Sam’s eyes opened slowly, and he blinked at the bright light. A moment later, the high ceiling came into view - a ceiling way, way higher than his room at home.

He realized he was laying on a cot with a blanket tucked over him; the cot was in a corner of the huge hanger. Mikaela sat on a small chair beside him, watching the figures at the other end of the hanger. But when Sam moved, she turned towards him.

“Hey, you’re awake,” she smiled, showing her white teeth.

Sam tried to sit up and throw the blanket off, but she stopped him, putting a hand on his shoulder.

“Huh-uh, no, Bumblebee said you had to rest. Rachet is here,” she motioned with her head to the other end, “and he wants to scan you before you get up.”

“I’m fine,” Sam insisted. “Just got banged up in the gym room.”

“My sweet klutzy Sam,” Mikaela looked sympathetic as she brushed her hand over Sam’s head, smoothing back his brown hair. “But no, you’re not moving until Rachet comes over. He was all upset at Bumblebee, and then ‘Bee tried to explain that Lennox was training with you and Lennox kind of blamed Epps – it was a whole big mess. But Rachet was glad ‘Bee made you sleep and he got ‘Bee to carry you back here.”

Sam winced, hating how babyish it sounded. “How long was I out?”

“About an hour. ‘Bee wanted to take you home, but Optimus Prime arrived and he wants to –”

“Optimus Prime is here?” Sam sat straight up. It was bad enough looking like a wimp in front of the army guys and the Autobots, but Sam hated looking weak and pitiful in front of Optimus Prime.

“Take it easy,” Mikaela warned, but Sam threw the blanket off and swung his feet to the floor.

“He’s awake,” a voice said from the other end of the hanger.

A second later, Sam found himself facing Rachet, Bumblebee, Lennox, Epps, and Sarah. They crowded around Sam, enclosing him into a corner and cutting off any chance for escape.

“Lay back down, Sam,” Bumblebee directed. “Rachet needs to look at you.”

“I’m fine,” Sam huffed but he lay back on the cot. He had a feeling that if he did not comply Bumblebee would reach one hand out and pin Sam down on the cot. That was the hard thing about living with the Autobots – they were cool and fast and sleek, but they were big enough to crush his whole body in one hand. And though Sam could not see Optimus, he knew the blue and red Autobot was around somewhere, probably within earshot.

“Hmm,” Rachet frowned, his metal face pulling down, “careless again, eh? Boy needs to learn his limits – he won’t always have you to take care of him, Bumblebee.”

“What does that mean?” Bumblebee demanded. “Are you implying I will leave my post?”

“I’m your post?” Sam scowled. “Not your driver or your friend, but your post?”

“You’ll always be my friend,” Bumblebee soothed, but Sam sat up again.

“Why, because Optimus told you to?”

“I chose to stay with you. Ironhide went to Lennox, Rachet stays on base, and the others watch from other places, but I chose you.”

“Guess we’re Ironhide’s post,” Lennox smiled at Sarah.

“It’s okay,” she leaned back to put her head on her shoulder. “I like having him around – makes me feel safe when you’re gone.”

Lennox put his arm around Sarah and pulled her in for a kiss. He looked so protective of her, strong and secure – Sam felt even more annoyed to be sitting on cot with everyone hovered over him.

“Where’s Optimus?” Sam stood up.

Before he could even step back, Rachet swooped down with one hand and picked Sam up. “Breathe,” the Autobot ordered. “In and out, deep breaths.”

He laid Sam facedown over one hand, and Sam could see everyone staring up at him. Why didn’t they leave and give him a little privacy? Rachet placed his other huge hand over Sam’s back, sandwiching him in between the two hands.

Another hum started, coursing between the two hands though Sam’s body. It reminded him of Bumblebee’s earlier hum, only Rachet’s did not make him go to sleep.

“Why aren’t you using the laser eye things?” Sam asked, still wishing everyone would stop watching.

“I can monitor your body’s vitals much more closely this way,” Rachet answered. “You have eaten more carbs than protein today and have consumed four times the average amount of sugar a human your size should consume in a day.”

