Transformers ( Bayverse ) - I Bleed Into Darkness

34 - Splintered

        Fay was breathing heavily as she paced her run. Three miles down, two to go. Just eight more laps and she would be finished for today. It wouldn’t take too long, and she’d gotten herself moving early this morning. Yesterday had been a bad day. It had been filled with confusion and near paralysis. She was hoping to shake that off today through a nice, extensive run. Just over halfway through, and she was feeling much better. It was difficult to keep from smiling so that she could keep her breathing focused. Fay just felt wonderful. The world was spinning again.

        After yesterday, she’d felt like that would never happen again. Today would be better. Today would be magical. Today, limits didn’t exist unless they were going to pushed past their former selves. The air was crisp and Fay’s feet, adorned with the lightweight track cleats Charlie had brought for her, sunk into the black surface of the track. Fay’s heart, ‘Spark’, she silently scolded herself for believing the former, was beating heavily in her chest. Yet she was still comfortable. Fay was far more than comfortable. By now, she was used to this. Endurance running was something she could handle.

        And it was something she rather enjoyed. Even though she was literally running in circles, or rather, ovals, it still felt worthwhile. To Fay, it still felt like she was doing something. Like she was actually building herself and her skills.

        Fay paid no attention when a small ‘crick’ sounded in her left shin. Frankly, she could hardly hear a thing outside her own breathing. The day was beginning to heat up, and at this point, Fay knew she should finish as quickly as she could manage. With six laps to go, it shouldn’t be too difficult for an experienced runner.

        ~~~

        “Holy shit, Man!” Fay exclaimed, nearly jumping out of her skin as Optimus placed a hand on her shoulder, having approached while her attention was diverted. “Are you trying to scare me to death or something? I oughta kick your ass!”

        Optimus merely gave a small chuckle. “It is good to see you as well, Filly,” he told her, completely unfazed by her threat.

        Fay gave a small huff, rolling her eyes. “Whatever. What are you doing here? Visiting areas are confined to the cafeteria. And they aren’t for hours yet. You’re both early and lost.”

        He shrugged, sitting down in the grass next to her. “You didn’t show up yesterday. Is everything all right?”

        Taking a slow breath, Fay nodded. “I’m fine, Optimus. Yesterday was just . . . Weird. I can hardly recall any of it. Thank you for being concerned.” Carefully, she leaned over and planted a small kiss on his cheek. “It means a lot to me. Even if you are breaking rules.”

        With a slight smile of amusement, Optimus gave a gentle nod. “If you knew the past of the Primes, you would understand how much more that means, Filly.”

        Fay laughed softly, nodding. “Oh, I’m sure . . . What is it, anyway? I can’t recall my past, Optimus . . . I see these small flashes, and sometimes I even have dreams, but I can never really remember what they were by the time I wake up, anyway. What was Cybertron like? What were my . . . Siblings like? I wish I could remember. I wish I knew. I feel so out of place knowing that I’m technically one of you, but I’m . . . Also not . . . That makes sense in some crazy way, right? I mean, I am locked up in a looney bin, so, yeah, it should make plenty of sense.” Faintly, Fay’s mind rang back to the fact that this institution was for more than those who were mentally ill: this place was also for those who had addictions.

        Or perhaps, suspected addictions. Fay was certain she had no problems of the sort, but the doctors had insisted she had, and that was why she’d been sentenced here rather than a normal care facility.Part of it made Fay frustrated and left her feeling stranded.