When All Lights Go Out I (TFP)

Chapter 25

The first few hours of school went by quite well for Azura. She did get questioned about her absence on Monday, but she found out Fowler had actually sent a letter to the school Monday afternoon with an alibi for her absence. And even though the school accepted it, the teachers still asked her about it and Azura just stated that her father had a good reason and that the explanation was already sent to the school, so she wasn't going to answer any other questions.

She didn't miss much in terms of what was being studied in class anyway, and she handed in the homework that needed to be handed in. She caught up fairly quickly, and Azura did pay attention to the class. Most of the time. She still ended up being distracted by what had been said that morning. Not so much about what Ratchet said about her body, but rather what Megatron could be doing. It worried her.

She tried to not let it worry her, but she couldn't help it. Visualizing zombie bots invading this planet with zero thought or mercy was rather terrifying. Forget human zombies, Cybertronian zombies would be harder to kill, and from what she saw how the dark energon affected Optimus and Ratchet the day before, it also could affect humans.

When it was lunch, Azura met up with Miko on her way to the cafeteria. It was nice to be able to get some food, even though she was already missing the low-grade energon that she had gotten used to from Optimus. The school was serving a bland lunch today. It was Mexican today, but there wasn't a good amount of flavor in the food. It would get eaten anyway.

Azura and Miko sat at a table away from the other kids and they talk to each other until Raf and Jack walk over to sit at the table. "How is Fowler, by the way?" Jack asked Azura suddenly.

She was surprised by the question, but it was something she could answer. "He's recovering. He was still unconscious when Optimus and I left the base this morning."

"The poor man must have went through some horrible stuff," Jack said softly as he took a bite of his taco. He grimaced and looked at the meat in the taco. "Blah, the lunch ladies always forget to add flavor."

"Sometimes I hate lunch from the school," Miko said in an agreeing tone. "I was looking forward to it, and I'm disappointed. But I'm hungry, so we got to eat."

"Begrudgingly," Raf grimaced as he took a bite of his taco. "You know the room that got broken into is still closed off to the students. I was able to see inside it, and that window definitely looked like something big got in."

"We already know that, Raf," Jack said, though he looked at the boy curiously. "Is there any other evidence around the room?"

"Just at the door. Seems like whatever it was tried to get into the hallway, but left the way it came. Still...it's kind of scary." He rubbed the back of his head as he spoke. "I have to say though, all the stories the other kids are making up about the incident has been kind of amusing. I know they're wrong, but hearing what they think happened is pretty funny to listen to."

"I overheard a few too," Miko said with a giggle. "One the most ridiculous stories included a wannabe, outlaw looking for gang members." Azura, Jack and Raf stare at the girl in surprise. "I'm not joking. I literally heard it in my last class and I almost lost all composure."

"That's actually pretty funny," Azura chuckled softly, shaking her head in disbelief. "The imagination is always fun to overhear."

"I agree. So...uh..." Jack paused and looked at Azura. "How are things at home? I know you can't tell me specifics anymore, but I hope things are okay at home for you."

Azura grimaced a little. "Uh...I am not sure how to respond to that, Jack. I know this is going to be awkward...but all I'll say is things will keep going as they are."