Lost & Found

On the Run

Chapter 116: On the Run
________________________________________________

"You should be sleep, young one."

Quietly, I slipped into the barn, pulling the large doors shut. "You know I can't do that right now dad."

"I know you are stressed, sweetspark, but you must be prepared for any possible danger that is to come."

I sighed, my hands lingering on the handle. "You're not exactly in the best condition to tell me that, y'know."

I heard shifting metal and loud thumps echoing throughout the large barn. "But I am your father and my children are my first priority." I turned to face the tall mech towering over me.

"When are you going to let me take care of you for once? You're the one who needs repairs." I inquired as I approached him.

"That," He slowly lowered himself onto the ground with a pained grunt and bent his leg at the knee, resting his arm on it. "does not render me useless. I am still able to dish out punishments if needed, youngling." He stated with a raised optic ridge.

With a playful roll of my eyes, I climbed onto his leg and sat on his thigh. "You're such a dad."

"So I've been told." With a slow hand, he reached out and held the side of my face with his index finger while his middle and ring glided through the faded blonde ends of my hair.

"I had to dye my hair to hide my identity since cutting it failed," I answered his silent inquiry. "But I guess it doesn't work since you instantly knew it was me the second you saw me."

"You could paint yourself green and name yourself Ratchet, I'd still know my sparklings."

I crossed my arms and stuck my lip out in a playful pout. "I might just do that."

His engine rumbled as he let out a deep chuckle. "You look beautiful."

"Really," I blushed. "You think I can pull off blonde?"

"You'd look beautiful in every color though if I may be honest," He ruffled my hair before pulling away. "I prefer your normal black."

"Well, until I figure out a way to get rid of this dye," I tucked a strand behind my ear. " It's gonna be a while until I get my normal color back. Might as well get rid of it anyway since my cover is blown."

"Those humans. Cade," He stated questionably. "How did you meet them?"

I shrugged. "It was just me and Boomer walking through the woods one winter. We were tired, hungry, and cold. I saw this barn out in the open and then...I think I passed out cause I don't remember much after that. It's just blurry."

His head tilted in a questioning manner. "How did he find you?"

I shrugged again. "I woke up in his house with Tessa claiming that they found me on the front porch. Not sure how I got there but I'm assuming it had something to do with Boomer."

"And he has been taking care of you since then?"

"Yup," I replied, popping the p. "He fed me, bought me clothes, and he even took care of me when I had gotten sick one time."

He nodded. "I shall thank him. It pleases me to know that you were well taken care of while I was away. I feared that you were captured. "

"There have been a few close calls," I said. "But me and Boomer managed to escape."

"Please," He gathered me in his palm and gently cradled me to his chest. "Do be careful, my youngling. Do not take things so lightly. The humans-"

"I know, I know." I rolled my eyes at the lecture that was to come. "I was careful, I promise. I know you're wary of the humans, and so am I, but we can trust Cade."

I hope so.

I maximized and snuggled into his embrace as I settled into his lap.

"Hm," A kiss was pressed against my head as arms circled around me and squeezed me tighter into his chest. "I have a right to worry, youngling."

I do too.

"And you should be resting. What are you doing up at this hour?" He questioned.

"I should ask you the same."

"Don't get smart with me." He pulled away while smoothing out my hair.

"You know if Ratchet was here, he would agree."

An optic ridge cocked in inquiry. "Tell me, is Ratchet here?"

I crossed my arms and leaned back slightly against his leg to face him. "No, but spiritually he is. His yelling is forever engraved in our brains and I know you have that phantom feeling of a wrench hitting you in the head."

I laughed when he began to shift uncomfortably as a subconscious hand began rubbing the back of his head. "Dear Primus youngling. Are you trying to have that medic haunt me?"

"At least he keeps you alert and on your toes." I giggled.

It's still a wonder to me how he easily finds me when I try to avoid bedtime or check-ups. Either I'm not sneaky enough or...he installed a tracking chip somewhere while I was sleeping.

"Do you know what else keeps you alert?" I yelped when I was lifted and laid across my father's lap.

"Proper recharge."

I glared up at him from my new position. "You should take your advice."

"And you," He waved a stern finger at me before tapping my nose. "Need to stop talking back to your father and do what he says."

"Said father needs to take his being into consideration."

"The daughter of said father needs to sleep before she gets punished."

I laughed weakly as I shifted on his lap to get comfortable. "Are you gonna send me to my room?"

"Don't test me."

_________________________________________________

Ow let me go!

Tessa!

Daddy!

My body flinched violently and my eyes shot open, my arms threw themselves forward to keep me from rolling off the bed. I took a few breaths to calm my racing heart before I began to sit up and take in my surroundings.

"Liza?" My head snapped over to my father's radio.

"Daddy...."

"Are you alright my dear?" His voice was slightly groggy due to his interrupted recharge. "You seem-"

"Daddy, we need to go." I pushed myself up on his cab bed and began pulling on his door to open it.

He wouldn't budge.

"Liza, what-"

"I had a vision. We need to go." I stated firmly, pulling on his door again.

He was silent for a few moments before he spoke. "What do I need to do?"

"Hide." I pulled on his door once again and this time it opened.  I jumped from his alt and started towards the barn doors.

"Liza," A large foot planted itself in front of me before metal fingers gently curled around me and raised me to eye level with my now concerned father.

"Who's coming?"

"...The humans. They found us."

He nodded and slowly lowered me to the ground. "What must I do?"

"Hide," I repeated, turning back towards the door. "I need to warn Cade and Tessa before-"

A sudden gunshot rang across the field.

"Daddy!"

Oh no.
________________________________________________