Lockout: A Transformers Story

Chapter 6: Numb, Bitter Cold

"Lockout-"

Where was I? What is this?

The sky was dark, flames engulfing the scene around me, smoke filled my vents. I couldn't breathe, my vents wouldn't expand. I struggled to run from whatever I was running from. It was dark, so incredibly dark. My spark felt like it was burning, the agony from it immense.

That was when our optics locked, blue with gold.

Optimus.

"Optimus?"

The red and blue mech rushed up to me, wrapping me in his arms, engulfing me in a protective hug. His hand ran along my cheek, his blue optics screaming with concern over me. "Thank Primus you are safe."

"Optimus." I wrapped my arms around him and nuzzled against his neck. "Don't let me go... please don't let me go."

The Prime hushed me gently. "I won't. I won't let you go, I promise. You're safe. You're safe, darling. You're safe." One of his hands slowly fisted into my hair, entangling his fingers within it, in the ebony locks. My spark began to ache for him.

"I don't understand what happened... what-"

"Darling, the devastation. Come with me, let me get you to safety." He offered me his hand and I carefully took it. I didn't understand why I couldn't resist him. Optimus Prime was my enemy.

"Optimus.."

The Prime's fingers brushed my forehead and I felt soft pain. "I knew he would hurt you..."

"What?"

"He hurt you... my femme, my love, my darling. Mine. He hurt you."

"Prime-" I breathed but no response. "Optimus?" Nothing. He was growling. "Orion!"

My breaths suddenly came in short gasps and I felt him begin to slip away from me. I couldn't scream, my throat felt like it was closing and I couldn't shout. I couldn't reach his arms that made me feel so suddenly safe.

"Lock-Lockout, sweetheart, wake up-wake up-"

I jerked up so quickly from my sleep and gasp for whatever air I could, tears slipping down my cheeks. I wanted that feeling of safety back from the Prime. I had never felt that way for someone before. Why now?

My whole frame was shaking, it wasn't safe in this room, it felt cold, lonely.

A rough hand met with my cheek, caressing it gently.

"Shhh... calm down, sweetheart. Calm down. You're fine. I promise."

Fine. Yeah, sure I was fine. I wasn't in the arms of a mech who made me feel so incredibly loved and safe. I didn't feel warm anymore, not cozy. The sheets felt tight on my frame. This isn't fine. I didn't want to listen to the mech before me, didn't want to look at him.

My gold optics met those apple red orbs, Barricade looked at me like I was still his entire world.

"Lock-"

"I'm sorry. It was a nightmare, I'm fine." No Shockwave to help me feel safe, no safety or reassurance from the mech in my dreams. Nothing. I had no guard from my nightmares, not anymore. Not now.

"I retrieved the energy. I was trying to let you sleep and then you started frantically grabbing the sheets and clinging to them like they were your life. Whimpering." Barricade huffed in relief that I was fine now, awake. "When I started shaking you, you clung more to the sheets and whined, and then you woke. What were you dreaming about?"

"It wasn't anything much that I remember, just... a nightmare. I'm fine now. Thank you..."

Barricade helped me carefully to sit up, taking the cube of energy from my nightstand and aiding me to drink it. It was like candy, I don't believe I had tasted such fresh energon since the first year I was stranded on Cybertron with Shockwave.

"Just a little more, hun."

I finished the cube and then sat back, feeling much better than I had before.

"Thank you..."

"Just get some rest."

The sun brushed over the horizon, warming the air and peeking into my room. I felt a presence nearby as I stirred, my golden optics slowly fluttering open. I pulled a loose strand of hair from my mouth, running my fingers through the messy ebony locks. 

"Mmm..." I mumbled.

"Good, you're awake." Soundwave's deep, dark voice interrupted, waking me further. 

"How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough." 

I was supposed to be awake already, I had set an alarm because Soundwave took time out of his day to spar with me, however, I think I forgot to set it. I sat up in bed, the soft purple sheets bunched around my waist. I ran a hand over my face and groaned, trying to wake a little more, my gold orbs met with his crimson visor. "My apologies, I thought I set a time to meet you." 

"I will let it pass." He breathed. "Meet me in the training room in an hour, your training will begin then. Don't be late.

"Yes, sir."