Each step I took, I felt weaker and weaker. It seems that I had been walking for cycles, if not longer. I stumbled often, tripping over my own pedes. I struggled to keep my optics open, constantly reminding myself to stay conscious.

The sound grew louder the more I walked. Once again, I scanned the are to make sure that I was not seen, and I wasn't. I refocused on the sound to determine what it could be. My thoughts slowly drifted away from the possibility of a grenade, it didn't sound as threatening. I also noticed that it went on and off, not constant like I originally thought.

The gashes in my frame and most importantly my helm, continued to ooze energon. My vision started to blur, causing my helm to spin. I groaned in exhaustion and pain. I was going to find out what was making this sound, even if it may very well be the last thing I do.

The sound grew familiar the more I heard it. I know what it is, but then again, I don't.

I gaze out into the distance, something catching my optic. Movement.

My steps become more hurried as I move faster to the source. As it came into view, I realized what it was.

"WAHHH-W-WA-WAHHHHH."

The howling cries of a sparkling. I couldn't pry my optics away. The sound made me want to fall to my knees and die.

The screams and cries of pain. The sparkling was clutching her dead carrier, trying to 'wake her up'.

"CARRIER- W-WAKE UP!" The sparkling howled once more through the tears.

They sobbed loudly as energon tears continued to streak down their horrified face. I quietly take a step forward to the sparkling, this catching their attention.

They turn to me and start to back up quickly.

"S-STAY AW-AWAY FROM M-ME!"

They shouted and cried. I put my servos out and shake my head.

"I'm not going to hurt you."

I say soothingly. The sparkling looks over my frame, seeing that I had been in battle. They try to take a deep breath but hiccup in the process from all of the crying. Energon is splattered across their frame, but it was not their own. They shakily stand and looked back to meet my optics.

"P-promise?"

I nod and get down on my knees so I am their level, to seem less imitating.

"I promise."

With that, they immediately run to me and wrap their tiny arms around my waist. I put my arms around their small, fragile frame, soothing them as they begin to cry once more.

I look down at the sparkling in my arms. A pale pink, energon covered, frame- a femme. She didn't look like she would be even old enough for the first level of the academy.

I rubbed her back plate soothingly, to calm her down and convince her that everything was alright.

"Can you tell me your name?" I asked once she seemed to calm down and grow comfortable in my embrace. She looks up at me with bright blue optics.

"Steel Blossom." She replies softly. I give a warm smile down at her.

"I'm Brisk."

She gives a small smile and wraps her tiny arms around my waist, burying her face into my side.

"B-Brisk?" She asks a short while later.

"Yes?"

I look down at her, her face filled with sadness.

"My carrier is gone."

I reach down and plant a small kiss on her forehelm.

"But I am here, Blossom." I respond softly.

She lets out another hiccup or two before her optics shut as she falls into recharge in my arms.

#1 in the picture is Blossom. Credit: Hinata2000 on Deviantart

Thanks for reading!

-Avalanche