“It was just a few Ding-Dongs,” Sam protested when Bumblebee frowned at him. “And some Fruit-Loops and M&Ms and maybe a candy bar. Don’t you guys ever OD on . . . gasoline?”

He was not sure exactly what Autobots ate.

“Also I detect signs of brain over-simulation and lack of REMs. You were playing video games late last night and did not get enough sleep.”

“I didn’t brush my teeth this morning either – can you tell that?” Sam snapped.

“Ew, Sam,” Mikaela made a face. “I kissed you earlier.”

“I chewed mint gum before I came to get you,” Sam glanced at her.

“Still,” Mikaela shook her head.

“Get used to it,” Sarah told her. “Guys are slobs and disgusting pigs and leave their clothes all over the house for you to pick up.”

“What?” Epps laughed at Lennox. “After all that army training, you’re still a slob? What ‘til I tell the colonel. He’ll have you spit shining your boots again.”

“Don’t you dare tell the colonel anything,” Lennox ordered, letting go of Sarah and taking a fake swing at Epps. With a laugh, Epps ducked, and then the two men pretended to fight which meant lots of moving around and overreacting to harmless swings.

Sarah rolled her eyes, but she was smiling as she watched her husband. “Boys,” she shook her head at Mikaela. “They never grow up.”

Rachet seemed oblivious to everything else as he handled Sam and kept up that infernal humming. “Keep breathing. We only have a few minutes before Optimus Prime comes back.”

At the mention of the Autobots’ leader, Sam began squirming, trying to get down. “I’m not sick,” he insisted. “I just got banged up in the gym. No, Rachet, don’t turn me over.”

“Sam,” Bumblebee said sternly, “let Rachet work.”

Sam huffed and groused, but he stayed still while the Autobot manipulated and twisted and hummed until Sam felt much better. The pain from the gym was mostly gone, and he was relieved when Rachet set him down on his feet.

“He’ll be fine, but he’s very tired,” Rachet told Bumblebee. “After the meeting today, take him home and make sure he goes to bed.”

“I can take care of myself, thank you,” Sam said as he stood. He did not want to argue too much or he was afraid that he might get picked up again or, worse, put back on the cot.

He went to stand by Mikaela, wishing he was cool enough to put his arm around her all possessively. “What time is it?” he asked.

“Almost midnight,” she replied. “We’re all waiting for Optimus – oh, here he comes.”

Sam watched as the huge blue and red Autobot came in the hanger, walking tall and strong with Ironhide right behind him. The change was noticeable. Conversations stopped as everyone fell silent; Lennox and Epps stood side by side, almost at attention. Lennox looked seconds away from saluting. Rachet and Bumblebee also stood up straight, Bumblebee moving near Sam.

“Thank you all for being patient,” Optimus Prime said, his voice strong but quiet. “I have been in communication with several leaders. Right now there is no present threat, but we must keep constant vigil. Mikaela?”

Mikaela jumped slightly, surprised at being spoken to. She had talked to Optimus before and she liked him as much as she respected him, but when they were all in an official meeting, she usually stayed to the sidelines. “Uh, yes, sir?”

“We may be moving you to this base in the near future. I hope you do not object.”

“I have to leave my house?” Mikaela asked. “I mean, it’s not great, but it’s the first time where I have my own room and nobody is stealing, but –”

“Base living can be fun,” Sarah told her softly. “You’d be closer to me, and the schooling’s better.”

Mikaela looked like she wanted to argue, but she trusted Sarah so she just nodded.

“Wait, no,” Sam objected. “You can’t just push her around like that. She should have a choice in where she goes.”

“Which bring us to you,” Optimus looked down at Sam. “In all likelihood, we will bring you here to live on base sometime in the next month.”

Living on base with Mikaela? And away from his annoying parents? Sam thought that might not be such a bad thing. He wouldn’t have to use Bumblebee to go see her, and it would be just the two of them . . .

“I could see that,” Sam tried to look casual.

“For the next month,” Optimus announced, “we will be in training. The Autobots will work carefully with the military and human civilians to ready ourselves should the Decepticons strike again.”

“Great, they’re coming back,” someone said from the back.

Sam turned to see Agent Simmons standing just inside the hanger.

