I see the cop again on Monday, before I go to my I.T. internship at Gravity Technologies. Before I head to the office, I decide to grab a coffee from a quaint cafe at the end of the block.

When I exit, the warm beverage curling heat through my gloved fingers, he is on his way in, his uniform on. He does not wear a hat today, and his brown hair is longer than I would have expected, gray hairs streaking through it.

"Miss Cambridge," he greets, black eyes wide with surprise. "What a coincidence. I didn't know you liked Early Risers."

I shrug, gesticulating with the hand that holds the coffee. "It's my first time trying it, so I can't really say I like it."

He smiles that odd smile again, and says, "Trust me, you will." And then he departs with a goodbye and a casual, "Have a good day."

I stare at his back for longer than necessary then briskly walk the couple of meters to the giant building of Gravity Technologies, sipping on the vanilla soy latte that I bought. He was right. The coffee is amazing, not too bitter, not too weak. A perfect blend.

✦

The internship is easier than the one at the high school. I'm good with art, but the steady patterns of the algorithms and codings are comforting to me. I work on software for the entirety of the day, my supervisor fine to allow me to be by myself, and at the end of the work day, he writes my report down and gives the sheet to me.

On Tuesday, I stop by Early Risers again, unsurprised when Officer Cade is in line behind me.

"Good morning, Eleanor," he greets cooly.

"Morning, Officer Cade," I say politely. Inside, I find his behavior odd. I understand that he recognizes me, but not even the cops in my town greet me like him and they've been around me for years.

I turn around in the line, and Officer Cade doesn't try to make any more conversation. He does wave at me on my way out, his face impassive. I hurry my steps, certain that I can feel someone staring at me, despite no one being there when I turn around.

✦

On Wednesday, I am on the phone with Ron, and he's telling me about how the twins have learned how to make explosives.

"That doesn't sound like a bad thing," I argue. Explosives help in war. At least they'll be prepared should they ever find themselves in a bind.

"It certainly is," he says haughtily. "They've destroyed half the personnel with their senseless activities. Soot has been stuck to me no matter how hard I try to scrub it out."

I imagine big, macho Ron, soot covered on his rather rugged face while he tries to scrub it off. The thought makes me smile.

"Well, you could always use that new plasma cannon you made and threaten them with bodily harm," I say, chuckling. "Sounds a lot like something you would do."

"The desire is not unfamiliar," Ron grumbles. "But Optimus would never allow me to."

"Does he even have to know?"

"Rebelling against authorities, Eleanor?" Ron asks, sounding bemused. "I did not believe you to have the heart."

"A hangar is in danger of being demolished, I'd say it calls for some undermining," I argue.

Ron's gravelly chuckle is staticky when it comes through the phone. The action warms my heart, brings a grin to my face.

"I shall think about it. Ratchet will be most displeased with this change of character. There is no doubt that he will blame me for your defiance."

"You are not completely guilty," I deny, but Ron huffs a breath of amusement out like he doesn't quite believe me.

Before he can respond, I spot Officer Cade standing by the sugars and creams, coffee already in hand. He sends a wave my way when he notices me staring, and I dumbly send one back, a chill creeping up my spine. I ask for a moment from Ron, order my coffee, then go stand at the side, head turned towards the baristas instead of Officer Cade's leering gaze.

"Are you going to be picking me up from the train station on Saturday?" I ask Ron for a change of subject and a distraction from the heavy stare.

Ron hums. "Depends. I am unsure if Optimus will need us here on base or not."

My heart drops but I manage to say, "Alright. I'll still see you when I get home, right? You'll come see me?"

"The needn't be a need for apprehension, Eleanor. I had made a promise, did I not?"

"Yeah," I sigh into the phone, the chill from earlier replaced by the searing adoration coursing through my veins. "You did. Sorry, I just--"

"Eleanor. Good morning."

Officer Cade is still present. I had figured that he would have left after stirring his coffee and making it as perfect as it could be, but he stands beside me, towering over me with his black eyes and a smirk.

How to explain to him that I'm on the phone and what he is doing is really rude? I don't want to be seen as disrespectful, especially if he only wishes to greet me and be on his way, but my stomach drops at the thought of entertaining him.

Ron is deathly silent on the phone.

"Morning, Officer," I say back, shouldering my phone as they call my name. I say my thanks and then walk back towards Cade, grinning atomically. "How are you this morning?"

"Well enough, I suppose," he responds, smirk still on his face. Then, he frowns, eyes glancing towards the phone on my shoulder as though he just noticed it. "I apologize, did I. . .?"

I wave him off despite the fact that he did. "No, it's fine. It's just a family friend back home."

"Does this friend perhaps have a name?"

Together, we walk towards the exit of the coffee shop. Officer Cade holds the door open for me when we reach it.

"I, uh--"

I don't want to tell him Ron's name. I don't even want to continue this conversation. The fact that he's interested in me can't be a coincidence, can it? It's one thing to be a regular at a coffee shop near my internship, but it's another thing to be concerned about the name of a friend of mine.

Glancing away from him, I say, "I apologize, Officer, but I have to go to work. At this rate, I'll be late if I don't run."

