Complex Robotics

Nadir

Classical music wafted in the background, and the hardwood floors were so glossy I could see my reflection. My mother gave the concierge a friendly greeting before we followed her up the elevator to the second floor. The hallways were brilliantly lit, with beige wallpaper and a scarlet carpet. People walked down the halls, and I wasn't oblivious to the questionable looks they sent me.

I probably looked like I wrestled with an alligator, crawled out of a sewer, and jumped into a dirt pile. I was paler than snow, scars and bruises littered my arms, and I wasn't even going to get started on the appearance of my hair. Looks didn't matter when I was running from Decepticons like hell, or I was trying to avoid getting squished or shot at.

I should be relieved I was around humans again, but instead of feeling welcomed, I felt like an outcast. It was becoming clear as we reached the door that I didn't even want to be here. Sure, I wanted to stay with my family for at least one more night, but something deep inside my chest was longing to go somewhere else.

To be somewhere else, with someone else.

I didn't belong here, and the realization hit me like a punch to the face.

I don't belong here...

The door swung open, and My mother set her keys on the counter. Colton walked immediately to the couch and flipped on the TV. Sunstreaker and I awkwardly hung back by the door.

"Sorry it's so cluttered in here. Obviously, we were not expecting company." Mom said with a sheepish smile.

"How long have you been here?" I asked, letting my gaze drift across the small room. The main room was divided between a living room and kitchen, and the two doors on either side suggests that was where the bedrooms were.

"Almost a month now."

My eyes widened, and I whirled around, "What?!"

"Yes," She said, shaking her head with a sad sigh, "Our part of the town wasn't too destroyed in the...terrorist attack, but they had us evacuated. At least, until the damaged places were repaired."

"So you've been living here ever since?" I couldn't help the guilt that washed over me. I really hoped my family would've been left out of the aftermath, but I guess seeing them here living and breathing was enough for now. Suddenly, the thought that had slipped from my mind returned.

He wasn't at the convenient store. Was he here?

I wandered into the kitchen part, as she quickly grabbed all the spices needed. She set up the crockpot, and took out the frozen meat.

"Charlie, could you take out the pitcher of lemonade? It's in the fridge."

I loved it when my mother cooked. She was always so in her element when she did, it was familiar and content swelled in my chest for a moment. It was so easy to forget about all the chaos around us when I was with my mother, and I'm sure it was the same for others. She just had that natural effect on people that made them feel nice and safe. I wish I could give that effect.

She hummed softly, and I tent down to retrieve the glass pitcher. As content as I was in this moment, there was still a question on my mind. Colton was staring at the screen and mom was cooking, which was normal things they did...but couldn't they tell that something was missing? Where was he?

"Mom," I finally said, closing the fridge.

"Yes, sweetheart?" She asked in that gentle, soft voice.

"...Where's Dad?"

In that moment, whatever content kind of peace that we were in had shattered, and replaced it was silence so thick that it became hard to breath. Colton's head swung towards us, shock and then resigned grief flashed in his eyes. My mother, on the other hand, had completely froze in chopping the potatoes. Dread pooled in the pits of my stomach, and I immediately knew something was wrong.