Anonymous (Bayverse)

Chapter 5

Mirage looked around the home as Zoe had fallen asleep. He began standing and walking around curiously, his boots hitting the floor lightly as he made sure to be quiet. He frowned at the pictures turned over by the fireplace and began setting them up to see.

In the photos were a little blonde girl next to a little boy and two adults. They all were smiling. Mirage blinked and set them back down, glancing around. He then walked to behind the couch and looked at the screen of her computer.

The spy tilted his head.

Many pictures were filled with nature. His interest was sparked. She saw only ice and trees and mountains all around yet she made each picture different and unique with it. Mirage reached over and scrolled through a bit.

There were many photos like it. Mirage hummed. He stepped back and looked to the stairs.

The parents.

The Aunt.

Where was this Aunt? And the little boy? How come he was not here?

Mirage concluded he was with the Aunt but wasn't sure. He had a bad feeling about this place but sighed. He had a mission.

Mirage walked back to Zoes computer and lifted it off her lap. He began scrolling through it, frowning as he searched for the photo. He noticed it wasn't in her gallery so began looking through the documents folder. He found it quickly and inserted a flash drive into the computer, copying the photo. Once it was done he deleted the photo off her computer and put away his flash drive.

As he set the computer down on the coffee table, Zoe gasped as she woke up on the couch. She was drenched with sweat and her cheeks were soaked with tears. She grabbed her head, relief filling her as she felt her blonde hair. She sighed softly, frowning as she felt like she was being watched. She looked up and saw Mirage by the counter, looking at her with a concerned look.

"Little one?" He asked softly. Zoe shook her head as she got up.

"Don't call me that." She mumbled stubbornly in embrassment that he saw her having a nightmare. She wasn't supposed to fall asleep while he was here and she did. She felt frustrated with herself. Zoe went to the fridge and opened it, dread filling her stomach as it was still dark outside. "What time is it?"

"Three in the morning. Roughly." Mirage informed her, his expression not changing as he watched her. "I'll leave as soon as the sun comes up."

"Why don't you just leave now?" Zos groaned as she looked in the fridge. She didn't see anything good. Most of everything expired. She shut the fridge in a huff.

"Why are you acting tough when it's okay to be scared and upset?" Mirage retorted gently. Zoe frowned, looking up at him then to the floor.

"I'm not acting tough!" She snapped which gave her a blank look. She sighed and rolled her eyes. "Because I have to fend for myself. Being upset and scared about something isn't going to help me." Zoe grumbled.

"But I thought you said you had an Aunt?" Mirage asked with a frown as she sat on one of the stools next to him in defeat. She flinched at the term 'Aunt'.

"Yeah, well, she can't drive through snow so it takes her a while to get back here." Zoe mumbled. 

"Even a whole day?" Mirage pressed with raising eyebrows.

"...I thought you said you weren't going to be asking anymore questions." Zoe said quietly, pulling at her fingers.

Mirage sighed deeply, nodding. "Right...sorry." He said quietly. Zoe nodded, dismissing it. The two sat in silence for a while before Zoe put her head in her hands, groaning a little at her situation.

"How did you find me?" Zoe whispered.

Mirage shook his head. "Classified." He muttered, not exactly knowing what to say to her question anyway. Zoe huffed.

"Figures." She grumbled then glanced at him. "So your accent, are you foreign?" The blonde asked quietly as she tried to distract herself. Mirage smiled a bit.

"You could say that." The spy said in amusement. Zoe furrowed her eyebrows.

"So where are you from?" She asked, a hint of curiosity in her tone.

"Italy. I'm Italian, that is the accent you hear." Mirage told her calmly. He obviously was Cybertronian but due to scanning an Italian car, he was stuck with the accent.

Zoe blinked. "Oh...that's kinda cool. How come you don't sound like Mario and Luigi then?" She asked innocently, looking at him with interest. Mirage smiled a bit more as he looked at her, her body language giving clear signs she starting to enjoy his company. The home breathed loneliness.

"That is an exaggeration of the Italian accent." The man chuckled. "But all forms of accents differ due to the location of the country you live in." Mirage told her calmly.

Zoe looked away, thinking a bit. "Cool." She mummured. She had seen a couple of movies where the setting was Italy. It was a beautiful place. "It would be nice to go." She mummured softly.

Mirage smiled a bit, watching her stare at the counter. "Well, it is much warmer than here in the summer." He teased lightly. Zoe ignored the playful comment. Mirage sighed and began standing up. "Alright, I believe I have to go." He said gently. Zoe blinked, almost not expecting it. Or wanting it.

"Oh...I thought you need information."

"Not from a minor." Mirage told her calmly, casually heading to the door. His footsteps were purposefully slow though.

Zoe hopped down from the seat and walked over frowning. "But, I can answer the questions. Is it about that loud bang? I saw it happen!" Zoes eyebrows furrowed. She almost seemed desperate for him to stay.

Mirage looked at her, raising an eyebrow. Why was she so desperate? Although she was warming up to him a little, he didn't expect this behavior. Mirage rubbed his cheek, setting a hand on his hip as he thought about it. He had the image he needed. But then again...he wasn't sure what direction she had the camera facing.

"Alright, just a few questions then I'll be out of your way." Mirage agreed and walked over to a table, Zoe following and sitting across from him.

"What do you need to know?" She asked quietly, lacing her fingers together on the table.

"What time did you take the photo of the jet?"

"Uh...around 7am."

"Which direction where you taking the photo?"

"Uh...I don't know. But the jet was coming this way," Zoe pointed toward the door. "Then went toward the mountains." Zoe pointed to the stairs.

North.

Mirage rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "And what is this loud bang you refer to?" He asked.

"The jet was shot." Zoe told him calmly. Mirages eyes almost widened but he didn't let them.

Two bots were here? Decepticon or Autobot?

He wasn't sure.

"Do you know where it came from?"

"The mountains." Zoe said, her eyes a little bright as if she was glad she was helping.

Mirage hummed. He supposed he could check the mountains before he left.

"Alright, that's all I need to know." Mirage smiled for a quick moment and began standing.

Zoe began standing too, hints of disappointment on her face but she didn't act like she was.

"Okay...um..." Zoe blinked then followed after him as he began leaving. He opened the door and gusts of cold wind entered the warm empty home. "Bye Mr. Dinosaur."

"Its Mr. Dino." Mirage corrected. Zoe rolled her eyes but began shutting the door after him. Once shut the air was warmer and she locked the door. She couldn't help but step onto her tippy toes and watched him get into his fancy car then leave. She didn't move for a while, watching where the car used to be.