A feeble lie, but I need to escape from this conversation before he tries to pry any more information from me.

I expect him to be angry that I have taken an obvious out of the conversation, but he only smiles that wicked grin, and apologizes for keeping me from my work. Ron is still on the line--I can hear him taking in deep breaths--so I try to apologize for the interruption but he cuts me off.

"Who was that?" He sounds harried, the words coming out in a rush. If I didn't know any better, I would think that he sounded scared, but this is Ron and I know he doesn't worry unless there's something really wrong. One weird cop isn't going to make him apprehensive.

"Some cop I met last week," I tell him as I hurry down the block.

Officer Cade's cop car passes me before I cross the street leading to Gravity Technologies, and he waves at me from in the car. Again, I wave back.

Ron says, "What do you mean? Where did you meet him? What is his name?"

"Trent dragged me to this party and he came because of a noise complaint, then he gave me a ride home. His name is Cade. Officer Cade."

"You willingly accepted a ride from this man?" Ron asks scathingly, inhaling a deep breath. "Eleanor, why would you do something so foolish?"

"It was either that or try and drive Trent's truck or let Trent drive under the influence," I argue, frowning. "Would you rather me have done that?"

"Any scenario in which you do not associate with that man is a scenario that is significantly better," Ron snaps, huffing.

I enter the giant glass building for Gravity Technologies, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "Ron, what's the big deal? It's one cop who's a little too friendly. I'm sure he doesn't mean any harm by it." I know my words are a lie, and I know Ron knows they're a lie. He goes silent for a few moments, long enough for me to get on the elevator and head towards the tenth floor.

When I am on the fifth, he says, "I hope he does not, Eleanor, for both your sake and mine."

And he hangs up on me before I can even ask how he knows Officer Cade.

I sigh, but decide not to text him. I'm sure he's just being paranoid because there are dirty cops. I'm sure that Officer Cade doesn't know Ron nor Ron him, and I'm certain that his morning greetings are just that. Nothing more, nothing less.

Even still, a stone rests in my stomach all throughout the day and the night.

✦

On Thursday, a blonde-haired, blue-eyed guy opens the door for me. I grin at him, and give me thanks.

The day is dreary, one of the colder ones that southern California has seen since my time here. There is a heavy coat wrapped around my, my mittens fighting off the biting winds outside. I am grateful for the warm coffee that the barista hands me five minutes later.

When I get outside, scarf pulled tightly around my neck, I see the same car I've been noticing for the past week. Officer Cade sits in his car, and when he glances at me, he doesn't grin or even wave. No, his eyes are narrowed and he looks almost angry as he stares past me and into the coffee shop.

He doesn't attempt to get out of the car. I find that the lack of action soothes an ache in my chest, allowing me to escape before he can truly get a glimpse of me.

As I glance back, my curiosity getting the better of me, I see the blonde-haired guy walk out of the shop, heading over to a shiny yellow Camaro with black racing stripes.

Officer Cade speeds away, flying down the road with snow sprinkling on his car.

✦

Friday is quite literally the worst day I've had since coming down here for this internship. First, I wake up later than I should, making it so I have to skip my daily coffee to make it in time for my job to start. Then, there is a crash in the company, the entire building losing power for the last hour of work, and I have to stay two more to collect all the data and get everything running again.

I don't leave Gravity Technology until after seven o'clock at night, snow falling in quick recession as I exit the building. Luckily, this is my last day; my mentor sent his report back to the school via email as did the art teach at the local high school.

Now, all I have to do is get back to the DeMarco house and then I can go to sleep and get up and leave this disastrous place.

I knew that the homesickness would hit me at some point or another, but the sting in my chest at the thought of my mother's laughter or my father's anecdotes or even one of Ron's rather dry attempts at humor is sickening. It makes me walk faster as though that will speed up time and make it to where it's tomorrow and I'll see the people who I most care about.

I know that everything is going to change when I get home. I'm going to see Ron and my family again, but this time it'll be different. They're supposed to tell me everything about the robots--about the aliens. I'll have the closure I need and they won't have to walk around eggshells with me anymore, but it'll be different.

Optimus told me to keep an open mind, and I hope that I can live up to his request, though I cannot discern what I should be open about.

Perhaps they will tell me when the time comes. I can be patient. I can wait a couple more days, maybe even a week if need be.

On the way home, I decide to stop by a fast food and get something to eat. Mrs. DeMarco informed me that she had ordered out tonight, declaring that she would still make me something if I wanted it. I declined, stating that I would get food on the way home since it was going to be awhile at the company, and I didn't want her to overexert herself. She's done enough already.

I walk into a diner that I know will have vegetarian options, and a waitress tells me to take a seat anywhere. Heading over to the nearest booth, I take a seat by the window, the bright fluorescents beating down on me. I remove my jacket and gloves, but leave the beanie on my head, ordering water to drink.

For dinner, I get a vegetarian omelet and some hash browns. The plate comes out steaming, and I eat in silence, texting my mom that I'm okay and that everything at the company went okay, too. She sends back a line of worries, and Dad sends me some emojis and then there's a shake in my face.

