko! Don't get distracted. This is her first breakout."

"B-breakout?" 

"Breakout, Jail break, escape, whatever you want to name it. I want to see you fly and I don't want to wait until Wheeljack gets back. Now, here's my plan-"

"I don't think that's a good idea Miko," I admitted nervously.

Miko groaned, letting her weight drag her off of my bed and onto the floor before springing up again. "Don't tell me you're really a goody-two shoe! What are you so nervous about? I do it all the time!" 

"W-what if we get caught?" 

I didn't want to admit that I was more scared of the punishment we might get if we were caught. The rational side of my brain told me that the Autobots wouldn't hurt me, but it was hard to get the idea out of my head. 

Miko began to shuffle through my closet as she answered, "If we get caught then we're caught. The point is not to get caught so we can have fun longer." She pulled out a black jacket that we had bought while shopping. "I'm borrowing this, okay? If you want to know the truth, I begged you to buy it so I could wear it. I figured you wouldn't go for something black so I assume you don't mind?" 

"Well-"

"Great!" 

My head was beginning to swirl at Miko's constant walking back and forth, explaining her plan with a mischievous grin. Basically, we were going to open a groundbridge when Ratchet checked the Autobot's "top secret" storage room. It apparently held all of the relics the Autobots retrieved in battle. 

"Ratchet always goes to check on them around one-thirty when the others are gone and can't do it for him," Miko grinned. 

I glanced towards the clock. It was one twenty-five. 

"Oh! Look at the time. You have everything you need Hope?" Miko rushed towards the door. She was wearing the black jacket over her usual attire, along with a black beanie she slipped on her head as she exited my room.

"Wait! Miko-" I whisper shouted. It didn't feel right, sneaking out like this. I wondered how she did it so often. Especially at school.

We both paused at the end of the hallway. Ratchet was already turning and heading towards the direction of the storage room. Miko squealed and took my hand suddenly. 

"This is our chance! I'm so excited! Our first breakout together!" She pulled on my hand and I followed behind her in desperation to keep up. When her hand continued to tighten in excitement, the sudden image of Mason flashed through my mind and I yanked away in fear. Miko twisted around but paused when she saw the look on my face. 

"I don't know if this is a good idea," I muttered quietly. I rubbed my hand and watched Miko's expression turn soft. 

"Don't worry, Hope. If it makes you feel better, I'm just stopping by the school to pick something up. It won't take very long. I wanted to go somewhere in Jasper where you could fly but if you want to come back to base straight afterward that's fine too." 

My wings twitched as I thought of flying. Well, if we were going to sneak out anyway-

"It's fine. We can find a place to fly." I let a nervous smile fall onto my face and Miko squealed. 

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" She played with the controls, notably smaller than the controls the Autobot's used, and suddenly a groundbridge opened. Miko motioned me to follow her. Instead, I gently took her outstretched hand. The way her eyes brightened made my heart warm for a short second. Is this what it feels like to have a real friend?

Miko pulled out her flip-phone and held it up. She snapped a quick photo before I could say anything and then moved towards the swirling portal. 

"Let's get out of here. Ratchet should be heading back by now." 

And with that, we entered the swirling mass and disappeared as it closed behind us.