Transformers Rise of the Beasts

Chapter 14: Ray

"Oh it's just Ray," Mirage pulled his leg back, revealing me, and thwarting my attempt to stay hidden.

He picked me up by the collar of my shirt and set me beside the boys on the fire escape platform.

"Uh...hi?" I waved uncertainty, feeling ashamed at having been caught eavesdropping.

"Ray!" I was shocked when Kris ran up and engulfed me in a hug.

"Uh, hi little dude," Hugging him back, I ruffled his hair.

"What are you doing with Noah?" Pulling back, Kris looked from me to his brother and then at Mirage. "And why are you with an alien?"

"Look," Noah stammered, looking a little flustered. "I have to go and help Mirage."

"Yeah, we're gonna stop the world from ending!" Mirage pumped his fist in the air.

"The world is ending?" A horrified expression crossed Kris's face.

"Mirage!" I hissed at the autobot. He hastily took a grave pose, looking at the ground."

"Eh, Maybe," Mirage shrugged.leaning against the firescape of the next door building. "sixty/forty."

Noah sighed. "You know I'm not going to let that happen," he lookd at his brother gravely. "But that's why i have ot leave."

"Okay," With a sigh, Kris turned to go back into the apartment. "I'll go grab my things."

"Hold up," Noah grabbed his brother gently  by the shoulder and bent down so he was eye level with the child. "You can't go with me."

"But we're a team," Kris said softly. I felt tears prick in my eyes-he really wanted to go with us, poor child. "Who will have your back?"

"Mirage will," Noah did his best to smile. "And I'll need you here to help take care of Mom while I'm  gone. I need somebody to take care of things while I'm gone." He put his hand on his brother's shoulder. "Okay?"

"I understand," Kris nodded. He turned and looked at Mirage. "Hey robot."

Mirage straightened. "Me?"

Kirs nodded. "you watch out for my brother and his girl okay?"

"What?!" Both me and Noah exclaimed at the same time. My eyes widened and I almost gasped aloud. Where did the ten year old get the idea that I was his brother's girlfriend?

"I will," Mirage came closer so that he was eye level with the boy. "Cross my spark and hope to die." he motioned over his chest.

"Good," Kris said gravely, arms folded. "Because if anything happens to them, I'm gonna come after you."

Mirage nodded and gave a small salute. "Understood kid. I won't let anything happen to him."

Noah hugged his brother close. "Remember we're a team, okay?"

"Okay," Kris sniffed.He held up his hand and I watched as they did an elaborate handshake.

"Home Team," Noah smiled, patting his brother on the back as he stood up.

"Home Team," Kris agreed.

    "Here, let me tuck you back in," I offer to Kris, feeling very sorry for him.

"I am a big boy, I don't need to be tucked in," he straightened, folding his arms together.

I could see the quiver in his lips and I knew he was just trying to play cool.

"Well I would appreciate it if you would do me a favor," I explained with a heavy sigh. "You see, I always wanted to tuck a younger brother in but I don't have any siblings."