"Something sweet, Eleanor?"

With surprise, I glance up, away from the chocolate shake with too much whipped cream and cherry, and see Officer Cade. He's out of uniform, but the smile is no less familiar. He pushes the tall glass towards me.

"For finishing your schoolwork," he explains, voice gravelly and tight. "I figured you deserved it."

I stare at the shake and then Officer Cade. For a few moments, it is all I do. My mind is a jumbled mess. I am still trying to catch onto the fact that he's found me yet again--that he's slid into the booth without so much as greeting me.

And the fact that it's something of a "reward." That he's giving me this because I've finished my schoolwork. Did I even mention when my time here would be over? I can't remember, the thoughts fuzzy in my head. The only thing I can recall from that night is the crazy moment I had when I believed his eyes to be crimson instead of the black they are now. Maybe I did tell him when I would be finished with my internship.

It would be rude to deny him of this small favor. After tonight, I won't have to see him ever again. His odd mannerisms and chilling glances will disappear the further I get from this city.

"Thanks," I mumble, pulling the drink towards me. Condensation falls from my fingers as I sip on the delectable shake. It is delicious, the thick chocolate running down my throat. I hum in delight. "It's amazing. Thank you, Officer Cade."

"Much welcome, Eleanor," he replies. "I am sure you must be relieved that you have finished your duties down here."

I nod, sipping some more. It is not a big shake, but a tall one. The drink disappears quickly.

"I am. I do like the experience and the people that I have met, but it will be good to see my family again."

Officer Cade hums in thought. "I would imagine. I suspect that your family friend will be most delighted to reunite with you once more. I could not help but overhear the endearing way he spoke with you on the phone."

Despite the warm words, his tone is ice cold. By now, the drink is finished because apparently I was in need of a chocolate shake more than I thought. I regard him slowly, drinking in his features, but other than the blank tone, he doesn't seem bothered in the slightest.

"Uh, yeah, I suppose," I say. "I'll be happy to see him, too."

I do not meet his eyes, stomach churning. When the waitress comes back, I ask her for the check.

"Oh, this gentleman paid for it, Miss," she responds with a kind smile.

I try not to frown, but I'm certain there must be a disheartened expression on my face. The waitress starts to look alarmed, but I quickly thank her and Officer Cade despite the ice boiling in me.

"You didn't have to," I say when she's gone.

Cade waves me away. "I wished to. Call it a going-away present."

Going away? I don't know him! I laugh hollowly at him, reaching for my coat and mittens. I put the coat back on and secure the mittens on my hands. Officer Cade follows me to the door and out into the winter air.

"Thank you again for dinner," I tell him. I face him, hoping that he will see my gratitude as a dismissal. "For paying, I mean. And the milkshake."

"Again, there is no need for the thanks," Officer Cade argues. "I wished to."

I hum, but do not say anything else. The snow is falling and melting on the top of my head. If I do not get back to the DeMarco's soon, I'll freeze out here. I turn to walk away from Cade, but he grabs my arm roughly.

Not like roughly where there's just enough pressure to get my attention, but roughly where it squeezes even the bones, the grip bruising. I wince, and turn to face him, eyes wide with fear.

There's that smirk again--the wicked one that's colder than the frigid air surrounding us.

"Officer?" I ask, voice shaky.

Cade takes his hand away, and my arm throbs angrily. "Apologies, Eleanor. I had merely been curious about something. I suppose you could deem it the reason I have been seeking you out."

"I-- It was intentional?"

"Certainly. You must know that you are very interesting, even for a human."

For a human? What?

My heart races in my chest, and I take a step back away from the man. Ron's words come back to me. He had hoped this man meant no harm, but the expression on his face, the wild look in his eyes--I'm not certain he doesn't.

"I don't-- What do you--"

"Your scars," Cade says, purrs really. He reaches out, and before I know it, he has his hand trailing down my scars, hand burning. I try to fight him, but my hands are glued to my side, too weak to be lifted. What? "You should have died along with your brother, yet you lived. You lived and you have these scars--these magnificent scars--to prove it. Starscream should have killed you."

Starscream? What--who was that?

His grip tightens. His smirk turns into a wicked snarl, and through my fading vision, I can see the eyes that I had convinced myself were black morph into a different color. Light, brighter. Red.

"Wha. . .?" My voice slurs and I fall forward, right into his awaiting arms. Terror strikes through me, but it's muffled by the oncoming exhaustion.

He drugged me.

"I am very curious about these scars," he purrs, but his voice is faraway, muffled. "I wonder how many more we can add to the collection before you break, Eleanor Cambridge."

"No."

I am fading quickly, but I try to reach into my pocket for my phone, a slow but sure process. Or it would have been, but Cade grips my hand tightly, no doubt breaking the bones in it, and scoffs at me.

"Foolish human." He's encased me in his arms, dragging me somewhere. "Your needless fighting is futile." A door opening, and then I hit something. I can't feel it, only know that it's there. A faint blue intrudes the black swirling in the corners of my eyes. When Cade glances back at me, his eyes are burning crimson. "Starscream will be pleased with your capture. I predict. . ."

And then everything is silent.