“Oh, come on,” Simmons scoffed. “You’re all thinking the same thing. If we prepare for something, it’s probably going to happen. I just say we get ready for one grim future and not beat around the bush.”

“Does he have to be here?” Sam demanded.

“Hey, kid, I have as much right to be here as you – it’s my country, too,” Simmons told him.

“Oh, yeah? What about what you tried to do to Bumblebee?” Sam asked. “You tried to freeze him – you could have killed him.”

“I was acting on my orders. You have to follow orders, even the ones you give.”

The memory of that night returned to Sam. He remembered his voiceless car fighting against the thick wires and ropes while the liquid nitrogen poured down over his car. They had beat him back while Bumblebee struggled for life –

“Well, how ‘bout I follow my orders and smash in your face?” Sam challenged.

“I’ll knock you clear across the room,” Simmons told him.

“Bring it on, buddy,” Sam spread his arms out. “I’ve been healed by the super robots, and I can take out one slimy agent!”

The next few moments were chaos as everyone seemed be talking and moving at once. Epps stepped up to fight Simmons himself only Lennox blocked his way and yelled for him to stand down, soldier! Sarah tried to stop Lennox from fighting, and Mikaela tried to intercede between Sarah and Sam, telling everyone to calm down.

Bumblebee got ready to grab Simmons and throw him across the room for threatening Sam, but Rachet stopped Bumblebee. Optimus Prime thundered for everyone to be quiet, and all the noise woke up Baby Annabelle who started wailing at the top of her lungs from her playpen.

“You woke my baby!” Sarah scolded her husband as he and Epps argued about Simmons.

A few minutes later, Sam found himself pushed into the passenger seat of Bumblebee who had turned back into a car. Sam was sure that Mikaela would get in the front seat, but the door locked and the Camaro pulled out of the hanger.

“What the hell?” Sam demanded. “I started it back there – let me finish it.”

Bumblebee made no reply.

“Come on, dude,” Sam urged. “I won’t really fight him. But he’s needs to pay for what he did to you and Mikaela. And me and my parents. We all suffered because of that jerk.”

Bumblebee still said nothing.

“You’re not talking to me?” Sam said in disbelief. “I’m getting the silent treatment?”

At getting no reply, Sam reached over to turn on the radio. No sound came out of the speaker.

What would happen if he tried to put his fist through the window? It would hurt his hand really bad, but could Bumblebee feel it?

Sam slumped down in his seat for the rest of the drive home. They were about to pull into his driveway when he sat up and asked, “Wait, how is Mikaela getting home?”

“Ironhide will take her,” Bumblebee rumbled.

They pulled up and once the car-doors unlocked, Sam got out without a word. He could give the silent treatment, too. He started up the stairs and opened the door, but it swung open and Sam was face to face with his father.

“Dad?” Sam jumped in surprised. “Dad, I – I’m sorry I’m late. I know I’m really late, and I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay, it’s okay,” his father assured him. “Come on in.”

Mr. Witwicky opened the door up and let Sam into the kitchen. Sam followed, looking around suspiciously. His mother was in the kitchen, fully dressed.

“Hey, honey,” his mom smiled. “Are you hungry? Want some food before you go to bed? I could make you some tea or some cereal. You like cereal.”

Sam was beginning to feel like he was in the Twilight Zone. “Guys, am I in trouble?”

“Oh, no, honey,” Mrs. Witwicky’s face was oddly blank, “we’re just glad to have you back . . . safe and sound. We worry about you. It’s dangerous out there.”

“It’s dangerous everywhere,” his dad corrected. “So be careful.”

“Be very careful,” his mom warned.

Sam glanced from one parent to another. What did they know? Could they possibly know about the Autobots, and that was the reason they weren’t taking his head off for being so late?

“Well, bedtime for you,” Mr. Witwicky announced bluntly.

“Upstairs,” his mom nodded. “Get some sleep. No playing at the computer.”

Sam did not want to press his luck so he headed for the stairs. As he passed his mother, she leaned in to press a kiss on his forehead.

“We love you so much,” she told him.

