From Within The Sand (Sunstreaker and Sideswipe Bayverse)

Chapter 29

"And I've been perfecting my abilities and keeping my distance since then." I heave a sigh as I finish my story.

Everyone stares at me in silence. Optimus woke up about a quarter of the way through. He had sat up and listened intently to the rest of my story. Not once interrupting. There were moments I saw Lennox shed a tear. He tried hard to hide it, but I noticed. I can see the guilt eating away at them. For not noticing there was something wrong with me. But how could they? There are thousands of soldiers here, they can't notice us all. Ratchet even looks upset. Like it was his job to know everything going on. I'll admit it hurts that no one noticed me, but if I had never told Sunstreaker, no one would know.

"I'm assuming your family has no idea." Lennox finally speaks, his eyes meeting mine.

"They don't even know where I'm stationed. They haven't been my family for a long time." I admit to him. I hear a gasp from Sideswipe to my left. "Don't feel bad for me. They weren't much of a family to begin with."

"Why didn't you tell anyone?" Lennox asks gently. His eyes not meeting mine this time.

"How exactly was I supposed to tell someone? None of you believed me at first. Sunstreaker had to keep digging until I finally told him. Even then, he didn't want to believe it. And he's seen me teleport and phase through things. I also didn't want to become an experiment. I didn't want anyone to look at me differently. It was easier to hide it." I finish, slumping my shoulders forward.

"Maybe we could have helped you? At least help understand." Lennox is trying and I appreciate it.

"Have you ever met a ghost? One like me. If I hadn't just helped Optimus, I doubt the outcome would be the same." I wish there was an easier way to make everyone understand.

"Hart," Optimus calls out. I almost forgot he was there. He's been so quiet. "Thank you for saving my life, twice. As well as Sideswipes."

"I said nothing about that." I say in shock. My head snaps to Sideswipe and Sunstreaker. "Did you two say something?"

They both shake their heads viciously at me.

"Do not blame them. I have known for a while," Optimus admits.

"And you didn't say anything?" Ratchet accuses.

"It was not for me to share." Optimus states glancing to his medic.

"How did you find out?" I question, taking a step closer to him.

"When you saved me the first time, I had a vision. The matrix told me it would not be the last time we would need you. At first, I didn't believe it, but the matrix informed me about your burial location and that you will have to make a decision when the time comes. One none of us can make for you." He explains.

"What does that mean?" Lennox grumbles, crossing his arms.

"I had a voice speak to me while you guys were missing. He said I wasn't done yet. I was here for a reason." I look up at Optimus. I believe we both heard the same voice.

"Hart? Why didn't you tell us?" Sunstreaker's sadden voice comes from behind me.

"I didn't want you guys to worry." I admit turning to him. Both him and Sideswipe are wearing identical frowns with worried optics. "I'm sorry."

"You should have told us." Sideswipe looks away as he speaks.

"You had just found out. Half of you were missing when it happened. I was still trying to understand it all myself." I attempt to get him to see my point of view.