The Pulsing Darkness

Chapter Nine

Carrie lay on her stretcher, staring at the ceiling of the hanger.  She heard the doors of the hanger open and her head swiveled towards the sound. Her eyes widened as she saw Michael entering in the arms of Orion. The medic and another man walked in. A stranger. Carrie sat up quickly and whined slightly at the pain that shot through her body. 

"Yes, doing that will hurt when you're injured," The medic snarked.

"What is he doing here! Who is he!?" Carrie shouted demandingly, trying to get off the stretcher. Her mind was racing. Letting more strangers in here was risking Michaels safety more and more. It was already her fault for the crash. 

"The man who crashed into you. He is one of our friends," Orion said softly. Carrie narrowed her eyes. Oh, great. Orion set Michael down on the stretcher and he smiled at his sister. 

"He's really funny, don't worry about him," Michael laughed. "His name is Iro-," there was a cough then Orion interrupted.

"Sorry. But yes as Michael was saying his name is Ron." Orion nodded. Michael pouted slightly but he caught on. Carrie crossed her arms. 

"Wow," Carrie whistled. She began to slowly start to clap and shake her head.  "You lot must think I'm plain stupid, don't you? A stupid teenage girl that doesn't stop to think for one second?" Her clapping paused and she glared." Your lying to me and I don't like it. Especially if it involves you manipulating my little brother," Carrie snapped. "And for the record, don't ever touch Michael again." Carrie hissed. Michael looked at his sister and frowned. His eyebrows furrowed in annoyance.

"Young lady I don't think you understand wha-." The medic began sharply.

"Your not mom so stop acting like it!" Michael huffed and crossed his arms. "All the time your so down and mom knows why and you know who doesn't know anything? Me! I ask Mom all the time, 'Hey, what's wrong with Carrie?'. 'Oh, don't worry son, it's something you'll understand when you're older'!" Michael snapped back. "Stop treating me like a baby! I can't even be allowed to talk to you when you're upset! That hurts ya know! I want totalk to my own sister when she's upset and I'm pushed away all the time!" Michael looked away with tears beginning to grow in his eyes. "I like these guys...just let me be happy for once. Not everyone is as bad as Dad." He sighed and wiped his tears with his shirt. Carrie looked at him with wide eyes and opened her mouth to respond but stopped. Her eyes darted away and she sunk down on the stretcher. 

"Michael," Carrie began as she closed her eyes.

"What." Michael huffed. 

"...I'm sorry."

"No your not." The silence filled the room and the three Autobots stood awkwardly nearby. A clap of thunder echoed around them and  Carrie jumped. She looked up. The sound of little pellets of rain started to wash over the hanger roof. 

"Is the doors closed?" Orion asked. Ron looked around.

"Should be." 

"Good. We don't need any water getting in and attract creatures." The medic spoke up and began to head toward the ambulance. Carrie watched wearliy as he climbed in and shut the doors behind him. Ron looked at Orion. 

"Head with him. See if you need anything to eat." Orion stressed. Ron nodded and jogged over to the ambulance and climbed in. Orion watched then turned toward the two humans. He began to walk over and he sighed.

"Carrie...there is something I would like you to know." Carrie watched him get closer and tightened her fists.

"What?"

"My name is Optimus. The man that came in is Ironhide and Ratchet is our medic. Ratchet has trust issues with other people so please forgive him," Optimus confessed.

"What kind of names are those?"

"Names," Optimus nodded. Carrie noticed his slight sway and rose her eyebrows.

"You have more to say."

"I'm cautious and aware of your boundaries,"

"Just say it." Carrie urged with a sigh.

"Michael could not be in more safe hands. We won't allow any harm to him, I promise you that. Just have some trust in us before we head you two to the hospital." Optimus folded his arms over his chest. Carrie looked down. She didn't like but she was still recovering so she didn't really have much of a choice.

"Fine. But trust can't be spoken. It has to be earned." Carrie said softly. Her hands touched a string on the blanket and she gently played with it. Optimus noticed she didn't want to talk anymore and began to walk away. 

"Optimus?" Michael spoke up quietly. Optimus stopped and looked over his shoulder.

"When can I see you again?" Optimus smiled.

"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it."