Sam went upstairs and sat down on his bed to think. He was sure his parents didn’t know, but if they didn’t, how was he ever going to move to the base without them stopping him? Would the military arrange it and make up some story? Or suppose they did know – why wouldn’t they have said more to him? They were worried about him, but still let him go out of the house.

When he was younger, he had wanted to ride his bike off their street, but his mom had told him he had to stay on the street until he turned ten. One day, thinking she was busy in the house, he had ridden to the next street, wanting to show his friend the stickers on his new bike.

When he returned, his mom had been waiting on the front steps, her hands on her hips and her eyes stern.

“Samuel Witwicky,” she had said in voice that was much too loud because the other kids on the street might hear it, “inside right now.”

Once he had trudged inside, she explained to him that he had to be older to go off the street and she had ended her lecture with “It can be dangerous out there – I just want you to be safe.” He had agreed with her and said he was sorry, but the bike was locked up for a week because he had disobeyed.

But tonight they hadn’t taken away his car. They really hadn’t done anything. But why were they so anxious?

Sam reached out and flipped the lights off. His room went dark, and he lay on the bed, listening. After about ten minutes, he heard his parents go to bed, the door down the hall shutting. Outside Bumblebee was silent, probably sleeping or whatever it was for the Autobots to rest up.

It was all getting to be a bit too much. Lennox and Bumblebee and Epps and Mikaela and Simmons and now his own parents – everyone was teaming up against him. And there were all these special meetings and restricted hangers and plans that no one would talk about.

He had saved the world – he, Sam Witwicky, had killed Megatron and won the war, but nobody wanted to recognize that. They would rather treat him like a kid, push him around and hush him up.

Tomorrow Bumblebee would lecture him about his behavior and then he would have to call Mikaela and apologize. And the next time he saw Lennox, it would be all awkward. And then there was Optimus, Rachet, Epps, Sarah – hell, Bumblebee would tell him to apologize to Baby Annabelle at this point.

Fed up, frustrated, and the tiniest bit sore where the weights had hit him, Sam stood up and made a decision. He needed space. He needed time alone without anyone else nearby where he could move and think.

He grabbed whatever money he could find – about thirty-odd dollars and got ready to stuff it in his pocket where he realized he was still wearing the exercise clothes from earlier. Had his parents not even noticed the weird clothes he was wearing, different from those he left in?

A few minutes later he was in jeans and a tee shirt with the money in his pocket. He could see Bumblebee outside his window, the car parked and dark. Sam held his shoes in one hand and opened his bedroom door with the other. They had wooden floors which liked to squeaked, but the way to get out silently was to slide his socked feet along and never lift them up. The stairs were harder – they squeaked at odd places. So he had to slowly lower his body weight, taking about twenty seconds a stair.

Once he got downstairs, he tiptoed in the dark to the front door. He had to push on it to get the lock open without making any noise. And then he had to lift up on the handle as he turned it to get the door to open quietly.

Once outside, he carefully shut the door before surveying the dark street. His mother’s bike would be the fastest way to go, but Sam knew it would make noise. He slipped his shoes on and went down the front steps and headed up the sidewalk on the side away from the driveway where his parents’ cars and Bumblebee were parked.

As soon as he passed the neighbors’ house, Sam broke into a run. After the humiliating experience on the treadmill, he thought he would never want to run again, but here it was different. The street was cool and silent, everyone was gone, and it was just him and the cement sidewalk. He jogged along, enjoying the soft sound of his shoes against the hard surface.

He used to be a loner. He used to want more friends and more girls to talk to and more people to notice him and take him seriously. Now, he just wanted a little space.

He came to the end of his street and turned up the next.

His lungs were a little tight, but he felt great. He was free.

He ran up the next road, now at least a mile from his house.

He would just keep going until he reached somewhere far enough away that he could stop. Maybe he would go back to his home, or maybe he’d just pull a Forrest Gump and keep running. Either way, it was his decision, his choice.

He was completely free.

At that moment, he heard the soft hum of the motor right behind on the street.

Sam kept running, refusing to look back.

The hum continued.

He knew without a doubt that Bumblebee was right behind him. Sam didn’t understand how his car had found him so fast, but he just kept running.

Bumblebee followed right behind, his lights off as he kept pace with his runaway ward.