Transformers Prime: Broken Heart, Broken Voice (#1)

Chapter 10

*Erin*

I drifted in a cold, dark void, feeling empty and lost. It seemed like an eternity of nothingness, with only the faintest hint of breath. I wondered if this was death, and if I had missed my chance. But my mother's promise gave me comfort, and I felt a strange sense of peace at the thought of reuniting with her, ending my suffering.

Suddenly, I felt a warm and comforting presence, like a cozy embrace on a cold day. I followed the gentle glow and found myself drawn to a bright light, with a hand reaching out to me. I wondered if it was my mother's hand, guiding me to the afterlife. I reached out eagerly, but was instead enveloped in a whirlwind of colors and disorienting sensations.

As I regained consciousness, I felt a cold, clinical atmosphere, like being in a hospital. I smelled antiseptic scents and heard muffled voices, including my father's, which filled me with dread. His impatient tone made me fear he would leave me behind. I also heard a calmer voice, but couldn't make out what they were saying about my condition.

As awareness slowly seeped back into my consciousness, I felt a heaviness weighing down on my eyelids. With a struggle, I managed to pry them open, blinking against the harsh glare of fluorescent lights above. The sterile scent of antiseptic assaulted my senses, and the faint beeping of machines filled the room. On my mouth and in my throat, I felt a foreign object there, and I realized it was an intubation tube.

My fingers twitched against stiff sheets, my skin prickling with the sterile chill of the room. Blurred shapes moved in my periphery—people. Someone spoke, their voice muffled, distant. I tried to focus, but my thoughts swirled in confusion.

"Erin, can you hear me?" a gentle voice called out, breaking through the fog in my mind. I turned my head slightly to see Ms. Darby, my nurse, standing by my bedside, her expression one of cautious hope.

Weakly, I attempted to respond, but remembered I couldn't and just nodded.

Relief flooded Ms. Darby's features as she reached out to adjust my pillows. "You've been in a coma for two weeks, but you're finally awake. Do you remember what happened?"

Memories flooded back in fragments, the incident, the darkness, and the warmth. But alongside them, a sense of guilt gnawed at me, knowing that my father was likely furious with me.

Before I could dwell on it further, my father  looked at me, his expression a mix of anger and concern. "Erin, do you have any idea what you've put me through? Two weeks, lying here, unresponsive!"

I flinched at the sharpness in his voice, feeling a knot of guilt tighten in my chest. I tried to lift up my hand, which was more difficult than I expected, and with shaky hands, I signed the word 'sorry'. Ms Darby immediately gently placed my hand back down on the bed.

He cut me off with a frustrated gesture, pacing back and forth beside my bed. "Sorry isn't going to cut it, Erin. You've cost us so much, financially. I don't know if we can handle this anymore."

Ms. Darby stepped forward, her tone calm but firm. "Mr. Storm, Erin needs your support now more than ever. She's been through a traumatic experience, and she's going to need time to recover."

My father's jaw clenched as he glanced between us, his anger warring with concern. Finally, he let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. But this is your last chance, Erin. Don't make me regret it."

As he stormed out of the room, leaving behind a tense silence, I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt.

"What a despicable man, showing more concern for medical bills than his own daughter's well-being. What kind of father behaves like that? But don't be scared, Erin. You're going to be alright. We're here for you, and we'll take care of everything. However, if you feel up to it, I'd like to understand what happened to you. Jack mentioned you were kidnapped that night, and the next day, you were brought here with a bullet wound. Of course, you don't have to talk about it if you're not ready. I can only imagine how traumatic it must have been for you," Ms. Darby said, her voice filled with empathy and concern.

As I hesitated, my gaze drifted towards the window, memories of the terrifying ordeal flooding my mind. A single tear fell down my cheek.

I slowly shook my head. I wasn't ready. Not yet. Ms Darby just nodded and smiled, understanding the situation. She took my hand in hers and slowly brushed it to comfort me.

I smiled back.

Wait. Something felt wrong.

I couldn't feel my leg.

My left leg...

I needed to know what happened. I raised my hand, despite Ms Darby's instructions not to strain myself, and shakily tried to ask her.

What happened to my leg?

I looked up at the nurse, tears in my eyes.

Ms Darby just looked at me in the eyes with an unreadable expression.

"Erin, there's something important I need to tell you," she started, her voice tender yet steady. "We had to amputate your left leg due to the infection from the bullet wound. It was a difficult decision, but it was necessary to save your life."

A heavy silence hung in the air as her words sank in, the reality of my situation hitting me like a tidal wave. I glanced down at the empty space where my leg should have been, feeling a sense of loss and disbelief wash over me.

Unable to find my voice, I could only stare at Ms. Darby, my eyes brimming with unspoken questions and emotions. She squeezed my hand reassuringly.

"We'll help you through this, Erin," she continued, her voice a soothing presence amidst the chaos of my thoughts.

Though I couldn't respond verbally, I nodded slowly, grateful for her unwavering kindness and understanding.

A/N: haha yes! I'm on a roll! Two chapters in one day, I really need to slow down.

Don't worry the story isn't gonna end somewhere here. I mean, she just found out about the autobots, I want her to spend some time with them. And maybe I will write chapters from a few tfp episodes like fron when they meet Smokescreen (spoiler alert)