Ensconce Transformers Prime AU (Book 2) (Wattys 2017)

Chapter Twenty Five

Soundwave stood in the shadows as he watched the building burn. He furrowed his brow and waited patiently for them to come out. Though only Steeljaw came out of the burning building.

He looked up towards the top as the fire raged on. His expression became unreadable as he mentally heard the children screaming. He shuddered and furrowed his brow as he clenched his fists tightly. This suddenly felt wrong.

He ran towards the building and stopped in front of the burning doors. He narrowed his eyes and ran to the back. He didn't know what he was going to do but had to do something. He got to the back and heard banging on the door. His eyes widened in surprise and fear. He grunted as he pushed against the big dumpster blocking the door. He could hear the smaller children crying and he squeezed his eyes shut. If he failed their cries would haunt him forever.

He grunted quietly and pushed the heavy metal with everything he had. It thankfully moved and he stared at the chain on the door. Steeljaw didn't want anyone to get out. He narrowed his eyes and quickly pulled it off. He yanked the door open and the children stared at him in surprise. He picked up Orion and motioned for them to follow. They didn't argue and ran after him as he turned a few corners.

"No wait!" Jack yelled making them all stop. Soundwave looked at him and furrowed his brow.

"We have to save Fixit. He's still in there!" He said urgently. Soundwave stared at the building then gave the boy to the Miko. Without a word he ran back into the burning building. The others stared in surprise and stayed where he left them.

Soundwave shook his head in disbelief as he ran up the stairs. He couldn't believe he was doing this. But if Heatwave could, so could he. The fire blocked the rest of the way upstairs. The man grabbed an ax for emergencies and chopped down the door. He panted quietly as he ran to the other staircase.

He made it to the office and chopped the hinges off the door. He ran inside and looked around for a moment. Fixit was laying on the floor by his wheelchair as he coughed weakly. He was losing consciousness. Soundwave set the ax down and put the man on his back. He stared at the ax for a brief moment then ran out again as he grabbed it.

He could hear the sirens of the police and firefighters. He had to hurry before they got stuck inside. He went back the way he came and listened to the man cough. He stopped suddenly as he saw the fire in the stairwell. He looked around and realized he was trapped. What was he thinking?

He narrowed his eyes and made sure he had a hold of the man. He sighed forcefully and ran through. He leaped over the flames, he felt them lick his pants and burn him. The man stumbled as he landed, but caught himself from falling. He continued running and winced a little. Once outside he went to the kids and fell to his knees as he panted heavily.

Jack carefully pulled Fixit off and leaned him against the wall as the man coughed violently. Soundwave panted heavily as he set his hands on the ground. Why did he do that? Piper hugged him tightly and he stiffened. He wasn't used to this at all.

"Thank you." She whispered quietly and looked towards the sound of the sirens. He stared blankly and glanced towards the building. He stood up and looked at each of them. He motioned for them to stay then took off.

He got to an alley by the building and stared at the cop cars. He furrowed his brow and wondered how to get them to follow. They were panicked and trying to stop the flames. The chief was yelling angrily as he sobbed silently. The woman was crying into her husband while the soldier stared blankly. They all thought the children were dead.

He bit his lip and slowly stepped out of hiding. He slowly walked towards them as his heart beat faster. He froze when he saw his brother again and didn't know what to do. Heatwave turned and blinked in surprise as he stared at his little brother.