Transformers Prime: Fractured Futures (#3)

Chapter 3

Warning ‼️: Extreme violence. Read at your own risk.

*Erin pov*

"Power"
"Power"
"Power"
"Destiny"
"Destiny"
"Destiny"
"Shadows"
"Shadows"
"Shadows"
"Death"
"Death"
"Death"

Will these things ever stop?
I can't get these voices out of my head.
I swear, if I hear the word destiny ONE more time, I'm going to punch someone.

I calmed myself down. I'm here to spend time with my brother. Not worry about these voices and feel sorry for myself.
I took a deep breath as we both entered the cafe. We sat down at a table near the window, where only the dark city and the light from the lampposts can be seen.

It was 7pm and already getting dark. It was a little unusual for Jasper to be this dark quite early, but we didn't mind. It was quite peaceful. There were also very few people inside the cafe, so that added an extra plus.

Both of us were quiet for sometime, until Evan broke the ice.

Evan leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the table as he studied me. He always had this way of looking at me like he was searching for something deeper, something beyond what I let the world see.

"So, Erin," he finally said, his voice gentle, "are you going to tell me what's really going on, or do I have to guess?"

I tried to force a smile, but it came out more like a grimace. "What do you mean? Everything's fine."

Evan raised an eyebrow, not buying it for a second. "You've been distant lately. More than usual. And don't think I didn't notice you zoning out just now. You're not as good at hiding things as you think."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. I hated how well he knew me, how he could always see through the walls I tried to put up. "It's nothing, Evan. Just... stuff I need to figure out on my own."

"Erin," he said, leaning forward and lowering his voice, "whatever it is, you don't have to deal with it alone. I'm here, okay?"

The sincerity in his eyes almost broke me. For a moment, I wanted to spill everything—the voices, the fear, the uncertainty that had been gnawing at me. But I couldn't. I didn't want to drag him into the chaos swirling in my head.

"I appreciate it, really," I said softly. "But I just need some time."

Evan sighed but didn't press further. Instead, he reached across the table and squeezed my hand, a silent reminder that he was there if I needed him.

We sat in comfortable silence for a while, the sounds of the cafe blending into the background. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and the soft hum of conversation around us created a strange sense of normalcy, a stark contrast to the turmoil inside my mind.

I watched as a few drops of rain began to splatter against the window, distorting the lights outside. It was like the world itself was trying to match the confusion I felt within. I couldn't help but wonder if there would ever be a time when I could sit here, in this moment, and just... be. Without the voices, without the pressure of expectations and the weight of unseen forces pulling at me.

"Hey," Evan's voice cut through my thoughts, "how about we order something sweet? I heard they have this amazing chocolate cake here. It'll be good for the soul."

I couldn't help but chuckle silently at that. "Chocolate cake, huh? You always know how to bribe me."

Evan grinned, and for a moment, it was just the two of us, like it used to be before everything became complicated. I nodded, and he waved down the waiter, ordering two slices of cake and a couple of lattes.