Warning: Profanity included

"How is your father doing dearest?"

"Quite well, I'm sure."

"Have you not seen him?"

"Not in recent weeks, can you excuse me for a moment?"

Magnolia huffed as she managed to get through groups of important people who stood in her way. She was already mentally drained and her jaw was hurting from having to constantly smile but she would persist.

Honestly, she just wanted to get out of this building!

Pardoning herself from a group of interested people attempting to speak to her, she headed for the doors and slipped out into the still bustling halls. Groaning in annoyance the woman made her way to the restroom which was oddly empty. That was a shocker! No complaints though.

Leaning against the marble sink, she looked at herself and smiled. Dang, she looked smooth tonight! Thanking her makeup artist would be the first priority in the morning.

Regardless of how fabulous she looked on the outside, her inner self was miserable. In utter truth, Magnolia hated singing. The only reason she started down this path was because her father wanted each of his 'children' to make it big. Her brother had become a surgeon, her sisters were Aerospace engineers, even her cousin Lennox worked for some military group. But her? She majored in Horticultural Science.

Have you ever planted a seed and a wonderful healthy plant began to sprout? There is nothing like it.

But no, father wanted her to have a "career". So, he gave her an option. Singing. He thought she already had a voice and capitalized on it. Hell, it paid off she guessed. From disgusting gentleman's clubs to...High class gentleman's clubs. What an upgrade.

Still, got her great reviews and booked gigs. Plus paid the bills so she couldn't complain. Great friends were made too so that was nice.

Shaking her head, Magnolia sighed loudly. She better get back out there before people wonder where she ran off to. One more look in the mirror and she exited the bathroom. The hall seemed to die down which meant the next act was currently on stage. Awesome! She wanted to check them out.

"Excuse me, miss."

The deep voice caught Magnolia's attention and made her stop to look at the strapping man standing before her. Her eyes looked over the well built gentleman dressed in black and purple with interest. Holy cow, this guy was SUPER HOT.

The man with jet black hair smirked at her wondering eyes and tsked in amusement. Oh, he noticed her staring! How embarrassing. Way to go Magnolia, way to look like an idiot to the first attractive guy to come up to you tonight.

"Like what you see?"

"I-sorry..."

"Please don't apologize, I like what I see even more."

"Why thank you Mr-"

"Call me Swindle."

Magnolia raised a thin eyebrow at the name. That was the strangest thing she had heard all night and that's saying something. She prayed this man wasn't insane. He was too cute for that!

"That is quite a name."

"It attracts the attention I need."

"Swindlers?"

"Ha not exactly but you were divine up there. Shame I wasn't the first person you came into contact with."

Magnolia saw Swindle hold out his muscular arm out and she gracefully took it. Only a fool would not take this man's arm. He was such eye candy.

The two made small talk as they ascended the stairs further away from the main gathering. The woman hadn't even noticed, this man was just an attention grabber.

"I love that necklace you're wearing."

"Hm? Oh my choker haha! Thank you very much, my mom made it for me."

"And this metal piece?"

"That's the real mystery. She said she found it in Chicago and thought of me."

Swindle smirked once more; this was definitely a fragment of the Allspark. Even more so since it was found in Chicago. His grip on her tightened a bit as they reached the balcony that his accomplice made sure was kept empty. Poor humans that had to take a plunge into the bushes down below.

"Lovely view of the city!"

"It is isn't it?"

Magnolia released Swindle's muscular arm and breathed in the frosty air. She was cold but for this view, totally worth it. She overlooked the railing at the many stories below and gasped. How far up had they walked? She didn't even notice!

"Wow we really went up."

"Indeed, we did."

"Could have taken the elevator you know."

"That wouldn't have been as enjoyable now would it Magnolia."

She gave the man a playful eye roll before going silent and looking out into the glowing city. Swindle touched his ear where a com link was located and softly spoke before heading over to the woman and placed a hand over her shoulder.

"Getting a bit touchy aren't we?"

"Just making sure you aren't cold."

Magnolia slipped out of his grasp, a playful glint in her eyes. "I think I'll survive."

"Hm so you're a hard to get type yes?"

"Well, I sure ain't easy."

"Good, I like my pets to have some fight in them."

Magnolia seemed confused until Swindle roughly grabbed her arm and pulled her into him. In the shock of the force, she crashed into his hard chest hurting her nose.

"Warm..."

What the actual fuck?! Crap she just fell into a trap! He was going to assault her! Magnolia tried to pull out of his grasp to no avail.

"L-Let go of me!"

"Now why would I do that? You have something I need."

"If it's money you want, take my purse!"

"Money? No no. I have no need for that. Your 'choker' however is what I want."

Her choker? Pffft take it by all means! It meant a lot but she wasn't about to throw her life away for it.

"Take it! Just please let me go!"

Doing her best to wiggle out of his grasp, Magnolia lifted her foot and crushed her heel into the man's foot making him yell out and release her. Getting a distance away she ran to the door but was once more grabbed and turned around. Her fist automatically raised and jabbed at her attacker's face.

"You really are a fighter! I'm going to have such fun with you."

For the first time since the confrontation started, she let out a scream. Being so high up didn't guarantee anyone would hear her but it was worth a shot.

Swindle growled and covered her mouth with his free hand, ignoring the annoying bite and pulled them closer to the edge.

Oh god he was going to throw her over!

Struggling in vain, the singer let heavy tears fall down her cheeks. She wasn't ready to die! Her career, her friends and family. What were they going to do without her? This man had no idea the pain he would be causing by killing her. Everything would fall apart.

Once at the railing, Swindle looked down to see his partner's vehicle mode parked below.

"You aren't afraid of heights, are you?"

A muffled scream was his only answer.

"Good."

Just as he was about to push her down, the doors to the balcony were yanked open with Jazz in the doorway.

"Don't you even think about it!"

Magnolia craned her head as far as she could to see a man running up to them. A second attacker? You've got to be kidding!

"Too late."

With that Swindle threw Magnolia over the edge. As he looked at her screaming form a laugh couldn't be helped. They all looked so funny when scared.

"She is quite the catch, isn't she?"

Jazz calmly stood with his hands behind his back, a smirk on his face.

"She is a catch."

Swindle gazed at the Autobot with confusion but when the hologram suddenly vanished, he immediately went to his com link.

"Breakdown come in! Breakdown are you at the location?! Breakdown!"

With no answer the mech balled up his hands. Only one Autobot showed up here….oh frag.

The ability scream had long left Magnolia as her death came closer and closer. Her heels have long since left her feet and her once perfect hair had fallen into chaos. That mattered little now, she was going to die and become a splatter on the street.

Why did she have to go with that guy? She should have known better! Her mother always talked to her about wandering around with men. Now the ultimate price was about to be paid.

With her heart pounding in her chest at speeds that would make doctors cry, Magnolia's breath had hitched in her throat. Her eyes went blurry and she realized she was about to faint. This was good, that way she wouldn't feel the impact.

Slipping from consciousnesses, her eyes closed and her body had forcibly relaxed itself midair. The last thing Magnolia managed to hear was the sound of a strange horn going off in the distance.

Fuck you fate.