Confronting The Past

[Deleted]

Characters: @shaneanderson, Override
Location: Jasper PD
Content Warnings: Abuse/Murder References
Plot Summary: Shane finally confronts his past in order to turn his absuive stepfather in, but worries about his future.

[Deleted]

Shane felt shaky.

He and Override had been in Jasper a day. And outside the police station for about an hour, just waiting for him to get the courage to take a step inside. Unfortunately, Shane was having a hard time finding his courage to do so. His whole body practically trembled as they sat there.

He knew if he went in, his stepdad was probably there. And who knew what he’d say, or what kind of scene he’d make. He rubbed his knuckles quietly, looking out the window again. He really didn’t know what would happen from here either. Especially to him...

He leaned forward and ran his hands along his face. “I don’t know about this, ‘Ride. I’m starting to think I’m making a mistake,” he explained as his stomach did somersaults. “What if he’s in there? And he tells everyone I’m lying? I just...”

He felt his heat racing as he laid his head against the dashboard. This was the third time he’d try to say this - and every time he hadn’t said they should leave. He knew he shouldn’t but damn it he didn’t know what to do.

[Override]

Shane having doubts about himself was expected, and Override had prepared for it. She was here to support him whatever the outcome was, and he knew it too. Her holomatter avatar sat next to him, arms wrapped around him an a supportive embrace. She was getting fairly good at hugging people at this point. She'd never had a reason to hug anybody back home, save for perhaps Moonracer. And Clocker, if he was having a bad day.

With one last tight squeeze, Override pulled back, ready for this occasion. "Shane, you've got the heart to pull this off; don't bend, and don't break." The avatar smiled, placing a hand on the human's back, "You can handle this, just focus on the here and now. If you need help, I'll go in there right along side you."

Override knew Shane could handle this, but also that he was unsure if he had the power, himself.

[Deleted]

Shane tried to suck in a breath.

He knew the femme was right. But what did he do? What did he say? Hey here I am after being gone for how many years? Please don’t turn me in to my stepdad? Would anyone even remember him at this point? He sighed quietly, let himself stop shaking for a moment as he thought all of this through. He knew without a doubt that his stepfather was in there, he didn’t know how he knew but by instinct he just knew that this day wasn’t going by without him coming face to face with the man.

After a moment - he nodded. “Alright, I can do this.” He whispered. “At least I hope so.”

He had just stepped out of the car when his worst nightmare came true.

The door opened and out came Bradley.

He was a tall, husk of a man with greasy hair, and a sly grin. For all outward appearances - he didn’t look too bad. But Shane knew the monster underneath, and now the Autobots did too. ”Shane? Oh god. Shane! Where the hell have you been!” he half shouted as if making a scene in order to look like this was any kind of happy reunion. ”I’ve been looking for you for the last-.”

“Get away from me,” Shane snapped as the man went for his arm, reeling it back. “I’m not here to talk to you... I’m here to talk to the cops. And if you put another hand on me...”

”Shane, relax!” Bradley replied. ”Come on, buddy. Everyone’s going to be so happy to see you. I was about to go on patrol but not anymore. You can finally set them straight. Lots of rumors started after you ran off.. Not so nice ones about me.”

Then came that iron grip. The kind that Shane was used to, the kind that always let him know Bradley meant business. He’d grabbed his arm again and yanked him forward. Surprising the boy enough that he let out a bit of a yelp. “Get off of me, Bradley. I’m not afraid of you anymore.” He replied, a blunt honesty in his voice.

”When did you grow a spine?” that quiet hiss was said with such venom that Shane could feel his bravery start to falter. There was that feeling of fear in the pit of his stomach. ”Why did you come back anyway, Shane? You’d better have a dang good reason if you’re going to pull this on me.”

“I’m warning you, Brad.” Shane stammered. “Get your hand off of me.”

”Or what?”

Shane wasn’t sure he wanted that answer.

[Override]

Was this really all she was here for? Of course she'd given him her support, and driven him to the precinct, but Override felt like there was more she could've been doing. Sure, this was something Shane wanted, and had to do on his own if he was ever going to get any closure in his life. But dammit if Override's instincts weren't kicking her aft right now. Shane was her people, and as Suprema she had a duty to look out for her people. All of them.

Throwing all caution and planning to the wind, like any proper Velocitronian, Override stepped out of herself, and began to walk towards the door. By now at least she'd had more experience in using her avatar to interact with humans, except she'd never actually been mad while doing it. Mad was subjective in this case, but she felt she needed to exude authority; for Shane's sake.

In hindsight, she probably could've used more finesse with the door, as Override unceremoniously slammed it open at the perfect moment.

[Deleted]

Bradley’s head shot up.

Shane of course knew it was Override right away - and kind of gave a half smirk. He was in for it now he figured. But he didn’t want to say anything he wanted the man to dig his own grave if anything. The man’s brow furrowed as he took some steps forward, attempting to look all friendly as he could, in hopes that she hadn’t seen anything probably. ”Ah! You must be the fine woman who brought my beloved Shane back to me!” he announced rather exuberantly. ”I can’t thank you enough - but I can take it from here, m’am.”

Shane waited to see what Override would do. Chew him out? Give him a beating? He hoped she wouldn’t get in trouble but he also had a feeling it would not go over well if he jumped in.