Transformers: The Cross

Chapter 9 - The Breakout

     I didn't want to admit it, but I was lost.

     Only a few minutes of aimless wandering had gone by, but it'd felt like an eternity. The humidity was so thick it was nearly palpable; I would've gone back to that room for some AC were it not for my stomach gnawing at my insides. I didn't know how these soldiers could stand being here months at a time practically breathing moisture, let alone with the heat outside.

     Where am I?  

     No one was around to answer my thoughts, not a soul wandering the hallways. It was just me and the constant hum of the fluorescent lights above. But I wouldn't complain, or rather my stomach wouldn't complain. The last thing I needed was to get busted.

     Suddenly, as if on cue, there was a close thunk behind me. The hair on my neck spiked, and I whipped around, my hands already up in front of me.

     "Whoa!"

     "Miko?"

     The pink-haired girl was flattened back against the wall, startled from my sudden movement.

     "Nice form!" She said, eyes still wide.

     I blinked, standing up straight. "Were you following me?"

     She slid from the wall and rocked on her heels. "No."

     I cocked an eyebrow.

     "Ok, fine. Yes, I was following you, but can you blame me? Sam can be so annoying, sometimes. It's not like I'd actually side with a spy!...Not that I think you're a spy or anything."

     "But that's what everyone else thinks," I stated. "What Sam thinks."

     Miko nodded, a hand snagging her wrist.

     I sighed heavily.

     "Hey, don't worry." Her amber eyes lit up with positivity. "The others will warm up to you for sure. See? I already like you."

     "Yeah. Just you." My brows knit together, eyes flicking about the identical hallways, the gears in my head turning. "I'm not supposed to be out here."

     "Oooh, bad idea."

     A pit formed in my gut. "Yeah, maybe I should go ba-"

     "I'm all about bad ideas."

     Miko's eyes glinted dangerously as they narrowed, a smirk dancing on her lips. "C'mon. I'll sneak you out of here-" She gasped suddenly. "No! I'll give you a tour of the base! Oh, and we can see Hatchet, and the ground bridge platform, and the rec room!"

     Perfect.

     "Could we start with the cafeteria? I'm starving," I said, a hushed tone coating over my voice. The sneaky girl nodded, speaking with the same level of secrecy.

     "Follow me."

     Miko took the lead, but instead of crouching and sticking to the wall, she walked normally, as if minding her own business. Trailing behind her, I tried to mimic her casualness.

     Our footsteps sounded relaxed, but my heart was thumping rapidly as I heard the clacking of fingers on keyboards. Chatter began to filter into the hall and steadily grow louder, until we reached the one-sided glass corridor where the soldiers and I came in.

     A grumble emitted from my stomach at the new sight, my eyes scouring for sustenance through the floor-to-ceiling view. When I found none, I focused back on my tour guide.